Weight Loss Journey - Week 5 2015

This week I have felt really good about both my diet and way of eating. I feel that I have, at last, found the perfect balance between slimming and having the odd treat. Now that I have found the right balance for me I have found that I am now less likely to over indulge in treats!

This week I have noticed a difference is how my clothes are starting to fit. Clothes that were tight are now starting to feel comfortable again. I believe that this is a mixture of both my new eating plan and the exercise that I have started to do. This week I am stepping up my weekly exercise. I am now doing 1 hour sessions of Legs, Bums and Tums twice a week along with a 30 minute Zumba workout. Last night I did Legs, Bums and Tums and Zumba and I am having my second session on Friday. So I am hoping that I don't ache too much on Friday!

When I recorded this weeks weigh in I looked at my BMI and was delighted to how much it had dropped. When I started my weight loss journey my BMI was classed as obese. I was gob smacked when I saw this. I knew I was overweight but I didn't think that I was obese! My BMI is now classed as overweight. To reach the healthy level my weight needs to be between 7st 13lbs and 10st 11lbs. Therefore my original target of loosing 2st is not too far from the "recommended" weight.

With this weeks weight loss of 2lbs I have reached my Slimming World Club 10 target. The Slimming World Club 10 target is when you have lost 10% of your starting body weight!

My Progress So Far...

• Starting weight 03/11/14 - 12st 13lbs
• Last weeks weight - 11st 10lbs
• This weeks weight - 11st 8lbs
• Total loss - 1st 5lbs (19lbs)
• Starting BMI 03/11/14 - 30.1 = Obese
• This weeks BMI - 26.9 = Overweight

As always I am sharing my Weight Loss Journey with The Musing Housewife Sims Life - Weight Loss Wednesday and Madhouse Family Reviews - Sunday Weigh In

Weight Loss Journey - Week 4 2015

After last weeks disappointment I found a new determination to succeed.

This week I have changed how I am eating. I was having a shake for breakfast, however I am a believer in eating to get your metabolism going. I was unsure whether a shake would give it the kick start it needs so I am now having a Juice Plus meal replacement bar for breakfast followed by a shake at lunch time.

I am enjoying the freedom that the Slimming World plan gives in regard to both food, drink and syns! I now feel that I have found a healthy balance between shakes and food.

This week I attended my second leg, bums and tums class. Last week I literally hurt all over. This week I can feel that I have worked out but I don't hurt as much as I did last week which is positive. Next week I am increasing my work out from one class a week to two.

I have also decided to change my weigh in day from Monday to Wednesday. I have done this as over the weekend I am more likely to have more treats that are within my allowed syns so I felt Monday wasn't the best day to weigh in!

This week I am delighted with my weight loss and feel encouraged that the way I have decided to combine the two plans is working for me. This week I have lost 3lbs!

My Progress So Far

• Starting weight 03/11/14 - 12st 13lbs
• Last weeks weight - 11st 13lbs
• This weeks weight - 11st 10lbs
• Total loss - 1st 3lbs (17lbs)

I am sharing my Weight Loss Journey with Sim's Life and The Musing Housewife Weight Loss Wednesday and Madhouse Family Reviews - Sunday Weigh In.

Weight Loss Journey - Week 2 and 3 - 2015

Last week I didn't get round to writing up my weight loss journey post. So this week I will let you know how I got on during my "detox" week and during my first week back on the shakes.

Week 2 - Detox

I will admit to really enjoying my detox week. It was so refreshing to be healthier after the Christmas indulgence. I drank water, green tea and ate healthier. However I did not detox completely. I did still enjoy the odd glass of wine. After a week of clean eating I was delighted that I lost 3lbs.

Week 3 - Back on Shakes

Last week I replaced two of my meals with shakes. But I have struggled. I have nibbled between shakes, had wine and over the weekend I even had cake! But I have also started doing squats in the morning, had healthy snacks and eaten healthily. Therefore I was so disappointed when I stepped on the scales this week to see I had put on 1lb.

I have now re-evaluated how I am going to loose weight. I have decided that I am going to combine both Juice Plus and Slimming World Extra Easy SP plan.

