Eves's Salad ticked all the boxes

Eve's Salad - Taken inexpertly with my i-phone

Warm fig and pomegranate salad

This ticked all the boxes for me when I took it along to a friend’s fabulous dinner party!!  

OK, so why did it tick the boxes, you ask?

· Thepomegranate dressing has an interesting flavour due to my new 'must-have in the frig’, Pomegratate Molasses. ("Molasses… Molasses… it's icky-sticky goo, Molasses… Molasses… it al-ways stick -to -you"). No, this is not your usual molasses. It adds a complex but not too sweet flavour to many dishes.

Pomegranate seeds add an interesting crunch as each little seed explodes in your mouth.

· The warmed figs – I love figs in every form and have happy memories when G and Istole them from an ancient tree in the garden of a long deserted villa. They were firm, sweet and were warmed by the Tuscan sun; I felt like Eve. Perhaps Adam and Eve ate a fig and not an apple which makes sense since they were wearing fig leaves; hence the renaming of the salad.  So the BBQ’d warmed figs hit a high note with me.

Here it is... for 4 servings

Eve's salad

4 large ripe figs cut in half . Brush or spray cut side with olive oil. 1 pomegranate - cut in half. With a citrus juicer, juice one half to yield 1tbsp juice after removing some of the seeds to retain with seeds from other half.
70g goats cheese or Danish feta crumbled
DressingCombine 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil with 2 tsp pomegranate molasses, 1 tbsp pomegranate juice and a squeeze of lemon juice
Season with salt & cracked pepper

To serve Combine 50g rocket leaves with a handful of basil. Just before serving, warm the figs through , cut side down, on a BBQ. Add figs

and cheese. Drizzle with dressing and scatter with pomegranate seeds

It would be great to receive your feedback or suggestions. Click on "0 comments". You can choose 'anonymous' from the drop down menu if you don't have a google account. Or send an email - clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au



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Another beautiful foreshore walk near Noosa began at the entrance to Noosa National Park on Parkedge Road and meandered to Sunshine Beach returning via Tanglewood Track. A challenging 2 hour walk with the reward of glorious foreshore views.

Holding on tightly to Ian on the VOL 125!  Air con working well.

Up many steps - the higher you go the better the photo - Sunshine Beach

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Happy Chinese New Year heralds in the Year of the Dragon

Hi R

Happy Chinese New Year.

In China, the New Year is known as "Spring Festival" so we were asked to dress in bright colours in order to attract wealth  when we went to a magnificent dinner party hosted by a chinese friend, to herald in the Year of the Dragon.

龍 Dragon

辰 Chen

February 5, 2000

January 23, 2012

February 10, 2024

 

Our hostess cooked a magnificent dinner but we brought a few pre dinner nibbles / finger food.  Here is the recipe for my Asian Chicken Bites, which everyone seemed to enjoy. Usually I would serve them with a dipping sauce but decided just a squeeze of lemon juice was all that was needed.

Happy healthy wealthy chinese new year to all.

Clara

Asian Chicken Bites
These tasty little chicken balls are ideal for party / finger food. I hope the dragon likes them!
500g minced chicken
2/3 cup fresh breadcrumbs
1 tbsp ginger finely grated

1 to 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
1 birdseye chilli finely chopped and/or 1 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
2 spring onions finely chopped or 1 onion
1/4 bunch coriander finely chopped
1 egg white, beaten (you can use the whole egg if desired)
Soy sauce to taste
squeeze of lemon juice
Vegetable oil

Combine all ingredients then roll into small balls, (using damp hands to assist this process.) Pan fry in oil until golden, or for a lighter dish, arrange chicken in a baking dish, on baking paper and cook in a hot to moderate oven for approx 20 minutes until turning golden. (For best results start with a hot oven and turn down a little after 10 minutes) Makes approx 30 bite sized balls. Serve with a squeeze of lemon and garnish with coriander or mint.



