jennyjeffries

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Quick update on the Fast 800

Quick update on the Fast 800

Here it is, September and the seventh month of doing this food plan and intermittent fasting. It is a lot slower now, but feels like a way of life I can keep up. I’m down 18.3 kgs since I started in February. I barely seem to be losing but I skip breakfast most days and have become so used to the type of food that I adapt and make up my own a bit now. Tuna steak with pea/broccoli mash and…

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Six months in on the Fast 800

Six months in on the Fast 800

January through to July. If you were wondering how the Fast800 was working for me, here it is. Over 16kgs lost since February, and so I’m halfway there to my goal. It is slow, but sure, and an easy lifestyle change. But you need to be in the right headspace, and put some will into it. My key is: don’t overdo it. Keep your default mode to be the Mediterranean diet and intermittent fasting, and…

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A couple more oils

A couple more oils

It is now Autumn here, and the days are blissfully cooler – but not by much. Still, I can never do anything creative it seems, in the burning heat of summer, so I look forward to Spring or Autumn when a surge of creative energy gets me going. I went out and bought a number of canvases/framed hardwoods, and gloved up to prime them and then paint a layer of black oil paint on them in preparation…

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Taking myself by the scruff of the neck

Yeah, there’s no other way to describe it. I’m not going to offer excuses, I enjoyed a good year – at least – of baking during lockdowns and celebratory cooking. The result: gout, hypertension and increasing immobility. The party must stop! So – my doctor suggested I get a book titled The Fast 800 by Dr Michael Mosley and put into practise the diet regimes contained therein. Actually, a large…

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A Gallery of Auckland City Paintings

A Gallery of Auckland City Paintings

For the last few months I’ve been pursuing some oil painting goals – enjoying interpreting my inky line woodblock look in oils instead of gauche and ink. These are all for sale, if anyone is interested. Here they are in no particular order: AUCKLAND II – 610 x 460 x 50. Oil on hardwood frame. $350 AUCKLAND III 410 x 410 x 40 Oil on hardwood frame $275 Auckland IV. 410 x 410 x 40 Oil on…

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When your back's to the wall, you can only move forward. Or 'Happy New Year'.

When your back’s to the wall, you can only move forward. Or ‘Happy New Year’.

2020 – the year we all felt the wall behind us and experienced life as most of us had not known it. I note very few resolutions coming up on my newsfeed – such is the hope embodied in merely the change of date from 2020 to 2021, that that itself is enough of a positive move. Surely things must get better – right? Well, I’m an optimist, so I’m going to imbue this coming year with miracle cures…

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My first month in the new home

My first month in the new home

Time to do an update on life at the end of the Peninsula. Has it really been 5 weeks since I moved here? Well, before we plunge in to more details, let me just say that I still love being in my new unit, and pinch myself regularly to remind myself that the move is behind me now, and the worst of the packing and unpacking and setting up home is passed. Best of all, I had what felt like a clean…

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So much water under the bridge . . . but I'm back

So much water under the bridge . . . but I’m back

Can’t believe it was June that I last posted. Obviously life has been too exciting and busy to find time to sit down and type any of my thoughts up. Who knew? I’ll try and make up for it in the coming weeks.

Today, I want to talk about . . .

CHRISTMAS CAKE!

The last piece of a delectable moist fruity icing covered slice of Christmas cake

Yeah, see that pic above. THAT is the…

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A positive downhill slide

A positive downhill slide

I thought I’d give you an update on the nutrition plan started early this year. You remember how well it all started, with a drop of 10kgs in the first month? Well, then we had lockdown, and Easter, and heaps of home baking to cope, and before you know it, I was in a steady plateau. Still, it was encouraging, when we came out of lockdown, to find that I had not put it all back on DESPITE these…

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Goodness, I’m not sure what happened? I think I slumped into an almost comatose state listening to my audiobooks and watching Lightbox and Netflix and forgot to be communicative. Sorry.

