Slimmer New Year.

Dear reader,

I'm sure everyone is looking forward with planning and good intentions. Today is Wednesday and the  
Weigh in day for those who have joined in.
I was worried this morning when I placed the scales on the floor (carpet adds pounds) I got on very gingerly and discovered I was back to where I had been two weeks ago. 14 stones, 4.4 pounds.

I was a little bit happy as, despite good intentions, I didn't hold back over Christmas.

Tomorrow starts the new year when I will really go for it again.
I have still not food shopped and used the rest of the chicken in some yellow stickered rolls in the freezer for today's lunch for Big Man.I got up really early as I had to work today and made some lemtil and tomato soup for me to take to work.
Soup is the way forward for me in both money saving and healthy eating. I put onion and tinned tomatoes in a saucepan with a chicken stock cube and two handfuls of red lentils. Left to simmer for about 20 mins and stick blended. Took in my food flask with a small brown roll with a mere scraping of low fat spread.

I had found a small tin of tuna in the cupboard last night and have some Approved Food instant mash pots and lots of spices. Result! Thai fish cakes with some of the savoury rice I made yesterday.
I added some chopped onion, chilli flakes, Thai curry spice and the made up mash into a bowl with a tablespoon of flour. It was still quite wet so I made them into little cakes and flattened them onto a saucer with some lemon and herb crunchy crumbs, also an AF purchase.

It made 8 so hoping to have some left over for lunch tomorrow.

Tomorrows dinner will be the pork mince mixed with herbs and rolled into tiny meatballs. I will make a curry sauce and use my butternut squash and tin of chickpeas along with the meatballs. Served on the rice again.

These are things that I would usually have left in the cupboard and freezer and I'm chuffed to have used them up.

I will do a food shop on Saturday and will be keeping to a £50 budget. We are hoping to be debt free (excluding the mortgage) by Christmas 2015.

A huge motivational hug to all my weight loss buddies. I hope we can really get some great results next year. If you would like to join us, just drop me a line and I will add your name.
There's no pressure to divulge your weight, it's just a friendly, supportive bunch of people who might just make themselves a little more healthy next year. I'm hoping to start with some easy recipes. I know I have got some great ideas from other bloggers and readers, perhaps we can share some more.

Lastly, have a wonderful evening whether you celebrate the NewYear or reflect on the year just going. There will be people coming into our lives and people leaving. Some will have had terrible years, some great years, maybe the best is yet to come.
A wise person once said to me, treat every day as your last, one day it will be.

Happy New Year.
Xxx

My frugal kitchen.

Dear reader,

I must welcome new followers so hello to Denise, A Suffolk girl, Julie @ Dragonfly Gems, Tollyterrier, Laurie, John Gray, Flips100, The Silver Bunny, Angela, Helen Graham, Doo, Sue15cat and possibly others on bloglovin. A huge hello and thank you for following.

I am still off work and as we have decided that 2014 is absolutely, totally, without doubt going to be the year for us to bash, batter and destroy our debt, I decided I would be frugal in the kitchen today.

After a load of washing had been put on and several cups of tea and reading the papers online. (Terrible news of Michael Schumacher who fights for his life,they report) I trotted out to the kitchen to see what there was in store. I knew there was hardly anything in the fridge but I like to be creative

I had frozen the remains of a roasted chicken, there was probably about half left and had put that in the fridge last night to defrost along with two yellow sticker pork chops. 

We're £3.10 reduced to £1.88.

Pork chops were put into the slow cooker with a sliced onion, a packet mix of sausage casserole, a small tin of baked beans and a carton of Approved Food chopped tomatoes with another carton full of water.

I also found the lest of a sack of onions and peeled them all and chopped them in the food processor. I always do this so I have a ready load for cooking.

I made a huge saucepan of savoury rice with onion, garlic and Indian spices. I fry them first then add rice and double the amount of water. Once boiled I turn it off and let it steam.

I saved two portions for tonight with the pork and will freeze another two portions for another day. I find that freezing my own rice is fine and never have any problems with it.

I didn't have anything much to make for lunch so got some flour, water and yeast and made a pizza base. I topped that with BBQ sauce, again from Approved Food and topped it with an out of date ( only by a day) mozzarella cheese, onions and a bit of the chicken shredded up. It was really tasty.
Here's a link to make pizza base Easy peasy

The log burner is on and the washing is drying in front of it. We don't have the heating on as we are just in the lounge and its warm enough with us both in fleecy bottoms and tops.

Tomorrow will see what else can be rustled up from nothing. I have half a cooked butternut squash in the freezer and a tin of chickpeas in the cupboard so I'm thinking of a curry.

In my freezer is a half bag of parsnips, same of sweetcorn, a packet of pork mince, frozen chips and some cooked apple. I have some instant mash so was thinking of a kind of pork burger. Think fish cake looking with some sweetcorn and chips. There is also a pack of frozen rolls. Maybe pork burgers?

I have lentils, rice, chopped tomatoes, flour, loads of sauces and spices, a tin of mixed beans, instant mash, some salami that came back from my mums, some tins of baked beans, also from mum and some lasagne sheets. Maybe a pork lasagne? Does that sound weird? I'd like to not do any food shopping until the weekend.

We are just about to look at our energy suppliers and see what savings we can make there. At the moment we pay a set amount of £40 electricity (they have just reduced it from£50 after a refund and £44 a month for our gas. 

I hope you have a good day whether you are back at work or at home.

Tomorrow will be the last of the year and I can't wait to save, save, save.

X

Fallen trees and giveaway winner.

Dear reader,

I'm so sorry I haven't been able to blog. I had hoped to do our weigh in despite it being Christmas and also my giveaway. I have been without the Internet  since the 24th.

I may have told you that big man and I went to my parents on Christmas Eve. They live in Kent and although they didn't have flooding where they live they did have terrible weather on the 23rd.

The two elderly neighbours opposite planted fir trees some 50 years ago which are now huge and one of the branches of one broke and fell across the phone lines. It has completely snapped and several houses in the road have no phone lines and hence no Internet. BT hope to fix it next week. I wonder if they charge the tree owner?

We have just got home after a long drive, roads were bad especially the M25 and took us 3 hours but we had good discussions on our forthcoming frugal year.
We had a great time there with lots of dog walks in the countryside and enevitable, lots of eating.

I will recommence the weigh in on Wednesday but for today I will announce the giveaway winner for the Moneyless Man book is........

.*****Everyday Life on a shoestring.******
Please send me your address, I won't publish it.

So many people wanted to read this book, I wish I had more copies. If I ever see it cheap somewhere I will buy it and pass it on. It is frugal living hardcore.

