Grip Fitness Offer

Grip Fitness is a local clothing company for me, and they've got a fab offer on at the moment for anyone wanting to get a training programme for the gym.
When you make a purchase from them you have the option of getting a 6 week programme for just £5 which I think is great.

If anyone wants to take advantage of it there are more details on their facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/Grip-Fitness-1494020560892053/?fref=ts

I've bought a few tshirts from them as you can see and I can't fault them. They are affordable and really nice to wear and I would highly recommend. I didn't want to spend a lot when I was looking at getting back into fitness and the gym so these were a great investment.

If anyone wants to find them on instagram too and show them some love their username is grip_fitness

Face to Face Friday

So last night I lost 1.5lbs. And I wasn't happy. And that's okay! I felt I deserved more after my hefty gain last week for no reason. I've had an awesome week on plan and in my eyes should have lost that 3.5lbs and more. It's okay to feel disappointed. It's okay to want more. But  the important thing is to draw a line and not let it effect your new week. 

This face to face really helped me realise just how far id come. I'd urge anyone to do it who isn't seeing the losses they want to right now ❤️❤️❤️

Chocolate Orange Squares

Apologies for the lack of posting, I batch cooked a few things last weekend so I haven't really had any new recipes to post about. SO! Here's an oldie that I love, and I definitely need to make again soon...

4 eggs, separated
50g caster sugar
5 tbsp artificial sweetener
150g self raising flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 tbsp finely grated orange zest
Juice of 2 oranges
120g Kraft chocolate Philadelphia
Tin of mandarin oranges (drained of syrup)


Method
Preheat the oven to 190°C/170°C Fan/Gas 5. Line a cake tin with non-stick baking parchment, approximately 24cm x 17cm.

Place the egg yolks, caster sugar, sweetener, self raising flour, baking powder, orange zest and juice in a bowl and whisk until thick and pale.

In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until softly peaked then fold them into the egg yolk mixture.

Spoon this mixture into the prepared cake tin and cook in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until the cake has risen and is firm to touch. Leave to cool.

Warm the chocolate Philadelphia in the microwave for a few seconds, then turn the cake upside down, remove the baking parchment and spread the chocolate Philadelphia over the top.

Cut into 24 pieces and place a mandarin orange segment on the top of each square.


Taken from the Slimming World website.

One Square is 2.5 syns!

Jelly Sweets

I make this recipe every so often, usually when I'm craving sweet things!

49 jelly sweets made for 1.5 syns. Would quite happily use 2 sachets and make it 3 syns per batch as they would set a lot firmer.

1 sachet of jelly crystals - 1.5 syns (I use the hartleys ones and these are blackcurrant)
Make it up with the hot water as it says on the packet, let it cool and then stir a muller light (or any other syn free yoghurt) through the mix and then pour into your moulds to set. As simple as that. I chose the vanilla yoghurt with the chocolate bits to keep it relatively simple in flavours but you could use any.

Spiced Carrot Muffins

These are called Passion Cake Muffins on the website not sure why seeing as there's no passion fruit etc in them! They're basically mini spiced carrot muffins and I'm amazed they're only 1.5 syns each!!

Ingredients

• 3 medium eggs
• 6 tbsp granulated artificial sweetener
• 75g self-raising wholemeal flour
• 2 tsp ground mixed spice
• 175g grated carrot
• 110g quark skimmed milk soft cheese
• 1 tbsp granulated artificial sweetener
• 1 tsp vanilla essence

If preferred, replace the mixed spice with ground ginger or cinnamon for a different flavour.

