I have been so unwell and in a whole world of pain that I have not been able or in any frame of mind to do my blog or give cooking any serious thought. I will have put a load of weight back on but to be truthful I couldn't care less. I am glad I am coming out the other side of this pain-episode now.
I have had coarse oatmeal this morning made with rice milk. I will try and make a meal planner and get back on track.
Breakfast:
45g oatmeal, ½ c rice milk, 1 c of water, 2 X 500ml water;
Lunch:
1 serving of potato salad, 3 prunes, and 2 dried figs, 2 X 500ml;
Dinner:
1 serving of Vegetable Paella, 500ml water;
Supper:
60 ml soya milk and 1 cup of coffee;
Recipes:
- Vegetable Paella (4 servings)
Ingredients:
300g Meat-Free sausages, 1 thinly sliced onion, 2 tsp minced garlic, 1 red de-seeded and thinly sliced bell pepper, 400g chopped fresh tomatoes, 200g thin green beans cut into bite size pieces, 200g peas, 200g brown rice, 1 ½ tsp paprika, ½ tsp turmeric, 1 tsp chilli powder, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 700ml water + yeast extract, 3 tbsp chopped parsley;
Warm a pan, cut each sausage into bite sized chunks and dry fry with a little water till golden brown. Set aside. Gently dry fry the onions and garlic till soft, then add the bell pepper and fry for a further 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, beans and peas and cook for another 5 minutes. Add the rice, paprika, turmeric, chilli powder and vinegar. Stir well. Stir in the water + Yeast extract and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in the sausage. Simmer for 10 minutes or till the rice is tender, adding more liquid as required. Season to taste and sprinkle on parsley to garnish.
- Jane's Little Helpers (12)
Ingredients:
1) 2 bananas, 6 prunes, 2 figs, 1/2 c soya milk, 1 tbsp vinegar;
2) 1 c wholemeal flour, 1 tbsp carob powder, 1 tbsp coled milled, flaxseed, 1 tsp sodium bicarb, 1 tsp baking powder;
3) 1 1/2 tbsp egg replace + 6 tbsp cold water;
Oven Gas Mark 4. Blend all 1) in a blender. Mix all 2) in a bowl. Whisk up 3). Then stir everything together and fill 12 silicon muffin tin and bake for 20 to 30 minutes. Leave to cool and then turn out onto a cooling wrack.
Comments:
I am looking forward to the Paella. It has been jonks since I made it. AAAAND yesterday evening I have ordered some Vital Wheat Gluten which is costing me an arm and a leg but I thought it would be great to make special occasion meals with. I wish I could find a place that sells the stuff around here but I guess Wigan is not exactly the Culinary High-Life Hub of the British Isles... bugger. My poor neighbor is ill and I have just shoved my latest experiment in the oven. I am hoping to have made some very yummy and scrumptious muffins, fat and sugar free... hopefully.
Breakfast:
45g oatmeal, ½ c rice milk, 1 c of water, 2 X 500ml water;
Lunch:
1 serving of rice salad, 3 prunes, 2 dried figs, 2 X 500ml;
Dinner:
1 serving each of Potato Loaf, mixed vegetables, Onion & Tomato gravy, baked potato, 1 experimental muffin, 500ml water;
Supper:
60 ml soya milk and 1 cup of coffee;
Recipes:
- Potato Loaf (6 servings) adapted from the Quorn Kitchen cook book
Ingredients:
125g Quorn Mince, 70g bulgur wheat, 100g grated carrot, 1 finely chopped onion, 100g grated potato, 1 tbsp minced garlic, 70 coarse oatmeal, 2 tsp yeast extract, 70ml water, 1 tbsp cornstarch, herbs & spices to your liking.
Method:
Oven 200C/200F/Gas Mark 6) Cook the bulgur wheat as per instruction. Dry fry the grated vegetables and garlic for 3 minutes. In a bowl mix mince, fried vegetables, cooked bulgur wheat, oats, yeast extract, water, cornstarch and Herbs and spices. Place into a silicone loaf tin and press down firmly. Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Rest the roast for ca. 5 minutes before turning out of the tin. Serve with Vegetables and gravy.
- Experimental Muffins (4)
Ingredients:
1tbsp each of rye flakes, medium oatmeal, kamut flour, wholegrain spelt flour, wholemeal wheat flour, cold milled flaxseed, poppy seeds.
½ tsp each of baking powder and sodium bicarbonate.
1 tsp egg replacer + 4 tsp water.
1 banana + 4 tbsp soya milk, 1/4tsp vinegar.
Ca. 3 tbsp of blueberries.
Method:
Oven Gas Mark 4. Beat the egg-replacer with the water. Blend the banana with the milk, vinegar and the egg-replaces mix. Combine all dry ingredients and then pour the blended mix with the dry ingredients and fill 4 silicone muffin tins and sprinkle the berries on top Bake for ca. 30 minutes
Comments:
The loaf turned out great and so did the experimental muffins. Hussar!
Breakfast:
45g oatmeal, ½ c rice milk, 1 c of water, 2 X 500ml water;
Lunch:
1 serving of rice salad, 1 gluten-free muffin, 2 X 500ml;
Dinner:
1 serving of Leek Pie, 2 dried figs, 3 prunes, 500ml water;
Supper:
60 ml soya milk and 1 cup of coffee;
Recipes:
- Leek Pie (4 servings) adapted from The Quorn Kitchen
Ingredients:
Soda Bread topping: 150g wholemeal flour, ¼ tsp mustard, 8 tbsp soya milk + 1 tbsp rice vinegar;
Filling: 300g Quorn pieces, 2 sliced leeks, 1 tbsp minced garlic, ½ tsp mustard, 100ml water + yeast extract,
200ml soya milk, 1 tbsp corn starch;
Method:
Oven 200C/400F/Gas Mark 6. Add leeks, pieces, mustard, garlic and stock. Gently simmer for 10 minutes. Mix the milk with the cornstarch and add to the pan. Gently stirring so no lumps form. When thickened put into a pi dish and cool.
Mix the Soda Bread topping and cover the pie dish. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with vegetables and potatoes.
Comments:
I am so looking forward to this pie. I love pies but I hate the fat in the pastry so this Soda Bread topping will be a whole lot better. AND If you can get yourselves the Quorn Kitchen cook book. there are some really awesome recipes in there.
Breakfast:
45g oatmeal, ½ c rice milk, 1 c of water, 2 X 500ml water;
Lunch:
1 X 400g can of oriental bean salad, 2 X 500ml;
Dinner:
1 serving of, 500ml water;
Supper:
60 ml soya milk and 1 cup of coffee;
Recipes:
- Cottage Pie (4 servings) adapted from The Quorn Kitchen
Ingredients:
Topping: 500g chopped potatoes, ½ chopped swede, ½ savoy cabbage, 1 chopped parsnip;
Filling: 1 finely chopped medium onion, 1 finely chopped carrot, 100g frozen peas, 400ml water + yeast extract, 1 tbsp mushroom ketchup, 1 tbsp tomato puree, 1 tbsp cornflour,2 tbsp soya sauce, herbs and spices to your liking.
Method:
Oven 180C/350F/Gasmark 4. Boil topping ingredients till tender. Drain, mash and set aside. Add all the filling ingredients except the cornflour and simmer ca. 5 minutes and thicken with the cornflour. Pour the filling in a baking dish and cover with the topping. Bake for ca. 20 minutes or until crisp on top.
Comments:
I so hope I can keep it together today. *Big Sigh*
Breakfast:
45g oatmeal, 2 dried figs, ½ c rice milk, ½ c of water, 2 X 500ml water;
Lunch:
1 serving of pasta salad, 2 X 500ml;
Dinner:
1 serving Baked Potato and Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce, 500ml water;
Supper:
60 ml soya milk and 1 cup of coffee;
Comments:
I am in so much pain. I want to cry. Beside my allotted food I have grabbed just about anything and asked my daughter to get me some chocolate and potato snacks. Yesterday I made a cake from some left over stuff and ate most of it. I have no idea why I got so damned anxious and started snaffling like I did for the last 2 days. My poor hubby; Shit! I made him feel awful. Ok… I got to get a grip now. Two days of unexplained madness is plenty for anyone. Roll on tomorrow.
Breakfast:
2 Shredded Wheat, 2 dried figs, ½ c rice milk, ½ c of water, 2 X 500ml water;
Lunch:
1 serving of pasta salad, 3 prunes, 2 X 500ml;
Dinner:
1 serving of Potato Wedges, Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce, Broccoli, 500ml water;
Supper:
60 ml soya milk and 1 cup of coffee;
Comments:
I really love the dried fruit! I have a list of foods and their ‘5 a day’ serving sizes. Portion control is something I am constantly working on so this little list is a great help. Hey-ho! Roll on next weigh-in day…Just finished next week’s menu planner and shopping list. Planning ahead is another little thing that makes everything so much easier. It makes it less likely/ nigh on impossible to have anything in the house that I could use to sabotage myself with.
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I spoke too soon. Damn! I started snaffling!
Breakfast:
2 Shredded Wheat, ½ c rice milk, ½ c of water, 3 Prunes, 2 dried figs, 2 X 500ml water;
Lunch:
1 X 8oz potato,1/2 X 400g can mixed beans, 1/2 X 400g can tomatoes, ½ c frozen spinach, Quorn Mince, garlic, chilli, cumin, coriander, salt, 2 X 500ml;
Dinner:
1 serving each of Potato & Swede Mash, Potato & Onion Hash, 3 Meatballs in Mushroom & Onion Gravy, 225g Mixed Vegetables, 3 smallest pieces of Carob Biscotti, 500ml water;
Supper:
60 ml soya milk and 1 cup of coffee;
Recipes:
- Carob Biscotti (27 pieces)
Ingredients:
1 c spelt flour, 1 c plain white flour, 1/3 c brown sugar, 1 tbsp carob powder, ½ tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp nutmeg, ¾ tsp sodium bicarbonate, 1 ½ tbsp egg replacer + 6 tbsp cold water, 1 tbsp molasses;
Method:
Heat the oven to gas mark 4. Mix the egg replacer with the water. Mix all the dry ingredients then add the wet ingredients and work into stiff dough. Form a sausage of approx. 12 inches and bake for 30 minutes. Take out and leave to rest for 10 minutes. Slice into ½ thick slices and lay flat on the baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, turn biscotti and bake the other side for 10 minutes. Leave to cool and store in an airtight container.
