Successful day 3 of B2B2B2B2B, only one left, then back to “normal” 5:2 (or 4:3, which I aim for but don’t reach) next week. But at least I’m back on track, and this morning the weight was actually LOWER than my “best” mid-March, so I’m feeling quite chuffed.

Julzai, good idea re the moratorium on buying clothes. That’s where I’m at, too. Far too many clothes, and the fun of fitting into long-forgotten treasures.

Quacka, great that you’ve reached a weight that you’re happy with. That’s the important thing, isn’t it.

Neilithicman, glad your energy levels are higher – I’ve noticed that, too.

thinatlast, yep, happily back on track – what a relief! Have fun in the novice group. I’ve just been having fun with my Bridge Baron game.

Cinque, thanks for the good wishes. Seem to be back on track, and have avoided Easter chocolate so far.

Klondikequeen, Melbourne has the Chocolateer factory, branded as Chocilo now, I think. And yeah, exclusive AND expensive – and better than Haigh’s chocolates though only just – it’s a close toss-up. I lived in Adelaide once for 5 years, and also loved the Haigh’s chocolate frogs. There are about 3 (could be more) Haigh stores in Melbourne now, fortunately in the city so I mainly avoid them, but they are also VERY tempting to a chocoholic like me.
Oh, and the hula hoop challenge is on the other forum I write on, the monthly challenges, – I boobed!!!

Good morning all, thank you Neil and a Thin for your advice, much appreciated. Today is my last day at work , followed by a 2 week much needed holiday. With all these 4.30 am starts and working full time, I am exhausted.
Still unsure what to do diet wise but I will restart my diet revise programme which was going wonderfully well until January 20 when I broke my wrist in 2 places and had to wear a fibre glass cast for 6 weeks. Haven’t done any exercise since as my wrist still felt sore and weak ( greatly improved although I still feel better if I wear tubi grip) and I felt too tired. The dr ordered me to take it easy also but I will start again this weekend and get my fitness and exercise habit back. Weigh in day tomorrow, I will be happy with 200 g.

Well done Neil and Betsy re your weight loss. Welcome Julzau!

Good morning,
Another lovely morning. Melbourne. Friday. 9am.

Rosy, I would love to do a 60 hour water fast. I am pretty sure they are what Penguin does regularly, and finds them really good. There was an interesting link on another thread today that you might be interested to follow up: https://thefastdiet.co.uk/forums/topic/related-science-articles-people-might-be-interested-to-read/page/18/#post-284050

Cheers for your last day of term. Well deserved holidays ahead! I was just thinking to ask you how your wrist is now. I hope you can get back into some good exercising.

Thin, if you have Mastered your Graduation from Bridge L plates, you should celebrate! I hope you managed to sleep through last night. I had my best sleep for ages. I was awake at 3am, but only for half an hour or so.

Neil, good plan for winter! Hooray for that convenient gym. I hope it is a good one.

Quacka, how nice to be back into the 65’s, and no added weight even though it has been a difficult month. Here’s hoping this month is an easier one.

Julzau, I love that process of working down through the clothes in your wardrobe (or chest, in my case)! On the difficult fast day afternoons or evening I would sort them out and try things on.

LJoyce, I do make that pie from scratch. It is easy stages even though it is over a few days. (And I have the wheatberries already). Ooh it would be great fun if you made it too. I’ll put my recipe as a separate post in case it is useful. I think I will try the pastry recipe from that SBS link though.

Betsy, last B2B day. Congratulations. (The Chocilo outlet in Ivanhoe is only minutes from where I live. Very handy for when I decided I would rather one good chocolate, than a whole block of cheap stuff). (Decades ago, so I got some lovely chocolate in before I gave up on sugar).

Thin, your post arrived while I wrote. Hooray for a (comparative) sleep in.

Cheers to everyone.

PASTIERA NAPOLETANA
Wheat tart from Naples

125g whole wheat:
Soak in cold water for 24 hours.
Boil with added salt 1 hour. Drain.
Use food processor to crack (not to make a paste)

Mix in a saucepan, with the wheat:
2 cups milk
1 cinnamon stick
1 vanilla bean
2 lemon zest strips
Cook slowly for 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the milk is almost all absorbed.
Cool and refrigerate at least 8 hours.

