Catch up!

Hello Dear Reader,
Not sure where this week has gone with school assembly, sports day, teen breaking up for school. So we had a chilled night. We had three ready meals - which is an unusually occurrence of chicken korma and rice reduced on Wednesday! Where I had load of bargain's, I was there at 6.00 p.m. and had quite a lot of yellow reduced meat!

My friend came over so we lit the chimera, and caught up with all the last fortnights news! It was a lovely night! My daughter had a friend to sleep over, neither woke with all the thunder and lightening storms!

My son is tidying his room at 6.30 a.m.! Cause his friend is coming over today! Miracles do happen!
I'm having my hair cut this morning after two appalling attempts of cutting my fringe myself!
Have a nice day!
Em xx

Turkey burgers and caramelised onions!

Hello Dear Reader,
I had a lovely day it was my daughters school assembly this morning where all parents, and grandparents could go to watch their performance which they wrote themselves to celebrate their year. Don't think there was a dry eye in the place! Proud!

For tea tonight I made Turkey burgers from 1 pack of turkey mince, grated onion, smoked paprika, dollop of tomato sauce, salt and pepper. Form into six burger shapes and place in oven. Turn once.

Also I made caramelised onion which I love...

1. Peel the 3 onions and cut them into thin wedges. Place them in a large pot with the 3 tbsp sugar, 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar, tsp of oil, 375ml of water, 1 teaspoon of salt and some ground black pepper.

2. Bring the onions to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for 40-45 minutes or until the liquid has all but evaporated and the onions are very soft. During the final steps of cooking take care that the onions don’t catch and burn - give them a stir now and then.

3. Remove the pot from the heat and cool before storing the onions in the fridge in a covered container. Serve at room temperature or reheat in a small pan

Off to iron!

Em xx

Girlie Spa weekend!

Hello Dear Reader,
How are you? I had a lovely weekend. Friday night we (me and 5 friends) went to The village in Cardiff to celebrate two birthday one 40th and the other I will leave out the age! We had nice clean rooms which had been recently decorated, 3 course evening meal (free bottle of bubbly!), breakfast and a spa treatment with use of the facilities for £69.50! https://www.village-hotels.co.uk/offers/spa/viva-friday-feeling/



We had a really fab time and the standard of the meals were exceptional for the value we paid! Well worth a girly treat for a special occasion. You could pay extra for additional treatments. I had just the back massage which was in with the price. Well relaxed!

Em xx

Stop procrastinating !

Hello Dear Reader,
I have just finished reading this book. http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/B00IMOI724/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link

Thought it was very good, the first couple of chapters turns your productivity back on you ensuring you are excising first thing in the morning (cough!) and eating correctly! In order to have the right mindset! I will be trying these principles and let you know how I get on.
The book covers:-

*How To Take The First Step Towards Success
*Why Your Mornings Can Make Your Day!
*Exercise Your Way To Becoming An Irresistible Success Magnet
*How You Eat Impacts How You Procrastinate!
*The Art And Science Of Time Management
*Boost Your Brain, Sharpen Your Mind
*Small Workplace Changes That Can Impact Your Productivity
*Simplify! Decide What Really Matters And Get More Done
*Understanding What Procrastination Is

As I am juggling a demanding job in part time hours, I like in the book the recommend that multi - tasking is no longer effective and you should concentrate on one task for 25 minutes then have a five minute break. Choose only one big goal to achieve for the day that has the most impact if you achieve it.

Do you have a time management techniques? Do you procrastinate?

Em x

Manor Park Zoo!

Hello Dear Reader,
How are you? I've been busy we went away for the weekend to the caravan. Visited Manor Park Zoo in Tenby. Where we had a fab day the kids loved it. http://www.annaswelshzoo.co.uk/. The animals are not in cages but natural enclosures and look happy! While it is expensive to get in, the kids can ride three wheel bikes around the whole of the park at no extra charges, there are not commercialised stalls or side shows begging you for more cash!

It is a very laid back park based around the animals and reminds me of the film 'We bought a zoo'. The restaurant is expensive, I would recommend bring a pack lunch, there are lots of picnic tables and bikes, toys to keep the kids occupied.
What you got to see was families enjoying themselves ...


