Last day of the month - make it a good one.

Friday 31st March 2023

Smile, the weekends almost here. 

Crazy night of dreams, we'll leave that there, glad to be awake this morning, I'm shattered just thinking about them!  Will be glad when they disappear from my memory for sure.

Yesterday however was a lovely day, great huddles, very much enjoyed, a good giggle with Elle at the scales and a productive afternoon too.  I spent an hour in the garden cleaning the decking, trying to get the algae and dirt off ready to paint it when it finally dries out.  I reckon I'm 3/4 of the way through it, then I need to clean the garden furniture too, so that's today sorted.  I was going to pick himself up but he's going to drive back in the motorhome so I can go swimming too, I'll have time to do it all, plus I want to cook a gousto meal, so I have a day ahead of domestic goddess behaviour :) 

Yesterday's meals were delicious, I started my day with an omelette using up the leeks and peas Aryn had left. I'll probably have the same again today with the few veggies I left last night, a little cheese on it this time I think.

Lunch I opted for a sandwich to use up the ham that had been open in the fridge for over a week, went a bit crazy with the amount of ham but it was tasty with the salad and beetroot on it. 

Then for tea I was going to have the same as the night before as the meals feed for, but instead I froze the fish and we had gammon, I had the same veggies and Aryn had green beans and waffle fries.  Those spuds are so good, waxy potatoes microwaved in a bowl covered in clingfilm nom nom.

Aryn came home from school with the sparkle back in his eyes, so he's better thankfully and he had certificates for doing well this term, ICT & Computer Science, English and the one I thought was the best was for always giving 100% and staying positive, always giving 100% commitment. Showing resilience and the right attitude to learning at all times.  That will do me!  As long as he gives it his best, that's what matters.

I rereading books, I can't remember if I've mentioned it but the final book in the Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley is due out in May and I decided to reread the other six in anticipation,  I never reread  books, I always think there are so many to read, it's a waste to reread, but I'm really enjoying the first one, such good writing.  Going to take a long time though, the first one is 18 hours!  Earplugs help, I listened whilst cleaning the garden yesterday, that was an hour, you've got to love mobile phones.

Right let's get this day started, it's 7am, I'm ready for another cuppa, I'll drop Aryn at school, it's raining, don't want him getting wet on the way there.  I'll go straight to the baths and hope at some time today, it'll dry off so I can finish the decking, although I could do it in the rain I guess and just have a shower straight after to warm up.  

Have a fabulous Friday, I'm going to...

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me x

Gotta love good food.

Thursday 30th March 2023

Focus on the good stuff.

Another day missed from school for Aryn but so that he didn't completely miss out on education I asked him if he had any homework, he had a little classwork he could catch up on and then I said could you read some of Romeo & Juliet that you're covering in English.  He admitted he didn't really understand it unless the teacher was explaining as they read but mentioned they were watching the 1968 film version so we spent a couple of hours watching that when I got back from our morning huddle.  I have to say at first I was thinking, 'oh ma'an this is naff and hard work' but then it had me and I was loving it, I managed to get my head round the flowery language and I was engrossed.    Aryn not so much but he watched it, seemed to understand the majority and at least now when he is in class he's got the gist. 

I didn't go swimming because of him not being well but I did spend an hour in the garden power washing the decking, managed to do about a quarter I reckon, it's a hell of a job and even the bit I've done hasn't got rid of all the green.  We plan to paint it when it's cleaned and we have a dry spell which isn't looking like it'll be any time soon.  My back was hurting a bit when I'd finished but it wasn't horrific.  Himself had done some at the weekend but the vibration messes with his hands so I wanted to see if I could do it instead. So far so good, will have another go tomorrow. 

Sometimes it's the simple things that taste amazing and yesterday that was the case, this was one of my favourite Gousto meals so far, the fish was so simple to cook, just a little lemon zest grated into panko breadcrumbs, put a little olive oil onto the fish and cover in the breadcrumbs, then airfry it for 5 minutes each side in the airfryer.  

 

The potatoes were cooked in the microwave, cut in half, pop in a bowl, covered with clingfilm and put a few holes in it, then microwave for up to 10 minutes - perfect and delicious, then add a bit of butter and some chives mmmmmmmmm.

