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

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient

Vitamin C : Did You Know ?

Did you know, that Vitamin C is an essential nutrient
Vitamins and minerals are nutrients your body needs in small amounts to work properly and stay healthy. Most people should get all the nutrients they need by having a varied and balanced diet, although some people may need to take extra supplements.

This article looks at:-

"Vitamin C, which is also known as ascorbic acid, and has several important functions.
These include:
helping to protect cells and keeping them healthy
maintaining healthy skin, blood vessels, bones and cartilage
helping with wound healing

Lack of vitamin C can lead to scurvy.

Good sources of vitamin C
Vitamin C is found in a wide variety of fruit and vegetables.
Berries
Blackcurrants
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cantaloupe
Cauliflower
Grapefruit
Kiwi fruit
Leafy greens
Mango
Oranges
Orange Juice
Papaya
Peppers
Pineapple
Potatoes
Tomatoes
Squash
Strawberries
Watermelon

Some examples of foods containing high levels of vitamin C. Image from here

How much vitamin C do I need?
Adults aged 19 to 64 need 40mg of vitamin C a day.

You should be able to get all the vitamin C you need from your daily diet.

Vitamin C cannot be stored in the body, so you need it in your diet every day.

What happens if I take too much vitamin C?
Taking large amounts (more than 1,000mg per day) of vitamin C can cause:
stomach pain
diarrhoea
flatulence

These symptoms should disappear once you stop taking vitamin C supplements.

What does the Department of Health and Social Care (UK) advise?
You should be able to get all the vitamin C you need by eating a varied and balanced diet.

If you take vitamin C supplements, do not take too much as this could be harmful.

Taking less than 1,000mg of vitamin C supplements a day is unlikely to cause any harm."
The above information taken from article here

The above is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact your local health care provider.

Broccoli a good source of Vitamin C

Don't throw those broccoli stalks away - more to read here

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

Take A Walk In The Park Day : March 30th 2023

The 30th of March is 'Take a walk in the park day', yes, a great day to stretch your legs and get some fresh air. If the weather is good where you live why not even go out and have a picnic!

When cities are being designed one of the primary things they ensure to make space for is city parks. From small parks the size of just a couple of blocks to large ones that cover acres of land, city planners know the importance of providing green areas for people to go. Take A Walk In The Park Day celebrates these small excursions and the differences they can make to our mental, physical, and emotional health.

History of Take A Walk In The Park Day
This day was founded to help people reconnect with the wilder spaces within our civilized world. Thousands of people all over the country walk in local parks, exploring the wildlife and beauty of the natural world around them.

During these walks many opt to bring cameras so they can take pictures of the beauty they find, others opt to bring a book and enjoy the peace of the natural space. Jogging, playing games, drawing pictures from nature, all of these are things people do when they go out and enjoy time in the park.

Getting out into nature has been proven to have a number of therapeutic effects on those who take the time to do it. Their stress levels go down, their heart and mind feel refreshed, their creativity gets inspired, and they become more productive at work. All of this doesn’t even include the physical health benefits they get from walking in the park.

Keeping our bodies in motion and remaining active are important parts of our long term health. Daily walks help keep joints healthy, our muscles limber, and our hearts beating steadily. Every day you walk walking gets to be just a little bit easier and you’ll find yourself less tired than the day before. Take A Walk In The Park Day encourages you to get out and do that, every day of the year.

How To Celebrate Take A Walk In The Park Day
Celebrating this day is as simple as doing what it says on the tin, go take a walk in the park! Everyday people take walks as an easy way to get exercise and reconnect with nature, and that’s been proven to have a positive effect on our sense of well-being. Taking a walk can relieve stress, ease worries, and otherwise make every day just a little bit better.
Above information from here

Are you planning on enjoying a walk on the 30th? I may not walk in a park but I hope to enjoy a leisurely walk locally.
Enjoy your day.

All the best Jan

Leek Rarebit Pork Steak : So Tasty

Leeks add a silky texture to this meaty take on Welsh rarebit. Add cider, cheese and mustard for a savoury punch, then pile the lovely leeks on top of some perfectly cooked pork and serve.

