DRESS WITH 40 ITEMS OR LESS IN 40 DAYS

It's been a month since I started going vegan and gluten free for 40 days. I must admit it wasn't easy!  There are days that I wanted to quit but I am still holding on. I kept reminding myself this is for charities.  So please support and help whenever you can. I still have 9 more days to go and I will give you my thoughts and experiences on my next blog once I've completed these challenges. For a week I also took the pledge to go plastic free. http://www.plasticfreejuly.org I also updated my 40 challenges.  So please check my previous blog out.

For the month of August I will be doing a few more challenges on my list. But this blog will focus more on #36 of my challenge, make over my wardrobe and dress with 40 items or less in 40 days.  This is loosely based on Project 333. http://bemorewithless.com/project-333/ 

If you want to join me on this challenge, here are the rules:

WHEN:  For 40 days (It's never too late to start so join in anytime!)

WHAT:  40 items including clothing, accessories, jewellery, outerwear and shoes

WHAT NOT:  These items are not counted as part of the 40 items - wedding ring or another sentimental piece of jewellery that you never take off, underwear, sleep wear, in-home lounge wear and workout clothing (you can only wear your workout clothing to workout)

HOW:  Choose your 40 items, box up the remainder of your fashion statement and put it out of sight.

WHAT ELSE:  Remember this is not a project in suffering. If your clothes don't fit or are in poor condition, replace them.  

WHICH CHARITY:  OXFAM

WHY:  Since 2008 M&S in partnership with OXFAM  have been shwopping old clothes to help OXFAM's work to end poverty.  Shwopped clothes are resold, reused and recycled providing clean water, saving lives and re-building communities.  For more information please visit M&S website.  

So join me it will be fun and you will be helping OXFAM with all their wonderful work!

If you want to join me, please leave me a comment here or to any of my other social media and share your experience with a #ChallenJing40  

https://twitter.com/BbJing23
https://www.instagram.com/BbJing23/
https://www.facebook.com
https://www.youtube.com/user/BbJing23

Thank you for being so cool and supportive!

VEGAN AND GLUTEN FREE OKONOMIYAKI

I have been wanting to try this recipe out for ages and today I finally cooked this for dinner.   I've searched the internet, watched several videos for some inspirations and learned that there are different types of okonomiyaki.  The only thing that doesn't change on the recipe is the cabbage.   Great way to eat cabbage if you're not a big fan and I got my husband to eat one of his least favourite vegetables which was amazing! And here is my take on the vegan and gluten free okonomiyaki.  Hope you like it! (serves 2)

For the ingredients you will need:

1 cup gluten free plain flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 tablespoon milled flaxseed (egg substitute)

3/4 cup hot water

1 packet Clearspring organic brown rice instant miso soup paste (or alternative miso paste)

Fry light cooking spray (I used coconut oil)

2 cups thinly sliced cabbage

1 cup beansprout

1 spring onions chopped

1/2 cup Cauldron marinated tofu pieces

vegan mayo for garnish (substitute for vegan kewpie mayonnaise)

Sweet Mandarin barbecue sauce for garnish (substitute for okonomi sauce)

Roasted Sweet Potato chips for garnish

1.  In a bowl add 1 cup of plain flour and baking powder and whisk together.

2.  In a jug add 1 tablespoon milled flaxseed, 3/4 cup hot water and the miso paste whisk together to combine and set aside.

3.  In a non stick hot pan spray a thin layer of oil and cook the cabbage (in traditional okonomiyaki recipe you add raw cabbage to the batter mix I prefer to slightly cook the vegetables).  Remove the cabbage and then slightly cook the beansprout.

4.  Add the miso liquid to the flour mixture and whisk until the batter is free from lump.

5.  Add the spring onions, cabbage, beansprout and tofu pieces.

6.  Traditionally okonomiyaki is cooked on the grill/griddle but I used a non stick pan.  Spray the coconut oil in the hot pan.  Add the batter mixture to form a size of a pancake, cover with lid while cooking.  Cook both sides until golden brown.

