Dear reader,
I'm an open minded woman, I've seen most things, some very strange indeed. Last week I was shocked. Now it takes a lot to shock me. Honestly, it does.
Now I'm about to tell you the latest craze but I am warning you to read NO FURTHER if you have an aversion to.........poo, faeces, kaka, plops or shite.
What will they think of next? Glitter pills, that's what. Oh they do them in lovely colours. Pinks, pastels, Christmas shades of gold, silver and myrrh, the colours of the rainbow, the Coloursof your national flag for the patriotic types, heck, they even do glow in the dark!
Now, here we all are writing our happy little blogs. Talking about gorgeous recipes, saving money, knitting, darning and quilting when there are people out they who are EATING GLITTER TO MAKE THEIR POO GO PRETTY AND SPARKLY.
It goes against all my frugal ways and they're not cheap, oh no. You can even get gold leaf ones that, well, turn it gold.
As my mother said when I told her, "Whose benefit is it for? "
Monday, 15 December 2014
Thursday, 30 October 2014
Cheapest dinner and diet update.
Dear reader,
After a long day at work I wanted something warm and no fuss to make. Trying to eat a bit less meat for health and cost reasons.
I reckon this is one of the cheapest meals ever.
Lentils
Garlic
Turmeric
Chop garlic, gently sauté (I use 4 bulbs, we love it! )
Add lentils
Add water
Bring to boil and simmer
Add a pich of turmeric for yellow colour
Simmer until,thick and creamy.
Lentil dhal. Perfect with plain boiled rice. You can add chopped coriander or crispy friend onions if you want to make it special.
It's not bad for dieters either as long as you don't fry the garlic in a load of oil.
A few of us started out some months ago with a weight loss challenge. We kind of lost touch and I often wonder about you all. I am happy to report that I have lost 3 stones. I am very pleased but don't feel that I go without. I would be interested to hear your stories and challenges along the way.
I am going for another half a stone before Christmas. Any takers up for a challenge?
Wednesday, 22 October 2014
Slow cooker food.
Dear reader,
One of the blogs I follow mentioned a lady who prepared loads of meals for her slow cooker and bagged them ready to put in before she went to work.
The colder weather has made me get ours out and get using. I am trying to get all our dinners this week cooked in the slow cooker. Yesterday we had a kind of hunters chicken with onions and red peppers in a chipotle sauce. (75p for a jar in Asda and it is gorgeous). Tonight we had beef stew, dumplings, Yorkshire puddings and vegetables.
Tomorrow I will be putting a pork joint in with half a jar of the BBQ and lime sauce also Asda and letting it slow cook all day for 9-10 hours. It's so soft it falls apart and I shred it up and may hbe it with some spicy rice and flatbreads.
It really does make such a difference. We get the lovely smell when we come home and I only have to do some veg or rice. I have been reading up on slow cooker recipes. I will try some out and post with some pictures.
I e also been trying to get the breadmaker going again and I do have success with some of the packet loaf mixes but not my own. It doesn't help that I have lost the instruction book! I will download online.
I have been making extra at dinner and we take this to work with us along with some fruit and yogurts.
If you don't have a slow cooker, I really recommend them!
One of the blogs I follow mentioned a lady who prepared loads of meals for her slow cooker and bagged them ready to put in before she went to work.
The colder weather has made me get ours out and get using. I am trying to get all our dinners this week cooked in the slow cooker. Yesterday we had a kind of hunters chicken with onions and red peppers in a chipotle sauce. (75p for a jar in Asda and it is gorgeous). Tonight we had beef stew, dumplings, Yorkshire puddings and vegetables.
Tomorrow I will be putting a pork joint in with half a jar of the BBQ and lime sauce also Asda and letting it slow cook all day for 9-10 hours. It's so soft it falls apart and I shred it up and may hbe it with some spicy rice and flatbreads.
It really does make such a difference. We get the lovely smell when we come home and I only have to do some veg or rice. I have been reading up on slow cooker recipes. I will try some out and post with some pictures.
I e also been trying to get the breadmaker going again and I do have success with some of the packet loaf mixes but not my own. It doesn't help that I have lost the instruction book! I will download online.
I have been making extra at dinner and we take this to work with us along with some fruit and yogurts.
If you don't have a slow cooker, I really recommend them!
Monday, 13 October 2014
Help
Hi reader,
Can anybody help me get rid of blogs I am following. I am getting totally swamped with some people that seem to have taken over old blogs that are no longer written by the original authors.
I have gone to "manage blogs I follow" but they don't seem to go?
Aaaaaggggghhhhhhhhh
Can anybody help me get rid of blogs I am following. I am getting totally swamped with some people that seem to have taken over old blogs that are no longer written by the original authors.
I have gone to "manage blogs I follow" but they don't seem to go?
Aaaaaggggghhhhhhhhh
Sunday, 21 September 2014
Booty buys
Dear reader,
Nice day so went to the local boot sale. We wanted a bookcase for the study and saw a big, dark brown freestanding one at one of those house clearance sales. I often wonder where the things came from.
He wanted a merge £8 and I gave him £5. Well chuffed. Big man is just painting it white in Annie Sloan chalk paint. No need for rubbing down, just slap it on.
I also bought bovril as I love it on toast and a regular stall always has some in jars. 2 for £3.50 and they are the big squeezy ones. I often splurge some into a stew for flavour or drink it.
Tonight we had chicken in honey and mustard sauce with new potatoes, cauliflower, cabbage and green beans. Enough for tomorrow's lunch for big man. I am trying to cook a bigger dinner to have leftovers the next day. I have a selection of curries and stews in the freezer.
I am looking forward to the "Cilla" episode tomorrow night. I love Sheridan Smith but hope it gets a bit better this time.
I don't watch a lot of tv but I am a Sex and the city fan.
X
Nice day so went to the local boot sale. We wanted a bookcase for the study and saw a big, dark brown freestanding one at one of those house clearance sales. I often wonder where the things came from.
He wanted a merge £8 and I gave him £5. Well chuffed. Big man is just painting it white in Annie Sloan chalk paint. No need for rubbing down, just slap it on.
I also bought bovril as I love it on toast and a regular stall always has some in jars. 2 for £3.50 and they are the big squeezy ones. I often splurge some into a stew for flavour or drink it.
Tonight we had chicken in honey and mustard sauce with new potatoes, cauliflower, cabbage and green beans. Enough for tomorrow's lunch for big man. I am trying to cook a bigger dinner to have leftovers the next day. I have a selection of curries and stews in the freezer.
I am looking forward to the "Cilla" episode tomorrow night. I love Sheridan Smith but hope it gets a bit better this time.
I don't watch a lot of tv but I am a Sex and the city fan.
X
Tuesday, 2 September 2014
Lady killers.
Dear reader,
Right off the frugal path, I am going to write a few posts about the two women who are killed each week by their male partner or former male partner.
That's terrible isn't it? Killed.
I have been wondering what is acceptable in a relationship. What is acceptable to one may not be to another.
Shouting and swearing?
Name calling?
Saying you are fat and ugly?
Face to face aggression
A prod or poke?
Pushing onto the sofa?
A slap round the face?
Spitting?
What is domestic violence? In fact, it's not called that anymore, it's called domestic abuse and it's a subject that I feel incredibly strongly about. It's going on every day in many more homes than we could imagine. Perhaps you or someone you know has this happening to them?
Here is the definition;
Right off the frugal path, I am going to write a few posts about the two women who are killed each week by their male partner or former male partner.
That's terrible isn't it? Killed.
I have been wondering what is acceptable in a relationship. What is acceptable to one may not be to another.
Shouting and swearing?
Name calling?
Saying you are fat and ugly?
Face to face aggression
A prod or poke?
Pushing onto the sofa?
A slap round the face?
Spitting?
What is domestic violence? In fact, it's not called that anymore, it's called domestic abuse and it's a subject that I feel incredibly strongly about. It's going on every day in many more homes than we could imagine. Perhaps you or someone you know has this happening to them?
Here is the definition;
Domestic violence is the abuse of one partner within an intimate or family relationship. It is the repeated, random and habitual use of intimidation to control a partner.
The abuse can be physical, emotional, psychological, financial or sexual. Anyone forced to alter their behaviour because they are frightened of their partner’s reaction is being
.View more about recognising abuse.
I would be very interested to hear your views and if you would like to comment but not to be published please say so and I won't publish.
I would be very interested to hear your views and if you would like to comment but not to be published please say so and I won't publish.
Sunday, 31 August 2014
Woman.
Dear reader,
I noticed my last post " Hot sex tips" has had a huge reader count. Well who knew?
Sometimes amongst the cakes, the beautiful pictures of wholesome food, the knitting, patch working and crafting I just want to write something saucy!
Oh I like the cooking, the saving money, the wood fire but sometimes, just sometimes......................
I want to get acquainted with a bottle of vodka, diet coke and some ice.