Ingredients

Serves Four

2 tbsp olive oil
3 large leeks (about 550g), washed, trimmed and finely sliced
1 tbsp plain flour
125ml dry cider
125g mature Cheddar, grated
1 tsp English mustard
4 pork loin steaks 
To Serve - Optional

Mashed potato or swede (rutabaga) and Tenderstem broccoli,

Method

1. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a lidded pan and cook the leeks for 10 mins, covered, over a medium heat until soft. Set aside half the leeks in a dish and the remaining leeks, cook for 2 mins, then slowly pour in the cider, stirring, until combined. Add the cheese and mustard and gently heat, stirring, until melted. The mixture can easily catch at this stage, so be careful.
2. Preheat the grill to medium-high. Heat the remaining oil in a frying pan over a high heat and cook the pork steaks for 2-3 mins each side until golden and cooked through. Top with the leek rarebit, then grill for 2-3 mins until golden. Serve with the reserved leeks, and mashed potato or swede and Tenderstem broccoli, if you like.

Each serving contains

Carbohydrate 7.5g Protein 37.4g Fat 42g Fibre 0.2g

From an original idea here

Related Recipe

Rarebit topped Gammon with green beans - see it here

~ enjoy your day ~

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

Did You Know These Ten Facts ?

Sharing these ten facts

1. If you’re a female and you feel like your heart beats quicker than your male counterparts, you’re not wrong. Women’s hearts are proven to beat faster than men’s.

2. As well as having faster heartbeats, women blink twice as much as men as well.

3. Can’t remember your dream from last night? That’s perfectly normal since most people will forget 90% of their dreams.

4. Every 3-4 seconds, around 50,000 cells in your body will die and be replaced by new ones.

5. During the average lifetime, your heart will pump a grand total of 182 million litres of blood.

6. Every 10 years, the human skeleton repairs and renews itself. Essentially, you have different bones now than you did 10 years ago!

7. It’s much less effort to be happy – you’ll use 17 muscles to smile vs. 43 to frown and be miserable.

8. While this can’t be said for everybody, the average person will say around 5,000 words every single day.

9. People burn more calories being asleep than they do by watching the TV. More reason to take a nap!

10. Our taste buds seem to change throughout our lives, but by the age of 60, the average person has lost half their taste buds. This is why older people don’t seem to care as much about bitter or unusual tastes.

Talking taste buds, you may wish to try this recipe 😋

Spicy Shepherd’s Pie

 with a squash and sweet potato mash

more details here

~ enjoy your day ~

Dear reader, this blog brings a variety of articles and 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

It's The Boat Race 2023 !

From as far back as I can remember ‘The Boat Race’ was always a must watch sports event in our family, it was part of our family tradition… which still continues to this day. Yes, it‘s true the family are spread far and wide but we are all together in spirit for this event, and I know texts, emails and phone calls will be made as the Boat Race finishes later today.

My dad was always a firm Oxford Fan … my dear mum always used to support Cambridge - the event was a great family time to share, cheer, commiserate but it was always a time when we were together and for some reason no other sporting event had quite the same effect. I’ve never stopped to analyse why this was. Dear Mum and Dad are no longer with us, but I just know they will be looking down on Sunday 26th March 2023 as this years boat race is due to start ... and the family will have so many fond memories of years gone by.

Will the water of the River Thames be calm or choppy? Will it be Oxford or Cambridge who takes the coveted 168th title? I hope the stretch of water between Putney and Mortlake will see a great race. The first race took place on 10th June 1829 in Henley on Thames, following a challenge between old school friends, since the second race in 1836 the contest has always taken place in London, except during Covid when it took place 'behind closed doors' in Ely, Cambridgeshire. So many followers (estimated 250,000) do flock to the River Thames with their families to be part of the event and to enjoy the wonderful atmosphere, while more than 5 million people watch the event on television.

these are old photographs showing a win

for Oxford above

and Cambridge below

* post edit Cambridge won the 2023 boat race *

After the Boat Race I think we may enjoy

Classic Roast Chicken and Gravy

a family favourite, more details here

~ Enjoy your Sunday ~

You will find a variety of articles and recipe ideas 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

Tick-Tock Tick-Tock Don't Forget To Alter Your Clock !