From now on I will continue having my shakes for breakfast and lunch but am following the Slimming World food plan. I feel that Slimming World has a lot more information regarding food and are more structured in giving the information. They do not tell you to deprive yourself of all the foods that we all love like the Juice Plus plan does. I feel that depriving yourself of a glass of wine or the odd bit of chocolate can, in the long run, have the adverse effect and can cause binging. Therefore I am going to allow myself a few syns as it will keep my diet and lifestyle more balanced. But I also feel that having a more balanced diet will enable me to keep off the weight that I have lost.

Yesterday I attended my first legs, bums and tums class! This is another way that I am, hopefully, improving not just my weight but also my lifestyle. The class was an hour and I loved it! I am feeling it today, but I am so proud of myself for going in the first place, completing the workout and planning to return next week!

This week may have added 1lb on to my weight but it has also given me a new found determination!

I am sharing my Weight Loss Journey with Musing Housewife - Weight Loss Wednesday and Madhouse Family Reviews - Sunday Weigh In

Weight Loss Journey - Week 1 2015

Now that Christmas is over my weight loss journey is back on!

I decided to stop my diet over the Christmas holiday and simply enjoy food and drink, after all food and drink is a big part of Christmas.

After all of the treats I am now craving healthy food and am raring to go again.

So you may be wondering, what effect did all of the Christmas treats have on my weight loss.

I was so worried when I stepped on the scales as I can feel that I have put on weight and the bloated feeling has returned by the end of the day. However I did not put on as much as I felt I had.

Over Christmas I have put on 4lbs which takes me back up to 12st 1lb.

This week I am detoxing again which means no caffeine (I only had a couple of coffees over the break), no sugar, no processed food, no gluten and no dairy. I am increasing my water intake to 3 litres a day and drinking infusions and green tea. Yesterday was day one and I loved it, yes, I am loving the detox! It feels good to be eating and drinking healthier.

Next week I will be replacing two of my meals with my Juice Plus shakes again. I am determined that I will loose the final stone and a half to reach my target. If I am honest it feels like a huge amount and a target which I wonder if I will ever reach. I can but try, if I give it my best I am sure I will in time. No matter if I put weight on or loose it I am going to record it in my weight loss journey. I will write about the good results and the bad results and give a true account of how I get on.

Here is to a successful and healthy 2015.

Weight Loss Journey - Week 7

This is going to be my last weigh in post of 2014 as next week I am taking a week off. But I will be back with my weight loss post on Monday 5th January!

I have decided to not worry about weighing over the Christmas holidays. I am going to eat healthily but I will enjoy chocolates, alcohol and treats, obviously in moderation. I am going to continue with my shakes for 2 of my meals but I am not going to be strict.

This week I have had the odd treat and alcohol. So I am not surprised that I have only lost 1lb. However it is another pound off and not on!

As it is coming to the end of 2014 I have been thinking a lot about what I want to achieved with my weight loss in 2015. As I said before Christmas is my time off. However when the new year starts I am going to give it my all to loose the last 12lbs to reach my target weight. If I reach it I will be over the moon, however if I do not get there I will not be too disappointed as I am happy with the progress that I have made so far and am so much happier with the way I look. The next focus will be maintaining the weight that I have lost!

If you are slimming too at the moment have a couple of days off over Christmas and enjoy the festivities!

Here's to a fantastic 2015.

Weight Loss Journey Week 6

This week I have not been as strict with what I can and cannot eat. I have been full of cold and the odd chocolate has been needed!

As well as the cold the hubby and I had a much needed night away which included a delicious 3 course a la carte dinner, wine, prosecco, cheese, bread and port! Of course there was also a lovely breakfast in the morning! I had decided that I would enjoy the meal without limiting myself to what I could have.

When I got on the scales this morning I didn't think that I would have lost anything after the indulgence. However I have lost 1lb. So in the last 6 weeks I have now lost a total of 15lbs which I am delighted with!

What I really noticed this week was the difference I could see in a photograph that the hubby took of me before we went out. I have compared it with my before picture and I am amazed by how different my body looks already. I am feeling so much more confident in the way I look which is great. I don't feel that I have to hide under baggy clothes as much as before.

I am sure that next week there will be more indulgence so this week I am going to be sticking to the plan 100% so that I can have Christmas treats!

Here's to a successful week!

