A Creative Spirit
What a week! I am happy because I did manage to tick off a few major tasks from my To-Do List: Book an MRI Scan, restart Portuguese Lessons, take my new car for a drive and buy another mouse to use with my laptop. Appointment Challenge My main goal for this week was to book... Continue Reading →
Hands up. Who knew the tiny Chia seed packed such a nutritious punch? I didn't. When someone suggested I try them to help with weight loss, I bought a packet, thinking it was a type of tea. I probably made that assumption because chia and chá are similar, and chá is the Portuguese word for... Continue Reading →
Let's talk about food or not. If we were having coffee, I'd tell you my weight loss has stagnated over the last few weeks, and I feel rather ticked off! My goal on the 10th of July was to lose 15kg by my landmark birthday (30th December). No problem, I thought. Wrong! I've only lost... Continue Reading →
The days have flown by so quickly that I've barely had time to catch my breath. This week, I had planned to prepare a meal using the homegrown kale I planted at the end of August. At the mention of Kale, I can already see many of you running for the hills. Trust me, kale... Continue Reading →
Kefir? Is anyone familiar with Kefir? Have you tried it, and do you make it at home? Kefir was recommended to me as a probiotic for gut health. At the moment I'm buying from the local supermarket. I read this article which offers a lot of maybe's: Top 10 health benefits of kefir. Kefir is... Continue Reading →
I have been a busy bee since we last met for coffee two weeks ago. Grandkids: We have just returned to Portugal after a week in the UK to spend time with family and enjoy the grandkids. We stayed with our son, Ian, and daughter-in-law, and it was great to enjoy quality time with them.... Continue Reading →
I am trying to lose weight by adopting a healthier lifestyle and eliminating processed carbs (or at least trying to). Part of my journey is experimenting with low-carb recipes and researching superfoods that have proven positive effects on the body. A while back, a friend waxed lyrical about the benefits of cider vinegar. I bought... Continue Reading →
It's Friday, so let's talk about food. Diets, Recipes, growing fruit and vegetables, pictures of your meals out etc. As part of my drive to change my eating habits, lose weight and adopt a healthier lifestyle, I am experimenting with recipes outside my comfort zone. This week, I made a cake using oats as a... Continue Reading →
If we were having coffee, I'd tell you that I've lost 5.2kg since starting my diet on July 10th. However, I don't look any slimmer, and my clothes are still tight, which is disappointing, but my knees say 'thank you and keep going!' My BMI is currently 32.5, so yes, I hang my head in... Continue Reading →
The past couple of weeks have been hectic. Our family from France has been staying, so it was all hands on deck with shopping and preparation before they arrived and piles of laundry and sweeping sand from every nook and cranny once they left. Still, it keeps us fit, and spending time with them is... Continue Reading →
This week's coffee share comes from a cafe on the promenade overlooking Praia da Luz. As I sip on my coffee and stare out to sea across the beautiful sandy beach, I reflect on the last week. I can honestly say my days are never mundane; boredom does not feature in my vocabulary, and I... Continue Reading →
"How was your week?" Mine...? My sister and her hubby arrived on Tuesday to stay for a few days. She lives in Spain, and I've not seen her for two years. It was great to catch up, but I did feel sorry for them as I'm unable to walk far on a good day, but... Continue Reading →
This is a tough post because I don't want it to come across as a whine. However, I hope this sign resonates with those who are frustrated due to reduced mobility and strikes a chord with them, like me. Anyway, I saw this sign in a local restaurant. It reminded me to stay positive and... Continue Reading →
On January 1st, 2024, I only made two New Year's resolutions: Abstain from alcohol for the month of January. Lose 15kg in weight by June 2024 I am proud to say I completed Dry January with flying colours, but the diet resolution and motivation are flagging. I didn't specify when in June or which year.... Continue Reading →
Apparently, we scroll miles every year on our mouse and perform millions of clicks. Since my beloved ergonomic HP mouse died a few weeks ago, I have been limping along, moaning and groaning. Would you buy ill-fitting shoes? I trawled around the shops with my dead mouse, searching for a replacement, but it felt like... Continue Reading →
Dry January: A Month Without Alcohol! This year I only made two New Year's resolutions: Abstain from alcohol for the month of January. Lose 15kg in weight by June 2024 On the Wagon Dry January was tough. Very tough because we enjoy a glass of wine or three with our meal, enjoy a gin and... Continue Reading →
Checkouts not manned by staff have apparently neither revolutionised our shopping experience nor cut operating costs as expected. In my opinion, this is proof you can't always replace humans with technology-- and why should we? My number one concern when shops implemented self-service checkouts was that of the human cost. The army of part-time workers, such... Continue Reading →
Do you ever wish you could turn back the clock? Two years ago my life changed and not for the better. The total knee replacement I pinned my hopes on that would allow me some modicum of normalcy aka would allow me to rejoin Pilates and Yoga, Zumba, walks on the beach and go body... Continue Reading →
Trying to motivate myself to garden today in nearly 38C when there is also a strong Southerly desert wind is like ... is like trying to climb Mount Everest in Flip-flops. Not that I'm ever likely to attempt to climb Everest or indeed anywhere else for that matter, but there you go. The air quality... Continue Reading →
When the surgeon informed me I must lose weight before my replacement knee operation in order to aid a quicker recovery, I wondered where to start. AND, I got the usual COVID lecture re obesity which puts me at higher risk. Great! How can you lose weight when you can only move at the pace... Continue Reading →
Piglet in Portugal 