What is going on with this weather of ours?  Late Saturday afternoon there was a very intense storm; incredibly strong winds and extremely heavy rain.  It delayed my drive home from my Dad’s and when I did set off, I was anxious driving along, fearing for fallen trees but I arrived home with no problems.  However, the sound of chainsaws filled the air this morning and there had been a large tree down opposite my house which fell across the road.  It was cut and moved to the side to re-open the road to traffic last night but today the farmer who owns the land was out cutting the tree in to smaller pieces.  The phone lines had been brought down but my house is ok as I have my own phone line which is intact so I feel very lucky.

I made a quick smoothie with watermelon, a blood orange, protein powder and macadamia nut butter.

429 calories. This nut butter is nearly finished which I am disappointed about.  I really like it and doubt I will get it over here. I was very impressed to see Harvey making his own ice lollies.  He whizzed up 2 oranges with some almond milk and froze them overnight using a plastic cup and the broken handle from a bamboo ladle.  He is doing well with no sugar in the house but obviously yesterday he was missing sorbets so he made his own.  I was impressed and he was happy with his “orange ice-cream”. I went out with the dogs immediately after breakfast as it was a very dark sky and I thought it would rain.  It did – more heavy rain.  It is so wet and muddy over the road ! Mushrooms are thriving. Water, water everywhere nor any drop to drink. These two managed to drink plenty. Walking through this heavy clay mud certainly adds to your workout ! Amazingly, my fence survived yesterday’s fallen tree.  The casualties were the phone line and a big gap in the hedge where the tree settled but that will grow back. I planned a raw lunch with a tasty dressing.  I made the Spicy Peanut Sauce from Oh She Glows.  Angela adds maple syrup to hers but I left that out.

Spicy Peanut Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 garlic clove
• 6 tablespoons smooth peanut butter (or almond or sunflower seed butter)
• 2.5 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons tamari
• 1-2 tablespoons water, as needed
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Method

• Blend all ingredients together in food processor until smooth.

So this was a really easy recipe to make and it tasted very fresh, zingy and nutty!  I made a salad to put it on from a red pepper, courgette, celery, spring onions and some fresh chilli.

I spiralled the courgette. All the salad ingredients were put in a large bowl. Half the quantity of spicy peanut sauce was poured on top.  It was excellent and I enjoyed every mouthful

379 calories. Having endured a dull, dull, dull, afternoon dealing with tax (aaaaagh !!!!!) it was comforting to know a decent roast was in the oven.  I had 100g roast chicken, breast meat only, no skin, half a large roast sweet potato and a huge pile of steamed courgette, carrots and broccoli.  Having taken the photo I calculated my calories and was pleased to see I had enough for a small portion of gravy.

571 calories.

I am pleased with today.  I ate within my calories, discovered a new and very tasty salad dressing, managed a walk despite the terrible weather and got some boring chores out the way.  Here’s to another good week next week.