This weekend, I finally found an excuse and the time to do some ‘non’ Slimming World baking. Its been a while and it reminded me so much of how much I miss it.
There must be nothing better than the smell of freshly baked bread or cakes in your house. Since my hubby has stopped eating Carbs during the week, the opportunities for this have been dramatically reduced. I don’t eat cakes anyway and on Slimming World, the lovely baked white loaves I used to make would be a no no.
My stepdaughter was over this weekend, so I had the perfect excuse to bake. I had some lemons that needed to be used up, so a Lemon Drizzle Tray Bake it was. I went to my favourite baking book for cakes – Mary Berry Easy Cakes. I’ve had it for around 30 years. It is full of so many amazing recipes that don’t take long to throw together!
It is funny really when you think of my other favourite baker – Paul Hollywood. I loved them both individually. In fact,Mary Berry’s cookbook was purchased at a time I didn’t really know who she was. They both went on to great success working together.
I am not sure if it is the fact that I turn 50 next week, but I’m beginning to get really nostalgic. In my grandparent’s day and even during my childhood, you would make a lot more cakes than you would ever buy. Who remembers the good old Victoria sponge? We would even make our own sponge to use in the trifle.
When I was first married in the late 80’s, every weekend I would make batches of cakes to keep us going through the week. My best ever was a chocolate cake for an Easter party I was hosting.
If people popped round, you always had something in to offer them with a cup of tea. Cakes weren’t the only thing I’d make – biscuits and sweets too. It is a bit sad to think that these days, it is a treat rather than the norm.
I know I blame my hubby and my eating habits for this, but the reality is, I just don’t have the same time as I used to. The 3 hour a day commute certainly eats into my weekdays. Walking the dogs and cooking meals from scratch every evening leaves me with only an hour a night to relax or catch up with any other jobs I need to do.
My blogs are written during my train journey. Multitasking is the only way I can get through the mountain of tasks I have each week.
As time is limited in the week, we tend to leave all our jobs for the weekend. That then means again that having the odd hour to spare is limited.
Hubby and I were talking recently about what our ideal future would be. We would both love to work together in a joint business venture. Doing something where you produce a dish, whether a savoury or sweet would be my ideal. Hubby said he would be the delivery man! It’s only a pipe dream, we both know that, but it’s funny how something I really enjoy features so little in my life!
That said you never know. If we won a million our idea may become real, and I do have an idea and a name ! So watch this space !
In the meantime I’m going to keep cooking!
Maybe that is why I love my vlogging. It forces me to think of new recipes or make the effort to cook something that will help me on my own Slimming World journey, but also inspire others.
I’d like to say I am going to make sure I find the time to do more. I know the people I work with would welcome some home cooking. Sadly, I am not sure I would be able to stick to it. In the meantime, I’m going to embrace every opportunity I can to get into the kitchen. I have a great platform in my Youtube Channel. I will ensure I keep motivated each week. So don’t forget to subscribe to my channel to see what delights I come up with.
Slimminginspirations4u 