Volume 5
Breastfeeding and motherhood — Lolita by Vladimir Nabakov — Blueberries pancakes recipe — Kitchen essentials — Dinings SW3, London
Happy Sunday and welcome to the fifth edition of Giselle daydreams! In this edition I will delve into a personal topic of motherhood; I will share a thought-provoking novel, one of my favourite breakfast recipe, and my kitchen essentials. I will also review an upscale London restaurant. Enjoy!
Motherhood
My breastfeeding journey
When I got pregnant, many things changed in my mind, and something which was paramount to me was how I would feed my baby. Prior to getting pregnant, I did not know nor think much about breastfeeding. I was not breastfed, and this did not stop me from bonding with my mum. Many people will say it creates a strong bond between mother and baby.
After 7 months of exclusively breastfeeding and one month of weaning, I do feel a special connection when Queen L and I are together during breastfeeding. I cannot explain this ineffable feeling when she looks at me while she latches on my breast and the way I look at her as the world could stop; we are together as a whole. This feeling is priceless and fulfils me with so much joy and love for my daughter.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s been times when we struggled to get a good latch at the beginning, when my boob had a blood blister and the pain it was causing me, the frustration and exhaustion that exclusively breastfeeding bears on the mother. I would be lying if I omit some of the struggles and restrictions exclusively breastfeeding entails. I managed to express milk, sometimes a lot and sometimes none. Most of the time, I couldn’t be bothered to pump every time after breastfeeding, as this was draining. I would only express milk if my boobs were engorged or while breastfeeding. My husband was sometimes feeding her a bottle of expressed milk, but she had more reflux. She isn’t a big fan of bottle feeding, although she likes Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature bottles, except when I give it to her.
I was also well looked after when I first needed help with breastfeeding from the midwives and nurses at the hospital when I gave birth, to meeting a great lactation consultant who helped me understanding everything there is to know about breastfeeding. She showed me different tactics to make sure Queen L would get all the benefits and nutriments from breastmilk.
I like to be comfortable when breastfeeding; if I’m not comfortable Queen L doesn’t latch well. I also prefer to breastfeed at home, although I do end up breastfeeding in restaurants or parks when needed.
I think my husband is partially responsible for enabling me to breastfeed. He was very supportive of this choice, although he did tell me that if breastfeeding was draining or I didn’t manage to breastfeed, like some people, he wouldn’t blame for switching to formula.
Breastfeeding has countless health benefits for both the mother and baby. This was also a reason why I opted for breastfeeding. I also feel pride to see that Queen L is growing thanks to my milk, and it feels very rewarding looking at her chubby cheeks and thighs. She was a small baby, and seeing her getting bigger procures me reassurance that I’m doing something good for her. Looking retrospectively, I am glad I fought and kept breastfeeding so long.
Needless to say it doesn’t matter how you’re feeding your baby as long as what you do works for you.
Finally, a special thank you to Yaffa Judah who captured this beautiful moment.
A book
Lolita by Vladimir Nabakov (1955)
I read Lolita when I was in high school, which was suggested by a friend at the time. She was very well versed in literature and cinema, and I was envious at the time of her eloquence and knowledge.
This novel was written by Russian-American author Vladimir Nabokov, and was first published in 1955 in Paris. It is considered one of the most controversial and influential works of 20th-century literature. The novel is known for its daring narrative style and its exploration of taboo themes, primarily the complex and disturbing relationship between the protagonist, Humbert Humbert, and a young girl named Dolores Haze, whom he calls Lolita.
The novel is presented as a first-person narrative by Humbert Humbert, an erudite and highly intelligent European émigré. Humbert becomes infatuated with young girls, whom he refers to as nymphets. His obsession leads him to become the stepfather of Dolores Haze, whom he affectionately calls Lolita. Humbert manipulates circumstances to be near Lolita and embarks on a cross-country journey with her, engaging in a sexual relationship with the underage girl.
The novel is structured as Humbert's memoir, and he serves as both the protagonist and an unreliable narrator. His narrative attempts to justify his actions, presenting himself as a tragic figure driven by uncontrollable desires. Throughout the story, Humbert engages in a constant struggle with morality, his own conscience, and the law as he continues his illicit relationship with Lolita.
