HOW MUCH FOOD SHOULD WE EAT?

Portion control is obviously very important. It's all about calories in, calories out. So, it seems to make sense that if you eat less and exercise more, you will loose weight. But, I believe there is more to it than this - we need to develop a healthy lifestyle and not follow weird and wonderful diets.

Our bodies need regular intakes of the RIGHT foods. Counting calories is not the whole story to weight loss - do not skip meals and do not severely restrict calories.
Rather than measuring and counting calories make sure your plate contains good proportions of the right foods.

An ideal plate of food would contain;

• a variety of low carbohydrate veggies such as leafy greens and green beans
• a smaller portion of high carbohydrate veggies such as potatoes
• some protein such as avo's, olives, pulses, etc
• dressing, which should include olive oil and lemon juice

Alternatively, steam some veggies and drizzle a tablespoon of coconut oil over the veggies.

Or, a huge helping of mixed stir-fry, a bowl of soup or stew with the above-mentioned proportions.

Low carbohydrate veggies are very low in calories - so you can virtually eat as much as you like, as long as you do not smother them in cheese or other sauces.

If we follow the above rules, the calories will automatically take care of themselves.

Potato, Pumpkin (Butternut will also work) and Pea Curry

You will need,

diced potatoes, diced pumpkin, frozen peas, olive oil, garlic, chilli, coriander, fennel and mustard seeds, curry powder, tumeric powder, curry leaves, salt, pepper, bay leaf, cinnamon stick, tomatoes, fresh coriander, lemon juice

what to do;

heat oil in a pot and add all the seeds and curry leaves, in the meantime make a paste using water, curry powder, tumeric, salt and pepper, garlic - once the seeds pop add chopped chilli and the paste - stir for a minute or two, add potatoes and water to cover the potatoes - also add bay leaf and cinnamon stick and cook for around 10minutes, add pumpkin and cook until both potatoes and pumpkin are almost done then add peas and chopped tomatoes, simmer for another 5 minutes, garnish with fresh coriander and add the juice of half a lemon.

Serve with Basmati rice or roti's.

Potato Facts

Potatoes were first cultivated in Peru nearly 7000 years ago. The potato is the fourth most important crop in the world after wheat, rice and corn.

The potato produces more food per acre than any other crop - 39 100 pounds per acre.

Potatoes are grown in all 50 states of the USA and in about 125 countries throughout the world.

The average American eats around 140 pounds of potatoes each year.

Positive thought for today

Do something new- or at least different- everyday. Know that life is never stuck, stagnant or stale, for each moment is ever-new and fresh. - Louise L Hay

How about watching a sunset ......

Today, seeing Oscar fever is prevalent, give thanks to all the great Artists and Muso's whose work entertains us and lifts our spirits ..................

Peace 'n whirlpools of luv
xxx