Hungry are ya!

Friday 12th April 2019
Spend your day appreciating every little thing that comes your way and you'll end the day feeling deeply grateful for your life. 

We're talking about having a positive mind in my workshops this week, you're more likely to succeed after all if you believe in yourself.  This conversation has digressed to the power of your words and others, the things people say to you and you say to others, but also to yourself.

Three words that are being thrown at me almost daily at the moment by my mom, who thanks to Alzheimers has developed quite the vicious tongue, these come as I sit down to eat my dinner, she looks over at my plate and says, 'Hungry are ya!', it's said with a degree of venom, not in a nice way and when translated, she isn't asking me if I'm hungry at all, she's accusing me of being greedy!  I don't even know if she realises how hurtful those words are, but she has an excuse.  So many people out there say hurtful things all the time, sometimes just because they don't think before they speak.  So many of you are guilty of such cruel words but you're directing them at yourself, breaks my heart.

If you know you're guilty of giving yourself a hard time with your negative thoughts, please start to notice you're doing it and correct yourself, trust me you are BeYOUtiful, plus you're pretty awesome too.  If you're my member reading this, I know how incredible you are because I've met you and trust me you are out this world.  

Finish this sentence, 10 things that are great about me.... (and by that I mean you not me!) 

If you struggle to come up with ten immediately, then you can take as long as it takes, get a piece of paper and carry it round with you and keep adding to it, ask others if you need to, hell make it a list of 20, better still don't stop, just keep adding to it everything you think of something else.  

Here you go, I've only googled and found you a list of words to help you out; 

1. Inventive
2. Exciting
3. Thoughtful
4. Powerful
5. Practical
6. Proactive
7. Productive
8. Professional
9. Quality
10. Quick
11. Balanced
12. Achiever
13. Knowledgeable
14. Leader
15. Literate
16. Logical
17. Initiator
18. Original
19. Outgoing
20. Particular
21. Patient
22. Active
23. Positive
24. Consistent
25. Compassionate
26. Incredible
27. Independent
28. With Integrity
29. Mediator
30. Emotional
31. Cheerful
32. Forgiving
33. Sensuous
34. Generous
35. Sporty
36. Devoted
37. Candid
38. Rebellious
39. Cooperative
40. Industrious
41. Interesting
42. Racy
43. Meditative
44. Understanding
45. Quirky
46. Quixotic
47. Competitive
48. Political
49. Social Consciousness
50. Modest
51. Courageous
52. Enthusiastic
53. Enterprising
54. Entrepreneurial
55. Facilitator
56. Focused
57. Genuine
58. Open Minded
59. Wise
60. Sensitive
61. Sense of Humor
62. Sensible
63. Sincere
64. Skilled
65. Solid
66. Communicative
67. Helpful
68. Fast
69. Responsible
70. Results-driven
71. Results-oriented
72. Self-reliant
73. Organised
74. Knowledgeable
75. Logical
76. Personable
77. Pleasant
78. Flexible
79. Adaptable
80. Persuasive
81. Perceptive
82. Insightful
83. Trustworthy
84. Easy going
85. Good listener
86. Imaginative
87. Warm
88. Ambitious
89. Diplomatic
90. Curious
91. Leader

I bet you're a good few of those, I had to look up 'Quixotic' and it's safe to say that's not one of my positive traits, but I am quite a few of the others.  

Yeah here's to a day of appreciating ourselves and our worth, let's call it 'National ME day', remember you don't take care of anything or anyone you don't love, so let's start loving ourselves for who we are, completely BeYOUtiful.

Have a very, very, great day BeYOUtiful!   

'------'

(O,O)

/)__)

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WW Workshops - where the magic happens

Thursday 11th April 2019
If you believe it will work out, you'll find opportunities.  If you believe it won't, you'll see obstacles.

So will you be looking for opportunities or obstacles today?

My day yesterday was mixed to say the least, my home life was challenging to say the least and then I went to my workshops and they completed lifted me and made me forget the unpleasant situation of the day so far.  That's how amazing WW members are!

I'm not going to put any more in this blog, I want you to read this post I read this morning on Facebook, click and follow the link below.

Inspirational and worth reading

Yep WW works!

