Healthy Eating

As you can imagine, the boy and I thoroughly over indulged whilst in Greece so now it's time to get our bodies back on track before we head to the Caribbean (in just 27 days!!).

I have never been the kind of person to count calories or insist on eating low-fat products.  I don't think fat is particularly the problem when it comes to people putting on weight.  I think it is WHERE your fat comes from.  Does your fat come from a Big Mac, fries and milkshake?  Or does it come from freshly prepared and cooked meat?  I don't really think about saturated and non-saturated fat... instead I think of natural fats (ie. those from animals and oils and foods such as avocados) and processed fats (ie those that come from foods that have been artificially produced) - I know these aren't technical terms, obviously!

So the boy and I have embarked on a new lifestyle (note: not "diet").  We have cut out grains, dairy and sugar (except those found in fruit) for the next 30 days.  I suppose you could call this a low-carb diet but it really isn't as I eat a lot of fruit and still allow myself potatoes and other vegetables I just no longer eat processed carbohydrates.  Dairy has been the hardest thing for me to leave behind as I am a cheese fiend!  But, once I cut my body fat percentage down I will allow myself to have dairy in moderation!

Our first grain free, dairy free dinner!

To start:

 I made a small salad of honeydew, cantaloupe and watermelon with some parma ham (prosciutto) and then we had some asparagus spears with a fried egg on top.

Followed by:

A roasted rack of lamb, which I rubbed with garlic and rosemary, a roasted aubergine (or eggplant if you are American/Australian!) stuffed with garlic, chilli, red pepper (capsicum), salami, olives and tomatoes and a small salsa salad to go with the lamb of raw tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, avocado (of course) and basil which I dressed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

All in all it was a pretty good feast, satisfied our cravings and did not contain any wheat or dairy - score!

Next week I am going to start the exercise and cut back on diet sodas and dark chocolate (which is the one processed, sweet thing I have allowed myself to eat this week [only 75% cocoa and above!]).

Wish me luck :)

Have any of you made decisions to cut things out of your diet?  How's it going?  Do you miss the food you used to eat or do you have new found energy from the lack of rubbish you are now eating?  Tell me all your "diet" stories!

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Avocados and Love

Whilst in Melbourne I discovered an obsession for something I had not given much attention to before.... the loveable avocado.  Upon its discovery I could not believe how long I had gone without devouring this wondrous fruit.  It became a staple at breakfast time with poached eggs and marmite (do not judge me until you have tried this), a must in salads as a contrast to crispy pancetta, a favourite spread on toast with ground black pepper and a treat mashed with garlic and smothered over tortilla chips.  Is there anything the avocado cannot do?!  I think not!

And so, dear readers, I introduce to you... my FAVOURITE way to eat avocado (I have to admit I did slightly [by slightly I mean 100%] steal this idea from Richmond Hill after enjoying a delectable breakfast there PS their cheese on toast is to die for)

In order to make this delicious treat you will need the following:

1 ripe avocado
2 slices of bread of your choice (rye or wholegrain work best)
2 tomatoes
1 fresh red chilli

1 clove of garlic
feta
fresh basil
olive oil

sea salt flakes

ground black pepper

The steps to this are very simple.

1. Chop your tomatoes into slices

2. Crumble your feta and rip up your basil

3. Slice your avocado in half, de-seed it, peel it, quarter it and then slice it so you are able to fan it out

4. Toast your bread

5. Peel your garlic clove

6. Slice your chilli (de-seed it if you prefer less spice)

7. Once toasted take your bread and drizzle a little olive oil over it, then rub the garlic clove all over it.  Dispose of the garlic clove afterwards.

8. Assemble as follows:

9. Season with salt and pepper

This is literally my most favourite snack in the world and not far off the Richmond Hill one if I do say so myself!  Enjoy :)

In other news: the boy and I posted our visa application for me to become a temporary permanent resident in Australia today (I know this sounds like an oxymoron but you don't become a permanent permanent resident until you've been a temporary one for two years - weird!).  Very exciting but also slightly nerve-wracking to leave the future of our relationship (or at least the location of it) in the hands of a complete stranger!

I was feeling very down today (this dreary weather is really starting to affect my moods) and had the most wonderful surprise from my darling boy at work:

"To the most beautiful girl in the world, I love you with all my heart.. xxx"

I couldn't ask for a sweeter companion.

I hope you're all enjoying the four day week :) I know I certainly am!