bigfoodiemama

So The Ambassadrice as celebrating, not only moving into her lovepad with The Hairy Man, but also the monumental moment in life that is turning 30 ! The Mad One and I aged considerably just at the thought that the "baby" was now, undeniably a fully fledged adult and felt that , in order not to embarrass her at her party, we would need to out in extra effort to look fabulous.....( a lot of effort ! ) In the knowledge that BMM and The Scot could also do with a lick of paint, we booked in for an afternoon chez Dylan Bradshaw, so that, at the very least, our faces and gruaig would be bang on trend. Off we set for the big smoke, in the Mad Ones fancy new 7 seater...it will only be fancy for a short time, so we are taking advantage of it's current state of cleanliness before her brood let loose and redecorate the interior with crisps, chicken nuggets and all matter of flora and fauna ! As we exited the car to toddle down the street to our appointment, the Heavens opened and we

"I have no idea what I am doing as this is the first time I have actually accessed, let alone create a blog. Let me introduce the big foodie mama. I am one week overdue my second child, hence the big and mama part and the other mainstay of my life is food, reading about it, eating it, discussing it and thinking about it. I thought a blog might be a good idea during my maternity leave so that I will have contact with the outside world and hope that it might stop my brain from shrinking...here's hoping. I have a hopeful/funny feeling that my next blog might allow me to introduce baby no. 2 but will have to wait and see as there are no signs as yet. Will be in touch Big Foodie Mama x x " 5 and a half years ago this is how I started my blog. Tonight I write my 200th post and this post will see me hit the dizzy heights of 31,000 views . I truly cannot believe it. Hilariously, I started the blog to keep in touch with the outside world, yet my second post did not come u

What was I thinking ? Some time ago, in order to mark and celebrate the completion of the Boyne 10k, I took the lead ( nothing new there!) and booked a night away for the KOK's in wonderful Wicklow. A trip to Avon Ri on the lake in Blessington was booked for Friday 13th ( I should have known!) The Mad One and I have had the pleasure of staying there on quite a few occasions thanks to Fat Freddie, and it is an oasis of peace, fresh air and beauty in crazy world. Of course, I suggested that we were going to complete the Wicklow Walkway a gorgeous 6.5 k route by the lake, but it appears that the KOK's are seeing it as a whole 24 hours away from the stresses of life and have got as excited as kids going to Lapland. I had underestimated how lively women in a mid life crisis get and the prospect of a night away. They have gone mad. Mighty Martha thought Avon Ri was a French name so it is now being known as The Trip to France.....the European Championships have nothing on this. The d

This time last year, all I desired was a Michael Kors handbag. Due to feigning near death a few weeks beforehand I duly got the most magnificent MK bag, which I adore and treasure. What a difference a year makes...no Monola's for me , no Jimmy Choo...all I wanted were new trainers for my birthday from The Run Hub, a specialist store for runners.....yes I know...HYSTERICAL ! Those who have known me for the past 45 years have no idea who I am, how I think or what on Earth has happened to their occasionally blue, couch, food and comfort loving friend...alien abduction has been quoted as a possible reason. I duly headed off to The Run Hub from work, conscious of the fact that I would look a bit of " non runner" in my dress and heels, I changed into capri leggings, luminous pink running top and my old trainers, wanting to totally look the part ( of a peri menopausal woman in amid life crisis !) I parked in the car park below the centre and left my handbag in the car as handb

Oh yes, yes, yes, yes , yes....oh God, oh God, oh God,....I'm nearly there....so close......YEEEEEEESSSSSSS ! Up and over Rathmullen Hill. What a feeling, what a day, what a course....what an achievement ! The KOK's did themselves proud on Sunday last, accompanied by my baby sis The Ambassadrice. Months of preparation, planning, conversation, panic and hope brought us to the climax of our running career to date...the Boyne 10k. Heralded by most as one of the most challenging 10k's to take on, we arrived in Drogheda to an electric atmosphere and an air of quiet fear and excitement. We did our statutory toilet visit , and then another one, some gentle stretching and joined the throng outside the church for the warm up. Now the boy band who warmed us up must have forgotten that we were actually due to do a run after the "warm up", so as soon as our first bead of sweat broke and our breathing got laboured, we retired to a quiet corner and finished our more yoga-like

In exactly 2 hours and 40 minutes, I will take on the biggest physical challenge of my 45 years on Earth...the " challenging " Boyne 10k. What in January was a whimsical thought and a wee plan for 2016, is now a very real personal goal, which I want to achieve TODAY ! Stop thinking about Rathmullen Hill. I am bricking it ! The KOK's have been on messenger all morning with inspirational and hilarious messages for each other, most of them having not slept with nerves, whereas I, thank God slept very soundly thanks to the antihistamine I took to alleviate my ever present sinusitis, so that I can clearly breath in the cool May day air today, as I travel along a very familiar yet somewhat scary route. I am writing this blog to try to calm me down and coming up with mental strategies for the day. Stop thinking about Rathmullen Hill. I have packed Jaffa cakes, bananas, water, a pair of flip flops for my poor feet later, a change of clothes so that my sweat laden leggings don