30 Plants a Week Challenge!

We all know that to help save the planet, we should be cutting down our intake of meat and be more reliant on plant-based foods. That’s not to say we should all make the change to processed versions of our old favourites, but to increase our immunity and general health, try to eat and include a wide range of plants in our diet, cooked fresh. Having read several studies, it suggests that people who eat around 30 different plants a week develop a better diversity of good gut bacteria, leading to better all-round immunity, which includes helping to prevent Covid and even some Cancers.

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Now, I don’t know about you, but I struggle to eat my 5-a-day, (or 7…whichever they’ve decided on now!) let alone 30 a week! But I was pleasantly surprised when I started looking into what 30-a-week actually meant. Anything plant-based is included: Things like spices count for a quarter of a portion; seeds and different nuts also go towards your quota. This, in my book, makes it significantly easier: a handful of pumpkin seeds on top of a Moroccan stew, or some chill spiced peanuts on a curry are quick and easy ways to top up.

With all this in mind, I did a quick count up and in a week, we ate around 40 different plants. If, for example, you mixed in some milled seeds with oats and topped with fruit, you’d be getting 7 plant based foods, and the smaller serving of the milled seeds would definitely count if you had it every day: Porridge with milled chia/flax/sunflower and pumpkin seeds with raspberries and blueberries = 7. Or for dinner, a veggie curry with several varied veg, topped with chilli nuts, coconut yoghurt and a large handful of coriander: aubergine, cauliflower, chickpeas, green beans, onion, garlic, ginger, chillies, tamarind paste, coconut cream, turmeric and curry powder, cashew nuts with chilli flakes, coconut yoghurt, fresh coriander …if you just count the big veg. you’re on around 5 … if you only count the fresh garlic, ginger, chillies, tamarind, dried turmeric and curry powder, fresh coriander and coconut as a quarter each, that still adds an extra 2 taking you up to 7. I’d be thinking that if you added these types of things to a meal a couple of times a week, they’d definitely count as a whole portion on their own, although I’ve struggled to find a definitive list of ‘amounts’ which would count as a whole.

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So you can begin to see how quickly it adds up … we’re up to 14 after a breakfast every day and one veggie meal. By day one, you’re well on your way to varying your plant-based food and mixing it up a little, but remember, it’s ‘different’ plants: If you have carrots every day, it only counts once! We’ve tried to cut down our meat intake during the week by including more veggie meals or making swaps…making a beany shepherd’s pie with 3 types of beans instead of a mince beef one, or a veggie curry rather than a meat-based one. And I’ve also tried to sneak extra veggies into meals by adding a handful of red lentils to soups, or topping the dinner with nuts / seeds and fresh chopped herbs. When I get bored, I order a Gousto recipe box for inspiration – they have some really good and easy veggie and plant-based recipes that you can make again and again without the box in the future and if you click the link, you get 60% off your first box and 30% off others in your first month. And you can cancel easily whenever you want.

So I’m going to set us a challenge – can you eat your 30 plants a week? Start on a ‘good’ day for you! Make a note of every plant you eat – remember, spices, nuts and seeds all count! Use the comments section below to share your final tally and any great recipes you’ve found along the way! What meal were you most surprised by? Was it easier or harder than you expected? Let’s be #inthistogether and see what changes we can make. For tips and tricks, look at this Zoe study piece, or for more information about preventing illness and improving immunity, look here. I’m looking forward to trying out some of your recipes, tips and tricks so don’t forget to share in the comments!

Briars and Quills

The latest edition of A Year and a Day landed on our doorstep last week (gifted) after we successfully applied to be brand reps for the magazine. And it didn’t disappoint. With Autumnal crafts and stories, recipes and movement activities, it is just a pleasure to delve into.

This year already I’ve made Elderflower cordial and Elderberry syrup, alongside a jelly, which I just can’t remember what foraged fruit I used! So rather than make the rosehip syrup, which did sound delicious, we focused on the Hedgehog ideas. My 5 year old loved the movement – curling up, stretching out, and even learnt a new word – sploot – which hedgehog enthusiasts use to describe the behaviour of the hedgehog when it lies on its front with legs splayed if it’s too hot or uncomfortable!

