You excited yet? I’m pretty buzzing, it’s been a brilliant week all round. Just as in previous years, this week leading up to Christmas is one of the most enjoyable for me. Last night we went and did our ‘big Christmas shop’. I’ve had to store some things in a big box in the kitchen as we don’t have the cupboard space!
To be fair to myself, I haven’t went as crazy as I usually do – I realised that when I buy excessive amounts of crap I can sometimes feel a need to eat it all up before January. What I’ve tried to do is get the foods I absolutely adore, for example After Eight chocolates are a favourite of both mine and James. I do like cheese, but instead of buying 6 different varieties, I’ve gone for some brie, garlic cheese and cream cheese. James has some Pringles, but I have bought some popcorn kernels to make fresh popcorn so I have a healthier snack. Instead of buying a big tub of Ben and Jerrys I’ve got a couple of the mini pots. I’m also going to be getting a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables from the Green Grocers on Christmas Eve. My main issue is having eyes too big for my belly, so I’ll be eating what I fancy, but keeping an eye on portion size so I don’t over do it!
I have been trying to eat well this week, but I have definitely been enjoying more treats and snacks. Big salads, all variations on my Winter Superfood Salad have become a lunchtime staple:
This was beetroot, feta, roasted nuts and some balsamic vinegar. Simple yet so delicious. For breakfast I’ve been enjoying porridge again:
I made some gingerbread porridge by mixing some black treacle and ground ginger into oats made with egg whites and tinned pumpkin, then I topped it off with some lemon cream cheese – I love gingerbread with cream cheese icing and this was my breakfast version of that!
On Wednesday night I went out for a meal and Christmas cocktails with the women from my office. I can’t call these girls colleagues, they are so much more than that, we are pretty much like family now. Basically the whole evening was a massive love fest – I am so lucky to work with such amazing people! I got dressed up for the occasion:
Dress: Oasis // necklace: Next // shoe boots: New Look
This dress is very figure hugging! I almost went and bought some body shape wear, but with my new shoe boots giving me some height I thought I that as long as I stand up nice and straight and pull my core muscles in I’d be fine. I’m really glad that I took that picture as I did have a body love wobble, but I don’t think I look too bad at all. The meal we had was amazing. We went to Oldfields, our usual place which is a restaurant that has an emphasis on serving local food:
First up was an expresso martini from a cocktail bar round the corner from the restaurant, then for my starter I had local camembert deep fried in breadcrumbs with a spicy chutney. My main was a whole sea bass served with creamed bacon and greens. For dessert, I had to go for my all time fave pudding – sticky toffee of course! I was stuffed after the meal, but enjoyed every single bite.
Workouts this week have been great again:
- Saturday: spin class
- Sunday: Rest
- Monday: Gym: 3,2,1 workout
- Tuesday: Sarah Fit 15 minute bootcamp workout from Youtube
- Wednesday: Gym 3,2,1 workout
- Thursday: 15 minute run !!!!!!
- Friday: Gym: 3,2,1 workout
I was over the moon about the run on Thursday. I had planned to go to the gym but was not feeling it one bit. I had a last minute Christmas card to post, and suddenly I just had the urge to run.
I haven’t ran in several months – I gave up running due to my hormonal issues as running can be quite stressful on the body. As things have been moving in a positive direction with all that, and because I’m feeling so much more in tune with my body right now, I thought ‘why not’. Honestly I cried, I have not felt so good exercising in a long time. I felt amazing running along with Lady Gaga in my ears, and although it was just 15 minutes, I ran non stop and felt really strong. I’m not about to win any races, and I’m still not sure what role running has in my future, but for yesterday at least I loved it.
