tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84551337129960060002024-02-20T02:59:19.764+10:00Quirky CookingEating healthy doesn't have to be boring. And food allergies and intolerances don't have to make life difficult.
Imagine. Experiment. Create. Have fun. Learn how to be a 'quirky cook'!Jo Whittonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12590877342845433951noreply@blogger.comBlogger390125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455133712996006000.post-40639898972137951572014-05-03T12:38:00.000+10:002014-05-03T12:44:35.637+10:00Bone Broths (Liquid Stocks)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Liquid gold. That's what it is. Our great grandmother's knew it and wouldn't be without it, but somewhere along the way, old-fashioned broth fell out of everyday use, and stock cubes and packs of insipid factory-made stock took its' place. But now it's making a comeback! And so it should - bone broths are the natural way to beautifully flavour soups, stews, casseroles and sauces while imparting gut-healing goodness and easy to digest minerals. </div>
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You've probably heard about how good bone broth is for you. Traditional, slow cooked broth (or stock) contains many minerals in a form that the body can easily absorb. The gelatine in the broth protects and heals the lining of the digestive tract, and is very high in amino acids like glycine, which are anti-inflammatory and calming. You know how when you get a cold, you crave soup? There's a reason for that. Not only does it feel good on a sore throat, but it really does help you get well. This is one of our favourite recipes for when we're feeling a bit 'under the weather' -<a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com/2009/07/coconut-lemon-chicken-soup.html"> <span style="color: blue;">Coconut Chicken Lemon Soup</span></a>. You can just <u>feel</u> it doing you good!</div>
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Do you make your own broths and stocks? I love to have a big pot of broth gently simmering on the stove. It becomes the base for so many meals. For example...</div>
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Breakfast: eggs poached in chicken broth, sometimes with some added veges, </div>
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or some leftover rice or noodles or avocado</div>
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Lunch: add in some veges and maybe some meat for a quick but very nourishing soup</div>
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Dinner: add some beef mince, ginger, garlic, chilli, veges and greens </div>
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to beef broth for an Asian-style meal, served with rice or mung bean vermicelli</div>
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If you've never made old-fashioned stock or broth before, it's time to get started, both for the health benefits and the amazing flavour that will add so much more to your meals! It's really simple. Here's how:<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">For Chicken Broth:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.2px;"><b>Ingredients </b></span><span style="color: black; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">1 whole, fresh chicken</span><i style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span style="color: #c0504c;"> </span></span></i></div>
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4 litres filtered water, <i>room temperature</i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 large onion, roughly chopped<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 carrots, peeled and roughly chopped<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3 celery sticks with leaves, roughly chopped<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">5 cloves garlic, roughly chopped <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">a handful of parsley<span style="white-space: pre;">, roughly chopped</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><i>For Beef Broth:</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="color: #c0504c; letter-spacing: 0.2px;"><b>Ingredients</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">2kg beef bones - a mixture of marrow, knuckle and meat bones</span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">3 litres filtered water, <i>room temperature</i></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">¼ cup of apple cider vinegar</span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">1 large brown onion, roughly chopped</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">2 carrots, roughly chopped</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">2 celery sticks with leaves, roughly chopped</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">6 sprigs fresh thyme, tied together, or 1 tsp dried</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">a handful of parsley, roughly chopped</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">1 bay leaf</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Method</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>For chicken broth</b>: </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">Cut the chicken apart and remove most of the meat to use in other dishes, leaving a little bit of meat on the bones. The fat can be kept to use in the stock as it adds to the flavour and helps nutrients to be absorbed more easily. (I c</span><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">ut the meat into cubes or pieces and freeze in 300g lots. See recipe suggestions below for ways to use the meat.)</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Place the meaty bones (and fat if using) into a large, heavy based pot on the stove, or in a slow cooker. If you are cooking up your own chickens, or have access to the 'whole' chickens, you can also add the chicken feet and head.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cover bones with water, add other ingredients and leave to stand for 30 minutes.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Bring to a boil, remove any foam that rises to the top, cover, reduce heat and simmer for 6 to 24 hours. Longer is better, as the more time it cooks, the more nutrients and minerals are released from the bones. A slow cooker is </span></span>easiest, but make sure it's stainless steel or ceramic, preferably not teflon lined. If you use a pot on the stove, keep heat as low as possible and top up water as needed so that the bones are always covered.<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Strain the broth into a bowl, then pour into jars. Discard bones and vegetables, but include meat scraps in the broth if you like. (I always do.)</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Store stock in the coolest part of the fridge for a few days, or separate into small containers and freeze. Once cold, the stock should become a ‘gel’, and there will be a layer of fat on top. This is good - it helps to preserve the stock.</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">When you're ready to use the stock, remove the fat and set aside, and scoop out a few tablespoons of stock to add to your meal. It is concentrated goodness, so you can add water to it for soups and stews. If you're taking it as a gut-healing 'medicine', just warm up half a cup of broth on the stovetop, add a little sea salt if you like, and sip like a cup of hot tea at least once a day! So so good for you.</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The fat can be washed off with cold water then kept in the fridge to use for frying, as it is a stable fat and won't burn when heated. I use it for savoury cooking - eg. sautéing onions, frying vegetable fritters, etc.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>For beef stock:</b> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Place the knuckle and marrow bones into a heavy-based pot on the stove, or in a slow cooker, cover with water, add vinegar and leave to stand for one hour. Meanwhile, roast meat bones in oven at 180</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">°</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> for 30 mins. Add to pot with other bones.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Add all other ingredients, with extra water if needed to keep bones covered. Simmer for at least 12 hours or as long as 48 hours on low temperature. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Strain and store as for chicken broth.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Note:</b> If you feel like you need broth quickly and just don't have time for hours of cooking time, you can make the liquid stock recipe in my book 'Quirky Cooking' - it cooks in an hour. It's not going to have all the goodness of a slow-cooked stock, but it's a good start.</span></span><br />
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<b>Recipes that are great for using the reserved meat from the chicken:</b></div>
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<a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2011/05/sue-ellens-singapore-noodles.html"><span style="color: blue;">Singapore Noodles</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2009/07/coconut-lemon-chicken-soup.html"><span style="color: blue;">Coconut Lemon Chicken Soup</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/chicken-pasta-with-zoodles-oh-and-bonus.html"><span style="color: blue;">Chicken Pasta or Chicken Zoodle Soup</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com/2010/07/creamy-chicken-brown-rice-soup.html"><span style="color: blue;">Creamy Chicken and Brown Rice Soup</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2011/01/chicken-and-cashews-with-coconut-satay.html"><span style="color: blue;">Chicken and Cashews with Coconut Satay Sauce and Coconut Rice</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2009/08/thermomix-fried-rice.html"><span style="color: blue;">Fried rice</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/paprika-chicken-with-creamy-paprika.html"><span style="color: blue;">Paprika Chicken with Creamy Paprika Sauce (an easy all-in-one Thermomix dinner)</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/healthy-fried-chicken-strips-salad.html"><span style="color: blue;">Healthy Fried Chicken Strips & Salad</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/quinoa-salad-thermomix-style.html"><span style="color: blue;">Quinoa Salad</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/brown-rice-mushroom-risotto-with.html"><span style="color: blue;">Brown Rice Mushroom Risotto with Macadamia Cheese</span></a></div>
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Jo Whittonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12590877342845433951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455133712996006000.post-38176020058208950542014-04-26T15:12:00.000+10:002014-05-03T15:19:10.404+10:00Light & Fluffy Gluten Free Scones!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">These scones are for those of you who are gluten free and really missing light, fluffy scones! For a gluten free, dairy free treat, use the macadamia oil option, and top them with some <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2010/10/naturally-sweetened-strawberry-jam.html"><span style="color: blue;">naturally sweetened jam</span></a> (takes 8 mins to make, no excuses!) and some <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2010/07/cashew-cream.html"><span style="color: blue;">cashew cream</span></a>,</span> for a delicious afternoon tea treat. :)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I’ve tried this recipe with many different GF flour mixes, and have found that the Orgran SR flour has the lightest and best results. Others will be heavier and crumbly. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">As is usual with gluten free baking, these are best eaten on the same day.</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Makes approx. 1 dozen scones</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">300g Orgran® gluten free self raising flour</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">60g butter or macadamia oil</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">½ tsp sea salt</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 eggs</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">150g coconut milk (recipe <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/dairy-free-condensed-milk-dulce-de-leche.html"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a>)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Preheat oven to 200</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">°</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">. Line baking tray with baking paper, or sprinkle with flour.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Place flour, butter or oil and salt into mixing bowl and mix <b>6 sec/speed 6</b>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Add eggs and milk and mix <b>10 sec/speed 5</b>, using spatula to help mixture to combine. Do not overmix.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Drop mixture by rounded tablespoonfuls onto baking tray, placing close together so scones are touching. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">Cook at 200</span><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">°</span><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"> for approx. 15 mins, or until lightly browned and cooked through.</span><br />
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Enjoy! xxJo Whittonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12590877342845433951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455133712996006000.post-31256730678369937602014-04-15T00:08:00.001+10:002014-04-15T00:08:49.644+10:00'Share the Love' Apple & Persimmon Oat Slice <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHgsim3sB2EEYnTAW6o7Tf_yr7YUV2ysOdVf0IiCyKn9m8bPA7Cb_bpXnnt7DK7W8VjMHEndkkz2s0pGk3UnSuJTWxUbsERUtIeVrr2EyFVx3OpgFc54-kxqoBlc2ENdTzxgAZnSrwyI/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHgsim3sB2EEYnTAW6o7Tf_yr7YUV2ysOdVf0IiCyKn9m8bPA7Cb_bpXnnt7DK7W8VjMHEndkkz2s0pGk3UnSuJTWxUbsERUtIeVrr2EyFVx3OpgFc54-kxqoBlc2ENdTzxgAZnSrwyI/s1600/015.JPG" height="468" width="640" /></a></div>
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Wow. What a day. Where do I even begin to say thank you for the crazily amazing gorgeousness of what so many of you did today? I can't find the words to say how much I appreciate it. I feel so blessed. Just wow.<br />
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If you're wondering what I'm talking about, it's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=640426099344630&set=a.125311994189379.30922.124673354253243&type=1&stream_ref=10"><b><span style="color: blue;">this</span></b></a>. I was totally love-bombed by my readers today! My crazy, sneaky, but ever so sweet sister-in-law, Melissa, decided she was going to do something about my computer troubles and organised some birthday love. (I think my little brother may have had something to do with it too.) So now I not only will be getting a new computer for my birthday, paid for by my much-loved readers, I've also got enough to buy a decent camera to take better photos! (Instead of using my iPhone all the time, as much as I love it.) To all of you who were in on this - thank you, so so much.<br />
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When Melissa texted me and admitted what she'd done, I laughed and cried and was basically totally useless for the rest of the day, and didn't get a scrap of work done. (Except dinner, I did manage to cook that.) So now I'm sitting down at my dodgy old computer at nearly midnight, determined to give you all a little something back, even if it's just a simple slice recipe. Because, you know, giving is like a circle - the more you give, the more you receive, and the more you want to give again.<br />
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So here's my little thank you to you, a simple recipe for Apple & Persimmon Oat Slice, which I made up yesterday when I had three squishy persimmons I needed to use. I hope you'll share the love and make it for someone you care about. <br /><br />Jo xx<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrm5xRnI5_K8hmy77N9uuxtxALDiiMtAfTMGMB71_2QqMbvY17-ZLuPTq5n8SrS4wgVOGjTEGhCVgoSnfjLe7x41ihvG0YFJHfR0PgpSa7D5Tk1fUQWX2_Rjd1dIhrvD1H3iSq1bG2DGw/s1600/300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrm5xRnI5_K8hmy77N9uuxtxALDiiMtAfTMGMB71_2QqMbvY17-ZLuPTq5n8SrS4wgVOGjTEGhCVgoSnfjLe7x41ihvG0YFJHfR0PgpSa7D5Tk1fUQWX2_Rjd1dIhrvD1H3iSq1bG2DGw/s1600/300.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">'Share the Love' Apple & Persimmon Oat Slice</span></b></div>
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<b>Ingredients</b></div>
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<i>Filling:</i></div>
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3 apples, peeled, cored and quartered</div>
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3 persimmons, washed and stems removed (well ripened)</div>
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3 tsp lemon juice</div>
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50g rice malt syrup (or 30g honey)</div>
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1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract</div>
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2 Tbsp cornflour (or arrowroot starch)</div>
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<i>Base & Topping:</i></div>
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370g organic rolled oats (GF oats or quinoa flakes for gluten free)</div>
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100g unsalted butter (or coconut oil for dairy free)</div>
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1 tsp lemon juice</div>
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1 tsp cinnamon</div>
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1/4 tsp fine sea salt</div>
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60g rice malt syrup (or 40g honey)</div>
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1 tsp pure vanilla extract</div>
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<b>Method</b><br /></div>
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<i>Preheat oven to 180C. Line a 21cm square baking dish with baking paper and set aside.</i></div>
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<i>Filling:</i></div>
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Place apples and persimmons into Thermomix mixing bowl and chop <b>5 sec/speed 4</b>.</div>
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Add remaining filling ingredients and cook <b>7 mins/100C/speed 2</b>.</div>
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Pour into a large bowl and set aside.</div>
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<i>Base & Topping:</i></div>
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Place all base/topping ingredients into Thermomix mixing bowl (no need to clean after making filling), and mix <b>30 sec/speed 4</b>, or until mixture is starting to clump together slightly.</div>
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Place 2/3 of the mixture into the lined dish and press in firmly to form base. Pour filling over base.</div>
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Crumble remaining mixture over the top of the filling, and press down slightly with your fingers, into the filling.</div>
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Place into oven and cook for 20-30 mins, or until lightly browned on top.</div>
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Cool, cover, then place in fridge to set.</div>
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Once slice is firm, cut into squares and serve cold from the fridge. </div>
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Tastes great with a dollop of cashew or coconut cream!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTN62Hh7EOkYknb9-rcm28B2qH-IkQC7dqhualophn8mu6RKTAXWaBKpS0VV57Qt_OabMjhFJZ4mWFu5pLBTHSKbI8M4-pZbyKG-WL1W_W3wuRuDPNerHuIzQy2Jr2O99inr-q-PYzoVA/s1600/295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTN62Hh7EOkYknb9-rcm28B2qH-IkQC7dqhualophn8mu6RKTAXWaBKpS0VV57Qt_OabMjhFJZ4mWFu5pLBTHSKbI8M4-pZbyKG-WL1W_W3wuRuDPNerHuIzQy2Jr2O99inr-q-PYzoVA/s1600/295.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Variations:</i></b></div>
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<i><b>If you don't have persimmons,</b> try apples and plums; or use 6 apples instead of apples and persimmons.</i></div>
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<i><b>To make this without a Thermomix,</b> chop fruit roughly by hand and simmer filling in a pan on the stovetop until thickened. Mix topping by hand and proceed with recipe.</i></div>
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Jo Whittonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12590877342845433951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455133712996006000.post-11246614256561106962014-03-22T14:26:00.001+10:002014-03-29T20:23:04.282+10:00Weekly Highlights, a Baking Giveaway and a Recipe for Paleo (Banana Flour) Pancakes!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sca0NTUARPfgNmOef4-sTUXOm5ynK1infu70gJ9H2UktEfqHhsRUipEhpAPNWNyQgOHB2d0cICyw4RqtWDPzr9KlIRPy-QtjyaMNJ52M6U-Hzr-3dBZehadqtqJdbi6VuidW3jRaS5A/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sca0NTUARPfgNmOef4-sTUXOm5ynK1infu70gJ9H2UktEfqHhsRUipEhpAPNWNyQgOHB2d0cICyw4RqtWDPzr9KlIRPy-QtjyaMNJ52M6U-Hzr-3dBZehadqtqJdbi6VuidW3jRaS5A/s1600/006.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hi everyone! I know it's been ages since I've posted my 'weekly highlights' so really it's a bit silly to call them 'weekly,' but I'm aiming to get back to having a regular catch-ups with you all again, so here I am. After a busy week of homeschooling, cooking, writing, driving, cooking, cleaning, packing, cooking and, um, cooking, I need some down time. And besides, I have some goodies to give away, so keep reading!<br />
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<b>Update!</b> My book has gone off to the printers (just one more month to wait now!), but the recipe developing continues, as per usual... (Um, yeah, my recipes are a little hard to understand sometimes, especially when I'm testing them over and over. Might be time to write this one out again. Lol!) </div>
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<b>My big news</b> - just in case any of you missed it! (I couldn't keep it in and had to blab all over <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking"><span style="color: blue;">Facebook</span></a> and <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://instagram.com/jowhitton"><span style="color: blue;">Instagram</span></a>.</span>) We're moving house! Yes, in less than two weeks' time I'm going to have my very own house with a big, bright, open kitchen! And a dishwasher. And a double sink. Yeehaaaa!! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6WZCbymxy7-Khf7kFRxwHyDpNaCnRf4i4UvGct5v1Q0kXIxqF7v-XYGEx1SAfEPOqF8c2iHc9JN8eV8_eT6HJEWIts5yPo6wVDdHh3AFUTFStZW59NryV40LjznQVIpkEzv6UKLTGNs/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6WZCbymxy7-Khf7kFRxwHyDpNaCnRf4i4UvGct5v1Q0kXIxqF7v-XYGEx1SAfEPOqF8c2iHc9JN8eV8_eT6HJEWIts5yPo6wVDdHh3AFUTFStZW59NryV40LjznQVIpkEzv6UKLTGNs/s1600/020.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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I have great plans for this kitchen. At the moment it's a bit bare and modern, but it will soon be 'quirkified' and homey, and ready for... da duh daaaa... Quirky Cooking Classes!! Anyone want to come have a one on one cooking class? Come on, it'll be fun! (You MAY have to dodge nerf bullets and will almost certainly be a guinea pig for my latest creations, but if you're brave enough to come despite that, you will be most welcome.) More details on that to come! </div>
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<i>Beware the nerf guns... </i></div>
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<i>(Yep, just a normal day in the Whitton household. I think I'm outnumbered.)</i></div>
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<b>The most popular post on my blog this week</b> was my new<a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/gluten-free-dairy-free-hot-cross-buns.html"> <span style="color: blue;">Gluten free, dairy free hot cross buns recipe</span></a> - 30,500 views in 6 days! And yes, they are definitely worth making, so if you haven't tried them, get onto it soon, so you'll be all set for Easter. :)</div>
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<b>The most popular posts on my Facebook page this week </b>were:</div>
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- <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/630371927016714?stream_ref=10"><span style="color: blue;">Healthy snacks while at uni</span></a>, and sitting for hours in front of a computer</div>
