My Life is Brilliant

Mothers united across the world ....

so i have been pondering my position in life over the past week. I feel like i have ALOT on my plate ... and alot of that is due to the busyness of our growing family. Just when i think it cannot get busier ... it DOES! As the girls are getting older their lives are getting busier ... therefore my life is getting busier.

A friend told me something today that really hit home. We were talking about motherhood and how it changes your life ... and she said (something like this - not word for word) "Nothing can change you like when you become a mother ... nothing prepares you for the changes that will come in your life ... God really teaches us some things that he could never do if we were not mothers ... how we feel about our kids is just how God feels about us. When we give them boundaries or take a treat from them because they don't deserve it is exactly how the Lord must feel with us ... when we are not on track, he has to withhold blessings" anyway ... it really struck with me ... that these things i am learning about myself and my family would not be happening if i were not blessed with this incredible job of being a mother. Hard as it may be sometimes ... it is shaping and changing me into a better person ... i am greatful!

So as i am busy making dinner tonight and also whipping up a batch of (low fat) muffins ... i deceided that i need to share some of my mothering journey with my other "mother" friends around the world. Those that don't know me ... i LOVE to eat, and hence i love to cook (because i love eating GOOD FOOD) so i am going to start sharing some of my favourite recipes on here ... once i week (at least) i will post a recipe! This was inspired tonight as i was making "low fat" double chocolate banana muffins.

Our family have decided to have a healthier diet. We generally eat pretty well, but we have decided that during the working/school week we are trying to look after our bodies and fill up on good food. Then the weekends become "treat" nights ... and then we appreciate them.

So i got Alison Holst's Low Fat Muffin book out tonight and made these ... i have not tried one yet, but i did photograph them (and i will attempt to photograph meals in the future ... i always like to see what i am eating) a tip i have found if you want to keep the muffins fresh, or for quick lunch box filling in the morning ... wrap half of the batch in gladwrap individually and then into a plastic bag into the freezer ... then you can just take out what you need when you need them. Also i find the lower-fat foods do not tend to stay as fresh for long ... so it helps them go the distance and stay tasting good to freeze them fresh!

Double Chocolate and Banana Muffins (Alison Holst)

1 cup mashed bananas

1/4 - 1/2 cup canola oil

3/4 cup lite milk (or skim milk)

1 large egg

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups self raising flour

2 Tbls cocoa

1/2 -3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking soda

Pre-heat oven to 210 degrees C. Mix all 5 wet ingredients together in a jug. In another bowl mix 6 dry ingredients together. Make a well in the middle and pour wet ingredients into dry ... using a large metal spoon carefully fold the ingredients together ... BE CAREFUL NOT TO OVER MIX as your muffins will get tough. The mixture should just combine until there is no dry ingredients left.

Spoon into muffins trays (i did 12 regular size this time)

bake for 15 mins approx until the centres spring back

(i used the lower side of the oil and sugar ... will let you know if the taste is good)

So i hope to share more of my "mothering" side with you from now on ... and i hope that anyone stopping by that has any great ideas leaves comments or can add to any idea, tip ... whatever! its all about sharing the love. And this job can sometimes be pretty hard work. We have to stick together and help each other along the way!

I hope you have a fabulous week ... I am changing a few things around, so i have more time to keep on top of things and keep my house running smoothly! lol!

so hope to check in again before the end of the week .... i am teaching Heidi's Remember book class tomorrow ... should be fun!

of course i will give you a muffin rating! wink!

have to laugh ... if you look at the (before) cooking muffin photo ... since getting home from china, gianna pulls the cheesy chinese pose every time i take her photo! isn't it so funny ... i guess i must have done it ALOT in my chinese photos ... its addictive!