Candyfloss & Dreams

Category: Lifestyle

lifestyle blog posts focusing on home, lifestyle, parenting, pregnancy, family life and home and style. Home decor and working at home, working at home as a self employed freelancer and blogger. Family lifestyle blog posts including family reviews, family products and saving money as a family. Being a more eco friendly family.

  • Autumn Slow Cooker Meals I Love

    Autumn is the best time of year to get the slow cooker out and I wanted to share some autumn slow cooker meals I love. With the weather turning cooler I am looking to use my slow cooker for tasty, warming meals. There’s something about Autumn that just makes me want to use the slow cooker. It’s so nice coming back from the school run knowing I don’t have a dinner to prepare because I can just chuck what I need in the slow cooker in the morning and it will be tasty, tender and hot for dinner time. Having a baby in the house and not having to properly prepare meals but still have something filling and nutritious every night. This is going to be absolutely vital whilst breastfeeding too because I can make sure everyone, including myself, is fed. Here are my favourite slow cooker meals.

    autumanl slow cooker meals, budget slow cooker
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    Soup

    I love soup and whilst some people may have a soup maker you can do delicious soup in a slow cooker easily. Any left over veggies are perfect for this so if you’re someone that loves a roast on a Sunday and has anything left over popping it into a slow cooker with some liquid broth or stock can make it into a really tasty soup. You can then leave it chunky or blend it up before serving. My favourite is tomato and red pepper with a sprinkle of chilli flakes as I feel the lovely vibrant colour makes it feel as warming as it tastes. I also really love leek and potato soup with a soft roll. Another great option is a thai style coconut chicken soup.

    thai soup, chicken soup, slow cooker meals

    Stews

    Stews are ideal slow cooker food because you can add in whatever ingredients you like. Beef and ale with seasonal vegetables is a firm favourite here and adding the ale early on you have the taste and the flavour but the alcohol is cooked off. Pork and apple can make another really lovely stew and for me there’s just something about pork and apples that make me think of Autumn. I’ve made this with Brothers Toffee Apple cider too which does make it quite sweet. Paired with some green vegetables and mash potato this is a delicious stew. If you fancy something a little different chicken and apricot with Moroccan spices can be something completely different too. I love this with a few herby dumplings too.

    slow cooker meals, autumanl slow cooker meals

    Pie Fillings

    Slow cooked pie fillings are delicious for this time of year. If you want that pastry crust topping with a slow cooked pie filling you can get ready rolled puff pastry and cook off in the oven before serving. Or if you’re making a family sized pie in advance slow cooking the filling can bring out all the flavour and make the meat super tender.

    Other Autumn Slow Cooker Meals

    Chilli is a great one for a slow cooker as it’s super quick and easy and the longer chilli cooks the better it tastes. Curries also work really well in a slow cooker especially using sweet potato and butternut squash as it allows the vegetables to soften and take on the subtle spices of the curry. You can also make a delicious pulled pork by slow cooking it. I love pulled pork, it’s warming and makes a tasty midweek meal. Any left over can be added to rolls and sandwiches the next day too.

     

  • Vulnerable

    There is only so much information you can bring into yourself during a time of vulnerability. You can plan and process and positive think you’re way through but ultimately you are going to have times where you feel like you fail.

    There will always be times where you compare yourself to others and that will bring on tears, frustration, guilt and desperation. It will make you feel inadequate doubting your own ability, mindset, body and femininity.

    There is no right or wrong way to give birth. But why do I feel like my body doesn’t work properly? Because I seem to carry longer than term. Because everyone is asking me is it now? Well meaning wishes and text and phone calls come through. I lurk on social media rather than join in as I feel myself closing in on myself but really I feel resentment and sadness.

    It’s like I’m grieving for an experience I don’t feel I will ever get to have without a form of augmentation.

    I feel like less of a woman because my body doesn’t seem to do what it is build to do on a timescale I don’t even feel is right for my body.

