Auld Lang Shine- step into 2010 healthy, wealthy and wise!

[BitOfFun]

Welcome to our 36th healthy eating thread, where we will renew any healthy eating resolutions with all the viguor that the Christmas munchies require...

We chat, keep each other on track, and monitor our goals together- some on the thread have lost shed loads of weight, some are running ridiculous distances. Some, of course (like myself and Shiney, our dubious leader) have been a bit, er, remiss really. But that can all change with a New Year!

Come and introduce yourself, old and new, and let's get Mumsnet's famous Shiney Healthy Eating Thread kicked off for 2010...

very very tired here. DS & DD woke up for a mix of reasons all through the night so I got a grand total of 2 hours sleep and I'm feeling it.

Mitts - wow - you have been through the mill, I take my hat off to you for the way you are coping.

Vinny - that does sound like what my lot had and I'm really sorry you are going through it It's really horrid but hopefully he's over the worst of it now. I gave DD pretty bland stuff for the next day or two (and she wasn't really hungry anyway) but she didn't vomit much after that first night. So hopefully it won't be too bad for you today. It is a weird one as there seem to be no warnings! All of my family who suffered from it were absolutely fine up until just before it hit!

I'm really struggling this morning with a problem from my Dad. I can't go into too much detail as it will out more probably...but basically I had to lend him some money a while ago which he promised to pay back and didn't.

I eventually decided that rather than have to all get embarressed and have him find it difficult to keep in contact (long story) - I said that he should stop worrying about it and just pay it back when he could. So fine.

But this morning I got an email asking for help again (quite a big chunk of money 'to be loaned') and the way it's worded has just made me feel really used and a bit of a mug. I have forwarded to my brothers. last time round my father asked me not to tell them so I didn't but later ended up doing so and they were so upset that I hadn't kept them in the loop (we are very close and have really helped each other through a rather confusing and shiteous time when stuff was going on through my parents divorce. We are all old enough and ugly enough to not get too down about it - I know people go through a million times worse but those 2 have really kept it in perspective for me so they are my priority. One of my brothers could potentially help with the loan to DF (the other couldn't).

DH is pissed off about it all but as we've helped out his sister as well he said I can decide. But it's a different situation with his sister. She didn't ask...we knew she needed it and we offered - and it was a gift.

I have tried a million times to help my Dad and explained that these sudden 'emergancy' money requests are difficult for me and I would much prefer to help him properly - but he refuses to sit down and talk about it.

Urghhhhhhhh. Probably all feels much more of a problem as I'm tired. And I know this isn't really something for this thread - I just wanted to get it off my chest. Sorry for the ramble. Right. I better try and call my brothers and see what they think.

this is us The picture is a bit small but this is our snow Fanny.......

It is cool, soft, very very pretty.. Shall I post you some?y

Vinny - hope DS is better - vomiting episodes in the night are so grim.

Hells - unless you are happy to gift the money to your dad I really wouldn't give him any more. If its to prop up a failing business for example - in the long run its just a waste.

I wouldn't let a family member be homeless but sometimes you have to be hard to make them help themselves.

That sounds tough hells, this may sound harsh but it sounds like lending the money is not helping but sustaining the problem, which must be frustrating for you... Is there any way to make the help 'conditional', that yes, you will help between you, but only if he accepts constructive advice also?

I really don't know what I would do... but sympathise with you

Thanks again for the lovely comments, I am trying to put things in the past now and move forward a bit more

Morning all

Everyone snowed in or still able to get out?

Vinny, hope your DS is better today Sounds a little like what I've just got over- although I was only sick once and it was just green...liquid.

The berry/low fat yoghurt thing was nice last night. So was the wine

Still, home today (snowed here) and uni work means I shouldn't be eating too much!

and before my lovely dessert and wine, I was helping push a mate's car round the car park to bump start it. Didn't work, so we left it, went and did the quiz, he went for a smoke, tried it again and it worked

Aaww Helles tricky one, if you're not wanting to give it as a gift but rather as a loan then I would probably suggest keeping hold of your money as it sounds unlikely you'd see it again

hellsbelles, I sympathise, we get this all the time from DH's parents - they are totally, unbelievable crap at managing the small amount of money they have. They literally seem to have no idea how to sit down and budget. The sums are usually fairly trivial (always less than £250 and usually £100 or less) but it happens at least once a month and they always need the money immediately. DH is self employed and sometimes things are a bit tight for us to just lay our hands on a hundred quid immediately - embarrassing though that is to admit.

