Watch aTV cooking show yesterday and they were cooking this Seafood Pasta andit looks yummy.They were cooking it for a team of rowers so is healthy and filling. I will be giving it a go as soon as I get to the shops to buy the ingredients needed. But in the mean time wanted to share.

Oceana Lumaconi

by Simone Lesterfrom Beauty and the Feast (check out website WWW.ukfood.tv)

A low-fat but utterly moreish mixed seafood pasta bake from Simone Lester
Servings: 4Level of difficulty: Intermediate
Preparation Time: 30 minutes Cooking Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Ingredients
250g lumaconi rigati, (giant pasta shells)
1 tbsp Olive oil
3 Shallots, thinly chopped
2 garlic clove, thinly chopped
1 large courgette, diced
200ml dry white wine
juice of ½ lemon
½ red pepper, deseeded and diced
½ yellow pepper, deseeded and diced
500g mixed prepared seafood, such as scallops, prawns, squid, mussels
2 tsp Thyme, chopped
2 tbsp flat-leafed parsley, chopped
25g low-fat hard cheese, grated
25g reduced-fat mozzarella cheese, coarsely grated
2 tsp freshly grated Parmesan cheese
freshly ground black pepper
For the tomato sauce:
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 Shallots, finely chopped
2 garlic clove, finely chopped
8 plum tomatoes, diced
400g canned chopped tomatoes
pinch of Sugar
To serve:
lemon wedges
rocket salad
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas 4. Bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil.
2. Next make the tomato sauce. Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallots and garlic, and gently fry for a few minutes until soft but not coloured. Increase the heat to medium-high and add the diced tomatoes. Cook until beginning to soften, then add the canned tomatoes. Cook for a minute or two, then season with a good pinch of sugar. Remove from the heat and set aside.
3. Add the lumaconi to the boiling water. Cook for 5 minutes, then drain and set aside.
4. Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry the shallots and garlic until soft but not coloured.
5. Add the diced courgette and cook until it begins to colour and soften slightly.
6. Reduce the heat a little and stir in the wine and lemon juice.
7. When the liquid has almost evaporated, stir in the peppers, then add the seafood, thyme, parsley and black pepper to taste. Cook for a further minute.
8. Place the lumaconi in a lasagne dish, hollow side facing upwards. Pour the seafood mixture over the lumaconi, distributing it evenly. Add the tomato sauce, spreading it evenly to cover the entire dish.
9. Sprinkle with the grated cheeses, finishing with the Parmesan.
10. Place on a low shelf in the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown.
11. Serve with rocket salad and lemon wedges.
Cooks Notes:Include some white fish with the seafood if you like.

20 kilos

If I a loss of 20 kilos for the year of 2006 that is only a mear 1.66k a month.
Bloody hell I can do that.
I have decided today I will re joining the Gymin March to bloody hot at present.
I tried some of the clothes last ngiht b4 bed no go yet but I'll make it you watch me, it is actually wierd that some of the clothes I could fit last time still can't yet.
Ok hubby wants computer so off I go.

Sitting here in near dark because I can't be bothered getting off my lazy arse so god knows what the typo's will be like. (Had to give in and get up to turn light on)
My son left to go back to Aussie today so I'm a bit lost. It was the best visit we have had with him in a long time.
Had a busy day at work today and my ankles are really aching.
Had a nice tea tonight Beef snitzel stirfry (have any of you tried McCains Mediteranian Corn Mix, very tastie. Only trouble with stir fry is I don't feel like I have had eaten when i have one not enough chewing. So have had some apricots and nectarines...yum yum.
Bloody wind has come up again when will it let up. Mind you having said that it wasn't blowing this morning so we had a bloody frost...thought it was suppose to be summer.
Oh yeah and we now own another motor bike, hubby bought a Honda CB750/4 whatever that means on the weekend...it is brown. He was 2 whole weeks without a running bike. Has one he is restoring in the garage...the car sits out in all weather because we have a motor bike in pieces all over the garage.
Today I feel like I might have actually acheived a bit of fat movement. I think I feel another clothes trying on session coming up. Plenty of size 22/24 stuff in the wardrobe I am itching to try but scared if it doesn't fit I'll binge. It is weird there are clothes in the cupboard I could wear last time I lost I was heavier but can't fit into yet (well in one case can fit bit cuts off the flow of blood to the brain heheh) so I must have lost the blubber from different places this time.
Well my blogging friends it is time for my bed. Night all.