Sharing an article by David Hughes 

When do the clocks go forward? 

Date the clocks change in March 2023 and why the UK has British Summer Time

The clocks always go forward at 1.00am on the final Sunday of March – this means in 2023 they will change on Sunday 26 March

The clocks always change in the middle of the night at the weekend to minimise disruption

You wouldn’t know it from the weather, but after the vernal equinox spring has technically now arrived in the UK.

As mornings get lighter and the days longer, the next milestone comes when the clocks change, something which happens twice every year but still manages to catch some people out.

These days, your smartphone updates the time automatically, but when the clocks go forward this weekend you’ll still have to adjust any analogue timepieces you have – here’s everything you need to know.

When do the clocks go forward?

The clocks always go forward at 1.00am on the final Sunday of March – this means in 2023 they will change on Sunday 26 March.

Switching to BST means we will get more daylight in the evening, but sadly your Sunday morning lie-in will be cut short by an hour on the day itself.

The change always happens on a weekend, in the middle of the night, to ensure that there is limited disruption of schools and businesses.

In autumn the clocks go back again on the final Sunday of October at 2.00am, meaning they will change on 29 October 2023.

This signals the end of BST, or Daylight Saving Time (DST), and means the UK reverts to GMT until the spring, the standard time zone against which all others in the world are referenced.

That change gives us an extra precious hour of daylight in the dark autumn and winter months, with the added bonus of an extra hour in bed on the Sunday morning when the clocks change.

Why do the clocks change?

Initially, the clocks were changed to save energy and get people outside. Why waste electricity when there is perfectly good daylight to be used?

The campaign for British Summer Time came about at the beginning of the 20th century. Moving the clocks forward in the summer months would give us darker mornings but lighter, longer evenings.

The idea was proposed in Britain by builder William Willett, says Dr Richard Dunn, senior curator for the History of Science at the Royal Observatory Greenwich.

Willett was “incensed at the ‘waste’ of useful daylight during the summer. Though the sun had been up for hours as he rode his horse through Chislehurst and Petts Wood, people were still asleep in bed”.

British Summer Time was adopted in Britain in 1916 to save fuel and money.

Since then, Britain toyed with moving the clocks a number of times, including bringing them forward two hours ahead of GMT during the Second World War. They were also brought forward for periods in the spring of 1947, in line with fuel shortages.

There was an experiment, between 1968 and 1971, which kept clocks one hour ahead of GMT all year round.

Britain then reverted to our now familiar system of GMT in the winter and summer time in between March and October.

Could British Summer Time be scrapped?

Some have campaigned for British time to be brought in line with other European countries to reduce accidents, which would make it two hours ahead of GMT in the summer and one hour ahead in the winter.

Errol Taylor, the chief executive of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), said in 2019: “Clock changes were first introduced in 1916 to reflect the needs of a nation at war. However, our priority now should be the prevention of road accidents that cause serious injury and death."

“We know that the clock change kills people. During the working week, casualty rates peak at 8am and 10am and 3pm and 7pm, with the afternoon peak being higher. Road casualty rates increase with the arrival of darker evenings and worsening weather conditions."

“And it is vulnerable road users – such as children on their way home from school and cyclists – who would experience the most benefit. Anything we can do to bring these rates down has to be worth it."

“While we respect the views of those that want to keep the current system, we must not lose sight of the fact that lives are at stake.”
Words and image above (with relevant links) can be seen here

Why not celebrate the arrival of BST and enjoy this Saturday Supper Dish 😋

Sausage and Bean Casserole

more details here

This blog brings a variety of articles and 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

Ya Gotta Larf

Eddie

 

Tea and a slice of low carb ginger cake

Do call in for a cuppa, or I can make coffee if you'd prefer 😊

image from here

Tea-making is an art form, here's a guide to making the perfect cup

a slice of cake may be nice, a low carb recipe of course!

Ginger Cake : The Low Carb Way

This is a low carb ginger cake that is light in texture

made using coconut flour, coconut milk and a wonderful mix of spices. 

Please see more details here

~ Wishing you a lovely day ~

All the best Jan

Ya Gotta Larf

Eddie