Veggie Pasta Bake

Hi Guys. Sorry I've been a bit lax in updates, work is crazy. I love my job, and I am far too busy. I do manage to keep to the plan though. I think it's really important that you don't let outside influences sabotage your ability to stick to the plan.

Sure, sometimes life gets in the way, and you should be happy before anything else. You should forgive yourself if you slip. But if what you want is to stick to the plan and get to target then don't let anything else get in your way!

So weigh in was Tuesday. A small loss this week. Now whilst that is totally fine, and still keeps me on track to get my 5 stone award by Christmas, I was disappointed. I felt that last week was a really good week. I am always telling people that they need to look at the bigger picture and this is what I need to do now. I have gone back to basics. Ensured that I have written everything that passes my lips down. Planned every meal. I am aiming high this week!

My consultant brought a pasta bake in for us all to try this week. I adapted it slightly and it was delicious. It was also full of superfree. Recipe below.

In other news, the whole pack of these little bad boys are only 4 and a half syns. Go mad! 

As you are aware I brought new clothes last weekend and it has made me feel fantastic ever since. The top below, size freaking 12!

Veggie Pasta Bake Recipe. 

Ingredients. 

1 Courgette

1 Red Onion

1 Red Pepper

1 Yellow Pepper

Mushrooms ( I LOVE mushrooms so I had loads!)

Half tin sweetcorn

Tin of chopped tomatoes

Tomato Puree

2 Garlic Cloves

Pasta Twirls

Seasoning

Method couldn't be simpler. 

1. Cut the courgette, onion and peppers into big chunky pieces and roast in the oven for around 20 minutes. I added the mushrooms for the final 5. 

2. Add the pasta to a saucepan of boiling water and boil for around ten minutes

2. Gently heat the crushed garlic in a wok with frylight. 

3. Add the drained pasta and all the veggies to the wok with some tomato puree, the tin of tomatoes and seasoning. 

4. I then baked in the oven for another ten minutes.

I'm not the best cook in the world. But this was delicious. You could cook it how ever you find easiest and add any kind of superfree you wanted. You could even melt you daily A Choice cheese over the top. I made loads and reheated for the following day's lunch and then froze some. 

I'll update again tomorrow.

Jojo out. 

Kisses

x

Paprika Chicken and Funky Bowls

Evening all.

How are you all doing? I have to admit, today has been tough. I've been pretty stressed out, and practically worked all weekend. I have eaten all my syns and I turned down pastry with dinner tonight.

I want to begin by telling you all about my paprika stuffed chicken that I made on Friday.

It was lovely. I sliced a chicken breast down one side and packed it in with Philly lightest. I found small individual tubs of this for just 1.5 syns each and it is more than enough for this meal. I mixed 2 crushed garlic cloves and some finely chopped parsley with the philly and baked the breast for around 15-20 minutes. 

I served with spicy cajun wedges (Schwartz "Perfect Shake" jars are all totally syn free and add to any meal!) sliced peppers, mushrooms and green salad. 

I think it's important to take the time to make meals like this for yourself. I do have a family and usually we eat all these meals together but this one was just for me. I think it's important to realise that you are worth the effort. Set the table, eat off your favourite plate, prepare your favourite meal - whatever makes you feel special. 

Based on the above thoughts, I finally tracked down the bowl I have been looking for. 

I LOVE stars. I have many tattooed, I have jewellery thats stars shaped etc. So this was quite a find. I have eaten every meal form this bowl today! It was a fiver from Asda, which is a little more than I like to spend on a single bowl but as I say, sometimes it's worth it. 

There are days since I have been on this diet where I just cannot be bothered to get back up after a long day and prepare tomorrow's breakfast and lunch. Yesterday we went shopping and I finally gave in and brought some new clothes. Just a couple of new tops but it felt fantastic. Clothes that I had previously tried on in the past just slipped right on! 

I have a pair of jeans that I could not even pull up over my thighs when I started Slimming World. Yesterday when I tried them on they can be pulled all the way up, without even being unbuttoned and there was room to spare! 

I encourage any one of you who may be struggling, or lacking motivation or inspiration to hang on in there. You all deserve a moment like that and I have faith in each and every one of you. 

The lovely guys and gals in my SW group inspire me in ways like this each week. I would strongly encourage you all to stay to group as often as you can. 

