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Food: Filling and Healthy Christmas Pudding

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I love Christmas, and all the food that comes with it, and whilst Christmas pudding is not something I usually look forward to (I'm normally all about the Mince Pies, see here) this year I wanted some; but I didn't want to waste the points.

I then searched the internet for an adaptable recipe, and found one that got the thumbs up all round. Even to the point where this will be our Christmas day pudding. (Proud moment right there.)

Now I've never made a Christmas pudding before, and know it can apparently be quite tricky, but I reckon anyone could make this bad boy.

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Please let me know if you do!

"Filling and Healthy Christmas Pudding" servings="6" time="4hr 30mins" difficulty="easy"

Ingredients:

150g Mixed Dried Fruit

75g of blitzed oats

1 tsp of Mixed Spice

1/2tsp of ground cinnamon

1 Warbie Thin made into bread crumbs

25g of light brown sugar

1 apple, grated

2tbsp of rum

4 tbsp of skimmed milk

2 eggs, beaten

2tbsp of sweet freedom

Method:

1. Mix all of the dry ingredients together in one bowl, and the wet in another.

2. Combine the two bowls and mix well.

3. Transfer to a pudding basin and wrap in foil.

4. Place it in a steamer for three hours (remember to top up the water!)

5. To reheat steam again for another 1-2 hours.

6. Run a knife around the edge, turn onto a plate and serve.

Notes:

You can also microwave the pudding (no foil) with an upturned plate on high for 5 mins, leave to stand for 5, then on high for another five. To re-heat microwave for another 10 mins.

Whilst I work this out as 2pp per slice, any more and it will grow. It's 5pp a slice on counting.


Food: Filling and Healthy Mince Pies

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Nothing says Christmas quite like mince pies. I just love them so much. I have only had two so far this year, which for me is amazing as I'm usually on two a day by now.

I love making homemade ones and didn't want to let that go this year, so I've adapted them to make them a little more filling and healthy friendly.

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They must've worked well as my family have gobbled a fair few and even my brother who 'doesn't like mince pies' said it was good.

These will cost you 2pp on Filling and Healthy!

"Filling and Healthy Mince Pies" servings="12" time="1 hour 30mins" difficulty="medium"

Ingredients:

130g of oats blitzed

1 tsp of fructose

65g of low fat butter

2 tbsp of cold water

12 tsp of mince meat

Fry light

Method

1) Mix the oats and sugar together, then add the butter and turn into breadcrumbs.

2) Add the cold water and bind into a pastry. Pop it in to the fridge for half and hour minimum.

3) Spray a chopping board with fry light and roll your pastry out as thinly as possible. Make 12 small circles and place in a baking tray.

4) Add a tsp of mince meat on top of each circle.

5) Make 12 toppings and cover the pies.

6) Bake in the oven on 200 oc for around 15-20 mins.

Measuring Progress #3

Long time no blog post, however in that time I popped across the pond for a lovely trip to Paris and my brain has only just got back from holiday mode.

To ease myself back into blogging I thought I'd do a nice little progress update, for anyone who's interested.

To date I've now lost 40.5lbs (5 of which occurred whilst in Paris)!

Five months 40lbs lost side5 months 40lbs lost

If I'm honest I was pleasantly shocked when I saw the difference from this month compared to last month. I didn't think I'd changed that much, but I obviously have which is nice.

Now for a few NSV's:

1) I finished the C25K :O

http://instagram.com/p/wjTHoJDJoA/

So I actually did it, I finished the C25K running app programme, I'm not quite running 5K yet, but I am running for over 30mins without stopping so I'm still celebrating. My goal is to be able to run the distance by the New Year, and then begin 10K training :)

2) I can fit into a dress I wore 8 years ago to my year 11 prom

http://instagram.com/p/weuoiLjJt5/

I just need an occasion to wear this dress now. But it confirms I'm a solid size 16 now, which is much better than the 22 nearing 24 I was becoming.

3) I managed to go on holiday and not go OTT

http://instagram.com/p/vwP_sjjJtb/

I'm not going to lie, food was on my mind a lot in Paris, and I'm thinking of writing a blog post all about my experience, however I'm pleased that I was sensible enough (and got enough walking in) that my weight loss journey wasn't affected!



Blog posts should become more regular again now, and keep your eyes out for a couple of festive recipes coming your way soon!

Food: F&H Toffee Popcorn

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I absolutely love popcorn and was so pleased when I saw it on the Filling and Healthy list, however I only like sweet flavours which proved a little tricky. However, I have found a way to make toffee popcorn for just a point on F&H.

Can you say guilt free snacking?

