Toddler recipe: Sweet and Sour Pork Noodles

Serves 2 toddler meal portions. 
Just increase the amount of ingredients if you want to make more or are cooking for the whole family.

This is a tasty favourite of Babyzoid's that apart from the meat is almost completely storecupboard.  It's so quick and easy to make, yet tastes really nice.  Indeed I often make it for all of us now by just increasing the quantities.  Best of all there's no added salt or sugar like you get in commercial sweet and sour sauces - it simply doesn't need it!

Ingredients

• A handful of diced pork
• Straight-to-wok noodles
• A handful of frozen peppers
• A handful of frozen peas
• A handful of pineapple chunks, fresh or tinned and chopped to appropriate size.
• Half a can of chopped tin tomatoes
• Tsp tomato puree
• Tsp garlic puree (optional)
• A few drops of vinegar
• 5-7 drops Worcestershire sauce (to taste)
• A little olive or vegetable oil
• Squeeze of lime (optional)

Method

1. Heat oil in a heavy based frying pan or wok and brown the pork pieces.
2. Add in the tinned tomatoes, tomato pureegarlic puree and garlic puree (if using).
3. Add in the Worcestershire sauce.
4. Add the noodles, peppers, peas and pineapple and gently stir-fry until the pork is cooked through and the peppers, peas and pineapple pieces are softened.
5. Once cooked stir in a squeeze of lime, if you have one handy, and voila.  Done done!

How quick and easy was that? 

Monday Munch #4 - Chocolate Brownie muffins

This is not a recipe I've made up myself  but it's one of my favourites as it's from my gorgeous Hotel Chocolat recipe book.  This book is choc full (groan) of delicious cake and pudding recipes, and indeed a few A La Carte meal recipes of main meals containing chocolate (ooh aye).  As with everything I like to tweak but I'm going to transcribe the recipe faithfully, but with a few notes to let you know the modifications I've made:

Chocolate Brownie Muffins, by Felicity Barnum-Bobbs (from Hotel Chocolat's 101 Best Loved Chocolate Recipes

Ingredients

• 350g dark chocolate, in pieces.  The recipe recommends 50% cocoa solids rather than 74-75% as Felicity finds it too bitter.  As I often only have bitter chocolate in I find it works ok actually, though kids may find a little rich.  I have mixed almost half and half with white choc and it worked beautifully.
• 175g butter (I often use Stork to be frugal!)
• 100g self raising flower
• 225g golden caster sugar (I really do prefer it with the golden caster than the white as the muffins seem to taste extra fudgy, rather than too sugary, but white would no doubt work if you have none - or even dark brown sugar)
• 3 tbsp milk (I used 6tbsp last time with my half and half dark brown and white choc and it was extra fudgy and squidgy (yummmmm!)
• 3 medium eggs

Method

1. Preheat oven to 190 degrees C/Gas mark 5 and line a 12 hole muffin tin with paper cases.
2. Melt the chocolate and butter together in a bowl over a pan of simmering water (bain marie) or microwave on medium for 2 mins, stir, then microwave on high for a further 2 mins or until melted.
3. Let chocolate and butter mix cool slightly.
4. Sift the flour into a bowl and stir the sugar.
5. Add the milk and eggs to the melted chocolate and mix together.
6. Pour chocolate mix into the dry ingedients and stir until just combined.
7. Spoon the mixture into the cases and bake for about 20 minutes until risen and just firm.  Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly.
8. Serve warm (but trust me, they taste beautiful cold too as who can eat 12 choc-fudge muffins in one sitting?!?!?)

Seriously, these are GORGEOUS!  A cross between a muffin and a chocolate fudge brownie.  Now what could be better?

