Seasons... Weigh in #6

My back garden looks like I have green fingers! 

Spring has sprung and decided to feck off back to the cave for a while... May is effectively so far.. rubbish... 

The world runs on seasons… Summer means holidays… swim suits… Winter for cuddling up and hibernating … Spring wakes us up a bit… a bit…  Christmas… Easter… back to school … the calendar year is divided up so that just when you think you’re ready to start… something else is on the horizon!

The thing is… this healthy eating lark is for all year round and sometimes we use bank holidays… easter… a confirmation… a wedding to ‘start again’ … it’s a mentality that you’ve just got to get and I think I’m slowly getting there… how many times have we said.. ‘sure look we’ll have a blast and enjoy ourselves and we’ll start again next week/Monday/when we get home’… our bodies have no clue what season it is.. they get cold… hot… hungry… thirsty… sore… energised… tired… and … wait for the cliche… food is just fuel … I know! I know! its taken me YEARS to get this... AND why can’t cream cakes and pizza be fuel anyways!??! groan… 

We’ve only got one body…  it’s our responsibility to take care of it… no one ties you down and force feeds you chips on a Saturday night…  and no one is saying you can’t have chips on a Saturday night... or not have a good time and be ‘norma-no-mates-I’m-doing-weight-watchers’ in the corner… but you know when you’ve overdone it, you feel sluggish… it effects your skin… your mood… and you know what you have to do… but sometimes it’s easier to ignore your body and tell yourself that soon… soon, you’ll be back on track…  and emotional eating is the root of many problems… For years I treated my body like a rubbish bin… bingeing.. purging... bingeing again.. a vicious cycle... wondering why the reflection in the mirror was so hideous… I still struggle to look in the mirror… emotional eating has taken its toll on me… and there are days …even after losing nearly 7 stone when I think I just can’t do it… and i feel like enough is enough and I'm never going to be where I want to be...

The ‘seasons’ will continue… Next January… the shelves will be heaving with Easter eggs… birthdays will happen every year… and yes.. have a slice of cake but be kind to your body… nourish it… and it will repay you… that karma lark really works… 

This week I was down 2.5lbs! After all the ‘cowboy’ shenanigans over the bank holiday…  I honestly had no idea how it was going to go but I knew I had made good choices… I’m learning to make better decisions… I’m sharing treats… OK so I didn’t share the 99 but I mean that’s just ridiculous! Before we got to the main event.. I made sure I had eaten something that I knew would get me past the chicken wings, bread and coleslaw… I took control … I still had loads of fun ...  I had a few diet drinks amidst the gin… not enough to stop a massive hangover (twice!) but still it could have been a million times worse! 

A super long walk on the beach… line dancing (I’m reviving that by the way!) lots of fruit and water all helped… I made a decision before I got there to only have the breakfast grill on one day even though it was there for free all weekend, wafting about all bacon-esque… but the alternatives were just too yummy to miss out on and I knew I'd feel so much better eating healthier... and as soon as I got on the scales I was SO glad I behaved!  

Even when I got on the plane it was water and fruit… I just wanted to feel better in my skin again… and that comes with time… years of doing weight watchers has changed my palette.. even full fat milk tastes funny now! Think of your lifetime as the seasons… where are you now? Summer…autumn… Late spring… your body needs to last you all the way through to winter and fuelling it the right way will mean just that… so… 

Here’s what seasonal fruit and veggies are up for May… these bad boys will be cheap as they’re gonna get at this time of year ALDI are doing some great deals at the moment in veg! 

okra

courgettes

aubergines

rhubarb

artichokes

asparagus

spring peas

broccoli

lettuce

baby spinach

leeks

cabbage

cauliflower

new potatoes 

scallions/spring onions

cherries

pineapples

apricots

Courgette is a personal fav of mine.. the Skinny Mum grows it and we overdose every year, like we get hives kind of overdose! 

Jamie Olivers nifty way to make Courgette penne’ can half your points and it tastes SO good! Here's a diagram that I .. *coughs* stole... things I do for you people! 

Courgette penne

http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/pasta-recipes/beautiful-courgette-carbonara

Jamie cuts penne shaped courgette… 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_pVlXnUmrI

I could only find this version online but skip to 1:28 to see how he cuts up the courgette… sneaky little beggar! Just shows we eat with our eyes and if you got a plate of this mixed with half of your usual pasta you’re digestive system would high five you and you could half the propoints for you pasta... more wine anyone?!

