Easter meal planning

Friday, April 11, 2014 Permalink

I’ve mentioned before that I’m not really a Christmas kind of gal. Bah humbug and all that. Indeed, I’ve openly admitted that Easter is BY FAR my fave seasonal holiday and it’s not only because of the chocolate. (Umm… actually it is only because of the chocolate!)

53327d876260a175634355_w330h270I’ve long confessed to a Red Tulip chocolate fetish and longer term readers of my blog(s) may remember me reminiscing (four years ago – as it happens) about Easters spent at my grandparents (in neighbouring Hervey Bay – where I now live!) and my reaction to a dietician / therapist telling me a few years ago that I was allowed NO chocolate at Easter.

In case you weren’t there at the time… it was far from pretty.

And though I’ve taken a very moderate approach to my weightloss journey over the last 3 months, there are certain things which have been off-limits and chocolate has been one of them. I’ve had the occasional yearning, but quickly realised that the chocolate I craved wouldn’t sate the need I was experiencing.  The idea (and anticipation) of chocolate was far more exciting than the reality.

However, I’m planning to have some chocolate at Easter cos it’s the one time of year my fave Red Tulip chocolate is available to me. HOWEVER… because I’m still prone to binge-eating (and chocolate is a trigger) I’m going to get my mother to buy me a couple of eggs (packet of caramello ones and a bunny!) to consume over the Easter long weekend.

And… well, who are we fooling?! There’s no way they’ll last more than one sitting, but that’s okay. I feel like that will be enough.

It does – however – mean I need to do some planning. Since starting Weight Watchers I’ve been pretty good about knowing what I’m gonna have for my next meal. And as often as possible I track my foods in advance. I’m not however the sort of person who plans her ENTIRE menu a week in advance, but I think Easter may call for it. (Plus my mother may be coming to stay for a night or so, which requires me to plan further ahead than usual!)

Weight Watchers is offering up an Easter meal plan with meal ideas as well as some great snacks and desserts. Two of the mains (in particular) caught my fancy.

Firstly, the Baked fish with coconut rice sounds truly scrumptious*. I’m (obviously) not religious though my dear mother is (and is looking forward to the end of lent so she can again partake in sweet stuff); so it’s likely we’ll have fish on Good Friday. WW has a heap of yummy fish recipes but the ease of this recipe (ie. just baking the fish) and yumminess of the sweet chilli sauce, ginger and lime juice topping for the fish and coconut rice has won me over. (Plus it looks both yummy AND virtuous!)

C80012_baked fish with coconut rice

Depending on my mother’s church-going commitments I’ll probably celebrate Easter Saturday or Sunday with her and the Easter pork loin caught my eye. I LOVE my mother’s roasts though her favourite is lamb. Neither she nor I ever cook roast pork cos of the whole rubbing salt on the crackling complexity, however the pork loin looks ideal for something different. Plus – coated in jam, cinnamon, mustard, ginger and cloves – Oh. My. God.

I figure normal roast veges will be the perfect accompaniment.

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I’m still working on the remaining meals but am less worried now that I’ve started the planning.

One of the big things I’ve talked about since starting to try to lose weight (this LAST time) is that I don’t want this to be about dieting and deprivation – which has loomed over much of my adult life. Factoring in some chocolate and having treats and delicious food is something I need to continue doing if I’m going to be in this for the long haul.

Have you started planning your Easter menu? Don’t my choices look fabulous?!

* PS. Did you get the reference? 

Disclaimer: I have been given a free six month online membership to Weight Watchers but my thoughts, opinions and words here are my own. Please check out the program for yourself before making any decisions.

And, as it’s Friday I’m flogging my blog With Some Grace today.

22 Comments
  • Pinky Poinker
    April 11, 2014

    My brother lives in Hervey Bay. He has a band called Dogwood Crossing. Ever heard of it? That baked fish is to die for and looks like something debbishly delish for Good Friday! Did you see what I did there?

    • Debbish
      April 11, 2014

      I’ve certainly heard of (& seen) his band & they’re really popular locally!

      Debbishly delish – might have to borrow that!

