A list of things for discussion this month. Potential new homes, Bucks Fizz and cheese fondue. Plus avoiding Super Clubs and single flat sheets, sardine inspired merch and bye, Weight Watchers.
Wonderful, as always. Can I make a plea for you to give your followers an opportunity to buy any art that you are selling? I think you would do well out of this! Xx
Hi Natalie! I need to work out how to do this as I can’t ship art and it would need to be collected which is why I am thinking that if I do it’ll have to be local! But will 100pc story it 👌🏻
Brilliant writing and analysis on WW and weight loss thanks Lisa. There does seem to be a great community which many are involved in and
benefitting from. I have many work colleagues on the “jabs” and they have a huge online network - Instagram influencers, tiktok, with 24/7 engagement and support - food choices/strength plans/sustainability of losses. And critically the emotional relief of losing the “food noise” is empowering them. We live in interesting times. Meanwhile all things are crossed for the new home🙏🤞, K x
Oh that is so interesting about the community! Nothing like that ever appears in my algorithm so I didn’t know this fact. I have friends doing it too and they say exactly that about the food noise - such a huge game changer. The health benefits of it are also off the scale. But I do feel for people who can’t afford it and there will be plenty of them. It needs to be more widely and cheaply available for all xx
Whilst I agree with the health benefits whilst taking the drug, I feel it must be taken with medical instruction as it is relatively new and could have a down side later in life. Also what happens when you stop taking the drug? Is it like a diet you put the weight back on? Food
Yes you put the weight back on apparently. I think there is a lot of conversation around this subject but research does show that it has wide ranging health benefits not just from a weight point of view. But you’re right I agree it’s early days to really know!
Can I introduce myself as a Mounjaro user? I’m glad you’re largely supportive of it Lisa and I echo what Kirsty B has said above. Great community of support out there that I’m benefitting from.
However, some people aren’t as supportive and to me have been a bit sniffy and dare I say smug about it.
I wrote this below Elizabeth Day’s column a week ago. I’d love to get your thoughts. I guess if you subscribe to Elizabeth you’ll get more context!
I’ll also link to the conversations I’ve had on the truly wonderful Polly Vernon’s Substack.
Well! I am taking Mounjaro privately, not through the NHS. I’m part of a year long trial. I had blood tests to see if I qualified and I did because of those results. So I feel fine and at peace with taking it. So far I’m 2 stone down and feel physically and mentally better. But despite the many protestations from people saying “absolutely no judgement here” about those taking it, there is plenty of it about! I’ve taken a week to think about posting a response to this (and have actually had to pay again to do so, because it means so much to me to have a say). For those of you who only need to lose a few pounds (in your opinion) you seem to forget that for some of us we needed to do something for our health and more importantly, our longevity. It seems to me that as a woman, yet again I can’t win, or stop being judged by other women. No, we don’t know the long term effects of these drugs yet, but we do know the long term effects of obesity, diabetes and heart disease. We also know that the “eat less, move more” approach works to a certain extent, but not for all. Not for those with eating disorders, or other poor relationships with food. Of course diet culture is pernicious and in particular harmful to women, but it really does feel that those of you who just want to lose a little bit want the rest of us to feel guilty for embracing this. And embrace it we are! If you could hear or see the stories I see of the difference this is making to so many lives that previously were one of shame, self-disgust and physical pain, then it would gladden your heart as it does mine. The negative reactions I see also feel a tiny bit classist! We know obesity is more prevalent in those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds; is that why there’s such a backlash too - I question whether the concern is really one of condescension.
One final thought that keeps reverberating in my head: did we do this when Viagra came on the market? Did we tut at men who used that and worry about the future effects? I suspect not.
Hi Sara! Ah this is so interesting and thank you so much for responding to my post! I am wholly positive about this process and I think it has made the hugest of differences to peoples lives but also most importantly has vastly and significantly improved health and future health. That is so fantastic that you were able to be part of the trial! My comment was about the support network that weight loss groups provided to people who might not otherwise have people to talk to about it and my concern that as it stands now, that there might not be the same support for weight loss injection users. BUT I had no idea about the background support - this was the first comment someone made. This is brilliant of course and I also hope it encourages others to take the plunge. I have been quite taken aback by the lack of openness on my own channels about this subject which is the only basis on which I made comment. But I do think that there’s a problem with the fact I people have to - in the main - pay for this treatment and if you can’t afford it then you can’t have it. However hopefully this will change really soon as the benefits of this treatment ramp up! Happy Saturday xxx
Good of you for speaking out Sue. I lost weight & kept it off when my diabetic meds were changed to include Canagliflozin. It’s oral & it has kept my glucose stable for over a year. It works by making you pee out excess glucose.
