Hi AnneChristine,
You hit the nail directly on the head with the weed killer that you mentioned. Hence why it’s parent company is trying to stop it being banned overseas. We are not organic, but we are very sparing in the use of chemicals, as we are concerned about not only what we eat, but what we are producing for our customers, as we pride ourselves on producing grass only feed beef, no hormones and no grain, as it makes the beef not as good for you nutritionally. It can also make us put on weight just like when we eat those processed carbs that many of us now avoid.
IHAW, great to hear from you, be tolerant, you know that it will come off when it is ready, you have already achieved so much. Glad to hear that you missed much of the terrible storms, really feel for those that have suffered from this again.
Hope everyone has a great week.
Cheers, Charlie Girl.

You are on to something important there AC!

After a while of doing the 5:2, if you don’t feel hungry you just don’t feel the need to eat. Your stomach shrinks, but also you don’t have the same old habits around food any more. So if a certain food loses its appeal, you choose something more healthy and delicious instead. You also can’t finish big portions, or multiple courses any more, and realise that it’s ok to leave some food on the plate and give the scraps to the chooks- disregarding those unhelpful, ingrained lessons learnt in childhood!

So keep up the excellent work everyone. It’s good to finally break through the plateau, which I’m planning on attempting this week, I’ll have some help with my 2 new chooks Gigit and Midgit….haha I couldn’t help myself, they had to have rhyming surfer names!

Cheers and please, please don’t drive through floodwater. We’ve lost too many recently, such a stupid way to die and so needless.

Lovely to hear from you Charlie G & IHAW. Please drop in regularly! MK88, lots of exciting changes happening in your lives, congratulations, all the best to you and thanks for reporting in. AC, you’re doing so well. Winter has arrived in Perth, chilly night last night and a cold morning today. How’re you doing CM?

I saw that too CM, there was a segment on the plastic bottles & containers.

Hi CM, sorry to hear about your ankle. Rest ice compression and elevation on the swollen area will help a lot, so don’t do too much on it in the first few days, give it a chance to heal. If it gets worse, go back for a more thorough assessment, as the ankle is a very complex joint.
I sadly have to agree with you about emergency wards on the weekends, they really are magnets for every sore and sorry excuse of humankind, and sadly the only place most of these people have to come to get any help. It’s a worrying sign that most of our hospitals have permanent security staff, in order to control those who are unable or unwilling to control themselves.
Well, on that cheery note, I’ll wish you all a happy and productive week!

Hahaha Thin, well done! Sorry about your tumble, CM, I know the feet can take an age to heal. No doubt you know the RICE method – Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.

Wow and well done with the new house, MK. Do you have to sell the old one, or is it a renter? What part of NZ will you be visiting?

Hi CM.
Must be something in th name Charlie. I am writing from hospital after damaging my back on the farm over the weekend. Acute pain that has me that I cannot stand or sit. 🙁 Walked for th first time tonight. Hope to be back home on Friday, fingers crossed. Missing not fasting, stay well everyone.
Cheers Charlie 🙂

Hey there Charlie, wow!
Hope that your back returns to normal pain-free functioning quickly. Sounds serious if you needed to go to hospital, please take. It easy…..which is easier said than done, I know….but take it easy anyway!

Maybe our two Charlies do have something special in common, BIG HEARTS and a lovely name!
Take care, and try not to get into anymore strife, otherwise I might have to jump through the screen and come and help out! And I’m not sure you would enjoy that so much….haha!
A big hug to both of you xoxo

Hi Gang (sorry for the long post…catching up!)
Happy to report, foot on the mend, swelling has gone down, pain almost gone and back to walking again. Thanks for all the good wishes – they worked! At least “RICE” is useful for something, and I followed all of your instructions too – you’d have been proud. Yes, the hospital was an eye opener….and I wouldn’t have bothered if it hadn’t been for the upcoming holiday.

CharlieG (aka Gorgeous!) – Oh no! Just read that you’re in hospital. Backs are the worst things to go wrong. Hope you’re getting the best of attention. Wish I could send you my amazing “back man” to help! How many babies did the girls have? Sometimes other more important things get in the way….so being in a “holding pattern” is not a problem. So very sorry to hear about your friends and have just instructed OH to get rid of that weed-killer….hopefully the Refuse Centre will take it.

AC – Your plateau is gone….that’s such great news. Amazing how we can’t consume the quantities we used to! You must have had lots of rain up there – great for the farm too.

IHaW – 62/63 sounds pretty good to me, but yeah, get out that disco music, girl…..or maybe The Beach Boys would keep Gidgit & Midget happier!! Just love those names. Jump through the computer screen anytime you like….. Thanks for the hugs!

Intesha – That blip will come off easily. You enjoyed yourself, and it just shows we can have our cake AND eat it too……because afterwards, we know how what to do.

Hi MK – We missed you too. Sounds like a busy time for you & OH. Hope it all goes well. It’s all very exciting!