Am a bit jaded tonight so will be back tomorrow. (I'm also a bit scared of getting on the scales but I promise I will be truthful) I've had a wonderful time with my family and big man so if  I've gained, so be it. I will get it off soon.

I hope your Christmas was wonderful and you all had a great time.

Speak tomorrow.

FIB. X

Pushing debt out of my life.

Dear reader,

Blowing a gale here in Bucks. The trees are bent over and I am loathe to go out. We are here in front of the log burner watching Del Boy promise a "steak meal" to a refined lady!

I hope all is going well where you are and you are organised and prepared.
We have significantly cut back on presents this year. I have been working through our money for the coming new year and have added, multipled and subtracted and come to the conclusion that we are skint!

Our mortgage rate expires soon so we are hoping to get a better rate and use the extra money to pay our debt off quicker.

Look out for an extra frugal year from me next year as we are determined to give a really hard push to debt.

I always have a food read of Frugal Queens story when I need a bit of inspiration.

Speak soon,

FIB. X

Wonderful Wednesday weigh time.

Dear reader,

A massive well done and WOW to you all for sending in your weights and losses. I'm amazed that at this time of year we all seem so focused. WONDERFUL.

I have just got in and done dinner after a 12 hour day at work so just a short post to say I WILL be replying to all your comments. Last day at work tomorrow so will be done at the weekend.

Also don't forget my new giveaway for a great book. You must be a follower of my blog and just send me a comment saying you would like the book and I will enter you and do the draw next week.

So everyone,have a great last day at work of that's you and don't drink too much if you are at the office party.
On a serious note, please, please make sure, if you are using mini cabs this time of year, that you only get in a mini can that you have pre booked. The driver will know your name and where you booked it.
If one pulls up and offers to take you-that is illegal. Is called touting and they are not allowed to do that and they know it. Not taxis which have a special number like a little plate with a number on or the black taxis that we know so well. There are some dodgy people out there who hunt around looking for tipsy girls this time of year. Please keep your wits about you.

X

Weight loss Wednesday giveaway

Dear reader,

I promised a giveaway of the Bottles of Fry Light, the one cal spray that Fry Light kindly sent for me to give to two of my followers and weigh loss Wednesday buddies.

The two names that were drawn out are Katie-Jane and Alison B43.
Please send me your addresses and I will send your Fry Light bottle.

I have just cooked dinner, Big Man is a fan of roast potatoes and I cook these with minimal fuss and minimal damage to my diet as follows. Par boil, drain, shake up, put on baking tray and spray with Fry Light. Cook until brown and crispy.  Just like the regular way but very little fat.

I know next Wednesday is Christmas Day so I'm not expecting a huge weigh in day. I will use this week to try and cut back in preparation for the big stuff fest that is Christmas and Boxing days.

My next weeks giveaway is open to all, you just have to be a follower of this blog.

It is a book called, The Moneyless Man, a year of freeconomic living by Mark Boyle. It's a paperback  book and I will post it anywhere worldwide cos I'm nice like that. I have read it and its very interesting. No so freeconomicly priced for a paperback as the original cost was £10.99!

Please leave a comment saying you would like the book and I will draw it some time over Christmas.
I will do a blog showing the winner a few days later so don't worry if you are too busy for blog reading next week.

There have been some great starts this week and some brave people have shared their weight.Some people are starting on their first diet, some like me are starting out again. I made small changes last week and dropped 3 pounds. Small things make a difference as we know with money saving.

A lot of you are cutting down on bread and that is one of the things I did last week. I felt a lot less bloated. I had a few crisp breads instead of bread and I'm sure it helped.

Anyway, well done, keep going. If you stumble one day, start the next day fresh, don't give up. It will be worth it in the end. No more tight waistbands-that's what I hate.

X.

Weigh in Wednesday week one.

Dear reader,

Here is the list of Weigh in Wednesday challengers.  I have counted in 25 of us and have included a couple of you who will start in the New Year or after Christmas and some who already weigh in elsewhere.
It's really motivated me to know there are 25 other people out there doing this with me. I've had some great comments since I invited you all to join me and its nice to know I am not alone in wanting to lose weight and hopefully get a little fitter while doing so.

Anyway, here is the list and here is my weight..........I weighed myself last Friday when the scaled were brought back to life.
 I was 14 stones and 4.4 pounds and this morning I am 14 stones and 1.2 pounds. For readers not in the UK, a stone is 14 pounds or 6.350 KG.

Pam-good life in Tydd

Rambler

VC

Katie-Jane

Highlandhearts

Maria

Emma Watts

Miss Piggy Bank

Jan 

Helen Mortimer

Donna Scott

Welsh Poppy

Alison B43 (in the New Year)

Treaders

Trudie

Kate

Sue

Simplesligo

Donna

Bets

The silver bunny

Karen (after Christmas)

Angela@Tracing Rainbows

Eileen T

Rosie

Come on then everyone. Have you weighed yourself today and made a note? Are you brave enough to share? I will add a progress bar I think as I love them and they are an instant motivator. 

I shall do the giveaway this evening at 2000 hours so everyone has had a chance to comment and weigh.  I have two more giveaways lined up and will publish the new one tonight as well.

I am interested to hear of any festive recipes that you use that are weight loss friendly.
Can you do one little thing between now and Christmas Day to lose weight? Perhaps reduce the sugar you use by half a teaspoon, go for a daily walk maybe to see Christmas decorations, only use butter or spread on one half of the sandwich (bet you wouldn't notice) challenge yourself to eat one more portion of vegetables a day even if its carrot sticks or a tomato in a sarnie. I don't mean to preach as you already know all this I'm just trying to think of small steps that we can all try and maybe you can think of some for me too?
My running has made a huge difference to how I feel about myself. Yes, my calves are agony but I can now run 3 and a half minutes without stopping instead of the 1 minute when I started. I feel cleaner and fitter already and Big Man says my bum is firmer (but I reckon he's just saying that to have a touch)

Much love. X

How much food?

Dear reader,

My first day off in 9 days. I have just got up. I slept 11 hours and didn't wake up once which is unusual for me.

Didn't have such a great food day yesterday. I had got over tired and over hungry as I hadn't been prepared.

I want to use these precious 2 days off to finish off Christmas shopping and then I want to sit down with a hot drink in front of the fire and do our budgets for the next year.

I'm thinking of a household bills account. Not the monthly bills as these are accounted for but the sneaky blighters that you forget. The chimney sweep, the boiler service that sort of thing.

My car has cost over £2,000 this year to have things done to it. (I know what I would have liked to have done to it! )  The trouble was, It would have cost me much more for another comparable car for the £2,000 it cost and once it was done it should be fine for many more years. One of the expensive jobs was replacing the cam belt which all cars need at about 80k or the engine just breaks.
Yes, that is the extent of my mechanical expertise-"breaks."

