Breakfast Smoothie

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day - it starts you off with the right energy level to tackle whatever comes your way. This is especially true for kids. They really need a good breakfast to fuel their brains and prepare their bodies for school. It would be difficult to concentrate in class if you were hungry. Breakfast also needs to be balanced - not all sugary foods - it is best to provide a decent breakfast that will last all the way through to lunch time.

I know, it's the time factor. We are all time pressed in the morning, so quick easy breakfasts are a must. We like to do eggs, waffles (wholegrain), cereal, but after a while we need something to jazz our mornings up a bit. So what about a smoothie!

So this morning we tested a new smoothie recipe to add to our weekly meal list, just in time to be ready for our new school year. Smoothies are quick, easy and nutritious - the perfect breakfast. And what a great way to start the day with a "milkshake".

Here is the recipe we tried this morning, but I think I will add some honey next time:

(makes 3 glasses)

8oz coconut water (I found this in the fruit and veg section of the grocery store)
1 1/2 cups of frozen mixed berries
1 scoop of whey protein powder
1 cup plain organic yoghurt
1/2 cup milk

I used the Ninja to mix it all up. Delicious!

You can also add banana, 1 tsp peanut butter, honey, other frozen fruit (strawberries, mango), fresh kale, or spinach, etc. I'm sure there are lots of ideas out there on the internet to pick from, so you would be able to come up with your own favorite combination. Have fun with it!

Fantastic Photography - Photographing Kids

Have been a little busy lately, so I have not been able to keep up with my 30 days of photos. Instead, today I bring you some beautiful shots of kids via Pinterest, to get the creative juices flowing! (Forget the "finish" on the photos - just concentrate on the creative elements and composition).

Big basket + cute bow + simple background + cute baby = great photos!

Source: skyejohansen.com via Kathryn on Pinterest

Sidewalk chalk drawing as background - so cute!

Source: iheartfaces.com via Kathryn on Pinterest

I took lots of shots of my kids as babies just like this. Use your bed as the "stage" - keep everything simple and let the baby do the "talking". I try to keep the light as natural as possible too.

Source: etsy.com via Kathryn on Pinterest

These ones as cute for sibling photos.

Source: bellinipics.com via Kathryn on Pinterest

LOVE this - really want to do it for my girls - they LOVE LOVE horses!

Source: mypinkcloud.tumblr.com via Kathryn on Pinterest

Here is another simple sidewalk chalk photo idea - simple but SO CUTE!

Source: None via Kathryn on Pinterest

LOVE LOVE LOVE this photo - I only have two kids though.....

Source: shannamichellephotography.blogspot.com via Kathryn on Pinterest

This idea is so awesome - I'm starting right now (my oldest just turned 5, the other 3).

Source: flickr.com via Kathryn on Pinterest

Lots of simple easy ideas that you can implement in the photos you take - no professional needed :)

Making Horses

(This is from my previous blog Toddler Play & Learn, but I thought it was so worth sharing again on here)

Found this wonderful blog www.designspongeonline.com, and on there was this great craft project by Ann Wood that I thought would be great to do with my 3 year old.

Basically you are making little cardboard horses to hang up on the wall (or wherever you fancy!). Ann Wood made this project with a goal of making 100 horses. They look awesome all together in a group (as Ann Wood has done), and can be done over a period of time. I also really like the idea she had of naming her horses and numbering them. I name and number mine and also date it, and put my little helper's name on it too!

My little girl loved drawing on her horse. We are also going to paint some another day, and I think I'm going to do a few of my own as well. I have the perfect spot in my breakfast area to put them up on the wall. I'm going to theme mine - architectural print on one (from my few years of study that I managed to do), ocean (love the beach), woods, etc, etc.

Love this idea - will update as we do more but here are a few pictures to start. Please check out the design sponge website for all the details on how to make them www.designspongeonline.com - all credit goes to Ann Wood, of course (and Design Sponge for posting this)!




Ours is still a growing collection (and so are my babies, now 4 yr old and 2 yr old), so doesn't quite measure up to the stampede Ann created yet - check out the photos of her stampede below, absolutely beautiful!! 

 The possibilities are endless...