Sorry to do the completely British thing and mention the weather, but how amazing has this week been. The sunshine has been such a mood booster and I’m loving being outside. Yesterday Alfie suggested going to the beach and we drove the 1 hour and 40 minutes to Branksome Beach and it was absolutely stunning. It was Aiden’s first trip to the seaside and he loved it, we relaxed on the beach, had fish and chips with a sea view, a lovely walk and an ice cream before heading home.
It was just the perfect family day out and something that was long overdue as we have been quite busy over the past few weeks to do anything together. Considering that it wasn’t that long of a drive, by my standards anyway, we’ll definitely be back again, even just for these fish and chips. Sometimes I forget how beautiful the UK can be, especially the coastline. I’m definitely going to be voting for more staycations now that we have our little man.
Alfie was working the entire Easter weekend, but I was still determined to cook us an Easter spring lamb lunch with green beans, dauphinoise potatoes, homemade mint sauce and gravy. It was so good! There was plenty of lamb leftover to make a curry for dinner later in the week too, you’ve got to love those leftovers.
This grain-free and gluten-free banana and date loaf that I baked last week has been the perfect treat to go with my afternoon tea. The dates have gone all sticky and sweet after baking and I’ll have to share the recipe for it on the blog soon.
Whilst out and about running some errands I treated myself to this salad from M&S, which is probably one of my favourites from their range. I love that roasted carrot dip!
Another great salad this week was this one made with lambs lettuce, rocket, beets, puy lentils, leftover green beans, feta and Sabra hummus.
I tell you now, herbal tea and chocolate beetroot cake after a killer postnatal-Pilates class is a must, especially when it tastes this good!
Big bowls of organic natural yoghurt have been a staple for me this week as an alternative to porridge in the slightly warmer weather. This bowl was topped with raspberries, organic Medjool dates, banana, and almonds. This was such an easy throw together kind of breakfast that really needed no effort at all.
Somehow I ended up buying 2 giant bags of organic spinach in my weekly shop…DOH! Thankfully I love my green smoothies, they’re just amazing in this warmer weather. This spinach, apple, almond butter, vanilla protein powder, coconut oil and unsweetened almond milk one hit the spot the other morning.
Play dates that involve sitting in the sunshine watching our babies play whilst eating strawberries and dairy-free ice cream are the best. I’m so looking forward to the summer months ahead after this little taster this week.
Today we’re having more family fun, but I think we’ll enjoy the sunshine in the garden and go for a long walk in the countryside. Our gorgeous magnolia tree that towers the house is in flower at the moment and we like to enjoy it as much as possible as it’s only in bloom for 3 weeks in the year. It’s always such a shame to watch the petals fall on the floor and a real pain to clean them all up, ha! Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday, family time is the best!
When was the last time you went to the beach? How do you like to spend time with your family?
We had a similar impromptu trip to our local beach as the weather was so nice.
I think impromptu beach trips are the way forward! 🙂
It’s been forever and a day since I was last at the beach but I so want to go now after seeing how good the weather has been. Glad you guys had fun
We had such a lovely day. Yes, I wish the coast line was closer so that we could visit the beach more.
The food looks delicious! I love going to the beach. We last went to the beach, last week, on Sunday. I like to take us to random places and just hang out.. The beach, the cliffs, hiking – just basically anywhere.
We’re so lucky to have such beautiful coastlines here in the UK. Hope you had a wonderful time at the beach. 🙂
What an absolutely perfect day out! We had some lovely weather too (well, we did – winter seems to have reappeared today!) and we went to the beach too.
It was pretty amazing! I hope the weather has improved for you.
So many pretty photos in this post! That date bowl looks amazing.
I love the British seaside, it really can surprise you sometimes. That’s something I’ll always remember about my time in Durham, escaping to beautiful beaches that I had no idea were there 🙂 must go to the beach soon!
I always forget how pretty some of our beaches can be. We’ll definitely be going again that’s for sure.
I absolutely LOVE family outings and this is the perfect weather to take them! Judging by the crowds of people in Brighton this weekend I think everyone has had the same idea!
It was the perfect weather for a trip to the beach! 🙂
That salad you made looks absolutely divine, I want it now! 🙂
Rosie
x
http://www.anenglishrosie.blogspot.co.uk
Thanks Rosie, it was super tasty!
Those dates in your breakfast look perfection Jemma – yum!
The seaside is such a beautiful place to be in this lovely weather, can’t wait until we can take Henry!
You are going to have so much fun with Henry on the beach. They’re just perfect for walking dogs and taking in the fresh sea air.
That looks such a lovely sandy beach. You’ve put me in the mood for fish & chips too 🙂
Laura | A Life With Frills
You can’t beat fish and chips by the sea! 🙂
Sounds divine, Jemma!
My parents live very close to the beach so I’ll be there a lot. I’m doing a lot of my long runs down there too which is just fabulous. But it is a pebble beach so it’s not the most comfy to sit on!
I just love going for walks and having coffee and cake with my family 🙂
I haven’t been to the beach for so long! That smoothie looks so good – I love the glass bottle! x
Looking at pictures of your meals made me very hungry. I want that beetroot chocolate cake asap. It must be divine. We have a magnolia tree in the backyard and I can see it through my kitchen window, Like you, it saddens me when it blooms its heart out and then all the petals fall off, leaving a massive clean up job. Ah for the temporal nature of things. 🙂
That cake was heavenly and now I’m actually craving another slice just thinking about it! The petals have started to fall off the magnolia now, so we’ll have to wait another year to see it in all it’s glory.
Dairy free ice cream!! I’m obsessed! I love it! 🙂 And all your eats look delicious!!
Thank you!
What gorgeous photos! I was in Brighton at the weekend and it was brilliant to be by the sea.
It does make a fantastic difference to be by the sea. I hope you had a lovely time. 🙂
It’s been a long time since we went to the beach, Nothing like fish and chips by the seaside x
You just can’t beat it!