Ya Gotta Larf

 

Eddie

Parsley : A Popular Herb With Health Benefits

Autumn Enloe MS RD LD writes:

"Parsley is a popular herb often used in American, European, and Middle Eastern cooking. It’s commonly used to elevate the flavour of dishes like soups, salads, and fish recipes. Aside from its many culinary uses, parsley is highly nutritious and has been shown to have many powerful health benefits. This article reviews parsley and how this impressive herb may benefit your health.

Rich in Nutrients

Parsley contains several important nutrients, such as vitamins A, K, and C. It’s also a good source of the minerals calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium.

May Improve Blood Sugar
Elevated blood sugar levels can increase your risk of conditions like diabetes or metabolic syndrome. Some rat studies found parsley to effectively reduce blood sugar levels.

Can Benefit Heart Health
Parsley contains carotenoid antioxidants and vitamin C — both of which have been shown to benefit heart health.

May Aid Kidney Health
Parsley may help keep your kidneys healthy by fighting inflammation and reducing high blood pressure and your risk of kidney stones.

Other Potential Benefits
Parsley has antibacterial properties and may help support bone health, boost your immune system, and enhance liver health.

Easy to Add to Your Diet
Parsley is a versatile herb that’s easy to add to many dishes.

Here are some ways to add parsley to your diet:
Use as a garnish on pasta or soups.

Chop and add to salads.
Use in egg bakes or frittatas.
Make a pesto with pine nuts, olive oil, parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley.
Add to smoothies for a nutrient and flavour boost.
Use on homemade pizza.
Add to homemade bread.
Use in homemade juices.
Add flavour to sauces, soups and stews.
Incorporate into marinades and dressings.
Use to flavour fish, poultry, and meat dishes.

How to Store Parsley
To best store:
Fresh parsley, you first need to remove the bottom of the stem. Do not rinse. Fill a glass or jar halfway with water and place the stem ends into the water. If you keep the plant in the refrigerator, it’s best to loosely cover it with a plastic bag. Otherwise, parsley can be kept at room temperature. Change the water every couple of days and discard the herb once the leaves start turning brown. This way, your herb may stay fresh for up to two weeks.
Dried parsley, can last in an airtight container in a cool, dark environment for six months to one year.

The Bottom Line
Rich in antioxidants and nutrients like vitamins A, K, and C, parsley may improve blood sugar and support heart, kidney, and bone health. What's more, this herb can easily be added to many tasty dishes. Parsley stays fresh for up to two weeks, whereas dried parsley may last up to a year. Adding parsley to your diet can boost your health while adding flavour to your favourite recipes."

The above is only a snippet of Autumn's article, read it in full with all related links here

I wonder do you like parsley? Do you use it in your recipes?

You will find a variety of articles and recipe ideas within this blog, but please note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter. If you have any concerns about your health, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or health care team.

All the best Jan

A Saturday Stew : Perfect For The Grand National !

Here in the UK this Saturday (15/04/23) is "The Grand National. This is a National Hunt horse race held annually at Aintree Racecourse, Aintree, Merseyside, England. First run in 1839, it is a handicap steeplechase over an official distance of about 4 miles and 2½ furlongs (4 miles 514 yards (6.907 km)), with horses jumping 30 fences over two laps. It is the most valuable jump race in Europe, with a very large prize fund! 

This event is prominent in British culture, and the race is popular amongst many people who do not normally watch or bet on horse racing at other times of the year.

The course over which the race is run features much larger fences than those found on conventional National Hunt tracks. Many of these fences, particularly Becher's Brook, The Chair and the Canal Turn, have become famous in their own right and, combined with the distance of the event, create what has been called "the ultimate test of horse and rider". More about the Grand National here

For those who may take time to watch it on TV and perhaps have family/friends round for the occasion this recipe could be just what you need to make your Saturday gathering complete ...

