Yep, its been snowing again!
The furthest we have ventured so far this weekend was the local Co-op, I snapped this photo on our way there. I love walking in the snow and this scene was just so beautiful!
I spent yesterday being super productive thanks to my productivity buddies on Google + (thanks girls!). The main aim of that was so that I could have today mostly free to relax. As I’ve been saying recently, with so much going on in my life right now I’m making a concerted effort to carve out time for me to unplug. Last night I had my now regular Saturday night date with a candle lit bubble bath, Friday nights are also now sacred time for me and James to spend together and Sunday afternoons are for household tasks, reading and watching TV.
Some of that reading time has been spent reading books on nutrition – I just can’t help myself as I find it all so interesting! Of course they also complement the things I’m learning with IIN. I’m planning on writing a couple of book reviews on some of them. Any who, something I’ve been gradually increasing in my diet since last year is fats and animal products and I’m continuing to experiment with adding more of them into my diet. My blended coffee is now a daily habit, it’s just delicious!
Perfect way to warm up on a snowy morning! I’ve also been eating plenty of fat from ghee, eggs and avocado:
On Friday evening I made another Thai Chicken Veggie Noodle bowl but with coconut milk added:
I used some of the home made chicken broth I made at the weekend too. James loved this! Yesterday I made some Slow Cooked Beef Stew but with an added ingredient:
Liver! I think I’ve mentioned before that James loves liver, and since I’ve been reading about the nutrients in organ meats I thought I’d give it a try. My grandmother used to love liver too, although often made for her dog ;-) I cut it very small, but slow cooked in with the beef and it actually tasted pretty good! I might have to share this recipe properly because it is seriously good. I had some with cauliflower mash and steamed kale.
Then my day would not be complete without some full fat Greek yoghurt.
Mixed with frozen raspberries and almond milk. Oh and I almost forgot yesterday’s amazing breakfast:
Roast kabocha squash with full fat coconut milk – this kept me full for hours which hardly ever happens!
As well as relaxing a bit this afternoon I am going to have to venture outside to dig my car out ready for work tomorrow :-( But then I’m planning on getting back into my Pjs and watching more Girls on Sky +, oh and maybe some baking too!
How do you spend ‘snow’ days? What role does fat play in your diet?
{ 33 comments… read them below or add one }
I love cooking up a storm on snow days. You should try kabocha with full fat Greek yoghurt, cinnamon and maple syrup. It’s my new fave dessert, I think you would love it! :)
Jemma recently posted..Snow day and a taste of Ghana
I’m sure I had that a while ago but not with the cinnamon and maple, sounds lovely!
I’m not really fussed on liver, my Mum always used to cook it with an onion gravy and mash. Maybe I wouldn’t mind it so much chopped up into a stew though. I know it’s a great source of iron which I need more of and so cheap too! I think it’s just the texture I’m not keen on?
Helen recently posted..5 good things
Yep, I think for something to have now and again it’s not bad, I bought mine for 80p and only really used half of what I got!
Hey chickabid! I love walking in the snow too. In fact, I love getting really wrapped up, going on a long walk and then ending up under a blanket on the sofa, chain drinking cuppas! As always, your food looks DELISH! I’m deffo gonna try coconut oil blended coffee this week as it sounds amazing! Also, my skin has entered that post-baby dry phase and I think the boost of healthy fats will do it the world of good. I, too love to read books about nutrition. Have you read, “The China Study”? It’s really interesting. I’m looking forward to reading your reviews as I’m in need of some new reads.
Coffee date soon :-)
emma recently posted..Vegan Food Swap – A Top Banana!
That sounds perfect, love snuggling under a blanket! I have read some of The China Study, I have to admit I lost interest about half way through, but that was before I was the nutrition nerd I am now!
I have the same mug as you! I use it at work and get so many comments about how huge it is. I think it’s about right, keeps me in green tea for a good while, anyway! I’m not snowed in, but I did cook up a soup storm (including a batch of your carrot, ginger and orange soup) so I don’t have to cook during the week unless I want to. Good luck getting the car out tomorrow.
sarahf recently posted..Friday thoughts
Oh hope you enjoy that soup! I love that mug but need to buy another as I had two and one broke!
