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Portion control is a sod.

I live on my own, but so, so many things from the supermarket are intended for two persons. And many recipes can’t be broken down easily from 4 portions to 1.

Some stuff I can portion away quite happily. For instance, in this weeks shopping I’ve two gourmet Scotch Eggs, and two Sicilian Lemon Cheesecakes. There? I just eat one, fridge the other for the next day. All sorted, no harm done.

But, the Sticky Toffee Pudding? That’s intended for two, but comes in a single plastic tray, and isn’t suited to reheating. Same for the Gammon Hocks and Beef Stew with Dumplings.

I can of course work around it, just Decide What I Want For Dinner, add up those Calories, and ensure whatever else I eat doesn’t being my total calories above 2,000 or so,

But again coming back around to even simple sandwiches? Not being able to Leftovers my main meal impacts what I can reasonably devour for lunch.

If they’d just put it into a two serving tray, a few second with scissors would see me right.

Plus? Nobody exactly taught us about healthy portioning at school, or anywhere else.


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Back on the Shakshuka again tonight. Very easy, super tasty, and plenty healthy. Really can’t go wrong.

Unless you’ve an allergic related to the ingredients, in which case fair enough.

Oh I’m eating good tonight!

Got my big food order yesterday, and had a Beef Stew with Dumplings substituted, with a Lamb Hotpot.

Which is all of 520 calories! Doing some veg to go with it.

With the weather getting all cold and grey again, tonight's Chicken Salad dinner has become a Chicken Satay Curry.

It can be difficult to eat heathy when you're living with someone too... if one of you has had a tough day and feels like a big pork pie, then it is difficult for the other to not give in as well!

Shakshuka sounds really nice though, I might put that on the menu for tonight myself.

Key to Shakshuka is to spice it as you damned well please!


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Today’s 2,000ish calories?

Two fish cakes with some Chips - around 800 Calories for lunch,

Remains of last night’s Jambalya for dinner - around 1,000 calories.

Tomorrow I’ll do Shakshuka for lunch, and dinner I’m having my treat night and getting some fish and chips on my way to the pub. Well, at least some chips.

 aku-chan wrote:
With the weather getting all cold and grey again, tonight's Chicken Salad dinner has become a Chicken Satay Curry.

And, of course, it got warm and bright when I was on my way back from the supermarket. Darn you changeable Spring weather! *Shakes fist at sky*

At least the Sainsburys Caramelised Onion Scotch Egg I brought as a treat turned out to be amazing.

Oh now that does sound amazing!

Just checked its nutrition. It could work as a “more than a snack, not quite a lunch” item once in a while. Would just need to watch the nasties in the rest of that day’s meals.

Lebanese Spiced Rice and Crispy Fish for dinner tonight.

Adding more fish to my diet is probably the bit I struggle with the most when it comes to healthier eating (Well that and cravings for chocolate cake).
Problem is I don't like the tinned stuff (Except tuna, which doesn't count for some reason), fresh fish is pretty expensive and frozen can be pretty hit and miss, and is still kinda expensive.

Fresh Fish is also something you need to plan around, as it goes bad super quickly.

Last night, I had a nice bowl of Ramen. Spicy noods, pre-cooked chicken and a big handful of stir fry veg.

Where I technically went wrong was adding four finger chillis. They’re normally pretty tame, but those four tried to go 12 rounds with my tonsils, realised I’ve not had any tonsils for nigh on 40 years, and so took their frustrations out on my tongue and sinuses.

But hey, that’s a chillis for you!


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Also starting to reintroduce slight snackage, as I need to learn better discipline.

Still predominant fruit (love an apple or a pear), and some “baked not fried” crisps. 96 Cals per packet, so still not something I can just devour willy-nilly. But a bag a day is a nice wee treat.

Today's lesson:

Organic ≠ Healthy

I was having some "Organic Wild Maine Blueberry Jam" with my morning English Muffins and godforsaken Black(death) tea...

and started to read the label. I should've just poured sugar onto bread and eaten that. Probably would've been healthier.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Where I technically went wrong was adding four finger chillis. They’re normally pretty tame, but those four tried to go 12 rounds with my tonsils, realised I’ve not had any tonsils for nigh on 40 years, and so took their frustrations out on my tongue and sinuses.

But hey, that’s a chillis for you!

If it doesn't burn your mouth and make your face sweat, and what's more burn the other end on the way out, it just isn't hot enough! I sometimes enjoy a Habanero and Ghost Pepper salsa to dip my tortilla chips in. That stuff is pretty hot! Problem is, like most of my snacks it's way too easy for me to eat too much of that stuff. I do like me some spicy food though!

 aku-chan wrote:
Lebanese Spiced Rice and Crispy Fish for dinner tonight.

