Killer Recipe: Peanut and chocolate biscuits

My favourite! Had better park this recipe right here, it's been sitting loose in a folder for years! I like this recipe because the biscuits taste just as good the next day, and day after that too (though I warn you, they wont last long!)


INGREDIENTS

150g (just under a cup) brown sugar
100g butter,softened

1 egg

1/2 tsp vanilla

300g crunchy peanut butter (I just use a whole jar of Kraft crunchy)

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp bicarb soda

225g plain flour

200g dark chocolate chips (I just pour in the whole pack, about 250g)

METHOD

- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celcius.
- Beat the sugar and butter until smooth, then beat in the egg and vanilla.
- Beat in the peanut butter, then fold in the salt, bicarb and flour.
- Mix until combined, then fold in the choc chips.
- Roll mixture into small balls and lay on trays lined with non-stick baking paper.
- Press down with a fork to about 1cm thick and bake for 10 minutes.

Source: Matthew Evans, torn from Good Weekend, Nov 13, 2010
 

New Mum: Early Days

Well for the last six weeks I have been thinking 'You should put this on the blog, you should put that on the blog,' and of course, being a new Mum (Mama?) and all, the time evaporates.

First, just read this! It's the best I can find on what it's like being a new mum.

For the Mum...

When you are a new Mum you feel like you get nothing done. This article might make you feel a little better...

Peppermint tea! Excellent for keeping your breath fresh and easy to drink during night feeds, early morning wake ups and so forth. A friend brought me some in hospital and I was hooked!

Tena lady pants for the hospital. I was given a packet with a wink but they really were the most vital thing I needed during my hospital stay. They saved time and were very easy to get on and off.

I have never been one to count calories, but I have been worried about my eating lately because I am so hungry all the time! Apparently this is normal and ok - when breastfeeding you burn an extra 500 calories (2000 kilojoules) per day - that's 4 x pieface meat pies! A calorie converter is here.

My mind of course turns to eating and then exercise, with all of those stars getting back to 'bikini ready' within six weeks of birth - well I know it will be longer than that for me, I am only starting around now at 6 weeks! I think this article fits in with my approach.

I gave birth at a funny time, 11.57pm on a Thursday, and I was out of the hospital by the Monday. That means I didn't really get much advice in terms of the 'everyday' stuff because staff are generally 'light on' during weekends - YouTube has been an excellent help for me! This includes learning to breastfeed on my side, bathe, even settle my baby! Every day is a learning experience, and the more I read and watch the more I learn! Such as...

Learning about what the different cries mean! Wish I had heard of this earlier...



Playing with your newborn (once she woke up I wasn't sure what to do!):



This one's a little crazy but it did actually teach me to breastfeed lying down!



Do you have to express? I do. Here is a fantastic and inexpensive trick you can use to make it hands free - I find it actually works!

Sometimes my baby cries during breastfeeding. This article has helped me work that out, well a little!

Wind... I had no idea upon leaving hospital how important it would be to learn to wind and burp my baby! The official word these days (well at least in Australia) is not to worry about burping... after getting up many times in the night to help my baby's pains I disagree!
This article that discusses how your diet while breastfeeding may help to reduce wind and associated crying. I did not believe this until the day after I ate alot of broccoli, where my (mostly) sweet and mild baby became a raging handful!

My little one had some troubles gaining weight and we had to supplement with formula early on. These bottles by Mixie make it so easy, and are now available in Australia.

If you use Apple products... Apple Dictation! It seems that sending emails (or typing with two hands) is now impossible... Apple Dictation has saved me on that front, I can just talk into my iPhone or desktop computer and it accurately turns it into text for me - and the more you use it, the better it gets at recognising your voice! 

Sleep? Not getting much? Either way, when you go along to your Mothers Group you will quickly realise much of the conversation had is about sleep (or lack of) and approaches. I like this article because you can also watch the video and it feels like you are in the room listening - also good to pass on to partners and inlaws who seem to be leaning a little heavily on sleep aids.

We have not had too hard a time with sleep (yet) but I remain mindful and open to all approaches to sleep! Video below:





I will keep adding to this as it all happens, nothing ever seems properly finished when you have a newborn!


For the Baby...

Well my baby, I'm not sure about yours - but here are some things that have really helped us (and basically I knew nothing about before)...

Love me swaddle suit - I knew that fumbling a wrap in the middle of the night would not suit me, I still use them in the daytime but at night I use a swaddle suit. These are awesome - I have 5, but you could easily get away with 3 or 4.

Air Cocoon Pouch - apparently the most lightweight swaddle available - I need to be ready for this Sydney Summer!

And breathable swaddles for Summer! Looking good...

