THE NEW ME.... NANCY IS CAT OF THE DAY ON ST DAVID'S DAY (DAY 38) - A gluten free, natural sugars, less alcohol diet

Daffodils yet to shine in the sun

An unintentional earlier start than normal yesterday.  Woke up at 1.30am and never went back to bed, carried away with paperwork and e-mails.  Luckily I was on the ball during our 2 1/2 hour journey down to Swanage to attend a talk at the 'Purbeck Literary Festival'.  http://www.purbeckliteraryfestival.info/

We'd put Nancy (pussycat) out for some fresh air.  She was well annoyed, grumbling, with ears back and a cob on.

As we were an hour early we parked up in a small car-park near to the seafront and had a mini-picnic that Taff had made.  Super yummy, and super welcome with some hot coffee to warm us up.  Luckily there was also a public toilet as I was bursting, as we had not passed any major service station on the way down. 

Eventually found the Arts Centre, hidden away in a small pedestrianized cluster of buildings, of the main rind-roadette.  Arrived at 10.15am for a hot drink to discover the lights were out, the heating was off, and no coffee.  There'd been a power cut in the town.  'Thank goodness we'd had our picnic' I thought.

The talk started at 10.30 on the dot.  A very well organised event, and interestingly useful talk by the great Freda Lightfoot.  A lovely lady, and straight talker, she's what they call in the publishing world  a 'hybrid' author.  Traditionally published from the 80s with various publishers and now a self-publisher in e-books, and has written over 40 sagas and historic novels.  She gave some really useful tips and advice and was easy to talk to.  Also met a lovely lady called Mary, who was starting out in self-publishing.   Hope she does well as it's a tough business and a lot of hard work.

Thankfully the lights came on at 11am.  By 12.45 I was supping hot coffee.  Sadly I refrained from having biscuits  They even had 'Rich Tea', my favourite.

Drove back at 1pm and discovered a much easier route. 

Arrived home to find Nancy had forgiven us after some biscuits, string playing and lovings.

Fell asleep watching the TV at around 6pm.  Woke up at 7pm and went to bed.

Arose today to discover that Nancy's going to be cat of the Day today in US time (so will have to wait a few more hours to see her pretty face pop up).  http://catoftheday.com/  A great present for Taff as it's St David's Day and as a Welshman Taff will be celebrating in one form or another.  It would usually be watching Wales play in the 6 Nations Rugby, but I don't think it's on, so it will probably be the snooker instead.

What I ate yesterday (Day 37)

Snack
1 glass hemp milk
1 cup tea + honey
3 mini potatoes with salad cream
2 tsp mashed potatoes and vegetables
2 tsp chipotle sauce
4 tsp Greek style yoghurt

Breakfast
Fried mash & veg in butter
1 mug tea + honey
1 glass water

Brunch and Lunch
Picnic - 1/2 hard boiled egg, small new potatoes, coronation chicken (chicken in a curried Greek style yoghurt), cherry tomatoes, Cheddar cheese.
Coffee + sugar
Coffee + sugar

Dinner
Chicken escalope in a white sauce
Salad - cucumber, apple, celery in red wine vinegar
Wine + elderflower pressee
1 glass water

Pam
:)

Writer, creator and thinker
http://www.pamandtaffjones.com/
Mummy of Nancy Jones (star of 'Tales of Nancy Jones' children's book by Taff Jones)

THE NEW ME... I LOOK LIKE A PIEBALD HORSE (DAY 37) - A gluten free, natural sugars, less alcohol diet

Dry-fried egg & bacon with mushrooms & tomatoes on a bed of chipotle passata

 



Yesterday morning was an 'up in the air' day.  As well as updating our website, which took me an age, I needed to trawl through our photos to find one of Taff.  There were none, other than a great one of him in a musketeer's outfit that I'd made for my stepson - Taff was the model!  Thus booked some time with my better half to take some photos. 

Dennis, a lovely red-headed washing machine expert took a look at our leaking machine but sadly couldn't find any faults.  Gremlins again!

Had to send another e-mail to our website host as he's ignoring us. I can't be doing with unprofessional people. 

Cleaned for a client in the afternoon, in addition to a little decluttering. Saw a pair of cuckoo birds up a tree, which was amazing.  And that was it, that was my day.

Oh, did discover that my black leggings, that had previously got bleach on them, which I'd dyed with  black Dylon (fabric dye) hadn't fixed.  My legs currently look like a piebald horse, even after several scrubbings in the bath.  Never happened before.  Ooops!  Good job I'm not a model and doing a photo shoot today.

It's raining again. 

What I ate yesterday (Day 36)

Snack
1 mug tea + honey
1 glass hemp milk
1 slice gluten free cake

Breakfast
1 dry fried egg
2 pieces dry fried bacon
Poached mushrooms and cherry tomatoes in chipotle passata
1 glass water

Snack
4 tsp chilli slop - homemade chilli with mashed potato
1 mug tea + honey
1 slice gluten free cake

Lunch
Chilli slop
1 mug tea + honey
1 glass milk

Dinner
Chicken escalope in a white sauce
Fried potatoes
Salad - cucumber, apple, red pepper in red wine vinegar
1 glass water
Wine + elderflower pressee

Pam
:)

Writer, creator and thinker
http://www.pamandtaffjones.com/
Mummy of Nancy Jones (star of 'Tales of Nancy Jones' children's book by Taff Jones)

THE NEW ME.... GIRL POWER ROCKS! (DAY 36) - A gluten free, natural sugars, less alcohol diet

Crumbly Pompey Jack with banana topping

 



Although it was Orange Wednesday yesterday, we couldn't find an appropriate film for us to see at the cinema hence we had another busy day instead.

Did some paperwork and managed to do a couple of hours of writing until the sun came out at lunchtime.  Then I had a go at sawing the buddleia (butterfly bush) which had become overgrown and out of control.  It is now in a controlled state.

By the time I'd helped a friend sort her paperwork and bills, we just managed to take the garden rubbish to the tip (Recycling Centre) before closing time - Our council no longer takes garden rubbish away :(

Did 15 minutes of patchworking as the light started to fade, then made a gluten-free cake (Pompey Jack with banana topping), and chilled watching TV with Taff (better half) before going to bed.

Have just updated our website with some exciting information.  Taff's new crime trilogy is now available as e-books worldwide.  http://www.pamandtaffjones.com/newbooks/ Nancy Jones (our pussycat) and I are very proud of him; particularly as he's written about an empowered female heroine.  Girl power rocks!



What I ate yesterday (Day 35)

Snack
1 glass milk
1 mug of tea + honey
1 tsp homemade chilli mince
1 banana
3 very small potatoes in chipotle sauce
2 tsp chilli mince

Brunch
2 slices turkey + Greek style yoghurt
1 1/2 slices ham + Greek style yoghurt
1 glass water

Dinner
Chicken escalope
Fried potatoes (in coconut oil) with tomato sauce
Salad - cucumber, apple and orange pepper in red wine vinegar
Wine + elderflower pressee
2 slices of Pompey Jack

Pam
:)

Writer, creator and thinker
http://www.pamandtaffjones.com/
Mummy of Nancy Jones (star of 'Tales of Nancy Jones' children's book by Taff Jones)

THE NEW ME... ALWAYS WRITE DOWN THE DETAILS (DAY 35) - A gluten free, natural sugars, less alcohol diet





Breakfast - oats, sultanas, Brazil nuts, banana, milk

 



Another ridiculous day on paperwork. I don't know where it all comes from.  This time I caught up on my 'Awaiting a Reply' and 'Things to Do' folders.  Gone were there days where people used to reply to your e-mails.  Now they just ignore them.  So had to resend a few. 

Surprise surprise, the gremlins struck again.  This time it related to our fuel supplier.  A couple of weeks ago we'd changed tariffs to a fixed rate until 2015 and were expecting paperwork to confirm the change, in the post.  As we'd not had confirmation I rang them up.  The change had not happened.  Luckily I had the telephone number, date, name of the person I'd spoken to, and tariff details (once a PA, always a PA).  Therefore the fixed tariff was agreed to be backdated to 1 February.  So now the paperwork's in 'Awaiting a Reply' again.  It feels like all I seem to do is shuffle paperwork.

I did receive some good news though.  A potential new website host (as recommended by Gary Paul De La Cour Renouf - the amazing woodturner from the Square Tower Crafts Event on Sunday) phoned me up after only a few hours having sent his company an e-mail.  Though more expensive than what we're used to, he was professional to speak to and the real deal.  Have to go through the finer details today and contact our existing host (that should be fun!) for additional info, but fingers crossed our hosting issues may soon be resolved.  Needless to say, still haven't heard from the potential new host that I contacted over a week ago.  Rhubarb rhubarb.

Caught up on the mountain of ironing and phoned a washing machine guy to come out on Thursday to replace the rubber doings which has perished, resulting in water all over the floor.