So of course there would be a car account.

My other budget accounts are being decided, I was thinking of gifts for birthdays, Christmas. There are not that many people to buy for but its still money to find.

The final one would be emergency account for, well emergencies.

I am still in awe of some other bloggers and how little they spend on food a week.

How much is right? I know we all have different tastes but I would love to know what you think is a sensible amount. Two people, no kids, no pets?  We eat meat and lots of fresh fruit and veg.

What do you reckon?

Don't forget, weigh in Wednesday coming up and my giveaway on the same day.

X

Giveaway rules-you don't have to blog.

Dear reader,

Just to confirm, you don't have to write your own blog to enter my giveaway but you do have to follow my blog. I just meant, if you have a blog I like to follow my followers if you know what I mean. For this giveaway you have to be on the weight loss list too. Add your name, very gentle, very supportive.

Yesterday morning I had my best run ever. I can do about 2.5 minutes now and the distances of landmarks I am running between is getting longer. Like from the lamppost to Johns house or from the shop to home. I love shop to home as its downhill.
My legs are hurting today along the side of the shin bone. I also did my crunches and dips and was all done by the time Big man got up. I had left the house with him gently snoring.
I don't think he can actually believe I am running, he is impressed.

When I say "running" what I actually do is jog, very slowly, in a pair of old track suit bottoms and a hoodie. I feel like I have run a marathon and a minute feels like a mile. I look a right sight, puffing and panting and that's while I'm walking!

I am working over the weekend so will have done 8 days in a row. Can't wait for my two days off next week. I feel like I need it.
I don't like my work at the moment. I work for a big organisation who I don't feel value their staff at all. I'd love to do something else but the money is good and it's pretty secure.

My preparations for my frugal year next year are ongoing. I'm going to work all the money out on my days off so I know exactly how much we need to save per month. I absolutely cannot have this feeling of not being prepared for bills again.

I was surprised the other day. We were £126 in credit with our electricity bill. We were going to let it run a little longer over the winter but they refunded us straight into our bank account without us asking. Weird!

I was watching tv last night and I really, really fancied something to nibble. You know like peanuts or crisps. Both of which we do have in the house. I resisted so am feeling pleased with myself today.

I am getting ready for our weigh in Wednesday next week. To actually publish my weight will help me I think.

Have a great weekend. Don't spend too much at the shops!

X

Preparing for my most frugal year ever

Dear reader,

Early morning here. Was laying in bed thinking about how crap I was at running and was worrying that I am so unfit that I couldn't sleep and got up at 0600.
So now am unfit and tired!

Will do my run this morning as soon as it gets light and then it will be out of the way.

Am catching up on some blogs and everyone seems to be well prepared for Christmas.
We have had a huge cut down this year on presents. I have been know to go a bit mad and it's all too much especially when we are trying to pay off debts.

Big Man said to me last night that we just won't know ourselves when we are debt free.
We will be making 2014 THE YEAR when we pay off our debt or most of it anyway.

The most important thing I have learned from all your blogs, the tips we share and other forums is planning ahead. I know what's coming be it car insurance, tax, Christmas, house insurance, chimney sweep time. Therefore there is no excuse to not be prepared. I will make sure next year that I have all the money saved and stashed so its there. I can't stand having to scrabble around and get into more debt paying for things. I got seriously caught out this year with a huge repair bill for my car.

I will start by saving the council tax that we don't have to pay in February and March. That can be stashed away towards the insurances we pay.

Back to now and Christmas. We haven't any decorations save a twig tree with lights on it. We won't have any visitors as we go to my mums for Christmas. No children come here and as we are mostly at work we don't have anyone round for drinks. We sound like a right old pair of bah humbugs.

The shops were packed yesterday when I ventured out at lunch time. The card factory had queues out of the door but their prices are very good. 89p for lovely, large cards that would be at least £2.50 elsewhere.

I hope your plans are coming together and you are not too stressed.

Have a great day and weekend

X

GIVEAWAY

Dear reader,

Welcome to new followers and also to everyone who has been brave e ought to add themselves to the weight loss list BEFORE the season of overheating and excess is upon us.

This is the list so far.
Pam-good life in Tydd

Rambler

VC

Katie-Jane

Highlandhearts

Maria

Emma Watts

Miss Piggy Bank

Jan

Helen Mortimer

Donna Scott

Welsh Poppy

Alison B43 (in the New Year)

Treaders

Trudie

Kate

Sue

Simplesligo

Donna

Bets

The silver bunny

I'm going to name our weigh in day as Wednesday so it's easy to remember . 

Weigh in Wednesday as suggested by Frugal Queen.

Now you don't have to put your weight unless you want to but it would be really great if people could do a little comment on how they have done, maybe some great meals they cooked and how much weight they have lost.

I will also be doing a giveaway draw on Wednesday as a bit of a reminder.

It will be for one of my favourite products that I use for my weight loss which is Fry Light one calorie a spray oil. I used to use olive oil but its 97 calories a tablespoon.

The people at Fry Light were so impressed we were all trying to start our weight loss before Christmas, they sent me two bottles to give away.

I have a bottle of Sunflower oil and a bottle of olive oil from Fry light to give away.

You have to be a follower of this blog. I will then be able to nose round your blog in return. You do not have to write a blog yourself but if you do I will of course follow you back.  X. 

You must be in the weight loss list and leave a comment between today and next Wednesday. I will then draw two names out of my kitchen scales and send you a bottle. Which one you get will be luck and I can only post to the UK. 

So get on the list and send me a comment and any good loss stories.

X

Fit, healthy and glowing-I want some.

Dear reader,

Thank you for all your great comments. I will be replying to you all but am off to work soon and didn't get in until 11 last night. It was work not a knees up!

Frugal Queen did a post answering the question, "Can you be frugal and healthy?"

My main quest is to prepare healthy meals. I'd love to eat just organic meat and eggs but I just can't afford it. I also would like to up our fish intake.

I have been cutting down on the meat or other protein part of our meals and really boosting up the vegetable portions. I have also started eating much more fruit.

When I get to work, I sit at my desk, someone puts the kettle on. There are usually biscuits, a tin of sweets or similar. It's really hard not to indulge when they are there. I always start snacking when I get to work. THAT WAS THEN!
I have started taking a banana and an apple to work as well as my usual lunch.what I do is make myself eat the fruit. I'm not keen on bananas but I figure if I'm hungry I will eat them. I'm avoiding dried fruit and I know fresh does have some sugars in but it's got to be better that the mince pies!

I still haven't got the scales working yet but I can see my stomach has gone down, a lot. In just a few days. I'm very pleased. I will post my weight ASAP.

