Our week that was: Friends, food and farm animals

Last week, we had friends from Yorkshire come to stay with us for a few days. Like us, they do a lot of walking, so some of that was on the agenda.

They wanted a trip to the seaside, so we took them to Ynyslas for a few hours. We timed our arrival to coincide with low tide – to enjoy walking through the dunes and along the long, wide swathes of sandy beach.

Although it was quite sunny, it was a breezy day, so the kiteboarders were out in force.

On another day, we took them on one of our favourite nearby woodland walks. We promised them an encounter with a couple of pigs, and our porcine friends didn’t disappoint!

The sow and one of her piglets wandered over when we offered some apple pieces that we brought with us.

As well as walking, we enjoyed sharing food & drink with our friends. One of the dishes that went down well was a chocolate buttermilk hazelnut layer cake – Justin thinks it’s the best chocolate cake I’ve ever made. Deliciously moist and chocolaty without being too sweet or sickly.

5 delectable summer desserts to delight your guests

Summer is a season of vibrant colours, balmy evenings and delightful gatherings. It’s also a busy time. You may be planning a trip, looking for new outdoor furniture or checking out the Frenchie puppies for sale. But you should always make time for guests to come over. When it comes to entertaining guests, serving refreshing and indulgent desserts is a wonderful way to elevate any gathering. From fruity delights to frozen treats, the options are endless. In this post, we’ll explore five of my favourite summer desserts that are sure to impress your guests and leave them craving more.

Tropical fruit tart: There’s nothing quite like the luscious flavours of ripe, juicy fruits to celebrate the summer season. A tropical fruit tart brings together the best of nature’s bounty in a visually stunning and palate-pleasing dessert. Start with a buttery, flaky tart crust as the base, and fill it with a velvety custard or cream cheese filling. Top it off with an array of tropical fruits such as mangoes, kiwis, pineapples, and passion fruit, arranging them in an eye-catching pattern. The combination of sweet, tangy and refreshing flavours will transport your guests to a tropical paradise. Serve chilled and watch as the vibrant colours and tantalising aroma captivate everyone’s senses.
Lemon blueberry trifle: When life gives you lemons and blueberries, make a delightful lemon blueberry trifle! This classic dessert is a perfect balance of zesty and sweet flavours, making it an ideal treat for hot summer days. Layer tangy lemon curd, fluffy whipped cream, and juicy blueberries in a clear glass trifle dish. For an extra touch of indulgence, add crumbled pieces of buttery pound cake or ladyfingers in between the layers. The vibrant yellow of the lemon curd and the deep blue hues of the blueberries create a visually appealing dessert that will have your guests reaching for seconds. Serve chilled and garnish with fresh mint leaves for a pop of colour.
Watermelon granita: Beat the summer heat with a refreshing watermelon granita. This icy treat is incredibly simple to make yet delivers a burst of natural sweetness. Blend fresh watermelon chunks until smooth, then strain to remove any seeds. Add a squeeze of lime juice to enhance the flavours and pour the mixture into a shallow dish. Place it in the freezer and use a fork to scrape the mixture every 30 minutes until it forms icy crystals. The result is a light and slushy dessert that captures the essence of summer. Serve the granita in chilled glasses or hollowed-out watermelon bowls for an extra touch of whimsy.
Coconut mango popsicles: Popsicles are the quintessential summer treat, and this coconut mango version is a tropical delight. Blend ripe mangoes with coconut milk and a touch of honey or sugar until smooth. Pour the mixture into popsicle moulds and insert popsicle sticks. Freeze for a few hours or overnight until fully set. The combination of creamy coconut and sweet, juicy mango creates a harmonious flavour profile that will transport your guests to a sunny beach. These vibrant and refreshing popsicles are a perfect way to beat the heat and make for an Instagram-worthy dessert option.
Grilled peaches with honey and mascarpone: Summer is grilling season, and why limit it to savoury dishes? Grilled peaches with honey and mascarpone is a delightful dessert that combines the smoky flavours of grilling with the natural sweetness of ripe peaches. Halve fresh peaches and brush them with a bit of oil. Grill until slightly caramelised and tender. Serve the warm peaches with a dollop of luscious mascarpone cheese and a drizzle of golden honey. The warmth of the grilled peaches contrasts beautifully with the cool, creamy mascarpone, while the honey adds a touch of sweetness. This dessert is simple yet elegant, offering a delightful combination of flavours and textures that will leave your guests craving more.

