5 minutes just for me

Pinning & Singing Linky party ~ Back to School!

2012-01-24T23:59:00.000+10:00

Hello friends and welcome to a very late Pinning and Singing Pinterest Party! I am so sorry I am so late in posting this but with a new school term starting for the kids and for me this last week has been chaotic! Big Al started Middle School today and Maddy starts Senior School tomorrow....my babies are getting older!

Last week I found a little bit of time to visit my favourite online relation spot....Pinterest! I pinned lots of back-to-school ideas and I found lots of great inspiration for the classroom and home!

Source: experiencesteachingabroad.blogspot.com via Natasha on Pinterest

Source: 29.media.tumblr.com via Natasha on Pinterest

Source: rebeccacooper.blogspot.com via Natasha on Pinterest

Source: chickabug.com via Natasha on Pinterest

Source: vol25.typepad.com via Natasha on Pinterest

Source: imom.com via Natasha on Pinterest

Source: eatingwell.com via Natasha on Pinterest

Source: athomewithrealfood.blogspot.com via Natasha on Pinterest

I have also been watching what I eat and I have been keeping up with counting my calories, exercising as often as possible and maintaining a healthy diet.

Last week I created a new and delicious recipe for a lentil salad that was inspired by two recipes that I had pinned last year.

Source: kitchenconfidante.com via Natasha on Pinterest

Source: mynewroots.blogspot.com via Natasha on Pinterest

My version was a combination of both recipes and was a hit with everyone in the family!

Summery Lentil Salad

Ingredients:
2 cups Du Puy lentils or one can of lentils
1 medium red onion, diced
1 cup dried cranberries (craisins)

Vinaigrette:
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp. maple syrup
1 Tbsp. dijon mustard
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. turmeric
1/2 tsp. ground coriander
½ tsp ground cardamom
¼ tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
Salt & Pepper to taste

I also added fresh flat-leaf parsley and coriander (cilantro), chopped carrots, chopped celery, chopped green beans and halved cherry tomatoes.

Directions:
1. If cooking lentils from scratch then rinse lentils well and then drain. Place in a pot and cover with water, bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. They should be cooked after 20 minutes but just keep checking so you don't overcook them.
2. While the lentils are simmering, make the dressing by placing all ingredients in a bowl, jar, tupperware container etc and shake to combine.
3. When the lentils are cooked, remove from heat, drain and place under cold running water to stop the cooking process. Once cooled slightly but still a little warm, place lentils in a large serving bowl and toss with dressing.
4. Add the onion and craisins and any other salad ingredients in a bowl. If using canned lentils, drain and rinse and add to the bowl. Mix everything together and serve straight away!

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This salad is delicious on a hot summer's day and it tasted just as delicious the next day!

Don't you love salads in Summer!

Now, since this weekly party is all about pinning and singing, I thought I'd share a song that is all about summer Down Under!!

So, have you been pinning away on Pinterest this week? Have you posted any songs on your blog lately? I would love it if you could share your favourite pins, a musical post or a bit of both with me at this week's

Pinning & Singing Pinterest Party!

If you would like to link up a post, old or new, about your favourite song (or any other music that you have blogged about) and/or your favourite Pins from Pinterest to my Pinning and Singing Pinterest Party, just add the url of your particular blog post that you would like us to visit to the Linky tool below.

You can link up posts about Pinterest, posts that include pinterest pictures,

posts about projects you have completed that were inspired by pinterest,

you can link up posts about your favourite songs

or you can link up a post about singing and pinning!

Feel free to grab the code for the Pinning & Singing on the Weekend button and add that to your post so that your readers might be able to find other bloggers who love Pinterest and Music as much as we do.

Thanks so much for joining in and linking up! Don't forget to come back later and visit some of the lovely pinners who have linked up!