Oh, ran out of elderflower pressee, so had more wine than normal.  Must stock up.

I have a feeling today is going to be a good day.  I might actually have time to do some writing.  Hurrah!

What I ate yesterday (Day 34)

Snack
1 cup tea + honey
1 cup tea + honey
1 mug tea + honey
1 tsp homemade chilli

Breakfast
Oats, brazil nuts, sultanas, 1 banana, milk

Lunch
Chilli slop - homemade chilli combined with mashed potato (Taff's new creation)
1 glass water

Snack
1 mug tea + honey
1 slice of ham
Greek style yoghurt

Dinner
Turkey curry - cooked in a passata and coconut sauce
New potatoes
Salad - cucumber, courgette, pepper in red wine vinegar
3 dried apricots
3 dessert spoons of cream
1 glass water
Elderflower pressee & wine

Pam
:)

Writer, creator and thinker
http://www.pamandtaffjones.com/
Mummy of Nancy Jones (star of 'Tales of Nancy Jones' children's book by Taff Jones)

THE NEW ME....I DREAM OF A FLAT BELLY (DAY 34) - A gluten free, natural sugars, less alcohol diet

Breakfast - mash and beans

A fairly constructive day with paperwork and planning yesterday. Ordered a new set of business cards, having had a refund from my previous order due to poor quality. 

Looking at all the lever arch files at the moment.  The place looks like a tip.  Must get down to doing my annual weeding to create more space.  Think I shall do a file a day, like I did last year and see how we go.  Should be done in a year!?!?

Continued to construct the WW1 patchwork quilt, but the stitching looks like a dogs dinner, so will start again today with matching thread, where possible.  Also realised that I'd got my calculations wrong.  Looks like I only need a few hundred hexagons rather than a almost three thousand.  At least it now becomes more manageable.  Thank goodness for small mercies.

Was going to do some gardening this afternoon but alas it's raining... again.  What a surprise.

Oh, went to the gym.  Not sure how I'm going to get my belly and bust reduced.  The bust I can cope with - even though it's a pain trying to get a big enough bra to fit me, from normal high-street shops, due to my broad back) - but I would like to have a flatter belly that doesn't make me look like I'm pregnant!

Diet going OK.  Ate a tin of cannellini beans in passata.  Thought I'd be windy, but not a peep (unlike standard baked beans).  Excellent, that means I can have my own version of baked beans without the after effects. :)

What I ate yesterday (Day 33)

Snack
1/2 pint milk
1 glass water
1 large tsp mashed potato
1 dessert spoon cannellini beans in passata
1 glass water
1/2 tin of cannellini beans in passata

Breakfast
Mashed potatoes fried in butter with spring onion, cheese & lettuce
1/2 tin of cannellini beans in passata
1 mug tea + honey

Snack
1 mug tea + honey

Lunch (take-out)
4 pieces garlicy ham
Small tub of Greek style yoghurt
1 pint milk

Snack
1 tsp homemade chilli (mince + passata + green pepper....)

Dinner
Chicken tikka - marinated and grilled in Sharwoods curry paste + Greek style yoghurt
Lettuce
Lemon
Cherry tomatoes
Cocumber
1 glass water
Wine + elderflower presse

Signing out

Pam
:)

Writer, creator and thinker
http://www.pamandtaffjones.com/
Mummy of Nancy Jones (star of 'Tales of Nancy Jones' children's book by Taff Jones)

THE NEW ME... A CREATIVE DAY (DAY DAY 33) - A gluten free, natural sugars, less alcohol diet



Fruit by Gary Paul De La Cour Renouf

Worn out with business and paperwork I had a lay-in until 5ish, after 8 hours sleep.  Sick of looking at the pile of paperwork I decided that I would ignore it just for one day, as without a doubt it would not miraculously disappear.

Watched an odd film on BBI iPlayer called Synechdoche with Philip Seymour Hoffman and other great actors such as Samantha Morton (a Nottingham actress of which I'm a big fan who I remember on UK TV from the early-mid 90s)... whilst I did some knitting.  Knitting is such a slow exercise. Even 3D origami and patchwork grows quicker. 

Started constructing my WW1 themed patchwork quilt.  I haven't cut all the pieces yet, however I thought it wise to construct a 'flower' shape to see if it was feasible.  Fortunately, having already cut about 1500 pieces, I created my first section, chuffed.

So, around lunchtime Taff (husband and better half) and I went out as I have a couple of pieces to write.. the first reviewing a café the second reviewing an exhibition or similar event.  Reviewing a café or restaurant for me is a tough one, as we rarely frequent such places.  Why?  Because we can cook better food at home which costs a quarter of the price. 

My first review for the month, a couple of days ago, was to be a well-known (to the local area) cakery/tea-room.  Our second visit to this posy joint advanced a little further this time.  We actually sat down at a table for two, in this extremely noisy environment with no drinks or cake menus, as telepathy was required.  After 5 minutes of frustration we left, as before.  I don't like doing bad reviews so I thought I'd try another venue about a mile down the road in a popular café area yesterday.

First impressions were good, myriads of cakes and breads arranged to dazzle the eyes and salivate the taste buds.  Yet the experience was cosy but posy, again frustrating, with no menus at all, dead flowers in a vase, limp warm salad, the incorrect order, no milk for the tea, poor attention to detail, a dirty toilet and overpriced.  I shall go no further.  Taff said I shouldn't feel bad about doing a bad review.  I suppose he's right as perhaps the only way we will get decent food in the UK is to constructively comment. 

Disappointment for wasting £9 for 1 tea, 1 coffee and some bland quiche with limp salad leaves, we went to The Square Tower http://www.squaretower.co.uk/crafts_in_the_tower.html.  We met the lovely Diana Wren (a ceramist)

 

.... and some other familiar and new faces in addition to Gary Paul Del La Cour Renouf (an amazing wood turner) and Ian Newman (a gold leaf and cut-glass expert creator plus heritage restorer).  Such a lovely atmosphere, chatting with people possessing amazing talent, in a 15th century building (also a wedding venue) that also had a warm and cosy vintage tearoom at affordable prices.  Sadly, spent up on a budget, we put the tearooms on hold for the following month, even though I was extremely tempted with the smell of hot soup wafting through the venue.

A little more positive, dropped some flyers off at the local museum which we call Camelot and returned home to patchwork, a visit (chat and jangle) from our friend, some tasty soul-food, TV and bed.

What I ate yesterday (Day 32)

Snack
1 glass milk
Applewood smoked cheese + 6 olives
1 mushroom dipped in Mr Naga chilli paste
1 glass water
1 mug tea +  honey
3 small pieces cooked potato pieces with salad cream

Brunch
1 cup earl grey tea
1 mouthful of quiche
2 limp salad leaves
Vinaigrette

Dinner
Turkey escalope
Fried potatoes
Tomato sauce
Salad - cherry tomatoes, red pepper, courgette, cucumber, red wine vinegar
1 glass water
Wine + elderflower presse

Signing out

Pam
:)

Writer, creator and thinker
http://www.pamandtaffjones.com/
Mummy of Nancy Jones (star of 'Tales of Nancy Jones' children's book by Taff Jones)

THE NEW ME... HURRAH, I'VE LOST OVER HALF A STONE IN A MONTH (DAY 32) - A gluten free, natural sugars, less alcohol diet

A celebration treat of pavlova

 



So, it was a month yesterday that I started the diet.  It's a month today that I got weighed.  I've lost 8 pounds, just over half a stone in a month, and I'm really chuffed.  I've also lost 1 inch off my neck, 2 1/2 inch off my mid-thigh, 1/2 inch off my mid-upper arm, and 2 1/4 inches off my hips.  Strangely my bust and waist have stayed pretty much the same.  Taff puts the latter down to visceral fat and having been a wheat belly for so many years.

My plan for this month is to go to the gym more and do more abdominal and waist exercises. Not sure what I can do for the bust though!

Oh... and drink less alcohol.

What I ate yesterday (31)

Snack
1 glass milk
1 slice ham + yoghurt

Lunch
Approx 8 chips
1 glass non alcohol ginger beer

Dinner
4 home-made meatballs (no bread) in passata
Rice with peas and sweetcorn
Small new potatoes in butter
Small piece of home-made pavlova with cream and strawberries (bad girl with the sugar!)
 - half the size of the piece in the photo above
1 glass water
Wine + elderflower presse

Signing out

Pam
:)

Writer, creator and thinker
http://www.pamandtaffjones.com/
Mummy of Nancy Jones (star of 'Tales of Nancy Jones' children's book by Taff Jones)

THE NEW ME.... I LOVE CONSTRUCTIVE DAYS (DAY 31) - A gluten free, natural sugars, less alcohol diet



Turkey & salad



 

A constructive day yesterday.  Managed to do some planning, paperwork and spent half an hour using my free 14 day trial with Genes Reunited.  Still no further forward in tracing our ancestors back past the grandparents stage.  There must be an all singing all dancing website somewhere for genealogy.

