The blog is lovely, I love your little space 🙂 The picture is fab! I can’t draw a stick person… lol.

Great progress Kenne1s!! It’s really heartening to see the BSD work for yourself isn’t it? Hope you continue to make good progress, but do shout out if you hit any problems or need support. Look forward to hearing about your all your positive results.

Hi all. I’ve been following the bsd for 10 days and have lost 4lb eating around 1000-1100 calories per day. I do struggle to get down to 800. I’m prob not deemed overweight (start weight 10 stones height 5’4) but I am sick of my diet/food controlling my life and I am really sick of feeling so lethargic and tired. I can’t believe how well I am feeling just a few days after changing my diet. I’m not starving which is one of my major issues that I’ve developed over my 30 years as a dieter (I’m 46 now) and my energy levels are improving. Here is a bit of an idea of what I’m eating as a vegan (mainly vegan tbh);
Breakfast; soy protein 70 cals with coco milk 50 cals and whole earth peanut butter 130 cals = 250 cals
Lunch; home made veg soup (onion, celeriac, carrots, cabbage, Brussels, stock,) or tomato soup (roast toms, carrots, leek in the oven until soft and then blend adding stock and seasoning such as basil, ginger, cumin, coriander) – each soup serving is approx 100, which I have with salad 50 cals with olives 100 cals and avocado 100-150 = 250-300 cals. Total lunch 350-400.
Dinner; homemade Thai curry (onion, broccoli, mushrooms, peppers, butternut squash, carrot, courgettey spaghetti), stir fry and add a tin of coconut milk with some Thai green curry paste, add cherry toms towards end of cooking to let them just soften – approx 300 cals per serving (makes at least 3 servings) or
butternut squash (bns) stew – stir fry onion, cubed bns, chopped peppers until bns soft. Add 2x tins of chopped tomatoes, mix peanut butter (60-70g) with stock (between 1-1.5 litres) and simmer until bns cooked. Add ginger, cumin, chilli powder to taste – approx 300 cals per serving (makes at least 4 servings or
Black bean burgers – drain tin of bb’s but retain some liquid and do not rinse. Mix in food processor with breadcrumbs (I use 1 slice of hovis seed sensations) and shape into four patties then place in the fridge for at least an hour before frying in coconut oil. You can also add in shredded carrots or courgette any veg really when mixing. Each patties inc oil is approx 200 cals. I have them with veg or salad.
Snacks – I have Brazil nuts almonds in the afternoon – approx 30g which is around 200 cals.

Hope this helps – good luck everyone!

Hi SunnyB thanks for the encouragement. I shall take this on board as there are some good ideas there. Thought I might have a stuffed red pepper tonight, just going to figure out what to stuff it with. Going to make a veg soup now to have for lunch. Thanks again

It signifies that you are controlling your blood sugar better. You may also have reversed your diabetes.
One way to test may be by deliberately eating a high quick acting carby meal, having rested your BG beforehand. Then measure your BG 1 hour and 2 hours after eating. If your BG rises significantly you still have diabetes but have it under control, if it does’t you may have reversed your diabetes.
There used to be a coca cola test to do at home – they did it in the doctors, where they got you to drink a 10 oz full fat bottle of coca cola and measure the results at an hour and two hours – found a link to it here https://www.diabetesdaily.com/forum/type-2-diabetes/84146-my-home-glucose-tolerance-test/ It is known as an OGTT Oral Clucose Tolerance Test

Hope this helps – BTW your results and recent HbAic speak fro themselves

Z

Hello! I’m at the end of week 2, and have lost 3kg (6.6lbs) so far. Everyone’s journeys are so inspiring!

hello my lovelies :0)

Want to join me in my Den of Dreams and see what I’m creating up there? I’ve started a new blog to document my journey and share my creations.

http://dragonflydreamseeker.blogspot.co.uk/

I’ve had a raspberry shake for breakfast, going to have some bacon and egg for lunch and we’ll be heading out soon. My husband is taking my son out and my daughter and I are going to the cinema and then we are going to get some shopping for her. She needs a whole new uniform for mid August and the time will pass quickly so we will get a few things today and then the rest later.

I have less than an hour to have lunch, get ready and get out so I best be off!

