In an earlier post, I told you how I had won £250 worth of Leisure Vouchers, which I was going to use to pay for one of the items on my list - a hot air balloon ride. I wasn't quite done though, especially as I had marked it off my list so soon, and so easily.
I was quite right. In January, I won a competition with Harvey Nichols. They gave me up to £500 to treat myself, the money had to be spent on one item. As much as I love handbags and shoes, I couldn't justify spending that amount of money on them, so Mr G suggested I buy myself a nice watch. Being something I could keep and use on special occasions. I chose a lovely Michael Kors watch! Something I would never have had otherwise.
And on Monday of this week, I received an email to tell me I had won £250 cash!! That was a really nice surprise. You don't really see very many cash prize competitions, they tend to be vouchers for different stores or experiences. I've earmarked some of the money to treat my parents to a meal out (maybe for a huge gammon...) and I may treat myself to an iPod touch with the rest.
And no, I'm not quite done yet, either ;-) Something else is going to come, for sure...
Saturday, 13 February 2016
#17 - Eat from 40 different places I haven't eaten at before - 5/40
5. The place - Kinmel Arms, Moelfre. The dish - Gammon and chips. Eat in - 2nd February, 2016
Ye Gods, let me tell you. You ain't ever had a gammon like this before. Gracing the Kinmel Arms for our 14th Wedding Anniversary, we'd heard about the gammons from Mr G's old boss, who lives in the village. You can't actually see how big it is, from the sheer volume of food on my plate, so look at this next picture to put the thickness of the gammon into context...
It had to be about an inch thick. And for a very bargainous £12.99, you can't go wrong. Cooked to perfection, and the chips were good too. Although it was far too big a portion to accompany such a massive hunk of meat, I'd rather too many than too few, which is a bit of a bugbear for me at the moment, are pubs counting how many chips they're dishing out these days? I worked in a pub kitchen, I know how much huge bags of frozen chips cost...
Highly, highly recommended. If I could give more, I would, but I can't, so - 10/10.
Ye Gods, let me tell you. You ain't ever had a gammon like this before. Gracing the Kinmel Arms for our 14th Wedding Anniversary, we'd heard about the gammons from Mr G's old boss, who lives in the village. You can't actually see how big it is, from the sheer volume of food on my plate, so look at this next picture to put the thickness of the gammon into context...
 |
| I like my meat like I like my men. Thick and pink, with a little fat around the edges... |
It had to be about an inch thick. And for a very bargainous £12.99, you can't go wrong. Cooked to perfection, and the chips were good too. Although it was far too big a portion to accompany such a massive hunk of meat, I'd rather too many than too few, which is a bit of a bugbear for me at the moment, are pubs counting how many chips they're dishing out these days? I worked in a pub kitchen, I know how much huge bags of frozen chips cost...
Highly, highly recommended. If I could give more, I would, but I can't, so - 10/10.
#10 - Conquer my needle phobia - Treatment commenced!
It's official, as was suspected, after a psychological evaluation, I do actually have something called 'Blood Injury Injection Disorder'. This has come as a huge relief to me. Treatment begins in two weeks time, a course of CBT and immersion, and I am not looking forward to that part. I had a sweat on when the Psychologist pulled out a sealed syringe, one without a needle in - which might sound pathetic, but that's what this disorder does to you. Apparently it can usually be traced back to a traumatic experience in your childhood and we managed to identify two that he thinks would definitely have triggered it off for me. Happy days, let's see how we get on with this. Might be a long and uncomfortable journey, but at least I've made a start on it.
Thursday, 7 January 2016
#21 - Become Pescetarian* for a month - Started 3/1/16 - Concluded
Happy New Year :-) Thought I'd chuck myself in at the deep end and get this one out of the way. Although, if tonight's tea is anything to go by, it's going to be a lot better than I anticipated. *I have decided that I am going to eat fish and shellfish sparingly. I know it's not 'proper' to do so, but there we go. I've amended the blog post title because there'll always be one who'll delight in telling me I am not eating a vegetarian diet...