7.  Serve immediately with your choice of garnish on top.  I had some roasted sweet potatoes.  Enjoy!

BANANA AND PEANUT BUTTER PANCAKE

yields 2 pancakes

Ingredients:

1 banana, medium size
1 tablespoon milled flaxseed, I used Linwoods
1 tablespoon milled chia seed, I used Chia Bia
1 tablespoon gluten free oat bran, I used Bob's Red Mill
1 tablespoon peanut butter
1 teaspoon pure maple syrup, or more if you prefer your pancake sweet
100 ml almond milk, more if you don't like it thick
pinch of cinnamon
coconut oil for frying
yogurt
blueberries
strawberries


1.  Blend the first 8 ingredients in a food processor until smooth (I used my smoothie maker).  Add extra milk if you prefer your batter thin in consistency.
2.  In a non stick pan or griddle add coconut oil over a very low heat swirl the coconut oil around the pan until melted and the pan is well coated with oil.
3.  Add the batter and fry gently until golden brown and flip onto the other to cook.
4.  Serve immediately with yogurt, blueberries and strawberries or any fruit you prefer.  Drizzle with more maple syrup on top.

GOING VEGAN AND GLUTEN FREE FOR 40 DAYS

A week ago I turned 40 years old, an age I was not sure I would reach.  Tomorrow July 1st will be the end of my 6 weeks recovery post hysterectomy.  And I am getting better and better each day.  On my birthday last week I decided to set myself 40 challenges in my 40th year (you can read my previous blog 40 Challenges in My 40th Year). So far I achieved one challenge on my birthday party and the money (£70) went to British Heart Foundation.  Thank you for your generous donation.  So on to the next challenge on my list.  Starting tomorrow July 1st, I will go vegan and gluten free for 40 days, not an easy thing to do and I will need all your help, support and encouragement.  I will set up a just giving fundraising page for 3 charities (as I'll be doing 2 challenges from my list).  The Charities PETA UK and The Vegan Society for my vegan challenge and Coeliac UK for my gluten free challenge.  If you would like to donate you can go to my just giving page.

https://www.justgiving.com/account/your-pages/Janette-Kemp

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Janette-Kemp1
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Janette-Kemp2

You can also follow me on my other social media to see how I'm getting on with a  #ChallenJing40

https://twitter.com/BbJing23

https://www.instagram.com/BbJing23/

https://www.facebook.com

https://www.youtube.com/user/BbJing23

Once again thank you for all your support. Don't forget to leave me a comment on any of my social media and please share and spread the word.  

MY 40th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Thank you to all my family and friends who came and celebrate my 40th birthday despite the lightning, thunderstorm and heavy rain.  It was great to see you all and I had such a wonderful time.  I also would like to thank you all for the birthday cards, wonderful presents and most especially for helping my chosen charity British Heart Foundation.  We've raised a total of £70.  Thank you so much for your generosity.  I also met one of my challenges yehey! (no. 19 buy a complete outfit for £40).  And here's how I did it!

For my cardigan I got ages ago on sale from Primark for under £10 bargain.  

The T-shirt I bought from Amazon  for £4.99 including postage.

 https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00XP65NDU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The skirt again from amazon for £10.99.  Postage is free because I've got an Amazon prime.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00UV7H5F0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The belt was old and I bought on sale but a similar on Amazon cost from £3.99.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vintage-Fashion-Elastic-Stretch-Waistband/dp/B01AN53Y18/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1466954287&sr=8-2&keywords=vintage+style+belt

Finally my shoes I also bought on Amazon for £6.99.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01AGOU2SO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

A total of £36.96!

Once again thank you for all your support so far and for celebrating my 40th birthday with me.  And I am very excited and looking forward to starting my other challenges very soon.  You can follow me on my other social media to see how I'm getting on.

https://twitter.com/BbJing23

https://www.instagram.com/BbJing23/

https://www.facebook.com

Please leave me a comment or suggestions on any of my social media and please share.  Thank you!

40 CHALLENGES IN MY 40TH YEAR

I am now only 5 days away from hitting 40 (June 23), an age I thought I wasn't sure that I would ever reach.  A year ago, I felt pain and a big lump on my abdomen that I thought was cancer.  Thank goodness they were fibroids (had 2), which are a benign muscular growths within the wall of the uterus causing heavy and painful periods.  

And on 20th of May I went and had a laparoscopic hysterectomy, to those who doesn't know what a hysterectomy is, it's an operation to remove your womb (uterus).  I'm now in my week 5 post surgery and was wondering (been doing that a lot) recently what I could do meaningful and productive on my 40th birthday.  

