For the amusement I would post my pictures of Christmas day. Please don't ask why my brother in law is wearing a tea cosy on his head. I have no idea but I guess it suits him lol. It was so nice to have all of the relatives round and I felt good about all of the food we ate that day. We had fun racing santas and on the wii ringing bells on wii music. I didn't get a very high score mind you nor did many except my brother in law. Is that slightly suspicious since he and his wife were the ones to bring the game????
Anyhow I probably won't be on here as I will be celebrating new year tomorrow and weighing in Hopefully not too damage done.....

Christmas

So what do you have if you are having slimming world dinner??? Well turkey of course. I catered for 9 people and we had parsnips, carrots, Brussel sprouts with chestnuts, gravy cranberry sauce, dry roast potatoes. Stuffing and  pigs in blankets. We followed that with Christmas pudding and mince pies. Suffice to say we couldn't move afterwards but it was v yummy. Stuffing was through Joes sausage meat which is syn free and v tasty. Tea was lost of slimming world recipes too with dips and mushroom filo crackers, meats and trifle and meringue dessert too. Think I made far too much though and would cut down the quantities. However I was very proud of myself to be able to achieve it. The following few days however I kind of went off plan ate round various relatives/friends houses and messed up. So think I may have put on some weight oops, never mind I can rescue it back once I am back on track!!! Hope you all had a lovely Christmas too.

Slimming eats

Yes its me again I want to suggest a site to visit to you all as it is my favourite place to go and see what I can make dinner wise or pudding etc. In fact there is lots of inspiration and I have  tried some of the recipes from this site and its yummy!!!Its called slimming eats and as I am writing this I am darting between talking to you and looking at the creamy vegetable pasta bake and the Quinoa Stuffed Chicken Breast wrapped in Prosciutto drooling. Which would I like to try first mmmmmmm.
 I have to say the slimming world food is very tasty and I don't miss out on bad foods. I didn't really eat chips or KFC or doughnuts they vmight have been a treat but rarely. What I did realise was that I liked going to restaurants for a meal during lunch on saturday if I was shopping with hubby or if hubby had month end or was late we might have take out which was pizza or Indian and once a month maybe fish & chips. So with a lot of that stopping it has made a real difference. I eat pitta bread or Warburtons square wrap pizza (8syns) or I have Indian made at home with healthier ingredients including the bhaji and raita dip YUM! So do I miss bad food nooooooo only do I miss on bad treats sweets that appear in the staffroom for someone's birthday or leaving or Christmas or if it has a y in the day ;) If you work in a school you know what its like lol
I am off to eat ginger sponge pudding and low fat custard now and can confirm it is v v nice. I might post a recipe if its not on SW site as its a definite must try. Will I shift this 5.5lbs before Christmas? I am going to do my hardest to definitely :) Might have to try the banana and chocolate chip loaf on the slimming eats site next Mmmmmmmmmm

Almond biscuits

Ok here we are the Almond recipe....
If you are linked to the Slimming world website you can find it there though and I can confirm they are scrummy so definitely worth a try

Almond cookies

Serves: 24

Prep time: Ready in about 30 minutes (plus chilling and cooling)

Cook time:

Syns per serving:

  Green: 1.5

  Original: 1.5

  Extra Easy: 1.5

57g self-raising flour
113g plain flour
42g low-fat baking margarine
100g vanilla Müllerlight yogurt
4 tbsp artificial sweetener
6 drops almond essence
low calorie cooking spray

1. Sift the flours into a bowl and rub in the margarine with your fingers until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add the yoghurt  sweetener and almond essence and knead until the mixture forms a soft dough (add more flour if too sticky or more yoghurt if too dry). Wrap the dough in Clingfilm and chill overnight in the fridge.

2. Preheat the oven to 220°C/Gas 7. Line two baking sheets with baking parchment and spray with low calorie cooking spray. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured board and roll out to the thickness of a pound coin. Using a small, star shaped cookie cutter (or any other shape) cut into 24 cookies. Carefully place the cookies on the baking sheets and bake for 12-15 minutes until slightly risen and browned.

3. Remove the cookies from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool. Let the children help to decorate the cookies with brightly coloured decorations (1 Syn per tbsp).

I made twice the amount using the mixture and then drizzled icing over the lot so I believe I still made 1.5 syn bisc but probably over estimated the syn value. 

I would rather over estimate then under estimate and mess everyone else up.

I can confirm that both 5.30 and 7.30 group enjoyed the biscuits at least I had good feedback :) 

I'll have the beef...