We’ve been a week into level 3 now, which is much like level 4 but with small business opportunities for shopping online, take away food and coffee, and being able to drive within the region to enjoy a break from the house. As a result of all this strict observance, I am thrilled to say that today was the second day WITH NO NEW CASES OF COVID-19! It means that the level 4 lockdown worked, but until the next week goes by, we won’t know if level 3 has maintained the good effort. Watch this space.

On a lighter note, I’ve seen less and less of Con and Rona, who have been disgraceful in their conduct. I’m ashamed to put the following pictures up, but I need to be honest with you, my readers. Last sight of Con was on the front of this newspaper:

Yes, there he is wandering in a crowd of people NOT keeping their distance. He’s not going to be allowed back inside my bubble, that’s for sure.

And as for Rona! Last seen partying away on Bondi Beach – although how she got to Australia I don’t know. She’s innovative, so probably stowed away on a cargo plane. Another one never intruding in my bubble again.

I will say, the lockdown obviously did her figure a LOT OF GOOD, unlike my own.

Yes, my most creative efforts have gone into the creation of food, and even so, I’m a bit tired of my own cooking. I have – after a few weeks of more indulgent baking – tightened the belt, emptied the flour bin, ceased buying treats at last. Here are some recent food efforts and you can see they are looking more healthy.

HOWEVER, when we were moved into level 3 a week ago, I cycled to Henderson and stood at a table in front of a cafe I enjoy – Little Sister – who created a delicious take away meal for me. By the time I got it home on my bike tucked under the rack, it was a tad cold, but still very tasty and best of all, cooked by SOMEONE ELSE.

I am still working two days a week from home for the university, and after a shaky start, all my software and apps are functioning properly. So work is fine, and our online meetings are a fun way to stay in touch.

Auckland region is suffering a drought after weeks and weeks of little rain – we’re nearly at a third capacity in our dams. So it is with some relief I say that some heavy squalls are blowing over right now, and cycling anywhere has become an effort. I went for a long one yesterday in blue skies, and a sudden bank of black cloud blew up and before you know it I was trapped waiting under a motorway overbridge while rain poured down. Eventually I just gave up and got wet, and was thrilled that my battery took the brunt of the sturdy headwinds coming my way and the icy rain that hammered my head. How refreshing!

I’ll leave this update with some pics that I shared to my workplace, as part of our fun social communication these days. We were asked to provide some pics of our travel in the past, and how we might recreate it during lockdown, so these were a fun memory brought to life from home. Enjoy.

A Week into Level 3 Goodness, I'm not sure what happened? I think I slumped into an almost comatose state listening to my audiobooks and watching Lightbox and Netflix and forgot to be communicative.

[jennyjeffries]

Day 27 - just one more week . . .

Day 27 – just one more week . . .

Lucas van Leyden – an artist late in 1400s, anticipating the Coronavirus this century, painted this depiction of ‘Life in Lockdown’, and it bears a strong resemblance to Con, Rona and I this last week.

We’ve run out of ideas for entertainment and are just playing cards. As you would expect, Con is cheating and Rona has yet to master the elemental ideas of the game, but it’s passing the time.

Yes…

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Where did the last six days go? It’s not like I’m frantically busy or anything. Suddenly I’m getting the occasional request – well, alright – ONE request for what is happening with Con and Rona, and realise that you don’t know what’s been happening in my exciting bubble lately. In a word – it’s starting to feel quite small, constricting even.

I started a jigsaw puzzle, and have set Con and Rona up to keep going at it while I get on with more important things. Needless to say, they haven’t found a piece that fits yet, but I was hopeful boredom would drive them to it. What I did NOT expect to be driven, was my car – by Rona – in an attempt to flee the bubble and expand her horizons. She didn’t get far!

I am so ashamed of her – and planned a bubble within a bubble experience for her upon return. However, she seems to have convinced the policeman that she was an essential worker, caring for someone vulnerable (who? Con?? She can’t mean me surely). The next thing you know I’m settling in for the 1pm COVID-19 update on TV1 and I see the prime minister has brought in an essential worker to explain the state of the most vulnerable to the nation.

