tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72567324819315882192024-03-19T12:07:17.554+08:00The Crone at Wits EndThe Crone at Wits Endhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139566501738953285noreply@blogger.comBlogger355125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256732481931588219.post-12081883500078025462016-04-18T08:28:00.000+08:002016-04-18T08:28:01.008+08:00Starting again and Motivation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">How can I motivate you? You know it's Monday, right? All day! So did you open your eyes this morning and think</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Today's the day!"</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">So what's your plan?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Coffee for breakfast while you scan Instagram and look at exotic acai smoothie bowls? A quick fast food outlet wrap for lunch? Will you hit your desk at 9am and barely surface all day? But wait! You've prepped your gym bag for a class on the way home which you'll do, poorly fuelled and depleting your energy.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Life is busy! We're all swimming like crazy and sometimes just gasping for air!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">We've all seen the memes about health starting in the kitchen and how our success with fitness depends upon prepping. It's the absolute truth. Food prepping is also one of the hardest hurdles to get your head around unless you know the shortcuts!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Yesterday's post showed you a picture of all the fruit and veggies that I bought from the local veggie store. In plastic bags. Wait, what happened to that Food Forest that was growing at Wit's and (and what does this have to do with food prep?)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Here's what happened to my Food Forest; sad hey.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASmGP-4iQRVGe8sW1DSwqxZ2zFmao9SbLNXkyvUWUwF8ACU9LqWndhbLG9zVS0erHspbnOsYn8twLI7DrZfpRv8zgshpO2bI0G-zAI907EmW3BsXhg6YyWZofzxjkW-Nmg4yBhKE2Jwc/s1600/garden3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASmGP-4iQRVGe8sW1DSwqxZ2zFmao9SbLNXkyvUWUwF8ACU9LqWndhbLG9zVS0erHspbnOsYn8twLI7DrZfpRv8zgshpO2bI0G-zAI907EmW3BsXhg6YyWZofzxjkW-Nmg4yBhKE2Jwc/s640/garden3.jpg" width="468" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, Segoe UI, Segoe WP, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;">One of my immediate goals is to reclaim one garden bed and plant it up with some fast growing greens; Kale, silverbeet, spinach, lettuce and herbs. This will make my food prep faster and healthier, as well as getting me out into the garden doing what human bodies are designed to do; MOVE!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, Segoe UI, Segoe WP, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, Segoe UI, Segoe WP, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;">Ok, let's talk breakfast. What SHOULD I eat? The only thing I'm going to suggest (note: Suggest!) is that you start your day with real food.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, Segoe UI, Segoe WP, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, Segoe UI, Segoe WP, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;">There are lots of quotes bandied about like </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, Segoe UI, Segoe WP, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, Segoe UI, Segoe WP, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Eat food that comes from a plant, not made in a Plant"</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, Segoe UI, Segoe WP, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, Segoe UI, Segoe WP, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;">And you know what, that's really sensible. Add some eggs and a yummy sauce, some roasted veggies and you have an amazing nutrious breakfast that's literally going to take you right up until lunch. You want one of those smoothie bowls from the pretty pics? It's as simple as blending your favourite yoghourt with whatever the hell you like! </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, Segoe UI, Segoe WP, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, Segoe UI, Segoe WP, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;">I can show you how to make garlic aioli in 20 seconds if you want. You can view my video here</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, Segoe UI, Segoe WP, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, Segoe UI, Segoe WP, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thejunglebodywithlara/videos/1557980477854985/"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">https://www.facebook.com/thejunglebodywithlara/videos/1557980477854985/</span></a></span><br />
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, Segoe UI, Segoe WP, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, Segoe UI, Segoe WP, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, Segoe UI, Segoe WP, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">I can step by step make a smoothie bowl in the same amount of time (well it might take a bit longer if you want me to go forage for a nasturtium for an Instagram worthy pic)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, Segoe UI, Segoe WP, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, Segoe UI, Segoe WP, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">You need Real Food to fuel your day. It's not hard, it's not deprevation and yes, you can still enjoy the treats that you like. It really is about motivation, planning and moderation.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, Segoe UI, Segoe WP, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, Segoe UI, Segoe WP, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">And now, I'm going to go pick one of these golden orbs to have a lovely warm cup of lemon tea</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, Segoe UI, Segoe WP, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRY7_6Cy1WAQiU824xnvFu5MjLRqivWHtmKiA7wLGnlVcutd-IjlAwwvBxALUmbN-aD6siPCQJr0pOMfRAC1rpUw0ZQPa_1_sDOqNUDxMgaflxaULgskyI8en3UiI9yVkx9isLHkAx-zg/s1600/garden4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRY7_6Cy1WAQiU824xnvFu5MjLRqivWHtmKiA7wLGnlVcutd-IjlAwwvBxALUmbN-aD6siPCQJr0pOMfRAC1rpUw0ZQPa_1_sDOqNUDxMgaflxaULgskyI8en3UiI9yVkx9isLHkAx-zg/s640/garden4.jpg" width="468" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, Segoe UI, Segoe WP, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, Segoe UI, Segoe WP, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span></div>
The Crone at Wits Endhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139566501738953285noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256732481931588219.post-30715766070446594512016-04-17T11:33:00.000+08:002016-04-17T11:33:13.284+08:00Food prep (AKA it's been a month fuelled by the three C's)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yeah March, or rather Easter. I was so bloody glad to see the back of you!<br />
<br />
I have no self control with regards to Chocolate and Easter is the time of year when I know that food wise I'm going to fall off the wagon in a spectacular way. I ate KILO'S of chocolate, raided my kid's stash, hid wrappers in my undies drawer and there's a mountain of empty toblerone cartons behind our headboard!<br />
<br />
Chocolate<br />
Carbs<br />
Coffee.<br />
<br />
The evil three for me.<br />
<br />
The results of a month (yes, you read right) of binging on sugary shite is that I feel like shite!<br />
