Day 18 - Sausagefail

Back in the saddle again...

You may remember my adventure in venison in week one; the half venison sausages enjoyed by my husband and eldest while I looked on with my TLC banger.

Well, I found some actual venison sausages in the Tesco's finest range and, shock of shocks, they have less fat in them than my TLC pork tube... so it had to be done, didn't it?

Roll on this evening... venison sausages all round, mashed potato and beans to accompany. Tuck in everyone!

Oh 'deer'.

These 100% venison specials were rejected by 2/3 of the diners chez nous - my daughter didn't like the skin's texture, and my husband didn't like the whole thing really. Sausagefail.

Me? Well I quite liked them. they were obviously 100% meat, no fillers, cereals or any other crap in them. The smell was slightly reminiscent of a doner kebab, which, let's face it, is not necessarily a bad thing. The texture I found fine, more like a black pudding or a Spanish sausage than Walls' finest, though admittedly the skin was chewier than I am used to.

An expensive experiment, but such a shame. My family has been pretty supportive so far with my experiments, driven by a desire to see that they eat more healthily too, but I don't think I can justify buying these again, even though they are so low in fat. Sigh. Onwards...


What I ate today:

Shreddies and milk


TLC ham and cheese 'veneer' sandwich (by which I mean there was a veneer of pink, and a veneer of yellow, and the packaging said ham and cheese, though the flavour said... nothing), and three waitrose butternut squash pastries


I snacked on a virtuous Weightwatchers chocolate brownie (a bit dry. One for the custard treatment).


Dinner was venison sausages, mash and beans. never mind.


Exercise of the day:

A 45-minute walk challenge to the shops, carrying my big lump of a baby in a sling.


Product of the day:

Waitrose Delicatezze Spicy Butternut Squash Pastries These are yummy! As snacks go, they are not bad fat-wise, and the spiciness makes the flavour full and satisfying. Excellent hot or cold.

Day 14 - Exercise!

Yes, you never thought I would, did you?

So far my Exercise of the Day section has been a bit... lacking. Shopping, and child-wrangling mostly. You'd think with the amount of shopping I do I'd be a millionairess and able to pay for lipo, but no. Shopping can involve a loaf of bread and a pint of milk, but it is a trip Outside, and any new mum will tell you that's good enough, sometimes.

Pushing a buggy isn't the most exercise I'll ever do, especially as I have a beautifully light version. I drive pretty much everywhere too.

I haven't always been this sedentary. At school I wasn't great at sport but I tried. I even represented my school twice - once at shot put (awful) and once in the 200m sprint (came last, but a personal best). I walked to and from school - primary, secondary, and university. I even did step classes at one point.

I guess there came a point where driving to work became more appropriate than walking and public transport. And of course before I fell pregnant the first time (5 years ago) was probably the last time I rode my bike.

I could of course inject some activity into my life through attending a class; after my holiday this month I'll be hoping to start beginner's swimming lessons (yikes), which, if it goes well, will be wonderful.

I think the key though is to inject activity into my daily life, so I don't even notice it, much like this diet I'm doing. As soon as the youngest has more of a routine I think I shall do just that. Yes, it's an excuse of sorts, but it's there. Even now, the only reason I'm typing this is because he's asleep; unfortunately he's asleep on my lap so I can't do more at the moment. All suggestions gratefully appreciated...

I've mentioned the buggy walk before - I forgot this morning. I shall try and remember for next week.

I did exercise yesterday though; I walked the Adidas 5k! I think it took me just over an hour, but to be honest I wasn't really paying attention, just having a good natter and raising some money for charity. Actually, it was almost my perfect exercise...


What I ate today:

Bowl of mini shredded wheat and milk

In an abortive attempt to find Pizza Express, I ended up eating a burger from a stall (no cheese though), some Shapers crisps and a low-fat fair trade bar.

For dinner I served home-made low-fat bolognaise pasta bake (no cheese for me), and a TLC garlic slice. Mindful of the impending weigh-in and the unkown fat content of my lunch, I did not have any dessert.


Exercise of the day:

The Adidas 5k women's challenge fun run, in aid of SANDs. There's still time to sponsor me - I promise I finished!


Product of the day:

Tesco Light Choices Garlic Bread Slices. The acceptable face of garlic bread, it's okay, though overcooking it renders it the texture of crispbread.