Sneaky all natural icy poles for the kids

I made these sneaky little suckers the other day, Rhubarb icy poles.  I did steal the recipe from my foodie crush Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.  They are delicious, easy and the kids will love them. I explained the ease that you can grow your own rhubarb here if you want to have a read about it, we have a wonderful supply most of the year.  My daughter was wrapt to come home from school and have one.  I told a white lie though, I said they were apple and honey cause if I'd said Rhubarb my darling heart wouldn't have touched them....what she doesn't know won't hurt her!!

Rhubarb Icy Poles

4-5 stalks of Rhubarb, cleaned and peeled ~ see the picture above, you want to get rid of any stringy bits

2 tbspns of honey

1/2 cup of brown sugar but caster sugar would do, or leave it out altogether.

1 cup or so of orange juice, freshly sqeezed if you can or bottled is fine

                           

Put it all in a saucepan and bring to a simmer, let it bubble away for 15 mins or until the Rhubarb is super tender.  Whizz in a blender and allow to cool slightly.  Pour into icy pole moulds and freeze.

You could use any fruit for these really, I've got some frozen blueberries that need using up for my next batch.  I'm going to omit the orange juice and add just a splash of water and boil them, blitz them and fold them through some natural yoghurt for our own homemade yoghurt ice creams.Yum!

These ones are for the grown ups, rhubarb gelati!!

Bring on summer!

Ciao, Jan

Far out lentils and sprouts

Let me tell you a secret.  You know those packets of alfalfa, beetshoots and sprouts you get at the supermarket for around $3 a pop, you could make loads more with that dollar amount using dried lentils, sprouting seeds and peas.  We have started our summer ritual of growing our own sprouts.  An awesome addition to a salad, wrap,  sandwich, added as a garnish to soup, a stirfry, homemade ricepaper rolls, spring rolls or a juice for that matter. 

Visitors always ask, "whats that on your bench" and its our sprout tower. These sprout trays you can get from Bunnings and the like, but if you are really wanting to get creative they can be done in a plain old jar.  You will have to add clean water each day, which slowly drips through the tower and collects at the base, but thats it.  You can buy the spout packs at most good garden centres but you can just use your kitchen supply of dried peas, chickpeas, nuts, seeds and lentils and its honestly a piece of p!ss.  Better still they are so good for you, rich in essential nutrients, amino acids, antioxidents and chlorophyll (a powerful blood cleanser)

A beautiful simple salad to make with these goes like a little something like this

Lentil, sprout, pea and herb salad

1 tin of brown lentils, I cheated as sometimes its easier, you only need a few tablespoons of lentils

1 spring onion finely sliced

1 handful of fresh garden peas or defrosted and drained well peas but fresh are in season and taste like a slice of heaven

1 handful of rocket leaves

1 handful of parsley leaves

few sprigs of mint finely sliced

1 handful of mixed sprouts

30g or so of shaved parmesan, seriously don't weigh it, just get your vegie peeler and go your hardest for about 10 shaves worth.  Save a couple for your pretty garnish

a mustardy vinegarette, so tspn english mustard, a tspn evoo, 2 tspn apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper, put on a jar and shake well, should be able to really taste the vinegar tang and be well seasoned.

smige of balsamic glaze

Toss all ingredients in a bowl, except the balsamic glaze and 3 shaves of parmesan.  Arrange on a plate, top with the parmesan and drizzle with balsamic glaze, if you aren't worried about the fat a drizzle of evoo will be delightful here too.  Like all my salad recipes you can omit or add what you like really, nuts, meat, eggs or fish would work equally as well with this as would grated carrot or beetroot, a few slices of avocado, chopped up tomatoes, go wild!

I had this with a wedge of silverbeet frittata which I'll add in a few days.

Get sprouting people, peace out.

Ciao, Jan

Break up with the supermarket challenge ~ week one down!

This break up is going extremely well, no tears, no withdrawal and certainly no going back for a quickie.  I'm free!  I haven't been near the big boys and haven't missed them one teeny bit.  What I've found has filled me with hope and if things stay this way, I may break up for good.  

