Hi everyone,

Jo, I was doing 3 or 4 fasts per week and it varied between B2Bs and ADF depending on social arrangements so I’m going back to that and eating brunch and dinner on non FDs.

Purple,
I think far too many people pop anti inflammatories without due regard for what the consequences might be. They are one of the medications that really should not be taken on an empty stomach as they can damage the lining. I’ve recently stopped taking them for joint pain on the advice of my GP and now use topical applications in the form of gels and patches and if necessary take paracetemol for pain relief. Fortunately I’m not in a postion where I need daily medication and am hoping my muscle strengthening exercises will make a difference as my joints will get a bit more support.

First time I’ve been called an inspiration, Jo! 🙂 Weather looks good for tomorrow.

Homemade kefir was just better. Any improvement on gut bacteria is an improvement on sugar laden processed foods and anti bacterials of any sort. P

I will be picking up some kefir grains tomorrow, have been advised that they only last for a few iterations but will get that confirmed and report back.

You mean you went down eight floors, Jo? Sometimes we can have more than two days of sunshine in a row in summer – this is not normal.

We will see the episode next year, no doubt, but it’s great to hear the outcome of the experiment and be able to apply it.

Jo,

The article you’re referring to was the one that Amazon provided the link to.

Good morning,
Jo kefir’s main source of fuel is lactose. That’s the reason we always have to switch from sour to fresh milk. Here in the US is illegal to sell raw milk in witch is sad to be the best for kefir.
This other type you are talking about is water kefir and it requires water kefir grains. You need to put them in sugary water or coconut water to make that fizzy drink.
I do not believe the store bought yougurt or kefir has the beneficial amount of bacteria for our overall health benefits. I believe on the one I make myself 😉
RT – very interesting that article. You have to tell us after words how it goes. What is food for some is poison to others. I enjoy salads, fruits, legumes too. In Brazil we have a cut of meat call “picanha” special for BBQ and has that beautiful day around and it’s delicious.
Girls thanks for the vice in regards to anti-inflammatory. True we are a nation of pill poping for everything. I am aiming for build muscles 💪🏻. I am probably taking to serious to fast… fact age, yes 🙄
Yesterday was 6FD17 and went well. It was my third 5:2 and I lost 7 pounds. I still don’t want to call it celebration yet. I’ve been here. It was probably muscles and toxic water in the body from last holidays. When I reach the magic number towards countdown I’ll let you know.
We are going for a leisure boat ride with my stepdaughter this morning. I still need to go walking and break my Fast with something delicious before they get here.
Be good my friends 💋

HCB,

Great news on the weight loss! Sounds like you’re getting back into the rhythm of fasting.

I know what you mean about sore muscles after exercise – ow, my shoulders after starting press ups! Partly I think my technique was poor, so I’m concentrating on that, but also lack of muscle tone…

I don’t take anti inflammatories orally either, and certainly not for what is just the inevitable pain of starting a new exercise regime ☹️ I do use a topical ibuprofen gel when my lower back is sore, but things have to be very bad for me to take synthetic chemicals. My OH on the other hand…! I guess he just has a lower pain tolerance 😀

Well, I’ve got my kefir grains on order too! I’m aiming to dose me, my MIL…and my hens 🐓 Particularly with bird flu risks at present, I want to do all I can to strengthen their immune systems.

Jo,

I’ve been enjoying your travelogue. We’ve got relatives on the north island but I’ve not been over yet. When are you home? Can’t be long if you’ve got kefir grains on their way!

Hang in there Amazon! Think about a happy dance after weighing yourself 👗👠
Just a quick stop! Need to run to the grocery story. A nice girlfriend is stopping for dinner 👍
The boat ride was great. I feel tired but it must be the salty air and the sun.
True! Jo’s vacation is amazing.
See you later
🙏

Yes Jo, that’s what is in the link I posted.

Well done on the weight loss, you are doing really well especially as you are on holiday 🙂

Morning/evening all,

Jo, I eat salad all year round and I make it more comforting in the winter by mixing hot and cold eg steamed,char grilled or roasted vegetables on a bed of leaves or a few cooked lentils/beans and mushrooms or a chicken breast sliced thinly or a boiled egg still warm. The combinations are endless, you just need to think outside the box and it is easy to keep within FD calories 🙂

I’ve manged 3 FDs this week but the scales are lagging. I know it’ll come off if I keep going so I’m not going to fret over it.

It’s a ☔☔☔ day here so I’m curled up on the sofa with the papers and a coffee. Lots of tennis to watch today and I should find an hour for my workout 😉

I’ve sent for some kefir grains too 😎

Have a good one everybody 😜

It’ll probably be easier to manage than my sourdough starter which exploded all over the fridge 🤣🤣🤣

Hi Jo,

Kombucha is a fermented tea type drink.

I’m not fasting today and I had toast for brunch and an artichoke gratin with a green salad for dinner which was delicious. I’m now watching Davis Cup tennis and sipping a nice cold glass of white wine. Happy days 🙂

They are not games they are matches!

Happy the kefir should be smooth as silk, not lumpy. For your mil, add some honey…good quality…to introduce her to it.
My cat loves eating spare grains 😊

How on earth did the sourdough starter explode, Amazon?

We made kombucha for a while, but it was far from simple. P

Purple,

I wanted to slow it down as I was going away for the weekend and read that I could put it in the fridge in a jar so I did and it blew the lid off and coated the inside of the fridge 🤣🤣🤣

Hi P,

The kefir wasn’t not smooth, but some of it was thinner and some of it was thicker! Not at all like cottage cheese though! Perhaps I should have shaken the bottle, but it was all double Dutch except for ‘kefir’ and ‘200ml’!

I’ve been reading that hens like spare grains too, so I’m not worried about overproduction!

I don’t eat enough bread to make a sourdough starter worthwhile so it was an interesting experiment but not one that’ll be repeated any time soon.
I made some bread this morning and when I checked it I found a very brown topped loaf with an uncooked base. I looked at the oven controls and I had it on the grill setting which is the next click on the dial from the oven so I changed it to oven setting and turned the loaf upside down. It tasted fine 🤣

Amazon, have you just invented a double cook loaf?!

I made spelt tortilla last night (for AJ black bean recipe). Mmm, too moreish 😊

I’ve had a real urge for pancakes this week, I guess I’m building towards shrove Tuesday!

I make galettes instead these days as buckweat is lower gi…and they remind us of Paris. 😚

I sliced and boiled it until it was just tender, then mixed it with cooked onion and garlic and covered it with a thyme and cheese sauce and topped it with breadcrumbs and put it in the oven for 30 minutes.

I’ve been researching recipes and have a few that I want to try including a soup topped with white truffle oil.

Apparently asafoetida powder which is used in Asian cooking by Jains etc who don’t eat garlic, counteracts the side effects of pulses and legumes so it might work for artichokes. I plan to buy some so I can test it out as I’m eating a lot more pulses these days 😬

Public holiday tomorrow, Waitangi Day, so FD will be a bit of a struggle. If we can get through without eating it will be a bonus, bbq chicken and lettuce salad in the evening.

Sorry the weather is going to deteriorate for the rest of your stay, Jo. Which day is his actual birthday?

Rule No 1 Barata: plan your bread baking to coincide with an eating day! 😊

Only a kid, Jo?? 😉😉