Em x

Extra money - De-cluttering!

Hello Dear Reader,
I've been on a mission this to de-clutter and create extra cash. My mission started on Saturday when I took a boot full of clothes, old shoes to the clothes for cash centre. They will pay cash for all your unwanted clothes, helping to reduce the staggering 1.5million tonnes of unwanted clothing that ends up in landfill sites in the UK alone. 

They will pay per kilo for your unused & unwanted clothes, hats, belts, bags, shoes, underwear, soft toys, mobile phones, CD's and DVDs and even scrap gold.

Old clothes are exported to poorer countries in Eastern Europe, Russia & Africa, where they are re-used

http://www.cashforclotheswales.co.uk/

I earned £8.00

I sold an item on Ebay for £7.00

I sold kids storage containers for £10.00

Old mobile phone for £4.00 on mazuma

Total so far = £29.00

Em x

This weeks freebie & tagliatelle Carbonara!

Hello Dear reader,

Just returned home to find another free parcel. Febreeze sleep serenity bedding spray.

I will try it and let you know! I love receiving parcels! Off to make Harry Bikers Tagliatelle Carbonara for tea. I have adapted the recipe, it will take 10-12 minutes, serves 2 (2 kids + 1 adult).

75g dried tagliatelle pasta
1 back of bacon lardons
oil for spraying
200g small mushrooms sliced
4tbsp half fat creme fraiche
15g finely grated Parmesan cheese
fresh ground pepper

Half fill a large saucepan with cold water and bring to boil.
Add the pasta stir well and return to boil. Cook for 10-12 minutes.
Fry bacon and mushrooms in frying pan for 4 minutes.
Drain pasta in a colander and then tip back into saucepan.
Spoon over creme fraiche and add cheese, season and serve!

Em x

Crayon art!

Hello Dear Reader,

Just been playing making crayon art with my daughter and her friend. Such an easy and fun way to make new canvas' for their rooms.

Peel crayons and place on top of blank canvas you can pick up in Wilkinson s. then apply a hair dryer over the crayons until they melt and create a rainbow effect. There are some lovely ones on pin interest.

Have Fun, they kids loved making them!
Em x

Sausage & mash & onion gravy!

Hello Dear Reader,
Had a busy weekend, went to see War horse in Cardiff Millennium centre. Thought it was excellent and well worth a treat if you haven't seen in. Its set st the beginning of World Ward I and tells the story of a young boy called Albert and his beloved horse Joey, and the unimaginable obstacles they overcome both individually and together.

At the heart of the show are life-sized puppets which bring breathing, galloping, charging horses to thrilling life on stage. Filled with stirring music and some of the most innovative stagecraft of our time, this is a remarkable tale of courage, loyalty and friendship, and a genuinely unforgettable theatrical experience. After a cleaning, shopping at Aldi and defrosting the freezer. I've organised my week's meals and chosen a cook book for the week. As I often get overwhelmed but too many choices of what to make or try.
"> This week's cookbook choice is:-

The Hairy Dieters Eat for Life: How to Love Food, Lose Weight and Keep it Off for Good! (Hairy Bikers)

Tonight we had sausage and mash with onion gravy  (recipe from book) followed by individual apple crumble.

What are you eating this week?
Em x

Freebie

Hello Dear Reader,
I cam home last night to a small brown parcel. A free bottle of flash concentrate! I love entering these freebie offers. It takes a few minutes and you never know what you receive.



The plan is to deep clean my conservatory this weekend with it!
Em xx

Yoga goals!

Hello Dear Reader,
How are you? Had a lovely chat up with an old school friend last night. We previously have gone to yoga together and both miss it. Sometimes life gets in the way and its easy to give up on a class when things are busy.
So we have decided we would start in September and start practising at home until then as we both have yoga DVD's still in the wrappers!

The biggest dream /goal is to go to Bali and undertake a yoga retreat! We have both watch Eat, Pray, Love and since then have a wish to go to Bali. Anybody been?

So here's saving the £2.00 coins!! Where would you like to go and why?
Em xx

Budget!

