I grow all my vegetables in pots. Go to Bunnings and buy 3 decent-sized pots (the cheap black plastic pots are just as good as anything), and good quality potting mix. Grab some Powerfeed or something similar, and then get 1) a punnet of spinach or lettuce 2) one or two tomato plants - I always get a cherry tomato AND a bigger one like Grosse Lisse and 3) strawberries or something equally fun.

Take them home, pot them up, give them a feed every couple of weeks and keep them watered - too easy .

I reckon that food has to be a bit of trial and error - but as long as you have a goal in mind, and stick with it, I know you will get there. I resort to Lean Cuisine occasionally too.

I am excited!! Thanx Ani!

I've been doing a bit of googling too! I want to start with lettuce, tomatoes and something else still to be decided - carrots/radishes/beans/cucumber?. I'm not sure about strawberries, I know Mum had huge issues growing them in the North WA climate so I kinda think it'll be the same here? I wouldn't mind trying a fruit at some point though.

I understand cherry tomatoes can be grown in a hanging basket too? I like the idea of that for extra space!

You mention a good quality potting mix...I wouldn't know one from the next! Any suggestions?

Any potting mix that is labelled 'premium' or 'professional', and has five red ticks on the package is what I would use.

You could be right about strawberries - but your local Bunnings will stock the vegies and fruit that will grow up there.

It is great fun to grow your own

Ani the wrap you make soiunds awedome. I'll have to give that a go.

Lindor apples are really good for your metabolism. As is a slice of pineapple after your meals.

Me, I'm faring ok. not great but not bad. Havent gained any so thats a plus. Off to the gold coast for a week in 2 MORE SLEEPS woohoo . Even got a pair of togs (full piece lol). We are taking all the kids so will be hectic but oh so fun. Though I asked work to give me lots of shifts when i get back cause I'll need to go to work for a holiday to get over my holiday.

Speaking of work. I so love my job. It's awesome. And today i went into the shopping centre and a lady I looked after (in hospital for a month) raced up to me and threw her arms around me and wouldnt let me go lol. She got all excited and yelled out to her friend to come meet me. Nice to know i can have an impact of sorts on people but sheesh

Oh vonni that is so lovely to be recognised and loved for the care you provided... That is sooo rewarding. hav agteat time on your holiday... and i thanks for the laugh about going to work after ... lol

Lindor it sounds like you have come along way with your eating in public issue.. dont worry i have had the same issue as you.. especially when i was really big.. not so much now. But i cant sit and eat rubbish in public.. it has to be something healthy.. lol.. Not that i like rubbish , but you know what i mean. as far as veg goes.. i know it sounds slack but to build up our veg content i buy the steam fresh veggies you know the little bags of mixed veg you can shove in the microwave.. maybe you could find a mix in them that you like... and that way you dont have to have a load of bags..

I love the grow your own idea.. and what my mum does.... gardening guru.... she goes to the supermarket asks them for a foam box.. I think they bring there broccolli in .. in them.. ... puts a couple of holes in the bottom and grows her veg in those... they are thick foam so are insulated... and it works 100% everytime .. they are also large enough for a few plants.. and cost nothing... so brilliant ..


Lindor i wouldn't say you have failed... you got down to almost a goal weight to go sky diving.. and since then have had alot of stresses.. in your life.. dont be so hard on your self.. we all have speed humps.. on this weioght loss road.. the trick is to keep going.


Ani 2 kilos...... wooooohoooooo. BRilliant..

Barb are you enjoying your new job???

As for me im doing great... had the kids birthday party yesterday.. we took them for a bowling party and it was fantastic !!! They both got given a bowling pin.. all the kids were given lolly bags. and vouchers to come back and play for $8.00.. and the food was on our tables and hot as soon as our game ended.... it was brilliant.. And i found a bakery that made a special cake for Leah that had no crap in it.. turns out she uses no crap when she makes them.. So it was perfect. And becuase it was food on plates instead of a load of party crap... i ate no crap.. and John went and got me a turkey wrap..from the malls food court... .

When we got home i was on puppy sitting duty for my neighbours dog.. (they had an open inspection).. so i took the two boys for a 2 hour walk.. and they were as good as gold.. The neighbours dog is a poodle cross and has a poodle brain.. ( very skittish and scared of people until he gets to know you) They are looking for a new home for him.. and him and jet get along so well its pulling at my heart strings... But i dont know if i could trust him with the kids.. he is too nervous ( he is with kids now and inside he acts like a lovely dog outside he seems to be scared i think the little girl over there must be cruel too him ).. and John i dont think likes him much.. John said if we get another dog it will be his choice and not that brainless twit.. lol ..

But in all this i think ive realised i would like to get another dog.. Jetty was soooo happy to have a friend to play with. But we will see..

I'm going to Bunnings!

