Before and after baby no.2 belly pics

THE TRUTH ABOUT A PREGNANT BELLY!!! a very short story by Dani Stevens

It doesn't magically go back to what it was. You need to eat clean and exercise regularly. That is how I did it. When I found Fit Yummy Mummy this is all I had to do. Exercise 15 minutes per day (I typically chose the other exercise option where you do both your 15 minutes resistance training and then 15 minutes interval training) and had a day of rest the next day, a total of 4 workouts per week. I didn't think 90 minutes per week was too much to ask for. So I made time and changed the way I ate!

This was me pregnant with Oscar at 40 weeks, sorry about the lingerie outfit guys ;-) 

Dani @ 40 weeks 11/11/2009

BTW I'd like to apologise to those that find these next couple of pics a bit offensive. It was the only way I could show myself how uncomfortable I was when sitting down with excess belly fat. So I want to share my story to those that are struggling or think they will never lose their big belly and melt that fat away...... 

YES YOU CAN!!!! and you will....

As you can see....our belly stretches out beyond our wildest imagination but it all comes back to normality if you give it 100%.

That is why I am here. I want to ensure you that you CAN get your body back. I hope to share my other pregnancies with you just to showcase that I did have to work each and every time with all my 4 pregnancies. Mind you I did get better with my last pregnancy.

No, there is not some magic wand that makes it all go away!!!! It's YOU that makes it go away.

XxDani

You have read this article fitness yummy mummy / pre baby / pregnancies with the title June 2012. You can bookmark this page URL http://jrhehjg.blogspot.com/2012/06/before-and-after-baby-no2-belly-pics.html. Thanks!

Sugar challenge info can be found under FOOD tab

Hi all, just a quick note to let you know I will update my FOOD tab beside my Home, About Me, Fitness etc (under my header)....with all our 2 week Sugar Free challenge info.


For now here is a snap shot as well;

2 week sugar free challenge ~ 2nd to 15th July 2012

So far we have 2 teams;

Fruits of life 

Dani (me)
Adrian (my husband) that's why I love him!

Celeste

Tel
Shaboo (FYM)

Anita (FYM)
Kia (FYM)

Music Monkeys
Navita
Jana (FYM

Sugar-less babes

Kelly

Jessica

Michael
Nicole (FYM)

Sheri (FYM)

Michelle (FYM)
Karen (FYM)
Kathy (FYM)

NB: if I have missed your name pls add a comment below and I will edit this post. Also if you would like your christian name to appear, send me your details for now I am using your blogger name.

The rules of this challenge are simple. It's based on a honesty system, so if you cheat you are only doing it to yourself. 

Fruits of life 

we are not to have any foods that have added sugar of any kind. This also includes the added natural sugars eg: honey, maple syrup, agave etc.... If it has added sugar of any kind, we won't be eating it. This also applies to any and ALL artificial sweeteners. 

Sugar-less babes 

you are allowed to have the natural sugars eg: honey, maple syrup (and those of you that need 1 tsp sugar in your coffee) this is only allowed once a day. Can you imagine if you had a coffee, then a smoothie, plus fruit and other foods that have natural sugars etc.... you really wouldn't be doing a sugar free challenge then would you?

Both teams are allowed:

• 4 servings of fruit per day*
• Ensure you have a smoothie per day to combat our cravings and also to keep our energy levels up!

*Fruit serve examples: 1 banana, 1 apple, 1 orange etc...

Dried fruit serve examples: 4 dried apricots, small handful of sultanas etc..

I think it is also important for us to have a smoothie per day to curb any sugar withdrawal symptoms so please share your most favourite ones.

Here are some of mine:

Yogurt or milk with 1 cup of spinach then I add either a:

banana

1/2 cup berries

chia seeds

protein powder

This smoothie would count as 2 serves of fruit for the day, therefore I am allowed 2 more fruits. Get what I mean?

Our main goal is to GIVE UP the added sugars in the ingredient list. Don't worry about the % of sugar found per grams so when shopping please check there IS NO ADDED SUGAR! This includes your tomato sauce AKA ketchup!

HANDY TIPS 

1). Remove any food items you may have around your house that contain sugar. I typically put sugary foods in a box hidden so I avoid any temptation ;-) these are mine at the moment

2). Be prepared with food. Always prepare or carry relatively healthy snacks and ensure you eat before you go out anywhere. 


