When you say it's going to ripen now......well when exactly do you mean? - 10 / 10 thread - all welcome

[FrannyandZooey]

For anyone who wants a boost to their general health. The suggested goals are:

EAT 10 PORTIONS OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLES EVERY DAY - if you don't usually eat much fruit and veg I would build up gradually or you could upset your digestion.

DO (AT LEAST) 10 MINUTES OF EXERCISE EVERY DAY - can be yoga, stretching or something more energetic. The plan is that the idea of doing 10 minutes is not too daunting, and having started you may well find you want to do more.

There are no restrictions on what you eat so long as you get your 10 fruit and veg as well. The focus is not on weight loss but on improving our energy levels and hopefully our general mood and well-being. Sign up below and post here to tell us how you're getting on and how you are feeling.

Basic guidance on what constitutes a portion of fruit and veg here and you can download more detailed information by following the link at the very bottom of the page

hello everybody
i still haven't had time to read in but this is a beg
in the next two mins is there any chance anyone could tell me i am not the worst mother in the world and i do like my children really
I don't often feel like this but today is dreadful
and you don't even know me.. but any words of encouragement would be pathetically gratefully received

Aw Stuffit you are NOT a bad mother, EVERYONE has off days (I have several). Sometimes it's just hard but it'll be easier again really soon

here look at my pretty shoes that'll cheer you up

There are even prettier in rl.

stuffit you are MARVELLOUS
I can just sense it

thank you..i'm in bits here..your messages have set me off with a tear.. I'm trying so hard with my eldest and he's so damned recalcitrant but i know it's because he's unhappy and you know what they say, you're only as happy as your unhappiest child.. I just want to boost him without giving in to him.. and it's such a hard balance

so I've been yelling and he's been crying and it's all awful

woohoo @ shoes!

Avi the gruffalo thing has happened and is over
get with the beat, daddio

families are so damned difficult
hurrah for mothers who don't give up and keep on trying
anything specific you want to say about it in case we have suggestions? I have read people give such good advice to one another on here

lovely shoes.. they are

hello mummy take me home and love me forever shoes

thank you all
deep breath and sniffle
i'm off to the shops with them
thankyou so much
xx

Thank you everybody for being all lovely
Thing is, I'm still needed for evenings/nights at home, largely because off dd2 bfing.
And, tbh, dp doesn't actually cope well with all four dcs. He tends to get stressed and shouty, and I would like to avoid that really.

Interesting idea re growing things to sell Avi - will give that thought.
I'm not really a bar person - too mousy and plain. Nobody would employ me.

How old is he stuffit?

I think that it is particularly difficult when they're are unhappy and seemingly unable to communicate what they need. You want to help but it sometimes seems like such a battle. When all you wish was they were still little enough that everything was fixed with a cuddle and maybe a quick bf.

But you're doing your best and in the long run that is ALL that matters. He knows you care enough to try.

Oh god, what's been happening stuffit? I didn't refresh before posting. Hang on, will read thread...

yes we all found you terribly mousy and plain when we met you TooT

[silly mare emoticon]

oh Fra thanks, it's to do with trying and not quitting
but they are winding up in the hall and now I must go..
Avi I hope your phone is ok! twould be dreadful to be without phone..
I'm coming back hopefully more cheery later..
thank you all once again

Slur thankyou he's 12, if only a cuddle would do it but he says he hates me x
really must go

Oh yes, Winona 'always' came somewhere near the bottom in most beautiful actress lists, too mousy and plain they said.

Well, y'know.

Stuffit, have a hug. And do talk to us about it when you have time - I have shamelessly begged advice many a time.

Toot is a beaut!

They are beautiful shoes.
I may have to pur chase soem n fact, for a weddign I have.

TooTicky, have you thought baout working in a nursey/preschool? You could possibly take dd2 with you. I used ot do that with dd1.

Or you could run children's vegan cookshops?!!

what can i cook with lots of beautiful mushrooms? It needs to be easy as I have just started period and am drained. But needs to be so tasty and beautiful that dh will forgive the lack of meat...

I love mushroom stroganoff
I just fry onions and mushrooms and then drown lovingly enrobe them in creme fraiche / soured cream
serve with rice, and some nice al dente veg