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Honest 2 Goodness - H2G

I love a good market... food... flea... vintage... I'm one of those people who could spend all day having a good nosey around at stuff... and I'm a regular to my local food markets... I believe in supporting local growers... I always try to buy Irish if the option is there... and in my opinion things just taste better... 


Every Saturday in Glasnevin the Honest 2 Goodness market is open from 9:30 till 4pm and everything in there is delicious... you can buy your breakfast lunch and dinner there, plus a pot of flowers to cheer yourself up! Plus there's a fab little cafe just beside it to sit down and enjoy your purchases! 





If you're an olive fan you'll get weak when you walk in the door.. stuffed with garlic and cheeses... the pesto is amazing and you can have a little taste of everything before you buy, so go hungry! 








For unusual things you might not find in your local supermarket ... you'll get it here and if not they'll happily try to get it for you! 



There's cronuts... and doughnuts... and chocolate... and cookies and all the bad stuff so don't go thinking you'll head home with just a head of lettuce and a tub of pesto!


There's cronuts... 


did I mention there were c
ronuts... 


In every conceivable flavour! I'll stop now...

an entire stand of oats to choose from...


I know I said I'd stop but I mean look!!! Dublin Cookies!!!



It's a real treasure trove for 'foodies' and normal folk like you and me... 



And... if you do the circuit the way I do (like the way I made that sound like exercise!) ... I head straight for the pesto stand then go clockwise... you've saved the best for last with Arun Bakery from Stoneybatter are sitting there on the way out the door! dear god... I bought the chilli bread for Sunday Brunch and the smell in the car home was just awesome! Sourdoughs, granary, good old fashioned batch... Their bread is amazing and you know my thinking... if you're going to eat something ... have the best you can.. it's quality over quantity for me... 


Baskets of bread rolls to tempt you on the way out the door... 



 Chilli bread!!! I mean I tell ya... you couldn't be up to them... 

The guy outside making stone baked pizzas is a bit awesome too but you didn't hear that from me! ahem... If you're in the area on a Saturday, check them out... You'll find them online >>> HERE <<< 



I'll swap ya... Final weigh in!

Ever wanted to swap your life with someone else… ever dream of being the one who lives on the beach in Malibu? ... that person, who right now is sipping a latte on a 100ft yacht in Monaco? I’m a bit of a day dreamer... I stare up at the planes and wonder who’s going where and 99% of the time I'm very jealous! 




The grass is always greener right? ... um no … we always say, if I lived in YOUR house I'd blah blah blah...  If I had YOUR figure I'd wear etc. etc.  … well guess what… everyone else is doing the exact same thing! really! Swapping lives might be fun for a day a week geez even month would do me just to get the tan on the yacht like … but there’s nothing like your own bed… your own couch and even though you might wanna kill them sometimes… your own family! 


Remember when swapping things was all about fun... I was a 'fancy paper' collector in my youth... serious stuff it was too.. if you didn't have one of a set there was a risk of being shunned... but a matching envelope sure you were practically royalty! bless us simpler times...

But making swaps for a healthier lifestyle benefits everyone in the house! 
We all know the ‘take the stairs not the lift…’ routine… but some of them really are the best swaps and the easiest!  Parking farther away for getting a spot up close… bring a brolly though… 

I'm not a fan of fizzy drinks any more 
but if you're using them as mixers you can still save! 

Cooking at home instead of eating out… I mean as a family… or with friends… make it fun and not a chore and get a healthy dinner into the bargain… send out a ‘come dine with me’ style invite and get everyone to bring a healthy dish to the party… 

Eating at the table instead of hoovering down your dinner in front of the TV... paws up who's guilty of that one!



Not a typo! 

Black coffee for latte… you’re drinking it for the caffeine hit yeah?

