Lululoveskittens's Journal, 14 Jul 17

I'm no expert on losing weight as you can see but I'm pretty good when it comes to flavours. Let's start with drinks. Go big! By this I don't mean pints of beer or mega glasses of wine but get in sparkling water (cheap stuff will do) and flavour it with small amounts of squash or make white wine spritzers. Lots of liquid to fill you up, tasty and not many calories. So food. You find the low fat stuff boring or tasteless so don't do that to yourself. How does this sound for a meal for entertaining? Beef, pork or lamb steak, about 130g. Rub with a little olive oil then season with salt, pepper and a wee bit of paprika and let it stand for about 30 minutes. While that's happening, chop an onion, a small clove of garlic and a large handful of mushrooms or two. Sauté these in a tablespoon of olive oil until the onions are translucent and the mushrooms taking on colour. Transfer to a dish to stand. Also, while the steak is waiting, make a chopped salad - spring onion, tomato, avocado, grated carrot, shredded white cabbage, maybe a bag of herby leaves, cucumber, a small handful of nuts and seeds. Whisk lemon juice and olive oil together as a dressing, maybe a bit of mustard too but serve on the side, not dress the salad in advance. OK, now to the steaks. Get your pan really hot then put in the steaks. Seal the first side then turn and seal the other. When cooked as you like them, transfer to a warm plate to rest. Put the onion and mushrooms back into the pan with a little wine or water to get the juices from the steak combined then thicken the sauce with a little cornflour in water. A lovely, flash steak and salad meal for entertaining along with plenty to drink. If you feel it's not complete without something starch, try a few new potatoes steamed in their skins. The trick is to fill up on the salad and savour the meat and sauce in a small-ish portion. Sorry for the long post but life's too short for boring meals, especially when you're entertaining! Have fun! 

As phooka says.. flavour is the key I've found I've had to experiment with herbs and spices to flavour meat and fish and I've learnt the benefits of overnight marinades to make foods full of flavour and really succulent Dunno what flavours you like but google a few recipes or maybe BBcfood, bhf.org or diabetes uk for staters to find tasty Foods that fit in with your WOE Good luck 😉 And phooka.. your recipe has made me hungry 😋  

Me too, Poppy! When I typed it I was drooling 😂🤤🤤🤤 

Thanks guys - great advice! :) and for taking the time to help out Phooka xxx 

PS We need a like button on here! :)