There must also be a website host that is reliable and does what it says it does on the tin.  You've guessed it, still awaiting a reply from our potential new host!

Received my business cards a week early.  Sadly they've all got spot marks on them which means they're unusable as they look unprofessional.  Have raised a query with the supplier.  I don't think anything we ever do is straightforward and simple.  I think we have the curse of the gremlins!

Did some cleaning and decluttering for a client, so burned a few calories.  Watched TV and went to bed.  Nothing else to report.

Still doing OK with the diet.  Will have to make some more cake to nibble at.  :)

Oh, Taff's 'Emma Curtis Trilogy' is now with the e-book publishers to distribute worldwide.  Should be out in the next month.  He's also working on a fictional anthropomorphic story which is very exciting imagination-wise.

What I ate yesterday (Day 30)

Snack
1 glass milk
1 piece coconut cake (gluten free, made with coconut flour)

Breakfast
Oats, sultanas, cashew nuts, 1 banana mixed together with milk
1 glass water

Snack
1 mug tea + honey

Lunch
1 large slice turkey
Cucumber
Cherry tomatoes
Greek style yoghurt
1 pint water

Dinner
Chicken escalope with a white sauce
Fried potatoes
Tomato sauce
Cucumber & cherry tomatoes in red wine vinegar
1 glass water
Wine + elderflower pressee

Signing out

Pam
:)

Writer, creator and thinker
http://www.pamandtaffjones.com/
Mummy of Nancy Jones (star of 'Tales of Nancy Jones' children's book by Taff Jones)

THE NEW ME...A TIDY HOUSE A TIDY MIND (DAY 30) - A gluten free, natural sugars, less alochol diet



Tinned kippers with salad

 



Spent the morning tidying the house, doing the ironing and some more washing as the place had looked like a bomb had hit it.  Usually this is a task I do at the weekend, but as we were working most of last weekend I decided to do it yesterday.  I love it when it's clean and tidy.  Why doesn't it stay like that?

Made a coconut flour cake.  The pieces are so light that I had 4.  Greedy I know, but they are only small pieces after all.  In fact I've just had another one now with a glass of milk. Yummy.

Had a response from a potential new website host.  Very expensive though.  Will have to do some more research and chase up the other one I have in mind.

Still doing OK on the 'diet'.  Drank 1/2 the alcohol I normally do, again, thanks to the elderflower pressee.  Oh, and I went to the gym as well, albeit at 8am in the morning instead of 6.30am, as went back to bed for a snooze. 

Will try and get weighed the weekend, in addition to being measured, to see if I've lost any weight.  Fingers crossed!

What I ate yesterday (Day 29)

Snack
1 glass milk
1 mug tea + honey
1 glass milk
1 mug tea + honey

Breakfast
1 dry fried egg
Cherry tomatoes in passata
1 piece bacon grilled
Mushrooms lightly poached in butter
1 glass water

Snack
1 mug tea + honey
1 pint water

Lunch
1/2 tinned smoked kipper in brine
Salad - celery, cherry tomatoes, onion, red pepper, red wine vinegar, olive oil, courgette
1 glass water

Snack
4 pieces coconut cake

Dinner
Chicken escalope in a white sauce
Salad - cucumber, cherry tomatoes, orange pepper with a dash of salad cream and Greek style
   yoghurt
Fried potatoes
Tomato sauce
1 glass water
Wine + elderflower pressee

Signing out

Pam
:)

Writer, creator and thinker
http://www.pamandtaffjones.com/
Mummy of Nancy Jones (star of 'Tales of Nancy Jones' children's book by Taff Jones)

THE NEW ME... BUSY, BUSY, BUSY (DAY 29) - A gluten free, natural sugars, less alcohol diet.

Yet another escalope



YUMMY

 

Another busy day again.  So busy, didn't even have time for 'Orange Wednesdays' and go to the cinema.  Maybe next week?!?!

Ended up doing a Food Hygiene and Safety (Level 2) online course, as part of our diversification of businesses.  Very interesting.  Didn't realise rice has the potential to be so harmful.  Though, have not experienced any bad effects with rice in the last 40 years that I've lived on this planet.  The only real issue I've had with regards food, food poisoning in fact, was when I ate some salmon from a hot shop window, over the border in south Wales (sorry Wales).  A few hours after eating the quite bland snack, I woke up in the middle of the night with really bad stomach cramps.  Then I had the runs.  I'd never had serious diarrhoea-ho-he-hay before and don't wish to have it again.  I was literally pooping green lights!  Luckily the incident hasn't stopped me eating salmon, or going to south Wales, so it's not all bad.

Helped a friend in need, whose washing machine had packed in.  Also did a bagful of paperwork sorting for her to make her life a little less stressful.

Went to our local animal shelter 'The RSPCA Stubbington Ark' and saw a beautiful cat at reception called Theo.  He was definitely a boy cat... they tend to be chunkier and have a heavier brow than girl cats.  Gave him a Whiskers pouch of food, compliments of Harry (Nancy's friend) and then handed the rest in at reception, for the other cats.

Finished the bagful of paperwork at around 8pm.  Watched 15 minutes of The Great British Sewing Bee and was wacked, so went to bed.

Still no response from our existing website host regarding our questions.  Still no reply from a sales team from 2 potential new hosts.  I obviously need to learn some IT jargon so I can speak the same language as them.  Do you think telepathy will work? 

What I ate yesterday (Day 28)

Snack
1 pint water
1 piece turkey & Greek style yoghurt
1 small banana
1 mug of tea + honey
1 glass of milk

Brunch
Mashed potato with leftover neutral mash + some grated cheese - dry fried
1 glass water

Snack
1 piece turkey & Greek style yoghurt

Dinner
Chicken escalope in a white sauce
Salad - cucumber, pepper, celery in red wine vinegar
Butter poached mushrooms
1 glass water
Wine + elderflower pressee



Hoping to go to the gym today.  If I do it must be early (6.30 ish) otherwise I'll lose motivation.


Signing out

Pam
:)

Writer, creator and thinker
http://www.pamandtaffjones.com/
Mummy of Nancy Jones (star of 'Tales of Nancy Jones' children's book by Taff Jones)

THE NEW ME.... IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE? (DAY 28) - A gluten free, natural sugars, less alcohol diet

Oaty breakfast

 



Busy, busy busy.  Spent all morning on paperwork and liaising between various people regarding our business e-mail issue.  Managed to do a weed on our 'Computer, IT, website, host' folder of paperwork.  Time is a great resolver of e-mails and determination of what document to keep and what not to.  It's frightening though how much paperwork one does have to keep.  In theory, I naively thought, that we would have just one document for the website host.  But no!  We have websites and passwords coming out of our ears.  One for the domain name, one to adjust the website, one for the e-mail provider and so on and so forth. 

Interestingly, through modern technology, I managed to track down our website host! :) He managed to temporarily sort out the issue.  It turns out we had exceeded our e-mail quantity quota (rather than me thinking the host server was down).  I wouldn't mind but we didn't have that many e-mails saved.  We've got thousands in our personal e-mail folders, but not even 1000 in our business folders.  Even over the last 20 years, in all the businesses I've worked, I've been able to keep e-mails in the thousands rather than the hundreds.  Our host has increased our quota although not sure what to.  He advised that we need to download the e-mails to some sort of software if we want to keep them.  I've got no idea what is required, so will weed them and print off the pertinent ones.  So much for a paperless society!  When asking my host various questions to avoid this in the future, he went into his little black whole again.  Our host doesn't like questions!?!?!?  Don't think he likes customers really, so looking for another host. 

Have made 2 enquiries for hosts in other cities.  No appointments booked yet, am awaiting their response and proper human contact!  If this is how quick they are to respond to a potential new customer and sale, what are they like in providing a 24/7 host service and resolving IT problems should they arise?  Doesn't sound hopeful, but that's the price one has to pay for being self-employed, I suppose.

What I ate yesterday (Day 27)

Snack
1 mug of tea + honey
1 dessert spoon of neutral mash - cauliflower, carrot, swede
4 dried apricots
3 slices ham and mustard
1 glass milk

Breakfast
Oats, cashew nuts, grapes, sultanas, milk
1/2 pint water
1 mug tea

Lunch
Neutral mash - dry fried
1 piece smoked bacon - dry fried
Cherry tomatoes - dry fried
1 glass water

Dinner
1 chicken escalope covered in a cream sauce
Coleslaw - carrots, onion, lettuce, dash of salad cream
1 glass water
Wine + elderflower pressee (1/2 and 1/2)
3 peach halves + cream

Signing out

Pam
:)

Writer, creator and thinker
http://www.pamandtaffjones.com/
Mummy of Nancy Jones (star of 'Tales of Nancy Jones' children's book by Taff Jones)

THE NEW ME... WHERE HAS GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE GONE? (DAY 27) - A gluten free, natural sugars, less alcohol diet

Chicken escalope with rice salad

 



Yet another busy day yesterday.  They just seem to be getting longer and longer with paperwork, partly as a result of gremlins.

