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Reflecting on my values in life
As part of my work on myself and A Good Plan, I am reflecting on my values. Values are very important to me. When I berate myself for being a less than perfect mum as I often do, the one thing that rescues me is knowing that all three of my children have brilliant values. By this I mean they care for other people and would not let anyone be hurt even if that meant putting themselves at some risk. They have a particular interest in those who are disadvantaged in some way. This makes me proud. A Good Plan asks you to consider a list of values and to…
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Stuffed pumpkins recipe for leftovers from Halloween
Stuffed pumpkins recipe Stuffed Pumpkins Ingredients 2 x 700-800g pumpkins, halved and pips scooped out 75g couscous 2 tbsp SuperValu olive oil 1 SuperValu leek, washed, trimmed and sliced 175g SuperValu chestnut mushrooms, chopped 50g SuperValu pine nuts 2 tbsp SuperValu parsley, chopped 100g SuperValu feta cheese, crumbled Freshly milled black pepper Method Pre-heat the oven to 190°C/ Fan 170°C/ Gas Mark 5. Place the pumpkin halves on a baking tray and cook for 40 minutes. Place the couscous in a bowl and pour over 100ml cold water and leave to stand for 10 minutes. Heat 1 tbsp of the olive oil in a pan and cook the sliced…
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Lunchtime activities to boost your afternoon
Here is a guest post by Isla Knight of JustUWellness about the six quick lunchtime activities to boost your afternoon making you both relaxed and productive. The stresses and strains of daily life can often leave us feeling exhausted and in need of a recharge. Fortunately, there are actually plenty of quick fixes that can fit into our working day to boost our ability to cope better. For example, there are plenty of things you can fit in to your lunch break to re-energise and re-direct your mind and help you sail through that mid-afternoon slump. Here are my top six lunch-hour destress activities: Fast Yoga Fast Yoga is a…
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Easy Spider Cupcakes Recipe for Halloween
I love spider cupcakes for Halloween. Gruesome food ideas always entertain the children. Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 25 minutes Serves: 12 Ingredients• 175g (6 oz) Stork tub • 175g (6 oz) golden caster sugar • 300g (11 oz) self raising flour, sieved • 3 medium eggs • 5 tablespoons milk • ½ teaspoon baking powder • 100g cooked pumpkin or butternut squash, mashed • 50g chocolate and hazelnut spread • Zest of 1 orange • Topping • 115g icing sugar • A little orange juice • 55g (2 oz) plain chocolate, melted or use chocolate and hazelnut spread • Liquorice sweets and laces to decorate Method 1. Place…
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Witches Fingers Recipe with Blood Dip
This witches fingers recipe is a must-have for any Halloween party. Perfectly tasty and gruesome treats. Makes: about 32 Preparation time: 15 minutes, plus 1 hour rising Cooking time: 12-15 minutes Ingredients: 225g strong plain white bread flour ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon caster sugar ½ teaspoon fast- action dried yeast 1 teaspoon Very Lazy Garlic Paste 1 tablespoon Very Lazy Basil Paste 1 tablespoon olive oil 150ml warm water 1 egg, lightly beaten 25g freshly grated Parmesan cheese 32 blanched almonds Little paprika For the dip: 125g soft cream cheese 150g roasted red peppers, from a jar, drained 1 tablespoon tomato purée ½ teaspoon Very Lazy Piri Piri…
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Book review of The Missing Wife by Sheila Flanagan
As I attempt to get into a regular blogging pattern so that my readers know what to expect, I am using Mondays to focus on reading. I hope you enjoy my book review of The Missing Wife by Sheila Flanagan. Book review of The Missing Wife The book starts with a journey as we meet our heroine Imogen for the first time. I always think at public transport stops and stations that every passenger probably has quite a powerful story to tell. Imogen is making a journey from A to B but also from a relationship of coercive control with Vince to one of self-discovery and liberty. She uses a…
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Pumpkin and sweet potato soup recipe
Pumpkin and sweet potato soup combines two of my favourite things for a taste sensation. Ingredients 2 tbsp olive oil 1 onion, chopped 1 garlic clove, crushed 700g (1/b 6oz) pumpkin flesh, roughly chopped 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and roughly chopped 1.2 litres (2pts) water or vegetable stock 200ml (7fl oz) Alpro Soya Original alternative to milk 4 tbsp Alpro Soya Alternative to cream For the breadsticks: 4 assorted part baked bread sticks 2 tbsp olive oil Method 1 Heat the olive oil in a large pan, add the onion and garlic and cook for a few minutes to soften. 2 Add the pumpkin and sweet potato and cook for…
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Oozing eyeballs with spaghetti worms
