Kefalonian food diary... food cooked from scratch

I live on a Greek island, it's fairly big but I don't have access to convenience foods or things like Muller Lights, Highlights, quark etc. So I thought maybe you can help me out by checking my diary...I have been doing the diet since end December 2012 and have lost every week except 1xSTS and one gain (which I can totally account for!). I've lost about .5kg per week on average. I drink lots of water, black coffee and tea. Let me know if you have any suggestions!

Here goes:

W/B 11th March

Monday

Breakfast: Semi-skimmed milk (HEa) and porridge oats (HEb) with 1 tbsp jam 2 syns
Lunch: Lentil burgers (lentils, carrots, onion, tomato,garlic) with flat beans, pickles, ketchup 1syn
Dinner: Pasta with tuna, aubergines, tomatoes, chilli, garlic, onion, peppers. Wine 4 syns Cheese-cake (syn free)
Total syns : 7 syns

Tuesday
Breakfast: Lrg fruit salad
Lunch: 2 eggs, baked beans, toast (HEb)
Dinner: Noodles with prawns, sweetcorn, peas, garlic, ginger, chilli, carrot, broccoli, beans, onions, oyster sauce 1 syn Cheese cake (syn free)
Total syns: 1syn

Wednesday
Breakfast: Bread (HEb) plus extra slice 5 syns butter 2 syns, marmalade 1 syn
Lunch: 2 boiled eggs with lrg salad, fat free yoghurt
Dinner: Pasta with T.V.P., sweetcorn, carrot, onions, tomatoes, garlic, chilli, mushrooms, wine in sauce 1 syn Maltesers 5.5 syns
Total syns: 14.5

Hi Kefalonian

It looks fine to me but I am sure someone with more know how will be along in a minute.

I have fond memories of a holiday in Kaphalonia a few years back! We went by bus to the Capital (name escapes me - did it begin with an O? Anyway, it took ages getting there - seemed to go all over the island and to catch it we had to get up at the crack of dawn. I seem to remember about a 5.30 start! It was still soooo dark we had to stand at the bus stop with torches to light our faces whenever we heard a big vehicle going by!!! Lovely stars at night/early morning though.

Ate so much feta it took me about 6 months to get around to eating it again when I came back!

I'm impressed that you can get things like tvp over there. Are you able to get most things apart from what you mention above?

Hello!
The city is Argostoli, and yes the bus is real early!
T.V.P. is easy to buy here, a lot of Greeks do not eat meat more than once or twice a week. I can't get most things really! Lidl has a basic range of fat free cottage cheese, cream cheese etc but they have like 6 or 7 of each item which is snapped up so I often can't get it! Cheese isn't such a temptation here as the range is quite limited!
I'm hoping to add more Greek recipes as many of them are vegetarian/vegan but contain quite a lot of oil. That was the hardest thing to cut down on apart from bread.
Nice to hear from you.

That's it - Argostil!! Well, there is an O in the name!! I felt sorry for a school girl who got on the bus on the way back. Such a long journey and I got the impression that she wasn't able to get about much Yeah I remember there was a Lidl there. I saw a few people with Lidl bags and assumed though they looked greekish that they may be on holiday but then saw the actual store.

One of the ladies in our hotel was going to live there with her greek hubbie. She neither spoke greek or could drive. A bit daft I think because she was not in the first flush of youth and if her hubbie died before her she would have found it very hard to get around.

As regards the greek recipes I guess just be sparing with the oil (said she who must retrain herself in that department!!!). I cannot remember quite where we were - sounded something like katelios -or have I just made that up??? It was bottom right I seem to remember. It was supposed to be a fishing village (ain't they all) but when we got there it was obvious that the local were up in the hills and we were down not too far from the beach. Well, most of them were up in the hills but we did pass some gardens with lovely veg growing (and a chicken that wanted to follow me but that is another story!!).

Deathworm said:

That's it - Argostil!! Well, there is an O in the name!! I felt sorry for a school girl who got on the bus on the way back. Such a long journey and I got the impression that she wasn't able to get about much Yeah I remember there was a Lidl there. I saw a few people with Lidl bags and assumed though they looked greekish that they may be on holiday but then saw the actual store.

One of the ladies in our hotel was going to live there with her greek hubbie. She neither spoke greek or could drive. A bit daft I think because she was not in the first flush of youth and if her hubbie died before her she would have found it very hard to get around.

As regards the greek recipes I guess just be sparing with the oil (said she who must retrain herself in that department!!!). I cannot remember quite where we were - sounded something like katelios -or have I just made that up??? It was bottom right I seem to remember. It was supposed to be a fishing village (ain't they all) but when we got there it was obvious that the local were up in the hills and we were down not too far from the beach. Well, most of them were up in the hills but we did pass some gardens with lovely veg growing (and a chicken that wanted to follow me but that is another story!!).