I’m interested in semaglutides as I would like to try to reverse my T2 diabetes by getting my weight down further.
Casting my mind back to when the “Pfizer riser” was first licenced. Yes there were raised eyebrows & comments made. Guess who made them? Women!
Love Ibiza! El Chiringuito Es Cavalet is one of my favourite places. Very cool but also grown up. Great food. Beware the nudist beach is a bit further along - more old men than young people! Also if you’re up in the North the Six Senses hotel is stunning and there are beautiful beaches up there. Santa Gertrudis for anything chic shopping-wise. Love it. Have fun!
Another couple of faves - La Brasa d’Evissa is a lovely restaurant with garden and great vide at the bottom of the old town. El Corsario is looking like it’s closed but it has a beautiful terrace with a spectacular view.
It really is quite a breakthrough to have a drug that truly works to help people lose weight however there are a few issues with the dramatic increase in people getting these drugs on a private basis. The more people using these drugs (and some people are using them for cosmetic reasons) the less supply there is for the NHS to prescribe to those who have a clinical need and who would not otherwise be able to afford it. There has been shortages of these drugs. Also alot of people don't realise that if they develop problems with the drug (common side effects is pancreatitis) some NHS doctors refuse to treat this and advise the person that they need to go back to their private doc that prescribed the drug as they are the responsible doctor which means that users have to pay for those additional appointments etc which they may not have factored.
Oh this is interesting and makes total sense as well. And the further issues situation - that could feasibly be super expensive. Thanks Louise for this insight xx
Yesterday was my idea of telly bliss. The underdogs won the FA Cup. Followed by a cod dinner made by both of us in our too small kitchen without incident. A small miracle.
All followed by Eurovision. Somehow the Swiss took it far too seriously. All the high campy joy seemed to be sucked out of it. I wonder if Celine was hoping to perform?
On to pilchards. Wildhart at Sandsend had the most stunning wood/enamel dining range. She doesn’t put it on the website but a day trip to Whitby & Sandsend is worth it just to visit this shop & have a seafood lunch & a glass or two of rose next door. I bought the small salad bowl & server with sardines on them. Next on my hit list is the lobster serving platter.
Your weekend sounds lovely and I haven’t been to Wildhart but I love sandsend, will find it. We are going to the lifeboat station restaurant in Bridlington in a couple of weeks have you been there? And yes i think Celine was supposed to have been there 😂 it was a bit of a damp squib. Have a super week Alison! Xx
Ahhh thanks for the memory skip Lisa - I recall doing the Bardo dance on the floor in a (way too short) ra-ra, lacquered perms sticking like velcro in the back-to-back bit ha! 🤣
There is always so much in these roundups, I feel as though I should be taking notes, because I want to comment on everything! Can't wait to see the new house, and follow along with all the arranging. I have to agree with you about the joy of downsizing - I am not in a position to do it yet, but I fervently look forward to being somewhere smaller with less stuff, although unlike you I have a serious problem with attachment to pieces of furniture.
The Pisces bit made me laugh out loud - all the airy-fairy bits of Pisces-lore are so annoying, but I do love being immersed in water, and anything shaped like or depicting fish (also fish is my favourite food. This is my olive oil bottle (I just keep refilling it) https://www.frantoiomuraglia.it/prodotto/orcio-ceramica-sardine.
Oh the Olive bottle! So lovely!! This is why I struggle when we go on holiday to sunny places as I am so drawn to anything that looks even vaguely like this beauty 😂 thanks for reading and commenting Louise it’s always appreciated xxx
Ibiza recommendations, I’d second el chiringuito and add hostel la torre for the most beautiful sunset restaurant or drinks
Thanks for the ear worm BTW (…you could have turned around and hit me and I wouldn’t have cared 🎶🎤 - me and Alison Allport dancing in the school playground 😂)
This is hitting so many of my current thoughts, it’s like you’re in my brain 😂Eurovision party is on tonight and I’ve sent the fondue recipe to my bestie who is hosting…thanks. I saw Bucks Fizz play live at Hull City Hall when I was 8, for my sisters 10th birthday. I remember them being very loud! My eldest is currently going through his GCSE’s too and is apparently ‘bossing it’ 🥴 Plans are afoot for a friends holiday somewhere chilled but the downsizing and sardines are definitely yours 😂 We’re still a good 5 years away from getting close to finishing our Georgian beast and the sardines you can keep 😂 A great read, as always ❤️
Hahah! Have you tried the sardine pate sally I promise you you’ll be converted! And good luck to your son! I can’t wait for it to be over 😂 happy Saturday xx
Another great read, Lisa. We were in York a few weeks ago and I thought of you as I pounded the city walls. I hope your move goes smoothly and look forward to seeing your new home.
