A whole lotta woman!

Check out our gorgeous Natasha!

Before on the left and Foxy chick now on the right :-)

Having battled with post natal depression that took it toll on her health and her weight, Natasha found comfort at our amazing group. Comfort not from food, but from warmth, understanding and support of you guys.

Your dedication to her has helped her to shift more than 4st to get to target. TWICE!!!!!

Soon after hitting target in Oct 2008 Natasha discovered that she was pregnant again. Determined not to revisit past problems, Natasha continued to attend group although she admits that seeing the scales go up was so very tough at times. Sept 2009 a beautiful baby boy arrived and 5 months later our yummy mummy was back where she belongs - at target!

Natasha recently represented our St Neots group at the East Anglia district final and made it down to the last 9 ladies from over 150 groups! Her ambition is to appear in the Slimming World magazine - I'd say she looks like a cover girl :-)

Well done Natasha - stay gorgeous!

Urs xxx

THE BIG NIGHT!!!

Tuesday 7th September

Woman of the year 2010

Come an hear about the the most amazing women in St Neots - a real celebration of the fabulous achievements of our top chicks over the past 12 months. Your change to vote for one lady to scoop the St Neots title!

5.30 weigh in followed by Image Therapy as normal

7.30 weigh in

8.00 woman of the year celebrations for all

This is the one night of the year where we gather together as a whole group - you won't want to miss out!

Bring a plate buffet and grand raffle - see you all there

Urs xxx

Back to school, back on track!

September is here!!! Many mums like me will be breathing a sigh of relief as our kiddies head back to school - let me explain my relief though!

I LOVE MY KIDS!!! BUT, I end up spreading myself so thin over the hols that lots of things end up just half done - sound familiar?

One of those things can be commitment to food optimising, commitment to ourselves.

"It's only when we have attended to our own needs that we are able to go forth and attend to the needs of others" It seems quite straight forward and the reality is that as busy people, we are the centre of our very own universe, the central cog in the engine of our lives. Thus, when we are 'right', everything around us is 'right'.

It can be quite normal to feel demotivated but the knock on effects are extreme: confidence drops low and on a very personal level we can feel hopeless and broken.

Failure, overweight, self confidence shattered.

It's suffocating, it's crushing and it chokes us - Oh we deserve so much better!

Give yourselves some slack, put down that big stick you are beating yourself up with and galvanise yourselves guys! Let this new month be a shining new opportunity to invest in yourselves because you are ALL quite amazing - you just don't know it yet! :-)

Happy, happy, happy school days!

BE THE CHANGE!
Urs xxx

M&S wraps...this is what I know!!!!!!

I have cut and pasted this direct - get out there and find them guys!!!

M&S 3 Ginger Beef Wraps and 3 Asian Salad Wraps with a sweet soy dip (1/2 syn for the whole pack of 6 on original or extra easy and 1 syn on green) .....OMG ...they are sooo tasty.
There is also a pack containing 3 Sweet Chilli Prawn Wraps and 3 mango Salad Wrapswith a sweet chilli dip (same syn value) ....And a larger pack contiang 5 Thai Spiced and 5 Coconut & Lemongrass Chicken Wraps with a sweet soy dip (2 1/2 on original or extra easy and 4 on green)

Urs xxx

Don't stop believing!!!!

My heart was pounding and tears were flooding down my face as I turned the corner and saw the finish line!! 10km in 1hr 10 mins, in blistering heat with three of my dearest friends and all the while raising money for Cancer Research UK.

I have never been a runner and was mightily dubious about this 'Race for Life' I had agreed to but I have to say....I loved every minute and am in no doubt about what a worthwhile cause this is. All our families came and cheered us on and I felt very acutely on the day that I was, indeed, a very lucky lady.

Your health is your wealth as they say and to have gone (over the years) from a size 22/24 sad young lady to a fit 16 (even if I say so myself!) I felt on top of the world!!! :-)

So many people on Sunday were running for family and friends touched by cancer (as I was), if you have not yet sponsored anyone who ran a 'Race for Life' and feel able to do so. I would love you to visit my page donate. I used to feel bad about asking for sponsorship, but after Sunday (reading all the messages to loved ones who didn't make it through) I no longer do.

