A delcious food experience

Thursday 31st August 2023

Well after a lovely huddle yesterday morning, I came home to get Aryn to go to the gym, we had an hour there, then decided we were going to go for Tapas at Facebook UK PINTORESCO which is in Featherstone next door to the Indian King's Response that's been there for years.  Oh we were not disappointed.  The chef / owner was so friendly, he came and had a chat before we ordered and told us about the menu, we also got chatting later on when I told him how incredible the tomato sauce on the meatballs were.  Now anyone who knows me, knows I'm not a fan of tomato based dishes, they just don't do it for me at all, but this bowl of meatballs in tomato sauce was one of the best sauces I've ever tasted in my life!  I do not exaggerate, he gave me a few hints on the recipe so I will give it a go myself, but it's his nanna's recipe and you know I just won't be able to replicate it!  I am more likely to go and buy a few portions as a takeaway, add spaghetti and garlic bread to it and pretend I made it earlier :) 

It was so good, I'd forgot the photo until we'd nearly finished it, we'd had homemade rustic bread with aioli & pinto tomato too but completely forgot the photo there!  YOU HAVE TO GO TRY THIS PLACE!  Eventually he plans to have a little deli attached - I can't wait.  I was good, I only ate a little of the cake, I'm all about the savoury food really.   

 

Patatas bravas                                   Pork belly with chipotle sauce

 

garlic mushrooms            Pork meatballs in tomato sauce (grandma’s recipe)

 

We nipped to Aldi on the way home for water and waffles, then the rest of our day was chilling, we watched some more The Walking Dead.  I was in bed by half eight still full to the brim, the bonus there is I'm not even tempted by wine!  I'd had a healthy breakfast of sardines on a slice of toast and that was my day.

I rarely get a meal in my mind that stays there and makes me want it again, the last time it happened I was in Prague and I still crave that goulash, thankfully this place is closer and if I don't replicate it, I shall be going for takeaway unless himself fancies a meal out, because there's plenty more on the menu I want to try.  The tapas are £8 each, we had 2 each and it was plenty, we were full before that cake arrived, I wished I'd not ordered any, but Aryn inhaled his no problem at all, the boy has hollow legs where food is concerned at the minute, not surprising as he's got to be 6ft now, that's an 8in grown in 18 months!  

I'm already showered and ready for work, was awake at 5, I've got a shopping delivery coming between 6 and 7, I've decided to do online again to try and get some order in my meals.  I got a 2 month free offer if I signed up, so I've gone for the mid-week delivery option which is half the price of the anytime.  I'll have a delivery every Tuesday afternoon I think, I was going to do Wednesday, but I can go to gym/swimming on a Wednesday after work, Tuesday I work most of the day so can get it delivered between huddles.  

Here's to being 1% better today than I was yesterday (that won't be difficult!), I've got my pack of water in the boot so I don't forget to take it with me when I got to work - which I always do.  I need to go plan dinner before leaving, maybe defrost something, I want light food today, might have some fish actually as I have a lot of that in freezer.

Have a great day, 

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me x

What should we eat?

Wednesday 20th August 2023

Who's up for mastering the day ahead?  

I gained a pound yesterday, I'm not surprised at all and I've taken it on the chin ready to restart, we went out twice for food, I had cheese and potato pie twice with too much cheese, but I'm feeling sluggish so I've had enough of over indulgence and want some goodness back in my life.

We may be eating out today but that's okay if we do, I can choose an healthy option, I want some fish - without batter on it.  I really fancy some pasta, rice, veggies, mmm I'm going to check what we still have in the freezer and cupboards and plan some meals for the next few days.  

Next time I go shopping, I'll have a list but I'd like to last the week without doing a big shop because we've had a quiet month at work so Elle and I are low on our wages, at least it's helping us eat less.  

Although that's not strictly true is it because you can buy 'cheaper' food which isn't so good for you, like I mentioned yesterday about the Ultra Processed Food, the Co-op £5 meal being that kind of food.  Turns out baked beans come under the UPF banner too which is so misleading to someone trying to make good choices.  Sometimes you have to use your common sense.    

A can of baked beans are low in fat and sugar (even with the added sugar), and are a source of fibre. Half a large tin counts as one of your five-a-day and contains as much protein as a large egg.  They're deemed ultra-processed as they contain modified corn flour, spice and herb extracts.  They also contain minerals such as iron, zinc and B vitamins. They contain some added salt, but versions with no added sugar are available.

There are also a handful of UPF that have benefits, these include wholegrain breakfast cereals with no added sugar these are fortified with vitamins and minerals such as B vitamins, calcium and iron, helping you reach your recommended daily intake, and are a source of fibre, which can contribute to cardiovascular health, normal bowel function, gut health and regulation of blood glucose levels.

Pre-packaged wholegrain sliced bread is another – wholegrains are packed with nutrients, including fibre, protein, B vitamins, antioxidants, calcium and iron. A diet rich in wholegrains has been shown to reduce the risk of many chronic health conditions, and helps us reach our target of 30g of fibre a day.

Unsweetened soy or plant-based drinks can be ultra-processed. If choosing versions fortified with vitamins and minerals, these drinks may provide a similar amount of calcium to cow’s milk, promoting bone health. Fortified plant-based drinks can also contain B vitamins, iodine and Vitamin D.

Yeah use your common sense, baked beans are low in calories, looking at the info below,  beef mince isn't a processed food but it has more calories per 100g, higher fat and sat fat, yes it may be lower in sugar and salt but which is 'healthier'?  You decide!  

