One lunch I have been loving this summer is my Sweet Potato and Beetroot salad which I've eaten almost every week. It's packed full of protein and flavours to keep you feeling satisfied and it tastes delicious.
It's fairly quick to make and I usually make it in advance (the night before). When I buy the ingredients I can usually make at least a couple of salads with them.
I don't have a dressing on mine but you could use simply olive oil or for more flavour try a honey mustard dressing with it.
What you need:
- 1 Small Sweet Potato
- Feta Cheese
- Ready Cooked Beetroot
- Salad Leaves (I used a mixed rocket and lettuce bag)
- Handful of Pine Nuts
The instructions are on the recipe card below which you can save to Pinterest by clicking in the top corner of the image.
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Since returning to work, I've started meal planning for us as family again and I've found that it's cutting the cost of our food shop by quite a bit. Most days we eat the same meals with some slight variations. I also plan mine and my husband's lunches for the week and usually prep them in advance for the days I'm in work.
This weeks dinner meal plan:
This weeks dinner meal plan:
Monday
Chicken Wraps
Tuesday
Sweet Chilli Garlic Glazed Salmon with Green Vegetables
(Kids just having white fish and veg)
Wednesday
Turkey Chilli
Thursday
Lemongrass and Chilli Salmon Skewers with Mediterranean Vegetables
Friday
Steak and Vegetables
Saturday
Halloumi Burgers
Sunday
Chicken Roast Dinner
Lunches this week:
Lemon Pesto Caprese Salad
Greek Chicken and Salad
Soup
Ham and Cheese Omelette
What's on your meal plan for the week ahead? I'm always looking for new meal prep ideas for lunches and snacks.
As annual pass holders at Disneyland Paris, we quite often don't book a package break which includes meals. We tend to just book a hotel and sort out food when we are there. We are entitled to extra magic hours at the park which is early in the morning and therefore we like to try and have a quick breakfast to be able to take full advantage of the short ride queues etc.
The Earl of Sandwich at Disneyland Paris is a hidden gem and is located in the Disney Village next to the lake. We have previously eaten lunch there and we were big fans of the dining experience when we were in Walt Disney World last year. We didn't even realise they served breakfast so when we were asked if we would like to come and try their offerings, we couldn't resist.
We arrived for breakfast at 9am and it was quiet which was nice. There were no long queues and there were plenty of tables.
Breakfast is served everyday until 11am and is freshly prepared and made straight after you place your order. You are given a buzzer to take to your table to alert you when your food is ready to collect. We had about a 5 minute wait for ours. All ingredients are high quality and the bread is baked in house using a secret recipe.
The restaurant itself is large, covering 2 floors. Upstairs also offers indoor and outdoor dining with one of the best views in Disney Village.
You can get a French breakfast, American breakfast or an English breakfast, all at very reasonable prices.
Important to note is that The Earl of Sandwich is the only restaurant offering an English breakfast. For 9.95 euros you can have eggs, bacon, sausage, baked beans, toast and a hot drink. It is served in a box if you wish to take it away to eat.
There are also muffins, cookies, fruit and soft drinks to choose from if you would prefer something lighter.
The kids chose to share an English breakfast and they also chose fruit and a cookie. They absolutely loved it especially our youngest. She likes to eat a bit of everything so an English breakfast is a perfect choice. There wasn't an option for a kids sized breakfast which is something I would like to see them introduce. It was too big for them to eat for themselves so a child sized portion would have been ideal.
My husband and I chose an American breakfast which came with a hot drink. This costs just 6.95 euros. We had a ham and egg sandwich and a bacon and egg sandwich. We both really enjoyed these. My 15 year old cousin also had the American breakfast and he said it was filling. My hubby particularly enjoyed his coffee. If you've been to Disneyland Paris then you may have tasted the coffee in the park and realised it is not very nice to say the least. He was delighted to finally have a good, tasting coffee.
Overall, we really enjoyed our breakfast. It was fresh, tasty and certainly filled us all up until lunchtime. The menu has something suitable for all the family. We found it fantastic value for money. If you haven't got a meal package as part of your Disneyland Paris holiday then the Earl of Sandwich is perfect. It's quick and you can either eat in or grab it to go to enjoy on your walk to the park. We will definitely be returning on our next visit.
