Let's NEST together and be alright!

I've been baking, baking and baking! I'll blame it on Nesting Syndrome if there really is such a thing :-) A good homemade cookie, a cup of tea and some peace and quiet is often just what I need to help me wind down the day and relax (hahaha, as if that's possible with a toddler around!), but I do still enjoy a cookie, or two, or three even in the hustle and bustle of being surrounded by toys, books and crayons with Barney playing in the background!

Here are some really easy (almost) flop-proof recipes you can try.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons coconut oil (or butter)

6 tablespoons honey

50g dark chocolate chopped

2 tablespoons cocoa 

2 cups oats

Directions

In a pot, melt coconut oil, honey and chocolate.

Mix in cocoa powder, stir until the mixture is smooth.

Transfer mixture into a cool container and mix in oats.

Mix until well combined.

Press into square/rectangular container. 

Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting.

In hot weather store in fridge in cool weather room temperature is okay.

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 small egg or 1/2 of a large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract/essence

1 cup cake flour

1 1/4 cup oats

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

Mix butter and sugar

Beat in egg, followed by vanilla

In a separate bowl mix all dry ingredients

Mix wet and dry ingredients together

Form into little balls and flatten a little

Layer on a baking tray

Bake at 180 degrees celsius for about 15-18 minutes

Ingredients

1 cup butter

1/2 cup icing sugar

2 cups cake flour

Directions

Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy

Add flour, mix until crumbly

Continue mixing with your hands, then form dough into a firm dough

Roll to about 1/2cm and cut into shapes

Bake at 180 degrees celsius for 15-18 minutes

Anyone want to come for a cup of tea...and an episode or two of Barney :-) ?

Popsicle and smoothie diaries 2: Yummy Green Spinach and Fruit Smoothie

When Olivia goes on a vegetable strike (which is often I'm afraid!), the only way to get them into her is through smoothies (and sometimes muffins). As long as you disguise the taste with some fruit, she will gobble down any veggie smoothie. Our favourite veggie to mix in is by far spinach. I love spinach and fruit smoothies as much as does. Dear hubby doesn't care for them much though :-)

Ingredients

2 cups chopped spinach

1 pear (chopped)

1 banana (chopped)

1/2 cup yoghurt

1/4 cup orange juice

Directions

Mix all the ingredients in a blender

I started with the spinach, yogurt and juice

Then added the chopped pear and banana

Yields 2 serving portions

Yummy! Yummy! Yummy!

Tummy full and happy :-)

Dirty dishes left for poor hubby!

Popsicle and smoothie diaries 1: Greek yoghurt, chocolate spread and banana popsicle

What could be yummier than a cold and refreshing snack on a hot summer day. Olivia and I LOVE smoothies and popsicles, from the healthiest of concoctions to naughty, creamy indulgences! I usually use whatever is left over from smoothie mixtures I've prepared to make popsicles by freezing it in popsicle molds.

This recipe worked better as frozen popsicles than smoothies. We both devoured our snack so fast I could have gone for seconds, but little Miss O would have wanted more too!

Try it, it is divine! You can substitute the creamy Greek yoghurt with a healthier version of yoghurt if you are counting calories!

Creamy Greek Yoghurt, Chocolate Spread and Banana Popsicles

Ingredients

1 ripe banana

1 cup double cream greek yoghurt (mmm)

2 tablespoons (or more) of chocolate spread like Nutellla

1 teaspoon vanilla extract/essence

2 tablespoons honey

Directions

Mash the banana then mix in all the ingredients. 

Pour mixture into popsicle molds and freeze.

Enjoy!

Banana and strawberry "ice-cream"

A few weeks ago while browsing through my old pins on Pinterest I came across a recipe for a healthy banana and strawberry mock ice-cream.

I tried it on a beautiful sunny day and it was divine! Olivia and I devoured it. I loved it freshly blended but she enjoyed it more as a frozen ice-lolly.

Try it! It's easy, quick and delicious!

Ingredients

1 banana sliced/diced then frozen

A handful of strawberries also chopped and frozen

2 tablespoons of whatever yoghurt you have

A hint of vanilla extract/essence (optional)

Next time I think I'll add a few fresh leaves of mint (We have plenty!)

Method

Blend all the ingredients until you get a creamy consistency. Depending on the strength of your blender, you might have to add small amounts of the frozen fruit at a time.

Enjoy immediately or freeze into popsicles!

Lately

1. Oats with blueberries. Best eaten by licking it off the hands!

2. "Have you seen her dummy?" This is THE most frequently asked question in this house, followed by a long investigation and search! We started this year with eight new dummies and we have managed to get all the way down to one.

3. She owns a bookshelf full of soft toys, but has zero interest in them right now. I caught a very short moment where she was being so cute feeding Mr Teddy with her bottle.

4. Can't walk yet, but she goes up and down the stairs like a pro!

5. & 6. Who's the smartest girl in the whole world? :-)

7. Another rare moment...actually paging through the book instead of banging it against the table.

8. & 9. She is the happiest and most eager little eater I've ever seen. Eating is probably number on on her list of favorite activities. (hmmm? she has a list?!)

10. Screams and tantrums are the latest thing. This girl is seriously strong-willed. She sure is teaching us a LOT about patience and perseverance. What a joy it is to watch and nurture this little human being as she grows into her own self. What a beautiful gift.

'Hope you had an awesome weekend! xoxo

The Weekend

1. She is getting more and more comfortable with the walker. I must admit, I can't wait for this little girlie to be walking around by herself. Maybe, just maybe she'll want her space to explore and cling less onto mama's hip.

2. She enjoyed this meal so much on Friday evening, gobbled it up in a dash. I gave her the same on Saturday for supper, she wouldn't even taste it! Oh dear!

3. Ever so excited and enthusiastic little shopper, just like mama.

4. & 5. Olivia + bucket of water = FUN! FUN! FUN!

6. Her new favourite meal, a bowl of peas. She LOVES them!

I hope you had a sweet, sweet weekend too. xoxo