Grandmas Recipes

 Kids Vitamins can be confusing. There are so many questions: Is there a such thing as an “unhealthy” kids vitamin? Do you need a vitamin with iron? Which vitamins are the best? Do kids even need vitamins at all?

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Recently, I was talking with a friend and realized that a lot of these questions can be really overwhelming because there is so much information out there! So I did a bunch of research and found the healthiest kids vitamins out there today. This is your guide to multivitamins for kids: what to buy, what not to buy, and what to look out for!

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So first of all, do kids even need vitamins to begin with? 

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When buying a multivitamin, what should you look for? 

So to start, kids multivitamins generally come in two groups: 1) With Iron and 2) Without Iron. You should buy a multivitamin that doesn’t exceed 100% daily value of most of the vitamins for your child’s age group – primarily Vitamins A, E and K (that will be indicated by the label on the back). The exception here is for Vitamin C and other water-soluble vitamins. Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin but is ok to have at more than 100% of the daily value because most people are deficient (including kids) and Vitamin D isn’t toxic unless it’s in exceptionally high doses which wouldn’t be in a daily vitamin. If the vitamin does have more than 100% of A, E and K then I would just give your child half the dose on the bottle.

It’s also important to look for the ingredients that are added to the tablet that aren’t vitamins. Ingredients like: Sorbitol, carrageenan, artificial colors and flavors (Red #40 anyone?), aspartame, sucralose, to name a few! You definitely don’t want to be dosing your child with these ingredients on a daily basis along with their multivitamin.

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So let’s start with what not to buy:  The answer here is most of the commercially available, leading brands of multivitamins. The biggest offender of which is Flinstones Chewable Vitamins. 

What’s crazy is that on the label, Flinstones calls out that they are “Pediatrician’s #1 Choice.” And most people do buy Flinstones vitamins! I even remember eating them when I was a kid. They tasted so good! It was like a treat every morning. And if you are giving your kids Flinstones vitamins right now, don’t feel bad! You are not alone, and thanks to all of the deceptive marketing out there, there’s no way you’d know that Flinstones isn’t the best choice for any child. Before doing all of this research I didn’t realize how problematic they were, and why it’s important to switch away from them.

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The reason they are problematic, is because there are a ridiculous number of offensive ingredients in Flinstones Vitamins that truly, should not be there at all, and are not necessary. Take a look at two of their best sellers (I’ve highlighted in red all of the ingredients to avoid):

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Sorbitol, Mannitol, Fructose, Sodium Ascorbate, Ferrous Fumarate, Silicon Dioxide, Carrageenan, Natural and Artificial Flavors, FD&C Red #40 Lake; Less Than 2% Of: Aspartame†, BetaCarotene, Cholecalciferol, Cyanocobalamin, D-Calcium Pantothenate, dl-Alpha-Tocopheryl Acetate, FD&C Blue #2 Lake, FD&C Yellow #6 Lake, Folic Acid, Magnesium Stearate, Niacinamide, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Soy Lecithin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Acetate.

Granulated Calcium Carbonate (Calcium Carbonate, Dextrose Monohydrate, Sugar, Maltodextrin, Microcrystalline Cellulose), Sorbitol, Sodium Ascorbate, Ferrous Fumarate, Natural and Artificial Flavoring, Pregelatinized Starch, dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate; Less Than 2% Of: Beta-Carotene, Biotin, Calcium Pantothenate, Cholecalciferol, Cupric Oxide, Cyanocobalamin, FD&C Blue #2 Lake, FD&C Red #40 Lake, FD&C Yellow #6 Lake, Folic Acid, Gelatin, Magnesium Oxide, Magnesium Stearate, Mono- and Diglycerides, Niacinamide, Potassium Iodide, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Phytonadione, Riboflavin, Silicon Dioxide, Soy Lecithin, Sucralose, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Acetate, Zinc Oxide.

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Let’s take these one by one:

• Sorbitol and Mannitol are sugar alcohols. They have been known to cause digestive issues and discomfort in some people because they can’t be digested properly by the body.
• Carrageenan is an emulsifier that thickens products, but it has been linked to high levels of inflammation in the body, digestive issues, etc.
• Maltodextrin: this is an indicator that the food is highly processed. It’s used as a thickener, filler, or preservative in many processed foods, and it can cause spikes in your blood sugar because it has a high glycemic index.
• Natural and Artificial Colors – Red #40, Blue #2, Yellow #6. I mean, #wtf. What are these doing in a kids vitamin? These are so problematic and have been linked to all kinds of health problems including allergies, hyperactivity, learning impairment, irritability and aggressiveness.
• Artificial flavors – also highly processed and unnecessary in a kids vitamin.
• Aspartame and Sucralose – this is what diet sodas are sweetened with, and are highly controversial. Research hasn’t proven one way or the other whether they lead to long term health issues, but it has been proven that they cause an insulin-response by the body (because your body thinks you are eating sugar when you are not – source). If you wouldn’t give your child a diet coke, you shouldn’t give them a vitamin with this in it!
• Mono- and Diglycerides is one of the most widely used emulsifers to keep oil and fat from separating. It’s just an indicator that the food is processed.
• Oh, and gelatin. While this isn’t a harmful ingredient, it kind of sucks for any vegetarians or vegans out there who are giving their kids this vitamin without knowing that it’s not actually veggie-friendly.

