Thursday 4 June 2015

Cautiously optimistic


The sun has arrived. The howling wind and torrential rain have (for now) gone. I'm feeling cautiously optimistic that summer's on its way.


It's been a very busy week; on Tuesday I looked after my little niece. I took her to playgroup with Joe. And I spent the whole night beforehand worrying about taking care of such a tiny baby - it seems like for ever since Joe was small. And he was never that small. Needless to say, everything was absolutely fine.


Yesterday was pretty crazy; a mad morning followed by lunch with my stepdad (who'd kindly offered to come and babysit a sleeping Joe whilst I went to another meeting with social workers). Apparently, considering my brother's circumstances, this heavy involvement of professionals and authorities is quite normal. The good news is that they're very happy with the situation and hopefully things can start to settle down soon.


I started a 'clean eating' type plan. It's 28 days long. That's 28 days too long. I baked the above pie but did not partake. Right now it's all about fresh fruit and vegetables, pulses, lean meat and fish, nuts... No dairy or sugar, no alcohol or caffeine. Wheat's not a problem as I don't eat it anyway.

I didn't do it as an elimination diet. I just wanted to re-set my metabolism, clean things up a little. So I wasn't prepared for what happens when you give up processed sugar. Headaches and serious fatigue and spots. Luckily all these are going away now, but I never thought I'd end up salivating at the pick'n'mix display at the supermarket, staring in an unhinged fashion at the white chocolate mice.


Good job I'm a stubborn so-and-so. I'll see this thing through and even though I'll ease off a bit once it's over, I do think it wouldn't do us any harm to eat a little better in future.


My energy levels were back up again today. So I went for a walk while Joe was at nursery. It was glorious: sunshine and blue skies, fields and woods. That hour alone, breathing in the hawthorn blossom scent and noticing the flowers... well, it was nourishment for the soul. 


I came home and changed the beds, hung out the washing, and did the chores with a renewed vigour. Amazing what some sun and warmth can do for you.


It feels as though lately I've been juggling a lot of things. I haven't blogged as much as I'd have liked to, or caught up with everyone else's blogs either. There's a big pile of ironing to do. I'd hoped to do some drawing and painting too. But family comes first, and that's non-negotiable really.


This weekend I'm hoping to do all of those things which I'd like (or need) to do. And it's the village fete on Saturday. It was rained off last year but the forecast isn't too bad this time around. I even considered submitting an entry for the baking competition but don't think I'll get around to that. Not to mention that whipping up buttercream and smelling cakey deliciousness wafting from the oven would probably tip me over the edge. It would end up like the scene in Chocolat where the mayor gorges uncontrollably then lies there in a sugar-induced stupor.


Sorry, there's nothing more boring than people whingeing about diets, is there? 


Thank you for all your lovely comments on the blog lately. I really do appreciate it, and will play catch-up over the next day or two. For those people who've emailed me directly: I will reply over the next few days, I promise.

Have a lovely Friday and weekend. 




21 comments:

  1. Family does come first, doesn't it? There will be a time when life is more your own, but if this is your season to bear the burden and help the family, then you are going to have to pace yourself. You can do a lot, but you can't do everything. Keep well and well done x

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  2. I am glad that things are settling and doing as well as they can for your brother and niece. It sounds as though you are giving great support to them. xx

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  3. Well done on the detox...we fill our bodies with such rubbish and then we wonder why we get ill...glad things are settling down for you, I know it must feel very intrusive but things will be sorted soon I'm sure. I always look through you pictures first, then go back and read. You always take such lovely images :) xxx

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  4. Yes, summer arrived in dramatic fashion here today. Patio furniture out, tea in the garden wonderful. How lovely that you took your little niece to playgroup. I bet there were lots of mums there ready to hold her. I'm glad you are all finding a routine. Well done you on the diet. Sugar really doesn't agree with me at all, I feel LOADS better when I don't eat it. I find after a few days I get used to it and it's not so hard. The first few days are fairly horrible though, I know what you mean about the chocolate mice. Gorgeous photos as always. You've captured these early summer days so beautifully. CJ xx

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  5. Well, I've just re-joined slimming world (I did it last summer and found it not too bad as diets go) so I am interested in what you're eating! I'm always interested in what everyone is eating anyway, to be honest. I've been reading a lot about sugar free diets lately. It's not for me but the detox side of it is freaky. I've heard giving up caffeine can be similarly traumatic.