*We were invited to the Earl of Sandwich in return for this blog post. All thoughts, opinions and words are my own*
The Earl of Sandwich at Disneyland Paris is a hidden gem and is located in the Disney Village next to the lake. We have previously eaten lunch there and we were big fans of the dining experience when we were in Walt Disney World last year. We didn't even realise they served breakfast so when we were asked if we would like to come and try their offerings, we couldn't resist.
We arrived for breakfast at 9am and it was quiet which was nice. There were no long queues and there were plenty of tables.
Breakfast is served everyday until 11am and is freshly prepared and made straight after you place your order. You are given a buzzer to take to your table to alert you when your food is ready to collect. We had about a 5 minute wait for ours. All ingredients are high quality and the bread is baked in house using a secret recipe.
The restaurant itself is large, covering 2 floors. Upstairs also offers indoor and outdoor dining with one of the best views in Disney Village.
You can get a French breakfast, American breakfast or an English breakfast, all at very reasonable prices.
Important to note is that The Earl of Sandwich is the only restaurant offering an English breakfast. For 9.95 euros you can have eggs, bacon, sausage, baked beans, toast and a hot drink. It is served in a box if you wish to take it away to eat.
There are also muffins, cookies, fruit and soft drinks to choose from if you would prefer something lighter.
The kids chose to share an English breakfast and they also chose fruit and a cookie. They absolutely loved it especially our youngest. She likes to eat a bit of everything so an English breakfast is a perfect choice. There wasn't an option for a kids sized breakfast which is something I would like to see them introduce. It was too big for them to eat for themselves so a child sized portion would have been ideal.
My husband and I chose an American breakfast which came with a hot drink. This costs just 6.95 euros. We had a ham and egg sandwich and a bacon and egg sandwich. We both really enjoyed these. My 15 year old cousin also had the American breakfast and he said it was filling. My hubby particularly enjoyed his coffee. If you've been to Disneyland Paris then you may have tasted the coffee in the park and realised it is not very nice to say the least. He was delighted to finally have a good, tasting coffee.
Overall, we really enjoyed our breakfast. It was fresh, tasty and certainly filled us all up until lunchtime. The menu has something suitable for all the family. We found it fantastic value for money. If you haven't got a meal package as part of your Disneyland Paris holiday then the Earl of Sandwich is perfect. It's quick and you can either eat in or grab it to go to enjoy on your walk to the park. We will definitely be returning on our next visit.
*We were invited to the Earl of Sandwich in return for this blog post. All thoughts, opinions and words are my own*
Life in our household has been some what chaotic over the last few months. I returned to work (granted it's only 2 days a week but it's 20 hours so long days), we've been away quite a few times and we've also had a few illnesses. Quite frankly I don't know if i've been coming or going.
I'm struggling to get back into a household routine since returning to work. I used to be quite organised with meal planning, batch cooking etc and we'd all have meal times together. Sadly with me often finishing work at 8pm, I occasionally miss mealtimes. My husband works in Bristol so he also comes home quite late. Between cooking, cleaning, ironing, washing, school runs, homework and working, life is busy.
Annabel Karmel recently asked us to review her new range of tasty Frozen Toddler Meals which are available in Asda, Tesco, Morrisons, Ocado and Iceland. There are 6 different meals to choose from and they are suitable for ages 1-4. The RRP is £1.75.
I'll be the first to admit that i've never given my girls Frozen ready meals, i'm not sure why but I didn't like the idea of it. When I thought about it I realised I was being silly as I have batch cooked meals, then frozen them and then given them to the girls. Buying Frozen meals from someone I trust is no different. I've used Annabel Karmel's recipes for nearly 5 years. Both Eva and Ophelia loved her weaning recipes which made the weaning process much less stressful.
Annabel's new meals go through the natural freezing process and are inspired by the recipes in her books. They are high quality and nutritionally balanced. Each meal is low in salt and contains 1 of your 5 a day. They are free from artificial additives and preservatives.
The range includes:
I'm struggling to get back into a household routine since returning to work. I used to be quite organised with meal planning, batch cooking etc and we'd all have meal times together. Sadly with me often finishing work at 8pm, I occasionally miss mealtimes. My husband works in Bristol so he also comes home quite late. Between cooking, cleaning, ironing, washing, school runs, homework and working, life is busy.
