Snow, Jogging and Looking back at Christmas part 3!

Hi everyone, I thought I would post on this lovely snowy day, as lots of you may be at home in the warmth if you have kind bosses!! Well today I have already had a snow ball fight and helped build a snowman with the children at work all before 9am!It was fab!Now waiting to see if I have to go back later!

I am loving the snow, however I am very disappointed as it means running club will not happen tonight, however we did have running club on Monday and Wednesday, hopefully the snow stops and we can get out over the weekend!

As alot of you may be at home with your children if they are off school, I thought I would finally post the lovely recipes from xmas, (that I didnt get round to putting on)... so you can recreate some lovely treats at home....

Chocolate Bark

This recipe was first created by my mum, as she was browsing the internet one day for some easy chocolate treats to make for a little family gathering. It is so simple yet so amazingly delicious....

Ingredients

• 200g Milk Chocolate (amount of choc is dependent on size of tray and desired thickness
• 100g White Chocolate
• Toffee Popcorn 
• Malteasers (both the malteasers and popcorn dont need to be measured, you can use as much or as little as you like, its all dependent on the amount of chocolate and size of tray)
• Other optional ingreds may be mini marshmallows, hazelnuts, rolos
• Silicone Tray (you can use a normal tray and just cover it with baking parchment)

Method

• Melt the two kinds of chocolate in separate bowls
• Get your tray and spread out the desired amount of popcorn and malteasers around the tray (and anything else you'd like)
• then pour around the melted milk chocolate over and in between the malteasers and popcorn, and spread around if needed
• next, get the white chocolate, and layer that over the top, using a spoon or knife move the white chocolate around creating a marbles effect.
• It is now done, and all you need to do is place it in the fridge to set and it will be ready to enjoy
• Once it is set, it just breaks into chunks (like bark-hence the name)

Chocolate Tree Chocolate Lollies

The second recipe is another gorgeous Christmas treat, which I made and created for Christmas presents for some family members like I did with my Mini Christmas Cakes...I present Christmas Tree chocolate lollies...

   

They were actually made using a choc lolly making kit from 'Morrisons', which my friend actually came across back in November. After doing them once with some friends, I then thought what a fab idea they would be to give as xmas presents. Once made I then wrapped them with cellophane and ribbon. 

Ingredients 
(It did came as a ready made kit, however you could buy everything separately)

• 200g Milk Chocolate
• approx 50g cornflakes
• Icing/or white choc
• decorations
• sticks
• paper cone moulds (you get 6 in pack)

Method

• Melt the milk chocolate in a bowl, and then mix in the cornflakes
• spoon into the paper moulds, along with a stick in each and then rest them in mugs or cups and put in fridge to set.
• once they have set, take out and then cut off the paper and then stand up in cardboard holder (as part of kit)
• Decorate with icing and decorations and leave to set.
• Once they had completely set and then wrapped them up and made them look pretty.

I hope you have enjoyed these two lovely treats, obviously the xmas tree kits wont be available anymore, however I'm sure there are different versions in the shops, or you could make your own.

Will have another post very soon, until then...

Happy chocolate eating! xx

Jogging, Walking and more Jogging!

Hi Everyone! Sorry I've been so busy these last few days, I have seriously been slacking with my blog writing...so finally its Sunday eve, so have got chance to update you all with what I've been up to...

Well running club is going very well, myself and Becki went on a new route around where she lives on wed eve, and then myself and Chris did the first route on fri...and then last night, I gained some energy from somewhere and decided I would venture out, for the first time on my own. I said to myself, I'd only go out if I had my ipod, it then took me half an hour to then find my ipod which I eventually found-thank god!I was also excited about running alone, as it meant I could use my cool ear muff headphones that I was yet to use after getting them for my birthday last May!Check them out!

I really enjoyed my run alone, however this was only because I had my headphones....they are sooo ace...I love them...they keep your ears so warm and let you listen to your fav running tunes, my only criticism would be that they dont go loud enough!!However I would definatley recommend them to hard core runners!

Since running club began, I've been thinking of maybe setting myself a challenge to train for so that I dont give up and gives me something to work towards. I shall be consulting my fellow running club friends and see what they think. 

Well its time for me to get my running stuff together again, as myself and Becki are off out again tomorrow night and doing route no.3!

Happy Jogging!x

'Fat Club'...The start of 2013!

Well last night, myself, my mum and Becki (running buddy), went for our weekly weigh in! The results weren't too bad, but I had gained, which was expected!I'd said to myself, I would start a fresh last week, but it was too hard still being off work, and lots of chocolate still around (plus all the baking...opps). So this is it now,we had our fresh start, with the new members talk for the whole group, and I am so determined!I even text my running partners after class, to see if they fancied a run tonight- so myself and Becki are facing the cold tonight and going on our second 'jog' of the week!