Hello Dear Reader,
A lovely morning this morning! It's pay day tomorrow, as you can tell i'm excited! I have worked out a budget for July including my car tax! Hate paying car tax! Here's what I  have done:-

1. Worked out income coming in (will confirm when I have pay docket)
2. All direct debits
3. Extra out goings - car tax...
4. Budgeted for Food, Petrol, kids dinner monies, kids clubs...
5. Amount to save for emergency fund.
6. Amount left towards holidays etc..

All my food and car money is going into a different bank account and weekly I will be drawing it out and it has to last!! As you can tell I have previously just gone with the flow with money but after reading Dave Ramsey's books I want to be completely debt free including mortgage!

I recommend you read this:-

http://www.daveramsey.com/media/broadcast/mytmmo/pdf/guide-to-budgeting.pdf

Starting a new budget every month allows you to accommodate birthdays, days out, car tax etc..

Or if you are feeling tempted by http://www.frugalqueen.co.uk/ Getting ready for July's challenge where she is "Just make do with what I have July'. It means I have a complete spending break in July"!



Happy Budgeting!

Em x

Tea for two!

Hello Dear Reader,
I'm sitting in my garden enjoying the sunshine. My neighbors are a retired couple who have retired to the garden and spend all of their time there enjoying their hobbies. When I noticed the pair enjoying 'tea for two' a proper tea pot and milk jug and two cups on a tray! I commented how romantic it was...! So this post is dedicated to the couples out there who are still together in their retirement years enjoying a pot of tea for two, as it is often the small gestures of life we should be most grateful!

http://youtu.be/lrk6kbXuFCs

"Tea For Two"

And Two For Tea

Picture you upon my knee
Just tea for two and two for tea
Just me for you and you for me alone
Nobody near us to see us or hear us
No friends or relations on weekend vacations
We won't have it known, dear
That we own a telephone, dear
Day will break and you'll awake
And start to bake a sugar cake
For me to take for all the boys to see
We will raise a family
A boy for you, a girl for me
Oh, can't you see how happy we would be

Em x

Quiet traveling in car with tween and teenager!

Hello Dear Reader,
I thought I would share with you, I have discovered after years parenting how to keep my two quiet in the car for the two hour long journey to Tenby. Being on your own with two kids in car for two hours whilst driving can be stressful! I now down load an audio book and we listen to half of it there and half on the way back and we are all glued to the story! This keeps my hyper daughter and my teen entertained whilst playing ipads etc.. without arguing!

We have really enjoyed the Boy in a Dress and Demon Dentist. The age range suits both kids and me!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Demon-Dentist-David-Walliams/dp/0007527241/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403446941&sr=8-1&keywords=demon+dentist+audio+book


The new jaw-achingly funny novel from David Walliams, the number one bestselling author! Make your appointment if you dare…

Darkness had come to the town. Strange things were happening in the dead of night. Children would put a tooth under their pillow for the tooth fairy, but in the morning they would wake up to find… a dead slug; a live spider; hundreds of earwigs creeping and crawling beneath their pillow.
Evil was at work. But who or what was behind it…?
Listen and enjoy!
Em xx

Caravan - Family weekend!

Hello Dear Reader,
I've just got back from the caravan after a lovely family chill out weekend! I bought a surf film from the pound shop for the Friday night. Saturday we went to Saunders-foot beach where there were holding a speed race boat racing. We chilled on the beach all day and visited our favorite ice cream shop Sidolis.  I love their salted caramel ice cream! Sat in the sun and chilled. Home now to washing and homework! Just written my recipes for the magazine.

Enjoy the Sun!
Em xx

Walking in Wylie - Mindful walking!

Hello Dear Reader,

How are you? Enjoying the sunshine. I often go for a walk with my neighbour her daugter and my daughter. We do a circuit along lanes ending up in a small place called Wylie and back home. Releasing stress, getting fitter and having a natter. Mindful walking is a  a very powerful form of walking mediation that can defuse stress within minutes.

It relaxes the body by channeling anxiety and nervous energy into physical activity and calms the mind by promoting focused awareness. It's like pushing your reset button, and you can do it in as little time as it takes to walk to the bathroom. 

The goal is to use walking meditation to gently shift the focus of your attention from worrying about the past or the future, and to focus on what is actually happening in the present moment. It is about being in the present—paying attention to the thoughts, feelings, and sensations we are experiencing right now as well as the ground underfoot and the feeling of the sun or the wind on your face.