I now have potted up on my back verandah:

• Cherry Tomatoes
• Sweet Capsicum
• Dwarf Green Beans
• Bush Cucumber
• Cos Lettuce
• Carrots
• Radishes
• Strawberries

And, while in Bunnings, I saw lots of pretty flowering plants that I can't wait to explore when I get to 90kg!

Shopping was interesting. I didn't really find anything overly appealing in the convenience ling that I don't already buy. So I just need to work on portion control and avoiding those impulsive purchases of JUNK! I did have a brief chat to a guy from the meat department...he gave me a money saving tip by suggesting I go in on a Friday afternoon after 4pm and I'll find great bargains on meat. This is because they mark down any stock that has been there from earlier in the day so as not to be throwing it out when they close at midnight!

Avocados were on special today - $1.00 each! I got a few packets of Wholemeal Pita Bread as they were also going at $1.00 each! So I got some ham (that was also marked down as there is only a week left before it goes out of date) and I am going to give your wraps a shot for lunch this week Ani. And hopefully they won't stink the room out either!

I did also (impulsively maybe) buy a yoghurt maker. I've looked at them in the past and was curious then, but today I had a closer look. I can get a litre of yoghurt for under $3.50 with this gadget! It is literally add water, shake and wait. I have a reduced fat lemon yoghurt base and shall make that up tonight.


Amy, thanx for your tips too. I will look out for those vegie bags that you mention next time I go shopping!

Anyway, I must go check my plants and see if they have grown any!

Woo hoo Lindor - love your work . Don't forget to fertilise them very regularly, and keep an eye out for bugs. If you can't stand to pick bugs off by hand, get some pyrethrum and keep it close by.

Amy you are going so well - I am so impressed by how you just keep going, and the amount of weight you have lost is inspiring.

I had a small glitch yesterday - but it was minor, and I am right back on track today. Still need to drink some more water, and I will try and get through another litre if I can.

Must go and clean this house now I am home from work.

Stupid question...

...by fertilise you mean Powerfeed?

And how can I stop the pots from drying out so fast? They are dry already and I only watered them a few hours ago!

Lindor - Amy...... I buy those frozen steam fresh veges too. I just wish they wouldnt put carrot in all of them. dont get me wrong i like carrot, but thats one vege i like to do from fresh. It is an awesome way to get a variety of veges. and u can get the normal size or larger size.

cant wait till tomorrow i am off for my holiday. woohoo. a whole 7 nights on the gold coast.

Have fun Vonni!

I forgot to weigh-in this morning, which is probably just as well given what I've eaten the last few days!

Today it where I start eating properly again! I know I can do it, I've done it several times before! And I will!

Maybe that is the problem? I keep self-sabotaging because I tell myself I can fix it later on? Hmmm...I hate the mind games that come with weight control!

Anyway, gotta run! Have a good day all


Oh, and my plants survived a night on my back verandah! I was worried the bush rats might have had a go at them!

blahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.... why is it whenever im on a roll i get sick... cough cough cough sneeze. .... fine i taught my children to share by why is it they wont share there ice cream but they will thier colds??? lol ..

I felt a niggle in my throat earlier in the week .. and i managed to delay the onset till now by drinking plenty and taking vitamins cs and garlic.. but it has cougt up with me becuase i stopped taking them.. lol .. oh well


I had a good day yesterday walked another 12 kms.. all up since the start of the months I have walked 90 kms with Jetty.. no wonder he has been so happy.. lol and he is getting more muscley too .. and in addition to that im swimming , jamming , and aquaing my way to double digits..


ahhhhh feel the codral kicking in... thank good ness for modern medicine.. i have too much to do to be sick ..

Lindor those plants sound great I hope you can get them to thrive

I had a good weekend but am feeling dreadful today. Feeling very depressed and all I want to do is go home and crawl into bed and sleep for a few days.

Thankfully nowadays I know that what the black dog wants me to do isn't what's good for me so I'll soldier on until 5:00 and will go to the gym and at least walk on the treadmill for 30 minutes. I'm not up to having a big workout but a walk will do me good.

I'm also going to bite the bullet and weigh myself so that I've got a starting point and I will know what I'm dealing with.

Julia does the gym help when you are feeling like this? We're here, so if there is anything we can do to help, don't be shy about saying .

Vonni have a fantastic holiday

Amy it's annoying when you get sick. Given the amount of customers who cough and sneeze on me every day I am surprised I don't get sick more often. Hope you are feeling better soon.

Lindor yes I meant Powerfeed. As far as stopping your plants from drying out - vegetables (especially in pots) need watering every day. They don't need to be drowned, but they are fairly heavy feeders.

All good here. I am working 1-9pm for the rest of the week, and I have my meals planned for today. It's cold, wet and windy today - which means I still need to focus on drinking enough water. But I will get there!

lovely..... sitting at the dining table on the internet with the sun coming through the window and reflecting of the waves rolling into shore. such is the life.... ahhhhh