Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2015

Lynplatinum

Hiya All

Many thanks to you all for cheer up suggestions that do not involve food!!:) Actually it was 2 things that got me out of the Blue Funk - firstly finding the time today to watch one of my favourite films - secondly - knowing that when I looked on here tonight there would be support and positive suggestions. Also called a mate about something else entirely and they were v supportive.

Writers thing went well tonight and my focachia and chocy shortbread went down well - tomorrow will get on here earlier and post recipes! Plus, since my ' repair' no one fell down the back of my sofa bed!! LOL (which is part of the 2 sofas in the front room)

Vulpix - quite get why you cant make it - I m not going on my Scrapbooking weekend this year because I just cannot afford it :-(

Cheerfulness - I can quite see why you need to raise your very strict cash limit!! You have done brilliantly to stick to such a low level for nearly half a year! :T

Quick recipe from this eve when I needed a fast low cal tea:
1) Grill 2 Linda Mc sausages. Keep warm
2) slice a washed sweet potato in 1/2 cm thick slices; spray a tray with low cal oil OR using a brush brush a minimal amount of olive oil on the tray. Put slices on the tray. Spray/brush again with oil, put salt and pepper on. Grill until lightly brown one side then turn over and grill other side.
3) meanwhile prep a salad on a plate use some low cal dressing OR balsamic vinegar on it.

Tonight I already had some grilled sausages so I just microwaved 2 of them!! Even quicker!!! Tea in 5 mins! Low cal/low cost/low effort/low washing up! Whats not to like??
Nite all

[Deleted User]

Lynplatinum well done on your low cal tea I had my weigh in yesterday morning and although I have only lost a lb I was fairly pleased as it one off and not one on :):) My walking/hobbling has started I am hoping it will start to move those unwanted lbs a bit quicker
Weather looks a bit grot today but hey ho I have a coat I can put on before I go a-walking. Yesterdays mile took me 29 minutes which I thought was pretty good:) No Rodger Bannister but for an old lady not too bad . DD is going to sort out a 'just giving' page on f/b for us both.
U3A AGM meeting went well in the afternoon so a good and productive day all round.
Today I have my youngest DGS Mikey coming at lunchtime as its Ascension day at his school so they have the afternoon off, will think of something for us to do,probably he will want to make some biscuits as he enjoys doing that .
Right, have a good day chums what ever you are doing
JackieO xx

misstara

Morning all,

I had a lovely lunch with my gran yesterday, we went to a local church cafe that does yummy HM soup. Her birthday is next week so I will need to make a card soon. I was going to make her some biscuits as a present but she has a sore mouth at the moment and is only eating soft food so will need to think of something else. There's two friends birthdays and a new baby due at the start of June so will need to get cards/presents organised for that too.

Last night's tea was sausages, tatties and an assortment of veg done in honey and balsamic vinegar, very yummy Tonight and tomorrow night I'm on late shifts so will get my tea at work. I'm currently working on a meal plan for next week as it definitely helps us cut down on waste and save money.

I went to the library yesterday and got a few craft books so this morning's plan is to have a look through them for ideas. Hope everyone has a nice day.

sashanut

vhalla1478 wrote: »

sasahanut - you and I have no excuses not to meet up - we're practically neighbours! x

No bother just LMK....but not that close as I am in WF15....but if you want to suggest a northerly meet I have transport & we are near to M1/M62/A1 so can get around easily :j


Thanks for all the tips, never thought of fish NurseMaggie - I do like it but DH prefers the battered kind from the fish & chip shop, luckily there isn't a good one too close so don't often have them...second day of 5:2 today, not as much energy so far but will venture into room of doom presently to see what delights await...


Then hopefully in the garden, I have so much to plant out its not true. Glad you are cheering up LynP, I always find - for me - I feel a lot better when I'm outside...although I do feel guilty that there is so much work to do inside IYKWIM. When we moved here to this big house/garden an old gentleman came to do some specialist painting. He was very much 'old school' but he did like to voice his opinions. He said, well it's a lovely place but A LOT of work...at the time I thought nothing of it really, but it is, as DH is completely impractical it all falls to me, plus we also have animals that need caring for....heyho I know I am very lucky to have so much space, but by heck it takes some fettling!!


Back later, no sun here but not wet either so far :j

Rosanna79

Good morning All I continually lurk these days as I'm forever having to get onto the next thing! Wherever did I find time to go to work?!


Sashanut
Your diet dilemma struck a chord with me as an awful lot of women I guess. I'd had success with WW but eventually after a move back to my native North Lincs found myself in a very stressful work environment. I swam 30 nonstop lengths every morning and always took a packed lunch / breakfast with me. My week spot was between 5 and 6 30 pm when I was still in my health centre catching up on the humungous amount of work that had to be done after the visits of the day.


