This topic contains 7,131 replies, has 66 voices, and was last updated by fitfast 1 month, 2 weeks ago.
I actually do use smoked haddock (I’d forgotten 🤔) when making Cullin Skink, but as it is very hard to purchase these days for some reason. I guess I didn’t relate it to mum’s terrible cooking. 😃😃
I normally split and bbq full sized zucchini, but these are very, very small, so I bbqed them whole in butter. As Mr P can’t eat onion or garlic, I couldn’t flavour them. I also bbqed broccoli. The flowers go slightly crispy…quite nice.
Morning/evening all,
It’s the weekend already and I’m rather pleased 2 weeks of lockdown has passed so quickly.
2 FDs done so far this week and I’m aiming to make today the 3rd. Non FDs are still a challenge, Tuesday was fine but Wednesday I wanted to eat everything in sight!
Autumn continues it’s journey into winter and it’s been a mixture of sunshine and rain.
I’ve not ventured far this week as I’m very keen to avoid those who think they’re immune to Covid and don’t need to take precautions…
Purple,
One of my favourite recipes is tofu and sprouting broccoli roasted then dressed with a fierce garlicky, chilli, miso dressing. I love the crispy flowers.
I’m also fond of roasted cauliflower.
I’ve been watching the tennis finals this week taking place in London for the 12th and final time. I would usually attend for a couple of days and it’s really sad not to be able to go this last time. Despite there being no spectators the tennis has been very good.
Have a good weekend everyone 🤪
Hi Amazon
Glad you are surviving your lockdown. SA has dodged a bullet tonight with there just introduced lockdown being reversed on new information!
I’m not a fan of tofu. I’ve had too much badly presented tofu over the years.😐
I’m laid up with a leg injury, so have no idea what’s happening in the world outside, but plenty of opportunity to read books. 2 fasts under the belt this week.
We’ve had a noisy thunderstorm tonight, so the veg gardens will be happy. It always staggers me how quickly plants grow on freshly refurbed soil. Even the very hot days when they look dead, they buck up again as darkness falls…plenty of reserves below the surface. ☺
I started eating tofu when I did my vegetarian Lent in order to stop myself eating too much cheese and too many eggs and I still buy it occasionally. If it’s roasted until the edges are crispy and dressed up in a powerful sauce it’ll do as a source of protein on a FD.
It’s also OK in Pad Thai as there are so many other interesting flavours.
Time is flying! Soon we will be out of lockdown and into…err…one of 3 new lockdown tiers. Then come December 23-27, new rules will apply so we can infect our vulnerable and elderly and overwhelm the NHS. No New Year celebrations, just tighter restrictions again in January to look forward to…
But hey, it’s not all doom and gloom! At least it looks like 2021 will see an end to the worst of the pandemic and Trump will be leaving the WH 😁
I’ve been really up and down mood wise, and struggling to find motivation for weight management. So while I am managing one liquid only fast a week, I have been failing a second day. So much for ‘plenty of time left in 2020 to lose my excess’ !
Sorry to hear about your injury P, does this mean someone else is going to have to organise Christmas this year?!
Amazon, I want to come and live with you 😊 I like tofu but have fallen out of the habit of it and menus are once again depressingly meat-based. I’m not sure why it’s still my job, but seeing as I am cooking for the entitled baby bird I end up doing stuff I know he’ll eat. To be fair, he has cooked a couple of times in the last couple of weeks…meaty fatty stews, potatoes with everything… I really must sit down with the recipe books and get re-inspired to cook healthy veggie food that I want to eat!
Hmmm Happy…your post reads like an emotional roller coaster! It really is a mind blowing tactic to have 6 days free rein to spread as much COVID as possible over Christmas! From where we sit, we are SO thankful for sensible, early Government action: closing international borders and managing quarantine, testing and tracing exceptionally. They have announced, today, that we could have up to 50 at our home, outside, and 30 inside. I have no intention of having hoards here. Luckily it is my turn off at Christmas this year, so I can just sit around like a princess. 🙂 There is SOME advantage in being incapacitated.
Fasts continue, twice a week, with Mr P managing our meals. He’s a good learner and follows instructions well, now. Low carb, heavy on vegetables.
I’m sure your years of training are paying off, Happy. You don’toverindulge. P
Morning/evening all,
I am struggling at the moment due to back pain and sciatica which is driving me crazy.
I’ve tried ice packs, anti inflammatories, rest, stretches and nothing appears to be working.