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"Filling and Healthy Toffee Popcorn" servings="1-3" time="30mins" difficulty="easy"

Ingreidents:

100g Popping Corn

14g Dark Brown Sugar

3tbsp Water
[/recipe]

1) Place the popcorn in a pan (that's quite big) and secure the lid on top. Hold it over the heat until all the corn has been popped, constantly giving it a shake to prevent burning.

2) Put your popped corn to one side, and in a small pan mix the sugar and water.

3) Boil the sugar and water, without stiring until it has bubbled into a thick sauce.

4) You need to then quickly more the sugar over the popcorn and mix it all together. Leave it for around 20 mins until set and you're ready to enjoy.

Notes

I can get 3 servings out of that amount of popcorn, so you would have to repeat the sugar part three times or just reduce the popcorn accordingly.

Fitness: What I've learnt so far on the Couch to 5K programme

20141113-184449-67489900.jpgAloha amigos (don't ask, just go with it!)

I'm now over half way through with the C25K programme and thought I'd give you my thoughts/some advice on what I've learnt so far.

On the day of writing this (I say this as I'm a post scheduler rather than a type and post straight away kind of gal) I've just completed week 5 day 2 and whilst the last couple of minutes were tough, I'm finding the programme ok. I like seeing the progression each week and continue to amaze myself with how much I can add to each run. How I'm going to complete week 5 day 3 is a mystery to me as it seems like a huge jump between running eight minutes and running 20.

Anyway, I'll cross that bridge when I run to hit (haha)!

So, the purpose of this post, what I've learnt/some advice:

You'll finally understand what people talk about when they talk about a runners buzz. It's amazing to see yourself hit goals and achieve what seems, and what was once, impossible.

Whilst each week seems scary, the programme actually works (go figure) and you'll amaze yourself when complete each day, looking at the past one fondly because it now seems so easy. Seriously if you ask me to repeat week one I'd do it with a smile on my face, it seems so easy now whereas at the time it was harder than choosing what pair of shoes to wear (which is a verytough decision I'll have you know).

You'll find yourself actually looking forward to each run as you know how great you feel when you get back knowing you've accomplished something you never imagined possible.

It's important to wear and use the right equipment. You need to make sure your water bottle is a good enough size to carry, you have to make sure you're warm enough and don't wear anything that could fall off or slow you down.

A minute seems like a lifetime when your running and a second when you're walking.

It's actually easier when you pick up pace then when you're doing a shuffle/waddle run.

Knowing you can do this makes you feel like you can do anything!

 

Measuring Progress #2

Four Months 31lbs lost Four Months 31lbs side- 31lbs



So a whole month has passed since I last posted progress, and I definitely think this is much better than a weekly weigh in result.

Since last time I've another 6.5 lbs and achieved my 2 stone award, wooo!!!

Pictures wise, when I looked I almost felt that I looked bigger than last months pictures, but I think that my boobs have shrunk along with my belly, so that's why there isn't much difference, if that makes sense?

So to make myself feel better I've done a progress from start to now along with the photos from each month!

My three NSV's of the past month are:

Going down a size in my jeans:

http://instagram.com/p/u-X8PwDJqV/

I can now get into size 16 jeans! I feel amazing when I'm wearing them. Here is a picture of the jeans I started in, the jeans I got when I hit 1 stone and my current jeans!

Doing all the buttons of my shirt up:

http://instagram.com/p/u8XrfqDJu9/

I've only ever been able to wear this shirt open as the buttons have never done up. Now I can do them all up and feel rather fab about it.

Finishing week 4 of the C25K:

http://instagram.com/p/vJGisQDJuW/?modal=true

So I can actually run (wobble) for 5 minutes consecutively now! So thrilled!

Food: Mexican Lasagne

Filling and Healthy Mexican Lasagne

After seeing something similar on Instagram and after lusting after lasagne for a while, I decided to make my own mexican lasagne.


It's so simple to make and can be totally adapted to suit your own tastes.

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It will only cost you the number of propoints of the amount of cheese you use, so for me it was just one point on Filling and Healthy.Filling and Healthy Mexican Lasagne

"Mexican Lasagne" servings="4-6" time="1 hour" difficulty="easy"

Ingredients:

500g Extra lean minced beef (5%)

Chilli Powder

Garlic

Chipoltle Chilli grinder

Garlic Grinder

Smoked Paprika

350ml Beef Stock

1 Can Chopped Tomatoes

Lea and Perins

1 can of red kidney beans

Sweet Corn

Weight Watchers wraps

Low fat cheese

Method:

1) Brown off your mince with the garlic and chilli powder

2) Add tomatoes, stock & Lea & Perins and bring to the boil

3) Add veg and simmer for half an hour minimum

4) Cut your wraps in half, then add a layer of mince and top with wraps, continue till your run out of mince.

