C.T.F.D my parenting aha moment

When we decided to have a child, it wasn't from a burning desire of parenthood that we craved, it was the sense of family and the adding to ours that was important, and my clock was ticking, loudly.  Our first baby was a golden Labrador, and I was smitten.  I thought it would take a lot to push him outside away from a bassinet and our 'real' baby, but it happened.  We fell in love instantly with our girl, but love doesn't pave the road of ups and downs of the new born roller coaster.  I think being well into my 30's didn't help either.  I was selfish, self indulgent, had a great job, great husband who allowed me my freedoms and I thought I could control and handle anything.  

I couldn't have been more wrong.  On so many levels.  

I remember being in hospital after a horrific labour (lets face it none are pretty) being terrified I might hurt her accidentally or drop her or miss a minute or forget to feed her without timing it or wash her bottom wrong, the voice in my head was in overdrive.  I wanted it all to be perfect and it wasn't.  If you don't already know, breastfeeding is hardwork, it is natural but that doesn't mean it's easy.  I was in a hospital and an era that didn't allow dummies and frowned upon formula.  Second wake up call was babies actually don't do as the advert says "sleeping like a baby".  In short, sleep deprivation is a bitch, it's used for torture for a reason.  I was very fortunate to have a supportive husband who was scared of the new born baby but was more than happy to cook for me, clean, do washing, grocery shop and listen to me through my tears.

Don't get me wrong, I loved my little lady. Dearly, heart-breaking love like I'd never felt.  But that crying and being out of control with a little person who you were totally responsible for and who depended on you for everything was so scary.  I was used to my dog, who didn't answer back, went out side and weed on command and allowed me 10 hours sleep a night, uninterrupted.  I'll own up to trying to be Super-mum, miss perfect, but it served no-one most of all myself.  

Fast forward almost 7 years and there are days I still battle with parenthood.  The problem for me is perfectionism and control.  I hate mess and I sweat the small stuff.  When I worked it was terrible.  My alarm would go off and I'd hit the ground running and shouting, barking orders like a drill sergeant to get out of the door by 8am.  Now I'm not working, I'm still nagging orders to get to school on time with a list of things that is needed for one school day.  But I'm trying to relax a tad.  But gee it's hard!

This year, one of my new years resolution is to try and not sweat the small stuff so much.  To let go of sweeping the floors each day and wiping the little fingerprints off the fridge every morning.  I had learned over the past few months the benefits of being mindful and living in the moment, but man I find it hard.  I figure I really need to walk the talk.  

Photo taken by Bek of  Bex Photograph 

One thing I really find challenging is playing.  I'm not sure why but I get hot and clammie the moment my girl asks me to play a game.  "Um, in a minute honey", "you start and I'll join you" but I rarely do.  Am I alone with this?  I don't think so.  I marvel at those families that can sit down and play scrabble or play schools without the need to do anything else inbetween.

I had a really big a-ha moment, Oprah would have been proud of.  I read a wonderful, if not funny article that's been flying around facebook. You can read the article here but be warned they do drop the "f"bomb, but the sentiment I'm running with....CTFD! Its's my new motto in my head "Calm the F#ck Down" and it refers to us parents not the children.  I've been instilling this CTFD attitude for a few weeks now, and wow it really is helping and working!  I'm working on lowering my expectations of how my house 'should' look and trying to concentrate on what is actually 'happening' and trying not to miss it.

I really am enjoying putting my super hero pants back in the knickers draw where they belong and living a more real mindful life.

Ciao, Jan

The christmas gift most worth giving can be free

I love Christmas.  There I've said it.  I've been lucky enough to have wonderful memories of the day spent with loved ones.  I love the food and the giving and the nana nap with a tummy bursting at the seams.  I always feel content and happy on Christmas day.  Now that I've grown and have my own child who has the innocence still surrounding Christmas, it really is a magical time of year.  It really makes me sad that you hear all the time, "Oh I'm too busy for Christmas" or "I can't wait for it to be over".  I think the pressure people have come to put on the giving at Christmas is to blame, wouldn't it be great if there really was a big fat man who came down the chimney and left us a barrel load of presents!?  

