CURLY AND CANDID

BC (before children), I had an extremely stressful job. I had responsibility for service users (adults with autism), and staff, worked ridiculously long, often unsociable hours. Don’t get me wrong, I loved my work. It was an opportunity to really make a difference but damn it was stressful! It was hard (almost impossible) not to take my work home, and after a few years that kind of pressure really does start to wear you down.

Now I am a Mummy. I have the best job in the world, the people I work with are the best imaginationable (ie my boys!), and workwise, I work for myself (ok the boss can be a bitch sometimes) but it’s not so bad. That said… it is still stressful! It’s just a different type of stress, it’s Mummy Stress!

Are my boys well?
Are my boys happy?
Am I doing right by them?
Is how we have chosen to raise them the best way, will they be the men I hope they will be?
Am I doing what I can to meet my work goals?
Will I be able to bring enough money in to continue to say at home and work?

It’s never ending. A Mummy’s / Daddy’s shift is 24hrs long and there are no scheduled breaks, no time when you can completely switch off.

It’s stressful sometimes, especially when you have other things going on around you. I wouldn’t swap my life for anything but it would be great every so often to have a change, a bit of complete “me” time, maybe a girlie day away with my sisters and mum, I’m thinking about cheap spa-breaks (I have to say pampering myself isn’t over high on the priority list – I’m lucky if I can get a quick shower with the door closed lol), or an all expenses paid day shopping somewhere nice with no rushing, buying stuff just for me (no uniform or kiddy shoe shopping).

Roy struggles for what to get me for my birthday so I am seriously tempted to ask for spa vouchers this year. I’m losing weight and by September I’m hoping to be nearer goal which means it’ll be time to start thinking about pampering and setting straight the rest of my body! Let me just say, eyebrows like a Russian shot-putter is not a good look! A bit of me time, where I can completely switch off (as long as I can ring home occasionally to check on everyone lol) is just what the stress-doctor ordered!

What about YOU?

What would you ask for if you could have a stress-reducing treat, how do you combat your Mummy/Daddy stress, either in a big way ie a day out or trip away, or in a small way like listening to music or reading. Do you have a guilty pleasure you utilise to wind down? What works for you? I’d love to know and I’m sure others would do. (You can casually leave your comment open for the other half to see…..).

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Soup, Soup, Glorious Soup!

I can see why these are called “Glorious!”. I absolutely adore them. Many of my readers know that since January I have been back at Weight Watchers (see #fatclub). I’ve done pretty well so far – 18.5lb off and for the most part this has been down to planning and making sure I have food / recipes that are not just “slimming” but filling and nutritious. I’m a busy Mum so I need something easy as well as nutritious.

This is where these fab soups came in!

All of these flavours are absolutely fine for my WeightWatchers plan and are absolutely delicious!! Fresh, packed with flavour, filling and nutritious! What isn’t to like? The week I had this soup for lunch every day I lost 2.5lb. I’m not saying these are magical soups but as they are filling and low fat, they kept me going throughout the day, with no need or inclination to snack. Which is most definitely a good thing!

I could talk about each flavour individually but I won’t – instead, let me tell you about my favourite two flavours.

First up:

New England Butternut Soup.

I love Butternut Squash (BNS) but this soup is much more than your average BNS flavoured soup or sauce. The combination of BNS, mango, cumin and paprika gives a tangy (but not too spicy!), warming soup. Fantastic with grainy bread. Half a tub is a generous serving. I may have topped the bowl up and finished it all in one sitting to be honest. It was delicious. And I was stuffed!

Sunny Thai Chicken.

This just edges itself out in front as my favourites. I have only recently dipped my toes into the world of thai food and love the tongue tingling flavours and combinations. This combo of sweet potato, spinach, chicken, thai spices and flavours will not disappoint. I had this without bread (didn’t need it as quite chunky / filling) and with a small green salad. Roy had the other portion (as I glared at him as I’d had that pegged for the next day) and throughly enjoyed it – so great for Mums, Dads…. anyone with a taste for good quality soup.

Easy to close and save, a carton does two days (unless you are being piggy ahem) and can be stored in the fridge for up to three days. For me, each tub worked out as two potions, and at tubs retailing at £1.99 each, it is an economic and enjoyable way to enjoy a healthy lunch.

The range of soups, which includes the popular and healthy Skinny Soups, is available in most Asda’s, Morrison’s and Sainsbury’s around the country. Each GLORIOUS!® Skinny Soup also provides one of the recommended daily servings of vegetables.

To find out more about the GLORIOUS!® soups and sauces, why not pop along to their website. To be kept up to date with news and offers find the team on Twitter.