Uncategorised - Single Parent Pessimist

The Benefits of Collagen in Mid-Life: Win Gorgeous Greens and Peptide+ Collagen

Claire — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 22:33:17 +0000

There are more benefits of collagen than just helping reduce wrinkles.

Collagen is an important protein that our bodies produce, which aids the function of our skin, bones, cartilage and joints.

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My Fitness Progress…

Claire — Sun, 13 Nov 2016 12:47:00 +0000

It’s been a couple of weeks since my last update because I got struck down by a nasty stomach bug which left me unable to eat or exercise for a few days. However, since then I think the guilt of only going once a week to the gym for a fortnight kicked me into shape (I hate paying for things I don’t use!). This week I have been to the gym four days and completed a few classes, including body conditioning, spin and pump. Saturday morning I got up early and did two spin classes in a row which I thought was impressive! It set me up with a lot of energy for the day so think I may have to keep up with the double. Spin is my favourite class because the moves vary each time, it’s low impact but a lot of cardio. I hate cardio, and I much prefer resistance work so spin helps me enjoy cardio a lot more. I even bought some clever trainers that clip onto the pedals to stop your feet from slipping, and it spurs me to go because I can’t use them for normal day wear so don’t want to waste my money. Food This week has been so so. My uncle is visiting from Canada so there have been a couple of meals out, but I have made homemade soup and tried to eat fat free yoghurt and fruit for puddings at home instead of snacking on the naughtier things. The October Degustabox had a mixture of healthy and treat foods: October Degustabox Levi Roots Smokey BBQ Coat ‘n’ Coo- this has allowed me to avoid marinading meat, as you just pour it on and cook immediately. It is full of flavour so livens up a simple chicken and veg meal. Maggi Fusian Noodles- these contain spices, infused oils and vegetables and are ready in just four minutes. Yushai Snapea Rice Sticks- baked green peas that taste like crisps, who would have thought?! Low in calorie and suitable for vegans too. Robinsons Squash’d Orange- portable squash which fits in your handbag easily. Handy when out for long days and the kids start refusing water! Heinz Kid’s Dry Pasta Shapes- pasta in the shape of Minions is a sure-fire hit with Chunk! Heinz Kid’s Pasta Sauce- a tomato sauce that works well with the pasta shapes and avoids me having to make a homemade sauce. Hershey’s Cookies ‘n’ Creme- whenever I have visited Canada and America these have been something I have bought in bulk to come home with, so now they’re easily accessible here I’m very pleased! Beloved Date Fruit Hearts- Chunk is a big fan of these as he thinks they’re chocolate, and I’m not going to tell him otherwise! Instead they are made from date fruit and a hint of natural flavouring. Jim-Jams 83% Less Sugar Milk Chocolate Spread- this is kinder on teeth than the full sugar versions and diabetic friendly. Pitch Choco Bar- these are brioche buns with a bar of chocolate inside them- different from the melted chocolate you tend to find in similar buns, so was a nice surprise! IAM SOUPER- these soups are high protein and low in fat. The high protein is used to keep you feeling fuller for longer, so these are winners in my eyes. Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest or Facebook

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Week Two of Getting Healthy

Claire — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 06:00:00 +0000

Bit of an up and down week this week in terms of both exercise and healthy eating . Exercise I failed to do any of my home workouts, BUT I joined the gym! I have not been part of the gym for about six or seven years, so this was a huge step. When I used to go I started at a similar weight to now and managed to lose three stone and kept it off for the two years I was there, so I am trying to remember this is achievable! I managed one gym session this week (I joined on the Thursday) and I managed to push myself more than I thought I could. I did some interval running and walking on the treadmill, had a few minutes on the rowing machine and enjoyed the cross trainer. It brought back memories of how determined I was, so I am hoping this really does put me back on the right track for good. I have signed up to some classes including spinning and circuits, so watch this space for week three! Food In terms of food, I got my lovely September box from Degustabox which contained some treats including: Metcalfe’s Popcorn Thins– these are basically like tasty rice cakes so I’m on a mission to buy a box for the cupboard! Get Fruity Bars– fruit and oat bars that are brilliant for a light snack when I am craving naughty foods. Cape Drinks– a blend of Rooibos tea and fruit juices with added vitamins. Cirio Borlotti Beans– these are great in soups, stews and even in salads. They have lots of fibre in which is always a plus too. Emily Crisps Crunchy Banana– crisps made of fruit, who would have thought?! I love vegetable crisps so this was something I was keen to try. Say YES to No Bread Chips– crisps that have no artificial rubbish in them. Mrs Crimble’s Fusilli- gluten free pasta which is great as a healthy, quick lunch. Chia Bia Whole and Milled Chia Seed Sachets– milled seeds are great when you don’t want a crunch, and the others are brilliant for things like the energy balls I make- the recipe can be found here. September Degustabox My food was particularly bad this week with lots of snacking, possibly due to my sleep being so poor and my stress levels being high. Let’s be more positive next week! Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest or Facebook