Another good day
Biked for 30 mins this morning
Showered and went to work. Very busy day standing 7 hours my legs r very tired.
Walked home from work, was going to go to the pool but cool wind.
Had scrummy chicken stufffed with blue cheese and sundried tomato.
So hopefully I can survive the rest of the night.

Had a great day

Happy Birthday to me Jan 9th is my birthday.
Woke about 7 which in it self is a good thing.
Breakfast was nice but regret the choice I made will next time go with another choice.
Strarted work at 9.30.
Good day.
Lunch at Hunter's yummy chicken salad and good company
Afternoon went to pool for 30mins
Then home showered aand dressed up ready to go out.
Restaurant is great eat way to much.
I had-
Tomato soup with crusty roll, salmon and veges to die for, then had mixed berry parfait...bottle of bubbles shared amongst 3 of us also had a glass of very tasty orange juice. Hubby was driving so he just had juice and a lemonade.

So all my favourite things to make for probably one of the best birthdays in a VERY long time.

So back on track today.

Walked to work this morning, busy day.
Salad and turkey roast for lunch.
Walk 30mins this afternoon Pool for an hour
Home for tea.

SO day one is a success.

right tomorrow is the day

Today is shot before it even starts Goin out for breakfast soon meeting friend for lunch then out with my Mum and Dad and son and of course hubby for tea.

But tomorrow is a complete new year of challenges.

March 12th is the Duathlon and I really have to get a wiggle on and get serious. I have the 10k down pack for bike ride but have only followed it with the 1.5 walk havn't done the walk ride walk bit so MUST get serious. I guess get so darn tired wroking in this heat all day. I consoul myself with the thoughts of our holiday in May. SO my challenge to myself from tomorrow is to be good for 2 mths Jan 10-March 10 gee surely I can stick with it for 2 bloody lousey months.

I am going to have a great day.

Best get act together and shower etc ready for work straight after breakfast.
Cheerio

work work work

and today is my day off so did housework, a change is as good as a holiday they say....fibbers.

Been extremely busy week at office, I have decided I am jacking it in end of April, save up for our holiday and then that is it. Will be then down to only one job, did have 5 this time last year, won't it be bliss. Hopefully I'll have enough enegry then to look after the house and god I might even get some garden done. So 18 more weeks.

Had a nice phone call from my son this morning...probably the best talk we have ever had. Felt so good I can tell you, got off the phone and felt puffed up and pumped.

My days have been going well foodwise then at night I blow it and pig out on something bad.
I am not going to eat bad tonight I have had some cheeries and I am not having anything else.

Biked to work everyday last week. Tomorrow I have lawns to mow so that will be my exercise. Also have to bake something for morning tea Monday morning at work.

'TWAS THE MONTH AFTER CHRISTMAS:

T'was the month after Christmas and all through the house

Nothing would fit me - not even a blouse.

The cookies I'd nibbled - the eggnog I'd taste

All the holiday parties had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scales there arose such a number

When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber).

I'd remember the marvelous meals I'd prepared

The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared

The wine and the rum balls - the bread and the cheese

And the way I'd never said: No thank-you, please.

As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt

And prepared once again to do battle with dirt.

I said to myself - as I only can

You can't spend a winter disguised as a man.

So - away with the last of the sour cream dip

Get rid of the fruit cake - every cracker and chip.

