Thursday, August 23, 2012

Shopping List with a Twist

Thursday is my meal planning and shopping day.  I involve Matilda as much as possible while we're out shopping.  I figure if she's not bored she'll be less likely to throw a tantrum.

She helps choose the goodies and puts them into bags...mushrooms take a while as she counts them in one by one!

You'll remember here is where I shared what I take with us to keep her entertained. 

But lately she's been more interested in the shopping list and crossing things off, so I decided to make her own shopping list complete with pictures.

I attach it to a little mdf clipboard from Officeworks and this way she'll learn to match the words and pictures as well as being involved. 





Sunday, August 19, 2012

And the winner is....

Before I announce the winner, I want to say a huge thank you to Hallmark for giving one of my lucky readers the gorgeous Abigail!  She will no doubt be loved by the winners just as she is by us.

I also wanted to say thank you to my beautiful readers for joining me, interacting on the page and for becoming friends.

Lastly (gosh this sounds like an Oscar speech!) a big thank you to my fellow bloggers who have shared this competition and supported my page, just a few of these beautiful women are and in no particular order, the lovely Kell from Mad Mummas Sweet Randoms, Allison from Utterly Organised: Business + Lifestyle + Events and Annaleis from Teapots and Tractors.  Having support when we are little fish in a big pond is so appreciated.

And the lucky reader is...

Jessie Hay
I love 'Guess How Much I Love You' because my boys love having it read to them. :)

Congratulations Jessie!

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Five Minutes With...

Welcome to a new series I'm introducing.  Five Minutes With... is where I'll be interviewing fantastic Mums, they might be bloggers, Mumpreneurs, stay at home Mums. 

We'll get an insight into their busy lives in five minutes and five questions.


The first Five Minutes With...is with Michelle Olden from Hit Nitz 4 6.  Michelle is a finalist in this years AusMumpreneur Awards. 

Michelle is a Mum of 2 and until 2 years ago worked in Real Estate.  Hit Nitz 4 6 was developed by Michelle and friend Melissa Barrett with Gaby Bracks completing the team of amazing Mumpreneurs.  Wow, what a team, a Real Estate Agent, Nurse Practitioner and Lawyer!



Successful time management, being a Mum, wife and Entrepreneur, how do you do it?
I am able to work school hours which allows me to take and collect my children from school. If my children are sick I can take them to work with me or I have the flexibility to have a day off. I also have a very supportive husband who is home quite a lot so it really isn’t that hard.

You are happiest when? 

I get an email from a parent saying how thankful they are after using our product. Many parents get so anxious over continuous head lice infestations.

Where do you see Hit Nitz 4 6 in the next 5 years?

I am hoping that Hit Nitz 4 6 will be a household name and available readily in every pharmacy in every town and city.
 

What's in your handbag? 
A lot! Purse, phone, pens, business cards, nail file, head band, sugarfree lollies and paw paw cream.

What separates you from other lice treatment business'?
Our products are natural and gentle, do not have a strong smell and require no combing. Our products are safe to use on all ages. Our active ingredient Artemisia Annua (wormwood) is not found in any other head lice products.


 

Thanks to Michelle and good luck in the Awards

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

800 likers and a Giveaway

Wow I'm so excited to have reached another goal in my blog journey ~ 800 likers!  Thank you x

Thanks to the lovely people at Hallmark, one lucky Because Everything Counts reader has the chance to win this gorgeous prize!

You might remember I won an Abigail the interactive bunny recently thanks to Edan Rose and when she arrived we were instantly in love! 



Abigail and The Balance Beam was an huge hit that night at story time.  She is cute and cuddly and oh such a delight!  Matilda's Daddy thought she was pretty funny too. 

Story time is such an important part of our night time routine with either myself or hubby reading to Matilda.


As you read, Abigail responds to specific lines in the book, her little voice and laughter is infectious, and the story itself is kind.

We've since bought two more books; Abigail & The Tea Party and Abigail & The Lost Purse.  We haven't read anything else since!  She's definitely Matilda's new best friend.

Abigail also has a free app for iPhone and iPad users!



To enter, tell me what is your favourite children's book?

Giveaway details

The Giveaway will run here on the Because Everything Counts blog page.
It will run from Wednesday 15 August 2012 and end 8pm (WST) Sunday 20 August 2012.

Entry is open to Australian residents.  One entry per person. The winner who has met the requirements will be chosen via random.org


How to Enter


To enter you must be a liker of the Because Everything Counts Facebook page.

Please leave your answer below and include your full name. Good luck xx




Monday, August 13, 2012

Menu Monday

Something new and exciting happening for BEC is a collaboration with The Sewing Sisterhood

The Sewing Sisterhood (TSS) is a gorgeous group of women I'm proud to be a part of.  They are amazing, creative and inspiring women.  They all craft or sew, many have home based businesses based around their craftiness. I'm so lucky to have a few TSS creations in our home.

Each week I'll be sharing my meal plan here, and then featuring two recipes on The Sewing Sisterhood blog.

Sooo, this week begins with;

Thursday ~ Stroganoff made from half of last weeks Beef Bourguignon with Chive Dumplings

Friday ~ Chinese takeaway

Saturday ~ Goulash

Sunday ~ Chilli Mussels with fresh crusty bread

Monday ~ Roast Pumpkin Pasta

Tuesday ~ Pan roasted chicken thigh with Skordalia

Wednesday ~ Date night

I'll be sharing the Beef Bourguignon with Chive Dumplings and the Pan Roasted Chicken Thigh with Skordalia over at The Sewing Sisterhood blog.

If you love handmade you're going to love TSS!




Saturday, August 11, 2012

Beef Bourguignon with Chive Dumplings

I featured Beef Bourguignon with Chive Dumplings here in my sample meal plan.  One of my lovely readers Lisa requested the recipe and here it is....

The dumplings are super easy to make and are a great alternative to mash.

The recipe sounds big because a half portion is used for another meal ~ Beef Stroganoff.  You could just freeze the other portion and use it later.

Beef Bourguignon with Chive Dumplings
Prep 20 mins Cook 2hrs 10mins

2 tablespoons olive oil
1.5kg diced beef chuck steak
20g shortcut rindless bacon, halved lengthwise, cut into 1cm strips
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped (I use minced garlic from the jar)
3 medium brown onions, quartered
1 cup red wine
1/2 cup bef stock
1 tablespoon tomato paste
300g button mushrooms, halved

1. Heat half the oil in a large heavy-based, flameprof casserole dish over medium-high heat.  Cook beef in batches for 5 to 6 minutes or until browned.  Transfer to a bowl.

2. Reduce heat to medium.  Heat remaining oil in dish.  Add bacon and garlic.  Cook stiring for 5 minutes or until bacon is golden.

3. Return beef and juices to dish.  Add onion and wine.  Bring to the boil.  Add stock and paste.  Bring to the boil.  Reduce heat to low.  Simmer, covered for 1 hour and 15 minutes.  Reserve half the beef for Beef Stroganoff.

4. Add mushrooms, cook covered for a further 15 minutes or until meat and mushrooms are tender.  Season with salt and pepper.


Chive dumplings

1 cup self raising flour
50g butter, softened
2 teaspoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/2 cup buttermilk (I use regular milk)

Place flour in a bowl.  Using fingertips, rub butter into flour until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.  Make a well in the centre of mixture.  Add chives, parsley and buttermilk.  Season with salt and pepper.  Stir until just combined.  Place heaped tablespoons of mixture 2cm apart onto beef mixture.  Cook covered for a further 15 minutes or until dumplings are puffed and cooked through.  Enjoy!