"I'm not pregnant, I'm fat"

I often find that I have to explain to people that I am not pregnant, I'm fat. Well around the middle at least. To the question, "so, when are you due" I often want to answer, "15 months ago".

So I was intrigued by the title of Jaquie Brown's recently released book I'm not fat, I'm pregnant. Her book includes her personal experiences during pregnancy and advice from the experts including 'baby whisper' Sharlene Poole, obstetrician Dr Emma Parry and nutritionist Nikki Hart.

Mummy to three small boys

Gluten free banana chocolate muffins

I made these gluten free muffins recently and they were really delicious, light and relatively healthy. They froze well and got compliments all round (which isn't always the case with my gluten free baking).

Ingredients

2 ripe bananas
2 eggs
300 ml water
1 T white vinegar/cider vinegar
½ cup canola oil
200 g gluten free flour (I used Bakels' Gluten Free Health Baking Mix)
100 g rice flour
1 ¾ cups of sugar
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
chocolate (optional)

Method
Mash bananas in a large bowl then whisk in the eggs, water, oil and vinegar. Stir until well combined. In a another bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder and soda. I simply stir with a fork until it is well mixed.

Add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix with a spoon.

Divide mixture into 24 medium sized muffin tins or patty cases. Bake in a moderate oven for approximately 15-20 minutes. I like to pop a piece of chocolate on top of each muffin part way through the cooking process.

Enjoy!

How to make brushing fun for pre schoolers?

Good ole mummy network.  Another mummy friend of mine has developed this great character to encourage pre schoolers to brush their teeth.  As part of her job she has developed many different products around Barnabee the character below in the you tube clip.  Our kids love Barnabee.  They particularily love the Barnabee brushing buttons.  Bascially you play the buttons while they brush their teeth and they wiggle their little bums to the music while brushing their teeth.  We have a heap of the musical buttons that play the brushing song for 2 minutes while brushing.  So if you join me as a follower and then email us at munch.cooking@gmail.com with your address I shall send you one.  My kids love it and always have the button on, which is becoming rather tiresome but at least they love brushing. 

How to prepare for a bottle feed?

What do I prepare for my baby's feed?

Before you make your baby’s feed, follow these hygiene steps:

• Sterilise all your baby’s feeding equipment. This includes bottles, teats, lids, retaining rings and caps.


• Clean and disinfect the work surface you're going to use.


• Wash and dry your hands.


• Put a sterilised bottle on the clean surface.


• Use sterilised tongs to place the sterilised teat, lid, retaining ring and cap out ready, preferably on the upturned lid of the steriliser.

Once you’ve done this, you’re now ready to make your baby’s feed.

How do I make my baby’s feed?

It's essential that you measure the milk powder and water accurately. If the feed is too weak, your baby will be hungry and won’t put on weight. If the feed is too strong, your baby will become very thirsty and dehydrated.


Follow our step-by-step guide on how to make a formula feed for your baby:

• Fill the kettle with fresh tap water. Don’t use artificially softened water or water that has already been boiled before. Only use bottled water if you’re abroad. A change in tap water could give your baby a tummy upset, because of the difference in minerals and purifying chemicals in the water. You'll still need to boil the mineral water.


• Bring the water to the boil and allow it to cool for 20 to 30 minutes. It needs to be hot enough to kill any bacteria in the powder, but not boiling hot. If you have a thermometer, the water should be at least 70 degrees C. Take care, though, as that’s still hot enough to scald you.


• Read the instructions on the packet to check the amount of water needed for each bottle and the number of scoops of powder to use.


• Pour the required amount of water into the bottle. It's important to put the water in first, because you need to measure it accurately.


• Check the water level in the bottle. Stand the bottle on the countertop and crouch down to look. This way you can see that the water level is in line with the mark on the side of the bottle. If you look from above or below, or pick it up to check, it may look fuller or emptier than it actually is.


• Add the right number of scoops of powder to the bottle. Use the scoop provided in the packet. It will measure just the right amount. Loosely fill the scoop and level it off using the back of a clean knife, or the leveler provided in the pack. You don't need to press the powder down for each scoop.


• Place a sterilised lid or teat on the neck of the bottle and screw the retaining ring on tightly. If you're using a teat, hold the teat on its edge as you put it on, or use sterilised tongs.


• Put a sterilised cap on the bottle and shake it carefully until the powder has dissolved completely.


• Before feeding your baby, test the temperature by tipping a little milk out of the teat onto the inside of your wrist. It should feel just warm, not hot. If you need to, cool the milk by holding the bottle, with a cap covering the teat, under cold running water.

Now you’re ready to give your baby her bottle.