Babyzoid and her new Play Dough

Today we are going to the hospital where Babyzoid will have a general anaesthetic, before having grommets inserted. Naturally, her father and I are quite nervous about it as although it is a perfectly routine procedure, as with all operations there is always a risk of complications. However, I'm sure my little girl will be characteristically brave, so I guess Mummy will have to be too. It will soon be over with and Babyzoid can recuperate at home with her toys, particularly her new dough set which she had a blast playing with yesterday. She had such fun I just had to video her enjoyment!

Reasons to be cheerful

Last week's R2BC really cheered me up as I took delight in the silly little things. This week there might be more of the trivial, but there are a few biggies as well. So without further ado:

1: I'm getting married and I ordered my wedding dress! Yippee Yay! Yep, a reason to be cheerful that puts an even bigger smile on my face than realising I have cute feet (bwah). Naturally I won't go into too many specifics on the dress, but needless to say it is totally ME. In fact, yep, it's not exactly traditional bridal wear. My dress in indeed black. Oh yes! Excited? Much! I always look at other people in their dresses (like Mummy Mich last week) and think how gorgeous they look. But when I go to try them on, I just don't feel quite right. So I'm doing it my way. The dress is elegance itself, almost like a Hollywood Oscars gown. I'm so excited! Now we just need to set a date.... lol.

2: That brings me to my second reason. Why buy the dress if you haven't set a date, you might ask. Well, we've been kind of urged to get on with it a bit after being engaged for 3 and a half years. My Father in Law has been really unwell, as many of you who chat to me on Twitter might know. He has terminal cancer, but has managed to live reasonably normal for the last 5 or 6 years. Unfortunately things have progressed and time is now of the essence. My Mother in Law to be shared with my Mum and Paul that my Father in Law really wants to see us get married. We have always intended to do it, we just got a little bit sidetracked with having Babyzoid and the rough few years that followed. Our 7 years relationship has always been strong though, and I've known since day one that it was forever, or since day minus one hundred and something if you take into account the fact that we met on an Internet music forum! So as my in laws have kindly offered to help finance it, we see no reason not to make the ultimate commitment, and of course to bring smiles and reasons to be cheerful for those we love.

I could actually list quite a few more reasons to be cheerful this week, but I think those are the two standouts, especially as I'm sat here looking at chipped toenails and blistered tootsies right now. Time to go perform a rescue pedicure, methinks! And while I do that I'm going to check out other people's reasons to be cheerful over at Mummy From the Heart. Toodles!

Taking Babyzoid out of Nursery: Activities for the Stay at Home Toddler

Last week I took my daughter out of nursery.  It was a really tough decision to make as Babyzoid has really settled after a ropey start when she was too ill to attend 50% of the time during September to February.  The nursery itself is amazing and indeed was awarded an Outstanding grade by Ofsted last month.  Location wise, it is set in beautiful Warwickshire countryside and even has its own alotments where the children can grow their own veggies.  They also start learning Spanish once they graduate the baby unit and parents and grandparents are regularly invited in to participate in special sessions.  The staff were so friendly and caring and were obviously really taken with Babyzoid, funnily enough the leaving card she got had several mentions of her 'cheeky' nature!  My rough and tumble, happy-go-lucky little girl was always in the thick of it with her friends too, indeed sometimes a little too much like the time I got spoken to after she had pushed a boy over who had just pushed her pal.  I had to try not to laugh at the thought of her turning all vigilante and showing the boys what for.  But... that's all in the past.  I'm sad she had to leave, but with my income slashed to half, we can no longer afford it - especially as it is 20 miles from our house and therefore X2 40 mile round trips for me!

But the question now is how do I fill those two extra days a week?  What can I do to ensure that Babyzoid is not missing out on fun and educational activities and experiences? 

Crafts is an obvious solution.  When leafing through Babyzoid's extensive learning diary I saw how much she had enjoyed activities such as making pictures with pasta shapes and glue, finger painting, and so on.  There were little photos interspersed throughout of an uncharacteristically focused little angel sat at a table next to a pal obviously loving what she was doing (which made me feel guilty and blub) So I've cleared the small low table we have in the dining area of our through-lounge, bought a tiny plastic chair, which only cost me £2.70 from Wilkos (bargain!) and raided The Works shop for craft items such as plain and coloured card, glitter pens, glue sticks, finger paints.  Crayons we already had, some half nibbled of course (thank goodness they're non-toxic) and finally a chalkboard set from B&M.  All of these things incredibly cheap and a good starting point.

