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Thursday, 26 January 2017
Meat Pack Makeovers
Thursday, 12 January 2017
Target weight for Christmas
Target for Christmas!
**does a little happy dance**
After 11 weeks I managed to achieve my target weight on 21st December and I’m feeling pretty bloody fantastic
I’ve eaten better than I probably ever have in my life, I haven’t made any sacrifices still enjoying my favourite treats and I have really enjoyed being in the kitchen and actually making my own food rather than waiting for the takeaway dude to turn up
One of the things that has really helped me along the way is working with Hazeldines and our Slimmers Wrap, granted it’s easy for me I work here. But there are lots more options for you now to make it nice and easy for you to enjoy a bit of Hazeldines magic in your life too
There is nationwide delivery available, if you order before 12pm you can receive it by 12pm the very next day! If you’re not in our courier will leave your order in a safe place or with a neighbour. Don’t worry the meat is snuggly packed up with plenty of ice packs to stay chilled
Or you can order online and just choose a collection date that suits you, then all you do is pop in your order will be ready and you can just grab and go – simple!
Now, I don’t know about you but I can get pretty bored of eating the same old stuff every week. The beautiful thing about our packs is they are packed with flavour so you are definitely not going to be bored. In fact the only disastrous thing I’ve made and couldn’t eat along my journey was a Vegetable Curry, (it was awful) proof indeed that meat makes everything better!
Saturday night always makes me feel like being naughty so Chinese Pork is my choice. Surprisingly my brain is pretty easy to fool and this can be just as delicious as a Chinese Takeaway
It’s not something I ate a lot of before (aside from the mandatory Bacon Sandwiches) but I do love a good Chinese and this marinade is one of my favourites.
I tend to make my own version of egg fried rice with spring onions thrown in there and lots of yummy veg on the side too. It’s just as nice with noodles or stir fried veg, in fact the possibilities are endless. And they are making me hungry!
Friday nights always used to be takeaway nights in my house, I deserve a treat, it’s been a long week etc etc. Takeaway Friday has been replaced with Steak Friday. It’s one of the highlights of my week to be perfectly honest
I make chips (from scratch) and although it takes a bit longer it’s well worth it I much prefer them to normal chips now. In the last 10 minutes of cooking I add in garlic and peppers and onions, chilli flakes if I’m feeling brave. Just like Salt & Pepper chips – but better and healthier!
I pan fry the steak and serve it with one of our creamy Peppercorn Sauces (20 seconds in the microwave – it’s genius) and voila my perfect meal.
Thursday: Mince is one of my eternal favourite meats to cook with. It’s just so darn versatile, whether its lasagne, cottage pie, bolognese or chilli con carne. Minced Beef is one of the staples in my fridge and makes an appearance at least once a week in my meal plan
Our Slimmers Mince is less than 5% fat all the trim cut off and just pure lean meat goes through the mincer to make this super super lean and very yummy indeed.
You’ll notice the difference as soon as it goes in the pan, no nasty juices sloshing around
Wednesday
After weigh in my motivation is all renewed and I’m full powerhouse mode on Wednesdays. So I go all lean with one of the best protein sources around. The humble chicken breast.
These chicken breasts are marinated in Cajun flavouring (yummy) in the summer I had them on the Barbecue and they were incredible. So much so last week it was out to the fire pit and on the grill – it was pretty cold but there is something I just love about the outdoors and getting stuck in with delicious food
Tuesday is weigh in day so I need quick and easy which is normally where my Stir Fry night comes in, either with noodles or rice
Doesn’t come much quicker than our Lemon & Coriander Chicken Stir Fry
Comes in 490g tubs, marinated in the sauce with lots of fresh peppers and chopped onion in there too
It only needs a few minutes in the pan and I can sit down and enjoy so if you are busy or in a rush this is the perfect go to meal for you
Monday‘s are nobody’s favourite day lets be clear. So for me it has to be a meal that feels like a treat, which means Bangers & Mash! I’ve swapped my staple potato mash for celeriac, it’s not everybody’s cup of tea but I love it. Prepares in the same way as you would potatoes although it can be a bit of a brute to chop – my advice get a bigger knife always works for me
I’m a griller rather than a fryer of sausages, think it’s my Mum’s influence, the George Foreman grill blew her mind when it was released all those years ago “Just look at the fat run off Katrina! Who wants to eat that” and so it continues!
