Finally a superfood I like .........

Well I tried something new for breakfast and didn’t like it!   Jordan’s Muesli – made me feel really bloated so think that this is not going to be part of my choices going forward.   Mmm, must keep trying though as sausages – although they are yummy and I do like them are quite fatty.

Talking about that I had an interesting article from femalefirst.co.uk on Almonds which are apparently a super food and far tastier than seaweed or what ever else people keep trying to get us to try.  They have lots of vitamin B and natural oils which apparently help to avoid lines and sagging.

I have a horrible feeling that I would need to eat bucket loads of them to get the benefits but at least something I like is good for me

L xx

Fish but not a Friday

So annoyed!  A new client who seems determined not only not to listen but actually to try to scupper all the plans and needs more hand-holding than I've provided in my entire life!  What is the point?  If the project had flown, it would have proved our advice wrong as she ignored it. But if it failed, it was our problem!  Aaargh!

Deep breath!  And no comfort eating!  Well, one biscuit - not loads which is good for me!  Dinner tonight was sea bass and Greek salad.  Yes, Feta again!  Or rather, Greek style cheese as they call it at Lidl.  Really good - can't actually tell the difference but I don't eat much fermented milk.

Well, that is what cheese is isn't it?  Love it but it is rotten baby cow food ........  I didn't eat it for a long time as I followed the fit for life diet and you aren't supposed to eat it.  Have a nasty feeling that this has caused a sensitivity as it does make me feel a bit ill but I have so many allergies that I tend to think bugger it, I know it will make me feel ill but lord isn't it good?  

Sadomasochism in food.  Probably pretty much my relationship with food in a nutshell. 

L xx

Rape Seed Oil

First day, first steps!  First weekend off in November and managed to achieve lots.  Shopping, threading, highlights and lots of jobs (even pruned back a couple of plants in the garden).  It feels really good to get through a few bits and pieces - progress rather than simply a holding pattern.

Foodwise, I am sticking to low carb!  I hear you sigh but I generally feel better if I don't eat bread, pasta or rice.  So for breakfast, I had some lamb chops with mint from the local butcher on Walthamstow High Street.  HR Parsons is utterly amazing - always has a queue and the meat is such good quality.

Tonight, I'm having t-bone steak (from said butcher) and a nice greek salad.  I will be using Rape Seed oil for the dressing.  Discovered this at MasterChef Live - two weeks ago.  Apparently it has lots of Omega 3,6&9, is high in vitamin E and has half the saturated fat of Olive Oil.   Like the last bit lots and also rather like the taste.

I'm using Garlic enfused oil from Cotswold Gold (http://www.cotswoldgold.co.uk/) which is delicious and I will be looking for it in the future.  Hope this isnt a trend that passes as it really tastes lovely.

L x

One of the most beautiful restaurants in the world

Every year, my parents go to Majorca - Costa Canyamel.  It is at the top of the island and gorgeous - hot, lovely and pretty.  Lots of Germans, a few Spanish and no "full English breakfasts".

We always go to the prettiest restaurant called Cala Rotjas (O'via de las Calas, 07589, Urb, Costa Canyamel) which is set under trees with the view of the sea below fairy lights.  It is mildly fine dining and the food is spectacular.   Traditional Spanish but with a surprising German twist so pork with calvados and other yummy delights.

They do weddings and I can't imagine anything prettier (outside SA of course).  Getting married as the sun sets on a Balearic Isle - the light is so very lovely and somehow I can't imagine it not being peaceful.

I would recommend a visit - www.calarotja.net

L xx

To fill in the history

Okay, this is before I really started blogging but I keep finding things I need to share!  So, I may back date a few bits a pieces.  This is one of those gems.  Olhao is a tiny Portuguese fishing village about 15 minutes drive from Faro airport - it is blissful and well, there are very few English people so no all you can eat English breakfast!

We stayed in a stunning little villa - 5 minutes from the front, 5 minutes from the supermarket and 5 minutes from the fag shop!  Life is really really good.  One of our favourite restaurants was Real Retisqueira (avenida 5 De Outubro, No44, 8700, Olhao).  The fish was so fresh and really good.  If I lived there I would so find it easy to loose weight as the fish just tastes amazing.

Well, had to share this with you and suggest that if you can you visit!

L xx

Garlic, O Beautiful Garlic

I really really love garlic!  Garlic bread, garlic pizza, aioli (obviously Spain's version of ambrosia) ..........  Think you might get the idea.  I adore the flavor - eer, think the boyfriend may have to learn to love it as much as me.

Apparently it has anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties is full of zinc, vitamin b and calcium ..... so not only does it taste good but it is also really good for you.  At Masterchef (which I visit religiously) I found the Garlic Farm (www.thegarlicfarm.co.uk)

Based on the Isle of Wight, these people are truly brilliant.  They make garlic mayo, sell seeds, pickle the garlic (Vampires Revenge is wicked) and even make garlic beer.  Have I tasted it?  Not yet but I do feel a pilgrimage coming on.  Ooo, now that would be fun - perhaps next year, to improve the food blogging - naturally - I can visit a few more foodie places.

Now that is a thought ..............

L x 

African Biscuits - or rather Rusks!

In South Africa, we have rusks.  Hard biscuits which you eat with coffee - thick, strong, sweet coffee!  Hard biscuits you can give your children to when they are teething.  Plain, buttermilk or dried fruit - so lovely.  Traditionally, they had to be Ouma's Rusks which are as sacred to many south africans as hobnobs are to the british.

They are not Farleys Rusks which seem to be aimed at the teething baby market.  Nope these are adult comfort food as much as anything.  And as an expat, I miss the food like mad!   I didnt eat many of them in South Africa but when you tell me I can't have something ..........

So, I found http://www.theafricanbiscuitcompany.co.uk/ - rusks by any other name.  Sue is South African born and she has brought the recipee with her and moved/ improved.  There are even some with white chocolate in them.  Yum!

L xx

A twisted twist of toffee

I'm a fan of vodka - specifically Grey Goose, Stolichnaya and Zubrowka.  So lovely and really - to my disadvantage - easy drinking.

Quite like Absolute too - they do really fun bottle covers as well as good quality vodka.  I have an S&M rock chick studded cover which I love.

Now I've found Thunder Vodka - toffee goodness with vodka.  Probably not a good idea to drink a bottle of this as apart from the alcohol it is likely to have a bucketload of sugar but on ice cream or in apple juice to make a toffee apple.  Lord is it lovely.

Think it will make a brilliant christmas gift for someone - that is if I don't drink if first

L xx