Now, Thin, do you really think I would call my darling OH, The Hairy One!!??? Although, perhaps it’s sometimes quite appropriate…..a shave & haircut might be in order, me thinks!! Is the award ceremony you’re attending for your talented daughter? Mmmmm, canapés….the cause of all my problems last week! Be warned, but enjoy them anyway…they’re only little! How’s the bike??

Thanks Barata. Think the RICE did the trick.

MoM – How’s everything with you.

Another freezing cold morning here in Perth, but at least it’s beautifully sunny. Had to use the double-doonas for the last few nights. Charlie is feeling the cold too (never known a dog to shiver!) so had to add some extra blankets in his bed too….although he is currently sun-baking by the pool!

FD for me today. Good luck to everyone else who is fasting as well. I think I’ve caught up with all the news now. Have a really wonderful day. CM xx

AC, I’m visualising Laguna bay at Noosa right now! I miss that place so much. We had a place at Peregian for a long time but had to sell it when we moved to perth. I’ll be back one day!!!
Congrats on the weight loss…. Wow 13kg – another amazing success story to inspire us! What are you cooking today??
Does anyone use kefir or do any fermenting at home?
Have a wonderful day all you wonderful 5:2ers! CM xx

CM, I didn’t realise you Perth people got freezing cold weather! I’ve never been to Perth but all I hear is that it’s beautiful and warm. What is kefir? All sounds very healthy!

AC, well done on your 800g loss! 13kg down is amazing, you have every right to brag! Congratulations. I’m 168cm tall too, I’m aiming for 60kg. Your daughter will most certainly be fine without shorts! It’s beautiful when the suns out but still freezing cold. Paleo AND 5:2? You are a keen bean!

Thin, didn’t hit the 64 mark this morning sadly, 65.4 which p*ssed me off! My weight has always fluctuated lots and still seems to on 5:2! Could also be the shoddy kmart scales I rely on… So glad you’re enjoying your almond and coconut milk! It’s a good find isn’t it. You always seem to breeze through your FD’s, I’ve never got to the end of the day and only had half my allowance!

Happy FD to those of you doing so today, I’m making lasagne for 20 hungry hockey boys tonight but I have a feeling that after hours of cooking I’n not going to want a single mouthful… not a bad thing! MK88 xx

MK88, yes, very cold nights & early mornings in Perth but it warms up as the day progresses. I do find the FDs very easy but I’m trying to think back to whether that was always the case. Now they’re just a part of my life. What’s your FD menu looking like now? I initially relied a lot on low GI foods like oats but usually postpone eating until the afternoon now unless I wake up hungry. You’ve probably read that I use cauliflower soup a lot for a late lunch, it’s very filling, yields 2 cups for only 103 cals and has hardly any ingredients so it’s easy to make anytime. If you’re prepared to spend $6 on a cauliflower. My other FD friends are eggs, bananas, Slendier noodles. And now the coconut & almond milk. Thanks again!

AC, good news with your blood results; I haven’t had any blood work done since starting 5:2 but look forward to my two-yearly ‘full service’ in January. OH’s blood results are much improved. Coconut seems to come up a lot these days. My brother recommended the oil to me for a process calling ‘pulling’ which is said to whiten your teeth. I’ve been doing it for a few days now. The Indian lady at the checkout said her Mum uses it to put on her face and she uses it as a conditioner. I can tell from what you’ve told us already that you’ll be back to that pre-wedding weight before you know it.

Glad all’s well with you CM and that the RICE worked. Slendier of course (yet to try that). Funny you should ask, I rode the comfort bike today after doing the standard walk. It’s a funny old clunky thing but I find the upright position more comfortable than my ‘proper’ bike. And the basket was handy to carry the milk home.

Thin, I had never heard of oil pulling, but now have looked it up, and am tempted to try it. I don’t like my teeth gradually discolouring – too much wine and tea, too many years 🙂

Hi thin and Barata

i’ ve been ‘pulling’ for some months. Wasn’t aware coconut oil can whiten teeth, but it is really good at cleaning, and it is a great antiseptic and mouthwash.

I did try putting in in my mouth straight out of the jar, but gagged. I warm it in a pan and spoon it in in liquid form,much more palatable. Be careful to melt, not heat

You should swish for about 20 minutes. I do it while I shower.

It’s a bit greasy as a hair conditioner, but great to slap on, leave for a few hours, clingfilm around your head helps, even if it looks odd, then wash out. Great a body moisturiser.

Really good to cook with too!!!

I have done my shopping, and included the coconut oil – $8.99 NZ for 400gm Blue Coconut. Mentioned it to the supermarket assistant who I asked about its whereabouts, and he may well try it too! I’m not sure we get Slendier noodles here.

Cauliflower on special today at the supermarket’s market day at $2! But not worth it as OH really dislikes it, and son is often away at the moment.

Must look at coconut wraps, too, as an alternative to flour wraps and tortillas.

AC, I have some ‘Normal’ wraps in the freezer (not for me of course) and they are 297 cals for 100gms but a serving size is 71gms. Have not seen coconut wraps but will look out for them. You’re really on a roll, well done!

