Friday 15 November 2013

Please Don't Let Me Be Ill....Again

So as I type I am in fact a little under the weather. I made a big batch of Chilli last night, and ate a bowl with rice and topped in with cheese. And then I had a late night snack around 10 pm of 3 biscuits and a small glass of milk. Ever since then I have felt off. I feel nauseous, with a fever and a bad stomach.

Those three words pretty much sum it up - nauseous, fever, bad stomach.

I seriously hope I am feeling better tomorrow morning for my shift at work.

At the moment I am feeling so tired and ill, but it's just not going away! And I want to return to the gym and begin eating better soon.

I've got to say I can't wait for the first of December to arrive. Last night we watched a Christmas movie I hadn't actually seen called 'Jack Frost', anyone else heard of it. It has Michael Keaton in...sounding familiar. Well I watched it and it was good but it wasn't amazing I'll be honest and I am someone who loves their Christmas films. I am after all these years starting to build up my collection. It started last year when I purchased most of my favourites and I think it's only right that I expand the collection this year also.

Over the years what Christmas means to me has definitely changed. As expected it's no longer receiving the gifts that's the most exciting, but for me it's the build up. The playing of Christmas films and songs and eating delicious food, or drinking your way through a bottle of Bailey's. All these things become appropriate and I take full advantage of that fact.

Can't wait to tick the boxes next to my Crimbo songs on Itunes! How lame is that?

I am now on countdown....16 days, well 15 and a half really since I am writing this post at half past six!

Anybody else already getting excited about Christmas?


xoThanks for Readingxo

Wednesday 13 November 2013

WIAW: Tuesdays Eats

Happy WIAW :-D And thanks to Jenn as always for Hosting!

As this post is published I am currently in the library stressing over an essay that is due in today.

Thought I was prepared for the first essay of the semester and indeed the year, but apparently I am second guessing everything I write at the moment.

This means I am getting straight to the main event today and showing you the goods foods I ate yesterday. That's one confusing sentence but there's not even time to change that.

I made this before I went to the library. I have a serious hankering for fried eggs lately and I am definitely filling that gap.

Then I packaged it up, and added a banana and coffee! My standard accompaniment for my morning sleepiness.

Caramel Latte - I can't get enough of these babies lately. But I am determined to branch out and try as many Christmas drinks as I can in the run up to the holidays. Unfortunately my uni doesn't do the Christmas cups so I am going to have to do my own visits to coffee shops off campus. 

Then I went shopping and solved my hankering for salad and southern fried chicken. So so good.


And I finally remembered I had sliced beetroot in my cupboard.

And then I had the other half of this packet. Hit another spot.

As you can tell lately I have been eating based on cravings, and I've had a lot. It must be something to do with the cold weather and deadlines.

Has anybody tried a Christmas Cup/Drink yet? What did you get?

Anybody else been hit with cravings lately?


xoThanks for Readingxo

Monday 11 November 2013

My Sleepy Weekend Highlights

Happy MIMM everyone :-D And thanks to Katie as always.

My weekend involved a lot of naps, a blanket and a laptop. I literally hibernated this weekend.

I had to leave to go to work on Saturday morning and on Sunday I left to go to the library. But that was all. I had no plans and for once I was grateful of that fact. But I woke up this morning even more tired than I went into it, so I guess I sort of lost a battle there.

Since I have a lot to get on with this morning I will just show you the photos of my Sunday.

Here's breakfast I tried my porridge with some Strawberry Jam yesterday and it was delicious. Don't get me wrong it doesn't beat Nutella in my opinion.

And then I got ready. I decided to do my hair and put on some make-up because all week I had been in sweats with matching sweaty hair and skin. I love the gym, but I hate constantly being in sweats. Though I'm kind-of-loving the excuse haha

And then this was my view for the next few hours!



I actually left earlier than intended and this was the reason for my departure. I was getting really hungry and decided to go home and make a pasta dish full of everything in my fridge - minus milk and eggs. But I am now getting sick of Pasta. I need meat and soon.

I tried this, and the verdict is - it was good but not good enough to repurchase.

And now I am sipping on this sample I got through the post, and the verdict is this is super gooood! Definitely want to repurchase this baby. When I get take-out coffee I usually have a caramel latte and this definitely hits that spot.

How was your weekend? Was it busy or sleepy like mine?

Can anyone reccommend any good autumn/winter lipsticks? I love the one I am wearing in the above picture but I want another. Because you can never have too many lipsticks right?


xoThanks for Readingxo

Sunday 10 November 2013

Let's Set Some Goals Shall We?!

I feel as though this time of year is the time of year that I am always setting goals. The Christmas season is fast approaching and I always figure trying to eat healthier and more balanced now can only be better for you once the holidays and festivities are over.

Damn that was a long sentence... but since there are no take backs, I guess I'll just have to carry on.

So like I was saying it's that time of year, and as I am currently sitting here feeling a little too bloated for my liking, now's a good enough time than any to put fingers to keyboard and type.