Acrostic Poem

The Brothers Grimm story, Hans My Hedgehog, provided a lovely opportunity to discuss new vocabulary, such as swine, but it was a little wordy and long-winded for her to keep up with! My 10 year old, however, loved it! We found leaves and animals on them, using them to represent the hedgehog’s food with drawings of slugs, snails and worms then made a plasticine hedgehog using a conker shell as quills, to re-enact him foraging through the leaves to find the food! I was even inspired to try my hand at a watercolour of a hedgehog – it didn’t turn out too badly although there’s lots of room for improvement. A simple Acrostic poem was also very achievable and encouraged my reluctant writer to have a go!

Rather than hunt for rosehips, we collected hundreds of Horse Chestnuts and introduced the girls to the game of Conkers. We used a beautiful mushroom shaped clamp to hold the conker and stop little palms being stabbed when using small hand drills to bore a small hole through the centre. Some conkers we threaded onto an old wire coat-hanger to make a door garland, and others we strung to play conkers.

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There are still lots of ideas inside we haven’t tried and are hoping to make some blackberry ink before they finally disappear for winter and a shadow puppet box to retell the Briar Rose fairytale.

If you’d like to order your own copy and buy some of the gorgeous back copies of A Year and a Day, then pop my code in at checkout for a sneaky discount! Just use AYBON21 for 5% off.

Disclaimer: The magazine I received was complimentary for review purposes. All opinions given are my own, honest and truthful.

February’s Meet, Make & Munch

So, that’s another month whizzed by then. It’s been one of highs and lows for a lot of people I think: Friends have lost children, lives have been taken too soon or altered too drastically in a flash, while others have felt that they simply can’t carry on. My M, M & M are perhaps a little unorthodox this month; I’m hoping to focus on self-worth, positive thinking and time for yourself. So, with that in mind, I’ve put Cc into the creche for a couple of hours, tried not to feel guilty that she’s already had 3 full days at nursery this week or that I won’t get the time to spend with her come September, and been to a Body Combat class at the gym, not followed by my usual swim to stretch out but a long and luxurious sit in the steam room, where I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the conversation of others and not thinking! I then meandered to the cafe, bought myself a healthy cous cous and feta salad (again, trying not to feel that I actually could have made this quickly, easily and cheaply at home) and a piping hot Americano. I am now sitting down and trying to get some ideas down on the page.

Meet:

So many of us struggle to meet with others outside of working hours. Life sort of takes over and before you know it, you get up, do the morning routine, go to work, get home, do the evening routine, slump in front of the t.v. for an hour and go to bed. Sometimes without muttering more than a few words. And in this world, it’s becoming more common to work from home, without the need to leave the house or speak to others. We make plans and break them again – because situations have changed, because you just can’t motivate yourself to go out and be sociable,  because it’s easier to stay in. We rarely see friends, colleagues, anyone with whom we can chat, moan, grumble, shout, cry, and laugh. And when we do, we all ask the ‘right’ questions, “How are you doing?” but the answer remains the same, irrelevant of the actual feelings encountered…”Fine, thanks.”

Sometimes, when you get that feeling that something’s not right, that sinking in your tummy, that nagging doubt in your head, ask again. And again. And in another way. On your own with them, without other distractions, or simply letting them know that you’re worried for them and want to know if they’re ok. Perhaps you’ve noticed something specific…tell them, “I’ve noticed you’ve spent a lot of time on your own recently, is there anything you’d like to talk about?” If they obviously don’t want to talk, maybe ask if there’s anyone else they could talk to. Show them, tell them you’re there to listen, don’t expect them to know that, just because you’re their friend. And then do listen, really listen, empathise with feelings. And seek help together if that’s what’s required.

But remember, there is only so much you can do – decisions made by others are out of your hands. They are just that – their decision.

