Day Eight: Cucamelons!

I stayed with my darling friend Steve last night. As I might have expected, he is a fantastic supporter of me in general and my new strategy in particular. He spoiled me with the holy P trinity of pasta, pjs, and Pinot but had also taken the trouble to prepare for the start of my fast day today by providing me with an apple to take to work for breakfast, some sugar-free sweets and vast amounts of coffee with a choice of 3 different kinds of sweetener. Steve, I love you!

Steve is a green-fingered garden genius, and the latest addition to his produce selection is the bizarre and wonderful cucamelon - also known rather fabulously as "mouse melons". They are actually sour cucumbers which are eaten whole, but they look like mini cantaloupes.

Extensive Googling has failed to reveal how many calories per delightful crunchy mouthful, but given that it is basically cucumber I am assuming it is next to nothing. Food is fun!

In other excellent news, one of my work colleagues has taken the plunge and today is her first fast day. She and I have been friends for many years, and have battled through various diet tortures including a period of weekly WeightWatchers meetings, for which we should both get medals. With four weeks under my (ever-loosening) belt, I am somehow the expert although I am sure she will not need any advice. She will however receive my encouragement and support as well as sharing the celebration of her inevitable success. We are dining out together at Pret this lunchtime, so I get the benefit of great company as well as tasty food. Good luck my dear!