Ok well we have Easter out the way and I am proud to say that not a single chocolate egg has passed my lips! At the risk of sounding like my mother, I actually think that they are a waste of money and I didn't buy any at all - not even for the kids, but as the kids are now 14 and 18 then I wont feel too guilty....
Easter for us is busy and not a time to relax and laze around eating chocolate and it obviously paid off as I lost another 3 pounds this week and am bang on target for my Take That expedition when I wanted to lose 2 pounds a week. We also have 4 weeks remaining on the 12 week challenge and I have 7 pounds left to lose which , dare I say it, I think I will achieve. If I'm a couple of pounds short, I'm sure my kind hearted sponsors will still stump up the cash but I'm hoping that i do it all.
We had a taster session this morning at Fat Club and yesterday I was a busy bee. After the success of my 'Lizagne' at the last taster session I was determined to create another crowd pleaser so it was all guns blazing in my kitchen . For the sweet toothed fellow fat clubbers I made what was described as a 'roulade' in the recipe but I would have described it as more of a 'posh swiss roll' - it's not something I would normally eat ( honestly! ) but it's amazing what a bit of quark, low fat sweetner and vanilla essence can do!
My other dish of the day was a 'pizza' . This was quite an intricate operation as the base was made of mashed potato ( don't ask ) and I asked Martha to be the guinea pig and try a slice when it was fresh out of the oven. Bearing in mind, Martha has tonsilitis and was obviously hallucinating, she said it was 'minging' but Maddie ( aka sweet potato humous refusing dog ) gulped it down. Once I had left it in the fridge overnight however, it tasted quite nice this morning. There was a couple of slices left which I donated to Mary, the weighing lady at Fat Club, but she claimed a freak accident which resulted in the loss of the pizza so I'm not convinced that everyone else enjoyed it that much.
Has anyone seen the epiosde of Friends wheree Rachel makes a trifle with minced beef and peas? If you have, you'll know what I mean.............
Tonight's 'treat' has been chicken and mushroom pie and chips with ( I'm Northern ) peas and gravy and I have to say I am now giddy with pleasure. I am enjoying a beautiful glass of Hardy's Australian merlot and the sun is still out so I feel quite positive for the week ahead. Lots of work and lots of new recipes...........I may even be brave and attempt the pizza again- just call me Domino!
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
Wednesday, 20 April 2011
Feeling hot hot hot!
Hooray - another 2 pounds gone this week and am now on a loss of 2 stone 3 - this was especially good as I had a meal out last Tuesday after Fat Club ( Tuesday night is treat aka cheat night ) and although I resisted the sticky toffee pudding, I did not resist the duck filo parcels with hoi sin sauce and creamy mushroom sauce on my steak OR the chips that came with it. Thank you very much Peppers of St Ives - your decor may be the same as when I moved here 22 years ago but your food is always lovely!
We are on the second week of the Easter holidays and the weather is perfect. I would like to say that it's like August, but as it normally pees down throughout most of August, I wont. The kids have been on the beach every day, I have sat out in the garden and even though last weekend was potentially a horror work wise, all went well. Anyone in the tourist industry ( especially in Cornwall ) knows that rain makes the tourists grumpy and they then start to winge so all in all everyone seems to be happy.
I had a lovely lunch out today outside The Sloop Inn right on the harbour front in town. It was jam packed and we managed to bag a decent table due to one of our group being heavily pregnant but doing some nifty moves for a woman of her size and condition! I had fish pie which is sort of Slimming World friendly and a pint and a half of diet coke so have come home pink and full.
On a non dietary topic - I was most upset to read today that Simon Cowell will not be doing X Factor this year and this has left me with a bit of a dilemma. To me, Simon Cowell IS the X Factor so I don't know whether to boycott altogether or give in and try and like whoever replaces him. Anyone that is friends with me on Facebook knows that they dont even need to watch the show as they can simply follow my comments but it just wont be the same without the huge hair, high trousers and bitchy squabbles with Louis. Yes - I know the show is bad and there's a lot of genuine talent out there which truly deserves recognition but I just cant help myself. I am drawn to the tears, the tantrums, the dramatic camera angles and background music - and I'm only talking about the judges!!!
My weekends are so stressful and busy in the summer - but a weekly dose of Dermot and gang along with a nice glass of wine usually calms me down and makes me forget the previous 48 hours. I know several friends wont agree with me on this but I think there is so much doom and gloom on the news and in life in general that its nice to have abit of escapism.
I have no more meals out planned for the week ahead, and you know what??? I would really love to lose 4 pounds to get my 2 and a half stone shiny sticker but I think thats unlikely as I have already lost a fair bit. Who can tell? I am going to remain focussed and determined and a miracle may happen.