A leek was sliced thinly and fried in a little oil, then peas were added once they were cooked, again a delicious combination.  The remaining chives were sprinkled over the top and I truly enjoyed every mouthful of it.  A little lemon juice was added to the mayonnaise which worked a treat too.  What made it even better was seeing it wasn't crazy high in calories, having said that, you do have to add the butter and oil calories to the total.  I'd definitely recommend this meal, I have the makings of the same meal in the fridge because it was for 4 people and we only made two, I'm tempted to have it again today, Aryn wasn't a fan of the veg but who cares lol. If not I'll freeze the fish, cook and freeze the veggies and put the other ingredients in the cupboard to make another day.  This is the full recipe if you want to have a go Crispy Basa With Potatoes, Peas and Lemon Mayo | Gousto and if you want to try the box, 65% off your first box, 25% off for 2 months, here's the link ttps://cook.gousto.co.uk/raf?promo_code=BEVER43868435... cancel anytime. I'm defo looking forward to my next meal, but which to have!

I also had an egg and mayo sandwich which was tasty too, again simple food, can't be beaten.

  

I'm not tired this morning, that's a bonus, I opted for a really early night, 8hrs 36mins, yep, I woke just after 9pm for the loo, then didn't get up until 5.41am this morning, result!

Sleep, good food and a calm life with a job I enjoy, life doesn't get much better!  I appreciate it even more at the moment because I'm being reminded of mom and the hell we went through as I have friends who are going through the same hell at the moment and it's heartbreaking to witness.

Let's all be thankful for what we have, focus on the positives.  Simple smile moments for me yesterday was coming home and seeing Aryn had eaten carrot sticks and hummus without me asking him too!  Me enjoying Romeo & Juliet and the simplicity of the film, not needing special effects.  Being able to stand and work in the garden for 45 minutes without crying in pain.  Yep I'm thankful for all that.

Now I better move my ass and get ready for work, sitting here watching the news in my PJs is not going to help!  Have a great day x

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me

Focus on the positives...

Wednesday 29th March 2023

Enjoy the every day normal

 5am wide awake, I seem to have a pattern I wake at midnight, 3ish then 5, if I'm really lucky I can sometimes get back to sleep at five but that's only really on a Sunday when I don't have to go anywhere.  I do feel tired this week though, despite the sleep, nothing a mug of coffee and some water won't perk up I'm sure.  We need the weather to warm up don't we, I'm so ready for sunshine!

I had a poorly boy on my hands yesterday, they changed up his medication at his appointment on Monday and I did ask if we could wait till he broke up from school but no they know best and because of it, he missed a day at school.  After a phone call, she agreed I can wait until Friday to make the changes.  Being in pain is bad enough, doing it whilst trying to sit in class learning, well nah that ain't gonna happen.  Hopefully he'll feel better this morning and be okay to go.

The huddles were lovely yesterday, lots of returning faces ready to get back on it after Mother's Day and before Easter, there's always so much going on in life, that we can put ourselves on the back burner but we shouldn't should we.  It's better to do what you can, when you can than stress about not being able to do anything at all.  

I tried to drink a bit more water yesterday, still only managed just over a litre, it's not that easy when it's not a habit, I plan to give us both a bottle in morning with breakfast and again with our main meal and turn that into a habit, yesterday wasn't a normal day because of him being poorly so we'll start again today hopefully.

I just found an open packet of bacon in the fridge from the weekend, it wasn't wrapped and I used that excuse to cook it and have it on the last of the bread rolls, so breakfast has been a bacon bap, not the healthiest but I'm not wasting food, I'll have something healthier later.  My Gousto box comes today so we'll probably have the fish dish, I'm really grateful to whoever has used my link to sign up for the 65% off first box because it's meant this box hasn't cost me anything, I'm chuffed to bits, that's saved me almost £40.  Link to 65% off

I've done some carrot sticks too, we can both eat those, it's not difficult to eat 80g, they're edible, I know they're not a bar of chocolate but it's one of our 5 a day.  I could eat sliced peppers too in the same way so might buy some of them and see what Aryn thinks of them.

