Pumpkin...

LOOOVEEEEEEE IT!!! Roasted, mashed, steamed... anyway.. in salads, in pasta, on pizzas... the one Vegetable that really could eat day in day out.....

I am going to admit something so silly.... I went for years without it!!

Why??

cos' I HATED cutting them up!! That tough hard grey skin that would make my hands sore... just didn't do it!

When they induced that "jap" pumpkin with the soft skin, I started eating it again. And only TODAY i brought the old 'grey' kent varierty again and guess what. With sharp knives, it isn't that hard to cut!

So people... anyone else out there like me and not eat it because it is hard to cut... Buy a good knife and get into it!!!

Keep reading if you haven't read my post about that fab book... FATTITIDE by Craig Harper... everyone needs to read it!!!!

fattitude... do you have one?????

I have just finished reading Craig Harper's Fattitude... thank you to Sue, Kerry, Jodie and Di who have all read it and raved so much about it, I brought it and I too am about to rave!!!

Have you heard of Craig Harper before???? He is a exercise scientist and owns Harper's Personal training in Brighton... He also writes for WH&F... and I always love what he write.. no BS, just straight to the point...

Anyway, his book.. Fattitude is amazing... the most motivational book I have ever read... (I used to work in real estate... I have read ALOT of motivational books...)

It is so hard to try and summarise what he has to say, but I will try!!!

In a nutshell.... Just do it!! (Apologies to Nike...but they do have a point!!!) I will plagiarise one little bit from the first chapter "Not another Diet Book"-

"Over the last ten year I have been inspired to explore why two people given the same opportunities, the same information an the same resources will invariably achieve totally different outcomes - one succeeds, one fails. Let's say these two people have the same ability and the same opportunity; one person complains constantly, makes excuses, is mad at the world and blames everything and everyone for their failures; while the other person approaches the same challenge with a no fuss attitude and consequently turns their life and body around in a relatively short period of time... EVERY SINGLE DAY PEOPLE MAKE THE PROCESS OF GETTING IN SHAPE MUCH HARDER THAN IT NEEDS TO BE..."

I found myself nodding while reading this masterpiece... agreeing with a lot of what he has written... very blunt, very to the point... Have give so many examples of people he has worked with, it is easy to relate to what is he saying to a situation or someone you know..

Nothing is magic that is going to make you thin and in shape tomorrow.. No meeting, no magic potions, no new exercise program.. They are all just tools to help you get there!! If you aren't losing weight on a program (like WW..), it isn't the program that isn't working.. you aren't!!! So simple.... most of us have all the knowledge we need to live a healthy and fit lifestyle.... we just need to do it!!!

So guys.. if you need a little bit of a kick in the arse to get to going... BUY THIS BOOK!!! and do it!!!

BTW... You can get the book from Craig's site and also Sue sells them from her Business Ideal Bodies online...

Supermarket trolley whore....are you one???

I must confess....

I look into other peoples supermarket trolleys....

While they are in the checkout, I just glance or the odd side glance while walking though...

fess up... I am sure most of you do it!!

He he he .... evil.... aren't we.... or just nosey!!

Why do I do it??? One reason... I am always looking for new products!!!

I love a new cleaning product or tooth paste, and often, when I shop I have three little kids. No time just to slowly browse. I just get the items I normally do... so I find myself 'browsing' other people trolleys.. he he he.. evil isn't it...

But then... I look at fat people's (sorry... but no need to beat around the bush.. I was one of them) trolley and think to myself.. no fuckin' wonder... Why on earth do you need those chips, full-sugar soft drink and frozen chips... often not one item from the fruit and veg section...

That is another thing that I can't understand.. why does ANYONE drink soft drink that isn't diet?? Quite a few of my friends drink the full-sugar variety and it gets me beat why??? they tell me because of the taste, but I can't tell the difference!!

Anyway..... back to my trolleys...

Today... in the supermarket quickly.. had to be quick, three kids... at the checkout there was a 'feral' family in front of me going though the checkout and her 10 or 11 year old daughter walks up to the checkout and places about 12 different chocolate bars on the belt.. kit kats, mars bars, picnics.. you name it, it was there... and not those little 'fun' sized babies... full sized bars!!

The mother, while placing a 2 x 25 kg bags of black and gold dog food on the checkout tells the daughter "You don't fuckin' need all of those"

Daughter "Yeah i do.. back to school this week and I need 'em for lunch..:

Mother ponders the daughters response for a brief moment and replies.. " well you don't need all of 'em" .....and then began the debate of how many of these fat and sugar laden chocolates where needed...

The daughter won and I can't help but wonder if that will be ALL she will be taking to school for lunch.. along with a can of coke!!!