In my quieter moments over the next few weeks I will keep my eyes and ears peeled as to who will be the new judge and I am crossing my fingers that it's not Michael McIntyre, SuBo or the woman from the Halifax ad that says 'Isa Isa Baby' - any one of those ( particularly the latter ) would surely be rubbing salt in my wounds!
We are on the second week of the Easter holidays and the weather is perfect. I would like to say that it's like August, but as it normally pees down throughout most of August, I wont. The kids have been on the beach every day, I have sat out in the garden and even though last weekend was potentially a horror work wise, all went well. Anyone in the tourist industry ( especially in Cornwall ) knows that rain makes the tourists grumpy and they then start to winge so all in all everyone seems to be happy.
I had a lovely lunch out today outside The Sloop Inn right on the harbour front in town. It was jam packed and we managed to bag a decent table due to one of our group being heavily pregnant but doing some nifty moves for a woman of her size and condition! I had fish pie which is sort of Slimming World friendly and a pint and a half of diet coke so have come home pink and full.
On a non dietary topic - I was most upset to read today that Simon Cowell will not be doing X Factor this year and this has left me with a bit of a dilemma. To me, Simon Cowell IS the X Factor so I don't know whether to boycott altogether or give in and try and like whoever replaces him. Anyone that is friends with me on Facebook knows that they dont even need to watch the show as they can simply follow my comments but it just wont be the same without the huge hair, high trousers and bitchy squabbles with Louis. Yes - I know the show is bad and there's a lot of genuine talent out there which truly deserves recognition but I just cant help myself. I am drawn to the tears, the tantrums, the dramatic camera angles and background music - and I'm only talking about the judges!!!
My weekends are so stressful and busy in the summer - but a weekly dose of Dermot and gang along with a nice glass of wine usually calms me down and makes me forget the previous 48 hours. I know several friends wont agree with me on this but I think there is so much doom and gloom on the news and in life in general that its nice to have abit of escapism.
I have no more meals out planned for the week ahead, and you know what??? I would really love to lose 4 pounds to get my 2 and a half stone shiny sticker but I think thats unlikely as I have already lost a fair bit. Who can tell? I am going to remain focussed and determined and a miracle may happen.
In my quieter moments over the next few weeks I will keep my eyes and ears peeled as to who will be the new judge and I am crossing my fingers that it's not Michael McIntyre, SuBo or the woman from the Halifax ad that says 'Isa Isa Baby' - any one of those ( particularly the latter ) would surely be rubbing salt in my wounds!
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
I got what I knew I would get.............
Well this week I have stayed the same - I knew I would and have behaved myself so all is good. I also found that this week that there was no pressure on myself by myself as I knew I wouldn't lose so there were no feelings of guilt and I wasn't annoyed.
We are enjoying a mini heatwave in Cornwall at the moment which is lovely - after the long cold winter it is definitely uplifting to be able to sit out in the garden without wearing 4 layers of clothing.
Our trip to Cardiff went well - we got to Wales in just under 3 hours which was a comfort to me to know that Hattie is not going TOO far away and I ( yes even I ) feel able to be able to jump in a car and visit her. We met her friend Ben from Truro College there, who was also attending the open day and his Mum Beccie. It's harder for Beccie as Ben is her only one ( I still have the Martha ) and we had a little moment together thinking of September. It's hard when chicks fly the nest and I am dreading it but I need to put on a brave face. I have done little but cry since last Wednesday but at least I have a few months to get used to it. New chapters ahead for Hattie and myself but positive chapters they are.
Cardiff seemed like a lovely city from what I saw of it - and the building where Hattie will attend most of her lectures has a beautiful large park / garden in front of it with a monument and benches etc. There was a really good vibe from the other students and everyone was HAPPY!
It's silly season once again with the business which has been a bit of a shock to the system - it's easy to forget from one year to the next just how busy it gets but as long as I am busy I am less inclined to be looking at naughty things to eat and drink. I am determined that next week will show a loss on those scales and even though it's a week nearer to September, it's still a week nearer to Robbie and The Pet Shop Boys.
We are enjoying a mini heatwave in Cornwall at the moment which is lovely - after the long cold winter it is definitely uplifting to be able to sit out in the garden without wearing 4 layers of clothing.
