Bloomsbury Babies

We've Moved!

2013-05-03T18:53:00.004+01:00

Thanks for visiting Bloomsbury Babies. We have now moved to a new 'home' www.bloomsburybabies.co.uk. It has all the best bits of this wonderful blog, started by Sabine Harfmann in 2010, and lots of exciting new features. Look forward to seeing you there...

Ann Nkune

Welcome to Bloomsbury Babies

2013-04-09T23:18:00.000+01:00

We are a network for parents and carers of under-5s living in or visiting the Bloomsbury area. Come and visit us at our regular under 5's mini market. Our next sale is Monday 20 May, 11am - 2pm at Corams Fields

Bloomsbury is a very special neighbourhood: famous for its literary heritage, it also has world-renowned services for children including Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Coram Foundation. Coram Fields playground is the 'epicentre' (if your social life revolves around an under-5), where you can meet people from every culture and background. But that is just the start of the Bloomsbury baby experience.

Bloomsbury Babies keeps you up to date with free, or affordable forthcoming events, a day by day timetable for the Bloomsbury neighbourhood, a map of local baby and child friendly venues and other favourite under-5s hang outs across London

Everyone needs help with the incredibly tough job of parenting: our help and support section includes links to the best places for advice

The tried and tested family recipes are really simple to make with a maximum of 30 minutes preparation time.

There is lots more to come....please keep visiting, and help me expand Bloomsbury Babies in 2013 by completing this really short survey

If you have any requests or feedback please feel free to email bloomsburybabies@gmail.com. Enjoy the blog

Ann Nkune | Editor

Tweets by @Bloomsbabies

New Parent-cubator

2013-04-04T14:31:00.001+01:00

Are you a local parent with a great idea for a new service, product or business?

would you like to meet up and swap skills with other parent-preneurs?
be introduced to potential investors?
get training in a range of business skills?
sell your service or product at our regular under 5s mini-market?
access a top quality creche for your little ones while you do it?

and it's all free!

I have received an award from Unltd to start up a business incubator. I'd love to hear from you if you are interested in getting involved. Call me on 07968 912298, or e-mail bloomsburybabies@gmail.com to find out more

Get Involved!

2013-03-16T09:44:00.001+00:00

Please help us to re-instate the 'Phantom Railings' at Malet Street Gardens this summer by voting here
http://bit.ly/Z4j2kx

Exciting news! Corams Fields is the venue for our next mini market on Friday 22 March 11am - 2pm. Hire a stall to sell or recycle your nearly new under 5s clothes and toys for just £2. Call Ann on 07968 912298 or e-mail bloomsburybabies@gmail.com

Bloomsbury Timetable

2013-02-19T18:12:00.000+00:00

Photo copyright Sabine Harfmann.

TIMETABLE OF UNDER 5s ACTIVITIES

It is good to know where to take the little ones to let off some steam and socialise. This is a day by day timetable of indoor activities all within 30 mins walking distance, or a short bus ride, of Coram's Fields.

Please email bloomsburybabies@gmail.com with any corrections or new activities you come across. Thank you!

Last updated: 19.2.13

BLOOMSBURY MONDAYS

9.30 - 11.30 ART DROP IN under 5s, MUSIC non walking babies, Coram Parents Centre| free
10 -10.45 LITTLE KICKERS for toddlers from 18months to 2.5 years Coram's Fields Band Room | £2 suggested donation
11 - 11.45 LITTLE KICKERS for 3-5years Coram's Fields Band Room | £2 suggested donation

10-12 DROP IN for newborn to 3 years at Coram’s Fields Colonnades including bouncy babes music | free

10-12 BABY GYM for Under 2’s at Bedford House | free

10.30-3 ARTS AND CRAFTS DROP IN for U5s at the Calthorpe Project | parents £1.50, childminders/nannies £2

11 - 11.30 BABY BOUNCE Lewis Carroll library |free
1-4pm DROP-IN for newborn to 5 years at Coram’s Fields Colonnades | free

1.30-2.30 MOVEMENT PLAY for under 20months, at 1a Children's centre
1.30 - 3 BABY AND ME 0-12 months, Fitzrovia Community Centre, Foley Street
4 - 8 GYM CLUB Bedford House age 4 + |£3.50

BLOOMSBURY TUESDAYS

9.30-11.30 DROP IN Coram's Parents Centre | free.
9.30-11.30 DROP IN for Under 5s, 1a Children's Centre | free

10-12 DROP IN for newborn to 3 years at Coram’s Fields Colonnades, including soft play | free

10-12 BABY GYM for Under 5’s at Bedford House | free

10.15 - 11.15 MINI MOZART, St Martins in the Fields, new borns - toddlers |£8
10.30-3.30 MESSY PLAY DROP IN for U5s at the Calthorpe Project | parents £1.50, childminders/nannies £2

10.30 - 12.30 STAY AND PLAY, under 5s, Fitzrovia Community Centre, Foley Street
1-3 BANGLADESHI DROP IN Coram Parents Centre
1-4 DROP-IN for newborn to 5 years at Coram’s Fields Colonnades | free

4 - 8 GYM CLUB Bedford House age 4 + |£3.50

BLOOMSBURY WEDNESDAYS

9.30-11.30 DROP IN, numeracy and music for under 5s Coram Parents Centre | free
10.30-11.30 MESSY PLAY for under 5s Bedford House | free
10-12 GRANDPARENTS DROP IN for newborn to 5 years at Coram’s Fields Colonnades | free

10-11 and 11-12 HARRIETTE'S MUSIC for U5s | Exmouth Market | £3.50 suggested donation

10.30-4 EARLY DROP IN for U5s; 11-1 Little Green Fingers - dig in the garden and grow vegetables to eat! (Indoor activities in the winter months). At the Calthorpe Project | parents £1.50, childminders/nannies £2

