A Great Day Out

Hey gorgeous people this post is all about what I have been up to. First of all the weather is absolutely beautiful we have had a few bad days but the 14th May was absolutely fabulous. It was so sunny and warm we had to think of what to do. We thought people might decide to go the beach so we decided to go to a little piece of heaven in Co. Kildare. The Irish National Stud and Gardens.

Our day started with a picnic outside the gardens. I packed in the bag, ham sandwiches, Jam sandwiches (a favourite of mine), yogurts, crisps, fruit, water and some chocolate.  When we had this finished our adventure began.

Prices here a quite reasonable €12.50 per adult, Children under 5 are FREE, children under 16 €7.00, however they do a family ticket 2 adults 4 children (under 16) €29.50. Students and Seniors are €9.50. The stud and gardens are open from February to November 9am – 6pm. They provide guided tours included in the price.

After paying in we began with the Japanese gardens. The gardens represent the journey through life from birth til death and all in between. The gardens were created between 1906-1910 by Tassa Eida. For a child the adventure is amazing they just explore and they find little nooks and crannies that you yourself would not see because as an adult we just follow the map.

KODAK Digital Still Camera

KODAK Digital Still Camera

KODAK Digital Still Camera

KODAK Digital Still Camera

When you have completed your journey the gardens you can if you wish grab a bite to eat in the onsite café. As we had our picnic before our adventure we continued onto the National Stud. I should mention here that as we paid in we were told by the receptionist that 4 foals had been born the night before. This was very exciting as up to 100 foals are born at the stud every year.

The first paddock we saw contained some living legends, two of which were Beef or Salmon and Hurricane Fly. Hurricane fly began life here as the plaque shows. The two legends I have mentioned happen to be my favourite racehorses.

KODAK Digital Still Camera

KODAK Digital Still Camera

KODAK Digital Still Camera

KODAK Digital Still Camera

As you move on you begin to see the foals. You can stand for hours just watching the foals jump around and play but this is done under the watchful eye of their mammy. The foals are so strong even that young, but watching them play is relaxing and fun. These truly are magnificent animals.

Across from the frolicking foals and their mammies is St Fiachra’s garden. St Fiachra was renowned for his charitable work & devotion to people in need. He encouraged the cultivation of gardens hence there is now one at the stud in his honour. This garden is so peaceful & stunning.

KODAK Digital Still Camera

KODAK Digital Still Camera

KODAK Digital Still Camera

KODAK Digital Still Camera

There is a museum on site too where you can see the history of the horse industry and see the remains of one of the most famous horses in the world Arkle.

If you would like more information you can find them at http://www.irishnationalstud.ie or on social media.

We are looking forward to our next trip, I have been a number of times and each time I see and learn something new.

EXPERIMENTING

So on Friday I was experimenting for dinner. I done a chicken stir fry. I know a chicken stir fry but I was more experimenting with taste.

In a pestle and mortar I bashed (take out some frustration) together 5 cloves and celery salt. I then flattened (again Frustration) out 2 chicken breasts then I cut it up into odd shapes. I browned the chicken off and diced up red and yellow peppers added this to the chicken. Once I put the noodles onto boil I added a garlic stockpot, the bashed clove & salt, soy sauce (light), worchestershire sauce and a dash of Rice wine vinegar. Once the noodles boiled I plated up.

This was experimental, it tasted lovely but I thin I will reduce he cloves the next time. I don’t have any pictures of this but will the next time.

As I am writing this I am thinking of what to experiment with today. It is chicken that I do know. I have a busy few weeks we had a 60th birthday during the week and we have 2 communions within a week. My goddaughter is making hers tomorrow and tomorrow week a very good friend has her daughter’s communion. I have been asked to make my little kisses. These are just baby meringues held together with buttercream. I will be doing pink buttercream on this occasion.

After this I have a get together with the family which I am really looking forward to. Think I know what I am going to do for dinner tonight, Potato and Carrot Rosti roasted in the oven with spiced chicken pieces, salad and coleslaw. Actually I am going to do turmeric chicken nuggets. Looking forward to the experimenting.

