Summer is a coming to Australia and I have mixed feelings about it, I have been happier here since the weather turned cooler in Late April, able to appreciate the beauty of this stark and rugged place. It's easier to enjoy the beauty, because your skin doesn't burn to bits when you step out the door, your breath isn't sucked away by the stagnant unbearable heat, and there aren't bush flies clouding your vision of the scenery.
But Winter is coming to an end, and the heat is creeping in, and so are the bugs. I am resolved to try harder to enjoy the endless summer season this year, as much as possible, while squeezing ever last drop of enjoyment from the few remaining cooler days. I need a plan. A Plan to maximise the crippling heat, and enjoy the long summer holiday with both my kids at home and our days all to ourselves.
So far on my list-
- Swimming, lots of swimming. I think we will get a pool pass, and enroll in swim lessons as soon as registration begins. In the heat of the day, being submerged in water is the only way to survive outside. Sitting in a pool while eating a Popsicle is even better.
- Summer School- I'm devising a little summer enrichment program with the kiddo's to keep our minds sharp, and send them back to school in January with a little educational edge. We will also do lots of crafts. We love Crafts.
- Vacation- We all need a little Holiday to look forward to. We still haven't seen much of Australia, and I want to carve out some time for a little road trip. I'm thinking we should rent a mini-Winnie and go for a little tour of the country.
Christmas- Okay, I know it may seem impossible to get exited for Christmas when it will be 110 degree's. But it is, what it is. I'm exited about unpacking all of our decorations, and putting up our own tree's this year. Lots of baking, gifting, holiday smells and Christmas carol's streaming through the house ( Loud, in order to drown out the A.C) I'm already dreaming of Christmas cards and wrapping paper.
Gardening- I'm hoping to try my hand at some container gardening this summer, I'm thinking Tomato's , zuchinini , peppers and a whole mess of herbs, grown in pots. So I can bring them in if the heat gets too oppressive. I'm also planning to buy a few dwarf citrus tree's to ornament the front yard.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
Menu Planning Monday
Its Monday, well in Australia at least. There have been al ot of renovations in my kitchen in the last few weeks. Not the cosmetic kind, I'm stuck with that. But changes in what is being made and served from my kitchen, and how the royal family is eating. Ive been working on getting the junk out of our house for sometime now, but balancing healthy wholesome food on a tight budget is hard work. It takes a lot more thought and planning and WORK than just throwing something together or popping a box in the oven.
First off, I eliminated 90% of the processed and prepackaged food from our pantry and freezer, Ive been happily ( most of the time) baking, and making snacks and meals from scratch.
Second, I quit buying white flour and processed sugar. Its poison. It wrecks havoc on your blood sugar, and overloads your brain.
recently, I added GREEN smoothies to our morning routine, the kids have always enjoyed fresh fruit smoothies, and green smoothies, are like super smoothies, choc full of vitamins, minerals, fiber and other energising and Delicious goodies. I joined a green smoothie challenge online, and am drinking a huge jar of green smoothie every morning. Its only been a week, and I have noticed a difference in my mood, my skin, my energy level and MY WEIGHT. I'm hooked.
You can research the power of green food, by reading this post from The Happy Foody or better yet, go out and buy the book Green For Life by Victoria Boutenko, it's awesome.
Finally, I have found a way to keep my grocery budget in check, while still filling my cart with all the fresh and wonderful HEALTHY food I want. are you ready...................................
I Quit buying meat!!! Yes, I did. Well, not completely ( yet) but very little. We still had two packages of chicken breast in the fridge, and instead of using them up in one or two meals, they will last us for the next two weeks. And I will no longer be fixing meals with beef or pork. I know it may seem like an extreme way of saving money, but honestly that is just a bonus. I have been toying with Vegetarianism off and on for years, and I firmly believe in the health benefits of a plant based diet. So for now, I consider us " Flexitarians" because I will, on occasion cook chicken and fish for the family, but I plan to make at least 70 percent of our meals ...meatless.
Those of you who know my Carnivorous husband maybe shaking your heads in disbelief about now, but he is not starving, he is not protesting, and he has LOVED every meal I have made this week. I'm sure he will never completely convert to a meatless existence, but he understands and accepts the changes in the Royal Kitchen and has not complained once!!
So now that I have shocked your socks off....on to this weeks Menu. We are actually halfway through this Menu, which is good because I can give you our reviews of each dish.
First off, I eliminated 90% of the processed and prepackaged food from our pantry and freezer, Ive been happily ( most of the time) baking, and making snacks and meals from scratch.
Second, I quit buying white flour and processed sugar. Its poison. It wrecks havoc on your blood sugar, and overloads your brain.
recently, I added GREEN smoothies to our morning routine, the kids have always enjoyed fresh fruit smoothies, and green smoothies, are like super smoothies, choc full of vitamins, minerals, fiber and other energising and Delicious goodies. I joined a green smoothie challenge online, and am drinking a huge jar of green smoothie every morning. Its only been a week, and I have noticed a difference in my mood, my skin, my energy level and MY WEIGHT. I'm hooked.
You can research the power of green food, by reading this post from The Happy Foody or better yet, go out and buy the book Green For Life by Victoria Boutenko, it's awesome.
