Age: 46

Status: Married with two teenage children.

My main hobby is horse riding and I am actively involved with helping my children compete on our 4 horses in show jumping and other equestrian activities.

I enjoy cooking and am prepared to try any recipe but do have my favourites that I return to again and again. As I cook for my family I do like quick cooking foods with minimal ingredients but with plenty of flavour. Obviously another hobby is eating and that’s why I jumped at the chance of participating in the Regal Slimming Blog.

I joined Weight Watchers in January as I have steadily been gaining weight since I stopped smoking and although I feel a lot better for cutting out the cigarettes my weight gain is now becoming an issue and needs addressing.

Goal – To lose weight at a steady rate; ideally 1-2 lbs per week and maintain that loss. A total weight loss of 3 stone overall would be great but one step at a time so I have set myself a goal of 1 stone by the 1st of April and will take it from there!

I decided to participate in our Slimming Blog as I will enjoy sharing recipes with colleagues and customers and finding out new ways to cook and adapt recipes. If I am tempted to eat something I shouldn’t it will help knowing that other people will be following my progress and I’ll be less inclined to cheat!

Age: 35

I have a variety of interests ranging from cooking and dog walking to shopping and socialising and am relishing this opportunity to get a bit more adventurous with my food.

I tend to follow my own healthy eating plan by eating sensibly most of the time and as I am getting married in a few months I would love to lose a few extra pounds and hopefully introduce the concept of seafood into my fiancés diet along the way. I think that seafood is the ideal way to introduce a healthy diet that is quick and easy to prepare.

Goal – To weigh 9stone 7lb for my wedding.

I am participating in the Regal Slimming Blog as I am hoping that the tips and ideas I pick up along the way will be beneficial not only to my waist line but our customers as well.

Age: 41

Starting Weight: 11st 2lbs

I really enjoy family activities, especially spending time with my new grandson.

I have been following the weight watchers plan since September 2006 and have lost nearly 4 stone; I only weighed myself once a fortnight and achieved a steady weight loss of 2-3lbs every 2 weeks.

I have already been enjoying Regal Fish on a regular basis and particularly enjoy our salmon and seabass fillets.

Goal – To help maintain my current weight and keep those extra pounds at bay.

I’m hoping that by joining the Regal Slimming Blog I’ll be able to gain some excellent tips to help our customers and my colleagues to assist in their bid for healthy eating.  I shall also be looking out for simple low fat recipes and hopefully trying some new fish along the way.

Age: 55

Starting Weight:  17stone 2.5lbs

I have a variety of interests, as well as renovating my home with my partner I love reading, cooking, I go swimming, to the gym and walking.  I run the Race for Life every year and last year completed the Edinburgh Moonwalk 26.2 miles.  This year I have secured a place in the London Moonwalk.

My weight has ballooned over the last few years which coincided with my divorce followed by my sons leaving home for University etc., so really through comfort eating.  

Over the years I have tried every diet plan going and my weight has yo yoed.   I decided that this was going to be the year for me.  I am getting re-married in June and my son is getting married beginning of 2009 so I have two good reasons for wanting to look good.  

I have joined Slimming World.  Fish is a free food on this plan which means you can eat as much as you want.  So that I don’t get bored I have been trying different recipes from fish pies, to curries as well as salads such as tiger prawn and mango and am thoroughly enjoying my food.  

I have been a member of Slimming World for two weeks and have lost ½ stone already which is on target for me.  I hope to be at least three stone lighter for June and five stone lighter for Marks wedding next year.  

Wish me luck…

Age: Old enough to know better!!

I spend most of my free time with my horses and dogs as well as cooking and reading.

I have spent many a happy day cooking up a variety of seafood dishes for the staff here at Regal and not received any complaints yet! I certainly think that spending my childhood in an AA*** Restaurant in Devon has helped my culinary skills.

I have been on medication following a major health scare a couple of years ago and feel that this may have contributed to me putting on over 2 stone in weight.  

Goal - I would dearly love to get back into my showing breeches again and I’m sure my horses would be eternally grateful!  

I am participating in the Regal Slimming Blog as I would love to prove that slimming can be fun and doesn’t have to involve frozen ready meals and carrot sticks. Food should be fun!!

Decided to follow the Slimming World diet instead of  Weight Watchers as I find it a much more flexible plan that will fit in better with my family’s meals.  With this plan I can eat as much meat and FISH products as I want along with oodles of fresh fruit, vegetables and salad so I have been having salad most days for lunch using our Fresh Scottish Salmon and Regal Superior Prawns.  I have also tried our fresh salmon with a topping of crème fraiche and a thin layer of pesto - cooks in about 15 mins and went great with stir fried vegetables cooked in spray oil and definitely made me feel fuller for longer.  Getting weighed on Friday so hoping for a result.

• Weight Loss this week: 1lb

Not feeling very positive after getting weighed and only losing a pound but trying to remain focussed!  It is going to be a hard week next week so need to be really good until then!  Made a fantastic Skate dish by frying off a Skate Middle in a little spray oil and adding 2 tbsps of single cream and some capers at the end and warming through.  I served it with steamed vegetables with the creamy sauce over the top … very tasty!  I also had a crab salad for Monday’s lunch at work using a Dressed Crab and plenty of crisp salad leaves but found that ½ a dressed crab will be more than sufficient for my next lunch.