It's an easy pork and chickpea stew which only takes 30 minutes, and is full of hearty flavour, with everything all in one pot!

Please see the tip at the bottom of the recipe for how to make a veggie version, if you would prefer this.

Each serving provides:

22g protein, 18.5g carbohydrates, 12g fat, 6.5g fibre and 1.3g salt.

Ingredients

Serves Four

2 tbsp oil, ideally olive oil
250g/9oz pork fillet (tenderloin), trimmed and cut into small cubes
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 red pepper, sliced
1 medium courgette/zucchini (roughly 185g/6½oz), ends trimmed, halved lengthways and sliced into semi circles
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
½–1 tsp smoked paprika, hot or sweet
400g/14oz tin chickpeas, drained
400g/14oz tin chopped tomatoes
1 chicken or pork stock cube
salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large non-stick frying pan or wide-based casserole.
2. Season the pork with salt and pepper and fry over a medium heat for 2 minutes until lightly browned. Remove from the pan and set aside on a plate.
3. Add the remaining oil, the onion, pepper and courgette/zucchini to the pan. Cook for 5 minutes, or until softened and lightly browned, stirring regularly.
4. Add the garlic, paprika, chickpeas and tinned tomatoes. Half-fill the empty tomato tin with water and add to the pan (roughly 200ml/7fl oz water). Crumble in the stock cube and add the cooked pork. Bring to a gentle simmer for 10 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and the pork is tender, stirring regularly.

5. Serve and enjoy.

Recipe Tips
For a vegetarian or vegan version of this stew, cook a large cubed aubergine/eggplant instead of the pork in the first step, adding an extra tablespoon of oil once it begins to fry.

Substitute chicken/pork stock cube for veggie one.

See original recipe idea and video guide here

~ Wishing all readers a happy weekend ~

You will find a variety of articles and recipe ideas within this blog, but please note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter. If you have any concerns about your health it is always advisable to consult your Doctor or health care team.

All the best Jan

Ya Gotta Larf

 

Eddie

We Stayed In !

We had been warned!

Yesterday (Wednesday) was going to be very wet and windy!

Storm Noa was approaching many areas of the UK!

pleased we were indoors - image from here

ducks never seem to mind the rain - image from here 

crashing waves in Ilfracombe, Devon, photo credit Ed Parkinson

many trees came down, I understand everyone in this house was accounted for

photo from here

some days just call for

Tomato Soup with onions, carrot and celery

recipe/more details here

~ What is the weather like where you live? ~

Dear reader, you will find a variety of articles and recipe ideas within this blog, but please note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter. If you have any concerns about your health it is always advisable to consult your Doctor or health care team.

All the best Jan

Suggestions For Low Carb Potato Substitutes : Helpful For Diabetics

For those readers who are diabetic they will know that the chief symptom of diabetes is an elevated blood glucose level. Whilst some medications can help Type 2 diabetics to reduce blood glucose, far more significant a factor is a reduction of those foods in the diet which raise the levels in the first place. This is not just obvious sugars in sweets, chocolate, cakes, biscuits, breakfast cereals and so on but most carbohydrates as well.

Carbohydrates metabolise quickly to sugar in the system (some take a little longer than others) and so for diabetics they act basically as if they were sugar. So you need to cut out starchy carbs as much as possible, including bread, potatoes, pasta and rice.

Many who do live a low carb lifestyle may miss potatoes. They are so versatile, so once you cut out potatoes, you also cut out fries, crisps, mash, roast potatoes etc.

Don’t despair. There is another way.

The potato might be the most popular root vegetable, but it isn’t the only one.

Its siblings in the root vegetable family are less famous but taste just as good, and they contain less starch and fewer carbs.