Healthy Dairy Free Risotto

If you are on a diet and love risotto fear not. This delicious meal can be recreated in a healthy way which is dairy free but still as tasty. This risotto can be served either as it is or with salmon, chicken or as I did in this recipe with pork escallops.

This recipe is a great way to sneak some added extra vegetables into the children's diets. As the vegetables are chopped so finely they simply are not aware how good it is for them!

This is what I do...

Healthy Risotto

Ingredients serves 4 - 5

1 red onion, roughly chopped

1 carrot, roughly chopped

2 sticks of celery, roughly chopped

1 red pepper, roughly chopped

200g chestnut mushrooms, chopped

1ltr vegetable stock

4 cups of brown wholegrain rice

Salt and pepper to season

Method

1 - Place the onion, carrot, celery and red pepper in a food processor and blitz until all of the vegetables are finely chopped.

2 - Using spray olive oil gently fry the finely chopped vegetables over a medium heat until the have softened.

3 - Add the brown rice and heat for two minutes.

4 - Prepare the stock and place in a pan over a low heat to simmer and gradually add the stock to the rice and vegetables a couple of ladles at a time. When the stock has been evaporated simply add more stock until the rice is cooked al dente.

5 - Stir in the mushrooms, turn the heat off, cover the pan and leave to rest for 5 minutes.

6 - Before serving season to taste.

As this risotto contains so many flavours the Parmesan cheese is not missed. The celery adds a peppery taste which adds so much flavour to the dish.

This risotto is delicious topped with either pork escallops, as I have done here, or with chicken or grilled salmon.

If you are following the Juice Plus plan the meal is made from allowed foods. If you are following the Slimming World plan this is a syn free meal!

This is not only a tasty meal but it is also a healthier alternative.

Enjoy x

I am sharing this recipe with Honest Mum's Tasty Tuesdays

Weight Loss Journey Week 4 - 5

Last week I did not write a weight loss post as we had been away I decided that I was going to eat healthy but not stick to the diet 100%. Over the weekend I had desserts, drank alcohol and ate chocolate and biscuits. However we were riding bikes so I was getting some exercise too.

At the time of eating the treats and drinking alcohol it was lovely, however the following day it was not. I woke up with stomach pains, bloated and just felt generally sluggish. I could tell that I had not been drinking as much water as I had and was amazed by how I felt. This made me realise how good I have been feeling since I started out on my Juice Plus journey. It really has made a difference in both how I feel and how I look.

Now that the weather is colder my cold fruity shakes have been replaced by warm shakes using almond milk and decaffeinated coffee with the vanilla Juice Plus which is just like a delicious latte. Or by using the chocolate Juice Plus I can enjoy a hot chocolate!

Last week we had a meat free week to add some extra goodness back into our bodies after our weekend of indulgence. This week we will be eating meat but we plan to have a meat free week once a month from now on. If you would like any meal ideas take a look at my Weekly Meal Plans that I post every Monday.

I am so pleased with my experience so far with Juice Plus I am even considering becoming a Juice Plus representative!

So as you know Monday is my weighing day. I did weigh myself last Tuesday after we returned home and I was surprised to see that I had not put any weight on, I had stayed exactly the same weight! This week I have gone down from 12st 3lbs to 11st 13lbs! I have lost 3lbs this week which gives me a grand total of 1 stone lost since I began my Juice Plus journey! I am delighted to have lost the weight and I can certainly tell the difference. Last week I bought a new dress and had to get a size 12 as the 14 was too big! I am also back in my size 14 jeans, the size 16's will be going in the bin!

Here's to another successful week and if you would be interested in starting your own Juice Plus journey please email me!

Wholesome Sweet Potato and Carrot Soup

A great way to sneak in some extra vegetables and goodness into children's meals is by making a soup! This soup is a delicious way to enjoy a meat free meal that they will not only enjoy but will also fill them up and get them asking for seconds!

We all love lentils but simply do not have them enough. They are also fantastic in soups. They not only thicken thin soups but also bulk them out to make them filling enough for a main meal.

This soup has the sweetness from the sweet potatoes along with the goodness of lentils and chickpeas.

This is what I did...