Comments:
Well, I think today went well. My poor hubby is feeling under the weather and asked me to make some healthy-ish munchables. So I do as I always do in dire emergencies and consult Susan V’s recipe index. The biscotti I made are an adaptation of one of her recipes. I don’t know what I would do without her blog. Susan you are a saint!Breakfast:
½ c porridge oats, ½ c rice milk, ½ c of water, 1 banana, 2 X 500ml water;
Lunch:
1 serving of lasagne, 1 lotus tea, 1 Green tea latte, ½ nakd bar, 1 prune, 1 fig, 2 X 500ml;
Dinner:
Nicky’s Meal, 500ml water;
Starter: Artichoke Soup;
Main: Plain boiled potatoes, dry fried red onions, 1 ½ baked tomatoes;
Dessert: Chocolate Mousse
Supper:
Nothing;
Comments:
I love going to The Coven. The teas they have there are awesome. We had our lunch (left over lasagne while we were out. It tasted even better than yesterdayBreakfast:
½ c porridge oats, ½ c rice milk, ½ c of water, 1 banana, 2 X 500ml water;
Lunch:
1 serving of rice salad, 1 apple, 2 X 500ml;
Dinner:
1 serving of Lasagne, 3 Oatie Carob Cookies, 500ml water;
Supper:
60 ml soya milk and 1 cup of coffee;
Recipes:
- Lasagne (4 servings)
Ingredients:
6 Lasagne sheets, 150g Quorn Mince, 450g mixed vegetables, ¼ swede chopped, 2 chopped onions, 1 chopped stick of celery;
Method:
Gently dry fry the mince and all the vegetables. Then build the lasagne and bake in the oven till done.
- Oatie Carob Cookies (makes 20 cookies)
Ingredients:
2/3 c spelt flour, 1 c rolled oats, 1/3 c brown sugar, 1 tbsp cold milled flax seed(linseed), 1 tbsp carob powder, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 ½ tsp egg replacer mixed with 3 tbsp cold water, ¼ c sweetened soya milk;
Method:
Mix the dry ingredients together. Mix the wet ingredients together. Combine the two and form 20 little cookies and place on a non-stick sheet and bake at Gas mark 4 for 10 minutes. Keep in an air tight container.
Comments:
I really enjoyed the lasagne and the Oatie carob cookies are real nice. My hubby rang from work and asked me to make some cookies because he was in need of a little pamper but a healthy one. I think these cookies hit the spot. Tomorrow evening my friend Nicky will be cooking the three course dinner. I wonder what she will be coming up with. I love our fortnightly cook-outs. So tomorrow I don't have to cook at all!
Statistics Day #2
Chest 46 1/2 in. (-1 1/2) Left Thigh 27 1/2 in. (-1/2)
Waist 41 1/2 in. (-2 1/2) Right Thigh 26 in. (-1)
Hips 51 in. (-2) Left Upper Arm 15 in. (same)
Weight 18st9/261lb/118.4kg Right Upper Arm 15 1/2 in. (-1/2)
(-1 st 5/ -19lb/ -9kg) BMI 32.6 (-2.3)
Starting pictures …
After 4 weeks on the plan ...
Breakfast:
½ c porridge oats, ½ c rice milk, ½ c water, 2 X 500ml water;
Lunch:
1 serving of rice salad, 1 apple, 2 X 500ml;
Dinner:
1 serving of Minestrone Soup, 1 banana, 500ml water;
Supper:
60 ml soya milk and 1 cup of coffee;
Recipes:
- Minestrone (4 servings)
Ingredients:
3 chopped carrots, 1 chopped onion, 4 chopped sticks of celery, minced garlic, 2 chopped potatoes, 2 tbsp tomato puree, 2 litres of water, 400g can of chopped tomatoes, 400g can cannellini beans, 140g spaghetti snapped into smaller pieces, ½ a shredded savoy cabbage, herbs and spices to liking;
Method:
Add all to the slow cooker and cook till all vegetables are cooked.
Comments:
Whoot whoot! I think this is a good result. I am happy about it. My hubby lost just one pound under 2 stone. Next time, in 4 weeks, I will have lost the 2 stone I need to have my nails done. I am a happy bunny!!!
Breakfast:
½ c porridge oats, ½ c rice milk, ½ c water, 2 X 500ml water;
Lunch:
1 serving of pasta salad, 1 banana, 2 X 500ml;
Dinner:
1 serving of Hot Pot, 500ml water;
Supper:
60 ml soya milk and 1 cup of coffee;
Recipes:
- Hot Pot (4 servings)
Ingredients:
1kg chopped potatoes, 2 chopped carrots, 4 chopped onions, 2 chopped sticks of celery, ½ large chopped swede, 150g Quorn Mince, herbs and spices to liking;
Method:
Add everything together to a slow cooker and cover with vegetable stock or water. Simmer till all vegetables are cooked. Blitz some of the vegetables and liquid and stir back in.