Burp cloths! These don't seem to be such a big thing in Australia (we seem to just use face washers) but I love these! I bought these on etsy and they are gorgeous, they give me pleasure every time I use them.

Dummy Clip! Of course these are available around the place but look pretty tacky. Again I bought this on etsy and it's easy to use and so good looking!

Swing - I didn't even know these existed. I really like this Chicco Polly Swing that I bought off eBay because it folds up when not in use. We don't use it as a sleep aid, but we use it every day - and it frees us up so we can do other things!

Anything with a zip! It took me a while to work this out..  but wow how easy it is to simply zip your little one into their clothes instead of fumbling with all those snapping buttons? Genius! This one is by purebaby.

A sling! This is great for keeping your baby close, and is so convenient when you have to get out for a quick walk to the letterbox or need both hands free for typing or a phone call! My husband loves wearing ours and it's a great chance for our little one to snuggle with their dad :) This one is by Beep Beep - Georgie Armstrong, I admit I bought mine very cheaply from gumtree.

And a sling for the water, or shower! Fantastic if you live in an apartment like us and don't have a bath...

Finally, keep random bottles of water around your house and boil the kettle almost every time you walk past, it sounds strange but you'll be surprised when you need it!


How to help someone with a newborn...

I needed this advice most because I did not grow up around people having little ones. I did however know that I wanted to be helpful to my friends and family when they had a new baby! Looking back now, I feel a little guilty, but I admit it was more out of ignorance than anything else. These of course are personal observations and tips but it may come in handy for you...

- Don't buy white things / white towels for your pregnant friend. Caring for a little one is the least pure thing in the world. I find that I never have quite enough whites to wash them seperately, then I fret about ruining these lovely white gifts and don't end up using them / washing them and turning them grey. Go for colour or neutrals, unless there is a housekeeper or nanny available!

- If you are not sure of a good gift for a pregnant friend, wait until the baby is born, then wait at least 2 weeks. There is a fair bit of scrambling (well in many ways) when a new baby comes along, and when the initial flush of newborn starts to pass one realises there are bits and pieces that need purchasing... now. So simply wait, then ask, you and your gift will be both appreciated and utilised! For instance I really needed singlets, socks and sleeping bags (but how was I to know?) - and I am very grateful to my family who quickly snapped them them for me when the baby was born!

- Bring food - but ask first. Some people have a small freezer (like me!) This is before we get to other things like dietary requirements. So ask what they like, and don't just cook it, package it in portions for eating. If you are not much of a cook, simply grab a loaf of bread and milk when heading over (along with some washing powder, always handy!) and it will never go astray. I never ate alot of bread before my baby but believe me, it's so easy to make a quick piece of toast and a cup of tea right now... back on the low carb diet later!
Sweet things are also good (sorry anti-sugar fanatics!) This is not the time to worry about such things, if you can bake a slice or some granola I'm sure it will be welcomed by hungry and tired tummies!

- Give your time. Head over so the new mum can have a shower, make an uninterrupted phonecall, even go out for a walk to run errands on her own. Help to fold washing, or put away dry dishes, take the rubbish and recycling to the bin. Offer to walk with her and the baby. Give her your ear, listen, soothe and empathise. I can think of one friend who simply asks 'What can I do to help you right now?' and I immediately relax and breathe a sigh of relief. You might not even have to stay for long, but this type of help is golden! What a great way to strengthen a friendship!

Some other ideas are here.

Again.. I'll keep updating this as a mother's work is never really done :)

Killer Recipe: Apricot, Cranberry and Pistachio Muesli Slice

Nobody told me about post-pregnancy cravings, or the ravenous breast-feeding hunger! This has meant some pretty substantial 4pm eating moments and has led me to think that I must at least try and eat something a little more nutritious...

So I found this yummy muesli slice to make and have on hand. Sure, it is probably packed with enough energy for me to climb mountains but it is at least a step away from my 'daily brownie' or piece of cake :(

And guess what? I managed to make the whole thing with my little one tucked into a sling across my chest, not a peep!

It can be pretty crumbly upon cutting but it's great to keep those bits in a sealed container to sprinkle on cereal... like granola!  Its also a very flexible recipe in that you can include any cereal or nut 'scraps' you have in your cupboard... even a handful of chocolate chips... perfect. Enjoy.

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cups plain untoasted muesli (I use Woolworths Macro brand)
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup dried diced apricots
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup chopped pistachios
• 1/2 cup coconut sugar
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup coconut flour 
• 3/4 cup self-raising flour
• 1 tsp vanilla 
• 185g coconut oil (or substitute with butter)
• 1/2 cup golden syrup (could substitute with honey, maple syrup)

METHOD

- Preheat oven to 180°C 

- Line a 20cm x 30cm lamington pan with baking paper

- Place muesli, coconut, apricots, cranberries, pistachios, coconut sugar, egg, vanilla and flours in a large bowl, stir to combine

- Melt coconut oil and golden syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat until melted and combined. 