Babyzoid is in seventh heaven!  Some of you will have seen the card she produced for Father's Day on last week's Silent Sunday utilising her finger paints, and here she is creating her first solo masterpiece, which is now pinned proudly to my kitchen noticeboard!

And here we are having fun with her chalkboard:

As you can see, she's not quite got the hang of the blackboard yet and indeed we had to have words when she thought the TV would make a far better canvas for her efforts!!!

So that's what we have so far.  I've also bought a cheap inflatable paddling pool that we can splash around in on the decking (naturally it's rained every day since).  I'm now on the lookout for activities that we can do together and some that I can leave Babyzoid to focus on so that she can practice some independent work. 

What crafts and activities do you and your children really enjoy? 



Monday Munch #3 - Butternut squash and sweet potato soup

Search Amazon.com for soup recipes cookbook

photo © 2010 Karen and Brad Emerson | more info (via: Wylio)
Now I know that this isn't exactly seasonal being a little bit autumnal and all, but your little person doesn't give a hoot what Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall or Jamie Oliver have to say about what produce you should use and when. I love using seasonal fruit and vegetables in my cooking as much as the next enthusiastic home cook, but y'know, I'm not going to turn my nose up at a firm family favourite because a few fancy-dan chefs with limitless budgets tell me I should be using broad beans instead (bleuuugh!)

Ingedients

1 butternut squash, peeled and diced

2 large sweet potatoes, or 3 if smaller, peeled and diced

1 large onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, squashed and chopped up

1 litre vegetable stock (if using stock cubes, you'll need 2!)

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 tbsp oil

salt and pepper (leave out salt for small children)

1 or 2 tsp sour cream (optional)

Method
1. Lightly fry onions in the oil in a large saucepan. Make sure the saucepan will hold at least a litre of liquid, and don't forget adding in the veggies will make liquid-line rise :)
2. When onions are softened, add in the chopped up squash and sweet potatoes and garlic and fry gently for 3 or 4 mins
3. Add in the stock and stir to prevent onions sticking to the pan
4. Bring to the boil, then turn down slightly as you would when boiling potatoes
5. When potatoes are soft, take off the heat and transfer to a blender (you may need to do this in batches, depending on how large your blender is
6. Transfer all the blended soup back into the pan and simmer gently for a couple of mins, adding in the smoked paprika, pepper, and salt (if using). If soup is too thick then add in some more water until it's the right consistency
7. Transfer into bowls, and if you like you can swirl a bit of sour cream into each bowl! This is nice for babies and toddlers as it helps to cool the soup down.

Enjoy!

Silent Sunday

Absent Daddies: A celebration of Fathers Day

Photo credit: Abby Bennethum

Today is Father's Day, a day on which many children get to celebrate their Dad's and spoil them with cards and gifts.  Babyzoid and H, my stepson, will proudly give their Dad a card that H and I went to buy this evening from the local supermarket.  Babyzoid will also be giving her Dad a homemade handprint card (which I need to get up early enough tomorrow to facilitate!)  Indeed, it's the first time in about four years that H has been with his Dad on Father's Day, due to the weekends where he is with us falling wrongly and me not always being organised enough for a card to be written out ahead of time *step-mum fail*  So it's nice that OH will see both his children on Father's Day for once.