I don't know if I told you but Big Man used to be a personal trainer. He is very knowledgable about working out  and nutrition. We do have a gym in the garage but its what I call a proper boys gym. It's all weights and boys stuff. None of the girlie stuff that you see the Lycra women in the gym using. No cross trainer, no treadmill, no thigh machine. ( the one that springs your legs wide apart)
But I'm going to use the boys stuff just on light weights.

I'm going to post my excersizes as well, there may be a few photos of me doing them too!

Over the weekend, I did something I hate. I mean really detest. Can't understand how or why people do it but I did.

I started running!
I have a couple of female friends who have done so well running. They were not runners and both were a little overweight.
I have to say, it looks like they have melted. They are fit, healthy and glowing and I want some of that!

Off I went. My trainers, usually only for dog walking were dusted down and off I went.
OMG, I can tell you I ain't no runner! I did a minute of a very slow, sad and wobbly jog. Followed by about 2 minutes recovery walking.
I kept going until I got to a set point and then did it all back home again. It took my 25 mins to get the and back and it's 1.5 miles in total.
I did Saturday and Sunday. Then I had a day off on Monday and did Tuesday which was a bit better. I can run about 1.5 minutes and only need about the same of walking. I did the same route but in 24 minutes. I did tell you it would be little steps.

After I guzzled a glass of water Big Man got me to do a few abdominal crunches. These sound a lot more impressive than what I actually did. I fell to the floor on the front room rug, on my back. Then put my legs up on the sofa, I liked that bit. With knees bent I did little sit ups. Not huge right up ones but just so I could feel it in the tummy.
Then I did some dips, which is sitting on the sofa, lovely, then, lifting your bottom off so it's kind of suspended in the air and pushing yourself up and down with the arms. Good for the bingo wings.

Everyone says if I keep running, I will eventually love it. Not so sure.
My legs are agony, my calves are screaming and my shins aching.

My body must wondering what on earth is going on!

How do my weight loss buddies want to track our progress. Are we just going to have weekly updates with weight loss? Are we going to have a superwoman (or man) of the week?

Have a great day,
X

Can you be healthy and frugal?

Dear reader, Firstly here is the list so far of the losing pounds challenge. I am trying to think of a really good name for us all. Any ideas? We now have Pam, Rambler,VC,Katie-Jane,Highlandhearts,Maria,Emma Watts,Miss Piggy bank,Jan,Helen Mortimer,Donna Scott,Welsh Poppy(sorry I missed you) AlisonB43 and Treaders. I have been going through recipe books, old diet magazines and looking for inspiration online for healthy meals and packed lunches. Today I had 2 Weetabix with semi skimmed and granulated sweetener. It looks a bit weird like the stuff in a snow globe and I could just blow it away but it gives me sweetness without the calories.

 When I got to work, the bitches (the skinny ones on the other side of the office in the size eight jeans!) had brought in two types of chocolate cookies, the chewy type, and chocolate brownies followed by a coffee cake. "Oh just help yourself" they chirped, in their skinny jeans, high heels and lip gloss. All sweetness and light- I'm not fooled. I stayed well away. I had a cup of tea and for my treat I had an Alpen light bar. The only cereal bar I have found that isn't laden with fat and calories. Try them, nice flavours. I like cherry bakewell. For lunch I had last nights lamb biryani, an apple and a no fat fruit yogurt. (Lidl) I got a bit hungry about 4pm so I had one of those mug shots. The cheese and pasta one. Low fat and it was nice. Takes a while for the pasta to go soft but filled me up. 

Tonight I had a jacket potato, half a tin of baked beans and a tiny bit of cheddar. I would usually have had a so lodge of butter, plenty of salt, loads of grated cheese and a dollop of coleslaw. Now I have to admit it was a bit bland so to add flavour I splashed Worcestershire sauce on it, much better. My concern with food in our shops is that the cheapest foods seem to be unhealthy. The crisps, the biscuits, the cheap bread, chips and pizzas. I think you can get an own brand of digestive biscuits for the same price as one orange. Pizzas can be had for one pound and chips 87p for a huge bag of frozen ones. It takes a lot of organisation to be prepared, to have meals ready and to get something healthy on the table especially if you've been at work all day. Who wants to start chopping, peeling and baking after 8 hours plus travelling? Not me! I read on someone blog although I can't recall who, that they cooked a batch of jacket potatoes then froze them ready to get out, heat in microwave, stuff with something lovely and eat. What a great idea. The jacket spud, a wonderful food for cold winter nights. Full of carbs though. Now what's best? Low carbs, high protein (but could play havoc with arteries), low fat, low calorie or a healthy mix of all food types with low fat in mind? I think that's the one I fancy. I love my pasta, potatoes and pulses and I also enjoy meat and fish. I don't fancy eating high protein and I just don't think you can eat loads of cheese and cream and it be good for you. I am just waiting for Big man to replace my scales batteries and I will post my weight. I'm not shy and I know we are all friends and you won't judge me because you are all lovely. I'm sure the small changes I've made so far will make a difference. I am also going to take measurements of top of arms (bingo wing area) top of thighs (the wobbly bit) waist and hip areas. I think that will be a good way to see myself melting. Some of the challenge list are doing brilliantly, some have lost weight already and some are going to join in the New Year. I already have a giveaway arranged with weight loss cooking in mind. I will do the giveaway on Sunday but you must have joined the weight loss challenge and be on the list to enter. So send me your name and I will add you. We are going to do so well!

My healthy cooked breakfast

Dear reader,

It appears I am most definitely not alone. The responses to weight loss and fitness improvement have been many. I am so pleased that blog land gets us all together.

Yesterday I went to work for 8 hours and I knew I would be busy. I wanted to feel full up and not snack so I decided on a cooked breakfast. A healthy cooked breakfast.

Now I usually would have had bacon with a nice crispy rind, a couple of sausages, a fried egg, mushrooms fried in oil and lots of it because mushrooms suck it up and hey everyone knows the Mediterrenean diet is good with all that olive oil! Isn't it? Perhaps a couple of slices of toast with thick butter and because its a five a day a fried tomato.
All served with a large helping of " I was kidding myself!"

With a few small changes I managed to transform the above fat laden feast into a much leaner version. This is what I had.

Two bacon with all visible fat trimmed of with the kitchen scissors, grilled.
Two poached eggs which are so easy in those little silicone dishes-easy peasy in microwave.
One Linda McCartney sausage-grilled straight from frozen.
One grilled tomato
Mushrooms sprayed with a tiny bit of fry light then grilled.
Two spoons of baked beans.