<br />
All food prep went out of the window, I binged on take aways, my belly is protesting and I'm so bloated. I refuse to get onto the guilt bandwagon anymore (much healthier headspace these days) and instead made a concious effort to get back into meal prepping this week.<br />
<br />
<br />
First stop was the Veggie store. Here's what I bought for $92.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVaGqmca6GADac5hpxi_1GdC49W186t3VDxqy4ZMZtDWyqmgYbqL0D-4f8q64CtKkKFmM4IyrfFpfkgVXrtvRd-rm8yNFYrk2n-ZQ4RPF0q1mQYjLI269KAAEupvVVCsOj9Y-wwDk01Y/s1600/veggieshopping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVaGqmca6GADac5hpxi_1GdC49W186t3VDxqy4ZMZtDWyqmgYbqL0D-4f8q64CtKkKFmM4IyrfFpfkgVXrtvRd-rm8yNFYrk2n-ZQ4RPF0q1mQYjLI269KAAEupvVVCsOj9Y-wwDk01Y/s400/veggieshopping.jpg" width="338" /></a></div>
<br />
I was quite please to find milk and bread for $1 each, so this haul will feed our family for the week with the addition of a few items from the freezer. Definitely achieved my budget goal of $150 or less per week.<br />
<br />
So what meal prepping did I do this morning?<br />
<br />
<b>Menu</b>:<br />
<br />
<i>Cauliflower and bacon soup</i><br />
<i>Roasted Indian style Sweet potato and cauliflower</i><br />
<i>Sweet potato, bacon and cauliflower Frittata </i>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9tiLNqkQtgqUvfXMZnyu2afeQuC9dFSq_smCkJVuMTcUTONFlgHX8L7Q7n_fJpiPe6cpLxBibYnFfiaeBKEv8m_8CTksYJKLvUUu9cVA9ek5bsQaBzWfpvZWcPXrPeBMEEQ-ioLYyxI/s1600/spices.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9tiLNqkQtgqUvfXMZnyu2afeQuC9dFSq_smCkJVuMTcUTONFlgHX8L7Q7n_fJpiPe6cpLxBibYnFfiaeBKEv8m_8CTksYJKLvUUu9cVA9ek5bsQaBzWfpvZWcPXrPeBMEEQ-ioLYyxI/s320/spices.jpg" width="233" /></a></div>
Yum! tumeric, coriander and lemons from my tree!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1zmTKAs944LlgU91XtHCTPR1vW1kErOW9wjvuQo6s-9bf_qsxayD1JX-CF5Q1oX1A5H8bBclWvBl6-8yo6dPCjGyETtbUwKjw_Aj4RfeTcDGMgyTtRd-qo0DjTaSPzZ9D8hVFrKH768/s1600/caulisoup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1zmTKAs944LlgU91XtHCTPR1vW1kErOW9wjvuQo6s-9bf_qsxayD1JX-CF5Q1oX1A5H8bBclWvBl6-8yo6dPCjGyETtbUwKjw_Aj4RfeTcDGMgyTtRd-qo0DjTaSPzZ9D8hVFrKH768/s320/caulisoup.jpg" width="233" /></a></div>
Sauteed bacon and onions ready to add to the cauliflower and stock. No cream needed in this thick yummy soup at all!<br />
<br />
Saute onions and bacon, add to thermomix with a head of chopped cauliflower and water or stock. Cook for 15 mins at 100 degrees at speed one.<br />
<br />
You can blitz it to your own choice of smoothness. Miss G hates any trace of onion in her meals so I make ours super smooth.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnnx23C2j53HkehfxNzZAp4PRGxQ94RBdAt-46FMLwEBjg3_WS9Fjw4vC_khR-ZfvRY1gxzjv8yV53F171q8jtPQMoFf1ZQsP9Fp3d1jd4HTMQlGnmPYIqBrpbZGnWuXG4n3D1omL4IA/s1600/cauliflower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnnx23C2j53HkehfxNzZAp4PRGxQ94RBdAt-46FMLwEBjg3_WS9Fjw4vC_khR-ZfvRY1gxzjv8yV53F171q8jtPQMoFf1ZQsP9Fp3d1jd4HTMQlGnmPYIqBrpbZGnWuXG4n3D1omL4IA/s640/cauliflower.jpg" width="468" /></a></div>
<br />
The finished meals. Took me just over an hour from start to finish! Three days worth of lunches that are nutritious, Didn't cost much and in line with the way I choose to eat.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
The Crone at Wits Endhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139566501738953285noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256732481931588219.post-6662673928951139282016-04-16T13:39:00.001+08:002016-04-16T13:39:12.752+08:00Starting to pull it all together: Food, Frugality and Fitness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Oh God where to begin, or rather "How the feck do I crank it all up and pull it all together?<br />
<br />
All of this technology stuff has moved so fast in the last few years. I'm now on Instagram as well as FB, have a FB page dedicated to all things Jungle Body with Lara as well. Getting my head back around Blogger has proved interesting; I keep looking for the 'Like' button as I read other people's long forgotten Blogs :)<br />
<br />
I think that I might start with the basis of all Health for me; The food I eat/the food I choose to feed my family.<br />
<br />
A quick squizz of my previous posts here would tell you that upmost in my mind is always frugality and being budget aware. I have no interest in plates or bowls of food that are aimed at the young twenty somethings with double incomes and plenty of time on their hands! Nothing wrong with that lifestyle but it's not mine and I have to talk about what I know!<br />
<br />
....Instagram....a quick moving social media platform that is great for seeing all of the wonderful things that I can't afford. Smoothie bowls filled with Ah-mazing creations hand picked by the vestal virgins and infused with the aura's of Woodland Sprites. Ka-Ching, please part with $10!<br />
<br />
So this morning I saw a delish looking rainbow smoothie and of course immediately craved one. Never heard of a Rainbow Smoothie? It's layers of different coloured/flavoured smoothies presented in a mason jar (hello wankery alert! Show me a drink in a mason jar and my eyes roll)<br />
<br />
Ok, so me being me, I decided that I would recreate said Rainbow Smoothie. It was before I managed to get to the fruit and veg shop so beggars couldn't be choosers with the contents of my fridge.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXNA6lysA45ABRo_SehbUq5oIUwDFITeHZVawR5RjeXuoP1PhrdddT_lqXZdvQ4jhIGHzAUNaxLehMxZmUgDAolspXZ_QquhYlkmb1opCBjtcC7InKURGqBSDRm_d9aeMRMoNqsvoNLY/s1600/rainbowsmoothiefixings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXNA6lysA45ABRo_SehbUq5oIUwDFITeHZVawR5RjeXuoP1PhrdddT_lqXZdvQ4jhIGHzAUNaxLehMxZmUgDAolspXZ_QquhYlkmb1opCBjtcC7InKURGqBSDRm_d9aeMRMoNqsvoNLY/s320/rainbowsmoothiefixings.jpg" width="234" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
I started with the base of all the smoothie layers;<br />
<br />
2 bananas<br />
a handful of cashews<br />
2 medjool dates<br />
a scoop of yoghourt<br />
<br />
Blitzed it in the thermomix then poured a small amount into the bottom of the glass. The green layer came next;<br />
<br />
Honeydew melon.<br />
<br />
Blitzed that up into the left over banana mixture and layered a bit on top of the banana layer (yep, It's tricky! I used a spoon). Ok, so now I was onto the orange layer;<br />
<br />
Carrots<br />
2 oranges<br />
1 red apple<br />
<br />
Blitzed and layered again. The purple was the easiest, frozen Blueberries. Layered on top and the end result was kind of pretty. I can see where things need jiggling but on the whole it worked, tasted delicious and there was enough for the whole family and probably cost $5 (I haven't costed it out but seriously, it was the dredges of the fruit bowl)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfx71RFMXDgEW6yiPdYDZyQ862BIvZASElhaoKlEhUw5Kz_hRhZ7TlTe4JTLFeUmpXDvMJllnFf2zqgSyjZmmxnDg5NnQmT0w9vrl1zB3vIbrOpcJCoWJcjd7uYVYphlMZpvaKMwcBrs/s1600/rainbowsmoothie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfx71RFMXDgEW6yiPdYDZyQ862BIvZASElhaoKlEhUw5Kz_hRhZ7TlTe4JTLFeUmpXDvMJllnFf2zqgSyjZmmxnDg5NnQmT0w9vrl1zB3vIbrOpcJCoWJcjd7uYVYphlMZpvaKMwcBrs/s640/rainbowsmoothie.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
Pretty hey!<br />
<br />
Health and Frugality for the win!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
