Be on Plan, When You can

Yes! 4.5 lbs lost this week and on weigh in day felt on top of the world and very pleased with myself.

Got home and made the mistake of thinking about the next 7 days. It's going to be hard as we have my Nan's funeral on Tuesday. I want so much to be in control of my eating, however I need to be a bit kinder to myself and chill out about it. It's going to be emotional and I need to roll with that.

'Be on plan,  when you can'

Rachel Davies (SW Consultant)

Because I am away for 2 nights and 3 days, I have planned up to Wednesday and will hit the supermarket again when we are back. Not so detailed planner either, as I am on holiday so don't need to work out lunches in advance.

Saturday
Meatza and coleslaw (Cheese as HEA and 1 syn for the coleslaw

Sunday
Full English SW style
Paprika Pork

Monday
Scrambled Eggs and Bacon
Gammon, egg and chips for lunch before we travel up

Tuesday and Wednesday we are away but will try and choose wisely! 

Not much of plan there really now I have seen it written down! But onwards and upwards

Will leave you with some of the meals I cooked this week.

Confessionals and Quotes

'You never fail, unless you stop trying'

Albert Einstein

Well old friend, old blog of mine, I'm back. I'm back on the weight loss thing which has been something I've fought with for a very long time. This feels a little bit like a confessional. 'Please forgive me for I have synned (pun intended) It has been 18 months since my last post and proper week at Slimming World'

Eeek, it's out there now. I thought I could go it alone, but I don't like it. I like having people around to bounce ideas of. I like learning new things, trying things out, making new friends.

I've rejoined, new group, new consultant, new weigh in day. New me? Probably not. I know my weaknesses, just got to learn to embrace my strengths and carry on.

So onto one of my strengths, I love a good meal planner! Although weighins are now a Wednesday (at my place of work so no excuse for not attending) meal planning will run Saturday to Friday to help with 'big shop day.' I've gone the whole hog this week and planned every meal. My first weigh is this week and I know if I can get through the first couple of weeks, I will be on fire. I need some losses to keep me motivated.

The Plan
I like to keep the food bill as low as possible. At the moment I aim for the whole week to be about £40 for two of us. I am still however cooking huge portions, I can't get out of Mum mode even though the kids have left home. So, I will either repurpose a meal (bolognaise sauce one night, the next with extra veggies will make a cottage pie), dish up 4 plates and have the same meal the next evening, warmed up in the microwave or freeze to use again the following week. Saves time and money.

Saturday
Breakfast - Loaded Bacon Sandwich
Lunch - Ham, tomatoes and cucumber
Dinner - Homemade burgers with SW coleslaw and salad

Sunday
Breakfast - Omelette with beans and spinach
Lunch - cold meat and pickled onions
Dinner - Roasted chicken, with roasted potatoes, carrots, cabbage, brussels and green beans

Monday
Breakfast - Beans on toast
Lunch - Chicken salad
Dinner - Roast chicken dinner as above

Tuesday
Breakfast - SW Fry up
Lunch - Loaded chicken sandwich
Dinner - Vegetable bolognaise, with pasta

Wednesday
Breakfast - Egg on toast
Lunch - Egg salad
Dinner - Spicy vegetable chili and rice and spinach

Thursday
Breakfast - SW Fry up
Lunch - left over chili and rice
Dinner - Baked potato, beans, ham and spinach

Friday
Breakfast - bacon sandwich
Lunch - leftover baked potato and beans
Dinner - Fish risotto, with any vegetables left in the fridge

Here's to the week and a loss!

Meal Planning Monday w/c 9th of February

This was posted in February 2015

Posting early, getting organised, that's the name of the game this week. Can't quite believe I am up at 9am on a Sunday, let alone meal planning,  internet grocery shopping and now posting on here. The joy's of having a puppy who doesn't sleep in! 

After a 3lb loss this week (Yay, go me!) I am determined to keep the good work up with a healthy variety of meals. I've planned

• Vegetable Lasagna
• Homemade burger and SW Chips
• Baked eggs with peppers, spinach and tomatoes (page 34 in this months SW magazine)
• Cod Mediterranean Tray Bake (page 68)
• Cottage Pie with carrot and swede mash (page 69)
• Tagliatelle Puttanesca (page 73)
• Fish rissotto and vegetables
• Pizza and chips

If you hadn't already worked it out, I took inspiration from this months Slimming World magazine. It's good to flick through and get some ideas. Although old favourites are good, variety does spice things up and keeps your taste-buds happy too. 

