I was going to make weekly updates about my progress but I never remember to sit down after weigh in and actually write the post - so they'll just be as and when I remember.
I'm now 7 weeks in and have lost 9.5lbs - not a huge number but with my other half having ankle surgery, having a newborn baby, birthdays, meals out and all the other excuses I just haven't been 100% sticking to plan. But a loss is a loss and I'm now 9.5lbs closer to the weight I want to be than I would have been if I'd not bothered trying.
I've challenged myself to have lost 30lbs by Christmas - I reckon this is doable if I try and stick to the plan properly.
So far I am loving Instagram (support, inspiration, motivation...), magazines and a facebook group I joined that is full of suggestions. The meals I have loved most are the chicken pad thai I made the other week, campfire stew (I'll post a recipe soon), chinese chicken curry and I've started most mornings with a syn-free mushroom omelette and baked beans.
I did take some "before" pictures so when I start to see some proper progress I'll upload those. But already my clothes are looser and more comfortable. I have more energy (despite the lack of sleep with Oscar..) and I just feel happy that I have something for myself to be focusing on. I put so much effort into looking after everyone else that I often forget I need looking after too!
Thursday 25 September 2014
Wednesday 24 September 2014
2 Months Postpartum
He smiles when you smile at him, if you tickle his cheeks or touch his nose and if something makes him happy (sometimes it's me talking to him, sometimes it's a light switch... smiles are smiles and cute either way!)
He gurgles a lot and copies sounds. His "vocabulary" gets bigger constantly - by which I mean the sounds he makes. He likes to say "a-boo" and "goo" when he's happy. But if you talk to him he copies the vowel sounds and is starting to master more consonant sounds too (b, g, d, m, l..). It's so cute now that if I say "hi" or "hello" to him his copy sounds so like the real word (or maybe I'm turning into one of those mums who thinks their child is a genius...)
He is much more alert now through the day and definitely knows when it is night time as he sleeps for big chunks through the night. We've not really established a definite routine yet but there's definitely more of a pattern than there was a few weeks ago. I can't wait for us to be in some kind of routine - but at the moment I'm happy to just go with the flow.
He's bottle-fed and taking about 3-4oz on average at a time. He should be having 6 5oz bottles a day (according to the formula box) but instead he's having about 8 3-4oz bottles a day. We're having a few issues with reflux so I'm not wanting to really push him. Although we are now trying to encourage him to take a bit more at each feeding time to try and support some sort of routine.
He's well and truly grown out of newborn clothes. He's mainly in 0-3 month sizes but some of his baby grows are starting to get tight and his feet don't really fit in them anymore. This week he has started to wear some 3-6 month size jeans that are a little bit big on him but it's better than squeezing him into the smaller sizes. Everyone seemed to buy 3-6 month clothes for him as gifts so as soon as he gets into that size we'll have some gorgeous little outfits to put on him every day :)
Today he had his first set of immunisations and he screamed! Poor little thing. The nurse did them in his legs and afterwards when he'd calmed down every time she went to put his jeans back on he bawled again... So he came home with no trousers on and all wrapped up in a blanket lol. He's been quite niggly ever since and considerably more hungry than he ever is (which is the opposite of what she told me might happen). I was definitely not prepared for how much he hated his injections but he has the next set in 4 weeks so I best give myself (and Oscar) a pep talk before we go in!
He's growing really well and gaining weight nicely - we go to the baby clinic next Wednesday for him to be weighed so we can see exactly how he is doing. But he's got squishy little cheeks and seems to be a happy little boy so I know he's growing well.
Putting the "pro" in "procrastination"
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I've been thinking more and more about this and it all comes down to one word - laziness. I want to lose weight and I have the easiest form of exercise at my fingertips - housework! Just cleaning my house could burn up to 204 calories per hour.
Plus I'm fed up of having to sift through mountains of junk to find something I want. And feeling too ashamed to have people over.
It's not just the house that suffers. I don't make good enough use of my time. I have been meaning to dye my hair now for 2 weeks, I rarely write a blog post anymore, I cook the same recipes over and over when I have a stack of magazines and books I could use to find something a bit more interesting. I still haven't ventured out to a mother and baby group (although that's partly through fear - other mums intimidate me..).
So this is me saying no more. I'm hanging up my procrastination crown and sorting myself out. I don't feel proud of my laziness and it doesn't make me happy. I'm not aiming for a Pinterest-worthy home or to never have a PJ day again - I just want to go to bed every night knowing that I have filled my time with worthwhile things.
Tuesday 23 September 2014
Wednesday 10 September 2014
Syn Box #1
Syns are easily my favourite bit about Slimming World. I like to save as many as possible for the evening and then just enjoy some treats! Here are some I've been loving lately.
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| Choc Shot |
Choc Shot is 0.5 syns per level tsp. It's nice stirred into coffee or hot milk, or drizzled over fruit or a dessert. I like it mixed with natural yoghurt and sweetener for a low syn chocolate pudding.
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| Curly Wurly |
6 syns of heaven! I love them frozen - they last even longer.
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| Meringues |
Meringues are around 2.5 syns each and my favourite way to have them is with fruit and yoghurt like a low syn Eton Mess.
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| Jubbly Lollies |
1 syn each and so many flavours to choose from. Cola is easily my favourite.
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| Sweet chilli sauce |
Finally, sweet chilli sauce is 1 syn per tbsp. It's lovely on syn free burgers or stirred into syn free noodles. I also used it in my Pad Thai recipe.
Tuesday 9 September 2014
10 parenting surprises so far..
I have love count of the times little Oscar has been watching his hands and then punched himself in the face. Or been crying for a bottle but his hands have swiped it away. It is the strangest thing to see. Hopefully he'll get some control soon!
2) You will be covered in vomit head to toe...and you won't care
Babies are sick sometimes. Oscar has projectile vomitted all over himself, me, the sofa, the carpet, his bouncer... tonight he even managed to get it in his own eye! And all I ever think is how to clean him up. It doesn't bother me one bit!
3) On a regular basis you'll find yourself surprised that this little baby is yours
He's 8 weeks old on Saturday and I still look at him at least once a day in awe. I can't believe I get to keep such a beautiful little thing.
4) Those dirty nappies that everyone goes on about? They won't bother you at all
When I was pregnant all everyone went on about was how my life would be filled with dirty nappies - and it is! Some pretty gross, explosive ones! And not once have I recoiled in horror. I've surprised myself that, as someone with a weak stomach usually, I've not cared at all.
5) You will forget what it feels like to eat a meal without holding your baby/feeding your baby/bouncing your baby with your feet in their bouncer...
Everyone I speak to swears that babies have this "food sensor". As soon as I even think about eating he cries! I now eat all meals with a foot on his bouncer to keep him settled.
6) Baby boys like to pee on the changing table. You'll quickly learn to spot the signs
Oscar likes to wee when I'm changing it. I swear he aims it at me as well. I've learnt to spot when it is about to happen now and I quickly cover him up... and then duck out of the firing line!
7) You'll develop a mental checklist for when your baby cries.
Does he need changing? Feeding? Burping? Too hot? Too cold? It's always something!
8) You will be busy all day and get nothing done
I don't stop from the minute I wake up until the minute I go to bed...and then I'm up in the night too! So why is my house such a tip?
9) Sometimes bad things happen. And you will cope.
For example, yesterday I changed him. First he started to pee. Then as soon as that little episode finished he vomitted, and while I was trying to wipe up the sick he started to poo. A lot.
10) People tell you about this amazing feeling of love you'll experience once your baby is born - but it is so much stronger than you'll expect
I knew I loved my little baby when I was pregnant but the minute I heard his crying when he was born I loved him more than I expected. It was so much that for the first 2 weeks every time I thought about how much I loved him I was so overwhelmed that I cried..
Slimming World Chicken Pad Thai
Serves 2-3.
