A Whole New Outlook On Life

Bonjourno!

I do realise that I start every single post on this blog with 'I know I haven't written in a while' but seriously, I know I haven't and I am trying to work on it! 

As most of you know, things haven't really been going my way in terms of Slimming World as of late (and by as of late, I mean since like, Christmas) so I've had to re-evaluate everything in my life and seriously give myself a kick up the arse.

At the start of April, we booked to go to New York at the end of November. Which in itself is SUPER exciting and oh my god, I literally cannot wait to go. But as soon as we left the travel agent, the panic started. "What if I don't fit in the seat? What if the seatbelt won't go over me? What if I get asked to get off the plane?" You know, the usual things. (You all might remember the 'too fat for Alton Towers' panic I had in July last year..) At the time, I wasn't really doing Slimming World to the letter, I was having pretty low syn meals but the snacking and the going out for meals was just horrendous.

So in the space of just over 4 months I've managed to gain back just over a stone. Ughhhh.

The kick up the arse I so desperately needed was when I tried on the dress that I had bought for my niece's christening and it didn't fit. Like not even slightly. I mean we managed to get it on and everything but in the end I had to take it off because I literally could not breathe in it. I feel like that was the massive kick that I needed, because the last time a dress didn't fit me I did drastic (and very unhealthy) things to make it fit, something which I vowed never to do again.

So I've been on youtube religiously, trying to find something that I felt as though I would be able to stick to and something that I would enjoy. I've decided to just eat a little healthier... I know this sounds ridiculous but so far it's actually working. I've bought a Wii.. and lots of Just Dance games and I plan to rejoin the gym when it opens.

I've also discovered avocados... and holy hell they're tasty.

I hope you're all doing great on whatever plan you're following, and any advice you can give me, I'd be really appreciative! 

Ciao!
x

Syn Free Syrups!

Bonjourno!

I don't know if many people know about these, but I've discovered something amazing! 
As you all know I love having a Starbucks every now and again. I used my HEXA to have a cheeky latte with a dash of some sugar free syrup, which is syn free. However, the range is very limited to vanilla, hazelnut and caramel.

Until now.

I was looking for some syrup to buy at home as I recently bought a Dolce Gusto (2.5syns for a latte, yes please!) and I came across TRKG Coffee and Oh My Actual God they are amazing!

They have 28 different flavours of zero calorie, zero sugar syrups (all are syn free!) to add to coffee, porridge, cakes, over pancakes, whatever you like! The flavours are so good and they have revolutionised my life!

.. and these are just a few!

The flavours are:

Caramel
Caramel Pecan
Cinnamon Vanilla
English Toffee
Gingerbread
Pumpkin Spice
Red Velvet Cake
Salted Caramel
Agave
Chocolate Caramel Truffle
Coconut
Mango
Peach
Salted Dark Chocolate Espresso
Tiramisu
Vanilla Almod
White Chocolate
Almond
Blueberry
Hazelnut
Irish Cream
Mocha
Peppermint
Peppermint Mocha
Pomegranate
Raspberry
Vanilla

They are only £6.49 for a whole litre so get shopping!

Ciao 
x

Honesty.

I think it's time to get a few things off my chest.

I was reading a few weight loss blog recently, most notably weightlossbitch.com (who is a massive inspiration!), who all seem to have the same issues that I do. I know that some of you out there are really struggling with weight loss, and I feel you sister, right now my head really isn't in the game and I can't see it being in the game for a while.. there are just so many events and things that have nice food there to just say no.

In the beginning I was literally obsessed with Slimming World. Like, to the point where I didn't go out for meals (unless it was a Subway salad) and literally had about 10 syns in the whole week. I did really well in the start, averaging about a 2lbs a week loss and I felt really good about myself.

But lately.. mehh. I think Christmas has really put me off track and the slowing-downness of my weight loss has really triggered a sense of.. why-am-bothering-ness. It's taken me almost 4 months to lose a stone and a half, when I did that within the first month of going to Slimming World the first time. I don't get it, and it's really getting me down.

Now, I know you might think I'm being stupid, as in the past year I have managed to shed an incredible 6 stone. Which is fine, and sounds good on paper, but when I'm still buying the same size clothes or maybe one dress size down, it sucks. According to the district manager who was at group the other night, you're supposed to go down a dress size every 10lbs or so. HA. Bitch, I should be a size 6 by now! And in society's eyes I am still a fat woman, which is reiterated at least once a week by a chav yelling 'HEY FAT CUNT' out of his window as he drives by.