JUST CLICK THIS LINK :-)



To those who have sponsored me already - bless you - my thanks are sincere xxx

Am definitely doing this again next year - fancy joining me?

BE THE CHANGE!!
Urs xxx

feeling fab all summer long.......

Top tips for summertime slimming made extra easy!

My 10 top tips for staying slim this summer:



Be active. It’s shaping up to be a gloriously warm and sunny summer so pack a ball or a frisbee and head down to the beach or the park for a bit of family fun – it’s magic for the body, so at Slimming World we call fun activity ‘Body Magic’.

Pack a picnic and head for the hills. Get the children to help you make sandwiches and pack a picnic basket. Choose wholemeal bread or pittas filled with ham and salads, egg and cress or delicious grilled chicken breast. Take plenty of delicious fresh and juicy fruit. Mix up a big pasta or couscous salad loaded with veg like sweetcorn, peas, peppers, spring onion, cucumber, cherry tomatoes and flavoured with fat free vinaigrette or fat free natural yogurt.

Choose wisely. When eating out avoid creamy or deep-fried dishes. Choose grills or stir-fries. At the pub have a jacket potato with beans and grilled chicken or steak, new potatoes and a side salad.

Be “mindful”. By thinking about and being aware of what you’re eating and drinking, you’ll stay in control and importantly, feel in charge of your weight loss so you won’t feel guilty or disappointed. For help with sharing hurdles and overcoming barriers and tips on how to identify the times that your resolve is most vulnerable, stay to your nearest Slimming World group.

Long haul or “staycation” - pack a holiday survival pack of sweeteners, low calorie cooking spray, low fat chocolate drinks, fruit tea and fat free salad dressings.

Enjoy the great outdoors. For days out with the kids choose adventures that will get you out into the fresh air. Go free swimming or try out an assault course. The kids will love being put to the test.

Venture into the kitchen! If you’re at home with the kids, have a family cooking day. Visit http://www.slimmingworld.com/healthy_eating/recipe_archive.asp for great healthy recipe ideas. Or pick up a copy of Family Feasts for a Fiver at group for 50 delicious, credit-crunching family meals.


On the road? Pack a coolbox of healthy snacks like fat free flavoured yogurts, Ryvita minis or Snack-a-Jacks, fresh fruit and low calorie drinks. It’ll save money at expensive motorway stops too.

Light up! If you’re planning a barbeque, switch fatty burgers or sausages for home-made, low fat versions; make low-fat chicken drumsticks (skin removed) marinated in lemon and lime, chilli, garlic and coriander or honey, hoi sin sauce, soy sauce and tomato puree or throw a steak on the fire and enjoy with baked sweet potato and chunky tomato salad. Tuck into veg kebabs made with peppers, mushrooms, red onion and cherry tomatoes and courgettes threaded onto skewers.


Enjoy a tipple? No prizes for guessing that beer, alcopops and creamy cocktails like pina colada are packed with calories. Save on the alcoholic calories: choose spirits with low calorie mixers like gin and slimline tonic and alternate alcoholic drinks with water or diet drinks.

HAPPY DAYS!!!

BE THE CHANGE!
Urs xxx

HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!

So my wonderfully creative members have come up with yet another ingenious devise to help them through the week - this masterpiece made me laugh so hard I nearly wet myself!

Thanks Angela!

Guys - mock not my dodgy fringe! :-)

Urs xx

Summer time and the Slimming is Easy!

Time to get your hands on one of our fabulous Summer Slimming Booklets - crammed with fabulous summer survival tips and recipes :-)

Pic-nics sorted, BBQs sorted - slim through the summer as opposed to picking up summer holiday excess baggage! Yes you can.

There are a few ways to get your hand on one of these limited edition booklets:

• Buy a countdown (6 or 12 weeks) - magic commitment :-)
• Bring a new member (and get a free week too!) Oh what a perfect friend!
• Be Slimmer of the week - happy days!
• Be Slimmer of the month - happy days!

Everyone is a winner! This offer started this week and runs through to the end of August - so for 6 weeks only!

