One use for spare nappies.

We all end up with spare nappies, especially when your baby or toddler moves up a size and you find a few old ones lurking at the bottom of the changing bag! Nappies are so costly so it's a shame to waste them.  If you know someone else with a baby pass them on, if they are a bit crushed from being at the bottom of a bag then try giving teddy a nappy change!

This is especially good if you have a toddler who doesn't like nappy changes.  Before doing your little ones nappy, lay a big teddy or dolly out on the changing mat, and put the nappy on them, Poppy loves this game and will come willingly to the changing mat now!  

Have fun!

Lazy Mummy.

Yes we have been very lazy..... More blog posts to come soon! 

Roasted vegetable pasta bake.

What's great about this recipe is that you can prepare it when your baby is napping and then pop it in the oven when required.  I see so many lovely family recipes that I simply don't get the chance to make, our kitchen isn't really baby friendly and Poppy hates me leaving the room, so I usually try and prepare as much as I can while she is having her morning nap. It's also great for using up odds and ends in the fridge, I always have half a courgette and bits of pepper that need using. 

So roughly chop an onion (red or white), any coloured peppers, I like to use red and green to get sweet and bitter, a courgette and a few cloves of garlic.  Aubergine also works well in this recipe. Put all the veg and garlic into a roasting tin with a drizzle oil (I use rapeseed) and a splash of balsamic vinegar. It's best not to add salt if your baby is going to have some, so I suggest seasoning after.  Roast on a high heat until the vegetables look soft and the peppers are beginning to brown on the edges.  At this point add a tin of chopped tomatoes and stir well.  I add a pinch of caster sugar just to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Pop back into the oven for another 5 minutes or so.  

In the meantime cook whatever past you have around.  White pasta is better for baby.  Until al dente.  Add the pasta to the mix and stir.  Top with mozzarella, simply tear it up.  Bake until bubbling.  Top with fresh basil and a little salt and pepper for mum and dad. 

Devour! 

Motherhood, testing your skills.

The main skill that will be tested when you become a parent is your sneaking skills.  When it comes down to it, parenthood is survival of the fittest.  Your ability to silently sneak across the nursery after having spent the best part of an hour rocking your 17lb baby to sleep will really be tested.  It only takes a scuff of your feet, a swish of your jeans or the creak of the damn door to wake your baby from their slumber.  You will actually start to plan your outfit by the eliminating the most noisy attire from your wardrobe. 

So you make it out of the nursery, closing the door ever so slowly behind you and when it is shut, let out a sigh of relief (silently of course). The game doesn't stop there though, oh no, time to softly pad down the stairs, remembering which ones creak, I usually find myself holding on to the walls for extra support. Well done you've made it downstairs.  You're desperate for a cup of tea, but it's best to wait at least fifteen minutes before switching on the noisy kettle, just to make sure she's in a deep slumber.  You scoff some food that needs little preparation, fearing she could wake at any minute and you may have missed your opportunity for sustenance. 

There is a knock at the door, curses! You've forgotten you ordered a food shop.  The delivery man looks confused as to why you are whispering and tip toeing around, unfortunately he doesn't get the hint and engages in loud chit chat.  The ordeal is over, you retreat back into your home like some sort of house hermit.  Baby still sleeping.  Hmm you begin to feel confident, cocky even.  A quick chat to the other half in a hushed voice. "Yes she's been asleep 45 minutes" you say smugly.  This motherhood lark isn't too bad after all.  Right time for that cup of tea.  The kettle whistles. Tea bag at the ready.  You baby lets out her battle cry, she's awake.....

Not so boring baby food.

Lots of mums I have spoken too found weaning stressful and confusing, which is a shame because your child will probably be the biggest fan of your cooking.  As we all know there is nothing like your own mums cooking! Companies prey on our fears offering non choke products and super smooth purees (which usully taste bland).  Weaning should be an exciting time, every bit of new food your baby tries is a new flavour.  I love watching Poppy's expression when she tries something new.  It's not just about flavour either, it's about texture and colour.  

I think sometimes it can be hard to come up with recipes because of the traditional view of baby food.  If you want to try your baby with something new, I suggest give them what you are eating! If you're worried about them not getting enough food, give them a small portion of something you know they eat and like.  

So on our lunch menu today is a salad.  Lettuce leaves, spinach leaves, orange segments (skin removed), cucumber, peppers, green and black olives, butter beans, cubes of ham and sun dried tomatoes. I've given mines a drizzle of garlic oil and balsamic vinegar.  If your usually season your salad, be sure not to put any salt on your babies.  If you wanted to add some carbs to this you could share some tasty bread too.  I hope you enjoy this recipe!

Weaning inspiration.

I've got horribly behind with weaning posts, so I thought I'd do a quick few ideas for baby led weaning lunch.  Sometimes it's hard coming up with new ideas, especially once your baby is having more than just sticks of cooked vegetables.  Firstly try introducing toast!  Bread is easier for babies to eat when lightly toasted and cut into fingers.  Here is Poppy's first piece of toast! 

When she is more advanced you can try different shapes to make lunch a little more interesting.

Once she's happy with the texture, try cheese on toast.  It's a great lunch because you can both have it.      

An omelette is great because you can keep it plain or add extras. Here I've done a plain omelette and instead of adding grated cheddar, topped it with cottage cheese (full fat) and served with slices of avocado.  

I am very keen to introduce fish into Poppy's diet while she is still very accepting of new flavours, I also think its a healthy family choice.  Here are a couple of lunch ideas for both you and your baby:

TInned sardines in oil mashed with cherry tomatoes and basil leaves on toast.  I grill the bread one side and then top the bread with the mix on the uncooked side then grill again.  When making the mixture mash all the small bones into the mix.  Sardines are a great source of calcium and they are also very fatty, perfect for a chunky baby.

A quicker option is mackerel pate on toast.  You can buy or make your own and simply spread on toast. You can add lemon juice, black pepper, chopped salad or leave it plain.  

I hope you find these ideas helpful and tasty! 

  

A make up mummy must have.

My make up must have is No.7 BB cream, I don't really like wearing make up unless its for a special occasion and when I do I like it to look quite natural, I tend to opt for brown eye shadow and just a little blusher.  Once you've had a baby however you need something to cover the bags and make you look like the young glowing mother everyone wants to see!

The BB cream does it all, moisturises, protects (SPF 15), covers and acts as a foundation.

I've got quite olive skin and the medium colour works well for me.  If you're fair I'd suggest going for the light shade.

 

This is after a full days wear and a windy picnic in the park.  The cream gives a long lasting, natural look and it doesn't feel heavy like some foundations.  It's so much easier than applying lots of products.

Please share any beauty tips.