Monthly Archives: February 2010

Cookery book Road Test

Posted by & filed under Cake.

I’m ashamed to admit it has taken me 40 years to have this great idea, but now I have, I thought I would a) share it with you and b) ask your advice. 

This week I borrowed 2 cookery books from my local library. What a fantatsic idea I thought. I can have a proper read through and see if there are any actual recipes in it that I will make. Genius!

I love cooking and I love cookery books and have a fair few on my kitchen shelves. But from each book I have probably tried a dozen or so recipes, and from that dozen maybe 2 or 3 have become favourites that I cook regularly. So I figure this way I can either copy down the 2 or 3 recipes that prove a hit, or if it looks really promising buy the book myself. Read more

Are you a whale or a mermaid?

Posted by & filed under Body Image.

We were emailed this story recently and thought it was just too good not to share.

Recently, in a large city in Australia, a poster featuring a young, thin and tanned woman appeared in the window of a gym. It said, “This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?” A middle-aged woman, whose physical characteristics did not match those of the woman on the poster, responded publicly to the question posed by the gym.

To Whom It May Concern,

Whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, sea lions, curious humans). They have an active sex life, get pregnant and have adorable baby whales. They have a wonderful time with dolphins stuffing themselves with shrimp. They play and swim in the seas, seeing wonderful places like Patagonia, the Bering Sea and the coral reefs of Polynesia. Whales are wonderful singers and have even recorded CDs. They are incredible creatures and virtually have no predators other than humans. They are loved, protected and admired by almost everyone in the world. Read more

HOORAY! It’s half-term

Posted by & filed under Work Life Balance.

Now I know that at least half of you are thinking I may be suffering some sort of delusion or mental breakdown; how can she possibly be cheering the school holidays? The other half know why. It’s quite simple: I love being with my children and the whole reason I was a stay at home mum and am now a WAHM is for this very reason.

No, my children aren’t saints, and no my work doesn’t stop and the work/life balancing act doesn’t go away or fit in with school holidays perfectly. However,  as ‘my own boss’ I can decide when to log on, I can decide when to work and I can forward plan so that anything major does not clash with my children’s holiday time.  I took those decisions because I wanted to be with my children; 90% of the time it is a fulfilling and brilliant job – and 10% of the time it isn’t, but then nothing in life is perfect! Read more

Raspberry and White Chocolate Brownies

Posted by & filed under Cake.

My discovery of this yummy recipe is all thanks to writer and Daddy Blogger Tim over at Bringing Up Charlie. I made these Raspberry and White Chocolate Brownies for our last Business Drop-In and, unusually, politeness/January diets went out the window and everyone came back for seconds.

white-choc-253x150-253x150

Some people might find white chocolate a little sweet and sickly but teamed with the raspberries these cakes are moist and delicious whilst maintaining a hint of virtue in the tartness of the fresh fruit.

 

Ingredients
250g white chocolate
75g butter
125g caster sugar
2 large eggs
5ml vanilla essence
150g plain flour
2.5ml salt
150g raspberries (fresh or frozen) Read more