Archives for May 2015

Rice Pudding …

May 31, 2015

Rice Pudding is such an easy yet delicious recipe. It was one of the first recipes I learned to cook and this particular recipe is the original one that Mum taught me. It’s classic and simple, using basic ingredients that you’ll find in the fridge and pantry and is one of those fantastic comfort foods to warm tummies in winter. I love this particular recipe because it doesn’t use too much sugar. I normally serve it topped with chopped fresh fruit, a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon but the serving possibilities are endless. I love the consistency … read more

75 + Ways to Use Baby Wipes … that you possibly haven’t thought of!

May 29, 2015

  Mention the words “Baby Wipes” and you’ll most likely think about baby’s bottoms and dirty nappies. Baby wipes, however, are incredibly versatile and useful for so many things. I love the really thick ones as they’re soft and gentle and you’ll find packets of them in various rooms of my house and I always carry some in my handbag. I’ve come up with a list or more than 75 uses for them:   In the Kitchen …   Little ones who either still eat with their fingers or are learning to manage knives, forks and spoons can make quite a mess. A … read more

One-Pot Chicken Casserole …

May 27, 2015

This is a great recipe for those nights you’ve arrived home from work, tired and not sure what you’re going to cook for dinner. One-Pot Chicken Casserole requires just a few simple ingredients to create a delicious, rich casserole that will tempt event the fussiest eater. Add all the ingredients to a single pot, let it simmer for just under an hour and let dinner take care of itself. I like to use “Lovely Legs” for this recipe, which I usually buy from Woolworths. They are super tender, the skin has already been removed and, at around $6/kilo, they’re not too … read more

When Guests/Visitors Come to Stay …

May 25, 2015

  I’m lucky enough to travel a bit throughout the year. We usually venture overseas for either a holiday, business trip or a conference and we try to sneak away when we can for long weekends.   It’s always exciting to check into a hotel, particularly if it’s somewhere we haven’t stayed before, and I always feel a sense of anticipation when I insert the room key and open the door for the very first time. I’m rarely disappointed because we do a fair bit of research before booking and rely heavily on sites like Trip Advisor for recommendations and advice from … read more

“Top Deck” Chocolate Chip Muffins …

May 23, 2015

There’s a lot of baking getting done around here at the moment. I bake most of the time and really enjoy it but I seem to go through stages where I get hooked on one thing. At the moment, that seems to be muffins, which is great news for any of you who also love to bake, as there’ll be loads of muffin recipes to choose from. I like most flavours of chocolate, except maybe the new Vegemite flavoured one. I have to admit to not trying it, but I’m just not tempted. There were even some samples in the Staff Room at work the other day but I still couldn’t bring … read more

How many Coffee Mugs are too many? Decluttering and Organising Coffee Mugs and Glasses …

May 21, 2015

  Isn’t it amazing how some things accumulate without us even realising it! I’m pretty organised and generally feel in control of clutter but I was a little alarmed on the weekend, when I noticed the number of coffee mugs and glasses we had. I was really surprised that I hadn’t noticed before!   Mugs and glasses were everywhere:   one shelf of an overhead cupboard stored our everyday mugs and glasses   another shelf in a different overhead cupboard stored another 12 white coffee mugs that matched my dinner set (but were never used) … read more

Chocolate, Coconut and Banana Muffins …

May 19, 2015

This is a great muffin recipe and ticks all the boxes … easy to make, freezer-friendly, delicious, moist and chocolate! I also love this recipe because it makes two dozen muffins and that’s a great time saver. Enjoy! Chocolate, Coconut and Banana Muffins …   Print Author: Mrs Organised Serves: 24 Ingredients … 2 ½ cups self-raising flour ¾ cup desiccated coconut 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed ⅓ cup raw cacao (or substitute with cocoa powder) ½ teaspoon cinnamon 2 eggs, lightly beaten ½ cup milk ½ cup vegetable oil 2 teaspoons vanilla … read more

