The Recipe Blog is BACK!!!

After 6 years of silence, I have decided to resurrect my recipe blog. Actually, I have been trying to 6 years, but since Google took over and made it near impossible for me to access my blog by not allowing the old log-in process, it has taken me this long to finally enter my blog's dashboard again! Phew. It's nice to be back.

I love entertaining! 

Health Phase

Who isn't into a health phase these days? I tried healthy eating last year and lasted 4 months. This year I have decided to try again, and I am trying out all new recipes. I wonder how long this one will last? Oh well, better a little healthy than not at all, right?? So, what health phases have I been into....
The 'No-additive', 'All-natural' diet:  Inspired by a link I followed on Facebook.  This diet requires you to make everything from scratch without using anything you can't read on a label.
Success rate - fairly successful. The old laziness gene kicks in and voila!, Maccas is on the menu again. Great way to think though, and it was fun.
The 'Super-foods' diet:  Inspired by the restaurant 'Oliver's' along the highway just North of Sydney. An alternative fast-food joint that serves steamed green beans instead of french fries. I picked up a DVD from there and watched it all the way home to Brisbane. Great basis for healthy eating. Bought a 'Super foods' Recipe and added more grains and weirdly pronounced foods to my diet.
Success rate - quite successful. I still add certain nuts and grains to my diet regularly, although I don't solely eat the 'super foods'. Chia seeds, quinoa and almonds are a regular.
The 'Monash University FODMAP' diet: Inspired by the gut-aches I had most nights after eating certain foods. Bloating and pain from eating garlic, onions, cabbage etc. FODMAPs are certain sugars that are present in food that causes a person allergies. It's really complicated and totally impossible to pronounce them all, but Monash University sell a great APP that makes choosing foods easier. Basically, after following their diet for a few weeks, I was able to work out that I had Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and a small lactose intolerance.
Success rate - very successful. I am aware of what foods to avoid, and found some great alternatives that help me keep the flavours I love. I still use these recipes and guides today.
The 'ASN Body Transformation' diet: Inspired by Robyn, who has joined their plan. They are mainly about muscle building and weight loss.
Success rate - short term. They only have a few recipes so it will be short-lived. Great idea to give yourself a goal and start healthy eating again. Some of their recipes were yummy, so I will be posting my version of them here.
The 'Chemo-therapy counter-active' diet: Don't worry, this was inspired by my Uncle who is undergoing chemo at the moment. I am trying to provide nutritional meals to help his body fight the cancer and reduce the negative effects of the chemo.

8 years ago I lost 25 kilos on the Atkins diet. It was great, but I re-entered Australia and never adjusted my new diet to accommodate it. All that lovely bread was just too much for me to resist. Now, I don't think I will go back on that diet, but will focus more on maintaining a healthier diet using the tips from above.

I hope you enjoy this journey with me :)

Renee