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I'm excited too re winning the battle of the bulge

Battle of the Bulge by
Lynee Follow That Girl who could write a book about jeans; styles, length, what shoes and tops to wear.
She says about me (generously) "My boss has this friend from Australia, Clara -who coincidentally writes a blog called "Fit in Your Jeans Cuisine". How perfect.
The photo's of the finished recipes are gorgeous and mouth watering."
Thanks Lynee, for your kind words. Can't wait to hear how you went and what you were wearing when you cooked your meal.
Clara

It's getting to that time of year. You know, THAT time of year. It's when my husband watches in disgust as I jump, lay on the floor, do a dance routine, lunges or cry to get on my skinny jeans. After I painstakingly inch the zipper up and nearly lose a nail buttoning them, I promise myself that "Today, I'm only eating water." The next thing I know I'm eyeing up something that looks like this...

I am announcing today that I will wear my skinny jeans with comfort all year around. And no, I cannot survive only eating water.

So what am I going to do? I'm going to actually follow Clara's recipes, and make sure I only eat my small portion! I'm excited, and so is my husband. You see, I'm not a very good cook. I screw up scrambled eggs, burn the toast, overcook the noodles and dry out the chicken. So, I plan to write about my "Fit in your Jeans Cuisine" diet once a month, my wins, my failures... my poor husbands love while he eats it even when it's awful (of course I'll throw in what awesome outfit I'm wearing from Next Door while I slave away in the kitchen). Are you excited? I'm excited!

Lynee

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How to put on skin tight jeans

"I only need a belt in case my jeans burst."

I only need a belt in case my jeans burst

Hi R
Thought you might benefit from some post Xmas hints on how to fit in your jeans.
G said,"I only need a belt in case my jeans burst."

Or Peter Hinchliff's experience, "The other day I got a clean pair of jeans out of the wardrobe. Then began a two-minute nightmare as I struggled to get into them. I couldn't get the wretched things past my knees, let alone fasten the button at the waist.


"Oh no," thought I in the midst of the wrestling match. "No more cake. No more biscuits. No more eating for a week." Then I noticed the label on the jeans. They were my wife's. She'd hung them in my wardrobe by mistake.


Everyone should be lucky enough to find a smaller person's jeans in their wardrobe after Christmas feasting. The relief at discovering they belong to someone else makes up for having gained an inch around the waist.......... and then about why it happens...... "Eating up every chocolate and biscuit, draining the whisky bottle to the last drop isn't mere self-indulgence. It's a duty. A display of appreciation. A way of saying thank you." Let waist-lines bulge and buttons strain as we accept the responsibility of showing appreciation to our gift-givers.

Like many people today we are more conscious that good food can taste indulgent without necessarily being so, with the obvious exceptions of course. So here are some of the delicious, less indulgent dishes we enjoyed on Xmas day, which I will post over the week. At this time of the year, one needs to keep on making the dishes rather than write about them.


Capsicum Dip with Parmesan Cheese Rounds
Thai BBQ prawns served with Mango and Avocado salad with snowpeas and roasted sesame seeds
Stuffed Turkey Breast, and honey cured ham with Green salad with Salsa Verde, and Roasted beetroot and pumpkin salad with goats' cheese and walnuts
Potato salad with yoghurt dressing
Pavlova with berries served with Yoghurt and Mascarpone cream.

We were very fortunate to have some wonderful wines to accompany each course, thanks to our resident wine expert.


I hope you all had a fantastic festive dinner and can still 'fit in your jeans.' If not, all is not lost - visit http://www.fitinyourjeanscuisine.com/ for tasty healthy food or if all else fails, read the instructions below on How to put on Skin Tight Jeans


Clara
Handy Hints
Put the jeans on in the morning, after a cold shower. Putting your skin-tight jeans on in the morning will increase the chances of success since you haven't eaten much. Also, a cold shower will get your body as taut as possible, making you slightly slimmer.
Wiggle into the jeans. Putting a belt through the jeans' belt loops will help you pull the jeans up. Using the belt as a grip, wiggle side to side to get the jeans over your hips.
Zip up first. Closing the button is almost always the hardest part of putting on skin tight jeans, so try get the zipper closed first. If the jeans are really skin tight, hook the end of a hanger into the zipper so you can leverage the zipper up.
Hold your breath. Like an athlete at the finish line, the last step takes a deep breath in. Breathe in deeply so you contract your midsection and in one quick and deft motion get that button closed.


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Asian herb salad ideal for christmas lunches



With a wonderfully wild freshness due to the overuse of
delicate herbs, this is a definite Clara favourite.

