Saturday, March 30, 2013

Happy Easter...

Shared by Rebecca U at 9:59 AM 0 comments

I hope you all have a lovely Easter with your friends and family. I just wanted to share a quick video that I found really moving, remembering the original and real reason for us having the days off work and all the chocolate!

Please enjoy and share... x

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Tried & Tested: Blondies

Shared by Rebecca U at 10:36 AM 4 comments
Tried & Tested: White Chocolate Brownies (aka Blondies)

I am going to start doing a few posts on here where I have tried out and tested finds on Pinterest. There is a brilliant website here about Pinterest fails that is a crack up to read and gave me the idea. You see all of these brilliant posts and ideas (I am probably just mean but surely some people just have too much time on their hands?!) so I will put on here things that I have tried that have actually worked and my recommendations for them. You can then pin to your boards too :)

The hubs loves white chocolate so I originally made them for him as a treat. We recently had a recipe swap at church and I asked him what I should take. He immediately said blondies - they must have been pretty good then ;) he especially liked the white chocolate chunks in them.

The original link and recipe is here. I would alter the cooking time though, depending on how you like your brownies. I like them kind of gooey. If you do too, I would recommend taking them out 5 minutes earlier than the recipe states otherwise they are quite cake-like.

They are easy to make and a nice alternative to regular brownies. I think adding chopped nuts, like walnuts, would be a nice addition too.






Sunday, March 24, 2013

BiB Awards

Shared by Rebecca U at 2:37 PM 5 comments
It's that time again where I am shamelessly asking for your help in nominating me for the BiB Awards (Brilliance in Blogging), in association with BritMums.

NOMINATE ME BiB 2013 FAMILY


They have been running for a few years and there are 16 categories that you can nominate in. I think I would best fit into Lifestyle and Family but do nominate under whichever category you think this little old blog fits.

NOMINATE ME BiB 2013 LIFESTYLE


I have really enjoyed relaunching my blog this year and would love to be recognised for it. It is something that I love to do and I enjoy being part of a blogging Mum network. I am just happy though that there are people that want to read my ramblings! I appreciate all of your support.

You can nominate here

Info to help you nominate, if you don't know it all already -
Blog Name: All about U
Blog URL: http://all-about-u-blog.blogspot.com
Twitter ID: @rebecca_aau
Email: allaboutublog@gmail.com

Thank you so much x




Thursday, March 21, 2013

Stay in Touch...

Shared by Rebecca U at 3:41 PM 1 comments
If the rumours are true and Google Reader and GFC are going then please stay in touch by following my blog on BlogLovin' - I have transferred all of the blogs I follow by GFC to BlogLovin', its really hassle free to do.

My link is here: http://www.bloglovin.com/allaboutublog

I am also on Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Google+ and HelloCotton

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

The winner is...

Shared by Rebecca U at 8:12 AM 0 comments
... Gillian Holmes!

I have messaged you on Twitter but thought I'd post it here too to let everyone know you won. Please email allaboutublog@gmail.com or message me on Twitter with your address.

Thank you to everyone that has entered! If you would like to try the product Alokui anyway, you can buy it here - it is a brilliant product.

The winner was chosen using random.org


Monday, March 18, 2013

Smoothies, Veggies & Thickies...

Shared by Rebecca U at 9:48 AM 2 comments
I have been juicing recently, having one for breakfast, one for lunch and then a healthy dinner. I wanted to share some of my favourite recipes that I have been using...

Blueberry & Oats Thickie:


You will need:

- Punnet of blueberries
- 1 cup natural yoghurt
- 2 apples or 1 mango, juiced
- 1/2 cup oats

Simple blend it all together until smooth. I find that this one, because of the oats, is quite filling. A good one for breakfast to keep you going. Its about 5 or 6 weight watchers points a portion depending on what yoghurt you use and if you put more oats in or not.



Raspberry Peach Smoothie:

You will need:

- punnet of raspberries
- 2 peaches
- 2 apples, juiced
- 250ml natural yoghurt

Again, just blend all together. This one is really yummy and refreshing. I have tried both tinned and fresh peaches for this and both taste good so up to you. Just get the tinned peaches in juice rather than syrup if you are watching your calories.This one is about 3 or 4 weight watchers points, depending what yoghurt you use.



Beetroot Veggie:

You will need:

- 2 apples, juiced
- 1 carrot, chopped
- 2 whole beetroot (not the pickled kind!!)
- 1 stick of celery

Blend it all together! This does actually taste really good, just be brave and taste it and then you will want to finish the rest. This is a ZERO weight watchers point recipe so you can have lots and lots.



Home-made Green 'Naked' Juice:

I saw a great recipe on Barefoot Blonde with a great recipe to make your own 'Naked' juice, the green one. I am seriously hooked on this!



You will need:

- 2 apples, juiced
- handful of pineapple
- 2 handfuls of spinach
- 1 banana
- 1 kiwi
- 1 mango
- some root ginger

Blend it all together - this is seriously yum and so good for you. I didn't add the root ginger to mine as I'm not a massive fan. But to me it tasted so yum anyway. This one is also a ZERO weight watchers point recipe - result!

Happy juicing!

Friday, March 15, 2013

Recents...

Shared by Rebecca U at 8:45 AM 2 comments
My view on a miserable morning run

How to make shopping with a little one bearable

He seriously loved the steering wheel

Loving smoothies right now - recipes to come!




Fascinated by his cousins little Dyson

Just chillin' at Costco


Birthday cake for my brother-in-law

New Nails

Tuna Nicoise

Cheeky Face

                
His best MJ impersonation... He is such a crack up






Trout Pout


Boy talk
And snap, the jobs a game... helping with laundry

Little charity 5k run



Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Homemade Pizza...

Shared by Rebecca U at 11:13 AM 6 comments

Having a bit of a health kick at the moment and a husband that doesn't really need to (or won't to) watch his calorie intake, I have been needing to think of some foods that we can both eat. Having to prepare two different meals can be very annoying (not to mention costly and time-wasting) so I recently found a recipe that is a healthy amount of calories, for me, but isn't short on taste, for him. Pizza! The name might deceive you but if you make the base and know what goes in and on it, then you can make it as healthy or not, as you want.

Don't let making your own dough put you off - it really is simple. Give it a go and then you'll be wondering why you haven't been making your own dough all along.

All you need to do to is:

- Measure out 250g bread flour into a bowl (I used wholemeal flour) and mix it with 1 tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp fast-action yeast.
- Mix 125ml warm water with 30ml olive oil in a separate jug, then add to the flour mixture to make a soft but not sticky dough. Add more water if you need to.
- Knead for 10 minutes if by hand or about 5 mins if using a dough hook.
- Roll out the dough as flat as you can and out on a baking or pizza tray.
- Cover the dough loosely with cling-film, but make sure its still air tight.
- Leave in a warm, but not hot place for 30-40 minutes.

Heat the oven to 220 c (425 f) or gas mark 7. Roll out the dough a bit more to knock some air out and prick some holes in the dough with a fork. Then add a sauce and any toppings you like!


I blended up some tomatoes and spread that on top as the base. I then added some light mozzarella, parma ham, quartered figs and topped with rocket once it was cooked - yum!

Some other toppings you could try are:

- Courgettes and feta with hummus as the base 
- Sliced sausages, red onion and peppers on a tomato base
- BBQ sauce base with shredded chicken and cheese
- Tuna, red onion and sweetcorn





Sunday, March 10, 2013

Tiny Dancer...

Shared by Rebecca U at 4:41 PM 1 comments
My little pickle loves music and a good boogie. He does get rather camera shy though and as soon as I get the camera out he stops dancing. I managed to get a quick vid of him giving a twirl to his current favourite jam 'Gangnam Style'. Sorry, its the best I have been able to get. Really.

He is so cute to watch but I do hope his taste in music improves...


 


Thursday, March 7, 2013

Sister Sister

Shared by Rebecca U at 8:23 AM 1 comments
I love my sisters. I have three. They are my favourite people. They are my besties. 

I miss hanging out with them all the time like we used to, but a few weeks ago my baby sis came to stay for the weekend. She was in need of some cheering up so a girlie shopping trip to Westfield was on the cards.

We had such a fun day and I was always in stitches of laughter - she is seriously funny. We got asked if we were twins while we were out too - hoping that means I look 18??

If you can't take a selfie and pout with your sister, when can you?

I really don't know what was going on with my fringe that day...

Monday, March 4, 2013

Alokui : Giveaway

Shared by Rebecca U at 4:49 PM 200 comments

I have been recommended this skin cream to try so I thought I would review it for you lovely lot and give you the chance to win some so you can try it for yourself.

Alokui cream has several purposes and functions. It works as a moisturiser, repair cream, protection cream and a soothing cream. It is all natural, fragrance-free and free from parabans so safe for all the family to use. (It does have KuKui Nut Oil in it though so those with nut allergies should be careful when using it).

The KuKui Nut Oil in the cream, has been long used in beauty products for its beneficial effects on various skin conditions. What is different about this cream is that the KuKui nut oil is mixed with Aloe Vera, Allantoin and Wheat Germ Oil.

