It's a bit fishy!

29^th June 2018

Life doesn’t require that we be the best, only that we try our best.

Late today, had me a lie in didn’t I, after being woke up by mom a few times, I took advantage of being able to fall back to sleep.  Another glorious day forecast too, I’ve got some stuff to do before I can get out there and enjoy it this afternoon.  It’s Prom for so many tonight, all those poor lads melting in their suits and the girls make up melting, I don’t envy them at all but I do look forward to seeing them all over Facebook.

I’ve just spend 20 minutes writing a blog and my computer froze and when I’ve rebooted the above chapter was all that was saved!  I obviously don’t remember what I wrote because I just type from my head, yay!  Let’s try again, aarrrggghhhh.

Anyway it was about orzo salads, my sister made me one and now it’s my most memorable meal of the week, I loved it, so fresh and tasty and my mouth and belly

are in need of more, nom nom.  Orzo is a type of pasta that looks like rice and both are similar in Smart Point values.  She used 200g (18SP) which made enough for four people easily.  It’d be great for a packed lunch or as part of a barbeque.  To add a bit of extra flavour when cooking at flavour to the water, a bit of stock or 1/2tsp of turmeric, or maybe a bit of curry powder for a curry kick to it, the options are endless.

Next you dice up whatever veggies you want to add to the salad, cherry tomatoes, onions, peppers, mushrooms, anything that floats your boat, a handful of peas or sweetcorn.  Throw in some fresh herbs maybe, parsley, basil, dill, chives, choose a flavour you

like.

Make a dressing or use a Weight Watchers salad dressing sachet (in meeting product), I like the idea of the balsamic one, mmm.  You can make one of course, 1tbsp water, 1/2tbsp lemon juice, a sprinkle of dried oregano, 1 tbsp of pickled vegetable juice (from any jar of pickles, we nearly all have a jar of onions or gherkins lurking in the cupboard) and a bit of salt and black pepper.

When you’re orzo is cooked, drain and run cold water over it to stop it stop it overcooking and clumping together, the drain it.

Put all your ingredients together in a bowl, mix well and enjoy, you can top it with a bit more of whatever herb you’ve opted for, delicious with a piece of fish or chicken.

Let’s talk about fish for a minute, do you eat it?  Do you eat oily fish?  How much? If not why not? 

Did you know we should aim to have two portions (around 140g is a portion) of fish per week, one of which is oily? Most people just don’t eat this much. Maybe we could use this lovely hot weather to introduce more fish into our choices for our BBQs, picnics and light suppers?  Try something you haven’t eaten before, I had trout the other night, it was so good, I love it. 

Salmon
Sardines
Mackerel
Herring
Trout
Anchovies
Fresh tuna (not tinned)
Carp
Pilchards
Sprats
Whitebait
Swordfish (not for children or pregnant women, as it contains higher levels of mercury)

Fish is a good source of protein, but oily fish also contains vitamin A, vitamin D, and iodine. And oily fish which contains edible bones (like tinned salmon) is a great source of calcium and phosphorus. As well as this, oily fish contains omega-3. This essential fatty acid is good for our hearts and minds; with links to reductions in heart disease and improved mood and memory. 

And what’s brilliant – all unsmoked fish and shellfish has a SmartPoints value of zero, so we can enjoy them with no weighing, measuring or tracking.
For more information see: 

●NHS CHoices ‘Fish and shellfish’ page: https://www.nhs.uk/Livew…/Goodfood/Pages/fish-shellfish.aspx

●The British Dietetic Association (BDA) Food Fact Sheet “Omega-3”: https://www.bda.uk.com/foodfacts/omega3.pdf

Right I’m off because I have stuff to do and places to be, oh and a mom to try and get to eat some breakfast.

Here’s to a very great day, luvs ya BeYOUtiful!