If you look at my blog let me know what you think of my creations so far 🙂

Hi Mary
Well done on making the first step towards the new you. As a vegetarian I am sure you will find plenty of dishes that will work well for you. By adding in oils, cheeses, cream and yogurt you should do fine. Be careful with fruit, keep it in moderation as they can be high in carbs, due to their sugar content. The kale in fruit water shouldn’t be an issue. And if you like cauliflower, try making cauliflower rice/couscous in a food processor and using it as a base to add in other flavours. This regime is a great opportunity to become friends with your spice rack again and rediscover herbs. Griddled Halloumi is a great alternative to meat, so that’s another option, along with toasted goats cheese.
I have found that the Fast800 has inspired me to get creative with food again and I’m really enjoying eating tasty food, that is helping me to lose weight.
Keep us posted on your progress and shout is you need any support.

Awwwww Janey, poor you. Hair of the dog! Get one down ya!

I suppose if everyone is in the same boat it’s not so bad 😉 As long as it’s not all ‘body beautiful’s’… Yes, I can see how Skegness might pale into comparison to Spain. And that’s not just your skin tone upon return.

Morning Izzy! Did you get a lie in of sorts? I shall pop over there and take a looksee 🙂

Forgot to add that I do take daily supplements to support my mainly vegan diet; omega 3,6,9 capsule and a multi vitamin for vegans/veggies.

Hi everyone,
To add to the discussion on anti-inflammatories I’ve been doing some ‘lay-person’ research. I can’t eat chillies. I’ve been experimenting with turmeric lattes. I’m yet to perfect it. Have tried it with spices from my spice rack (turmeric, ginger and cinnamon) but feel I need to get to the shops to buy fresh turmeric and ginger from the greengrocers. If interested there’s information online.

Hi all. I’ve been following the bsd for 10 days and have lost 4lb eating around 1000-1100 calories per day. I do struggle to get down to 800. I’m prob not deemed overweight (start weight 10 stones height 5’4) but I am sick of my diet/food controlling my life and I am really sick of feeling so lethargic and tired. I can’t believe how well I am feeling just a few days after changing my diet. I’m not starving which is one of my major issues that I’ve developed over my 30 years as a dieter (I’m 46 now) and my energy levels are improving. Here is a bit of an idea of what I’m eating as a vegan (mainly vegan tbh);
Breakfast; soy protein 70 cals with coco milk 50 cals and whole earth peanut butter 130 cals = 250 cals
Lunch; home made veg soup (onion, celeriac, carrots, cabbage, Brussels, stock,) or tomato soup (roast toms, carrots, leek in the oven until soft and then blend adding stock and seasoning such as basil, ginger, cumin, coriander) – each soup serving is approx 100, which I have with salad 50 cals with olives 100 cals and avocado 100-150 = 250-300 cals. Total lunch 350-400.
Dinner; homemade Thai curry (onion, broccoli, mushrooms, peppers, butternut squash, carrot, courgettey spaghetti), stir fry and add a tin of coconut milk with some Thai green curry paste, add cherry toms towards end of cooking to let them just soften – approx 300 cals per serving (makes at least 3 servings) or
butternut squash (bns) stew – stir fry onion, cubed bns, chopped peppers until bns soft. Add 2x tins of chopped tomatoes, mix peanut butter (60-70g) with stock (between 1-1.5 litres) and simmer until bns cooked. Add ginger, cumin, chilli powder to taste – approx 300 cals per serving (makes at least 4 servings or
Black bean burgers – drain tin of bb’s but retain some liquid and do not rinse. Mix in food processor with breadcrumbs (I use 1 slice of hovis seed sensations) and shape into four patties then place in the fridge for at least an hour before frying in coconut oil. You can also add in shredded carrots or courgette any veg really when mixing. Each patties inc oil is approx 200 cals. I have them with veg or salad.
Snacks – I have Brazil nuts almonds in the afternoon – approx 30g which is around 200 cals.

Hope this helps – good luck everyone! I’ll post more recipes as I adapt them from my general recipes.

Thanks Lesley. Only those who have lost a child can understand how terrible it is to lose one. I am sorry that you lost your step-son and in a plane crash, that must have been so hard. You are quite right Paul would want me to succeed this time. He was always telling me to stick with it. However from speaking to other people who are shall we say on the spiritual side say that I am very lucky. I cannot explain it, but Paul was my baby after all) Since January 2016 I have had messages from him. In my head I heard first “Its been 5 months, shows you loved me now get on with your life” nest a couple of weeks later I got “mum I am all right” then when I was going through a bad time being upset and crying a lot I got “don;t cry mummy” then when I started to do the 5:2 I thought I would do it for Paul. I got “Mum you can do it” and lastly I got very recently “come on mum you can do it”. As I said I cannot explain it but I am sure it is Paul. So he is helping me to stay on it for sure. Sorry if this is upsetting but it is a way forward for me.