Wholesome Sweet Potato and Carrot Soup

Ingredients

400g sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped

400g carrot, sliced

1 red onion, chopped

1ltr vegetable stock

100g split red lentils, rinsed

1 x 400g tin chickpeas, drained and rinsed

2tbsp chopped fresh coriander

Method

1 - Place the stock in a large pan and add the chopped sweet potatoes and carrots

2 - Bring to the boil and simmer for 20 minutes

3 - Once the vegetables are soft blend the vegetables into a liquid and return to the pan

4 - Bring to the boil, add the lentils and simmer for 15 minutes or until the lentils are soft

5 - Stir in the coriander and add the chickpeas and simmer for a further 10 minutes

This soup is delicious served with a toasted pitta bread or simply as it is.

If you are following the Juice Plus plan this is a great soup to fill you up and it is made with allowed foods. If you are following the Slimming World plan this is a syn free soup!

Delicious, filling, homemade and good for you!

Enjoy x

I am sharing this recipe with Lucy from Supergolden Bakes and Emily from A Mummy Too.

Mediterranean Meatballs

We all love meatballs, but I do not like the pre made meatballs. I always worry about added ingredients and even more so now that I am watching what we eat.

These easy homemade meatballs are a great way to know exactly what goes into them. They are so simple and quick to make and no doubt healthier than shop bought ones.

This is what I do...

Mediterranean Meatballs

Ingredients - Serves 4

400g lean steak mince meat
2 red onions, one finely chopped and one cut into chunks
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 yellow pepper, cut into chunks
1 red pepper, cut into chunks
1 orange pepper, cut into chunks
2 courgettes, quartered and sliced
8 cherry tomatoes, halved
Oregano
Cayenne pepper
Brown rice to serve

Method

1 - Pre heat the oven to 200C

2 - Place the mince, finely chopped red onion, crushed garlic, 1tsp oregano and 1/4tsp cayenne pepper into a mixing bowl and combine all of the ingredients together using your hands.

3 - Once all of the ingredients are combined shape into individual meatballs.

4 - Place the chopped vegetables into a deep roasting tin.

5 - Add the meatballs to the tin and place in the centre of the pre heated oven and cook for 25 - 30 minutes or until the meatballs are thoroughly cooked.

These meatballs and roasted Mediterranean vegetables go perfectly with brown rice.

If you are following the Slimming World diet this is a syn free meal! Also if you are following the Juice Plus this meal is only using allowed foods.

Enjoy x

I am sharing my recipe with Honest Mum - Tasty Tuesdays.

Weight Loss Journey - Week 3

I have now completed two weeks of Juice Plus and I am still enjoying them. However, this week I have missed food. I will admit to not eating as well as I did in the first two weeks. Over the weekend I did have gluten/wheat free chocolate cake, gin and red wine. I have also found that I have wanted something savoury instead of fruit shakes for breakfast and lunch.

But apart from the naughty weekend treats I have got on well and have l lost another 2lbs, which makes a total of 11lbs in 3 weeks. I was disappointed with only loosing 2lbs, but it is only my fault for giving into treats.

However, something which has made my day is this picture...

This morning I put on the last pair of jeans that I bought. They used to be a good fit, maybe even a little bit snug. But look at them now! I could pull them up and down without undoing them and they are huge on me.

So even if I only loose 2lbs a week that's ok as I am seeing and feeling the difference already.

Ginger, Lime and Chilli Mackerel - Family Favourites

This week I am sharing a simple way to add extra flavour to mackerel fillets. Mackerel is a cheaper fish which isn't used enough. It is quick and easy to cook can be served in numerous ways. This week I am sharing a delicious dish that is both tasty and healthy.

Here is this weeks Family Favourites recipe...

Ginger, Lime and Chilli Mackerel

Ingredients

4 mackerel fillets

2 limes, zest and juice

1 red chilli, chopped

Root ginger, a piece approx 1cm grated

1 cup of brown rice per person

1 red pepper, chopped

1 red onion chopped

250g portabello mushrooms, chopped

1lg carrot, chopped

Method

1 - Place the lime juice, zest, chilli and ginger in a deep plate and add the mackerel fillets. Marinade for at least 2 hours.

2 - Cook the rice as per instructions.

3 - Gently fry the onion, red pepper, carrots and mushrooms in 1tbsp olive oil until they are all softening.