The Crone at Wits Endhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139566501738953285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256732481931588219.post-5205412462964743402016-04-15T13:23:00.001+08:002016-04-15T13:24:48.217+08:00Ageing crept up on me!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: , "segoe ui" , "segoe wp" , "tahoma" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Well I guess that it had to happen someday, after all, I AM nearly 49.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: , "segoe ui" , "segoe wp" , "tahoma" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">An 'interesting' type yelled across Hungry Jacks</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: , "segoe ui" , "segoe wp" , "tahoma" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Hey Nanna! Are you're grandkids always so well behaved?"</span><br />
<br />
I heard the words but obviously thought that he was yelling at someone else. Some one <b><i>older</i></b>.<br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: , "segoe ui" , "segoe wp" , "tahoma" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">I may have responded with a very curt</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: , "segoe ui" , "segoe wp" , "tahoma" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">"Yes!" </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: , "segoe ui" , "segoe wp" , "tahoma" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: , "segoe ui" , "segoe wp" , "tahoma" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">And then decorously sunk my teeth (yes, still my own!) in to my Whopper®. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-size: 13.3333px;"><span style="font-family: , "segoe ui" , "segoe wp" , "tahoma" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Now honestly I do try to smile at people, really I do! Call me *</span><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">cough</span></i><span style="font-family: , "segoe ui" , "segoe wp" , "tahoma" , "arial" , sans-serif;">* old-fashioned if you want but I do not respond well to strangers yelling at me across a room.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: , "segoe ui" , "segoe wp" , "tahoma" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> </span></div>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: , "segoe ui" , "segoe wp" , "tahoma" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">This all begs several soul searching questions;</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: , "segoe ui" , "segoe wp" , "tahoma" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Why am I getting so upset about being called "Nanna"? I mean it's true, I am one</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: , "segoe ui" , "segoe wp" , "tahoma" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Is getting older really such a bad thing?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: , "segoe ui" , "segoe wp" , "tahoma" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: , "segoe ui" , "segoe wp" , "tahoma" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">I'm going to be very honest here a say yes, it does upset me that I'm not as young as I feel. I look in the mirror and the reflection I see there is not one that I recognise. When did my eyes start to get hooded? I used to have such very large eyes.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: , "segoe ui" , "segoe wp" , "tahoma" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: , "segoe ui" , "segoe wp" , "tahoma" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">What's stuck on my cheek? How strange! Oh wait, that's a crease from sleeping! That never used to happen before.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: , "segoe ui" , "segoe wp" , "tahoma" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: , "segoe ui" , "segoe wp" , "tahoma" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;">Things that I never would have believed could bother me really are!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: , "segoe ui" , "segoe wp" , "tahoma" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: , "segoe ui" , "segoe wp" , "tahoma" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;">I was always "The young mum". That happens when you birth your first at 18. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: , "segoe ui" , "segoe wp" , "tahoma" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: , "segoe ui" , "segoe wp" , "tahoma" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;">And now I'm not.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: , "segoe ui" , "segoe wp" , "tahoma" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: , "segoe ui" , "segoe wp" , "tahoma" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">So I guess that I need to re-frame my beliefs about who I am as a Woman. How I age.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: , "segoe ui" , "segoe wp" , "tahoma" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: , "segoe ui" , "segoe wp" , "tahoma" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;">Do I keep trying to keep up with the younger women? That's just not possible.</span></span><br />
T<span style="color: #212121; font-family: , "segoe ui" , "segoe wp" , "tahoma" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;">Do I learn to age 'Gracefully'? Again, that is so not possible.</span></span><br />
Do I wallow in self pity and rail against missing out? Well maybe now and again! It truly sucks that the window of youth and firmness is so bloody short!<br />
<br />
So what's left?<br />
<br />
Making the most of the fabulously strong body that I do have!<br />
<br />
I am absolutely stronger and more fit than at any other time of my life, and you know what, I bloody appreciate it because I know that it is going to keep me healthy, vital and mobile well into my twilight years.<br />
<br />
And maybe a little therapy around why wrinkles, grey hair and menopause is proving so challenging to me!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQn27FMAK6LJZsH8bddZfNzZYL2oCfk2pKTA9H7MDN1Wfbgoap9MN_HZSxKe8BdDWJYcit1h4ZMZaVOhf6m2JllIkx-JamOfqze4IGlRgHLq67EdaG068rcaJjtTIZLLLy0gxNb74FIQ/s1600/autismawarenessgig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQn27FMAK6LJZsH8bddZfNzZYL2oCfk2pKTA9H7MDN1Wfbgoap9MN_HZSxKe8BdDWJYcit1h4ZMZaVOhf6m2JllIkx-JamOfqze4IGlRgHLq67EdaG068rcaJjtTIZLLLy0gxNb74FIQ/s320/autismawarenessgig.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: , "segoe ui" , "segoe wp" , "tahoma" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: , "segoe ui" , "segoe wp" , "tahoma" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span></span></div>