I read something, I can't recall where and it was this;
A class of students were asked to punctuate the following.
A woman without her man is nothing
The boys wrote: "A woman, without her man, is nothing."
But the girls wrote: "A woman: without her, man is nothing."
I kinda liked that.
X
I noticed my last post " Hot sex tips" has had a huge reader count. Well who knew?
Sometimes amongst the cakes, the beautiful pictures of wholesome food, the knitting, patch working and crafting I just want to write something saucy!
Oh I like the cooking, the saving money, the wood fire but sometimes, just sometimes......................
I want to get acquainted with a bottle of vodka, diet coke and some ice.
I read something, I can't recall where and it was this;
A class of students were asked to punctuate the following.
A woman without her man is nothing
The boys wrote: "A woman, without her man, is nothing."
But the girls wrote: "A woman: without her, man is nothing."
I kinda liked that.
X
Saturday, 30 August 2014
Hot sex tips here!
No Palm Oil please
Now I got you attention readers, I would be delighted if you could click the link to see why we shouldn't buy stuff with Palm Oil in it. It's ok, no nasty pictures.
X
Now I got you attention readers, I would be delighted if you could click the link to see why we shouldn't buy stuff with Palm Oil in it. It's ok, no nasty pictures.
X
Shirley's chip and egg
Dear reader,
While trying to think of cheap meals that are quick and tasty I recalled Shirley Valentine.
When asked by her husband what was for tea she said "chips and egg." Or was it egg and chips?
As you know we both work very long hours with, sometimes an hours commute each way. I need to have something quick to cook for dinner.
Tonight I scoured the fridge and found a packet of ham £5 from Asda for a big pack, some eggs as we eat a lot of them and I always have a bag of frozen chips or wedges. I am not so keen on chips but BM likes them.
Tonight was ham, egg and chips. I reckon about £1.50 a head and really filling.
We eat eggs loads of ways, scrambled with the cheapest smoked salmon I can find, poached on toast and I like a couple of soft boiled with soldiers.
Tomorrow is jacket potatoes with beans and cheese.
I wonder if there are any more meals that I can think of that are mentioned in films. Let me know.
While trying to think of cheap meals that are quick and tasty I recalled Shirley Valentine.
When asked by her husband what was for tea she said "chips and egg." Or was it egg and chips?
As you know we both work very long hours with, sometimes an hours commute each way. I need to have something quick to cook for dinner.
Tonight I scoured the fridge and found a packet of ham £5 from Asda for a big pack, some eggs as we eat a lot of them and I always have a bag of frozen chips or wedges. I am not so keen on chips but BM likes them.
Tonight was ham, egg and chips. I reckon about £1.50 a head and really filling.
We eat eggs loads of ways, scrambled with the cheapest smoked salmon I can find, poached on toast and I like a couple of soft boiled with soldiers.
Tomorrow is jacket potatoes with beans and cheese.
I wonder if there are any more meals that I can think of that are mentioned in films. Let me know.
Tuesday, 19 August 2014
Is there more than sarnies?
Dear reader,
I hope you are well. I cannot believe the change in weather. Rain and cold here in Bucks. So much so that the clothes won't dry and I'm feeling the need for warm food rather than the salads and cold meats we have been used to.
I actually used the slow cooker today for a beef stew. I found some diced stewing steak and put it in with a large carrot and a diced onion. There was an offer on the packets you so a cheap meal served with new potatoes, kale and runner beans. Enough for lunch tomorrow for one of us to take to work too.
We are aiming to cut down on bread and are a little bored of taking sandwiches to work. Is there more than sarnies?
I always seems to struggle taking healthy food to work and I am often out of the door by 0600 am so don't want to be faffing around making stuff.
I spent yesterday evening batch cooking and using lots of veg to stretch the meat. I made a chicken chasseur using two chicken breasts and bulked it out with onions, mushrooms and diced new potatoes. That made two big meals. I then used one chicken breast to make a green Thai curry, again onions and mushroom and boiled some dried noodles to serve with. Three lunches to take to work. I also made a ragu from a packet of reduced mince, using onions, mushrooms and tinned tomatoes. I added a splash of chill sauce and served mixed into pasta shells-three lunches.
I am definately going to try to keep topping up these lunch meals by bulk cooking and freezing in Tupperware.
Who else takes lunches to work? Do you take more than sarnies?
Much love. X
I hope you are well. I cannot believe the change in weather. Rain and cold here in Bucks. So much so that the clothes won't dry and I'm feeling the need for warm food rather than the salads and cold meats we have been used to.
I actually used the slow cooker today for a beef stew. I found some diced stewing steak and put it in with a large carrot and a diced onion. There was an offer on the packets you so a cheap meal served with new potatoes, kale and runner beans. Enough for lunch tomorrow for one of us to take to work too.
We are aiming to cut down on bread and are a little bored of taking sandwiches to work. Is there more than sarnies?
I always seems to struggle taking healthy food to work and I am often out of the door by 0600 am so don't want to be faffing around making stuff.
I spent yesterday evening batch cooking and using lots of veg to stretch the meat. I made a chicken chasseur using two chicken breasts and bulked it out with onions, mushrooms and diced new potatoes. That made two big meals. I then used one chicken breast to make a green Thai curry, again onions and mushroom and boiled some dried noodles to serve with. Three lunches to take to work. I also made a ragu from a packet of reduced mince, using onions, mushrooms and tinned tomatoes. I added a splash of chill sauce and served mixed into pasta shells-three lunches.
I am definately going to try to keep topping up these lunch meals by bulk cooking and freezing in Tupperware.
Who else takes lunches to work? Do you take more than sarnies?
Much love. X
Tuesday, 22 July 2014
Lazy Sunday cooking
Dear reader,
Hot weather is tiring me out. Am sleeping about 10 hours a night and still feeling weary during the day.
Today was a bit cooler here in Buckinghamshire so after my treadmill slog I had a cold shower and went to pick up the little dog that I walk and his owner.
We had a short mooch as it was humid and popped into a garden centre. Don't worry, I got the little dog out and we stood in the shade while his owner shopped.
It still totally amazes me that people leave their dogs in cars in this weather. Oh yes, they really do!
I don't like to see dogs in cars unless its winter. THEY HAVE FUR COATS. They boil from the inside out, they don't sweat like we do, they really suffer.
Aggghh, I know it's not you, my lovely blog friends but they are some real thickos out there.
Anyway, after a very short stroll in the shade we popped into a pub and sat under a canopy with a potable dog water container and had a lovely lunch with a white wine spritzer for owner and soda water and lime for me. A very pleasurable afternoon.
Dinner for big man and I was pork belly strips with a jacket potato and veg. I roasted the pork belly in a roasting bag with BBQ sauce mix (Approved Food) then after 20 mins I crisped them off under the grill. We had mange tout and sugar snap peas with a jacket spud. I had seen a box of 4 in Asda for £2 in the frozen section. You just microwave for 5 mins from frozen . Fresh are about 50p each anyway and these are easy. Will be buying them again.
I know it's Tuesday but I had half written it on Sunday.
Stay cool. X
Hot weather is tiring me out. Am sleeping about 10 hours a night and still feeling weary during the day.
Today was a bit cooler here in Buckinghamshire so after my treadmill slog I had a cold shower and went to pick up the little dog that I walk and his owner.
We had a short mooch as it was humid and popped into a garden centre. Don't worry, I got the little dog out and we stood in the shade while his owner shopped.
It still totally amazes me that people leave their dogs in cars in this weather. Oh yes, they really do!
I don't like to see dogs in cars unless its winter. THEY HAVE FUR COATS. They boil from the inside out, they don't sweat like we do, they really suffer.
Aggghh, I know it's not you, my lovely blog friends but they are some real thickos out there.
Anyway, after a very short stroll in the shade we popped into a pub and sat under a canopy with a potable dog water container and had a lovely lunch with a white wine spritzer for owner and soda water and lime for me. A very pleasurable afternoon.
Dinner for big man and I was pork belly strips with a jacket potato and veg. I roasted the pork belly in a roasting bag with BBQ sauce mix (Approved Food) then after 20 mins I crisped them off under the grill. We had mange tout and sugar snap peas with a jacket spud. I had seen a box of 4 in Asda for £2 in the frozen section. You just microwave for 5 mins from frozen . Fresh are about 50p each anyway and these are easy. Will be buying them again.
I know it's Tuesday but I had half written it on Sunday.
Stay cool. X
Tuesday, 15 July 2014
Friday, 11 July 2014
Burglars and swingers!
Dear reader,
I heard today of an elderly person who had been fleeced of several thousands of pounds. Do you know there are some hideous people out there who will even force people to sell their homes and sign wills over to them?
We have a rule in our house as do my parents. We never open the door to anyone, ever.
Does that sound weird?
I wouldn't open my car door if a stranger asked me to open it so why my home?
Lets face it, who comes to the house uninvited? They are never coming to give me money but the other way round. I know of a man who opened his front door and got smashed in the face with a garden spade, house burgled, thanks very much.
