Saturday, 10 January 2015 - , 3 comments

CUPBOARD LOVE : Choc Shot by Sweet Freedom


Some of you may already know this product, but for those of you choccy lovers out there who don't, this one's for you!

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This liquid hot chocolate is sold on the drinking chocolate aisles of most well known supermarkets. It retails at about £3.50 for a 320g tube which may seem expensive, but goes a long way if you use it wisely.
Personally, I'd forget the whole hot chocolate angle-I think there are better, more satisfying low fat drinking chocolates out there. But as a chocolate-fixing drizzle on fruit, yoghurt, porridge, granola etc, or as a spread for toast or crumpets, it really hits the spot!


The mixture is very thick, rich and luxurious, so you don't need to use much of it for that comforting chocolate flavour we all crave. Because it is totally natural and sweetened with natural fruit extracts, it has an underlying fruity taste with the strong chocolate flavour which is why it compliments fresh fruit so well.


As it contains only natural sugars from the fruit extracts, the propoints/calories are kept quite low.

1 teaspoon (5g)is 1sp/0pp/13.7kcal
1 tablespoon (15g)is 2sp/1pp/41kcal



It's easily dispensed straight from the non-drip packaging. So I'd advise to always pop your chosen bowl of fruit/porridge/yoghurt etc onto your scales, recalibrate back to zero then drizzle to your desired weight. Please don't guess - it's very easy to use way too much and sabotage your efforts! Remember-you only need to go over your limit by a small amount each day for it to gradually build up and add unwanted propoints/calories to your daily intake resulting in a weight gain.
I'm a stickler for these details!

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This product is;

Low GI/GL

Suitable for diabetics

Has no artificial colouring flavouring or preservatives

GM, dairy and gluten free

Suitable for vegans and vegetarians

Made in the UK

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All in all it's a healthy chocolate lover's gift in a bottle. They've also launched new orange spice and coconut varieties now!
(Orange available at Tesco, Coconut at Holland & Barrett)

If you want to find out more, here's a link to their website (Click HERE)
Tuesday, 6 January 2015 - , , , , , 0 comments

RECIPE : Warm Falafel Salad with Tahini & Caper Dressing


This time of the year, we're back on our missions to eat healthily after the Festive season but cold salad doesn't always appeal.
I find that by finishing a salad with a warm ingredient, it really helps to change the whole dynamic. One of my favourite toppings is falafel and I'm not embarrassed to confess that I often use shop-bought falafel if I'm a little short of time.

These Cauldron ones are my favourite. They have a crispy outer shell once baked, with a soft, vibrantly tasty inside.

 They are 1pp/67kcal each or three for 5pp

 Served with a silky tahini dressing and a drizzle of chilli sauce, this is one fabulous Winter salad.

The salad including the dressing works out to 6pp/approx.300kcal per portion.

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If you have the time to make your own falafel, you could try my fab 2 tone spinach and beetroot variety!
(Click HERE for the link to the recipe)


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 YOU WILL NEED: (Serves 2)

 1 bag salad leaves
1/2 cucumber
10 cherry tomatoes
2 small cooked beetroot, sliced
4 raw mushrooms, sliced
6 individual falafel
(My calculations are based on the Cauldron brand)

 For the dressing;

 2 teaspoons tahini
1 tablespoon low fat Greek yoghurt
1 tablespoon seasoned rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons capers
2 teaspoons water
black pepper

 Optional;

 a drizzle of chilli sauce

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Bake the falafel for 10 minutes referring to the packaging for oven temperatures.
While they are baking, layer up the salad ingredients into two individual serving bowls.
Add any other vegetables that appeal to you or that need using up-even left over cooked cauliflower or broccoli works well.

Mix the tahini and yoghurt together. Blend in the rice wine vinegar and a little water to reach your desired consistency. Add the capers and black pepper.
Mix well, then share equally and pour over each salad.


Cut each warm falafel into quarters and arrange on the top.
Finally drizzle with a little chilli sauce for a winter-warming kick!

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 Falafel-tastic.

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 PRINT RECIPE HERE
Saturday, 3 January 2015 - , 2 comments

Hot Off The Press NEWS! : Slice Of Slim is 3 !


