WIAW – Three Day Week

I can’t believe it’s Wednesday already. The week goes so fast, and I could definitely get used to having a three day working week like we had last week!! Although I’m sure if it was three days we’d all be wishing it was even shorter again! However I’m very grateful to have a job and it’s very rare I wake up wanting to stay in bed, so I know I’m very lucky! The three day week has completely thrown me off though, it feels so strange having a weekend already, I’ve had no idea if I’m coming or going!

My thanks again to Jenn for hosting a wonderful WIAW!

I have however some very tasty eats this week! I blame a trip to Waitrose last week (£££) and a housemate on holiday leaving me free reign over the kitchen!

       

Overnight Oats made famous by the blog world!

In the mix was one Danone Activia Yogurt (various flavours), porridge oats, chia seeds and non-dairy milk.

Mix all together before bed and in the morning you wake up with a very creamy filling oaty goodness. A couple of mornings if it’s gone a bit thick I’ve added just a splash more milk to loosen it up. It took me a while to get into Overnight Oats but I’m so glad I kept persevering. Maybe I need to do the same with Green Monsters?

Lunches at work have been fresh and flavoursome salads and a tin of Amy’s Soup. Apologies for the photos, they were taken on my phone.

                              

I really enjoyed the Amy’s Soup. It’s very low in calories but still surprisingly filling. Although it didn’t keep me full enough to do a full work out in the gym, but I should have probably bulked it out a bit more. I also found it quite salty for a soup, but I don’t normally chose broth based soups.

In my salads this week have been lots of Romaine leaves, chick peas, sweet corn, tuna, munchy seeds and the most delicious Waitrose cherry tomatoes. These salads were really filling and kept me going through some pretty intense workouts!

Snacks have been fresh fruit this week. I’m on a total pineapple kick and although I find it makes my hand and tongue a bit itchy, I just can’t get enough!

Dinners this week have been quick, easy and delicious. I’ve been getting back from the gym quite late so by the time I’ve showered etc. I’m starving and don’t want to spend ages cooking. Stir fries have been the order of the day and quick pasta dishes.

             

I split a small bag of fresh noodles over the two dishes, with a bag of stir fry veg, some kale and a delicious Plum sauce from Waitrose. One night I used my favourite sausages, Mattessons, and the next I used some turkey breast. So yum and so quick!

This pasta dish is fiorelli stuffed with pumpkin and pinenuts, again from Waitrose. I also boiled up the remainder of my kale, even more of the delicious Mattessons sausage (told you I’m obsessed) and a bit of tomato sauce. Yum yum and so quick!

I am trying to go a bit longer for my work outs in the evenings so by the time I get home I’m hungry and just want something quick. I’m also struggling to work out what a good afternoon snack is to have that will keep me going and what the best time to have it is. I guess I’m just going to have to play around.

What do you find works for you for an afternoon snack? Or do you work out in the mornings? My gym only opens before work twice a week so I often go after work about 5.15. My lunch varies between 12pm and 2pm so working out what to eat to fuel me through a work out is vital!

WIAW–Jubilee Catch up!

Hello everyone and happy Wednesday. Have you all had a lovely extended Jubilee weekend? I’ve been super busy this weekend and actually feel like I need another weekend to get over it!

Thanks again to Jenn @ Peas and Crayons for another great WIAW.

Saturday I went on a cupcake workshop with The Coca Box I booked with Groupon. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but we learnt various frosting techniques including how to pipe properly and how to make proper decorations using royal icing. I had a really great time and really want to get my own piping kit to have a go at it again!

                            

                            

Saturday night I stayed in and watched the final of The Voice. I was really pleased Leanne won, I think she has a fantastic voice and I loved her duets with Tom!

On Sunday I caught up on some stuff around the flat whilst watching the Flotilla and then went out into the town centre to see what was going on. I was a bit disappointed with the celebrations in town so ended up going to the pub with a friend. A random and messy (for her) night out! We watched some live music and had a bit of a boogie. Love!

Monday I went out for a long run, as per my half marathon plan. I didn’t do it on Sunday for one reason or another and because I’ve been a bit rubbish at outdoor running I decided to just go for it! It was a hard run with a lot of walking. Definitely room for improvement. I think I don’t push myself hard enough because I can quite happily pootle along at 12 min/mile pace (practically walking) but when I push myself I can get down to 9 min/mile and sustain it for 10 mins or so. So I think a combination of speed workouts and longer distances should get me there!

Post run on Monday I enjoyed the most delicious pasta dish! I’ve recently discovered Mattesson’s Smoked Pork Sausage and having been adding it to my meals left right and centre. I am obsessed! They’re so versatile because they’re already cooked that you can add them to anything. Delicious with salads and in hot meals. Yum! Pasta with peas, tomato sauce and Mattesson’s sausage topped with Grana Padano. This meal kept me full for absolutely ages.

Monday night I went to the pub again with another friend to watch some more live music. We had a great time with the Pinot flowing, my current wine crush, and dancing and singing along. They even set fireworks off during the evening. It was a pretty messy night and I have to say I was not feeling my best come Tuesday morning!

To help me get over my hangover on Tuesday morning when I finally felt like eating I decided I was craving pancakes. I googled around and chose this recipe from my favourite recipe site BBC Good Food. I followed the recipe pretty exactly but I don’t think my pancakes were quite right. Perhaps the batter was a bit too watery but they really spread out over the pan and they were a little greasy. Any tips on how to stop them spreading out so much?

After the pancakes I decided to be brave and take the car out for another drive! I was lucky to have Ryan in the seat next to me which definitely calmed my nerves and he was very reassuring which made me feel better. This time I went to my nearest Waitrose and stocked up on so many good things. My cupboards are now jam packed with tasty new things, I can’t wait to get a bit more creative over the next few weeks. Sadly they didn’t have my favourite sausage though – I’ll have to go to Morrisons for that! I treated myself to a delicious fish pie for my dinner and it was just what I had been craving to end my hangover day! Check out the sizes of the pieces of fish in it!!!

And so ends the Jubilee bank holiday. I haven’t really done anything too Jubilee-esque but I’ve really enjoyed the four day weekend. I could get used to this!

How was your Jubilee weekend?