We are all so careful about what we spend, can we make our own bread cheaper? cut down on flushing the loo yet we open the door and allow people into our homes and make ourselves very vulnerable.
I know I have written the last couple of posts about crime prevention but it makes me so cross when I hear of people getting burgled and robbed.
Now I live in quite a nice place and we don't have any trouble but they are out there, watching and following old people from Bingo halls and cash points. Please don't let it be you or your relatives.
Elderly people have a habit of keeping large amounts of cash at home and these people know that. The lure of a Hydrangea bush and a hand rail lets them know older people live there.
I'm not sure why I picked out a Hydrangea, I think it's because my grandparents had them.
By the way, is it true swingers have Pampas Grass outside? Bet that'll keep the burglars out, maybe I will suggest that to the old dears down my road.
Ps. If you do have Pampas Grass and are not a swinger, then definitely don't open the door to strangers.
I heard today of an elderly person who had been fleeced of several thousands of pounds. Do you know there are some hideous people out there who will even force people to sell their homes and sign wills over to them?
We have a rule in our house as do my parents. We never open the door to anyone, ever.
Does that sound weird?
I wouldn't open my car door if a stranger asked me to open it so why my home?
Lets face it, who comes to the house uninvited? They are never coming to give me money but the other way round. I know of a man who opened his front door and got smashed in the face with a garden spade, house burgled, thanks very much.
We are all so careful about what we spend, can we make our own bread cheaper? cut down on flushing the loo yet we open the door and allow people into our homes and make ourselves very vulnerable.
I know I have written the last couple of posts about crime prevention but it makes me so cross when I hear of people getting burgled and robbed.
Now I live in quite a nice place and we don't have any trouble but they are out there, watching and following old people from Bingo halls and cash points. Please don't let it be you or your relatives.
Elderly people have a habit of keeping large amounts of cash at home and these people know that. The lure of a Hydrangea bush and a hand rail lets them know older people live there.
I'm not sure why I picked out a Hydrangea, I think it's because my grandparents had them.
By the way, is it true swingers have Pampas Grass outside? Bet that'll keep the burglars out, maybe I will suggest that to the old dears down my road.
Ps. If you do have Pampas Grass and are not a swinger, then definitely don't open the door to strangers.
Wednesday, 9 July 2014
People after your money
Dear reader,
I had some well received comments on my post about front doors and burglars so I wanted to share another piece of crime prevention. This is a really clever scam. Do pass on.
Victim receives a phone call and the caller knows their name. Easy to get that from phone book or post or the electoral roll at the library.
The caller says I'm from your bank and your cards have been cloned and used fraudulently.
Just to build the confidence of the victim they ask them to put the phone down and ring their bank.
So far, so good.
The victim replaces the handset and calls their bank.
The scammer has never put the phone down and answers saying " fraud line" or similar. They then have a conversation and ask the victim to confirm their pin.
Part one is achieved.
The fake bank then says they will have to collect the victims cards and will send a courier round to collect them. Cheekily adding that the caller should seal them in an envelope.
They then send round a local mini cab and the rest is history.
Nice little spend up on some poor old dears card.
Please make people aware, they are very convincing.
Stay safe and aware. X
I had some well received comments on my post about front doors and burglars so I wanted to share another piece of crime prevention. This is a really clever scam. Do pass on.
Victim receives a phone call and the caller knows their name. Easy to get that from phone book or post or the electoral roll at the library.
The caller says I'm from your bank and your cards have been cloned and used fraudulently.
Just to build the confidence of the victim they ask them to put the phone down and ring their bank.
So far, so good.
The victim replaces the handset and calls their bank.
The scammer has never put the phone down and answers saying " fraud line" or similar. They then have a conversation and ask the victim to confirm their pin.
Part one is achieved.
The fake bank then says they will have to collect the victims cards and will send a courier round to collect them. Cheekily adding that the caller should seal them in an envelope.
They then send round a local mini cab and the rest is history.
Nice little spend up on some poor old dears card.
Please make people aware, they are very convincing.
Stay safe and aware. X
Keep them out.
Dear reader,
This is a little off the mark for a frugal blog but I would love this to be passed on and it could ultimately save someone a lot of money and heartache.
Many people have UPVC front doors to their homes and you can lock these by lifting the handle which moves the bolts across and locks the door.
Thousands of burglaries are because burglars can easily insert a homemade tool through the letterbox and lift the handle thus releasing the bolts and allowing them to enter. We know this because burglars have said so.
So many homeowners think their home is secure because they have lifted the handle.
This is not the case, the front door should always be locked with a key.
Please pass this on and tell elderly relatives they must not open the door to anyone regardless of having lost their dog, car broken down, they have a water leak, their roof is damaged or many other excuses.
Be safe, be savvy and be alert.
Much love. X
This is a little off the mark for a frugal blog but I would love this to be passed on and it could ultimately save someone a lot of money and heartache.
Many people have UPVC front doors to their homes and you can lock these by lifting the handle which moves the bolts across and locks the door.
Thousands of burglaries are because burglars can easily insert a homemade tool through the letterbox and lift the handle thus releasing the bolts and allowing them to enter. We know this because burglars have said so.
So many homeowners think their home is secure because they have lifted the handle.
This is not the case, the front door should always be locked with a key.
Please pass this on and tell elderly relatives they must not open the door to anyone regardless of having lost their dog, car broken down, they have a water leak, their roof is damaged or many other excuses.
Be safe, be savvy and be alert.
Much love. X
Tuesday, 8 July 2014
Monday, 7 July 2014
My favourite blog of the week.
Dear reader,
I've been really enjoying this blog My thrifty homemade challenge. Mandy writes about her cooking and has lots of thrifty recipes which she shows with some nice pictures. She always helps out with foodie ideas and recipes and I really like that she replies to each comment, something which I appreciate takes effort.
I am going to nominate a blog of the week, just one that I really like and this week it's Mandy and her homemade thrifty challenge. Do click the link and have a look, she's lovely. X
I've been really enjoying this blog My thrifty homemade challenge. Mandy writes about her cooking and has lots of thrifty recipes which she shows with some nice pictures. She always helps out with foodie ideas and recipes and I really like that she replies to each comment, something which I appreciate takes effort.
I am going to nominate a blog of the week, just one that I really like and this week it's Mandy and her homemade thrifty challenge. Do click the link and have a look, she's lovely. X
Tuesday, 1 July 2014
Is it free if usually I would have binned it?
Dear reader,
I actually got excited last night when I found a slice of quiche and a portion of green beans in the freezer last night and a tin of processed peas in the larder! When you're trying to only use what you have, they're big finds I can tell you.
Last night we had the chicken legs, tinned potatoes and the green beans and peas. There were some peas and beans left over and I stashed them in the fridge.
Breakfast was cereal with milk and porridge and for lunch I decided to make soup.
I chopped half the limp celery and softened it in a small pan with a bit of fry light, then I added a stock cube (only had beef) then added half a pint of water along with the beans and peas. I brought it to the boil and then turned off the hob. I do this a lot now with the hob and th oven, I reckon I can cook on half the cost as it stays hot for so long afterwards.
I used my blending stick and added half a teaspoon each of ginger purée and mint sauce. It was lovely and just to think I would have thrown all the veg away before! That makes it feel like free food. I had the quiche slice too along with last scrape of pickle.
I got dinner ready for tonight and decided to make a chilli but serve it in tortilla wraps which I will make myself. So, so easy, flour, water, oil and pinch of salt. Roll flat and cook in a large frying pan no oil required.
I used the other half of the celery in the chilli with a tin of tomatoes and a handful of lentils to bulk it out and half left it on low in the slow cooker.
I will be making the sausage pasta for tommorows lunch and probably the Fishcakes for dinner.
I'm really enjoying this challenge, not sure how long I can go for as we will need milk at some stage and eggs.
It has made me very very careful with what I throw away and I hope this will continue.
How much have you got stashed away? I wonder how long people could survive with whats in their kitchens? Could you cancel food shopping for one week?
I actually got excited last night when I found a slice of quiche and a portion of green beans in the freezer last night and a tin of processed peas in the larder! When you're trying to only use what you have, they're big finds I can tell you.
Last night we had the chicken legs, tinned potatoes and the green beans and peas. There were some peas and beans left over and I stashed them in the fridge.
Breakfast was cereal with milk and porridge and for lunch I decided to make soup.
I chopped half the limp celery and softened it in a small pan with a bit of fry light, then I added a stock cube (only had beef) then added half a pint of water along with the beans and peas. I brought it to the boil and then turned off the hob. I do this a lot now with the hob and th oven, I reckon I can cook on half the cost as it stays hot for so long afterwards.
I used my blending stick and added half a teaspoon each of ginger purée and mint sauce. It was lovely and just to think I would have thrown all the veg away before! That makes it feel like free food. I had the quiche slice too along with last scrape of pickle.
