Frugal Frump to Fab-u-lous Dharrrrrrrling Winter Solstice to Spring Equinox

lessonlearned

Good morning all

Hope you are all well and ready for action. I guess like WW many of you are either back at work or preparing for work.

I often think that it's a long slog from New Year to Easter, bad weather, dark nights, colds and sniffles etc. What we need is some positive thinking and the odd little treat now and then so that we don't succumb to the January Blues.

So why don't we list a couple of positives each day this week, to keep us motivated and cheerful.

My big positive is I'm almost ready for the big move, I'm really looking forward to it. It's a mini adventure.

My second really big positive is I'm starting the year in quite a strong financial position. This time last year I was really struggling with money issues and very worried about my financial future. Whilst I'm by no means rich (yet:D:D) I don't have to worry so much.

Feeling a bit squiffy this morning - DS2 bought a lurgy home - so have had to change my plans and stay indoors and keep warm and have the odd little rest.

So ...... I'm busy packing boxes and sorting out ready for the big day. - Friday.

I watched the Hairy Biker's Diet programme last night. Very good.

It's all about healthy eating and how to adapt favourite recipes to make them healthier and lower in calories. Nothing faddy or expensive. Last night's little gem was to make a lasagne using leeks instead of pasta sheets.

One of the reasons I no longer eat lasagne is because they can be so stodgy and all that pasta is just too much wheat for me. So I'm definitely going to give than one a go.

I know this series has been on before but it somehow passed me by first time round. Anyway last night's was really just an introduction. It's on tonight at 7-00pm BBC2 if anyone is interested. The recipes are also on the BBC website.

Although calorie restriction and elaborate cooking is out of the question for the next couple of weeks I have at least made an attempt to make sure that my quick snacks and my "easy" meals are reasonably healthy and not too carb heavy. No pizzas, or cornish pasties.....

I've stocked up on fruit and veg and I even had a smoothie for my first breakfast rather than my usual strong coffee and croissant.

Wahini (love that) I agree that fruit and veg can be ruinously expensive this time of the year and growing your own is a great idea - organic and tastes much better too.

Do you have a window-cill where you could try a few salad leaves and herbs to be going on with - much cheaper and healthier than bagged leaves from the supermarket.

Also do you have an ALDI. They have a good range of offers most weeks. They do something called a "Super 6" - that week's special offers. Frozen veg can be a good idea too this time of year, no waste you just use what you need and of course the vitamin loss is less than stuff that's been under hot lights in the supermarket shelves for days on end.

Right - it's no good - this is not getting those boxes packed. Time to get cracking.

lessonlearned

mineallmine wrote: »

Currently changing all hangers to those velvety thin ones instead of lots of different ones. So it looks more like a nice boutique rail!

:A

I've been doing this over the last year or so - treating myself to nice padded hangers (charity shops are good for those - must be unwanted gifts). Also got some nice wooden ones for jackets from Ikea and Costco.

Esmy - loving the "Everything but the kitchen sink bag". Were you a Girl Guide by any chance - be prepared and all that.

I do always carry a metal tape measure just in case I see an amazing piece of furniture on my travels but so far have resisted the screwdriver......I think that would be classed as an offensive weapon should you ever be stopped by the police:rotfl::rotfl:

Now my car .......I'm a shocker. Screwdrivers, spare bags, spare shoes, a rug, all manner of "just in case items". The inside gets cleaned and decluttered about 2 a year.

floss2

Just wanted to stop by & wish you all Happy New Goals!

Two positives for my day:
1. I just had an email to tell me I've won a "Keep calm & carry on gardening" hoodie & a pair of fancy wellies in a competition I'd forgotten I had entered!
2. I have got more money in the bank than I thought I had - AND i've paid all my bills for this month - result!

I haven't set any goals yet, but will do so soon. I know I want to start running as I need the high-impact exercise (my age & my new HRT patches have decided this for me ) so will be downloading the C25K tonight...will keep you posted!

Bitsy_Beans

lessonlearned wrote: »

Good morning all

Hope you are all well and ready for action. I guess like WW many of you are either back at work or preparing for work.

I often think that it's a long slog from New Year to Easter, bad weather, dark nights, colds and sniffles etc. What we need is some positive thinking and the odd little treat now and then so that we don't succumb to the January Blues.

So why don't we list a couple of positives each day this week, to keep us motivated and cheerful.

My big positive is I'm almost ready for the big move, I'm really looking forward to it. It's a mini adventure.

My second really big positive is I'm starting the year in quite a strong financial position. This time last year I was really struggling with money issues and very worried about my financial future. Whilst I'm by no means rich (yet:D:D) I don't have to worry so much.

Feeling a bit squiffy this morning - DS2 bought a lurgy home - so have had to change my plans and stay indoors and keep warm and have the odd little rest.

So ...... I'm busy packing boxes and sorting out ready for the big day. - Friday.

I watched the Hairy Biker's Diet programme last night. Very good.

It's all about healthy eating and how to adapt favourite recipes to make them healthier and lower in calories. Nothing faddy or expensive. Last night's little gem was to make a lasagne using leeks instead of pasta sheets.