I’ve lost the grand total of 1 stone 10lbs in just 11 weeks. I’m pretty flabbergasted to be honest. Just over 2lb’s per week and in the spirit of full disclosure there were 2 bad weeks in the middle of there, one where I got away with a maintain and my first gain of 0.5lb which was enough to get my head back in the game and commit to what I had set out to achieve. It’s quite easy to be hiding over here as a keyboard warrior with my anonymity intact. In fact, truth be told, I’ve delayed writing the post, thinking it to be a bit smug and showing off which is not what I want to do at all. However I’ve been asked a few times from behind the safety of my computer screen and the one thing which has surprised me more than anything else is the love and support from fellow members.
That was the bit I dreaded the most about joining, the thought of going to group therapy. Having never done anything like this before, in my head it all runs like an Alcoholics Anonymous group and we’d all go round and I’d have to stand up and say “Hi, I’m Katrina and I eat too many biscuits”. It all sounded mortifying and not for me. But I couldn’t have been more wrong, every single person I have met through my group and through talking about my journey on this blog and our Facebook page has been nothing but lovely. If you are thinking of joining and, like me, the thought of group is putting you off, take my advice, it is the best part of it all. There is so much energy in our group and the ideas flow out of everyone, its so positive it’s like a great big hug every week. Nobody judges, nobody hates, there’s no jealousy if you’ve done well, people just want to learn and share thoughts. Truly one of the best things I’ve ever done and I got to share it along with my Mum, who despite joining a week after me, got to her target the week before me! So stepping out from behind the computer screen here I am. The top picture is “Before” taken on the 10th September, there is a horrendous bikini shot which I’m definitely not brave enough to share! The bottom photo is my “After” taken on 23rd December with my gorgeous boy Alfie. From these shots alone, the difference in my face is noticeable to see, my chins have vanished, I have cheekbones (who knew?!) and the bulging armpit flab is gone. For New Year we had a Hot Tub party and I was back in to a size 10 (from a 14 in September) for the first time in 6 years. Last time I had been there, it was not done in a healthy way and I am so pleased to be back, healthier, fitter and happier than ever.
We at Hazeldines are all wishing you the best of luck on your Slimming Journeys, if I can do it, you can do it too 🙂
If you too would like to try one of our Slimmers Wraps have a look here at all our recommended favourites for helping you discover the new you!
Monday, 9 January 2017
Our Slimming Products are here to help you get a flying start to the New Year!
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Thursday, 1 December 2016
Christmas is Coming
Yes it's true, December is almost here, really really very nearly! No longer do I have to hang my head in shame at the mention of the C-word, my tree can go up without judgement and the festive drinking can commence!
As it is the 1st of December tomorrow that gives you just 16 days left to order you Christmas products from Hazeldines Online. Our order book will close on 16th December online, if you have been away on Mars and have missed our payment plan fun for the last three months, fear not, we do not want you to miss out on Christmas Dinner and you can still order through the shop only - while stocks last! This year has been extremely busy on the Turkey front with our legendary Christmas Meat Packs so don't leave it too late!
Opening Hours for Hazeldines Shop:
- Monday 19th December – 8.30-5.30
- Tuesday 20th December – 8.30-5.30
- Wednesday 21st December – 8.30-5.30
- Thursday 22nd December – 8.30-5.30
- Friday 23rd December – 8.30-5.30
- Saturday 24th December – 8.00-3.00
- Sunday 25th December – CLOSED
- Monday 26th December – CLOSED
- Tuesday 27th December – CLOSED
- Wednesday 28th December – CLOSED
- Thursday 29th December – 8.30-5.30
- Friday 30th December – 8.30-5.30
- Saturday 31st December – 8.30-3.00
- Sunday 1st January – CLOSED
- Monday 2nd January – CLOSED
- Tuesday 3rd January – 8.30-5.30
If you've order your turkey but need a few extras we've got all the yummy pork pie goodness you can shake a tinsel covered stick at!
From baby porkies in packs of 4 or the 1lb Pork Pie to the monstrous 2lb Pork Pies.
Pigs in Blankets, you know you can't stop at one! All pre done for you, in packs of 20 so you can order as many as you like. Stock up here!
