Mama's Haven

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Product Review: Jasinski, a shop with a difference

Published by Oana

Guys and gals, as you may know, I am a stay at home mum since the beginning of the summer. Hubby works extremely hard to not only provide the necessities but to ensure we have above and beyond. For which I am grateful. But also have felt guilty over for ages.

So at the end of this summer I decided to give blogging a real go. I have had this blog for the past two years nearly but I was using it mainly as a form of release. Then, in September, I decided to use it as a source of income. To supplement what hubby brings in. And more importantly, to feel worthy and useful as a partner and mummy.

I was thrilled when, approaching lovely Dorota from the ethical Jasinski for a review opportunity, she agreed to send over a couple of products for the children to try. The excellent service didn’t stop here though. Dorota was in contact several times, giving me an option of organic material, pattern and product.

When the leggings arrived(we received two pairs, one for big sis and one for little man), I was delighted with the soft feel, the quality of the stitching and the colours. Emma wanted to change into hers straight away and made point of wearing them proudly for several days.

I admire people like Dorota, who in the middle of a consumerist and as cheap as you can get society still believe in quality products, work and ethical sourcing.

Please give her some love by visiting her online shop:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/jasinskishop

And do follow her on Twitter @Jasinskishop and support a rare bread of clothes ‘producers who still believe in craftsmanship and quality.

Coffee for Your Heart: You Are Not Alone

Published by Oana

Linking in a day late to the lovely Holley Gerth’s series, Coffee for Your Heart.

I have been a new mummy again for the past 8 days. As anyone who has birthed and raised a child knows, looking after a newborn is rewarding, exhausting, daunting and scary, all at the same time. The fear comes mainly from facing new situations and not knowing the answer to problems and issues that we are brought face to face to. You see, as human beings, we like security. Lack of risk. Routine. Anything that takes us out of our comfort zone can be terrifying.

So I have this new human being who depends on me entirely. He has been gifted to me. He has been birthed in prayer and love and desire. But he is NEW. New to me, anyway. Terrifyingly new. So anything throws me. Because I am completely out of my comfort zone. For now, anyway. Until a new comfort zone is created.

Until then, I have two simple choices, really. To struggle through it all and do it in my strength. To believe the voice that tells me I am alone in this and I just need to weather it. OR, I can turn to my Creator. The One who knows my baby better than I would ever know him. And believe His voice:

“I will never leave you, nor forsake you…”
“The ones who rely on the Lord shall renew their strength…”
“You are the apple of my eye…”

Ladies, I choose to believe His voice. And to rely on Him every day in order to cope with the unknown. The sleeplessness. The weakness in the knee. The humbling realisation that when I am weak, He is strong.

I am not alone in this, that’s all I need to know, at the end of the day…

Living Arrows-4/52

Published by Oana

And then…there were 4!

If you have missed our wonderful news, baby George Yannis was born last Wednesday morning at a very respectable weight of 3.975 kg or 8.12 pounds!

That our world has changed would be a gross understatement. We have had to readjust, remember, retrain and regain strength for what is going to be a long race to toddlerhood.

Now, you little girl, have become a big sister and you are as good as gold about it. Mummy used to put you to bed every night but I have only managed one night since baby was born and you didn’t really fuss much over daddy taking over.

You try and help but sometimes your efforts go unappreciated. Like when you brought you big HippoHips, you favourite cuddly toy, to give comfort to Georgie and I had to explain about the risks of smothering. It didn’t really go down very well and mummy ended up apologising and explaining that she is new at this job and she can make mistakes..

I didn’t take many pictures of you this week, little one, but I am going to use one from a few weeks back that portrays quite well your position at the moment: quite shaky on your feet as a big sister but ever so willing to learn and getting all the support you need from your loving daddy and myself.

As for you, wee man, you are a treasure to have around. You love napping during the day but the nights are a different story. It is normal, the experts say, and mummy keeps you close as much as she can and gives you cuddles and milk to comfort your transition into the outside world. The picture below shows you as the most relaxed baby ever and mummy believes it’s a trait you are going to keep and bring into our family, to balance the female hormones a bit 🙂

This post is my weekly contribution to the Living Arrows linky and my own way to keeping memories of my two precious little ones.

Silent Sunday-26/01/2014

Published by Oana

Romanian Stuffed Vine Leaves

Published by Oana

I know, I know, my recipes have been all regional in the past few weeks, I suppose it’s because I am pregnant at the moment and have missed the comforting feel of home, on some level…

Today I made stuffed vine leaves, following my mum’s tested and tried recipe. I usually make stuffed peppers as they are less hassle but the leaves give the dish a particular taste I was craving.

In Romania they usually make sarmale (stuffed leaves) with either sauerkraut (cabbage leaves left whole and marinated in salty water) or vine leaves. There are variations of sarmale in Greece (they are called dolmades there) Bulgaria and Turkey but the difference is that the Romanian LOVE their meat and always have to have minced meat in theirs whereas the Greeks have them stuffed with rice and plenty of herbs.

Sarmale in cabbage leaves. Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Anyway, for my mum’s recipe you will need:

500 grams of turkey mince
one medium-sized carrot
one medium-sized onion
one egg
half a cup of rice
salt and pepper to taste
a dash of olive oil
fresh parsley, if you like the taste.
fresh tomatoes( of chopped tomatoes, if not in season) to line your casserole and prevent burning.

Chop finely your carrot and onion (I put them in the baby blender, for speed). Add your minced meat, the chopped veggies, the raw egg, the rice and the parsley into a large bowl and give them a good stir. Add salt and pepper and olive oil, if the mixture appears dry.

If you are really keen to learn how to stuff your vine leaves properly, have a look at this video. It’s all in English and she shows you the how to in the most delightful way.

Once you have them all ready, cut your add some olive oil to the bottom of your casserole, cut a couple of tomatoes, the juice provides good acidity to balance the meat and add your sarmale in. Add water to cover and stick them in the oven for about two hours, until the house smells divine and you are hungry for them 🙂