I have been absolutely busting to receive a phone call from Starshots to say my photos were ready for collection! The other day I got the call and headed off to the Sunshine Coast store with a mixture of excitement as well as nerves and some hesitation in case I was disappointed with the photos or not remembering them accurately (you get a sneak peek at the end of the session!).    

A couple of days before Christmas I was booked in on the Sunshine Coast to finally have my Starshots makeover and shoot at the Maroochydore store. One of the prizes for winning 1st place for Overall Top Transformation in the Michelle Bridges 12 Week Body Transformation program is a Starshots makeover PLUS a significant amount of money to spend on prints and framing. It was a case of serious WOW when I won it. I put the shoot off initially, wanting to get a few more goals under my belt and then family and work situations left me with little time to go until a year after winning the prize! Better late than never.

Let me say for what will be the first of about 50 b-million times that the Starshots Sunshine Coast team were just so awesome. From arranging the shoot through to picking up the photos. Usually you book in for a consultation session with the team a couple of weeks before the shoot to help work out the looks and for everyone to get to know one another a little. I wasn’t able to make it up to Maroochydore for that but photographer, Ady, called me and we spent a fair bit of time chatting. Ady had done his homework on me… had sussed out my blog… and after chatting for a short time had me admit I was a control freak perfectionist who might have a little trouble handing over the reigns to let someone else do my hair, make up and dress me. I promised him I would relinquish control!

Though…  in the back of my mind I was dreading being made up badly like an extra from Rocky Horror Picture Show. I was dreading the thought of being positioned in weird poses, draped in sparkley fabric and generally looking like those hideous 80s glamour shots that you see!!

Life was a bit chaotic the week of the shoot, I ended up not living at home but staying with family to help out and so my ‘outfit selection’ that I had planned to do carefully involved me and my 3 young cousins rushing through my house and stuffing a suitcase with shoes, clothes and accessories.

The next day I headed up to Maroochydore. On arrival the Starshots team made me so comfortable and welcome. There was champagne a plenty if I desired. I met Ady and make up artist Shayna – both just so gorgeous. I handed over the control to them and tried hard to relax!  Ady & Shayna made it very easy. And though I had scanned the walls for those 80s style glamour portraits, thankfully I saw none!

I unpacked the clothes and accessories I had piled into a suitcase and they went to work sorting through it all into several looks. Then it was business time. Hair. Make up. Into the first outfit the into the studio. Shayna did the most gorgeous make up! That was the hardest thing for me to relinquish control over, I think, as I am a professionally trained make up artist myself who rarely likes the make up others do on me! Shayna – you rock!!

It took a little while to relax but after a short time I was so busy nattering to photographer and all round dude, Ady. I am surprised that most photos did not have me with my mouth open, mid sentence! Haha. Before I knew it I was having fun! Yes – FUN! The dread and nerves were gone!!

Many outfit changes later we were done and I was off for a walk while they prepared the sneak peak. I was so nervous about returning to see the photos. I was giving myself a little talking to during the half hour: “Now, you might not like them and that is OK. It has not cost you anything but time, and you have had fun” and “Surely there will be ONE photo you will like, don’t be too critical or dismissive. Find one that you like” and “Be realistic, there are parts of your body you love more than others and there will be some shots that you don’t like. Don’t get down on yourself or critical. You have come a long way“.  So, after giving myself a talking to, I headed back in with a really strong, positive attitude.

I sat down with another awesome member of the Starshots Maroochydore team, Angela, to look through around 50 – 60 photos. I had my heart in my mouth and sort of didn’t want to look. The TV screen was absolutely massive too… I was thinking “OMG. This is going to be confronting seeing big photos of me on that screen!“.  Poor Angela, I think she was very patient as I was a little quiet and off with the pixies at first.

What can I say now but WOW. I was overwhelmed and amazed. There were no special effects, re-touching or photoshopping… just amazing photos that were natural and looked like me. Ady and Shayna are incredibly talented and what a team! There we no dodgy 80s glamour shots in sight!! PHEW!