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C Fan/Gas Mark 4. Line eight deep muffin tins with paper cases. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and 6tbsp artificial sweetener until pale, thick and frothy - the mixture should be thick enough to hold a trail from the beaters.
2. Sieve in the flour and mixed spice, adding any husks that remain behind in the sieve. Add the carrot and, using a metal spoon, gently fold the ingredients together using a figure-of-eight action, taking care not to beat the mixture.
3. Spoon into the muffin cases to fill them and bake for 20 minutes until firm and lightly golden. Set aside to cool in the tin.
4. Meanwhile, make the frosting: beat together the quark, vanilla essence and 1 tbsp sweetener and chill in the fridge until required.
5. To serve, spread some of the frosting over each muffin to decorate.

Next time I make these ill up the flour to 100g and make them two syns each I think! 

**EDIT** I made them again and used 100g flour which would make the recipe 16 syns. I then made smaller cakes (18) which would make them 0.88889 syns (rounded up to 1 for ease) and they looked like this...

Weigh Day

So weigh day wasn't kind to me last night I gained 3.5lbs and it was completely unjustified.

But if I keep that in my mind it will effect this week and I don't want that. So enough said on that matter. Line drawn and back on it today.

Breakfast was an Arla Protein Yoghurt for 1 syn, with strawberries and a crumbled up Alpen Light Bar for half my b choice. Also had a mint tea.

Pesto Pasta n Sauce for lunch (syn free) and undecided on my tea yet but going to be on plan as much as possible. Also aiming to drink my 8 glasses of water a day and try and mix up my A & B choices so I'm not having the same everyday.

Transformation Tuesday

Some Tuesday motivation for myself. This is why I love Slimming World. I will never be 'skinny' nor do I want to be. But I'm finally getting to a place where I feel comfortable in myself. 

It was never about my weight when I started this, it was about feeling fat and repulsive and putting that much strain on my health that I knew I needed to change something. 

I then became fixated on an ideal weight, but if I went down to 8 stone whatever (which I apparently can and that's a healthy weight for me) I know I would look like skin and bone and not in an attractive way. 

I'm learning that it's less about the number on the scale right now and more about what I see in the mirror ❤️ and thanks to Slimming World I can do it without feeling like I'm missing out. 

Having the support of a significant other is incredible, and I'm lucky enough to have that in Rob. I was on the larger side (not my biggest) when we first got together. And I don't think I was small when we met almost 10 years ago, but he loves me for me and having him with me whilst I do this is amazing. He tries recipes I make and supports me when I'm having a wobbler. I know I could have not done any of this and he would have loved me anyway but I'm so glad he accepted that I wanted to do this for me and has supported me throughout. 

The photo on the left was me on Sunday and the one on the right was me at uni around 6 years ago. Size 18/20 - size 12 (approx) 

Don't ever feel like you can't do it, you just have to take the first step! 

 

Bangers and Mash

So I had a craving for sausage and mash but I didn't want to over do it with the carbs so decided to improvise.

Ingredients
2 SW Sausages - syn free
Swede - syn free
Small Mash - counting 1 syn for the little bit of milk
Gravy - counting 2 syns
Salt and Pepper to taste.
Onion Rings - syn free

To make the onion rings I simply sliced an onion, dipped in egg and then coated in smash then popped in the oven for approx. 20 mins.

Such an easy meal to throw together and it feels like a massive plate of comfort food which is always good.

NEW Slimming World Diary

These are due in group from 20th June or from 29th May with 12 week countdowns!

Super excited!

Too many people charge ridiculous amounts on eBay so glad to see Slimming World have put together an affordable yet really good journal! 

4lb Challenge Result...

Stayed on plan. 

Used my syns wisely. 

Upped my water intake. 

Tried new recipes and was never hungry. Couldn't be happier! 

Here's to another fab week, aiming for 3lb next week!

I'd be totally honest and say I didn't deserve it, if I felt that way. But I've made such good decisions and worked really hard that if I hadn't have got it I would have been gutted! My aim for the week is to mix up my healthy extras again so I'm not having the same everday. I also want to keep up my increased water intake & try some new recipes. So hoping it all works in my favour and I can get the 3lb I want next week while will take me back to where I was a few weeks ago (I lost 8lb in 2 weeks and then gained 8lbs over 3).