11-12 MINI MOLES baby group Museum of London, 6 months - walking |free
11-12 RHYME TIME for under 4s, holborn library |free
11 - 11.30 RHYME TIME under 5s, Lewis Carroll library
12 noon BABY CLUB (Babies up to 1 year) at the Everyman Screen on the Green, Angel | £12 ticket including a hot drink and piece of cake (check website for details)

1-4pm DROP-IN for newborn to 5 years at Coram’s Fields Colonnades | free
2-3.30 BABY MASSAGE, birth to crawling, Goodenough College. Booking essential mklein0784@googlemail.com |£7
3.30 - 4.30 LITTLE MOLES toddler group, Museum of London, walking - 5 years |free
3.45 BALLET CLASSES with Clerkenwell Ballet School, 2.5 years +, Church hall of Our Holy Redeemer, Exmouth Market | £6
3.45 - 4.30 FRENCH CLASSES Fitzrovia Community Centre, Foley Street, all ages |£8
4 - 7 Ballet Class, Bedford House 4+ |£3.50

BLOOMSBURY THURSDAYS

10-12 DROP IN for newborn to 3 years at Coram’s Fields Colonnades, including big art | free
10 - 12 AMAZING TOTS stay & play with KIDS London for children with disabilities Coram Parents Centre | free
10-12 BABY GYM for Under 5’s at Bedford House | free

10-11 HARRIETTE'S MUSIC for 6 months to 5 years; Exmouth Market | £3.50 suggested donation

10.30-11.15 DIDDI DANCE dancing and movement to music at the Band Room Coram's Fields | £2 suggested donation
10.30 - 11.30 RHYME TIME St Pancras Library, under 4s |free
10.30-12.30 Baby Feeding Drop-In at 1a Children's Centre: Socialising and answers to baby feeding questions for mums to be and mums with babies under 1 year | free

10.30 - 1.30 CRECHE Calthorpe Project age 2-5, bring packed lunch | £3
1-4pm DROP-IN & BIG ART for U5s years at Coram’s Fields Colonnades | free
1 - 3 STAY AND PLAY, under 5s, Fitzrovia Community Centre, Foley Street
1.30-2.30 BABY BOUNCE Holborn library |free

3-4pm TOY LIBRARY at the Coram's Parents Centre | £1 per term
4 - 8 GYM CLUB Bedford House age 4 + |£3.50

BLOOMSBURY FRIDAYS

9-10.30 DROP IN Argyle Primary School| free
9.30-12 TALK AND PLAY for 2-3 year olds 1a Childrens Centre | free

10-12 BABY GYM for Under 5’s at Bedford House | free
10-12 DROP IN for newborn to 3 years at Coram’s Fields Colonnades | free

10-2 U5s DROP IN at Dragon Hall | free

1-3 DROP IN with rhyme time for under 5s 1a Children's Centre | free

1-4pm DROP-IN including MUSIC TIME with Lucy at 2.30pm for U5s years at Coram’s Fields Colonnades | free
2-3 BABY YOGA at the Calthorpe Project | £6
3.45 - 4.15 TAEKWONDO Bedford House, age 4+ |£3.50

BLOOMSBURY SATURDAYS

10-12 GYMNASTICS for 2.5-4 year olds at Bedford House - NEW! | £4
10 KIDS CLUB cinema Islington Screen on the Green, 4+ check website for details |
10.30-1.30 SHOPPING CRÉCHE for 2-5 years olds at the Calthorpe Project, bring packed lunch | £3
11-1 Under 5s DROP IN at the Colonnades Coram's Fields | free

11-4 OPEN STUDIO arts and crafts at Tate Modern (also on Sundays) | free
11 - 1 ODEON KIDS Odeon Cinema, Holloway Road age 4+ |£1-4 kids, adult ticket free
1-4 first Sat of each month FAMILY FUN at the Foundling Museum | free

2.30 - 3.30 FAMILY RHYME TIME St Pancras Library, monthly | free

BLOOMSBURY SUNDAYS
10.30 and 11.30 MAGIC CARPET STORY TELLING National Gallery | Free
11-4 OPEN STUDIO arts and crafts at Tate Modern | free

11 - 1 ODEON KIDS Odeon Cinema, Holloway Road age 4+ |£1-4 kids, adult ticket free
11-2 FAMILY WORKSHOP (monthly) Royal Academy of Arts, all ages |free

SOME ACTIVITIES RUN DURING TERM TIMES ONLY. PLEASE CALL TO CHECK AHEAD

1a Children's Centre offers various services for families ranging from a nursery to art workshops. | 1a Roseberry Avenue, EC1R4SR. 020 7974 7024.

Bedford House A former sports hall completely covered in mats with soft play toys, a slide, balls, see-saw etc.and music. Perfect for babies who are beginning to crawl, stand and walk and any toddlers with a surplus of energy. It's a bit hard to find; next to the bike shop in Lamb's Conduit Street, there is a little walk way, called Emerald Street, the entrance is to the right. | 35 Emerald Street, off Lamb’s Conduit Street | 020 7405 2370 | http://www.holborncommunity.co.uk click here for timetable

British Museum Perfect for mums with newborns up to crawling/toddling babies. The Museum is open daily, 10.00–17.30 Never ending supplies from the café, museum shops and last but not least: exhibitions. They also have what they call ‘eyeOpener tours’, free guided tours introducing different areas of the Museum’s collection, starting at 11am in Japan, Gods and goddesses of Roman Britain at 11.15am, Greece, Iraq, China, you name it right until 15.45. For more info ask at information desk. Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG. Nearest tubes: Tottenham Court Road (300m)/ Holborn (500m)/ Russell Square (800m)/ Goodge Street (800m)
By bus: Numbers 1, 7, 8, 19, 25, 38, 55, 98, 242 stop on New Oxford Street / numbers 10, 14, 24, 29, 73, 134, 390 stop on Tottenham Court Road, northbound and on Gower Street, southbound / numbers 59, 68, X68, 91, 168, 188 stop on Southampton Row. http://www.britishmuseum.org/

