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вторник, 31 декабря 2013 г.

New Year gifts problem

What to present? - a frequent question on the holiday eve. 
I wanna tell you a short story.
I have an aunt, she lives in another city with her son. They live very poor... They have hard times and health problems. But know what? She hasn't forgotten about my little son, her great-grandson: I've just received a parcel from her - she has sent sweets and little toys for my boy! As a present for New Year! And as for me, it's one of the best presents this year. Because my aunt has almost nothing but she has a very kind soul... That is important. That is the most important thing in gift making... Your soul, feelings you put in your present. That is the key to the answer on the very first question in this post.
Happy New Year!

понедельник, 23 декабря 2013 г.

One more way to make your kid little happier on New Year/Christmas!

It's Christmas and New Year time now. All the children dream of certain things they wish to find under the Christmas fir: dolls, cars, books, etc.
I know (and i'm sure you know it as well) how to bring a little miracle to these holidays: a letter for Ded Moroz or Santa Clause! A real letter with drawings and text which you may compose together with your child and send it. For real. So your kid will be sure it all is true. 
Don't you know New Year characters have real post addresses? I can share them with you!


Santa Clause:
Santa Claus 96930 Napapiiri, Finlandia 99999
Ded Moroz (Дед Мороз) - in Russian:
for Russia (для России):
162340, Россия, Вологодская область, город Великий Устюг, дом Деда Мороза
for Belarus (для Беларуси):
Дедушке Морозу, 225063, Брестская обл., Каменецкий р-н, п/о Каменюки, Беларусь.

For those who wants to write a letter for Ded Moroz from abroad:
For Russia: 162340, Russia, Vologodskaya oblast, g. Velikij Ustyug, dom Deda Moroza
For Belarus: Ded Moroz, 225063, Brestskaya oblast, Kamenetskij rajon, p/o Kamenuki, Belarus.

I wrote two different addresses for Ded Moroz for Russia and Belarus - the reason why is both coutries have their own Ded Moroz's residences :)

I and my son are just on the way to compose a letter. When we send it I'll share the details with you!

Good luck!

Good salad for good breakfast!

This salad is enough to get energy for the whole morning! Fried on butter chicken and potato pieces, fresh tomato cubes, mushrooms, corn, rubbed cheese, apple pieces and dried bread cubes! Either warm or cold - delicious! Don't you like to taste it? ;)

суббота, 21 декабря 2013 г.

Benefiting from cereals for adults and children

Those who fed a baby know that kids under 1 year eat much porridges. Sometimes in very bad cases of allergy on milk formula mothers may replace it with liquid porridge on cow milk (i did it with my son since his 2 month :( ). But porridges are useful not only for babies. They contain a lot of micro elements which are requared by our organism. First i'd like to say some words about cereals i usually cook for my family.
Oats. Contains many carbohydrates which are energy source, also many trace elements and vitamins normalizing metabolism, vitamin B, сalcium and phosphorus... Isn't that enough? 
Buckwheat. Contains a record number of minerals - iodine, phosphorus, iron, copper, and B vitamins, vitamins PP and E. It's rich in fiber, healthy carbohydrates and essential amino acids, and protein composition to even compare it with meat.
Rice. Rice porridge retains all the most important substances in this cereal after heat treatment. For this reason, the use of rice porridge is the presence of vitamins B, E and PP. Also this rich cereal contains trace elements necessary for human body, such as manganese, potassium, phosphorus and iron, calcium, selenium and zinc.
Semolina. Semolina can be an excellent natural source of nutrients: minerals, vitamins, starch, proteins and so on. This porridge is highly recommended for those who suffer from various diseases and disorders of the digestive system, as semolina has a soft enveloping effect and helps soothe gastritnye or ulcer pain and spasms.
I cook some other porridges like millet porridge, but not very often.