- Add butter mixture to muesli mixture, stir to combine.

- Spread mixture into prepared pan, smooth top

- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until firm to touch and golden 

- Cool completely before cutting into slices

Adapted from: http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/24337/apricot+cranberry+and+pistachio+muesli+slice

On being pregnant: Part 3

I wasn't sure there would be a 'Part 3' of my pregnancy musing, mainly because the second trimester does seem to roll along quite nicely, and if things seem to be 'prepared' to a point well, you can just keep on with it in the third trimester.

I am now at the end of the third trimester; my little one is due in two weeks. We are excited! But I also thought I should note a few helpful things down that have kept me sane along the way.

A Birth Course?
Friends recommended the Calmbirth course to us early on, which we in turn booked early on - they are so popular! In Sydney these classes fill up very fast and so far we believe it was money well spent - for strengthening our relationship, for putting us on 'the same page' in terms of our expectations (or letting go of them!) for birth, and for feeling supported and as mentally prepared as possible! We picked a local course for us (which was one of the most positive experiences I think I have ever had!) though we hear the 'original' that is held over a weekend down in Bowral with founder Peter Jackson is also amazing.

Books.
At this point I find myself reading less and less that is pregnancy related, and more for relaxation and enjoyment. One book I thoroughly recommend is 'How to be a Woman' by Caitlin Moran (thanks Sara!) which I found funny and empowering (though the section on her first experience of birth might be worth skipping for now!)

Cravings.
Ha ha ha cravings. I've had a few and they seem somewhat more desperate than earlier on, they also disappear as quickly as they arrive! A few weeks back it was cup noodles, but in general the cravings that have stuck with me have been for dairy products (in particular, milk and yoghurt), hot chocolate and lately, the smell of anything lavender. However, this is not yet entirely satisfied, as I am yet to find anything 'lavendery' enough. Hmm.

Like in the first trimester it seems my senses are now redirecting me towards items that are organic and/or natural, and pretty 'basic' in their composition (my sense of smell is still very keen and anything that smells 'too complex' is a little overwhelming).

Izola Candle from West Elm - now open in Sydney! I'm still not sure if I consider it 'value for money' at A$49 but the day I bought it I was desperate - I like to burn it before bed and get a nice peppery aroma.

Extra-gentle Lavender soap from L'Occitane. I'm a 'real soap' fan outside of pregnancy and I love this stuff - but this time around I'm not finding it 'Lavender-enough' (this is my problem, there is nothing wrong with the soap!) It still washes beautifully.

My big unexpected 'win' on the lavender front was the beautiful gift I received from my friend Justin at my recent Baby Shower. He gifted me with a range of beautiful products from 'Byron Nature's Gift' which are handmade in the Byron Hills. I could practically eat and drink these items and they have been so good for my skin and nose! I already have the 'Nurturing Mum Body Lotion' packed in my hospital bag and can't wait to buy it for other friends!

Lately I have been getting right into the Coconut Oil as well! I have been using it in my cooking for a while but then lately I have been rubbing it in to my belly, my legs and arms - what a beautiful smell and it makes the skin so soft (if you close your eyes and sit in front of a heater you can imagine you are in a nice tropical place ;) If you are watching your budget (like sadly, I now am), this stuff is for you - it's raw, organic and so multi-purpose! It comes in a beautiful jar that can easily be reused for a candle as well.

Laura's Hot Chocolate Craving Recipe
Yes it's true hot chocolate has become part of my daily ritual, and I admit I am quite particular about it! As with many aspects of pregnancy, things just have to be a certain way. I have Dutch friends and find it very hard to move accept anything other than Dutch cocoa. So here is exactly how I like it:

1 mug of milk (I prefer unhomogenised, full cream)
1 tablespoon of good Dutch Cocoa (I like Droste or Van Houten)
1/4 teaspoon Ovvio Vanilla Bean powder
2 teaspoons of raw honey

Method:
- Heat and whisk all ingredients in a small saucepan (I use one similar to this that I found in my local Woolworths)
- Pour back into mug and serve!