Woohoo the beef roast meal worked. So did the horse radish and yorkshires too. All very yummy

I must admit though not necessarily 3rd super-free the cauliflower and carrots were but Andrew served it up and I still think I need to educate him on 3rds and what is super-free  The whole meal was soooo  nice though and I felt like I could enjoy it fairly guilt free as such low syns (please see past posts for recipes).
I also can report that I have lost 2.5lbs this week and now have 5.5lbs to get to target I think this blogging lark is officially working :D will I get to target for Christmas....
Look out for tomorrow as I will post the almond biscuits and will the slimming groups like them????

Cookieeessssssss

Yummmmmmmm

Making chocolate chip cookies today especially for Slimming club tomorrow. Have already tested them and they are not as nice as my last batch but I do have some almond cookies too the recipe is on the slimming world website. I am also testing the roast beef recipe today with Yorkshires so I can let you know whether they are as tasty as people say... The roast smells sooooo yummy and feeling v v hungry at the moment.
I may have to try just one more cookie........ 3 syns each mmmmm
I made them smaller so less sins but up to you ;)
Out of the SW best ever recipes
Makes 18 (I made 24 so they came out as 3 syns or just under)
original/green/E.E.= 3.5 (if only 18 made)

• 175g/6oz Self raising flour
• 75g/3oz low fat spread
• 12 tbsp artificial sweetener
• 60g/2.5oz choc chips I used dark
• 3 tbsp v low fat fromage frais (fat free)
• 1 egg yolk

Preheat oven to 180C/Gas mark 4 and line baking sheet with greaseproof paper
Sift flour into a bowl add the spread and rub it in using your fingertips until mix becomes breadcrumbs add sweetener and mix well.
Stir in chocolate chips, fromage frais and egg yolk, then knead with your hands to form a soft dough. Divide the mix into 18 pieces (22) and roll each one into a ball. Place the balls on the baking sheet and flatten them by pressing lightly with the back of a damp fork.
Bake in the oven for 12 - 15 mins or until golden. Transfer to wire rack and cool before serving (if you can wait that long) ;)

Margaritas anyone??

Yum who wouldn't want a magarita? I love cocktails and am really excited at the new extra easy entertaining book is out. It has loads of ideas for meals for 2, Sunday lunches, buffets canapés and more importantly cocktails. The last challenge for 'Come dine with me was to lower the syn of a magarita and I found this the hardest challenge as alcohol is quite high in syns.

So what do you do you make a mocktail?
Not to everyone's taste and be warned I have not tried this...

margarita mocktail (1syn) serves 4 – (¼ syn) per serving

• no sugar limeade 177ml (tesco) (F)
• freshly squeezed juice of 1 orange 59ml (1)
• crushed ice

This brought the normal magarita which was 8 syns down quite a bit. mix altogether and then rub lime juice on rim of glass and dip in salt
but... in the new book there is a magarita cocktail for 5 syns on all...

Lime and watermelon margaritas
makes 8

• juice 1 lime
• 200ml tequila
• 50ml Cointreau or triple sec
• 2-3 tbsp sweetener
• handful of ice
• salt to serve

Chill 8 glasses. Place all ingredients including the ice in a blender or food processor and blend for 1-2 mins
serve with salted rim glasses see above, fill with magarita mixture and scatter a few watermelon seeds for decoration. YUM
If you want other cocktail recipes please get the book it is worth the money and really helps for those getting together and what am I going to make meals.

Beans means....

Ok, taking a blog day to talk about beans before going onto the subject of cocktails either tomorrow or Saturday. Lia, our consultant told us a really interesting fact that each lb we lose is the equivalent of a tin of baked beans! So, if I have lost 3 stone 3.5lbs then  I have lost 45.5 tins worth of beans. Just imagine carrying those home from the supermarket, it sounds really really heavy!!!

That thought struck me more than anything else and I really don't want to carry round that weight again especially as I think it contributed to back pain and illness more so than anything else. No wonder I didn't want to exercise  I must admit I have had a break from exercise as  I have been poorly but can't wait to get back on it again. I have been running but it's getting really cold now so will probably get on the exercise dvds. I feel like I have more energy than I ever had before and I am able to join in with the children's games at lunchtime without feeling the after effects. 

I am looking forward to my pizza night tonight I have a warburtons square wrap 8 syns and just add passata and ham, pineapple, lighter cheese 45g (healthy A) and some oregano and under a grill, done with some salad! I will try out the smash version one day but for a super quick meal when you have a meeting (i.e. tonight) it is so easy and much healthier than getting on the phone for food or picking something up. 

You've got to have pudding!!!

