Super Smoothie

Over the past three months I’ve managed to lose six kilos, by altering my eating habits.  I’ve cut down on carbs, sugar, and dairy, and my digestion has benefitted.  I’m not counting calories or anything complicated like that.  Almost the only bread I eat now is paleo bread, which is made entirely from nuts and seeds.  I find it not as enjoyable as fresh ciabatta, but it is satisfying.  My previous habit was to have a hot chocolate with biscuits or cake before going to bed, and I wondered whether I might feel hungry during the night without this.  I also wondered whether I might not sleep as well without the hot milk drink.  These days i have a cup of tea (weak, black Earl Grey) and a piece of fruit before bed, and have no trouble sleeping.

When I’m out or meeting friends I have a little sweet treat, but often find I can’t finish it and end up taking the rest home for later.

Today we lunched at Foundation Cafe at Turanga where I had a small savoury loaf and a black Doris plum and cinnamon smoothie.  It’s the second time I’ve had one of these smoothies at Foundation and they are absolutely delicious.

was smoothie

(Sorry, I didn’t think to take a photo until I’d almost finished).  I presume the main ingredients are fruit and yoghurt.  I could probably make something similar at home, but I like to keep them for an occasional treat when I’m out.

We were at Turanga because I needed to print some coloured A4 posters and wasn’t sure my home printer would manage the deep colour.  The printer at Turanga did an excellent job, and the cost was only a dollar per sheet.  At Warehouse Stationery it would have been $1.29, and I doubt their staff would have been as available and helpful.

For you I have a handy hint
Turanga’s a good place to print

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Spaghetti Squash

Spaghetti Squash was a new vegetable to us.  Have you tasted it?  In the supermarket they were reduced from $6.50 to $2, and Stephen thought he’d like to try stuffing it.  He removed the seeds, filled it with a mixture of chicken, lentils, and spices, and baked it.

We were impressed that the cooked flesh of the squash appeared in fine strips, very like spaghetti, but easier to manage.  This is certainly something we’ll buy again.

“This vege’s an amazing thing
when cooked the flesh makes a thin string.”

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Savoury Soup?

Soup was actually off the menu at Beat Street today.

Soup du Jour

“I’m guessing that the soup lacks flavour
but there is humour there to savour.”

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Persian Pleasure

We relished our dinner at the Persian Kitchen in Stanmore Road.  If it wasn’t for a friend’s recommendation we may never have known about this restaurant, and it seems to me they deserve more publicity.

Persian Kitchen

The ambience is interesting.  Note the racks of cups and teapots hanging from the ceiling on the right hand side of this photo.  Our entree and dessert plates were old floral china, while mains were served on plain white dishes.  We started with an assortment of delicious dips served with warm pita bread.  As our main we chose to share the Combination platter which included rice, salads, and beautifully grilled meats, with sauces.  Because the food was not heavy we still had room for desserts.  Stephen chose Baklava, while I had the Lokum (Turkish Delight).  The latter was a little heavy for me, but Stephen enjoyed his rich baklava.  The bill for all this, including two glasses of wine and a cider came to $87.50 – good value for an excellent meal.

“The Persian Kitchen’s one we’d missed
but now it’s on our Favourites list.”

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Elusive Eels

The Otakaro/Avon River was once an abundant source of food.  This artwork by Rewi Couch is situated beside North Hagley Park.

Hinaki (Eel trap)

It shows a Hinaki (eel trap) and is a conceptual representation of traditional gathering of fresh water foods.  Eel/tuna would once have been caught at this spot.  These days fishing is forbidden in the Botanic Gardnes, but presumably allowed here.  I wonder if anyone goes eeling beside the Park?

“Restoring river’s under way.
Will there be fishing here some day?”

 

 

 

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Preserving the Planet

Growing your own vegetables is a step on the way to sustainability.  This sign says it all.

Vote World, Grow Veges

 

“Just silver beet could be the thing
to start a family gardening.”

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Excellent Eggs

When I was a child, back in the days of the “Trades Alphabet” (who remembers that?) I joined the ‘Egg a day’ club, and proudly wore their badge.

As an adult, for many years my breakfast of choice was a boiled egg and toast.  In the early 1980’s we were on holiday with a group of friends, one of whom was a G.P. and sternly told me that I should not eat an egg every day.  I don’t think I took a great deal of notice then, but in recent years my weekday breakfast has tended to be porridge, and I’ve saved the eggs for weekend omelettes.

At my annual “Well Woman” check my doctor told me my level of B12 was low and I should eat more eggs – at least five a week.  I’m very happy to do this, and this morning I had a boiled egg and porridge.  By coincidence, today I came across an article which says that eating eggs makes you kinder.   My doctor didn’t tell me that!  Perhaps she thinks I couldn’t be any kinder?

“I might go back to egg a day
and grow more kindly in that way.”

 

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Festival Fromage

Today was Stephen’s birthday.  We had breakfast at Meshino, and on the way home we stopped to pick up a gift at Canterbury Cheesemongers.  This has been arranged by a distant daughter.  She’d phoned from the other side of the world, discussed what treats they had in stock, and made a selection.  It all came in a brown box.

The cheeses are packed in woodwool which helps to prevent moisture loss, and they come with instructions for storage.

It’s just possible he may need some assistance to get through all that lot, and I would, of course, be happy to help.

“It was a pleasure to discover
the treats awaiting this cheese lover.”

 

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Vernal Victuals

My Saturday dinner was so attractive I just had to take a photo.

Saturday’s dinner

This is the first time we’ve had asparagus this spring.  Stephen cooked it in an oval pan we bought at an op shop in Glastonbury.

Glastonbury pan

The chicken livers with grapes were garnished with microgreens which flourish on the kitchen window sill.

Microgreens

I’m very lucky to have an inhouse chef who cooks me such delicious meals.

“Asparagus – the taste of spring
with baked mushrooms is just the thing.”

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FoodBag Feast

This week we received our first FoodBag.  This great scheme is run by Garden City 2.0.  They collect fruit and vegetables from local organic growers, sort it, and distribute to subscribers around the city.  They used to deliver only to the hill suburbs but they’ve recently included a pick up point in New Regent Street which suits me well.

This week’s FoodBag

This is the contents of our small FoodBag which cost $20.  We need to place our order by Tuesday evening, and pick up between 3 & 5pm on Thursday, returning the previous week’s empty bag at the same time.  They’ll also recycle the plastic containers.

We used to be part of a vege co-op many years ago, but this is easier as all you have to do is pay and collect.  Plus you’re supporting local organic producers.

“This local veg is to our taste.
Recycling minimises waste.”

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