Middle Eastern Spiced Lamb

Serves: 4 or 10 bariatric portions 

Ingredients:

• 500g lamb mince
• 1 small onion, finely diced 
• 1/2 celery stalk, finely diced 
• 1 garlic clove, finely diced 
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander 
• 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika 
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 

Method:

• Saute the onion, celery and garlic in cooking spray for 2-3 minutes until softened 
• Add the lamb mince browning and breaking up until just under cooked through
• Add the spices and toss through the mince toasting the spices until aromatic, approximately 1-2 minutes 

Nutritional Value per portion (10):

• Calories: 99
• Total fat: 6.6g
• Total carbohydrates: 0.7g
• Protein: 10g

Recipe Notes:

• Picture shown has the middle Eastern Spiced lamb served on a bed of protein enriched hummus topped with pine nuts, cherry tomatoes and fresh parsley
• Store covered in the fridge for a maximum of 3 days
• This recipe is freezer friendly to be consumed within 6 months, when reheating it will need to be slightly rehydrated with a small amount of stock
• Also delicious served in a lettuce cup, with a flat bread or with baked sweet potato.

Disclaimer: C4K Kitchen does not hold any responsibility for the consumer using this recipe including the storage guidelines and time frames recommended in the recipe notes. The consumer holds all responsibilities to ensure that food hygiene and safety standards are adhered to.

Today will be the first day that I won’t have a hand written journal entry to align to my Percy diaries. In a mummy moment of protecting Lachlan I have managed to burn my hand with boiling water and can’t hold a pen….they are holding my bag of frozen peas! 

Today I have felt flat and off most of the day, no idea why just irritable, cranky, emotional and really out of sorts. I had to do a presentation at the Royal Adelaide Hospital for work this afternoon on my project which was a huge success but not even that could really lift me out of my funk.

I saw this quote in Instagram this morning…..

And it made me think you know what I have changed my daily routine in so many ways.

• I take the stairs instead of taking the lifts (18 flights today in fact)
• I pack my lunchbox full of my delicious little bariatric treats 

• I am no longer drinking sugar laden soft drinks. 
• I am walking and getting mobile as much as I can….just to name a few small changes in my daily routine!

So I guess even though I am a grumpy bitch with a burnt hand I can still acknowledge that I’ve tapped into my secret of my success! 

Day 16 – 3.1km, 16/50 – 72.4km

It’s Wednesday again, gosh that comes around so quickly every week

This week – 2.4kg

Since surgery – 37.1kg

Total – 56kg

Someonbody call an ambulance as I need to be resusication and to be picked up off the floor.  I am in shock and complete disbelief that I am still managing to drop big numbers like this over 4 months post op.

Today I took the plunge and I have signed up for a 10 day gym trial and two PT sessions, first one is next Tuesday. I’m terrified and equally as excited at the same time.

I also bought some new fleecy pj’s to attempt to keep me warm but I bought them a size smaller while a little tight, they fit!!

Doesn’t every 35 year old need PJ’s with animal ears on their hoodie?

Day 15 – 5.1km, 15/50 – 69.3km

Protein Enriched Chilli Con Carne

Serves: 4 or 10 bariatric serves 

Ingredients:

• 500g extra lean beef mince 
• 400g can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed 
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 3 garlic cloves, finely diced 
• 1 teaspoons chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 400g chopped tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste 
• 2 scoops (60g) pure protein powder

Method: 

• Place the onion and garlic in a frying pan with some cooking spray and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened 
• Add the mince meat and brown while cooking off
• Add the kidney beans and all the spices into the frying and toast for approximately 2 minutes until aromatic 
• Add the tomato paste and canned tomatoes and simmer for 5 minutes 
• Blitz the protein powder in a bullet blender with 1/3 cup water until fully blended 
• Stir the protein powder mix into the chilli and bring to temperature 
• Serve as desired 

Nutritional Value per portion (10):

• Calories: 169
• Total fat: 2.7g
• Total carbohydrates: 15.5g
• Protein: 20g

Recipe Notes:

• Store covered in the fridge for a maximum of 3 days 
• This recipe is freezer friendly to be consumed within 6 months 
• Picture shown has the chilli Con Carne served with corn chips and salad 
• Other serving suggestions are tortilla boats, taco shell, tortilla wraps, baked potato topping or wonton-pie filling 
• Protein powder used in the recipe is Protein Supplies Australia WPI Fast Release protein powders
• You can buy online from www.proteinsuppliesaustralia.com.au 
• Use the Discount code psafriendsofhollys at checkout to get a 10% discount

Disclaimer: C4K Kitchen does not hold any responsibility for the consumer using this recipe including the storage guidelines and time frames recommended in the recipe notes. The consumer holds all responsibilities to ensure that food hygiene and safety standards are adhered to.

I am officially stuffed!!  Today has been very bloody busy.  Dropped off the boy at school then went straight to drop my car off to be serviced.  Mum picked me up and I had this ‘genius’ idea that we could walk to the closest shopping centre, and when I say closest I mean over 3km away.

But I did it there and back and not only did I do it comfortably I absolutely crushed my previous best average time per km, I maintained a constant conversation without sounding like a puffing steam train and secretly I think I completely shocked Mum with the pace I was setting and sustaining.

The afternoon then consisted of normal mum life but managed to clock up 14,800 steps or a massive 10.4km.

I had a beautiful heart warming text message from one of my dearest friends simply saying

“So incredibly proud of you”

This message I can honestly say was such a beautiful message that really meant so much more to me than words can say.  It touched my heart and warmed my soul!

I also has a chat with one of the other swimming mums this afternoon and she is so incredibly supportive and it’s so nice to be acknowledged and recognised for how far I have come.

