Thirty days without sugar

Today begins my experiment of sorts, I am going to spend the next thirty days without eating any sugar, white flour products, caffeine or basically anything with a name on the ingredients list that I can't pronounce. I've lost 66 pounds/ 30 kilos this year so the goal isn't really weight loss inspired it's more to see just how I feel and look at the end of it.

I'm a little bit worried about exactly what I'm going to eat, but know as well that it's a great time to experiment with new recipes and ideas. Each day I am going to post a little about how the day went, any new recipes I've tried and at the beginning of each week the amount of weight I've lost. You can find it all on my other blog if you are interested.

Merry, Merry Christmas

Here are just a few pictures from our Christmas day-And guess who was back here in time for Christmas??

Merry, merry Christmas

Beauty in all cultures

Anyone who knows me also knows how I love to celebrate in the diversity of other cultures other than my own. Western ideas of beauty are somewhat limited so I love to learn and watch the other traditions and ideas of beauty in all cultures. I have always loved the Indian culture-the food, music and beauty of clothing and decoration. I recently purchased my first sari and have great fun wearing it around the house ( I am not brave enough to wear it out !! :D )

My very good friend La-Donna and I recently attended a local Indian festival of sorts and had an amazing day drinking Mango Lassi, buying bollywood films and of course watching live dance, but the best part of all? Havng our hands painted with henna!

Sunday morning pancakes

When Aviva was born I decided that it was important to make up some little traditions as I grew up in a home were there was not one. So for the last eight years that is what we have been doing, making blueberry pancakes on a Sunday morning.With the stress of the last year that tradition has been waylaid but Aviva and I are right back into making them now and it is really so much fun! We use a very healthy recipe, with very little sugar and full of oats, just one of these pancakes is incredibly filling.

Oaty Pancakes

3/4 cup milk

3/4 cup rolled oats

1 egg

1/2 tsp salt

2-3 Tbsp sugar

1/2 cup flour

2 tsp baking powder

25 grams butter, melted

1/2-3/4 cup of blueberries

Pour milk over rolled oats. Add remaining ingredients. Mix until just combined. Put spoonfuls onto a greased frypan and turn as soon as bubbles form and burst in the middle. Second side is cooked when centre springs back.

P.S As of yesterday I now have a computer AND the internet :)