This summer, treat your guests to a memorable dining experience with these five delightful desserts. From the vibrant and fruity tropical fruit tart to the refreshing watermelon granita, each dessert offers a unique and satisfying flavour profile that embodies the essence of summer. Whether you prefer the zesty tang of lemon blueberry trifle, the tropical goodness of coconut mango popsicles or the smoky sweetness of grilled peaches with honey and mascarpone, these desserts are sure to impress and leave a lasting impression. So go ahead, indulge your guests with these delectable treats and create unforgettable moments of joy and delight.

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Brain food what to eat for optimal brain health

Your brain is the most crucial organ in your body. It controls everything you do, from thinking, to speaking, to moving. That’s why it’s important to ensure your brain gets the nutrients it needs to function properly. This post will discuss some of the best foods to eat for optimal brain health. We’ll also provide tips on incorporating these foods into your family’s diet. So, without further ado, let’s get started!

1. Eggs

Eggs are a great source of protein and contain nutrients essential for brain health, including choline and omega-three fatty acids. Choline is vital for forming acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that helps with memory and learning. Omega-three fatty acids are essential for maintaining cell membranes which help to protect the brain from damage.

In addition to being chock-full of nutrients beneficial to the brain, eggs are relatively inexpensive, versatile and easy to prepare. Scrambled eggs or an omelette are quick and healthy options for breakfast or lunch. In addition, hard-boiled eggs make a great snack that can be easily taken on the go.

2. Fish

Fish is another excellent source of protein and omega-three fatty acids. Omega-three fatty acids are essential for brain health because they help to protect the brain from damage and improve cognitive function. For example, studies have shown that people who eat fish regularly have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other age-related cognitive decline.

In addition to being a full of goodness for the brain, fish is a low-calorie and low-fat option that can be easily incorporated into any diet. In addition, you can buy Hake online for easy and convenient meal prep.

3. Nuts and seeds

Nuts and seeds are brimming with healthy fats, vitamins and minerals. In addition, they can help improve blood flow to the brain and offer protection against inflammation. Walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, flaxseed and pumpkin seeds are all excellent choices. Eat them on their own as a snack or sprinkle them over salads or yoghurt.

4. Leafy greens

Leafy greens are a plentiful source of vitamins and minerals, including iron, folate and vitamin K. They also contain antioxidants that can help protect the brain from damage. Spinach, kale, collards and Swiss chard are all excellent options. Add them to your favourite recipes or enjoy them as a side dish.

5. Berries

Berries of all kinds are rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals, which are linked to better cognitive function. Blueberries, in particular, have been shown to improve memory. So load up on berries when they’re in season or buy them frozen to enjoy them year-round.

6. Dark chocolate

Dark chocolate contains antioxidants and flavonoids which can help to improve blood flow to the brain. Flavonoids also have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. Choose dark chocolate with a high percentage of cacao for the greatest benefit. Enjoy in moderation as part of a healthy diet.

You can’t go wrong by incorporating these brain-healthy foods into your diet. Eating a variety of nutrient-rich foods will give your brain the nourishment it needs to function at its best. So don’t forget to include eggs, fish, nuts and seeds, leafy greens, berries and dark chocolate in your next grocery list. Your brain will thank you!

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The best WordPress plugins to improve your food blog

WordPress is the most famous and popular blogging platform. The platform is so popular that it’s believed that out of 1.3 billion websites on the web, WordPress powers more than 455 million sites, a fact that’s astonishing.