  • Char
    April 11, 2014

    Having to deprive yourself of chocolate at Easter would just be stupid and asking for a binge. Planning ahead for a small indulgence is so very smart. Planning your weekend’s menu – well, my hat’s off to you.

    • Debbish
      April 11, 2014

      I’m not usually that diligent Char but it’ll be good to be organised. Plus the shops are chaotic around public holidays!

  • Jess
    April 11, 2014

    Sounds like a great plan! Both the pork and fish look delicious!

    • Debbish
      April 11, 2014

      Both look & sound delicious AND healthy!

  • Lee-Anne
    April 11, 2014

    Am thinking of an Easter picnic this year…but that fish looks enticing and because it’s so healthy, it would allow for a big egg indulgence for dessert, all washed down with good coffee and champers;)

    • Debbish
      April 11, 2014

      Yummmmm… Well except for the coffee! 😉

  • Neets
    April 11, 2014

    Oh wow! That fish looks divine and I’m not even a big fish lover. Good for you for starting to plan and for reminding me to get off my butt to do the same. We are expecting our third bub in a few weeks so planning has never more been on my to do list here! 🙂

    • Debbish
      April 12, 2014

      Oh wow! Guess you’ve been busy with OTHER planning though, so you can definitely be forgiven for not focussing on Easter!

  • Lisa@RandomActsOfZen
    April 11, 2014

    Great planning! Would you believe I just inhaled a Caramello bar as I was clicking on your post!!!
    That fish look so delicious, and coconut rice is a favourite here. 🙂

    • Debbish
      April 12, 2014

      I’ve never made coconut rice before so LOVE the idea of it. PS. Caramello Koalas are a weakness as well. I recall writing a CK 101 post for my overseas readers once!

  • Beck/craftypjmum
    April 11, 2014

    These recipes look fabulous, and I have found your blog just in time. I am about to re-start my weight loss journey and return to my first WW meeting in over two years on Tuesday. Good luck on your journey, enjoy your red tulip and have a happy Easter xx

    • Debbish
      April 12, 2014

      Oh thanks Beck and great work on restarting with WW! I’m doing it online and though my loss has been pretty slow I don’t feel at all like I’ve been ‘dieting’ this year. And yet I’ve lost about 10.5kg.

  • Liz
    April 11, 2014

    That fish looks fantastic. I have a confession. I haven’t eaten any chocolate this year. 2013 was an overload!

    • Debbish
      April 12, 2014

      Great work on the chocolate. I wish I had the ability to eat a little on occasions without being tempted to go crazy! And yes, that fish looks great. The WW Easter recipes included 3 fish dishes I think, and they all looked good.

  • Marjorie
    April 11, 2014

    I love Weight Watchers! Obviously! Much of my blog is dedicated to it, and in fact that is how I found you…through #wwchat. 🙂 I have to work in treats and indulgences. The moment I forbid myself from something, the more I fixate on it and want it! So I plan to have a Reese’s chocolate peanut butter egg some time during Easter. But I will buy just one, not the whole bag.

    Deprivation itself is a trigger for me to get in a bad pattern – what I call the crazy cycle. As long as nothing is off limits, it automatically puts me at ease. And the funny thing is, with that freedom, I usually choose healthier foods most of the time anyway.

    Hope you are having a great week! XO

    • Debbish
      April 12, 2014

      Hi Marjorie! You reminded me that I saw a couple of recipes involving peanut butter & chocolate recently which took my fancy.

      And yes… Like you deprivation in a huge issue with me and fortunately it hasn’t been an issue recently.

      Deb

  • Jo Tracey
    April 12, 2014

    I’m not huge on Easter & don’t really do the whole chocolate thing…but your meal choices look fabulous!

    • Debbish
      April 12, 2014

      I later remembered I was going to make some Easter treat I saw somewhere involving chocolate and peanut butter. Need to decide if I’m willing to sacrifice one of my Red Tulip treats for it though… hmmm….

  • Tiff
    April 13, 2014

    Great job Deb, these look really delicious! Good idea on the planning especially as impulse grocery shopping will be impossible! Make sure you let us know how the fish goes!

    • Debbish
      April 14, 2014

      I’m sure there will be pictures!!!

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