And yes, I know there are more than 7 meals on there, but I go with what I fancy that day and what I am doing and is most convenient to cook. Am beginning to realise I don't follow the planner that much, but for me knowing I have got healthy meals in, means I have no excuse for not eating well.

Got green eggs and ham planned for one breakfast, porridge and banana and good old favourite of beans on toast for others. Lunch will be leftovers and am thinking of investing in a desktop crockpot, what do you think? Cool aren't they and no need to use the communal work microwave! 

For more inspiration of what to eat this week, get yourself over to At Home with Mrs M

Meal Planning 2nd Feb

Looking back at last week's menu, I managed to cook just three off the list, pizza, macaroni cheese and zesty chicken. This might explain why I only maintained at Slimming World when I weighed in on Saturday. Am determined to get a loss, so my percentage of following my meal plan needs to increase. Don't get me wrong, I didn't have any non slimming world meals, it's just they weren't as high in speed foods as they could have been,

Onto this week as I try not to dwell:-

• Slow cooker Santa Fe Chicken with boiled potato and veggies (3 syns per portion)
• Creamy pasta with cabbage and leek
• Bolognaise and spaghetti
• Baked potato hot dogs, with onions and beans
• Butternut squash and sweet potato risotto
• Beef Stew and dumplings (6 syns per portion)
• Egg and chips

I'm planning on leftovers for lunches at work, and porridge with banana and blueberries for breakfasts. Wish me luck!!

For more menu inspiration, get yourself over to At Home with Mrs M

Meal Planning Monday but a bit late

My daughter talked me into post again. Flattery gets you everywhere as she said ' I'm going to use your blog for meal inspirations as they always look so good'

So you can blame this post on her.

I've rejoined Slimming World; 3 weigh-ins and I've managed to lose 10 lbs. I've a mother of the bride picture to look good in, amazing how having something to aim for can motivate you, so thank you to my daughter again.

So, onto this week's meals. I've planned a few more than seven, store cupboard or stuff from the freezer meals, so I'm not tied to what we fancy.

• Zesty Lime Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole
• Macaroni and Cauliflower Cheese 
• Sausage casserole with mash
• Scotch eggs with chips
• Meatballs and spaghetti
• Burgers and wedges
• Hot dog baked potatoes (1 syn per hot dog)
• SW Pizza 
• Garlic roasted veggies and pasta

Been trying to mix my breakfasts up, porridge one day, bacon sandwich another, scrambled eggs, omelette's.And lunches are left overs or couscous, salad and tinned mackerel. 

Looking forward to this week! 

To join in, leave a comment with your meal planner and get yourself over to MrsM herself for more inspiration. 

Meal Planning Monday w/c 16th June

Meal planning is my forte, sticking to it......meh! However I did say I would post each of my evening meals to FaceBook......and I stuck to it

Helped having to post an image, because I knew I couldn't cheat!....now if I could just sort out the crafty chocolate, crisps, ice-cream etc I will have it cracked.......

Onto this week

• Cauliflower cheese with sausages (6 Syns)
• Vegetable rice with prawns (Syn free)
• Creamy pasta with chicken and vegetables (4 Syns)
• Sweet potato and bacon stew (from the freezer, Syn free)
• Saag Alloo (Syn free)
• Sticky gammon stir fry (1 Syn)
• Chicken and SW chips (Syn free)

This week the challenge is to continue to post my dinner images, but also make sure I'm having a good healthy lunch. Next week the challenge will be to cut out the unhealthy snacks! Small steps, to make big changes.

I'm not pleased with my eating habits at the moment, but only I can do something about that. 

Hope you all have a great week, speak to you soon

Fay xxx

Meal Planning Monday W/C 9th June

Oh my! Haven't done this for a while, but time to get back on the band wagon of planning. And the best way to commit to something, as we all know, is to write it down! 

My slimming world menu for the week looks like this;-

• Wholemeal pasta with tomato and garlic sauce with roasted Mediterranean vegetables (syn free)
• Butter chicken with rice and veggies (syn free)
• Leftover butter chicken with baked potato and salad (syn free)
• Homemade burger, Slimming World Chips and beans (syn free)
• Butternut squash risotto and veggies (syn free)
• Butternut squash soup with wholemeal roll (8 syns for the roll)
• Butternut squash and sweet potato curry (I think, it's in the freezer but no label!)

I love starting my day with a bowl of porridge, with banana and blueberries (plus MrC enjoys it too, added bonus!) Lunches will be a little on the fly. Maybe leftovers, or a bachelors rice. I've got the makings of a Slimming World quiche in the fridge, so may have that one lunch time too.