3). Try to eat as clean as you can


4). Eat 5 meals per day eg: bfast, snack, lunch, snack & dinner

5). Jump online here or on my FB page www.facebook.com/FitnessFoodAndStyle if you are struggling so we can help one another

6). Get out and exercise. If you're feeling stressed do some star jumps, resistance training, cardio, go for a run whatever you like/enjoy doing

7). Give me some of your handy tips to prepare for our 2 week sugar free challenge


8). It would be worth while to measure yourself eg: hips, waist and those of you that have a muffin top ;) this is around your belly button. This will be more powerful than the number you weigh on your scales but feel free to stat those down as well. It's amazing how many cm's & inches are lost in 2 weeks. You will be amazed!!!

Let the games begin.....on Monday of course!!! ;-)))))

XxDani

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Going bananas!!! Pancake bananas with no sugar

Hello everyone, I am having some real IT issues and I even managed to remove my "food" tab underneath my header with all my Sugar Challenge info for us next week. I will get this all up and running for us this weekend. In the meantime please prepare your pantry, kitchen and any other nooks you may have that may contain food with ANY added sugar :) grab a spare carton box and pack them away!!!

I need to stress that you need to remove any temptation and be prepared with healthy snacks to combat any sugar cravings. We are all in the same boat so please share how you are managing this sugar free journey!!

Today was a day of rest, no workout.

Breakfast
LSA porridge with banana and raspberries

The kids love their new porridge as well!!!

Morning & afternoon snacks (I packed these for my 2hr return snacks in the car)
Apple and chickpeas
Banana and walnuts

Lunch
Met with a long life pal for lunch and I ordered a chicken salad

Dinner
Changed the lasagna dish (might do that 2mrw night) to a Green veg lentil soup served with home made garlic bread. Inspired by a similar green vegetable soup by Teresa.

Grilled wholemeal buns rubbed with olive oil and crushed garlic seasoned with salt

Evening snack
Banana pancakes with yogurt, raspberries and walnuts

My gorgeous friend Amber gave me her recipe of banana pancakes. Simply blend 1 egg with 1 mashed banana and whalla!! Of course add your favourite spices, in this case cinnamon and vanilla bean and you get these divine (delicate, so gently flip them over) golden circles of sunshine...

So for my fellow sugar free peeps joining me on our 2 week challenge next week, its not going to be that hard is it!!! No sugar here!!! And we're allowed 4 servings of fruit so this will curb our sweet cravings for sure!!! ;-)))

Goodnight until we meet again xXdani

You have read this article afternoon snack / breakfast / dinner / morning snack / sugar free challenge with the title June 2012. You can bookmark this page URL http://jrhehjg.blogspot.com/2012/06/going-bananas-pancake-bananas-with-no.html. Thanks!

PIZZA night!!! You'll never buy take away again...

Now I must warn you I will be overloading this page with a lot of pizza shots!! A step by step guide on this revolutionary home made pizza recipe that only requires 2 ingredients.

Self raising (I use wholemeal for the clean eating version) flour
warm tepid water
actually 3....olive oil but I missed that step tonight

That's it!!! You will never buy take away pizza again, EVER! My husband is a pizza connoisseur and he gives me a 10 out of 10. Thank you very much....also to Kris a girlfriend of mine letting me know about Jamie Olivers quick pizza base and how basic and simple it was to cook on the stove top & then grill the toppings in the oven. Under 10 minutes!!!!! It's electric!

Anyways back to my morning of glorious food. You must know by now how much I LOVE  MY FOOD right? Yes, as much as my kids! Maybe a little bit more, just kidding!

I did my 15 minute Transformation Challenge workout before school drop off. I love how my kids mimic my movements and get so excited to exercise with me in the morning!!!! Too funny especially when I am telling them to brush their teeth and get ready for school.

