I ‘THINK’ tomorrow the Daily Mail is running an article about a strange, fat, middle aged lady who has been trying hard to cure her obesity by living on wartime rations..
Oh… it’s me!
NOTE: Article wasn’t in today’s newspaper but should be soon- will let you know when a publishing date is confirmed xx
It’s taken a LOT of courage to have one’s photo taken and put in a newspaper when you weigh over 20 stone, especially when I did so well losing 80lbs in 2012 living on wartime rations and much of it has returned and I’m having to do it all over again BUT the way I see it is at least I keep trying, keep getting back up again and persevering. (thank you to Bertie at Wrappler for saying I should do it AND Mr Tiddles!)
*** PLEASE NOTE: Sorry will be out of contact of all modern media from March 26- April 8 2014, but will respond to any enquiries or messages on my return. Thank you xxxxx
But I’m so very passionate about the wartime recipes I’ve been replicating for the past 10 years that it was a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness of perhaps an alternative way to eat and spend less and even get healthier that I just had to go for it. I just won’t check the online edition incase a TROLL says something cruel… I don’t think my heart could take it. It gets easily hurt… I get easily hurt, but as you know I have a new man in my life who now fights my corner and I love him for it.
The Daily Mail were lovely, as was Hannah at Barcroft Media. It involved two photo shoots of food, recipes and myself. They treated me to a new dress but hunting for one and finding one that fitted drove it home to me just how large I am. There were only three shops in the city/town that had size 24 dresses, ASDA, BonMarche and BHS (Evans) and even those were a bit tight. But despite feeling down about this the stylist Lucie was an angel and she made me feel pretty and put some heated rollers in my hair and did such lovely make up and even painted my finger nails! The Daily Mail’s photographer Bruce was just lovely too- both very professional, kind and encouraging.
If anyone has come to my blog from the article in the Daily Mail (I think it’s Monday) you are probably a little interested in the recipes and maybe the weight loss or economical aspect of the 1940s Experiment so I’ll post a few links below that may be of interest
1. I’ve re-created about 130 Authentic Wartime Recipes so far and will continue to do so, one for every pound I lose so please keep popping back http://the1940sexperiment.com/100-wartime-recipes/
2. Here’s some weight-loss photos you maybe interested in seeing. I’ll never be a skinny minny. I like curves but I just want to be around on this earth for a long time so trying to take responsibility and fight the obesity.. http://the1940sexperiment.com/weight-loss-photos/
3. Will a diet based on Wartime Rations save you money? It does for me. I live on a very low income and do the best I can. Forgive the dollar signs, I was living for a while in Canada at the time. All my future recipes will contain a price break down in £’s and pennies http://the1940sexperiment.com/2012/01/27/will-eating-a-diet-based-on-wartime-rations-save-you-money/
4. I keep myself motivated by making wish-lists on WRAPPLER – I keep several Vintage Lists on there including vintage style clothing I hope to wear when I get below 200lbs! http://wrappler.com/gift-lists/list/340
Finally THANK YOU for all the support you’ve given over the years and the comments you’ve left whether its constructive criticism, recipes, experiences or kind encouragement.
Lots of love as always C xxxxxx
Well done you.
Thank you xxx 🙂
How exciting Carolyn….its been such fun sharing recipes and life stories and inspiring each other as women do!…..you are a lovely person and if any trolls dare to be unkind to you they will find lots of us here to shout them down..but if they had any sense they would at least try a few lovely wartime recipes …save money, eat a healthy diet and maybe shed a bit of weight…whats not to like???
Hugggggsssss!!!!! You are a sweetheart! C xxx
How exciting!!! So happy for you! And pay no attention to trolls…they’re called that for a reason. I have always simply said a prayer for those who say unkind things. They are obviously so insecure, the only way they can try and feel good about themselves is to put others down. Sad.
Courage!! This is all wonderful. Dwell on all these blessings….!
Thank you for the words of encouragement Julia xxxx
Oh Carolyn, what a wonderful opportunity to continue spreading the word, and in turn, helping and inspiring others!! Not to mention how deliciously exciting for you! I love reading your news.
Thanks so much Lyann xxxx
Amazing, I knew you could do it! I shall hot foot to the newsagent tomorrow for my copy. It’s been a privilege to have been allowed to be on your journey. When I go my for my walks, I always think of you. You have been such an inspiration to me. Take care, x
That’s very kind indeed, very xxxx Article isn’t out yet, they originally said it was probably going to be Monday and I spoke with one of their staff the other day who tells me it should be soon but as yet not a definite date… I hope it runs LOL!! xxx
I read the Daily Mail online everyday so I’ll be eagerly looking for your article!
Ooo if you see it would you let the blog know? I’m away for a little while… thanks Sara xxx
Well done, Carolyn!
Thank you xx 😉
Congratulations Carolyn, I look forward to reading the article!
Thanks Cate… I am too but it looks like it may come out when I’m away LOL!! I just hope they print some recipes or have them online or something- that would be great! xxxx
Thanks so much all!! I haven’t had an opportunity to peek inside a newspaper yet so have no idea if it went out today or not. If not it should be very soon- I guess when they have a slot. Am curious!! LOL! xxxxx
I think you’re wonderful, brave and unique. Congrats on your newspaper article and keep up the fight. I’ve only tried one recipe so far and it was tasty. The entire family LOVED it!
