Making a Cameo appearance

The humble apple.

Part of my staple diet since 1976. I juice these bad boys, eat them with cashew butter, crunch them, bake them, love them.

Mia reminded me yesterday to juice some apples, and I always sneak in some spinach and cucumber in there too, but wheatgrass the Minis draw the line at -  "it's bleugh mummy".

Fair play.

Anyway, I have been sent some Cameo apples to try, a new British variety from Kent which have made their first appearance this year in supermarkets and I luuurve. They are nicely crunchy and crisp, and perfect for small and big people snacks. Let me know if you try them. You can find Cameo's in Tescos, Sainsburys, Morrisons, Booths, Budgens and Co-op, online and on Twitter (Apples are great social communicators you know).



 

 

 

 

 

I was sent some Cameo apples to try and as such must disclose in the post. A-thank-you.

What really matters most

I saw a shocking infographic today about the effects of stress; as someone who lives with illnesses which are without doubt exaccerbated by the S-word, it shocks me to think how much stress we put on our systems.

Joining #thefitcrowd

I am super excited to tell you that I have been chosen to work with one of my favourite brands, fitness wear gurus Sweaty Betty. A group of 20 bloggers, all with varied interests, ages, fitness levels and experiences are joining forces under #thefitcrowd moniker and I am thrilled to be part of the group. The aim is for us to be your connection with all things Sweaty Betty and to inspire other women to engage with fitness as part of their lives, something I believe strongly in as a chronic illness bod and mum of small people.
You may remember my Team Bangs on the Run half marathon journey, and some of my beloved Team Bangs ladies are also part of The Fit Crowd which is lovely for me to be joining forces with them again, and to meet other bloggers
on the way.
Watch this space!

#deskfest #5

My fifth and final Alpro UK #deskfest challenge is so simple and a lot of fun.

This morning, I warmed up some Alpro Hazelnut drink in my Keep Cup, got my snow trousers and gloves on and headed to the park with the Mini Divas.  I made snow angels, ran around like a lunatic, and enjoyed the white crunchy stuff like a big kid.

As a freelance working mum, anywhere I stick my cup is my desk!

Enjoy :)

#deskfest day 4

Hi Diva Reader Deskfesters, are you still with me? On day 4 of the Alpro #deskfest challenge I have created something super, SUPER easy for you to try.

Porridge with cinnamon and pouring yoghurt....

Simply chuck some oats into a bowl or Keep Cup as I have used here, sprinkle with cinnamon and pop into your bag with some Alpro pouring yoghurt. When you get to work, pour some hot water over the oats, leave for a few minutes then stir and pour over the yoghurt. There you have it, a lovely, warming, healthy slow release breakfast that takes no time at all!

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#deskfest day 3

It's day 3 of the Alpro UK #deskfest challenge, and today is a simple and speedy one.

My green smoothie has one apple, one pear, Alpro Almond Milk, spirulina, raw cacao powder and a banana.

Whizz it all up and pour into a jar to take to work with some roasted almonds and you have a super easy anti-oxidant brekky special!

Jo

 

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#deskfest day 2

 

#deskfest day 2

Todays breakfast deskfest challenge is a super easy one to create. I popped some almonds into my tub, added some rye flakes and Alpro Vanilla pouring yoghurt, then chopped a banana into it.

Done!

What do you think?

#deskfest day 1

 

So here it is, peeps, my Day 1 of #deskfest. 

Here is the deal:
Whizz up some Alpro Almond Milk in a smoothie maker with chia seeds, an apple, a pear and some maca powder.
Take in a cup to work.
Pop some granary toast in, smooth with peanut crunch ( I used Meridian's Peanut Crunch here), add a chopped sharon fruit, and enjoy!

You will have taken on 3 of your 5 a day, some nut butter protein and slow release wholegrain carbs.
Maca is also great for hormone balancing and  a natural energy boost, and chia seeds keep hunger locked up til lunch.

What do you think? Let me know, and don't forget you can tweet, pin or instagram your #deskfest pics to enter a competition by Alpro UK for breakfast in New York.

Follow Alpro on Twitter @Alpro_UK

Alpro Deskfest Challenge

I am thrilled to have been invited by the lovely people at Alpro UK to take part in their #deskfest challenge this month.
Now January has arrived so many of us are getting back onto a cleaner eating regime after a few cheeky festive treats, so Alpro has asked a few of us bloggers to share our ideas for a healthy breakfast at your desk.
As a working mum I often have to take brekky with me on the go, as I may be working in London, at my desk at home, or co working with my colleagues so planning a healthy, portable breakfast is really important to me in eating well and looking after myself. Many of you might have breakfast at work, as I used to when I worked for agencies in London, so I know how handy it is to have some healthy, portable ideas to keep your brain cells ticking and your energy going for a day ahead.
I will be sharing my #deskfest ideas this week using Alpro products and my personal take on some healthy brekkies, and I would love to know wat you think.
If you would like to hve a go at creating your own #deskfest breakfasts with Alpro, why not take some pics, and you can tweet them, pin them or instagram them using the hashtag #deskfest to be in with a chance to win breakfast in New York!
I would love to know what you think of my breakfasts - let me know if you try them.
Jo

Coping with endo: infographic

Endo update & training with pain

I have just had a positive meeting with my doctor for my 6 monthly med review. Last time she saw me I was on 40mg citalopram, 40mg amatryptaline, 8-10 30mg cocodamol, and 6 gabapantin a day. Quite a cocktail.

