Mouthwatering Monday - Week 1

I meal plan every week, not always on a Monday! It started as a bit of a habit from the various diet clubs I have attended over the years but now it has become just another routine that helps family life seem a little less chaotic. If I know what is going to be on the table each night and if I know that I have the correct ingredients in my cupboard and fridge to make each meal, I am filled with a certain comfort.

This is my first meal plan that I am linking up with Mrs M.

Monday - As I write this I have already enjoyed tonight's dinner. I use this Netmums recipe for my Beef Stew and I love it. It's super easy, filling and cheap. 

Tuesday - I cook a very basic stir fry which is actually more like a chow mein. I fry the chicken in sesame oil, throw in a stir fry pack (usually edamame bean as that is Grumpinator's favourite) with a little extra sesame oil. I stir throw the cooked noodles with a little soy sauce. Sometimes I might add a packet sauce but I prefer it as basic as possible. 

Wednesday - We go to my Mother in Law's for dinner on a Wednesday. A nice mid week break from the cooking!

Thursday - Shop bought fishcakes, no effort involved! I can cook my own and I have but I am all about the saving of money, time and energy at the moment. I will serve the fishcakes with some baby corn, mange tout and potato wedges.

Friday - I love salmon as does Grumpinator! The honey and Chinese 5 spice glaze is another Netmum's favourite, it's so simple but a very delicious meal. 

Saturday - I have bought a gammon joint and I will be using a recipe from my favourite recipe book by a fellow blogger, Nick from My Daddy Cooks. It's a tasty honey glaze with a pea mash. 

Sunday - is a day of rest so if I can't convince my step dad to have us over for a roast chicken Sunday lunch, I will buy a cooked chicken and cook the trimmings. You can't have a roast chicken dinner without a wee chipolata sausage or two and some thick gravy. YUM!

Mum Tums at the Ready

Just Kidding! 

My Guru, Liska, has started off the New Year with a new found enthusiasm for losing the weight and feeling great. She has inspired me to make a start.

I am not on a diet.

I am not starting a regime.

 If I do I know I will fail and end up here but heavier next year.

Instead, I have joined my local gym which offers loads of classes and I am going to go to the ones that I really enjoy, when I have time and because I actually want to go.  I have also started eating for health. I have planned menus which are based around foods I enjoy. I am practically eating my way through the My Daddy Cooks book by Nick Coffer. I love this book and most of the recipes are healthy and wholesome dishes. It's a fab book, buy it if you are looking for inspiration.

I am not counting syns or points or cheques because as soon as I do I end up feeling deprived and starving which leads to me binging on junk.

I am however, cutting out chocolate. More from a health perspective than a weight perspective. It makes me feel like crap when I eat it. Why am I continually treating my body like a bin?

I will be trying to lose weight, eventually, but I know that before I can start to concentrate on weight loss I need to make eating well 80% of the time and moving my arse 80% of the time, my goal. If I can incorporate these two things into my life, then the weight loss will be a side effect - hopefully.

What I do know is I don't want is to be sitting here typing this next year, fatter and more miserable. I am sick of thinking about it.

Link up with Liska if you want some motivation and support or just have a read so you know your not alone in fighting the flab!