Syns: 3 for entire dish (1.5 or 2 depending on serving size)
Ingredients:
Frylight
500g of diced chicken breasts
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp sweet chilli sauce (1 syn)
1 tbsp of sweetener
2 tbsp of soy sauce
2 tsp of lazy garlic (or 2 cloves of garlic)
1 tsp of lazy chilli
2 small onions, shredded
250g mushrooms, sliced
1 carrot, cut into matchsticks
6 spring onions, chopped
150g pack of straight to wok noodles (version I used were 2 syns for the packet)
2 eggs, beaten
1 tbsp dried chives
1 tbsp dried coriander
Method:
1) Spray wok with frylight and cook chicken through, put aside in a dish
2) Meanwhile, mix lemon juice, sweet chilli sauce, soy sauce and sweetener in a dish/mug
3) Respray wok if needed and add garlic, chilli and onions
4) Once onions are softened at mushrooms, then carrots and spring onions
5) Let this all cook through and then add noodles and stir fry
6) Add the chicken back in and then pour over your egg mixture and stir constantly until it is completely cooked
7) Add herbs in and mix through then serve
Syns: 3 for entire dish (1.5 or 2 depending on serving size)
Ingredients:
Frylight
500g of diced chicken breasts
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp sweet chilli sauce (1 syn)
1 tbsp of sweetener
2 tbsp of soy sauce
2 tsp of lazy garlic (or 2 cloves of garlic)
1 tsp of lazy chilli
2 small onions, shredded
250g mushrooms, sliced
1 carrot, cut into matchsticks
6 spring onions, chopped
150g pack of straight to wok noodles (version I used were 2 syns for the packet)
2 eggs, beaten
1 tbsp dried chives
1 tbsp dried coriander
Method:
1) Spray wok with frylight and cook chicken through, put aside in a dish
2) Meanwhile, mix lemon juice, sweet chilli sauce, soy sauce and sweetener in a dish/mug
3) Respray wok if needed and add garlic, chilli and onions
4) Once onions are softened at mushrooms, then carrots and spring onions
5) Let this all cook through and then add noodles and stir fry
6) Add the chicken back in and then pour over your egg mixture and stir constantly until it is completely cooked
7) Add herbs in and mix through then serve
Sunday 27 July 2014
It's a....
Last Thursday at around 5pm I started getting regular contractions - not too painful and around 20 minutes apart. I'd had so many Braxton Hicks that I knew these were different - but were too far apart to bother going up to the hospital. They carried on getting stronger but at 3am were still 15 minutes apart so I phoned the hospital just to ask if there was anything I could take or do to ease the pain - the midwife suggested a bath, paracetamol and trying to sleep. At 3am I wasn't really feeling like a bath to be perfectly honest and the thought of getting my whale-like pregnant self stuck in a bath at that time of night didn't appeal... I took paracetamol, tried to relax and eventually dropped off to sleep.
The man started work at 6am so was instructed to keep a close watch on his phone. I had a bath mid-morning and an extra nap (figured I'd sleep while I could!) but contractions remained at about 10-15 minutes apart and really manageable. I was due to give birth at the hospital in the next town and we had to pop over that way anyway to collect the little one from school so we decided to ask to be examined (7 minutes apart at this point) and found I was 1cm dilated! ONE! Hey-ho - back home we went. The little one went to stay with her grandparents that night as we were certain things were progressing.
We decided to go for a walk (it was about a 20 minute walk but took us around an hour) to see if that'd help and then I had another bath and got into bed at about 10:30.
1:30am on Saturday morning I woke up in absolute agony! I got out of bed and came downstairs as I found the contractions easier to deal with on all fours on the sofa. I started to time them and they gradually got more painful and closer together - at 4:15am I phoned the hospital and was told to have some breakfast, potter around and make my way over there (my waters hadn't broken so she said we had time). I got myself ready and woke the man up - we even popped into Tesco for some drinks on the way!
When we arrived they said I was 4cm dilated (woohoo!) and so found us a room... but then 3 hours later when the midwives changed over was found to be only 3cm.. (?) and told to either go home or go on the antenatal ward. We opted for the ward as we were so close to being in active labour it seemed daft to drive the whole way home.
We figured the walk helped the first time and so dumped our stuff and headed out of the hospital for a walk. By the time we got back contractions were about 3 minutes apart and continued to get stronger. The man asked if I could have some pain relief and I was given paracetamol (may as well have been smarties for all the good it did!).. we asked when I'd next be examined and was told it'd be a while as they like to wait and I didn't seem to be in too much pain.. (I was... I'm just not the sort to scream my head off on a ward full of strangers!)
At about 12:30pm the man was sent away and I was sent down for lunch. He decided to walk down to the chippy and while I was eating my lunch... my waters broke! I ran to the loo, text the man and bagged up the pad for the midwife (it was green as baby had pooed) and was rushed down to a room on the labour ward. He chucked his chips away (what a waste!) and raced back. Still 3cm on examination but things got heated very quickly.
I was offered gas and air but couldn't get on with it and so was asked if I'd like an epidural - the midwife said I could have a while to go and so it'd be a good idea. By this point I'd have taken almost anything and so was the anesthetist's next port of call.
When he arrived everything just went a bit crazy. The contractions were so close together there was barely a break, he was trying to find a vein, the midwife was taking my blood pressure, I was hanging off the man crying in pain and begging to be left alone for just a minute. I don't remember much of this but from what I'm told the anesthetist tried to put the canula in my left hand but blood squirted everywhere (my hand is still bruised!) and so it went in the right. I had to lean forward on the bed for him to do the epidural...
Next thing I know is I'm lay in bed pain-free! Ah magical epidural! They like to leave it four hours to let things progress and so I next was examined at about 7:30pm - when I was 10cm. You wait an hour before you're allowed to push (I can't remember why..) but in that time baby's heart rate started to look scary - it was dropping after the contractions rather than with them and so a doctor was called.
They let me start to push but the problem kept getting worse. I was allowed to push for about 10 minutes before being prepped for a forceps trial delivery, and potentially a cesarean section. I pushed twice with the forceps before they decided to go ahead with c-section. The man was sat in the corner while more people ran in and they got everything ready. They brought the man back to sit with me (facing away from the action) and he was a mess. I tried to console him but we both had a good cry.
They started the c-section and I don't really remember much of this part. Just lying there listening to my baby's heart on the monitor, holding the man's hand and praying everything would be ok.
And it was. My baby was born at 9:35pm on Saturday 19th July 2014 weighing 7lb 15oz. The man looked as he was born and told me we had a little boy before he was whisked away and we were left crying (happy tears this time). After a little while they brought him - Oscar - over to us and the man held him while I tried to reach and hold his little hand. The two of them were taken away while I was stitched up.
After an age of being flipped and turned I was wheeled out to the recovery room and able to hold and feed my baby. We had about an hour together before little Oscar and I were taken to the postnatal ward and the man was sent home (he didn't even make it back to the house before phoning the hospital to check we were ok!).
The man started work at 6am so was instructed to keep a close watch on his phone. I had a bath mid-morning and an extra nap (figured I'd sleep while I could!) but contractions remained at about 10-15 minutes apart and really manageable. I was due to give birth at the hospital in the next town and we had to pop over that way anyway to collect the little one from school so we decided to ask to be examined (7 minutes apart at this point) and found I was 1cm dilated! ONE! Hey-ho - back home we went. The little one went to stay with her grandparents that night as we were certain things were progressing.
We decided to go for a walk (it was about a 20 minute walk but took us around an hour) to see if that'd help and then I had another bath and got into bed at about 10:30.
1:30am on Saturday morning I woke up in absolute agony! I got out of bed and came downstairs as I found the contractions easier to deal with on all fours on the sofa. I started to time them and they gradually got more painful and closer together - at 4:15am I phoned the hospital and was told to have some breakfast, potter around and make my way over there (my waters hadn't broken so she said we had time). I got myself ready and woke the man up - we even popped into Tesco for some drinks on the way!
When we arrived they said I was 4cm dilated (woohoo!) and so found us a room... but then 3 hours later when the midwives changed over was found to be only 3cm.. (?) and told to either go home or go on the antenatal ward. We opted for the ward as we were so close to being in active labour it seemed daft to drive the whole way home.
We figured the walk helped the first time and so dumped our stuff and headed out of the hospital for a walk. By the time we got back contractions were about 3 minutes apart and continued to get stronger. The man asked if I could have some pain relief and I was given paracetamol (may as well have been smarties for all the good it did!).. we asked when I'd next be examined and was told it'd be a while as they like to wait and I didn't seem to be in too much pain.. (I was... I'm just not the sort to scream my head off on a ward full of strangers!)