I’m no psychologist or psychiatrist; I have no qualifications in life coaching or mentoring; I’m haven’t done courses on this stuff…but, I know it’s important to have friends and get out of the house and your daily routine every so often. And not just to have them, but to actively be involved with them. You need people around you to help, support, give advice. People who see things from a different angle, people who can get you moving when you need it.

But sometimes, you have to love yourself too. You have to accept the praise, feel good about yourself when you’ve achieved your set goals. Recognise that yes, there are going to be bad days, but that there are also going to be good days – see the positive, feel the good. Sometimes, you need to give yourself a kick up the bum to get out too, even if you don’t want to. Get off that sofa, see your friend, go for a cup of tea or glass of wine. Again, I understand it’s not that simple for a lot of people, that there are many deep issues at play. I know not everyone can find the positive in themselves, and that it can be immensely difficult.  So sometimes you need to be the friend that goes to them, turns up on their doorstep with bar of chocolate and walks in for a catch up.

I’m in complete agreement, not only with my husband (for once) but also with much other advice and evidence that getting outside is hugely beneficial for your health. Even if it is blowing a hoolie and tipping with rain! I see so many people on the running machines at the gym on sunny, crisp mornings, and wonder why on earth they’re choosing to run inside in a windowless, noisy box rather than through the beautiful park and along the river that is a step away outside. It just doesn’t make sense to me. Seeing and listening to the nature, feeling the breeze, have the elements touch your skin surely has to have a positive impact on your physical and mental well-being? That feeling of crossing a stream with bare feet in the summer and your skirt tucked into your pants; listening to the breeze through the leaves or the early morning birdsong, seeing the super low crescent moon with Venus burning brightly at her side – surely these lift the spirit? Doctors are even beginning to prescribe outdoor activities to ease anxiety and stress and improve mental health: These include activities such as gardening, walking, bird watching and just getting ‘down’ with nature!

So, along with meeting friends, talking and listening, I would hugely promote the idea of getting back to nature and re-engaging with the outside.

It’s ok not to be ok.

Make:

Engaging with my own advice in getting back to nature, I went for a wander round the, rather squelchy and muddy, garden last weekend. It was a pleasure to see all the new shoots and growth, the bright yellow daffodils, the magnolia blossom just starting, Mahonia buds beginning. I cut a few too to make a Spring posy, or ‘tussie-mussie’ as my mum calls them. This term hails from the reign of Queen Victoria when little seasonal bouquets became something of a fashion accessory. Just a few daffs, a spring of a Christmas Rose or Helleborus, an errant crocus I found in the lawn and what was left of the Snowdrops. It makes the feature of our Spring Seasonal display and I’m looking forward to changing it over the next few weeks and different flowers push through. 

Munch:

February always seems to be the month where I crave fat – cheese, bacon and unctuous, gloopy stickiness: Tartiflette, Cheese toasties, crispy baked potatoes filled with bacon and cheese…the list goes on. But my husband has had other ideas, with an attempt at veggie meals during the week. This will, hopefully, have a knock on effect in terms of my mental health too, feeling that I’m eating better, fresher, getting more nutrients. It should help me feel less tired, more active and generally ‘weller’. So I had to get my thinking cap on. Most of these meals either involve beans, paprika or mushrooms, so I tried a few different things out to get a variety. Here are a few of the favourites:

Lentil, Chickpea and Butternut Squash Stew with Moroccan Flavours – topped with toasted flaked almonds, cranberries and Feta.

Chickpeas, tomatoes and Fennel with a lemony twist

Black Bean Chilli served with Soured Cream over a Sweet Potato Jacket.

Peppers and tomatoes with a paprika hit, served with chopped fresh Parsley, Pumpkin Seeds and Feta, alongside homemade crispy tortilla chips.

Most recipes have either been posted on my Insta. account or on the Chimney House Facebook page, so feel free to pop over there and have a look.

 

 

 

Gousto Aubergine Thai Curry

This is a fairly simple curry straight from Gousto, the recipe box people. And it’s one I use again and again as I know my 8 year old loves it, plus it makes a delicious veggie meal. It uses a basic red thai paste, I just use Tesco version and throw the whole jar in for 4 people, then follow the recipe.

