Sunday Shout Out: Maltesers' Teasers

As you all know, I love chocolate. Over the past year I have switched mostly to dark chocolate with the aim of not eating as much as I was properly. Unfortunately, it seems that Maltesers are determined to jeopardize my weight-loss plans by creating one of the best, most addictive chocolate snacks.  The Teasers bar is so good that I am trying not to buy them any more (but failing) as it's so hard to keep myself in check and not devour the whole bar straight away. However, if you're willing to eat it all, then this is one chocolate bar you have to try.

Sunday Shout Out: M.E. Myself and I

As you will know, this past week was M.E. awareness week. I didn't get to share much of what living with M.E. means for me, though I'm sure over time this blog does that for me.

Today I want to share with you someone who has written and created some incredible awareness for such an invisible disability.  Anna is a fellow M.E. sufferer, as well as blogger. This past week she not only posted some very moving pieces, but created and organised #BlueSunday raising immense awareness and donations for The M.E. Association which funds much needed research.

Anna's blog, M.E., Myself and I, is one of the most heartfelt blogs I read, and I honestly believe that everyone has a lot to learn from her.  If possible, please pop over to her Just Giving page and make a donation in her name. If that's not a possibility right now, then I sincerely hope you will visit her blog and/or follow her on Twitter. Whether or not you live with a chronic disability, Anna is a voice that deserves to be heard and listened to.

Sunday Shout Out: M.E./C.F.S. Diary Pro (App)

One thing that is often recommended for those of us living with chronic disabilities such as M.E. is to keep an 'energy diary'. Basically this means staying aware of how much we are resting, and how much low/medium/high activity we are doing. Of course, this varies from person to person, as everyone's energy level is different - for example, taking a shower is a high-level activity for me now, but I know that for many people showering isn't something they would classify as difficult.

Anyway, I was advised to do an energy diary when I was first diagnosed; and I did, for a couple of weeks. Honestly though, I found it annoying having to remember to write things down and highlight the colour etc.  Recently I became aware that as my health has changed so much, I should start keeping an energy diary again. I resisted starting one, as it's not a 'fun' thing to do, and if done on paper, it does cut into my available energy.  So I Googled to see if there were any apps I could use to keep track of what I'm doing, and was amazed to discover one that is actually designed for people in the same situation as myself.

M.E./C.F.S. Diary Pro is an app where writing down what kind of activity I'm doing is as easy as pressing a colour-code button and then tapping the half hour block it correlates to. Not only can you then easily see how much of each thing you've been doing (for example, I can see I need to rest more often), you can add in how bad your symptoms are and access graphs showing the data over time. Of course, I wish the app was a little more adjustable to the individual case, but it is still definitely worth the £4.99 (though it's on offer this month as the new, updated version has only just been released).  I am certain I will be using this app for quite a while, and it's much easier than having to map out what I'm doing via pen and paper, as it requires very little effort for me to just press a few buttons instead.

Do you keep an energy diary? Have you found it useful? I would also love to know if there are any other apps other spoonies have found useful.

Sunday Shout Out: Duolingo

Pretty much since I left Sixth Form, I have been keeping my French and Italian books (GCSE and AS-Level) with the complete intention of reteaching myself French and starting again with Italian (I didn't do a whole lot of Italian, and all I remember is how to say 'my name is...' which I don't think will get me very far).  Every place I have lived since I moved away from my parents, I have taken these books with me.

I am really passionate about foreign languages. I love how they sound, and I hate that I can only speak one language fluently (and for that reason often wish I'd been born somewhere else where English is taught as a second language practically since birth). But I'm not good at foreign languages.  No matter how hard I tried, how much I studied, I still lagged at the back of the class, and managed to get a 'U' in AS French. For those of you who know me, you'll know that I was a bit of a swot in school and graded fairly high in most of my classes. The burn of course is that French was the only subject I actually tried at, yet it was my worst subject.

Anyway, a couple of months ago one of my brothers (or two of them, I'm not sure), mentioned DuoLingo - a free site which helps you learn foreign languages. I dutifully bookmarked it then forgot all about it.  Last week I watched this New Year video, and Sanne mentioned the DuoLingo app. As I'm beginning to get used to my smartphone, I figured I'd give it a go. I've been using it for a week and already I have learnt words I'm fairly certain I never knew.

DuoLingo teaches you in short themed sections. You translate to and from your chosen language and are also able to practice your pronunciation. As i said, it is both a website and an app (they sync together), and for anyone thinking that this is the year to learn a new language, or refresh your memory, I have to point you in DuoLingo's direction.

Oh, and you can follow me here.

[Disclaimer: I am in no way, shape, or form, sponsored to write about this site. I just want to share it with you.]

Sunday Shout Out: MUA Heaven and Earth Eyeshadow Palette

Since getting interested in make up in the past couple of years, I have really wanted a Naked palette by Urban Decay, but due to the price it just wasn't going to happen.  So imagine how excited I was to discover that the new brand MUA, has a 'dupe' palette, and at the ridiculously low price of £4.

