My Son The Chef

Raising men/women - not growing children.

Its a great saying, it's definitely what I wanted for my children. To grow to be self sufficient, take care of themselves, able to cook healthy meals, not dependant on anyone else to care for them, the ability to run a home & feel proud - without seeing certain jobs as 'not theirs.'

 So important to encourage a contribution to family life, supporting one another. It makes the bad times easier to bear, the good times even better when we pull together!

One of the things I started when my two started secondary school was 'make your own tea night'. This was brilliant, not just for me (giving me a night off) but for encouraging them to be adventurous in the kitchen. Beans or egg on toast eventually became lasagne, pie, fishcakes.

When my Son announced this year he would like to make Christmas Dinner, alone, I was bowled over.  He researched timings, did a plan, had his laptop on the side in the kitchen to refer to. Starter, main, desert & coffee, boom.

I am so proud of him - I find cooking Christmas Dinner stressful - my Son? Nada! He was a cool cookie in the kitchen!

He was so organised & everything was timed to perfection. My job here is done!!

Thank you for dropping by!
XX

Juice Bar

Hi there! I have decided I need an overhaul, read I need to drop a few pounds :-) We all know our optimum weight and I am currently carrying quite a few excess pounds. I have read lots about juicing, including this book by Jason Vale, aka The Juicemaster and am convinced that this for me is the right route. I have never dieted in my life, but have some bad eating habits, mainly the refined sugar kind. For me it isn't just about dieting but making changes and getting out of the bad habits......

I bought myself the Fusion Juicer by Jason Vale and so far so good. His book is full of really good tips such as preparing all fruit first, having a bowl of hot soapy water ready to encourage you to clear up straight away, great as juicing can be a really messy business!!

So, I have started to try out different recipes from this funky juicing book and up to now I have only found one that I do not like :-)

The next part for me is going to be the hardest - I am planning to do the 7lbs in 7 days detox! I have booked this week off work and intend to detox my home as well as my life!! I shall be walking my dog, taking short runs and practicing Pilates during the week. And juicing LOTS. 

Jason also recommends setting up a juicing bar - this was fun! You can see mine below!

I am the person who wakes up wanting to eat my own arm - so wish me luck!! 

I'll report back here daily as to how I'm doing ;-)

Does anyone reading juice? Would you do a detox?
Please call back and see how I'm doing! :-)
XX

Juicy Lifestyle

Hi there! I've missed this place :-)

I have recently started to 'juice' having read this book by Jason Vale, 
also known as The Juicemeaster.

It's a great book that not only encourages a healthy lifestyle but looks at changing mindset too and I have read it from cover to cover. 

I am taking small steps and enjoying trying some funky recipes having bought a Fusion Juicer (again a Vale product) and have to say it is wonderful.

Some days I have forgone my yummy cereal for a juice and have to say I have felt satisfied for longer than I normally would - often I'm reaching for a sugar fix mid morning - but not when I have had a juice :-) 

The recipe I have been making instead of breakfast has apple, celery, cucumber, avocado and ginger in and claims you will see a difference to waistline in a week. Vale also advises having a slice of unwaxed lemon in hot water first thing (something I often do anyway) and then taking a short run, prior to having the juice. This fits in with me as I have the pup to walk :-)

I need to get organised and do this on consecutive days......below are some pics of my first juicing session with the lovely 'S'

I always prepare all my fruit or veg first :-)

Orange going in.....

Orange coming out!!

Cheers!

We had a bit of a juicing session - juice number 2!!

Anyone else juicing a the moment?
What are your favourite recipes?
XX

Cooking With My Boy

This Christmas Day was the most chilled out I have EVER known

 (apart from one year when we were on holiday!)

My Son had really gotten into the spirit of things, organising the menu and who was responsible for which course, laying the table & preparing the food.

It was great!

I loved that everyone was so relaxed & shared in ensuring everything went smoothly - 

everyone just got on with it!!

So here's my boy at work - preparing 'devils on horseback', 'pigs in blankets' & asparagus wrapped in crispy bacon - delicious!

It's not just about the food, it's the memory -

 we had such a good time cooking together!

Thank you 'L' - Love Ya's!

XX