Angela took me through the photos to decide which ones to keep (I wanted them all!) and helped me work out how to package them up. I decided on a frame with multiple images in it, a couple of albums of prints and a CD of the images. It’s wonderful to know I can go back any time in the future and order other prints.

Thank you Mish Bridges and your 12WBT Crew for such an awesome prize!! It was a fantastic experience that has really helped me to see how far I have come. It is helping my brain catch up to my body! I am still taking in and processing the mindset stuff that occurred during and immediately after this shoot – and the further changes after picking up and seeing the photos. I’ll blog about it when I have a little more time and have my thoughts in order. I would highly recommend that anyone who’s been undergoing a bit of a life transformation with 12WBT to have a session with Starshots.

Thank you Starshots – an especially huge thank you to Ady, Shayna and Angela from the Sunshine Coast Starshots team. You guys rock!!

So – now the only thing left to do is decide which photos to upload and share….  hmm!  Here’s the first batch! I decided to start with some of the ones I had framed!

I am yet to hang this on the wall – need to get my hammer out! It’s just such a gorgeous frame and layout. I could not be happier!

The rest of the photos I selected as 8x10s and these were presented in two gorgeous leather albums with little protective cases. I’ve some 5x7s in colour of the photos included in the frame above and a CD of images. Awesome!

I’ve uploaded the photos from the composite frame pictured above into the gallery below. More pics to come soon!

xx Ange

On Saturday morning a group of Brisbane 12WBTers bounced (?) out of bed super early, got tricked up in their fave training gear and made their way to the CBD for our first Zenergy Saturday Session for Round 1, 2012…. exclusively for members of Michelle Bridges’ 12 Week Body Transformation challenge…. and we kicked off at 5.30am! OUCH!

About half of use had done 4 weeks of these sessions already during pre-season and the other half were newbies – with no idea where Dead Man’s Lane was located or why there had been talk about whether or not we would go there… excitement? dread?  Mostly dread.

Sensational workout – I was absolutely flogged. Dripping in sweat. I was able to modify the workout to take care of my hips and back so that I could get a great workout, be pain free and not undo all the great rehab work I have done.

The Zenergisers smashed it! We had an intense session indoors using some basic very effective exercises – we felt the burn, baby! Next we headed outside to Dead Man’s Lane, as it is affectionately known, for some hill runs. We partnered off and while one partner ran the hill the other did squat holds & other exercises on the side of the road. At 6am near the CBD there were a lot of trucks and council workers…. and deservedly so, the spunky Zenergiser girls got plenty of beep! beep! noises from the classy blokes driving by. Hehe.

These session are awesome – a mix of strength & conditioning training and cardio to really burn through those calories, increase our fitness and build muscle. Intensity and Technique are the big words! The aim of every session is not only to give it all you’ve got but to come away with a better squat or push up or to have learnt new things like renegade rows or push press with dumb bells.

After chatting to my fantastic PT from Zenergy, Mason, last year about the 12WBT program and how it would be great to organise some group sessions that allowed 12WBTers to get stuck into some strength training we came up with these sessions. On Sundays last year but shifted to Saturday now, these sessions have become the highlight of our weeks. Often one of the most intense sessions for the week – and a great way to kick off our 12WBT Super Saturday Session missions to smash 1000 calories!!   The variety is terrific – Mase comes up with new ways to torture train us each week!

There’s a few spots left – we would love for you to join us!! Check out this page for info & check out some pics below from recent sessions! If you are a Zenergiser perhaps leave some comments below for other 12WBTers to hear your thoughts on the sessions!

