Super Simple (Noodle) Soup

So we're familiar with the fact that I am all for inventing stuff, yes? I actually have commitment issues when it comes to recipes, (I have to tweak them, it's a problem). Anyway, this is another one of those ... stuffs. This is my current favourite thing to eat, especially as I have been under the weather and mostly lost my appetite, which of course results in me shoving copious amounts of vegetables in my body.

I invent these things, so please don't be fooled into thinking this is authentic to any cuisine, I just think it tastes good. If you need to brand it something, brand it as I do - 'Natty Food'.

Super Simple (Noodle) Soup

Take a clove of garlic and either a small knob of fresh ginger or a few shakes of dried and poach in a small amount of vigorously boiling water for 2-3 minutes. Add 1-2tsp of soy sauce and a few drops of sesame oil.

Take some vegetables, (I like a mix of 1/2 a bunch of bok choy, 2 sliced button mushrooms and about 1/3 of a head of broccoli, but I have used diced carrot and fresh baby corn before), and a serving of cubed tofu. Place in the pot with the vegies. Just cover with water.

Boil for 2 minutes or so.

Add some noodles. I like Soba noodles (for their texture, flavour, B vitamins and minerals..), but have used a bed of rice vermicelli before.

Boil until noodles are tender.

Serve & eat!

I think the main thing that attracts me to this dish is it's really clean, simple flavour. I must admit I stick to 1tsp of soy because I like the flavour super light, especially when unwell. It also helps that it takes a whole (whopping!) 10 minutes to prepare & cook, which is nice when you didn't want to get off the couch in the first place.

Do you have a favourite dish that you rely on like my super simple soup?

Will you try this one?

Stay well,

Nat x

What exercise did you do this week?

There's at thread on the forum at the Vogue Australia web site, (here), where members go and just check in with what exercise they have done for the week. I love it. I think it's human nature to want to sticky nose on how other's live their lives- what they're wearing, what they're eating, how they cook, how they work out, what they did today. Of course this is why blogs are so popular and why you clicked on the link to read this one! There's no shame, it's embedded in our DNA, and I am the first to admit I love to know what other people are doing and I'll regularly go out shopping highly inspired by a bloggers outfit, (hi, Lady Melbourne, I never considered jeggings before you bought a pair), or increase my work out hours because someone with an amazing body/transformation works out that much, (waddup, Amanda - try not to be inspired!).

So in the interest of human curiosity, both mine and yours, and a bad, stolen Google running picture, I thought it would be interesting to see what my readers did in terms of exercise this week.

What exercise I did this week

Sunday (at home)

4km run (on road, intervals - couch to 5k)
2 minutes skipping

3x12 ankle taps

3x12 crunches

Monday (at gym)
20 minutes bike intervals

50 minutes whole body weight program (resistance machines)

10 minutes stepper

Tuesday (home)

30 minutes weight bearing exercises (eg. push ups, squats etc)

Wednesday (gym)
30 minutes bike intervals
50 minutes whole body weight program (weighted machines)

5 minutes stepper

Thursday

Day off! With a migraine..

Friday (gym)

25 minutes bike intervals

Upper Body free weight/machine program
10 minutes interval skipping

Saturday (home)

Not done yet, but planning on a run this afternoon.

So pretty please do share, what exercise did you do this week?

Stay well,

Nat x

Simple Food / Other Things

One of my favourite things to do, when Mr. LL is not around (because he is not a fan), is cook myself really super-simple food. Clean, simple and light is my favourite way to eat and as I have been working out a lot lately, especially in the hours just before dinner time, I haven't felt like anything heavy anyway, (apparently no one does after a work out).

Chickpeas in an Italian tomato sauce with beans.

Deconstructed vegetarian version of Shepard's Pie.

Rice noodles with poached tofu and vegetables.

In other news, Mr. LL and I have a big anniversary coming up so we booked an amazing holiday.

This is the pool where we're staying. I can't wait. Yes, I will get over my fear of flying.

The pool and holiday is my reason for gym going and simple eating. Apart from feeling amazing from the lifestyle I'm currently leading, I would like to look and feel the best I've ever looked at felt whilst floating around in that pool. For a whole week. Doing nothing.

Did I mention I can't wait?

Someone asked to see my kitchen once. Here it is;

I hate the curtains so much , but there's always something more interesting than curtains to spend money on, non?

So, how's life for you?

I can only hope everyone has someone to love as much as I love these two..

And Mr. LL, of course.

Stay well,
Nat x

Where Are You?

With these two. They are a handful...

Meet Buckley & Munro, our newly adopted children.

(Better photos one day.. later).

Be back soon!

Nat x

My Boyfriend Made Dinner Once

He made me a vegetarian one.

It was nice, I wish he'd do it again.

Hint hint.

.. look how bright it was at dinner time. Come back Summer!

Stay well,
Nat x