Cooking and writing is my therapy

Some people use yoga and meditation, people play golf or paint art, listening to music, but for me therapy is not just exercising and listening to music and meditating, but I have also found that writing and cooking for me is too like therapy to me, cooking is not just a chore.

I love to write and cook, especially when I add my own touches to a recipe and it works out. Developing a story and making it grow.

I have made some mistakes when cooking and I am not one to boast about grammar, but for me I write and cook from the heart, and that to me is what is important, keeping it real and honest.

My Nan was my biggest influence when it came to cooking, and my untie Fai would teach me a few things too, when I stayed at hers sometimes. I always liked writing even at school.

I wouldn’t exactly call me Nigella Lawson and I don’t think Delia Smith will be feeling threatened by my cooking anytime soon, and I don’t think JK Rowling has anything to worry about, but when I am in the kitchen cooking or sitting and writing a blog or story it gives me something else to focus on and I love being creative, and creating a fictional story is great as it like watching a movie or reading a book it takes me away from reality for a while, and I think that is the secret when you use things for therapy it’s about turning off the norm and going into the fantasy land of cooking and storytelling.

There is nothing like making a good homemade soup, but last Friday the one I made wasn’t my best and I did beat myself up about it, as I am if I am going to be a completely honest a perfectionist, but that is good because it will help me to make sure the next soup I make is one of my best. Like when I first started to exercise and keep fit, I am learning each time I cook and write. I know what not to do next time; how I can make it so it meet with my taste buds? And that to me is another key thing to cooking, it is finding what is right for your taste buds, the same as writing is finding what I like to write about and read about.

Sometimes you can get mixed views when it comes to writing and also cooking, I have not made a meal for my friends or family yet or read them any of my stories, but would like to cook them all a meal I just need to learn to be more confident to do so, and make it special. I do lack confidence even though I know I can cook and write I just need to believe in myself a bit more.

Developing new ideas

I also like creating and developing new ideas, but the problem I have is my mind will jump from one idea to another and before I know it I have too many ideas that I don’t know where to start; this is where I have learned to organize and plan, and write out the ideas so I will remember them and I can always come back to them once I have completed my first idea.

If you wish to get into cooking and being more creative in the kitchen then my first tip is to keep it basic at the beginning, don’t run before you can walk. This is how I have improved my cooking and baking, because instead of taking huge steps I have taken little ones, which has helped me to learn new recipes and ideas, so then I can be more ambitious. Tip for writing, write about things you know about and think of events that have happened in your life that you can use in a story.

When writing jot it down don’t wait for it to slip you mind, don’t worry if you think it’s rubbish at first, just write it down then you can edit and change it as you like. Write for 10 to 15 minutes a day will help you get started and keep writing then edit it only a few times once you have done a page or edit once you have completed a chapter.

When cooking my 2^nd tip is to read the recipe 3 or 4 times or even 6 to 7 times if you wish to, so it stays stuck in your mind and get all your ingredients prepared first and then read again on mixing the ingredients together and cooking details to complete the recipe.

Don’t mix time consuming with difficult, there are some meals that can take a bit of time to do but can be fairly easy once you have prepped and made the recipe a few times. Some meals can be very quick to do but can take a little longer to cook, but doesn’t mean it is difficult it’s like anything different recipes take different amounts of time to prepare and to cook, but doesn’t make them hard work.

Cutting corners

There is nothing wrong in my opinion with cutting corners, I still buy tubs of homemade soup and tinned, and still by a jar of curry sauce to save time, but then I will make a dessert instead, or I will make some croutons or some homemade garlic bread for example to go with it.

If you have a busy lifestyle then sometimes it’s must to cut corners, but you can still add your own touches to a meal for example, if I am having a roast dinner I will make a dressing to go over the meat whilst it cooks, or I will make my own roast potatoes, and use tinned peas and carrots. Who says I can’t?

Sometimes the most simplest and quickest of meals are the best. For example this Friday my husband’s away to Southampton for his brothers birthday, which I won’t be going as I know they will be having a pub crawl and being pregnant don’t fancy it this time, but I decided rather than buy a Chinese takeaway I would make my own. So I bought some diced meat, broccoli and carrots, beansprouts, some chow mein sauce, some rice which I will make my own egg fried rice with and some spare ribs, with prawn crackers on the side. I may decide to eat this in bed or watch a DVD downstairs, but veg out for the night.