I've also linked back to the butter chicken recipe, which I've fallen back in love with.

All of the meals are simple, tasty, easy to prepare and should ensure I have nothing left going mouldy in the fridge.

I'm also going to try and photograph each evening meal in the hope it keeps me on plan and shame's me into doing what I say

Wish me luck! 

Dandelions, Buttercups and Daisies

Not been the best of week's in our family.  The news came through that Joy's cancer has progressed to stage 4. Sometimes a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing and I've been struggling with the news.

I know I'm guilty of overthinking, so I've been trying to keep busy and engineer things so I'm not alone. But my poor dog has felt the brunt, as I was reluctant to take him out for a walk, my best (or worse) time for thinking through problems.

Finally bit the bullet and took the poor canine out, determined to not cry, determined to just enjoy the moment. The sun was out, the dog was making me smile with his enthusiasm for being out and sniffing everything in sight.

I stayed close to home and giving him chance to sniff meant a slow walk, giving me time to enjoy my neighbours gardens. Flowers are blooming, trees have new young leaves and lush green lawns.

I passed several lawns, some beautifully tended and others a little more ragged. When I looked closely, the grass was a little too long, full of dandelions, daisies and buttercups. I remember telling the time blowing the seeds as a child, running after the fairies with my sister. Making daisy chains and arguing over whose was the best and seeing who liked butter by putting the buttercup under her chin to see the reflected sunlight, glowing yellow.

The ragged lawns, edging some gardens, technically were full of weeds. Which to some are an eyesore and nuisance. But taking a step back, I stopped focusing on the individual weed to look at the whole picture; the green grass, peppered with yellow and white flowers and fairies slowly moving in the breeze, was beautiful.

And it hit me. I need to stop focusing on the bad news and look at the bigger picture and just enjoy the landscape as a whole, live in the now and make lots of memories to look back on.

If anyone would like to help Joy a little through this, please take a look at this post

Signing On and Tidy Desks

Today I am job hunting. And tidying my desk. I thought I would just put that out there. It's not to say I haven't been looking for the last 2 months, it's just today I'm having to be more formal about it.

I signed on last week for (I think) contribution based job seekers allowance which now means all of my job hunting efforts will be scrutinised. I say, I think because I was totally lost about what I actually applied for because it seemed to have changed between me making the initial claim online and the interview.

I'm just going with the flow.

To be honest the whole thing is a bit scary. Walking into the job centre was scary. Figuring out all the forms, was scary. I've never needed to do this before, so it was all totally new. And scary. And the thought of proving to someone what I have done, how I have done, what I'm planning on doing and so on, does seem intrusive.

However, when I thought about it, this is no different to actually working. I try and schedule time every day to dedicate time to looking for and applying, so I'm treating it like a part-time job. Reporting in at the job centre, is just like having a meeting with my manager to look at my progress and see what I can do to improve. Well, that's how I'm handling it. Their job is to get me back into work, I'll accept all the help I can! 

So today, I'm dedicating some time to sort the untidy desk out, just like I would do if I was at work. Hopefully when I have my next 'performance review' I'll have all the paperwork to hand.

I'm aiming for three applications today, with fully bespoke CV's and covering letters. May not seem like a lot, but if you're going to get it right first time, it takes time to perfect.

And you've got to have targets, this is my new part-time job after all

Slimming World Friendly Sweet Sticky Onion Relish

This is sooo good, it doesn't last long in my house because I keep eating it! Easier than you think and should keep for three or four days in the fridge, plus its Syn free on Slimming World

Ingredients
500g of thinly sliced red onions
100ml balsamic vinegar
150ml apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons of sweetner
2 cloves of crushed garlic
2 tablespoons of chopped thyme
Salt and pepper to taste

Method
Put all the ingredients into a large, heavy bottomed pan. Bring it up to the boil and then simmer, covered for an hour. Give it an occasional stir to make sure it doesn't burn. Remove the lid for the last 10 minutes or so, to thicken up the lovely sticky sweet syrup. Once cooled, season to taste.

I've had this with burgers, lovely and tangy in a salad, goes well with chicken and beef on the side of your plate, or stirred through plain rice or couscous to liven it up.

Go on give it a go! 

Slow Cooker Beef Tomato and Red Pepper Casserole

This is a delicious, melt in the mouth and incredibly easy to make recipe to boot. Was inspired by the Coleman's Slow Cooker sachet, but objected to the Syns. So created my own version.

