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When I was pregnant with Annabelle, I felt extremely supported and was confident that I was going to be able to cope with birth and thankfully I did. Soon after birth, this support slipped away from me, and I felt very lonely and isolated. I was now in this new role as 'mother', a role in which I'd had no training for and on top of this I was living off barely any sleep and felt judged for my every move and decision I made. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I look back and roll my eyes at the people who judged me, I now don't bat an eyelid for unsolicited advice, but at the time it was gruelling. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The people who judged me were either:- ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 1. Living off a good 8 hours+ sleep, a real advantage to thinking straight, coping and articulating yourself well. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 2. Became mothers some time ago and have seemingly blanked out the bad bits. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 3. Don't have children yet and honestly have no idea what the fuss is about, I mean your brain doesn't really need sleep to function properly does it?! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The world would be a much more welcoming place if we had a little less judgement and a bit more hands-on help and support after birth. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Natalie x

When I was pregnant with Annabelle, I felt extremely supported and was confident that I was going...
January 15, 2019
baby_led_weaning_cookbook

Scotch Pancake Sundays are a real thing in our house, I'm aware today isn't a Sunday BTW - don't worry I've not completely lost my marbles.. yet! ;-) ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Annabelle measures and mixes the batter, I fry it trying to make the shapes Annabelle demands, hubby and I have a complete laugh at how awful I am at said 'shape' task and how Annabelle can think any shape is a 'rocket'. 🍆🙊 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Maybe I am going mad! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This super easy recipe is in the Breakfast section of my BLW app, links can be found in my featured stories & bio.

Scotch Pancake Sundays are a real thing in our house, I'm aware today isn't a Sunday BTW - don't ...
January 15, 2019
baby_led_weaning_cookbook

< Guest Post from Sam > These Veggie Nuggets were a huge hit at dinner time over the weekend! Was nice to shake up the standard side of steamed/baked veg. I broke Isla’s up into bite sized pieces and served them as a side to some pan fried salmon (also flaked into bite sized pieces). Best yet is that there were plenty left over to freeze. Samantha x You can find this recipe in the dinner section of the BLW app. Please see bio or stories for app links.

These Veggie Nuggets were a huge hit at dinner time over the weekend! Was nice to shake up the s...
January 14, 2019
baby_led_weaning_cookbook

Pot Pie is such a great family friendly meal and now it is even easier to make since you can do it all in your slow cooker! This recipe for Chicken and Mushroom Pot Pie which can be found on my slow cook app is also packed with vegetables, making it a complete and healthy meal in just one dish. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 400g mushrooms, sliced 4 carrots, peeled and diced 1 onion, diced 1/3 cup (30g) plain flour 1 teaspoon dried basil ½ cup (125ml) water 500g chicken breasts, diced ½ teaspoon ground black pepper 1 cup (150g) frozen peas 1 cup (150g) frozen green beans, diced ½ cup (125ml) full-fat double cream Ready-rolled puff pastry sheet ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Place the mushrooms, carrots, onion, flour, basil and water into your slow cooker – stir well ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Lay the chicken on top and sprinkle with the black pepper – cover with the lid ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Cook on low for 7-8 hours ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Approximately half an hour before the cooking time is complete, preheat oven to 200°C and line a baking tray with baking paper ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Add the frozen peas, green beans and cream to the slow cooker – stir well and replace the lid to continue cooking for a final half an hour ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Unroll the puff pastry sheet and cut out circles of about 4 inches in width - place them onto the lined baking tray and then, once the oven has reached 200°C, bake for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Once the pie mixture and pastry circles have cooked, spoon the pie mixture into a bowl and then top with the cooked puff pastry circles ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Serve once cooled.

Pot Pie is such a great family friendly meal and now it is even easier to make since you can do i...
January 14, 2019
baby_led_weaning_cookbook

< Guest Post from Sam > As I sit here setting my alarm for the morning, I can’t help but reflect on the year gone by. It’s hard to believe that this time twelve months ago you were still nesting comfortably in my belly. Despite the chaos that comes with having a newborn, what I wouldn’t give to be caught up in that intoxicating bubble again. I’ve found myself getting super nostalgic lately whenever I see another mum-to-be bumping along - does anyone else get this? I’ve also been pouring through all the photos we’ve taken since Isla was born. She was just four weeks new in this one. Couldn’t get enough of her koala cuddles then and I still can’t now. As tough as the bone crushing exhaustion can be some days, they really are little for such a short time. Samantha x

As I sit here setting my alarm for the morning, I can’t help but reflect on the year gone by. ...
January 13, 2019
baby_led_weaning_cookbook

My Banana Toast is delicious but if you're looking to switch it up a little add a teaspoon of peanut butter to the mix for an extra nutty flavour! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Find this recipe in the breakfast section of my BLW app; links can be found in my featured stories and bio.

