How this Fast Diet Lifestyle works: Eat these meals tomorrow. On Monday, eat the meals that will be posted on Sunday.  Eat sensibly the other days of the week.  That’s it.  Simple way to lose weight and be healthier.

The first time I encountered the name ‘Crispin’ was in the Little Golden Book named Mr Dog.  The dog of the title named himself Crispin and lived by himself. I loved that book and so did our second son.  Years later, I found out that Crispin was a saint who’s feast day is October 25.  He and his brother Crispian were missionaries to France in the 3rd century.  They proselytized by day and made shoes by night to support themselves. They were killed on October 25, 256.  That date became associated with the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, when 30,000 French infantry and calvary got bogged down in the mud and let 6000 English archers and soldiers defeat them. Enter Shakespeare, writing the play Henry V. In Act IV, scene 3, Henry has the unenviable task of giving a pep talk to his out-numbered army. Of course it is the wonderful St. Crispin’s Day speech, made vivid by such actors as Lawrence Olivier, and Kenneth Branagh.                                        Now a Crispin is also an apple, so in honor of the Feast of St Crispin and of Agincourt, we will have meals with apples — starting with a very English breakfast and ending with a dinner one could find in France or England.

Bannock & Bacon: 284 calories  3.8 g fat  3.2 g fiber  18.7 g protein  43.6 g carbs [33 g from fruits/vegetables]  176.5 mg Calcium   PB   For years we have enjoyed this on Slow Days, only to find that it fits for Fasting, too.  We dip the bannock into the applesauce. Yummy!

3 two-inch bannock [see …not by Bread… 7 feb 2018]                                                                                              2 slices Hormel Canadian Bacon OR Jones brand [ back bacon of 60-70 calories]                            ½ cup applesauce, unsweetened                                                                                                                        blackish coffee or blackish tea or lemon in hot water                                                                                    5-6 oz fruit smoothie or green smoothie or natural cider

Prepare the bannock according to the recipe and bake. Warm and lightly brown the Canadian bacon. Plate the applesauce and pour the beverages. Simple and delicious.

Pork with Apples: 273 calories  8.1 g fat  4 g fiber  22.7 g protein   18.8 g carbs  84 mg Calcium PB   Long a favorite combination in lands where local meats and local fruits are blended in hearty meals. The flavor of pork with apples is a winner.

3 oz pork tenderloin, raw or cooked                                                                                                                  2 oz round slices of apple, unpeeled + ½ oz cubed apples, unpeeled                                                    4 fl. oz chicken stock                                                                                                                                                         4 Tbsp Béchamel sauce, no cheese [see Sidekicks I, posted 17 September 2017]                             thyme/sage  +  salt + pepper to taste                                                                                                                       2 oz broccoli florets                                                                                                                                                   1 oz carrots

Poach the apple slices in the stock until they are tender. TIP: if cooking for 2, this may require poaching in 2 batches. Remove slices and reserve. Slice th pork into rounds about 1/4” thick. If pork is raw, braise it briefly in the hot stock, and remove from stock. Put 1 Tbsp stock in the oven-proof pan in which you will cook the dinner. Combine diced apples, Béchamel, seasonings, and remaining stock in the sauce pan, stirring until apples are soft and sauce is medium-thick. Adjust seasonings. Arrange alternating slices of pork and apple in the baking pan. Nap with the sauce and bake at 350 F. until warmed through, about 20 minutes. Steam the vegetables and enjoy a hearty winter meal.

Ingredients for next week: breakfast, single portion

Dinner, single portion: