Stopping to notice the small things.

Bee coz I...am quite a mindful person, I often stop and look at the beauty in simple things, then I become aware if how many people don't.

I often look up, back or sideways and snap shapes or angles of light that make me smile.

Then a few days later I come across them in my phone and I am reminded of the moment!

Bit soppy and slightly nutty but that's me!

Bee x

B:bread roll with feta, sun dried tomato and spinach
L:dumplings
D:grilled fish

I want to go back!

Bee coz I....flew to Alice Springs, hired an RV with my buddy Wendy back in March, I got to have the most amazing holiday that I will never forget.

I want to go back!

It's cold now here in Melbourne and I spent the day at work with Wendy talking about the trip.

I want the heat, I want the lazy arvo's by the pool, I want to get up early and take photos of a giant rock, I want to drive for 5hrs without stopping at a traffic light, I want to get sore eyes from trying to spot camels in the desert, I want to drive in to a caravan park and immediately click if we have the best set of wheels!

I'm reminded of a queen song "I want it all"

Bee

B:banana
MT:strawberry and custard tart (small) and fruit
L:triangle sandwiches, two little cakes and more fruit
D:mash veggies and meat (thanks to Wendy)

Christmas in July

Bee coz I....have never eaten Hungarian food, I was very much looking forward to our Christmas in July celebrations in work!

We went out to a restaurant in Elsternwick after spending an unhealthy amount of the day all talking about what we were going to have off the menu. I chose Grandma's chicken soup and a small side serve of peasant potatoes and braised red cabbage!

The soup would have been enough and I didn't get through my side dishes. It was so hearty with a small delicious dumpling in the middle!

We had a great laugh as I had expected but I ducked off early as I was getting wheezy. I'm not in the office tomorrow but I'm looking forward to hearing if there were any shenanigans after I left!

Bee

B:cheese and cucumber sandwich (yes I'm officially obsessed)
L:pork and salad roll
D:chicken soup, potatoes and red cabbage
D:small hot choc and lots of water

Crazy few weeks

Bee coz I.... have been missing in action, I thought I had better throw up (not literally) a quick post!

I have been up to my eyeballs with my annual major event that I organised as part of my wonderful job. As usual I bit of more than I could chew but luckily (and through hard work) I didn't choke! The event was a huge success, thanks to some amazing young people I am working with.

Amidst the last few days of chaos before hand, my beautiful niece endeared this world (despite telling her to stay where she was until after my event) so I had a quick trip interstate but conned my mum and dad into helping me get some of my work sorted so I wasn't too far behind. When I got back about 38hrs before the event I had about 4hrs sleep on the tues and Wednesday nights (probably more than the new parents) so was not capable of blogging.

Then I had the usual celebratory weekend of fun that included karaoke, watching a friends band and a big stomp up the hills!

Then it was back to work for the end of financial year craziness and to clean up my desk!

Another quick trip to the quacks, looks like I have picked up bronchitis so back on the anti biotics to nip it in the bud!

Bee

B:muesli
L:chicken teriyaki, steamed rice and salad
D:cheese and cucumber sandwich (my new obsession)

Missed Zumba because of my chest.

Just keep swimming!

Bee coz I....got to hang with Maxi Moo and Missy Moo after work today, and I had to pick up a badly listed bargain on eBay then hit Zumba, I got through a tuff day in one piece.

Today (18.06.14) marks the 7th anniversary of my beautiful cousin Mandy meeting Elvis at the pearly gates.

This year I struggled to keep it together, maybe because I had just been back to the UK to see everyone and she wasn't there in flesh! I think she was there in spirit especially when I threw up my kippers all over the deck after overheating on a lifeboat! She would have been weeing herself over that!

Anyway I got through the day by quoting Dory (finding nemo) over and over "just keep swimming, just keep swimming"

Live you, miss you Mandy x x

Bee

B:cheese and cucumber sandwich
L:Vietnamese roll (chicken and salad)
D:1 burrito
S: 2 choc digestives

Lots of water

It's nice being organised

Bee coz I...make soup on the weekends in winter it means I don't need to cook on the first two days of the working week. It makes life so much easier!

So has going to the launderette in stead of spending half of Saturday doing 4 loads and having the house full of damp clothes for days, it took me about 1hr and 10mins to wash, dry and fold the laundry and 5mins to put it all away, plus I got to read my book while I was at it!

Being a bit more organised will help this week as I am crazy busy in work!

Bee

Mon
B:toast
L:soup
D:yoghurt and tuna

Tues:
B:2 choc digestive biscuits (was running late)
L: veggie, chicken and prawn dumplings and 1/2 spring roll pancake
D: soup and grilled flake

Life's to short!