I haven't really planned any goals out so I am just living in the moment and writing what comes to my head. My goals for once aren't going to be number based. In regards to weight I want to lose anyways. They will be targeted at the food I am eating and the exercise I want to get in.

Enough with the babbling so here goes.

I think there should be some main goals and habits that I focus on.

One - Portion Control. This has been a hit and miss lately. Some days I am not hungry at all and I have to force myself to eat something to keep my energy levels up. But then some days I can eat for England, and it's not always like I'm wolfing down chocolate - sometimes it's fruit too.

Two - Eat Less Carbs and More Meat and Veggies for Main Meals. My main meals have been getting more carby later and I need to go food shopping to ensure this doesn't become a habit. Being uncomfortably bloated is not something I want to become a common thing.

Three - Start doing more Weight and Strength Training. This just needs to become a thing. I have become so complacent when it comes to strength training like sit-ups etc and training with weights also. My cardio exercise has improved through the gym, but my strength isn't exactly at an all time high at the moment.

I think that's a good number of goals to be getting of with for now, and maybe I'll give weekly updates etc on how I've been getting on when it comes to achieving these things. These are the main things I feel that if and when I improve on them that I'll be feeling much better. More physically than anything because I have been feeling quite lethargic recently.

Anyways, there are my goals.

Do you have any current goals?

xoThanks for Readingxo

Saturday 9 November 2013

Snacking, Snacking, Cereal and Oh, more Snacking...

That has literally been my diet of the past few days. I just don't seem to want big meals or meal-type meals at all. If that makes any sense?

It's 18:51 on a Saturday night and I am exhausted.

It's not like I can't stay a wake at all like last week, but I am very unmotivated and just feeling damn right groggy. Yes, I think that about sums it up. I took a nap earlier but I am already ready for my next or my bed.

Bare with me I think I have a point I am coming to...

Oh yes. So over the past few days I have become a serial snacker. All I want is snacks. Fruit, Crisps and small bowls of Cereal. The idea of eating a big meal just makes me feel nauseous and at the moment I am just going with it. Eating what I am craving and letting it be.

I think forcing it will just make myself bad. Just like last night. I had a baked potato and tuna with salad but afterwards I just felt so sick and haven't felt right since. So I shall continue to just go with it. Still trying to get my fruits and veggies in but just not trying to force food down, which lately I have had the weird habit of trying to do.

Which is crazy right?

Hopefully it subsides soon, but if not I will just have to stock up on all my snacking faves and so be it.

Well, that's me. Hopefully tomorrow I will get a chance to blog down my goals!

Maybe I could do with remembering this also! Just for good measure etc.

Snack attack!
(Source)

This one too probably?

.
(Source)

Anybody else being fuzzy/funny with their eating habits lately?

Is it the change in weather? Does your diet change dramatically during the colder months?

xoThanks for Readingxo

Thursday 7 November 2013

Lately I have been writing posts and not posting. I must have started and left twelve posts by now! Some are saved as drafts and some have already been deleted - even link-up posts.

I don't like the fact that I am withholding posts for one reason or another is right, and so I am going to set myself the task of posting once a day for the next week. These posts will be about whatever springs to mind at the time of writing the post and I will publish without edits. Scary for someone who re-reads their posts and edits every time, but a goal I am willing to succeed at.

I haven't weighed in in a couple of weeks, deliberately? Yes and No.

I have been wanting to know, but I feel I am going through one of those times in life where the scale can do no good - no matter what the number back flashes!

So instead I have just being trying to work on my eating and workouts. As for me they often go hand in hand things haven't been going too badly. But there's always room for improvement in and that's what I intend to do over the next few weeks, and hopefully right up until Christmas. Small changes only.

Things like more fluids, more exercise, more fresh air, less sugar and saturated fats. The basics that everyone is always trying to change and improve. But I could do with cutting down before Christmas happens.

I love this time of year, and I like to enjoy myself. There's more treats and more alcohol etc, which means I should attempt to tackle and challenge myself now.

So that's it for me. Enjoy your Thursday night.

And

xoThanks for Readingxo

Monday 4 November 2013

#FMM: Food Matters

It's that time of the week again and I decided to make ten minutes to sit down and right a post for FMM. I haven't got long since I have an essay due in next week and I am still in the prepping/drafting stages, but I love answering these questions created by Kenlie and I'll carve out some time later in the week where I read everyone else's posts!

Let's get a cracking lacking...

Food Matters


1. Are you familiar with GMO’s?  Is it an issue that matters to you?  

I've heard about them before, but until this question came up to tell you the truth I had forgotten about them. Not intentionally my brain can just be a bit scatty. I try to eat the best I can on a daily and eat lots of fresh veggies and fruits. But I do know and I re-searched it to remind myself what they were. And even if you eat what you think is a healthy meal, snack, etc there are still hidden things and things unknown to "us" the consumer and so I think they should label everything and let us know what's what. Isn't that our right as the consumer? That way it is then our choice whether we decide to purchase something or not, based on all the information we have.

2.  List a few items that are typically on your grocery list

Bananas are always on my list, followed by milk and some kind of cereal. 