So I am not exactly making my own Chinese meal but I making my own version in the respect that saves me money as it will be cost friendly compared to a takeaway and I am still doing a little to add my own touches which suits me and I may also do some writing over the weekend whilst my husband’s away to keep me occupied, who knows.

All I say is if you want to cook and write, which you too may feel therapeutic then be my guest and if you want to cut corners go one, who’s going to know and people don’t really care.

I will be adding some recipe ideas and pictures of my cooking soon and some more writing tips too so please watch this space.

Many thanks for reading,

 

Carrie X

 

 

 

 

 

Something that crops up.

So today we had my step dad nephew sort out our electric, and that was fine as this was planned yesterday, and at the time I had nothing else expected to do that I needed to go out for, but I can planned to do some blogging and other work on my computer.

But as I do plan my weeks ahead I set out what I will do each week. However after filling in a form for maternity leave, is see that the midwife had put the wrong address on my MatB1 so I had to change my plan and go out to the doctors to have this changed. Also my husband was due to come home just after 11am but because he had to cover for the other caretaker who was doing some errands for the school they work for, he only managed to come back for work for an hour.

 

So what do you do when something unexpected crops up and you have made other plans?

Well of course it depends what it is, but if it is maintenance on the house and you need a plumber to come out asap, then if your other plans are not so important then of course arrange for the plumber to come as soon as he can, and once he has been then do the other bits you’ve planned to do afterwards. Remember though that you are only one person so you can’t be expected to do 25 things at once, but write out your plan and workout what is most important so what must be completed on the day and what can be put aside for tomorrow or whenever you have another free slot in the week.

If for example you have a doctor’s appointment booked, which was booked a week or so ago and you need a plumber or electrician to come out, then remember that tradesmen, ie. Electrician, plumber, you are paying them to do the service so they have to work around what is best for you, so tell them that “I have another appointment at 3pm so I can’t be expected to stay in the whole day when can you come out to sort out my problems? I will need for you to come out before my other appointment then or after”. If you have an early doctor’s appointment, for example, then I would recommend to arrange for the servicemen to come after your doctor’s appointment in the morning.

 

Tell them that “My other appointment cannot be changed so you will need to come out when I can be at home for you to fix my problem” give yourself enough time to get back as if your appointment is say 9am and you have to get a bus to the doctors and then back, which can take half an hour, arrange for the servicemen to come out an hour and half or so afterwards. Don’t think you have to work around their clock.

 

What if you have an expected delivery is coming and now the company who has arranged the delivery for you rings to say that they not able to deliver on that date already arranged, but the other days the company suggests for delivery, you have arranged to meet with friends or you have planned a meeting with the bank manager for example and they cannot be put off?

Remember who has paid for that delivery, YOU and so the company will again have to work around you, don’t let them to take control and arrange it around themselves.

Most furniture companies will use independent delivery companies and so the deliveries will be schedule by the delivery company but not the company who has sold you the product. However if they have said “Ok, we can’t do Monday now as planned but we can reschedule for Tuesday” you check your diary and Tuesday morning is fine,  ask them what time can you expect the delivery, and they will have gap times, example 8am to 1pm. If that time is not good for you, ask when is the next slot the item can be delivered in, as usually the will have a morning delivery slot time and afternoon/evening slot. Choose what is best for you. If they say they are going to delivering between 8am to 1pm, which you have agreed on, and nothing arrives say by 12noon, get onto the delivery firm or company the items was bought from and chase the delivery then, don’t wait until 1pm or 2pm when you have an appointment at 3pm, as they can’t expect for you to be in all day and they should have delivered between the time they have agreed on.

Ask them (either the company who sold you the item or the delivery company) where the deliverymen are and how far are they, it could be that they are lost in which case you can then provide directions, or it could be that they are stuck in traffic but least then you know, and then you can decide on what to do, if you are not happy with waiting another hour tell them, it’s your right then they will have to arrange for another day of delivery which is best for you.

If they say they will be an hour late, and you wish to complain then do so, as most of the time you have to pay not just for the item itself but for the delivery too. Remember you are the paying customer so you don’t have to agree with anything. If the company has arranged for the delivery service to be delivered between 8am and 1pm then they should meet that promise.

Another tip when we expect a delivery we always ask for the company to pass our telephone numbers to the delivery service, to make sure they ring us at least 20 to 30 minutes before hand, just in case you do need to pop out and you know you can as they haven’t phoned you yet. Also if you work close to home, why loose a day’s pay or use up a day’s holiday when you don’t need too?

