Tag Archives: dieting

Eisberg Review

27 Feb

So, there has been a lot to celebrate of late, what with the birth of my beautiful Nephew on the 22nd of this month, it seemed the ideal time to crack open a bottle!

Though I’m not talking Champers, I’m not actually referring to alcohol at all! You see, I’ve been on yet another diet (yes, again) and I’ve decided that for now, anyway, I’ll not indulge in any alcohol whatsoever! Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a big drinker and have been known to go a whole year without a sip, it just seems that of late, whenever I’m at a blogging event or meeting a friend, I’m partial to a glass of white or rose and this isn’t great on the ballooning hips!

Instead, we opened a bottle of Eisberg which is basically wine minus the alcohol (if that makes sense)! So, instead of a chilled glass of chardonnay, you switch it for a Eisberg non alcoholic vision which is only a third of the calories (only 34 calories per 125ml glass)!

Eisberg, is said to be made in the same way as your alcoholic wine, only the alcohol gets carefully removed using one of the worlds most advanced processes, leaving all the flavours of wine, just no alcohol, well it comes in at 0.05% volume (which believe me isn’t going to get a hedgehog merry)!

I was sent a bottle of Eisberg juicy succulent Rose to review, and it was this that we toasted the bubba too!

The bottle resembles everything your favourite wine would. Eisberg, wouldn’t look out-of-place at the dinner table, and I’m guessing that without taking a closer look, on appearance alone, this is easily mistaken for your average bottle of alcohol and calorie laden Rose.

The Rose was quite sweet and definitely resembled a glass of rose when poured, though the aroma is somewhat different minus the alcohol. Now I’ll be honest, I think you could tell there was no alcohol, though is this because I knew before hand? I’m not sure! However on a high note, it would definitely make a good replacement for those trying to cut back on the alcohol or maybe those unable to drink for medical reasons or pregnancy, this is because it does still have them strong elements of a good wine and its a pretty refreshing hit on the palate.I think the Rose would make the perfect addition to a summers lunch, sat out in the garden.

Regardless if you’re a drinker or not, Eisberg is great to have hidden away in the cupboard! How impressed would your tea total dinner guests be, if you poured them a glass or two of Eisberg? Maybe your best mate suddenly gets a bun in the oven, she’ll be pleased to celebrate with a glass to toast her news I’m sure!

My overall verdict is, Ok, those that drink for a living may tell it apart, those that actually love wine for its beautiful fruity intricate flavours, will still love a glass of Eisberg, just as I did.

Eisberg is available in four varieties, aromatic Riesling, creamy crisp Chardonnay, juicy succulent Rose and a fruity red Cabernet Sauvignon.

Eisberg can be brought from Morrison’s, with selected wines being sold at Tesco, Co-Op booths and Bargain Booze and is RRP at £3-20-£3.60 a bottle

So, how about you give it ago? If you do or already have? I would love to know if you loved it or loathed it!

Visit the Eisberg facebook page Here or checkout the website by clicking, Here.
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Davina for Next – Week 3

27 Jan

Its week three of my journey to keep fit as one of ten parent bloggers sharing our experiences as part of the Next blogging network and in celebration of the launch of the ‘Davina for Next’ new fitness collection.

I had planned to write this update on Wednesday, but life being life didn’t permit it. Still, better late than never.

So… have I been good?

Well, sort of!

This week was tough and although I did pretty good on the workout front, the diet didn’t go so well! I guess 1 out of 2 isn’t two bad. My excuse is, it’s nearing that dreaded time of the month and my body just arched for some bad but incredible good tasting chocolate and the odd cream cake. Yes, I felt a little guilty having polished one of, hence the reason, I properly had another. 😦

Nonetheless, I continued with my crunches, squats and push ups and worked out to a few dance videos over the week.

My aim for this week would have to be getting back on track with the healthy eating plan, as well as working out to my dance DVDs on a daily basis.

Sadly I still haven’t managed to make it to the swimming pool or have a night out dancing, though these are still on my “todo” list!

As for my beautiful red slab shoes from the Davina for Next collection of innovative footwear, I’ve worn them almost daily and they are still in perfect condition (not a single mark on them) they are just so comfortable and the high number of complements I’ve been given in regard to these shoes, is overwhelming. I know a few of the other girls on the plan love them and a few of my readers have even order themselves a pair (ladies you really wont be disappointed, these shoes are great).

To finish up, I’ll leave you with this exclusive video form the lovely Davina McCall herself.  I was sent it last week from the lovely PR who works for Next and I must say I found it to be very inspirational and motivating.