Christmas is so different now compared to when I was young (oh my god! Did I just say that....)It was all about the presents and being huddled around the tree taking turns opening them.  I remember having to wait and wait for that special something I desperately wanted Santa to bring.  There is one Christmas I remember vividly, I think I was around 6 or 7 years old. I ran down the long hall to the lounge room, around the corner and to the tree and was sadly disappointed there was no pretty pink bike with glittery tassels hanging from the handle bars.  But then, Mum said, whats that behind you? And there it was.  My bike. Today our children don't have to wait for a thing and I've been guilty as charged.  Roll on 20 years and thanks to Mr.Mastercard, Australians will reportedly spend upwards of 700 million dollars.  I don't know about you but my stomach just flipped.  And sadly to make it even scarier, it will be on a huge number of unwanted gifts given by well meaning family and friends.  Do you even remember what you got last year? 

I'm quite old fashioned when it comes to Christmas, I still prefer to hand write Christmas cards and sending a text or emailing is fine as well.  But its cards that really make if feel like Christmas.  Having my mantle heaving under their weight warms my heart, and to consider having it bare would make me sad.  Not that I count them or hold a grudge for not getting them off friends, its more a feeling they give me as a Christmas tradition.  I've an old work colleague who I actually haven't seen in 17 years but we exchange cards every year at Christmas.  I'd be so disappointed to not get his card if one year he decided to stop, I'd still send it.  My nan exchanges  a Christmas card with a man in Italy who she met as a teenager during wartime in Australia.  Its just a lovely thought that at this time of year it doesn't matter that you haven't seen nor heard from loved ones or dear friends but its the Christmas excuse of the card that allows all to be forgiven. This year I did think of forgoing the tradition, but I just can't.  I enjoy the ritual of sitting down and going through the motions.

This year I've down sized the amount we spend at Christmas and it really hasn't been that hard.  Its not just because I'm being a tight arse either. Nor is it with much thought about landfill waste or our carbon footprint. I've focused on instead on replacing thoughtless gifts given for the sake of it with thoughtful gifts. No, I don't mean being a Scrooge or dare I say it regifting! If you have been reading my blog you will have seen some of what I'm making my loved ones in the way of edible gifts but one thing that is free that I'm doing for my closest family is an appreciation letter.  

When you think about it, all anyone wants is to be truly valued and felt appreciated and loved.  To be told is very foreign to many of us and to actually take the time to sit and write a few words about a loved one and why you cherish them is really a beautiful thing.  I will admit to feeling a little dorky writing it down but I remember my hubby and I did it for our Wedding anniversary this year and it really felt wonderful as both the giver and the receiver. It can just be added to the poor forgotten left hand side of the Christmas Card that is always left blank or on some paper that can be saved and read over and over again. It may be free but its value and warmth will be priceless.

Would you consider doing an appreciation letter for a loved one this year?  Have you ever been guilty of regifting?   

Ciao, Jan.
                         ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This post is dedicated to my dear friend Robyn who sadly lost her mother a week ago.  My thoughts and prayers are with you at this very sad time. 

Much love Jan xxx

Week 1 down of the DD challenge & some garden treasures

Oh I just love how good decluttering feels.  Little effort for big rewards!  I don't know about you, but when I rid myself of the clutter it eases and declutters my mind.  Strange, but true.  This past week I've tackled my daughters bedroom and things are looking up.  I've smuggled out 2 garbage bags full of stuffed animals, books that she has out grown, a zillion pom poms, pipe cleaners, scraps of paper, stickers and other craft supplies that have seen better days, seemingly unnoticed!! I'm so sneaky but it does highlight how little our kids take notice of whats around them without too much attachment unlike some of us adults.  I haven't taken the really special things played with over and over or that have been hugged to death, I'm just certain the used craft supplies and bits of paper hoarded aren't really of any use even to a desperately crafty child! 