Adding more fish to my diet is probably the bit I struggle with the most when it comes to healthier eating (Well that and cravings for chocolate cake).
Problem is I don't like the tinned stuff (Except tuna, which doesn't count for some reason), fresh fish is pretty expensive and frozen can be pretty hit and miss, and is still kinda expensive.

What's worse is that once you've had absolutely fresh fish - as in off the boat, into the pan - you're pretty much ruined for anything else. Freshness makes THAT big of a difference.

 Vulcan wrote:

 aku-chan wrote:
Lebanese Spiced Rice and Crispy Fish for dinner tonight.

Adding more fish to my diet is probably the bit I struggle with the most when it comes to healthier eating (Well that and cravings for chocolate cake).
Problem is I don't like the tinned stuff (Except tuna, which doesn't count for some reason), fresh fish is pretty expensive and frozen can be pretty hit and miss, and is still kinda expensive.

What's worse is that once you've had absolutely fresh fish - as in off the boat, into the pan - you're pretty much ruined for anything else. Freshness makes THAT big of a difference.

I joke that I don’t get fish unless I can smell the sea. Which isn’t strictly true, but not a bad rule of thumb.

Another reason Coastal Living suits me well. Can go down the Harbour, and buy fish fresh off the boat that morning.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Another reason Coastal Living suits me well. Can go down the Harbour, and buy fish fresh off the boat that morning.

That one! The feisty one flopping about. Fillet, deep fry, and bring him to me with a side of chips!

There are three or four Gastropubs/Restaurants down there, including our town’s best chippy.

All of them offer a Catch of the Day, bought from the Fishermen of the Harbour.

Not only does it taste so much better, but it feels like an echo of simpler (but not necessarily objectively better) times.

It's finally salad weather!

Waldorf Salad to be precise:- (https://www.gousto.co.uk/cookbook/chicken-recipes/classic-chicken-waldorf-salad)

A lot of my recipes seem to go down the "Chuck a load of mayo in it, make sure it's not too healthy." route, going to have to change that in future.

Did a naughty today, and ordered a Dominos.

Kinda wish I hadn’t, as it was super disappointing,

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Did a naughty today, and ordered a Dominos.

Kinda wish I hadn’t, as it was super disappointing,

I don’t know what the selection is near you, but where I am there is zero reason to order from a big name pizza chain. Even the smallest of towns has one or more little pizza shops, making it fresh every day.

We do have some decent Pizza places, but they’re few and far between. I guess it’s a food nobody takes entirely seriously outside of Italian eateries.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
We do have some decent Pizza places, but they’re few and far between. I guess it’s a food nobody takes entirely seriously outside of Italian eateries.

Probably regional. Every place is going to have their preferred quick bite place. Here in New York, even upstate, that’s a slice of pizza. But I have no idea where I could get a decent fish and chips, where I’d wager you could list 3 within a short jaunt.

And we do take our pizza pretty seriously.

I’m in NYC week after next.

Am taking a fair amount of cash this time, and I’ll correct my error (heinous crime?) of not having a Slice. Will also get a Nathan’s.

Please. From a former Chicagoian, please don't get a boiled hot dog in the States. It's just sacrilege. Grilled with a nice pickle spear, you can't go wrong.

 Lathe Biosas wrote:
Please. From a former Chicagoian, please don't get a boiled hot dog in the States. It's just sacrilege. Grilled with a nice pickle spear, you can't go wrong.

Can you trust someone from Chicago about food? We know what they call pizza…

I kid. It’s all good. But will agree on the hot dog. I understand why they get boiled, but they are better grilled. With cheese and chili IMHO, but that’s a whole different kettle of fish..

 Lathe Biosas wrote:
Please. From a former Chicagoian, please don't get a boiled hot dog in the States. It's just sacrilege. Grilled with a nice pickle spear, you can't go wrong.

If you were really from Chicago, you wouldn't forget the 80% of the garnishes!

https://www.food.com/recipe/chicago-style-hot-dogs-vienna-beef-75178




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 Nevelon wrote:

Can you trust someone from Chicago about food? We know what they call pizza…

I kid. It’s all good. But will agree on the hot dog. I understand why they get boiled, but they are better grilled. With cheese and chili IMHO, but that’s a whole different kettle of fish..

As a former long time resident who grew up doing the Super Bowl Shuffle on the "playground" (i.e. the parking lot of the school) at recess, I sadly agree on the pizza. New York style is the superior pizza by far but their hot dogs are still garbage.

 warboss wrote:

 Lathe Biosas wrote:
Please. From a former Chicagoian, please don't get a boiled hot dog in the States. It's just sacrilege. Grilled with a nice pickle spear, you can't go wrong.

