Thursday 28 February 2013

Red Nose Cookies



Red nose cookies ummmm what could I make. The nice people over at Salisbury's family blogger network asked everyone to make some for red nose day. This is huge charity fund raising event in the UK and loads of people do stuff to raise money.
Well as you know if you come visit often, I have had some health problems and my youngest moved. So in saying that I totally forgot until I had an e mail to say today was the last day.

So I rushed out into my kitchen to see if I could make something fast. I went onto goggle to find a nice simple cookie recipe which I did by chief Rachel Allen on the BBC good food site. Salisbury's also have some fab ones but this was so fast I picked it in a flash.

There was no cutting or anything just rolling your mix into walnut size balls then using a knife flatten them down a bit. Now the recipe did say it makes 30 but I only got 15 !!!! Maybe their walnuts were smaller than mine lol

Then they went into the oven for about 15/20 mins. It would be such a great one to do with kids as it was so easy and no rolling out.
While they were cooking I found my face mould and thought it would be fun to use this. So using fondant I pushed it into the mould and then popped them out onto paper.



They are really cute and if I had more time it would have been fun to really do them all different. I then made them eyes and the most important bit their red noses.


As you can see I also collected very red fingers lol. Lesson to be learnt wear rubber gloves lol.
When they were all done I was fairly pleased as it had been such a rush job. They tasted yummy and I would make them again. They would be great if you have someone say they are popping in and you having nothing to give them. You can make some up in a flash.
You can find the recipe at uktv.co.uk .

225g butter
110g caster sugar
275g plain flour

Cream the butter and add sugar and mix well
Sift in flour and any spices and form a firm dough
Using your hands form into walnut size balls and place on a baking tray. You don't need any paper for grease for the tin. Flatten a bit with a folk and bake at 170c/150c gas 3 for 13/15 mins


So have a great Red nose day and lets hope lots of money is raised. Good luck with your Red Nose cookies

Tuesday 26 February 2013

Jane plan weight in

Jane plan weigh in was yesterday but it was so busy I just did not  have a chance to jump on. I did lose another 2 pound which is a wonder as I really did not have a really good week. My health has not been good for a while but a recent cold really laid me low. I do not seem to be able to drag myself out and I think that is making me very run down.
So its been very hard to stick to a diet and that is no way the fault of the plan. Jane plan is great and so easy anyone can do it. I love going to my box and picking out my food as it all tastes so good.


My Jane Plan food



So I am a bit disappointed with myself as I really wanted to have done much better. I have so many health challenges at the moment at times it is very hard to focus. I will keep fighting and fingers crossed it will be a better week and I can really get going.
Check out the fab Jane plan web site as there is lots of information and some yummy recipe's as well.

Please note I was not paid for this review only receiving a sample of the product.



Saturday 23 February 2013

Winter in the UK

Winter in the UK is not bad by some standards. I always think it is so funny that the hint of snow sends us into chaos. Our brothers and sister overseas must think us so silly that we let our country almost grind to a standstill when we have a little bit of snow.
I am fairly sad in that I love winter. I really enjoy being wrapped up warm and cozy sweaters and putting on the heating or lighting a fire.
I love the feeling of keeping warm and safe at home and shutting out the world. No noisy music in the back yard, so sweating hot nights and no flies lol. Yes i have to say i totally hate flies and think they are such a pain in the summer months.
I also love winter events such as Halloween and Christmas. I really enjoy Christmas and love all the lights and giving gifts.
We have not had so much snow this year but it has been very cold the last few days. I think my cold days are slipping away but I shall sit and wait for them to come back.

View from my house last winter

Thursday 21 February 2013

My chick has flown the nest

My chick has flown the nest! My youngest Natalie moved out today into her new apartment. She has been living in our garage apartment since she got married a year ago. It was nice having her close but it was small and very short on space.There was no chance of them buying as the property in the UK is very expensive right now. Plus it is near on impossible to get started unless you have a huge deposit to put down.
Private rental is also very expensive and they  normal ask for a lot of money up front, so getting any start for a young couple is hard.
Thankfully they got an apartment to rent and there was no up front money. It needed a little decorating and some new carpet and she had no heat or hot water at first. Now its all clean and warm and I think it will be a very cozy first home.
The best part is it is so close I can see her window from my bedroom lol, only wish my older chick was that close.
So I have gained some nice space and I am sure I can find lots of craft items to fill it lol
So my chick has flown the nest but not very far!


Monday 18 February 2013

Mads awards

Mads awards are here again and I am delighted to say some kind person has nominated me again. It is so nice if people like what you write and it makes it all worth while. I do enjoy writing my blog but it can be lonely if you don't get many comments. You wonder if anyone is out there reading lol
Then one day you get a comment which is lovely and you think ahhh I can go on.

I am under no illusions that I am going to win or even get the the awards event, but it is so nice to be given one vote.
Thank you so much for being so kind as to visit me and even more for any comments.
I don't think I am any expert I am just a normal person who likes to share my silly life with you.
If you enjoy my blog and would like to vote I would be delighted and I thank you so much.