    Lovely that you were able to spend some time with your niece, and I'm glad to hear these SW visits might be coming to an end. Surely you all just want to be left to get on with rebuilding life and trying to get things back to normal? Take care and don't over do it - us mums aren't allowed to get ill! xx

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  6. Nice post Sarah, great photos.

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  7. After a rainy May I'm really hoping for some good weather too! I hope things are now settling for your brother and his family. I admire your resolve with your eating habits. I would have fallen at the first (pick and mix) hurdle!! As ever beautiful photographs. I'm having a bit of a thing about alliums at the moment - gorgeous! x

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  8. Hey Sarah,
    I always salivate at the pic n mix counter! I'm a sucker for sweets. All things sweet actually. I did go sugar free for about six weeks last year. I found it unbearable. A little sweetness in my life helps me through. I love your orange Geum. Yesterday I took the plunge and divided mine. It had got huge and unruly. I now have four separate plants dotted about the garden. I hope that they don't keel over from the shock. I've never divided a plant before.
    Have a lovely weekend. I do enjoy a good summer fete.
    Leanne xx

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  9. " staring in an unhinged fashion at the white chocolate mice", this one line just conjured up a wonderful image m'dear. I keep thinking about trying 'clean eating' for similar reasons as your good self but the Jamaican Ginger Cake just lures me back to the dark side every time.
    Weather has also improved here in N. Wales for the time being and the garden is slowly recovering from the constant beating from wind and rain. Lovely pictures m'dear, by themselves they tell a story,

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  10. Summer seems to have arrived here too - hope it lasts! It's interesting to hear about your giving up sugar. For so long fat seemed to be the enemy diet wise but now that seems to have shifted towards sugar. I'm sure it can become addictive to a certain extent. If I start a bar of chocolate I have to eat the whole lot whereas If I don't buy any I don't actually miss it that much. Sending best wishes to you all and especially your brother and little niece.

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  11. I take my hat off to you (metaphorically) for cutting out all those foods. It's not something I think I could do (especially the caffeine). Lovely summery photos.

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  12. Lovely post and photos to match, the windows and doors are open and the sun is coming in...
    Amanda xx

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  13. i'm always like that with white chocolate mice. Have a lovely weekend Sarah!

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  14. Well the clean eating plan will certainly help your energy levels as will the sunshine. Great photos as ever.

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  15. hope the fete is lovely, I do so love the Englishness of these things x

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  16. I hope you have a lovely weekend, and manage to make some time for lovely things x

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  17. Yes I don't think the competition would have been a good idea either! It's some feat giving up sugar, and all the other things. You will feel amazing in the end. I have been eating like a horse....I just seem to need it, although I probably don't really. But what you are doing is taking care of you, and that's a good thing. Especially on top of everything else. It's been such a sad tale for your little niece to begin her life with, she is so lucky to have you helping and being there for them. It's quite something. Good luck with everything. X

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  18. At least a little bit of summer seems to gave arrived with you Sarah, judging by your beautiful pictures. Such pretty light! All golden and perfect! It's lovely to read all your news. I know what you mean about blogging sometimes falling by the wayside. I've been all over the place with my posting schedule. My best friend has been going through a hard time and needed my support. Sometimes life throws curve balls which can't be avoided. Blogging can fit in around it though.

    Hope the healthy eating goes well. I'm forever reading about and trying to clean up our diet. Good food is so important. Hope you've had a good day for the fĂȘte and that you enjoyed it. Bee xx

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  19. The images in this post are as good as going for a walk oneself!

    Here's hoping you are full of bounce this week and had a fun time at that fete :)

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  20. Totally agree on the family comes first thing, I headed offline over half term and have been very sluggish at getting back on properly. Good to hear thing are settling with your brother - I have a tiny new niece myself now and I know what you mean about how mine were never that tiny!
    I have the funniest mental image of you stood staring with one eye twitches at sugar mice now... *chuckles to self*

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  21. Yes, family always comes first. I'm glad things are starting to settle down for you all. Well done on staying off the sugar. I don't think I could do it.

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