Ginger is back, so lets have a picnic :)

Long , long time no see, we had to catch up.

 

I thought the fruit from my friends allotment would be a good surprise for the picnic. This is super material for Summer fruit cake.

 

 This is my FRUIT PARTY at home ;P

 And here is the PICNIC under St. Catherine's Hill with wonderful views and some yummy snack Cinnamon, Ginger and I brought to share...

Colourful , just like Summer itself .

Ginger playing with her little one.

Found out lots about Ginger's holiday in Poland...And talked about mine, that is about to start...We realized that, there will not be much time in August to meet...When I will be coming back, Cinnamon will be leaving for hers...As I say, no problem with that ;) We are busy having fun...
I wish we heard from Pepper. I wonder how is she doing on her holiday...Hope she gets to read this ;P we missed her today.
Me and my Love are going to BBQ tomorrow and I still have some fruit left....need to use everything up, before we leave on holiday...so...
Guess what ??
Naughty,  naughty, very... very.... naughty !!
It is in the oven .....

Vanilla xx

Hi everyone!

I'm back...and sorry for not posting for 4 weeks...I know that holiday is not an excuse but when you have a little one who doesn't want to sleep and wakes you up every 2 hour every night that makes you very tired and leaves you with no energy for the day. I feel bad about it and I hope you understand.

Now I would like to make it up to you and tell you a little bit about my lovely holiday in Poland...even if I was sleepyheaded I enjoyed every minute of it.

Every time I go I feel so exited and happy that I'm able to see my family and friends especially my nice and two nephews who grow so fast.

I was going without my husband so getting there it wasn't easy thing to get through with my little ONE...but I did it. I have to say I was very tired after whole journey but happy to see well known faces...that is priceless.

We where welcomed with lovely weather so every day I was having a nice cup of coffee with my mum on the balcony...these flowers are lovely isn't...my dad takes care of them.

In one of these blocks live my parents in low...me and my little ONE where seeing  them quite often.

To enjoy the weather I was going for a walk quite a lot...I have to say my family town is looking a bit different compering to the times when I lived there...a lot of new nice places to see... I'm nice surprised.

Every time we had company

After 3 weeks spending time with my family it was difficult to come back. My mum got used to have me and my little ONE every day and she was very sad that we have to go...it made me sad too. But we have to be strong and looking forward for next holiday which might be in September...hope so.

Ginger xxx

You can be good even with take-away...

At least I hope I didn't start my new "watch out for healthy fat"-week completely wrong. Hubby and I really wanted Chinese as it is months ago since we last had it. So I got myself plain rice and salty ginger and spring onion chicken - no sauce. What du you think?

And for desert I tried one of Madeleine's sweet treats: raw chocolate avocado mousse. It was delicious :-). But I think I used the wrong almond milk. The recipe just said almond milk (or coconut or rice milk). As I always buy unsweetened almond milk I also used it for this pudding. My mousse turned out to be too bitter so I added nearly a tsp of honey. It was nicer but still not 100% so on top of this dessert I put one tbsp of vanilla yoghurt (Greek style). It was soooo yummy. And I also forgot to get new frozen raspberries so I used pomegranate seeds instead..

Cinnamon x

Good-bye low fat and hello full fat - I love the life changing challenge!

All right, Madeleine Shaw's six week lifestyle change challenge is still on! Last week was all about sugar this week will be all about fat. Fat: friend or foe? (Check out Madeleine's webpage too if you want more detailed information: www.madeleineshaw.com). 

First of all no more low fat products. And why not? In order to make those food products tasty they contain too much sugar. So good-bye low fat and hello full fat! Of course it is not as simple as that either.
Why do we need fat in our diet? It is good for us as fat is our energy source, it helps maintaining our cell membranes, it keeps our nervous system in order and boosts our immune system, fat also helps us having healthy hormones, it is vital for the absorption of the vitamins A, D, E, K and makes us feel full for longer after a meal. But most importantly our food just tastes delicious. So basically fat is essential. Watch our for healthy fat: e. g. coconut oil, olive oil, avocado, nuts, seeds, cold-water fish, free-range eggs, natural organic dairy.
Did you know that soy milk is not good for you? It contains phytic acid which blocks the absorption of minerals - so calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc won't get in your system and all effort to better your diet is useless. So no soy milk. 

