Depressed

Feeling really down today. We were supposed to be going to the NEC for the Jewellery show. I really loved it last year and it was so exciting as we were starting our own business and stocking up our shop with goodies and I think I just felt really on the cusp of something awesome.

This year, we had planned to go up tonight and stay in  a Travelodge (oooh the glamour!!!!) and then tomorrow get to the show early and spend the day there. DS is having a sleepover and spending the day at a Friends, so it was just the two of us and I thought it was just going to be nice to be on our own for a day.

However, we are not going.

The room is paid for, but it's going to cost about £150 for the weekend - petrol getting there, dinner tonight, breakfast tomorrow and then lunch etc. DH will probably be tempted to buy some stock for the shop etc etc.

So we just decided not to go as its £150 we can't really afford right now.

So feeling really low, DS is already at the sleepover and I just want to go to bed and snuggle down forever.
Rubbish.

Banana Raisin Muffins

(makes 6 muffins)

Ingredients for recipes:

• ½ cup sugar
  
  


• 1 tsp baking soda
  
  


• ¼ cup vegetable oil
  
  


• ¼ tsp salt
  
  


• ¼ cup low-fat milk
  
  


• ¾ cup flour
  
  


• ¾ cup whole wheat flour
  
  


• 2 medium bananas, mashed (around 1 cup)
  
  


• 1 tsp vanilla
  
  


• ⅓ cup raisins (optional)
  
  

Preparation:

• Preheat oven to 375ºF
  
  


• In a large bowl add sugar, baking soda, salt and flour into a bowl. Stir well to combine ingredients.
  
  


• Add vegetable oil, low-fat milk, mashed bananas and vanilla; mix just until flour is moistened. Fold in raisins.
  
  


• Use a non-stick muffin pan, muffins paper, or coat the pan with oil or cooking spray. Fill muffin cups approximately ⅔ full with batter.
  
  


• Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan right away and let cool
  
  

Make 6 Servings:

Weight Loss Recipes Amount Per Serving (1 muffin (115 g)): 315 Calories, 5 g Protein, 55 g carbohydrates, 4 g Dietary Fiber, 10 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 321 mg sodium

A Sweet Way To Sneak In Fruit

Make your Memorial Day cookout healthier by pairing lean proteins with fruit salsa.

The low-cal topper not only livens up chicken and fish, it also lets you pack in extra produce. Executive cheft Chris Santos of Stanton Social in New York City suggests mixing 2 cups diced fruit with 1 Tbsp. each minced red onion, red bell pepper, and cilantro; 1 tsp. each chili powder, olive oil, and lime juice; and salt and pepper to taste. Then kick off grilling season with a good-for-you bang.

SHAKE UP YOUR SEAFOOD

Sick of salmon? Here’s another way to get your omega-3s: Cook leaner fillets, like cod, in sunflower oil. According to a study in the Journal of Food Science, doing so ups the amount of heart-healthy fats in the dish.

41 PERCENTAGE OF STORES SELLING SNACKS WITHIN ARM’S REACH OF THE CASH REGISTER

Calorie-packed foods can now be found in furniture stores, pharmacies, and clothing shops, according to researchers at Tulane University. Stash a healthy snack if you plan on running errands for three hours or more.

TURKEY BURGERS

Just because that hamburger’s made from ground turkey doesn’t mean it’s healthier than beef. ”Some turkey burgers contain dark meat and skin, which can make them high in saturated fat and calories,” says Sotiria Tzakas Everett, R.D., a nutritionist at the Women’s Sports Medicine Center at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. To save 200 calories and 7 grams of fat over a beef patty, she recommends “opting for ground turkey that’s at least 90 percent lean and contains fewer than 5 grams of saturated fat. Then add flavor by mixing in minced onion, garlic, Dijon mustard, paprika, or hot sauce.”

More Cheese, Please

Make the most of your cheddar by grating instead of slicing it. You’ll release the flavor-reducing compounds—and expose more of your tongue’s surface area to them. A 1-ounce serving equals about ¼ cup, so it will look like you’re eating a lot too.

35/365 - Workout Plan for the Year

When I started this year, I claimed that the best workout is the one you can stick with, and it's true! In order to achieve this, I made a goal that was easy to do and to pick a time and level that would be simple.  I decided I would start with 15 minutes at level 10.

After the first few workouts I realized that I shouldn't have started at a level 10. It's what I was doing before my little hiatus, but I fell out of shape quickly and level 10 straight out actually hurt.  Luckily, my body got used to the level after about a week, so I stuck with it.

Now that it's February, I increased the time by 5 minutes so the total time is now 20 minutes.  I will keep adding 5 minutes each month until I end up doing 30 minute workouts. I also plan on adding push-ups, a kettle bell and whatever else I can find to spice things up.