5) Sprinkle with cheese and cook in the over for around 20mins until the cheese has melted.

Notes:

I used Asda's 50% less fat cheese and it was amazing.

I haven't put any serving sizes for spices as it's completely up to your own taste preferences.


Musings: Filling and Healthy Tips & Advice

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I know from previous attempts at Weight Watchers that Filling and Healthy can seem like hard work and a recipe for overeating.

However after following the plan pretty much consistently (I have the odd pointed day) for 13 weeks now, I thought I'd share with you some of my tips for getting on with the plan.

1) Don't go overboard with carbs - whilst there is no rule saying you have to limit the amount of carbs you eat, I found that when I was eating them with every meal (especially bread type carbs like Warbutons Thins) I was feeling really bloated. Now I try to have just two sets of carbs a day and differ them.

2) Make sure things are available - Keep things like fruit, veg and meat stocked up. When I'm peckish I like to pick at cooked chicken rather than an apple as I find it satisfies my cravings more.

3) Try to listen to your body, don't eat for the sake of it - I'm a save the best till last kind of person and also wolf down my meals faster than Usain Bolt on the running track, but the longer I've been doing filling and healthy, the more I'm becoming in tune with my body. For example last week, I had a massive breakfast and lunch and was still full by dinner so just had some fruit. My cravings and hunger pains have changed and I'm slowly getting used to what my body needs, rather than what it wants.

4) Experiment - Since doing Filling and Healthy I've become much more creative with my food. I found that when I was pointing I was eating the same meals day in day out as i knew the points and knew what chocolate I could also fit in. Now I with the freedom F&H presents I feel like I experiment so much more and really enjoy the food I'm eating,

5) Don't forget your 49 - I can honestly say my sweet cravings have severely diminished since doing F&H. I tend to have one to two pieces of chocolate a week now and enjoy it so much more when I do. I like to make sure the sweet treats I have really warrant me taking points from my weeklies and find I enjoy it much more. It also makes me questions 'What do I really want.'

6) It may be slower, but it'll make you feel better - Whilst I'm lucky in the sense my weight loss is occurring quite quickly, I know it's not going to forever, and I feel much happier knowing I'm not deprived and I feel better in myself for eating good foods then I would if I was living on chocolate and biscuits and pulling big numbers each week.

7) Be honest with yourself - Do you really want that extra potato because you're really hungry or just because you can? How will it make you feel on weigh day? Weight Watchers (or any diet company actually) wouldn't promote a plan that doesn't work. Filling and Healthy is a great plan, just like pro points, however neither plan works if you don't commit. So many flutter between plans and weight loss groups or only half commit and get disappointed when they don't see results on the scales. You have to be so honest with yourself about what you're eating.

Advice:

If you're still dubious about trying F&H ( and this post is by no means saying YOU MUST DO IT) why not just give it a go for one day a week. If you wake up feeling like you could eat the whole house then try F&H that day. My leader had a good suggestion of putting a green label of every F&H food in your house so you know what it is you can eat.

For me I've changed my lifestyle to fit F&H. I'm more conscious about what foods I put in my body, I know how to treat myself now (once or twice a week, rather than once or twice a day) and for the most part I feel in control of it.

Make sure you still track everything you're eating as you never know when you might unexpectedly have to change your days to points.

Do you have any F&H tips and tricks to share? I'd love to hear them!





Food: Yummy Tatas

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In today's post I'm bring you my 'yummy tatas' recipe.

I love carbs so much, but more than carbs I love chips. Proper chip shop chips to be exact. But that's not really WW friendly, or what I want to be putting in my body anymore. So I've devised a little recipe that fully satisfies both my carb cravings, and my weight loss.

0PP on Filling and Healthy too!

Hope you enjoy!

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"Yummy 'Tatas " servings="1" time="40mins" difficulty="easy"

Ingredients:

1 potato

1 tsp of healthy oil (from daily allowance to keep it 0pp)

Chipoltle Chilli Grinder

Method:

1) Cut your potato into chunks. I like to keep the skin on.

2) Place the chunks on a baking tray and drizzle your oil over the top.

3) Grind the Chipoltle Chilli over the top and mix them all together so they're spread evenly on the tray.

4) Bake in the oven for around 30 mins on 220oc or until crispy.

Notes:

You could use Fry Light if you don't want to use the oil and you can use whatever flavouring you like. I find this gives it a smokey BBQ taste with a tiny kick.

Musings: Not being in control


I've mentioned before, and will probably mention it a thousand times again, this is not my first stint on Weight Watchers. I've done it twice previously.

