Valentine’s Gift Guide 2025

February 4, 2025 · by munchiesandmunchkins ·

*Some items in this guide have been gifted for the purpose of this article*

It’s that time of year again. I am a firm believer in showing those you love that you love them every day but Valentines Day is a fun day to celebrate love in all forms. No romantic love for me but I will be spending the day with the ones I love all the same, my family and possibly friends. Here are some ideas for gifts to suit everyone or just a gift to indulge yourself.

Boostology have some really quirky gifts including this Volcanic Pot Pourri which has lava stones and is a pot pourri which lasts forever. You drop a few drops of essential oil on the stones and it smells glorious.

Tolpa have a wide selection of products and I’ve been trying this micellar cleansing water which I really like.

I’m in love with Il Makiage products at the moment and I’m a big fan of the No Filter Poreless Primer. I want to try everything!

Max Spielmann have a wide selection of photo gifts and personalised diaries and books amongst much more. You could create a photo book or order some prints. I love having actual photos at home rather than just stored on your phone.

Tokyo Treat is a fun and unusual snack subscription box. We really enjoyed trying each and every item in the Valentine themed box and myself and the girls gave them scores as to what we loved the most.

Sakuraco is another snack subscription box with really special Japanese snack items, it’s beautifully presented and something we have really enjoyed exploring together this month. A one off box or an annual subscription if you’re feeling generous would be such a lovely gift.

JD Williams have hundreds of gift options including this Jimmy Choo perfume selection. Perfect handbag size and I have been a fan of the Jimmy Choo scents for some time, they are light and refreshing and I think most people would love this gift.

I also like this cute movie night in gift set from JD Williams and look forward to using it with my girls for a Valentine themed movie night.

Perhaps you like to buy Valentine Gifts for your children? Sylvanian families have this beautiful cute couple set which would be a lovely addition to your Sylvanian Family collection.

For older children Connetix have this fabulous pastel set which would be a really cute gift.

Ali Express seem to sell pretty much everything you can imagine so it’s no surprise they have a few ideas for the day of love. How about a plush green robe?

Or a handy little projector?

Or perhaps someone you love wants to focus on self care, this journal is perfect:

As Ross Geller would say: You’re my lobster. This lobster from Warmies is incredibly cute, can be heated in the microwave and is lavender scented too.

Shoezone have a huge selection of budget friendly shoes including these stylish Lilley Maude boots which my daughter loves.

Last but certainly not least we have these beautiful brownies from Cutter and Squidge they have brownies to suit all occasions as well as gluten free and vegan options. They deliver nationwide and the best part is that you can get a mixture of the different flavours and also add a bottle of fizz or beer to your order.

Covid Then…Covid Now

January 26, 2024 · by munchiesandmunchkins · Leave a Comment

It is 3 years and 4 months since I first contracted Covid in October 2020. I was the first person in my family and friend groups and the only person I knew personally to have it, it was scary but I was the fittest I’d ever been and felt like if I was going to get it I was in the best shape to fight it. I expected to feel rotten for a week or two and then be glad it was done with and I’d be immune for a while. That was not the case. In January 2021 I was diagnosed with Long Covid and began experiencing the symptoms I still deal with daily today. I’ve had three further infections of covid since that time and with the third in June 2022 my symptoms worsened extremely quickly and they affect my daily life in so many ways. I am in pain every day at a level which although I am now used to is incredibly exhausting, I have become a master at masking my pain but it is there and it is constant. Some days are far worse than others of course. Here are a few of the symptoms which I deal with each day:

* Significant joint pain, particularly in my legs and feet. As someone who loved to walk up to 25k steps a day this has been a hard pill to swallow.

* Dysfunctional breathing. I have too much carbon dioxide in my blood and I have shortness of breath frequently.

* Heart rate issues. I have a much faster heart rate and irregular beats and palpitations.

* Fatigue. Now fatigue doesn’t mean you feel sleepy, fatigue is like walking through wet sand every day. I am never not tired on a level which I’ve only ever experienced on the worst days of very early pregnancy.

* Brain fog and concentration issues. I was an avid reader and writer pre covid. Now some days I find it hard to find the simplest of words and I have alarms for everything I need to remember.

* Neuropathy and hyperesthesia. Two big words which basically mean I have hyper sensitive skin, my skin can feel like it has sunburn or be sensitive to the lightest touch as well as pins and needles or crawling sensation and numbness.

* PEM or post exertional malaise – is the crash that occurs anytime I do too much of anything. Perhaps one day I feel a bit better and so I give the house a good sort out or I try to take my kids out somewhere, I may feel the effects of that exertion for a week or two and it causes a relapse in all of my symptoms. Some days that crash occurs whilst doing said activity like shopping, I feel like my battery goes from 50% to zero in a second.

* Digestive problems – stomach issues are common post covid and for many the use of anti inflammatory medication used to help with joint issues causes additional damage. I have severe acid reflux now which I’ve never experienced before and a sliding hiatal hernia which causes significant pain. Doctors believe gut issues are due to the fact that the stomach lining has a large amount of the receptors that the virus uses to invade cells.

* Histamine intolerance. Histamines are the cause of the acute inflammatory and hypersensitivity responses in Long Covid. It may mean you develop allergies or repeatedly get hives or rashes. I get very sore hands and as soon as the weather gets a little warmer they get a lot more painful with bumps and blisters.

* Hair loss and skin changes. I’ve experienced significant hair loss since having Covid. Luckily I have very thick hair and a lot of it otherwise it would be very visible.

There are more but I don’t want to bore you.

I am writing this whilst at the end of my 4th infection in January 2024. This time around felt very similar to the first, it is an incredibly nasty strain. Early symptoms included : incredible body aches, a high persistent temperature, very sore throat and a pounding headache. I am worried because I know it’s very likely that my LC symptoms will worsen. The latest LC studies show that of those who still had LC at the time of reinfection 80% saw their symptoms worsen, around 85% saw old symptoms return or new additional symptoms. In the 60% of people who were in recovery or remission, reinfection caused a recurrence of LC.

And to be honest this is why I’m writing this now. A lot of people think Covid isn’t important anymore, that there is no point in testing and no point in isolating. But it is important, in fact avoiding covid is crucial to people like me. It is also important that I know when I have it so that my doctors and I have an understanding of why my illness is getting worse and to take relevant medications or supplements to boost me at this time. It’s impossible to shield completely but you can protect people like me by testing yourself and staying away. Ignorance is bliss I know and I’ve had many a debate even with people in my own family who know love me and see everything I go through with this illness. Continuing to get Covid is damaging to me, it impacts my future health and my ability to be a present and active parent and in some cases it will still kill people. And it’s not just people with LC, anyone with immunity issues, heart or respiratory conditions or anyone currently receiving treatment such as chemotherapy could be severely affected by being infected. Also I’m sure most of us know someone who works in a hospital environment, if you pass it on to them it could be causing such problems for the patients they deal with. I can’t tell you what to do but I will urge you to think more, if you had norovirus ( the vomiting and diarrhoea bug) you wouldn’t think twice about spending time with other people, you’d stay away as it’s highly contagious and could make certain people very unwell, the same goes for Covid. For me and for every other person who this affects I urge you to think about the consequences and be considerate.

What To Eat For Acid Reflux/ GERD

August 21, 2023 · by munchiesandmunchkins · 2 Comments

Recently on top of all of my long covid symptoms I’ve had some pretty excruciating pain and symptoms of Acid Reflux. It is likely I’ve damaged my Oesophagus so as well as trying medication from my GP I am on a really restricted diet and wow for someone who enjoys cooking ( and eating ) as much as I do it is extremely hard. For those who don’t know, to treat severe acid reflux you need to avoid or massively limit the following foods:

Red Meat

Dairy

Most fats

Carbonated drinks

Alcohol

Citrus fruits

Most spices

All pepper and peppers

Chillies

White carbs

Fast or processed foods

Garlic

Onions

Mint

Chocolate

Tomatoes

Caffeine

And many more

Fun..ha well the last one is an exaggeration but it is limiting.

You also can’t eat for the last 3 hours before bed so bye bye late night snacks and you are advised to stay upright or move around after every meal as well as avoiding tight clothes while eating and immediately afterwards.

All of these foods can relax the oesophageal sphincter which in turn means acid can rise up into your oesophagus and throat.

I first noticed I had an issue when I felt like I had a constant lump in my throat, as well as often feeling like my food was getting stuck and being very aware of liquids travelling down my throat. Then I felt nausea frequently as well as burning pain in my chest and then the sour taste of acid in my mouth. I called the doctor mainly to check what heartburn meds they recommended alongside my beta blockers and when I described my symptoms my GP was quite concerned and started me on an immediate course of Omeprazole with the understanding that if my symptoms hadn’t improved in 4 weeks I would have to have further investigations.

In that 4 week period as well as the medication i drastically changed my diet and lifestyle. I cut out all fats other than olive oil, avocados and walnuts. I switched from dairy to almond milk and reduced my caffeine intake to 1 small cup of coffee first thing and cut out all tea, juice and soft drinks. I completely avoided red meat and white carbs and all citrus fruits as well as everything above. I mainly ate the following:

For breakfast:

Porridge with almond milk, banana and walnuts or avocado, egg whites and wholemeal bread

For lunch:

Soup of some kind ( typically carrot and coriander) or a baked potato with fat free cottage cheese and salad.

For dinner/tea:

Chicken or salmon with brown rice or pasta, cous cous or cauliflower rice and an abundance of veggies. For flavour I used fresh herbs and himalayan salt.

Snacks:

Bananas, apples, probiotic yoghurts, rice cakes or crackers with almond butter, walnuts or baked pretzels.

Drinks:

1 coffee a day, lots of water ( sometimes I treated myself with Fiji water or similar) or warm water with honey and ginger.

I also had to use a lot of OTC antacids because as I discovered these things do not fix themselves overnight and omeprazole each morning.

What did I find:

Well I started using a nutrition app to make sure I was still getting all I needed and discovered most days I was eating around 1200 calories, those late night snacks make a difference hey and I lost around 13lbs in the first few weeks. My nails grew quicker and my skin was clearer but my symptoms remained the same. My goal wasn’t to lose weight but most of these kinds of health conditions improve with less belly fat so it was a bonus I guess.

Where I am now..

So I am now 6 weeks into my very restricted diet and I’ve lost around 16lbs. My doctor asked me to stop taking my Omeprazole two weeks ago to have a test which unfortunately cannot be done while taking PPI medication as it masks things. The omeprazole clearly has been doing something as since stopping I am in a ridiculous amount of pain. Peptic is my new best friend. I have had the test done today so am hoping to start back my medication soon. I have had one or two days where I’ve had to for various reasons eat something outside of my diet and I’ve paid for it but that’s life.

