Day 19, home made curry powder and carrot cake porridge whip

What a day! It has felt a thousand hours long, but that could be down to the fact my sweet bubby didn't feel like sleeping through last night, leaving her mumma just a bit tired. Still, I didn't let that stop me- I surprised myself at how much I actually got done. 

What has really impacted me these past few days is how this blog in particular is helping me shift my focus, which is helping my mind and body. Remember my first post about the pain I live with? Well, it's way too easy to stay in that place of frustration, self pity and let it fester to something worse. Sure, it drives me crazy, especially like last night when the act of bending down to pick up an onion  hurt my back, to the point where trying to take my daughter for a walk in the carrier was almost torture this afternoon. Yesterday, I felt fantastic! Energetic, alive, ready to embrace summer. Today, I feel achy and old again, and not the feel good achy post exercise. This is the yucky kind. Groan. But the beauty of this blog is this, I've expressed how dissatisfied I feel, and now, I move on. Writing things down is seriously therapeutic. And so is cooking.

Remember yesterday, the carb overload? Well, today, I chose to be a lot healthier. I was initially starving for the first half of the day, but feeling very satisfied by dinner. Even though my stomach isn't stuffed, I'm satisfied in the sense that eating whole food just feels better. 

                                     

A yummy pear, beetroot, chia and cinnamon smoothy made a satisfying early lunch. Love the colour it turns- full of anti-oxidant goodness.

Though it doesn't look particularly appealing to begin with.

 Then a miracle happened. At long last, I was able to not only sit and scan some recipes in my fave recent cook book purchase, but actually make a recipe from it too! Sarah Wilson's I QUIT SUGAR FOR LIFE has some amazing recipes in it, and I have been dying to try this one, Carrot Cake Porridge Whip.

I didn't have walnuts, so substituted them with almonds. I was also tempted to use half a frozen banana (yes, have them too), but that was only if the avocado was too far gone. Thankfully, it wasn't. 

This stunning picture is what they should have looked like.

...and these are mine. Ok, epic fail in the presentation department. I think mine has a consistency similar to crunchy peanut butter. Either way, a first attempt, and can't wait to eat it in the morning :)

My next challenge was making my own curry powder. I have always wanted to give it a go, and thanks to my fabulous in-laws, guess who got a spice (actually, it's a coffee grinder!) for her birthday?! Here is the process I went through today after some online searching.

I emptied a 50gm packet of cardamon pods and similar amounts of cummin and coriander seeds onto a tray and placed under the grill until aroma's and steam were released, and the cumin seeds had slightly browned.

I then placed these toasted seeds into my new toy, and pulsed like mad. 

This is the result of my enthusiasm. The smell was out-of-this-world amazing! I poured this into an old maccona coffee jar.

Then it was time for more spices. Since I have no idea how many centuries old the ones in my pantry were, I made a quick dash to the local supermarket to refresh them. I added the whole packet of tumeric powder, 1/2 a teaspoon of ginger, 1 teaspoon of cayenne, a tablespoon of freshly ground mustard seeds. I added these to the same jar, shook, and voila! Aromatic, home made curry powder, which-fingers crossed- will go well with tomorrow nights chicken drumsticks.

May I now state how extremely proud of myself I am feeling :) Pizza night, and I didn't eat any of it. Feeling good on so many levels about now!

Instead of pizza, I ate this simple dish: Sauteed sugar loaf cabbage in butter and olive oil, a clove of garlic, broccoli stems and a tablespoon of raw cashews. Topped with salt, pepper, lemon juice and chopped red capsicum when done. Such a quick and delish dish.

Now, I know you want to be informed. Here we have today's eating...

Pre Breaky: Cuppa at 7am.

Breaky: 2 egg omelette with small amount of ham and parmesan at 8am.

Lunch: Chia, pear, beetroot smoothy at 11am.

Afternoon tea: Mountain bread wrap with left over cooked pumpkin, 2 slices of short crust bacon, cheese, mayo and salad at 2pm. Another cuppa. I was tired!

Dinner: Above cabbage dish at 5pm.

Very satisfying day diet wise. That's your lot for today :) I shall be back tomorrow with a report on a curry- success or not?