This is going to be a random ramble about various goings on...
First up I finished this hand appliquéd Igloo block from my green tea and sweets beans quilt the other week but forgot to share it. I've been working on this block for what feels like ages so it feels good to have it done, I've started working on the next one and hoping it won't take quite so long.
Although right now there is no sewing going on because I had a neurofibroma (nerve tumour) removed from my thumb. The operation took about half an hour and quite honestly it was slightly scary, I've never been in an operating room before. The first thing I said when I walked in was 'oh there's a lot of people in here'! They were all super nice and comforting, thank goodness for the NHS and their amazing staff. It was all nicely bandaged up like Mr Bump until I took it off last night, I won't share pictures because some people might be squeamish but it's all bruised and swollen with seven stitches. It hurts like a mother****** and I don't say that lightly.
I've been wanted to blog but we had a busy weekend and then since the operation on Tuesday I have felt exhausted. I don't think I had really anticipated needing time to heal. The surgeon told me I would need to rest and I laughed (because I have three kids so 'rest' is rare) but I had to admit defeat last night, even doing a bit of light housework in the day was too much. Thank goodness the weather has been nice and Lois and I have been able to just play and hang out outside:
I thought I would mention a quick update about my decision to give up processed sugar in April, I did it for the whole month and a little longer but slowly it has crept back in. There was definitely benefits, I lost a bit of weight, I slept better and my energy levels were more even. I have stopped putting sugar in my coffee but I have allowed myself to slip back into my Coca Cola addiction, so that has to stop! It's hard because every time it's sunny I want a Coke - total advertising win there! Sugar really is addictive and I am so much more aware of how many things contain processed sugar.
Recently I have been thinking a lot about my diet in general because I do need to lose weight and I want be healthy... and get back into some much loved jeans. I have been overweight before and lost it through healthy eating and exercise but since having kids I haven't made much of a prolonged effort. I think summer is always an easier time to kick start healthy eating because fruit and vegetables are so appealing and I always want to eat lighter anyway.
I have been looking for good recipes for my family, I prefer that we all eat together and I can make one meal to serve us all. I don't eat red meat so I will occasionally cook something with meat just for them or do pasta, for example, and just add meat to everyone elses meal. It's important for me that we all eat healthily and I want to incorporate more vegetables into our diet so I have been looking at a lot of vegetarian/vegan recipes. I also bought this book because I'm interested in learning more about plant based diets:
I have never labelled the way I eat and don't intend too but I would like to think more about where my food comes from. I currently eat chicken and fish, though I wouldn't find it hard not to. I get really bloated when I have milk or ice cream so I stay away from them but I do love eggs and I eat a lot of cheese. I've read a bit about the blood type diet too though I haven't read the book, I'm Type A which apparently benefits from a vegetarian diet. Would anyone recommend it? I don't want to 'diet' but make gradual and healthy changes and become more conscious about my eating. Counting and weighing food doesn't interest me at all, I would just like to feel healthy and enjoy my food. Once I have a bit more energy I will get back to exercising too, weirdly I've been dreaming about doing weights!!
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Oh I hear you. Before I had kids I was so fit - personal trainer, running half marathons (well one but I ran every day) and then boom. I fell into the "I am breastfeeding so I can eat what I like" trap. Then with #2 I had gestational diabetes and so was very careful with my diet and lost loads of weight but somehow it has crept back on. I think general exhaustion and having no real kitchen for 6 months has definitely contributed. Now though... It is winter here and I am taking a summer bodies are made in winter approach 😀 if I can get back to my goal I am going to get me a Gertrude Made dress. That is my inspiration.
Hope you're on the mend! Our house is doing "Junk Free June" this month and it's amazing how much money we're saving just by ditching the junk food from the grocery shop. It's only early days, but I'm hoping it's something we can commit to long term. I have an addiction to Coke Zero so I'm totally feeling your pain on that one!
It sure feels like you were talking about me in those last two paragraphs?? I don't eat red meat either, I haven't for the past 10 years and often times I prepare two meals, one for me and one for my husband. I could lose a ten pounds for sure, I don't like diet, but I like to eat healthy, like you I eat chicken and fish mostly and vegetarian dishes. I buy chicken and fish very carefully making sure it's not from China ... But I like good beer and wine and have a glass almost every day. :-( I have read that blood type book as well fifteen years ago and try that for a while, not for me. I get bloated as well, I hate it. Over the years I found out that FOOD COMBINATION works best for me, you might want to google that one ... :-) Ohh so much to talk about here ...