What happened to exercise?
Earlier on you may have read that I was doing pregnancy exercise classes with Preggi Bellies. Though the classes were great, they were probably the most delusional (and costly) decision of my pregnancy. You are asked to pay upfront, based upon an estimation of when your baby is to be born. Of course, I started having a few health annoyances about 6 weeks ago and that meant I had to stop going to class. When I was ready to go back... well Preggi Bellies wouldn't permit me to. Of course I am allowed to return once the little one is born but I already have other plans for that, so I'm pretty disappointed (as is typical with Australian gyms, no refund). So my hot tip on these types of programs is think very carefully before signing up and paying alot of money...

Lately I have started a much more sensible pre-natal yoga program at The Life Pod and I wish I had been doing these classes all along instead of going to the gym. I certainly seem to be getting alot physically, mentally and emotionally from the classes and better still, it's pay as you go!

Have I been sick?
In short, yes. The third trimester has probably been my most challenging and I certainly wasn't expecting it. My issues are around heartburn, reflux and indigestion - I tend to vomit 2-3 times each day, and some days are much worse than others, and without warning.

Of course it is different for everyone! But after 6 weeks of tussling, I need to type out what works for me:
- Rennie (recommended by my midwife) never worked for me, from the first time I tried it, it simply made me feel more sick;
- Gaviscon worked quite well for a number of weeks but has recently been losing it's effectiveness for me;
- When I feel the acid I have found the best immediate remedy is 2 x tsp of Apple Cider Vinegar followed by a small sip of water (be brave, it burns!)
- After meals a hot wheatbag placed on the top of my chest seems to give me comfort;
- Doing a little bit of Heartburn reflexology on my hands after meals seems to help one way or another (no I'm not an expert on this and by all means do your own research).

I have tried many of the natural remedies discussed on the internet but without much lasting success. I found this advice amongst the most realistic and helpful. Of course, always keep chatting with your midwife and/or doctor, they remain the most knowledgeable and have the final word on these matters.

Getting comfy for the birth.
I'm still working that bit out, and a few bags are slowly being packed. Given the choice and an unlimited budget, I would certainly pick out the 'Hatch to Hospital' box below (although I'm not sure at how those undies would go after birth, huh?) At US$248 with a falling Aussie dollar, it's not exactly a bargain!

In the meantime I'm very happy with my Humphrey Law 90% Merino wool socks, manufactured in Australia! Available at David Jones, they wash beautifully - and supporting an Australian business in this day and age, who'd have thought!

I also really like this Noppies nursing sleepwear - and I have to admit I haven't given it much thought up until now but guess I will be shortly, anything to stay warm and comfy because soon it will all be about the little one!

And on with this birth we go, see you on the other side of it all!

Killer Recipe: Pancakes!

My friend Amanda sent me this recipe after a birthday breakfast in Newcastle a few years back. Why use this recipe? The crispy edges of the pancakes, that's why!


Ingredients
2 eggs separated
1 cup buttermilk (or full cream milk)
30g butter melted
1 cup plain flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp bicarb butter to fry

Method
Beat yolks, whisk in buttermilk and butter.
Sift dry ingredients, fold in.
Whisk egg whites to soft peaks and fold in just before cooking.

Serves 2 hungry people for breakfast. 
Better than pancake shake any day!

Killer Recipe: Crumble Mix For You!

Mark and I love eating crumble in Winter, in fact all year round! We used to buy it already prepared at Harris Farm and then it disappeared from the refrigerated section... which led me to thinking about creating my own crumble recipe.

It always seemed like such a hassle - then I remembered watching Nigella Lawson prepare it in larger quantities and store it in the freezer in ziploc bags... looked promising. This Guardian article on 'How to make perfect crumble' was also very helpful when I was thinking about making my own crumble mix.

So my research began, and like any good recipe, it took on a life of its own. Mark and I have been enjoying our own crumble for months, and now I must attempt to type it down!

When I make my crumble I like to use this small rectangular pie dish from Donna Hay - just A$6.95 each! Ikea also sell something similar (at time of typing).

CRUMBLE MIX by Laura
- This makes enough for 6 small dishes of crumble (approx 6 large dessert spoons of mix per dish, using the dish mentioned above)
- I store it in 3 ziploc bags in the freezer as 2 of us like to eat it at the same time
- You can include all sorts of nut and cereal scraps from your cupboard, so be creative!
- I tend to focus on a lower sugar, lower carb mix and this is why I use far less flour than more traditional crumble recipes, feel free to adjust to your taste.

