There was a time when breakfast (when I bothered) meant either toast and peanut butter or cereal. I don’t like cereal. It was just quick and easy. 

Slimming world rules means that I could still have either of those (yay) BUT if I do I have then used up my healthy extra choices for the day (boo), and I don’t like to do that. I prefer to save them up most days just in case I am feeling a bit depleted later in the day (spoiler: I always feel depleted later in the day) 

With that in mind here are some of my favourite go to ideas for a Slimming World friendly breakfast;

1.Good Old Cooked Breakfast

It’s big, it’s filling and it’s delicious. I love onions so I always add them to the pan with my bacon medallions but you could also use Courgette or chopped Sprouts (think bubble and squeak) or Asparagus.

There are masses of great tasting low syn sausages on sale nowadays but I usually buy the Linda McCartney Red Onion & Rosemary one because I know they are syn free leaving me lots to play with for the rest of the day.

2. Banana Pancakes

These pancakes are bananas – no, really. They use just 2 ingredients; 1 banana and 2 eggs. A cooked banana is 5 syns but you can get 8 pancakes out of that so in my opinion are well worth it! If you add a pinch of baking powder you will have a lighter, fluffier pancake. I like to have mine with berries and a teaspoon of choc shot or fruit syrup (1/2 syn per tsp) 

3. Sausage and Egg Notmuffin 

Roasted peppers, 2 large baked mushrooms, an egg, 2 Quorn breakfast patties (1/2 syn each) and a slice of cheese if you want to use your healthy extra A choice. 1 syn for a great tasting breakfast.

4. Just Fruit

Being a serial breakfast skipper before I started examining how I ate, I do still have days when I just want something very light. On those days I like fruit. Sometimes I even have time to arrange it in a fanciful fashion on my plate – if you think for a second that I got to eat all of this without a 2 yr olds hand diving in, you are very much mistaken! 

5. Baked Oats

1 way to use your healthy extra B choice is to have baked oats for your breakfast. Porridge, sweetener, yoghurt (low or no syn of course), an egg and a little vanilla essence. Just mix it all up and pop it in a cake tin or a dish and cook it in the oven. You can change the flavours, I love adding raspberries and almond essence for a bakewell flavour. 

(Ok so I like this one because it is quite cakey) 

6. The No Time for Breakfast, Breakfast

With 3 kids, a business to run and frankly not being a morning person I don’t always have the time to sit and engage in a proper breakfast. On those days I stick a pan on and hard boil some eggs. This is all stuff I can chomp on while I am shouting like a lunatic at whichever child has lost their shoes 5 minutes before we leave for school. Again. 

So there you have it. 5 reasons for you to start today.

Good luck and let me know what your favourite Slimming World friendly breakfast is by commenting below!

Some men are easier to buy for than others! Here is some inspiration for the fellas in your life

1 Mens Leather Bracelet – Giftpup*

This stylish men’s brown leather bracelet features two rows of braiding with a personalised metal clasp. High-quality with a versatile smart-casual appeal which makes it suitable for all occasions. You can personalise it too!

2 Star Wars RC Inflatable Jumbo R2-D2 with Sounds*

The original droid that has delighted audiences since the first ever Star Wars release, R2-D2 can now be your adorable sidekick, bleeping and blooping around your home and garden. This remote-controlled toy moves in two directions and is capable of performing space age stunts and spins.

3 The Joker – OppoSuits*

Why so serious? Suits don’t have to mean business. OppoSuits have a range of fun suits to suit all tastes.

4 Charcoal Whitening Toothpaste & Toothbrush*

Black Is White whitening toothpaste removes discolouration using activated carbon without abrading or bleaching – while boosting oral health. A stocking filler with a difference.

5 BLUEBEARDS REVENGE HIPSTER KIT*

Designed to keep the smoothest of movers in check, The Bluebeards Revenge Hipster Kit is filled with a selection of premium grooming products for the hair, beard and moustache.

6 Teal Suit – Dobell*

You could buy him another dull grey or black suit but why not treat him to something a bit more, him?

7 Othello*

A minute to learn. . . A lifetime to master! The internationally acclaimed two player strategy game. Trap and capture opponent by placing your disks on the board. “Sandwich” at least one of your opponent’s pieces to turn their disk to your colour. . . But look out, your opponent will do the same to you!

8 Festive Beer – Greene King*

If you want a change from the standard beer for this year’s Christmas gathering, try Old Speckled Hen’s new seasonal offering, the festive mulled beer, Old Mulled Hen.

This new seasonal dark, rich beer marries the unique character and consistently premium quality of Old Speckled Hen, with the flavours and aromas of Christmas.

Whether you’re looking for the perfect stocking gift, or a festive ale to go with your turkey dinner, Rocking Rudolph is the ideal Christmas companion.

This full bodied premium Christmas ale (4.2% abv) is packed with delicious redcurrants and blackcurrants, along with a malted toffee taste, to offer a crisp bitter finish to delight your palette.

