Life returns to normal

Well it's been a few days since I last posted...

Well in fact it's been since i returned from Ipswich, You see when I got home after standing on a train for 4 hours i was a little miffed and hungry, so I splurged once more and ate 1/2 of Laura's Chinese meal.  It was amazing but awful at the same time.  Amazing as i was so hungry i could have eaten a scabby horse, awful as i knew with every mouthful I was hurting my self by eating it.  not hurting in a physical harm way but hurting what i have achieved so far.  So after weighing myself on Wednesday morning and getting really upset that i had put on a kilo me and laura went for a walk with our new camera.  It wasn't one of my super fast hard walks as i wasn't in the mood for it.  So we wandered and snapped pictures which you can see on Deviant Art. it was a nice walk managed to cover a good 4 miles at a slow pace but i really enjoyed taking photo's.  Food wise wednesday was a salad at lunch followed by chicken and savoury rice for dinner.

Thursday was an amazing day, we met Hayleigh (my eldest daughter) in Starbucks and headed to the glass center, again camera in hand snap happy and took loads of pictures again all on Deviant Art. after watching the glass blowing demonstration we needed feeding and as it was Laura's birthday we headed to our favourite birthday feasting place... Fujiyama Tepan Yaki restaurant in newcastle.  Was an amazing lunch and i enjoyed every mouthful and if im honest i didnt even feel guilty eating there as it was that good.

Today has been a chilled out day where i have been for a more moderate speed walk and took some amazing pictures.  been a bit stressed and annoyed since however as the desktop PC last night decided to update to Ubuntu 11 an now i've lost everything i had on it all the Movies/TV/Music i had accumulated almost 1tb worth of storage.  Oh well easy come easy go.

Dinner tonight was the most amazing thing well i'll let you see the results of dinner platter

It was amazing so so tasty.  now going to switch off and chill until tomorrow when i attempt to get Ubuntu working again...

Day 7 the last supper

Laura's mam ordered the biggest price of gammon for dinner last night, seriously you cod have fed the whole of the street with it. Was a good hod Shery, Jordan, and grandparents also turned up to share the food.

After dinner the fight started with the case food job Laura broke our little one so we had to buy a bigger one as I could swear we have more to bring than we took with us.

Day 7 in Ipswich

Early morning wander to town as last main day in Ipswich need to fit in things we haven't yet been able to do.

First on list was to get me some new shorts for my legs as the primark ones despite fitting are not quite perfect but are close. I can't believe that this once fat belly can now fit into next cloths.

Second on list was to watch re preview of Thor in 3D. If you get the chance go and see it is a great film. Also watched the ads for captain America and the new X-Men film both look quite good.

Third on list was lunch this is the mother of all lunches spent at the Quayside in Ipswich I ordered the hand cut sirloin burger with blue cheese and garlic fries. I must say it was amazing and for my blow out SYNfull Lunch it was worth it.




Laura had the Confit of Duck followed by rhubarb soup and ginger. I'll leave Laura to comment and describe these.






Forth on the list is relax and chill until dinner with Laura's mam and dad tonight. More on that later...

Location:St Helen's St,Ipswich,United Kingdom

Day 6

Well after the walk and the coffee we went and chilled at the hotel for a short time, and after that walk I needed it hot hot hot...

Dinner at Sherry's was beautiful lamb that had been slow roasted for hours. As a thank you I set about prepping the veg pealing and chopping the carrots and potatoes with knives so sharp I could've lost fingers. Laura was banned fro the extra sharp knives due to her having a mojito or two. Once the veg was chopped we just sat and chilled in the sun outside at Sherry's and apart from the flying spider it was amazing.

We didn't eat till about 6pm as the garden started to cool but it was worth the wait. Once Karen and Colin arrived and ate up we were only missing one person Laura's nan Jones Who had a bad back after chimichangas. She was missed but we saved her some scraps... Finessed the night off by watching Tron: legacy still love the film.

Rounded off a great day. Thanks again Sherry.

Location:Ipswich, UK

Day 6 walking

Just stopped for coffee after a little walk to Sproughton well almost got there perhaps took a little wrong turn as ended up behind the sugar beet factory and could see any way to continue so turned around ad came back to Ipswich. Still full of energy must have been the hotel breakfast with all the fruit and bacon and scrambled eggs and coffee. Still feel like traveling more feet and legs feel great might go for another walk a little later.

Location:Butter Market,Ipswich,United Kingdom

Day 5 part 2

I didn't have to settle for the bananas for my dinner, we tried to go to the Quayside where we had lunch but It was jam packed. I also don't think my attire was right after all I was wearing shorts and my grumpy t-shirt. We then tried pizza express despite them having empty tables they said they couldn't seat us for 1 1/2 hours... I mean come on seats are empty. We headed back to cardinal park where all the chain restaurants are.