Great read Lisa, currently fighting for the weight Loss jabs with GP and Weight Management NHS for my partner. He meets all the criteria so 🤞 it gets sorted.
Oh good luck! It really needs to be made more readily available I think - so many could potentially benefit from the health effects that they’re discovering 🌟
Wishing you all the very best with house purchase and downsizing. I did it last year and still have lots of boxes in the garage to sort through!! That’s after multiple charity shop trips, a skip and selling things to raise money for Myeloma UK in memory of my late husband. I still have quite a lot of stuff in my smaller house and still love FB Marketplace, local Free Stuff group, charity shops and E Bay!!
Thanks Judy! I am actually finding FBM really good and am gradually sorting through. I’ve currently got four charity shop bags by the door and it really is very therapeutic!
Also, a teenage son saying ‘I’ve cooked’ probably would have my heart bursting with joy that I was coming home to dinner prepped… alas, can’t keep up with the younguns terminology these days! Xx
Haha this is so true 😂 I’ve just got back from the car boot sale and I know one of them is up because there’s an empty packet of Squares on the dining table, aka their breakfast 😑
Wonderful, as always. Can I make a plea for you to give your followers an opportunity to buy any art that you are selling? I think you would do well out of this! Xx
Hi Natalie! I need to work out how to do this as I can’t ship art and it would need to be collected which is why I am thinking that if I do it’ll have to be local! But will 100pc story it 👌🏻
Totally get that. Thank you!
Brilliant writing and analysis on WW and weight loss thanks Lisa. There does seem to be a great community which many are involved in and
benefitting from. I have many work colleagues on the “jabs” and they have a huge online network - Instagram influencers, tiktok, with 24/7 engagement and support - food choices/strength plans/sustainability of losses. And critically the emotional relief of losing the “food noise” is empowering them. We live in interesting times. Meanwhile all things are crossed for the new home🙏🤞, K x
Oh that is so interesting about the community! Nothing like that ever appears in my algorithm so I didn’t know this fact. I have friends doing it too and they say exactly that about the food noise - such a huge game changer. The health benefits of it are also off the scale. But I do feel for people who can’t afford it and there will be plenty of them. It needs to be more widely and cheaply available for all xx
Whilst I agree with the health benefits whilst taking the drug, I feel it must be taken with medical instruction as it is relatively new and could have a down side later in life. Also what happens when you stop taking the drug? Is it like a diet you put the weight back on? Food
noise is a problem to all with weight problems.
Yes you put the weight back on apparently. I think there is a lot of conversation around this subject but research does show that it has wide ranging health benefits not just from a weight point of view. But you’re right I agree it’s early days to really know!
On point, thank you.
Can I introduce myself as a Mounjaro user? I’m glad you’re largely supportive of it Lisa and I echo what Kirsty B has said above. Great community of support out there that I’m benefitting from.
However, some people aren’t as supportive and to me have been a bit sniffy and dare I say smug about it.
I wrote this below Elizabeth Day’s column a week ago. I’d love to get your thoughts. I guess if you subscribe to Elizabeth you’ll get more context!
I’ll also link to the conversations I’ve had on the truly wonderful Polly Vernon’s Substack.
Well! I am taking Mounjaro privately, not through the NHS. I’m part of a year long trial. I had blood tests to see if I qualified and I did because of those results. So I feel fine and at peace with taking it. So far I’m 2 stone down and feel physically and mentally better. But despite the many protestations from people saying “absolutely no judgement here” about those taking it, there is plenty of it about! I’ve taken a week to think about posting a response to this (and have actually had to pay again to do so, because it means so much to me to have a say). For those of you who only need to lose a few pounds (in your opinion) you seem to forget that for some of us we needed to do something for our health and more importantly, our longevity. It seems to me that as a woman, yet again I can’t win, or stop being judged by other women. No, we don’t know the long term effects of these drugs yet, but we do know the long term effects of obesity, diabetes and heart disease. We also know that the “eat less, move more” approach works to a certain extent, but not for all. Not for those with eating disorders, or other poor relationships with food. Of course diet culture is pernicious and in particular harmful to women, but it really does feel that those of you who just want to lose a little bit want the rest of us to feel guilty for embracing this. And embrace it we are! If you could hear or see the stories I see of the difference this is making to so many lives that previously were one of shame, self-disgust and physical pain, then it would gladden your heart as it does mine. The negative reactions I see also feel a tiny bit classist! We know obesity is more prevalent in those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds; is that why there’s such a backlash too - I question whether the concern is really one of condescension.
