If Only I'd Known About...Part 2

Motherhood by  Stanisław Wyspiański

The second thing I wish I'd known is that breastfeeding does not necessarily come naturally.  You have to learn how to do it, and there are organisations who can help you.  Towards the end of my pregnancy I joined an online birth club - a group of women all due around the same time who could provide advice, support and  shared experiences.  One of the ladies I 'met' there has since started her own blog and campaign to dispel some of the myths surrounding breastfeeding and provide another online community for advice.

You can find her blog here.

If only I'd known about...Part 1

There are many things I know about now that I wish I had known before I got pregnant.

The first is a book called 'The Yummy Mummy Pregnancy Cookbook'. I got a copy of this recently from a library sale (a great way to pick up cheap books - I'm lucky in that my Mum works at a library so I get first choice!)
It provides helpful advice for pregnancy nutrition (including foods to get you through morning sickness), maintaining a healthy weight and recipes that I still use now.  I thoroughly recommend it.

Spicy Lime and Mayo Corn

 Great as a barbecue side, these also make a healthy snack.

We tucked into ours at work!

TO SERVE 6 AS A SNACK

3 Corn Cobs
1 Lime
Mayonnaise
Parmesan Cheese, grated
Cayenne Pepper
Olive Oil, if frying

Cut the cobs in half and boil in water for about 15 - 20 mins.
Remove from the pan and barbecue, grill, or griddle in a little oil until nicely charred or browned.
Drizzle with mayonnaise and sprinkle with finely grated lime zest.  Squeeze over some lime juice and finish with a pinch of cayenne pepper.  Enjoy!

Smiley Orange Jellies

These jellies are very cheap to make and fantastic for packing into a picnic - they sit very well in a tub and you don't need a spoon to eat them!


TO MAKE 20 JELLIES
Takes 30 mins using freezer

5 medium naval oranges           1 x 135g packet orange jelly

Carefully cut the oranges in half and gently squeeze  some of the juice, taking care not to ruin the skin.  Scrape the remaining flesh into a bowl (don't  throw it away - it will go very well in a chocolate pudding or smoothie and you can freeze it!)

Using the orange juice make up the jelly in the microwave using half the liquid recommended on the packet.  If you don't have a microwave you will have to heat the orange juice for it to dissolve the jelly.
Sit the orange skin halves in a muffin tin to keep them steady and pour the jelly in right to the top.

Pop them in the freezer for about 15 mins (or refrigerate for longer) until set.  Trim the orange halves so the skin is level with the jelly, then slice in half again with a sharp knife.  Done!