As I said in an other post I really like my yogurt - greek style natural, vanilla, coconut and mango are some of my favourites. I know that most of them contain sugar. But I am not eating them every day as they are my treat and I try to buy as many organic ones as possible. So I think that is not too bad. And back to no low-fat, it is actually quite hard to find natural fat yogurts so when I do my shopping I have to go to at least two different supermarkets. Like Vanilla said in her post about positive thinking - you have to change your habits which is not easy but this is a good start to make new habits ;-).
If you are doing your shopping put the following things on your list as they are good for getting your skin to glow and of course for the rest of your body too:
- red peppers
- chia seeds and pumpkin seeds
- brazil nuts
- kale.
Madeleine also mentioned liver (great source of Vitamin A). But I wouldn't be able to even try liver - at least not at the moment cause just the thought of it makes me shiver... (Get the Glow by Madeleine Shaw, p. 23-29).
I am pretty sure this week will be easier than the first one :-). I'll keep you updated...

Today I started my day with fruits and berries in my porridge... Looks yummy right ;-)

Cinnamon x

Long Barn sugar free visit ;P

I wanted to visit for a long time...

Monday was the day, when I thought would be a great opportunity

for Cinnamon and me, to meet my friend photographer Adrienne.

Long Barn Café seemed like a nice place to go...

 We talked about Cinnamons wedding planes ...

The best way to get to know the photographer is probably to work together for a bit.

 And we did that. Cinnamon thought it was very easy to work with Adrienne, as she made her feel comfortable and in ease in front of  the camera :D

 Bit of modelling was going on...We will not show you everything though  ;P It was fun !

 Walking in a field of Lavender was something....

Absolutely beautiful...the Lavender smell was surrounding us...and so were buzzing bumble bees.

Sugar free right? Cinnamon had pleasure of putting sugar in cup I was trying to hold on ;) Lemon and Lavender drizzle cake , Lavender shortbread heart...We treated Adrienne to that sweet feast.

  Cinnamon had a Tomato ,Watercress and Feta Quiche with a side salad.

 And I had Beetroot and Salmon salad.

We were good. Madeleine Shaw's diet is strict ;P

It was pleasure to spent some time with my lovely friends in Long Barn...
Vanilla xx

Waffle of course

That's what Costa should really  introduce in their menu :)))

Pepper xxx

Positivity, that's what matters now...

I really got inspired by Madeleine.
It is nice to see this kind of eating being a life style...
That is , what I could change about my life...
I also know, it is not a transformation over night. I have to work on it...
Have to change my thinking...
Have to make myself feel this is the right thing to do !!
Have to change my habits !!
Have to change my shopping list !!
Have to make time to prepare food...because, if you are not use to eating food with so many restrictions, it takes more energy to make something you didn't do before and you are not used to.
My normal cooking is easy, because I always done it like that.
So my new cooking has to become a habit , so I can soon say, I always done it like that, then I think it becomes easy. It will be in my blood stream...it will be exactly what I need , what I want, what I like, there for I will not need anything else...
But I still have BUT
What about, when you go on holiday?
If you like to try different cuisine?
What then ?
Being honest, I don't know , and I will have to answer this ...But speaking out loud...I like to try new things :( Hmmm...
Even BBQ at friends house seems less enjoyable than ever !! Because everything I looked at was No No :( so , Or am going to stop going to BBQ's or I will have to make them all eat only what I allow?
Am making myself so popular ! Ha ha..
Or maybe, I can make myself popular by going to someones house for the party, but tell them I will cook and bring the food over. Fun....No, No , No, I can't do any of this things....

This lifestyle really needs will power !
Because brain, that funny but clever thing, will always try to trick you and question everything! So how about I just say I CAN !  Simple as that !!
Well we will see the future in the future ;) But for today....?

Today, I was good...well good as I could be ;) Only had sugar in my tea and coffee and I also cut down from tea spoon to just a 1/2.
This is a start . Right ?
Other than that, am not aware of having any more sugar in my diet.