Here are seven suggestions:-

Celeriac – 7g net carbs, 42cal per 100g

Daikon (aka mooli) – 2g net carbs, 18 cal per 100g

Swede (aka rutabaga) – 5g net carbs, 35 cal per 100g

Turnips – 4g net carbs, 28 cal per 100g

Kohlrabi – 2g net carbs, 27 cal per 100g

Cauliflower – 2g net carbs, 23 cal per 100g

Courgettes (aka Zucchini) – 2g net carbs, 20 cal per 100g

The above words are snippets taken from '7 Low-Carb Potato Substitutes (and how to cook them all)' which can be read in full here and 'Introduction to low-carb for beginners' which can be read here

Eddie and I enjoyed celeriac mash recently with Mustard and Sage Chicken

more details here

You will find a variety of articles and recipe ideas within this blog, but please note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter. If you have any concerns about your health it is always advisable to consult your Doctor or health care team.

All the best Jan

That is Strange ... but True!

As regular readers know, this blog brings a variety of articles, studies, thoughts, recipes and more! It is presented in a magazine style - we hope something for everyone. Our main focus is about the Low Carb Higher (Healthy) Fat lifestyle, LCHF for short, and you can read/find out more about that here

But today for a change I thought let's have some 'Strange But True Facts' ... Did you know any of these ten facts?! 

Mr Potato Head was the first toy to be advertised on TV.

The two tiny holes in every BIC pen ensure that the air pressure is the same both inside and outside the pen, which helps the ink flow to the tip.

If you sneeze while traveling at 60 mph, your eyes are closed for an average of 50 feet.

Your nose is always visible to you. Your mind ignores it through a process called Unconscious Selective Attention.

The brain is our fattiest organ and is composed of nearly 60% fat.

Magpies are considered one of the most intelligent animals in the world and the only non-mammal species able to recognize themselves in a mirror test.

Iguanas have three eyes. Two normal eyes and a third eye on top of their head that only perceives brightness.

Sunsets on Mars are blue.

“Bluetooth” technology was named after a 10th Century king, King Harald Bluetooth. He united Denmark and Norway – just like wireless technology united computers and cell phones.

The small indents in the bottom of frozen pizzas are there to prevent air bubbles from forming inside the dough.

Talking pizza - have you tried Courgette / Zucchini Pizza Casserole - it's something different, and low carb/keto too. See more details here

~ Enjoy Your Day ~

A variety of articles and recipe ideas are within this blog. Please note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter. If you have any concerns about your health, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or health care team.

All the best Jan

Real Food Is Good : 21 Reasons Why You Should Eat It

Franziska Spritzler RD CDE writes:

"Real food is food that is as close to its natural state as possible.

It is primarily:

• unprocessed
• free of chemical additives
• rich in nutrients

However, since processed foods became popular in the 20th century, the Western diet has shifted more toward ready-to-eat meals.

While processed foods are convenient, they can also potentially affect your health. So following a diet based on real food may be one of the most important things you can do to help maintain good health.

Here are 21 reasons to eat real food:

1. Loaded with important nutrients

2. Low in sugar

3. Heart healthy

4. Better for the environment

5. High in fibre

6. Helps control blood sugar

7. Good for your skin

8. Helps lower triglycerides

9. Provides variety

10. Costs less in the long run

11. High in healthy fats

12. May reduce disease risk

13. Contains antioxidants

14. Good for your gut

15. May help prevent overeating

16. Promotes dental health

17. May help reduce sugar cravings

18. Sets a good example

19. Gets the focus off dieting

20. Helps support local farmers

21. Delicious

The bottom line
Real food is just one component of a healthy lifestyle. It’s also important to get plenty of exercise, lower your stress levels, and maintain proper nutrition. But there’s no doubt that eating more real food will go a long way toward improving your health."

The above is just a snippet of Franziska's article, you can read it in full here

Dear reader - you will find a variety of articles and recipe ideas, within this blog. It is important to note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter. If you have any concerns about your health, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or health care team.

All the best Jan

Happy Easter Wishes 2023

image from here

~ Happy Easter Wishes to all our readers ~

Jan and Eddie

Saturday what may the day bring ...