Here's to a day of focusing on the opportunities and putting on our positive pants.

Here's to a very, very positive day!

Wednesday 10th April 2019
Appreciate where you are in your journey, even if it's not where you want to be, every season serves a purpose. 

Well I finally got my risotto and it didn't disappoint especially for 11SP, I enjoyed it so much I want a beetroot risotto now, I've only ever eaten two both in restaurants so having looked online I don't think it's sold ready made anywhere, so looks like I'm going to have to make it myself - not today though. I have enough food cooked in my fridge for the next few days, including my sisters chicken orzo, that's tea tonight sorted. 

This week in my workshops it's all about positive thinking, I believe it's great to start the day with positive thoughts everyday which is why my blog always starts with a positive image and/or quote, looking for them in the morning puts my in a positive stated of mind.  It's why I end my blog with 'let's have a very, very great day' because again lends towards starting positive.

So take a few minutes to recognise the good stuff in your life.  

What things, people and places do you love?

What have you worked hard to achieve? 

What are you passionate about?

Who can you reply on for a hug and a few kind words? 

What did you do yesterday to help your weight loss journey?

What are you going to do today to help you on your weight loss journey?

Here's to a very, very great day....

Stay BeYOUtiful.

'------'

(O,O)

/)__)

   ""

Stop rushing to get to the end x

Tuesday 9th April 2019
May you never forget what is worth remembering or remember what is best forgotten.

Not quitting is most important when it comes to your weight loss journey because every day is different, some days will be easier than others and as long as we do our best, it's all good.

One of my members tagged me in her post last night, two photos a year about and 4st 4lb lost, she joined determined that she would lose weight after being diagnosed borderline diabetic and she did.  A little determination goes a long way.

Patience is another quality that'll help, it's not going to happen overnight, it takes time so you need to stick with it.  

I realised yesterday that since I've started crocheting my attitude to it has changed.  When I first started learning, I was all about how fast I could get a project finished, a bit like when we start a weight loss journey, we're all about how fast we can get it off! 

Now though, I'm enjoying the process as much as the finished result, I'm learning new stitches and techniques with my latest project and taking my time with it because there's a great deal of satisfaction with every round I complete.  I'm appreciating the fact that it's helping me improve my concentration and also my memory seems to be working a little better.  When I first started I couldn't keep a count of stitches so got frustrated with that kind of work, now I can.

Every time I finish and master a round, I feel an inner sense of pride and my face lights up with a big bursting smile as I say to my mom, "look what I did so far" and she smiles back and says, "It's brilliant Bev, you're very clever".  And I love that connection we make as mother and daughter as she tells me how her mom was incredible at crochet but she could never get to grips with it.  Yeah it's the same story but hey, it don't matter, it's the first time she's told it to me in her world. 

So just as with everything it isn't just about getting to the end of something it's enjoying the journey, imagine how silly it would be for us just to look forward to getting to the end of everything we start? We'd be racing towards death really wouldn't we!

I really enjoyed my dinner yesterday, used up all the leftover spuds from my roast the day before and the leftover veg and made the most epic corned beef hash. 

It really was delicious, just a bit of spray light in the pan, warmed through the spuds and carrots and added a can of diced corned beef (22SP) and fried till all warm, sorted no recipe required but if you do want one http://happyowls.co.uk/Recipes/RecipesDinner/CornedBeefHash.html although I think it's only 11SP now as Eggs are a zero hero.

I've got mushroom risotto to look forward to today, been fancying a risotto for weeks and they were on offer 2 for £4 in the Tesco garage at the weekend, sorted 12SP I think from memory so not bad for my main meal of the day.  I know I could've made my own, maybe next time especially as there's a recipe on the WW app for it. 

Anyway, it's Tuesday, I'm ready for my day, well I will be once I've showered and dressed and done all those morning things that have to be done but first another glass of water.

Here's to having a very, great day 

Stay BeYOUtiful!   

'------'

(O,O)

/)__)

   ""

Another Monday, the 15th this year to be precise!

Monday 8th April
Be yourself, people don't have to like you and you don't have to care.