Ohh that kabocha bowl <3 I haven't had kabocha in like..2 months…seriously feeling quite deprived now!!
I absolutely love fats and what they do for me. My skin and hair are always shiny, I always have energy and like I said in my post with how they help depression. My fave is definitely nuts. I eat them everyday and at the moment I'm making sure I'm eating plenty of walnuts for the omega 3s as I don't get them from anywhere else aswell as my usual fave almonds :) Otherwise it has to be raw chocolate for me! <3
Nicky @kabochafashionista recently posted..Tuesday Thoughts
Oh my god two months? I’ve been rationing mine! Love raw chocolate, in fact I was thinking of making some later :-)
It’s so strange how things have done a complete 180 everywhere whereby fat used to be the devil and now it’s carbs. Personally I couldn’t handle lots of fat, particularly from eggs (not so much with you, but some bloggers are really eating an excessive amount of whole eggs IMO – I think the jury’s still out on the cholesterol issue) but I try to get a little from coconut oil or else I end up eating basically no fat at all, which I know isn’t good. I used to eat lots of avocadoes and nuts but I just can’t afford to do that now calorie-wise.
I spend my snow days looking out of the window and swearing at it :P
xxx
Oh I’m sure give it another couple of years and it will be something else no doubt. That’s the issue with nutrition research – so much conflicting findings and interpretations, and even philosophies. Again, some things I have read say that dietary cholesterol bears no impact on blood cholesterol and if if your HDL and LDL levels are off that’s not necessarily a bad thing, but of course that is not what we have been told to believe for so many years! I’m not completely sold that high fat is healthy long term, but from what I’m reading I think it is good for me at this point in my life with the health issues I’m trying to address. God knows how ill get my car out of the street tomorrow, I think they are saying that heavy snow is forecast overnight blah!
Sounds like a fab weekend, I’m doing much the same today! I love fat but probably eat too much…….can’t help myself though and half fat versions just aren’t the same!
Tamizn recently posted..Weekend Round Up
hey love! i’m just roasted up a roast chicken to make a chicken broth with for later :) i love the sound of your weekend and all your foodie treats you have been having! i have found it really difficult to be productive this weekend (maybe i need to join that google group loL!!) but it is good to relax on the weekends too. we have date night on fridays too, and im becoming more acquainted with my bathroom too to make it a pamper sanctuary!
I’m a bit wary about fats – even the good ones! but i know it would be healthier to eat good fats like avacado, coconut oil, and nutbutters then it would be to get it from processed junk like rubbish cheapo chocolates! i really love liver tho! gives me a boost when feeling anaemic because it is full of iron!
im glad that you are really getting into your nutrition – im trying to get into my revision (statistics – not fun at all!!!) but my reading on relationships/family dynamics and family therapy is just incredible!!! so glad i decided to do the course now :)
hope you are well my lovely have a lovely weekend and speak soon
xxx
Mmm roast chicken sounds good! I think you are right, it is really important – especially when you are studying like yourself to have some time to relax! Speak to you soon ;-)
I’m unabashedly vegan, but I’m definitely feeling the fats lately, too. I can’t get enough nut butter! I remember you saying in a previous post that it was a trigger food for you… and I’m totally with you, sister, but I don’t want to stop! It’s also 6 degrees outside right now, so maybe I need some insulation :)
What I could use right now is some of that blended coffee! I’m off to go whip up a quintessential Laura beverage!
Rose recently posted..The Open Relationship: Is this a thing?!
Oh yes good old nut butters they are delish aren’t they! Actually I’m feeling much better with them after a little break, I think I’m ready to have perhaps some almond butter back in my life!
I love cooking some soup on a snow day- nothing warms you up more after a walk in the snow. Well, maybe hot chocolate does, but making that does not take very long!
Maria @ runningcupcake recently posted..Holiday recap
Wow, so much snow! I am getting better at incorporating more good fats in my diet – for a while I ate very little fat but since swapping Muller Lights for Greek yogurt I know which one I would pick! x
LilyLipstick recently posted..Galaxy Print
Oh full fat is sooo much better than those muller ones!
