Sunday 22 May 2016

Fluffy Rice

I've never been great at cooking rice. Whilst watching cheffy programmes recently I noticed they all seemed to be using the same tip. 

1 cup of rice. 


2 cups (the same cup) of water. 


Bring to the boil, then summer with the lid on your saucepan for about 10-15 minutes, or until all of the water is absorbed. 


And voila, fluffy rice. 



Enjoy ๐Ÿด

Lupin Girl x

 


Friday 6 May 2016

Tibshelf Services

On our day out we stopped off at Tibshelf Services a Roadchef, and I was pleased to see these signs. 



We didn't buy anything but it is reassuring to know that they're there if we need them ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป

Lupin Girl x



Tuesday 12 April 2016

Savoury Lemon Sauce

I really quite like lemon chicken from the Chinese, well I did before, in my previous, in-allergic life. 

I've managed to come up with a sauce which is similar, it's still not quite right and I would appreciate tips if you have any. 

Here's my recipe: 

Juice a lemon. 


Mix the juice with a heaped teaspoon of cornflour. 


To form a paste. 


Add hot water. I made half a litre. 


Pour over your cooked chicken pieces and cook until hot. 

Like I say. It's not the same, but I'm getting there. 

Lupin Girl x




Monday 4 April 2016

Gluten Free Cereals

Up until now R has been living on these for breakfast. 


He says they taste like Krave. I don't know as they contain soya so have to take his word for it, well, that and the fact he gets through boxes and boxes of them! 

I've found these. 


Which are lovely and remind me of Crunch Nut, which is a little odd as they don't contain nuts. B enjoys pinching them too, so they must taste good as she doesn't really 'do' breakfast. 

One of the cereals R and I have missed having to be gluten free though, is Coco Pops.  Yes, I know they are made from rice, but they have barley in and that hurts us too.   

We have tried Tesco's free from version, but neither of us like them much. The 'pops' are quite hard and small so it's a bit gritty tasting. 

Then I spotted Nestle popping ('scuse the pun!) up all over Facebook and have managed to get my hands on some. 


The 'pops' are the same sort of size as regular Coco Pops. They are not solid or gritty. They soften in the milk, which does turn chocolatey, but don't disintegrate.  

We will definitely be buying these again, both R and I now have two cereals we like. I might even be tempted to try the plain ones, which should be like Rice Crispies! 

Has anyone else tried them? 

What did you think? I'd love to hear from you. 

Lupin Girl x 






Sunday 3 April 2016

Grow Your Own

For Easter this year we bought the kids some different seeds by James Wong from Suttons Seeds, planting trays and a greenhouse. 

C received electric daisies which taste like fizzy sherbet and 9v batteries!



B had cucamelons which look like tiny watermelons and taste of cucumbers.  

L had strawberries which taste of vanilla and pineapple. 

R had tomatiloes which will taste of lime. 


The weather was so stormy Easter weekend that we didn't dare put the greenhouse outside though, so it's currently by our back door in the dining room! Fingers crossed the weather continues to improve so it can go outside soon. 

C's seeds have already started to grow. 


Looking forward to having some tasty treats in the summer. 

Lupin Girl x 



Spring Has Sprung

What a lovely weekend we've had weather wise. 

J and R have been busy refurbishing the treehouse. 



It's a few years old now, built from scratch and added to over time. 


We're hoping that this, along with the nicer weather will entice R and the others off of their electronic devices and into the outside a bit more. 


B went on a bike ride with her best friends family to Beckworth Emporium. 

L missed all of the fun though, recovering from a 'sleepover' Saturday night. 


C has been busy revising. Exams are real close now!

Hope you all had a great weekend too.  

Lupin Girl x 





New Running Trainers

I'm struggling when I run with pains in my shins. My Asics are fairly old, so I've treated myself to a new pair of Gel-Pulse 7's. 