My pre workout meal
Apple puree (about half a cup) no added sugar of course

Post workout drink/meal (remember you need to always fuel your body pre and post workouts)
Green smoothie with protein powder
(added 1/2 cup of cooked porridge) as this was my breaky on the run

Morning snack
1 orange
1/2 cup yogurt with nuts
latte


Lunch
left over tuna rissoles with salsa salad and yogurt

Afternoon snack
Vegetable juice (left over red capsicum, 2 cucumbers, 4 broccoli florets, 1 apple & ginger) so delish!
crackers with hommus dip

Dinner
PIZZA's ;-))))) I prepare a base station with all the topping to make it easy to move quickly.
Kids had Hawaiian and we had spinach, salami, anchovy & feta

Stage 1 (this takes 2 mins)
Add your flour quantity and blend the flour adding a splash of water until it looks like a breadcrumb texture (I also add garlic salt, herbs but forgot the olive oil tonight, oops!) and keep mixing until the dough starts to roll around in your blender
PICS TO BE LOADED ASAP

Stage 2 (and this only takes 2 mins)
Gently knead for a couple of minutes and make into bases. Place in a fry pan lightly sprayed with olive oil

Stage 3 (seriously this too only takes 2 mins)
Add toppings and cook over stove top until base is cooked, then simply place under the griller for the toppings to melt and crust goes crispy!
PICS TO LOADED ASAP

Stage 4 (inhale in 2 mins!!!)
EAT

Sorry my beautiful people but I have serious internet issues and am not able to load all my pics properly!!! I am devastated!!! As you may have already guessed, I am a very visual person so I want to be able to show you what's happening here. I do apologise and hope to update the pictures real soon. Please come back again xxDani

You have read this article afternoon snack / breakfast / dinner / fitness / morning snack / pizza with the title June 2012. You can bookmark this page URL http://jrhehjg.blogspot.com/2012/06/pizza-night-you-never-buy-take-away.html. Thanks!

Chickpea burger with polenta & parmesan fries

Before I go sink my head into my soft pillow, here's my day in a nutshell.

Fitness

I did my 15 minute strength and 15 minutes interval training workout. I can't believe how intense these workouts are, awesome sweat glitter session :-) For those that want to follow the Fit Yummy Mummy Program I follow, simply click on this link and get all the tools that will get you back on track to a healthy and fit lifestyle for only $19. You save 50% discount by purchasing from my blog.

Breakfast
Pear with cinnamon porridge
latte

Pear porridge no added sugar

Morning snack
Cottage cheese with banana and cinnamon

Lunch
Wholemeal sunflower seeds cracker sandwich biscuits with cheese and tomatoes
latte (hubby came home for lunch so we had one together)

Afternoon snack
nuts and fruit mix (on my way to kinda & school pick up)
a piece of lamington cake from the kids
herbal tea (had a quick play date at a girlfriends place)

Dinner
Bean & chickpea wholemeal burger served with polenta & parmesan fries

Polenta and parmesan fries

All I did with the bean mix was place 2 cans (1 chickpea, the other cannelini white beans) chopped onions, tomato, capsicum, bacon and spices gently fried with olive oil. Added worcestershire sauce, a drizzle of maple and then added water until it became nice and thick.

The polenta you cook as per packet instructions, I load it with parmesan cheese and season it accordingly. Allow to cool and set. See above 3rd and 4th pic, I just sliced into thick fries. Then oven bake or if short for time which I was tonight, I just grilled them. My husband even loves these as he's not a real huge fan of polenta, even though it's been a pantry staple my whole life.

Bean burger with polenta and parmesan fries

Goodnight my beautiful people until we meet again!!! Thanks to all of you that have accepted my 2 week sugar free challenge. I AM PUMPED!!! xxDani

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2 Week Sugar Challenge update

Hi there, I know some of you are real keen in joining me next week and I am so grateful so I thought of making up 2 teams. Let me know your thoughts as we have a few that have already given up majority of the sweeter things in life ;-) and others try to limit their sugar intake.

*Come back to this post regularly and add your comments. I will then collate all your info and suggestions to make our official sugar free post for next week with helpful tips to avoid sugar and what to replace when we need our sugar hit*

Team One ~ Fruits of life
No sugar whatsoever includes honey, agave and other sweeteners. Fruit is allowed.

Team Two ~ Sugar-less babes
Allowed one sugar serve per day eg: in their coffee or honey, maple syrup in their yogurt or cereal toppings. Avoid both daily.

I guess our aim is to limit or give up sugar completely over the next 2 weeks. It's hard! Trust me, I haven't been able to do it 100% but it is also doable. If we fail we just get back into the no sugar zone. It's based on a honesty system, so if you're cheating you're only doing it to yourself.

Which team are you going to join? Also are you in for 1 week or 2 weeks?? XxDani

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I'm planning a sugar free challenge. You in??