Lolita explores the theme of forbidden love, but it does so in a highly controversial and morally reprehensible context. Humbert's obsession with Lolita is depicted as an extreme and destructive form of love. Humbert Humbert's narrative is deeply unreliable, as he distorts events and justifies his actions. This unreliable narration challenges readers to question the veracity of his account and moral judgments. Nabokov's writing style in Lolita is highly acclaimed for its linguistic virtuosity. He plays with language, employs wordplay, and uses elaborate prose to create a narrative that is both seductive and disturbing. The novel serves as a critique of middle-class morality and the hypocrisy of society. It raises questions about the morality and values of the culture in which Humbert exists. Lolita is rich in literary references and allusions. Humbert is a scholar of literature, and the novel contains discussions of various works, showcasing Nabokov's own literary influences.
Lolita is a highly controversial and polarising work of fiction. While it is celebrated for its literary merits, including its narrative complexity and linguistic artistry, it is also criticised for its disturbing subject matter and the way it portrays the sexual exploitation of a minor. The novel has sparked extensive critical and ethical debates due to Humbert’s ephebophile nature.
Stanley Kubrick adapted the novel into a film (1962). I personally did not enjoy the film, and preferred reading the book. However, I like Kubrick’s films, and in the next edition I will cover my favourite’s film from him. Can you guess which one it is?
A little anedocte was that at university I had to read Russian novels in Russian and I found genius edition that presented one page in French and one page in Russian. I thought that was so avant-garde!
A recipe
Protein pancakes
This is something I like to make for breakfast as it’s nourishing and easy to make. It’s also rich in protein because of the eggs, oats and almond butter. After eating this, I feel satiated until lunch which is also a good thing as a newborn keeps you busy and on your feet!
Don’t mind the monitor, Queen L decided to have a morning nap coinciding with my breakfast. It was a bliss. Not that I don’t like spending every minute of the day with her, I sometimes wonder what my life would be without her around.
Ingredients:
1 ripe banana
2 eggs
¼ cup oats
1 tbsp protein powder (optional - I didn’t use it as the one I want is sold out everywhere!!)
sprinkle of pink Himalayan salt
cinnamon to sweeten
blueberries - fresh or frozen; sometimes I also enjoy raspberries for a change
1 heaped tbsp almond butter
coconut oil for cooking
Instructions:
Blend the banana, eggs, oats, cinnamon and salt together until it becomes a smooth and liquid batter.
Heat some coconut oil in a frying pan on medium heat. When the oil is melted, turn to low heat and add a ladle of batter. Wait until you see some bubbles to form and the edges look dry and set, then flip on the other side. After 1-2min check if it’s golden, if it is, your pancake is ready.
Proceed like this until you finish the batter.
Serve on a plate with blueberries and almond butter. Enjoy!
Option: if you want to make purple pancakes or a baby friendly version, blend 1/4 cup of blueberries or 1/2 cup of raspberries with the ingredients mentioned in the first step.
Home & lifestyle
Kitchen essentials
For those who know me, you know that I love to cook and bake, and I make all my weekday meals at home, unless, I’m invited or head somewhere for lunch or dinner. Therefore, having design and aesthetically pleasing appliances combines necessity and pleasure at the same time.
Smeg kettle a kettle is a very important tool in my household as I’m an avid tea drinker. I also make matcha latte and my golden potion. The recipe will be published in volume 7. I use my kettle daily and when I make pasta or boil potatoes. If I’m honest, the quality of this kettle isn’t optimal, but I like the design, and since I received the toaster as wedding gift, I wanted to get the kettle for the aesthetic to be pleasing to the eyes. I would probably stick to a cheaper option if you feel that this price tag is extortionate for a kettle.
Tefal steam cooker I didn’t consider buying a steam cooker until I realised that I needed one to feed Queen L. I sometimes boil veggies, but I much prefer roasting or grilling veggies in the oven. I’m also about the black aesthetic. Therefore, I had to find one that matched this paramount requirement in our household. I also ended up buying another one as I couldn’t be bothered to take this one in and out at the end. For the mums or mums-to-be reading this, I initially considered buying the Babymoov model, but I didn’t. I was kindly given a Babycook by Beaba by my sister-in-law. However, I love using my blender to make puree as it makes the texture creamy and velvety.