The technique I used this past week that I love, and will put it through its paces again this week, was putting the kitchen timer on for 10 minutes, putting some music on and going my hardest for that time.  Each day I tackled a different room and put the items that didn't belong back where they did live or into the recycle, bin or op shop piles. You could just do this all week to one problem area in your home.  The kitchen, a bedroom, the garage, the car, the lounge, the linen press, the office/study or the childrens play area/bedroom will be transformed with just 10 minutes a day.  Be ruthless.  Go on, you can't take it with you.

Do you have some clutter 'hot spots'? Places that just grow stuff no matter how hard you try to keep it minimal and zen like?  It amazes me how I can NOT, no matter how I try, keep the end of the kitchen bench clear of my crap.  You need to put your keys, handbag, your latest magazine, school notices, mobile phone, a book you are reading or your knitting somewhere don't you?  I'm never going to have a sterile spotlessly clean decluttered home like you see in home beautiful.  Although, it can look like that at the start of some particularly good weeks, but it doesn't last long.  Honestly, its a waste of precious time and energy being a total slave to you house. Add a child into the equation and a husband that can walk over the same toy on the ground for days and you are seriously setting yourself up for failure if that type of perfection is high on your list.  Lower your standards just a little.  Let it go.  

I worked with a woman once who wouldn't let her kids play in their bedrooms as she didn't want them to mess them up. I'm serious.  They were show stoppers those rooms.  Perfection at its finest.  But that sort of pressure must be toxic to a person don't you think, not to mention the tension it caused the whole house, just for order.  if you are constantly picking up after little maniacs people, do it once a day, get them to help if they are old enough or do it after they have gone to bed or if you really can't cope that long, do it once at lunchtime and then at the end of the day.  While you are cleaning up the day's fun remnants, pour yourself a wine or make a cupa and put the timer on and go for it!  You may as well do a quick declutter while you are at it.  Your sanity will thank you.  Remember, there is a difference between a clean but messy house and a dirty one.  Kids need to make a mess, its in their DNA, the more you fight it the more stress and tension there will be.  Lighten up just a little.  

                                                                            This coming week I'm decluttering my facebook account.  Firstly, I want to clear the air.  I like facebook for many reasons.  It makes me feel connected to my friends, allows me to share special moments, brag items, fill in time and if I'm honest, its where I get my news content of whats happening in the world, sad but true.  I have an 'A gluttonous wife' page that I've got some likers on.  Half are people I do not know, but for what ever reason, they have decided they like what they see and have clicked on the 'like' button that has changed the world.  I am very grateful for support and have actually made 'friends' with people on there who are like minded people and feel some kind of connection.  So thank you from the bottom of my heart if you are one of them reading this .  I truly value my readers and likers and feel very blessed to be living out my hobbie in this internet space. 

What I'm talking about decluttering is my personal facebook page.  I know it isn't polite to say, but here it is my friends, the cold hard truth....I have many 'friends' on facebook as I'm sure you do too if you were silly lucky enough to start.  I have people on there that I haven't actually spoken a word to since primary school and that wasn't yesterday nor was it always a meaningful exchange.  I have 'friends' who have turned the other way to dodge saying hello in the supermarket or crossed the street in avoidance but are happy to share with me their childs precious moments or their deepest darkest feelings about something or other.  To me this is just plain weird.  So I'm sorry if I offend anyone, I really don't like hurting peoples feelings deliberately, I'm a lover not a fighter, but I am deleting non-friends on facebook and decluttering my feed.  I'm just being honest and if you are still my friend on there, you are special to me in your own way.  

Other areas I will be hitting in the house this week will be the plastics cupboard in my kitchen.  You all know what I'm talking about.  If you are one of those people who have organised caddies and glass containers, I applaud you.  I can't open the door of this cupboard without a lid or a container falling out and I'm sick to death of it!  Its time to finally throw out the lids with lost bottoms for once and for all.

So tell me dear reader, what is on your decluttering radar this week?  

If you want to start the challenge(I know its Christmas silly season but seriously, less than 10 minutes a day), its not too late!! You can read more about it here  to find out how to start.  If you really are lacking motivation, invite someone over for a cuppa...nothing like company coming to get your A into G!

