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

Clear out your clothes for a great cause :-)

I had a lovely email from Anita Pekdemir....read on....

Due to the recent loss of a friend who died with a severe form of cancer, I'm trying to raise money for Cancer Research.
Therefore Ive decided to organise a bring and buy sale of clothes, shoes and accessories on Friday 21st May at the Little Paxton Scout Hut from 7-11.30pm
I thought that as some SW members might want to get rid of some "LARGE" clothes it could be an opportunity to donate clothes they've grown out of and be given the opportunity of buying a dress size down at a fraction of the cost.

Clothes will be displayed in sizes and a changing area provided to try things on. Of course, refreshments will be on offer (mainly of the grape variety - but limited!!!) and a raffle.

With your permission I could collect bags of unwanted clothes before the meetings on Tuesday which in turn gives people a ticket to come along to the evening and buy a new "thinner" wardrobe.

As the saying goes, "One man's rubbish is another man's treasure!!"

What a chick :-)
Urs xxx

Bargain alert!

Muller lights are 5 for £1.50 at Co-op Eaton Socon :-)

Thanks Becca!

Urs xxx

What a difference a week makes!

Oh those words rang joyfully in my ears last night. Top chick Ann not only pulls herself back from the brink but loses 4lb to share the Early sesh Slimmer of the week with 'scared' Jim! HAPPY DAYS!! Late sesh chick Kelsey stormed to victory with a monumental 4.5lbs to claim her Slimmer of the week crown too :-)

BRING IT ON!

And both sessions were punctuated with flashes of brilliance with losses of 3, 4, 5lbs (mainly 5 and 6 for last weeks new ones - first week determination and passion is something we could bottle and sell eh?) and then to completely knock our socks off, along came two quite incredible women.........

Grab a coffee and ponder these two chicks:

Carolyn (early chick) battled a veritable roller coaster slimming career, lost faith in herself more times than you could count but along with awesome support from you guys and falling back in love with Food Optimising via Extra Easy; she somehow gathered the strength to carry on. And carry on she did - all the way!
Getting to target is an immensely personal experience which ironically (when shared with the group) brings immense joy to the masses. Carolyn, you are a true inspiration and I cannot put into words how happy and I am for you and how proud I am of you :-) Happy days!!

Maria (late chick) top target chick of over a years standing made a commitment last week to get back to target after a month of thinking "it'll be OK". Maria needed 9lb to get back to target and in true shooting for the moon style, set her mini target at 9lbs - OMG!!!!
Result? 9.5lbs off!!!! In one week!!!!! Happy days!!!!

So I am now at home working - considering what lies in the week ahead for my incredible members and hoping you will all have made a personal commitment to be your best this week.

Aiming for a 5lb loss is NOT setting yourself up for failure... it's setting yourself up for a week of change, a week where you truly mean business, a week of non stop pee-ing :-) a week where you put your dreams into focus and make them happen.

Over the top? Me?
Bloody right - love you all to bits!
BE THE CHANGE!!
Urs xxx


PS Did you know that you can commnet on this blog and as such you could all have a mini forum going on after each blog post?! Feel free to comment and let your passion, enthusiam, possitivity and food ideas FLOW!!!!!