A lovely group of girls participated in my Fragments in Time Journal Workshop last Saturday and Sunday. The girls where very industrious and produced very creative pages for their journals. It is very satisfying teaching these workshops, I always learn something new from the students as well. I love seeing each ones individual personality evolving in their art. I am always grateful and humble to be accepted as a teacher by the women who attend my workshops, I feel I do a good job by the quality of workmanship achieved.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Monday, June 3, 2013
Tree change
I know butter wouldn't melt in her mouth, but if she plays hockey like she plays basketball I would be keeping well out of the way of that hockey stick. She's a fiery little thing, must get it from her nana.
We are thinking of escaping from the city to live in the country later this year or earlier next year.
We headed down South to look at Donnybrook about 2 1/2 hours from Perth, and 30 mins from Kirsty in Collie. After looking at houses in the price range we could afford without any debt, we are thinking maybe to build. I love building a new home, find it exciting to stamp our creativity into the decor, love designing new gardens etc. Photo above is front of block the impressed, sloping quarter acre block, lots of trees. I love trees and don't want to wait for new ones to grow. Below house opposite, shows me that you can grow a good garden this is important as want that challenge to keep me busy.
On walking around to the back of the block it has established fruit trees which is a plus. The big question will it still be available in 6 months time, time will tell.
Donnybrook is a lovely little village that we found appealing, has all the facilities we would need. The street scene here is the South West Highway which is the one of the main route's down south. We where there Saturday and Sunday of our Long weekend and it was pretty busy. Would like to see it again on a week day.
This will be a big step for us and probably our retirement home, we want to get it right. I am a country girl (cant take the country out of a girl) whereas John grew up in a small city but I think he is ready for a quieter life. Lots of research now of house plans etc and planning in general. Will keep you in the loop and share our journey.
We are thinking of escaping from the city to live in the country later this year or earlier next year.
We headed down South to look at Donnybrook about 2 1/2 hours from Perth, and 30 mins from Kirsty in Collie. After looking at houses in the price range we could afford without any debt, we are thinking maybe to build. I love building a new home, find it exciting to stamp our creativity into the decor, love designing new gardens etc. Photo above is front of block the impressed, sloping quarter acre block, lots of trees. I love trees and don't want to wait for new ones to grow. Below house opposite, shows me that you can grow a good garden this is important as want that challenge to keep me busy.
On walking around to the back of the block it has established fruit trees which is a plus. The big question will it still be available in 6 months time, time will tell.
Donnybrook is a lovely little village that we found appealing, has all the facilities we would need. The street scene here is the South West Highway which is the one of the main route's down south. We where there Saturday and Sunday of our Long weekend and it was pretty busy. Would like to see it again on a week day.
This will be a big step for us and probably our retirement home, we want to get it right. I am a country girl (cant take the country out of a girl) whereas John grew up in a small city but I think he is ready for a quieter life. Lots of research now of house plans etc and planning in general. Will keep you in the loop and share our journey.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
after gym muffins
After an hours work out at the gym I am quite hungry, and if I have to call into the supermarket its absolute disaster, buy totally inappropriate sweet things. To overcome this I have made a batch of muffins from a recipe I got on Live Lighter.
I freeze these when they are cold and put out one a day before going to the gym, don't want to ruin all my good work at the gym. I think next time I will half the recipe and just make 12 or make 18 smaller muffins as these ones are a bit on the large side for me.
Now for something for afternoon snacks when I cut out all carbohydrates and fruit, any ideas?
Pear and banan muffins
olive or canola oil spray - lightly spray muffin trays
2 cups wholemeal self raising flour
2 cups self raising flour
1 cup brown sugar
sift flour into bowl, add husks, add sugar
2 eggs
150 ml low fat natural yoghurt
1/2 cup orange juice
mix together in small bowl
stir into dry mix.
1 large banana chopped
1 pear chopped
add to mixture, 1/2 cup milk depending on moisture in fruit
Do not over mix
Spoon into 24 muffin tin
Bake near the top of 170 deg oven for 18 to 20 mins
turn onto wire rack to cool
I added some ginger powder and chopped walnuts, sprinkled cinnamon on top
also after I started I realised I didn't have the yoghurt or orange juice so added more milk
I freeze these when they are cold and put out one a day before going to the gym, don't want to ruin all my good work at the gym. I think next time I will half the recipe and just make 12 or make 18 smaller muffins as these ones are a bit on the large side for me.
Now for something for afternoon snacks when I cut out all carbohydrates and fruit, any ideas?
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Kalamunda markets for Mothers day
Yesterday was Kalamunda markets, as it is Mothers Day next Sunday, I made some more feminine
pieces. When I can work out how to do a website I will start to sell this type of work online.