Same bat time, same bat place next week! Go Zenergisers GO!! 

xx Ange

Due to a couple of work and family things that had to take priority I started Week 1 not as organised as I hoped – well pretty damn disorganised really and rather a bitch of a week if I am honest. However I have been making it work as best I can AND I have been clawing my way to being more on top of things as the week has unfolded and the crises have settled a little. Neither situation will be magically fixed or sorted quickly… but these days I am nothing if not flexible and adaptable.

I know that there are many of you who have had a less than perfect start to the week… I have been seeing your posts and tweets go by. I have seen some talk already of throwing in the towel… some of that “Well I got off to a bad start so it’s all f**ked now, so what is the point?!”  COME ON! Do you really believe that? It really isn’t all f**ked. So it didn’t start the way you planned…. work out why not… work out if there is something you could do to change that… or like in my case with 2 big external REASONS that were beyond my control… I had to work around it and do the best I can. I had to not let these external reasons lead to a heap of other BS excuses, especially the ones about it not being a perfect start.

Don’t let Perfect be the Enemy of Good.

Sometimes I think the “I didn’t have the perfect start because of XX or YY” can be an attempt at a clever excuse to let ourselves off the hook. Don’t buy into your own BS. Re-visit Mish’s Pre-Season Excuses task, re-read your excuses and work on ways to combat them. It probably won’t be pretty …. all that digging deep and seeing what BS is festering… but DO IT!! It is worth it.

Pick yourself up, get organised and get into from this moment! If you need help – then shout out on the 12WBT forums. That’s what they are for. 

Reflecting on my week, it’s been getting better with each day… realised quite a few important things like how much my coping mechanisms in the face of a family crisis and a stressful event at work have changed for the better. I did my fitness test and realised my fitness has not dropped off as much as I expected after being injured in the pre-season before Round 3, 2011. I am not where I was at in Week 12 of Round 2, 2011 but I have a starting point and I have goals to work toward.  I have finished my pre-season tasks and posted responses up on the forums. I think I might post some of that here on my blog as well, time permitting.

Looking forward to my Super Saturday Session tomorrow. My goal is to burn 1000 calories for the first time since end of Round 1, 2011. In Round 2 I did Lean and Strong so didn’t get to the 1000 calorie burn on SSS during that… and could not train much during Rd 3. So it’s been about 9 months since I pulled a 1000 calorie SSS!! This is going to be interesting!!

Tell me all about YOUR first week! 

Also – join the 12WBT Fitness Friday Blog Hop created by Natalie from Mummy Smiles & Kate from Kate Says Stuff. Love that Kate & Natalie have set up a Facebook Page to give us 12WBT Blog Hoppers another place to connect. Check it out by clicking on the icon below!

Happy Fitness Friday!! Have a fabulous weekend!

xx Ange

My Grandmother is gravely ill. Some days are difficult for her and some, like yesterday, are good days. We had some laughs. We talked about small stuff and big stuff. At one point last night she said the following with wisdom, immense certainty, a grin and a song in her voice:

“Never look backward, only look forward. You never ever know what is around the corner because life is an adventure!“

Really, there’s no need to add a single word to that.

Her knowing smile combined with the immense certainty with which she spoke those words bring so much comfort and joy for me, even at this time when there is no escaping the reality that these are our last moments with her as a family.

Thanks to a couple of gorgeous gals – Natalie from Mummy Smiles & Kate from Kate Says Stuff – today I have learnt what a ‘Blog Hop‘ is!  In the interest of taking action on a commitment I made for 2012 to learn more about blogging and to interact more with all the amazing bloggers out there I am going to give this blog hop a go. Even better that it ties in with 12WBT!

What’s the deal? The blog hop will run each Friday, you post on your blo gthen add the link to the ‘linky party’ – you can read more about it in these posts from Kate and Natalie.

This week’s 12WBT Fitness Friday is all about saying “I’m in!” for the blog hop & introducing yourself. Here goes:

I’m Ange from Brisbane. Life *was* pretty f**ked.

