Try this!! Italian Vegetable Soup

Italian Vegetable Soup

                                                                                                              

                                                                                                             

This is such a nice soup, it went down well with the girls and my husband, give it a go! Full of goodness xx

Ingredients

• 2 each of onions and carrots, chopped
• 4 sticks celery, chopped
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 4 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 2 bay leaves
• few sprigs thyme
• 3 courgettes, chopped
• 400g can butter beans, drained
• 400g can chopped tomatoes
• 1.2l vegetable stock
• 100g parmesan or vegetarian equivalent, grated
• 140g small pasta shapes
• small bunch basil, shredded

Method

1:Gently cook the onion, carrots and celery in the oil in a large saucepan for 20 mins, until soft. Splash in water if they stick. Add the sugar, garlic, purée, herbs and courgettes and cook for 4-5 mins on a medium heat until they brown a little.

2:Pour in the beans, tomatoes and stock, then simmer for 20 mins. If you’re freezing it, cool and do so now (freeze for up to three months). If not, add half the Parmesan and the pasta and simmer for 6-8 mins until pasta cooked. Sprinkle with basil and remaining Parmesan to serve. If frozen, defrost then re-heat before adding pasta and cheese and continuing as above.

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Thanks for reading

Orla & Kerri xx

My Utility Room Storage Solution

My Utility Room Storage Solution

                                                                   

                                                                  

My husband and I built our house in 2013.  We had Farrah who was a small toddler and I was heavily pregnant with Georgia when I moved in to our new abode.  So much had to be done, but I was so very big and running after a toddler too! It wasn't easy!  We did get a lot done, it had to get done! 3 O'Sullivan's were becoming 4 in a number of weeks!

The way we designed the house was so that you would not walk through the utility room when you came in any door of the house.  It is a separate room off the kitchen.  I hate that in a lot of houses in Ireland people always walk into your house via the back door and straight through your utility room; which is probably the craziest room in the whole house!  This for me never made sense and it was not going to happen in my house.  I like that when people arrive you can simple close the utility room door and no one knows about the madness! 

With all the pregnancies, babies and purchasing of interiors we never got around to properly sorting out the Utility room.  It has been on our To-Do list for about a year!  We recently got the opportunity to go to Ikea for the whole day.  We took and wrote down all the measurements before we set off.  I hate clutter so I needed shelves and storage boxes for various products and laundry in the Utility room.  I now have a clutter free worktop and Utility Room! Happy days!

Here is the finished result;

What we bought;

Lack high gloss wall shelves x3
Long are 16e each
Short is 13e each

Kuggis Boxes (larger) x 6 at 8e each

Kuggis Boxes (smaller) x 3 at 3e each

Real Cactus x 2 at 3.50e each

Green pots for Cactus at 1.30e each.


Sortera with folding lid (Large) at 11e

Sortera with folding lid ( Small) at 6e

Have you sorted out your storage problems?  How?  I would love to see photos and hear all about it!

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Thanks for reading!

Orla & Kerri xx

Moving to the countryside.

A story I loved as a child, little did I know ...

All my life I lived in the country.  A single house on a site, a large garden, swings, slides, lots of places to hide and explore, cows over the hedge, tractors in the feild behind and room to spare. When heading off to college I was excited to be moving to a town, even more excited to move to city outskirts for my first job. However on becoming pregnant I was eager to return to my countryside roots and bring our children up like I was. Ah ya all lovely I thought: Oh no! Daddy is from a city, had never lived in a detached house, used indoor voices all the time, his neighbours were next door, not half a field away, he liked having street lights!!! Uh oh!! Hang on a second! Where were the cows??? So as you can imagine there was discussions back and forth, and in the end we came to a compromise! We moved back to Cork to an estate in a village... it had a street light outsde the house and it was a back house so we had cows in the back garden eating our hedging perfect!!





Yet a time has come to move! We both now love the countryside and would love more space (and cows!) around us! So the first weekend of September we went on the move....to a bungalow on a site...alone....no other house attached!! Yipee! Its exactly (ish!) what we were looking for this past year. But wait...now that we have actually moved there  "might", ok ok ARE  some things we miss about living in an estate.

1: The neighbours. Ive made some great friends through my neighbours and  will certainly miss walking down to them.

2: The Green : Sean sometimes goes out (with us)  to play on the green with the other children and he loved it!

3: Walking to the shop or just popping down......2, 3 even 4 times a day!!





However there are some many things we have gained.

1. Space. I am a huge believer that physical space creates mental space. Its certainly done so for us. Maybe its the fact we have more space to each be apart from each other, but we are all getting along so well. (long may it last!)

2. Pets. We've already started off with two kittens (essentials when surrounded by fields) and hopefully we will add to that soon. Chickens and a dog are on the list! staying well away from fish!! (read here if you don't know that story!!) 

