'Feature Wednesday' #Week 7

#Week 7 of 'Feature Wednesday' has arrived. Thank you for everyone who entered last week's feature post. I hope you all enjoyed winner Anna over at 'In The Playroom' with her  DIY 'Chocolate Easter Egg'  tutorial.
If you have a post you would like to share live on 'Mama Bee Simple', simply add your link at the end of this post. I have selected a small group of topics to cover this week's linky party.

I do like to create a theme each week however any links related to activities, food, lifestyle & children is fine.

#Week7 Theme: Outdoors, Garden, Colour, Messy, Nature, Animals, Active

The most suited link will be chosen by the end of the day and I will feature your post at 'Mama Bee Simple' as well as all my social network sites.

Mama Bee knows that you all have some wonderful creations and spend so much time wanting to share so here is a lovely opportunity!

Good Luck!

Wishing You A Happy Easter

Classic Hot Cross Buns

Easter time is here & we are celebrating! Classic Hot Cross Bun's are a perfect treat for Easter (& of course the chocolate eggs!). If you are from the UK, you have probably heard of British Baker - Paul Hollywood. Known for his delicious pastries, breads and traditional recipes - I wanted to master his 'show stopping' version of the Hot Cross bun.

No mixer was used for this recipe, just love, care & patience!

Full recipe (Scroll down)

 As this was a Paul Hollywood inspired recipe, I have included the full recipe below.
You can also click HERE for the recipe.

Ingredients

For the buns

• 300ml/10fl oz whole milk
• 500g/1lb 2oz strong white flour
• 75g/2½oz caster sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 7g sachet fast-action yeast
• 50g/1¾oz butter
• 1 free-range egg, beaten
• 150g/5oz sultanas
• 80g/3oz mixed peel
• 1 apple, cored and chopped
• 2 oranges, zest only
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• sunflower oil, for greasing the bowl

For the cross

• 75g/2½oz plain flour, plus extra for dusting

For the glaze

• 3 tbsp apricot jam

Preparation method

1. Bring the milk to the boil and then remove from the heat and leave to cool until it reaches hand temperature.
2. Mix the flour, sugar, salt, yeast, butter and egg together in a bowl, then slowly add the warmed milk until it forms a soft, sticky dough.
3. Add the sultanas, mixed peel, chopped apple, orange zest and cinnamon, then tip out of the bowl onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough by holding the dough with one hand and stretching it with the heal of the other hand, then folding it back on itself. Repeat for five minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
   Technique: How to knead bread dough
   Watch technique1:58 mins
4. Put the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with oiled cling film and leave to rise for approximately one hour, or until doubled in size.
5. Divide the dough into 12 even pieces, and roll each piece into a smooth ball on a lightly floured surface. Arrange the buns on a baking tray lined with parchment, leaving enough space so that the buns just touch when they rise and expand. Set aside to prove for another hour.
6. Heat the oven to 220C/425F/Gas 7.
7. For the cross, mix the flour with about five tablespoons of water in small bowl, adding the water one tablespoon at a time, so that you add just enough for a thick paste. Spoon into a piping bag with a small nozzle. Pipe a line along each row of buns, then repeat in the other direction to create crosses.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes on the middle shelf of the oven, or until golden-brown.
9. Gently heat the apricot jam to melt, then sieve to get rid of any chunks. While the jam is still warm, brush over the top of the warm buns and leave to cool. Gently rip the buns apart to serve, revealing temptingly soft edges.

My Body Utopia

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I'm so excited to be trying My Body Utopia's products! With love and care into every natural home-made product, this U.S family business is truly passionate about their brand and mission.

Is your bathroom covered in different products, mix matched and half used? It's probably because you still haven't found 'the one', got bored or simply not for you.
What I love about My Body Utopia is that they use quality, natural & clean ingredients.

The first product I tried was a 'Kitchen Clean Hand's Soap' from MBY's natural soap range. The first thing I read where the impressive natural ingredients and their properties! Lavender, lemon and melaleuca oils providing anti bacterial, anti fungal and anti viral qualities to each bar. Touch on germs yet gentle on the skin.
(Fantastic!)

As a mum, I'm constantly washing up so my hands tend to get chapped and very dry. This bar of soap is deigned to deodorise the smell of garlic & onion or that 'pungent' smell from your hands. Leaving them with a fresh, clean feeling! When I used this, my hands felt so squeaky clean and nourished. I couldn't believe how better they feel, it just shows you how important natural ingredients are to us. I'm so impressed with this bar of soap, I would highly recommend to anyone who suffers from dry, chapped and 'worked out' hands.

Ingredients: Lavender, Lemon and Melaleuca oils.

