Thanks, they are nice pictures arent they? And I think you are right, I love my own cooking - I was disappointed with what they served, I dont know what I was expecting but for over £210 which was 3 starters, 3 mains and 2 desserts plus a bottle of wine, you expect something special - I am not a snob or anything or something who thinks they can do better, because I really enjoy takeaway food, a good chinese or indian, I just thought that for that price, it would have been a little nicer than my own cooking!
You are right though, you are paying for the breathtaking view and also the service was brilliant. Although its probably not the best place to go for someone with an issue with heights Donna! Stick to ground level joints in future!
Oh the Egyptian Curry is really lovely and so easy - its the sort of curry you have with a pitta or you could dip your veg in it, or have it on some rice. Its not a hot curry at all, its really sweet and almost buttery tasting. Here's the recipe:
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 inch ginger, grated
- 1 medium/large carrot, coarsely grated
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp turmeric
- 2 tsp paprika
- 75g red split lentils
- 500ml chicken stock
Method:
- Preheat oven to 180C
- Sweat onion and a pinch of salt in Fry Light for a few min
- Add garlic, ginger and carrot and cook gently for 2-3 min until softened
- Stir in cumin, turmeric and paprika for 1 min until aromatic
- Add lentils and stock and simmer until cooked (about 20 min)
Its two smallish portions, but it is pretty filling - I dont have non stick pans so I do the first few stages in a non stick frying pan and then when it is time to add the lentils and stock I transfer it to a pan with a lid and I cook really slowly. I have since altered the recipe slightly to make more, I also think 2 garlic cloves is quite a lot, but its really good and you feel totally saintly afterwards.
Donna - I hereby accept your challenge - 2lb a week is often really hard for me to lose but I did it this week and I can try and reach 2lb each week - I often regret setting myself challenges because I end up finding the pressure of getting there too much (such a baby aren't I?!) but I am doing to turn that pressure into determination and this time I am not alone. We can do this together Donna.
I have to ask, do you feel secretly a wee bit pissed off that Paul gets bigger losses? I only ask because that would really bug me secretly! I know you must also be pleased that he is doing this with you and the fact that he needs to lose weight for his health, but its a bit annoying isn't it? I bet he can also afford to cheat a little and still lose weight. The thing is men's weight just drops off them when they diet. Mick and I went on a caribbean cruise in February and I put on 11lbs and Mick put on 4lbs! I was gutted. But then saying that I was like the proverbial kid in a sweet shop - at the buffet table I was taking little bits of everything, he was just eating what he usually eats but with added treats and lots of Magners! I was like the Tasmanian Devil at the buffet! I think if Mick was to just exercise a bit, his weight would drop off even though his diet leaves a lot to be desired, he is the sort of person who will just lose weight by making the tiniest changes. Its not the same for me.
xx
Charley - whatever the cost - the memories are priceless!
Thanks for Lentil recipe - I'm still not convinced!
Listen 11lbs is nothing - my friend went on honeymoon for 3 weeks and came back 3 stole heavier - can you imagine what she must have put away - it was all inclusive and here is how her day panned out:
7am - Full Monte Fried Breakfast
10 - Danish Pastries
12 - Banana
13 - Lunch - all 4 courses and sometimes second/third helpings
15 - Afternoon Tea
17 - Toasted Panini on way back from swimming pool
Ice creams, full fat coke, crisps etc throughout day
19:00 - Dinner - 5 courses and second/thirds if she could fit in
22:00 Cheeseburger and chips before heading to nightclub
22:30 onwards cocktails, alcohol
02:00 Pizza on way home washed down with more coke
She was so big by her second week they had to buy her new clothes!
6th May
So today I am turning over a new leaf - 21lb challenge, I hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew (pardon the pun):
B - 2 egg omelette, 3 rashers of bacon and LF Cheese (HEA) - blob of brown sauce (1)
L - Leftover cassoulet with salad (HEB) (3). Salad cream (1)
Snack: apple, melon, homemade hummous and carrot.
D - Chicken Roast dinner - chicken (obv!), giant pig in blanket, mashed potatoes, carrots, cauli, broc, sweetcorn, gravy - I love gravy so I am going to donate the remainder of my syns to my roast dinner as I will put a little butter in the mash too. NO CHICKEN SKIN. I really struggle to remove the chicken skin, especially as I marinate the chicken with caribbean spices before I cook it, but hey ho I will spice up the gravy and use that!
HAPPY EATING Y'ALL!
HOORAY!! WELL DONE!! That is amazing!
Ahhhh that crab sounds amazing Charley - glad you had a good time. I actually left you a message on Donna's diary - multi-tasking but one thing I didn't write and has struck me everytime I have seen your avatar is how pretty you are. You have such a lovely face. Hope you have a lovely day xxx
I might join this 21lb challenge too.
Good stuff Red - consider yourself in - this week will be our first official Weigh In.
Charley - you are beautiful!
Ahh thanks for saying that Red, how lovely - I would like to say the same about you too - but to be honest looking at your avatar you look a little plastic - no offence llike!!!
Please do join us, I felt so inspired by Miss Donna's challenge I have just been out for a walk in the rain! I feel like I have earned my lunch now!
Happy Sunday Red! x
:giggle::giggle::giggle::giggle::giggle::giggle:
Well done Charley on the walk! We managed 2hrs around Thorndon Nature Reserve - I wasn't breathless or anything - amazing how much difference shifting just 10lbs makes
:nono: I curled the ends of my hair for that photo and everything hmmpf.
:8855::8855::8855:
Have you got any plans for today Charle? its lovely blue skies and sunny in basildon - how about Grays?