Comments:
I love Hot Pot. It is one of my comfort dishes. HUMPF! Roll on tomorrowBreakfast:
½ c porridge oats, ½ c rice milk, ½ c of water, 2 X 500ml water;
Lunch:
1 serving of pasta salad, 1 packet of Go Ahead Apple & Sultana Slice, 2 X 500ml;
Dinner:
1 serving of baked potato with baked beans in tomato sauce, 500ml water;
Supper:
60 ml soya milk and 1 cup of coffee, ramekin of sultanas and wheaties;
Recipes:
- Pasta Salad (4 servings) see Day 22
Comments:
My son is poorly, the poor thing. His father had to bring him home from school. He looks real pasty. I am so jittery about Thursday’s weigh-in. I want to cry. I don’t want Thursday to come and at the same time I can’t wait till it is all over and done with. I have been sorely tempted to weigh myself since Sunday but I have resisted the urge up to now. I have had thoughts and urges of not eating at all since about last Thursday but I am hanging in there and sticking with the program.Breakfast:
½ c porridge oats, ½ c rice milk, ½ c of water, 2 X 500ml water;
Lunch:
1 serving of potato salad, 2 X 500ml water;
Dinner:
1 serving of / Meat-Free Sausage & Meatball Casserole, 1 banana, 500ml water;
Supper:
60 ml rice milk and 1 cup of coffee;
Recipes:
- Sausage & Meat-free Meatball Casserole (4 servings)
Ingredients:
2 chopped carrots, 2 chopped onions, 2 chopped sticks of celery, 500g chopped potatoes, ¼ of a large swede chopped, 2 chopped bell peppers, 2 X 400g can of chopped tomatoes, 4 Meat-Free sausages, 4 Meat-Free meatballs, 400g can of Baked Beans in tomato sauce
Method:
Put everything except the beans in a slow cooker and leave to cook till all vegetables are cooked. Add the beans and heat through. Serve hot.
Comments:
I keep thinking about the weigh-in. I must have lost some weight 'cause I am starting to see it in my clothing. It seems to fit a lot better. How bad does that sound? XoP
Anyhow, I have just finished making next weeks menu plan and I think I got everything covered. Hey-ho, roll on Thursday ... yikes!
Breakfast:
½ c porridge oats, ½ c rice milk, ½ c water, 2 X 500ml water;
Lunch:
-1 serving of Chicken-less Soup;
-1 serving each of Potato & Swede Mash, roast potato, Braised cabbage with apple and sultanas, onion gravy, 3 Meat-Free Meatballs, 2 X 500ml;
-1 serving of Beet Chocolate Cake with Banana-Peanut Butter Sauce;
Dinner:
1 serving of left over lunch with some curry powder added, 1 serving of cake, 500ml;
Supper:
60 ml soya milk and 1 cup of coffee;
Recipes:
-Chickenless Soup (serves 12as a starter or 6 as a main meal)
Ingredients:
1 small onion, minced
2 teaspoons minced garlic
6 cups water
2 tablespoons of herbs and spices to your liking
2 carrots, diced
1 cup diced potatoes
1 rib celery, diced
300g Quorn Pieces
1 teaspoon salt
Method:
Sauté the onion in a medium-sized saucepan with a little bit of water. When it begins to brown, add the garlic and sauté for 1 more minute. Add all remaining ingredients and simmer for at least 30 minutes, until the vegetables. Remove the bay leaves to serve, and let the healing begin!
- Onion Gravy (6 servings)
Ingredients:
6 chopped onions, 6 tsp yeast extract, 100g tomato puree, 3 c water;
Method:
Gently dry fry the onions with a little water till softened. Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer to reduce. Add the Meat-Free meatballs and heat through thoroughly.
- Swede & Potato Mash (6 servings)
Ingredients:
375g potato, 375g chunked swede, salt, nutmeg, parsley;
Method:
Steam and mash the potato and swede. Add seasonings
- Roast Potato & Onion (6 servings)
Ingredients:
750g potato 2 chopped onions, salt;
Method:
Steam and cool the potatoes. Cube them and mix with the chopped onions and salt.
Put under the grill and keep turning till well browned.
-Beet Chocolate Cake with Banana-Peanut Butter Sauce (serves 12)
Ingredients:
1 large beet
unsweetened apple sauce
2 tbsp. water
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup unbleached white flour
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 cup sugar
1 tbsp. cornstarch
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
Method:
Peel and dice one large beet. Place the pieces in a saucepan with water to cover and boil until soft. (I’ve heard that you can buy canned beets, so you may want to skip this step–and the resulting red hands–by using pre-cooked beets.) Allow the beets to cool, and then drain them, reserving the red water for another purpose. Put the drained beets into the food processor with 1/4 cup (clear) water, and process until pureed.
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. I use silicone cake tins so there is no need to spray with oil.
Put the pureed beets into a 2-cup measure. Add enough apple sauce to reach the 2-cup line. Add the 2 tablespoons water, vanilla extract, and apple cider to the beets and mix well.
Mix the dry ingredients together; then add the beet mixture and stir until well-combined. Bake for 35-60 minutes, depending on the size of pan you use: more for small, deep pans and less for a 9X13 pan. (I used a 9X13 pan, and it took 35 minutes.) Test by inserting a toothpick into the center; it’s done when the toothpick comes out clean.
Allow to cool completely before cutting and serving.
-Banana-Peanut Butter Sauce (serves 12)
Ingredients:
1/2 of a 12-ounce package lite, firm silken tofu
1 banana
2 tbsp. natural peanut butter
Method:
Just blend all together real well.
Comments:
O my giddy aunt! How gorgeous is the cake and topping! If I had to choose one thing to live on the rest of my life… the cake and topping would be it. Thank you Susan V.