When my son was a baby i always cooked porridge for him by myself. I don't believe in usefulness of soluble cereals for children because real cereal never can be prepared without heat treatment.
I used to prepare the porridge this way: i grinded chosen cereal in the coffee grinder, saved it in the jar and
used some amount when i needed. Heat treatment duration for different cereals is different. For example, it's about 10 minutes of boiling on low heat for buckwheat, about 7 minutes - for rice porridge, 1 minute (with next infusion) - for oats and semolina porridges. And + tiny amount of salt and sugar. As for a baby i used 1 tablespoon of porridge for 200 g of milk. For adults - more, of course.
But if you're an adult or your kids are older than 1.5 years you don't need to grind the cereals.
The best way of buckwheat porridge preparation is following: place some buckwheat, salt in the pot, pour it with boiling water (porridge:water = 1:2) and just leave for some hours. And your porridge is ready without spending time on it and with all vitamins and elements inside! 
Some kids don't like the taste of buckwheat or oats. Just add some raisins, dried apricots, honey, whatever sweet and healthy and your child won't resist eating it, i'm sure!
Porridges are very good for breakfast - they give much energy, good for organizm, give many elements (also for brains!). It's a great beginning of the day!

четверг, 19 декабря 2013 г.

A DIY folder for kids creation storage

When i was a little girl my elder brother used to gather all my drawings since i was 4-years-old girl into a special folder. I enjoyed looking through these papers over and over again! I thank my brother for such memory keeper!
I decided to make such a folder for my little miracle too, with nice cover! Though he doesn't draw professionally now, i think, it will be quite interesting for him to know which topics for drawing he liked in the childhood.
So, i bought the most simple and cheap card paper folder in the store (i didn't need expensive ones, because i was gonna design it as i want to). Then i made a folder "cover" - A4 paper with a nice picture on it. Printed it and glued on the folder. You can download Photoshop file with this cover for free, of course.


DIY cards with pictures - an easy and cute New Year/Christmas present for kids!

Hello, my dear friends!
Here weren't any posts since long time in my blog: i started freelancing all my free time and that's why i had no opportunity and power to write here. But today i have a sort of a day off: day off from orders (i really need some rest) and my little miracle, my son, is at granny's house! So, i have some time for sharing some of my ideas for New Year/Christmas presents for kids under 3-4 years!
It's very important  to develop kids imagination into the parenting: with toys, fairy tales, books, etc.
My son likes watching and playing with cards, so i decided to make some cool cards special for him, according to his interests and my view on parenting.


New Year/Christmas decoration ideas!

In this post i wanna share with you some of my decoration ideas for Christmas/New Year! This is not all i've made (there are so many days left before New Year celebration) but i think, you should like this!


The Christmas tree for the angle

Glued on the wall fir with some decoration

Cut and colored with my son fir, with glued decoration and hung on the curtain. Looks good in the dark and turned on lights!

Homemade little bear-shaped pies!


Such cute pies you may get using the dough recipe from this post: http://sasha-kitchen.blogspot.com/2013/10/cupcakes-with-raisins-and-dried-apricots.html and special baking shape! For making more kids happiness try to add a chocolate bar piece in the middle of each bear ;)

вторник, 15 октября 2013 г.

DIY orange fragrances for your home

Orange flavor has a calming effect, so I decided it would be a nice idea to smell it in my house. This fragrances making is super easy. All you need is some chopped orange zest, a small jar and a cute satin ribbon to decorate. Gather it all as it's shown on the picture and you can enjoy!
But don't forget, this fragrance lasts only one day, then you should throw it away cos the zest will be spoilt.











Curly and ordinary bliny (pancakes) from the bottle

Bliny are Russian pancakes, usually take the whole bottom of the pan. Very easy to make but the whole family enjoys it!