How do I use a ready-made formula milk?

You can buy ready-made formula milk in cartons. These are more expensive than powder formula, but they can save time and are convenient when you're out and about.


All you need to do is pour as much as you need into a sterilised bottle, and warm it up. Or you could just give it to your baby at room temperature if she likes it like this. When you open the packet, make sure your hands are clean and you use clean scissors, if you need to.


If there's any ready-made formula left in the carton, use it within 24 hours. Make sure the cut corner is folded down and store the carton in the main part of the fridge where it’s coldest (DH 2009). The temperature of the fridge should be 5 degrees C or less.

Can I store my baby’s feed for her to finish later?

Unless you're using ready-made milk, always make a fresh feed for your baby. Don't store bottles of baby formula milk that you've already made. This is because bacteria can grow rapidly in formula milk kept at room temperature and can grow slowly in the fridge.


Having said that, there may be times when you just have to make up a feed in advance and keep it in the fridge. This may be the case if you have twins\, or if you're out for the day or your baby goes to childcare. Read more about storing formula in the fridge safely. Your midwife and health visitor can also give you practical tips on how to cope.


When your baby has finished feeding, throw away any leftover formula. If your baby hasn’t fed from a bottle at all, throw it away within one hour. It may seem a waste, but it's healthier for your baby that way.

What are the breast feeding positions?

Here is a simple diagram of some of the positions of breastfeeding.

In reality it often depends on the size of your milk jugs, boobs, breasts what ever you feel comfortable calling them or how tired you are.  It is much easier to use the football hold if you have larger breasts.  If you are completely knackered which you are often in those early days, the lying down hold tis the best!!

The  most sociable one is the cradle holds as you can be a little more conspicuous when in public.

I think this is the last of our breastfeeding series, but more to come on the bottle feeding.

How to cook Aubergine - dont be afraid

I have often in the past been slightly scared of the aubergine as I had no idea how to cook it.  But now I do and it is a great vegetable to add to so many dishes.

The aubergine (also called eggplant) is a vegetable. It is in the Nightshade family of plants. It is related to the potato and tomato. Originally it comes from India and Sri Lanka. The fruit of the aubergine plant is commonly used as a vegetable.

Aubergine is a wonderful, meaty-tasting vegetable with a nice chewy texture. Aubergines can be fried, put into soups, casseroles and even stuffed. Here are a few easy steps to cooking an eggplant, which is a vegetable known to lower high blood cholesterol.

There are many different types of aubergine, the most common one is called the common globe aubergine but there are thinner Italian, Chinese, Japanese and Indian eggplants.

Salt only large aubergine. Sometimes the globe aubergines can be bitter, so these are usually sliced into rounds, sprinkled with salt, and left to sit in a colander for 20 to 30 minutes so the bitter juices can drain out. Rinse, then chop and use. The smaller varieties of aubergine typically don't need to be salted.

There are so many different ways to cook aubergine.  Here are some of the ways.

• Fry aubergine rounds in olive oil for 5 to 7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and tender. Don't use too much oil; aubergine is rather like a sponge when it comes to oil. Whatever you use, it will absorb.

• Grill lightly oiled aubergine slices over medium to medium-high heat, about 10 minutes per side or until tender. 

• Broil lightly oiled aubergine slices for about 5 minutes per side, until brown and tender.

• Cut slits into a whole aubergine, stuff a few slices of garlic into each slit, and roast the aubergine in a 400-degree oven for 40 to 60 minutes, or until collapsed and completely tender. Peel the aubergine, then chop or mash into a puree.

• Pair aubergines with tomatoes, garlic, and herbs such as basil, parsley and mint.

• Stir-fry aubergines with garlic, red chili and a little ground pork for a classic Chinese dish.

Don't forget to check out our cookbook - Munch - Seasonal cookbook for baby and family for aubergine recipes for the whole family.

  

How to bottle feed a baby correctly

Here is a nice little clip on how to bottle feed your baby in a very well 'ra-de-da' english accent!  Hope it helps.

We have to thank a good friend who encouraged us to make sure we do a series on bottle feeding as she believed there was not enough information out there anymore. So thanks Tans.

Also just wanted to let you know we have another mummy blogger joining us called mummy M.  She is a wonderful mummy who has  1 year old twins and a 4 year old.  Again a mummy with all boys, what is in the water these days!  Mummy blogger Anna is about to embark on a 7 week holiday with her family so will not be blogging as much but will publish a post once a week.  Enjoy the clip.

Why bottle feed?