Hi there lovers of Asian Salad
Asian herb salad got the tick with key players at the birthday party so I am going to repeat it for Christmas Day.  It went perfectly with the first course of BBQ chicken skewers served Asian style. See link below
The wonderfully wild freshness is achieved by massive overuse of delicate herbs along with an Asian dressing.
Clara

Ingredients
250g / 8 oz rocket (arugula) leaves - (trimmed of excess stems (substitute any peppery lettuce)
125g / 4oz each of mint, basil, cilentro leaves (leaves picked from stems, washed and spun dry)
30g / 1 oz chervil if available
2/3 cup canned bamboo shoots - (preferably already cut into matchstick)
Dressing
2 shallots, peeled, halved, and finely sliced
l tbsp rice vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
l tsp sugar
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp toasted sesame oil
1 tbsp mirin
sea salt and pepper

For the dressing, mix the shallots, rice vinegar, and sugar together in
a small bowl and set aside.
Trim any excess stems from the arugula, and pick the herb leaves from
their stems. Rinse and spin dry the arugula and herbs. Cut the bamboo
shoots into matchsticks.
To make the dressing, whisk the olive oil, sesame oil, mirin, sea salt, and
pepper together in a large bowl. Stir in the shallot mixture, then taste
and adjust the flavors.
Very lightly toss the arugula, bamboo shoots, and herbs in the dressing,
and serve, with chopsticks.

Link for chicken skewers belowhttp://fitinyourjeanscuisine.blogspot.com/2010/10/skewers-capture-finger-food.html

What to wear with skinny white jeans?

Hi R
Re - What shoes to wear with skinny jeans? 
When I visited you in USA I  totally immersed myself in jeans - what length to wear them, how to cleverly adjust the length etc   But it was fall, so we didn't do 'what to wear with skinny white jeans.'
Ok, so we are coming into summer but it still feels like winter.   It hasn't been warm enough to bare the toes but it's time to wear white jeans.
So here I am - on my way out to meet up with weekly, long term, similar - aged friends and I am wearing new white skinny jeans I bought on sale; to-die-for Hudson jeans with fabulous detail, which fitted damned well! I tucked them into my short black boots, and said, 'Let's go, Baby!"

So then G says, " Aren't those jeans more suitable for a younger woman? Fightin' words!

I ran it past my friends who said, diplomatically, unlike G, "You have such slim hips etc"
But in the lift, on our way out, husband of friend said, " Hmm, I see what he means - whatever that meant!" Did they have a quiet conversation about it? How extraordinary!

I know it was the white jeans tucked into the black boots that caused the upset, but I really like that look with blue jeans. Perhaps it was the contrast that didn't work.
Clara


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The Rules - JEAN SCENE - BECAUSE WE THINK YOU SHOULD - FIT IN YOUR JEANS

Hi R
I know you are enjoying  http://fitinyourjeanscuisine.blogspot.com fresh and healthy, tasty;  and  thought it would be good to share your expertise re how to wear your jeans so you look absolutely fabulous.

There's nothing like a great fitting pair of jeans and yet they can be hard to find unless you know the rules.   With the expert help of Renotta, www.shopatnextdoor.com who could write a book about styles, length, what shoes and tops to wear with what  etc........ and Lynee Follow That Girl , here is the answer.  "We have over 1300 pairs of jeans in our store and an all-consuming passion to find the perfect pair for everyone who walks through our door." We all look forward to answering your questions about jeans or healthy tasty food, because that is our passion.
Clara

JEAN SCENE BECAUSE WE THINK YOU SHOULD FIT IN YOUR JEANS

To What Length Should You Go? Adapted from 'Jean Scene' www.shopatnextdoor.com
and Follow That Girl the latest from Lynee

We could write a book about the length of jeans. Suffice it to say most jeans are too long and need to be shortened. If you're a jeanophile, you know that the original hem needs to be reattached. There's nothing worse than jeans looking like your mom chopped them off for you or shrunk them in the dryer. At 'Shop at Nextdoor', Milwaukee USA, we have perfected the art of reattaching the original hem so when you purchase your jeans, we'll shorten them for a small fee. But since you may not live here, here are a few hints you can apply.    

