Zyle Knits http://www.zyle.co.uk Just another WordPress weblog Fri, 04 Jun 2010 08:33:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 Week 3 – Getting harder now! http://www.zyle.co.uk/fitness/week-3-getting-harder-now/ http://www.zyle.co.uk/fitness/week-3-getting-harder-now/#comments Fri, 04 Jun 2010 08:33:59 +0000 Zyle http://www.zyle.co.uk/?p=61 Last nights run was a bit more tough going – now we’re on two repeats of: (run 90 secs, walk 90 secs, run 3 minutes, walk 3 minutes). 3 minutes is the longest I’ve run non stop in one go in quite some years so I’m pleased with the progress. There’s absolutely no way in hell I’d have managed this 3 weeks ago! It was a glorious evening too, 23 degrees sunny. :)

]]> http://www.zyle.co.uk/fitness/week-3-getting-harder-now/feed/ 0 Week 2 Begins http://www.zyle.co.uk/fitness/week-2-begins/ http://www.zyle.co.uk/fitness/week-2-begins/#comments Thu, 27 May 2010 15:09:02 +0000 Zyle http://www.zyle.co.uk/?p=58 The swim at the weekend absolutely killed me for my third run – I took an extra rest day after the swim and my legs felt fine when pottering around, but when I went to run my calf muscles were already aching by the second interval. I was a bit gutted as I didn’t manage to run as fast as the previous time, but I kept it slow and steady and managed to get through it somehow without walking any of the run sections. By the warm down though my calves were really hurting so I’ve decided to stick strictly to the running program until my leg muscles are much stronger, then maybe I can throw some swims in to the mix again.

Two days later and I start week 2 – this time it’s 6 repeats of (90 secs run / 2 mins walk) with 5 mins walk at each end again. I was a bit concerned before I started given the aches last time, and was considering repeating week 1, but eventually I decided to plow on to week 2. I went a good 200m further than I’ve been before with that extra minute of running which felt like something of an accomplishment. I know for a fact I wouldn’t have been able to complete this run when I started so it’s clearly working. I was absolutely knackered by the end but recovered fairly quickly.

I weighed myself this morning and my plateau has been dented; I’m down to 129lbs (9 stone 3). Progress! 10 to go… now it REALLY gets hard.

]]> http://www.zyle.co.uk/fitness/week-2-begins/feed/ 0 Run 2 and a splish spash http://www.zyle.co.uk/fitness/run-2-and-a-splish-spash/ http://www.zyle.co.uk/fitness/run-2-and-a-splish-spash/#comments Sun, 23 May 2010 15:34:29 +0000 Zyle http://www.zyle.co.uk/?p=56 This post is more of a journal to myself, to keep track of where I’m at!

Well I went for the second Week 1 run yesterday and must say I found it easier than the first time. This time I went in a straight line down Water End after a warmup round the block and got as far as the hedge at the weird little junction on interval 4. Took just more than the 5 cooldown mins to get back to the house – maybe 5.30. Let’s see if I can beat that next time.

It’s a ridiculous 30 degrees here today soI was far too hot to run – plus it’s meant to be an off-day – but I felt like some exercise so I went for a swim. 50 lengths in 35 mins; 1.25 km. Probably would have been faster had there not been hoardes of youths in the fitness lanes. And if my goggles would stop leaking…

]]> http://www.zyle.co.uk/fitness/run-2-and-a-splish-spash/feed/ 0 In search of health and fitness http://www.zyle.co.uk/fitness/in-search-of-health-and-fitness/ http://www.zyle.co.uk/fitness/in-search-of-health-and-fitness/#comments Thu, 20 May 2010 16:08:57 +0000 Zyle http://www.zyle.co.uk/?p=53 A few weeks ago I decided to do something about my weight and fitness levels, instead of just whinging about it whilst I shoved more pizza and Dr Pepper down my throat. My starting weight was 142lbs and my goal was 119lbs. Since I started reading and learning, I’ve adjusted my goal to 17% bodyfat, or, very scientifically, “slim and muscular enough to be able to see my abs”.