    I tell myself this all the time. My baby is measuring big or ahead but my boyfriend shares his DNA and is tall. And I am not tall. And my last baby was at 42 weeks and induced and babies follow a pattern but my body still hasn’t started labour despite by date of conception I feel I am only 39 weeks and 1 day.

    I feel crumpled and sore, swollen, shrunken and sadness. I feel let down by my own body. A soft and thin cervix that has started to change and shift and move to make way for the baby pressing down. I feel every movement from hands to legs to rolls. I feel pressure and pain of the most exquisite unable to describe kind which excites me yet fills me with dread every time I need to take a step.

    I miss going outside.

    I miss browsing through shops.

    I miss walking and movement and swimming.

    I miss life but I’m standing here with one foot heavy and swollen with pregnancy and the other a step forward waiting, needing and willing to rush on. Become a new mother. A mother of two beautiful children who I love more than anything. Already.

    I am vulnerable because I am left alone in the evening whilst my partner provides for us and I miss him so much. I don’t want to show my vulnerable side, I want him to be proud and witness the birth of our child alongside the rebirth of me. I want to show him just how much I love him and what I can give to him and for him to say you did this, I’m so proud, and no matter how or where or what he will say and think and feel this anyway. But there is that part of me that thinks I do not deserve him if I can not birth properly.

    I do not deserve his pride if my body fails me, to birth our son.

    Relax they say. Relax and enjoy these last few days and babies come when babies are ready and I know this is fact and true and rational but I am lying here, tears falling freely already grieving a birth I haven’t had yet because of time restraints. Limits.

    I feel vulnerable. I want to embrace this birth that I have dreamed of having because I felt like I failed at the last one. That detrimental shadow that has haunted my mental health for eight long years because I couldn’t birth my daughter. Those weeks I felt of failure whilst healing prevented us from thriving and I am terrified of that same process happening again.

    vulnerable in late pregnancy

  • Finance with Finesse – How to Finance Your Car for Your Road Trip

    Imagine it – your next road trip has you traversing Australia’s outback in a rugged truck of your choice. Or better yet, hop into the speedster of your dreams to indulge in the many sights that Melbourne, Sydney, or any one of Australia’s great urban centres offer. Then there are the country’s numerous scenic beaches that beckon you to enjoy sand and surf at your leisure.

    However, before taking off, you will need new wheels to get you to your destination in style. Financing a vehicle can be a one way ticket to your next road trip. In addition to the many other ways of financing a car today, Latitude can help finance your car in the most efficient, cost-effective way so in no time you can be in the driver’s seat pioneering new paths across the Australian landscape.

    Continue reading to learn more about how you can finance a car to make your next road trip a memorable one.

    planning a road trip, finance road trip

    Ascertain The Vehicle’s Purpose

    While it is a small factor, knowing how you plan to use your vehicle is a factor you should consider before actually looking for a loan. By doing an assessment of your needs, you might find you can quickly and more accurately find a vehicle that is appropriate for your lifestyle choices, whether these choices include using the vehicle in rugged landscapes or for hanging out on the beach on weekends. Plus, there’s no point on taking in a massive amount of debt if you go on road trips infrequently.

    Understand Credit And Your Credit History

    By understanding how credit works, you have a better chance at seeking out appropriate financing and knowing how to leverage your credit to gain the advantage when settling on a loan. Factors to pay attention to include knowing your credit score, looking at your debt-to-income ratio, and understanding the remarks related to the accounts on the record. These factors all affect your ability to get financing, and more importantly, directly affect your interest rate.

    The ability to get credit varies from individual to individual. Generally, speaking though, the more debt you have reduces the amount you can borrow, and in some cases, requires you make a sizable down payment to reduce the interest rate. Furthermore, derogatory, charge off, and slow payment remarks can hamper financing a car at a reasonable rate. Ultimately, you should check your credit report yearly to make sure that everything on the report reflects your history, as everyone is entitled to at least one free report through any of the major credit bureaus.