One of our key decisions for our blog was not to exclude any mummy as we believe all mummys want to love their babies and do the best they can for them.  So we do agree that breast is best but we like to be real and understand sometimes that is not best for everyone.  There are many reasons why mummys do not breast feed as we thought below.  So if you are one of them, that is fine we respect your views.  What is important is a happy mummy and a happy baby.  So as promised this is the first of the series on bottle feeding.

The mother's health:

The mother is infected with HIVor has active tuberculosis. She is malnourished, extremely ill or has had certain kinds of breast surgery. She is taking any kind of drug that could harm the baby, or drinks unsafe levels of alcohol.

The baby is unable to breastfeed:

The child has a birth defect or inborn error of metabolism such as galactosemia (big word so hope I have spelt it correctly, even spell checker did not recognise it!) that makes breastfeeding difficult or impossible

The baby is considered at risk for malnutrition:

In certain circumstances infants may be at risk for malnutrition, such as due to  iron deficiency, vitamin deficiencies (e.g. vitamin D which may be less present in breast milk than needed at high latitudes where there is less sun exposure), or inadequate nutrition during transition to solid foods.

 

 

Personal preferences and beliefs:

The mother may dislike breast-feeding or think it inconvenient. She may feel that breasts are too sexual for a baby, or that bottle-feeding will increase the father's role in parenting his child.

Absence of the mother:

The child is adopted, orphaned, abandoned, or in the sole custody of a man. The mother is separated from her child by being in prison or a mental hospital. The mother has left the child in the care of another person for an extended period of time, such as while travelling or working abroad.

Food allergies:

The mother eats foods that may provoke an allergic reaction in the infant.

Financial pressures:

Maternity leave is unpaid, insufficient, or lacking. The mother's employment interferes with breastfeeding.

 

 

Societal structure:

Breastfeeding may be forbidden at the mother's job, school, place of worship or in other public places, or the mother may feel that breastfeeding in these places or around other people is immodest, unsanitary, or inappropriate.

Social pressures:

Family members, such as mother's husband or boyfriend, or friends or other members of society may encourage the use of infant formula. For example, they may believe that breastfeeding will decrease the mother's energy, health, or attractiveness.

 

 

Lack of training:

The mother is not trained sufficiently to breastfeed without pain and to produce enough milk.

 

 

Lactation insufficiency:

The mother is unable to produce sufficient milk.  Some women may choose infant formula either exclusively or as a supplement to breastfeeding.

Fear of exposure to environmental contaminants:

Certain environmental pollutants, such as poly chlorinated biphenyls, can bio accumulate in the food chain and may be found in humans including mothers' breast milk. However studies have shown that the greatest risk period for adverse effects from environmental exposures is prenatally. Other studies have further found that the levels of most persistent organohalogen compounds in human milk decreased significantly over the past three decades and equally did their exposure through breastfeeding.

Lack of wet nurses:

Wet nursing is illegal and stigmatised in some countries, and may not be available.It may also be socially unsupported, expensive, or health screening of wet nurses may not be available. The mother, her doctor,or family may not know that wet nursing is possible, or may believe that nursing by a relative or paid wet-nurse is unhygienic.

Lack of milk banks:

Human-milk banks may not be available, as few exist, and many countries cannot provide the necessary screening for diseases and refrigeration.

So if you are one of these mothers or have another reason why you will not breast feed.  That is okay as it is all about making sure mummy is happy, then baby is happy, then family is happy.  Just hate judgements these days, I reckon you can have an opinion or offer advice but a judgement is personal and people should respect others decisions. 

The editoring process

Just spoke to our editor George.  I must emphasis the 'G' as he has such a strong American accent.  We seem to misunderstand each other sometimes as I do not reckon Americans understand our Australasian sarcasm.  Often I am the only one laughing at the end of the telephone.  Must start skyping to get a better insight on his reactions to my sarcasm.  Anyhow I have promised him that we will get the final content editing manuscript to him next week ecccck.  At the moment with all the marketing work we are doing , it has been hard to stay focused on the book. We really only each have a couple of hours at night after our kids are in bed to sit down and work on our business. Will have to dig deep to get it to him.  We now understand how writers must feel when they are not in the zone but there are time frames to meet.  It feels really different from having to meet a corporate project time frame, as this is more personal as there is a lot of 'love ' behind the book...hope that does not sound too kitsch!

So have decided on the American grammar and citations as our Editor reckons it is more universal, I suppose we will see.  I cannot help but want to favour the British style due to my English heritage.  Anyhow must listen to the professionals I suppose.  I would expect this if I was advising someone on a legal issue.

Did you know that some countries design recipes by cup measures and others by mls. So that is another decision we need to make.  We kinda want the book to universal so will go with the majority. 