You literally chuck all the ingredients into the slow cooker and cook on high for 4 hours or low for eight hours. Creates its own sauce or gravy from the juices, serves 4 and is Syn free on extra easy

Ingredients
400g of casserole beef with all visible fat removed and cut into cubes
2 large red onions, cut into wedges
3 red peppers, cut into slices
Tin of chopped tomatoes
2 tablespoons of tomato puree
2 cloves of garlic
2 beef Oxo cubes (or equivalent)
2 tablespoons of mixed herbs
Salt and pepper to season

As I said, chuck it all in, stir and leave for as long as you. I had this with steamed greens and new potatoes, but it's very versatile. Try it with spicy couscous. Or baked or mashed potato with plenty of superfree veggies. 

A Letter From Heaven

Hello Ann

I found this while tidying up last week, a photocopy of a poem written by a man called Fred Nolan for his family for when he died. I can't remember how I came across it originally, but thought immediately of you.

To my dearest family
Some things I'd like to say
But first of all to let you know that I arrived okay
I'm writing this from heaven: Here I dwell with God above
Here there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love
Please don't be unhappy just because I'm out of sight
Remember that I am with your every morning, noon and night.
That day when I had to leave you: when my life on earth was through
God picked me up and hugged me and He said: 'I welcome you
It's good to have you back again. You were missed while you were gone
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on' 
God gave me a list of things that He wished for me to do
And foremost on that list was to watch and care for you
And when you lie in bed at night the day's chores put to flight
God and I are closest to you in the middle of the night
When you think of my life on earth and those loving years
Because you are only human they are bound to bring your tears
But do not be afraid to cry. It does relieve the pain
Remember: there would be no flowers unless there was some rain
I with that I could tell you all that God has planned
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand
But one thing is for certain though my life on earth is o'er
I'm closer to you now than I ever was before
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb
But together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like for you to do to:
That as you give unto the world, the world will give to you
If you can help somebody who is in sorrow and pain
Then you can say to God at night: 'my day was not in vain'.
And now I am contended that my life was worthwhile
And as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low
Just lend a hand and pick them up as on your way you go.

When you're walking down the street and you've got me on your mind
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind
And when it's time for you to go; from that body to be free
Remember you're not going; you're coming home to me

The Owl of Inspiration ...... help wanted

I need some help readers to fill this with inspiration, love and determination.

It's an Owl card holder, which sits over my little sister's mantlepiece. She's got one card in it at the moment. It reads

'New Beginnings Are Often Disguised As Painful Endings'

All through my cancer journey, my inspiration has always been my sister, Joy. She was just 19 years old when first diagnosed with cervical cancer. It took nearly ten long years of trying this treatment and then something else and so on, before the cancer was finally eradicated with two cycles of chemo. Traditional laser treatments didn't work. But she did beat it.

And through it all, she was a rock. She had poise, purpose and a wicked sense of humour. She was rarely downbeat, even through the throwing up and baldiness and just got on with things. I wanted to be like her, my little sister who had the strength to get through it and win. And win she did. She was clear for over ten years, where she carried on living life and having two beautiful children.

But now it's back, and in my eyes, not playing fair. She has already had a five week course of radiotherapy, however it's gotten worse, and is now stage 3b. Sounds so innocent doesn't it. For many of us stage 3b won't mean very much. But for Joy it's an intensive and gruelling treatment regime of chemo every two weeks and radiotherapy three times a week for at least four months. And then see what happens.

And this is where you guys come in. I know Joy gets a lots of pleasure and inner strength from quotes like the one already sitting in her owl. I'm on the look out for more. Whenever I pass a card or nicknack shop, I'm in there, having a rummage. But you can help.

Have you got a picture which inspires and takes you to a calm place? A postcard with a quote which resonates and gets you through a difficult time? Or an ironic comic strip to make you laugh? If you have and can part with it, please help me give it a new home and fill Joy's

Wasn't sure how to do this, and I don't want to give her lots to do, but thought if you contacted me, I can give you my postal address and I will get them sent on to her. I've put some contact details below. And please feel free to pass this on to others. The more the merrier! 

She's a strong and independent woman, who will get through this, and an owl full of inspiration, an instant visual reminder has gotta help.......

Contact Details

Email: OwlofInspiration@Gmail.com

Twitter: @FayC

Facebook: Fay

Sunshine Roasted Root Vegetables

Oh my goodness, this was divine. I've been wanting to try it for a while after I saw this recipe for roasted beetroot and sweet potato. It looked so delicious.