It's Saturday lets hope the day brings some sunshine

image from here

We could go out for a lovely walk

image from post here

Or maybe feed the ducks

image from post here

Perhaps go down to the river

image from here

Then return for dinner

Pork Casserole with Sunshine Peppers

more details/recipe here

Dear reader, you will find a wide variety of posts and recipes within this blog, and not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter. If you have any concerns about your health, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or health care team.

All the best Jan

Bistro Style Beef In Beer

Bistro Beef In Beer is perfect for an adult get-together, sit around the table and enjoy great food and good company 😊

Don't those shiitake mushrooms look good! They go so well in this beef casserole, which is served with a herby nut topping. It also freezes well, which can be a bonus!

Ingredients
Serves 10 (or adjust as necessary)
14g carb per serving
4 tbsp. olive oil
1.5 kg (3lb 3½oz) chuck steak, cut into bite-size pieces
450 g (1lb) button onions or shallots, peeled and left whole
3 fat garlic cloves, crushed
2 tbsp. demerara sugar
350 g (12oz) shiitake mushrooms
2 tbsp. each plain flour and English mustard powder
450 ml (¾ pint) Continental-style beer
A few fresh thyme sprigs
2 bay leaves

For the gremolata topping
Ingredients
80 g flat-leafed parsley, chopped
Coarsely grated rind of 2 oranges, plus juice of 1 orange
50 g (2oz) walnut pieces, toasted and roughly chopped
2 red onions, peeled and very finely chopped

Method
1. Preheat the oven to 150ºC (130ºC fan) mark 2. Heat half the olive oil in a large flameproof ovenproof casserole until sizzling. Brown meat, a few pieces at a time, adding the remaining oil if needed. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan or the meat will stew rather than brown. Every piece should be dark brown - the colour adds richness to the final flavour. Transfer each batch of meat to a plate while you brown the remainder.
2. Add onions to the pan and cook over a medium heat, stirring constantly for 5min or until they're beginning to soften and colour. Add garlic and sugar; fry for 4-5min or until onions are soft and caramelised. Add mushrooms and cook for 2-3min.
3. Turn the heat down and return all the meat and any juices to the casserole. Add the flour, mustard and plenty of seasoning and stir in with a wooden spoon. Gradually pour in the beer, stirring as you go. Bring slowly to a gentle simmer, add thyme and bay leaves and cover with a tight-fitting lid.
4. Put the casserole in the oven and cook for 3-3½hr. The beef should be tender and the sauce dark and rich. Season to taste. If making ahead, cool and freeze for up to one month in a freezer-proof container.
5. If serving from frozen, thaw overnight at cool room temperature. Preheat oven to 180ºC (160ºC fan) mark 4. Slowly bring beef to the boil in the casserole. Cover and reheat for 25-30min. Then mix together all the gremolata ingredients. Serve separately to scatter over the stew.
From an original recipe seen here 

Bistro Style is a typically robust, earthy dish.

This blog brings a variety of recipe ideas, and it is important to note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter. If you have any concerns about your health, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or health care team.

All the best Jan

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread ... a low carb, gluten free, nut free recipe

I have featured this recipe from Karen at KETohh blog before, she says "Just wait until you taste this delicious recipe for Low Carb Choc Chip Banana Bread. Not only is it processed sugar free but it’s also gluten free and nut free. Coconut flour is the staple flour used and it’s amazing how well it performed in this recipe. It’s wonderfully moist and you can’t taste the flavour of coconut at all. Banana and chocolate are the real stars of this recipe.

Perfect for a healthy snack, and as it’s nut free this would also be great to pack for school lunches. Make it and slice it into serves and freeze it so you can grab one from the freezer as you race out the door. If you have guests dropping by this recipe would be perfect to serve for afternoon tea.