Poached eggs instead of fried… no grease and if they’re done right they taste nicer I think…

Chopsticks for forks… yup.. chase your chinese around the plate… you’ll be fuller before you pig out completely… remember it takes 20 mins for your brain to register that you’re hungry… 19 of those will be spent trying to pick up a prawn!

Swap going outside for inside… put down the iPad and have a stroll in the garden… go for a walk… its quite nice out there you know!



This is the mayo from ALDI that you MUST buy... use it instead of butter on your sandwiches... mix it up with a bit of sweet chilli sauce... for 8PP for the whole bottle you'll get great milage out of this for very little ProPoints! 


Swap a night in front of the telly for a good book ... when was the last time you chilled out reading a really good book or a magazine?

Smiling instead of frowning… my fav… glass half full gal…

Little milestones for big goals… urgh.. don’t look at the ‘I have to lose 5 stone…’ get a silver seven … then get another one… then another…

Honesty for excuses… who are you kidding anyways?

A pint of skimmed milk vs. a pint of full fat milk saves you 5PP...

Saying no instead of over-committing… a difficult one when you’re a people pleaser… but put yourself first... it benefits everyone in the long run!



Swap self-love for self-hate … if you find out how to do this one… let me know!

Swap greek yogurt or creme fraiche for sour cream…or swap a tablespoon of double cream for 0% fat Greek yogurt to save 1PP…

Brown rice for white… I know I know…

Whole-wheat pasta for white… stop yawning…

and you all know about the spray oil…

Make your lunch instead of eating out… it takes less than 5 mins and you’ll save a fortune.. PLUS when everyone's ogling your fab salads and wraps you’ll be the new office foodie!


Another fantastic swap that's come across my path recently is cauliflower... Now I've always made my mash with half cauliflower and have potato and no one is any the wiser... but here's the latest... Pizzas.. cauliflower pizzas... when I was planning this post for the last week of the challenge… I thought perfick another really good swap… stick with me on this... its AMAZING... 



One of my fav bloggers 'Behind Miss Green Eyes' made this and did a superb job... like lick the screen kinda job …  her version just looks fabulous! Soooo head over to her page >>> http://miss-greeneyes.blogspot.ie/2014/05/cauliflower-crust-pizza.html  <<< and see how it's done properly step by step! Dead easy and SO tasty! When I made it, it was yummy but the pics of it, not so much… I heard about it from a weight watchers pal who sent me this link to Fitsugar (pic above) >>> HERE <<< mine def looked … um… ‘rustic’ shall we say .. but it was very very yummy! Tip: I put  garlic salt in mine! NOM! 

Here’s some swaps I’ve found online that will give you an idea of how you can save a few points for that extra G&T at the weekend… I’m not a big fan of the weight watchers products but if its something you love then there’s options out there to replace your higher pointed goodies! Click on them and they should be easier to read... 













Final week of the Bank Holiday challenge... and well done to everyone who stuck it out... 137lbs lost in total with this weeks weigh ins still to come in! Many lil bumps in the road but no giving up.. you're all fab! Another challenge in the not too distant future... they really keep me on track!

Have a glorious bank holiday everyone... we're suppose to have fab weather for it! YAY! 

Best of luck to everyone doing the Flora mini marathon on Monday... My knee hasn't cooperated and physio says no... but I've sponsored a bunch of you and I'll be cheering at the sidelines... be very proud of yourselves! xxx








Bio oil...


OK well lets start this post with you don’t have to be preggers or have ever been preggers to use Bio Oil… its the first thing people think of when they think go Bio Oil but it really is a cult product … As someone who’s lost and still losing weight I’m unfortunately going to be one of those people with some loose skin… I have actually discussed this with my doctor who agrees that when the remaining weight is gone… it is something that I will definitely have to consider… and in preparation for it, in a couple of years time.. my skin will need to be in good condition for the old nip tuck! I also have a scar on my knee which when the general public finally get a look at them, I don't want them confused with a smurf with blue knees!

