Taking time to stop eating!

Last week my husband and I decided we should do a fast.  It is a discipline and a way for us to remember that man does not live on bread alone.  We live by the words of God as well.  I'll just say this now...It was really really hard!
I love to eat. I really do.  I love to cook and think about food and planning about food and everything that has to do with food.

I also complain very loudly about being hungry something that really annoyed my husband.  It's hard for me to feel hungry because it's natural for people to just reach for food when we are hungry.

It made me think about how much time I think about eating and planning and how much I take for granted having food in the fridge.
I have food in the fridge most of the time and if I don't I just go out and buy something more to eat.  It's very simple and I couldn't help but think about the people in most of the world that don't have things to eat for days.
If not eating for one day was this difficult I can't even imagine how difficult it would be not to eat two days in a row.
It was very eye opening for me.  Just thinking about food gives me happiness.  I love planning my meals and figuring out new recipes but to stop all of that put so many things into perspective for me.
I just want to challenge you to try to not eat two meals.  Don't do breakfast because that's too easy and don't do it on a day where you have work all day because you won't really think about it that much.
On a Saturday when you have time at home, try to not eat lunch or dinner.  Or just don't eat dinner and see how you feel.  Suddenly you'll see that you have lots of time on your hands and how much you appreciate living in a country where food is easily accessible.
Food is a great thing and we only live because we eat food but our soul also needs to eat.  Our soul needs to be woken up to all the things in the world and grow to have compassion, patience and gratitude.
If you think you can do it, give it a try and let me know how it goes.

The husband and I have decided to fast three meals a week, mostly dinners on different days and to save the money and give that amount to the poor.  Hopefully we can do and I hope you try.
Fast so that you can go slow and give thanks.

Cooking for four

My husband's parents come to live with us for a week and it has been really fun.  I have a great relationship with my in-laws and I know I will miss them when they leave.  Since they have been here they have helped buy the groceries and make purchases for us.  It's been wonderful to not have to swipe the credit card as often or make any huge purchases.
I'm sorry that I haven't updated for a week but I have some great dinners for you to see.  I've been cooking up a storm but the most fun one to make was Nutella Star bread.  It is really easy to make and really good.

First I have to build up to the grand finale.  One evening I had to cook something really quick and had some beef steaks in the fridge. I sliced it up into strips and started sautéing them.  I then cut up some celery and broccoli.  I had to do something with those as they were starting to go bad.  I also had some tofu in the cupboard so I cut that up and tossed it together with the celery.  I tossed the beef strips with the broccoli, made some steamed rice and called it dinner.  This dinner took me a totally of 20 minutes and allowed me to watch the salt content, oil content and fat.  I was really happy and so was my husband.  He almost ate all of it.  I really want to try to eat less meat, less refined carbs and more veggie carbs and meat.  But moving on to the next picture you'll see that not true yet. 

So I had ground beef that also needed to be used so I decided to make a simple lasagna.  I'm one of those people that likes to look up recipes but when it comes to lasagna, I say anything goes and this was no exception.  I layered it the traditional way but I through it two layers of frozen mixed vegetables.  The vegetables were the perfect tenderness and added some much needed color to this dish.  I would high recommend doing that for all mothers who have picky eaters. 

Lastly I had this apple pie.  I'll be the first to admit that I didn't make this one. I bought it half off at Sainsbury's.  Usually 5 quid but on sale for 2.50.  I was really happy with how it came out and it wasn't sweet at all but nice and sour.  The way I like apple pie, you can taste the sourness. 

Now, the grand finale! Here is a picture:  I know....you are practically drooling over the computer right now.  And trust me it's as good as it looks.

I would recommend doing this and it's really easy.  Just make a basic bread dough, roll out four circles and layer with Nutella.  Then cut strips and twist.  Brush with egg wash and bake! Done!

GO NUTS

The end results and a new challenge

Hey!
I finished my challenge of not spending more than 40 GBP a month on groceries and these are the results.
It's not possible! It was difficult but what I did learn was that I could survive on 40 GBP for about 16-20 days.
There are some things that I had to buy more often for example eggs/bread/milks.  Things that expired sooner rather than later.
I looked over all the receipts for the last month and it looks like I spent a total of 85 GBP for the month on groceries and other non-perishables.  That's not too terrible considering that we started with nothing.
I went shopping the last day in October for groceries because my refrigerator was literally empty as was my pantry.  Picture below.  I had one chicken left that I roasted and used for the next few days.
We had a friend stay with us for a week so I had to buy a few more items to take into consideration that this person probably wanted to eat something different and fresh.

I did try to BBQ in my oven and it worked out well.  I used a yogurt curry indian marinade and skewered the chicken and it came out really well.  It was very tasty and I'll probably try to do it again.
I bought a total of 50 GBP worth of groceries.  My goal it to not spend more than 80 GBP for the month but we will see how it goes.  My husband's parents are coming for about 10 days so I don't know how well I can keep that goal but you never know.
Things I've learned about stretching the dollar.
Buying fresh vegetables is a gift and cooking them and storing them the minute you get home keeps them around longer.
Milk goes bad very quickly.
Meat is overrated and we are learned to eat less meat and more greens.
My husband really has a sweet tooth and loves chips, granola and sweets.  Things I don't usually buy because it is not in the budget but when I do buy them they are gone in minutes. (its a problem.)
Below are pictures of some  of the dishes I made, if you are interested in the recipe drop me a line.

My way of stretching the dollar. I had very little roast chicken left but I had some spinach, and puff pastry left so I just combined it and rolled it up.  They were really good and my husband loved it.  This cost .25 pence to make per serving!

Made a beef stroganoff for my husband.  Very good!

BBQ some chicken, yogurt flavored.  Very nice. 

Fresh made pita bread with a nice salad and the chicken.  Great meal!

Our very empty fridge. The yogurt I bought was on reduced clearence.  We need to get our protein somehow. 

My first time making yorkshire pudding.  I was very proud!

A lovely roast chicken. 

Roasted veggies with steamed kale topped with a savory lemon dressing.