Having a party? Our Celebration Pork Pies are a great gift idea! As are our Desperate Dan sized Challenge Steaks! Can you defeat the mighty T-Bone or the gargantuan Pan Handle
Fancy New Years Eve Dinner Party, our Carvery Rib of Beef is perfect! One of the most moist and succulent beef joints, the Carvery Rib of Beef is easy to carve, ideal for dinner parties and special celebrations or for roasting and makes a rather spectacular centrepiece. The natural marbling running through the joint guarantees superb flavour, while the clean bones make it easy to carve
Is our Beef Wellington a little bit of you? Now available to purchase online, it's going to be my Christmas Eve dinner. Presents under the tree, blanket round me, slipper socks on, fire on and some cheesy Christmas film on the telly is my idea of heaven, alongside a Beef Wellington of course! Average weight of 1.5kg with our extra matured Fillet Steak tenderly wrapped in Pate and our delicious Puff Pastry - seriously, you just can't beat it!
Thursday, 24 November 2016
BLACK FRIDAY OFFERS FROM HAZELDINES
BLACK FRIDAY
It’s that time of year again, can you believe it is a full 12 months since people were going to war over cut price TVs and trashing shops in the ultimate quest for a bargain?!
I can’t! Although we’ve been preparing for Christmas for a while here at Hazeldines which got me into a bit of a panic the fruit of which meaning I am Christmas Shopping complete, so I may well have missed out on all the wonderful bargains sure to be pushed in our face tomorrow.
We’re no different of course! And for all this week (until Sunday 27th November 2016 Midnight) there is a gigantic 15% off our All Meat Packscategory and Steak Packs
I always think when we run these discounts its a super opportunity to try something you haven’t tried before. Mostly because that’s what I would do, my endless hunger sees to that!
So if you’re a Butchers Wrap fan why not give yourself an upgrade and go for the Deluxe Butchers Wrapinstead? Or if you have family descending at this time of year opt for the bigger versions, either the Ultimate Butchers Wrap or the Family Wrap depending on how many surprise guests you are expecting!
If Steaks are your thing we’ve got you covered there too! One of the ranges we introduced earlier this year is our Dry Aged selection. I appreciate it doesn’t sound very sexy, both dry and aged are not the greatest words to describe it but that is what the process is called and they won’t let me change it.
Typically Steak is aged in vacuum bags, none of this is for your benefit as the consumer, its for us the supplier. That’s partly why its all the supermarkets can sell, because of the volumes they do, packaging has to be quick, easy and cheap. Quality is never top of their agenda. Historically, steak was not aged this way, plastic is so new it wasn’t around in’t olden times. We’ve been around for a while as you might have heard, same family, same shop since 1932. I’ve just looked for historical events from 1932 to give you some reference points, and it seems Hazeldines opening was the highlight, pretty miserable year otherwise by all accounts. Hitler obtained German citizenship so he could run in the election, lots of other depressing things with the only other perks being Walt Disney released the first animated cartoon (gotta love Walt Disney) and Elizabeth Taylor and Johnny Cash were born. Anyway, I digress, my point is that 1932 is a long time ago, in the face of serious competition, being surrounded by various major supermarkets we survive. And that my friends is because quality is important to us.
Dry aged steaks are hung in the air, sounds gross but its much better than being packed and suffocated in plastic – exactly imagine that (I’m imagining serial killer Dexter, don’t know what has got in to me today)! It costs money, space and time so consequently they are a little dearer. However, the joy of open age maturity (tried to make it sound better, I understand it hasn’t worked) is that the water evaporates. Who wants to pay for water anyway? No thanks! The price you pay is pure meat, now it sounds better right? Nothing but quality beef steak. With the water evaporating it enhances the flavour significantly resulting in a perfectly tender beefy beef steak. Not explaining it great I know, but try it you won’t regret it. Top tip – T-Bones & Pan Handles are included in the discount too, got an annoying brother (I have) get him one of these and he’ll be tackling it half of Boxing Day giving you some peace and quiet and kudos for looking like an amazing present buyer, your family will thank you.
Side note – remember our chicken has no added salt, additives or water. Ever put a chicken breast in a pan and watch a puddle form? Peculiar isn’t it, and normal it is not. Supermarkets thrive on their products looking the same, wonky veg is not cool with them (this I do not understand, I love finding a good Buddha shaped carrot) its all about cohesion. Chickens aren’t particular cohesive birds, so to make them look like they are they are pumped with water to all look the same. Then they are weighed and you are charged by weight. You pay for all that added water – ugh! The 5kg chickenpacks are included in the discount offer too 😉 you’re welcome
Tuesday, 18 October 2016
HELLO Skinny Jeans
HELLO Skinny Jeans
Tuesday’s are weigh day for us at Team Hazeldine and it truly does put things in perspective. As much as I thought I really don’t care what people think or how much the scary scales say it does add some pressure and anxiety to the week I was not expecting.