                            ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In gardening news, it was garlic and onion harvest at our house this weekend.  It makes me so happy to see the fruits of my hubbies labour come to maturity.  So motivating and rewarding to be plaiting up your own garlic and onions let me tell you. It just gets my cooking juices flowing.  I can feel a garlic pizza and some caramelised onion jam coming on!!

Ciao, Jan

The weekend wrap and my first rally

It was a beautiful weekend in my parts, sun was shining and the kitchen was kept busy with lots coming in from the garden.  So I thought I'd just show you some pictures of the goings on....

My girl had lots of fun making these little pizzas with my christmas cookie cutters....ham cheese and prawn if you don't mind!

Potato & Rosemary for the grown ups

Free-range roasted chicken (yep thats butter under the skin, diet starts tomorrow!)

An easy herb 'pesto' although there is no cheese, just herbs (coriander, mint,parsley), walnuts, sunflower kernels, s & p, evoo and lemon juice

This pesto is a perfect addition to this broadbean, silverbeet and feta frittata.  We have silverbeet coming out of our you know where, but I love it put through its paces.  I just use it where you might find spinach in a dish.  For this frittata, take 6-7 freerange eggs, a good dollop of pesto and whisk together with a few slurps of soy milk, or regular milk, lets say 1/3 of a cup

gently steam 5 or 6 silverbeet with the stalks removed and roughly chopped  with the broadies for around 3 minutes.  Wring out any excess water and allow to cool slightly before folding through your eggy mixture along with some salt and pepper, don't be stingy

Grease a flan dish and pour in egg mixture and dot with a good feta.  I used this local Apostle Whey feta from a producer an hour away

A perfect match for my chutney

Away from the kitchen, Sunday was national day of climate change action and there was a group action in my home town.  I went with my daughter and a friend to show our support but was disappointed that there was only a small group of 50 or so considering our towns population of over 30,000 people.  But, from little things big things grow.

This ladies sign is 14 years old and was made for a World summit rally all those years ago

Everyone was encouraged to wear hot summer colours

sign the petition

Advance Australia fair!

While we are on the sustainablity mantra, I brought a box of new loo paper which arrived last week.  I'm here to tell you I'm really impressed. The company is called Greencane.  It is made from the residue left over from sugar extraction, so aims to minimize deforestation and is made to world standard eco accreditaion.  I shallowly love the whiteness of this paper and its more luxurious feel and look.  I do prefer it over the who gives a crap toilet paper if I had to choose, but I love the idea behind both of these companies and will alternate between the two though to throw my support at both.

Had some time for relaxing with some foodie mags, many a cupa and a yummy afternoon tea of fresh mango, greek yoghurt, walnuts & chia seeds (I'm addicted to them)

I've also found my knitting mojo and have completed my first poppy for the 5,000 poppy project, I'm loving the process, its a quick and easy pattern, I might keep going past the original aim of 3....

So thats it, a lovely quiet yet productive weekend.  Now that Monday is here, there is lots coming up on the blog as my creative juices have been flowing.

Did you attend the climate change rally in your area?  I saw some pictures of the one held in Melbourne and the numbers looked impressive which is great.  I'll leave you with one of the speakers lines which have been ringing in my ears, it was a lovely speach but 3 words that made me stand up straighter and pay attention were "I condemn ignorance", I'm making it my duty to become well informed, will you?  

Ciao, Jan

10 things you can do today to help our planet

For some of us, being green can seem all too hard. Did I just hear you sigh? We are too busy, too set in our ways, too use to the easy option of living thoughtlessly, over spending, over buying and filling our bins to the brim with it all.  There's no doubt that change can be hard for most of us.  I'm no hippy, not in the slightest, I still own a shaver and dye my hair but I'll admit to hugging a tree. I just feel there are little things we can do on an individual level that can really make a big difference.  I'm not breaking new ground here, we've heard that phrase a million times before. But where can you start without being overwhelmed? 

These 10 things I think you can easily do and start TODAY, that will help our planet and can also start a more thoughtful connection to your life if that's what you are chasing, I know I am.