One final thought that keeps reverberating in my head: did we do this when Viagra came on the market? Did we tut at men who used that and worry about the future effects? I suspect not.
Also good comment about the viagra. But I also fear that says quite a lot about how women treat women which is shocking 😐
Yup ☹️
Hi Sara! Ah this is so interesting and thank you so much for responding to my post! I am wholly positive about this process and I think it has made the hugest of differences to peoples lives but also most importantly has vastly and significantly improved health and future health. That is so fantastic that you were able to be part of the trial! My comment was about the support network that weight loss groups provided to people who might not otherwise have people to talk to about it and my concern that as it stands now, that there might not be the same support for weight loss injection users. BUT I had no idea about the background support - this was the first comment someone made. This is brilliant of course and I also hope it encourages others to take the plunge. I have been quite taken aback by the lack of openness on my own channels about this subject which is the only basis on which I made comment. But I do think that there’s a problem with the fact I people have to - in the main - pay for this treatment and if you can’t afford it then you can’t have it. However hopefully this will change really soon as the benefits of this treatment ramp up! Happy Saturday xxx
I absolutely got your support, and that’s lovely of you. Polly Vernon wrote about the hidden users in her piece on Thursday. Happy Saturday too xx
Did she! I subscribe to Polly so I’ll go and read - she’s excellent at summing stuff up 💫
Good of you for speaking out Sue. I lost weight & kept it off when my diabetic meds were changed to include Canagliflozin. It’s oral & it has kept my glucose stable for over a year. It works by making you pee out excess glucose.
I’m interested in semaglutides as I would like to try to reverse my T2 diabetes by getting my weight down further.
Casting my mind back to when the “Pfizer riser” was first licenced. Yes there were raised eyebrows & comments made. Guess who made them? Women!
Love Ibiza! El Chiringuito Es Cavalet is one of my favourite places. Very cool but also grown up. Great food. Beware the nudist beach is a bit further along - more old men than young people! Also if you’re up in the North the Six Senses hotel is stunning and there are beautiful beaches up there. Santa Gertrudis for anything chic shopping-wise. Love it. Have fun!
Am going to google all of this right now thank you!
Another couple of faves - La Brasa d’Evissa is a lovely restaurant with garden and great vide at the bottom of the old town. El Corsario is looking like it’s closed but it has a beautiful terrace with a spectacular view.
Second La Brasa d’Evissa, went last year and plan to go again this year!
This is excellent thank you!
Excellent thank you!
Good Luck for the new home Lisa, looking forward to learning about your laid back Ibiza trip, v much my vibe! ✌️
I am so looking forward to the break! And thank you xx
It really is quite a breakthrough to have a drug that truly works to help people lose weight however there are a few issues with the dramatic increase in people getting these drugs on a private basis. The more people using these drugs (and some people are using them for cosmetic reasons) the less supply there is for the NHS to prescribe to those who have a clinical need and who would not otherwise be able to afford it. There has been shortages of these drugs. Also alot of people don't realise that if they develop problems with the drug (common side effects is pancreatitis) some NHS doctors refuse to treat this and advise the person that they need to go back to their private doc that prescribed the drug as they are the responsible doctor which means that users have to pay for those additional appointments etc which they may not have factored.
Oh this is interesting and makes total sense as well. And the further issues situation - that could feasibly be super expensive. Thanks Louise for this insight xx
Yesterday was my idea of telly bliss. The underdogs won the FA Cup. Followed by a cod dinner made by both of us in our too small kitchen without incident. A small miracle.
All followed by Eurovision. Somehow the Swiss took it far too seriously. All the high campy joy seemed to be sucked out of it. I wonder if Celine was hoping to perform?
On to pilchards. Wildhart at Sandsend had the most stunning wood/enamel dining range. She doesn’t put it on the website but a day trip to Whitby & Sandsend is worth it just to visit this shop & have a seafood lunch & a glass or two of rose next door. I bought the small salad bowl & server with sardines on them. Next on my hit list is the lobster serving platter.