Ingredients
18 servings

4 large eggs
2 small to medium bananas
1/3 cup almond milk/coconut water, milk or coconut cream unsweetened
1/4 cup EVOO - extra virgin olive oil
3/4 cup coconut flour
1 tablespoon stevia blend
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ cup dark chocolate choc chips

Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 170 C / 340 F fan forced / gas mark 4
2. Combine the dry ingredients in a small bowl ensuring the baking powder is well dispersed.
3. In a large mixing bowl beat the eggs, then add the mashed banana and all other wet ingredients. Mix until well combined.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and fold through until well combined. Fold through the choc chips.
5. Pour into a loaf pan lined with baking paper and gently smooth off the top.
6. Bake approximately 45-50 mins or until cooked on the inside.
7. Allow to cool for 10 minutes in pan before cooling on wire cake rack.
8. Store in fridge wrapped in cling wrap and sealed in a container for up to 3 days.

Variations
1. Add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract if desired for a spiced banana loaf.
2. Add a pinch of sea salt. The flavour of chocolate is enhanced when salt is added.

Serving Suggestion
Freeze in individual serves for an instant snack.

Recipe Notes
Paleo Sweeteners - replace the sweetener with 2 tablespoons of either coconut flour, maple syrup or honey (or to taste).

Nutritional Information
Serving: 1 slice | Calories: 99kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Fibre: 2g"

Need help with weight/measurement conversion, see here

Original recipe idea with step by step video and more details can be found here

The above recipe use 'low carb flour' and if you are just starting a low carb diet/lifestyle you may feel confused with which low carb flours to use. You may never have used any of them before and how to use them properly can be daunting. Low carb flours do not behave like wheat flour, and how to use them in your old regular high carb recipes is a common question. Of course you may also be interested, or want to know more about them. If that is the case then Libby at 'Ditch The Carbs' site has a very good guide, and you can read it here

Dear reader, you will find a variety of recipe ideas and articles within this blog, but please note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter. If you have any concerns about your health, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or health care team.

All the best Jan

Aprils Flowers

Continuing with the April theme this post concentrates on Aprils birth flowers, which I hope you find interesting, even if you do not celebrate a birthday this month.

"By April, spring is officially here and gardens are (or soon will be) bursting with colour from the earliest blooming flowers. For those born in April, daisies and sweet peas have special meaning, as the two have long been recognized as the April birth flowers. Whether they’re your “birth” flower or not, learn more about the history, meanings, and symbolism of the daisy and sweet pea!

What Are the April Birth Flowers?
The April birth month flowers are the daisy and the sweet pea. The daisy stands for innocence, purity, and true love, while the sweet pea is a way to say goodbye, send good wishes, or merely convey a thank you.

The Daisy

Stemming from Old English, daisy comes from “day’s eye,” referencing the daily habits of the English daisy, with its petals opening in the day and closing at night. Depending on the species, the daisy can be one of your earliest spring bloomers or among the last to appear in the fall.

The daisy is actually made up of two flowers. The centre eye—or disc floret—is a collection of tiny florets, while the ray floret (the petals) radiate from the centre, resembling the Sun. Because a daisy is made up of two flowers that work in perfect harmony, they have long been a symbol of true love.

Native to Europe and Africa, and eventually naturalized in North America, daisies belong to the aster family (Asteraceae). It is one of the largest plant families; one that also includes sunflowers and, of course, asters.