The last time I did it I was at uni. I was in full control of everything I ate, what meals would be & when along with what was being stocked in the kitchen cupboards. Then I moved back home and things began to creep up on me again.

I still live out home with my parents (very happily so, actually) and I like to eat my evening meals with them. Whilst on a previous weight watchers excursion I would eat on my own, cooking my own separate meals, I really didn't want that this time.

My boyfriend also lives with his parents, so eating with him means eating what his parents cook.

Both of these were reasons I was hesitant for starting Weight Watchers again. The thought of not having the control, not knowing exactly how many points is in each meal because I can't weigh it out and being excluded from certain meals made me worry.

And it still does.

I've recently found out I'm a type A person. Whilst I haven't done in-dept research into the different types of people, I know enough to know I'm type A. I like things to be done in my own way, I'd rather do things myself than let others help and I like to be in control.

Now at home, I've slowly but surely taken on the role of chef. I cook 90% of the meals I eat at home, but I cook them for the whole family. Yes I may make three different variations of a meal to satisfy everyone at the table, but it means I know what's on my plate and how many points it is. I sit down each week with my mom to discuss which day's we're eating what, what we need to substitute in recipes to make them more WW friendly and things are going well.

However I'm still getting used to situations outside of home. I get a slight sense of fear when going to my boyfriends when we're told what we're having for dinner. I mentally start calculating points in my head, how it's going to work out etc. You see at home I feel like I can be bossy and say how to do things the WW way, but I'm far too polite to do it anywhere else. But do you know what? It always ends up working out fine.

So maybe I swap my day from Filling and Healthy to pointing, or perhaps thinks are slightly miscalculated. Life isn't going to end, my weight is still dropping and in my head I know that I can adapt. I've proved this to myself week in week out.

So why is it when new plans get mentioned I instantly panic? Who knows.

However I'm hoping that not only is my weight going to bugger off once and for all in this journey, I also hope my attitude to food changes, which I'm slowly starting to see it doing.

If this process is going to last this time, I can't put myself in a WW bubble and not doing anything that isn't a 100% on plan. I need to have confidence in myself to know that I can restrict myself alongside indulging myself to make this plan work.

Does anyone else feel the same way?

Food: Filling and Healthy Cheesecake

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I love cheesecake.

Not the stupid moosey type one people try and serve, proper New York Cheesecake.

Now I'm not saying this is going to rival an Extra Special New York Cheesecake, but for 2 pro points for the whole thing on Filling and Healthy, I can live with it.

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The recipe couldn't be easier, mix, bake and cool!

Serving it with some fruit is delightful, or if you're feeling naughty some chocolate would go lovely too.

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Again this is another recipe I've adapted from the Filling and Healthy Fanatics page.

Recipe below!

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"Filling and Healthy Cheesecake" servings="6-8" time="4hr 30mins" difficulty="easy"

Ingredients:

2 Tubs of fat free quark (500g total)

2 tbsp vanilla extract

5 tbsp sweetner

1 egg

2 Options white chocolate hot chocolate sachets

Porridge oats (enough to cover the base)

Skimmed Milk

Method:

1) Scatter your oats across the base of you tin and press into place with the milk. Cook it in the oven on 160 oc until it's set, then leave to cool.

2) Mix all the ingredients in a bowl until fully mixed and creamy.

3) Pour over the oats and bake in the over for around 25 mins until firm and slightly golden.

4) Place it in the fridge to set for around 4 or more hours.

5) Dish up and serve.

Notes:

You may wish to add more sweetner, or experiment with other flavours of hot chocolate too.

Food: Re-Creating Old Classics KFC Style Chicken

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My latest experiment has ended up with KFC style chicken. Crispy, chickeny, well... Chicken. I need to learn some new adjectives.

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Perfect for wraps, burgers, as a side with chips, a good starter... you name it, you can eat it that way.

On Filling and Healthy they're zero pro points!
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"KFC Style Chicken" servings="4" time="30mins" difficulty="easy"

Ingredients

4 chicken breasts

4 slices of calorie controlled bread (I used Weight Watchers)

Oxo Chicken Flavouring

Asda Garlic Grinder

Asda Chilli Chipoltle Grinder

1 Egg

Method

1) Cut the chicken breasts into strips

2) Make the bread into breadcrumbs and mix with the flavourings

3) Beat egg and place in a bowl

4) Dip chicken in egg, then in flavouring & put on a baking tray

5) Grill in the oven for 10 minutes

6) Enjoy

Notes

I cooked mine in the oven, but I think the grill will be better and give a crispier outcome. Eat straight away or else they lose their crunch.