Mother's Day Lunch continued

... as I then had lamb with hollandaise sauce!

Well, it was a special occasion, and this was absolutely delicious!

So I will be doing lots of exercise to make up for up (but perhaps not right now, need to let this settle first!).

Mother's Day Lunch

And of course, as it was a special occasion, I was to be found in Albert's Shed, with my mum and middle sister.

They had a special 3 course menu, and I started off with scallops with a lemon rissotto. It was lovely (as always) and very light. Which was just as well...

Mother's Day

It seems like a long time since I wrote a blog - with a busy work schedule and builders in at home, it's been a bit chaotic!

So, to catch up, it was Mother's Day, and my big sister sent mum a fruit basket (instead of flowers). It looked fabulous, just like a flower arrangement, and the fruit was lovely and juicy and ripe!

This one was from Fruitmagic - http://www.fruitmagic.co.uk/ - great idea!

Things that no longer scare me #1

Thought I'd document some of the things that no longer fill me with dread.

Here's #1 - stairs! At one time, my heart would have sunk at this view, but this weekend I realised that it really didn't bother me - I can happily climb these stairs, carrying luggage, not hauling myself up on the handrail and, joy of joys, not getting out of puff!

There are many more - I'll post them as I come across them.

Hope you all kill your deamons too,

That was the weekend that was

Left a beautifully sunny London behind today, and headed back up north - back home to my building site of a house (I'm sure it will be lovely when it's finished!), back to work, and back to face the scales in the morning!

I'm sure I will wake up with cramped fingers from sleeping with them crossed!

See you all tomorrow,

Meeting the Queen

Met the Queen while I was in London - she's smaller than you think!

Absolutely loved the lego models in Hamleys - reminded me fondly of my childhood - I seemed to have spent a lot of time building things with my lego - when I could get it out from under our big old ginger tom cat, who liked to sleep in the logo box.

Getting some vitality

In central London today - shopping in Hamleys! After an exhausting walk around the "world's best toyshop" we retired for a pub lunch.

Well done to Greene King for having a low cal option on their menu - a "Vitality Salad" of greens, endame beans, pearl barley and herbs. I added a tuna steak to mine for some extra protein. The salad was under 400 cals, so it was a good option (especially as dear husband sat and ate sausage and mash!)

Should keep me going for a while though, as we're off to the Hammersmith Apollo shortly for Douglas Adams' virtual 60th birthday party - plenty of science, comedy, chat and music - oh, and saving some rhinos!

Can't wait!

All day breakfast

Today I discovered the true meaning of an all day breakfast. Had this 800 cal start to the day and didn't need to eat again until supper time!

It's not an approach I'd normally take, but perfect for a busy day sightseeing.

Went to the Geffery museum this morning, and then walked off breakfast through Hyde park - such a lovely sunny Saturday. All of life was there, most of it on wheels.

Funny how much further and longer o can walk now - hours of walking and neither my feet or knees hurt. That feels great.

Exercise

Been thinking about getting more different forms of exercise and when I saw this I wondered if I should take up wiff-waff - it burns 80 cals in 15 mins...

...but then hubby reminded me that I have absolutely no hand eye co-ordination, so mostly I would just be picking up the ball up off the floor and not actually playing, and he's not sure that would burn that many calories.

Dinner part 2

And this was my main course - sea bream with butternut squash. No potatoes, and I resisted both dessert and wine, so all in for under 400 cals.

So it's been quite a good day, under 1300 cals in total. Let's see if I can keep that up!

Lovely dinner

Had a lovely dinner tonight at a restaurant called Bumpkins.

My starter was this delicious beetroot and goat's cheese salad. There is something about the combination of creamy, salty goat's cheese and the earthy, sweet beets that makes me feel very happy.

Me and another panda!

Remember that photo of me with a panda? Here's an updated one - although this panda isn't wearing as well...
... or as active!

Think I might have to plan a trip to Edinburg.

Love the Nat History Museum, spent hours in there, including viewing the Scott exhibition, which includes a layout of Scott's Antarctic hut, and the human body exhibition, doing lots of memory and perception tests. Such fun!

Trying harder

Trying harder to stick to plan - I was 5 pounds over target when I went to clinic, and my trousers are getting tight. 5 pounds in a month is quite fast - imagine if that happened every month, that's 60 pounds in a year - just over 4 stone.

So today is back on the plan with renewed determination. Tricky though, as we're away for a long weekend in London. Late lunch today was falafel salad and fruit salad, so managed to get through that without carbs (my downfall is bread).

So congrats to the Nat History Museum for having a good choice, and congrats to me for not having any of the delicious looking cake.

I've also done lots and lots of walking, so that must have helped.

I'll keep you posted, wish me strength!

You shall go to the ball

I went to a black tie event last night - a charity ball in aid of Childline.

Love this blue dress - it's soooo heavy though! The fabric is really dense, so it moves in a really lovely way.

I must have had all my calorie limit just in dinner though (with a few glasses of wine) so it's just as well the band were brilliant and I was dancing most of the night!

Today I feel a bit "jaded" - but resisted the temptation to visit the golden arches (my old favourite hangover cure) and just had lots of tea instead.

Will be making up for that dinner all week - and I've got clinic on Wednesday, so I will have to shed a few pounds before I get on the scales for my monthly weigh in. Wish me luck.

Steak and Chips

Went out to dinner and the pictures tonight with my husband and mum. I had a steak sandwich, which was delicious! I think these are the first proper chips I've had - and I didn't eat them all (or all the bread on my sandwich) which kept the calorie count down and within my dialy allowance, even allowing for a glass of wine.

And the film? The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel - brilliant! Very funny, great plot, some classic actors and just really enjoyable - throroughly recommend it - just stay out of the pick 'n' mix!