Day 12

This morning was I actually rather calm got up. everything was normal. we had breakfast

I decided that I was going to try tofu and it tasted quite ok. It really needed seasoning. It has given me some ideas what I could cook with it especially after failing to cook it this morning it turned out like scrambled eggs and it kind of ended up being eaten like scrambled eggs even though it didn’t taste like scrambled eggs. however I haven’t really used tofu before this is kind of the first time I’ve really used it so give me a few more months to test certain things out and I’m sure I’ll have a recipe or two.

next thing on my list today was to mention to you all the apple crumble that I made yesterday I didn’t mention it yesterday because actual fact I was quite disappointed with it. The apples where brilliant they were so juicy and delicious but the crumbles was just like sand, it was just awful it was just such a bad dish and I scraped the topping off as much as I could and salvaged the Apple Bottom with a little bit of crumble in it. however I learn from my mistakes and we’ll try again another time.

For lunch I had chips and chicken and that was seasoned with tikka masala powder from my herb collection I bought on the 8th.

yesterday after my video I made a tikka masala with tinned tomatoes coconut cream and coconut milk and chicken and it was just divine and I also had that with potato chips it was delicious I have to admit it again the recipe for that will definitely be on my menu next month so be prepared to watch out for that because it is a 10 out of 10 it’s wonderful

today I’ve developed the first headache of the Year my head is not particularly great. I actually do feel that I might have to take some painkillers which is a bit of a downfall because I’m trying not to take those so I’m going to drink some water have another cup of tea and hope that it will solve it self

So I am gonna leave it there because day 12 is neally over… So I want day 13 to begin

Day 11

Happy birthday to my son Charlie Davies who is 10 years old today. I hope you have had a fantastic day my darling. Love you millions and miss you so much x hugs and kisses x

Today was just sit around… doing nothing all day. however it didn’t actually end up being like that.

I got a delivery of small glass bottles. there’s some really old ones in there. Like two old milk bottles from a dairy. which I’m going to fill with some soil after cleaning them of course and I’m going to put some spring onions in them so that they can sort of produce more leaves for me. I’m hoping that they will work and go on my shelf that I made the other day. I think they will look quite nice on there as well. I have added two basil plants one for the left one for a right so it equals out so it’s symmetrical and looks amazing. I still smile every time I see it. now that I have had that shelf I couldn’t have it any other way because it’s almost like I’ve never lived without it. it’s so easy to get to my herbs and spices. I can see what I’ve got there and gives me inspiration is just brilliant absolutely brilliant.

I went into the kitchen not only an hour ago and did a product video which is day 11. basically just explaining the different qualities and the different varieties that you can get for the value that pay for. it is pretty good so watch it and comment cos that’s always good as well.

Such a soft sort of day… I have enjoyed my Saturday…. I am hoping to have another relaxing day…. Good bye day 11….and I am waitting day 12.

Day 10th

it’s been kind of strange day really I’ve had ups and down emotionally. I have eaten less then I have all the Challenge because I’m full and I’m really generally am just not hungry and I don’t feel like eating any more.

I have definitely done a little bit more heavy lifting today and I’m sure my friendly Lyn Thomas would degree. it’s quite astonishing what I’ve managed to do today. That I managed to carry 45 DVDs from Westcroft to the main key was quite a challenge on its own. but not only did I have the 45 DVDs had a 360 console a TV only a small one but nevertheless and a hoover… to carry so yeah I think I actually did my my justice for carrying what I needed to carry today. However I did have a little bit of help from my friend Claire thank you hun… Your buggy came in real handy. I also need to say thank you to liza who gave me a lift to the school… Without you I would of struggled even more….

I went to my friends lyn Thomas and made real good beautiful food. I have actually took a picture of it today and it was just absolutely amazing.
it was…
chicken
chickpeas
onions
garlic
chillies
bell peppers and I did ask add sweet corn after I taking taking the picture but that’s because I forgot it and I want to add it
I mixed herbs and obviously olive oil.

it was absolutely delicious. I had a medium-sized bowl fall and I was full I couldn’t finish it so with that in mind it was pretty cracking to be fair. I am now going home it’s 9:03 and I am gonna get ready and rolling to do the things that I need to do before bed however I am kind of like not wanting to go to bed so I’m hoping to chill out a little bit beforehand.

fedora is still with me obviously and she will be having some supper before she goes to bed. she’s enjoyed her Friday night which is brilliant so I’m going to leave you here today with a nice short one for you.