So what should you buy instead? What’s the healthiest multivitamin out there? 

Luckily there are tons of options! Below is a list of my favorites: they all are made with natural ingredients, have no weird preservatives or any of the ingredients above added, and some even derive the vitamins from organic food sources which I absolutely love because they are better absorbed by the body that way. Most of these will have a tiny bit of cane sugar or fructose added, but as long as it’s less than 4g per serving it’s not a huge issue.

Note: ALL of the vitamins I recommend below do NOT contain gelatin. They are all vegetarian friendly!

With Iron:

Without Iron:

• Garden of Life – While it doesn’t have iron, I do love this brand. I take their women’s multivitamin daily and I love it. All of their vitamins come from organic whole foods, and they don’t have anything weird added to their vitamins. They are organic, clean, and healthy. There is stevia added here, but it’s listed as “Organic Stevia Leaf” – which is the only form of Stevia I’m ok with. What I do avoid is “stevia extract” could literally mean anything and have anything added to it.
• Garden of Life Gummy Vitamin
• MegaFood – This is another brand that I love for vitamins. It doesn’t have iron but if you decide to go with this or Garden of Life, there is an iron-only supplement you can add to their diets!
• Mega Foods Kids Daily Multivitamin Booster – a powdered form of their vitamin.
• OLLY Kids Super Foods Multivitamin
• Zarbees Toddler Multivitamin
• Pure Encapsulations

Liquid Vitamins Without Iron:

• ChildLife – it’s a little higher in sugar than I’d like, but you can start using it at 6 months of age (the other two options are for older kids)
• Children’s Advanced – no sugar added and you can use it starting at 1 year of age
• Premium Children’s – no sugar added and you can use it starting at 4 years of age

Iron Only Supplement: This is a good option if you decide to buy Garden of Life or MegaFood, because it will add the iron missing from those vitamins back into your child’s diet.

For Omega 3s: The only Omega 3 supplement I’d recommend for kids is Nordic Naturals. They have an infant DHA supplement and a children’s DHA supplement – both of which are extremely pure, has no added preservatives or sugar, and are in liquid form so they can be added to just about anything!

For Vitamin D: If you’re just looking for a Vitamin D supplement – e.g. in the winter, I love (and use) these Vitamin D Drops. There is literally nothing added to them (no flavors, colors, etc.). They are liquid and you only need one drop in your child’s milk per day. They’re marketed for infants, but you can use them for any age. Super easy, tasteless and pure. For another great option, UpSpring makes a pure vitamin D with only coconut oil added.

For Probiotics: I love Garden of Life’s line of probiotics – they are shipped cold and their powdered kids probiotic can be added to your child’s drink (milk, water, etc.). They also have a kids’ chewable probiotic if you need an option that doesn’t require refrigeration (but it does have maltodextrin).

Runner Ups:

• Solgar. This is one I’d get only if you can’t find any of the other ones on the list above, because while most of the ingredients are good, it does have carrageenan which – as I mentioned – it’s better to avoid.
• YummiBears Organic Multivitamin (note: this vitamin does have cane sugar added – if you give your kids the full dose then it’s 6g sugar which is more than I would like in a vitamin)
• Seeking Health (Note: The link may say women’s/mens but the label indicates this can be used for kids aged 4 and up. It’s also good for kids with MTHFR mutations. But I am waiting for a response from the company on the prop 65 warning on its label, so I’ve moved them down here for now!)

I hope this helps you in navigating the world of kids’ vitamins!

Skillet Pork Chops with Apples and Onions – Deliciously seared pork chops in a sweet and tart pan sauce, topped with tender sautéed apples and onions. An amazing, restaurant-quality meal perfect for busy weeknights.

Pork chops with apples is a classic flavor combination that creates a wonderful 30 minute meal, and the one-skillet cleanup is an awesome bonus.

