Tesco's Tactics

After watching 'Secret Eaters' with Anna Richardson it inspired me to tag along with my mum on the weekly trip to Tesco today. Unfortunately I missed some of the episodes but since catching up on 4od I have not only become more aware of food I eat absentmindly but in the last episode they also investigated into the marketing tactics used by supermarkets. This has interested me greatly, having studied these strategies on my course, so today I ventured into Tesco to see what approach(es) they were using.

Firstly, I would just like to point out when away at uni I often shop in the smaller shops along the highstreet so to walk into the huge megastore that Tesco is, was a huge surprise. I was a little disorientated too as I hadn't been to this supermarket for a while and as usual the aisles were heaving not to mention the shop was undergoing a refurbishment. You may argue that I would see the overflow of promotions in a smaller store but I felt engulfed and was being pulled in too many directions. They were everywhere and I honestly believe if I was on my own I would get sucked in and probably end up spending a fortune! After all, every BOGOF and £1 deals all add up, maybe this is why everyone was darting around. Are they preventing themselves from indulging in the latest offers or are they just having a hectic day?

Here is another example, instead of buying one packet of Chocolate Eclairs I was influenced to buy 3! Look at that deal... it would be stupid not to. But there I was again exposing myself to their simple but extremely clever sales promotions.

Look at this photo very carefully. Tesco have craftily positioned their value range (the cheapest) at the bottom of the shelf out of eye range. Studies state that whilst food shopping many are in a rush to finish their shop therefore supermarkets will locate the expensive range on eye level to maximise profits. Nowadays, it is clear that supermarkets are designed so we spend as much money as possible.



Overall, I have learnt that it is absolutely crucial to stay strong and only purchase essentials. I also believe you must glance at the promotions being offered to you. After all supermarkets conveniently promote their best offers tactically, to target us whilst also benefiting them, so you'd be a fool to ignore these deals. For example, I noticed the peppercorn sauce was cleverly placed next to the steaks today showing that a lot of thought has gone into the well designed store. Still, some may argue that it's all money grabbing tools and manipulation at its finest. However, having witnessed what I have today I can assure you that next time I enter a large store I will most definitely have a list containing only the items I need. Be strong and think before you buy!

Thankyou for reading,

LauraKM.

Disney's new diet for kids...

As my blog has undergone a re-vamp, I thought I would take a different approach with this post by discussing a recent news headline which caught my eye...

Earlier today I was browsing Twitter and became aware of Disney's latest decision stirring the advertising market with force. They have recently made an announcement to ban junk food ads on all their media platforms which negatively affect child obesity. This means for food which fail to meet their nutritional requirements, such as cereals with more than 10g of sugar per serving or foods that contain more than 600 calories in one sitting, will no longer be broadcasted. Not to mention sugary drinks and high sodium foods will also be restricted. Nevertheless, these new plans will not come into action until 2015.

Additionally, due to the continuing arguement of the media and the power it posesses, arguably children are largely influenced by these tv adverts. Sandwiched between their favourite tv programmes, it is fair to say companies such as Capri Sun and Kellogg's can target the younger audience with ease. With the popular children's cereal, Frosties (often described as a bowl full of sugar) Kellogg's use this tiger cartoon character to connect and develop a fun relationship with the kids. But is it immoral for these big brands to use children's vunerable nature advantageously? At the end of the day it's not the children who chose what food is bought into the house.

On the other hand, I remember when I was younger and used to collect toys and stickers in the cereal boxes. It's a good memory of mine and used to start me off for the day whilst encouraging me to enjoy and actually eat breakfast! However, with this recent development, I hope this invites popular children's food brands to join companies, such as Mcdonalds with their healthy eating campaigns, and make a difference towards children's futures by using their knowledge to advertise the right foods in the right way. I personally think it's really healthy to see such a strong media force finally standing up to obesity and making a difference to the younger generation of our society *fingers crossed* well done Disney!


Thanks for reading,

LauraKM.

My new challenge! [22.4.12]

Hello everyone!

Apologies for the lack of posts recently - I have had so much work on but my mini diss is finally complete *hallelujah* I've also been feeling out of the loop and haven't known what to say hence I've been searching for some new ideas and then this morning it simply hit me.

Earlier today, I dragged myself out of bed for an early morning power walk with my mum around our town but she was still asleep and so on... then we left it too late so I happily got back into bed. I was laying there listening to the vibrations of the TV downstairs and  then I remembered it was the London Marathon today and it just gave me such a push to get out of bed and get moving. I find all these people who challenge themselves to run this battle of a marathon so inspiring and I felt a spark of ambition run through me. Thus, I reached nearly 2 miles today - my personal best this Easter holiday.