At about 12:30pm the man was sent away and I was sent down for lunch. He decided to walk down to the chippy and while I was eating my lunch... my waters broke! I ran to the loo, text the man and bagged up the pad for the midwife (it was green as baby had pooed) and was rushed down to a room on the labour ward. He chucked his chips away (what a waste!) and raced back. Still 3cm on examination but things got heated very quickly.
I was offered gas and air but couldn't get on with it and so was asked if I'd like an epidural - the midwife said I could have a while to go and so it'd be a good idea. By this point I'd have taken almost anything and so was the anesthetist's next port of call.
When he arrived everything just went a bit crazy. The contractions were so close together there was barely a break, he was trying to find a vein, the midwife was taking my blood pressure, I was hanging off the man crying in pain and begging to be left alone for just a minute. I don't remember much of this but from what I'm told the anesthetist tried to put the canula in my left hand but blood squirted everywhere (my hand is still bruised!) and so it went in the right. I had to lean forward on the bed for him to do the epidural...
Next thing I know is I'm lay in bed pain-free! Ah magical epidural! They like to leave it four hours to let things progress and so I next was examined at about 7:30pm - when I was 10cm. You wait an hour before you're allowed to push (I can't remember why..) but in that time baby's heart rate started to look scary - it was dropping after the contractions rather than with them and so a doctor was called.
They let me start to push but the problem kept getting worse. I was allowed to push for about 10 minutes before being prepped for a forceps trial delivery, and potentially a cesarean section. I pushed twice with the forceps before they decided to go ahead with c-section. The man was sat in the corner while more people ran in and they got everything ready. They brought the man back to sit with me (facing away from the action) and he was a mess. I tried to console him but we both had a good cry.
They started the c-section and I don't really remember much of this part. Just lying there listening to my baby's heart on the monitor, holding the man's hand and praying everything would be ok.
And it was. My baby was born at 9:35pm on Saturday 19th July 2014 weighing 7lb 15oz. The man looked as he was born and told me we had a little boy before he was whisked away and we were left crying (happy tears this time). After a little while they brought him - Oscar - over to us and the man held him while I tried to reach and hold his little hand. The two of them were taken away while I was stitched up.
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| Too small for his hat! |
After an age of being flipped and turned I was wheeled out to the recovery room and able to hold and feed my baby. We had about an hour together before little Oscar and I were taken to the postnatal ward and the man was sent home (he didn't even make it back to the house before phoning the hospital to check we were ok!).
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| My beautiful Oscar |
And that's it! How my little bundle of joy was brought to this world. Not perfectly or easily but he's here now - and he is perfect.
I've just realised this is so long - the little one has been asleep on me the entire time too! Do you know how hard it is to type with one hand? I'll leave it there for now, but updates will come very soon.
XX
Sunday 20 July 2014
Slimming World Plan: Extra Easy
So as I promised the other day, here is a brief outline of how the Slimming World plan works.
There are three different plans to choose from and four main elements of each of these plans; Superfree, Free, Healthy Extras and Syns. I will just concentrate on the plan I have done before which is Extra Easy as it is the one which offers the most variety and therefore I don't get bored quite so quickly!
Superfree Foods
You can eat an unlimited amount of these foods - and they include most fresh or frozen fruits, and most fresh, frozen or tinned vegetables. The vegetables can have anything done to them - so steamed, boiled, dry-fried, blended... But if you cook or blend the fruits (you can chop them obviously) then they become synned (we'll get to syns in a minute). These should make up a third of each meal that you have.
Free Foods
Again, these are unlimited. These are things like most fat free yogurts, pasta, rice, dried noodles, lean meats, eggs, beans... (you can find a full list of them quite easily online) - these make up the other two thirds of your meals.
Healthy Extras
So you have two: A and B. A is calcium-rich foods such as milk, cheese, etc. And B is things that contain fibre such as wholemeal bread, cereal bars, dried fruits.. These are not unlimited foods and must be portion-controlled. On the Extra Easy plan you get one of each a day and it is important not to miss them out as they are vital to your weight loss.
Syns
And finally, the good stuff. This is everything else. Chocolate, crisps, ketchup, wine... all the stuff that isn't free. You are advised to have between 5 and 15 syns a day and the easiest way to find out how many syns are in something is to give it a quick Google. As I go through the plan I'll compile a list of my favourite syns - but if you search on YouTube there are a lot of "Syn Bin" videos where people talk about things they enjoy spending their syns on. You can have them all in one go if you like, spread them throughout the day or do what I do which is be as good as I can through the day and then after tea have something naughty like chocolate so I feel like I've got something to look forward to.
There are three different plans to choose from and four main elements of each of these plans; Superfree, Free, Healthy Extras and Syns. I will just concentrate on the plan I have done before which is Extra Easy as it is the one which offers the most variety and therefore I don't get bored quite so quickly!
Superfree Foods
You can eat an unlimited amount of these foods - and they include most fresh or frozen fruits, and most fresh, frozen or tinned vegetables. The vegetables can have anything done to them - so steamed, boiled, dry-fried, blended... But if you cook or blend the fruits (you can chop them obviously) then they become synned (we'll get to syns in a minute). These should make up a third of each meal that you have.
Free Foods
Again, these are unlimited. These are things like most fat free yogurts, pasta, rice, dried noodles, lean meats, eggs, beans... (you can find a full list of them quite easily online) - these make up the other two thirds of your meals.
Healthy Extras
So you have two: A and B. A is calcium-rich foods such as milk, cheese, etc. And B is things that contain fibre such as wholemeal bread, cereal bars, dried fruits.. These are not unlimited foods and must be portion-controlled. On the Extra Easy plan you get one of each a day and it is important not to miss them out as they are vital to your weight loss.
Syns
And finally, the good stuff. This is everything else. Chocolate, crisps, ketchup, wine... all the stuff that isn't free. You are advised to have between 5 and 15 syns a day and the easiest way to find out how many syns are in something is to give it a quick Google. As I go through the plan I'll compile a list of my favourite syns - but if you search on YouTube there are a lot of "Syn Bin" videos where people talk about things they enjoy spending their syns on. You can have them all in one go if you like, spread them throughout the day or do what I do which is be as good as I can through the day and then after tea have something naughty like chocolate so I feel like I've got something to look forward to.
Saturday 19 July 2014
Postpartum Weight Loss
As I mentioned on Thursday I have gained a significant amount of weight throughout this pregnancy - just because I have been lazy with what I've eaten and have actually not been on a diet for the first time in around 5 years!
My weight is quickly approaching scary territory and I really want to get the weight to start coming off soon. I'm not sure how well the birth will go, and whether or not I'll be back on my feet straight away or not, but I'm hoping that I'll be able to start walking (even just slowly) with the pram. I'm also wanting to tackle my diet - and the plan I know I enjoy and works is Slimming World.
I have done Slimming World before and lost around 1.5 stone when I did it last. I love that I can have all the things I love on the plan - and don't have to count calories or anything like that. What I found before is that it works best if you plan your meals (either weekly/twice a week/fortnightly/whatever works for you) and keep plenty of snacks on hand. I am a grazer throughout the day. I don't always sit down and eat 3 square meals a day - but I quite often find myself in the kitchen picking up something. My plan is to keep a tub in the fridge full of things to pick at that I know are good for me.
The great thing about Slimming World too is that you can do it while breastfeeding - you just have to modify it slightly to ensure you are getting in everything that your body needs.
I don't know how much you know about Slimming World but soon I will write up a basic overview of how the plan works. I don't intend to join a group - just do it myself from home - because there is so much online support on forums, blogs, youtube, etc. I just thought for now I would explain how I plan on shifting this extra weight!
My weight is quickly approaching scary territory and I really want to get the weight to start coming off soon. I'm not sure how well the birth will go, and whether or not I'll be back on my feet straight away or not, but I'm hoping that I'll be able to start walking (even just slowly) with the pram. I'm also wanting to tackle my diet - and the plan I know I enjoy and works is Slimming World.
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I have done Slimming World before and lost around 1.5 stone when I did it last. I love that I can have all the things I love on the plan - and don't have to count calories or anything like that. What I found before is that it works best if you plan your meals (either weekly/twice a week/fortnightly/whatever works for you) and keep plenty of snacks on hand. I am a grazer throughout the day. I don't always sit down and eat 3 square meals a day - but I quite often find myself in the kitchen picking up something. My plan is to keep a tub in the fridge full of things to pick at that I know are good for me.
