Monday, 05-01-26

Good evening, everyone.

Thanks for the pages info. I have tried again with the recipe links page and would be super grateful if you could click the tab and let me know if I've done it right this time.  
Thanks, everyone.   💜

What I ate today:

Before circuits class, I had an apple for a bit of energy.

Breakfast was the last of the Christmas waffles (proper waffles and so delicious) with sliced peach and nectarine (from the freezer) and chia seeds soaked in a mix of kefir and Greek yogurt.

The kefir was half a swip, the chia seeds one swip and I truly have no idea of the waffles but I wasn't going to waste them so . . . I am just saying today's swips will be top number!

I totally recommend the bacon and butterbean soup - it was flavoursome, creamy, satisfying.  Absolutely lovely.

Two swips for the added philly light.

When I bake a loaf, I have taken to diverting a bit into a small loaf pan.  It slices into minis, perfect to make melba toast or croutons - I just measure 60g's worth - and I freeze the little slices so they are always there when I need them.

One fibre choice for the croutons.

Afters was three very small easy peelers/

Dinner wasn't particularly amazing but it was OK, filling and SW friendly.

Two calcium choices.

Summary:

Healthy extras - one fibre and two calciums (calcia???)

Fifteen swips, estimated - three and a half counted.

Tomorrow's meal plans:

B:  fruit and yogurt (might also add some kefir) with chia seeds

L:  steak roll - I have one sizzle steak in the freezer - with salad

D:  potato topped steak pie and vegetables

And fruit

Exercise:  Groove class and the walk there and back

(It's a bit steaky today but neither portion is particularly generous)

Next change:  Free Foods

This is the basis of the whole Slimming World plan, the idea that many foods can be eating to satisfaction (not to feeling stuffed-ness) worrying about counting, measuring, etc.  They are meant to be filling, nutritious, satisfying and 'liberating' - and I do know what that last means.

 I weigh certain starchy foods - wholewheat pasta, wholegrain rice, etc, not for calories but because it is too easy to cook more than I want, creating leftovers that either mess up my weeks plans or fill up my freezer with leftovers.

There's not a lot of changes here.  A few things are now 'free' - mustards (without oil), baking powder and bicarb, to name a few - but it is sensible to check things regularly anyway.  The app is very comprehensive.

Free foods can be classified.  Some have P for protein, S for Speed (lower calories like some fruits and many vegetables), F for fibre or C for Calcium.  There's also a new one - W for Wholegrain.

I find these really helpful when planning and I am so pleased with the W.

Free foods end to be the unprocessed stuff - lean meat and poultry, fish, beans, grains, fruit and vegetables, herbs, spices with some condiments as well.  

The recommendation is that you fill at least a third or, even better, half your plate with speed food.  This automatically reduces the room you have for the more starchy foods like rice, pasta and grains.