It can also clear your mind and make you more creative and productive.. The movement of walking induces a relaxed mental state that dissolves the block to creative thinking that is caused by tension and stress.

Try it:-

1: While walking, pay attention to your breathing. Use this focus on the breath as an anchor to stabilize your attention.

2: Alllow yourself to notice any sights, sounds, or physical sensations that may come up as you walk. Rest your awareness for a moment on that sight, sound, or sensation, then return your awareness to your breathing.

3: If thoughts distract you from your mindful awareness, simply notice them, then return your awareness to your breathing.

 Em x

Art club

Hello dear reader,

Just finished our tea, chicken dinner and apple crumble after taking my daughter and her friend to art club. 

She loves it, it's on a Monday in maescwymer 4.00 till 5.30 costs £1.00 and includes a can of pop and sweets.This weeks creation is clay dogs! 

They really have a great time. 

Em x 

Saving Mam: Father's Day chocolate cake!

Saving Mam: Father's Day chocolate cake!: Hello Dear Reader, I hope you all had a lovely day yesterday. I made triple chocolate cake for my special dad. I always say the sign o...

Father's Day chocolate cake!

Hello Dear Reader,

I hope you all had a lovely day yesterday. I made triple chocolate cake for my special dad. I always say the sign of a good cake is on how much is left....

I followed a recipe from Good to Know.http://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/recipes/540146/triple-chocolate-cake

It is really easy to make and tasted stunning!

Ingredients:

• 350g butter, softened
• 350g self-raising flour
• 350g caster sugar
• 6 medium eggs
• Few drops vanilla extract
• 3tbsp milk
• 100g bar white chocolate, melted
• 100g bar milk chocolate, melted
• 100g bar dark chocolate, melted
• 300ml carton whipping cream
• 200g bar dark chocolate, broken into pieces
• Few drops vanilla extract
• White chocolate stars, for decoration

Method:

Set the oven to 190°C/375°F/Gas Mark 5.
Tip the butter, flour, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract and milk into a bowl and beat well until smooth. Divide the mixture evenly between 3 bowls. Stir the white chocolate into one of the bowls and spoon it out into a cake tin and spread out. Stir the milk chocolate into another portion and spoon into another tin and stir the dark chocolate into the final portion, then spread it out in the last tin.
Place the cakes in the oven, with 2 on the upper shelf and 1 on lower shelf. Bake the cakes for 25-30 minutes until they have risen and feel just firm to the touch. The cake on the bottom shelf may need an extra 5 minutes as, depending on the oven, it may not cook as quickly as the top ones. Remove from the oven and leave to cool in the tins for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.
To make the ganache:
Bring the cream to the boil and pour it over the chocolate. Stir until chocolate melts and mix well, preferably using a stick blender. Stir in vanilla extract to taste. Leave the mixture to cool. Once cold, whisk the ganache until it’s a spreading consistency.
Place the white chocolate cake on a serving plate and spread some ganache on the top, then place the milk chocolate cake on top. Spread some ganache over that, then place the dark chocolate cake on top. Spread the remaining ganache over the top and sides of the cake. Sprinkle over some white chocolate stars. Keep the cake in a cool place until serving
Enjoy.
Em x

Free Samples

Hello Dear Reader,
Glad its Friday! I occasionally enter for all free samples on http://www.magicfreebiesuk.co.uk/ http://www.freestufffinder.co.uk/ most weeks I receive one or two freebies which I love getting! Plus can use padded envelopes to sell things on Amazon! Bargain!

This week I have received Buster plughole sanitiser, which you can also use for the washing machine /
dishwashers etc.. So my washing machine is going to have a treat!  There are so many free samples on the web. Samples of products, given away in the hope that you might go and buy the full-size, or just to advertise the brand. So get clicking.. see what turns up!

Off  to clean my washing machine!
Em x

One of my favorite motivational sayings..

