Christmas Has Been and Gone...

I promised myself in November that I would get to target for Christmas after missing my 2nd October deadline. Did I get there at Christmas? NOPE.

Re-Evaluating Life

Sorry I haven't posted in ages.

I took on a new volunteer post for a charity at the beginning of August and it ended up being nearly a full time job on top of my paid full time job. Needless to say I have had to stand down for my own health and sanity.

I said in one of my last posts I wanted to reach target by the 2nd October which would have seen me be at Slimming World for 3 years. Well that goal came and went but I have been trying to stick with it. I seem to be going up and down the scales by 3-4lbs, never making much head way but never gaining too much either. As of a couple of days ago I got my free time back and I am going to have to make serious good use of the time between now and the weigh in before Christmas to reach my goal. So my strategy is to PLAN, PLAN, PLAN.

Roast Bolognese and Spaghetti

I love watching cookery programs and find them to be a real inspiration and Nigel Slater one of my favourites. I was able to adapt this fabulous recipes to become Slimming World friendly with just a few swaps.

Hoisin Duck Stir Fry

We eat a lot of stir fry at home as it's a great way of getting plenty of speed vegetables onto your plate and being a one opt dish it saves on the washing up too. I love this recipe as it's so simply to make and uses only two ingredients for the sauce.

Contentment Can Be a Problem Too

Apologies for not posting for a while but I seem to have been a little distracted over the last couple of months or so. I seem to have lost my mojo and then went on a wonderful holiday. This has meant that I have put on over the last 5 weeks, 6.5lbs but the previous month I went down then up by 2lbs.

My Thyroid and Me

Me at over 18 stone in 2010

Having a medical condition or illness can really make loosing weight difficult and slow but you don't have to make it an excuse when the weight doesn't seem to be moving. For me it was that pesky butterfly shaped gland in my neck that decided that it wasn't going to do it's job properly. I became morbidly obese and so ill I don't actually know how I functioned. Fortunately you can do something about your weight like me. It just takes a little more time and a lot of determination.

Smoked Salmon Pasta in a Lemon Dill Sauce

This pasta dish shouts spring and summer flavours. It's easy to make too and could be made minus the salmon for a vegetarian dish or the salmon could be substituted for chicken if you aren't a fish lover, you can even swap the veg if you wish.

 It works well cold too. It really is a very versatile dish and will soon became a summer favourite. Oh and did I mention it's really quick to make too.

Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken Pot Pie is traditionally made with a pastry top in individual pots but my 'pot' stands for potato. You can still make it in individual oven proof dishes or in one big one. It's also a great dish for using up veg if you wish and mine is made with leftover chicken or you can just use fresh skinless thighs or breasts that you have pre-cooked. It's really up to you.

Chips (Slimming World Style)

Who doesn't love chips................................I know I do. So it's wonderful to be able to enjoy them as part of a balanced diet. The best thing about these ones though, is that you can have them whenever you like and not just for a treat. They go perfect with my Breaded Fish  too.

Breaded Fish (with Slimming World Chips)

Fish and chips is a one of the Nations favourites. Loved by all ages, so it makes for a super family friendly meal. It is however high in syns but is also perfect for the Slimming World treatment.

Sweetcorn Fritters

 I have never thought of making sweetcorn fritters until I made them for a Slimming World taster night and boy were they popular and easy to make.

Giant Couscous, Quinoa and Feta Salad

This dish is one that was inspired by two different dishes I have eaten recently. I've taken my favourite bits and combined them to create this vibrant zesty salad.

New Year, New You

As the New Year begins we tend to look forward to what our weight loss and exercise goals will be for the next year. For me this year will be getting to target. It's been a long time coming but I needed to loose about half my body weight and with my thyroid issue it has been slow going. Exercise is definitely another area I need to address, as up until now I haven't done anything of any significance.

How To Cook The Slimming World Way - Hints and Tips

I was talking to a gentleman the other day and it turned out he had join Slimming World but was struggling to get back into it after an operation. He had joined with another family member and they were the main cook from what I could make out. The problem was they were so busy they had resorted to just having Slimming World ready meals as their main meal in the evening. Now they are Free, healthy and balanced but the one thing they don't give you is a massive variety and this is where this family had come unstuck. They were simply bored of what they were eating. He said although he could cook the basics he didn't feel he had the knowledge to tackle making the evening meals. So here is my advice on how to get started.

Butternut Squash, Chicken and Cavolo Nero Pasta

I love pasta dishes but most of the ones I make have a sauce, so I wanted to do something a little different to my usual. I took inspiration from what I had in my fridge and after a little bit of web surfing I came up with this combination.

Minced Beef Hash

Corned Beef Hash is one of those dishes that is comforting and perfect for a chilli day but it is high in fat, so high in syns. This version using extra lean mince beef is a wonderful healthy spin on a firm family favourite.

Aromatic Thai Fish Cakes

Fish cakes are great for a starter, main course or even a snack. These are a little different from the traditional, humble fish cake with their subtle aromatic Thai flavors. These were made for a Slimming World Taster, so made as small bites suitable for a buffet.

Roast Potatoes

Everyone loves a roast potato but when cooked in oil or goose fat they really eat into your syn allowance. These potatoes though are syn free, making the perfect partner to your Roast Dinner.

Aparagus and Tender Stem Broccoli Risotto

People think risotto is really complicated but it really is very simply and versatile. It's great for using up bit's and pieces in the fridge, vegetables, meat, poultry and fish. This risotto is one of my favourite's and enjoy it equally with salmon, sea bass or chicken for something different and to please the other half. I tend to serve it on a bed of baby spinach which wilts down with the heat from the plate and risotto but doesn't go mushy as it would if cooked fully within the dish.

Chicken and Mushroom Stroganoff - Can Be Made Vegetarian

Stroganoff is a great dish and can easily be adapted to vegetarian by simply omitting the chicken or for a more meaty recipe the chicken can be substituted with beef or pork. It goes well with most side dishes too, from mash potatoes and red cabbage to pasta and a side salad.