Hi there, when I participate in these Fit Yummy Mummy challenges throughout the year I also like to do a mini "sugar free" challenge.

I plan on quitting sugar next week! For 2 whole weeks!!! Who's with me???

Now the rules are typically no foods that have added sugar of any kind. It did include limiting your fruit intake to 3 serves per day, maple syrup, honey, agave etc... however for those that are doing this for the first time it may be a little too much! Yes I am referring to you Celeste ;-) kidding babe but I do know there are others that would like to join me so please mark this date in your diaries:

2 WEEK SUGAR FREE CHALLENGE

Monday 2nd July to Sunday 15th July 2012 (14 days)

Now I will also accept those girlfriends that only wish to participate for a week. That would be a great effort as well. 

I will provide more info in my posts this week so we are all on the same page. 

My meals and workout today.

Breakfast

Sultana bran with milk

Pre workout

apple puree

This morning I did a workout from the Transformation Kit and sheesh, do I have muscle awareness! I am so glad I only need to workout for 15 minutes in the comfort of my own home.

Post workout shake

Green smoothie (remember I'm adding 10 servings of fruit & veg in my day!)

spinach, banana, milk & protein powder. Added vanilla essence and cinnamon.

I just blitzed all these ingrediants in my magic bullet (mine is actually called a Sheffield, reminds me of that show The Nanny" and her whiny voice Mr Sheeeeeeeeeeeffieeeeeeeeld!) 

Why spinach I hear you asking?? Do you remember this guy???

Well spinach is well known as the superfood that gave Popeye the Sailor Man his bulging muscles. The content of spinach was originally thought the iron power food source however scientists have learned that nitrates are the true energy boosting ingredients in all vegetables. So eat your vegetables!!!

Top 10 reasons to eat spinach

1. low calories and it's a very nutrient-dence food 
2. great source of protein, vitamin K, folate, calcium, vitamin C, B2, potassium etc..
3. it's readily available, grab a bunch or bag from your fresh food market!
4. very versatile eg: my green smoothie, use fresh in salads, steam as a side serve
5. a hearty health food
6. loaded with flavonoids which act as antioxidants 
7. keeps your brain young and agile
8. promotes gastrointestinal health
9. excellent source of iron 
10. it gives you muscles like Popeye :-)

Lunch

Falafel, tomato & cucumber salad with yogurt

Afternoon snack

hard boiled egg with veggie sticks with hommus 

Dinner

Tuna rissoles (will add picture tonight)

Have a wonderful day and please leave me a comment regarding the Sugar Challenge. Do you want to do 1 or 2 weeks with me?? XxDani

You have read this article fit yummy mummy / sugar free challenge with the title June 2012. You can bookmark this page URL http://jrhehjg.blogspot.com/2012/06/i-planning-sugar-free-challenge-you-in.html. Thanks!

Week 2 of TC and menu planner

Hello to all you beautiful people! It's been an amazing day and I thought I would bring you our meals

for the week and what I have planned for my 2nd week into my 6 week transformation challenge.

NEW GOALS for this week....

Increase my fruit and vegetables to 10 servings per day

What is a typical serve?

Vegetables ~ One serve is around 75grams
1/2 cup cooked vegetables (broccoli, beans, peas etc..)
1 tomato
1 cup salad (super star spinach)

Fruit ~ One serve is around 150 grams
1 medium apple, banana, orange or pear
2 kiwifruit, apricots
1-2 tbs sultanas
4 dried apricots

I know you already know how fabulous fruit and vegetables are here's just a guide on how to help you increase yours per day:

1). Pump your breakfast eg: make a vegetable omelete, add fruit to your cereal or on the side
2). Start a meal with soup or salad
3). Double your normal vegetable serving
4). Try roasting your vegetables, they taste amazing!!!
5). Pre wash and cut your fruit & veg for quick handy snacks on the go

No workout today but scheduling my Fit Yummy Mummy workout tomorrow. I did plenty of house work to get my blood pumping tho ;-)

Breakfast
LSA mix with yogurt and fruit (did splash more milk)

Morning snack
yogurt with fruit

Lunch
Meatballs with grilled eggplant & rice

Afternoon snack

Corn thins with avocado, tomato, cucumbers and cottage cheese sprinkled with paprika

Dinner
Coconut curry prawns with rice (swapped around, tuna rissoles 2mrw)

Please feel free to google this recipe as I have just mixed whatever ingredients I had and guestimated my measurements which is A LOT OF the times when I cook!!! I apologise for not having the right measurements. I did take pictures though! This is also another reason why I started blogging to get me to right down my recipes :-)

Ingredients

Green prawns, Olive oil, fennel powder or seeds, curry & kaffir leaves, onion, garlic, ginger, curry powder, chilli, paprika, coconut milk, 1tsp ground rice with a splash of coconut, stick of cinnamon , juice of 1 lemon and season with salt.

