Without trying to make this sound like an excuse or an X Factor sob story, in the last 2 months J and I have both started new jobs, moved house, been on holiday (definitely a positive!) and add to that my bad knee, which I’ve already mentioned and am now awaiting surgery to get it fixed.  My point being is that it’s been a crazy, chaotic time.  Injuring my knee led to me falling spectacularly off the SW wagon, firstly in that body magic was out the window and secondly I was quite low from the lack of mobility so I turned to comfort eating.
Sadly, chocolate, wine and cheese lead to rapid weight gain.  I know – who knew?!  Eventually I turned to face the music, went back to group last Wednesday and reset all my previous data.

Since then, for what I think may embarrassingly be the first time ever, I have been 100% on plan. 4 days and counting but a) I got through a weekend on plan; and b) I’m taking each day as it comes.

Feeling more motivated than ever before!

As I’ve mentioned before, the likes of Amelia Freear of Eat. Nourish. Glow, alongside Deliciously Ella, Hemsley + Hemsley and Natasha of Honestly Healthy fame have been huge influences.  I’ve also been undertaking an online course in personal nutrition. I’m a week from finishing now and the experience has been fascinating – it has shown me how healthy the Slimming World lifestyle is, although I do eat “fat free” (e.g. Muller Lights) very much in moderation now.

Yesterday I went to a housewarming and somehow avoided the entire buffet, with the exception of a handful of celery sticks and a thimble of mushroom pâté. Unheard of in my previous exploits! Today, as my new thing is Sunday Batch Cooking, I have made tomato soup, chicken curry, bolognese bacon and vegetable frittata so I am all set for the week.

I made the soup below yesterday and was amazed at the results – perfectly easy but deliciously filling. To quote J, my ever-optimistic guinea pig, “**** me, this is the tastiest thing you’ve ever made.” Bit upsetting really, that I’ve slaved away over a hot stove making much (slightly) more complicated dishes and it’s the bowl of soup he rates the most.  Still, nice to have such a positive review!

L x

Chicken, celeriac and sweetcorn soup (from the SW website) 

Makes 4 portions. 

Syn free ☺️. 

1.5 litres chicken stock 

2 chicken breasts 

1 large onion, peeled and finely chopped

700g celeriac, cut into small chunks (chopping the celeriac was definitely the most painful part) 

500g sweetcorn 

2cm root ginger 
Pop the chicken and stock into a large saucepan and bring to the boil, then simmer for 20 minutes. Remove the chicken from the stock and add the onion, celeriac, sweetcorn and ginger to the saucepan.

Bring to the boil, cover and simmer for 30 minutes until tender. Meanwhile, tear the chicken into chunks.

Transfer the soup to a blender and process for a few seconds until smooth. I only did this for half the mixture as I like soups to be quite chunky.  Add the chicken, season to taste and reheat.

Have a brilliant week!