Minestrone soup it probably my new favourite 5:2 soup. Not only is is filling, and really really yummy, it’s nice and low in calories. The quantities I used make a huge bowlful, not quite enough for two people, but definitely a big meal for one. I shared the last few mouthfuls with my gannet children because I was stuffed.
Fish Pie
I went to the cinema last night with Ross, my bro-in-law and Kathryn, his lovely girlfriend. We saw Star Trek, which, by the way, is amazeballs. Even if you’re not a fan, go and see it anyway, it’s SO so good. We went to a Picture House cinema, and the best thing about that is they have an alcohol licence, so you can relax infront of a movie with a glass of wine. It feels a lot more grown up than going to the Odeon. Truly an excellent evening.
Whilst sitting in the bar before the film started, we got to talking about their recent trip to Brighton, and how they had a rather shitty meal at a restaurant there. Kathryn had ordered a fish pie, and what came out was dry muscles and squid, with dry potato heaped on top, and a bit of cheese.
“Thats no fish pie” I exclaimed. Because it’s not. Fish pie should have a white fish, a smoked fish, and prawns. Salmon, too, if you’re feeling flush, maybe muscles if they are your thing (they are not mine). Lots of creamy sauce with maybe a splash of white wine. You should definitely pop a sliced up boiled egg in there, too, and maybe even a few capers. The mashed potato should be nicely seasoned and if you’re poaching the fish in milk, made up with that for extra fishy yumminess. In short, there should be nothing dry about a fish pie. Read more
Spicy Ricey Courgette Boats
This was a bits and bobs kind of meal. We had a frugal week, and I have a tendency to overshop, so I put this together out of things I wanted to use up. Leftover chicken from last Sunday’s roast, a couple of mushrooms, a tomato and spinach, all mixed up together with rice and harissa for a bit of a kick, and spooned into something I have to bribe my children to eat – courgettes.
Well, to save myself a dinner time battle, I made them some pasta, but they both still demanded a mouthful of my courgette boat. I served it with some salad leaves, and half of the creamiest avocado I’ve had in ages. It was truly a (skinny) supper of kings. Read more
Juicy Tuesday – My First Green Juice
Juicy Tuesday has been on hiatus for a couple of weeks, for no other reason than I just forgot to post. Anyway, this week I have popped my green juice cherry, and it was… interesting.
So I am sure you all know I am on the 5:2 diet, Lord knows I bang on about it enough, and how amazeballs it is. Seriously, easiest diet ever. I had no idea fasting could be so easy and could make you feel so good. I generally have lots of energy on fasting days, and I am finding I sleep better, and am more careful about what I eat on feast days. Best of all, I’m losing weight slowly and fairly steadily.
I attempted a juice fast yesterday, and I failed because I made olive bread the day before and bread is my downfall. Read more
A Weekend of Soirees
Yesterday was a busy day. Straight after breakfast we nipped off to Eastleigh Lakeside model railway to pick up a birthday gift for a party the children were going to. Like Elliot, this little boy is rather keen on trains, so we bought him some track for his Brio set. What was meant to be a quick nip in and out of the gift shop, turned into a longer stay as there in one of the platform sidings was a Thomas locomotive. I have never seen my son so enthralled by anything, he stopped, pointed at it and gasped as soon as he clapped eyes on it.
“THOMAAAAA”
Thomas wasn’t running, but another train was, and although we didn’t have time for a ride, we did watch it chug off around the track. Read more
5:2 Friday
Roll up, roll up, it’s 5:2 Friday! If you’re blogging about the 5:2 diet, link up. If you’re not, stick around, you might enjoy yourself.
I’m firmly in the One Meal A Day camp on fasting days. I tend to allow myself a coffee with milk and one sugar after the school run, and then nibble on cucumber and celery if I feel really peckish throughout the day. But I’m finding that usually, I don’t really need anything until dinner time, which I eat fairly early anyway.
Fasting Day 1 (Monday)
Monday was a bank holiday, and it was lovely and hot. Bank holidays and sun mean one thing and one thing only in our household. Barbecue. Is it possible to have a fasting day barbecue that is still tasty, filling, and delicious? Yes, it is. We had marinated chicken, vegetable and lamb kebabs, a couple of fresh, summery salads, and pretend Pimms (diet lemonade with a splash of balsamic vinegar). I didn’t feel like I missed potato salad, or oozy cheeseburgers.
This right here, is my favourite way of cooking asparagus. A squeeze of lemon juice, salt, and pepper, and grilled until they are tender. Oh my god, I have not the words for how good this is. I ate so much, my wee smelt odd for hours after.
Fasting Day 2 (Thursday)
I blogged about what a terrible day yesterday was, and so by the time it was time for dinner I was ready for something comforting, thus, my aubergine parmigiana cooked inside the aubergine skin came to be. It rocks up at under 400 calories per serving, and is comforting and delicious. Cooking it inside the aubergine skin means portion control is all taken care of, which is great for a piglet like me. I served this with a crisp green salad, and I loved every morsel.
Sorry about the pee comment, but you know, sharing is caring.