Almost halfway

My weight loss is still chugging along. I've not been able to do as much exercise lately and it's really been making me worry, but due to the fact that I've found this incredibly true...

...I've still been going down slowly. I've also not given up. In the past I've had the thought that if I have a bad meal/day/week that it's all over and I'm back to what I used to be like, but not this time. I had a busy week last week and tonnes of takeaways, but this week, I'm back to it. It also works with exercise, just because I only have 30 minutes it doesn't mean that I shouldn't do a quick work out.

I'm currently down 14.1kg. I'm looking forward to losing the next 900g to get me half-way to this first goal of 30kg. I have beginning photos and plan to take halfway ones, but I won't be sharing them on here. I might do another set of photos for here. :) Trust me, you'll thank the fact that I'm not sharing my personal ones.

Until then.
xox

Weekly 10 - not quite done but on the way...

I just wanted to check in with the Weekly Ten to show that I haven't forgotten and am working on it. Remember, when I set these goals I did say 'week'. Lol. Lots of things have been started as you will see...it's been a busy February!

1) Write some blog posts - Weight catch up, 30 before 30 catch up etc.
Going to schedule some tonight.

2) Take some staged photos of my little friends.
I'm hoping to get this done this weekend... but it's a busy one!

3) Plan my monthly photography outings for this year.
Hmm... I have a few extras, but not the whole year done yet.

4) Finish 'The Jigsaw Man', and then get back to that damned Jojo Moyes book!
30% through

5) 15000 steps a day minimum
All last week. I did so well that my fitbit needs a new battery, so it's off for now.


6) Spray paint the hooks from around the washing line.
If I can squeeze it in this weekend? 

7)  Make a list of things I want to get done in the garden over the next while.
I've begun...

8) Properly plan my next fortnight of dinners.

9) COLOUR RUN! And blog it.
And super loved it!


10) Have a mummy and daughter date day with Leah.
Planned for Sunday

Tasty Tuesday

I'm making the most of my husbands work crew while I can. He's recently secured a new job where it will just be him and one other so if I send in baking it'll take them weeks to eat it! I thought I'd give my work mates a break from the sugar while I can and send this week's creation into hubby's work.

It was a Triple Chocolate Cheesecake with Oreo Base which I found on omgchocolatedesserts.com.

I did ask Damien to send me a photo of a slice, he forgot, and instead sent me this. I think it was well received.

Selfie Nation

I enjoy taking photos of myself at the worst of times, and this proves it. Look at these muppets. I wanted to share this collage in my Colour Run post on Sunday but felt like this much brilliance deserved a post of it's own. Check out these two muppets would ya?

Tasty Tuesday - Getting rid of my baking

This healthy eating thing is great, don't get me wrong, but my love of baking has taken a bit hit since I began. This is because I don't want rouge sugar laden goodies hanging out in my fridge and pantry for Damien and I to devour. Out of sight, out of mind. The problem being that I really miss it. The baking that is (OK, and eating it too) and I want to continue to refine my baking skills. 

So because of this my poor workmates are being targetted.  I informed them this week that I need them to help me continue my good blogging of recipes and eat these sugar laden goodies. They were most upset... not. It's good because 1) I still get the make the things, 2) I'm even able to have a weeny bit and a taste and 3) it makes those around me larger thus making me look thinner.... right? Lol.

This week's sugar laden goodie comes to us courtesy of a site entitled 'Chocolate and more' so you know it's good for you. I made these delicious Turtle bars which are super easy to slap together and (the reports back tell me) are absolutely delicious (just kidding, of course I tried it! Twice!).  You can find the recipe for them here.

The Happiest 5k on the Planet

And it sure is!

I'm so happy, tired and excited to cross this one off my list.

Strangely enough, even with my new found love of walking and steps, this 'run' wasn't about exercise for me. It was about the happiness and positivity that The Colour Run stands for, and MAN did it deliver. I had a smile on my face all morning at the event and all day since. It was radiating happy.

The more I am part of and observe interactions between others as I make my way through life the more I'm sure that with a little bit more positivity and a little less haste to jump in and be a wet blanket, the world would be a better place. The Colour Run represents that happiness and positivity we need to bring to everything we do and we need to think about before we say anything.