Also… courgette spaghetti… dear god try this! I make mine.. steam it for 2-3 minutes and pour your sauce and meatballs on top… DELISH!!! 

Courgette spaghetti how I make it… 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwOKpCC1WGI

Check out http://smugkitchen.wordpress.com too.. 

Click on the link to go directly to the recipe!

The other hero in the supermarkets at the moment is rhubarb…. and I mean who doesn’t love a crumble!!! I just stew it in a little diet 7up and use it on my breakfast… a few tablespoons stirred into porridge… swoon… 

Here’s the WW version for 3PP and the portion is HUGE!

http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/RecipePage.aspx?recipeid=406891&sc=11

And here’s two fab rhubarb recipes from one of my favourite cooking site www.skinnytaste.com 

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/04/strawberry-rhubarb-compote.html

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2013/05/strawberry-rhubarb-baked-oatmeal.html

aaaannnndddd.. last one... here’s a fab recipe for cabbage.. use the lardons from Lidl or Aldi and that’s all you have to propoint! 

http://www.fatsecret.com/recipes/fried-cabbage-with-bacon/Default.aspx?dietid=101

Sorry its a bit 'bitty' but its easier to post the YouTube links so you can see how other people are making this fab food! 

Fantastic losses again! Woo Hoo! Total so far in the challenge is 106lbs that's 7st 8lbs!!! 

WOWZER!

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Stitch 'n' bitch...

My names Doll and I'm a crochet junkie... I kept that one quiet didn't I!?! 

hey... I know I'm also a nail varnish junkie but BOTH keep my paws away from crisps OK!

I have been doing crochet since I was about 6 or 7... every teddy bear had a jumper and/or handbag... several ties were made for special occasions... and it's something I've done consistently all my life.. I can't knit for toffee, two needles and I'm all tangled up... I was kicked out of sewing class and sent to art class.... so its always been my little outlet... and years of insomnia have meant I can do some patterns in the dark!

 

I am a regular at some of the christmas markets in town... very fancy schmancy hats... tea cosies for the mammies ... and in some coffee shops, you'll spot my 'Java Jackets'... 

Recently I 'hooked up' geddit?!? sigh... with a group of like minded boys and girls who knit and crochet for a few hours together on a Sunday afternoon... There's no official title on the group most of these are called 'Stitch 'n' Bitch' or 'Pints & Pearls' ...

Some of these people are SO skilled... and the things they are creating are AMAZING... beautiful children's clothes... custom made clothes for themselves... truly talented... I sit in awe as the needles clickety clack away whilst they sup a bevvie! 

Not bad for a Sunday afternoons work eh? Not one drink passed my lips either.. I swear! 

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Choc Philadelphia

Teeny tiny lil biccies to dip in chocolate!!! WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE!?!?!

5 ProPoints for this little snack pack... for all the choccie lovers out there, it's something new to try...

5 PP per 50g pack

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VICTORY!!!! Weigh in #5

A lot of us get hung up on the scales... and yes its a great tool on the weight loss journey... but this week I've been asking people I know... online... friends... relations... apart from the number on the scales... what has really spurred you on? The list is ... refreshing! 

'Actually doing a full 15 minutes on elliptical, no cheating'

'feeling my collar bones' 

'having so much more energy'

'shopping in ‘normal’ shops'

'getting up the stairs and nor being winded"'

'running my first 5k'

'being hugged and his arms going all the way round me'

'the notches on my belt moving along'

'guys flirting with me'

'fitting into ‘booth’ tables in restaurants'

'being called Miss by a young man when I’ve been used to being called madame!' 

'better skin and my nails are stronger'

'more confidence'

'first time I walked round the block without stopping'

'coming off medication I don't NEED anymore'

'no double chin, no hang on... no triple chin!'

'lower blood pressure'

'pretty underwear' 

'lots of compliments'

'watching other people eating food that I used to want and not caring anymore'

'steering wheel doesn’t press against my belly anymore'

'I look hot in jeans'

'fitting into my pre pregnancy jeans'

'riding a bike after 10 years and loving it!'

