KATIE BULMER-COOKE: Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

This time last year during a spell of very similar weather I was spitting my dummy out because my last car was rear-wheel drive, but not this year. Bring on more snow, I say.

If you read last week’s column you’ll know that I’m about to step out of my comfort zone in a big way and take part in Strictly Sunderland, dancing in front of hundreds of people at the Quayside Exchange and trying not to make a fool of myself in a bid to win £2,000 for my chosen charity.

My partner of choice is dance teacher and Mr Gay World, Stuart Hatton.

Now, I’ve gone through many different feelings about the whole thing, from excitement to dread, but I’m not firmly settled on determination.

I am going to do my absolute best to win so this week I’ve watched over 50 Strictly Come Dancing videos on YouTube (I think I’ve become a little obsessed with Caroline Flack’s jive and Jay from The Wanted’s quickstep) in preparation for my first rehearsal with Stuart, which happens to be today, so wish me luck.

Now as if that wasn’t enough to be excited about, tonight is a big night as my new show on Made in Tyne and Wear goes out for the first time.

It’s called Chatty Lasses and it’s a down-to-earth chat show, packed with debate, a wide range of topics and lots of girly chat.

I think a lot of people think I’m super confident, but I can assure you I’m a confidence blagger at times, and filming Chatty Lasses was one of those times.

I was like a duck swimming on a lake. I looked quite calm and collected on the surface but was panicking and flustered underneath.

My job on the show is to keep the conversation flowing, spark debate and then get everyone to zip it when it’s time to go to a break.

But despite the nerves, it’s one of the most fun things I’ve ever done and I’m really proud of it too.

So, if you want to see what all the fuss is about then tune in tonight at 6pm – Freeview 8, Sky 117 and Virgin 159 – then let me know what you think on Twitter @KatieBulmer1 and use #ChattyLasses.

So I know I said I love the snow, but there is one down-side to this cold weather – it makes me want to eat the world and everything in it!

I’m sure you’re thinking “but Katie you’re a personal trainer”. I am, but I’m also a human and I get food cravings too, but I also have great ways to combat them and stop me becoming the size a house.

I’m in love with my slow cooker, it’s like the fourth member of my household and it makes anything you put in it taste good.

My favourite is upside-down chicken. Put a full chicken in the slow cooker with a few fresh herbs, breast down and cook on a low setting for the day while you’re at work and all the juices run down and make the it super tender. It’s lush and it’s recipes like this and lots of planning that have stopped me from reaching for the naughty stuff on these cold days.

Finally, I’m starting to freak out, as I’m going to be the big 30 in March. I’m not too thrilled about it.

I love being 29 and I don’t want to be a full-on grown up (in my head this happens when you stop being a twenty-something).

That said, I’d say sharing a slow cooker recipe is fairly grown up, so maybe I shouldn’t panic so much!

Until next Monday, have a great week.