I got dinner ready for tonight and decided to make a chilli but serve it in tortilla wraps which I will make myself. So, so easy, flour, water, oil and pinch of salt. Roll flat and cook in a large frying pan no oil required.
I used the other half of the celery in the chilli with a tin of tomatoes and a handful of lentils to bulk it out and half left it on low in the slow cooker.
I will be making the sausage pasta for tommorows lunch and probably the Fishcakes for dinner.
I'm really enjoying this challenge, not sure how long I can go for as we will need milk at some stage and eggs.
It has made me very very careful with what I throw away and I hope this will continue.
How much have you got stashed away? I wonder how long people could survive with whats in their kitchens? Could you cancel food shopping for one week?
Monday, 30 June 2014
Back to frugal cooking, making do with what is in.
Dear reader,
Long time no chat, sorry.
I was meant to go food shopping today but had a good read of some frugal blogs last night and decided to try and do with what we had already. We eat three meals a day and I try to vary these. We take a packed lunch to work but we were eating too much bread so I am taking a tip from Frugal Queen and just making more for dinner to take the next day.
I had a good look through the fridge, freezer and larder today and found the following:
FREEZER
2 chicken quarters
4 sausages
2 slices of bread
Mini waffles (potato based)
A h/m chicken curry
Potato wedges
A chopped, cooked and frozen pork belly slice
Half a tub ice cream
Frozen green beans
FRIDGE
A sorry looking celery
Grated cheese ( about half a block)
Cherry tomatoes
Margarine
4 pints of milk
2 slices of ham
200g cream cheese
1 old yogurt
kos lettuce
A garlic bulb
A pack of minced beef
LARDER
lots of rice- white and brown
Pasta, spaghetti, lasagne
Red lentils
3 onions
2 instant mash
1 pack onion bhaji mix
Oil, olive and sesame
Loads of sauces, stir fry, BBQ marinade, sweet and sour (Approved food bulk buy)
Porridge oats
Tea bags
Cereal
Seeds for salads
Tins, baked beans, mushy peas, tomatoes, tuna, new potatoes, mixed beans, sweetcorn.
Flour and sugar. Lots of spices.
Tonight we are eating the chicken thighs with roasted, tinned new potatoes ( they come out ok).
Big man will have spicy pork with rice for lunch tomorrow and for dinner we will have chilli with rice.
Breakfasts are porridge or cereal with milk.
Future meals will be: spicy sausage pasta, chicken curry, rice and onion bhaji s, Fishcakes with the
tuna and instant mash, another chilli hopefully with the wedges and flatbreads with cheese and tomato topping in a kind of toasted sandwich style.
I can save my shopping money this week by just making do.
Much love. X
Long time no chat, sorry.
I was meant to go food shopping today but had a good read of some frugal blogs last night and decided to try and do with what we had already. We eat three meals a day and I try to vary these. We take a packed lunch to work but we were eating too much bread so I am taking a tip from Frugal Queen and just making more for dinner to take the next day.
I had a good look through the fridge, freezer and larder today and found the following:
FREEZER
2 chicken quarters
4 sausages
2 slices of bread
Mini waffles (potato based)
A h/m chicken curry
Potato wedges
A chopped, cooked and frozen pork belly slice
Half a tub ice cream
Frozen green beans
FRIDGE
A sorry looking celery
Grated cheese ( about half a block)
Cherry tomatoes
Margarine
4 pints of milk
2 slices of ham
200g cream cheese
1 old yogurt
kos lettuce
A garlic bulb
A pack of minced beef
LARDER
lots of rice- white and brown
Pasta, spaghetti, lasagne
Red lentils
3 onions
2 instant mash
1 pack onion bhaji mix
Oil, olive and sesame
Loads of sauces, stir fry, BBQ marinade, sweet and sour (Approved food bulk buy)
Porridge oats
Tea bags
Cereal
Seeds for salads
Tins, baked beans, mushy peas, tomatoes, tuna, new potatoes, mixed beans, sweetcorn.
Flour and sugar. Lots of spices.
Tonight we are eating the chicken thighs with roasted, tinned new potatoes ( they come out ok).
Big man will have spicy pork with rice for lunch tomorrow and for dinner we will have chilli with rice.
Breakfasts are porridge or cereal with milk.
Future meals will be: spicy sausage pasta, chicken curry, rice and onion bhaji s, Fishcakes with the
tuna and instant mash, another chilli hopefully with the wedges and flatbreads with cheese and tomato topping in a kind of toasted sandwich style.
I can save my shopping money this week by just making do.
Much love. X
Sunday, 18 May 2014
Hunters chicken tonight.
Dear reader,
What a lovely hot day. I was troubled to see a lady driving into John Lewis with her dog in the car though. It always ruins the summer for me, the amount of stupid, ignorant people who leave their dogs in cars in this heat. Just leave them at home with some water and shade. STUPIDS.
Anyway, rant over. I had some chicken pieces to use up and decided to do Big Mans favourite, Hunter Chicken.
I had some Approved Food BBQ, roast in the bags left and put three drumsticks and two large thighs inside, you toss them in the powder and tie up the bag. A couple of hours in the fridge and I roasted them for 20 mins.
I defrosted some diced onion. (I always chop a load in the food processor and then freeze in portions as I only like to cry once). Once the chicken was cooked I poured all the lovely, sticky chicken and juices into a baking dish. Put the onions on top and poured 2 BBQ marinade sauces over. Also from AF. ( I have a huge box in the larder full of various flavours) I baked that for 5 mins and then put 4 rashers of bacon, cut in half on top and two handfuls of grated cheese. A further 5 mins and it was a wonderful, bubbling, browned on top dish of gorgeousness.
Sorry we ate it, no pics.
I am using up lots of cupboard food and just buying chicken, eggs, milk and bread with fruit and salad.
I have some Quorn pieces in the freezer which are just like chicken so am thinking of something summery to make with them and then the fridge and freezer are pretty empty.
I like salads in the summer so lots of them soon.
Much love. X
What a lovely hot day. I was troubled to see a lady driving into John Lewis with her dog in the car though. It always ruins the summer for me, the amount of stupid, ignorant people who leave their dogs in cars in this heat. Just leave them at home with some water and shade. STUPIDS.
Anyway, rant over. I had some chicken pieces to use up and decided to do Big Mans favourite, Hunter Chicken.
I had some Approved Food BBQ, roast in the bags left and put three drumsticks and two large thighs inside, you toss them in the powder and tie up the bag. A couple of hours in the fridge and I roasted them for 20 mins.
I defrosted some diced onion. (I always chop a load in the food processor and then freeze in portions as I only like to cry once). Once the chicken was cooked I poured all the lovely, sticky chicken and juices into a baking dish. Put the onions on top and poured 2 BBQ marinade sauces over. Also from AF. ( I have a huge box in the larder full of various flavours) I baked that for 5 mins and then put 4 rashers of bacon, cut in half on top and two handfuls of grated cheese. A further 5 mins and it was a wonderful, bubbling, browned on top dish of gorgeousness.
Sorry we ate it, no pics.
I am using up lots of cupboard food and just buying chicken, eggs, milk and bread with fruit and salad.
I have some Quorn pieces in the freezer which are just like chicken so am thinking of something summery to make with them and then the fridge and freezer are pretty empty.
I like salads in the summer so lots of them soon.
Much love. X
Sunday, 4 May 2014
Quick crispy chicken.
Dear reader,
Hello, have been away for a while. How lovely to see new followers Chris Carter and some other via Bloglovin. Thanks for reading.
A busy day in the garden today. Weeding, making new beds, planting and generally tidying. I needed a quick dinner for tonight as we are both tired. Now we could get a takeaway but a curry would be about £30, KFC about £20 and I am still dieting. 2 stone lighter and I don't want to eat greasy, fattening food. What to do?
I buy the large packs of chicken portions from Asda for £5. Thighs, drumsticks and two large legs.
I split the pack and freeze. I had two legs in the fridge defrosting so decided to make this. Crispy chicken with potato wedges and stuffed peppers.
I skinned the chicken legs and coated them with half a teaspoon each of Bovril. The chicken flavour is best but I only had beef. I wanted a sticky surface for some approved food crispy breadcrumbs I had. I sprinkled these on top, ready for baking. I peeled and par boiled the wedges and sprayed with fry light. They will go in the oven together.
I halved a red pepper and filled this with a portion of frozen veg mixed with onion and a tablespoon of cream cheese. A light sprinkle of grated cheese on top and baked in the oven for 15 mins.
Great meal, low calories, low fat and a whole lot cheaper than a takeaway.
Have a great weekend.
X
Hello, have been away for a while. How lovely to see new followers Chris Carter and some other via Bloglovin. Thanks for reading.
A busy day in the garden today. Weeding, making new beds, planting and generally tidying. I needed a quick dinner for tonight as we are both tired. Now we could get a takeaway but a curry would be about £30, KFC about £20 and I am still dieting. 2 stone lighter and I don't want to eat greasy, fattening food. What to do?