I am going to look at the recipe section to see what I can have today.
THanks so much for you email and if anyone else has experienced what I have from a much loved one please let me know. Apologies for posting this but talking of paul really helps me. It is his first anniversary of his death on Wednesday so gearing up for that and I know I will not keep to the 800 cals on that day.
Mary

Thank you ruthdownunder. Despite my user name I’m also from the great southern land. Best wishes for your week 2 weigh in.

You could still have a fry up, eggs and bacon with mushrooms (not for me yuck), tomatoes. I like to add fried onions. No toast of course but still. hope you feel better soon Janey. I don’t drink much and not at all just now, not due to the diet but medication.

I’m only 5 ft tall!

I’ll keep my clothes on… all for naked butlers though!

I’ve started a blog Lucky (and anyone else) if you want to see what I’ve been doing in my den!

http://dragonflydreamseeker.blogspot.co.uk/

Hey GreenJanet!
I love your diary update approach, very inspiring, I think I will do the same. Xx

1. Re-discovering the meditative qualities of knitting – yes, I’m still knitting – this MUST be lowering my cortisol levels.
2. So relaxed that I forgot what day it was (Phew, Sunday, didn’t need to be at work).
3. Planning the week ahead so I can meet all of my obligations and remain sane (although I’ll decline any offers by BSDers that want to do a mental health assessment – the results may be confronting!)

Thank you. how about cherries and grapes? Also I thought I would make some vegetable soup. Do I take it I cannot use potatoes? Knorr veg stock cube, carrots, leeks and onions – would that be ok. I appreciate your help as there is so much that I don’t eat and any suggestions would be great. Mary

Hi Mary
So sorry for your loss. We lost my (grown up) stepson almost 8 years ago in a plane crash, and whilst you never get over the loss, over time you do get used to it and learn to live with it. As I think Izzy said, your son would be proud that you are picking yourself up and moving on, and would probably tell you that by taking control of your weight and therefore health you are stepping in the right direction to living every day to the fullest. I know…who knows what our lost ones would have thought or said, and what right have I as a stranger to presume I would know, but I feel it in my bones that losing someone is a wake up call to grab your own life and squeeze every drop from it!

Anyway, I am 1 week in and loving every second so far…I’m not veggie so am able to follow the four week plan in the book, but I am sure that everyone will help you out, and there are lots of meals that are veggie without proclaiming it (like the Mediterranean platter, Greek salad with attitude!) and I am sure you will quickly find an alternative to eggs.

Best of luck with it…we are all here for you 😘

Well done Lucia,
I’m so pleased that no swans or ducks were harmed whilst you rowed indoors.

Hey FabEllie!
I’m a fan of the cauliflower rice too! I did, however, just not tell my husband what it was till after he’d eaten it all! 😁

Hi green Janet. I used the grated mozzarella in the recipe and it was wonderfully sticky and stretchy! Yummy!

Maybe it’s some kind of weird detox euphoria, but I am literally in heaven after today’s poached egg and salmon stack!!!
After yesterday’s pure comfort of cheesy beans, this was so elegant I’ve already earmarked it for Christmas morning breakfast and want to held a brunch party right now! And soooooo tasty! All that was lacking was a glass cava, but d’you know what….it was so good I didn’t even miss that!

Good eating everybody!
LesleyB xxx

That’s the issue. No full Monty fry up with several rounds of white toast to get through the hangover. Gah, even the tea smells funny when I drink it. Eggs and maybe a leftover BBQ sausage will have to do. When I can get out of bed.

Yes, seriously, seriously! I don’t fret majorly about body issues anyway after my year of living dangerously but my OH got me into it. We go to Vera Playa in Spain. You can walk down the street in nothing but sunglasses. And flip flops. Given the size, shape and age of many of our fellow holiday makers, I don’t worry about not looking picture perfect! And V ery little holiday washing to bring home!!! And no tan lines 😱 We went to a place near Skegness once to. Not the same. At all.

I’ve done all I can off my list that won’t wake the remaining 50% of sleepers up, need to hoover through before I can mop… washing is all done and drying in the dryer because it’s crap weather. Dishes are all done, hob cleaned after cooking the steak >.< I need to make my scotch eggs now, and inventory my freezers. Yes, inventory my freezers, because evidently, I have no life! And seemingly, no food either, despite both being full. Full of WHAT? Frozen bloody vegetables, that’s what.