The Crone at Wits Endhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139566501738953285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256732481931588219.post-30950578474549815532016-04-13T10:12:00.001+08:002016-04-13T10:12:50.794+08:00"She went mad and composted her husband!"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Or whatever happened to The Crone?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">The story of how Spring was reborn after a very long Winter.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">You might remember how I birthed my wee Elf, Xavier in July 2009. He'd stopped moving and yes, I fell apart. I didn't handle his loss well, fell into depression and watched my garden, my passions and my friendships die.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">But like everything in Nature you can't stop growth. Spring DOES return, the earth is rejuvenated after lying fallow, seeds erupt when the conditions are right.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">It's taken six years and a lot of hard work and soul searching. And 1000's of Burpees.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">What the Feck? </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Yeah, I know right! My journey back to me started with fitness!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">I still need to reclaim my garden, the potential is there. I'm still madly frugal, I'm still passionately against all the wankery that's sold to us (have you seen the health and fitness industry? Wait until I get going on all of their shite!)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">I'm still me. But I'm stronger now and I'm determined to help other women discover their strengths!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">The Crone is back!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qTUctGENeia9W0-B8b74jGJBabmiwMs6B3VJdI4kMPVMi5Z6ss0cR74hYF1UvzgHK-faxxAU-73NgvKoEswEhVpxr3HxfJdHecJy2gLC4jtVhV_Q1OuFj8_V-o9L2fBHJo0hhULvksA/s1600/1170780_1585435065109526_8805075284593216578_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qTUctGENeia9W0-B8b74jGJBabmiwMs6B3VJdI4kMPVMi5Z6ss0cR74hYF1UvzgHK-faxxAU-73NgvKoEswEhVpxr3HxfJdHecJy2gLC4jtVhV_Q1OuFj8_V-o9L2fBHJo0hhULvksA/s320/1170780_1585435065109526_8805075284593216578_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span></div>
The Crone at Wits Endhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139566501738953285noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256732481931588219.post-32677107022126499642013-09-18T15:11:00.003+08:002013-09-18T15:11:36.596+08:00What do you do when you have been growing your hair to get dreadlocks?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
You commit to shaving your head for the charity which is very close to your heart of course!<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm sorry that it took the death of my friend's brave boy Harvey, the Cureageous Lion to spur me into action <a href="http://harveythecourageouslion.blogspot.com.au/">http://harveythecourageouslion.blogspot.com.au/</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Please, if you can spare a few $$$'s to raise money for childhood cancers, please do so! <b><u>None of the money will come to me at all but goes straight to this charity.</u></b></div>
<div>
<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
<div>
https://harveyscureageouspride.everydayhero.com/au/hedgewytch</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
The Crone at Wits Endhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139566501738953285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256732481931588219.post-23396595028723867922013-09-17T12:57:00.000+08:002013-09-17T12:57:09.384+08:00Fed up with the wankery!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Rant ahead!<br />
<br />
Good wholesome peasant foods; potatoes, beans, lentils, seeds (quinoa and buckwheat). Things that cost minimal amounts at your local ethnic store are now mixed, cooked, baked and served at huge prices at swanky alternative cafes (as if funky blackboards and tiny tables suddenly inflate prices with each swirl of the chalk).<br />
<br />
Vegie patties and salad $10.95! Ok ok, so the vegies were roasted in oil, honey and sesame seeds before being chilled, mashed and mixed with lentils and other binders. Tiny plates with a couple of glistening gourmet leaves (have you seen my vegie beds lately? I'm over run with gourmet frilly lettuce) and a few decorative shards of beetroot and carrot.<br />
<br />
It would have cost $66.00 for one meal for myself and the Chirpies last Friday! What's sad is that over the road was a Hungry Jacks where I could have fed the whole family for less than $20 :(<br />
<br />
I'm sorry but good restaurant quality food does not have to cost this much! I decided on Monday that I was going to get back on track again with prepping a heap of good wholesome foods and having them ready to cook;<br />
<br />
*Homemade falafel mix<br />
Dosa mix<br />
Pakora mix<br />
Vegie curries such as potato aloo which can be used to stuff dosa<br />
Salads and their fixings; dried berries and nuts, cooked rice and quinoa<br />
Roasted vegies<br />
Rice flour rolls<br />
<br />
The good news as well is that Miss G has been eating heaps in the last few days on this food!<br />
<br />
*All of these recipes can be found in Higher taste the Hare Krishna recipe book or River Cottage Veg. If you're really broke and can't afford either of these, message me and I'll send you the recipe!</div>
The Crone at Wits Endhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139566501738953285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256732481931588219.post-9456620716533714412013-05-22T07:12:00.002+08:002013-05-22T07:35:08.220+08:00Homeschooling<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I realised this morning that I've not updated here since Feb (apart from yesterday's wee post). So much has happened in the past few months, all revolving around Homeschooling.<br />
<br />
I've always wanted to Home educate my kids, even waaaaaaaaaaaay back in 2004 when there were only two Chirpies I talked about it with my Canberra friends (waves to K, S, K, S and H). What stopped me from pursuing it? Well, I doubted myself. I thought that I would be isolated in the home with the Chirpies, no support and no social life. That I couldn't do it as I had no training. Sound familiar?<br />
<br />
Well back in Dec 2012 we started our Australian summer holidays and I again mused wistfully on FB (did I mention that I spend way too much time on FB :/ ) that I wished that I could HS the kids. Several of my friends suggested that I test it out over the summer break and see how I felt at the end (I suspect that they thought that I'd be ready to bundle them up for school again come Feb).<br />
<br />
What I did do was enjoy down time with my kids, spent time doing what we've always done, joined up with a couple of HS groups to test the waters and dragged DH to a Home Educators seminar to see what other support was out there for us. The timing was incredible. There was a slight 'issue' with our youngest about school and DH (after he drilled the Seminar lecturer with soooo many questions) agreed for us to do this.<br />
<br />
Well suddenly there I was applying for registration to start HS the THREE Chirpies (and their wee brother) all at once! Cue image of Atlas with the weight of the World on his shoulders! I think that for about 4 weeks I was dreaming curriculums, lesson plans, Charlotte Mason, Unschooling, Natural Learning and Waldorfy stuff! We had our preliminary meeting with our Moderator (Lovely person who is very supportive and informative), who asked what style we were following and which resources we were accessing. At that point we were leaning very much towards Charlotte Mason due to the elder Chirpies having been in the 'Schooling system' for many years. We wanted to transition them gently to a more relaxed style. The Moderator was really happy with this and said that he'd see us again in two months to see how we were going.<br />
<br />
So how has it all gone? Brilliantly! We're really into our stride now (somedays we do have things that fall in a heap) but on the whole we spend our mornings doing our lessons and at 12 we stop. Yep, we stop for lunch and then it's out into the World to discover Nature, be with friends, do activities and be kids!<br />
<br />
The kids are THRIVING. They are confident, relaxed and loving H/S. They have music lessons, circus skills, we socialise so much that I have to demand we have at home days so that I can catch up on stuff! Their latest project is to overhaul a part of the garden so that they can build a fairy village (in a weak moment I showed them a link posted on my FB wall by H)<br />
