running made easy

OK, this won't take up much of your time. I started running at the beginning of March. I run for 60 seconds, then walk for 2 minutes. I do this 3 times a week. The first week I had a 3 minute recovery time in between runs. When I say run I do mean jog. This week I am doing 8 reps of the 60-second-run 2-minute-walk.

I have to say I am really enjoying it. And the benefits go way beyond the actual run itself. If you run early in the day your metabolic rate even while resting remains high throughout the day. My energy levels have been much better. I am finding I am managing to do more in a day now, and I don't think it is just down to the longer evenings, although they must be part of it too. I can also honestly say that now that I am exercising more I feel less like eating junk.

I just need a few good tracks to run along to. Any ideas?



butternut squash curry

I'm posting this recipe because it is so good. It needs to be shared and really although it looks a little complicated it doesn't take more than about 25 minutes to prepare and about the same again to cook.

And also if like me you've ever wondered what to DO with a butternut squash and you have one lurking in your kitchen somewhere then this is a very delicious way to use one up. It also comes in handy for those occasions when you can't seem to find anything but a squash and a couple of old potatoes.Which happened to me today. Off to Tescos later...

I have cooked this curry quite a few times now and I am impressed at its consistency; it always seems to come out the same.

Recipe

1 butternut squash/pumpkin (about 550g)
2 potatoes (about 200g)
3 tbspns sunflower oil/vegetable oil
2 x 2.5cm pieces cinnamon stick or cassia bark
4 green cardamom pods, split to the top of each pod
4 whole cloves
8 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
1 small onion (about 100g) finely chopped
1 tbspn ground cumin
1 tspn ground turmeric
1 scant tspn crushed dried red chillies
100g canned chopped tomatoes including juice
2.5cm cube root ginger, peeled and grated
1 tspn salt to taste
350 ml warm water
0.5 tspn garam masala
75 ml single cream
2 tbspns finely chopped coriander leaves

1. halve or quarter butternut squash/pumpkin and remove seeds. Peel and cut into 2.5cm cubes.
2. Peel potatoes and cut into 1cm cubes.
3. Preheat a large wide-bottomed pan over a low heat for 1-2 minutes, then add the oil. When hot add cassia/cinnamon, cloves and cardamom and leave to sizzle for 30 seconds.
4. Add the crushed garlic, stir-fry for 30 seconds, then add the onion. Increase heat to medium and stir-fry for 6-7 minutes until the onion begins to colour.
5. Add the cumin, turmeric and chillies and stir-fry for 30 seconds, then add the tomatoes. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until the oil separates from the spice paste and begins to float.
6. Add the ginger, stir-fry for 1 minute then add the pumpkin, potatoes, salt and water. Increase heat to high, bringto the boil and cook for 2-3 minutes. Reduce heat, cover the pan and leave to cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7. Add the garam masala, cream and half the coriander leaves. Stir and cook for 1 minute, then remove from the heat. Serve garnished with the remaining coriander.



Almost done...

 This dish goes down well with basmati rice, home made cucumber raita and a glass of white wine.

Coffee Break French

I've been getting excited this week about a new French language learning resource I've spotted online. There is a whole series of 80 free podcasts of about 15 minutes for beginners, followed by a series for intermediate to advanced learners. They are presented by a genial Scot called Mark who introduces native speakers. These then go on to slowly read out a text which Mark then breaks down and explains in small chunks before you hear it again. As online resources go I have seen few which provide so much for free. The language in the intermediate/advanced section is conversational and also covers a range of important grammar points, including the sinuous subjunctive. At the same time a small drama is played out between the characters played by the three native speakers. I've managed to paint about half of the hall this week listening to the Series 3 podcasts. For some reason I've started at the latest and am now working my way back through the lessons.

As well as Coffee Break French, Mark and his mates at Radio Lingua have created a whole range of other podcasts for learning German, Spanish, French and Italian as well as taster courses for a dozen or so other languages.

If you are thinking about improving your French I would have a look at the site and give it a go. It might just suit you.

Slow Cooking and Fancy Footwork

Slow cooking. Cooking  in a big earthenware crock that fits snugly inside an insulated box with a thermostat. Earthy and hearty dishes. And I am now the lucky owner of one.

This evening we have dined on a warming and tasty dish called Spanish potatoes which even met with Sam's approval. It is rare for him to give the thumbs up to anything I make. Except plain boiled pasta. But he ate his plateful right up tonight. And a very fragrant nut pilaff the other evening was surprisingly easy to make. I gather the slow cooker makes a good rice pudding and can be used for chutneys as well. Mulled wine anyone?

Thank you, Mum. A wonderful birthday present.

The fancy footwork is down to Sam and me. Sam was awarded man of the match in yesterday's game, which moreover they won 3-0. And he is rightly proud of his achievement. He is a plucky little defender and not afraid to go in with a tackle and take the ball away from the opposition. A very well deserved gong has come home with him till next Saturday.

And I've been out running 3 times this week. It has been such a mood lifter I am thinking of getting seriously hooked!