  

                    100g baked beans                  100g  beef mince 10% fat   100g beef mince 20% fat     

A little common sense is required here I think, beef may not be processed but red meat isn't something you should be eating all the time!  

Pizza?  Well I'm trying to justify this now as Aryn eats them!

  

The whole thing is 784 calories, which isn't too much for a meal if that's all he's having, the fat content is high at 32.3 and 15.3 for saturated fat BUT.... I'm just looking at nutracheck and my 'guide' for fat per day is 59.7g, saturated fat 18.7g, so if all I had with fat in it that day was the pizza and I ate healthy for the rest of the day, surely it wouldn't be an issue and damn that pizza if filling me up physically, hell it's satisfying me emotionally too.  Yep, it's all about balance, a bowl of porridge or a couple of weetabix for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch made with wholegrain bread and you're well within daily guidelines as you can see below.  

Add some fruit and veggies, some salad on the sandwich, maybe a bit of diced pepper, mushroom and some sweetcorn on your pizza, a banana with your breakfast and happy days, you've found some balance. 

Of course sharing that pizza between two people with a load of salad on the other half of the plate, maybe some potato wedges with it, this is all another option.  I'm still getting 2 pizzas and ice cream from coop for a fiver!  The ice cream of course is a treat not a daily must have. 

Now for me to go practice what I preach!  I fancy sardines on toast, I only have white bread in the kitchen though which I don't want, I could have them with eggs I guess.  We shall see, I don't want too much this morning, especially if we do go out for lunch. 

Here's to mastering the day ahead...

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me x

 

That's all the Bank Holidays till Christmas done!

Monday 29th August 2023

Don't let the scale define you.  Easier said than done isn't it sometimes, you try really hard to 'be good' and don't see the result you hope for!  I'd had a good week last week, not amazing, but good then I gained 1.5lb which I could've let knock my neck in but I didn't.  Instead I focused on the positives right now, I'm more active than I have been in a while, thanks to the pain management scheme and going to the gym with Aryn.  I eat 'healthyish' could do better and I am very happy with my life.

Now to work on the eat healthy part!  The papers were full of articles about ULTRA PROCESSED FOOD yesterday and the effect it's having on our bodies.  

Ultra-processed food raises risk of heart attack and stroke, two studies show | Nutrition | The Guardian

But it isn't new news really, just new studies because this article was in the same paper a year ago New research gives more reasons to eat less-processed food | Food | The Guardian

What is frightening is the cost of food right now, it's easier and cheaper to buy all this UPF, I fell for it at the weekend, popped to Coop for a paper and they had 2 pizzas and a tub of cookie dough ice cream for a fiver, well I bought it because I can only buy a chicken for that, I still have to buy the rest of the meal, plus the pizza cooks faster using less fuel which is also crazy expensive right now.  It's a very, scary time because not only don't people have the money to buy good, nutritious food, they don't know how to cook a healthy meal because they're not taught it anymore in schools or by their parents.  Sad times...

I indulged yesterday in a cheese and potato pie with baked beans, not exactly low in calories but cheap to make and damn it was delicious, easy and healthy too I believe, nutritionally speaking, beans  are a good source of plant-based protein and are high in fibre, as well as being low in fat and calories. They also contain minerals such as iron and zinc, and are a good source of B vitamins such as folate. Including beans and pulses in your diet is also associated with a lower cardiovascular risk and may help balance blood sugar levels.

Shop-bought baked beans are a quick, easy and cost-effective snack or component of a meal, but don’t forget they have added ingredients including salt and sugar. Typically, about a third of the can contents is tomato sauce, which is rich in lycopene – a protective carotenoid that's associated with a lower risk of heart disease.  All of these things are a bonus, they are more expensive than they used to be but in comparison to other foods, they're still a cheap, filling, healthy meal.   Have them on wholemeal toast and you're sorted, I'll be having that this week I think, I really enjoyed them, I realised the secret is to heat them up low and slow, they taste better then.

I'm not expecting the scales to smile today, I've been out for food a couple of times this weekend.  Also thanks to the HRT patch I started bleeding on Friday and I'm still bleeding now, nothing heavy but it's the first time in over 3 years, so very, unwelcomed, having said that, if that's the price I have to pay for now to have the benefits of HRT, I'll take that.  I can really tell a difference in my mood, I haven't randomly started crying for now reason, or over reacted to a situation since using them. 

Sunday morning I was a brave girl, went for my MRI scan and I won't lie, when I first got on the bed and he asked me if I was claustrophobic, I replied a little yes, then as it moved me into the machine, I had a moment, when he asked if I was okay, I replied 'I don't know, give me a moment', no just start, I've waited too long for this'.  

Then the noise started and I closed my eyes trying to work out how to handle the next 15 minutes, I started with trying to match the noise with my own tunes in my head, then I though ooo count, one elephant, two elephant, realising that was a mistake because there are a lot of elephants in 15 minutes.  I finally settled on repeating the following over and over to myself in my head, "I am safe, I am loved, I am being cared for", kept relaxing my body every time I realised I'd tightened everything up again and before you knew it, he was getting me out saying, 'you did really well'.   Now to wait 2-4 weeks he said, but I know a few people who've been waiting a lot longer for their results.  Fingers crossed it's sooner.

I got outside and my legs went a little jelly ish, I started to walk towards the main road to get some fresh air as I waited for my lift home, glad it was all over.  