My husband and daughter have been following this with me (of their own accord) up to now (Thursday 7th January at time of posting). Since Sunday I have had one packet of crisps (cheese and onion!), one apple, and a couple of handfuls of chopped walnuts as snacks. That is literally all that has passed my lips aside from my food. And anyone who knows me will tell you that is unheard of. I am a snacker, especially at night, I am always on the hunt for something after tea, while I'm sat reading or comping. I've been so full after my tea that twice I've been unable to finish my plate, let alone want anything later.
I also bought a spiraliser from The Works at a bargain price of £13.00 at their 'Offer of the Week' price, and using the £2.00 I had earned on my reward card. So, I am looking forward to trying some different veggies spiralised.
Update - After ten days of following the diet, I gave up on it. Not because I couldn't do it, I was actually eating better, and - as I thought it - healthier than ever. I wasn't snacking between meals, I wasn't craving junk food. I was so full I was leaving food on my plate. The problem, however, was in the scales. I initially lost a few pounds but suddenly put them back on - and some! I had to weigh up (no pun intended) whether I could do this for another two and a half weeks, and how much weight I could potentially put on and decided it wasn't worth the risk. I knew that had I followed the healthy eating plan I usually do, I'd have lost between 7 - 10lbs in those 10 days. If I had lost weight, then it would have been a different matter altogether.
I'm glad I did it though, even though I cannot properly count it as a list win, I'm going to anyway. It gave me the incentive to cook properly again, I had to actually think twice about what I was going to make. I cooked some really nice meals, the veggie bolognese I think outclasses a meat one, and the Butternut Squash and Bean chilli I made tasted even nicer the next day. So I've also got some keepers in the recipe department, and I think our family are going to adopt at least Meat Free Monday. But it might be on a Wednesday. Or Sunday.
My husband and daughter have been following this with me (of their own accord) up to now (Thursday 7th January at time of posting). Since Sunday I have had one packet of crisps (cheese and onion!), one apple, and a couple of handfuls of chopped walnuts as snacks. That is literally all that has passed my lips aside from my food. And anyone who knows me will tell you that is unheard of. I am a snacker, especially at night, I am always on the hunt for something after tea, while I'm sat reading or comping. I've been so full after my tea that twice I've been unable to finish my plate, let alone want anything later.
I also bought a spiraliser from The Works at a bargain price of £13.00 at their 'Offer of the Week' price, and using the £2.00 I had earned on my reward card. So, I am looking forward to trying some different veggies spiralised.
 | ||
| Veggie Bolognese, Celery Soup, Veggie Fajita Pizza, Sweet Potato hash with poached egg and spinach |
 |
| Prawn Pasta, Prawn Curry and Egg fried Rice, Indian Burger with Sweet Potato fries and Courgetti, Kedgeree |
Update - After ten days of following the diet, I gave up on it. Not because I couldn't do it, I was actually eating better, and - as I thought it - healthier than ever. I wasn't snacking between meals, I wasn't craving junk food. I was so full I was leaving food on my plate. The problem, however, was in the scales. I initially lost a few pounds but suddenly put them back on - and some! I had to weigh up (no pun intended) whether I could do this for another two and a half weeks, and how much weight I could potentially put on and decided it wasn't worth the risk. I knew that had I followed the healthy eating plan I usually do, I'd have lost between 7 - 10lbs in those 10 days. If I had lost weight, then it would have been a different matter altogether.
I'm glad I did it though, even though I cannot properly count it as a list win, I'm going to anyway. It gave me the incentive to cook properly again, I had to actually think twice about what I was going to make. I cooked some really nice meals, the veggie bolognese I think outclasses a meat one, and the Butternut Squash and Bean chilli I made tasted even nicer the next day. So I've also got some keepers in the recipe department, and I think our family are going to adopt at least Meat Free Monday. But it might be on a Wednesday. Or Sunday.