I have 4 weigh ins left of my 6 week countdown and then I go to Frankfurt with work, I want to aim to be on the stone mark (or even into the next stone bracket) by then, so from now I need 6lbs. Meaning I need 1.5lbs per week for the next 4 weeks to get it or a little bit more if I'm honest. It's totally do able as I've shown myself this week, I'm just glad that it isn't more so I don't feel as pressured to get it.

Currently 13lbs from target!

KFC Fakeaway - Smash

Recipe for KFC Chicken: 

2 large chicken breasts (or cuts of chicken of your choice) 
4 tablespoons of smash
1 teaspoon oregano 
1 teaspoon chilli powder 
1 teaspoon ground sage 
1 teaspoon basil 
1 teasppon pepper 
2 teaspoons salt 
2 teaspoons paprika 
1 teaspoon garlic powder 
1 teaspoon garlic salt 
2 eggs 

Method: 
Slice the chicken breasts into mini fillets or to the size of your liking 
Put smash into a bowl and add all of the seasonings and mix until everything is blended together to create your coating. 
Crack the eggs and mix together.  
The chicken needs to be dipped in the egg and then to the smash mixture and repeated to get an even coating. 
Bake the chicken in the oven for 20-25 mins on a medium heat, until cooked through.  
Cut one of the thickest bits to make sure it is cooked in the middle. 
Enjoy  Recipe for the gravy:

2 Chicken OXO Cubes
2 Knorr Stock Pots
Garlic Salt
Black Pepper
Boiling Water

Method:

Add ingredients to pan
Add boling water a little at a time until you reach a consistency you're happy with
Taste test and adjust the Garlic Salt/Pepper until you're happy.
Make sure all ingredients are combined before serving

Day 4 of the 4lb Challenge

So as you know, last Thursday 12 of us at group set ourselves the challenge of achieving a 4lb loss this coming Thursday. Obviously I wouldn't say no to more but the aim is a minimum of 4lb!

Anyway! I'm on day 4 and actually feeling really positive. I'm well within my syns, I'm not hungry which is always good, and currently feeling super positive for weigh in. You can see the meals I've had in previous posts, and had leftover Chilli & Rice for lunch today.

Determined to stay on plan all week!

Hunters Chicken

I found a recipe for Hunters Chicken and decided to give it a go...

Original Post is here: http://www.shecookssheeats.co.uk/best-ever-hunters-chicken/

For the sauce
1 red onion or 3 shallots
Half a teaspoon of chilli powder (or more, if you like it hot)
400ml of passata
4 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
A good shake of Lea and Perrins
4 tablespoons of artificial sweetener

For the chicken
4 chicken breasts
8 slices of back bacon
120g mature reduced-fat cheddar
Veg and chips, to serve

To make the sauce
1.Peel and finely chop the onion/shallots. Put in a frying pan, sprinkle over the chilli powder and fry until soft
2.Add the rest of the ingredients and stir. Keep the sauce on a medium and stir it occasionally whilst you prepare the chicken

To make the chicken
1.Pre-heat the oven to about 210C. Take four ovenproof dishes that are just large enough to serve your chicken in. Spray with Fry Light
2.Slit the chicken breasts down the middle, taking care not to go through the bottom or sides. You want to end up with a pocket. Place the chicken breasts in the ovenproof dishes
3.Pour the sauce over the chicken breasts, making sure it goes into the middle of the breast. Lay the bacon over the top of the chicken
4.Bake the chicken for 20 minutes. Sprinkle over the cheese, then bake for 10 minutes more 

As there was only me having it I modified the recipe so it was suitable for 1 person rather than 4, and this is what it looked like! 

(Please note: the cheese was my healthy A choice, so I used 40g of low fat cheddar and I made the chips with fry light so the recipe was actually syn free, but if you weren't using your healthy A for the cheese it would be 6 syns per person)

Sweet Tooth Managed!

