Splurge

Today was a bit of a splurge. I had my doctor's appointment you see, so as I waited anxiously all morning, I ate half a large packet of M&Ms and salt and vinegar chips.  I don't really mind, because it's not as though I'm a diet. The blood tests showed that my thyroid is fine and everything else was good. Only my cholesterol was a little bit higher than it should be,,, well dah.

This morning was my second time doing the pilates video.  My legs and tummy caned so much afterwards, thank goodness tomorrow is just normal cardio again. I don’t think I could do two days straight!

I ordered some more fabric so that I can make some more leggings.  Over the weekend I actually made a pair that has a skirt over it – great for swimming in and for workout. No more camel toe worries – hmm.

Chia Seep Experiment 4 - Vanilla Coconut Pudding

I have such a sweet tooth at times.

For one thing, I love Pepsi Max - it's so sweet and lovely. I'm trying to go cold turkey off it for a little while, the first few days were awful with headaches etc. Last night I broke down and bought a Diet Coke (because there wasn't any Pepsi Max) but karma kicked me in the bum because when I got home and opened the bottle,,, it was flat and off.  Oh well. That's what you get for trying to cheat yourself and from buying it at the dodgy corner store.

I saw this recipe from Delighted Momma, and thought I would have a go. I did have to change it because I don't have almond milk. I really don't think we would be able to get it here, but I did find some recipes for it that I would like to try. Unfortunately I don't have a food processor - yet - I've been saving up for a Kitchen Aid one.

Anyway, it was okay. Not exactly the pudding I am used to, but it was sweet and filling with a little bit of texture.


So here is my recipe:

1 cup of milk
1 tspn artificial sugar - maybe a little more
1/3 cup of chia seeds - maybe a little more
1/2 tspn of vanilla essence
1/4 cup shredded coconut

1. Mix the milk and the sugar together until sugar dissolves.
2. Mix all the ingredients together
3. Stand for 5 minutes
4. Stir and stand until totally thickened

Edit: On second and third attempts to eat this, I've decided that it's actually pretty bad.  The texture!!!

This was me:

Today was the my first POP Pilates for Beginners workout. I was going to woose out and do some yoga instead but then I remembered this:

I will be very sore tomorrow.

Fact Sheet: Chocolate

There are a lot of wives tales about foods. Sometime people say you can, others say you can't eat a certain food.

I thought I would keep myself up-to-date and share my findings.

So first off the rank is Chocolate!  My friend says that chocolate fixes everything, but it's one of my most craved for foods.

Without further adieu:

Chocolate Fact Sheet

Week 2

What's Motivating Me This Week?
Trying to feel better

What's Puzzling Me This Week?
Will I be able to exercise while I’m on holidays? Trying to pre-plan my exercise plan.

What's Bugging Me This Week
How hard it is to find plus sized exercise clothing. 

Do they make the assumption that just because you’re big you mustn’t work out? Maybe it’s that sports brands just don’t want their clothes on bigger people as they want to be aligned with fit and trim rather than slow and fat?

Luckily I can sew. I’ve made a pair of knee length leggings - ah-hem - yoga pants.

What's Encouraging Me This Week? 
The fact I’ve lost 3cm on my waist, and 1cm each off my hips and thighs. I know that it’s only the start and I usually loose pretty quickly,,, as first,,, but I’m still excited.

What's the Plan?
Pick up the pace on weekends with two things to do. And an intro to pilates – gotta say I’m a little scared.

Week 1 down!

Okay I just finished week 1 of my own workout plan.

Things I found out,

• I actually look forward to exercising - I am always amazed at this. In fact I find by the afternoon I want to do more - but I'm holding back because I don't want to overdo it.
• Dance Dance Dance - I put this on my plan for a bit of laugh, but after just completing it I realised it was really fun. A bit of a light cardio.  I started with this: Dance Dance (warm up)  then did Dance Dance Dance Fitness  then I slowed my march down until my heart also slowed and then did some stretches much like in the Dance Dance (warm up) video.  Definitely staying as my Saturday routine.
• I need more stickers
• I need a folder to store all my workout stuff
• iPad's don't play music and videos at the same time. Lucky I have two iPads then. 