The schools in our town do have a 'good food' policy and you can't buy crap at the schools.. that is great, but if the parents just send them anymore, where is the lesson in that. That poor girl, while now is thin, WILL end up with a weight problem.... if that is the example her family lead with.

Sure, I give my kids treats.. but they are just that!! Treats.. not an 'everyday' food!! It isn't hard people....

Ozzie.. Ozzie... Ozzie

Happy Australian Day everyone...

What better way to start the day then with a nice long walk.... followed by cooked breakfast... lunch... then a nap...

I have to go into the Australia Day awards after tea, to take photos for the paper... a real warm fuzzy... Last time I went to take photos, the person receing the award was the CFA captain and there was a fire during the presentation... should have seen the hall empty!!

Had Weight Watchers last night and I lost 900 grams.... (Nearly all of that Christmas cheer gone..) I don't know if it is just me, and that I have been to too many meeting, But my meeting was BORING!!!!! No one excited, like sitting through a RE class at school... My Mother - in - law will be here next week and will come to my meeting wth me, perhaps that will liven things up a bit!!!

I am very pleased how I am controlling my eating etc at the moment... not setting stupid goals, everything I start can be continued... and achieved... feels right....

I am reading Craig Harper's Fattitude .... brilliant... but will say more when finished!!

Just a quick run down of some holiday photos...

This is Jack and the kids in the boat on the Murray near Renmark. All of the kids LOVE the boat.. they all started as babies...

Me holding a 3 day old piglet... Friends that we stayed with in Clare have a piggery. Amazing progress from breeding to when it hits the supermarket... Wish the kids where with us.!!!

A day on the Green at Annie Lane Winery near Clare... Awesome.... Paul Kelly rocks!!!! so do the Pretenders... got wet... but it was cool!!

This is Hugh... in the red car between the rows of my brother in laws olive plantation near Adelaide...

As mentioned in the previous post, I did also get two new tattoos... I wanted to post a photo of them, but anyone who has had a tattoo done would know how yuck they get!! They aren't pretty at the moment... so will post when they recover a little more!!!

Will post more soon.. trying so many new receipes ATM... like one a day!!!

OK.. better go can hear the baby up...

When is a cappuccino not a cappuccino????

When it is made with a cup of "International Roast - catering blend" instant coffee with a froth top.... THAT IS NOT A CUPPUCCINO.. OK - GOT IT!!!!

AND with FULL CREAM MILK!!! No other option!!!

I live in the country.... but even we have real coffee... get with it guys!!!

THAT is the only complaint of my holiday!!! Had a great time, beach, family, A day on the green, tour of a piggery, got tattooed (2 in fact!!)... but will post more later!

About to head off to my god daughters - she turned one while away and need to get her present to her (A funky little kids Roxy Backpack...)

Good to be home...... (even if the scales are revealing just hoe naughty I have been!!)

Home again, home again

This is me on the beach yesterday.... nice tan hey!!

WOW.. what a great weekend.. kids had a ball, Jack and I had a ball.. perfect. The compnay was great, had a look through all of those funky beach side shops and I didn't OVEREAT!! The weather at Robe could not have been better!!! I even exercised!!!

Got home at about 5pm and started the washing machine as we are heading to Adelaide first thing Tuesday morning!!!!!

Here are some photos..

Laura on the beach... "No Mummy.. I won't get wet..."

Emilie and Laura trying to dodge waves...

Hugh... Our surf dude...

In the summertime...

Gawd.. it is hot.. Damm Hot!!!

We are in the middle of packing for the 3 hour drive tomorrow to the Beach... Watch out robe.. here we come!!! Not that Robe will notice... yet another small town that goes wild over summer break. Jack grew up on a farm just out of Robe, it TOTALLY blows him away what Robe has become! Cafes, galleries, shops... it is a wonderful holiday destination now! A little "mini-break" for us before the "big-break' the week after!!

Jack and I painted yesterday.. in the heat.. getting a fine tan!

I am reading so many motivational blogs at the moment....... One particular post was from Kathryn... mind you most of Kathryn's posts are really motivational.. but the quote from Gandhi REALLY struck a cord with me. I am sure Gandhi wasn't talking about weight loss... but he is right on the nose!!! Thank you Kathryn...

My Uncle, who lives in the Adelaide hills was burnt out yesterday. Some dick light a fire that has destroyed everything on his property, APART from the house. When he built again (pulled down his old house) he built in a fire bunker... we have taken the piss out of him for doing it for years, but it worked!! He was home and could smell smoke, he put the dogs and his mother-in-law in the bunker and set to putting on the sprinklers around the house.. 20 minutes later the fire front hit and they had to make a dash for the bunker.. not knowing if the house would survive. They saw a helicopter overhead water bombing, and it dumped on the house then took off again.. it was saved, but sheds, tractors, fencing olive plantation everything else gone!!! But, they are ok... VERY lucky...

