Inspired by SlummyMummy’s positive and proactive approach to Newbies (and in general!) I’ve compiled a list of great newbie blog sites!  Apologies if I have missed any that I meant to include (if that makes any sense?!- but you know who you are if I have). I will be #FF’ing these sites tomorrow and catch up on others later! Please check them out – they are well worth a read (and dangerously addictive!!!).

http://slummytoyummymummy.wordpress.com/ – a natural writer, humorous and moving. The unofficial newbie ambassador!

http://the1970sdiet.blogspot.com/ – hilarious, controversial and a bit naughty too!

A close friend of the 1970s diet blogger – http://ohmarvellous.blogspot.com – about her life and how she is going to beat breast cancer.

http://motherwifeme.com – A PR and writing pro – whether witty, or serious always an enjoyable read.

http://mumofthreeboys.wordpress.com – A mum with a background in fashion, a passion for crafts, and 3 model sons!

http://maidinyorkshire.wordpress.com/ – ‘Stealer of party bags, scared of beards!!’ Rachel’ s twitter profile was enough to make me laugh and want to find out more, I was not disappointed!

http://www.citygirlatheart.com/ – an honest, frank and engaging read! You can take the girl out of the city…

http://threeyearsandonestonethenhome.com/ - living in Switzerland but yearning for the green green  grass of Wales, mother to a junior Picasso known as Captain Kirk!!

http://www.thecrumbymummy.co.uk/ Founder of terrible Twosday! Mum to Bob(!)  and a menagerie of pets.

http://frances-pringle.blogspot.com/ -A mother of boys and possessed with a great sense of humour.

http://mostlyyummymummy.com/ a quick-witted yummy mummy, and bearer of chip-free nails!

A special thank you to http://www.actuallymummy.co.uk/ for all her help reviewing my blog (very much a work in progress!!!) when I just started, being so approachable and for running the BritMums Newbie Tuesday.

Cherries

The bright red Tart Cherries are another scrumptious super food to add to your daily 5!

***Scroll down for Cherry sauce and other recipes!***

Why Tart Cherries?

• Anti-inflammatory
• High levels of Anti-oxidants (only blueberries and acai berries have higher levels)

Cherries can therefore play a role in the prevention of heart disease, lowering cholesterol and in the treatment of gout.

Cherries have also been proven to enhance muscle recovery after exercise

Research has indicated that the high antioxidant and reduced inflammation capabilities of tart cherries are comparable to some well-known pain medications ^(1).

Ways to Enjoy!

1. Make a Cherry Sauce – 450g cherries, 250ml water, 1 tbspn white sugar, 1 tbspn corn flour – cook the cherries and sugar on a low heat until the cherries are soft, in a separate pan mix the water and cornflour together. Stir in the cooked fruit, and bring to the boil, whilst stirring. Continue until the sauce has thickened. This is delicious when served with low fat greek yoghurt and a handful of grape nuts.
2. Cherry Smoothie- Add 200ml plain yoghurt, two chopped bananas, a dash of honey, 2 tbspns milk and a handful of cherries to a blender and mix. For a further Omega health boost and crunch add pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds before blending
3. Cherrys dipped in Dark Chocolate – 500g cherries, 250 g Dark Chocolate. Break the chocolate into small pieces, place in a glass bowl, and melt over a pan of simmering water (shallow filled – the bowl should not touch the water) Once melted, turn off the heat and remove the bowl from the pan (empty out the water). Hold each cherry by the stem and dip into the chocolate.  Place on a baking tray lined with waxed grease proof sheet paper. When hardened refrigerate/serve.

I’ve also added a recipe for Cherry Salad on my skinny food page.

Enjoy! x

1. The Cherry Marketing Institute’s Red Report http://www.choosecherries.com/pdfs/cherries_FINAL_Red_Report.pdf