In law if something isn't documented it hasn't been done so as a health visitor with a massive amount of child protection on my caseload I ensured that my records ( by then done on computer) were always accurate and up to date. I was constantly worried about the possibility of being up in court months hence with a dead child and the need for those records to be the best they could be.


As a result I would start getting a low blood sugar as it was time for the evening meal whilst I was still at work and as there were biscuits and cakes about in the office I'd tend to nibble. I'd ring OH up as I was about to leave who would then have a meal ready on my arrival home. He was wonderful and without his help I'd not have been able to work as I did. There was no need for him, financially, to work at that point so I was very grateful for his endless support.


Stress and lack of sleep definitely affect the appetite. It's all rather complicated. Suffice to say that one day my health simply packed up. I had a massive arthritic flare up following a flu jab ( my family have really bizarre reactions to these) and I ended up with knees that simply kept collapsing with me falling flat on my back.


My GP was straight and told me it was a combination of physio, exercise and weight loss if I were not to have a knee replacement. On the other hand if I continued as I was I could look forward to life in a wheelchair!


You'd think a trained nurse / health visitor would know better in the first place wouldn't you? The truth is that most of us have some sort of emotional relationship with food going back to childhood. So During a subsequent referral to the local falls clinic I asked for a referral to the hospital dietician.


It was the best thing I ever did as by now I was wearing size 22/ 24 clothes. I did and still do have to keep a daily food / exercise diary to monitor my intake. One dietician put me onto myfitnesspal app which has proved invaluable.


The possibility of life in a wheelchair, the loss of independence as well as the unfairness on my husband hit me. It concentrated my mind. I lost a total of 4.25 stones (about 27 kg) until I looked like Orphan Annie in my clothes! Subsequently I had to have my levothyroxine reduced as it was too big a dose for my bodyweight as my hands were constantly shaking by then. I also looked hard and long at my relationship with food going back to childhood


My GP said I might regain up to half a stone , which I did but am currently working on that. As My Fitness pal app actually adds up the calories of everything I eat AS WELL AS the extra calories I gain from exercise it's very easy to monitor. Anyone with a smartphone/ tablet or computer can do it as they go along. I'm still 3 3/4 stones lighter than those awful days 5 years ago. It requires a lot of self discipline but that's better than the awful pain I was in 24/7.


As a result of my illness I had to retire but have found my health is much improved. Recent purchase of a friend's exercise bike and recording a stockpile of programmes I can watch as I ride have been very help as the biting cold winds of recent months have made outdoor exercise a bit of a problem particularly with asthma. Even OH is now doing a couple of short sessions on it each day. I still have a tendency to fall when walking every 16 months or so but I do ride my bike around town as well as walk. If I lock up I'm to be seen wearing all the cycle gear but as I walk away from the bike also sporting a fold up stick!!!! There's always a way around problems if we think about it.


I use 2 walking poles instead of sticks most of the time as well as a proper rucksack with chest and waist straps.... I wear a more reasonable size of clothes now and although I'll never be a tiny size or able to look glamorous due to all the kit I need to wear I really don't care. Hospital orthotics rarely fit beautiful shoes but I'm thankful that I can walk. As long as I can I'll walk away from that wheelchair. If the local population sees me as a bit of an oddity who cares?


You can do it and I wish you all the success in the world but do it for yourself Sashanut. you will find people who try to sabotage your efforts with ' One won't hurt surely?' It's all those 'one biscuits etc' that add up, so trying to see food swaps that won't sabotage your efforts and constantly bearing your goal in mind will help you to get there.


As another poster said you'll gradually learn how to balance things and decrease your intake / up your exercise if it's been a bit of a calorific event and you need to watch it a bit. The sense of control that you can keep a balance and the same size clothes for years is truly exhilarating. All the best Thinking of you, Rosanna

Bubblesmum

Dear Rosanna & all for keeping me going this week.

My background - my parents came from large EastEnd families who managed on low incomes before the welfare state existed, and we're very much MMM's.

Fortunately due to my Dad getting a scholarship he ended up climbing the ladder to become a professional in a corporate world, however, as a child I knew we had stretched the budget to afford the nice house in a good area, holidays were self catering in the UK, and not every year. Treats were birthdays and Christmas. Mum was a stay at home Mum, a typical 1950's housewife, where she provided a beautiful home ( I wasn't allowed to be untidy).

Mum is no longer with us, but Dad still watches his pennies

I was diagnosed at 3 with a mild form of cerebral palsy - fortunately my parents treated me as a normal child, no special school. A long story, I have two qualifications - accountant and occupational therapist.