Ingredients (I call this the 'three cup' method)
1/2 cup of rolled oats
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1 cup of mixed nuts (I tend to use slivered almonds, walnuts, pecans, sunflower seeds)
1/2 cup flour (I like to use coconut flour if I have it available)
1/2 cup sugar (can also be a mix of brown and white, sometimes I use less than this)
Small handful of dark chocolate chips
1 teaspoon of vanilla (I use Ovvio vanilla powder, the best!)
50-70g of butter (again, up to you)
1 dessertspoon of coconut oil (optional)

Method
- Place flour and sugar in a bowl and rub the butter through with your fingertips (similar to when you are making scones)
- Add all other ingredients and stir through
- Store in ziploc bags in the freezer

To prepare a crumble mix
- Peel and dice an apple (or any other fruit), place in small oven dish
- Take crumble mix from freezer, sprinkle over the fruit
- Bake at 180 degrees celcius until golden (approx 20min)

Update: In Summer 2020 I have LOVED making this crumble with peaches! https://minimalistbaker.com/easy-peach-crisp-vegan-gf/

Singapore.

Hello Singapore morning!

I felt a bit hesitant telling people I was taking a holiday in Singapore, it's not most people's first idea when they are thinking holiday! But there were frequent flyer points to spend and corporate hotel rates to be had, and Mark enjoyed a conference there last year... so we decided to take the big unspoken babymoon in a nice, safe, clean country with centrally located healthcare (how very grown up of us) - and we had a wonderful time!

To start out, I have a bit of a history with Singapore, as does my family. In the 1970s my Mum and Dad lived in Malaysia while my Dad worked, and Singapore was the logical destination to 'take a break' or access services. In fact, I think it may have been discussed that it was an option that I could be born there, but Mum came back home to Sydney for that (I understand Mum actually went into labour just hours after getting off the plane? Richards family myth?) Anyway, I have always had little reminders of Singapore in my life, like my love of spicy food and the small gold trinkets Dad's workmates bought for me when I was born.

Then in my early 20s I thought I was moving back and made two trips over to check it out for myself. With hindsight, the whole thing not working out was the best possible thing to happen, although I did have jangly nerves and a heavy heart the last time I departed Singapore. How life has turned since then!

I was so worried I would end up despising the place for life and just passing through would bring back the trauma! But never mind about that because this time Singapore, all was forgiven. What did we get up to? What were my thoughts on the place?

The Marina Bay Sands.

First we stayed at the Marina Bay Sands, a huge hotel / casino consisting of three towers and the world famous pool on the roof. The pool is infact the best and worst thing about the hotel, as anyone can visit to take photos and swim and this results in big tourist crush! We still enjoyed the beautiful views from our large room (probably bigger than our Sydney apartment, but that's not hard) on the 48th floor (we got lucky there) - the room service samosas were particularly tasty!

 There is no such thing as a holiday without holiday reading!

 Another view from our room.

We were very lucky to have clear weather for most of our trip, something I have not really every experienced during other trips to Singapore. That meant lots of nice photos and refreshing daytime swims under blue skies!

First, Singapore is now as expensive as Sydney, if not more expensive - the exception being cheap cabs and trains (oh to have an MRT in Sydney!) So no real shopping to be had, not much. I was glad to go to H&M and find the maternity section where they had a great sale rack, where I scored a few things under $20. I'm 26 weeks now and I'm definitely turning to the stretchy things for comfort.

I couldn't help but notice (like other places I have visited) that the rich are getting richer and the everyday people are holding their ground, if not sliding a bit. Singapore does a great job of keeping things clean, and as there is no minimum wage, it seems that everyone is in a job and maintains a sense of dignity.
But the rich... window after window in shopping centre after shopping centre there were $50,000 watches and multi-carat diamond jewellery. Serious stuff that gets tiring very quickly! The whole prestige thing at this level wears thin with me, one could say this factor contributes to the whole 'soul-less' nature and impression of Singapore.

But lucky for us I found some guides (thanks Design Sponge!) so we could check out a few pockets of interesting along the way, we were taking a short break after all and it doesn't take alot to entertain us. Our first stop was a store called Books Actually at No. 9 Yong Siak Street, Tiong Bahru (a $5 taxi ride from anywhere really).
Another helpful guide to the 'new Singapore' can be found here.

Yong Siak Street appears to be one of the new 'cool places' to visit in Singapore, I really hope it continues to build and grow. The store had authentic character, with a fantastic room out the back full of vintage Asian items. It was worth a good half-hour of browsing. Yong Siak Street might not match Sydney's King Street or Melbourne's Brunswick Street quite yet, but the fresh excitement is palpable.
We also visited 40 Hands Coffee just across the street afterwards for some yummy snacks and reading time.

The wonderful Books Actually.

Vintage Asian Glassware - we drank out of Anchor Beer glasses (on the right) at home for years, little did I know that they are now reselling for S$38 each! Amazing!

Vintage PEZ dispensers at Books Actually.

Mark checks out the reading selection.

Woods in the Books, a children's bookstore also located in Yong Siak Street.