3 egg yolks and 50g (1/4 cup) caster sugar: whisk

300g ricotta: blends well with the egg yolks

Remove the cinnamon, vanilla and zest strips from the milky wheat mixture.
Stir the wheat mixture into the ricotta mixture.

3 egg whites: whisk to soft peaks
2 tbsp caster sugar: add and whisk to firm peaks

Fold the egg whites gently through the wheat mixture.
Pour the mixture into a prepared base. Spread evenly.
Bake 50 mins – 1 hr at 180C

Keep in the fridge.
It will be even better the next day.
Serve at room temperature, dusted with icing sugar.

Posts crossed. Hi Anzac. Thanks for the recipe Cinque, it does sound lovely.

Cali, I think we are still pinching you spring weather. The forecast here is heading up to the 30s again next week. It’s certainly going to confuse the trees and will likely affect the autumn colour display.
More American food tonight – I had the second BBQ beef rib for dinner tonight with a lentil, brown rice and kale salad. I actually think the flavour and texture were better in the reheated rib than in the freshly cooked one I had Wednesday night. It was very good – still a rather larger hunk of beef than I’m used to eating in one sitting. I’m sure my iron levels will be happy.

Cinque, I’m thinking I might make this over easter: https://www.bbc.com/food/recipes/rhubarbandappleeaste_82721 I think it will appeal to more family members than the Sicilian wheat berry pie. It also looks like a lot less work!!

Saturday morning scream time ! Yay !!!!!! After my 5 btb fast days, I am shocked beyond my wildest dreams to say that I have lost 900 g this week, I weigh 61.5 kg. My bmi is a lovely 21.4 and my total loss since September 9 2018 is 22.2 kg ! Woo hoo!!!
I am also happy because I am now on holidays for a couple of weeks.
Hub and I are going out for eggs Benedict this morning and tonight we are going to an international party where you have to take a typical dish and a game from your favourite country. We have chosen Switzerland, a beautiful country that hub and I both loved when we toured it a few years ago. I am taking rosti and Swiss ham and cheese croissants.
Thanks also to Cibque and LJ for your wise words of wisdom.
I am still weighing up what to do diet wise (excuse the pun). My chubby bum is not chubby anymore but a little more rounded than I would like. I think I will stop at 60 kg which is a nice,round number and only 1.5 kg away.
Cinque I used to hate AFL, I am the daughter of a well spoken Englishmanwho only ever watched cricket and I am from a daughters only family. It wasn’t until I had 2 Aussie sons and was married to a football mad bloke that I became converted and now I am like a reformed smoker ! LOL! I am assuming that you are from an all girl family ?
Thin, have you seen Crown on Netflix?

Morning all. Hopelessly behind, with work consuming all my waking hours (well, not literally, but I’m heading out the door at 7 most days, and not getting in until 6.30ish. Usually I have Mondays and Fridays off, but yesterday I worked because I had the 5 year old on Monday and Tuesday (well, OH had her til lunch-time when I came home).
We collected our native bees on Monday afternoon and installed them in a prime spot in a courtyard garden. To paint the picture, the courtyard is on two levels – the bottom section is paved and walled, and the top (up five steps) is grassed, with a water feature over three levels, and with a garden along the boundary fence. So it’s my little oasis, as I stand at the kitchen window and watch the garden and now the bees. I’ve left a lot of herbs go to flower – the tarragon is so so pretty – I like the flowers better than the taste. Lots of basil plants and rosemary. Usually I clip the flowers off the basil but I’ve let it go for the bees. I have quite a few citrus trees both in pots and in the ground but they’ve never done really well. I’ll be interested to see if the bees get the cross-pollination going. Ditto with the pawpaw trees which fruit, but not brilliantly. My honey bees are a couple of weeks away still, but the courtyard is buzzing this morning because the acacias are out. They’re weeds, really, hanging over the fence in the front, but so beautiful and the yellow flowers are like magnets for the insects.

Now, I’ll just try to remember what I can, without going back. I’ve not got a hope in hell of remembering all I’ve read.

Thin, commiserations about the neighbours. It will get better. Eventually. This might give you a laugh. Our new Chinese neighbours are delightful, but very very noisy. I was getting ready for bed the other night, about 10, when the sensor light in the carport came on (our houses are down long adjacent drives) I heard them farewelling guests, very very loudly. Chatting over the fence a day or two later, she told me she loved my sensor light because when she had guests they could come into my carport to say goodnight, and they’d have light to see them up the drive. Shame my bedroom is just behind the carport wall!