I’ll provide an update soon!

Air Fryer Chicken Wings

August 9, 2023 · by munchiesandmunchkins · Leave a Comment

I’m a big fan of chicken wings so I had to give air fryer chicken wings a whirl. I’ve never been a huge fan, always preferring thighs to wings – mainly because..more meat! However since we met and have visited various restaurants and I’ve nabbed one or two of his always present chicken wing side orders I am beginning to be swayed.

I order GoBags or magic bags as I like to call them from GoPuff about once a week and quite often there will be a large pack of chicken wings in there so lots of opportunity for experimenting. I have been using my air fryer a lot lately so I wanted to see if they worked when cooked that way and I am pleased to say YES they do. If you want them to be crispy it may be worth popping them under a grill for a few minutes at the end but these are sticky and succulent and you need to try them!!

You will need:

Chicken wings

Seasoning: I used Old Bay seasoning which is great on all kinds of meat

BBQ sauce ( I used Truffle Hunter bbq sauce)

Rub the seasoning all over your wings. Add to your air fryer and pour over some bbq sauce. Cook for 10 mins, stop and shake well to get a good coverage of your sauce. Cook for 10 more minutes. Enjoy the perfect sticky indulgence.

Air Fryer Loaded Potatoes

August 9, 2023 · by munchiesandmunchkins · Leave a Comment

Like most of the UK I’ve been using my air fryer a lot more lately, it is far more cost effective than turning the oven on if you are only cooking one or two items and you don’t have to worry about preheating either. Plus it’s super speedy. The air fryer I use is fairly old now, I was gifted it about 6 or 7 years ago and is a Tefal Actifry XL. It’s still does the job although a small part of me does crave the new fancy dancy ones a bit. But until this one breaks all my air fryer recipes will be based on that model. The actifry has a paddle which does make it one of the best for making things like chips as it moves them about and gets that overall crispy texture, however for recipes such as today’s I remove the paddle so I don’t get a big pile of squished up mash.

I’ve made loaded potatoes in many variations for years. It used to be something you’d always see on pub menus although not so much these days, not sure why to be honest.

You can add any ingredient to this really, bits of leftover veg or meat, the ends of cheeses from a cheese board but I kept it simple for this air fryer test with grated cheese, chopped ham and spring onion. You don’t really need to measure amounts for this as it will depend on the size of your potatoes as to how much you will need to add of each ingredient. Also add seasoning such as sea salt, black pepper, maybe a dash of herbs and a big lump of butter.

Air Fryer Loaded Potatoes

You will need:

Baked potatoes ( I tend to cook a batch at a time and use the leftovers for loaded potatoes)

Grated cheese – mature cheddar is what I used but anything will work.

Chopped veg

Chopped meat

Butter

Seasoning

Start by cutting your cooked potatoes in half lengthways and scooping out the flesh. Put into a large bowl with some butter and seasoning and mash well, stir through your veg and meat and half your cheese.

Put the mixture back into the potato skins and top with the remaining cheese then pop in your air fryer.

For my actifry there is only one temp setting so I just set it for 15 mins and moved them around slightly after 10. Follow your air fryer instructions but it will probably take around 15 mins. They are ready when crispy on the outside and golden brown on top.

Easy Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

August 4, 2023 · by munchiesandmunchkins · Leave a Comment

Over the last year we have used our air fryer more and more, mainly for the cost benefits due to the rising cost of energy but also because if you are only cooking a small amount of food it is so much quicker than preheating my oven. Recently we have been loving these easy air fryer chicken nuggets.

I have made these a few times recently for the girls and they are just so easy and the girls love them. Chloe in particular would eat chicken nuggets for every meal if she could so I tend to make nuggets once a week to have in wraps or alongside homemade chips.

All you need for this recipe (in fact you can hardly call it a recipe more of a how to) is chunks of raw chicken, thighs or breasts will do but thighs do take longer to cook, some ready salted crisps, an egg or two and a drizzle of oil.

Easy Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

You will need:

Chicken chopped into bite sized chunks

1-2 eggs beaten well with seasoning

A large bag of ready salted crisps crushed to smithereens

Around a tbsp of oil

Put a little oil in your air fryer and turn on for 2 mins. While the oil is warming dip each chicken chunk into the egg and then the crisps making sure to coat evenly. Place into the preheated air fryer and cook for around 15 mins depending on your air fryer. I use the Tefal Actifry so for this recipe I remove the paddle so they don’t lose their crunchy coating. I give them a little shake about halfway though. And that’s it easy as that.

We tend to serve these with wraps and salad or will homemade chips and peas. Always a winning recipe in our house.

Guilt

April 26, 2023 · by munchiesandmunchkins · 2 Comments

This is something that’s been on my mind for a long time. We all know that as parents parental guilt is something we all feel from time to time. For me though lately it seems to creep into every day. I hit a point last week where I just had a bit of a culmination of all of the feels and I spent the majority of the day in tears.

We’ve all had times where we feel we aren’t doing enough as parents, not doing enough activities, not taking your children to enough fun places or sometimes just not being present enough. For me being a mother is the most important role in my life, I am there for my children whenever they need me, whether that is for help with schoolwork or fun stuff or to talk about any problems they have. I know this, I know in my heart that I am doing everything and probably more than I am actually capable of at this time. But to me it’s still not enough. I am not well and haven’t been for the best part of two years but the last 12 months my physical symptoms have exacerbated to a point where most days I have physical limitations on what I can do. I have gone from being someone who walks 20,000 steps daily and is a regular gym goer to someone who really struggles on days with the school run. I can’t chase my kids around like I used to or go and do fun activities like climbing walls and trampoline parks. Does this mean I am trying less? No. Do they blame me for this? Also no. My children who are wonderfully kind and empathetic totally understand my limitations. And there for me that is the problem. I don’t want them to get it. I don’t want them to say mam don’t do that you are too tired or when will your long covid go? Or spotting my grimace when I stand or walk even when I try so hard to pretend I am fine.

Life is hard, we all know this but childhood should be free and full of joy. I try my hardest to make my children’s lives as happy and wondrous as it can be. But this, this is the hardest part of parenting I have ever done.

I know I am a good mother. I support my girls emotions. I am there for them every step of the way as they navigate growing up. I need to stop putting this stupid amount of pressure on myself to be perfect, to be what I cannot be in this moment.

I am doing everything in my power to get better, yet I may not, get better that is. I may be like this for the rest of my life or it could get worse. I am still hopeful that something will change, I cannot and will not give into it.

I hope that my girls know when they are older how hard I tried for them and look back and remember a happy and loving home in spite of this illness. I hope it doesn’t define any part of their childhood and I hope they never blame me for this.

I hope that one day this burden of guilt gets lighter. I hope I learn to give myself a break. For now writing this has helped, I know others will feel the same and I hope reading this helps you know you are not alone.

I will fight for my health harder for the ones that I love than I would purely for myself. I have to be better, for them. Not just my children but for my partner who supports me and deserves more and for my parents who I know worry about me and that is unfair.

I hope this hasn’t read as a pity party because it’s not. I know the way I speak to myself in my head is important and getting these feelings out will help me move on. I am enough, even when I am not. And so are you.

What I’ve Watched,What I’m Watching

April 5, 2023 · by munchiesandmunchkins · 1 Comment

Every day more or less you’ll see someone on social media asking for tv show recommendations, quite often it’s me! So I thought I’d pop a little list on here of what we’ve been watching and enjoying lately.

First up we have recently started a six month Apple TV subscription which was a gift as part of another service. These are my initial recommendations for Apple TV.

The Morning Show. I first watched season 1 back in 2020 and really enjoyed it, I am now up to date and am eagerly awaiting season 3. Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston are at the top of their game in this show and both bounce off each other effortlessly. The Morning Show covers important topics such as the MeToo movement and in my opinion well worth a watch.

Onto our latest favourite show, Ted Lasso. Ted Lasso is one of the funniest and strangely heart warming shows I’ve watched in a long time. The episodes are easy watching but still often deal with heavier topics such as men’s mental health, parental death and relationship issues. We have nearly completed season 2 and I will be gutted when we are up to date and have to wait for the weekly episodes. If you only take one of my recommendations take this one. It is based on a football team but you don’t have to know anything about football or even particularly like it to enjoy the show. Jason Sudeikis is absolutely incredible in this.

Moving onto Disney+, we don’t actually use this service that much other than the occasional film with the girls and to watch Greys Anatomy. This is now on season 19 so if you’ve never watched it you have a LOT to catch up. For me it’s dwindling a bit now and the episodes don’t grip me quite as much but as we are up to date we just watch the weekly episode as it pops up as I do still feel the need to finish it. The earlier seasons are outstanding so I would say if you are looking for a binge worthy box set it’s worth it.

Onto the service we use the most, Netflix. We watch a lot of short tv shows on here with the girls such as Gogglesprogs and Come Dine With Me. Recently we’ve started Country Ever After which is a reality show based on a country music singer and his family, the wife is going through a battle with colon cancer and they have such positivity for life, we all really enjoy this.

I’ve also recently enjoyed Firefly Lane, Working Mums, Dead to me and Maid. Firefly Lane being my favourite and I love how it focuses on female friendship more than most shows.

I’m looking forward to watching the new Lewis Capaldi show as I find him fascinating and if you have never watched it I do also recommend Schitts Creek, one of my favourite programmes ever.

Any recommendations for me?

11 Years Of Blogging

March 24, 2023 · by munchiesandmunchkins · 2 Comments

Today marks 11 years since I first wrote a post on Munchies and Munchkins. 11 years. When I first wrote a post I imagined I’d write for maybe 6 months then get bored and that would be that. My blog started following a period of time in my maternity leave with Izzy when I would share food photos and recipes on Twitter, this was before I had Instagram and well I guess you could say I was ahead of my time ( for possibly the first time in my life). I built up a small but engaged audience on Twitter, most of whom still follow and engage with the blog. I’d often get people asking why I didn’t write a food blog so I decided to give it a whirl, one of my followers even helped come up with the blog name – thanks Sian.

My first posts were random and well blurry but I can’t delete them as it’s all part of the journey. I didn’t imagine when I started that it would become such a big part of my life or that it would lead me onto collaborations and press trips and create friendships that I still have to this day. In times of sadness and darkness my blog has been my respite and therapy, there have also been times I haven’t looked at it for months at a time apart from when I want to make one of my own recipes..yes I use my own blog as a recipe folder for myself.

