Monday Musing

The Artidote, painting by Sergio Mora

Unknown Source

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Monday Musing

 Unknown Source

Pinterest

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Porcelain Paper Dolls

When I was little, I used to look forward to Wimbledon every year – Not because I enjoyed tennis, but because my mom did. And the only way she could enjoy the final, without me bothering her, was to distract me with toys. The day before the men’s final, we would visit the toy shop, and I could pick a new toy.  While her and her friends enjoyed the tennis with strawberries and cream, I would sit and play with my new toy.

Paper Dolls were one of my all time favourite toys when I was a little girl. It was so much fun dressing them up in a wide variety of outfits, with an array of shoes and accessories. I remember one Wimbledon, buying a Princess Diana paper doll. I am in no way a royalist, but Lady Di really had some amazing dresses.

The concept stuck with me, and when presenting my designs for my final year fashion show at college, each of my garments had little tabs, which could be placed on my model.

Can you even begin to imagine how frieking excited I was when I stumbled across these absolutely beautiful porcelain paper dolls by Barcelona based artist Sonia Pulido. I love the classic blue and white colours on the ceramics, the pretty floral patterns and the amount of detail on every piece.

All images, Sonia Pulido, Pinterest 

This is truly an adult dream come true!

You can buy these gorgeous dolls in Sonia’s shop, Uhaala.

xxx

Monday Musing

Pinterest

“Whatever we plant in our subconscious mind and nourish with repetition and emotion will one day become reality.”
- Earl Nightingale

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Au Naturel Gin and Juice

The weekend is upon us friends, and despite the short week, I am as relieved as ever!

Being the weekend, I'm sure one or two of you have intentions of kicking back with an alcoholic beverage of sorts.

I have been known to enjoy the odd G&T – Who am I kidding, we have a very special relationship. So I was quite excited when I discovered this recipe for an All Natural Gin and Tonic, on Minimalist Baker  .

What could make these delicious fermented juniper berries combined with something that has the word water in it, more natural, you may ask. Well it turns out that tonic water has a couple of sneaky ingredients which are not necessarily that healthy for you. I also enjoy the idea of knowing exactly what ingredients are in my drink of choice.

Now we could argue about the benefits of quinine or even about the detrimental effects of alcohol, although gin was once a herbal medicine too…Or you could just try this recipe and enjoy a little something different.

Image Minimalist Baker 

ALL NATURAL GIN AND TONICS

Serves: 1

Ingredients

2-3 kumquats (or other citrus*), thinly sliced

1-2 Tbsp sweetener (such as agave nectar, maple syrup, cane sugar, or honey if not vegan)

2 ounces (4 Tbsp) dry gin

Ice

2-3 ounces (4-6 Tbsp) unflavored sparkling or soda water

Instructions

Add kumquats, sweetener and 1/2 ounce gin to a serving glass and muddle to break down sweetener and release citrus juices. Add remaining gin and stir well to combine.

If you’re not into citrus pulp/skin, scoop out or strain the kumquats from the drink. 

Add ice and top off with sparkling water to achieve desired strength of drink. Add 2-3 ounces for a stronger drink, and 3-5 ounces for a weaker drink.

Taste and adjust sweetness and strength as needed. Optional: Garnish with additional kumquat slices. Serve.

Notes

*If subbing lime for kumquats, add 1/2 lime, juiced to the cocktail when sweetening. Then slice the other half for garnish.

Image source unknown

Have a fabulous weekend friends!

xx

Light Lunch

Following on from my Better Breakfasts post, I decided I would post some delicious, healthy lunch options.

Fresh, healthy salads are also a lot more appealing in the warmer, spring weather.

Quinoa Salad with Haloumi and Sweet Potato 

Shades of Cinnamon

Quinoa, pronounced keen-wah.

Nuff said.

Strawberry Arugula Salad

Minimalist Baker

It is becoming more and more common for this gorgeous sweet summer fruit to be used in savoury dishes and salads. It is delicious when paired with soft cheeses, such as Camembert, goats cheese and feta. I must admit, that when I heard about how well strawberries went with Balsamic vinegar I was skeptical, but bless those experimental folk for discovering  this scrumptious complimentary combination of flavours.

Obsessively Good Avocado Cucumber Salad

Smitten Kitchen

If you know me at all, you will no doubt be surprised by the above recipe post. Having spent most of my life claiming a parrot-like allergy to Avocado. It seems that with age I have grown a little more fond of this green-skinned, soft-fleshed fruit. I literally turned 30 a little over a week ago, sprouted grey hair, and started eating avo. 

Quinoa Broccoli Slaw with Honey Mustard Dressing

COOKIE and Kate

Moroccan Chickpea Salad

Lamb's Ears and Honey

I first enjoyed this Moroccan marvel at a braai my bestie and I hosted at the end of summer. She spoke about this salad as if it was the best thing since Betty White, and in my mind there was no way it was going to live up to the hype - I was wrong.

Pickled Cabbage Salad

Smitten Kitchen

Now all I need to master is the discipline to wake up early enough to prepare these guys before work in the morning.

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Better Breakfasts

With the weather getting gradually warmer I feel more inclined to go to the gym. The idea of getting changed into work out clothes is a tiny bit more appealing, and the thought of exercising after work instead of racing home to hibernate seems more doable.

Today is the first time in a very long time (so long I don’t care to mention exactly how long) that I have packed myself a gym bag, and fully intend heading to gym after work.

For some reason working out seems to encourage a few other good habits, one of which is eating better. I have found a couple of delicious, healthy breakfast ideas which I thought I would share with you today.

I am a creature of habit, and can literally eat the same meal daily – besides the ease of not having to have to think of something different, it is convenient and cost effective… However, I must admit that it does eventually become boring.

I have decided I am going to try a few of the below breakfast options over the next couple of weeks.

Most importantly, these breakfasts can be made with ingredients that I have readily available at home, or that can be bought easily without breaking the bank.

Toasted Muesli with Almonds, Coconut and Dark Chocolate

COOKIE and Kate

Tropical Papaya Boats

Minimalist Baker

Healthy Cacao Granola

Shades of Cinnamon 

Strawberry and Goats Cheese Toast

COOKIE and Kate

Healthy 5 Ingredient Granola Bars

Minimalist Baker

Banana Oat Smoothie

Martha Stewart 

Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

Minimalist Baker

To get the full recipe, just click on the link below the picture.

xx

Monday Musing

Pinterest

The Power of Our Words

Our words are our power tools. Each word we use initiates an act of creation and is a thread holding together a part of the fabric of our life. Take one word out of your vocabulary and all the creative power that that word contains evaporates from your life. Take the word "love" out, for example, and everything you understand, know, feel, and experience about "love" would no longer exist.

That's the power of one word.
- Caroline Myss

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