28 September 2010

So today was a variation on yesterday’s yummy crumpet!

Two ma-hu-ssive s’berries on a lemon curdy spready crumpet with yogurt, and a drizzle of flaxseed oil (that bright yellow stuff)

Messy and delicccciiiiiiiouuuuusssss. Forgot my glass of milk so I was hungry mid-morning.

This is the lunchy I packed – pear, half a can of soup with crackers and leftover lite n easy fruits, and passionfruit yogurt-o.

I usually have a whole can of soup, but trying to be a little bit cheap and eat ALL the food in my cupboard, including crackers that I’ve already opened so I only had half – It was a very small lunch. Next time I think I would prefer to add protein. Was hungry by 3pm so had my yogurt – thick and delicious. Wanted something else… don’t know if I can wait until after my workout – just a fitness video I picked up, but I didnt like it. Boo.

I intended on cooking Australia Eatwell sausages for tea, and have leftovers all week (they are pretty damn yummy!!) but I could not find them anywhere! I checked two Woolies, a Coles and an IGA, and only found the burgers and Sanitarium fake meats! Someone help? West Brisbane suburbs, from Ipswich out to Indooroopilly, where-o-where are the Aussie Eat Well snags?

Instead I got uber lazy and heated a lite and easy frozo, Malay Beef, linked here.

Finally fashion? 27 September 2010

Well my view of what is fashion!

What I wore shopping:

My cons, skinny greay jeans, a pink tank and a pattern splotchy black/pink tank over that (see below), with a little necklace. I dont usually dress like this, I was inspired by another girl I saw. I am usually very… cutesy (knee high socks, pinafores, mary janes, sesame street themes, bright colours) or man style (collared t-shirts shorts and my volleys)!

A whole day at Jindalee DFO AND Mt Ommaney shops and this is ALL I GOT. I am losing my mojo peeps. Grey dress is kinda wool and has a bit of a houndstooth patter. It has cutish studs on it, and I will wear with some grey ankle boots and tights during winter. I wish I didnt have a work uniform thing, so I could wear cool office clothes like this. But I can see me in Brisbane, at Cocoawoo sipping a flavoured hot chocolate (tim tam methinks) in QLD winter.

Then the tops are from Big W and Kmart. Kmart makes this FANTASTIC range of tanks for about $8-12 that feel so great, and are super versatile and great for layering. I have black and pink now. BUT they also sell tanks for about $6 which are not as nice, not as fitted. Try them on though. I am usually a 10-12 in tanks, but this 12 was too small for me 😦

The last dress was a sack when I tried it on but I could see the potential. Its a bit of a digital origami pattern, and I will wear it out in Brissy, with some wicked peacock coloured nailpolish, a belt and some open toed boots. Kinda channeling these looks, but more subtle.

And what I bought recently! Note I am a massive bargain shopper. I require cas dresses and tops under $15, shoes under $20, pants under $30, jewelry under $10  if I am to buy them straight away, otherwise I go away, really think about it and make sure its not an impulse buy.

Boo, I didnt realise how bad the pic was! Cotton On dresses (plus a $5 scarf, not pictured) for $30 and an Equip necklace. I intend to pull off the green beads and add some ribbon and an eiffel tower! Polka dot dress will be worn with a flower made out of larger polka dotted pattern, maybe a red ribbon in the middle, but I enjoy its loose fit. The stripy dress probably with my cons to a picnic or shopping, maybe I need a little cardy for this. Any suggestions what colour? I have grey and red, long sleeve and white three quarters (but its so tight!)  but I think this needs something else.

Back on the wagon!

As you can see my creative titles have waned since my previous posting. I would prefer just to get these posts done for now – life is hectic (but I bet you all know that!)

Breakfast I used the lemon curd spread I just posted a recipe for here. On a wholemeal crumpet with natural yogurt, blueberries and toasted almonds, plus a glass of Anlene no fat (but so much calicum!!) It looks small, but the toppings were dripping off it was so tall. I prefer small amounts of food that pack a punch for breakfast.

Morning tea was a hard apple, shortly followed by lunch as I was hu-un-gry! 100g turkey mince shaped into a long patty, in a rye wrap with avocado and lettuce. Was yummy, but small.I planned some pears but I was in too much of a whirlwind at work.

Afternoon tea with natural yogurt with passionfruit and splenda (under lunch there) The yogurt is Jalna A2 natural low fat. Its quite tart, especially compared to the smooth Vaalia, but its fine if you mix it with other things. I would not use this as a sub for sour cream in recipes for icing or in soups etc. Stick to the Vaalia. BUT Jalna is uber-UBER thick, and I do enjoy their low fat flavoured mini pots. Yum yum!