    Look For Finance

    Before settling on one loan, search through the many options available. Today, online technology has made it possible for consumers to finance just about anything through online institutions and options like Pentagon Ford 0%. Furthermore, their interest rates tend to be just as, or much, better than traditional banks and dealerships.

    Another go-to are credit unions, which are also known to give consumers competitive rates. Credit unions typically offer their customers lower interest rates when compared to traditional financing options, including dealerships. The point is to do a comprehensive search before settling on a loan.

    Get Pre-Approved

    Another way to finance your road trip vehicle is to get pre-approved for an amount. This reduces the amount of time shopping for a car and limits your choices simply because it gives you a pre-set budget. Moreover, it streamlines the financing process while at the dealership.

    A Vehicle To Your Road Trip

    Financing a car has been simplified through the many avenues financial institutions have made available to consumers. The once complicated process, often lasting the entire day, can be transacted within a few hours. For the most part, accessing the financing that will place you in your new road trip car begins with being armed with the right information and being prepared to find the next great deal.

    This is a collaborative post.

  • Why I’m Writing A Pregnancy Book

    I’ve decided to write a pregnancy book

    I’m writing a pregnancy book even though I have only been pregnant twice, however, both times I’ve been classed as high risk. Once with a BMI of 30+ and again with a BMI of 45+ and for a previous c-section. I’ve blogged a lot about my second pregnancy and how it’s been relatively straight forward however most of the restrictions I’ve had have not been due to my previous surgery but actually because of how fat I am. I want to say that I’ve actually had a straightforward pregnancy and that actually my body takes to pregnancy pretty well despite the few aches and pains in the last few weeks. However, having a high BMI during my pregnancy, whilst not ideal, has made me feel judged and ashamed.

    Despite my high BMI I have had excellent blood pressure, my baby has grown as expected, excellent iron levels and high platelet levels. I have remained as active as possible with swimming and taken vitamin supplements to make sure my baby is getting as many nutrients as possible. I’ve been mobile, done a lot of reading and research, put birth plan A B and C together and I have had no issues. I’ve experienced lots of movement, Baby is easy to feel through my tummy and his heart rate has always been as expected.

    But because of my size I have felt I have had to explain myself every time I meet a new health care professional. I’ve had to go through hoops to put the birth plan in place that I want. I have been told that I am highly at risk of another c-section. Whilst I accept I am a higher risk for certain things having a healthy pregnancy affected by BMI which, so far, hasn’t had a detrimental affect at all, has made me feel really guilty. It’s something I have constantly felt the need to justify, defend and bring up by saying “This wasn’t plan A, I wanted to lose weight first!” And that is the truth. Perhaps I am lucky enough to be quite fertile and not struggle with conceiving as I can assure you it really did only take the one time for us. I also feel that it’s stopped me from enjoying my pregnancy as much and I don’t want other women to feel like that.

    Why Am I writing a pregnancy book about high BMI in pregnancy?

    So I am writing a pregnancy book which includes all the research I have been able to find on women with high BMI in pregnancy to help other women make informed decisions about how and where they decide to give birth. I have included letters I have written to my consultant which has lead me to having much more positive, upfront discussions about my care. Where to find out the best information on the hospital you have decided to book in with and I talk in depth about maternal rights in pregnancy.

    My hope is that I will also share a second positive birth story, however that happens, and why I believe individualised care is so important. I’m not writing this book from a medical perspective but instead I’m writing it from one mother to another to help raise awareness that there needs to be more research into high BMI pregnancies and that actually, no matter your BMI, you can still have a positive pregnancy and birth. I hope my book will inform and inspire other women to feel confident in their choices for their pregnancy and ultimately help to reduce them experiencing shame, guilt, peri and post natal depression.