On the Love List this week…
Well in addition to everything else in today’s post, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying doing Christmassy things including wrapping all my gifts, watching films, writing my cards and making some healthy-ish treats – I think I’ll have to share them with you next week or over the weekend on Facebook! Also…
Looking forward to tonight’s Funk and Soul Christmas Party at the Boiler Shop Steam Room in Newcastle, so excited! // this chocolate avalanche from The Londoner, it looks incredible! // approaching 2014 with a completely different perspective to how I usually see a coming year // warm oversized wooly jumpers // saving £60 on the food shop using my Nectar points at Sainsbos
In case you missed it:
- Recipe for gluten free Chocolate Orange Muffins
- Recipe for a Warm Smoothie and a home made face mask that will give you incredible skin
- My December reviews
- An oldie but a goodie – the post I did last year all about how I approach Christmas in a healthy balanced way
What’s on your Love List this week? As I said earlier in the week I love this lead up to Christmas as much, if not more than the day itself. I have a really brilliant weekend coming up spending a lot more time with the people I love, I couldn’t be happier, although I have to admit I’m a bit sick of drinking alcohol already! Do you do a big ‘christmas food shop’?
Running will always be there for you :)
I still haven’t done my big shop, oh deary me! I am working up until the 23rd, SO ready for Christmas to come now :)
Oh I hope Christmas comes round quick for you! I popped into Sainsbos for a couple of things I’d forgotten this morning and it was manic!
Always! It’s my favourite food shop of the year an will quite happily spend a couple of hours on it :-) the run up to Christmas is the best, love it with a passion. Hope you have a great weekend!
Oh yes, it’s so lovely to just take your time and enjoy it isn’t it :-) Hope you have a lovely weekend too!
Amazing on the run Laura :). I’ve learnt I can get away with a certain amount but no more but it is lovely to do what I can when I get round to it! I love After Eights too! You look gorgeous in that dress – certainly no need for shape wear! Hope you have a lovely weekend!
Thanks Claire, I’m hoping I’ll be able to do a short run once a week, I’d be super chuffed with that :-)
Great news on the run, it’s amazing to have that feeling back after so long! My mum usually picks Christmas bits up over the run up to Christmas and then does a reasonably big shop with the nectar points like you! I picked up a load of stuff yesterday so I’ll be carting that home this evening! I’m heading home tonight so we have a few family things planned over the weekend which will be nice. Enjoy your weekend!
Thanks Lauren, it really is, I’m just pleased I managed to keep going! Hope you have a great weekend!
That Oasis dress looks amazing on you xo
Thanks chick!
No big shop for me but we will get a few treats I expect! Love your dress figure hugging is good! x
Glad you are going to get a couple of treats! Haha, as long as I suck in my gut figure hugging is fine ;-)
So happy you enjoyed the run :) I think that if you enjoy it and take it easy then you can incorporate it into your routine- it can be stressful if you are constantly pushing yourself, but if you take it easy it can be really de-stressing.
I love buying special bits of food for Christmas- we have some nice nuts and stollen, and marzipan things. But also healthier things like clementines. My problem is that I buy loads but then don’t have time to eat it all, so our cupboards just get full. I think buying the small tubs/ portions of things is a great idea, as often all you need is a little bit to satisfy a craving.
Also, you look gorgeous in that dress.
Absolutely, I think if I can do one short run (under 5k) a week with no pressure on myself to run faster that will be a nice way to just keep my hand in until I can get back to it properly. I totally forgot to get anything with marzipan in, I have loads of ground almonds though so maybe I need to try and make something similar!
Wow looks like you’ve had a really great week. You look amazing in the dress, you should feel proud! As I live on my own and go home for Christmas I don’t do a big Christmas shop but I always look forward to raiding my Mums stores!
When I saw your photo on instagram about you going for a run I was so excited, you were a massive inspiration for me when I started running!
Have a lovely Christmas Laura x
Thanks Emma! So lovely to hear that I was an inspiration for you, that really made me smile! Hope you have a lovely weekend :-)
I love that dress on you and that’s great about your run – I haven’t run outside for ages because the weather has been so bad but reading this has made me realise how much I miss it. I definitely agree with focusing on some favourite treats for Christmas, I’m trying to avoid sweet stuff from now until the day itself so that I can really enjoy it without feeling sugar-ed out! x