Wednesday, 22 May 2013
Avo Tree Update
Remember a couple of weeks back I told you I was going to try and grow an avocado tree? Well, there has been some progress. The avo pit has begun to crack and a root has sprouted out the bottom. There is nothing to do for now but just wait for more roots to show and eventually some leaves too. I will just keep watering it and making sure the bowl is kept clean. I am also hoping our weather will improve a little bit and some more sunshine rays will cast themselves on our little kitchen windowsill.
In other gardening-related news, I planted some pumpkin seeds a few weeks back and hoped for the best. I am so chuffed to say that they are growing well - I might start putting them outside in the day to harden them up and then eventually plant them in a few months.
I suppose it might be a good idea to actually dig up a vegetable patch to plant them into? I like the idea of raised beds and Mani has offered to build a couple for me. So we might get cracking on that this weekend depending on the weather.
Happy Wednesday friends x
Tuesday, 21 May 2013
Making Milk Tart for World Baking Day
So, I wrote about World Baking day on Friday and I am pleased to say the mission was accomplished. It certainly was a challenge but I really can say the milk tart tasted fab and I would make it again. I did have to re-do the pastry as I lined the tin too thick with the dough but you live and learn. Plus this is what baking brave is all about. I also only made half the mixture the second time round as I didn't really want two milk tarts to tempt me!
I used the recipe provided by Dolce Bakery in Cape Town, however I did not freeze the pastry like the instructions said - mainly because I didn't really have the time or the patience. It still turned out well though.
It didn't take long for the milk tart to set, which I was glad of because I could have a slice sooner that I thought I could. I enjoyed it with a lovely cup of tea while I was writing my (third to last)assignment on Sunday.
You can see where Nikki also took part here - don't her cupcakes look amazing?
Happy Tuesday!
Monday, 20 May 2013
A walk in the woods
I am feeling so grateful at the moment. Grateful for our house, our garden, our village and the walks we can take. After a lot of studying this weekend and not feeling the greatest we decided to go for a short walk for some fresh air. Our house backs onto fields which then leads onto a small forest and more fields. You can do a 30 minute circular walk with some beautiful scenery. The bluebells are out and just so pretty. We saw a deer and a hare too. The walk cleared my head and gave me the chance to practice with my camera again. Here's to more evenings like this for the summer ahead.
Happy Monday x
Friday, 17 May 2013
World Baking Day
Did you know it is World Baking Day on Sunday? I found out via this pretty blog and as soon as I read about it I just knew I had to take part. I haven't baked in a while as I am trying to keep as healthy as possible since being diagnosed with PCOS. But I figured I could bake to my hearts content and take my creations to work to share. That way there is nothing at home to tempt me!
I first started baking when I was fairly young - I remember my mom baking cupcakes to take to school on a Friday when I was 5 years old for Bakerman on a Friday. I remember her making these delicious muffins and these naughty bars. When my parents divorced I used to go to my Dad's every Tuesday night for supper and always make brownies for dessert. My friends used to come round to my house after school sometimes and I would whip up a batch of brownies and we would watch TV and eat the whole lot. Memories. I love remembering good times. And that is why I love baking too.
Making something from scratch and sharing it with friends and family is the best. I love experimenting with new recipes and sitting down with a cup of tea and a slice of something that is homemade.
This year, World Baking Day, which is being sponsored by Stork, is daring us to step out of our comfort zones and bake something that we have never baked before so to push our skills to the limit. By answering a question on how often you bake you will be given a recipe based on that which might test you. Based on my answer I was given level 27 - Coconut Carrot Muffins. Sounds amazing right? But I wanted something a bit more out of my comfort zone - I wanted to be brave.
So I chose the South African Milk Tart - Level 74. Whenever I go home, one of the first things I do is pop to the Kwik Spar and pick up a Milk Tart. But I have never made one. So this is my chance.
I will bake my creation on Sunday and share it on twitter and instagram - remember to use #bakebrave if you are taking part too.
Are you going to bake brave this weekend?
Thursday, 16 May 2013
On running
So it has been nearly a month since I started my running routine – I thought I would let you know how it was going.
I
aim to run three times a week, each run at the moment lasting about 20 -
30 minutes. I cannot run for the full twenty but I can certainly run a
lot longer than I could when I first started.
I use map my run on my iphone, which I put into this armband and it then tracks the routes I run so I can see all the details afterwards.
Sometimes
it is a real struggle to go out in the evenings but I have never
regretted going out. Once I am on the road, I can literally feel the
day’s events slipping away behind me.
It has
definitely been a stress-reliever for me. I am not a stress-ball
(although I am sure others would disagree!) but I am quite an anxious
person and running has helped me relax and feel good about myself.
I make sure I go out as soon as Mani gets home which is normally around 5:50pm.
My
routine is getting into my running gear when I get home from work too
and I also tend to not think about it too much otherwise I will convince
myself to rather go out "tomorrow".
It is all about forming good habits.
Each
run I can feel myself getting fitter and it really does get easier. I
love our little village – it is perfect for running. Initially I went
out our back garden, into the fields and then onto more roads but I
found it quite hard to run in the fields because of uneven ground and
the tractor roaring past wasn’t ideal (although the farmer was
friendly!). So I have changed my route to road running only and it has
helped me better my pace and my running distances.
My
next aim is to get some better shoes – at the moment I have asics and
they are super comfy but they are old and a bit weary. I love the look
of some of the below and am hoping to get down to a running shop soon to
try on a few.
I just want them to be
comfortable and good for my feet and running alike. Do you have any
that you can personally recommend?
1// Asics Ladies Fuji 2// Nike Dart 9 3// Adidas Furano 4// Adidas Lite Arrow 5// Ascis Gel Oberon
I
am glad I have gotten back into exercise. Since stopping drinking my
energy levels have come back. Plus the fact I am following a new eating
plan I am feeling the best I have done in years.
I
am proud of myself for getting back on track and I hope this inspires
others to put on those running shoes and get yourself out there.
What do you have to lose?
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