• Weight loss this week: 3lb

Feeling quite positive this week … I have been VERY good but did succumb to a bottle of Chardonnay on Saturday night (and thoroughly enjoyed it!).  Think my body must be getting used to the diet as I’m not feeling hungry all the time now.  My choice of fish this week was Fresh Scottish Boned Salmon Fillet and I went with our favourite recipe of Salmon fillet with crème fraiche and pesto.  I simply spread a fillet portion with ready made pesto, topped with crème fraiche, wrapped it in foil and baked it for 15-20 mins @ 200°C.  I used to cook this recipe with mayonnaise and whilst the crème fraiche is not as rich and tasty it is far healthier! I can get between 5 and 6 fillet portions out of a kilo of our salmon so baked the other pieces in the oven without the topping and used them cold with salad for lunch – I find this extremely filling and it definitely reduces my desire to “pick” for the rest of the day!

• Weight Loss this week: 2lb

Fairly happy with the diet at the moment, had a couple of blips with a box of chocolates but slowly working my way through them and they’ll soon be gone and the temptation with them!  I start feeling hungry by about 10am but I find a cup of coffee tends to help – I did read somewhere that if you are feeling hungry it may just be your body telling you you are thirsty!  Perhaps this is where I’ve been going wrong all these years … water and no meals it is from now on! ;0)Tried our Organic Salmon Fillet Portions this week and found the texture and taste quite different to that of our fresh Scottish salmon – both great products but personally think I prefer our Farmed Scottish Salmon!  I cooked one portion from frozen in the microwave for approximately 4 minutes and served it with salad for lunch and defrosted the other portion and grilled it for about 10 minutes and served it with sliced tomatoes, mushrooms and a couple of onion rings (naughty but very nice!) 

• Weight Loss for last week: 2lb.

Well … this week was not a good one!  I had intended to be ultra good but by Friday evening things were going “pear shaped” (literally!).  I had such a busy day on Saturday that I ordered a pizza takeaway (and chips!) but intended to be back on track for Sunday - this didn’t happen as I ended up running behind with jobs and with lots of cries of “mum, what’s for tea?” it ended up being Chinese takeaway - not good! (well very good actually just not good for the diet!)  On Monday I was right back on track - I had Fresh Scottish Salmon Fillet topped with crème fraiche and pesto with Italian salad and it was excellent once again and gave me the incentive I needed to get right back on track.  I also used another piece of fresh salmon with salad for lunch at work - I’m finding this helps to stave off the afternoon munchies and also our Regal Superior Prawns are great with salad as their sweet flavour means there’s no need for a calorie laden salad dressing.  A disastrous week but next week I’m going to be soooo good!!

• Weight Loss for this week: +1lb.

This week has not been so good – done worse than i thought this week and gained a pound!.  Hubby was on nights this week and the kids had fish fingers and chips so I ended up having chips with my Skate Middles and also indulged in some chocolate biscuits while sat watching telly due to boredom! Not good!  Also had a Kentucky Fried Chicken lunch whilst out shopping on Saturday – even less good!My choice of the week was Skate Middles – I tried a variation on my previous skate dish (see week 2) and added peppercorns instead of capers; they gave the dish a great kick and did not overpower the fish at all.  I also tried grilling the skate with orange slices on top – not to be recommended, the skate ended up all slimy and did not look nice at all!  Think next time I’ll grill the skate on its own and pour over some tinned mandarin segments once cooked … here’s hoping for a better result.  Did try a new variation on the creme fraiche recipe for our Fresh Scottish Salmon Fillet - I mixed it with a little tomato sauce to produce a Marie Rose type sauce and used it as a topping for cooked salmon fillet, will definitely be trying that again!  Must stay positive after my weight gain, this is where it can all go wrong if i don’t get back on top of things …

• Weight loss this week: 2lb

Replaced one lunch with salmon and salad and replaced 3 evening meals with steamed Fresh Scottish Salmon Fillet and fresh vegetables.  I have been buying Regal fish on a regular basis and have lost 8lb prior to starting this blog - hoping that this will give me the extra incentive I need!  Looking forward to reporting a loss of a few more pounds next week … 

• Weight loss this week: 1.5lb

Made some fabulous King Prawn stir fry’s this week using our Cooked King Prawns; I simply chopped a load of shallots and cherry tomatoes and fried them off in their juices with a little chopped garlic and added the prawns for the last few minutes along with a sprinkling of Tandoori spice.  Managed to get 4 meals out of a 500g bag - result!  Got a dressed crab this week too - used in a salad with plenty of crisp greens and cucumber - deeelicious! 

• Weight loss this week: 2lbs

Really enjoying the fish I have been having; the diet is going good at the moment with a constant regular weight loss.  I tried Seabass Fillets this week and really enjoyed the taste but found there were still a few bones in them, will make sure that I locate them and remove them prior to cooking for the remaining ones - should be easy enough to do!  Someone recommended that eating the Seabass Whole can be better as the bones tend to remain attached to the skeleton and there is less chance of there being any loose ones - going to put that on my next Regal wish list!

