The main issue I think was the caffeine which I'd only introduced gradually until I picked up a new type of coffee when doing the groceries. It was one of these instant coffees that also has real ground beans in it, best of both worlds kind of idea. It was on special offer and it made a rather nice cup of coffee. However I noticed after a couple of days of drinking it that I was craving the stuff. I really wanted that coffee. Not any coffee, but THAT coffee. I have no idea how much caffeine was in the stuff or what else might have been in it to make it so addicted but for the first time in my life I was experiencing real coffee cravings. I knew then that I had to come off it but that I didn't stand a chance with a tub in the house so I gallantly worked my way through it. I had my last cup last Wednesday lunch time and I haven't touched caffeine since. The headache lasted for five days. Five days! Ugh.
The sugar come-down grumps were much, much less. I felt tetchy for a couple of days but a good workout would see me through those patches. I worked out three times in the first 48 hours, just for the endorphins. I found the not-snacking element hard too. I think that's the biggest habit slip I've let happen. I usually get through an apple or two a day, just grabbed on the fly, or a handful of nuts will find their way into my mouth whilst sitting at my desk. Nothing too terrible, but a pleasant break in the fast between meals. I've had to up my meal portions again to stave off the hunger, so I need to think about that too.
But otherwise, it's going well. Weigh in is tomorrow so we'll see then what effect it's had on the pounds and inches. I've decided I want to lose another stone and a half and get into size 12-14. It's the first time I've been able to really work out a target other than 'less than now'. In the future I may change that but for now that is such a huge world away from where I was that it seems a good goal. I've just shrunk to the larger end of a size 14 already. I can fasten the jeans, but I bulge over them in a rather unsightly manner so they're not fit for wear in public yet. I'm a size 14 on top though. It's all heading in the right direction. :)
I have a recipe for you too. Two actually! The first is a variation on back here but made more interesting with the addition of some extra veg content in a secretive manner that makes them more appealing to fussy kids. Here they are when I had them the other night, served with roast butternut quash, kale, the obligatory couple of gerkins and a big dollop of caponata (an aubergine, caper, olive and tomato side dish that is a favourite round here):
Here's the how to:
Hidden Veggie Beef Burgers
Ingredients
500g lean minced beef (it doesn't have to be lean I just prefer a lean cut when I have to get my hands in it so the fat is easier to wash off my hands after shaping)
1 egg
1 onion, finely chopped
1 handful fresh herbs of your choice (the ones above had lovage fresh from the garden which was delicious)
1 courgette, grated
You can also add a small grated carrot if you can take the carbs but I didn't this time
Oil of your choice, for cooking
Throw all the ingredients apart from the oil in a bowl and thoroughly mix it together with your hands. Shape it into burgers and fry over a medium-high heat in the oil until browned on both sides. This mix makes approx 8 burgers depending on how big you want them.
The other yummy treat I have to offer you today is breakfast muffins! I saw these online yesterday and had to give them a go. They're fab! This is my variation but there are others online and according to one site I saw you can keep them for several days in the fridge. I suspect there will be a bit of batch muffin making in my life in the near future.
KSFL Breakfast Muffins
Ingredients
Filling of your choice. I used the mix below but you could vary this in so many ways. Just use what's in your fridge and go crazy!
1 diced courgette
1 onion
a few tablespoons sweetcorn
1 finely sliced stick of celery
2 handfuls of chopped ham
6 eggs
salt and pepper
Makes 8 muffins
Fry the filling ingredients until slightly soft, if needed (I didn't fry the ham or sweetcorn in this case). Mix all the filling ingredients together and spoon into muffin cases in a muffin tray. Fill them to approx half way up. Beat the eggs with the salt and pepper to taste and pour into the case, filling them up to about 1cm shy of the top of the case to allow for rising. Pop into a preheated over at 180 degrees for 25-30 minutes and you're done! Yum!
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