Life is a Journey – Page 106 – The life and times of Libby Withnall

Foodie Friday

Posted on February 22, 2013October 31, 2026 by Libby Withnall

First up an update on my 2 week sugar free challenge

To sum it up in case you don’t want to watch the video – it didn’t help at all with my arthritis (as hoped) but I did lose 2.5kg. The best thing, however, is I really have no desire to eat anything sweet. And my appetite and desire for food is greatly reduced. I really happy I did the challenge and proud of myself for completing it. I’m going to stick with sugar free on a day-to-day basis but will no doubt have a treat or two at special events/occasions. I mean, I can’t see myself never having a cupcake or some chocolate EVER again, even though at the moment I have no desire for it.

This week involved a HUGE grocery shop.

And since my uploaded speed with YouTube is now half decent, I did a grocery haul video for you this week.

On the menu this week. Breakfast included cheese on toast (which I had a real craving for).

French Toast and a green mango smoothie.

Pear (sugar-free) pancake.

Toast with marmalade.

Lunches included Thai takeaway – just one veggie spring roll for me.

and some homemade ice cream for desert.

Most days I had my usual salad but one day I enjoyed a wrap by the pool.

And I also had lunch at a cafe with my best friend, Leanne.

Dinners included Mushroom Risotto.

Taco (TVP) Salad

Quorn burger, sweet potato and veggies.

Creamy Quorn Curry

Bolognase Vol A Vents

Snacks included healthy carrot cookies (recipe from Heather’s Whole Food Kitchen class) – which were actually rather nice and I will definitely be making again).

There were cheese and crackers and a gorgeous plum.

I did also enjoy a Hot Cross Bun (yep, it’s got some sugar but I enjoyed this AFTER my challenge ended).

And spotted (with a squeal of excitement) and bought but not yet eaten – Choc Orange Tim Tams. If you’ve been around here long enough you’ll know how much I love orange chocolate. One day … for a treat with friends.

Tell me, did you find anything squeal worthy in the supermarket this week?

Cruise Videos part 2 & Universal Studios

Posted on February 20, 2013November 1, 2026 by Libby Withnall

The last of our trip videos…. finally… now I have to start work on our photobook….

The Week that Was

Posted on February 18, 2013October 31, 2026 by Libby Withnall

What? I’m actually posting this on MONDAY!! Go me :-).

It was the week of gorgeous morning walks…. on days when my arthritis was manageable….

It was the week of Christy’s swimming carnival….

in which she placed last (as expected) but actually swam really well (since she has swam that far in a whole year)….

It was the week my new Enjo supplies turned up and the week I did a full house clean in one day (it’s been over 6 months since I managed that)…..

It was the week of a trip to the vet for Rosie (of course Bailey had to come along in the car) to get a cyst checked (all okay)….

and it was the week I got my Bruce Springsteen ticket in the mail (so excited)….

It was the week I got jealous seeing all the great kids craft you can now buy….

and it was the week Christy and I went to the basketball and watched a great win by the Hawks….

It was the week Amy made Valentine’s cookies to take for friends at school…

and the week Christy covered all her school books with her favourite photos….

It was the week of soft pink nails….

then red nails…it’s actually more of pinky red in real life….Love is a Racket – quite appropriate for Valentine’s Day….

It was the week Bailey ended up with gravy on his head after putting his head in the dishwasher…

and the week Rosie spent forever trying to get the last bit of nut butter out of her dish….

A Day in My Life – Friday 15th February

Posted on February 17, 2013October 30, 2026 by Libby Withnall

Awake around 5.30pm. Tea in a different teapot since I broke my other one.

Watched YouTube. Have bad arthritis pain and no pain meds left so no walk (plus it’s cold and drizzly out) but there are cuddles with Bailey.

Kevin come down and waits for Amy to be ready before they head off.

I then head upstairs to make the bed, collect the dirty washing and have my shower.

As you can see it’s pretty yuck out there.

Downstairs I find Christy making French toast for us for breakfast.

She had planned to ride with a friend but since it was rainy I drove her to school. Check out all the cockatoos on the wires.

After drop off I go to the local chemist to get my pain meds.

Back home put the washing in the dryer and hang up a few items.

I then spent about 10mins and got my desk tidy (again).

Next up was collecting the egss and turfing Mama chook (who is still broody) out of the chook house (so she can get some food and water)

I’ve missed baking since going sugar free so tried to make a sugar free cake. Unfortunately it was a BIG flop.

I’m wanting to get back to my scrapbooking and project life so I thought I’d best tidy my work space first.

I then made myself a salad for lunch.

Then worked on Project Life.

And changed out some photo frames. Our family has changed just a little bit since 2007 🙂

At 3pm I went and picked up Amy, then Christy and her friend. I dropped the younger two off at her friends house as Christy was going for a sleepover.

Back home I had a bowl of lentil soup, then worked on my Foodie Friday blog post.

I got a phone call from Christy saying she had forgot to pack her underpants so I had to drop them around. As you can see it has turned out a nice afternoon.

Bailey had fun meeting the friends dog.

Home again it was time for the puppies worm and flea treatment. As you can see Bailey is very keen. Rosie not so much as she hates the flea treatment.

Dinner time.

Since it was just the 3 of us I opted for an easy dinner of vol a vents with leftover Quorn bolognase sauce, and a dollop of heart shaped sour cream.

I then changed into my jammies and got settled on the couch for some Doctor Who.

Later we enjoyed some berries.

With some whipped cream. I only ended up eating half of mine.

Kevin and Amy (who had fallen sleep on the couch) headed up to bed around 8.30pm but I stayed up and ended up watching Push Girls – which was rather interesting, while munching on some popcorn.

I head to bed around 9.30pm and read blogs on my i-pad for a bit before going to sleep.