Anzac you sound like you’ve had a lovely break – hope the new job is fabulous for you.

Neil, what a terrific achievement – and good plan about the gym over winter.

LJ sorry you’re having back issues – hope they resolve soon (does a hot water bottle help?)

Cinque how lovely to have the cooler weather – and rain too. It bucketed here yesterday a few times, and today the sun is out and the sky is blue and it’s a real autumn day (finally).

OK better head off. Like you Klondi, I’m grandkid wrangling this morning while SIL finishes installing the back garden lights. Last one, and it will shine up into my huge jacaranda. It all looks very pretty with the lights on.

I’m struggling with managing the program at the moment. The workload is taking its toll (sorry for complaining …on the up side, the pay cheque was very welcome) but it ends next week, so I have put a line in the sand for Wednesday and Thursday for FDs, and then controlled nfds until Beijing. There are a few social activities tomorrow, Monday and Tuesday, so I guess I had better do the best I can with them, and then try to get my mojo back on Wednesday. Wish me luck!

Happy Saturday all.

A friend just sent me this link. Full of soup ideas for the autumn/winter that’s coming … eventually. https://www.delicious.com.au/recipes/collections/gallery/quick-soup-recipes-for-winter/sywz1fqg She said they made the Turkish chickpea soup last night and it was delicious – quite lemony, which does sound appealing to me.

Thin, congrats on the new PB. Sounds like a good reason to eat fish more often.

Lindsay, your garden sounds delightful. If the bees gather up nectar from all of those herb flowers it will result in a rather interestingly flavoured honey.

I enjoyed your long post Lindsay! DD is cooking dinner for us so I have a little time to spare at a time not normally available. Thanks for the encouragement re: the situation next door. Funnily enough, after my last post, their ball came from the trampoline exploits over into our garden (where our bobtails are free ranging). Originally, I just threw back anything that arrived over here, airplanes, quoits, balls, etc. Then, (spitefully), I started waiting for them come and ask for the toys just as we had to as children. In fact, this time last year I was putting easter eggs over the fence for them. Regretting that now. It went dead quiet after the ball appeared. So, where’s the incentive to chuck it back? I must sound like a real old bag. Anyone seen Ricky Gervais in After Life? What he said to the ginger bully in the playground made me laugh.

Your neighbour stories are amusing. On the one hand, you seem to have really nice, friendly people living there with good intentions. But then you have these cultural anomalies with the noise levels at unsociable hours. I’m sure with your diplomacy, you’ll be able to express your concerns about running machinery late at night and the loud voices. Yours just don’t realise, mine just don’t care. P.S. I liked the joke about the traffic.

The first time I ever saw Nicola Walker was as Ruth in Spooks. She was fantastic. Then she played a completely different role in Last Tango In Paris, equally excellent acting. Olivia Coleman is another British gem. (Yes, the next Queen).

LJ, thanks for the link to the soup recipes.

Ok a quick game of fetch and Maxx is now happily chewing on a treat on his mat. Fingers crossed he stays quiet but I am not hopeful. He is very attached to hubby an wants to go downstairs to see him.

Cali did I read correctly that the uncle leaned over the fence and cut down YOUR tree? I would be ok if they cut a few branches that hang over their side of the fence but this is outrageous! Our back neighbour, the cow wife, does the same thing and it makes hubby so angry. She claims she only cuts the bits on her side but she doesn’t. The good thing is now Maxx barks as soon as she starts so we all troop outside and she retreats [insert second evil emogi]

Congrats on the new PB thin. Awesome

LJ, thanks for the soup ideas. I don’t eat a lot of soup but hubby loves it so I make it for him sometimes. So sorry to hear your back is hurting and I hope the physio eventually helps.

Cinque, you are an inspiration with your vege intake and controlled NFD’s. Did you get any rain yesterday? Thanks for the tart recipe….sounds delish

Rosy, BetsyLee and Neil, wow wow wow. You are all doing so well and also an inspiration for me. I am going to be in your shoes from tomorrow as I am determined to fast track for a while to get my mojo back.