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We’ve Got Through The First Week of School

Claire — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 06:00:00 +0000

So the first school week is over and all I can say is…phew! There’s been such a build up to this week for months; – preparing Chunk for leaving nursery and moving to a big school, and of course buying the dreaded uniform and accessories. He loved the first day, because only 8 pupils were there as they were new to the school, but the next couple of days were harder as the entire 28 pupils were there and he knew none of them. I noticed by the middle of the week he went from being excited about going to school in the morning to saying “can’t I stay with you instead mummy?”. Three days in and he already hates school like he’s been there years! He finds the playground the most frightening because all of the year groups are there, but I know this will change and he will go from clinging to my hand to trying to avoid being seen with me before I know it. By Friday he was very tired and at times he has been challenging in his behaviour but I have known it’s from exhaustion so have managed to just work through it. This is a huge change for both of us and I’m sure it will continue to throw new things at us for some time to come. “I bet you don’t know what to do with yourself!” This seems to be the line lots of people are saying to me now, but it couldn’t be more wrong! They seem to think I now have all of this time to sit down and relax, which to be honest I thought I may have too. So I’m quite dissappointed that so far this hasn’t been the case. If it’s not going to take care of my nan for a couple of hours each day, it’s getting the shopping, doing the housework, attending fundraising meetings for my local park and trying to find more freelance work. Rather than being energised for his return I find myself shattered and hoping he will just want to veg out for the rest of the afternoon. I need to sort this out quick because as soon as his body gets used to the school day routine he will be bursting with energy at home time so I will need to help him burn it… I’m hoping as I adjust to this new routine I will be able to find time to gather my thoughts as we all benefit from recharging our batteries for a few minutes a day. I have tried to grab little bits of time to do fun things like search for new cushions and rugs for our front room, as it’s been the same way for six years and I’m bored of it. There’s some pretty cool cushions on Esprit’s website which I managed to browse with a quick cuppa today. They have a great bohemian-style range at the moment which is something I’ve always wanted to try but haven’t quite had the confidence to do it. So perhaps cushions will be a good first step! I want these cushions in my life! I’ve also signed up to a course to learn about community work, which will be one day a week for a year, and it covers a lot of topics that will help me with fundraising for the park and hopefully lead to paid work in the community! My next plan is to become more organised with our evening meals now that I may have some time in the afternoons to prepare them without interruption. How has your first week back been? Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest or Facebook.

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Chunk’s First Day At School!

Claire — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 12:48:00 +0000

So two days ago we finally did it. Chunk had his first day at school and I got him there on time and with all the necessary equipment. I’ve been worrying about it a lot for the last week or so to the point it had been affecting my sleep. Watching the documentary on Channel 5 about the first day at big school the night before he went in didn’t help either! I was so worried about letting him go and not knowing what he was up to five days a week and not being able to protect him from things during this time either. I know how hard school can be and I know how horrible some kids can be because I experienced a lot of bullying throughout my school years. But I have to have faith that my boy has the strength and resilience to cope and stand up for himself if this was to happen to him too. Thankfully Chunk was all smiles once he got there, and he was so happy that his mum, nan, my partner and his dad were there to see him go in. I managed to get his dad to see him off on his first day which was great. We are getting on a lot better now than a year ago, as he has managed to be consistent with contact. Now we do have some bad times still, but thankfully it is away from Chunk’s ears and eyes, mainly with him ranting and name calling on WhatsApp if I point out anything that needs to change within contact or if I ask him to not do certain things. But that’ what co parenting is about. We will have different views, we do have different personalities, and unfortunately we do still sometimes fall out, but we both have our son’s best interests at heart which is the main thing. I never thought we would be in a photo together but I asked his dad to do it so Chunk had a photo of us as a family. Chunk only has one other photo of the three of us which was taken when he was four weeks old. This photo is therefore another special one to go into his memory box to treasure, and I only hope we will be able to take a few more over the remaining years of his childhood. I posted it on Facebook to give hope to other single parents out there who have ex partners that don’t see their children, as things change so much. Two years ago I had to make the awful decision that his father couldn’t be in his life for a number of reasons, all of which I still standby, but thankfully he sorted those issues out, got help and Chunk now has a great bond with him. All I can hope is that he remains a good father for our son’s sake, and I will try to encourage their bond to continue in any way that I can. Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest or Facebook

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Week 1 of Exercise and Healthy Eating