With creamed coconut, vegetable stock and a last minute kick of fresh lime juice making up the rest of the sauce, it’s super tasty. I use frozen fresh ginger, peeled with a teaspoon (if you don’t peel ginger like this, you should!) as a cheat and when it comes to softening the coconut first, I don’t…I chop it and put it in the same jug as the hot water and the stock cubes.

Find the recipe at Gousto, here.

September’s Meet, Make & Munch

September, the start to new things: new school year, season change (meteorological Autumn) and warmer clothes! And this year, the month seems to have whizzed by. No sooner was I ironing uniform, (actually, who am I kidding? I never iron anything, but it was all washed, clean and ready!) buying new water bottles and remembering routines, than we were celebrating mum’s birthday on the 30th and looking ahead to mine in October. Fortunately, everyone seems to have settled well back into school, nursery and work life, although I still long for the lazy summer mornings where we don’t have to get dressed if we don’t want to!

Meet…

At Marsh Farm. Having lived so close for so long, but never having been, we ventured down on the last day of the summer holidays for their Bubble ‘n’ Pop Kids Festival, and had a great time. We booked online for around £10 per person and spent all day there, with everything for free, even taking a picnic: The weather held and we had a great day. Both my 8yo and my 3yo were catered for…they both enjoyed the radio Essex Bubble and Glow disco and the music workshop, despite being a 10-15 minute queue. As soon as organisers saw this, they put another show on straight after the first to ensure people who had waited would get a place. Clever thinking and common sense applied…tick!

The free roundabouts, digging for gems, and glitter face paints as we entered were particular highlights. Trying to get them off the adventure playground was a struggle (we didn’t even go inside the play barn) but they were soon wooed with the aviary and birds to see next door. We didn’t really visit many other animals, which was a shame as, as the name suggests, it started off as a small farm with animals to ‘pet’ and feed, but with so many other activities to keep us busy, they sort of got a bit forgotten. The bouncy castle zone was brilliant fun for both ages and small enough to keep an eye on them both. My eldest loved the foam, the little one not so much and neither were that keen on the ‘pool and beach’ area…the water being cold and dirty (as it would be at the end of a summer-long kids festival). But it didn’t matter as there were so many other options to pursue!

We had a fantastic day out and left filled with fun and exhaustion! I’d definitely recommend these themed weeks from Marsh Farm, but have yet to go to an ‘event’ such as the Halloween or Christmas Experiences. I’ve heard they’re amazing but would like to see for ourselves sometime soon!

Make…

A seasonal display. I’ve been looking at ideas for these for ages, but the wooden ‘celebration rings’ and stands are so expensive, and you have to buy the figures to add to them, that I decided we’d have more fun making our own version. After seeing a lovely idea to make a ‘stick frame’ and hang found nature objects from the top stick to create a nature picture, I though we could use a similar idea as the focus of our display. Except I wanted it to be seen in the round and to be able to stand independently, so decided upon a tripod shape. We bound three sticks tightly at the top and splayed their ‘legs’, then wrapped twine around the top part only to act as a weaving frame for our found objects. F used her hand drills and conker clamp to bore holes through the horse chestnuts, then we threaded these on. Feathers, other seeds and skeleton leaves were also wound through the structure.

We used the Autumn colours of our Grimms semi-circles to create a base, a couple of pieces of the large Fire for stands and height and the small inner part for a central bonfire, and a silk scarf with autumnal colours to add a different texture. F then filled the bases with colourful leaves, acorns and hazelnuts. We added a few home-painted ‘amies’ (friend people), the Conker clamp as it’s a mushroom shape, and one gorgeous Ambrosuis figure…a boy with a hazelnut. As the season develops, I hope to change items around and update it, for example, adding spookier figures nearer the end of October and different seed pods. I also found a gorgeous little book, Around the Year by Elsa Beskow, which has poems and ideas about each month so we can read and turn the pages as the year progresses. I’m really hoping this will be a feature that stays and grows as the seasons change and the year continues. It’s been such fun doing it with F.

