Easter Simnel Tea Loaf

My favourite thing to bake at Easter has to be a simnel cake. I love the combination of fruit with the marzipan.

This year I decided to add a little twist to the traditional bake. Instead of making a simnel cake I have made a simnel tea loaf. The dried fruit has been soaked in a delicious Tarocco Sunrise Tea which contains Rose Hip peel, Hibiscus flowers, apple pieces, safflower and natural blood orange flavours. The tea adds a zingy citrus tang to the cake.

This tea loaf is a lovely alternative to the traditional simnel cake. This is what I did...

Japanese Cherry Tea and Almond Cake

If you are a regular reader you will know that I love to experiment with different tea in my bakes.

We buy a lot of our loose teas from The Tea Experience who are a local company. They stock the most unusual, delicious teas! A couple of weeks ago they kindly sent me some samples to try baking with. One of the samples that they sent was a Japanese Cherry Tea which has a lovely aroma and flavour which I knew it would go perfectly with almond.

That is how I created this cake.

Weekly Meal Plan - Week Commencing 30th March 2015

Last week I started using the Slimpod. I will be writing a post which will tell you more about what the Slimpod does. But I am noticing some big changes in how I am choosing food and when I am eating. I have noticed that I want to eat more fish than usual and craving healthier foods.

As I am wanting to eat healthier I am also cooking healthier which is not just great for me but also for my family!

Last weeks meal plan did not go to plan!

The mushroom risotto became Vegetable Risotto,

The leftover chicken curry became steak as there were no leftovers!

The tuna became a meal out with the hubby and pulled pork became and easy M&S meal for 2.

Vegetable Risotto

This is what we will be enjoying this week..

23rd March - 29th March 2015 - One Picture Everyday For One Year

This week has been a truly eventful week which has seen the start of the twins getting more independent. This week they have started nursery, they have had a couple of one hour sessions before they start going everyday after Easter.

It has been a lovely! Here is our week in pictures...

Silent Sunday

Thomas and Friends Take-n-Play Rattling Railss Review

Like most toddlers the twins love Thomas and Friends.

Did you know that this year Thomas and Friends turn 70?

Yes Thomas is 70 years old!

That calls for a celebration!

For 70 year Thomas has invited children to join him on the Island of Sodor for magical stories where trains are powered by steam and can talk. This world was created by Reverend W. Awdry and brought to life through books, toys and television. The Island of Sodor and the characters have an ideal belief of community, friendships, good manners, helping each other and hard work. It is the mixture of this with stories that catch the attention which has meant that Thomas and Friends inspire, excite and entertain both children and adults.

Happy birthday Thomas, here is to another 70 years!

To celebrate Thomas' birthday we were sent the Thomas and Friends Take-n-Play Rattling Railss for the twins.

As soon as they saw the box they could not wait to get it open!

Once we had taken all of the pieces out of the box I was delighted to see that it was a toy that would be easily and quickly put together. There is nothing worse than finding out a toy takes a long time to put together when you have excited twins that want to play!

Once it was put together the twins couldn't wait to get playing. They love how Thomas goes up with the push of the snakes tail. Then they watch as he come out of the snakes mouth and they choo choo as he goes down the track! They have had hours of fun with the Thomas and Friends Playset. The play set can also be connected to the other Thomas and Friends tracks that are in the range. On it's own as an individual play set or as part of a bigger set it will please any Thomas fans!

To make the Thomas and Friends set into a carry along, simply fold up part of the track and use the snakes tail as a handle!

We have found this to be a great toy that the twins can play with together. With a train each that have watched and giggled as the trains go up and down, round and round!

I would thoroughly recommend the Thomas and Friends Take-n-Play Rattling Railss for any child who loves Thomas. With a retail price of £19.99 it really is worth the money for the hours of play that the twins have had and will continue to have. The toy is recommended for children aged 3 and up.

Disclosure: We were sent the Thomas and Friends Take-n-Play Rattling Railss for the purpose of this post. No payment was received. All views and opinions are my own and 100% honest.