I remember so clearly the first fun opportunity I had from blogging. I had replied to a tweet from Camp Bestival on Twitter saying wow this looks amazing ( because it did) and that I may try to attend the following year when I was back in work because maternity pay doesn’t really allow for luxuries. They replied saying yes you should blah blah blah. Later that night I had a direct message from a man called Bruce saying how would you and your family like to attend and you can write about it on your blog in exchange for tickets. I didn’t want to give any false expectations, I had been blogging only about 6 weeks and I had less than 500 views so I told him this and he was like it’s okay let’s do this. That was the start of 4 years of being a Camp Bestival ambassador. In the following 12 months of that first opportunity it seemed I was getting contacted every other day offering me free food or toys for Izzy, I excitedly would say yes and write a long thorough article for maybe £5 worth of free food…I wasn’t stupid by the way I just didn’t realise that my site was of value to these businesses and really I should have been charging or building a relationship with them not just saying yay free pasta. We live, we learn.

I don’t accept 90% of what I get offered these days, sometimes because there is no fit for it on my site, sometimes because there is no value to me doing it and more and more these last three years I’ve realised my time and energy are valuable. But I do actually do more in terms of sharing things I’ve not been asked to share, promoting businesses I love while still occasionally doing reviews and product round ups. Don’t get me wrong if I get offered a product I love or normally the girls even if it’s a few pounds worth of value sometimes it’s worth it because it’s natural to promote. My blog doesn’t fit in any particular category, I may post a recipe today, a rant about the news tomorrow and a long ramble about life the next day. I write about food, family, travel, lifestyle, physical health, mental health and the world we live in. This doesn’t always fit with the PR scope for a brand and it has probably hindered my blog from being more successful- I mean I know that if I’d focused solely on food and recipes my blog would be a lot busier and I’d get more paid work. But you know what, it’s just not me. This is who I am, I’m not a neat tidy thing you can pigeon hole, my life is messy and I ramble in real life not just on here. I can’t pretend to be something I’m not and yet I am proud of this blog, this thing I’ve created that supported me and others like me. I mean how many bloggers write about air fryer recipes but also tackle birth trauma, depression, strep B, long covid with a chocolate salted caramel cake to finish it off?

The last 2.5 years I’ve struggled with writing, I still do. This post would have taken me 15 minutes to breezily write before I got ill. Now I will write it over the space of weeks with many re reads and edits and still it may not make perfect sense. My brain is not what it was but the only way to get it back to that is by exercising it so these posts are the equivalent of me doing yoga for my brain.

I want to thank each and every one of you that has read the blog and even more so those that have reached out and interacted with me on social media as a result of my blog, I’ve made some incredible friendships and you really have supported me through some of the roughest periods of my life.

I asked a few of the bloggers and PRs that I’ve worked with to say a few words about the blog and ah they made me shed a few tears I tell you. Take a look:

Jonathan from The Plate Licked Clean, Ask Barney and Find My Dine:

“ I have always enjoyed Becky’s writing : hers was one of the blogs I’d always read before starting mine, soaking up reviews, recipes and more for years. Lately though, I’ve admired the way her focus has shifted onto sharing her struggles with her changing health. Never in a self- pitying way, but in a way I know others wrestling in similar conditions will find useful and relatable. Practical and engaging, and even managing to find humour in her situation, she writes with empathy and clarity. Here’s to the next 11 years.”

Kacie from The Rare Welshbit:

“Back in 2018, Becky and I were paired up and sent to Belfast together on a press trip, as complete strangers. Luckily, we really hit it off and spent several memorable days exploring Belfast’s food and drink scene together. “We’ve been lucky to enjoy lots of exciting experiences together since, from wining and dining across south-west Wales with Food and Drink Wales; to drinking in Becky’s local pub until the early hours, and waking up to one of her banging bacon butties in the morning. “Thank you for all the happy memories together, Becky! I’m looking forward to seeing what the next 11 years holds for you and your blog.”

Sophie from SophieLeBrozec.com:

“I first ‘met’ Becky of Munchies and Munchkins on Twitter back in the early days of our blogs, and I instantly felt a connection. I loved the love and passion that oozed out of every beautiful word she wrote – whether in a tweet or a blog post – and she quickly became an online friend.

We got to meet in person for the first time at Britmums Live in June 2013 and it was as if we’d known each other forever. Becky was as incredible and amazing in real life as she was online, and it was fab to hang out together at this wonderful blogging event.

The blogging world is no longer what it was in 2012 when we first dipped our toes in the water, but Munchies and Munchkins is one of the only blogs that still holds my interest.

Lucie Herring from Gilded Herring PR:

Have worked with Bec on numerous campaigns for our clients and she is always an absolute pleasure. Her posts are as fun and engaging as she is, and ruthlessly honest. Look forward to watching the blog continue in all its glory!

Turning 40

March 24, 2023 · by munchiesandmunchkins · 1 Comment

I turn 40 in less than two months. 40. That age that when I was a child seemed like old age yet now feels like I blinked after turning 25 and here I am. I’m not worried about turning 40, it doesn’t feel like a huge change yet it is. 40 is very different to being IN your 30’s. It feels like a different statement is made when you say I’m 40 as to when you say you are late 30’s especially as a woman.

Women of my generation are lucky in that in most cases women are now getting celebrated at all ages. We see stories every day of women who started careers at 40 or 50, female actors winning awards and sometimes even not choosing to start families until they are my age. 40 is not over the hill by any means but it just feels different.

I think for me the biggest issue I have with it is that I don’t feel healthy or well and the older I get the more that seems like it may be something I can’t change. I am doing everything I can to better myself and get well but a lot of it is out of my control. I imagined having big parties and weeks of celebrations for my 40th but I can’t think of many things right now which wouldn’t cost me too much physically to do. I know my family, my friends and my partner will want to make it a big deal for me and I appreciate that in so many ways yet the thought of it alone is tiring.

In lockdown I had a few things I knew I wanted to achieve before my 40th, then I caught covid in October 2020 and quite honestly nothing has been the same since. I wasn’t hospitalised, thankfully I didn’t die ( obviously) but my life has been significantly impacted by a virus which honestly when I caught it I thought oh great I can get this out of the way now and thank goodness I am at the best fitness I’ve been in for a long time so I can beat it. Um no covid doesn’t work like that and long covid sufferers are more than likely to be women of my age who were previously fit. I’ve had to adapt my life and there are some goals which I’ve had to put on the back burner maybe forever.

I am determined that this next year will see an improvement in some way in my health. I am determined to make my life better for my girls and my partner and my family. It will not be easy but I will do it. Not sure how exactly but I will. For now I am going to look to my 40th and find a way to share that time and celebrate it with the ones I love.

I bet you missed my rambles? More to come I’m sure…

Living With A Chronic Health Condition

January 17, 2023 · by munchiesandmunchkins · 1 Comment

At the age of 39 I didn’t expect to be living with a chronic health condition, much less one that resulted from a virus that 3 years ago I’d never heard of. I’m one of the many people worldwide who are suffering ongoing issues as a result of Long Covid.

The symptoms vary from person to person but most people have fatigue, joint pain, shortness of breath or chest pain and brain fog amongst other things. The same brain fog that has meant every post I write on here now is triple checked because my brain quite simply does not work in the same way anymore. Posts that may have taken me hours before now take days, weeks, I have some in my drafts that I simply cannot complete as I just can’t do it. I am not putting pressure on myself in this regard just recognising that my brain needs to be exercised in order to keep it from deteriorating. For me the biggest issues by far have been the joint pain and fatigue, I never really understand what chronic pain meant but unfortunately I do now. My legs hurt every day, every minute of the day. Some times I can almost ignore it as I am so used to it but every day at some point it will be overwhelming. Most of you won’t see this as I do mask it pretty well and also it can become frustrating to constantly feel like you are complaining about an issue that has no end date in sight.

I am in a number of Long Covid support groups and it’s frightening how many people have had to completely change their lives as a result of Long Covid. Many are in a far worse position that me having to use wheelchairs and make adaptions to their home to be able to manage their new lives. Companies like Age Co Mobility are able to help with making changes to your home, such as bathroom improvements and even stair lifts.

I use various things at home to help manage my symptoms, I have a heated massage pad, a vibro plate and electric heated blankets on my bed and sofa as my legs are far worse when they are cold. I am thankfully at a point where I don’t feel I need to make any changes to my home but like many my symptoms have deteriorated quickly this last year and I know there is always a possibility I may need to make some bigger changes to my life.

It is one of the only illnesses where it has already been recognised that pushing yourself day by day to exercise is detrimental to your healing. Long Covid sufferers have to learn the art of pacing, knowing that even on your good days you cannot do too much or you will indeed suffer for days sometimes weeks afterwards. Rest is key, it is the only way your body will heal and as a busy mother of two this has been the hardest thing to accept. You can no longer do all of the things and expect to get better.

It can also affect your mental health, sufferers are more likely to be depressed and anxious and it’s easy to understand why. It is so important to recognise the need to look after your mental health as much as your physical health. Reach out for help, talk about it and above all do not feel guilty for the things you cannot do.

Have you been affected by Long Covid? How has it changed the way you live your life?

*Collaborative post with Age Co Mobility.

Air Fryer Honey Butter Carrots

December 22, 2022 · by munchiesandmunchkins · 1 Comment

Well it’s been a while since I posted anything close to a recipe. These Air Fryer Honey Butter carrots were so easy and tasty I had to share. I’ve been very unwell the last two years more so in the last six months and one of the most difficult things I’ve had to deal with is the brain fog and accompanying problems that causes. I cannot write the long flowing blog posts that I used to find so easy and the words I want to use just often aren’t there. Blogging was always a form of therapy for me and I’ve decided that as part of my effort to get better and improve not just my physical but mental health I will try writing again. Each post may take a while to write but hopefully at some point it will become natural again.

This is less of a recipe and more of a how to but at this time of year when time saving and energy saving is something we all need to consider that it’s worth sharing with you.

Air Fryers have surged in popularity lately, mainly due to the fact that they are a lot cheaper to run for most dishes than a traditional oven. I’ve had an air fryer for maybe 6 years and I’ve raved about it plenty in that time. The one I use is a Tefal Actifry and it’s had some heavy usage and so far it’s still going strong. I have been intrigued by some of the newer models but I’m sticking to this until it gives in! It doesn’t have dual drawers or fancy controls but it does the job. I use it for anything and everything, yes it’s good for chips but but that’s just scratching the surface of what it can do.

These honey butter carrots I make most years during the winter season but normally I roast them in the oven. This year I have made them several times in the air fryer for convenience and budget reasons. They are delicious, less crisp than when roasted but deliciously sticky and full of flavour.

Honey Butter Carrots

I’m not going to give you exact measurements here, as I said it’s a how to not an exact recipe.