Another myth busted is ‘people with oily skin should stay away from face oils’ not true at all… a fact I learned from some lovely beauty bloggers I follow… so you can use it on your face as a moisturiser even if you have oily skin just be careful how much you use and how sensitive your skin is... common sense people... but a quick google will show you how successful it is for lightening acne scars... 

Bio Oil is kind of a marmite produce for some people… but for stretch marks, scars of any kind and dry skin it’s a superhero! 


As the name suggests its a dry oil which essentially means it applies like a slightly greasy liquid but as soon as you begin to massage in into the skin it quickly absorbs without any trace of residue… it has a floral scent which includes lavender and herbs… and it’s kind of spicy (almost smells warm and christmasy if that makes sense!) but it’s not over powering and the scent fades as it absorbs into the skin … it has a slightly runny texture, but doesn’t feel sticky or greasy on your skin when it's applied… you only need a small amount so the bottle will last you AGES… I’ve been using mine for nearly 6 weeks now and I haven’t made a dent into it yet … but my skin and especially my cuticles are in great condition! The box says you should use it for a minimum of 3 months to see results but I can guarantee you’ll see them much sooner that that! 

Another plus is it absorbs very quickly, unlike the body butters… and its not one but greasy even though it’s an oil… I know! 

So whats in it… The science bit... 

Vitamin A – to improve the skin’s elasticity, texture and tone
Vitamin E – The most widely used antioxidant in skincare products today, Vitamin E increases the moisture content of the epidermis, thereby making the skin softer, smoother and more supple. Vitamin E also assists in the maintenance of healthy-looking skin
Calendula Oil – Calendula Officinalis, more commonly referred to as marigold, has been used for centuries as a natural antioxidant and has the ability to clarify and stimulates the growth of new skin cells
Lavender Oil – Lavender oil is widely known for calming and soothing benefits
Rosemary Oil – Rosemary oil helps to invigorate and it has a mild antiseptic capabilities and thus eases congestion, puffiness and swelling of the skin
Chamomile Oil – Chamomile has a calming and soothing effect and is particularly beneficial for sensitive skin

I haven’t tried is as an all over body lotion yet cause I’m kind of a body butter junkie this time of year… I have been using it religiously for the last 6 weeks and have noticed a huge difference to the skin on my body and I’ll continue to use it ... and I’m definitely going to try it out on my scaly legs next! Pretty huh?!


The packaging is simple and does what it says on the tin… and I love that you can SEE the product… nothing worse than guessing how much you have left, plus its a pretty peachy colour! 

Bio Oils top ten... 

1. Proven to reduce stretch marks in 8 weeks…
2. Helps reduce the appearance of scars in 4 weeks…
3. Improves blotchiness and uneven skin tone in 6 weeks…
4. If a breakout has left you with dark acne scars, it will help fade them…
5. Lash it on your locks… wrap it up for an hour.. best hair mask around! 
        Also rub some in your hair before you have a dip to protect it from chlorine… 
6. Apply to an over-treated pimple to soften and heal the spot…
7. Cuticles peeling ? Add it to your manicure and you’ll notice the difference in a week!
8. Soothing after sun treatment, what with holidays on the way! 
9. Cracked heels… buh byeeeee….  
10.   It’s fab as a bath oil! 

I'm sold on it... check it out >>> HERE <<<

Cheapest place to get it online is >>> HERE <<< http://www.chemistdirect.co.uk there's 50% off some of the Bio Oil products at the moment... *whispers* they do some great 3 for 2 offers on nail polish too... I know... I know... 





'On the go...' No! No! No!

Regulars who come here know I'm all about getting breakfast over and done with fast... During the week I just want it done with... the weekends I'm happy to lounge about and get all fancy but for years I never ate breakfast... then hoovered scones and goodies at 11am break and couldn't understand why I was gaining weight! Bless... Break fast... you've got to break your fast... clue is in the name eh?!