Our trip to Cardiff went well - we got to Wales in just under 3 hours which was a comfort to me to know that Hattie is not going TOO far away and I ( yes even I ) feel able to be able to jump in a car and visit her. We met her friend Ben from Truro College there, who was also attending the open day and his Mum Beccie. It's harder for Beccie as Ben is her only one ( I still have the Martha ) and we had a little moment together thinking of September. It's hard when chicks fly the nest and I am dreading it but I need to put on a brave face. I have done little but cry since last Wednesday but at least I have a few months to get used to it. New chapters ahead for Hattie and myself but positive chapters they are.
Cardiff seemed like a lovely city from what I saw of it - and the building where Hattie will attend most of her lectures has a beautiful large park / garden in front of it with a monument and benches etc. There was a really good vibe from the other students and everyone was HAPPY!
It's silly season once again with the business which has been a bit of a shock to the system - it's easy to forget from one year to the next just how busy it gets but as long as I am busy I am less inclined to be looking at naughty things to eat and drink. I am determined that next week will show a loss on those scales and even though it's a week nearer to September, it's still a week nearer to Robbie and The Pet Shop Boys.
Tuesday, 5 April 2011
Three down and satnav at the ready...........
Well it's Tuesday again which happens to be my favourite day of the week as Tuesday night is 'Treat ( or cheat? ) Night!
I am over the moon that I lost another 3 pounds this week which means I got a shiny sticker for my Fat Club book and I also got my 2 stone award - making a total loss of 2 stone and one pound.This means I am still on target for my Take That concert and am also 9 pounds off my 12 week challenge. I am still totally motivated and especially more so now that I have been informed that Take That's support act are The Pet Shop Boys which are possible the best pop group of the 80's / 90's! Good times to come on June 22nd - I am looking forward to seeing them and also Nicola, one of my oldest and dearest friends from back in the day.
I have had a bit of an emotional rollercoaster of a week in terms of work - I wont publicise it on my blog but I have had a bit of a kick in the teeth and stab in the back from a client. I was angry and then upset on Friday - everyone thinks that if you are loud and bolshy that you don't have feelings but this is not true - I cried on Friday - real tears of frustration . I am ok now and have dusted myself down and prepared myself for battle. It's times like this that I miss my Dad because whatever happened in my life he always, but always, supported me and would have given me some Northumbrian words of wisom, ie, 'tell them where to gaan pet'.
Tomorrow I am off to Cardiff with Hattie - it's her open day at the uni of her choice so we are off on an adventure to Wales. We both agree that Hattie is the better driver so it's her that will be doing the driving. I am going to remain focussed and take a bag of fruit with me to nibble en route and hopefully resist the Welsh cuisine - as I don't actually know what Welsh cuisine is I think this will be easy. We have our maps, schedule and £5.70 at the ready and in the words of Ness from Gavin and Stacey , I hope our day is 'cracking'!
I am over the moon that I lost another 3 pounds this week which means I got a shiny sticker for my Fat Club book and I also got my 2 stone award - making a total loss of 2 stone and one pound.This means I am still on target for my Take That concert and am also 9 pounds off my 12 week challenge. I am still totally motivated and especially more so now that I have been informed that Take That's support act are The Pet Shop Boys which are possible the best pop group of the 80's / 90's! Good times to come on June 22nd - I am looking forward to seeing them and also Nicola, one of my oldest and dearest friends from back in the day.
I have had a bit of an emotional rollercoaster of a week in terms of work - I wont publicise it on my blog but I have had a bit of a kick in the teeth and stab in the back from a client. I was angry and then upset on Friday - everyone thinks that if you are loud and bolshy that you don't have feelings but this is not true - I cried on Friday - real tears of frustration . I am ok now and have dusted myself down and prepared myself for battle. It's times like this that I miss my Dad because whatever happened in my life he always, but always, supported me and would have given me some Northumbrian words of wisom, ie, 'tell them where to gaan pet'.
Tomorrow I am off to Cardiff with Hattie - it's her open day at the uni of her choice so we are off on an adventure to Wales. We both agree that Hattie is the better driver so it's her that will be doing the driving. I am going to remain focussed and take a bag of fruit with me to nibble en route and hopefully resist the Welsh cuisine - as I don't actually know what Welsh cuisine is I think this will be easy. We have our maps, schedule and £5.70 at the ready and in the words of Ness from Gavin and Stacey , I hope our day is 'cracking'!
Tuesday, 29 March 2011
Fishcake Failure...............
Well Tuesday has come around again and I'm sure you'll all be pleased to know that I had a LOSS this week of 3.5 pounds. This means that I turned my frown upside down from last week and am feeling a lot more confident and motivated again. I also won Slimmer of The Week and took home a lovely bag of fruit. Oddly enough, when I actually remember to take a piece of fruit to class it's usually the bruised and sticky plum from the bottom of my fruit bowl but thankfully everyone else had brought in nice stuff for me to nibble on.