So desserts it is YUUUMMMMMM!!! Its the only reason to haver the meal in the first place, don't you think?
Well I was given....
Poached pear with rosewater and pistachios (19 syns taken to 2 syns per serving)

• 25g pistachio nuts, roughly chopped (8)
• 5 cardamom pods, bruised with a rolling pin to release the flavour (F)
• 100ml bottle rose water (F)
• 4 firm ripe pears (F)
• 10ml freshly squeezed lemon juice (F)
• Vanilla pod (F)
• 500g  Splenda (or heat based sweetener) (F)

Fill a large and deep saucepan two quarters full of cold water and stir in the sweetener, cardamom pods and rose water. Place over a medium-high heat and bring to a gentle simmer. This will form a light syrup in which to poach the pears.
Peel the pears, leaving the stalk intact, and place in a bowl of water with the lemon juice to prevent them browning. Taste the syrup (if too thick add water to thin it) to ensure it is sweetened to your liking and then add the pears and poach for about 15 minutes. Check the pears by taking one out and pressing the flesh. If the flesh is still firm, poach for a while longer, if not, remove from the heat and set aside. The pears can be served warm or chilled.
When ready to serve, cut the pears in half and remove the cores. Serve two halves per portion with a scoop of fat free fromage frais or natural yogurt and a little of the poaching syrup. Sprinkle with a few chopped pistachio nuts. Add some berries scattered over the sauce to continue the red sauce look and adds some superfree to the pudding

Enjoy....

Oh by the way bought lean beef cut to try out main this weekend so pictures arriving soon....

Roast beef surely not allowed???

Yep it's main time now and how do you get a healthy version of a roast with yorkshire pudding red wine gravy and horseradish sauce????
Well here it is... for (2.5 syns) per serving....

Roast beef with all the trimmings including horseradish sauce (serves 6)

• 1.3kg/3lb lean rump roast or topside joint (all fat cut off) (F) overall per serving (F)
• 15ml/1tbsp English mustard powder (F)
• Salt and freshly milled black pepper (F)

Pat dry beef and rub the mustard over the surface and season.Spray frylight before adding to tray and follow instructions on meat for cooking times Place the beef on a metal rack in a large roasting tin and open roast for the preferred, calculated cooking time, basting occasionally with the rich beefy juices. If the bottom of the pan seems a little dry, add a little water.

For the Yorkshire Puddings: serves 10 yorkshires (1 syn each yorkie)

• 56g plain flour (10)
• 1 med egg  (F)
• 50ml skimmed milk (H.E.A/1 Syn)
• 35ml water (F)
• Salt & pepper

I have not tried and tested this recipe
Sieve the flour into a large bowl, with the back of a spoon, make a well in the centre, break the egg into it and add some salt & pepper. Now, measure the milk and water in a measuring jug, then, using an electric hand whisk on a slow speed, begin to whisk the egg into the flour as you whisk, the flour around the edges will slowly be incorporated. Then add the liquid gradually, stopping to scrape the flour into the mixture.
Whisk until the batter is smooth. Place 10 cupcake/muffin paper cases into a muffin tray & spray the cases with fry light to stop the puds sticking. Divide the mixture into the 10 cupcake/muffin paper cases & bake in the oven (220C) for 25ish mins (can't remember exact time so keep an eye on them!)

For the Red Wine Gravy: (1) per serving

• 1 tsp thickening granules (1)/ smash (F)
• 450ml/¾pint good, hot beef stock bovril or water (F)
• 125ml/ 1/4 pint full bodied red wine (4.5)

heat stock and wine together in a pan and add/whisk in thickening agent either smash or granules until desired thickness.  I have been told about using smash but have not tried and tested this recipe 

For the Roast Potatoes: (F)

• 1.8kg/4lb roasting potatoes, peeled and cut in half (F)
• Fry light (f) or dry roast
• Salt (F)

Par boil potatoes and roughen them up prior to putting them into the oven onto a preheated baking tray lined with baking parchment or foil and frylight. Once the potatoes hit the frylight they go golden and then spray on top too. Perfect!!! Add seasoning rosemary or thyme?

Creamy horseradish sauce  (0.5) per serving

• 213g fat free natural fromage frais
• 1.5 level tbsp. creamed horseradish sauce (2.25)
• 1.5 tsp ground mixed peppercorns
• 2 spring onions v finely chopped
• Small handful freshly chopped parsley

Place fromage frais, creamed horseradish sauce, spring onions and ground mixed peppercorns into a small bowl and mix

stir in chopped flat leaf parsley, cover and chill until required. HOW EASY!!! 