For instance I ordered a membership card approximately a month ago.  It arrived in the post admittedly with my photo on but with a completely different name and membership number on it.  So, last week that was one of my tasks to sort out.

I part-exchanged a Reliant car for a more modern car, summer/autumn last year, and sent off the log book slip.  Then about a month ago I received a letter explaining that I wasn't insured for the Reliant and needed to contact an insurer and also DVLA.  I sent a nice letter back, explaining that I was no longer the registered keeper and requested DVLA update their details.  They have.  They've informed me I'm no longer the registered keeper of the Reliant.  Excellent. I'm no longer the registered keeper of my new (pre-loved) existing car either.  When speaking to DVLA yesterday I spoke to a human, which I prefer from a machine, but she might as well have been a machine.  She possessed no customer service skills whatsoever.

Went to bank some money and a cheque at the local branch.  I say local but it's not.  Our local bank closed down a few months ago.  Our most accessible one is now 6 miles away.  And to top it all the cashier told me that their opening hours will be reducing by an hour to 3.30pm.

Also spent an hour or two, taking some storage boxes back to 2 separate supermarkets as they were damaged.  More haste less speed!

And surprise surprise our business website's host server and thus e-mails are down.  We've been 18 months in business... and getting a reliable, honest, website designer/host has been one of the toughest things yet.  Our existing designer and host was our number 4 attempt.  Indeed his Limited Company did design the website, but it appeared to be a massive effort for him to deal with customers.  He liked his business closed to the public, avoided e-mails, and preferred hiding away.  The hosting service was to be 24/7, even when they went out of business and the staff got other day-time jobs.  Yet, we haven't had business e-mails since Saturday morning, as there's a problem with the host server.  Our host is now aloof, has disappeared from the face of the earth and is ignoring our e-mails.  Yet, not only does he now trade as a similar business, I believe he's at the same location.  So we're having to find another host and I'm not sure if our existing host gave us enough information to transfer over to a new one!

It amazes me how, over the years customer service has become a thing of the past in the UK.  I've had many jobs (past lives I call them).  I've always done my best for the customer, even at my expense, as without customers you don't have a business.  Yet this skill is something that has passed many businesses and people by. 

Changing the subject.  Needing to do some errands I managed to visit a pre-loved military shop in the old part of the town which is closing down at the end of March.  It was AMAZING.  And they have excellent customer service.  If only the garments could speak, I'm sure they'd have some stories to tell.  Sadly when the business closes the shop will be gone and become a distant memory.  v=Xk_7ZjWY9Tw http://www.sabresales.co.uk/

What I ate yesterday (Day 26)

Snack
1 glass water
1 small bowl of curried chickpeas (used leftover curry sauce)
1 mug of tea with honey
1 mug of tea + 1/4 tsp sugar
1 glass milk

Brunch
1/2 pint water
1 gluten free cheese and onion pancake

Dinner
Chicken escalope with white sauce
Tomato & grape salad with a tad of salad cream and Greek style yoghurt
Rice salad - basmati rice with red pepper, celery and dash of soy sauce
1 glass water
1/2 the wine I'd normally drink
Elderflower presse

Signing out

Pam
:)

Writer, creator and thinker
http://www.pamandtaffjones.com/
Mummy of Nancy Jones (star of 'Tales of Nancy Jones' children's book by Taff Jones)

THE NEW ME.... I'M A PANCAKE ADDICT (DAY 26) - A gluten free, natural sugars, less alcohol diet

Banana & honey pancake (gluten free)

 

Another busy day yesterday.  This time Taff (better half) and I did a table top sale to promote our books, the local animal shelter (The RSPCA Stubbington Ark) and my creative items e.g. catnip mice & lavender bags.

This was the second time we'd done such a sale.  The venue was a local sports hall.  Not a bad location as it was clean, dry (i.e. indoors rather than out like a car-boot sale) and the plot was spacious.  However, due to lack of advertising signage for passers-by as a result of council restrictions, the footfall was low.  We won't be doing another one, for books or creative items, as it's not really the place for them - we'll have to look at other venues to promote The Ark.  People at this venue want a bargain.   They want pre-loved items at rock-bottom prices, not brand-new at reasonable prices. We will continue building our writing/book empire looking at other options.  Sadly national chain bookstores require too big a cut to make self-publishing viable e.g. 60% RRP.

As I felt sooo tired, due to the gale force winds a couple of days previous and resulting lack of sleep, I decided to have a nanna nap in the afternoon, and slept for half an hour.  Really pleased I did, as I still feel rejuvenated, even 12 hours later.

Drank less wine last night.  This time had a couple of glasses of elderflower pressee first.  Then I mixed the pressee with wine (half and half) to dilute the wine.  Seemed to work.  Fingers crossed, eventually I might just want the pressee instead of the wine.  You never know!

What I ate yesterday (Day 25)

Snack
1/2 glass milk
1 banana

Breakfast
Gluten free pancake filled with banana & honey (great alternative to lemon and sugar)
1 mug tea + 1/4 tsp sugar
1 glass water

Snack
1 cup coffee + sugar

Lunch
4 slices of corned beef
Pesto salad - garlic, red onion, cucumber, cherry tomatoes in pesto (forgot to add the chickpeas...
    sooo tired)
1 glass water

Snack
1 largish piece of Cheddar cheese
2 grapes

Dinner
Home-made coconut chicken curry
Rice
Cucumber
Blob of Greek style yoghurt
Greek style yoghurt & honey
1 glass water
Wine

Greek style yoghurt with honey



Signing out

Pam
:)

Writer, creator and thinker
http://www.pamandtaffjones.com/
Mummy of Nancy Jones (star of 'Tales of Nancy Jones' children's book by Taff Jones)

THE NEW ME... FEELING THINNER (DAY 25) - A gluten free, natural sugars, less alcohol diet

Chicken escalope again

 



Had a restless sleep yesterday and got up a couple of times.  Couldn't sleep due to the gale force winds.  Not known it as bad as this before.  I feel for all those people that have no power, are flooded, or have lost their lives due to the heavy rain and gales over the last few months.

Made some coconut flour muffins to take to a client's as it was a full day of decluttering.  Left home at 7.15 a.m. and returned at 8 p.m. I feel as though I've done a workout and really ache.

Looked in the mirror.  My wheat-belly, as Taff calls it, is slowly reducing and I do feel thinner.  Although, in myself I don't feel any different.  Energy levels still the same i.e. full of energy... except for the time I had that valerian to induce sleep instead of having alcohol.  Have been drinking alcohol slightly less, but would like to really cut down.  I think the Elderflower Pressee will be the key.


Gluten free, coconut flour, banana muffins
Ingredients
4 oz salted butter
1/4 cup Stevia (sugar replacement)
2 very heaped cups of coconut flour
1 banana (squashed or cut into small pieces)
ground mixed spice (approx. 2 heaped tsps.)
2 heaped tsps. baking powder
3 eggs
tap water

Method

1. But the butter, sugar and flour into a bowl.  Using your clean hands, mix together as if doing a
    crumble topping (although as you are using coconut flour don't expect a crumble texture).

2. Add the banana, spice and baking powder.  Mix together
    with your hands.

3. Add the eggs and stir.

4. Add water to get a smooth thickish consistency.

5. Using a table-spoon, dollop the mixture into approximately 8 muffin paper cases.

6. Bake in the oven (gas mark 4, 180 °c, 350 °c) until brown on the top and cooked in the centre
    (approx. 20 - 30 minutes even longer depending on how wet the mixture is).

What I ate yesterday (Day 64)

Snack
1 banana
1 mug tea + 1/4 tsp sugar

Breakfast
1 glass water
2 pancakes + lemon and normal sugar (bad girl again!)

Lunch
Bowl of soul food - home-made chicken soup
1 mug tea
1 mug water

Dinner
Chicken escalope in a white sauce with salad (grapes, cucumber, celery, tomatoes)
Fried potatoes with tomato sauce
1 glass water
Wine

Signing out

Pam
:)

Writer, creator and thinker
http://www.pamandtaffjones.com/
Mummy of Nancy Jones (star of 'Tales of Nancy Jones' children's book by Taff Jones)

THE NEW ME.... WE'RE SO USED TO HOME COOKED FOOD (DAY 24) - A gluten free, natural sugars, less alcohol diet

Gluten free pancakes

 



Woke up after only 2 hours sleep due to the gale force winds.  Got up for half an hour, went back to bed, couldn't sleep as still severely windy, so have decided to do my blog early.