Method
Gently fry the fennel, curry and kaffir leaves until golden. Add the onion, garlic and ginger and stir to cook evenly. Add curry powder, chilli, paprika and fry for 1 minute. Stir in coconut milk, ground rice, cinnamon, lemon juice and add salt to taste. Allow to simmer covered for 15 minutes, stirring as required and adding extra coconut milk if it becomes too thick. Add prawns, stir well and cook for a further 10 mins. Serve with rice!

Looking forward to another great week and thanks so much for stopping by xx Dani

You have read this article afternoon snack / breakfast / dinner / lunch / morning snack / transformation challenge with the title June 2012. You can bookmark this page URL http://jrhehjg.blogspot.com/2012/06/week-2-of-tc-and-menu-planner.html. Thanks!

Pantry surprise!

Hello everyone, how is your weekend going? We're fabbo here besides this head cold but we'll get through it!

Okay....1 week down and 5 to go with my Transformation Challenge. So far so good. I managed to fit in all my 4 workouts (including one today) and eat clean 90% of the time.

Yesterday we went to visit my Mum. Pictured below are her meals we had for lunch and afternoon snack.

Saturday 23rd June 2012


Pre run 
Banana mixed with porridge & milk - 1 cup (may have been the cause of my stitch, next time just toast & jam I think)


Breakfast
Finished the rest of the banana porridge
1 piece of wholemeal toast with peanut butter
1 latte

Morning snack
1 apple
handful of pecan nuts (on our drive to Melbourne)


Lunch
Chicken soup with "knedle" semolina dumplings

Told you we used a lot of semolina in our meals ;-) the way Mum makes these is she beats up some eggs with S&P and puts semolina in it until it's a thickish consistency eg: enough to scoop in a table spoon & place them carefully in the simmering soup. So yummy!! They're my favourite.

We then had a serving of potato & carrot mash with chicken and mushrooms

Afternoon snack
Feta pastry pie AKA "gibanica"

Mum is a little embarrassed by her whole food styling but assures you all it all tastes wonderful. And it did. I was really proud of Mum with the feta pie as she typically loads it up with olive oil and as you can see by the crust, there is no glistening oil dripping. So my clean eating is slowly rubbing off on her!
I will make this dish one day and give you the recipe otherwise feel free to google it. It's kinda like our quiches but the pastry is made really thin AKA filo pastry and you just layer your preferred toppings.

I also wanted to show you what I meant by our pantry weekend surprise meals. We either eat left overs from my cooking during the week or open the pantry doors and pick out whatever we have in there and I just cook.

Dinner
Tandoori chicken rice salad

As you know we had tandoori chicken throughout the week and I kept an extra breast fillet marinading for our dinner. Simply placed it under the griller, sliced it up, steamed some rice, added 1 small corn kernels and 1 cup of steamed peas. Whalla! I love that word, don't I? I mixed it all together, chopped up some freshly picked parsley and mint leaves, squeezed an entire lemon added S&P and that's all it needed. It tasted so good and so fresh! Serve with natural greek yogurt and garnish with mint.

Dessert/junk food night


I was watching Pretty Woman last night (I love it!!!) and picked the wrong munchies in the pantry!!! I ended up having a few squares of the new cadbury chocolate celebrations jelly popping candy with half a packet of potato chips!!! OOPS! Well our bodies do need a bit of junk and sugar from time to time. As long as my old habit doesn't resurface as this was our evening snack every night!!!!