If you were really from Chicago, you wouldn't forget the 80% of the garnishes!

https://www.food.com/recipe/chicago-style-hot-dogs-vienna-beef-75178




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 Nevelon wrote:

Can you trust someone from Chicago about food? We know what they call pizza…

I kid. It’s all good. But will agree on the hot dog. I understand why they get boiled, but they are better grilled. With cheese and chili IMHO, but that’s a whole different kettle of fish..

As a former long time resident who grew up doing the Super Bowl Shuffle on the "playground" (i.e. the parking lot of the school) at recess, I sadly agree on the pizza. New York style is the superior pizza by far but their hot dogs are still garbage.

I didn't want to overload the lad with options.

But if someone tries to give you a boiled hot dog, they are not your friend, and do not have your best interests in heart.


If you are a fan of rail thin pizza, do not read the spoiler...

 Nevelon wrote:

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Did a naughty today, and ordered a Dominos.

Kinda wish I hadn’t, as it was super disappointing,

I don’t know what the selection is near you, but where I am there is zero reason to order from a big name pizza chain. Even the smallest of towns has one or more little pizza shops, making it fresh every day.

Ahhh... having just spent almost a decade in a small town that had one pizza joint - a Pizza Hut - I can safely say that's not always the case.

 Lathe Biosas wrote:

If you are a fan of rail thin pizza, do not read the spoiler...

Spoiler:

Do you know what the best part of NY Pizza is? The box and the crust are made of the same material.

Little Caesars? Greasy cardboard served in greasy cardboard.

Heh. I personally have nothing against Chicago deep dish. Even fine calling it pizza. Good stuff. Harder to find around me, but not impossible. I prefer the NY thin crust, but to each their own.

As a New Yorker I think I’m legally obligated to take shots at other forms of pizza or they fine me on my state taxes or something. Not going to risk finding out the consequences. Nothing personal.


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 Vulcan wrote:

 Nevelon wrote:

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Did a naughty today, and ordered a Dominos.

Kinda wish I hadn’t, as it was super disappointing,

I don’t know what the selection is near you, but where I am there is zero reason to order from a big name pizza chain. Even the smallest of towns has one or more little pizza shops, making it fresh every day.

Ahhh... having just spent almost a decade in a small town that had one pizza joint - a Pizza Hut - I can safely say that's not always the case.

I think pizza joints in NY are like BBQ places in the south, or fish shacks on the coast. One on every corner, and all of them good.

If you ever get in an argument with a New Yorker over Pizza (or an Italian over anything) kindly remind them that marinara sauce originally came from France.

And while I'm dishing out helpful advice...

1. Do not point out French World Cup wins in the UK... (I have a scar for my troubles).

2. The best Fresh Atlantic lobster is in Fall River, Massachusetts- home of Lizzie Borden and the USS Massachusetts.

3. Do not rent a car in Boston, you will never find a place to park it.

4. If you are interested in the Blues, go to Yazoo City, Mississippi (That's where the devil resides), New Orleans, Louisiana, and Chicago, Illinois.

5. We have nothing good to eat in Florida... all other states do it better.

6. Remember to pack the Immodeum and other stomach corrective medications on your trip. Some states have really lax Health Departments.

7. feth your diet while on vacation. You can guilt yourself into submission when you get home.

Hope this helps!

 Nevelon wrote:
Little Caesars? Greasy cardboard served in greasy cardboard.

Hey now, Little Caesars is a guilty pleasure of mine, when I want pizza but don't want to spend the $$$ for a good pizza, or if I'm in a hurry (like on my lunch break at work).

I don’t know what the selection is near you, but where I am there is zero reason to order from a big name pizza chain. Even the smallest of towns has one or more little pizza shops, making it fresh every day.

Luckily this is true of my hometown, but lemme tell you the good pizzas from those shops are a lot more expensive than the ones from the big chains. They really are a lot better though, so when I feel like spending more money I will go to one of those places. When I'm trying to save, I'll order carry out from Pizza Hut, or just pick up Little Caesars if I'm really feeling cheap.

And while I'm on the subject of pizza, one way I find to cut calories when eating pizza is to order a Hawaiian pizza. Yes, it's divisive as to whether pineapple belongs on pizza (spoiler alert: it absolutely does!), but a slice of Hawaiian pizza compared to a slice of pepperoni or sausage pizza is like 20% less calories (ham and pineapple is a lot less greasy than pepperoni or sausage). Plus it's delicious so it's a win-win for me!