So whilst searching the internet, I discovered a lot of bucket lists (most common trend is 40 things to do before 40), but since I only have a few days  left before I turn 40 it won't be possible.  So instead I set myself 40 challenges to do before my next birthday.  I decided the list would be a good mix of fun things and some tough things that will make me work hard to raise fund for a good cause.  I came up with more than 40 just in case one or two become impossible. The target is to raise £4000, helping 40 charities.  

To kickstart my fundraising, I thought I will start with a charity that is very close to my heart on my 40th birthday party, British Heart Foundation.  If you would like to donate you can go to my justgiving page or you can find it at http://www.justgiving.com/BbJing23

Many thanks for your support in advance!

Janette x

Here are my 40+ challenges all for charity in no particular order!

1.  Get 40 people to support and do at least one of the challenges with me

2.  Collect 40 shiny £1 coin

3.  Get ingredients donated to bake 40 cakes and sell them (September McMillan Coffee Morning)

4.  Bake & sell 40 cupcakes (Bake for Heroes)

5.  Make 40 cups of tea in a day

6.  Climb 40 floors in a building (Tower 42 Vertical Rush for Shelter)

7.  Read 40 books 

8.  Receive postcards from 40 people from 40 different countries (Postcrossing)

9.  Go plastic free for a week in the month of July http://www.plasticfreejuly.org √
10.  Go gluten free diet for 40 days √

11.  Make & sell 40 greeting cards (Movember in November)

12.  Fast for 40 hours

13.  Eat 40 different types of fruit

14.  Try 40 different types of cheeses (Cheese Leadenhall)

15.  Go vegan diet for 40 days √

16.  Visit 40 pubs in 40 different towns or villages in Essex

17.  Post 40 blog entries

18.  Cook or bake 40 new recipes

19.  Buy a complete outfit for £40 √

20.  Have a movie marathon with 40 in the title or watch 40 movies on the imdb top 250 list

http://www.imdb.com/chart/top

21.  Do 40 hours volunteering

22.  Get a signed photo of a celebrity who is going to be 40 this year

23.  Sell 40 things on eBay

24.  Visit 40 interesting national trust houses & buildings

25.  learn to say hello in 40 languages (Postcrossing)

26.  Do a charity walk (complete 40 km)

27.  Send 40 postcards from my home town (Postcrossing)

28.  learn to say thank you in 40 languages (Postcrossing)

29.  Drink only water for 40 days (January 2017 for WaterAid UK)

30.  Make £40 at a car boot sale

31.  Find 40 people with the same name

32.  Visit 40 of London's most unusual museums 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/london/articles/Londons-most-unusual-museums-50-of-the-best-part-one/

33.  Do 40 hours sponsored silence

34.  Turn my phone & computer off & have no Facebook, Twitter or Instagram contact for 40 hours

35.  Visit 40 cities in England
36.  Make over my wardrobe (dress with 40 items or less in 40 days) loosely based on project 333

http://bemorewithless.com/project-333/

37.  Listen to the top 40 best selling singles of all time non stop

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_singles

38.  Listen to the top 40 best selling album of all time for 40 consecutive days

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_albums

39.  Go on a road trip/drive 40 miles on the A40/M40

40.  Give 40 Free Hugs in a day

41.  Ride for 40 minutes on a horse

42.  Have a party for at least 40 people

43.  Do 10,000 steps a day for 40 days (September for Cancer Research UK)
44.  Do Hadrian's Wall Trek (16 June 2017)
45.  Vlogging for 40 days (October & December 2016)

I am going to give you an update for some of the challenges below.  So where I have to get 40 people or read 40 books or listened to CDs, etc.  you can see my progress and what I've done!

You can also follow me on my Twitter, Instagram & Facebook account 

https://twitter.com/BbJing23

https://www.instagram.com/BbJing23/

https://www.facebook.com

Please leave me a comment or two or suggestions on any of my social media pages and spread the word.   I can and I will!!!

MY TOP 10 THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN AMSTERDAM ON A BUDGET

I visited Amsterdam recently with my husband and thought I will write about my experience and hope to part you all a wealth of valuable information to help with your trip to Amsterdam. So to kick start, in no particular order here are my top 10 things to see and do in Amsterdam on a budget.

