sexy & romantic bathrooms

gorgeous interiors!!!!!!!!

healthy foods for kids

Flaxseed 

 

This nutty plant food is packed full of Omega-3 fatty acids which are needed for optimal brain development. Flaxseed is sold whole and ground, but research suggests that ground is absorbed by the body better. Try sprinkling ground flaxseed onto cereal or into the batter of sweet treats like waffles, pancakes etc.  Replace 1/4 cup of flour with ground flaxseed in your child’s favorite muffin, bread, or pancake recipe to add a healthy boost to baked goods. You can also add a few spoonfuls in stews or in oatmeal. The possibilities are endless just be creative in the kitchen.

Sweet Potato 

This spud is one of the most nutritious (and inexpensive) vegetables around. The Vitamin A in sweet potatoes keeps eyes healthy, and acts like an antioxidant in the body. Try a baked sweet potato the next time you need a side dish. Simply wash, pierce with a fork, and bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes or until tender. Then, serve like a baked potato with your favorite toppings.

Yogurt 

 

Getting plenty of good bacteria, also known as probiotics, is key to keeping little stomachs happy and healthy, and yogurt is a great source of this bacteria. Limit sugary versions aimed at kids because these are often lower in protein and good bacteria. Instead, choose plain nonfat or low-fat yogurt or Greek yogurt and dress them up with a spoonful of honey and sprinkling of fresh fruit. Look for the words “live and active cultures” on the carton to ensure that the yogurt has plenty of beneficial bacteria.  Don’t forget too that a cup of yogurt counts towards your child’s daily dairy servings. Most yogurts actually have more calcium than a cup of milk.

Hummus 

This heart-healthy dip and spread is one food that most kids will eat – as long as you don’t tell them it’s made from beans! But it’s the fiber, complex carbs, and protein in those garbanzo bean—combined with heart-healthy olive oil—that make hummus such a perfect food. The complex carbs fuel your busy little one, while the protein and fiber help keep him content and meltdown-free until dinner. Serve hummus as a dip with baked pita chips or baby carrots or use it in place of mayonnaise on sandwiches and wraps.

Avocado 

Avocado is full of monounsaturated fats, the “good” fats that kids actually need in their diet every day. In fact, it’s recommended that 25 to 35% of kid’s calories come from fats, primarily the unsaturated ones. So how do you get your child to eat this creamy green fruit?  We’ve found avocado goes over well with kids when served as a spread on wraps in place of mayonnaise or cream cheese. Ripe avocado should mash easily with a fork. Mix in a dash of lemon juice and salt, and you’ve got a tasty spread or dip.  Start kids on avocado early since fat intake is particularly important in the early years. In fact, ripe avocado is a perfect baby food spooned straight out of its peel. Another version is to blend some avocado with a little milk or yogurt, some honey to your taste and vanilla extract. Eat it as a dessert of mid afternoon snack.

Mango 

One cup of this sweet tropical fruit provides almost a whole day’s supply of Vitamin C which helps keep kids’ immune systems running strong and keeps teeth and gums healthy. It also provides 3 grams of fiber for just around 100 calories. Buy fresh or jarred in juice to serve cut up or in a smoothie. Want a fun way to cool your kids off and provide a nutritious snack? Puree peeled cubes of mango in a food processor or blender; pour into popsicle molds or ice cube trays and freeze. In a few hours, you’ve got frozen mango pops!

Lamu a small town with a big history...................

Lamu is one of the original settlements and Kenya's oldest living towns along the coastal line. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lamu has a lot to offer for those looking for an authentic experience. The roads are so narrow that cars are not allowed but you can easily move around the whole town by foot, bicycle or preferably riding on a donkey....
Lamu's unique stone townhouses, many dating back to the early 18th Century, are celebrated for their intricately carved wooden front doors, imposing entrance porches and shady courtyards, the grandeur and elegance of their interiors and their beautiful decorative stucco plasterwork.

Daka Baraza seats

intricate carving detail on lamu door

Door bolt

kiti cha enzi

The traditional stone house is Lamu's classic building type - found exclusively in Mkomani - the northern and oldest part of the town - a patrician area built and inhabited by wealthy merchants and noble Arab families - many of whose descendants still live in these grand, historic family homes.
They vary in size and form, from relatively modest, single-storey houses to magnificent mansions, but all share a uniformity of design, construction and decoration. Each house follows a universal, centuries-old plan, and consists of a series of richly-ornamented galleries facing northwards towards Mecca.  Thick external walls, high ceilings and small windows protect the inhabitants from the equatorial sun and ensure that the interiors are cool, private and secluded. Lamu is truly a gem....

traditional coral exterior

typical lamu street

Yumbe guest house courtyard

Yumbe Guest house

Yumbe Villa

Zidaka- niches

walk at home & burn the fat

Got no time to head to the gym or for a run at the park or maybe you just don't feel like heading out the door cause of well ...a million reasons.... I know that feeling...but don't despair you don't have to lose track of your work out regime just Walk at Home...... here is a video I saw at RealAge perhaps it will motivate you too. Click on the following links to get started.


http://www.realage.com/videos/?bcpid=30402252001&bclid=5030523001&bctid=16661825001

http://www.realage.com/videos/?bcpid=30402252001&bclid=5030523001&bctid=16661820001

This week is dedicated to chicken

BBQ chicken salad!

1 head iceberg lettuce - cut into strips

1 large bunch romaine lettuce cut into strips

1/2 cup frozen white or yellow corn kernels rinsed thoroughly under cold water & drain

1/2 cup of your choice of cheese

1 avocado diced

1-2 medium tomatoes diced

juice of 1/2 lime - drizzle over avocado

1/4 cup coriander finely chopped

1/2 cup ranch  salad dressing

500 gm. chicken breast fillet

1/8 cup olive oil

1/8 cup soy sauce

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1/2 teaspoon salt

fresh ground black pepper

1/4 cup barbecue sauce


marinate the chicken breasts in olive oil, soy sauce, garlic and salt for 1 hour. Cook on broiler pan and season with fresh ground pepper until cooked through. Let rest 10 minutes before dicing into 1/2" cubes, then toss with barbecue sauce.

On a large plate, layer lettuces, corn, cheese and tomatoes. Top with warm barbecued chicken and avocados. Sprinkle on cilantro.

Serve immediately with ranch dressing and garlic bread.

Chinese Chicken Wings

1 kg chicken wings tips removed

3 cloves of garlic crushed

2 cm piece of ginger crushed

2-3 Tbspn distilled white vinegar

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 tspn chillie flakes

3/4 cup soy sauce

salt and a dash of black pepper(optional)

4 tbspn oil

1 stick spring onion chopped


Mix everything up and let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for minimum 2 hours. Grill for approximately 20 minutes or till chicken wings are done. Serve and some sprinkle spring onions on top of wings

Wonderfully Inspiring bedrooms

 This type of bed is very romantic and will work well in a coastal or beach inspired bedroom. Just need to throw in a few accessories here and there and voila.......

 I love the red accents on this bedroom!!!!

 

Beautiful four poster bed-my mum would love this

 I really really love the headboard with the light flickering through the Moroccan inspired pattern. Don't know about the patterns on the wall though....

 Lovely colour, very relaxing

 Loving the white and grey contrast!

 Talk about a pop of colour!!!!!

Preview

Simply beautiful