Worse than anything she might reveal about the state of our own bubble, is the fact that she is wearing a dressing gown. AND not keeping a 2 metre distance from Jacinda Ardern, who is looking decidedly uncomfortable. (Join the club, PM!)

Just wait til Rona gets home! LOCKDOWN is going to take on new meaning at this address.

Aside from Rona’s antics, I’ve noticed how little hot water we seem to have left, and this morning I discovered just why:

Con has been soaking in hot baths having read somewhere that hot water destroys the virus. I might just duck his head under and hold it there for a while. Especially since he also made a run for it over the Easter break, dressing up in a suit and being found in the front of a chocolate shop window completely overglutted in chocolate. (Reminds me of a movie I once saw).

As you can see, it’s been very trying – I can only warn you all not to make your own companions next time you feel a surge of potential loneliness take you. It’s just not worth it.

Moving on from Con and Rona (happy sigh), I must say Easter was very pleasant. Not that we’re going anywhere or doing anything, but there was no guilt attached to either. Now I need to pull up my socks and find activities to fill my days, and hope all the rubber bands are in place for work from home over the next two days. I have – sadly – eaten far too many chocolate easter eggs and hot cross buns. And done a spot of my own baking yesterday (shortbread). In between all the naughty food, I still attempt to retain some normalcy in my low carb, no sugar diet (ha ha ha ha ha). It’s like there are two of me. As soon as this blog is finished I am going out into the wild winds and doing even a kilometre of walking. I have already covered every street in the peninsula by bicycle:

I’ve watched a fair amount of Lightbox (I’ll buy into Netflix when I’ve seen everything on LB). I’ve listened to a sturdy amount of audiobook (Dorothy Dunnett). I’ve photographed some spectacular dawns and sunsets around the locality:

And like you all, spent some time using video calls to catch up with friends. The days have been taking on a certain rhythm. The long sunny days of Autumn have given way to the wet and windy gusts, a prelude to the coming winter. I hope you are all maintaining your health, your bubble and your good cheer. I won’t mention physique in the same sentence. On that note, I’ll head out into the wet and wild right now. Au Revoir.

Day 21 – the light at the end of the tunnel Where did the last six days go? It's not like I'm frantically busy or anything. Suddenly I'm getting the occasional request - well, alright - ONE request for what is happening with Con and Rona, and realise that you don't know what's been happening in my exciting bubble lately.

[jennyjeffries]

Day 15 - the downward slope

Day 15 – the downward slope

You know that feeling when you are hiking up a steep incline and suddenly you sense the ground levelling and maybe around the corner you’ll see the peak? That’s where we are in New Zealand right now. The lowest number of cases of COVID-19 since lockdown 2 weeks ago. Yay!!!!

Today is blustery and wet so I’ve only managed one short walk but after this post I’m getting the bike out. It’s going…

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So I thought it was Day 12, but when I do the calculations, I’ve lost a day in here somewhere and it is actually Day 13. Forgive me. One thing we are very grateful for, here in the Peninsula, is the long view we have over the harbour, so accessible to all on their walks. This mornings:

Last night I did the third of my rambles around the Peninsula, filling in the green bit on this map.

I took Rona in hand today and decided to teach her to bake. It was time to try out some ‘Pull-apart Hot Cross Buns’ in time for Easter.

As you can see, she was remarkable willing.

The recipe looked easy and quick – a miracle for anything involving yeast – and before you ask, you can find it here

The turned out out really well – just like the picture.

I’m going to freeze some and pick them off day by day. I enjoyed the early morning walk this morning, seeing the number of trees with leaves changing colour. Later in the morning I did an hour’s work for AUT University, and finished at lunchtime.

And this evening after dinner, with the night come earlier than expected (Daylight saving last weekend) I joined my sister – keeping a good distance between us – on a night ride beneath the full moon. Really well worth getting out on the absolutely quiet streets. Some stunning views across the harbour to the full moon. See below:

With that last lovely picture still in my mind, I’m going to download my next audio book and start listening.  Thanks for keeping up with me.