1. Buy a water jug with a filter and ditch the bottled water.  Refill your bottles on the way to work, the gym, going out and about.  While you're buying the water jug, buy a refillable takeaway coffee mug too, better still, take the extra time to relax and enjoy that coffee at your fav cafe.

2.  Turn off your lights, heater, central heating and air conditioner.  Not only will you be helping the environment, you will be saving money.  Its not really that hard to go and put on an extra jumper, grab a snuggly blanket, crack open your blinds or move to a brigter spot instead of turning on every light in the house. Open a door for some fresh cool air when its hot, or take a layer off, don't scare the neighbours with a nudie run though.  It amazes me the lack of thought that goes on in the minds and homes of some people, just pure and utter waste of our precious resources. 

3.  Dry your clothes using nature not the clothes dryer.  With the weather improving there really isn't any reason you should use the dryer. Invest in some drying racks or use your old hills hoyst.  Oh but I'm too busy I hear you moan, well get the kids to help or your partner or get up 5 minutes earlier, it doesn't take that long. Think about this, are you one who uses the dryer and leaves them in there only to have to then iron the crinckled up clothes? There's your time saved right there people, don't iron, line dry them instead.  

4.  Turn the water off when you brush your teeth and wash them in the sink not in the shower.  Simple one really. While you're at it, turn the shower off while you wash your hair, its hard to do this in winter, freezing your toosh off, but with the warmer weather coming its fine.  Have a think about the water setting on your washing machine, do you ever change it fit your needs? Water is such a precious resource and we waste it by the gallon.  If you really want to make an impact, buy a water tank, imagine the taste of your cups of tea made with pure rain water...

5. Walk more.  Can you walk to work even one day a week? Can the kids walk, ride or skoot to school?  The good old chestnut of parking your car further away is a good one too.

6.  Grow a lettuce or a herb.  Start small if you are scared.  Mint is hardy and unforgiving as is rosemary, parsley and sage.  Buy a plant that is already established, pop it in a sunny spot but I'm afraid you will have to remember to water it.  But if you have to remember to water one pot why not water 10? It will put your compost that you're about to make to good use too.

7. Compost.  Ok this isn't exactly a sinch, but won't take you more than an hour or so to set up.  Start by putting a good sized container either on your kitchen sink or under the sink in the cupboard, an old icecream container would do.  Put in it any vegie and fruit scraps, egg shells, spent coffee grounds, old bread, tea bags, but definately no citrus or onions or garlic~the worms don't like them. You can buy a worm farm that will also have a tap you can get worm juice out to put on your plants as a liquid fertilizer, but you can just pick an unused spot of grass, around a metre square would do. You want to encourage the worms up out of the ground into it to help compost down your mound.  Put the scraps, lawn clippings, newspaper on the ground with  something over the top like a dodgy old piece of carpet, an old blanket, some old boards. Keep adding to it, lifting the cover each time by the way, and til it over with a rack once a week or so.  After awhile you will end up with a lovely rotted mix to put with potting mix, rack it around your existing plants, or dig it into your soil.  This is composting at its most basic form, do some research if you are really keen.

8. Recycle and reuse.  Come on, its a no brainer really.  Recycle bins are supplied by most councils these days.  Here's a quick rundown on what you can recycle: most plastics, bottles, glass jars(but if you live near me I'll take them for my preserves), newspapers (although you can use that on your compost heap or start reading your news online), magazines (give them away to people don't throw them out), letters, envelopes, junk mail (better still get a sticker and stop the junk), and cardboard.  If in doubt, google it!  Reuse things, or donate them or give them to a friend, get the kids to make 'craft' out of it.  Use face washers instead of wipes.  Put your used paper towel in the compost or any letters or any paper for that matter.  A good use for any gardeners out there is to use toilet rolls for your seedlings. Fill them up with potting mix and add a seed or seedling.  Once the plant is a bit bigger, plant the whole thing straight in the ground or pot, the toilet roll will compost down and will keep your plant nicely protected from planting stress. I could go on......oh I could.