Thanks also to the lovely ladies who are hosting these fabulous parties this week:

Tempt My Tummy; Tasty Tuesday;Totally Tasty Tuesdays; Tasty Tuesday; Wow Me; Show and Share; Whatever Goes Wednesday; This Chick Cooks; Foodie Friday; Courtney (Feathered Nest Friday), At the Picket Fence (Inspiration Friday) , Holly (Tickled Pink), Cindy (Show and Tell Friday), Home Sweet Home with Sherry, Fridays Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense, Pink Saturday with Beverly, Fabulous Friday; Strut your Stuff Saturday; Flaunt it Friday; Everything but the Kitchen Sink Party; Feature Friday; Feature Yourself Friday; Free for All Friday; Weekend wander; Show & Tell Saturday; Serenity Saturday; Once upon a Weekend; Saturday show Off; Saturday Seven; Sunday Blog Love; Sunday Linky Party Sundae Scoop; More the Merrier Monday; Met Monday; Creative Bloggers party; Making The World Cuter Mondays; Market Yourself Monday;Rook no.17; Take it on Tuesday; One Project at a Time; Wow Me Wednesday; Show & Tell; Pinterest Favourites; Whatever Wednesday; Anything Goes Linky party; Simply Link Party;

By the way, if you would like an invitation to join Pinterest please let me know! Just email me and I will send you an invite so you can join in with all the pinning fun!

Also, in case you hadn't heard, I have created a central list of Pinning Bloggers so we can all find each other's Pinterest pages more easily. It is called....

The Pinning Bloggers Master List.

If you would like to add your name to the Pinning Blogger's Master List just click the button below:

Take care and I hope you all have a fabulous, healthy and fun week! To everyone going back to school, good luck and have a great year!

Best wishes,

Natasha

Pinterest Party announcement & Favourite Photos Friday!

2012-01-20T17:03:00.002+10:00

Hello sweet bloggy friends! Thanks so very much for stopping by today. I am so sorry I haven't been by to visit this week but I have had the busiest week and am not quite sure if I am coming or going! I am doing a term's teaching contract and have been doing lots of planning and preparation over the last 4 days. I have also been helping my kids get ready for school which starts back next week after 6 wonderful weeks of summer vacation. I can see that this term is going to be a crazy one!

That's why I have decided that it's going to be way too difficult to have my Pinning & Singing post ready by Fridays so from today I will be having a weekly Friday photo dump on Fridays and will have my weekly Pinning & Singing party ready on Saturdays. I sure do hope you will be able to join me on the weekend from now on!

Don't forget that you can link up any posts that feature your favourite Pinterest Pins, projects that you have completed that were inspired by Pinterest or posts that feature your favourite music.

In the meantime, here's a week in pictures thanks to Instagram!

Since life has been crazy this week I have needed to make lots of healthy and quick dinners:

Cucumber Salad.

Smoked Salmon Pasta

I've had no time for gardening this week.

Thank goodness succulents don't need any attention!

I've discovered a new candle and I'm in love!

My sweet niece Maisie is growing right before my eyes! Isn't she an angel!

Linking up with:

IPhoneography

InstaFriday

a good life

Favorite Photo Friday

Well, it's 5PM so it's time for a Friday night wine! Hope you all have a great Friday and I will see you tomorrow for this weekend's Pinning party!

Best wishes always,

Natasha

Pinning & Singing on the Weekend Linky Party ~ Healthy Foodie Friday!

2012-01-15T23:59:00.009+10:00

Welcome friends to this weekend's Pinning and Singing on the Weekend Linky Party!

I have had another busy and fun week with my family. I can't believe the summer holidays will be over in a week and then it's back to school time!

I have also been trying very hard to watch what I eat and to keep up with my daily swim/walk. I really am trying to not only lose weight to also become healthier and fitter. I did slip up a little on Thursday though but it was for a very good reason....It was Mr Attorney's Birthday!

Happy Birthday to my sweetie!

I have also been busy "pinning" away on Pinterest this week, trying to find some more healthy and delicious recipes to add to my collection.

Look at these yummy recipes!

Warm Mediterranean quinoa salad

Source: sheknows.com via Natasha on Pinterest

Quinoa Chocolate Chip Cookies

Source: glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com via Natasha on Pinterest

Honey Garlic Pork Chops.

Source: recipes.sparkpeople.com via Natasha on Pinterest

Shoko’s Sesame Chicken Salad from Steamy Kitchen looked so delicious I had to pin it as soon a sI saw it.
This recipe was my most re-pinned pin last week.
So far it has received 106 likes 2 comments and has been re-pinned
310 times!