<br />
This has been a blessing for my family. We are enjoying watching how the Chirpies learn, plan and grow. I should have listened to my heart and done this years ago!<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
The Crone at Wits Endhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139566501738953285noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256732481931588219.post-54442854905116121602013-05-21T15:28:00.001+08:002013-05-21T15:28:43.988+08:00In a World of so much chaos, loss and sadness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
I'm feeling very blessed today;<br />
<br />
~ The Chirpies had an awesome self directed day of homeschooling and finished up all their work by 12.<br />
~ Eldest daughter brought home lunch for the family so that sick Mumma didn't have to think about it.<br />
~ Chirpies have planted out a large pot of pea seeds, raked up the leaves from the Mulberry tree, weeded around the Mulberry tree and are after more chores to do in the garden<br />
~I've preserved a years worth of tomato ketchup<br />
~My lemon tree is heaving with golden juice ladened orbs<br />
~The Sun is shining warmly and all of my family are alive and in relative good health (I have a cold but you know what, if that's the least of my worries then I'm one very lucky woman)<br />
<br />
How blessed are you today?<br />
</div>
The Crone at Wits Endhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139566501738953285noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256732481931588219.post-51249385605516733422013-02-05T17:14:00.000+08:002013-02-05T18:33:35.813+08:00Huge changes at Wit's End; We're Homeschooling!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
After many years of dithering about, wanting to Homeschool, doubting myself, wondering if I could/should do it, DH and I decided to go for it.<br />
<br />
We're a Homeschooling Family!<br />
<br />
I'll be setting up a side blog about our journey but shall be making it invite only to view/read. Please feel free to flick me a message and if I know you irl or have known you for years online I'm more than happy to give you access :)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://thechirpiesatwitsend.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/the-decision-made.html">http://thechirpiesatwitsend.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/the-decision-made.html</a></div>
The Crone at Wits Endhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139566501738953285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256732481931588219.post-65212117789724615232013-01-31T07:05:00.002+08:002013-01-31T07:09:54.617+08:00Menu plan for February 2013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
<strong>Breakfast choices</strong></div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
Yoghourt and fruit</div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
Toast with toppings</div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
Boiled eggs, rice, pickled vegies</div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
Oatmeal with honey</div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
Rosti with poached eggs</div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
<strong>Lunches</strong></div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<ol style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; margin: 10px 0px 10px 5px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px;">
<li>Scrolls</li>
<li>Sandwiches</li>
<li>savory muffins</li>
<li>Quiches</li>
<li>Salads</li>
<li>Cornish pasties</li>
<li>arranchini</li>
<li>Rice paper rolls with fillings</li>
<li>savoury mince tarts (puff pastry)</li>
<li>chicken empandas</li>
<li>homemade sausage rolls</li>
</ol>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
Need to bake 3 cakes per week,</div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
yoghourt,</div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
fruit tubs-</div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
fresh fruit</div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
Llelo and I to have leftovers from the night before's dinners.</div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
<strong>Dinners</strong></div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<ol style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; margin: 10px 0px 10px 5px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px;">
<li>Vegetarian curries - potato lemon and coriander, dhal, dhosa, lentils with lemon and mint</li>
<li>Steamed <strong>fish </strong>packets Chinese style with steamed rice</li>
<li>Butter chicken and rice</li>
<li>Chinese style <strong>beef </strong>pot roast</li>
<li>Portuguese style fresh <strong>sardines</strong></li>
<li>Hugh's vegetarian chilli</li>
<li>Fritatta Empty the fridge</li>
<li>Smoked fish, leek and potato soup (HFW pg 82) Changing this to smoked fish, chorizo and potato soup</li>
<li>Nigella's roast <strong>chicken </strong>(on red peppers with lemon in cavity etc), rice, roast spuds and vegies</li>
<li>Chinese Chicken Rice</li>
<li>Falafels, hoummous, pita breads, tabbhouli made with quinoa</li>
<li>Roast chicken wings with roast spuds, fennel and onions (HFW pg 131</li>
<li>Thai fish curry and rice </li>
<li>Ham, black eye beans, potato and carrot soup (boil ham bone, add 1 tb worcestershire sauce, 1 tbl apple cider vinegar, 2 teas black pepper)</li>
<li>Quiches</li>
<li>Fish pie, peas and corn</li>
<li><strong>Crab </strong>cakes rice and salad</li>
<li>Beans and tomato soup (HFW 97)</li>
<li>Homemade baked beans and rice</li>
<li><strong>Mackeral</strong>, celery, orange salad (HFW 208</li>
<li><strong>Lamb</strong>, spinach and chickpeas (HFW 256) Fried polenta chips and salad</li>
<li>leftover chicken rice chicken with noodle soup</li>
<li>Empty the fridge sushi</li>
<li>caldo verde</li>
<li>roast pumpkin, chickpea and quinoa salad</li>
<li>Sweet potato blackbean red pepper stew with cous cous</li>
<li>Sweet and sour <strong>prawns</strong>, rice, chinese vegies</li>
<li>Butternut pumpkin and chickpea patties http://foodblogandthedog.wordpress.com/2012/03/02/butternut-squash-and-chickpea-cakes-with-salsa-raita-and-red-onion-maramalade/</li>
<li>Spag bol for a treat for Giaan?</li>
</ol>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
*<strong>Still in freezer</strong></div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
Ok, So I have to buy the following for this menu:</div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
6 chorizos</div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
2 chickens</div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
1kg mince</div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
2kg's chicken wings</div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
Smoked fish</div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
Dried chickpeas</div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
quinoa</div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
Eggs</div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
Milk</div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
Fruit and veg</div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
Coconut milk</div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
Flours etc.</div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
January's total food expenditure worked out to $180 per week for our family of seven. Not too bad I guess. Will see how it goes for February and if I need to tweak it more to bring it down further.</div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
