pregnancy weight loss tracker | Its all about that blood

pregnancy weight loss tracker

I know, I know, not my most catchy-ish of titles, but it was this or some other dodgy blood related one!! So, first off, this isnt some gruesome tale that involves alot of blood and gore, sorry if thats what you were after (!). This is the tale of me and my experience going to donate blood for the very first time. There are no dodgy photos and this isnt a preachy blog post urging you to go and do it. If you fancy reading about my experience of giving blood, or, if you have ever thought of donating before but havent been sure, then this is the blog post for you. Now we have cleared all of that up, lets get started! 

Back in December, in the midst of my blogging every day for Blogmas, I pledged to go and give blood. I wanted to go and do something for someone else during a season when it can feel a bit over commercial. I wanted to do something that would actually make a difference to someone else and hopefully show my daughter that Christmas isnt all about the presents. Ahhh, me and my bright ideas. My well laid plans certainly did not go to plan (they rarely do), and I found myself, after a week of worry, being turned away at the donor centre because the blood donation session was full!!! Argh! You can read all about that little escapade here.

Now I am not going to lie.  Giving blood worried me.  This was no walk in the park for me.  But dont you find that those moments that you feel most challenged by are sometimes the moments that you look back on and feel the proudest of? This felt like it could be one of those moments. And did you know that giving blood can save up to three lives? Fact. 

I had already signed up to the blood donation website where you can find out your local times and venues, and when one popped up near my home, I felt I had to go and do it. The very moment I clicked book, my nerves returned. As with most things in life, the thought of doing something is way worse than the actual event. (Hmmm, maybe with the exception of child birth?!) And as someone with a very over active imagination, I had already imagined the worst.  I imagined fainting, of my arm dropping off, of being sick all over the nurse - a bit like in the exorcist, of falling off the chair and other such completely believable scenarios (!!!).  

The big day finally came and I arrived very nervous.  As I had booked my session online this time there was no chance of me being turned away. I registered at the desk and went to take a seat in the waiting area.  When you book an appointment online they send you all the paperwork through the post and it saves time filling the forms out when you arrive.  I had to drink a big cup of water to help replace the fluids I would lose during the donation and during this time my two year old daughter performed a rendition of chim-chim-cheree from Mary Poppins which was nice. (N.B. I cant guarantee she will be there for you if you donate, but I am considering hiring her out for the waiting room!). 

Next, I was called into a private area and was asked questions to screen if I was suitable to give blood.   My finger was pricked to test my iron levels. A drop of my blood was placed into a copper sulphate solution and if it sinks to the bottom it shows you iron levels are OK for you to donate. (And you know this bit doesnt really hurt because Im taking pictures at the same time!!).  

However, I wont get too cocky as my ability to then take a good picture of my drop of blood sinking in the tube was a fail!! Sorry for the poor quality. I felt I had to include this photograph as the lovely nurse did the test twice for me so I could get a good shot!!!

After the test I went out to sit on a couch and I was placed in a semi-upright position ready for the donation.  A blood pressure cuff was placed around my arm to maintain a little bit of pressure and then the nurse found a good vein. Obviously you can feel a pinching sensation, but really, it was nothing.  

I wont lie.  I didnt look down at my arm once.  I just didnt want to see it.  But I can honestly say, it was absolutely fine!!! Yes, there was a little bit of pressure of my arm, but that was literally it.  I didnt feel faint, I wasnt in pain and I didnt feel sick.  They ask you to do several exercises during your donation to help reduce your risk of fainting, like clenching your hand, clenching your bum cheeks (!) and moving your feet.  Obviously not one to risk fainting and erring on the side of caution I clenched away like my life depended on it! 

The process of actually having the blood taken took about five to ten minutes.  That is all!!! I thought I was going to be hooked up all day! It really was over before I knew it and I had donated just under a pint. And then its the bit you all know is coming, I was escorted to have a well earned drink and a bourbon biscuit. 

Apart from having a bit of a sore arm for the rest of the day, I felt absolutely fine.  The staff were really a credit to the blood service. From checking in to the actual donation, they couldnt have been nicer. And you know what? Everyone thanked me for going to give my blood.  Even on my way out, a nurse who I hadnt seen said thank you to me for attending.  How absolutely lovely.  I mean I didnt want a red carpet and an award or anything, but feeling like you have done something great, well, it makes you feel great. 

I dont want this post to come across as preachy or to make you feel like you have to go and give blood.  Its a personal and individual choice. All I will say is that if you are even considering it, then go and do it. Coming from someone who worried for a whole week about this, it was absolutely fine and I will definitely be going back to donate again. You can find the UK Give Blood website here where you can find out more and find your local sessions. And what better way to start the year than to donate blood to help someone, somewhere, who really needs it? 

"When you give blood you give another birthday, 

another anniversary, 

another day at the beach, 

another night under the stars, 

another talk with a friend, 

another laugh, 

another hug, 

another chance", 

American Red Cross. 