The great thing about Slimming World too is that you can do it while breastfeeding - you just have to modify it slightly to ensure you are getting in everything that your body needs.
I don't know how much you know about Slimming World but soon I will write up a basic overview of how the plan works. I don't intend to join a group - just do it myself from home - because there is so much online support on forums, blogs, youtube, etc. I just thought for now I would explain how I plan on shifting this extra weight!
Friday 18 July 2014
Squishy Report: 40 weeks pregnant
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| Source |
How far gone? 40 weeks! Time to come out now.
Total weight gain: 35lbs in total. I don't know what happened...
Maternity clothes: Still living in just my maternity trousers or leggings when I go out.. most of the time I don't bother getting dressed anymore! I'm just relaxing in bright pink pyjamas right now.
Sleep: I'm getting around 4 hours of horribly broken sleep at the moment. I try to nap in the day if I can but things have seemed to go hectic all of a sudden.
Movement: I'm still getting regular movement. It's just a lot smaller now - clearly baby is a bit cramped in there!
Food cravings: I'm not craving anything particular - except at about 5am this morning I really wanted pasta and mushrooms..
Gender: I just want to know now!
Labour signs: I've been losing my mucus plug for around a week now - but no blood, which my midwife was dissapointed about. I've been getting cramps that feel like period pain, and have had some really intense contractions but they don't stay for long and never get closer together at all. Braxton Hicks have become even more regular and often quite intense. I'm hoping that labour is just around the corner!
Symptoms: Still getting back and hip pain - baby feels so low and my hips are incredibly painful at night. My joints click and crack alot and throughout the night feel very stiff. I'm really struggling with walking any kind of distance - the 5 minute walk back the doctors took me 20 minutes yesterday for example.
What I'm looking forward to: Baby cuddles. Oh and starting to get things moving along too - I have a sweep tomorrow at home. And then can have one every 2 days after then - so hopefully it won't be much longer!
I have been reading about Squishy's progress each week here so go and have a look.
Thursday 17 July 2014
Pregnancy Weight Gain
I've never been any kind of skinny Minnie since becoming a teenager - when I got together with the man at 18 I weighed around 11.5 stone and I think that is the smallest I have ever been. I weighed myself at the start of this pregnancy and was 17 stone 4lbs! I've dieted on and off for pretty much all of my adult life so far and just got progressively bigger and bigger, and so I decided that during this pregnancy I wouldn't watch what I ate while pregnant too much. I'd allow myself the cravings and treats if I wanted to and then after the baby is born think about my weight. I don't want to be one of those mums who can't chase after her escaping toddler.
So I weighed myself yesterday. Oh. My. God. 19 stone 11lbs... The heaviest I have ever been by far - and only 3lbs away from 20 stone. I cried. I'm still not going to start dieting before baby is born but I definitely need to watch what I'm eating a bit more - nobody needs to eat as much junk as I have been.
Therefore, I am making it my mission for until baby is here to actually get my 5 portions of fruit and veg a day and drink a minimum of 5 pints of water. The water isn't such an issue - but I don't think I get 5 lots of fruit and veg a WEEK never mind a day! I've gotten so lazy and it shows.
It is 8:15am as I type this and already I have downed 3 pints of water and I had a portion of sultanas on my malt wheats for breakfast. So I'm off to a good start I think. Well, I hope!
I'm terrified of hitting that 20 stone mark. Both of my parents were big when I was growing up - and my dad is even bigger now. I don't want to head down that road. If I hit that figure, I hit it. But at least I know that the food I am putting into my body from this point onwards will be marginally better.
Wish me luck!
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So I weighed myself yesterday. Oh. My. God. 19 stone 11lbs... The heaviest I have ever been by far - and only 3lbs away from 20 stone. I cried. I'm still not going to start dieting before baby is born but I definitely need to watch what I'm eating a bit more - nobody needs to eat as much junk as I have been.
Therefore, I am making it my mission for until baby is here to actually get my 5 portions of fruit and veg a day and drink a minimum of 5 pints of water. The water isn't such an issue - but I don't think I get 5 lots of fruit and veg a WEEK never mind a day! I've gotten so lazy and it shows.
It is 8:15am as I type this and already I have downed 3 pints of water and I had a portion of sultanas on my malt wheats for breakfast. So I'm off to a good start I think. Well, I hope!
I'm terrified of hitting that 20 stone mark. Both of my parents were big when I was growing up - and my dad is even bigger now. I don't want to head down that road. If I hit that figure, I hit it. But at least I know that the food I am putting into my body from this point onwards will be marginally better.
Wish me luck!
Friday 11 July 2014
Squishy Report: 39 Weeks Pregnant
How far gone? 39 weeks - just 1 more to go!
Total weight gain: 30lbs... Been a bad week.
Maternity clothes: I'm down to one pair of leggings and 1 pair of trousers that actually fit now... and the trousers are starting to look tatty at the bottoms. I don't bother getting dressed unless I need to leave the house anymore - no point!
Sleep: I've been getting about 6 hours of broken sleep at night and struggling to nap in the daytime. I decided as I don't need to be ready until 12:45pm today I'm having a lazy day. I had breakfast in bed and have been just relaxing and watching YouTube videos. Thinking of going for a soak soon.
Movement: Movement is still surprisingly great - and no hospital this week! Heart rate was 152 at the midwife appointment which is within the "normal" range. Phew!
Food cravings: I've stopped getting any cravings really this week - although I've been thirsty constantly so feel like I'm drinking about 7 or 8 pints of water a day!
Gender: No idea - I can't wait to know though.
Labour signs: I had Braxton Hicks for about 9 hours yesterday - really painful and to the point where I was considering phoning the labour ward. Baby is 3/5ths engaged too so hopefully it won't be much longer. I'm getting all those pre-labour symptoms - period-like pain, nesting, random spurts of energy, etc too.
Symptoms: Just back and hip pain really. My heartburn has been back a couple of times this week but nowhere near as bad as it was.
Total weight gain: 30lbs... Been a bad week.
Maternity clothes: I'm down to one pair of leggings and 1 pair of trousers that actually fit now... and the trousers are starting to look tatty at the bottoms. I don't bother getting dressed unless I need to leave the house anymore - no point!
Sleep: I've been getting about 6 hours of broken sleep at night and struggling to nap in the daytime. I decided as I don't need to be ready until 12:45pm today I'm having a lazy day. I had breakfast in bed and have been just relaxing and watching YouTube videos. Thinking of going for a soak soon.
Movement: Movement is still surprisingly great - and no hospital this week! Heart rate was 152 at the midwife appointment which is within the "normal" range. Phew!
Food cravings: I've stopped getting any cravings really this week - although I've been thirsty constantly so feel like I'm drinking about 7 or 8 pints of water a day!
Gender: No idea - I can't wait to know though.
Labour signs: I had Braxton Hicks for about 9 hours yesterday - really painful and to the point where I was considering phoning the labour ward. Baby is 3/5ths engaged too so hopefully it won't be much longer. I'm getting all those pre-labour symptoms - period-like pain, nesting, random spurts of energy, etc too.
Symptoms: Just back and hip pain really. My heartburn has been back a couple of times this week but nowhere near as bad as it was.
What I'm looking forward to: Still just looking forward to my baby. And the proper pain! I've been having so many horrible pains that turn into nothing I just want those real labour pains now!
I have been reading about Squishy's progress each week here so go and have a look.
Sunday 6 July 2014
Squishy report: 38 weeks pregnant
How far gone? 38 weeks and 2 days now...
Total weight gain: 27lbs - I've gained 2lbs in 2 weeks and am just 1lb away from a 2 stone gain... eek! Definitely going to be trying to lose some weight after baby is here.
Maternity clothes: I mentioned last time that some of my maternity trousers were getting a little uncomfortable... well yesterday I went to put on a pair and the elastic on them actually ripped! Not badly and when I have barely any clothes they are good enough... but still you'd think that clothes designed for pregnancy would be stretchy enough to last the WHOLE of your pregnancy...