Dinner was a frozo, so the in depth details at my other blog (which is for frozen meals) but I found it OK, very plain flavoured, tho I did scoff it all. I wont buy it again too soon – I’d rather make the same meal myself.

Dessert? I dont know. I should not but I think I have leftover calories, so it may be a warm glass of milk to try and re-break my night eating habit (oh its been WOEFUL)

Recipe: Lemon Spread

I thought I’d come back with a little recipe to share.

I made some lemon meringue cupcakes last week, and wanted to make a healthier option. But lemon curd – made of eggs, butter and sugar- is pretty much a nightmare in terms of calories. Sure, its a very intense flavour, so you can use less, but a tablespoon is about 77 calories. For a condiment that I LURRRVE. Boo.

But never fear, Google helped me find a few alternatives, namely this one from eating well, of which I still wasn’t happy with, so I tinkered.

Fi’s Lemon Spread

(can’t call is curd, as it has very little butter or eggs but trust me, you dont miss it all that much!)

• 1 large egg
• 2 large egg whites (I subbed one for Organ No-egg replacer)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup splenda or other sweetener
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest
• 2/3 cup lemon juice, juice
• 1 teaspoon margarine (next time I will omit and see)
• 1 tbsp cornflour, mixed into 2 tbsp cold water

1. Whisk together egg, egg whites/replacer, sugar, lemon zest and juice in a medium nonreactive saucepan.

2. Add margaine and cook over low heat, whisking constantly, until thickened, 5 to 7 minutes. Do not let sauce come to a simmer. (The first time I did it it wouldnt thicken so I did the next step. The second time it did thicken up, but I still added the cornflour with extra water to bulk up the spread)

3. Slowly pour in the cornflour/water mix, and whisk hard to avoid clumps. Bring the temperature up almost to a gentle boil, until the spread thickens. Transfer to a small bowl and let cool.

The originial eating well  recipe almost halved the calories, and my switch of sugar meants its about 25 calories a tablespoon – about a third from the orignal. Of course this is using cancer sugar, but I’m sure you could use stevia instead of Splenda, as I onlyaded it at the end to stop it being uber tart.

Be creative with this one – you can stir it into yogurt (with passionfruit – yum) in salad dressings, on crumpets or toast, even on toast with ricotta or cottage cheese. Delicious!

Yes, its a beer glass. Just for storing. Honest… I dont drink it… yet… I might put oats in it when I’m done with the spread for a hot parfait.

Just a quick one to day 26 September 2010

I’m back!

See you tomorrow for the day’s recap and a low-fat/sugar lemon curd recipe I’ve been tinkering with!

…food review – final Luna bar! Cookies n’ Cream Delight 26 May 2010

Oh noes! The last one is gone!

As with the others, . This one also fared through the hot summer (although now its cold winter!) better than the Chocolite Bars.  I liked to split them in half and have them as a post workout snack with milk, as half is too small for a snack and a whole one, too big (but also too small for a breakfast/lunch replacement. I try to eat more real foods for my three meals)

Once again I cut this one in half. The colour surprised me – it is indeed cookies and cream rather than cream and cookies (like ice-cream) I love the decoration on these bars! Squiggleeeeeeeeeeee!

 

I thought it was a little dry but the flavour, after a few bites and time to develop in my mouth, was delish. 7.5/10 – I did prefer the choc raspberry cos I am a sweet tooth, but this one is still a good choice. On my list of foods to get if I ever go to the US. Delightful indeed!

…fighting the flu 24 May 2010

… and other undesirable illnesses that are awfully contagious 😦 I’d rather not disclose what else I have because its frankly a little gross. SO your your benefit..ENOUGH

So what do you do when you are sick? I eat. I eat all the time. Tummy ache or headache. I never lose my appetite. (Thats a lie, when I change time zones by more than 8 hours I do. But I make up for it and am starving at night time!)

My sick collegues (wonder who I got this from…) seem to stick to dry toast with butter and lots of orange juice. Eh.

My Top 5 list of “I’m-sick-comfort-me foods” (keeping in mind I want to get better so they cant be too decadent!)