I went to try on a jacket that was on sale at Kathmandu for our winter trip to Europe at the end of the year. The plan was to get a slightly small size and provide even more inspiration to lose weight. But the largest was an 18 – and I am currently a 16-18 – but it was tiny! I couldn’t even get the edges to meet around my middle so it was too risky to spend $320 (and yes that was half price!) on something that I would need to lose a LOT of weight to make it big enough to get warm clothes underneath. So now I will wait until the end of winter sales and will know exactly how big or small I am.

Quacka – 65’s! Congratulations 🙂

Welcome Julzau, this forum is awesome and encouraging

Klondi, I chuckled at the grandchild wresting 🙂

So despite doing lots of walking I have put on about 1.5 kilos in the last week but that will be gone asap. Gosh it goes on so much easier than coming off doesn’t it? One good thing about the new job is there aren’t any snacks or biscuits in the kitchen, unlike the last job. I’m quite nervous about starting even though I know the people and the work as my new boss and a few ex colleagues who are still there have been very honest about the lack of morale and politics. But I told my new boss that I will shake off any unpleasantness and just concentrate on working hard and trying to make a positive difference. I am also a naturally cheerful person and usually quite good at lightening stressful situations. I also tell terrible jokes, as you all know so well, and even the groans that accompany them tend to diffuse those tense times.

Have a super Sunday all

Thoroughly enjoyed yours chatty posts Anzac and Lindsay. They got me through the first A&C coffee. Thank you for supporting me, you’ve both made me feel much better. Anzac, I love your jokes and your evil suggestions. DD will love that, she’s been coming up with all sorts of ideas of her own including checking gumtree for a drum set and injecting the ball with unpleasant smelling substances! Good suggestion about the children Lindsay, it’s not their fault that they have no parental guidance and, yes, they used to respond when OH asked them to ‘hold it down a bit’ but not now.

Anzac, I bet you will lift the morale and the mood as soon as you walk in tomorrow. Do you still have the train commute to contend with? That was probably a good decision about the jacket as it’s quite an investment. Did Mr A. buy his?

Lindsay, I’ve been meaning to ask you about your OH. Now that you’ve written that he went over to tell the neighbours off, it seems he can get around by himself and stand his ground. Has there been any improvement in his sight or is it that he’s adapting well? By the way, I read something about the gadgets that you and CalifD describe that accept verbal commands to turn on music, etc – it said they have the capacity for company employees to ‘listen in’ on the user which they admit to doing in the interests of improving the customer experience. They report hearing not just the commands given but background conversation. Some Amazon employees said they were privy to illegal activity. Careful what you say!

Please do post a photo of the black dress and red boots. And have a lovely time. It wasn’t that long ago that we were attending 40th birthday parties. Now it’s 60ths and 70ths!

My brother only has a small role in The Crown, it’s not a speaking part so his name won’t be in the credits. I’ve seen photos of him after being made up for it but I won’t say what happens to him as it would be a spoiler to the plot. After it’s screened, I’ll let you know who he was.

Now for the second A&C coffee and then OH and I will hit the walking path before it starts to rain. It doesn’t look like much on the radar but hopefully the *%D>+~* trampoline will get a good soaking!

Good morning lovely people.

Thin, could you be out there with the hose when it starts raining to ensure trampoline is well watered?

Lindsay, the outfit sounds like a killer and a photo would be good. Enjoy the birthday party.

Anzac, you enjoyed your week off and that’s the main thing. I’m sure you’ll get that small gain off again when back to your usual routine. Is it tomorrow that you start the new job? I like your way of diffusing situations with humour – I tend to do that too. It does seem to cut through the tension and allow everyone to relax.

My weigh has again moved back up to the 75s. My body is definitely fighting the lower weight goal. I suspect there’s an element of self sabotage too as I find myself snacking more than I should on too many NFDs. As this week is going to be warm (high 20s-low 30s) I’ve decided to try another fast800 week. It does reliably get me down into the low 70s. It also forces me to stop the snacking as there’s only room for 1-2 pieces of fruit as snacks in an 800cal day. I usually allow roughly 100cal for milk for cups of tea, 100cal for fresh fruit snacks and 600cal for two meals (lunch and dinner). I find as long as get close to my 7 serves of fruit and veg for the day and make sure I have some solid protein I have plenty of food and don’t get very hungry.

Hope everyone has a great Sunday. Mine will be quiet with a walk or two inserted throughout the day.