I buy the large packs of chicken portions from Asda for £5. Thighs, drumsticks and two large legs.
I split the pack and freeze. I had two legs in the fridge defrosting so decided to make this. Crispy chicken with potato wedges and stuffed peppers.
I skinned the chicken legs and coated them with half a teaspoon each of Bovril. The chicken flavour is best but I only had beef. I wanted a sticky surface for some approved food crispy breadcrumbs I had. I sprinkled these on top, ready for baking. I peeled and par boiled the wedges and sprayed with fry light. They will go in the oven together.
I halved a red pepper and filled this with a portion of frozen veg mixed with onion and a tablespoon of cream cheese. A light sprinkle of grated cheese on top and baked in the oven for 15 mins.
Great meal, low calories, low fat and a whole lot cheaper than a takeaway.
Have a great weekend.
X
Thursday, 13 March 2014
Weigh in Wednesday- day late
Dear reader,
A short, weigh in post tonight. Went to SW last night and lost 3 more pounds. That's a 9 pound loss in two weeks. I am thrilled! I am not hugely overweight and only want to lose another stone so am well chuffed.
Food is remaining similar but I have noticed we are not spending as much money. Losing and gaining!
Today I had a Mullerlight yogurt for breakfast with some grapes.
Lunch was a ham salad with a pot of beetroot salad mixed in-no dressing. Satsuma afterwards.
Dinner- I roasted two chicken thighs and then removed the skin. I gently fried some onion and garlic in a few squirts of Frylight. I added two chopped stalks of celery that were a little limp, a chicken stock cube, a tea spoon of bovril, some diced potato, frozen peas, frozen sweetcorn, a handful of red lentils and towards the end, some thickly sliced mushrooms. I removed the cooked chicken from the bone while still hot and added with a good grind of pepper.
Honestly, for a made up dinner it tasted fantastic. I served big mans in a large h/m Yorkshire pudding with cabbage.
While the chicken was roasting I cooked some jacket potatoes and a halved butternut squash.
I will have the potato at work tomorrow for lunch and the squash will be made into soup with some other vegetables.
Thanks for popping in and I love to read your comments as always.
Much love. X
A short, weigh in post tonight. Went to SW last night and lost 3 more pounds. That's a 9 pound loss in two weeks. I am thrilled! I am not hugely overweight and only want to lose another stone so am well chuffed.
Food is remaining similar but I have noticed we are not spending as much money. Losing and gaining!
Today I had a Mullerlight yogurt for breakfast with some grapes.
Lunch was a ham salad with a pot of beetroot salad mixed in-no dressing. Satsuma afterwards.
Dinner- I roasted two chicken thighs and then removed the skin. I gently fried some onion and garlic in a few squirts of Frylight. I added two chopped stalks of celery that were a little limp, a chicken stock cube, a tea spoon of bovril, some diced potato, frozen peas, frozen sweetcorn, a handful of red lentils and towards the end, some thickly sliced mushrooms. I removed the cooked chicken from the bone while still hot and added with a good grind of pepper.
Honestly, for a made up dinner it tasted fantastic. I served big mans in a large h/m Yorkshire pudding with cabbage.
While the chicken was roasting I cooked some jacket potatoes and a halved butternut squash.
I will have the potato at work tomorrow for lunch and the squash will be made into soup with some other vegetables.
Thanks for popping in and I love to read your comments as always.
Much love. X
Saturday, 8 March 2014
Happy, sunny, positive.
Dear reader,
Welcome to my new followers, thank you for reading.
Lovely sunny day here and I have a few days off. Diet is going really well and I am feeling very positive.
I am on week 4 of the couch to 5k which is 3 and 5 mins running, twice with shorter rests between.
I will move on to 8 mins running next week. People have mentioned the high they get after running and I now know what they mean. I am enjoying it!
I haven't done much cooking apart from a veggie chilli which I like to take to work with boiled rice.
We have both been eating omlettes, salads, fish and lots more fruit. I definately feel better.
I now feel hungry in the morning which I never have before. I look forward to breakfast.
This is what I usually eat now.
Breakfast- 2 Weetabix with half milk, half water. Hot with sweetener.
Lunch- jacket potato with natural yogurt and tuna, large salad. Muller light yogurt, banana.
Dinner-Fish and salad, satsuma and apple.
I usually have an Alpen light cereal bar for a snack with a cup of tea at work. I am trying to increase my water intake as well.
Food buying is just chicken, salad, fruit and milk. Much less bread although big man sometimes takes a sandwich to work. Am getting into this healthy eating and loving it!
Have you made changes to your diet? Do you get you 5 a day? Are you a Slimming World follower?
I would love to hear you stories and recipes.
Have a fabulous weekend and I hope this gorgeous weather comes to you.
X
Welcome to my new followers, thank you for reading.
Lovely sunny day here and I have a few days off. Diet is going really well and I am feeling very positive.
I am on week 4 of the couch to 5k which is 3 and 5 mins running, twice with shorter rests between.
I will move on to 8 mins running next week. People have mentioned the high they get after running and I now know what they mean. I am enjoying it!
I haven't done much cooking apart from a veggie chilli which I like to take to work with boiled rice.
We have both been eating omlettes, salads, fish and lots more fruit. I definately feel better.
I now feel hungry in the morning which I never have before. I look forward to breakfast.
This is what I usually eat now.
Breakfast- 2 Weetabix with half milk, half water. Hot with sweetener.
Lunch- jacket potato with natural yogurt and tuna, large salad. Muller light yogurt, banana.
Dinner-Fish and salad, satsuma and apple.
I usually have an Alpen light cereal bar for a snack with a cup of tea at work. I am trying to increase my water intake as well.
Food buying is just chicken, salad, fruit and milk. Much less bread although big man sometimes takes a sandwich to work. Am getting into this healthy eating and loving it!
Have you made changes to your diet? Do you get you 5 a day? Are you a Slimming World follower?
I would love to hear you stories and recipes.
Have a fabulous weekend and I hope this gorgeous weather comes to you.
X
Wednesday, 5 March 2014
Weight loss Wednesday
Dear reader,
A few of us decided to lose some weight this year. We called it weight loss Wednesday and we started off really well.
You know how these things are, you sign up, stuff happens, you get busy at work and with family and we kind of lost our mojo. ( does anyone know what that actually is?)
Our oomph, pazaaz, motivation, call it what you will. I, for one lost my way. I didn't diet, I didn't try, I slowed with my blog writing. Changes at work, not for the better and general life does keep you busy. We lost touch. If anyone still fancies it, let me know.
After a particularly piggish week I noticed a vivid red ring around my stomach, it hurt and felt bruised. Some deadly disease you may ask.........
No, my jeans were so tight they had dug into me badly. The same with my bras, knickers and even boots were squeezing my calves. I couldn't bend down so well anymore to ties laces and putting on socks left me puffing and hopping round the bedroom like a telly tubby. Eh oh!
Last Wednesday I walked into a large church hall. No, not to pray for weight loss.
It was a local Slimming World group. I got all the books and the little card. Got weighed.....not good, stayed for class and took the lot home for a good read.
What was I expecting? It's a diet based on, well healthy eating. Fruit, veg, not too many carbs and very little fat. What we all know. I know what to eat, I know how to cook, I know oil is fattening and so are crisps and chips and I know that fresh fruit and veg is good. It's the going every week and being weighed and writing in down in a little book that I find motivational.
I returned tonight. I had been good, very good. I lost 6 pounds!
The girl next to me was making me laugh. "I fancy a kebab" she whispered.
"No, you can't have that" I said. "Why don't you cook some chicken breast and have it with salad and a bit of chilli sauce, that may taste like it"
"Not that sort of kebab" she replied
"Oh" I said "You want the dripping doner meat one?"
"Mmm" she replied "I might text him indoors to get a couple for when I get home"
As I drove out later I saw her walking past. I couldn't resist a shriek out of the car window,
"Stay off the kebabs"
I'm not sure she will speak to me next week.
What exactly is in a Donner kebab meat remains one of life's mysteries.
What have I learned so far?
Stop shoving crap in my mouth and the weight drops off.
Eat less and do more
I'm not really hungry, I just think I am.
If I wake up and I'm not hungry, I pigged out the day before
And Mullerlight yogurts do some fab flavours and are 10 for £3 in Asda.
A few of us decided to lose some weight this year. We called it weight loss Wednesday and we started off really well.
You know how these things are, you sign up, stuff happens, you get busy at work and with family and we kind of lost our mojo. ( does anyone know what that actually is?)
Our oomph, pazaaz, motivation, call it what you will. I, for one lost my way. I didn't diet, I didn't try, I slowed with my blog writing. Changes at work, not for the better and general life does keep you busy. We lost touch. If anyone still fancies it, let me know.
After a particularly piggish week I noticed a vivid red ring around my stomach, it hurt and felt bruised. Some deadly disease you may ask.........
