blue ginger's floater coffee

This has got to be the most AMAZING local coffee I've ever had (bar Sacred at Westfield!)
Blue Ginger can be found on Kenton Lane, NW9

felicia boots - a sorry tale for all mothers

This morning 34 year old Canadian born Felicia Boots accused of killing her ten week old son and fourteen month old daughter will appear via videolink at The Old Bailey.  The story of Felicia has haunted me no end, not least because I can't stop thinking about how a well to do, successful young mother could have allegedly killed her own babies.


I can't help but see a part of Felicia in myself, or any other mother for that fact; drawing similarities between her ordinary, middle class lifestyle with that of many others in almost the same situation - educated and qualified, talented thirty-something-year-olds whose lifestyle has taken a sudden turn from the usual fast-paced life of the city, to housewife and mother. These women are perfectionists, they do not know failure.


What perplexes me is how this Wandsworth-based mother ended up at a place of no return, all because she had no-one to confide in and no place to release her pent up frustration. Mothers tend to forget their time, and it is amazing that although women go through so much pain during childbirth the second the baby is born our minds somehow block the pain, and as happy hormones flood our system, we hold our babies in our arms and forget all the hard work and anguish we felt just minutes ago. Indeed, newborns come into our lives like tiny bundles of joy, but they also bring with them all sorts of frustrating problems, breastfeeding, colic, cradle cap, to name but a few. That along with an inquisitive toddler, the most depressing weather we have seen for years, a husband who probably didn't get much more than two weeks paternity leave from his grueling city job, and moving house with a newborn; Felicia's situation seems like a recipe for disaster.


As the mother of a newborn who is probably the same age as her newborn son, Mason, I can completely understand the physical exhaustion and mental turmoil Felicia must have felt. I am not condoning what she did, but I am saying that one could empathise with her situation. I remember when my eldest daughter was fourteen months, those were great times, but we also went through weaning, teething, teaching our baby how to walk and how to speak, and basically her getting up to all sorts of mischief! It was hard work. I can't begin to imagine what I would have done if I had a young baby who was completely reliant on me during that time.


I have read numerous articles and been on chat rooms where people have demonised this woman in a very crude way. my question is why are women so afraid to talk about postnatal depression and postnatal psychosis? You'd think that in this day and age it would be easy to talk about such issues with mothers, but from personal experience I can certainly say that other mothers can actually be your worst enemies, making you feel worse than you did before you even brought up the subject. You feel ashamed; you feel guilty. It is saddening to think that Felicia felt such abandonment and despair in a split second that it provoked her to attack her own children and then attempt to take her own life.


Most women will go through the baby blues at some point or another, it might be mild, lasting only a few days, or it could linger on for weeks, months, or even a few years. The important thing is to recognise it and to say yes, it does exist. Postnatal depression is not our enemy, it is a part of us, we are human and we have to deal with it - as a community. What can we do to stop something like this happening again? We must not blame our 'services' for allowing this to slip through the net. Of course it is easy to slip through the system; social services cannot be blamed for everything - especially if the couple had recently moved home and were between GPs. What we must instead do is create an environment that is conducive to new and second, or third time mothers; encouraging each other to be open and talk. We have a duty as fellow mothers, sisters, daughters, friends to be there for those who have just been through the joy and ordeal of having given birth - by reaching out and listening.


There are a number of support groups and organisations in the UK who deal with women suffering from postnatal depression and psychosis. Please contact someone if you need to talk.


MIND - www.mind.org.uk
Post Natal Illness - www.pni.org.uk
The Association for Postnatal Illness - www.apni.org

My thoughts and prayers go to all the people involved in this tragic ordeal, but especially the two survivors who will forever be haunted; Felicia and Jeffery Boots. RIP Lily and Mason xx


**UPDATE 12:00pm**


Following a short hearing this morning, Felicia Boots will be sectioned under the Mental Health Act later today and transferred from Holloway Prison to a psychiatric hospital. She will be remanded until her next hearing on 10 August 2012.

quinny buzz 3 vs bugaboo bee+

When I was having my first child I, like many parents wanted to buy the best buggy on the market. I discussed the options with numerous friends and family members before making my decision and most people suggested the Quinny Buzz 3. My husband and I were inclined to buy something which was easy to use and a smooth glider. Luckily for us a generous relative gifted us a brand new Quinny Buzz 3, and as we were living in a slightly more rural part of England at the time, it suited us, and most importantly, our new born baby. It just started getting very tiresome when my little one started getting bigger and I started getting, well let's just say, smaller (by the waist!)

Quinny Buzz 3

Quinny Buzz 3

First off the Quinny Buzz is not light, it weighs in at 12.8kg, as it's made primarily for heavy use and has all-terrain tyres. This is great for parents who live hilly areas, or where you need a little more leverage and help. It also has a unique automatic 'gas-spring' unfolding system which makes it easy to build up, but it takes an awful lot of work when trying to put it back together again. I've had a few tricky situations where my fingers almost got caught in the latches. Having said that, the pushchair seat is detachable which allows for the car seat to be popped on and off the chassis with a single move. It's super easy to use with a young baby - but only till the age of about six months, when most babies need a little more leg room. It's also inadvisable to keep the baby in a car seat for long periods as it can place strain on their developing spine, so you do have to switch to the pushchair quite soon.