Raise your game - everyone has a chance to win one of these power packed booklets so be sure one comes to you.

BE THE CHANGE!

Urs xxx

Crying Dianne's Coronations chicken - as requested by many!

4 cold cooked chicken breast - diced
4 spring onions
Handful of green grapes - quartered
One peach muller light yog
Good blob of 0% greek yog (to thicken)
Seasoning
Choppped fresh corriander
Curry powder

Combine the lot and leave to chill - yum!

EASY PEASY LEMON SQUEEZY!!
Cheers Di,

Urs xxx

Sounds delicious! And familiar!

For 40 years Slimming World has been encouraging members to fill up and eat more to lose weight. Now, at last, nutritionists and obesity experts outside the nation’s leading weight loss organisation are acknowledging that satiety is the key to successful weight loss. It stands to reason that foods which fill you up fast, while also being low in calories, are a slimmer’s best friend and scientists at Slimming World recently researched a database of 40,000 foods to identify the top 10 most satisfying foods for slimmers – and the 10 worst enemies. Obesity researcher at Slimming World, Dr Stubbs, says: ‘It may seem strange, but eating is actually the best way to lose weight. Slimming World’s Food Optimising plan* has always encouraged slimmers to fill up on these highly satiating foods, because we know that hunger and guilt often lead people to abandon diets. Eating to satisfy your appetite is the key to successful long term weight loss and knowing which foods help (or hinder) most makes it so much easier.’
Slimming World’s 10 most satiating foods
1. Lean meat - protein is the most satiating macronutrient (more so than carbohydrate, fats or alcohol). Lean meat is primarily protein while much of the muscle tissue is water.
2. Mushy peas - good old mushy peas are high on the satiety index because they are low in fat, low in energy density, and high in carbohydrate, protein and fibre.
3. Potatoes with skins - potatoes are full of starches which are digested and absorbed more slowly than simple sugars. When boiled they also absorb a lot of water, making them more filling and leaving the skins on means that the fibre content is higher too.
4. Noodle soup made with ramen noodles and tofu or Quorn (not instant noodles) - contains all the ingredients to activate the satiety cascade. Generally a bowl of ramen noodles contains a lot of water, green vegetables and a source of protein (tofu or Quorn) as well as the starch-rich noodles. High fibre (wholewheat) noodles are best for satiety.
5. Tuna chunks in spring water or fresh tuna - tuna tinned in water or brine is virtually fat free. It is very high in protein, low in carbohydrate and low in energy density.
6. Mexican style three bean salad -- indeed all beans including good old baked beans -- are high in protein, low in fat and sugar, high in fibre and high in moisture content. They take time to chew and digest and will fill you up for hours.
7. Boiled wild rice - wild rice is higher in fibre than white rice and when boiled is low in fat and high in moisture.
8. Versatile eggs, boiled, poached, scrambled or dry fried are an excellent source of protein and contain no carbohydrates.
9. Natural low fat yoghurt and skimmed milk soft cheeses are low in fat and high in moisture content and are a good source of protein. For a maximum effect on satiety and slimming effectiveness it is best to eat yoghurts with soluble fibres such as inulin and guar gum added to them and avoid those with added sugar.
10. Fresh fruit and vegetables – fruit and veg is high in water content, low in saturated fat and a good source of fibre while containing some protein. From apricots to bananas and tomatoes to watermelon, filling up on unlimited amounts make fruit and veg the slimmer’s best friend.