One thing I did try this week was the Mayflower Curry mix and if you ever wanted a curry mix that tastes like it has come from the local Chinese then this is the one. Divine Divine Divine.

Bye for now all you gorgeous people, hopefully I will have more photos of food next time.

 

I’m here

So I originally started my blog to follow my weight loss. But as you have seen in recent posts I have been struggling. I have put on about 1 1/2 stones since September. It has been very hard as I have been comfort eating due to emotions being all over the place. I have been working on getting my emotions back under control and deal with them in other ways i.e. going for a walk/deep breathing.

I have written in the past in having me time. I have let this go too and have not being looking after no. 1. I have put myself down way down the list, so I have decided to become a little selfish and take back my me time. I am going to make time even if it is just 15 mins it will be all for me. This me time could be anything from just sitting in deep thought, having a read, a relaxing bath etc.

I am also getting back into the kitchen too. I may even post some recipes, some of these will be healthy but others will be way sinful too. I will have plenty of photos too of what I make. I am also getting into gardening. Himself and myself are throwing around a few ideas for or back garden. As we have three furbabies we can’t really have plants down low as they would destroy them. So we have put up 2 hanging baskets and 3 high planters. We are throwing a few ideas about placing boxes on our fences and growing herbs-this cool what with me getting back into the kitchen. We may also plant a few fruit trees too. Will keep you updated on the progress there.

Going back to health matters we have hit the ground running well walking-after having been halted a couple of weeks ago due to friction ulcers on my heels we got our butts in gear and got out today for a walk. I am a little sore now but feel great. Foodwise I have been ok but have had a few slip ups but hey life is for living and the most of. So when I slip up now I don’t feel guilt or play the blame game. I enjoy them and get on with it again.

I am not worrying about clothes because I just want to be comfortable. I could be a size 14 in one shop and a size 16 in another. However I do have a goal of a particular dress I want to get into. There is no point in worrying about sizes just be comfortable and happy.

Til next time.

Live Laugh Love

 

 

A recipe

When I began this blog I did say I would never put recipes on here but I have been asked from someone I know to put up my recipe for Egg fried Rice/Stir fried Noodles

Egg Fried Rice.

1. cook the rice the day before or earlier in the day of you wanting the fried Rice.
2. Heat your wok til you see smoke coming from it do not put any oil or spray oil on the wok
3. Beat 1 egg and scramble in the wok.
4. Remove the egg and add the cold rice
5. stir fry the rice until heated through I like to add some cumin seeds at this point, then add the egg, some soy sauce and Oyster sauce. (I also add a little balsamic vinegar to give it a little acidity)
6. Cook through for 2 mins and serve with curry

For the Stir fried Noodles.

1. Cook the noodles as per instructions.
2. In a heated wok Stir fry any vegetable you like, I use Broccoli, Peppers and beansprouts.
3. add the cooked noodles and stir fry for 2 mins to mix the vegetables through
4. Add Soy sauce and Oyster Sauce and cook for a further 2 min

I usually serve the noodles with Pan fried (Dry Fried) Salmon but you can use whatever meat you like or even have it on its own.

Hope you are all keeping well.

Bye for now

 

I’m back

OMG I have fallen so far off the healthy train I am so ashamed of myself. I am slowly jumping back on by taking it one baby step at a time. I have been battling a few demons over the last number of months both emotional and health wise. Hopefully the health demons will be dealt with in the coming weeks/months.

Its amazing when you are battling whatever demons you have the one thing you should do I.e. Eating and sleeping properly is the one I got you don’t do. I have allowed so many bad habits come back and overtake me and my willpower is gone.

A high point recently was I celebrated my birthday, we had a couple of great nights out with my parents and the 2nd was out with my love to Trevor Smith with the Ultimate Garth Brooks experience. This was my second time to see this gentleman in action and I have to say it was a brilliant and entertaining night. He really interacts with the audience and gets them unvolved in the action. If you are around Dublin on the 4th March head along to the Olympia theatre to see for yourself.

i approaching the last couple of years of my thirties so I have 23 months to get myself ready for my forties and I intend to let li begin @ 40. I really should say life begins now but NO no buts life begins now-I have to begin to think positively again and let go of past and past mistakes and accept me for me.