Well did I cover some ground yesterday, my brother has 3 dogs but only 2 came for a walk yesterday, ones a miniature dachshund and the other a Chihuahua and can I say they are better than having personal trainers, seriously these dogs walk so fast that on my Fitbit and WW app part of the walk shows up as Elliptical and Aerobic workouts as if we've been to the gym!  Then I got back and Alfie took me for a short walk with a longer one on the afternoon, so in total yesterday I earned 37 FitPoints, 168 active minutes and covered more than 9 miles!  Those 2 dogs dragged us 5 mile in 90 minutes, no wonder my knee is popping ;)  

I decided I was in need of a roast dinner and as it was only half 9 when I got back from dropping Ian at the Wolves, there was only the Tesco garage or the Co-op open, I'd fancied lamb until I saw they wanted £27 for a leg in the Tesco, I think not, my chicken cost me £3.50 from Co-op, I got 3 bags of food for that £27 including a treat for Alfie and mom.  My eyes were bigger than my belly and I couldn't finish it, probably because I'd been picking at the stuff whilst cooking it. 

As long as I stay under that stone mark, I'm happy and once again I have thankfully.  I need the weather to brighten up, I really do and more walks, I definitely can feel the benefits of walking, the lumps on my legs are a little less ;) I even think my back boobs may have shrunk a little. 

Today will be all about the roast dinner leftovers, thinking bubble and squeak for breakfast and possible another dinner later, why not, getting my moneys worth from that chicken, been a long time since I cooked parsnips too, any meal that gets mom to eat some is worth the effort and she did.

I'm looking forward to my Monday, got a dog to walk, some crochet to do and I need to plan my workshops for the week, plus do some paperwork, I love this uncomplicated life I have, I see so much drama in other peoples lives, you can keep it, I'll stick with the most exciting part of my day being what shall I have for dinner.

If my biggest problem is I'm overweight, I'm happy with that, although I wouldn't mind a never-ending bank account, just sat looking at my vehicle tax reminder, there's £250 gone this month, which also means it's MOT and Service time of year, happy days!

Right I'm off, Alfie wants his walk, actually so do I, loosen up these legs, my knee hurts and pops whether I walk or not so I may as well keep walking.

Here's to making Monday magical, go on do your best.

Stay BeYOUtiful

'------'

(O,O)

/)__)

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What are your habits?

Sunday 7th April
What you do everyday matters more than what you do once in a while.

We've talked about healthy habits in my workshops this week and getting up at 5am on a Sunday has become one of mine so that I can go get a walk in with my brother, I could've stayed in bed this morning though, shouldn't have had a late night but I wanted to watch the final of The Voice.  I'll be good after I've finished my pint of water, had a mug of tea and got some fresh air in my lungs.  

Yep moving more is a healthy habit to get into, whether it's doing a class you enjoy, going to the gym or just going for a walk.  Anything that gets you moving!  

Other habits we discussed were the obvious like switching to low fat stuff, smaller plate to help control portions, roasting and grilling rather than frying.  Then there's planning your meals, tracking everything, ensuring you get your five a day fruit and veggies.  Drinking plenty of water, there were more things but it is only half 5 on a Sunday morning and I want my mug of tea, I've also got to get moms stuff ready to leave for her.

I had a lovely bit of salmon yesterday with roast veg, I roasted some celery, it tasted better cooked.  I served it with a packet of Jamie Oliver's ready to eat lentils that I was given by a member to try, they don't look the best when they come out of the packet and they taste okay, I wouldn't write home about em but they're edible.  I've had lentils that tasted much better than these did.

They'd be better under some mash as a cottage pie type thing I reckon. 

Alfie and I took a walk round the pools at Essington, it's lovely over there, not sure he was impressed though to be honest, he just doesn't like going in the car much at all.  

I did a few more rows of my crochet before going back to my squares for the rest of the night and that was my Saturday done and dusted.

Now to do similar today, I can hear mom moving around I think, which makes leaving easier as I can tell her I'm going and not leave a note.  

I'm going to see if she wants to watch the Wolves match later, if it's on our tele that is of course, she sometimes gets quite involved with sport on tv and it'll help that it's our city's team.

Right I'm off, have a great day, whatever you have planned, I need a cuppa.

Stay BeYOUtiful!   

'------'

(O,O)

/)__)

   ""

Easy Carbonara anyone?

