Thanks for all your lovely comments and tweets regarding the marathon. It is definitely the right thing to do. It sucks. But it’s sensible.
This week hasn’t been great if I’m honest. I’m trying not to let this get me down but it’s hard. Especially when I have to tell people I’m pulling out, like co-workers, friends and the running club. Embarrassingly I ended up in tears telling my friend at work. I feel overly emotional about the whole thing. I know it’s ridiculous and there are bigger things to worry about, but hey ho.
It doesn’t help that work is hard at the moment and overly busy. Meaning I have to work this weekend again, Saturday and Sunday. I just feel things getting on top of me a bit.
Sunday was a hard day but after having a good heart-to-heart with my parents and having Ben’s continual support, I felt better. And cupcakes always help too:
These are what I call Cupcake Therapy
Why have one when you can have two? My mum dropped four cupcakes round the day before – it’s as if she psychically knew Sunday was going to be a rough day. Mum Power.
Later on today I have a physio appointment which should be fun. I swear I’m keeping this woman in business. I thought it was probably best to proactively seek guidance for the knee thing because, let’s be honest, I took 10 days off and it didn’t solve anything did it?
On a different note, we had friends over on Saturday night for a Mexican themed evening. We had dips and tortilla chips to start. I made guacamole using THIS recipe. Then found out I was the only one who likes guacamole. Well, I see that as a win in my eyes!
For the main we had slow cooker chilli. Honestly, so so simple. Just throwing everything in a slow cooker is like having a little fairy in the kitchen. If only that fairy would also do the washing up as well.
Slow Cooker Chilli (serves 4)
Based on THIS recipe
- Lean beef mince (500g)
- Large white onion, diced
- 1 tbsp. garlic powder
- 1 tbsp. mild chilli powder
- 1 tsp. paprika
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- 1 beef stock cube
- 400g can chopped tomatoes
- 1 tbsp. mixed herbs
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 tbsp tomato purée
- 410g can red kidney beans, drained
I fried the onion first in a tbsp. oil. Then put everything in the slow cooker and gave it a good stir. I cooked this for 6 hours on LOW.
We had this with (Uncle Ben’s) Mexican rice, refried beans, sour cream and the remainders of the chips. Not too shabby for our first Grown Up Dinner Party.
This picture is terrible I’m sorry. But it tasted delicious.
While eating we had an interesting conversation about what foods we couldn’t live without. Ben and one of the friends said there wasn’t any food they’d be that sad about never having again. I mean, what?? That’s not normal right?
I wonder if you can guess what mine is? Apples. Literally couldn’t live without them. I think oats for my porridge also comes very close second. And cake. Not a specific cake, just cake in general.
My other friend said potatoes, which I found hilarious as if I never ate potatoes again I wouldn’t be that bothered! Sure I might miss chips (fries) occasionally but I could live without them. I can honestly say I have never craved potatoes.
What food can’t you live without? I’d give up chocolate over apples. Is that weird?
What food makes you feel better when you’re sad? For me it’s cake. That may be an unhealthy way to look at things, but it’s impossible to be sad when you’re eating a slice of cake.
Do you enjoy hosting dinner parties?
Just catched up on your previous post… I had no idea your knee was still giving you such trouble. I too had too pull out of my 1st marathon so I know how it feels. But like I’m always telling you, keep your head up high – rest – eat cupcakes & smile <3
Yeah we’re both doing the right thing – it sucks and I’m sorry you had to pull out of yours too 🙁
I love guacamole! Normally that’s a hit 🙂 well…more for you I guess haha win win.
I wouldn’t be able to give up chocolate.
Yes chocolate is a tough one!
Hope you get some answers after your physio sesh. I can’t believe anybody doesn’t like guacamole?! At least there was more for you 🙂 I can’t live without bananas, my day isn’t complete without one!
Mmm bananas are a good one. I don’t like banana-flavoured things though, is that weird?? Haha.
For me it would be frozen cherries 🙂 I am addicted. And totally with you on the cake front also – keep having to find healthy versions, it’s just so satisfying! Glad to find a fellow cake lover 🙂 I love dinner parties, am planning a Christmassy one soon as a leaving do before I go abroad!
I have never tried frozen cherries. I love frozen grapes so I imagine they’ll be very tasty.
Oooh Christmas dinner parties are surely the best!
Wow that Mexican food looks amazing. How could no one like guacamole?? It’s so good!! I think the one food I couldn’t live without is cheese. I put it in everything!!!
Mm yeah I’m the same with cream cheese…it goes in soo many of my meals!
That chilli looks yummy Anna!
Hmm foods I couldn’t live without? Almond butter and dates. I think I’d be happy just surviving on almond butter and dates 🙂
Hehe I think I must try that combo one day to see why you love it so much!
Mmmm guacamole. Although I never used to be that keen but I never really like the shop bought ones with cream in them- fresh stuff is just amazing.
I find dinner parties so stressful but most of the people I know are fussy, then there is my veggie element, and it is just too hard to find something everyone will like. Which I why I prefer to just serve cake!
Hope your physio appointment goes OK x
The guacamole we had in Mexico was heavenly. It was soo creamy. I think my avocados weren’t hugely ripe which meant it wasn’t as creamy as it could have been 🙁
That slow cooker chilli sounds great! I need to bust out the slow cooker soon again I think 🙂 I am such a foodie, I think there’s a few foods I would be very sad without! For me apples, squash, nut butter and chocolate, oh and salted caramel too!
I am obsessed with my slow cooker. I just love it. Ahhh salted caramel, yes sooo nice!
Cake solves everything! In a big believe in that! Cake is definitely my go to when I’m upset food. Preferably one with lots of icing! I’m not sure what did I couldn’t live without though. Does milk count? It’s about the only thing I really crave several times a week. Especially after a hard run, im always reaching for a cold glass of milk as soon as I get in!
Hope your physio appointment goes well.
Yes to lots of icing!! They’re my favourite. That’s interesting that you crave milk. Nice and healthy 🙂
Those cupcakes look gorgeous!
They were so tasty too!