Sunday, 3 January 2016
#18 - Stop Drinking Wine - Update
Well, well, well. The 4th of November 2015 was a bit of a double whammy for me. Not only the day I quit Facebook, but also the last time I had a drink of wine. Actually, the last time that alcohol passed my lips? Do I feel better for it from an allergy perspective? Hard to tell, because I have a stinking cold so I'm still bloody sneezy and snotty. I think my skin has cleared up though, it's not as blotchy and rashy as usual. And waking up in the morning and not wasting a whole day feeling dog rough? Priceless.
I am going to have a few drinks at Christmas, I just don't know at the moment if it's worth touching wine? We shall see. But nearly five weeks wine free, that's good by my standards :-)
Update - I had two bottles of wine on New Year's Eve *cough - amongst other things - cough*
I am going to have a few drinks at Christmas, I just don't know at the moment if it's worth touching wine? We shall see. But nearly five weeks wine free, that's good by my standards :-)
Update - I had two bottles of wine on New Year's Eve *cough - amongst other things - cough*
#14 - Deactivate Facebook for at least a month - Update
Deactivated at noon, 4th November 2015. Whether I can last a month remains to be seen. Ideally, it will be a permanent thing. Still, it's a start.
Update - Monday 7th December, and I am still off it, and I am loving it! I feel free from it at last, and I don't feel like I am missing out on anything. I like not being privy to the racism and homophobia and vague statuses to make people fish for information or to glean sympathy - you know, general fuckwittery that makes me go all 'grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!' Long may it last.
Update - I went back on for 24 hours just before Christmas, as I have a lot of friends there who I am not in touch with any other way. I said 'Merry Christmas', that I'd been off it for 7 weeks, and I was back for 24 hours only. Hopefully that sorts out all the people who take offence and think I've deleted them or blocked them. Nice to have the option to do that occasionally, but I am still glad to be off it, and am not tempted to go back.
Monday, 7 December 2015
#10 - Conquer my needle phobia - Course of Treatment Booked!
I suppose the title of this post is a bit inaccurate. I do have a needle phobia, but it's not just needle phobia either? It goes way, way deeper than just needle phobia. If you follow my other blog, you may have seen my post about my recent tests for Glaucoma, in which I had to have eye drops. Two, tiny drops of liquid into my eyes. I had a panic attack and how I stayed conscious is beyond me. I kid you not. Eye drops.
To say I'm (medically) squeamish is an understatement. Although this hasn't ever impacted on my health before, it was obvious that it was only a matter of time. The blog title is a giveaway. 40 Before 40. How long before something goes wrong? How about potentially having to have eyedrops every day for the rest of my life? You may laugh, you may mock. But just imagine having to face one of your fears every day for the rest of your life? Maybe starting every day of the rest of your life looking down from a tall building or maybe, waking up and having to hold a spider, or a rat, or having to wear a snake necklace or anything that instills genuine fear in you? Oh yeah - and being guaranteed a panic attack every day to boot. Still sound funny? It doesn't to me.
Then the needle issue, specifically the needle issue. The last time I had a needle was the injection to speed up the delivery of my son's placenta. 2006. So I have managed to evade needles for nine and a half years. I have come some way where blood tests are concerned, thanks to my very wonderful midwife who looked after my care for my youngest three, in that I am actually able to have one when I am able to use EMLA cream. If I can look the other way and be distracted, the cream means you don't feel anything, it's almost bearable. I still don't like it, but it's bearable.
Trying to explain to people that don't have this phobia that - for example - if I became diabetic, I honestly didn't think that I would be able to inject myself, or - even be injected by someone else daily. They don't get it. 'You'd have to' - they say. 'I don't have to' - is my response. As ridiculous as that response might seem. I don't have to. I have a choice to, and a choice not to. Unfortunately, choices such as that, are life and death. Most people would choose life, right? I need to be in that bracket too.
So, potentially having to face something that is going to trigger off this phobia on a daily basis, I knew I would have to do something about it. One of my friends is a Psychiatric nurse, and so I sounded her out about it. I told her what had happened at the Optician, that this went way beyond just needles, and she promised that she would have a word with some colleagues of hers and see what they thought.
