A Big Thanks to Our Very Best Friends

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A Big Thanks to Our Very Best Friends

A Big Thanks to Our Very Best Friends

To our forever hype girls who we couldn’t live without.

Thank You for…

The Effort

Thanks for driving miles to our house, not mentioning the mess or smell, always bringing cake, and washing up your own cup.

The Memes

Thanks for communicating with us via memes and not being pissed that we haven’t messaged you back in weeks.

The Lies

Thanks for saying we looked nice when we were wearing a sick-covered sack and hadn’t brushed our hair.

The Empathy

Thanks for not complaining that we never ask how you are when you call.

The Inclusivity

Thanks for always inviting us, even though we never actually come. And on the rare occasions we do – not being mad if we leave by 9pm.

The Validation

Thanks for letting us blabber on about our kids for the duration of dinner and then messaging to say you “had the best time!”.

The Understanding

Thanks for letting us be MIA. Under the dark circles and our milk-stained clothing, we’re still in there and promise we’ll be back.

Recipe of the week: Spiced Salmon Traybake

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Recipe of the week: Spiced Salmon Traybake

Recipe of the week: Spiced Salmon Traybake

Ingredients

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp honey
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
2 garlic cloves crushed
2 wild-caught salmon fillets skin on
200 g baby new potatoes
Pinch of sea salt

For the green goddess dressing

1 avocado diced
2 tbsp coconut yoghurt
1 small bunch basil (about 25g)
Juice of ½ lemon
Pinch of sea salt

To serve

2 large handfuls of rocket (arugula)
60 g organic sheep’s feta (or dairy-free alternative), cubed
2 tsp sesame seeds

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a large baking tray with plastic-free baking parchment.

2. To marinate the salmon, place 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a small jug with the honey, cumin, paprika and garlic and whisk to combine. Place the salmon in a shallow dish, drizzle with the marinade and turn to coat. Set aside.

3. Spread the potatoes evenly on the prepared tray. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil, sprinkle with the salt and roast for 20 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, make the green goddess dressing. Place the avocado, coconut yoghurt, basil, lemon juice and salt in a food processor and process until smooth. Set aside.

5. Remove the potatoes from the oven, add the salmon fillets and drizzle with any marinade left in the dish. Return to the oven for 10-12 minutes, or

Watch how to make it…

Recipe of the Week: Chocolate and Avocado Mousse

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Recipe of the Week: Chocolate and Avocado Mousse

Recipe of the Week: Chocolate and Avocado Mousse

We’ve partnered with Zenia Deogan, Nutritionist and Chef @thesensorykitchen to create some super easy, super speedy recipes of the week.

Chocolate mousse done right! Whizz up a healthy, yet indulgent and silky mousse in minutes with this easy-peasy recipe!

Ingredients (makes 4 glasses)

1 medium ripe avocado
2 bananas
1 can coconut milk
2 tbsp good quality cocoa
4tsp honey/maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla essence
Raspberries/strawberries/pomegranate – any gorgeous fruit that’s not going to let this lovely pot of joy down!

How to make it:

Blitz all ingredients in a blender and just make it look pretty with fruit of your choice. Store in the fridge for at least 1 hour before serving – enjoy!

10 Things New Mums Shouldn’t Worry About

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10 Things New Mums Shouldn’t Worry About

10 Things New Mums Shouldn’t Worry About

It’s another of those undeniable truths no one tells you until you’re pregnant: the minute those two blue lines appear you’ll start to experience a low-level anxiety that lasts for the rest of your parenting life. Becoming a mum can feel totally overwhelming at times, and it’s easy to obsess over the smallest of details. So save some time (and a little piece of your sanity) by checking off the stuff you really don’t need to worry about…

Not Knowing What The F* To Do

Repeat after us: I WILL KNOW WHAT TO DO. Yep, even if the total sum of your parenting experience thus far was holding your mates’ baby while she went for a wee, or 15 minutes of hide and seek with a mildly bearable four-year-old one Christmas. How will you know when to feed them? What if they are too hot/cold? What if you’re so knackered that you don’t hear them cry in the night? Right now the fact you’ll be allowed to leave the hospital with a tiny human and no previous experience makes zero sense… but trust us when we talk about instinct. Nobody knows your baby better than you do, and you’ll be an amazing mum.

Keeping Your House Clean

For the first two weeks your house will feel like Euston Station; a constant stream of family and friends all wanting to meet your brand-new bundle of joy and hear you tell birth story for the seventh time that morning. Lovely yes, but also really annoying, especially when you’re knackered and learning how to breastfeed. When you finally get five minutes to yourself spend it showering, sleeping or going to the toilet in peace. Not hoovering, not washing-up, and not putting the bins out. Oh, and send your dirty clothes to your mother-in-law.

Not Reading Enough Baby Books

Spoiler alert: your baby can’t read, so they don’t have a clue that Gina Ford says they should be sleeping 7pm-7am by 12 weeks old. Nor did they get the memo about being ‘happy’ or ‘contented’. Throw the book in the bin. We mean it.

Other People’s Opinions

Everyone has one and they won’t hold back, from your well-meaning mum to the old lady in Boots who tells you she doesn’t like the name. The health visitor hates the Sleepyhead, your auntie thinks babies sleep better on their fronts, someone at Baby Sensory doesn’t do dummies; people will be desperate to share what they’d do differently. Save yourself some time and ignore all unsolicited advice. Just smile, nod, and do whatever you think is best.

How You Should Feed Your Baby

This is a biggie. Nothing divides opinion more than breast Vs bottle, and nothing causes more mum-guilt, heartache or emotional strain. Your baby needs feeding, and as long as you’re not taking them to McDonalds for a happy meal at two weeks old, just how you do that is your decision and yours alone. Make your choice and feel good about it. You’re doing great.

Losing the Baby Weight

For us, the most effective way of getting past a post-partum body wobble is always this: whenever you feel a negative thought about your bod, pick up your baby. Look at their nose, their tiny hands and feet, their beautiful long eyelashes. You made those. Your body grew them from scratch. Nothing could be more amazing so eat the cake and give yourself a break.

Hitting Milestones

All babies are different and while it’s good to have a rough idea of where they should be, your baby doesn’t know they should be sitting up at six months. They’ll do it when they’re good and ready, so try not to compare to other kids or waste time worrying about why they aren’t walking yet. It’ll come.

Making Friends

Parenting is an amazing leveller; you’ll never struggle to start a conversation again. Find your tribe, whether that’s at NCT, a TMC event or even online. Even having one other mum to text during the 3am feed is a huge help… and if you’re really stuck, there are apps that can hook you up with someone to do exactly that.

Losing Who You Are

Becoming a parent changes your life; drastically at first. But after a while you’ll reach a new normal and find that you’re still you. With a bit of planning, you can party again, go to the gym, or wander around the shops for two hours without a pram. Your ambition’s still there and your career too; you can still feel attractive and be a good friend. Take the time to take care of yourself and you’ll be a better parent because of it, we promise.

Changing the Nappy Immediately

Now there’s a blue line that doesn’t have to change everything. Completely unnecessary. Unless it’s a poo.