So my new challenge is to get running. I know I have mentioned before on Twitter that I'm training to run the Race For Life this year and I've been trying to do little bits here and there but this is it in writing! In June I will run the 3 mile Race For Life and hopefully next year the Reading Half Marathon in memory of my amazing Daddy, love you always...

...and who knows one day I might be embark on the London Marathon itself!

However, I don't want you to think I'm taking a naive approach to this as I know it's going to be a large challenge. I already find running really difficult but I love a good fight and want to show you that if I can do it anyone can. Moreover, if you too are hoping to start or pick it up again or even if you just want to follow my progress then please follow me on Twitter = @thedishondiets with the '#' - #LaurasRoadtoRunning. Any advice is welcome with open arms.

Let's get running!

LauraKM.

Tomorrow is a new day!

I wrote this post over Easter, reflecting on my diet, enjoy!

I’m writing this post listening to the sounds of my auntie and uncle cooking away in the kitchen next door. The smell is wafting through just like the melody of crashing pots and pans combined with the murmurs of their voices  while they’ve serve up another delicious meal for us all. This Easter weekend has been spent with my family at my aunts and uncles and have to say we have all been treated like royalty with all the special treats we have feasted on.

I know usually my blog very much focuses on different ways to exercise and eat healthily however with this post I wanted to emphasize that food is there to be enjoyed. I take pride in believing that losing weight should not be seen as a strain in your life, making you unhappy and excluding yourself from things that make you smile. Especially as it’s the Easter weekend, a perfect example to embrace and indulge.

However, this post needs to be taken with a light-hearted approach. I may sound like I’ve forgot the real purpose of being on a diet but want to stress that in my opinion I think when dieting the key word we all need to remember is “moderation.”

The lesson here is that yes my diet this weekend has been very easy-going and it could be argued that I have lived on the wild side, with my food decisions, however when possible I have always selected a healthier approach. What I’m trying to say here is don’t beat yourself up about it, just relax, enjoy the chocolate and luxuries you have consumed this weekend guilt-free. Just be sure to re-start your diet plan tomorrow, remember tomorrow is a new day! Do not let your blow-out of a weekend stray you onto the wrong route, get back on it stronger than before!! Good luck to everyone  x x x x

Here have been some of my family’s favourite Easter treats which we have all salivated over and will be imprinted in our minds for years to come. Please take time in looking through the photos of our delicacy of a weekend. The treats seen here need to be taken with care as they’re so scrumptious!

The cake my sister made for the family - click on this link to see how: http://diaryofachefaholic.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/easter-cake-chocolate-victoria-sponge-i.html



This was my cousins egg which we all shared on Holy Saturday, my first piece of chocolate in 6 weeks!





These cakes we bought from Quex Vintage Fair from a company 'Em's Cupcakes' http://www.emscupcakes.co.uk/ All of her cakes are homemade and made from free range eggs, the little tastes I had of them were delicious.



 And some hot cross buns. Easter wouldn't be Easter without them, lovely treat or two.

Thanks for reading, LauraKM. 

Reflecting on my chocolate detox (Is lent over yet?)

2 days away and it’s ‘Holy Saturday’ and thank goodness the day is nearly here! I have made it guys, 40 days and 40 nights without my beautiful and desirable obsession, chocolate. The extent of this challenge has left me completely ravenous for a creamy hot chocolate or maybe a packet of choccy raisins or let’s go all out…  a Double Decker, ah even thinking about one of these luxuries is leaving me famished. My sister’s not helping either by making a huge Nutella cake for us all this Easter weekend, the smell is wafting through the house. Yes, you’ve guessed it -  I really am 100%, head over heels in love with chocolate, totally and utterly devoted. Just imagining its delicate texture along with its rich and delicious aroma is causing my taste buds to tingle, they’re currently crying out for me to feed them on Saturday, yes Saturday, I will!

 Do you think I’m crazy yet? If not this will do it… I once babbled that chocolate could potentially be my one and only love! My friend, astounded at what I had just said, looked at me with disgust but obviously at the time I was very engrossed with my Dairy Milk Caramel to even think about it. This is of course not true but I do have to admit it is certainly a deep passion of mine which I will take to the grave! You may ask then how on earth I did this and I will tell you now it certainly was not easy, but when I set my self a challenge I feel it’s my duty to achieve it, no matter how hard it is. After all, what is the point? No one likes to be a failure.