Munch…

On Herman! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed growing our German Friendship Cake, Herman, that F brought home a pot of from school. I’ve done one before, many years ago, but F hasn’t so it was a great chance to talk about yeast, starters, living things, etc and see how it grows and changes. She already knew about how the yeast uses the sugar and how it’s similar to the brewing process in alcohol! We’ve transferred a little to a small bottle and put a balloon over the top to watch it inflate with the gasses given off over the next few days too. Science in action!

We’re still ‘feeding’ Herman at the moment though, then F hopes to make him into a chocolatey version of the cake in a few more days’ time. If you can’t wait that long, have a look here to read my previous efforts with Herman!

With the months whizzing by, I’m looking forward to an Autumnal October.

Herman … A German Friendship Cake

The Truth!

After my daughter brought a small, runny, smelly pot of ‘starter’ home from school in order to make a German friendship cake, the debates started! Cries such as ‘it stinks’, ‘should it be quite this runny if it’s cake mix?’ and ‘I’m not sure I want to eat something that’s sat in a warm classroom full of colds and winter flu for the last ten days!’ Could be heard across the playground, well, across the class Facebook groups anyway!

I, on the other hand, was looking forward to leaving it for ten more days on my own kitchen worktop, growing him to a man and passing on the love before baking our portion! Another few, hardened mums also braved the germs to bake him into a delicious, light sourdough cake. The children chose their own interchangeable ingredients, so swapped out the traditional apple and raisins / sultanas for chocolate chips and marshmallows!

Anyway, you can look over at Dire Bon Appetit for a more detailed explanation as to Herman, but for now, here are a few simple truths…

Yes, he smells. He’s a sugary sourdough-type starter, brewing and bubbling with yeast, helping keep your cake light and airy, and, of course, giving it a better overall flavour.

Yes, he really is alive and bubbling with gases…that’s the yeast again! Same process as bread dough making, pizza dough proving. You will kill him by keeping him cold for too long or not giving him enough room to breathe!

No, I understand, a classroom situation is not ideal with al those bugs and germs floating around, but he will have been lightly covered, highly supervised and stirred only with a spoon…no fingers allowed!

Yes, it’s a similar idea to a sourdough bread starter that restaurants who homemake their bread might use, but with sugar!

Yes, he’s at least ten days old…actually, probably an awful lot more than that in line with the idea of keeping him, growing him and passing a little of him on to someone else. Realistically, this starter could have been alive and growing for years and years!

But go on, cook him up, see what you get! All I’ve heard is positive comments about finished cakes so far!

Summer Edition: Meet, Make & Munch

So, we’ve returned to school and work, any summer sunshine has well and truly disappeared, and I’m beginning to embrace the coolness of Autumn, with the cosier evenings. Having been spoilt with several holidays this year for one reason and another, we didn’t have a main week or two away this summer…for the first time ever. And, I have to say, it was really nice having weekends away, days out, time to rest and potter and just enjoy spending time with the family. So for this period, I’ve combined the meet and make, and the Munch is make-ahead camping related too!

Meet & Make… a weekend of it!

Be it a festival, a family meet up, or a weekend away with friends. Ours have mainly involved the tent and we’ve been super lucky with the weather! In between bouts of thunder storms and persistent rain, we’ve managed a night wild camping on the beach at Lowestoft’s first solstice festival, First Light. Brilliant fun, late nights, early mornings and loads to do for everybody! Just great.

Next was a camping weekend locally to celebrate the Mexican side of the family arriving for a few weeks! We camped at Barleylands (who knew?) and it’s not, strictly, what I would call a campsite, but it’s a super low price of around £10! There’s a large field, a stand tap and a very clean shower and toilet block…all your basics. And, of course, having Barleylands on your doorstep means you’ll never been bored for something to do. There was loads of grassy space to play cricket, football, etc. And with barely anyone else there, space to make a noise and run around. Off the ground barbecues are allowed too! There’s also a camping offer for two days at the farm park plus camping for, virtually, the same price as a day’s entrance and camping. Brilliant value. We followed it up with an outdoor, bring your own, Sunday lunch at Maldon Smokehouse. Delicious.