The fillets were very easy to cook though; I simply laid them onto foil, sprayed them with 5-6 sprays of 1 cal spray, sprinkled with chopped garlic, soy sauce, chilli and spring onions, wrapped them up and baked in the oven for about 15 minutes at 180°C.  I served them with stir fried vegetables with the juices from the fish poured over - lovely!

• Weight loss this week: 1.5lb

Had a steady week with not much to report but did make a cracking fish pie!  I fried off some chopped onions in garlic and one cal spray and added a tin of tomatoes.  I lay some Yellow Smoked Haddock Fillets into the bottom of an ovenproof dish along with a handful of Seafood Cocktail, poured the tomato mixture over the top and sprinkled with grated Weight Watchers bread.  It took about 40 minutes at 200°C – very tasty and filling too!!

I also managed to whip up a rather impressive whole oriental seabass dish - I made a simple marinade by mixing together soy sauce, chopped garlic, chopped spring onions and a little sugar.  I laid chopped blanched vegetables in the bottom of an ovenproof tin, scored the Whole Seabass and  laid it on top, sprayed with spray oil and poured the marinade over the seabass.  It took about 30 minutes to cook and was enough to feed me and my fiance and looked and tasted great.

• Weight Loss this week: 0lb’s

Generally doing ok, I had a bit of a bad weekend but pulled myself back on track by Monday.  Pleased I haven’t gained any weight but hoping to be able to report a weight loss next week.  Replaced a couple of my usual sandwich lunches with salads topped with generous helpings of Seafood Cocktail, Regal Superior Prawns and Seafood Sticks and used our Seafood Sticks to snack on during the day when I got the munchies.  Also had our Yellow Smoked Haddock for a couple of evening meals steamed with fresh vegetables and new potatoes.  Will be trying smoked trout fillets for next week although not yet sure what I shall be doing with them!  I have still been doing the obligatory dog walk on a daily basis so maybe this has helped to prevent any weight increase after my shocking week … I hope to be able to report a weight loss next week.

• Weight loss this week: Not weighed this week 

My first week went ok; I’ve been having salmon and prawns with salad for lunch at work instead of the usual sandwiches, which were far more filling with the benefit of less fat and calories.  Also used our Regal Superior Prawns at the weekend as a snack when I felt a bit hungry.  Particularly liked this simple recipe for our Fresh Scottish Salmon Fillets:

• 1 x Salmon Portion 
• Spinach
• Low calorie crème fraiche
• New Potatoes
• Green Beans

 Wrap salmon in foil and ovenbake for 10-15 minutes at 180°C, spoon onto wilted spinach and top with crème fraiche and favourite herbs - simple yet tasty!!I will be getting weighed on Tuesday as I only get weighed once a fortnight - here’s hoping for a loss or maintain! 

• Weight loss this week: 1lb

Really pleased with my weight loss this week, did my salmon with spinach recipe again this week - loving it!  Intend to try seabass fillets next week cooked simply with vegetables and new potatoes.  Replaced a couple of sandwich lunches this week with Dressed Crab and salad - made a very refreshing change.  Trying desperately to grow my nails and hair so hoping all this extra fish is going to have the desired effect. 

• Weight loss this week: 1lb

I’ve had quite a good week this week and really getting back into healthy eating after the Christmas splurge!  Having plenty of fish meals each week and thoroughly enjoyed the Seabass Fillets I got this week.  I simply grilled them for  8-10 minutes and served them with salad and new potatoes – got 3 good meals out of 500g’s of Seabass Fillets.  Intending to try making a smoked fish risotto next week.

• Weight loss this week: 1lb

Really pleased with my continuing weight loss, I lost such a lot of weight previously that I had found that up until recently I was struggling to shed any further pounds – definitely think adding more fish to my diet is paying off.  Managed to share out 1 Dressed Crab between two salad lunches last week which I really enjoyed and also used some of this weeks Yellow Smoked Haddock as an evening meal with vegetables and new potatoes.  Saved a bit of the Yellow Smoked Haddock to make a really easy Smoked Haddock Kedgeree instead of a risotto:

I pre-cooked some rice and set to one side.  I whisked 3 eggs and scrambled them in a pan, then added flakes of yellow smoked haddock and frozen peas along with the cooked rice and a splash of soy sauce and heated through stirring constantly for approximately 10 minutes until the fish was cooked.  Yum!

I have not weighed myself this week so not sure if I have lost any weight or not!  I have had a few treats so I’m going to be really focused this week; eating lots of salads with Fresh Scottish Salmon for lunches which I find very filling, also will be trying our Smoked Trout Fillets for the first time - they’re quite good on Weight Watchers point wise.  I have also started trampolining so will hopefully see some results next week … fingers crossed!