Firstly, you need someone in the know re the 'New York' method of shortening jeans so your best bet would be your specialist jeans store or boutique.

The next decision is how long should they be? That's where we come in. Having shortened over ten thousand pairs, we feel we have something to say about it. For starters we're just going to deal with bootcut, flare, and trouser jeans. We'll leave the skinnies and leggings for next time. We all know we want to look fabulously tall and lean in our jeans even if we're not. So here's our rule of thumb: if your shoes show, your jeans are too short. You want your jeans to just skim the ground, about 1/4" short of dragging. It gives you that long continuous line even if it's an illusion for most of us.

The next thing you need to deal with is what shoes you will be wearing. Unfortunately, you can't wear one pair of jeans with flats, comfy heels, and killer spikes. We're good, but we're not magicians. You have to pick one height shoe and go with it. And yes, it means you have to have more than one pair of designer jeans. We'll say it again, there's nothing like a great fitting pair of jeans. And there's nothing worse than a pair of jeans that are too short!

Renotta (jeanophile)
Renee (fashion blogger)

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Leafy green vegetables - the 'little black dress' of the vegetable world.

Hi R
Back on track with green leaves which we need to eat heaps of since we are grazers.

Leafy green vegetables are like the 'little black dress' of the vegetable world. They go with just about everything and they’re appropriate for every occasion.  Green leaves are perhaps the most anti-ageing of all foods and since I am passionate about my greens, once I start on them I seem to need to give all the good news. (below)
Hope you and Roberto are eating plenty of fresh green leaves.
Clara

Obviously, the best way to eat greens is uncooked, fresh from the garden, with Spinach or Rocket being my favourites because of their versatility. They can be stir fried in a little olive oil, wilted by steaming for a very short time, but I love them when added to cooked vegetables, at the last minute for extra colour and super nutrition.

'Eat More Green Leaves' because we are grazers

Sichuan Style Spinach or Green Leaves
30g peanut oil
20 black peppercorns
4 dried red chillies
2 garlic cloves
2 bunches English spinach
Sea salt
30ml chinese wine
Dash sesame oil
Heat oil over medium heat, add groundpeppercorns and chilli until fragrant. Remove, add garlic, then wine, salt, spinach and cook until wilted and liquid nearly evaporated. Add seasoning, and chilli.



It was common for our ancient ancestors to eat up to six pounds of leaves per day, ie a grocery bag full of greens each and every day? Calorie for calorie, they are perhaps the most concentrated source of nutrition of any food. They are a rich source of minerals (including iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium) and vitamins, including vitamins K, C, E, and many of the B vitamins. They also provide a variety of phytonutrients including beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, which protect our cells from damage and our eyes from age-related problems, can help prevent age-related cognitive decline and may also reduce your risk of skin canceramong many other effects. Dark green leaves even contain small amounts of Omega-3 fats.
Almost Carb-Free, with the carbs that are there packed in layers of fibre, which make them very slow to digest.


Perhaps the star of these nutrients is Vitamin K. A cup of most cooked greens provides at least nine times the minimum recommended intake of Vitamin K, and even a couple of cups of dark salad greens usually provide the minimum all on their own. Recent research has provided evidence that this vitamin may be even more important functions.
Vitamin K
•Regulates blood clotting
•Helps protect bones from osteoporosis
•May be a key regulator of inflammation, and may help protect us from inflammatory diseases including arthritis.
Fat-soluble vitamin, so make sure to put dressing on your salad, or cook your greens with oil.
Quick-cooking Greens
These greens can either be eaten raw or lightly cooked. Six cups of raw greens become approximately one cup of cooked greens and take only a few minutes to cook. Spinach, Chard, Rocket, Beet Greens, Dandelion greens, Sorrel and Cabbage belong in this category.
Greens should be dry or almost dry, after washing; store in a bag with as much of the air pushed out as you easily can. I like to put a barely damp paper towel in for just the right amount of moisture. Then, put them in the vegetable drawer of your fridge.



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Re the very delicious, very wicked Pear and Almond cake. And real reasons french women don't get fat

Hi R and other skinny jean wearers
Re - the very delicious, very wicked Pear and Almond cake which was posted on http://fitinyourjeanscuisine.com and which you no doubt saw and wondered what was happening.