3. Country life. Wellies on and walking through the fields or down the road picking blackberries are part of our weekly routine. playing outside in the back garden, cutting the grass, and just becoming more 'outdoorsy' in general. 

4. A very happy and active boy. Sean now runs into us each morning with a big greeting followed by a big hug. He then runs up to his playroom, run out for his breakfast and its the same in the evenings, bursts in the front door and straight out the back. He loves his new house and new country life. 

We are almost a month here now and loving it more and more each day. So far so good. We will keep you updated on how we are getting on. So far Daddy loves it! and me.....well Im so glad to be home xxx

Thanks for reading. 

Kerri and Orla xx

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Want to Lose Calories at Lunch??

Lose Calories at Lunch??     

                                                

SIGN ME UP!!

This is a lot easier than it sounds, it just involves some small changes on your behalf;

Choose the Right Foods
Low carbohydrate, high fibre foods take more time to digest than other foods, thus leaving you feeling fuller for longer and then less likely to snack.  Choose spinach, broccoli, asparagus and cauliflower and vegetables in general. Soup is great!

Eat Lightly and Often
It is a known fact that for most people, the body uses up more energy digesting smaller meals every few hours than by eating the same number of calories in two or three sittings.

                                      


Eat Salmon
Salmon eaters lose significantly more weight than beef eaters, even though the calories consumed may be equal.

Spice It Up
It is said that some spicy foods can temporarily increase metabolism.  Try pepper flakes on a salad.

Coconuts
This is one I have just started to do.  Replace oils and fats like animal fats and sunflower oil with medium chain fatty acids such as coconut oils. I have heard this helps you lose more body fat! Ill let you know, fingers crossed!

Take Vitamin D
It is recommended to take 2,000 milligrams daily!


Laugh
If you laugh for 10 to 15 minutes a day you can burn up to 50 calories!


Wear High Heels
Every few days wear your high heels, this helps tone your legs as it works different muscles in the calves and thighs.


Fidget
You can burn up to 350 calories a day more from just fidgeting.  the impulse to fidget may be hardwired but it can be imitated.  tap your feet, pace the room or move restlessly in your seat?  just try and look somewhat normal too ;-)
I partake in circuit training and strength and conditioning classes in a gym near my work place.  Check out your local gym timetable.

Posture
Having and maintaining good posture can make you look taller and also strengthens your abdominal muscles.

Beware of Sugar
Sugar triggers the body to release insulin, which transports sugar to the cells to be used as energy or will be stored as fast. 

Drink Coffee
Caffeine increases the rate at which we burn calories.

So here's to fitting into the Christmas party dress!

If you have any other tips please let us know, would love to hear!

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Thanks for reading Orla & Kerri xx

Getting Rid of the Bedrail-Gro-to-Bed Review

 

Today's post is about how my husband and I successfully said goodbye to the not so eye pleasing bedrail on our eldest daughters beautiful Antique Bed.  About a month ago I was very fortunate to receive a fabulous package in the post from 'The Gro Company'.  They asked me to review the product "Gro to Bed -Single Cover".  It was a perfect product for my three year old daughter Farrah to review as she is in her own single bed.  This product, as all The Gro Company's products serve a very functional purpose.  I knew this product would be functional but I didn't know how cute and girly the style of the cover would be.  My daughter loved the pinks and greens, she was very happy to hop in to bed and try it out.  Not only is the cover girly and pretty but it is also great quality.  I have now washed it numerous times and it still looks and feels great.

The Gro-To-Bed product contains a bed sheet and duvet cover.  The bedsheet has many key factors to it.  It contains a built in pillow case.  This prevents the toddler/childs head going under the pillow during the night, and the pillow falling out of the bed altogether.  The bedsheet comes with straps that secure under the mattress, keeping it securely on and fitted no matter how much movement takes place. The bedsheet has zips on it.  These secure the duvet in place on to the bed sheet.  This is the best feature of the product for me.  This stopped the, in the middle of the night wake up calls to 'cover me up' that we were so used to from an ordinary duvet cover.  The bedrail was removed on the first night we tried this product out.  Having the zips on each side of the toddler/child while they sleep keeps them secure in the bed.  To date our daughter has not once fallen out of the bed and the bedrail now takes its new home in the attic!  I highly recommend this product.  I recommend buying two packs of linen as when one set is ready for the wash you therefore have another ready to go as spare.

 

This product by The Gro Company has gifted my daughter with an amazing self confidence and happiness within herself.  She now confidently and proudly informs her teacher/extended family and friends how she no longer has a bedrail and how she stays in her own bed 'ALL' night.  Thank you The Gro company, the Gro-To-Bed product has helped us along the way of another milestone quickly, easily and hassel free whilst making our child feel confident and happy within herself.