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- <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/630347713685802?stream_ref=10"><span style="color: blue;">Comments on my 'insanely delicious' barbeque sauce</span></a>, that you really should make before plum season finishes</div>
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- <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/630217267032180?stream_ref=10"><span style="color: blue;">Thermomix websites and FB pages</span></a> for recipes that are free from egg, milk, wheat and soy</div>
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- <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=629989603721613&set=a.537483112972263.1073741826.124673354253243&type=1&stream_ref=10"><span style="color: blue;">Easy dinner ideas</span></a>, and Meatball, bean and kale soup</div>
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- How to make a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=629655630421677&set=a.125311994189379.30922.124673354253243&type=1&stream_ref=10"><span style="color: blue;">grain free version of my Sticky pecan muffins</span></a></div>
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- Recipes for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/628213047232602?stream_ref=10"><span style="color: blue;">grain free pizza bases</span></a></div>
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- And this absolutely amazing <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/761309450559331?stream_ref=10"><span style="color: blue;">Raw Salted Caramel & Almond Cake</span></a>!</div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">(<b>Please note: </b>Facebook is cutting down on how many posts you'll see from pages that don't pay to be seen - and yep, that's me. I've never paid for views and don't intend to start. So if you'd still like to see my FB posts, make sure you add my page to your interests lists! And remember to like, comment on, and share posts from pages you love, because otherwise we'll disappear off your FB feed. Thanks!)</span></div>
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Ok, so now you're all up to date with what's been going on, how about a giveaway!</div>
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<b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Happy Tummies Baking Pack Giveaway...</span></b></div>
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As you all know, I LOVE to bake healthy, allergy-friendly goodies. <a href="http://www.happytummies.com.au/index.php"><b><span style="color: blue;">Happy Tummies</span></b></a> is an online store that specialises in allergy-free ingredients, cookbooks and all sorts of kitchenware, and they have offered a baking pack for you to win! Check it out... </div>
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<i><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">What's in the pack?</span></b></i></div>
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<b>Quinoa flour (623g): </b>Quinoa flour is one of the highest protein flours, and is great in gluten free cooking. You can use it in recipes like <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/fajita-chicken-salad-pizza-on-quinoa.html"><span style="color: blue;">Quinoa & Chia Seed Flatbread</span></a>, or <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/banana-raspberry-muffins.html"><span style="color: blue;">Banana & Raspberry Muffins</span></a>. (Instead of milling the quinoa seeds, add the same weight of quinoa flour.) <i>Tip: I find with quinoa flour it's best to keep it to a quarter or less of the overall amount in a gluten free mix.</i></div>
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<b>Rice malt syrup (500g): </b>A low fructose sweetener that you can use in place of sugar or honey in recipes. See my <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com/p/refined-vs-natural-sugars.html"><span style="color: blue;">Sugar Substitutes page</span></a> for tips on how to use rice malt syrup.</div>
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<b>If You Care Baking Cups (3 packs - mini, large and jumbo): </b>This range of baking papers and baking cups are what I prefer to use, as they are non-toxic and very high quality. Most baking papers are coated with Quilon, which contains heavy metals like chromium, which can be toxic when incinerated. If You Care papers use silicone derived from a natural element, and they also don't contain chlorine, so no bleach in the waterways. Aside from that, they just work better! Muffins don't stick to them, and I find the baking paper can usually be wiped down and reused. Love it. </div>
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<b>Loving Earth Raw Cacao Powder (500g):</b> My favourite cacao powder - raw, unadulterated, no additives, and completely delicious! I would love to share my new chocolate cake recipe with you, as I use this cacao powder to make it, but it's for a special project, so how about making some <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2010/11/almost-raw-chocolate.html"><span style="color: blue;">raw chocolate</span></a> instead! You'll also need...</div>
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<b>Loving Earth Raw Cacao Butter (500g):</b> This is the fat from the cacao beans, and is the key ingredient in good chocolate. Loving Earth is my favourite brand, and you'll understand why when you use it - it's so creamy and the smell is divine! See my recipe for raw chocolate above.</div>
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<b>Heilala Vanilla (100ml): </b>Made from organic vanilla beans from Tonga, this vanilla is amazing. Another important ingredient in raw chocolate, or try adding it to <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2011/05/creamy-coconut-vanilla-rice-pudding.html"><span style="color: blue;">Creamy Coconut Vanilla Rice Pudding</span></a>.</div>
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<b>Banaban Coconut Milk (400g) and Coconut Cream (400g):</b> I use a lot of coconut milk and cream in my cooking - coconut is one of nature's superfoods. For a delicious, dairy free treat, try <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/dairy-free-condensed-milk-dulce-de-leche.html"><span style="color: blue;">Dairy Free Condensed Milk or Dulce de Leche</span></a> using coconut cream, or <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/quick-egg-curry-with-quinoa-plus-how-to.html"><span style="color: blue;">Quick Egg Curry with Quinoa</span></a> which is made with coconut milk.</div>
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<b>Rapadura Sugar (500g):</b> Rapadura is simply dehydrated sugar cane juice - a much more natural product than refined sugars, and still contains the minerals and vitamins found in sugar cane. The flavour is a lot like brown sugar. Use it in place of sugar in any recipe (1:1). See this article for more info on <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2009/07/rapadura-sucanat-muscavado-turbinado.html"><span style="color: blue;">Rapadura</span></a>.</div>
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<b>Banaban Organic Coconut Sugar (500g):</b> Coconut sugar is made from the dehydrated nectar from coconut blossoms. It is a very environmentally friendly sugar, and is low GI (approx. 35). The flavour is somewhere between raw sugar and rapadura - delicious. Use it in any recipe in place of sugar (1:1) or Rapadura. I love it in <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2013/07/coconut-caramel-custard.html"><span style="color: blue;">Coconut Caramel Custard</span></a>. <i>Note: This brand of coconut sugar can be ground up in the Thermomix on speed 9, to make a very fine icing sugar, perfect for using in icings or to sweeten pavlovas.</i></div>
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<b>Banaban Organic Coconut Flour (500g):</b> Coconut flour is made from the dried coconut pulp after making coconut milk. It is very high in fibre, and is suitable for a grain free diet. <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/gooey-flourless-fudge-brownies-with.html"><span style="color: blue;">Gooey Flourless Fudge Brownies</span></a> are made with coconut flour - if you haven't tried them, you need to!</div>
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<b>Banana flour:</b> This flour is made here on the Atherton Tablelands, where I live! It is another great option for those who are trying to minimize grains in their diet, and is a nutritious source of resistant starch. Rob and Krista of Mt Uncle have developed many recipes with their banana flour, and are happy to share their recipe for 'Paleo Pancakes' with us!</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><i>Paleo Pancakes</i></b></span><span style="color: #222222;"><u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Thanks to Mt Uncle's Banana Flour for this recipe. Visit their <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/GlutenFreeResistanceStarchBananaFlour"><span style="color: blue;">Facebook</span></a> page</span> for more recipes, tips and info.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Serves 6</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="color: #222222;"><i>Ingredients</i></b><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222;">1 cup (130 g) </span><a href="http://www.bananaflour.com.au/"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">Mt</span> <span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">Uncle</span>'s Banana Flour</span></a><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222;">3 tablespoons pure maple syrup <i>(optional)</i></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222;">3 eggs </span><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222;">1 teaspoon of vanilla bean extract</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222;">1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222;">pinch of salt</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222;">130 ml coconut or almond milk</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222;">2 tablespoons of lemon juice</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222;">1 cup (100g) blueberries (optional)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222;">coconut oil - for cooking<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Method</i></b><br /><br />Place <span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">Mt</span> <span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">Uncle</span>'s Banana Flour, syrup, eggs, vanilla, bicarb soda, salt, milk and lemon juice into Thermomix bowl and mix <b>10 sec/speed 4</b>, then increase speed and mix <b>20 sec/speed 8</b>. (Or whisk ingredients together in a bowl, by hand.)<br /><br />Add berries and mix in on <b>speed 3</b> for a few seconds, or mix <b>3 sec/speed 5</b> if you want the berries roughly chopped.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cook in med-hot frying pan with a little coconut oil, then serve with desired toppings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Enjoy!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><i>How to Win...</i></b></span></div>
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To win this awesome baking pack from <b><a href="http://www.happytummies.com.au/index.php"><span style="color: blue;">Happy Tummies</span></a></b>, all you need to do is <b>leave a comment on this blog post saying what you would make if you won</b>! </div>
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Winner will be chosen randomly via Random.org, and announced here and on both my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking"><span style="color: blue;">Quirky Cooking Facebook page</span></a>, and the <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/happytummiesptyltd"><span style="color: blue;">Happy Tummies Facebook page</span></a> </span>next <b>Saturday, the 29th March, at 8pm.</b></div>
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Pop over and like both pages, if you haven't already, to be the first to hear about <b><i><span style="color: #990000;">new recipes, exciting products, and who the winner of the prizedraw is! Also, make sure you sign up for the Happy Tummies newsletter (on their site) to be kept up with specials, latest news and updates.</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;">Thank you for the great prize, </span><a href="http://www.happytummies.com.au/index.php"><span style="color: blue;">Happy Tummies</span></a><span style="color: #990000;">!</span></span></i></b></div>
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<i style="text-align: left;">Giveaway open to Australian residents only.</i></div>
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<i style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>Giveaway now closed - Congrats to Elise @MummyHearts!</b></span></i></div>
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<i><b>Note - to comment on this blog post:</b> If you are viewing this on a mobile device, you will need to switch over to the <b>'web version' </b>to post a comment. Scroll to the bottom of the post, click on <b>'view web version'</b>, then scroll down to the bottom of the comments and click on<b> 'post a new comment'</b>. If you're on a computer, make sure you have opened the actual post by clicking on the title, so that comments are visible at the end of the post.</i></div>
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All the best, and I hope you all have a great week!</div>
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Happy cooking,</div>
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Jo xx</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YsC5-Ajee4eVmLaFlekpk5GdPK6iqsWBDK4-FjavHyANyG8QuUSRdfBH53sfX7c3TM7EQijhJZclGIQtYM9QJ9M4ZPer8ITCudFGgDr57ENfrQgfvzgWfZun-7vnnWGcPWLaSg-eBwc/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YsC5-Ajee4eVmLaFlekpk5GdPK6iqsWBDK4-FjavHyANyG8QuUSRdfBH53sfX7c3TM7EQijhJZclGIQtYM9QJ9M4ZPer8ITCudFGgDr57ENfrQgfvzgWfZun-7vnnWGcPWLaSg-eBwc/s1600/009.JPG" height="507" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>PS Happy Autumn! :)</i></div>
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Jo Whittonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12590877342845433951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455133712996006000.post-59233606394552967372014-03-16T22:55:00.003+10:002014-03-16T22:57:37.163+10:00Gluten Free & Dairy Free Hot Cross Buns <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokF4vz9PAeEB-pLapT3_6xYoOImo0BeMq54Rxa7kAmb_qZ8WBxdlk2acYxpK96hGH8PUWF2GjS93oDP17pLQ9UIij6wTo8-DiVQVa1hZbnR1eprwcDWj7UIDScoJXieoXI6-XsdanIdk/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokF4vz9PAeEB-pLapT3_6xYoOImo0BeMq54Rxa7kAmb_qZ8WBxdlk2acYxpK96hGH8PUWF2GjS93oDP17pLQ9UIij6wTo8-DiVQVa1hZbnR1eprwcDWj7UIDScoJXieoXI6-XsdanIdk/s1600/019.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The other day I thought I'd have another go at making gluten and dairy free hot cross buns, because I wasn't completely happy with <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/gluten-free-hot-cross-buns.html"><span style="color: blue;">the ones I already have on the blog</span></a>. And since I'm finding I react more and more to gluten these days, <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2009/04/hot-cross-buns.html"><span style="color: blue;">my spelt recipe</span></a> is out for me. I remember giving in last year when I made a batch at an Easter demo - it's very hard to resist hot cross buns when they're fresh from the oven, dripping with a spicy glaze, and slathered with butter. But I regretted it the next day. Not doing that again... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one craving these sweet, spicy buns, and although they're never going to be quite as soft and fluffy as the spelt or wheat versions, they are quite delicious, especially hot out of the oven!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKSqHu6wnX7fQ6dTRs36EyR-FJiW6UeaWlTNTiHWECJqJ79t8J0JjgjPY1aL2PR6bKA7_uFXpv9hIoNQij2zIQc7AEdjq5NWePUYpyI8qQmS4lFAkKsXHZ1wpUKVJfccNgJXfoLcnlgk/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKSqHu6wnX7fQ6dTRs36EyR-FJiW6UeaWlTNTiHWECJqJ79t8J0JjgjPY1aL2PR6bKA7_uFXpv9hIoNQij2zIQc7AEdjq5NWePUYpyI8qQmS4lFAkKsXHZ1wpUKVJfccNgJXfoLcnlgk/s1600/017.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As with most gluten free baking, these are best eaten warm, or at least only a couple of hours old. By the next day they will be a lot drier, only good for slicing up and toasting. Although you could use the leftovers to make a hot cross bun 'bread and butter pudding'... (Hmmm, might have to try that, yum!) My suggestion is, make the dough, then only bake what you will eat that day - save the rest of the dough in a container in the fridge for another batch. The dough will last for about 5 days in the fridge in a sealed container. (The flavours will actually develop as the dough sits in the fridge, and the mixture will thicken so they will rise a bit better.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I made this recipe without gums (guar or xanthan) as I know a lot of people try to avoid those, and they're also expensive. If you prefer, you can use 2 tsp xanthan gum instead of the psyllium husk. The xanthan gum has pros and cons - with it the buns will be heavier and denser, but they do stay moist longer. The psyllium husk dough will be quite runny (almost a batter), but with the xanthan gum it's firmer and can be gently molded into balls with wet hands once it's been refrigerated overnight. I make the buns in cupcake cups so it doesn't matter if the dough is more of a batter - it works great this way.</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I did intend to have an egg free version for you as well, but I just haven't had time to test it yet. If anyone does have success with egg replacer or 'chia eggs' or other egg substitutes, let me know. Otherwise I'll test that version when I can. Also a yeast free version. So many recipes to test so little time! Especially when the weather is MUCH too nice to be inside...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Gluten Free & Dairy Free Hot Cross Buns</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Makes approx. 20 muffin-sized buns</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>Ingredients</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Buns</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">150g brown rice, raw</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">110g sorghum or millet, seeds or flour</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">zest of 1 orange<i> (peeled with potato peeler)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 Tbsp instant yeast</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">190g arrowroot or tapioca starch</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 1/2 tsp fine sea salt</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2 tsp ground cinnamon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 tsp ground nutmeg</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1/2 tsp ground cloves</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">40g coconut sugar or Rapadura</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 Tbsp psyllium husk</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2 eggs</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">200g <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/dairy-free-condensed-milk-dulce-de-leche.html"><span style="color: blue;">coconut milk</span></a> (homemade), or preferred milk</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">150g water</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">40g macadamia oil or other light oil</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">100g sultanas</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">100g currants <i>(or try dried sour cherries or cranberries)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>muffin papers</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Crosses</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">50g gluten free plain flour</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">50g water</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Glaze</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">juice of 1 orange (approx. 50g juice)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">50g coconut sugar or Rapadura</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1/2 tsp natural vanilla extract</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 tsp ground cinnamon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Place brown rice and sorghum or millet seeds (if using) into Thermomix mixing bowl and mill </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>1 min/speed 9</b>. If using sorghum or millet <u>flour</u>, mill rice on its' own, then add flour. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Add orange zest and blend <b>15 sec/speed 9</b>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Add yeast, arrowroot or tapioca starch, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, sugar, and psyllium husk, and mix <b>20 sec/speed 5</b>. Scrape down sides of bowl with spatula.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Add eggs, milk, water, oil, sultanas and currants and mix <b>20 sec/reverse/speed 4</b>. Scrape down sides of bowl with spatula and mix another <b>10 sec/reverse/speed 4</b>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pour mixture into a large container, place lid on, and leave to rise for 2 hours at room temp.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once mixture is risen, container can either be put into the fridge to be used the next day (best results, as flavours intensify and mixture thickens), or you can make the buns straight away. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>When ready to bake:</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mix the flour and water for the crosses in a small bowl with a fork until smooth, then pour into a small a small ziploc bag. Seal the bag and cut a very small corner off. Set aside.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Place paper muffin cups into a muffin tray (depending on how many you want to make).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Take the dough out of the fridge and scoop out heaped tablespoonfuls, and using a spoon and butter knife, drop a large spoonful into each muffin cup. Muffin cups should be 3/4 full.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cover muffin tray loosely with a plastic bag (so that plastic does not touch dough) and leave to rise for about 30-40 mins, or until dough has barely risen to the top of the muffin cup. (Don't over-rise buns or you'll find they flatten out, and will sink in the middle once cooked.) Towards the end of the rising time, preheat oven to <b>200C </b>(fan forced). Pipe crosses onto buns.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once oven is hot, place tray inside on middle shelf, and cook for <b>20 mins</b>, or until lightly browned and a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>Glaze:</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Place all glaze ingredients into mixing bowl and cook <b>2 mins/Varoma temp/speed 2</b>, with MC off to let out steam. Brush hot glaze over hot buns (removing papers if you like and arranging on a plate first, so that the glaze drizzles down the sides). Serve warm.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Store any leftover, cooled buns in an airtight container at room temp for 1 day - best eaten on day of baking.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>Non-Thermomix Version: </i></b><i>To make without a Thermomix, use bought rice and sorghum/millet flours and bought coconut milk, and mix with a food processor or by hand.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="fb-like" data-href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/gluten-free-dairy-free-hot-cross-buns.html" data-layout="standard" data-action="like" data-show-faces="true" data-share="true"></div>Jo Whittonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12590877342845433951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455133712996006000.post-18242791320669907862014-02-23T07:49:00.000+10:002014-02-23T08:08:30.747+10:00Inside my Fridge and Freezer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibot1A-oEvZbJ09QonWO6_xjHTNV5uZ-A8I_ToqOnfCUIs3yWTCnitG0YgofT9on3azANuB05SxF_T28C6sUPqCxCVh802CUflxJD9PwZ9mwiVDnpHKjvPuEjLm9CrAJvLTdcVocNTFiU/s1600/freezer+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibot1A-oEvZbJ09QonWO6_xjHTNV5uZ-A8I_ToqOnfCUIs3yWTCnitG0YgofT9on3azANuB05SxF_T28C6sUPqCxCVh802CUflxJD9PwZ9mwiVDnpHKjvPuEjLm9CrAJvLTdcVocNTFiU/s1600/freezer+2.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Ok, so this may seem a bit odd to post photos of my not-completely-tidy fridge and freezer, but I've been asked these questions so many times that it's probably easiest just to go ahead and post about it!</div>