Click to expand...

Yes, Katelios...quite a way from nowhere! I am up in the North of the island, near Sami & Agia Efimia. The recipes I used to use had about quarter of a pint of olive oil in so not sure a tsp will cut it!

Hmmmm, had a sneaky weigh-in only 200 grams down. Not so great considering how I have stuck to plan and WI is Sunday. Also out for dinner tonight which doesn't bode well. My friends are tea-total so will sick to diet coke, but it's the very limited vegetarian/fish choice available off-season which is the problem for me (apart from Lent which starts next week). Chips are bound to be involved.

Kefalonian at heart said:

Yes, Katelios...quite a way from nowhere! I am up in the North of the island, near Sami & Agia Efimia. The recipes I used to use had about quarter of a pint of olive oil in so not sure a tsp will cut it!

Click to expand...

Crikey!

Never mind re the food just do what you can. At least you have nice juicy watermelon there. Bit tastier than it is here!

I had a good week up until last night. We were invited to dinner at 9pm in the village. By 9pm the island had a full power cut for about 15mins in which time the restaurant we were going to go to closed up for the night (it was also very heavy rain and just 6 degrees) so we ended up in the only one open. All they had that wasn't meat was cheese pies, saganaki, salad in oil, chips and fried salt cod. So that's what I got...on the upside our friends are tee-total and we had to eat with our coats on as it was so cold so maybe I burnt some calories there! We'll see tomorrow.

Thursday
Breakfast: Poached egg on toast (HEb)
Apple
Lunch: Jacket potato, tuna, boiled egg, sweetcorn, salad and mayo light (2syns)
Rice pudding (HEa) and jam (2 syns)
Dinner: Soup with potato, fava, lentils, peas, sweetcorn, onion, carrots, broccoli, herbs
total:4 syns

Friday
Breakfast: Poached egg on toast (HEb)
Lunch: Soup (as above) yoghurt and jam (2 syns)
Dinner: OUT. Wine (4) salad, cheese pies, saganaki, salt cod and chips, feta (HEa) Haven't worked out the syns yet but a lot I guess. Will try harder today.

I really love that garlic sauce whose name I have forgotten - the one with bread in it. I gues that would be terribly syn wise though.

How are things at the shops pricewise - I know things are tough in Greece. Is it really bad?

Deathworm said:

I really love that garlic sauce whose name I have forgotten - the one with bread in it. I gues that would be terribly syn wise though.

How are things at the shops pricewise - I know things are tough in Greece. Is it really bad?

Click to expand...

Skordalia...can also be made with mashed potatoes but the oil content is quite high! I love it with salt cod. The prices have gone up quite a bit for basic things like bread, butter/oil, eggs and sugar. If you have to shop locally it's very expensive but rents, taxes and bills have gone up astronomically so you can see why. Yes it is bad, we need more visitors!!! Lots of friends we know have not been paid since Nov or even longer, they are relying on family and friends to help out. The island is not so bad as Athens for example as most people here have a family home.

WI today...I got my 6kg award! Lost 1.3kg so well chuffed!

Saturday
Breakfast: Scrambled eggs & toast (HEb)
Lunch: Jacket spud, t.v.p. pasta sauce with loads of veg in
Dinner: Apple, strawberries and yoghurt
Hot chocolate (HEa) and cocoa .5 syns
TOTAL SYNS .5

Sunday (W.I. day)
Breakfast: potatoes, peppers, onion, tomato fritata. H.P. sauce 1 syn
Lunch: Barley & lentil soup with carrot, onion, sweetcorn, peas,
Homemade brownies 1.5 syns each x 2... 3syns
Nasi Goreng - carrots, prawns, onions, rice, Nasi Goreng mix 1.75 syns, wine 8 syns
Total syns 13.75 SYNS

Monday - could just eat a sponge pudding and custard

Breakfast: Toast (HEb) peanut butter 1tsp 1.5 syns, banana
yoghurt with crumbled brownie 1.5 syns and tsp jam .5 syns
Lunch: Greek lentil soup - green lentils, spinach, onion, garlic, tomatoes
Dinner: Chilli with T.V.P., onions, smoked chipotle, chilli, onion, garlic, tomatoes, oregano, cumin. Mashed potato and cheese (HEa)
Glass wine 4 syns
Total syns: 7.5 syns

Tuesday

Breakfast: Poached egg on toast (HEB)
Lunch: Sardine fish cakes (mash potato, peas, onion, lemon rind, dill) 1.75 syns with gherkins, beetroot, tomatoes and lettuce
Dinner: Pasta with T.V.P bolognese sauce (lots of veg) and cheese (HEA)
Apple and 2 brownies 3 syns

Total syns 4.75

Wednesday
Breakfast: Eggs, toast (HEB), tomatoes and red peppers
Lunch: Barley and vegetable soup. Brownie 1.5 syns
Apple
Dinner: Mushy peas, fish and SW chips

Kefalonian at heart said:

WI today...I got my 6kg award! Lost 1.3kg so well chuffed!

