Diaper/Nappy box book case (independent play area step1)

May 6, 2015Leave a comment

I wanted to make a little, quiet play area for Aidan, someplace he could do his independent play while I get a little work done…for that I needed a book case because books are ultimate quiet toy…

So step one, how I made the book case

You need nappy boxes, two or there, I opted for two
Also need scissors, a glue gun, tape and wrapping paper.
I buy wrapping paper out of supermarket sale bins,
because you never know when it can come in handy
– this bug themed one was R4.99

Cut the tops of the boxes

Use your glue gun or other glue to stick together

Cover the box being careful to wrap over cut areas for a smother finish.
Sticky tape is awesome for this part…
you can then cover with contact plastic for a more durable finish

The end 🙂

Next week I will unpack what makes up my quiet corner
it cost me nothing just some reallocation of toys 😉

R200 for four…braai away

May 3, 2015August 7, 2016Leave a comment

When Braaiboy announced his blogger challenge I was one of those first in line!!! Pick Me Pick Me oh braai master, hehehe.
The thing is I’m known for many things, my cooking is not one of those. The dangers of having a husband who loves cooking, people are so quick to say I’m lazy or incapable when truth be told, I’m just lucky, hehehe.
When I do cook, it’s light lunches and salads and that sort of thing (The twice a week cleaning lady says she doesn’t “get” my green cooking and why don’t we have instant coffee, proper tea or real sugar in this house … anywho…)
So this is my chance to show that I can make actual meals, and on the fire nogal and it’s man size so my dad can stop telling people I’m more of a “first course chef”… (Okay Rob helped alottile hehe)

With our R200 we bought the following which cost us R197.60

So what did I make? (with Rob’s help)

Pear and Apricot Beef sosaties (R74.98)

This was the most costly part of the meal, but each person got two and I have tons of braai sauce left

-Beef

-Basting sauce

-Dried apricots

-Dried pears

Cut beef into blocks marinate in basting sauce and then put on sosatie sticks, that’s two apricots on each side and pear in the middle… braai

Kudu wors spirals (R21.70)

Just cut wors into sections spiraled it and put on sticks, I’m big on portion size and presentation

Grilled Butternut (R16.99)

I just steamed butternut till tender and braaied to get some nice grill marks and it brings out a yummy no need for seasoning taste

Jacket Potato, potato salad (R25.72)

Pre-boiled potatoes a little then wrapped in foil before braaing. Once tender, I cut open and covered in light mayo and parsley, with salt and pepper to taste… Was awesome because not only does it taste great you are rationed and goodness knows I need to be rationed with potato salad.

Spar Braai Rolls (R20.99)

Because it’s cheaper than buying ingredients for bread and quicker, yeah for quicker

Drumsticks (R25.08)

Not sure what the point is of having them on sticks but that’s how they come and they are called knop kieries

AND THERE YOU HAVE IT…

Ten 100cal snacks and soups

May 1, 2015August 7, 2016Leave a comment

There is something about winter that makes me want to eat everything within a 1 metre radius.
NOM NOM NOM get in my face!!!

I know I’m not alone in my struggle so I thought I’d share some low cal recipes from around the web… so you can stuff your face without stuffing your jeans 😉

Delicious cauliflower soup without all the dairy. Under 100 calories and apparently quite tasty. We all need this now...

Cauli Soup

Tomato Basil Soup

Butternut Soup

Make your own "100 calorie packs" using baby food containers. These are ham & cheese (60 cal. Cheese 40 cal. Ham). I also use the jars for nuts (~16 almonds=100 cal.)

Ham and Cheese snackers

Crustless Spinach Quiche

Single serving brownie

Cinnamon Pancake

Skinny Moose Munch....100 calorie bag of popcorn and dark chocolate chips!

Dark choc popcorn

Apple cinnamon muffins

Biscotti

*Have not tried them all myself yet

Two step kiddies chalk spray

April 29, 2015Leave a comment

I made Aidan some chalk spray/sidewalk (pavement) spray…

most recipes call for corn starch and food coloring but I thought I’d cut out the middle man and just use two ingredients…

1. piece of chalk

2. water
(a full piece of chalk to 50ml of water makes for a spray that goes on like water but dries blue)

The spray bottle is great for his fine motor skills, he loves blue, and chalk is easy to clean, so it is win win win…

Final result, the blue is not as vibrant as it would have been with food colouring, but it works well 🙂

Spray bottle from cosmetic section, not sure what you would do with this in other instance, like what is it really for , I’m not all that clued up on make-up, water and chalk

Crush chalk into a powder and mix with water, give a good shake before playing 🙂

The spray is part of a new treat system I’m trying out, usually I’d just give him a sweet of some sort but with his eating habits we can’t encourage eating more junk.
Then I remembered this amazing baby shower gift I received from a friend/mentor/former editor she made a box of individually wrapped gifts and gave it to me saying I could open one whenever I needed a pick me up… AWESOME!

I decided to do something similar with Aidykins, buying little treats and wrapping it as “surprises” the kid is crazy about surprises, I blame Disney… I bought a few things and figure I’ll add on when the bargain bins have anything special, toothbrushes, figurines, little books… the list is endless and he won’t be getting gifts every day just when he really deserves a treat 🙂 or I need a bargaining tool :p

Barley salad is awesome! Who knew?

April 17, 2015August 7, 2016Leave a comment

I certainly had no idea barley could be used for anything but hearty soups (Def not the next Masterchef over here) my friend brought me some salad to try and it got me thinking… This has to be pretty doable – not only doable, improvable (She bought it as a take away so there was no recipe)

The next day I made a big pot of the stuff
(Kinda like rice – instructions on the pack) figured since it can keep in fridge for a week I had time to experiment…

What I used:
Barley
Feta
Cucumber
Little cherry tomatoes
Corriander Pesto (not pictured as it was a last minute brain wave)

What I did:
Layered ingredients (to my taste) in a carry along container and shook up and decanted at work…

I love love love
-It’s got a creamy almost pasta like texture and is low gi for my insulin issues
-yesterday I was running late ans only had with pesto and feta and it might have even been yummiest 🙂

DIY office space – can’t wait!

April 16, 2015Leave a comment

Being well aware of the currently political state and praying everyday for a resolution while looking into ways to educate and assist…I am just not emotionally ready to talk about how people’s priorities are all screwed up so instead I will focus on the good and show you a few ideas for my new office: