it’s never to late to rewind time and think of all the things that you have done and what you wish to do before your life ends. I think of this many times a week. What could I have done to suit the situation matter. Could I have been nicer. Should I have done something different. The answers to these questions aren’t always given but it’s good to look back and think what if. As long as it doesn’t take over your present life x I had gotten So wrapped up in my passed that I forgot to look out for my further x life is only enjoyed when you actually live it x

Introduction to My challenge

At the beginning of the year I planned to do The challenge which was to go onto a diet free from grain, sugar and dairy. But for my lack of strength and will power I happened to faultier and it pains me so to admit it.

But there you go.

Most of my posts have day 1 or take 2 day 3 on them. This time I will figure a way to name the post as I see fit. Today for example is Breakfast without bread. Has a ring to it…dont you think!

so…

What is My challenge and why is it different to The challenge?…hopefully its not as hard.

My challenge is a diet like The challenge but this time its only for 31 days and only grain free.

I am doing it for this long because lets face it 365 days is hell of a lot of meals. 31 days however is achievable I believe. I managed to get to day 79 on take 1 of The challenge so I am hopeful that I can do as good this time.

Its 1am on 25^th of May 2020. We are still in lockdown. My aim is to try and be as positive about my choice as I can be. I will try to comment and post about my emotions on a daily basic. This will give you an idea of the struggles that our minds and bodies have to go though when we change something in our diets. Change in its self is very important and we will cover that too at some time or another.

My challenge is to eat grain free for 31 days, starting from today. I am gonna be able to have sugar and dairy in limited amounts. Not only that but the dairy is going to be low fat options. Fats are permitted in my challenge but at a reasonable amount, I am not going to be pouring olive oil on to my salads any time soon. I will try to dry fry my eggs if I want fried eggs. I will use only good source of fats and they will be updated on to my page at a time I see fit.

I am going to enjoy the task of making breakfast again without the bread and the cereals that I have gotten used too again. Too damn quick I think. It seems that I am unable to see past the bread at breakfast and head for toast or something a little more heavy.

I will also weigh my self after I have slept. I will document this as well as comparing to the jan, feb, march and aprils weight dates that I have already. I may be little upset about these results but I will never find out, unless I weigh myself. To see how much I have actually put back on, after all the crap I have been eating in the last month. May hasn’t been that cruel to be fair, I have not been eating healthy and letting my self get back into bad habits. For example eating punishments

I will also try to post my food intake daily so that you can get a rough idea of the meals that I make. If you were to have any questions or advice for me please comment as I would love a response.

All is well for now

Showbe

Out with the old, In with the new

There is nothing more enjoyable then sitting with my family or friends and to have a feast. I love chocolate and booze. Not to mention all the delights of baking. Maybe you are the same. I sit here now with a belly full of cheese pizza and a dr pepper at the side and a chocolate box on the coffee table. I am sitting here wondering what I can add on to this new style of diet. What will I be able to have and what I will have to give up. I see it as a payment plan, that I can buy my ideal body with the items that I love to eat. Why is it so hard to give up those chocolates or that bit of milk in my tea.

When I started the challenge all those months back. The year seemed simple and then we all had to go into lockdown. I managed well for the first few weeks and then used the excuse and came away from the challenge all together. To find that the diet that I had been on was actually a very healthy one at that. If I hadn’t missed all the treats in this world then I would still be achieving the impossible.

I have been given too much advice and some are not really advice at all. People say that its not possible to do the diet that I have planned out and in the last few months I have to agree. But I need this…I need the challenge. It was working. My health was returning and I felt happy. I just missed what I couldnt have. They say that all diets work, until they dont. I never really understood that saying until now. I am heart broken to find that I have most likely without a doubt gained back the weight I had lost in jan and feb. I created the challenge all its rules and I know where I went wrong and I know what I can do to make it possible. I need to change the challenge and then maybe just maybe I will achieve the impossible.