I went for two eggs because they are such a great food. They are a great filler upper, good source of protein and about 80 calories and egg depending on size. They are so portable too as a hard boiled egg and great value for money. (I only buy free range but should really go organic)
The Linda McCartney sausages are two packs for £3 in Lidl so that's 12 sausages. To be fair they're not actually that sausagey but you feel like you've had a sausage as they get you with the shape and its quite a dense....substance so I find these really fill me up. I can only manage one.
The baked beans are about 100 calories for quarter of a tin and i llike them for the fibre and they are good for protein too.
No bread, no oil. There are a lot of changes in that breakfast but you don't feel deprived and I was full until late afternoon.
For lunch I had a small salad with a bit of plain cottage cheese, a mini baby bel cheese, an apple, a banana and a no fat yogurt.
When I got home I made a lamb byriani again no fat just cooked rice, curry powder, chilli, onion, ginger and some chunks of lamb from a joint I had frozen. I had a dollop of plain yogurt on top and had half a very small pitta bread.
Sorry I had dug in when I took the picture.

Our list is growing, so far we have

Pam 

Rambler

VC

Katie-Jane

Highlandhearts

Maria

Emma Watts

Miss Piggy Bank

Jan

Helen Morimer

I am off for my two weetabix with semi skimmed and sweetener now.

Good luck today, will you be making any healthy changes today or is it all too much before Christmas?

X

Pull you in knickers and small changes.

Dear reader,

Welcome to my blog, I have new followers and a jump in readers. It's brilliant to have you here.

As you know, I have taken the crazy decision to start my New Years diet resolution a bit early.

You know when a girl has her heart set on a certain man (who is usually no good? ) and there's nothing you can do to changer her mind. She has to do it herself. Well that's how I've got with being overweight. I've read all the magazines, seen all the before and after pictures, I know what to eat and how to exercise. So why haven't I done anything about it. It's the same as the girl with the loser.
There's nothing you can say or do until she's makes her mind up.

That's me, I've made my mind up. There are so many benefits from being slim and fit and none to being fat and unfit. It is uncomfortable. My jeans made an ugly red mark round my stomach the other day. I can't bend over easily to do up my shoes. How bad is that? There a tyre there that stops me!
I get out of breath easily. Clothes don't look good and I feel like I'm wearing the baggy loose stuff now.
Does it cover my fat arms?
Do my thighs look huge?
My bum looks massive.
My worst area is my stomach. It's the biggest part. My lower legs are good. Top of arms not so great unless I was a shot putter. Thighs large. Face has double chin.

I have tried the pull you in knickers for special occasions. Ok to start with. A few hours and a couple of drinks later and I feel like my blood has been cut off. The trouble is, where does the roll of fat go that they push in? Well I know, it goes up and over the top of the waistband. Nice!
How many times have I ripped them off in the toilet? (For comfort reasons, thought I should say as sounded a bit sexual)

I wanted to make small changes straight away. It will be a challenge over Christmas and I don't mind having a few treats but I don't want to gorge, feel bloated and sit in front of the telly trying not to fart!
Sorry to mention the wind issue but if I eat loads I do suffer from the odd bit of wind. Sadly we don't have a dog to blame it on. (It's better in a car as you can blame the one in fronts Catalytic convertor.)

I don't know about you but I do use a bit of oil when I cook. Olive oil, a small splash in the pan when frying onions for a curry or a drizzle over a salad. You know when you think you use a small splash, it's probably about a tablespoon. Nothing major, just a tablespoon, OR SO I THOUGHT.

It's bloody well 119 calories in that tablespoon of olive oil and 100% FAT.  A banana has 89 calories and an apple about 50.

That's the first thing I'm changing. Oil.
I do fry a few things, onions especially as I use the for a base for lots of dishes. Well I will be using one of the spray oils now. Fry light is the one I like. One calories a squirt-much better.

That's my first little thing I will change.

If I lose a pound of fat, I will be getting rid of this from my body and that has to be a good thing.

Please join us by adding your name to my list. You don't have to disclose your weight and you can wait till the New Year to start. I just think if we do it together with regular updates, tips from each other and discussions we can learn from each other and be more successful. I plan to do giveaways, recipes and pictures of my weight loss journey. 

Don't be shy, be brave.

X

Come, lose some pounds with me.

Dear reader,

I asked yesterday for you to join me in a weight loss challenge for 2014. I know, I've said it before, I've done this diet and that diet. I've promised other bloggers I'd join them, they've promised me the same blah, blah, blah.
Written my blog while munching on crisps and writing how I'm going to diet.

Well, no more! I am determined, neigh totally committed to getting rid of this fat.

I would like to lose about 3 stones in total. I'd also like to get fitter too. I'm coming to that age when it all can go a bit Pete Tong. I'm 43 now, things are sagging and loosening!

I am delighted to say that the following bloggers are on board. Some have done brilliantly already. Some want to lose more than others but the best thing is, we are going to do it together.

So Maria, Highlandhearts, Katie Jane, Welsh Poppy and One life three kids, I am totally thrilled.
I can feel a new me coming on. Miss slinky.

I think I'm going to set myself a goal because I achieve things better when I have a target, so I'm going to try to lose 10% of my body weight by the end of January. I reckon I'm 14 stones. (Big man wanted the batteries from the scales for something else) so that's 14 stones multiples by 14 pounds in a stone which makes 196 pounds so 10 per cent is 19.6 pounds. I'm going to round it up to a stone and a half.
Wow that seems a lot in a month and a half. I think I will make it the end of  February.

What do you reckon?

If anyone want me not to publish their comments/goals, just say so and I won't.

Let me know if you want to join in.

X

Shocking scammers- please read, this is important.

Dear reader,

I had to give this its own post. I am really hoping that some of you may be able to pass this information on or may stop this happening to you or someone you know. Perhaps and elderly neighbour, a friends parent or similar.

There are a revolting breed out there who are actively targeting elderly people.  They are usually widows or widowers and live alone ( The victims, not the revolting people). I don't know how they find their details but they do.
This is what they do:

Courier Fraud

They ring the person and pretend to be either from a bank or  a police officer. They tell the person that their bank account or card details have been hacked and they need to cancel their cards or account immediately. They obtain the PIN numbers, address, everything. Let me add as this point that they could be male or female and are VERY convincing. They ask the person to ring their own bank straight away and then end the call.
OR SO IT SEEMS.........
What they actually do is to say goodbye and then stay on the line. The victim dials the number and the scammer is still there and then preset to be the bank. They ask for the details and then confirm to the victim that yes, their account is being hacked but its ok now they can stop it.
To cut a long, long story short, they tell the victim to put all their bank cards in an envelope and to seal it and sign the seal blah, blah blah. They say that the bank will send a courier to collect the cards.
A taxi or courier then turns up and takes the cards away. Bingo. Got the cards, got the PIN number. They then spend on the cards until the victim works out something's wrong a few days later.