Isn't it silly really, I remember saying to myself whilst in there, it's not painful, it can't kill you, you can get out if something goes wrong, why are you worrying and getting all anxious.  STOP IT NOW, that's when I started with the affirmations that worked.  Our minds are powerful aren't they!  Maybe I need to start saying 'I only like good healthy foods' continually :) 

Right, time to get ready for work, looking forward to my week, last week of the school holidays, how fast as that gone!  Well I think it has anyway, must try and do one more thing with him before he goes back next week, it's been his choice not to go anywhere though, he hates the heat and even though we think it's been a crap summer, he still says it's hot lol.

Mwah, luv ya

Love me x

Our members are amazing!

Friday 25th August 2023

Wow, can you believe in 4 months time it will be Christmas day, eek, that'll fly as well won't it.  If we all got our act together we could lose a stone, that's just under a pound a week, or 2 stone if you were super good and aim for 2lb a week!  I'd be happy with any lose by then.

Yesterday we saw how well you can do, one of our lovely members joined exactly a year ago to the day and received her 5 stone award, that is incredible.  Vanessa joined because she was in so much pain, barely able to walk and just felt dreadful, yesterday she looked 10 years younger, no need for that stick she had last year and she's full of energy, it's wonderful to see.

 

  

Just look at the difference, it's not just her body size, it's everything including her hair which is in  wonderful condition now, I noticed it the other week whilst we were doing our chat, how lovely it looked.  Just shows what a difference you can make in a year with a little determination and self belief.

One of the things I'm saying in our chat this week is start taking ownership of your decisions, don't say things like 'I have to have something sweet after my tea', change that to 'I CHOOSE to have something sweet after my tea', every decision we make is a choice!

Vanessa of course isn't our only success and her posting her triumph on Facebook led to others celebrating theirs, Viv losing 30lb and getting to a weight she couldn't ever get to previously with other slimming groups, Elisha has lost 29lb since January doing it 80% of the time and enjoying life the other 20% of the time.  Yeah it's wonderful to see people working on themselves for themselves, we hand out plenty of certificates, not everyone wants their photo taken of course and that's okay, as long as they're feeling better in themselves. 

I managed to get through the day and track 100%, I had 1642 calories so an improvement for sure on the previous few days, I have to say seeing Vanessa sat there yesterday definitely motivated me, hearing her talk about how losing weight has helped her pain so much.  She does 10,000 steps a day now whereas she could barely walk a year ago, how amazing is that!

Today, I will try to be a little bit better than yesterday, that's a challenge because it's Friday, but I can try.  

What will you do today?  

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me 

Another day, another chance

Thursday 24th August 2023

I need to focus on being better than I was yesterday - do you?  I only tracked for half the day, I didn't eat any vegetables at all so yes I need to sort it out.  

I did have a good day though ;) after a lovely huddle, I went to the chemist to get my tablets and pick up my 'owed' hrt patches to be told there's a national shortage and they didn't have them, so now I've got to hope they come back into stock before I run out of the ones I've got.

We then went karting using our wowcher voucher, it was in Bloxwich and they were electric karts, it was the first time I've been but Aryn has done karting before.  We got 2 x 15 minute sessions, now I'm not gonna lie the first session, I was scared of crashing, a little over cautious and sadly it hurt my body, my hands starting hurting again and my sciatica wasn't keen on the twists and turns, I've also had pins and needles in the night and this morning which had eased lately.  However I enjoyed it, the second session, they slowed our karts down, from 3 to 2 which made it a bit rubbish, but Aryn eventually stopped to ask them why the karts were slower and he put it back to 3, unfortunately we were almost at the end of the session.  I did manage to get brave in those last few minutes though and increase my speed :) his fastest lap was only a second faster than mine, which made me smile.

We were starving by the time we got home so had egg and chips for dinner, I'd also had eggs on toast for breakfast because the eggs I had from the farm were so good, I wished I'd bought more, shame it's such a long way, away or I'd go back for more.  We then watched tv together and I had a ham sandwich later, a handful of peanuts (only a handful honest, I wasn't greedy), oh I had some walnut, celery and apple salad too so I did have some green stuff at least.  Plus a couple of glasses of wine.  I'm starting to put it all in my tracker now, so I am going to get a grip!  I know I'll be well over the days allowance but at least I'm tracking it.

I tried to have an early night but it was probably half nine by the time I managed it, I reckon I could've been asleep by 8.  My fitbit hasn't told me my sleep score for the last two nights so I've reconnected it this morning as if it's a new fitbit so we'll see if it works tomorrow.

A busy day today with huddles, there's plenty of food in the fridge, I still have that leftover hotpot portion which I will eat so at least I'll get a bit of veg there.  

Anyway, I need to get a move on, despite being woke early, I'm now running behind and need a shower, I have done the washing up though - go me being a domestic goddess!  

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me x

Time to get serious about your goals?

 Wednesday 23rd August 2023

I gained 1.5lb yesterday but I'm okay with that, I'm focusing on how I feel right now, don't get me wrong, I want to lose weight but I'm not going to get upset by that result, I'm going to refocus and accept to get a loss, I have to track my food and know what I'm consuming!   

I was obviously fooling myself that doing a bit at the gym was going to make all the difference, mmm NAH.  Don't get me wrong it's good for me but it's not going to burn off loads of calories, it's hopefully going to improve my muscle tone and sort my pain.

Focusing on the positives, 

I'm feeling so much better in myself,

I'm managing to do a little bit more before my pain kicks in badly

My other pains I had aren't there apart from my thumbs and they're lots better too

Because I'm feeling 'better' I should find losing weight easier because I'm in a more positive mindset.  

So today I will have the last of the chicken hotpot for one meal, that's about 270 calories, I think I'll have egg on toast for breakfast, I bought some from the farm when we went Monday so they should taste fab.