Thank you so much xxx
I’m a new reader but I love your blog already, and this is wonderful news. Congratulations! 🙂
Oh gosh was just looking at your blog- I will have to catch up when I get back off holiday as having just been introduced to places further up North I’m in love with the landscape up there. xxx
Thank you! Delighted to meet another lover of the North, and I promise there will be many, many more scenery photos forthcoming on my blog. 🙂 Hope you’re enjoying your holiday! xx
Awesome news! Congratulations!!!
Thanks Vanessa xx
Congratulations! It’s been a bumpy ride but look where it led to. Keep up the good work and don’t worry about the trolls…We’ve got your back!
Thank you for sharing this journey with us. Your an inspiration to us all.
Thanks Sue xxx Yes one helluva bumpy ride and a few mountains yet to climb xxxx Thanks for dropping by and reading xxx C
Carolyn, just found your blog…not sure why I started Googling wartime recipes, maybe I was inspired by All Creatures Great and Small [currently watching]….I am totally amazed you can $ave money and lose weight…maybe your journey will inspire me or maybe I will just eat more!… Will keep an eye out for the DM article….
The Best
Oh gosh All Creatures Great and Small…used to love that but there was always something sad in it (and funny too!) Nice to meet you! C xxx
Hi Carolyn You are in the DM HEADLINE!! Oh YEAH Keep Calm and Carry On—it will be interesting to see how much traffic hits your blog now!
Happy holiday, Caroline. We’ll keep the home fires burning while you are away x
Carolyn, I commented a couple of weeks ago just saying how I found your pages here an inspiration; particularly because I was a bit into traditional grub and money saving thrift myself and planning to save some Euro!
I wanted to say thank you so far in two weeks I’ve lost 7lbs in weight and I’ve eaten more than ever! What with there “being a war on”, that is to say – a war against mass consumerism and a war against my waistline I’ve taken up walking to work and back daily (30 mins each way and a bit of a hill to climb), digging a victory garden, and generally making do and mending. Even my shopping bill (for me normally around €45 a week which would include lots of snacks (it’s a sin not to serve cups of tea with a banquet here in Donegal!) has been cut into less than half. I would recommend this lifestyle to anyone – my only tip is to break into it easily and be sure to cook the ultimate fast food – wartime scotch shortbread!
Once again, thank you for being an inspiration; maybe I shall sort some kind of blog out to include an Irish twist into what we call “the Emergency” years.
Wally x
Just saw the article on DM online. It was the top article. Congratulations!
Carolyn, I only found your blog today after reading about you in BBC. Thank you for sharing your passion.
Carolyn, I am sorry I read about you in the Mail and not BBC….I had both windows open and got confused.
You are the main headline on Mail Online!
Well done and thank-you..
Having read the article its sad that so many of the commentators just don’t get what you are doing so please don’t be discouraged by the negative comments about your current weight !We love you Carolyn and know that you have been through things that would make most people crumple in a heap….you are strong and inspiring and wonderful so just keep doing what you do and believe your friends when they say you look amazing!!
I just read the article!!! Wow, that’s fantastic. They gave you loads of space and the write-up was really positive. I love the look they gave you. And your house in the background looks beautiful too. Well done all round!
Great photo Carolyn! Well done you. Lisa x
It’s there!!!!! Congrats!!!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2591210/Want-war-weight-Try-ration-book-diet-Mother-three-lost-six-stone.html
Hello Carolyn, found your blog yesterday in the mail online. Wow, wow and wow again. Really interesting reading. All that research and all that work. A real privilege to be able to share your work. A huge well done and thank you. Angela X
Just caught up with the article, you looked fantastic! Well done.
Carolyn, you’re going viral in the media!! Congratulations! Hang in there, and damn the torpedoes!
Wonderful article. You are amazing and an inspiration. I love learning about the WWII era. You bring it it out of the past into today. So today I made Woolton Pie. I put in potato, carrot, turnip, mushroom, and asparagus cause I had it. An oxo beef cube and bistro gravy made it yummy. Thanks!
Carolyn, you look so wonderful! It’s such a good article and you’re clearly such an inspiration. Good work and I look forward to at least a few more articles in the future!
Great article Carolyn! Well done you!
A great article and don’t you look good in the recent pics! Love that you are sharing your information with an even larger audience. Have read your blog for quite a while(long before you moved from Canada). I am happy that you are blogging more often these days!! Keep it up please. : )
WELL DONE!
Carolyn, I had no idea that you were going to be on the Express webpage also! Good for you! You look really lovely 🙂
http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/467451/WWII-enthusiast-saves-money-and-loses-weight-by-living-off-1940-s-wartime-rations
Hahaha!! LOL! I never knew they put a video online- thanks for the heads up! xxx
Please post regularly. I’m joining you in this endeavour, and I need someone to teach me how to use points!
Hi all, This is off topic but I have a question. I noticed in a lot of the war time recipes that the food was run through a sieve or ricer. Can anyone tell me why that was recommended?