The Crone at Wits Endhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139566501738953285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256732481931588219.post-6151743994750283672013-01-20T16:57:00.001+08:002013-01-20T16:57:22.769+08:00One of the many things I miss about Canberra<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A couple of days ago I was gifted about 4kg's of grapes from a friend. The Chirpies ate and ate and ate until the bowl just sat there looking at me, still full but ignored. Mangoes called, plums called, even apples seemed more appealing that the thought of more grapes.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
At times like this I really miss my old mate, Nature witch. I'd pick up the phone and she'd immediately inspire me to do something/anything with those grapes. We never did get together so that I could learn her skills in winemaking :( Anyway, I grabbed my copy of Preserving the harvest and decided to make some Grape Jelly (I'm guessing it's a clear grape jam by the method used). I had no idea that the boiled up liquid from grapes was a delicious shade of pink! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Rummaging in the fridge I also came across a kg bag of plums that I picked up from the sad table on Wednesday for 99 cents. They were sad on Wednesday so are definitely sauce today! Chinese style plum dipping sauce from <a href="http://www.anoregoncottage.com/2011/09/spicy-canned-plum-sauce/">here</a> the only changes I've made are subbing five spice for the dried mustard and upping the sugar a bit.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The other thing I miss about Canberra? That if you knew where to look you could eat for free! Plum trees, apricots, lemons, berries all on verges, hanging over fences of walkways mostly all fallen fruits just there for picking up, making into jams, sauces and juices, After six years in Perth I've not managed to find such a range of free abundance :(</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That is unless my readers (is there anyone left?) are willing to enlighten me?</div>
</div>
The Crone at Wits Endhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139566501738953285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256732481931588219.post-23424477399132298442013-01-18T07:57:00.001+08:002013-01-18T07:57:43.069+08:00Menu planning again<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I really must stop using face book and get back into blogging. Having everything in one spot and not having to search through heaps of posts and updates makes so much more sense.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I did up this menu plan up on FB and am now transferring it over to here. Originally I was going to make it for a fortnight but after some thought realised that adding in a heap of vegetarian meals that I could stretch it to a month (still adding in the meals as I get inspired)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">
<strong>Breakfast choices</strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">
Yoghourt and home bottle peaches</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">
Toast with toppings</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">
Boiled eggs, rice, pickled vegies</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">
Oatmeal with honey</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">
<strong>Lunches</strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">
<br /></div>
<ol style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px; padding: 0px 10px 0px 25px;">
<li><b>Sandwiches -toasted, cheese, </b></li>
<li><strong>Portuguese mussels with bread and rice</strong></li>
<li>lentils with lemon and mint</li>
<li>Crab cakes and salad</li>
<li>Beans and tomato soup (HFW 97)</li>
<li>Rosti with poached eggs</li>
<li><b>Homemade baked beans and rice</b></li>
<li>Mackeral, celery, orange salad (HFW 208</li>
<li>Lamb, spinach and chickpeas (HFW 256) trying lamb for the first time ever on the kids</li>
<li>Fried polenta chips and salad</li>
<li>leftover chicken rice chicken with noodle soup</li>
<li>Empty the fridge sushi</li>
<li>caldo verde</li>
<li>Poached eggs on homemade bread toasted</li>
<li><b>fried noodles with leftover char siew and choy sum</b></li>
</ol>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">
<strong>Dinners</strong></div>
<ol style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px; padding: 0px 10px 0px 25px;">
<li><b>Char siew with rice noodles, choy sum and sauces</b></li>
<li><b>Vegetarian curries - potato lemon and coriander, dhal, dhosa, </b></li>
<li><b>Steamed fish packets Chinese style with steamed rice</b></li>
<li>Butter chicken and rice</li>
<li>Chinese style beef pot roast</li>
<li>Portuguese style fresh sardines</li>
<li><b>Hugh's vegetarian chilli</b></li>
<li>Fritatta Empty the fridge</li>
<li>Smoked fish, leek and potato soup (HFW pg 82)</li>
<li>Nigella's roast chicken (on red peppers with lemon in cavity etc), rice, roast spuds and vegies</li>
<li>Chinese Chicken Rice</li>
<li>Falafels, hoummous, pita breads, tabbhouli made with quinoa</li>
<li>Roast chicken wings with roast spuds, fennel and onions (HFW pg 131</li>
<li>Thai fish curry and rice </li>
<li><b>Ham, black eye beans, potato and carrot soup</b> (boil ham bone, add 1 tb worcestershire sauce, 1 tbl apple cider vinegar, 2 teas black pepper)</li>
<li>Quiches</li>
</ol>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">
Total expenditure for the month: </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">
12th Jan 2013 $80 meat/fish</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">
13th Jan 2013 $30 for a 5kg leg ham</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">
15th Jan 2013 $56 fruit and vegies</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
The Crone at Wits Endhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139566501738953285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256732481931588219.post-29770098330292627232012-11-10T06:46:00.000+08:002012-11-10T06:46:12.254+08:00Decluttering AGAIN!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Huge almost untouched stash of wool just sitting in plastic storage boxes. Just sitting there, mocking me. I can hear the needles in the other box whispering, sending secret coded messages to the patterns in yet another box. They are all conspiring to escape from their imprisonment. They have all somehow sent a coded message to Coffeee from the DTE forum, who has posted a link to a link to a link to a .....<br />
<br />
Well, the upshot of it is that I'm going to challenge myself to the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/goodstufffornicepeople">Granny a Day Challenge from Meet me at Mike's</a>. A Granny square a day is doable, yes? <br />
<br />
You all know that I'll be posting in a years time "What the hell do I do with 365 Granny Squares?"</div>
The Crone at Wits Endhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139566501738953285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256732481931588219.post-22840019977919976882012-10-21T11:26:00.001+08:002012-10-21T11:33:03.746+08:00Sauce time!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Last week a box of tomatoes at the markets cost $45. Yesterday they were reduced to $7. There was no way that I was going to buy them last week but this week Im-a-making sauce. Not sure if I'm going to bottle them as I can only find plastic lined lids (only got three Vaccola bottles), so I will probably just portion this up and freeze it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiegjF0Pf_GgvODjAjXJ5plgEYKDCqUpc4bJHCBpENqe_gbBv5LaePRKTMV0cuAAlWA-bcXpb2FPiPU3ScQs4FCipsLjYJULEioV60ScOkwT3-1lqySpjZKPedW_gLzdGnZV_Ldo4m9mUQ/" /></div>