Royally f**ked in every way it seemed. I was at rock bottom and decided that had to change. Getting from f**ked to fab seemed rather a large, overwhelming mission… I have turned things around and while I am a work in progress and the adventure continues, life is definitely much more toward the fab end of the spectrum than the f**ked end of things!

I am passionate about a bunch of things – puppies, health, well being and living life to the max! I have to be serious way too often for work and study, so I make up for it by being a clown most other times – hence the photos of myself I have chosen for this intro page! You can read more about me here if you must.

I am in for Round 1, 2012 of 12WBT! I have new goals and challenges for 2012. I am looking forward to the structure, training plans and support that 12WBT offers. I have weight loss & fitness goals for this year as well as some pretty hefty deadlines for my PhD thesis and plenty of work on my plate. My priorities have to shift around and tilt more toward work and thesis for some months however  I do not want to revert to my old workaholic, unhealthy ways. A huge amount of my time is going to be spent on my butt,  feverishly researching and writing for hours on end…. the comittment to 12WBT will help me to keep balance.

I promise to encourage and support you all to reach your goals. I promise to be a woman of my word and to continue to walk my talk. 

Let’s do this team!! This is a blog hop! Check out the other blogs here.

Love that Kate & Natalie have set up a Facebook Page to give us 12WBT Blog Hoppers another place to connect. Check it out by clicking on the icon below!

Happy Fitness Friday!! Have a lean, clean & STRONG weekend!

xx Ange

The deal is sealed – I will *never* be that person in the before photo again. Ever.  

In mid January 2012 an issue of Woman’s Day was published featuring Michelle Bridges talking about the 12 Week Body Transformation challenge and I was humbled, nervous and excited to be asked if my 12WBT transformation could be included in it.

Originally when I posted this before photo in the 12WBT forums and Mish’s facebook page well over a year ago I did it to help compel me never to go back to that and to keep moving forward as at that stage I still had a large amount of weight to lose. I shared that before photo in the 12WBT community because it was (is) evidence of more than just the severe obesity that you can easily see. The photo is evidence of what I look like when I  am stressed and burnt out with a blood pressure of 214/152, on the verge of either a physical or psychological breakdown. It really was becoming a race to see whether my mind or body gave out first – my body was winning when that before pic was taken. We were talking hospitalistion and the imminent threat of a heart attack or stroke at age 35. 

Fast forward over a year and I was approached by Mish’s team to have my 12WBT adventure and transformation featured in this article, alongside the amazing and most recent 12WBT 1st Place Winner, Lisa R (what a champ!!).  I hesitated for a moment and then thought  ’No, I have to do this. The photos have been on facebook and this blog for a while, plenty of people have already seen them. What the hell, Woman’s Day here I come!‘.   I realised that people I work with, acquaintances I have not seen in years and many others outside of the 12WBT & weight loss blog community would see it. That made me pause a moment and deliberate. I decided I had to do it to further compel me never to go back to and to show others what really is possible. 

When I took that before pic in June 2010 I cried for a week. I was devastated when I faced reality. Disappointed in myself, angry, resentful for the time I has wasted on other things instead of looking after myself, sad about opportunities missed, frustrated and anxious because I was not living life as I desired or planned. I was scared that I may have already done too much damage to my body.  I intended to eventually delete the photo after my first round of 12WBT and allow no one other than my partner (and Mish’s team) to view it.

That before photo is evidence of what happens when I am not putting my needs first, when I am not assertive, when I am not living up to my potential and being the best version of me. It is evidence of what happens when I hold back and live life on the sidelines feeling like I don’t deserve to look after myself and feeling too guilty to step forward and shine.

Now I realise there is no getting away from that before photo. I do not want to get away from it. It’s going to be hanging around forever – and instead of haunting me, it helps me. 