Growing up, my Dad was away for long periods of time as he was, when I was very young a Fisherman, then later on working away in far flung places like Brazil and Africa on big boats that guarded oil cables.  He often missed Father's Day and his birthday, and indeed on a few occasions even missed Christmas.  I know as my sister and I stumbled awquardly into our teenage years we didn't express how much we missed him when he wasn't there, but we did.  And even though we used to play up and be sometimes quite horrible (especially me!) I like to think that he still knew that we loved him and preferred him home safe with us, rather than freezing on a tiny boat in the unforgiving North Sea or dodging pirates offshore of the Congo.  So a Happy Father's Day to my Dad who is the best Dad a girl can have.  He might not always express himself, being a man who is not frivolous with words >:) but he is always standing right beside Mum in offering us his support.  Indeed he often takes the lead in offering to bail us out if we get in a spot.  I always know there is a bed for me back home should I need it.  And that means a lot.  So here is a photo of my Dad!

My Dad: Lookin' coooool!

The photo at the top of this post of a 4 year old American girl whose daddy was going to do a year long assignment transporting supplies in Iraq.  It was apparently very famous when it came out towards the end of 2009, but I missed the whole thing having recently given birth to Babyzoid.  The little girl probably hasn't any real understanding that her Daddy's work is dangerous, as I know my sister and I didn't when we were younger.  Fisherman went missing at sea regularly and coming from a fishing town my parents both knew men that never came home from trips.  Indeed my Uncle's ship once sank, but thankfully he was rescued.

So I'm really thankful that OH's safe office-based occupation (tripping over plug-leads and paper-cuts aside) means that Babyzoid and H, weekends allowing, are able to show their Dad a little of how much they love him today, as there are many kids across the world whose Dad's are either no longer with them or are unable to enjoy a family day; either through serving their country or working away from home to provide for them.

Therefore I dedicate this post not only to my Dad and the wonderful father of my children, but also to all the Dads who would love nothing more than to be spending the day with their children.

Shallow Reasons to be cheerful

I join in with this meme every now and then because it's good to give oneself a bloody good kick up the arse and say "Oy! Pity party! Nooo!" Well usually I'm of the opinion that it is my party and I'll cry if I damned well want to. But today I'm going to delight in the mundane, in the shallow, in the little things that mean not a whole hill of beans but can raise a little smug smirk. So here goes:

1: I look quite young for my age. See, told you it was going to be shallow. Yes, I've got good genes on both Mum and Dad's side and I'm not aging prematurely. Also, although I've packed on a few pounds over the last month or so, it has had the effect of plumped up cheeks and Hollywood folk pay silly money for that. And no pigs were killed in the process.

2. My daughter is beautiful. OK, I know everyone thinks there child is. But mine really is. She's got these huge green eyes and long thick lashes, this adorable little rosebud mouth with the juiciest bottom lip, and the most angelic champagne blonde curls. She's also got the funniest gruffest little giggle and has every adult she ever meets twisted round her little finger. She could out-cute those Jolie-Pitt children any day of the week.

3. I've got quite pretty feet. My mum actually disagrees with this and says my toes are curled in a weird fashion (charming eh?), but I think they're really quite becoming. Especially when I have my toe nails pained. And let's face it, there are some pretty ugly feet in this world.

So that's it: Youthful skin, adorable daughter and pretty feet. Got to take pleasure where you find it, even if it is a little tongue in perfectly plumped cheek.

Now go check out the no doubt more worth reasons to be cheerful over at Mich's by clicking on the link.

Mummy from the Heart

Goodmentalhealthsville

Today I was officially discharged from the care of my Phychotherapist and sent on my merry way, knapsack on back, to Ye Olde Goodmentalhealthsville. The Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is no more, and the depression is relatively mild and occasional compared to what it was. I can't wait to get on the road to normality! Apparently it won't be long now, which is fantastic as previously it was but a mere mirage in the dessert that vaporised each time I tried to grab hold.

Remission. That's what my Psychotherapist called this final part of the journey.  I like that word, it sounds strong and purposeful.  And full of hope.  And carrying on with the roads metaphor, which I started in my post last week: Depression: No Roman Roads I now feel like I'm at a cross roads. Thankfully though there's no sign of a devil who wants to buy my soul, and I've no desire to be a guitar maestro anyway (ooooh literary allusions abound!)