Once they're on the seat, the great thing about the Quinny Buzz for toddlers is it's comfortable padded seat and adjustable leg rest; and my daughter never struggled to get into the pushchair as it was so comfy, even if she was in it for long periods (though this was usually no longer than an hour.) The clip on bag was also a handy and well-thought-out add-on, but with a tiny basket underneath I think they needed to add something substantial - and the bag certainly made life a lot easier.

One of the biggest design flaws with the pushchair is that you cannot fold the buggy down with the pushchair in it, so you have to keep adjusting the seat to the correct position, remove the seat, and then fold down the chassis. Now if you have a big enough car boot this isn't such a big problem as you'll have space to put the chassis in one section and the seat in another. But most cars (and I think mine has a fairly large boot!) wont allow for the two to go in without removing the two back wheels first. This can be a complete nightmare when trying to get in and out of places quickly with a toddler, or even worse, a baby who still can't walk. I believe this flaw has now been corrected with Quinny's latest Moodd.

The second issue is that although a universal buggy board may be fitted on to the Quinny Buzz it is not very practical. As the board and mechanism to fix the board on in the first place is so large it is a bit awkward to maneuver. Second, the chassis cannot be folded down once the board is on. So again, you have to remove it first and then close the chassis. So not only would you have to remove the pushchair, and the wheels, you'd have to disassemble the board as well. All in all, this would take around ten minutes - and I'm sure most mums will agree, this is ten minutes we cannot afford to lose!

In comparison, we've now decided to buy the Bugaboo Bee this time (don't worry, we gave away the Quinny so it's not just gathering dust in our buggy collection!) I was very reluctant to buy the Bugaboo the first time around primarily because I associated it with 'generation bling' mothers, but I really wish I had done a little more research at the time.

Bugaboo Bee+

Bugaboo Bee+

Ideal for busy urban parents on-the-go, the Bugaboo Bee only weighs 8.5kg, which makes a huge difference to a new or expectant mum. It easily collapses with or without the pushchair seat and like the Quinny allows the carseat to be placed on and off the chassis, but this time you can either keep the pushchair on, or take it off. Maneuverability is as good as, if not better than the Quinny, as it is much lighter and smaller, and you can even navigate it with just one finger! The pushchair has a height adjustable backrest and a tilting seat.

But best of all the Bugaboo range comes with it's own Wheeled Board, which is very easy to put on and take off (it took me about five minutes to assemble it) and once it's there then there's no need to take it off and the buggy will collapse and assemble up with the Board still on it. You can remove the board with one action and then fold the buggy down if you like.

The pushchair also comes with a buggy bag that you can buy separately and save a little space in the basket underneath, which like the Quinny is on the small size. But you can get shopping clips and a cup holder that makes life much easier when you're on the go!

**UPDATE**

Having had the baby now I'm absolutely loving the Bugaboo. Z loves the Wheeled board as it makes her feel like she is pushing her little baby around. She's even able to use the cup holder conveniently. Although a little on the longer side, the buggy maneuvers fantastically and is a dream to ride!

the brilliant little SD-2501

Waking up to the smell of freshly baked bread really is a treat, and with so many breadmakers on the market it is hard to choose one that really does all that it says it does on the box. With the Panasonic SD-2501 you can however be sure that you're getting a great deal. Having used the SD-255 in the past I was keen to see how different this newer model really was - and I must say I was pleasantly surprised.

Aesthetically, the new Panasonic SD-2501 has a slightly leaner casing and is visually more appealing than the frumpy old SD-255, so it stands taller and looks a lot nicer than the older model (especially if you invest in the SDZB-2502, which has a sleek stainless steel body.) Apart from all the old tricks it is famous for, the newer model boasts the ability to create gluten-free and brioche loaf at the touch of a button, which is something you can't do with the old model, so that definitely makes life easier. You can also make your own fresh jam and compote. The breadmaker also has a speciality bread  function, allowing you to make rye and spelt loaves, and even comes with a separate blade (which you can also do with the SD-255.) What I love about these breadmakers though is the ability to effortlessly mix and knead dough, it even allows you to knead traditional 'chapatti' flour at the touch of a button, so making fresh chapattis is no longer a laborious task!

But I suppose the thing that really makes this breadmaker a cut above the rest is that the non-stick pan and blade are both coated with diamond particles, which makes the coating much more scratch resistant and increases the longevity of the product than other breadmakers, and is super easy to clean.

All in all a great buy and one that no kitchen should be without! Find it on Amazon today!

My favourite recipe at the moment is the Brioche loaf, so here is the recipe, with of course a few additions!