Daisy Meanings and Symbolism

• The daisy has long represented innocence, purity, and true love.
• Each colour daisy represents something different. The white daisy is a symbol of purity and innocence; yellow means joy and friendship; pink represents affection; and red is a sign of love and romance.
• According to an old Celtic legend, when an infant or child died, the gods would cover the child’s grave with daisies to cheer up the parents.
• In Norse mythology, the daisy is the sacred flower of Freyja, the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. In turn, the daisy became a symbol of motherhood and childbirth, and of new beginnings. Daisies are a common gift for new mothers.
• A Roman myth attributes the creation of the daisy to the nymph Belides, who turned herself into a daisy to escape the affection of Vertumnus, the god of gardens and seasons. The Latin word for Daisy, bellis, is derived from the nymph’s name.
• It was once thought that a daisy in a bouquet was a sign of one’s ability to keep a secret.
• “Daisy” has been used in many phrases over time. “Fresh as a daisy” means someone has had a good night’s rest; “oopsy daisy” or “whoops-a-daisy” is said after a mistake or blunder.
• Daisies have been linked to the Virgin Mary, given their representation of love, innocence, and new beginnings.
• The daisy is a flower given between friends to emphasize the keeping of a secret; the daisy means “I’ll never tell!”

The Daisy in History
The daisy family, which is also known by its scientific name, Compositae, was classified by the German botanist Paul Dietrich Giseke in the late 1700s. However, records of daisies date back to 2,200 B.C., when it is believed they were grown in Egyptian gardens and used for medicinal purposes.

Daisies have long been associated with medicine. Teas made from daisies are used to treat coughs, bronchitis, and inflammation; wild daisies have been applied to the skin to treat wounds or disease; and King Henry VIII, it has been said, ate daisies to help with stomach ulcers.

Daisies in the Garden
Daisies can commonly be found growing in cultivated gardens, as well as lawns, meadows, and along roads. Some species are known to be weeds, so plant with care. The most common garden daisies are the Ox eye, Shasta, Gerbera, and English.

Daisy seeds can be started in the spring, indoors, 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost, or outdoors after the last frost. Plants grown from seed won’t bloom until the following season.

The Sweet Pea

The sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus) is part of the Fabaceae family and is related to beans and other legumes. While it is not a crop pea, it is a close relative. It’s also commonly confused with the everlasting pea due to its similar look. While sweet pea has been used in some areas of the world for medicine and food, it is considered toxic to humans and animals, unlike its edible garden pea relatives.

Native to Italy and the Mediterranean region, sweet peas are not only beautiful, but have a sweet fragrance—often likened to oranges, honey, and jasmine—that can brighten any room.

They are found in a wide range of colours with hundreds of varieties having been developed over time, and bloom from spring to early summer, depending on planting region.

Sweet Pea Meanings and Symbolism

• In the language of flowers, a bouquet of sweet peas is a way to say goodbye or thank you for a lovely time. It can also mean blissful pleasure, good wishes, kindness, gratitude, and friendship.
• Some English gardeners refer to them as the “Queen of the Annuals.”
• In France, the flower has long been a traditional gift for brides, providing good luck on her wedding day and in the marriage.
• At one point in time, it was worn for strength or to reveal the truth. Sweet peas were also worn in pockets to provide a fragrance to clothing.
• In some cultures, the sweet pea was thought to have magical properties.

Sweet Peas in History
Sweet peas were first discovered in southern Italy in the late 1600s by Francis Cupani, a Sicilian monk. Cupani is said to have sent seeds from the sweet pea to Dr. Casper Commelin, a botanist in Amsterdam, and Dr. Robert Uvedale, a teacher and plant enthusiast in England, which began its spread around Europe.

In the 1800s, Henry Eckard, a Scottish nursery proprietor, began creating sweet pea hybrids that were larger, more beautiful, and colourful. The rest is history!

Sweet Peas in the Garden
Sweet peas are an annual that prefer full Sun and well-drained, rich, organic soil. They are climbers, growing from 6 to 10 feet tall depending on the variety. Make sure to give them good support using a trellis, arch, or fence.

In locations where frosts are more regular, plant in very late winter or early spring when the soil is dry enough to work in. Flowers bloom in the spring and the plant does not thrive in heat. Seeds can be started indoors before transplanting outside."

You can see the above words, images and all relevant links on this site here

I hope you enjoyed reading about April's flowers.