• Weight loss this week: 2lbs

Give this recipe a go – it’s rather nice! Prawn and Mango Salad  Serves 4 No syns on Slimming World Original Day

• 700g Regal Cooked and Peeled King Prawns
• Juice of lemon or lime
• 2 ripe mango’s, peeled, stoned and roughly diced
• Handful of rocket leaves
• 2 Baby gem lettuces, trimmed and separated
• Small handful of mint leaves

 For the dressing:

• 200g Very low fat natural yoghurt
• 60ml pineapple or mango juice
• ¾ tbsp finely chopped dill
• ¾ tbsp finely chopped chives
• Salt and pepper

1.   Place the prawns in a large mixing bowl and pour over the lemon or lime juice.  Add the mangos, rocket, baby gem and mint leaves, toss to combine.
2. Mix together the dressing ingredients and season.
3. To serve, divide the salad between four large serving dishes and drizzle with the dressing.

 Tip: I found this tasted much better with mandarin segments and apple in place of the mangos.

• Weight Loss this week: 2lbs

Another really simple but lovely recipe: Honey & Mustard Roast Salmon with Roasted Ratatouille  Serves 4

• 2 tsp finely grated lemon zest
• Juice of 2 lemons
• 1tbsp clear honey
• 1tsp mustard powder
• Salt & pepper
• 4 x Regal Scottish Salmon Fillet Portions
• Fry light
• 250g Cherry tomatoes
• 1 red & 1 yellow pepper, 1 small aubergine, 2 small courgettes, 2 red onions, deseeded and cut into 1.5cm pieces
• 3-4 cloves of garlic, peeled and finely chopped
• 3tbsp chopped rosemary
• 3tbsp chopped basil
• 150ml chicken stock

1.  Pre-heat the oven to 200°C
2. Mix together the lemon zest and juice, honey and mustard powder in a small bowl, season well and brush over the fillets
3. Lightly spray a non-stick roasting tin with fry light.  Place the tomatoes and vegetables in the tin, season and scatter over the garlic and herbs then pour over the stock, place the salmon fillets on top.  Cover with foil and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the salmon and vegetables are cooked through.

• Weight loss this week: 1lb

Seafood this week: Haddock Fillets/Regal Superior Prawns/Smoked Salmon/Dressed Crab

It’s all going VERY well.  Always plenty to eat so I never feel hungry and am varying recipes for fish and meat so I’m never bored.  Also getting plenty of exercise; spent 1 hour at the gym, swam 30 lengths and walked 12 miles so I’m doing as much as possible given my busy workload.Managed 7 seafood meals this week including curried haddock, fresh salads with generous toppings of salmon, prawns and crab and salmon and crab sandwiches as well.If you fancy giving the curried haddock a go its dead simple: Serves 1 (approx 3 syns on slimming world red day)

•  1 small head lettuce
• 4oz cooked boned whitefish
• 1 medium apple, cored and grated
• 2 slices pineapple with 2 tbsp juice
• 2 oz onion, finely chopped
• 1tsp curry powder or to taste
• Salt & Pepper
• 1tbsp mayonnaise
• 2 oz cooked peas
• 3oz tomatoes

1.  Wash the lettuce and arrange on a plate
2. Flake fish and arrange on the lettuce
3. Chop pineapple slices
4. Combine the apple, pineapple and juice, onion, curry powder, seasoning and mayonnaise
5. Spoon the mixture over the fish
6. Garnish with the peas and tomatoes

• Weight loss this week: 2.5lbs

Seafood this week: Regal Superior Prawns

Still going well, never feel hungry and never feel like I’m missing out!  Starting to lose my spare tyre too which is great for motivation!  Still following the slimming world diet and getting plenty of salads with prawns and salmon - had 3 this week.

• Weight loss this week: .5lb

Seafood this week: Prawns/smoked salmon/smoked haddock. 

A slight blip this week - think I had too much wine but have still managed to lose weight which is a bonus! I am STILL enjoying my food and am still NEVER hungry!  The beauty of the Slimming World diet is that they produce some very good easy recipes which keeps the food interesting and also means I can indulge in all my favourite seafood products.  Best of all, all the family can eat them without feeling as though they are missing out.   This  week I indulged in Smoked Salmon and scrambled egg for breakfast (no syns on Slimming World Original day) and had prawn salads and smoked salmon sandwiches for lunch.  I even hosted a dinner party serving Yellow Smoked Haddock on a bed of spinach, tomatoes and rosti potatoes all topped with a poached egg as the main course – simple but impressive and no sins on a slimming world green day!  Want to lose at least 2lbs next week to get my first stone off.  Wish me luck

• Weight loss this week: 1.5lb’s

Great bit upset that I only lost 1.5lbs - was hoping to lose 2lbs which would have given me my first stone. Still, only been going to Slimming World for 7 weeks and have always lost something so not doing too bad. My clothes are beginning to fit better and some have even become too big which is a great incentive to keep going.  Think I might have lost more this week but did treat myself to 2 restaurant type meals so really can’t complain!Tried another Slimming World recipe this week for Haddock & Prawn Gratin, found it nice but a little bland for my taste … see if you can think of something to vamp it up a little: Serves 4No sins on Slimming World Red

• 14oz carrots, chopped and cooked
• 11oz Swede, chopped and cooked
• 1 egg, beaten
• 4 tbsps natural yoghurt
• Salt & pepper