The 10 least filling foods
1. Crisps - these contain about 532 kcal per 100g, 57% of which is in the form of fat. They are also high in salt and low in moisture. They are one of the most energy dense commercial snack foods available.
2. Speciality coffees – especially those containing cream. A large Caffe Mocha with whipped cream contains 490 kcal and 16g of saturated fat. Because whole foods take longer to digest and fill you up more, liquid calories are the ones that fill you up the least.
3. Takeaway pizza with cheese or meat topping. These pizzas contain between 600 and 700 kcal each. They are low in moisture, low in fibre, low in lean meat, and high in fat, calories and energy density.
4. Takeaway thin fries contain about 330 kcal per 100g and a king size serving will give you about 640 kcal. They are high in fat, salt, energy and readily absorbed starches. Almost all of the moisture has been replaced by fat during the frying process. This is the least healthy way to eat potatoes.
5. Deep fried confectionary bars each contain over 420 kcal. Clearly dousing a chocolate bar in batter and frying it in oil is going to produce a food that is a mixture of fats and sugars, with no fibre, little moisture, virtually no protein and a huge amount of energy. Once chewed a deep fried candy bar becomes a semi liquid glob of fat and sugar that rapidly passes through the stomach and has little impact on satiety.
6. Doughnuts - packed with artery-clogging saturated fat and trans-fatty acids. An average doughnut also has 200 to 300 calories and few other nutrients. Those with cream or toppings on have even more calories.
7. Luxury full-fat ice cream - some luxury ice cream ice cream contains around 200-220 kcal per 100g and is about 60% fat. And because ice cream is a very viscous liquid, there is little chewing or digestion required to activate any satiety signals. This food tastes great and so we eat more of it and once eaten there is little in terms of satiety to put the brakes on.
8. Colas and other sugary soft drinks. The average cola contains around 40-42 kcal per 100g, which may not seem like much until you consider that a litre of coke will give you 400-420 kcal. This is almost entirely in the form of dissolved sugars, which have a minimal impact on satiety.
9. Smoothies range in calorie density from around 42 to an amazing 300 kcal per 100g, depending on how much sugar and fat is put in them. Making a smoothie disrupts all of the satiety-promoting fibre contained in the fruit.
10. Croissants may be the traditional French breakfast food but they contain between 400 and 500 kcal/100g and 55-60% of this energy is in the form of fat, the rest being sugars and quickly digested starches. They have little moisture, no fibre and little protein.

The science bitAccording to Dr James Stubbs, foods which induce fullness, or satiety, tend to be
• high in protein and complex carbohydrates (these are the two most satiating macronutrients)
• high in fibre (which takes longer to digest and adds bulk)
• high in volume and low in energy density (as these sit in the stomach longer and fill you up)
• high in moisture content.

The sense of fullness is prompted by several different processes when we eat, which Dr Stubbs calls ‘the satiety cascade’. “When we eat any food a number of signals are activated in the ‘satiety cascade’,” he explains. “First, chewing produces enzymes in the saliva to digest the food in the mouth. Once food is swallowed hormones and peptides are released and stretch receptors in the stomach wall relay signals to the brain to indicate how full the stomach is. As food passes through the intestine more signals are triggered by hormones, peptides and absorbed nutrients. Finally, nutrients absorbed into the blood and stored in various parts of the body can also serve as signals to the brain.“Different foods activate different parts of the satiety cascade and some foods activate more parts of the cascade than others. So how filling a food is and how it affects satiety will be determined by the impact it has on the satiety cascade. For example taking three apples and turning them into apple juice will decrease the impact on satiety. This is because it takes eight times longer to eat whole apples than when they are juiced. Furthermore, apple juice doesn’t sit in the stomach for very long and so does not fill you up. This is because the sugars in the fruit are all absorbed very quickly when the physical structure of the apples has been disrupted. Also much of the fibre that was in the apples tends not to end up in the juice.“The moisture content is especially important. Foods that are less filling tend to be those that are dry, energy dense and are rich in fats and sugars e.g. many commercially available snack foods and confectionaries like crisps and biscuits,” concludes Dr Stubbs.

July 18th MILES FOR SMILES!

Bring it on - walk, run, cycle but do join in on the day to raise money for our very own SMILES charity. I have made things super duper simple by setting up a just giving web site that our whole group can use. Your riends and family can just come to the bog here and click on the donate widget and all our funds raised will be in one place - SIMPLES!

Really looking forward to the day guys - living the dream and being the change :-)

Urs xx

England may have lost.....

But failure isn't when you fall. It's when you stay down.

The glory of success is not in never falling, it is in rising up again and again and again and again.

I will always be beside you to help you to your feet :-)

BE THE CHANGE!
Urs xxx

So we said we'd go for four........

Cos that was how many goals England were supposed to score!!!

One in the net on the night plus one off side, one off the wood work and one that the keeper dragged off the line.