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pregnancy weight loss transformations | The Happiness Project

pregnancy weight loss transformations

There arent many books that I can say have changed my life.  I dont mean anything drastic, like a book I had in my pocket stopped a bullet or prevented my imminent death from a lion. But I mean a book that has resonated so much with me, that I reflect on its words years and years later.  A book that I pull off the shelf and delve into when I am need of some inspiration or a pick-me-up. This is how I feel about The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.  As January is the time where there seems to be an overwhelming urge to reflect on our lives, on our years and happiness, I thought this would be a good time to share with you the book that I would recommend to get on your book shelf, or your kindle, well, right now. 

First off, its not your typical read.  This is an account by  a lady called Gretchen Rubin on her happiness project to, well, be more happier. Now secondly, this isnt a self help book where by you have to do weird activities like chant at the moon or go and sing to your neighbours dog. This is Gretchens story about the things she tried to do to make her appreciate the things she felt she wasnt appreciating enough.  To try and fight-right in her marriage and boost her own well being.  The brilliant thing about this book is that Gretchen is just like you or me. She doesnt write her account balancing in a tree on a remote island. She hasnt overcome adversity or is struggling with a life limiting illness. And this is what makes the book completely relatable.  

Gretchen embarks on a 12 month happiness project and each month she dedicates her month to trying to change and improve little things in her life, like boosting her energy, her marriage and being a parent. But dont think this book is just for parents.  I first bought this book many years ago before I had even had my daughter, and its words resonated with me back then just as much as they do now.  

Her journey is documented in a way that really reflects everyday life. Rubin makes such accurate comments on life and how we think. She observes that, "the days are long, but the years are short". And how often do you want to hurry your day along and then all of a sudden a week has passed and you are yearning for the years to go slower? She also shows that it isnt all walks in the park, and I find her chapter on love and learning to fight right with her husband so accurate and true.  

I find this book just so inspiring, and I find myself going back to it at certain times in my life, whether that be if Im feeling down, if Im spending way too much time nagging at my husband or if I just feel like Im taking things for granted.  A quick dip into this book and I feel that it sort of gives me a little wake up call and off I go again.  

I recently wrote about how everyone talks about a New Year and a New You (you can read that here), and this book really isnt about finding a new you. Its about being appreciative, making small changes and really living the life that you have, right here and right now. The majority of us have in our lives all the love and material things we could possibly wish for, its just a case of seeing it all, like Gretchen reflects in the book, 

"I found the ruby slippers had been on my feet all along".

Have you read this book? What did you think? Would you read it now? Please let me know your thoughts in the comments below! 
Thank you so much for reading, 

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pregnancy weight loss tea | When bad cakes happen to good people

pregnancy weight loss tea

This incident took place last Saturday.  Mr Bee was busy tearing the carpet up from the stairs (we are redecorating) and I was entertaining Baba.  She has had a pretend mixer and cake set for Christmas and her favourite thing to do is for the both of us (I have to be fully participating...no watching from the sidelines-its a bit like Master Chef), to make carrot cakes.  And whilst I love my little girl dearly, after the fifth time of making carrot cakes, I was wanting to stick my head in the oven.  So, being the super mum that I am (ha,ha!), I suggested we make some carrot cakes. For REAL!

Baba squealed with delight and ran to get her apron whilst I rummaged in the cupboards and prayed I had some carrots.  And that my friends is where I went wrong.  I am no Nigella.  And normally when I have to rummage around the cupboards it means I havent got the right ingredients.  And this means that I shouldnt be cooking whatever it is I am trying to.   

Did this deter us? Hell no. I found the carrots.  Then I realised I had only half the amount of self raising flour I needed.  I made up the full amount with plain flour and whacked in some baking powder too. Surely that would make it rise? It does get worse.  Then I realised I only had dark muscavado sugar instead of light muscavado sugar.  I mean, there cant be that much difference between the two can there? The dark sugar got thrown into the bowl (literally, Baba was helping mix the ingredients, so I had to fish the packet out and measure it out again).

Whilst Baba loved stirring all the ingredients in, little did she know her mother is absolutely clueless going freestyle in the kitchen. Still, the mixture looked OK (ish) and we put it in the oven. When the time was up, the cake looked OK (ish), just maybe a little flat. To decorate, the recipe called for icing sugar (which I had), and orange juice (which I didnt have). Hmmm. I improvised and used the juice of a tangerine and we decorated the cake.  I know, as if it wasnt bad enough already.  

It was time for Babas lunch and I had promised her a piece of the cake after her lunch.  Note to all: never let your child see a cake BEFORE they have eaten their lunch.  Baba screamed throughout lunch, taking half a bite of her sandwich and then refusing to eat anymore. I had already promised her the cake.  Oh bloody hell. 

And bloody hell the cake was awful. Baba didnt seem to mind too much and munched away.  I think she was just overjoyed she had got her mitts on the cake.  My poor husband muttered that he couldnt finish his piece and I just felt sick.  Clearly it makes a big difference not using the right flour, sugar and using a tangerine. Can you die from carrot cake poisoning? 

I now have this vision of Baba in years to come, going to her school fete with a carrot cake her mum made and they end up using it to bat the rat or using it as a ball to knock someone off their stool so they get dowsed in water. It serves me right for not playing pretend carrot cake again!  

Any recipe disasters you would like to share? Go on...make me feel a little better! Comments below please!!!

Oh, and I was going to include the recipe but I feel BBC Good Food may be offended by its inclusion!!!

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