 Gratin

• 11oz low fat natural yoghurt
• 5oz fromage frais
• Pinch nutmeg
• 4 tbsps parsley, chopped
• 6 hard boiled eggs, chopped
• 7oz Regal Boned Smoked Haddock Fillets, cooked, skinned & flaked
• 7oz Regal Superior Prawns

1.  Mash carrots and Swede, stir in the egg and yoghurt, season and set aside.
2. Pre-heat oven to 200°C.  Mix together the yoghurt, fromage frais, nutmeg and parsley, season.
3. In a mixing bowl place the boiled eggs, flaked haddock, prawns and lemon juice.  Pour over the fromage frais mixture and toss well.
4. Spoon into 4 individual dishes, spoon over the topping and bake for 15-20 minutes until the topping is browned.
5. Serve immediately with steamed vegetables

• Weight loss this week: 1/2 lb

 Had a dire week this week - been suffering from a rotten stomach bug so been on toast for most of the week!  (Did cut out my usual crisps, chips and chocolate though).  I love cooking normally and love our fish but previously tended to buy our breaded scampi, breaded haddock and garlic prawns - going to have to cut them out now if I want to reduce my calorie intake :0( (although they wouldn’t hurt as the odd treat!)  My plan is to eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and be more experimental with my recipes and to ensure I always have plenty of fish in the freezer.

Managed to try a few fish meals by the end of the week when I started to feel a bit better - Tried a portion of Scottish Salmon Fillet microwaved for 3 minutes in a little lemon juice and served it with broccoli and new potatoes and also gave the following recipe a go (twice it was that good!!):

Jane’s Watercress Pesto 

• 1 portion Regal Fresh Scottish Salmon Fillet
• Fresh watercress, washed and chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
• Small handful of walnuts, shelled
• Dash of olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Pinch of salt & white pepper
• Cooked fusilli

1.  Chop the walnuts and add to the garlic, watercress and olive oil, blend until it reaches the texture you desire.
2. Sprinkle the salmon portion with lemon juice and cook in the microwave for 3 ½ - 4 ½ minutes if frozen or 2-3 minutes if fresh.
3. Add the pesto (as much as desired) to the cooked pasta and heat through
4. Serve immediately with the cooked salmon portion

 This pesto will also compliment trout or any whitefish and if you don’t fancy the pasta simply spread the pesto over a fish fillet before cooking and serve with crisp salad. 

You may want to make extra pesto at the time and store in meal sized portions but allow it defrost naturally – blitzing it on defrost in the microwave will ruin the colour!

Hope you like it!

• Weight loss this week: 1lb 

Must say i’m finding it hard to cut out all the naughty stuff!  Managed to keep away from biscuits and crisps (not bought any for 2 weeks now) but can’t quite give up my bread and butter just yet!  Tried a great tuna recipe this week (see below) and also whipped up a great Cooked King Prawn  Salad with low calorie mayo - delish!

Just loved this recipe; hope you like it too:

Griddled Peppered Tuna with Apple & Red Onion Dressing

•  1 Regal Tuna Loin Portion, defrosted
• Lemon juice
• 1 Apple, peeled and cubed
• 1 Red onion, finely sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste

1. Place tuna portion in a bowl, sprinkle with lemon juice, season with salt and pepper and leave to marinate for at least 1 hour
2. Make the dressing by sweating off the red onion in a little water over a medium heat and add the apple until softened
3. Place the tuna under the grill for 3-4 minutes each side or use a health grill for 2-3 minutes
4. Pour the dressing over the tuna and serve with steamed vegetables

 The sweet and sour taste of the red onion and apple dressing works really well with the tuna and the flavour is superb.  This recipe uses no oils or fats and is quick to make and very filling.  Enjoy!!

• Weight loss this week: 1lb 

 Still drinking tea and coffee but making sure I use skimmed milk and making an extra effort to drink more water. I ‘m starting to feel less bloated now and my hair feels much better (not so dry!) and also seeing an improvement in the condition of my skin.  Still off the biscuits and crisps - god bless Special K and Go Ahead bars (i find the small amount of chocolate in these bars is enough to stop any cravings).  Am also making the most of low salt cereals and porridge (perhaps i’m to blame for the worldwide cereal shortage?!)

Tried our Scottish Salmon Fillet spread with sweet chilli dip and microwaved it for 2-3 minutes - tasted great served hot and sprinkled with chopped spring onions.  Gave my pesto salmon recipe another whirl (see week 1) as really felt the need for the carbohydrate in the pesto pasta and also made a great tuna and sweetcorn jacket potato;  I cooked a defrosted Tuna Steak on my George Foreman Grill (2 -3 minutes) and cut up into cubes, mixed with sweetcorn and low calorie mayo and served on top of a huge jacket potato (without butter).  I found one steak was enough to make 2 meals and have been told that if I replace the mayo with natural yoghurt i’ll save even more calories.  One things for sure will not be using tinned tuna with my jacket potatoes any more!!