Incredibly tender and infused with a tangy glaze, these pork chops really lock in the flavors. The end result is a juicy pork chops dinner fit for a family of four… with 2 VERY picky eaters. #thisisus �

It’s rare that I serve pork without some apple accompaniment, such as this Apple Mustard Glazed Pork Tenderloin. It is a concoction of flavors that never disappoints, and makes for a rich, flavorful, sweet and savory main dish.

To add, this Skillet Pork Chops with Apples and Onions recipe is also healthy, low in calories, gluten free, and made with just a handful of ingredients.

HOW TO MAKE PORK CHOPS WITH APPLES AND ONIONS

• We will start with adding our pork chops to a heated cast iron skillet and searing the chops on both sides for about 3 minutes per side.
• Remove the pork chops from the skillet and set aside.
• Heat up more oil and add the apples and onions; season and cook for 5 minutes.

• Stir in the apple cider; add pork chops back in the skillet and cover. Cook for 5 more minutes, or until cooked through.
• Remove from skillet and serve. �

Savory pork with sweet caramelized apples and onions hits all the right notes to satisfy everyone’s tastebuds.

WHAT ARE GOOD SIDES FOR PORK CHOPS

This dish pairs well with Mashed Sweet Potatoes, or a side of veggies like these Lemon Butter Green Beans.

I would also include a nice Bacon and Eggs Asparagus Salad or Avocado and Feta Kale Salad.

Add a glass (or a bottle!) of chardonnay to the aforementioned, please. �

HOW TO FREEZE PREPARED PORK CHOPS WITH APPLES AND ONIONS

• Pour the COMPLETELY COOLED apple mixture into a resealable freezer bag and seal.
• Put the COMPLETELY COOLED pork chops in a separate freezer bag and seal.
• Day before cooking, thaw apple mixture and pork chops in the fridge, overnight.
• When ready to cook, add a tablespoon of butter to a cast iron skillet and melt over medium-high heat.
• Add the pork chops to the skillet and cook each side for about 4 minutes.
• Pour the apple mixture into the skillet; cook until heated through. Serve.

MORE PORK CHOPS RECIPES

ENJOY!

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Source: https://diethood.com/skillet-pork-chops-apples-onions/

Moroccan Egg & Olive Tajine

My Irishman gave me Paula Wolferts Moroccan cookery book for Christmas. I love love love the flavours of Morocco and have had lots of fun expanding my repertoire.

There’s a classic tajine (Moroccan stew) of kefta (meatballs) eggs and olives. I’ve been on a mission to have more eggs for dinner so I thought I’d try it without the meat.

Definitely a winner!

Love how the olives provide that salty flavour explosion and meaty texture. Who needs meatballs?

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 cup passata / puree / pasta sauce
• 4-6 eggs
• large handful (50g / 2oz) pitted olives , halved
• baby spinach or greens to serve

Instructions

1. Heat a large frying pan on a medium high heat. Add a super generous glug of extra virgin olive oil and spices. Cook spices in oil for 20 seconds or until you can just smell them. Be careful not to burn.
2. Add tomato passata / puree / pasta sauce and bring to a simmer. Crack eggs into the sauce and simmer, covered for 2-3 minutes or until the egg white has set and the yolks are still runny.
3. Divide baby spinach / greens between two bowls. Top with eggs and sauce and finish with olives. Finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

WINE MATCH: A nice buttery chardonnay. Or a pot of Moroccan mint tea.

Variations & Substitutions

more substantial (carb lovers) – couscous, rice, pita bread or cooked pasta.

more substantial (low carb) – more eggs, serve with cauliflower ‘couscous’, zucchini tortillas or serve with roast almonds, goats cheese or crumbled feta.

more veg – add grilled peppers, grilled zucchini, grilled eggplant, cooked mushrooms or other cooked veg to the sauce.

carnivore / egg-free – chicken thigh or breast fillets (brown in pan before toasting spices and simmer until cooked through) or try simmering these meatballs in the sauce instead.

different tomatoes – a can of crushed tomatoes will work as well.

tomato-free – try this green Shakshuka instead.

no olives – serve with roast almonds, pine nuts, goats cheese or crumbled feta.

herby – serve with basil, mint or parsley leaves.

different spices – love it with my Stonesoup secret spice. Or try ras el hanout or even curry powder.

Waste Avoidance Strategy

ground cumin / smoked paprika / passata / puree / pasta sauce / olives – keep them in the pantry.

eggs – will keep in the fridge for weeks or use for another meal.

baby spinach – best to use for another meal. Can be frozen but will wilt when defrosted.

Prepare Ahead

I prefer the eggs when freshly cooked so you get the runny yolks! Leftovers will keep in the fridge for 2 weeks. Don’t freeze.

More Simple Low Carb Egg-Based Dinners

Have fun in the kitchen!