Busy day again, planning and paperwork in the morning, then cleaning in the afternoon.  Had intended to go to the gym, but I had so much work to do (which still isn't finished), and it was also wet and windy that I decided against it.  At least doing the cleaning will have burned some calories.

Oooh, and I did have gluten free pancakes as I'm a pancake addict.  They are so yummy I have to control myself to just 2 otherwise I would quite happily eat 10 and not even feel full!

As it was St Valentine's Day, Taff (better half) and I decided to celebrate with an Indian Takeaway.  Although a good quality Indian, we were really disappointed.  Our taste buds are obviously changing.  We're so used to home cooked food.  It's tastier, cheaper and you can control what goes in it.

Must admit we don't usually celebrate Valentine's.  In fact I think we've only ever gone out for a meal once, on Valentine's Day, in the 20 years we've been together, and that was about 10 years ago.

Nothing else to report, only that I've never known the winds and rain to be this bad. 

What I ate yesterday (Day 23)

Snack
1 glass milk
Mouthful of leftover chickpea salad
1 piece of bacon

Breakfast
2 home-made gluten free pancakes with lemon and refined sugar (bad girl!)
1 mug of tea

Lunch
Potatoes, bacon, lettuce, cheese, lettuce warmed in butter and coconut oil
1 glass water
1 mug of tea + 1/4 tsp sugar

Dinner
1/2 onion bhaji
1/2 shish kebab
3 pieces chicken tikka
Salad - lettuce & onion
Mint yoghurt
1 dessert spoon of rice
2 pieces of chicken in naga sauce
1 glass water
Wine

Signing out

Pam
:)

Writer, creator and thinker
http://www.pamandtaffjones.com/
Mummy of Nancy Jones (star of 'Tales of Nancy Jones' children's book by Taff Jones)

THE NEW ME... STILL TIRED (DAY 23) - A gluten free, natural sugars, less alcohol diet

Patchwork design sheet

 



Another day feeling weary, partly because I woke up in the early hours intending to go back to bed but never did.  I got enthused making some patchwork quilt hexagons, and before I knew it daylight had sprung. 

I've not made a patchwork quilt before.  Historically my sewing skills have been mainly by hand using felt.... oh and more recently cushion covers.  I did attempt to make a dress the year before last, but realised that it would never have fit me as I'd bought a US pattern thinking that their sizes matched ours, which alas they didn't.  Not to be deterred I decided to use the rest of the material for trousers, but again they were too small.  So I made the worlds most expensive hair scrunchy! :)

Finished off the cushion covers for a client and mastered the sewing machine when cotton gets stuck in the bobbin area. 

Went to some pre-loved stores with Taff for inspiration and bought some more material for the patchwork quilt.  Bumped into an artist-friend (Mandy).  We love seeing Mandy, she's always full of fun and smiles, oozing with ideas http://www.mandywebb43.com/

Going back to patchworking.... luckily as we've got MS Publisher I was able to copy and paste 2,500 or so hexagons onto a worksheet and print it off so that I can hand draw my designs.  I'm sure patchwork paper exists somewhere, but I love a challenge and couldn't be bothered searching for something that may not exist.  The patchwork quilt I'll probably donate and/or put up for auction for charity.  That's assuming it will look any good.  I think it will though, I have great expectations.

Intended not to have alcohol but ran out of Elderflower Pressee.  However, I did drink half my normal consumption which has got to be a good thing.

What I ate yesterday (Day 22)

Snack
1 mug tea + 1/4 tsp sugar
2 slices beef & mustard
1 glass milk
1 slice bacon
1 glass water

Brunch
1 piece dry fried bacon
2 cherry tomatoes dry fried
1 dry fried egg
Mushrooms poached in butter and water
Fried potatoes in coconut oil
Tomato sauce
1 mouthful of coffee
1 glass water

Snack
1 1/2 slices turkey
Greek style yoghurt
1 glass water

Dinner
Chicken escalope in a white sauce (cream, butter & seasoning)
Chickpea salad - chickpeas, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, coriander, lemon juice, olive oil, red
   wine vinegar, red onion
Wine
1 glass water
1 piece gluten free almond slices (home-made)

Signing out

Pam
:)

Writer, creator and thinker
http://www.pamandtaffjones.com/
Mummy of Nancy Jones (star of 'Tales of Nancy Jones' children's book by Taff Jones)

THE NEW ME.... WEARY (DAY 22) - A gluten free, natural sugars, less alcohol diet.

Ploughman's

 



After my blog yesterday and catching up on paperwork I went back to bed as I felt weary.  With a couple of hours of sleep behind me, I still felt weary and this continued all day until I went to sleep at night.  Must be the valerian herbal remedy.  This tiredness I can't cope with every day, so will alternate alcohol one night and valerian the next until my body regulates itself, or I try something different.

Had another busy day, this time creating and sourcing.  Also picked up the sewing machine from the whisperers.  It turns out I was using the wrong sized needle for the material.  I now know the rules - number 12 for silk, 14 for cotton, 16 for thicker materials like polycotton.  I have learned the error of my ways, so hopefully the 'jamming' won't happen again.

As it was 'Orange Wednesdays' we took advantage of 2 for the price of 1 offer.  A popular event with bargain hunters.  We met a retired couple who were also enjoying a similar day out.  They used their free bus passes to journey to and from the cinema, brought a packed lunch with a flask of coffee and enjoyed a film all for the price of £6.15 for the two of them. BARGAIN!

Saw the 'Dallas Buyers Club' with Matthew McConaughey as the lead.  I must admit, I have only ever seen him in one other film and that was 17 years ago.  The film was 'Contact' starring Jodie Foster.  At the time he performed adequately, handsome looking, but nothing outstanding.  This time in DBC he was absolutely AMAZING.  He and the film deserve some Oscars. I hardly recognised him... gaunt, and in character as Ron Woodroof - diagnosed as being HIV Positive in the 1980s when medical treatment was purely trial and error to combat the then deadly disease.  A very moving film based on a true story.  I just love people that have fire in their bellies, stand up to be counted, to help others and make the world a better place. 

What was interesting was that even in the 90s, some 10 years later, very little was known about HIV and AIDS, in the UK at least compared to now.  I remember when I briefly studied the subject at University as part of a Human Biology module, group project, that I was doing.  Before the internet had really taken off, we only had the University library and newspapers to go on, and it was in 'The Guardian' newspaper that we discovered a journalist who was a real expert.  Sadly his name escapes me.  But for this one journalist, there was hardly any literature around.

The other thing I will mention is that I remember reading a case some years later in a book, where a person, through a nutritional diet, certain medication and change in lifestyle had turned the viral beast around to become HIV negative.  Yet you never hear of those cases publicised, but they do indeed exist.

So, a toast (I have a mug of tea in my hand), to Ron Woodroof and all those combatting HIV and AIDS.

What I ate yesterday (Day 21)

Snack
1 mug tea + 1 tsp sugar

Breakfast
Leftover neutral mash from the day before
Tomato sauce
1 mug tea + 1/4 tsp sugar

Lunch (take-out)
10 thin slices salami
1 small tub Greek style yoghurt
1/2 pint milk

Dinner (A ploughman's)
2 slices turkey
1 slice beef
fried potatoes
tomato sauce
pickled beetroot
cheese
cherry tomatoes
grape, celery and cucumber salad
1 glass water
Wine
1 glass water

Signing out

Pam
:)

Writer, creator and thinker
http://www.pamandtaffjones.com/
Mummy of Nancy Jones (star of 'Tales of Nancy Jones' children's book by Taff Jones)

THE NEW ME... A DAY WITHOUT ALOCHOL (DAY 21) - A gluten free, natural sugars, less alcohol diet.

Breakfast

 



Just woken up to thunder and lightening with a storm overhead.  The gods are obviously angry at something... global warming perhaps?!

It was a long day yesterday, busy and constructive.  Managed to get organised with piles of fabric and paperwork.  Took the sewing machine to the whisperers, and had a meeting with the bank manager for a review.  Did some DIY for a client with Taff, me acting as the assistant.  Had dinner and went out to the accounting moot.  Just about managed to stay awake, fidgeting and yawning in my chair (apologies to the people sitting behind me).  Although the lecturer was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable, HMRC and payroll is enough to send anyone to sleep.  I'm pleased I'm not a full time accountant anymore.  So many rules and regulations, it's hard to keep track of it all.  Came home, took a valerian tablet to help me sleep, although I didn't need it as I zonked out straight away and slept for 5 solid hours.  Not a drop of alcohol touched my lips.

