Saltdog's Magic Shrinking Formula

[piX128]

it's hard when other people are around. The outside work is probably helping too. It's all about balance and when you're heads not in the right place for it then bugger all that anyone else says or does will make a difference. Still, deserved or not ( and thats your call only ) it was only a pound, much less than last time you've had people about so maybe you're doing some things differently?

have a good weekend and stick about, you're the only weirdo who regularly looks at my diary and I kind of like that - hehehe x

 

[EmmyR1984]

Hope you're doing ok :wavey:

 

[Saltdog]

it's hard when other people are around. The outside work is probably helping too. It's all about balance and when you're heads not in the right place for it then bugger all that anyone else says or does will make a difference. Still, deserved or not ( and thats your call only ) it was only a pound, much less than last time you've had people about so maybe you're doing some things differently?

have a good weekend and stick about, you're the only weirdo who regularly looks at my diary and I kind of like that - hehehe x

It's not really that I don't think I deserve to lose weight piX. Truth be told, I think I deserve to lose weight all the time cos it's completely unfair that all these skinny people I know get to eat whatever they want and not put on any weight at all! Lol. I would just feel a bit bad coming on here speaking about how I'm having a week off dieting and bugger the consequences. I'm comfortable with that decision myself but there are some on here who have a real determination and drive to change their lives by losing weight. I don't want to be the devil on their shoulder spouting off about how I'm going out for a meal with a 'what harm can it do?' mentality. I'm in awe about some of the achievements I read on here on a daily basis. I know that in reality, we are all responsible for our own achievements and shouldn't let others hold us back but I don't want to be the person testing that resolve.

So, tomorrow it's back to 100%. I know I said today but I really feel like some wine tonight!! (<<<<see???? now everyone who's reading this is thinking, "mmmm wine!!"). I have good reason though. In the space of one day I have been referred to a neurologist to confirm my doctor's suspicions that I have epilepsy, found out that over the last couple of days I've layed 20 2'x3' concrete paving slabs which are the wrong colour for my patio, and received my decree absolute confirming my divorce!! Not bad for a Friday really!! I wonder what Saturday will bring. :sigh:

Anyhoo piX, I'm sure I will stick around for the weekend. I feel oddly complemented with you calling me a weirdo. Lol. Hope you have a great weekend too and don't listen to any devils on your shoulder. XX

 

[Saltdog]

Hope you're doing ok :wavey:

Hiya Em, long time no hear!! I'm doing ok really. Quite a bit of venting and a busy life in general but still smiling to spite everyone.

How about you? Are you feeling better? I've been keeping up with your thread even if I've not been commenting very often. I'm a bit lost for words when all the ladies start comparing notes about * week! Lol. I just make the conscious decision to keep out of things which don't concern me. :ashamed0005: I know my place. Lol.

Have a great weekend Em! XX

 

[Saltdog]

Good morning one and all! I'm awake and ready to take on my weight with a new found motivation. Hope you all have a fun, productive and long-lasting weekend.

Sent from my iPhone using MiniMins

 

[Purple Patsy]

Wow all fired up Kev is back. Yeay

 

[EmmyR1984]

Loving the determination Kev, you CAN and WILL do this

I'm getting back on plan 100% this week too, looking forward to hearing how your weekend has gone x

 

[Saltdog]

Well, my whole body is sore tonight. Gardening is some workout!! It's looking good though. Patio is half laid. Just need to learn how to bricklay now so I can build a retaining wall! Maybe next week. Got about a couple of tonnes of clay and stones to dig out before pouring a found. Oh, I had a good weekend with my food too! I'm going to make that stone by Friday!!!

Sent from my iPhone using MiniMins

 

[Purple Patsy]

Well done Kev. You'll defo get there ay this rate.

 

[Saltdog]

Another Monday morning. Not my favourite time of the week but hey, as long as I keep myself busy it will soon pass. Work has been a bit of a struggle lately as I'm part of the local council and like everywhere else, we're getting cuts left, right and centre. There are a lot of jobs disappearing and management structures being rearranged. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my job is safe but until my level is reviewed there's no way of knowing.

I'm still a bit sore today after my weekend of gardening. I also washed the car yesterday afternoon for good measure. Here's the main work I did at the weekend though. I'm quite proud of it:

There's still the founds for the wall to dig to the right of the red line on the picture and another row of slabs to lay. I don't think I'll lay the next row till I've done the founds though. I'm hoping I'll get that done this week. There's not a lot of daylight left when I get home from work yet. It is getting lighter all the time though.

I'm trying to decide what to have for dinner tonight. Looking for a good chicken recipe as we have some in the fridge which needs cooked. Any suggestions or flashes of inspiration? They'll all be very gratefully received.

Kev

 

[piX128]

Hey xx great to see you back and fired up xx

Ive got a few chicken recipes I've not tried yet ( it's the only meat i eat ) so I'll see if the links work on here.

In this one I'd leave out the chorizo as I dont like it, but if you leave it in you'll have to syn it. I'd just use any chicken I had too.