Cool hunting aside, we decided to get down to some real tourist business. First stop was the Singapore Zoo.
We booked tickets online and went for the Orangutan's Breakfast. Bus trip, breakfast and hanging out with the Orangutans was the same price as just paying for entry at Sydney's Taronga Zoo, so it was excellent value!

Cocky friends, all around the world :)

Meerkats! My body shape is beginning to look and feel more this way, I can empathise with this meerkat mum.

Orangutans at breakfast.

We also made a trip to the Botanical Gardens, which is one of my favourite places in Singapore. We watched expat dogs swimming in the fountains, checked out the impressive Orchid displays and sat by the lake watching the turtles. It gets a bit hot but a yummy ice block in the shade can fix that :)

We ran into a lizard friend as we visited the swans.

These lilypads are huge, promise!

The famous bandstand, built in the 1860s. Wouldn't it be great if they opened it up for music events again?

The famous Raffles Hotel.

Of course I wanted to experience something a little special while in Singapore so I took Mark to High Tea one afternoon at Raffles in the Tiffin Room. Treat-wise it was probably the tastiest High Tea I've ever had, Singaporeans sure do know their cakes and pastry! I'm sure Mark thought the most interesting part of the afternoon was that little birds were allowed to fly in and out through the hotel, but either way he endured.

Other eating moments while in Singapore were not quite as exciting or memorable as other times I have visited, although I did discover the lovely tasting kaya. Kaya is a sweet coconut jam that is spread mainly on toast for a snack, I really enjoyed it and brought a jar home to remember the trip - I had no idea that toast is such a big deal in Singapore, there are toast restaurants (even chains of them) all around the place, I'm serious!

We also spent a lovely lunchtime with one of Mark's old work friends Jen, her husband Carlos, son Gabriel and new baby girl Carla! We met at Din Tai Fung and heard all about her experiences as a newish-expat and also as new second-time mum! (I'm getting the sleep diary ready!)

Feeling especially rotund after all those dumplings, or I could just blame the stripey shirt!

I was also hoping to take Mark along to some hawker food stalls ('Food Centres') that I had very much enjoyed when previously visiting Singapore. Sadly, it seems this side of things is beginning to suffer and the 'freshly-prepared' aspect of things especially seems to be lacking - I nearly cried when I saw almost every stall keeping tired-looking food warm in bain maries! It makes me smile to think that we decided to wait to get home to Sydney in order to go and eat our favourite rendang and roti chennai!

The gorgeous TWG Tea Shop at Marina Bay Sands. Fifteen teabags for $30, anyone?

I very much enjoyed this way of carrying around a cup of tea!

Finally, I think Mark and I would both agree that our very favourite part of our trip was our experience at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. I think this is how I imagined hotels would be when I was a little girl. Entering this hotel is like opening a jewel box, all dimly lit with stunning orchids, hushed voices and exotic golden artworks on display.

Yes, it involved an upgrade to the top floor and amazing levels of service - combined with beautiful weather and a luxurious cabana by the pool! I wont say much else because it would be showing off - all I will simply say is, if you ever have the chance, stay at the Mandarin Oriental in Singapore!

The spa - yes, we treated ourselves to massages here!

Possibly the most beautiful pool I have ever had the pleasure of swimming in!

So should you visit Singapore? Definitely! In my heart I know it will lure me back in another few years (it always does!) so treat yourself to a stopover or short break sometime (what a shame Qantas has just made Dubai their hub) and enjoy the hospitality!

Killer Recipe: Jam Donut Muffins

First, thanks to Nigella, then my friend's flatmate Jen for passing on this recipe. After visiting Brisbane recently I was reminded of this very tasty treat and thought it time to get it all typed down properly.

JAM DONUT MUFFINS - LAURA'S WAY
Makes 6 (I would probably double this recipe, to be honest!)

2 cups plain flour (I try to use organic)
1/2 cup shredded coconut
4 tsp baking powder
2/3 cup caster sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
A few shakes of cinnamon
1tsp Ovvio Vanilla Bean Powder (this stuff is amazing, look it up!)
1 cup milk
1/3 cup oil (I say use coconut oil if you have any, it really adds to the flavour)
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbs jam (I use IXL Raspberry, mainly because the jelly-like consistency stops the muffins from 'bursting' as they cook)
100g unsalted butter, melted, for brushing

 METHOD
- Preheat oven to 190°C and line a six-hole large muffin pan. T
- Sift the flour and baking powder into a bowl.
- Stir in the sugar, coconut and vanilla bean powder and set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk the milk, oil, egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ones. Mix until combined, but don’t overmix.
- Fill each of the cases about 1/3 full.
- Carefully add about a teaspoon of jam on top of the mixture in each case. Then carefully cover until the cases are almost full.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the cakes are golden on top and spring back when you touch them.
- Remove from oven and let cool slightly.  Remove muffins from the tin.
- Put some caster sugar and a few shakes of cinnamon in a shallow bowl.
- Brush the tops of the muffins with melted butter and then press them into the caster sugar mix

Enjoy!