So I still make it four guys!!
SHOOT FOR THE MOON!!

Urs xxx

WE DID IT!!!!!!!!!

Lifelong Slimming member and multi award winning Slimming Consultant, Ursula Van Leeuwen-Hill collected the trophy for 2010 National title of GROUP OF THE YEAR for the members that meet on Tuesday evening in St Neots.

The group has been nominated in the top five groups (from a whopping 6,700 groups nationwide) for 12 consecutive years and scoops the title this year for the 5th time!!!

She received her accolade on Saturday at a star studded 'Oscars' evening at the Birmingham ICC from the Slimming World founder and chairman (and newly OBE-ed) Margaret Miles Bramwell and the presentation was made by 'Casualty' actress Rebecca Wheatley who has lost 12st herself with the Slimming club

Ursula Joined as a member herself in 1992 and started her own Slimming World group in St Neots in 1993 after shedding not only the misery of being overweight but a staggering 5.5 stones in a year. The group quickly became and has since remained, one of the most popular groups in the country to lose your weight while living your life!

The groups proved so popular that St Neots has blossomed as a Slimming hot spot and Ursula has helped to open groups on a Monday, Wednesday and Thursday night as well as a Wednesday morning - and ALL of them are run by Target members from her original group!!!

"We are a passionate and determined team on a mission to transform the great people of St Neots." Said Ursula. "Our members are a truly wonderful bunch of people – extraordinary in their success and so very ordinary when they came to us - hopeless and broken, hey! Us consultants know how our members feel. Failure, overweight, self confidence shattered. It’s suffocating, it’s crushing and it chokes you – our members deserve so much better. AND WE ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE WE CONTINUE TO GIVE IT TO THEM!"

The fabulous people of St Neots have loved losing weight at Slimming World for 17 years now eating unlimited FREE foods and losing weight easily and healthily. The warm welcome and incredible support they get from the groups has kept them going through thick and thin - literally! It's a winning combo from a winning team!

So after the glitz and glamour of the weekend, it's business as usual for Ursula this week - "group on Tuesday night will be very exciting and full of celebration for our fabulous national achievement, but then we witness minor miracles and celebrate at our incredible group every week!" she beams looking like the cat that got the (low fat) cream!

Ursula's group meets at 5.30pm and 7.30pm on a Tuesday night at St Neots Community college. You can call her on 01480 211568 for more info on local groups or just come along.

BIG NEWS, MASSIVE NEWS..............

GREAT NEWS!!!!!!!!!

You'll see
;-)
xxxx

Local Slimmers lose back end of a bus!!!

Yes! Your amazing Beat It efforts throughout St Neots and Huntingdonshire have amounted to a staggering 5.7tons of weight loss!!!

GET DOWN!!!!

You can read the full story here:

http://www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/Cambridgeshire/St-Neots/PE19/Lifestyle/Health-and-Wellbeing/166655-Slimming-World-members-in-Huntingdonshire-lose-back-end-of-a-bus

Stay brill guys

Urs xxx

Log onto LIFELINE ONLINE and see this article in it's full glory with pictures! A Slimming World Cup!

Whether you’re excitedly flying flags outside your door and learning the lines to Vindaloo, or you’re considering hibernating for the summer and forgetting all about football, you can’t escape the World Cup! And as a Food Optimiser there’s no better way to celebrate than with delicious food that helps you score one weight loss goal after another!

Whichever country you’ll be supporting, there’s a sumptuous snack to feast on throughout the whole nail-biting competition. So clutch your clacker, bag your place in front of the TV and enjoy a Slimming World cup with these football-friendly snacks!