Day 13 – getting hot and cross So I thought it was Day 12, but when I do the calculations, I've lost a day in here somewhere and it is actually Day 13.

[jennyjeffries]

Hello, this is me, reporting for duty and writing up the last 24 hours. I’m not sure what the time is, but it feels like things have happened that I need to make known, even if no one is listening.

Yesterday I experienced a sudden craving as I walked past my car from the compost bin. It was all I could do not to fling myself into it, (the car, not the compost bin), and set out on a meandering, undefined drive. I pulled myself back from the brink and carried on into the house. To take myself out of the mundane, I arranged a tea party for the bubble mates, in this instance the pliable, willing ones, and soon Rona, Con and I were set in front of the shattered remains of my feijoa cake, with bone china tinkling all around us. The best thing was, I didn’t have to share the cake, because Rona’s on a diet, and Con has an allergy to feijoas. Perfect.

That got me out of my funk, and soon I was listening to more audiobook (Dorothy Dunnett!! Amazing stories). If you like complex, intense, historical dramas, then these are the series for you.

I sat on the front porch and watched the passersby with interest. It’s getting to be the best spot in the house. Made a delicious little pork dinner with egg plant, carrots, beetroot, tahini: and best of all, set off in a clear balmy evening to continue my challenge of cycling every street in the neighbourhood. The dark blue marks last night’s ramble under the light of a 3/4 moon.

This morning I woke up gradually to the impression that it was Monday. So I went for a walk, and passed a very creative endeavour by one of the local families. An ‘I Spy’ Tree, full of goodies and children’s toys, and a child’s sign up with what to look for. I’ve posted it to our local FB page, so that more children can go and guess. The clock above my head in the studio, after six months of saying the wrong time, is now correct, and sadly I realise I’ve lost most of the day without any constructive work done. Oh wait, I did an hour of work for the University this morning, so that counts, right?

I’ve been to the supermarket, and was hysterical with joy to find no queue there. I could go straight in! How amazingly life has changed since I took such things for granted. I didn’t wear my mask, but thought about it:

Now I’m home again, and ready to face the evening already. Stay safe, will speak to you again soon.

Day 11 – has the week started yet? Hello, this is me, reporting for duty and writing up the last 24 hours. I'm not sure what the time is, but it feels like things have happened that I need to make known, even if no one is listening.

[jennyjeffries]

Day 10 - grey areas

Day 10 – grey areas

I don’t want to mention the c-word in this post. It’ll be a challenge. Many things are challenges these days, none the least of them the incessant quizzes and requests on FB to partake in an inane ‘pass it on’ post or the like. I know, we’re bored, but I can see I am spending too much time on my device when I no longer want to find a photo of a specific colour and post it, or look at another…

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It was an early start today, because I work from my home office, and I needed to get out on my bike and get a cycle in before that. Fortunately this means I am up before the sun and the pics are usually spectacular; this morning no exception.

I came home to upload a picture for #BikeToBreakfastAtHome – a Bike Auckland initiative which usually happens once a month in town, but now that we are in lockdown it is happening vicariously.

After brekky, I settled in to try and get all my monitors up and running and get through a bit of work before needing to have an online video meeting with the team.

Where were Con and Rona through all this? I’m glad to say I don’t know. Hunched at the kitchen table ignoring each other no doubt.

Dinner last night was a bolognaise with shredded courgette (zucchini) instead of pasta, and a pleasant change. Lunch today was paleo bread with sardines on top – Mmmmmm.

I’ve managed to complete my work tasks and heading out late afternoon to see what the line leading into the supermarket was like:

It’s been worse.

So, with more food than I need, certainly enough to keep me going for the next week or so, I am back and winding down.

May the force be with you.

Day 8 – another day at the office It was an early start today, because I work from my home office, and I needed to get out on my bike and get a cycle in before that.