On being pregnant - part 2

So after my first post on pregnancy I didn't think I'd be writing much more, guess this is why there are so many 'mommy bloggers' out there; when you suddenly find what you need you feel like you should be sharing the good news with the world! More in my case I want to remember all of this so I will have meaningful gifts to buy when friends get pregnant, or if someone out there needs some advice without trawling the internet for hours (like I have, but I've sort of enjoyed it :).

I was really much more excited than I expected this morning when I received a package from Hatch Collection. My wardrobe is almost fully stocked with loose fitting or maternity clothes now, but it was recently my birthday and my mother offered to buy me a cardigan. Thankfully - Hatch had just gone on sale (otherwise it was a big NO). When the package arrived this morning the quality of the clothes were GORGEOUS, I can't wait to get home and hang them up!


Now that I am feeling in good health I can deal with a bit of fragrance again, but mostly still of a natural origin. This 'nourishing baby oil' by Burts Bees smells divine (like the ripest, fresh honey) and I love rubbing it on after a hot shower. I'm not sure if it prevents stretch marks or similar, but it would be such a lovely gift, I can't recommend it enough!



 














So... pregnancy pigmentation. It hasn't been as bad for me (so far) as what I thought I might be in for, and any makeup is a big effort for me - I rarely wear 'real makeup' anyway. Then my good friend Rebecca showed me this wonder product, I'm sold! It's a tinted moisturiser called 'In a Good Light SPF 30+' and you can get it from Mecca Cosmetica, perfect for all skin in my opinion! Thanks Rebecca!



Did you know there is such a thing as a Sleep Bra? I wish I had known months back! One of these clever items has gained me an extra hour or two of serious sleep per night since buying two about 3 weeks ago! Better still, they are not expensive. It sort of feels less like wearing a bra and is not quite as tight as a sports crop top, but it holds everything in place very comfortably. For some reason I was very against wearing a bra to bed, so here is the perfect answer!



I have been exercising throughout my pregnancy, not in the crazy way, just walking a few times a week and going to a pregnancy gym class twice a week - I've really enjoyed it so far. So here we go again, all about bras... but I recently replaced my sports top and this is the one for a pregnant body (or a large large chest)! If you visit the LuluLemon store in Sydney, they actually have a changeroom where you can 'test one out' on a mini-tramp! I have to laugh, the style is called 'ta ta tamer.'



I guess by now you may have realised that being pregnant means shopping a bit like crazy, but now that all of these special things are beginning to fit and come in handy, it's starting to be alot of fun :)

On being pregnant.

So here I am, with child! I thought I should make a collection of items and thoughts that have helped me along so far, so I'll split it into a few categories to move things along. I need to say outright pregnancy is not just about buying things, but I did find it really hard to get people pointing me in the right direction, so that's why this post has a product focus. I need to emphasise that pregnancy is different for everyone, so these things may not work for you! 

Reading.
I haven't been reading much and a lot of that is on purpose. I tend to simply access the internet when a question arises, using some websites that my GP gave me. That said I have really enjoyed reading 'Great With Child' by Beth Ann Fennelly - you can get it delivered to Australia for free if you buy it at the Book Depository.

Blog wise, I also very much enjoy reading the motherhood posts on Cup of Jo, the daily challenges of motherhood and running a freelance business on Sweet Fine Day, and the regular child-related posts on unruly things.

On the more official side of pregnancy blog reading I tend to go for Babble Pregnancy, which surprises me a bit considering it's owned by Disney!

Underwear.
I think this comes first in terms of taking care of yourself. I can hardly blame anyone for 'not telling me' but I was sore up top very, very quickly. Things were (and still are) ahem, growing very fast. So buy yourself a bra, just one or two, as quickly as possible! These are my favourite, they are by a brand called Cake Lingerie.

I was a bit freaked out they are 'nursing bras' but I did like the fact they are designed to grow with you, and grow with me, they have! They also wash very well and still look new after over three months of weekly wear, so I consider it excellent value for money (even though they are around A$50 a pop!)



I also bought one of these bras by Berlei recently and hope to buy a few more - a much more traditional bra that unfortunately wont be growing with me, but they are a little more unobtrusive than the Cake bras above.  