One of the reasons I no longer eat lasagne is because they can be so stodgy and all that pasta is just too much wheat for me. So I'm definitely going to give than one a go.

I know this series has been on before but it somehow passed me by first time round. Anyway last night's was really just an introduction. It's on tonight at 7-00pm BBC2 if anyone is interested. The recipes are also on the BBC website.

Although calorie restriction and elaborate cooking is out of the question for the next couple of weeks I have at least made an attempt to make sure that my quick snacks and my "easy" meals are reasonably healthy and not too carb heavy. No pizzas, or cornish pasties.....

I've stocked up on fruit and veg and I even had a smoothie for my first breakfast rather than my usual strong coffee and croissant.

Wahini (love that) I agree that fruit and veg can be ruinously expensive this time of the year and growing your own is a great idea - organic and tastes much better too.

Do you have a window-cill where you could try a few salad leaves and herbs to be going on with - much cheaper and healthier than bagged leaves from the supermarket.

Also do you have an ALDI. They have a good range of offers most weeks. They do something called a "Super 6" - that week's special offers. Frozen veg can be a good idea too this time of year, no waste you just use what you need and of course the vitamin loss is less than stuff that's been under hot lights in the supermarket shelves for days on end.

Right - it's no good - this is not getting those boxes packed. Time to get cracking.

I've ordered The Hairy Dieters book from the book people, it was under £8 and I was ordering other stuff too.

Just even to Aldi, little gem lettuce, cucumbers, spring onions all in super 6. I do feel bad eating all this stuff as its not seasonal and clearly imported but body is craving salad. Just been salivating at the smell of the freshly sliced cucumber I just cut :eek: a clear sign I need to up the ante. So I have announced to kids we will be eating fruit or veg with two meals a day, breakfast is optional. I need to eat more and although DD is good at fruit DS is not. I can't change what he will eat (much like me he doesn't like much fruit) but he will eat raw carrot and apples so that will be included with every meal.

Not loads of exercise whilst kids are off but they enjoy yoga (they like to join in and pick a pose for me to do :rotfl:) so will do that after shopping is put away.

Really liking the positives idea, always good I think to celebrate those little victories and show gratitude

Mine would be
spending under £50 on food shopping but still having cupboards nice and full
Life getting back to normal, which means EAs back open and we can get into the groove of selling this house.

Floss well done on your competition win :T

Esmy my bag might not be humongous but it sounds very similar :rotfl:

WW I have blessed dog poo bags in everything I own :rotfl:

Hewie forgot to say I am glad your mum is somewhere suited to her needs. Love to you all xxx

Have a great day x

WelshWoofer

My little postives/triumphs for the day....

1. Made myself sit down and do 5 hours of school work - feel loads better now that there's something "in the bank" for the next couple of weeks
2. Have cleaned the house from top to bottom and its all gleaming and has that freshly cleaned smell
3. Did a brisk 40 min walk at dusk with the dog to loosen me up after sitting for so long and that achey "cold coming on" feeling has gone

pamsdish

Hi All
Up veryearly this morning, did yoga on the Wii, lost another 1lb,finished the last of the Roses tin last night, showered, moisturised every inch. Make up on, hair done,,,only going to Aldi :rotfl: Rotten horrible day so had a nap,;),

Fosterdog

I wore makeup to work today for the first time in six years.

I haven't been sleeping too well and have had dark circles around my eyes for a couple of weeks. I looked so rough this morning I had to do something about it. I only used a bit of bb cream and some mascara but it made the world of difference.

Healthy eating isn't going so well, there's no decent food in the house and no time for a shop until Sunday so I'm living off mostly processed rubbish until then. Although I did have some nice salmon in the freezer to cook for tea but it was plated up with just peas and mash, the only veg left in the house.

fedupandskint

Back at work today - oh well, not too bad today and thankfully a short week. WI day tomorrow and measuring day too.

I watched the Hairy Dieters last night and tonight too and finding it very watchable and good to see them cook the meals as I ordered the book for under £5 for me and one for a friend for Christmas. I made the museli and granola from it for presents and apparently it was very nice. I have some for me to eat once my last box of cereal has gone.

Fabwise for me today I made myself do Shred tonight after work and pleased I did this and tomorrow is day off exercise

Not much else to report really

Hewie29

Hi all

Back to work for me today, it was quite good to have my mind on other things for a while.

Is the Hairy Bikers show the one they did in 2012? I bought the recipe book and while the meals are great, I found that you really did have to plan the meals out well as some of them took a long time to cook. Not so good when you're coming in from work and you need tea pretty quick.

I've weighed today and I've put on 6lb's not good as I really don't need anymore bagage, I've not just got a muffin top I've got a family pack. So i've tried very hard today to be good, so tomorrow I should wake up 5 stone lighter!!! lol, wish it was that easy.

Bit late but Happy New Year to you all xxx

aylithuk

Hi all

Following your lead

My positives for my day
1, In work in a complaint departments and one customer thanked me for 'restoring her faith in the banking system'
2, Day 2 of the detox and it's going well and finished day 2 of RI30

fedupandskint and Bitsy Beans
You have to let me know if the book it any good. Loved the TV show.

See you all tomorrow
xxxx