tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72353868442832556722024-03-13T12:21:44.042+10:00Home RevolutionsA place for cooking, simple living, very amateur food gardening
and raising three beautiful boys.Vichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00612572755999702809noreply@blogger.comBlogger198125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235386844283255672.post-89055554248277619632012-04-02T08:35:00.000+10:002012-04-02T08:35:10.740+10:00In the kitchen this week ...<u>Monday</u> <br />
Lunch - chicken and sundried tomato risotto (TMX)<br />
Dinner - zucchini slice and salad (TMX)<br />
<br />
<u>Tuesday</u><br />
No cooking - at mums<br />
<u><br /></u><br />
<u>Wednesday</u><br />
Sourdough tortillas (TMX) with bean chilli (TMX), cheese, sour cream, salad<br />
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<u>Thursday</u><br />
Beef casserole with mashed sweet potato and steamed veg<br />
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<u>Friday</u><br />
<a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2011/01/chicken-and-cashews-with-coconut-satay.html">This</a> dish from <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/">Quirky Cooking</a> but with fish instead of chicken as it's Good Friday. It is easily our favourite dish to whip up in the Thermomix!<br />
<u><br /></u><br />
<u>Extras</u><br />
Sourdough bread, muffins, tortillas<br />
Apricot bliss balls<br />
Wholemeal bread<br />
<u><br /></u><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235386844283255672.post-41057059150840973562012-03-30T05:37:00.000+10:002012-03-30T05:37:00.350+10:00More Bulk Purchases<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DAHm3evmpIw/T2ZwtqVppqI/AAAAAAAAAjw/mGRvpiRDk3Q/s1600/DSC_0366.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DAHm3evmpIw/T2ZwtqVppqI/AAAAAAAAAjw/mGRvpiRDk3Q/s400/DSC_0366.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The local Halal butcher sells 3kg tins of tomato paste, how could I not buy one? I originally thought it'd be enough to last us <i>forever</i> but I've started making our own lacto-fermented tomato sauce so it may not last as long as I originally thought!<br />
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I froze one big batch for sauce making and the rest went in ice cube trays ready to be popped into soups, pasta sauces, chilli, casseroles, wherever tomato paste is needed!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235386844283255672.post-23854786881464747502012-03-27T05:23:00.000+10:002012-03-27T05:23:00.770+10:00The Modern-Day Wet NurseIn days gone by mothers who had trouble breastfeeding their babies would turn to other women to step up and lend a hand, or more to the point, a boob, to ensure the baby thrived.<br />
<br />
It's common knowledge that many wealthy women of history did not feed their babies themselves but employed wet nurses, women who had usually recently had a baby of their own and who was judged to have ample supply. In more traditional cultures it was not out of place for women to cross-feed each other's babies and young children. After all, the old saying <i>it takes a village to raise a child</i> had to come from somewhere!<br />
<br />
But in today's world of individuals, consumerism, marketing and media what options are there for women who can't breastfeed? The most obvious answer is formula (or artificial baby milk) but are there other options? Yes!!!<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.who.int/en/">World Health Organisation</a> has developed a preferential list of different ways to feed a baby. I think many people would be surprised to see where artificial baby milk comes on the list - 4th! 4th!!!<br />
<br />
1st - mother breastfeeding her own baby<br />
2nd - mother expressing her own milk to feed baby<br />
3rd - mother using donor milk from other mothers<br />
4th - artificial baby milk<br />
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<i>Expressed and frozen breast milk waiting collection</i></div>
<br />
I have been donating milk over the past few months to a family not far away and I've been getting some mixed reactions. Most people are surprised (<i>"Isn't it illegal?"</i>), some are impressed (<i>"Wow, what a nice thing to do for someone"</i>) and many are curious (<i>"But why?"</i>).<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.hm4hb.net/">This</a> is one organisation that facilitates peer-to-peer milk sharing however there are others.<br />
<br />