Ok.. weigh in tonight.. will see the real damage from a weekend of partying.

Take care all!

9pm update - Weighed in with a gain of 400 grams... Ok with that!!! Will be gone by next week!!

8 Crownies + mud Cake = 500 grams gain!!

Damage control here.... Just jumped on the scales at it shows 500 gram gain.. SO FAR!!!! Beer, wine... makes me put weight on VERY quickly... hence why I am not a everyday drinker... Back to tracking for me... well until we go to Robe at the weekend!

Jack with his 'porno' moe...

The house is almost back in order.. just another few loads of washing to get though this morning. The last visitor left yesterday at lunch time.. then I had some 'quite-time' when the kids went back to bed before a quick trip into the dentist! Little Laura copped a swing in the mouth on Saturday night... it was so gross!!! You could see the cartilage in her jaw (like while under the gum...) but the dentist thinks that it is only soft tissue damage. She has had trouble eating harder foods, but she is on the mend!

Laura getting cuddled by my Mum after the incident...

Jack Parents flew over on Saturday morning from Renmark.. (they have their own plane) and flew back yesterday morning. They where quite keen to get home. A cyclone hit the south side on Renmark on Saturday afternoon. Their properties where Ok, but my father-in-law is a local government councillor and he wanted to get home. Jack's sister also made the trip down from NSW, which was great! My brother and sister both came home from Melbourne, haven't seen my brother is almost a year!!!!

My Sister Sally, me and my brother Danny

We had the entire back yard decorated with streamers etc and at 6pm (30 min before the party started) and HUGE Storm hit and wet EVERYTHING!!!!! I stood inside watching Jack madly trying to empty one of out machinery sheds.. it just finished and the rain stopped!! A few towels to mop everything up and it was a beautiful night!

Adrienne and me... (my neighbour and fellow WW buddy)

Lighting 'firework' for the kids...(That is what Emilie calls them...)

The Mexican theme was great... some dressed up!! We ate nachos, quesadillas and had a Taco bar with Mexican rice.. and mud cake for dessert! LOTS of left overs so the freezer is full.

Presents.. lots and lots and lots.. Monica, a childhood friend, gave me perfume (hugo boss.. Devine!!) BUT the reason behind the perfume was even nicer... Monica is 11 months younger then me and we did literally grow up together.. she lived 5 houses down the road. We have never had a cross word to each other... and I think the reason why is we are so different! Anyway, back to the perfume.. as kids we did lots and lots of silly things... kids things.. and one of those things was to pinch every ones rose petals and mix them with water, put it into an old soft drink bottle and walk up and down the street and sell it! We did sell one bottle!!

Monica and Me

Had the BEST night... From Jack I am getting a tattoo... I have been searching the net trying to find a design that I am really happy with and have found several.. but now I want two... I want one on my foot of a little black butterfly and a scroll design on my lower back.... we are heading to Adelaide next week, so I better book in somewhere... any recommendations in Adelaide??? I have one on my hip and have always wanted another...


TODAY.. I am back to tracking... Not that I ate that badly, and everyone knows me well enough no to give me chocolates for a birthday present! But this is it.. I am going to be a fit and healthily 30 year old...


We are heading to Horsham later this morning. I had a little accident just prior to christmas with my car and need to get my car in to get it fixed, so it is getting fixed while Jack is on holidays and we have a second car here that will fit the kids and I am going to spend my birthday vouchers and money... exciting....

Jack starts holidays tomorrow and we are painting the barge boards on the house green.. they are still mission brown. Then on Friday we are heading to Robe, SA, for the weekend. Back Sunday night and heading to Adelaide on Tuesday, Paringa on Friday to drop of the kids and back to Clare on Saturday for a Day on the Green... Home on Monday... Busy times!!

Thank you all for your birthday wishes... I have truely had the best birthday!!!!!!

30 isn't THAT old...

I still feel like a 29 year old??? In fact.. I still feel like a 25 year old!!!!

I had the BEST birthday!!! Had a fantastic party, and all had a great time!! I got so many great presents and was very spoilt!! Very...

Just a couple of Photos.. Will update more later. My house is a mess and I have to take Laura to the dentist shortly.... (little incident with a swing on Saturday night...)

A friend and her Three year old daughter made my front gate more "Mexican" for me...

