Meal Planning Monday - trying to empathise with my sister

I know, I've not been blogging much, or meal planning for that matter, but I can assure you I've got a good reason. I'll save that for another post though.

Been inspired to post this week in support of my sister. She's been advised, to help with her cancer treatment, to cut out, wheat, dairy and sugar. I know! What on earth is she eating?!? (Today it seems to be a lot of tomatoes!) 

But on a serious note, it's hoped by not feeding the cancer, it'll slow the growth down. 

She's doing really well, and I was surprised when we started to think about it, how much you could actually have. Admittedly it's all got to be cooked from scratch, and for someone who doesn't cook, she must be daunted by it.

And then I thought, it wouldn't hurt to give it a go myself. Here's this week all Slimming World friendly, planned out

Risotto, scallops and mixed vegetables

Chicken, new potato and vegetables

Baked potato and mixed bean chilli 

Moroccan rice and chickpeas

Sausage casserole with vegetable rice

Wedges and bean chilli

Grilled chicken, mushrooms and tomato

Breakfast will be porridge, made with water (which I weirdly enjoy) with blueberries and lunch is slimming world super speed vegetable soup. Apples and bananas for snacks, herbal tea and water to drink. Sorted!

Now all I need to do is not to crack and give in, it's only a week......

For more meal planning inspiration (which I'm sure will include, wheat, dairy and sugar) check out Mrs M's Meal Planning Monday (http://athomewithmrsm.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/meal-planning-monday-4th-november-2013.html)

Meal Planning Monday w/c 19th August - fridge leftovers

Back to Slimming World weigh in today and was pleasantly surprised with just 3lb increase. Considering I haven't managed to make it to class for four weeks, that wasn't bad at all! 

This week's menu, and linking up with Mrs M's Meal Planning Monday, was driven very much by 'what've I not used up in the fridge?'

Chickpea rice and vegetables (Syn Free)
Bolognaise sauce with pasta (Syn Free)
Egg Salad (Syn Free)
Gnocchi & spicy sauce (1.5 syns for the gnocchi)
Potato curry and rice (Syn Free)
Grilled chicken with mushroom and tomatoes (Syn Free)
Homemade burger, slimming world chips and mango salsa (6 syns for the wholemeal roll)

Had loads of potatoes, tomatoes and peppers nearly on the turn, so they helped with the curry and the bolognaise.

Wish me luck with weigh in next week and if you've any low syn goodies I can enjoy to keep me on the straight and narrow, please let me know! 

For other meal plans, click the meal planning image at the top of the post

Meal Planning Monday w/c 12th August Simple and Tasty

My meal plans have been written down, but not posted recently as I've been all over the shop, at sixes and seven's, and just not gotten around to publishing.

Here is this week's

Tomato burgers & vegetable rice

Cauliflower and broccoli cheesy bake

Burger and sweet potato wedges

Chickpea rice & veg

Potato salad, chicken & salad

Bolognaise

Egg salad

All syn free, which is a good job, the weight is still creeping up. Feet are swollen too, seeing my GP next week so will see if this is usual and try not to worry until then.

In the meantime for more meal plans, take a look at At Home With Mrs M

 

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Reasons to be Cheerful - Enjoy the Good Times #R2BC

It's been far to long since I last linked up with Michelle from Mummy From The Heart and her wonderfully inspiring Reasons to be Cheerful. I couldn't have gotten through the last couple of years without a positive outlook and silver lining thinking. Reflecting on the past week is a great exercise in keeping sunny and powerful.

I haven't stopped keeping topped up with positivity, just the recording of it. For some reason I felt compelled this week, and I usually go with my gut ( keep the comments about the size to yourself, those of you at the back!)

The weather has lifted everyone's mood I think. My internal temperature control is way off at the moment (its the drugs is my usual lament) Normally I'd be a sweaty Betty (not pretty) but as I'm usually cold, the heatwave is making me just right. I still can't go out in it, still too high risk for skin cancer from the drugs, however it makes me want to start walking again.

Had a fabulous couple of weeks at work, a simply brilliant work conference which has inspired and lifted me. I'm full of ideas to implement and make some changes. It's wonderful to spend time with like minded people and make connections.

I've been told I know everyone, it's not true by the way, however I was surprised by how many familiar faces were there. Plus plenty of new friends to make. All helped by the fact it was held at Alton Towers!

I indulged in my love of exciting rides with wild abandon, forgetting the fact I'm a middle aged woman, getting over cancer! There's life in the old dog yet.

I was also proud of myself on Monday, when it became evident I'd made a big mistake a work. The old me, would have beaten myself up, made myself feel terrible for the rest of the day. However, I sucked it up, and gave myself a talking to. I literally said, forget about it and move on, don't let it ruin anything else. And went on to have a productive, fruitful day and was happy and chipper once home (which certainly pleased MrC who does get the brunt in bad days. But then I think that's in the job description, you're there for your partner no matter what)

And the real reason, the heart of the cheerfullness? It's plainly obvious I'm on the placebo. My drugs trial was designed with three groups, group one which are on the placebo for three years, group two on the drug for three years and group three on the drug for a year and placebo for two.

I'm guessing I'm group three ( I won't know for definite for eight years when the study concludes, but to me it's obvious)

My hair is growing back, my feet are less sore and the feeling of fatigue is lessening. It all means I feel better. There's a part of me, a little bit sat in the corner worried that I won't have the same cover of the cancer coming back now I'm not taking it. But. And it's a big but. I CAN'T CHANGE THAT. So I can't let that dominate.

What will be, will be and the meantime enjoy the good times.

#MealPlanningMonday - w/c 15th July 'From The Freezer'

I'm so very late with this post and linking up with At Home With Mrs M (click the badge to see other meal plans) and was feeling guilty. Until I spotted Mrs M herself had only just posted. Guilt melted away and I was determined to get this written.

I was very Virgo last weekend and sorted through the freezer to figure out exactly what was in there. It's full, but of what? No idea. I created a old fashioned paper list a couple of months ago, thinking I'd add and cross stuff out as I used and restocked. Never happened, I lost the list.

So this time, it's saved to notes on my phone. Now if I can just work out how to sync it to my iPad and I'll be sorted!

It's a fairly long list, we're not going to starve so this week's menu is planned around the freezer contents

• Stuffed baked potato with homemade coleslaw and salad
  
• Pasta with sauce ( sauce is really just the soup below )
  
• Homemade butternut squash soup and bread rolls
  
• Sausage meatballs, vegetable rice with tomato sauce
  
• Cauliflower and broccoli cheesy bake with salad
  
• Homemade burgers with potato wedges
  
• Bacon stuffed pitta

All low in syns, mostly from the freezer, which has meant my food bill was just £38. I say food bill. Had to make it upto the minimum for free delivery, so there was a lot of cleaning products, fish stocks,three types of soy sauce and a pair of tweezers (chemo is wearing off so I've eyebrows again!)

Over to you, what's on your menu this week?

 

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