Over the Christmas period I was able to do some shopping, and when in Superdrug I finally picked up the palette I had been lusting over, and so far it is as amazing as I'd hoped. I love all the colours, which are fairly neutral but there are enough of them to lend itself to many different looks.  I have a feeling that this palette may become a favourite in 2014.

MUA stands for Make Up Academy and is sold in Superdrug in the UK (I don't know if it's available elsewhere). There are a few different palettes, but this is the only one I've actually seen in a shop, as the brand is still fairly new so not everywhere stocks a large selection in the brand.

And if you're curious, I have not been asked to do this post, I haven't been compensated for it in any way, I just love the palette and wanted to share it with you all.

Sunday Shout Out: Ruby Gloom

Pic from Amazon UK

One of the things I love about having Netflix is finding completely random and awesome TV shows to watch.  Lately I have been watching a lot of Ruby Gloom. While it is a 'cartoon' aimed at children, it is very unique and appeals to everyone (seriously, someone I know who hates everything for children, will happily sit through episodes of Ruby Gloom).  It's a great way to relax and indulge in an unusual world with some amazing characters.

Do you have Netflix? If so, what have you been watching recently on there?

Sunday Shout Out: Orphan Black

AIt's been a long time I have been excited about anything, so I'm glad to have found something worth writing about. I have just discovered the tv show 'Orphan Black', and can safely say that it's incredible. If you're interested in sci fi drama, I have to recommend this show (actually I recommend it to everyone, though please be aware it may not be suitable for younger children).

As I'm writing this using my phone, I'll leave it there. What tv shows have you been loving recently?

Sunday Shout Out: Black Matpe Beans

Lately I have become a little more adventurous with food.  Part of this is due to Pinterest (honestly, I dare anyone to see all the amazing recipes on there and not be inspired), but a very large part is due to the fact that all the corner/local shops around me stock foods I've never even heard of.  My favourite store has an entire aisle of dried beans/pulses/legumes etc which is something I always want to use but never seem to be organised enough to do it (after all, there's that whole thing where you have to soak them overnight and boil them or they'll poison you); as well as pretty much every spice and herb you can think of.

So anyway, I took a chance and picked up a packet of dried black matpe beans.  I am already on my second packet which I think says it all.  These beans are quite small, dark in colour (though when soaked and boiled they turn the water a really disgusting green) and incredibly tasty.  So far I have used them for a pasta bake and a 'shepherd's pie' and I know I will be finding more and more uses for them as they are versatile and one of my favourite foods right now (the other would have to be sweetcorn which I have also fallen in love with).

I am so excited that I live in a time when I have access to every food under the sun, and more recipes than I could ever use; and am looking forward to continuing my discovering more foods and food ideas.

How adventurous are you with your food habits? Do you eat the same thing every week or do you like to try new things?  What's your favourite food at the moment?  Let me know in the comments.

Sunday Shout Out: Sunshine!

Sun and Clouds by Rebecca Barray

I am a winter girl - I like being able to snuggle up in lots of layers, have a hot drink, and of course there's Christmas as well.  In general I don't like the heat, not to mention that I burn easily and never tan.

The weather in the UK for the past week and a half has been hot; summer has finally hit.  Of course most people are still complaining about it, but that's just what we do.  For once though, I am not one of those complainers.  Yes, it's a little too warm for me, that's why I bought an electric fan; but I can't say that seeing the sunshine streaming into my flat all day is a bad thing (though I would rather it didn't wake me up really early and keep me awake in the evening).  I have in general been more positive and happy. Now I don't think that's all to do with the fact that the sun has come out to play, but I'm sending it a little appreciation regardless.

What about you? Are you a summer or winter person?  Do you love the heat or hate it?

Sunday Shout Out: Stone Soup

If you have talked to me at all in the past few months, there is a high chance that I will have started raving about the Stone Soup website, and honestly I have no idea why I haven't shared it with you before.

Stone Soup is a foodie blog  by Jules Clancy which is packed with simple and easy recipes - usually with less than 5 ingredients, and which take less than 10 minutes to prepare, which is great for me as the carer in the evening only comes for 15 minutes (at least in this new place they are allowed to use the oven!).

To be honest I've only used 2 recipes so far, and only 1 of which has become a staple in my cooking (find it here); but the thing I love most about this website is what I have learned about cooking from it.  Jules talks about recipe 'templates' and through reading her blog I have found myself a little more open to playing around with recipes and seeing what happens, and what 'concoctions' (as many of my carers refer to them) I can come up with.  So far this is the only website I've found that focuses more on the intuitive aspects of cooking, which is why I'm a huge advocate of it.

If you pop by Stone Soup let me know what you think in the comments, and feel free to suggest any foodie blogs you follow.

By the way she also has a YouTube channel.