My loveYou have been a rock for me throughout our relationship and marriage but especially over the last number of months I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Also my furbabies they keep me sane and are always giving licks and cuddles.

So here we go again the last beginning-how many times do we say this before it is the last time but I am meaning it this time.

Bye for now have a great week ❤️😀

It’s been a good week

its been great having my head back in the game. I have gone back to basics. One thing I have done is started to keep the food diary again (sample below)

It has very helpful to me in keeping track of what I have eaten. I am not attending a group at the moment but using what I learned at my former group to guide me along the way. I had forgotten for a while how tasty cooking from scratch is.

Mr skinny has been asking me to get back into baking goodies again goodies but a healthy option of the goodies looks like the kitchen is about to become experiment central again. Can’t wait.

I am not weighing myself but I have noticed that some of my clothes are beginning to become loose again yeah delighted with that. I have started the walking again my legs and butt are sore but just have to get back into the swing again walking really helps me focus on the day ahead and relieves any stress I may have.

It’s amazing the effect a healthy diet can have on your body and skin. I noted over the Christmas what with all the junk I was eating that may skin was in a terrible state, my hair was limp and dull and I just felt blah. The change in the space of two weeks is incredible. I feel good the shine is back in my hair and the breakout I had on my face is just about gone.

i will treat myself in the coming weeks for to a facial and have a great fun filled pamper day.

Til next time take care of yourself only you can do it.

 

bye

Motivation

Happy new year

A new beginning

Firstly I would like to thank everyone who has read and followed my journey so far.

So I have been off track for the last 3 months, struggling with some things. However after deciding to really enjoy the Christmas I will be going back on plan tomorrow. I know it’s a funny day to be changing my life again but hey I started the year on a high so why not end the year on a high. So the shopping list is done, going to go early to collect it and enjoy healthy living.

The coming year is going to be my year, positive vibes and thoughts, i will get to my target weight, personally I will be happier, and more leinent on me. I will take the time for me but not only me for mr skinnymilink. I will take up my walking again which I was doing in the lead up to Christmas but with all the rain I have had to use the car. My new motto is I will, I can.

 

so a very happy new year to you all and I look forward to writing here with quotes, photos and ramblings on my journey.

 

have a great New Year’s Eve and be safe

My week so far

So my week began with my pamper day on Sunday. For me this involved a long hot bath and a good read. I was reading Nora Roberts Savour the moment which is book three in the bride quartet. Nora Roberts is my favourite author. After my long soak and read came my skin routine of moisturising. Once I took care of this I had a pj day just watching Christmas movies. I can’t wait for Christmas it is like many others my favourite time of the year. Usually my Christmas shopping happens about two weeks before Christmas but this year I have gotten an early start. I am just picking up one or two items each week. I am itching to put up the Christmas decorations but will hold out until the 27th November as this is the day of the late late toy show. I will blog about this when it happens.

The lifestyle change began in earnest after being at the dreamitdoit event on yesterday. I tried the turkey and stuffing burgers by The Naked Blondie and the cremore buns omg these are gorgeous. You can order these burgers for delivery in Ireland from http://www.slimvalleyfreshfoods.com. That was for lunch and for dinner I had salmon, noodles and vegetables. The evening was spent watching strictly come dancing and the factor.

I decided on Sunday evening to walk to work on Monday so sorted my clothes and my lunch. I had an early night to continue reading my bath book. Before settling down to read said book I wrote out a list of chores for during the week. I hate Monday’s but hey I only have to work three days.

I struggled to get going for the walk but once started I loved it and felt great. Himself walked me to work which I really enjoyed. Work itself was busy. To top my day off himself met me at the end of the work day to to walk me home. Day 2 of e lifestyle change food wise was not great but ok, I wasn’t really feeling the hunger so just ate small snacks then had spag Bol for dinner. We settled to watch the Ireland match they done the country proud granted I have no nails left.

Tuesday i drove to work as its shopping day. Have plans to make some soups and a beef stew this week. I will finally get to use my slow cooker. Wasn’t in the humour of cooking after the shopping so chipper it was.  Felt so crap afterwards so day 3 in the lifestyle change was a bust. Finished reading book 4 in the bride quartet. I felt disappointed as I fel that there could have been another book to finish off the stories contained in all four books.