So let me tell you a bit about my shopping experience this past week.  Sorry its a thesis but I just wanted to share.

I shopped at the local fruiterer and had a lovely conversation about our kids with one of the owners and left smiling. I can get my delicious greek yoghurt there, pulses, nuts, olive oils and a few other kitchen staples, amazing when you open your eyes.  I noticed at a local coffee shop too that they were selling sea salt flakes for $5, bloody bargain!!! I brought our meat from a large butchers where I asked about the chance they could stock some free range goods~they sounded enthusiastic but actions speak louder than words!! Will have to see on that one.  I went to the opposition health food shop and was greeted with lovely customer service and knowledge of what I was after.  I must admit, I didn't need anything but I wanted to see if it was any better than the first one I talked about last week, but I will give them another go, everyone is entitled to a bad day,   

some of my new organic goodies

My happiest shopping moments came from IGA the independent little man.  I was nervous, I didn't know this place very well, it was my once in a blue moon supermarket booty call.  I drove into the car park and my pleasant experience started.  No waiting for a park, there were tons of them available, no sign of the agitation I usually feel driving into the Woolies dodgem car park where your lucky if you don't get collected walking across the pedestrian crossing.  I grabbed my green bags and free trolley and off I went.  

I was after some organic produce too after reading alot about it (that's another long story....), it's time to switch to some, a little bit at a time.  There was a large variety to choose from which was my first surprise and even though some things were expensive ($12 for the eco organic drinking chocolate that is replacing my wicked addiction of a $5 a pkt of 12 Jarrah hot chocolates a week. I'm ridding my body of artificial sweeteners, evil it is, pure evil.)  I noticed that the majority of the shoppers were elderly and the mood was rather relaxed, no one was rushing around.  My greatest joy was at the register. The middle aged lady serving me was cheerful and genuinely seemed to want to know how my day was.  I nearly dropped dead with shock when she asked me if I'd like a hand out to the car with my groceries. Really? Oh yes! I didn't take her up on it but I was more than impressed. Good old fashioned customer service at its finest, I'm a sucker for it.  I could have just high fived the little old lady that drummed up a conversation with me at the checkout only to give me a wave and a smile in the carpark.  Where the hell was I? I liked this place.

I was way chuffed to actually find
this product, love the name!

Even though I brought some organic produce there wasn't a multi buy in sight so I didn't over spend at the IGA.  I did well and truly get a tad excited in the Health food shop so this weeks total of $345 is about $70-80 more than I normally spend.  I'm hoping I won't be so excited next week and that amount will be down, it better be or I'll have to give up somthing, but it won't be my hot chocolate, it, by the way is heavenly.

If I have to be honest the only thing making me hot and sweaty about the break up is the everyday rewards points at Woolies, I'm a junkie.  I want them!!!! They are connected to my Qantas frequent flyer points that I've been on a mission to accumulate for a trip to god knows where, but in all honesty if its for the detriment of real money in the bank and a better shopping experience, then I'll forego it.  I really need to unsubscribe from the scheme online though as Woolies and their liquor department must know I'm not shopping there.  They keep sending me emails of points giveaways and discount offers..but I won't be broken damn them!  But it is SO hard to resist buying 6 bottles of my beloved wine with 30% off in anyone's terms, but I will stay strong.  But I may need a wine to help me.

So thats me, how did you go?  I would love to hear of anyone else's experiences be them good or bad.  If you want to start its not too late, you can read more about the challenge here, go on give it a try!!  Its time to be the dump-er not the dump-ee.

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

tortillas olé!

We've become total lamb kofta converts in this household, and I've been meaning to make these tortillas to go with them, nows the perfect time.  My daughter would live on wraps day and night if I let her and we go through lots, so its a great reason to try my own.  No more excuses!

I've never made tortillas or flat breads due to fear really, but as you all know I've been branching out and indulging in my cooking nemesis's   Bread I've concurred, the no knead variety anyway, cakes once I shied away from now I face with some confidence, so how hard could a flippin tortilla be.

