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