[Disclaimer: I was not asked to write about this site, nor am I receiving any benefit in any way by endorsing it, I just love sharing great finds with you.]

Sunday Shout Out: Fairyland

Like anyone else I like to play computer games, though I tend to stick to The Sims 3 most of the time.  Fairyland is the only Facebook game that has stood the test of time for me.  I used to spend hours every day with my cafe and frontier and bejeweled, but Fairyland is the only one I still use.

If you don't know, Fairyland is an easy game where you grow flowers to attract wildlife which can be spotted by you or other players.  I say it is easy, but I don't think I've ever been involved in anything quite so complex as they are always coming out with new challenges and goals, though keeping all the past ones for everyone to work on as well.  This does mean that there are a huge variety of gardens as everyone is working at their own speed and in their own time, but it also means that it can sometimes be a bit overwhelming.  Personally I like having things to work towards so this is a bonus in my books.  The fact that is the only Facebook game to be connected to a charity so that every time you harvest a plant, you protect 'X number' square metres of the Rainforest via Nature Conservancy's "Adopt an Acre"  (this is done through donations and adverts I believe).

If you have a garden, or decide to set one up, please come and visit and water my plants!

Sunday Shout Out: Violet Incense

I burn a fair bit of incense.  I love watching the smoke whirl and twirl about my room as I am lying there resting; it's relaxing with the bonus of making my room smell lush in the process.  Often I burn lavender or other 'relaxing' scents but I am currently waiting for a delivery of some more of these.  In the mean time I am burning my favourite incense scent of all time - violet.

It smells exactly like the sweets of the same name that I loved as a child (you know, the ones you would suck and pretend you were 'grown up' and taking pills).  It's very sweet, and for that reason I don't usually burn more than one in a day as otherwise whenever I return to my room I am hit by the sickly sweetness of it.

Do you burn incense or candles? What's your favourite scent?  Leave your answers in the comments below.

Sunday Shout Out: 2 Online Things That Make Me Smile

Happy Easter, Happy Chocolate Day, Happy Springtime, and Happy Sunday.

I guess I could write about how much I love chocolate - but I'm fairly certain you already know that.  This Sunday Shout Out is including two things that I have been watching/reading a lot over the past week or so.  They both make me smile (and sometimes laugh), and I figured that everyone can do with more smiles in their life, hence the sharing.

The first is 'A Very Potter Musical'.  Now, I'm sure I'm late to the party on this one, but that doesn't really bother me as it's better late than never.  So far I've only watched the original one (there are now 3 in total, and they are quite long as they are full-length stage productions that have been videoed and uploaded to YouTube in small bites), but I'm definitely going to be watching the rest as this is one of the few online comedies that has actually made me laugh out loud, and really appreciate how creativity can produce.  Therefore, I strongly suggest you watch it, though if you're haven't read or watched Harry Potter then most of the jokes will probably be lost on you.  If you don't have the time to watch it all, my favourite clip is here.

The second is a very unusual web comic that I stumbled across via the wonders of Twitter, only a few days ago, and already I have spent a lot of time going through the posts starting at the beginning (you know it's good if you decide you want to see every single comic that's been put up).  Admittedly, Poly in Pictures may not be everyone's cup of tea, but as someone who appreciates that not all relationships are monogamous, straight, and vanilla, I love it and think it's well worth a look as it sometimes helps to see things from someone else's point of view, and that's much more fun when there's a bit of humor in there.

Are there any websites/videos/comics you visit time and again to make yourself smile?  Share the happy and leave them in the comments.

Sunday Shout Out - Yogurt and Granola

Those of you who have followed me from the beginning will probably remember my Sunday Shout Out posts where I highlighted a blog I loved.  I have decided to bring the Sunday Shout Out meme back, with the difference that from now on it won't just be about blogs. The new Sunday Shout Outs can include literally anything that I am loving at the minute, and I hope you will join in with your own Shout Outs.

This week I am going to talk about my latest craze - yogurt and granola.

For the past few weeks I have been eating this for either breakfast or lunch - yogurt (I buy Yeorganic Natural), granola, whatever fruit I happen to have, and a spoonful of honey (though I've started skipping this now).  It tastes so good, and I am just upset that I never thought to try it earlier. I've even started using the yogurt on my museli every now and again, which is something I've always resisted in the past but I have no idea why, and have found I need to buy the 1kg pots to satisfy my cravings.  I will point out that I do not buy non-fat yogurts, as I believe that the kind of fat found in natural yogurt is good for you, and I much prefer this way of receiving my calcium to milk (I've never really been a milk person).

Of course I know that everything should be taken in moderation, so I am trying not to eat it every day, but now that I've found how much I love this mix, I am certain I will be continuing to eat it for a very long time.

If you do a Shout Out post, be sure to link it in the comments below so I can visit, and please give your comment love on any food concoctions I should try.

(By the way, this isn't a sponsored post, and I have no affiliations with Yeo Valley - I simply love the product.)