Calthorpe Project is a little community building located in a beautiful park with lots of opportunities to get involved in gardening or doing various classes. 258-274 Grays Inn Road, WC1X 8LH | 020 7837 8019 | Bus numbers 17,45 and 46 stop right in front, King's Cross and Russell Square tubes are 10min walk away. http://www.calthorpeproject.org.uk/

Coram's Fields is a lovely children's park (adults are only permitted when accompanied by a child) with many playgrounds, sandpits, slides, swings, paddling pool, huge lawn areas, and a mini zoo featuring a couple of goats, sheep, rabbits and chicken. They also have a Drop In and offer indoor activities (specials include the Yogabugs on Tuesday mornings from 11-12 where little ones aged 2 and older get to go on an imagined adventure, all the while stretching, reaching, bending etc and little kickers http://www.littlekickers.co.uk/) and there's a kiosk selling Austrian delicatessen and refreshments. Nearest Tube is Russell Square. U5 Coordinator Gail 0207 837 6611 | 93 Guilford Street London WC1N 1DN | http://www.coramsfields.org/

Coram's Parents Centre and Thomas Coram Children's Centre has an U5s drop in with lots of toys, instruments and a lovely outside area. The nursery has toy library with a selection of books, toys, games etc. available to borrow for a week. Donations of books, toys etc welcome. The parents centre is located at the far end of Coram's Fields, behind the football pitch. Activities currently running out of the studio while building renovation takes place. Access from Hunter Street, past the Foundling Museum or from Grays Inn Road past Mecklenburg Square and the Goodenough College. Coram Community Campus, 49 Mecklenburgh Square, London, WC1N 2NY | 020 7520 0385 | http://www.coram.org.uk/

Dragon Hall Somewhat hard to find but worth looking for, Dragon Hall has a lovely drop-in for U5s on Fridays from 10-2. It is held in a large hall on the ground floor which makes it very easily accessible for prams/buggies/wheelchairs. They have lots of toys, a baby slide, baby corner and various activities for toddlers and offer healthy snacks for the little ones. 17 Stukeley Street | WC2B 5LT | 020 7404 7274 | http://www.dragonhall.org.uk/

Everyman Screen on the Green; Baby Cinema is perfect for when the baby is very young and still sleeps a lot or just wants to be fed so you can really sit down and enjoy the film. The venue is located opposite Islington Green and a 5 minute walk from Angel tube station. 83 Upper Street | London N1 0NP | Tel: 0203 145 0525 | http://www.everymancinema.com/cinemas/filmlisting.asp?cn=1&ci=5&ln=1&pi=1896
Fitzrovia Community Centre , Foley Street, W1 New community centre with highly recommended drop in and lots of other classes including French for children

Foundling Museum Open: Tuesday - Saturday, 10am - 5pm, Sunday 11am - 5pm, closed on Mondays. 40 Brunswick Square, Bloomsbury, London WC1N 1AZ | 020 7841 3600 | Tube: Russell Square (5mins) King’s Cross St Pancras (20mins) Bus: 59, 68, 91, 168, 188 to Southampton Row and Russell Square, 17 (not evenings), 45, 46 to Gray’s Inn Road, 10, 18, 30, 73 to Euston Road; 19, 38, 55, 243 to Theobalds Road. Parking: Limited metered parking (free after 13:30 on Saturdays) or at the National Car Park at the Brunswick Centre (entrance on Marchmont Street). There is no parking outside the Museum. http://www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk/

Church Hall, Exmouth Market: Harriette's sing-along-songs is the most popular baby music session I have yet been to; wonderfully chaotic, full-on singing and dancing. You can even get a CD with her songs, just ask her at one of the sessions, she usually forgets to mention it. Church Hall of Our Most Holy Redeemer, on Exmouth Market, in Clerkenwell, EC1R 4QE | 07984356909 |
Holborn Library Opening times: Mon-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun closed. Free WiFi, public access to the internet. Information about Council, local services and organisations, access to a collection of self-help leaflets, photocopier and neighbourhood noticeboard. Large print books, CDs for adults; videos, DVDs and talking books on cassette and CD for adults and children. Newspapers and periodicals. UK Online Learning Centre. Exhibitions. Reading group one Tue a month at 1pm. Friends group. Under 5s Rhyme Time Wed 11am-12 noon and Thursdays 1.30-2.30 during term time. Library items may be reserved or renewed online in the library or over the internet. Meetings rooms for hire, wheelchair accessible public toilet. | 32-38 Theobalds Road, WC1X 8PA | 020 7974 4001 | www.camden.gov.uk/holbornlibrary

Lewis Carroll library Copenhagen Street, N1 0ST children's library which offers baby bounce and rhyme time. A little further than the Camden libraries, but an easy bus journey - catch number 17, get off at the Copenhagen Street stop on Caledonian Road

St Pancras Library Camden Town Hall Extension, Argyle Street, London, WC1H 8NN Holds monthly family rhyme time sessions

Baby Friendly Venues

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Thank you everyone who has contributed to my survey so far! 92% of you voted for more information on baby and child friendly venues, so I've created this map with local venues that are signed up to the breast feeding friendly scheme, have baby change, or have great activities for babies and children. It is work in progress, please send your other suggestions to bloomsburybabies@gmail.com, and I'll add them on

View Bloomsbury Baby Friendly Venues in a larger map

Dino Meal Deal

2012-01-17T22:22:00.000+00:00

For a while now, we have had some interesting company during meal times. Rather small and quiet, neither smelling nor demanding any sort of looking after, our two little dinosaurs have been so low-maintenance, I decided to grant them permission to live peacefully on our dinner table. And since one of them is supposedly a vegetarian, I have found it a good way of encouraging my little boy to eat some greens - herbs, to be precise. Here are some easy recipes with herbs that have met all the family's (including the dinosaurs) approval:

garlic butter with herbs:

Mix some finely chopped parsley and chives with 2-3 tbsp butter and a clove of crushed garlic. Serve with baguette or similar bread.