To celebrate three years of blogging, I've created this number 3 from a selection of my current top favourite flavourings and ingredients!
If you're going to eat healthy food it needs to be delicious, so make sure that both your store cupboard and fridge are stocked with some or all of these ingredients- you'll see them featured regularly in many of my recipes.

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They are (from the top);

Low salt soy sauce 

Selection of dried herbs-eg bay leaves, mixed Italian

Fresh garlic

Low salt stock cubes

Passata

Tahini

Capers

Fresh herbs-eg basil, dill, rosemary, parsley

Low fat Greek yoghurt

Seasoned rice wine vinegar

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At the end of 2011, I started to photograph the foods I was making on a daily basis and popping them on my personal Facebook page. After a few positive comments, I soon realised I had a great deal to say and was bursting with ideas.
I had a tremendous need to share my recipes, tips and inspirations gathered along my personal weight loss journey.


So, exactly three years ago, I decided to do just that and
 Slice-Of-Slim was born!

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In three years, I have...

 Written 440 posts...

...Had almost 944,000 hits/views.

…Built a loyal following of thousands of supporters from all over the world who connect; 

On the blog
Via Facebook
Twitter
Instagram and Pinterest


.. a regular column in
Weight Watchers (UK) Magazine.
(Thanks River Group)

and now a YouTube channel!

 (Click on your desired destination for a link straight to it)

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Of course, I love everything about the process of blogging - creating recipes, styling and photographing my dishes alongside writing descriptively about the processes and flavours....but the most important aspect for me is supporting and inspiring all of you on your own journeys - whether that is weight loss, maintaining or just wanting to eat more healthily.

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Thank you to all my supporters, friends and family who have been there every step of the way with me. I appreciate the fact that you constantly return to read my posts each day.
It wouldn't exist without you.

I'm still brimming with ideas, hopes and dreams for Slice-of-Slim, so lets see if 2015 is going to be another exciting year.

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Slice-Of-Slim
Keeping the joy of food alive by reducing the fat and retaining the yumminess!

All my love,
Janey
x x x
Thursday, 1 January 2015 - 0 comments

Food For Thought: A New Day, A New Year



Happy New Year to you all!
If you are new to Slice Of Slim or a regular follower, I just wanted to say thank you so much for coming on board with me and following my foodie inspirations!

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2014 was a great year for me-I've maintained my 62lb weight loss for another year
(that's 4 now!)


I've had some fantastic opportunities and experiences working with some interesting brands and met some lovely people.
I even launched a YouTube Channel and completed my first series of films
Fresh from the Slice of Slim Kitchen
(3 still to come this year!)

The photos above are just an extract of the recipes, ideas and inspirations I posted during 2014-on the blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

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I hope they prove to you that eating healthily, losing or maintaining your weight doesn't have to be boring and is an ongoing process for ever!
It does mean that you have to think about and plan low fat and creative solutions for yummy meals and snacks so that the boredom doesn't set in-but that's where I come in...I constantly innovate low fat delicious recipes and work out all the propoints/calories for you so that hopefully, whichever plan you follow, you can benefit from my healthy obsession for food!

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Lots more planned for 2015 so enjoy the ride!
Thursday, 18 December 2014 - 1 comments

CUPBOARD LOVE : Frozen Mashed Potato


Confession time! Although I'm a confident home cook, I still struggle with decent poached eggs and mashed potatoes as part of my repertoire!
Seriously though, as you know, I'm always looking for simple methods for portion control so even if you're a mashed potato maestro this could come in useful for you from time to time-especially if you're short of time or making individual portions.

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I happened to buy this in the frozen section in Waitrose, however my sources tell me that you can buy these little frozen tubes of mash in Sainsbury's, Tesco, Iceland, Morrissons and the Co-Op.

These potato tubes work out to 0pp/12kcal each.
You can have 3 for 1pp,
up to 7 for 2pp
and up to 10 for 3pp

(My calculations are based on each tube weighing 15g so please check according to the brand you use).

NB You can't use this as a Filling & Healthy ingredient as it contains butter.