1. GET A TICKET

If you are arriving and departing at Schiphol airport and are staying in Amsterdam for 3 days; I suggest you pick up the Amsterdam Travel Tickets in Holland Tourist Information near arrival haul 2 in Schiphol airport. For €25 it will give you unlimited travel across Amsterdam including a second class return train ticket to and from Schiphol Amsterdam airport by NS train. By buying this 3 days(72 hours) ticket, this will save you €2.20 as the GVB tickets for 72 hours cost €16.50 + €10.70 for second class return ticket to Schiphol airport. For more detailed information go to:

http://www.ns.nl/en/travellers/arrange-and-buy/tickets-and-passes/amsterdam-travel-tickets.html

here

http://en.gvb.nl/gvb-dag-meerdagenkaart

here

Another option is to pick up the I Amsterdam City Card in the Holland Tourist Information in Schiphol airport. We bought the 48hours for €58 and it gave us unlimited public transport on the GVB network, a free canal cruise, free entrance to museums and major attractions. We saved quite a lot by buying this card as we wanted to see a few museums that are included free on this card. Just for reference we went to Amsterdam Museum(€12), Van Gogh Museum(€15), Jewish Cultural Quarter(€15), Dutch Resistance Museum(€10), Houseboat Museum(€4.50) and The Eye Film Museum Exhibition(€11); a total of €67.50! So really our transport for 2 days(€12) and canal cruise(€16) were already free by buying this card. For more information just go to:

http://www.iamsterdam.com/en/visiting/i-amsterdam-city-card

here

2. TAKE THE TRAM LINE 2 FROM AMSTERDAM CENTRAL STATION

National Geographic designated this as one of the top 10 best trolley rides in the world! The first part of the route from Central Station to Hoofddorpplein travels past many of Amsterdam's famous tourist attractions and landmarks. Here are the stops of interest and brief information.

* Dam stop for Magna Plaza(A former Amsterdam main post office currently a shopping mall is part of the top 100 Dutch heritage sites).

* Spui stop for Amsterdam Museum, Civic Guards Gallery (Schuttersgalerij), Begijnhof, Vlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx (best fries), Cafe Luxembourg (best veal croquettes), Van Stapele Koekmakerij(best Valrhona cookies) and for the Nine Little Streets (De Negen Straatjes)

* Koningsplein stop for the Flower Market(Bloemenmarkt)

* Hobbemastraat stop for Rijksmuseum

* Van Baerlestraat stop for Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum, Museumplein, Concertgebouw and Vondelpark

3. DOWNLOAD RICK STEVE'S AUDIO EUROPE GUIDE FOR FREE

If you have a smartphone this app is absolutely amazing! There are self-guided tours to great sights and historic walks all for free. We downloaded the Amsterdam City Walk and it comes with a handy map(PDF) that can be viewed on our smartphone or printed from any computer. What's great about this app is it doesn't require WiFi or cellphone connection.

4. REMBRANDTPLEIN FOR THE BRONZE SCULPTURE OF THE NIGHT WATCH.

Rembrandtplein (Rembrandt square) is one of the major square in Amsterdam, named after the famous painter Rembrandt van Rijn. Apart from Rembrandt's statue you can also see on display a bronze-cast representation of his most famous painting, The Night Watch. Coming from Central Station, tram 4 or 9 will take you straight to Rembrandtplein (4 stops). From the west of the city (Flevopark), tram 14 passes through Rembrandtlein on it's way east (Slotermeer).

5. AMSTERDAM MUSEUM AND THE CIVIC GUARDS GALLERY (SCHUTTERSGALERIJ)

Amsterdam Museum building was originally constructed in 1580 as Amsterdam's orphanage. At no. 92 Kalverstraat entrance, on the slumping archway are Amsterdam's coat of arms, Habsburg crown and a relief above the door, dated 1581 that shows boys around a dove, asking for charity reminding all who enters this museum that this was once an orphanage. Inside, there's a shaded courtyard lined by old lockers for the orphan's uniforms; which is now a free exhibit about the history of the old orphanage. Next to the Amsterdam museum entrance, is a free, glassed-in passageway, called the Civic Guards Gallery, or Schuttersgalerij. This hall features group of portraits from Amsterdam's Golden Age and a giant statue of Goliath and a knee high David.

6. THE BEGIJNHOF

The Begijnhof is one of the oldest inner courts in the city of Amsterdam. It is a group of historic houses around a church, that has sheltered women called the Beguines (a pious catholic single women) since 1346. There are two entrances to the Begijnhof, one through the Civic Guards Gallery and the other is along Spui.