Bee coz I....had a very busy weekend I'm merging this in to one post.

Friday I finished work at 2pm and headed to the local shopping centre to see what was on offer in the end if financial year sales! I hate shopping so I only ever go to a couple of shops then leave, it was a good expedition because the three shops I went in had a bargain in each for me!

Shop 1=black velvet hoody $15 thank you Katie's
Shop 2= light woolen work top $14 thank you Myer
Shop 3=leather purse $29 thank you Strandbags

Then it was all fun as usual at the local Tav.

Saturday was spent at the gym (15 mins on xtrainer) and Zumba, the laundromat, quick walk between rain bursts, lunch with the lads after I picked them up from work then out for more laughs and Karaoke.

Sunday was a much needed sleep in day I did go for a 30 min walk very early then jumped back into bed. Still having to be carful in my area as there has been a number of incidents lately.

Then it was off on an adventure with Ando to Costco where we had a dessert disaster, I bought 2 cherry and choc Sundays, even though I don't like chocolate and when I gave Ando hers she said, you know I don't like cherries! I ate her cherries then only managed a few mouthfuls of the ice cream before the chocolate put me off!

Then headed to the shops to pick up some Zumba shoes (proper ones) Ando nearly had tap dancer rage as some guy was testing out shoes while we were waiting ages to get served! Then we went back to hers and made a big pan of soup!

I finally put up my treasured red lights using removable fairy light clips because life's to short to wait for the perfect branch to put them on. Then I  had my friend Tim over to watch a movie, I made him admire my lights!

2kg down as of today which means 9.5kg to get back to my goal.

Bee

Twins

Bee coz I...am a twin, I have a bestie that I have know literally all of my life, the last couple of weeks he has helped me with something I've needed for work, even though he is one of the busiest people I know, he has unconditionally given me his time.

Thank you Ian - love you loads x x

Bee
B:banana and muesli
L:Vietnamese chicken roll
D:salad sandwiches and chicken

Having a laugh!

Bee coz I...can go from genius to stunned mullet and back about 50 times in anyone day, I often have to laugh at myself. Example, one minute it was high fives all around in the office as I worked some magic (figuratively) the next, I was almost panicking in the lift because after the doors shut nothing happened and I thought I was stuck, in my defence the lift breaks down on a regular basis, anyway I was looking around for the "help I'm stuck button" just about to press it then noticed none of the floor buttons were lit up, yep I had not told the lift where I wanted to go! I also sent four emails to myself throughout the day by replying to emails in my sent items.

I am never more aware of how many times a day I laugh than when I have a chest infection and asthma. When you laugh all the air comes out your lungs and that's not always compatible with breathing, as far more seems to go out than in. This starts me coughing and it can take me a few minutes to regain my composure and breath - so when I'm sick I'm always saying "don't make me laugh, DON'T make me laugh" over and over and that makes me laugh more.

I'm am glad I laugh a million times a day!

Bee

B: muesli and skimmed milk
L: chicken and sweet corn soup and veggie and prawn dumplings, left over from yesterday.
D: cauliflower, leek and bacon soup with a roast beef sandwich to dunk!
E: 20 min walk in my lunch break.

Chicken and sweet corn soup - easiest recipe ever!

Bee coz I...had some running around to do after work and wanted to go for a walk, I was glad I had my soup to come home to, when I got home I decided to have roast beef instead so popped the soup in the freezer for another day.

Chicken and sweet corn soup only takes about 15 mins to make the cheats way! Here is how...

Buy:
Spring onions
1lt Stock, I use chicken and a brand from the health section so it's more natural
200g roast chicken shredded (can get it from Coles)
1 can corn
1 can creamed corn

Boil kettle and make stock, chuck in spring onions, bring to boil, chuck in creamed corn, corn and roasted chicken pieces - bring to boil then simmer for about 5 mins or until you are ready to eat!

Makes about 4 serves for me.

It will change your life (maybe)

Bee

B:banana and muesli
L:veggie and prawn dumplings with 1/2 serve of spring roll pancake
D: roast beef on toast with a sprinkle of Parmesan

A long weekend

Bee coz I....had a long weekend, I managed to fit in a couple of walks, a brunch, a late lunch, a night hunting auroras and a trip to the launderette over the past couple of days.

My highlight was my walk around my favorite lake Lysterfield Lake. I went early on a sunny but frosty morning and was treated to loads of kangaroo sightings for my effort!

It charges my batteries so much and I feel so lucky to live so close to such a special place!

