And........

Well how did I do?????
All I can say was I was terrified and very nervous, did not want to let everyone down (not that I really have) by having to say not at target. but.......

I got to Target WOOHOOOOOOO!!!!!! I can't believe it, think I have been grinning most of yesterday evening. I would have blogged last night but was so busy chatting to so many lovely people on Facebook that I didn't have the time. I had so much support form everyone, from work to family to friends and all of them helped me get to 3 stone 12.5 lbs off and I have now reached the target of 9 stone and I feel fantastic I have size 10 clothes and I can exercise and move about without being uncomfortable I feel more alert and less lethargic. Don't get me wrong I still get tired but I feel brilliant. I took some banana choc chip bread and nutella 1 syn cupcakes along with me to celebrate with everyone.
I have to say I love slimming world and still have loads of recipes I want to try out I enjoy the food made and the enthusiasm of our consultant she is completely bonkers and we all love her for it. We have a laugh as a group and we see people at their best and when they are going through the most challenging times. The world throws you lemons sometimes, but have a look and you can find many recipes for them, not just lemonade ;)
I am going to continue on here and ramble on but will ad loads more yummy recipes I have tried out. Enjoy life and be happy remember it can be done it just won't happen overnight.

how am I doing?

How is the 7 day challenge going I hear you ask? Well very well I am enjoying it and have stuck to it too. I am hoping it shows in one form or another though. Today I am enjoying a butternut squash soup which is sooooooo yummy and so simple too. Keeps you warm too, cozy food!

Syn free Butternut Squash Soup

 

Makes 2 big portions or 3-4 small portions. 
Ingredients:
1 medium butternut squash peeled and chopped
1 medium onion chopped
1 oxo vegetable stock cube dissolved in 1 pint water
0.5 teaspoon cumin
0.5 teaspoon ground coriander
pinch of salt and pepper to taste


Directions:
1.Put the squash and onion into a large saucepan along with the spices and pour over the stock.
2. Bring this mixture to the boil, cover, then reduce the heat and allow to simmer for about 20mins until the squash is tender.
3. Once it’s ready, pour into a liquidiser or a food processor and blend it until it’s smooth.
4. Return to the saucepan and reheat it gently
5. Season to taste and serve.
MMMMMMMmmmmmm

 

mmmm chocolate

Well I am being good. I went to friends last night who is on weightwatchers and I asked her what should I bring to our get together?? She said snacks .... I thought are we both able to have the same snacks??? How many points to syns?? Help! Then I had an idea chocolate dip and fruit YUM
My consultant told us about this it's options chocolate sachet (1.5/ 2 syns 11g) with fat free yogurt I used greek 0% and then took some apples and satsumas.
My friend was a bit unsure and tasted a tiny bit, soon a lot of the fruit was eaten and dip halved. Think she enjoyed it ;) I certainly did!

7 day challenge

I am on a 7 day challenge. What does that mean??? It means  being on plan 100% for 7 days and we all encourage each other to 'keep on it' I have had my speed soup today, have a tikka masala tonight to look forward to. I have had fruit for brekkie and lunch. Have a white chocolate dip to dip some fruit for pudding should I need it?
So yes 100% and going to try my hardest to stay there!!!
I love Slimming world food, yes I am like everyone else I have that sweet craving or savoury craving for bad things. Yes I do have treats just like everyone else. I just choose not to go mad about it that's all. I try to make sure that lots of syns are ready for me in the evening a bit like Lia had said in image therapy (group) last night I am ok when I am in a routine adn I am at school, but when I get home I feel hungry adn I want nibbly things so I try staying on fruit and free food nibbles as long as I can I then eat dinner if Andy (hubby) has got home at a reasonable time and then I treat myself over the evening. Maybe a glass of wine 6 syns worth or a freddo bar/ choclate buttons (the really small bags) nibbled slowly 5 syns or even just a 2.5 syn chocolate. I bag chocolates up and have a treat box which gets hidden after I treat myself so I don't keep going back for it!
I am hoping to stay on the challenge and will be on target by Monday :) Happy eating everyone

Did I or didn't I????

Sooo frustrated but still going for it!! So close but yet... I lost 1lb so that's good and we are going in the right direction, however I have 1 lb to go now and I really really really really want it now. I am scared when I am there and I can see myself saying "Now what???" I know I have to stick to this for life and I love the food but staying within the lbs and not losing or gaining is going to the biggest difficulty I think!
I am still on Superspeed soup for lunch YUM! I have another tikka masala to look forward to. I have some quorn bbq sticky fillets and linda mcartney red onion and rosemary sausages and some linda mcartney vegetarian burgers which were both free, oops better check hang on... yep still free, so my week is sorted and we will go shopping for next lot of recipes which I am working on ;)
Hope you are all doing ok with you weight loss too. Just found out if you add white chocolate options to fat free yogurt you get a really yummy dip. So had this with nectarine and banana YUMMY, thanks Lia for that tip :)

Will I or won't I?