Saturday 6th April
Everyday is a fresh start, DOn't quIT!

Well what a difference a week makes, last Friday I walked to my massage it was such a lovely morning, this Friday I barely wanted to walk the dog, it was so cold and wet!  We need some sunshine please. 

I started my day with a sausage sarnie again, this time Penn Road Butchers Honey Chicken Breast ones, oh my, they're my favourite so far, I will most definitely be having them again. 

I finally decided on my next crochet project, I'm going to tackle Sophies Universe, this of course will be my pre wine project, I've got a much easier granny blanket going on post wine.  I enjoyed a couple of hours getting it started and I'm so glad I treated myself to enough dusty pink aran from Aldi to complete it all in one colour, it'll match my bedroom lovely and make it pretty.

 Rows 1-12 for anyone that's interested

I chose this project  it has both written instructions (http://www.lookatwhatimade.net/crafts/yarn/crochet/sophies-universe-cal-2015/sophies-universe-cal-2015-information/) and youtube videos (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_o7ZGN5qwI&list=PLCZnKEb9VzY0g_D0L_hc3U_1OTY2IOKpZ) to go with it, there's also a book available (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/949184010X/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) from Amazon that's on it's way.  When you think of all the work that was put into designing this pattern, they deserve to sell the book! 

I asked in my group last night what everyone had on their menu, oh my, my members are truly eating well!   It's made me want to get my cook on, and here's a recipe from the new Cook from WW that I really do fancy and I have everything other than the bacon and rocket, but I could pick that up.

EASY CARBONARA
This simple pasta dish is an all-time Italian classic.
Serves 4
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 20 nubs
Smart Points 8

INGREDIENTS
1 onion, finely chopped
100g bacon medallions, cut into 1cm chunks
240g spaghetti
3 egg yolks, beaten
40g Parmesan, finely grated

FROM THE STORECUPBOARD
Calorie controlled cooking spray
2 garlic cloves, unpeeled
Freshly ground black pepper

TO SERVE (optional)
Rocket

METHOD
1 Mist a nonstick frying pan with cooking spray and set over a medium heat. Add the onion, and cook for 6-8 minutes until softened, adding a splash of water if it starts to stick. Gently crush the garlic cloves with the back of a spoon, then add them to the pan along with the bacon. Cook for a further 5 minutes until the bacon is golden. Remove and discard the garlic cloves.

2 Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti to pack instructions. Drain, reserving 100ml of the cooking water, and return to the pan.

3 Add the bacon and onion mixture, the egg yolks and Parmesan to the pasta and stir to combine, allowing the heat from the pasta to cook the egg and form a sauce. Add a little of the reserved pasta water to thin the sauce so it coats the spaghetti. Season to taste, then serve sprinkled with more freshly ground black pepper.

But before I can get round to that, I have a wonderful morning to look forward to with my Saturday gang, I'm thinking eggs for breakfast before I go there though.

Here's to surviving the weekend, hoping for the rain to go away to give us some walking weather. 

Stay BeYOUtiful!   

'------'

(O,O)

/)__)

   ""

What should you be adding to your shopping list - find out....

Friday 6th April 2019
Stop waiting for Friday, for Summer, for someone to fall in love with you, for life.  Happiness is achieved when you stop waiting for it and make the most of the moment you are in now.

Yesterday I saw evidence of what a difference a week can make to how you're feeling and your motivation.  Yes I had lots of new members that joined last Thursday and had great results this week, that's expected because they join with motivation and determination and a WANT to do it.  However when a member who's been struggling for a long time finally says, enough's enough, let's do this and follows the plan again 100%, tracking, planning, the lot, then rocks up and loses half a stone - BOOM!  That's the difference a week can make!  Proof right there that the plan works if you do.

7 Days, break that down, it's 168 hours, break that down even more, we have to sleep so if you spend 7 hours a night in bed, that's 49 hours accounted for, so now we're down to 119 hours, that's how many you have to get through to have that first good week, which if you're struggling is always the toughest.  Could you for one week only have nothing tempting in the house, just to give you that kick start.  Surely your family would support you just for one week, or ask them to hide their junk/treat food.