No, my jeans were so tight they had dug into me badly. The same with my bras, knickers and even boots were squeezing my calves. I couldn't bend down so well anymore to ties laces and putting on socks left me puffing and hopping round the bedroom like a telly tubby. Eh oh!
Last Wednesday I walked into a large church hall. No, not to pray for weight loss.
It was a local Slimming World group. I got all the books and the little card. Got weighed.....not good, stayed for class and took the lot home for a good read.
What was I expecting? It's a diet based on, well healthy eating. Fruit, veg, not too many carbs and very little fat. What we all know. I know what to eat, I know how to cook, I know oil is fattening and so are crisps and chips and I know that fresh fruit and veg is good. It's the going every week and being weighed and writing in down in a little book that I find motivational.
I returned tonight. I had been good, very good. I lost 6 pounds!
The girl next to me was making me laugh. "I fancy a kebab" she whispered.
"No, you can't have that" I said. "Why don't you cook some chicken breast and have it with salad and a bit of chilli sauce, that may taste like it"
"Not that sort of kebab" she replied
"Oh" I said "You want the dripping doner meat one?"
"Mmm" she replied "I might text him indoors to get a couple for when I get home"
As I drove out later I saw her walking past. I couldn't resist a shriek out of the car window,
"Stay off the kebabs"
I'm not sure she will speak to me next week.
What exactly is in a Donner kebab meat remains one of life's mysteries.
What have I learned so far?
Stop shoving crap in my mouth and the weight drops off.
Eat less and do more
I'm not really hungry, I just think I am.
If I wake up and I'm not hungry, I pigged out the day before
And Mullerlight yogurts do some fab flavours and are 10 for £3 in Asda.
Tuesday, 4 March 2014
I trapped a man!
Dear reader,
Off to work I went this morning, a bit late so in a hurry. As I drove down the motorway I felt a strange lump in my jeggings. I squeezed it and it went flat. As I pulled into the car park I rolled up the leg to find a large, squashed earwig type bug. Eeeeuuuwww.
Big Man was off today and as the cupboards were bare I had left him a shopping list. All carefully checked and planned to fit in with my Slimming World diet.
My day got better as I then got a text from Big man.
BM " You've locked the porch door and taken both sets of keys"
ME " Oh no, I'm really sorry."
BM "I'm trapped in the house all day and there's no food"
ME "Shall I send them home in a taxi?"
BM " No, don't worry I'll be fine"
Later.......
BM "Please get me a bottle of wine, have had a miserable day"
ME "Ok, what's wrong?"
BM " Got really hungry, had to order an emergency pizza and the man had to deliver it through the window, feel trapped"
I felt bad and a bottle of red and a Lindtt bunny were brought home.
By the way, thank you for going over to Mandy's blog, it really cheered her up. She loves getting comments so if you haven't popped over do have a look, she does some great cooking with really good pictures. My thrifty homemade challenge
Much love. X
Off to work I went this morning, a bit late so in a hurry. As I drove down the motorway I felt a strange lump in my jeggings. I squeezed it and it went flat. As I pulled into the car park I rolled up the leg to find a large, squashed earwig type bug. Eeeeuuuwww.
Big Man was off today and as the cupboards were bare I had left him a shopping list. All carefully checked and planned to fit in with my Slimming World diet.
My day got better as I then got a text from Big man.
BM " You've locked the porch door and taken both sets of keys"
ME " Oh no, I'm really sorry."
BM "I'm trapped in the house all day and there's no food"
ME "Shall I send them home in a taxi?"
BM " No, don't worry I'll be fine"
Later.......
BM "Please get me a bottle of wine, have had a miserable day"
ME "Ok, what's wrong?"
BM " Got really hungry, had to order an emergency pizza and the man had to deliver it through the window, feel trapped"
I felt bad and a bottle of red and a Lindtt bunny were brought home.
By the way, thank you for going over to Mandy's blog, it really cheered her up. She loves getting comments so if you haven't popped over do have a look, she does some great cooking with really good pictures. My thrifty homemade challenge
Much love. X
Monday, 3 March 2014
Check this out
Dear reader,
This is just a shout out to a lovely lady with a great blog. Her name is Mandy. She has some lovely pictures and enjoys cooking with a bit of thrifty thrown in too.
I especially love her cheery smile, have a look hereMandy and her smile
Thank you. X
This is just a shout out to a lovely lady with a great blog. Her name is Mandy. She has some lovely pictures and enjoys cooking with a bit of thrifty thrown in too.
I especially love her cheery smile, have a look hereMandy and her smile
Thank you. X
Thursday, 27 February 2014
Have my cake, eat it and still lose weight.
Dear reader,
Good morning and thanks for your comments yesterday Karen and Joyful, it's always great to have support.
In my quest to lose weight I joined Slimming World last night. A really nice group. It's strange really as I know what to eat and should be able to do it myself but the thought of going every week to be weighed and writing my progress down makes me far more motivated than doing it alone. There's also a bit of healthy competition with a slimmer of the week award. Strange how a little sticker brings out the competitiveness.
Last night after the meeting I cooked two sea bass fillets, fried in a squirt of fry light with a jacket potato with natural yogurt in it and a mini Babybel light along with a large salad. Big man had oven chips and mushy peas.
This morning I duly measured out my 250ml of semi skimmed (which didn't look much) for my two Weetabix. I diluted the milk with water and it tasted fine with granulated sweetener on top.
I am still going with the couch to 5k running plan. Today was a big day for me- week four.
You do a 5 min walk, 3 min run, 90 secs walk, 5 min run, 2.5 min walk, 3 min run, 90 secs walk and the final 5 min run with a cool down 5 min walk.
I don't run fast only a jog and turned the gradient down to zero today. I was tough but I do feel a bit of a buzz when I finish.
I must make it very clear, I am no runner, don't like it, out of breath, legs hurt. That was me but I am getting into it now.
Today I will have an egg lunch, maybe omelette or egg salad and tonight at work will have jacket potato and baked beans with some fruit.
They mentioned last night the half syn cake! All goodies such as chocolate, wine, crisps, cheese and a hing extra is referred to as syns. For instance a curly whirly has 8 and a packet of French fries crisps is 6. I am allowed 10 a day. Tough choices but I was very interested in this cake for just half a syn. I could eat it all! Here is the linkHalf syn cake
How are all my weight loss ladies doing? I know we have lost touch a bit but I'd love to hear from you.
Good morning and thanks for your comments yesterday Karen and Joyful, it's always great to have support.
In my quest to lose weight I joined Slimming World last night. A really nice group. It's strange really as I know what to eat and should be able to do it myself but the thought of going every week to be weighed and writing my progress down makes me far more motivated than doing it alone. There's also a bit of healthy competition with a slimmer of the week award. Strange how a little sticker brings out the competitiveness.
Last night after the meeting I cooked two sea bass fillets, fried in a squirt of fry light with a jacket potato with natural yogurt in it and a mini Babybel light along with a large salad. Big man had oven chips and mushy peas.
This morning I duly measured out my 250ml of semi skimmed (which didn't look much) for my two Weetabix. I diluted the milk with water and it tasted fine with granulated sweetener on top.
I am still going with the couch to 5k running plan. Today was a big day for me- week four.
You do a 5 min walk, 3 min run, 90 secs walk, 5 min run, 2.5 min walk, 3 min run, 90 secs walk and the final 5 min run with a cool down 5 min walk.
I don't run fast only a jog and turned the gradient down to zero today. I was tough but I do feel a bit of a buzz when I finish.
I must make it very clear, I am no runner, don't like it, out of breath, legs hurt. That was me but I am getting into it now.
Today I will have an egg lunch, maybe omelette or egg salad and tonight at work will have jacket potato and baked beans with some fruit.
They mentioned last night the half syn cake! All goodies such as chocolate, wine, crisps, cheese and a hing extra is referred to as syns. For instance a curly whirly has 8 and a packet of French fries crisps is 6. I am allowed 10 a day. Tough choices but I was very interested in this cake for just half a syn. I could eat it all! Here is the linkHalf syn cake
How are all my weight loss ladies doing? I know we have lost touch a bit but I'd love to hear from you.
Wednesday, 26 February 2014
Stretchy pie.
Dear reader,
Hope you are well. Have a few days off work which is great although has taken me two days of afternoon snoozes and 10 hours at night to feel fully recovered.
Have been raiding the freezer and larder to use up leftovers that I have stashed. One of our recent meals was a beef stew in the slow cooker. There was a bit left which I froze but not really enough for two more dinners.
I had a couple of packs of Approved Foods pastry mix in the larder and thought A pie would use the remains of the beef stew. I chopped three carrots and par boiled and added them to bulk out a bit, also chopped some mushrooms which were lurking in the fridge, just reaching the slightly wet stage.
I was chuffed to make another two meals from leftovers.
We had this with chips and peas.