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What do I keep in my fridge and freezer and pantry? </div>
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What ingredients do I usually keep on hand? </div>
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How do I organize it all?</div>
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I have a very small kitchen and a small pantry, so my large chest freezer doubles as my pantry. I buy my grains, seeds, nuts, flours, beans, meat and fish (and a few other things) in bulk, about four times a year. (See <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2011/03/bulk-food-buying-co-ops.html"><span style="color: blue;">this post </span></a>for more info on the whys and wherefores of <b>bulk buying</b>.) </div>
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Where I live, in Far North Queensland, you can't leave your grains, nuts, seeds and flours out at room temperature for too long or they'll become mouldy, cobwebby and a home for weevils. (Weevils lay eggs on the grain in the field, but placing grains/flours/seeds in the freezer kills the eggs. It also prevents pantry moths.) Not everything fits in my freezer, so I also have some things stored in sealed 5 Lt buckets, stacked in my laundry. I rotate these through the freezer to kill weevils. As the freezer empties, I put some of those back in on the bottom, under the bags. (<a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com/2011/03/storage-tips-for-bulk-buying-guest-post.html"><span style="color: blue;">See this post</span></a> for more info on rotating bulk foods through freezer.)</div>
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I keep a small amount of flours, grains, seeds, nuts in my kitchen in glass jars and refill from the freezer as needed. (As you can see, sometimes the fresh produce kind of takes over the kitchen...)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtzA0ASQHpO_BYhxbI1sHI2wcNKEDhtVSZ2tkiCcbIYt9DurnWIaCjHrMlg0hVMEdQSVgHlvcTpnw31fxU6zFQGv7lzzqia46dOtCY9_EIeZl5Zsl26TC5IOEvO47b_fESjm4Q-cN70Ak/s1600/055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtzA0ASQHpO_BYhxbI1sHI2wcNKEDhtVSZ2tkiCcbIYt9DurnWIaCjHrMlg0hVMEdQSVgHlvcTpnw31fxU6zFQGv7lzzqia46dOtCY9_EIeZl5Zsl26TC5IOEvO47b_fESjm4Q-cN70Ak/s1600/055.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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The contents of my freezer changes depending on the season, how much fresh fruit I have frozen, whether or not I have bulk meat or fish at the time, and how long its' been since my last bulk order of grains, etc. In the photo at the top of the page, I have grains, rice, flours, starches, chickpeas, quinoa, a big bag of raw almonds (the silver bag), coconut, frozen berries and mango (I don't usually buy frozen mango but needed some and had run out), fruits that I've frozen myself, bulk meat, and a few other bits and pieces.</div>
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In the photo below, at a different time of year, my freezer is mostly full of bulk grains, seeds, nuts, lentils, etc.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WpDzsj-3yxH1fin1LNS8e1bKHpR2aETB3zquKFrHYYZf6slji2Mx59OvC43oz8Tf3M2reXWyxOllfFGlJqZy7aRJMwpk6PRMi-rScEG4-tReE2dHjy8r_FMaKSpwRmA4N0MmnJxmoUY/s1600/Freezer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WpDzsj-3yxH1fin1LNS8e1bKHpR2aETB3zquKFrHYYZf6slji2Mx59OvC43oz8Tf3M2reXWyxOllfFGlJqZy7aRJMwpk6PRMi-rScEG4-tReE2dHjy8r_FMaKSpwRmA4N0MmnJxmoUY/s1600/Freezer.jpg" height="640" width="430" /></a></div>
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As you can see in these photos, I place the large bags (12.5kg and 25kg) in the bottom of my big chest freezer. The smaller bags (5kg, 3kg, 1kg) I place either on top or in the baskets. The good thing about leaving everything in bags is that the bags get smaller as you use what's in them, whereas containers take up a lot more room and don't shrink as the contents go down. So I prefer to do it this way even if it doesn't look quite as neat as a freezer full of neatly stacked, labelled containers! (By the way, I prefer glass containers to plastic, for most things. The plastic jug above was what I used to keep spelt grain in so I could just grab it easily when making bread. Now I just use a glass jar.)</div>
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The meat that I buy in bulk is local, grassfed, organic beef and sometimes pork, and wild-caught fish. I store the large pieces (roasts, etc) in the bottom of the freezer, and the smaller packets in baskets. The fish is individually wrapped in fillets and they are in a flat box usually, which I place on top of the bags.</div>
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I generally keep small bags of frozen fruits in my fridge freezer (and larger ones in my big freezer), as I use those every day for smoothies, juices, sorbets and ice creams. Whatever fruit is in season I buy and freeze, and I always have bananas frozen - just peeled and popped into bags. </div>
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When I cook up a big batch of beans, I freeze those in 250g bags, so I can use them to replace a tin of beans. (1 400g tin of beans usually contains approx. 250g beans.) I also freeze bone broth in jars when I make a big batch.</div>
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The photo below is my fridge freezer. As you can see it's mango season - lots of frozen mango and dehydrated mango! On the bottom left is a snack basket for the kids where I put individually wrapped snacks (eg. bliss balls, coconut fudge, brownies, homemade muesli bars, dried fruit, mini quiches), and the bottom right basket is full of gluten free flours in small amounts so I can grab them as I need them. (The big bag is almond meal.) There's also ice, homemade coconut cream frozen in ice cube trays ready for smoothies, ice creams, and coffee (I just drop a frozen cube into my coffee), as well as lots of dried mango in bags. The top shelf has frozen fruit (mango, pineapple, nectarines, peaches, plums, dragonfruit, watermelon, lemon/lime juice in cubes in bags, etc), frozen veges, (and some millet because it didn't fit in the door). And I keep my drink powders (<a href="https://www.nutraorganics.com.au/our-products/thriving-protein-range"><span style="color: blue;">protein powders</span></a>, greens, etc) on top of the fridge because my pantry is too small for them.</div>
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In the fridge freezer door I keep bits and pieces like small bags of buckwheat, spelt grain, nuts, seeds; and there's a jar of bone broth and some natural food colours there too. (Messy, I know. But like I said, I fit more in with bags instead of containers!)</div>
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Okay, and I'm keeping it real here, folks. This is generally what my fridge looks like - very overcrowded! (Eeek, embarrassing!) Here's a quick overview of what's in there: Vege stock pastes (and sometimes meat stock pastes - made in Thermomix), tahini, jams, sauces (some made in Thermomix, some not, depending on time), mustards, chutneys, nut butter, homemade pickles, yeast in a big jar, ganache, coconut cream (sometimes homemade, sometimes bought), spinach, mushrooms, mini quiches in a bag, dairy free condensed milk, goat's cheese, silly putty, (ha ha!), homemade lard, meat thawing for dinner, artisan bread dough in a large container, corn, tomatoes, watermelon, chillies, and lots more fruit and veges from my CSA box, leftovers, coconut yoghurt, bone broth in a bottle in the fridge door, free range eggs, nut milk, cow's milk, non-alcoholic wine, pure maple syrup, probiotics (for making coconut yoghurt & to take), teecino, coffee, ginger, coconut, herbal mixtures (for everything from car sickness to colds), cod liver oil, Loving Earth chocolate, and who knows what else!<br />
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My daughter always tells her friends that our fridge is very scary. I guess it is a little crazy... But you should've seen it when I was recipe testing for my book and had 7 jars of dairy free aioli in there along with lots of other experiments! (I think I need a walk-in cold room.) ;)</div>
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Now, if you're looking for a photo of inside my pantry, I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you. It's so crowded in there it makes my fridge look empty. Ha. But you can see the kinds of things I keep in stock over on my <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2011/03/bulk-food-buying-co-ops.html"><span style="color: blue;">Bulk Buying</span></a> post, so check that out. I'll try to get a more detailed list up soon.</div>
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If you're wondering where to find recipes for any of the things I mentioned above, they're all on my blog - the easiest way to find them is to just google 'quirky cooking dairy free condensed milk' (or whatever it is you're looking for) as my search box is not working well at the moment (argh). Good news is I'm in the process of upgrading to a new site which will be MUCH easier to use! Hooray!!<br />
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Ok, so for a bit of a summary about stocking your pantry/freezer, and a bit of advice on healthy eating, see this interview I did with Louise D'Allura of <a href="http://www.mealplanningyourway.com/2013/09/13/thermomix-pantry-tips-from-quirky-cookings-jo/"><span style="color: blue;">Meal Planning Your Way</span></a>... </div>
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Hope that helps!<br />
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Jo xx</div>
Jo Whittonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12590877342845433951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455133712996006000.post-67485839245405501472014-02-16T22:24:00.000+10:002014-02-16T22:26:03.972+10:00Dairy Free, Egg Free Aioli<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This recipe has been a long while in the making. Over the last few months I've experimented a lot, determined to come up with a dairy free, egg free aioli that isn't runny. Sometimes I've had six or seven different batches lurking in my fridge at once... good thing I buy my macadamia oil in bulk*! </div>
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I didn't give up because I wanted so badly to have this recipe in my book. Sadly, it just wasn't ready in time, so I've decided to post it here so all that hard work (and many litres of macadamia oil) doesn't go to waste. :)</div>
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This is not a traditional 'olive oil and garlic' aioli (which is of course dairy and egg free), but the flavour is more like an aioli than a mayonnaise so I call it aioli. I love it with fish, or on baked potatoes, or you can even add herbs and use it as a dip with crudites (see variation below). You can, of course, also use it instead of mayonnaise on sandwiches and wraps, or in a potato or chicken salad. </div>
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I have tried making this with rice milk but it doesn't thicken like cashew milk does, so I stuck with cashew milk. If I come up with a nut free version I'll let you know! </div>
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So here it is... I hope you like it. :)</div>
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<b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Dairy Free, Egg Free Aioli</span></b></div>
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<i>Makes 300g - l</i><i>asts for 2-3 weeks in the fridge</i></div>
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<b><i>Ingredients</i></b><br />
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100g raw cashews</div>
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500g water</div>
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2-3 garlic cloves<br />
¼ tsp fine sea salt<br />
150g macadamia oil <br />
3 tsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed<br />
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<b><i>Method</i></b><br />
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Place cashews into mixing bowl and mill for <b>8 sec/speed 9</b>.<br />
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Add water and blend <b>1 min/speed 9</b>. Pour into a separate container and wash and dry mixing bowl.<br />
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Place garlic into mixing bowl and chop <b>3 sec/speed 7</b>. Scrape down sides of bowl with spatula.<br />
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Add salt and <b>150g of the cashew milk</b>, and<b> insert butterfly</b>. Cook<b> 5 mins/100C/speed 4</b>. Scrape down lid and sides of bowl with spatula. (Place remaining cashew milk in fridge.)<br />
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Weigh macadamia oil into a small jug with a pouring spout.<br />
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With <b>butterfly</b> rotating on <b>speed 4</b> and MC in place, drizzle oil very slowly onto lid, starting with just a few drops at a time, and progressing to a very thin stream. Take your time! With butterfly still rotating on speed 4, drizzle in lemon juice. This process should take approximately <b>6-7 mins</b>. <br />
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Remove aioli carefully to small jug or jar, without mixing it with spatula so that it stays light and airy. Cover and store in fridge.<br />
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<i>That's it! Very easy, just make sure you take your time while drizzling in the oil, as that will make all the difference.</i><br />
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<b><i>Herb & garlic variation: </i></b><br />
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When chopping the garlic, add a few green shoots from spring onions, or some chives, and a sprig or two of parsley.</div>
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<b><i>Notes:</i></b><br />
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<i>- You will have cashew milk left over - store in fridge to use in cuppas or cooking. Makes great cappucinos!</i><br />
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<i>- If you do try another kind of milk in the aioli, it needs to thicken in the cooking stage before the oil is added, or the aioli will be runny. I've found that soaked cashew milk doesn't work so well as it's thinner, so stick with this method.</i><br />
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<i>- If you're wondering where I buy my macadamia oil in bulk (because I know I'll get that question!), I buy <a href="http://www.proteco.com.au/pressed-purity/"><span style="color: blue;">Pressed Purity</span></a> (extra virgin cold pressed) in a 10 Lt container through my co-op, from <a href="http://www.fitnessproducts.com.au/"><span style="color: blue;">Fitness Products</span></a>. </i></div>
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Jo Whittonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12590877342845433951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455133712996006000.post-18457272006258233652014-02-06T15:55:00.000+10:002014-02-06T15:58:05.544+10:00Chocolate-Cherry-Berry Dessert Pizzas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7oK1FUd56ipIS2Y_75Yn5j47N4Y38J11keTv1EwdyCc-_OPLDp8qfET7iZlvcwJlVeua9sln31aG-smXz-ku6o-dmQvl0Xta_tLvhvwsd5Q4leVTDbad8D3443dRcE_Y9MZkR3p3W2Q/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7oK1FUd56ipIS2Y_75Yn5j47N4Y38J11keTv1EwdyCc-_OPLDp8qfET7iZlvcwJlVeua9sln31aG-smXz-ku6o-dmQvl0Xta_tLvhvwsd5Q4leVTDbad8D3443dRcE_Y9MZkR3p3W2Q/s1600/019.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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Last Saturday my niece came to visit from down south, so we got the kids' friends over for a pizza party to celebrate. There were at least 20 teenagers, plus a few other younger kids, and we all had a lot of fun!<br />
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To make the food side of things simpler, I got them to all bring pizza toppings to share. They chopped up the toppings while I made enough spelt pizza dough for about 20 pizzas (easy peasy in the Thermomix!), and then they all made their own pizzas. (In between soccer games, board games, remote control aeroplane flying, chatting, laughing, singing, and everything else!) So much more fun than buying pizzas, not to mention cheaper, healthier and yummier. Oh, and in case you're wondering, we used two ovens - mine and mum's - she just lives two doors down. :)<br />
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I also made mango sorbets with <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/miss-cs-ice-cream-menu-plan.html"><span style="color: blue;">magic chocolate topping</span></a> <i>(see 'Day 7') </i>for afternoon tea, which they loved, and no one complained about the lack of softdrink or junkfood, so they must be getting used to my strange ways! :D<br />
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After dinner I had a bit of a brainwave, and whipped up these dessert pizzas with the leftover pizza dough. I topped them with my homemade Chocolate Hazelnut Spread, some cherries and blueberries, zabliagone<i> (a kind of egg yolk custard, no milk, a bit like sabayon),</i> and flaked almonds. Delish!!<br />
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I used spelt bases for the kids, but if you're gluten free, don't despair. Use my recipe for <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2011/01/gluten-free-pizza-base.html"><span style="color: blue;">Gluten Free Pizza Bases</span></a>, adding 1 Tbspn of rapadura or coconut sugar to the batter. Blend it well so that the seeds are blended in. You could also use an <b>almond meal</b> pizza base recipe if you want a grain free, yeast free option. Try <a href="http://everydaypaleo.com/everyday-paleo-pizza/"><span style="color: blue;">this one</span></a>, leaving out the rosemary and garlic; swap the olive oil for macadamia oil, and add 2 tsp coconut sugar per base. See suggestions in recipe for a <b>nut free</b> version.<br />
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<i>These pizzas are best served hot, so if you don't want to invite 20 hungry teenagers over for a party and your family won't eat three in one go, try this:</i><br />
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</i> <i>- Make the dough and divide into three portions; place remaining dough in bags and refrigerate or freeze dough for another day. (Dough can stay in fridge for up to a week.) </i><br />
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</i> <i>- The chocolate spread will last in the fridge for a couple of weeks no problem, as will the cherries if left in the juice in the jar. The blueberries can be frozen. </i><br />
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</i> <i>- Make zabliagone with 2 egg yolks, 1 tsp maple syrup and 1/2 tsp vanilla, for 10 mins cooking time total. </i><br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">Chocolate-Cherry-Berry Dessert Pizzas</span></i></b><br />
<i><span style="color: #660000;">Dairy free, with gluten and grain free options, and nut free option</span></i><br />
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</i> <i>(Makes 3 large pizzas)</i><br />
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<b><i>Ingredients</i></b><br />
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<b>Bases:</b><br />
500g unbleached, plain spelt flour<br />
2 tsp instant yeast<br />
1 1/2 tsp fine sea salt<br />
1 Tbspn Rapadura or coconut sugar<br />
50g macadamia oil (or olive oil for nut free), plus extra for shaping dough<br />
260g water<br />
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<i>(or see gf options above)</i><br />
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<b>Toppings:</b><br />
1 batch of <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2009/10/chocolate-hazelnut-spread-dairy-free.html?m=0"><span style="color: blue;">Chocolate Hazelnut Spread</span></a> (or nut free chocolate spread/ganache, <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/chocolate-fudge-hearts-with-raspberry.html"><span style="color: blue;">from this recipe</span></a>)<br />
(<i>freshly made -</i> <i>or use your own version of 'Nutella' or ganache)</i><br />
1 800g jar of Morello cherries, drained<br />
1 125g punnet fresh blueberries, rinsed<br />
zabliagone<i> (see below)</i><br />
80g flaked almonds<i> (or flaked coconut for nut free)</i><br />
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<b>Zabliagone:</b><br />
3 egg yolks<br />
2 tsp pure maple syrup<br />
1 1/2 tsp vanilla or almond extract<br />
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<b><i>Method</i></b><br />
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Line 3 large pizza trays with baking paper, and set aside.<br />
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Place all base ingredients into mixing bowl and mix <b>6 sec/speed 6</b>.<br />
<br />
Knead on<b> interval setting</b> for <b>1 1/2 mins</b>, then wrap dough loosely in Thermomat (or silicon bread mat, or place in oiled bowl and cover) and let it rest for <b>20 mins</b> while you prepare the toppings.<br />
<br />
<i>Preheat oven to 200C, with pizza stones on racks if you have them.</i><br />
<br />
After dough is risen, divide into three portions and press out into circles using a little more oil, and place on trays.<br />
<br />
Divide chocolate hazelnut spread between the three pizzas and spread evenly over bases.<br />
<br />
Scatter the cherries and blueberries over the pizzas, and set aside to rise while you make the zabliagone.<br />
<br />
<b>Zabliagone: </b>Place egg yolks and maple syrup into mixing bowl, insert butterfly, and mix <b>6 mins/50C/speed 4</b>. Add vanilla or almond extract and mix another <b>6 mins/50C/speed 4</b>.<br />
<br />
Drizzle pizzas with zabliagone and sprinkle over the flaked almonds.<br />
<br />
Bake for approx 18-20 mins in hot oven on pizza stones (if you have them), until the zabliagone is lightly browned and the bases are cooked through.<br />
<br />
Best served hot, while the base is crisp.<br />
<br />
<i>(Leftovers can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container, but they will get a bit soggy and the zabliagone will melt into the chocolate - although my kids don't complain! They still taste good.)</i><br />
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<div class="fb-like" data-href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2014/02/chocolate-cherry-berry-dessert-pizzas.html" data-layout="standard" data-action="like" data-show-faces="true" data-share="true"></div>Jo Whittonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12590877342845433951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455133712996006000.post-81681653512481694492014-01-31T15:39:00.000+10:002014-01-31T15:45:21.854+10:00Paprika Chicken with Creamy Paprika Sauce (an easy all-in-one Thermomix dinner)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last night I got home late after a busy day and didn't have dinner organised, so it was 'Thermomix to the rescue' once again! I had a quick think, and this is what I came up with. Nothing fancy, just an easy and tasty dinner with basic ingredients, that took all of 25 minutes to make. Sometimes that's just what we need when we can't be bothered, right? (It is really yummy though, and the chicken breasts are amazingly tender and juicy when steamed!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This fed our family of six and there were plenty of leftovers, which is always a bonus since everyone generally wants dinner for breakfast at our house. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This recipe is <b>gluten free</b>, and <b>egg free</b>, and if you omit the butter is also <b>dairy free</b>. The sauce is blended with cashews to make it creamy, but if you can't have nuts, see the <b>nut free variation</b> below. I've added some tips for those of you without a Thermomix, so you don't miss out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>Paprika Chicken with Creamy Paprika Sauce</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>(Serves 6-8)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><u><i>Ingredients:</i></u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><b>Rice</b><br />
900g water<br />
380g basmati rice<br />
<br />
<b>Veges</b><i> (these are just suggestions, use what you have)</i><br />
3 carrots, peeled and sliced thinly<br />
200g green beans, topped and tailed<br />
1-2 zucchini, thinly sliced<br />
150g frozen corn<br />
<br />
<b>Chicken</b><br />
600-700g chicken breast fillets, sliced in 2cm thick pieces<br />
smoked paprika powder (approx 1 tsp)<br />
herb salt (eg. Herbamare)<br />
garlic powder (approx 1/2 tsp)<br />
1 Tbsp butter or ghee (optional)<br />
<br />
<b>Sauce</b><br />
60g raw cashews<br />
60g water<br />