I also had an unexpected outcome from agreeing to have the photos Woman’s Day magazine – it helped my brain to catch up to where my body is at just that bit more.  That can be one of the most difficult things as you lose weight and increase your fitness. Sometimes our brains do not always catch on that fast….  we pick up that size 20 shirt on a sale rack… or if you are like me, some days I pull my tiniest pair of jeans out of the washing and look at them in horror thinking “OMG! They will not fit!“. Or ordering clothing online and when it arrives not wanting to try it on because it looks too small (yet you *know* that you measured yourself & selected the appropriate size) and you do not want to face that ever familiar and disheartening episode of trying on something that you cannot get past your neck or knees!!

Furthermore, sharing my 12WBT adventure and that before photo so widely is a really loud, firm and confident statement: “This Is Who I Am!”.  I am who I am *because* of everything that has happened in my life to date and I would not change a damn thing. Yes, daunted at first to agree to the photos being published but ultimately I am glad I gulped down my hesitation and said “Why the hell not!“.

What started as a reluctant 12 week commitment to weight loss and blood pressure reduction that I didn’t believe I would succeed at initially has turned into a whole other  crazy adventure! As I typed that last sentence I had one of those moments of feeling so totally mind boggled that I laughed out loud. You just never know what adventures and opportunities are around the corner when you get into this mindset that Mish teaches of “being the best version of you”!

Thank you Mish, Amelia, Gabi and all the 12WBT team and community. Words are not enough to capture all the feelings I have. I aim to thank you all each day by walking my talk, by continuing to be the best version of me and encouraging others to do the same. 

Many of my overseas friends have been asking to see the article. Apologies for taking weeks to upload, clearly I needed a bit of JFDI to get scanning! Here you go!!

Let the adventure continue!!

xx Ange

Serves: 10 (2 cups per serve = 123 calories)

Ingredients
3 brown onions, chopped
Garlic (whole bulb), chopped
2 potatoes, chopped
8 cups vegetable stock, reduced salt
1.8kg cauliflower, chopped into small florets
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground coriander
3 – 4 teaspoons chilli paste (or fresh chillies, chopped)
500g natural yoghurt, low fat

Method
Spray saucepan with small amount of oil and use medium heat to cook onions, potato and garlic under onion is soft.
Add spices and chilli, cook for 1 – 2 minutes before adding cauliflower and stock. Bring to boil then reduce to low
heat and simmer for 20 minutes (or until cauliflower is soft).
Blend soup with stab blender until smooth. Stir in yoghurt and cook for 5 minutes (do not boil).
Season to taste (I find no salt is required, only pepper).

Tips
This soup is so warming and filling in cold weather. Being only 123 calories per serve it is excellent for days when you have had a treat meal or as a snack and so are looking for something very low calorie but highly satisfying.

Modifications
You can modify the spices, garlic and chilli to suit your tastes.
It is a very thick soup, you could add more stock if you prefer a thinner soup & adjust calories accordingly.
You could also serve with an additional dash of yoghurt and some freshly chopped coriander or parsley.

For just a moment block out all the millions of images and bits of information that come flying at you about losing weight, gaining fitness or transforming your life.   The complicated messages and rules in magazines. The endless  ’thinspirations’ on Pinterest and Tumblr.  Ignore all those late night TV ads screeching at you to buy some ridiculous piece of equipment or the latest daily deal email peddling some de-fat-ifying wrap or machine. Perhaps for you it’s a case of tuning out your colleagues who have a new quick fix fad diet or soup recipe for you every Monday morning as the weekend’s excess is being felt by all!

It’s all noise to me. It’s pretty much all crap.

I could go all Ben Goldacre on your arses & systematically breakdown why all those things equal Bad Science… something for another time!  Today I want to cut to the chase and get something off my chest – a bit of a rant – a bit of a summary of things I have learnt and regularly remind myself of!! I will save the Sheldon Cooper style science lesson for another day my lovely Blogettes.