THE CHALLENGE, was a diet free from grain, dairy and sugar.

I am still not sure what my diet should be…i know I want dairy in my diet, low fat options. I would like to have a low and natural sugar in take. So would mean I could have some chocolate now and again. But that doesn’t mean every day. I think sizes of servings are important too. This gives me the outlines of a diet programme that I could bend and mend to my liking.

I am scared of food. What it does to me as a person and how it makes me feel. I want to be able to turn back and say I did that. I actually achieved something thats totally crazy and unexpected. Its the actually doing that I struggle with.

The challenge was very hard. But at the beginning it was easy and I loved every minute of it. COULD I do it again and feel the rewards. No, I would resent my own choices and fight my own self will. My self control will lose and I will gain more weight as a result.

So I have been thinking that maybe I was going over my head a little with going grain free, dairy free and sugar free at the same time…no wonder it was called The challenge. Maybe I will have better luck doing it in sections. I could do grain free for a month. I then will value the method and the results and see if I wish to amend the details then I can then. Once I have all that information documented I will the hopefully do another month and so on. I will do this until its second nature to me and then I hope I will not struggle to hard when I introduce the second target.

Tomorrow Monday the 25^th of May 2020 I start My challenge of grain free for 31 days…Here we go again.

Day 6 Take 2

I have all the fight in me to keep on top of my challenge this time around. Reading more books and getting into a routine with my studies again so that I can keep you guys up to date with the ins and outs of the challenge.

I have decided that the dates that I have missed on the first take of the challenge will never be typed however I will take some notes from those dates and add them to the take 2 dates in sed. There were a few good days in take 1 where I went a little over board with my studies. I believe that it would be a sorry waste of time if I didn’t mention the notes I have gathered. Lets FACE IT, I dont want to make take 1 seem to be a waste of time…i did learn something…so I guess I am gonna have to share that.

Out of the book Super clean and super foods

by Fiona Hunter and Caroline Bretherton Page 13

6 Ways to clean up your diet

1. Plan ahead
2. Check the label
3. Freeze your own meals
4. Eat seasonally
5. Buy local
6. Eat 80% clean

The first step is one step I really struggle with at the moment, The challenge is just a part of my day to day life but unfortunately I feel I am used to it, not planing ahead is a downfall and I struggle to keep on track because I dont follow this easy step…that is gonnna be put on my cupboard…or fridge…so hopefully I can keep on track.

The second step is one that has made me make mistakes, but they are just that and I am not going to restart the challenge on the fact that I didnt follow this simple step…And I now look on packets that I have already looked at…for some reasons sometime products that once was challenge worthy and arent when I relook at them in the super markets. So look look and look.

The third step is one that I have been doing from get go, I think the first time I started to cook home made foods and it ended up, me filling my freezer with all the uneaten meals…i think I was pregnant with my first born and he is now 10. GO me!

The fourth step, I think I do well on this but I do struggle from time to time. In our England winter there is no bell peppers and salad vegetables are limited so I have to turn to winter vegetables and that is not as exciting…so I think this needs work on my part…leave it will me I will do my best to get some recipes in line with the seasons, that actually might be a good little lesson for my daughter too.

The fifth step, I have managed to keep things as local as possible in the last few months I was already getting my veg and fruit from my local farms box, but giving the type of fruit I get I dont think that bananas can grow in England…but maybe thats not want it means…hey I am learning too.

The sixth step isnt actually The challenge how ever its not bad advice if you are starting to change your diet. Small steps are needed to succeed and I have been training my body for the challenge for almost four years. So when I mean small steps I mean small steps.

I think that the super clean and super foods is a great book and we will be going though it together in small bit here and there. However I would advice you to buy it yourselves as it is a good book to have as a reference.

This morning was indeed easy as always had my coffee, black with honey. However I am wanting to cut down on honey if possible but I seem to faultier every time I try this idea. So small steps.