With love,
Jules x

Tags: dinner, eggs, low carb, olives, simple, spices, tajine, tajunie

April 27, 2018

Italy was a big surprise for me, obviously in the awesome way like all the unique and extremely beautiful places I’ve seen and the food I ate (tons of pasta, pizza, seafood and so on…), but also in the level of difficulties for campers. To be honest, in most cases I am not surprised at all, but there were times when I really missed Portugal or Scandinavia, or Spain or even Germany (camper wise). I also experienced a situation, when for the very first time I wanted to leave my camper on a very narrow street while trying to pass 1000000 of cars driving from both ways, and run away. Here is why:

- Italy was not discovered by tourism yesterday and there were thousands of camper enthusiast before me. It means that parking spots (not campsites, but parking on a street) are expensive. There is a recognition between a regular car and a camper and campers pay more. Sometimes way more, like 25 euros.

- Roads in some beautiful parts of Italy (like Cinque Terre) are very narrow and there’s a limited place for cars. In high season, it’s almost impossible to park a camper over there.

- Some parts are not accessible by campers. It means that you have to leave it 20km away and get to the place somehow, but not with your camper. I totally get it. Like for example in Amalfi, it’s stunning and half of the world wants to see it. I wish I could as well, but it will be with a different way of transport.

- There’s a problem with parking on a coastline. A few times I just wanted to stop next to a beach, go for a swim with Mia and drive further. In most of the places (and I mean 99%) there were signs that campers or cars higher than 1.80m cannot park there (we could drive through but not stop). It was annoying. I am not a beach person and I get that some camper drivers were most probably camping there, but still… not cool.

- Italian drivers are unique. I used to think that Polish ones are crazy, but they have no chances with Italians. There are Italians, looooong loooong nothing and then crazy drivers from other countries.

There are also cool sides for camper owners - ot each second gas station on a highway you can get rid of the black and gray water and pump some drinking one. In Tuscany you can stay for a night in stunning spots next to wineries for free. There’s a lot of wild, not so popular spots, where you can enjoy quiet, views and lack of fellow travellers. People are super friendly, the food is more than delicious. Also, travelling with a small kid is super positive, as Italians love children. Mia got a lot of sweets from shop owners, which was pretty awesome for her and not so awesome for me, as I do not give her much of sweet things. Well, it was her adventure as well.

When you travel with a kid, you already have an advantage. Italians love kids! Mia got a new friend each 100m, she got so many free ice creams (even though I insisted on paying) and cookies that she, at some point, started to say “no, thank you” and she made a day of at least 100 older ladies.

Good to know:

- You can buy a card in Vodaphone for tourists, where you have 3gb of the internet plus no limit on social media and movies When you travel with a small kid, no restriction on cartoons may be a game changer, tra la lalalalalala.

- When travelling in the camper, I’d suggest to go to Italy outside of a season. There will be still a lot of local tourists, but it will be way easier.

I love everything I saw and experienced and in a moment I’ll show you stunning places I saw, but I also realised that whenever I’ll have an idea to drive around Italy, I’ll not take my campervan (and this is the soft version. In reality, while being there and getting stuck in a supper narrow street with 100 cars in front and behind me, I’ve decided that the next time I’ll have an idea like this one, I’ll shoot myself in a foot so I cannot drive).

We entered Italy from Switzerland, where we were supposed to stay much longer, but it started to snow really badly in September and my tires told me that we have to leave. When we entered, the first thing we did, was to go to a local bakery for a chocolate milk and all the yummy pastries. We ate a lot and then we saw a rainbow. Our journey has started the best way possible.

We stopped for a night in San Lorenzo Dorsino, over a beautiful lake and thankfully there was a nice playground for Mia as well. We talked to the ducks, chased them a little and suddenly it starts to rain. I made some good pasta from local ingredients (my nr 1 meal while in Italy as Mia demanded it almost each day) and after painting a bit, we went to bed. I woke up around 4 am because it was raining so heavily, that I was sure that there is a flood and any minute now our 2.8t camper will go with it. I open a door and thankfully there was no flood, but this is also a moment when I realised that one of the windows leaked and a whole wall is soaked with water. When you live in a camper, this is a big problem. It took me a while to dry it and when Mia woke up 3h later, I was ready to run away to a sunny area of Italy.

This is how we got to Verona. I found a nice area for campers, (11 euro for 24h, which was not so bad) and we went to do some food hunting. This is also the place when Mia realised what gelato means and that there is a gelato place like each 100m. What I learned is how to distract her when I spot another gelato place on our way. Verona was amazing -easy to park a van, close to the historical center (big, huge, enormous advantage when alone with a little one), everyone was friendly, there’s also a lot to see and eat. I liked it a lot, not only because I am a romantic kind of a girl and I know Romeo and Juliet’s story.