When doing slimming world, the key is definatley all to do with planning, and having your cupboards and fridge stocked, in order to make some yummy meals. I have just done that, and been to get a little shop, so I can have a Syn free (except your healthy extra) full English breakfast. YES....I said 'Syn Free' Full English Breakfast , it is possible, and soooo yummy!The key to this, is using the magical Fry Light and by grilling most of your foods. So my breakfast is going to consist of A fried egg (in fry light), Grilled bacon (with all the fat taken off), Baked beans, 2 slices Hovis Nimble wholemeal bread (400g loaf) and Half a tin of chopped toms (cooked down with some garlic, chilli, s+p).

Ohhh all this talk of food is making me feel hungry now so I'm off to make my yummy breakfast!

If anyone feels inspired...check out the website-and find your nearest class!It's fab, you can eat lots and still lose weight...AMAZING! Slimming World-check it out!

Happy Slimming! x

UPDATE: Here's my Breakfast...all washed down with a green tea with lemon!YUM!

Bikini Body Mission for March 2013!

Hi all, I'm just taking a little time out from 'looking back at xmas' as I've got something new to report....I am soon to be going on my best friends Hen do to Tenerife in March, therefore I am on a mission to get a good bikini body in time. I understand that I am going to have to stop baking for this time, as the cookies are just too good to resist, and I am going to be focused on slimming world-plus lots of exercise!

Sooo, last night on facebook I noticed two of my friends were planning on going for a jog, so I stupidly said that I would join them, however surprisingly I quite enjoyed it, we didnt jog for the whole time, but did it in intervals, so part jog, part brisk walk!As there was three of is it was so much more enjoyable, as we could chat, and support each other throughout. 

We have now decided we shall make it a weekly thing, and maybe twice a week depending on how we get on. I'm really happy, as it means getting fit without paying for classes or the gym, which then I can save for my holiday!

Happy Jogging!x

Looking back at Christmas 2012...Part 2-How to make a Pom Pom

Hi all, so up next are easy pom poms, which can be made for so many uses....

Pom Pom Baubles...

I decided mine would be for xmas decs, as I had made two of them red and white, and the one that is mostly white also has bits of gold in the wool. The other one was just a really good one I'd made while in work one day. I hang these from my curtain poles, as they are too big to go on the Christmas tree. 

Below is a video I've found for you, to show you exactly how to make your pom pom. 

Top Tips for making your own pom poms- 

1. To make a really full and thick pom pom, you need to keep winding the wool, until you get something that looks like a doughnut, or until you cant fit the wool through the hole anymore. 
2. To change the size of your pom pom, simply change the size of your circle of card!

More info on how to make a pom pom

Other Ideas for pom poms

• Customise and revamp an old wolly bobble hat, by removing the poms poms and attaching the new ones with a needle and cotton. 
• Make them into little people by adding googley eyes, and sticking some arms and legs to the pom pom. 
• Create animals using certain colours, and again attaching other bits and bobs to it.
• They can make pretty decorations for your home, e.g. on door handles.
• Customise a boring pair of slippers, a scarf, or gloves by adding poms poms
• Christmas baubles (make size dependent on size of tree)

I hope this helps anyone out there who isn't quite sure of how to make one or what to do with it...they are wonderful things and also so therapeutic when making them, its just so nice to sit in front of the TV and wrap the wool around. 

Happy Pom Pom making x

Looking back at Christmas 2012... Part 1-Mini Christmas Cakes

Had a few days off, as been looking back at first two posts and adding and changing things...so now I thought I'd show you what I got up to over the Christmas period. As I was taking all my decorations down, I thought, I have lots of bits and bobs I've made so would love to share them... so first we have...


Mini Christmas Cakes

Mini Christmas Cakes....your all thinking...how?why?..well these cute little things were made and created at a night at seniors (I will probably mention seniors alot...so as I talked about in my first blog, I am member of the senior section of Girlguiding) One of my good friends Alyson, is an amazing baker and she had made these before and so we decided to hold a night back in Nov 2012, where Alyson gave us step by step instructions on firstly how to make the Christmas cakes. (and Thankyou Ally, for giving me the exact measurements of the recipe, and also another thankyou to Chris, for letting me use some of her pics of the process of making the cakes)

Stage 1- Collect regular size tuna tins-and clean throughly!Very odd I know but perfect for the job!Line the base with two circles of baking parchment, and also around the edge of the tin. This recipe makes 2 mini cakes!

     

Stage 2- Cream together 40g butter/marg and 40g soft brown sugar until a very light,pale colour-as below, next add one beaten egg-a little at a time (to stop it curdling), then a little at a time-fold in 50g SR flour (sieved), then fold in 100g of mixed fruit and 20g glace cherries (chopped up small).

                             


Finally add in approx 1tsp Black Treacle, and a little orange juice...and thats the cake part made!few!

    It should look something like this (before)....       After- Ally was so kind and took all our cakes home to bake!  Temp- 130c for      

1 and a half hrs-2 hrs 

Ally chose to feed our cakes with some rum....as you can see pictured!!!

A week later, we got to decorate our cute little mini xmas cakes, Again Ally was the leader and showed us how to do so.....