Bee

Brunch: schnitzel and avocado sandwich and skinny Irish coffee latte
Dinner: bowl of homemade chicken and sweet corn soup,

Birthday fun

Bee coz I....had Billy's birthday lunch today, I went totally off the rails food wise, Tracy baked a yummy birthday cake and the man or woman at the bistro cooked a yummy pizza, it would have been rude not to lol

Quiet day (a part from the lunch) that finished up with a quiet evening, just what I needed.

Bee

B:banana
L:pizza and cake to excess!
D:toast
E:Zumba

Happy Birthday

Bee coz I....am now the proud owner of a 20 year old, I thought it only fitting for the photo of the day to be one of Billy when he was little!

For the first time in 20 years I didn't get to see Billy on his birthday as he was away with his girlfriend and didn't get back until after I had left for my usual Friday night frolics. For the first time in 20 years I bought him a onesie as a present!

Couldn't get a photo of him in it sorry!

Bee x

B: Shake
L:noodles
D:small bowl of oven chips and gravy
Drinks: one shandy, 2 ciders

Home alone

Bee coz I...posted a pic of Jorja yesterday I thought I would even it up with a picture of Max taken the other day! I wonder how long he will let me plaster kisses on him?

It's been quiet at home as Billy had been away, but it has been awesome being able to do nudie runs around the house (with the heater on) and singing in the shower at the top of my voice, not sure the neighbours have loved that part!

Bee

B:yoghurt and muesli
L:pork and salad roll
D:fish and baked beans
S: aero bar

An unexpected visit

Bee coz I....got a call from Jorja on my way home from work, I changed my plans around so I could hang with the dynamic duo.

It was a fun packed hour and a half playing in a huge box, making the odd skype call and wrestling tools, knives and anything sharp off Max in much the same way that a person would wrestle a crocodile to get their arm back!

Love those kids to bits!

Bee

B:breakfast shake (down to no honey in the shakes now)
L:Indian, vegetarian something with Nan and rita?
D:grilled flake and a yoghurt
E:25 min walk

My smoking hot arse!

Bee Coz I.....wrote a post yesterday about my gang I forgot to tell you that I'm 1kg down 10.5 to go to get to my best again, I will get there!

In work we often take different cars out when we go off to different meetings, they all drive much the same but where I get stuck is the console buttons, how to turn the radio off or down (most people at work must be deaf)

Today I was driving back from a meeting, it was cold and wet and the cars aircon was on on and fan was up high, it was freezing! I began hitting nobs like I was in a space shuttle and the life of my crew and I depended on it, but had no luck! Until......things started to heat up under my bum!

I had found the bum warmer button! No longer did it matter that my face hands and legs were being blasted by polar air, my arse was smoking hot!

I want one!

Bee

B:forgot (I know 2 days in a row)
L:1 prawn sesame toast, 2 chicken skewers
2nd L: 3 steamed dumplings
D:feta, spinach and ham on toast
More water consumed today
E:0

The awesome foursome

Bee coz I....have mentioned them a few times this week, here are my three buds that make up the awesome foursome - with me of course.

This is how it works with us...
- The lads sing.
- Ando and I yell random stuff out when they or any of our friends sing!
- we talk the lads into singing our favorite songs, the lads change their mind at the last minute and sing something else.
- the lads decide to move on to another pub and we refuse to drink our drinks fast, just because we hold the power (we are the drivers)
- we get fed up going to the bar when it's busy so make the lads go for us.
- strange and drunk men come and talk to us and the lads come in and scare them away for us.
- strange and drunk women come and talk to the boys and we just laugh at them.

It's a beautiful friendship all round!

Bee

B:forgot
L:2 chicken rolls and a mouthful of orange juice.
D:1 piece if toast and 4 jelly cola bottles as I got home to late to eat
Didn't drink enough water
E:incidental exercise at work today running around with a group of amazing women

Lazy Sunday

Bee coz I...got up early to go for a walk, only to find it was raining, I jumped back in to bed and declared a lazy morning. Just what I needed.

I popped out for breakfast with Ando. We went to a chocolate themed cafe, don't panic, I don't really like chocolate. I had raisin toast that I got to put my own margarine on (disappointed it wasn't butter). We got a free mini chocolate with our coffee so I choses a rum filled truffle, it was full on so I just bit the chocolate and mostly ate the rum guts and left most of the chocolate case. Why eat the calories if I was not enjoying it!