Venice - the last time I’ve been to Venice was when I was about 13 years old and my parents took me there on our way to Spain. I spent hours playing with pigeons. I had no idea that it’s not the best idea at the time. What you want to know, or already know is, that Venice is packed with tourists. They are everywhere and it is busy like all the time. We found a place to leave our van about 1h away, which was safe. The only thing was to get there with Mia. We took a tram, easy. But when it takes you a long time to get somewhere, you stay there for a long time as well. Packed with all needed essentials (photography equipment, diapers and water), we went for the experience. And this is how I see it: whenever you want to go to Venice by yourself with a small kid, take a hotel located on the island. In reality ~I enjoyed it a lot, but after chasing Mia with a stroller, climbing stairs up and down, I was pretty exhausted, as well as she was. She fell asleep and I should do the same, but instead I started to play in a discoverer game. I also had to carry a stroller with a sleeping kid, because almost no one felt like helping. Especially Italian men! Big hugs to all the women who helped. I left Venice with a sunset, with Mia filled with energy after a long nap and a bowl of pasta. I just wanted to go back to a camper and fell asleep. It was also the first time when I fell asleep while my kid was jumping on me. From this moment I’ve decided, that I will leave big stunning cities like Rome, Florence or Milan for the next time. I checked the weather and figured, that it’s a good moment to go back north.

Lago Di Braies - this is not a hidden gem, it’s a very popular tourist destination, but this is a stunning place and everyone should see it. There’s a parking for vans 100m away, so you can enjoy sunrise and sunsets. It was raining when I was there and it was still stunning.

Messner Mountain Museum - The museum part is mostly for parents, but Mia enjoyed climbing all the stairs and following corridors a lot. She also loved the movie. But what she truly enjoyed was the cable railway, she was laughing out loud! On the top I got a bit scared and followed her like a shadow, because it was very steep in some areas. The Messner Mountain Museum is a beautiful architectural creation and has a lot to offer inside as well. I had a friend who died in the mountains a few years ago and visiting this place made me understand his passion way more. There’s also a nice restaurant on top with delicious pizza!

Camogli is stunning, colourful buildings and black beach is a view that inspires. I’d definitely avoid this area by van in season, but out of season it was fairly easy. I had a feeling that Mia thought that she’s in a magical place. She was playing around, discovering each narrow alley and was trying to get everywhere possible. It was a pleasure to follow her.

Cinque Terre - is a difficult destination for a van. You can get to Monterosso, as vans are not permitted on other roads. The road is very narrow and I would not suggest going there by van in a season. There’s also a very limited parking place (no surprise at all, as these are tiny villages), so you may end up going all the way back. Each village is connected by a train, so it’s easy to travel between them and it’s way more comfortable than looking for a parking spot all the time.

Each village of Cinque Terre looks like a paradise to live in. If it wasn’t for thousands of tourists who walk through each day, I’d definitely consider moving there. And even though it’s quite busy, you can start super early in the morning to see beautiful places by yourself. Riomaggiore and Manarola were my favorite, but also I did not climb with Mia too much, because she felt like carrying her was the best idea to experience Cinque Terre (she wasn’t right this time).

Toscany - finally a paradise for camper enthusiasts. There are parking spots next to wineries with a stunning views, where you can park for free. You will have so much great food and wine (the second I did not taste much, unfortunately), that you will completely freak out.

Greve in Chianti was our first stop. Mia was running between grapes and sand, there was a stunning sunset and I could not believe that I am back in Tuscany. I woke up for a sunrise and it was one of these moments when I was shocked by the beauty of the world. It does happen often with me, especially as 6am when I hold coffee in my hand and stand outside of a campervan, but I also visit beautiful places, so these are a reason to drop a tear of two.

Fattoria La Vialla - we went there to check out the animals and to see how they produce pasta and sweets. We got soooooo much more! This place is a paradise (for parents and kids). It is also huge, but you can discover it piece by piece, because there’s a free parking for vans (yupi). Next to a store and restaurant there is an area, where you can see, how each product they sell is made by hands. Mia was crazy in love with watching how they make chocolates. There’s a garden with veggies, beautiful animals and delicious restaurant. Definitely, but seriously definitely check out this restaurant and I promise that the next direction will be their store. I got loads of homemade pasta and sauces for kids, Mia loved it and it helped a lot in our van life. It could also influence her growing addiction to pasta, but this is the risk you have to take, when you take your little one to Italy.