4 - Place the mackerel fillets under a high grill and cook for 5 minutes on each side.

5 - Once the rice is cooked, drain and return to the pan. Add the cooked vegetables and mix with the rice.

6 - Serve the mackerel on top of the bed of rice.

The lime, ginger and chilli make the mackerel fillets something special, the flavours go together perfectly. What is even better is that it is a healthy meal that all the family will enjoy.

If you are following the Slimming World diet this is a syn free meal. If you are following the Juice Plus plan this meal is made with free foods!

Enjoy x

I am sharing this weeks Family Favourites recipe with A Mummy Too - Recipe of the Week

Easy Homemade Raw Fruit and Nut Bars

I have recently discovered Nakd bars. They are a delicious way to have something sweet and healthy. After looking at the ingredients list I realised that they would be simple to make. They only contain fruit, nuts and natural flavours, so I knew that I could make my own for a fraction of the price.

The beauty with this recipe is that you can add any dried fruit that you like with various different nuts. They are also quick and simple to make.

This is what I did...

Easy Homemade Raw Fruit and Nut Bars

Ingredients (makes 14 bars)

300g dried dates
100g dried cranberries
100g dried mixed fruit with candied peel
100g walnut pieces
Desiccated coconut

Method

1 - Place the dates, cranberries, dried fruit and walnuts into a food processor and blitz until all of the ingredients become a sticky ball.

2 - Weight out each portion out at 35g roll into either bars or balls.

3 - Cover a plate with desiccated coconut, this will make the bars more manageable as they are quite sticky.

4 - Place in the fridge for an hour before serving. This will just harden the bars a little. I used coconut however if you prefer you could also coat in flaked almonds.

These will also make great Christmas treats, to make them more of a treat you could sprinkle in a little cocoa powder or some festive spices. Simply store them in the fridge until you want them.

These little treats are made with free foods if you are following the Juice Plus plan.

Enjoy x

I am sharing this recipe with Honest Mum - Tasty Tuesday.

Weight Loss Journey - Week 2

This week I have started drinking the Juice Plus Shakes. My daily meal routine is like this:

• 8:30 - 9:00 - Breakfast Juice Plus shake
• 10:30 - 11:00 - Mid morning snack
• 1:00 - 1:30 - Lunch Juice Plus shake
• 3:00 - 3:30 - Mid afternoon snack
• 5:30 - 6:00 - Dinner

I have found this week to be a lot easier than I expected. The shakes have been filling as I have been bulking them out with added fruit. For my breakfast shake I add a banana to ensure I have the best start to the day. I have also been adding strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and even decaf coffee too create a latte style shake!

My mid morning and afternoon snacks consist of nuts, dried fruits, fresh fruit, Greek yogurt or Nakd bars. 

Our evening meals have been easy to prepare as we normally eat a lot of fresh vegetables. However regular pasta is not allowed but gluten free and wheat free pasta is, this is a relief as we love pasta.

I have found that the Juice Plus plan is extremely strict. I have been sticking to it rigidly during the week, however at the weekend I did have a glass of wine and a little portion of pudding. I believe that if you ban all treats you are more likely to slip and over indulge. That is why from now on I am going to relax the diet a little over the weekend. I will still be having my shakes but if I fancy a glass of wine or a gin, I will have a small one and if I want a pudding I will have a small portion. This is not me giving up, it is me dieting but still enjoying the odd treat at a weekend.

After having a few treats at the weekend I am delighted to say that I have gone down to 12st 4lbs! That is a 4lb loss this week. I have lost a total of 9lbs in two weeks!

Hopefully week three will go as well!

Rosemary and Garlic Chicken - Family Favourites

I have enjoyed trying new meals since I started my diet. It has really made me think about more healthier ingredients that everyone can eat.

This week I have made a delicious chicken dish using a few ingredients from a Food Discovery Box that I have been sent to review. My review will be coming soon so keep an eye out!

This weeks Family Favourites meal is a dish that is full of goodness. But best of all it is a great meal that only uses 2 syns if you are following the Slimming World plan. It is also allowed for the Juice Plus meals if you remove the baby sweetcorn. My children love it so I had to cook it for them!