Every last bit of food that I like must be banished

Till all the additional ounces have vanished.

I won't have a cookie - not even a lick

I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick

I won't have hot biscuits - or corn bread - or pie

I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.

I'm hungry - I'm lonesome - and life is a bore...

But isn't that what January is for?

Unable to giggle - no longer a riot

Happy New Year to all & and to all a Good Diet!!!

I have been scrubbing and scouring all day. House looks good-long may it last.

Had a phone call from Mum at about 10 to say my son(who is in NZ from Sydney for the week) was calling in on his way down to Queenstown. He had his half brother with him...I was a single mother without any help from his father or contact until my son was 18, his father hadn't however told his family about him. 2 yrs ago I got a phone call from a girl and it turned out to be my son's half sister her father had just coughed up to the truth about everything. She wanted to meet him, which took about 18mths b4 he was ready to meet his 'family' So any way he has had contact with them and while here in NZ he has been spending time with his 'brother'. My son was worried I wouldn't want to meet him but I was pleased he wanted to introduce me to him. When son was younger he was always embarrassed about me being his mother, infact introduced me to school friends as his aunty. He said it was cause I was so fat...really does heaps for your self worth to know your own son is embarrassed about you. I said to him I was touched he wanted me to meet his brother. I changed my clothes about 8 times before I decided on something to wear that might not be embarrassing to him. I hope they drive safely on news tonight it mentioned the thick traffic on Wanaka highway, which is were they will be.

Made my holiday plans

Christchurch April 27th
Fly to Hamilton April 28th
Train to Palmerston Nth April 29th
Bus to Wellington April 30th
Train to Palmerston North 3rd May
Fly to Christchurch 5th May
Back home 7th May

So all my blogg friends it would be awesome to catch up in one or other of my stop overs.

The weather turned really nasty this afternoon freezing cold rain and fresh snow on mountains about...is it really summer. Would be nice if it was cool tomorrow as I am working all week at my Friday job and it gets REALLY hot in the office in afternoon and if it is half as busy as it was last week I'll go mad. Just have to remind myself of the holiday whch is why I am working there in first place.

I'm not sure I am keen on the set up of the new WW site. I guess it will get more easier to move around it...don't like it aussie and nz sites mixed though.

Right SVU has jsut started so I am off.

Happy New Year

to all my cyber support team.
Wishing you and your families a very Happy and Safe New Year
(may it last longer than 2005 did) also health and a losses to you all.

