There were several deciding factors, but the main one was receiving the results of a chest x-ray, which was completely clear.  After smoking for 35 years, I was utterly floored.

I decided that this was my second chance.

Brad and I were recommended a book (thanks Simon!) called ‘Allen Carr’s Easy to Way To Stop Smoking” and we both read it.  It was the turning point in both our lives.  This book made it ridiculously easy to stop.  It’s impossible to explain, you have to read it for yourself. If you are ready to stop smoking, read it, I promise it will change your way of thinking about stopping.

Brad and I are both overweight, and have wanted to go back on The Zone diet for some time now, but have lacked the motivation.  Now that we have stopped travelling and are settling into a routine here, we have started the diet and are feeling SO good….. so good in fact that we did the unthinkable this week.

WE SIGNED UP AT A GYM!  I love that it has a pool and I can swim for fitness. At this stage I am able to swim 650 metres after doing 10 minutes on a fucking Elipter *shudder*.  I couldn’t have done 50 metres 3 months ago.  I’m stoked!

Elipter’s need to die a horrible death, also the person who invented them, and their dog.

I want to puke just thinking about all this healthy shit…. but it feels so GOOD to feel good!

Put the heaped tablespoon of salt in a huge pot of water and bring it to the boil.  While boiling, add the chicken breasts, then bring back to the boil.  As soon as it comes back to the boil, cover with a tight fitting lid and remove from the heat .  Leave covered for half an hour.  Yes, it stays OFF the heat source.

Roughly chop the parsley and mint, then place in a bowl with lemon and salt,  tomato and extra virgin olive oil.  Allow to sit while the chicken is poaching (at least 10 minutes).  Steam or blanch the beans only until they are a bright green.  Drain and divide among 4 serving plates.

Remove the poached chicken and thickly slice against the grain.  Arrange on top of the beans, then spoon over the tomato sauce.

Serves 4 (this is a small meal size for our family, and would have been better suited to three people.)

Taken from Marie Claire Fresh + Fast and changed slightly for my own pantry limits.

Normally I’m one of those people who gets distracted by the shiny, colourful cover of the cookbook and  purchases it never to make anything from it, because ultimately, the damned thing sucks.  But hey, they look fab on my bookshelf!

Last week I bought another new, shiny (shiiiny…) and colourful cookbook.  I started looking through the pages and REALLY liked what I saw, so while I was out, I purchased a few necessary items.  The last few days I have been trying out some recipes and, so far,  they are AMAZING!

All the family have loved the food so far.. even our normally noncommittal 22yr old son reported “That chicken fucking ROCKED!” (Yeah, I gave up trying to get him not to swear…. it was a little hypocritical to try, don’t you think?  LOL)

Simple fresh ingredients, fast to prepare and extraordinarily tasty.

The book is Marie Claire Fresh + Fast.  You need it…. trust me.

You are about to receive a surprise from the Australian Government.

No, it isn’t a birthday card from the Prime Minister or the Queen.

It’s a Bowel Cancer Screening Test Kit.

NOICE!