RAISIN-BRIOCHE LOAF


INGREDIENTS

1 1/4 teaspoon yeast
400g strong white bread flour
2 tablespoons caster sugar
3 tablespoons cinnamon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons milk
1 large egg, beaten
180ml water
50g cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
70g cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes - to add after 55 minutes of kneading
100g raisins - to add after 55 minutes of kneading

METHOD

Place the yeast into the pan first. Then add the flour, sugars, salt, milk, water and eggs along with the 50g of butter.

Select Menu 11 and press start.

After 55 minutes the machine will beep for 3 minutes - you must open the bread pan and add the additional butter and raisins at this time (if you don't have time to do this then you can add the additional 70g of butter and raisins with the mixture at the beginning, but the quality of the loaf will be different.)

Three hours later empty the loaf tin (be careful to use oven mitts!) and enjoy warm brioche spread with some lovely homemade jam or even butter!

living with sciatica - gym balls, massage, yoga, and beyond...

Many women don't like to admit aches and pains during pregnancy, especially since it's a time when the majority of women tend to bloom and look beautiful. But some women, like me, have problems. Although I may be 'blooming' the aches are still there. The unseen, unheard enemy, sciatica which hindered me during my first pregnancy is back again.

Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve which travels from your lower back, down your legs, and to your feet, becomes inflamed. It usually happens because of the growing size and weight of the baby, which causes pressure on the back, thus creating a painful tingling down the leg. It can be difficult to walk for long periods or stand up for too long.

For me, sciatica has restricted my mobility in the sense that I'm not able to stand for too long, and I also need to keep my feet up quite a lot of the time. But it's not all doom and gloom, I have now managed to devise a coping plan and a few remedies that have helped A LOT during this pregnancy...

First of all I tend to stick to wearing flat shoes or boots most of the time. Clarks does a special range of trainer shoes which have a special arch called 'wave walk', which basically helps to absorb shock and strain when you walk. I bought these during my first pregnancy and am still using them three years on. They're great little runners when you need to walk for long periods with your little one.

The second thing is using a gym ball. Make sure you find one which is suitable for your height and try to use it to sit on whilst at the desk. It helps to keep the back upright and reduces pressure on the legs.

I used to practice Yoga during my first pregnancy and kept it up now as well. It is an excellent way to stretch those lower limbs and also helps prepare for birth, with specific breathing and meditation techniques. Do remember to inform your instructor about any conditions you suffer though, so that they can get an idea of which postures may help you.

Now coming on to the most relaxing part of pregnancy - massage. I have a a masseuse who comes over once a month and she is definitely worth it. I had to try a few before I felt comfortable and it's also advisable to ask the person doing the massage to see certificates or proof that they are qualified to carry out pregnancy massage, especially if you have sciatica or suffer from Pelvic Girdle Pain (which is a loosening of the pelvic area and can cause extreme pain.) Massage helps relieve the pressure on your nerves, and helps to loosen the muscles and joints which can tense up from the pain.

Some useful links...

Clarks' 'wave walk' range can be bought online, but I'd really go in to a store for a fitting, especially since your feet tend to swell up no end during the latter stages of pregnancy: www.clarks.co.uk

The best place to check to find a registered masseuse who will come to your home or a pregnancy yoga class in your area is on the Natural Therapies web site: www.naturaltherapypages.co.uk

Clarins also does a very relaxing Mother-to-be Massage Treatment. You can find your nearest Spa (many of which are located within department stores) on their web site: www.clarins.co.uk

For those of you working or living in the city, I used to attend Sitaram Yoga classes at St Thomas's hospital first time around. The teachers are absolutely amazing and there is a lot of focus on meditation and breathing - www.sitaram.org

You'll be able to find a good gymball at any sports shop, but you may need to buy one with a little extra resistance. The NCT shop has a good one called the 'Pezzi Ball Maxafe' which will see you through your pregnancy, labour, and beyond: www.nctshop.co.uk

Happy healing!

hello world, it's me again

Welcome! Let me start by introducing myself and my little family...

I'm a thirty-something-year-old stay at home mum who is on a career break from the public sector (much to the envy of my friends who work in the private sector, I've taken my perks already and have decided to take a short career break to raise my young family!) Having waited what I'd call a very long time to get married and start a family I love my life right now and wouldn't change a thing (well, almost everything!) I am the author of a blog called Random Ramblings which some of you may have come across and having overcome some drastic changes in my life since 2008 I feel now is the time to start writing again.  I am a lover of gadgets and gizmos (especially if they have anything to do with making my life easier as a mum) and can happily spend hours researching things that others might find somewhat tedious...

I have a little girl who is as much of an angel as she is a little gremlin!  Many would describe it easy to have one child in the house, but with her energy and enthusiasm, she really does keep me on my toes... Oh, and she's anxiously awaiting her new baby (which by the way, she calls "new baby".)

**UPDATE**

Our beautiful little new baby finally arrived in February, and I am over the moon because he looks just. like. me! Ha-ha! ;P