17 hours a day for 7 days, if you work or even if you don't you can find stuff to fill some of those hours.  Make sure you have a plan for your meals.  Make it as simple as possible for yourself.  Maybe have the same breakfast each morning, you could buy 7 delicious ready meals for your evening meals, you could do the same for lunchtimes if you have access to a microwave.  

Make sure you only buy food that's going to support your week, so a few weeks ago in my workshop, we put together a list of things that could be on your list to help you lose weight, they included (in no particular order!)

Pataks Saag masala sauce (11SP a jar)
Fresh & Tinned fruit in juice including sliced apples 
Fry light - there are lots of flavours now including a BBQ & Grill one
Haricot Beans - to make zero baked beans with the WW BBQ sauce
Asda's Stewed steak (5SP) can 
Sugar free jelly
Pancake syrups / Skinny syrups (you can get sugar free versions) 
Choc Shot - Sweet Freedom 
(sweet freedom have 2 new flavours coming to Aldi for a limited time on 18th April) 

Eggs

WW ready meals

Chopped tomatoes, passata

Bob Milk or skimmed milk

Tinned tuna

Natural or 0% Greek yogurt

Bagel thins / sandwich thins

Sainsburys flat breads (3SP)

Heinz WW Tomato soup (1SP can)

Tinned new potatoes

Tinned mixed beans or any beans

Porridge oats

Fish 

Babybel lights

Pickled onions

Philadelphia light

Ski Yogurt Pouches (Aldi) 

WW Spaghetti - tin 

Laughing cow lights and the blue cheese ones

Frozen veg

frozen garlic, ginger and chilli

Options hot chocolate sachets

meringue nests

Hoola Hoops Puft / Pombears / French fries

WW Popcorn and all the products in their workshops for a sweet or savoury fix

Halo ice cream

frozen cauliflower rie

Benefit - Jaffa cake bars - Aldi (2SP I think - check)

Pink n White wafers (2SP)

Snack a Jacks (caramel 2SP)

Asda caramel rice cake 1SP

Wafer thin chicken or turkey 0SP

ready cooked chicken breasts 0SP remove any skin

Birds eye chicken breasts chargrills 3SP each

Penn Road butchers chicken breast sausages 2 for 1SP

Flava Mint Marinade (8SP a pack I think, check)

Maggi Papers (1SP each) 

If you can think of anything else, add it in the comments of the post.

Right I'm gonna get on with my day, things to do, places to be, can't believe it's Friday already - where did this week go!  Love getting a better work/life balance, I used to feel like I was at work all the time, now I don't, still love the work but I love other stuff too.

Here's to a very great day, just think if you haven't been doing great, if you start today, 168 hours, 49 of them in bed, this time next week, you could be feeling as good as that lovely lady did last night when I said, "Wow, you've lost half a stone!"  Trust me, her face was a picture and everyone in the room was absolutely thrilled for her too.

Stay BeYOUtiful.  

'------'

(O,O)

/)__)

   ""

Ready for my day - are you?

Thursday 4th April
Stop doubting yourself, work hard - make it happen!

Every week I weigh people who are doing great, losing weight and working on themselves.  No they don't always lose weight every week, but they're not giving up, they're seeing their journey as a continual one through the easy and hard weeks. 

I felt flat when I got out of bed yesterday, it was one of those mornings, I'd got one on me for no reason.  Once I'd done my paperwork, walked the dog and got ready for my evening workshops, I sat down ready to crochet but feeling dissatisfied with everything.  So instead of sitting there feeling sorry for myself, I decided it was time to tackle my housework, I got the hoover and fresh bedding and sorted both bedrooms, what a job that was, I think 50% of my clothing was on my floor!  It caused issues with mom, she didn't like me in her room, throwing away her COMPLETED crossword books, we had words, I ended up hoovering and crying at the same time, but hey I was already low so at least I was earning fit points whilst crying and not just wallowing in self pity in the living room.  The house is now tidy, well it was!  Kitchens never stay tidy do they and thanks to my sister, it gets looked after, I might empty the cupboards and fridge at the weekend and give it a good deep clean.  All that activity must have added a good few steps to my FitBit, if I input housework as an activity, 2 hours is 8 Fit Points and I was sweating, changing bedding ain't easy, nor is carrying a heavy Henry about!  Not to mention scrubbing toilets - yak! Yeah Spring Cleaning is in order in the kitchen this weekend for sure.  

