I have a confession to make. Sometimes I like to climb into bed at 8:45pm & watch Made in Chelsea on my laptop. Does it educate me? Motivate me? Teach me the greater meaning of this world? Hell No but it makes me a better person – mindless entertainment – the complete opposite the what is actually going on in our busy lives. Some days I have had enough reality by nightfall and I just need to indulge.
Other days I like to sneak into my pantry and rob a few leftover Christmas chocolates from the shelf where they are hidden out of reach.
“What are you eating Muuuuuummmmmm?”
“Oh just an orange”
Yes technically a big fat lie. But I’ve earned my guilty pleasures by now – I can live with myself.
Here’s something else I can live with. I ADORE coming home after the chaotic, school run to a few minutes of calm. Having wrestled 4 children into uniforms, coats, hats, boots & herded them into the car followed by over half an hour of foggy car windows, reminders to get the bus, bring home yesterday’s water bottle, give the €2 to the Oifig for the markers & shout a few answers at Ian Dempsey’s quiz contestants I welcome the stillness.
There really is nothing that beats that coffee. And the it is time for brekkie!! My favourite meal of the day. At the moment I am loving Sticky Caramel Apples – a guilt free porridge, pancake or yoghurt topping. Free from refined sugar but packed full of natural sweetness, it will leave you warm from head to toe.
Ingredients
2 eating apples (I love to use Pink ladies)
1 tbsp Olive oil (trust me)
2 tsp cinnamon
1 generous pinch of sea salt
3 tbsp maple syrup
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Method:
Peel, core and chop the apples into small pieces.
Add the rest of the ingredients to your pan and mix.
Add apples and mix again.
Turn on heat to medium/high until the mixture starts to bubble.
Reduce to medium heat and cover your pan. Leave to simmer for 10 minutes stirring occasionally.
Enjoy immediately on your porridge warm. You can save leftovers in the fridge and serve cold also as a porridge topper. It’s great either way.
Your’s, feeling the best form of attack is defence in this frosty season,
Cli xx