Sleep: I get about 4-6 hours a night now and I've been taking some time every afternoon to go for a lie down for about 30 mins to 2 hours - sometimes I fall asleep which is nice.
Movement: Still good - kicks aren't quite as big but I imagine it's pretty cramped in there now. We have been sent up to the hospital to be monitored two weeks in a row for Fetal Tachycardia - which basically means that baby's heart rate is just too fast. In Squishy's case the resting heart rate is just fast and so every time baby moves, and the heart beats faster, it is just out of the realms of "normal". But it's nothing to worry about as the resting heart rate is a decent pace.
Food cravings: Cravings are a little all over the place at the moment. Mainly still savoury though. On Friday afternoon I was craving tomato pasta but I was also craving a bacon sandwich with loads of butter... but I didn't know which I wanted more and I didn't want both... I ended up having pizza with some pasta drizzled with honey and mustard dressing in the end... so neither! And then I had a slice of bread with butter before bed.... shhhh.
Gender: Still no idea. Can't wait to know though!
Labour signs: So everything is just amping up now. Back pain is more intense, Braxton Hicks are stronger.. baby was 4/5ths engaged at my midwife appointment last Wednesday but it feels as though Squishy just isn't as low down anymore so may have disengaged - can they do that?
Symptoms: Back and hip pain. Braxton Hicks. Heartburn is back - not quite so bad but it's not pleasant. I've been getting some nausea and dizziness, and last week I had a few panic attacks - which I have never had before. I've started to get a bit teary for no reason and actually cried to the man the other day that the baby was never going to come and I'd be miserable and pregnant forever... I don't think that is even possible to be honest!
Total weight gain: 27lbs - I've gained 2lbs in 2 weeks and am just 1lb away from a 2 stone gain... eek! Definitely going to be trying to lose some weight after baby is here.
Maternity clothes: I mentioned last time that some of my maternity trousers were getting a little uncomfortable... well yesterday I went to put on a pair and the elastic on them actually ripped! Not badly and when I have barely any clothes they are good enough... but still you'd think that clothes designed for pregnancy would be stretchy enough to last the WHOLE of your pregnancy...
Sleep: I get about 4-6 hours a night now and I've been taking some time every afternoon to go for a lie down for about 30 mins to 2 hours - sometimes I fall asleep which is nice.
Movement: Still good - kicks aren't quite as big but I imagine it's pretty cramped in there now. We have been sent up to the hospital to be monitored two weeks in a row for Fetal Tachycardia - which basically means that baby's heart rate is just too fast. In Squishy's case the resting heart rate is just fast and so every time baby moves, and the heart beats faster, it is just out of the realms of "normal". But it's nothing to worry about as the resting heart rate is a decent pace.
Food cravings: Cravings are a little all over the place at the moment. Mainly still savoury though. On Friday afternoon I was craving tomato pasta but I was also craving a bacon sandwich with loads of butter... but I didn't know which I wanted more and I didn't want both... I ended up having pizza with some pasta drizzled with honey and mustard dressing in the end... so neither! And then I had a slice of bread with butter before bed.... shhhh.
Gender: Still no idea. Can't wait to know though!
Labour signs: So everything is just amping up now. Back pain is more intense, Braxton Hicks are stronger.. baby was 4/5ths engaged at my midwife appointment last Wednesday but it feels as though Squishy just isn't as low down anymore so may have disengaged - can they do that?
Symptoms: Back and hip pain. Braxton Hicks. Heartburn is back - not quite so bad but it's not pleasant. I've been getting some nausea and dizziness, and last week I had a few panic attacks - which I have never had before. I've started to get a bit teary for no reason and actually cried to the man the other day that the baby was never going to come and I'd be miserable and pregnant forever... I don't think that is even possible to be honest!
What I'm looking forward to: Squishy! I'm completely fed up of being pregnant now to be honest I just want labour to get going so I can have Squishy cuddles!
I have been reading about Squishy's progress each week here so go and have a look.
Saturday 5 July 2014
Crafty Pinterest Plans: Harry Potter Edition
So I may have touched on my love for all things Harry Potter before - I bloomin' love it! In my early teens I may have had a Harry Potter bedroom... It has been a huge obsession of mine since we started reading the books in class in year 4 at school.
These Butterbeer cupcakes look amazing. I've always wanted to try Butterbeer but I love cake too... this seems like the perfect combination.
Excuse me while I just go and make this mug...
I wish I could get my hands on a drop of Felix Felicis! This would make such an amazing "Good Luck" gift for a fellow geek.
This quilt! Is it not the most perfect thing you have ever seen?! I wish I could sew just so I could make this.
This alone is reason enough for me to learn to crochet.
I actually think I could manage something like this. My phone would look amazing!
This necklace is so adorable. It would make such a lovely gift.
Oh I wish I was more crafty - I love all of these ideas! Maybe one day I'll actually make one... maybe.
Thursday 3 July 2014
The British Tag
I have just watched Sammi from beautycrush on YouTube do her British Tag and thought I'd give it a go!
1) How many cups of tea do you have a day? And how many sugars? I drink about 2 cups of tea a day (I used to drink 4-5 a day before I was pregnant though!) and have it with 2 sweeteners usually (brown sugar if we have it though - can't stand white sugar in tea) and plenty of milk - but the tea must be brewed properly!
2) Favourite part of your roast? When I cook a Sunday roast my favourite bit is the carrots covered in plenty of thick gravy. But at the man's mum's I love her roast potatoes!
3) Favourite dunking biscuit? I love biscuits, but it has to be chocolate digestive for dunking.
4) Favourite quintessentially British pastime? I love going to the seaside - we go to Blackpool most years, and most of our summer holidays are by the sea. But you have to go when it is absolutely freezing and walk miles and miles with insane winds and rain!
5) Favourite British word? Scone - such controversy!
6) Cockney rhyming slang? I think the only one I know is "apples and pears" for stairs!
7) Favourite sweet? The fried eggs out of Haribo! Or those red cables that are filled with white fondant... Oooo.
8) What would your pub be called? I love crafty things so maybe something like "The Button and Bobbin".
9) No. 1 British person? As a huge Harry Potter fan I'd have to say J. K. Rowling - she made my childhood awesome!
10) Favourite shop/restaurant? I love little crafty shops and old book shops. We don't have many round here. Oh and you can't beat a good old charity shop!
11) What British song pops into your head? Parklife by Blur - no idea why though.
12) Marmite? No no no no no.
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1) How many cups of tea do you have a day? And how many sugars? I drink about 2 cups of tea a day (I used to drink 4-5 a day before I was pregnant though!) and have it with 2 sweeteners usually (brown sugar if we have it though - can't stand white sugar in tea) and plenty of milk - but the tea must be brewed properly!
2) Favourite part of your roast? When I cook a Sunday roast my favourite bit is the carrots covered in plenty of thick gravy. But at the man's mum's I love her roast potatoes!
3) Favourite dunking biscuit? I love biscuits, but it has to be chocolate digestive for dunking.
4) Favourite quintessentially British pastime? I love going to the seaside - we go to Blackpool most years, and most of our summer holidays are by the sea. But you have to go when it is absolutely freezing and walk miles and miles with insane winds and rain!
5) Favourite British word? Scone - such controversy!
6) Cockney rhyming slang? I think the only one I know is "apples and pears" for stairs!
7) Favourite sweet? The fried eggs out of Haribo! Or those red cables that are filled with white fondant... Oooo.
8) What would your pub be called? I love crafty things so maybe something like "The Button and Bobbin".
9) No. 1 British person? As a huge Harry Potter fan I'd have to say J. K. Rowling - she made my childhood awesome!
10) Favourite shop/restaurant? I love little crafty shops and old book shops. We don't have many round here. Oh and you can't beat a good old charity shop!
11) What British song pops into your head? Parklife by Blur - no idea why though.
12) Marmite? No no no no no.
Monday 23 June 2014
Currently
I just saw this idea on Something Sweet and thought I'd give it a whirl.
Doing: Right now I am listening to Passenger's album "Whispers" on Spotify while sat curled up on the sofa and writing this blog post. On my trusty laptop I am flicking between this tab, Pinterest and Facebook where I have conversations going with both my sister and my other half.