Super confidence building.

Someone please, please help me. I don't know what else to do, I can't get my head in the game because it feels like a losing battle.

Breakfast Ideas

Bonjourno!

I'm not really much of a breakfast person, but since I started Slimming World having breakfast has literally saved me from eating crisps as a morning snack. I try to have something filling so I don't snack until lunch time, so having my healthy B in the morning is normally a good way to go, since the fibre fills you up and prolongs the hunger. So here are my breakfast ideas:

Hope this gives you some breakfast inspiration! 
Ciao!
x

Junk Food Confessions

Bonjourno!

As the new year has just befallen us, I feel like now is the time to get back into shape and start with Slimming World anew and try hard to make sure that I can reach my target.

However..

When I decide to go off plan, I go off plan like a kid in a sweet shop (sometimes quite literally). I ate the most ridiculous amount of food over Christmas and New Year, so I decided - taking some advice from one of my favourite YouTubers, Jenna Marbles - to write down everything that my 'inner fat kid' made me eat so that I would see how bad it actually was in order to help me change my ways. So let's do this together in the hopes that it will urge us to put the bag of crisps down and go for an apple instead,

So, the week before Christmas:
- I went off plan way early and started really small, by not measuring the amount of cheese that I put on my spag bol. Not so bad, right?
- Ah fuck it, how did these Quality Street get here? Oh no, 10 seemed to have fallen in my mouth...

Christmas Eve:
- "Mum's bought us a massive box of shortbread for Christmas!" Ahhh, fuck.
- We decided to have a massive "party tea" on Christmas Eve with sausage rolls, a chicken platter, battered prawns, doritos, dip, breadsticks, mini pizzas and a friggen cheese board. There was literally nothing but syns on the table.
- Oh no! 10 more Quality Street fell into my mouth!

Christmas Day
- Merry Christmas! Start the day with a massive sausage sandwich with hash browns on a massive white bun!
- "Here, have some Christmas cake with your cuppa." Dammit!
- Ooops, another Quality Street
- Lunchtime! Turkey with roast potatoes, roast stuffing, mini sausages wrapped in bacon, yorkshire puddings and a mountain of gravy... not a veggie in sight.
- Pudding? Who says no to pudding? Treacle sponge with whipped cream... I can feel the cake on my hips.
- Ahh crap, how did those Quality Street find me?

Boxing Day
- Leftover central! More white bread, more turkey, beef and stuffing. Don't forget the crisps!
- FUCK YOU QUALITY STREET.


Between Christmas and New Year was literally a haven of shortbread, the box was huge and I loved every second of it.

Not only did I eat loads, but I drank loads as well. I'm not a huge drinker but NYE was the time for me to show off my amazing drink-fuelled dance moves.

- Cocktails and more cocktails.. orange juice and malibu, taboo, vodka, you name it, it was in it.
- Vodka redbulls, because why the fuck not?
- Disaronno and orange juice.. apparently I just drink anything when I'm already drunk.

So... there we have it, my junk food confessions. Now I see it I hope that I can feel repulsed enough to start doing Slimming World properly. 

Let me know your junk food confessions!

Ciao!
x

Slimming World and Christmas Markets

Bonjourno!

Seems like forever ago I was starting this blog and telling you all of the delights that were at Manchester Christmas Markets last year. How much can a year change everything?! This time last year I was so unhappy with myself, depressed because I couldn't fit into the clothes that I liked, and wondering if I even had the motivation to do anything about it. 

Fast forward to 12 months later and here I am, an amazing six stone lighter and a definite spring in my step. Last year I struggled around the markets, having to sit down every few minutes because I just couldn't hack the walking around. This year we walked for 2 hours around the Trafford Centre before coming back and spending another 3 hours in the markets! I have to admit my feet hurt after that, but there would be no way I could have managed that last year!

The picture on the right was taken in January and the one on the left is from a couple of weeks ago! Can't believe how much my face as changed!

Anyway, onto food and the markets. It's surprising how much there is on offer to eat for someone doing Slimming World - it's all about asking for what you want, rather than just accepting the whole lot, syns and all.