*Lucky’s hand doesn’t go up* – fresh as a ruddy daisy me! I do feel for you, Janey. I could put wine away and then function, run a business for 12 hours a day, come home, sort the kids, do the housework, cook a meal from scratch… and get drunk again. Now? Even one bottle of wine and I have to completely write the next day off. Even if I don’t consider myself tipsy at the end of the night. And I’ve read about how being low carb affects you, so now probably one glass and I’ll be ruined. There is nothing now that will cure a hangover for me except greasy food. Hubby has to go and get me fish and chips, or a pack of pies, and of course, I can’t do that now. I think that is what’s putting me off drinking now, the fact that I can’t ‘recover’ in my usual fashion. Be kind to yourself today. Sofa, hair of the dog when you can stomach it, vow ‘never again’ and move on. Sod the gardening.

The mirror sounds fab, I wonder how I’d look in it… 5 ft 5 is tall, Janey. I’m 5 ft 1 and a smidge. I have to go on tiptoes to get things at the top of my kitchen cupboards. And that’s the floor level ones… 😉

Seriously? Seriously seriously? I’d never have the balls!

Sue hope things are going ok for you – in your last post it seemed like a lot was going on. I have been struggling recently and have just started looking at posts again to help me to get going once more.

You are an inspiration.

Julia

Hands up who has a hangover. Er..that’ll be me 🙄 Note to self: drinking several glasses of bubbly after 9 weeks on the wagon is not a wise move…..

I intend to loaf about today. Minimal child interaction as just my boy is home, tennis final later, left over BBQ to consume, possible spot of reluctant gardening (where’s Tokyo when I need her?!).

Speaking of tennis, meant to tell you about the best mirror ever, EVER at the tennis club we went to yesterday. It was in the ladies changing rooms and it turned me from the 5’5″ size 14/16 dwarf that I am into a 5’9″ size 10 with my original legs that Claudia Schiffer borrowed! Was like a hall of mirrors type one, but good! The woman who came into the changing room after me even asked me if I’d seen it! Apparently it’s just a cheap B&Q one. I need that mirror!

Oh and Lucky, did I mention I’m a part time naturist?…..☺️

Great Jan. Keep posting your progress please.

Thanks izzy. I will have a look at that site. More school holiday baking today and i caved! So disappointed in myself. Think i should persuade my daughter to cook the silver dollar pancakes you mention. She likes the pancakes made from just banana,SR flour and eggs. At least there isnt any processed sugar in them i suppose……

Thinking if going back for a after session,
And swim,
And sauna and steam room.

Just didn’t want the fit squad not let me out..

So I came out ok…. So I can go back in….😀🏋🏻🏋🏻🏋🏻🏋🏻🏋🏻🏋🏻🏋🏻🏋🏻🏋🏻🏋🏻🏋🏻

Yup. They let me out……
I am on to their games. Ha ha…..

Love Lucia
Xxxx

Just wore t shirt and baggy leggings, pumps, took a towel and a bottle of water.

Went in white and dry.
Came out red and sweaty.

Job done

Love Lucia
Xxxx

Okay so here it is….

I signed up for a day pass at the local gym….. To see if they let big birds in.
Yes, they do…..
So let’s see if their equipment can take the Weight…

I went on the bike that looks like a chair for ten mins to warm up.
Then the cross country stand up machine that feels as if you are walking through mud with two walking sticks 20 mins
Then the rowing machine, I frightened a few of the ‘professionals’ in there when I shouted… Mind the ducks and swans… As I continued to row my boat for ten mins

Then n the bike chair thing to slow it all back down and regroup.

Was able to walk…..
Was able to walk with my chins held high…..

So if you are thinking of joining a gym, if the building can still stand after I’ve been there, then it can cope with anything.

Love Lucia
Xxxx

Thankyou Switzerland it was great last night when I was finished that aside from bringing down the stuff that needed washed I left everythimg else where it was.

Thankyou Ruth, there are many here who have gone past 8 weeks, check out Happylife, Bill, Lucia and Captainlynnes threads to name but a few! truckloads of inspiration on those pages.I am edging towards bmi 30 yes, less than 3 lbs are needed to pass the 30 barrier. I tend to lose quite slowly so it may be a few weeks but BSD has shown me I CAN.

Good Luck with your weigh in!