 Today, just a quick fix beef burgers , grilled aubergine, tomato and pepper and few olives.
Didn't have much time to think about today's or

yesterday's dinner. I just got a bit creative while pulling things out of the fridge.
Hope next time I can impress you and myself firstly with something more interesting ...

Please feel free to comment, as I would like to know, how are you, getting on with your diet or maybe a life style?  Lets inspire each other...Would love to hear about your frustrations and your point of view on Madeleine's 6 weeks challenge!?


I'll be back at the end of the week to let you know how am I doing here ;)
Vanilla xx

Greetings from Singapore :)

Hello all,
Yesterday we finally arrieved to Singapore. Long journey but well worth it.  Belowe you can see few pics. When I'm back I'will update more info so at the moment enjoy the view :)))

Pepper xxx

Picnic at Avington

This was a week ago, when we knew nothing about the diet we were going to start...

Cinnamon, do you remember ? ;D

Pimms and cakes while chatting and enjoying the view on Avington House.

I can fit that house in my glass ;D

Pimms. delicious drink, full of goodness, was very welcomed and enjoyed.

      

                                                     Cheers !

 Always fun to be catching up .... Cinnamon is back from her holiday now.

 Isn't English country site just wonderful ? I love this spot. The pond is full of life. There is always something going on. And it is so relaxing to watch nature around us...Specially when sun is shining.

We had some other friends come to join us later on. Pimms was enjoyed by all of us, but this four legged friend couldn't take his eyes of my cakes. Poor thing. Look at him...
After the picnic, we went for a girls walk around Avington. Boys of course just stayed chatting...apparently , someone had to stay watching the food and Pimms ;) ha ha...
It was fine, as girls needed some girls time and boys needed some boys time...
We were all happy.
Vanilla xx

The first week without sugar - how is it going?

My first Sunday without sugar, nothing sweet at all. I am a bit proud of myself today :-).

So I was asking myself why I'm actually trying Madeleine's six weeks?! I think the idea of feeling better in your skin just through changing what you're eating sounds so nice and easy. I really like my skin to glow, feel more energetic and have no (or at least less!) cravings for sweets. But I have to admit that I like the challenge as well lol. So to answer Vanilla's question what this week is all about here are a few facts:

- live without sugar as it affects your hormones, it can make you fat, it can mask the taste of other foods

- sugar is everywhere, be aware of the hidden ones (low-fat and diet products, bread, cereals, mustard and other sauces, commercial soups, processed food, soft drinks)

- benefits of giving up sugar: glowing skin, no more food addiction, feeling happier, losing weight

(All the details can be found in Madeleine's book: get the glow, p. 13-19)

And Vanilla I'm happy to share the recipes from the book with you but I'm pretty sure you'll find them on Madeleine's webpage. Go on www.madeleineshaw.com and have a look :-). The beetroot soup you found in my book sounds really yummy, I think I have to try that one too. My hubby wasn't too thrilled though but he'll try it. And my little one seems to like what I have cooked so far. 

And this is what we had for dinner today: beef steak with parsnip chips.

I just realised now that by serving it with a bit of mustard I actually consumed sugar today as its possibly hidden in that condiment. Not happy! But it was very nice still :-).

We'll see what tomorrow brings... 

Cinnamon x

Holiday :))

Hello all, it is my holiday time now. So see you soon on the other site of the ocean.

Have fun but not to much without me :)))

Pepper xxx

Getting the Glow - not easily

Today was my fourth day of Madeleine's six week program that I'm going to try out. So this week is all about Ditch The Junk which means no more sugar. I thought it would be challenging but it actually seems rather impossible. There's sugar everywhere! This afternoon we went to a birthday BBQ. Before we left I told myself to stay away from the cake - which I did :-). But first question of my friend: what would you like to drink, we've got juices, lemonade, coke, wine, beer. Well I chose water - nice, my usual drink anyway. Then there were salads, all homemade but guess what the dressings contained sugar. Of course the meat was fine as it was not marinated. So in order to follow the program I should have chosen water and meat, a bit boring don't you think? I decided to go for a bit of salad with the meat and a very small glass of wine instead. Not bad I think but also not perfect either.. How can you manage to live completely without sugar?

