In my very last post I let you in on a little secret, something to help you shift that bulge forming around your middle (well, mostly my middle - but surely, I cannot be alone!). So you got my tip hot off the presses... and I am wondering how many of you have actually tried it out?

Cinnamon tablets. So how many of you complaining about weight around your middle, actually got out there and gave it a try? Just in case you were contemplating it but are still yet to give it a go I have some more motivating facts to share with you. I headed back to see my naturopath just this morning and he got out the trusty tape measure (Hands up if you like getting out the tape measure - said no-one, ever) to track my progress. It turns out I  have lost a total of 8cm off my waist since starting on the cinnamon tablets - if these things don't get your metabolism going, I don't know what does!! Yay me!

Now, let me say that I am not a big person to start with but I was getting quite depressed with this mass forming around my middle, so I am thrilled to have been able to shift it. I cannot say like actresses often do, "Oh, I just look like this, I eat whatever I want!" because that would be lying, there have been other things at play besides the cinnamon tablets but I've got to add the tablets did give me the kick start.

I have been dabbling in the world of quitting sugar. Not cold turkey, mind you especially over Easter (I'm not crazy!) but I have made a number of changes and I wanted to share them. I have also been experimenting with sugar free recipes with the kids. I can honestly say, up to this point I have not been overly successful but I shall push on.

Over the next few posts I will be sharing with you some of my recipe triumphs and fails and also my continued search for the ultimate sugar free, easy to carry, kid friendly, not full of artificial crap, put in your lunch box snack.
 
Today I give you, Kale Chips. You are probably pulling the same face my husband pulled when I said we were giving them a go, but save your nasty comments until after you have tried it cause they were very tasty! Both the kids and the husband enjoyed them as did I and they were delicious.

They are very quick and easy to make, here is how.

Pre-heat the oven at 180 degrees

Start with a bunch of Kale (looks kinda like spinach), rip the leaves away from the stalks (don't eat the stalks - they are bitter)

Then rip the leaves up into chip size pieces. Wash them and dry them off. Put them in a big bowl with a little bit of oil and some salt or spices (whatever you like) and toss it through with your hands.

Lay the leaves out on a baking tray lined with baking paper put them in the oven for about 5 minutes (keep an eye on them) until crisp.

Let them cool a minute and then toss them into a big bowl and enjoy them.

They have a very salty flavour already so don't go too crazy on the salt. Kale is supposed to be a super food - very good for you. I really enjoyed them. I hope you do too.

Cheers,

Lee

Here we are the third month into the year and it feels like we only just got over Christmas or maybe that's just me....

Did you keep your new year's resolutions?? Did you actually have any or did you just not bother with the whole thing? The big one for me was trying to achieve toned arms this year - yeah I know, life changing. I know it's not world peace but you gotta start small. Well, I'm not there yet...but I am making a few small changes to try and actually achieve this goal.

As you may (or may not) have read in a previous post I had a few small health issues last year which have caused me to rethink the ways in which I keep fit. The thing is, I used to go to the gym a lot in my late teens and early twenties, until I discovered a night life, boys and just generally couldn't be fagged dragging myself off to the gym. This went on for almost 10 years.

During this period of time I was out with friends for end of week drinks one day and a particular friend drank only water and then rushed off to a class at the gym. I remember thinking, "why would you bother? What could possibly be better than sitting here, eating a bag of chips and enjoying a nice glass (or two) of wine with friends?" I could not comprehend her thinking process.

Years later (after the birth of my first child) and trying to get off some extra weight I went along to the gym and to my amazement caught the bug. I finally understood what it was that motivated my friend to leave somewhere else to go and sweat it out at the gym. That was nine years ago and I've been going to the gym pretty much, ever since. That is until my recent injuries. Once I realised what was wrong with my foot (plantar fasciitis) I went along to a physio for treatment and was told - no more high impact classes, no running on the treadmill and no jumping for you. Wahhhh. That effectively took out all the things I actually enjoyed doing at the gym. It sounds weird to say that, considering when I started going to the gym my favourite thing was lying down at the end of a class - when it was over.

Not to let it beat me, I upped my spin class quota and started riding my bike (I even got one of those little seats on the back of my bike so I could take my toddler along with me - carrying 14 extra kilos on the back ought to keep me fit!). That is until I could hardly sit down on a seat. So off I went to the physio (again) who told me, "you've hurt your lower back. Cut back on the bike riding and spin classes." Wahhhh. What next??  I took up cross training on the elliptical trainer and weights ... and then my gym closed down. 

I am beginning to think someone doesn't want me to work out! So here is my dilemma. I have to find a new way to work out, a way that gives me the most fitness bang for my buck and something to do with my little guy whilst I am doing it. I have let you in on all the drama - not so that you can feel sorry for me (if you want to, don't let that hold you back) but because I am about to embark on a new journey, a discovery of fitness and health if you will. I don't want to be the woman people haven't seen for a while and comment "wow, hasn't she packed it on!" whilst I walk away. Not only that, I enjoy being fit - that and I truly believe it makes me less of a cranky pants.

So I ask you, would you like to join me on this journey?? I know in the past I have been all about the cake - well this is about to change and in a big way! As I age, my body is starting to respond differently to the things I did, tried and ate before and it cannot be just me, I am sure of it. Do you want to loose weight? Do you want to be fitter? Do you want to try stuff but can't be bothered - so you want someone to try it with you or for you and tell if you if it actually works?? Well, I'm your gal.

I am giving the next 12 months over to a number of fitness and health experiments which I will be documenting in my blog. You can try them along with me, or just see how I go and decide if it's for you. I have already tried out a few exciting new things and I can recommend something that really helps for weight loss - details will be in upcoming posts.

Whose with me??


Lee

P.S - Don't forget to enter the cool text band competition I have running at the moment. All you need to do is subscribe to Mother Load (and live in Australia) - details here. It's being drawn in two days - so get in quick!!