I'm going to focus on the small tweaks I can make rather than trying to do it all at once.  Things like going to the gym, adding some salad to my day, drinking water, that's easier to focus on than I'm gonna lose a stone!  Don't get me wrong, I want to lose a stone but by doing all the other things, I will eventually reach that stone.

We're off karting this afternoon so that should be fun and apparently it's hard work so I may burn a few extra calories doing that, I have a feeling I'll lose the race and possibly crash a few times :) 

Loving the huddle chat this week, Snacking, it's quite interesting, I may not be a chocolate fan but wine is my snack in a glass isn't it.  I've cut down but I still enjoy it, need to cut down more and not have a glass every night.

Right, let's get the day started, I need to shower and eat - not at the same time.

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me x

Food, glorious food

 Tuesday 22nd August 2023

A good day had yesterday, Elle and I took Georgia to Forge farm, the sunflower fields are coming to an end now so I didn't buy any but we enjoyed watching George feeding the goats and sheep.  I joined her on the twisty slide, never grow up - it's boring!  It passed a couple of hours cheaply.

I then did my pain management group, another good session, I did like the circuit training workouts we do, they're obviously shorter than you'd do at a 'usual' one I would think but we are working on our joints so it's aimed at that.  We were working on stability and balance yesterday, trying to stand on one of these is funny! 

I managed it though and you forget how useful those fitness balls can be.

Once home, I took Aryn to the gym where we did a little bit on the weight machines, then 30 minutes cardio, I kept it light because my hip/leg has been rough since Friday, I still managed to get my heart to 60% which again we were told is apparently is all I should be doing for my age especially with my issues.

We nipped to Sainsbury's on our way home to get the bits I couldn't get from Aldi, Aryn is very 'price aware'  as he's been shopping with me since he came to live with me and he was going to have a bottle of chocolate milk until he saw the price and put it back - fair play to him.  I was again annoyed at a price increase, Idahoan mash has gone from £1 in November to £1.45 yesterday, that's a 45% increase - what's that all about!  

Food wise, I made a chicken hotpot, it was alright, needed a bit more flavour which makes me wonder if OXO have taken some of the strength out of their cubes or I just needed even more than the 5 I used!  

Cheap meal chicken legs, carrots, onions, sliced potatoes and stock made with stock cubes.

I love potatoes cooked like this, so good, plus there's enough for today too.  We enjoyed eating our dinner together whilst watching more Walking Dead, it might not be eating up the table together but it was good enough for me.  

I have a busy day so I better get on with it, got 3 huddles, need to nip to Cannock and Bentley Bridge, so yeah lots to fit in.

Right I'm off, have a good one, I plan too.

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me 

Another week, let's do this

Monday 21st August 2023

Well how disappointed were we yesterday when England didn't win, they did us proud though and they will come back better and stronger.  They won't give up!  Just like anyone who's trying to lose weight shouldn't when they find it difficult and hard going...

I've had a good weekend, Saturday after our huddle, we went for a late breakfast at the cafe then we went and did a bit of a food shop in Aldi, they didn't have everything I wanted so we nipped to Tesco, I still need to go shopping again myself because I can't concentrate unless I'm on my own!  Yeah Saturday was a lovely 'normal' day, we even had an early night, his suggestion, getting up early and doing a 4 hour round trip to swap cars had tired him out obviously.  We slept too, for the first time EVER, I got 'excellent' on my Fitbit sleep score; 

 

I was really impressed with that, then we both had an afternoon snooze Sunday after watching the football and eating our dinner, I managed almost another 2 hours!  No wonder we managed to stay away later last night and get up easily at 5 this morning.

I'm off out this morning with Elle, we're off to Forge Mill Farm to see the sunflower fields and check out the farm with Georgia, Aryn's not interested in getting up early to do anything so he's not coming.

I'm gonna make a chicken hotpot today, chicken, carrots and onions, topped with sliced potatoes and stock made with oxo cubes poured over the top, mmm delicious, looking forward to eating that later after my joint pain group, will prep it this morning before I leave as won't get back till 4ish.  Then I think he'll want to go to the gym, so then it's nearer half five, mmm that's gonna be a late dinner for us.

HRT Patch update...  I haven't lost my temper once this weekend!  I don't think I've even shouted at another driver for not indicating :) yeah they're definitely doing something.  The exercise is helping too I'm sure, I need to keep that up as I'm starting to feel good, how I used to feel before the menopause struck.

Another thing I'm doing now and it's finally becoming a habit is drinking water, I've swapped my hot drinks, I usually only have one cuppa in the morning and then water all day, I didn't even drink half the mug of tea I made this morning.  I have enjoyed a few latte's this past week though, but still drinking the water.

I'm waffling now ain't I, delaying doing the things I need to get done, like plan a huddle chat for this weeks groups, mmm what to talk about...

Let's all have a good week, 

Luv ya

Love me x 

Got my positive pants on!

Saturday 19th August 2023

I love that quote, it just came up on Pinterest and I was like 'how true is that!'  Obviously in my work I've  met hundreds if not thousands of people over the years and sometimes it becomes obvious that its the people around them that are the root of their issues!  I read this and thought, yeah I have a circle thankfully, he asked me 'are you happy' last night in the pub when we were chatting and the answer was a very easy YES, very, very happy.  Almost 2 years in and I wouldn't change a thing, unless I could magically wake up a stone lighter in the morning to help with my pain but that's me just being greedy.