The Crone at Wits Endhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139566501738953285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256732481931588219.post-49329250420510335092012-10-19T05:28:00.001+08:002012-10-19T05:48:15.007+08:00Musings, lemons and chaos<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div>
<br />
Did you miss it? Miss what? "<i>Another" </i>important event on the calendar? Something that may not be of importance to you but is of deadly importance to the "<a href="https://www.oxfam.org.au/media/2012/10/top-tips-to-tackle-hunger/">One in seven people Worldwi</a>de" who go hungry every day. Yes, in 2012, one in seven people are going hungry every single day.<br />
<br />
October the 16th was World Food Day.<br />
<br />
This has really touched a cord with me (again it seems like I am waking up from a three year fog). The numbers are just staggering; 870 million people are going hungry right now! When I blogged about this issue five years ago (as did a lot of you) I naively thought that it might get better but it's not :(<br />
<br />
What is really mind blowing to me is that this comes at a time when local growers and farmers in Australia are being forced to cut prices by the two large Stupidmarkets (or shut up shop and go out of business!). They are advertising how low their prices are, and yet there are people in our suburbs who are going hungry right now! I'm guessing that there's absolutely no money or profit in ending poverty or hunger.<br />
<br />
Around the World there's drought, floods, the rumblings of a Global food security crisis, and yet I bet you've got an eggplant or lettuce in your fridge slowly turning into compost. Or a blackening limp carrot stuck to the lump of ice at the back (knows from personal experience....) We're still all throwing out way too much of the food that we're buying! This is one of the reasons (apart from the health benefits) that I'm starting to get into fermenting and preserving in such a big way,<br />
<br />
<i>"No Honey, I've not folded the washing/vacuumed the floors/picked up the toys today, I've been busy making jams, pickles and other things that go 'Hiss, pop, bubble'"</i><br />
<br />
So what am I doing to try to walk the talk?<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><i>Getting my garden back up and producing again</i></li>
<li><i>Bartering for what I'm not growing myself</i></li>
<li><i>Buying Local. Living Local.</i></li>
<li><i>Preserving as much as I can by bottling, fermenting or freezing (I'm seeing the limitations of freezing - power outages lack of space, cost of buying and running another freezer)</i></li>
<li><i>Starting up a group of local likeminded people to come over and share our lifeskills knowledge (this idea has been heavily inspired by <a href="http://eatatdixiebelles.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/why-are-we-urban-homesteading.html#more">Eat at Dixiebelle's blog</a> and her Urban Homesteading Club</i></li>
</ul>
<div>
As I've said before, my floors are always crunchy, my table is always sticky but I am getting my passion back for what's important in my life; making good lifestyle choices for my family, networking with my community and giving back something to the Universe.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now speaking of giving something back....Teacher gifts for yep, Christmas. This year they're going to get Preserved Lemons. I bartered lemons for greens yesterday, I have jars and lovely salt, so that's what's on the agenda for today. Hopefully by the end of term they will be deliciousness in a jar.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hold on you say, you've written about 'Musings' and the 'lemons' where's the 'chaos' bit? Ummm yeah, I need to sort out this mess today as well. My system isn't working and it's making me stabby. Very stabby!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Any suggestions? </div>
<br />
<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4CqCuOLRHzQ7XilBqYB3RR1Hg9Ufz6gJKS8I7KwKxGOIHg10RS1Up1Nje41O81a03vWcGs-GRS3RLxb1g1jmajcTb7R0PSR-wofGpNBAuKTyAhH8-h2u52qVkOupqMKzBI5m1ks7dp4/" /></div>
</div>
The Crone at Wits Endhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139566501738953285noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256732481931588219.post-87836494213785849382012-10-18T16:30:00.000+08:002012-10-18T16:30:03.306+08:00Speechless!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Me, after reading the Liberal Party's Climate Change page on their website.<br />
<br />
The Liberal Party are obviously speechless as well! Apart from the title which proves that they can't spell (or proof read)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.liberal.org.au/issues/environment/climate-change">http://www.liberal.org.au/issues/environment/climate-change</a></div>
The Crone at Wits Endhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139566501738953285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256732481931588219.post-29901468154273192112012-10-18T12:48:00.001+08:002012-10-18T13:06:23.517+08:00Bartering<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7QQWE9rPt1Z8_zqDwfX3oMJbpKTZQx9f0vBW25OUDNBL0709hVDabV4ean5DCYbU_97tRw-1mjOQ08enWCaOBhFZ9c1GrZ7FBGVRZ7AaRkSc4U1G3DQmXpxnMx-Qv7m2C_fQ837aC9Q/" /><br />
<br />
Not much but a start!<br />
<br />
I took this bag of chard, silverbeet, fennel and herbs to swap for some fresh lemons at Playgroup. I love the whole idea of bartering and want to do more as my garden yields more.<br />
<br />
I truly believe that all thought and deed are energy and that if you nurture the positive then you get that positive energy back. Whether by bartering, volunteering, talking to your plants or just giving a stranger a smile.<br />
<br />
Blessed Be!</div>
The Crone at Wits Endhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139566501738953285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256732481931588219.post-42472768538387306082012-10-17T06:03:00.001+08:002012-10-17T06:06:08.804+08:00There's a hippopotamus in my oven becoming cake (muffins)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div>
Cake fail or cake win? You decide :p<br />
<br />
I overfilled the fancy muffin pans I bought and they all came out like this; added ears and eyes (goji berries) and voila, Hippos!<br />
<br />
<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqeATUB9XPpGL6hEWvW6Zp9CNT-bi8w_EU8FoCuiBzgjPZRjcEhE0IaZ-T7j3pOt4ensZGq8w5mOaviwg2m0lNQK5f6QYmg-Df6V55xAM24MtoxYIPD-mJeHumtc8SpBvRZNcdy1USlg/" /></div>
</div>
The Crone at Wits Endhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139566501738953285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256732481931588219.post-52851513723145981502012-10-17T05:10:00.001+08:002012-10-17T05:22:54.970+08:003am insomnia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQBEJ1zYeQGRoKL1VK0jBr3nAQ37gy7acq9foutC616puKWTH6-gPlLgjcYmh9NGKPiHfN0qoiDUiPRJ26YfbuHA4xs5STLP_mPlCQQdCtA9gIzFaKShtM8mGAkCUpL40Pl63TtyD4Kc/" /><br />
<br />
I've been getting up earlier and earlier for the last few weeks. This morning it was 3am. As soon as the Wee Lad wakes for his feed (yes I'm still breastfeeding him at 19 months and yes we're still cosleeping) it seems like my brain kicks in and I keep thinking of all the things I have to do. Well, I suppose that I don't <i>have </i>to do them, I <i>choose </i>to do them. Things like what's pictured above;<br />
<br />