We tried frankies and bennies no luck, we looked at ASK an Italian restaurant again my attire looked wrong so to old orleans we went, squid followed by blackened chicken with veg and a jacket spud. Wasn't the best of meals as was silly late to eat but I was starving after having no lunch then straight to watch Dr Who I had to eat.

Now Easter Sunday starts so a lazy day I thinks. Back later.

Day five in Ipswich

Saturday, can't believe the week is nearly over. Today lauras mam and dad decided that we were off to Eastern farm park as we still couldn't hire a car, damn you to hell avis... Wasn't as nice as Jimmy's farm was very hot and animals really weren't in the mood to be fussed with. Pleased I had extra bananas fro. Yesterday as I had those for breakfast, mus admit to also munching on a barbecued bacon roll too. It was nice but not amazing, waste of my healthy B in the bread roll, oh well thinking tomorrow I may be saying sod it and eating hotel breakfast as bot all will be available on Sunday for food.

Back in the car after a little wander round the farm, found our way to Alton farm or something like that. All nasties that I can't eat for lunch so had to skip and drink water only. Forgot to add in here that we walked to see some ducks and geese. Managed to take a few photos on my blackberry and email the to the iPhone so here is the edit.
Needham Market lake video












We have congregated around sherry's house to watch Dr. Who new season as we didn't get back to hotel till 5:15 ain't had time for dinner just yet. Not sure what will be on the menu probably the 2 bananas I got in the hotel room that was for breakfast tomorrow. Well off to watch now be back with my verdict in a bit.

* 45 minutes later *

What did I think of Dr. Who erm... Strange the doctor invites the people he knows and loves the most to his death is this a line to the end of the doctor altogether? I hope not. The episode it self I thought ok a little confused and wanting more at the same time I wanna see how this episode plays out. Right what now for the rest of the evening...

Day 4 in Ipswich

Day 4... Good Friday... Bank holiday... What a crap day. Well crap maybe a little strong or maybe I should explain why I think crap.

I think it was crap as everything was bloody closed till 11am so I couldn't get a healthy breakfast I had to starve while Laura had her pancake breakfast. I was so flipping hungry I could've eaten the left of kebabs on the floor from the football the night before, but I didn't I waited patiently telling my belly that it was a cumming plan to make it hungry so that it appreciated food all the more. It didn't like the idea and kept being noisy until it was fed. Straight to Sainsbury's to buy fruit bananas and grapes it was scrummy.

We went to see Laura's nana jones who offered to take us out and about for a ride around to see someone we couldn't get too. We had planned on hiring a car over the weekend but that failed as left it to late on Thursday and shut Friday (how inconsiderate for some bloke to get nailed to a cross) so we decided on a run out to the famous Jimmy's farm.

It was a little trek but worth it as the weather was glorious. We had a wander around the animals, we tried to feed turkeys but the were more interested in eating my finger, the goats on the other hand loved being fed even the little baba goat. IT WAS SO FLUUUUUUFY.... Laura also got to cuddle a guinea pig. The chicken safari was fun walking around in the chickens house and spy on them in e coups. The best bit had to be the butterfly house all the pretty butterflies flapping around, we took loads of photos unfortunately I only brought e iPad so I can't upload them from the camera so you will all have to wait to see them when I get home and download them from the camera.

Dinner was a slimming world chilli made at Laura's mams house had a bit of a kick to it but that because Laura still can't taste properly aft her cold. We even made guacamole dip which I'm sure is still SYN free despite mushing up avocados. After dinner settled Laura made a load of cakes for her mam then we took the 1.5 mile walk back to the hotel, it was nice walking along the river.

Location:Princes St,Ipswich,United Kingdom

Day 3 in Ipswich

Day three over and done.

Went out for breakfast as hotel charges bazillions of pounds for food so we found a little cafe that was open really early. Laura settled in to pancakes eggs and bacon I ate a bacon sarnie And Laura's egg as it was made with milk and she didn't have her magic pills. So I had my healthy a and b at breakfast time.

The day in Felixstowe was fun we walked around the sea front and sat on the beach. It's a stoney beach so we sat and played chuck stones at other stones. For lunch Laura had to have chips big fat chip shop chips, I settled in to a marks and Spencers fruit salad while listen to idiots on the train back to Ipswich talking about the fights that were going to happen after the derby game and also how he thought he was a mutant... Yes a mutant as he thought he was healing to quick... Muppet...

Dinner... Well erm... It's was yummy very very yummy Old Orleans does half cook an amazing blue steak there were fries instead of jacket spud and i was hungry so I had to eat them... Sorry belly... Laura had a pitcher of alligator and some baby back ribs she was a wus and ate them with knife and fork instead of using her fingers. Desert.... My coffee was ok Laura had an mighty mess of ice cream brownies marshmallow and other stuff it was massive and that was the small version I would hate to see the normal one..