Annabel Karmel recently asked us to review her new range of tasty Frozen Toddler Meals which are available in Asda, Tesco, Morrisons, Ocado and Iceland. There are 6 different meals to choose from and they are suitable for ages 1-4. The RRP is £1.75.
I'll be the first to admit that i've never given my girls Frozen ready meals, i'm not sure why but I didn't like the idea of it. When I thought about it I realised I was being silly as I have batch cooked meals, then frozen them and then given them to the girls. Buying Frozen meals from someone I trust is no different. I've used Annabel Karmel's recipes for nearly 5 years. Both Eva and Ophelia loved her weaning recipes which made the weaning process much less stressful.
Annabel's new meals go through the natural freezing process and are inspired by the recipes in her books. They are high quality and nutritionally balanced. Each meal is low in salt and contains 1 of your 5 a day. They are free from artificial additives and preservatives.
The range includes:
- Mummy's Fish Pie
- Hidden Veggie Bolognese
- Yummy Beef Lasagne
- Chicken Tikka Masala
- Chicken, Tomato and Mascarpone Pasta
- Tasty Cottage Pie
- Scrummy Macaroni Cheese with Broccoli
All of these meals are literally my girls favourite home cooked meals. Lasagne and Spaghetti Bolognese are always a winner in our house and both of my girls adore Curry. I thought they would notice that they didn't taste the same and that they weren't cooked by me but they were fooled. The only one they realised didn't taste as good as mine was the Lasagne. They thought the Fish Pie was much nicer than when my husband or I have cooked it.
The meals can either be cooked in the microwave or in the oven. The portion sizes are ideal for a toddler. Ophelia has pretty much eaten all of hers when we've given them to her. Eva has also been eating them but she is 5.5 and often asks for garlic bread or vegetables with hers.
I've had a sneaky taste of all of the meals and I am very impressed with the flavours. The Curry is really tasty and the Chicken, Tomato and Mascarpone Pasta tastes just like how my husband makes his sauce. I was also impressed with the fact that none of the meals were watery. Quite often with ready meals I find they have a watery consistency but these didn't.
Overall, Ophelia has been really enjoying these meals. They've been so helpful when life has just gotten in the way. Also when we've had family babysitters over we've gotten them to give these to the girls for food and they have found that easier than cooking meals.
We have now bought a stash of these for our freezer. I won't be giving these to the girls everyday but I will definitely be using them when life is crazy. I'll also be pulling them out and using them when they don't like my cooking (which does happen a few times).
Have you tried these or any of the Annabel Karmel range?
*This is a sponsored post with Annabel Karmel. All words and opinions are however my own and are truthful.
As someone that has travelled to Turkey many times, one of the things I love the most is the cuisine and therefore I couldn't believe that the Saray Restaurant in Cardiff has not been on my radar.
First up we were shown how they make their dough. Everything is made fresh in the kitchen which is wonderful to see. We then helped the chef to make Adana kebabs. Adana kebabs are a spicy mincemeat kebab. For ours we had a mixture of lamb mince, onion, chilli, parsley, red pepper and salt.
Saray restaurant is located on the bustling City Road which is within walking distance to Cardiff city centre. 'Saray' is the Persian word for Palace which is traditionally a place of amalgamation and honing cuisines from other ruling empires and the restaurant takes this description as inspiration for the service they provide their customers. Their menu boasts a fusion of flavours from traditional Ottoman cuisines with many traditional Turkish tastes to choose from.
Most people I know would think Turkish food was all greasy kebabs and pitta bread but luckily I know differently. Turkish food is all about bringing the family together and sharing freshly made food (especially at breakfast which is a very important meal for them).
I was invited to a cooking class at the restaurant by one the lovely owner's Selma and also Kelly from Reduced Grub. Before the class I was given a Turkish tea in a beautiful cup whilst I had a chat and got to know two other local bloggers who write at The Globetrotter GP and Welshcakes and Wellies.
First up we were shown how they make their dough. Everything is made fresh in the kitchen which is wonderful to see. We then helped the chef to make Adana kebabs. Adana kebabs are a spicy mincemeat kebab. For ours we had a mixture of lamb mince, onion, chilli, parsley, red pepper and salt.