Here is this weeks Family Favourites meal...

Rosemary and Garlic Chicken

Ingredients

4 chicken breasts, sliced
1 onion
100g baby carrots
70g baby sweetcorn
70g green beans
70g tenderstem broccoli
250g asparagus
1tsp olive oil infused with rosemary and garlic
Brown rice to serve

Method

1 - Cook the brown rice as per instructions on the packet

2 - Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan or wok

3 - Once the oil is hot gently fry the chicken strips until the chicken is sealed

4 - Add all of the vegetables and continue to cook over a medium heat until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and the vegetables are cooked al dente

Serve on a bed of rice and grind over a little sea salt and rosemary.

This meal was deliciously filling and full of the goodness that the whole family needs.

Enjoy x

I am sharing my recipe with...

Honest Mum - Tasty Tuesdays
A Mummy Too - Recipe of the Week
Supergolden Bakes - #CookBlogShare

Weight Loss Journey - Week 1

I have survived the first week of my weight loss journey!

Last week was all about a detox to prepare my body for starting the Juice Plus shakes this week. Last week was a lot easier than I was expecting. However I truly believe that my determination has helped me no end.

Last week I cut out a lot of my much loved foods and drinks. I banned caffeine, alcohol, potatoes, sugar, dairy, carbs, and processed foods to name a few. Last week was a week full of fresh fruit and vegetables and I loved it!

On Monday and Tuesday I had a banging headache all day. I have since found out that the headaches are all part of the detox. On Wednesday I did have a headache but no where near as bad. But on Thursday I woke up feeling great!

So far the changes that I have noticed are:

• Sleeping deeper
• Not feeling bloated
• Not feeling as hungry

This week I start drinking my Juice Plus shakes. I am replacing breakfast and lunch with a shake made with a milk alternative. However I am still allowed a mid morning and mid afternoon snack as well as a healthy evening meal. This morning I started the day with a vanilla shake made with coconut milk and added a banana and it was delicious!

Monday is also my weighing day. Last week I did not say what my weight was but this week I will. On Monday last week I weighed 12st 13lbs and this week I weigh 12st 8lbs! In week one of detox I have lost 5lbs which I am happy with!

Here's to a successful week 2!

Word of the Week - 7th November 2014

This weeks Word of the Week has to be...

DETOX

The last few months I really have not been looking after myself. You will all know that it has not been an easy 4 months. I have dealt with grief and depression which have resulted in my health being put to the bottom of the list.

While we were on holiday last week I decided to make a change. Change the way that I am living, change my health and start to look after myself a lot more. I truly believe that if I look after my body my mental well being will also improve (well, I hope it will) and I will be back to being me without medication.

This week I have started my detox. I am wanting to give my body the kick start that it has needed. I have been quite brutal after a holiday full of over indulgence. I have cut out a lot of foods including dairy, gluten, caffeine and alcohol to name a few. My meals are all free of processed foods, full of vegetables and full of goodness. We didn't eat badly before but I have needed to make some changes. My aim is to loose weight and to improve my physical and mental health.

I have taken the first step and I am loving the changes.

What word would sum up your week?

As always I am sharing my word of the week with the lovely Jocelyn from The Reading Residence

Chicken and Sweet Potato Pie - Family Favourites

This week  processed foods and dairy are a no go so I have needed to think of other ways of creating delicious meals that the whole family will enjoy. I am determined for us all to eat as normally as possible as I am aware of how the children will not like me eating a completely different meal to them.

This week I have made a Chicken and Sweet Potato pie.  As I am not having any dairy at the moment I had to rethink how I would prepare a sauce for the meal. I decided to make a vegetable puree which worked really well. I use my soup maker as it is quick to prepare but if you do not have a soup maker you can make it in a pan and then blend.

Here is this weeks Family Favourites meal...

Chicken and Sweet Potato Pie

Ingredients

For the puree:

1 celeriac, chopped
1 leek, sliced
1 red onion, chopped
Water to cover vegetables

For the pie:

2 chicken breasts, diced
1 red onion, chopped
1 leek, sliced
2 med carrots, quartered and slices
1 lg parsnip,quartered and sliced
5 med sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
Black pepper

Method

1 - To prepare the puree either place the vegetables in a soup maker, cover with water and set to a smooth setting or place the vegetables in a pan, cover with water and put to boil, When the water has reached boiling point reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes or until the vegetable are soft. To puree the vegetables wait until they have cooled down a little and blend.