If I'm sounding too much like a hippy I don't apologise for it. I know for a fact when I choose this attitude, things go right. And, if they don't, I'm better equipped to deal with them - with a smile. Smile. Have fun. Joke around. Have a laugh. Don't take yourself too seriously. Work hard. Do what makes you happy. Do what makes others happy (cuz here's a secret - that'll make you happy too!).

Anyway, enough of me harping on. It's awesome. I'm awesome... and these photos are beyond awesome. They're some of my faves. I took over 600 today, luckily I have a 'second' camera.

 Enjoy xo

Weekly 10 - A new week (or 'week' should I say).

I'm really enjoying not putting a week's time frame on these... but I should probably change the name from 'Weekly ten' right? Meh. lol.

Here's my next ten to mow through in the next wee while - it might be a week, and it just might not :P

1) Write some blog posts - Weight catch up, 30 before 30 catch up etc.

2) Take some staged photos of my little friends.

3) Plan my monthly photography outings for this year.

4) Finish 'The Jigsaw Man', and then get back to that damned Jojo Moyes book!

5) 15000 steps a day minimum

6) Spray paint the hooks from around the washing line.

7)  Make a list of things I want to get done in the garden over the next while.

8) Properly plan my next fortnight of dinners.

9) COLOUR RUN! And blog it.

10) Have a mummy and daughter date day with Leah.

Weekly 10

I've been working on this last weekly 10 for so long but things are still not done, so gonna take it as it is and go forward with a new list in a wee while's time (hopefully tomorrow). Let's see what I actually did...

1) Write some blog posts - Weight catch up, 30 before 30 catch up etc.
I'm not completely happy with how I went here so will leave it unchecked..

2) Log my food every day with 'My fitness pal'.

3) Get my Willow tattoo.

4) Stay as up to date with my 'focussing on' schedule as possible.

5) Work on setting up the classroom.

6) Turn 29!

7) Clean out the garage.
I did, and now it's messy again - husbands!

8) Finish reading the Jojo Moyes book.
I got stuck on something else....lots of things else, and now I have another book! Eeek!




9) Visit the central Auckland Playgrounds.

10) Get some more new restaurants under my belt - 30 before 30! 
So many! Can't wait to write a blog post about it.

So all in all, not too bad really - now I actually look at it.

Tasty Tuesday

Man has it been a busy week or two (ten?!?) I've been living the busy life. So much so that I've been unable to blog about it! I have been making some scrummy food to share with you though. Two pretty good recipes today and one totally naught (Read: delicious) one.

Let's start with the naughty but delicious number. For my birthday I ate cake! And because I made this exception to have a treat I had to make the best cake ever, and I think I nailed it! I googled the phrase 'best chocolate cake ever' and this link from 'Add a pinch' was the first hit. Man it delivered. Yum! I even made it with relatively healthy ingredients (bar the TWO cups of sugar), substituting white flour for wholemeal and using coconut oil. Was very decadent.

Next, a sweet treat that you can eat pretty much every day based on it's low calorie count and with a good balanced diet it's a great snack. My husband LOVES these muffins.

And last but not least a super yummy lunch meal that is so super easy to make. My friends from university and I catch up every school holidays. We each bring a plate (or two) of food and have a wee korero. This slice is often bought by another friend and I just have to share the recipe because it is just that good. We love lunch cake!

Courgette Slice (Lunch cake!)
1T Olive oil
1 onion finely diced
2 rashers of bacon
5 cups of grated courgette (around 4 medium sized ones)
1/2 cup cheese (tasty is good)
3/4 cup self raising flour
4 eggs
1/2 cup plain oil
Salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees celcius and line a 25x17cm baking dish.

2. Heat the olive oil in a pan and saute the onion and bacon until the onions are golden and the bacon is crispy.

3. Squeeze any excess moisture from the courgettes.

4. In a large bowl combine the courgettes, cheese and flour.

5. In a separate bowl beat together the eggs , oil and seasoning.

6. Combine all 3 mixtures and mix together well.

7. Spoon into baking dish and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes until golden and set. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes before cutting.