Jane Plan weigh in day

Jane Plan weigh in day as it is Monday. If you read my last post you will know that last week was not such a good week. No fault of the diet, that's great and the food totally yummy, more a problem with myself. I had a nasty cold which has now turned in to a rather attractive cold sore right under my nose!!! It really laid me low and made me feel really yuck. So I was doing the diet rather half hearted as I felt so sick.
I wasn't thinking to lose any weight and hoped for no gain!
So the deed was done and the result ........ I lost 3 pounds!!!!!!! can you believe that. Just think what I would have lost if I had not been sick and really stuck to it lol.

I have to say that the food is so nice and it is so easy. If you find dieting all a royal pain then this one is for you. No stress and all done for you.
So I am going into the second week and I am going to say that "I promise to stick to it like glue" this week. I am going to try my hardest and Lets keep our fingers crossed it will be a great week as I am sure it can be.

Best of luck if you are trying to lose weight like myself.




Saturday 16 February 2013

Lemon Sucking Week

Lemon sucking week for me at least that is how it felt. I started out the week all excited with my JanePlan diet but my cold has really effected my week. The Jane plan really was so simple and the food really is so yummy. I love the chili and the salad pots but mostly I love how easy it is. No long recipes or loads of cooking, just fast and easy. |If you work it must be a dream as you can just make it all so quick.

So I am not going to lie and say I have been an angel I really have not. For my excuse I have been sick for the last week. I came back from holiday with a lovely cold which is still sharing its joys!!
Plus I have lost feeling in my hand and it comes and goes and really is painful and stops me from doing all the things I love.

I am waiting for a test to see the problem but I already know an operation with be in the near future. To be honest I can't wait to get it sorted as its really painful.
So I feel like I wasted a week of my great diet but we shall see on Monday when I get weighed. I hope that the next week I will start to feel better and then I can really get myself into gear, and not have another lemon sucking week.

So I hope you have had a better week than me health wise and remember I love to hear your diet stories.




Monday 11 February 2013

No Excuses make it happen

No Excuses make it happen  is what I have to tell myself today. I was hoping to start my diet with The Jane Plan on Friday but a post holiday chest infection laid me out. I think it was coming back from holiday to a cold UK made me sick!!

So today is the start and I am very lucky to have had all the worry about calories and fat and so on, taken away from me. I had my box of food delivered before my holiday and its all ready to go. I have a great selection of breakfast, snacks, lunches and dinner and I must say its great to pick. I love opening the box as its like Christmas lol. I am not bothered what I get as I love them all, but I have to say the salad pots are my favourite!

They give great support as well and you only have to pick up a telephone to get any help you need.
If you have read my blog before you know I have had diet and health problems which challenge me daily. I am not overweight because I am lazy and sit about on my rear all day, I am overweight because my health stops me from doing anything.

I have huge problems with my spine and I also have  fibromyalgia so life can be a struggle at times.
I am not sure what fitness I can manage but I am going to try even if  I walk to the kitchen and back.
I am like my blog title Jollyjillys and jolly most of the time. Its hard as life has thrown me a few curve balls, but I refuse to let it effect my later life.

So I picked oats today to start me off, its cold and wet and it was nice to have a warm breakfast lol
I hope you will join me in my journey as it is so nice to have support . I would love to hear your diet and fitness quests and we can make this  a No Excuses make it happen year.

Please note I have not received  any payment only a sample to review.




Saturday 9 February 2013

Hi Ho Hi Ho its off to play we go!

Hi Ho Hi Ho its off to play we go today. I am taking my daughter the theatre tonight to see a west end musical star, Ruthie Henshall.  She has appeared in more West End shows than I have hot dinners, and has a fabulous voice.
I love to go to the theatre but it is soooooo expensive and worse still in London. We are going to a local theatre which is nice to support.
I don't get chance to go out with either of my children enough now they have grown up, so it is special when I do get the chance.
So I am looking forward to a nice evening and thankfully the weather is clear. I do feel for those family and friends in America and Canada effected by the weather. Please stay warm and safe


Friday 8 February 2013

Holidays,Diets and Life

Holidays, Diets and Life and this past week I have had a little of all. I was very lucky enough to get to go to Morocco last week. Its been a long long time since we had a holiday in fact at least 12 years. We stayed at the most wonderful hotel called the Riu Palace and I am going to do a better post all about it because it is so worth it.
It was hard to relax as it has been so long since we did holidays you forget lol. We left a cold UK and arrived to 28 temps and warm sun shine.



I quickly learnt how to sit and do nothing and I really liked that. We also met some lovely people and a couple of really nice ladies who I had some great chats with. As I said I am going to tell you more about the place ASAP. Today I wanted to have a round up to get the blog up to date.

So the dreaded DIET also comes into play. I can safely say I did not stick to a diet as the food was amazing. I am back now and I am really going to lose weight and get my life back. Its very hard for me as I have so many mobility problems so its not going to be easy.
I am very lucky as I am being helped by the wonderful people at www.janeplan.com
And I have a great range of food to make my life easy so I have no excuses. I will post regular updates and I am going to be brave and post pictures of me so I hope you will see me getting thinner. I think I will post on my diet on Fridays so I do hope you will come and check every week and also join me in dieting.

I also have been asked to try some other health and fitness items which is very exciting! When I get them I will share with you but wanted to tease you but saying they are on their way.
So all in all I am feeling more relaxed and so determined to change my life but losing weight. I am going month by month so not to be overwhelmed by the task to come.
Please come back often and I would love it if you share your journey with with.