Podere Il Casale in Pienza - a man moved his family to Italy to create a farm and make cheese. There is a long story behind it and he knows how to tell it best, so make sure to visit when in Tuscany. I was amazed by this place, all the animals, guinea pigs’ house and of course cheese. There is an area for van parking and even for tents. This is one of these places you want to visit and spend a night. The views are breathtaking and it is cool to talk to goats. If you travel with kids, you can be sure to have a moment for a glass of wine, as they will be stuck next to a guinea pigs house for hours.

Arezzo - I loved it because it was super easy to enjoy it. It’s not only beautiful, but delicious and you can park your van in a parking just outside of the gates. Which means super close. The town is stunning and full of life. I’d like to stay there for longer and live in one of these busy narrow streets. To wake up to a smell of espresso and stay out long, drinking wine with friends (for this part I’d have to move back in time, before Mia, hehe).

Bagno Vignoni - it was a very pleasant stop. This small town has some hot springs in the area and you can enjoy it for free, ta dam! Mia refused, as she had “no bathing” faze, but I can tell you, that people around looked very happy. The town itself is very photogenic and delicious, but then, which town in Italy isn’t

Orte - I did not plan to top there, but we were passing it on a way and, to my surprise, I saw a stunning town located on a rock. I left a highway and drove there. The town was empty, no tourists, I had it only for Mia and myself. We were wandering through small streets and I could not believe that places like this one exist.

Norcia - we drove there to support locals. The area is stunning, but the region suffered a lot after the earthquakes in 2016th. If you have a chance, go to support them in any way as well.

Campo Imperatore - This is definitely my most special place in Italy. It is impossible to tell you how beautiful it is. This is where you feel how huge the world is. The views, the space. I did not want to leave. There are horses walking freely through the mountains. It all made me feel like crying, because it was a pure beauty. I’d suggest spending in the area at least a week, there’s so much to see and experience. Definitely stop over in Calascio and take a walk to Rocca Calascio!

Conca dei Marini - here is the place which made me want to run away and abandon my campervan. I missed a sign on the way saying, that during the day you cannot drive this way with a campervan. I could not believe in it, but then a very nice police lady showed me how this sign looked. It was a huge one with 20 little signs and one of them was with a message to me. My fault, I accept it. But what happened next was, well… traumatic. There were 1000000 cars passing me with a light speed limit on a very curly road. Nice men on a scooter was screaming at me saying that American tourists are the worse (I am not American, not even close, but hey, my accent must be pretty awesome). At some point I was apologizing to my 25 year old van because I did not believe how it is possible for it to climb such a steep road. Then I was hating it and wanted to run away with Mia. The nice police lady I mentioned was very friendly, told me that it happens a lot and they should change this sign and told me how I can drive away from there. I did. I am not even sorry that I did not see this gorgeous town. I need to go back with a tiny car.

Paestum - trip to Italy would not be full without checking out some ruins. This is a perfect town to do it. It took me some time to wait for Mia to finish fixing the sidewalk. She did a good job and we went for a walk. They have some delicious restaurants and it’s worth going for a dinner. There is a parking where, for a small amount, you can park overnight. It is a touristy town and this parking is just next to all the attractions, so it’s a good deal.

Padula - Certosa Di Padula is beautiful. Italian architecture is stunning and this was a great example. Mia loved it, she was running around, visiting each corner. She also gave a couple of recitals. It is so important to show our children how beautiful the world is and the part that humans created as well. She did love it.

Sicily - oh Sicily, you are amazing! We took a ferry to get there. You need to buy a ticket for 3 days or one way more expensive for longer. This is a pity, as I wanted to stay for a week. Our first overnight stop was in Cefalu. The town is stunning and they had the best gelato we tried so far. I did not make any reservations in restaurants, but I tried to get to i Ristorante Al Porticciolo and, most probably because I got there at the opening, we did it! This was one delicious experience. I tried the most amazing salmon with a cream cheese and apple I could wish for. The food was so delicious, that I did not want it to come to our table. And pizza - it’s the must!

Next stop was San Vito Lo Capo and I’ll recommend it to anyone travelling with a campervan. Just look at this view and at our parking spot. I could not ask for more.

We got to the Scala dei Turchi White Wall next. I wanted to go down to walk around, but it was raining a bit and Mia was too active, which means that I was literally scared that she will jump into the water. We stayed up and just looked at it.

But in the evening we got to Scoglitti, to Viri Cu Ce, which is the most amazing restaurant we’ve been to in Italy. What an experience! I parked my car almost in front of it and it was a great move, as they had to roll me out of there. I ordered menu for one person and got about 20 plates of food. I was trying my best, but I could not eat it all. It was so good, that it almost made me cry. Guys, this place is magical. Go there, eat there, cry out of happiness. PS. It’s good to know,that out of the season, you need to use the big ferry for trucks, which is in a different place than the regular one.