Hello Dear Reader,
As a member of social media you notice that the recent trend of positive pictures with motivational sayings is becoming a norm on facebook etc.. I just found one of mine that I haven't seen for 20 years or so..  My former production director had this on his office wall:-

Whilst he was 6 ft 3 with a large personality he was a Traditional Baker from Liverpool and knew how to run a Bakery! As a young New Product Development Manager this left an mark on me! Since moving on and  becoming a Mother and a Bakery Manager. I believe that until you do something it is only then that you truly understand. Whether it is getting out of debt, coping with raising children, managing people get to the true understanding by doing!!

Have you got a motivational phrase that stricks a chord?

Em x

Down shifting challenge!

Hello Dear Reader,
Have you ever down shifted on a brand to save money and nobody has noticed. My daughter loves food with her tomato sauce. Loves Heniz! So when the tomato sauce arrived from approved food 2 for £1.50. I did wonder if it was false economy or would she like it?

Yes its going down well!

M next challenge tonight is Asda Smart price Chips. I don't buy a lot of oven chips we probably eat them about once a fortnight. As work is busy, I need something easy tonight. So its beef burger and chips.

Smart price chips for £0.82! Will they notice? As a Food technologist I am aware what differences supermarkets can use recipe and ingredient wise for different marketing tiers of their product ranges.

This works out at 5.5p /100g where normally the chips I would buy are 19.9p / 100g. Verdict - "Nice chips Mam"!

Have you tried the downshift challenge? What have you tried?

 http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/downshift-challenge/

Keep saving!

Em x

Washing days!!

!

Hello Dear Reader,

Been busy with work, stressful times ahead with a big audit! I find that when you are focusing on one area of your life you inevitably fall down in other areas. Mainly the washing!!! Then chaos takes over with no clean uniform, which adds to the stress!
Organisation is the key to happiness! I love self help books and one of my favourite is Unclutter your life in a week by Erin Rooney Doland.

They have a section on days of the week washing. 

Monday - Bedding
Tuesday - Children's clothes
Wednesday - Adults clothes
Thursday - Towels
Friday - Children's clothes
Saturday - Adults clothes
Sunday - Rest.
Simply !! So keep the small stuff in order...

Unclutter Your Life in One Week

Em x

Kids and goal setting!

Hello Dear Reader,
I've just asked my kids for 3 places or things they would like to see or do in the next three months. It surprised me when I shared my goals with them, they fancied doing one of them with me.. It is important to ask them WHY do they want to do / or go there? What will it give them in terms of experience or expectations? How will they make them feel?

If you want to make things happen in your life, you have to set GOALS. I have learned goal setting from the best, Tony Robbins. http://training.tonyrobbins.com/meet-your-goals-with-massive-action-planning/#more-3127


Here is how it works in a nutshell:

1. Make a list of things you & (kids / partner) want to accomplish in next 3 months. That list becomes your goals. Do NOT be afraid to go big!
2. Then, divide your goals into 1 month, 2 month, 3 month deadlines. Organise budget or trade in Tesco points, look for deals on voucher web sites if it is to Theme parks.
3. Next, assign an action to each of your goals. This is something that you will do daily, weekly, monthly, etc to help you reach your goal, as well as keep you on track. Research the HOW..
4. Make it happen with the kids so they get a perspective of planning and doing to achieve the goals..!

      

Em x

Wedding - Pound shop!

Hello Dear Reader,
Sorry I have been busy with a family wedding. It was held in Saint Pierre Golf club in Chepstow and would highly recommend them for a venue. The staff, rooms and food were excellent!

http://www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/cwlgs-st-pierre-a-marriott-hotel-and-country-club/



I always believe you put out to the universe via Law of Attraction and you will receive what you want. If you are into this belief you will understand what I mean. Anyway it was the Saturday before the wedding and I didn't have a fastcinator, went into our pound shop and there in Navy was my fastcinator! Very grateful!! Very frugal! I think that mine was definitely the cheapest in the wedding! Lesson to be learn't pound shop first!! Can you tell??

Em x

Envelopes / Direct debits

Hello Dear Reader,

We just been paid on Friday, so following Dave Ramsey's technique - my financial guru. I have set up a simple system. Added all of my direct debits, know how much went into my bank account and have taken the rest out in cash. A couple of months ago since reading Dave's books I gave my credit cards to my friend's Mother to look after and have been trying to manage without them!! As its only my wage, no maintenance or other assistance raising two kids is tough!