I’ve had about 5 hours sleep urghhh

yes we are allowed butter so long as you count it into your calories.

margarine is highly processed, a little butter is better 🙂

Hi Izzy Thanks for your post. Am still getting used to the forum and my laptop. Should have done my reply to all of you who posted. Thank you. I shall report in tonight to say how today went. Not got into the swing of calorie counting yet but aim today to eat lower cal stuff. Are we allowed butter?
See my previous post for my update below
Mary

Hi
Thanks for the tip about cheese. I love cheese and really like goats cheese so I will check out the recipes for veggie ones. So today is the first day of the rest of my life – have had mint tea so far – 3 cups – with fresh mint and also will be having lemon balm tea from the garden. Cannot get any fresher. I think what will help me is to have a cup of herbal tea always in the tea pot and a cup poured out so that I don’t have to think about any other kinds of drink. I do that at work I have a large teapot but of course tea bags with these. think I will have yogurt for breakfast with sunflower seeds and blueberries added. It is the wrong
yogurt as it is 0 fat with vanilla it is really nice. So tomorrow the correct yogurt. Can we eat grapes and cherries? as these are one of my favourites. I have a nutri bullet can we use drinks made from that which is mainly fruit water and some greens like kale? I also have at the moment gastroparisis which means my stomach does not empty as it should which is causing all sorts of problems. I have to take tablets half an hour ish before I eat a meal so that for me should be better as I have to focus my mind on when to eat and what.
So will report in this evening to say how it went. Much thanks. Mary

Congratulations to Izzy and Switzerland on your inspiring weight loss. Izzy I think your BMI would be getting very close to under 30 as well as I am your height and 30 bmi is 10st 10.5 for me (78.4kg) as I am only 151 cm) I have a very long way to go before I get to it, but you and all the BSDers have inspired me. Week 2 weigh in tomorrow morning Australian time

I love it that you have kept going past the 8 weeks.

Keep inspiring us.
Ruth

In April I had a Hba1c test which gave a result of 60. This was repeated and gave a result of 56. I was told that I am type 2 diabetic. I am 60 years old. Since then I have cut out sugar and reduced carbohydrate intake and lost 10kg.

The recently repeated Hba1c reading was 38.

What does this signify? Am I still type 2 diabetic but just controlling my blood sugar better or am I now non-diabetic?

Thanks

Brian

We did say naked, or rather Janey did, that one’s a bit of a dark horse methinks. It’s all coming out now. Naked butlers, patchwork quilting, English Heritage. What other hedonistic tendencies are you keeping covered up, Missy?

I hope you get some sort of a lie in… 2 am, you must have been engrossed in what you were painting, is all I can say! Very little would make me want to see two 2 o’clock’s in one day!! Not even naked men.

Scales are up by a pound today but I’m not that bothered because I have another NSV. My wedding ring (2002) and eternity ring (2003) fit perfectly. Because I was pregnant when they were both bought and I must have had sausage fingers or something. Engagement ring, however, was 1999 and I was 11 stone… so in the climb to nearly 18 stone, my ring finger has ended up with a kind of… muffin top spilling over the top of the engagement ring. It was not budging and at times could be quite painful. Today, with a bit of a twist and turn, the ring now comes off! So, I can’t lose weight from my cankles to fit into my boots, but my finger poses no issue, evidently 🙂

Food today is beef burger without the bun. Beefburger salad, essentially. I’ll shove gherkins and all manner on it. And for lunch/brunch I’m making some scotch eggs with Heck sausage, my double yolkers, and I’ll put a smidge of almond flour on as a coating. Have to make some for the children too, and I use dry sage and onion stuffing mix to coat theirs, little trick I found in the very first cookbook I ever owned. It’s so good, tastier and crunchier than breadcrumbs, but it’s got wheat in it so… almonds with a bit of dried sage for ours, methinks!