Mushy peas are 17p a tin in Asda and tinned potatoes 15p. I like these in the larder for quickness.
Did the weekly shopping today and spent £55 in Asda. Am still in awe of people who do it for much less.
Despite not writing myself for a while, I have been reading your blogs daily. I love hearing of all the different lives going on that we share on our blogs. I sometimes have real difficulty entering the numbers and letter which let me leave a comment.
So here is a hello and thank you to you: Frugal Queen, Elaine Collier MF in 3, Pam in Tydd, Karen at Chelmarsh, SFT, Sue (both of you) Mean Queen Ilona, John at Going Gently (very, very funny) Angela at Tracing Rainbows, 9-5, Frugal in Norfolk and Suffolk, Snap that and CT mum.
Everyday life on a shoestring-please forgive my sloathness. I haven't forgotten you. X
X
Tuesday, 11 February 2014
Oh do jog on!
Dear reader,
As part of my weight loss challenge I am doing the couch to 5k. Let me tell you, I am couch with a capital C.
I don't like running, never have. I hate the feeling of breathlessness, I hate the aching legs, I hate the red face and its just generally unnecessary. The stupid runners who don't stop to cross the road, we've all seen them. Lycra clad, headphoned spitters!
When I was about 20 a jogger jogged onto my windscreen. I was pulling out of a junction, obviously not quickly enough for running man who landed face first on my car. He was starring at me through the windscreen of my Fiat Uno and I was starring back. In my panicked attempt to put my hazard lights on and get out and help him, I squirted him with the screen wash. He jogged off looking a little red eyed.
Anyway, I digress. I was telling you about my hatred of running. (Secretly, I'd love a pair of the Lycra tight bum, skinny leg track suit bottoms from Sweaty Betty)
Yes, hot, sweaty, puffing, NOT FOR ME.
Or so I thought....................
I downloaded a podcast. NHS couch to 5K. Brilliant.
Laura, (she's really nice) tells you when to run and when to walk. Lots of walking at first which was just as well. Anyway, I am now on week 2 and on to week 3 next.
I think I might actually be enjoying it. Ssssshhh, I don't want the runners to know that I might actually have joined them.
Have bought all healthy food this week. Chicken, fruit, salad and fish.
Tonight we are having chicken pizza. The chicken is the base. I butterfly the chicken fillets and grill them really slowly with a spray of oil to stop them catching. I spread a bit of garlic paste over mine. (Well actually it's just garlic and water that I blended-makes a great garlic paste but it does stink the fridge out but you can freeze it)
Once the chicken breasts are cooked, spread with a little homemade sauce. Tinned tomatoes, garlic, onion, however you like yours. Then add toppings of your choice. I used low fat mozzarella, olives and peppers.
What healthy recipes have you tried recently? Let me know.
Stay safe.
X
As part of my weight loss challenge I am doing the couch to 5k. Let me tell you, I am couch with a capital C.
I don't like running, never have. I hate the feeling of breathlessness, I hate the aching legs, I hate the red face and its just generally unnecessary. The stupid runners who don't stop to cross the road, we've all seen them. Lycra clad, headphoned spitters!
When I was about 20 a jogger jogged onto my windscreen. I was pulling out of a junction, obviously not quickly enough for running man who landed face first on my car. He was starring at me through the windscreen of my Fiat Uno and I was starring back. In my panicked attempt to put my hazard lights on and get out and help him, I squirted him with the screen wash. He jogged off looking a little red eyed.
Anyway, I digress. I was telling you about my hatred of running. (Secretly, I'd love a pair of the Lycra tight bum, skinny leg track suit bottoms from Sweaty Betty)
Yes, hot, sweaty, puffing, NOT FOR ME.
Or so I thought....................
I downloaded a podcast. NHS couch to 5K. Brilliant.
Laura, (she's really nice) tells you when to run and when to walk. Lots of walking at first which was just as well. Anyway, I am now on week 2 and on to week 3 next.
I think I might actually be enjoying it. Ssssshhh, I don't want the runners to know that I might actually have joined them.
Have bought all healthy food this week. Chicken, fruit, salad and fish.
Tonight we are having chicken pizza. The chicken is the base. I butterfly the chicken fillets and grill them really slowly with a spray of oil to stop them catching. I spread a bit of garlic paste over mine. (Well actually it's just garlic and water that I blended-makes a great garlic paste but it does stink the fridge out but you can freeze it)
Once the chicken breasts are cooked, spread with a little homemade sauce. Tinned tomatoes, garlic, onion, however you like yours. Then add toppings of your choice. I used low fat mozzarella, olives and peppers.
What healthy recipes have you tried recently? Let me know.
Stay safe.
X
Monday, 3 February 2014
Couch to 5k and quick dinners
Dear reader,
Hope you are well. Weather not too bad here, quite mild. We usually have snow this time of year so it's quite mild.
Have been running quite well and am doing the couch to 5k or C25k for short.
Only on week one but from small acorns.....
We are doing well with the monthly spend so far and have cut down on the shopping a lot. Am just trying to go every other week now and am spending about £85 a go.
Am trying to use up every little bit of food we have. For instance, Big Man likes jacket potatoes with tuna inside. I bake them and then remove the potato and mash it up with the tuna before restuffing.
There's usually a bit left over-Fishcakes!
Have been cutting up celery and carrots to have with homemade humous, lots of leftover ends-vegetable soup. Even threw in some lettuce leaves. Lovely!
Tonight did a quick dinner, ham, eggs and oven chips for Big man. I had pasta and a simple tomato sauce I made over the weekend.
I have tried to buy a few different veg that we wouldn't normally eat. This week was celeriac.
Ugly looking thing with wizened edges but I peeled half and had it as mash with a beef stew. The other half I squirted some lemon juice on to stop going brown. Then I grated it in the processor with a white cabbage and made coleslaw. Quite nice, slightly aniseed tasting. Probably wont get again.
I got a bag of parsnips in Lidl for 39p. Have par boiled and roasted and will freeze for quickness to use again. Saves time when in a hurry.
What do you do to save time when cooking? Have you got any go to recipes that are quick and easy?
Hope you are well. Weather not too bad here, quite mild. We usually have snow this time of year so it's quite mild.
Have been running quite well and am doing the couch to 5k or C25k for short.
Only on week one but from small acorns.....
We are doing well with the monthly spend so far and have cut down on the shopping a lot. Am just trying to go every other week now and am spending about £85 a go.
Am trying to use up every little bit of food we have. For instance, Big Man likes jacket potatoes with tuna inside. I bake them and then remove the potato and mash it up with the tuna before restuffing.
There's usually a bit left over-Fishcakes!
Have been cutting up celery and carrots to have with homemade humous, lots of leftover ends-vegetable soup. Even threw in some lettuce leaves. Lovely!
Tonight did a quick dinner, ham, eggs and oven chips for Big man. I had pasta and a simple tomato sauce I made over the weekend.
I have tried to buy a few different veg that we wouldn't normally eat. This week was celeriac.
Ugly looking thing with wizened edges but I peeled half and had it as mash with a beef stew. The other half I squirted some lemon juice on to stop going brown. Then I grated it in the processor with a white cabbage and made coleslaw. Quite nice, slightly aniseed tasting. Probably wont get again.
I got a bag of parsnips in Lidl for 39p. Have par boiled and roasted and will freeze for quickness to use again. Saves time when in a hurry.
What do you do to save time when cooking? Have you got any go to recipes that are quick and easy?
Sunday, 26 January 2014
Break from blogging.
Dear reader,
Having a bit of a blog break I'm afraid. I had started the weight loss thing and still going ok. Work still a huge part of my day and usually really tired.
I'm sorry to those who signed up and I wish you good luck. Hopefully we can catch up when the weather gets better and we are not all stuck indoors.
Much love.
FIB. X
Having a bit of a blog break I'm afraid. I had started the weight loss thing and still going ok. Work still a huge part of my day and usually really tired.
I'm sorry to those who signed up and I wish you good luck. Hopefully we can catch up when the weather gets better and we are not all stuck indoors.
Much love.
FIB. X
Thursday, 16 January 2014
Dropping in with weigh in.
Dear reader,
Work as usual is hectic. I can't turn down the hours though as the money is good.
Weight loss is better then I hoped with a weigh in for me of 13 stones and 13 pounds.
5lbs loss so far.
How are you all doing? I have just been making small changes and not snacking.
Good luck and have a great week, looking forward to weekend off.
X
Work as usual is hectic. I can't turn down the hours though as the money is good.
Weight loss is better then I hoped with a weigh in for me of 13 stones and 13 pounds.
5lbs loss so far.
How are you all doing? I have just been making small changes and not snacking.
Good luck and have a great week, looking forward to weekend off.
X
Friday, 10 January 2014
101 hours
Dear reader,
So sorry, have done 101.5 hours at work this week not including the hour travel.
I will be back with weight report as soon as I get this weekend at work out of the way. Days 11 and 12 then 2 off.
