My 30 Things: February 2013

Sunday, 17 February 2013

Great South Run entered! #No7

This week, I have registered for the 'Great South Run' in Portsmouth on 27th October (see their website - http://www.greatrun.org/events/Event.aspx?id=12).

This will be one of my biggest challenges as the course is 10 miles. So far the furthest I have ran is 6 miles! So please donate on my Just Giving page to Arthritis Research UK!

Training is still going well and running at least twice a week. I am hoping to sign up to a few more runs this year, particularly some 10ks! Watch this space!

My chosen charity: Arthritis Research UK

My 30 things started off as a fun idea where I could continue the adventures and experiences I had in my twenties in to my thirties; now it's an opportunity to raise money for charity. Choosing a charity was tough as there are so many deserving charities, however I decided on one that means a lot to my family - Arthritis Research UK.

Fifteen years ago, my cousin Annette was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, which means the body's immune system starts attacking the body's own tissues, causing inflammation. Its main symptoms are joint pain and swelling. It’s the second most common form of arthritis in the UK and it affects around 400,000 people in the UK.It can affect adults at any age, but most commonly starts between the ages of 40 and 50. About three times as many women as men are affected.Although there’s no cure for rheumatoid arthritis yet, a variety of treatments are available that can slow down the condition and keep joint damage to a minimum.

Arthritis Research UK is the charity leading the fight against arthritis. They are the biggest funder of research into the cause, treatment and cure of all forms of arthritis in the UK.They are working to take the pain away for people living with all forms of the disease, and to help them remain active, doing the things they love. As an organisation they create the knowledge to change the lives of people with arthritis, from funding research, to educating health care professionals and providing information to people with arthritis and their carers.Their aim is to fund pioneering, high quality research that will develop the best treatment for and prevention of arthritis in the world.Arthritis Research UK receives no government funding, but rely on the generosity and commitment of their supporters to continue funding this world class research.If you want to find out more about this condition please look at their website http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org

Annette is now 31 and has been living with Rheumatoid Arthritis since the age of 16. She has spent many of those years in pain and been in and out of hospital. She has had 3 hip replacements and only last Wednesday was in hospital having her shoulder joints cleaned out. She is my inspiration and all my 30 challenges are dedicated to her. I hope that through them I can raise awareness of the disease and raise money to find research into treatments and cures for such a debilitating condition, that can provide my cousin and others, with a better quality of life.

If you are inspired then please donate on my just giving page: http://www.justgiving.com/Michelles30things

Thank you!

Sunday, 10 February 2013

Happy Chinese New Year!

Today to celebrate Chinese New Year I made this Chinese desert called 'Toffee and Sesame bananas'. Here is the recipe:

Toffee and Sesame Bananas (from http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/9110/toffee-and-sesame-bananas)

Ingredients:
· 6 large bananas , peeled and quartered
· 8 tbsp light muscovado sugar
· 2 tbsp butter
· 200ml double cream
· 2 tbsp sesame seeds , toasted
· good-quality vanilla ice cream, to serve

1. Toss the bananas in 2 tbsp of the sugar. Heat a griddle to medium, then cook the bananas, a few pieces at a time, until sticky and showing gridd marks. Keep warm in a low oven.

2. For the sauce, put the remaining sugar, the butter and cream into a saucepan and stir over a gentle heat until the sugar has melted. Stir in the sesame seeds. Can be made up to a day ahead.

3. To serve, put a few pieces of banana into 8 serving dishes, spoon over some of the caramel, then top with a scoop of ice cream.

Thursday, 7 February 2013

A busy weekend!

So almost a whole month has past since I turned 30 and so far I have completed one challenge and definitely made a good start on many others. This weekend has really seen them unfold.

#No4 - Lick a pig.

As you can see from the photos below I got into training for this event whilst in Worthing at the weekend!

See the full gallery on Posterous

#No13 - Run 250 miles.

In the month of January I clocked up a total of 25.10 miles. Today I added another 6.68 to that total as I took part in the Chichester 10k. The race was a quite a tough one with many hills to climb and cars to dodge! However my College Lane training with Shane paid off as I was able to tackle them without stopping. I managed a Personal Best in the 10k, with an official chip time of 59:07, however my Nike app said 58:25. Either way I am happy as wasn't expecting to go below the hour. Thank you to my family and friends who came to support! Also my feet survived to tell the tale and although I feel shattered I don't ache as much, we shall see what tomorrow brings!

#No16 - Organise a Flashmob - plans are underway!!

#NO17 - Find the man of my dreams!

Well so far Internet dating is going well and fishing isn't as scary as I thought it was going to be, My fellow fisherwoman and I, Corinne, took part in a charity version of 'Take me out' called 'Lighty for a Nighty'. My sister, Nicky, who also took part convinced me to do it. The night was to raise money for St Barnabus Hospice in Worthing. Despite being very nervous, we found ourselves on a stage with other ladies and our lamps, singing and clapping as each single man revealed himself! Sadly, my light never stayed on beyond the second round as these men were really no Olly Murs. However they did find themselves dates and ended up in the lovely bar called 'Fernando's'. It was good fun and over £1000 was raised with more coming in. Please enjoy the photographs.

http://www.stbarnabas-hospice.org.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/lightyforanighty

So it was a weekend of potential 'man of my dreams' finding however for me it was definitely 'No likey, No Lighty'! My search continues!

See the full gallery on Posterous

The Recipe Calendar has arrived! #No18

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My Vista print calendar has arrived at last. Each month represents a country I have either visited or want to visit. I will find recipes to cook each month from the country chosen! Very exciting! Enjoy the pictures!