Breakfast:
½ c porridge oats, ½ c rice milk, ½ c water, 2 X 500ml water;
Lunch:
1 serving of potato salad, 2 X 500ml;
Dinner:
1 serving each of Tacos and Quorn pieces & mixed vegetables, 1 banana;
Supper:
60 ml soya milk and 1 cup of coffee;
Recipes:
- Quorn & Vegetable Tacos (4 servings)
Ingredients:
12 Taco shells, 300g Quorn pieces, 4 chopped onions, 300g mixed vegetables, 142g tomato puree;
Method:
Gently dry fry the onions and Quorn pieces till softened and add the vegetables and slowly simmer till vegetables are al dente. Mix in the puree and season to tatste.
Comments:
Prepping day is here. I am so looking forward to making the cake and even more to eating it :oP
Breakfast:
½ c porridge oats, ½ c rice milk, ½ c water, 2 X 500ml water;
Lunch:
1 serving of rice salad, 2 X 500ml;
Dinner:
1 serving of lasagne, 500ml water;
Supper:
60 ml soya milk and 1 cup of coffee;
Recipes:
- Rice Salad (4 servings)
Ingredients:
200g brown rice, 2 peeled onions, 2 de-seeded bell peppers, 4 tomatoes, 3 Meat-Free sausages, 100g frozen peas, 100g frozen sweet corn, 2 pickled gherkins, salt, pepper, seasonings of your liking.
Method:
Steam and cool the rice finely slice sausages and vegetables.
Chill for 1 hour or over night.
- Lasagne (4 servings)
Ingredients:
9 lasagne sheets, 4 chopped onions, 1 chopped carrot, 2 chopped celery sticks, minced garlic, minced chillies, yeast extract, basil, nutmeg, salt, pepper, 300g Quorn mince, 2 X 400g chopped tomatoes, 500g plain soya yoghurt, Vegan Parmesano;
Method:
Gently dry fry onions, carrots, celery, mince and chilli till softening. Add mince and herbs and spices. Simmer for 10 minutes and add the chopped tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes again.
Build up the lasagne mince mix, 3 lasagne sheets and repeat this twice more.
Bake in the oven, middle shelf, gas mark 6 for 40 minutes. Top with the soya yoghurt and bake another 20 minutes. Take out and dust with Vegan Parmesano. Serve hot.
Comments:
The Lasagne smells so good! My mouth is watering. I have been in to town to have a look at my first weight-loss goal treat… I will be having some nice finger nails put on. I was looking for a treat that has nothing to do with food. As far back as I can remember food was a treat in my life so I want to break that patter. What else? The weigh-in yet again on my mind but I am slowly chilling about it. Tomorrow I will start prepping for Sunday Lunch. I have invited my adopted mom and her lovely hubby round for lunch and I want to make it special and as hassle free as possible on Sunday so prepping is my saviour for this.
Thursday 23th of September Day 23/ MCD 6
Breakfast:
½ c porridge oats, ½ c rice milk, ½ c water, 1 banana, 2 X 500ml water;
Lunch:
1 serving of rice salad, 2 X 500ml, 60g almond raisin & berry mix, 1 small Innocent smoothie;
Dinner:
1 serving each of Cannelloni and coleslaw, 2 X 500ml water;
Supper:
60 ml soya milk and 1 cup of coffee;
Recipes:
- Cannelloni (4 servings)
Ingredients:
12 cannelloni tubes, 4 chopped onions, 142g tomato puree, 300g Quorn mince, minced garlic, favourite herbs and spices, 2 X 400g chopped tomatoes;
Method:
Gently dry fry the onions and garlic with a little water till softened. Add the mince and tomato puree and a little water if needed. Add herbs and spiced and simmer for a bout 10 minutes. Leave to cool and fill the cannelloni tubes. Mix the rest of the mince mixture with the chopped tomatoes and pour over the stuffed cannelloni tubes. Then bake in the middle of the oven at gas mark 6 for about 45 minute or until cooked
Comments:
Yikes! A week today and it will be stats day, weigh-in, ‘The Big Nasty’. I hope it won’t be as bad as I think it will be. Why am I dreading it when I have stuck with the healthy stuff all the time?
And… sweet Buddha, please help me to deal with my son when he comes home. I am sick and tired of being lied to.
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Later that evening back at the ranch... it wasn't nice... but it didn't get ugly. I am grateful for small mercies.
Breakfast:
½ c porridge oats, ½ c rice milk, ½ c water, 1/2 c blueberries, 2 X 500ml water;
Lunch:
1 serving of potato salad, 2 X 500ml;
Dinner:
1 serving each of coleslaw, 2 Meat-Free Burgers, 10 oz potato, 2 chopped onions, minced garlic, 500ml water;
Supper:
60 ml soya milk and 1 cup of coffee;
Recipes:
-Coleslaw (4 servings)
Ingredients:
200g shredded red cabbage, 500g shredded white cabbage, 200g grated carrot, 120g grated apple, 100g grated pear, 60g grated parsnip, 2 finely chopped onions, ½ c sultanas, 1 tsp lemon juice, a little apple vinegar, salt and pepper.
Method:
Mix together well and refrigerate for several hour or best over night.