I am a bit conflicted about eating more fat at the moment. I have been trying to lose some extra pounds I’ve put on over the last year or so, and when I lose weight I tend to eat a low fat diet with lots of wholegrains and probably not enough protein (I am an unashamed carb girl – carbs help me feel satisfied, keep me going and, as long as they aren’t overly refined or too big a portion, are good for keeping my energy levels stable).
I feel I ought to include more ‘healthy fats’ as I struggle with hormonal acne (probably not diet related as I previously thought as I ate and drank anything and everything over Christmas and no spots – but now I’m dieting again, spots. Hmm) but I just don’t think I can ‘afford’ the extra calories and still feel satisfied and still continue to lose weight. But my skin is so dry at the moment I can’t help but think it must help…
I put on weight so easily and last year put weight on while running lots and eating really healthily – it was probably too much by way of peanut butter and coconut oil! MFP thinks I eat quite enough fat but I wonder if more fat would help? Is it possible to eat more good fat and still lose weight?
I think it is definitely possible to eat more fat and still lose weight – it’s just about finding a balance that works well for you, and of course, monitoring your overall calorie intake. I wouldn’t pay too much attention to the macro splits that MFP spits out to be honest. Perhaps try and experiment with getting slightly more of our overall calories from fat and see how you feel. Personally I find fats very filling, but we are all different!
Fat is a major part of my diet now: avocados, eggs, almonds, coconut oil, coconut milk and almond butter are all daily staples!
Ffion @ Chocolate and Raspberries recently posted..Fingers Crossed
I have to say that much as I hate snow, staying inside most of yesterday meant I got things done at home that really needed doing and it was a bit of a rest… but I’d still rather not have it!
Those yoghurt bowls of yours always look beautiful and the slow-cooked beef stew looks lovely too… I’m trying to get more nuts and seeds instead of sugar as I’ve got such an over-sweet tooth :-)
Eleanor@eatinglikeahorse recently posted..The north wind doth blow, and we shall have snow
That’s just the approach I’m taking, instead of fruit for my snacks I’m eating nuts instead :-)
Wish I had had a snow day! We just got some for the first time today, but it’s only a light dusting. I absolutely love fats, daily I will have lots from coconut, seeds/nuts, nut butter, avocados, hummus! Love them! I absolutely love reading nutrition books, so interesting.
Lauren (@poweredbypb) recently posted..Urban Fruit Review
Fat is so important in my diet. From nut butters, coconut oil to halva and cacao nibs… I embrace it. I struggled with HA and I firmly believe that eating lots of healthy fats (and some not so healthy haha) was the most important part of my recovery.
Claire @ Flake and Cake recently posted..Six for Sunday
Well I am most certainly hoping that the same approach works for me!
The curry looks gorgeous!
I am getting fed up with the snow now – makes everything so much harder despite being pretty! Trekked up to Holland and Barret though this morning to get some nut spread and trying an avacado for the first time! Your pictures of avacados with eggs looked so yummy :)
Stay warm!
http://thepescetarianpantry.blogspot.co.uk
Georgia recently posted..A Foodie’s Tour Of London!
It’s been snowing like crazy here too, and while I don’t mind being out in the snow when it’s warmer, the temperatures have been hovering around -20C, and when you pair that with wind… yeah, no. I think I’ll stay inside and bake/read, thank you very much :D As for fat, it plays a HUGE role in my diet. I notice such a big difference in my mood and overall health when I include lots of good fats, so they’re definitely something I try to focus on.
Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted... simply marvelous … cookies and chocolate .
As delicious as your beef meal looks, I just can’t stand liver. I think it’s the texture :-S
I adore coconut milk at the moment. So good to add to soups and sauces. I love getting all the chores done early in the weekend so then we have the rest of it to relax. Bliss.
Anna @AnnaTheApple recently posted..Distorted thinking
I made the switch to full fat yogurt and coconut milk and couldn’t believe the difference in flavour! :)
Lexi recently posted..Quick post – renewing a chest of drawers
Sounds like you have your weekends very much sorted out, it sounds very relaxing :) All of the food looks delicious, although I’m still pretty wary of liver!
Fat for me is always an interesting issue, part of me is fine with eating fats, I know they won’t actually make me fat. But I’m so fussy about fatty meat (I HATE it) and I still tend to go for low-fat dairy…
Sophie @ Love Live & Learn recently posted..These Snowy Days.