If you are interested in reading more about the risks and dangers of artificial baby milk there are links <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2812877/">here</a>, <a href="http://www.lactivist.com/dangform.html">here</a>, <a href="http://www.infactcanada.ca/pdf/14-Risks-Small.pdf">here</a> just to list a few.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235386844283255672.post-82934777290162203072012-03-26T06:07:00.000+10:002012-03-26T06:07:00.145+10:00Meal Plan MondayI was away over the weekend at a conference and was just not in the right frame of mind to meal plan this week with the same enthusiasm as normal weeks. A weekend of training, listening, learning and inquisitive-baby wrangling is hard work despite the big boys staying at home with Daddy and there being plenty of willing hands to help out with the baby!<br />
<br />
Here is our plan this week:<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>Monday</u><br />
<a href="http://vic-homerevolutions.blogspot.com.au/2010/10/random-recipe-review.html">Pasta Primavera</a><br />
<u><br /></u><br />
<u>Tuesday</u><br />
Nana's house for dinner - no cooking for me!!!<br />
<br />
<u>Wednesday</u><br />
Chicken laksa (TMX)<br />
<br />
<u>Thursday</u><br />
Zucchini slice and salad (TMX)<br />
<br />
<u>Friday</u><br />
Bean burritos (TMX)<br />
<br />
<u>Saturday</u><br />
Pumpkin soup (TMX)<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>Baking and Extras</u><br />
Muffins, tortillas, bread and rolls (all sourdough and wholemeal)<br />
plain wholemeal bread<br />
bliss balls<br />
yoghurt<br />
pickled ginger carrots<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235386844283255672.post-20303127982915690952012-03-23T06:53:00.000+10:002012-03-22T06:53:12.865+10:00What I'm Reading ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ww2kEGIbb4/T2WgLDZZMII/AAAAAAAAAjg/_iH9vIz0KHE/s1600/DSC_0375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ww2kEGIbb4/T2WgLDZZMII/AAAAAAAAAjg/_iH9vIz0KHE/s400/DSC_0375.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The Politics of Breastfeeding </i>by Gabrielle Palmer </div>
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A very old copy (published in 1993) but a very interesting read none-the-less. </div>
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Who would have thought that in 1977 Papua New Guinea would have a formula by prescription only policy? More info<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7358968"> here.</a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>Nourishing Traditions</i> by Sally Fallon</div>
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I've read this so many times but keep coming back to it. We are trying to incorporate more recipes from it in our daily eating - soaking grains, sourdough bread and baking products, lacto-fermented vegies etc etc</div>
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<br /></div>
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A big pile of workbooks and assessments for me to study. I'm completing a Certificate IV in Breastfeeding Education (Counselling) with the Australian Breastfeeding Association.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235386844283255672.post-8235152453061534172012-03-21T10:42:00.000+10:002012-03-21T10:42:09.250+10:00Snap It - Old<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My antique entry table - a 21st gift!</div>
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<a href="http://faithhopeandawholelottalove.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/snap-it-old.html">Snap It - Old</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235386844283255672.post-42479699300170013762012-03-19T03:58:00.000+10:002012-03-19T03:58:00.848+10:00Meal Plan MondayI'm linking up with Jo at <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/">Quirky Cooking</a> for her weekly Thermomix menu plan. If I ever get my blogging mojo back I'll start up the Home Revolutions Meal Plan Monday linky-thingy again.<br />
<br />
This week on our table will be:<br />
<br />
<u>Sunday </u><br />
<a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2011/05/sue-ellens-singapore-noodles.html">Sue-Ellen's Singapore Noodles</a> (TMX)<br />
<br />
<u>Monday</u><br />
Mushroom risotto (TMX)<br />
<u><br /></u><br />
<u>Tuesday</u><br />
Boys - eggs and toast<br />
Adults - TMX Varoma demo<br />
<br />
<u>Wednesday</u><br />
Homemade pizza on wholemeal, sourdough bases <br />
<br />
<u>Thursday</u><br />
Pumpkin soup (TMX) with wholemeal, sourdough toast or rolls<br />
<br />
<u>Friday</u><br />
Savoury mince (TMX)<br />
<br />
<u>Saturday</u><br />
Pork sausages with mashed sweet potato and steamed vegies<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>Baking and Extras</u><br />
Muffins, tortillas, bread and rolls (all sourdough and wholemeal)<br />
plain wholemeal bread<br />
bliss balls<br />
yoghurt<br />
labne<br />
lacto-fermented tomato sauce<br />