If they call you and hour or 30 minutes before and you work around the corner or 20 minutes away then you can pop home within that time to await delivery. Of course make sure you check with your employer or manager that it is ok for you to go home for the delivery and give your manager some days’ notice too in case they do need to have someone cover you just for that time, first before you just up and leave without word, unless you are the boss of course.

 

A friend has called has reminded you it is Susie’s party tomorrow for example which you have forgotten about and you have arranged a night in with the kids.

If you work, a mum, have errands to run and have pets to feed, then remembering events like a friend’s birthday can easily pass your mind. I am a nightmare when it comes to remembering birthdays and now we are all getting slightly older, we don’t tend to go out for our birthdays now.

However normally if someone is having a 40^th or a 30^th sometimes they would want to celebrate by having a party or meal, but it pass your mind even though you did write it into diary but with other appointments and kids birthdays, it just popped out of your head, that’s life.

I would say first of all as I know from experience, forget the guilt, take control and just let her know that you will try and make the her birthday but you not sure if you can get a baby sitter but you will do the best you can to make it. That way you aren’t really letting her down, but you are being honest because you won’t be able to go anywhere if you can’t have someone look after the children whom you trust, but you’ve said you will try and make it the best you can.

Explain to your children that mummy friends has a birthday party like their school friends and you may need to go if nanny or a friend (example) can spend an evening with you, and we can have our night in tomorrow. Be upfront, most children won’t bat an eyelid and you are treating them as people.

If you are not able to get a babysitter, you can’t be expected to work miracles and your friend will have to understand if you are not able to make it.

However looking at another scenario, if you have double booked yourself in the terms of planned to go out with someone from work and you forgot about your friend’s birthday party the same evening then you will have to think, whom is the most important to you? Can you arrange another night with your work friend and go to party? With work friends there is always another night, but with other friends who you don’t work with and whom you don’t see all the time, then make them the priority.

Never feel guilty as no one is able to cut themselves in half and if you are someone who has a lot of friends out of work and in then one side with have to give, and you will just need to re-arrange another time to see them.

 

What if a friend calls out of the blue to say they are in town and wondered if you wanted to meet them or is ok if they pop round, but you have already planned to spend the day with your mum?

A tough one, but the way around it is why not contact your mum and explain a friends whom you don’t see often is in town is ok if she joins us? Mum shouldn’t mind, as you are still spending time with her but you are seeing your friend too, then you’re not letting anyone down. Most mums like to meet their children’s friends no matter what age you are and will be happy that there is another women to talk to.

Let you friend know that you had plans to meet your mum today, and go shopping but I would really like for you to come, mum don’t mind at all, can you make it?

If she not able to make it as she may only have a couple hours to spare then at least you’ve asked her and find out how long she is in town for and if she is down for a few days which she has no other plans then see her another day; or if your friend says she is only town for today then say “Ok then let us know before hand when you are coming down again and I will make sure I am free, and we can meet up then” Or arrange to go to hers one day to meet.

Really I prefer it I was the friend coming to visit our would always let my friends know before hand, as people won’t be waiting around for you to turn up, so ask them to give you more notice next time.

There is always a way of working things out, as with all relationships friends, marriage and family it is about compromises and what works well for all of you.

If your friend tries to make you feel guilty and is disappointed and annoyed you are not able to meet, then she will have to be let down, and say that “I am disappointed too, but I didn’t know you were coming into town today, and you made plans mum some time ago as we don’t always spend time with each other a lot now, and so you are not willing to change those plans” She may feel hurt by this but if she is a friend then she will understand, as the world doesn’t revolve around one person she may have other friends and family and wouldn’t stop her plans for you, which you wouldn’t expect and I say that what works for one works for all.  

It is not just about receiving it about giving aswell.

So if something does crop up as things will, look at your plans I bet that there is at least one thing that can be changed to fit in that other task you need to do. Friends can always been seen it’s about compromising, being honest and it is not possible to see everyone at the same time.

Never panic and try not to worry, things always work out in the end.

Many thanks for reading,

 

Carrie X

 

Long time

It feels such a long time since I last wrote my last blog post, but since moving to a new home I have had no internet for over a month due to BT letting us down, and then changed to sky broadband instead, and finally since last Thursday (10th October 2013) finally I had access to the internet again.

It got me thinking how times have changed, it isn't that I have just realised that technology and the internet have taken over the world, but that it is surprising how I felt without having the internet. I felt restricted and now I do have internet back I feel I have access to the world again.

I have when I needed to, borrowed a family's computer to use the internet but it not the same as using your own as you feel that you can't use theirs like you would at home. Now I have internet back at home I feel like life is normal again.