I have been a bit weird today and I don’t normally do it but I had no real inspiration for my food today which is a little sad. I have had eggs in two of my meals.

Breakfast, was scrambled eggs with coconut oil

Lunch, eggs and chips

Dinner, Tuna and mash potato with veg

The recipes of the day…Coconut oil mash potoatoes with sweetcorn…Its a nice side to spicey chicken or served with fresh baked salmon x

Today has been interesting I didn’t think I would get things done, I have been worrying about the fact that fedora is now not going to school as they have closed and soon we will all be told if we are going on a lockdown and thats what I really dont want. I feel like it will cause me to go crazy. Not because of fedora but because I wont be able to go out and get ideas for recipes. But I suppose I must understand that others are in a worse situation then me. I have done a lot more then I thought and I am pleased. Lets hope thats this cv ends soon for the best. I am happy with day 6 take 2 and I am hoping that I will follow the six steps that have been mentioned above.

so take care people x

Day 5 take 2

Its mothers day so happy mothers day to all our mummies out there.

Today started to read a book that I bought a few weeks ago and I cant tell you how much I love the book already and I am hoping that if the small amount of information I give you out of it here you will go a head and buy it because its worth every penny. I am not going to give you all the information explained in the book because I think that would be a disrespect to the ones that put the book together…anyway

Super clean super foods by Fiona Hunter and Caroline Bretherton

I used superfood benefits on page 11

Superfood benefits

1. Good sleep
2. Brain power
3. Disease prevention
4. Energy Balance
5. Blood Health
6. Heart Health
7. Digestive Health
8. Immune Boost
9. Hormone Balance
10. Bone, joint, and muscle strength
11. Eye Health
12. Ant-ageing
13. Skin Health

Just looking at that list says it all for me. I so pleased that my diet and the challenge is amazing and that’s why its important for me to let you in on it too.

Today’s food isn’t too pleasing I am slightly short on food until shopping day.

I had almond bread with challenge worthy jam…yum. Even fedora loved that for breakfast. For lunch we both had egg and chips she was able to have normal bread and butter lucky ducker. I so miss normal bread and butter…but I keep on going x

So today has been normal as it as normal as it can be.

Day 5 take 2 is over and Day 6 take 2 seems promising

Day 4 take 2

Its been an amazing day today I can tell you.

This morning I got up at 6:30am and fedora woke up, she had breakfast and went and got dressed. She planned on taking a big bag of toys and stuff to play with whytt with. Luckily she had forgotten about it and we left the house at 8am. I dropped her off at madz and the day began. I walked down to get the bus and got the 20 passed 8 bus and got into Barnstaple earlier then I realised. I needed to be there for 9.20 and I had to wait in the cold wind. But finally michelle came and we were on our way. I had to get a lift with her son, Roddy I believe his name is but I keep getting his name mixed up…Then there were the girls, Names get given later…

The first thing that hit me when we got to the place was the view it hint me so much…breath taken and speechless…wow comes to mind. There were cliffs and the sea and a fast river and trees. This place was a magickal sight anyone needing to getaway for a hoilday should book here…i know I would love to…

The first section of the day was getting organised and getting stuff to do our job right. Then I got shown how to do a bed…and for the life of me I have been making beds wrong for years. This took most of the morning but I tried not to be in the way and take it all in there was a lot to take in. However I made my own bed by my self before the shift was out and I really tried to do it quickly and perfect…to my relief I did.

The girls were lovely and friendly and I found I felt like a part of their team just new. Which should be how a first day should feel. There were two ladies, there names I cant remember but I will I am sure. There is michelle, paula, danielle and becky I believe.

The FUN…started when michelle needed to get us all back to barnstaple. The car was a five seater and there was only five of us. However we also had all our cleaning equipment as well. Not to mention all the linen. What fun and games…after waiting for a while for a pick up from her husband. Michelle and becky and paula made the decision to try and make it work in the car that we had, which wasn’t a small car but not a very big one either. However they managed it. We were stuffed into that car like a bundle of eggs. It was actually not as bad as it sounds and we were safe and the car made it. We all laughed and it made me feel top of the world.