The recipe looked a sinch, but looks can be deceving as we all know. 4 cups of plain flour, 1 tspn of salt, 1 1/2 cups of water and 6 tbspns of olive oil, make mine evoo. Mix it all together to form a dough, portion out, heat a pan, cook and ta-dah taco bills eat your heart out....lets see what the reality is.

portion control

I slatherd the cast iron pan in oil after each tortilla

A couple of minutes on each side

Bloody amazing!!

Wow, that was fabulous, so super easy and tasted so good.  My 6 yr old had a great time helping rolling out the dough.  Don't worry that they are mishapen, it adds to the 'rustic' homemadedness (is that a word) of them.  I've estimated these 16 tortillas cost me under a dollar. I'll reheat the ones not devoured by quickly heating up the pan again and give them a minute a side.  The dough will freeze fine in portions too, or will last in the fridge in an airtight container for a week.  I teamed these babies up with some lovely green cabbage, baby carrots, mint, coriander, parsley, peas and spinach from the garden, perfect for a coleslaw, just like this one (but not with the egg), that was the goods all wrapped up with the killer koftas (this time beef ones) some creamy hummus and a smidge of chilli sauce....who's making the margarittas.  

Ciao, Jan

Day one of the challenge down & some tasty little rock cakes

I've been trying out some of one of my nan's baking recipe's for a project I'm thinking of undertaking.  She is the most beautiful baker, apple pies as light as a feather, shortbreads so buttery you'd cry, monkeyfaces with just the right amount of jam (homemade of course) and a host of other wonderful things.  She use to enter her goodies into the local show and win of course!  So as these have been her treasures she would bake for us, I've until now never made any, apart from the shortbread at christmas, but I have a long way to go.  I made these rock cakes with good success I'm quite chuffed to say, even nan was impressed.  She rang me to say, keep at it you are doing a wonderful job, don't doubt yourself, I was thrilled.  

Nan's Rock Cakes

125g softened butter

1/4 cup caster sugar

1/4 cup s.r flour

1/4 cup milk

1 beaten egg

3/4 cup sultanas

1/4 mixed peel

pinch of salt

dash of lemon essence or the zest of a lemon finely chopped

Preheat oven to 180c. Rub the butter and flour to form crumbs.  Add the sugar, fruit and give a mix with your hands.

Add in the liquids and mix gently to form a firm dough, don't over work it.

Drop dessertspoon sized balls onto a baking tray, line with baking paper if not non stick.  Sprinkle each cake with cinnamon sugar.

Bake for 20-25minutes, until golden and the kitchen smells amazing.  This recipe made 15 little cakes, perfect for morning tea or a lunchbox treat.  And they smell just like nan's.

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Breaking up with the supermarket big guys October challenge update....

So yesterday I headed out to do some shopping. I needed a few things and it happened to be member discount day (I'm a tight arse remember) at one of my local health food stores.  I arrived full of optimism and excitement. I knew I would be parting with some hard earned cash but I was willing to take the hit.  I couldn't wait to get my hands on some goodies with feelings of smugness filling me, I'll show those supermarket chains.  I left rather deflated and if I'm honest, I may not return.  It wasn't that the black organic chia seeds were $36 a kilo or that the American Walnuts didn't float my boat(I like to buy Australian thanks), it was the staff.  After a good 5 minutes of looking around (its a small store) I was still waiting for one of the 3 behind the counter to come and ask if I needed any help.  So I asked for help pouring the gold plated chia seeds into a bag, are there scales I asked so I know how much I'm getting from the self pourers, ah no you just guess. You what? I just have to guess that I'm up for $100 of chia seeds and just grin and bear it? 

I was left again to my own devices, the staff were having an interesting converstation, so I only got a few of the things that were floating around in my mentally prepared list.  If I had of had help and some mild persuasion, I would have brought like no tomorrow. Yep load me up with that organic coconut yoghurt, and the paleo caveman muesli for $27 a box  but no it wasn't to be. A shame really.  But there is opposition up the road so hopes not lost, will try them next week.  

Still I wouldn't be bullied, I came home and ordered my first haul of loo paper from who gives a crap, the wrapping looks pretty and its good for the environment, I'm just hoping its not like cardboard, I'm not totally hippy, my toosh likes some luxury.  Will keep you posted.

Ciao, Jan