For the full range of Speciality Soap's - Please click HERE

Ingredients:Palm Kernel oil, Coconut Oil, Olive oil, Avocado oil, Castor oil, Lye, Water, Lavender essential oil, Lemon essential oil and Melaluca essential oil.

The second product I was really keen to try was the 'Fruity Splash' Deodorant. All of the deodorants are just such a fuss for me, I never stick to one particular type and to be honest never impressed. However, this all natural deodorant has impressed me so much I'm still in shock by how incredible it really is.

Firstly, this smells amazing. Secondly all of the ingredients are all natural and essential oils important for your skin. Thirdly? I smell fresh & dry throughout the day.
This is what My Body Utopia have to say:

Our dedication to bringing you naturally pure, safe and effective products is evident in these simply magnificent deodorants. They are chocked full of ingredients you can pronounce. Our customers rave about this product. Try it for yourself and you will be hooked. You will be getting Approx: 2.5 oz. It is in a twist tube for easy application. Made with: Coconut oil, Shea Butter, Vitamin E, Beeswax, Arrowroot Powder, Baking soda, Bentonite Clay, Cucumber and Kiwi fragrance. Since this does not have any harsh preservatives, in warmer weather you may want to place in your refrigerator to make it a little stiffer. If you have been using only store bought deodorant then please give your body a little time to adjust to this natural product. Your body will thank you! No aluminum, Phthalates, Parabens 

My Body Utopia is a fantastic, loving brand and I will highly recommend to anyone. You deserve to have the best for your body and health. You also deserve to feel confident and feel amazing. Choose My Body Utopia - you will be surprised like I was.

'Feature Wednesday' D.I.Y Easter Eggs

Thank you for everyone that got involved in yesterday's #Week6 'Feature Wednesday' Linky Party. 
You all have wonderful & inspirational ideas - it's so great to see your sharing them.

Congratulations!
This week's winner is Anna over at 'In The Playroom' with her  DIY 'Chocolate Easter Egg'  tutorial.
Who knew making chocolate easter eggs were actually so easy to do and fun! Layer upon layer you see your hollow egg become a real treat! When it's set, you can decorate them  or your children can decorate them for gifts or themselves! To learn how to make your own Easter eggs, please click HERE.

'Feature Wednesday' #Week 6

#Week 6 of 'Feature Wednesday' has arrived. Thank you for everyone who entered last week's feature post. I hope you all enjoyed winner Julia over at 'Positivity Glamorous for her bespoke D.I.Y Chandelier tutorial.
If you have a post you would like to share live on 'Mama Bee Simple', simply add your link at the end of this post. I have selected a small group of topics to cover this week's linky party.

I do like to create a theme each week however any links related to activities, food, lifestyle & children is fine.

#Week6 Theme: Easter, Eggs, Chocolate, Projects, Craft, Recipes, Celebration 

The most suited link will be chosen by the end of the day and I will feature your post at 'Mama Bee Simple' as well as all my social network sites.

Mama Bee knows that you all have some wonderful creations and spend so much time wanting to share so here is a lovely opportunity!

Good Luck!

Beef Wellington with Prosciutto

Another Sunday, & we've invited the Grandparents down for lunch. Lloyd & I went our usual early morning walk and decided to get some Beef. Originally planning to cook some Chicken, we realised this can get quite boring sometimes so we needed a change - Beef Wellington. A traditional Beef Wellington contains a good-quality beef fillet however today we decided to get 1 Kilo of beef brisket (it was delicious for half the price!)
Once we returned home, I started on massaging the beef with plenty of olive oil, whole-grain mustard, garlic and fresh rosemary. The Beef required 3 hours of cooking so it gave me a perfect amount of time to prepare the rest of the dish! (I have never made this before!)
I accompanied my Wellington with home-made Yorkshire's, carrot & swede mash, roast potatoes, roasted red onion & asparagus. I decided the wrap my Beef with Prosciutto & Puff Pastry  - 30 minutes before it was ready.

When the meat was ready to be wrapped with pastry, I collected the rich juices from the meat and added cornflour to make into a Gravy (& a little red wine!) - Strained and topped up with water it was delicious & aromatic. Definitely made the dish.

For a successful Sunday lunch/dinner I believe that preparation is key! (Including washing up as you go!)

Peeling, chopping, cleaning & cooking!
This had saved half of my day clearing up after the meal - not what you want after you've cooked for 3 hours.

Everything went according to plan - had a glass of Merlot along the way. The house smelt wonderful!
In the next couple of week's I will be writing you a recipe of my Beef Wellington (Frugal & easiest way) - watch out for that!