WE got into barnstaple and as paula lives in bideford she kindly gave me a life to ayres close. I felt great and happy and just complete to some degree. I walked to get feds and knocked on the door to find that fedora had been very mean to whytt and that I had to tell her off right away for what she had said and done.

I stayed and had a coffee with madz and said thank you to her for having feds. We then went home, we had something to eat and then went to bed, I woke up later and went down the stairs and it hit me…i am gonna change the living room around so I started that. I then went to bed.

My food intake was smaller then I normally would have had, which is a good thing really. I had a honey coffee and took some fruit and veg with me just in case I also took some lunch with was mincemeat and onions with fried quinoa and veg. But I only managed to eat the fruit and veg and believe you me that was enough. I managed to have my lunch for my tea in sed which worked out about right to be fair. I wasnt hungrey at all which was great…I think I am gonna love having this job I just need this cv to get a move on so that I dont need to worry about it anymore, I feel like thats everyones wish at the moment…Day 4 take 2 was fantasic…!

Day 3 take 2

Its been a long day but only because I had so many hours on my own, Fedora went to cabin this morning for breakfast club and I picked her up at six in the evening. So I was child free for 10 hours. Lucky me or it would have been if I had a lot to do. I managed to do some research but its down stairs so I will sort that out for a later date…and no I am not going down stairs to get it.

Today I have eaten loads and as food is short at the moment I need to make sure that I try and make what we do have last for a long long time to come…i do hope that something gets sorted other ways its only gonna get worse. A Lot has happened today concerning the cv. But as I dont have enough information I am not going to bore you with the tit bits that I been given…honestly you most likey have heard about it more then I have.

• Breakfast: was almond bread and some home made berry jam
• Lunch: was sweet pineapple and chicken in a lemon and ginger sauce served with fried quinoa and veg
• Dinner: was roast potatoes with two fried eggs
• Supper: was mincemeat and fried quinoa and veg

I am not going to stop my self from eating when I need to. I did this at the beginning of take 1 of the challenge and it looks like I am following suit with take 2. It is a phase and it doesnt last….i hope not either as I was rather enjoying being fuller on less.

Since having a five day chest run I have noticed that my senses are a little off at the moment and of course I seem to be more hungry then I have been in a while…god help me at these times of the CV.

I cant be on here long, I have my dairy to do and my blog video, as well as have a bath and be mentally ready to go to sleeping knowing that I start my first shift at work tomorrow. I am looking forward to it I cant tell you enough about it. I know its only a cleaning job to others but to me its more then that…its my chance and I am gonna fight for it. Its a little crazy around here what with all the childcare stopping and schools closing so if you don’t have friends then its even harder, so I think I am lucky.

Anyway I am off now, day 3 has been normal really, lets hope day 4 is too.

Day 2 take 2

Not sure we need the take 2 any-more but then again it is only day 2, so maybe just maybe I will just leave it there for now.

Anyway today has been OK. I have done my normal day dues and gone about my business as normal. I am thinking of having some roast potatoes tomorrow or chips I am not sure which ones as of yet.

Sorry my mind is a bit a sleep. Okay! Today day 2…again take 2…This morning I had my eggs and almond bread again and this time I managed to remember to take a picture that will be uploaded on to the face book page later on this evening.

There was an issue earlier today when I went to the corner shop to get some hash browns and for some reason I looked at the ingredients to make sure that they were still challenge worthy and to my dismay they where not. The same brand that I bought a week ago from tescos was indeed fit for the challenge and I am sure I’ve posted the proof on my facebook page as I was over the moon with the fact that I found something I could actually have premade….It takes me almost an hour to make home made ones. Its not that I cant its that I wont…unless I am in the need of them.

SO…always read the pissing ingredients because some products change them from time to time to spice things up…which really takes the piss.