Hi guys, the international food and games party was a lot of fun. I fitted into a new pair of slinky jeans and for the first time in 30 years didn’t have to cover my bum up. I made rosti which I will never make again as grating the potato and squeezing out the liquid was sooooo fiddly and time consuming. Still every single one was eaten! I had a couple of Swiss ham and cheese croissant left over and hub and I just had them for breakfast. So decadent ! Back on the fast days tomorrow. I will have recovered from the weekend’s extravagances by Wednesday and will include daily exercise now that I am on holidays. 1.5 kg to go to get to goal of 60 kg.

Well done Thin for a new pb! Obviously fish is a dieter’s friend !

I am now going to make Cinque’s chicken and vegetables soup in my slow cooker. Thanks Cinque!

Ugh pre-new-job nerves tonight and I hope I get some sleep. I will have a quarter of a restavit to help there

Thin, I still have the train trip (boo) and will get off at the same station (Town Hall) but instead of being in the building directly on top of the station I will have a 3 block walk. That’s fine, except when it is raining of course.

I love those storage racks Cali, what a great idea! We desperately need to sort out our china and it’s on the list for the Easter long weekend.

Your party sounded fun Rosy and my bum is the biggest part of me so I long to be able to not have to cover it too. Soon!

Thanks so much everyone for the new job encouragement. I will let you know how tomorrow goes.

I’ve made a goan pork curry for dinner and it is tomato based without any cream or coconut milk/cream. Hubby loves it and so do I. It’s based on a Jamie Oliver recipe with my own bits and pieces added. Also my home-made naan dough has risen nicely. I’m going to try Neil’s oven baking idea tonight. I also made a nice salad of diced tomato, red onion, cucumber and coriander to go with it all and a squeeze of fresh lime is all that needs. A yoghurt side dish with paprika, cumin, fresh lemon juice and honey to bring it all together. Yum! I have so enjoyed having time to cook nice meals but bills need to be paid and kibble bought so back to work I go.

Hope everyone is having a relaxing and lovely Sunday evening (or sound asleep for you Cali). Penguin, have we lost you in Portugal?

Morning all. Anzac, hope you slept well and your new job is great. Looking forward to hearing about your first day (and those 3 blocks will be great for some incidental exercise).

Thin (and I think LJ – sorry for not answering while I was reading but not posting), my OH’s sight has reached a level where he is quite independent, but it’s not great. So he can certainly see well enough to go to the city for his classes (bus, no more driving) and even to read on his Ipad with the point size pushed up up up. He has a new phone with the point size at the highest level – difficult, but manageable. We do have some amusing times though. When he started cooking while I was at work, he had dinner all ready to pop in to the oven – harissa lamb chops – one of the recipes from the little book my DD wrote out for him. ‘What’s baking powder’ he asked. I checked the book. Lucky too, because had he known what it was, he would have laid the chops on it, instead of baking paper.

Our birthday party yesterday was just fabulous. The company was great and the food was amazing (I was moderate) but so too were the drinks. Six bottles of Grange, all that was left in my friends’ cellar, Moet champagne, and to finish, a 1977 Port which was like drinking silk. Because I was driving, I only had a small glass of Grange, another of Wolf Blass shiraz, a few sips of port and a small glass of champagne for the toasts. Over 5 hours, not bad, although written down it does sound rather a lot. I gave my glass of port to a non-driving friend – such restraint.

It was warm here yesterday so I abandoned my red boots in favour of my CTB (car to bar) heels …they may not look it, but are pretty comfortable for short periods, and fortunately there were a lot of stools to perch on in the restaurant before the sit-down meal. https://imgur.com/ZM2LcPZ

The dress is hard to photograph, but it is my current favourite. Sleeveless, but a good cut around the arms, and the top quite fitted then flares from the waist to the hem. It sits quite flat but swings with movement.

LJ, self-sabotage. I hear you! I find my one square of Lindt has turned into … mmm….more than that. And that’s not all. We know how to do this! And we will! (and thank you for those wonderful soup recipes).

Cali, loved the amazon link too thank you.

I have taken a day off work because I have little Miss 5 today while her Mum works. Fortunately the date was already locked in the diary before I took on these extra duties. We are going to the city for Yum Cha, and to buy some hair accessories. Such a sweetheart. We brought the girls new thongs as part of their little Bali gifts, ready for next summer. Now the 3 year old will only wear one of her old ones together with one of the new ones (different brand, different colour, different pattern, different size). She gets some comments at the shops, but she’s blithely unfazed by it.