Need to get thinking of easy ways to up our fruit and veg intake.  I've got some pasta sauces in the cupboard which are 1 of your 5 a day so that's useful.  Any suggestions would be appreciated, you can't make kids eat stuff they don't like! 

A shopping list would help, I forget to get the things I've thought about once I'm in the shop!  Shopping's no fun anymore is it, because you just walk round saying 'how much!' well I do anyways. 

On a positive, focusing on the things that make me happy and the things that have made me smile in the last 24 hours, firstly hearing how so many of our members had enjoyed doing their happy list over the last week made me very happy!  These crazy damn cats make me smile every morning as they try to destroy my house and kill each other, let's just say it's a good job I'm not house proud because my curtains are constantly being smacked and when you close them, you can see tiny holes where their claws have gone through lol. 

Actually my normal, every day life makes me happy, from my first mug of tea, himself calling me when he wakes up right through to sitting down in the evening to watch a bit of tele or read my book and getting another call from himself after work.  Yeah ignoring the stress in life that everyone has, I'm happy with my lot.  

Here's to a day of smile moments, 

Mwah, luv ya

Love me xx

Fruit, veg & water!

Tuesday 28th March 2023

One day or day one.

I didn't go swimming yesterday, Aryn hadn't been good over the weekend and he asked me to keep my phone close incase his stomach got worse again, so instead I went for a walk.  Managed half hour, pain kicked in about 20 minutes in but I'm definitely improving, just keep working on it.  Nikki is trying different things, massage, cupping, reflexology, I'm a challenge for her now, we've got the pain on the move and she's given me some stretches to do at home too.  

I had to fetch Aryn for his appointment anyway so he only did half day, the appointment went well, we're going to switch it up with his medication but she also said he needs to up his water to 2.5 litres a day and stop with the capri sun apart from as a treat here and there.  He already drinks up to 1.5 litres daily which he's been doing since January, so I'm going to try and help by upping my own too.  If we both have a glass of water in the morning then another with our dinner, that's going to help, I've just drunk 1/2 pint whilst waiting for the kettle to boil which is about 285ml.  Drinking water we all know is good for us!

Next she said he needs to eat 5 fruit and veg a day, 2 fruit and 3 veg to be precise, again this is good for both of us.  We nipped to the shop afterwards to get some and we were talking about the price, thankfully we can afford it still, but there are lots of people out there struggling right now to pay bills and food costs have risen dramatically, he said, 'eating fruit shouldn't be a privilege' how on the nail was that comment and how sad that it's a reality!

The fruit and veg thing will be a challenge because of course, he doesn't like all of them, thankfully he likes some and I can work from there.  I did 80g of carrot sticks to show him how small that portion was, we both had a portion each.  I could eat those daily to be honest and they're only 50p for a big bag. 

I really enjoyed dinner, roasted pepper, corn on the cob and spinach with brown rice, the microwave stuff is still only 38p in Aldi, but has gone up to 50p in Sainsburys (a 12p increase in the last two weeks!) I know I can buy and cook it from scratch but it honestly takes ages to cook and I'm not sure it tastes any good, even the nurse said yesterday she has success getting people to switch bread and pasta to wholemeal but not so much the rice and I have to say that was okay last night and Aryn puts sweet chilli sauce onto his so he doesn't care.

The fish was Birds Eye lightly dusted fish fillets with sea salt and rosemary, I loved the coating but I thought the fish had a taste, I've noticed it before in other fish, it's like an earthy taste (I can't think how else to describe it) but Aryn said he really liked it. 

The last thing she asked him to do was walk more, so unless it's raining he can walk to school as well as walking home. If he does that I'll be able to go swimming earlier.

Isn't it madness how I'll do all these things to help him but when it's just for me, I forgot and it trails off!

I'm looking forward to this weeks chat again, it helped me yesterday, it's about getting back on track and feelings of self blame, interesting stuff if I do say so myself.

I was thinking tuna pasta bake but I've just looked and only have 1 tin of tuna, I could nip to Aldi on the way back lunchtime I suppose, yeah I think I will, as Aryn left his corn on the cob, so I'll take the corn off that and use it, I can also hide some other veggies in it.  Plus its the high fibre pasta we have which is a double whammy winner :) 

Breakfast, I'm thinking eggs to use them up but I don't think I have any bread, might have a roll left, need to eat a banana, one of the five a day lol.  It's not easy is it, especially as I'm not a massive fruit fan, maybe tinned stuff would help.  Deep sigh....  We can't both be eating Strawberries, I can't afford them, he likes them, I'll eat pears and bananas, I don't have to like the fruit, I just need to eat it!  