Oozing Eyeballs with Spaghetti Worms Serves: 4-6 Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: about 30 minutes 500 g minced turkey 3 tablespoons pesto sauce 25 g fresh white breadcrumbs 1 egg, beaten salt and freshly ground black pepper 50 g Mozzarella cheese, from a block, cut into thin sticks 350 g jar Newman’s Own Basilico sauce 4 extra large pitted black olives, sliced into 12 300 g dried spaghetti 1.Preheat the oven to 180˚C, Gas mark 4. Place the minced turkey in a mixing bowl, with the pesto sauce, breadcrumbs and egg. Season and mix until all the ingredients are combined. Shape into 12 meatballs and place on a non-stick…
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Wayfair sales tax case impact on online retailers
The Wayfair sales tax case is a potentially worrying decision for remote sellers as it means they can be taxed for sales made in states other than those they are based in. It is vital that online retailers look into this case and matters such as the Wayfair Sales Tax exemption. Wayfair Sales Tax case In a close decision by the Supreme Court, things that are sold online can be taxed in the state they are sold to. The thinking is that in the modern age, online retailers have a tax advantage over those with a physical presence in a state. Also the states know that if online retailers are…
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Easy vegetable tart recipe for your tea
This classic vegetable tart recipe combines fresh and colourful vegetables, a creamy filling and a delicious sauce that makes for a splendid supper to enjoy outside on a warm summer evening! Vegetable Tart Serves 4 – 6 Level of difficulty: Easy Preparation time: 35 to 40 minutes Ingredients Butter for greasing 1 sheet of puff pastry 1-2 spring onions, finely chopped 1 clove garlic, crushed 1 onion, peeled and sliced into rings 2 peppers, de-seeded and cut into small cubes 1 head of broccoli, divided into small florets 1 large tomato, cut into quarters, remove seeds and dice the flesh or 7 cherry tomatoes, sliced in half 2 tablespoons olive…
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Easy Almond Brittle Cake recipe to tempt tastebuds
Almond Brittle Cake recipe Calories per serving: 623 Fat per serving: 35.5g Serves 12 Ingredients 150g (5oz) Kerrygold block butter, now softer 175g (6oz) caster sugar 3 large eggs, beaten 150g (5oz) self-raising flour 1 tsp baking powder 75g (3oz) ground almonds 2 tsp milk Almond Brittle vegetable oil, for greasing 100g (4oz) granulated sugar 100g (4oz) whole almonds (unskinned) Almond Butter Icing 225g (8oz) Kerrygold block butter, now softer 450g (1lb) icing sugar ½ tsp pure vanilla extract 2 x 18cm (7 inch) deep sandwich tins or cake tins Method Preheat the oven to 190°C, fan oven 170°C, Gas Mark 5. Grease the cake tins with a little Kerrygold…
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Easy Gravy recipe with red onions and sherry
You have got to love a traditional gravy recipe and today I bring you an easy gravy recipe enhanced by caramelised red onions and sherry. You will need: 100ml sherry 500ml good quality liquid chicken stock 3 tbsp The English Provender Co. Caramelised Red Onion Chutney Method: Place the sherry in a pan and simmer for 3 minutes. Add the stock and reduce on a high heat until you are left with about 100ml. Stir in the chutney and serve. How do you make gravy? As with most things food-related I have strong memories of my mother’s kitchen. If you had asked her what the secret to her luscious gravy…
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Mathable Junior Review – helping kids with numeracy
Here is our Mathable Junior review as we try to improve our numeracy levels. This fun game is something that I think could really help on our home education journey I love playing board games with the children and especially at Christmas. They bring families together for love, laughter and learning. Mathable Junior is about mathematics and is approved by Carol Vorderman, she of Countdown and Loose Women fame. The game includes a double-sided gaming board to allow you to play the game in two ways. Two for the price of one – we like that. The look of the game reminded us of Scrabble in that 4 racks and…
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5 Minute Self Care for Busy Days
As a busy woman it can sometimes be difficult to find a large chunk of time to look after yourself. Some days it can feel like a challenge to find time to even brush your hair! However, it’s really important to look after yourself well, especially if you are responsible for looking after others. If you don’t look after yourself, then in the long run we can begin to feel burnt out. We don’t always have time for long soaks in the bath, or to go on a spa day or yoga retreat. Here are some quick and easy 5 minute self care ideas to do something kind for yourself…
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Impressive roast poussin recipe for Christmas
If you are not planning a large Christmas lunch, why not opt instead for an impressive roast poussin recipe for two; serve these quick to roast baby chickens with delicious blackberry sauce flavoured with orange rind, winter spices and just a hint of redcurrant jelly. Serves 2 Preparation time: 25 minutes Cooking time: 45 minutes 2 x 500g (1lb 2oz) baby poussin 40g (11/2oz) butter Salt and freshly ground black pepper 6 fresh bay leaves 4 rashers streaky bacon 175g (6oz) shallots, peeled, halved if large 450g (1lb) baby new potatoes, washed 2-3 tbsp olive oil Sauce ½ orange 6 tbsp red wine 2 tbsp water 1 tbsp redcurrant jelly…