Dill dip for salmon bites:

Mix some finely chopped dill and parsley into 4-5tbsp Greek yoghurt. Serve with smoked salmon and bread.

Photos copyright Sabine Harfmann.

No-stress xmas meal

2011-12-25T16:47:00.000+00:00

Photos copyright Sabine Harfmann.

This Christmas has taught me a lesson. It may be special for us adults to have the real deal Christmas meal with trimmings and whatever it takes to make us happy, but the little ones don't care. Of all the lovingly prepared and cooked vegetables, my 28months old boy didn't eat any, nor did he particularly like the meat (which was delicious, to say the least). He isn't generally a fussy eater, but I guess with all the family around and all the attention and excitement, the new toys and the sparkling lights of the Christmas tree, there simply is no capacity to focus on food. So, next time, our tried and tested meatballs will form an important part of the Xmas menu as they are such a safe bet and can easily be given a christmassy touch with some special ingredients.
This recipe is inspired by James Ramsden's spicy meatball Christmas puddings and slightly adapted to make it suitable for little ones:

Serves 4 | prep time 30 mins
my basic meatball ingredients:

minced pork, 500g

one dried roll, soaked in water (squeeze most water out before adding to the mix.)

2-3 tbsp breadcrumbs

1 tbsp tomato puree

1 egg

1 tsp dried sage

1 tsp dried thyme

just a little bit of nutmeg

1 onion, very finely chopped

1 garlic clove, crushed

salt & pepper

For the christmassy touch add:

1/2 tsp chilli flakes

1/4 tsp ground cumin

a pinch of smoked paprika

to decorate:

3 tbsp pomegranate seeds

3 tbsp soured cream

coriander leaves

serve with mashed potatoes (add some milk and butter) and peas.

method

Mix together the meatball ingredients and form little balls (not too big as they will take too long to cook through). Fry in a large pan in sunflower oil at high heat until they look crispy on the outside and are well cooked through (check by cutting one of the meatballs up).

Arrange on a platter and decorate with the soured cream, pomegranate seeds and coriander leaves and enjoy.

www.BloomsburyBabies.com

Viennese Vanilla Kipferl

2011-12-18T15:15:00.000+00:00

All photos copyright Sabine Harfmann.

We went to Vienna for a long weekend a couple of weeks ago and had a great time there. One of the souvenirs we brought back from our little trip is a passion for Kipferl, the famous Austrian biscuit. Daddy tried this recipe for the kids at the nursery, and they were a big hit. It's reasonably quick and simple, and so delicious, it really is worth making them from scratch. (Recipe below)

Viennese impressions:

Making the Kipferl:

prep time:

30 mins making the dough, 30 mins chilling time in the fridge, 10 mins forming the biscuits, 10-15 mins baking.

Daddy found this recipe on about vienna.org and adapted it slightly:

ingredients:

150 grams cold butter

210 grams flour

80 grams ground almonds

80 grams icing sugar

one whole egg

60 grams powdered sugar

3 tablespoons vanilla sugar

Method:

Sift the flour into a large bowl. Cut the cold butter into small pieces and mix with the flour. Add powdered sugar, ground almonds and the egg. Rinse hands with cold water and quickly knead mixture into a crisp dough. Chill for half an hour.
Form thumb thick rolls from the dough, cut into 1 cm wide pieces, roll and form crescents.
Bake at 160° Celsius for 10-15 minutes, or until very light gold in colour.
Turn the crescents in a mixture of powdered sugar and vanilla sugar while still hot.

www.BloomsburyBabies.com

PEAS AND CHEESE PASTA FOR COLD DAYS

2011-11-09T12:14:00.000+00:00

All photos copyright Sabine Harfmann.

There is no mistaking the signs of the approaching winter weather. The days are getting shorter, fingers are getting colder and the darkness is drawing in. This pasta recipe from Valli Little's '5 Nights' cook book is very rich and perfectly suited to give parents and little ones lots of energy for cold days.

prep time 20mins | makes 4 small servings

ingredients:
500g Spaghetti
120g frozen peas
20ml olive oil
4 rashers of bacon, cut into strips
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
250g ricotta
300ml single cream
80g grated Parmesan, plus extra shaved Parmesan to serve
2 heaped tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley

While the pasta is boiling, fry the bacon in a deep frying pan in the heated oil until crisp. Add the garlic and stir for half a minute, then add the cream and ricotta and combine well.
Just 2 minutes before the pasta is done, add the peas to heat sufficiently. Drain pasta and peas, and mix with the parmesan, parsley and the creamy cheese & bacon sauce.
Serve with grated parmesan and black pepper.

Stirring the ricotta cheese in:

www.BloomsburyBabies.com

Autumn Soup for the Soul

2011-11-01T10:29:00.000+00:00

Photo copyright Sabine Harfmann.

The cold days are coming, and it is nice to have a bowl of heartwarming soup ready. Soups are very versatile and can be adjusted to all family members' taste in a whizz. Whether they like their soup clear or creamy, whizzed or with bits. And, very conveniently, soups are still good when they have been defrosted.

This is a recipe from my sister:

serves 4 | prep time 30 mins

ingredients:

2 carrots, diced

1 fennel, thinly sliced

2 leek, chopped

4-6 potatoes, diced

2 sweet potatoes, diced

1L vegetable stock,

salt and pepper,

nutmeg,

butter

Melt the butter in a large pan and fry the vegetables for a couple of minutes. Then add the stock and season, let it simmer for about 20-30minutes.