2 - Place the carrots and parsnips in a pan of boiling water and simmer until tender.

3 - Place the sweet potatoes in a pan of boiling water and simmer until softened.

4 -  Heat a teaspoon of olive oil in a large saute pan and gently fry the onions and leek until they are beginning to soften.

5 - Add the diced chicken and cook until browned off.

6 - Add the carrots, parsnips and vegetable puree to the pan. Bring to the boil and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked.

7 - Mash the sweet potatoes.

8 - Spoon the chicken and vegetables into a large serving dish and cover with the mashed sweet potatoes.

This meal is a delicious alternative to a cottage pie and one that was enjoyed by everyone. No only was it tasty but it is jam packed with fresh vegetables.

Enjoy x

Quinoa Porridge

This week has seen the start of my detox with an aim to loose a bit of weight. You can read why in my Time To Loose Weight post. The detox has meant that I have had to cut out a lot of my usual foods.

Yesterday I had a breakfast of fruit but today I felt that I needed something a bit more filling to start the day. I looked at what carbs I could have and thought that quinoa would make a great porridge style breakfast.

Quinoa is a "super food" which has got a high protein content. It also contains great levels of iron, fibre, magnesium, phosphorus and is also a source of calcium!

My quinoa porridge was so deliciously healthy I will be making this from now on as my breakfast.

This is what I did...

Quinoa Porridge

Ingredients

3tbsp quinoa grain
15tbsp water
90mls milk substitute to taste, I used coconut milk
Fruit to taste

Method

1 - Place the quinoa grain in a sift and rinse with cold water

2 - Place the water in a pan to boil

3 - When the water has reached boiling point add the quinoa grains, cover and simmer for 20 minutes

4 - After 20 minutes remove from the heat and leave for 10 minutes

5 - Break up the grains with a fork and place in a bowl

6 - Pour over the milk, this can either be warm or cold milk

7 - Add your chosen fruit, I used blackberries, and serve

This is a delicious breakfast which is both filling and good for you. You will find that this breakfast is all made using "allowed" foods if you are following the Juice Plus diet. If you are following Slimming World the quinoa is a "free food" and the milk substitute can be counted as you healthy extra.

Enjoy x

I am sharing this recipe with:

Honest Mum - Tasty Tuesdays
A Mummy Too - Recipe of the Week

Time To Loose Weight

Recently I have been noticing how my clothes are getting tighter. I am now happy or confident with the way that my body looks. I am fed up of hiding underneath baggy clothes and hating my full length reflection.

There is nothing to blame for my weight gain apart from me. However I do feel that my depression and anxiety has had a part to play. I have been less motivated and to be honest, I haven't really looked after myself. I have eaten more and have drunk more alcohol.

It is easy to hide under baggy tops, keep saying it's my baby belly, or I eat because I am content. I know that my hubby loves me as I am but I want to look better. I want to look like the person that he fell in love with and married again.

While we were away I decided to do something about it and started looking for a way to go.

As many of you will have seen, on the internet Juice Plus is everywhere. I will admit to looking at before and after pictures and thinking "yeah right" and thinking that there was some great photo editing involved. However when I found out that a childhood friend had lost 50lbs by following the Juice Plus programme I decided to give it a go. When I looked online for any reviews on Juice Plus there were very few.

I am going to be giving you a true and honest insight into the Juice Plus diet. I have taken some before pictures and I hope that I can show you that you can achieve the great results that I have seen. If I don't get these great results, I will tell you!

Today is day one of the pre Juice Plus shakes detox. I have got a huge list of foods which are now banned! No alcohol, no caffeine, no sugar, no dairy, no bread, no cheese the list goes on. However there is a long list of foods which I can have, fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, poultry, game, vegetable juices, nuts and milk substitutes. I do not use a lot of processed foods so preparing fresh, healthy meals will not be a problem. For a week I am having breakfast, mid morning snack, lunch, mid afternoon snack and dinner.

I now have the determination behind me and my hubby's support so I am sure I will succeed.

Here's to a healthier me!