Reflections about my journey!

Here are some of the things that have changed for me over my almost 5 year weight loss/health journey:

I no longer obsess over the numbers, I have chosen not to weigh myself anymore, while I know I am not as small as my original lowest weight I feel like I'm at a place where I don't have to eat so strictly to maintain and that feels healthy for me even if it means I'm not my 'skinniest'.

I eat healthy food most of the time because it makes me feel good not because of the amount of calories or the carbohydrate content in a particular food (this has taken me a long time to achieve). I also enjoy some indulgences as I'm such a foodie and I get a lot of pleasure from beautifully made treats, I just have to limit it.

I've always been a bit up and down with the exercise over the years but this year something finally clicked for me. I have been exercising consistently since January this year, I actually want to do it for the first time in my life, I do whatever my body feels like doing even if that means resting, my activities include Walking, Bike riding, Weight training or Pilates and I feel amazing!

For the first time on my journey I feel like I am the healthiest and the happiest I have ever been. You would think being the thinnest would make me the happiest but it honestly didn't, I've been every weight from 54-107kgs in my 20's and I've known my exact weight everyday for all those years. Now I'm approaching 32 and I don't know my exact number and that feels beyond freeing.

Cajun Chicken with Mint dressing

This chicken dish is one of my favorite dishes, it's fresh, spicy, tasty and just plain ol yummy! Plus it's super easy :)

Depending on your personal preference you can either serve it with Rice (like above) or Cauliflower Salad (like below) 

Chicken:
Use chicken tenderloins and marinate in Cajun Seasoning, you could either make your own (Salt, Paprika, Black Pepper, Onion, Basil, Garlic, Chilli, Fennel, Thyme) or you could use Masterchef Cajun Seasoning http://www.masterfoods.co.nz/Products/ProductDetail/tabid/83/ProductId/1477/Cajun-Seasoning.aspx however it has wheat starch in it so if you are intolerant to that then make your own. 

Dressing: 
150gms Plain Greek Yoghurt
Juice of two limes and the grated lime zest
Bunch of chopped up Mint or Coriander
Cubed cucumber - amount varies depending on how much cucumber you want


The Cauliflower salad is a recipe from Annabel Langbein:

• 200g cauliflower, cut into florets, stems discarded

• ½ cup salted roasted cashews

• 2 tbsp chopped coriander leaves

• 1 tsp grated ginger

• 2 tsp neutral oil

• salt and ground black pepper

Place cauliflower and cashews in the bowl of a food processor and pulse a few times until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Mix in coriander leaves, ginger, oil and a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. Toss to combine evenly.

http://www.annabel-langbein.com/recipes/crisp-cauliflower--cashew-salad/223

Broc-N-Cheese!

This is my version of one of my old favorite comfort foods... Mac-N-Cheese (not the packet variety either, the real homemade goodness) Obviously this is not as good as when you use pasta but it also doesn't leave you feeling guilty, foggy and generally like you need to have a nap ;)

Broc-N-Cheese!

• ½-1 head broccoli or cauliflower
• 3 strips streaky bacon
• ¾ cup cream
• Egg yolk
• Salt, pepper, mustard, paprika & curry powder (pinch of each)
• ¾ cup grated cheddar cheese

Chop up your broccoli into really small pieces, cook using a steamer.

Grill your bacon until crisp and then chop into really small pieces.

Put your cream into a saucepan and add all the seasonings,let it reduce for 10-15 minutes on a low heat, stirring occasionally, once almost the thickened consistency of a white sauce then take off the heat and add in your egg yolk and grated cheese.  To cheat the reduction method you can buy thickened cream instead but reducing your own cream is a much richer tastier way to go! Or if flour doesn't bother you then just make a traditional cheese sauce.

Sprinkle the bacon on top and viola! Enjoy :)