So where do I go now?  Well last week I signed up to the Become a Mumpreneur programme (see widget on the right), which I'm finding is fantastic for setting myself a series of achievable goals. See, I know all the theory and how to set up a business already. And I bloody well should as I graduated in BS almost 10 years ago (Business Studies that is, not Bull Shit, although....*cough*) and I've actually taught it to teenagers for the whole of my teaching career. Aye, I know my Business onions, but it's the support, the mentoring, the networking that I need. And I've done my research, Antonia and Erica are so switched on and helpful that I really trust them - and that's important in an undertaking such as this.

So in spite of all the challenges that life is throwing at my little family at the moment (and there are PLENTY) at least I can say I have my mental health. I might still be on the medication for some time yet, but I am out of therapy and for me that's the key indicator that I'm well on my way to a full recovery.

      

         Mind: The Mental Health Charity

Picture credit

David Tredinnick, MP visits Leicester Royal Infirmary Neonatal Unit

As I wrote here a few days ago my MP, David Tredinnick who is also a member of the House of Commons Health Select committee, was kind enough to visit the LRI's fantastic new Neonatal unit at my invitation. We were taken on a tour of the unit by the amazingly passionate and dedicated lead consultant, Dr Andrew Currie, who was more than happy to give us his time in order to help our campaign on protection of services for the premature and sick babies in his care. The second photograph shows the three of us stood by the incubator of Freddie, a tiny but perfect 23 weeker.

Here are two photos taken on the day by Gordon McLeod, the LRI's Press Photography Deputy Manager.

© University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

Picture credit: Gordon McLeod

© University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

Picture credit: Gordon McLeod

For information on the campaign or to see how you can help please visit bliss.org.uk

Terrible 2's: Be gone foul changeling!

Who are you and what have you done with the real Babyzoid? Who is this foul screaming bad tempered imposter in her place?

Yes, this week has been tough for several reasons. First and foremost my Father has been rushed into hospital and hasn't yet come out. He has terminal Prostate Cancer and is pretty much on his last line of treatment having lived with it for 6 years or so. Now the tumour won't stop bleeding and he's been in incredible pain. Consequently life has pretty much been on hold while we support my Mother in Law. My OH is her only child and is under so much pressure at work that he hasn't been able to shoulder as much of the burden as he would have liked. Therefore I've stepped up, as no way can I have my lovely Mother in Law going through this alone. You see I won the lottery in terms of Mother in Laws' - she's not the stereotypical interfering bringer of stress that is seemingly typical of the role. No, she's kind, generous and fun. So it's really no imposition to make sure that she doesn't forget to take care of herself and keep her company as much as possible on her daily visits to the hospital.

Babyzoid on the other hand, isn't so thrilled at the prospect of spending an hour or two strapped in her buggy on a hospital ward full of sick people and worried relatives. She wants to play! She wants to run around and practise her new skill of walking! She wants to trip the nurses up, she wants to try and climb up on the beds of the other patients, whether they're sleeping or not! I guess that's understandable. She doesn't understand, bless her. And she has seen the inside of a hospital too much already in her short life.

Yes, it's been trying indeed. And in the midst of all this stress, drama and chaos those terrible 2 tantrums that I thought would never happen to us, well, they have! Babyzoid has been throwing forbidden objects around, then screaming when she gets told off - or worse, laughing in my face. She's become an uncontrollable raging version of the little girl we all adore. And I don't know what to do about it. Maybe it's just the boredom of the sterile and joyless hospital environment that sets her off, or maybe this is a taster of what is to come. Whatever it is, I want my cheeky, happy little girl back, and I want to send this monster changeling back from whence it came!