The cream feels non-greasy and really absorbs into the skin well, leaving my skin feeling silky. It helps to rejuvenate and protect the skin. (I have even used it on my little one as a nappy cream and it is really good - it heals well and unlike sudocrem, which acts as a barrier cream, it still helps the nappy do its thing and not leak everywhere).

The Aloe Vera in the cream is used for treating various skin conditions such as eczema and burns. It helps to destroy bacteria that try to invade cuts or open wounds. It is also great for preventing ageing of the skin and provides the skin with nutrients and vitamins such as vitamins E & C. So a must have for older skin and even for taking on holiday to keep your skin moisturised and help good ol' sunburn!

I would recommend it to help skin with any of the following:

- Stretch Marks
- Dryness
- Burns
- Eczema
- Wrinkles
- Nappy Rash
- Dermatitis
- Psoriasis

Now to the GIVEAWAY! I have one 250ml pump bottle of Alokui up for grabs (RRP over £15) + a bonus surprise!

Here is how you could win:

For 1 Main Entry:

- You must be a GFC follower of this blog (click the blue 'join this site' button on the left) AND leave a comment on this post, telling me what you look for in a new skin product.

For up to 5 additional entries: (To qualify for additional entries, you have to have completed the main entry. For all of the additional entries, please leave a separate comment on this post for each you have done / already were doing).

- Follow @rebecca_aau on Twitter here
- Follow @Alokui on Twitter here
- Follow all or some of my Pinterest boards here
- Tweet about the giveaway - ' I have entered a  to  Alokui Skin Repair Cream with All about U Blog   '
- Make a Facebook status about the giveaway, linking to this blog and mentioning Alokui

If you don't win, you can buy Alokui here and you will soon be able to purchase on eBay.

The giveaway will close at midnight, two weeks from today, on Monday 18th March and the winner will be chosen using random.org. Due to the nature of this product and customs, it is for UK residents over 18 only, very sorry. I will do an international giveaway soon.


Good luck x


Lemon Meringue Cupcakes...

Shared by Rebecca U at 1:05 PM 3 comments
It was recently my mother-in-laws birthday so one of the usual gifts we give, is a cake / dessert of some kind (my husband is one of 5 boys so lets face it, she's not going to get a birthday cake unless she makes it herself). 

His side of the family can be a little fussy with their eating and desserts and aren't too bothered about chocolate cakes or cheesecake (?!?) I made a vanilla and white chocolate cake last year so I was browsing Pinterest for some inspiration. I saw a recipe idea for Lemon Meringue cake that I adapted to cupcakes. I saw Phil Vickery make his version of Lemon Meringue cupcakes on 'This Morning' only a few days after so they must be the thing at the moment. (Everyone probably wanting to will on Spring)!

Here is the recipe so you can give them ago - they went down really well!

What you will need to make 12-16 cupcakes:

- 80g unsalted butter, softened
- 280g caster sugar
- 240g plain flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsb salt
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 eggs
- 240ml milk (either whole or semi-skimmed)

For the Frosting: (You could use this meringue frosting recipe or just use egg white and sugar for a regular meringue recipe)

- 200g caster sugar
- 4 egg whites
- Lemon Curd

What to do:

1. Heat the oven to 190 degrees C (375F, Gas mark 5). Get you muffin tins out and line with muffin cases.
2. Beat together the butter, sugar, flour, baking powder, salt and lemon zest until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and milk together. Pour this onto the dry ingredients, a little bit at a time. Mix together until the batter is smooth.
4. Spoon batter into the muffin cases so each one is about two thirds full. Bake in the oven for 18-20 minutes, until they are risen and springy to the touch. Cook on a wire rack.
5. Make the frosting by putting the sugar into a saucepan and cover with water (about 150ml) and bring to the boil. While that is coming tot he boil, whisk the egg whites until foamy.
6. Let the sugar water mixture to boil for 5-10 minutes. Increase the mixer speed to medium and pour the sugar on to the egg whites 0 be very careful, the sugar will be really, really hot.
7. Keep whisking until the bowl feels lukewarm and the meringue should have quadrupled in size and be very white, smooth and shiny.
8. When the cupcakes are completely cool, hollow out a hole in the cupcakes, with a sharp knife, and spoon in some lemon curd in each. 
9. Top the cupcakes with the meringue and use a pallet knife or teaspoon to swirl the frosting to resemble the top of a lemon meringue pie.
10. If you have a cooks blowtorch , blast each cupcake for a few seconds. If not, pop them under the grill for a little bit until they are browned slightly. Watch them all the time - this can happen very quick and you don't want them to burn.

Enjoy!



#SilentSunday

Shared by Rebecca U at 8:44 AM 0 comments



Silent Sunday
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