Clara's first attempt at
Pear and Almond Cake
tasted amazing but didn't look
quite the same as Belinda's

Veronica, http://stantoninteriorstyle.blogspot.com who passed this recipe on to me, commented,

"Clara, the cake is very good but don't eat too much or you won't fit into your jeans! "

And she is absolutely correct! It should have come with a warning so here is a retrospective one. 

What was I thinking? I promise it won't happen again, but here is a little justification via an article in the weekend Telegraph.

The secret - small portions.

"Oui! the secret's out: real reasons french women don't get fat." And the relevant point here follows exactly what Veronica wrote.

"They eat cake and chocolate - Why it works paradoxically: not having a list of forbidden foods can put an end to bingeing, Sainsbury-Salis says. French women only eat small amounts of treat foods- and those foods are available in small portions."

There were a few other hints which I will tell you about in the next blog

Clara

ps I only ate one and a half pieces with low fat, low sugar icecream .......it was a special occasion.......... hmmmmmmmm
pss I hope Roberto didn't see the blog. 

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Crostini or Bruschette? Is bocconcini the same as mozzarella?

The differences are fuzzy

Hi there
Some vital questions!
Qu 1 - Crostini or Bruschette? Is crostini a small bruschette?
Qu 2 - What is bocconcini - is it the same as mozzarella?



 Qu 1 - Give up? Yes, crostini is smaller and is served as an aperitivo but the correct answer is that crostini is usually made with white bread instead of sourdough but the difference is fuzzy.
The Italians simply grill a half-inch slice of ciabatta, rub it with a cut clove of garlic, drizzle it with oil, and season it with salt and pepper.


My favourite method, being an 'ovenphile' is to preheat oven to 160°C/ 320 F. Line an oven tray with baking paper and bake slices which have been sprayed on both sides with olive oil, for about 8-10 minutes or until golden and crisp. While hot, rub with garlic. Add prepared topping of your choice. For approx 12 crostini, here a few favourites but you can use your imagination and personal taste to create the perfect Italian aperitivo, whether it be a crostini or bruschette.


tapenade with goat's cheese
Intense flavours offset with
goat's cheese and basil


mixed herb crostini
Any mixture of soft herbs like fennel tops, basil, parsley, mint, chervil or thyme leaves, with cherry tomatoes and parmesan over the top.

cannellini beans with garlic Coarse puree with rosemary oil

prosciutto, figs, and mint
Drape piece of prosciutto over hot crostini and squash a piece of fig on top

blue cheese with pear
Salty, sharp blue cheese combined with sweet, juicy pear is sublime.

buffalo mozzarella and chilli
Torn mozzarella, sprinkled with chopped chilli, drizzled with olive oil and finished with basil.

I'm just a baby!



 







Qu 2 - What is bocconcini - is it the same as mozzarella?
Bocconcini are Italian cheese balls about the size of cherry tomatoes. They are actually a fresh type of mozzarella. small, semi-soft, white and rindless, unripened, usually made from a combination of water buffalo and cow's milk. Bocconcini are packaged in whey or water, have a spongy texture and absorb flavours.

There are endless possibilities.
For full recipes and more - http://fitinyourjeanscuisine.blogspot.com/
 Clara

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Priorities and Confessions of a gym dropout

Hi R

Clara is now a gym dropout and prefers
other exercise regimes

Oh no - not the great unveiling!  I was beginning to feel 'let off the hook' but then thought  my planned trip to Italy and France in May, means I face the same challenges but more so because all will be revealed on the deck of the canal boat.  So I am with you all the way but will limit  exposure of arms and the legs to the end half of both, due to vanity and realism.  

Now a self-confessed  'Gym Dropout' since last year, I adopted the idea of 'Exercise with a Purpose' - the concept being that if you have places you need to go, then walk there, or spend time in the garden sweeping my paths and others' paths  in the complex to satisfy my aesthetic needs.  Cutting the hedge, for example, is a great way to exercise the dreaded upper arms and working in the garden definitely helps to restore positive mental equilibrium. I recall one of Jane Fonda's tapes which you introduced me to in the 70s, had one exercise called "PULL WEEDS !  PULL WEEDS!  - She was always so urgent in her requests so I did as I was told.