Depression?

This week has been a big one for me.

• Making this BLOG about my health journey
• Chia seeds
• Starting exercise programs
• Being diagnosed with depression

That last one only happened yesterday.  That feels so long ago.  Yesterday I had an episode (the doctor called it that) and told me not to work for four weeks.  Work is my stresser. My friends and family have been so supportive.  I love my C.  Luckily I only have just over a week left until the school holidays starts anyway so I shouldn't feel too guilty about not being at work.  Well I'm trying not to.

So instead of doing the cardio this morning, as per the plan, I did the yoga instead.  Two days of yoga won't really matter, I need to relax.

Chia Seed Experiment 3 - Basic Asian Chia Stir Fry Sauce

Tonight's experiement went so well.

I used the recipe from here: Chia Seed Recipes.  It was pretty strong but C and I like those flavours. I used the sauce with stirfried broccoli and corn, served with baked fish - I think it was whiting but I was in charge of the veg tonight so I couldn't say for sure.

I haven't gone back to adding the seeds to my drinks I just don't think I could stomach it.

Chia Seed Experiment 2 - Orange Juice

One way that is suggested to consume chia seeds is to mix it with water or juice in the mornings.  I'm a bit sceptical about this because I'm not a fan of funny textures. I don't like pith in my juice at the best of times, so actually adding seeds? 

Hello weird green concoction.

Yes I drank it, it didn’t kill me.  I got through it without gagging, and it tasted,,, like juice. I tried to think that it was passionfruit pulp, it had a similar texture but with smaller seeds. It wasn’t that bad.

But I’m NOT even going to try it with water.

Chia Seed Experiment 1 - Honey Orange Chicken

I saw chia seeds on the show 'Eat Yourself Sexy' where the woman was putting them into yogurt.  I thought to myself, 'Hmm, I bet I wouldn't be able to buy them here'. I would have lost the bet. The nearist town with a decent grocery store (albeit an hour and a half away) had them. As soon as I saw them I swooped across the lino flooring and grabbed a pack.

You can google the info about chia seeds yourself if you are interested in their nutritional details.

So, this evening I decided to test them.  I tried this recipe:

Honey and Orange Chicken

500gm chicken breast

1/3 cup soy sauce

1/3 cup orange juice

1/3 cup honey

1 tablespoon chia seeds

Broccoli florets

Brown rice (instant microwave packet for the win)

1. Slice chicken and stir fry.
2. While chicken cooks, mix liquids and seeds in a jug.
3. Add broccoli florets to chicken and stir fry.
4. Add sauce.
5. Serve with brown rice.

This will serve 4 adult sized portions. Guess we will be eating this again tomorrow night.

I got the original recipe from here, and it's a simple yummy recipe. My husband didn't even notice the seeds.  Speaking of seeds, I don't really know what I was expecting. I guess they are kind of like poppy seeds in texture, so just imagine adding poppy seeds to stuff and you'll understand.

Week 1

What's Motivating Me This Week?
My thighs rubbing together so I can't wear dresses without bike shorts underneath
Recent photos of me

What's Puzzling Me This Week?
That I have to wash my hair every day after I excerise - my hair will dry out unless I really take care of it
Chia seeds  

What's Bugging Me This Week
That my husband won't exercise too

What's Encouraging Me This Week? 
Good music to workout to
Pinterest
http://fuckyeahfitspo.tumblr.com/
Finding new youtube workout clips

What's the Plan?
I finished the Level One Exercise plan from Downtownn.tumblr. I'm not going to continue with it because jogging for long periods of time with my boobs is just wrong!!!

See those spaces down the right hand side of the page - they're for stickers.