Thinking about: The man brought home some Cookie Dough Ben and Jerry's ice cream tonight as it was on offer at Co-op for half price and we never ever buy it (it's just too expensive!) I'm thinking about going and grabbing myself some... or maybe just the whole tub and a big spoon? Also thinking about ideas for upcoming blog posts as I have really fallen off the wagon recently.
Watching: Nothing at the moment although I did just watch a couple of YouTube videos (Sprinkle of Glitter's latest collab video and the daily vlog on RhiannonAshleeExtra's channel that went up yesterday). I'm sure when the man comes back down we'll be back to watching...yep you guessed it...football!
Looking forward to: My baby! Only 30 days until my due date now which means that this time in about 6 weeks my Squishy will definitely be here. I am so excited to finally get to see what this little one looks - boy or girl? - and have lots of cuddles.
Reading: I haven't been reading at all this evening although I do plan on having a flick through the usual blogs once the football inevitably ends up on the TV.
Loving: I'm loving how much Squishy kicks at the moment - especially when I have music on or I sing. I'm loving that the house is almost organised. I'm loving that today I got to wash my first load of baby laundry (is that weird?). And I am loving that my hips have finally stopped hurting now I am sat in this strange curled-up position.
Doing: Right now I am listening to Passenger's album "Whispers" on Spotify while sat curled up on the sofa and writing this blog post. On my trusty laptop I am flicking between this tab, Pinterest and Facebook where I have conversations going with both my sister and my other half.
Thinking about: The man brought home some Cookie Dough Ben and Jerry's ice cream tonight as it was on offer at Co-op for half price and we never ever buy it (it's just too expensive!) I'm thinking about going and grabbing myself some... or maybe just the whole tub and a big spoon? Also thinking about ideas for upcoming blog posts as I have really fallen off the wagon recently.
Watching: Nothing at the moment although I did just watch a couple of YouTube videos (Sprinkle of Glitter's latest collab video and the daily vlog on RhiannonAshleeExtra's channel that went up yesterday). I'm sure when the man comes back down we'll be back to watching...yep you guessed it...football!
Looking forward to: My baby! Only 30 days until my due date now which means that this time in about 6 weeks my Squishy will definitely be here. I am so excited to finally get to see what this little one looks - boy or girl? - and have lots of cuddles.
Reading: I haven't been reading at all this evening although I do plan on having a flick through the usual blogs once the football inevitably ends up on the TV.
Loving: I'm loving how much Squishy kicks at the moment - especially when I have music on or I sing. I'm loving that the house is almost organised. I'm loving that today I got to wash my first load of baby laundry (is that weird?). And I am loving that my hips have finally stopped hurting now I am sat in this strange curled-up position.
Friday 20 June 2014
Squishy report: 36 weeks pregnant
How far gone? 36 weeks - sooo close!
Total weight gain: 25lbs - weight has suddenly shot up. I'm not actually worried or upset about it as I know baby is healthy and so I'll just deal with the weight loss after the birth.
Maternity clothes: No more new clothes, and I'm finding even some of my maternity trousers are a little uncomfortable now.
Sleep: I'm getting about 6-9 hours sleep a night which is amazing. I do wake at 4:30am every morning though and am up for about 1-2 hours before I can get back to sleep.
Movement: Movement is great - I have found that if I listen to some upbeat pop music (McFly seems to be Squishy's favourite) then I get some really good kicks.
Food cravings: Cooked breakfasts and biscuits. I think I have eaten some variation of bacon, egg, sausage and toast everyday for the past week or two! At least with the mushrooms, beans and tomatoes I'm managing to get some veg into me though.
Gender: I have no idea. I had convinced myself that Squishy was a boy at one point but after the man's sister giving birth to a little boy when we were all convinced she'd have a clue I feel thrown off!
Labour signs: Baby is now head down and starting to engage. I'm getting alot of Braxton Hicks and "lightning crotch" - believe me if you've experienced it you'll know what that is!
Symptoms: I've been getting a lot of back and hip pain now that baby is so low, but it has made my heartburn a little better.
Total weight gain: 25lbs - weight has suddenly shot up. I'm not actually worried or upset about it as I know baby is healthy and so I'll just deal with the weight loss after the birth.
Maternity clothes: No more new clothes, and I'm finding even some of my maternity trousers are a little uncomfortable now.
Sleep: I'm getting about 6-9 hours sleep a night which is amazing. I do wake at 4:30am every morning though and am up for about 1-2 hours before I can get back to sleep.
Movement: Movement is great - I have found that if I listen to some upbeat pop music (McFly seems to be Squishy's favourite) then I get some really good kicks.
Food cravings: Cooked breakfasts and biscuits. I think I have eaten some variation of bacon, egg, sausage and toast everyday for the past week or two! At least with the mushrooms, beans and tomatoes I'm managing to get some veg into me though.
Gender: I have no idea. I had convinced myself that Squishy was a boy at one point but after the man's sister giving birth to a little boy when we were all convinced she'd have a clue I feel thrown off!
Labour signs: Baby is now head down and starting to engage. I'm getting alot of Braxton Hicks and "lightning crotch" - believe me if you've experienced it you'll know what that is!
Symptoms: I've been getting a lot of back and hip pain now that baby is so low, but it has made my heartburn a little better.
What I'm looking forward to: The nursery is decorated now and just needs the last bits of furniture building to go in there so I'm looking forward to having it completed very soon (I'll try and give you a bit of a tour when it is done). Also just can't wait for next Friday as that is when baby is full-term and I can start trying out a few methods to get this labour going!
I have been reading about Squishy's progress each week here so go and have a look.
Wednesday 18 June 2014
Review: My Little Star New Mum Nipple Cream
Sorry there has been such a lack of posts recently - we were on holiday and then I've never been well... But I'm hoping to get back on track now!
I bought this nipple cream from Superdrug a few months ago as I've started to get really sore cracked nipples and it was an absolute bargain at just 99p (this range is often on a buy get, get one half price deal too). You get a fairly decent amount in the tube - 75ml which is fairly standard. And it isn't too big so was easy to throw in my holiday toiletries bag (would also fit in a changing bag/handbag easily if you needed it on the go).
My first impressions were that it doesn't have a strong scent - who wants there nipples to smell strong anyway? - which I like. The cream did a good job at helping to soothe my sore nipples. However, I put it on after a bath and the cream seeped through my pyjama top which looked a little awkward.
After a few uses I really like this cream - and have heard so many raving reviews on other things from the same line. I think this is going to be an essential for me if I can manage to breastfeed Squishy and I have got the breast pads from the same range to try out too when baby comes!
I bought this nipple cream from Superdrug a few months ago as I've started to get really sore cracked nipples and it was an absolute bargain at just 99p (this range is often on a buy get, get one half price deal too). You get a fairly decent amount in the tube - 75ml which is fairly standard. And it isn't too big so was easy to throw in my holiday toiletries bag (would also fit in a changing bag/handbag easily if you needed it on the go).
My first impressions were that it doesn't have a strong scent - who wants there nipples to smell strong anyway? - which I like. The cream did a good job at helping to soothe my sore nipples. However, I put it on after a bath and the cream seeped through my pyjama top which looked a little awkward.
After a few uses I really like this cream - and have heard so many raving reviews on other things from the same line. I think this is going to be an essential for me if I can manage to breastfeed Squishy and I have got the breast pads from the same range to try out too when baby comes!
Thursday 29 May 2014
Red Pepper and Chickpea Conchiglie
How do you pronounce conchiglie? I don't know why but I always say con-quig-ly which I imagine is completely wrong!
This is a simple recipe I threw together in about 25 minutes
Serves 2
Ingredients
This is a simple recipe I threw together in about 25 minutes
Serves 2
Ingredients
- Pasta (I used conchiglie (shells) as that's what we had in but you could use anything) - enough for two depending on how hungry you are
- Half an onion (diced)
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 2 tomatoes (diced)
- 1 tsp lazy garlic ( or one clove of garlic if you're not lazy like me!)
- Handful of frozen mixed peppers
- 1 tin of chickpeas
- About 4-5 tbsp passata
- 1 tbsp dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method
- Put your pasta on following instructions on the packet
- Heat the oil in a small pan on a medium-high heat, and then throw in your diced onion
- Once your onion is starting to soften add in the diced tomatoes and garlic. Give it a really good mix and let the tomatoes go nice and soft and juicy.