My little Mexican, Hugh with Jack. Jack had a 'porno' style Moe... will try and find photo with it!

The Family.. I had TWO costumes to wear and my Sister gave me this dress for my birthday.. I feel in love with it months ago.. It is a FCUK (French Connection) dress that I saw in a magazine!! LOVE IT.. sort of looks mexican...

My sister and her boyfriend catered for us and blew us away with the result!!

More later!!

Countdown....

Excited...
Clean House.. Check
Mow Lawns (well... what is left of the,).. Check
Birthday Cake ordered.. Check
Fridge is full of food that can't be eaten...Check
Costumes... Check

This is my last post as a 20's chick... Bring on 30!! I am ready to be thirty... no crisis here that is for sure. I feel that I should be turning 35 or 38 or something. I have crammed so much into those years, it is time my age caught up to me a little!

Can't believe how organised I am.. All that is left is to clean all of the windows today... then done!
My sister is coming home from Melbourne to day with the fruit and Veg (Melbourne Market) and all of the decorations. ...

My sister is the best cook... I steal all of her great recipe and pretend they are my own when I dish them up to others... She is the head chef for my Mexican Fiesta. Last count we had 65 people coming (including kids) Can't wait ... it is going to be cool!!

Will post with photos as soon as I can..

Other Weight related stuff.. weighed in last night and lost 100 grams... cool... But they have changed the program.. AGAIN!!! I love new book for WW... cookbooks or otherwise, so I think this is cool. But I think they will confuse a few people to start with!

The basic changes : (From Memory for those interested)

• Your 8 glasses of water a day can now include up to 4 glasses of Non or decaffeinated diet drinks (Including decaffeinated tea & Coffee)
• You don't count sugar points anymore.. you still count them in your daily total, but no separate count
• You have to try and include two teaspoons of runny oil (olive etc) into your diet. Apparently WW members have shown to have a deficiency in Vit E,,, and have been starving their little brains..
• No Count is now "Core Plan" and the Carb structure has changed.. If can only have one sort of carb once a day.. Example... if you have noodles for lunch, can't have them for tea (Including potatoes)
• With the Core plan you can now snack on Fruit, Veg, Diet Yogurt, soup and air popped pop corn
• Some Vegetable now have a points value...(haven't found which ones yet)

I think that is it... in a nutshell... cool hey. I brought a new points guide, the new "Turnaround" cookbook etc in that value package they have. Haven't had a chance to really have a look, but all looks cool!

OK... sun is out now, I can walk!

Photos from Christmas....

This is a photo of Jack trying to hit golf balls at the passing houseboats from the Front of his parents house... a bit of a tradition whenever we all get together... I don't think anyone is yet to hit one.. The Girls pushing the billy cart back up the drive... how cute!!

Little Hugh taking the easy way up the hill!!

Another cute one.. This is Emilie and Hugh walking at the River edge at Renmark.. they where feeding the possums...

How many kids can watch at 5 inch dvd screen??? Some of the cousins...

YAHOO... bring on 2007!!!!

Bring it on...

This is going to be a great year and started out with 66 points of rain over night!!!!!!!!!!!! couldn't have asked for a better start to the year!

I believe in living in the present... so I am not going to reflect on the year that was.. just excited about what this year will bring!!!

Our Christmas was massive... so many kids.. so many presents.. so much yummy food!!! But the scale god have been kind.. that and I did exercise most days. Love walking in Paringa.. so much to see.. Hills to get the heart rate up a little and PEOPLE!!! When I walk here I see NO ONE!!! Love being able to smile and say morning on a walk!!! Little thing that most take for granted...

With the new year new started.. I did the official weigh, pictures and measure. My focus for 2007 is to improve my fitness, tone my body more and eat healthily, well balanced meals.

I am happy with my weight, but my body needs toning in places. I know that I would benefit from increased fitness.. so that are my goals for the year!!! Hence the record to start the year from. I got Jack to take my photo with just my underwear on (sorry.. that I am not sharing..) and it REALLY shows the areas that need work!! The muffin top, upper legs and my tummy area! Motivation is high.. it is going to happen..

I turn 30 next Sunday (7th Jan) and having a Mexican Fiesta here on Saturday night... should see the decoration my sister got in Melbourne... Blow up catuis, pinatas... Very excited!! Feeding about 80 (including kids) so it will be a blast. Have been downloading Mexican music from Limewire.. very cool.. still working on my costume. I brought a Dress from ebay that is too small.. But it had a cute little Mexican man sleeping beside a catus.. will see what can be done with it.

I will post some photos from our Christmas shortly... just need more time to fiddle with flickr..

HAPPY NEW YEAR!~!!!!