Last week I helped you guys with some savoury baking for the lunchbox and this week it's time to look to some sweet classics. All of these are so quick and easy to make (you will likely have all the ingredients already in your pantry or fruit bowl and a whole cake will definitely last a week of … [Read more...]
Sticky apple & cinnamon tea cake
February 10, 2017 by 13 Comments
All this healthy #febulous business had me hankering for some cake yesterday so I decided to try and use up some of the apples from the tree that is overflowing. If you can't eat cake when you are being good and exercising, well than you NEVER can. So friends, let's get stuck in. Apples will be … [Read more...]
Keep it simple: family learnings over the summer
February 9, 2017 by 8 Comments
A sponsored post for Bupa I have to say, that so far over this summer the Macdonald Team Family game has been STRONG. School holidays, Christmas and New Years will do that to you when you are forced to spend many, many (MANY!) days in a row together and despite my feeling a little, shall we say, … [Read more...]
Week 1 update: #febulous
February 8, 2017 by 41 Comments
So here we are, a week into #febulous. And are you feeling it? I'm a little like this today: Tired Carmel, Tirrrrred. But all in all feeling good because I am a week down and I have STUCK WITH IT ALL. What's all you ask? Let's have a look at what some of my goals were: 1. Exercising every … [Read more...]
Miscellaneous 85
February 7, 2017 by 33 Comments
Can you hear that? Listen. Sweet, sweet and very needed rain. I can hear the plants sighing with relief and guzzling down the cool drops. The frogs are happy, snails too. It's dark and a little muggy, but that's February right. And it's cooler than it has been. Deeply … [Read more...]
Monday meal ideas: Lunchbox savoury baking
February 6, 2017 by 6 Comments
So here we are at week 2 of the term. My interest in the lunch boxes is already wavering. but I've got some ideas for baking some things for them - especially some savoury things. My girls are not huge sambo eaters, but they will tuck into crackers and cheese and olives, or any kind of home made … [Read more...]
Entertaining at home: some tips
February 3, 2017 by 11 Comments
I posted this originally a few years ago but thought it might be a good time to re-share, especially if you had planned to get back into your entertaining mojo in 2017. I know that entertaining can be quite overwhelming for people: what to cook, serve, decorate, the pre-clean up and post clean up, … [Read more...]
The 5:2 fast and how it looks for me
February 2, 2017 by 34 Comments
I had a few people ask me yesterday in my post about "fasting" for 2 days and what that means and what that looks like. There is a whole lot of information you can find online about it (just google 5:2 diet) as well as books and recipes and ideas so this is just a very rough version of what I … [Read more...]
February, I am not stuffing around here
February 1, 2017 by 77 Comments
You know that expression "begin as you mean to go on"? Well, it's February you guys. And enough is enough. Enough eating. And drinking. And making excuses. It's time to just bloody well get on with it (note this lecture is pretty much to Beth from Beth for the benefit of Beth). This morning I was … [Read more...]
Looking for delicious, nutritious options? Wrap it up!
January 31, 2017 by 19 Comments
A sponsored post for Helga’s Wraps As you would know, I’ve been trying really hard over the past few months to change the way I eat: eating smaller portions, choosing more veggies and dropping the carbs. It’s been a bit of an adjustment, but now I am there, the better choices are coming easier … [Read more...]
Life goes on…
January 30, 2017 by 49 Comments
It's quiet here. Maggie is asleep, the big girls are at school, Frank and Kevin are asleep on the floor and I'm battling slow internet connection. It's hot and windy outside, and I'm vaguely hungry because I';m trying a new thing called not shovelling food into my mouth every 40 minutes. It's the … [Read more...]
That place, this year
January 25, 2017 by 49 Comments
As Biebs so poetically said, and as I hear ALL the time...life is worth living. And staring down the barrel of a big new one, it's good to have plans and things to look forward to right? For a start, I am really REALLY looking forward to Monday and getting some routine and order back in our lives. … [Read more...]
Good things
January 24, 2017 by 19 Comments
Well, this for a start. Hilarious. (found via @phoodiegram) I have plenty to be negative nancy about at the moment, but where's the fun in that? There are always good things to see around you, and that's what I am focusing on today even though it's 1 million degrees and windy as fuck outside … [Read more...]
Monday Meal Ideas: Australia Day Entertaining
January 23, 2017 by 5 Comments
Sneaking this one in before Monday is over...just in case anyone is looking for some entertaining inspo for Thursday. Tonight we had lamb cutlets for dins and dead set, there's nothing better. So I reckon if you can get lamb on the BBQ then get it into your guts! Here's some lamb … [Read more...]
BabyMac and Show+Tell
January 23, 2017 by 20 Comments
You might remember a few months ago now that I got to sit on Monty's couch for a little while and have a natter about blogging, and my life etc? Well guess what? Those videos are now live! And despite the fact that my perioral dermatitis was at it's WORST and I look like a slug on a couch … [Read more...]
Starting out at Primary School
January 20, 2017 by 10 Comments
I published this post this time last year, but thought it might be worth re-publishing again given it's almost that time of year again. Somehow Harps will be in year 2! Daisy in year 5? Thank GOODNESS Mags is a few years off yet still. Do you have a little one starting? Original post … [Read more...]
One thing: Moving my body
January 19, 2017 by 24 Comments
Last week I decided that enough was enough. Enough with the holiday eating. And drinking. And just general overindulgence. You know when you just kind of snap? The tight jeans with tide of flesh does the trick EVERYTIME. So you know what I did? I did something sitting on my #onething list for … [Read more...]
Maggie is 20 months old!
January 18, 2017 by 32 Comments
Seeing that there? Well it means that Maggie will be TWO in a few short months. Ok 4, but still, tell me. Where does the time go? Where?! Someone is #notbovvered What a month is has been...cousins and people GALORE. Mags has been in her element soaking up each and every bit of attention she … [Read more...]
Delicious dip & FAB homemade crispbread
January 17, 2017 by 27 Comments
When we were away at Christmas time every couple was allocated a main meal (either lunch or dinner) and nibbles on another day. It meant that for the times where lunch was the main meal, kids could have inevitable leftovers for dinner and the adults could roll a nibble and a drink and be happy. Mum … [Read more...]
It’s Monday, it’s hot and there’s 2 weeks of school holidays to go.
January 16, 2017 by 21 Comments
That just about sums up where I'm at this Monday afternoon. I think I have a raging case of PMT, Rob has been away for work for a couple of days (home tonight YAY) and it's going to be 36 tomoz. Bluergh-o-rama. But let me tell you about the last few days. When the weather cooled a little, and the … [Read more...]