I did sell some of them, just as well they don't take up much room and I can put them away for the Christmas markets. I like making them also. People here in Perth seem to be very careful with their spending, it was quite slow for everyone.
pieces. When I can work out how to do a website I will start to sell this type of work online.
I did sell some of them, just as well they don't take up much room and I can put them away for the Christmas markets. I like making them also. People here in Perth seem to be very careful with their spending, it was quite slow for everyone.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Anzac
Half starved and battle weary, Dad, we remember what you did to make a better world for us. This looks like Crete, fierce battles across this island and hazardous deployment from a heavily bombed harbour, you got through by the skin of your teeth. Four years of your life you gave to your country you served it well. We are proud of you. We do not forget.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
African Peanut Stew
I want to share with you a recipe I tried from a magazine called Clean Eating. I know I have told you I am a challenged cook but this turned out really yum, and of course I didn't follow the recipe to the full.
African Peanut Stew
2 cups brown Basmati rice (1 cup brown rice pre cooked and frozen, I put in a strainer and rested it on top of pot, the steam reheated)
1 tbsp sunflower oil or safflower, peanut or grape seed oil
2 onions ( I used 1 smallish)
6 cloves garlic (1 large clove chopped small)
3 Jalapeño chillie seeded and finely chopped (1 small green one out of the garden)
2 tbsp curry powder (2 tsp's)
1 tbsp chopped fresh ginger
4 cups low salt vegetable broth ( 2 tsps chicken stock per 2 cups boiling water)
2 cups tomatoes in juice (tinned)
1/3rd cup all natural unsalted peanut butter (got this from the health food shop $11 jar but worth it)
780g sweet potatoes cut into cubes (2 big kumara)
4 cups shredded silver beet (out of garden, super fresh)
sea salt to taste
fresh coriander to serve
cook rice as per directions on packet (I cook up 2 cups in 5 cups water for 30 mins, cool, freeze)
In large pot heat oil on medium heat add sliced onions and saute until tender 5 - 7 mins
add garlic, chilli, curry powder and ginger stir 1 min
stir in broth, tomatoes and peanut butter. add potatoes and silver beet and increase heat to med/high
bring to boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. (I put my rice in strainer on top pot here) Cook until tender 10 to 15 mins, season with salt.
Picture above is the one I cooked, I had a bit too much liquid so squashed the sweet potato randomly and that made it thicker. bowl on right is John's with rice and mine on left with some coriander.
John liked it too and had enough to freeze for another two meals, so 4 dishes for less than $10 using the best quality peanut butter.
I also made
Peanut Buttter Chocolate Chip backpack kisses
also from same magazine
half cup rolled oats
quarter cup vegan unsweetend protein powder as natural as possible (I used Musashi brand I got for John which is very low sugar 5g per 100 g)
2 tbsp hulled hemp seed (now this is a curly one as it is banned in Australia the same health food shop had it and yes it was expensive $24.20 for 250g but should get lots of recipes from that and it is a complete source of amino acids, does that justify the price, mmmh!!
2 tbsp flaxseed (linseed common name) cracked ( use coffee grinder)
1/4 cup unsweetened dried cranberries (health food shop)
1/4 cup vegan semi sweet natural chocolate chips ( I couldn't find this so used Lindt 70% dark chocolate and chopped it roughly)
pinch seasalt
1 cup natural peanut butter unsweetend, unsalted (same I used in stew recipe above)
2 tbsp pure honey
mix all in bowl using hands to mix thoroughly,
make into small balls, try for 24, about a teaspoon. Mine where about 2 cm wide
I rolled mine in some drinking chocolate powder to stop sticking to gather.
Store in airtight container.
Yummy great for afternoon to stop cravings, probably should only have one, but, I might have two
Clean eating is
eat 5 to 6 times a day , 3 meals and 2 or 3 snacks, include lean protein, plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and a complex carbohydrate with each meal.
drink at least 2 litres water a day
read labels , clean foods contain just one or two ingredients.
avoid processed and refined foods, such as white flour, sugar, bread and pasta
avoid anything high in saturated and trans fat, anything fried or anything high in sugar
consume humanely raised and local meats ( I prefer grass fed not grain fed)
consume healthy fats (essential fatty acids, or EFAs every day
learn about portion sizes and eat within them ( meat should fit in the palm of your hand)
reduce carbon foot print, Eat produce that is seasonal and local
slow down and savour your food
pack a cooler for work or outings so you always have clean eats on the go
website cleaneating.com.au
Really to me this is basically what we grew up with, we rarely saw obesity, makes sense to me
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Getting ready for Kalamunda Markets on Saturday
I have been given a stall at Kalamunda Markets this Saturday, No 151.1, down the bottom is where I will be, with some lovely trees giving me shade. Have created some more graffiti art to add to my stall. If you are coming please stop and say hello
Jacky
Jacky
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