I am both excited and very nervous... Have I done enough to get to target or will I be nearly but not quite? If I get to target, what do I do when I get there? I have kept a tight reign on what I ma eating this week and trying really really hard. I know I am nervous as I am now forgetting things such as getting the chicken out to make chicken tikka masala for the second day in a row. So had to make an impromptu chilli con carne with baked beans instead of kidney beans. It tasted ok still and was v yummy. Here is the bowl of leftovers for tomorrow ready to be put in the fridge.
I had it with green beans 1/3
superfree and rice with fromage frais on top to cool the spiciness. Such a warming dish when it is like this outside. I have to say that many people complain they need bad food when it is cold but I think if you search recipes i.e. curry heaven or soups book or even the latest magazines especially the comfort recipes, you can find loads of warming recipes. I love the super speed soup I will be continuing to eat next week, all frozen and butternut squash soup too.
So after all of this will the last 2 lbs have escaped or is there the odd pound 1/2 pund lingering???? We will have to wait and see ;)

mmmm curry

I love warming foods and have to say this was the easiest and yummiest dinner. We had chicken tikka masala along with spinach and rice, poppadums and raita dip.

It was warming and had a yummy flavour too.
Serves 4 syn free cooking time 25 mins prep time 20 minutes

4 skinless chicken breast fillets
Frylight
salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 large shallots, peeled and finely grated
3 garlic cloves, peeled and finely grated
½ tsp crushed cardamom seeds
½ tsp turmeric
1 tbsp tikka masala powder or tandoori spice blend powder
4 tbsp passata
150ml chicken stock
100g fat free natural fromage frais
To serve
Fat free fromage frais

Chopped coriander
lime wedges

1. Spray the chicken with the low calorie cooking spray and season well. Place under a preheated hot grill and cook for 15-20 minutes, turning once until cooked through. Remove and, when cool, cut into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
2. Spray a large non-stick frying pan with low calorie cooking spray and place over a medium heat. Add the shallots and garlic along with the crushed cardamom seeds, turmeric and tikka masala powder. Stir-fry for 1 minute before adding the passata.
3. Add the chicken and stock and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring often. Remove from the heat, stir in the fromage frais and season to taste.
Drizzle over fromage frais and coriander. Have with superfree veg of choice

Raita
fat free fromage frais/natural yogurt
sugar free mint sauce or chopped fresh mint (better)
chopped/diced cucumber
mix and serve with poppadum
 

Super speed soup

How do you make super speed soup?

Well looking at blogs and forums it turns out there are lots of ways. I will have to try a few of them but found this one and have made it...

2 carrots
1 leek
1 turnip
1 onion
handful of frozen broccoli
1 tin mixed beans
1 tin baked beans
2 tins chopped tomatoes
handful lentils
1 1/2 pints beef stock
(NOTE I added some ground cumin and ground coriander for an extra something plus salt and pepper as I felt it was a little bland)

It's really easy to make- just chop up the veggies- throw them in a big pan with the beans/tomatoes and stock. add more water- to cover all veggies and bring to the boil
Boil the lentils in a separate pan for about 5-10 mins, until soft, and add to the soup pan.
Leave to simmer until the veggies are soft.

I found the recipe from here and more recipes besides
This is my attempt and I blended it as I want a thicker taste. Smells and tastes yummy

Sounds so yummy!

Really want to have a try at this, I told you I like collecting recipes which includes online too. I got the last pizza recipe from minimins and this recipe from twinkleeyes EE on facebook. Be warned though you really need to check syns  for yourself as items change and may contain more for less fibre and then no longer become a heB or He A or the amount of syns change for instance the syns in quorn sausages changed due to the ingredients changing (this was about last year I think?)
But before you panic Rocky road is still available from SW clubs and is still a HEb it's just up to you if you have this or something else as your half HEb ;)
Now I have some frozen berries in the freezer but do I have rocky road hifi's Errmmmmm oops next week it is then ;)

ROCKY ROAD MESS (2 1/2 syns & 1/2 HEb)

1 sw rocky road bar (1/2 HEb or 3 syns)
1 sainsburys 8pack meringue or tescos finest 8pack (2 1/2 syns)
strawberries
blueberries
muller light yogurt

Crush up the meringue.
chop up the rocky road into small pieces.
chop up strawberries.
Put all the ingredients in a dish and stir. Ready to serve. YUM!

target? Not yet

Well have I reached Target no but I am 1lb nearer. Am I worried or stressed no and I am I going to reach target OH YES!!!
I figure that I enjoy the food and I don't feel deprived and I am enjoying cooking the different food. Am I the only one that has a thing for recipe books???

I mean I even went to the lengths of buying the daily mirror throwing away the newspaper (used for cat litter actually) and keeping these very small leaflets which have some yummy recipes in them. I love being inspired to cook and try out new recipes I hate doing the same thing week by week so I have no trouble with changing the food around a bit. I am also like my mum pictured here just before Christmas we LOVE fruit and veg and have no problem eating lots of it.
I love having cooked breakfast on a Saturday it's like a treat but is fine to have as all of it is free except the tomato ketchup. I love having a roast dinner again its free with dry roast potatoes and skin of chicken or fat cut of the meat... you can do my speciality roast beef recipe (see earlier posts).
I tried smash pizza for the first time ever yesterday, I kept putting it off thinking it was too strange....but YES it is lovely and there is loads of it. I loved it as an alternative to normal pizza knowing it was generally free with the exception of cooked pineapple which I must ask Lia how many syns it is...
Here is my attempt and here is the recipe...

