bowd65's Journal, 02 Nov 16

Good question! If I'm cooking something for myself, I'll weigh the ingredients I'm using into the mix as I go along and log them individually (unless I'm following a specific recipe which rarely happens in which case I put it into my cookbook). If it's something I'm cooking for the pair of us, I usually weigh the ingredients and add it to my cookbook then, once it's ready, take either a portion or a bit less (we usually share things 2:1 since the other half is a big eater). Today for example, I planned the meal as two portions but I've only ended up with 2/3 of a portion. I'd use the cook book more except I'm an instinctive cook who isn't used to measuring exactly and so one meal that I repeat may differ the next time I cook it. 

Yes it is difficult especially when my son made the meal (moussaka), enough for about 8 people, I have been trying to work it out. I ended up dividing the whole ingredients by 8 people which took me a while as there were so many ingredients.... phew!! 

For recipes, I use a FS competitor site tool here ( http://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/calculator ) - I calculate in the ingredients, put in the total servings and see how it looks; it's also good when you're trying to create a new recipe for yourself, helps you get a sense of how much you "can" have of the dish, or where you could perhaps make substitutes. (for instance, I have a pesto-spinach-pasta dish that I love, and sounds so decadent, but because it relies in part on a sauce that balances 0% fat yoghurt with the rich oily pesto, it brings the overall count down to a manageable amount!) 

I use the cookbook on here but I don`t bother with method or publishing them. I find it easier than adding each ingredient. I have done it with everything my mum bakes as well.  

I log my Calories the same way as Phooka. Usually weigh my ingredients and log the lot. Happy cooking. Mmmmmm. 🍝🍜🍝🍜 

I could put the whole ingredients in but it probably would have worked out about 5,500 cals, then i would have to divide by 8 people. Considering there is only 4 people in our family, i am going to inform my son next time he cooks to half his ingredients in the first bloody place, as it would be much easier on our budget too!! 

Hi there. How do you add a photo or picture beside your name?  

Mcmcd, you asked how to upload an image for yourself. Go to 'My FatSecret' tab, and then on the right hand side pick the option for 'My Image' - it will take you to a page where you can upload an image. Good luck! 

When logging food I sometimes pick a commercially available equivalent, and log a quantity of that, e.g. 'Sainsbury's Paella' x 450 grammes, or whatever, discussing it somebody else cooked it. There's a limit as to how much time it's worth spending on a meal you're only going to eat once in a blue moon, or maybe just once ever. 

* That was supposed to read 'especially if someone else cooked it'. 

RGG you are very clever at using substitutes! 

Heidi, I can't take credit for that one (It's a kitchn.com recipe!) but things like that do give me ideas which then go into other dishes!