Green smoothie infographic

I know I am all about the green smoothies these days, but I had to share this with you when I saw this fab infographic:

Yoga Magic

I have recently been rediscovering the magical properties of Hatha Yoga.

As an endometriosis girl finding ways to complement my energy levels and cardiovascular activities are a challenge; I used to go to yoga before having the Mini Divas, and have been back for the the last 3 weeks for some much needed strength and stretching.

What I love about yoga is the fact that I might have a mind racing full of the day's events, I may feel tired and worn out before a class, yet without fail I come out feeling energised, calm and restored. Hatha yoga for me has been like rediscovering a kind of magic potion, and I never fail to be amazed that this über ancient meditation and exercise form can work on so many levels.

looking after number 1

This is one thing lately I have been thinking a lot about. I have been seeing huge improvements in my health and management of chronic fatigue and endometriosis as regular readers will know. The results have been coming mainly from eating a high raw diet, cutting out the CRAP ( literally Carbs, Refined Sugars, Alcohol and Processed foods), and exercising as much as I can whilst resting when my body needs it. Simple, right?

Looking after myself takes time. Time to make a green juice or smoothies and to wash it up, (those gadgets can create a lot of mess!) time to go for a run or a yoga class. As a working, self employed mum, it can be all so easy to make excuses or feel bad about making that time for myself, and I think a lot of us can relate to that. But guess what....the kids are seeing more of me now I am not in bed for 3 or 4 days a week in chronic pain. They are benefiting from having a mum who is present, not foggy headed and perpetually sore, who is energised and full of life. I am not 100% well, I am still on a journey but my goodness the difference is huge.

the harsh truth of health

I believe, wholeheartedly, that the journey to health and vitality differs for each and every one of us.

I didn't really know how much I was missing out on health-wise in my younger years until the state of my body and overall health, energy and lack of vitality was just in pieces. Broken. Beyond immediate repair.

I have spoken very openly here on this blog about living with chronic pain, illness and the ups and downs of that reality. I am starting to change that reality, slowly, and I am acutely aware how much I am learning about the personal responsibility we all have for our health. This is the one body we have on this earth, and I don't mean to state the obvious but without it we are kind of stuck....

Training and freya active

I am sure you watched the Olympic Opening ceremony like me on Friday - wasn't it MINDBLOWING? I loved the whole thing, from Branagh as Brunel to Mr Bean, Bond and the Queen, Becks on a boat...all of it was magical inspiring and just so....us.

So in the Olympic spirit I am of course still training for Cycletta and Run to the Beat. On Friday I was out on my mountain bike in the fens for 17k bike ride, and today I donned my trusty Team Bangs on the Run top and my Freya Active set to crank out a 4 mile run.

Unreliable or endo?

This postcard, the 3rd in the series by  the wonderful Antonia, is so brilliant at relating the feeling of unreliability that endo sisters and others suffering from a chronic condition go through. The number of times I have had to cancel at last minute my plans due to pain or exhaustion are countless; luckily, my close friends and family know the score, they support me 100% and everyone knows there is a 50/50 chance I will ever be somewhere I plan to be. Those who don't get it never will and are not worth my time.

It's tough, it's frustrating, but it's life. It's my life, and the life of many, many other ladies out there.

If you know how this feels and would be willing to share your story as a guest Diva, please drop me a line.

 

Guest diva: depression

When I tell you that I have a full time bookkeeping business, that I am one of 3 people who voluntarily runs a charitable organisation (Blurt) for those affected by depression, and I write, it’s not because I’m arrogant in any way, shape or form but because I often can’t believe it myself.

Running and riding for endo

Ok endo warriors, my fellow sisters in pain and suffering, this is for you.

I am taking part in 2 events to raise money for endometriosis - the Nike Run to the Beat in September, and Cycletta 40km bike ride in Brighton in November. This is a big deal for a mum of two with extreme pain and fatigue who is on a mission.

I may have to walk the courses on the day, I may crawl it, but I will do it.

I would like to thank Freya lingerie for supporting me during my training and for sponsoring me to attend the Cycletta event.

If you would like to help me, you can donate to my JustGiving page here,.  Contact me for info on how your brand can get involved. If you want to join me and take part with me, let me know, and above all else please spread the word and donate.

Let's do this.

 

Downloadable endo symptom diary

As an advocate of endo awareness and an endo warrior myself I want to help as many women as possible get a diagnosis for their pelvic pain in the least amount of time.

Mine took 8 years, and it is my mission that women who suspect that they might have endo have the right information to hand to show their GP's.

Here is a printable symptom diary to help track pelvic pain and symptoms.

Downloadable symptom diary

Help yourself, pass the word around and I hope it helps.

DD
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