88g dry weight of Smash Original
garlic granules
300ml of hot water
Low fat cheese, grated
Tomato purée
Pineapple
ham
Oregano
Frylight

Method:
Preheat the oven at gas mark 8. Mix up the Smash with 300ml of hot water & garlic granules stirring well until it makes a nice doughy like mixture.
Once it has cooled down cover with clingfilm & roll out onto a tin sprayed with Frylight then peel off clingfilm spray the top with abit of Frylight so it can brown well. Put in the oven on the middle shelf for 30 minutes or until golden brown.Now spread the tomato purée to the edges of the pizza, then top with your pineapple, ham, cheese whatever topping you choose (remember pineapple is cooked it will be syns)
Put back in the oven for a further 10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling Mmmmmmm

Mmmmmmm chocolate brownies

Mmmmmmm! Who doesn't love brownies??? They are one of my favourites and before going to my friends up north or as a treat before Slimming world I used to make them and would have lovely feedback. Such as "you need to make more when you come back next time" or "these are really yummy you can make them for me anytime".
Well in Chessington we had a 'new year new you party' and had to bring something to eat buffet style. Well as I am now known to be the person who makes and bakes I felt a little pressured and they had tasted some of my creations so what to bring????
I was trailing through sites until I came across this little gem....
on minimins forum

3 Syn chocolate brownies

Ingredients:
3 eggs - separated
113g Tate & Lyle Brown &stevia Light at Heart
200g fat free yoghurt
1 1/2 tablespoons Vegetable Oil
175g Self Raising Flour
75g Chocolate Options

 Method:
Preheat oven to 190c/Fan 170c/375f/Gas 5, brush a 30 x 20cm tin with oil or line with non stick baking paper. Mix egg yolks, sugar, yoghurt & oil together, sift in the flour & options & stir until smooth. Whisk egg whites to soft peaks, add a spoonful to the mix and stir well to loosen the mix, gently fold in the rest, pour into the tin & bake in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.
Cool for 5 minutes then turn out onto a rack to cool.

Now I have changed the recipe from the site to make sure it was 3 syns and that splenda brown sugar no longer exists so this you use half the amount and still get the sweetness without the sweetener taste. I think as someone else suggested upping the amount of options would make it more chocolatey but check syns before doing so...
here is the end result and they were eaten by all and Lia my consultant said I could make them regularly for Mondays so I think they may have come out okay ;)

Well I am happy!

Yes I have lost 4lbs last night I am so happy I could burst. I am very positive and motivated after image therapy and everyone was the same. There were LOTS of people joining too I wish they would all continue but sadly the numbers decrease as they lose interest or don't follow the plan and give up. It must be so frustrating for the consultants who really want to help everyone get to their goal. At least these people are giving it a go, there are many people who won't even think about losing weight., they feel they can't and unfortunately nothing will change. I was one of those people last year and I threw all my smaller clothes away which would have fitted me now. If you are one of those people who are considering it I say to you just try it. There are many deals around where it is free to join and the people at the group are all in the same place or have been in the same place as you. It won't be an easy ride I am not going to lie to you and say it's all easy, as you may have points where you stick for a few weeks, but then it happens and you get there. You just need to follow the plan exactly as it says...
Soapbox finished for today ;)

Weigh in

Today I am back at work and back to the routine almost... We have inset day and we have to bring food to share. Now this can be good or lethal as people at work could start off healthy and all share healthy foods or they could get rid of the bad food hanging around from Christmas and so crisps and peanuts and cheeses etc could be brought!!!!
I am taking cous cous crammed with mushrooms, tomatoes, basil leaves, stock, spring onions. I know I can have this without being too bad. I have taken a jacket potato just in case with baked beans and some muller light yogurt. So if temptation creeps I can fal back on something :) They can also stay at school for tomorrows lunch. Anyhow I better go and hopefully weighin will be positive today I was so near target and don't want to move further away!!!

Oh noooooo

Well weigh in wasn't good I am 5lbs heavier so damage done now to sort it out and draw a line under it and move on literally.

I need to get back to superfree foods and not try and eat my way through leftovers. So all leftovers have disappeared and chocolates I was given as presents have been labelled syn wise and hidden or sent to Andrew's work. I need to get into a routine too and getting back to work will help hopefully too. Unfortunately I am not back till the 7th oops. I am not the only one finding it difficult though and I find that a source of comfort as on the facebook pages there are lots of people struggling to get back into the right frame of mind with this. It doesn't help me that my hubby is working very long hours as it is year end and so I have no one keeping a check on me either. This is why I am on here as a distraction and a way of keeping me in check too. So thank you for listening to my ramblings you are helping me more than you know ;)