9.  Take your own bags to the supermarket....needs no explaining.

10. Don't wash your clothes as often.  Are those jeans you wore today really dirty? Is that pair of socks your baby wore today really muddy? I doubt it.  

Damn, we are already at 10, I have more things! But that should start you off nicely. Only you can do this, take responsibility for your part in this life and think of what our actions are really doing.  Its really not hard, its living consciously. Kids especially love this stuff.  My girl knows to put things to the worm farm, recycle bin and the like, because its just what we do.  

I can hear some of you moaning.  But seriously, is there even just ONE of these you could implement today? Your planet will thank you later.  If like me you are chafing at the bit to get started and want more info, check out this eco blog, its full of inspiration and some witty eye opening posts.

I'll leave you with this quote I read recently.

When we destroy something created by man 

we call it vandalism....

When we destroy something by nature.... 

we call it progress

Ciao, Jan

Sometimes even a pile of poo grows pretty flowers....

Sorry about the title but it sort of sums up this post.....I've been doing some fixing up of the layout of my blog, I've still got a ways to go, I'm really not that computer savvy, I can type fine but ask me to format a word document with funky indents etc and I'm a goner...don't tell my old bosses.  It was interesting going back and looking at all I have written in the past few months and do you know what? Thank god for my blog thats all I can say. I'll be forever grateful to the friends and family who encouraged me to do it.

From this blog you can't see that I'm not well, or sad, or angry or fed up.  I haven't been feeling especially chirpy this past week or so due to my illness, well really I haven't been well for 10 months but this little patch has been particularly bad, frustrating and leaving me having many pity parties for one.  My biggest frustration is the mind is willing but the body is unable.  This blog gives me the drive to get up off the couch and create something, anything, try new things in the kitchen for inspiration for the blog, read other blogs on the internet which is opening my eyes up to a newer simpler life, commit to silly challenges, delve into recipes I've previously deemed too tricky like bread, put on a happy persona and it gets me outside to take a look around for some possible photos to add.  Really look.  I don't profess to be any sort of photographer by the way, just me and my trusty  phone.  But every picture tells a story and its fun trying to get a good snap anyway, and it takes my mind of whats really going on inside of me.  So for that I'm extremely grateful.

Today I walked out my back door and I thought I'd share the little things that are happening that can otherwise get missed.....

The first picture up the top are my first apricots off the tree we planted last year, if I can eat some, bottle some or make jam I may just die from pure bliss.  We also planted a nectarine tree and have a peach tree that self seeded from our worm farm 8 years ago that gives us fruit too.  There is nothing quite like standing in your own backyard and eating from a tree, bush or plant that you have cared for and nurtured and coaxed along.

Below the most perfect silverbeet I've seen, not a grubby hole insight, it will become steamed and fried with garlic, chilli, lemon juice and evoo as a side dish over the weekend.

                                                         

Above are flowers that will become super sweet, juicy strawberries and they are everywhere, hubbies old guttering planter beds are working a treat! You can just make out the dripper system he painsakenly made for them in the background.

My never fail Granny Smith Apple tree is showing its first blossoms.  We've treated the codling moth that rears its ugly head occasionally so I'm planning my appley delights already....I'm dying for my walnut & apple cake, apple and rhubarb crumble and plain old stewed apples.

Most important of all, is my buddy Magic.  Isn't he just the ducks nuts!  My daughter named him and even though the name doesn't roll off the tongue, he's been Magic for me.  He's my walking buddy, always there with a slobbery kiss and a big wag of his stumpy tail. (He lost 1/3 when born, and is affectionately know sometimes as Stumpy Johnson), he's a gentle old soul in the body of a silly 7 month olds body.  Oh and I'll let you into a doggie secret.  See the totem tennis to the right? We brought it for our daughter but its Magics toy. He seriously gets hours of fun out of it everyday.  Best 15 bucks we've ever spent!! And a god send for those days when a walks too much for me.

So thrill seekers, that's it.... its the little things that you find in amongst an otherwise stale day that can make your heart sing.  Why out of a shitty situation you must find some sunshine, some pretty flowers because they are there.