Comments:
It is unbelievable how nervous I get when I think of next Thursday, the first weigh-in, measuring and photos. The photos won’t ever be nice to look at and I am not that fussed but the rest… I keep telling myself that they will just be numbers and not a judgement. Am I going crazy? Nope. I am not that lucky. Keep thinking HEALTHY EATING and WELLBEING. Stay focused girl. Don’t get sucked into the whole media-this is beautiful-crap. You just want to get healthy and happy! I think that will be my mantra for today…
‘Health and Happiness through Correct Single-Minded Focus’
Well, today is the day I have decided to start a blog about my “Final Countdown”, my vegan weight-loss adventure. I hope that somehow, I will be able to help someone out there with their journey back to health and happiness.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Breakfast:
½ c porridge oats, 1 c rice milk, 1/2 c blueberries, 2 X 500ml water;
Lunch:
1 serving of potato salad, 1 banana, 2 X 500ml;
Dinner:
1 serving of steamed rice, 1 serving of haricot & spinach stew, 500ml water;
Supper:
60 ml soya milk and 1 cup of coffee;
Recipes:
- Haricot & Spinach Stew (4 servings)
Ingredients:
Minced garlic, ginger, chilli powder, turmeric, ground coriander, salt and pepper, 2 chopped onions, 2 chopped tomatoes, 2 seeded and chopped bell peppers, 330g frozen spinach, 1 finely chopped Meat-Free sausage, 150 g dry haricot beans which have been soaked in cold water over night and boiled till cooked.
Method:
Gently dry fry the garlic, peppers and onions with a little water till soft. Add the herbs and spices and gently fry a couple of minutes. Add the tomatoes and spinach and simmer till hot. Add the beans and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Banana & Chocolate Corn Bread (8 servings)
Ingredients:
Same as corn bread plus ¼ c cocoa powder, ¼ c ground almonds, 1 tsp mixed spice, 1 tsp vanilla extract and 1 sliced banana;
Method:
Same as cornbread;Comments:
It is crazy how I feel about the upcoming weigh-in and measuring. I think the photo evidence is what makes me the most nervous. Even though I have eaten very well on the whole, even the slip ups have not been anything major, I still have it in my head that I will not have lost much, if I have lost any weight or inches at all. I look at myself in the mirror and I think I can see some change in my face but there is something in me that does not want to believe it, something that is very guarded. Weight loss is very apparent in my darling hubbykins. I can tell in his face, chest, belly and his back. His T-shirts fit easier. I think he enjoys the food I am providing. I have asked the kids for some food requests and have incorporated them into this next week’s menu planner. I know that they get to eat all their favourite “SHITE” at their dad’s house, so I want to show them that their favourite food can be tasty and healthy at the same time. I wish I could get my daughter away from her ‘Holy Grail of Food’… cheese! It is the only dairy she has and I cut the cheese so thin that you can almost look through it. My son take dairy yoghurt to school and I really want that to stop. It is just nasty. I guess with all the dairy, sugar and saturated fats they eat at their dad’s what hubbykins and I are doing is at best damage control. I just get so frustrated with my ex’s sabotage of the kids’ healthy diet. HUMPF!
I really want to spare them from the life long struggle I had with food and my weight. I do not want them to balloon to the size of their dad. I would absolutely break my heart. Yet they have to learn to see what is going on for them and then make a choice based on their own conviction. I do not want to be a food fascist.
I had a go at making corn bread as a cake sort of thing and I think it worked our real well. Everybody liked it.
Breakfast:
½ c porridge oats, ½ c rice milk, ½ c water, 1/2 c blueberries, 2 X 500ml water;
Lunch:
1 serving of pasta salad, 2 X 500ml;
Dinner:
Pea Soup & Cornbread, 500ml water;
Supper:
60 ml soya milk and 1 cup of coffee;
Recipes:
- Pea Soup (4 servings)
Ingredients:
1kg frozen mushy peas, 4 chopped onions, minced garlic, black cumin, salt and pepper;
Method:
Gently dry fry the onions with the garlic in a little water. Add the frozen peas and cumin.
Add 2 – 3 c water and simmer till peas are mushy. Serve hot or cold with ice cubes and mint.
-Corn Bread (4 serving)
Ingredients:
1/4 c yellow cornmeal, 1/2 c self-raising wholemeal flour, 1tbsp nutritional yeast flakes, 1tsp baking powder, 1 c soymilk, 2 tsp vinegar, pinch of salt;
Method:
Preheat the oven to 350F.
Mix the cornmeal, flour, nutritional yeast and baking soda in a medium bowl. In a large measuring cup, mix together the soymilk and lemon juice – it will curdle slightly and look like buttermilk. Stir the soymilk into the dry ingredients, and mix briefly with a fork – a few lumps are fine.
Pour the batter into silicone muffin forms, and bake for about 30 minutes or until they test done in the centre.
Comments:
Ok. I am going make this a little bit easier. Our lunch is always rice-, potato- or pasta salad. The recipe will be almost always the same with a few differences in seasoning and meat substitutes.
Recipes:
- Lunch Time Salad (4 servings)
Ingredients:
1kg potatoes OR 250g wholemeal pasta OR 200g brown rice;
150g Quorn pieces OR 3 Meat-Free sausages OR 240g drained beans;
2 chopped onions, 4 chopped tomatoes, 2 chopped bell peppers, 100g frozen peas, 100g frozen sweet corn, 2 chopped pickled gherkins, herbs and spices as per mood;
Method:
Microwave potatoes OR boil pasta OR steam rice and cool. Mix with the rest of the ingredients and chill overnight.