On that honest note, I'll say have a great day, 

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me xx

Monday, let's have ya!

Monday 27th March 2023

New Monday, New Week, New Goals

A quite, calm weekend in this house, not the healthiest weekend, bacon and tomato sandwiches on morning, I had a couple of slices of Aryn's leftover pizza, whilst himself had a sausage sandwich.  Yesterday we had pork and stuffing cobs with gravy - I did only have one though. 

 I need some fruit and veg back in my diet starting today.  The tastiest meal we had was the Gousto one below, 

 

I know turmeric is supposed to help inflammation and I have to say it tasted good in mash, we all ate the lot anyway, the only thing I'd do differently next time would be to drain the fat from the meatballs as there was quite a lot in the pan at the end!    Still very tasty though and here's the line I always write after cooking it; If you fancy 65% off first box and 25% for 2 months here’s the link https://cook.gousto.co.uk/raf?promo_code=BEVER43868435... cancel anytime. I paid less than £20 for 4 meals for 4 people with my first box, looking forward to this weeks, I've changed it to be delivered Wednesday, we're having

But today Aryn's got a medical appointment so I think I'll take him out for food afterwards depending on how he's feeling.

Oh we watched Scream IV last night, hilarious, himself kept going and doing stuff and being annoying pretending he wasn't interested but we know it's because he'd have been scared lol. I jumped at all the appropriate times and Aryn sat there annoyed at his dad for being annoying lol. Yay, gotta love family life.

I'd spend hours sitting watching 'how to fix a motorhome freezer' Youtube videos, well he watched them, I sat there playing Candy Crush and sipping wine.

Was surprised to wake up to a frost, the heating's gone on this morning for sure, the weekend has flown by, a usual Monday ahead, drop him at school, go swimming, plan weeks chat for huddle - I'm thinking a 'how to get back on track' topic maybe, but then it'll be different as we've got that appointment, normally I'd just chill the rest of the afternoon.

We talked happiness in our huddles last week and I really enjoyed it, there's nothing better than seeing a room of people smiling and laughing and leaving feeling positive and good about the week ahead. It's true that when you focus on the good, the good gets better. You won't get a positive life, focusing on the negatives.

On that note, let's have a day of noticing the things that make us happy, the smile moments, maybe notice the things that annoy you and realise how unnecessary it is to get annoyed!

Mwah, luv ya

Love me x

Yay, it's Saturday...

Saturday 25th March 2023

Smile it's Saturday

Now I fancy doughnuts! DOH! 

I had my lazy hours yesterday, once I'd been and had an hour at the swimming baths, that was me done.  I did have to find some stuff online for himself because he always waits till he's miles away to ask me to look for stuff, instead of doing it when he's sat next to me and it would be easier.  Once I'd done that, I finished my book, nah, not the ending I expected, not a great book, a bit of a good twist a third of the way through but not enough for it to be enjoyable for me to spend 13 hours listening. I'm on my own though as it had great reviews and 4.4/5 on Amazon.  I'd give it 3.5, there are just books out there I'd rather be reading and with only so many hours available, I want to be reading stuff that's over 4 ;) 

Foodwise, well, I had fried eggs on toast for breakfast and enjoyed them so much I had them again for lunch!  Then I had 6 celebrations which made me feel sick as chocolate does, followed by 3 fish sticks and a krisproll with hummus and cheese on.  Why I'd suddenly got the munchies I don't know, all I can think is I was tired and cold.  So now I'm full to the brim and he arrives home and asks if I fancy going for a few drinks, I don't but I know he's had a long week so agree.

I sit with a diet coke for a couple of hours, have a gin and tonic then I'm ready for home, his eyes are now shiny cos he's had way more than one bless him and we're trying to decide what to have for our tea.  Aryn has had pizza so he's sorted, we opt for a bacon sarnie which I fancy especially as I'm not really hungry - it was delicious. 