I have had 2 momentous failures on the cookery front this week. The first was an irish type stew with colcannon topping.Now don't get me wrong, I love stew in any form but this one had chopped tomatoes and I really feel that they have no place in the culinary world apart from anything that is vaguely Italian. One of my daughters sneaked upstairs with a plateful and came down with a very contented looking Maddie ( youngest springer ) and the other reckoned the very sight of it 'freaked her out' so she declined.
It tasted quite nice but I dont think I will be attempting it again........
My second failure was homemade fishcakes which looked delicious but failed to hit the spot. It was whilst halfway through the first one that I remembered I don't really like fish unless it's in batter with chips so it was a no no before I even started . Once again, one daughter refused it and the other one fed bits to the dog , and even the dog didn't gulp it down in her usual fashion. Again, it wont be a recipe that I will be repeating for a while...............
I think therefore that this week I will go back to what I know best - some good old roasts and plain simple food that I know will get eaten. Our recipe this week at fat Club was for a 'cherry clafoutis'. I don't know what a clafoutis is, but let's be honest, it sounds a bit like clitoris or something that would require antibiotics so I don't think that will be adorning the dining table Chy Noall this week either.
It's hard to lose weight in the first place and I think boredom is a big factor to people going off the straight and narrow so that's why I trawl through various websites for new and exciting recipes. Sometimes I hit lucky and sometimes I don't - it's the luck of the draw - but I think I deserve 10 out of 10 for trying. Unfortunately it's when a meal is cooked that doesn't taste good that I am liable to misbehave. ....... and for that reason alone , I am crossing my fingers and toes and keeping anything fishy / Irishy / clafoutissy OFF the menu!
I have had 2 momentous failures on the cookery front this week. The first was an irish type stew with colcannon topping.Now don't get me wrong, I love stew in any form but this one had chopped tomatoes and I really feel that they have no place in the culinary world apart from anything that is vaguely Italian. One of my daughters sneaked upstairs with a plateful and came down with a very contented looking Maddie ( youngest springer ) and the other reckoned the very sight of it 'freaked her out' so she declined.
It tasted quite nice but I dont think I will be attempting it again........
My second failure was homemade fishcakes which looked delicious but failed to hit the spot. It was whilst halfway through the first one that I remembered I don't really like fish unless it's in batter with chips so it was a no no before I even started . Once again, one daughter refused it and the other one fed bits to the dog , and even the dog didn't gulp it down in her usual fashion. Again, it wont be a recipe that I will be repeating for a while...............
I think therefore that this week I will go back to what I know best - some good old roasts and plain simple food that I know will get eaten. Our recipe this week at fat Club was for a 'cherry clafoutis'. I don't know what a clafoutis is, but let's be honest, it sounds a bit like clitoris or something that would require antibiotics so I don't think that will be adorning the dining table Chy Noall this week either.
It's hard to lose weight in the first place and I think boredom is a big factor to people going off the straight and narrow so that's why I trawl through various websites for new and exciting recipes. Sometimes I hit lucky and sometimes I don't - it's the luck of the draw - but I think I deserve 10 out of 10 for trying. Unfortunately it's when a meal is cooked that doesn't taste good that I am liable to misbehave. ....... and for that reason alone , I am crossing my fingers and toes and keeping anything fishy / Irishy / clafoutissy OFF the menu!
Tuesday, 22 March 2011
It's all gravy............
Well what a week! I have been as good as gold and only lost half a flipping pound! I just don't know what I have done wrong - I did have a night out on Saturday but apart from a relatively virtuous carvery and 2 large juicy glasses of the red stuff I have behaved and all for HALF A POUND! I am trying to be positive but feel that my dream of a sylph like physique in time for Robbie is slipping away!
I have therefore decided to revert to form and go back to having a proper treat on weigh in nights - tonight I am having meat and potato pie and chips with ( remember - I am Northern ) mushy peas and lashings of gravy. The thought of it is making me feel giddy with pleasure and I fear that I may have a 'when Harry met Sally' type chipasm but sod it, I'm having it.
It's hard to sit in a fat club class listening to other people's squeals of glee at having lost 2 or 3 pounds and exclaiming they 'dont know how, I've had 4 takeaways' etc but I think I shouldn't be too hard on myself and just loosen the reins a bit one night of the week. I need to remind myself that I have done incredibly well so far and not beat myself up. A loss is still a loss, even if it is only half a pound so I am going to enjoy my nosh tonight and start afresh tomorrow.
