New Year’s Resolutions !!!
So here I am set for my culinary journey of 2016 - ready to beat the budget and the bulge, making the most of what is available, preparing really flavoursome food, allowing a little extravagance now and then, but most of all; preparing and eating really delicious food!
A good solid strategy is usually needed to make a plan come together. Problem is - where does one start?

If a healthier lifestyle is a priority in your life then this is the first place to start. Decide what your overall goal will be; just losing a few kg's, taking on the banting lifestyle, going for any of the myriad of proven diets out there, or just eating less and doing more exercise. This has to be thought through carefully as it will govern all the other steps that you can take to achieve whatever you want to achieve.

Half the problem is that we are so spoilt for choice and get tempted so easily that we lose focus of the ultimate goal. For me the challenge is very simple - BEAT THE BUDGET AND THE BULGE!!!
I will start with the bulge first - not that I have to lose that much weight - but it would be nice to drop a size or two. I quite enjoy the banting bit, but I also enjoy the cheating bits - my downfall. This said, a diet or eating pattern determines how we go about our shopping. Fortunately I have a passion for gowing our own veggies, salads and herbs -  so at least there is a healthy side to my bad habits.
Really take some serious time to think about how you would like to eat this year. It is an essential step to prevent those impulsive moments that can ruin your bulge and your budget. Now I know there are some who just love going to the supermarket or upmarket food store, throw caution to the wind, and load the trolley to capacity. For me the exercise is more of a challenge than a necessity, but this makes it all the more exciting. Being a clever shopper gives me great joy, much to my wife's dismay sometimes when I get home with six of something or the other, just because it was a bargain. But done wisely it saves an enormous amount of money over a period of time.
For my food journey of 2016 I have developed my personal strategy that I hope will have the desired effect. Each one of us will have our own and very diffent take on it, but at the heart of it will still be cooking delicious food!  Let the journey begin......

Get a clear vision of your eating habits, your food preferences, your time and financial constraints and what you would like to change this year.

Become a smart shopper by getting to know food prices so you can spot those unexpected special offers and bargains. Also try different ways of shopping - don't just go to your favourite supermarket. Explore small food markets and street vendors - you will be amazed at the low prices and high quality you can find there.

Go through you deepfreeze and used everything that has been sitting at the bottom for a few months. Search for the best recipe to make use of those items.

Keep a good basic pantry so that you can limit your shopping to only once a week.

Have fun developing a new strategy and enjoy your culinary journey this year!

New Year’s Resolutions - On the culinary side of things there is much to look forward to this year. A wave of food  bloggers, chefs, presenters and publishers have left us spoilt for choice on which culinary track we want to travel on this year.
With the indulgence of the festive season still with us, I have this urge to just cut back, scale down and simplify things back to normal again.
After cooking up a storm and preparing dishes of all shapes and tastes it is time to reflect on what has really worked and what not.
A basic principle that undeniably holds true is that keeping it simple is almost always better, and less is very often more.
I am a great advocate on the use of quality ingredients, but I have discovered that with proper cooking methods and techniques you can ensure the maximum amount of taste and flavour in your dish - even if the ingredients are just what you have available to work with.
So here I am set for my culinary journey of 2016 - ready to beat the budget and the bulge, making the most of what is available, preparing really flavoursome food, allowing a little extravagance now and then, but most of all; preparing and eating really delicious food!
                                             Cooking is a celebration of life!