Ingredients:

Carrots

Runny honey

Salted butter

Garlic granules

Salt and pepper

Method:

Peel and chop carrots in strips/wedges like this:

Pop butter, honey, garlic granules, salt and pepper into your air fryer and turn on to melt and combine for 2 minutes.

Add your carrots and cook for a further 25 minutes until they look like this. Depending on your air fryer they may need more or less time. Just check every 3-4 minutes towards the end.

And voila they are done. Easy peasy..and absolutely lush.

And She’s Back In The Game…

August 18, 2021 · by munchiesandmunchkins · 9 Comments

Well it’s been a while hey?

Since having covid, followed by long covid my mind has been such a fuzzy mess that putting coherent thoughts down on the blog has been pretty impossible. But..finally I feel like I am at a point where life is slowly returning to normal. I still have rough days, some more so than others but I am getting there I think. It has been ten months since I got my positive test result and I am nowhere near full health or fitness but I will get there. I know in many ways I got off lightly, many people who have long covid can barely get out of bed, then there are the thousands of people that were lost to covid and its frightening to know that it can happen to people of my age who have previously been fit and healthy.

Life in general is slowly getting back to normal for all of us. I doubt that any of us will really get over what happened to the world this last 18 months but it has taught me and I am guessing so many of you such valuable lessons. It has taught me to want to make the most of my life, because it is just the one we get. It has made me more empathetic, yet also stronger. I am no longer the soft and often naive person I once was. I am firmer with people, I say no more often and I will not allow people to walk all over me. I have learned a lot about what I want in my life and more importantly who I want in my life, it showed me who are real friends and who were simply lurkers in my life.

I am determined more than ever to do more of what I want and what makes me happy at the same time as creating the best possible home and life for my children. And I believe I can do it. Life won’t be easy, it rarely is but if you make your days as happy and positive as you can then it changes your mindset and you find the harder days are a little easier to handle. I started forcing positive vibes into my day back at the earlier part of this year, I know that sounds pretty cheesy but I did. At first it was far from natural, we all know how easy it is to mope and let yourself wallow but the more I did it the easier and more natural it became and I realised I was starting to catch myself on those low days and I had found ways to manage it now.

Here are a few things I do to start my day positively:

Blast some feel good music, me and the girls love a kitchen disco in the mornings and we often play music on the walk to school and have a bit of a sing. Don’t underestimate the power of music and how it can transform your mood.

Eat a little better, now I don’t mean go on a diet and I definitely don’t mean cutting out favourite foods. Just think more about what you are eating, maybe on the weekend you know you will be going out for a sumptuous BBQ feast or all the snacks at the cinema so perhaps for a couple of days during the week you eat a little less red meat or sugar. What we put in our bodies affects how we feel. None of it for me is about losing weight, purely about helping my mind.

Get fresh air every day. Before I became unwell I was walking between 15-20k steps a day as well as attending a gym. I was the fittest I’d been in years and then suddenly I was struggling to breather and for about 4 months the furthest I walked was to the end of my street. By late Spring I was managing the school run and actually started to enjoy it again and I will never take being able to go for a long walk for granted again. I am still not back to being as fit as I’d like but I don’t put pressure on myself and as long as I’ve done something that day, even if it’s a ten minute walk then I feel better for it. I don’t need a perfectly toned body but I know how important exercise is for me personally and is a big factor in me having good mental health.

Avoid too much time with mood hoovers. I imagine not everyone knows what I mean by this but in your life you will definitely have mood hoovers or drains. People who only ever see the bad side of life and sometimes even seem to enjoy wallowing or being negative. You cannot avoid them altogether, perhaps they are members of your family or lifelong friends who need your support. But if your mental health is fragile and let’s be honest after the last two years it is for a lot of us then you do sometimes need to put yourself first and that is not selfish. Read that again. Putting yourself first is not selfish. Sometimes it is absolutely necessary. Remember the stronger and happier you are then the more likely you’ll be able to positively impact those around you. Be the change. I know it is very cheesy and almost Tony Robbins esque but it is true.

Find something that truly makes you happy and do it often. For me this is cooking and creating. Maybe for you it will be a certain game, going to a special place or even your work.

Find five positives in every day. You may think this is an impossible thing to do especially when you are going through a rough patch but don’t think these five positives have to be monumental things. Here are a couple of examples of positives I have found in the last few months:

Really good coffee

A walk by the river

The bubble of laughter from my girls when I do something daft

Being able to walk and see my parents

My favourite songs

Mastering a new recipe

Reading a quote that resonates

Fresh bedding

The fairy lights in my garden

The comforting feeling of a tight hug from someone who loves you

A beautiful butterfly landing on my lavender

None of these things are huge things, to some they will seem almost mundane. But keep counting those little things and just breathe it in. List them in a book, on your bad days look back at them and see how many of them were in that day without you even noticing. Life is brief and we ignore so much of it. Soak it up. Love, live and laugh a lot.

I have a few new recipes planned for this month so keep your eyes peeled and I really hope you are all doing well. feel free to comment with any recipes you’d like me to post or any ideas you have for me. Take care.

Griddled Welsh Lamb Steaks With Lemon, Garlic and Herbs

August 15, 2018 · by munchiesandmunchkins · 5 Comments

Welsh lamb has a special place in my heart, for a few reasons. Of course the first reason is that I am Welsh and grew up amongst some pretty glorious countryside where lambs grazed close by. The second reason is that as a child one of my favourite home cooked meals was Cawl. My mum would make huge batches of it and it was a comforting meal which always reminds me of home. Since moving into my home and starting my own family I’ve enjoyed cooking with lamb, generally the typical roast lamb dishes or chops with a mint sauce but I’ll be honest I haven’t experimented too much with it.

PGI Welsh Lamb got in touch last month to ask if I would like to collaborate and create a recipe using PGI lamb. I was incredibly keen, especially after my recent press trip to a salt marsh lamb farm and wanted to make something easy but tasty and healthy which would suit the whole family.

But firstly, what is PGI?

The European Commission (EC) has awarded Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef the coveted status of Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). This puts Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef in the same elevated company as Parma Ham and other speciality and protected food name products from around the world.

You can find a list of the butchers in your area which serve PGI Welsh Lamb by clicking here and there are even online stockists which deliver to your door. I quite enjoyed the discovery of a very local butcher to me and after the quality of this meat I will certainly be paying them a visit again soon!

Pretty much immediately after I was asked to create the recipe I began buying different cuts of lamb and trying different dishes. Research is key after all and well lamb is pretty tasty! I finally decided after plenty of testing on this recipe for griddled lamb steaks marinated overnight in a mixture of lemon, garlic, honey and herbs. It is summery and light and with the right sides can be a really special meal. It is also very good diced finely the next day in a wrap or pitta with loads of salad.

I also thought up a fun adaptation using diced lamb so that kids could get involved in the recipe too. One of the things I’ve recently picked up on with my two young daughters is that the more I involved them in cooking the more they want to eat the food. They have always been enjoyed baking cakes or biscuits but everyday cooking is fun for kids too. We call it cooking club. Both of the girls enjoy rubbing herbs into potatoes for crispy air fryer potatoes, helping to butter bread or chop veggies or in this case threading meat and vegetables onto skewers for kebabs! Always be careful when little ones are touching raw meat or using sharp objects such as kebab sticks and it goes without saying they need constant supervision but they can do it and what’s more they will enjoy it.

We began our prep the night before with Izzy helping somewhat reluctantly to rub the marinade into the diced lamb while I did the same to the lamb steaks. She soon got over her initial squeaminess and enjoyed helping out.

The next day at my parents house the girls sat at the kitchen table and had so much fun creating their very own lamb kebabs.

We used halloumi, peppers, new potatoes and sweet potato to layer up our lamb kebabs but you could use any veggies you like.

To make the lamb kebabs just us the marinade recipe from the lamb steaks below and use chunks of veg and halloumi. Drizzle with oil and bake for 25 mins until golden brown or pop on a bbq until cooked thoroughly. If using wooden skewers pre soak to avoid burning.

The finished product:

Moving on to the main event – Griddled Welsh Lamb Steaks – sounds simple you say? It is, extremely simple yet tasty and satisfying. Lamb doesn’t need an awful lot of fuss but an overnight stay in the fridge after being massaged with a good marinade can make a basic dish an exceptional one. I love the light summery combination of lemon, herbs and garlic, throw in a little honey for sweetness and a good rapeseed oil to bulk it up and that is all that’s needed. Lamb has quite a strong flavour on it’s own, don’t try to overpower that flavour, just subtle enhance it. I had planned to make these on the BBQ and this recipe can be easily adapted for that particular style of cooking just by firing up your gas barbecue or lighting some charcoal for a real smokey taste. The Welsh weather this weekend had other ideas and a particularly wet Sunday meant that an alfresco lunch was out of the question. A griddle pan is a perfect swap for a bbq when you need to eat indoors, you get the look of bbq’d food and a lot of the flavour too. Just remember to oil the meat, not the pan and keep some windows or doors open as it can get a little smokey.

Griddled Welsh Lamb Steaks With Lemon, Garlic and Herbs

You will need:

6 Lamb steaks

Zest of 2 lemons

Juice of 1 lemon

75ml of a good quality rapeseed or olive oil

2 tbsp of fresh diced herbs – I used oregano

4 garlic cloves minced

45ml honey

a good pinch of salt

a good pinch of cracked black pepper

Mix all of your marinade ingredients together well and add to your lamb steaks in a bowl, massage for a few mins and cover. Pop in the refrigerator for a minimum of 12 hours.

Remove your lamb from the fridge 30 -60 minutes before cooking to bring to room temperature ( this helps it cook more evenly ).

Place your griddle pan over a medium to high heat and heat the pan completely before adding your meat, cook for around 3-4 minutes each side for medium rare, 6-8 minutes each side to be cooked through or to your liking.

All meat should be left to rest slightly after cooking, this makes the meat a little more moist and allows the flavour to develop. Just a few mins will do the trick.

Serve with some super sides. Here are some basic recipes for the sides I served:

Flatbreads:

I have been using this basic recipe for flatbreads for years now, it always works well and they are kind of addictive. These quantities make around 16 small flatbreads, believe me everyone wants at least two.

500g Plain Flour

300ml warm water

30ml of rapeseed oil

Method here

Aubergine:

Slice your aubergine into chunky rounds, rub in some chilli oil and sea salt. Bake for 25 mins.

Yoghurt and mint dip:

Blend together half a tub of natural greek yoghurt with a heaped tablespoon of jarred mint sauce.

Buttery potatoes:

Not a recipe as such but a serving suggestion, get the best new potatoes you can find and cook to perfection. Add some herb butter for indulgence.

