Slimming World Update- Tips To Stay On Track When You Can Not Make Group

We all get them times when life can get super busy, 10 million things to do and not enough time to do it in. That was August for me! I had to prioritise and choose things that needed my time and things that at this moment I could not afford to give my time to. 

That is why at this moment I am not attending weekly weigh ins. After a crazy busy August of a horrendous flu that had me a week in bed, my Mams 50th and multiple of friends birthdays and preparing for college I could not make my weekly Monday meetings. 

At the moment I am waiting to get my college time table to see will I be home from college on a Monday to start going back or will I have to change group. I do miss group, group provides great support and let's you talk about your journey in an open non - judgemental setting.

I may not be at group but I am still following the plan. Slimming world is great in that sense it provides you with the tools to carry on in your everyday life.

So here are some tips to stay on track when you can not make group.

Remember why you started! 

So cliché I know but it really does help. We all started on this journey for a reason weather it was to lose weight, get healthy, feel better about ourselves or all of the above . If you keep this in mind then you are sure to stay on track.

Use your tools! 

 When you started you were given the tools in the form of your books and online tools i.e syn calculator. When you feel you are losing your way read the book. When you are unsure of syns use the calculator or the syns online tool with a list of  branded product syns.

Keep in touch with fellow slimming worlders! 

Weather it's the ladies from group, slimming world family on Instagram or one of the many groups on Facebook. All these men and women are on the same journey as you and can relate to every craving, every bad day, every milestone. A little word of encouragement can really set your mind back on track.

Do not deprive yourself!
It's the same as been in group, if you really want something have it by not having that naughty treat/ that extra tipple/cheeky takeaway you can drive yourself demented. Slimming world set you up with the tools to control your attitude towards food. So if you went way over syns or had a big binge get up the next morning and start all over again back on track.

Avoid the scales at home!
If you are used to the scales at group do not start weighing yourself at home if you miss a meeting or two. Scales at home can be totally different from scales at group. They are not calibrated the same. You could be losing weight or maintaining but the scales you have at home could have you at a three pound gain. This can really change you attitude towards the plan, you could end throwing all the hard work you have been putting in because of scales that weigh you different.

Hope my tips help you when you life gets to busy and you can not make group. Remember to stick to plan and everything will work out great.

Shepard's Pie- Dairy Free/ Slimming World Friendly

 My mam used to make Shepard's Pie nearly every week when I was younger. It was always a really filling meal and would warm you right up over winter months. Over the years I have been trying to make my version healthier every time I made it by omitting processed packets, gravy granules, extra salt and now by omitting dairy yet still having creamy mash on top.

Ingredients

(Serves 4 people or 2 really hungry people)

• 250g of under 5% lean mince(beef or lamb)
• 5 medium potatoes
• 2 beef stock cubes
• 500ml of boiling water
• 3 carrots
• 1 large onion
• 4 cloves of garlic
•  100g of frozen peas
• 100ml of unsweetened almond milk
• Pepper
• Dried mixed herbs
• Dried Parsley

Recipe

1. Chop vegetable up finely.
2. In a large pan fry mince until brown, add in onions and garlic and saute until soft.
3. At this stage add in dried herbs, these should be added in at the start as they need time to release flavor, if using fresh add in at the end.
4. Mix the stock cubes with 500ml of boiling water and add to the pot with carrots.
5. Bring to boil, turn to simmer to let the liquid reduce to thicker consistency.
6. Peel and chop potatoes to roughly the same size, bring to boil in a pot of water. Depending on size of potatoes this can take 15-30mins.
7. When the gravy mix has reduced to a thicker consistency remove from heat.
8. Drain potatoes, using a potato masher mash potatoes, add in almond milk a little at a time, too little and they will be dry, too much and the mash is ruined. Constantly taste test. I also add in pepper and parsley to add flavour.
9. Add in frozen peas for last 5 minutes of simmering
10. In a oven dish add in your mince mixture, once evenly spread out start to add mash on top.
11. Evenly smooth out mash, using a knife/fork along the top and create a design, I went with criss-cross design. By adding a design to the mash you are giving more of a surface area to get crispy. Pierce the mash all the way through in some areas to allow steam release. ( I forgot hence my hole)
12. Place is a preheated oven of 160 degrees for 30 mins.
13. Serve and enjoy!

On Slimming World this would be considered free on Extra Easy Plan

Penneys Beauty Haul- P.S Love Collection

 Ah Penneys, could you make us love you even more! I remember when Penneys makeup smelt like playdoh and was good as the stuff you would buy in the pound shop as a child. In the last year that has all changed, they have upped their game completely and are now producing makeup that competes with other budget brands on the market.

After reading lots of posts on P.S.Love and seeing it all over Instagram I knew I had to pick some bits up for myself to see what all the hype was.

 I picked up one of the new P.S Matt Long Last Lipstick in Ladies Day.

 I was expecting more a deeper shade by the packaging, so I was quiet surprised when the lipstick was more pink then plum. I was hoping to pair it with the number 04 lip pencil I picked up also but alas the pencil is much darker. I might try an ombre lip with the two colors in the near future. As it is a matte shade, good lip care is essential or you will find it will not sit well on the lips and highlight any dryness or cracks. The lipstick lasted well I got a few hours wear with no top ups and it was pretty smudge proof. I am pretty impressed and for €2 it is a total bargain.

These two P.S Love.. Lip Liner Pencils are only €1.50 each.

If you have not heard about the 06 Penneys lip liner then you have been living under a rock. Viva Adonis raves about it and Lisa over on Contour and Cuddles wears it every day. Influenced completely by other bloggers I knew I had to have it. It did not disappoint, it is a beautiful deep nude without been too brown (we are not going for 90s look here), it has amazing staying power and compliments most makeup looks. I either wear it all over the lip either on its own or with a slick of gloss, or pair it with many of the nude lipsticks in my collection.

The other liner I picked up is 04 plum, perfect for autumn months I can see myself get alot of wear out of it. I had originally picked it up to go with the lipstick but as previously mentioned it is more deeper in shade not to worry as the 06 before it this can be worn on its own or with some other plum lipsticks in my collection.

More makeup shopping will have to be done in the near future in Penneys, as I can not fault the quality or the price of these few pieces. I hope to see Penneys actually get a stand for their makeup, as at the moment some stores have the pieces all together and other stores have the collection scattered all over the place.

Have you picked up any of the P.S collection? If so what did you think of it?

Carribean Pepper Pot Stew

Ingredients

400g of stewing steak fat removed

2 red peppers

1 small sweet potato

200g green beans

2 garlic cloves

1 tbsp of red wine vinegar

1/4 tsp of sweetener

2 tbsp of jerk seasoning

200g of passata

200ml of beef stock

2 tbsp of Worcester sauce

salt and pepper

Method

1. Preheat oven to 160 degrees.
2. In a hot pan sear the meat for 4-5 mins
3. In a large casserole dish add in all ingredients with the meat. Stir everything together
4. Cover with tin foil and place in oven for 1 1/2 hours
5. Serve with rice