Step away from the cake.

With a little will and a lot of effort and a huge amount of encouragement from a horrid stomach bug, I've managed to lose a whopping 2 stone.
For years I've been a size 18 and too be honest wasn't really bothered about my size. When I made an effort I scrubbed up pretty well.
However, in March I had the dreaded flu which exhausted me and I just didn't want to eat. Then I had a miscarriage and everything went wobbly and fuzzy. So it was a while before I started having proper meals. Combined that and going back to work with a pack up instead of drinking coffee and picking all day and without me realising it I had lost quite a lot.
I still didn't realise I had lost weight until May, when I visited Katie, she took one look at me and said wow, then pointed out that I had lost most of it from my arse and my clothes didn't fit.
By the end of June I weighted myself (I don't own scales) and I had lost 1.5 stone. Since then I have made a conscience effort. I no longer have pudding and biscuits after my meal. My coffee machine make such delicious coffee that I don't need sugar. I worked out that I was having at least 7 coffees a day with 2 sugars in them. The biggest thing is I've stopped picking in between meals. Apart from that I haven't changed my diet. The hardest thing was giving up cake. I've now nearly lost a total of 2 stone, I would like to get down to 12 stone, that means I have 8lbs to go.

Watching the pennies.

One month in after our decision to write down each penny spent on our grocery shopping  and the amount is some what staggering. We decided in include nappies, formula and meals out.
In the last four weeks we have spend nearly £500, which is nearly double our estimate. As a result we are looking for ways to cut back. Not sure yet how, but things need to change. We rarely throw food away, so everything we do spend is consumed. Fresh fruit and veg have a big impact on our bill, however, I'm reluctant to reduce these as because of the childrens heath benefits. I think I now need to start to implement a meal planner and combined meat and veg meal with cheaper pasta and rice meals. I also think James might have to find an alternative to his prawn addiction.  Prehaps I can convince him scampi is the same thing.

Banana Boy.

We have never had a problem getting James to eat fruit, but this banana cone dessert is a winner in our house. It has even replaced jelly as James' favourite pud.
All it is, is a banana shoved in an ice cream cone, with a drizzle of honey and a few sprinkles.

Wonderful Weaning

Well, the purees I made seem to be going down well. The damson especially, though I won't give her too much as it might upset her stomach. It was really easy to make.

Handful of damsons which are washed well. Boiled in an inch of water for 5mins. Let them cool and the skin peels off and mush out the stones. Probably best to counted the number of damsons so you know how many stones to find. It is a bit like hide and seek trying to find them. Then blend it all together, place in ice cube trays and freeze.
It has a lovely deep purple colour, which is fine until it gets splashed and smeared everywhere. You can mix the puree will a little baby rice and milk or water to make it go further.

Going to try mashed bananas next, but because I can't stand the smell of bananas this one for John to do.

Bloody diet.

I'm on a diet. Been on it since Sunday. Stuggling because I'm bored and when I'm bored I eat. So instead of eating I've started cooking, but then I want to lick the mix, and eat the results. HELP. Got brownies in the oven at the moment. I really should do some work, but I can't be bothered. I want to look super for summer and Hollys wedding. I've been trying on strapless dresses, but they don;t suit me because I'm fat and have fat arms. Think I'm driving John batty because I record everything I eat (weighwatchers). Now I can smell brownies, I added extra chocolate in them. Plus all week I've been wanting a pint, a cool, sweet, lovely pint. Bugger I'm crap at this. Going to eat a rice cracker. Bye.

Dreaming in Chocolate.

I never thought I would hear myself say this, but I've had enough of chocolate. I have been extremly busy making chocolate truffle and desserts. I'm sick to death of it. I can't even manage to lick the bowls out.

I started out by making a few Delia Smith truffles, just to try them. They were a big success. So I thought I would make a few for Christmas presents for people. Then my Dad asked me to make some more for his girlfriends kids, as they are coming down at the weekend. I am totally chocolated out.

Plus I've made chocolate torte for dessert for the weekend.

The chocolates do look good though. I'm quite impressed with myself as I hate cooking of any sort.

Right had to go, got masses of ironing to do before Dad get back, otherwise he will think I've done nothing but watch TV all morning.

Love Sam X

PS I'm going to look round a local school tomorrow morning. Quite nervous about it as I really want this job.