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Food: Filling and Healthy Christmas Pudding

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I love Christmas, and all the food that comes with it, and whilst Christmas pudding is not something I usually look forward to (I'm normally all about the Mince Pies, see here) this year I wanted some; but I didn't want to waste the points.

I then searched the internet for an adaptable recipe, and found one that got the thumbs up all round. Even to the point where this will be our Christmas day pudding. (Proud moment right there.)

Now I've never made a Christmas pudding before, and know it can apparently be quite tricky, but I reckon anyone could make this bad boy.

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Please let me know if you do!

"Filling and Healthy Christmas Pudding" servings="6" time="4hr 30mins" difficulty="easy"

Ingredients:

150g Mixed Dried Fruit

75g of blitzed oats

1 tsp of Mixed Spice

1/2tsp of ground cinnamon

1 Warbie Thin made into bread crumbs

25g of light brown sugar

1 apple, grated

2tbsp of rum

4 tbsp of skimmed milk

2 eggs, beaten

2tbsp of sweet freedom

Method:

1. Mix all of the dry ingredients together in one bowl, and the wet in another.

2. Combine the two bowls and mix well.

3. Transfer to a pudding basin and wrap in foil.

4. Place it in a steamer for three hours (remember to top up the water!)

5. To reheat steam again for another 1-2 hours.

6. Run a knife around the edge, turn onto a plate and serve.

Notes:

You can also microwave the pudding (no foil) with an upturned plate on high for 5 mins, leave to stand for 5, then on high for another five. To re-heat microwave for another 10 mins.

Whilst I work this out as 2pp per slice, any more and it will grow. It's 5pp a slice on counting.


Food: Filling and Healthy Mince Pies

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Nothing says Christmas quite like mince pies. I just love them so much. I have only had two so far this year, which for me is amazing as I'm usually on two a day by now.

I love making homemade ones and didn't want to let that go this year, so I've adapted them to make them a little more filling and healthy friendly.

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They must've worked well as my family have gobbled a fair few and even my brother who 'doesn't like mince pies' said it was good.

These will cost you 2pp on Filling and Healthy!

"Filling and Healthy Mince Pies" servings="12" time="1 hour 30mins" difficulty="medium"

Ingredients:

130g of oats blitzed

1 tsp of fructose

65g of low fat butter

2 tbsp of cold water

12 tsp of mince meat

Fry light

Method

1) Mix the oats and sugar together, then add the butter and turn into breadcrumbs.

2) Add the cold water and bind into a pastry. Pop it in to the fridge for half and hour minimum.

3) Spray a chopping board with fry light and roll your pastry out as thinly as possible. Make 12 small circles and place in a baking tray.

4) Add a tsp of mince meat on top of each circle.

5) Make 12 toppings and cover the pies.

6) Bake in the oven on 200 oc for around 15-20 mins.

Measuring Progress #3

Long time no blog post, however in that time I popped across the pond for a lovely trip to Paris and my brain has only just got back from holiday mode.

To ease myself back into blogging I thought I'd do a nice little progress update, for anyone who's interested.

To date I've now lost 40.5lbs (5 of which occurred whilst in Paris)!

Five months 40lbs lost side5 months 40lbs lost

If I'm honest I was pleasantly shocked when I saw the difference from this month compared to last month. I didn't think I'd changed that much, but I obviously have which is nice.

Now for a few NSV's:

1) I finished the C25K :O

http://instagram.com/p/wjTHoJDJoA/

So I actually did it, I finished the C25K running app programme, I'm not quite running 5K yet, but I am running for over 30mins without stopping so I'm still celebrating. My goal is to be able to run the distance by the New Year, and then begin 10K training :)

2) I can fit into a dress I wore 8 years ago to my year 11 prom

http://instagram.com/p/weuoiLjJt5/

I just need an occasion to wear this dress now. But it confirms I'm a solid size 16 now, which is much better than the 22 nearing 24 I was becoming.

3) I managed to go on holiday and not go OTT

http://instagram.com/p/vwP_sjjJtb/

I'm not going to lie, food was on my mind a lot in Paris, and I'm thinking of writing a blog post all about my experience, however I'm pleased that I was sensible enough (and got enough walking in) that my weight loss journey wasn't affected!



Blog posts should become more regular again now, and keep your eyes out for a couple of festive recipes coming your way soon!