Click to expand...

Oooh! Well done!!!

Thursday
Breakfast: Porridge (HEb) milk (HEA)
Lunch: Jacket potato, tinned salmon, lettuce, cucumber, tomato, beetroot, gherkin, light mayo (2 sybns)
Apple
Dinner:Scrambled eggs and one slice bread (5 syns)
Total: 7 syns

Friday
Breakfast: Porridge (HEb) milk (HEA)
Lunch: Soup with fava, lentils, onions, carrots
Banana
Dinner: out - salad (1syn), squid, pasta, sun dried tomatoes (3 syns), wine x2 (16 syns), lemoncello (4syns), asti (6 syns)
Total: 30 syns

Saturday
Breakfast:scrambled eggs, potato, onion and peppers
Apple
Lunch:Yoghurt and strawberries
Dinnerasta, smoked tuna (3syns)
Toast (HEB) peanut butter (syns4)
Total: 7 syns

Sunday - WI 200g on!
Breakfast: nothing
Lunch: jacket potato, boiled egg, lettuce, tomato, beetroot, carrot, cucumber mayo light (2 syns)
Dinner: Sea bass, noodles, onion, carrots, garlic, chilli, ginger, broccoli, red peppers stir-fry, oyster sauce (1 syn)
Rice pudding (HEA) chocolate (2syns)

Total: 5 syns

Monday morning - feeling terrible again. Chest pains, swollen eyes, stuffy nose etc. Feel like the flu is back
On a plus note my clothes all feel too big!!! Excellent

Monday
Breakfast: Rice pudding (HEA)
Lunch: Fava & lentil soup, carrots and onions. Boiled egg. Yoghurt, banana and strawberries
Dinner: Spaghetti with sardines in tomato sauce, capers, garlic, tomato and parsley. Side salad. Wine (8 syns) Syn free lemon meringue (not impressed)
Total: 8 syns

Tuesday
Breakfast: Poached egg and toast (HEB)
Lunch: Rice pudding (HEA) with jam (2 syns)
Dinner: Mash, T.V.P. savoury mince, green beans, onions, carrots, gravy granules (1.5 syns). Chocolate (2syns) wine (8 syns)
Total: 13.5 syns

Wednesday - mainland trip to dentist
Breakfast: Poached egg and toast (HEB)
Lunch: very painful teeth on ferry. Boiled egg, rice pudding (leftovers) jam (2 syns). Banana
Dinner: Jacket potatoes, T.V.P. mince and cauliflower. Branston (1.5 syns), wine (8 syns)
Total: 12 syns

Thursday
Breakfast: Yoghurt and strawberries
Lunch: Chickpea soup with onions and carrots.
Dinner: Fish cakes (with tuna), lemon, parsley, dill, sweetcorn and salad. Olive oil & breadcrumbs (HEB) Mayo (2 syns, wine 14.5 syns - at friends)
Total :16.5 syns. Annoyed.

Friday
Breakfast: Porridge HEA&B Jam (3 syns)
Lunch: Bean soup with onion, carrots tomato and parsley
Dinner: Potato, pea and cauliflower curry, onions and tomatoes. Chutney (1.5 syns)
half creme egg (4.5 syns)
Total: 9 syns

Saturday
Breakfast: Poached egg and toast (HEB)
Lunch: yoghurt & jam (2 syns)
Dinner: Lentil dahl and rice with chutney (1.5 syns)
Hot chocolate HEA (1 syns) banana
total: 4.5 syns

Yay! Club 10 award today. Lost 700g this week, 7kg in total.

BTW If anyone wants any of the recipes just ask.

Sunday
Breakfast: Greek egg, tomato and potatoes.
'Fry' pototoes that have been cut into thin matchstick pieces until brown, sprinkle garlic over them, then cover with a can of chopped tomatoes. Cook for about 10 minutes until the juice has evaporated. Then make two-four wells in the mixture and crack eggs into them. Cook until the eggs are how you like them (it can be finished off under the grill). Of course the original recipe calls for lashings of olive oil.

Lunch: bread HEB, hard boiled egg, lettuce, tomato, cucumber

Dinner: Pasta with vegetable sauce (courgettes, spinach, mushroom, onion, garlic, tomato, chilli and herbs) parmasan (HEA)
Creme egg? 8.5 syns or wine 8 syns?


2.5 hrs cleaning and weeding prep for 1st guests

Hi Hon

Hope u feeling better now. Congrats on your 'losing streak'.

I wasn't weighed last week as I was at Mum's. Been pretty good but uncharacteristically, my young neice gave me one of her little creme eggs and a caramel bunny. I. Cannot. resist caramel anything!!!!

I guess I will know soon enough this Thursday,