Am reading comments and publishing them. Some great results which I will write about on Monday.
Back soon with another giveaway for you.
Love
FIB. X
So sorry, have done 101.5 hours at work this week not including the hour travel.
I will be back with weight report as soon as I get this weekend at work out of the way. Days 11 and 12 then 2 off.
Am reading comments and publishing them. Some great results which I will write about on Monday.
Back soon with another giveaway for you.
Love
FIB. X
Thursday, 9 January 2014
Work stopped weigh
Dear reader,
Sorry everyone, didnt get home until early hours of this morning, work reasons.
Some brilliant weigh in results with Katie Jane losing 5 pounds. A few results still to come in including mine which I will do tonight.
Will hope to do a proper post with weigh in results later so if you signed up please drop in and let us know how you're doing.
X
Sorry everyone, didnt get home until early hours of this morning, work reasons.
Some brilliant weigh in results with Katie Jane losing 5 pounds. A few results still to come in including mine which I will do tonight.
Will hope to do a proper post with weigh in results later so if you signed up please drop in and let us know how you're doing.
X
Tuesday, 7 January 2014
What do you fancy?
Dear reader,
Just a quickie as I'm off to work soon.
Weigh in Wednesday tomorrow.
I haven't been bad but I haven't been an angel.
I'm very good at excuses. I will have worked 12 days in a row at between 8 and 11 hours a day and I'm only half way through and already tired.
The weather is so awful with torrential rain it has put paid to my running.
Because I've been at work I haven't done much cooking so meals have been less organised.
I am trying to eat breakfast but never feel that hungry in the morning. Takes me a couple of hours to fancy food, however as I write this the TV is on and there is an advert for a nice looking cereal on the screen. Nice crunchy little nuggets with lots of nutty bits. It looks really healthy, could be a change from my Weetabix.
Hmmm, have just seen a small whiskered face peeping out and discovered it is in fact Go-Cat.
What do you fancy in the morning?
Just a quickie as I'm off to work soon.
Weigh in Wednesday tomorrow.
I haven't been bad but I haven't been an angel.
I'm very good at excuses. I will have worked 12 days in a row at between 8 and 11 hours a day and I'm only half way through and already tired.
The weather is so awful with torrential rain it has put paid to my running.
Because I've been at work I haven't done much cooking so meals have been less organised.
I am trying to eat breakfast but never feel that hungry in the morning. Takes me a couple of hours to fancy food, however as I write this the TV is on and there is an advert for a nice looking cereal on the screen. Nice crunchy little nuggets with lots of nutty bits. It looks really healthy, could be a change from my Weetabix.
Hmmm, have just seen a small whiskered face peeping out and discovered it is in fact Go-Cat.
What do you fancy in the morning?
Sunday, 5 January 2014
Changing mortgage rates-advice required please.
Dear reader,
Just popping in this morning before work to ask a bit of advice.
We are nearing the end of our rubbish fixed rate and want to change to a cheaper interest rate. Easy you would think?
We had the house revalued as we had made some improvements and we now have a LTV of 69%.
We were very pleased as we had only managed to put down 10% less then 2 years ago.
We have been offered two rates- 2.49% and 2.79% both to last 2 years.
Now, the 2.49% costs £999 and the 2.79% costs £200
I thought it was as easy as working out how much each one cost you to repay and that was it but each one gives a different end mortgage balance with the 2.49% being better. Sadly, as we are debt reducing elsewhere we haven't got the £999 to pay upfront. They said I could put it on the mortgage but I have always avoided this.
After hours of mind bending maths, I worked out that the best way was to add the £999 to the mortgage and then overpay the mortgage by the monthly difference between the two rates which was about £40 a month which we can afford to do.
I wonder if there is anyone out there in blog land that is able to give a free bit of advice or who is very good at maths?
The difference was about £400 a year, not much on the scale of things but I'd rather have £400 than give it away.
Please could you contact me with any advice?
Thanks
X
Just popping in this morning before work to ask a bit of advice.
We are nearing the end of our rubbish fixed rate and want to change to a cheaper interest rate. Easy you would think?
We had the house revalued as we had made some improvements and we now have a LTV of 69%.
We were very pleased as we had only managed to put down 10% less then 2 years ago.
We have been offered two rates- 2.49% and 2.79% both to last 2 years.
Now, the 2.49% costs £999 and the 2.79% costs £200
I thought it was as easy as working out how much each one cost you to repay and that was it but each one gives a different end mortgage balance with the 2.49% being better. Sadly, as we are debt reducing elsewhere we haven't got the £999 to pay upfront. They said I could put it on the mortgage but I have always avoided this.
After hours of mind bending maths, I worked out that the best way was to add the £999 to the mortgage and then overpay the mortgage by the monthly difference between the two rates which was about £40 a month which we can afford to do.
I wonder if there is anyone out there in blog land that is able to give a free bit of advice or who is very good at maths?
The difference was about £400 a year, not much on the scale of things but I'd rather have £400 than give it away.
Please could you contact me with any advice?
Thanks
X
Friday, 3 January 2014
Girls who eat Snickers wear bigger knickers!
Dear reader,
I just wanted to let those of you with blogs know that I am trying hard to leave comments as I know how nice it is. Unfortunately some of the blogs with encrypted codes that need to be entered are just unreadable. I'm not sure if its because I use an ipad but I tried and tried the other day to leave a comment to a lady who has recently returned to blogging and I just couldn't.
Maybe I'm getting old and the eyes are going but I don't think it's that.
Anyway, short blog tonight as I am working over the weekend and need sleep. I got so tired at work that I sneaked off to the vending machine today and I'm ashamed to say I got a snickers bar.
Shamed!
So here are a few shameful photos for my blog to keep me focused.
(They are not me......yet)
I just wanted to let those of you with blogs know that I am trying hard to leave comments as I know how nice it is. Unfortunately some of the blogs with encrypted codes that need to be entered are just unreadable. I'm not sure if its because I use an ipad but I tried and tried the other day to leave a comment to a lady who has recently returned to blogging and I just couldn't.
Maybe I'm getting old and the eyes are going but I don't think it's that.
Anyway, short blog tonight as I am working over the weekend and need sleep. I got so tired at work that I sneaked off to the vending machine today and I'm ashamed to say I got a snickers bar.
Shamed!
So here are a few shameful photos for my blog to keep me focused.
(They are not me......yet)
Goodnight and good health. X
Thursday, 2 January 2014
What do you snack on?
Rambler did not put on any weight over Christmas and has maintained a 3lb loss-that is brilliant considering the temptations of this time of year. Lynne has a 1.5lb loss which I know you weren't thrilled with but look how much that is in the picture plus half again. Eileen T has also lost a pound-as has Karen. Well done. Treaders has lost 5lb in 2 weeks although I know you were rather poorly which is never great. Hope you are fully recovered. I remember being slimmer of the week once after a nasty bout of Gastroenteritis (I never admitted though).
Pam has a great idea of donating her excess foods left over from Christmas to a food bank-I like it.
Julie@Dragonfly Gems has done the hard part-getting on the scales! I'm at the heaviest I have ever been but I keep telling myself that I will never weigh this much again. Miss PiggyBank has also got on the scales and weighs a very respectable 8.8 pounds less than she did a year ago. I'm sure I can put that on in about a week! Welsh Poppy has also lost a pound-brilliant!
Denise and I both had a small gain over Christmas but we are going to lose it again.
Wow 12 pounds lost since we started this challenge and that was at a really difficult time of year to start a diet. I know some people don't like the word diet. Call it healthy eating, they say.
It's a diet for me and its because I am too fat. It's as simple as that for me. I'm putting in more fuel than I am outputting. My tank is overflowing. Ooh err.
I wonder where she is going?
I find that I have to be organised when I want to lose weight. If I get hungry because I haven't been organised, that's when bad stuff happens. That's when I grab and go. Crisps, chocolate and other bad choices happen when I don't prepare.
I now keep a stash in my drawer at work of mug shot soups. I find they satisfy me and keeps me busy while I make it too.
I know some people keep veggie sticks in the fridge or homemade soup ready to heat. Mini Babybel cheeses and an apple are a favourite snack for me along with Ryvita and low fat cream cheese.
Frittata or thick omlette are a good snack for work too as it can be eaten cold.
What snacks work for you?
What do you open in case of emergency?
Have a great day.
X
Wednesday, 1 January 2014
Weigh in Wednesday.
Dear reader,
Sorry have totally lost track of the days. Thank you Rambler. I thought yesterday was Wednesday!
Happy NewYear to you all.
Today is Weigh in Wednesday and I am 14 stones 4.4 pounds.
Am off to work today so will catch you later. Have a great day.x
Sorry have totally lost track of the days. Thank you Rambler. I thought yesterday was Wednesday!
Happy NewYear to you all.
Today is Weigh in Wednesday and I am 14 stones 4.4 pounds.
Am off to work today so will catch you later. Have a great day.x
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