Eatbetterers part 3 -gather around healthy people !

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Third thread of healthy eating, no calorie counting just good, healthy food for us and our families.

Actually, Sleep, I have taken to having a couple of dates. They seem to helpsatisfy the urge for sweet things without necessarily sending me searching for more. I don't feel deprived the rest of the time. I guess it's having cakes and chocolate in the house which tempt me when I'm slightly bored, lacking in energy or happen to remember they're there! It's not really that I'm actually hungry.
I don't normally buy them, so once they are finished it should be easier!

Argh. The bloody hives are back with a vengeance !I'm so itchy. Need to call the doc tomorrow and pester her for tests or steroids or...something!

Sleep, I watched the program. I thought it was quite confused because its helping people identify why they overeat and then putting them on a diet - without really talking about the whole 'diet' trap. But then even the lovely Dr Tanya Byron was joining in with the motivational pledges participants were making eg I am losing 2 stone for my son. There was some positive stuff too but some important gaps I thought. But then even a year ago I would watched that looking for a magic answer!

Short, that's awful. How infuriating!

Really hope it's not to eggs! I eat them everyday for brekkie. Oh well, let's wait and see.

Oh no short - just when you thought you had it sorted!

I have posted this here before, but I am amazed how much a bowl of natural yoghurt (with a sprinkle of granola) helps my 4pm sugar slump. I started that when sleep recommended getting more good fats in at dangerous times and it really works! I also like a couple of dates with my cup of tea after lunch if I haven't got any fruit cake or flapjack in the house.

Must investigate granola. Don't think it's eggs I'm allergic to, thank goodness but think it might be salmon. Doc says to wait til I've had skin testing as it might be something I'm putting on me rather than something I'm eating but been ok all day and was red raw yesterday after smoked salmon for brekkie. Just had salmon for dinner as it was planned and dead itchy again! Bloody love salmon as well. Do hope it's not that or God forbid ALL fish!!!! Argh!

Shortaris. Hope you find out soon. It sounds pretty tough.

We had Jamie's veggie chilli tonight and I agree it's delicious.

Short, sounds miserable, hope you get to the bottom of it soon.

I am enjoying my first evening in alone in ages. Watching the last episode of The Fall (DH not a fan) and I enjoyed a dish from The Medicinal Chef that I thought you might like, it's delicious - sweet potato and chickpea mash.

Preheat oven to 200deg
Peel and dice 2 sweet potatoes, simmer for 10 mins, drain, season and mash.
Gently fry a chopped red onion and chopped clove of garlic in olive oil until soft
Add two big handfuls of young leaf spinach to the onion pan and stir til wilted
Add two tbsps of sundried tomato paste and a tin of chickpeas to the onion/spinach, season and cook gently for 5 mins.

Transfer onion etc to a baking dish and top with the mash like a pie, then crumble blue cheese over the top. In oven for 20 mins. Healthy comfort food!

Like monster pie for grown ups We nearly always have those ingredients in stock but I may swap in a non blue cheese (freaks dp out!), In fact have promised dd and friends monster pie tomorrow so may make this too!

Short, I am thinking of you - looonnng journey

Dare I ask...monster pie?

mashed potato, over baked beans, cheese on top and baked in the oven. I am not keen on mashed pots and gone off tins of baked beans a bit, but this is a treat meal in my house for the others!

Well it could be a lot worse as treat meals go still , but I see exactly where you are coming from with the comparison now!

I quite like the sound of monster pie

I feel my breakfasts are getting stuck in a rut. Usually have a raspberry and banana smoothie with full fat Greek yoghurt and a milky coffee. It does fill me but it can't be good to always have the same things.
This morning I have tried a two egg mushroom omelette plus my usual coffee and some cashews. Will be interesting to see how hungry I am later.

Let us know Neeko, I persuaded DH to have porridge the other day after his blood pressure check was high (despite him being very fit, eating well, v slim it is hereditary and probably stress related). He usually has 2 poached eggs on granary toast and said he was really hungry by 11am after porridge.

Stayed full to lunch

Porridge doesn't keep me full until lunch either, Sleep. Everyone always recommends it and I do really like it, but I definitely do better on a protein/fat breakfast.

Wah! Just had a wee bowl of cereal with milk and itching like mad. At least it's not salmon. Wondering if it's something in the house? Been fine all day at work!

That sounds lovely Sleep but alas, I know I should but I don't like sweet potato.

I usually do omelette or boiled eggs for breakfast to keep me full. I've never been able to cope with porridge as an adult. My mum always used to eat it and it made me think of wallpaper paste but I know it's really good for you!

Dairy Short?

I do hope not as I'm a cheese fiend! Doc said it's more likely to be a skin thing than a food thing so not to cut anything out as it's a massive effort and it may not be that that's causing the problem. Did wash up without gloves at work and then clean bathroom when I got in so maybe something there.

Woke up today and decided not to change all my usual products as I don't know the cause. Just going to take the tablets and see how I go over the weekend. I've to call her on Monday if no joy and she'll speak to dermatologist for me. Seems daft to spend money footering and it might not help. Had terrible welts when I moved in here but they went after a few weeks I seem to remember. Why can't my skin just be normal?

Anyway, enough self indulgent ranting from me! Day off today so going to look at next week's food, go to the gym and maybe go shopping. Anyone got any exciting food planned? Also, who's got a spiralizer? Think I fancy one.

Yep, got one sucker for a gadget. I like it but must admit it got more use in the summer for salads, with sweet potato, v thinly sliced beetroot (so pretty when you use different colours) and courgette.

Yes I can't imagine it being used much right now!

Anyone had any nice food over the weekend?

Lots of nice food here, Short, but no new recipes.

Can anyone tell me why I crave carbs at my time of the month? I'd have moved mountains earlier for some seeded wholemeal bread and butter. Is anyone else like this?

There are lots of theories about it Neeko, personally I think it's wrapped up in a need for comfort around that time, it's when we are most emotional and vulnerable, also often tired, which always helps the sugar/carb cravings along . I tend to go with it, take a day off the gym, treat myself to coffee and cake (mostly I can take or leave cake!) and maybe a nap if I can squeeze one in, I treat it almost as a little monthly ritual, much easier than battling it and behaving like any other day.

Coffee, cake and a nap sounds great, Sleep!
I guess I'm still coming to terms with eating what my body needs. I'm trying to limit snacking too but figured one rogue day wouldn't hurt. Turns out a mere quarter of a slice fulfilled the craving and left room for the two Lindor balls that fulfilled the chocolate craving
I've gone for toast and eggs this morning to see if that helps.

Morning!

Had a disastrous eating day on Sun with DD1's party - starting with licking icing whilst doing her cake at 9.30am, through rushed lunch and then pizza and garlic bread for dinner. Much better day yesterday with porridge, banana & maple syrup for breakfast, coconutty soup for lunch, and thai green curry with wild rice for dinner. I felt SO much better, that it's fairly easy to make good choices when I can really feel the difference in my body.

That said, I walked 2 miles fairly fast this morning and came in starving (despite porridge before I went out) and have just troughed a frusli bar and two small chocolate lindt balls !