England
As English as the game itself you can’t beat Scotch eggs (contrary to popular belief, they’re not Scottish at all!) and we’ve got a clever version of the classic that’s perfect for a soccer snack. Enjoy a snack of two halves, along with the game!
Scotch eggs
Serves: 4Syns per serving: Free on Extra Easy* and Original* *Add 6 Syns if not using the breadcrumbs as a Healthy Extra ‘b’ choiceReady in about 45 minutes plus 6-8 hours chilling time
4 eggs A small handful each of fresh parsley and chives1lb 6oz/624g lean minced chicken1 tsp dried mixed herbs1 tsp mild curry powderSalt and freshly ground black pepper8oz/227g wholemeal bread made into breadcrumbsFry light
Place 3 eggs into a pan of cold water and bring to the boil. Cook for 7-8 minutes. Meanwhile, finely chop the fresh herbs. Drain the eggs, cool in cold water, shell and then chop.
Place fresh herbs, mince, dried herbs and curry powder in a bowl and season. Use your hands to mix it together.
Divide the mixture into 16 balls and flatten each one. Place ½ tsp of the egg mixture into the centre of each portion, form a ball and press to seal. Place on a tray, cover and chill for 6-8 hours.
Preheat the oven to 190ºC/Gas 5. Beat the last egg and brush each ball with it. Roll each ball in the breadcrumbs and place on a non-stick baking tray lined with baking parchment. Spray balls with Fry Light and bake for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through.

Germany
They think it’s all over… it is for traditional high-Syn snacks like bratwurst. Instead, tuck into a completely Free Food Optimising frankfurter!
Food Optimising frankfurter
Serves: 1Syns per serving: Free on Extra Easy*, Green* and Original**Add 6 Syns if not using the bread roll as a Healthy Extra ‘b’ choiceReady in about 20 minutes
½ onionFry Light1floz/28ml stock made with Vecon1 Quorn sausage2oz/57g wholemeal roll 1 level tbsp tomato ketchup to serve (optional)
Peel and slice the onion into rings. Spray a large non-stick frying pan with Fry Light. Sauté the onion over a low heat for 5-6 minutes. Add the stock and continue to cook for 10-12 minutes, until the onions are tender. Grill the sausage under a medium heat for 4-5 minutes on each side until cooked through. Split the roll lengthways and spoon in the onion mixture. Top with the sausage and drizzle over the ketchup (count 1 Syn per tbsp).

France
These mushrooms are fab for a football feast - even France legend Zinedine Zidane would approve of the zestiness! Serve these warm mushrooms on top of your Healthy Extra allowance of toasted bread, or as a topper for jacket spuds.
French-style mushrooms
Serves: 4Syns per serving: Free Ready in about 20 minutes
4 garlic cloves1lb/454g mushroomsSalt and freshly ground black pepperFry LightFinely grated zest of 1 lemon 4 tbsp freshly chopped parsley1 tbsp freshly chopped tarragon
Peel and finely chop the garlic and thickly slice the mushrooms. Season well and fry in a hot pan sprayed with Fry Light for 6-8 minutes, stirring often, until the mushrooms are lightly browned.
Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon zest and chopped herbs. Mix well and serve immediately with 57g wholemeal bread, toasted (Healthy Extra ‘b’ choice).

Spain
What could make a better accompaniment to Spain’s first fixture (on the 16th June) than traditional Spanish omelette? Thick slices of potato and pepper-filled wedges are the perfect partner – they’re even the same colours as the Spanish flag!
Spanish omelette
Heat a non-stick frying pan until hot and add sliced peppers and onion. Stir fry over a high heat for 4-5 minutes until tender. Add sliced cooked potatoes and pour in some beaten eggs. Keep stirring the set egg from around the sides into the centre of the pan until it sets all over. Place the pan under a grill for 1-2 minutes until the top of the omelette is golden. Cut into wedges and serve.

Italy
While you’re waiting for ‘gooooaaaaaalaccio!’(As the Italian goal celebration goes), this snack is perfect for picking. Traditional antipasti can be high in Syns, with cured meats and veg soaked in olive oil - this Food Optimising version has all the taste, without the Syns…
Antipasti snack plate
On a large plate arrange slices of Prosciutto (½ Syn per slice on Extra Easy/Original), slices of ham, chunks of mozzarella or feta (42g is a Healthy Extra ‘a’ choice, roasted peppers, cherry tomatoes, fresh melon, figs and olives (8 olives is 1 Syn)

Greece
You’ll be the Greek God/Goddess of the kitchen with this easy-to-make snack. Enjoy piles of Superfree cucumber, celery, peppers and carrots with this houmous dip and munch away until the final whistle!
Homemade houmous
Make a houmous dip by blending chickpeas, garlic cloves, fat free natural fromage frais, lemon juice, 1 tsp olive oil (2 Syns), salt and pepper.

