The Blood Test

... is tomorrow. And it's either the best or worst time to do it, depending on how you want to look at it I suppose.

The last two Saturdays have been filled with processed meats, red meat, cakes, ice cream and way too much carbs. 

Christmas gatherings are underway, mostly because the respective groups are trying to accomodate people who will be away for the holiday season. Plus closer to Christmas most of us will be 'booked' up for lunches and dinners with family. 

So the ex colleague dinner happened two Saturdays ago at my boss's place, and my nearest and dearest bunch of crazy gals had our do this past Saturday. 

In between BIKSS and I found time to make use of a voucher that was going to expire at a Turkish place, and we even made it to a stage performance of The Sound of Music. 

 

Mint lemonade I think. Those frothy bubbles were adorable. We've taken to ordering strong-flavoured drinks to accomodate (ok, MASK) the taste of our trace mineral drops.

Grilled haloumi. Delish. But very salty.

Pideli Kofta - Chargrilled beef patties on top of some gravy soaked flatbread. 

The Beyti was my favourite dish of the evening -

Lamb and beef mince, wrapped in freshly baked lavash bread, served with homemade yogurt dip

This restaurant also makes the best kunafe I've ever tried. And we've tried a few!

The food's pricey so it's not going to be an "everyday" place. We have the OTHER Turkish restaurant for quick and easy meals. But this one does have a much wider variety of dishes.

Of course I had to squeeze in bake-days for my lapis(es) too! At least 4 people admitted to attending the various do's BECAUSE there'd be cake. Hrmph. 

Here's the Youtube video of the baking process if that bloglink doesn't work for you - yes, it's done one layer at a time, for those of you who are new to my lapis-baking-madness.

But back to that blood test. One of the labs we use has offered our clinic staff free tests up to a particular dollar value amount. After collecting everyone's choices it turns out we overshot the budget. But my clinic has decided that it will cover the excess and so no one has to pay for anything again this year! Not a bad perk. I mean, a bonus would be great, but free medical is good too!

If the results are good despite the recent face stuffing then I'll be glad that my body's doing a good job. 

If the results aren't so good then we'll just blame the festive feasting and I'll re-do them in 3 months' time. :) 

Enjoy today's chip pic - 

I wish I could find decent long bean chips around here. They're awfully hard to come by.