I feel as though I've been dieting forever, well I've been with Slimming World for a few years now and I just can't get with it. I lost two stone and then got stuck really and never got back into it. So I thought, do you know what? I'm just going to give it a rest.

I'm hoping that with all the information and knowledge I've picked up I will at least be able to maintain the loss I achieved but I'm just fed up with it. Life has changed a bit now and I haven't got time to list how many items of food I've been eating all day, and making sure I stick to those syns.

Some days at the moment I'm too busy to even think about food but I do drink my tea, thank goodness. If I'm busy then thats good, I'm not just snacking because of boredom or because the food is around. I'm going to still make sure I have some healthy meals and fill up on syn free stuff, I think it's been drilled into so much the last few years I automatically follow the diet anyway.

The other thing is though I'll save the money, it is quite pricey every few months to pay the subscription online so I think I will put that money to use elsewhere for now. I'll probably be moaning in a few weeks that I'm fat again and I need to be thin for summer. We'll see, but for now I feel a bit relieved and a bit free from it all. Of course I still need to stick to my gluten free diet as that is necessary but at least I will be able to have my porridge and a some bread in the same day (slimming worlders will get that). You can only have one or the other when having the healthy extra  options you see. 

I'm not knocking the diet in anyway as it has been brilliant and a good healthy way to eat but I need a break and then maybe later I can pick it up again and start fresh. I do truly believe that to follow a diet you have to have your heart and mind set on it otherwise there is no motivation. You have to have a meaning and reason to do it and I must be just happy in my skin at the moment.

So here's to being diet free for a while.....I'll keep you posted on how it goes. for now though you all take care and I will be back tomorrow with Autism Support Saturday......thanks for reading today.

Yes that is all that is left folks, I had to take a quick snap of it before it completely disappeared. This yummy creation was dropped off to me this week by my friend and it was just what I needed. 

It is a lovely jam and coconut sponge, gluten free too!! I know she mentioned that the recipe came from a school dinner type theme, remember those? Instead of just eating it as it is all alone I did decide to pair it up with a bit of custard just like old times (not the pink stuff as everyone remembers). Oh it was heaven......it works well with a bit of squirty cream too if you don't fancy the custard.

What a delight and you do need to try this so I did a bit of research and found a Jam and Coconut School Dinner Sponge recipe from Becky Excell who is a gluten free blogger, take a look at her blog at www.glutenfreecuppatea.co.uk but here is the link to this recipe

glutenfreecuppatea.co.uk/2019/01/20/gluten-free-jam-coconut-school-dinner-sponge-cake-recipe/

Have fun trying the recipe and most of all have the best fun eating it as it really is a delicious combination. I was never that keen on coconut at all but now I seem to really like it - oh what a shame, may have to make this cake myself. Thanks Alison for brightening my day, it was a truly lovely treat. 

Thank you for reading today, I will be here again tomorrow for Autism Support Saturday but for now.....

eat cake and take care.

Yes it was my birthday yesterday and another year older, I'm not sure how long I can still draw out the 'twenty one again' tag but hey you're only as old as you feel. Talking about twenty one, that's when you get the key to the door isn't it? Well I did have that with the key to my new florist shop so I chose to share my birthday with the opening of my new flower pad.

It was a bit of a wash out really, not for the shop but the weather was terrible and being situated on a park it didn't bring out many of the people walking about. I can't say I blame them either, there were some dedicated runners and walkers that meant business early on but I think even they decided to head for shelter. It was one of those days when you do look out and think 'naa not today thank you'. 

It usually snows pretty heavily on my birthday so I could have been digging my way through a snowdrift to open up the shop, I should be thankful for small mercies. I was thankful as I had so many well wishes and support but there is always that one friend who just knows what you need on your birthday.....a bit of chocolate.

These 'Free From' treats from Tesco came along and just made my day. The mini chocolate chip muffins are gorgeous, very light and fluffy. In fact I bought some non gluten free ones for my boys the other day and have been pining over them so having my own 'free from' ones was such a welcome. The little Belgian chocolate wafer bar is a biscuit very similar to a Kit Kat. I love a Kit Kat and these are a very nice alternative, in fact a little nicer because they are wrapped in the Belgian chocolate.....Yummy.

Together with a bottle of Bucks Fizz too I felt as if I had been completely spoilt and that also goes for the other pressies I received too. Thanks to everyone. I really need these treats though as last night I started with a cold so I thought stuff the diet I need to feel better and although the cold and flu tablets stop the snot running you can't beat a nice 'free from' muffin (well ok - two or three....eek, caught me out).

Tesco have a great range of Free From items and all sorts of treats in biscuit and cake form, even celebration cakes too so do have a look (and taste). Although do try and buy before you taste otherwise you may get some strange looks from the Tesco staff if you just devour cakes straight from the shelf. I've never tried it but I can imagine it may not go down to well.

Thank you for reading today, please do pop back tomorrow for Autism Support Saturday but for now.....you all take care now.

What would we do without the good old potato? It is just a fabulous food, you can cook it in many different ways and it is so filling too. It makes you feel full for longer so no need to snack on that chocolate in between a meal after eating a spud or two.

They are gluten free and depending on what you put with them or cook them in they can be included on the vegan diet as well. I don't know about you but when I see a baked potato on a menu somewhere I feel safe, safe that I know I will be able to able a meal and stay gluten free. It's that 'happy dance' time isn't it? Even when a eatery says that they will swap the fries for a baked potato to make it ok to eat.......yes!!! So simple but sometimes us gluten free'ers could kiss you catering people (well maybe I am going a bit overboard now).

I love potatoes.....I love them roasted with other vegetables and that will do me for a meal, I can even leave out the meat and just stick with a plate full of veg. I love a bit of mashed potato and I also make my own fries. Sweet potatoes are so tasty too, I roast those a lot and turn them into chips, just as a bit of an alternative. 

There are also different varieties to play around with like your King Edwards, Maris Piper, Baby Potatoes, Charlottes, Jersey Royals and Desiree. 

Maris Piper's and your King Edward's are a floury texture, a perfect all rounder - ideal for chips, roasties, baking and mash. Desiree also make lovely mash. Jersey Royals, Baby's and Charlottes are more waxy and perfect for boiling, steaming and used in a salad. 

So now you know, if you are ever stuck for a 'free from' meal, reach for a potato to have own their own or include them with salad's or a nice roast dinner. You just cannot go wrong. I went to an event the other day where there was a buffet, now buffet's can sometimes be nightmare but the host reeled off a list of what I could eat and when he said that the potatoes were gluten free, well that was it, that was enough to keep me happy. Small chopped up roasties with skin on, oh they were so nice.......I even brought leftovers home too, brilliant!! I don't like to waste potatoes, it hurts me inside......be good to the potatoes and they will be good to you. 

You never hear many people saying 'oh I don't like potatoes' either do you? See so versatile and everyone's favourite. I've now made myself so hungry.....potatoes for breakfast, oh yes - anytime of the day!!!

Thank you so much for reading today, please do come back tomorrow for Autism Support Saturday but for now......stay warm and take care.