First day in the life of a wahm (sort of)

May 4, 2015Leave a comment

Okay so I’ve been working from home for a week now, I’ve written articles, attended meetings and did shoots, but there were lots of public holidays and Rob was home to help out, also the office was not done so I was working from whatever space I could…
Today it’s moving in day, I’m in the middle of fixing up my office, it’s really just a closed off entertainment area but it’s what I needed and more…
There is a little quiet play area for Aidan (Many people were against this idea, but I know my kid, he would just be standing at window nagging for me, this way he has his place to play quietly and not bother mommy – used it to much success this weekend) , a desk for me, a craft table, an already to small book case and a giant comfy rug 🙂

I’m settling in nicely, took Aidy to daycare this morning, used his stroller so it doubled as a workout (just let me have this people) then did basic morning yoga checked my emails, set up a to do list and as soon as I send this I’m off to take a shower and REALLY start my day…

I have a couple of interviews to do today before my boss comes home and demands food he has no intention of eating. . . it’s the first day that I will be faced with working while he is at home and there is no daddy to send him to, wish me luck 🙂

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…

Should you join a Yoga Studio?

May 2, 2015Leave a comment

Michelle is back with some yoga tips

A yoga haven just for you and your yoga.

Yoga studio surroundings are mostly designed for the comfort and elements of serenity, making it a blissful place to distress and relax. From when you walk through the doors to end, the incense is burning, the candles are lit and your stresses and thoughts of the day starts melting away as you move rhythmically from one yoga pose to the next with no disturbances or outside distractions. It really is just about you and your yoga mat.

That personal touch

I have found that when joining a yoga studio, the teacher wants to know about your ailments, the reason for joining yoga and to build you up to a level of reaching your personal yoga goals. From beginner to advanced, varied yoga classes are available to you and in each of those classes, alternative adjustment to yoga poses are given so that all can enjoy the practise.

Surrounded by yoga enthusiasts

Most individuals join a yoga studio and fall in love with the practise. The longer you are a member, the greater the friendship, the more enjoyable it gets as you see your progression from beginner to intermediate with support and advise from those around you. Beginners are welcomed with open arms and that same passion starts to burn in each and every yogi.

Workshops and Visitors

Yoga studios host yoga teachers from all over the world. Feel Good Yoga recently hosted Simon Rowe from Amsterdam who shared his Prana Yoga Style with us. Most studios offer monthly workshops on subjects to help better each individuals practise or to melt away any insecurities so that members can go deep into their practise with no mental disturbances along the way. You are connected to an active yoga network and won’t miss out on a single thing.

Join Feel Good Yoga @ Only R60 per class. www.feelgoodyoga.co.za

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

Take a look at Jill’s stuff

April 30, 2015July 15, 20161 Comment

Thursday’s are for featuring interesting people… For me and this blog that is usually other bloggers or creatives/artists. I really love creative people, and love to showcase people’s talents so with that in mind meet Jill, she was featured here before for Meatless MondayJill makes these awesome pants, maxalones, they have more space for cloth nappies, she really only makes them for her boys but when she has extra fabric she sells rem on her fb page Jill’s Stuff.

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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

Just Ella Bella