2 tsp chicken or vegetable stock paste (my chicken stock paste recipe <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com/2010/07/creamy-chicken-brown-rice-soup.html"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a>)<br />
1 tsp smoked paprika powder<br />
<div><br />
</div><br />
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</div><i><u><b><br />
</b></u></i> <i><u><b>Method:</b></u></i><br />
<b><br />
</b> Pour water into mixing bowl.<br />
<br />
Weigh rice into steaming basket and rinse well, then place basket inside mixing bowl.<br />
<br />
Place chicken pieces onto Varoma tray and sprinkle with paprika, herb salt and garlic powder, and dot with butter or ghee if using.<br />
<br />
Place Varoma into position with lid on.<br />
<br />
Turn speed dial to <b>speed 5</b> for a few seconds to wash the water through the rice. <i>(That's my little trick to make sure the top of the rice cooks well and you don't end up with crunchy bits.)</i><br />
<br />
Begin cooking for <b>20 mins/Varoma/speed 2</b> while you cut up the veges, adding them to the dish as you go. <i>(It takes about 10 minutes for the steam to really start filling the Varoma, so it's easy enough to get the veges cut up in that time.)</i><br />
<br />
At the end of the cooking time, check that the chicken is cooked; add a couple more minutes if not.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeBOdRPZqnXanQT142JDIBB2J9fmhqynLHZcIIXwtnTZXr7G8QjSGYcPTz9T6KTgl2NuHDo8b74YIx3_m4yrVDUk1hJRZ7Ujx_WURUMm40l3mWqIa8wIB76B-4ubIpR-7WY1CGqT3_V3A/s1600/071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeBOdRPZqnXanQT142JDIBB2J9fmhqynLHZcIIXwtnTZXr7G8QjSGYcPTz9T6KTgl2NuHDo8b74YIx3_m4yrVDUk1hJRZ7Ujx_WURUMm40l3mWqIa8wIB76B-4ubIpR-7WY1CGqT3_V3A/s1600/071.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><span id="goog_1289964698"></span><span id="goog_1289964699"></span><br />
<br />
Remove chicken, vegetables and rice to Thermoservers or serving dishes.<i> (Or if you're having an </i><br />
<i>"I don't feel like doing heaps of dishes" night, just leave them in the Varoma and basket and set aside.)</i><br />
<br />
Add all the sauce ingredients to the little bit of liquid left in the bowl.<i> (There should only be about 3cm of water left as the rice has absorbed most of it.)</i><br />
<i><br />
</i> Blend <b>1 min/speed 9</b>. Scrape down lid and sides of bowl with spatula and blend again if needed, until smooth. Season to taste.<br />
<br />
Serve the rice onto plates, top with veges and chicken, and drizzle with sauce.<br />
<br />
Easy peasy! :)<br />
<br />
<i><b><u>Variations:</u></b></i><br />
<br />
<b>Nut free version: </b>I haven't tried this yet, but I think it would be simple to leave out the cashews and add a can of Ayam coconut cream instead, with the 2-3 tsp vege stock paste and 1 tsp paprika powder. Warm it up a bit, <b>1 min/90C/speed 4</b>. Season to taste.<br />
<br />
<b>Non Thermomix version: </b> Pour 100ml boiling water over the raw cashews and allow to soak (covered) while the meal cooks. Cook the rice in a rice cooker or on the stovetop. Cook the chicken and vegetables in two layers in a steamer, or in a large frypan with a lid, over med-low heat, until done. Blend the soaked cashews with soaking water and remaining sauce ingredients in a powerful blender until smooth and creamy. Season to taste. (Massel stock powder can be used instead of stock paste.)<br />
<br />
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<i><a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2010/08/chicken-pesto-pasta-salad.html"><span style="color: blue;">Pesto Pasta Salad</span></a> - great for lunches, both home and school!</i></div>
<br />
Well, it's that time of year again. Summer holidays are over and now it's the mad rush to get the kids organised for the new school year. It seems like everyone is desperately searching for lunch box ideas that are more then just a vegemite sandwich and an apple. The good news is, there are some AWESOME lunch box ideas out there, and we've been chatting about them <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking"><span style="color: blue;">on my Facebook page</span></a>, so I thought I'd share some here for you as well, in case you missed them.<br />
<br />
I obviously don't need to worry about lunch boxes too much myself (we homeschool) - our lunches will be the usual soups, leftovers, salads and pasta salads, smoothies, bunless burgers, chocolate banana ice cream, and whatever else I happen to be testing in the kitchen for the day! But I DO remember the stress of getting the kids out the door and to the bus on time with a decent lunch - one that wouldn't come home all smelly and soggy in the bottom of their bag because they didn't like it.<br />
<br />
So here you are, not only have I rounded up some great ideas for you, I've also got you some goodies you can <b><span style="color: #990000;">WIN</span></b> to help inspire you with the lunchbox packing craziness!<br />
<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Bunless burgers - one of our favourite lunches!</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><br />
</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>A beef mince patty with Dijon mustard and sauteed mushrooms in a cos lettuce 'wrap'. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Turkey mince patties with <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2010/09/this-is-my-barbeque-sauce-recipe-which.html"><span style="color: blue;">BBQ sauce</span></a> is delish too.) Make them the night before and chill in the fridge, then pop it into a small snack bag in the morning and keep it cool with a <a href="http://www.littlemashies.com/"><span style="color: blue;">'Little Mashie' reusable squeezie pouch,</span></a> filled with a smoothie and frozen! Delicious lunch. :)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br />
</i></div>
<br />
Here are some <b>"Lunchbox Filler Ideas"</b> that a lovely reader, Nel, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/602994196421154?stream_ref=10"><span style="color: blue;">shared with us on Facebook</span></a>. Nel is a busy mum of five who has lots of great tips for organising the home, storage, clean eating, reducing carbon footprints, gardening, and everyday activities with kids. She has started sharing her tips on her own Facebook page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cuddles-Cookies-Chaos/582036605217551"><span style="color: blue;">'Cuddles, Cookies & Chaos'</span></a> - pop by and have a look!<br />
<br />
<div>
<b><i>Copy this list into a Word document, add in your own favourite lunchbox ideas, and stick it on your fridge. Voila! Plenty of inspiration for your weekly lunchbox menu.</i></b></div>
<div>
<b><i><br />
</i></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Lunchbox Filler Ideas </span></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<i><b>Note:</b> Nel uses ingredients that are organic and/or preservative/gluten/lactose free, and finds most of her recipes online. Use this list as a guide, print out your own favourite recipes to suit your family's preferences. See the tips at the end of the list for more details.</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #990000;">Mondays:</span> veggie box<br />
<span style="color: #990000;">Tuesdays: </span>fruit box<br />
<span style="color: #990000;">Wednesdays:</span> veggie box<br />
<span style="color: #990000;">Thursdays:</span> fruit box<br />
<span style="color: #990000;">Fridays:</span> treat box<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><b> Veggie Boxes</b></span><br />
*carrot sticks<br />
*cherry tomatoes<br />
*cucumber slices<br />
*crackers<br />
*hommus<br />
*hard boiled egg<br />
*baked treat<br />
*corn cob<br />
*salad<br />
*chicken drumsticks<br />
*meatballs<br />
*cheese<br />
*sandwich<br />
*leftovers</div>
<div>
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><b>Fruit Boxes</b></span><br />
*berries<br />
*apple<br />
*banana<br />
*yoghurt<br />
*fruit slice<br />
*baked treat<br />
*sandwich<br />
*salad wrap / salad<br />
*grapes<br />
*pears<br />
*mandarin<br />
*orange<br />
*leftovers</div>
<div>
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><b>Treat Boxes</b></span><br />
*bliss balls<br />
*rice sticks<br />
*salt and vinegar veggie crisps<br />
*raw chocolate<br />
*veggies<br />
*fruit<br />
*yoghurt<br />
*juice<br />
*homemade pizza<br />
*homemade sausage rolls with sauce<br />
*leftovers<br />
*baked treat<br />
*mini quiche<br />
*homemade chicken nuggets</div>
<div>
<br />
<b><span style="color: #990000;">Baked Treats</span></b><br />
*pikelets<br />
*muffins - sweet and savoury<br />
*anzac biscuits<br />
*chocolate cake<br />
*slices<br />
*zucchini slice<br />
*carrot cake<br />
*banana bread</div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">Lunchbox tips from Nel (and a few from me): </span></i></b><br />
<br />
<div>
- <b>Rice sticks</b> and <b>salt & vinegar veggie crisps</b> can be bought in individual packets in the gluten free section at Woolies. They are gluten/dairy/preservative free with no GMO's. </div>
<div>
<br />
- An example of a <b>veggie box</b> would be - leftover pasta bake in a thermos, rice crackers with hummus, a piece of carrot cake, half a dozen of each...cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, cheese cubes and a bottle of water. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>- Nel's Fruit Slice: </b>Whiz up dates, cranberries and sultanas with some shredded coconut until its all sticky, stir through some melted coconut oil and quinoa flakes to hold it together, press it into a lined slice tin and keep it in the fridge)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
- Healthy <b>chicken nugget recipes</b> can be found <a href="http://naturalnewagemum.com/the-best-home-made-chicken-nugget-recipes-from-bloggers/"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a>; or try Nel's version - free range chicken breast coated in egg then coconut flour with mixed dried herbs, pan fried then baked, served cold in strips with aioli.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
- Try my homemade <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2010/11/spicy-chicken-vege-sausage-rolls-with.html"><span style="color: blue;"><b>chicken & vege sausage rolls recipe</b></span></a> with spelt rough puff pastry; or Nel's easy chicken & vege sausage rolls: Mince up chicken and add a can of drained organic lentils, some grated carrot and finely chopped onion, roll it up in preservative free puff pastry as you would normal sausage rolls, brush with egg and bake. (You can buy gluten free puff pastry if needed.) </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
- For <b>warm baked food</b>, heat everything before school, wrap it in foil and put it into thermos mugs.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
- If you're looking for a <b>thermos bowl/mug</b>, you can get "Ez Heat Stayfit" from Woolies. They have a screw top lid with a flap on top that holds a folding reusable spoon, approx. $10. If you put hot liquids in there, do them up really tight - the teachers are always happy to open them for kids. </div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
- Make your kid's lunchboxes look <b>exciting </b>with cool stuff like hard boiled egg moulds and sandwich cutters.<br />
<br />
- <b>Make your own wraps!</b> They're heaps cheaper than bought ones, taste a zillion times better, and are quick to make. Try my <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2009/02/spelt-tortillas.html"><span style="color: blue;">spelt tortillas</span></a>, or for a gluten free wrap make these <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/buckwheat-almond-crepes-or-wraps.html"><span style="color: blue;">buckwheat and almond crepes</span></a> without the vanilla, or try these amazing <a href="http://stupideasypaleo.com/2013/08/23/simple-paleo-tortillas/"><span style="color: blue;">paleo wraps</span></a>!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpNnaFLoT8mQ-2NaK8jqgP1MubsDlIElYIMTGzv5gxRf4XqvoLc10H1iHGFEwZ90up51HZl7yyhyphenhyphentDcf5Y1E2yOWUa2oFTb9p2jQU38bKJYSWk-DdJfTrYYOzAlCi1DOxe-kCpHkDKoI/s1600/spelt+tortillas+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpNnaFLoT8mQ-2NaK8jqgP1MubsDlIElYIMTGzv5gxRf4XqvoLc10H1iHGFEwZ90up51HZl7yyhyphenhyphentDcf5Y1E2yOWUa2oFTb9p2jQU38bKJYSWk-DdJfTrYYOzAlCi1DOxe-kCpHkDKoI/s1600/spelt+tortillas+1.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Make your own wraps - cheap, quick, healthy and much yummier than bought ones!</i></div>
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<i>(Recipes above)</i></div>
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<b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Sites to See:</span></b></div>
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<i>Here's some great blogs and sites to help you with healthy lunchbox ideas...</i></div>
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- <a href="http://www.lunchboxdoctor.com/"><span style="color: blue;"><b>The Lunchbox Doctor:</b></span></a> for healthy lunchbox menus, recipes, and nutrition tips </div>
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- <a href="http://www.mealplanningyourway.com/2014/01/21/7-sandwich-free-lunchbox-ideas/"><b><span style="color: blue;">Meal Planning Your Way:</span> </b></a>7 Sandwich Free Lunchbox Ideas</div>
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- <b><a href="http://wellnourished.com.au/"><span style="color: blue;">Well Nourished:</span></a></b> daily lunchbox photos on the Facebook page, and lots of great recipes on the website</div>
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- <b><a href="http://naturalnewagemum.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Natural New Age Mum:</span></a></b> 30 super healthy lunchbox ideas <a href="http://naturalnewagemum.com/best-ever-healthy-lunch-box-tips/"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a> and best ever healthy lunchbox tips <a href="http://naturalnewagemum.com/best-ever-healthy-lunch-box-tips/"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a></div>
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- <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cutoutthecrap"><b><span style="color: blue;">Cut Out the Crap:</span></b></a> recipes and tips for cooking without all the nasty stuff, including <a href="http://www.cutoutthecrap.com.au/store/"><span style="color: blue;">a recipe book for kid's food</span></a></div>
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-<b> </b><a href="http://brendajanschek.com/recipes-nutrition/reduce-lunchbox-stress-in-7-easy-ways/"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Brenda Janschek Health & Lifestyle:</b> </span></a>tips for reducing lunchbox stress, plus delicious recipes<br />
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- <b><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://theorganisedhousewife.com.au/lunchbox-ideas/how-to-pack-a-healthy-lunchbox/"><span style="color: blue;">The Organised Housewife:</span></a> </span></b>how to pack a healthy lunchbox</div>
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<b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Back-to-School Giveaway...</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTOA37jLA1WoP-Sawbd-xuhISMBQmdMlIpRqTUhkGjytHkN50hgRa1S4LiRJQLVslhjnvXpJHw1s5eQZwpzpvIbOinsKqXIL8RG5CefY29B0nYye4fNqhCdpobArPWbN5bVZWtPJR43w/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTOA37jLA1WoP-Sawbd-xuhISMBQmdMlIpRqTUhkGjytHkN50hgRa1S4LiRJQLVslhjnvXpJHw1s5eQZwpzpvIbOinsKqXIL8RG5CefY29B0nYye4fNqhCdpobArPWbN5bVZWtPJR43w/s1600/003.JPG" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
In <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/guest-post-recovering-from-crohns.html"><span style="color: blue;">my last blog post</span> </a>I shared the inspiring story of Talisha, the amazing young mum who not only is recovering from a serious bowel disease through natural remedies and diet, but has also developed a great product to help mums feed their little ones healthy food! As Talisha says,<i> "With <a href="http://www.littlemashies.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Little Mashies</span></a>, I can give my child (and myself, when I am sick) healthy, nutrient rich, additive free food wherever we go."</i><br />
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Little Mashies are so easy to use! One way is to fill them with a smoothie and freeze, then pop into kid's lunchboxes where it doubles as an ice pack, <u>and</u> a lunchtime treat! Or fill with custard or chocolate mousse, or banana ice cream, and freeze for a healthy lunchtime treat. Yum!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWdEkZE6DQWJ4P-7zyJyXOe-6MXZZfjHvf63_xAOf-mMqDjSLn30ahDyjLhR9tPFAQMlhL36zgEEwgrQv9HwSpMbcHmdOhpFHViGxTKpMVvL4-wQeYqZTe71B_wIrg460hsk748mwLPg/s1600/036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWdEkZE6DQWJ4P-7zyJyXOe-6MXZZfjHvf63_xAOf-mMqDjSLn30ahDyjLhR9tPFAQMlhL36zgEEwgrQv9HwSpMbcHmdOhpFHViGxTKpMVvL4-wQeYqZTe71B_wIrg460hsk748mwLPg/s1600/036.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Here's some recipes that would be perfect for filling up your Little Mashies:<br />
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- <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2011/10/green-chocolate-smoothie-dairy-free.html"><span style="color: blue;">Green chocolate smoothie</span></a> (if your school is nut free, replace the nuts with sunflower seeds and pepitas)<br />
- <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/green-smoothies-boost-juices-and.html"><span style="color: blue;">Green smoothies</span></a> (lots of ideas here)<br />
- <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/layered-maqui-chia-pudding.html"><span style="color: blue;">Chia pudding</span></a> (make on coconut water for nut free; add some pureed fruit and coconut yoghurt)<br />
- <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/coconut-vanilla-sorbet.html"><span style="color: blue;">Coconut Vanilla Sorbet</span></a> (or any other sorbet, but this one is awesome!)<br />
- <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2011/07/banana-pomegranate-custard-crumble.html"><span style="color: blue;">Banana custard</span></a> (two custard recipes here, one with eggs but no nuts if you use plain rice milk (add banana), and one with nuts but no eggs)<br />
- <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/miss-cs-ice-cream-menu-plan.html"><span style="color: blue;">Fruit ice creams</span></a> (lots of ideas here)<br />
- <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2010/01/dairy-free-chocolate-mousse.html"><span style="color: blue;">Chocolate mousse</span></a> (dairy free - this recipe is made on eggs; if you can't have eggs but can have nuts at school, make my <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/raw-vegan-chocolate-mousse.html"><span style="color: blue;">raw vegan chocolate mousse</span></a>)<br />
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Or this <b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Raw Strawberry Pudding...</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHVmX1zkXyBP-HMMRxBKC4sJY53CBLso1OMtnuGJAVvsz1DFcCBMzkU31vvkMTcXtv_RTq-RrQTN1sU4l1oaFQEPbtkHl0XVjq7KVQabExQNl87nJeJZAboqVJMBiXtC-IxTf3OZE1Us/s1600/strawberry+pudding.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHVmX1zkXyBP-HMMRxBKC4sJY53CBLso1OMtnuGJAVvsz1DFcCBMzkU31vvkMTcXtv_RTq-RrQTN1sU4l1oaFQEPbtkHl0XVjq7KVQabExQNl87nJeJZAboqVJMBiXtC-IxTf3OZE1Us/s1600/strawberry+pudding.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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100g raw dates, pitted<br />
350g fresh strawberries, hulled, or frozen<br />
180g avocado<br />
100g <a href="http://www.rawc.com.au/"><span style="color: blue;">Raw C coconut water</span></a><br />
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract, concentrate<br />
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Place all ingredients into mixing bowl and blend <b>1 min/speed 9</b>.<br />
Scrape down sides of bowl and lid and blend again <b>10 sec/speed 6</b>.<br />
Scoop pudding into <a href="http://www.littlemashies.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Little Mashies Reusable Pouches</span></a> and chill, or freeze.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">So here's what you can WIN!</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">[Prize draw now finished - congrats to Emily and Gabrielle!]</span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8T_OQmD88TyDdjG1UUnY8qShYKd5ayIjs4y9VXtQNHXEqBSAiMYt8JgqKqEG11DB0iu3l53ogUYmH9AxDk2_VN7Yx7zH9htB8qo7bHxav_6ftuU4vBbHaksVSA959OGUxZ825eH3EEeU/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8T_OQmD88TyDdjG1UUnY8qShYKd5ayIjs4y9VXtQNHXEqBSAiMYt8JgqKqEG11DB0iu3l53ogUYmH9AxDk2_VN7Yx7zH9htB8qo7bHxav_6ftuU4vBbHaksVSA959OGUxZ825eH3EEeU/s1600/002.JPG" height="320" width="160" /></a></div>
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Talisha found that coconut water was one thing that really helped her in her illness, and it is something she loves to use in smoothies to put into her Little Mashies. My favourite coconut water is <a href="http://www.rawc.com.au/"><span style="color: blue;"><i><b>Natural Raw C</b></i></span></a> - it's got nothing added, no concentrates or preservatives or sweeteners - and it's in handy packs with resealable lids. I have a carton of the 330g packs to give away<i>.</i></div>
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These are perfect for school lunches, either on their own, or added to one of the recipes above and frozen in a <span style="font-weight: bold;">Little Mashies</span><span style="color: blue; font-weight: bold;"> </span>pouch. Follow Natural Raw C on their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rawc.com.au"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Facebook Page</b></span></a> for new recipes every day, using coconut water.</div>
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For lots more ideas for filling your reusable pouches, follow Talisha on her<a href="https://www.facebook.com/littlemashieshome"><span style="color: blue;"><b> Little Mashies Facebook Page</b></span></a>.</div>
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For those of you with older kids, here's anpther great prize - an allergy friendly cookbook for kids, by Collette White of <a href="http://www.cutoutthecrap.com.au/"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Cut Out the Crap</b></span></a>! This book is packed full of gluten free, dairy free, preservative free recipes that will suit all ages, but especially appeal to kids. Perfect for cooking up some yummy lunchbox treats. Check out Collette's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cutoutthecrap"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Facebook Page</b></span></a> for lots of great ideas and tips.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrk1QVHn7xDDYpdZoQ8knfv6ZN199zw6iyKymvdZ5kwEHTJyjbq_OmBzS9hdIWtGd5jj6Q1Ht2aZlosKD147CjmoeQU2levX25pTtuiQG-7V8m6Cs1rmMOkkq7FRqiDi2oVuXW3gIMQ3U/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrk1QVHn7xDDYpdZoQ8knfv6ZN199zw6iyKymvdZ5kwEHTJyjbq_OmBzS9hdIWtGd5jj6Q1Ht2aZlosKD147CjmoeQU2levX25pTtuiQG-7V8m6Cs1rmMOkkq7FRqiDi2oVuXW3gIMQ3U/s1600/001.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Last but definitely not least, <a href="http://www.biome.com.au/"><b><span style="color: blue;">Biome Eco Stores</span></b></a> have kindly donated two amazing lunchboxes!<br />
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<a href="http://www.biome.com.au/808-planetbox"><span style="color: blue;"><b>A PlanetBox lunchbox...</b></span></a></div>
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<i>(worth $85.00)</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgFaf1FjKtRFXJp-84dbTn6RvkweTUHH2Hy3BL-2bkV_GmEWy_1Al0ZrIBgJrmxeivSQq9eDL2UAwze8YzFxP-Mc6BSYm3rwThh2GUfXqfVV8taWL70iWhaxg8cihWVrRrWxt297_JeA/s1600/planetbox-rover-complete-paisley-plaid-with-purple-bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgFaf1FjKtRFXJp-84dbTn6RvkweTUHH2Hy3BL-2bkV_GmEWy_1Al0ZrIBgJrmxeivSQq9eDL2UAwze8YzFxP-Mc6BSYm3rwThh2GUfXqfVV8taWL70iWhaxg8cihWVrRrWxt297_JeA/s1600/planetbox-rover-complete-paisley-plaid-with-purple-bag.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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And a <a href="http://www.biome.com.au/371-goodbyn"><span style="color: blue;">Goodbyn Hero lunchbox</span></a>!</div>
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<i>(worth $21.95)</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8zNPz4vuoY6vHDPO8zOqjzGuR-1xuJXdr56t8uHvFm1Efo2zSinj48vzD4B9qfE_4WNGSLMh3-FxY2Rpgx8qQQU28iM5qKreCggoyXE635F7JcEbodBCfj0EeRMi8fPAV0qFabGQq5Y/s1600/Goodbyn-Hero-Australia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8zNPz4vuoY6vHDPO8zOqjzGuR-1xuJXdr56t8uHvFm1Efo2zSinj48vzD4B9qfE_4WNGSLMh3-FxY2Rpgx8qQQU28iM5qKreCggoyXE635F7JcEbodBCfj0EeRMi8fPAV0qFabGQq5Y/s1600/Goodbyn-Hero-Australia.jpg" height="400" width="290" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">How to Win:</span></i></b><br />