I hope you have found tonights words comforting or inspirational. I am a long way from target, not even half way there, but I hope that we call all support each other and we can all get there one day :)

Jojo out.

Kisses. 

Asia Book recipes and more

I have to begin by talking about the "beef pad thai" that we made form the Slimming World Recipe book "Taste of Asia."

It was, quite possibly, one of the best things I have ever eaten. Generally speaking I am not a big fan of this type of food, but one of the things that I think is key to Slimming Worlders is trying new things and lots of variety

It was so good that I felt it needed two pictures. Highly, HIGHLY recommended. I've posted the recipe below. We amended it slightly from the book (didn't add anything, just removed two ingredients - so its still free on Extra Easy.) 

Also had a lot of extra lean beef mince to use up on Wednesday, so batch cooked loads of bolognese. Had Spag bol for dinner, then mixed it with some penne pasta for the following day's lunch. I forgot to take a picture initially and didn't post the recipe. So both can be found below :)

This is going to have to be short and sweet as I have a trip to the airport to embark upon. I know i keep mentioning Scan Bran but I haven't had a chance to make anything - I will sort myself out and blog about it soon i promise. Made some fantastic stuffed chicken last night which I'll speak about tomorrow too. 

SW Friendly Bolognese. 

Ingredients. 

Frylight

1 Small Onion

2 Garlic Cloves

Mushrooms

Extra Lean Beef Mince

Tomato Passata

Mixed Herbs

Beef OXO Cube

Seasoning

Note that in the past I have also added peppers, courgettes and carrots. It's entirely up to you which superfree veggies you include. 

1. Finely chop the onions and brown them off in a frying pan using frylight. 

2. Once browned, add the mince to the onions with the mushrooms. Note that I prefer my mushrooms quite firm, but you can add them with the onions if you prefer. At this point also add any other veggies you have added. 

3. Drain off any excess liquid once the mince is browned and add the tomato passata. I tend to use 1 small carton of passata per 400g of mince. 

4. Sprinkle over a Beef flavour OXO cube. I find this adds a real beefy taste, but this isn't entirely necessary. 

5. Add mixed herbs and seasoning and you're done! 

I serve with spaghetti or penne and a side salad. I often use my Healthy Extra A Choice cheddar sprinkled on top. 

Beef Pad Thai Recipe (Adapted) 

Ingredients

Extra Lean Beef Strips

Fine Noodles ( I use Sharwoods, remember that only dried ones are free.)

1 Small Red Onion

1 Red Chilli

Spring Onions

1cm peeled and finely chopped root ginger

3 Tbsp Dark Soy Sauce

3 Tbsp Light Soy Sauce

2 Garlic Clovesm crushed

Salt and Black pepper

2 Carrots

200g Mangetout peas

200g Beansprouts

1 Egg

100ml Vegetable Stock

200g Prawns

Small handful of coriander

1. Begin by cutting your beef into thin strips and marinating in the light soy sauce, seasoned with salt and pepper for 15 minutes. 

2. Whilst the beef is marinating, cut up all your veggies. Everything should be finely chopped, even the mangetout peas and cut the carrots into matchsticks. 

3. Fry the beef in frylight for 3-4 minutes or until cooked through and then remove from the pan and set aside. 

4. Pour the stock into the pan along with the red onion, ginger, garlic, red chilli and dark soy sauce and stir fry for around 4 minutes until tender. 

5. Turn up the heat and add all the remaining veggies

6. Prepare the noodles, the sharwoods ones need several minutes in boiling water but this may vary depending on what you are using. 

7. When cooked, add the noodles to the mix. 

8. Lightly beat the egg and drizzle over the mixture. 

9. Cooked for 1 minute and add the beef you set aside earlier. 

10. Sprinkle over the chopped spring onions and coriander.

EAT AND BE HAPPY!

I admit this is considerable effort but I really believe it's worth a try. 

Jojo out.

Kisses

.

All things nice

So my plan to blog every single day has failed 2 days in. I think I have to resign myself to the fact that two or three times a week will be enough. It means so much to me to attempt to support all you guys and offer advice in any way i can. Six months ago, I wouldn't have considered a blog like this. I still don't regard myself as an expert or anything like that, but I know how much blogs like this have meant to me over the last few months.

Anyway, Tuesday was weigh in night. Another two pounds off and excitingly.....i got my four and a half stone award! Totally thrilled.

