Dates are not just for old folks!

I have always loved dried dates. Even as a kid I thought they were great. Then in my late twenties I was introduced to fresh dates and my world has never been the same. I think it was because of weight watchers or some other diet thing that I froze them for treats, and they taste all fudgey and yummy, and are a perfect sugar fix when you have cravings for bad food.

I know plenty of people hate the texture, but I challenge those that do to at least try a fresh date once. They are nothing like the dried ones and you might join in on the hype too.

I mentioned at the start of the week a fudge ball that my friend gave me, and I am sticking to my word and will share the recipe with you today. The original recipe is for a Thermomix. I don't have one of these fandangily machines so I used a food processor so I will give you the alterations I made to it too. (Typical me - I just can't make anything to the original rules!)

This is the original

Ali measured them all out (she is the master of WW points) and they are roughly 2 points each ball - and they were big balls too. Ha I didn't mean for that to be rude. Probably about the size of a large walnut. They were easily a rounded tablespoon size each. 

I basically put everything in my food processor (I swapped the sultana's for craisins because that's all I had in my pantry). At first it looks too dry to ever stick together, but don't panic. As you keep going the nuts get smaller and then all of a sudden seem to release their oils and it will suddenly start to "ball up" don't process it any more as it will get too runny. Then you just roll into the ball size you want and roll those in coconut. I did small ones so they looked more like little truffles. So I think you could almost have 3 small ones for 2 WWpoints. But don't rely on me for specific numbers!

Also on a side note, it is Easter time so I'll share with you Miss Lucy's new collection.
She (ok I may have guided her towards it) has decided to started collecting bunnies of the ceramic variety. Her very first Easter she was given this pretty bunny from her DeDe. It looks stuffed but it is in fact pottery. 

And now she has 3 more added to her collection thanks to a sale and Bed Bath & Table.

 Don't you just love the little origami one.

So the plan is that every Easter they will be out on display in the living area and then the rest of the year live happily in her room. Lucy and I are really excited about finding more little gems on our visits to op shops and markets(or treasure shop as she calls them).
It's fun having a little girl.
I wonder what collection Flynn will want. I hope it isn't something gross like bugs. Or expensive like motorbikes. Oh the joys still to come.


Happy Easter everyone. 

what's in that kids lunchbox?....one...

I know it's not Monday yet and I really could just save this post for next Week, but that would be sneaky and not at all like me......... much........

Lucy's first day at Pre-Primary is today and this is her first packed lunch of the year. I hope it sustains her little mind as she learns the new rules of the classroom, and it gives her enough energy to play with all her friends (some old and hopefully lots of new ones too)

So to kick start my new plan of lunchbox updates: 

This Kid Has:

• An apple (for her fruit time, all the kids bring a piece and they share it all at recess)
• Ham, cheese, spinach, grated carrot and mayo mountain bread wrap
• carrot sticks and lavosh crackers with chive and onion cream cheese dip
• a fruit puree "crush up" pouch(I freeze it so it doubles as an ice pack and is all icy and slushy by lunch)
• and a small fruit box (she also takes a water bottle so this is just a treat)

I'm pretty sure I have covered most food groups. Though whether I have done well or not will all be revealed when she gets home and we see what/if anything is left.

a whole new school year

This week our local kids all start back at school for 2012. 

For our household our eldest munchkin starts Pre Primary which means full time schooling from now until at least 2027. She doesn't start until Thursday so this week will be easy.

 Next week however I am sure that I will be crying my eyes out by midweek.

 I am really looking forward to spending my days getting to know Flynn better. But I have spent the last 5 years with Lucy with me majority of the time and I will miss her terribly. 

Another challenge will be school lunches. So rather than see them as a chore, I thought I could see them as a challenge. The challenge is that every Monday I will post a "What's in that kids lunchbox" series. Because I will be showing the world, I'm hoping it will keep me motivated to make sure I load her lunchbox with good stuff and no junk. Last year was easy as she only attended Kindy 2 days and I had and least 2 days off in between so I could shop if I needed to. This year I will need to be organised and imaginative. 

Hopefully I can inspire others to share too. Or maybe just give some inspiration for your kids lunches or family picnics. If I make anything "out there" I'll try to make sure I let you know the recipes. Plus I'll let you know what is a hit and what is a failure. 

Day 4

Day 4 on the advent and this mumma is already a bit tired. It could have something to do with the fact that I was woken at 5am by 4 very cute kids that were too stinking happy to be cross at.

Well after all the fun and playtime of a sleepover it was back to business and today's advent task was "make Christmas cookies"

This fits in perfectly with the fact that Lucy will be taking gifts for her classmates at school tomorrow.

These stained glass cookies do look cool - I really hope the kids like them. In all honesty I just hope their parents are impressed cause they were bloomin' fiddly to make and well out of my usual patience ability. All because I stupidly refused to follow the candy cane and card tradition. I wonder if I'll ever learn?

I hope day 5 is something like "give mummy a foot rub" or "make mummy dinner and pour her a wine" or "sit around and do nothing" Who made this advent anyway? Oh yes, crap that was my idea.