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If you'd like to go into the draw to win one of these<b> 'back-to-school' packs</b>, all you need to do is comment on this blog post, saying what you would do with these products if you won!<br />
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Prizes will be drawn on <b><span style="color: #990000;">Friday 31st at 8pm</span></b> via Random.org, and winners notified by email and announced here and on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking"><span style="color: blue;">Facebook</span></a>. Open to Australian residents only.<br />
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<i><b>Note: </b>If you're trying to comment on a mobile device, please click on the title of the blog post then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click <b>'View web version'</b>, then scroll down to the bottom of the page again and click on <b>'Post a comment'</b>, then type in the comment box.</i><br />
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<b><span style="color: #990000;">1st prize:</span></b> <a href="http://www.littlemashies.com/little-mashies-starter-pack/"><span style="color: blue;">1 starter pack of Little Mashies Reusable Food Pouches</span></a><i style="text-align: center;"> worth $23.95</i><i> </i><br />
<i> (includes 5 reusable squeezie pouches, a funnel, and a recipe card)</i><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.rawc.com.au/product/330ml-12-in-a-case/"><span style="color: blue;">1 carton of Raw C Coconut Water (12 x 300ml)</span></a> </span><i>worth $39.95</i><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.booktopia.com.au/cut-out-the-crap-for-kids-collette-white/prod9780646575179.html?gclid=CNCzj9qSmbwCFYLRpAodGB4A6Q"><span style="color: blue;">1 'Cut Out the Crap for Kids' cookbook</span></a> </span><i style="text-align: center;">worth $29.95</i><br />
<i style="text-align: center;"> </i><span style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.biome.com.au/808-planetbox"><span style="color: blue;">1 PlanetBox lunchbox</span></a></span><i style="text-align: center;"> worth $85</i><br />
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b>2nd prize: </b></span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.littlemashies.com/little-mashies-twin-pack/"><span style="color: blue;">1 twin pack of Little Mashies Reusable Food Pouches</span></a> </span><i style="text-align: center;">(worth $9.95)</i><br />
<i> (includes 2 reusable squeezie pouches)</i><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.booktopia.com.au/cut-out-the-crap-for-kids-collette-white/prod9780646575179.html?gclid=CNCzj9qSmbwCFYLRpAodGB4A6Q"><span style="color: blue;">1 'Cut Out the Crap for Kids' cookbook</span></a> </span><i style="text-align: center;">worth $29.95</i><br />
<span style="color: blue;"> <a href="http://www.biome.com.au/371-goodbyn"><span style="color: blue;">1 Goodbyn Hero lunchbox</span></a></span> <i>worth $21.95</i><br />
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All the best with the first week back at school, everyone, and may your lunchbox packing be stress-free and and enjoyable!<br />
<br />
Jo xx<br />
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Jo Whittonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12590877342845433951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455133712996006000.post-33537683773414755192014-01-18T22:13:00.001+10:002014-01-18T22:20:25.994+10:00{Guest Post} Recovering from Crohn's Disease<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-VJe31u1ilHu4egol80mTERjxavm5LhPOveKtj_bVeI02kKzxVKGNzBTzm5JxQNFhDXo3eWycHTaOpQJKaBDXaW3yCHAsvV7_mtiEGj6KPmD3YAMyoLMRQLEaIetS4pR97se-RnnmbM/s1600/Talisha.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-VJe31u1ilHu4egol80mTERjxavm5LhPOveKtj_bVeI02kKzxVKGNzBTzm5JxQNFhDXo3eWycHTaOpQJKaBDXaW3yCHAsvV7_mtiEGj6KPmD3YAMyoLMRQLEaIetS4pR97se-RnnmbM/s1600/Talisha.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><i>Talisha and her daughter, Ariella</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure to 'meet' (online and over the phone) this gorgeous young woman who is absolutely vibrant with energy and cheerfulness. You would never guess that only one and a half years ago, she was so sick with Crohn's disease that her doctors said her only option was to have her large intestines removed and a colostomy bag installed.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Talisha has been on a very difficult journey with her health and has come out the other side strong and smiling. Her journey and her beautiful little girl have together inspired her to develop a great product, "Little Mashies." I was so impressed by her story that I asked if she would share it here for all of you. </span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">You can read more about </span><a href="http://www.littlemashies.com/our-story/"><span style="color: blue;">Talisha</span></a><span style="color: #222222;"> and her <b>"Little Mashies" Reusable Squeezie Pouches</b> on her </span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/littlemashieshome"><span style="color: blue;">Facebook page</span></a> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">and </span><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.littlemashies.com/"><span style="color: blue;">website</span></a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">.</span></span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzU5X37oMB5VVs7e0imuYVoISNFmLCEFU19r0EKynxMxh7Fe7eb8jP_htHgFXDS8ssIduatFnmfDmvtvlwGLkN6oNkY4oVUWfipgIiL_5uTd1Zj5uVudrkccUjakpLeKBw4mmzx-ptMRk/s1600/mashies+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzU5X37oMB5VVs7e0imuYVoISNFmLCEFU19r0EKynxMxh7Fe7eb8jP_htHgFXDS8ssIduatFnmfDmvtvlwGLkN6oNkY4oVUWfipgIiL_5uTd1Zj5uVudrkccUjakpLeKBw4mmzx-ptMRk/s1600/mashies+1.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Talisha's Story...</b></span><br />
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<i style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">"I’m a single mum with a severe bowel disease. If I have to get my </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">intestines removed and have a poo bag how am I ever going to meet a man?"</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">This was my first thought when my gastro specialist said that surgery was </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">my best and only option to heal my digestive problems. This is what </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">led me to try natural remedies alongside my medication, and it's </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">what kept me focused through what has been the hardest time of my life. I </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">know it might sound silly, or egotistical, but honestly, at the time it was </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">my biggest fear.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I had been diagnosed with Crohns Colitis and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">after having my daughter Ariella, my health became drastically worse. Juggling being a single parent without family close by, and being so sick was </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">extremely difficult. But I soldiered on because I didn’t have any other </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">option. I had severe intestinal bleeding, constant cramps, high fevers and felt so ill that it </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">was like having food poisoning or Bali belly, 24/7. I focused </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">on my daughter, and during those first few months of being sick we played lots </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">of games in bed. She was the sun in my sky (and still is!).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Ariella was 5 months old when I was first admitted to hospital. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I was disgustingly skinny, my skin looked grey, and my </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">hair had started to fall out. I was in really bad shape. I spent ten days in hospital, then went home for a few days, but was admitted to emergency again. My body was just not coping. I had been so sick for months, and even though I was taking the medications they recommended, nothing was working. For another ten days I lay in the hospital bed, and e</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">very one of those ten days </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">the surgeon would come and talk to me, and tell me my only option was to have my large intestine removed. He'd ask me if I was ready, and every day I would say no. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">In their minds, surgery was my only option, and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">the longer I stayed in hospital, the more I began to believe them. But </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I just couldn't bear the thought of having a 'bag' for the rest of my life. I wanted to try and heal myself naturally. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Eventually I was discharged, but told to stay close by, to call an ambulance if I needed to, and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">to come back when I was ready for the surgery. I went home, and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">my father, sister, and amazing friends from my mother's group gathered around to support me and</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> to help look after Ariella. T</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">he mother's group ladies made a roster for cooking food, walks with Ariella, and play dates. Their </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">support was amazing!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I began studying and researching natural ways to heal myself. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">One day one of the mums in the mothers group turned up on my doorstep to bring me a meal. When she saw the state I was in, she said, "I can't leave you like this. I'm an acupuncturist. I will treat you every day until you're well. You work on healing yourself with food, I'll help with acupuncture." She begged me just to hold on until Christmas before deciding about the surgery. I had no money because I was unable to work, and Ariella’s father didn’t help out, so she treated me for free. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Each day she would console me, praise me for my efforts to get through </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">another day, and encourage me to keep trying my natural methods </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">whilst continuing treatment from the doctors. Whenever I felt like giving in, I thought about being single forever and that spurred me on to keep trying.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I tried many things in my efforts to heal myself naturally. It was a long, slow, process, and it took a lot of time before I really saw significant changes in my health. Some of the things I tried were:</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">- Stopping eating (just drinking fresh coconut water)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">- Cutting out dairy and wheat</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">- The SCD diet<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">- Drinking elemental shakes with added Udo’s oil (Absorb Plus brand) </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">- Eating only soft foods like soup, purees, smoothies, and baby food</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">- Bone broths (amazing!) - chicken slow cooked in the broth with pumpkin, then blended, was my favourite</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">- Foods naturally high in good bacteria (yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">etc)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">- Anti inflammatory foods (fresh coconuts and coconut water, coconut oil in </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">peppermint tea, turmeric, salmon)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">- Flaxseeds, and flaxseeds soaked in water overnight</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">- Hormone therapy (I had tests done by my GP which showed I was </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">deficient in testosterone, progesterone, and DHEA)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">- Vitamins and Minerals (Omega 3, 6 & 9, Vitamin D, Multi-Vitamin, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Iron infusions, Vitamin B injections, Vitamin C)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">- Chinese herbs to remove the “heat” from my system</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">- Sleep</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">- Relaxation techniques</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">- Fecal Transplants (4 times per week for 6 weeks)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">- Nano Vita Water drops</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">- Immunity II tablets</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">- Alkaline water</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">At the start of implementing these natural therapies, changes </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">were extremely slow. Microscopic changes. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Many times I lay in bed all day with a raging fever, and would be too exhausted to eat or drink. So</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> if I had a fever for only </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">12 out of 24 hours then that was a positive step. If I slept for longer </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">than 2 hours at a time without waking in pain, that was also a victory. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">My </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">bleeding and bowel habits were constantly terrible right to the very end of </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">my healing journey. I say end, but in reality my healing journey will be </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">forever. It will never end because my intestines are my weak spot and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">whenever I get stressed that’s where I feel it! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">The thing I learnt whilst </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">battling my illness is that everyone is different. Some things that worked </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">for others didn’t work for me. And some things that worked for me may not work for you. It's all a matter of working out what your body needs, listening to your body, and not giving up.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I view my disease as though it is on a spectrum. I believe it started as </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Irritable Bowel Syndrome then it got worse and took on the form of </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Ulcerative Colitis. When I still continued to ignore my body crying for </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">help, my intestinal ulcers became deeper, and biopsies showed Crohns disease. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I am not a doctor, and I have always seen the best specialists and taken </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">all the medication prescribed for Inflammatory Bowel Disease. But I truly </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">do believe that the body is designed to be able to heal most problems and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">that there are many different nationalities that have healed themselves </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">for thousands of years with herbs, foods, and natural remedies. I do believe that</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> my problems started by eating the wrong foods from childhood, which is why I'm so careful with what I feed my daughter.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7iqVMaF0sUQlRSDN6DZL6jshMWKbxMJNDX7U0m1oqwcvz7L3BDRYdHnUeB3ZG050U1kCjcgln8zqfdiMBM237LGrMm5Kkg7iojoOoRwfNEFurishDFnNMipQk39lGSFOrlvBFfjmx-j4/s1600/mashies+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7iqVMaF0sUQlRSDN6DZL6jshMWKbxMJNDX7U0m1oqwcvz7L3BDRYdHnUeB3ZG050U1kCjcgln8zqfdiMBM237LGrMm5Kkg7iojoOoRwfNEFurishDFnNMipQk39lGSFOrlvBFfjmx-j4/s1600/mashies+3.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I started "Little Mashies" while I was in and out of hospital, because I was </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">living off baby food, soups, broths and shakes. At the same time I was </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">weaning my own baby onto solid foods. I researched the nutritional content </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">of what was in the packaged baby foods and yogurt squeezies, and I was </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">unhappy to feed it to Ariella or myself. So I cooked my own purees and stored </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">them in zip lock bags.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2JPSZhkUlbqKwreJqaWHQKyHKzT9OoLHgx4NbycRd7dEA7YCmLCIx58nCb217WaKpewTghMsHKWJY03ts2Lh5fAD5AI1ughAsNPz6NINi4lutg0Ozw3vnkb1TBWU8ROYkM_i-oHDYmw/s1600/mashies+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2JPSZhkUlbqKwreJqaWHQKyHKzT9OoLHgx4NbycRd7dEA7YCmLCIx58nCb217WaKpewTghMsHKWJY03ts2Lh5fAD5AI1ughAsNPz6NINi4lutg0Ozw3vnkb1TBWU8ROYkM_i-oHDYmw/s1600/mashies+2.JPG" height="320" width="238" /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">One day I had a light bulb moment, and began designing my own 'squeezie' bags! With </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">"Little Mashies," I can give my child (and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">myself, when I am sick) healthy, nutrient rich, additive free food wherever </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">we go.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">It was such a huge long journey to get my idea to reality. I had no </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">money and was stuck in bed most days. But I was as dedicated to achieving this </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">as I was to fixing my health. I tested, tested and retested until I was </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">happy with the quality of my product. It took over a year. None of it has </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">been easy, in fact I honestly feel like I have been fighting for survival ever since I became pregnant with Ariella. But I now have my own business (which is growing </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">every day), I would say my health is the best it has been in years, and my </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">daughter is thriving!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">I just want to say that looking after our children’s health is so important, and it is something I am really passionate about because of my own journey. To those of you who use </span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/littlemashieshome"><span style="color: blue;">Little Mashies Reusable Squeezie Pouches</span></a>,</span><span style="color: #222222;"> I am so happy to be able to provide a way for your kids to be able to get the healthy, additive free food that they need.</span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">I feel blessed to be able to share my story with you and hopefully help you on </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">your journey to healing. Please feel free to contact me through my </span><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/littlemashieshome"><span style="color: blue;">Facebook page</span></a><span style="color: #222222;"> or </span><a href="http://www.littlemashies.com/"><span style="color: blue;">website</span></a><span style="color: #222222;"> - I'm happy to answer your questions and share what I've learnt.</span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br />Don't give up!<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>Talisha xx</i></span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Note from Jo:</b> This post was not sponsored in any way, I just wanted to share this story of an amazing young woman with you all, in the hopes it would help and encourage those of you who are going through a difficult time with your own health. I have offered to do a giveaway of some of Talisha's "Little Mashies" in the near future, and will let you all know about that soon.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jo xx</span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /></span>Jo Whittonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12590877342845433951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455133712996006000.post-60697183392099279642013-12-26T22:15:00.001+10:002014-01-31T21:36:15.183+10:00Quirky Cooking Birthday Giveaway & an Update!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Guess what? Quirky Cooking is 5 years old today! Woo hoo!!!<br />
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Five years ago on Boxing Day I started this blog as a place to record my recipes, menu plans and tips for those who needed some help with healthy, allergy friendly cooking.<br />
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Well, I never would've imagined that so many people would be joining me on this journey, and that five years later I would be working on publishing a cookbook. Thank you, thank you, thank you all for your support! At the end of this post there's a <span style="color: #990000;"><b><i>Birthday Giveaway</i></b></span>, so keep reading to see how to enter.<br />
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<i>(If you'd like to see a video interview where I explain my food journey, why and how I started my blog, why I use a Thermomix, etc, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOHtFZZkV3o"><span style="color: blue;">click here</span></a>.)</i><br />
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The last few weeks (and months) have been a bit of a whirlwind, with lots of recipe testing and the photo shoot for my book in Perth, so I've been a bit absent from my blog. Thank you for being so patient. I had no idea how much work a cookbook entailed - phew! I still have another photo shoot here at home in early January, and bits and pieces of writing to finish off, but nearly there. For those of you who are wondering, the book will be available in Autumn. Not long now, so stay tuned!<br />
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Here's a glimpse of behind the scenes at the photo shoot... Thanks to the super organised team at <a href="http://www.thermomix.com.au/"><span style="color: blue;">Thermomix Australia</span></a>, it all went really well. I absolutely loved working with these guys, they're amazing.<br />
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It was exciting watching the photos come together with the help of the photographer (Craig of <a href="http://www.f22photography.com/go/lightbox&gallery=food"><span style="color: blue;">F22 Photography</span></a>), the stylist (Tarsh), and the art director (Becky of <a href="http://chil3.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Chil3</span></a>). There were quite a few of us working in the kitchen/studio each day, so the food never went to waste. Whatever we didn't eat was divided up and taken home by everyone at the end of each day. </div>
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<i>Quirky takeaway - pizza night! :D</i></div>
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I also managed to squeeze in a few catch ups with friends in Perth, including the wholefood guru extraordinaire, <a href="http://www.wholefoodcooking.com.au/"><span style="color: blue;">Jude Blereau</span></a>! What fun :) (This lady is a legend!)<br />
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We arrived home from Perth a week before Christmas and I think I slept for almost two days, and I'm still catching up, so we had a very simple Christmas and just enjoyed a relaxing time with family and friends.<br />
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<i>My friend bought me this very apt sign... ha ha!</i></div>
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<i>And I managed to get a little bit of Christmas cooking done - thankfully mum did most of it!</i></div>
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So a fun time was had by all, and now it's Boxing Day and everyone's relaxing... except me, because I started a blog on Boxing Day five years ago, so now every Boxing Day is spent blogging. Ha ha! Good thing I love it... ;)</div>