Wednesday was a total blow out regarding the lifestyle change as I had cake and chocolate in work due to a going away party. I did have some fruit during the day. Only really got on track with with which was mashed potato using an egg instead of butter, Brussel sprouts and pork chops, this was followed by a huge bowl of fruit. I felt so good after eating to it was a right kick in the arse 5 weeks to Christmas can I do this yes I can. Long weekend so spent about half an hour sorting out lists and plans.

Have a great few days will check in again over the weekend.

An inspirational and motivational day

Today I attended an event-Dreamitdoit held by The Naked blonde and Fiona Dillon and including The style Shaper, Nessa Robins, Niamh Mannion and Ann Shields. The event was held at the Kilashee House Hotel, Naas, Co Kildare. The room was spacious but had an intimate feel. It was noted that all the attendees were women although it was clarified that the event is open to both men and women. Both Fiona and The Naked Blondie hope to hold this event every month and bring it nationwide but they also hope to have different speakers at each event. The general feeling I have is that everyone in the room had similar stories and having spoken to a few people that was the consensus from them. I asked one lady what had brought her to the event-she said she WA three for the day out but really wanted to meet The Naked Blondie but she also said she had lost seven stone recently but she had put some weight back on and would be leaving the event inspired to return to her goal weight.

Fiona spoke first telling us her background and what led her to live her dream. Part of her dream which has evolved from finding cost effective ways to feed her family to writing a book Food from an Irish garden to her latest book aimed at educating children about where food comes from Freddy Buttons. I would urge anyone with young children to visit http://www.freddybuttons.com or http://www.fionadillon.com. Fiona dreams of educating children who in turn will educate their families about organic food. Fiona also pointed out that not  only in adults but 1 in 4 children is overweight. This statistic is frightening to me.

The next speaker which to many was the main event The Naked Blondie my oh my is this woman inspirational. Her story reflects so many people’s story including mine.being overweight as child and it staying with her through adulthood. She told us of her inspiration and motivation to change her lifestyle. I find that my darling Billy inspires me to change my lifestyle as I want may years of happiness with him at my side and me at his. Everyone has one thing that inspires them and in speaking to one lady today she told me her friend who was there with her today is her inspiration so to her friends inspire friends.

some of the main points taken away today by me are as follows:

• believe you can
• never give up on your dreams
• enjoy the journey
• plan plan plan
• be prepared
• have a support network
• taste your food
• dont worry what others think
• be honest with yourself
• have self worth

The Naked Blondie announced today that she is launching a burger range in association with Slim Valley Foods, beef with spring onion and cheese and her newest one which is Christmas inspired turkey and stuffing (can’t wait to try this). The verdict on the beef and spring onion is absolutely delicious and moreish.

When we returned after the break the style shaper took centre stage and explained what the different body shapes were and how to recognise what shape you are. I discovered I am an apple shape and have probably been dressing wrong for oh years. You can contact the style shaper on http://www.thestyleshaper.com and she will answer any questions you have.

Niamh Mannion a finalist on Masterchef Ireland told about her journey and what led her to applying for Masterchef Ireland. She informed us of the backstage gossip. She told a us from that experience she is now doing what she loves and that is reviewing food. Nessa Robins who is a food styler and photographer. When  Nessa finished telling her story, I noticed that a number of women became interested in this type of dream and found a new interest. The last lady to speak was Ann Shields. Ann told us how her business came about having come through heartache. She living the dream.

Other women at the event stated that the event stated that the women who spoke today were inspirational, movitational they felt they could relate to e stories and it’s not just you. I saw loads of drive in the 6 speakers other comments made were take small steps and the plan.

What I got from today is I am important enough to have and space for me. I have are renewed sense of determination to lose some more weight and maintain it for life, but also to live life as this is not a dress rehearsal it’s for real.

So I start again with the right headspace and space and put my best face forward but I know I will have dips but I will not let those dips bring me down.

thank you Nicola and Fiona for a great day.

til next week have a great one.