Ok, so I just want to apologise for my last post.
I have had mixed comments and responses and I appreciate them all but I don’t want to give anyone the wrong impression or false advice.
I think a lot of what I said was not taking into account important matters- namely health.
A weight at which you do not have your periods back is NOT healthy
Although I’m feeling great physically and mentally, as others have pointed out I cannot see what is happening inside my body and maintaining a low weight and not having periods means that damage is inevitably being done even without being aware of it- I don’t want to set myself up for infertility or osteoporosis in the future, because after all we don’t have anything without health.
Even if naturally I am likely to have a lower weight than most because of genetics and want to settle at a place that’s right for me, comfortable and which I can maintain without worry (without having to force myself to constantly eat more, and equally without restricting), my current weight cannot be my natural weight.
Although It’s going to be an effort I still have to push to get my weight up higher.
Thank you so much for all your comments they really made me realise that although I have made a lot of progress and have dealt with a lot of ed problems the end of the journey is not here yet.
Lots of love to you all, xxxxxxxxxx
I’m not going to take down the previous post as hopefully readers will realise that it is normal to want to stop at low weights but be reminded that this is not the right thing to do. It’s dangerous not only to maintain a weight like this but it also leaves you more vulnerable to future relapse.)
So it’s been a little while again, although time is just zooming by at uni. The terms at my uni are only 8 weeks long but v.intense, even more so it feels this term as the workload seems to have increased and I’m finding I have v.little time for much else other than essay-writing, reading for essays, preparing presentations, translations, language work- basically all stuff for my degree! (I am trying to make time for fun things, like social life, my ballroom dancing lessons and practice, and of course a little me time 
Of course one of the things I always make time for is cooking! (and eating!) even though facilities aren’t great:
Lemon & Ginger udon noodle, veggie stir-fry with cashew nuts. I love these fat noodles- I think they’re Japanese?
Pizza “margherita” tomato sauce, mozzarella and oregano- 1/2 one day, 1/2 the next student style
Here’s a fun-fact- Do you know why it’s called pizza “Margherita?” No…? It means “daisy” in Italian. Apparently the pizza is traditionally topped with circles of white mozzarella which supposedly look like daisy petals!
Garlicky greens and butterbeans with couscous
Creamy vegan alfredo pasta (mad with nutritional yeast, soymilk etc.) with sliced,roasted brussel sprouts
Stir-fried tofu in leftover lemon & ginger sauce with rice and steamed kale and broccoli
( I was really please with how this turned out. Usually when I stir-fry tofu it ends up a big scrambled mess but the cubes stayed intact this time- maybe due to pressing the tofu?
Lunchie-munchie wholemeal wrap with aubergine and sun-dried tomato pesto and some salad for crunch all grilled up on the new G.Foreman! Loving it!
Everything’s still going swimmingly, like I said in my last post, I’m slightly suspicious of it, it almost seems too good to be true.
I’ve been thinking recently about this recovery journey and where I’m at and feel like I’ve come pretty far. I’m now eating a normal healthy amount definitely not restricting, am not struggling with my mood or anxiety at all, I’m getting along well with my work, concentration is fine, physically I have plenty of energy (provided I’m not up too late), social stuff is going ok, I’m never going to be a wild, party animal though:) I don’t worry about food-related events, can go out to meals without any issues……etc.etc. Sooo, where does this leave me? I feel pretty free from the constraints of anorexia.
Now, this sounds great and all and of course it does feel pretty good thinking about it but I’m feeling a little confused about why I am supposed to be starting therapy in a couple of weeks-what will I talk about? the only “issue” I suppose is the weight thing. No, I’m not at a healthy weight and no it’s not recommended to stay at a BMI of 15. Nevertheless, if everything is all good than what reason do I have to put on weight? I’m not really sure why I should bother or even how? Ok I really don’t want to trigger anyone but many people do struggle with eating disordered thoughts at this weight so perhaps things would be different if I was in those circumstances?