So now it's good Friday and the plans are... Erm... I ant remember so I'm gonna go for a walk TTFN...

Location:Princes St,Ipswich,United Kingdom

Day 2 part 2

The meal... Well it started well with a diet coke then all went to hell... Looked at the menu an my eyes instead of seeing nice food was reading SYN values (no they weren't printed on menu) I was just guessing at them base on ingredients.

Once I calmed down and started to relax I ordered the calamari fried in bread crumbs






Followed by chicken and chorizo pasta bake.







It was all amazing food tasted great and left me wanting more I was good and declined the cans of beer and hot chocolate with cream.

Back in hotel room now ready for sleep. Tomorrow apparently I'm going to felixstowe to .... I don't know just to wander I guess, will be like the first time i went out walking with Laura where the old people in the red berets looked over and said " they make a wonderful couple" I do hope it doesn't rain like it did that day but even i it does I don't care as I'm out and about with Laura.

Day 2 in Ipswich

Second day draws to a close, still haven't splurged at chimichanga's but that's coming in 30 mins... I don't wanna be fat again I just bought a new pair of shorts that fit this belly not a fat belly.

So the day so far...

Breakfast in bed (2x bananas)
Lunch at Quayside restaurant.. remember was having the Caesar salad with prawns and bacon... Yeah I know not exactly a slimming world meal but it was bloody tasty




Other than that just chilled and wandered around the shops in Ipswich. Nearly had some sexy skull candy headphones the sound was amazing but online controls for iPhone failed to work so had to return them :(

Still planning the food for tonight so I'll let you see that a little later or maybe tomorrow. Still being good with drinking only having diet cokes so there's a good part o the healthy eating :P

... To be continued ...

Day one in Ipswich

Taxi, Metro & 3 trains later we arrived in Ipswich which is famous for... Oh yeah it's Laura's home town. Staying in a nice new hotel that I'm sure wasn't there in October last year.

Journey was fun sat and watched Horten hears a who on the iPad. We almost got off the train 2 stops early as the announcements were crap. But we didn't and we got to Ipswich safe and sound.

We hadn't planned to do anything special yesterday as We didn't expect to arrive till after 2/3pm. As we were early we went round to Laura's mams who had decided to have a BBQ. Off we trotted to get meat to eat I couldn't go without my exercise so off I stepped covering just over 2 miles it was nice but what a difference 230 miles makes to the weather to say it was a hot is a little under statement. For the BBQ we had steak, pork, prawns, mackerel, sea bass, carrots, celery with that chick pea dip stuff... (yeah spelling ain't my forte)

Had a good sleep in the hotel and now raring to go on day twos adventures. This includes chimichangas restaurant tonight... Little worried about that and slimming world but we'll see...

Location:Ipswich, UK

Bloody cold

Still feeling like crap with this cold. Every time I feel a little better the next day I feel a million times worse.

Forgot to note last night at slimming world I was also handed my Slimmer of the week award for my weigh in on 29/03/2011when I lost 6 pound.

I was happy with my 3 1/2 off this week but felt like I was reading a report card and it had the words "could do better"...

That's it for now as stuck at work till 10pm while Laura is baking muffins and stuff at home.... *starts to drool*

And the scales say...

The scales say lost 3 1/2 pounds this week. Not entirely sure how as next to no walking thanks to this bloody cold and I hope there are no SYNS in a LEMSIP as I have had loads recently...




Right time to listen to the wittering of the consultant... Starting to really not like the way she seems to talk down to everyone.

Tale of the scales

Been a while since last update hut I blame the man flu I've got. Not sure how it's going to affect my weight loss this week as I've been drinking LEMSIP by the gallon over the last 3 days.

I did have an eventful day on saturday when I learnt how how clean a crab. No not its shell but to actually separate all the brown & white meat. Also ate the brown meat for the first time despite it looking like poo it tastes amazing especially when still warm just out the pan. All thanks go to my dad for Saturday as he took the time to teach me thanks pops.

Now 45 mims away from the weigh in really worried the cold has affected the weight loss but well see..

Will let you all know the result as soon as I know.

Fishy Friday Adventure

Laura cooks Parma ham wrapped cod with sweetcorn and asparagus.

The recipe can be found in the Slimming World book extra easy meals in minutes, but for those without the book i'll give you the recipe now.

Nice and easy and really really tasty.

Preheat oven 200c

Season fish

Mix Rosmary & lemon zest sprinkle over fish wrap in 2 slices of parma ham

Place on roasting tray spread around veg

Cook for 12-15 mins

Then MUNCH MUNCH GOBBLE GOBBLE CRUNCH CRUNCH MUNCH.....