Making my own pectin<br />
The resultant apple mush from making my own pectin going to go into the Chirpies breakfast muffins<br />
Chopped tub of vegies to make my own picalilli.<br />
A loaf of bread proving on the benchtop<br />
<br />
I could actually buy all of these products. I'm sure that a jar of picalilli costs about $2, Apple sauce the same, a good loaf of bread (preservative free) around $2.50 or more and pectin, well I have no idea. However I only paid $5 for a huge box of apple seconds and have so far made a heap of dried apples, apple butter (2 litres!) and now the pectin and apple mush. A far more cost effective use of my money, if only I didn't feel the need to wake up so early!<br />
<br />
So I'm sipping on my first cup of tea, writing this and pondering how else to use up the second bag of free organic oranges I was given; I'm thinking frozen orange juices for the Chirpies school lunches. A few months ago I bought some refillable pouches from www.pouched.com.au which I've used to do frozen yoghourts very successfully. Yep, I think I'll get the citrus juicer down and get stuck into filling up some pouches :)<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
The Crone at Wits Endhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139566501738953285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256732481931588219.post-70653160342749083972012-10-15T12:53:00.001+08:002012-10-15T13:06:51.025+08:00There's nothing quite like a simple orange cake<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yesterday I was blessed and gifted with two large canvas shopping bags filled to the brim with organic homegrown oranges. You have no idea just how juicy an orange, less than 10 minutes from the tree can taste. Honestly, there were over 15kg's of oranges!<br />
<br />
We gorged ourselves on fresh cut oranges and orange juice for breakfast and now I've just made the whole orange cake from the <a href="http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com.au/2010/06/whole-orange-cake.html">DTE forum</a> (sorry, my phone takes the crappiest pictures). What a way to finish up a lunch of homemade fritatta (cheese and broccoli) and homemade sauerkraut (recipe from Wild Fermentation)<br />
<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeypxpGn7B97njHZR7NGECu_UIJFMh9x1zB7lBC-rpo2E8I5I6nplP4R8CoUGdzQyavg6-QK9EvqAyOvsGHlsbzCvzltBL9ihnYkLQ2Ipy_9U53JccyZbparsEELc2sBzNcViQCiZ-4yE/" /><br />
<br />
I'm going to have to make several of these cakes as they only use up one orange and we've still got at least 30 left (I like cake far more than I like marmalade :p )</div>
The Crone at Wits Endhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139566501738953285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256732481931588219.post-45894286718299346122012-10-14T18:13:00.000+08:002012-10-14T18:13:02.183+08:00Says it all really doesn't it<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/oct/10/un-rising-food-costs-weather">Rising food costs in the Northern Hemisphere due to drought</a><br />
<br />
We're not immune to this here. I'm sure we're going to see a steep increase in the cost of food. <br />
<br />
What's really scary though is the rate at which we're becoming dependent on just two stores; Coles and Woolies. What happens when they stop keeping prices down and there is no longer any competition from smaller local retailers? Yep, we'll be forced to buy from one of those two. At the prices they want to set.</div>
The Crone at Wits Endhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139566501738953285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256732481931588219.post-70049850140073671942012-10-14T11:53:00.001+08:002012-10-14T11:55:31.183+08:00Getting there <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div>
Almost built! <br />
<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RnnSbF_DSd76wQG9zsk_9mpSwcAcuhklWGfCk264L3hdmF0ANqE1-00ir2_aFLs556PxV5Jhwakz1pj037JIjsMlfnEANqC9FxcQ14EqKVjxeOyXWILJqcBqZdAeQpRTCLVh56dWEYU/" /><br />
<br />
The chook house is almost built. DD started to get blisters so she's having a couple of days off to let her piano hands recover :p<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
The Crone at Wits Endhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139566501738953285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256732481931588219.post-26053204048204376322012-10-13T07:06:00.001+08:002012-10-13T09:36:03.881+08:00I wish you could smell this <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div>
Organic vanilla beans in vodka for two weeks. <br />
<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh61ZOJRXaHtXVcJbJpK4GmFzNDM0vj-60nQwkoYXSz0yD2yvK0lkWaSAWJmdSww2nQfnvGLrZZNRmD9fhrwPtAYj3qX6SBF7jXVMqJu7_k7hh-pJdKzkYHbfGyLSDhvoEBMUlYkXXxzp4/" /><br />
<br />
I wish that I knew how to rotate the photos on my phone!<br />
<br />
Inspired by a couple of friends at a picnic the other day I thought that I would up the ante on my diet and not only bake Gluten Free but also try to make as much of the baked goods dairy free as well. That's all well and good until I pop a slab of cheese on my delicious <a href="http://glutenfreegirl.com/quinoa-crackers-with-seeds/">Quinoa crackers</a>! <br />
<br />
Another friend has linked me to a Vegan cake which she swears by. I'll take a pic and tell you how it is in about an hour :)</div>
</div>
The Crone at Wits Endhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139566501738953285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256732481931588219.post-82418790782670454432012-10-10T06:03:00.001+08:002012-10-10T06:19:34.228+08:00The tastiest bean dish ever!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
Yesterday I cooked an amazing dish. No modesty allowed here because honestly, everyone in the family ate this and loved it. I couldn't believe just how simple it was despite having three steps to it. Basically it is blackeyed beans cooked with sliced chorizo, onions, peppers and dressed with some wine vinegar and parsley, topped with pan fried fish and oven roasted potatoes. If you have the beans and potatoes precooked in the fridge it literally takes only 30 minutes. I love how delicious simple Portuguese food is. Oh and Miss Boo (age 6) helped to make it, that's how simple it was.<br />
<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBmmQ5D5Wuhxw07h7PSMGov6UB_N1eXZMF8SnWvnsqz16a2Qj8L-0ICzfolEbei_cSYOxmRjphO_eJd3Xua_xCouIW-HSRzCgymSXvWbCCZerHw5PpEjdBykv1K4a5kxVfDoUYN-D3Cw/" /><br />
<br />
I'm sure that I've mentioned that I've been getting up in the morning at 4am so that I can get some quiet "Me" time? It started because the Wee Man drags me to bed almost as soon as he's finished his dinner at 7pm. That's it, my evenings end when the bees go to bed! After weeks of waking up at 4am and trying to get back to sleep I decided to stop stressing about it and just get up and start my day. This morning's routine has been;<br />
Beans soaked<br />
Water kefir nourished<br />
Start the preps for the night's dinner<br />
Waste some time on FB (cutting back on that!)<br />
Another dishcloth knitted while watching Rick Stein on iview.<br />
On my second pot of Honey Vanilla tea *rants and wails about no longer being able to drink coffee* while I write this and contemplate scrubbing my floors.<br />
<br />
I've also toyed with the idea of going to an early morning yoga class. Let's just say that it's been put back into the toy box for now :p<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
The Crone at Wits Endhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12139566501738953285noreply@blogger.com1