    I am looking to self publish my book at the end of November and I hope that it is as interesting and informative to other women as I have found writing it.

    why im writing a pregnancy book

  • Starting University as a Mature Student

    Being a mature student is quickly becoming a bit of a norm in this country particularly with the rising popularity of access to higher education courses being offered. My partner Adam completed his social sciences access course in July and has accepted a place studying Criminology at Winchester university. Studying as a mature student is a great way to retrain but it does come with its own set of challenges.

    Adam applied for university very close to the UCAS deadline date during his access course in January. He applied for five university placements with two being at Winchester which is our closest university. One required him to pass his GCSE in Maths and one just requires him to pass his access course. Adam didn’t feel confident he would pass maths (although we have since found out that he has passed – but has remained on the course he wanted) so decided to confirm his choice and select criminology as his firm choice. As soon as student finance applications opened he applied and was told his finance allowance for the year.

    University Mature Student – Getting Student Loans

    As a mature student living away from home I had to fill in my details to support his application. Student finance is calculated on the previous years tax so Adams finance was calculated by our household income for 2016/2017 as he was planning on starting university in September 2018. As a mature student with a household income of less than £16,000 that year he was able to apply for

    Tuition Fee loan

    Maintenance loan

    Maintenance Loan top up (for lower incomes)

    Parental Grant

    Adult Dependant Grant

    He decided to apply for all of these as even though we would both be working when he started university I was three months pregnant and we were expecting our income to take a bit of a fall whilst I recover from birth and adjust to life with a newborn. We were then told what we had been accepted for. I think Adam is also entitled to a low income bursary from the university which isn’t payable in May. Apparently there is no need to apply as it is calculated automatically from Student Finance. As far as we are concerned, as a mature student with an adult dependant and two children any and all financial help is going to make a difference.

    After finding out what was to be awarded it was just a case of waiting for his official results to come through so he could inform the university and then have his offer changed from conditional to unconditional. He had a start date for 19th September to enroll with lectures beginning the week after.

    Saving Money as a Mature Student

    As a mature university student Adam has applied for a three year NUS discount card for £30. This allows lots of discounts on clothes, cinema and meals out. As a mature student he also qualified for a one year 16-25 rail card. To get this rail card there is a form you need to print out which you take to university when you enroll to have stamped. This then allows you to get a rail card reducing travel costs. Whilst Adam is learning to drive he will be getting the train to and from University every day. With the railcard he saves around 1/3 on his travel costs which will be a saving of around £300 each semester.

    The biggest challenge now is juggling that work life study and family balance. We will have a newborn in the house in October just after he has started university as well as juggling getting Evie to and from school. Adam will continue to work 29 hours a week from Sunday until Thursday during the evening and will be studying at university for three or four days a week. Time management is key for a mature student at university with a family at home. It does not leave a lot of time for the Social side of university life however as we are a family husband priorities are with studying and working.

    Here are some top tips to help you adjust to life as a mature student

    1. Don’t feel you will be the oldest one there. It’s very unlikely that you will be as university does not have an age limit. Some people enjoy studying throughout their lives and you are sure to find someone studying to increase their career prospects or because university works around their family.

    2. Get yourself a planner and set yourself a schedule so that you can plan your time wisely.

    3. Do consider getting a discount card and rail card to help you budget better and save money on essentials.

    4. You don’t have to sacrifice time with your family. It is a juggle but you can prepare for things like days out together or date nights when you have your schedule. As a mature student you still need time to put the books away and enjoy a break from time to time.

    5. It’s likely your student finance will be a buffer for your wages so budget wisely and consider paying things in advance with each payment you get such as rent. Our plan is to pay £1500 each semester which is around ten weeks rent and then top up with Adams wages.

    6. Student finance affects benefits. Universal Credit will take all of the income into consideration but I believe allow a certain amount for travel, books and essentials. Tax Credits do not ask about maintenance loans but will want to know about the total adult dependant grant. When you start university you should make this clear to any benefits that you receive to avoid being sent huge overpayment bills.

    Being a mature student has a lot of benefits and if you plan your time wisely it can be a great move for your career.

    Starting University as a Mature Student