Still in a lot of pain today, and my allergies are going nuts, my nostrils feel like they’re being pricked by a million needles, but just stopping short of making me sneeze, so I have that non-sneeze discomfort too. I am permanently on the verge-of-sneeze. So I’ve abandoned my mammoth, never ending, to-do list for a shorter one of ten things I must do today before I can retire for the day. Day of rest, pfffffft. Catch y’all later 😉

Hey Jan
Probably a bit far to come for a cuppa, but as I sit here writing this, I’m sipping on my Passionfruit tea, so that will have to do.
I believe there are other Sydney siders on the BSD, but none that live nearby to my knowledge, I’m on the Northern suburbs train line between Chatswood and Hornsby if there’s anyone else out there that wants to meet up for a walk and a natter?
I’ve been reading a bit about how there is a link between polyunsaturated fats and autoimmune diseases such as MS, rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus and asthma. In David Gillespie’s book, Eat Real Food, he goes into great detail of how Fructose and the high levels of particularly Omega 6 in polyunsaturated oils are the main suspect in the rapid increase of a lot of common illnesses over the last 100 years. It makes sense now that you are eating better that your symptoms have disappeared 😀
We just got back from walking both dogs for another 2 hour + walk.
Most Sunday mornings I spend doing stuff with my 85 yo Mum and 88 yo Uncle. My Dad’s 87, but he generally doesn’t want to join us! He did last weekend for a 10k walk, but not for this morning just sitting around the dining table with a cuppa talking about old times!!
The weight loss doesn’t necessarily slow down, if you’re sticking to the plan, you can expect to keep losing every week. Just look at CaptainLynne!
You’ve got all of Sunday ahead of you so enjoy your day😀
Cheers
Linda

Jan, thanks so much for info. You are doing so well, must very motivating. I have lost between 6.5 and 7 lbs which is fabulous for me, and will be having the beans for Sunday night supper thank you. My husband loves them so it makes them easy.

I agree with you, recipes and food should be fairly simple, although I have been making seed and nut and non wheat flour pancakes for a long time, so will keep doing that, just having one instead of 2! They are very easy. I just mix up the mixture

I read heaps of stuff before I started including Izzy who is, or rather was, about my size and height so I expected to lose at about the same rate. I know we are all very different but it gave me some idea.

Your address is marvellous. I have never been to Kent, but my husband comes from another market town, Romford in Essex. He actually comes from Dagenham ( Dudley Moore also).

Our weather is wonderful today, crisp winter sunshine, with a cool morning. Hope my book comes soon. I have borrowed an e-book but I do not like it as much, even though I can read it fairly easily.

I have sciatica and slightly high blood pressure, so would like not to have back operation and not to have to take BP medication. I have high hopes

All the best
Ruth

Hi Izzy,
It’s really nice that your loft is your happy place. Not just a happy place but a productive creative place as well.
Best wishes.

Sending lots of good wishes to you. As the others have said, there is always support waiting for you on here.
On a practical note, do you eat cheese? There are a number of cheesey recipes (feta, halloumi, even a small amount of cheddar) along with full fat yogurt as a protein source to go with salads and veggies. Homemade soups are great for keeping you full.
Best of luck and keep us posted.

Hi Kenne1s, way to go!! Well done👍👍👍👍
It’s actually a lot less scary in reality than when you first read the book, isn’t it?
To be honest, after doing this for 12+ weeks it’s actually become automatic to weigh everything and to keep track on the app of what I’m eating and although I lose more in some weeks than others, even though I pretty much do the same thing week in, week out, I know it’s just my body and it’ll sort itself out.
Keep it up, time will go quickly and soon you’ll be in clothes that you only dreamed of😀😀

Hey Chongololo, was just thinking about you and wondering how you’re getting on??
Cheers
Linda

Hi kboo
I say ‘go for it’! We both know that you’ve nothing to lose but your weight and the nasty side effects of your allergies, so why not commit to this both for the short and long term! Time will go by regardless of what you choose to do, but I know how I’d like to look and feel about myself when I see myself in the future !! 😀 Keep posting now that you’ve taken the first step and let us know how you get on.

well done on a great first week 🙂

you could also use canned tomatoes or a carton of passata for ease. I use a similar version of the above I like to add chilli, and if you add some soy sauce or worcester sauce, and some sweetner it makes quite a nice tangy sauce, almost like barbecue sauce but not quite… see my Hunters chicken recipe in the recipe section for amounts as I can’t remember off the top of my head.

At about 8pm I disappeared up into my loft den and began the youtube tutorial. In between waiting for bits to dry I finished the coasters I had started, including varnishing. I’ve made a tropical fish one, one with some musical notes, one with a moon and a space ship, and a yin yang. They’ve turned out really well I’m very pleased with them.

My daughter was lovely and brought me several cups of tea, partly because being allowed in the loft is a novelty, partly because she was nosy and wanted to see what I was doing and partly (I hope) because she loves me.

I really, really love my loft and it’s hard to believe that only 1 week ago I hadn’t even started it! However it is now 0200 and my son is often awake by 0700 so I best get going to sleep!