I do still measure some things, eat regular snacks and count calories to ensure I eat enough which is suppose is “eating-disordered” but honestly I’m not sure I would be able to eat enough otherwise through normal appetite/hunger rather than because of any ed influence. I thought I would be putting on weight on this amount but It turns out I’m not.
What next? I’m thinking just carry on doing what I’m doing, try and life each day to the full. Or maybe I should move away from counting and measuring to ensure I’m not fooling myself in thinking that I don’t need to do these things to feel ok? Or do I need to work really hard and try and eat more and gain? I just don’t think I’d be able to maintain a higher weight naturally by eating what I want to eat, I don’t have a particularly huge appetite, my Mum only has a BMI of like 18ish so it seems fairly normal in my family…..
Fresh mango
I’ve still been having my fave oat combo- the jar of www pb & co is almost finished 
(I have another stashed at home though!)
Almond butter and Bonne Maman strawberry preserves on wholemeal with a juicy baby pear
BUT, I’ve been branching out a little on the breakfast front too, with not too much thought and just going with what I felt like. 
Crumpets! With Nutella/ AB & Jam 
I love how the topping oozed through the little holes… mega yum!
I feel really happy at the mo, I’m even coming off my meds with no problems so far! I feel like I really am essentially free from this illness and it feels incredible. When I speak to my Mum on the phone she keeps saying how “Chirpy” I sound and I certainly feel it.
I want to spread the feelings around the blogosphere for everyone to enjoy, I’m convinced this comes with breaking free.
Love to you all
xxxx
Happy Friday my dears!
Gosh I can’t believe it’s the weekend already, this week has gone by soooo quickly. I’ve been pretty busy with various stuff, mainly academic stuff I guess and haven’t really had time to stop and think about things so now’s my chance.
So I went along to the prep group at the ed centre on Tuesday. Surprisingly I felt really good about being there. I saw my old therapist who had stopped seeing me because I wasn’t making changes:( She’s so lovely I hated letting her down. Anywhoo, I spoke to her and asked why I had to wait 5 weeks attending this group before i could have therapy? She said if I wanted to start now we can! So pleased, I figured I’m already starting to make changes so it would be great to talk about things and have some proper support now. She’s going to give me a date for our 1st appointment on Tuesday. Ugh,why are these things so long-winded!
In the past I’ve been hesitant about starting “action” without “permission” as it were, like if nobody is telling me to up the calories I’m not going to. BUT, why wait? Obviously I’m going to have to do that when I start therapy so I might as well show myself I can and do it now!
I’m so pleased I’ve managed to reach my goal intake every day this week! Whoopeee! What is with me at the moment? I’m so chirpy! I’m going to wait until Monday to get on the dreaded scales then I’ll have had a full week on this intake
On to the good stuff….
I went out to eat at the weekend and had a Goat’s cheese salad- it was fab but there was practically a whole log on there. I did the American thing and took home a doggy bag, just a lump of cheese in a box! Haha, the waitress gave me some odd looks but whatevs, I don’t like wasting good food!
So some of the goat’s cheese got recycled in a pasta dish I whipped up the following evening- pretty simple just sautéed some garlic, onion and mushrooms, squeezed a little lemon juice and then stirred the goat’s cheese into the hot pasta.
Tried the Cauldron organic mushroom burger- with sides of roasted courgette, steamed green beans and “Ebly” which is Durham wheat, a nice alternative to rice and couscous,kind of a nutty, chewy taste…Oh and a dollop of ketchup! The burger was tasty but not sensational.
The other burger in the pack, proper burger style on wholemeal bread, with sliced tomatoes and lettuce- grilled on my new baby- a George Foreman!
Oooooh so shiny and new!
What do you use you George Foreman for? Ideas?
Ok, so by now you’re probably thinking, “gosh this girl is so boring eating like the same things all the time.” BUT, let me explain, I’m a student and live in college accommodation cooking for myself. So, I have nobody to share 2-packs with and it makes sense from a time perspective to make dinner for 2 and save half for the following day. I do usually try and have some kind of variation on it though but there’s obviously gonna be a little monotony…Also I have to eat the same veggies for a few days as I can’t eat them all up in one meal on my own!