So I’ve taken the following actions:

1. Cut down my calories to less than 1200 per day. Apparently I needed ~1600/day to maintain the weight I was on with the exercise levels I was doing.
2. Trying to entirely cut out added/refined sugars. It’s amazing how many things this crap is added to, though!
3. Increased protein consumption and reduced complex carbs.
4. Entirely cut out all drinks except water – I started this as a 30 day “personal challenge” and am currently on day 15 with no slips so far. I’m not craving other drinks any more.
5. Started running.
6. Doing bodyweight exercises to strengthen muscles; squats and pilate planks. Ouch!

Current weight: 132lbs.

The running

I’ve been going for the odd run over the past few weeks in my dreadful etnies skater shoes. Well, they’re great shoes but they’re certainly not running shoes. Today I got myself a decent pair of nike running shoes and started the couch 2 5k program, instead of just running till I can’t any more. Week 1 is 5 mins brisk walking followed by 8 repeats of; 1 min running, 90 secs brisk walk, followed by another 5 mins warmdown walk. Doing this made me realise I’ve previously just been wearing myself out before I could really get going. I’ve just done a good solid 30 min workout and feel awesome. I actually can’t wait to go out again! So the plan is, eat well, get fitter and stronger and lose the weight I’ve gained over the last couple of years. Hopefully in 12 weeks I’ll be reporting back with a 5k run under my belt. :)

]]> http://www.zyle.co.uk/fitness/in-search-of-health-and-fitness/feed/ 0 Attic24 Style Crocheted Cushion Cover http://www.zyle.co.uk/crochet/attic24-style-cushion-cover/ http://www.zyle.co.uk/crochet/attic24-style-cushion-cover/#comments Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:03:55 +0000 Zyle http://www.zyle.co.uk/?p=34 Our sofa has been lacking cushions for over 3 years now, and I thought instead of buying some, I could take the Attic24 approach and crochet some bright covers!  I read Lucy’s tutorial a while ago about backing cushions with a jumper and as I rather unfortunately semi-felted an old pink cardigan in the wash recently, I decided to give it a go with that.

I didn’t follow the tutorial step by step – I could say I was trying to put my own spin on it, or be creative, but to be perfectly honest I was sitting there crafting on my bed in front of the TV watching old episodes of Ally McBeal, and I was just too happily settled to get up and go to the computer.  I reckoned I could figure a method out using my memory of Lucy’s method and logic – I think it came out ok!

Attic24 Style Crocheted Cushion Back

Zara seems to approve – she wouldn’t stop rubbing her face up against it while I was trying to take photos!

I’m thinking a ripple cushion in the same colours would compliment it quite nicely… :)

]]> http://www.zyle.co.uk/crochet/attic24-style-cushion-cover/feed/ 1 Sorbet Bag Completed! http://www.zyle.co.uk/crochet/attic24-bag/ http://www.zyle.co.uk/crochet/attic24-bag/#comments Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:07:59 +0000 Zyle http://www.zyle.co.uk/?p=24 I was introduced to the fabulous blog of Lucy at Attic24 when one of the ladies on the Phoenix Knitting Forum made Lucy’s gorgeous bag last year.  I immediately fell in love, and had to have one of my own.  Problem was, I couldn’t crochet.  Not a single stitch.  But after weeks of failed attempts and extreme persistence, Lucy’s wonderfully clear instructions finally meant I had my own version! I was in love, it was the Best Bag Ever.  Unfortunately, my crochet was very loose and the bag unlined.  Not a winning combination – after several months of dragging it around it looked more like a fishing net.  So it has been abandoned and I’ve been crying inwardly ever since.  So I finally decided to put the countless other projects aside and make a new Attic24 bag.  This time, my stitches are tight, the handles the right length and I’ve even whipped out my sewing machine and managed to cobble together a lining!

