I Love Entering Competitions …

May 30, 2014

At school, I was never very good at English and if there’s one thing I could say for sure, I was definitely no poet. I couldn’t string two rhyming lines together to save myself and as for odes and sonnets, well, thank goodness I had talents in other areas!! But last year, as a hobby, I started entering competitions. Most competitions are fairly simple, you fill out an entry form, like and share something on facebook or answer a question usually in “25 words or less”. Now, for years I avoided the last type of competitions as I never felt I could come up with … read more

Pea and Ham Soup …

May 28, 2014

This is one of my favourite soups because it takes me back to my childhood. It’s one of those comfort foods that reminds me of Mum working away in the kitchen while we played nearby. For me it ticks all the boxes: easy, quick to prepare, full of goodness, made in a single pot and suitable to freeze … gotta love that! I always think it’s not the most attractive soup but what it lacks in looks, it makes up for in flavour! Pea and Ham Soup …   Print Author: Mrs Organised Ingredients … 1.5kg ham hock (or bacon bones) 2 medium onions, finely … read more

Nachos (that’s not so naughty) …

May 26, 2014

Apart from being delicious, most Mexican food is quite easy to prepare and, with a bit of “know how”, your kitchen will soon be known as the best “cantina” in the neighbourhood. And nothing is more Mexican than Nachos. It’s always been a popular choice at my house, perfect as a snack, a quick Sunday night meal or great to eat when watching the footy. This Nachos uses a homemade salsa loaded with rich, juicy tomatoes, tangy lime juice, fresh coriander, protein-rich kidney beans and a hint of chilli, so it’s also perfect for anyone looking for a vegetarian option. It … read more

Lunchbox Ideas … Fruit Kebabs …

May 24, 2014

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the Mums I talk to who experience frustration when preparing lunchboxes for their kids. You can read more about that here. So, today I’ve got another idea to share with you that will hopefully alleviate some of that frustration and encourage your kids to eat more fruit at the same time … Fruit Kebabs. I love these because it’s a fun way to present fruit in the lunchbox, it’s super refreshing in summer and it’s so versatile because you can use any fruit that you like. And best of all, it’s really simple … just chop up your … read more

Corn and Bacon Soup …

May 22, 2014

With winter just around the corner, it’s time to share another soup recipe. Corn and Bacon Soup is a family favourite because it’s delicious and full of flavour. I usually serve this with a beautiful crusty Onion and Parmesan Cob from Woolworths … absolutely yummy and fills hungry tummies! Corn and Bacon Soup …   Print Author: Mrs Organised Ingredients … 2 x 425g cans creamed corn 4 cups (1 litre) chicken stock 1 tablespoon butter 1 green capsicum, seeded and roughly chopped 3 bacon rashers, remove rind and roughly chop 2 sticks celery, chopped … read more

Mother Knows Best …

May 20, 2014

  Mums are clever and usually always right (as much as we sometimes hate to admit that)! However, there’s a certain security and trust in their wisdom because it comes from years and years of experience. Mums constantly share little pieces of information and encouragement to help and guide us as we navigate our way through childhood. My own Mum certainly dished out her own little “pearls of wisdom” and, although I’m sure she felt her words sometimes fell on deaf ears, I can assure her, I really was listening! And what’s ironic is, now that I have my own … read more

Sticky Date Muffins …

May 18, 2014

I’ve been baking quite a lot lately making sure I’ve got loads of goodies in the freezer ready for lunchboxes. Here is another of my all time favourite muffin recipes … Sticky Date Muffins. These are so delicious, incredibly moist and they also freeze beautifully! This recipe is very versatile as well because I have also served these for dessert as small puddings. Just place one muffin in a bowl, add some strawberries or raspberries to the top, dust lightly with icing sugar and serve with a small jug of Butterscotch or Caramel Sauce (I’ll share these recipes … read more

The Things I Love Most About a Cruise Holiday …

May 16, 2014

Have you ever been on a cruise or have you booked to travel on one in the future? Cruising is such a wonderful holiday and we travelled on the Pacific Star almost 8 years ago. It was a seven-day Cruise which left from Brisbane and sailed to Noumea, Lifou and Vila before returning home. Today I thought I would share what I love the most about cruising: Exceptional Value. Some cruises (particularly if you get a great deal) can cost less than $100/person/day. It’s hard to find better value when you consider that meals, entertainment and most activities are … read more