I also found this recipe really simple and VERY tasty: 5 Minute Blackened Seabass with Tomato & Olive Salad 

• 1 x Regal Seabass Fillets, defrosted
• Sesame Seeds
• Dark Balsamic Vinegar
• 1tsp Runny Honey
• Fresh Tomatoes
• Olives
• Lettuce, chopped

1.  Dry fry the sesame seeds until golden, put aside to cool
2. Slice the tomatoes and add to lettuce, dress with the olives and a squeeze of lemon juice
3. To a hot pan add 2 tbsps dark balsamic vinegar and the honey, stir and heat until bubbling
4. Add the seabass fillets flesh side down and cook for 2 minutes, turn over and cook for 3 further minutes
5. Remove the fillets and sprinkle with the sesame seeds and serve with the olive salad

 This recipe also works well with any other white fish such as haddock, ling or coley

• Weight Loss this Week: 0lbs

I am really enjoying the fish meals I’ve been having and like to keep trying new recipe ideas but my weight does seem to have come to a bit of a standstill which I am finding a little disheartening.  I still need to lose 4lb to reach my target weight and I aim to do this within the next 7 weeks as that takes me to my BIG DAY!! Tried Skate Middles this week which I baked in the oven with chopped blanched fresh vegetables, spray oil and garlic – takes about 30-40 minutes but may vary depending on the size of your skate portion (best to keep checking it) and I served it with a low fat parsley sauce.  I also tried our Smoked Trout Fillets for the first time this week and they were delicious.  I simply flaked them in to a bowl and mixed the flakes with a Weight Watchers low fat cheese and chive spread and served them with Ryvita’s and salad.  I have been told that you can add horseradish and lemon juice to the mix for more flavour or use cottage cheese instead of cream cheese and use that as a dip or topping for a jacket potato – might try that next time.

• Weight loss this week: 1lb

I gave smoked trout and prawns a whirl this week.  Our Smoked Trout Fillets come ready to eat but I lightly grilled them and served them warm on a bed of rocket leaves with a low fat vinaigrette dressing, I also had Regal Superior Prawns with salad as well.  You could also try adding flakes of smoked trout to stir fried (with spray oil) onions and peppers along with tagliatelle and a serving of low fat dressing of your choice – worked for me!

Overall I’ve quite enjoyed my meals this week and really pleased to lose another pound – getting closer to my target weight.  Gives me the motivation to keep going plus a good excuse to start buying new clothes for summer!

•  Weight loss this week: +1lb

 A bit upset with myself this week!  For the first time I have put weight back on :0( Main problem was my busy social life: went out to a restaurant for a friends birthday, attended a buffet lunch, Mothers Day meal and a day out in London all took their toll!  Back on the diet this morning and do not intend to put anymore weight back on next week. 

Tried prawn and salmon fishcakes this week from a Slimming World recipe:

Luxury Seafood Cakes with Fennel salad   700g/1 lb 9 oz Regal Salmon Fillet, cut into cubes

250g/9 oz Regal Raw King Prawns, shelled

1 tsp finely grated garlic

1 tsp finely grated ginger

2 level tbsp reduced calorie mayonnaise

1 red pepper, deseeded and very finely chopped

4 tbsp chopped mixed herbs, e.g. dill, chives, parsley

6 Spring onions, very finely sliced

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Fry light for spraying

 For the salad 

2 large bulbs fennel, trimmed, quartered and thinly sliced

1 cucumber, thinly sliced with a vegetable peeler

Juice of 2 lemons

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

 Method 

Place the salmon and prawns in a food processor with the garlic, ginger and mayonnaise.  Blend until fairly smooth and then transfer to a bowl.  Stir in the red pepper, chopped herbs and spring onions.  Season  cover and chill overnight.

Divide the mixture into 16 portions and shape each one into a bowl

Preheat the oven to 200º C (gas mark 6) and line a baking sheet with baking parchment and lightly spray with fry light.  Place the cakes on the baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through and golden.  Set aside and keep warm

Make the salad by mixing together all the ingredients.  Season well.  To serve, place four seafood cakes on each serving plate and accompany with the fennel salad

 Slimming World recipe – serves 4 

1 ½ syns on an original day

19 sys on a green day

Also had prawn salads and poached smoked haddock with steamed vegetables.

• Weight loss this week : 1 3/4lbs! (yeay!)

I’m making the effort to eat a lot more fish - if i’m peckish at lunch time before I come into work i’m taking plain fish straight out of the freezer, microwaving and serving with mange tout and sugar snap peas - very quick and very simple.  Managed to break my scales this week, hoping to get them fixed so that i can still keep track of my weight.  Jeans definitely feeling less tight.  Am still finding my failings are cheese, bread and butter but am managing to stay away from alcohol and all those empty calories.

Pushed the boat out this week and made my own Indian meal - very little calories in herbs and spices so very simple to make a healthy dish.  I used half a pack of low calorie Savoury Rice and added my own spices to “zing” it up a bit and added grilled Unbreaded Scampi that had been marinated in garlic and coriander - worked really well.  I also poached some Haddock in milk in the microwave for 3 minutes and served it with mashed potatoes and garden peas … very filling.