Time for another coffee. Have a good day all.

Lovely post to start my day after FD Lindsay, thank you. Beautiful dress and shoes. Wow, those heels! You wear them in the car? How do the heels not get damaged while driving? You must be one very elegant lady! Sounds like a great evening. Good to hear that OH is functioning fairly independently within the constraints of his sight. It sounds like you exercised restraint re: the alcohol; it was a big celebration after all.

Good luck today Anzac!

Good morning everyone.

Anzac, I hope you get off to a really good start today. As you’ve worked with some of these people before it should help break the ice and you already have an idea of the personalities you are working with.

Lindsay, wow what an outfit. I will ditto Thin’s comment – how do you drive in those killer heels? I had a wistful moment looking at your lovely shoes. I can no longer wear any heel higher than about 3cm, but used to have a gorgeous collection of high heels. It made up for my short stature.
Yes we do know how to do this. I find it’s rarely lack of knowledge that ruins my eating choices it’s my mindset. In the right frame of mind I can resist any temptation, in the wrong one I want to eat everything in sight.

Cali & Thin, good storage solution for platters and pan lids. Trust Cali to find one on Amazon. I noticed that Ikea had something similar made from metal, for storing pan lids, last time I was there. It’s a concertina design so can be adjusted in length to fit the cupboard. https://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/40164075/ I had been considering getting one for the pan lids but hadn’t considered using it for platters – that’s a really good idea.

Cali, my rhubarb is in a pot that I keep on the northern edge of the back verandah. That way it gets lots of summer shade but the winter sun.
Once I get the back garden bed dug over and the large shrubs planted along the fence line, I am considering making the whole front row of low-medium level plants edible. Probably a combination of perennials like herbs, sorrel and rhubarb and annual crops too. I will have some areas of part-shade where I think rhubarb will do well. I might move it into the ground then – it does grow better there than in a confined pot.

Rosy, sounds like you had a lot of fun Saturday night. I make rosti, but it really helps if you have a food processor to do the grating for you. I don’t mind small hand grating jobs, but 2 vegetables is my limit.

I’ve been wondering whether I may need to keep doing a Fast800 week every month if I want to stay at the lower weight. I think it’s either that or get a whole lot more active. Normal 5:2 doesn’t keep me there on my current activity level. I do concede though that the amount of snacking and discretionary foods on NFDs aren’t helping. The problem is if I try to control too many of my NFDs I feel resentful and deprived and then I start overeating. It’s a viscous cycle.

Someone asked whether the mindful commitment that I’ve been doing has helped. It’s helped in some things and made me aware of behaviours I hadn’t noticed. It hasn’t stopped me snacking, but reduced it some days when I can’t be bothered sitting at the table to eat a snack. Not enough to control all snacking though.
I have become aware of just how much stimulus there is here at the one time. It would not have been unusual for me to be listening to a tv program, while using the laptop and also eating – or watching tv, playing a game on my phone and eating. That is something I’ve stopped, although a few times I caught myself in that situation before I remembered I needed to turn things off and just eat.
I have found that some things don’t distract me from concentrating on my food and that is sound. So I can have music in the background or even a tv program, providing I’m listening not watching, and I can sit at the table and eat a meal and not feel distracted. The moment I add vision in the form of a tv screen, phone or laptop it’s a problem and I plan to not do that often in future. It’s a particular problem with snacks, more than meals.
It’s been a useful exercise and I’m glad I did it.

Good morning everyone

I’ve just caught up on your posts and wanted to say hi to you all. I’m sitting on my back deck writing this while my new oven is on inside at 280 degrees to try and burn off some of that new oven smell. Yes!! after the longest wait ever (well it seems like it) the electrician installed my new oven about two hours ago. I’m so excited and I’m hoping to start cooking in it this afternoon if I can get rid of that awful smell.

I have the day off from work today and it’s nice to be able to just potter around and do whatever. The only thing is that it is my Monday FD and I am determined that it will be my first successful FD while being home all day (instead of at work). So far so good, three cups of tea later and it’s not even lunch time yet! I have three days of work and then 10 days off. Oh yeah!!! I am going to be cooking in my new oven so much over that time and have been thinking about all the things I want to make. We buy our meat in bulk and as we haven’t had the oven for so long, we have lots of roasts left. I can’t wait to do some pro and get that crackling happening. Uh oh, let’s move onto another topic….. lol

Anzac, I hope you have a really great first day at your new job. Lindsay, I really love the heels – I am such a shoeee too! thin, hope you get rid of those neighbours soon AND the new ones are much better! Rosy, great job on the weight loss.