N
ot that I needed to be worried, last week was quite a revelation. I was a bit worried, not least because I had brought my Mum and Mrs H along to the group (there was a special offer to bring a new member and get a week free, not that I’m tight or anything!). Having told everyone I know how much fun I’m having I did worry I would look a bit silly if I had not achieved any loss. Fortunately I did! A whopping 6lbs no less, to put this in perspective that is 6 of these disgusting yellow blobs <<<<<<<<<
ot that I needed to be worried, last week was quite a revelation. I was a bit worried, not least because I had brought my Mum and Mrs H along to the group (there was a special offer to bring a new member and get a week free, not that I’m tight or anything!). Having told everyone I know how much fun I’m having I did worry I would look a bit silly if I had not achieved any loss. Fortunately I did! A whopping 6lbs no less, to put this in perspective that is 6 of these disgusting yellow blobs <<<<<<<<<
After a somewhat disastrous Thursday last week I’ve been a perfect angel type fatty trying to catch up with myself and I should end the week under my naughty girl allowance which fingers crossed will result in a miracle on the scales.
My disaster was no fault of the plan really more of my own domestic issues. Something is happening inside my bedroom wall. Don’t get excited it’s really not fun. At various times during the night in sounds like a demented woodpecker is relentlessly pecking at the wall. It’s obviously not a woodpecker but that’s what it sounds like, its not pipes or electric or squirrels in the attic, its all a bit of a mystery. But regardless it wakes me up at silly hours and on Thursday morning Mr Woodpecker had his mates around and I just could not sleep! This resulted in me turning the alarm off rather than snoozing, which in turn made me late for work with no time for breakfast or to make lunch. These combination of events, through no fault of my own led to a pork pie creeping its sneaky way on to my desk. I only had half, my lucky dog got the rest when I got home. But it
still cost me heavily!
still cost me heavily!
Aside from that, I made some lovely delights to enjoy this week. Breakfast and lunch (when I get out of bed on time) I have down to a fine art now. I’m single handedly keeping Curlywurly in business I’m sure.
Monday was Thyme Lamb Steaks with Swede and Carrot mash and Green Beans
See I’m a total angel like perfect fatty
It was pretty good even if I do say so myself, I picked the lamb steaks up after work and griddled them with some Fry Light spray herbs and a small mountain of garlic. Pretty quick and easy to prepare and so worth it. Plus the lamb steaks are lovely Spring Lamb from just up the road in Furness Vale, there aren’t a lot left but you can get your hands on some here
Typically I’m a jeggings kind of girl. I’m working on reinventing my style for the winter season. Mostly because generally no matter how much I weigh, with the amount of layers I need to put on I end up looking like a giant roly poly person who’s body is about to eat her head. I’m sure you can agree this is not a good look. I have made progress however, the woolly jumper I put on this week actually looks like a jumper a normal person would wear and not a wobbly bouncy castle with extra rolls and saddle bags popping out where they shouldn’t. For some time I have been having a silent war against Jeans. Particularly Skinny Jeans. Convinced they are torture contraptions from a different dimension, I give them evils whenever they cross my path. The ones I own are conveniently hidden at the bottom of the drawer to avoid daily exposure. This week however, the washing may have been put on hold. It is not reasonable that I should have an up to date washing cycle as well as creating such fabby meals and plenty of extra long dog walks. So, the pants front was running a bit low, in sheer desperation I reached for what I actually thought were grey jegginngs, but turned out to be jeans half way down the stairs trying to pull them up. But pull up they did! Maybe its the dressing on the way down the stairs (not recommended), or maybe its the yummy food but I can wear jeans. And not just as a temporary thing to nip out in but for an entire day! Nothing short of a miracle I assure you!
Wednesday I made this marvel which was utterly awesome. Light puff pastry means it is not impossible to enjoy such things! I’ve never made a pie before so it was somewhat of a personal triumph. I even went as far as to put a lovely letter K on the top just to claim it as my own. Once again, I don’t want to brag, but it was simply delightful
I used diced beef from the shop, its available in our Beef Wrap which is on offer this week if you want to try some. Put it all in the slow cooker (Wednesday was a day I was up bright and early!) with carrots, green beans, onions, (not mushrooms, I’m not a fan, but you could if you were) some beef stock and a splash of Worcestershire sauce.
