Bible Verse

I haven't really spoken about my faith on this blog but I am a Christian and more specifically, I attend a Lutheran Church.

I am currently reading a book by Courtney Joseph called "Women Living Well" - and I am finding it very insightful and helpful to me in my struggle to find time in my day for spiritual study.

Early on in the book, Courtney suggests writing down a bible verse on a card and carrying it in your wallet or putting it somewhere you will see often to help you memorsie that verse.  Well, the first verse I chose was about contentment and having it in my wallet - everytime I went to buy something I would think - "do I really need this?" and so not only have I now memorised the verse but it stopped me spending money!

So I thought that I would share my verse this week as well for those of you who might be looking for a similar thing.  One of my New Years Resolutions was to learn more patience with my Husband and my Mum - both of whom are close to me and often get my annoyed comment or nasty comment about someone else.

So the verse for this week is:

"When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent." - Proverbs 10:19

I would love to hear how other people handle their not-so-nice thoughts.


PS - If you are looking for any kind of encouragement Courtney's has a wonderful website with links to similarly minded women at womenlivingwell.org

Menu Plan

I think the last menu plan I posted was one of ones that I have actually almost followed perfectly.  I am trying to cut down on the amount of rushing in the afternoon and evening here (which is causing me to feel anxious) by sticking to the menu plan - even if I don't feel like cooking I am going to suck it up and just do it.  It has worked so far - we have eaten better, not wasted so much food and I am making inroads into my pantry!!!

Here is the menu for the next two weeks:


Saturday - at a Wedding!!!
Sunday - Nachos
Monday - Poached Eggs on Garlic Sourdough with spinach
Tuesday - Beetroot Risotto and chops
Wednesday - Grandmas
Thursday - Potato Torte (a favourite recipe from Laura Calder)
Friday - Soup or Leftovers with Salad


Saturday - Beef/Mushroom Pies
Sunday - Buckwheat Noodle bowl with Pickles
Monday - Cauliflower Cheese and Steak
Tuesday - Vegetable Lasange
Wednesday - Grandma's
Thursday - Leftovers/Freezer Meral
Friday - Roast Vegetables with Cheese and Sausages.

I'm getting a Thermomix!

I am so excited to share with news with you about my Thermomix!!

Everyone know how much I love reading RetroMummy and I have been envious of how easily she makes dinner look when cooking for her tribe of 7 and she says it is manily due to her Thermomix.

I was asked my my BF's husband around to their place for a demonstration of the one he had bought her for her birthday - how romantic (it really is when you see the price) - and I was really impressed.  The speed at which this thing churned out dishes that were both hot and cold - with leftovers to boot - made me think "I want one."

Well I thought about it for a few weeks and followed some amazing people on Instagram and then I tried to make cocnut butter in  my food processor and almost blew it up and then, my tiny baby boy (noy) decided that he could reach things on the ktchen bench and start pulling them down - so that finally sold it to me.

The Thermomix allows you to chuck in ingredients press the buttons and walk away and nothing will burn, not baby will hurt themselves and I can get rid of half the appliances I have in the kitchen because of all the things that the Thermo can do.

The Thermomix people really don't do a good job on their website of making it look as good as it can be - if you are interested I suggest you follow the people who actually own one who are on Instagram and blooging.


The best ones I have found are of course, RetroMummy

CXorrie and her family - from here

, My Melbourne Thermomix

Lemon Tart - from here

The people I am following on Instagram are:

• dansthermomixjourney
• thermomama
• myfoodsafari
• valeria_the_well_nest
• tenina (of thermomix cookbook fame)

Anyway when it arrives I will be sure to let you know what I think!

Daily Outfit: Jackie Onassis

I love earning outfits inspired by Jackie Onassis when I'm on holidays.  It is one vintage style in particular that fits in with the climate here in Sydney and the activities I'm involved in.  Today it was going to the zoo.

Jackie Onassis and Valentino - from here

I love Jackie's style at this time of her life.  Everything is very simple and easy to wear, easy to care for and functional.  I have the most amazing book called: Jackie Handbook.  The above photo is in that book but it seems to be unavailable at the moment from the Book Depository but you may be able to find a copy on eBay.  The book chronicles Jackie's greatest looks at important times of her life with a few interviews thrown in.   It is about an inch and a half thick so there is a lot of material and it contains a lot of photographs I had not seen before - especially those taken in the second half of her life.

From here

Incidentally I also have the Marilyn Handbook which has just as many photographs and is great for studying the style of clothing worn by Marlyn throughout her life.