- Next throw in the peppers and stir, then the drained tin of chickpeas.
- Once the peppers have defrosted add in the passata, basil, salt and pepper. Have a taste and see if it needs more - I needed to throw in more salt and pepper.
- Turn the heat down on the vegetables until your pasta is cooked (I had to keep stirring mine though so they wouldn't burn or stick to the pan)
- Drain pasta and plate it up and then divide between the plates.
I had mine with a slice of garlic bread that I chucked in the oven from the freezer but you could have cheese or a salad with yours. Whatever you fancy!
Enjoy!
Wednesday 28 May 2014
My favourite apps
Who else feels as though they are constantly attached to their phone? I don't go anywhere without mine - not even bed! It is my alarm, my contact to other people, my tool for work, my entertainment and a source for knowledge. I bloomin' love my little black Sony Xperia!
Here are some of the apps I have been loving recently:
Here are some of the apps I have been loving recently:
- Facebook - ah facebook! I equally love and hate you. Often such a waste of my time, and yet seeing those bickery fights between people makes me laugh everytime.
- Whatsapp - this app is so useful. It means all I need is either my 4G connection or any WiFi and I can get in touch with any other users of it. Love it.
- Instagram - I love trawling through other people's pictures on there. I like that I can search tags and things to find inspiration whenever I need it too.
- Monster Busters - we all know I'm obsessed by now...
- TimeHop - A way to see what you were doing on social media this day last year, 2 years ago, etc. Most days it is a completely random status of mine moaning about how much uni work I had going on then or the weather, but sometimes I get a little photo gem from a memory I had almost forgotten about.
- Outlook - I love having my emails sent directly to my phone. I use email as a huge way to connect with students and so having this on a portable device means I always get back to them relatively quickly.
- YouTube - for those mornings when I'm bored but really don't want to get out of bed yet. I always find something to watch.
- What to Expect - Daily tips and updates on baby's progress and things that might help symptoms I could be having. This app has been useful the whole way through my pregnancy and I love reading how big Squishy is getting!
- Odd Socks - does anybody else play this game? I am not sure why but it is completely addictive and I find myself checking up on it at least 3 times a day!
- Catch Phrase - I remember watching this programme with my mum when I was a kid and loved it then. Now there is an app on the Play Store I had to download it!
Tuesday 27 May 2014
How I try to save money on our food bill
I'm not very good at planning. I'd love to be better in all honesty, but I find when I plan our meals I just don't take into consideration what we'll actually fancy on the day. So here are ways we do this without costing ourselves an absolute fortune:
- I buy a supermarket's own brand or their value range most of the time. We have certain things we like though and so I get these when they are on offer.
- I buy cheese in bulk. Asda and Tesco have been doing 2 blocks of their cheddar cheese for £5 for quite a few months and I find this works out so much cheaper (especially as the man only likes certain cheeses and so I can't completely scrimp on this)
- I shop frequently. At the moment we have been eating quite a lot of salad and if I were to buy enough salad for the week I'd throw at least half of it away - it just goes off too quickly. And so once a fortnight we do our "big shop" of all the tinned and frozen bits and then twice a week or so (whenever we're running low) we'll go out and get fresh stuff.
- When I see treats that we like on offer - I get them. In Jan/Feb this year Tesco were doing 4 Easter eggs for £3 - 75p each! We bought 12 Easter eggs... That meant there was enough for everyone we had to buy from and then some left for us (Cadbury's Easter egg chocolate is the BEST!)
- I use frozen or tinned instead of fresh when we can as it is usually cheaper. For example if we were to buy Asda's own fresh spinach we'd pay £1 for 160g, but if we buy their own frozen spinach it is £1.15 for 1kg! And it doesn't go off. And it tastes just as good for cooking.
- We cook from scratch alot. The man likes to make his own burgers (he likes to experiment with hot sauces and spiciness in them...) and at £2.75 for 750g of beef mince it makes sense to do it that way. Asda are currently selling 2 packs of 4 burgers for £5. Once he has bulked them all out with onions, etc and made them how he likes we get about 8 burgers out of our pack of mince. And as they are just for him I'll freeze them in greaseproof paper and just pop in the oven whenever he fancies ones.
- I do the big shop online. Delivery costs £1 for some midday deliveries now (I even saw one time slot for 50p this morning!) and if you think of the cost of getting the bus/taxi or even just petrol it makes sense to sit on your backside and let someone else do the hard work! Plus this way I can shop all their best offers. I can add things in and take things out of my "basket" constantly and I always have an accurate running total. I find that when we shop instore if we're getting a trolley-full then the end price is often a bit of a mystery until it's too late.
- I make the most of my Tesco vouchers. When you shop online you get a big list of things you have money off vouchers for when you get to the checkout. Often I'll go there first and make a note of anything that is worth it (mixing vouchers with their instore offers makes alot of sense) and then add these things. Often they offer you vouchers for things that you purchase frequently or that you might like because you like something similar. A few weeks back I got a box of cereal for 45p because it was on offer for £1 and I had 55p off it - not too shabby considering Tesco's cheapest box of chocolate cereal is 83p for 375g.
I don't know if these tips are helpful at all to you but let me know. Anyone got any tips to share?
Monday 26 May 2014
Ikea's KORKEN jars
So if you hadn't guessed by now I have a bit of an Ikea-obsession. Last time we went we spotted these Korken jars which have really good rubber seals around them making them airtight!
The range starts from just 80p for the smallest (which holds 500ml so isn't exactly teeny and useless) and they are such a bargain and so useful I just had to share!
Here is a link to everything in their Korken range.
We bought quite a few jars for our kitchen to help us to store things in a more practical and less messy way. We are currently using them to store rice, pasta, long spaghetti (in a tall jar), tea bags, coffee, sweetener, sugar, marshmallows and sultanas as most of these come in untidy looking plastic horrible packaging so we pop them in the jars and stick the wrapping in the recycling.
The more I look at how these areas of our kitchen are tidy, the more I want to go on another jar splurge (is that a thing?)! I'm thinking they'd be great to store different flours and sugars for baking (maybe with some of those salt dough labels I discussed last week), bobbles and hair pins, office supplies, cotton buds and pads in the bathroom, toiletries in the nursery... I'll have to stop otherwise I'll bankrupt us with my jar buying!
I love the way these look and I don't think I've seen them at a better price anywhere else - Oh I love Ikea!
Friday 23 May 2014
Squishy report: 32 weeks pregnant
How far gone? 32 weeks
Total weight gain: 15lbs - 2 this week but totally expected
Maternity clothes: No more new ones.. back to lounging around in my lazy clothes this week as I've been feeling a bit rubbish and tired.
Sleep: What's that? I'm back to waking up constantly throughout the night and I'm up most mornings from 5am and with all the noise in the daytime of the man's dad decorating for us I'm not even getting a nap anymore.
Movement: On Sunday we had to go and get monitored because Squishy's movements had slowed right down throughout the weekend. The results showed everything was normal and they put it down to me being busy, not drinking enough and my anterior placenta and sent me away and since then (now I'm back to being a slob again..) movements are all back to normal.
Food cravings: Junk food - and lots of it! So far I've not given in. But we are going to our caravan holiday on Saturday so I'm saving myself for then. Onsite there is a burger place, a chippy AND a pizza place.... as well as various sit-down restaurants and a shop selling lots of naughty things... I'm going to be super fat when I get back!
Gender: Not a clue!
Labour signs: Braxton hicks are really going for it this week!
Symptoms: Just tiredness and heartburn mainly. The sciatica is marginally better, but the heartburn is back to being horrendous again. And tiredness from the insomnia.
Total weight gain: 15lbs - 2 this week but totally expected
Maternity clothes: No more new ones.. back to lounging around in my lazy clothes this week as I've been feeling a bit rubbish and tired.
Sleep: What's that? I'm back to waking up constantly throughout the night and I'm up most mornings from 5am and with all the noise in the daytime of the man's dad decorating for us I'm not even getting a nap anymore.
Movement: On Sunday we had to go and get monitored because Squishy's movements had slowed right down throughout the weekend. The results showed everything was normal and they put it down to me being busy, not drinking enough and my anterior placenta and sent me away and since then (now I'm back to being a slob again..) movements are all back to normal.