Today I have started Dave's envelope system I have divided the remaining cash for wedding gift money (wedding tomorrow!), food, petrol, school dinner money. So each envelope I have written "Thank you for  my abundance" (Part of law of attracting more money) and how much is in each envelope. Simply when you spend anything out of the envelope you deduct the amount you have left and its must last the month! (gulp!). So when its gone its gone! No more cash point withdrawals!
Each pound must be accountable (you can have a blow envelope - just to spend for fun as well!)

Psychologically you are less likely to overspend using cash as opposed to swiping credit cards or debit cards. Where I know sometimes I couldn't even tell you the amount I just swiped! I paid last week for my car service in the Audi garage using cash and they looked at me a bit strange! I even had it reduced because they didn't have change!

The idea is through time you will dump debt and build wealth! so there will be no Amazon, Internet purchases (gulp!) Have a read of this guy's books, listen to his radio station - it will blow you away!

Em x

JUMP!

Hello Dear Reader,
Just came back from taking my daughter and her friends to jump. We were there for four hours so definitely had our money's worth! Had vouchers from voucher cloud so it was two for one on entry! Thank you voucher cloud!
http://www.vouchercloud.com/

They had a fab time, the staff are really friendly and helpful. They all had balloon guns...(free!). If you haven't been there it is worth a visit, today was lovely and quiet and it was our school's inset day, so the kids had the run of the place with the toddlers. It is the largest play area in South Wales so can get very busy! They have a drop slide which the kids once they have overcome their fear loved!

http://www.123jump.co.uk/

Shattered!
Em x

Approved Foods parcel is back!

Hello Dear Reader,
My approved foods parcel is back. It was like Christmas my parcel was massive! Just like Christmas. All the products were well packed in boxes inside this giant box.

My 1p Lucky Dip box: Chocolate chip cookies, crisps, cat food, scourers, laundry stain remover, cereal bars..

I had squash, toilet rolls, kitchen rolls, crisps, breakfast bars, Tomato sauce etc. Saved £39.00 on RRP! I will let you know how the products taste test..

Emx

Saving Mam: Measuring your urine's pH!

Saving Mam: Measuring your urine's pH!: Hello Dear Reader, Have you every measured your urine's pH? Well, I've had pH testing strips for a while in the cupboard, I bought ...

Measuring your urine's pH!

Hello Dear Reader,
Have you every measured your urine's pH? Well, I've had pH testing strips for a while in the cupboard, I bought them from my amazon to test my acidity. I had my gallbladder out four years ago and still cannot eat everything. Lately its getting worse, I had a scan on Monday and await the results.  So i have started my own investigation on how acidic is my body?
 I tested my urine first thing this morning it was 5.7 on the pH scale. According to my book that under 6.5 means I probably have an acid condition. Yup! It recommends testing every morning for the next fortnight and eating more alkaline foods. So its worth a try!

How acidic are you? 
Em x

Approved Foods?

Hello Dear Reader,
Just seen a link for 1p lucky boxes on approved foods. Has anybody ever had anything from there? It seems to be an increasing web site people are getting their food, household groceries from.

https://www.facebook.com/Extremecouponinguk?fref=nf


http://www.approvedfood.co.uk/





Just ordered some items to get my 1p lucky box. I will let you know when it arrives my feedback. I would be interested if you have ever ordered anything? What are your thoughts?

Em x

Tween birthday and rainbow splash cupcakes!

Hello Dear Reader,
My daughter turned 10 on Sunday. Double digit can't believe the time has gone that quickly. We celebrated her birthday yesterday as she was in my Ex on her birthday! Which is strange and everybody who is divorced will understand when you are not there the morning of birthdays!

I made her rainbow cupcakes to come home to - these were a quick development of mine using my favourite cupcake recipes. Over the years I have tried and tested a lot of cupcake recipes. But this one never fails and produces very moist and excellent cupcakes. To get the rainbow splash effect I dropped different colours into my mixer on slow speed at the end. I could have coloured different parts of the mix but this gave a splashed colour effect.