We all had a go at shaping the mincemeat mixture onto the very large skewer. You have to squeeze the mixture along the length of the skewer until it is evenly spread out. I was actually a dab hand at this which I was rather impressed with.
We then made a pide which is a traditional Turkish pizza. You can use meat or vegetarian fillings such as pepperoni, mice meat, feta, spinach etc. I made a mincemeat pide.
I'll be the first to admit I was fairly useless when it came to rolling out the dough and shaping it into an oval, however, the rest of the recipe was easy to do.
Once everything was cooked it was time for us to sit down and enjoy everything we'd created and more. We tucked into a huge Turkish feast. It was fab to try lots of different dishes and the flavours were truly authentic. We finished off with more Turkish tea and a sweet treat called Kadayif, which is a form of baklava. It was delicious, my mouth is salivating just remembering it.
I had a wonderful time at Saray and would definitely recommend it. My husband and I called in one evening last week to pick up a takeaway kebab each which was the best one I have eaten in Cardiff. So much fresher and flavoursome than anywhere else and the portion was huge. We are also planning to have my birthday meal there next week as hubby has been desperate to try more of the menu out as I haven't stopped raving about how good it is there.
Have you tried Turkish food before?
*Thank you to Saray for inviting me to the cookery class. All opinions are my own*
Last week I was super busy. Between working, blogging, date nights and events, I have been a very busy lady. I haven't written a #LittleLoves post for a long time. In fact my last one was in November which you can read here, Moana, 2nd Birthday and Chicken Pox.
Read:
I read a fantastic blog post by Harriet from 'Toby and Roo' about how she is a Sepsis Surviver. After having an emergency c-section with her son Reuben she developed Sepsis and ended up being admitted into hospital for 3 days. She is attempting to raise £5000 for Sepsis Trust and is trying to raise awareness of the symptoms. You can read her story and find out more about her fund-raising here, Fundraising for Sepsis #SuckItSepsis.
Heard:
Heart radio is always on in work and lately they have been playing lots of Spice Girls classics which is literally music to my ears. I've been enjoying singing and busting a move or too to the likes of 'Say you'll be there' and 'Wannabe'. Last year I got to interview Emma Bunton which was a childhood dream of mine. You can watch it here, My interview with Emma Bunton.
Made:
I was invited to learn to cook a few Turkish dishes at the Saray Restaurant in Cardiff. We travel to Turkey on holiday every year so I couldn't wait to see how some of the dishes were made. There will be a full blog post soon but I can't speak highly enough about the restaurant. The staff are very friendly and the food was authentic and delicious. I can't wait to return.
Watched:
On Saturday I got to watch my first ever live boxing fight at The Principality Stadium. It was between Joshua and Parker. I've been to a few sporting events at the stadium but this was something else. I will definitely be getting tickets to the next one as I really enjoyed it.
Wore:
I recently went on a bit of a mini shopping spree for myself (only in 3 shops) but I managed to get quite a few new pieces. I bought quite a few things in Primark which I wore last week. One is a lovely white blouse and the other is a flowery dress. I stupidly didn't get any full length pictures in them.
And Lastly:
The girls had a lovely Easter egg hunt in our garden. The sun was actually shining so the Easter bunny hid their eggs outside. This was the first year that Ophelia was really involved. Both of them were so excited and happy during the hunt which was lovely to see.
Read:
I read a fantastic blog post by Harriet from 'Toby and Roo' about how she is a Sepsis Surviver. After having an emergency c-section with her son Reuben she developed Sepsis and ended up being admitted into hospital for 3 days. She is attempting to raise £5000 for Sepsis Trust and is trying to raise awareness of the symptoms. You can read her story and find out more about her fund-raising here, Fundraising for Sepsis #SuckItSepsis.
Heard:
Heart radio is always on in work and lately they have been playing lots of Spice Girls classics which is literally music to my ears. I've been enjoying singing and busting a move or too to the likes of 'Say you'll be there' and 'Wannabe'. Last year I got to interview Emma Bunton which was a childhood dream of mine. You can watch it here, My interview with Emma Bunton.
