Today marks my one month Fitfam journey, and what did I tell you guys at the beginning of January? IT WORKS!!!!! Hand on heart, I have cheated a total of 10 times in the past one month, and yes I did fall off the wagon with Maltina and Plantain chips, which I have had 3 times, and then King Prawn Fried rice from my favourite takeaway which I didn’t cook, and KFC hot wings with McDonald’s chips. No coke for a month though. I have swapped the need for fizzy drinks with sparkling mineral water, and it works like a charm. I noted down all the times I cheated, just to get an average, and it has amounted to roughly 2.5 times a week, which is totally unacceptable. I want to go down to once a week, and even further down to once in two weeks. Healthy eating is not a diet, but a lifestyle. So, what have I been eating. Nigerian food, Nigerian food, Nigerian food, albeit some modified to be healthier. I am glad that the blog is gaining a reputation for healthy Nigerian food. I started the year saying I was looking for someone to contribute healthy meals, not realising that I had it within me, to develop myself. I tell people, cooking is not my greatest gift, not even close. My intuition is my greatest gift, and the knowledge of my faith has helped me hone it well. Re-reading The Secret has also helped and now I feel more alive and in tune with Creation than ever before.
How much weight have I lost, I don't know. You must be thinking what!!!! Sorry, but I don't do scales. I threw one out 2 years ago and haven't looked back. I use my tape rule instead, even at that I start obsessing, so I let my clothes and people provide the feedback. Despite being in baggy sweatpants and a hoodie on Wednesday after my run, Funmi said, geez Dunni, you have lost a lot of weight. My face is much slimmer, my arms are getting their definition back. I wore a short sleeveless dress to work yesterday, and I stopped to look at my reflection. Whoa!!!! Did I forget to mention that it was a UK size 6 dress? One month ago, I couldn't put it on because it was too tight and very unforgiving. I am too shy to take a picture, you know those types with a crop top and leggings, to show off your figure, maybe when summer comes, with even more progress, I will be bold enough.
- 1 cup of Self raising flour - or you can use half % half i.e. half oatmeal, wheat meal, almond flour etc
- 2 - 3 tbs Honey - you can use sugar
- 2 - 3 tbs cold milk
- 1 - 2 tbs coconut oil - or your choice of oil
- Warm water
- a dash of vanilla extract
- Trail mix - dried fruit, sultanas, raisins, nuts or you can use chocolate chips, fresh fruit, desiccated coconut
- Measure the flour into a bowl and add the honey
- Add the milk
- Add the oil
- Add water gradually and combine. What you should be aiming for is a firm batter, that moves almost cleanly from the bowl.
- Add the trail mix or your choice of toppings and stir
- See how firm, and elastic the dough is. Also notice how it came together as a ball, and almost cleanly off the bowl
- This was where things got tricky. I didn't want to bake in Muffin containers again. I tried to use a mini savarin tin, but that was a disaster, the dough was too firm. Totally frustrated, I looked at the bowl and realised the batter reminded me of cookie dough ice cream. It does, doesn't it, the contrast of the raisins against the creamy dough does look like chocolate chunks in cookie dough ice cream, so I brought out my ice cream scoop, and as if it was ice cream, I scooped out the dough unto baking paper
- These baked in the oven at 220 for 25 minutes. 20 minutes in, I brought them out and gave the buns a milk wash, these helped to give it a golden brown colour
At the time of the night I made this, what better way to savour them than to serve with a glass of milk warmed with honey. My friend Ade has always told me about the befits of adding turmeric to warmed milk at bed time. Turmeric is the spice that gives your curry powder a yellow colour. I am not a fan of turmeric, because of its aroma, but I thought what the heck, let me try it out. Just a pinch or two, and wow, it really does what they say it does. It settled my tummy, calmed me down and made me feel sleepy.
Try out this recipe this weekend, for your kids, for yourself, for a girls night out. it is so simple, and I bet you, it will make you feel good. Have a lovely weekend folks
Wow size 6…..but how come it’s leading to weight loss if it’s only to keep fit..n ..u’re beautiful n ur meals look so heavenly…..ur hubby is blessed o
Dunni, you are so beautiful….and you look young too,but you mentioned ‘in ur early 20s’..you don’t look older than 22 to me o! which one is early 20s again….lol
Definitely trying this out tomorrow. Thanks Dunni!
Inspired! Wanted to bake something this weekend but hadn’t decided what. Just did! Btwn you and Jamie Oliver I’m thinking baked coconut buns. Thanks, will let you know how it goes, bless!
Weight wise! Woman eat some chicken wings please, you look great! but I can understand the need for us (women) to ‘tone’ up so good luck on your journey xxx
Hi dooney, am a fan of yours n infact a stalker of ur work lately, am a new wife n my cooking ws alright bt since I followed u on iG am on fire in kitchen that my good cook hubby can’t compete or get enough… thank u for making me see our nigerian food as nt boring bt exciting…Pls I need the recipe for spaghetti bolognese but cnt find it on ur website pls do help me out cuz I need to impress again. Thank u… by the way u at beautiful.
Hi chika, there is a recipe for bolognese on the blog. You can simply Google Dooney’s Bolognese. I hope that helps
Woot woot to fitting into your dress!! I wish I could say the same. My exercising doesn’t seem to be doing too much – but then again, my eating’s been a roller coaster.
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I made this not too long ago, it’s delicious with an added bonus of not having to fry it. Thanks Dunni
Gosh girl you have got me fired up for Nigerian food. Discovered your blog last week and made pounded yam with my blender and my Nigerian visitor was impressed.
So thank you.
I am a puff puff lover but my hubby is a buns lover so will try this recipe and me you know.
I am so excited about cooking Nigerian food now, was never really a fan as I found it boring and fattening so thanks again for taking me back to my roots.
And you look very pweety, well done on your weight loss.
This is great, Can I use just oatmeal flour?
Yes you can
Thank you so much Dunni mi. 🙂
Hi Dooney,
I tried the recipe but modified it a little.
I used half regular flour and half oatmeal flour (I blended regular Quaker oats). I used sugar and coconut milk instead of honey and just milk.
It came out pretty well, I think i put too much sugar though. Also I baked it briefly at 220F before increasing it to about 350F.
Pleased that you tried it. You will nail it the next time
oh…and I added chocolate chips to half of the dough….since I’m not on the #fitfam wagon