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Every year I do a <b><i><span style="color: #990000;">Birthday Giveaway</span></i></b> to say thank you to you all, and this year we have some lovely prizes from Skin Juice and Blendstyle! Hope you like them.</div>
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<i><span style="color: #990000;">To win a prize, all you need to do is comment on this blog post saying why you'd love to win. Winners will be picked randomly on <b>Thursday 2nd January at 7pm</b>, via Random.org, and will be contacted via email. Winners names will also be announced on this blog post. Competition open to Australian residents only.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #990000;">[Note: If commenting on a mobile device, you will need to scroll to bottom of page, click View Web Version, then scroll down again to see comment option.]</span></i></div>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Skin Juice Packs:</span></b></div>
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I believe it's really important to not only to be aware of what foods you are putting into your body, but also what you're feeding your skin. Anything you put onto your skin goes into your bloodstream, so why would you want to use products full of chemicals and nasties? Skin Juice is a natural range of skin products I've recently discovered and am loving, so I really wanted to share! </div>
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Skin Juice is an innovative new kind of skin care which breaks the 'rules', using cleansing oils instead of soapy formulas, and night oils in place of nights creams. The oils are natural, undiluted vegetable, fruit, seed and nut oils that lubricate, moisturise and protect without clogging up the skin pores. The oils feel amazing on your skin, smell beautiful, and are free of synthetic fragrances, parabens and dyes. They are environmentally sustainable and against animal testing. For more information, check out the Skin Juice <a href="http://www.skinjuice.com.au/"><span style="color: blue;">website</span></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/skinjuicenutra"><span style="color: blue;">Facebook page</span></a>, and <a href="http://instagram.com/skinjuice"><span style="color: blue;">Instagram page</span></a>.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Blendstyle Apron:</span></b></div>
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Blendstyle's gorgeous designer aprons come in many different styles - choose from luxurious embroidered aprons, vintage/retro inspired aprons, or quirky, whimsical, fun aprons. Check out the Blendstyle <a href="http://blendstyle.com.au/"><span style="color: blue;">website</span></a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/blendstyle.aprons"><span style="color: blue;">Facebook page</span></a>.</div>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Nutra Organics Health Bundle:</span></b></div>
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I love using Nutra Organics powders to add some extra nutrition to smoothies, juices, bliss balls and more. They are an Australian company that uses only wholefoods and natural sweeteners in their products - no synthetic or artificial ingredients, not fillers, no nasties. Check out their <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.nutraorganics.com.au/"><span style="color: blue;">website</span></a>,</span> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NutraOrganics"><span style="color: blue;">Facebook page</span></a> and <a href="http://instagram.com/nutraorganics/"><span style="color: blue;">Instagram</span></a> for recipes and tips for adding phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants, etc, to foods and drinks for an extra boost. Great for kids that are fussy eaters!</div>
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<i><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">[Prize draw now finished]</span></b></i></div>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><i>1st Prize: </i></span></b></div>
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<img src="http://www.skinjuice.com.au/site/DefaultSite/filesystem/images/product-images/SKINJUICE_ESSENTIALPACK_FB_v01.jpg" height="343" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">1 </span><a href="http://www.skinjuice.com.au/products/The_Essential_Juice_Box.aspx"><span style="color: blue;">Skin Juice Essential Juice Box</span></a><span style="color: #cc0000;">, valued at $190 (contains 6 beautiful, juicy, full size products) </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">+ 1 </span><a href="http://www.skinjuice.com.au/products/Spud-Sponge.aspx"><span style="color: blue;">Spud Sponge</span></a><span style="color: #cc0000;"> valued at $12.90 </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">+ 1 </span><a href="http://blendstyle.com.au/"><span style="color: blue;">Blendstyle Apron</span></a><span style="color: #cc0000;"> of your choice, valued at up to $37.95</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><i>2nd Prize: </i></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqOfOAFbNZJ4v67hqFu5_REGbqYT7eD6SLF1wLhyphenhyphen79EtMs21451JO5FsJKK0AkKAXLVWBr4_SHsCVJizBSwm4i9Yh-kz7MfmzxQ7sIK9FqSkkSdIV3WnBno400GREdm4aYXIg8cyywAQ/s1600/photo+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqOfOAFbNZJ4v67hqFu5_REGbqYT7eD6SLF1wLhyphenhyphen79EtMs21451JO5FsJKK0AkKAXLVWBr4_SHsCVJizBSwm4i9Yh-kz7MfmzxQ7sIK9FqSkkSdIV3WnBno400GREdm4aYXIg8cyywAQ/s400/photo+(4).JPG" height="400" width="367" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">1 </span><a href="http://www.skinjuice.com.au/products/MICRO_Pack_Signature_1.aspx"><span style="color: blue;">Mini Squeezes Travel Pack</span></a><span style="color: #cc0000;"> valued at $75 (contains 5 travel size refillable skin juice products) </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">+ 1 </span><a href="http://www.skinjuice.com.au/products/Spud-Sponge.aspx"><span style="color: blue;">Spud Sponge</span></a><span style="color: #cc0000;"> valued at $12.90</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><i>3rd Prize: </i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ROQEqxzyCr1k4G9_K5A0u07RlkoYAGJyyjA74oxRqWnjfiiyjiVeZMBfkhwKKxe9tHh_gTIhA5FWBcjX_PAfk6bmHAzgAWeTacyst5NWpNPimGgg8Bp5tWca0zSJJ9v5rdlx7ziPdbQ/s1600/photo+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ROQEqxzyCr1k4G9_K5A0u07RlkoYAGJyyjA74oxRqWnjfiiyjiVeZMBfkhwKKxe9tHh_gTIhA5FWBcjX_PAfk6bmHAzgAWeTacyst5NWpNPimGgg8Bp5tWca0zSJJ9v5rdlx7ziPdbQ/s640/photo+(3).JPG" height="640" width="451" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">1 Skin Juice Pack valued at $69.50 (</span><a href="http://www.skinjuice.com.au/products/Smoothie_Body_Juice_bag___Christmas_pack.aspx"><span style="color: blue;">this</span></a><span style="color: #cc0000;"> pack plus </span><a href="http://www.skinjuice.com.au/products/Just_Squeezed_Juice_bag__-_Christmas_Pack.aspx"><span style="color: blue;">this</span></a><span style="color: #cc0000;"> pack) </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">+ 1 </span><a href="http://www.skinjuice.com.au/products/Spud-Sponge.aspx"><span style="color: blue;">Spud Sponge</span></a><span style="color: #cc0000;"> valued at $12.90</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><i>4th Prize: </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfhqxhqTl0PgaG3MNkLz4JYAVRRlf3dQP1XOpgaXctPPN2Whdk5AnsUfDUydEJ8ioOMQSG67tctmBVC33UhIlBT72Bnx9guSVcKkC51cl93GEdy9GRJx4JWLS8WGn-DAj_xUEHROX2GU/s1600/health+giveaway.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfhqxhqTl0PgaG3MNkLz4JYAVRRlf3dQP1XOpgaXctPPN2Whdk5AnsUfDUydEJ8ioOMQSG67tctmBVC33UhIlBT72Bnx9guSVcKkC51cl93GEdy9GRJx4JWLS8WGn-DAj_xUEHROX2GU/s640/health+giveaway.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">1 </span><a href="https://www.nutraorganics.com.au/"><span style="color: blue;">Nutra Organics</span></a><span style="color: #cc0000;"> Health Bundle valued at $119.00</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">(</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">1 x </span><a href="https://www.nutraorganics.com.au/our-products/acai-berry-blend"><span style="color: blue;">Acai Berry Blend</span></a><span style="color: #cc0000;"> 200g, </span></span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">1 x </span><a href="https://www.nutraorganics.com.au/our-products/super-greens-reds"><span style="color: blue;">Super Greens & Reds</span></a><span style="color: #cc0000;"> 250g, </span></span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">1 x </span><a href="https://www.nutraorganics.com.au/our-products/organic-maca-powder"><span style="color: blue;">Organic </span></a></span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.nutraorganics.com.au/our-products/organic-maca-powder"><span style="color: blue;">Maca</span></a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; text-align: start;"> 300g)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">+ some samples of each of the energy bars</span></div>
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<i>Thank you to Skin Juice, Blendstyle and Nutra Organics for the generous gifts, </i></div>
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<i>and thank you to all of my lovely readers for your support over the last few years!</i></div>
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<i>Have a wonderful week!</i></div>
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<i>Cheers, Jo xx</i></div>
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Jo Whittonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12590877342845433951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455133712996006000.post-74342755041395745452013-12-23T19:39:00.000+10:002013-12-23T19:39:08.168+10:00Christmas Breakfast Casserole <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkPiw7xOs2hCCDsSbrW5LH3xPk1knqumzFhJB3hFQsMMjFbIf9zS_GftYlAQI6k5JsfPLFgeP49OXqomAMjU98zMix0gM6rzT-2Lo_vUFP4yjX71C5fPIqFDlayqDjBbttY2n28mf2dQ/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkPiw7xOs2hCCDsSbrW5LH3xPk1knqumzFhJB3hFQsMMjFbIf9zS_GftYlAQI6k5JsfPLFgeP49OXqomAMjU98zMix0gM6rzT-2Lo_vUFP4yjX71C5fPIqFDlayqDjBbttY2n28mf2dQ/s640/016.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I often feel a bit overloaded with all the sweet stuff at Christmas, and the kids tend to dig into their Christmas stockings first thing and start in on the homemade sweets, so a savoury breakfast/brunch on Christmas day makes a lot of sense to me. (I prefer a savoury breakfast any day, actually.)<br />
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This year, we're having our traditional Christmas dinner of roast turkey and all the trimmings on Christmas Eve. Christmas day we're having a lazy breakfast after the kids open their presents, then getting together for dinner with friends on Christmas night. So this is the breakfast I'm making for Christmas day - a 'prepare ahead' brunch casserole. Oh, and mum is bringing <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2011/04/hot-cross-bun-monkey-bread.html"><span style="color: blue;">Monkey Bread</span></a> too, so that should keep everyone happy. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWNYWtOvwlO-cZNZRnLpSzM231eiM7QaOnVsEH9kkEzK9Vj2x71gVE1ylxeETCZrjxSWjYkCz7ZYoYdgD7NUhbIfCPI38viu6I5R6vS0vuo7epVnKnEsGZ-xJ4bLzhPSPfbfMs2PQzjc/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWNYWtOvwlO-cZNZRnLpSzM231eiM7QaOnVsEH9kkEzK9Vj2x71gVE1ylxeETCZrjxSWjYkCz7ZYoYdgD7NUhbIfCPI38viu6I5R6vS0vuo7epVnKnEsGZ-xJ4bLzhPSPfbfMs2PQzjc/s640/020.JPG" width="534" /></a></div>
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This casserole might not look like much (it was hard to photograph!) but the kids love it - it's very tasty. The bottom layer is homemade hashbrowns, made with a mixture of potato and orange sweet potato. Then there's a layer of egg, then a spicy American style turkey or beef mince layer, and egg and zucchini on top with a sprinkle of herbs and savoury yeast flakes. You can use grated parmesan instead of savoury yeast flakes if you don't need it to be dairy free.<br />
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You can prepare this the day before if you like, and bake it on Christmas morning while the family is opening presents. Easy.<br />
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P.S. This is obviously also just a great midweek dinner with a salad!<br />
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Christmas Brunch Casserole </span></b><br /><i>(Gluten Free, Grain Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free)</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: inherit;"><i>Serves 6</i></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Preheat oven to 180°</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">C.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1kg potatoes, roughly chopped<i> (I use a mixture of potatoes and orange sweet potatoes)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 brown onion, halved</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2 garlic cloves</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3 Tbsp ghee or coconut oil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2 tsp herb salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Freshly ground black pepper</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">500g turkey or beef mince</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1/8 tsp sage, ground</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1/4 tsp cayenne pepper</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 tsp oregano</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2 Tbsp tamari</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2 Tbsp tomato sauce</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">10 eggs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">tsp garlic powder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tsp onion powder</span><br />
1 zucchini, quartered<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2 tsp savoury yeast flakes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">1. Place potatoes, onion, garlic, 1 tsp of herb salt and some freshly ground pepper into mixing bowl and chop<b> 30 sec/speed 4</b>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">2. Melt ghee or oil in a large frypan and add potato mixture. Stir and fry until lightly browned and cooked through, approx. <b>10 mins</b>. Spread over base of a 34 x 22 cm rectangular baking dish and set aside.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">3. Meanwhile, place mince, sage, cayenne, 1/4 tsp oregano, tamari and tomato sauce into mixing bowl and mix<b> 10 sec/reverse/speed 3</b>. C</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ook <b>4 mins/Varoma/reverse/speed soft </b>with MC off (until barely cooked). Remove to a bowl and set aside.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">4. Place eggs, 1 tsp herb salt, garlic powder and onion powder and some freshly ground black pepper into mixing bowl. Mix <b>5 sec/speed 4</b>, then drizzle half the mixture over the potatoes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">5. Sprinkle mince over the egg layer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">6. Add zucchini to remaining egg mixture in mixing bowl and chop <b>3 sec/speed 5</b>. Spread over mince layer and sprinkle with 1/4 tsp oregano and yeast flakes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">6. Cover with foil and bake in preheated <b>30 mins</b>, then remove foil and bake a further<b> 30 mins,</b> or until </span>set and browned.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #990000;">To Prepare Ahead:</span></b><br />
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Cover casserole with foil and place in fridge overnight. In the morning, place in preheated <span style="font-family: inherit;">180°</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">C oven and cook 45 mins, then remove foil and cook 30 mins or until set and browned.</span><br />
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Jo Whittonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12590877342845433951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455133712996006000.post-90945570188307624772013-11-10T23:44:00.000+10:002013-11-17T20:58:28.883+10:00An Update, a Creamy Pine Lime Green Smoothie Recipe, and a Glass Straws Giveaway!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFgPo3A8LvTN0HRCnJNh1T-wyAuTIxPBcnCEvPQ8yIZIGNAbRpFfRj2aWqXbQ2dSzFj3cFEbcjjJ9R-Y-4O8fXEEyv1dMvUV8yqBsHY5uJ7kniPJo5PKV8nyp_IRtcFNUXhKY3AO3NMxE/s1600/080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFgPo3A8LvTN0HRCnJNh1T-wyAuTIxPBcnCEvPQ8yIZIGNAbRpFfRj2aWqXbQ2dSzFj3cFEbcjjJ9R-Y-4O8fXEEyv1dMvUV8yqBsHY5uJ7kniPJo5PKV8nyp_IRtcFNUXhKY3AO3NMxE/s640/080.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hi guys! What have you all been up to? I've been too busy for blogging much lately, but I thought I'd better pop in and update you all on what's happening around here! And because I miss you :)<br />
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So let's see, what's been happening...<br />
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Well last weekend I cooked for <a href="http://theorganicexperience.com.au/"><span style="color: blue;">The Organic Experience</span></a> grassroots food tour, which was a blast as always. If you ever get a chance to go on this tour, I highly recommend it - you will learn HEAPS about sustainable farming, why it's important to buy local produce, healthy homegrown living, back to basics cooking, and creating a strong, vibrant community where you live. I wish I could go on every tour, they're amazing! Emma Lodge does a great job of organising them. The photo above is where I cooked lunch, at a quaint little community hall out amongst the green fields not far from home...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFvqbQvf9MgD_mJY5H6KFFq9k5LZ90fDtUONM3Ip9vGo-u8bbDBoWs7HTl8lMN1vyqj_1J2dZjtbvY6H8qJdcEgoA3e0kuU0yTLEfJ_0kLPyX-J6mtm9iMqMHPXRihrSp_W2k_wAucy8/s1600/065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFvqbQvf9MgD_mJY5H6KFFq9k5LZ90fDtUONM3Ip9vGo-u8bbDBoWs7HTl8lMN1vyqj_1J2dZjtbvY6H8qJdcEgoA3e0kuU0yTLEfJ_0kLPyX-J6mtm9iMqMHPXRihrSp_W2k_wAucy8/s400/065.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Sjoerd of <a href="http://www.realfoodnetwork.com.au/"><span style="color: blue;">Real Food Network </span></a>was the tour guide this time, and did a great job</i></div>
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It was really lovely to meet Sarah (aka the <a href="http://clevercook.net.au/"><span style="color: blue;">Clever Cook</span></a>) on the tour - her and her husband flew up from Brisbane to come along! So see? It must be worth it! ;) (Btw, check out her blog if you love healthy food with an emphasis on low carb, gluten free options - lots of yummy ideas.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLnP8s1zfd8dY73tMBXOPYpOoUteHy8Q8rkuiFGu6qmOweVz6o05WjVevkCFKclBIsZbwaGkbSobXANM9ZHdF1h_V_qMqEpdKrY8qM0h6B_9EwF0aS_UF4KZK8rxpFioPcSi8Jq8zJvuk/s1600/071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLnP8s1zfd8dY73tMBXOPYpOoUteHy8Q8rkuiFGu6qmOweVz6o05WjVevkCFKclBIsZbwaGkbSobXANM9ZHdF1h_V_qMqEpdKrY8qM0h6B_9EwF0aS_UF4KZK8rxpFioPcSi8Jq8zJvuk/s320/071.JPG" width="262" /></a></div>
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<i>Me and Sarah (and yes, I was pretty tired by then!)</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5XC3dVuIaVy6OXJKpPVLB3cG46J_OsKyia4bQg_kKgQlFkiMGatjM55L3sXTMkBna9XCoJq27nM1nQF3zEmFixXif2TR4Fd6wS4SeSfQsMUs_9GK9oK3Qh21VV430wRUM0wVCMoLJNEg/s1600/081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5XC3dVuIaVy6OXJKpPVLB3cG46J_OsKyia4bQg_kKgQlFkiMGatjM55L3sXTMkBna9XCoJq27nM1nQF3zEmFixXif2TR4Fd6wS4SeSfQsMUs_9GK9oK3Qh21VV430wRUM0wVCMoLJNEg/s400/081.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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For those of you who have wondered how the Ford Territory Titanium test driving is going (I've had lots of questions): YES I love it, I'd buy one in a flash! I've been driving it for the last 6 weeks thanks to <a href="http://www.ford.com.au/voicesofaustralia"><span style="color: blue;">Voices of 2013 and Ford</span></a> (thanks Ford, can I please keep it??) and it's just a beautiful car to drive. As you can see, it fits heaps in the back with the two back seats down. I've had all sorts of cargo in it, from cooking gear for my classes and demos, to luggage (and Thermomix of course) when we went away for a week (all six of us), the kids and their soccer balls and jackets and boots and bags, the vege box from our co-op...</div>
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Yes, tomorrow will be a sad day, as I have to give the Ford back. :( One last goodbye photo... </div>
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<i>Sigh.</i></div>
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In other news, I started a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/quirkycooking/"><span style="color: blue;">Quirky Cooking Chat Group</span></a>! Have you joined yet? We have such a great community on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking"><span style="color: blue;">Facebook</span></a>, and I think that collectively you guys know the answers to just about everything there is to know. So, after lots of requests, I decided last night to set up a group where you can post your questions and our quirky community can help answer them... which takes some of the pressure off me, because I can't keep up lately!<br />
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There's lots of great discussions happening over there (and already nearly 4000 members in 10 days!) so check it out and request to join if you'd like to. There are a few admins looking after things and I'll pop in when I can (although when I do, they tell me to 'go write that book'!! ha ha)<br />
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I have turned off the private messages on my facebook page for now, but if you need to contact me privately you can still email through the email button on my blog. I will of course still be posting on facebook as usual, but the 'chat group' is great for getting a quick answer to your questions, and you can 'search' for topics in the group too, which will be helpful. (Note: If you've sent me a private message already, I can still read and answer them, and will try to when I can, but if possible, repost it in the group, then other readers can pitch in to help.)<br />
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So that's my news for now, other than that it's still work work work on the book, and getting ready for the photo shoot which is happening in Perth next month! Yay!! (All a bit exciting!)</div>
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And now for a little recipe and a <b><span style="color: #cc0000;">GIVEAWAY!</span></b> Because I know this is what you were waiting for... right?<br />
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The other day my daughter was feeling sorry for herself because she'd just had her braces adjusted and her mouth was too sore to eat, so I made up this smoothie for her. (Oh, and some gingerbread biscuits.) So so yum. And because I love you guys so much, I'm not only going to give you the recipe, I'm also going to give you the chance to win one of five 'Smoothie Starter Pack' from <a href="http://glassstraws.com.au/"><span style="color: blue;">glassstraws.com.au</span></a>!<i> (Check out their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GlassStraws"><span style="color: blue;">Facebook page</span></a> here.) </i></div>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">WIN!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">1 of 5 'Smoothie Starter Packs' </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Includes: </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">1 bent glass straw</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">1 straight glass straw</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">1 cleaning brush</span></b></div>
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To win, all you need to do is<span style="color: blue;"> <b><i>comment on this blog post</i></b> </span>and say why you'd love some glass straws. The winner will be randomly drawn next Sunday evening (17th Nov) at 8.30pm, via Random.org, and announced here and on my Facebook page. (Winners must be Australian residents only.)</div>
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<i>Note: If you are reading this on a mobile device, you will need to switch to web version (scroll to bottom of page) to be able to comment.</i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #cc0000;">Winners: Jodie Fitch; Cassie; Deb; Rachel and Helen</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #cc0000;">Winners have been notified via email.</span></i></div>