MK88, I was thinking if you feel hungry on a FD, perhaps you could try having something with a low GI that would see you through your working day and then have a lower cal dinner? I know it’s hard when you’re working. And it’s odd that I’m offering this advice as I’m actually trying to do what you do, that is, go longer without eating and then have a decent calorie meal for dinner. Just tossing ideas around as I rarely experience hunger on a FD.

Barata, you don’t mess around do you! Better take Milena’s advice and warm it first. If you can’t be bothered, it doesn’t take long to become liquid in your mouth. I agree Milena, I try and go for 20 mins when no-one else is around. Welcome Milena – what’s your 5:2 story so far?

Great morning so far – on my walk three dolphins followed me for an hour. And the scales have been kind to me today and are tentatively showing 63.9 again. I’ll try not to sabotage it this time and instead continue the trend further into the 63s.

You’re more than welcome, Milena, both to the thread and to emigrate. We take the adventuresome ones down here, descendants of pioneers on this side of the ditch (I’ll let the Aussies answer for themselves 🙂 🙂

Morning from chilly Perth….brrrrr. Well, another week is almost finished, here’s hoping you all did well.

CharlieG – Hope you’re back is feeling better and you’re on the mend. Take care – or better yet, make sure someone else takes care of you!

MK88 – Amazing that when we cook for a party, by the time all the eating is underway, I’m totally over it. Will post about kefir separately & yes, it’s very good for you.

AC – It all sounds yummo! Those coconut wraps sound great too – do you buy them or make them? Planning to have my bloods done before we go on vacation, so that will be interesting. TEN DOLLARS for a cauliflower, far out, and I thought Perth was expensive!

Barata – I’ve just checked out that teeth-pulling thing too, cos I’d never heard of it either! Was only at the dentist yesterday and mine need whitening too, but not that keen on the bleach strips the dentist is suggesting.

So Thin, how white are your toothy-pegs now after 4-5 days of swishing? Someone said that the oil seems to expand in your mouth during the 20 minutes you are meant to “swish” for….and it made them feel like gagging!! Must be all those toxins that it also extracts…..sounds delightful doesn’t it!! You can be our guinea pig, I think. Oh, do you swallow or spit? On a “brighter” subject (no pun), happy to hear you are enjoying your new bike. So, after your walk, you then go for a ride! You, my girl, are going to fade away to a shadow!

OH hinted he would like me to cook a roast dinner last night, even though it was the last thing I felt like eating with weigh-in today. But, I was a good girl and did it for him anyway. I thought I could resist and just eat a little bit, but no, I couldn’t!! So, with my earlier blow out at the beginning of the week (and last night’s effort) I’m 64.6 which is only up .3 from my PB. So, nothing major that can’t be fixed. Feels like I’m in a plateau, but it’s all totally self-inflicted!! Just have to be good over the weekend….yeah right! Restaurant dinner tonight & Pizza Party for Mother’s Day on Sunday. OMG…help! Have a great day and happy weekend everyone. CM xx

Ha ha CM, catch me if you can! It won’t be difficult, I’m very ‘up and down’ on my way down. In answer to your other question, you spit it. Up to you I guess. I must admit I wondered if there was a re-cycling opportunity after the pulling – conditioner, maybe? – no that wouldn’t be nice. I’m pleased to hear it has a breath freshening quality as one side effect of fasting is bad breath. There’s only so much parsley one can eat.

Re Teeth Pulling (as opposed to Pulling Teeth!) I guess if you do it in the shower, you could recycle it as a body lotion – even take the time to shave your legs. Those Bali massages use coconut oil and I come back sooooo smooth & slippery. My skin is dry and flaky at the moment with this cold weather. Gets this way every year. Feels like I’ve got dandruff on my legs!! x

CM, it’s oil pulling not teeth pulling! 😆

Milena – I just happen to have a bottle of the stuff in my pantry for asian cooking. Will give it a go in the morning and report!!

Oh yes, I forgot to say that my brother did caution me not to spit in the shower or toilet but he said because it would clog the drains. He uses the garden but I just spit into the kitchen waste bin. Isn’t this a lovely topic to end our week? Let us know what you think CM, which brand is yours?

What’s the calorie count on the coconut wraps AC? (sorry if you’ve already said) and are they found in the health section or with the general wraps/breads?

That’s a huge difference AC. Good news on the scales, well done. Happy MD to you too. I’ve switched my FD to today in anticipation. We don’t usually go out on M’s Day as it tends to be a zoo but might get a takeaway Thai or Indian.

MK88, I can report that the almond and coconut milk does freeze OK. Six ice cubes equals 22 cals which yields me enough for two coffees so I give it a big tick.

Hi all
IHAW lucky you- yes we have put some in the ground but our growers market doesn’t have them- my OH says not many people grow them around here so we might try and fill a hole in the market.
Just made some fluffy paleo bread that was very good- I need to do some work and spend a bit of time working out the calories- my very grain sensitive son was thrilled to have vegemite on a piece of bread that contained no grains.