No more school

On July 25, 2013 By rebelwithkindnessIn Uncategorised, UncategorizedLeave a comment

So that’s it, it is now officially the school holidays. Every child is happy that for the next 6 weeks they have no stress or wake ups for school.

I’m actually feeling positive about the coming weeks.

Of course it’s all helped by the holidays we have booked. This weekend we are off to sunny (it better be) South Wales the beautiful Gower. I can not wait.

To be truthful when we first brought the touring caravan I did wonder if we would actually use it but it has been amazing. Our foster son especially loves it and being a constant it really helps with autistic stresses.

We have certainly had our monies worth out of it and there is nothing better than sitting in a field, campsite and watching the night sky.

I love it.

The only thing that stresses me out is cooking for us all when we are away. With a family of six eating out everyday is not viable.

We do have an oven in the caravan but its only tiny and my kids like their food.

We are considering one of those Cadac portable BBQ.

What do you guys think?

Have you used one?

Are they any good?

I’m also after some camping cooking recipes a if anyone has any good ones.

I am super excited, yes packing is tiring but I cannot wait to escape onto the beautiful beaches of the Gower.

Bring on the weekend.

Lets make more memories just like this one.

My new love

On January 24, 2013 By rebelwithkindnessIn Uncategorised, UncategorizedLeave a comment

It’s been a well known fact that I’m far from domesticated. I hate housework and cooking and I have never really been on good terms.

Well this was the case until late last year when my youngest decided she wanted to learn to bake.

So under the careful instruction of a dear friend we ventured out into the world of banana loaf.

To be honest I never expected the joy I felt when my husband and my kids loved the loaf that I had made. It was such a sense of achievement but to be honest I still didn’t really get this baking lark until the delivery of my new love.

The Panasonic microwave,grill & convection oven

Now I first fell in love with this oven last year at Brit mums the guys on the Panasonic stand did a fantastic job of convincing me of my need for one but unfortunately my bank balance didn’t stretch to what my husband considered another whim of mine. (Did I mention I hated cooking).

So when I became a Panasonic blogger I was secretly hoping that the combi/oven was going to be one of our products to review.

So as you can imagine when this box was delivered to my door in December I admit to being rather emotional.

But like all things the idea of something and the actual thing can be quite different. My husband had remarked that I like the idea of being able to bake but the actual doing is another thing all together.

Well I’m proud to tell you he is so wrong.

The Panasonic combi/ oven is so easy to use that I am really loving baking and cooking.

So far I have made more banana loaf, cooked my Christmas dinner in it, glazed gammon, apple and cinnamon muffins and of course the well loved Choc chip and double Choc chip muffins too and only this week I’ve made banana muffins and cheese and potato pie.

Even my husband is a convert to the combi oven now after to quote him “the most perfect 6 jacket potatoes ever.”

The ease of use of this combi is amazing. It is seriously so simple, I mean I’ve used it !!!!

I cannot tell you how much fun I am having in the kitchen nowadays and how excited I am getting over new recipes. I’ve even brought recipe books.

It’s like I’ve been opened up to a new world.

So feel free you link me up to some recipes and check out the Panasonic site and marvel at the combi ovens seriously I love mine and they are well worth the investment as my main oven is now almost obsolete along with the gas it was using. Every penny counts.

My Italian Family Cookbook

On May 9, 2011 By rebelwithkindnessIn Uncategorised, UncategorizedLeave a comment

If you follow my blog you have noticed that I’m not a great fan of cooking, but I love food so sometimes I have to be adventurous and try new recipes.

So when I was asked to review a new cooking book, I thought hey why not. Maybe this will be the inspiration I need to get me excited in the kitchen.

My Italian Family Cookbook by Lawrence Dallaglio in partnership with Sacla the Italian food people had me drooling as I looked through the pages. Its bright colourful layout inspires you to get shopping for the ingredients and into the kitchen. Ok well it took me a few days but hey I’m a reluctant chef.

The cookbook has a vast array of recipes for light bites, quick suppers, and weekend food for friends, special occasions and sensational desserts.

For novice cooks like myself I found the recipes easy to follow without too much assistance from husband. Also being the adventurous cook that I am (ha ha) I decided to try the Spaghetti Bolognese recipe.

The result, well let’s just say the lack of photograph here explains it all.

While My Italian Family Cookbook is full of great recipes I do think you need to have some know how in the kitchen.

If you love Italian food I would recommend this book. It is a full of wholesome meals that can be cooked for all the family.

So go on try it out.