On the cooking front I didn't do anything controversial with my loin of pork but I DID do a delicious meat and potato pie that the girls and I loved. Al declined due to the fact there was celery in it - celery is to him what quorn is to me. I had intended on hiding the bits of celery under potatoes but he managed to sneak a look at the recipe and I was well and truly rumbled. I will have to chop it more finely and cover my tracks next time..............
I have therefore decided to revert to form and go back to having a proper treat on weigh in nights - tonight I am having meat and potato pie and chips with ( remember - I am Northern ) mushy peas and lashings of gravy. The thought of it is making me feel giddy with pleasure and I fear that I may have a 'when Harry met Sally' type chipasm but sod it, I'm having it.
It's hard to sit in a fat club class listening to other people's squeals of glee at having lost 2 or 3 pounds and exclaiming they 'dont know how, I've had 4 takeaways' etc but I think I shouldn't be too hard on myself and just loosen the reins a bit one night of the week. I need to remind myself that I have done incredibly well so far and not beat myself up. A loss is still a loss, even if it is only half a pound so I am going to enjoy my nosh tonight and start afresh tomorrow.
On the cooking front I didn't do anything controversial with my loin of pork but I DID do a delicious meat and potato pie that the girls and I loved. Al declined due to the fact there was celery in it - celery is to him what quorn is to me. I had intended on hiding the bits of celery under potatoes but he managed to sneak a look at the recipe and I was well and truly rumbled. I will have to chop it more finely and cover my tracks next time..............
Thursday, 17 March 2011
Nigella and Meg eat your hearts out!
Well I have had my second weigh in as part of my 12 week challenge and stayed the same this week. I am actually ok with this as ( men look away ) it's my TOTM! My weight loss so far is still at 22 pounds which is good so I am not going to beat myself up about it.
I am still very determined and am even contemplating a bit of exercise in the not too distant future - this worries me because I am so unfit that I am worried that a gentle jog may bring on a heart attack which would be quite ironic as it's the British Heart Foundation that I am raising money for............
Anyway, as part of keeping everything fresh and new I am also going to try out some new recipes. My dear beloved has warned me not to mess with the pork but I have ordered some apricots from Asda and intend mixing them with low fat sausage meat and garlic and stuffing them into a loin of pork. Hmmm, it certainly sounds nice but who can tell?? I am also going to attempt a spinach and feta filo pastry pie - when I asked the members of my household who would eat it I was met with stares of disgust / hysteria and fear.
My week ahead is busy and includes a night out with some friends on saturday when we are going for a cheeky carvery at the local pub and then on to a psychic night at another pub. We went to one last year and my Dad allegedly made an appearance - I am hoping he keeps quiet this time as I found it vaguely embarrassing. The psychic in question is a lovely lady and my Dad wouldn't bugger off afterwards which amused everyone else but made me cringe. I would love to believe 100% that he was there but if he were still alive I think he would probably tell me not to waste my money! It only costs a tenner and just think that if I didn't spend that tenner I could have bought lots more apricots, low fat sausages and merlot with it instead.
I am sure we will have fun whoever 'appears' and if there's no messages for me then I can spend my time dreaming up some more wild and exquisite dishes to torment my family with.
I am still very determined and am even contemplating a bit of exercise in the not too distant future - this worries me because I am so unfit that I am worried that a gentle jog may bring on a heart attack which would be quite ironic as it's the British Heart Foundation that I am raising money for............
Anyway, as part of keeping everything fresh and new I am also going to try out some new recipes. My dear beloved has warned me not to mess with the pork but I have ordered some apricots from Asda and intend mixing them with low fat sausage meat and garlic and stuffing them into a loin of pork. Hmmm, it certainly sounds nice but who can tell?? I am also going to attempt a spinach and feta filo pastry pie - when I asked the members of my household who would eat it I was met with stares of disgust / hysteria and fear.
My week ahead is busy and includes a night out with some friends on saturday when we are going for a cheeky carvery at the local pub and then on to a psychic night at another pub. We went to one last year and my Dad allegedly made an appearance - I am hoping he keeps quiet this time as I found it vaguely embarrassing. The psychic in question is a lovely lady and my Dad wouldn't bugger off afterwards which amused everyone else but made me cringe. I would love to believe 100% that he was there but if he were still alive I think he would probably tell me not to waste my money! It only costs a tenner and just think that if I didn't spend that tenner I could have bought lots more apricots, low fat sausages and merlot with it instead.
I am sure we will have fun whoever 'appears' and if there's no messages for me then I can spend my time dreaming up some more wild and exquisite dishes to torment my family with.
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