MONDAY MUNCHIES - Quick & Easy Meatloaf

Sunday nights is easy meal night around here, a quick fix meal to end the weekend, before the chaos of Monday rolls around. We have been known to consume toasties or noodles on really lazy Sundays which receive cheers from the boys because, no veggies...

Last night however veggies were on their plates, and although dinner took a little prep, it was still quick, easy and delicious. Perfect any night of the week.


QUICK AND EASY MEAT LOAF

INGREDIENTS 

* Beef mince
* Grated carrot
* Diced onion
* Cherry tomatoes halved
* 1 egg
* 1 tbls BBQ sauce
* Bread crumbs
* Tomato sauce

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients, except the tomato sauce, and mix well.
Lightly grease a non stick pan and press the mince mixture into the pan.
Top with the tomato sauce.
Bake until meat loaf is cooked through and golden.

Serve with veggies or salad.

Last night I teamed our meat loaf with the new Birds Eye Seasoned Sides Garden Medley. They were delicious and a hit with the boys.

Enjoy

beck xx

this post was not sponsored by birds eye.

COMMON CHAOS

We are one week into the last term of the school year for 2015, and already the end of year chaos has begun.
You know how it goes. Exams, report cards, awards nights, performances etc etc. The usual common chaos that the end of year brings. It also includes mountains and mountains of crap wonderful work being brought home, class parties that always require plates of crap healthy food to be shared, last minute friend and teacher gifts, oh and did I mention the crap that gets brought home by the bag full ?

Its been a BIG year for these two....

The end of this year is  huge for us. It includes interviews with the Principle and year coordinator as our baby youngest son heads into senior school next year. Yep, that's right, our youngest is heading into his final two years of school, How did that happen ? Just yesterday he began Prep, didn't he ?

We are also celebrating another huge milestone in our family as our third son graduates grade twelve. That's right, we have now managed not without drama to get three out of four sons to grade twelve graduation.

Phew...We are nearly there ;)

Even as I am typing tears prick my eyes threatening to fall. I was told, after I hysterically blubbered daintily wept at my oldest sons graduation that it gets easier as each child reaches this big moment in their life....

Let me tell you, it doesn't.

I have found as each of my sons reaches the ultimate goal, I become more hysterical saddened by the process as I realise my boys are no longer my little men but actual grown ups, ready to make their own decisions. It scares me a little bit more each day as I learn that I must let go and send them out into the big wide world to explore. It is the hardest part of being a mother, give me sleepless nights and tantrums any day.

But you know.....
I wouldn't change a single thing.

beck xx

I MUST CONFESS - That this post is not about anniversaries, but the BEST NRL GRAND FINAL EVER !

Firstly I would like to confess that I am not in the least bit sorry for missing today's Monday Munchies post sorry I was a little preoccupied with THE BEST NRL GRAND FINAL EVER but I promise that it will return as usual next week.

In case you didn't notice, or live on Mars (I heard that it could be possible one day) the North Queensland Cowboys won the NRL Grand Finale last night.

And I must confess that I may or may not have gone a little nuts with my congratulatory posts sorry

I also must confess that I  may or may not have been on the edge of my seat during the last few minutes of the game.

I must confess that I also may or may not have screamed the house down when the Cowboys WON after 20 long years in their search for glory.

I may or may not have cried big happy tears,  and O must confess that I may or may not have peed myself a little. As I said, I may or may not have.....

Congratulations to a well deserving team for their win. Cowboys, you have made us North Queenslanders very proud, and even without the victory of the 2015 grad finale win, you are our team and winners in our eyes win or loose.

my condolences to the Broncos fans 

proud to be a Cowboys supporter beck xx

Linking up with the beautiful Kirsty for I Must Confess

TAKING STOCK - SEPTEMBER 2015

There is a gorgeous breeze blowing today, the glow of the morning sun is kissing the flower petals waking them to their full glory. Spring is in the air, and I cant help  but wear a smile.

We have been taking things easy these school holidays, lazy mornings, movie nights and sleepovers. For teen number three this is his final school break EVER as soon he is graduating. I cant believe that we have made it to graduation number three. We are still in one piece and will only have one teen left at school come the new year....I cant even remember what it is like to have only child in school.

So as we celebrate the ending of another month gone by, I am joining the beautiful Pip of  Meet Me At Mikes  for Taking Stock

Making ; Plans for Christmas - its only around the corner you know
Cooking ; Quick and easy meals for school holidays
Drinking : Drinking wine from the beautiful De Bortoli Winery
Reading ; After Anna by Alex Lake
Wanting : To loose weight before my sons graduation
Looking : At paint charts again
Playing ; Music daily
Deciding ; Weather I should leave my hair longer or chop it off again
Wishing ; That loosing weight wasn't SO hard
Enjoying ; The Spring breeze knowing that before long it will be gone
Waiting ; To win lotto
Liking ; Pinapples and all things white
Wondering ; What my son will do after he graduates in six weeks
Loving ; My family whole heatedly
Pondering ; Life, and where it may lead me next
Considering ; A return to the work force
Buying ; Books, always books
Watching ; A whole lot of crappy Reality TV
Hoping ; For a not so scorching hot Summer
Cringing ; At all the people who hate on others
Needing ; More Fig jam and new sheets
Questioning ; Australian politics and wondering why we even bother voting
Smelling ; The gorgeous perfume of Spring flowers
Wearing ; My gorgeous new T-shirt from Ruby and Lilli and Jenni Eyles
Following ; Lots of new peeps on Instagram
Noticing ; That my boys really are growing into wonderful young men I am proud of
Knowing ; That tomorrow is a new day
Thinking ; Of going back to Yoga
Admiring ; How hard my husband works to take care of our family
Sorting ; My wardrobe
Getting ; My hands dirty in the garden and loving it
Disliking ; My brown couch
Opening ; My heart to new experiences
Giggling ; With my mum, on the phone and while shopping
Feeling ; Happy
Snacking ; On cake  Greek yogurt and fruit

beck xx

MONDAY MUNCHIES - Spaghetti Bake

SPAGHETTI BAKE

If there is one thing I can serve up for dinner that will tame the hungry tums of my teens, its pasta.
Spaghetti, lasagna, carbonara, it doesn't matter as long as there is heaps of it.

One dish that fills the dinner dreams of my teens, is my spaghetti bake. Made on the delicious Whole Grain Barilla Spaghetti, its high in fibre and has a low GI.

INGREDIENTS

* 1 pkt of Barilla whole grain spaghetti
* 500 grams of lean beef mince
* 2 cloves of crushed garlic
* 1 large onion diced
* 2 grated zucchini
* 2 grated carrots
* 1 800 gram can of diced tomatoes
* 1 tablespoon salt reduced tomato paste
* 1 teaspoon Italian spices
* Grated tasty cheese

Cook pasta as per directions on the box, leave to one side.

In a large pan coated with cooking spray, saute the garlic and onion until soft. Add the mince and cook stirring until brown.

Add the carrot, zucchini and spices and cook for a further 3 minutes stirring well.

Add all the other ingredients (except the pasta) and combine well, bringing the mix to the boil then reduce to a slow simmer.

In a large lasagna dish coated with cooking spray. Layer the mince and pasta (as you would a lasagna) topping with the grated cheese.

Bake in the oven at 180 degrees until the cheese is golden.

Enjoy

beck xx

3 THINGS #1

I've been kicking back with the teens not doing much of anything this first week of school holidays. We've hardly even left the house except to restock food and to get the teens looking almost human by finally getting them a much needed haircut.
While they have been busy laying around playing computer games and sleeping, I have been spending time in the garden, reading lots of blogs and books and watching some crap TV.
I know, not very creative when there is a house to be painted, art work to design and make, and many a craft project begging to be started.

But...

I am enjoying the down time, because after these school holidays are over, its time for the end of year chaos to begin, and who knows when I may get the chance to frivolously throw my time away again.

This week I've been

Listening to...

Today's the day - P!nk
Scarecrow         - Alex and Sierra                                          

Wildest dreams - Taylor Swift
Wild                  - Troye Sivan

Reading...

The wild child - Casey Watson
After Anna      - Alex Lake

Styling Curvy
Babymac
Woogsworld
Styling You
Positively Present

Watching...

The real housewives of OC      ( I know, forgive me this sin )
Americas next top model
My big fat fabulous life
Criminal minds


beck xx

10 WAYS TO BRIGHTEN YOUR DAY

Some days you wake up and all is right with the world. The sun is shining, birds are singing, the coffee is good and the house is clean and tidy. It's days like this when you just know that your in for a fabulous day.

But there are other days, days when you wake up with a mild headache that threatens to turn into a whopper of a migraine, the coffee tastes like dish water, your running late and the kids haven't let up since their feet hit the floor. It's days like these when you wish you could roll over and stay in bed.

We all have off days, days when we have no choice but to soldier on and face the battle, but there are a few small things that we can do to brighten even our darkest days. Simple things that wont be a cure for the blues, but might just bring a smile to our face and make us feel happier for even the slightest moment.

*  Set your alarm 15 minutes earlier and go for a gentle morning walk. Breathe in the fresh air and try     to clear your mind. Try to forget what is waiting back at home/work for you.

* Take a long  relaxing bubble bath.

* Read a good novel, even if its only one chapter. Books can take you away from the every day life.

* Keep journal and write down your thoughts.  

* Pop some corn and put on your favourite movie.

* Try to expect less of yourself. The washing and cleaning will be there tomorrow. Give yourself a        break now an then to take care of you.

* Buy yourself a beautiful bunch of flowers.

* Light some sweet smelling candles.

* Spend some one on one time with your partner.

* Hug your family, this is by far the best way to brighten your day. Love and be loved by the special      people in your life.

You most likely will be able to come up with many more ways to brighten your day, but these are just a few of my favourite things that can give you a kick start. There are so many simple pleasures out there for us to enjoy. We just need to give ourselves the permission to take time out and enjoy them.

What are some ways that you relax to brighten even the dullest of days ?

beck xx