For curly and ordinary bliny you need
2 glasses of flour
0.5 tsp of baking powder
1 egg
0.5 l of milk
0.5 glass of sugar
plastic bottle

Cupcakes with raisins and dried apricots

Good day!
Today I wanna show and tell you about wonderful dough for cupcakes and cakes! It's super easy but always works for the best baking! Here are cupcakes with raisins and dried apricots but it's up to you what filling to choose. You may not add anything at all but you'll get great cupcakes in any way!


For cupcakes with raisins and dried apricots you need
2 eggs
3/4 glass of sugar
2-4 tablespoons of sour cream or/and mayo
100-125 g of butter or margarine
1.5 glass of flour
a tsp of baking powder
raisins and cut dried apricots

понедельник, 14 октября 2013 г.

October, 14 - Holy Virgin Mary's cover in Orthodoxy and Mother's Day!

Holy Virgin Mary's cover is a holiday celebrated mostly in Russian Orthodoxy. In Russian Orthodoxy it's a great holiday and has a fixed date - October, 14 (October, 1 - Julian calendar).
In 910 (according to some sources, in 902), the Emperor Leo the Wise and Patriarch Macarius, the Byzantine Empire was at war with the Saracens - Muslims, and Constantinople was in danger. On Sunday, October 1 at the time of vigil, when Vlaherna temple was crowded with worshipers, among whom was Andrew, fool-for-Christ - Slav, a young man who was captured and sold into slavery in Constantinople local resident Feognost. In the fourth hour of the night, raising his eyes to heaven, Andrew saw walking on air Holy Mother of God, illumined by heavenly light and surrounded by a host of angels and saints, the Virgin Mary was accompanied by John the Baptist and John the Evangelist. Holy Mary was praying for people here for a long time and the teardrops was falling all over Her cheeks. Then, at the end of Her prayers, Mary put the cover from Her head off and spread out over all the people stood. While Holy Mary was there, her cover was there too. But when she disappered - it disappeared as well. But taking it with Her, She left the grace of it for those who were there.

пятница, 4 октября 2013 г.

Healthy banana snack

I like making this snack for my kid because it contains only healthy ingredients but so delicious at the same time!


For healthy banana snack you need
a banana
about 100 g of milk
dried fruits (if you like)

My simple tomato sauce

Just when i have many tomatoes and some onions and garlic i like to cook this sauce. It's very easy, requares few ingredients but you may use it in so many dishes!


You should decide how much sauce you want to cook. According to this define tomatoes, onions and garlic amount. I took 
1.5 big tomato 
a medium onion 
3 cloves of garlic

вторник, 1 октября 2013 г.

Yet another dose of tender emotion!

What can be better than sleeping near the keyboard when the hostess is working at the PC? :)


Pork with mushrooms under tomatoes and cheese

I make this dish for breakfast because it's very nutritious, and my husband spends lots of power at work. So, it's useful for him! But you may use it for dinner as well, as you like!


For pork with mushrooms under tomatoes and cheese you need
~ 200 g of mushrooms (doesn't matter what kind of mushrooms you choose - choose which you like most; I've chosen ceps) - pretreated
~ 300 g of pork
a tomato
some grated cheese

понедельник, 30 сентября 2013 г.

Pork baked in the foil

Soft, delicious pork baked in its own juice can't remain indifferent anyone!


For pork baked in the foil you need
for marinade
some tablespoons of veggie oil (i used sunflower oil)
herbs you prefer
4 cloves of garlic (chopped)
salt
pepper

Meet our new family member - Musja!

On Sunday we were at the outdoor market for fresh vegetables and fruits. And there we saw... many kittens teenagers give away for free! I fell in love with this grey ball of fur from the first sight! And her blue eyes made us make a decision :) Her name is Musja (we called her so because our 2-years-old son can pronounce it easily :) ), she is just a month old.

пятница, 27 сентября 2013 г.

