Friday 17 February 2017

Half term's go by far too quickly!


The latter half of half term has been better weather. We didn't make it to Exeter, as our planned day was rainy and Sophie and I didn't fancy wandering around in the rain, so we're saving it now for the Easter hols, maybe a trip to Cardiff Uni too! Jeff has been out in the garden, still too cold for me but there are definite signs of Spring on it's way now.


I've spent most of my time, when Sophie is free, driving around the streets of Yeovil. It's a good 25mins away but is where she'll have her driving test, so any chance to get over there and practise is a bonus. I never really noticed Learner drivers much until now - yes, there would be the odd one out on the roads but in Yeovil, they're everywhere! She's doing really well, much further on than I would've imagined when we started back in November. 


In my free time, I've continued my research into finding a better plan for me to maintain my weight. I've read up about the PCOS condition I have (see previous posts) and due to my body's inability to process sugars/insulin, have been led down the 'I Quit Sugar' route. I watched a truly interesting and informative film, that can be found on YouTube, called 'THAT Sugar Film' by Damon Gameau, which makes you think, a very good watch and have been googling Sarah Wilson and David Gillespie, all Australian's who are leading figures in the sugar debate. I've also just bought Dr Michael Mosley's 8 week Blood Sugar Diet book to have a read. I'm not wanting to lose weight, just a couple of pounds but really need to find a better way to maintain my weight loss, long term.

So, I have decided to give it a go - only 6tsp of sugar a day! 
It's not going to be easy but as my body has a problem processing it, why am I eating it!? I guess the problem is that sugar is in everything, including fruit. The advise is to cook from scratch, which is something I do already, only eat 2 pieces of fruit a day and only the specific fruits they advise, no dried fruit, cut out/down on the carbs and only eat something that has 4g or less sugar per 100g. I'm using an app to record what I eat, which also calculates how much sugar I consume. I have also gone back to just the one snack a day - pcos advised 3 meals, 3 snacks a day but I think I was eating too much. I Quit Sugar advise 3 good meals a day with little to no snacking - the idea being you eat proper food and full fat during your meals and so feel fuller for longer - I will let you know how I get on.


So to end this post, I had to share with you this photo I took last night - the sky was simply stunning. I hope you're having a good break - here's to a good weekend.

Tuesday 14 February 2017

Happy Valentines Day


I hope you are feeling loved this Valentine's Day


We never go mad, just a card or two! and I might treat him to a bar of chocolate. 
I know he loves me every day and I'd rather have that, than a bunch of roses one day a year.



Saturday 11 February 2017

Bit of a catch up!


Time is flying by so I thought I'd do a little catch up!
Last week Sophie passed her Driving Theory test, so will be booking up her actual driving test very soon. She's lucky in that she gets to drive to school and back every day, so lots of practise and now the theory is out of the way, she's a step closer to driving.



The weather has been very mixed - the two photo's of the Tor (above) were taken just a day apart. It's bitterly cold here today and we have had a fleeting flurry of snow. I dream of warmer, sun filled days. I do not like the cold, wet or dull days at all!


There are signs of Spring if you look for them.
These daffodils will look fabulous when they flower.


I've continued to make use of my local cinema's Wednesday Morning coffee, biscuits and a film deal, for £6.50. I've averaged a film a month nearly, since I started in September. In this horrible weather, it's the perfect way to spend a couple of hours and I get to see the films I wouldn't have otherwise seen. Jeff has said we'll go and see Trainspotting 2 this half term but I'm already betting we won't get round to it, so that's why my Wednesday's are so good.


Yesterday was an Inset day, so Sophie and I headed to Bath for a little retail therapy and cake! She's worked every weekend since she started her job in October, so it's been her first chance to spend any of the money she's earned. 

We're off to Exeter this coming week, during half term, to suss out where the University is and have a wander around the city. It's on Sophie's list of 'possibilities' so we're off for a nosey and some extra driving practise! She has driving lessons, college work and her job to keep her busy this week. Sam will no doubt meet up with friends, spend all his spare time on his computer and to be fair, he is still trying to get over this bug that's been going around. 

I hope you have a good half term break (if you get one) 

Friday 3 February 2017

Progress


So this morning I faced the Slimming World scales and was rewarded with a 3 pounds weight loss - yippee! I weighed in at 9 stone 4&1/2lbs on the official scales, so back in my target bubble Phew!


As you know, I've been researching my PCOS condition and am looking for ways to fine tune my eating habits, to make maintaining easier and manage my PCOS better. One thing I have enjoyed is introducing more snacks, so 6 eating opportunities a day! The idea behind this, is to keep your blood sugar levels more constant. Obviously the food has to be the right food and I'm supposed to eat protein and carbs together but I have enjoyed the extra snacks this week.


And I have been doing an awful lot of reading up around the subject, whilst also enjoying daily up dates via the PCOS Diet Support Starter Kit emails. I have decided for now to try:

Low dairy - no more than one portion a day.
Gluten Free choices when I can and low/no carbs.
Choose Low Glycemic Loaded foods where I can and
Go Low Sugar rather than No Sugar for now, 
(although I am still reading up around the subject)

So we will see what this new week brings - fingers crossed a couple more pounds off, seeing me more comfortably in my target range.

Have a good week x

Thursday 2 February 2017

50p Feb!

You LOVED our card packs during the SALE!

So we thought we would treat during the month of February, to select your own.

So all our Greetings Cards are just 50p each, all month!