Exercise: Yes, tried a new yoga routine, hauling in groceries and putting away, rearranging fridge, freezer and pantry.
Stayed within calorie/carb budget: Yes
Logged everything: Yes

A productive day. Still have some meal prepping to do tomorrow and getting more veggies (hubby did not want to deal with that).

Christmas will be small again this year. Mom, sister, hubby and I will likely go out for a late lunch and open our gifts. This will be a big Christmas for us as I was only 2 days post surgery last year. No energy and throat still very swollen.

@GrandmaJackie WTG on last month's challenge.

3 Yes for me today - exercise was mainly running around with puppy on the frosty grass. Just within calories. I made a mince tart to test out my home-made mincemeat (different recipe to my usual one) and only had the tiniest piece to taste - husband did the major tasting and pronounced it acceptable, so will make another batch for Christmas.

Our Christmas here is very quiet. My sister usually comes to stay for a couple of weeks or so over Christmas and New Year, and we have some good food and wine, but nothing too excessive.

craigo3154 wrote: »

Anya_000 wrote: »

@craigo3154, OK, I finally have to ask, what is a Pavlova?

@Anya_000. Best description I have found is:

Pavlova is a meringue-based dessert named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. It is a meringue dessert with a crisp crust and soft, light inside, usually topped with fruit and whipped cream.



As I am not a big fruit eater, the ones we have a topped with whipped (Chantilly) cream chocolate and peppermint (Peppermint crisp - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peppermint_Crisp)

To make:

• Beat 5 egg whites till they form soft peaks (can tip bowl upside down and nothing comes out).
• Slowly add in 1.5 cups of castor sugar while still beating keep beating till all grittiness is gone from mixture.
• Beat in 2 table spoons of corn flour.
• Beat in 1 teaspoon of white vinegar.
• Beat in 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla essence.
• Spoon mixture onto baking tray making a rough cake shape (use grease proof paper base, otherwise will stick to tray - no need for cake tin)
• Bake in low oven (120C/250F) for 90 minutes (we do 115 minutes for thicker meringue crust).
• Allow to cool in oven for a couple hours.
• Top with 8 - 10 fl oz of whipped heavy cream or whipping cream (for chantilly cream add vanilla essence and sugar)
• Add toppings to suit.

Serves 8-10 (or about 4 of me ).

(This is all from memory - actual published recipie I could find that was closest to what we do at home here is:
http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/pavlova-3/e62d3cc8-a69d-4ae3-8a6d-5226751a274d)

I had pavlova for the first time when I visited Australia in March 2017. It was delicious, as were the many other deserts I just had to try. We travelled through many small towns and there seemed to be a bakery in each town offering all sorts of goodies. The pavlova however, was homemade by my sister-in-law's sister-in-law and it was sooo good.

Did I exercise for at least 20 minutes? YES (30 min elliptical)
Did I stay within my calorie budget for the day? YES
Did I keep track of everything I ate and drank? YES

Great picture @RangerRickL !!

December 1
Pass

December 2
Pass.

December 3
Pass

Not ideal, but using all my pass days for the beginning of this month. Unexpected extenuating circumstances as a close friend had a death family and I am away from home right now. However, I am determined to get back on track today and commit to myself and commit to the purpose of this group because I deserve it! Hope everyone has a great week.

3 days into December and I am already struck out.
I ain't been exercising or at least what counts as deliberate exercising.
Last day of November I exercised on spin bike. Kind of overamped my knee.
My mountainbike is in the shop. I cooked the brakes. I am always cooking the brakes.\
Ugh, bike is down for the count and weather has been nice enough to ride it. Maybe I will give my knee a few more days off and just spend time with Buddy.
That little guy, his laughter is utterly captivating.