Claire — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 09:39:00 +0000

As you know I am trying (yet again) to get healthier as I’ve had enough of feeling heavy and sluggish. I’ve just completed my first week of trying to be healthier and it’s not been too bad. Exercise I have been trying out a workout programme (Turbofire) that I bought months ago but never opened. Some days I have enjoyed it and managed to get to the end, but other days I have stopped it halfway through. I don’t know if the humid weather we had last week was the reason for me struggling some days, or if my mind is already losing it’s willpower. I have a Fitbit, so have been trying to get at least 11,000 steps in per day too, and I managed to win the weekday challenge against some much fitter people, so it was a proud moment! Food In terms of the diet, I have been trying to cut down on processed snacks, so having fruit or homemade things instead. A friend recommended making no-bake energy balls and I was quite impressed with them! I try to eat just one or two as a snack and half an hour later I do notice a little energy kick which is better than you get from a pot of coffee I expect. I was sent August’s Degustabox too, which thankfully had quite a lot of healthy snacks in it this time! August’s Degustabox The best ones were: Nutripots– I got Moroccan Couscous and Thai Noodles which were both lovely, low calorie and have 50% of your daily nutrients in them. Oloves– I am a huge olive fan, especially when they’re stuffed with yummy flavours such as garlic. I got to try the chili ones this time and they had a nice kick which I’ve heard is great for speeding up the metabolism. Dorset Cereals Bircher Muesli– I love cereal and muesli is one of my top five, so I enjoyed this with milk. Great tip is to soak it in the milk overnight for a creamier taste. Willy Chase’s Fit Corn- popcorn is always a winner in this household and this stuff is clever as it includes flavours such as apple cider vinegar which is great for removing fat from the body. Get More Vitamin Drinks– these are flavoured drinks (low calorie) packed with vitamins and no added sugar. Helpful when out and about. Rakusen’s Snackers– these are mini crackers which I love having with hummus or other dips as a healthier snack. Week 1 Result Feeling a bit more energetic and I have lost a pound in weight which is great for me! I was sent a Degustabox to test for the purpose of this review. No payment was received and all opinions are honest and my own. Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest or Facebook

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Clothes and Shoes Shopping Never Bores Me

Claire — Sat, 27 Aug 2016 07:00:00 +0000

The last few days have been SO HOT you would think we were abroad! I’ve had to get some clothes that suit this climate and managed to find some great, affordable bits and wanted to share them with you! I came across MeandI, a Swedish clothing company that features women’s, baby and kids clothes. They’re all sustainably and ethically produced clothes and have some cool, unique designs which is what first caught my eye. The company was created by two mums in 2004, as they wanted to produce clothes that would last for kids in particular, but that were also stylish. As well as being a great site to get clothes from, MeandI also offer mums the chance to make some money themselves (always a plus with me!). For £100 you can start your own business with them by hosting parties and events to sell their clothes and you get 20% commission on everything you sell. You also get discounts on anything you want to buy which is always handy. I love their clothes, especially the kids section as there is so many funky colours and styles that suit Chunk perfectly. I got him a gorgeous Dino Tee which he will not stop wearing, and a cute pair of baggy harem-style shorts. I also managed to get him some black sweatpants which are something I never have enough of. Chunk’s New Clothes I like the quality of the fabrics and the finish of the garments. You can tell they are made well and should therefore last. I look forward to Chunk testing out the trousers durability as he is great at making holes in the knees through his outdoor play. For myself I got some boyfriend jeans in the sale which are a size smaller than usual as an incentive to shed the pounds. Thankfully I have started an exercise regime this week so it’s looking good! I also got a lovely maxi dress which is keeping me cool during this humid weather. Considering I’m so tall it still goes down past my ankles so I’m very impressed! It fits well and the straps are adjustable which is really handy. My New Maxi Dress Preparing for winter… And guess who else has a sale?! House of Fraser have reduced lots of their boots and these include ones that can fit my big size 10’s! I got these black Biker Ankle Boots which have a zip fastening and two buckles. They have a very low, wide heel which is perfect for me as I can find high heels difficult to walk in. They are very comfortable, if a bit wide for my feet, but I will just have to double up on the socks which I’m sure I will want to do judging by our recent winters! My New Biker Boots I chose black because they will go with anything I wear and they hide the mud and dirt better, and trust me my feet always seem to find the dirtiest paths to step on. They also have sandals on sale, so I may well be ordering some more from them as it’s so hard to find women’s shoes in my size! I was sent these products to test for the purpose of this review. No payment was received and all opinions are honest and my own. Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest or Facebook.