The other scam is the old "I am a solicitor and you have won a prize. It's coming from America so you need to pay the tax to release it" blah blah blah.

I know you will be thinking, no one could fall for this, who could be that stupid?

I can assure you there are hundreds and thousands of really lonely, old folk, living alone who often don't see anyone for days, sometimes weeks. They often have a slight bit of dementia and they are getting scammed. The old man I met was 86, a widower. He lives alone and his family (one child) lives abroad. He has lost about £50 k so far. He looks after himself, cooks, cleans etc and said the man was so convincing he just can't believe that it's a scam. The "solicitor" has been ringing him twice a week for over a year!

He showed me some of his other paperwork. I can tell you he must be the most insured, covered, protected and warranteed person in the world. He has been sold every policy there is. He has insurance on his insurance. It makes me mad. They are scamming and screwing these people out of their heating money and they don't care.

When I asked him why he didn't check it with someone he told me he had no one to ask, no one to check with.

I am asking you, please could you make yourself known to an elderly neighbour or pass this information on? I know you would all help someone out anyway as you're that kind of people but maybe you could just remind an elderly person to check with you or someone before they give anyone any money.

It's a sad world sometimes.

Anyone up for a weight loss challenge 2014?

Dear reader,

Another week gone and nearly another year too. I meant to spend last night working through our money and debts and working out budgets. In the end I did 4 hours overtime at work and another 1 tonight so have not done it yet. I am off tomorrow and then got offered 8 hours overtime on Sunday and I just can't turn it down, not at the moment.

I will have to do all my jobs tommorow and will have a few hours on Sunday.

We have done without a major shop but did have to spend a few pounds today on salad to go with a steak we had. I bought two steaks ages ago when they were on offer but we decided one would do us both so the other got frozen. We fancied a quick dinner so I drizzled a little garlic oil on it and fried it on the hottest heat in a frying pan. While that was going on, I tipped a big bag of salad into a bowl and added a few olives and two chopped tomatoes. I poured some more oil into a shaker with balsamic vinegar, a splash of fish sauce and a few flakes of chilli. I browned the steak on each side and then sliced it on a slant to make it thinner. It was very rare in the middle but very tender. I then tossed it back in the pan with the oil mixture then place the steak stops on the salad leaves and drizzled the warm oil dressing over the top. I finished it with a few tiny chopped pieces of tinned anchovy fillets. They add something very nice to a dish, if you like them and we both do.

I'm pleased we made the food last this week and the bread and milk top ups have been few.

We have dried stuff in the store cupboard, rice, lentils that type of thing. We have plenty of washing liquid, cleaning stuff, toothpaste etc so we just need food for the next couple of weeks.
I'm hoping to go to Lidl tomorrow (no Aldi here) and do a cheapish shop. I'm just thinking what to cook. I am trying to get back into my Slimming World book and pick some suitable recipes.

I have decided to have a good push as debt reduction in 2014. Loads of you took the time and trouble to leave a comment which really motivated me so thank you commenters.

I also have a new follower and again thank you for that, it makes such a difference to a blogger.

I am keen to save pounds but also want to get rid of some too.

Does anyone want to join me for a 2014 weight loss challenge? I am going to add another progress bar to track it.
Let me know and I'll make a list, we won't put weights just pounds lost.

Much love x

Sharing and caring.

Dear reader,

Thanks so much for all you tips, comments and advice about saving, budgeting and being prepared for unexpected bills. That's what I love about blog land the way we all share and learn new stuff together. The sealed tin we now get excited about from SFT's great blog, the days and nights of no central heating but snuggling into bed early-courtesy of Frugal Queen. The unusual but lovely dinners we sometimes have after learning about using up food from Mean Queen Ilona. She helped me stop smoking too. 7 months, a month blip and now off them again a week today.
I am more creative in the kitchen and have learned to see what I have-Karen at Chelmarsh Chunterings is a great cook! Pam from a good life in Tydd also does good recipes and I always read her blog, a very honest read, Mortgage free in three is always uplifting and has taught me how to put my big girls knickers on and just get on with it- thanks Elaine.
I would never have heard of Approved Food without you all. Your stories, your jokes-Bernard's backwater! Your problems and how you overcome them are all inspirational. Sometimes some of you go away for a while and I find I miss you as you would a friend, Miss Piggybank is back!

So this weekend I will sit down with a nice Earl Grey and sort out which account is for what and how much needs to go in each one. I'll let you know what I come up with.

I have managed not to do a food shop since 19/11/13 but have had a few milk and bread top ups.
I will go this weekend but it will be a cheap one.

Good night all, I am in bed in my onesie that my mum bought me last Christmas. No heating on today so Another day that I won't be paying British Gas!

If you have elderly neighbours please, please say hello, check they're ok and give them advice.
I'll tell you why tomorrow, it's a shocking story about a money scam that will make you so angry!

For now, goodnight.

FIB x

Bills and budgets.

Dear reader,

A tight month here. The dreaded car of mine ended up costing £2,500 in total to get everything repaired. The original garage didnt spot the correct fault so after I'd forked out £1,800 to them I had to pay £450 for the fuel injectors to be replaced. Then it was due a cam belt change at £350.
Wonderful big man paid for the latter two bills from his car account.
An expensive bill and I will have to keep the car for several more years. It's already 11 years old.

On a positive note, we are still paying off our debt and although you may not be able to see a massive change, the progress bar has moved a bit more. We are now down to just over £24,000.
Our mortgage will reduce in January and the extra saving will go towards the debt.
Once that is paid off we will overpay the mortgage.

I am determined to have proper funds in place next year for cars, household bills that come round yearly such as insurance, chimney sweep and boiler service. We pay the others monthly by direct debit.
I also need a Christmas and birthday present account so I have enough put by. It's not as if these things are surprises so I should be prepared. Something always seems to come up and I need to use the money elsewhere.

How do you do it? Do you have separate accounts to cover all eventualities?

Have a great day. X

December days.

Dear reader,

Wow can't believe we are so close to Christmas and the end of another year.
For most it will have been a steady year but for some the worst year of their lives.

Life is like that sometimes I think. I recall 1985 for me as being particularly horrendous. So if 2013 has been terrible for you and yours I wish you love and laughter for 2014.

Today was a leisurely but lovely day here in Bucks. Cold and sunny so the fat dog was walked as promised. He gets so excited he actually screams when I go to collect him.

We had a cheap lunch of hot dogs as I had some hot dogs rolls in the freezer that I got for 10p with fried onions and ketchup. I know they're not the greatest food and I don't even want to know whats in them but it was tasty.

