Overnight Oats

Over on Instagram overnight oats are all over the place and it isn't hard to see why, they are full of fibre and keep you fuller for longer.

I have been adding lots of seeds and nuts for essential fatty acids including Omega 3, including chia seed and then a mix seed sprinkle which has pumpkin, sunflower, linseed and sesame seeds as well as some almonds.

To that I have been adding some cacao and honey and mixing with almond milk, then in the morning adding some raspberries.

I have been using oat bran, this stuff is really finely milled but you could use just your standard porridge oats or rolled oats.

Oatbran, really high in fibre

Add in the mixed seeds

Chia seed and almonds

Add in the almond milk and honey and stir

Leave in the fridge overnight and voila...

Serve in the morning with a few extra seeds or fruit

You can add in what you like, if you fancy dried fruit add this in, banana, strawberries anything goes really.

I really like these cold oats, I do sometimes microwave for about 20 seconds to take the edge of the coldness or take out a short while before I want to eat them. But it is entirely up to you, they are really tasty and I have even got my husband hooked now.

Cooking with Mother - Ladybird Tuesday

I saw this fabulous link up over on Being Mrs Cs blog last week and decided I would link up today with a recent purchase of a fabulous ladybird book.

Cooking with Mother is a wonderful book which goes through step by step how to make several simple  dishes, with instructions for what is in the kitchen to ingredients and how to make the dish.

I really think we should bring books like this back to give out in schools, not to just borrow but to keep.

With childhood obesity on the rise and so many children not even knowing what or where a carrot comes from I think books like this need to come back into fashion!

Who doesn't love a cheese and pineapple hedgehog?

I love this idea, if only I could get my son to eat tomatoes in any other form than tomato ketchup.

I love the ladybird series and think they should bring them back...in book form not as an app, reading is becoming such a thing of the past and I often wonder whether children really appreciate books and what they stand for.

I find it much easier to follow a recipe from a book than from a computer screen, but maybe that is just me?

I love finding books like this and reminiscing over the past whilst thinking about how it could help the future ;)

Munchkin Minnie Toddler Dining Set Review

We were kindly sent a Minnie Mouse Toddler Dining set and flip top drinking cup from Munchkin to review.

I love the set and cup, the pink and green really look good together and they are girly without being overly girly if you know what I mean.

On opening the box my daughter was super excited as she loves Minnie Mouse and we tested the flip top cup straight away, it is easy for her to open and she loves that it has a straw (great for me too as it doesn't spill and cannot be tipped up and spilt).

The click lid means I know it is locked and the flip straw means it is away when not in use, the cup can be popped in my bag and nothing gets spilt and it doesn't get dirty.

The dining set comes with a plate which has compartments, a bowl and a fork and a spoon.

She loves the plate and so do I, the little compartments mean I can put different foods in them just like a little picnic.

The bowl is just the right size for breakfast and pudding and the fork and spoon are great for her little hands.

The rubber strips on the bottom of the plate and bowl stop it from moving about on the table, which helps stops knocks and spills.

Overall I am impressed with the quality of the set and they don't feel like they will break easily like some of the sets we have bought and have so far washed really well.

I think it is fair to say this set was a hit with my daughter and myself, it is always nice for a child to look forward to eating their food and having a plate they want to eat from is one way to ensure this happens.

Available from Munchkin on Amazon

NB. We were sent this set to review, all words and opinions are my own.

Oooh comfy shoes!

Being a size 8 shoe with feet that are as wide as they are long ;)  I often struggle to find shoes that fit, they either rub or are too small or too big if I have to move up to the next size.

So when I found a pair of sandals that were comfy I felt I had to share, after all there might be someone else struggling with the same large feet no shoe problem.

Saltwater sandals aren't cheap but they are leather and they fit like a second skin, sooo comfy and unlike most shoes they didn't rub at all for the whole time I was waking round in them.

If they do start to rub you can just dampen them and put them on and they should reshape to fit your foot.

Not only this they are washable and can get wet without a problem, great for the beach and the British weather.

I am saving my pennies to buy some of these clogs from Lotta From Stockholm next as they look super comfy and I just love the style, perfect for winter or summer, also I am pretty certain my mum had some of these back in the day too and she was super stylish.

Grandpa in My Pocket Preview

My son and I were invited on a tour backstage of the playhouse and then to watch Grandpa in My Pocket this week, the new production on at the Playhouse Nottingham.

The backstage tour was fantastic, we got to see the painting room, props department and clothing department as well as walking through the rabbit warren that is the belly of the playhouse.

Painting Room

Props Room

We also got to go up on stage after the show to see what happens behind the curtains and in the wings.

From the wings on to the stage

It was a wonderful experience to see all that brings the shows to life, for me it was a life long dream finally fulfilled. I spent many a christmas panto as a child wanting to see what happens in the back and to go up on stage.

On to the show itself, this was the first thing like this I had taken my son too as up until now he has been a little too young so I was intrigued to see how he would be.

We picked up some sweets and took our seats in the stalls, the view was perfect and I was super excited as was he.

Stage before the show started

To get everyone excited grandpa came on over the speakers to ask for phones etc to be switched off.

Then the show started, we were greeted by the actors who all took on roles of characters from Grandpa In My Pocket which helped the children understand it wasn't the actual characters from the show, which I was worried about my son understanding.

The actors playing the characters were all brilliant and had the mannerisms down to a tee, my sons favourites were Mr Whoops and Great Aunt Loretta, we have been chatting like Great Aunt Loretta since the show ;)

The show is advertised from age 3 and it seemed some of the younger ones were getting a little agitated towards the end so I would think carefully about it if you are going on your own with no one to take them out if needs be.

As the story progressed my son kept bouncing around on his seat with joy, especially during the bonglebirds song and he loved them so much he was even asking about them during the stage tour afterwards.

Looking out from the stage

It really is a wonderful show and if you are looking for something to do in Nottingham during the half term then it is well worth a visit.

After Nottingham Grandpa In My Pocket is going on tour round the UK so if it is coming to a town near you then it is definitely worth going to.