Japan
Celebrate the land of the rising sun’s footie fixture with these spicy sticks. If the weather’s up to it, they’re perfect on the barbecue.
Teriyaki prawn sticks
Makes: 20 Syns per 3 sticks: ½ Syn on Extra Easy & Original, 2 Syns on Green
Peel 20 raw tiger prawns leaving their tails intact and place in a bowl. Mix in 1 tsp sesame oil, 2 tbsp teriyaki marinade and ½ tsp hot chilli powder. Trim 4 spring onions and cut each into 5 pieces. Trim 5 baby corn and cut into 4 pieces. Thread a prawn with a piece of spring onion and corn onto 20 cocktail sticks and cook under a hot grill, turning once, for 2-3 minutes until the prawns are pink. Serve hot.

USA
The USA team face England as their first fixture, so you may not fancy devoting your footie snack to the American side! However, these loaded potato skins are tempting and tasty enough to enjoy no matter which way your loyalties lie!
Loaded potato skins
Cut potatoes into quarters and place in a pan of boiling water for 5-6 minutes. Remove the potatoes and cool, then scoop out the flesh from each quarter, leaving a 1cm thick layer. Place the potato wedges, skin side down, on a baking sheet. Mix chopped spring onions and tomatoes with dried herbs and spoon into the potato quarters. Grate mozzarella cheese (42g is a Healthy Extra ‘a’ choice) over the top and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes. Make a dip by mixing together fat free natural fromage frais, grated garlic and chopped parsley.

Mexico
Rather than high-Syn nachos or quesadillas, make a pass for this guacamole-style dip that goes perfectly with vegetable crudités. It’s so tasty you’ll be hoping for extra time!
Guacamole style dip
Mix avocado (average each 13½ Syns) with quark skimmed milk soft cheese, lemon juice, chopped tomato, spring onion and a few drops of Tabasco. Serve with plenty of crisp dipping vegetables like peppers, celery, radishes and cucumber.
You could also create a salsa dip by mixing chopped tomatoes, garlic, red onion, red chillies, red pepper, lime juice and coriander.

ENJOY!
Urs xxx

Here comes the sun....time to strip off!?

Hey guys - big yellow ball in the sky can only mean one thing!! Summer is finally here :-)

WOO HOO!!!!

Or are you filled with dread at the thought of exposing the flesh - Food Optimising to the rescue!!!

3 steps to success and no hunger guaranteed - bring it on guys! And I also read this which I found rather inspiring....

Ask yourself this before eating...
1) Is this food delicious?
2) Is it healthy?
3) How will I feel in 30 minutes? (I like this one as we always regret it a nano second later don't we!?)
4) If I ate this food all the time, how healthy would I be 10 years from now?

You deserve the feel your best so be your best this week - you are more amazing than you know!

BE THE CHANGE!
Urs xxx

I made a lovely new friend this week....

And I heard him say this......

Rome wasn't built in a day.

Everest wasn't conquered in an hour.

And the journey to target isn't going to happen overnight.

Food Optimising is a lifestyle choice, not a quick fix. You may be on the motorway, the scenic route or even parked in a layby right now, but you WILL finish this journey IF you keep believing in yourself.

I believe in you.

Be the change. See you next week, lighter and brighter!


BE THE CHANGE! (I wonder who he heard say that?! - ha ha ha!!!)
Urs xxx

Let's hear it for the boys!

So it won't surprise you that I am very much looking forward to making a fuss of the brilliant blokes in our group and next Tuesday, 11th May, marks the spot!

Time to celebrate, so chicks, stick on a bit of lippy, concoct some free food delight and bung it on a plate for the buffet and let's party!!! Those boys deserve our special attention :-)

Tues 11th May

5.30 then again at 7.30 (God I love my job!)

Man of the Year 2010

Bring a plate buffet (that's supplied by you!)
I'll bring cups, plates, drinks etc

Oh come let us adore our marvellous men!!

See you there
Urs xxx