• Weight loss this week: +1lb :0(

Thought i was doing really well until i got weighed; i’ve gained 1lb so not a happy chappy!  Only had one bad day on Sunday so can’t really understand it, my wedding is rapidly approaching so going to have to be extra, extra good from now on …

Made some really great Tuna Fajita’s this week:

• 2 x Regal Frozen Tuna Loin Portions, defrosted
• Spring onion, chopped lengthways
• Mushrooms, sliced
• Red and green peppers, sliced thinly
• Fajita spice mix
• Ready made tomato salsa dip
• Grated cheese
• 1 Cal spray oil

Spray a hot pan with the oil , fry off the tuna for 3-4 minutes each side, slice into strips, sprinkle with the spice mix, stir and leave to stand.  Fry  off the mushrooms, spring onions and peppers, add the tuna and heat through.  Serve with warm tortilla wraps: simply spoon the veg and tuna on, top with grated cheese and salsa, roll up and devour!

I don’t suppose having cheese with this recipe is the healthiest option (possibly a bit to blame for my weight gain?) If you really want cheese might be best to go with the low fat option and sprinkle sparingly …

• Weight loss this week: 3lb

Had a really good week - lost 3lb so the weight i put on last week has gone plus another 2 lbs so am really pleased.  I made sure i was organised over the weekend so i was not tempted to get a takeaway.

Been making the most of our Fresh Scottish Salmon and using it for lunch at work with salad - still fills me up until lunch time.

Also tried some Fresh Haddock Fillets this week: I skinned a fillet (will order Skinned & Boned Haddock Fillets next time), sprayed a pan with Fry Light, sauted some shallots then added a glug (or 6) of white wine and poached the haddock for 5-6 minutes.  Once cooked i removed the fillet and added 1 tbsp of double cream (single would be a lighter option) to the wine and reduced slightly to thicken.  I served the fish on a bed of salad with the sauce poured over and French stick (no butter).  Very tasty and very quick!  I also grilled the rest of my haddock fillets (1kg gave me around 4-5 meals) with a squeeze of lemon for about 8-10 minutes - simple but effective.

• Weight lost this week: 0lbs :0(

A mixed week for me; made it through the weekend without having too many treats although did have a Chinese takeaway for Mothers Day (any excuse!!) and the end result being no weight loss this week - rather disappointed so will be counting my Weight Watchers points extra carefully this week!

Tried Skate Middles for the first time this week and found them really nice and will definitely be having it again.  I simply grilled it with a little lemon juice and served it with vegetables and also tried it with a topping of low cal mayo and tomato ketchup mixed together - worked really well.  Had crab salad again for lunch a couple of times and also used our Maple Marinated Salmon for a meal with salad and new potatoes as its quite low in calories and fat and very simple to cook (took about 3 1/2 minutes in the microwave from frozen).

• Weight loss this week: 3lbs :0)

Eureka!! Lost my first stone this week (and more!).  Now weigh 1 stone 1 1/2 lbs less than i did when i started.  My clothes are getting too big, i’m feeling a lot better and most importantly i’m enjoying what i’m eating.  I am trying to vary my recipes each week so  don’t get bored; had plenty of crab salads this week using the meat from our Regal Crab Claws, Regal Superior Prawn salads with sweet chilli sauce and i would highly recommend this Smoked Haddock & Mushroom Gourere recipe from Weight Watchers - its lovely!

Serves 4

A Choux pastry filled with smoked haddock in a mushroom sauce

 For the choux pastry 

100g (3 ½ ox) plain flour

½ teaspoon salt

50g (1 ¾ oz) sunflower margarine

2 eggs beaten well

 For the filling 

225g (8 oz) Regal Smoked Haddock fillet, fresh or defrosted

300 ml ( ½ pt.) milk

1 onion finely chopped

1 carrot finely chopped

225 g (8 oz) button mushrooms chopped roughly

25 g (1oz) cornflour

2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley

2 teaspoons chopped fresh chives

Salt and freshly ground pepper

• Preheat the oven to gas mark 6, 200ºC.  Sift the flour and salt on to a sheet of greaseproof paper.

• Place the margarine and 175ml (6 fl oz) of water in a medium size saucepan and heat slowly  until it comes to the boil.  Shoot in the flour and beat hard with a wooden spoon until the mixture comes away from the sides of the saucepan. 

• Cool slightly and then beat in the eggs until you have a smooth, glossy and stiff paste.  You may not need all the egg.  Set aside while you make the filling.

• Place the haddock , milk, onion, and carrot in a saucepan.  Bring to a gentle simmer, then cover and cook for 7-8 minutes or until the fish flakes easily.  Lift the fish out on to a board and flake the pieces discarding the skin and any bones.

• Add the mushrooms to the milk, cover and cook for a further 2 minutes.  Blend the cornflour with a drop of water, then mix into the sauce.  Stir continuously until the mixture comes to the boil and thickens.  Add the parsley and chives and fold in the haddock flakes.  Season with salt to taste and plenty of pepper.

• Spoon the choux pastry around the edge of a round shallow. ovenproof dish.  Spoon the filling into the centre.