Speaking of pain, I'm in a good deal of pain this morning with my back but I see it as positive pain because yesterday I was able to do 3 hours sorting and cleaning my kitchen yesterday morning before I started to hurt.  I've emptied and cleared out all the cupboards, thrown away out of date stuff and anything I won't use like a pancake pan I'm never going to use.  My cupboards are empty well some of the drawers are, I need a shopping trip to stock up, he said to wait till today and he'd come with me rather than going alone yesterday, so that's on our to do list today with so many other things.  He's taken my car in to have the bumper fixed and the air con, so I'll be driving his (EEK!) for a week or two, it's been over a year since I reversed into anything so touch wood ay! 

After finishing the kitchen I got dragged to the gym with Aryn for an hour, then I had to go to my pain management group, by now I'm in a fair deal of pain but thankfully we were going to be doing aqua aerobics so in the water which helps.  I had 20 minutes swimming before we started and I managed to make it through just about.  The pain does feel positive because I'm doing stuff, I'm about to do stuff, I feel positive that I'm going to improve.  I managed 12,689 steps yesterday and 67 active zone minutes, 20 mins swimming, 40 mins aqua and 25 mins on the elliptical bike thing, plus some weights - check me out, no wonder I'm in pain!

I also feel the HRT patches are doing something, just checked my fitbit app and my sleep pattern since I started them has been 'good' every day whereas before it was a mixture between fair and good which means I'm definitely sleeping better.

Up at 5 this morning though because he's taken my car to pick his up and it's quite a drive, he takes them to the same man he bought them from and that's not local.

We did have chippy last night, I didn't realise until I got back at 4 that all I'd eaten all day was a banana and a satsuma, I'd got consumed by the kitchen hadn't I.  Today I'm making sweet and sour chicken we'll have that with rice so that's healthier.  

I might go and make some scrambled eggs for breakfast, start healthy too, I've no bread so it's just the eggs, if they're fresh enough, I'll test them in water first.

Here's to a good day, 

Mwah, luv y

Love me x

Damn heartburn

Friday 18th August 2023

I need to get my ass off the sofa this morning and tidy this house, I've had a lazy week on the sofa watching tele with Aryn but it needs to stop, I need to be a grown up today and start sorting out the house.  Especially as there is a possibility my 'mother-in-law' and 'sister-in-law' as he keeps calling them, might be coming to visit us next weekend!  I'm very much a take us as you find us, but even I know my house needs a tidy cos it's getting on my nerves.  They'll take our room and we'll sleep in the motorhome, our house isn't big enough and the small spare room still is full of crap lol.

Back to yesterday, my diet sucked I was treated to a Greggs sausage baguette, followed by a triple cheeseburger from maccies because it was on the app offers for £1.49.  Now I've got heartburn and the only good thing I've had all day was water.  I managed to resist the chippy on the way home to finish the day off badly, but I did have a packet of noodles, you know the really cheap versions you buy from Farm Foods or similar, I usually have them in for Aryn but just fancied them, I had them with some asparagus and a can of pink salmon.  I really enjoyed it, especially the noodles, I forgot how much I like them, but will be getting more in for sure.  I've just looked at the packet but it's all in Chinese, except the ingredients and instructions which I didn't follow and I didn't use the oil sachet in the packet either.  I've just looked on Sainsbury's website and they have similar Ko-Lee for 25p, that's a bargain, their own brand are 50p and super noodles are £1, but there is 20g more in the Sainsbury's and Super Noodles, they are supposed to feed 2 people at 219 calories each, for me they are a food that comes with good memories, for Aryn they remind him of home (Ireland). 

Moving away from noodles lol, although I could eat them again today!  I haven't even thought about what we're eating for dinner tonight, but I do know I don't want chippy like we had last Saturday, I need to get my thinking cap on, I'd quite like chicken hot pot but I'll need to go to the shops, I need to go shopping anyway, cos we need cat food, I'm on my last sachet!  

The forecast is rubbish isn't it for to day, thankfully we're not going canoeing today, we were lucky Wednesday, I do want to go and see the sunflower fields, we're gonna go Monday, Elle is coming with me because I don't think Aryn will want to.  Forge Mill Farm's sunflowers fields open (whatsonlive.co.uk) they look so good!

I've woke up feeling good, I did have wine last night and it tastes good again but I definitely plan to continue to cut down as I'm sure it makes my heartburn much worse and I woke up with it in the night, that's not discomfort I want and if I can control it myself, then I should!  My body feels so much better, I actually walked down the stairs this morning using both legs, you know one foot on one step, then the other foot on the next step.  I don't usually do that, I normally drop the left foot and bring the other one down onto the same step, before dropping the left foot again to the next step.  All these little things I'm suddenly noticing and hopefully continuing to go to the gym and the joint pain group will continue to improve my body.  The HRT patches are going to help too I'm sure, the hot flushes etc, it says it can take a few weeks for that to kick in, I'm putting my 4th patch on today, Tuesday will be two weeks since I started. 

I'm just typing now so I don't have to start on the kitchen :) I need to sort my act out, get this living room tidied too! 

Okay, I'm off, let's have a good, healthy day, no fastfood or junk for me today, I will eat healthy, I don't want heartburn again today.  What's your plan? 

Mwah, luv u

Love me x

A very, enjoyable day

Thursday 17th August 2023

I had a lovely day yesterday, it started with a change of plans, Elle had to cover me at work as I fetched a part for the motorhome and drove to meet him at the end of the M6 to give it to him.  We got to say a brief hello in the car park as I had to get back to take Aryn canoeing.