I crushed 6 garlic cloves with my pestle and mortar with 3 sprigs of rosemary and half a teaspoon of rock salt. This was mixed with garlic oil and rubbed and stuffed under the skin of the leg of lamb.
I roasted it long and slow and it gifted us with a superb light crispy skin with tender moist meat that just fell off the bone.

I couldn't be bothered with all sorts of veg cooking in different pans so we peeled potatoes, carrots and a swede ( that's a lie, we is actually big man- thank you darling) chopped and par boiled and then were roasted with a dash of oil and some of the lamb fat.

There is just loads of the lamb left over, easily enough for 3 more meals each in some form so I don't feel too bad about the price.

I have been reading about different ways Christmas will be celebrated in your houses this year, or not as the case may be. For me, it's not Happy Holidays its still and will always be Merry Christmas.

We do buy presents for each other and parents. We have one of those twig trees with lights and a garland on the door, that's about it for decorations.  A few cards will be sent to friends and neighbours and a nice dinner with plenty of alcohol will be consumed.

On the menu this week here will be lamb curry, (had to be in there) lasagne, perhaps some faggots and mash, lamb with piri piri mayo (AF) in some wraps with lettuce, onion and tomato and perhaps something light like omlette one evening.

I hope your day has been great and December brings you a happy close to the year.

Much love

FIB. X

Just a quickie

Dear reader,

Just a quickie to say thank you for all your comments and concern about my sore mouth. I am back home in Bucks now and the sore is almost gone. Boy it did hurt though, it felt like a bad burn.

I will be up the doctors immediately if not healed by Monday morning.
Sorry for my grumpiness and to any doctors receptionists out there, I'm sure you are lovely.

I haven't smoked now since Tuesday afternoon, cold turkey and am pleased with myself. Big man is still smoking but down to about 6 a day. He stinks!

I cooked a quick chicken curry tonight and did some onion bhajis with a mix from Approved Foods.
The make was by the chef from Saturday morning kitchen, Simon Rimmer. What a name!

I discovered a shop last week called B and M, a bit like an upmarket (ish) pound land with lots of food bargains. Loved it! I got a few things that I normally pay a lot more for.
Sink unblocker-usually costs me about £3 that was 99p. Fire lighters 59p for 15, tamarind paste 59p. Loads of other food stuffs at similar prices to AF.

Pleased to see FQ has moved in. It's always nice to get unpacked and relaxed. A few other bloggers are moving too, good luck to you all. X

I used to read a blog that I enjoyed, mainly because the blogger cooked a lot and I like that too.
It was called Frugal up North. I tried to contact her but to no avail. I wondered if anyone knew if she just stopped or changed name?

We will have a quiet Sunday. Roast lamb will be slowly cooked and we may take a drive in the country and possibly walk the fat dog for the neighbour. She has moved so we have to go and collect him now. He's only 3 but huge- such a shame. Yes, yes I have tried with the owner but no joy.

Hope to be back with some cooking pics tomorrow and Karen CC, I miss your recipes! Hope you are well.

Much love,

Non smoking
Less grumpy
Still in debt
Slightly tubby (fat)
But happy

FIB. X

Doctors surgery-humpffff

Dear reader,

I always seem to get the miserable, unhelpful old bag in the doctors and today here in Sandwich was no different. Always negative, negative, negative.

Ooh you're a bit late
I'm not sure if the doctor will see you now
We need you to fillin some forms
I'm not sure we can fit you in now

I turned on my heel and said I would seems own doctor in a few day.

She then said, " Oh, if you're sure"

If I'm sure? Well you didn't fill me with much hope of seeing the doctors here.

What really pissess me off is that if it was a private surgery/clinic and you had to pay they would be falling over themselves to be nice to you.

Because its the NHS they treat you like dirt.

Is anyone here a doctors receptionist? Please restore my faith as all the ones I've ever met are supercilious, miserable old cows. I've always put it down to them being so bloody ugly!

That feels much better now.

Humpffff.

X

My latest favourite ingredient.

Dear reader,

Hello to new followers-brilliant!

I haven't smoked all day, am well chuffed and pleased with myself.  I have to be honest, I have a large sore begind my top tooth. A bit like when you really burn your mouth with a hot drink.
To be honest I am a bit scared that it might be something bad and it has given me a huge jolt to quit- again.
It's been so painful ice bought Bonjella and special mouth wash.

I am spening a few days at my mums. She hates me smoking so that's another good reason.

I brought a home made lasagne with me for dinner. I often find that my homemade ones aren't as saucy as the shop ones and I do like a bit of sauce.

My new favourite ingredient-Chorizo. Not the packet sliced ones but the whole sausage shaped ones.

They are slightly spicy and a bit smoky. They produce a superb flavoured oil when lightly fried after being sliced.

Today I cut them in half length ways and then sliced them so I had quarter chunks. Then I fried them and once I had extracted their smoky, lovely oil I added sliced mushrooms. Then I added a tin of tomatoes. I heard once that if you use whole tomatoes instead of chopped, tinned ones you should allow them to cook first, then chop them up to prevent them being bitter.
I added a sweetener tablet, black pepper and a squirt of tomato ketchup. Then I left to simmer for 30 mins.
It makes a great rich sauce. Perfect for just pouring over plain pasta. You only need use a small amount of chorizo and you can use the remaining chorizo on pizzas or add it to shepherds pie, lasagnes, sausage and bean casseroles. I love it!
It's also nice sliced and lightly fried with a few prawns or scallops thrown in for a special starter. I like to serve them over a lightly toasted slice of crusty bread that I have rubbed with garlic.
Only for a special treat though.

Do you have any go to ingredients that you add? I love the way it changes the taste of a meal subtly but so deliciously.

My mum has requested faggots befor I go home so will make a load of them and possibly a curry for her freezer.

Any other ideas for good to freeze meals?

Hope you are all well.

Much love. X

Why am I frugal?

Dear reader,

Can't stop now, on a roll.

I got thinking about being frugal and why. Also what I do to save money.

The reasons we are frugal.

1. Firstly, we have a large debt to pay back. This is the money we spent on the house renovation.

2. I want my parents to live closer to me. They moved away and downsized so they didn't have a mortgage anymore as they are both retired. Or so they thought......(father has had to return to work for financial reasons)
I would like to be able to finance their move back here in a couple of years. Not all of it but a few thousand.

3. With the constant warnings of prize rises, crappy pensions and cost of living, we want to be able to have a decent retirement.
I don't want to work forever. I'm 43 now and don't really want to work past 55. Well, not in my current job anyway.

We have big plans to pay off our mortgage earlier than planned. Another reason to quit the smoking!

I'm probably wishful thinking but I like to have a plan. I may be a few years out but I have to have a goal to aim for.