We had a lot of fun creating this recipe for PGI Welsh Lamb. I also enjoyed an afternoon with my mum where she taught me how to make her homemade cawl, would you like that recipe too?

This recipe is in collaboration with PGI Welsh Lamb and I have been compensated for my time in creating it.

Pumpkin And Comté Cheese Fondue

October 17, 2017 · by munchiesandmunchkins · 7 Comments

This week has been spent in the kitchen creating a whirl of Autumnal recipes, including this delicious Pumpkin and Comté Cheese Fondue. I tend to cook a lot more in these darker months, I guess the same as most people. It is a combination of wanting more home cooked comfort food whilst also having more time indoors.

Before I tell you about this recipe let’s begin by talking about cheese.. ah cheese cheese cheese. If I had to choose between chocolate and cheese it would be a hard choice but I would choose cheese. It took me a long time, maybe until my mid twenties to get out of the only eating mild to mature cheddar and well now I eat it ALL. In fact for the past few years I have even ordered a cheese board as a dessert on many occasions something I would have considered a bit crazy a while ago.

I couldn’t pick a favourite cheese, I enjoy them all from the soft and squishy to the hardest mature cheese. Cheese is definitely a comfort food for me. When Comté cheese got in touch and asked me to work on a recipe post with them I was fairly eager to say yes. I first tried Comté at a dinner some time back, was immediately hooked and was disappointed to not find it on sale locally. Since then stockists in my area have improved thankfully and it can also be ordered via Ocado and Waitrose..YAY. The cheese I am using in this recipe is a younger ( less mature ) cheese, it has a mild yet creamy taste and melts perfectly in my Pumpkin and Comté Cheese Fondue.

Want to learn a little about Comté?

For more than ten centuries, villagers of Jura Massif, Eastern France have lovingly crafted a unique and delicious cheese: Comté. This stunning region of mountains stretches between Jura and Doubs in the Franche-Comté region, and Ain in the Rhones-Alpes region, and is home to over 3,000 family farms dedicated to producing the highest quality of raw milk that is required to create Comté cheese. Today it is not only loved by millions of people in France, but all over world.

Some of my friends and fellow bloggers have been lucky enough to visit the area of France where the cheese is produced and enjoy sumptuous amounts of it. Read what Sarah from Maison Cupcake thought of the trip here and what Helen from Fuss Free Flavours thought here.

Moving onto my delicious Pumpkin and Comté Cheese Fondue. A lot of fondues use a mixture of cheese but mine was all Comté. A whopping 400g of it actually.. along with creme fraiche, herbs and some shallots and garlic with a generous slug of white wine. Baking it in the pumpkin is so simple and has many perks including no stirring, no watching the hob and most importantly no sticky fondue pan to wash up afterwards. Pumpkins are pretty much the symbol of Autumn as well as Halloween but they are worth so much more than carving and forgetting whilst they rot away. The seeds can be rubbed with spice and baked. The flesh makes incredible soups and well now this recipe. Seriously this is a MUST try.

Pumpkin Comté Cheese Fondue

You will need:

1 large pumpkin

400g grated Comté cheese

2 tbsp cornflour or plain flour

150g creme fraiche

40ml white wine

1 tbsp finely diced fresh rosemary

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 banana shallot, diced

pinch of sea salt

pinch of black pepper

To serve

Mixture of breads

Vegetables

Bacon (optional )

Preheat your oven to 180c.

Prepare your pumpkin, first carve out your lid, remove and scoop out the seeds and membrane. Reserve your seeds ( you can make some tasty healthy snacks later ). Pop the lid back on and put your pumpkin on a baking tray in the centre of the oven and bake for approximately 90 minutes.

Remove your pumpkin very carefully from the oven. Set the lid aside ( you can use the flesh from the lid in a soup ). Turn up the heat to 220c. Now add your ingredients to the Pumpkin starting with your Comté Cheese and then everything else in whichever order you prefer. Return to the oven and bake for a further 40 minutes. Whilst your fondue is bubbling away you can prepare your accompaniments. You could really use anything you like to dip in the molten cheese, small potatoes work well as does crusty bread. I used a combination of squares of focaccia to pop in on skewers and toasted artisan bread which I then spread with the fondue and served with bacon.

I’ll leave you with one final tip, if you find you have made more fondue than required or even if there is only the smallest amount remaining get a spoon and scoop any remaining fondue and pumpkin flesh, pop in a pan with vegetable stock and bring to a simmer before pureeing with a hand blender. Gorgeous cheesy pumpkin soup – the very best of leftover lunches.

Here are some more recipes that feature Comté, why not give them all a whirl?

Comte Baked Eggs from Kavey Eats

Comte Cheese and Potato Rosti from Foodie Quine

Comte Cheese And Haggis Toastie

And more pumpkin ideas here

*This post has been commissioned by Comté Cheese and I was compensated for my time.

Indulgent Autumnal Drinks

October 2, 2017 · by munchiesandmunchkins · 5 Comments

One of the very best thing about this time of year is enjoying indulgent Autumnal drinks. Whether it is a mulled cider or a simple yet delicious hot chocolate. I love them sat at my desk, reading a book in my conservatory or even better on a forest walk or beach stroll.

Below you will find some of my favourite drinks created by myself and fellow bloggers. You’ll find boozy treats alongside lattes ..including Pumpkin Spiced.. which I know a lot of you love. Feel free to share your favourites in the comment box below.

Kicking off with:

Boozy Hot Chocolate from Fab Food 4 All:

Pumpkin Spiced Latte from Supper In The Suburbs

Decadent White Hot Chocolate from Supper In The Suburbs

Slow Cooker Boozy Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate from Baking Queen 74

Ultimate Nutella Hot Chocolate

The Perfect Chai Latte

Honeyed Rose Hot Chocolate from Tin & Thyme

Jamie Oliver Epic Hot Chocolate

Mulled Gin & Ginger Beer from Foodie Quine

Slow Cooker Spiced Pear Juice from Recipes From a Pantry

Golden Turmeric Latte from Tin & Thyme

Instant Turmeric Latte Mix from Fuss Free Flavours

Golden Milk Hot Chocolate from Celery and Cupcakes

Red Velvet Beet Hot Chocolate from Veggie Desserts

All About The Squeaky Cheese. 11 Halloumi Recipes You Need In Your Life

September 3, 2017 · by munchiesandmunchkins · 4 Comments

I love Halloumi. I will generally always order it as a side if there is an option for it and is a BBQ really a BBQ without it? Not in my eyes. I have rounded up some brilliant Halloumi recipes from fellow bloggers with a sprinkling of mine thrown in too.

Before we do though, What is Halloumi?

Halloumi is a Cypriot semi-hard, unripened, brined cheese made from a mixture of goat’s and sheep’s milk, and sometimes also cow’s milk. It has a high melting point and so can easily be fried or grilled. Halloumi is set with rennet[6] and is unusual in that no acid or acid-producing bacterium is used in its preparation.

Halloumi is popular in Cyprus, the Levant, Greece, and Turkey. Demand in the United Kingdom had surpassed every other European country, except Cyprus, by 2013. ( Taken from Wikipedia )

The UK are definitely Halloumi crazy and it always surprises me when I take trips to other countries and find it isn’t on menus and often people have never even tasted it!

A lot of Halloumi recipes seem perfectly made for Summer and I am sure we have a few weeks left of it so get working your way through this list.

Starting with my Chicken Pesto Halloumi Kebabs:

Keeping with the kebab theme I love the sound of these Sweet & Sour Halloumi Skewers from Celery & Cupcakes:

More skewers from Foodie Quine with these Super Greens, Avocado & Halloumi skewers.

Yet more skewers.. Halloumi Souvlaki from Veggie Desserts

Moving onto Sweet Chilli & Halloumi Mango Salad from Celery & Cupcakes

Halloumi, Mushroom & Pesto Stack

Halloumi Rice Bowl with Ginger Carrots from Tin & Thyme

Squash & Halloumi Fajitas from Family Friends Food:

Panzanella & Halloumi from Lovely Appetite

Persian Halloumi from Fab Food 4 All

And finishing of course with my Halloumi Fries

Go empty those supermarket shelves of all of the squeaky cheese and get cooking!

9 Perfectly Autumnal Recipes

October 9, 2016 · by munchiesandmunchkins · 6 Comments

I won’t go on again about my love of Autumn as I believe I have waffled on about that enough on here lately ( but I really do ). I will however tell you about my love of Autumn and Winter food. I am a big fan of a BBQ and a glass of Pimms in the Summer but when the nights get cooler and I make slow cooked meals or warming roast dinners – it’s my favourite time for food. I make stews and casseroles topped with dumplings, beef cobblers with cheese scones or just simple roast chicken dinners. It is also the time for rice puddings, sticky toffee puddings and indulgent hot chocolates. It is not really surprising that the New Year sees an influx of new gym memberships!

Now that I am happily ( as happy as a woman ever can be ) at my goal weight I will be trying to maintain some kind of balance even in the Winter months and there is no reason why a dish can’t be comforting and warming without a silly amount of calories. I am going for a 60/40 low fat to indulgent balance. Seems like a good ratio to me!

Coming up this Autumn are some easy slow cooker meals, more variations on my favourite soda bread and healthy veggie soups which can be prepared weeks in advance and frozen for those crazy busy days. Along with that I will be sharing two new cocktails, a new hot chocolate recipe and telling you how to make homemade Vanilla Extract.

First of all I wanted to share with you these fabulous seasonal recipes from some of my favourite UK food bloggers, along with a few of mine of course!

Apple & Marzipan Dumplings from Fab Food 4 All

Burnt Apple & Bourbon Ice Cream from Kavey Eats

Apple & Hazelnut Spelt Rye Sourdough Loaf from Tin & Thyme

Apple, Pecan & Bourbon Pie from Supper In The Suburbs

Spiced Pumpkin Soup also from Supper In The Suburbs

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Pudding from Baking Queen 74

Baked Brown Sugar Squash from me

Squash, Sweet Potato & Coconut Soup from my blog archives

Cinnamon Rice Pudding also from me

What’s your favourite Autumn dish?

Cool Christmas Gifts For Men In 2024

December 18, 2024 · by munchiesandmunchkins ·

Shopping for men can feel like solving a mystery, right? What do they actually want? How many pairs of socks is too many?

This year, skip the predictable stuff and check out some seriously cool gift ideas. Whether he’s a tech lover, outdoor adventurer, foodie, or just a guy who loves unique surprises, there’s something for every type.

In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the most in-demand and unique gift ideas for men that will make their Christmas extra special.