I got to the weekend… Let day 11 begin!

Day 9

I was a little annoyed this morning as my phone alarm didn’t go off again and that’s twice in the run now however my cat woke me up at 6.15am. Which was OK, fedora and I got dressed very quickly and all was good

we live 1.4 miles away from her school which does take 45 minutes to get there.

I got feds to school and my friend tammy gave me a lift home. Thank you tammy

I got home a lot quicker than what I would have done if I had walked. that was lovely I came in and looked at my lounge it has all the products from yasterday that I hadn’t put away so all the packets were still on my table and all my books that I’m doing research with. I’ve got to do that today. I have to sort this out this is just not happening my house is just outside down and I’ve got to get some order so the first thing I wanted to do is get my herbs and spices and special items in my kitchen and then I realise that my kitchen is not the greatest space.

I don’t want my kitchen to be cluttered with stuff because when I do have guests over my table look beautiful and it just I was quite worried about where I was going to put these massive big jars that my mum gave me a couple of days ago. I also have these herbs and spices tubs to.

I made a shelf between the two cupboards over my cooker didn’t think anything of it. I just did it, and you know I thought it was brilliant. it is on my Facebook page I have actually posted the picture.

my lunch today I did the Spice Chinese five spice honey chicken wings because last night before I went to bed I did the marinade for chicken wings which turned out to be quite delicious. I have them with a fenugreek stir-fry with onions garlic and mushrooms just the last mushrooms and onions that have got in the free in the fridge because like I said I don’t get my vegetables until Saturday

I still have to use what we’ve got in the house before Saturday.

I’ve also been doing a lot of research I got some books.

My friend lyn picked up fedora for me. Thank you lyn. so I could sort out my kitchen a little more getting it suitable for Saturdays sample video that will take place on my kitchen table… So it has to be perfect.

I then went to Morrisons as I was told they do better free from item so I wanted to see myself. It turned out to be true. There was loads and I was shocked to find that they sell quinoa flakes which would be so good to create recipes with. However I decided that I will buy that next month and go with the items I have already.

once we got home. Fedora and I unpacked and had dinner. Soon it’s fedoras bedtime which means I will do my video for today. It won’t be long I promise x

I think I will leave it here today as I have written rather alot today. I have a busy day tomorrow… And I am willing to achieve… Day 10 is on its way x

Day 8

I was a little behind this morning but with the help of my friend who was able to get fedora to school for me… Thank you Lauren I really needed the help thus morning.

Because of Lauren I was able to be on an earlier bus to barnstaple to get fedora some new uniform and some of my food items that are only sold in special shops. The bus is making me feel sick…. I really don’t like travel sickness…. 🤮

Anyway, as I knew I would be in a bus I brought a book with me in the hope of it having information on herbs in it. I am not new to herbs thanks to mum. But I would love to find new ones to try x unfortunately the book had everything in it other then herbs… Its a cook book… What cook doesn’t cook with herbs and spices…. 😂

I asked my daughter this morning what meals she would like for coming weekend and she said… Salmon and sweetcorn…but don’t for get my peanuts 😂 funny girl…

I don’t go to barnstaple offen and when I do I really feel I am having a day out. I am looking forward to seeing the stuff I can buy with my £50 budget. I will take a video later on today to show you what I have bought…

So being on The Challenge I found a fruit and veg shop and bought myself some fruit and a carrot for breakfast… And dates… Not looking at the dates ingredients. I ate two of the sweet dates. I then looked at the package and there it was… glucose syrup. Information on this on the Facebook page and group…It is important for me to be honest to you and let you know if I have been tricked… I feel like I have. However I will take this as a lesson to always look on the packet and the ingredients…we take a deep breath and carry on x

On a more exciting note. I bought a few herbs and spices from the grape tree in barnstaple. Information of that shop will be on the Facebook page and group.

I will be taking a video of the products I bought along with how much it was for all of it. I am rather surprised.