pickled ginger carrotsUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235386844283255672.post-39363254863344143842012-02-23T05:34:00.000+10:002012-02-23T05:34:00.416+10:00Holy Aioli!I had a couple of egg yolks looking for a use and thought some aioli would be nice. I followed Stephanie Alexander's recipe from <i>The Kitchen Garden Companion</i> and it was really garlicky. Like, don't-have-too-much-hopefully-you're-not-going-out-afterwards garlicky. It was good, don't get me wrong, but less garlic next time would have made all the difference.<br />
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<br />
Nothing like making aioli or mayonnaise by hand to get the arm muscles toned!<br />
<br />
6 cloves garlic<br />
salt<br />
2 egg yolks <br />
1 1/2 cups olive oil<br />
squeeze of lemon juice<br />
<br />
Crush up garlic and a pinch of salt to a paste, I just did it on the chopping board with the back of a large knife.<br />
<br />
Transfer to a large bowl and stir in the egg yolks to combine. Very slowly drizzle in the olive oil, drop by drop to begin with, whisking as you go. It will become thick. When almost all the oil is added squeeze in some lemon juice and taste for seasoning. I also added a little bit of hot water at the end to thin it out, it was very, very thick.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235386844283255672.post-9739694912561553922012-02-20T05:30:00.000+10:002012-02-20T05:30:00.077+10:00Back to Meal Planning - again!!!It seems that whenever I have an involuntary break from the blog, it's the meal planning that brings me back. I have a need (my husband may say it borders on an OCD need!) to meal plan. It just makes our week flow so much easier.<br />
<br />
So, here is this week - <br />
<br />
<u>Sunday:</u><br />
Savoury mince on toast with steamed veg on the side<br />
<br />
<u>Monday:</u><br />
Meatballs and pasta<br />
<br />
<u>Tuesday:</u><br />
No cooking for me! We're off to my Mum's for dinner.<br />
<br />
<u>Wednesday:</u><br />
Adults - chilli con carne<br />
Kids - beggs and toast (the boys creation of bacon, eggs and toast. A definite treat and sometimes food)<br />
<br />
<u>Thursday:</u><br />
Pork sausages, mashed sweet potato and steamed veg<br />
<br />
<u>Friday:</u><br />
<a href="http://vic-homerevolutions.blogspot.com.au/2011/02/random-recipe-review-and-monday-menu.html">Megadarra</a><br />
<br />
<u>Extras:</u><br />
Sourdough bread<br />
Sourdough tortillas<br />
Chocolate sourdough muffins <br />
Sourdough pikelets (anyone sensing a theme yet?)<br />
Chicken stock<br />
Yoghurt<br />
Labne<br />
Bliss balls - I'm not sure what sort yet, can you make any suggestions?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235386844283255672.post-23636012812507683882011-11-22T05:42:00.000+10:002011-11-22T05:42:00.288+10:00Sharing the Harvest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We had some friends round for dinner and they brought us some wonderful </div>
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fruits (and vegies) of their labour!</div>
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Yum!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235386844283255672.post-24430627919511742022011-11-21T05:41:00.000+10:002011-11-21T05:41:00.145+10:00In the Kitchen This Week<u>Monday</u><br />
<a href="http://vic-homerevolutions.blogspot.com/2010/09/random-recipe.html">Random Recipe</a> - Chinese Chicken Hotpot with steamed veg<br />
from Donna Hay's <i>No Time To Cook</i> p96<br />
<br />
<u>Tuesday</u><br />
Roasted Red Capsicum with buckwheat pasta from <a href="http://www.towards-sustainability.com/2009/04/roasted-red-capsicum-pepper-pasta-sauce.html">here</a><br />
<br />
<u>Wednesday</u><br />
boys - eggs<br />
adults - chilli con carne (we've been trying to have this for three weeks now, plans always keep changing. This week definitely!)<br />
<br />
<u>Thursday</u><br />
GF pizza, no idea on toppings yet<br />
<br />
<u>Friday</u><br />
Sweet potato and chickpea red curry with brown rice and steamed veg <br />
<br />
<u>Saturday</u><br />
BBQ <br />
<br />
<u>Sunday</u><br />
GF bean burritosUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235386844283255672.post-36718508915197528352011-11-18T05:56:00.000+10:002011-11-18T05:56:00.748+10:00An Easy Weekday Dinner<a href="http://vic-homerevolutions.blogspot.com/2011/11/organic-homemade-ricotta.html">This</a><br />
+<br />
<a href="http://vic-homerevolutions.blogspot.com/2011/11/rocket-pesto.html">this</a><br />
+<br />
buckwheat pasta<br />
=<br />
quick, yummy dinner after a busy day out and about.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235386844283255672.post-24981783117215743982011-11-17T05:35:00.000+10:002011-11-17T05:35:00.461+10:00A New ExperienceBaby Oliver is now 5 1/2 months. Oh, where does the time go? He is rolling like a fiend and doing all that pre-crawling stuff, getting up on his hands and knees, working his arms and legs but only going backwards! Adorable!<br />
<br />