Well we hope to have our final draft to the editor at the end of next week. Fingers crossed.

Facebook page up and running

Yahoo, we have finally got our face book page up and running.  So far had some fantastic feedback so thanks to those that have 'liked' us or commented.

Here is the link

http://www.facebook.com/munchcooking

Basically our page will be providing some kid friendly recipes, some general cooking inspirations and running some competitions.  So check it out. 

As any mummy knows things always take a little longer than expected as you always have to expect the unexpected with little ones.  So bear with us on the t shirt promise, we will get their.  Just like we have done on the FB page.  Even though things take time for mummies we are pretty good multi taskers or in management speak high level project managers or chief executors of the family.  Just trying to show the importance of our jobs when put in business speak.  Like our post on notice the unnoticeable, what we do is extremely important.

Chat soon.

You can breast feed anywhere. Poem

I found this great poem on breast feeding that I thought I would share.  Poet unknown  Enjoy.

Poetry to the tune of Green eggs and ham by Dr Seuss

You may breastfeed in a store,
on the floor,
in a roar.
You may breastfeed in a jam,
eating fried green eggs and ham.
You may breastfeed on the stair.
You may breastfeed anywhere!Your baby can latch on in a swing,
on the wing,
in a ring.
He can latch on in a car,
where you are,
at the barre.
She can latch on in a storm,
on the farm:
that's her charm.
She can latch on in a train,
on a plane,
without pain.
They can latch on to a rhyme.
They can latch on any time.You can nurse Jane or Joe.
You can nurse Clyde or Moe.
you can nurse Betty or Sallie.
you can nurse at a political rally.
You can nurse any time, anywhere.
You can nurse clothed or bare.
You can nurse unshaved of hair.
You can nurse Tim, Tony or Tom.
Who can nurse? Any mom!

Kids work together, sometimes good sometimes bad

Another little giggler from google.  I kinda like this one as we have two!

What is good about asparagus?

A for Asparagus.  Yes still on the 'A's.  Although I must say at least the word Asparagus has not been hijacked by a big corporate like Apple.

So we have done a series on breastfeeding, with still more to come.  But I reckon, everything should be balanced so we are going to do a few blogs on bottle feeding as not everyone is able to breastfeed.  We really do not want to exclude anyone as there are so many stories from antenatal classes whereby the instructors avoid talking about bottle feeding and c sections.  Which in turn makes people feel marginalised and guilty.  Get real, sometimes things are different than the ideal, but that does not mean it should be seen as anything less.  All mothers naturally want to do the best for their babies.    Anyhow back to A for Asparagus...

Did you know that asparagus has a terrible effect on ones urine!!  The second century physician Galen described asparagus as "cleansing and healing".  So I guess that means getting all the smelly rubbish out of ones system.  Although I must say I never noticed any of the nappies I have changed to be stinker if my babies had eaten asparagus!  But generally babies do not like asparagus on their own.  You will have to check out some of our recipes for using asparagus in our cookbook.

Nutrition studies have shown asparagus is a low-calorie source of folate and potassium. Its stalks are high in antioxidants. As you probably know folate is critical for pregnant women, since it protects against neural tube defects in babies. Several studies indicate getting plenty of potassium may reduce the loss of calcium from the body.  Particularly green asparagus is a good source of vitamin C. Vitamin C helps the body produce and maintain collagen, the major structural protein component of the body's connective tissues.  These are just some of the great things that are contained in asparagus.  There are plenty more like it is a good source of vitamin B, zinc etc.  Basically eat your heart out with asparagus, you cannot go wrong but for the stink!

Like many goods and produce China is the world's largest producer: in 2010 (5,906,000 tonnes). But why not grow your own as it is pretty easy and once planted they keep producing and producing.

So there you go A for Asparagus.

Things adults learn from kids

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Just another little giggler that I got from google! Funny Things Adults Learn from Kids

There is no such thing as child-proofing your house. A 4 year old's voice is louder than 200 adults in a crowded restaurant. When you hear the toilet flush and the words "Uh-oh;" it's already too late. A magnifying glass can start a fire even on an overcast day. Legos will pass through the digestive tract of a 4 year old. Duplos will not. You probably do not want to know what that odor is. Always look in the oven before you turn it on. Quiet does not necessarily mean don't worry. Play Dough and Microwave should never be used in the same sentence. Super glue is forever. Garbage bags do not make good parachutes. A king size waterbed holds enough water to fill a 2000-square-foot house four inches deep. A 6 year old can start a fire with a flint rock even though a 36-year-old man says they can only do it in the movies. A good sense of humor will get you through most problems in life (unfortunately, mostly in retrospect).