Users love WordPress because it’s a powerful platform that is reliable and offers endless customisation options. WordPress is an excellent platform for your blog if you’re a food blogger. Not only because it’s the best blogging platform but also because it offers countless plugins that will transform your ordinary food blog into perfection. The best part is that WordPress’s CMS is super user-friendly, so it will be super simple to manage your food blog and make it successful.

WordPress offers more than 58,000 free plugins for bloggers. It also offers thousands of plugins that cost additional money, but we guarantee you’ll find a useful plugin among the 58,000 you can use free of any charge. Before you start your food blogging journey, it’s important to remember that you first need to find a reliable web host. There are many web hosting companies on the internet, so research before you decide on one. Since you’ll be working with WordPress, the best thing you can do is choose a web host that offers WordPress hosting. To choose the best web host for your food blog, read as many reviews as possible on the Internet. For instance, HostAdvice offers countless valuable reviews, where you can find excellent information about web hosting companies that offer WordPress hosting, such as the Kinsta review; feel free to learn more about the web hosting companies that offer excellent WordPress hosting plans.

The best plugins for food blogs

As we already mentioned above, WordPress offers more than 58,000 free plugins. WordPress is the best platform to start your food blog, so make sure you get the most out of the platform by using some of the best plugins. Let’s see what the best WordPress plugins that will help you improve and transform your food blog are.

WordPress recipe plugins

There’s nothing better than adding food recipes in an instant. WordPress offers excellent recipe plugins that will make the job easy for you. The plugins will help you create recipes faster and easier, optimise your recipes for better SEO and improve the overall user experience thanks to the design and formatting.
Two of the best WordPress recipe plugins include:

Delicious Recipes for WordPress: a plugin that enables you to collect recipes from people visiting your blog. To increase your blog’s revenue, you can add an affiliate link directly to the recipe. The plugin also has an analytic dashboard that will help you track the progress of the recipes and discover which recipes are popular among your visitors.
WordPress Recipe Maker: this plugin is the most popular among food bloggers. There is a free version, but you need to pay for the premium plugin you can buy. The premium version will enable you to insert Amazon links, access the nutrition database, etc.

Yoast SEO

Whether you have a food blog, an eCommerce store, or a small business website, SEO is important. Yoast SEO is something you must download right now to make your food blog successful and attract more traffic. The plugin will give you anything you might need for SEO optimisation. Yoast SEO has incredible features, including on-page SEO analytics, readability analysis, built-in sitemap generator, snippet preview and editor. The plugin integrates with your WordPress editor and will maximise the SEO of your content as you work.

Social Snap

Social media can be crucial for success, so you must start using SocialSnap. The plugin will enable you to embed social sharing buttons on more than 30 social networks, and the best part is that it is super user-friendly. The SocialSnap includes an image sharer, creative display options, advanced customisation options, share counters, social meta tags etc.

ShortPixel Image Optimizer

ShortPixel is one of the most popular WordPress plugins among bloggers. This plugin is popular because it reduces the size of the images in a post and boosts site speed. The best part is that the image quality doesn’t get compromised. ShortPixel has recommended settings during the installation, but you can also configure the images to properly meet your needs.

Akismet

As your food blog grows and attracts more visitors, the number of spammers will also increase. To filter out spam, you will need Akismet, the plugin that monitors comment submissions. To start using the plugin, you first need to download it, create an account and then paste the API key generated for you. You also have the option to choose Akismet’s level of strictness when handling spam: keep the spam in a spam folder or get the spam deleted immediately. Akismet is popular because it has excellent features such as account spam statistics and the option to display privacy notices. The plugin is free, but a Plus or Enterprise plugin also has extra features.

Conclusion

Starting a food blog and making it successful is not easy. The reality is that the competition is tough, and you need to work extra hard to make your blog stand out from the crowd. Luckily, the WordPress plugins can help impact the food world and create a unique food blog that people will love coming back to.