The canoeing was so good, I love Attingham Park anyway but to get to see it from a different view was wonderful.  It cost £25 for the canoe which we shared and £5 each to get into the park because it's National Trust, you get a discounted entrance so it's usually £15 for adults and £7.50 for kids, saving there too, you can stay around and enjoy the park too so a great day out.  I would definitely recommend it as something to go and do with or without kids.  https://www.shrewsburycanoehire.co.uk/

I was half way down the River Tern when Sky news pinged on my phone to tell me England had won their World Cup Semi Final game, how fabulous, I did want to watch it but I'd booked the day out, will do my best to watch the game Sunday for sure!  

We then went for food at The Mytton and Mermaid which is by the entrance to Attingham park, the food was excellent but it was busy and the service was slow, which is okay if you're there to chill out all afternoon, but I had a very, very hungry teenager with me so we waited a good while for our main, once that was eaten they didn't come to take our plates, they hadn't asked if we wanted any condiments or refills on drinks, so we decided to give dessert a miss!  It saved me from having an artic roll, instead I took him to the little dessert shop to try their waffles as he loves waffles, thankfully I don't like them at all so wasn't tempted.  I honestly don't know how anyone can eat this; 

Arriving home both happy, we watched a few more episodes of the walking dead before he'd had enough, so I had an early night as I like to do and I feel great this morning.

Extra positive from yesterday, I managed an half hour walk before the agony kicked in and I recovered quickly when I stopped walking, I can tell my body is improving which makes me a very, happy lady.

Here's to another great day, busy at the huddles hopefully, I'm off to shower first, have a great day yourself xx

Mwah, luv ya

Love me x

Lightest I've been this year!

 Wednesday 16th August 2023

Who does inspire you?  I am inspired by so many women, especially those in our huddles, they all have their own stories and life battles and they share them with us each week and to then see them able to take control of their eating and lose weight is inspirational!  Elle has inspired me over the last few years with how she just gets on with it all, her husband spent the last two Christmas's in hospital and she just took it on the chin and rearranged their plans, her parents got Covid at Christmas so she couldn't go there for dinner like they usually would, she just had a buffet at home.  No moaning, no self pity just got on with it.  I'm a drama queen, I may have got on with it, but I'd have made a big deal about it ;) made sure everyone knew!  Yeah that's just one example of why she inspires me!  Who inspires you? 

Well I lost half a pound and that made me very, very happy because last week I went into the stone below and this week that half took me to the lightest I've been this year, that made me smile realising that.

That result was followed by a really, enjoyable day, I enjoyed our huddles and the chat topic will help me with thinking about meal ideas.  As for meals we had pitta pocket pizzas which were tasty and truly enjoyed.  

I topped mine with tomato puree, mushroom, red pepper, chorizo, tomato and cheese, very, very tasty.  

For tea we had pork chops, new potatoes and a little bit of cauliflower cheese which were leftovers I'd frozen previously.

Aryn and I spent most of our day watching The Walking Dead - we are hooked!  Once I got past the 'walking dead people', the story line of survival is addictive.  This is an issue because I didn't get any housework done and I need to sort the house out lol.  I just love it when Aryn comes out his room and spends time with us rather than playing games so the housework will have to wait.

Nothing's being done today as I have a busy day ahead, Aryn and I are off canoeing at Attingham Park this afternoon, that should be exhausting but fun, the forecast is good too so if we get wet, it will be from falling in the lake!  

Right I better go get ready, need to sort out a change of clothes, I'm looking forward to it.

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me x

Feeling positive

Tuesday 15th August 2023

I am feeling really good about the fact I am able to do any kind of work out at the gym at the moment, yesterday Aryn and I went at lunchtime, we did some weight machines and I did 20 minutes on the rowing machine, I would've tried to do more but he'd had enough, plus I'd got my pain management at half two so I knew we'd probably be doing more then.  I was right, I did another 10 minutes on the recumbent exercise bike, I chose that because I wanted my back supported as it still wasn't good - it feel's a lot better this morning though.  We then did a circuit spending 1.5mins on each exercise, I really enjoyed that as I can see my progress, I'm feeling so much more positive about my body improving (hopefully recovering) over time.

My Fitbit is telling me I managed 68 zone minutes, this is such an improvement on what I was achieving before I started the programme.   I know I've started the HRT but I believe the effects of this Joint Pain programme has had a great effect on me too, it has made me feel like I can do things, I can see a possibility of me being able to achieve the goals I set at the beginning of the plan which were simply to be able to stand to do my daily tasks, things like washing up and cooking dinner, to being able to walk along a beach and enjoy a day out without being in extreme pain!  Here's working towards that by building up the muscles around my joints, work on my core and getting my body fitter.  

Another good nights sleep too, just under 8 hours, I'm sure the HRT patch is helping a little there but so is the fact I've not been drinking wine every day, I poured a small glass last night and it didn't taste very nice, so I wasn't tempted to pour anymore.  On one hand, I'd love it to never taste good again because it would really help me with my healthy journey on the other hand, I've always loved a glass or two of my Beyerskloof Pinotage and it's a little sad to think my tastebuds could've changed and I don't now!  

Food was simple yesterday, I had scrambled eggs in a pitta pocket for breakfast and for my dinner a ham, cheese, lettuce and pickle sandwich for dinner, again my appetites not massive after being poorly, or maybe I'm just getting to where it should be which isn't wanting to eat constantly! 

I still feel I could do with more get up and go, I really want to spring clean the house, give it a good top to bottom, I feel like this even more so since he told me his mom and sister are possibly coming to stay for the Bank Holiday.  I am definitely a take us as we are kind of person, plus his sister has been before, but I felt like it needed a good clean before so I definitely do now! 

