Excess Baggage – Week 6

Alrighty, this will be a quick catch-up this week on account of the fact I have bookclub in just under an hour and then have to go tearing off to get a few bits and pieces done. Plus there’s fudge and mice pies to make for Grant’s work Christmas party tomorrow … and words to write. Have I mentioned I’m behind on words? I blame the amount of time I’m spending exercising and planning and … yeah, I know… lame excuse.

Alrighty, the wrap-up …

At this time of the year eating healthily and balancing it against having a good time is always going to be challenging and in the past week we had a last minute cocktails followed by dinner out with friends at an Italian restaurant (the martini is mine)…

…and our family Christmas dinner.

We began with a cocktail – Nigella’s poinsettia – and the menu included a Mooloolaba prawn cocktail, (triple ginger-glazed) baked ham, roast turkey breast, the usual sides and trimmings and Grant’s trifle.

While I could plan for the latter (and moderate accordingly), the former was very last minute, so I had to play catch-up. That is, however, the deal at this time of the year. Accordingly, I’ve moderated my festive season goals to hold the losses I’ve achieved to date and keep my exercise up.

Speaking of which – it’s barely stopped raining over the past week, but with the help of Get Fit With Rick (I know I’ve been singing Rick’s praises since lockdown) and some early morning walks in the rain I still hit my 70,000 step target for the week.

We both quite like walking in the rain and at this time of the year I tend not to bother with a rain jacket. Besides, when the alarm goes off at 4.20 am it’s not like you can decide it’s raining too hard and go back to sleep – that bird has well and truly flown.

What’s helping too is the alcohol limiting thing. While I originally committed to November, other than for social occasions (and Saturday night dinners) I’m sticking to no-alcohol beers.

On the menu this week are leftovers – beginning with Nigella’s Turkey and Glass Noodle Salad. As much as I love Christmas ham (and ham sandwiches) at this time of the year, because it’s processed meat it’s classed as an indulgence in the CSIRO program I’m sort of following so needs to be limited. hey ho.

I’ll be taking a blogging break next week, so won’t be providing an Excess Baggage update until after Christmas.