Weekly Meal Plan (Week 19)
This week’s weekly meal plan is focused on the low carb and low fat options. I get the distinct feeling that many of us are trying to lose a few pounds before the Summer! I’m also trying to make a more conscious effort to be good and shed some pesky pounds.
My top tips when things have gotten out of hand are:
- Stop the mid-week glass of wine – There are about 100 calories in a 4 oz glass of white wine, and its so easy for one to lead to two, then three and so on. By the time the evening’s over you could have easily consumed a whole chocolate cake’s worth of calories. If like me, you really love to have at least one glass of wine to wind down at the end of a busy day, rather than going cold turkey you could make it a spritzer instead. Just pour half a glass of wine over a few cubes of ice and top it up with a soda water, which has 0 calories.
- Cut down on the morning lattes – There are 102 calories in a tall skinny latte, so you could consider getting a small size or skipping on the milk altogether and have Americano. Or, just have one every other day if you really can’t give it up altogether. Every little helps, and I don’t believe in depriving yourself, which could just lead to binging on other things.
- Stop the dinner time carbs – Have rice and pasta for lunch or breakfast but not for dinner unless you eat before 6pm. Stock your plate with extra protein and vegetable instead, they will leave you feeling more full and less bloated anyway.
- Increase your exercise routine. Make sure you are taking in less calories than what you burn!
…But today is Mother’s Day in HK so maybe we can start all those things tomorrow!
“HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY”
Monday: Pesto pasta with spaghetti or courgetti – It’s been a few weeks since we had Pesto pasta. Have you invested in a spiralizer yet? I got mine from The Hong Kong Trade Development Council Gallery Shop in Wanchai, but i’m sure they are now more widely available and they are a great way of turning vegetables into noodles.
Tuesday: Chorizo & potato & egg tray bake – Admittedly this is not exactly on the light side, but I always feel like indulging the kids after having subjected them to a meat free Monday. If you can resit dipping into this amazing dish then I admire you, serve it with an enormous green salad to alleviate the guilt and just take care not to get too carried away with dipping your crusty bread into the delicious chorizo fat!!
Wednesday: Cucumber noodle radish salad with miso salmon – another great no carb noodle alternative, cucumber and radish noodles with an incredibly delicious miso marinated salmon. I used half cucumber and half white chinese radish. If you think the kids won’t like it then just make them some Japanese noodles to accompany, but don’t make them too many so you’re not tempted to dip into their pot!
Thursday: Turkey Chilli with Cauliflower Rice – A tasty, low fat recipe from the Hairy Bikers. I could not find Chipotle paste in HK so I diced up some chipotle chillies and served on the side. That way the kids couldn’t complain it was too spicy! In my humble opinion, taste wise, it’s the chocolate that transforms this dish so certainly try not to omit this vital ingredient.
Friday: Maryland Style Crab Cakes – A light crab cake which would be hard to get wrong. You can omit the Sriracha altogether and just incorporate it into a dipping sauce instead.
Weekend baking:
I have posted these no sugar no bake Quinoa and Cacao Pops, by Deliciously Ella before, but I think this is rather apt for a few weeks of healthier snacking. Handy for packed lunches or mid-morning sweet cravings for those wanting to cut down on carbs. I found this brand of Quinoa Pops in Just Green for HK$78 for a 120g box. 
The raw cacao and coconut oil you should be able to get at the health shops in Hong Kong but at a price. I shop for most of my health products on iherb. You are welcome to use my iherb code if you like.
New to iHerb? Use Rewards Code TJZ407 for up to $5.00 off your first order.
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Any comments or suggestions please feel free to express yourself in the comments box below – would love to hear from you!
“HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY” – Hope you all get spoilt rotten today!
gx
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