Your weekend sounds lovely and I haven’t been to Wildhart but I love sandsend, will find it. We are going to the lifeboat station restaurant in Bridlington in a couple of weeks have you been there? And yes i think Celine was supposed to have been there 😂 it was a bit of a damp squib. Have a super week Alison! Xx
Thank you for the Brid recommendation. It looks like the serveware is available online from https://angelareed.co.uk/products/lobster-bowl
Oh this is lovely!
Super easy to keep clean too. Not dishwasher or micro proof though
Ahhh thanks for the memory skip Lisa - I recall doing the Bardo dance on the floor in a (way too short) ra-ra, lacquered perms sticking like velcro in the back-to-back bit ha! 🤣
Haha! Bardo were big in their short time of fame 😂
There is always so much in these roundups, I feel as though I should be taking notes, because I want to comment on everything! Can't wait to see the new house, and follow along with all the arranging. I have to agree with you about the joy of downsizing - I am not in a position to do it yet, but I fervently look forward to being somewhere smaller with less stuff, although unlike you I have a serious problem with attachment to pieces of furniture.
The Pisces bit made me laugh out loud - all the airy-fairy bits of Pisces-lore are so annoying, but I do love being immersed in water, and anything shaped like or depicting fish (also fish is my favourite food. This is my olive oil bottle (I just keep refilling it) https://www.frantoiomuraglia.it/prodotto/orcio-ceramica-sardine.
Oh the Olive bottle! So lovely!! This is why I struggle when we go on holiday to sunny places as I am so drawn to anything that looks even vaguely like this beauty 😂 thanks for reading and commenting Louise it’s always appreciated xxx
Lovely read as always ❤️
Ibiza recommendations, I’d second el chiringuito and add hostel la torre for the most beautiful sunset restaurant or drinks
Thanks for the ear worm BTW (…you could have turned around and hit me and I wouldn’t have cared 🎶🎤 - me and Alison Allport dancing in the school playground 😂)
Excellent recs thank you! And omg that Bardo song was so of the era it brings back so many memories 😂thanks for reading Sonia xx
This is hitting so many of my current thoughts, it’s like you’re in my brain 😂Eurovision party is on tonight and I’ve sent the fondue recipe to my bestie who is hosting…thanks. I saw Bucks Fizz play live at Hull City Hall when I was 8, for my sisters 10th birthday. I remember them being very loud! My eldest is currently going through his GCSE’s too and is apparently ‘bossing it’ 🥴 Plans are afoot for a friends holiday somewhere chilled but the downsizing and sardines are definitely yours 😂 We’re still a good 5 years away from getting close to finishing our Georgian beast and the sardines you can keep 😂 A great read, as always ❤️
Hahah! Have you tried the sardine pate sally I promise you you’ll be converted! And good luck to your son! I can’t wait for it to be over 😂 happy Saturday xx
Oh and I’m about to start in Mounjaro…I’ll tell everyone about it as I’m thrilled 🤩
Yaaass 💪🏻💪🏻 report back!
Another great read, Lisa. We were in York a few weeks ago and I thought of you as I pounded the city walls. I hope your move goes smoothly and look forward to seeing your new home.
I love walking the walls! Hope you enjoyed. And thank you xx
Those sardine cocktail napkins! I need them!
They are SO nice!
Great read Lisa, currently fighting for the weight Loss jabs with GP and Weight Management NHS for my partner. He meets all the criteria so 🤞 it gets sorted.
Oh good luck! It really needs to be made more readily available I think - so many could potentially benefit from the health effects that they’re discovering 🌟
Wishing you all the very best with house purchase and downsizing. I did it last year and still have lots of boxes in the garage to sort through!! That’s after multiple charity shop trips, a skip and selling things to raise money for Myeloma UK in memory of my late husband. I still have quite a lot of stuff in my smaller house and still love FB Marketplace, local Free Stuff group, charity shops and E Bay!!
Thanks Judy! I am actually finding FBM really good and am gradually sorting through. I’ve currently got four charity shop bags by the door and it really is very therapeutic!
Yay for new home!! Fingers crossed for you!
Also, a teenage son saying ‘I’ve cooked’ probably would have my heart bursting with joy that I was coming home to dinner prepped… alas, can’t keep up with the younguns terminology these days! Xx
Haha this is so true 😂 I’ve just got back from the car boot sale and I know one of them is up because there’s an empty packet of Squares on the dining table, aka their breakfast 😑