9 312GW Dash Cam*

The Nextbase iN-CAR CAM™ 312GW is the dash cam solution for new or experienced motorists who want instant upload capabilities to social media, or their insurer. Market leading thanks to its connective capabilities and ease of use, this new dawn for dash cams simply reinforces Nextbase’s position as the most popular dash cam brand in the UK

*received in exchange for inclusion

Our four legged friend is called Fudge and this year she turned 11. Of course Fudge is part of our family so we always like to get her a gift at Christmas too! She might be an old lady now but she still loves to play! 

Here are some great ideas for pet presents. Prices can vary so click the links below for more info

1 Catit Design Senses Super Roller Circuit

Catit Design Senses Super Roller Circuit, including 4 elevated tracks, 4 regular tracks and 1 illuminated ball, takes fun and action to a breathtaking new highs and lows. This very large 8-piece play circuit is the ultimate exercise stimulator.

2 WOOD CHUCK RETRO DOG BALL FLINGER

The bamboo reflex arm and ergonomic cork handle puts all other ball-throwing devices in the shade and is guaranteed to wear your hound out, and be the envy of all other dog walkers.

3 Vivid Arts D-Letterbox Birdhouse

Based on an old traditional British post box wonderfully incorporating a hole to create a comfortable nesting box for garden birds. It is made from resin which is UV stabilised and frost proof.It is hand painted red with gold lettering. It has easy cleaning from a sliding door at the rear. The item is equally at home indoors and adds something special to a Christmas display. 

4 Canagan Dog Food

This Christmas why not treat your pet to Canegans food. They provide pets with the highest levels of nutritious animal ingredients, expertly selected to deliver optimum levels of nutrition, digestibility and flavour and to mimic their ancestral diet.

5 Kitty City Caribbean Cruiser

Capture your cat or kitten’s interest and attention with this superb Kitty City Caribbean Cruiser! Ahoy there, where’s my kibble? With a dangly toy and ribbons to attack and swat away at, your feline friend will play on this for ages.

If I was making a top 5 list of my favourite things about Christmas I think festive food would definitely be somewhere near to to top of it.

We all have our must haves of course; turkey, sprouts, mince pies.. but what about fresh ideas this year? Last week I found myself at a gathering of bloggers (what would that be called? a flock? a bevy?) all excited to try out what treats are on offer at Queensgate this christmas

Pret a Manger

Thick slices of Norfolk free-range turkey breast on malted bread with a dollop of slightly tart port & orange cranberry sauce. Served with Pret’s herby stuffing – made with beautifully seasoned minced pork, streaky bacon and apricots. Topped with crispy onions and fresh baby spinach. The Pret Christmas Lunch sandwich is back (at last!)

Meet Melvin, Pret’s gingerbread, icing and marshmallow-headed snowman. He’s only here for Christmas so enjoy him while you can.

Marks and Spencer 

Marks and Spencers’ food range always hits the spot! I loved the Gold Creme Brulee Liqueur, M&S Mince Pies and a Festive Sandwich selection which comprised of Turkey Feast, Brie and Grape, Prawn and Smoked Salmon and Ham Hock and Golden Beetroot Piccalilli.

Handmade Burger Co

The Handmade Burger Co served up some tasty samples. My absolute favourite was the Avocado and bacon Chicken Burger – original HBC burger relish, hand crushed avocado, smoked bacon, mayo, lettuce, tomato & red onion

I also LOVED the Halloumi fries. Comfort food at it’s best!

Carluccios

This was my first taste of food from Carluccios and I thought it was lovely! I tried the Pere e Gorgonzola (Pears & gorgonzola served with radicchio, green beans and walnuts, tossed in a lemon dressing)

The Carluccios festive menu is available until the 3^rd January. 2 Courses for £17.95

Lakeland

Celebrate in shimmering style by adding a sprinkle of this absolutely fabulous PopaBall Raspberry Prosecco Shimmer to your prosecco and sparkling drinks, and gaze in wonder as your glass is transformed into a silky, iridescent shimmering treat.

A tantalising mix of creamy white chocolate infused with natural peppermint oil, hand-swirled with contrasting, decadent dark chocolate and then finished with a winter snowfall of crushed candy cane, once tasted peppermint bark is never forgotten.

Hotel Chocolat

Hotel Chocolat always has a great range of gifts for Christmas and if you are buying a gift for me (I am looking at you, family) then you really cannot go wrong! The Christmas Box Luxe is a work of art and whoever thought of making a jam roly poly chocolate is an utter genius!

John Lewis

The John Lewis cafe is a great place to stop for a coffee and a cake (and to people watch if you get a good table) and they really do know how to do cake! My favourite is the bakewell cake!

Christmas is about spending time with family and feeling festive. If you fail at this then make sure you have these gin baubles on hand. One of these and everything will start to look very festive indeed!