Our next camping weekend was with friends on the edge of the New Forest for a visit to Paulton’s Park, home of Peppa!

A brilliant campsite, Green Hill Farm, which has a play area for children, including a zip wire and a little splash park, all sorts of camping pitches including free-space camping in the fields at the back, (perfect if you go as a group and want an area to yourselves), a bar, a food van each night, award winning shower facilities and a laundry room and freezer. Everything was perfect, and only 20 mins from Peppa too!

We visited Bournemouth on the Saturday, spent a few hours on the beach, ate at Harry Ramsden’s and gave the children £1 each on the amusements! Their favourite thing of the weekend? The freedom of jumping in the waves!

Having no summer holiday booked, we also disappeared up to the Lake District to watch my husband participate in the Buttermere SwimRun. Don’t ask. Having left it incredibly late to book anything, camping, b and bs and hotels were all fully booked. We were lucky to find a static caravan at Low Briery which, as I’m a first time caravaner, I was very excited about.

It’s a lovely little park on the river, a kilometre from the centre of Keswick. Now, be prepared for rain…it literally didn’t stop from the second we arrived to the moment we closed our car door to leave!! The caravan was really lovely, spacious and clean. I took ready prepared meals in the coolbox that I could just heat up in big pans so I didn’t actually need to prepare anything when we were there. There’s loads to do for families in and around Keswick: indoor climbing, indoor soft play, a huge toy shop selling every jigsaw imaginable, delicious food at independent cafes and tea rooms, a Puzzling Place where nothing is as it seems…just loads of fun.

Not to mention beautiful walks and scenery. We had such a fab weekend, I’ve booked to go back next year, albeit further south in the lakes for a difference experience.

And, as a special treat, my husband also booked us, just us, a weekend in Lisbon for our 10th Wedding Anniversary.

Lisbon is brilliant…lots to see and do in the centre itself, good food, though you may have to search it out. Check with google reviews before you sit down and you’ll find some great little treasures. If you really love food, definitely try out the two large food markets while you’re there. We stayed at hotel Teatro B and B which is perfectly located to walk everywhere.

Our last weekend away was down at the River Cottage summer festival. We’ve previously been to Just So and Carfest but couldn’t face the crowds this year so opted for something smaller, and a lot less pricey. Tickets were only £95 per adult, for the weekend camping, including festivals tickets, and children were free. There was enough to do for a couple of days with two children, tractors and transportation was laid on to get your camping stuff from the carpark to the campsite and back again, and, for once, the weather held and we had a hot and sunny weekend.

Since it’s really a feast over fire food festival, and a small festival at that, no camping stoves of any sort were allowed, which made taking food slightly more difficult, but I packed a range of salad / picnic type food and we managed very well! The festival food vans were delicious, and the slow cooked whole lamb over the fires, just scrummy. We mainly did children’s activities: bubble man, arts and crafts etc, which were great, but there were also many talks for adults, walks and forages, etc.

Lots of packing and unpacking has certainly gone on in the last few weeks, but it’s all been great fun!

Munch:

On the camping theme, I thought I’d share some of my stand by, make on the hoof or before you go, family meals that you can take with you frozen to help keep the coolbox cool, leave to defrost and reheat there.

One-pot dinners like bolognaise (there’s a super quick 10 minute one here) or stew always work well (look over at Bon Appetit for some different ideas, there’s a delicious herby summer lamb one) and you can simply reheat and cook pasta or rice to go alongside. We usually have a bbq on the first night with a premade at home salad to keep it easy, thus also giving the other food time to defrost, although you may still need to take it out of the coolbox to defrost properly the next day!

Things that worked well this summer were chicken fajitas, easy to make while you’re camping or even ahead of time. I spice the chicken pieces, then freeze. Pre-chop the peppers and onions, make up the tomato sauce to add and freeze that separately too. Then it’s simply a case of frying it all together, serving with wraps, salad and sour cream. I now have a new favourite recipe for these which you can find here.