Food cravings: Junk food - and lots of it! So far I've not given in. But we are going to our caravan holiday on Saturday so I'm saving myself for then. Onsite there is a burger place, a chippy AND a pizza place.... as well as various sit-down restaurants and a shop selling lots of naughty things... I'm going to be super fat when I get back!
Gender: Not a clue!
Labour signs: Braxton hicks are really going for it this week!
Symptoms: Just tiredness and heartburn mainly. The sciatica is marginally better, but the heartburn is back to being horrendous again. And tiredness from the insomnia.
What I'm looking forward to: My holiday and *hopefully* some sleep!!
I have been reading about Squishy's progress each week here so go and have a look.
Thursday 22 May 2014
Dear Squishy...
Hello in there little one!
I'm so excited to meet you. I feel like I know nothing and yet everything about you. I know you like to wriggle around when you hear your daddy's horrendous dubstep music playing, and that if we try and poke and prod to make you move you like to be a little monkey and keep super still. I know you are growing faster than the doctors thought and that they predict you will be a big baby (we'll see!). And I know that I already love you with all of my heart.
But are you a boy or a girl? What will we call you and will you like your name? Will you have blue eyes and light brown like me and your daddy? Will you be creative and musical like me? Will you be a computer games addict like your daddy? And will you join our growing clan of Doctor Who fans?
According to your predicted date of arrival we have about 8 and a half weeks to go until we finally get to all have snuggles together. Your daddy, your big sister and I are so excited to see you! Will you be on time? I don't mind so long as you are healthy and happy.
I am looking forward to the future when we can bake cakes together and play on the swings at the park. I'm looking forward to all of your firsts! Your first holiday, your first time in the swimming pool, your first ice cream (how much mess will you manage to make?), your first day at school, shopping for your first shoes...
So keep growing Squishy. Be healthy. Be happy. And remember you are always loved.
Love Mummy x
I'm so excited to meet you. I feel like I know nothing and yet everything about you. I know you like to wriggle around when you hear your daddy's horrendous dubstep music playing, and that if we try and poke and prod to make you move you like to be a little monkey and keep super still. I know you are growing faster than the doctors thought and that they predict you will be a big baby (we'll see!). And I know that I already love you with all of my heart.
But are you a boy or a girl? What will we call you and will you like your name? Will you have blue eyes and light brown like me and your daddy? Will you be creative and musical like me? Will you be a computer games addict like your daddy? And will you join our growing clan of Doctor Who fans?
According to your predicted date of arrival we have about 8 and a half weeks to go until we finally get to all have snuggles together. Your daddy, your big sister and I are so excited to see you! Will you be on time? I don't mind so long as you are healthy and happy.
I am looking forward to the future when we can bake cakes together and play on the swings at the park. I'm looking forward to all of your firsts! Your first holiday, your first time in the swimming pool, your first ice cream (how much mess will you manage to make?), your first day at school, shopping for your first shoes...
So keep growing Squishy. Be healthy. Be happy. And remember you are always loved.
Love Mummy x
Wednesday 21 May 2014
Lust List: Ikea Toy Edition
I may have said it before and I may even say it again but I bloomin' love Ikea. Especially their children's section. They have so many cutesey little things and all so reasonably priced too! On our last expedition to Ikea (it felt like a hike walking round that ginormous store with my sciatica!) we were constantly "Ooo"-ing and "Ahh"-ing and saying "If we had a bigger budget..."... Not that you need a big budget to shop at Ikea but you do if you lust after as many things as we do!
I have a thing for felt play food. This little one will have felt play food for a play kitchen and it will make me very happy. I wish I was crafty enough to make something like this (I'm sure it is makeable - but I have no idea how) so my little one could have something so cute and handmade. Instead I shall settle for just cute. £7
How cute?! A daddy and baby fox! The first thing I bought Squishy was a teeny little fox toy (it has been sitting next to my TV waiting for baby to arrive!) and I just think toy foxes are so adorable. I don't know why. £8
I love felt play food. I love cake. Of course I am totally besotted by this! £7
This was one of the "almost bought" things last time. It is adorable and only £26 - which seems to be a bargain for rocking toys. If I was tiny again I'd have a whale of a time rocking about on this moose.
I have a vision of my child having these beautiful wooden toys that are nice to look at as well as fun. This shape sorter fits that bill perfectly in my eyes. I'm not a huge fan of cheap-looking plasticky toys (although I know kids are!) and I wish other wooden toys were as reasonably priced as this. £7.
Tuesday 20 May 2014
Foody Pinterest Plans
Everyone is aware of my Pinterest obsession by now I imagine..?
I love pinning recipe ideas (not that I ever get round to them!) And this week I seem to have been pinning quite alot of different ice lollies and frozen treat ideas.
Banana split... on a stick. How tasty does this look?
I love iced coffee. And I love ice lollies. This is just my idea of heaven after a meal... I miss coffee while being pregnant!
Oh my days. I don't even think I need to say ANYTHING at all about this.
Don't these look refreshing? Coconut water and fruit - yum!
Mmmmm smoothie pops. These look refreshing and healthy. Perfect for a hot summers day (if we ever see one of those in the UK!)
I hope that has given you some icy treat inspiration - it certainly has given me some! Now go make your treats.... just stop salivating first!
Monday 19 May 2014
What has been making me happy lately?
I haven't posted something like this in a few weeks and there has been so much recently in amongst the pregnancy pains that has been making me smile so I should really give it all some recognition.
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- Toasties - we bought our argos value toastie machine when I was in my first year at uni. I think it cost us about £4 and lately it has been my obsession! Personal favourites are tuna mayo with sweetcorn and cheese, ham with cheese and bbq sauce and sliced chicken with pesto and cheese (are you seeing a common cheese trend here..?). I think the nicest one I had was my tuna melt the other day on seeded bread... mmmmmmm....
- Being in slightly less pain - so I am now on maternity leave - woohoo! - and that means I can sit down whenever I need to, and I have all day long to do the housework that I would have forced myself to do (or not do) after a long, hard shift.
- Squishy - Squishy has been kicking sooooo much recently. It makes me feel so lucky to be able to feel my little baby's kicks and wriggles all the time. I think that is going to be what I miss most after this pregnancy is over.
- Baths - is there anything better than going for a nice soak with a face mask? And candles lit? And nice piping hot cuppa? I did that today and it felt amazing!
- Naps - I have been taking an hour out most afternoons to just have a little dose on the sofa as I've been getting so tired. Its amazing how doing something small for yourself makes such a difference.
- Cooking - well having the time to cook mainly. Before I'd rush something rubbish out of the freezer at 6pm after I'd been to work all day and then taught in the evening... now I have all day to prepare us a lovely meal. The other half is being spoilt!
- My cat - this little fluff ball has been around all the time lately when usually he only comes back to the house to angrily demand food. It is so nice to have him around.
- Sandals - My body temperature is through the roof 90% of the time and so it has been nice to just pop sandals on when we go somewhere rather than having to wear my heavy work shoes and thick socks.
- Painting my nails - I was never allowed to paint my nails while working and so I'm making the most of it now! I'm slowly working through all the different colours in my rather large collection of nail polishes - most of which haven't been used in a couple of years! I must find time to go through and purge the really gross ones!
Sunday 18 May 2014
Crafty Pinterest Plans #2
This week I have been thinking of trying to make some cutesy things for the home out of salt dough. I remember (like every other child in the country) making Christmas decorations out of this in primary school and so I know it is easy to do. Looking on Pinterest gave me so much inspiration for slightly more grown-up things I could try my hand at making though.
So first are these suncatchers that I saw. It looks like you fill the middle with plastic beads before they go in the oven (sort of like what you do if you make stained glass cookies at Christmas).
I love this idea of using stamps to put words onto these little discs. I saw some that had been used as labels for baking ingredients saying things like "Plain flour" and they would look so cute on a piece of twine around a glass jar.
How cute is this? This would be such a gorgeous addition to a child's birthday party or without the writing and just as a decoration for the home.
I know we've missed Easter but I just can't get over how gorgeous this little bunny is with his bow on!
And finally, how beautiful is this? And such a simple idea too. I love the idea of using a doily to create the lace effect. So pretty.
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