Hey Sam
Welcome back. First off, you must stop beating yourself for "giving in so easily" I don't think you gave in easily - you were really up against it and I am not surprised that in the face of a)being on hol in the first place b)massive sustained pressure & guilt tripping from others that you slipped off the wagon for a few days. Your determination to get back to the programme is what matters and that really shines out of your post. - You sound to be looking forward to getting back into the programme and that is wonderful.
You may surprise yourself and have only put on a small amount. Even worst case scenario and you have put on a lot you will spank that in no time back on the packs.
You deserved a holiday, and you had a lovely time. You are a human being. You haven't done anything bad, you just strayed from the programme you are following for one week.
Anyway it is lovely to have you back, we missed you.
Mel, regarding the recipes - good luck. I tried making the crisps early on and they were rank. Tasted like I was eating pure salt and flavouring as they are so concentrated when you have to make them with such as small amount of water. Also tried a strawberry 'mousse' and the texture made me retch and I couldn't finish it. I leave them as they are now - I think I prefer not to think of them as food, rather just something I have to consume to stop me keeling over lol! On the other hand I know a lot of people swear by using the recipes. Just don't heat more than one pack a day as it lessens the value of the nutrients. Good luck chef Mel!
xxxx