Finally managed to track down some beetroot from Tesco and, me being me, decided to not follow the recipe but go my own way. So here it is!

The beetroot stains the other veggies, which is where I got the name from. It's so tasty, filling and Syn free.

Ingredients

3 sweet potatoes
5 beetroots
3 parsnips
3 small potatoes
4 carrots
1 onion
2 tbsp garlic granules
1 tbsp dried rosemary
1 tbsp dried thyme
Salt and pepper
Fry light

Method

All the vegetables were peeled and chopped into bite sized pieces before putting into a large roasting dish. I know beetroot is very red, but was surprised by how much it actually stained my chopping board and hands, so be careful! I don't know why, but didn't think they were THAT red when raw. I had lobster in mind, which changes colour once cooked. But I was wrong, beetroot is very very red. 

I sprinkled the herbs and garlic over the vegetables, with a good amount of salt and pepper. Added some hot water, enough to just cover the bottom of the pan, before spritzing with fry light and covering tightly with tin foil. I put it in a hot oven for about 50 minutes. You're aiming to almost steam the vegetables. If you chop them smaller, they'll cook quicker and visa versa. Check your veggies are cooked through though with a knife; Your oven may take longer than mine.

Take the tin foil off about ten minutes before the end to help them crisp up.

The natural sugars in the beetroot, make the dish lovely and gooey, as well as a beautiful pink colour. It's comfort food of the highest order and delicious.

I had it by itself, but it would also be beautiful with grilled chicken or your weekly roast, or even some shredded cabbage.

Enjoy! 

Photo A Day - February on the cards?

Finally done it, a whole month of a picture a day. A little hiccup at the end, am sure I can be forgiven. Staying with my sister and lost the adapter to take images off the card and onto my PC. So photo's taken, just not uploaded.

Here are all 31 days

and day 31 (which I couldn't add in above!)

If you'd like to see the full images with prompts and description you can either take a look at my other blog FayC Depiction or my Facebook Album

Now the question is, do I continue into February???

Slimming World Friendly Mixed Bean Stew

This mixed bean stew is versatile and free on the extra easy plan. It's another meal where I use whatever I have to hand. So don't worry if you have to improvise, that's my type of cooking! Just to warn you, it makes a lot so use a large pan with a lid.

Ingredients
1 large chopped onion
2 leeks shredded
3 chopped peppers
2 chopped carrots
1 chopped courgette
Tin of chopped tomatoes
500g passatta
3 tbsp of tomato puree
3 tins of beans - I used chick peas, black eyed peas and adzuki, but you can have any combination
3 tbsp of mixed herbs
3 crushed garlic cloves
3 tbsp of Worcester sauce
2 beef stock cubes (or you can use vegetable stock)
Couple good glugs of balsamic vinegar

Method

• Put the onions in the pan with enough water to cover the bottom and cook until softened, takes about 5 minutes
• Add all the chopped up vegetables, balsamic vinegar and garlic and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring regularly.
• Chuck in all the other ingredients, plus about 200ml of water (I usually half fill the empty tin from the tomatoes and use that) Stir and simmer with the lid on the pan for about 30 minutes. 
• The stew should be thick and glossy, if it isn't thick enough for you, continue simmering for another 10 minutes with the lid off.
• Season to taste and serve! 

I like it in a huge bowl with a big spoon! MrC enjoys it with a chunk of bread to wipe up the gravy. You can try it stuffed in a wholemeal pitta, or on a baked potato, or with rice or over pasta (with a little cheese ??! ) or maybe all of them if you're good with leftovers! It makes a lot! I've got my eye on some which I'm planning to use to stuff red peppers and then bake.

Oh, and if you like it spicy, try adding some chilli, beautiful! 

Beef Casserole Recipe - Slimming World Syn Free!

This is a delicious, warming and easy recipe for beef casserole. I'm not very good at following recipes myself, I tend to not weigh anything unless I have to or forget to buy an ingredient here or there. Whoops! So this one, although my own, is to be used as a guide. Go with what you fancy (or have in the fridge!)

It's Syn Free on Slimming World's Extra Easy plan. Pack it full of vegetables if you want to and/or serve with extra vegetables and get food optimising.

Ingredients
500g of stewing beef
1 large chopped onion
4 carrots, sliced
4 or 5 large handfuls of fresh washed spinach
Beef stock made with 2 stock cubes (about a litre I think)
1 minced clove of garlic (or 1 large tbsp of garlic granules/powder) If you haven't got a mincer, bash it around a bit with the back of the knife and chuck it in.