Smeg toaster well, who doesn’t like the retro design of this iconic toaster? I was looking forward to add it on my wedding registry and for someone to buy it. I was extremely excited when I received an email notification that someone purchased it. To be fair, prior to it, I was using the oven as I didn’t make much toasts at home, and I would grill bread with butter and strawberry confiture for my husband. Nonetheless, a toaster is an essential tool in the kitchen, and I like to use for sourdough bread and bagels.
Kitchenaid stand mixer this is the expensive item from the list but I will tell you why I still think it’s something useful to have in the kitchen if you prepare similar recipes. This stand mixer epitomises what wedding registry are all about, and this timeless piece can soon become an essential part of your weekly cooking and baking. I would be lying if I said I use it daily, but I use it regularly. Whether you want to shred meat, beat egg whites, and knead challah dough, this will become your best friend. I make challah every couple of weeks, and not having to knead the dough restlessly for so long feels like a treat. And my nails felt grateful as well. You have the choice of several accessories depending on what you need it for, and it is easy to clean. When I have more time, if I do, I would consider buying the pasta attachment as I think this could become a fun activity to do with Queen L when she gets older, and she would practice her skills to become a domestic goddess from an early age. Back to reality, if you still feel unconvinced, you can still knead dough and beat eggs white manually. This will be a very effective workout, but you won’t have the luxury to let Kitchenaid do its magic while you can multitask. Finally, it looks lavish and elevates any kitchen counter!
Nutribullet blender I think this is by far the best investment I made from this list. It’s not really an investment as Nutribullet positions its pricing mid range, but the quality is definitely there. I like that I can make smoothie, pesto, pancakes batter and dressings. I use it nearly every day, and I find the power good. It’s important to point out that the power wouldn’t be able to handle lots of freezing foods, and it’s not a food processor. Therefore, if you use it to make hummus, you may not enjoy the consistency. The only downside is the capacity to handle larger amounts. It's perfect to use it for one person or to make dressing, pesto, smoothie, pancakes batter. However, if you were to use it for larger quantity, you wouldn’t be able to. You can try your luck and be ready to clean up the mess!
I will publish in the future a wish list with the items I would like to buy and why. Stay tuned!
Restaurant review
Dinings SW3
I chose to review Dinings SW3 as the first proper Japanese restaurant featured in Giselle daydreams (Los Mochis is a hybrid Mexican-Japanese fusion) as this is the restaurant I usually celebrate my birthdays or special occasions.
Dinings SW3 is an elegant modern Japanese restaurant located in Chelsea, and I recommend going on a stroll before or after your meal to wander in the neighbourhood. I enjoy peeking at the mews and leafy buildings nearby, imagining who live in these dreamy dwellings. If you go for lunch, your walk in the area will epitomise the concept of daydreaming at its finest.
This restaurant lavish but worth experimenting if you enjoy Japanese cuisine and want to savour some of the finest sashimi in London. An interesting anecdote is that the courtyard - which I recommend sitting in if the weather permits, supposedly houses one of the oldest trees in London.
I suggest sharing dishes if your eating companion is inclined to do so, as it’s a great way to savour more. We started off with some tar-tar chips, the Toro fatty and Wester Ross salmon. We opted for the Sashimi omakase which was beautifully served and offered with different types of fish and seafood. We also shared a crispy rice and some yuzu ceviche. I am fan of seaweed, therefore, I had to try their salad. Same for the Nasu Dengaku, which was delicious. We like black cod miso, so we also decided to try theirs and see if it was better than Nobu’s famous black cod miso. Finally, you must try is their mini bun and order a few if you’re hungry, and you will not be disappointed!
Regarding the beverages, they offer an extensive selection of sake which pair delightfully with this modern take on Japanese gastronomy.
I went once to the one in Marylebone, where the ambiance is completely different, but I much prefer the Chelsea venue. I hope some of you will take my word and venture for a gourmet experience in Dinings SW3!
I hope you enjoyed the fifth edition of Giselle daydreams.
Giselle xx
I forced you to buy the kettle xoxo
The photographer of the Lolita images, and incidentally also of the cover of the book you show is Bert Stern. Famed a.o. for his work known as The Last Sitting of Marilyn Monroe. A great photographer!
Look forward to trying SW3 dining.