I do think with the internet now and because of online shopping and the information you can access without buying a book for example, can make you become lazy and so what I have done is not allowed myself to search the internet all day or watch YouTube all day, but have made slotted times for myself.

The advantages is that when I want to make a dessert for example I don't need to search through a recipe book but go online, and get a recipe from BBC cooking website, or all recipes website (as examples) I don't have to go far to search for any information I need.

How would I cope if I had to write letters again instead of emailing or use my landline to call a friend instead of texting on my mobile?

It would be strange and felt that it would take too long and the internet is a convenience station that I call it.

The bad side to the internet is people can easily commit fraud, which has happened to me recently and a few times before then, and I know it has also happened to other people I know too. Someone decided to take my bank details and top up their pay as you go phones, and this was not just the odd £10.00, it was a few £10.00 and £20.00 mounting to £100.00. Then today I see checking through my recent transactions as it has made me more vigilant even though I have always been careful and taken care of my money, that the persons who had taken the £100.00 had taken a further £30.00 too, before I had changed my card details. Thankfully the bank have refunded me the £100.00 and will be refunding the £30.00 aswell. It is just so frustrating because there is no way of finding out who it was.
However it is good to be able to blog again and to access recipes and other information I want, and feel that as long as you take precautions, it is good to use and welcome the change of life as it is now, and glad to be back on the net.

Many thanks for reading,


Carrie X

My Hot Moving Tips

I am currently in the process of moving to a new property, which I have already discussed on my Wordpress.com blog page, and thought I would share my hot tips to help those out there who may also be on the move but have no idea where to start.

1. Choosing a place to start.

So where should you start?

All items that you don't need or wish to dispose of, once you've sorted out these items then you can go ahead and separate the item you wish to keep.

2. The items you wish to keep.

Once I decided what I wanted to keep and take with me to the new place, I began with my toiletries and went through my toiletries that I had spare of, but I didn't need to use right away and packed these items and kept out the items I am currently using and will use up or pack at the very end of moving.

I then went through my paper work, my receipts, bank statements, payslips, etc and kept all the items that were dated from Jan 2012 onwards.

Paid any last minutes bills and cancelled the items I will no longer need. When cancelling household or home insurance policies for example do ring them and explain to them that you are moving and what you need to do to cancel, as some do ask for a certain amount of notice (usually a month).

I then went through my clothes and as I am expecting my first baby I know that there will be some clothes I not able to wear at the moment or through my pregnancy as my tummy expands, and so packed these clothes next, along with out of season clothes, so if moving in the summer like me you can pack away the winter clothes and visa versa if moving during winter time.

To pack my clothes my husband and I have used holdalls and fabric storage containers. Try to clean all your clothes before you move, so won't need to be done once unpacked, keep separate from other items so they don't pick up dust.

3. Packing equipment, I have used,

- Large well packed bags and holdalls.
- Bubble wrap.
- Brown parcel paper.
- Storage boxes.
- Plastic bags.
- Cardboard Boxes.
- Duck tape and cellotape.

Anything that can easily brake such as cups, plates, bowls and glassed items make sure they are wrapped in bubble wrap or in a plastic bag and you put on outside of box contents are fragile. Use screwed up newspaper or scraps of material to pad out the boxes with these items, stops them from being bashed about inside box.

Label each box, bag and container so you know when it comes to taking them to your new place it will make unpacking a lot easier.

4. Cleaning.

Clean as you go, so any shelves, furniture or floor space that is clear clean these at the time of clearing and packing away these items, then it will save you a lot of time on you last day of moving.

5. Buying new items for new home.

It is very easy to get over excited and buy loads of new items for your new home, but keeping it to a minimum will save you carrying anything you don't need to, we have some new items from products I won from my last job, a little candle set and small storage basket to go into new home, but nothing else, as we would only have to cart it to the new place, and so it is best to buy other new items once you have the keys and can start putting items into the new home.

Also it is best to measure the rooms first and see how much space you have before buying any new furniture.

6. Electrical items.

Try and pack these together safely wrapped, and you can use plastic bags like I have and tie this securely up them up and put into a storage bin and label so whoever moves the box they know that there is electrical items in the box as it could be heavy and they will need to take extra care.

7. Only move what you physically can.

Anything too heavy or you are pregnant like me it is best not to touch any boxes or bags that are heavier than you can physically can lift or should be lifting. Leave it to those who can physically move these items or if using a storage firm, let them do it as these people are trained to carry heavy items.