Has anyone ever managed to nip those toddler tantrums in the bud before they become the norm, or do I just have to ride it out and keep trying to teach her that such behaviour is unacceptable? She's so strong-willed, which is apparently typical of a premature baby, but I don't want her growing into a little brat, heaven forbid! So any advice anyone would proffer to offer (!) would be gratefully received!

Bliss activism update: David Tredinnick MP and I visit Leicester Royal Infirmary for tour of neonatal unit

My MP, David Tredinnick (Bosworth constituency) kindly accepted my invitation to meet Dr Currie, the Lead Consultant at Leicester Royal Infirmary for a tour and to see for himself first hand the day to day workings of the Central region's lead neonatal unit.

The Leicester Mercury kindly sent a photographer, who took a brilliant photo of Mr Tredinnick looking at a baby in an incubator. Bliss were really pleased with the article, as was I as I feel the focus was just perfect. It concentrated on the needs of premature and vulnerable babies and the possible implications of NHS budget cuts, as opposed to simply 'Mum had premature baby', which we'd already done. Please take a look at the short article which appeared in the weekend print edition.

Leicester Mercury: MP visit to neonatal unit for Bliss premature baby campaign

Monday Munch #2 - Chorizo tomato spaghetti

This is a really good quick store cupboard meal that requires only a few ingredients.  The chorizo is the key here as it is a chunky luxury.  Pepperami can be substitued in (adding in a few pinches of paprika too), but if you can pick up the real thing then it is so much better.  They sell it in most supermarkets now and it keeps really well in the fridge.

Ingredients

• Spaghetti, 50-75g per adult (plus 30g per small child) Really, I don't measure, I just grab a few handfuls!
• 1 tin of chopped tomatoes
• Tbsp Tomato puree
• 1 onion diced, or the equivalent in frozen diced onions.  I like red onions for this, but it doesn't matter.
• Half a cured chorizo sausage chopped into rough chunks (can used sliced, but it's not the same!)
• Half teaspoon lazy red chillis (any brand)
• Teaspoon red wine or white vinegar
• Tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Teaspoon sugar (optional)

Method

1. Bring big pan of water to the boil for speghetti.  If you want to salt water do so once it is boiling or it will take longer to reach boiling point.  Add spaghetti and turn down heat.
2. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan and add onions, gently frying until softened.
3. Add in chorizo and fry for a few minutes.
4. Add in the can of tomatoes along with the tomato puree.
5. Bring to the boil, then turn heat down to a gentle simmer.
6. Add in chilli, vinegar and sugar, if using.
7. Salt and pepper to taste
8. Once pasta is cooked, according to the packet instructions, drain and add into the saucepan with the tomatoes.  I also like to add in a little of the pasta water if the tomatoes have gone a bit 'thick'

Serve!

Nice with a few torn basil leaves or a little grated cheese if you so desire!

Review: Thinking Slimmer update after week 1

Disclosure: I have been given 2 free slimpod mp3 packages in exchange for a product review for Thinking Slimmer. Any other products or company's mentioned are done so in an unsponsored capacity and I have had no contact with them or their PR teams.
Update: Following publication of this post I received a PR request to insert a link to Holland and Barrett in my post where I mentioned one of their products. I have done so, and have received no remuneration for this.

ThinkingSlimmer.com

So week 1 is done: How has it been going?

Well, the good news is I've lost a few pounds! As Sasha had told me, the chocoholic slimpod does indeed start to work straight away and though I have had the odd piece of choccie on the run, it has been a rare occasion and I haven't actually enjoyed it too much.

