Every child likes pancakes. However, if we make them whenever our children want, they will look like pancakes. Fortunately, my children don't have a weight problem, but I know that I have to look out for their diet. Today I would like to share with you the recipe for "slimmed down" pancakes. Luckily, I don't have any problems with fruit in my children's diet; they like all kinds of fruit. But I know that for other parents pancakes could be the best way to sneak some vitamins into their food.

I found the recipe for the pancakes at www.wegepedia.pl, and it appealed to me instantly because of the easy and basic preparation and the yummy look of the pancakes.

Ingredients:
200g of granary flour
one teaspoon and a half of baking powder
4 tablespoons of brown sugar
1 flat teaspoon of cinnamon
300ml of vegetable milk
Other ingredients
100g of bilberries
30ml of water
3 dates

I found the recipe for courgette cutlets at www.gotujzcukiereczkiem.pl. It appealed to me at once for three reasons. Firstly, the courgette is my favourite vegetable. Secondly, cutlets, pancakes and crumpets are my children's favourites dishes. Thirdly, this dish is fast, simple and is always a success. You must not use FB while frying, because it may end with you ordering pizza for dinner 

The cutlets are mild and their flavour is spiced up with feta cheese. You can complement them with your favourite herbs. In my kitchen there is always basil, dill, peppermint, rosemary and thyme. This time I chose dill (in accordance with the recipe) and thyme.

Ingredients:
400g of courgette
1 egg
150g of feta cheese
110g of breadcrumbs (+ 4 tablespoons for the batter)
2 tablespoons of minced dill
1 tablespoon of thyme
salt and pepper

When going on holiday I don't like packing and unpacking. Even after the finest travel a huge pile of baggage kills my good mood. The clothes which I have to wash at once, the toys for the beach, which are always covered in sand the whole year, the shoes which I have to dry because the waves of the sea were recently ruthless, a lot of trinkets, and, most importantly of all, souvenirs from the holiday, which we absolutely must bring back home. The parents of young gatherers of everything know what I am talking about: seventeen very beautiful cones, one hundred different stones, a board which apparently was once a raider ship and fifteen sticks, each of which has a different magic power. The most awful thing is that I will have to pack most of these things again...

We try to enrich the journey home with sightseeing tours, which means we usually get back home late in the evening. At home the empty fridge waits for us and the children just behind the doorstep ask "Mum, what we will eat for supper?" Children have such perfect timing 

Today I would like to share with you the recipe for a dish which saves the nerves of the housewife. You have to do a little shopping, but you can find the ingredients in every local shop. It is a slightly more sophisticated approach to the toast which we made in my family home. Ten minutes of preparation, twenty minutes in the oven (when you are able to put the laundry on) and the supper is ready.

Ingredients:
1 pack of chilled French pastry
6 slices of ham
6 slices of cheese
6 eggs
2 tablespoons of nigella

In Poland and in the world there are places which we should see even if only once in our life. Some of them, to my regret, are unavailable because they are dangerous. Fortunately, we can show at least some of them to our children. One place which everybody should see in Poland is Malbork Castle.

This castle, which is the biggest in the world in terms of area, is placed on the banks of the river Nogat and is very impressive. It has been built in phases since 1280 and has been passed from German hands to Polish hands many times. Eventually, after a pounding in 1945 by The Red Army, it was rebuilt and deemed a national monument. In 1997 it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.

Huge but interesting in terms of architecture, this bricky building is intriguing and encourages us to visit it. The features of the castle include: the Karwan Lower Castle, where train equipment, cannons and ammunition were kept; St Wawrzyniec Chapel and outbuildings; the glamorous Medium Castle, which was the political centre of authority and in which we can find St. Bartłomiej Chapel, the Great Refectory, the Grand Master Palace, and the Monastery of the Teutonic Knights, known as the High Castle.

Visiting the castle takes 3.5 hours and is conducted by an experienced guide or (for a fee) with an audio-guide. I don't know any child - even one who is very interested in medieval castles - who patiently follows his parents, listening about the historical and architectonic details of this wonderful castle.

We were in the Góry Sowie (Owl Mountains) for the first time. We tried to book our accommodation quite late, and it turned out that it is difficult to find a room during the holiday weekend. There were a few rooms on offer, but we would have had to put up with a noisy party in the same place. It could be difficult not being at the party but only hearing the noise behind the wall.

When one door closes, another opens. We found a guesthouse called Mała Sowa (Small Owl) in Rzeczka. It was a success. We actively spent three days making use of the nearby attractions in the picturesque setting of Góry Sowie and rested in a friendly and clean guesthouse. Our first impression was excellent because this place pays attention to cleanliness and a nice-looking environment. Manicured grass, various plants, big barbecue area, fireplace, playground and ¬- best of all – calm, which we always need in a place like this.

The rooms and apartments are big, with enough space for baggage. They are arranged with great attention to detail: Old clocks, radios, huge old beds and wooden cupboards like in grandma's home make a nice and cosy impression.