To purchase the Gro-To-Bed simply click on here 

Thanks for reading.  Do you have the Gro-To-Bed product or any of the other Gro Company products?  I would love to hear!?

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Lots of Love,

Orla & Kerri Xx

Is it Time to Get Your Child a Pet?

I always had a dog growing up.  I have some lovely memories of my dog growing up in the countryside.  I had a black Labrador, his name was Prince and I was absolutely mad about him. I remember clearly the day I got him and the day I found out he had died.  All these emotions, ups and downs are part of life and a great learning tool for children.  I personally think it is very important for a child to grow up with a pet.  What you need to make sure is that, it is the right time to introduce an animal into your family.

My husband and I got our Standard Schnauzer Jesse a good few years before we got married. I wont lie she was alot of work at the beginning and even up to the age of 2 years.Now she is 8 years old and just lies around the patio/garden or sits near the kids playing.  When we first brought my eldest daughter home from the maternity she barked every time she cried (even at night!) you can imagine my frustration, but as the weeks went on everyone got used to the new family unit.  Now we would never change it, the kids love her,our baby girl calls her 'CiCi'.

Pets can be a great way to teach responsibility and affection to children.  If you are still at the toddler stage think carefully if you want and have the time for a young animal and all the feeding and toilet training that goes with it.  Getting a pet is not a decision to take lightly.  Vets bills, insurance, kennel fees and licence costs all add up.

Starting Out (Hassel Free Mini Pets)
The following pets are interesting and can test out a child's willingness to take on the responsibility of a larger animal down the line. 
Maybe start here first and then move on.

-Stick insects
-Goldfish
Ant/worm Farms


Caring Behaviour-How to Teach this to your child?

The benefits of looking after a pet are wide ranging and often surprising. Children with pets are said to have stronger immune systems, resulting in fewer days missed at school.  Children who own pets are said to have increased self esteem and compassion and finally it is said that they find it easier to share also.

Teaching your child how to be a responsible pet owner takes time and effort on your behalf but it is certainly worth it. Teach your child consideration by always respecting the pet and never handling the pet roughly.  Inform your child about how pets need 'Quite Time' and must not be constantly disturbed.  Teach your child how to correctly handle a pet to avoid pulling of the tail etc. Finally give your child responsibility by giving them at least one part of the pets daily care need to carry out i.e changing the water bowl.

Pet Hygiene

It is very important to teach a child basic pet hygiene.

Here are a few pointers to remember;

-Always wash hands after touching animals.

-Don't let pets sleep on beds

-Don't let cats walk on tables or kitchen surfaces

-No rodent cages in bedrooms

-Feeding bowls always away from human food preparation areas

-Never let pets beg at the table or lick plates

House Hygiene and Pets

-Keep the house well ventilated and encourage pets to go outside

-If you have a dog or cat, you need to vacuum daily, paying special attention to upholstery 

-Shake out pets bedding daily, hot wash it weekly.

-Clean cages weekly and do it outside if at all possible.

So if you are planning on welcoming a pet into the household best wishes, you wont regret it.  Pets are an amazing addition to any family.  Do you have a family pet, what is your experience?  I would love to hear?

Don't forget you can keep up to date with Countryside Mumsie on our social media accounts facebook and instagram.

Thanks for reading,

Orla & Kerri Xx

Toddler Knitted Snood **Free Simple Pattern**

With it now being September and Autumn being certainly upon us, I thought it would be a perfect time to give you a knitting project! Even if you are a complete beginner you will still have it ready in time for winter when your toddler needs it most! 

I consider myself a knitting beginner. I only got back into it when I first became a mum. I had learnt it in primary school, just the basics. A lovely lady I work with inspired me to start and she has really helped me along the way. Thanks Lorraine! 

The 'Toddler Snood' is a really simple piece. It will only take you a few evenings to finish. The toddler snood is unisex, just pick your colour wool to go with your child's personality. My girls love pink and purples so I went with those. The girls wore their snoods everyday in the winter and I got lovely compliments about them! Another bonus is that because they go over the head they can't be easily lost when they are out and about.

For the snood in the image I bought the wool in Dealz where it was 3 for 2, each ball of wool costing 1.49e 

Give it go! You never know you might catch the knitting bug!!
                       

   
*PATTERN*

I used 5.0mm needles

Cast on 40 stitches

I used two colours for each snood.

For the snood I used the basic knit stitch

15 lines of pink

15 lines of white 

15 lines of pink

15 lines of white

15 lines of pink

Cast off

Double over your knitting and sew together inside out to hide stitches and loose ends.

Sew the two ends together.

Let me know how you get on, I love to hear from fellow knitters! :-)

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Thanks for reading,

Orla & Kerri Xx

VOILA TODDLER SNOOD!