What I ate yesterday (Day 20)

Snack
1/2 glass milk
1 mug tea + 1/4 tsp sugar

Breakfast
Neutral mash - carrots, broccoli, swede, seasoning
1 dry fried egg
3 cherry tomatoes dry fried
1 fried mushroom in butter
1 1/2 sausages dry fried with skins taken off
1 glass water

Snack
3 mugs tea with 1/4 tsp sugar in each mug
2 slices corned beef

Dinner
Chicken escalope lightly fried in butter
White sauce - cream + chicken butter from escalope + seasoning
Salad - cucumber, tomatoes, pear, cheese, red onion
1 glass elderflower presse
1 glass water
1 glass elderflower presse


Do I feel any better for not having had a drink?  Not really.

Signing out

Pam
:)

Writer, creator and thinker
http://www.pamandtaffjones.com/
Mummy of Nancy Jones (star of 'Tales of Nancy Jones' children's book by Taff Jones)

THE NEW ME... YO TO GLUTEN FREE FLOUR (DAY 20) - A gluten free, natural sugars, less alochol diet

Gluten free almond slices (squares)

 

Apologies for the delay in today's blog, I just finished watching The Black Swan. What an outstanding performance from Natalie Portman as the Swan Queen.  Interested to discover she was originally born in Jerusalem, Israel... a place some only ever dream of going to.

Changing the subject, I had a busy day again yesterday sourcing storage containers and material for a client.  Disappointed in the material options and the prices, as I am a colourist and cheapskate after all!  Perhaps I was spoiled as a teenager looking around the many material shops in my birth county of the West Midlands. I did go an see a new friend though, who showed me her patchwork quilt that she had almost finished.  It was amazing.  She's given me a few pieces of hexagons to show me the different stages, which was always a mystery to me.  I love talented people.

Bought some polycotton, purely for the colour rather than texture.  Don't know what happened but my sewing machine didn't like the fabric and is now stuck.  So that's a priority job to do today and take Brother to my sewing-machine whisperers to fix.

Due to a busy day I had a late lunch, well it wasn't what I call lunch rather a snack of 2 pieces of home-made gluten free almond slices (recipe below) - well I actually cut them into squares this time.  My first attempt.  Not bad, bit heavy on the pastry.  The flour behaves so different to gluten SR flour.

Tired and drained, I did have a glass of wine or two, even though I've now got some herbal remedies.  Tonight should be better i.e. alcohol free, as I'm at an accounting moot, so won't be back until late.  I hate going out at night, I'm a home girl.  Can I stay awake long enough to go to it as it starts at 7.30pm which is usually my bedtime?  We shall see.

What I ate yesterday

Snack
1/4 glass water
1 banana
1/2 glass water
1 glass milk

Breakfast
3/4 sausage with skin taken off & made into 2 smaller sausages fried in coconut oil
1 piece smoked bacon dry fried
1 egg dry fried
3 cherry tomatoes dry fried
1 glass water

Snack
2 almond slices

Dinner
Chicken tikka - chicken marinated and cooked in Greek style yoghurt with Sharwood's curry
   paste
Lettuce
Lemon
2 almond slices
1 glass water
Wine



Almond slices (recipe)

Pastry - gluten free plain flour + 4 oz butter/lard + water mixed to form a dough

4 oz (1/2 block) butter
1 1/2 heaped cups gluten free flour
1/4 cup Stevia
1 heaped tsp baking powder
2 eggs
Couple of dashes of almond essence
Water

Red jam - didn't have low/natural sugar jam so used normal

Flaked almonds to sprinkle on top

Brief method

1. Pat the pastry down in a Swiss-roll tin and blind bake.
2. Mix the butter, flour, Stevia & baking powder together with your hands to make a crumble.
3. Add the eggs and almond essence.  Mix.
4. Add some water to create a smooth thick batter.
5. Melt the red jam and spread over the par-cooked pastry.
6. Pour over the batter mixture.
7. Sprinkle over almonds to cover the top.
8. Bake until cooked on gas mark 4 (180 degrees C) for about 20 minutes, until cooked and brown.
9. Tip upside-down onto a board.
10. Cut into 16 slices when cool.

Signing out

Pam
:)

Writer, creator and thinker
http://www.pamandtaffjones.com/
Mummy of Nancy Jones (star of 'Tales of Nancy Jones' children's book by Taff Jones)

THE NEW ME... PIZZA & KFC OUT THE WINDOW (DAY 19) - A gluten free, natural sugars, less alcohol diet

Chicken escalope

Well I had a very productive day yesterday and not a bad day on the diet, although I was so busy I didn't have time to each much until the evening when some friends popped round for a drink and a giggle.

Tidied most of the home as part of my normal weekly ritual.  Then spent a few hours sourcing some items for a client, as part of their new look home.  Was really tempted at having a mini pizza when I passed a pizza shop, but you'll be pleased to hear I did refrain.  Therefore decided to remind myself to get some gluten free pizza bases next time I went to the supermarket later that afternoon... but forgot.  In the end I didn't have lunch until 4pm comprising 5 thin slices of beef.  Kentucky Fried Chicken would have been nicer but these are the sacrifices one has to make to try and lose weight.




Did manage to find some natural remedy ideas from a book to get me to sleep, but as it meant going to a health shop, which I was nowhere near and ran out of time... I had wine instead.  Hopefully today is the day!

What I ate yesterday (Day 18)

Snack
1 glass milk
tea + 1/2 sugar

Breakfast
1 scrambled egg with Applewood Smoked Cheese + butter
1 glass water

Lunch
5 thin slices beef

Dinner
Chicken escalope lightly fried in butter
White sauce - cream + chicken butter + seasoning
Coleslaw - carrot, lettuce, onion, grapes
Fried potatoes + tomato sauce
Pineapple in juice with cream
1 dessert spoon Mackie's of Scotland ice-cream
1 glass elderflower pressee
Mojito - had been left in the fridge unopened and I couldn't resist :)
Wine

Another busy day again.

Signing out

Pam
:)

Writer, creator and thinker
http://www.pamandtaffjones.com/
Mummy of Nancy Jones (star of 'Tales of Nancy Jones' children's book by Taff Jones)

THE NEW ME.... ANOTHER DAY ON THE DIET (DAY 18) - A gluten free, natural sugars, less alochol diet.

Fishcake with fried potatoes & coleslaw

 



Woke up yesterday.  As usual I did my daily blog, tweeted, then caught up on paperwork which seems to be never ending. 

Decided to start my free 14 day trial at www.genesreunited.co.uk - a website that helps you plot your family tree, and locate details of births, marriages, deaths. 

To understand how easy, or not, it was to use I started with myself.  Luckily I found my birth and marriage details.  I also found details of other relatives as well.  However, the downside is that I only managed to do this based on my own memory to give me a starting point.  Once I had no information about a person, as I never knew them e.g. great grandparents, then I came to a halt.  Where I'm struggling is that on the birth details it will give the name of the person, year of birth (not month), details of where born and mother's maiden surname but no first name and no father's name.  For marriages it gives the person's name, year of marriage, location, surname of spouse, but no birth date of said person.  In some cases I couldn't even locate a person's death, even though they are dead in body at least. This means the details I need will have to be obtained through original certificates which could be costly.  So I'm a little disappointed, but we'll see how we go.

Later, did some cleaning and burned some calories.  Ache again today.  So not much to report.

Diet going OK.  Didn't have time to find a herbal remedy to sleep hence had some wine last night.  Will put it on my 'To do' list for today, so long as I don't blow away with the wind.

What I ate yesterday (Day 17)

Snack
1 glass milk
2 grapes
2 tsps. yoghurt
4 tsp turkey chill - homemade by Taff with turkey mince, onions, passata, garlic, chillis, pepper,
      seasoning
1 mug tea + 1/4 tsp sugar

Breakfast
Chopped up pork bits, potatoes, spring onions, mushrooms all fried in butter and coconut oil
2 mugs tea (each with 1/4 tsp sugar)

Lunch
Homemade vegetable soup + 1 piece pasta
1/2 glass water

Dinner
Fishcake - mashed potato + tuna lightly fried in coconut oil
Fried potatoes
Coleslaw - carrot, onion, lettuce, grapes, cashews
Tomato sauce
1 glass water
Wine


Signing out

Pam
:)

Writer, creator and thinker
http://www.pamandtaffjones.com/
Mummy of Nancy Jones (star of 'Tales of Nancy Jones' children's book by Taff Jones)

THE NEW ME... BURN CALORIES WITH CLEANING (DAY 17) - A gluten free, natural sugars, less alcohol diet



Chickpea salad

 

Another constructive day yesterday.  I love those types of days, it makes me feel useful.

Went through our monthly bank statements and queried any anomalies, and did the business accounts.  Not my favourite job I must admit, but it has to be done.  It's now out of the way now so I'm free for another month.  Hurrah!