I am currently writing a book about walks in my area so this also provides many opportunities to get out there and exercise / walk with a purpose along with regular morning walks. Then the 10 minutes of additional exercise  such as some pelvic floor / abdomen stuff, some resistance activities using a stretchy car octopus, and a few basic moves using 2kg / 4lb weights. 

All that is good.  But - while I am in confession mode - I do get up early, yes R, at 6-15 which is early for me, to walk with G.  I really really really want to, but sometimes I really really really really want just a few more precious lifesaving minutes in foggy sleep.  Fortunately for me, G heaps disappointment upon me so being an approval seeker, I do my best.  However, with daylight saving ending soon, it is going to be darker, colder, harder.    Follow my progress! 
Re the 10 minutes exercise - you know what - it doesn't always happen.  One exercise I do religiously, however, redeems  me slightly - ie in waiting for the shower to heat up - with hands behind you grasping the edge of the bath, fingers pointing forward, 20 strong knee bends with pelvic awareness, exercises many essential muscles all at the one time, including the dreaded upper arms I keep referring to.  This is my naked truth!  And the good part is I am still asleep. 

R - I love your new decision -  "I've decided one thing, I'm going to walk before I talk, jog before I blog and stretch before I sit and knit. I've also decided to approach this spring's training in realistic moderation. I plan to feel a "little burn" rather than a big burn out."  The only way I would adjust it to work for me, would be to make it into a mantra - ie "I'm going to walk before I talk, jog before I blog and stretch before I sit and knit,"  because for me, it's all about routine and priorities. 

Clara
ps - rather than the 'naked truth', I love the exercise shirts you showed in the last blog. 



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Spring Training or Time to Belly Up to the Bar

It's that time of the year again when we all have to face the naked truth. Young or old, male or female, we have to come out of our winter hibernation. The great unveiling! We've had five long months of cover up with big parkas, bulky sweaters, stretchy skinny jeans and Uggs. Ugg! Now we look forward to exposed arms and legs, form fitting clothes and feet in flip flops. I'm no different than anyone, maybe just a bit older and hopefully wiser. I admit I'm perusing the isles for the best tan in a bottle, hauling out all my exercise tapes and weights and cranking up the old tread mill. I have always exercised in some form. In my twenties I was a modern dancer. As I moved into my thirties, Jane Fonda taught us all to "feel the burn". Then there were the years of jumping rope, step routines, weight lifting,  running, cross country skiing, stationary biking, you name it, I've done it. If I could give you one bit of advice it would be, be kind to your body, walk don't run, stretch a lot and relax. But I know that's lost on deaf ears. So look forward to some stiff hips and creaky knees. I've had to really temper what I do these days, and fitting exercise into my schedule still remains a challenge. I admit I let things slide over the winter, but I'm back at it. I've decided one thing, I'm going to walk before I talk, jog before I blog and stretch before I sit and knit. I've also decided to approach this spring's training in realistic moderation. I plan to feel a "little burn" rather than a big burn out. One of my favorite exercise routines is called The 

Bar Method. I like it because it requires no equipment, only some hand weights and a chair, and it reminds me of my days in dance. It's a great exercise to alternate with walking. I modify some of the stretches to fit my body, but for the most part I can get through the whole session. As for my exercise gear, well that's not a pretty picture as I'm in the privacy of my own home and most likely in my pajamas. But I have discovered a tee that really makes me feel great to wear after I'm done! It's called a Skinny Tee and it is just that. We started carrying them at Nextdoor and can't keep them in stock. They're really snug and stretchy, nice and long and don't roll up. You look and feel a size smaller. I'm all for that. They're also much better priced than other similar brands. You can wear them as an undergarment now and as a top later as things warm up. We have them in stock in some nice neutral colors with bright colors on the way. Don't get me wrong, they are not a substitute for exercise but you will get a lift wearing one!

For those of you who like to get out of the house to exercise and live in our area I highly recommend our friends at the Movement Center in Pewaukee. Another great place is Peak Performance in Hartland, where you can take their Skinny Jean Challenge.

shopatnextdoor for skinny tees


For some great "skinny" recipes check out Granny C's blog and website, Fit In Your Jeans Cuisine!