We went to bed around 8, I watched a little tele which sent me to sleep, he'd already fell asleep and I've had 8 hours according to my fitbit, only 41m awake, but I've done a lot of dreaming and I went to the loo a couple of time, so I'm never sure how accurate it is on the 'awake' bit.  

No idea what other than the huddle today will look like, he's taking the motorhome to be serviced so that's him occupied till I get home.  There was talk of him talking his car to be fixed by his 'man' who's blooming miles away which I thought would mean I'd have to follow him down but he did say he'd get a train back, so fingers crossed that is his plan.  I don't mind driving, more chance to listen to my books but, well not today.

Today, I want to make my Gousto meal, I'm thinking about putting a puff pastry pie lid on top of the lamb harissa meatballs, I bought some puff pastry, no idea why and now I don't know what to do with it! 

The clocks go forward tonight don't they, I'm glad actually because instead of being wide awake at 4 or 5 o'clock it'll be 5 or 6 o'clock which is far more sensible.  Lighter nights too will be welcome and hopefully some warmer, sunny days are on their way!

Right, let's get this day started, all is quite in the house apart from the cat's fighting, play fighting I'm sure it is but they are noisy!  Oh that alarms just started going off lol, no silence here!

Let's have a good day, focus on the positives, ignore the rest if only for today.

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me xx

How do you like your eggs in the morning?

Friday 24th March 2023

Notice the things that make you smile.

DAMN!  My plan was to have a lie in this morning as I was tired yesterday, but noooo my body had other plans, let's wake her up at 3ish and tease her with not being able to go back to sleep until she gives in and gets out of bed at 4.45!  Yep that's me this morning.  Ah well, I'll drop Aryn at school then go swimming, I can get the washing up done this morning so when I get back I can finish my bock and have a lazy day.

Yesterday was a good day, lovely huddles, some sunshine and a bargain in B&Ms, I've wanted to buy an automatic laser toy for the cats for a while but I couldn't bring myself to pay £22 from Amazon, in B&Ms yesterday £6 and it actually works, they've played with it lovely :) 

Foodwise we opted for the Gousto hoisin wraps, now they sent salad leaves instead of the gem lettuce because of a supply issue which I hadn't got a problem with, but the slaw would've been made with carrot and lettuce which would've been more apt, which is why I served them deconstructed.  Another issue I had was how much of the pork mix to put in each wrap?  Next time I'd split the mince into 3 bowls and let us all make our own wraps so we had equal quantity.   The were very, very tasty though, I thoroughly enjoyed them - recipe at bottom of blog if you want to make your own, or if you fancy trying Gousto (I've wrote it enough times now lol) Here’s the link for 65% off first box and 25% for 2 months, pause any time. I’m loving it. https://cook.gousto.co.uk/raf?promo_code=BEVER43868435...

All reactions:

13Elle Austin, Sheila Chadwick and 11 others

I've changed next weeks delivery to Wednesday so that we can have one or maybe two when he's back for the weekend, especially as one is spag bol, one of his favs.

We watched a film called The O'Brian's which was an easy, enjoyable watch, then was in bed for half 8, both of us falling asleep within minutes, my fitbit app reckons I've had 7 hours sleep, so maybe that's why I woke early, although I felt like I woke a lot more than it's saying, awake for 58 minutes of the night!  

I'm gonna stop here because I need to finish this book, I'm not particularly enjoying it, I just want to know if he did it!  It took me 4 hours to actually get to a point I wanted to finish it, so I wouldn't have started it, if I'd known.  Oh it's Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult, just in case you were wondering.  It has raised a topic with me I've found interesting but one I'd never have to think about in my life lol so I don't know if my brain need this question.

So, let's have a great day, focus on the things that make us happy and smile, seeing the cherry blossom on the trees is one thing making me smile right now.

I fancy egg on toast this morning, nom nom.

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me xx

Hoisin Pork Wraps

Wrap up your week with this speedy dinner. You’ll sizzle pork mince in garlic, soy and hoisin sauce before loading it into warm tortillas. Top with your zingy carrot and lettuce, roll and serve.