'looking hot for my husband... his words not mine'

'not being the ‘fat’ mum for my kids'

'fitting into our old rocking chair with my new grandson and not squeezing myself into it!' 

'I’m just in a better mood all the time!' 

'wearing a bikini for the first time'

'not being the one to shout ‘slow down’ at family walks' 

'being able to wear medium size in shirts'

'being able to go for a six mile walk with my hubby without being out of breath'

'losing the muffin top over my skinny jeans'

'I've had several people tell me how much younger I look'

'I can walk down the biscuit aisle without buying any!'

'at the spa …my bath towel now overlaps when I wrap it around me… I love that!'

'I can walk more than a mile now. In March I could not walk around the block comfortably'

'moving from the ‘obese’ to ‘overweight’ box on the BMI scale' 

'I can go faster on the treadmill'

'having a waist'

'I can wear high heels now!'

'running 8 miles for the SECOND time. The first time I did it, I thought it was a fluke. The second time, I knew I was truly capable'

'well todays victory was having my daughter-in-law call me "skinny" after not seeing her since Easter and the look on my sons face was priceless'

'getting my wedding ring resized'

'wearing an ankle chain for the first time and toe rings! I don't have fat feet anymore'

'I can zip up my hoody all the way now' 

'hitting 10k steps the first time!' 

'the night when my pants nearly fell off in Zumba because they were too big!' 

'the day I overheard someone in college say ‘she’s lost a lot of weight and has really nice hair!’


All these replies are so different yet meant so much to each person.. you can roll your eyes at one and totally agree with the next but to each person it was positive step in the right direction!

When you think that you're not going anywhere on the weight loss journey... look back at the first day you started and see how you have physically and mentally changed... it will surprise you that you never even noticed the little things when you get so caught up on that number every week ... the scales is only one of the tools... living a healthy long life is the ultimate goal regardless of the number you see... and that number will always change... from morning till afternoon... you will weigh differently every time but you're stamina and energy will remain the same...  if you're feeling better in yourself then you're winning! 

If I've missed anyone below let me know! 

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Pixi H2O Skintint

Ok... summer is coming despite the weather today! The summer IS coming! OK?!?! Tinted moisturisers and sunscreen ahead! In my quest to seek out the ultimate tinted moisturiser... I've discovered this...

Pixi H2O Skintint is a water based tinted face gel that states it’s ‘hydrating, long lasting and water resistant with a semi-matte finish that lasts all day’ and it does most of these just not all day! It comes in three shades Cream, Warm and Nude, me being of the sallow skinned variety I inevitably ended up with ‘nude’ which is perfect…  

It’s very hydrating and light which is perfect for the coming months or for bringing on your jollies… foundation is a no no in the heat for me and this does have enough coverage … heat and foundation do clogged pores and irritated skin make! 

I was surprised that it was more pigmented than your average tinted moisturiser and whilst it didn’t cover up the 'rosie cheeks' entirely but it did tone down the redness and even out my skin tone… my skin just looked brighter… and because its got chamomile and lavender it looked a lot calmer … 

It’s got a very ‘gel’ like texture when you pump it out first but is has that ‘bursting’ effect of colour once its applied … 

Tangent: The pump dispenser is perfect for travelling so you can only use what you need to…  and because it’s water based, it quickly becomes very fluid and it feels lovely and cool on your skin…  it lets your skin breath a little … 

Sadly because its a water based product it doesn’t last as long as you might like, I got 4 hours out of the first application but I’d say setting it with a powder would sort that out for dinner al fresco in the Med … *snaps fingers* aaaaand awake! 

Only down side… no SPF! gggrrrrrrr… but if you bring it on your hols you’ll be lashing on the sunscreen anyway! 

All in all, I love it ... if they sorted the SPF out it'd be a killer product! 
Top tip… give it a good shake before you use it...  

You can get this product online here...

Free shipping with Beauty Bay... 

http://www.beautybay.com/cosmetics/pixi/g/h2oskintint/

Free shipping if you spend over £35 on the Pixi site... 

http://www.pixibeauty.co.uk/makeup/complexion/h2o-skintint

cheaper/free shipping through ASOS depending on what else you get! eek! 

http://www.asos.com/Pixi/Pixi-H20-Skin-Tint/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3974734

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