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Simply count out the amount of tubes you require. I find that 7 tubes works well for a small portion because I 'pad' it out with natural yoghurt.


Cover with clingfilm and microwave for 1-2 minutes.


Mash gently using a fork to break up the tubes.


As an option, you could add 50g Total Greek yoghurt (0% or 2% fat) for an extra 1pp/28kcal/34kcal. Season well with black pepper.


Serve as an accompaniment to your main meal.

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Lazy mash!
Friday, 12 December 2014 - , , , , 0 comments

RECIPE : Tiramislim


Tiramisu is a classic favourite, however
traditionally it's very rich, creamy and crammed with high fat ingredients.
I've come up with a slimmed-down version for you which I've called Tiramislim!
It's extremely simple to make and sticks very closely to its original roots; coffee-soaked sponge fingers, layers of creamy vanilla and grated chocolate.


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I decided to serve mine in decorative coffee cups as, not only does the dessert lend itself to this presentation, it's also a great way to monitor the serving size.
As this is so rich, you actually don't need a huge amount but this recipe gives you all the right hits in all the right places! 
If you don't have any coffee cups, then large ramekins work equally well.

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My research shows me that an average portion of tiramisu in a restaurant is anything from 12pp-17pp/approximately 500-700kcal.

My tasty Tiramislim works out to 4pp/approx.160kcal per portion

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YOU WILL NEED : (Serves 4)

8 sponge finger biscuits

a mug of medium/strong black coffee

140g lightest Philadelphia cream cheese

270g Total Greek yoghurt
(I used the 2% fat version
but you can use 0%)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 teaspoons artificial granular sweetener

40g dark chocolate

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Make a mug of black coffee
(fresh or instant coffee both work well)
and pop into a shallow bowl to cool off.


Mix the cream cheese with the sweetener and blend well.


Add the vanilla extract then gradually beat in the yoghurt, mixing thoroughly to form a lovely smooth mixture.


Set yourself up with a little work station so that all the components are at an arm's reach.


It's a good idea to cut the chocolate into 4 equal servings so that each portion has the correct amount.


Organise your serving dishes and have them to hand.


Cut each sponge finger in half.


Dunk two halves of sponge finger per portion into the coffee. Allow to soak through but don't allow them to be too soggy.


Pop two halves of soaked biscuits into the base of each coffee cup or ramekin dish.


Using a measuring spoon to allocate even portion sizes, add enough yoghurt/cream cheese mixture to each serving to cover the biscuits. Leave plenty of mixture for a second layer.


Grate or chop the chocolate finely then add half to this layer, saving half for the top.


Repeat the process all over again; coffee soaked sponge fingers...


...followed by creamy vanilla...


...finishing with grated or chopped chocolate.


I used a combination of coffee cups and ramekins-I quite like the mismatched look!
Once completed, cover and pop into the fridge.
This is a great little dessert that can be made up to two days in advance until you are ready to devour it.

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Dessertiliscious!

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 To ring the changes...

 Try adding a layer of drained, tinned black cherries (in juice) to give a hint of black forest gateau.

 *

 Try adding some clementine or tangerine zest between the layers to give a fragrant punch.

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 Try adding some cointreau
(2pp/80kcal per 25ml measure)
or your favourite tipple to the sponge finger layer...
Baileys (2pp/81kcal per 25ml measure)
would be good!
Remember to adjust the propoints/calories accordingly.

 You could use 1-2 shots between all 4 portions.

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Monday, 1 December 2014 - , 1 comments

Hot Off The Press NEWS! : Cotton Traders Advent Calendar


Well it's the first day of Advent today-time to break into the Advent Calendar!
If you don't want the temptation of daily chocolate, try this fabulous online Advent Calendar which has been produced by

Click HERE to go straight to it.

I was thrilled to be asked to be a contributor to this calendar. Cotton Traders approached all sorts of arty/crafty/recipe bloggers and you'll see that each day contains a great idea, project or tip for the build up to Christmas providing festive inspiration for you.
When you get to day 15 you'll see one of my lovely recipes straight from the
Slice of Slim kitchen!

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