Madeleine's idea is to reward yourself with something other than a sweet. That way you get rid of the habit of sugar being your reward. So because I resisted the really yummy looking birthday cake today I decided to treat myself with something nice in the evening. I sat outside - was rather chilly but it smelled of summer, a summer evening after a rain shower - and I allowed myself to relax, to enjoy some pictures I've taken the previous day's - I'm playing with my camera again ;-). There was no more wine or chocolate anywhere near me! My mini flavour was sleeping so the perfect time just to myself. 

And I really like this pic, I can actually still hear the bumble bees...

Cinnamon x

Cinnamon and Vanilla - Get the glow ;D

...started with the cuppa and the scone !! Sharing, so not a bad start ;D

Exact the opposite of what we are hoping for the next 6 weeks...

Well, long time no see, so we had sooo much to catch up on... wow, you could never believe, how much girls can talk ;D or? Maybe you could, when you find your soul mate, than really, you know it is not that difficult.

We shared a scone, Cinnamon had it Devon's way and Vanilla likes it Cornwall's way ;D

We were still thirsty, so we went for these drinks...Hmmm, as much as they look healthy, you can probably tell, there is a lot of sugar in them...

We went outside to discuss this inspiring book, sun was shining and it was so lovely being surrounded by flowers. Cinnamon was telling me all about it... she is very excited and wants to GLOW and so do I. We decided to TRY to do this challenge. At the end of it, we will be glowing like Disco glow sticks ;D ha ha. Well, we might really look like sticks... Of course, if it goes well, we will be glowing too. Am already thinking to myself? Why do I actually want to do it, as I do not believe in depriving myself much from anything, but being yo-yoing between size 12 and 14 you would probably guess that anyway... I do like bit of everything.

I love eating healthy, but I also like to treat myself and everyone around me, quite often. Baking... I love baking and only a few days ago I bought myself a book MUG CAKES which I will probably have to put away for a while... Hmm... am thinking out loud here...

My main worry is... that if we cut down on sugar and fat too much, our body will get used to it, and we will train it to store everything we were cutting down on as soon as 6 weeks are over!! And I do not want that! I feel like if we do this, it almost has to be a life style change, not a 6 weeks thing! But are you really up to changing your life completely? No more sugar in your drinks? No more cakes or fatty foods? Can you really keep this up for ever?

We already thought it is such an unsocial thing to do, to eat so healthy.

Imagine! No, we don't even have to imagine. The reality is, if you like to go out, Cafes, Garden Centers, shops are full of sugary foods. Today was an exact example of it! The only cold drink that was not too calorific was water. There wasn't any gluten free option or any cake or treat made with honey of stevia instead of sugar! Here we go, and here we go again!!! How impressive is that! Hardly impressive!

So we need to not visit Garden Centers or Cafes any more?

Shall we just always be busy preparing what ever we want to eat? And always have a picnic, so we don't get tempted by anyone or anything??

That is what I mean, by it being unsocial ...

Well I will try, to support Cinnamon for 3 weeks, that suits me, as am going on holiday, and being a glow stick would attract people, because people love being around happy, relaxed and glowing personalities... we will be feeling great in ourselves. Also, good figure will be a nicely tasting cherry on top of that cake we can't have any more :(. Lets see how we go.....!? Hopefully I can do it, and can tell all these people around me, how easy it is, how happy I am I did it, and how rewarding it is to be glowing and being the super size healthy 10 or 12 because I am not going any further than that!! You have to keep bit of this and bit of that !! Ha ha...

So when cravings come, I will make something Sweet and Healthy or call Cinnamon to tell me off, before I bite into that cake ;) that will be somewhere in the shop waiting for me and even 5 km will not seem like a distance for me to go to get it... That is actually a good idea! Let's keep cakes in the shop...

Please keep fingers crossed for me and come to see how am I doing.. and if you are doing challenge too, let us know, how is it going at your end.

Vanilla xx

Hi.

Yes Vanilla, it was such a lovely afternoon! And I am excited that you would like to challenge yourself together with me. But I already agree with you that eating healthy can make you unsocial... But I also think this six week program is actually not just for those one and a half months it is actually just the beginning of your change of life style so there shouldn't be a yo-yo effect as you give up those habits for good. For me today was my third day but I failed today. I have to try again tomorrow, and the day after...

Cinnamon x