• Bake for 35- 40 mins until well risen and golden brown 

• Weight loss this week: Not weighed myself this week

Not managed to weigh myself this week as was too busy to get to Boots the Chemist to use their scales.  Looking forward to getting weighed next week though as have been sooo good!  Been using recipes supplied by our Call Centre Team leader, Emma and also from my sister as they’re both better cooks than me.  Hence why Sunday lunch is always at my sisters house - going to get her to try a fish dish for a change - will let you know how it goes …

Been using our Regal Superior Prawns as a topping for jacket potatoes this week (no butter) and also found a low fat alternative for my favourite food: Chinese!

Get a ready prepared pack of stir fried vegetables from your supermarket and fry it off in a little spray oil and chopped garlic, add Regal Superior Prawns a couple of minutes before the end with a few splashes of soy sauce.  I served mine with a cheeky pack of prawn crackers - it was lovely!

• Weight loss this week: 1lb :0)

Had a reasonable week, not brilliant as i had a few glasses of white Zinfandel with lunch on Sunday along with cheese and biscuits but apart from that “blip” i have been pretty good and stuck to the Slimming World Original Plan.

Made a great alternative to calorie laden Indian with our Raw King Prawns:

Peel the prawns and season with salt, pepper and lemon juice and dip into Tandoori spice.  Cut up shallots and cherry tomatoes and stir fry without oil adding the prawns for the last 2-3 minutes or until they turn pink.  Serve on its own or for a heartier meal add rocket leaves and a corn on the cob ( i had a mini nan bread too as an extra treat).  Very Yummy!

• Weight loss this week: 2lb

Hooray!!!  i lost the pound i gained plus an extra one - sooo pleased this week.  I’m now only 3lb off my target weight of 9st 7lb with 5 weeks to go until my big day - i’m more determined than ever to achieve my goal weight.  Found this week quite easy to stick to healthy foods and managed to get through the weekend without any takeaways.

Had a nice variety of meals this week:

Had a couple of enjoyable lunches by mixing Regal Superior Prawns with chopped Seafood Sticks and low fat mayo and served them with mini ryvita’s and large salad.  Mini Ryvita’s have made a nice change to bread.

Snacked on Seafood Sticks throughout the day (and night!).  I love these and can honestly say our Regal ones are far superior to any others i have tasted - they have so much flavour.  3 sticks are only 1/2 a point on Weight Watchers.  Think a box of 64 should have lasted longer than a weekend though!!

Also made a stir fry using peppers, mushrooms, onions, beansprouts and Regal Superior Prawns.  Fry it all off with a little spray oil and chopped garlic and add 1/2 a pack of Blue Dragon Stir Fry sauce (about 1 point on Weight Watchers depending on the variety).  Another very low fat meal. :0)

• Weight loss this week:  0lb :0(

Had a really good week; went out on Friday for my Hen Night - had Chinese banquet and quite a few drinks!  Rest of of the week i have been healthy though so thought i might have at least lost 1/2 lb but no such luck!  Not sure about next week either with it being Easter … i can smell the chocolate already!!  I’m really enjoying trying the different fish and using prawns in a variety of ways i wouldn’t really have thought of before and i certainly think that the variety at mealtimes is helping me stick to my diet.

Been having prawns and seafood sticks with salad and pitta bread for lunch this week also tried Whole Seabass again using the following simple recipe:

Oriental Seabass

Ingredients

2 x Regal Seabass Fish, fresh or defrosted
Handful spring onions, chopped
Chopped root ginger
Chopped garlic
2 Dashes soy sauce
2 tsps Sugar
Olive oil

Method

1) Score the fish on both sides and lay on a sheet of oiled foil.
2) Mix together all the remaining ingredients.
3) Spoon the mixture over both sides of the fish and into the cavity. Fold the sides of the foil up to form a parcel.
4) Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C for 25-30 minutes.
5) Serve as a centrepiece on a bed of noodles and crispy fried seaweed.

Serves: 2

• Weight loss this week: 2lb :0)

Really good last week - i now weigh 10st 13lbs - yippee did it at last!!  So pleased and its made me even more determined to carry on.

Had Skinned & Boned Haddock Fillets this week and made a great Fish Balti:

454g Regal Skinned & Boned Haddock Fillet, skinned & cubed

1 Small onion, chopped

1 Clove garlic, chopped

2 Tomatoes, chopped

Low fat curry sauce

Green beans, halved and blanched

Fry onion and garlic in spray oil for 1-2 minutes, add the sauce, cover and simmer for 2 minutes.

Add the fish, season and cook gently for 15 minutes.

Lightly stir in the beans and tomatoes and simmer for 2-3 minutes.

Serve with naan bread (optional) and rice

• Weight loss this week: 2lbs :0)

A further 2lb off this week and people are beginning to ask me if i am losing weight - it’s a great incentive when other people start to notice.  Had quite a hectic week last week with lots of night meetings which meant i did not get the chance for fancy recipes but did enjoy plenty of seafood salads using Crab claws, Regal Prawns and Seafood Sticks and poached Smoked Haddock and veg.  Good Friday of course is a traditional fish day so i will definitely be using some of my Regal fish then.  A friend gave me a Slimming World recipe for next week - Haddock in Tomato Sauce, so will be trying that and will let you know what it is like next week.