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And here's the recipe...</div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Creamy Pine Lime Green Smoothie</span></b></div>
<i>(Serves 4)</i></div>
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100g activated (or raw) cashews<br />
1 pink lady apple, quartered<br />
1 large naval orange, peeled & halved<br />
1 lime, peeled<br />
200g frozen pineapple, cut in 2cm cubes<br />
60g baby spinach leaves<br />
300-400g <a href="http://www.rawc.com.au/"><span style="color: blue;">Natural Raw C</span></a> coconut water</div>
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Place all the ingredients into your Thermomix or a powerful blender, and blend <b>2 mins/speed 10.</b><br />
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<i>And if you were wanting the <b>gingerbread bikkie recipe</b>, it's a bit of a spin off of <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com/2010/12/gluten-free-gingerbread-men.html"><span style="color: blue;">these ones</span></a>. The new version will be in my book, but these are yummy too.</i></div>
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So that's it from me tonight, I hope you enjoy the smoothie, have a great week.</div>
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Jo xx</div>
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Jo Whittonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12590877342845433951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455133712996006000.post-32291499886154991792013-10-27T06:14:00.000+10:002013-10-27T06:14:56.327+10:00Time Out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<i>Time out...</i></div>
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This has been a crazy week. Cookbook deadlines are zooming by, so I've been stuck at the computer with hardly a break. (Except to homeschool, do housework, cook, go to a wedding, answer lots of phone calls and messages, and deal with all the other interruptions that are part of everyday life around here!)<br />
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Then at about 11pm the other night I realised someone had decided to steal my Facebook identity, so I was madly trying to sort that out and didn't get much sleep. (And it's still ongoing... so please don't accept a 'friend request' on FB from 'Quirky Cooking' because it's not me, despite the fact that they're using my photo and covershot and have also set up a Quirky Cooking 'Health & Beauty' page. This is my page, by the way ---> <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/"><span style="color: blue;">Quirky Cooking</span></a>... </span>not the other one.)<br />
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Stress. I was tingling with it that night and the next morning. And quite a few times in the past week. You know that feeling? I hate it. Sometimes the feeling of <i>"so much to do and I don't know where to start and I don't know what to do"</i> totally overwhelms me. I don't want to talk to anyone, I want to hide in my bed, disconnect the phone, and pretend I'm not home when someone knocks on the door. But you can't really do that when you have a home business, a family to look after, and you're behind schedule with the book you're writing.<br />
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I find it helps to <b>focus on a job that needs doing</b>, and start working on that in slow and steady steps, bit by bit, til it's done. (It feels so good to tick something off your to-do list, no matter how small, doesn't it!)<br />
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And I also find it helps to give myself the reward of some<b> 'time out' </b>to look forward to, as the jobs are ticked off my list.</div>
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<b><i>Time Out...</i></b></div>
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As my mum says, it's imporant to <i>'take some time out to let your soul catch up with your body.'</i> I'm not talking about big chunks of time spent alone in blissful quietness - I mean just making the most of little moments, little snippets of time, and letting that quiet moment completely soak in and relax you. </div>
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One of my favourite writers said this, <br />
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<i>"It is in quietness that we are fed. Sometimes it is not possible to get long uninterrupted quiet, but even if it be only ten minutes, “hem it with quietness.” Enclose it in quietness; do not spend the time in thinking how little time you have. Be quiet. If you are interrupted, as soon as the interruption ceases, sink back into quietness again without fuss or worry of spirit. Those who know this secret and practise it, are lifted up." (Amy Carmichael)</i></blockquote>
It can be as simple as...<br />
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- Getting up early to have some peace and quiet to read and think and write before the kids wake up.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">- Going for a short walk and bringing home some flowers you picked. (Or weeds, if you're anything like me.)</span><br />
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- Baking a cake.</div>
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- Playing relaxing, happy music while you work. </div>
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- And maybe dancing around the kitchen a little bit. And singing.</div>
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- Sitting outside in the sunshine with a cup of tea for 10 minutes.</div>
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- Kicking off your shoes and sitting on the grass to eat your lunch.</div>
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- A chat and a laugh with a friend. </div>
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- Stopping to notice the beauty that is all around you, and taking photos of what you see.</div>
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- Hugging someone you love.<br />
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And for me, a big one is...</div>
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<b><i>Driving.</i></b></div>
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If I'm feeling really overwhelmed and my brain is tired of thinking, and all those little 'time outs' just aren't enough, I find it really helps to go for a drive.</div>
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I've been feeling really frustrated the past couple of weeks, because I have this absolutely beautiful car sitting in my driveway, and no time to drive it. And I have only two weeks til they take it back! Noooooooo...<br />
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<i>(For those of you who don't know, Ford sent me a Territory Titanium to test drive for six weeks (yeeehaaaa!!) as part of their <a href="http://www.ford.com.au/voicesofaustralia"><span style="color: blue;">"Choose Your Own Adventure" Challenge</span></a>. I was picked because Kidspot awarded me a place in the top 25 "Food & Wellbeing" Bloggers for <a href="http://blogs.kidspot.com.au/villagevoices/voices/voices-of-2013/"><span style="color: blue;">Voices of 2013</span></a> this year. And yes, I'm truly loving this car. And I don't want to give it back.)</i><br />
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Anyway, today I had so much to do, and a wedding to go to, and the 'overwhelmed' feeling was building up again. So when my husband said, "Let's drive home from the wedding the long way - around the lake," my answer was, "I'm driving!!"<br />
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I know, I know, I had lots to do. I probably should've said, "No we'd better get straight home as I need to keep working." But after the stress of the past week, hugging the cat just wasn't going to cut it. I needed some time out to drive 'my' car, to sit back in air conditioned comfort and relax and watch the scenery go by. I could honestly sit in those soft, leather seats all day, meandering through the countryside enjoying the view, <span style="text-align: center;">music on, air conditioner blowing in my face, thoughts drifting, stopping to take photos whenever I want to... I dream of doing that when I'm stuck in front of my computer for hours.</span><br />
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So that's what we did. We went for a drive on a winding dirt road, and stopped to watch the sun set over the lake. And revelled in the comfort of driving such a lovely car. And it really helped. Now I'm feeling much happier and more relaxed, because I've had some time out, away from the computer and housework, driving this lovely car and enjoying the scenery. Bliss.</div>
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So tell me, what do you do to help yourself relax, refocus and de-stress? I'd really love to know. Please leave a comment - your ideas may help someone else!<br />
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Have a great Sunday, guys, and don't forget to...<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">♥ </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">♥ </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">♥</span></div>
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Jo Whittonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12590877342845433951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455133712996006000.post-38252343099856926762013-10-10T22:50:00.001+10:002013-10-14T20:06:18.400+10:00"Thank You" Giveaway!!<br />
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Know what? I think you guys are awesome.<br />
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Today <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking"><span style="color: blue;">my facebook page</span></a> reached 50,000 likes, so to say THANK YOU, here's a chance to win a very quirky prize! <br />
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<a href="https://lovingearth.net/"><span style="color: blue;">Loving Earth</span></a> has donated a big mixed box of my favourite coconut sugar raw chocolates, including their newest addition - a dairy free white caramel chocolate!!! Eeek, I'm so excited, I can't wait to try it!!<br />
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And that's not all... The winner will also have the opportunity to get some healthy cooking advice with me via a Skype call (or you can call me via phone if preferred), or in my kitchen if you're local. Help with bread making, chocolate making, allergy friendly cooking, meal planning, bulk buying, cooking on a budget, cooking for kids, Thermomix cooking... Up to an hour of one on one help. <br />
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If this sounds like something you'd like to win, please comment below! 1 comment per person, and the winner will be drawn randomly on Monday 14th October at 7pm, via random.org.<br />
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Thank you everyone for joining in and making my page a great place to be! <br />
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">And the winner is...</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">AMANDA MARTYN!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Congrats Amanda, I hope you enjoy the chocolate and get lots of inspiration from our chat! :)</span></b></div>
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Jo Whittonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12590877342845433951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455133712996006000.post-297416127557849592013-10-08T18:15:00.001+10:002013-10-08T18:15:19.513+10:00Road Tripping, Expo Cooking & Finding the Balance Between Stop and Go<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Black's Beach, Mackay</i></div>
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<o:p>I love a good road trip, don't you? I grew up in a road tripping family and I have so many wonderful memories of travelling together for hours, days, weeks, even months - around half of Australia, the USA, down into Mexico, up into Canada... </o:p></div>
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<o:p>As teenagers, we were packed into the car like sardines, suitcases bumping the backs of our heads as we bounced along, a banjo and a guitar sandwiched between us in the back seat, portable electric typewriter on my lap so I could type out my school assignments as we drove. Endless roads, new friends everywhere we went, beautiful scenery, singing together and telling stories, cooking Australian treats like pavlova for our American friends and trying their foods, and taking photos of wildflowers and canyons and lakes and snow. Once road tripping is in your blood you just can't get rid of the addiction. I dream of spending a whole year travelling around Australia with my family, showing the kids this amazing country of ours.</o:p></div>
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<o:p>Sadly, my husband does NOT have any desire to pack up all our earthly goods and set off into the sunrise, living the gyspy life on the road. He's totally not interested in packing four noisy kids into the car with a bunch of luggage and food and a Thermomix, and driving endlessly just to see what we can see. He's so practical. I'm a bit of dreamer. Like my dad. But I DID manage to get him to agree to a one week road trip to Mackay and Townsville in the second week of the school holidays, and I think he actually enjoyed it! Well, most of it. Maybe not the bit where I got really sick with a tummy bug and he had to cook and look after the kids who were constantly wanting to go to the beach when he just wanted to sit inside with a book. But hey, I didn't enjoy that bit either.</o:p></div>
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Okay, so in case you're wondering, here's how I convinced my husband to do this whole road trip thing. Ford picked me (along with 19 other <a href="http://blogs.kidspot.com.au/villagevoices/storylist/voices-2013/blog-in-the-spotlight/"><span style="color: blue;">Voices of 2013 bloggers</span></a>) to take part in their "<a href="http://www.ford.com.au/voicesofaustralia"><span style="color: blue;">Choose Your Own Adventure Challenge</span></a>," test driving their newest, sparkliest, most top of the range <a href="http://www.ford.com.au/suv/territory"><span style="color: blue;">Territory Titanium</span></a>! (Yeah, I know, awesome huh!!) We've been given this brand-spanking-new car for 6 weeks, and it even came with $400 worth of fuel vouchers and a full tank of fuel! Well that just shouted 'road trip' to me, and hubby had to give in to the pressure.</div>
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<i>Picking up 'my' car! Woo hooooo...</i></div>
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I have to say, my 'totally not interested in cars or road trips' husband is now as much in love with this car as I am. After driving it for two weeks, including a 10 hour drive in one day, we are completely smitten. As we're driving along, hubby will turn to me and say, 'I love how the electric windows can still be rolled up after the motor is turned off - make sure you mention that on your blog!' and 'It's so comfortable, and so smooth to drive' and 'The POWER!!!'... ha ha! I think we're both loving the quiet, smooth, panther-like power the best - we've never driven a V6 turbo diesel before, it's awesome! </div>
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<i>My front seat office!</i></div>
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We've never had such an easy road trip with our four kids as this one was. It was so quiet I could write, and chat with hubby while we drove. The GPS kept us on track, the kids were comfortable, no one felt squashed or cramped, and the built in DVD player kept them distracted for the 10 hour drive. We only stopped twice. This does not usually happen!! Big win for the Ford.</div>
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<i>Morning tea break...</i></div>
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<i>...and a tailgate lunch. </i></div>
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I brought some homemade roast beef, some <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com/2009/01/challah.html"><span style="color: blue;">spelt bread rolls</span></a> that I baked quickly before we left in the morning, a jar of my <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com/2009/09/tomato-sauce-ketchup.html"><span style="color: blue;">homemade tomato sauce</span></a>, and some salad, and we made lunch in our makeshift 'kitchen' by the road. I also took fruit, <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com/2012/11/layered-maqui-chia-pudding.html"><span style="color: blue;">chia puddings in jars</span></a>, and a homemade trailmix. Easy, and lots cheaper and yummier than buying greasy roadhouse food!<br />
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The only negative was all the road works we encountered on the drive. No, that is not some strange kind of tattoo, that's my hubby keeping track of how many road works we'd passed through. Ha ha!<br />
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We really enjoyed catching up with old friends in Mackay, and I had fun cooking with the Thermomix girls there. (A big thanks to my lovely friend and recipe testing guru, Lauren, who invited us all to her house.) I made them a few recipes that will be in my book to see what they thought, and everything got the thumbs up - woo hoo! I have sworn them to secrecy, so don’t try and get the recipes out of them, Mackay peeps!</div>
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<i>Some of the Mackay Thermomix ladies</i></div>
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And this is where things went a bit pear shaped. I got really sick with a tummy bug. Maybe because I'd been a bit careless with my eating when visiting old friends, and it got me all out of whack, I don't know (no one else in the family got it), but after a day or so in bed I managed to get back on my feet and the holiday continued. I had to take it pretty slow, and we didn't do all the 'stuff' we'd planned to do. But that's okay. Just being able to rest and relax was probably exactly what I needed. Sometimes when you won't stop, your body MAKES you stop. Right?</div>
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<i>I think my body was telling me it was time to slow down...</i></div>
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I spent some time resting, walking on the beach, and preparing myself for the next leg of the trip, which I knew would be very busy. I find I can handle the crazy, hectic times as long as I intersperse them with quiet, rest times. And it really helps to have some alone time now and then, too. It's all about finding the balance between stop and go. </div>
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<i>"Cultivate Solitude." It's good for the soul.</i></div>
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So after a rest, it was on to Townsville. I spent Friday afternoon at <a href="http://www.sproutonline.net.au/"><span style="color: blue;">Sprout</span></a>, prepping the food for my cooking demonstrations the next day. (That was pretty cool, being given free rein to use anything in the store, as Sprout were the sponsors for my demos. Love that shop.) Then Saturday it was off to the <a href="http://www.tsvgardenexpo.org/latest-news.html"><span style="color: blue;">Townsville Plant & Garden Expo</span></a> to do some Quirky Cooking demos. It all got a bit chaotic, trying to set up and cook and speak and pack up and wash up with a make shift camping sink, then start all over again after an hour or so break, but with the help of my good friend Bron and a couple of others who pitched in, we managed it. Thanks to those of you who came to watch and chat, and especially to those who helped out with the serving and cleaning up when we were running out of time - you're awesome!! :)<br />
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Here's a little snippet of my demo, taken by my friend Felicity...</div>
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A few of you have asked for the recipes from the demos - so here they are:<br />
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<i><b> Coconut milk:</b> as made in <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com/2013/06/dairy-free-condensed-milk-dulce-de-leche.html"><span style="color: blue;">this recipe</span></a>.</i><br />
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<i><b> Chicken & Veges with Coconut Rice and Macadamia Satay Sauce: </b>similar to <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com/2011/01/chicken-and-cashews-with-coconut-satay.html"><span style="color: blue;">Chicken & Cashews</span></a>, but with macadamias replacing the cashews, and the addition of the juice of half a lime to the sauce. Also used long grain brown rice which was soaked overnight, making the cooking time 30 mins.</i><br />
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<i><b> Beetroot Salad:</b> same as the one in the Thermomix Everyday Cookbook, served on a bed of baby spinach and sprinkled with crumbled sheep's feta.</i><br />
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<i><b> Tangello Sorbet:</b> Tangello zest blended up with 100g coconut sugar, <b>10 sec/speed 9</b>; add 350g ice and blend <b>10 sec/speed 9</b>; add another 350g ice and blend <b>10 sec/speed 9</b>; add the peeled tangello (I froze the portions, didn't remove seeds) and an egg white, blend <b>30 sec/speed 9</b>, using spatula to help mix. Top servings with 'ice magic'. </i><br />
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<i><b> Ice magic</b>: 100g dark chocolate, grated <b>10 sec/speed 8</b>, plus 50g coconut oil, cooked <b>2 mins/50C/speed 2. </b></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: blue;"> <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com/2012/09/raw-vegan-chocolate-mousse.html"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Raw Vegan Chocolate Mousse</b>:</span></a></span> made with frozen avocado to make it thicker like an ice cream.</i><br />
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<i>Macadamia Satay Chicken & Rice with Beetroot Salad</i></div>
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<i>Tangello Sorbet with 'Ice Magic'</i></div>
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Now we're back from our epic road trip and the holidays are over. Today I started back with the homeschooling and book writing and house work and everyday life, so things are back to normal here, except for the shiny car in my driveway... Hopefully I'll be able to sneak off on a few mini road trips to make the most of 'my' car before I have to give it back. Hey, do you think Ford would notice if I disappeared into the sunset with the Territory for an 'around Australia road trip'?<br />
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Jo Whittonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12590877342845433951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455133712996006000.post-75761266875161534362013-10-07T15:57:00.001+10:002013-10-19T17:09:31.926+10:00Quick & Easy Pancakes - 3 Ways<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Someone mentioned to me the other day that they love my <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com/2009/02/blender-batter-brown-rice-waffles.html"><span style="color: blue;">Blender Batter Pancakes</span></a> recipe, but that sometimes they're in too much of a rush to do the whole 'prepare the night before' thing, and they needed a simple pancake recipe for times like that. I agree - I don't always soak the grains the night before, because pancakes are sometimes a spur of the moment thing. Like last night.<br />
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We arrived home from our road trip to Mackay in the afternoon, and I managed to scrounge through the fridge and freezer to find mince and veges for a quick dinner. But by 8pm I was hungry again. That's when it dawned on me that while I was away my mum had stocked up the big freezer with half a pig (homegrown by a friend and butchered locally). AND I had just bought a litre of organic pure maple syrup from Sprout in Townsville. Perfect. Pancakes, bacon and maple syrup, coming up! (Yes, I know, soup for breakfast and pancakes for supper... I'm weird like that.)<br />
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I used to work at a roadside cafe for a Canadian lady when I was 18, and she found it very strange that I didn't know how to make pancakes just off the top of my head. It made her quite impatient when I'd ask her 'How much flour was that again? How much milk?' So I soon learnt, and nowadays I don't usually measure, just chuck in a bit of this and a bit of that until they look right. But just in case you are like my 18 year old self and need a recipe, I've written out the measurements for you. Feel free to tweak to taste - more milk for thinner pancakes, less milk for thicker. And I've added a few variations, so you can pick between spelt, gluten free and grain free coconut flour pancakes. If you need an egg free or nut free variation, check out the notes below the recipes.<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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<b>Quick & Easy Pancakes</b><br />