When I got in from work, took my wonderful dog on a delightful walk, I’ve hit at least 10,000 steps everyday this week which I know thanks to the Fitbit Flex my brilliant brother got for my birthday. I got back in, transferred everything from the slow cooker pot into a Pie Dish and put over a light puff pastry sheet glazed with some egg popped it in the oven. Felt like good proper home cuisine, made by an increasingly natural domestic goddess!
One of my favourite things (it’s mandatory for people working in the Butchers Shop) is BACON SARNIES!!
I mean just look at that
Go on, take a second to appreciate just how good that is.
I’m allowed 3 slices of this very clever crustless bread, you don’t get the end crusts either so I use the whole loaf. It seems I’ve inadvertently put the garden birds on a diet also as they normally clear up the leftover crusts for me. Each layer has some grilled onions and tomatoes with the fat cut off the bacon and the egg fried in Fry Light it is an epic free meal. It also means that at no point do I feel deprived! And I don’t get funny looks from the Butchers drinking them revolting green shake things super health conscious people do.
I have eaten a Curlywurly whilst writing this. I have 4 and a half hours left to be good before I hop on the scales – wish me luck!
Thursday, 6 October 2016
If you wanna get slim but don't like the gym
The start of my Slimming Journey!
This is a bit more of a personal post and my relationship with food rather than special offers just to warn you!
Yesterday was not so bad, you can have unlimited amounts of “free” food on the plan so I can legitimately eat as much fruit, vegetables, potatoes, rice, pasta AND lean meat as I like. It’s fairly certain that this is a diet I am not going to starve on! And lean meat?! I have a lot of that at my disposal so I thought I would share what I’ve been doing with it!Ok, so I have admitted it to myself and my lovely new group, I may have over indulged in some of the Hazeldines loveliness, it really is hard not to! But alas the time has come where my jeans are too tight and my bra is digging in to the point that I detest the damn thing. Therefore I have taken the decision, along with a whole load of other beautiful people to join the infamous Slimming World. I’ve never done anything like it before and yesterday was my first full day “on the plan”, look at me down with the lingo 😉
Breakfast was Scrambled Eggs for me, Hazeldines eggs are all the way from gorgeous Disley free range and scrumptious. I had 3 eggs (they are free too!) with some peppers and some spring onions some lovely herbs and seasoning
Lunch for me is all always a bit of a downfall, the pies (ohhhh the pies) and the sausage rolls (mmmmm) are all baked downstairs underneath my office, so gradually throughout the morning culminating at around lunchtime my office is full of these incredibly freshly baked smells. It is amazing, and the food so delicious but it really isn’t a sustainable plan for every single lunch, once a week for a treat will do nicely 🙂
For lunch, I opted for a sandwich, yessss sandwiches!! I’m allowed bread (it makes me want to do a happy dance) 2 slices of wholemeal loaf (the smaller one admittedly but who cares, I LOVE BREAD) with some home cooked turkey (so good!) lots of healthy and speedy salad, lettuce, onions, more peppers and some sweetcorn. There was butter so I have used up a tiny bit of my naughty allowance for the day but totally worth it. It was an epic sandwich to be perfectly honest.
After work I went downstairs to say goodbye to the boys and peruse my evening meal choices, its staggering how many options I suddenly have when normally I am uninspired and end up waiting for my Chinese takeaway to arrive. Gammon, Bacon, Lamb, Pork Steaks, Chicken, Steak…and I ended up with Mince.
Aside from my not checking the values of Vimto (3.5 oh dear me) and the butter on the sandwich (1.5) I also did not realise that the innocent looking Drifter is a whopping 11.5 (dear dear me) so it wasn’t the best day oops. However it was only the first and now I am a bit more prepared with Curlywurly’s and no added sugar cordial I’m feeling good!I bloody love Mince, it’s just ace. You can do all sorts with it and I just think that’s awesome! After some umming and ahhing about which chosen miracle mince dish I would make I settled on Cottage Pie and I can tell you it was EPIC. I made plenty so I have a spare portion free. I got very giddy with the veg, I’m a bit of a geek so after I came home with a shedload of health stuff feeling very smug I prepared it all and everything has its own colour coded tupperware box in the fridge. It makes cooking very easy, just grab a tub and add a bit so I’m not constantly chopping all the time. I had carrots, peas, courgettes, onion all thrown in with some stock (also free), I like the freeness, makes me feel like I’m saving loads of money or running around the top of some picturesque hill burning that evil bra. Anyway the point is, Hazeldines mince is less than 5% fat and you can buy it here if you’re not a beef lover (I am, I can’t wait for steak night) then don’t worry you can also get your lamb mince here too.
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