I love the old fashioned way of life and I am sure soup swaps and the such like would have been common place in small communities, which is why I was so pleased to be invited to a modern day soup swap.
Effort one a week ago was a 9 bean soup that well just lacked something, so at the 11th hour I went with a Sweet Potato, Leek and Ham effort. For the first time I didn't cook Ham Hocks in the slow cooker, just regular oven so at the last minute chickened out on adding the Ham - didn't want to make 6 families sick and when working with a meat that is supposed to be pink...
Anyway totally made is up as didn't have a recipe for 6 liters or even any quantity beyond serves 4 etc!
2 VERY LARGE sweet potatoes - diced
3 bunches VERY LARGE leeks (9 in total) - chopped
2 litres of chicken stock
3 litres of water
1 litre milk
1 spoonful of butter
(Ham Hocks -optional)
In large pot - I used my canning pot, add butter and fry leeks til soft - about 5 minutes! Add chicken stock, water and diced sweet potato. Boil, simmer for 30 mins. Remove from heat, add milk, then puree to desired consistency. Voila!
Meanwhile you can cook ham hocks or just cut up cooked ham and add to the soup, serve/ freeze/ share and enjoy!
(I acutally did 4 litres of water, but feel 3 would work better and yes this works out to 8/9 litres of finished soup... but what can I say - I like batch cooking and I was making it up as I went along!)
Breadwinner and Breadmaker
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Room-sharing rascals!
Is your wee one room sharing with you?
It is so taboo because of the tabloids to use the term co-sleeping as they all seem to take that to mean dangerous bed sharing.
Bed sharing is not in itself dangerous. Infant mammals need to feed often and historically would always be kept close to hand by their mothers, nursed often and when wanted.
The first three months of a baby's life is described by some as the 'fourth trimester' and I couldn't agree more with that description. They arrive into this world with a brain just 25% of it's final size, so many complexities to yet develop - it is all a minor miracle. So to just deliver a baby and place it on it's own in it's own room is just a huge wrench and a light years away from the warm cozy world inside mom's tum - where there is constant warmth, touch, food and sound.
My little ones are room sharing rascals - I did this with my son for the first 5 months, then he went to his own room, just yards from us. My daughter is now ten weeks old and is still rooming with us. Most nights I hold her, but some nights recently she has let me put her in the bassinet next to me.
I don't begrudge holding her, but I do sleep a lot more deeply when she is next to the bed in the bassinet. I know that her little neurons are developing a secure attachment and she knows mommy will be there for her. I like that by hearing her stir I can rouse, feed her and put her back to bed, or keep holding her and neither of us have to get fully awake!
There are only a few things that make bed sharing unsafe and they include being in-toxicated, even a couple of drinks could make you unaware of your movements, or the location of your baby. Smokers are advised not to bed share. Be aware of loose bed covers, pillows etc. If you can have a seperate baby sleeper/ bassinet by the bed that is best. Basically so that you are sharing the room, but not the sleeping surface.
A friend put the thought in my head that because we are stopping at 2 kids - this will be my last time for room sharing with my little rascal, so the question is - will I be ready to give it up when she hits 5 months old...? Ask me again in 2 months time!
It is so taboo because of the tabloids to use the term co-sleeping as they all seem to take that to mean dangerous bed sharing.
Bed sharing is not in itself dangerous. Infant mammals need to feed often and historically would always be kept close to hand by their mothers, nursed often and when wanted.
The first three months of a baby's life is described by some as the 'fourth trimester' and I couldn't agree more with that description. They arrive into this world with a brain just 25% of it's final size, so many complexities to yet develop - it is all a minor miracle. So to just deliver a baby and place it on it's own in it's own room is just a huge wrench and a light years away from the warm cozy world inside mom's tum - where there is constant warmth, touch, food and sound.
My little ones are room sharing rascals - I did this with my son for the first 5 months, then he went to his own room, just yards from us. My daughter is now ten weeks old and is still rooming with us. Most nights I hold her, but some nights recently she has let me put her in the bassinet next to me.
I don't begrudge holding her, but I do sleep a lot more deeply when she is next to the bed in the bassinet. I know that her little neurons are developing a secure attachment and she knows mommy will be there for her. I like that by hearing her stir I can rouse, feed her and put her back to bed, or keep holding her and neither of us have to get fully awake!
There are only a few things that make bed sharing unsafe and they include being in-toxicated, even a couple of drinks could make you unaware of your movements, or the location of your baby. Smokers are advised not to bed share. Be aware of loose bed covers, pillows etc. If you can have a seperate baby sleeper/ bassinet by the bed that is best. Basically so that you are sharing the room, but not the sleeping surface.
A friend put the thought in my head that because we are stopping at 2 kids - this will be my last time for room sharing with my little rascal, so the question is - will I be ready to give it up when she hits 5 months old...? Ask me again in 2 months time!
Having it all!
The term - having it all makes you imagine someone with a cool calm character, successful career, wonderful loving family, great holidays - home cooked meals always and so on.
