One week older..and counting.

I am so tired and should really be sleeping. There's a great big thunderstorm going on, and my cat just won't stop staring at the window..he's fascinated.
I have to go to sleep because I am starting broomball up again tomorrow nite, and I am so excited..but I've been feeling so different since last sunday..i guess, turning 26 can change you?? I still feel so young, I mean, I am definitely different to what I was when I was 22-24 but I still have the same energy and if anything, as time goes by I feel more like a kid. I dont know if that makes sense..I don't expect things to change, I hate getting older in that respect now, because I don't want things to be more serious. I definitely felt a sudden change when i went from 23-24-25 but now, I was expecting things to stand still for a while. Suddenly though things do change, and I guess the last week I've been battling and trying to figure out why I feel so differently. I am still not sure... but one thing that I am finding which seems to have changed in me, is tolerance. I am a pretty patient and tolerant person- I think because I'm very outspoken, so I don't have that quiet inside turmoil a lot of impatient people have as they dont' express themselves- I'm full of expression! But, lately I find taht I am getting less and less tolerant of people. Especially if , they can't make an effort. If they treat you badly, if friends act a way they shouldn't..then I'm just not going to stand for it.. I've always been such an optimist, and one to always make the effort with people, forgive and forget , no matter what. I don't want to change, but I've seen some things lately in people very close to me that I haven't seen before. So i'm over it, I'm just going to stick with the people that make an effort, that want to do things... I"m not sure if this is change or just a realisation. Clarity. For now.

My grandmother(s) would be proud..

I posted a recipe in my blog. Granted not much of a recipe it's basically just a sauce..but it's a start.
Not that she'd know what a blog is..But I remember when I was young and in Argentina, my grandma (Mum's Mum) said that since my mother was so hopeless at cooking, that I should pay close attention, and learn to be a good cook.
I used to watch her for hours, making milanesas (schnitzel), albondigas (meatballs), empanadas (meat pastries- very argentinian and spanish), gnochi, pizza, tallarines (spaghetti).
Well, only if those things had stuck- but I guess the memory of a ten year old is a bit hazy.
Although I do remember sticking my fingers in the bread crumbs when she was making schnitzels and it felt so soft and powdery.
Sadly I can't really eat any of those things at the moment, but when I can again, I'll endeavour to ask my mum for recipes, or ring my grandma overseas.
My other grandma- another great cook, used to tell me that because my Dad is such a great cook, I should learn as well, and he learnt from her. But because she had such fascinating stories, from her French father, her days as an actress, and other great tales of her good old days, I dont' remember any recipes she taught me.
I do remember a sort of french bread pudding, but again, hazy..

How not to celebrate Valentine's Day?

A few days before Valentine's my boyfriend and I had a conversation about what or what to get each other. I insisted we didn't celebrate it because, really, it's so commercial and it's not a big deal, when you're with someone, you shouldn't just dictate one day to be special..right? my bday is also on sunday so, don't worry about it, you're taking me out to dinner twice this weekend, that's enough spending! Right. Sorted.

Yesterday , i just couldn't help myself and I got him a card and a heart shaped cookie- it was too cute, pink and it looked delicious. Well since I can't eat it, i got it for him..he was happy of course but then, not happy that we had agreed not to celebrate it and then i went out and got him something...But its so small, I protested. Never mind, he said, you told me not to get you anything even though I wanted to and now, I didn't get you anything and You got me something!!

Well, maybe its because when women say 'no don't buy anything' you really should buy something just in case ! Just kidding. I guess, I just saw the card and thought of him, it was a small gesture.

In the end, he helped me cook dinner, and we had a great dinner with these really cute red candles i bought in Dusk a few days ago, I know I know, I can't stick to my guns when it comes to shopping, any occasion, I can't stop! i have to buy something. But hey , at least it's not food, i'm duly sticking to my healthy diet.

Speaking of, here is the recipe for prawns I made last nite, it was delicious and extremely quick. Prawns here are about $17 a kilo for medium cooked prawns, but you can use any kind of prawns..

Peri Peri Prawns (i thought the name was cute, because my cat's name is Perikles)

Ingredients - for two people ( i acan only eat about 100g of Prawns, but prawns lose half their weight when you take the shell off- so calculate 200g for one person)

500g prawns with or without the shell.

Peri-Peri Sauce

1-2 Tablespoon of crushed garlick (depends on how much you like garlick)
Juice of half a lemon
Grated lemon peel
2 tablespoons of water
2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
1 Tablespoon of mild chilli
Cooking spray
Salt and Pepper to taste.

Instructions :

* Defrost prawns if they are frozen, peel if desired.
* Mix the peri-peri sauce ingredients together in a bowl.
* Spray a wok liberally with cooking spray.
* Fry the prawns on high heat for about one minute until they start to stick to the pan.
* Add half the peri-peri sauce, stir-fry for a few more minutes and then add the rest of the sauce (they should not be cooked for longer than 5 minutes).
* Turn heat off, pile onto a plate and enjoy with a fresh squeeze of lemon juice and vegetables of your choice.

A great alternative- usually I have prawns in either Paella, or with seafood cocktail in a sald, so this was a welcome change!!

Hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day.

That time of the year again..

I'm quite sleepy considering it's only 10pm but I'm trying to persevere...I've gotten the second season of Desperate Housewives and I am truly addicted and watching it every minute I can....I can say it's better than the first!
We had such a busy weekend..friends wedding on Saturday... housewarming on Saturday nite, Friends over on Sunday..it was great.. I am so happy to be surrounded by such great people.
I can't beleive tomorrow it's Valentine's Day..I'm not really into it, in the way that - every day should be special to be with someone, but it's good to celebrate a special day.. Then in five days, it's my bday.. YIKES> maybe because now I am on the other side of my twenties..and I'm kind of dreading it, does that mean I have to be serious about life?? hope not!
I'm having a little get together with friends at my fave belgian beer cafe in The Rocks, even though I don't drink beer, I"m there for the food. Speaking of, it will be the only night I get to indulge..I"m on my Super Strict diet, well 'health kick' as I call it- I hate the word diet, never works, like a resolution..maybe it comes with writing all day but words are important!
Of course you'd never guess that from this incoherent post.
In any case, I'm over the shock stage, it's hard to cut out all the foods I love the most but , it's working. I am much more used to it now, and it's really making a huge difference. I'm happy to plod along slowly, there's no miracle in it, no tricks- just eating healthy and being balanced. I have learned a lot about food- and cooking has been my saving grace, it's the only way to make a bland meal tasty, by actually making it a meal...I've had various disasters, that my bf and my sis have only too happily eaten- but i'm happy that this is not only helping me reach my goal but also, in the process..i hope to be a better cook. Perhaps that's a good resolution.