A lunchie-munchie wholemeal pitta stuffed with leftover roasted veggies (courgette, aubergine and onions),sundried tomato pesto and salad. [Grilled on my new friend ]
Another easy student meal- pasta with roasted veggies and layers of tomato and herb sauce- Doesn’t that look like ketchup to you!?
This was awesome- curried coconut aubergine (eggplant) and lentils with basmati rice and green beans.
Onion, fresh ginger and garlic sautéed, add some spices, I used curry powder, cinnamon and cumin, add chopped aubergine, bit of lemon juice, seasoning, water to cover and simmer for 30/40mins until lentils and aubergine are cooked and water absorbed, stir a little coconut milk or coconut cream in and voilá!
And leftovers with toasted wholemeal pitta slices, baby corn and beans
Even cookies come with 2 servings! 1/2 a giant Choc Nana’s cookie for a snacky
As seems to be a current trend I’ve been mixing things up a little for brekkie..Ok so some bowls of oats have made an appearance…
This was “Banapple pb raisin" Dorset cereals instant oats (with dried apple + rasins) a banana cooked in + sliced on top with blob of pb
Wholemeal toast with wcw pb &co and sliced banana..thinking now I have my G.Foreman this would be a good grilled sandwich combo?
And this morning I tried Mitri’s “Baked apple pie for one” on toast as I had no wraps open and using honey instead of maple. You should definitely check this out- sweet, soft apples and earthy tahini, warm and scrumptious!
Please note that the meals I share with you tend to have other components to them, be they side dishes, desserts, just pieces of fruit, or whatnot. Also some meals go completely unpictured and of course snacks too. I am generally eating by the 3 meals 3 snacks idea if you’re curious
I’m feeling a little suspicious of my happiness and positivity at the moment and how well I’m doing on the eating front but we’ll see how I feel on Monday when I see the number on the scale…Well, whatever happens I know I have to keep going.
I really hope the therapy get’s sorted out soon though.
Nice weekend planned:
Ballroom dancing practice tomorrow am, then out for lunch with Mumsy and her friends before we all go to the cinema to see a live recording of a play at the National Theatre. Probs some work later on ( I have a couple of essays which won’t write themselves). Sunday off to see a friend who’s currently in the ed unit to plan our trip to Morocco this summer together! Excited!
Anyone been to Morocco before?
Hope you all have a lovely weekend with lots of positive thoughts and progress!
Love to you all
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Aaah I’m sorry for being a bad blogger, have not had much time for blogging recently with all the work I’ve had to do, lectures and tutorials to attend and of course social stuff.
Things have been going a lot better for me. I’ve got out of that bad place I was in emotionally and also have been working really hard to get myself back into a healthy routine with food as I know my intake had dropped with my holiday and on returning I was struggling to get back to eating the amount I needed to. It has been quite anxiety-causing thinking about gaining back the weight but I’m more stable already having upped the cals and am keeping off the scales for a few days.
How do you all feel about routines? If you don’t eat so well one day do you find it harder to the following day?
I know it’s normal not to eat exactly the same amount each day and things balance out I suppose, I can’t trust myself to be able to do this just yet and find I have to give myself a target to get to each day. Hey-ho.
I had my appointment at the ed centre and they have put me on the waiting list for CBT- anyone have experience with this type of therapy? Find it useful? Hopefully it shouldn’t be too long before I’m allocated an individual therapist but until then I’ve been asked to attend a preparatory group..Don’t know what it involves but I figure it can’t do any harm so I’m trotting off there every Tuesday now, 1st session coming up.
I also discovered a university support group for people with eds. I went to my 1st meeting earlier in the week and met the other members, a lovely lot, even 1 boy with anorexia. It’s more of a social thing than active help but quite nice to not feel so alone here in my struggles. I am probably (although physically in not so great a place compared to all of them) am doing better emotionally and with my eating right now than the rest! I was worried a little about being triggered by them but I know I can do what I have to do despite their behaviour.
Have had a few meals out recently so they’re unpictured but here are some things I’ve enjoyed:
Peanut veggie noodle-stir fry
Lunchie-munchie falafel salad- Last of the spinach falafel, mixed leaves, carrot, red pepper, cukes, tomatoes, balsamic vinegar and drippy hummus.
