Treats, Not Rewards.

Sometimes, as a mummy, mostly at home, it can feel as if the days and weeks run into one another. If it wasn't for my housekeeping schedule, or remembering that on Sunday's (or Saturday evenings) we have to go to Mass, I would probably only have a vague idea of what day of the week it is.

That's not a complaint, but sometimes, I think we all need a little variety. Something to break up our days. We get so caught up with what we feel we SHOULD be doing, that we forget that sometimes we need to take the time to do things because we WANT to. Sometimes we equate treats with rewards, when really, they are very different things.

Rewards are based on performance: 'If I get all the clean laundry folded and put away before 11.30am, then I'll reward myself with a chapter of the book I've been reading.'

Treats are based on feeling, and on love. Treats place the value on the person, rewards place the value on the person's actions.

While there is obviously a place for both, I think that in this modern age, we often forget to treat ourselves, just because. We look for justifications for having that piece of cake, or that lipstick, or that book, or even just that half hour to ourselves.

It's good to have goals, and to work hard, and to do your best. Of course it is. I certainly think God wants us to strive, and to achieve. He wants us to have an abundant life.

So many of us though, equate our achievements with our worth. Our worth and dignity do not come from our achievements. They come from the fact that we children of God, and have been fearfully and wonderfully made.

Please, if you are a mother, put aside the laundry, or the dusting for a moment, and do something for you. If you are working, and tired, do something that will refresh you.

Realise, that regardless of whether or not you tick all the boxes on your To-do list today, you are enough, you are special, you are worthy, you are deserving, and you are loved.

Don't reward yourself today, TREAT yourself instead.

Easy Meal for a Meatless Friday.

We Catholics are in the midst of Lent. That means Friday's are meat free. If you don't like fish, or just prefer to have a fully veggie option here is a really easy recipe. Vegetable and Goats cheese tart. These amounts give 2-3 generous servings.

One block ready made puff pastry.
2 red onions, or about 6 shallots
1 red bell pepper
1 yellow bell pepper
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tbsps brown sugar
2 cloves garlic (crushed)
1 tsp (approx) dried oregano
olive oil (for sauteeing)
goats cheese (enough to generously dot the top of your tart)

Preheat oven to whatever temp it states on your pastry. Leave the pastry in the fridge until you're ready to use it.

Heat some olive oil in a frying pan, and gently fry the onions, we're looking for softening here, not frazzling. When you detect a change, add the peppers and garlic, then the mushrooms. Fry until mushrooms are pale golden.

Add the balsamic vinegar, sugar, and oregano. Cook for 5-10 minutes. Turn off heat.

Get your pastry. Roll it out to desired size and thickness. With a knife, score a border of just less than 1 inch all the way round. prick the middle part of your tart with a fork. This will stop this part puffing up, and leave you with a nice raised border.

Tip veggies into centre of tart, trying to keep them within the border. Dot with goats cheese and season to taste.

Bake until the pastry is golden, and the goats cheese is melty.