Enjoy…

Those other 9 bloggers joining myself on this mission are listed below, checkout how they’re getting on by clicking the links below!

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Davina for Next – Week 2

19 Jan

As I write this, I am dying to run downstairs and munch one of the soft, sugary ring donuts the other half brought home for the children! The fact that I am still here, not there, shows how my flaking willpower has started its journey in repairing itself!

Yes, it’s now my second week on the road to fitness with the help of Next, Davina MCcall and 9 other bloggers (who have all been very supportive, via twitter and commenting here on the blog).

So… How was week one?

On the food front, I’m hanging in there, its hard, I cannot deny! Yet, I am proud of myself and how I’m sticking to a healthier eating plan (I’ve only had chocolate once this week, and that my friends, is a miracle)! I’m now eating healthier options which this week has consisted of mainly foods high in portion reducing my carb in-take a little. I’ve also eaten at more sensible hours and I have tried to ensure that nothing crosses these lips in the late hours.

What about RedBull Lights, I hear you asking? Well, I haven’t stopped drinking these completely, id be a liar if I said I have, though what I can report is, I’m now drinking a huge amount less of the horrid addictive stuff than I was before I started my health kick… No more than one can per-day and yesterday I had not a drop (massive improvement from the five cans I’m used too)! This one isn’t easy, the stuff is addictive like coffee… but worse if I’m honest!

Exercise

For the first 4 days it was going so well! I did most of what I planed to do, with the exception of dog walking (my mother embarks on such a task at the strangest of hours, with three kids to parent, my mum has done her duties alone). I’ve also not been swimming or clubbing on a Friday night, more to the petty! I did buy a gym ball (the peanut kind) and I admit I went crazy and brought not one but 5 fitness DVDs and have tried a few. Everything on the plan was going really well, then four days in I was struck down with a horrid flu bug and exercise was the last thing on my mind, so I’ve basically spent three days struggling to climb out of bed! Nonetheless, I’m starting to feel like myself again and I plan to make up for lost time and up my todo list this week.

There was however, a nice surprise on Saturday afternoon that helped brighten up a rather gloomy day! My new Next FIT shoes, available via the ‘Davina for Next’ innovative footwear range, arrived at my door.

These are my beautifully shiny red pantent corsage slab shoes, equipped with the new ‘Next FIT’ technology!

Lovely, don’t you think?

Not only do these shoes look lovely but they are really comfortable too! I have to say, when I first saw them, I really never expected them to be so comfortable to wear! There was no new shoe blisters or no aching feet, and since they have arrived, I’ve worn them on most days and even in the house like slippers. Choosing a pair of shoes from the Davina range was the hardest task for me, I choose my fitness outfit within a few minutes but I seriously studied the pages of the Next Website that host these innovative shoes, and it took me the best part of an hour to decide. They do the slab shoes in one or two designs and in a range of colours, I’m seriously considering getting myself a black pair too. At £31, I feel they are very good value, if anything a bit of a bargain!

So… enough about shoes (this crazy loving shoe mum, could talk shoes all day)! Let me finish by jotting down and sharing my goals for the week ahead.

Goals for Week 2

All of the goals recorded in week one can stay with the exception of dog walking, this just isn’t gonna work! I’m upping the pace a little to make up for the past three days sickness and have decided to do this by upping the number of sit-ups and push-ups by adding 20 more on each, and I will also do a few more squats (Yer… I love squats really)!

I’ve now got a gym ball which I’m loving! I will incorporate this more into my daily exercise routine (yes, instead of just siting on it)!

I’m also hoping to have a Friday night on the dance floor this week or next, so all you fellow bloggers, come fitness freaks (aka fellow 9 Davina for Next bloggers) you fancy getting your groove on? I say let’s go swing our pants and have some serious fun getting fit!

So… that’s it

Till next week… its good-bye 🙂

Others joining me in the Davina for Next fitness quest

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Week one – Getting fit with Davina

12 Jan

Before I go any further, I must add that this post has no relevance to potty training, autism, the school run or anything else on such a scale! It’s simply about me, no one other than me! It’s me doing something for myself, something I feel I need do more of!

 Let me explain… Last week an email popped up in my inbox with some pretty exciting news! It was actually from those lovely people at the UK retailer ‘Next’ Informing me that I was one of the lucky ten bloggers chosen to test run the ‘Davina for Next’ workout & post workout range, while documenting my journey back to fitness!

 This my friends is god… It’s the big man in the sky giving me a much-needed kick up the backside!