Here is my outfit inspired by Jackie:

Tasty Tuesday: Home made pizza

I love home made pizza - it is so much better than home delivered (well the standard ones anyway) and plus - I know that only I have been touching the ingredients.  It seem a bit gross to me that someone with questionable hygiene may have been sprinkling cheese on my pizza - I know they are supposed to wear gloves but a 14 year old boy who doesn't like cleaning anything isn't going to remember to put on gloves each time.

I have tried several pizza base recipes over the years including Giada's and Jamie's but I have found Delia Smith's to be the best - I always get a consistent result.

Plus you can make it thin or crispy - it freezes well and is easy to double/quadruple and I always have all the ingredients.  Here is the recipe I use - though searching on her website there are a few different ones.  I came across this recipe in the most wonderful vegetarian cookbook: Delia's Vegetarian Collection.  There are recipes in here that get requested every Christmas - by people who eat meat and other vegetarians.






So here are the quantities and method that I use:

Ingredients

350g plain flour
2 tsp salt
2 tsp dried yeast
1 tsp sugar
2 tblsp olive oil
200mL water


 This makes 2 pizza bases - my husband will eat a whole pizza and I try to only eat half but in truth I could eat a whole one.

 Method

1.  Put all the dry ingredients in a bowl/mixer bowl (I use a mixer similar to a KitchenAid with the dough hook) and mix so they are combined.




2.   Add the olive oil and mix again.




3.  With the mixer on very slow add the 3/4 of the water.  Add the rest of the water if you dough is not coming together.




4. When the dough has formed a clump - remove it from the bowl and kneed on a lightly floured surface for three minutes.




5. Place in a oiled bowl/bag to rise for 1 hour.*




6. Sprinkle a surface lightly with polenta and roll/stretch out your dough.  Sprinkle a baking tray with polenta and place the dough on top - then add your toppings.




*If I am freezing half the dough I put it into a freezer bag and then straight into the freezer.  I find when you thaw it out - it has doubled in size.

Toppings

I thought that I would list out some of our favourite toppings - usually it is whatever we have leftover in the fridge.

For example the pizza on the left has:

• Roast pumpkin and BBQ sauce mashed together for the pizza sauce.
  
  • Feta
    
    • Olives
      
      • Sun dried tomatoes
        
        • Baba ganoush
          
          • Cheddar Cheese
            
            • Flavoured olive oil sprinkled on top.
            • Ham - for a vegetarian I would just leave it off.

I have linked this at:



- See more at: http://diyhshp.blogspot.com.au/#sthash.wYTGtAtJ.dpuf

- See more at: http://diyhshp.blogspot.com.au/#sthash.wYTGtAtJ.dpuf

- See more at: http://diyhshp.blogspot.com.au/#sthash.QAjYLntP.dpuf

- See more at: http://diyhshp.blogspot.com.au/#sthash.QAjYLntP.dpuf

Menu Plan

Here is the first menu plan for 2104.  And in addition to myself being pescatarian - I am also considering following Sarah Wilson's I Quit Sugar plan for 6 weeks - and during the first two weeks you just cut down on your sugar consumption and really consider how  much you are currently eating.  So this menu focuses on vegetarian mains that also do not have much/no sugar in them.

This year one of my goals is to eat my way though the pantry - not all at once - just cut back on the amount of food in there - it is at capacity - I mean things falling onto your head when you open the door capacity! So after each item I will list the ingredients that I will be using up from my pantry.

Saturday - Pork Ribs/Tempeh, Coleslaw and Corn (ah - nothing in this one)
Sunday - Laksa (laksa paste, coconut cream, noodles, peanuts, fish sauce, soy sauce)
Monday - Nachos (dried beans, kombu, tomatoes, spices, corn chips)
Tuesday - Vegetable tart with cheese
Wednesday - Dinner at my Grandma's
Thursday - Leftovers/Quesadilla's (burrito breads, Tabasco)
Friday - Chops/Tempeh with Mashed Potato and green beans

Saturday - Fish Cakes and Cucumber salad (curry paste)
Sunday - Roast chicken and veggies
Monday - Vegetable Soup, Cheese and Bread
Tuesday - Red Lentil Dahl and Pratha (red lentils, spices, tinned tomatoes)
Wednesday - Dinner at my Grandma's
Thursday - Homemade Pizza
Friday - Noodle/Rice Bowl (noodles/rice, tamari. mirin, pickles)

I am also changing the day that I do my menu plan because I go shopping on every second weekend.