Your poor thumb. It does look really painful. I hate cooking two meals - one for the family and one for me. I have worse news for you though than keeping some baby weight. As I approach the half-century mark, it feels like it doesn't matter what I do, the weight doesn't come off anymore. I think you're on the right track not eating processed foods, more fruits and vegies. If I eat well and move my body I can keep everything within the same 5 pounds at least.
Hope your thumbs heal well Lucy. I agree the NHS are brilliant. Give yourself time to heal. As for sugar - it is totally addictive. Why not exchange your Coke habit for a 'zero' Pepsi one or a sugar-free lemonade? It might help. Sending you 'get well vibes' from Hampshire.
I too have a 'sweet tooth'! I blame it on the sweets my father used as treats for us when we were little! I found when I was in my forties, losing weight was so much easier when I was lifting weights! If I was you, I would give them a go! Even small amounts are said to make a difference! Good luck with your healthy eating plan! But be gentle with yourself while you recover from that nasty operation....
Hope you are feeling better soon. x
I hope your thumb heals soon! xx I became a vegetarian after marrying my vegetarian husband. At first I continue to be a good omnivore, but I soon realized it was easier to make one meal and not two... anyway, I found that by becoming a vegetarian my weight stabalized a lot. I had gained ~50-60 pounds when I graduated college and with diet change I was able to lose about 45 pounds without exercise. The rest has come off (finally) due to exercise and better stress levels. I eat lots of cheese, very few eggs (I've never been a fan), and lots of beans for protein. Good luck figuring out what works for you. Oh, and I am a type A blood type if that helps.
Can I help you wanting to drink Coca Cola?
1. Put a dirty coin (1p or 2p is fine) into a glass of Coca Cola. Watch what happens.
2. Did you know Coca Cola makes a wonderful toilet cleaner? So what does it to to your teeth and body?
Oh, you poor thing! I hope you get all better soon!
Thank you for sparing us the gory pictures, hope it heals well soon. I'd recommend reducing portion size just a tad. I'm trying to exercise by running about 3km or cycling 15km three times a week but I'm horribly unfit and end up injuring myself. I currently have a bruised bum and several trapped nerves in my legs. I figure the best way to get fit is to start with some strength first so I'm going to dance around with some 2-3kg dumbells (probably to Wham...) on the inbetween days and hope it helps with stamina issues and doesn't cause any pulled muscles. Feel free to borrow my unorthodox technique...
Good luck with your recovery! that is tough with a little one! Re: the sugar problem. Can I recommend a program?? - Whole 30 (whole30.com) has been huge for me. I was a major sugar addict and have found some real help with the Whole 30 and Whole 9 mentalities. It really got me off the sugar and even changed my tastebuds so I just don't crave it anymore. I've replaced soda with LaCroix flavored water (no sweetners!!) and made so many positive changes. There are lots of links through their site for different bloggers with recipe ideas. Good luck with whatever you chose to do!
I hope your thumb is feeling better soon!
Oh that thumb looks very swollen in this picture! I hope by now it's better and you are doing better. My daughter doesn't like meat and rarely eats it - maybe once every three weeks. I think it has affected her health - (hair falling out etc.) so do be careful that you get enough protein. And the kids too - since they are still growing. Otherwise, I think it's a good idea if you enjoy it.
Hope your thumb is feeling a little better. I hear you on the not wanting to diet, but wanting to eat more healthily and lose some weight. I have recently started running (having never run in my life) using the Couch to 5K and am nearly up to running for 30 mins at a time. It is helping me feel so much better. But sadly I am not losing weight - what?!! I don't eat much junk, so now am going for reducing portion sizes, especially at dinner time.
ooh poor you. hope you feel better soon. In an effort to lose weight and be healthier I too tried to cut down on sugar, bread and processes food, except alcohol. Lost a bucket of weight and felt great but the old habits are creeping back as is the weight.
take care and look after that hand. xx
So now I understand the no sewing posts.. I am really rubbish at reading posts! Poor you. Hope you have recovered now. Eating healthily is easier in summer for salads etc. And also for you are less hungry when it is hot. I am sure cutting that coca cola out would be great - I intend to stop drinking the diet version now too. I hate the addictive aspect of it, and also I am so thirsty afterwards... I am doing weight watchers of course, it is the easiest with kids, because you can eat like them, just less of it...