I also assume that it has been working in tandem with the other slimpod I've been trialling, which is 'lose a dress size' as I'm really thinking about what I eat - but not in a "ooh I'm on a diet I'd better buy lots of fruit, veg and lentils!" No, I've just been gravitating towards more nutritious choices and I'm not entirely sure why. I assume that it must have something to do with the recordings I've been listening to before I've gone to bed as it's certainly not a triumph of will and determination. After all, anyone who has seen the odd sporadic tweet by me this week knows that I have been rushed off my feet this week due to a very seriously ill father in law, a press engagement at the neonatal unit with my MP, and various medical appointments. I've done a silly amount of miles and am absolutely shattered. Under this kind of pressure I normally LIVE on chocolate and Diet coke. The Diet coke has been mainlined pretty much, but the chocolate has been snubbed. Hell, I even bought a few cereal bars and went completely nuts over a Holland and Barrett coconut snack bar. It's like Bounty but without the chocolate. And I'd had no idea that the chocolate casing was TOTALLY unnecessary. Revelation!

So yes, I honestly believe the Slimpods are having an effect. And as I said to Sasha of Thinking Slimmer, I am neither a cynic who is determined not to succumb to the products claims, nor an easily swayed placebo-case who will convince myself it's working even if it isn't. Fact is that I am going off chocolate, other than as an occasional treat (which I'm not even enjoying, unbelievably) and I am gravitating towards really healthy foods and smaller portions.

Perhaps it's all in the amazing silken tones of the guy who talks on the slimpod!!!

Incidentally, I've been naughty as I haven't yet filled in my pdf handbook contract or been using it for support - I can only assume that would add to the overall efficacy of the product; nor have I been visiting the support community or Facebook page, which again would no doubt strengthen my resolve. I will start to do that ASAP but it has just been 'one of those weeks'.

So conclusions so far? By Jove, I think it might actually be working. And why? Probably because of the positive messages that start to alter your thought processes for the better, giving you the strength to say no to what you know will take you away from the person you want to be. It's psychology basically, which I think is vital if any weight loss is to be long lasting.

So, have you tried any Thinking Slimmer products? Or perhaps you have other tips to bolster willpower in that holy grail of weightloss. If so, please share :)

Lose weight naturally with Thinking Slimmer

Silent Sunday

Depression: No Roman roads

So much going on at the moment. I find myself in the position of again having to be strong. Having to be the support for people around me when my foundations are wobbly. Being strong for my little girl was necessary and I proud I managed to be, but the collapse was inevitable. Now, I am a fledgling PTSD survivor; I'm not yet walking alone. I am still taking 70mg of Anti-depressants a day. I am not working. I am battling depression. Still. It would be nice if the road back was straight and not littered with obstacles, but that's life. No Roman roads where the mind is concerned. I just need to get to the end of this week. For now I'd like to share this:

Silent Sunday

Metal Mummy’s Movie Meme: Week 13

So Metal Mummy's been away and I've kind off bunked off for the past few due to having a lot of stuff (good and bad) going on.

But the crime genre? Had to join in. Why? To celebrate the awesomeness that is the Die Hard Quadrilogy!

The forever-in-the-wrong-place John McClane can't be beaten for that winning combo of action and subtle (did you hear that Jackie Chan?) humour. It's hard to follow Alan Rickman as a baddie and while a decent film still, the second is easily the worst of the four, with the latter being a real return to form. Adding in a lovable techie geek (Justin Long) as sidekick was a stroke of genius and I can't wait to see what they'll do with number 5. The only thing I know is that Babyzoid will be having a babysitter while OH and I are first in the queue on opening night!

Review: Thinking Slimmer

This is a sponsored post

Unfortunately there are no Chocoholics Anonymous groups, at least not in 'real life'. Sure, there are online support forums, and it's great to peruse these over a cuppa while Babyzoid is having a nap. I might even put my Bounty bar down a second while I type a quick comment or two. But there is no dusty village hall type place you can go and sit in a circle on uncomfortable plastic seats while you utter an adaptation of that infamous phrase:

Hello, my name is Mummy Beadzoid, and I'm a chocoholic...

Well there damn well ought to be! Because I really do have a problem and it's getting out of control. "What? You!? Skinny wench! Pft! You don't need to lose weight!" And I guess that's kind of true. I don't need to lose weight, but the fact of the matter is that while I can still squeeze into most of my size 8 clothes, they are getting a little more snug than before.