Maybe one day my brain and eyes will start believing it to…………

Day 14 – 14.1km, 14/50 – 64.2km

So I have talked in the past few days about my clothing anxiety, I shared this in one of my small supportive Facebook groups. I have such an amazing support network which I am truly grateful for and everyone is so encouraging and positive but in reading the replies it has made me realise that there is a huge difference between self esteem and body image.

I can honestly say that I am very happy and comfortable with me as a person.  I have a kind heart, a giving nature, I am a good and loving mum, partner and friend.  So I am very content with Holly as the person.

My body image and the way I view the shell my soul and being resides is extremely difference.  My body image really needs some room for improvement.

My delivery today couldn’t have come on a better day….

You are brave then you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think

Day 13 – 7.1km,  13/50 – 53.8km

It was my nephew’s 6th birthday party today.  I’m still waiting for some kind of acknowledgement from my sister on how I am going so my anxiety getting ready to find an appropriate outfit was on an all time high!

Thank goodness for selfies, full length mirrors and supportive friends to pick my outfit for me as everything feels awkward and uncomfortable at the moment.

I also checked with the party menu before today and decided it would be better if I packed my own little lunchbox to take with me so I didn’t have any adverse reactions to any “party” foods.

Had a lovely day but no big surprise, still no comment from my Kim (my sister).  But Mum and one of Kim’s bridesmaids and long time friends both commented on how well and how nice I looked today.

Today exercise was non-existent and my plans of going for a long walk just didn’t happen.  Finding time in my busy life really is difficult but all I can do it keep on doing and trying the best I possibly can.

Tonight the little guy was overtired and loosing his shit at dinner time meaning I broke WLS rule #1
‘ thou shall not eat quickly’

Well I ate quickly and I feel revolting and feel like my entire meal is caught in my throat.  EAT SLOWLY is a mandatory thing these days as this discomfort sucks arse!!

Day 12 – 1.6km,  12/50 – 46.7km

Today has been a good day.

This morning Lachlan and I had a play date with one of my most dearest friends and her 2 gorgeous little men.  I haven’t seen her since before surgery and it is safe to say she was completely floored with my changes specifically my face and arse.  She couldn’t believe the new amazing shape I have particularly from behind.  Everyone keeps talking about showing and flaunting this shape, this is a difficult adjustment after spending so many years trying to hide that shape!

The little guy and I when we got home went on another walking playgroud crawl through the neighbourhood.

I am really loving doing activities like this with him.

Tonight I also sat down with Jamie and talked about things from his point of view of how my surgery has affected him and the changes he has seen within me.

The biggest positive change he has sees within me is my new found energy and enthusiasm for life which results in me being much happier and more positive.  Another positive that makes him happier is my ability to do physical activities as a family without question and not constantly telling him to talk slower.

Where there is a positives there is also the flip side that needs to be mentioned.  From his point of view, I can get a bit snappy tom when I’m low on calories or fluid but overall this is probably way less than my grumpiness from pre-surgery. And the other negative is my boobs have shrunk……

While our life as a family has had an entire overhaul because of my surgery from particularly a physical and culinary viewpoint we are now a more positive and happier functioning family unit.

Day 11 – 5.6km, 11/50 – 45.1km

Coffee Protein Discs 

Makes: 36

Ingredients:

• 250g pitted prunes 
• 200ml cold press coffee
• 100g cashews
• 250g oats 
• 150g desiccated coconut 
• 50g almond meal
• 5 scoops (150g) pure protein powder 
• 2 tablespoons coconut flour 

Method: 

• Soak the prunes in the cold press coffee for a minimum of 4 hours but preferably overnight 
• Place the cashews, oats, coconut, almond meal and protein powder in a high powered food processor and process until a meal like texture 
• Add the soaked prunes and excess liquid into the food processor and process until it comes together in a ball
• Split the mixture into 3 even portions and using damp hand roll into a log shape 
• Roll the logs in the coconut flour to coat the outside, this is an important step as these discs are “stickier”‘than other C4K Kitchen protein discs
• Roll the coconut flour coated logs in plastic wrap and freeze for at least 1 hour before slicing
• Place the individually sliced protein discs in a zip lock bag and store in the freezer.

Nutritional Value per disc: 

• Calories: 86
• Total fat: 5.5g
• Total carbohydrates: 8.1g
• Protein: 6.2g

Recipe Notes: 

• Store sliced in the freezer in a zip lock bag for up to 6 months 
• Protein powder used in the recipe is Protein Supplies Australia WPI Fast Release protein powders
• You can buy online from www.proteinsuppliesaustralia.com.au 
• Use the Discount code psafriendsofhollys at checkout to get a 10% discount

Disclaimer: C4K Kitchen does not hold any responsibility for the consumer using this recipe including the storage guidelines and time frames recommended in the recipe notes. The consumer holds all responsibilities to ensure that food hygiene and safety standards are adhered to.

I have been reflection and thinking today about how my surgery and my progress to be a happier and healthier me has affected those people closet to me in my life.

We have a new family member!  Percy is now being talked about and discussed as his own being.  Percy likes to be heard and involved in conversations frequently having a grumble loudly for everyone to hear.  Lochie was sitting in my lap and Percy had a grumble to which the little guy looked around to me and says

“Half way Percy, you’re way too loud”

It’s official Percy is now a fully fledged family member. I know Lachlan is also enjoying me being so much more active asking me to play and go for walks with him.

How has things been for Jamie? I’ve asked him to have a think so tomorrow he can tell me from his perspective the good, the bad and the ugly.

Day 10 – 2.4km, 10/50 – 39.5km