I know I have a pretty good habit formed, but I'm keeping with the simplicity idea so I can easily keep going.

Feel confident while losing weight

Do you know that it is now possible to feel confident while you are losing weight? It is just great and I recommend that you shouldn't close this page because you are never going to see the same offer EVER AGAIN!

So, what are we talking about? We are trying to collect only the newest reviews from all the topics from internet about weight loss. Yeah, it is hard, but it is very useful, believe me! Now what is the result in some sentences:

A lot of people have problems with their extra fats nowadays. About 20% of them prefer the GYM (mostly men), but there are no results! About 40% are trying the diets, of course no results again. But the other 40% have succeeded in losing weight. And how? Very simple, but effective. The solution is Proactol! There are no other products like Proactol, which can help you achieve the perfect body in less than 2-3 months. And it is not necessary to even follow a diet. You can use it while watching your favourite TV show or talking with friends via the phone. You can just use it EVERYWHERE. Don't delay, but it is now time for you to lose weight. Believe me, try it and see the incredible results:

Read More About Proactol!

What happens to bands when you exercise?

Just a query really chapettes...?

I have been to the Gym 4 times now with my matey TB. 

Our first day was 28th January. I did my workout while TB had her induction into all things Gym, then we went for a coffee after. We went back to her place and she made em a lunch Broccoli and Stilton soup. Mmmm.

Then I had my fill on Saturday (0.5mls) and my unfill on Sunday (0.2mls).

On Monday we went to the gym again and worked out exactly the same but could not eat lunch - soup - at TB's house.

On Wednesday we went to the gym again and worked out exactly the same but could not eat lunch - soup again or even drink coffee.

Today we went to the gym, did our workout as usual and about 15 to 20 minutes afterward I couldn't drink any more of my juice.

Every time we go I drink whilst I am exercising - Berocca being a favorite as then I know I have had my vitamins, water or squash. There is no problem with that at all. But by the time we have got in the car and driven home about 7 minutes away, I cant drink/eat!

I am wondering if any of you babes have noticed this too?

I am also wondering if it has anything to do with the Power Plate? It says on the notice that you should have drunk plenty of water prior to using it - which I have, but think that's a bit of an odd thing to ask for so wondering what the bearing of drinking water has to do with the Power Plate.

I use the power plate at the end of every workout to massage my back, massage thighs, calves and inner thighs so that I don't ache and it works SO well.

So any of you get that or use the Power plate?

Skinny Stuffed Artichokes

A Calories Bomb Slims Down

We’ve turned stuffed artichokes, the classic fat-packed appetizer, into a hearty, healthy recipe for weight loss.

Serves: 4

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Before: 617 Calories, 44 Grams of fat

After: 345 Calories, 18 Grams of fat

Ingredients for recipe

• 4 large globe artichokes, stems and discard
  
  


• 2 lemons, 1 cut in half, 1 juiced
  
  


• ⅔ cup bulgur
  
  


• 1 clove garlic, minced
  
  


• 1½ cup low-sodium vegetable broth, divided
  
  


• 2 medium carrots, finely chopped
  
  


• 2 cup spinach, coarsely chopped
  
  


• ½ cup crumbled feta
  
  


• ¼ cup pine nuts, toasted
  
  


• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  
  


• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  
  


• 2 tablespoon olive oil
  
  

Preparing

• Bring a large-size pot of water to a boil. Slice off the top inch of 1 artichoke. Cut off the sharp tip of each leaf with kitchen shears. Separate leaves and pull out enough from the center to reveal the fuzzy choke. Scoop out choke with a teaspoon and squeeze some juice from 1 lemon half into the cavity, then use the other lemon half to rub the artichoke all over to prevent discoloration. Repeat with remaining artichokes.
  
  


• Pour lemon juice into the boiling water; add artichokes. Cook until tender (about 25 minutes). Meanwhile, place bulgur and garlic in a heatproof bowl. Bring 1 cup vegetable broth to a boil; pour over bulgur. Cover and let sit until liquid is absorbed (about 30 minutes). Mix carrots, spinach, crumbled feta, pine nuts, oregano, black pepper in bowl.
  
  


• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  
  


• Drain cooked artichokes on paper towels for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a baking dish. Spoon the bulgur stuffing into each artichoke cavity, then pull the leaves apart and fill the spaces between them. Pour remaining ½ cup broth into bottom of dish.
  
  


• Drizzle oil over artichokes. Bake until heated through (about 20 minutes).
  
  

Nutrition Score per serving:

(1 artichoke; 1½ cups filling):

345 calories, 18 g fat, 4 g saturated fat, 40 g carbs, 14 g protein, 163 mg calcium, 4 mg iron, 374 mg sodium