Morning Readers! I hope you're all managing to keep safe and warm in this snowy and freezing cold weather.

I'm just so pleased that the Slimming World healthy eating plan allows me to have healthier but very tasty comforting winter foods. I can't imagine having to go without my beef stew or my Roast Chicken Dinner on a Sunday.

I can still have my Yorkshire puddings and proper gravy too. To me, you have to be able to have warming foods when the weather is so cold. I don't want to be eating salads while looking at the snow falling.

With this eating plan, I can still have delicious home made soups that are filling and healthy. I can even have a full English breakfast if I want to without all the guilt. It's all about making wise choices like grilling instead of frying.

If you want a fried egg, use the Fry Light spray instead of oil and don't forget to remove the fat from the bacon. It's all about making small but effective changes. If you're still thinking you want to do something about your weight, why not give Slimming World a try. They've saved my life.

How have we all done this week? I hope the scales have been kind to you all. I am thrilled to say I lost 4.5lb this week. I have stuck to the eating plan and have even made sure I have drunk enough fluid each day so that I have had my 2ltrs a day.

It may seem a lot but if you really think about how many cups of tea or coffee you usually consume in a day, 2ltrs isn't such a big deal.

I'm pleased to say that my head is in a much better frame of mind. I have a great support around me including some great people from my Slimming World group and I know that makes all the difference.

2013 is going to be a fantastic year for all of us if we put our minds to it. By losing 1lb a week this year we could lose an amazing 3st 10lb.

How many of you would be happy being 3st 10lb lighter next New Year? What are you waiting for? Let's do this, get that weight off and feel fabulous for 2013. It's never too late to start.

Butternut Squash And Red Pepper Soup

Ingredients

1 Butternut Squash
2 Red Peppers
1 Onion
Fry Light
2pts/1.1lt Vegetable Stock
Salt and freshly ground Black Pepper
4 tbsp fat-free Natural Fromage Frais
Freshly chopped chives to garnish

Method

1. Peel, de seed and cut the butternut squash into cubes; halve and de seed the peppers then grill until tender. Remove the skin and roughly chop the onion.

2. Heat a large pan sprayed with Fry Light, add the butternut squash, grilled peppers and onion and fry until they begin to soften. Add the stock, bring to the boil then reduce to a simmer. Cover the pan and cook until the vegetables are soft and pulpy.

3. Transfer to a food processor or use a hand blender. Season well and blend until smooth. Serve swirled with a spoonful of fromage frais and garnished with freshly chopped chives.

Butternut squash and peppers don't just taste good; they're rich in disease-preventing antioxidants so can keep you healthy too. You can leave the soup to cool and then place it in the freezer for up to a month. which is handy when your wanting something to eat but have had a long day at work so want something quick and easy.

I've set myself a mini target for next week of 3lb. Come back next week and see if I manage it.

See you lighter next week, Love Wendy xxx