R

"I only need a belt in case my jeans burst."

I only need a belt in case my jeans burst

Hi R
Thought you might benefit from some post Xmas hints on how to fit in your jeans.
G said,"I only need a belt in case my jeans burst."

Or Peter Hinchliff's experience, "The other day I got a clean pair of jeans out of the wardrobe. Then began a two-minute nightmare as I struggled to get into them. I couldn't get the wretched things past my knees, let alone fasten the button at the waist.


"Oh no," thought I in the midst of the wrestling match. "No more cake. No more biscuits. No more eating for a week." Then I noticed the label on the jeans. They were my wife's. She'd hung them in my wardrobe by mistake.


Everyone should be lucky enough to find a smaller person's jeans in their wardrobe after Christmas feasting. The relief at discovering they belong to someone else makes up for having gained an inch around the waist.......... and then about why it happens...... "Eating up every chocolate and biscuit, draining the whisky bottle to the last drop isn't mere self-indulgence. It's a duty. A display of appreciation. A way of saying thank you." Let waist-lines bulge and buttons strain as we accept the responsibility of showing appreciation to our gift-givers.

Like many people today we are more conscious that good food can taste indulgent without necessarily being so, with the obvious exceptions of course. So here are some of the delicious, less indulgent dishes we enjoyed on Xmas day, which I will post over the week. At this time of the year, one needs to keep on making the dishes rather than write about them.


Capsicum Dip with Parmesan Cheese Rounds
Thai BBQ prawns served with Mango and Avocado salad with snowpeas and roasted sesame seeds
Stuffed Turkey Breast, and honey cured ham with Green salad with Salsa Verde, and Roasted beetroot and pumpkin salad with goats' cheese and walnuts
Potato salad with yoghurt dressing
Pavlova with berries served with Yoghurt and Mascarpone cream.

We were very fortunate to have some wonderful wines to accompany each course, thanks to our resident wine expert.


I hope you all had a fantastic festive dinner and can still 'fit in your jeans.' If not, all is not lost - visit http://www.fitinyourjeanscuisine.com/ for tasty healthy food or if all else fails, read the instructions below on How to put on Skin Tight Jeans


Clara
Handy Hints
Put the jeans on in the morning, after a cold shower. Putting your skin-tight jeans on in the morning will increase the chances of success since you haven't eaten much. Also, a cold shower will get your body as taut as possible, making you slightly slimmer.
Wiggle into the jeans. Putting a belt through the jeans' belt loops will help you pull the jeans up. Using the belt as a grip, wiggle side to side to get the jeans over your hips.
Zip up first. Closing the button is almost always the hardest part of putting on skin tight jeans, so try get the zipper closed first. If the jeans are really skin tight, hook the end of a hanger into the zipper so you can leverage the zipper up.
Hold your breath. Like an athlete at the finish line, the last step takes a deep breath in. Breathe in deeply so you contract your midsection and in one quick and deft motion get that button closed.


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Fit in Your Jeans, whatever that means

Hi R
From a friend of mine who loves to dress up;   and being a country girl, said, "There is only one thing worse than "Mutton dressed up as Lamb" and that is "Mutton dressed up as Mutton."  So true!

Having spent hours tonight, looking at jeans from a mature style perspective, this is one image I thought said it all.

  


Sooooo .... many shapes and designs along with advice on how the mature / larger / shorter / etc woman looks best. 

I like this image from your website http://www.shopatnextdoor.com/
as this style can be worn well with boots, but personal choice for me  is a slightly higher rise.  There are so many body shapes and styles it must be really tricky to advise how we can use our jeans to enhance and improve our ever changing shape/style.

I am wondering what your favourite jean style is - and since I am visiting you in October, what you will be wearing?  I adore the straight leg jean with a high boot, or the bootleg style with a boot under.  Need your professional reassurance. 

Still struggling with Photoshop  (I have bought Elements)  and this is an image Liz and I worked on today (my new friend when we both couldn't get there after an 8 week course).  It's very raw but I like it.  Based on one of the jeans photos you posted. I love photoshop. 

Would appreciate feedback.

Clara

Click on 'comment' at bottom of page to have your say or email clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au
 http://www.babyboomerconnections.com.au/