Had a major sweet tooth and hadn't had my b choice today so whipped this up. 

Weetabix cake was made by breaking up 2 Weetabix and combining with 2 eggs, vanilla essence and sweetener then baked for 30 mins (turning over half way). 

Then the raspberry purée was made just by heating up the raspberries with a touch of water and sweetener all done in the microwave. The yoghurt was the muller cheesecake lemon one. 

Syns were 1 for the raspberry purée and 1 for the yoghurt. Healthy extra choice for the Weetabix or an extra 6 syns if not. Absolutely delicious!

Planning Ahead

So after me talking about our little competition in group for next week... see previous post.

I realised I needed a plan to get me that 4lb loss (minimum, I'd happily have more!) So I came into work this morning and got my food diaries out. Had a quick look at previous weeks when I've done a diary and got a good loss and will be planning my days to the best of my ability when I'm on my lunch later. Dug out some old books to get some new recipes to try!

I hadn't prepped any breakfast this morning so just brought two hifi bars to work to have with my water and my morning brew!

Lunch will be one of the SW Meals - Chicken & Chorizo Paella. And here's a picture to prove it!

I haven't decided what tea will be yet as I'm not sure how much time I will have as we might be off out. SO it will either be another SW Meal just to keep me on plan OR I'll knock something up and I WON'T be going to a takeaway!

Knowing theres a bit of healthy competition, and a prize from our consultant has really spurred me on to make sure I get that loss next week!

I had a 5lb loss a few weeks ago so I know it can be done. I'm over a year into my journey and to get a loss like that so far in is so refreshing. I'm used to a lb or so a week so it shows it obviously works if you put the prep time in and make wise decisions.

Feeling GOOD!

Weigh Day

Not sure why I got this tonight. To me I should have had a loss. My meals have been good and I've snacked on free foods and good stuff so safe to say I'm a bit miffed. 

Line drawn and aiming for 4lb off next week here's hoping to a good week!

Planning meals and going to be filling in a food diary for the next week to see where I'm tripping myself up!

So what was me and Paul committing to a 4lb loss, ended up being 12 members all commiting to it and gearing ourselves up for a good week! Can't wait for the week ahead now, our consultant even said she's joining in and will have prizes for those that get it. I love our little group, nothing like some healthy competition.

 

Time Management

I've been super busy this week so haven't had as much time to prep as I would like. Last night I had the Bolognese Ragu meal from Iceland and tonight I've just had the Chicken Pizzaiola Iceland meal. 

Would highly recommend having some in just in case you haven't got time to cook. It's an easy way to make sure to stay on plan as much as possible. 

I made pasta for my Ragu and Sweet Potato chips for my Pizzaiola.  Here's what they looked like:

Your always advised to add your own speed food to guarantee the 1/3 speed per meal but I didn't with these. Still, it was completely syn free and a lot better than a takeaway option!

These are great too because if you like them, they have the recipe on the back for you to make your own!

Will definitely be trying to do these soon!

Slimming World Meals

Had a good stock up of meals to keep me on plan. The chicken sausages are £1 per bag at the moment so had to get a few! 

Finally got round to trying the chicken and chorizo paella meal, even though I've never had paella. I was really surprised at how much flavour it had.
It was so nice, made even better by the fact it was syn free! Will definately be using the recipe on the back to make my own at some point! 

I seem to be really picky with the soups, the only on I actually like is the tomato and basil one, has anyone else found this? 

What's your favourite?

X

200th post & a little about me.

So for my 200th post I thought I would do a little about me.

I've gained a lot of new followers on my Instagram (doylie_sw) and the views on my blog have rocketed recently and I can't thank you enough. 

I'm Alison and I'm 26 years old. I live with my other half and our two rabbits. I did Graphic Design at Uni and I love baking. I have a massive sweet tooth!

I've been following Slimming World a little over a year and I am so amazed with the results. 