On Tuesday i got to browse through the "Christmas Made Extra Easy" recipe book. I actually intend to stick to plan completely throughout the christmas period and there is some brilliant stuff in the book. At the moment you can only get the book by purchasing a 12 week countdown, which I really think keeps you committed too. 

Picked up the new mag, and there's a couple of things I am very keen to try. "Scampi" and chips and Cherry and Vanilla Creme Brûlée are a must this weekend. 

 

Made Spaghetti Bolognese for dinner last night, and with some left over I mixed with penne pasta, topped with my A choice Cheddar and had a zingy side salad. Unfortunately I completely spaced and forgot to take photos. I have some frozen, when i reheat I will take some pics and post the recipe. 

Tonight's dinner hasn't been made yet but we've chosen Beef Pad Thai from the Asia book.

I think it's so important to keep trying new things and I for one have discovered a previously unknown love for this type of food. Go on, be brave. Again, we will do some recipe posting in future blogs. 

Tomorrow I want to post my favourite "Scan Bran" recipe, it's one I often have for breakfast. I think Scan Bran is misunderstood and I also think it can aid weight loss if you struggle at times. 

Finally, discovered these little bad boys at only 4 and a half syns! 

Jojo out.

Kisses.

Low low cheese

So, this is only my second day blogging, despite following Slimming World for a while. I have so much that I want to talk about but to keep it varied I'm going to try and focus on one thing at a time.

Today I want to rave about Kerry Low Low Cheese. It is by far the best foodie discovery I've made on this journey. It comes in three flavours, original mature cheddar, red pepper and chilli and cracked black pepper. Low Low cheese is a spreadable cheddar, and before you scream "eurgh" I used to feel the same. I HATED any form of soft cheese. But Low Low? It's different. I still wouldn't eat it spread on bread or anything like that but warm? It's TO DIE for. I must add, you can have half a tub for you "Healthy Extra A choice" otherwise its 2.5 syns for 25g. This is true for all varieties. 

Melted over a jacket or stirred into pasta is my new favourite lunch. The pic below doesn't really do it justice, it was just today's offering.  I tend to add mushrooms and ham to the mix but I had run out. I will say as well that it's quick and easy to make, can be eaten cold or reheated. A quick superfree salad is easy to do too. On that note I must say that I recently discovered baby sweet cucumbers, and these are also a "must try" for your superfree! I'll loop back to superfree and baby cucumbers another time. 

Brekkie was a bit "on the go" today, I'll talk more about breakfasts in entries to follow as I'm keen to mumble on about the controversial Scan Bran too. I will also talk more about weight watchers yoghurts, they are hugely under rated! 

Also, seeing that hifi bar reminded me, have you tried the new christmas pud hifi bars? You totally should. 

Had a tunnocks teacake for pud tonight, 5.5 syns. Today was ok to be honest, not a lot more to report. Excited for tomorrow, Tuesdays are weigh in days and I'm going to pick up my copy of "Christmas made extra easy" which is on sale as of today in group or free when you buy a 12 week countdown course. The new mag is out too. Think i'll do an extended entry on Tuesdays to cover the tips obtained Image Therapy. 

Finally, today's socks.

Jojo out.

Kisses. 

So, I'm Jojo. 

I'm 26. I can't remember the last time I was happy with my body. Failing to fit in to a ride at Chessington theme park was the push I needed change my life. So I started slimming world in May 2013 and to date I've lost 4 stone 5 and half pounds. Proud isn't the word. My life has changed and I'm happy in ways I couldn't imagine. 

That being said I'm not even half way to my target weight. I started at a weight I'm not comfortable disclosing yet but obviously it was far too much. It may sound as if the weight is just falling off, and yes, I have pretty good losses. But easy? No. I've struggled as much as anyone else. 

I don't like failure. I work hard. Professionally I went from sales staff to office supervisor in less than 18 months. But that wasn't easy either. I need to rant. I need people to know that I'm not a perfectionist I everything I do. That not wanting to fail this badly, is actually the reason for most of my failures.  

The kindness, understanding and support I have found in other slimmers has been incredible. I have found some blogs that have really helped me and I think that writing one could help me too. 

So, introductions done let's move on. Each day I'll let you all in on my struggles and successes and I'll talk lots about food. 

I'd love it if you all talk back at me. I'd love for this to become as friendly and supportive to others as I believe I'll find writing. 

Jojo out.
Kisses.