I started by saying I weigh people each week who are doing great, but I also weigh people who are struggling, including myself, for whatever reason they're finding it difficult to stay on track.  The thing is when life's easy, weight loss is easy, when life is hard, everything including weight loss is harder.  My circumstances mean some days I feel trapped, it would be so easy to feel sorry for myself and get down but I know that's not going to help, so I fight it, I look for things I can do in the house to make me feel better, hence the crochet.  Oh how I'd love to just be able to get in my car and drive whenever I felt like it, to just wake up and think, today I'm going to drive to the seaside or even just drive to the shops and have a mooch, ma'am I miss that freedom, but no point dwelling.

I didn't cook yesterday with all the tidying, I did try Penn Road butchers new Nuno bangers - they're good, the chicken ones only 2 for 1SP but the pork ones are 7SP each - ouch!  I had a sausage and egg sandwich for breakfast, ate another sausage for lunch, then the wonderful Harj messaged me to ask if I wanted some brown lentil dhal so that was my tea sorted.  

Think I'm going to take some salmon out the freezer this morning so I'm guaranteed my dinner, got leftover mash I can have with it in the fridge, yeah need to get my cooking mojo back, although I'm still working my way through the freezer and cupboards saving a few pounds whilst I hopefully lose a few pounds.

Time to work for it, if I'm stuck at home as much as I am, I may as well use that time to become the best version of myself I can be, instead of using it to turn into a slob.  

Here's to a very busy day, the forecast is rain (typical on a Thursday), but it can still be a very, great day and I intend to make it so - do you?

Stay BeYOUtiful!   

'------'

(O,O)

/)__)

   ""

The plan works if you do!

Wednesday 3rd April 2019
Life is like a book, some chapters are sad, some are happy and some are exciting.  But if you never turn the page, you will never know what the next chapter holds. 

Well how good is it that in addition to being voted the best diet for the 9th year running, WW have now been named official provider of the Healthier You: NHS England Diabetes Prevention Programme.  NHS England programme to support at least 200,000 people annually by 2023 as part of world’s largest programme for the prevention of type 2 diabetes

This means Healthier You participants will receive access to WW’s clinically-proven and award-winning programme, tailored to help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.  Brilliant news and I look forward to finding out more about this soon!  

It's true though, we've talked about it in workshops the last week or so, how easy the plan is to tailor to your own needs.  If weight loss is important to you, then WW makes it do able and liveable.  You have of course got to make changes, you don't just walk in the room and ta-dah it magically melts the fat off!  We ain't that good.  

I remember the first time I joined Weight Watchers, I'm sure it was 1988, I was 18, it wasn't this easy back then, if you wanted to know the points in something, you looked in a book, not on your phone.  If you wanted to talk to your leader or fellow members, you had to wait a week for the next meeting, now you have 24/7 access thanks to Connect on the app and Facebook.  

Have we made it too easy? 

Nah, because life still has the same problems being thrown at us.  Hell it was easier when I was 18, because back then losing weight was the only thing I had to focus on, I had no stress or worries, my biggest worry in my head was probably "will he call?"  Oh for such simplicity now.

I finally had my cod in butter sauce, this hit the spot for under a quid and 6SP, fish is one of my favourite foods but it's not cheap is it, so being able to pick a pack of 4 up for £2 in the Co-op last week was a bonus.  No there wasn't enough of the cod there but the truth is, that's a portion and it's eating too large a portion that's caused the weight gain.  

The brain needs retraining or reminding of what a portion should look like. 

Not sure what I'm eating today, I fancy pasta and I've got the new Penn Road Butchers Nuno Bangers to try, he's doing them in Pork or Chicken.  My sister made me some Chicken chill fry which I've frozen for a day I'm feeling like something a bit hot!  She obviously forgot I'm a lightweight in the warmth stakes.  It's a quick and easy meal for low points though.

Chicken Chilli Fry 

Serves 1

1 or 2 Chicken breast 

1 onion sliced

100g tomato puree (3sp)

2 heaped tsp curry powder

1 heaped tsp chilli powder

1 heaped tsp garam masala

1 beef oxo

Brown onion in spray oil. Set aside. Cook chicken in spray oil. Set aside. Combine tomato puree, curry, chilli, garam masala & oxo in a pan with half a pint of water. Bring to a simmer stirring all the time. Add chicken & onions and cook through.

