Another revived blog - let's do this.

I know, everybody starts a blog with great intentions. I had 'em. Blogged, took pics, wrote words. Tagged.

Then when you fall off the wagon (sugar - get in my face) life isn't really very blogworthy sometimes. But here you are, faithful little blog - still waiting for me to get my shit together again.

This time I knew I'd need help. Topping out the dress sizes at 22 (I can't even write that without wincing - but owning it anyhow) and having zero energy has just made me decide enough's enough. But I knew I couldn't quit fructose without a team, and finally, at 41 years old, I'm ready to rely on someone else for help. Not my strong suit, asking for help.

So I've signed on for the I Quit Sugar 8 week program. Started today, I'm heading out to do the grocery shopping soon. The fridge and pantry are completely fructose free. The freezer has been emptied of all it's little hidden bits of added sugar, and the last Movenpick Chocolate icecream binge was had over two weeks ago.

Welcome back, dear readers, let's do this.

Chocolate Junkie Bowl

Craaaaaaaazy chocolate cravings tonight.

Apparently, chocolate addiction is a thing. I have it, I'm sure. I've finally narrowed down the moments when the cravings hit. When I'm super tired and stressed (Smallest Offspring refuses to sleep properly for two days); and after the Offspring are all in bed, with the cuppa Mr makes me each evening as we blob on the couch.

I've never smoked, nor been addicted to alcohol or drugs, so I don't have much to go on here by way of comparison, but I'm pretty sure the perpetually running script in my mind could be substituted for what it must be like to try to come off these other addictive substances:  'eat chocolate now, go on, just a little bit, go out and buy some, the service station is open late, you deserve it, just one bit won't hurt, you won't have to eat it again tomorrow, just once today, you could have some and no one will know..... ' and so it goes on.

Having 'given up' sugar, somehow chocolate (delicious, creamy amazing New Zealand Whittakers Chocolate) is really putting up a fight.

It wasn't until about 10pm when I realised I might be able to assuage the cravings in a sugar free (and late-night-outing-avoiding) kind of way.

Chocolate Junkie Bowl

3 large dollops of Greek Yoghurt (probably about 1 cup, if we're measuring)
1 tablespoon raw organic cacao powder
1 tablespoon raw organic cacao nibs
1/2 banana, choppped.

Mixed that lot up, demolished it in short order. Cravings gone.

Now, if we can just work out how to get the Smallest Offspring to fall asleep before midnight...

Picky Plate

Ever since the Eldest Offspring was little, we've had the 'Picky Plate' meal.

A Picky Plate is full of little goodies you can 'pick' at, perfect for wee fingers and just as yummy for the big people too.

Today, as you know, the Smallest Offspring is on a sleeping strike, so in between grumpy outbursts (hers - mine will probably hit when Mr gets home) I managed to put this together for lunch:

In the interests of full disclosure, I should tell you that I went about frying up the entire rest of the block of haloumi after eating this, and ate that too. Mumma's gotta eat.

Sleep is for the Weak

The Smallest Offspring did a couple of eight hour night sleeps over the last few nights. Apart from the expected (ahem) explodey boobs from waiting so long to feed (ouch!) I enjoyed the extra bit of sleep.

But then, because I haven't learned from the last two Offspring, I had to say, out loud, that I was pretty pleased with her sleep.

And don't babies know when you say "Gosh, I liked those long sleeps the Smallest Offspring has been doing", that you really must mean: "Gosh, I like how you're going to be up every two hours tonight, and not have a morning sleep tomorrow so Mummy can't go back and have a power nap".

So this morning, after a rough night's not-sleep, we were up and at 'em at 6.45am. On and off with the baby grumpies until 9am when I decided we'd do our 'town jobs' via pram this morning so at least one of us could have some rest.

The blessing of Small Town is it's flat, and we live close to the centre of town. So with a jauntiness I was faking rather than feeling we headed off in the glorious sunshine and achieved quite a bit. With a small amount of napping from SO, but not nearly enough.

I suspect this afternoon is either going to be one long nap, or one loooonnnnngg afternoon.

See you on the other side.


UPDATE:
2pm: Lots shushing, rocking, feeding, bassinet jiggling, and SO just won't stay asleep. I'm desperate to finish of the Bohemian Dancing River shawl, and get a couple of hats done, as well as pretend to tidy the kitchen. When times are tough, out comes the 'Wrap-Wrap'. 
You can get this magic piece of essential baby-taming gear from Snuggle Bug Wraps.

Babywearing for the WIN!

Homeless Berries

I've spied a tangle of homeless berries.

Well, they're not technically homeless. They're in the neighbour's section. But no one lives in the house right now, and it's on the market for sale. 

So, do I find those berries a good home in my belly?

What ARE the rules? I don't think I can bear watching the birds get every last one. I may have to do a midnight stealth mission and rescue those poor, lonely berries.

Crayfish and Courgette

My cousin just got married this weekend, and her wonderful husband provided some of the catering - with enough left over to send a care package back for us.  Two beautiful crayfish! So perfect that I served them simply with butter for dipping, and lemons from Mum and Dad's garden for squeezing.

Also gifted from neighbours was a courgette gone marrow-like, so I recreated a zhuzshed-up version of Mum's way of stuffing them.

Bacon and Onion Stuffed Marrow

Slice marrow/courgette/zucchini in half longways, then scrape out the seeds. Sprinkle the cut sides well with salt and leave to leach out some of the juices of the courgette while preparing the stuffing.
In olive oil, slowly fry up a couple of chopped onions, some beautiful local Pirongia Bacon pieces chopped into little chunks, and three handfuls of teensy wee cherry tomatoes from our giganto tomato plants. I left this cooking away on low for a while (about the time it took to gulp down a nice glass of Gewurtz) 'til it was soft and juicy and sticky. Throw in a handful or two of breadcrumbs, and a bit more olive oil if needed, and mix.

Now grab a paper towel or four, and wipe away the juice that will have oozed from your marrow pieces. I had to tip some off before wiping, as there was a fair bit already leached out. Then fill both halves with the bacon and onion mix. On top, crumble some homemade labneh and grated cheese of your choosing.

Bake in the oven at around 180ºC until you feel like the marrow is soft enough to eat, but not so soft it will fall apart when you slice it. I think I had mine in for about 20-30 minutes. Blast under the grill to finish.

Slice in big chunks and scarf it down with a fork, whilst oozy-buttery-crayfishy juices run down your other hand.

Best last minute dinner ever - we just plonked it down on a towel on the lounge floor and demolished it. I LOVE the food I eat being local, or homegrown, or gifted. Always tastes better, and just feels more nourishing than store bought.

Girls Day Out!

Took MO and SO out whilst the Big Brother was off doing boy things. The request was a cafe lunch, so off we go to the usual haunt.

MO devoured a chocolate brownie, having just had actual lunch about half an hour before we went out. I prevaricated over my coffee order. Giving up the mocha in favour of the flat white has not been easy, especially when the Mr isn't around to be my sugar conscience. But flat white it was, along with this delicious salad number. I spied all sorts of ingredients in there, but I'm not so great with dressing identification. It was lightly creamy, and tasty, but I think could have been improved. Any suggestions on what would go well with these flavours?

Chicken, kale, brocolli, green beans, pomegranate seeds, strawberries, cucumber, capsicum, cherry tomatoes and baby spinach.

Who says you can't get great fresh food at the cafe's in small towns?