Method

1. Dry fry the beef in a hot pan until all browned. 
2. Set the meat aside, drain out any fat from the pan, but leave the brown bits.  Add the chopped onions to the pan and add a little water (just enough to cover them) Soften the onions, making sure all the lovely brown bits from the beef are dislodged from the bottom of the pan. These will give your casserole a lovely flavour.
3. Once softened, add the beef you'd set aside earlier, sliced carrots and minced garlic (or granules/powder) and add enough stock to cover the ingredients in the pan.
4. Bring everything up to boil, turn the pan down, add the lid and simmer for about 60 minutes. Stir occasionally and if needed add more water.
5. Five minutes before serving, check and see if it needs any salt or pepper. I tend to season at the end, especially when using stock cubes as they can be very salty.
6. Once seasoned, add the spinach leaves and stir through.
7. Voila! 

The casserole can also be cooked in the slow cooker or oven. 

Slow Cooker
Brown the meat and cook the onions as directed, add all the ingredients into the slow cooker and cook for 4 hours on high or 6 hours on low. Add a little less stock and only check it once about half way through. Did you know every time you lift the lid on your slow cooker, you should add 20 minutes to the cooking time? Stir the spinach in 25 minutes before serving.

Oven
For the oven, follow points 1 to 3, then transfer into a casserole dish. Put in the oven with a lid for 60 to 90 minutes at 190 degrees. Stir the spinach leaves in 5 minutes before serving.

Can be frozen, just leave the spinach leaves out and add when its reheated.

Served with rice or potatoes and a portion or three of vegetables, whatever takes your fancy. Would also be great over a baked potato.

Enjoy! 

Variations
Try adding some extra herbs or chilli to spice it up
At the end, you an always add a dollop (technical term) of fromage frais to make a lovely creamy gravy. (this will add a couple of Syns though)
Worcester sauce or mustard powder can also be added to give the casserole added depth of flavour and taste. 

Experiment, find what you like. That's what makes cooking fun! 

Photo A Day Challenge - Week 3 Round Up

Phew,  21 whole days and I'm still here, posting an image which fits the prompt set by Chantelle over at Fat Mum Slim. Never thought I would stick to it..... or enjoy it quite so much.

I'm finding it's helping me focus on the photography, whether that's taking it or finding an image in my archive, and to think outside the box about the normal pictures I would take.

The images on the Facebook page. which people post to, are just inspiring and I can lose hours looking through them.I t's a closed group, but you can request to join, just search for 'FMS Photo A Day'

Here's my round up for the week.

There's a mix of staged images and quick candid shots taken with my iPhone.

I post regularly on my other blog, FayC Glass Half Full Depiction, if you'd like to see more images and descriptions to go with these prompts.

And if this inspires you to give the challenge a go, take a look at Chantelle's Blog for details. You don't have to do a full month or even a week. You can post up when you want to, there's no pressure.  quality and type of image is wide and varied, from the quick snap on the phone to something beautifully edited with Photoshop.

So if you're looking for a distraction, due to say illness or wanting to take you mind off snacking (yup, thats me!) to improve your photography skills, or just try something different, then what's stopping you from giving it a go?

Meal Planning Monday 20th January #MealPlanningMonday

This week's menu looks like this

• Baked potato, beans and cheese (Cheese as HE)
• Liver and onions, with carrot and suede mash with vegetables (Syn free)
• Pork, rice and beans (Syn free)
• Pork casserole with potato and vegetable (Syn free)
• Bean bolognaise with carrot & courgette tagliatelle (Syn free)
• Stuffed peppers with bacon and rice

Am pleased to say I didn't throw any food away last week. Every last scrap was used up, nothing was wasted. I'm pretty good at using up food but there's usually something which ends up in the bin. Let's see how I get on with this menu and food shop.

Fingers crossed I've lost a pound or two when I weigh in later too. 

Don't forget to check in for more meal planning inspiration over at Mrs M's. Click the image at the top of the post.

Take care and have a great week! 

Photo A Day Challenge - Week 2 Round Up

Yipppeeeee!

Week two completed and I think I've made a few Facebook friends as well. Thoroughly enjoyed this week's prompts. I even set up four of the images to fit rather than resorting to archived pictures, so feeling very pleased with myself.

The prompts were

8: Lucky Number
9: Natural
10: Manmade
11: Looking Down
12: Colourful
13: Makes Me smile
14: Three Things

What do you think?

#FMSPhotoADay