 You see, I’ve always been a person who has loads of willpower, however, lately it’s flagging and although I know I want to get healthier and fitter (more the case, I need too) I’m just having issues finding my Mojo!

 For an ex dancer I’m slacking in the get up and go, which really isn’t great! ‘Next’ setting me this challenge to undertake has come at a perfect time, It means I’m forced to document my demons and therefore, face them!

 It’s also my hope that along the way, I will inspire other women to get up and join me.

 My first mission… to find lots of motivational tools! First we have the lovely ‘Davina for Next’ workout and post workout range, which I shared with you in a post I published at the end of December (Click here to read)

Next, invited me to select two items of clothing and a pair of their innovative footwear.

 It was a difficult decision but in the end I chose the lovely and extremely comfortable Davina Burnout T-shirt in black £18

 The Davina loose black joggers £25 (the word loose made me feel somewhat better )

 As for footwear my chosen shoe is yet to be delivered so, I’ll surprise you with these later on!

 Thankfully everything fits 🙂 and surprisingly there was no breathing in, still as lovely as these Items are, I’m hoping that in a few months time, they will no longer fit me, instead being too big in size (well, this is the plan)!

 The burnout Tee is comfortable, hangs well and in my opinion looks good and is great for workout or lounge wear.

 The joggers are also comfy which is what you want when you’re exercising.

 In addition to all the above, the items I choose look good, they don’t reveal my less pretty areas and I’d be more than happy to wear these down the gym (not that I’ve graced one for a while)

 So… I have my motivational workout wear, what else am I missing?

 A good dig through my CD collection unravelled some motivational dance albums! Every girl needs some good music to get her going!

 A rummage through the photo album unravelled the perfect motivational picture. This is me just 2 and a half years ago, before I fell pregnant with Harley!

Although I’m not massive now… a size 10-12, I’m not this toned!

GOD… I want my size 8 body back!

 The Picture is now the wall paper that graces my iPhone and the screen saver on my Mac… There is simply no escape!

 I also find myself pretty envious at the sight of Davina McCall flat washboard stomach! Maybe I should make her my screen saver too?

 Now, I just needed to work out where it is I’m going wrong, tough It don’t take a genius to figure it out!

 Eating at the wrong times

Skipping meals and snacking on crap

Drinking far too much Sugar-Free Redbull

Not enough sleep, leading to little motivation & psychical activity the following day.

 Ok… I’m pretty such I can fix 1-2 however, cutting out the Redbull is going to be a hard habit to kick! As for sleeping… when you’re 12-year-old on the autism spectrum doesn’t sleep, it becomes a little difficult to get a decent nights kip! Nonetheless, when he does sleep then I need to, instead of being this night owl who’s moody and unmotivated by day.

 I’ll also be doing a lot to improve my physical fitness! With this I’ve decided to buy Davina’s New DVD as well as a gym ball, when I go shopping on Friday! I’ll also be walking more, dancing for an hour a day (yes, like I used too) and going swimming once or twice a week.

 I’ll also be getting some inspiration from Davina herself!

So, I’ve decided to try (1) I’ll take Harley for a long walk in the woods (4) Go dancing with friends (its been a while) (5) walk my mum’s dog or at least walk with her (7) Little man aged 12 attends boxing training so I’ll be asking to borrow his skipping rope.

For this one, I’m doing (1) 20 squats while doing the house work (how hard can it be right)? (4) 20 sit ups as soon as I rise from my pit (now this is one that will be a challenge)! (6) get a gym ball (after all sitting doesn’t sound to hard)! (7) 20 crunches before bed (8) work out to the ‘Davina DVD’, though this wont be on my return from work, more like following a day running after my 3 monsters (though to call it anything other than work is crazy)!

Well, the DVD workout and sitting on a gym ball, will have to wait till Friday but I’m on a mission to start the others from the minute I hit the publish button on this post!

So… good-bye junk food

My days of Luvin it are officially over!

With all these lifestyle changes ahead of me I’ve had an idea!

 The best way of sticking to something is to offer a reward at the end of it (No, apart from the body to die for)! So,  if I hit all my targets at the end of this, I’m then going to reward myself this certificate for being the worlds sexiest mum! 🙂

I would also be happy to reward those lovely ladies joining me (well, the ones that are mum’s that is)! So here they are..

  1. Jessie’s Crazy Kitchen
  2. Nadine – X
  3. Clairejustineoxox
  4. Super amazing mum
  5. Marisworld
  6. Snugglebubby
  7. Pret-a-Style
  8. Mummy Mummy Mum
  9. Mum of one

Now if that’s not an incentive ladies, I don’t know what is?

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