Photo by Suzy Hazelwood

Gifts for the Tech-Lover

If he loves gadgets, you’re in luck. There’s a ton of cool tech out there.

Start with wireless earphones. These days, they’re a must-have for anyone. Whether for work, workouts, or just zoning out with music, a pair goes a long way.

Smart home devices make life a lot easier, too. Think smart speakers like Alexa or Google Nest. He can control the lights, set alarms, or even ask silly questions when he’s bored.

For an extra splash of excitement, VR gear is a game-changer. VR offers an immersive experience in gaming, movies, or even virtual tours. With new VR headsets being released every year, there’s always something bigger and better to get.

For the Outdoorsy Guy

Got a guy who loves fresh air and adventure? Then gear up because we’ve got some awesome gift ideas. A durable backpack is always a great starting point. Think waterproof, spacious, and tough enough to handle the wild. You can’t go wrong with a portable grill either. It’s perfect for camping trips or backyard BBQs.

Every outdoorsman needs a good multi-tool. It’s like having a tiny toolbox in your pocket. Super practical and surprisingly fun to use. Want to get a bit creative? A survival kit could be just the thing. Packed with essentials like fire starters and emergency blankets, it’s a gift that screams, “You’re ready for anything.”

Now, if he likes to chill with a little music around the campfire, throw in a waterproof speaker. And for the gear lover who enjoys doing things himself, consider an oscillating saw. It’s a unique, versatile tool that can help with all kinds of outdoor projects.

Gifts for the Foodie

Do you have a guy who loves cooking (or just eating)? Then, food-inspired gifts are the way to go. Start with a gourmet spice set. It’s a simple way to elevate his cooking game and try out unique flavours. If he’s the chef of the house, a high-quality chef’s knife will become his new best friend.

Cooking gadgets are always a big hit, too. A sous vide machine that cooks meat to perfection or an air fryer for healthier fried foods are both great options. And for the guy who loves to entertain, a charcuterie board set is a must-have. It’s the perfect way to impress guests with fancy cheese and cured meats.

For the beer lover, how about a home brewing kit? He can experiment with different flavours and have his own personalized brews. Or, if he prefers wine, get him a subscription to a monthly wine club. He’ll receive unique bottles from around the world right at his doorstep.

Fitness & Wellness Gifts

Have a guy who’s into staying fit or maybe just wants to feel good? These gifts tick both boxes. Start with a smart fitness tracker. It’s like having a mini-coach on his wrist. It tracks steps, workouts, and heart rate. It is the perfect gift for keeping him motivated.

Now, for the real wow factor, consider a massage gun. It’s the perfect gadget to help him recover after a workout (or just a long day). It targets sore muscles and releases tension, making it feel like he’s getting a professional massage at home.

For the guy who loves to meditate or needs some relaxation, consider giving him a meditation app subscription. It will help him unwind and find inner peace. Or, for something more hands-on, a set of resistance bands is perfect for at-home workouts that can be done anywhere, anytime.

And there you have it, a lineup of cool Christmas gifts for every kind of guy. From high-tech gadgets to outdoor gear and foodie treats to fitness essentials, there’s something on this list for everyone. This year, skip the generic stuff and pick something that shows you really know him. It’s not just about the gift, it’s about the thought behind it.

Christmas Gift Guide 2024

December 11, 2024 · by munchiesandmunchkins ·

*Items in this guide have been gifted*

This Christmas has crept up on me and I’ll be honest with you and tell you that I am not 100% in it, I mean I don’t think I’m even 10% in it. The sudden loss of my Dad a few months ago means Christmas is not something I’m looking forward to this year. A part of me wants to curl up and sleep throughout the whole season. However firstly my Dad would be furious if we did that and also as frustrating as it can seem the rest of the world continues to turn even though it feels like it shouldn’t. I have children to shop for and family members and friends and I have managed to put together some gift ideas as is my yearly tradition on this blog.

Hope this helps the less organised people ( like me).

First up if you have a child who likes to keep their bedroom as well stocked as the kitchen, how about this So Chill mini fridge? Also handy for skincare products for those who have a better routine than I do!

I am one of the very few people who haven’t watched The Traitors tv show, I have however watched a game in action at my family fake Christmas last year and I think this Traitors special edition card game would be perfect for fans of the show.

Spot the intro is another game which is ideal for music loving families or groups of friends. I know quite a few people in my family who would excel at this.

When your mind is completely blank a personalised bottle of wine can be a lovely touch for someone who already seems to have everything! Boutique gifts have a selection of other items too so go have a browse.

Mixtons have a really unique selection of cocktails in a can. I’ve tried a few now and well some of them have a bit of a kick like the Spicy Melons one below but all high quality and tasty. Great for your cocktail loving buddies.

These really are the most beautiful selection of mixers from Double Dutch to add to your gin, vodka or non alcoholic alternatives. They would be great in a hamper with some other goodies.

Simba the company who create the most comfortable bedding and mattresses now make the most amazing slippers! I’ve been wearing my Simba Slippers for a few weeks now and wow ..game changer.

Warmies have an adorable selection of soft toys that can be warmed in the microwave and this particular one is the cutest sloth which is lavender scented too!

Padel have some great ideas for the sport lover in your life from rackets and balls to trainers and sports clothing. They also have speedy delivery options which is ideal for you last minute shoppers!

Opies have an amazing selection of preserved fruits in alcohol. My favourite are the black cherries in Luxardo kirsch.

A Relaxing Day in Norfolk: Exploring Villages, Cafés, and Countryside Charm

December 5, 2024 · by munchiesandmunchkins · Leave a Comment

With its beautiful villages, inviting cafés, and tranquil countryside, this county offers the perfect backdrop for a day of unwinding. Whether you’re wandering through charming streets or enjoying a quiet meal surrounded by stunning views, Norfolk sets the stage for relaxation.

Exploring Norfolk’s Charming Villages

Begin your day in one of Norfolk’s idyllic villages, where time seems to slow down. Picture yourself strolling through Burnham Market, often referred to as Norfolk’s jewel. This village is brimming with boutique shops, traditional tea rooms, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Admire the quaint, pastel-coloured cottages and lose yourself in the unique charm of the local markets.

Blakeney, another gem along the coast, invites visitors with its serene harbour and opportunities to explore nature reserves. A morning here is the perfect way to soak in the simplicity and beauty of rural life.

A Glimpse Into Barnham Broom’s Luxurious Offerings

No exploration of Norfolk’s tranquil countryside is complete without mentioning the sophistication and serenity offered by some of its high-end hotels, such as Barnham Broom, a luxurious resort nestled just a short distance from Norwich. Perfect for those seeking an upscale escape, Barnham Broom delivers an experience tailored to guests who appreciate refinement and comfort in equal measure.

Guests can rejuvenate at the resort’s exclusive spa, where holistic treatments using high-quality ESPA products promise to restore both body and mind. The tranquil ambiance of the spa creates a serene escape, perfect for couples or solo travellers seeking a moment of indulgence. For those inclined towards activity, the resort’s championship-level golf courses are set against a backdrop of stunning fairways, offering an exclusive golfing experience tailored to enthusiasts and beginners alike.

For those looking to elevate their afternoon, Barnham Broom’s dining options are an experience in themselves. The Brasserie, celebrated for its commitment to locally sourced ingredients, presents a menu that perfectly encapsulates Norfolk. Each dish is meticulously crafted, offering a refined yet approachable experience for even the most discerning palates.

Afternoon Adventures: Embracing the Countryside

After a leisurely lunch, it’s time to step into the heart of Norfolk’s countryside. The county’s gentle landscapes are ideal for an afternoon of quiet exploration. Consider heading to the Norfolk Broads, a network of serene waterways surrounded by lush greenery. Here, you can take a relaxed walk along the riverside, soak in the natural beauty, or even enjoy a peaceful boat ride.

If you prefer to stay on land, the countryside is dotted with scenic walking trails that wind through rolling fields and picturesque woodlands. Places like the Bure Valley Path offer a tranquil route through unspoiled nature, perfect for clearing your mind and embracing the slower pace of life. Norfolk’s countryside isn’t just a setting—it’s an experience that invites you to connect with nature in its purest form.

Making the Most of Norfolk’s Charm

As the day draws to a close, Norfolk’s charm continues to shine. Stop by a traditional village pub to enjoy a cosy atmosphere, a crackling fire, and a carefully crafted menu showcasing local ingredients. A pint of ale brewed just miles away or a glass of crisp English wine is the perfect way to toast the day.

For those looking to soak up the last light of the day, the Norfolk coast provides a stunning backdrop for a sunset stroll. Blakeney and Wells-next-the-Sea are particularly magical in the golden hour, offering unparalleled views and a calming breeze to end your day on a high note.

Why Norfolk Captures the Art of Relaxation

Norfolk’s unique blend of natural beauty, charming villages, and culinary delights makes it an unforgettable destination for relaxation. Whether you’ve explored its peaceful countryside, indulged in local flavours, or simply taken the time to unwind in its serene atmosphere, the county offers a perfect escape from the hustle of daily life.

5 Fun Family Activities to Improve Your Quality Time Together

November 27, 2024 · by munchiesandmunchkins · Leave a Comment

You have always treasured the closeness that you and your family share. Carving out time for quality moments together will always be a huge priority in your life. Having a set of fun family activities for you and your loved ones to enjoy together is something you have been meaning to do for a while. When you get a rare moment of peace at home, you may want to consult some of the following ideas so that you’re inspired to do something wholesome together. Whether you’re heading out on an adventure, or you’re choosing a new movie to watch, there are so many different ways to spend quality time as a family unit. Explore some of the options mentioned below and you’ll soon have a bunch of ideas under your belt for the future.

Watch a Movie Together

There is truly nothing more wholesome and enjoyable than kicking back with your family and watching a brilliant movie together. After a long and tough week at work or school, you deserve to switch off, share a smile and watch a movie as a family. You can access the best movie streaming sites and feel like you’ve got a cinema in your very own home. Elevating your movie nights are easy when you have access to some of the best blockbusters available right now. Carry out a survey before your movie night to find out what everybody wants to watch. Choose from around three different options and present them to everyone in the family. Hopefully, you will all be able to come to an agreement on the best movie for that evening. No movie night would be complete without delicious snacks and fresh popcorn, so don’t forget to add that to the menu too!

Create a Family Sports Day

It’s time to feel nostalgic about your youth again and create a family sports day that is full of fun, physical activities and competitiveness. You can go as big or small as you like with your family fun day, but make sure that everyone in the family can get involved. This may involve creating certain outdoor games that are suitable for the younger people in your family. You might want to set a more competitive activity for older teens too. You can invite neighbors, extend the invite to other family members and make it an annual event. Make sure there’s medals and prizes to be won so that everyone feels motivated to do their best!