Made:
I was invited to learn to cook a few Turkish dishes at the Saray Restaurant in Cardiff. We travel to Turkey on holiday every year so I couldn't wait to see how some of the dishes were made. There will be a full blog post soon but I can't speak highly enough about the restaurant. The staff are very friendly and the food was authentic and delicious. I can't wait to return.
On Saturday I got to watch my first ever live boxing fight at The Principality Stadium. It was between Joshua and Parker. I've been to a few sporting events at the stadium but this was something else. I will definitely be getting tickets to the next one as I really enjoyed it.
Wore:
I recently went on a bit of a mini shopping spree for myself (only in 3 shops) but I managed to get quite a few new pieces. I bought quite a few things in Primark which I wore last week. One is a lovely white blouse and the other is a flowery dress. I stupidly didn't get any full length pictures in them.
And Lastly:
The girls had a lovely Easter egg hunt in our garden. The sun was actually shining so the Easter bunny hid their eggs outside. This was the first year that Ophelia was really involved. Both of them were so excited and happy during the hunt which was lovely to see.
I've been on holiday to Icmeler in Turkey many times over the past 20 years. Icmeler and the surrounding areas are a foodies dream suited for all kinds of tastes. Menus cater for all nationalities from British to even our favourite, Korean , there are a wide variety of restaurants and eateries to choose from.
Here are a list my favourite places that we keep returning to:
Ros Beach, Marmaris
If you're looking for the best place to have an authentic Turkish breakfast then this isn't to be missed. It is hugely popular with the locals and that is always a good sign.
Breakfast in Turkey is unique. It isn't treated as a necessity but more of a family gathering bringing together different tastes that will have you craving one every day.
We have tried the traditional Turkish breakfast in lots of different places but this one is by far our top choice.
Ros Beach is surrounded by spectacular views. You can sit over the water and enjoy sweeping views of the sea, the Marmaris shoreline and the mountains. It's simply beautiful. After you've eaten you can relax on a sun bed or have a dip in the ocean.
The food itself feels like an elaborate feast. The variety of plates keep coming. Expect to eat cheeses, olives, eggs, tomatoes, cucumbers, jams, honey, fresh bread, Borek and more. This is all accompanied by a pot of black tea, brewed to perfection and served in Turkish glasses.
You can find our more here, Ros Beach.
Top tip: Avoid on a weekend when it is busy unless you can book a table in advance.
Three Bells, Icmeler:
The Three Bells is a lively restaurant, karaoke and sports bar. The staff are very friendly and the service is outstanding. Their food menu is extensive serving Turkish and international with the surprise of a Korean section which is mouth watering. It is completely unique to anything I have seen anywhere else in Icmeler. It ranges from classic Korean dishes to a selection that i've never heard of. The bulgogi is one of my favourites.
If you are after a roast dinner then this is the best place in Icmeler. The portion is very generous and you will be served the biggest yorkshire pudding you've ever seen.
You can find out more here, Three Bells.
Top tip: If you go to the restaurant on a Sunday for roast dinner then be sure to go early as it gets very busy.
Hanedan, Icmeler:
The Hanedan restaurant is my favourite in Icmeler. It offers Turkish Tapas and main meals with a few British offerings. The atmosphere is great and the staff are welcoming.
There are some very unique offerings on the menu such as Honey Pepperoni but it is all incredibly tasty. I am salivating just remembering it.
Top tip: Try a mixture of everything. You won't be disappointed.
Highside, Marmaris:
Highside is located in the lovely, old town area in Marmaris. To get to the restaurant you walk up cobbled stone steps which could be tiring for some but honestly the view when you get to the top is breathtaking and worth it.
The view of Marmaris harbour is stunning, It's quiet and relaxing which is a complete contrast to the business of the ground below.
The staff are fantastic. They are particularly good with children and they are on hand to help to keep them entertained if needs be.
As with a lot of the restaurants in that area, they specialise in fresh seafood. However, I would recommend one of their steaks especially the Steak Maxium. The sauce was amazing.
You can find out more here, Highside.
Top tip: Go before sunset so you can see all the beautiful colour changes as night draws in.
Waterfall, Icmeler:
If you're looking for somewhere with a special setting then this is the place. The restaurant has a beautiful waterfall as a backdrop so it's perfect for a romantic meal but we've eaten there with kids and they have enjoyed watching the water and fishes.