For my lunch I turned to fruit and helped my self to a serving of honey due melon, some raspberries, a passion fruit and with the use of the juice of one large orange I made orange tea with honey, turns out I don’t need as much honey in it as I used to. Maybe those days I was on the challenge take 1 did help for something.

I got fedora from school and was told that the school is going to close (until god knows when) I got a bit shirty…I have my reasons.

The CV…the CV I will not name and I will only say this…FUCK OFF…yeah I am mad…more at the CV then anything else. Anyway the schools in north Devon, not sure about anywhere else are all closing from Friday. So fedoras last day at school is tomorrow and I am hoping the school will return open at the end of the school break which stands as of now 21 days…That’s…enough said about that.

Tonight tea was really amazing and fedora really enjoyed it as well. it was like egg fried rice but without egg or rice. I made it with veg and quinoa and served it with tuna. Fedora ate it all and didn’t mind it one bit. She even asked for it again. Personally I loved it. However my phone was upstairs and I didn’t want to go and get it…yeah I know lazy me. But I am gonna be having that again but with chicken not tuna. Maybe tonight before I go to bed, but maybe not.

My side notes…In the coming weeks I am hoping to be able to do a few thing and hit some miles stones. Some of them I have wanted for along time and anothers that have become new to me in the last few months.

1. Lose weight: I hope that stating this as a mile stone isn’t going to bite me in the arse, but yes I wish to lose weight I always have done but I never believed that the challenge would do so so at the beginning it was just for the health benefits and getting rid of the foods I don’t want to eat any-more…things change or so them seem.
2. Changing my life: We all know that the challenge is a lifestyle change yes it is but that’s a change in diet rather then my actual life. In take 1 of the challenge I made some real difficult choices like removing my tv upstairs so that I wouldnt sit on my arse and watch it all day. I also made the choice of getting started on my back garden too. I have also been given the pleasure to work for someone as well. So changing my life, and reforming my life is important to me.
3. Improving fedoras and my own knowledge of the food we intake: This is really about taking notes on the vitamins and minerals in the foods we eat on the challenge. I am Bringing fedora into this section because I believe if I had had the knowledge I do today about foods then I think I wouldn’t be this big now. So I wish to teach fedora about nutrition and food benefits that they holds. I will add that I will be doing the cons list of the food I do like to eat when not on the challenge but that will not be shared with fedora.

These are only really small miles stones and I have come so far within the last few months but I am willing to do what I must to get where I need to be…and besides if I lose weight it means I can buy nicer clothes and treat my self to a new pair of boots…never the less. I am enjoying the idea of getting back on track and looking forward to getting my mile stones

Day 2 take 2 is done people, only my video to do and I am able to relax for the evening and think of the ups and downs of day 3…take 2 here we go again!

Day… Missing….

God its been one hell of a journey already and yeah I have had my down falls but I get back up and carry on… I have to…

I am having a great day today and it all started with my coffee this morning… I had fresh strawberries this morning for breakfast… And they were yum…

I made my lunch and that was garlic mushrooms, two eggs and some tomato sauce…(challenge worthy of course)… It was amazing…oh and corn on the cob with coconut oil… 

This afternoon I am going to morrisons to get some meat as I have fruit and veg already….meat is needed. I think I would fall though the cracks and give up if it wasn’t for the meat… Trust me meat has saved my arse a few times…. Chripy chicken wings… Is all I need to say here x

I have so missed sharing my life with you and I am gonna try my best to keep you in the loop of the ins and outs of what I am upto… Let’s see if I can keep it up this time…

I do want to make a few recipes in the next week… As I am starting a full time job in the up coming weeks so I want to be ready for that…

My evening meal today was braising steak in a red wine sauce… It was delicious… Pictures are on the Facebook page… Take a quick look.

But I think today is done people… I am full and happy sleepy and ready to say good night… Day.. Missing… has just finished and I am looking forward to what day… To be found… will bring