Do Arts and Crafts Together

Getting creative and putting together something special as a family is something that money can’t buy. Spending an afternoon doing a joint craft or arts project will provide everyone with a huge sense of satisfaction. Whether you’re working together to create beautiful Christmas decorations, or you’re designing a brand new piece of wall art to display somewhere in your home, you can learn so much from doing an activity like this together. Head to your local arts and crafts store to stock up on supplies and enjoy the conversation as it flows whilst you’re deep into your creative activity.

Play a Board Game

If the weather outside isn’t quite fit for a family sports day, then why not embrace your competitive side and play a board game together? This could easily become a weekly tradition for everyone to enjoy, just make sure you all play by the rules!

Get Outside and Enjoy Nature

There are so many outdoor family activities for you to enjoy, so why not make the most of the fresh air and nature? You could create your very own nature treasure hunt and collect a whole host of wonderful things as you walk by them. Collecting leaves for a collage project at home, or taking pictures of different birds as you stroll through new areas in your local town is such a wholesome and enjoyable activity for everyone in the family. Even if it’s completely outside your comfort zone, you have so much to gain from prioritizing time outside as a family.

As you can see, there are a multitude of fun, family activities for you to enjoy together no matter what time of year it may be. Whether you’re embracing the warm weather outside in the summer with a sports day, or you’re getting cozy at home when it’s snowing, there are such a wide range of family friendly activities that will help you to build an even stronger bond. Explore all of these ideas with your loved ones, and you will soon be able to choose your favorite activities, and make some long-lasting memories as a family!

Image from Pexels – CC0 Licence

The Importance of Outdoor Learning for Primary School Children

October 30, 2024 · by munchiesandmunchkins · Leave a Comment

Outdoor learning has become increasingly recognised as an essential part of education, particularly for primary school children. With the rise of digital distractions and a shift towards more sedentary lifestyles, encouraging children to step outside and engage with the world around them is more important than ever. Outdoor learning helps develop a range of skills that children might not fully gain in traditional classroom settings. From enhancing their physical health to fostering a love of nature, the benefits of learning in outdoor environments are vast.

One of the most powerful aspects of outdoor education is how it inspires curiosity, resilience, and a sense of adventure in children. It allows them to explore, ask questions, and interact with their surroundings in a hands-on way that promotes deeper learning and personal growth. This blog will explore the many reasons why outdoor learning is invaluable for primary school children, touching on how experiences like primary school trips UK play a crucial role in fostering these opportunities.

Creating Real-World Learning Experiences

Outdoor learning brings academic subjects to life by offering real-world applications of classroom concepts. While primary school children often learn about plants, animals, and ecosystems in books, outdoor learning allows them to see and interact with these subjects firsthand. For instance, a lesson on the water cycle becomes far more engaging when children can observe rainfall, see how water collects in ponds or streams, and understand how it evaporates and reappears in different forms.

This hands-on approach helps reinforce classroom knowledge while sparking curiosity. When children physically interact with what they’re learning, it becomes more memorable and meaningful. Outdoor learning also helps children develop problem-solving skills. Whether they’re building shelters, identifying wildlife, or navigating a trail, outdoor activities often require critical thinking, teamwork, and creativity, making learning a more active and engaging process.

Building Social Skills and Teamwork

Outdoor environments naturally encourage social interaction. Children playing and learning outside are often required to work together, whether they’re playing group games, building a structure, or tackling a team challenge. These activities promote the development of social skills such as communication, cooperation, and empathy.

When children engage in outdoor learning, they often have to collaborate to solve problems or complete tasks. They learn to listen to each other’s ideas, share responsibilities, and support one another in a group setting. This type of teamwork is not always emphasised in the classroom, where learning can be more individualised. Outdoor activities offer a unique way for children to build strong bonds with their peers and develop positive interpersonal skills that will serve them throughout their lives.

In addition to teamwork, outdoor learning also offers children the chance to take on leadership roles. Whether leading a group in a nature hike or organising team members during a challenge, these experiences help build confidence and the ability to guide others. These leadership moments can be particularly empowering for children who may not always shine in more traditional academic settings, giving them new opportunities to succeed and grow.

Promoting Physical Health and Well-Being

One of the most obvious benefits of outdoor learning is the positive impact it has on children’s physical health. In an era when many children are spending increasing amounts of time indoors and in front of screens, outdoor activities provide much-needed opportunities for exercise and physical movement. Running, climbing, jumping, and exploring the natural environment helps children develop motor skills, coordination, and physical strength.

Outdoor play also contributes to a healthy lifestyle by encouraging children to stay active and engaged with their surroundings. Exposure to fresh air and sunlight has been linked to better mental and emotional well-being, reducing stress and anxiety. When children spend time outside, they often feel more relaxed and focused, which can positively affect their behaviour and readiness to learn back in the classroom.

Outdoor learning also teaches children the importance of taking care of their physical health and respecting the environment. They learn how to engage safely with the natural world while understanding their role in protecting and preserving it.

Encouraging Independence and Resilience

Outdoor learning gives children the chance to experience independence in a way that can be difficult to achieve in a traditional classroom. Outdoor environments, with their less structured nature, allow children to make their own choices, explore freely, and test their boundaries. Whether they’re deciding which path to take during a hike, figuring out how to complete a challenge, or exploring a natural space, children gain a sense of autonomy and self-reliance.

This independence also helps children build resilience. Outdoor learning often involves encountering obstacles—whether it’s difficult terrain, unpredictable weather, or a challenging task—that require perseverance to overcome. Learning to navigate these situations teaches children that mistakes and setbacks are a natural part of learning and growing. As they face challenges and adapt to changing circumstances, they develop the resilience they need to handle difficulties in both their academic and personal lives.

Connecting with Nature and Developing Environmental Awareness

One of the most valuable aspects of outdoor learning is the opportunity for children to connect with nature. Many children today have limited access to natural environments due to urban living or time spent indoors. By providing opportunities for outdoor learning, schools and educators help children rediscover the joys of the natural world.

This connection with nature not only fosters an appreciation for the environment but also helps children understand the importance of conservation and sustainability. Through outdoor activities like planting trees, identifying local wildlife, or participating in clean-up projects, children gain a sense of responsibility for the world around them. This early exposure to environmental stewardship is essential in developing the next generation of eco-conscious individuals.

The Role of Primary School Trips in Outdoor Learning

Primary school trips offer an excellent way to enhance outdoor learning experiences. These trips provide children with opportunities to explore new environments, whether it’s a local nature reserve, historical site, or outdoor adventure centre. Away from the classroom, children can engage in more immersive, hands-on learning experiences that deepen their understanding of the world.

School trips often focus on teamwork, independence, and problem-solving, encouraging children to apply their classroom knowledge in real-world settings. Whether they’re working together to complete a challenge, learning about history through interactive exhibits, or exploring the natural world, these trips offer a unique and enriching way for children to learn and grow.

Beyond the educational benefits, school trips also provide opportunities for personal development. For many children, travelling with their peers and teachers helps them gain independence, build confidence, and develop new social skills. These experiences create lasting memories and help children develop a love of learning that goes beyond the classroom.

Conclusion

Outdoor learning is an invaluable part of education for primary school children. It not only enhances academic learning through real-world experiences but also promotes physical health, social skills, independence, and environmental awareness. By taking learning beyond the walls of the classroom and into the natural world, educators can provide children with a holistic education that supports their overall development.

Whether through everyday outdoor activities or special experiences like primary school trips in the UK, outdoor learning helps children connect with the world around them in meaningful ways. It fosters curiosity, resilience, and a sense of adventure, setting them up for success both in school and in life.

7 Tips to Throw a Party at Home Everyone Loves

October 22, 2024 · by munchiesandmunchkins · 1 Comment

Image Credit: Adi Goldstein from Unsplash.

Parties can always be a great way to spend time with friends and family. You can have a great time, get closer to them, and have a bit of fun while you’re at it. You’ll already know that, and you might want to throw a party at home to enjoy yourself with your friends.

As great of a thought as that is, it isn’t always the easiest thing to do. You’ll need to keep a few things in mind, and you’ll have to consider what’ll keep people happy.

This could end up feeling more overwhelming than you might’ve thought. Thankfully, that doesn’t have to mean it has to be hard. There are more than a few ways to make it relatively straightforward, and it could even be easier than you would’ve thought.

At the same time, you’ll make sure you and your guests have a great time. Seven of these can help more than you’d think.

Throw a Party at Home: 7 Tips to Use

1. Make the Music Amazing

Music is a vital part of a party, and it’s worth putting a decent bit of time and effort into figuring this out. Putting together a playlist ahead of time is recommended. That way, you’ll make sure the music is as amazing as possible once the party starts. You’ll need to put a bit of thought into it, though.

This doesn’t just mean making sure the playlist is long enough to last through the party. You’ll also need to consider what kind of music your guests will like, and tailoring the music to that. Take the time to figure out the best songs to play at the party.

2. Nail the Food & Drinks

You’ll usually want to have some food and drinks for your party, and it’s worth putting a bit of thought into it. While you don’t always have to spend a lot on this, it’s worth making sure it’s food and drinks that your guests will actually like. Burgundy wine can be a great choice, for example.

It’s just a matter of making sure you have enough for your guests. It could be worth getting more than you think you’ll need. Even if there are leftovers, you can keep them until the following day or let guests take some home.

3. Don’t Be Afraid to Invite a Circus

The guests you invite can make or break your party, and it’s worth inviting people you think will be a lot of fun. While you’ll have to make sure everyone will get along, it doesn’t mean all of your guests have to be best friends before turning up to your party. Feel free to invite people who don’t know each other.

That way, everyone could have a much better time than you might’ve thought. You could even end up starting a few surprising friendships between people. You’ve no reason not to consider it. Feel free to invite people from different friend groups.

4. Actually Know Your Guests

Speaking of guests, it’s worth making sure you know as much as you can about your guests beforehand. That doesn’t just mean inviting people you’ve known for a while. Instead, you’ll also need to know their interests. This can apply to more than a few things, from music tastes to the food they like.

Even knowing whether or not they’ll get along with your other guests could play a role in this. Take the time to keep all of this in mind when you’re planning out your party. If you think someone specific coming would be a problem, it might be worth skipping them.

5. Don’t Overthink Everything

When you’re about to throw a party at home, you could end up overthinking everything. This often involves second-guessing every decision you make. You’ll even end up getting more and more stressed as time goes on. Nobody wants that to happen, so it’s worth avoiding as much as you can.