Lots of veg i.e carrots, broccoli and cauliflower (or whatever superfree you choose)

'Come dine with me' Slimming World style

Right now for 'The Dine with me' Challenge. I was given these instructions...

Welcome to your challenge

Your mission-If you choose to accept it is:

Read the menu provided for you in this envelope.

Work out the syn value as best as you can for that 3 course meal.

Plan you own 3 course emal with the same food but in a Slimming World way. Using syns, healthy extras and lots of lovely free foods.

This mission is very important. Your menu will be judged by your fellow members and they will score you out of 10.

These are vital points for your team.

Who will win?

So here was the menu...

Starter: Stuffed spinach and mushroom crepes 

Main: Roast beef cooked in oil with all the trimmings including horseradish 

Dessert: Poached pear with rosewater and pistachios 

Cocktails: margaritas 

Well a bit of a task I can tell you.... I looked through the websites and found original recipes for all of it and then worked out how many Syns. Overall the whole menu came to a whopping 88 Syns "per serving", for those who aren't familiar with Slimming world we are encouraged to have up to the max of 15 syns!!!!

I managed to get the total down to "7 syns per serving" with healthy A used (calcium allowance) if desperate for the alcohol  Tesco do a fab magarita 125ml for 5 syns and with ice should last a couple of drinks depending on the size of glass which takes it to 12 syns. In the new entertaining slimming world recipe book there is also a fab magarita too, also at 5 syns

Here is my alternate but I haven't tried the mocktail yet so when I do I will let you know...

Stuffed spinach and mushroom crepes serves 4 per serving with heA (2.5) 
For the crêpes

• 57g/2oz plain flour (10) based on 4.5 syns per 25g
• 2 large eggs
• 150g pot fat-free natural fromage frais
• 142ml/¼pt skimmed milk (3) or hea (F) 
• Fry light (F) 

For the filling

• Fry light (F) 
• 1 medium onion, peeled and chopped (F) 
• 2 handfuls mushrooms, sliced (F) the more the merrier 
• salt and freshly ground black pepper (F) 
• 220g/8oz baby spinach (F) 
• Fat free fromage frais (F) 
• few sprigs fresh parsley, chopped (F) 
• few fresh chives, chopped (F) 
• salad leaves, to serve (F)

With Fry light fry mushrooms and onion and once softened add spinach and cook for a further 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently.
mix together ingredients for crepe and use frylight to fry the crepes.while crepe is in pan For filling spread crepe with fat free fromage frais scatter over quarter mushroom and onion mixture and sprinkle with parsley and chives, leaving space around the edges for folding. Fold the sides of the crepe over the filling and transfer to a serving plate.Repeat the process with the remaining batter and filling to make more pancakes. Serve with salad leaves or full salad. YUM! Might have to try it out....

Next recipe instalment tomorrow!

Starting posts

Well here goes... I am starting a blog so I can stay on track with slimming world lifestyle (nowhere to hide now). So far so good as I started in late April early May and I have lost an amazing 3 stone!!!!! I couldn't believe t and still find it hard to come to terms with. That I had gained sooooo much weight since I was in my 20's.
I have before and after photos below and I am astounded with the difference it is just insane! I will be happy when I get within my BMI and I have 10lb's to go to target. I want to try and do so before Christmas. Can it be done? The group I go to in Chessington  with Lia as our fab consultant - says 'yes it can' Bob the builder style.

<This photo is of me in 2007 most probably at my biggest and really not my greatest achievement. I would probably have been very unhealthy and exercise was a 'rude' word to me. I still am amazed at the photo and can't believe that Andrew stayed with me.

>This is me Oct/Nov 2012. Look to the right and yes I am looking much happier now especially where photos are concerned. I loved having my photo taken
as a child and then the teenage years appeared and no I didn't and then weight crept on after meeting my boyfriend>husband Andy and then I really didn't like having my photo taken. I have my parents photo cd of different years and my photos become fewer and fewer...

Here I am on my 21st party but looking at the photos I gained after 1998/9
Again a happy Julia and being my usual silly self. No I didn't dress like that normally I had to have a costume party or 'Era' party.
I feel sad it has taken me so long to decide to change my life around and I urge you to do the same if you are considering it. It will be hard work and yes I still want to bake loads and try to eat it all too. I love the food I am eating now on the plan too and have found ways to make low syn scones and biscuits and cake through the recipe books. I also enjoy going on Monday's although with dread on occasions if I have not stayed on plan. Everyone there is so helpful, friendly and supportive and we are all in the same boat with different amounts of weight to lose, but all know it has its ups and downs. Tomorrow is weigh in day and I also have been given a 'Dine with me' challenge. You have to wait and see......