I’ll give it another few days and if there are no signs of improvement I’ll contact my GP although I’m not sure what she’ll be able to do unless she can refer me to a specialist
I’ve been able to fast but it’s merely damage limitation as I’ve lost my way on NFDs.
Such is life.
Happy,
I remember years ago when being a vegetarian was unusual and often perceived as weird and no-one knew how to cater for someone who didn’t want to eat meat.
I have a friend who has 6 siblings and his mother could not (or would not) cope with his diet so would dish him up whatever was for dinner minus the meat and stick a lump of cheese on his plate!
I need to get the books out again and make a list of as yet untried veggie dishes and work my way through them.
I’m having Hugh F-Ws tomato dhal today which will mean more space in the freezer for mince pies 😆
Purple,
I must have missed something in one of your posts, are you injured? If so I hope it is improving.
Have a good one everybody 🤪
Morning/evening all,
I hope everyone is well.
The days are flying by and our “lockdown” will be over on Wednesday when shops, restaurants etc can open albeit with limitations.
My back is slowly improving which has lifted my mood and since I posted on Wednesday morning I’ve completes 2 FDs and have managed to stop the comfort eating.
My annual trip to Kew Gardens for their Christmas lights trail and dinner has been confirmed and I’m really looking forward to it in just over 2 weeks time. I’ve set myself a mini goal to work towards between now and then.
Despite all the doom and gloom Christmas lights are appearing everywhere and people seem to be wearing their masks and getting on with life as it is right now.
I am hoping the majority look at the future beyond Christmas and behave sensibly, having a quiet Christmas at home is the best way to keep everyone safe.
I put a glazed nut topping on my Christmas cake yesterday and it was all I could do not to cut myself a slice there and then! It’s now safely tucked away out of sight.
I have two more cakes to decorate but as I’m not keen on icing it won’t be so tempting.
Enjoy the remainder of the weekend everyone 🤪
I’m pleased you will be able to see the Christmas lights at Kew again this year, Amazon. I know how much you always enjoy them. Also pleased your back is making progress.
I’m still incapacitated, but with the weather a massive heatwave this weekend, it’s ok being hunkered down. Very little hunger, too, so all is not too bad.
P
Sorry to hear about all the woes and lows, both physical and mental. Please send some of your rain north, Wi. Our forecast falls today have avoided this part of the island, but I see you have been cut off from the rest of us by flooding 🙁
Our daughter and grandson have been back with us a fortnight now, settling in well and relishing the more temperate weather and relaxed environment. She’s taken over the kitchen for the weekend – no complaints here, she’s a better cook than I am – and we are planning to gather family here for Christmas lunch. Cold ham and salads, with lots of trimmings! She’s made the cake.
We continue to enjoy the lowest Covid level, with the only restrictions being at the border, and mask-wearing on public transport, and the usual encouragement to wash hands and keep a little separated. Too many people are being lax regarding using the tracer ap though, just hope it doesn’t come back to bite us all.
Life is pretty similar here, Barata…. except for our 40 deg, incredibly windy, day. We are very lucky that our island nations have kept the international borders firmly shut.
A cool southerly is due here this afternoon, so we should have some relief after a couple of horror days. At least I don’t feel hungry!!!
Enjoy having your daughter around to share the kitchen 😉 P
Morning/evening all,
I hope everyone is well.
My week has flown by and I’m pleased to report it contained a couple of FDs.
I’ve decorated my Christmas tree and it makes me smile every time I look at it.
I received an invitation from my niece to join her and her family in Kew Gardens on Boxing Day which I happily accepted and we’ve booked our tickets.
I’ve also arranged to visit her on 23rd to drop off her Christmas cake and gifts for the boys.
I’ve been busy this week catching up on lots of little things that need doing around the flat and it’s taken longer than expected, note to self, stop putting things off 😆
The weather has been cold, down to single figures every day and we’ve had a couple of frosts. It’s definitely winter :brrr:
Have a good weekend everyone 🤪🎄
With all the traumas this year, I have great trouble even imagining that it’s December, let alone getting someone to get Xmas decorations out. We aren’t doing anything over Christmas, our family does alternate years with inlaws, so just a quiet, ordinary time for us. It’s been such a weird, unbelievable time with the long, long drought, then the terrible bushfires, followed by floods and damaging storms, and then the virus and all the shut downs. The last straw has been an injured leg so that I am utterly restricted. Better to just act “normal” and not pretend to celebrate anything until at least March 2021.