You may now like to read this post about 'Some Foods In Season During April' which also has some recipe suggestions - see here

All the best Jan

A P R I L : Recipes Part Two

Continuing on from Part One of the A P R I L posts

where I thought I'd have a play on the letters that make up April

and choose a favourite food from each letter.

I started with:-

A for Apple Crumble

P for Peppers

R for Rhubarb

So what will we have for the two remaining letters I and L ??

By the way, many thanks to those of you who made suggestions

on the first part of this post here they were appreciated 😊

I is for ice-cream

I think most of us enjoy a scoop of creamy, oh-so-delicious ice cream.

Make your scoop satisfying, simple, and sugar free

with this low carb/keto version!

You could add a few low carb berries - strawberries or blueberries are nice!

Ingredients

Two Servings

5g carbs per serving

2 egg yolks

1¼ cups (300ml) heavy (double) whipping cream

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons erythritol (optional)

2 egg whites

More details here

L is for Leeks

Leeks are from the allium family like onions and garlic, but have a much sweeter, milder flavour.

According to legend, seventh-century Welsh soldiers wore leeks in their hats

to distinguish them from the enemy army.

Ever since, the allium has been a Welsh national symbol.

 Choose leeks with bright green tops and trim the root and leaf tops

before rinsing well to remove grit and soil.

Buttered leeks are delicious, see here

Leek, Cauliflower and Cheese Gratin

This gratin mix makes a winning and tasty combination.

Nutrition Per Serving : Fat 25.9g Protein 15.4g Carbs 14g Fibre 4g

Ingredients

Serves Four

30g butter

30g plain flour

400ml whole milk

3 tbsp. double (heavy) cream

100g mature Cheddar, grated

1 leek, cut into chunks

Medium head of cauliflower, broken into equal-size florets

Few thyme sprigs, leaves picked

More details here

What do you think of these suggestions? 

Why not share your favourite choice for Aprils last two letters I and L in the comments ...

Dear reader, this blog is presented in a magazine style - we hope something for everyone. You will find a variety of articles, studies, thoughts, photographs, cartoons, music and recipes!

However, not all the food and recipes ideas featured in this blog may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter. If you have any concerns about your health, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or health care team.

All the best Jan

Doris, the lazy cow !

Don't you just enjoy a story like this!

'Lazy' Isle of Wight cow goes viral after pretending to be asleep to avoid being milked

A cow from a farm on the Isle of Wight, UK, has gained global attention after pretending to be asleep so she didn't have to be milked.

Doris, who lives at Reads Farm, was captured in a video having a lay in which has gone viral on TikTok.

Seconds before filming started, Doris had her head up and was looking right at farmer John who captured the moment.

He says she was being cheeky and is surprised at the attention she's received.

Reads Farm is a family run business with a dairy herd of around 200 cows.

John Brodie said: "My wife uses TikTok much more than I do but sometimes she pops down to see me at work and takes the occasional video for social media and they always seem to prove popular.

"Doris is one of our favourite cows (we don't tell the girls we have favourites but it's hard not to). She's extremely friendly and has heaps of personality, she's very curious and inquisitive and seems to prefer our company to that of her herd mates.

"In the mornings whoever is in for milking, at this time of year until the cows can turn out for grazing, first cleans the beds by hand in the cubicle sheds and when we do this the cows know it's time to get themselves up and usually after a snack of their silage in the yard, will head on towards the milking parlour and wait there.

"Inevitably, there are a few stragglers, but on this particular occasion, Doris fancied a lay in. What isn't seen in the TikTok clip is that about 30 seconds before I got my phone out Doris had her head up and was looking right at me.

"Cows are creatures of habit and routine so she knew what time it was and she was the only one left in the barn so I know she was just trying it on, so decided to take the video because I knew she was just being cheeky."

This article with the video clip can be seen here

Wishing all readers a happy start to the week ...

All the best Jan

A P R I L : Recipes Part One

I thought I'd have a play on the letters that make up April,

and choose a favourite food from each!