Ok time to go check out what’s happening with this oven. Oh, I forgot to mention. I put my oven thermometer in there to see what the temperature is when it beeps to tell you it has reach the set temperature. It is 25 degrees hotter than it is set at!! A big difference to being over 100 degrees cooler than set at hahahahahaha

I’m going to check out that link to the soups this afternoon, LJ. Hope you get back into the swing of things and look after those NFDs. I have had a few blow outs recently myself so I understand. Today I am determined to get this FD done and have a nice controlled NFD tomorrow.

A big hi to everyone I haven’t mentioned. Take care all x

Hi all, it is a bit chaotic today, so just a quick catch up.

Rosy, I have remembered that the soup started off as a slow cooker recipe! So it should turn out especially good!

Cali, no overnight yet. I’m still struggling a bit just to look after myself. I’ll get there though.

Anzac, so many good wishes for that first day!

Thin, ha, when I read Last Tango in Paris I was thinking ‘when was Nicola in that?’. But a bit unfair since I didn’t pull up LJoyce for calling my Neapolitan pie Sicilian!!!!! (That really did need 5 exclamation marks 😉 )

Lindsay Happy Happy Day After Birthday Wishes to you both! https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ff/cb/b2/ffcbb28df3c0ef27e81da1db2b4886af.jpg
And what GORGEOUS shoes! And dress. You must have felt fabulous.
Have a lovely day with Miss 5, and aren’t 3yo’s dags!

LJoyce, it was me that asked about Mindful Lent. It has been a success!

Neil, yes, well, maccas….

Quacka, Hooray re the oven. Get cooking! What fun! (Although maybe a bit tricky on a fast day…)

Klondi, what an excellent catch up. Hooray for liking yourself in a photo! See you tomorrow!

Must go, cheers all.

P.S. Cinque, to go with your multiple exclamation marks, I have inserted just half a ( ….. ) above. It should be (she’s very slim).

Hi all, quickly scanned, as so many posts to read, and I may muddle up some responses – apologies in advance.

LindsayL, if your neighbour laughed when your OH complained, yes, it is embarrassment, and a very common reaction also in China. It’s the “loss of face”.

LJoyce, with your FD800, maybe reduce the fruit??? In the CSIRO low carb diet book, they don’t even allow any fruit for the first several weeks, and after that, only certain fruits, particularly berry-type fruit. It’s because of the fructose, which can only be processed in the body by the liver. It can stimulate the appetite because your blood sugar goes up and then down very quickly.

Anzac65, good to have you back posting. Glad you had such a nice holiday with OH and Maxx. Good luck with the new job next week.

Klondikequen, yes, I too love Chocolatier chocolate, and am so glad it’s really expensive as then I can’t afford to buy it very often.

Lots more, but too late at night. I survived my 4 B2B last week with a blip of a CD for the last one. BUT, my weight is now DOWN 0.5 kg to my lowest during March (and also 1.1 kg since the start of April, as I went down and partly up again in March), so it truly looks as if the plateau has shifted. Only (only???) 22 kg to go to goal weight. Managed a FD800 today; trying for 3 per week, alternate days, and generally manage 2, but aim higher, or you won’t achieve anything. So impressed with Rosy Posy’s successful weight journey. Slower and steady for me – 10.7 kg in 20 weeks – but down, yay, yay!
Oh, and I did another wardrobe cleanout, this time of autumn and winter weight clothing, plus some clothes that I bought when heavier thinking they’d be good once I lost weight. Now the weight’s off, they don’t look right (sigh!). A friend came over yesterday (unemployed due to injury) and she tried on and took 7 tops that I’d never worn. A couple were quite dressy, so she was thrilled. The rest will go to the op shop tomorrow.

After 2 a.m., so signing off till next time.