Believe me - in trying to 'have it all' work and a life, there are many times I just feel like - I am just doing it all. I am not trying to complain and right now I shouldn't as baby girl is sleeping peacefully next to my computer and I am getting time to catch up on work and writing.
We are just over the crest of the hill of back to back illnesses, yikes a family taken out by stomach flu - is not a pretty sight, just as I was getting through the laundry back log - bam: ear, nose and throat infections! I took my eye off the ball and whilst DS was on antibiotics I was not topping him up with probiotics, so just as we were coming to the end of the course, bam a heavy heavy cold, made worse by another of the two year molars trying to work it's way through!
This winter needs to get harsh and stay that way for a few weeks and then kill off all these germs. Playdates and 2 days in childcare - just keep it all circulating!
I am hoping beyond hope that if I join the modern world by getting an Android phone, that I can get even more work done. It takes DD a lot to get to a deep enough sleep that I can put her down even if just alongside me, it doesn't matter what wrap or baby carrier I use - wearing her and computer use is challenging. In a month or two I will be able to do a back carry with her, which will help tonnes when trying to get work done, not just at my computer.. I have a big cook coming up and erm that's gonna be tricky. DH is kindly gonna help with lots of the food prep first, which will help.. anyway I will worry about that another day! At least a phone in my hand whist holding a sleeping baby is do-able, the cooking.. um will just have to stick to the easiest marinade based ones this time!
I think today wouldn't seem so bad if I hadn't got kids with germs and am fighting off a tickly throat. I'm really putting my excellent vitamins to the test at the moment!
Well having it all isn't always a breezy walk in a sunny park with a kid on the hip and a phone to the ear.. sometimes it is struggling to meet deadlines, find enough clean clothes for Sunday lunch at grandma's and to then be able to string a sentence together!
For all those have it all moms who are also a bit snowed under too - I salute you.
Believe me - in trying to 'have it all' work and a life, there are many times I just feel like - I am just doing it all. I am not trying to complain and right now I shouldn't as baby girl is sleeping peacefully next to my computer and I am getting time to catch up on work and writing.
We are just over the crest of the hill of back to back illnesses, yikes a family taken out by stomach flu - is not a pretty sight, just as I was getting through the laundry back log - bam: ear, nose and throat infections! I took my eye off the ball and whilst DS was on antibiotics I was not topping him up with probiotics, so just as we were coming to the end of the course, bam a heavy heavy cold, made worse by another of the two year molars trying to work it's way through!
This winter needs to get harsh and stay that way for a few weeks and then kill off all these germs. Playdates and 2 days in childcare - just keep it all circulating!
I am hoping beyond hope that if I join the modern world by getting an Android phone, that I can get even more work done. It takes DD a lot to get to a deep enough sleep that I can put her down even if just alongside me, it doesn't matter what wrap or baby carrier I use - wearing her and computer use is challenging. In a month or two I will be able to do a back carry with her, which will help tonnes when trying to get work done, not just at my computer.. I have a big cook coming up and erm that's gonna be tricky. DH is kindly gonna help with lots of the food prep first, which will help.. anyway I will worry about that another day! At least a phone in my hand whist holding a sleeping baby is do-able, the cooking.. um will just have to stick to the easiest marinade based ones this time!
I think today wouldn't seem so bad if I hadn't got kids with germs and am fighting off a tickly throat. I'm really putting my excellent vitamins to the test at the moment!
Well having it all isn't always a breezy walk in a sunny park with a kid on the hip and a phone to the ear.. sometimes it is struggling to meet deadlines, find enough clean clothes for Sunday lunch at grandma's and to then be able to string a sentence together!
For all those have it all moms who are also a bit snowed under too - I salute you.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Babywearing burns calories!
I love wearing my babies for so many reasons and I just got another one! You burn 211 calories an hour babywearing. I wear or carry my baby 24/7 - so bring on the cakes!
I would love to write a fuller piece on baby wearing - but for now suffice it to say this traditional method/ style of parenting has increased in popularity again after the dark ages of parenting at a distance, where parents were wrongly advised carrying or picking up your baby will 'spoil' them!
Celebrity mums are often photographed out and about with the latest sling or baby wrap.
I have sling, woven wrap and a carrier for my baby transport as well as a hipseat for my toddler, so I can wear his sister on my front and carry him (28lbs) supported on my hip. love it!
more another day (sorry!)
I would love to write a fuller piece on baby wearing - but for now suffice it to say this traditional method/ style of parenting has increased in popularity again after the dark ages of parenting at a distance, where parents were wrongly advised carrying or picking up your baby will 'spoil' them!
Celebrity mums are often photographed out and about with the latest sling or baby wrap.
I have sling, woven wrap and a carrier for my baby transport as well as a hipseat for my toddler, so I can wear his sister on my front and carry him (28lbs) supported on my hip. love it!
more another day (sorry!)
Friday, December 30, 2011
Baby 2... plenty to do!