Right that's me off to get my day started, remember the plan works if you do!  Have a very great day, 

Stay BeYOUtiful!   

'------'

(O,O)

/)__)

   ""

April showers outside!

Tuesday 2nd April 2019
The key to success is to start before you are ready.

Well listening to the downpour of rain going on outside, you wouldn't believe we sat in the garden yesterday and enjoyed a bit of sun!  We had a quiet day all round, a lovely giggle together, mom was in a good mood and I made the most of it.  Plus we chatted about old times, I'd been reminded of some fun times I'd had walking with friends in Wales via Facebook, good times so I sat and relayed those tales to mom, my memory is actually quite bad, it always has been so I love it when people remind me of things and I actually can remember it. 

I April fooled myself by turning up at the vets a week early, thankfully they fitted me in and Alfie enjoyed a walk round a different park, he's not a fan of the car at all, he was shaking like a leaf, the poor thing.    

Foodwise, we enjoyed chicken stuffed with cheese triangle, I had olives and chorizo in mine too, ate them with roasted veggies (butternut squash, red pepper, mushrooms and carrot) 

We also had a really early night, which I'm grateful for this morning, I've already finished my much needed pint of water to start my day, not sure what's on the menu today either so I need to go have a think and decide, don't want to be faffing about, oh I've already decided, gotta be that cod in butter sauce, will have with mash and peas. 

Eggs for breakfast, might cook my packet of chicken sausages and have a couple of them too, then I could have a sausage sarnie for tea.

Right not much else to tell today, here's to another very, great day,

Stay BeYOUtiful!   

'------'

(O,O)

/)__)

   ""

April fool free here.

Monday 1st April 2019

When life gives you Monday, dip it in glitter and sparkle all day.
Well I earned 33 FitPoints yesterday - BOOM!  I did almost 20k steps and had 156 active minutes, enjoyed my walk with Ian, despite the cows in the field and had a couple of walks with Alfie.  Cow's inquisitive things, I'm not a huge fan, they're okay if you're on your own, but not if you have dogs with you, which we did and there's always an awkward style to get the dog through the other side of the field, its almost guaranteed.   This was them before we entered the field, my brother too this photo, 

Then this is them as we're crossing the field, another brother shot, I'm moving as fast as I can and my hearts pounding, I won't lie!  The just start following ya!

 I took this one once I was safely over the stile! 

 This was the walk we used to do as kids, and this is the brook we used to play around and hang around after school, can you believe I used to crawl under that bridge, no fear as kids had we at all.

Once home I took Alfie out, then went to spend all my money on wool in Aldi, it's one of their offers this week so I've stocked up with enough to last me months and months, thus saving pounds and pounds.  

Mom wanted egg and chips for her dinner so that's what we had, it made her smile that I used alphabites on her plate.  

I was able to have some too, all these for 6SP, plus you can have 4 fishmongers for 6SP too, the egg and peas are zero.  I loved that meal, I won't like, I didn't have mayo on mine though. 

Mothers Day meant visitors and calls, so glad all of moms kids were in touch this weekend, she coped really well with it all too thankfully, having an early night helped I think.

And now it's Monday, April 1st, Alfie has a vet appointment, well I had a text last week to say he had, imagine if I turned up and they said April fool!  That'd go down well - NOT! 

I thought I was going to have issues with my Wednesday meeting for 5 weeks starting next week, but looks like it's going to be okay, apparently the road is only going to be closed 8-5 so my members will be able to still get on car park, I was more concerned about me getting my stuff there to set up, but my brother Mark (See you made the blog bro) who's dead clever (Ask him!) suggested I took my car over before they start on the morning, brilliant, I can live without my car on Wednesday's for that time, and then I just walk over and set up as normal.  Now to pray the entrance ain't blocked, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

It's Monday morning, I'm on track, lost a pound, hoping for another good week, not perfect of course but better and that's all that matters.

Have a very, great day...

Stay BeYOUtiful!   

'------'

(O,O)

/)__)

   ""