***

www.BloomsburyBabies.com

A slightly scary lunch: Halloween snacks for little trick or treaters

2011-10-30T19:04:00.000+00:00

All photos copyright Sabine Harfmann.

A gory and ghastly meal for all the family to enjoy on Halloween:

***

starter

poisonous mushrooms

main course

skewered mice and cut-off fingers with blood sauce,

served with an eyeball-salad

desert

cobweb muffins

***

poisonous mushrooms:

ingredients for 4

4 cooled boiled eggs, peeled

4 tomatoes

mayonnaise

Prep time: 20mins.

method:

Slice a little off each egg so it stands up securely. Slice thick ends from the tomatoes and scoop out the flesh to make the red mushroom caps. Then dab mayonnaise onto the caps to make the little white spots.

cut-off fingers

ingredients:

half as many Frankfurters as you want 'fingers'

ketchup

prep time: 15 mins

method: Heat-up the Frankfurters in hot water. With a sharp knife, cut fingernail shape, peeling off the skin. Decorate with the ketchup.

cobweb muffins

use chocolate muffins and decorate with icing (it takes rather thick icing to produce good cobweb impressions).

The gory eyeballs and marshmallow mice came from the shop. The meal went down a storm with my 2 year old, but some children might find the cut-off fingers and eyeball-salad a bit too scary.

www.BloomsburyBabies.com

Breakfast Breakthrough: Millet Muesli

2011-10-24T10:47:00.000+01:00

All Photos copyright Sabine Harfmann.

I'm always on the lookout for great breakfast ideas and have just discovered this amazingly delicious millet muesli*. Sweet raspberries, crunchy walnuts and smooth millet porridge make a fantastic combination; it's just not quite as quickly prepared as the usual bowl of cereals which makes it more suitable for a weekend breakfast.

prep time: 30 mins | serves two adults and one little person

ingredients:

100g millet

200ml water

a sprinkle of cinnamon

100ml milk (regular, soya, or oat milk)

20g walnuts, chopped

2 tbsp raisins

200g fresh or frozen raspberries

1 banana, chopped

a splash of maple syrup

method:

Thoroughly wash the millet in hot water. Bring to the boil and let it simmer until all the water is gone. Pour over the milk and let it sit on the switched off stove so the millet grains can soak up the milk. (The result will be much better if the millet is slowly boiled and can soak up a lot of the liquid.) Add all ingredients and serve warm or cold.

health benefits:

Millet is said to help new mums after child birth to regain strength and is also very good for breastfeeding mums. Millet is high in silicic acids which are important for our hair and nails. It can help ease chronic fatigue and forgetfulness.**

Credits:

*"Das Frühstücksbuch für Kids", Doris Fritzsche and Ibrahim Elmadfa | Ulmer.

** "Kursbuch Gesunde Ernährung", Ingeborg Münzing-Ruef | Heyne.

www.BloomsburyBabies.com

Pork n’ Apple with Green Beans and Butter

2011-09-28T20:05:00.000+01:00

All photos copyright Sabine Harfmann.

This is a great recipe for busy days - it takes only 20 mins to prepare and still feels like a proper meal. It's perfect for my toddler who loves apples and meat, and a good opportunity to encourage him to try a bean or two as well. I found the recipe in Valli Little’s 5 Nights a Week which I love as it's got so many doable, delicious recipes. I first flicked through the book at our local library; my little one was playing in the toy corner and one of the local dads was sitting opposite me, probably thinking that I had gone mad as I was excitedly marking every other page for later reference. My version is a little bit less fancy than Valli’s because I don't normally store exotic ingredients such as craisins, but it is still very tasty.

prep time: 20 mins | ingredients for 2 adults, one little person:

100g green beans

1 apple (such as Granny Smith)

160 ml chicken stock

1 Tbsp olive oil

1-2 tsp dried sage

salt & pepper
a bit of butter

300-400g pork fillet

method:

cut the fillet into 1cm thick slices, slice the apple and boil some water for the stock. Put the stock aside, heat the oil in a large frying pan over a high heat and fry the pork for 1-2 mins on both sides. To avoid the meat going tough, set it aside on a plate. Fry the apple slices until they begin to caramelise. Add the stock, sage and season to taste. Put the meat back in the pan and let it heat up sufficiently.

Serve with steamed green beans and butter flakes.

This meal goes very nicely with a cucumber salad; so what I usually do these days is, I prepare a bit more meat for lunch time (400g is plenty for the three of us) and we have the leftovers for supper with a bit of cucumber salad.

prep time: 5 mins | ingredients for 2 adults and one little person:
1 cucumber
1 small onion
1 tsp mustard
1 tbsp white wine vinegar
1 tbsp sunflower oil
salt & pepper
a bit of parsley

method:
chop the cucumber into fine slices, dice the onion and chop the parsley. In a small bowl, mix together the dressing: oil, vinegar and mustard, season to taste.

www.BloomsburyBabies.com

more family friendly recipes
No-cry parenting solution article by Elizabeth Pantley
Baby Brain development interview with author Sue Gerhardt

Autumn Foods - Veggie Steak with Chanterelles

2011-09-18T18:57:00.000+01:00

Autumn is here, it's mushroom time!

I simply couldn't resist buying the first chanterelles I laid my eyes on this year, and then I had to do something with them, so I improvised this steak & mushroom meal. My men folk aren't hugely into mushrooms (daddy thinks he doesn't like them, and my two-year-old wouldn't try anything that isn't pasta out of principle), but this meal was favourably received by the judges. My little boy loved the crunchiness about the steak, and it's quick and simple which makes it a perfect week day family meal:

Prep time: 30 mins

Ingredients for 2 adults and 1 little person:

150g chanterelles

200g natural tofu

4 cocktail tomatoes

1 onion

2 garlic cloves

100g cream

50ml vegetable stock

1 tbsp olive oil

salt & pepper

parsley

Method:

Start by frying the 'steak' in the sunflower oil (ideally in a non-sticky frying pan). While the steak is frying, wash the tomatoes and mushrooms; dry the mushrooms carefully, slice the onion and crush the garlic. Once the steak is taking on a good, golden colour on both sides, add the onions and fry for 1-2mins, then add the mushrooms and fry for another 3-4mins. At last, add the tomatoes, cream and enough of the stock to give the sauce a good texture. Season with salt and pepper and serve with rice or pasta.