I'm a porridge gal and I mix it up with fruit and yoghurts and honey and all kinds of stuff to keep it interesting... when I'm saving points for a night out or a treat, I'm fruit and smoothies all the way... If I'm working from home I might even push the boat out and have an egg white omelette cause I'm a bit mad like that... I love my Special K red berries at work or at movie time... I'm a recent convert to Granola... and I'm a big fan of Weetabix when I get sick of porridge... so imagine how horrified I was when I saw Weekabix in a shake!! You read it right... 



Firstly... I'm not a fan of protein shakes or anything along those lines... but the thinking went like this... 'sure I like Weetabix.. I might like these...' I'm harmless really aren't I?! Again I'm a savoury toothed person so why I even picked up the chocolate one is beyond me!!!  'For the blog sure... people might like to know...' Let me tell you I'm SO glad I picked up the chocolate version because as bad as it was, the vanilla one was awful! 


These are designed for people who run... not jog... run to work... they're for the marathon trainers and cyclists of the world... they are not for normal folks like us... these people are not reading this blog... they're already super fit... points means nothing to them... 

The vanilla one is sickly sweet, and I'm a vanilla fan... you won't see me saying no to a '99'! Maybe I'm being a snob but this isn't real vanilla, even though it says on the pack its all natural it doesn't taste like the vanilla you get from a pod! 



If you do indulge, and don't come complaining to me about it... shake the holy bejesus outta of it! I shook the chocolate one for a solid minute and still lumps came out of it... that said it was the better of the two... but if I really wanted a chocolate milkshake for breakfast I'd go to McDonalds and spend the 6PP on a small one and enjoy the feckin thing! 

For 250ml you're spending 6PP on pure sickly sweet plastic vanilla flavoured milk... even putting them in a fancy bottle with my fav pink straw didn't help...



The packaging states "mornings just got a whole lot better...' not in my house they didn't... I had a go of both of them and then wrote off 2PP from my day and went about getting my real breakkie! 



6PP for the 'ready to go' drink or 3PP for 2 biscuits and your fruit and milk and you're still saving propoints! Set the clock a little earlier folks...  


Granola...

Only a couple of weeks ago I was having a deep and meaning conversation about granola... I know.. I'm so rock 'n' roll sometimes... but it was fascinating to listen to how some people had only tried it once an preferred eating twigs.. and others made their own every weekend and couldn't live without it... I'm in the middle on granola... I've tried some lovely ones and I've also had the twig versions... Someone suggested Special K was a good one to mixed up with fruit and yoghurt for breakfast...

There are two flavours in the range here .. Cranberries, pumpkin seeds and nuts or raisins and red apples... I'm a red apple gal all the way so it was my first bag to open... I love Special K red berries as my late night working/TV cereal... gone are the Crunchie nut nights of old.. but I love the tart taste of the dried berries with the malty taste of the flakes so I kinda knew I'd like this..

My gripe with granola has always been along the lines of muesli... not enough value for your ProPoints... but having discussions with fellow weight watchers who love the stuff I gave it a try... 



Cranberry, pumpkin seed and almond granola is 5PP for 45g serving...  


Raisin & red apple granola is also 5PP for 45g serving... 

I can hear you shouting '5PP are ya mad?!?!' but stick with me on this ...  


This is how I worked it into my breakkie and LOVED it... 


Bowl of fruit.... much as you like... 0PP 



4 tbsp of low fat natural yoghurt ... 1PP 
I use the Onken version, its 100g for 1PP >>> HERE <<< 



It's not at all sweet apart from the hits of fruit you get... so for those with sweet teeth ... 
add a drizzle of honey about now... don't forget to add 1PP for that...


then weigh out your granola...


45g looks like this! 


in a standard ramekin it looks like this... 



I spooned half over my fruit and yoghurt and rounded up to 3PP 



4PP for all this and its really filling! Kept me going all morning! I'm converted!  



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