8. Books.

I have used two of the large recycle everlasting shopping bags for these and great as we can clearly see that their are books in these and keeps these altogether.

9. Home Office.

Pack all your folders together, stationary items, notepads and paper together.
Put together all your study books and folders, and crafting items.

10. Baby items.

I haven't bought anything for my new expected baby as of yet, as I am going to wait until we move as I am 17 weeks and will be 18-19 weeks once we move so will start getting items ready for the baby then, but if you have already bought some baby items then keep all these together in a sterile container. Keep all new unpacked baby products in their boxes, until it is time to get them ready to use them as they can change colour and become non sterile if not done so or stored correctly. Always read the storage instructions for these items.

 11. Jewellery.

I packed all small loose jewellery in small cellophane bags, in my two jewellery boxes and a purse. This will make sure that these items don't get lost during moving and keeps it altogether.

12. Clean new home and items as you unpack.

Once you have moved into your new home, and start to unpack clean items as they are unpacked.

If you moving to a new home, then I wish you the very best in your new place and I hope you do find these tips useful. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

blog ears to dog ears (revisited): There's a path called life and we're all on it...t...

blog ears to dog ears (revisited): There's a path called life and we're all on it...t...: There's a path called life and we're all on it - the choice is whether to keep keeping on, or just sit down and enjoy the view. ...
sharing this really good blog x cz

Set a challenge

A good way to get yourself motivated to organize is by setting yourself small challenges.
For example I have now challenged myself to try and get my weekly grocery shopping under £45.00.
I did actually achieved this first time I set the challenge and spent £36.00, I now have stuck to keeping with that challenge each week, and it has helped to save money on shopping, and organize my groceries, and makes sure all food is used and not wasted.

I always every week write a list and I buy items that I know will make up meals for other weeks to helps us save for those weeks to come. It is always good to keep tinned items, just check for those that have no added sugar or salt. There is a certain frown on tinned food, but I would not live without it as they save time and money, which goes for the same as frozen vegetables and produce.

We used to spend my husband and I over £100 a week on shopping and I remember thinking "No that is too much".

Then I watched a programme on YouTube called extreme couponing and it opened my eyes. Now in the UK our system is slightly different here and coupons are not really known very well here in the UK but I still used them and it they did help me, but also I learned from others on YouTube about planning ahead on my weekly shop so you can make those recipes you keep and reduce the cost of your shop. Making for example home made bolognese sauce is so much nicer and cost effective than a jar already made, and you can make other meals from the rest of the ingredients left over.

That is another challenge that me and my husband have set that we will make one meal from our recipe books a week, or I bake a cake or other pudding for dessert instead a week. You can do the 60 second cleaning challenge, where by you set your clock for 60 seconds (or 1 minute) and you pick a room to tidy and you have to clean and tidy it within 60 seconds and you will be surprised how quickly things can get done.

So go on set yourself a challenge today and see what you can organize and de-clutter today. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Organizing on a budget

When organizing on a budget is easy you just have to look around all the options you have, the boxes that are used for delivering parcels to your door, the pound and 99p shops.

I use the 99p and poundshop for part of my groceries such as milk, cheese, cereal, sausages and Ham for sandwiches etc, to my stationary, such as post it notes and plastic folders which I use very often for projects and storing important information.

My employment has now come to an end now and so the folders I used which have plastic sleeves in them I have reused, as they were items I had bought for my work and great for storing instruction manuals or magazine cut outs that I do keep on fashion, cooking, inspiring articles, exercise and fitness information and useful and helpful information.

To meal plan and to do my shopping list I use a shopping List and Meal planner notebook which I bought from Amazon, only for £3.89 and are sold by a company called Paper Things http://www.paperthings.co.uk/y

I use this all the time for my weekly shopping lists and for planning meals, I work around on the food I have already in my cupboards and fridge.

I do look in newspapers for good shopping deals in supermarkets and online, be careful of the items that are 2 for £5.00 as sometimes they do work out to be more expensive also if you are going to go for these deals plan the meals you are going to make so nothing is wasted. Items such as Mince, Pies and pizza etc can be kept frozen.

I also have a Day To Day To do notebook which again I use all the time and saves me money on printing, as I can just write down each day of what needs to be done. This is available from Amazon for just £4.25.

You can use any notebook and create your own To do book; it is all about as I have said before in my other blogs what works for you, and there are many ways to keep organized, it is just finding that structure and balance to get things done but also that you schedule important things to be done aswell as the things you need to do for yourself, "Your me time".

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X