First, you need to get a chunk of marzipan, and rolling it out carefully using icing sugar, to stop it from sticking, to create a circle shape, and so there is enough marzipan for it to tuck around the base of the cake. Before placing it over the cake, you need to brush the cake with orange juice. Once you've placed the marzipan over, you need to tuck around the base, and smooth it all around, you can then trim the edges off. 

As you see in the third picture, you then repeat this process but using royal icing this time. It is very simple, just remember to brush the marzipan layer with orange juice, and  smooth the edges to give it the best finish. 

As a base, we used beer mats covered with foil, they are just the right size for these cakes, and look extra special. 

  This picture to the left, shows the beautiful sugar craft in the form of some holly that we created for our mini cakes... this was the turn of another friend Soph, as she attends sugar craft classes, and so she showed us how to this. We used white sugar paste and then coloured it ourselves using the colour paste. The most important tip I can give even though I'm not an expert would be to make sure your hands are cold, as I found if there too warm the paste just goes all sticky and horrible.  

Here's a little youtube video I've found to give you a helping hand....

Finishing touches..... so after we left seniors, I decided to make my cakes look even better, and I wanted to give them as little Christmas gifts to some family. I did this by using cellophane, some lovely ribbon I picked up and, then I created home-made gift tags using some mini Christmas cards. 

I was so happy with the finished product, and thought they looked so lovely. I'm pleased to say that those who received my gifts were really surprised that I'd made them and were really happy with their Mini Christmas Cakes. 

Happy Baking!x

Second Day, second blog, yet still first blog!

Morning!

Well after my sister giving my first post a good read...I am going to add the info to this post which should of actually gone with my first...so here it goes....

So the cookies pictured in my first blog...were actually inspired by a friend who had made some similar a few days ago...and today I am meeting up at one of my best friends brand new house with my girls for a chat, look around the new house and a brew, and as I know my girls love cakes and all things sweet, I thought I would treat them to some yummy cookies... (I also remember when we were younger and as teens going into town on a Saturday, we would often go to Millies cookies for a treat or two, so thought this would be fun to do). 

As my first ever go at making cookies..I think they went pretty well. See recipe below. 
Good Food-'Millies' cookies style cookies recipe

The only slight difference to this, is I added a tablespoon of golden syrup for extra tastiness, and instead of choc chips I used 200g of milk choc and simply chopped into chunks....after tasting them, I think I may of gone overboard with the amount of chocolate, however they were still delicious!

Updated Picture editing via my sister using instagram (at the moment I have a blackberry and so I dont have instagram-only a blackberry version which isnt as good)

The second recipe were simple fairy cakes, which I just thought I'd make as I had all the ingredients ready so thought why not. The recipe I found actually made 24, however I didn't want to make that many, so heres how I made them...

Easy Fairy cakes

Ingredients

• 2 oz Butter
• 2 oz Caster Sugar
• 2 oz Self-Raising Flour
• 1 egg (lightly beaten)
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1 tbsp Milk

- For the icing I simply mixed together icing sugar with the right amount of water in order to make quite thick(ish) icing...I then just used pink glitter sprinkles for decoration. 

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180c and line a 12-hole fairy cake tin with paper cases.
2. Cream the butter and sugar together until pale in colour-then beat in the egg, I a little bit at a time, and stir in the vanilla extract.
3. Fold in the flour (sieved) a little at a time, and add the milk as required until dropping consistency. 
4. Spoon into the paper cases.
5. Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes or until lightly brown in colour. 
6. Once ready, take out leave to cook on a wire rack.  
7. While cooling, make up for your icing, and then they should be cook enough to ice and decorate. 

Original recipe- BBC- Food- Recipes

well that's enough for my second blog (yet still first blog), I still want to blog all previous baking and crafts...so It's going to take me a while to get up-to-date. 

New Year new blog....and it all started with a cookie!

Hi there, well this my first ever blog...I'm very new to all this and I was inspired only a few hours ago by my sister to start my very own blog. 

I work with children at an out of school club, so making crafts and drawing etc, is a daily thing for me. I am also a member of Girlguiding UK,  where I am an assistant guider to a unit of brownies (girls ages 7-10 years) and I also attend the senior section (teens and young women 14-26 years). Crafts, baking, and creating lots of fabulous things is something I do alot with both the brownies and the older girls. 

In my own time I also enjoy cooking, baking and creating things... this may sound rather strange, as you will see below, this blog all began because I had been baking cookies and cakes!oppps!however, I am a member of Slimming World, and I attend a class once a week. I really enjoying following the healthy eating plan, and alongside I also enjoy exercising...most of all...I have a love for hoola hooping!It's great fun, and brilliant for losing weight and toning!I used to attend a class once a week, and I am hoping to start it up again, as I miss it so much!

       

Check out the website for classes!!

So back to the baking.... This evening I made some yummy choc chunk cookies and some little fairy cakes to share with my friends and family. These lovely treats are the reason why this has all begun....