Long story short, obviously I haven't been assessed yet so it's a 'don't quote me' scenario, but one of her colleagues who is a Psychologist said that it sounded like I had a condition called 'Blood Injury Injection Disorder' rather than a needle phobia. Oh. Em. Gee. I've looked it up. It is an actual condition. It was me to a bloody TEE. Sufferers would refuse vital medical treatment, or refuse to seek help in the first instance, because of the needle issue. Inclusive of people with cancer, diabetes et al. I'm not cracking up. I'm not being silly. I'm not alone in this. And most importantly, it can be... don't want to say 'cured' but it can be treated? So, I have bitten the bullet and in January I am starting a course of CBT to hopefully help me deal with this disorder. I'm not one to shy away from things, if there's a problem, I will at least try and face it head on and deal with it. So, that's what I am doing. I'm really proud of myself, and really rather looking forward to it? I'm not one to be beaten by anything - once I decided that I'm strong enough to face it head on. And come January? BIID, if that is what you are, I'm coming for you. I am gunning for you.
To say I'm (medically) squeamish is an understatement. Although this hasn't ever impacted on my health before, it was obvious that it was only a matter of time. The blog title is a giveaway. 40 Before 40. How long before something goes wrong? How about potentially having to have eyedrops every day for the rest of my life? You may laugh, you may mock. But just imagine having to face one of your fears every day for the rest of your life? Maybe starting every day of the rest of your life looking down from a tall building or maybe, waking up and having to hold a spider, or a rat, or having to wear a snake necklace or anything that instills genuine fear in you? Oh yeah - and being guaranteed a panic attack every day to boot. Still sound funny? It doesn't to me.
Then the needle issue, specifically the needle issue. The last time I had a needle was the injection to speed up the delivery of my son's placenta. 2006. So I have managed to evade needles for nine and a half years. I have come some way where blood tests are concerned, thanks to my very wonderful midwife who looked after my care for my youngest three, in that I am actually able to have one when I am able to use EMLA cream. If I can look the other way and be distracted, the cream means you don't feel anything, it's almost bearable. I still don't like it, but it's bearable.
Trying to explain to people that don't have this phobia that - for example - if I became diabetic, I honestly didn't think that I would be able to inject myself, or - even be injected by someone else daily. They don't get it. 'You'd have to' - they say. 'I don't have to' - is my response. As ridiculous as that response might seem. I don't have to. I have a choice to, and a choice not to. Unfortunately, choices such as that, are life and death. Most people would choose life, right? I need to be in that bracket too.
So, potentially having to face something that is going to trigger off this phobia on a daily basis, I knew I would have to do something about it. One of my friends is a Psychiatric nurse, and so I sounded her out about it. I told her what had happened at the Optician, that this went way beyond just needles, and she promised that she would have a word with some colleagues of hers and see what they thought.
Long story short, obviously I haven't been assessed yet so it's a 'don't quote me' scenario, but one of her colleagues who is a Psychologist said that it sounded like I had a condition called 'Blood Injury Injection Disorder' rather than a needle phobia. Oh. Em. Gee. I've looked it up. It is an actual condition. It was me to a bloody TEE. Sufferers would refuse vital medical treatment, or refuse to seek help in the first instance, because of the needle issue. Inclusive of people with cancer, diabetes et al. I'm not cracking up. I'm not being silly. I'm not alone in this. And most importantly, it can be... don't want to say 'cured' but it can be treated? So, I have bitten the bullet and in January I am starting a course of CBT to hopefully help me deal with this disorder. I'm not one to shy away from things, if there's a problem, I will at least try and face it head on and deal with it. So, that's what I am doing. I'm really proud of myself, and really rather looking forward to it? I'm not one to be beaten by anything - once I decided that I'm strong enough to face it head on. And come January? BIID, if that is what you are, I'm coming for you. I am gunning for you.
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