So starting with:-

A is for Apple Crumble

this is a low carb recipe

Ingredients

Serves 8

6 (Granny smith) apples, peeled and sliced

50g Butter

1 cup Almond meal

1 tbsp. Natvia

Optional

½ cup chopped nuts or Crunchy Grain Free Granola

More details here

P is for Peppers

Bell Peppers can be colourful with Green, Yellow, Orange, or Red to choose from

Feta Cheese Stuffed Bell Peppers

this vegetarian low carb recipe suggestion uses green peppers

Ingredients

Serves Two

2 green bell peppers

11 oz. / 300g feta cheese

10 green olives pitted and chopped

2 eggs

½ tablespoon dried mint

1 teaspoon hot sauce

More details here

R is for Rhubarb

and a delicious lower carb dessert recipe

Rhubarb Fool

did you know that fruit fool is a classic English dessert

Ingredients

Serves Four

350g/12oz rhubarb

55g/2oz (sugar) equivalent sweetener of your choice

1 orange, juice only

water

150ml/¼ pint cream, whipped

1 egg white, beaten until peaked

More details here

Well the above recipes are for the first three letters of April

A P R

I wonder what the last two letters I and L will be?

come back soon for Part Two ... 😊

Why not share your favourite choice for Aprils first three letters A P R in the comments ...

Dear reader, this blog is presented in a magazine style - we hope something for everyone. You will find a variety of articles, studies, thoughts, photographs, cartoons, music and recipes!

However, not all the food and recipes ideas featured in this blog may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter. If you have any concerns about your health, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or health care team.

All the best Jan

It's April 2023

Time to say goodbye to March as we welcome April.

As we welcome April, which in the Northern Hemisphere is generally known for the start of warmer weather, many will also be looking forward to celebrating / observing Easter.

Easter for the year 2023 is celebrated/observed on Sunday, April 9th. Easter also called Resurrection Sunday or Pascha is one of the most important days in the Christian faith.

Many will also be hoping the Easter bunny will make an appearance!
The story of the Easter Bunny is thought to have become common in the 19th Century. Rabbits usually give birth to a big litter of babies (called kittens), so they became a symbol of new life. Legend has it that the Easter Bunny lays, decorates and hides eggs as they are also a symbol of new life. This is why some children might enjoy Easter egg hunts as part of the festival. It doesn't do all the work alone though! In Switzerland, Easter eggs are delivered by a cuckoo and in parts of Germany by a fox.

image from here

No one is sure how the month of April ended up with its name, but we do know the Romans named it “Aprillis.”

The etymology behind the word “April” comes from the verb “aperire,” which means “to open.” It’s commonly believed that the word refers to the season of trees and flowers begin to “open” or bloom.

Those who were born in April have a diamond as their birthstone, which represents innocence. Their birth flower is either a Daisy or a Sweet Pea.

There are two zodiac signs in April. Aries, which is until April 19th, and Taurus, which is April 20th and onwards.

There are quite a few notable historical people born in April, such as Leonardo da Vinci, Shakespeare, and Queen Elizabeth II.

Of course, one of the most well-known dates of April, is April Fools’ Day on the 1st of the month. No one is sure where this originated from, but some believe it to be inspired by Geoffrey Chaucer’s story in “Canterbury Tales” called “Nun’s Priest’s Tale.”

~ With Easter being so near I share this recipe suggestion ~

Roast Lamb with a pea and mint pesto sauce

This mouth-watering roast leg of lamb with a fresh and fragrant mint and pesto sauce is perfect for Easter lunch, more details here

~ Wishing you a happy April 2023 ~

We bring a variety of articles and recipe ideas to this blog, and not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter. If you have any concerns about your health, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or health care team.

Just a reminder
It seems many of us are still experiencing problems with blogger, especially with comments going into the spam folder. Do please check your spam folder daily.

All the best Jan