So before I left to pick up fedora I did a great video for my products that I bought from grape tree and the silly camera didn’t work…. Thank you…. I was very pissed off… Its the third time its done it… Not to pleased. However the video was thirty minutes long… So I gonna do it again and in parts… Of ten minutes and hope it works…

I went to my friends house and she cooked me tea… Yay… All challenge worthy…

So as I tried to do a video for the products that I bought and it didn’t work… I might have to do that tomorrow which is ok…

So I will leave it here simple and clear… Day 9 fast coming

Day 7… And the end of week 1

I managed to get fedora up and myself at 6 this morning for the all-important beginning of the term and it was quite pleasant actually she had her breakfast after enjoying a very warm bath and then she got dressed and we just sat there just talking to each other it was very pleasant very calming

she watched me when I took my banana out of the oven which was for my breakfast and she said it’s gone off why are you eating it if it’s gone off she had seen that the banana had gone black. so I showed her that the inside of the banana was still yellow.
I had that we cacao powder and cocoa powder with a bit of seeds and it was actually quite nice
I then went to school dropped her off went to the Jobcentre and did my bits for that and then went into co-op because my friend had lent me some money which was beautiful of her so I bought a few bits that fedora needed and I did get myself some soya milk and I finally got home and had a proper cup of coffee
it did not taste like coffee water it was actually had depth. Had body to it and did taste like… actually I could drink this… This is ok

I made a few recipes today carrot swede garlic mash, mint pea puree and last but not least salted cabbage crisps which even fedora decided to have a cup of. They are quite good for her to get those greens.

I’m not going to be long tonight as I’ve done two videos already today. because I had technical difficulties and the second one did prove to be ok

please can you comment and ask me some questions or maybe give me some advice I would really love that

But I am happy as it Wednesday tomorrow I am so looking forward to doing The Challenge shopping…

I am happy that it’s day 7 and the end of week 1 let week 2 begin!!!!!

Day 6

I realised that I am much more creative when I have limited items in my household coming to the end of my payment month and through the last week without money. I have had to count on things in my cupboard, freezer and the last remaining items in my fridge. I call this the leftover week and many of you may also do this in the case of just making leftover meals after pretty much nothing. Maybe you look at the individual items that you bring together and shocked to find it makes a whole meal for your family. you may think blimey I did that with just such a thing. Well I did that the other day I made this chicken tomato sauce with pasta and I made that for the children and for my sister Felicity because I couldn’t have it because I found out that the stock cubes that I was going to use have wheat in them by that point I’d already used to stock cube therefore I could not have the actual dish.

I wasn’t actually going to have it anyway something so simple could have wheat in it it was like the other day when I pick the packet of chrips but I checked the ingredients and it said cornstarch and I was pretty pissed off. Something that shouldn’t have any sort of connections with grains at all in general had cornstarch in it little piss-take really so I gave those Chrips to my son and he was happily enjoying them but I still feel little bit left out.

so decided to make my own I made some potato bites again and I forgot about them because I actually wasn’t hungry so technically I didn’t actually need to eat
They came out quite nicely.

I had potato and eggs again thank you Mum for bringing me some spare eggs.

I did make actually so apple bites that would just chopped up apple thrown in the oven just like I have done in the past with potato and cook them on a low heat and they came out quite chewy and crispy and sweet and they were quite nice and yes I will be doing that again.

I do miss my coffees in the sense of milky coffees I can have coffee with almond milk but it isn’t the same with almond milk. cups of teas at the moment are too strong with almond milk and it almost tastes like I’m adding water to it so that’s kind of no go

I do want to go to bed sometime soon tonight so I’m going to leave it here and onwards and upwards and I look forward to day 7

Day 5

it’s surprising how much I’ve enjoyed today I’m actually looking forward to tomorrow my plans have changed slightly as my guess we’re not picked up as planned however that wasn’t actually a problem… more company

I have a recipe that I thought of this morning which turned out to be ok which was chia seed pudding with cacao powder and honey it did look like chocolate Frogs spawn… go figure! however it did taste quite delicious me and my son had that with half a banana each my daughter did not like it and Felicity didn’t even try it… 😂

I tried to use fenugreek seeds but it was very bitter however I looked on YouTube and I found a brilliant video that really helped me to understand that I should fragment fenugreek before actual cooking with it.

Its absolutely brilliant how much I’m actually learning at the moment even though we are only on day 5.

I’m really excited about doing different things with fenugreek because I think that they will be a very good alternative sort of couscous.
its also got quite a lot of minerals and vitamins benefits to them as well.
I have posted and try to make sure that people are aware of the video that I have seen on YouTube it’s on healthfasmatters and that’s a Facebook group so pleased add yourself to that group that would be great

I would also add here please.. please comment on any of my blog posts or my video posts. As any advice or even some criticism is good because you help me to make sure I get the most out of the challenge.

I’m hoping to do a live video next week but I want to make sure that there is no interruptions when I do.