All photos copyright Sabine Harfmann.

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Sunshine Foods

2011-09-03T14:26:00.000+01:00

All photos copyright Sabine Harfmann.

I love the Autumn and I'm really looking forward to those crisp-air days and (finger's crossed) a few sun rays peering through the twigs. There seems to be something magic about this time of year and it is reconciling me with the fact that this summer wasn't really a summer. Feeling shortchanged for sunshine, my little family has been indulging in sun-kissed peaches, pears, apricots, and apples. I was delighted to see my two-year-old, who is currently insisting on an exclusive pasta diet, eat some fresh fruit. He has just gone through the 'apple phase' which lasted quite a while and was most convenient for lunch boxes and pic-nics. Now, melons are the new apples, albeit much more tricky to take-out. And I usually have a pack of frozen raspberries at home for my raspberry smoothie, and they do very nicely for an emergency dessert with a bit of clotted cream on top.

My little carnivore's favourite fruit salad.

Delicious Dessert.

Apple slices with cinnamon and a little lemon juice - irresistable!

Just on their own, cherries are great for the lunch box.

(it is safer to remove stones for Under 3s.)

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Easy Peasy Pizza

2011-08-10T23:28:00.000+01:00

I have been one busy Mama these last few weeks. A weekend away, a toddler birthday, a visiting grandma and, not to forget, my very active little boy have been keeping me well on my toes. So my focus has been on very quick and simple recipes. This 'easy peasy pizza' can be made using all sorts of bread; I prefer wholegrain in general to get some nutritional value but wholegrain can also be very filling for little tummies. For toppings we like the classics; salami with tomato & cheese, ham & pineapple or tuna.

Easy Peasy Salami Pizza:
ingredients: bread, tomato puree, salami, tomatoes, onion, cheese (gouda or mozzarella), dried herbs such as origano, marjoram, basil, rosemary (rosemary has a stimulating effect, so avoid using it for supper), salt & pepper.
method: preheat oven to 180°C, spread some tomato puree on the bread, season with salt & pepper and the dried herbs, then add salami, tomato, sliced onions and cheese. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese looks deliciously melted and just about to get crispy. Make sure the tomatoes are cooled down sufficiently for children as they get extremely hot.

Easy Peasy Ham & Pineapple Pizza:
ingredients: bread, butter, ham, fresh or tinned pineapple, cheese (gouda or similar).
method: preheat oven to 180°C, spread some butter on the bread, then add the ham, pineapple and cheese. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese looks deliciously melted and just about to get crispy. Make sure the pineapples are cooled down sufficiently for children as they get extremely hot.

Easy Peasy Tuna Pizza:
ingredients: bread, tomato puree, tinned tuna, onion, cheese (gouda or mozzarella), dried herbs such as origano, marjoram, basil, rosemary, salt & pepper.
method: preheat oven to 180°C, spread some tomato puree on the bread, sprinkle with dried herbs, add the tuna, sliced onions and cheese and bake for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese looks deliciously melted and just about to get crispy.

All photos copyright Sabine Harfmann.

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Mackerel-Smackerel-Sandwich

2011-07-12T19:53:00.000+01:00

All photos copyright Sabine Harfmann.

Well, well, well - Mackerel! That was one delicious meal daddy served at the weekend! He found the recipe on the 'Fish Fight' website, and got a couple of whole fish, with heads and all. If it was me, I'd get the fish already prepared from the fish counter; I'm not a big fan of chopping heads off. Btw, the little one didn't love it too much (except for our encouraging song 'yummy yummy yummy, fishie in my tummy!') so we had some emergency pasta for him, but I'm a firm believer in the "offering-good-foods-up-to-12-times-before-you-can-say-they-really-don't-like-it"-method.

prep time: 20 mins including chopping heads (5 mins if the fish is already filleted)

shopping:

1 Mackerel per adult (1-2 fillets per adult)

1 egg

1 roll per adult, half a roll for the little one

butter

1 lemon

1 tomato

half a cucumber

horseradish

sunflower oil

flour

salt and pepper

method:

beat an egg into a bowl. Dust the fish fillets in flour, then splash in the beaten egg. Deep fry or fry in lots of sunflower oil. Serve in a roll with horseradish and salt and pepper.

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Simple Super Smoothie

2011-07-06T20:18:00.000+01:00

I'm pretty sure this delicious drink helped me survive the first few challenging months of motherhood. It is full of good things and is so yummie! I still prepare it almost every day in slight variations but the raspberry one is my number one. For my little gourmet 'baby' (ahem, he is almost 2 years now) I add a hint of vanilla sugar. Oh yes, and daddy complains about the raspberry bits that get stuck in the teeth, but oh well, you can't please everyone!

Here's how it goes*:

Serves 2 adults and 1 little person | prep time 10 mins

ingredients:

1 banana

2 hand full of raspberries (fresh or frozen)

1 tbsp linseed oil

1 tsp ground cinnamon

4 tsp yeast flakes (lots of B-vitamins!)

250ml milk (cows milk, soy- or oat milk or greek yoghurt)

250ml apple juice

a hint of vanilla sugar

Mix together and blend with a whizzer. Best enjoyed when cold.