7. DAM SQUARE

Just a five minute down the Damrak from Central Station, Dam square is home to the Royal Palace, New Church (Nieuwe Kerk), an old department store called De Bijenkorf (The Beehive), NH Amsterdam Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky, The National Monument and Madame Tussauds.

8. EYE FILM INSTITUTE NETHERLANDS

This impressive building with its bar-restaurant offers a panoramic view of the river and city and can be visited free of charge. Entrance to the Panorama, the permanent display of Eye's collection, is also free. From Central Station, take the exit on the north side, where you can see the Eye building. Then take the free ferry ride that is labelled "Buiksloterweg" to the other side of the Ij Harbour. The ferry runs 24 hours a day and the ride takes 3 minutes.

9. STROLLING DE NEGEN STRAATJES

A shopper's paradise, De Negen straatjes or the nine little streets, are actually three small streets crossing two canals: Keizersgracht and Herengracht, which makes up for nine little streets. Filled with specialty stores and boutiques these days, many street names still bear witness to the artisans who were active here in past centuries. Rees-(Roe Deer), Beren-(Bears), Wolven-(Wolves) and Huidenstraat(Hides streets) are a remnant of a trade in animal hides for the leather industry. Even if you do not intend to buy anything, just take a stroll through 9 streets, enjoy the ambience, marvel at the architecture; it's a fabulous place for window shopping!

Tips: Thursday night is shopping night in Amsterdam and most shops are open late from 11am to 9pm, so take this into account when planning your visit.

Points of Interest: Alfons de Letter; Chocolaterie Pompadour; De Kaaskamer; Eddy Varekamp Prints; Hartenkaas; Koan Float; La Savonnerie; Marqt; Pancakes! Amsterdam; etc.

10. MUSEUMPLEIN

Amsterdam's museum quarter, as the name suggests, is surrounded by Amsterdam's three major and important museums(Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum & Stedelijk Museum). While overlooking Museumplein is the Royal Concertgebouw, Amsterdam's most important orchestral concert venue and is home to the famous Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. For many years now, free Lunchtime concerts (usually on Wednesday) are sometimes have been held in the main hall and recital hall. Please check their websites for concert schedule and for more information. Also the I amsterdam letters in front of the Rijksmuseum have become Amsterdam's most photographed attraction.

I hope my top 10 helps you on your planning. Happy travels everyone!

MY TOP 5 MUST SEE AND DO IN SAFFRON WALDEN ON A BUDGET

I love discovering new places and planning for that visit. I get very excited and would like my visit to be perfect. I hope by writing this blog, this will help you with your trip to Saffron Walden. So, here is my top 5 must see and do in Saffron Walden on a budget.


1. Do the Saffron Walden Town Trail

This is a great way to come to know Saffron Walden if you only have a day to spare. You can download and print the map on:


http://www.visitsaffronwalden.gov.uk/pdf/Saffron-Walden-Town-Trail.pdf

here

And here is a short video I made of the Saffron Walden Town Train

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tco5aBEJI6k

here

2. Market Place

A market has been held here since 1141. While you enjoy browsing and buying goods from a number of different market stalls, don't forget to admire the old Victorian buildings and the Georgian Town hall surrounding the market. You must also check out the drinking fountain in the centre, which was a gift to the town by the Gibson Family in 1863 to commemorate the marriage of The Prince of Wales to Princess Alexandra of Denmark.

Tips: Visit Saffron Walden every Tuesday and Saturday for their market days

3. Parish Church of St. Mary the Virgin

The largest church in Essex, with a total length of nearly 200 feet, the church size reflects the wealth of the town at the height of the saffron trade. When we visited Saffron Walden on a Saturday the church bells were continuously ringing which to me was marvelous.

4. Museum and Castle Ruins

An award winning, family friendly museum, the collection holds something for the whole family.

Tips: Buy your postcards here to send to family and friends. They are just 35p.

Entrance Price for adult £1.50 and children (18 and under) FREE!

5. Bridge End Garden

Bridge End Garden is a grade II listed series of seven interlinked gardens laid out by the Gibson family. The garden are open to the public each day free of charge.

Tips: Visit Bridge End Garden during Spring or Summer on a Tuesday or Saturday. Bring your picnic blanket and basket filled with the best local food from the market and have an outdoor lunch admiring the views from the garden.

For more information on how to get here please visit: www.visitsaffronwalden.gov.uk