I think this is much better. One week tomorrow and it will be Weigh-In & Measuring day. I am curious as to how I have done yet at the same time I am petrified. I want to laugh and cry at the same time. It doesn’t seem like 3 weeks since my darling hubby and I have started this and yet I get the funny feeling this next week is going to be the longest week in my entire life.
Breakfast:
½ c porridge oats, 1/2 c applesauce, ½ c rice milk, ½ c water, 2 X 500ml water;
Lunch:
3 Meat-Free meat balls, 1 serving each of onion & mushroom gravy, Swede & Potato Mash, 200g parsnip, roasted and 225g cauliflower, steamed, 2 X 500ml;
Dinner:
1 serving of pasta salad, 1 pear, 500ml water;
Supper:
2 X 60 ml soya milk and 1 cup of coffee;
Recipes:
- Onion & Mushroom Gravy (2 servings)
Ingredients:
2 chopped onions, 200g chopped mushrooms, 2 tsp yeast extract, 100g tomato puree, 1 – 2 c water, nutritional yeast flakes(add just before serving);
Method:
Gently dry fry the onions and mushrooms with a little water till softened. Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer to reduce. Add the Meat-Free meatballs and heat through thoroughly.
- Swede & Potato Mash (2 servings)
Ingredients:
280g potato, 280g chunked swede, salt, nutmeg, parsley;
Method:
Steam and mash the potato and swede. Add seasonings.
Comments:
Breakfast:
½ c porridge oats, ½ c rice milk, ½ c water, ½ c apple sauce, 2 X 500ml water;
Lunch:
1 serving of rice salad, 1c blueberries, 1 X Jasmine tea, 2 X 500ml;
Dinner:
1 serving of cannelloni, 500ml water;
Supper:
60 ml milk and 1 cup of;
Recipes:
- Cannelloni (2 servings)
Ingredients:
150g Quorn pieces, 1 Meat-free sausage, 6 cannelloni tubes, 2 sticks of celery, 2 onions, 260g frozen spinach, 1 X 40g can chopped tomatoes, 2 fresh tomatoes, 1 tsp minced garlic, mixed herbs and nutmeg;
Method:
Slice tomatoes and put aside. Chop celery, onions and sausage and dry fry gently. Add garlic, Quorn pieces, and spinach and simmer. Fill the tubes with the mixture. Fill two gratin dishes with the remaining mixture and place the filled tubes on top. Blend the chopped tomatoes in a blender with the herbs and nutmeg. Pour over the cannelloni tubes. Bake at gas mark 6 for 60 minutes.
Comments:
I started my period today and I feel a lot better. I am not quite as wired as I have been over the last few days.
Breakfast:
½ c porridge oats, ½ c rice milk, 2 X 500ml water;
Lunch:
1 serving of rice salad, 2 X 500ml;
Dinner:
1 serving of Black Bean Stew, 1 serving of rice, 1 serving of cauliflower, 500ml water;
Supper:
60 ml soya milk and 1 cup of coffee;
Recipes:
- Black Bean Stew with Rice and Cauliflower (2 servings)
Ingredients:
70 black beans, 2 sticks of celery chopped, 2 chopped onions, ¼ of peeled and chopped swede, 1 X 400g chopped tomatoes, 100g Quorn pieces, 450g cauliflower;
Method:
The black beans have been soaked overnight. Boil till tender. Gently dry fry the onions and swede with a little water till soft and add the tomatoes. Season and simmer. Add the cooked beans and mix well. Steam the rice and cauliflower and serve together, hot.
- Blueberry & Apple Sauce Muffins (makes 12 small muffins)
Dry Ingredients:
20g egg-replacer, 160g/ 1c wholemeal self-raising flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp mixed spice;
Wet Ingredients:
½ c soya milk mixed with 1 tsp cider vinegar, ½ c cold water to be mixed with the egg-replacer, ¼ c apple sauce, 1 tbsp molasses, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 2 – 3 tbsp blueberries
Method:
Pre-heat oven to gas mark 4.
Mix all dry ingredients, except the egg-replace.
Mix all wet ingredients except the water which is to be beaten together with the egg-replacer.
Mix wet and dry ingredients quickly and fill 12 silicone muffin tins and bake on the middle shelf for about 50 minutes or until a tooth pick comes out clean.
Comments:
The closer we come to the first weigh-in the more nervous I get. Will says I have definitely lost weight but I am not sure. I still feel as fat as before. But then, even when I was 11 stone 10 I still felt fat. Perhaps I am not the best person to judge that.
SLIP UP:
O heck! I hate the pre-menstrual few days. They play havoc with me and short of going to bed when it starts I really do not know what to do. Soooooooo… I ended up having 1 ½ slices of white bread, 1 go ahead apple biscuits pack (3), ½ c honey loops, ½ hard boiled egg and finally 4 ½ fat- & sugar-free blueberry & apple sauce muffins which I have made with my own fair hands today. Pity I also ate most of them, too. Well, a third of them. I need to find a different way to deal with these few pre-menstrual days. But to keep thing in prospective; I could have snacked on far worse. I could have snacked on chocs and chips and dairy and booze. Everything considered I think I have done well.