What is what**: Bananas have lots of Vitamin B6 which can help women with pms. These days, berries are called 'super foods' because they're so healthy: raspberries have antiviral and anti-carcinogenic properties and have lots of iron, too. Linseed oil is full of omega 3 fatty acids which is important for the brain and good for the mood.

*my recipe is inspired by and based on Marion Grillparzer's book 'Salto Vitale' (Graefe & Unzer 2009).
** information taken from: Ingeborg Muenzing-Ruef 'Kursbuch Gesunde Ernaehrung' (Heyne 2004).

***

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MUMMY'S MAGIC MEATBALLS

2011-06-12T21:23:00.000+01:00

Photos copyright Sabine Harfmann.

This is one of my family's most favourite meals, and is pretty quick & easy to prepare. My mum used to make them, and they were the best, obviously! I am still looking for a similarly delicious no-meat-meatball recipe, so please email me or leave a comment if you happen to know one!

My healthy kitchen bible* tells me that fresh parsley is "super healthy with lots of vitamin C and B vitamins", plus, it simply tastes great!

prep time: 30 mins | feeds 2 grown ups and 1 little person

shopping

minced pork, 500g (organic preferably)

one dried roll, soaked in water (squeeze most water out before adding to the mix.)

2-3 tbsp breadcrumbs

1 tbsp tomato puree

1 egg (organic preferably)

1 tsp dried sage

1 tsp dried thyme

just a little bit of nutmeg

1 onion, very finely chopped

1 garlic clove, crushed

salt & pepper

1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

serve with mashed potatoes (add some milk and butter) and peas.

method

Mix together the meatball ingredients except the parsley and form little balls (not too big as they will take too long to cook through). Fry in a large pan in sunflower oil at high heat until they look crispy on the outside and are well cooked through (check by cutting one of the meatballs up). Sprinkle with the parsley and enjoy!

* 'Kursbuch Gesunde Ernaehrung.' By Ingeborg Munezing-Ruef. Wilhelm Heyne, Munic, 2000

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Guest Post: Some Thoughts on Motherhood

2011-06-03T18:47:00.000+01:00

Hot Cross Mum's ebook

Mother? Woman? Both?

by Hazel Gaynor

I read a very interesting post recently on the excellent Irish site 'The Anti-Room', which asks the question, 'can you be a mummy and a woman? (the question being based on something the writer's four-and-a-half year-old child said).

The basic premise of the article is to ask whether motherhood and womanhood are compatible? The writer suggests not - commenting that as mothers, are woman merely breeders, existing purely for the purpose of raising their young? There have been some vociferous responses.

This got me thinking: do women really have to give up their bodies, careers, financial independence, skinny jeans and festival tickets (based on the pelvic floor/toilet queue issue), just because they become a mother?

I think the reality for many is probably, yes (especially the festival tickets). It is surely a little naive to think that having children will not change you, your body, your circumstances or your outlook on life. I know some people seem to carry on regardless; celebrities in particular, but surely that's not the norm and nor should it be.

Having mulled this over while scrubbing the floor, darning some socks, pandering to everyone else's needs and weeping into my embroidery, I have come to the conclusion that, far from repressing it, motherhood actually benefits womanliness. I've certainly become a more confident woman since becoming a mother and have had a huge number of life-experiences which I simply wouldn't have had if I didn't have children (being vomited on at 30,000ft just one of many examples I could give). I'm probably more interesting, better organised, more resilient, make more of my time, set myself higher goals and am quite possibly a nicer person than before I became a mother.

So, can you be a mummy and a woman at the same time? Absolutely.

What do you think?

Family Blog

2011-05-11T09:29:00.000+01:00

TUESDAY/ CRISPY MAMA

We got thoroughly baked last weekend on the beach. Daddy and me, that is - we somehow managed to slather the little one with sun screen without doing the same for us - looked like lobsters; very painful and embarrassing, too. (Btw: thanks everyone for your sun-burn tips!) It was a great day but for the next few days, I will prefer 'gardening' on the balcony and staying in the shade for a bit.
The little one is getting quite good at treating the flowers gently. When we first started out with our balcony project, he would just grab the flower and tear it apart, one petal at a time, not minding my horrified shrieks in the least. He loves watering them, and I think they will probably survive his generous approach. All in all, they are doing not too bad, even the ones that I had sown.

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SATURDAY/ NEW ADDITION TO THE FAMILY

All photos copyright Sabine Harfmann.

I love the weekends. Daddy is in charge of the little one; takes him to baby gym in the morning and the nearby woods in the afternoon. I do change the odd nappy and help cleaning up the kitchen, but he cooks lunch (Mackerel sandwich which was absolutely delicious and is worthy of a recipe post; next week, I promise!) and supper (spaghetti fritters based on Jamie Oliver's recipe which aren't the healthiest of options, I know, but simply so yummie that we don't mind) - and I have time to do all sorts of things: from nail-painting to ploughing through the chaos that has piled up on my desk over the last weeks and months, everything is possible. I did a lot of ploughing, nails are next...

Oh, forgot to mention: I picked this cute little doggy up last week at the playgroup where we have an exchange of second-hand baby stuff going; I couldn't resist even though we must have millions of cuddlies at home, but I could hear this one call out to me:' take me home, take me home!' At least we won't have to get a pet insurance for this one!

Dad at work:

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FRIDAY/ CAR CRAZE

All photos copyright Sabine Harfmann.

This afternoon, I did my boy a huge favour: on the way home from the supermarket, we took the not-so-scenic route along the motorway to watch the cars and lorries rush past. He didn't mind the deafening noise in the least, quite the opposite, whenever an especially large lorry came past, he rejoiced, shouting 'bugger, bugger!' (Toddler-German for 'Bagger' = digger, which currently serves to describe any vehicle with 4 wheels. Only his scooter, which he loves dearly and would take to bed if I'd let him, is a 'voila' = 'Roller'). My wonderful little weirdo must be the only person on this planet, who actually likes the rush hour! At least 5 times did I try to lure him away assuming that 20 mins close-up with all sorts of trucks and cars should be enough, but I was sadly mistaken. In the end, I had to wheel him away on his trike, pretending that I couldn't hear his protests through all the noise...