One of my main money savers that I have learned from some of your blogs is home cooking.
It's very rare that we go out for a meal or a takeaway and we take packed lunches nearly every day with a few lapses in emergencies.

I have found that batch cooking is my best time and money saver. A bag of spuds, a pack of pork mince and a couple of packs of pigs liver and an onion and I can prepare about 5 dinners for the two of us both, all for under £10.

Faggots are my go to quick, easy and tasty recipe.

Lasagne is also another favourite here. Very little time to make a couple. I do the white sauce myself. Simple. I'm sure much cheaper then the shops and (I was going to say I know what's in them, hoping the beef mince is beef!)

Is it me or do we seem to have forgiven the supermarkets very quickly and easily for the horse meat scandal?
Don't get me started on kebab meat, not that I eat it. I have heard that even donkey has been found in that revolting, fat dripping lump turning in the window. Shocked? Sadly in the uk today, not really.

Big man was telling me that yesterday he had reason to be behind a pizza take away shop. Work related, nothing seedy. He reckoned that if people could see the conditions of the kitchen and food prep areas they would never eat one again.

I know I am preaching to the converted but I've had take out pizzas many times. Eeeeeuuuukkk.

Sorry I have gone off piste a bit and having a rant instead.

Still, if you were thinking of ordering a take away this week, save your money.

Is lamb really that expensive? For JL.

Dear reader and especially Jill,

I have been absent from writing for a while. I have received some lovely, lovely  comments and they have really cheered me on.

What's been going on? I have read a few blogs but not every day. I have been working as usual.
Last week 7 days straight with a couple of 12 hour days thrown in for good measure.

I have still been cooking and had a major session today.

This is what I made.

4 portions of 6 in a portion faggots. (Is it gg or tt in the spelling? I never know)

2x2 portion lasagnes

1x2 portion cannelloni

1x2 portion cauliflower cheese

A carrot cake

I also bought a treat a couple of weekends ago. A leg of lamb. It was huge and was £13 and a few pence. Not very frugal.........or so I thought.

I slow roasted it with incisions in the skin which I stuffed with the usual garlic and Rosemary and also anchovy fillets which melt and don't taste at all fishy but give it a lovely, salty savoury taste.
We had a normal sized portion of meat each. Then when it was cold, I carved the rest of it.

To my surprise I managed to have enough meat left for 4 more dinners. When I say a dinner I mean one dinner each so really 8 separate dinners.
Now, I'm not talking loads and loads of slabs of meat but a decent amount each.

I saved one portion for the next day and the others I tupperwared and froze.

The next day I fried some onion, garlic and fresh chilli. Added an Approved Food thai curry paste.
I had halved and roasted a butternut squash the day before with the leg of lamb and scooped all the lovely, soft orange flesh into the pan. I put the lamb in which I had cubed so it all got coated and then half a tin of coconut milk, which again was surplus last time and I had frozen in a plastic container.
 The rest remains frozen. That leg of lamb wasn't quite so expensive after all. I will definately do the same again.

I'm thinking mini lamb kebabs, stuffed into warm pittas with salad and humous, lamb Biryani, lamb stew with fat dumplings and pearl barley, Asian lamb with chilli, spring onion and fish sauce.

Stop me, I'm getting hungry.

I write from my bed tonight. Electric blanket it on. I know it sounds a bit old fashioned ( the people at my work take the p out of me) but honestly both big man and I thinks it's the best thing we have bought for ages.
We got it back in September so we were prepared. There is no heating on although we did have the log burner on earlier. It was 22 in the lounge and 21 in the hall which is more than ample for us.
The washing is drying in front of the fading embers now and will be dry for the morning.

So glad to be back. Now I've written, I realise how I've missed blogging.

Thank you all for sticking by me and JL a kiss for you X.

I've let you all down. X

Dear reader,

It's been a while. I have been so busy and a bad thing has happened. Big man and I went back on the fags! For US readers that is a well used and acceptable term for cigarettes.

I have been too ashamed to tell you and so I have stayed away.

Give me a while to rectify this and I will be back.

I don't feel able to write a frugal blog while we are burning £15 a day.

I'm so sorry, I feel I've let you all down.

X

Remembering those who gave the ultimate.

Dear reader,

Today is a day for remembering those who gave their lives.

I remember my grandad who fought in the war. He got TB from the trenches and my mum only met him when she was four. She said she was scared of the big man with the deep voice who suddenly arrived in the kitchen. I loved my grandad.

I'm sure we all have someone we remember today and lots of other times too.

I remembered my family who are no longer here, I remembered that people lost their lives for their country, for us.

I also remembered Lee Rigby who died in the most awful, awful way.

They were all someone's son.

We salute you.

X

Over to Frugal Queen

Dear reader,

Sorry I have been away. I've missed writing. The strains of working full, full time, a demanding job, a great but work aholic boss.

Tonight I am just referring you to Frugal Queen as her post says it all really.
What I would like to know dear reader, is what has happened? Why is our once great country struggling to heat and care for our elderly and to feed ourselves?

See Froogs post here Swear words included from Froogs.


Goodnight.
X

Elaine's soda bread.

Dear reader,

Stoptober is everywhere. People are quitting this and stopping that. Saving up and doing without.

I am doing well too and trying not to spend unessasarily. Being organised is the key.

Sadly I just don't have time to be organised, well not as well as some of you on here who do amazing things.

One of my favourite girls who do amazing things is Elaine at mortgage free in 3. I have watched Elaine on a video clip public speaking. You know one of those people who speaks really well, I wanted to listen for ages and she has a lovely accent.

I made her super quick soda bread tonight to Stoptober me having to go to the shops and spend £20.

If you haven't met Elaine, she is hereAmazing Elaine and her soda bread recipe.

Happy Stoptober

Dear reader,

Happy Stoptober. I'm sure we are all partaking in some new challenge as the new month starts.
Maybe you are always frugal and cannot stop anymore than you already do?
Maybe you are stopping a bad habit that you have or starting a new good habit?

I am determined to pay off this debt as fast as possible. It feels like a dark cloud hanging over us.
I love hearing about how other people did the same.

Today is the first day of the Awakening October challenge I am doing on MSE.

It will be tough, especially the cooking and making of packed lunches. We are doing 12 hour days at the moment. No sooner have we got home and eaten than its time for bed. The alarm seems to go off as soon as I have fallen asleep. Will probably be doing 12 days in a row too.

Yes, I want sympathy!

I suppose we are both lucky to have decent jobs at the moment.

My main challenge this month will be to cut our shopping down to £50 per week.

I will be planning and plotting what meals to make and doing a meal plan later.

For now, have a relaxing day.

X