Source: steamykitchen.com via Natasha on Pinterest

Red, White and Blueberry Trifle (Calories: 169.1)

Source: skinnytaste.com via Natasha on Pinterest

Cucumber Salad with Mint and Feta

Source: simplyrecipes.com via Natasha on Pinterest

This recipe for Waldorf Salad, looked particularly delicious, healthy and low in calories so I thought I would give it a try. By just swapping the mayo for natural yoghurt the salad is so much healthier and just as delicious as a higher calorie version.

Actually, I think it tastes even better than the original version!

Source: shapefit.com via Natasha on Pinterest

Even my son, who doesn't normally like salads really enjoyed this salad.

(Healthier) Waldorf Salad
(makes 6 servings)

Ingredients:
4 medium sized apples, cubed
3 stalks of celery, chopped
1/3 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)
1/2 cup low fat yogurt, plain or vanilla
1/3 cup raisins

I actually omitted the raisins and added some arugula/rocket leaves and spring onions instead.

Directions:
1. Combine apples, celery, raisins, and walnuts in a bowl. Stir.
2. Add yogurt and stir all ingredients together.
3. Chill to blend flavors or enjoy right away.

Pin It

This really was delicious and I even had some left-overs for lunch the next day and everything was still crunchy!

Who would have thought that finding healthy and delicious foods could be so easy-thank you Pinterest!

Now, since this post is all about pinning and singing, I thought I'd share one of the songs that I have on my walking playlist. As we all know, eating healthily is only one of the components of losing weight successfully and permanently. Exercise is also critical. This song always gets me going and makes me want to keep moving!

Pinning & Singing on the Weekend Pinterest Party!

If you would like to link up a post, old or new, about your favourite song (or any other music that you have blogged about) and/or your favourite Pins from Pinterest to my Pinning and Singing on the Weekend Pinterest Party, just add the url of your particular blog post that you would like us to visit to the Linky tool below.

You can link up posts about Pinterest, posts that include pinterest pictures,
posts about projects you have completed that were inspired by pinterest,

you can link up posts about your favourite songs

or you can link up a post about singing and pinning!

Thanks so much for joining in and linking up! Don't forget to come back later and visit some of the lovely pinners who have linked up!

Thanks also to the lovely ladies who are hosting these fabulous parties this week:

Tasty Tuesday; Tempt My Tummy; Tasty Tuesday;Totally Tasty Tuesdays; Tasty Tuesday; Wow Me; Show and Share; Whatever Goes Wednesday; This Chick Cooks; Foodie Friday; Courtney (Feathered Nest Friday), At the Picket Fence (Inspiration Friday) , Holly (Tickled Pink), Cindy (Show and Tell Friday), Home Sweet Home with Sherry, Fridays Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense, Pink Saturday with Beverly, Fabulous Friday; Strut your Stuff Saturday; Flaunt it Friday; Everything but the Kitchen Sink Party; Feature Friday; Feature Yourself Friday; Free for All Friday; Weekend wander; Show & Tell Saturday; Serenity Saturday; Once upon a Weekend; Saturday show Off; Saturday Seven; Sunday Blog Love; Piquing my Pinterest; Sunday Linky Party Sundae Scoop; More the Merrier Monday; Met Monday; Creative Bloggers party; Making The World Cuter Mondays; Market Yourself Monday;Rook no.17; Take it on Tuesday; One Project at a Time; Wow Me Wednesday; Show & Tell; Pinterest Favourites; Whatever Wednesday; Anything Goes Linky party; Simply Link Party;

By the way, if you would like an invitation to join Pinterest please let me know! Just email me and I will send you an invite so you can join in with all the pinning fun!

Also, as I mentioned above, I have created a central list of Pinning Bloggers so we can all find each other's Pinterest pages more easily. It is called....

The Pinning Bloggers Master List.

If you would like to add your name to the Pinning Blogger's Master List just click the button below:

Take care and I hope you have a fabulous, healthy and fun weekend!

Best wishes,

Natasha