Spanish style chicken

ingredients​

serves 4
8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, about 500 g (1 lb 2 oz) in total
Fry Light for spraying
1 red onion, peeled and thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
1 large red pepper, cored, deseeded and sliced
1 large yellow pepper, cored, deseeded and sliced
400 g (14 oz) can chopped tomatoes with herbs
150 ml (1/4 pint) chicken stock, made with Bovril
1 tbsp sweet paprika
60 g (2 oz) chorizo sausage, thickly sliced
12 - 15 black olives, pitted
salt and freshly ground black pepper
roughly torn parsley, to garnish​

method​

1. Cut the chicken into bite-sized chunks. Lightly spray a large non-stick frying
pan with Fry Light and place over a high heat. Add the chicken and fry, turning, until sealed and golden.​

2. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute, then add the peppers. Stir and cook for a further 3 - 4 minutes until slightly softened.​

3. Stir in the tomatoes, stock and paprika and bring to the boil. Add the chorizo to the frying pan and simmer for 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked. Stir in the olives and season well.​

4. Transfer to a warmed serving dish. Scatter with the parsley and serve immediately, accompanied by a green salad.​

 

[piX128]

A few syns shared out in this recipe ( curry paste - and I tend to use a spicier one, and the mint sauce unless its sugar free ) , but per portion its very low. Lovely with rice thats got curry powder stired through and pomegranate seeds in it.

Spiced koftes with minted yogurt dip

ingredients​

serves 4
1 tbsp cumin seeds
85 g (3 oz) fat free natural yogurt
1 tbsp mild curry paste
4 spring onions, finely sliced
1/2 red pepper, deseeded and finely diced
2 tbsp chopped coriander leaves
salt and freshly ground black pepper
450 g (1 lb) skinless, chicken breast
Fry Light for spraying​

for the minted yogurt dip:​

100 g (3 1/2 oz) very low fat natural fromage frais
60 g (2 oz) fat free natural yogurt
1 tbsp mint jelly
1 tbsp chopped fresh mint​

to serve:​

mint leaves
lime wedges​

method​

1. Dry-fry the cumin seeds in a small pan over a low heat for 1 - 2 minutes, until the seeds release their aroma. Tip into a large bowl. Add the yogurt, curry paste, spring onions, red pepper and coriander; season and mix well.​

2. Place the chicken in a food processor and blend until fairly smooth. Add to the yogurt mixture and mix well, using your fingers. Divide the mixture into 12 portions and shape each portion into a ball. Place on a non-stick baking tray and chill for 10 minutes.​

3. Meanwhile, make the minted yogurt dip. Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste, cover and set aside.​

4. To cook, preheat the grill. Spray the koftes lightly with Fry Light and grill for 8 - 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until cooked through. Serve hot, garnished with mint leaves and lime wedges, and accompanied by the dip.​

 

[piX128]

much easier one...just leave out the butter or syn it.
Citrus chicken

Preparation time: 10 minutes.
Cooking time: 1 hour.
Oven temperature: 190°C, 375 °F, gas 5.
Calories: 346 per portion

ingredients​

serves 4
4 chicken quarters, about 225 g (8 oz) each, skinned
salt and pepper ground cinnamon
2 large lemons or limes
2 large oranges
15 g (1/2 oz) butter
parsley sprigs, to garnish​

method​

1. Rub the chicken quarters with salt and pepper and a little cinnamon. Place in a lightly oiled casserole.​

2. Squeeze the juice from one of the lemons or limes and pour over the chicken.​

3. Grate the rind from one of the oranges. Peel the remaining lemon or lime and both oranges and chop the flesh.​

4. Mix the flesh with the grated orange rind and pour over the chicken. Dot the chicken and fruit with the butter.​

5. Cover tightly and cook in the oven for 1 hour, or until tender. Garnish with parsley.​

Limes are slightly sweeter and have a more subtle flavour than lemons. You can tell a fresh lime by its dark, glossy, tight skin.​

 

[Saltdog]

Hiya pix! Hope you've had a good weekend?

Mmm, they both look lovely!! They're definitely going on the list to try out. I have to admit that I'm a massive fan of chirizo but have been refrainingwhile on SW cos it ain't good on Syn values! I've been anxiously following another poster on here while he experiments trying to find the perfect syn-friendly home made chorizo recipe. The koftes look right up my street too. Decisions decisions. You certainly don't make it wasy.

I've also just discovered www.slimmingeats.com. OMG what an amazing collection of recipes and with SW values attached!! The site creator is a genious!! Maybe everyone already knows about this site and I'm the last one to find out though! Lol.

Cheers for the suggestions though. X

 

[Saltdog]

And another one? Good job it's nearly lunch time!! I suddenly feel rather ravenous. Thanks piX. Much appreciated as always. X

 

[piX128]

well a man has to have a choice

thanks for the link too ... I'd not heard of that so will have a very happy browse. I must be feeling better as I've had no appetite for a few days now and even i looked at the koftes and though mmmmm. On my own til tomorrow as OH is working away so maybe I'll wait til later in the week, so Im not tempted to eat them all !

xx

 

[Purple Patsy]

Nothing like as exciting as Pix's recipes but I like chicken breat stuffed with Philli light and a wee bit of cranberry sauce wrapped in bacon. Tis simple yet tasty and so easy to do.

 

[piX128]

Nothing like as exciting as Pix's recipes but I like chicken breat stuffed with Philli light and a wee bit of cranberry sauce wrapped in bacon. Tis simple yet tasty and so easy to do.

yum, never thought of adding cranberry sauce like that... Im sure I have a jar in the cupboard too ! thanks Patsy x

 

[Purple Patsy]

One of my standby meals as I have a serious lack of imagination a lot of the time. But it's YUMMY.

 

[EmmyR1984]

Looks like you've had a very productive weekend

Which chicken recipe did you go with in the end?

I've never come across that site before, but it's definitely getting bookmarked so I can have a nosey at it later.

Hope you have a great day x