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<br />
He's also started to show signs that he's ready to move from a diet of purely breastmilk to introducing solids. His head control is great, he's almost sitting independently and he's showing so much interest in our food and drink that it's hard to keep him from grabbing whatever is on my fork!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X3JS0tCT9JY/Tr7iV8Kn86I/AAAAAAAAAi0/1UBp3U1oaRs/s1600/DSC_0033.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X3JS0tCT9JY/Tr7iV8Kn86I/AAAAAAAAAi0/1UBp3U1oaRs/s400/DSC_0033.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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So now we're entering the world of solids! We're going to go down the road of baby-led solids, not bothering with purees and mash just giving him little tastes of the family food and some specifically steamed fingers of vegies. We'll still offer cereal (starting with iron-fortified organic rice cereal) for breakfast, just because I think cereal and a healthy breakfast is a good habit to get into early.<br />
<br />
Baby-led solids has so many benefits but oh so much mess! <br />
<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235386844283255672.post-82742203758913676892011-11-15T05:49:00.000+10:002011-11-15T05:49:00.283+10:00Another AdjustmentIt seems like life has been all about adjustments lately.<br />
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Some big, some not so big.<br />
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One of the not so big ones is this:<br />
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<br />
For the first time in my life I'm not hanging out washing on a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hills_Hoist">Hills Hoist</a>.<br />
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It's brought up all sorts of dilemmas. Where do I start hanging? Should I start at one end and work my way down one line line and then the next? Or should I start at one end and peg on each line?<br />
<br />
Oh, these are indeed the big issues!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235386844283255672.post-62805689819412138552011-11-14T05:33:00.000+10:002011-11-14T05:33:00.089+10:00In the Kitchen this WeekI'll post more about it soon but we're making the transition from a wheat-based diet to one that is wheat-free, attempting to be gluten free. <br />
<br />
<u>Monday:</u><br />
Roasted pumpkin risotto<u></u><br />
<u><br /></u><br />
<u>Tuesday:</u><br />
Buckwheat pasta with bolognese sauce<br />
<u><br /></u><br />
<u>Wednesday:</u><br />
boys- eggs and toast<br />
adults- chilli con carne (we didn't end up having it last week)<br />
<br />
<u>Thursday:</u><br />
Pumpkin soup with cheesey muffins<u></u><br />
<u><br /></u><br />
<u>Friday:</u><br />
gluten-free pizza<u></u><br />
<u><br /></u><br />
<u>Saturday:</u><br />
BBQ<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>Sunday:</u><br />
<a href="http://vic-homerevolutions.blogspot.com/2010/09/random-recipe.html">Random Recipe</a> - Eggplant Parmigiana from Rose Elliot's Classic Vegetarian p74<br />
<u><br /></u><br />
<u>Extras: </u><br />
gluten-free bluberry muffins, gluten-free bread, chicken stock, <a href="http://vic-homerevolutions.blogspot.com/2010/05/calm-in-kitchen.html">muesli</a>, yoghurt, <a href="http://vic-homerevolutions.blogspot.com/2011/11/organic-homemade-ricotta.html">ricotta</a><u><br /></u>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235386844283255672.post-82995964095927442032011-11-11T05:24:00.000+10:002011-11-11T19:31:45.063+10:00Rocket PestoWe got a massive bunch of rocket in our F&V box recently and I knew the boys wouldn't like it as salad leaves <i>too spicy Mummy!</i> so I turned it into the yummiest pesto! With brazil nuts instead of pine nuts it wasn't exactly traditional, but what does that matter!<br />
<br />
1 bunch (2 firmly packed cups) rocket<br />
1/2 cupbrazil nuts<br />
1 cup olive oil<br />
120g parmesan cheese<br />
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped<br />
salt and pepper to taste<br />
<br />
Whiz everything up in a blender of food processor until it reaches your desired chunkiness!<br />
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Enjoy as dip, salad dressing, a sandwich spread, stirred through pasta. Your imagination is the limit!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235386844283255672.post-7488506220147340322011-11-09T07:36:00.000+10:002011-11-09T08:21:53.756+10:00Starting Early<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been a while but I'm joining in with Wordless Wednesday at <a href="http://faithhopeandawholelottalove.blogspot.com/">Faith, Hope & a Whole Lotta Love.</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235386844283255672.post-18749313380959154282011-11-07T05:27:00.000+10:002011-11-07T05:27:00.737+10:00Back to Menu Planning!not that I ever stopped, but back to sharing it with everyone!<br />