Breakfast:
½ c porridge oats, 1 c water, ½ c rice milk, 2 X 500ml water;
Lunch:
1 serving of potato salad, 2 X 500ml;
Dinner:
1 serving of Spaghetti Bolognese, 2 X 500ml water;
Supper:
60 ml milk and 1 cup of;
Recipes:
- Spaghetti Bolognese (4 servings)
Ingredients:
340g spaghetti, 2 onions, 2 tsp minced garlic, 2 carrots, 2 celery sticks, 300g Quorn mince, 1 X 400g can chopped tomato, 1 tbsp tomato puree, oregano, salt and pepper;
Method:
Boil and drain spaghetti. Peel and chop carrot and onions. Chop celery. Gently dry fry in a little water till soft. Add all other ingredients except the spaghetti. When the sauce has reduced a bit, add the spaghetti and mix well. Serve hot.
Breakfast:
½ c porridge oats, 1 c stewed apple, ½ c rice milk, and 2 X 500 ml water;
Lunch:
1 serving of potato salad, 2 X 500ml;
Dinner:
1 serving of Country Quorn piece Casserole, 500ml water;
Supper:
60 ml milk and 1 cup of;
- Country Quorn pieces Casserole (4 servings)
Ingredients:
150g Quorn pieces, 2 onions, 450g potato, 2 carrots, 2 leeks, 3 sticks celery, 50g pearl barley, 100g swede, 600ml water, herbs, salt and pepper;
Method:
Peel onions, carrot and swede. Cut all vegetables into chunks and simmer in a pan till cooked. Serve hot
The cornbread is just tremendous! YUM!
Breakfast:
½ c porridge oats, 1 c stewed apple, 2 X 500ml water;
Lunch:
1 serving of rice salad, 2 X 500 ml water;
Dinner:
1 serving of Pasta with Oriental Bean & Tomato sauce, 500ml water;
Supper:
60 ml soya milk and 1 cup of coffee;
Recipes:
- Pasta with Oriental Bean & Tomato Sauce
Ingredients:
250g Wholemeal pasta, 2 X 400g Oriental Bean Meal, 1 X 400g can of chopped tomato, 4 small chopped onions, 1/3 c garlic salad, 3 spring onions, 1 X 142g tomato puree, fresh parsley, salt and pepper.
Method:
Boil pasta and drain. Drain the Bean Meal. Chop the vegetables and parsley.
Gently dry fry the onions, adding a little water when they stick, till soft. Add all other ingredients and heat through. Serve hot.
Comments:
Everything was great and fine and then, when Will went food shopping I prepped my breakfast and ended up having something to eat even though I was not hungry. I could kick myself!
SLIP UP:
About ½ c of stewed apple, 1 tbsp of jam, 1 tsp of marmalade and about ½ cut of rice crispies & chocolate ring mixed.
Breakfast:
½ c porridge oats, 1 c stewed apple, 2 X 500ml water;
Lunch:
1 serving of rice salad, 1 apple, 2 X 500 ml water;
Dinner:
1 stuffing burger, small potato, 1 onion, green beans, 500ml water;
Supper:
60 ml soya milk and 1 cup of coffee; 1 cup of stewed apple, 2 teaspoons of honey
Recipes:
-Stuffing Burger (4 servings)
Ingredients:
120g stuffing, left over sweet corn, 1 drained 400g cam of red kidney beans, 2 small chopped onions, cornmeal for dusting.
Method:
Make up the stuffing with boiling water, leave to cool and mix with all the other ingredients. Shape into burgers and dust with cornmeal. Refrigerate over night and place under the grill till well browned.
-Bean and Sweet Corn Rice Salad (8 servings)
Ingredients:
200g brown rice steamed, 1 can oriental bean meal, left over sweet corn, 2 bell peppers, 2 tomatoes, 2 spring onions, 3 gherkins, parsley, rice vinegar, mild chilli, paprika.
Method:
Chop all the vegetables and mix with the rice and seasoning. Chill overnight.
Comments:
The eating thing is going ok but I am still dreading the weighing-in and measuring in 2 weeks time. Because I am so restricted in my movements … will I have lost some weight? Will I have lost an amount of weight that will have made all my efforts worth it?
Perhaps I am just too pessimistic, but I am so fearful of failing. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life 20 stone or even over.
Breakfast:
½ c porridge oats, ½ c rice milk, ½ c water, 2 X 500ml water;
Lunch:
280g potato, 112g frozen mixed vegetables, 2 Meat-free sausages, 50g tinned sweet corn, onion gravy, 500ml water, stuffing, 1 apple;
Dinner:
1 serving pasta salad, 2 X 500ml water;
Supper:
60 ml soya milk and 1 cup of coffee;
Recipes:
-Potato Mash with spring onion, see Day 5
-Dry & Pepper Roasted Potatoes, see Day 5
-Onion Gravy, see Day 5
- Garlic & Pasta Salad (4 servings)
Ingredients:
250g wholemeal pasta, 1c chopped parsley, 1 c Garlic Salad, 2 onions, 2 spring onions, 150g Quorn pieces, 1 X 400g can of chopped tomatoes, paprika, salt and pepper to taste.
Method:
Boil pasta and drain, peel and chop onions, chop garlic salad and spring onions. Defrost Quorn pieces, mix all ingredients together and season to taste. Chill for at least 1 hour or overnight.
Comments:
Today has been a very good day. I hope this is a sign of things to come. Hopefully today means that I am getting used to smaller portions. I am a bit behind on the water front but I am slowly catching up.