I made a really yummy lunch and put it down to grab my iPhone to take a picture and when I got back Leo (the naughty labradoodle) had snuck out of the lounge and helped himself to the top of my sandwich, silly dog robbed the most boring bit, the bread, then raced off so I wouldn't see him. So I discarded the top bit and enjoyed the protected half, even the dog is trying to save me calories!

Did a bit of pottering around the house, walked the block between rain clouds and watched 2 movies. Perfect Sunday really.

My chest is getting better - slow and steady wins the race. Maybe rest is good for you after all!

Scales day tomorrow.

Bee

B:2 slices of raisin toast with minimal margarine and 1 skinny latte
L: 1/2 omelette sandwich (broccoli, spring onion and ham) yogurt and mandarin
D: beef schnitzel wrap.
E:28 min walk round the block.

I wonder if Dr Who ever accidentally dipped his scarf in the loo?

Bee coz I....am all ways rushing around and not always concentrating on the task at hand, I think it would be fair to say I'm a little bit accident prone!

Today I was popping out to the shops and as the cooler weather has finally found us I grabbed my favorite scarf, it's a Dr Who (Tom Baker - the best Dr) scarf and it's very long! Anyway, I was rushing about and decided to go to the loo before jumping in the car. I will spare you the details but just after I flushed the toilet I felt my scarf move and I realized that one end was trying to go on a holiday via the national sewerage system! Grrrrr

Went to costco's with Andrea, or Ando as we have started to call her, Ando had a trolley full and I came out with one item, truth be told I only went for the hotdog at the end!

Had a great rest of the day which ended up in the hills at a karaoke night with 3 of the awesome foursome and a great night was had by all!

Bee

B:ham sandwich and yogurt
L:hot dog with sauce and diet coke (feel free to judge me)
D:pork chop mushroom and spinach
S:mandarin and later some nachos with only a small bit of cheese on them

It's Friday!

Bee coz I....(as you probably know) go to my local pub every Friday, I make that my one treaty meal, tonight I went for bangers and mash and luckily my friend Nashy shared the meal with me saving me from eating too much! I drank over two bottles of water to wash it all down.

Over all it was a smashing day of housework victories and hanging out with friends (the awesome FOURSOME) That's why I love Fridays!

Bee


B:porridge
L:egg on toast
D:bangers and delish mash with veggies
E: 20 min hill walk
Lots and lots of water.

Rocket launch

Bee coz I....woke up early (as usual) I had decided to get up and go for a bimble in the dark. I got to the front door (after getting dressed) and it was spitting and until I'm 100% I have a no walking in the rain policy, so I jumped back into bed and I'm totally glad I did!

I grabbed my iPad to check what was occurring and a friend posted a link to the NASA live link up, to a 3 man space station rocket launch! It reminded me of watching the shuttle take off on TV with my family when I was little.

The rest if the day was a blast too!

I had a lunch (had to double check I didn't write launch) meeting and got lots of things sorted for an up coming event! Even better than that I have the next two Fridays off so today was my Friday - hello 3 day weekend!

I almost sent out a text message saying awesome foreskin instead of foursome (lucky I checked).

Later in the day, my big boss(2 levels up) called me into her office because I was "in a whole world of trouble" for something I neglected to do! - I was confused and got instant butterflies in my stomach until the words "can you get me Game of Thrones" came out of her mouth. Yes I am lucky to have awesome bosses. My direct boss makes me laugh all the time too! I work in an amazing team.

Missed out on a bimble with my buddy Jane as she is coming down with a cold and I'm in avoid germs mode. I got home was about to make dinner then I got an invite to have dinner out with friends, it meant eating later than I like (7.45pm - I know us British like to eat by 6pm) but I made a good choice so I didn't have to sleep with a belly full!

Then off to watch a movie in bed zzzzz

Bee

B:banana shake (banana and cinnamon don't go well together)
L:small portion of boiled rice and teriyaki chicken with been shoots
D:big bowl of kick ass salad with no dressing and 5 cut in half chat potatoes and 3 small pieces of Parma ham.
S: 1 mandarin
E:20 min walk

Breakfast Shake

Bee coz I....don't really love eating breakfast, I used to often buy ready made shakes. One day I sat down and read all the ingredients and decided they were way to processed.

They may fill you up and be low fat but they are full of artificial sweeteners and other stuff.

Don't get me wrong, if I was stuck I would drink one, but I have concocted my own quick fix shake.

1 banana
1/2 teaspoon of honey (less needed if banana is ripe)
200ml A2 Milk
2 teaspoons of chia seeds
1 teaspoon of hemp seeds

All blended up, if you put it in the fridge the chia swell up or drink immediately and it's delish!