However, my health finally broke down at the beginning of last year and at the moment, I am not earning and am struggling with day to day health problems including chronic pain and fatigue.

I am fortunate my OH has a good job, we live in a lovely house, however, I now keep going with private sports massage and oestopathic treatment. oH doesn't mind, as it means we can do more together, however it does take up a lot of our budget. I want him to enjoy treats from his salary.

Hence I now try to MMM and be frugle in my lifestyle so we can continue to do things he wants to do.

Hence I am sad not to be able to join you in Bromley as I'm not that far in Shepperton, however, I whisper we are off to the Caribbean .... My OH university friend is working in Trinidad... So we are going to see them, as we are both wheelies, he will make going to places accessible for us, which we could never get to on our own. So this is really a once in a lifetime trip.

vulpix

Trinidad,how fantastic,good for you,enjoy it.

I spent the remaining £10. Two terracotta pots from Aldeeeee,and I just had enough in my purse for a bag of compost.That's it now,no more new pots or compost at this house.

I made cauliflower crust pizza tonight,so tasty and no carbs.Lovely with salad leaves and mint and chives from the garden.

Have a nice evening,Vx

camelot1001

Mmmm, cauliflower crust pizza. Could you point me in the direction of the recipe please?

I too need to lose a little weight, about a stone would be good. I also need to up the exercise bit, I have gone 'soft'! I have started to walk more but really need to go back to the swimming pool. I am a fairly good swimmer and love to go, just need to go once and then I get the bug again. There's nothing better for me than slogging up and down the pool on my own - I sort out so many problems whilst doing my 40 lengths!

Sorting out my finances tonight, I have too many bank accounts with very little in! Some have been closed now and will just use one. Next thing to sort - the ISAs that are not earning any money.

meritaten

as everyone is 'diet conscious' on here today - can I tell you how I lost nearly three stone in just about a year - and maintain the same weight in the nearly 13 years since?
I tried 'diets' after I gave up smoking and put on near three stone - technically obese although I weighed just over 11 stone - I am only 5 foot tall.
nothing worked - in fact I gained weight on one diet!
then I got a part time job after my course in college and found I didn't have time for supper and was too tired to cook at 11.00pm after nearly an hour bus journey (the job was great, the money was crap, but it would look good on my CV).
so I 'stoked up' for the day at my college canteen - morning break and lunchtime - the food was lovely as the catering students were 'taught' in the canteen or the snack bar.
then would make or buy a sandwich for my break at work at 8.00pm. or take a salad, get home and after a cuppa (tea or hot chocolate) fell into bed.
I found the weight dropped off - in two months I lost half a stone! and I didn't get hunger pangs or cravings. (too busy?)
I still kept to that after I dropped down to my ideal weight - over the last 12 years every time I have been to the doctors and got weighed I am within a pound or two of 7stone 8 pounds. except after I had food poisoning and lost a stone.
I am back to normal now - it doesn't mean I don't have the occasional 'normal' meal at night - I try not to as it sends me to sleep half hour later! but I do know I can eat like a navvy in the day - as long as I don't eat heavily after 6.00pm. and I do try to eat healthily.


Joan Collins advocates a similar diet - she put it like this
Breakfast like a king
lunch like a prince
but dine like a pauper

Lynplatinum

Hiya All


Bubblesmum - sounds like you are going to have a lovely trip and so nice that your OHs friend is going to work out how to accommodate your wheelie needs! (love your choice of words to describe this!!) Last year when I broke my leg and was in a wheelchair if we were out for a long distance trip (like more than 50 yards!) I gained a new perspective on life for folks in chairs. It opened my eyes and I thought I was already 'disability aware' but nothing like the actual experience!! hope it does happen for you - you sound like hard working folks who deserve a treat!


Well today I finally finished off making that Romainian bread/cake from the Hairy bikers baking book. It is OK quite nice - but I am not sure that the time and effort to make it is worth it - its kinda like a brioche loaf filled with a toasted ground nut and chocolate filling (you roll it up like a Swiss roll and put it into a 2lbs loaf tin). It also is quite expensive as it uses 5 eggs and 6oz of nuts (both of which I had in but still it will cost to replace) Not sure I will make it again. Brioche are quicker also croissants (and you can chuck a bit of nutella or plain choc in them!


Good for you Jackie O walking again!! Brilliant! I too love going walkies - now all I need is the dog!!


Anyone else's internet playing up today after yesterday's Windows update - mine keeps on stalling and stopping??
(am on windows 7)


MM&M today - despite temptation I did not buy food out and nipped home to grab the last cold sausage and handful of salad!! Also made the above bread/cake and took 1/2 of it to a coffee thing for learners - rather than buy somat to take!
Nite All