Why not get outside and smell the roses for 15 minutes, it will do you the world of good and you just might see something new.

Ciao, Jan

Indulgence

Indulgence.....I have the word indulge pride of place in my kitchen for obvious reasons but I'm slowly coming to some conclusions....

I use to think that putting everyone else before me at the top of my list was what I should be doing.  I have come to realise that caring for myself is not self indulgence, it is a necessity. If we don't look after ourselves who will? They say if the woman of the home is happy then the others around them are too and I totally believe this.  

I've seen first hand how things can fall apart.  But start looking after yourself, exercising which ever way tickles your fancy but walking is free, easy and so good for you, eating well and taking time out to do some things that fills you up mentally can mend a weary soul.  When I went away on my solo adventure to do just this, I had some interesting reactions, mainly from woman. "Really, what will you do", "Is your husband letting you" "I'd love to do that" "Oh...." I felt with some people I had to lie, say I was meeting up with someone, I'm not sure why but I felt guilty.  When I returned I told the truth, was actually proud of what I'd done, and that I was 'allowed' to go.  My husband pushed me out the door to go. Lucky, well maybe but even when you are married its important to keep 'yourself', and I'd certainly lost my way.

Indulgence means different things to different people.  For some its clothes shopping, shopping for yet another pair of shoes, make up, handbags and filling their homes with more stuff.  Don't get me wrong I LOVE shoes and who doesn't need make up these days, well I know I need all the help I can get somedays! 

Lately too, I'm finding that ridding myself of some things in my life I do without pleasure so I can spend time with people who I love and doing things I love is underrated.  Ridding myself of clutter to be left with only the things that give me any value, its hard and a slow process but it feels great.  



For me I have a list of indulgences that make me happy and they are in no particular order:

• having that time early in the morning, when the house is quiet and its just you and a coffee and maybe the internet.
• going to the beach and feeling the sand in your toes and smelling the salty air.
• grocery shopping preferably in a gourmet food store free to scour the aisles for new ideas. Preferably with a no limit credit card and I'd be in indulgence city.
• having quiet time walking, cooking, working in the garden.
• having time with good friends over food and a good bottle of wine with a few laughs thrown in.
• cooking for people I love.
• being with my family.

When was the last time you took some time out for yourself to indulge? 

You should JFDI. 

Ciao, Jan

You are more than just a number

Warning....this one is personal....Growing up as a child I was always the heavy one and so the trend continued in my teens. It was down to genes, hormones and the like, but I also comfort ate, usually out of boredom. The closer to twenty I got the lighter I became, I was independent and working in the big smoke, making new friends and having new experiences.  I was so happy I went out and brought myself my first set of scales....Fast forward nearly 20 years (gulp) I am still a serial daily weigher....but that is about to change. 

I'm getting rid of them, not throwing away you may note. I'm edgy just thinking about the move.  How will I know if I gain weight? How will I know my number?  For the first time in a long time I'm over it. I'm over the number messing with my happiness at the beginning of the day.  I'm over thinking I will be happy when I get to xyz number.  Why am I giving my power away to a number? To a scale? Seems stupid when you think of it. And I'm doing it for my daughter. I always make sure she isn't around nor do I talk about anything to do with weight, being fat, being on a diet in front of her, but they are sponges and soon she will be onto me and I really don't want her to have this same pointless bad, habit

.

I'm suffering from an illness called Migraine Associated Vertigo or Vestibular Migraines. It causes dizziness like you are on a boat, extreme exhaustion, and chronic neck and shoulder pain but unlike a typical migraine no headaces. Unless of course my body throws one of those in for good measure. Thanks to some drugs I'm improving but its a day by day monkey on my back, but out of it has come many positives. This blog being one, giving me something else to focus on with all my time laying horizontal, another counting my blessings as there is always someone worse off.  It has made me really re-evaluate the important things in life and me doing my head in everyday over some scales is over.  I've weighed, apart from gaining 20kgs when I was pregnant, around about the same for over 20 years.  I don't think weighing myself has anything to do with this now that I looking back.  

