she is red

After a few months in the cruise phase of the Dukan diet (too many factors made the strict protein/vegetable phase nearly impossible) I am back to the initial diet full force, and with great results so far.

The Dukan diet is not an easy adventure to undertake, but after losing nearly 30 lbs since March, I can attest that the hard work is rewarded two fold.

Since the future reward isn’t always enough to keep away the chocolate cravings however, luckily you can make Dukan approved truffles to enjoy when that late night urge kicks in…

Dukan Chocolate Truffles

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The other day, I made pizza for K and I – and it was delicious, and not entirely unhealthy!

If you’re on the Dukan diet, looking for a low-fat dinner, or just love pizza – then I think you’ll love this recipe.  It’s perfect for low key summer evenings when you’re feeling fancy, but also feeling like pizza.

You know those evenings?

BBQ Chicken Pizza, Dukan style

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As you read this, I am likely on one of two flights to Spain where I am excited to spend one week of holiday relaxing in the sun with one of my best friends.

Since I have to leave one of my other best friends at home for the trip however, last night we enjoyed a cosy evening in – complete with cocktails and courses.

We started with Pimm’s Lemonade, complete with home grown mint leaves.  I brought 3 liters of Pimm’s home from England last week – call us crazy, but K and I just love the stuff!

Since K was in the mood for potatoes, I decided to try something fun and made “fries” by slicing the potatoes extra thin and baking them in the oven until crispy.  They were served with BBQ spiced fromage frais.

Finally, roasted tomato and red pepper soup, topped with fromage frais, turkey bacon and fresh oregano from our windowsill.  This dish is filling and delicious, but also a completely Dukan friendly soup. I didn’t even add milk – the fromage frais added just the perfect amount of richness.  Let me know if you’d like the recipe – I’d be happy to share!

Well loves, that’s all!  I’m off to holiday, but I promise I’ll keep up with you along the way!

Adios! xxx

So far this summer, I must admit I’ve been a little salad obsessed.

There’s something about the abundance of fresh veggies and fruit that makes shopping and cooking a snap: buy what looks yummy and fresh, and then mix it.  So this month I’ve added strawberries and cherries and many other ingredients to dinner salads.

But then I thought – why stick to dinner?  And the brunch salad was born.  Bacon and eggs never tasted better than atop leafy greens!

How I make a brunch salad…

Start with fresh, washed salad greens of your choice.  Fry bacon (or turkey bacon!) until crispy on both sides, and remove from pan.  Saute roughly chopped shallots in the same pan until they begin to brown and soften.  Meanwhile, chop bacon into small pieces and then sprinkle both them and the sauteed onions over the prepared greens.  Fry (or scramble or poach) one egg for each person and lay atop salad.  Sprinkle with chopped green onion and serve immediately.

This salad is perfect to prepare while waiting for your fresh cherry muffins to come out of the oven!

Happy brunching loves!  xxx

It’s Friday my friends.

You’re a little tired, you’re hungry, and you are soooo ready for the weekend. Let’s keep dinner simple, easy, light – here are my recommendations for how to do this with minimal effort and a cocktail in hand.

I recommend picking up a bag of cherries on your way home. They’re fresh and taste great after all. Try throwing them into a salad with some crumbled feta cheese. You won’t even need dressing! Easy, light, delicious.

Do you like salmon? I’m kind of in love with it. It’s especially lovely if you rub it with thyme and grated lemon zest, then bake at moderate heat (say 275 F) for 18 min. Trust me – it’s so good you’ll never cook salmon another way again.

Why not drink a Bee’s Knees while you wait for the salmon to come out of the oven? Then, only thirty minutes after you’ve began – dinner is ready! Cherry feta salad and lemon thyme salmon anyone?

These are simply my recommendations – not recipes, let’s not bother with those – for how to have a perfect summer evening dinner with minimal effort. Because please, it’s the weekend.

Bon appetite luvs!!!

xxx