Looking for positives, fasts are going ok in this warmer weather and I have plenty to read. P
Hi Purple,
So sorry your leg injury is preventing you from doing anything, I know how frustrating it is to be incapacitated.
I’m trying hard to look for positives too and it’s difficult right now although with vaccinations against Covid imminent life should be better across the world in a few months time.
Maybe Easter 2021 will become the most celebrated ever with everyone catching up on friends and family they’ve not been able to see.
The last time I did anything other than stay home on my own at Christmas was 2014 so it’s normal for me and this year is unusual because I’m going out on Boxing Day.
The sun has just come out, time to get moving 🤪
Well I’ve managed to fast twice this week. Now if only I could string together a few good weeks, maybe I could shed these couple of kilos I want to get rid of! I guess at least a less sociable Christmas will limit opportunities to overindulge, looking on the bright side…. Having said that, I did make mincemeat and mince pies yesterday and the one that was structurally compromised due to thin pastry somehow fell into my mouth… 😊😂
I haven’t put up any decorations yet, I sort of feel its too early but then again… what harm can some early Christmas cheer do!
And P, no, the sun doesn’t always come out in the northern hemisphere in winter 🤣
The sun is certainly not out here in London this morning and it was raining earlier.
Happy,
I am doing OK on the fasting front but non FDs are still a bit hit and miss.
I had mince pies yesterday, purely for quality control purposes you understand 😆
And I’m pleased to report they are just fine.
Home alone especially at Christmas isn’t good for me as there is no-one to raise an eyebrow when I help myself to another drink/mince pie/handful of nuts and I have to say I’m finding fighting myself very hard and tiring.
The good news is for the first time in over 2 months I woke up this morning with no pain or stiffness in my back. The sciatica is still here but much less frequent and more of an irritation than painful.
I’ve been taking anti-inflammatories for the past 3 weeks and have now stopped them which is also good news.
I’m working on keeping moving, not sitting for longer than 30 minutes and doing plenty of stretching.
It’s very quiet here this weekend which is very unusual for this time of year and is a good sign my neighbours are all behaving sensibly.
Have a good week everyone 🤪🎄
Fortunately mince tarts don’t tempt me. But two lunches in two days has added an unwelcome number to the scales, which were dropping nicely. I see it’s another OMAD day today!
We are getting the Aussie heat, just wish we could have some of your rain, P. We had a very dry November, and so far December has delivered just 0.2mm! It is so frustrating watching the rainclouds deliberately avoiding us on the rain radar. 🙁 So watering my precious veggie seedlings.
The Christmas tree goes up today – it’s the first time we have been home over this time of the year for years, so can put up some of the seasonal trappings. And we are hosting lunch on the Day, at least a dozen, so lovely to be here with family around.
Good to hear the back is improving, Amazon. Do you find the weight goes up with the anti-inflammatories? I track OH’s weight, and have noticed that the two time he has taken them recently coincides with a spike on the scales.
Mine has certainly gone up since my injury, B. Never sure if it’s the anti inflammatory or the immobility. 😑 Either way, it’s unwanted kilos!
We have days of torrential rain predicted at the end of this week. I’m sure some of it will make it over to Kiwiland. 😉
I’ve only had one of my tarts as I fasted yesterday. They keep surprisingly well when I’m the only one around who can eat them. 😅😅
Morning/evening all,
It’s a cold and misty morning here in London.
Barata,
NSAIDS ie anti inflammatory medications are known to cause fluid retention.
I’m not one for daily weighing as the ups and downs of numbers due to bodily functions that are not related to weight loss/gain drive me crazy.
I’m trying not to take anything at the moment in order to prevent myself from doing anything that might interfere with recovery. Progress is slow but moving in the right direction.
Have a good one everybody 🤪
Amazon,
I rarely take painkillers when my back goes except occasionally overnight, working on the theory that I need a good nights sleep for recovery and there’s little chance i can do more damage lying flat on my back!
Having said that, mine is good at the moment despite days sat at a computer and reduced daily activity. I’m so pleased I started pilates, it’s been amazing for me in terms of core and back stability and flexibility.
I fasted on Tuesday as it was an out and about day, no food but 2 coffees, coming in at well under 500 cals. I need to convince myself I can do a second fast while sat at my desk today, not so easy when I’m cold and stressed!
The weather is cold and dank. I’m going to put decorations up this weekend as it least the house will look cheery and festive then.
Barata,
I’m still to be convinced by your new diet! You may be optimising nutrition, but it just sounds like an extreme form of daily fasting at OMAD?
Hi everyone,
This week is going quite well (she says cautiously). I’m doing my second fast of the week today.