Morning all. I think it is easier to go to work than take a 5 year old to town. We slumped in a chair when we got home, but she was still singing away to herself and getting on with her craft. I’d love her energy. So, visa applications in for Beijing and points south. Probably Xian, down to Kaifeng and on to ZhengZhou for a few days each, ending up in Macau. We’ve been to Xian a couple of times before but spent a lot of time at the Warriors and not much on the town itself which seemed quite interesting. I’ve worked in both Kaifeng and ZZ, but OH hasn’t been to either and wants to have a look. I like Keifeng – ZZ less so. Kaifeng has a large Muslim community and the best street food – think mobile tandors and slow cooked pork (yes, pork) in baked to order round bread. And sidewalk stalls with big vats of bubbling stock. You choose your additions – veges, tofu, meat – it’s cooked in a wire basket and you perch on a tin chair to eat it.
Betsy we’ve lived around various parts of Asia and recognised the laughter as loss of face. My SIL was shocked, but fortunately my OH understood what was going on. He put his position firmly but quietly, too. So easy to lose one’s own face, not just cause loss of face. Complex business.
Klondi I loved Line of Duty. Twists, right to the end. I’ve gone back to repeats of Unforgotten because of my adoration of Nicola Walker. So good.
LJ I rarely wear heels now too – and I have a wardrobe of them. We shoeaholics mourn (I don’t think that is too strong a word) their passing …. I felt good in wearing a pair of killer heels again..but it’s back to my flats and boots now.
Thin you read correctly – not my birthday but two friends who turn 70 within a month of each other (but thank you Cinque for your birthday wishes … I’ll store them til November). Nice of you to call me elegant Thin – kind, but I’d be a damned sight more stylish if I could shift this last 15 kilos.
I don’t drive in the heels – barefoot, then slip them on as I get out of the car. BTW I also had a pair of havianas on standby, in case we had to walk to the restaurant, and a spare pair of lower heeled sandals in the case in case there wasn’t any seating.
(And I knew what you were on about – Paris, Halifax. Both had a last tango 🙂 ). And now Notre Dame is burning – how very very sad.
Klondi I love that the children wear what they will, without inhibitions. I remember my friend’s 3 year old wanting ballet lessons so desperately, and then when he got there found he couldn’t wear a tutu, so wouldn’t go. I often wondered why they wouldn’t let him. I love your description of 3 year olds Cinque – best I’ve heard. Dags. Perfect.
OK first consultation due in a few minutes so I’ll say goodbye for now. How was your first day Anzac?

Good morning, Tuesday, 8:40am Melbourne. Day before fast day.
Sorry news to wake up to. Paris’ Notre Dame, such an icon, for so many centuries. So glad they think the structure will be saved. Fingers crossed.

Oops Lindsay. If my memory was any worse I could organise my own surprise party.

What a sensible idea from PerthGirl, Thin. I often count a serve of nuts as dessert. I’m hoping that when I have been maintaining a bit longer, my brain will have settled down to only demanding the food I need.

I remember when Maccas opened at the RCH, Klondi, but I didn’t know that great story about the cast.

Betsy, so glad you are off the plateau. Half a kilo a week is the average for 5:2, and I think it is an excellent rate.
Sympathies for the lovely clothes that don’t suit you after all, but happy friend!

Anzac, I hope you are whizzing along at work today, and that some of the names are sticking. Aren’t you back in the 5:2 swing! Lovely.

Haha, Lindsay (comparing a day with a 5 year old to a day at work). I hope you got a lovely rest after a wonderful day.
What a wonderful trip you have planned. I only know about those different areas of China through some lovely cooking shows. I’m envious of you and Betsy (and anyone else I have forgotten) for time spent in China.

I’m off to see The Gruffalo today with Klondi and two 4 year olds. Such fun!

Best wishes everyone.

Edit Neil: Hooray for new trousers. Cheers for today. End of stage one!

Hi Lindsay, our posts crossed. Glad I didn’t miss your birthday after all 🙂 You must be excited about your trip to China, I would love to go there but OH isn’t keen. I’ll keep working on it

Cinque, I am so sorry to hear you are struggling to take care of yourself. I do so hope you are feeling a bit better soon.

Neil, good on you for standing your ground with the Maccas order. Maybe not a great meal in the end but its the principle

LJ, I have exactly the same problem if I try to limit too much on my NDF’s. I go the opposite direction so there is a fine line. Good luck with your Fastt800 week if you decide to do it

Ok must get to work. I will be lurking as I am already very hungry as I haven’t had a proper FD for a while. Going to make a nice coffee

Have a great day!