I’m sad to say that the weather is less than pleasant, and I’m also rather unwell at the moment with food poisoning so the result is a fairly dismal photo but I hope you get the picture.  (Hopefully when nicer weather comes I will replace it with a better one.)  But here it is, my beautiful new bag!

My Attic24 Crochet Bag

And the lining:

My Attic24 Crochet Bag Lining

It’s made of Paton’s Sorbet which is now sadly discontinued, a great shame as it’s a lovely cotton.  I got a batch of blue greatly reduced and made a tshirt from it, it’s really lovely to wear and had such gorgeous colours.  I think the name Sorbet describes it rather well!  And this bag shall, from now on, be known as my Sorbet bag.

]]> http://www.zyle.co.uk/crochet/attic24-bag/feed/ 1 Thai Red Chicken Curry http://www.zyle.co.uk/easy-recipes/thai-red-chicken-curry/ http://www.zyle.co.uk/easy-recipes/thai-red-chicken-curry/#comments Sat, 30 Jan 2010 22:13:39 +0000 Zyle http://www.zyle.co.uk/?p=20 This is one of my favourite easy recipes because it’s also really quick and mess free which, on weeknights is an absolute blessing! It’s also a great way to use up any left over vegetables; pretty much anything works in place of the frozen vegetable mix.  I just like to keep a bag in the freezer for the sheer convenience, plus it is significantly cheaper than fresh vegetables!  It keeps brilliantly for lunch the next day, and warms up nicely in the microwave.

Ingredients (Serves two to three)

  • 400g Diced chicken Breast (2 breasts)
  • 1 can chick peas
  • 1 can frozen mixed vegetables (I get the mix with carrot, sweetcorn, peas and green beans.  Use your empty chick pea can to measure.)
  • 1 pot Thai Red Curry sauce (my favourite brand is made by The Curry Co)
  • A drizzle of vegetable oil to fry the chicken
  • 1 1/3 cups Basmati Rice

Method

In a large saucepan heat the oil and fry the chicken breast gently for approximately 5 minutes until seared on all sides. Add the chick peas and frozen vegetables and cook for a further 3 minutes. Add the curry sauce and leave to simmer for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile add the Basmati Rice to a separate pan with two cups of water and heat until gently boiling.  Put a lid on and turn down to the lowest heat possible and leave to steam for approx 20 minutes. Check periodically that the rice isn’t sticking to the bottom of the pan.  If you have the heat too high it will take less than 20 minutes for the water to evaporate and the rice will begin to stick and burn.

Optional side dishes include naan bread, onion bahjis, samosas.

]]> http://www.zyle.co.uk/easy-recipes/thai-red-chicken-curry/feed/ 0 Quick and Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies http://www.zyle.co.uk/easy-recipes/quick-and-easy-chocolate-chip-cookies/ http://www.zyle.co.uk/easy-recipes/quick-and-easy-chocolate-chip-cookies/#comments Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:35:18 +0000 Zyle http://www.zyle.co.uk/?p=10 Here is my favourite recipe for chocolate chip cookies.  It only takes a few minutes from start to finish, and the use of a cup as a measuring device instead of weighing makes it incredibly simple.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 1 large egg,beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chocolate chips

You can substitute the all purpose flour for self raising flour and omit the baking soda, it works just as well.  I really enjoy this recipe with half white chocotale and half milk chocolate.  You can also throw some nuts or dried fruit in, whatever takes your fancy.  Just keep it to one cup full and it should work out great!

Method

Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 5

Mix together all the ingredients except the flour and chocolate chips. Stir the flour in slowly, it will form a thick dough. Stir the chocolate chips in until they are evenly distributed through the dough. This might take a bit of doing, the dough will be really stiff!

Use a teaspoon to make balls of dough and drop them onto a greased baking tray about 2 inches apart If, like me, you are a novice baker, you might need to experiment a bit to see how much they grow, but if you follow these guidelines and don’t make your balls too big they should be perfect.  Pop them in the oven for about 8-10 minutes until they are golden, then wait until they cool and use a fishslice or spatula to remove them from the tray.Quick and Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Enjoy with a glass of cold milk!

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