The food is good and the portions are big. The service is excellent.
Find out more here, Waterfall.
Top tip: Send them a message on Facebook to prebook a table next to the waterfall. Also take a look up the cobbled steps to the side of the waterfall and you will find a lovely hammock to relax in.
Fidan, Turunc:
The Fidan is a beachfront restaurant located in Turunc. They have a great range of fresh seafood. The grilled prawns and calamari were divine. The service wasn't the friendliest we've received whilst visiting Turkey (they weren't rude but just very quiet) but the food certainly made up for that.
Top tip: Try their fresh orange juice. It's delicious.
Here are a list my favourite places that we keep returning to:
Ros Beach, Marmaris
If you're looking for the best place to have an authentic Turkish breakfast then this isn't to be missed. It is hugely popular with the locals and that is always a good sign.
Breakfast in Turkey is unique. It isn't treated as a necessity but more of a family gathering bringing together different tastes that will have you craving one every day.
We have tried the traditional Turkish breakfast in lots of different places but this one is by far our top choice.
Ros Beach is surrounded by spectacular views. You can sit over the water and enjoy sweeping views of the sea, the Marmaris shoreline and the mountains. It's simply beautiful. After you've eaten you can relax on a sun bed or have a dip in the ocean.
The food itself feels like an elaborate feast. The variety of plates keep coming. Expect to eat cheeses, olives, eggs, tomatoes, cucumbers, jams, honey, fresh bread, Borek and more. This is all accompanied by a pot of black tea, brewed to perfection and served in Turkish glasses.
You can find our more here, Ros Beach.
Top tip: Avoid on a weekend when it is busy unless you can book a table in advance.
Three Bells, Icmeler:
The Three Bells is a lively restaurant, karaoke and sports bar. The staff are very friendly and the service is outstanding. Their food menu is extensive serving Turkish and international with the surprise of a Korean section which is mouth watering. It is completely unique to anything I have seen anywhere else in Icmeler. It ranges from classic Korean dishes to a selection that i've never heard of. The bulgogi is one of my favourites.
If you are after a roast dinner then this is the best place in Icmeler. The portion is very generous and you will be served the biggest yorkshire pudding you've ever seen.
You can find out more here, Three Bells.
Top tip: If you go to the restaurant on a Sunday for roast dinner then be sure to go early as it gets very busy.
Hanedan, Icmeler:
The Hanedan restaurant is my favourite in Icmeler. It offers Turkish Tapas and main meals with a few British offerings. The atmosphere is great and the staff are welcoming.
There are some very unique offerings on the menu such as Honey Pepperoni but it is all incredibly tasty. I am salivating just remembering it.
Top tip: Try a mixture of everything. You won't be disappointed.
Highside, Marmaris:
Highside is located in the lovely, old town area in Marmaris. To get to the restaurant you walk up cobbled stone steps which could be tiring for some but honestly the view when you get to the top is breathtaking and worth it.
The view of Marmaris harbour is stunning, It's quiet and relaxing which is a complete contrast to the business of the ground below.
The staff are fantastic. They are particularly good with children and they are on hand to help to keep them entertained if needs be.
As with a lot of the restaurants in that area, they specialise in fresh seafood. However, I would recommend one of their steaks especially the Steak Maxium. The sauce was amazing.
You can find out more here, Highside.
Top tip: Go before sunset so you can see all the beautiful colour changes as night draws in.
Waterfall, Icmeler:
If you're looking for somewhere with a special setting then this is the place. The restaurant has a beautiful waterfall as a backdrop so it's perfect for a romantic meal but we've eaten there with kids and they have enjoyed watching the water and fishes.
The food is good and the portions are big. The service is excellent.
Find out more here, Waterfall.
Top tip: Send them a message on Facebook to prebook a table next to the waterfall. Also take a look up the cobbled steps to the side of the waterfall and you will find a lovely hammock to relax in.
Fidan, Turunc:
The Fidan is a beachfront restaurant located in Turunc. They have a great range of fresh seafood. The grilled prawns and calamari were divine. The service wasn't the friendliest we've received whilst visiting Turkey (they weren't rude but just very quiet) but the food certainly made up for that.
Top tip: Try their fresh orange juice. It's delicious.
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