We'll get there, so much to do, so little time - that's not particularly true, I spend lots of time sitting chilling that I could be doing the house but the truth is I don't want to, I'm sure I'll get a surge of energy at some point.  Then there's the back garden - oh the weeds are like a carpet and every time I pull them up, two weeks later, they're back - soul destroying!

On that note, I'm gonna have me a lovely long shower, change my HRT patch, we're putting on number 3, been on them a week now, let's hope they continue to improve my life.  My head's still getting brain fog, using the wrong words, my memory is shocking but I think it's always been like that, it's more to do with my other medication.  Meh, I can live with that, just write stuff down and call everybody babe or love! 

Have a great day! 

Mwah, luv ya

Love me 

Start your week positive...

Monday 14th August 2023

A quiet weekend again here, no wine though, I haven't had a glass for over a week now, not intentional, just didn't bother when I was poorly the weekend before and because I wanted to give my body chance to recover I didn't bother afterwards.  Himself doesn't drink in the house and we haven't been out so I didn't bother again.  I did eat some cake though and I poured cream on it, thankfully only a little.

My eating's not been my usual habits, my appetite seems to not be where it usually is, I'm eating but I don't want lots, I didn't have the chicken enchiladas they had Saturday night I didn't fancy them so just had a chicken sandwich.  Yesterday though we had a delicious bacon, lettuce and tomato pitta for breakfast, I really like the Warburton pitta pockets, they're 161 calories which isn't bad at all for the size, and the wholemeal ones are 10 calories lower.

Then I'd defrosted beef mince to make a pasta dish but his face said it all when I mentioned it, he said, 'didn't we have a pasta dish last night", erm no we didn't it was made with wraps but I didn't mind, I suggested I made a dinner and nip to Essington farm for lamb chops - I'd fancied them all week anyway, so we did and he paid (bonus lol) they were amazing, I know you can buy meat from other places and it can be good, I've had some great stuff from supermarkets but seriously the last few times I've been to the farm, the meat has been exceptional, yes they are more expensive but yesterday they were worth it especially as the butchers I'd have nipped to wasn't open.  He enjoyed them so much, he said he could eat them again immediately so I'm going to get some for next weekend, I can never have too much lamb chop, especially as he doesn't eat the fat so I get it! 

My backs not been great this weekend at all, I'm hoping it's because I've started doing some strength training with weight machines at the gym and my body has to get used to it.  My back affects my leg of course and my knees still knackered but my other pain is still so much better, just some discomfort in my thumbs, on a scales of 1 - 10 compared to how bad they were a week last Friday when they were a 10, I'd say they're now a 3.

He was home an extra day this week, he was still poorly too because unlike me he hasn't been able to rest and my mood is much better too.  Again, things I would've bitten at over the last few months, I didn't, I was able to see it for what it was - unimportant and move on.  The effects of the HRT patch?  Possibly! Because I'm not in quite as much pain?  I don't think so because I was in horrid pain with my leg/back.  I'm going to go with the patch, mostly because I want it to be that because that then means it will continue.

I'm off to the gym again with Aryn later, then I have my joint pain group, can you believe we're starting week 6, almost half way through.  That's gone very quickly, we'll be checking in with how we're feeling I'm sure and if I had to pick one word, it would be 'POSITIVE'.  What we've done so far has made me feel like I can improve my pain, I can work on building muscle and do other things to support my joints and improve my mobility.  I can honestly say this programme has done that for me.  From the first week when I had to do the 'exercises' seated and without weights to now being able to do them standing with heavy weights and also to be able to do 20 minutes cardio on certain machines, I'm sure I could do more if Aryn had the patience to stop longer and I had my earplugs to distract me. 

Weather sucks this morning doesn't it,  thankfully it's not raining indoors and hopefully it will improve by Wednesday when we're going canoeing, finally doing something this holiday, Aryn's not wanted to so I've not pushed it, he really hates the hot weather!  

I need to get my day started, got a chat to plan for this weeks huddles, we're gonna look at quick, easy meals with little prep as one of our members asked, so I need to get my thinking cap on.

Have a great day, let's start our week on a high!

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me x

The walking dead - WHY!

 Saturday 12th August 2023

Yesterday wasn't a bad day at all, a brief trip to the gym with Aryn, he did his weights and 15 minutes cardio, then he was done because it was too early in the morning for him and he hadn't thought to go to bed a bit earlier in anticipation!  I dropped him home then took myself off to the dentist to see the hygenist, £42 later - ouch, I was done.  Just enough time to drive home and feed them both before heading off to my joint pain group where we did more exercise and talked about acts of kindness to others.  It's only as I type that, I'm asking myself what does this have to do with joint pain?  I'm guessing distraction from your pain, focusing on the good and positive things in life and distracting yourself from your pain.  This is the page from the book, 

Later I made our tea, we had planned on a bbq but himself still hasn't recovered from the lurgy because of not being able to take time off work so I cooked it all in the oven despite packaging saying some should be grilled and some fried - it all tasted okay!  Then I'd promised Aryn that I'd give The Walking Dead a chance as I've never watched it because I don't like zombies - why would I want to!  We watched that for the rest of the evening, I found it very stressful, I don't enjoy sitting watching something that's making me feel full of anxiety waiting for horrible things to happen!  On a positive it got him to spend time off his computer with us, but as his dad said, he's better off on his pc if it means we haven't got to watch that programme again lol.