15 mins

 

Ingredients

For 2 people [double for 4]

 

15ml white wine vinegar

15g ginger & garlic paste

6 plain tortillas †

40g hoisin sauce †

15ml soy sauce †

250g British pork mince

30ml mayonnaise †

1 carrot

1 gem lettuce

You’ll also need

Vegetable oil, pepper, salt, olive oil

 

 

 

Cooking instructions

For 2 people [double for 4]

Boil half a kettle

Heat a large, wide-based pan (preferably non-stick) with a drizzle of vegetable oil over a medium-high heat

Once hot, add the pork mince with a pinch of salt and pepper and cook for 3-4 min or until beginning to brown, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as you go

 

While the pork is cooking, top, tail, peel and grate the carrot[s]

Once the pork is starting to brown, add the ginger & garlic paste and soy sauce and cook for a further 1-2 min or until fragrant

Once fragrant, add the hoisin sauce and 75ml [150ml] boiled water and cook for 3-4 min or until thickened – this is your hoisin pork

Meanwhile, wash the gem lettuce, then pat it dry with kitchen paper and shred finely

Combine the white wine vinegar and mayo in a large bowl with a generous grind of black pepper

Add the shredded lettuce and grated carrot with a drizzle of olive oil and mix it all together – this is your slaw

Add the tortillas to a plate and pop in the microwave for 20 secs on high or until warmed

Load the warmed tortillas with the slaw and hoisin pork

Enjoy!

 

Nutritional information

Typical values	per 100g	per serving
Energy	780 kJ	3283 kJ
	185 kcal	781 kcal
Fat	9.5 g	39.8 g
of which saturates	2.8 g	11.7 g
Carbohydrate	16.7 g	70.4 g
of which sugars	3.9 g	16.4 g
Fibre	1.1 g	4.7 g
Protein	8.2 g	34.6 g
Salt	0.63 g	2.63 g

 

*Gousto’s nutritional information only applies to ingredients supplied by Gousto. The cooking process and additional ingredients added at home (listed under “You’ll also need”) will affect total values.

 

Feel like I'm getting this pain thing sorted!

Thursday 23rd March 2023

Selfcare is not vanity, it's sanity

I would just like you to take a moment and appreciate the enormity of the 10,318 steps I managed to do yesterday, I've only hit over 10k once before since I had this fitbit at Christmas, but the difference this time was I didn't end up in agony like before.  

Yesterday after the huddle, I came home and started Spring Cleaning the house, windows, floors, the lot!  Check out the 142 active minutes, 79 of them were intense apparently!  I did take a couple of painkillers on the morning but I didn't have to take anymore and I didn't have any lower back pain, the only pain I had in my leg was slight and a little in my left hip during the night.  I'm absolutely thrilled, I don't care what I weigh if I can ease my pain.  I want to be lighter of course I do but pain free is way more important. 

My house is so much tidier and cleaner, he said 'I don't like it' when he got home because he can't find anything, I know it won't last but it's nice and clean today.

I also really enjoyed cooking and not being in a rush to get it done, now I've never had Enchiladas and I'm not a huge fan of kidney beans, but this was excellent, the lads gave it a 9/10 apparently something has so be really special like my steak to get a 10!

The photo is his portion, I had less and I was stuffed, Aryn fair play went back for a bit more.

 

If you fancy 65% off first order followed by 2 months of 25% here’s the link - you can pause it at any time. https://cook.gousto.co.uk/raf?promo_code=BEVER43868435... Thank you to anyone who's signed up, I also get credit on my account because you used my link, so this week box was free for me which makes it taste even better!

There's an alarm across the road that's been going off for 2 nights now, that's not fun, I feel sorry for anyone who's closer to it than us, it's annoying but not deafening for us, I hope they sort it out today, I don't like my sleep being disturbed.

Not sure what we're eating today, it's either;

 

As we had wraps in last nights meal, it'll probably be lamb, although the pork only takes 15 minutes, they can choose, I've got a small joint of pork in the freezer I might defrost to do slow cooker pulled pork Saturday and make cobs with stuffing and gravy mmmm

But today, I'm gonna get my busy on, lots of huddles today, I'm going to finish our latest journal, correct the typo's Carol found for me, but first another cuppa because a good cup of tea makes me very happy especially when I have control of the remote and an empty living room!

Enjoy your day,

Mwah, luv ya

Love me