Simple Goals for Each Day

1. Cook dinner.
2. Put a load of washing on. (Then hang, then bring in, then fold, then put away).
3. Help 6 year old with Homework.
4. Keep 3 year old occupied & happy while big brother does above homework.
5. Carry baby on my back from 4-7 PM.

(Then have a glass of wine!)

Giant Teddy & Giant Pillows

My parents are always telling me, "Space is Money".

When I buy them something they say, "Where am I going to store that?" and "I'm going to have to rearrange my garage..." and, "Lucky I am very good at Space Management".

Actually it's just my darling Dad.

Anyway, the other day they bought my two kids (one still in utero back then), a GIANT pillow each and a GIANT teddy. The pillow is now taking up 1/3 of their beds.

ARRGGHH!!! Daaaaad!!!

This Week's Menu

Monday - Pesto (veg)

Tuesday - Macaroni Pasta Bake (tuna)

Wednesday - Baked soy chicken

Thursday - Pan-fried Fish

Friday - Fried Rice (veg)

Saturday - Crumbed Chicken

Sunday - Pork Ribs

These are very easy, low-fuss meals. Even I can cook them!

Lactation Cookies

My good friend Cat gave me some tips re my milk supply issues:

1. Eat oats.
2. Eat Lactation Cookies.
3. Take Fenugreek tablets.

Here is the recipe for the cookies:


Lactation Cookies 

1 cup butter
1 & 1/2 cups brown sugar
4 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons flaxseed meal
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups oats, thick cut
1 cup or more chocolate chips/sultanas/almonds/macadamia nuts
2-4 tablespoons of brewers yeast (be generous)

IMPORTANT! Do not substitute the brewers yeast. Magic ingredient!!


Preheat the oven to 180C.

1) Mix together 2 tablespoons of flaxseed meal and water, set aside for 3-5 minutes.

2) Cream (beat well) butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, mix well.

3) Stir flaxseed mixture and add with vanilla to the butter mix. Beat until blended.

4) Sift together dry ingredients, except oats and chips.

5) Add to butter mixture. Stir in oats then chips.

6) Scoop or drop onto baking sheet, preferably lined. Because the dough is a little crumbly, it might be easier if you use a scoop.

7) Bake for 8-12 minutes, depending on size of cookies. Makes approximately 6 dozen cookies.

Castille Soap

I bought some Lavender Castille Soap through a friend. It's Giant.

It smells amazing.

It feels pretty nice too on your skin.

It is a Minimalist's Friend because there are 18 uses according to Dr Bonner. It is a nice, non-toxic way to clean yourself and your surroundings. And it's a lovely purple.

Here's a bit of info from Dr Bronner's website.

Dr. Bronner recorded the "18 in 1 uses" on his label, which we have left mostly intact since his passing in 1997; however, people have told us many, many more uses for it than that. Here is his version.


Dr. Bronner's version:


1. Always dilute for Shave-Shampoo-Massage-Dental Soap-Bath!
2. Peppermint is nature's own unsurpassed fragrant Deodorant!
3. A drop is best Mint Toothpaste; brushes Dentures Clean!
4. A dash in water is the ideal Breath Freshener & Mouth Wash!
5. Peppermint Oil Soap for Dispensers, Uniforms, Baby, Beach!
6. Dilute for ideal After Shave, Body Rub, Foot Bath, Douche.
7. Hot Towel-Massage the entire body, always towards your heart.
8. Pets, silk, wool & body tingles head to toe - keeps cool!
9. 3 dashes in water rinse most Sprays Off fruit & vegetables!
10. 1/4 oz in qt H2O is Pest Spray! Dash, no rash Diaper-Soap!

Paraphrased:

1. For everyday body-washing in the shower. (Yes, tried this).
2, For light cleaning, dilute from one part soap into 40 parts water for light cleaning. (No, yet to try. Using vinegar at the moment).
3. For shampoo. (Yes, tried this).
4. For the laundry, use 1/4 cup to 1/3 cup for one regular load old.  Add a dash of baking soda. (No, yet to try).
5. For toothbrushing, apply a drop or two max. (No, yet to try. Not game. Might buy Peppermint first).

In-Between Sizes

I don't like being in-between sizes. I don't want to buy anything, but I can't wear anything I own, and the maternity stuff is now too big. Boo Hoo.

I did buy one pair of jeans. Super skinny black jeans. I didn't think I would ever buy this but it's actually quite slimming. The only problem is that I now have a serious muffin top. I should have bought the super skinny in High Rise. Dang!!

I've been lucky that I have been able to lose most of the weight gained during pregnancy (I can thank my genes not self-control for that one), but I've still got a few more kgs to go...so I can fully utilise my wardrobe.

In the mean time, I enjoy wearing the same outfit everyday and varying the look occasionally with a scarf and those loose bat-wing tops.

Everything loose, and long (covering the bottom definitely), and comfortable.

P.S. And ladies, puh-lease!! I know that I am size 12, not 10. I've just had a baby. There is no point (Jeans West) in trying to trick me into believing that I'm a 10, with your silly tag. And you can get rid of those silly skinny mirrors too! :p

A Place for Everything & Everything in Its place

What a Good Rule.

Of course this doesn't apply just to Minimalists! It's just good housekeeping :)

Now that I "only" have 11 pairs of shoes, they all go in my deep bottom drawer in the built-in. When one is out and kicking about, I look and see that there's a spot in the drawer.

I've also recently allocated a spot in the linen cupboard for "Stuff to give to friends". It's mostly kids' clothes. This has been a better solution than small plastic bags kicking around my bedroom floor. Mind you, I have a few things still kicking around. Unfortunately, my bedroom is still a bit of a dumping ground.

Quick, friends are coming! Put EVERYTHING in the bedroom.

You know what I mean.