I've managed 7 hours sleep and it felt better than usual, again this could be the changes to my diet, the water I'm drinking, the fact I haven't had a glass of wine in a week or the HRT patches, who knows, a combination of all of it.  My back/leg/knee are still hurting but the rest of me apart from my left thumb is great, again could be the HRT could be that I've been doing exercises at the gym, I'm actually enjoying the gym now, building up slowly, hoping the more I do it, the better I'll feel and my muscles will strengthen which will help my back. 

Oh but my belly yesterday, jeez so much trapped wind and discomfort, I'm assuming that's because the day before I ate fruit and I don't usually, so my belly was saying "WHY, just why!" I didn't think about building up slowly did I.  Apparently it's not okay for the lady of the house to fart on the sofa once even though the man of the house does it all the time, to him it's like breathing!  

I'm looking forward to the day ahead, huddle this morning, no plans for the rest of the day, I want him to rest to get better, even if it does mean I have to watch car youtube videos and look for car bits of ebay!  The price of love ay!

I'm working my way through the freezer stuff which is great, but not sure what we're going to have today, oh yes I just remembered, we're having chicken enchiladas, I've got the stuff ready to cook - doh!  That's good, I don't have to think now, might pick up some garlic bread to go with it. 

Right, I better get ready to go, have a great one yourself.

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me x

I had a fruity day yesterday!

Friday 11th August 2023

Apple, banana, figs, prunes, grapes - oh yeah, I ate more fruit yesterday than I have in the past few months!  The added bonus, I actually enjoyed them too, although I didn't feel they filled me up as I expected but all good for me.

I also did a bit more research of the 'prunes are good for your bones' belief, well it turns out they're no better than a lot of other foods, it's because they contain polyphenols and guess what has polyphenols in - RED WINE! Joking aside, I came across this article that talks about it https://saveourbones.com/the-peculiar-bone-healthy-fruit/ interesting read.  Then I also found another article that told me that the only problem is that these studies about prunes were all done in mice and involved eating prunes as 25% of the entire diet.  MMm, I'm a damn sight bigger than a mouse and I'm not making prunes 25% of my day!  

It's all proof that a good healthy, balanced, varied diet is what we all should be striving for, they're are no magic lotions, potions or pills and no 'super' food! 

I've just enjoyed a cuppa in the garden, I think that's the first time I've done that this year, we might get our first BBQ too today, we shall see, the forecast looks positive. 

I've got a busy day, gym, dentist, joint pain group, so I'll enjoy half hour peace before I get started.  

I don't want to tempt fate, because I've only had the HRT patch on since Tuesday but I feel better in myself already, my general joint aches and pain doesn't seem quite as bad as they have, my mood feels lighter.  Of course it could be a placebo effect and if it is, I don't care, I'll take it.  I think going to the gym is helping too as is drinking more water, cutting down on alcohol and the joint pain group.  It's a combination of all of it, of taking control and putting myself and my health at the top of my to do list.  

We did have chippy tea last night I had pie and chips, but only at half the pie, didn't eat most of the pastry, and just a few chips so not too bad, I'd defrosted food too, so we'll be having that today or tomorrow depending on the bbq situation!  

Right Friday, let's have ya!

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me xx

Shall we all get one day closer to our goals?

Thursday 10th August 2023
 

Oh I've not had the best nights sleep, couldn't drop off, so only managed just shy of 7 hours which I guess isn't the worse but I was aware of waking, feel okay now I've had a cuppa and I'll be ready for the day after my shower.

Yesterday started with a lovely huddle, I then had to nip across town to Jessica's boutique, getting back in time to take Aryn to the gym.  Not gonna lie, I was in quite a bit of lower back pain yesterday so didn't really want to go, but I did.  However we were on machine number 3 for his leg routine - he has a 'plan' now thanks to my friends lovely son sorting it out for him, anyway, we're on number 3 and a gym instructor comes over and asks his age, then tells him, he can't use the weight machines because he's too young and it'll stop his growth or interfere with it, or some such twaddle.  I looked round and she'd done the same to all the teenagers in there, the teenagers who had been in there all the time we've been going.  I decided to go and talk to someone about it, because that's why we joined the gym so he could use the gym, I'd even done my research previously to see if it was safe, I'd sought out a PT to give him instruction and he never goes alone so I can keep my eye on him.  After waiting for them to discuss it together, the main man admitted he wasn't 100% sure of the rule for the gym and they're going to get back to me today.  I have said if it's a no, I want a refund for the remainder of my membership as we were shown in our induction how to use the machines. 

Lunch was much anticipated by the time we got back, I enjoyed salmon and couscous with lots of veg, I couldn't eat them all but I gave it my best. 

I then got my appetite back all of a sudden, not had much of one all week after being poorly, I had to laugh at myself, I sat here watching Hell's Kitchen thinking, ooo I could just eat a chip butty, then a minute later, ooo I could just eat a pie, or lamb chops, or ..... and so it continued, I ended up having a cheese butty, then going to bed early to try and stop me getting in my car and nipping to the shop for pie and chips, I even put them in my Ubereat basket because I have 40% off until today and getting as far as checking out, but I talked myself down.  

Despite going to bed early, it was still almost ten when I fell asleep and I woke up a lot, not able to get comfy.  

Oh I tried prunes yesterday, can't remember if I mentioned it in yesterdays blog but a member had told me that they are good for bone density, 6 a day, well I expected them to be vile but they're alright, I can eat them, especially if they're this good for me, anything to keep my bones from crumbling as I age!

Right I need to get my butt moving, get showered and dressed for work, looking forward to a busy day (hopefully), seeing lots of members and the forecast is sunshine too thankfully.

Mwah, luv ya

Love me x