2005 ended nicely for me. Hubby had arranged to meet with a guy in Fairlie (100k away) to sell one of his motorbikes so he left here 7am and I followed later. I hung around for an hour while they did the sales thing and bartering. Then we travelled on together to Timaru for the day. We did some of the sales, didn't find anything worth my money in Farmers but managed to donate further to the shareholders at Warehouse. Bought myself some Jeans-a very big thing for me. I was 16 yrs when I last tried dieting to fit a pair of jeans, saved money and when I got to goal weight was going to go to Glassons to buy my jeans. Weighted in on Wed 15th Dec 1976 at 10 stone 1 ounce very excited because had 1 ounce to go till the jeans....pretty memorable occasion huh. Unfortunately on 16th Dec 1976 I went to Doc and found out I was pregnant so no goal weight and no jeans. I lived the delusion that when I had the baby I'd get into them so saved the money for the entire pregnancy but 10days after son was born needed something for him at chemist so goodbye jean money. Never to be seen again. I have never felt confidant enough since or had enough self worth to get any more. I bought a pair of 3/4 turned cuff ones b4 xmas and felt good in them and got heaps of complements when wore them to works drinks b4 Xmas so decided I was gonna get some reall 'jeans' bugger it if I am not at goal. Also a hell of a lot bigger than I ever was when I was 16 to just as a matter of fact hehehehe as we all are. Told ya it was a big thing. Also bought another pair of pink stretch pants, I have 3 pr of these now as others r to big so hope the size 22 fit better. How pleased I am to be in a 22 even if it is stretch fabric. They also had a nice coffee/mocha coloured pair same style so I got them too. An apple coloured polo shirt just cause I liked the colour. 3 bra's also smaller size. I bought 5 new bra's when I went to Oz in March but they are all so big now and do nothing for me at all. funny all 3 are same style just colour is different and all measure differently so hope they fit. Also got a cotton skirt just plain straight elastic waist but will be cool and comfy for working on hot summer days at my Friday job. And a pair of 3/4 cotton easy comfy pants for slacking around home in also on hot days, I am pretty sure I won't be wearing them out of yard as they are not very fetching but they are cool and $4.50 so what was I to do but buy them hehehhehe. Also got lots of decorations for next years Xmas...would have liked to get a nice Xmas tree but none left. Got a sail shade thingy for deck with some money hubby's aunty gave us for Xmas, thought we were putting it up today but hubby 'just went down street forsomething' 3 hrs ago and never seen again heheheh. We then went to Briscoes and I got a great non stick pan for $15 down from $50 and some other bits for kitchen etc. Somewhere in the day we went down to the beach, I had come prepared for a we paddle so changed into shorts and t-shirt and off I went. Hubby as usual stayed in car complaining of the heat. I enjoyed the cool sea breeze and walked along just dabbling my toes as I went BUT the water was jsut so inviting I thought stuff it so in I went and it was GREAT. I can't swim so only wnet to my waist but the water was so calm like a pool rather than ocean. I had a great old time till the car tooted come on we have to go...didn't matter that I sat in car waiting for him at bike sale different altogether. Food was dreadful, well it was delisious (Benny's again if u r ever in Timaru and wanting somewhere to eat) but dreadful for the waist. But hell never gonna be 2005 again so that is past look ahead to a new year. I will be exstatic if this time 2007 I can say I have lost same weight I lost in 2005 ( which is 40 kilos) Oh yeah and some where we also went to Dowson's and I managed to get a nice pair of sandels for work. Have velcro straps and I am not keen on velrco but with it extended a bit they fit and are comfortable and don't pinch so hopefully won't rub and blister. So with all of that whats a bit of velcro to dislike. I got black as they r for work but if they r a success i think I go back for a red pair as they were very nice too. Actually so were the white and beige ones but have shoes those colours and really that would be just frivilous to buy more in colours I have. We got home here about 9.30 unloaded car and put away groceries etc. Sat down at 11 with a glass of bubbly to see in the new year but I was exhausted and nearly dropped off several times so 11.50 went had a shower and just got out as it turned 12 so seen New Year in and then in bed by 12.05. Think I was a sleep by 12.06.
Up about 9 Pottered around, done several loads of washing Pulled down the Christmas tree etc and was planning on putting up this sail and digging holes for the trees we bought the other day with my Xmas voucher but as I say hubby has disapeared. I jokenly said to him when he left not to get arrested. He was going to see a fella he has done rubbish removal for for about 8 years, Xmas New Year is extremely busy as u can imagine and is done daily. He made comment mid week that there wasn't much rubbish that morning and low and behold Fri somebody else was dropping off rubbish for said business so hubby has gone down to see what is going on and who is stepping on our turf.
Trees to plant are, Coral bark maple, Cherry blossom, Crab apple, Drummondii maple, Rhodendron, and a pear tree without the partridge. So is going to take some digging and at present there is a nice cool breeze and would be idea weather. Guess he will turn up sometime with a tale to tell and there will be a motorbike in it somewhere.
Well best go do some more chores, just cause calender says today is a holiday the housework says differently.

Food to date

9am Breakfast
2 burger fruit bread
an apple
2 coffee milk no sugar


12 noon snack
apricot
8 strawberries
necterine


3pm Lunch
2 bread rolls
an egg
ham
cheese slice low fat
98%ff ham
tomatoe
lettuce