Block all that noise and crapola about weight loss quick fixes out and we are left with some other information that is credible and works:  For me, based on my experience,  Michelle Bridges’ methods outlined in her books and even more so, Michelle Bridges’ 12 Week Body Transformation online program, are sensible and effective. That’s what shifted my brain into the right gear while giving me some guidance on nutritious food and teaching me how to exercise. Evidence-based, practical and feasible to do while carrying out normal (busy!) life.  Friends have had success with other programs… or seeing a dietician… or getting a good personal trainer… or committing with family or friends to reach their goals together.

These things are all fantastic – all ways that we can gain advice and support to reach our goals.  Different things suit different people. The first step is working out what is bullsh*t (pads that vibrate your fat away perhaps? foot detox baths in shopping centres?) and what has some evidence of effectiveness (decreasing calories if you eat too much, eating clean and moving your body more).

From there I find I am left with four key themes: Eat, Move, Support & Mindset. 

EAT: Having a balanced, healthy and nutritious food is fundamental whether you are aiming to lose weight or maintain a healthy lifestyle and increase your level of health in the years ahead. Clean eating is the cornerstone. It’s not just about an appropriate number of calories per day to fuel your body, it’s also the appropriate sources of calories.

MOVE: Moving your body is a must- not just for weight loss, not just to build muscle, increase tone or shape your body – but for warding off musculoskeletal issues, staying psychologically and emotional well, increasing bone density and, of course, reducing, risk of chronic, preventable conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It does not have to be a marathon every week – just start moving more today than you did yesterday and keep doing that.

SUPPORT: Firstly, back yourself! Also, creating the right environment as much as you can (We don’t control the world, Maccas ads will be on TV! Colleagues will bring cake to work!). Surrounding yourself with people who encourage you and lift you is important. Reciprocate the support you take from others. Look beyond your own belly button and reach out to encourage and support others. Create two-way streets. When you act to lift others you cannot help but lift yourself in the process. Associate with those who share the desire to genuinely work toward your goals together. I hear lots of stories about saboteurs. I observe it happening – they need to stay outside your door. Not welcome. Perhaps they’ll sort themselves & their issues out… you have no control over that. Avoid the one-way streets and dead ends. Avoid the emotional vampires who will suck you dry before moving on to the next person while they make no real changes in their life. That is draining and discouraging to be around.  Learn to recognise a healthy relationship that has appropriate boundaries and is based on respect. Nurture those.

MINDSET:  I would say that having the right mindset is crucial – real, sustainable change to any behaviour needs this as a baseline. Doing the hard and often confronting mindset work is the key to the the transformation I have made. It was the key when I quit smoking years ago. Your mind has to be in the right place, you have to get your head screwed on straight!  Else are you only eating clean during a set time? For 2 days after seeing your dietician or the 2 days before 12WBT weigh in & after that gorging?! All the while feeling deprived, sad, empty? I know this sounds familiar to some of you.  Are you only training because you paid a PT to kick your arse?   

Those four things are really important but they are not the secret. You can read about those things over and over. THE SECRET IS GOOD & BAD. I don’t usually like to talk “good” or “bad” but it’s appropriate in this case. 

THE SECRET IS BAD in that it leaves you bare… it leaves no place to hide…. no  scope to blame anyone but yourself…. it points the finger squarely and accurately.

THE SECRET IS GOOD in that you have total control. The secret stops all the bullsh*t that you spruik to yourself and others.

The secret to weight loss and fitness… indeed to well-being and making changes in life to lead the awesome life you deserve is this:  

IT IS UP TO YOU!

No one can do it for you.

You are in this alone when you get right down to it.  It’s you and what is going on in your head and heart. That involves no one but you.  No ifs, buts or maybes. The buck stops with you.

No one can make you be honest with yourself – you have to find that integrity and maintain it. Stop listening to your own BS is a way to make a great start. Stop hiding from things.

No one can burn the calories for you. No amount of money, time or flogging from a PT will burn the calories. You can turn up to a workout with the pushiest PT and still just phone it in, still give the lamest effort ever. Just like if you are 100% alone, running on the beach you can give it all you’ve got and run til you think you will lose a lung on the sand. I know it – I have done both!