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Happening in the kitchen this week is:<br />
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<u>Monday:</u><br />
Broccoli casserole with steamed veg<br />
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<u>Tuesday:</u><br />
Zucchini slice with salad<br />
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<u>Wednesday:</u><br />
Boys - eggs and veg<br />
Grown ups - chilli con carne<br />
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<u>Thursday:</u><br />
BBQ<br />
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<u>Friday:</u><br />
Mushroom risotto<br />
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<u>Saturday:</u><br />
Chickpea casserole (requested by Archie, no idea what I'll actually make though)<br />
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<u>Sunday:</u><br />
no idea yet!<br />
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<u>Extras:</u><br />
Bread, yoghurt, chicken stock, beef stockUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235386844283255672.post-83358352531101988782011-11-05T05:54:00.000+10:002011-11-05T05:54:00.183+10:00Organic Homemade RicottaThe day before its 'sell by' date the organic milk at our local grocery gets reduced to a ridiculously cheap price. Being the food hoarder that I am I buy every bottle that is reduced (sometimes three or four 2l bottles) and use it straight away for cooking or freeze it to use later.<br />
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Making ricotta is a great way to use up a large quantity of milk to give a different product that is so versatile. A sweet dip for fruit when mixed with honey, a topping on pizza, a filling in filo pastries, the uses are endless!<br />
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Here's my recipe using just milk and vinegar. Too easy!<br />
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2l organic, non-homogenised milk<br />
3 tbls white vinegar or lemon juice<br />
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Heat milk slowly to 97C or just below boiling point if you don't have a jam thermometer.<br />
Remover from heat and stir through vinegar or lemon juice.<br />
Sit, without stirring for 15 minutes<br />
Strain through a muslin cloth for 30 minutes or until it's as firm as you desire.<br />
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I don't salt my ricotta as I like to have the option to use it for sweet or savoury.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235386844283255672.post-81888802338826180672011-11-04T05:40:00.002+10:002011-11-04T05:40:00.731+10:00Around our Suburban GardenOne of the biggest adjustments we've had to make after the move back to suburbia is giving up the dream of growing the majority of our own food. Even though we are renting a great house with the perfect backyard for us, it's still not the same, you know?<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K_yuUIJCgAQ/TrEsry6FoPI/AAAAAAAAAhk/tt5SQui3Oxo/s1600/DSC_0176.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K_yuUIJCgAQ/TrEsry6FoPI/AAAAAAAAAhk/tt5SQui3Oxo/s400/DSC_0176.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><br />
Anyway, we're doing what we can. There were already not one, but three (!!!) lemon trees so that is a bonus! There is a tank so we can water when there hasn't been rain for a while and there are a few garden beds that we are planting out in between the existing ornamentals.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wom1YF28UZ0/TrEs_l-vsBI/AAAAAAAAAhs/ZHOBerJeUw4/s1600/DSC_0178.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wom1YF28UZ0/TrEs_l-vsBI/AAAAAAAAAhs/ZHOBerJeUw4/s400/DSC_0178.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>A capsicum seedling among the ornamentals</i></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7v_VgBsG4ac/TrEtXsHjJ2I/AAAAAAAAAh8/mpjSK6UKrUs/s1600/DSC_0202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7v_VgBsG4ac/TrEtXsHjJ2I/AAAAAAAAAh8/mpjSK6UKrUs/s400/DSC_0202.JPG" width="265" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Potted carrots, hopefully growing straight!</i> </div><br />
We're planning pots, pots and more pots!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235386844283255672.post-19712826720328616532011-11-02T06:02:00.039+10:002011-11-02T06:02:00.204+10:00Baby-Led Attachment After A Caesar Is Possible!!!There is a lot of negativity within the health community about breastfeeding after c-sections. While I understand the generalities of why there is this negativity (ie baby removed from mum immediately after birth, baby and mum missing out on many important hormones, scar pain, immobility from anesthesia, recovering from all the drugs for mum and baby just to name a few) I wanted to write a positive post about breastfeeding after a c-section. <br />