After School Routine Charts to Help you Get Organised … FREE to Download …

May 17, 2015

  Arriving home after school at the end of the day can be dreadfully chaotic. Kids can be tired and there’s homework to be done but a little bit of organisation and routine can definitely help to get everything done before bedtime.   I’ve created these fantastic After School Routine Charts, which are perfect for younger kids. Establishing routines will help them to develop independence because they know what they need to do, when they need to do it and in what order things should be done. Routines help them develop basic time management skills as well as … read more

Raspberry White Chocolate Muffins …

May 15, 2015

I could write the usual words like delectable, scrumptious and deliciously moist to describe these Raspberry White Chocolate Muffins but it simply wouldn’t do them justice. The only way for you to truly appreciate how fantastic they are, is to whip up a batch and try them for yourself … I promise, you won’t be disappointed. Enjoy! Raspberry White Chocolate Muffins …   Print Author: Mrs Organised Serves: 12 Ingredients … 2 cups self-raising flour, sifted ¾ cups castor sugar 1 ¼ cup white chocolate chips 1 cup lite sour cream 2 eggs 1 tablespoon … read more

Cauliflower Soup with Celery and Crispy Bacon …

May 13, 2015

Cauliflower seems to be one of those vegetables you either love or you hate … there doesn’t seem to be a middle ground with it. I happen to love cauliflower and will eat it no matter how it’s served. My kids are a little fussier but will gobble it up if served with a white sauce and cheese. So when I created this recipe, I did prepare myself for the possibility that they might not enjoy it. While they initially turned their noses up when I served it, one mouthful and they were converted. To choruses of “Mum, I’m really loving this soup!” I could happily claim … read more

The Story of the Red Bowl …

May 11, 2015

  Today I thought I’d take a break from recipes, organising, cleaning and decluttering tips, and instead share a little story that happened just a couple of weeks ago.   I recently visited my eldest daughter, Miss 25, who now works for a mining company a long way from home. She’s loving the experience, is really happy and I loved being able to visit and do some cooking while she was at work to stock the freezer for her. You can read more about that here. We had a great time having dinner at one of the only two restaurants in town on the first night, I … read more

Pineapple Bliss Balls … Two Versions … A Healthy Snack or a Nut-Free Treat for School …

May 9, 2015

This is a simple, yummy recipe but I’ve created two different versions. The first Pineapple Bliss Ball recipe is a healthy version using Almond Meal which would be great as an after school snack but should be avoided in lunchboxes if your school has a “nut-free” policy. The second Pineapple Bliss Ball recipe contains no nuts and is, therefore, a perfect option to send to school in lunchboxes. Both versions of this recipe contain only 4 ingredients meaning it’s quick and easy to make. Enjoy! Recipe 1: Pineapple Bliss Balls … A Healthy Snack …   Print … read more

Flat-Pack Freezer Meals … How to Make the Most of your Freezer …

May 7, 2015

  Do you freeze a lot of meals? I use my freezer all the time and it’s one of my favourite ways to save time. Whether you’re cooking for one or cooking for a large family, cooking large quantities of freezer-suitable meals means you can give yourself one, or many nights off cooking … and who wouldn’t enjoy that!   Other than cooking double batches of food, the real trick is to make the most of your freezer by maximizing every millimeter of space available and the simplest way to do that is to ditch as many containers as possible and embrace using zip lock … read more

Chocolate Chip Cookies … 60 Freezable Cookies …

May 5, 2015

Who doesn’t love a deliciously soft, gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie … one that melts in your melt and begs you to eat just one more! Well, these cookies certainly fit that description and my only advice would be to get them into the freezer once they’ve cooled or they just might vanish right before your eyes. This is a great little recipe because it also goes a long way to create 60 cookies that freeze perfectly. Enjoy! Chocolate Chip Cookies … 60 Freezable Cookies …   Print Prep time 10 mins Cook time 10 mins Total time 20 mins … read more

10 Things to Consider Before Buying a New Appliance …

May 3, 2015

  Buying new appliances, whether it’s a fridge, a microwave or a toaster, can be stressful! It’s easy to get confused with so many different brands and models available, all offering different features and options but here are a couple of simple tips that will keep you on track and hopefully make a difficult decision a little easier:   Start with your budget! This is really one of the first things to consider when buying a new appliance … how much can you afford to spend? Some purchases will be planned whereas others will come out of the blue, but … read more