Also did some cleaning and decluttering/reorganising for a client.  It's amazing what you can do in just a few hours.  I feel as though I've had a workout at the gym, as my muscles ache.  In fact, having looked at a number of websites I must have burned approximately 700 to 800 calories (1 1/2 hours of light cleaning and 2 hours of intensive cleaning), which is good news for me as I've plenty of fat cells to burn away.

Failed on the alcohol front as I ran out of time in looking for a sleep herbal remedy.  It's on my to do list to look at this weekend.

What I ate yesterday (Day 16)

Snack
1 mouthful 100% orange juice
Chickpea salad - leftover from previous day
1 glass water

Brunch
1/2 glass water
1 cup tea + 1/4 tsp sugar
Mashed potato with butter
4 cherry tomatoes - grilled
1 scrambled egg
Brown sauce

Dinner
1 glass water
Chicken escalope - lightly fried in butter
White sauce - cream added to chicken butter + seasoning
Salad - cherry tomatoes, cucumber, cashew nuts, grapes, red wine vinegar
Fried potatoes
Wine
1 glass water

Busy day writing + some paperwork.  Maybe even sourcing bookshelves + storage boxes for a client. 

Signing out

Pam
:)

Writer, creator and thinker
http://www.pamandtaffjones.com/

Twitter @pamandtaff
Mummy of Nancy Jones @MissNancyJones  - star of 'Tales of Nancy Jones' children's book by Taff
   Jones

THE NEW ME... A WAY OF LIFE (DAY16) - A gluten free, natural sugars, less alcohol diet

Chicken escalope with chickpea salad

 



A busy day yesterday, but nice busy as in nice because it was a constructive and creative day. 

Went to the gym, did some weights and then cut 1/2 minute off my brisk walk on the treadmill.  Returned home and knocked off some things from my 'To do list' and made fairy cakes (small cupcakes) to take to some sewing machine experts I know.

I waited in for the postman to deliver the bank statements so that I could do the monthly accounts - I hate clockwatching.  By 10.30 he still hadn't arrived, so I went out and bought a pre-loved sewing machine from a local family business I know.  They're great guys (father and son), who have been working with sewing machines, repairing them, servicing them etc. for decades.  They managed to find exactly what I was looking for, a 'Brother' which is all singing, all dancing, that should last me for ever.  A machine that includes the capability of creating running stitch, zig-zags for hems, blind stitch, zips even button holes.  They also gave me a comprehensive lesson in how to use it. 

Got some bargain material from the 'end of roll' section.  Then fed some swans, took pictures in the rain and got soaked.  Arrived home starving to find the bank statements had now arrived and discovered that the photographs I'd taken were awful as rain droplets had been caught on the camera lens (there must me a knack to avoid this... I'll do some research online later),

Made some chickpea salad and yaffled that whilst checking the arrived e-mails.  I had been tempted to grab a sandwich when I was out, but then it would be full of gluten so I decided against it.  Being on a diet has become a way of life, a routine, a ritual... if I can't live it on a daily basis then there's no point doing it.

Then I made 2 cushion covers.  WOW... they look amazing.  Well it wasn't me really, it was the lovely material design and the Brother sewing machine, which I'd been waiting for all my life.  OK so I didn't manage a zip, but I did create a cushion in a pillow-case design with button hole and button.  I was well chuffed.  I was so excited that I told some neighbour-friends when I delivered their fairy cakes, offering my services if they ever wanted cushions.

By the time I'd done my rounds it was evening.  Taff created a lovely meal for me as usual.  I also had some wine (no surprise there then), chilled out watching 'Grand Design Challenge' and a documentary/fly on the wall series about a group of Mormon families in America, then went to bed.  Had a fantastic sleep and slept straight through for 7 hours.

What I ate yesterday (Day 15)

Snack
1 glass milk
1 dessert spoon mashed potato with butter
1 piece coconut flour cake
1 mug tea + 1/4 sugar
Another mug of tea + 1/4 sugar


Breakfast
Fried mashed potato with spring onion and cheese
1 glass water

Lunch
Chickpea salad - olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, cucumber, red onion, chickpeas, fresh
    coriander
1 glass water

Dinner
Chicken escalope fried in butter and seasoned
White sauce - cream added to the jus of the buttery seasoned chicken liquid
Chickpea salad
Cucumber
Cherry tomatoes
Wine

Busy day today.  Accounts and cleaning to do.  Plan for a no alcohol night tonight... must find a home remedy for sleep too.

Signing out

Pam
:)

Writer, creator and thinker
http://www.pamandtaffjones.com/
Mummy of Nancy Jones (star of 'Tales of Nancy Jones' children's book by Taff Jones)

THE NEW ME.... I'M SO LUCKY TO BE IN MY SHOES (DAY 15) - A gluten free, natural sugars, less alcohol diet

 



Woke up for the second time yesterday to a more constructive day, in fact a very constructive day.  Taff got up early and started writing a new book, which meant I had the whole day to concentrate on paperwork.  I managed to get my 'Things to do' and 'Awaiting a reply' folders up to date, rather than postponing them for another day, week or month.  I was on a roll and there was no stopping me.  I even did all the filing! 

I also had a good day on the diet.  The only treat I had was 2 mugs of tea, each with 1/4 teaspoon of sugar rather than Stevia.  So I'm back on the tea.  There is a god, as I am rather a tea belly.  I even managed to have no alcohol yesterday, but with it came the usual side effects, cold feet, and taking ages to get to sleep, only having 3 1/2 hours sleep and then being wide awake with a head full of ideas, music and poetry.  Even a hot bath and hot milk failed to do the trick to get me back to sleep.  I'll have to look for some sort of herbal remedy for sleep, as I'd rather not take sleeping tablets if I can help it.

We also managed to squeeze in an Orange Wednesdays (2 for 1) at the cinema.  As usual most of the films tended to be directed towards males, or had male leads. Now I understand why Hollywood actresses get frustrated with the lack of strong female roles.  Particularly as writers of both sexes can create parts for females as well as males.  Refreshingly, Taff's first e-book trilogy  is about a female heroin, called Emma Curtis Trilogy which should be due out in the next month.

After much deliberation we decided to watch 'Lone Survivor' with mark Wahlberg as the lead, including other great actors such as Ben Foster.  Very much a man's film, which assumed some prior knowledge of American military jargon and locations - thankfully Taff acted as my interpreter.  There was also some artistic license.  But... I'm not going to go into details as I don't want to spoil the film for you and I'll let you make your own judgements.  That aside, the acting was fantastic, and I had a few tears during the final few minutes of the film (I rarely cry, if I do it will be a film that does it).  War is so tragic and such a waste of lives. It's so sad we can't all live in peace and harmony.

In memory of all those that have died striving for peace

I ask you to remember me
When I am dead and all alone
And just a distant memory
So many miles from home

With pride I served my great country

To end all wars for worldwide peace
Though now a poppy I may be
My spirit will not cease
 

A survivor I was born to be

Strong red with courage standing tall
And when you glance and look at me
Good times you will recall

From here until eternity

You’ll see my seeds of life dance by
Take comfort I’ll watch over thee
In vain I did not die
 



Signing out

Pam


Writer, creator and thinker
http://www.pamandtaffjones.com/
Mummy of Nancy Jones (star of 'Tales of Nancy Jones' children's book by Taff Jones)




What I ate yesterday (Day 14)

Snack
1 glass milk
1 mug tea + 1/4 tsp sugar

Breakfast
2 slices smoked bacon dry fried on enamel pan
1 cherry tomato lightly fried on one side
Mushrooms fried in butter and coconut oil
Leaks fried in butter and coconut oil
1 glass water
Prunes in fruit juice

Snack
1 mug tea + 1/4 tsp sugar

Dinner
Pork
Cucumber
Cheese
Apple
Cherry tomatoes
Fried potato + tomato sauce
2 large glasses of chilled Asda white grape and elderflower spritzer



THE NEW ME.... I'VE GOT NO STAMINA (DAY14) - A gluten free, natural sugars, less alcohol diet

More neutral mash... YUMMY 

 

Just had my usual 5 hours sleep raring to go, with so much to do and never enough hours in the day to do everything that I want.

As a creature of habit I like to wake up to peace and quiet, giving me time to write my daily blog, do some tweeting, plan my day's work etc.  However, this morning I woke up to the wind, gustily blowing round the home.  I must admit though I do like the wind, or the wind and rain, when I'm in the warmth of our own four walls... as long as we don't blow away that is!  But I also woke up to the noise of the TV.  Marriage is a compromise, which is why I'm hiding away in another room writing this blog, on a laptop (I can't stand laptops, they're so much more inefficient than a tower and keyboard) with Nancy, our fluff-ball of a pussycat.  Nancy likes quiet too.  I think I must have been a cat in a past life!

