January in some ways is my least favourite month; not because of the weather, I happen to like the cold; not even the darkness as I’m always filled with the optimism of spring knowing that the days are getting longer. I have been known to coin the phrase “there’s a grand stretch in the evenings long before anyone else in the country has noticed. Let me tell you why January bothers me so: everyone is on a feckin diet!

All anyone talks about for half the month is how much they ate over Christmas, and the second half of the month is spent discussing how much you’re not eating now to make up for it. Like yeah; we all ate too much over Christmas but let’s not punish ourselves people!

With that in mind this week’s food and list is food that makes me happy. That’s not to say that I’m spending the month eating chips and going mad but as always eating reasonably sensibly but not depriving myself, moderation I believe they call it.

I already have a batch of jam under my belt because making and eating jam are basically my 2 favorite things in the world. I will probably also bake cake because that’s how I’m rolling.

I find the best way to moderation is to box and give most of said cake away:

Anyway the usual occurred and I had a mooch through the freezer to see what was there and after my epic trip to the butcher’s last week it was mostly fruit and veg that was required.

 

What was there:

• Beef shin
• A chicken
• Chicken mince
• 3 x chicken breasts
• 2 cooked chicken breasts
• about 150ml frozen red wine   (I can’t believe we didn’t finish the bottle – but always freeze your leftover wine)
• some frozen pizza dough

What’s for dinner:

• Roast chicken dinner – I’m gonna break out the pressure king pro and cook from frozen, may I also say what an age we live in, a whole chicken from frozen in about 90 mins?!!
• Chicken fried rice (from leftover chicken)
• Beef shin braised with red wine
• Chicken burger  & baked chips and salad
• Pizza and salad, I’m not suggesting you start making dough mid week – buy yourself some pre made dough/bases
• Chicken Parm – This might be a Friday free gaff situation as The Chap is out so I might also just make myself a massive bowl of chicken pesto pasta and eat on the couch with some Rupaul’s Drag Race, Crazy I know!

Lunches:

• Tex Mex Chicken soup (from leftover chicken)
• Leftover chicken fried rice, yes I can really make a chicken stretch
• Coronation chicken wrap
• Chipotle chicken burger wrap
• Leftover pizza & salad (or more soup if we ate it all, which is likely)
• Bircher meusli for mid morning snacking

 

The all important list:

(In addition to the usual staples)

• Burger buns
• Wholemeal wraps
• Tins Tomatoes
• 0% fat greek yogurt
• Grated mozarella/ cheddar
• Pecans/walnuts
• Salad leaves & Rocket
• Asparagus/green beans
• Onions, Red onions
• Potatoes
• Carrots
• Celery
• Apples
• Berries
• Bananas, fruit for snacking

So there it is again, a week of meals planned and a week of stress free delicious meals ahead. Enjoy!!!