I spent the morning icing and decorating the 2 cakes I’m gifting and the smell of sugar made me feel quite nauseous!
I was out for most of the day yesterday as I went for a much needed haircut and then met my best friend for coffee which turned into a lengthy let’s have another cup session as we’ve not seen each other for 6 weeks and it was so nice to be talking to someone face to face.
I had to use public transport which was fairly busy and I used 2 buses and 4 tubes seeing only 2 people without masks which was very encouraging.
Happy,
I don’t like taking pain killers but when things were at their worst it was the only way to enable walking. I only ever take one dose per day and use a heat pack/hot water bottle at night although I no longer need either. Fingers crossed it stays that way.
Pilates improved my core strength and I’ve incorporated some of the exercises into my regular workout although I still think it’s weak in comparison to my legs which are strong due to 10 years of cycling 10 miles 5 times a week and all the work at the gym.
When I was in Herefordshire and despite my acute back issue I was able to get onto the floor to demonstrate a particular exercise the physio gave me to strengthen core and hip muscles and my fit friend struggled to do it and said she was going to be adding it to her regular workout!
Bringing in my little tree and decorating it plus putting out the other decorations I’ve got have definitely brought a bit of cheer so you should get busy this weekend 🎄
I have the heating on AND lots of layers to avoid the dreaded getting cold on a FD and I’m now about to embark on a huge pile of ironing 🤪
I’m very jealous of your face to face friend meet Amazon! My best friend lives 250 miles away in Wales. The distance and the out of step rules mean I’ve not seen her for nearly a year.
I’ve booked a hair appointment for next week. In some ways I’d rather not, but it’s been 5 months and the ends of my hair are beginning to felt. At least I’ll be Christmas party ready…oh, no, wait… 😂
Yesterday was a fasting fail, but I’m going to make another attempt today. I do weigh myself daily and there’s no hiding the fact (under layers of thermals and jumpers!) that I’m heavier than I want to be!
Hi everyone.
I weigh myself but not every day.
My FD went OK yesterday and I’m going fast again today.
I had my hair cut in September and was about to book an appointment when we went back into lockdown and my fringe was in my eyes so it was great to get it cut as it looks and feels good not that anyone else sees it 😆
As for seeing my best friend, it has lifted my mood and I’ve no doubt we both benefitted.
Have a good weekend everyone 🤪
I’ve avoided going to the hairdressers since March by cutting my own hair twice. It’s not too bad, even if I keep chopping it for 2 weeks to get it even. 🙂
I have caught up with my best friend twice this year, even though she lives 20 minutes away, her husband is ill, so very vulnerable and dependent. Outside both times, but nice. My other very dear friend is 1 1/12 hours ago. We liaise by text…bemoaning the state of world and local politics! Gee I miss our face to face weekly natters. I really feel for you, Happy.
Re weighing…I can’t imagine how heavy I’ll be by the time I can walk properly again. 😐 Life’s too short to fret about it right now! 🙂
As Joni Mitchell once sang “you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone”
We don’t always realise how much our friends mean to us and what spending time with them does for us. If there’s one thing this pandemic has taught me it’s seize the moment, stop sitting on the sofa thinking about doing things and seeing people, don’t pass up opportunities; get up and go!
Wise words! Life has definitely been in limbo/ on hold this year, but I guess as I’ve probably got fewer active years ahead of me than behind me I need to start living again as soon as possible! Now, if only I didn’t have to work for a living 😂
I managed a second fast of the week yesterday, but it’s still just a holding pattern rather than a downward trend at the moment.
The weather is awful, AGAIN. Dark and wet, uninspiring and gloomy. And writing Christmas cards is NOT filling me with Christmas cheer this morning 🤣
It’s almost 2pm and I’ve given up hope it’ll get properly light today, a dull and wet Sunday.
My third FD on Friday went South way before lunchtime and my holding pattern is clinging on by it’s fingertips.
After trying on some clothes this morning I’ve realised things aren’t as bad as I thought and I might have been a little hard on myself and that has given me some encouragement to keep trying to lose a couple of pounds before Christmas which I know would be no more than damage limitation but still worth the effort.
Looking on the bright side I’m healthy and no-one near or dear to me has been affected either directly or indirectly by Covid.
At least the weather forecast for tomorrow (Christmas at Kew) looks better which is good news as we got rather wet last year due to a heavy shower just before we went into the restaurant for dinner.
