Garden, Dog & Cavies

Well so far we are having some amazing Spring weather and as such I am making the most of spending as much time in the garden as possible soaking up the sunlight to get some Vitamin D, and of course enjoying the light.

Our maple tree looks just gorgeous with its bright green leaves against the wonderful blue sky.

The mock orange is looking great and in the evening it smells wonderful.

Today we have cut back some of the bushes and trees to let in a bit more light into the garden.  

I have planted three potato 'plots'

One in this wicker container and two in specially designed bags which are currently next to the glass house.

Tomorrow I hope to work out just where to put the raspberry canes, the gooseberry bushes and blueberry plants that need to be planted.  I am hoping that we will get enough gooseberries this year with my existing plants and the new ones to make a batch of gooseberry jam as I didn't have enough last year.  

I also need to make some kind of box for some more onions that I want to plant.

Our little dog Percy is enjoying his new found freedom of having the run of the garden and house now that he is the only dog in the house.

He is just over a year now and a right character!

Look into my eyes...

A real bundle of fun and inquisitiveness 

I only have three guinea pigs left now sadly, although only having three is a lot more manageable!   These three get on really well though and are enjoying the grass.

Max, who is 5 years old, Oscar is 6 years old and Rocky is the baby at around 2 years old. 

I am also back into juicing again - I have missed it the last couple of months.  Hopefully the garden will produce some of the fruit and vegetables for juicing later in the year.  I have planted enough spinach and silver beet plants!

It may be green, but it tastes super nice.  This juice contains:

Apples,

Spinach

Celery

Carrots

Ginger

Avocado

Banana

Manuka honey 

Acai berry juice

Losing Weight

On 1st August 2013 when realising I weighed nearly 2 stone overweight and not being able to get into any of my lovely clothes I embarked on changing my diet. (Actually I already knew this at the beginning of the year, but that wasn't the time to contemplate doing anything about it.)

I can now proudly say I have reached my goal weight and have lost 2 inches from my thighs, 3 1/2 inches from my hips, 4 1/2 inches from my waist, 2 inches from my bust...(not so good!) and 1 1/2 inches from around the top of my arms, plus the almost 2 stone that I was overweight.  

How did I do it?  Sensible eating and exercise (and also being medication free has I am sure helped)  I don't feel I have been deprived of any food in particular.  I mainly cut out bread - I no longer eat any bread (unless it is the odd slice of gluten free, and then only on occasion), and all the evening snacks we used to have.  I also cut down on my meal portions.  I juice several times a week  and that will serve as one of my meals, varying to whether it is a breakfast, lunch or dinner. The only treats or cakes that I will eat are if I have baked them myself and know exactly what is in it.  

I try and walk for a couple of hours most days, although that has cut down now since the weather has not been so good.

This weight loss has made me feel a whole lot better about myself AND the bonus is I can now get back into all my 'slim' clothes.  The 'fat' clothes will be going in the charity bags this weekend or during the week, this will of course help with my continuing battle with 'clutter'.  A review of the wardrobe is always a good thing.

I can only sing the merits of juicing.  Great for both feeling good and weight loss.  The juice and smoothie if that is what I end up making - using soft fruits and vegetables as well, come out in all sorts of interesting colours (and some not quite so interesting looking)  ALL are very tasty though!

On of the most common juice/smoothies I make uses:

1/3 - 1/2 a pineapple depending on the size

3 apples

chunk of cucumber

broccoli stalk

slice lemon or lime

a couple of handfuls of spinach (or chard/silverbeet)

a couple of carrots

a couple of sticks of celery.

then put in smoothie maker with:

1/2 to a whole avocado

1 - 2 bananas

spoonful of Manuka honey.

blueberries.

When blueberries are added the colour looks a bit 'muddy' but the taste is really delicious.