Cuisine & Culture the Chinese Family Way
I have two children who wake up without fail before 7.30 am but I am lucky that they will play with their iPad, play together or with their toys and don’t disturb my husband and I while we sleep on. Then at 8 am, I will tell them it is tell to go down to have their own breakfast.
Recently, Warburtons had kindly sent us their new range of pancakes (chocolate chip and cookie) to coincide with Pancake Day/Shove Tuesday. They are very interesting! Overall, they taste nice but we still prefer their original pancake!
PLj is a classic British brand, which evokes nostalgia amongst many, a favoured slimming aid since the 1970s is a great everyday accompaniment to many drinks and dishes. They can be used for detoxing, adding to recipes or giving a twist to your favourite cocktail. Their natural lemon juice contains no artificial ingredients or colours and is a staple for Pancake Day as an easy, affordable and convenient replacement for fresh lemons.
After all the festivities, I have no doubt that I have put on a few pounds as my regular exercise class has been on a break. I guess bargain hunting in the January sales does count?! We have been eating lots of chocolates, sweeties and even baking cake! Now I need to reign that back a bit and start my healthy eating plan!
Next week, it will be a nightmare with the breakfast routine as the schools reopen and Mr C goes back to work after a long break. But not too worry, as Ryvita has set me a new challenge for this January with 31 easy ways to spruce up a healthy eating plan. From spicy Cracked Black Pepper to sweet Fruit Crunch, the classic rye Ryvita® Crispbread range will give this January some crunch. I hope to be inspired with a variety of toppings, recipes and serving suggestions that will carry me through the month; completely guilt free.
Dorset Cereals and Total Greek Yoghurt kindly sent us a number of their fabulous products to try on our Blogger Night In. Dorset Cereals sent us a range of their delicious breakfasts: Granolas and Porridges. All ingredients are cooked in Dorset, in traditional baking trays, using kitchen cupboard ingredients, no palm oil or anything artificial in the cereals.
This morning, I received a large hamper from Warburtons which was supposed to arrive last Saturday for our Blogger Night In. Unfortunately, they arrived too late and none of the bloggers could try them or bring them home. So I have given some away to my neighbours and friends as they now have short expiry dates.
Farmers from Africa joined the team at the Eden Project in Cornwall. A mutually beneficial scheme, it is designed to help farmers in Africa achieve a sustainable future, whilst educating people how to use the increasing demand for the baobab fruit to change lives for the better. The baobab fruit powder is available in the shop at the Eden Project and online.
It comes in a powder form and has more vitamin C than six oranges, more iron than spinach, more calcium than milk and gives you 50% of your RDA of dietary fibre. Due to the high levels of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants baobab is said to be a natural boost to health and may also aid the absorption of iron from food, which is really important for children when their bones are growing. It is also believed that it can ward off winter colds, combat fevers, stomach upsets and can help as a general pick me up.
Each week, my son has been asking me to make mantou as his fellow Chinese students are eating it for their tea during our weekly Chinese lesson. So I followed the Food Network website to make this but I have altered the recipe.
After having a quick shop around Derby, we popped by Chiquito Derby for breakfast. Chiquito is a Mexican restaurant and bar. Recently, they launched their new breakfast menu. Breakfasts are available at 25 restaurants that opens from 9 am onwards. The other restaurants will open at 11 am for lunch. Please check before you go.
When we reached the desk, we were shown to our table by the lovely waitress. Each child was given a pack of activities to do. Ms C was so eager to get the crayons out to draw while Mr K wanted to play the board game. They also provided a complimentary bowl of salted popcorn. It is quite an unusual starter/snack!
This is my entry for the BritMums/Special K – How I’ve Changed Linky Challenge
Thirty years ago, I was just a toddler playing with Barbie dolls. I always dreamed of being a Cinderella, finding a prince to marry and happily ever after. I always set myself a goal that I must find a boyfriend and be married by the age of 25. Kids would then follow and I would then be a housewife like my mum to look after my children and raise them well. Soon, I passed my adolescence and studied nursing. After working for a year and a half, I came to UK to work in Charing Cross Hospital. I came to UK alone and hoped to find new friendship. I think my fairy godmother answered my call.
I’m a seed and nut lover so I was happy to find out about Lizi’s Treacle & Pecan Granola. I have been sent a packet to try and for me, it is an instant hit! Pecans are one of my favourite nuts and they’ve been gently toasted in this mix and balanced with black treacle to make a truly delicious blend. Considering it is so tasty, I was interested to learn that it has a low GL (glycaemic load) of just 7.3g per 50g serving. This helps provide a slow energy release which should help keep you feel fuller for longer.