Apologies if I have posted that before, I couldn't be bothered going back to check!

Great day today but got my lunchbox trapped in a meeting so ate a very naughty lunch of scones with jam and cream! Oops!

Ate well for the rest of the day!

Bee

B:Shake
L:2 scones with jam and cream, 4 pieces of cucumber with small amount of beet root dip
D:beans (2 tablespoons) in toast, 1 steak, 1 yoghurt.
E: 30 min walk

Good stuff

Bee coz I....have had time to take my lunch to work, I've made a few peeps jealous with my yummy lunch. I'd like to say I had saved money bringing my lunch but truth is I can get a great lunch near my office for $4.50.

Today was a rest day from exercise but I have started to feel better already and my morning shake really sets me up for the day.

Eating dinner early makes a big difference as it stops me skipping breakfast then looking for a treat at morning tea time!

Drinking heaps of water as usual and eating big healthier meals which I will reduce in time.

Yum loving the good stuff!

Bee

B: banana, chia and hemp seed smoothy and 1/3 cucumber
L:see pic
D:crusty roll with ham and beans (no butter on the roll)
E:rest day

Accountability

Bee coz I....have been sick, got my life out of balance and ended up not putting myself near the top of the be good to list, I decided enough was enough on Sunday and took back control, there was a personal cost to this decision but one I was willing to accept. The result is that I have now gained an extra 3 hours back in my day Monday - Friday.

I have been back on steroids, antibiotics etc but if I waited to be 100% to launch back in to things I would have to wait all winter! Lucky I have awesome Zumba instructors who let me do what I can - mostly leg work and no arms above my chest until my chest clears up.

I am now back to 11.5 kg from my best weight loss reading from 2 years ago so I am on a mission to get back to that number again, I have still kept off 2/3 of my weight loss for about 2 years but I want that 1/3 back by summer.

I'm not promising to blog everyday but I will do my best as it helps make me accountable.

So here goes - join me if you like!

Bee x x

B:banana, light milk, honey and chia smoothy
L:2 monster wraps full of spinach, rocket, tomato, ham, feta, cucumber and avo. With a yogurt chaser.
S: mandarin
D:crumpet with tartex

Exercise: 30 mins on xtrainer, Zumba (with no arms)

Day 4: four pints!

Bee coz I....had a wonderful day, catching up with friends and walking in air conditioned shops, I felt a little tired going into my Saturday night.

Four pints later I felt revived - don't panic it was just soda water!

Bee

B:banana smoothy
L:sushi and iced tea
D: chicken and potato

Day 3 - Friday nights!

Bee coz I.....got to my local pub every Friday night, I have made some awesome friends. My friend Andrea and I decided that we should go hang out somewhere on a Friday nights instead of sitting at home and maybe meet some new people.

Little did we know we would soon become "locals" and make some amazing new friends. Friday nights fill my battery, we laugh and cry laughing, dance, chat, eat and drink. Perfect really!

Blessed

Bee

B:mango and banana smooth - no allergic reaction :)
L:tuna sandwich
D:chips and gravy with a weak shandy!

Day 2 - things are hotting up

Bee coz I...enjoy watching the sun go down, love hanging with friends and have a connection with water, I spent the evening at a local(Ish) beach. It charges my batteries.

Lots of laughs and a few reenactments of bond movies and a picnic dinner = perfect!

Bee

B:nothing (forgot)
L:boiled rice, steamed veg and chicken with teriyaki sauce
D: grilled flake, one potato cake and about 6 chips

30 days of goodness Day 1!

Bee coz I....feel like it, I'm committing to 30 days of good food - feel free to join me!

A lot has happened since my last blog so here is the short version...I have developed an itchy skin condition (out of control hives) first mentioned august 21 blog, been on 2 lots of antibiotics, and loads of steroids all sorts of elimination diets, been to the uk, had a trip (and accident) on a lifeboat, ridden the tallest roller coaster in the Northern hemisphere, patted an elephant and been snorkeling, I'm sure I've missed loads out!

But best news is my lungs are great! and my blog has had a grand total of 5016 views!

Still sitting on the 31kg loss so still want to get back to my best 37.5kg loss (6.5kg) so 30 days will be a good start!

I'm currently drug free but am addicted to pinetarsol but lucky for me you only shower with it so it's calorie free!

My treat day is Friday when I shall have a small bowl of chips and gravy and 1 20/80 shandy at the pub! Other than that I'm aiming for less processed healthy choices!

Happy days
Bee

B:banana, milk and chia seeds
L: chili kidney bean wraps and yoghurt
D: homemade crumbed chicken breast wraps.