Weekly Update Y2w24

This week has been another good one!  I hit yet another lowest weight (by 200grams - but it still counts!) and though my weight has got a slight up-tick at the moment, I am eating more vegetables and am confident it will come back down again soon.  

Yesterday I made this delicious lunch that was a mix of a recipe from the 2B Mindset and one I found online.  It was really quick and easy too.  Unfortunately, it didn't occur to me at the time to take a picture, so you'll just have to imagine the steaming yumminess.  Additionally, I would have thought it fairly easy for it to be adapted to vegetarian or vegan and still be scrumptious.

Ingredients (a lunch for 2, easily doubled)

1 large aubergine

Sea Salt

Tin chopped tomatoes

Onion and Garlic - I didn't have any, so used onion salt and garlic powder instead

Italian Herbs

Fresh Basil

Sliced Ham

Mascapone Cheese

Baby Spinach

Grated/crumbled Cheese (eg Cheddar or Feta or Ricotta, anything really)

Method

Slice the aubergine thinly lengthwise.  Place on a baking sheet and sprinkle with sea salt.

Bake for 10min at 180C until softened.

Meanwhile, gently fry the fresh onion and garlic (if using) in a saucepan. Add the tin tomatoes, (powdered garlic and onion), Italian Herbs and Fresh Basil, and simmer gently until the aubergine is cooked.

Put half the tomato mixture into a glass ovenproof dish.

On top of each slice of aubergine, lay a slice of ham (cut to shape), mascapone and spinach.  Roll into a spiral and place in the tomato mixture.  Repeat until all the aubergine is rolled and in the dish.
Put the rest of the tomato mixture on top of the aubergine rolls and sprinkle with the cheese.
Bake for 10-20minutes until the cheese has melted/browned to your liking.
Yum.

The Grandfather Clock by Jonathan Kile

The Grandfather Clock was my K in my reading of books chosen alphabetically by order.  I only had the cover to go by and was hoping this would be a scifi, time travelling mystery of a novel - but it wasn't. 

 

Instead, it's about Michael Chance who finally breaks up with a fiancee that is no good for him, and decides to seize the day.  This starts with him travelling to the other side of America to pick up the grandfather clock - a family heirloom - and drive back home.  On the way, after some soul searching, he makes some life choices that result in him flying around the world, meeting a French woman, and trying to find out how an artefact that was stolen by the Nazis could end up in his possession.

The blurb says:

Transporting a family heirloom across the country seemed like an easy task for disillusioned Michael Chance. But before he can cross the Mississippi, the secrets of his family’s grandfather clock and a mysterious French woman put him on an uncertain path. The life Michael knew is about to be left behind as he searches for answers amid a dangerous conspiracy that will lead him from the museums of Paris to Nazi havens in Argentina.

Now, the story itself is quite good.  It was gripping, and though it went speedily in places (whoosh and months had gone by), it was well written and enjoyable.  I confess to not knowing my history, but I can imagine the author has done his research in this area, so it would be particularly exciting for those who have an interest in this area.

My one complaint, however, is so big that I'm surprised nobody mentioned it to him before he published the book - my issue is with the title.  The Grandfather Clock is barely mentioned, and ultimately not that important.  Yes, at the end of the book, the author tries to tie it all up together, but it felt very forced.  Without giving away any spoliers, I would prefer it if the book were titled "The Heirloom" or similar, as then people reading would assume the author was inferring the clock, until they encounter the true subject of the book.

 

Wind Rider by Teddy Jacobs

This is the second book in the Return of the Dragons series.

Wind Rider continues the story of Anders Tomason, a 16yo boy who has recently learned he is the prophesied Three Bloods Prince, and it is up to him to beat The Dark Lord, who happens to be his uncle!

The blurb says:

Anders Tomas (sic) already found a magic sword and clashed with his evil uncle in SWORD BEARER. Now he returns in this second adventure, and continues his struggle with the evil chemical forces that threaten his world, enlisting, in the process, the help of the dragons.

 Again, this book is fast based so adult readers may not find it has enough depth to keep their interest.  However, reading it as aimed for teens, the story has a good pace and keeps you wanting more.

Unfortunately, two books is not much of a series (not to mention that the series is entitled Return of the Dragons - which only appear halfway through the second book) and as this book was published back in 2012, it looks unlikely that there will be a third book any time soon.  As such, the ending is a bit swift, and though Anders wins a battle in this book, it is clear that he hasn't won the war. 
I cannot find much out about the author - for example his website was updated in 2013 - so I hope he's ok. 

One way you could get enjoyment from how this ends, however, is if you use it as an opportunity to encourage your teen/preteen to do some creative writing themselves and to finish the story themselves.

Weekly Update Y2w23

I have followed one good week with another!  In fact, if I had posted yesterday (as I normally do on a Monday) you would have seen me at my lowest weight - under 91kilos!  As it is, natural fluctuation (plus the fact I did loads of pastry and cake cooking yesterday) means that I'm slightly up from there today, but it is still all good.

I am still reading You Can Drop It! and meeting with my friend weekly.  I am still focusing on eating a lot of vegetables - sometimes I manage it, and sometimes like yesterday I don't, but I am learning, adjusting and moving forward towards my goal.