Sunday


Breakfast
Oats pancakes with caramelised bananas, yogurt, walnuts, kiwi fruit sprinkled with cocoa

Okay so there is no sugar in these but doesn't it all look nice and sweet? I simply blend my oats, mix eggs & egg whites, vanilla essence, lemon rind and get the right consistency. I add a banana to the frypan and allow it's natural sugars to caramelise. Top it with some yogurt, walnuts and kiwi fruit and you have yourself one amazing "guilt free" pancake breakfast.
I do make my own traditionally ones but only when the kids get sick of this version ;-)

Morning snack
Power veg & fruit juice (freshly squeezed apple, celery, carrot, cauliflower & cucumber)

Lunch
French toast with mushrooms

Wholemeal bread dipped in feta and egg mixture (I used to fry these) I now place them under the grill and sauteed leeks with mushrooms and olive oil. I also make mini french toast canapes for the kids as it's more fun for them like that!

Afternoon snack
Yogurt with fruit
latte


Dinner
Spinach and parmesan gnocchi with bolognese sauce

I look forward to sharing Week 2 of my Transformation Challenge and hope you won't be too shy to leave me some comments this week. Happy Sunday!! XxDani

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Run like the wind

Psssst!!!!


I got to tell you something. I am not a runner. I have tried to run but did the walk thing when I was too puffed out and really didn't enjoy it. Gave up and I now know why I don't like running, it's because I am not good at it. So I am going to change that.


This song absolutely got me pumped this morning Ride Like The Wind ~ Christopher Cross or if you're from a younger generation you may have heard it on the movie Joe Dirt well.......



I have set myself a goal before I turn 40 (can't wait for 2014!!!!) that I will run a mini marathon. For now I won't push myself to commit to a 20km run. But hey! 5km mini fun runs, if you're out there, I'll be there as soon as I perfect this running craft.

As you may be aware I am a pretty determined and committed kinda soul and when I set my mind on something, I usually give it 100%.

So my 100% this morning was getting out of bed and putting on my runners. Even if it was only 0.8C degrees!!! My girlfriend Celeste put me onto a social running group and I thank her dearly. Today only reinforced one thing in my mind YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU SET YOUR MIND TO!!!


My initial experience this morning wasn't a pleasant one. I got a stitch 500m into our run (mind you I was placed in the slow running "oranges" team and they were ahead of me!). Now I can hear you laughing, as was I!!! It was hilarious! although a tad embarrassing as well. BUT!!!! I was THAT determined to do the 1.5km lap without stopping, that I held onto the side of my waist with my right arm up, taking deep breaths and kept running!!! I looked absolutely ridiculous but you know what? I didn't care.....


Remember my earlier post I cant believe I did a workout about Nikes' slogan "JUST DO IT" well I did it!! I went around the second time (after I stopped my first lap to stretch and walk off my stitch, which didn't work mind you) but I was determined even if I was running like a oompa loompa with my hand supporting my stitch, that I would run this 1.5km circuit without stopping. And I did. My first ever 3km run (yeah I know it wasn't a continuos loop) but you know where I'm coming from.

What's something you don't like doing because you're not good at it?

Enjoy this fabulous Saturday and I look forward to returning again to post my food for the weekend xxxDani

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Glorious day!!! Start with a sensational breakfast

I had a late start to my day as Zali and I were up for a quick feed at 6am and then slept until 9am. I put together my LSA mix (which is typically linseed, sunflower seeds and almonds all blended together) however I blend whatever nuts & seeds I have in my pantry. Add some milk and fruit and POP! You are super charged for the morning and ready to take on anything the day brings you.

Breakfast

Gluten Free cereal with banana, kiwi and apple puree

(LSA mix ~ I simply place my nuts and seeds in a magic bullet type gadget, you can use whatever blender you have with that blade that turns things into a flour consistency)

Morning snack

vegetable sticks and tomatoes

laughing cow cheese

Lunch below (tandoori chicken salad delivered to my husband as I had errands to run)
Meatballs with corn thins and side salad
2 protein balls AKA under cover choc truffles

Afternoon snack
2 x hard boiled eggs
corn crackers with hummus
1 orange

Dinner
Minestrone soup (loaded with beans, veggies and bacon) sprinkled with parmesan & chives

Place your choice of beans (I used a can of borlotti & 4 mix beans) in a large saucepan on the stove and chop up 2 zucchini's,  2 carrots, 2 potatoes & 2 sticks of celery.

Cover with just enough water. Bring to a boil with 6 cloves of garlic for the aroma factor.

Turn down heat and simmer for 30mins. During this time slice or dice some bacon (I used 6 bacon rashes, fat off) and allowed for it to brown, added some of the soup mixture and let it simmer for a few minutes.