It didn't last long and i forgot to take a finished pic so you'll have to make do with the pre cooked one.

New Slimming World Books.

At Slimming World last night I bought two new books.  These were the "Extra easy meals in Minutes" & "100 Delicious Deserts"  If you want any of the recipes tried out let me know and i'll make them for Laura and myself and let you know what they were like.

Slimming World - Extra easy Meals In Minutes

 

Slimming World - 100 Delicious Deserts

Day off yay!!...

At last a day off feels like I haven't had one in 4 days ....

Today I have been like a little sedimentary stone. From 7:30 till 18:00 I sat in front of the iMac staring at HTML code and JavaScript. I have breaks for coffee and tea and some lunch of Laura's left over nom nom. But I have manage to recode SHIbT website into HTML 5 & CSS 3. Never published yet a I need to wrap it all in PHP for fun :P

Well been to Slimming World and came away as soon as I got weighed today.  I was a little miffed at the result as I stayed the same, it's good there was no gain but i'm gutted at no loss especially after the supper long walking this week.

As I hadn't lost as I walked past the Nasty Skank shop I was so tempted to walk in and order 2 of everything... I didn't and as i type i'm waiting for the steak to defrost and the wedges to cook.


Oh well will have to try and walk more than 50 miles this week so I loose weight next week...

Susan Branton is fundraising for Cancer Research UK

Ok Something away from the food and my walking.

My amazing mam has decided to put on her walking shoes/trainers and complete the race for life.

I had never thought my mam would do something like this but it just goes to show that the Slimming world is more than just a diet. It is a life choice! I'm so proud of my mam doing so much losing so much weight and now raising money for Cancer research.

Susan Branton is fundraising for Cancer Research UK

Mam Thank you so much for all the help support and inspiration that you have given me.

Please everyone dig deep if you can and sponsor someone that is doing the Race For life.

Laura's Lamby Nom Nom

As the title suggest Laura made dinner tonight so I thought I would make a quick post to let you know what was for dinner when I got in.

Firstly I let you know the Ingredients

1 green pepper

1/2 Large onion

1/2 large parsnip

4 Lamb Leg Stakes (approx. 600g)

1 carton of Pasatta (approx. 700g)

1 carton water

12 Cherry Toms

2 tbsp. Tomato Puree

3 cloves of crushed Garlic

Pinch of the below herbs

Rosemary

Basil

Oregano

Paprika

Cumin

Now to let you know how Laura put it all together.

1)     Prep all the Veg in advance by slicing and chopping to your own preferred size.

2)     Trim all visible fat from the Lamb and chop into bite sized chunks.

3)     Spray the pan with Fry light and gently sweating the garlic and onions for a few minutes.

4)     Add the remaining of the vegetables and allow too sweat for a minute or two.

5)     Add the Pasatta, Water & cherry tomatos bring to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes.

6)     Add the Lamb allow to simmer for 20-30 mins (until meat cooked)

7)     Finally and with controversy add the herbs for the last 5 mins of simmering.

Serve with boiled Rice or plenty of Mashed potatoes and green beans.

The flavor the meal gave was on first impression a little strange but after one or two mouthfuls I decided that it was beautiful and resembled a slightly north African lamb casserole. 

Walking this week has been intense especially as I started to go out before work for a nice 2-3 mile walk before work and continued with my on break walks.  Overall I managed to cover 52.16 miles yeah you read that correct 52.16 miles that averages out as over 7 miles a day.  I’m super happy that I’ve managed the distance, feel I may need a break from walking as I can feel I have walked a hell of a way as my legs are burning.  All the walking has helped with my little cold that I’ve had as the fresh air has caused my nose to stream and the deep breaths have helped to clear my throat out. 

Friday's adventure

After waking up thinking ouch my head was banging my throat felt like I'd been chewing on glass and my legs well I thought they were still in bed. I sat about for 2 hours trying to pull my head together lots of hot tea to burn the crap out of my throat and quick shower to wake my legs up then I suddenly remembered it was mothers day on Sunday so my lazy day turned in to an epic walk of 9 miles and a bus ride.

I love the walking still even when full of cold as I get lots of time to think and lists royals that Laura hates yesterday's choice however, was a full random from my iPhone.

Decided after my coffee in town that I was going to make crab cakes for dinner I thought after going to Tesco's and Sainsbury's and spending £50 on food I had all I needed for the crab dinner, but no... Dumb ass me forgot the lemon grass and more crab a I didn't get enough for the dinner.

The crab cakes and salsa were made from a slimming world recipe an contained 2 SYNS per serving. The recipe can be found Here (also has salsa in there)

The meal was served with salad leaves and beetroot and looked like




The food itself was amazing and well needed after all my walking I was well in need of the food.