So I started off, on the 21^st February (know this date off by heart now- sad) not really knowing what I had let myself in for. The first couple of days were okay, easy enough. Until the cravings kicked in, big time, around the first weekend when I went out with my boyfriend’s family, choosing a biscuit desert is not really in my nature! It then became a daily annoyance from then on, by not being able to satisfy my undying needs which became extremely frustrating with having to exclude myself from group treats at home. And don’t even get me started on my birthday!! It was the first time in 20 years when I haven’t had a chocolate birthday cake, how upsetting.

My Tweets during lent... 10 in 6 weeks... was 
tweeting about chocolate more than 
twice a week!

As Lent continued I found myself choosing foods that I’d never of dreamed of eating before like yoghurt raisins, lattes, cappuccinos and even developed a sweet tooth for jelly sweets.  Thus, even though I had abolished a large calorific intake of my diet I was, without really knowing, substituting chocolate for new (VERY sugary) snacks and we all know these foods are just as bad maybe even worse!

Hence, I did not lose any weight. Not even sure if this was my main purpose of the challenge or just to see if I could do it.  Just 2 days away, I’m nearly there and powering down the home straight so I ask myself would I do this again? Absolutely not! If I had to describe the experience in one word it would be torturous. However, having reflected on my detox, I have learnt a lot from this experience and it has been extremely insightful indeed.  

I now believe chocolate is an essential item of a person’s diet for a sugar fix, indulgence and treat for all ages. Whether, you’re eating coco pops for breakfast or relaxing with a hot chocolate on your lunch break don’t feel guilty! Recent studies by ELLEUK (1) suggest that eating chocolate can actually help you lose weight due to: “balance and what we always knew - having a little of what you fancy - is key.” This article is really interesting (see link at bottom of page) little and often is going to be my new motto and it should be yours too. So the moral to this story is to eat chocolate in moderation, after the Easter Weekend maybe? Hahaha! Make sure you all enjoy yourself this Easter, tweet @thedishondiets so we can share chocolate stories - HOORAY chocolate is no longer the enemy!

LauraKM. 

(1)-  http://www.elleuk.com/beauty/news/chocolate-could-make-you-thinner

More than just a cycle ride...

I woke up last Saturday morning with the sunshine radiating throughout the house and racked my brains for an idea to make the most of this lush weather as let's face it, it will probably be gone by next week. So, I decided on a cycle ride down to the beach and ended up in Sandbanks! It was such an unplanned and random trip which helped make it worthwhile as I started off at Bournemouth Pier and then continued my ride to pretty much Harry Rednapp's house.

The moral to this story is... sometimes when life gets tough... with work/family/friend/dieting/exercise problems the best way to clear your head is to get out and experience your surroundings. Feeling the fresh breeze whirl through my hair, the sun beating down on my back and the smell of the salty sea tickling my taste buds, believe it or not, was a blessing. I honestly believe that, for me, the beach is the best place to do exercise whether it's Summer or Winter it's beauty motivates and inspires me to to do better and start afresh :) 

So my diet tip for this week is to go on an adventure and check out your local and natural settings! This should impulse you to exercise, give you the strength you need and motivate you into becoming the new and improved you.

LauraKM

My Kind of Exercise...

Recently I've been going swimming to the local gym around 7-7:30am in the morning! You may ask how on earth is that possible to get out of bed at that time but the thought of having an early morning swim is in fact having an amazing impact on my outlook of life.(Bit deep) but don't judge it until you try it.

I see it as a positive kick, starting me off for the day. Exercise in the morning is actually proven to 'jump start your metabolism keeping it elevated for a good 24 hours!' (1) And in the past 2 weeks whilst swimming I have even found it easier to wake up in a regular sleeping pattern.

So, why Swimming? Well firstly, it is arguably the best exercise out there, working your whole body head to toe. It's not only fairly simple to fit into your daily or weekly routine it's also a very relaxing movement. This is due to the fact your body is surrounded by water which keeps you feeling cool, comfortable and refreshed as sometimes exercising can cause you to get flustered and sweaty holding you back from your potential. Another benefit is that it uses many muscles throughout your body such as your core, shoulders&arms, legs and chest allowing just 30 minutes of Breastroke to burn a good 340 calories!

Swimming can also support your body if injured and can guard your muscles minimising the risk of aches and pains the next day. There really aren't any downfalls apart from paying out for a swimming costume so go on, go and try it! At the end of the day everyone is there to swim too so if you're a shy person who is often intimidated by the gym the pool could be your perfect resolution, let yourself go!



LauraKM.


(1) - Top 10 reasons to exercise in the morning. http://www.boxingscene.com/exercise/1312.php