back to school: banana and vanilla breakfast shake...

Three tiny cups for three tiny kids.  As we rush out the door today and face the reality of being 'back to school' I thought you might like this quick breakfast shake recipe. This shake is a creamy and filling addition to be paired with a wholesome breakfast for kids and or busy mamas.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vanilla yoghurt
2 tablespoons traditional oats
1 large, ripe banana, peeled and chopped
2 cups of cold milk* (choose your milk e.g. almond, rice etc.).
drizzle of pure vanilla extract

Method
1. Blend all ingredients until smooth.
2. Pour into chilled glasses/cups.

This recipe made three small cups and there was enough left over for me.
* Adjust the amount of milk you use to the consistency that you prefer. 

garden therapy...

Our small organic garden is adapting to the changes with the cooler weather.  Even though our pickings are small, time spent in the sunshine always makes us feel better.  This week we planted radishes. 

Our tomatoes are still doing so well.  I can't say I've had the chance to pick many myself as my three little ones enjoy collecting these rosy gems. 

Finally, my pot of mixed herbs seem to be doing well.  I added in some curly parsley the other day.  In this pot I have thai basil, flat parsley, oregano and curly parsley.  The orange shavings you see is the pulp from my carrot juice recipe.  I added this pulp straight onto the soil - most of it has already broken down. 

 

When I created this pot it was just an excuse to potter around one weekend.  I recycled an old terracotta pot that we had, re-filled it with soil and stuck in some pretty ordinary herbs off the cheap sale rack (you know the one's you think that probably won't survive).  All in all, I think it's doing okay for this time of year. 



What are you doing in the garden this weekend?  

10 tips for visiting zoos with kids in Australia

This is not a sponsored post.

 

Before you leave...



 1. Look up the zoo website for a map of the area so you know what to expect.  Some zoos are large and spread out.  Some zoos also have shuttle buses and or trains but many in many zoos you have to walk.  This can be a long way for little ones so decide if you are going to use a pram or stroller.  Some zoos let you hire strollers or bicycles for a fee so it is worthwhile checking the website. 

2. Travel light.  Take essential items only.  Try to be as hands free as possible.  A light back pack or a bag to cross over your shoulder is handy.  Also, some zoos have lockers you can hire for the day but you will have to check their website. 

3. Check the weather.  In Australia, you should always wear a hat, sunscreen and can check your local weather app.  We always carry a small bottle of 30+ sunscreen in our carry bag/backback.   You can never underestimate the harshness of the Australian sun -  even on overcast days. 

During the visit...

4.  Buy the animal food.  They usually sell animal food (e.g. dry pellets) at the entrance gate.  Zoos usually charge a few dollars but it is worth the extra cost because the kids will feeding the animals.  A small hand sanitiser is always good to have in your bag. 

 

5. Take a map of the zoo and take note of the sessions times.  Plan your route to save time  finding your way around the zoo.  It is also worthwhile to locate the toilets. 

6. Take your mobile device - need I say more. 

 7. Drink plenty of water.  Keeping well hydrated is very important while doing all that walking. 

8. Remember to take a break and have something to eat. 

 

9. Enjoy the animals.

10. Supervise your kids feeding the animals.  Some zoos have keepers supervising and some do not. 

After the zoo visit...

Have a rest.  Your job is done!

Thanks Darling Downs Zoo for a great day!

Here are some quick links to our other zoo experiences: Australia Zoo Part 1; Australia Zoo Part 2; Cairns Tropical Zoo; Kuranda Butterfly Sanctuary.

Choc-Chai Coconut Slice

Here's a recipe I've developed that will fill up the little one's while being healthy at the same time.  This recipe would make a great morning tea or afternoon snack.  You could also add this to your lunchbox as it has no nuts!  You might have to omit the mint chocolate if chocolate topping is not allowed at your daycare / kindy /school.  Adults will love this slice too. 

Choc-Chai Coconut Slice

 Ingredients

12 medjool dates, seeds removed
2 ¼ cups desiccated coconut
1 tablespoon raw cacao powder
2 tablespoons mixed chai seeds
1 tablespoon pea and rice chocolate protein powder 
4 tablespoons coconut cream

Optional Extra - Easy Mint Chocolate Topping

100g Lindt Mint Intense dark chocolate (or just regular milk chocolate would taste just as good)
2 tablespoons coconut cream
Extra coconut for topping
 
Totally Healthy Method (without mint chocolate topping)
1.       Place all ingredients into your blender or food processor.
2.       Blend until well combined.  Be patient.  You should have a dough-like consistency.
3.       Press the mixture into a loaf tin lined with baking paper.
4.       Place the mixture into the freezer to set, slice and enjoy.

Extra Bit Cheeky Method (with mint chocolate topping)
1.       Complete steps 1 to 3 from ‘Healthy Method’.
2.       Melt mint chocolate and 2 tablespoons of coconut cream.  Stir until smooth. 
3.       Spread or drizzle melted chocolate onto mixture. 
4.       Top with extra coconut. 
5.       Place the mixture into the freezer to set, slice and enjoy. 

I think this one has the seal of approval!

Happy school holiday baking.

organic vine ripe tomatoes

 

This week seems to be a week about our garden.  I thought I would treat you to some more images of our small garden project.  A couple of months ago we bought three plastic garden containers from the Reject shop for $15 each.

Everyone enjoyed having their own small garden project.  We planted strawberries in the front and vine tomato seedlings behind. We had no idea that these tomato plants would love the soil mixture we used and the position of the containers. Our small scale garden project went from this....

...to this!

 

The plants grew so big they scaled the side of the house and grew right up to the roof.  The strawberries are in there somewhere.  We did use stakes initially support the plants but after a while the vine just took over.  There is a fair bit of investigating that goes on to uncover these little juicy red jewels.

A handful of these little gems every couple of days is an easy school lunch box treat.What have you been growing in your garden lately?  

x

happy easter

 

 

 

Wishing you a relaxing Easter weekend.

 xo

preparing for the easter bunny

For some reason this Easter I have been a bit unorganised (my version of unorganised).  Nevertheless, I have three little ones firmly reminding me that we have to prepare for the Easter Bunny. With little voices trailing behind me we all worked together to make our Easter table.  This afternoon we gathered our baskets and a bit of left over lawn clippings (like I said, unorganised) to make a nice nest for the Easter Bunny. 

 We found and cleaned an old table from home and made room for its place.

 

Some vintage 'scrap' fabric was sourced from the depths of my sewing room which was the perfect size for the table.

Our old wooden tree was decorated with some foam eggs purchased from the Reject Shop.

Other items were gathered from around the house. We found three little wooden birds and some feathers.    



 I raided Miss Flutterby's room for her bunting I made some years ago.

 We also added some drawings on the wall as a backdrop for the table.  

Well, like I said earlier, I was pretty unorganised however we put this together with just things from around the house.  It doesn't really matter if you have some or none of these things.  The joy was in improvising and making the most of what we had.  The joy was in the process, just being together and anticipating tomorrow.
Here's hoping the Easter Bunny finds you.
xo 

easter holidays (2)

Our camping adventure continued for another two days.   
Day 3: pancakes for breakfast wile admiring the beautiful wild birds.

Waiting patiently in the car for our lunch order.  

 Our lunch.

 

 

Afternoon: bead making session was a popular activity.  Beads, leather string and box from spotlight (all sold separately).  

 

Our final visit to the beach.  Sand dune sliding and catching crabs.

 

  



Final goodbye to the sand.  

 Day 4: Rise and Shine.  Preparing to leave.



Weekend: Making it back to our home state for their first QLD Roar game.



Ahhh. It's good to be home.

xo