Perfect Sunday Morning Breakfast

2011-05-01T21:20:00.000+01:00

All photos copyright Sabine Harfmann.

We are big breakfast fans, daddy and me, so whenever we get the chance we will indulge in a truly grand breakfast. Our favourites include: Italian fried eggs, grapefruit halves, homemade smoothie and, best of all, Spaghetti fritters. We always plan to leave some for tomorrow's lunchbag, but they never last long enough...

Spicy Italian Eggs (based on recipe from Silvana Franco's 'Family Food')

We love the spicyness about Silvana's fried eggs, and our little boy (now 21 months) is following our footsteps eagerly, but do be cautious if you prepare the chilli, and thoroughly wash your hands before touching anything else after handling them.

ingredients per person:

1 plum tomato, thickly sliced

1 slice of ciabatta or other rustic bread

2 tbsp olive oil

1 large egg

1 small garlic clove, peeled and thinly sliced

1/2 small red chilli, thinly sliced (optional)

large handful of snipped chives

1/2 tsp balsamic vinegar

sea salt and pepper

Daddy's method: Thinly slice a clove of garlic and a centimetre or so of a red chilli. Heat up some olive oil in the pan then crack the eggs into it. Give the eggs a minute to establish themselves then add the garlic and chilli to the pan. Spoon the hot oil over the eggs while cooking to infuse with the flavours. As soon as the eggs are ready throw in a handful of inch-long snipped chives and zip it all around the pan with a splash of good balsamic vinegar. Serve eggs on toasted ciabatta with a heap of fried tomatoes and plenty of seasoning.

Spaghetti fritters (based on recipe from 'jamie's italy' by Jamie Oliver)

Spaghetti for breakfast - a child's dream come true! I sometimes catch myself cooking too much pasta accidentally on purpose so that we can use the leftovers for fritters. Again, this recipe is all about the spicyness. We make the first batch milder so that the little one can enjoy it, too. He loves the anchovies!

ingredients for 4

2 cloves of garlic, peeled and finely chopped

a handful of fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped

2 eggs, preferably organic

1 egg yolk, preferably organic

2 handfuls of freshly grated parmesan cheese

sea salt, freshly ground black pepper

200g/7oz dried spaghetti

olive oil

optional: 2 anchovies, roughly chopped

1-2 dried chillies, crumbled

Jamie's method: Put all your ingredients, apart from the spaghetti and olive oil, into a bowl and mix together. Snip the pasta (cooked and cooled) with scissors into pieces roughly 8cm/3 inches long and add them to the bowl. Mix everything well together.

Pour a little oil into a pan and place on the heat. Then, using a fork, add piles (as big or as small as you like) of the spaghetti mixture to the pan and fry until golden and crisp on both sides.

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First Words - First Love

2011-04-10T20:20:00.000+01:00

I believe that my little boy is in love. At the tender age of 20 months, he starts his days at 6.20am asking for 'Betty Boo'; a character from his beloved 'Orchard Book of Nursery Rhymes', a children's book beautifully illustrated by Faith Jaques. Unfortunately, Betty Boo, or to be precise, Betty Botter, isn't the kind of woman I have in mind as a future daugher-in-law. In the illustration she looks rather grim, if not downright menacing.

So, I'm really hoping that it is the Betty Botter rhyme that my son is so exceedingly attracted to:

***

Betty Botter bought some butter,

But, she said, the butter's bitter

If I put it in my batter,

It will make my batter bitter.

But a bit of better butter,

Will make my batter better.

So she bought a bit of butter,

Better than her bitter butter,

And she put it in her batter

And the batter was not bitter.

So t'was better Betty Botter

Bought a bit of better butter.

***

Not that my little Mister is able to say any of the words other than 'Betty Boo', but he loves listening to it and it has become an integral part of our bedtime routine, along with 'Hey diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle ...' and 'Moses supposes his toeses are roses...'.
It is a wonderfully old fashioned book and is literally being loved to pieces in our house.

All photos copyright reserved.

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Busy Mama Meal Ideas: Creamy Turkey & Buttery Rice

2011-04-05T22:36:00.000+01:00

Confessions of a meat-eater

Yum. This was a delicious meal. And so quick and simple, I'm sure it'll feature on our family meal planner in the near future again. I made it for lunch and we had the leftovers for supper; my 'gourmet baby' loved the buttery rice and the meat. It is probably fair to say that my efforts to live a veggy life have been in vain.

prep time 30 mins | feeds 4 grown ups and 2 little people

shopping:

turkey; 400g

rice; 250g*

onion; 1

butter; 1 tbsp

rapeseed oil; 3 tbsp

single cream; 250g

vegetable stock; 250g

parsley; plenty of**

salt & pepper

*we use wholegrain rice which takes longer to cook and is very filling and nutritious.

**fresh parsley is the magic ingredient here, it makes all the difference...

Method:

Cook the rice with the butter. While the rice is cooking, wash the turkey, dice the onion and chop the parsley. Heat the oil in a large, deep pan and sauté the onion. Add the meat and roast gently. Add the cream and vegetable stock and let simmer until the rice is done. Serve with some parsley and season to taste.

I have recently gotten into the habit of making a carrot salad at any occasion. My mother used to make it, and it was the best salad in the world, obviously. It's delicious with a little bit of apple and some onion. My offspring is still refusing to eat it so I make just enough for daddy and myself (2 large carrots and half an apple grated, and half an onion diced) and serve it with a balsamic vinegar and sunflower oil dressing, salt & pepper and with a hint of sugar.

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