On Sunday, I also attended (virtually) a 3 hour Body Groove workshop with Misty Tripoli, and it was amazing.  At the end of June I was meant to be going to a full day workshop, but due to coronavirus it is postponed until sometime next year, but we were invited to a shorter virtual one instead.  It reminded me how much I love Groove and the philosophy, and yes, maybe one day I'll be in a position to afford the facilitator classes and indeed set up my own.  I'm not sure that I'm confident enough to do it yet. Having people looking at me as I attempt to lead a dance fitness class is really outside of my comfort zone.  But, this is the life we have, and we should make the most of it.  If God is willing, I will eventually be able to do that and help other people.

History in the Making

2020, so far as we're not even half way through yet!, seems to be a highly significant year.  

I know most years feel significant in one way or another - for example both 2016 and 2017 shocked the nation and the world due to the number of celebrity deaths, though when looked at objectively, given the time when TVs because household items, and the ages of various celebrities as well as the growth of music, sport and celebrity culture, it's actually no surprise that many of them get old at the same time.

2020, however, feels different to that, not least because of all the different things that we have been dealt with on a global scale.  Firstly there were the wildfires that ravaged Australia.  We've had a global pandemic that we are still living through.  And now we are living through world-wide protests about race and societal structures that perpetuate the differences and hardships that non-whites face.

Now, normally on a Monday I do my Weekly Update, and today I was looking forward to it because I am my lowest weight!!! But instead, I have decided to put my thoughts on what has happened at the weekend.

Over the weekend there have been many protests to tell the world that Black Lives Matter.  I have given my thoughts on race and privilege before. Now, because we are in a pandemic some people have said that people should not be protesting.  I disagree with that.  We are in a pandemic, so people should not be having parties on the beach, or squashing together in supermarkets trying to get the latest deal, or driving 200-odd miles with your wife and 4yo child just in case you need childcare... However, speaking out for what you believe, speaking up for those who because of systematic racism need your support, is always a good thing.

Now, I don't agree with unnecessary violence.  I don't think bricks should be thrown at police horses (though as a friend pointed out - why would a responsible horse owner take a horse into a violent situation? - food for thought!) and I don't think there should be mindless acts of vandalism.  Spray painting "BLM" on buildings and plinths just doesn't site right with me.  Yet, as a Bristolian, I was pleased to see the statue of Edward Colston toppled and rolled into the river.  It seems like poetic justice.

My friend and fellow blogger has written a more articulate post about Edward Colston that I could.
There is lots in Bristol that uses his name.  I have read that, after refurbishment, Colston Hall will be changing its name.  I wonder if Colston's School will be going through a similar thought process in the near future?  Bristol has a long history of slavery, and I certainly don't think that should be white-washed or forgotten, but should be remembered and learned from.  It certainly shouldn't be celebrated by statues in public, rather in a museum where the public can be educated.

There is currently a petition for a new statue to sit on the remaining plinth (which I'm more upset it has been graffiti-ed than the statue removed): https://tinyurl.com/y9c8mu78

Personally, I would like it to be replaced by the image of this man, perhaps with statues of slaves themselves around the base.  

I don't know who to credit the photo
but will amend when I do.

Remember this day.  

Remember things can change.  

We all have the power to do a little,

Which will add up to something big.

Sword Bearer by Teddy Jacobs

Another YA book, and "J" in my alphabet.  Sword Bearer is a fantasy surrounding a 16 year old boy, Anders, who now gets to train with a real sword.

The blurb says:

You swung a staff until you were ready to swing a sword. Then you went on all kinds of adventures -- fighting monsters, casting spells, and saving damsels in distress. At least that was how it was supposed to work, but I didn't believe a word of it.

BOOK ONE OF THE EPIC FANTASY SERIES RETURN OF THE DRAGONS

Locked in his room in the castle, young Anders yearns for adventure. Until the day he opens a magic portal and a girl bursts into his locked room with a chemical warlock hot on her trail.

And adventure finds him -- an adventure full of danger, full of blood, fire, demons and evil. To face it, he'll need the sword given him by his blademaster, need the ancient words his grandfather gave him on his deathbed. Need the song that runs in his own blood, in his veins.

A sword will be reforged, magic words discovered, battles fought, friends made and lost, secrets revealed. And blood will be spilled. But will blade, word and blood be enough?

I wasn't expecting to like this book as much as I did.  It was quite obvious from the beginning that this book was aimed at teens, but I would allow my preteens to read this (first they'd have to enjoy reading, and then they'd have to enjoy fantasy - unfortunately they seem to have follow after my husband here...).  

It was predicted on my kindle that it would take 4 hours to read, but actually took much less than that.  The action comes fast and furious and I couldn't put it down.  There were a few typos, and if this book was to be aimed at adults I would have expected it to be fleshed out a bit more, but as I said, I did enjoy this book.  So much so, I have just bought the second in the series.

A Sweary Poem

Fuck!
The fucking world is all fucked up.
What the fuck can we do?
Fuck off if you don't give a shit.
I do.
And if you think swearing is a sign of a bad vocabulary?
Fuck you.
Hell yes, I just said that.
We need to stop fucking around
And take ownership of our fuck-ups.
I am as guilty as the next
And if you're more worried about what I'm saying
Rather than why I'm saying it
You can shut the fuck up.
The world is fucked.
We are all to blame.
And because I don't want this to become a heavy essay detailing all the different ways the world is fucked right now (which incidentally I did start typing, but it was becoming far too long and convoluted so I deleted it all) I want to encourage you to open your eyes, educate yourself, educate those around you and speak up, even if you think your voice won't be heard or you are as much of a coward as I am.
The world is broken
But we can still
Thank God.
He came to save us
And we can be the change.
Can we change the world?
Abso-fucking-lutely.