So early last month (2 months to the day after my early labour, that was halted) and ten days overdue - my baby girl arrived into this world.
I stayed at home a bit too long (about 4 days to be precise) so when I got to the hospital it was time to push - we were only in the building 55 minutes before the baby arrived!
I'd been in labour 4 days earlier, the contractions did reach 4 minutes apart, but were not intense and my water didn't break, so I went about live as normally as possible. When my hubby came in from work I decided we should have dinner first - no point getting to the hospital too soon!
Well during dinner the contractions that had been going for 6 hours slowed down to every 6 minutes, so I decided - best not go to the hospital and then get sent home.. so I went for a lie down - wanted to conserve my strenght. I woke up 2 hours later and the contractions stopped! Oh well I thought and carried on with normal routines.
Off an on (as I had been doing for a couple of months - I got sparodic contractions, but nothing that felt worth going to the hospital. Anyway four nights later feeling a it off I went to bed early, I woke up after two hours and lost a tiny bit of water.. but no other symptoms, so went back to bed, two hours later I woke up and boy did my water break and erm now I was having back to back contractions.
A nudge to hubby and a call to his mum later (to come over and house watch our sleeping son) we were on our way my three concerns were 1) we were not gonna make it, 2) where was my hairbrush and 2) who moved my water bottle - it has a fixed home in my car and was missing and I was parched!
Well in the hospital and 55 minutes later baby girl arrived! I'd already decided I didn't want drugs in my labour - which was lucky as I was informed I'd left it too late anyway! I did have stiches and I enquired how many and received the information that it was a 'running hem'! That term still makes me chuckle! I didn't ask for any other details.
I cannot say how different this experience was compared to my last baby (boy) which was a c section for a breech baby. Last time I had to wait 45 minutes whilst I was stitched up etc, this time in about 2 minutes or less after I was holding my baby and she latched and nursed for nearly an hour. It was magical.
Whilst I wouldn't change a thing and feel very blessed with both my children I am so grateful to have been able to 'go natural'!
So life has been busy and baby girl is now 7 weeks old and we are enjoying the festive season with both kids - our son is now 19 months old and as I type napping in the room next door.
I'd like more time to write, but right now my priorities are feeding baby girl and playing with toddler boy.
Wishing everyone a great new years eve tomorrow night!
I stayed at home a bit too long (about 4 days to be precise) so when I got to the hospital it was time to push - we were only in the building 55 minutes before the baby arrived!
I'd been in labour 4 days earlier, the contractions did reach 4 minutes apart, but were not intense and my water didn't break, so I went about live as normally as possible. When my hubby came in from work I decided we should have dinner first - no point getting to the hospital too soon!
Well during dinner the contractions that had been going for 6 hours slowed down to every 6 minutes, so I decided - best not go to the hospital and then get sent home.. so I went for a lie down - wanted to conserve my strenght. I woke up 2 hours later and the contractions stopped! Oh well I thought and carried on with normal routines.
Off an on (as I had been doing for a couple of months - I got sparodic contractions, but nothing that felt worth going to the hospital. Anyway four nights later feeling a it off I went to bed early, I woke up after two hours and lost a tiny bit of water.. but no other symptoms, so went back to bed, two hours later I woke up and boy did my water break and erm now I was having back to back contractions.
A nudge to hubby and a call to his mum later (to come over and house watch our sleeping son) we were on our way my three concerns were 1) we were not gonna make it, 2) where was my hairbrush and 2) who moved my water bottle - it has a fixed home in my car and was missing and I was parched!
Well in the hospital and 55 minutes later baby girl arrived! I'd already decided I didn't want drugs in my labour - which was lucky as I was informed I'd left it too late anyway! I did have stiches and I enquired how many and received the information that it was a 'running hem'! That term still makes me chuckle! I didn't ask for any other details.
I cannot say how different this experience was compared to my last baby (boy) which was a c section for a breech baby. Last time I had to wait 45 minutes whilst I was stitched up etc, this time in about 2 minutes or less after I was holding my baby and she latched and nursed for nearly an hour. It was magical.
Whilst I wouldn't change a thing and feel very blessed with both my children I am so grateful to have been able to 'go natural'!
So life has been busy and baby girl is now 7 weeks old and we are enjoying the festive season with both kids - our son is now 19 months old and as I type napping in the room next door.
I'd like more time to write, but right now my priorities are feeding baby girl and playing with toddler boy.
Wishing everyone a great new years eve tomorrow night!
Naturally sweet
At this time of year when many are on the couch with aching bellies and sugar and junk food overloads - I am turning my attention to next year taking out as much processed sugar as possible, from our diet!
I often substitue honey and select products that are not artificially sweetened, but I would love to do more and am inspired by this article and the alternatives available.
Hmmmm how to grow a blue agave and where can I get some volcanic soil...?
I often substitue honey and select products that are not artificially sweetened, but I would love to do more and am inspired by this article and the alternatives available.
Hmmmm how to grow a blue agave and where can I get some volcanic soil...?
Monday, December 19, 2011
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