Been rounding off my meals with lots of yog and fruit
and of course my beloved G&B’s…been working my way through multiple flavours
For some reason the caramel one was off limits for aaaaaaaaages, ed had for some reason convinced me that I didn’t like caramel. Know what? Turns out I DO like caramel.
“Cheezy” barley and mushroom walnut stuffed pepper. This was fab. I roasted a halved bell pepper for 25mins and meanwhile cooked up some barley in veggie stock with a little onion, garlic, and mushrooms and stirred in chopped walnuts and nutritional yeast for a nutritional bonus.
Coconut curry veggie rice bowl- I sauteed some ginger, onion and pepper and then cooked up a 1/4 cup basmati rice in stock with curry spices in the same pan, simmered it all and then crumbled in a little coconut cream and added broccoli towards the end.
More of my licorice teddy bear friends
Also the replenished bar box has been seeing some action for snacks too.
I managed to reintroduce the nut butters! These had disappeared from my oats but are now back in full force. This was a simple banana/oats/wchocwonderful pb combo.
I hate how ed takes eveything way, not just foods but socialising, spontaneity, health, hope….the list is endless. It’s so stupid. BUT, the only person who can get these back is ME! I can’t just sit around waiting for something I have to act and am doing. I want to work on building up my intake PAST where it was before, away from the maintenance of an unhealthy weight.
What has ed has taken away from you which you hate most about?
I leave you with the result of my grocery shopping yesterday! Lots of yummy fruit and veg, yoghurt, soy milk, wholemeal bread, tahini, soy crumbles and Cauldron organic mushroom burgers to try. I do already have all the staples so don’t worry I don’t just live of this!
Anyway, I went to the supermarket on my bike and tried to fit all my shopping bags in my basket, mmm…. rather heavy! I toppled over, ow!
I’m still reading even if I’m not blogging myself regularly so I’m keeping an eye on you all out there!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
“Thinking will not overcome fear, but action will.”
~ W. Clement Stone
Hi chickadees! Long time no speak!
I can thankfully say that I’m feeling much better physically now, not feeling sick at all and the tummy is back to normal.
I have since then had exams which weren’t great but weren’t awful so we’ll see when the results come out. They were sort of just a check on how we’re doing rather than anything serious so it doesn’t matter too much.
Also, although physically feeling much better my emotions have been ALL-OVER the place these past couple of days, I don’t know what’s been wrong with me but I kept feeling like I would burst into tears at any moment I thought maybe it was just me reacting to a combination of leaving my Mummy behind, starting term, anticipating work pressures and social pressures etc. but really I have no reason to be upset at all. Another thing I though of was that the small amount of weight I lost on holiday could have been enough to rock me, we are more emotionally stable at healthier weights definitely.
But today luckily things have been going my way, obviously something’s trying to help me feel better.
I woke up to melted snow and the sun shining
I caught up with my best friend on facebook chat
I had 2 emails from friends I haven’t spoken to in FOREVER.
The essay I was struggling with miraculously fell into place
Lots to be grateful for.
I haven’t been doing too much today, just working on keeping my frown turned upside down. My feelings are in my control, I don’t have to feel down, especially when there’s nothing to be miserable about!
I finished my essay, went on a lovely walk along the river in the sunshine and went out this afternoon with a friend to Patisserie Valerie
He had a date and pecan tart and a hot choc
I forgot to take a picture of mine but it looked a little like the picture but much bigger and thicker! It was a large chewy almond macaroon! With a chamomile tea. "
I can’t believe I just went ahead and had it without knowing any nutritional info or whatnot AND i’m going to make myself a proper dinner in spite of it! I’m going to try and challenge my fears and have bought things with unknown calorie contents much more often and hopefully go out to eat more to push ed away.
Calorie-counting is such a horrible habit and I’m working on getting rid of it at the moment. I’ve been sort of “aware” of vague calorie totals of meals rather than all their individual components and I have been stopping myself whenever my mind tries to add up daily totals. I’m determined to get rid of it.