Moving in another place syndrome

Good day, my friends!
Finally, i can say that we have just moved in! Since now we have our own living space! Of course, our house isn't filled with all the furniture yet, but it's just a time problem!
So, here come more new recipes from my new kitchen, more parenting and kids stuff and householding stories! Keep tuned in!
My moving in another place syndrome is described as impossible good sleeping and desire to cook! :) So, today i woke up at 5.30 a.m. and the first place i had my way to is... yeah, kitchen!
Here is so much stuff to do... But it's such pleasure to do in my own house!


Look at my other pages!

вторник, 24 сентября 2013 г.

The Rasmus - live in Minsk, Belarus, 23.09.2013, video

Hello!
On this page I've posted some photos from the concert of The Rasmus in Minsk on 23.09.2013.
Here are some videos (I'm a mess, Livin' in a world without you, Stranger)!

My little mushrooms collector!

The Rasmus - live in Minsk, Belarus, 23.09.2013

I was listening to The Rasmus since 2003, when the world has gotten to know their song "In the shadows". And now, through 10 years i had a possibility to see them live in our capital, Sports Palace!
That was an amazing concert! My hubby followed me, he doesn't like the band but even he got energy listening to "Immortal" live!
Good job, guys!

понедельник, 2 сентября 2013 г.

Apple pie "Charlotte" recipe

Good day, dear friends!
This post is dedicated for those who loves apples!
"Charlotte", perhaps, is one of the easiest apple pies. But at the same time it's too delicious! Once tried it you'll want it more and more!


For an apple pie "Charlotte" you need:
4 eggs
a glass of sugar
8 g of vanilla sugar
a glass of flour
a tsp of baking powder
some apples

четверг, 29 августа 2013 г.

How to put a child to bed?

Sometimes this question is too hard and costs too much nerves! But let's calm down and look at the situation clearly: how to do it?
Yes, this process may take enough time. Yes, it's not always easy.
In my post i want to share my methods of putting my son (he is 2 now) to bed.

1. Be sure you're calm. It's very very important. If you are nervous, angry, irritated you can't put your kid to bed. Because the child feels it, it "infects" him. Remember it!
2. Be sure your kid has eaten. Yeah, if he/she is hungry the putting to bed challenge will hardly be executed!
3. Be sure your kid is tired. If he/she is not, why, you think, he/she already needs to sleep? Play with the kid, walk, talk, etc.
4. It's time to calm your child down. Young children's nervous system is so constructed that they can not calm themselves. Help your baby! You may swing him/her a little, or carry in your arms and show various things (moon in the night sky, a cat that goes to bed too, nice paintings), tell a story. Just relax and enjoy your time with your lovely kid.
5. It's time for bed. Put your kid to bed and tell about the soft pillow that missed him/her so much, about warm blanket that wants to hug your kid. Cover your child with the blanket, caress the child's head, kiss him gently and whisper about all the things you've done today or yesterday, or a favourite fairy-tale... Sing lullabies, not loud... You feel the love? I always do.

Sometimes the process may take about an hour. Sometimes it's enough just to use only some steps. It always depends on the situation.

But NEVER be angry with your child, scream at him/her, spank him/her, put him/her to bed if you clearly see your kid doesn't wanna sleep now!

среда, 28 августа 2013 г.

Cheese pancakes for kids and adults!

Cottage cheese is a very useful product, it contains tons of calcium! It's recommended even for babies under 1 year and adults, of course, too!
But some kids don't like cottage cheese as it is. My son doesn't eat pure cottage cheese, so i add some fruit puree to it, then it tastes more sweet and attractive for him. And one more thing he likes is cheese pancakes! He just grabs them from the table and eats like cookies! :)

For cheese pancakes you need:
cottage cheese
an egg
flour
sugar
some milk

пятница, 16 августа 2013 г.