* Mum’s chilli con carne or Mapo Tofu – the chilli just makes my nose run and flush out all the baddies.
* Pumpkin or chicken soup with corn. I need the sweet crunch and the thick warmness
* Thick warm custard
* Warm gooey chocolate cake or pud (see next post for a quick fix recipe!)
* Ice-cream (tho I love this at any time)

As you can see I usually prefer gooey warmth to cuddle me to comfort. What about you, what are your go-to foods? And do you do the “I’m sick I’ll eat what I want” thing? I may have indulged in a few too many cookies today. What? I’m sick and feeble – don’t wanna collapse… I need energy to fight this thing 😀

…fresh linkage 22 May 2010

Mm, have been loving blog surfing recently, as a 5 min distraction as I type up reports at work, or after a long day. Giving me some healthy inspiration to keep going!

Healthy Exposures – GREAT pictures and exciting recipes. Oh how I lust for your irish cream agave. Plus a love of creative and ever-changing oats for brekkie. Lovely!

Food Buzz – How have I not found you earlier?!! Linkage of zillionz (ok, hundreds..) of food bloggers. And recipes! Looks like a future favourite! I might even join up and try and find some more aussies.

Healthy Yum – The future tastespotting.com of healthy foods? What better way to trawl for yummy AND healthy recipes! I can’t wait to be a participant in their snapshots. When I gets home!

Womens Health Look Better Naked guide – I love when magazines publish detailed info on their websites. Sometimes I just can’t  afford all the mags I want. Although I do wish they ‘d put different info up, so I didnt feel like I wasted $5 on info that was uploaded anyway. It seems pretty healthy, and I might try it when I’m a rut. Dont care about looking good nekked, just want me some tasty recipes and fitness fun!

So thems is my favourites at the mo-mo. Have fun!

…finally found motivation 21 May 2010

Somehow today was easier! Probably because last night I planned my meals and exercises and reminded myself why I am doing this!

Also  I’ve made a friend and we’re going to inspire each other to be healthy. No dessert on weekdays is our main plan to combat our sedentry lifestyle. And downsizing those other treats. Do you have a fitness or health buddy? I’ve always found it hard, as I move so much and rarely make good friends. Also I’m scared of the competion. and the risk fo luring each the other poor health for that reason. We’re just being casual at the moment.

I snuck in 15 mins of running this morning – thank goodness, because my afternoon plan of hitting the gym was derailed by work. – had to go and pick up a new collegue from the airport, flown in for tomorrow’s conference.

I intended to do 30 mins of intervals on the treadmill, but foolishly after a sprint I outright stopped for a few seconds and my poor body ceased up! Oh the pain. I had to walk of the nausea, and leave the tready for someone else.

B – Vegemite on wholemeal toast + 1.5 soft eggies and a round of grapfuit + Skim Milk. I miss you grainery bread! Burgen is the best I’ve found – Rye and pumpkin seed are my favourites!

S – Watermelon from the fruit platter and a few sneaky macadamia nut halves

L – Skipped the lasagana at the food court and got me some chicken salad and a tiny cup of beef and lentil soup (more veg than meat) YUM and hit the spot!

S – no gym made me hungy, but got away with a plum and some cereal. And a cup of mint green tea.

D – Steak and Salad at work BBQ. Only big fluffy white bread so avoided

Pictures a’comin!

… finding it frustratingly hard :( 20 May 2010

Yes, motivate is lost on me.

B – Mushroom omlette and milk

L – Open faced sammo with chicken, avocado spread, capsicum and cheese on organise rye sourdough. After weeks of eating the cotton-like ‘wholemeal’  provided in buffets and eat out restaurants, its nice to have something dense and that makes you FEEL good ont he inside. Sgh, wish it was real avo though. Side of morrocan iced tea, add your own sugar syrup

S – Mint lemonade, FRESH. VERY tangy. Must recreate when I get home! A good dose of shopping. Ah bargains!

D – Grilled Steak and mushrooms with brocolli and the outside of a baked potato. The steak was huge and I knew I’d never finish the potato, so I just ate the fiberous TASTY outside!

S: Argh, night time eating is back. Ice-cream at the down the road Baskin and Robbins. My fav, NSA caramel turtle was in. Mm kiddy scoop. But the… SURPRISE Peanut butter M&Ms at my door. Who keeps giving these to me?! Ah yes, the diet sabatours in our midst. Do you have anyone who keeps feeding you? My aunties are NOTORIOUS. Two lovely happily plump ladies who send me all sorts of junk food. And then make snide comments such as “oh have you put on weight”.  Hmm I guess I cant get too angry if its true 😦 I know work collegues are often big offenders of such antics (lucky I work with a lot of men, who just don’t care about food and weight)

My rationalisation for the munchies? I’m starting again tomorrow… how many times have I said that now!?