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Knowing that I would be having a third c-section and having done <a href="http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/bla.html">Baby-led attachment</a> with Archie, prepared me to use the same approach after Oliver's birth. It really is the most effective way to get breastfeeding off to the right start and makes every feed after that so much more relaxed. Along with lots and lots of skin to skin time, co-sleeping and true demand feeding it helps really establish proper attachment for those important first feeds. Not to mention wonderful bonding time for mum and babe, getting all those great hormones flowing, so important after a c-section birth!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0XXX5X4qB20/Tq8pYV8AxuI/AAAAAAAAAhc/7ATM6YJizU8/s1600/IMGP0914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0XXX5X4qB20/Tq8pYV8AxuI/AAAAAAAAAhc/7ATM6YJizU8/s320/IMGP0914.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <i>Oliver, a few hours old, enjoying skin-to-skin time </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>after another breast crawl.</i></div><br />
<a href="http://breastcrawl.org/video.shtml">Here</a> is a video of a baby doing the "breast crawl" when only a few minutes old. It is truly amazing how a wee baby, perceived to be so helpless, can find their way to their mother's milk.<br />
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It can be hard in the hospital environment to stand up for your baby and what is best for them. For Oliver's first breast crawl we had a midwife standing over us wanting to get her hands in there and "help" him. We had to say quite a few times that "No thankyou, he's fine. He'll get there." And he did, without any interfering hands. In saying that though, the hospital were very supportive of my desire for lots of skin-to-skin time. In fact, because we both had trouble keeping our temperature stable after surgery it was actively encouraged (not that I needed encouragement!) so the first two days after his birth we spent almost every waking moment in bed, skin-to-skin!<br />
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As with a natural birth, the key to having a positive c-section is preparation and confidence. Know what you want, discuss it throughout your pregnancy with your doctor or midwife, firmly but gently stand your ground on the important issues. After all, you only get one chance at giving your wee babe the best arrival you can!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235386844283255672.post-71749037427933321762011-11-01T05:52:00.002+10:002011-11-01T05:52:00.470+10:00Making a Sheepish Return to the Blog WorldWell, it's been a while! Sorry, but life has been full!<br />
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After a couple of months staying with my parents we're now in our own place and back to regular programming. We are adjusting to life back in the 'big smoke', adjusting to life in suburbia where going for a walk means counting buses instead of cows, adjusting to having a normal sized backyard, adjusting to town water!!!<br />
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But there are positives, lots of positives. More time with extended family (the boys are loving having Nan and Pop over for dinner!), being able to walk down to the shops to get that forgotten little something as opposed to getting everyone in (and out, and then back in) the car.<br />
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The boys are continuing to grow and develop at ridiculous rates. Elliot absolutely loves his new kindy and is making lots of lovely new friends. Archie hasn't taken the adjustment as smoothly as Elliot has. I suppose that happens when you're 2! Oliver is now 5 months, and just a delight. Feeding like a champ, sleeping well and doing all the lovely things a 5 month old should do.<br />
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I'm really looking forward to getting back into the blog world!<br />
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Much love,<br />