My 3 day diet experience

This post of my blog is kind of revelation from my side because I'm gonna talk about my weight. I think most of women don't like their weight, so don't i. I can't say I'm fat but I'd like to correct my weight a little :)
I chose a kefir diet basement for my own diet because i like kefir and it's very useful, has many vitamins and micro elements. It's very good for alimentary system.
My diet is simple: 1-1.5 l of kefir on a day. Cucumbers are allowed too because it's very diet food, they consist on 90 % of water. I drink tomato juice as well, eat tomatoes, some other veggies and fruits, drink water and unsweated tea.

вторник, 13 августа 2013 г.

What to do if you are tired of babysitting?

I'm a full time mama-babysitter :) My son is 2 now. He is a good kid and most of time i don't have troubles with him. But homework, cooking, babysitting do their job and, i think, each woman may get really tired of it... And you won't have power and wish to play with your kid much, go somewhere, in the whole do something... You'll feel nervous. Of course, you don't like such mood, you love your child but in your head there is one thought: "I just need some rest". But what to do? You can't just leave your kid and, in the end, you are a mother! What to do in such a case?
1. Recollect why u gave a birth to your child. Love, happiness, excitement, tenderness and all the feelings your kid give to you.
2. Go for a walk. Now! And, of course, with the kid! Fresh air works!
3. Sing your favourite songs aloud. I do it outside while we are walking. Everyone looks at me and, probably, thinks i'm not very healthy :) but so what? And better if you sing kids songs with your kid.
4. Buy something your child really likes. A bun, banana, cookie, small car or a cute doll? You shouldn't have any doubts. Then just look at your child's reaction. Don't you feel happy too?
5. Kiss and hug your kid as much as you can or he/she wants! Look how happy he/she is! And your kid kisses you back! Doesn't it make all your tiredness go away?
6. Sleep with your kid in the afternoon if you need rest. When you sleep with your child in one bed it's very good not only for him/her, but also for you. You'll get much energy! And when you see your kid right after he/she wakes up you'll feel yourself the happiest parent on Earth!
7. If you have such possibility ask someone to be with your kid for some hours. During this time be busy with your hobbies or things you really like. But without devices like laptops, tv, phones, etc. Such occupation will make you more tired.

That's what i do when i feel i need a break. I hope it will help you!

четверг, 8 августа 2013 г.

Husband's late snack - vegetarian sandwich with Circassian cheese, tomato and herbs

Good day, my visitors! How are you doing?
It's a hot day today here, in Belarus! I, personally, don't wanna eat junk food at such a weather period and prefer to cook something light. My husband is going to come home later today, so i decided to prepare little snack for him, with brown bread, cheese, tomato and herbs, delicious, nutritious and light at the same time!


So, for husband's late snack you need
2 slices of brown bread
1 tomato
some dill and spring onions
a tablespoon of low fat mayo
2-3 slices of Circassian cheese

среда, 7 августа 2013 г.

Baked chicken with light cinnamon taste

The chicken cooked according to this recipe will be juicy, soft and with an amazing taste of cinnamon!


For baked chicken with light cinnamon taste you'll need
the whole chicken
some cinnamon, salt, pepper, grinded garlic and your favourite seasonings for cooking
some fresh or dried greens

My veggie borsch - Easy vegetable soup

From the post with borsch recipe you might know that borsch is ukrainian soup with beet and good amount of meat. I have my variant of this soup, i call it veggie borsch. I think it's a good replacement for the summer period when you may not want to eat much because of the heat. Besides, i don't know why but my husband likes this variant more :)



For veggie borsch you need

a beet of medium size,
an onion
2 carrots of medium size
a pepper of medium size
6-8 potatos of medium size
some cabbage



Put the casserole with water on fire to boil it.
Clean and wash the potatos.
Then i used a food processor to grind vegetables (except cabbage and potatos) up but you may use grater, it's up to you. I used such a header (it's like a large grater, i think):


Some moments and we are done with vegetables!
Add vegetable oil (i use sunflower one) on a heated frying pan and place there grinded veggies. Fry on low heat for about 20-30 minutes, under a cover.
Cut the potatos into not large cubes and cabbage into not large slices, as well. When water in the casserole starts boiling, place them there, add seasonings and boil on low heat under the cover. I like to boil the cabbage instead of frying because it gives another taste, i love it!