3.  What is your favourite place to shop for produce?

I usually shop around and go to my local supermarkets, trying to price up before hand who's going to be the cheapest on what.

4. Do you eat processed foods?

Yes I do. Everything in moderation is what I believe. 

5.  Do you look for the “organic” label when you shop?

No, to be honest, produce being organic or not really doesn't bother me, and after watching a documentary a few years ago on whether organic is really better on every single thing, it just really reaffirmed things for me. Although I prefer my eggs to be free ranged!

6. What did you eat for breakfast this morning? 

I had some Wheaties with almond flakes and milk, with a banana and cup of tea of course. But my stomach really wasn't feeling food this morning!

7.  How many meals per week do you cook at home? 

I cook nearly all my meals with my best friend. We are students and so batch cooking is the easiest and cheapest method for our meals!

8. Do you think that foods that have been genetically engineered should be labeled?

Definitely, that way we can all make a choice based around all the answers not some of them.

9. What matters most to you when you’re choosing a restaurant?

I usually just go with what I am fancying. I have no allergies that I know of and I am not on any special diet so I just eat wherever (within reason of course).

10.  What is your favourite meal to cook at home?

Something hearty like a Chilli or a Curry or a Spag Bol.

Thanks to Kenlie for hosting as always :-D

And...

xoThanks for Readingxo

It's Been a Fast-Paced Sort of Weekend...

and week in general for that matter. A lot seemed to be going on. A quick run down is I went for an interview for a part-time job and got it. Yay. In the mist of the job interview, training and indeed starting on Saturday, I drove home. I was meant to go home on the Wednesday and go back to my mom's home made stew, but because the training was the following day after the interview I couldn't leave until Thursday afternoon.

Looking back and writing this it's no wonder I felt tired this weekend haha.

The reason for my driving back home was because of the Birmingham Arctic Monkeys gig, which for those who don't know or don't care it got cancelled, and then finally rescheduled for later this month. Damn I was fuming there was a bit of controversy surrounding the bands cancellation. Since they were out at a music awards ceremony the night before and there were still photos of them out partying at 4am it was a little suspect to tell the truth. But when they finally released a statement they said that the lead singer Alex Turner had got laryngitis. Now having had Laryngitis a few years ago on my first week of College I am aware that it isn't something that is just sprung on you, and in fact you feel it coming on in the days if not week prior. The usual symptoms are fevers, cold sweats, feeling like you have the flu etc.

Anyways, (can you tell I'm finally over the unnecessary trip home, not?) what a waste of petrol! I wouldn't have minded if they had told everyone that the gig was being cancelled at 2pm in the afternoon when people were just leaving to get there, but an hour before when the doors are open is just ridiculous! Luckily, since my mom was paying £60 for a taxi there and back for me and my little sister, we received the message just as we were getting into the taxi.

That's right when I got the message I was actually checking the postcode with my driver.

Crazy stuff.

Well that's not where I want MIMM to go, so I shall rein my tangent of a rant in and show you all the marvellous that made a frequent appearance in my weekend. Happy MIMM guys!

thehealthydiva1  First Marvelous in My Monday {yay}

After my first shift on Saturday morning, which didn't go too bad, I treated myself to a Costa coffee *unpictured* (mainly because I drank it so fast!) and a bath bomb from Lush. I ended up getting my usual and favourite coffee, which is a medium latte with a pump of caramel. I really need to branch out when it comes to coffee, I am terrible when it comes to getting in a coffee rut!

Anyways...

From Lush I got the Cinder bath bomb, which basically smells like Christmas in a ball of greatness.


*sorry about the chipped nail varnish*


Then on the evening we went to a firework display, since it was Bonfire/Firework here the UK. This is the holiday I prefer before Christmas since I am not a fan of Halloween #sorryi'mnotsorry. I was just living in the moment and only took a couple and very poor photos.


When we got back I had a shower to feel human again and then we made Pizza and wedges, which you may have seen on my instagram. It was delicious and so good we had leftovers the next day. Along side the pizza I enjoy a glass or two of red wine, which was such a nice treat after a stressful week.







Of course this is how my Sunday began, and I had to have a dollop of Nutella. But now looking at it, it looks huge?! Hmm..I guess my excuse is it's been a long week?





My Sunday consisted of tidying the house starting with my bedroom and then doing some team work to get the rest of the house and shared rooms in tiptop shape. This basically took all day and I also caught up on the Rugby and some other shows. Then on the night I had a bath using my bomb. It smelt good, but not strong enough for my liking.

It turned my bath YELLOW. At one point I was worried it was going to stain! And it did ever so slightly...whoops.



And then I ended the weekend like all weekends should be ended; watching episode 4 of Masters of Sex (not as bad as it sounds, promise haha) and eating a slice of New York Cheese, whilst sipping on a glass of red. Oh and also using a face mask, and doing my nails.





And now I am ready to tackle another week.

Have you ever tried anything from Lush? If so what?

What's your favourite Pizza topping?

Katie thank you for being a great hostess as always :-D

xoThanks for Readingxo