Any of you have experience with giving up counting? Advice?
Here are some recent eats:
These Spinach falafels are so yummy!
Couscous, cherry tomatoes, spinach and petits pois with baked falafel balls
Another falafel meal! With baked sweet potato and steamed spinach and mushrooms…and ketchup.
I think this must have been from when my tummy was still a bit off- Just pasta, spinach and sun-dried tomato pesto. Simple and delicious.
This was a lunch tray I made the other day- I have to eat on my bed with a tray sometimes at uni when my desk is covered in papers and books!
Chunky hummus (it has whole chickpeas in it) wrap with spinach and cherry tomatoes, carrot sticks on the side
Dessert of Rachel’s vanilla yoghurt, chopped pear and handful of Dorset Cereals Honey Granola
I tried this granola the other day just straight up for a snack and wasn’t too impressed but it was much better with the fruit and yog.
I was lucky enough to win some boxes of Dorset Cereals before xmas in one of their competitions:
I finally got round to trying the fruity porridge:
1st I sampled the “cranberry and raspberry”
I’ve never had instant porridge before, nor have I had oats made with milk and it said to use milk on the package so this was a 1st for me. I added a banana too just to jazz things up even more…
Success! Loved this breakfast. So quick and easy to make in the micro.
The oats were so creamy with a yummy natural berry flavour and really voluminous considering the sachet looked tiny. Definite recommendation.
This morning I tried the apple and raisin fruity porridge with a pink lady apple addition instead of banana. I cooked the apple a little with some mixed spice to soften it before i cooked it in with the oats and then put the rest on top.
This was another good one although it was a little strange without my banana, i ALWAYS have banana in oats. Good to change things around though.
Does anyone know if you can cook regular oats in the micro? Or are they not so good?
This method saves washing up and time!
I’m off to bed it’s way past my bed time, I left this almost a few hours ago and went off to my friend’s for a long chat but I need sleep ready for starting my working timetable again tomorrow. I also have an appointment at the ed unit, I think this is my 1st for 6 weeks, trying to decide if it’s worth pursuing therapy or not?
Lots of love to you all.
Remember we can turn those frowns upside down
Emm
xxxxxxx
Seems like FOREVER ago since I last posted, I’m a disgrace I know I know. My excuse is pretty legit though, I had a nasty tummy bug, probably caught on the plane, so I haven’t been feeling great, spending time in bed etc. Don’t worry I have still been eating, although it was pretty painful and nausea-inducing, stuck to boiled white rice, cereal, sweet potato, gentle happy tummy foods.) Feeling almost back to normal now thank goodness.
Also am back at uni now and with start of term exams tomorrow! Eek! Posting tonight is my revision break although revision now is pretty last minute anyway.
Here is the promised holiday post finally!
I’m gonna let the pics do the talking as there’s not a lot of explanation to be done.
Sipping my welcome coconut “mocktail” at English equivalent of 5 in the morning!
Cute welcome decoration on bed
Pretty petals in washbasin
Complimentary Fruit bowl and sweet treats! (Obviously my Mum and I devoured the fruit within a day or so but my bros’ had to be taken away because the fruit was going bad as they had ignored it!)
Peace and relaxation on the beach straight after arriving
Hmmmm, I’d hoped to have a nice brown pic to compare this white glow at the beginning of the holiday with…minimal colour change
pre-dinner, 1st sunset
The main restaurant which we went to most nights was buffet-style (starter/main and dessert stations) (with diff themes every night- French, African, Creole, Italian, Coconut! etc.) We went early our 1st night so it was quiet.
The buffet thing worked well as it wasn’t so scary trying little mini desserts as it would be ordering a whole one from a menu. I like to finish my meal with something sweet!
My Mum and I took a trip out to the “Pamplemousses” (that means “grapefruits” in French) Botanical Garden.
Crocodile jaw tree
Lotus
Giant tortoise!
Butternut Squash tree! (Just kidding, I can’t remember what these were)
We saw these amazing giant water lilies (supposedly strong enough to hold a small child!)
