Project Betty.

Dem bones…

 

I’d like to say I have been so busy that I simply haven’t had a minute to regale you, my loyal reader, with my doings since March.  I will say that vis á vis last post my buns turned out nothing like the picture but we will move swiftly on from there.

I have been working hard as it happens, seeing lovely people, dealing with family life and strife, you know, as you do.  Alongside this I have decided to become my own project.  We all like a project don’t we?  You start with a problem, or situation and make a plan which will take you toward a hoped for outcome.

So, Project Betty.

Age 53 (and 11 months and 341 days)

Physical state – medium to crap

Dodgy back (cronic), dodgy hips, feel 107 on a bad day, 102 on a good day, dodgy left knee, clenched jaw due to stress resulting in fractured tooth, menopausal = desiccating all over, over weight (obese if you believe those BMI chart thingys), ex-thyroid = unstable hormonal balance, energy no where to be found.

Mental state – wobbly

Dealing with best beloved son’s not so straight and narrow pathway into adulthood – best hope is he makes it in one piece (hope, wings and prayers come to mind); unresolved childhood issues (oh, come on, everyone has them);  confusion and lethargy; money worries, future stuff like where and how we will live (no pension, nothing, nada).

Life state – middling to really-pretty-good-Betty-get-a-grip

Lovely and comfortable home, business finally moving in right direction, supportive and loving husband, son alive and trying hard to get life together, family of nice and interesting people, good friends about me, good food on my table (possibly a little too much sometimes, but it’s organic, even if it is ice cream, quite often…).

So far I have done:

Therapy, yoga, pilates, acupuncture* and now chiropractic** treatment (chiropracticy?).

Back issues slowly, slowly, slowly being resolved (after much £’s and time I might add)

This is me, running toward my thin, healthy, energetic sunset years… (somehow boobs have shrunk to perfect 34b – amazing) = Hoped for outcome.

Next stop:

After chiropractic course I am being sent down into the basement to join the rehab gym.  Makes me feel modern to say I am going to rehab.  It should be the thing which finally makes my back better, and, if I keep it up, stay that way.

What else?

Lose weight.  How?  Thinking of taking up running and doing a half marathon (I’m not completely stupid and understand that a whole marathon is sadly beyond any abilities I may have now or in the future) in the autumn.  Anyone got any thoughts on this?  I am not a natural runner, boobs are too big for a start so it can be very painful if right bra not purchased for small fortune.  Also, I don’t like it.  BUT.  I don’t like needles* or cracking bones** and I have managed to get over that.

Anyway, here is recipe for a really utterly delicious Caesar Salad Dressing that will make you thinner.

Caesar dressing on romaine lettuce on really pretty plate from Wales.

2 cloves of garlic peeled and smushed

3 anchovy fillets (marinated ones – if you only have salted give them quick rinse first)

2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1 cup low fat plain yoghurt

juice of half a lemon

1 handful grated parmesan cheese

salt & black pepper as you like

Method by hand –

Bash the garlic and anchovies to buggery with a pestle and mortar or sturdy wooden spoon, then mix thoroughly with all other ingredients.

Food processor method –

Whizz all together – boom, job done.

You can add about 2 table spoons of lovely olive oil into the mix if you like (I like), but it won’t help the thinness factor.  Also croutons don’t help thinness factor either but I can’t eat Ceasar Salad without croutons, just don’t see the point, hence not being thin.  Sigh.

This was inspired by a Jamie Oliver recipe, I admit it, credit where its due.