Because we stayed in a hotel we were offered a free breakfast, which I was sure would have nothing but very bad (but very tasty) things to eat. So I was really surprised when I saw weetabix (HEXB for 2) and fresh fruit! I also filled up on a big bowl full of beans.

In the Trafford Centre, there are so many lovely places to eat, and very tempting too. I opted for a Spudulike jacket potato with beans and low fat cottage cheese, which came to 1.5 syns for the whole thing. Much better than a burger or pizza!

If you are venturing to the markets, make sure you check the ingredients before asking for something. Always ask if anything has been cooked in oil or butter to make sure you can count syns correctly. Guessing for me always leads to gaining!

Look out for:

• Carvery stands - they offer lean roasted meats in a giant yorkshire or a bun, ask for the meats by themselves and they will give you more, more protein will fill you for longer.
• Hog Roast - the pork is very lean and again they will serve you a massive bowl of lean pork without any sneaky sides!
• European food stands - offer roasted garlic potatoes and mushrooms in a garlic sauce. When  I asked, they said the mushrooms are griddled and served with creme fraise, but the amount isn't huge so count a few syns for that. They also serve boiled rice with all of their foods.
• Bratwurst Stands - I would avoid the actual Bratwurst sausage, but most of the stands had a grilled pork or grilled steak to offer, which was just cooked over an open fire on a grill, no oil whatsoever!

You could always use your flexible syns and save up for an amazing food experience - my partner had chocolate strudel, cheese, crepes, pancakes and waffles. Crepes are not very high in syns (4 syns per crepe) but watch out for the toppings they offer!

I hope this helps anyone who is travelling to a Christmas Market between now and Christmas, I would highly recommend it!

Ciao!

x

Slow Cooked Goodness

Bonjourno!

It's been so crazy round here lately, I've barely had time to breathe let alone create wonderful Slimming World recipes! A little update for you, I've managed to bag myself a brand new job! It's my absolute dream job, and I couldn't believe that they offered me it! So I'm super excited to start, but with me getting the job so close to my birthday, I've had at least 5 days off plan. You only have a birthday once a year, right?

I've had my slow cooker for a long time, but it's only been recently that I've discovered what amazing things you can make in it! It's literally a life saver for me when I have to work late, and I know that there'll be a lovely meal all ready for me at home and I don't have to make something from scratch. Normally I leave out the ingredients for my other half so that he can sort it all out (last time I actually left out a pot of measured spices so that he didn't get too confused) and then when I come home I just whack some veggies on or pasta and boom, tasty meal in minutes.

So I thought I would share a few ideas with you, as to what I have made in the slow cooker and just how delicious they are!


Beef in a Creamy Tomato Sauce (from SlimmingEats)
Throw some beef and whatever veg you like, paprika, garlic, mixed herbs and chilli into the slow cooker, add 120ml of stock, a can of chopped tomatoes and some tomato puree into the slow cooker and cook for around 6 hours. When it's cooked, spoon out the meat and veg and add 60g of quark to the sauce and stir till smooth.

 Breakfast Lasagne (from the Slimming World website)

• 300g tomatoes, chopped
• 4 medium sized potatoes, peeled and diced
• 6 rashers lean bacon, cooked and chopped
• 200g quark
• 6 medium eggs
• 200g mushrooms
• Herbs

Beat the eggs and Quark together. Spray inside of slow-cooker with low calorie cooking spray. Layer potatoes, bacon, tomatoes and mushrooms in the slow-cooker in two or three layers. Pour over the egg mixture and sprinkle with herbs. Cook on 'low' for ten to twelve hours or until eggs are set and thoroughly cooked.

Crispy Potato topped Casserole

Use your meat of choice and cut it up into small chunks. Add as much veg as you choose into the slow cooker then cover with stock until around 3/4 full. Add herbs and a touch of tomato puree to thicken the stock. Cook on high for around 4 hours then low for a further 2. For the topping, slice 2 medium potatoes and place on a fry light sprayed oven tray. Spray the potatoes then cook at 180°c for around 20 minutes or until crisp.

Pulled Pork

This one couldn't be simpler, cut the fat off a joint of pork and place in the slow cooker. Cover with stock and cook for around 8-10 hours on high. Serve with whichever sauce you like - we like to put ours in tacos and hexb wraps!

There you go, have fun using your slow cookers!

Ciao!

x