Take the time to breathe and remember that the party’s going to go well. It’s just a party with your friends and family, so there shouldn’t be anything to worry about. It’ll go better than you’d think, and there’s no point overthinking every part of the process.

6. Give Guests Something to Do

While your guests will mainly be at the party to enjoy themselves and spend time with you, it doesn’t mean they don’t want to play an active role in it. Some of them might want to do something to help you, and it’s worth taking advantage of this if you feel like you need help.

You don’t even have to give them a lot to do. Asking them to bring some food or a few drinks could be more than enough. It might even be worth letting them help you clean up after the party’s done.

7. Set the Stage

As the party gets closer, it’s worth making sure the stage is properly set for it. The music, as mentioned above, plays a large role in this, but it’s far from the only factor to keep in mind. You’ll also need to think about the rooms you’ll be having the party in, or even the patio.

Make sure there’s enough space and seating for your guests. Even the lighting will play a noticeable role in this, and you shouldn’t overlook it. While this takes a little bit of time, it’ll be more than worth the effort you put into it.

Throw a Party at Home: Wrapping Up

If you want to throw a party at home, you’ll want to make sure it goes as well as possible. You’ll want your guests to enjoy themselves, but you wouldn’t want to deal with a lot of stress while you’re at it.

Thankfully, you don’t have to compromise on one or the other to make it easy for yourself. Using a few tips could be more than enough to make sure you avoid a lot of stress. You’ll even make sure your guests enjoy themselves without needing to put a lot of work into it.

Why Slowing Down Can Help You Feel More Fulfilled

October 22, 2024 · by munchiesandmunchkins · 1 Comment

Why Slowing Down Can Help You Feel More Fulfilled

If you’re always on the go because everyone and everything is screaming at you to keep moving forward and you feel ashamed for stopping, even if it’s just to catch your breath, you’re not alone – that’s how many people feel, and it’s a big problem. You might feel that constantly moving means better productivity, more efficiency, and generally getting more done, but the truth is that you might be wrong, and in fact, constantly trying to get ahead could be doing you more harm than good and you might not be doing as much as you think. Yes, you’re always busy, but you’re not actually achieving all that much.

That’s why it’s crucial to slow down, even if it feels like the wrong thing to do – the key to a happy and fulfilled life might be doing less, but doing it well. And of course, slowing down isn’t just about relaxing (although that’s definitely a great perk!); it’s about making better memories and more meaningful moments and generally enjoying life more. With that in mind, keep reading to find out more about why slowing down can help you feel more fulfilled.

Photo by Oleksandr P

Try Mindful Living

One of the biggest benefits of slowing down is that it actually forces you (in a pleasant way) to be more mindful, which basically means you get to live in the present moment more and focus on the here and now rather than worry about the future or getting stressed about things that happened in the past. When you slow down, you’re able to really enjoy and savour your experiences, and it could be even the smallest of things like a cup of coffee in the morning or spending some quality time with a loved one – you’ll get to appreciate the small details that often get lost when you’re rushing ahead.

If you’re wondering how to practice mindfulness, there are a few things you can do, and a good place to start is by taking deep breaths throughout the day – it’s simple, but it’s a good way to pause for a moment, re-centre yourself, and be in the moment even if it’s just for a second. It’s also not a bad idea to create rituals through the day by turning standard activities like making a cup of tea into mindful moments by paying attention to every single thing you do – it really will make a difference so why not try it out?

Focus On Three Things

Slowing down can really feel very difficult, especially if you find you’re really used to speeding ahead and rushing through life, but it’s an important thing to do if you want to make the most of your life and enjoy it more without so much stress. To get started, there are three activities that can change your life that you can try out – and they’re nice and easy to do.

The first activity is journaling. Just take a few minutes each day to jot down your thoughts, ideas, or any reflections or revelations you might have had during the day, and it can be a fantastic way to get those things out of your head and perhaps even process your emotions more easily. What’s really great about journaling is that it’s so easy to do and you don’t need any fancy equipment. Plus, there’s no right or wrong way to do it, so whatever works for you is exactly the best way to journal, which is wonderful.

The next activity is to get out in nature and take a walk. Again, it’s very simple but it’s an activity that can have some amazing benefits, especially when it comes to making you slow down. Research shows that spending time in nature reduces stress, boosts creativity, and improves your mood, plus it’s a great opportunity to get away from screens for a while. Even 15 minutes of walking outside (or sitting outside if it comes to it) can make a massive and very positive difference to the rest of your day, and you’ll probably find you’re more productive, even if you take time out to enjoy a walk.

The final activity is personal development, which is going to be different for everyone, but will always be about growing as a person. It might mean reading, writing, studying, learning a new skill, or anything else, but as long as you’re investing time in yourself and getting better, it’s time well spent.

The Power Of Saying No

One of the biggest reasons many of us struggle with slowing down is that we have a lot of trouble saying no. It’s such a simple word, but it can feel bad to say it, and yes is generally the easier option, but that can lead to a lot of extra work or getting exhausted because you’re going to too many social events. In other words, saying yes to everything just leaves us feeling drained and stretched thin, and when that happens, we’re not productive at all – we can even get sick.

The thing to remember is that saying no isn’t a selfish thing to do, and it might even be the best thing to do. When you start saying no (assuming you really don’t want to or can’t do whatever it is you’re being asked to do – if you do want to and you can do it, then of course you should say yes), you’ll have more time to slow down and do things that really matter to you, so it’s a good thing to start learning – even if it’s a hard thing to learn.

So before you automatically say yes to something, take a moment to consider whether you really want or need to do the thing you’re being asked to do – if not, it’s time to say no. And when you do say no, be firm – you don’t have to explain in detail why you can’t say yes, but make sure they know you’re not going to change your mind. Remember, when you say no more often, you’ll be able to take better care of yourself, and you’ll be a better, happier, healthier person as a result.

How Nature-Lovers Enjoy Spending Time In The Carolinas

October 10, 2024 · by munchiesandmunchkins · Leave a Comment

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People who love spending time in nature often enjoy traveling to the Carolinas. This part of the country is home to the Blue Ridge Mountains and offers epic opportunities to get out into the wild on the Atlantic Coast.

But how are they spending their time?

That’s the question we try to answer in this post. It looks at some of the activities these individuals enjoy, and what they do to pass the time in this part of the world.

Exploring Waterfalls

Exploring waterfalls is one of the top pastimes for nature-loving travelers who visit the Carolinas. This part of the world is quieter than the famous waterfalls in upstate New York but also offers more variety.

Most visitors head to the Sliding Rock waterfall because of its impressive geology. However, visitors are also fond of Rainbow and Glass Falls, which also offer a refreshing retreat in the summer months after a long hike.

Of course, temperatures can rise substantially in this part of the world so keeping cool is a priority when traveling in hot weather. Hats, sunscreen, and plenty of water are essential.

Wildlife Watching

The Carolinas are also popular for wildlife watching. People flock to the region to see creatures that aren’t found anywhere else.

Much of the wildlife worth seeing is in the various national parks across the region, like the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. These are popular among tourists looking for wild birds (though the crocodiles can be a risk). Migratory species are the most sought-after sightseeing opportunity, but various shorebirds and waterfowl also call the state home and can sometimes stay year-round.

There’s also the Angel Oak tree which is famous in the area for its beauty and size. It has dozens of twisting branches that wind their way up to the sky.

Kayaking

Some nature lovers also take the opportunity to go kayaking when in the Carolinas. The region is home to some spectacular boating country, especially along the rivers and in the extensive coastal regions. You don’t need your own kayak either – you can find dozens of companies offering them for hire.

The Cape Fear River is a good option for more leisurely travel, despite the name. But if you want something more lively, then the Catawba River is the best bet, getting quieter the further upstream you go.

Hiking

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Then, of course, there are Carolina’s famous hiking routes. These snake their way through the various national parks and mountain ranges, providing something for almost everyone.

Many hikers begin their journeys at the Pisgah National Forest and make their way from there. Then you have those taking on the epic Appalachian Trail which offers a unique route that can take weeks to complete (traveling north or south).

Camping along the route is also possible. Some sites, like the Linville Gorge, offer a fantastic setting for star-gazing.

Fishing

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Finally, many people go to the Carolinas for fishing (and to avoid many of the hot spots, like around Florida). Top destinations include Lake Murray and Lake Norman where boats and guided tours are available close to fishing and tack shops.

How Can You Rejuvenate A Drably-Designed Bedroom?

October 10, 2024 · by munchiesandmunchkins · Leave a Comment

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While it’s true that the term “a woman’s touch” is a little outdated or even sexist at this point – as if men and women can’t both be good or bad at interior design – we still understand what that means. A home that has nice trimmings, is cohesive, and is designed for utility and comfort could be defined this way.

Perhaps you have a drab bedroom and you’re dying out for this kind of touch. But what if you don’t have access to someone with such interior design skills? What small improvements could you make to rejuvenate a drably designed bedroom? What if you want to do that within a certain budget? Are there certain measures to hit straight off and benefit from?

We believe there are a few opportunities to have maximum impact. Let’s discuss what those could be:

Find Great Bedside Tables

A bedside table might not seem glamorous, but you’d be surprised just how much utility and comfort they can add to a bedroom. They can also look wonderful if they’ve been designed with flair such as a glass bedside table. You have a secure place for any jewelry, a mug of tea, your phone and more.

You don’t even need to buy brand-new pieces if you’re on a budget. Thrift stores, online marketplaces, or even DIY options can all be worthwhile to spend time in. We’d recommend going for the best you can afford right now and maintaining them over time.

Add Soft, Calming Lighting

Overhead lights can be harsh in a bedroom, so adding softer lighting options, like lamps or fairy lights, can instantly make a bedroom feel a little more magical, and a rest away from the reality of daily living.

Warm, soft lighting helps you see where you’re going but without straining your eyes if you’re reading or making the space look dingy. Net curtains or blinds can also allow you to let in natural lighting during the day but without giving up your privacy, which is important if you have sight lines into your bedroom, and especially if you have a ground floor bedroom.

Use Natural, But Warm Tones

The best part about designing a bedroom is that because this is a place for comforts and whatever relaxes you, you don’t need to perfect the color scheme. In fact, making it more of a blanker canvas for any kind of bedding color or trimmings you want can be nice. For that reason, designing the wider space with neutral warm tones can be more than enough. This might be off-white or beige wall paint, simple clean carpets, soft white or warm lighting, and tones that help add some depth. This way, if you want a feature wall, a bookshelf filled with random books, or to enjoy wacky sofa trimmings it’ll be fine, and you won’t make the space look too busy.

With this advice, you’ll be certain to rejuvenate a drably designed bedroom for the better and even make it look like a new space entirely.

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