My Banana Toast is delicious but if you're looking to switch it up a little add a teaspoon of pea...
January 13, 2019
baby_led_weaning_cookbook

I promise I’ll stop banging on about my carrot muffins soon, but they are just so yummy, and I love that Belle devours them too! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Oranges are incredible at this time of year and compliment the muffins so well, although they have destroyed many of Belle’s top so please be careful and use a bib if your little one accepts one. Getting my three-year-old Annabelle to wear a bib to eat an orange is like telling Donald Trump to stop tweeting - never gonna happen! Painting no problem, it’s on right away. 🙄 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Natalie x

I promise I’ll stop banging on about my carrot muffins soon, but they are just so yummy, and I ...
January 12, 2019
baby_led_weaning_cookbook

The new BLW app update will include how to prepare and cook first foods for beginners as it's a question I'm asked all the time! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ As a rule of thumb when slicing finger foods, use your index finger as a size guide. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Natalie x

The new BLW app update will include how to prepare and cook first foods for beginners as it's a q...
January 12, 2019
baby_led_weaning_cookbook

Annabelle loves red meat and pastry, so my meaty pinwheels from the Fussy Toddler app are always a big success, and any leftover filling makes a delicious pasta sauce. What’s your family’s favourite pinwheel filling?

Annabelle loves red meat and pastry, so my meaty pinwheels from the Fussy Toddler app are always ...
January 11, 2019
baby_led_weaning_cookbook

Annabelle, the super speedy, make your pancakes in the jiffy kind of girl. ♡ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I love Belle helping me in the kitchen and will miss her company so much when she starts school 😢

Annabelle, the super speedy, make your pancakes in the jiffy kind of girl. ♡ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀...
January 11, 2019
baby_led_weaning_cookbook

For dinner tonight I made these Curried Chicken Strips, which I served with some naan bread and cucumber sticks. I cut Isla’s into small squares after taking this photo as she has started to practice her pincer grip lately. A skill that she loves practicing on my skin while she’s feeding - ouch. Samantha x You can find this recipe in the lunch section of the BLW app. Please see bio or stories for app links.

For dinner tonight I made these Curried Chicken Strips, which I served with some naan bread and c...
January 10, 2019
baby_led_weaning_cookbook

This year I hope my husband and I get a bit more 'us' time and that Belle gets the school place we desperately want. Last year my husband and I only did two things as a couple - a spa day and lunch out! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ On said lunch date I was in absolute heaven with my baked camembert, I mean it doesn't get much better does it. 😂 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ With some many of our friends separating, we know this time together is important but it's just so difficult to squeeze it in - how do you make it work?

This year I hope my husband and I get a bit more 'us' time and that Belle gets the school place w...
January 10, 2019
baby_led_weaning_cookbook

I managed to get out another batch baking session this afternoon (I may run out of freezer space soon). Despite the added madness to my days, I know I’ll be grateful in the weeks to come when I’m packing Isla’s lunchbox for daycare. Luckily I went for the colourful casings today... I realised as the oven timer went off that I’d forgotten to put my toppings on the Mini Porridge Bites 🙄 They’re still pretty tasty without any extras anyways! Samantha x Recipe is from the breakfast section of the BLW app. App links can be found in bio or featured stories.

I managed to get out another batch baking session this afternoon (I may run out of freezer space ...
January 9, 2019
baby_led_weaning_cookbook

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January 9, 2019
baby_led_weaning_cookbook

Just before Christmas, I decided to give up meat; I will go into why a little more if anyone is interested. Surprisingly, given that Belle and Steve love meat we are making it work! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I don't usually recommend Quorn because it's very low fat and babies need a high-fat diet, but if your little one is a bit older or it's just once a week, then I don't see any problem. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Tonight we all enjoyed my Slow-Cooked Beef Ragu, made with Quorn and it was delicious! I added a tin of tomato soup to add a bit of extra flavour and reduced the cooking time by 1 hour. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ You will find the original recipe on my BLW app, for links please see my featured stories or bio.

Just before Christmas, I decided to give up meat; I will go into why a little more if anyone is i...
January 8, 2019
baby_led_weaning_cookbook

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Lemon Cupcakes with Elderflower Icing *
A delicious cupcake recipe inspired by Harry and ... Continue Reading
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Bunny Rabbit Carrot Cookies
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Cheats Lamb Casserole
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March 22, 2018
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Spinach and Beetroot Puff Pizza
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Chicken and Plum Stir-Fry
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Sweetcorn and Carrot Fritters
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The Best Scrambled Egg
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Raspberry and Banana Eggy Bread Sandwiches
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Gluten-Free American Pancakes
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Wheat-Free Apricot and Date Cookies
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Maple Turkey Traybake with Rice
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Fruity Stuffing Parcels
To save time, you can make the stuffing mixture ... Continue Reading
October 16, 2017
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Sausage Star Puffs
This is a tasty way of using up some leftover ... Continue Reading
October 16, 2017
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Festive French Toast Rolls
This is a delicious breakfast treat which you ... Continue Reading
October 16, 2017
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Sweet Potato and Banana Bites
You could add finely chopped nuts, chocolate ... Continue Reading
February 20, 2018