My Body is a Temple....

I am writing this slightly out-of-character post for Debs my personal trainer.
Last year I was fed up trying and failing to diet and exercise and David was feeling unhealthy due to long hours spent at his computer.
 I battle with Fybromyalgia ( I won't say more about it now except that I daren't face an ordinary aerobics class and to add this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibromyalgia ), so we turned to somebody who would come to our house and help us with her knowledge and teach me skills that I am sadly lacking!
Debs has given us unfailing cheerful support and I am now accepting her challenge to follow this especially healthy, three week eating plan. When I first saw what I would have to cut out last summer I was horrified and said " No- Never" but I have gradually been changing my eating habits and so am now ready.
Debs said to me- " Go on Jane, you can do it- just use your imagination"

I have shopped for a veritable rainbow of vegetables-

And filled the kitchen window with herbs.

I have decided to list my most tasty meals and recipes in case they are of use to anybody and as record of this challenge.
The only carbs allowed are the vegetables (no starchy or sweet ones either), eggs, meats and fish and the healthy oils but no dairy, no sugar, spices or alcohol, no tea or coffee and only apples, oranges, lemons and limes for the first week. It's very basic but all good ingredients.
Breakfast is difficult but this was very tasty-

Mash one hard boiled egg with a little hummus, fill Little Gem lettuce leaves and scatter with seeds

I made enough lunch for David and I -

Tuna, with kidney beans, and chopped tomatoes, spring onions, celery and parsley

I added a salad dressing of lemon juice and olive oil and lots of herbs

The second day I had a simple breakfast

 I don't usually peel apples but this was a rather ancient Russet 

I'm always happy to eat an omelette for lunch but I do miss the cheese!

Spring onion, tomato, red pepper and a little ham

Served on a bed of watercress salad

For a treat I bought myself  some Quail's eggs. I love their delicate, nutty, creamy taste!

All they need is a touch of celery salt.

Lunch was Avocado and Butternut Squash dip with salad  and the last of the quail's eggs.

I'm now onto my second week and a few extra foods have been added. Most importantly bananas and nuts!

The above are my little biscuits. They are like oatcakes and made with seeds ground into a rough flour, some ground almond, salt, and enough olive oil and water to mix to a paste. I scoop little blobs of this on a baking tray and cook for about 20 mins. They are very tasty, and one with a hard boiled egg is a lovely breakfast, so I have to be careful not to eat more than a couple a day!

One successful meal was my experiment with baked mushrooms. I usually love them stuffed with cheese and breadcrumbs but today I used tomatoes, spring onions, herbs and seeds.

I served it with thin steaks and a green salad- yummy!

 A roast chicken is a wondrous thing. This one was pot roasted on a bed of parsnips and leeks, with lemon juice and a little olive oil. I love pot roasting, it makes the chicken very moist and flavoursome. I brushed squash and carrots with olive oil and baked them for us and made proper roast potatoes for Sam.

To use the cliche, I didn't feel like I was dieting...

 I love my smaller blue/white plate, it always looks as if I have a mountain of food!

Debs suggested this next recipe which I have adapted. She mentioned that she ate banana and eggs- ' like a pancake'. The one below if made from half a mashed banana, dsrtsp. of ground almonds, tsp. of nut butter, a slosh of orange juice and one large egg. I wouldn't eat this for breakfast everyday but it was delicious, a cross between a pancake and an omelette.

It got a little stuck to the pan...

I have finished the three weeks now and even lost a few pounds. I  prefer having a wider choice of foods but it was a good 'kick start' into a healthier way of eating and I'm glad I took Deb's challenge.

Against all expectations, I have even learned to enjoy my fruit tea every morning!