Keep safe everyone 🤪
Amazon,
That’s great that things aren’t as bad as you thought! I wish I could say the same… I fasted on tuesday, then ate too much yesterday… grrr.
So I am attempting to wrestle myself into another fast today. I currently have one arm behind my back, which I make attempts to wriggle free of every now and then… This is just ridiculous! What is wrong with me?!
Hi everyone,
Happy,
It might not be as bad as I thought but it’s still not good. I’m having trouble sticking to fasting this week but I haven’t overeaten which is not ideal but better than nothing.
I’m eating one meal in the evening plus fruit early pm when I am beginning to get hungry.
The other issue is Christmas cooking and baking for gifts and tasting things which stirs up the sugar monster but I’m working hard on taming it.
Purple,
I hope all is well. I guess when we have to fast for a reason other than weight loss our motive and mindset is different.
It’s a lovely morning here after some rubbish weather this week.
Christmas at Kew was wonderful apart from the fact it rained (quite heavily at times) for the whole 90 minutes we were walking the trail. As soon as we went into the restaurant for dinner it stopped…….
The trail was wonderful, rather different this year with less elaborate but equally stunning arrangements of lights. The trail also took a slightly different route passing through the rose garden which was decorated in rose shaped lights on stems changing colours and sequences to classical music which was a bit distorted but sounded like Waltz of the Flowers (which would make sense)They had also used other pieces of music from The Nutcracker Suite at other displays.
Last year they hung strings of light from the treetop walkway and the lighting patterns made it resemble a waterfall with lights across the ground to represent a pool of water which was stunning and we were pleased to see they had included it this year.
There was also a stunning display of candles in tins set in arcs across the grass and some set on giant candelabra like frames. So simple yet very beautiful.
I was very pleased to see despite Covid restrictions Father Christmas was able to attend much to the delight of the small people 😁🎄🎅
We kept the chill of the rain at by with plenty of mulled wine and were presented with a glassful when we arrived for dinner.
It was followed by butternut squash and stilton soup. We both opted for turkey followed by Christmas Pud. The meal was delicious and the service excellent and it was a fine end to the evening 🍷🥣🍗🍮😋
The bus route that goes past the gardens is perfect for both of us as we both live close to it with less than two minutes walk from alighting point to front door.
We are now in Tier 3 of Covid restrictions which means the restaurant will have had to close and I’m not certain but they might have to stop serving mulled wine on the trail. We were so fortunate to be able to attend this year with all the usual offerings available to us.
Have a good weekend everyone 🤪
I’m so pleased you were able to enjoy your Kew visit again this year. It is such a lovely tradition. I particularly like the sound of the pumpkin and Stilton soup!
We did our tradition of taking grandkids to see the local Xmas lights on houses. There are a couple of street that have every house ablaze with lighting design. We all enjoy it every year.
Still nothing else planned for Xmas. 2020 can’t finish soon enough. P
Amazon,
I love your description of Kew. You were lucky with your timing before tier 3 came in! I have just today to work, then I’m off for a couple of weeks although not really sure what I’ll do except read and go for walks as the usual festive socials and friends visits are off. (Note to self. Do NOT overeat for 2 weeks!)
I managed to get through yesterday’s fast, despite several wobbles along the way. I definitely need to work on motive and mindset long-term!
I have been remembering recently the final straw that lead me to 5:2 in January 2014. It was Christmas 2013 gluttony 🐷 So maybe I should eat everything in sight for the next 2 weeks and start 2021 with a healthy level of disgust for myself 😂
Happy,
Thanks,
I should have taken some photos but the rain made it tricky as I had to take my glasses OFF to see anything at all 😆
I forgot to mention the tree that had solid strips of light rather than a string of bulbs of different colours along the ground, up the trunk and ending in the branches, think a distorted stick of rock (candy)
I been eating sensibly all week as I was not in the mood to fast so today is my first FD of the week and I’m not feeling very confident about it but feel I must try and get a couple of FDs in this week
I can’t decide if your idea of a see food diet over Christmas is a cunning plan to have your cake and eat it or a desperate measure.
I am not making any promises to myself over what happens over Christmas in the most peculiar and difficult year.
So I’m fasting today, having managed to do alternate days since last Tuesday. Combined with a couple of long walks (in the rain!) at the weekend, I’m a teeny bit lighter than I was this time last week, which has inspired me onwards… towards the calorific nightmare of Christmas Day (the government can stop us mixing, but it can’t stop us eating!).
On the subject of nightmares, I’m off into town in a bit for that long overdue haircut. Just hoping I can get parked!
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