It’s been a while since I posted some links. The Parent Hood, I have noticed, is popular here on the blog so I’m hoping to keep it strong this year. Here goes:
One of my favourite bloggers, Joanna Goddard, posted an awesome article about how to get kids to eat vegetables. Here, you’ll find some cool and simple tips to ensure no veggies are left on their plate.
Three nights ago, papa was away on a business trip, Georgie was fast asleep and I could have killed for a piece of chocolate. But as most parents will know, once the kids are in bed and you are on your own, you’re trapped. You ain’t going nowhere. Not even for chocolate. So I did what any woman in need of chocolate (or addicted to it) would do: I went through every single shelf, cupboard and hiding place in the kitchen. Lo and behold, a paper bag of premium dark Belgian chocolate. My frantic search could have ceased right there but this was cooking chocolate and my mind began churning out ideas. Whatever I would do with this opportunity, it had to be quick (no brownies, which was what the bag of chocolate was intended for in the first place) and as low-cal as possible (no hot chocolate drinks or marshmallows involved).
Happy new year to all! I can happily say that the two weeks of holidays were immensely enjoyed despite the unavoidable insanity that comes with the season not to mention the variety of ailments. I focused on all that matters. My dad was home and well for the first time in three Christmases which, of course, meant the world to me and Georgie made every day completely and utterly magical especially with his endless singing. Since starting pre-school I miss him and just being at home with him so over the holidays I couldn’t get enough of our time together. Prepping for Christmas lunch, at my parents’ house, was an overwhelming moment for me because I was tasked with cooking the gammon. It was my first time, the gammon was meant to feed 20 people and up until Christmas Eve I was still franticly searching for a recipe because I refused my mum’s help. ‘I can do it. No help necessary, ‘ I told her. I ended up boiling the gammon in two litres of coca cola for two hours! Apparently, this is a very popular way to cook gammon and apparently, it works. You should look it up.
In 1981, my parents were hoping that their firstborn (me!) would make an appearance on Guy Fawkes’ night, commemorated on November 5. That never happened but bonfires have remained a popular English tradition in my family ever since. Despite being over a week late (due to conflicting schedules of over 10 persons) my father managed to get most of us together and on Sunday night we celebrated my belated birthday. Thanks dad!
Ever since Georgie turned 2, he’s been suffering from atopic dermatitis otherwise known as eczema. His condition, which includes red patches, itching and scaly skin would take a turn for the worse during the summer months. Excessive bathing and swimming pools would dry his skin causing it to lose moisture. I tried numerous products, both organic and non, with vague results. Nothing seemed to work and rid him from excessive scratching until someone mentioned Aloe Vera. If you use creams or oils based on aloe, great! But what I cannot recommend enough is the actual plant and the gel you find within the leaves. A good friend gave me an Aloe Vera plant ages ago, when we were still living in the flat sans baby. When we moved, I took it with me and planted it in our garden. Little did I know that this little plant, which by the way requires minimal maintenance and knowledge to grow, would become a life-saver.