 














I also ended up some of these, aherm, nipple covers. I was in pain there for a few weeks, I wont say much more. If you end up pregnant, you will work it out!

Being Sick and Feeling Off.
I did feel sick, I just wasn't throwing up in public enough for anyone to care too much. I have been lucky in that when I do feel sick it's never for more than 15-20 minutes.

The main thing I needed to do was lie down and get cool (pretty hard at work!) I found ginger helped me the most. At first I was drinking ginger beer (it was convenient and available, but also very sugary) but then I started making my own drink by grating raw ginger into a cup and adding a lemon juice ice cube and some Pellegrino water. Much more healthy.

12 weeks in I also visited the wonderful Anthia Koullouros at Ovvio Organics. I had a 'Healthy Pregnancy' consultation, she really put me at ease and gave me some direction around my eating and lifestyle during pregnancy. It would be a lovely gift if you wanted to buy something meaningful for someone in early pregnancy, I considered it a little indulgent but well worth it.

I also really enjoy drinking Wort Organic soft drinks, when I am able to find them!

I am at 18 weeks now, and at this point it seems two things still make me ill: heat (as in walking around in the Sydney Summer for more than say, 20 minutes), and pure sugar (as in lollies or sweets). I still do the above if I feel that way and it seems to be what works for me. I feel tired (like 3am tired) every day or two still but again that doesn't garner much sympathy as most people feel tired these days, for one reason or another!

Clothes.
I should say straight up that I am not the 'normal body with a bump on the front' kind of pregnant lady, I look more like the Russian Doll that ate too much pudding. It's difficult not to be hard on yourself when you are pregnant but I knew from watching other members of my family with child that this was the way it was always going to be. So anyway, clothes!

I am most fortunate to have a friend living in the US who owns the 'Lil Shoppa international shipping service (you can use it too!). So far, the majority of my maternity wear has come from GAP Maternity, which is still not available in Australia - when I recently spoke to a sales consultant in the Sydney store they said it could be another 5-7 years!
Catch them during a sale and you wont be sorry - I just had 6 items delivered, including GAP maternity jeans and some leather shoes for A$115.

Some other items I really really like:

Bassike items in jersey - the T-Shirt has a longer tail and the pants (well, I never thought I'd be that attracted to the poo-catcher style!) are super for hanging out at home. It's all machine-washable and nothing seems to lose shape or colour. They are a little more expensive but I figure I'll still be wearing these items 5 years down the track regardless of the state of my body.

Ripe Maternity are online as well as stocked in some Myer stores so you can go in and try things on. I particularly like their seamless tank (fancy singlet) which washes beautifully and dries so quickly! It doesn't seem to roll up over the hips either, so don't be put off by the slightly more expensive price.

I also have a few cheaper T-Shirts in fun colours from Seed Heritage and some stretchy black dresses from Blue Illusion, both brands seem to cut quite sympathetically to the pregnant form!

Queen Bee seems to be the place to shop for lovely items and if a special occasion arises I'll be shopping there.

To be truthful, besides buying some new gymwear and a few larger cardigans in the coming weeks, I will be trying to not to buy too much more in terms of maternity wear - I am already half way there, after all!

Beauty.
I'm not a make-up girl and the main reason I'm writing about this here is that strange artificial smells from various toiletries were part of my nausea, particularly earlier on in the game. I mean, I could not even wash with palmolive soap without heaving! I found natural or basic fragrance worked best for me, and I've enjoyed the change. I'm not saying it would be the same situation for anyone else out there, but it needs to be said, I had to switch things around a few times before getting it right for me. Here are some yummy items that have really helped me along:

Aesop. Aesop anything really, particularly this Coriander body cleanser that smells nice and peppery!

L'Occitane Gentle Lotion. After 12 weeks this smell was sort of fresh and like baby powder, and I didn't find it too thick or greasy (I'm not going to discuss pregnancy and sweating, but yes, it happens!)

American Crew Citrus Mint Range. It's more expensive in Australia, but I particularly found their Cooling Conditioner good and minty for the hair! I found it at a local Barber - apparently it's a men's brand but I say it's for everyone.

I'm not going to say much about eating and drinking because that topic's way too touchy for so many people, but I've mainly been approaching this how I like. I have found that the stuff everyone tells you to worry about seems to happen naturally without much effort. For example 'Don't drink any alcohol' became so much easier a few weeks in when it seemed my tastebuds had changed and I just wasn't thinking about it anymore. A local listeria scare scared me off soft cheese. Although I'm a lifetime tummy sleeper as I have been growing I've been sleeping in other ways without much conscious effort at all - so no real need for big panic.

So enough about me although I might add to this from time to time... I'm guessing the next post will be all about baby! x