I also tend to do a curry which you can make totally in advance and just reheat. You can toast the naans on the bbq or over the gas quickly and cook rice to add. Again, I have a new favourite recipe for this which is super tasty, and comes from Gousto.

Phew…what a few weeks. Brilliant fun and it felt much more relaxed than our usual summers.

First Light photo credit to Fiona Paterson…many thanks Fi, they’re awesome!

February’s Meet, Make & Munch

It’s certainly been a busy few weeks in The Chimney House, but a fun few nonetheless. We’ve gone from living on concrete, mismatched rugs and cardboard to having proper flooring; unpainted bathrooms to bright white ones; and a mess everywhere to it now just being upstairs! Half term included both a family ski trip to France and a super high temperature for CC on our return and the month in general has been underpinned by cheese..and lots of it. I’m trying to convince myself that the extra half stone I’ve gained is due to muscle mass from skiing, but am fairly certain the cheese has more to do with it that I’d like to think!

Meet…

Who knew so many people did Parkrun? It’s not a race, just an opportunity to run: A fun, free, weekly event in many, many places around the country where you can just enjoy a run with other people.  I say ‘you’ and mean it. I can’t run. I’m sure if I practiced, then I could, but I’m not very good at sticking to solitary sports…I need someone at the front shouting at me. That, and music…lots of music. Anyway, I’m immensely proud that Mr. Merlotti and Effie both enjoy their respective 5km and 2km runs on many weekends. The next event Effie goes to, she will receive a band for completing 21 runs…that’s a total of 42km she’ll have run over the time: or to put it another way, a marathon!

And not only do the people running enjoy it, you’ll always meet similarly minded people as a spectator! Over the last few weeks, I’ve met other teachers’ supporting their children, seen children from the school I teach at, met friends from up the road and the gym…and Effie has run with people she went to nursery and swimming with and is greatly enjoying it. So if you’re one of those people that does run, and even if you’re just going to support them, then find your local event here. I’m always amazed just how many people turn up to take part, both adults and children, and always enjoy the high fiving and cheering them on.

Make…

Music. Don’t let me hear you say you’re not musical or that you can’t! Just have a go! Sing…it doesn’t matter how out of tune it may be. Tap along and move…who cares if you’re in time or not? Play…that piano that’s been sitting there untouched for over a year. Music has always been known to make you cleverer, unlike other academic subjects which just improve one particular skill or way of thinking. The combination of reading music, playing the instrument, making your fingers do what they’re told, listening to others and the tones made really does help boost intelligence. Read this article if you don’t believe me!

I’m just getting back into it with a new digital keyboard to replace the incredibly old, unbelievably heavy piano that we had from Sandon village hall a few years ago! We needed to free up a bit of space and something that sounded nice too, so this was the perfect thing. Even Effie has been inspired to have a go and actually practice something for a few times in order to improve!

Munch…

Those who follow my food blog will know I was recently sent lots of lovely goodies from Laverstoke Park Farm to try out. They have recently expanded their range of buffalo products to include ricotta and happily sent me a huge bowl of that, plus some Cheddar, Mozarella and Black Pudding. Needless to say, it was all delicious and it gave me back a bit of creativity that I’ve recently not been able to find.

I invented recipes, tried out new ideas and had the most fun eating them. If you only give one idea a try, make it the Chorizo, Beetroot & Ricotta Baguette…

 

Disclaimer: The products I received were complimentary for review and recipe development purposes. All opinions given are my own, honest and truthful.

 

 

Laverstoke Park Farm Recipes

Evening all…

Just to let you know, as if you didn’t already, I’ve been trialling some delicious products from Laverstoke Park Farm. Mainly buffalo cheeses of varying types, but also some black pudding. Over the next week, I’ll be posting the recipes over on Bon Appetit so please hop over and take a look. Recipes will include a British take on Huevos Rancheros; Pear, potato, black pudding and ricotta salad; and a chorizo and ricotta baguette. The first post is live now. I hope you enjoy them … it’s really the first time I’ve forayed into real inventing!