Blogs I Love to Follow … Life, Love and Hiccups …

May 14, 2014

  If you hover your mouse over the “Blogging” title on the green menu, a little drop down will reveal a heading “Blogs I Follow”, click and a list will appear of some of my favourite blogs. Looks a little bare, doesn’t it? Well, today it’s time to reveal the name of another wonderful blog to be added to the list … Life, Love and Hiccups!   I’ve been following Sonia from Life, Love and Hiccups for quite a while now and I’m always thrilled when I see one of her posts has landed in my inbox.   Sonia’s posts have a way of putting me in the best mood … read more

Hazelnut and Orange Bliss Balls …

May 12, 2014

You will have guessed by now that I love creating Bliss Balls … little balls of yummy that are perfect for a quick snack. These ones are particularly decadent and will have definite appeal for the adults (although my kids love them too). I’ve moved away from the almond meal with this recipe and substituted it with hazelnut meal. The texture of the two is very similar but the hazelnut meal has a lovely “Nutella” flavour that is beautifully complemented with the sweetness of both the orange juice and orange zest. These would actually be great served with coffee … read more

Lunchbox Planner … Free to Download …

May 10, 2014

  Some mornings can be a bit or a rush or you can just get stuck in a rut of what to give the kids for lunch. That used to happen to me until I created my Lunchbox Planner. At the start of the weekend I try to plan what I need for the kids lunches, add any items to my grocery list and prepare for the week ahead. It also helps me plan any baking I want to get done on the weekend so that there are muffins, slices, balls and cakes cooked, frozen and ready to go. The end result is that the kids have nutritious, healthy lunches with plenty of variety and I feel … read more

Put a Little Love in your Lunchbox …

May 8, 2014

  When I talk to other Mums, lunchboxes is a subject that has everyone sighing in despair about the frustration and monotony that comes with preparing the humble lunchbox. Lack of time and lack of ideas are common reasons that are quoted. I’m hoping to change that by sharing loads of tips, ideas and suggestions but the most important part of creating healthy, nutritious and interesting lunchboxes is the planning.   Lunchbox planning will help you get organised, save money, eliminate waste and most importantly lower your stress levels. It’s really not … read more

Disneyland Tokyo and My Top Tips to Enjoy Your Visit …

May 6, 2014

  I guess when most people hear the word Disneyland, they automatically think of the Disneyland at Anaheim in America but if you’re considering venturing to the “Happiest Place on Earth” then consider a trip to Tokyo. We travelled to Japan in 2007 and then again in 2010 and both times took the kids to Disneyland. You can catch the train and buses from various parts of Tokyo to get there, however, we chose to stay in Urayasu, Chiba where the resort is located. A day at Disneyland is a long day with the Park closing at 10.00 pm, so we didn’t want to add … read more

Cherry Ripe Balls …

May 4, 2014

If you’re watching your weight, you may not want to read any further because I’m about to reveal a recipe that won’t be kind to the waistline. These Cherry Ripe Balls are so delicious and seriously addictive, you won’t be able to stop at just one. I created these after stumbling across a similar recipe on the internet but I’ve tried to make a slightly healthier version by replacing the Nice biscuits with almond meal and coconut. These would make a fabulous gift wrapped in cellophane and tied with a pretty ribbon or they would also be perfect for a birthday party … read more

Bathroom Cleaning Checklist … Free to Download …

May 2, 2014

It doesn’t take much for the bathroom to get dirty and it sometimes seems like a never-ending job. I clean my bathrooms once a week and then every 3 months or so I roll up my sleeves and thoroughly clean it from top to bottom including exhaust fans, light fittings, doors, windows and inside cupboards and drawers.   Today I’m sharing with you my Bathroom Cleaning Checklist that I use for that more intensive clean. Simply click on the download button and print off your free copy … that’s right … absolutely free! Simply laminate and then keep it in the bathroom … read more