Morning Readers!

I hope you're all well and managing to avoid all the coughs and colds that are always around at this time of year. I've had a very mixed week and have gained half a lb. I knew I'd have gained and was expecting it to be a lot more. Don't get me wrong, I'd started off the week brilliantly but I got some very sad and unexpected news which made me spiral out of control. On Monday, I got a phone call to say a very and special friend had passed away having contracted pneumonia. He started to respond well to treatment but took a turn for the worse and sadly passed away.To say I've taken the news badly would be an understatement. I spent Monday and Tuesday eating anything and everything for comfort because I felt sad, All I can say is that I'm very lucky it was only half a lb that went on. I must have either lost a lot during the week before Monday or I cried the weight off in tears.

I felt so guilty going back to group having gained when the week before, they voted for me to be Miss Slinky 2012. I have to say, they were so supportive of me which was really nice. The consultant was also there to talk to me and help me make sense of why I had lost control so easily. I can't stress enough how important it is to have a supportive network of people around you. My Husband has been an absolute brick too, helping me come to terms with what has happened. Thank you guys! Can I also urge anyone who needs the flu jab to please get it. You can't take risks where pneumonia is concerned.

There will always be triggers in life to throw us off track but it's up to us to deal with them and get back on track. We can't avoid things happening but we need to stay in control but also, we can't be afraid to ask for help when we need it. If I hadn't asked for help this week, I could have ruined everything I've worked so hard to achieve and I know I'd have given up and gained all my weight back plus much more. Asking for help and support isn't a sign of weakness, it's actually a sign of strength. How strong are you?

Spicy Sweet Potato, Red Pepper and Carrot Soup

Ingredients:

1 large sweet potato, peeled and chopped

2 large carrots, chopped

1 red pepper, chopped

2 cloves of garlic, crushed

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1 teaspoon of cumin seeds

1 teaspoon of coriander

1 teaspoon of paprika

1 litre of vegetable stock Salt and pepper to season Frylight

Method:

1. Spray a large saucepan with Frylight and fry onion and garlic. When softened add cumin seeds and cook for a further 1-2 mins, adding more Frylight if needed.

2. Add the roughly chopped red pepper and carrots. After a few mins add the coriander and paprika and stir to coat 3. Finally, add the Vegetable stock and sweet potato. Bring to the boil and then simmer until all vegetables are softened. Approx 1.5 hours.

4. Roughly blend the soup, (you don’t want to over blend, as the soup is delicious and more filling with some chunks of vegetables) 5. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve topped with fresh coriander A friend at Slimming World shared this recipe with me and I can't wait to try it. I'm definitely in need of some warming, comforting foods.

Have a great week and I'll see you lighter next week, Love Wendy xxx Based on information supplied by .