It has to do with my lifestyle and how much I love to cook from scratch, eat healthily, walking most days for exercise of the mind and body.  I'm not going to suddenly turn my car into the kfc drive through or have a secret chocolate binge, just because I don't weigh myself,it isn't me.  Nor am I going to ever have thin legs like my cousin. Damn it!!

So the only scales I will be using from now on, are the ones to cook with!

Ciao, Jan

My high horse served up with slow cooked coq au vin

As you know I've been on my high horse about buying Australian made, you can read about it here if you missed it. So this week I went to the supermarket and am proud to say brought 98% Australian made and/or owned. No doubt it took longer, but as I walked aisle to aisle searching, I felt that at least I was doing my bit.  Coincidently on the radio on the way, Dick Smith was on the Neil Mitchell program (I am officially an old fart) saying his company is on the brink of closure as the products weren't being supported. You can read more about it here. So the first thing I did at Woolies was search for his tomato sauce and brought a couple of bottles.  Further on my travels I brought his peanut butter too and some more SPC tinned fruit to help their plight.  It will take less time next week as I now know what to look for. What little things could you switch to?  Really think about it. Don't forget about it next week. Its these little things that add up to helping an awesome cause, our country.

So off I went to the local market on Sunday.  I was thrilled to buy not only local produce, but organic as well from "Merri Banks".  

My haul from the farmers market

The farmer had beautiful garlic, celeriac and kale which I will work my meals around for the next few days.  I also got some free range eggs, cauliflour, spuddies, apples and tomatoes.  I can't wait to go back again next weekend, my only gripe would be I wish it was on Saturday then I'd have the whole weekend to work with and not be rushing out the door on Sunday!  

I love having the slow cooker on. It means dinner is taken care of in the morning as it works its magic. After coming home from the market I got to making Coq au vin. It means " chicken cooked in wine" in French but the recipe is chicken pieces cooked in red wine, bacon, mushrooms and optionally garlic. An option I gladly took on. A necessity really.  I used good quality free range chicken legs, already trimmed up. You can also use thighs and wings but please, please don't use breast for this. It is a waste. These long braises are ideal for meat on the bone that will sing after hours of gentle cooking. Breast will just go tough so save them for a quick cooking method. Also, don't be tight with your plonk. The saying that if its not fit to drink then its not fit to cook with should be your motto, and you need to taste the wine so it needs to be drinkable :) The rest of the bottle will be a perfect match with it too.  I'm going to break from tradition and add some kale to this at the last minute and also pair it up with potato and celeriac mash, I can hardly wait.

Coq au vin

8 chicken pieces

2 rashers of bacon, sliced and excess fat removed

8 eshallots, peeled and kept whole

1 eshallot, finely diced

4 sprigs of fresh thyme

3 bay leaves, fresh or dried

5 large portebello mushrooms, thickly sliced

2 cloves of garlic, minced

2 tbspn plain flour

S & P

1 cup of red wine

1 litre of water or chicken stock

1/2 bunch kale

1 celeriac, peeled and chopped

3 spuds peeled and chopped

Put the flour and s & p in a freezer bag along with the chicken pieces and give a good shake. This flour will help thicken up the stock. 

In a frypan heat some oil and fry the pieces in batches. You want them to go golden, make sure they sizzle. Add your thyme and a little extra s & p, turning a few times. Put the batches straight into the slow cooker. 

  In the same pan, don't you dare wipe it out as you need all those brown bits for added flavour, heat a few drops more oil and lightly fry your diced eshallot, whole eshallot, garlic, and bacon. After a few minutes, deglaze the pan with the wine, it will bubble up and let it reduce for a few minutes. 

Add this to the slow cooker along with your mushies, bay leaves and stock or water.  Put the lid on, setting on high, and come back in 5-6 hours. Add the sliced kale just before serving. Peel some spuds and a celeriac, boil until tender and mash with a dash of milk, s & p and butter.  Don't forget to fill your wine glass and savour every bite.

Ciao, Jan