Look at that! It looks so nice!
When potatos are almost ready add the pan contents to the casserole. Leave under the cover for boiling 2-3 minutes more and switch the heat off.
Serve with sour cream. Bon appetit!

среда, 31 июля 2013 г.

Potato casserole with mushrooms and minced pork under cheese and sour cream with dill

Wow, what a long title! :)
But the dish is really yummy and simple in cooking at the same time!
Ingredients measurements depend on your oven tray and your taste. So, i'll just suggest you ingredients themself.


For potato casserole with mushrooms and minced pork under cheese and sour cream with dill you'll need
potatos
minced pork
mushrooms (i used champignons)
onions
some cheese and sour cream
chopped dill
some margarine
a tomato

среда, 17 июля 2013 г.

Simple cookies recipe

In this post i wanna show you my favourite recipe for cookies! Using this dough you can form various shapes  (i mean, thick and thin) but cookies will be yummy all the time!

For cookies you'll need
2 eggs
200 g of margarine
7 tablespoons of sugar
2 tablespoons of starch
a tsp of baking powder
2 tablespoons of mayo
flour

Cold beet soup based on kefir

Summer is a great season of the year: it's warm (or even hot) weather, you can spend much time with kids outdoors - swim, play outdoor games, get a tan, etc, etc. But one more pleasant thing is we have fresh fruits and vegetables! We can buy it in the stores or grow in our gardens (much better!).
Sometimes it's too hot outdoors in the summer and we want something cool or cold for meal. I wanna show you how to cook cold soup tha holds much vitamins, it's really fantastic for a hot season!


For cold beet soup based on kefir you'll need
1 l of low-fat kefir
a beet of medium size including beet greens
a carrot of medium size
2 cucumbers of medium size
an onion of medium size
parsley, green onions, dill
sausages
2 eggs
cold boiled water

понедельник, 10 июня 2013 г.

Braided bun with condensed milk

Do you like buns? Do you like condensed milk? Do you like making something delicious with your hands? And do you like baking? If you answered all the questions like "yes" this recipe is for you!


For braided bun with condensed milk you'll need:
yeast dough,
condensed milk
some melted butter

понедельник, 29 апреля 2013 г.

Healthy fries from the oven

Everyone knows that fries are not very good for health. When i found this recipe i was very interested to try it and to get sure it's as tasty as traditional fries.

All you need for healthy fries from the oven is
some potatos (depending on how many fries you wanna cook)
egg whites
salt, greens if you like

понедельник, 8 апреля 2013 г.

Meat cutlets "Like in kindergarten"

When i was attending kindergarten in my childhood we were often given very delicious cutlets for lunch. They were so soft, gentle, perfect! Of course, in childhood everything seems to be magic, but those cutlets were really yummy. Keeping in mind all these memories about "incredible" cutlets i've decided to cook them for my family some time ago :)


For meat cutlets "Like in kindergarten" you'll need
1 kg of chopmeat
300 g of milk
some slices of white bread
an egg
2 tablespoons of chopped greens
2-3 heads of garlic
4 onions of middle size
salt to taste

суббота, 6 апреля 2013 г.

Potato pancakes with chicken meat

The day before i made too much potato puree for dinner and today i was afraid it may be spoilt if i keep this amount in the fridge too long. I already had the puree with fried onions, carrots and chicken meat. So, i decided to cook potato pancakes adding some flour and an egg.


For potato pancakes with chicken meat you'll need (i'm going to mention my own measurements)
potatos (enough to boil them in a middle size casserole)
2 carrots of middle size
2 onions of middle size
300-500 g of chicken meat
3 tsps of dried (or better - fresh, of course!) sliced parsley (optionally)
some tablespoons of flour
an egg