Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Tried & Tested: Protein Cups

Shared by Rebecca U at 11:03 AM 10 comments
Here is tried and tested post number two - Egg cups

                                 

I have been following a diet similar to the Dukan Diet which is quite a high protein one so these work perfectly for that. They are really easy to make too. The original link that I found on Pinterest is here.

The original post was for bacon and egg cups but I have tried half with bacon and half with ham. I used mostly egg whites and whisked them up in a jug. I wanted to make mine like mini-omelettes so I added some onion, herbs and a little bit of red pepper, all finely chopped. I have tried these egg cups before, without adding anything else and it was quite bland so I think making it omelette style makes it much tastier.


I then poured into the muffin trays that I had lined with either bacon or ham. Using a silicone muffin tray really helped the cups to come out really easily after that had been cooked so I would recommend using them. If you don't have any, you probably need to lightly grease your muffin tray.



I cooked them in a pre-heated oven at 200c and they needed about 25 minutes (but keep an eye on them). I found that the bacon ones needed longer than the ham ones - I guess as bacon is thicker?


I personally preferred the ham ones, over the bacon ones but try both and see what you think.

I loooove eggs with black pepper and worcester sauce so that is what I served mine with - really yummy!


Sunday, April 28, 2013

10 Day You Challenge: 1

Shared by Rebecca U at 11:16 AM 3 comments

I have seen this challenge on some other blogs so I thought I would try the '10 Day You Challenge'. Its a great way to get to know each other so feel free to copy the pic and do it yourself.

Day One: One picture of yourself

This picture is from my wedding day (obvs) but it was from a friends camera, not the professional photographers. I love that I din't even know it was being taken, I was just trying to sort out the train on my dress!




Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Parisian Life...

Shared by Rebecca U at 8:35 AM 3 comments
In between the days at Disney, we decided we would be all cultured and that, and go to visit the Palace of Versaille and take in the sights of Paris. I haven't been to Versailles since I was pretty young so was excited for that. I have done the sights in Paris quite a few times before but it never gets old. Plus we added in some macarons and shopping - bonus!



We learnt that Louis XIV was called the sun king because he wanted everything to revolve around him - you can see how highly he thought of himself in the palace, so elaborate and grand



Uncle time
Dodgey pic but the hall of mirrors



When in Rome.. It would be rude not to!

Lovely buildings in Versailles

Onto Paris. Max just causal in his pushchair

So many lovely parks in Paris to sit and chill





Outside the Louvre



Found this bridge by total accident, on our hour long walk to the Eiffel Tower! Serious trek - but I'd heard about this bridge before so pleased we did stumble across it










The cute place we stayed at - a little Marriot Village
My Top Tips for visiting Paris:

  • If you will be using a pushchair, don't go alone - the trains / metro in Paris are really not suitable for disabled or pushchair access. I was only able to do it with the hubs and his family to help lift it etc. If you are by yourself I would take taxi's everywhere as you can't guarantee anyone will help, unfortunately
  • Make sure you have the right train ticket - we thought we had a return and we didn't so couldn't get out of the station and there are very few staff at the stations
  • Take a map - a lot of it is walk-able but knowing where you are going helps, obvs!
  • Don't try to visit The Louvre on a Tuesday, as we found out it is closed!
  • Don't visit the Palace of Versailles on a Sunday - as we found out, it is the busiest day and was completely rammed. If you want to take your time to look around more / not get annoyed at people that just stop walking right in front of you, then visit on another day
  • Have plenty of water / drinks with you - everywhere we looked it is over 4 euro for a small bottle of water or fizzy. Crazy
  • If the weather is nice, wear things suitable. There is very little in the way of air-con in the restaurants, shops, metro etc
  • Do try macaron's or nutella waffles or crepes - it would be rude not to, right?
I know these 'tips' don't make it sound like we had a very successful trip but it really was lots of fun - there is so much to do and see in Paris!

Sunday, April 21, 2013

One year older and wiser too...

Shared by Rebecca U at 10:00 AM 3 comments
Recently is was my birthday! Wahhhh, another step closer to 30!

I had a little celebratory meal out with girlfriends the day before my birthday. Is it sad that I was so excited for a reason to wear heels and lipstick? Oh, the life of a mother. But you can't go wrong with Pizza Express...




I was treated like a princess on the day by my husband, and my parents came down to visit. Mike had to work so my parents and I went out to lunch (our annual trip for a lovely pub lunch by the Epsom racecourse). It was such miserable rainy weather that we wanted to fit in a little walk in the countryside in-between downpours but it didn't happen. They then helped with Max while I packed and got a few bits from the shops for my big birthday present...


I think my husband thought he would soften the blow of getting a little bit older by treating me (and himself and Max) to a trip to Disneyland Paris, so I could feel like a kid all over again. I was seriously so excited. The Eurostar was booked so off we went the next day.


Thrilled to be there...

20th Anniversary parade - Max was dancing away to the music

Its a small world

My boys

He wasn't too sure about the carousel 



Amazing Arabic restaurant we went to after meeting Aladdin himself



Some of my husbands fam came for some of the trip. We did two days in Disneyland, one all of the groups and one just the three of us, and we had a trip to Versailles and went into Paris too (separate post to come).

It was so fun to see how Max was on the rides - we have a little timid timmy on our hands. Bless him, he was not a fan of any rides that make your tummy 'go'. He loved 'Its a small world' of course, and liked the Dumbo ride and Pirates of the Caribbean (before any of the slopes anyway).

Gorgeous one

The weather was so nice and we all caught a little bit of a tan - the trip was the perfect birthday treat!

His reins were such a help as he loved wandering / running off!






My Top Tips for Disneyland Paris with a Toddler:


  • Pack plenty of drinks and lunch - food and drink is generally very expensive in the park
  • Use the Fast Pass as much as you can - you can swipe your park ticket at any of the Fast Pass machines outside the big rides so you miss most of the queue
  • Take advantage of the 'Baby Swap' card - if it is a ride that your baby / toddler can't go on, such as Space Mountain, some of the group queue up and go on the ride, making sure to ask for a baby swap card. When they come off, up to two people, that were watching the child, can go straight to the front of the queue.
  • Consider using a sling / carrier - if your little one is little enough to go in one. You have to leave pushchairs / strollers at the front of every ride and restaurant so if you want to have free hands a baby carrier would be ideal
  • Don't worry about taking them to the shows - it is Disneyland after all so they are use to children being noisy or crying and the staff were so helpful in helping you where to go
  • If you want to buy anything from any of the stores in the park you can leave it there and collect when you leave. Perfect if you have bought something bulky like a giant cuddly toy! Or you could take advantage of the shops in the Disney village, after you leave.
  • If you go to guest services at the entrance (in the 'City Hall') you can get a badge to clip to your little ones where you write on their name and a mobile phone number so if they are lost they will know who to call
  • Wear some comfy shoes - you are basically standing or walking all day
  • If you are interested in the parades, make sure you get a leaflet at the entrance about the times and locations. Same goes for spotting the characters. (Though we did manage to see quite a few characters on our walking around, without even planning it)
  • Have fun!



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