Place this all back into the saucepan, add a bay leaf,  sprinkle of cinnamon, paprika and S & P. I add the pasta (I used either macaroni or rasini) right at the end until it becomes al dente. Sprinkle with parmesan, chives or fresh parsley and whalla! Super quick and a very nutritional meal under 30mins. Crusty bread goes well with this but if you're staying clear of it, then help yourself to 2 bowls ;-)

NB: I vary this soup from time to time and fry up an onion but tonight I thought I wouldn't do a double wham-ma of a massive gas cloud hovering above our house so I kinda kept it low key. I also add tomatoes but left them out tonight. What do you put in your minestrone soup?

I'm just about to do my 15 minutes strength workout and 15 minutes interval training so I am pumped!!! 

Oh yeah I am also going to try a running group tomorrow (more for a social outlet) as I am no runner. However I have made a goal before I hit 40 that I do some kind of a charity fun run. I did let a girlfriend know (yes you Jessica S AKA Waldram) that I would love to join her next time she does one. I'll keep you posted with how I go tomoz.....  

Wishing everyone a fabulous Friday and I look forward to touching base real soon and sharing with you our pantry meals over the weekend. 

What's on for you this weekend? XxDani

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Transformation Challenge & food journal

Hello beautiful people, I am back and wanted to post the meals I had yesterday and today just to keep you on track and of course me!

Let's start with today....no workout today, day of rest and I have decided to change my 15 minutes per day to 30mins every second day. It just works better for me. Just so you know, I do not workout more than 90 minutes a week. So I combine both strength and cardio training in the 30 minutes.

Breakfast
Fruit salad porridge
(remember I like making this on the stove top as it bubbles away gently while I organise all the kids at the table)

Morning snack
Fruit salad
these 2 amazing "clean" choc chip cookies
1 latte (well 2 actually before Celeste left)

Lunch
Salmon with spinach (NB: I always make more dinner so I have left overs the next day or two!)

Afternoon snack
Banana with handful of nuts
2 protein balls AKA under cover chocolate truffles

Oh yes this is me on the go picking up the kids from Kinda and School, feeling a little French inspired with my snacks on the go ;-)

Dinner
Spinach and parmesan gnocchi served with bolognese sauce

Semolina is always in our pantry as I make it for the kids and it's kinda like a pudding custard dessert. My mother used to make it when we were kids and also savoury styles in soups like a dumpling. So I ended up making some of my own inventions when I worked out there were gnocchi recipes out there with semolina instead of potato in it.

My version is simple;

1). Make your semolina as per packet instructions (I used 2 1/2 cups of milk & approx. cup of semolina)
2). Cook some spinach (I had 2x150g bags but you can also use frozen but thaw it out & drain water) add 2 eggs and your choice of cheese (parmesan is best but I only had our pizza mix one), freshly grated nutmeg and S&P
3). Mix all ingredients thoroughly or use a hand blender
4). Spread out onto baking paper and allow to cool and set

I then cut them into small rectangle shapes and placed them under the griller (you can sprinkle more parmesan cheese) and then toss through your favourite sauce!!!!

After dinner snacks
handful of BBQ shapes (this was unexpected as my husband raided the pantry!)
handful of almonds as I type this post!

Now let's go back to yesterday....ohhhhh yesterday ooo---ooooo--oooo all my troubles seem so far away... ok see how easily I get distracted!!!!

Did my 30 minute workout (both strength & cardio) and seriously increased my DB weights to 9kg as I did some squats and sheesh I was sweating!!!!

Breakfast
Sultana bran with milk
latte

Morning snack
Fruit smoothie
(this is loaded up with whatever fruit I have in my bowl, yogurt & splash of milk)

Lunch
Salmon with snow peas

Afternoon snack
Corn thins with peanut butter
carrot and celery sticks

Dinner
Tandoori chicken with yogurt and rice

NB:  I made the tandoori from scratch so let me know if you need my recipe otherwise you can just google it?


I do hope you have had a superb last couple of days and please feel free to drop me a line from time to time. Would love to hear your feedback on my brand new blog and any of my posts.

Goodnight from Australia (rather it's past midnight, so it's morning!) I need to Zzzzzzzz........before one of our kids wakes us up ;-))

XxDani

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