Unfolding water lily….
Still going…
Oops! Flipped over!
Mummy and I
We then went to the capital which wasn’t too inspiring, but had a nice Indian lunch out:
We shared the steamed jasmine rice, baked fish kofta and green pea curry.
We celebrated New Year’s Eve out in Mauritius too of course- family meal together (bros don’t look impressed!)
Getting the camera prepped
That was an ice sculpture! How inappropriate in hot climate, I bet it disappeared fast!
The torch lighting ceremony happened every night with a representative from different departments of the hotel, gardener, chef, maid etc. It was so cute!
Waiting for the countdown on the beach….
Beautiful Fireworks, our hotels’ were definitely the best around!
Day out en famille
Indian gods at a Hindu temple
Making offerings into the holy lake
I tried water-skiing! This was my 1st go, it’s so much fun, I look pretty stiff here! It got better I promise!
Looking pleased with myself after finished!
The boys opted for kayaking instead
Huge crab seen on a walk along the beach with Mumsy
Bit of posing required of course!
Boat trip one day, met some lovely South African girlies, shame it was cloudy
The afro hair was set loose! Humidity and curly hair is not a good combo.
Finally, a typical fruit plate which I kicked off my breakfast with every day, the fruit was AMAZING!
Any country with 40 different varieties of mango is one I’m happy to be in !
That’s all folks!
I’m determined to work hard this term, in all areas. Sticking to my aims in my last post.
Will be back soon. Love to you all
xxxxxxxxxxx
A belated Happy New Year to everyone!
Got back last night from my 2 weeks in hot, hot Mauritius to 8 inches of snow in my village! Eek, massive shock to the system!
Anywhooo, despite the weather I’m still quite glad to be back.
Don’t get me wrong, I did enjoy the holiday but still going away is an effort, being out of routines, no food control, having little to do, relaxing, being with my family all the time, these things are difficult for me although they can be and were fun of course too!
Generally I think I coped ok with the situation, definitely could have been better, seeing as I could have pushed myself to eat better as it turns out I lost a little weight, but, in some respects, like managing to be pretty much sedentary and not freak out, enjoying my family’s company most of the time, being able to read and not be too distracted with ed thoughts, trying little bits of “fun food” like ice cream and desserts at dinner were all good things for me.
I feel like I’ve come back with a renewed attitude though-
Having celebrated New Year’s out there, 2010 really starts now I’m back. Starting a new year, and a new decade, a clean slate, particularly brings the opportunity for change. I think I’ve caught up with you all now and read about your New Year’s resolutions and goals etc.
My main aim is to work towards freedom in all areas of my life- Of course, freedom from anorexia comes first:
I’m going to work on escaping the self-imposed rules I’ve created around food. As others have mentioned, labels and guidelines about eating for those in recovery or “recovered” are often dangerous and maintain the eating disorder lurking in the background. I’m going to be vegetarian (eating fish) and that’s it for the moment. Although I’m all in favour of veganism and believe this is the ideal (I just read “Eating Animals” by Jonathan Safran Foer), i do need to put myself first and I think further diet restrictions are not a good idea for me. (Maybe when I’m older and can fully trust my food choices?)
I want to learn to trust my body, respect it and love it by feeding it nourishing foods but at the same time allow myself things which don’t fit into that “perfect diet” category, they might have more fat , sugar, salt, chemicals or whatever in but as my Mother always tried to teach me “Everything in Moderation".
I want to move away from measuring and counting- very ingrained habits for me that I’m often not aware that I’m doing
I want to be more present in my life, with spending more time over my friendships and family relationships and not be hindered in this by my eating disorder.
My blog was mentioned on holiday by my family and it initially made me uneasy. I thought about my time in the “blog world” a lot and considered if it was good or bad and also about giving it up. BUT I’ve decided not to for the time being as I do enjoy blogging and it IS a supportive, positive and inspiring community which is helpful to me. I’ve met some very special people who one day I would love to meet in person. I’m not embarrassed about blogging and it’s not going to be some secret, it is following my journey back to life and I should be proud of that.