So yesterday was a disaster.  I woke up with good intentions, a massive pile of paperwork to do, cushions to make.  Wrote the blog, tweeted, did some knitting whilst waiting for Taff to rise and get the news and weather thing over and done with so that it's quiet again and I can get on with my work.  No sign of Taff, I made my first ever cushion cover.... DISASTER.  The zip was too short, and the hem too thick.  The second cushion later on in the day wasn't much better, even though it had the correct length zip this time.  Rhubarb, rhubarb!?!?!  Recommended by some lovely sewing machine experts I use an electric Singer.  The only problem is that it doesn't sing, or dance or do anything other than ....a plain sewing stitch (lockstitch/straight stitch); no fancy overlocking facilities, that are essential to decent sewing to a novice like me. Very frustrating.  I'll have to see if I can find a budget sewing machine that sings.

Then helped a neighbour-friend organise his paperwork for an hour, as he couldn't find some important motoring documents.

With my routine all to pot, and Taff now risen (having thought of ideas for a new book), we went out to look at some pre-loved places to inspire ideas.

As Taff's a fish lover, we went for a take-out of fish and chips from a chippy.  Interested about a sign 'First Monday in the month gluten-free day for coeliacs, ask at the counter for more details'... I asked for more details.  There were none, the only reply I received was 'You should have come yesterday!'  Silly me, I should have used my telepathic powers.

With gluten-battered-fish, chips, mushy peas and water ordered, I took a new loyalty card intending to get it stamped, urged by another sign 'Get 10 stamps get fish and chips free'.  Alas, my psychic abilities weren't up to scratch as they had conveniently omitted the words 'Spend £10 or over for each stamp' (we had only spent £7).

The conversation about chip-week (later in the month) as advertised by the bunting was a no starter too.  There weren't any special events organised, the guy serving thought it had happened last week, rather than in a couple of weeks time.  It must just be me.  I obviously live on a different planet to everyone else!

So, that was pretty much how my day went.  Even making a coconut flour cake for my neighbour-friends didn't work.  Had it have been almond slices or millionaire shortbread then maybe I may not have turned to drinking wine.  The problem is I've got no stamina. :(  

What I ate yesterday (Day13)

Snack
1 glass milk
1 slice turkey
3 grapes
1 slice ham

Breakfast
1 dry fried egg - used this amazing enamel pan
Neutral mash - this time with sprouts, swede, carrot, celery, butter, seasoning
1 glass water

Lunch
1 mouthful gluten-battered-fish + 4 chips
1/2 bottle water

Snack
Slice of mature cheddar cheese
2 grapes

Dinner
Tuna
White sauce - made with cream cheese
Grape, nut and celery salad
Cucumber
Cherry tomatoes
Wine

Signing out, and fed up

Pam
:)

Writer, creator and thinker
http://www.pamandtaffjones.com/
Mummy of Nancy Jones (star of 'Tales of Nancy Jones' children's book by Taff Jones

THE NEW ME.... THANK HEAVEN FOR NEUTRAL MASH (DAY 13) - A gluten free, natural sugars, less alcohol diet

Breakfast - Bacon on a bed of neutral mash



 

A normal busy day yesterday, catching up on paperwork, which seems to be never ending, and it will be much the same today.  But, I did manage to go to the gym first thing, and even walked briskly on the treadmill for 1km (which took me just over 11mins to achieve).

It was a good day for the diet with regards food intake i.e. no goodies such as yummy Sarah Lee Chocolate Cake or delicious home-made sugar rich pavlova.  In particular, Taff had cooked some neutral mash the previous day, which I ended up having for breakfast, and was I chuffed or what!

We call it neutral mash based on a philosophy by Howard Hay who created the Hay Method (a way of eating more than a diet).  The idea being that you don't mix foods that fight, you don't mix proteins and carbohydrates in one meal.  OK, so the Hay Method is a little more complex than just one rule, but neutral mash is straightforward.  Comprised of veggies, but excluding potato, you can have different versions (a bit like bubble and squeak with leftovers).  The version I had comprised cauliflower, swede, carrot, celery, butter and seasoning.  It's fantastic for snacks, is very light on the stomach, and keeps it's shape, so that you can be a little more creative.

Talking about creativity, being addicted to the American TV Series 'Extreme Cheapskates' (TLC channel in the UK), I've become more courageous in my bargain hunting.  I ended up going to the local DIY store (B&Q - created in the late 60s by Richard Block and David Quayle) to pick up some white paint, but more excitingly wallpaper samples.  Such fantastic vibrant colours and designs. I was like a kid in a sweet shop.

Then I arrived home, and there it was staring me in the face, a whole load of ironing to do.  Ironing is one of my pet hates.  Don't know why it just is.  I do it under duress, but a glass of wine helps it go much quicker.  Even though in this case, as much of it had dried on the washing line outside, it took twice as long to iron.  So that was the end of me being 'dry ' for the evening. 

I'm more positive about today as I've no ironing to do.  I've got cushion covers to make instead.  Fingers crossed.

What I ate yesterday (Day 12)

Snack
1 glass orange juice with water (50/50)
1 glass milk
1 small glass water

Breakfast
Neutral mash - cooked cauliflower, swede, carrot, celery butter and seasoning
3 cherry tomatoes stewed in passata
2 slices smoked bacon grilled
1 pint water

Snack
1 cup hot milk with Stevia

Lunch
Anchovy salad - 4 anchovies soaked in red wine vinegar + cucumber, spring onions, 3 cherry
    tomatoes, leftover new potatoes
1 glass elderflower presée

Dinner
Turkey schnitzel (in butter and seasoning)
Coleslaw - lettuce, carrot, onion, pear
Rice pudding over the stove - Basmati rice + sultanas, cashew nuts, milk
Wine

I STILL MUST TRY HARDER

Signing out

Pam
:)

Writer, creator and thinker
http://www.pamandtaffjones.com/
Mummy of Nancy Jones (star of 'Tales of Nancy Jones' children's book by Taff Jones)

THE NEW ME.... I'M OFF TEA (DAY 12) - A gluten free, natural sugars, less alcohol diet

A lunch of lightly fried veggies

OK, so yesterday was Sunday, semi chill-out day.  I still did some work in addition to tidying the home, a whole load or washing and going out with Taff (better half) to look at some pre-loved stores (AKA charity shops).  I just love looking at different styles, fashions and designs; not just of clothes but also brickabrack.  I find them a breath of fresh air and very inspirational.

Watched 'Made in Dagenham' while Taff saw the 6 Nations Rugby.  A very moving film, based on a true story about the strike of 1968 by the female Ford Sewing Machinists fighting for equal pay.  Did some knitting at the same time, as I always have to be doing something constructive.  I'm not a great knitter as I'm self-taught, but I get by with knit and pearl.  That's where sometimes I wish I'd have had a mum in much of my teenage years, to learn all her secret recipes and tips on sewing and knitting.  Obviously not meant to be.  I'm grateful for having known her.  She tried to be a good mum, although we never really saw eye to eye.  I'd love to meet her now, as I would the rest of my blood family.  I'd take them out to the seaside, cook them some curry with Taff, and play them some music, and get Taff to tell his stories and role-play poems with different accents.  If only I had a TARDIS.

At 5 o'clock (2 hours later than normal) I fancied some chilled wine, so I did.  I know I'm supposed to be giving up, but the thought of having no treats, and having a restless sleep, with time standing still doesn't really rock my boat.  I figure that if I alternate days, 1 day alcohol 1 day Elderflower Pressé, then I've halved my alcohol intake already and given my liver a rest some of the time.  Not ideal but it's a start.

As soon as I had the chardonnay my feet warmed up immediately and I went to bed at normal time and had 6 hours solid sleep, which helps me function normally, so I don't regret it... yet.

What I ate yesterday (Day 11)

Snack
1 glass milk
1 blob leftover curry & rice salad (no turkey)

Breakfast
1 mug of tea with Stevia - Awful, so I'm off tea (I used to love a hot cup of tea, now it's gone for
    ever)
Leftover cream, sour cream and mandarins - Pavlova thrown away as it was now uninspirational

Lunch
Mushrooms, celery, spring onion, cheese lightly fried in coconut oil and butter with boiled pepper with cashew nuts.
   - I was going to do stuffed pepper but I overcooked it while I was multi-tasking tidying the home.
1 glass water

Snack
2 tsps. chilli that Taff had on the stove - mince, peppers, onions, seasoning,passata
3 heaped tsps. Greek style yoghurt

Dinner
Turkey tikka with lemon on a bed of lettuce - Turkey marinated and cooked in Greek style yoghurt
     and curry powder
3 slices coconut flour banana cake
1 glass water
Wine

Plans for today - Really busy day on paperwork but will go to the gym first thing, after I've gone back to bed for a couple more hours kip.


Signing out

Pam
:)

Writer, creator and thinker
http://www.pamandtaffjones.com/
Mummy of Nancy Jones (star of 'Tales of Nancy Jones' children's book by Taff Jones)