I'm Back!!

Wow how time flies!

Im back on the Slimming World wagon (yep again!), but am so motivated this time around.

So whats different now? You know in all honesty I have no clue!

In January this year I set up a 2nd Instagram account just for my food posts, to keep myself on track and accountable and Im still posting. The support and love Ive recieved is incredible. Strange as it may sound, I've made some amazing friends. One of which I met a couple of months back.

Eveyone supports each other, recipe shares and motivates each other. Its like going to a virtual group. I love it!

So where am I at now? Over 3 stone down (nearly 5 stone from my heaviest weight ever and when I first started this blog!). In fact i havent been this weight in over 25 years.  Dont get me wrong im no where near slim but I feel so much healthier and 'on it'

Of course there will be weeks when I have the odd gain but I know that I can easily get back on track as Ive proved that to myself already. Official 4 stone award, I'm coming for you!

Time to get this blog going again?

Thinking it's about time I got this little blog going again too. It may keep the motivation going. I was doing so well, but since my last post i have gained some of the weight back that I lost. However, some of this was gained (1 stone) whilst laid up after my knee op, which was bound to happen. I haven't let this put me off. At the end of January, crutches and all I re-joined group. My lovely daughter who has had to drive me back and forth joined too and has been a great SW buddy...she's lost a stone! Re-joining group was the best thing I've done and to date I have lost the stone I gained plus an extra 5lbs...so very pleased. Now I just need to stay on plan! Weigh in is on Tuesdays, so will be back then with an update. Ttfn x

What a Surprse!

In 2 weeks Ive only gained 2lbs.  Not bad considering Ive had 10 days off plan and been on my hols.

So now its back on plan.  I think I can get a bit complacent so Im going to re-read my books and browse the new mag for ideas, hints and tips.

Im thinking I may even follow the 7 day menu plan, easy when all the planning is done for you, plus you can mix days up which I like.

Look at this (from the website) for 1 day

Fruity porridge:
Make a bowl of porridge using 28g/1oz porridge oats and milk from your allowance (250ml semi-skimmed or 350ml skimmed). Top with loads of sliced banana and fresh chopped apricots and tuck in. Follow with peppered grilled mackerel fillets or heaps of lean grilled bacon with poached eggs (enjoy some brown sauce or tomato ketchup on the side, if you fancy: 1 Syn per level tablespoon).

Jacket with beans and coleslaw:
Split a large baked potato (or two!) and spoon oodles of baked beans in tomato sauce over the top. Make up a delicious side of coleslaw by mixing shredded white cabbage, carrot, celery and slivers of red onion with very low fat fromage frais and mustard powder. Enjoy chopped fresh fruit for dessert, topped with a generous dollop of very low-fat natural yogurt!

Spaghetti Bolognese:
Top a mound of cooked spaghetti with lashings of rich Bolognese, made by frying an onion in Fry Light, adding extra lean mince, chopped tomatoes, chopped or grated carrot, celery, crushed garlic and dried oregano, seasoning with salt and black pepper and simmering for 10-15 minutes.

Seems like a lot of food, doesnt it, but the plan does work if you follow it, which I havent been for a few weeks.........but thats all about to change...............

I am Here.........

only just, but here all the same.

I was doing so well too as I lost a couple of pounds before I went away.

So no more excuses, back now and back to weigh in tonight to see what damage I may have done with all that Sangria etc.

Wish me luck! I think I may need it!

ttfn x

Day 3

Firstly, let me just say a huge congrats to SJ, who lost a whopping 5lbs her first week, well done SJ, so pleased for you.

You can follow SJs journey here

So back to me haha! so far so good, in fact, im quite enjoying being back on plan.

Its taken me a couple of days to be organised but Im getting there.

I just need to remember to write it all down, dont know about you, but if I dont, I lose track of everything.  Its amazing how the syns creep in without you even knowing!

Today I thought Id offer up a recipe to you all, its not from the book I mentioned in my last post, however it is yummy and practically free!

Its from ITVs This Mornings Reza Mohammad

Spicy Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Ingredients for the meatballs

750g lean minced lamb from the leg
1heaped tbsp finely chopped mint
2heaped tbsp finely chopped coriander
2 cloves crushed garlic
4cm piece ginger finely grated
2 chopped green chillies/ 1 tsp cayenne or red chilli powder
1½ tsp ground cumin
1heaped tsp cinnamon powder
salt and pepper to season


Ingredients for the sauce

3tbsp rapeseed/ vegetable oil (or like me use Fry Light)
100g finely chopped onions
1 clove crushed garlic
1tsp ground cumin
½ tsp chilli powder/ chilli flakes
250ml fresh lamb stock or made from a stock cube
1 bottle passata approx 690g

Garnish

A dollop of low fat natural yoghurt
1 dessertspoon of roughly chopped mint
1 tbsp roughly chopped coriander

Method
1. First put all the ingredients for the meatballs into a bowl and mix thoroughly. (This mixture can be left to marinate for 30 minutes or overnight if preferred or just made immediately). Make into smooth walnut size balls.

2. Heat the oil/frylight in a wide saucepan, add the onions and garlic and cook over a medium heat until the onions have completely softened. Add the ground cumin, and chilli powder, sauté for a couple of minutes. If the mixture begins to stick, add a splash of stock and continue to cook for a further minute.

3. Now add the rest of the stock and reduce to a third then add the passata, sugar and salt. Bring to the boil and once the sauce begins to bubble add the meatballs. Once the meatballs are in the saucepan, the temperature would have reduced considerably. Return to the boil, simmer for approx 30-40minutes until the meatballs are tender.

4. Remove to a serving dish and garnish with a dollop of yoghurt and the roughly chopped herbs. Ideal with either mashed potatoes, rice, pasta or noodles

These meatballs literally melt in your mouth, hope you decide to give them a go.

ttfn x

Better Late Than Never!!

So Im back from outer space! well sure feels like it after last nights results :((

Ive gained 4lbs, ok so its not the end of the world and its a gain over many weeks, but now, OMGosh, I have 10lbs to lose to my 3 stone mark.......gutted!!

Hey Ho! despite the disappointment, I am determined to do it.  First stop after weigh in was the supermarket (hence why I didnt get around to posting last night)....£94 later, yes I know isnt it dreadful, shopping has gone up so much recently, for instance a pack of 4 peppers, 2 weeks ago was £1.58, now theyve jumped to £1.89, I couldnt believe it.

Anyway, enough of that, the shoppings done now, lots of nice fresh fruit and veg has been aquired, now to meal planning for the week.

This is going to be easy as I picked up a new book last night at class, Feasts for a Fiver (at least I think thats what its called haha!) it has some fab recipes in it, including some great ideas for lunches, which is something I struggle with.

However, I do make a mean (even if I do say so myself) home made version of the Harvester salad.  I love their salads, not so much the look of them but more the variety.

So today we have my version for lunch:

Kidney Beans, Beetroot (the fresh (?) vacuum packed stuff), Sweetcorn, Tomatoes, Cucumber, Carrot, Green Bean salad ( I cheat and get this out of a tin, I know, the shame hehe) and last but not least instead of raisins I add a few grapes, halved.

Chuck it all in a lunch box, stir and go! easy as, fills you up too.

So whats your healthy option for lunch?

ttfn x

Wish me Luck!

I think I may need it!!

Going back to class tonight for the first time in weeks (could that even be months?!).

I know I could have gone to any class, but my old class is so upbeat and fun, hence the wait until tonight.

Im hoping that I havent done too much damage, back later with the results.

ttfn xox