Mit gives very sensible advice which you would think would work with normal people (in fact it would work with normal people) but DH's parents are totally incapable of reform. We get constant promises that xyz will change, they will get rid of the dogs (have been "breeding" dogs for 30 years but they haven't had a decent litter for years, and far from it making them money as they constantly claim, last time we had a "action plan" talk I worked out that it has actually cost them over five grand in the last three years ) but nothing ever changes. They're 75 years old. Not going to change now.

Anyway, that was unhelpful in the extreme but I completely understand where you're coming from.

Snowed in here, so "working" from home (in truth will do a manic amount of dictation this evening after DS has gone to bed). DH is going to walk 5 miles to work shortly .....

Thanks all. I have tried a million times to get him to come and talk it through with myself and brothers. We have explained that yes yes we will help him financially but constructively and with a plan rather than last minute panics! But as you rightly say I'm not going to let a family member be left totally in trouble if he is in dire straights.

I've spoken to my brothers and emailed my dad to remind him of the other loan (which he seems to have forgotten?!) and to say that if he really is desperate then between the three of us we can help him (They are pissed off that he lays it all on me). I think he finds it all too easy to ask me as I don't make a huge thing of it....but I do feel that there is a lot more going on under the surface with his new partner and that I am being used.

Families eh??? Sometimes it does feel like you become the bloody parent doesn't it?

Anyway - thanks for letting me vent. I feel a bit better now I've said I'll help (and I agree with you all - I have to accept it will probably be money we won't see again) but made him understand that it isn't just me. And that he can't keep doing this.

Hells, I too wouldsay you were unable to lend any money.

Shiney - I sooo know where you are coming from on the food situation. Mine eat bloody loads when they are bored. I have found turning round to them and saying if you are hungry get some toast or bread and butter - if they turn their nose up at it then you know they are not hungry enough!

My work is still open although I am not there because mine are at home, but my jobshare person has txted me to say she is still poorly so school are without receptionists today.

Right, am off to get dressed, tidy up the do some ironing. I have a friend coming for coffee this afternoon (her mum housed a huge present for the boys in her garage before christmas) and I want to make her a cherry and almond tart for her to say thanks.

Oh...yes, we have voraciously filed this one haven't we..

Last one there is a rotten banana.........

Eh? There's a length limit on threads on here? I've never noticed it lol!

Am I the only person actually in a school today?

Iggi - DD's nursery has stayed open (yippee) but the school closed even before it started snowing

Am attempting to work, DS1's school is closed again, no surprise as it was pretty hazardous before all the extra snow we got yesterday.

Really want carbs today, my South Beach book still not arrived so I could, couldn't I???

Shiney he is bouncing around like a lunatic, i think aliens swapped him in my sleep because he is not the same child who was doing an impression of the Exorcist last night

I just got a delivered of stuff (mostly shirts for work) from the catalogue (all size 14) and they are slightly tight

Have to keep remembering to 'eat less move move' i have got to shift these christmas pounds because i am not sending my stuff back, i like them all and i want to wear them NOW

Step away from the carbs Lizzy, they are Evaal

i am not going to get carbs today ever again

Lots more Hula Hooping Vinny

Funny with kids isn't it, one minute they're so till they can barely talk the next they're bouncing off the ceilings!

I'm hoping my new clothes arrive today, I had my 'colours done' on Monday so bought some new bits in my new colours

i mean eat carbs

i need sleep waaaahh

I'd be lost without carbs, I don't know how you girls do it!

Probably one of my biggest downfalls though as I don't think I go a single meal without some kind of carb on my plate

No Iggi, not just you - DS is in school (much to his disgust )

Lizzy - step away from the carbs! Have a nice bit of low fat mozzerella and cherry tomatoes - drizzled (I used that word to make it sound infinitely more exciting than it actually is) with olive oil and balsamic vinegar - or perhaps a south beach wrap (o.k. a slice of chicken breast wrapped in some baby gem lettuce leaves and a bit of low fat mayo)! or some Raw veg sticks with avocado-coridander guacamole (with is made with 1/3 avocado mashed with 75g fat free cotttage cheese, chopped onion and garlic, coriander and dried chilli flakes - ahem - not sure about this one).

Are you getting frustrated yet? I'm pissed off as I cheated and weighed myself and have only lost about 2 lbs....but I remember from last time it took over a week for the big weight losses...but I do like a bit of instant gratification so would prefer a bit more speed! Also the new book rabbits on about exercise - which I know is good and we must do...but to be honest the old version worked without doing a single thing (just so you know )