Finally, I have found a way to keep my grocery budget in check, while still filling my cart with all the fresh and wonderful HEALTHY food I want. are you ready...................................
I Quit buying meat!!! Yes, I did. Well, not completely ( yet) but very little. We still had two packages of chicken breast in the fridge, and instead of using them up in one or two meals, they will last us for the next two weeks. And I will no longer be fixing meals with beef or pork. I know it may seem like an extreme way of saving money, but honestly that is just a bonus. I have been toying with Vegetarianism off and on for years, and I firmly believe in the health benefits of a plant based diet. So for now, I consider us " Flexitarians" because I will, on occasion cook chicken and fish for the family, but I plan to make at least 70 percent of our meals ...meatless.
Those of you who know my Carnivorous husband maybe shaking your heads in disbelief about now, but he is not starving, he is not protesting, and he has LOVED every meal I have made this week. I'm sure he will never completely convert to a meatless existence, but he understands and accepts the changes in the Royal Kitchen and has not complained once!!
So now that I have shocked your socks off....on to this weeks Menu. We are actually halfway through this Menu, which is good because I can give you our reviews of each dish.
Breakfasts-
Green Smoothies
Steel cut oatmeal
Cereal and Yogurt Sundae's
WholeWheat Waffles and Fruit
Lunches-
Veggie Burgers
Baked Potato's
Salad/Soups
Veggie Pitas/Hummus
Left Overs
Dinners-
Spicy Tofu Stir Fry w/brown rice ( I added a bit of chicken) *** amazing everyone devoured it**
Herbed Whole Wheat Pasta w/ lemon butter and Feta
Cheese and Bean Enchilada's, Pico De Gallo, Avacado * Exellent*
Homemade Pizza night * good, but still in search of good, whole wheat pizza dough*
Vegtable Lasagna, Whole wheat bread, Salad * recipe needs tweaking, but o.k*
Baked Macaroni and Cheese, Steamed Brocoli ( grilled chicken) * Phenomenal Mac and Cheese*
Black Bean chili and baked potato's
Pasta Salad with olives and peppers, fruit, homemade bread
Planned Left Overs
Snacks-
Sweet Potato Muffins
nuts/seeds
Homemade Granola Bars
W.W pear muffins
Veggie's w/hummus
fruit/smoothies
My kids have eaten more vegatables in the last few weeks, than ever before and I am lookking forward to introducing new recipes and foods, and I go to bed feeling great about the nutritious foods my kids are eating enjoying.
Acts of Service
Because acts of service and good deeds are the corner stone to all happy Kingdoms, The children and I volunteered to baby sit for a friend in need of a night out last friday night.
Oh My, we had lots of fun, the kids got a kick out of trying to entertain the baby, and figure out the language of baby babble. I had forgotton how busy one year olds could be, and realised that my house is no longer at all BABY-PROOF!
Miss Lily Kept us on our toes, and we all had a great time, especially her mother, who may have enjoyed her self a bit too much while out dining and dancing. But, you only live once.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Happy Birthday 2 me!
Yes another Blog, I know..but I just wasn't happy or motivated by the others, I have a good feeling about this one.
So, I am officially into my 30's now...funny to think how old I used to think 30 was, and now it seems just a drop in the bucket, I don't feel old...well sometimes I do, but inside I still feel 21, now if I could just get the reflection in my magic mirror to agree with me.
Yesterday, my Prince Charming surprised me with a full day at the spa for my birthday. IT WAS HEAVENLY. I actually took, my camera and planned to sneak pics during the day, when my attendant wasn't around...but the girl never left!! Seriously ,the only time I was alone was to change in the dressing room, and trust me, you don't want a picture of that. If she wasn't applying a treatment of some sort she was rubbing my scalp or my feet, or my hands... it was a bit excessive. I've been exfoliated, showered, steamed and rubbed and polished to perfection ( well, closer anyway) it was a lovely, decadent day. But before you get the impression that I really am some sort of spoiled, pampered princess, rest assured as the clock stuck 2:30, I had to rush out of spa land, hop in my 1999 ford Chariot, and with wet nails, rush to pick up Prince N and Princess T from school. Then I came home and cooked dinner.
So, I am officially into my 30's now...funny to think how old I used to think 30 was, and now it seems just a drop in the bucket, I don't feel old...well sometimes I do, but inside I still feel 21, now if I could just get the reflection in my magic mirror to agree with me.
Yesterday, my Prince Charming surprised me with a full day at the spa for my birthday. IT WAS HEAVENLY. I actually took, my camera and planned to sneak pics during the day, when my attendant wasn't around...but the girl never left!! Seriously ,the only time I was alone was to change in the dressing room, and trust me, you don't want a picture of that. If she wasn't applying a treatment of some sort she was rubbing my scalp or my feet, or my hands... it was a bit excessive. I've been exfoliated, showered, steamed and rubbed and polished to perfection ( well, closer anyway) it was a lovely, decadent day. But before you get the impression that I really am some sort of spoiled, pampered princess, rest assured as the clock stuck 2:30, I had to rush out of spa land, hop in my 1999 ford Chariot, and with wet nails, rush to pick up Prince N and Princess T from school. Then I came home and cooked dinner.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