When I was first diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with accompanying anxiety and depression I lost a fair bit of weight. I wasn't sleeping, and I wasn't eating that much either. Food made me feel ill, except for chocolate. And if you eat a couple of chocolate bars a day and nothing else? Well, you lose weight (and I am talking NORMAL sized chocolate bars, NOT family sized ones before you rush off to try the diet!). But what happens when the appetite comes back? The weight starts to creep on if you're eating properly and eating the chocolate too. And that's where I'm at. I've put on half a stone - big wow, you say? On my small frame that is noticeable. My arms are thicker. My little tummy has popped back out to say hello, my hips look like they're preparing for another bout of child-bearing, and my thighs no longer have that little gap in the middle. And if there's one part of me I liked, it was that little gap that meant my legs were quite slim - important when they're really not that long!

So... along to the rescue came Thinking Slimmer with their Slimpod range. They claim their products to be a unique, natural way to lose weight and keep it off without dieting. So what does it involve? Well as I'd agree to review the product, which meant I get it for free, I had a chat with a friendly and intelligent lady named Sasha who wanted my background so that she could decide which 'slimpods' were best for me. I think I impressed (or horrified) her with my true claim that I'd eaten 3 cream eggs the day before (and I didn't even tell her about the Twix and Club bars) - therefore I was deemed a chocoholic and told to use the chocoholic Slimpod. She also asked me about whether I wore dresses or jeans (both!) and what I wanted to achieve. It was decided that I should also use the lose a dress size programme. I agreed as I won't be a size 8 too much longer if I carry on the way I'm going *sheepish* I ended the conversation feeling positive and full of hope and really wanting to get going. Though I did go out and buy a Flake bar - well Sasha said to act naturally and not lock the treats away or it wouldn't be a fair test!

The product
The Slimpods are quite pricey at £29.99. However, this is relatively cheap compared to the leading structured diet plans that include meals and snacks. Even going to Weighwatchers costs a few quid a week, so as long as it works it's easy to reconcile it's value for money (in my opinion). The Slimpod can either be downloaded in mp3 format, which means you have it instantly and can transfer to an Ipod or phone. You can also choose to receive via post in a CD format. I found the whole website ordering experience to be quick and intuitive.

I was slightly nervous of listening for the first time because if the voice irks me, then I'll struggle. Happily Trevor Silvester has a lovely soft voice which is a pleasure to listen to. The recording is only about 10 minutes long, which I also find a relief as it's not daunting to listen to just before you go to sleep, which is the optimal time to listen as it registers in your subconscious mind. The website tells you that Harley Street specialists have helped to develop the products, which gives a bit of reassurance that they know what they're talking about! As I have two Slimpods I have two 10 min mp3 players to listen to, which is perfectly fine. There is also a bonus track with each slimpod, one of which is keeping the weight off (not there yet!) and the Chocoholics is I think a relaxation aid. You also get a pdf handbook which tells you all about the product, but more importantly has things like contracts and things to print off to keep you focused. I haven't filled in my contract yet but intend to do this at the weekend.

Does it work?
I only started 2 days ago so I can't say yet. However, I have found the lovely Trevor's voice and words popping into my head when I open the chocolate cupboard. Consequently I only ate half (yes HALF!) a chocolate bar yesterday, and I had no desire for more. I also went and did a far healthier shop than usual, so I think that my mindset is starting to gear up for the challenge ahead.

I am to use the mp3s for at least 21-42 days, which I will. So I will keep you informed!

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The Gallery - I'm grateful for...

The strength of my family. A slip of a little NICU girl needed to be fight and be strong. She was. She needed her parents to be strong for her. They were. Mummy needed Daddy and girl to be strong to mend her again. They were. For all of this, I am eternally grateful.




From here...



...to here!

This week's Gallery is in recognition of Chris who set off on a journey with Save the Children on Monday.
You can follow her progress on her blog Thinly Spread.