THE SECRET IS even with a million people cheering you on, telling you what to do, when to do it, how to do it and following up with you, with hundreds of dollars spent on programs, books and consultations, the bottom line is IT IS UP TO YOU.

It’s no use getting sad or arseholey or jealous when you see others achieving what you desire for yourself. Those negative reactions when you make comparisons with others only harm you, only puts your progress back because it’s still BS that you are letting yourself spout and believe. Those reaching their goals (be it finishing their studies, buying a house, travelling overseas or losing 10kg) are doing so because they realised it was up to them and that no one was going to do it for them. They put on their Grown Up Pants. They put in the hard yards, made the hard choice every time – they are not “lucky” or “special”. They are grown up. Responsible. Disciplined. 

I love this blog by 12WBTer Cheeky Charlie for many reasons, including the title: If It Is To Be It Is Up To Me. A woman who faced the reality, who ‘got it’, walked her talk and transformed her life. A month before I decided to do something about my weight & health I met a wonderful, wise man at The Dreaming Festival. It was a random chat, as you do at festivals, and his parting words to me were the very same: If It Is To Be It Is Up To Me. I came home and put that quote on the wall above my desk and pondered it for a few months. It came to be a really meaningful sentence of little words for me.

What’s the bottom line here? You are the grown up – put your big girl (or boy)  pants on and take true responsibility.

It all stops and starts with you – in your head & in your heart.  You are either doing it, or you are not.  Do what has to be done, when it has to be done. Discipline.

THE SECRET = IT IS UP TO YOU. Delightful news for some – a relief you have such control, yeah? For others it will be upsetting and confronting.  Choose to see this as great news – and if you do not have control right now, choose to take it it.

Liberating?? Confronting??  Tell me! 

Serves

Ingredients
1kg tomatoes, quartered
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Salt
Pepper
4 cups vegetable stock, reduced salt

Method
Preheat oven to 200 degrees Celsius. Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper.
On a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper, place tomatoes.
Drizzle over the olive oil and balsamic vinegar, season with salt and pepper
Bake tomatoes for 20 minutes or until soft.
Allow to cool for 10 minutes.
In a saucepan, add the stock and the cooled tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes.
Blend until smooth then strain to remove any remaining seeds or skin.
Return the soup to the heat, season to taste and serve.

Tips & Variations:
This is a new recipe I have just started to experiment with, only made it once, so still making it in a very simple way. I had heaps of tomatoes that I knew would go off before we could get through them. I made this soup from the pantry items I already had on hand. I would love any ideas or suggestions for how to change it up or make it interesting.  Also thinking about adding some rosemary or basil, garlic and onions to the tomatoes when they are baking. Also thinking now, that if I sprayed the tomatoes with oil spray rather than used 2 tablespoons of oil that this recipe would be even better.
Chop some fresh basil and sprinkle on top.

This soup is magical! It is creamy WITHOUT any cream or milk. The secret ingredient is the parsnip or swede which gives it a wonderful velvety, shiny texture.

Serves: 10 (2 cups per serve = 247 calories)

Ingredients
2 brown onions, chopped
2 leeks, chopped
Garlic, whole bulb
2 potatoes, chopped
2 swedes or parsnips
2 carrots
4kgs chopped pumpkin
5.5 cups chicken stock, reduced salt
Pepper

Method
Spray saucepan with small amount of oil and cook onions, leeks and garlic over a medium heat until soft.
Add all other vegetables and stock.
Cook for 20 – 30 minutes (or until vegetables are soft).
Blend until smooth. Season to taste (I only use pepper).

Hints & Tips
I really love this recipe; we always have some in the freezer. It is definitely a comfort food for me.

We eat this just as is but you might like to try a sprinkling of freshly chopped chives, a tiny bit of grated parmesan or a dash of low fat sour cream.