Dieting

It is very tough, I put on 6kg through chemo and on top of that the unnatural menopause adds to it and then....if you take an AI. I'm 2.5yrs post chemo and cannot shift what all of that combination has done to me. I walk 10,000 steps a day in my job, I feel great but ummm weight? what hope against menopause?? I eat well and that's all I can do. Chemo is a beast and I do think had I gone into a natural menopause I wouldnt have had such a major problem as this. Its tough...but all you can do is work at it bit by bit. I'd love to be back where I was but realistic? not sure...but I'll keep on plodding. My Surgeon said in time it will come off and resettle...haha. hmmm ageing doesnt help as our bodies change too. Fantastic to you all who have managed to do it. x

@kmakm may i ask what diet you followed and did you do so while on chemo. Lost 20 kg so far? Im gaining as i breathe air. Desperate here!
Thanks in advance 

These recipes sound scrumptious and straightforward, I'll definitely be trying them all. Thank you so much for posting them @primek.

I'm not too bad on the snacking front, I use one of my two serves of fruit a day as one snack, and 20 - 30gs of nuts (a mixture of brazil, almond & walnuts) as the other. However some days I am hungrier than others and with four school lunch boxes to fill, these recipes sound just the ticket.

I weighed myself today for the first time since the morning of the operation. 3.2kgs gone since then, some of it riddled with DCIS and hopefully incinerated in the medical waste furnace. I am officially no longer obese, 'just' overweight. Last time I was this weight was 2009. Onwards and upwards (ie downwards on the scales!), healthy living here I come.

My version had red onion,  basil and parsley. And I used minced  garlic. You can change the herbs and spices to change flavour. I also used some salt and pepper. I made about 20 not 25. 

@Sister

Pumpkin fritters...from "feed me healthy" facebook page. @Sister

The apple muffin recipe 

Kathy's  Apple Oat Mug muffin

Servings: 1 or 4 medium or 6 mini muffins 

Prep Time: 5

Cooking Time: 2 ...in microwave or 20 in moderate oven. Check cooked  on bottom as apples are moist.

Level of Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

1 medium Egg, Beaten

⅓ cup(s) dry rolled oats

1 tsp Queen, Essence, Imitation, Vanilla, 1/2 to 1

 ground cinnamon to taste

2 small Apple, red, unpeeled, fresh, grated. or one very large juicy apple

2 tbs Vitasoy, Soy Milk, UHT, Light, to ensure moist enough (or milk...you might not need)

2 individual Dates, chopped

ground nutmeg to taste (I just shake till looks right)

1 tbs Syrup, maple flavoured, sugar-free

Instructions

1. Mix ingredients and place in large mug.

2. Microwave on high for 2 to 2.5 minutes depending on oven.

3. If preference is sweeter add sugar free maple.

4. Serve with fresh berries and dollop of zero point yoghurt and maple

5. Can be placed into smaller muffins for a smaller serve  and baked in oven for approx 25 mins. Sprinkle cinnamon on top prior baking.

@Sister

Mini pancake recipe. Or you can make 2 big pancakes. Or you can put into cupcake tin and bake and completely diffetent texture. For mini cake/muffin...couple pieces of chopped banana in it is nice or even some dates and add some cinnamon. If wanting sweeter you can add a splash of no sugar maple. This recipe is designed for 1 person for breakfast...you just keep multiplying for extras. It makes about 8 mini pancakes.

3-ingredient banana pancakes white

SmartPoints®™ value: 2

Servings: 1

Prep Time: 10

Cooking Time: 5

Level of Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

1 small Banana, fresh, ripe

1 medium Egg, chicken, whole, raw

2 tbs white self-raising flour

Instructions

1. Mash banana in a medium bowl until smooth. Whisk in egg, then flour until smooth. Set aside for 5 minutes.

2. Lightly spray a medium non-stick frying pan with oil and heat over medium heat. Spoon 2 tablespoons batter into pan and spread out with the back of a spoon until 1cm thick. Repeat with remaining batter to make 2 more pancakes.

3. Cook for 1–2 minutes or until golden. Turn and cook for 1–2 minutes or until pancakes are golden and cooked through. Serve.

If baking. .approx 20 minutes moderate oven. 

@si@Sister

They look brilliant @primek.  I'd love the recipes for the cooked stuff - I'm always looking for healthy options for snacks (for kids and adults!)

Hi there again. I want to share my snack box idea. It idea was included in the facebook link I included of "feed me healthy"...but I'll  just add some pics here in case you don't have facebook. So the idea of the snack box is to have nutritious planned grazing food. I eat a high protein breakfast. A nutritious lunch such as mexican salads or stir frys. All very lean with compmex carbs if any are had. Yesterday I cooked up pumpkin soup but added chickpeas and beans so I don't need or want bread with it. Dinner is normally a good balance of veg, ptotein and complex carbs. The grazing box stops me eating biscuits, buying cakes etc. I make nutritious mug muffins in miniture sizes (I oven bake these) . It includes fresh fruits, dips...which you can make yourself if you want and very low fat greek yoghurt sweetened with no sugar maple and fresh fruit. (Or made into a dip or tzaziki)
I pack 2 days at a time and even on weekends (which is my worst time for snacking) the first pic includes pumpkin ricotta fritters. A mini apple muffin and a mini banana pancake. Very little flour in all.
The second one has miniture tomato, basil  and boccinici bites. Mini apple and date muffins, yoghurt with blueberries and no sugar blueberry maple syrup.

The 3rd one has hone cooked chicken breast meatballs. Beetroot dip with veggie sticks and a couple of bagle chips. Pear with cinnamon and mini banana pancakes. 

It looks like a lot of food but it prevents me over eating and covers nutrition with what feel like treats. Brilliant for work...I work in community so lunch can be at odd times so I can have a quick nibble and keep going if need be.  I have an square esky bag...the days box is packed with lunch, with ice bricks wrapped in tea towels and 2 water bottles.

I just cook up bulk foods...wrap and freeze. I pack my snack boxes when prepping for tea. They take 10 mins max if you have done some pre planning. 

@SoldierCrab and I share recipe ideas and encourage each other to push our exercise as best we can. It's not just about being thin but healthy with a zest for  life.
@Sister @Nadi @kmakm @Hendrix

Thanks @Nadi. I'm going to have baked beans (still trying to get the bowels back to normal after chemo & the op) but my special Mother's Day treat is freshly squeezed orange juice. Yum! Enjoy your bacon & eggs. Bacon, mmmmmm...

Don't worry @SoldierCrab, I always ensure I get good nutrition. I make sure there's a good mix of complex carbs (but not too many), protein, veg, low fat dairy nuts & fruit. I'm a good girl I yam! Congrats on your weight loss. Sounds like you've found something that really works for you, brilliant  :)  K xox