Friday 28 January 2011

Introducing Izzy!

I can't believe I've never mentioned Izzy on the blog before!

I'm so comfy...

Izzy is my one year old Lhasa Apso puppy, and the love of my life! I just wanted to make a quick update today, and will be back in the next few days with my third weigh in, a recap of my week and I've got a fun and hopefully helpful post planned about how to motivate yourself to workout!

In the meantime, hope you have a lovely weekend!

Sunday 23 January 2011

Weigh in #2

This week, I lost 4 lbs! I'm really pleased with that! I'm thinking that in the near future I'll do a post with a list of my goals, then if I'm ever feeling a little low, or discouraged, I can look back on it and remember why I'm doing this.

I think the 4lb weight loss was helped along by the fact that I returned to the gym this week, after a three month hiatus. It felt so good to be back in the pool doing lengths; swimming is my exercise of choice. I've also been to a couple of Zumba classes (which I LOVE) - one was amazing, the other wasn't as good but it wasn't the usual instructor. Zumba is so much fun! I also went to a yoga class as well. I've done a few classes at different places, but this one was the best I've been to. The instructor did different poses, and more than just basic ones too. I'm really only a beginner but can't wait to get more advanced and more flexible!

So all in all, I had a pretty good week! How was your week?

Friday 14 January 2011

Weigh in #1

I had my first weigh in yesterday, and I'm absolutely over the moon to tell you that I lost 6lbs!

I'm so happy, I was following the plan that I'm doing and I think you always worry that it's not going to be working! Even though you're doing everything right. I've not been hungry and I'm just so happy! I haven't had internet at home for the past while but I'm getting it today, so I think I'm going to start posting what I'm eating on a daily basis, for anyone that would be curious.

Thursday 13 January 2011

Pickled Red Cabbage

When I was little, around September/October every year, my mum and Grandma would always make lots of different types of pickles for us to open up when Christmas came and that we would enjoy over Christmas and long into the winter. My favourite thing that they would make was always pickled red cabbage.

red cabbage

Tangy and sharp but delicious, it makes a great accompaniment to lots of dishes. If you've never had it before and can't imagine what it would be like, the closest thing I can think of is sauerkraut. It can be added to salad, and as a side on pretty much anything you can imagine! My favourite thing to have it with though, has to be a simple sandwich.

red cabbage 2

You need to make it in advance, and keep it in airtight jars for at least two weeks, but it will last for months afterwards. The recipe couldn't be simpler, either.

Pickled Red Cabbage

Ingredients:

1 head red cabbage
White wine or apple cider vinegar (appox 1 litre)
Salt
2x 1 litre sterilised glass jars with airtight lids
1 tsp sugar (optional)
Boiling water - just enough to dissolve sugar

Method:

Remove the outer leaves of cabbage and the stalk and finely slice - long, thin strips are best. Put in a big bowl and add the salt, mix it all together and then leave overnight. The next day, if using, add 1 tsp sugar to just enough boiling water to dissolve it - usually about 1/4 cup. Leave to cool completely. Rinse the shredded red cabbage in water to get rid of all the salt. Pack into your sterilised glass jars - you can pack it in quite tightly. Pour half of the sugar water into each jar, and then fill up with vinegar. You want the vinegar to go right to the top of the cabbage. You can use a fork and push the red cabbage just underneath the line of the vinegar. Close up the jars, and then store in a cool, dark place for at least two weeks before opening up and enjoying!

Wednesday 12 January 2011

Suprise Package

Don't you just love it when you get an unexpected suprise in the mail?? This morning, the postman brought me this unexpected little package:

Photobucket

I was so excited when I saw what was inside! I know you're probably thinking "excited for peanut butter chips?? I see them all the time!" but we can't actually get these in the UK, and I happen to love peanut butter! I tasted a few, but I'm going to try and save the rest until I think of the perfect baking project! ;)

It was so sweet of the girl who sent them to me, and I'm going to send her a little suprise package back too as a thank you!

What was the little last really sweet and lovely thing that someone did for you?

Monday 10 January 2011

A change for 2011

Happy (very belated!) New Year! I hope everyone had a wonderful time over the holidays. I know I really enjoyed myself; all my family have time off from work and school over Christmas and New Year and I've loved spending some quality time with them all.

1/365

For me, 2011 is bringing some big changes, and I hope to share most of them on my blog! I started this blog about two years ago but have never really posted regularly, but I really want to change that. I love writing, and reading, and blogging in general, so I'm making a commitment to posting consistently, and already have some (hopefully fun!) posts planned.

Shortly before Christmas, I moved into a house that I've owned and been doing restoration work on since March 2009. I'm also back in full time education, going to University to study English Language. It's weird and challenging studying again after a six year break, but it's also really rewarding and enjoyable, and I love it!

The biggest change I'm making in 2011 is I'm making this year the year that I finally reach my goal weight. I've struggled with my weight for years, trying every diet under the sun and having my weight go up then down then up again, and am now at my highest weight ever. I'm following a weight loss plan by a company called Slimming World, which is fairly similar to Weight Watchers, but with a lot less point counting. I started it a few days ago, and will be weighing in every Thursday and I'm excited to share my progress! There are loads of recipes I've seen round the blog world that I can't wait to try, and I've even got a jar of lentils sprouting on my kitchen windowsill to make Beth's Lentil Loaf!


What are you excited for in 2011?

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