Matera - back to the mainland, I made my way to Matera. I regret that I did not stay there longer. At that point I was a bit tired of grabbing Mia, taking a stroller, big backpack and finding a taxi to drive us to a historical center to spend 5h over there. I did it once, had a beautiful time and that was it. I must tell you, that it is a beautiful town (I know I say it a lot). Especially at night it was breathtaking. We stopped at the Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera for a night and we had a stunning view in the morning.

Ostuni - I did not spend enough time over there, as it was not super easy with my camper and distances. But I had a bite and now I know that I have to go back.

Source: http://whatshouldieatforbreakfasttoday.com/post/173350023570/italy-road-trip-with-a-toddler

I received an email from a reader a while ago, who asked me to come up with more breakfast recipes, as she struggled with a lack of variety. I dragged my feet a little, as I am not a massive breakfast person myself. I tend to have porridge (or oatmeal if you live in the US) in winter and bircher muesli in the summer. Occasionally, I will treat myself to a bagel or a sourdough toast with almond butter and jam, or a stack of pancakes if I am in a festive mood. And a mug of good black coffee! Now, that’s a must, as my inability to get out of bed in the morning is almost legendary!! It’s just as well I no longer have a job to go to (I have no idea how I ever managed that) or kids to feed � (nope, I didn’t drown them, never had any…).

It’s not that I ever skip breakfast, I am just never in that much of a rush to eat in the morning, which is something of a contentious point between me and Duncan. He hardly ever even talks to me before he has eaten and I’ve learnt not to fight it anymore. His pre-breakfast grumpiness directed at me, an innocent bystander, used to really annoy me in the past.

This morning, I’ve had a bit of an insight into what it must be like being a pre-breakfast Duncan. I had a 6:30 AM get-up due to an early hospital appointment. It was way too early for me to eat (plus I wanted to minimise my awake time), so I decided to grab something on the go or eat after I got home. Unfortunately, there was no decent vegan breakfast option out this early and the appointment ran almost an hour late, so I did not get home until 11:00 AM. All I had until then was a soy flat white. I was ravenous by the time I got in and not in the mood for small talk either � .

So going back to my reader’s request, these vegan potato skins with smoky chickpeas is one savoury breakfast option I can get behind. Both components can be made a day ahead and then re-heated in the morning. In fact, making the chickpeas in advance improves their flavours, so that’s what I would recommend. These are a gluten-free equivalent of beans on toast, full of plant goodness and excellent for using up leftovers (they were inspired by a bag of Maris Piper potatoes I forgot I had). They go really well with a dollop of vegan yoghurt and a sprinkle of fresh herbs. A little smashed avocado would not be out of place here either, but that’s totally optional. These bad boys are uncomplicated to make, hearty and warm and provide a nice change from your usual breakfast fare.

PS: If you make my potato skins, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram as @lazycatkitchen and use the #lazycatkitchen hashtag. I love seeing your takes on my recipes!

posted by Jaden

This is not a review, just a giveaway featuring LG! We’re got one LG Electronics (22LJ4540) 22-Inch Class Full HD 1080p LED TV (2017 Model) to send to you �

Full HD 1080p LED TV – 22″ Class (21.5″ Diag) – 22LJ4540

Smaller spaces deserve serious picture quality, too. This compact TV delivers a crisp, full high-definition picture at 60Hz (image refreshed 60 times per second). The ideal size for your desk – or even your bedroom or kitchen – LG’s 22″ TV/monitor provides convenient Full HD viewing versatility. The clarity of Full HD resolution with IPS makes everything look more detailed with colors appearing more vibrant and true-to-life from nearly any viewing angle. And with a convenient HDMI input, it’s easy to connect your laptop, Blu-ray player or videogame console.

Key Features:

– Full HD (1920×1080) IPS Display.

– Triple XD Engine.

– HDMI.

– LED Backlighting.

Full HD IPS Display

IPS (In-Plane Switching) technology highlights the performance of liquid crystal displays. Response times are shortened, color reproduction is improved, and users can now view the screen at virtually any angle.

Triple XD Engine

Triple XD Engine processes images with even greater precision to enable more natural color expression, deeper contrast and for a more lifelike picture.

HDMI

HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) offers incredible audio/video quality and single-cable convenience. This monitor includes an HDMI input, so you can connect a true high-definition source, such as a high-end computer, Blu-ray player or next-generation videogame console.

Cheeeeeese! Say cheese. Say wine. Wait, don’t say anything, your mouth is full.

