Carrie Brown’s – Almond Pear Porridge

So I stumbled across this recipe of Carrie’s about a week ago.  I was going on a printing frenzy (testing out my new mono laser printer), and printing off heaps of stuff, a lot of this ‘stuff’ was SANE recipes by Carrie.

I already knew the Strawberry Seed porridge was a winner, cause I’ve made it a few times.  Mostly with mixed berries (just as good), and the other day with blueberries (use only a 1/3 of the suggested amount, I just found it ultra blueberry sweet).

Since I had all the ingredients for this particular recipe in my pantry already I thought I would give it a go.

I wont lie, I did make a mess. I have  tiny little food processor, so I had to do it in two lots.  At least I know I can easily half this recipe if I ever want a single serve.

Source: marmaladeandmileposts.com via Matilda on Pinterest

This breakfast is seriously filling.  It has a blend of flavours.  Yeah it’s very almondy, but I was surprised the coconut milk wasn’t overpowering (as I found in the strawberry seed porridge, where I had to sub normal light milk instead as the coconut milk was just too much). The almonds meal give it a really great texture too.  And the pears, yum!

I’d love to try this warm, I might have to give it a go when the weather cools down.

Roast Turkey Casserole

So I’m a fan of Carrie Brown on Facebook (because of the Smarter Science of Slim).

Well one particular day she posted that she had made this particular recipe.  I looked it up and was like, well this looks super easy, I will have to put this on the list to try out.

Source: marmaladeandmileposts.com via Matilda on Pinterest

 

Well O M G!!!!!!!!!!!!! This recipe is just AH-MAZING.

Not only is it so super easy, it is so super yummy.  The kids loved it too.

Will definitely be making this one again.

Cheesy Omlette

I have a new love of eggs.

In fact one of my goals for the year is to have a chicken coop, so I can have free range eggs at my finger tips.

Egg whites are high in protein, and when you are trying to increase your protein intake then egg whites make it a little bit easier.

So this recipe is so super easy, and really low in calories.

Ingrediants

1 whole egg
1 egg white
50g of low fat cottage cheese (I use the Bulla Brand)
25g of frozen peas (optional)

Method

1. Whisk the eggs and the cottage cheese together in a bowl. 
2. Coat a small (non stick) fry pan with cooking spray (i use canola).
3. On medium heat (for me it’s in-between gas mark 3-4 even though I have an electric oven), poor mix into pan.
4. Add peas if using.
5. Flip or fold when top of mix becomes solid.
6. Serve

Macro’s – 133 calories, 4g carbs, 6g fat, 15g protein
(based on no peas)

A Year of Fine Tuning

So last year (2012) was a year of just getting fit, and pushing myself.

This year I plan on just maintaining my fitness.  Yes I still have fitness goals, but my fitness goals are different to what they were.

For example in June I set these goals:

1. Get to 62kg
2. Run a sub 55min 10km
3. Run a sub 25 5km
4. Finish a half marathon
5. Run a half marathon

But now those goals are:

1. read/listen to 30 books
2. run 7 fun runs
3. run 3 half marathons
4. be a pace runner for a run
5. run a fun run in another state

I should mention that these are in no particular order.

The other thing that I’m fine tuning is what I’m eating.

Notice I didn’t say diet.

That’s right, I’m not on a diet.  I’m just eating way better. I’m eating way more veggies and whole foods.  I’ve cut down my carbohydrate intake and increased my protein intake.

My protein intake use to be anywhere from 10-20% of my total food intake.  Which is really low.  I was eating anywhere from 40-80 grams of protein a day.  Which in the grand scheme of things is not a lot.  My carbohydrate intake was insane! It was anywhere from 180 grams to 300 grams a day!

Protein is important as it helps to build and sustain muscle.  I also found out recently that our body will naturally convert protein to carbohydrates if it’s needed (how cool is that).

So my percentages for my carb/protein/fat intake was as follows:  55% Carbohydrate / 15% Protein / 30% Fat.

I’ve now changed it to the following: 40% Carbohydrate / 30% Protein / 30% Fat.

It’s taken me a month to get use to the changes, but let me tell you, eating more protein has done many things.

1. It’s filling me up faster.
2. I’m not feeling as tired
3. I’m not craving sugar as much

And those are the things I have noticed.  I still have to fine tune it, but I’ll get the hang of it.

The other thing I’m doing is I’m trying out a lot more new recipes.  Especially paleo recipes.

Why Paleo? Because that’s what our ancestors ate.  And no I’m not talking cave people (although they would have been paleo eaters), I’m talking our ancestors of just 100-200 years ago.  In the sense of if they didn’t grow it, kill it, or make it themselves they wouldn’t eat it.

I don’t know if I will ever go full paleo because I know carbohydrates have a place in a runners diet. And well I’m a runner (and I do like my carbs), but I will try to make better choices.

Sane/Paleo Lasagne

We all love Lasagne.  Well I know I do.  The only problem with lasagne is that it’s quite fattening.  It has a lot of carbs, and well not really great for the waist line.

So what if you could have it and know that what you are cooking is really great for you.

Well I came across this SANE / Paleo recipe from Carrie Brown over at Marmalade and Mileposts.  I found out about Carrie Brown from a podcast that I listen too called The Smarter Science of Slim.  Carrie is also a Chef.  So she turns everyday recipes into Saner / healthier alternatives. One of those recipes happens to have been good old Lasagne. You can find the recipe here.

 

I slightly modified the recipe to feed 4.  I also added puree carrot and I slow cooked the mince in the slow cooker for about 6 hours (totally worth it in my opinion). I didn’t use xanthan gum cause I couldn’t find it and being Christmas Eve, I doubt I would find it in my small country town grocery store.

Either way, wow.  Seriously so totally worth it.  I can’t wait to make this again! A really simple and fantastic recipe.