I've lost 2.5 stone but more importantly I've not gone without.
I've enjoyed birthdays, Easter, Halloween and even Christmas (I somehow lost weight over Christmas).

I've had gains along the way believe me, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Taking progress pictures has really helped to keep me focused and has allowed me to see a change in myself that you don't really see day to day. 

I've gone from a size 14/16 to a size 10/12 and am oh so close to my target weight now. 

I'm part of the social team at my group too, which I find really rewarding. I've made so many friends via Slimming World that I probably wouldn't have met without.

I know I could have lost the weight a lot quicker if I had been more strict with my splurges but doing it slowly has given me the belief that I can keep it off. I lost 3 stone prior to Slimming World through basically not eating, so as soon as I went back to normal I piled 2 stone back on!

Here's some comparison photos to show what a difference 2.5 stone can make!

And here's some of my favourites things I've made, click the link to go through to the blog posts.

Salt & Pepper Chicken! - serves 2 (2syns each)
http://eatingyourselfslim.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/salt-chilli-chicken.html?view=classic
 

Lemon Loaf - 8 syns (1 syn per slice)

http://eatingyourselfslim.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/lemon-drizzle-cake-pops.html

Chocolate Weetabix Muffins
http://eatingyourselfslim.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/weetabix-brownies.html

Low Syn Chocolate Cake - 8 syns in total (1 syn per slice)
http://eatingyourselfslim.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/low-syn-chocolate-cake.html?view=classic

Cinnamon Swirls - 1 syn each
http://eatingyourselfslim.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/cinnamon-swirls-1-syn-treats.html

I would whole heartedly recommend Slimming World to anyone, if you have any questions feel free to leave a comment here or on my instagram and I'll get back to you!

x

Slow Cooker Chicken

I was a bit skeptical about this but it was amazing! It took about 3.5/4 hours on high (I thought I had it on low, luckily I went to check) so would take approx 7 on low. The meat literally fell off the bone. Would happily cook a chicken like this again. 

Cupboard Staples... What Are Yours?

Since starting Slimming World I've picked up a lot of hints and tips and found myself picking up the same things in supermarkets just to make sure I have them in. Usually when they are on offer to be honest. Does anyone else do this? What are your cupboard staples?

Herbs & Spices - Since starting Slimming World my herbs and spices have grown massively as 99% of them are syn free.

Alpen Bars - I stock up when they are on offer. Alpen Light bars are 2 for your healthy B or usually 3 syns each.

Benefit Bars - these are the aldi version, and as far as I am aware, all varieties are 2 for your healthy B or 3 syns each.

Muller Lights - I love having some of these in. Syn values on these vary massively so always worth checking, but the majority of the ones you see on offer in supermarkets tend to be syn free. I also love the Cheesecake inspired ones, theres are lemon or strawberry, come in a 6 pack and are 1 syn each. I only buy these when theyre on offer too.

Pasta N Sauce - the new Pesto one is lovely and syn free, the spicy arribiata is also the same. The smoky pancetta one is 2 syns but so worth it for a quick and easy snack!

Mikado Sticks - usually 1/2 syn each for the choc/white choc/daim ones but depending on how recent this article is when you're reading it it's worth double checking!

Options sachets - these can range from 1.5 to 2 syns but are fab for hot chocolates or even to add to a massive tub of syn free yoghurt to give it some chocolatey flavour!

Passata, Chopped tomatoes, Stock cubes, Soy Sauce, Eggs, Worcestershire Sauce

You'll be amazed at how much you use some of these! I'd never used soy sauce before Slimming World and now I use it all the time! Especially to make Egg Fried Rice to go with my Salt & Pepper Chicken!

Face To Face Friday

For anyone who uses Instagram for slimming world you've probably noticed the ever popular #facetofacefriday hashtag. 

Here's mine: approx 7 years in difference. 

Thank god I found Slimming World. 

🙈