So as you well know, last week we traveled south to visit lake houses, new houses, old friends, all the family, so many gremlins, a few pets, and I took cheese BECAUSE THAT IS WHO I AM. (much to Aaron’s chagrin.)

You also know of my borderline problematic obsession with Roth cheeses. I ALWAYS have Roth cheese in my fridge and/or mouth. But usually I’m cooking with the cheeses, rather than a full-on unruly nibble fest.

You’re like, “Could have gone all day without saying that last part, Bev.”

So I thought it might be a gas (not to be confused with, “I have gas.”) to host a simple cheese and wine pairing on our trip with my sis, her huzbee and mine, who absolutely hates cheese.

I’m smart like that.

Wanting to keep it simple, but slightly adventurous, I stuck with three cheeses, and three wines. A hard, a soft, and a stinky – with a white, a bubbly and a rosé. Obviously a rosé.

Let’s start with the Grand Cru!

Grand Cru is divine. Probably my favorite of all the Roth cheeses. Award-winning and sought after by the MASSES, it’s not hard to see why this is such a staple among cheese lovers. It’s not intensely hard like a parm, or a pecorino. It has heft to it, yet it breaks up nicely if you twist the block in your hands ever so slightly. The flavors are similar to a gruyere, in that classic alpine-style with nutty undertones, but smooth and mellow. Roth has three different varieties of Grand Cru – so if you can find all three, you must inhale all three. (I get mine at most grocery stores! Even Trader Joe’s has it. Boom.)

Next up – the HAVARTI.

Okay, Roth kills it at the havarti game. It’s unreal to me what this company can do with typically underrated cheese. CREAMY beyond legal description, but still holds up on the tongue with such gutsy freshness and depth of flavor. They have four versions, and you will not live your life to the fullest if you don’t devour them all. While the original is tried and true, my personal fave is the jalapeno! Remember when I did this with it? Yeah. You’re welcome.

Okay, and finally – the boldest of all – THE MONROE.

Hoooooly cow. When I say it’s a stinky cheese (<–which is a good thing), I ain’t messin’ around. DOUBLE CREAM, SOFT RIPENED, this handcrafted wheel should have its own Facebook page. I’m not going to lie, it’s intense. Definitely created for those cheese lovers who crave that beloved “dirty sock” scent, but satisfyingly creamy on the tongue. Slightly buttery, with a hint of distant citrus, it’s one of those cheeses that you get past the nostril assault, and then you dive in.

This is not a cheese. It’s a rite of passage for cheese adventurists.

Enter at your risk!

But do enter. IF YOU DAAAAARE.

Here’s Aaron telling us that if we make him eat even a single atom particle molecule of cheese he will throw us individually down a water well with a giant wheel of rotting donkey tails tied to our ankles.

The man despises cheese. This is my life.

Here’s Adam Pally, I mean JFK Junior,  I mean my brother-in-law Dustin going in for the Grand Cru.

AGAIN.

Like, over and over and over. Geez, D. Stop hogging it.

So the wine! This is the thing about wine and cheese pairings. Anything goes. I learned this on a wine trip I took to Washington wine country last fall. So that makes me an expert. In my head.

This is what you do! SPECIFICALLY. Or else your hair follicles will be haunted with oak mites for the next 17 years.

You put a piece of cheese in your mouth, and take a small swizzle of wine immediately after. Swish and swosh the wine around in your mouth, WITH THE CHEESE still in there, and see what happens. See what flavors pop. How do you feel? Do you want to climb mountains? Sing from the treetops? Make out with a sloth? There’s your pairing.

My favorite combo, and we all agreed, went down like this:

The rosé (dry! always dry. never sweet. never ever ever) was BEAUTIFUL with the Grand Cru. Just wonderful.

The Sauvignon Blanc was FLAWLESS with the lusciously creamy Havarti. Simply stunning.

And the bubbles were this unexpectedly incredible partner to the Monroe. Added balance to that yummy stank, yo.

But try them all mix and matched with the different cheeses, and see what you think!

Do you ever do wine and cheese pairings? This kind of thing puts wind my sails, so I’d love to know how willy nilly you get with it. Also, baby cornichons and a good grainy mustard make for a delicious addition to cheese boards. And thinly-sliced meat! And your face. Natch.

This is my sister Barbara’s pretty hand reaching in for the GRAPE I WAS ABOUT TO GRAB.

Thanks, Bar.

Also, I’m including this photo in this post because a) I actually love it want it to live somewhere! and b) my sis has a PORTRAIT feature on her phone, and I don’t. How do I get it? Get a new phone slash life? On it.

(This post is definitely in partnership with Roth Cheese, but all opinions and cheese snarfings are totally my own. We coo?)