Takes: 30 minutes

51/2 oz 150g unsalted butter
5 1/2 oz 150g superfine sugar
6oz / 175g self-raising flour
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
Red and green food colours

Preheat oven to 350F/180C/Gas mark 4, line 12 cup muffin tin with paper cases
Put all ingredients in mixer and beat.
Then drop red and green (other colours your have available) into the batter and gently fold in.
Bake for 20 minutes or until risen and just firm
Decorate with icing and strawberry jellies.

Em xx

Pound Shop DVD's! Friday night!

Hello Dear Reader,
I love going to the cinema, for me its a form of therapy and relaxation. Where you switch off, nobody can ring you or shout "Mam... ". But recently I went on a Friday and felt I was being ripped off. It nine pounds to get in and they wanted £3.20 for a bag of sweets!

So as a change we decided I would buy pizza and my friend would get DVD's from the pound shop. The first was a great feel good movie..  'A Bunch  of Amateurs' is about a sleazy Hollywood agent tricks one of his clients, a faded action star, into playing King Lear in an amateur charity production in England staring Burt Reynolds.

The second was a totally different 'Magic Mike'. About a male stripper teaches a younger performer how to party, pick up women, and make easy money! Reminded me of the 'Dream boys' in Edinburgh! Had a good laugh and a frugal night!

Can you recommend any pound shop DVD's?

Em x

This week Save £6.00 for £1000 for Christmas!

Dear Reader,

Its nearly Friday! This week's challenge is to save £6.00 to your Christmas Savings Account, giving us a total of £12.00!



Get Started and Have the BEST Christmas Ever!

1. Figure out how much you want/can spend on Christmas this year. It might be a set amount per person, or just an overall total budget amount. Is £1,000 enough?
3. That is the amount you will want to try to set aside to have for all of your Christmas Shopping.

If you can plan ahead and follow this challenge, you will have a completely different Christmas. No stressing, no worrying about money and for the first time you will actually enjoy the time you spend with your family! Try it once and you will never go back!

So this weeks start your list who are you going to buy for and budget per person, food budget, new decoration, seasonal parties etc..

223 days to Christmas!!

#Challenge 14 - living room cleaned before work!! Dinning room tomorrow!!

Ho Ho!

Em x

Chill out Wednesday!

Hello Dear Reader,
Today is chill out Wednesday! I was introduced to Mediation as part of my Reiki One course and ever since then I love listening to guided mediation especially on a Wednesday when it half way to the weekend! Yeah!!
The benefits are enormous and just chilling your mind from every day life can be very uplifting and deep fully relaxing. Guided mediation's can :

Increasing your intelligence & improve memory

Enhancing your creativity & improve clarity

Improved problem solving abilities

Decreasing anxiety & depression

Reducing irritability and moodiness

Enjoying a more positive outlook

Reduced muscular tension

Strengthened immune system

Accelerated ability to recover from strenuous exercise

Decreased high blood pressure & lower cholesterol

Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease

Reduced strain related pain, such as headaches

Ability to sleep more deeply and restfully

Improved flow of air to the lungs resulting in easier breathing

Reduction of free radicals – organic molecules responsible for aging, tissue damage, and possibly some diseases

Reduced levels of stress hormones such as cortisol

Increased feelings of vitality and rejuvenation 
   

http://youtu.be/X7iBnp8T6nY

So lie back close your eyes and try today's pick of guided meditation's

Chill

Em x

Quick treacle sponge! #4 mins!

Hello Dear Reader,
How was your day? Just made homemade Shepherd's, thought I know a quick treacle sponge pudding would be fab for afters! Years ago my Mother would cook a micro wave cake and by the time should would walk to the kitchen table to give it to us, it would be rock hard! Impossible to eat!

Here's my Quick Microwave treacle sponge recipe:

4 oz low fat flora
4 oz caster sugar
2 eggs
4 oz flour
Golden Syrup


1. Cream flora and sugar together until light creamy consistency.
2. Add eggs stir.
3. Add flour to mixing bowl.
4. Line microwave ring with golden syrup

5. Add mixture

6. Microwave 750 w for 4 minutes or until sponge is slightly firm to touch.
7. Serve immediately with custard or ice cream

Today's # 14 day challenge was my shoe cupboard. All clean, bleached, shoes paired!

Have a good evening
Em x