I am quite excited at the different emotions I am actually feeling right now. I am not tired I’m not frustrated I’m not irritated and not miserable.
I am so surprised how I feel right now with everything that’s happened in the last couple of days and yesterday being so emotional and crap I just cannot believe the difference it is today literally it is 100% better.

on a different note I’ve noticed that I’ve only had little amounts of food I mean if anyone on an ordinary diets saw what I have eaten today they would assume that my portions were too tiny and that I was pretty much starving myself. Well I can tell you honestly I am not hungry I made a little meal in the kitchen half an hour ago and decided I wasn’t hungry enough to eat it. I’ve had my chia chocolate frogspawn pudding for the breakfast and that was in a very small bowl I then had leftover soup from the other day and that was with a bit of beef. It’s almost 8 pm and I am still not interested in stuffing my face.

the only reason why I’m actually staying this is because at Christmas and even before Christmas I was constantly thinking about what I can eat every second every minute every day it was like I had to have something in my hand to eat no matter what it was. right now I am very satisfied and I don’t actually know why.

I have to say it here now…. If my emotions are to be this great throughout the challenge I will be so grateful and happy. But small steps at a time.

I hold on to day 5s memories and look forward to day 6.

Day 4

I didn’t realise how much I would need in my normal routine before starting this challenge I generally didn’t think that it would have been as easy as just one two three but assumed that I could at least manage week one without crying.

Today hasn’t been a great day it really hasn’t. my emotions had started from being just slightly irritated to being extremely angry to be absolutely enormously mentally meltdown, its been draining my strength and motivation. I just feel so tired.

I didn’t have breakfast or lunch but pushed myself to have some dinner just because I felt rotten and I just needed to have something before I went to bed
I am upstairs now ready to go to bed I’m just finishing off the days little things for my blog and my video and then I’m off to sleep it is very early but I have been going to bed at stupid oclock this week and it’s got to stop

I’ve got to get back into a routine my son and my daughter has not helped my situation by the fact they don’t care about anything but themselves but I think that’s just children in general they pick at each other and enjoy tormenting each other and they think it’s funny to do so but it isn’t funny it’s extraordinarily exhausting and it’s just annoying but my sister will be going home tomorrow and things will get a little bit more in zinc. also the children go back to school next week and I also have Wednesday to look forward to and Saturday.
So I have got things planned ahead of time so that I can look and think well actually it’s not too bad.

I’m just a bit strained and emotional so I’m going to leave you there with that the recipe today wasn’t very exciting side by accidentally last night made a cocoa and cacao powder hot drink and that turned into a substance overnight and it tasted like a moose which I thought was hilarious because if I can rectify it and make it again I can post it on the recipe app that I am downloading and sorting out that won’t happen until next month
I think I’m going to leave you alone and I’ll speak to you on day 5.

Honestly day 5 can’t come fast enough

Day 3

I haven’t really said very much today and I haven’t written anything or made effort to come on here and write to you guys

I think I am putting more effort into the videos to be honest however next week will change because obviously the holidays finished in in a couple of days and the children are back at school… yay

food wise things have been ok I just don’t seem to be that hungry and I don’t really think that I should force myself to eat in any sort of circumstances however when I did find that I was feeling hungry I ate and was very satisfied

I’ve had a jasmine tea and peppermint tea together in one cup and that was delicious

recipe of the day is my homemade lemonade
Which is perfect 10/10

my sister Felicity will be going home on Sunday and I’m kind of devastated that she’s going to leave me to taste all my food on my own…god dammit… anyone want to be my guinea pig tasters

anyway I am really looking forward to Wednesday. I’m going to my favourite shop called nature nutrition and that’s based in Bideford. It’s really great you can go in with your own tubs and get your own herbs and spices and it’s just fantastic so that’s where I’m going on Wednesday.
I will also be able to buy quinoa and hopefully I’ll be able to get that in normal form flakes and flour because that would be brilliant. also I’m going to buy a bit more of arrowroot which I mentioned to you yesterday. Because I have the excitement of making a cottage pie and I need that to thicken the gravy. I am also planning on having a chicken casserole next week as well.

on the Sunday next week I will be having a chicken roast with all the trimmings other than ones that I cannot have.

so there are big meals that I’m looking forward to. but I will also be enjoying a few salads and soups along the way.

so a lot of things that I’m actually motivated for and I’m still very dedicated to carry on with my challenge and nothing really on that note has changed other than the fact that let’s get this going…

So day 3 is almost over day 4 is on the way