Vic xxUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235386844283255672.post-42674854772548232472011-06-21T06:40:00.019+10:002011-06-21T06:40:01.187+10:00Boy, It's a Responsibility!<div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U7_EaOCJBqc/TfrzA_bdI8I/AAAAAAAAAhY/jzZbF41bH8k/s1600/DSC_0134.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U7_EaOCJBqc/TfrzA_bdI8I/AAAAAAAAAhY/jzZbF41bH8k/s400/DSC_0134.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <i>Elliot's morning job list. Archie also gets in and gets his jobs done too!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div>As the Mum of boys, I have an awareness of my responsibility to raise them to be good men. Men that treat women well, men that will make good partners and husbands, men that pull their weight around the house. While that is all years and years away I strongly believe in planting the seeds of this responsibility early. Children are much more capable than many people give them credit for. If you scaffold and guide them, if you make it possible for them to succeed then they will generally rise to the challenge.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BjUB5WQHY_g/Tfryv43HK1I/AAAAAAAAAhQ/okjRHxMfz8k/s1600/DSC_0129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BjUB5WQHY_g/Tfryv43HK1I/AAAAAAAAAhQ/okjRHxMfz8k/s320/DSC_0129.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <i>El's self-made bed, complete with pj's under his pillow and baby asleep and tucked in.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div>A few months before Kindy was due to start this year I started to talk to Elliot about jobs that he needed to do in the mornings to get ready to go out. Together we came up with a list. At first he needed help with everything on the list. Luckily for me he's a lover of a routine so it took him oh, about a day to remember everything on the list! Over time the list has been added to, amended and changed to suit our changing circumstances. Elliot has also changed in that he now completes the list independently (apart from cleaning his teeth, I have a turn after he's had a turn). He even makes his bed <i>and</i> Archie's bed, usually as part of a surprise for me which also involves choosing clothes and getting himself dressed.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3jq_W--I2Fw/Tfry3FuvccI/AAAAAAAAAhU/DBjL_x06ZyE/s1600/DSC_0130.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3jq_W--I2Fw/Tfry3FuvccI/AAAAAAAAAhU/DBjL_x06ZyE/s400/DSC_0130.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Archie's bed after Elliot has made it. Sideways quilt, rumpled blankets and all!</i></div><br />
Sure, he often has his clothes inside out, back to front or completely mismatching. The beds are always rumpled and lumpy but I wouldn't have it any other way. He's showing me he's capable and responsible. He's proud of his success in doing these 'grown up' tasks.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235386844283255672.post-45326660361119683932011-06-20T05:26:00.001+10:002011-06-20T05:26:00.681+10:00In the Kitchen this WeekAs we will be moving in a few short weeks we're eating from the freezer and pantry. We're planning on putting everything in storage and staying with my parent's until we find a new place in Brisbane. So we need empty fridges, freezers and pantries.<br />
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Along with eating from the freezer and pantry, we've had lots of friends drop meals around to help us out with new baby Oliver. We've been so spoilt, having yummy homemade meals delivered, soups, stews, pies even cassava cake and ice cream! Yum!<br />
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But, by me, nothing exciting is cooking, nothing exciting is being planned, no cookbooks are being consulted.<br />
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Every morning I've been standing at an open pantry or freezer and surveying the offerings. We've been eating lots of pasta, lots of tinned lentils in soup or sauces, usually with tinned tomatoes too! <br />
Hopefully soon I'll be able to be back in the kitchen, planning and cooking up a storm!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7235386844283255672.post-27389808737551094312011-06-16T04:45:00.001+10:002011-06-16T04:45:01.119+10:00Just Something I Love<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Some pretty flowers, a surprise from the boys when they went shopping with Daddy. </div><div style="text-align: center;">A couple of cross stitches by my Mum. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aebkRkVGEdo/TfhWFhuwl8I/AAAAAAAAAg8/5d8uP1vMAF4/s1600/DSC_0136.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aebkRkVGEdo/TfhWFhuwl8I/AAAAAAAAAg8/5d8uP1vMAF4/s400/DSC_0136.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the clocks we received as a wedding present. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Some op-shopped canisters. </div><div style="text-align: center;">A teapot given to Matt by his late Grandma.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mlzmv3hLTqU/TfhWMcBS1QI/AAAAAAAAAhA/D21gNUmx82w/s1600/DSC_0137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mlzmv3hLTqU/TfhWMcBS1QI/AAAAAAAAAhA/D21gNUmx82w/s400/DSC_0137.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">I love this wall in my kitchen. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0