However, in being more active in my “real” life I am going to manage my time better, read the blogs at one certain time a day or whatever so I have more time for my studies, other friends and day-to-day life and ensure blogging doesn’t stop this!
I’m back to uni on Tuesday and want to make this term the best possible but I’m not going to beat myself up if things don’t always go to plan- in work, recovery or whatever.
BE KIND TO MYSELF!
I will write up a holiday post or 2 soon with some snaps of course.
(Preview Picture!- How perfect is that flower?)
Love to you all.
Missed you
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
(*WARNING* LONG POST AHEAD!!)
Hope everyone’s recovered after yesterday’s festivities and had a great day! I certainly slept well last night- I was pretty tired….
I had a lovely day, I wasn’t particularly worried about the day, just thought the absence of my Dad might be quite painful (he died in July, his lungs and body weakened too much from the emphysema caused by years of smoking). We did our best to talk about him happily and remember what he would have said or done at Christmas time rather than ignoring the fact that he wasn’t there.
We celebrated at home this year- it was me, Mummy, the 2 bros, my much older 1/2 bro and his wife, their 2 little ones (my niece and nephew) and my sister-in-law’s bro, wife and their 2 kiddies. So we had 4 children under 5 which made it really special, although very noisy!
I kicked off xmas early, cracking into the Panettone for breakfast on xmas eve- this is the ultimate xmas treat (For those of you who don’t know it’s an Italian sweet bread like brioche made with eggs and buter, studded with candied fruits and plump raisins)
Big slice of M&S Panettone accompanied by a crisp Pink Lady apple and cinnamon
Had a pretty relaxing day, just helping out Mummy with preparations, a bit more studying, doggy walk etc.
An exciting package came for me in the afternoon-
I was lucky enough to win 3 boxes of Dorset Cereals porridge sachets in their “Advent Calendar” competition, I never win anything! Cranberry and raspberry, simply porridge and apple and rasin! These will definitely be going back to uni with me.
We had dinner together (Mummy, bros and I) but I didn’t snap any pics- It was such a lovely evening, we all ate the same, chatted and laughed, staying around the table long after we had finished eating. Felt so normal.
We had this:
“Lightly smoked salmon, smoked haddock and Cod roast with lemon and parsley melt filling”, with green breans and baby corn and rosti potato cake on the side, followed up with fresh mango.
We all helped clear up and relaxed for a while then Mummy decided it would be easier to get presents done that night! So at 11pm we exchanged gifts! There was nothing I wanted this year so I didn’t get a “big” present but I thought I still did pretty well!:
Yoga mat, cute slippers, jewellery box, lavender wheat bag sheep!, floral silk skirt, rose print wooly tights, new cashmere bed socks, cashmere dark green roll neck, denim shirt/dress, “Eating Animals” book, sarong, and other little bits and pieces….
Onto the 25th….
Didn’t rush up this morning as we’d already done presents, had a leisurely classic oats breakfast (obviously cinnamon was liberally sprinkled after this picture)
Peace and quiet for a while…
Until the kiddies arrived and mayhem followed….
The 4 little ones playing with some flying helicopter thingamajig
Wildly ripping into presents!
Looking angelic My nephew and niece are on the left + right (they’re 1/2 Colombian and their cousin in the middle is fully Colombian and doesn’t speak English so I got the opportunity to practice my Spanish.
My gorgeous Mummy telling me not to take a photo of her!
After champagne and nibbles we moved onto the main event…
My little niece, Sofia, 3
Her cousin, 2
Getting stuck in…urgh my brother is revolting!
My nephew, Thomas, 4 and his daddy
Of course my plate! I had: Brazil nut and cannellini bean roast with cranberry glaze (kinda fell apart), with braised red cabbage and apple, steamed carrots, peas and sprouts. Was very yummy. I’m not into xmas pudding or mince pies but there were lots of clementines and red grapes on the table as well.
The children managed to gain more energy after refuelling with lunch so they ran around a bit more. We tried to encourage them to calm down with books, I read my nephew & niece an old fave “ A bun for Barney” Anyone know it?