The only trouble is that I've been full of cold since they arrived so I've not had chance to try them out ๐Ÿ˜ข. I'm hoping that I'll be feeling up to a jog next week with R to check out the cushioning protection of the gel insole, they felt promising as I wore them around the house, but it's not quite the same thing! 

I have learnt that I am a heavy footed runner and am keen to find ways to stop being so elephant like as I plod about. If anyone has any tips I'd be most grateful to hear them. 

I've also found that I'm struggling with running outside. On the treadmill I can do 5K, but when I go outside I struggle to run 3K. Again any hints or tips will be most welcome. 

I will post a review of the trainers once I've tried them out a few times. 

Lupin Girl x




Friday 25 March 2016

Good Friday Fun

J and I started the day with a run, then enjoyed catching up with his mum and sister. 


Fun in the sun, a walk with the family followed by an ice cream Magnums are gf and some are sf! ๐Ÿ˜€๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป 


Now relaxing with some telly and a cocktail. 


Lupin Girl x


Sunday 20 March 2016

Running

So, you may remember that we joined Virgin Active back in October. R has now started to use the gym equipment on Saturday mornings with Active Crew and I've really got into my running on the treadmill. 

A close friend of mine C, is also a runner and is taking her girls to run the iron run junior. A 3K muddy, obstacle run in May. I asked my lot if anyone wanted to run it with them and my boys were interested. I think B may have liked to do it but she will be on her DofE practice expedition that day. 

However C is too old to run as a child. So R and I have signed up. I'm going to enquire as to whether or not he could run with us as an adult as between us we have four children and two adults so they might let him. 

R and I are also going to run the Race for Life 5K with them, and I'm looking at doing a 10K with her as well! 

I was training three times a week but have been lazy recently and only been going once. My new plan is to run on the treadmill on Saturday's whilst R is in Active Crew. Rest Sunday's. Take R out for a run after school on Monday's, something at the gym Tuesday's. Rest Wednesday and Thursday's. If we get time I might take the kids to the gym on Friday's again too after school. 

I have run 5K once in about 50 minutes, my friend wants to do 10K in an hour. So I've got some improving to do by June, July ๐Ÿ˜จ

I will keep you updated on our progress. 

Okay we've had our first run outside and I managed 1.22 miles in 14.09 minutes (R beat me round)

Lupin Girl x 


Saturday 19 March 2016

Gluten free fish and chips!




I've treated us to a new deep fat fryer. It will only be for gf food ๐Ÿ˜€

Lupin girl x


Wednesday 9 March 2016

Migraines

Urgh 2nd migraine in a fortnight and 3rd in a month ๐Ÿค•

Lupin Girl x


Sunday 6 March 2016

Happy Mothers Day 2016

My fabulous children bought me a UV nail light, L made me a necklace which says "Best Mum" R gave me £5 of his savings towards a camper van and C gave me some candles (not pictured) B made some cakes and brought me breakfast in bed ❤️


Love to all out there,
Lupin Girl x




Tuesday 9 February 2016

Nails





Playing with my new photo effect app 

Lupin Girl x



Thursday 28 January 2016

R's Healthy Lunch

R wanted to make his own lunch for school this morning. He wanted to take salad, which was a little difficult as I didn't have any tomatoes,cucumber, lettuce or peppers! 

R raided the fridge and made this. 


He took celery, carrots, gherkins and chorizo. He said it was delicious and ate the lot up.

#proudmummy
#healthychoices 

Lupin Girl x 



Sunday 24 January 2016

#wordlesswednesday 27/01/16


Lupin Girl x


Kids chocolate orange popcorn

My kids were so good for me yesterday whilst I studied, so after our amazing roast lamb dinner I let them make chocolate orange popcorn and we had family time watching a film ๐Ÿ˜€

Lupin Girl x



Studying

I'm in the fifth year of a six year degree. It's my first year trying to juggle a family, study and full time work, and it's really hard. 


I'm getting there slowly with the support of my family and lots of coffee! 

Lupin Girl x 




Tuesday 19 January 2016

Friday 1 January 2016