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Educational Play: Word Games With Bananagrams

Claire — Fri, 26 Aug 2016 06:00:00 +0000

As the very first term of school is approaching I’ve been looking at ways to help Chunk learn his letters and words. I want it to be fun as it helps to keep him engaged and interested in learning, as so many children struggle out of boredom. My First Bananagrams is a game which was designed to improve children’s vocabulary and is aimed at age 4+ so is perfect for Chunk. There’s also another version for families to play. This version has colourful lower-case letters and double-sided tiles which were designed to make it easier for younger children to race to complete their word grids. The letters come in a green, banana-shaped pouch and there’s 10 curriculum-based mini game ideas too. What I like about these games is that they become more challenging and advanced as you play more of them, so I can choose games to fit his current ability. I really like this, because it’s a simple product but is versatile. Chunk loves sitting at his table rearranging the letters by colour, shape and of course looking for letters that are in his name. As he becomes confident and he starts to learn more letters I know he will continue to enjoy using these and showing off all of the words he has been learning at school. We sit together and I make words and we spell them out. He recognises quite a few letters already and enjoys working out which ones are in various friends and family members’ names. I hope this game will aid the learning he will do in reception class and I will be able to gauge the level he is at to try to help him at home. I’m going to ask his teacher if there are any other games she wants us to do with the Bananagrams once he’s settled in too. I especially like that the letters come in a handy zip-up pouch for storage, and that it’s all lightweight and doesn’t take up too much room! We were sent this product to test for the purpose of this review. No payment was received and all opinions are honest and my own. Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest or Facebook.

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Single Parent Spotlight 30: Natasha

Claire — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 08:39:00 +0000

The aim of these interviews is to show how AMAZING us working single parents are. I want to highlight how hard, but also how rewarding being a working single parent is, and to hear how other people in my position handle the tougher times, in the hopes I learn how to be the best parent I can be! I’m sick of seeing the bad press single parents get in the media, because some single parents have taken the choice to live off benefits, or even worse, have children in order to get benefits. We all seem to get tarred with the same negative brush! My 30th interviewee is Natasha, who has one child and is from Hampshire. How old was your child when you became a single parent, and how did this come about? She was 4 weeks old when her dad just walked out. What things have you found hardest as a single parent? Affording living costs and having enough money for food. Not having time to be me and go out. How stressful trying to do the shopping is. What are the benefits to parenting alone, in your opinion? Not having to share the love of my child. No missing her if her dad had her. Have you faced any negative judgements/stereotypes for being a single parent? If so can you share with us what happened and how it made you feel? None. What sort of relationship do you have with your ex, and how easy/difficult is it to maintain for your children? He does not wish to have any involvement with my daughter and is currently not paying any maintenance towards her. What contact does your ex have with your child? None. What’s your job, and how many hours do you work per week? Preschool Teacher, 34 hours a week Who looks after your child when you’re working? How do you feel about the current childcare arrangements? She goes to nursery. How old was your son when you first went back to work? How easy was it to adjust back into work? 7 months. Have you ever felt guilt by working? If so, why? All the time because I never get to spend time with my daughter, missing out on her first step, her first word. Working made my post natal depression a lot worse too. What’s your view on Child /Working Tax Credits, and the cost of childcare? Childcare is expensive and always will be, but working in childcare doesn’t pay much. Tax credits seem a fair payment.. What is your work/home/social life like? Have you managed to find a good balance? If so, how? I do not have a social life as can’t afford to have a babysitter. Are you dating again? If so, how long did it take before you were ready to date again? No because there is never time to get to know someone without my daughter being around What would your top 3 tips be to a newbie single parent? Stay strong Believe in yourself Don’t blame yourself If you want to be interviewed for Single Parent Spotlight, just answer these same questions on this online form here. Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest or Facebook.!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?’http’:’https’;if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+’://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js’;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, ‘script’, ‘twitter-wjs’);

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Fireman Sam Electronic Pontypandy Fire Station Toy Review

Claire — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 19:28:00 +0000

Chunk got to check out the brand new Fireman Sam Electronic Pontypandy Fire Station this week and I even attempted a little Vlog to show you what it does! This fire station is a portable playset which is lightweight so the kids can carry it around themselves. If your kids watch the programme you will know that the original fire station burnt down last year, so this toy is the the replica of the brand new station used in the current series. The playset features a working life, fireman’s pole and various doors that open including a pair of double doors for the fire engine to drive through. Inside the station is a turn table and vehicle maintenance ramp for the fire engine which you can buy separately. The set comes with two characters (Fireman Sam and one of the other members of the crew) and a ladder which can attach to various parts of the station. There’s also an electronic control desk which has lights and sounds (and thankfully an off switch when you want to pretend the batteries have died). Overall Chunk really liked this playset and particularly enjoyed putting his collection of cars on the ramp and even some of his dinosaurs needed maintenance too. Check out my video below to see the playset in action. Chunk was sent the playset to test for the purpose of this review. All opinions are honest and my own. Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest or Facebook.

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