They finally got tired and we all settled down to watch “ the Gruffalo” on tv before they went home
This is my sister-in law’s brother wife and Luna, their 4 year old.
Lots of clearing up, more relaxing, a quick 10mins fresh air with the dog , more panettone eating, and crashing on the sofa made up the rest of the evening.
All in all a fun-filled family day!
If you’ve made it this far well done! I’m probably boring you all with this post but just a few more pics to go…
Boxing day Jar oats!!!
Finally I finished the Cinnamon Raisin Swirl and had my 1st jar oats. Ok it’s not all that exciting but it was fun for me…
All gone
Xmas is well and truly over for another year, we’ve even taken down all the decs today as we don’t get back from hols until the 9th so can’t really leave them up until then.
I’m flying out to Mauritius tomorrow and have no idea what the computer/internet situation will be- I may end up posting, commenting, neither or both but I wish you all a Happy New Year if I don’t post before then, may all your hopes for this new year be fulfilled!
Love you all
Emm
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Hey girlies, hope you’re all keeping happy, enjoying the festive season!
All is well with me- I’m feeling pretty good right now, happy and powerful for taking control of my life finally. I’ve been doing well on the food front, staying positive and enjoying my family’s company.
So, surprisingly my post title is NOT referring to the climate over here in the UK, which is rather grey and freeeeeeezing, not my idea of fun. Rather, what I’m hoping to find very soon when I jet off to MAURITIUS on the 27th! Yep, I’m a lucky girl and will be spending 12 days with my Mummy and 2 older bros (23 &21) on a family holiday!
I’m pretty excited in a mixed happy/anxious sort of way. Of course the cold and I being mortal enemies I can’t wait for some heat, but going away brings all sorts of challenges.
1. Lying down on beach all day- lack of activity= scary for ed
2. Restaurant eats the whole time, no control for ed.
3. Spending fairly intense time with the family, relationships are always a bit difficult, especially with the brothers.
4. Being in a Bikini! EEK!!!
But, instead of letting these difficulties ruin my holiday I’m going to take the opportunity to confront my fears and have fun like everyone else. All of these fears are pretty silly anyway, once again it’s Mr.ED trying to get in the way.
I will not be glued to a sunbed after all, I’m sure we’ll go on walks along the beach, a bit of messing around in the pool and swimming in the sea, maybe scuba?! Maybe waterskiing! We’ll see…. And also, relaxing is good for us all, I hope to get some of my uni reading done and store up some energy for the hectic term ahead as well.
Restaurant wise, the hotel looks lovely and I’m sure the food will be delicious, lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, local food as well as international cuisine, I’m just going to do my best to enjoy it (while making sure I’m eating to my goals, I don’t want to let that slip while I’m away).
As a family although we’re away together we won’t be together together the whole time. I’m guessing we’ll do our own thing quite a bit and meet up at meals mainly so that will be fine.
Bikini challenge is a bit harder but really nobody is going to be paying attention to me! It’s me being paranoid thinking that everyone is looking at me and judging me on my body. I don’t worry about being too big or thinking about how I would look at a lower weight. I just hope my bikinis aren’t too big still
From left to right: Topshop nautical-style bikini, Noa noa high waisted daisy print shorties and Jack Wills rosy bikini.
Here are a few munchies eaten recently:
Puy Lentils, Roasted butternut squash and onions with sage and dried cranberries, broccoli
Just a wholemeal pitta with shredded carrot, mixed salad and more sundried tomato & basil pate
Finally! I tried the famous carrot cake oats!
My variation was 1/2 cup oats, 1/2 banana whipped in, vanilla, cinnamon, shredded carrot, topped with Philadelphia Cream cheese mixed with a little agave and toasted walnuts for the real carrot cake taste. ‘Twas fabulous! Super filling though!
Let’s take a closer look….
Next time I post may well be after xmas day, so everyone have a lovely day, remember it’s just another day and try and embrace time spent with family and friends, ok so there’s focus on the food but enjoy it!!
Love you all sooo much
xoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Sorry the light’s not great- It was much better on my camera!
Hope it works! xxxxxxxxxxxx