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250g spelt flour <i>(white and/or wholemeal) </i>or 220g plain gluten free flour<br />
2 tsp baking powder<br />
1/4 tsp fine sea salt<br />
300g <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com/2009/06/rice-almond-milk.html"><span style="color: blue;">rice-almond milk</span></a> or coconut milk<i> (or alter amount depending on preferred thickness)</i><br />
30g macadamia oil or soft butter<br />
1 tsp vanilla extract<br />
1 egg<i> (optional - see notes)</i><br />
coconut oil for cooking pancakes<br />
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Place dry ingredients into mixing bowl and blend <b>5 sec/speed 5</b>.<br />
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Add remaining ingredients (except oil for cooking) and blend <b>10 sec/speed 5</b>.<br />
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Heat a heavy based frying pan over medium-high heat and add 1-2 Tbsp coconut oil. Once it melts, pour in 10cm circles of pancake batter, and turn heat down slightly to make sure the pancakes don't burn.<br />
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Cook until bubbles are forming and popping in the batter, and edges are becoming crisp. Turn over and cook until lightly browned.<br />
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Remove pancakes to a plate, add another 1-2 Tbsp coconut oil, and continue cooking pancakes until batter is finished.<br />
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Serve hot with butter (opt) and pure maple syrup, or sprinkled with Rapadura or coconut sugar and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Leftover pancakes can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days and served with jam as pikelet, or reheated under the grill.<br />
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This batter also works well for waffles.<br />
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<b><i>Notes:</i></b><br />
<i><br /></i><i>To make these <b>egg free</b> you can use egg replacer, or chia eggs (1 Tbsp chia seeds + 3 Tbsp water), or half a mashed banana, or just add a little extra milk.</i><br />
<i><br /></i><i>For <b>nut free</b>, use olive oil, coconut oil or butter, and coconut milk instead of rice almond milk.</i><br />
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<b>Coconut Flour Pancakes</b><br />
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5 eggs<br />
170g almond milk or coconut milk<br />
70g coconut flour<br />
30g macadamia oil<br />
1/2 tsp vanilla extract<br />
1/8 tsp fine sea salt<br />
2 tsp baking powder<br />
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Place all the ingredients into the mixing bowl and blend 10 sec/speed 6. Scrape down sides of bowl and reblend briefly on speed 3 if needed.<br />
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Cook as above.<br />
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<b><i>Notes:</i></b><br />
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<i>To make <b>almond milk</b>, just mill 100g raw almonds <b>10 sec/speed 9</b>, add 500g water and blend </i><br />
<i><b>1 min/speed 9</b>. No need to strain the milk for this recipe.</i><br />
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<i>Coconut flour really needs the <b>eggs</b> to work, although maybe banana would work instead. </i><br />
<i>I haven't tried that yet - let me know if you do!</i><br />
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<i>For <b>nut free</b>, use soft butter or coconut oil instead of the macadamia oil, and coconut milk instead of almond milk.</i>Jo Whittonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12590877342845433951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455133712996006000.post-40568758382945902712013-09-10T22:48:00.001+10:002013-09-11T14:01:48.615+10:00Coconut Vanilla Sorbet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Spring is here, and the weather is finally beginning to warm up, yippee! At least, it is here, up in the mountains in Far North Queensland. </div>
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For the last couple of months I've been putting off testing ice cream recipes for my book, as it's just been too cold. But today was<span style="text-align: center;"> absolutely gorgeous, and the sunshine encouraged me to get started. I decided to begin with a coconut sorbet, and it turned out so delicious I just couldn't wait to share it. (Don't worry, I have way too many recipes to fit in my book anyway, so I can afford to pop one on the blog instead.) :)</span></div>
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<i>Photo taken this evening on our street ~ Spring is here!</i></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">I got the idea for this recipe a few weeks ago, when I saw a coconut sorbet in the freezer section of the grocery store. The ingredients were:<b><i> coconut water (60%), cane sugar, coconut cream and flavour, desiccated coconut, dextrose, natural stabilizers (xanthan, guar gum, carrageen, maltodextrine)</i></b>. I figured I could make my own with less ingredients, no highly processed sugar, no flavours, and no <a href="http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/the-ingredient-allowed-in-organic-food-that-can-cause-cancer/"><span style="color: blue;">carrageen</span></a>. For less money. So that was my challenge... I hope you'll let me know what you think of the outcome! I haven't actually tasted the one from the grocery store so I have no idea if mine is the same sort of flavour, but I love this one and am very happy knowing it's healthier and costs less.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">This sorbet actually took me right back to my childhood, when mum would make ice cream for us from fresh snow. Have you ever eaten 'snow ice cream'? When I was 4-5, we were travelling around the USA in a camper van for a year. When it snowed we would go outside and scoop up the clean snow, take it back into our warm camper van, and Mum would mix in some sugar and vanilla. We thought it was the most amazing treat ever. It's funny, I haven't thought about snow ice cream for years, but with my first mouthful of this sorbet, that's all I could think of! So I popped some into a bowl and dashed down to mum's house to give her a taste, and mum and dad agreed - just like snow ice cream. Great memories.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. </span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Coconut Vanilla Sorbet</span></b><br />
<i><span style="color: #0b5394;">(dairy, egg, nut, gluten, and cane sugar free)</span></i><br />
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<i>Makes just under a litre.</i><br />
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<b>800ml unsweetened coconut water</b> <i>(eg. <a href="http://www.rawc.com.au/"><span style="color: blue;">Natural Raw C coconut water</span></a>)</i><br />
<b>100g thick coconut cream</b>,<i> preservative free (eg. Ayam)</i><br />
<b>60-80g pure organic maple syrup</b><br />
<b>1/2 - 1 tsp pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste </b><i>(to taste)</i><br />
<b>dessicated coconut to serve</b><i> (preservative free, available at health food shops) OR </i><b>fresh coconut, grated</b><br />
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Freeze the coconut water in ice cube trays until frozen solid.<br />
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Place 400g of the coconut water ice cubes into the Thermomix mixing bowl, and blend<br />
<b>5 sec/speed 9</b>, or until it becomes 'snow'.<br />
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Add remaining 400g frozen coconut water and blend <b>10 sec/speed 9</b>, until 'snow'.<br />
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Add coconut cream (the thickest part from top of tin), maple syrup and vanilla, and blend<b> </b><br />
<b>1 min/speed 9</b>, using the spatula to help it along. Remove lid and scrape down sides, reblending until sorbet is smooth and creamy, approx. <b>30 sec/speed 9</b>.<br />
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Serve immediately, sprinkled with a little dessicated coconut.<br />
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<i>Note: If you need to freeze some for later, freeze in ice cube trays and reblend when ready to serve.</i><br />
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<i><b>Variations:</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i><i>If you have <b>fresh coconuts</b> on hand, freeze the coconut water, and grate up the flesh to make coconut cream (see <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com/2012/11/quick-egg-curry-with-quinoa-plus-how-to.html" style="color: #1155cc;">this recipe</a> for instructions), saving a little of the freshly grated coconut to sprinkle over the finished sorbet. Delicious! (And dirt cheap!) </i><br />
<i><br /></i><i>Sweetener can be reduced to taste, or changed to a 1/4 tsp green stevia powder for a sugar free version.</i><br />
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<i><br /></i>Jo Whittonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12590877342845433951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455133712996006000.post-81326923471310445532013-08-24T08:03:00.000+10:002013-08-24T08:04:31.378+10:00Gooey Flourless Fudge Brownies {with Video}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Okay, I'll keep this short and sweet.<br />
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You guys want brownies. Grain free, dairy free, nut free brownies. At least I'm pretty sure you do, because when I posted the above photo on my Facebook page it got 181 shares, 1014 likes, and 229 comments!<br />
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So here it is. Your weekend treat. Enjoy :D<br />
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<i>[Note: This is a Thermomix recipe - see end of page for tips for making this without a Thermomix.]</i><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/nj-RyKDudmo" width="640"></iframe><br />
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<b>Gooey Flourless Fudge Brownies</b><br />
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-<b> 200g dark, dairy free chocolate</b><i> (I use either Green & Black's 70% cocoa chocolate which 'may contain traces of dairy', or <a href="https://lovingearth.net/products/1/"><span style="color: blue;">Loving Earth dark chocolate</span></a> which is completely dairy free)</i><br />
<b>- 130g raw Medjool dates, pitted</b><br />
<b>- 180g organic cold-pressed coconut oil</b><br />
<b>- 30g coconut flour</b><br />
<b>- 4 eggs</b><br />
<b>- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract</b><br />
<b>- 1/4 tsp sea salt</b><br />
<b><br />
</b> <i>Preheat oven to 190C. Line a 22cm square baking dish with baking paper. I use</i><i> <a href="http://www.organicsonabudget.com.au/if-you-care-parchment-baking-paper-19-8mx33cm/"><span style="color: blue;">'If You Care' baking paper</span></a>, which is non-toxic.</i><br />
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</b> Place the chocolate (broken into pieces) into the mixing bowl and mill for <b>10 sec/speed 9</b>.<br />
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Add the dates to the bowl and chop <b>15 sec/speed 10</b>.<br />
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Add the coconut oil and cook <b>5 mins/60C/speed 2</b>.<br />
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Add remaining<b> </b>ingredients and mix <b>20 sec/speed 8</b>. Scrape down lid and sides of bowl and mix another <b>10 sec/speed 6</b>.<br />
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Scrape mixture into a lined, square baking dish<i>. </i>Bake in preheated<b> 190C oven for 18-20 mins</b>. Be careful not to overcook or they won't be gooey! Just until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean.<br />
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Cool, cut into small squares, and refrigerate until cold.<br />
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Of course, you probably won't be able to wait, but they really do taste so much more AMAZING when they're cold and gooey and fudgey! Trust me.<br />
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Can be dusted with some raw cacao powder, or if you want to be really decadent, top with this <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/chocolate-fudge-hearts-with-raspberry.html"><span style="color: blue;">dairy free ganache</span></a>, or some <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com/2013/06/dairy-free-condensed-milk-dulce-de-leche.html"><span style="color: blue;">dairy free dulce de leche</span></a>!<br />
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<i>PS It might be best to 'share the love' and invite a friend over for a cuppa and brownies... these are RICH, so don't eat them all yourself! Lol!!</i><br />
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<i>Have a great weekend xx</i><br />
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<i>This one was quite popular with the taste testers!!</i></div>
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<i>* <b>Note:</b> If you don't have a Thermomix, you'll need to finely chop the chocolate and dates (in a food processor if you have one) and melt together over a double boiler with the coconut oil, whisking until smooth. Then stir in the remaining ingredients with a wooden spoon. </i></div>
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Jo Whittonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12590877342845433951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455133712996006000.post-51178812055365663032013-08-24T00:28:00.000+10:002013-08-24T00:34:24.095+10:00Weekly Highlights & a Video!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYjJ97cijQLYbIry7jyYk-D4D99HT2RxBNTYEN-WbPuOc0T9PSMI6cPA_IFmbh3brFaidh5E9F9ZUrNwf0yo_pj_KNcGSML9PT-rSy4Yj1iYBmGggDJxfnTQkVF8xoF-1zE_GZOOO-KA/s1600/IMG_7788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYjJ97cijQLYbIry7jyYk-D4D99HT2RxBNTYEN-WbPuOc0T9PSMI6cPA_IFmbh3brFaidh5E9F9ZUrNwf0yo_pj_KNcGSML9PT-rSy4Yj1iYBmGggDJxfnTQkVF8xoF-1zE_GZOOO-KA/s640/IMG_7788.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hey everyone, how's your week been? Just hanging in there, waiting for Friday? Or was it HAPPY?<br />
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Here's a few things that made me happy this week...<br />
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Watching my daughter enjoy the neighbourhood tree swing on a misty Monday morning <a href="http://instagram.com/p/cm3dulsEmO/"><span style="color: blue;">{Video here}</span></a>...<br />
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This pretty, layered, chocolate coconut chia pudding... <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=532339900153251&set=a.125311994189379.30922.124673354253243&type=3&theater"><span style="color: blue;">Recipe here</span></a>.</span></div>
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A big box of <a href="https://rawc.com.au/"><span style="color: blue;">Natural Raw C Coconut Water</span></a> arriving on my doorstep - thanks Raw C!<i> [gifted]</i></div>
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<i>(My fave - no sweeteners or nasties added like lots of others! </i></div>
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<i>Check it out - it's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rawc.com.au/posts/383052631820583"><span style="color: blue;">on special this week for 25% off</span></a>!)</i></div>
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Oh, and this chia pudding too... leave out the cacao, add vanilla and cinnamon, and top with fresh pineapple, passionfruit, goji berries and macadamias, with a dash of pure maple syrup. Such a lovely breakfast.</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i><a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com/2012/11/layered-maqui-chia-pudding.html">(based on this recipe)</a></i></span></div>
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And cooking, recipe testing, and sharing my experiments with some cute taste testers!<br />
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<i>My kids keep me humble... "Mum, what IS this???"</i></div>
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<i>Thanks Miss C. ;)</i></div>
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All good fun. So here's the big news on my Facebook page - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=534206509966590&set=a.125311994189379.30922.124673354253243&type=1"><span style="color: blue;"><b>this week we hit 40,000 likes</b></span></a>, and I promised to post a video as a big <b>THANK YOU</b>!! So here it is, my <b><i>Green Chocolate Smoothie video</i></b>... keeping it real, forgetting ingredients and embarrassing my kids as usual. Woo hoo!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/0omLNYXhytE" width="640"></iframe><br />
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I hope you enjoyed that, because tomorrow I'll be posting the Gooey Flourless Fudge Brownies video too. :D<br />
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Here's a few more highlights from my Facebook page lately ~ enjoy!<br />
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<b>FOOD</b><br />
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<b>Quinoa Salad:</b> I love how much <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=528764460510795&set=a.125311994189379.30922.124673354253243&type=1"><span style="color: blue;">this meal</span></a> makes! And so yum.<br />
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<b>Introducing the 'Other Half' to Healthy Eating:</b> How does your other half react? <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/536843479702893"><span style="color: blue;">Funny story here</span></a>!<br />
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<b>Cooking on a Budget: </b>Tips for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/532454493475125"><span style="color: blue;">cutting costs</span></a> on your grocery bill.<br />
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<b>Lamb Shanks: </b>Delicious ideas for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/535860669801174"><span style="color: blue;">cooking lamb shanks</span></a>.<br />
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<b>Healthy Muesli Bars:</b> Recipes that aren't full of sugar <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/529478183772756"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a>.<br />
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<b>Yoghurt Help!</b> A reader asked <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/530767870310454"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a> for help with her yoghurt, and then later in the week I found this blog post by Nourished Kitchen on <a href="http://nourishedkitchen.com/troubleshooting-homemade-yogurt-questions/?inf_contact_key=0d85d01a5379735ce3318ca3f3cd58ef88d5999ddfed1f57254bbc47944a0684&fb_source=message"><span style="color: blue;">'Why Your Yoghurt Isn't Working Out'</span></a>.<br />
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<b>Dinner Party: </b>What would you make for an <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/531437506910157"><span style="color: blue;">allergy friendly dinner party</span></a>? Question asked by a friend when I was going to their place for dinner ;)<br />
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<b>Leftover Ganache?</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=531808590206382&set=a.125311994189379.30922.124673354253243&type=1"><span style="color: blue;">What's that</span></a>??<br />
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<b>Paleo/Primal Breakfast Ideas for Kids: </b>Bit of a spirited <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/532002186853689"><span style="color: blue;">discussion here</span></a>, with lots of ideas!<br />
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<b>Snack Ideas for Pregnant Mums:</b> Busy mums that are expecting a new arrival need good, nourishing snacks! <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/532328633487711"><span style="color: blue;">Ideas here</span></a>.<br />
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<b>Foolproof Mayonnaise!</b> The lovely ThermoSisters share their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/536024373118137"><span style="color: blue;">mayo recipe</span></a>.<br />
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<b>Travelling Meals:</b> What to make in your Thermomix while <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/532933646760543"><span style="color: blue;">travelling</span></a>, and what pantry staples to take with you.<br />
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<b>Healthy Party Food:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/535308956523012"><span style="color: blue;">Amazing party food ideas</span></a> from Hot Pink Chilli!!<br />
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<b>Chocolate Mud Cakes:</b> Really yummy <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/536691906384717"><span style="color: blue;">recipes</span></a>.<br />
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<b>HEALTH</b><br />
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<b>Have any of you, like me, found that the Thermomix revolutionised the way you eat?</b> Carla wrote to ask this question. She says, <i>"I'm keen to hear if anyone has purchased a Thermomix with the intention to make (nearly) everything from scratch, but found it was not revolutionary. The reason I ask is that I'm becoming quite obsessed with them, and I'm determined that it would change </i><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><i>our busy family's culinary existence. However, I'm wondering if I'm over-estimating the impact it would have."</i><br /><br />I know for me it has made my 'back to basics, from scratch, allergy friendly' cooking so much easier. I thought I already cooked that way, but now I cook MUCH more 'from scratch' than before. I love having the power of choosing what is in my food. Here's some things I use my Thermomix for:<br /><br />- grinding grains and making wheat free and gluten free breads;<br />- making dairy free milks and creams and custards;<br />- whizzing up juices and fresh fruit ice-creams and sorbets;<br />- baking cakes and desserts with wholesome ingredients and natural sweeteners;<br />- making nut butters, sauces and spreads without additives;<br />- and for quick, healthy meals.</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><br /></span>Now, a lot of you would say 'but you can do most of those things without a Thermomix'. Sure, if you want to be in the kitchen all day. I'm a busy mum, homeschooling four kids and running my own business and a blog and writing a book. I really don't have time to be in the kitchen ALL day, which is what I was doing before I had a Thermomix. It's funny, back then I had a girl come in to help with the kids and housework, I didn't have a blog or book or homeschooling to deal with, and I STILL couldn't keep up! I know it's partly that my kids have gotten older and take less time in a lot of ways, but it's also that I don't have to hand grind my grains, hand knead my bread, hand stir every custard and milk and soup and meal on the stovetop, hand chop all the ingredients, and I'm eating better so have more energy.<br />
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What about you? Has the Thermomix helped you to make nearly everything from scratch? Has it revolutionised the way you cook and eat?<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/528528343867740"><span style="color: blue;"><i>Check out how Quirky Cooking readers answered Carla's question here.</i></span></a><br />
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<i>(If you want to know more of my story and why I cook the way I do, see my <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/p/about-me.html"><span style="color: blue;">'About Me'</span></a> page on my blog.)</i><br />
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<b>Fussy eating & sensory issues:</b> A reader sent a message to say, <i>"I have a child with sensory issues and probably mildly aspergers. Very very fussy eater and plain white food lover. I have tried everything with him to broaden his taste buds but he just slathers everything he does eat in tomato sauce. He is almost 10 and it is becoming a big issue."</i> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/528725197181388"><span style="color: blue;">Read the discussion here</span></a>.<br />
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<b>Eczema: </b>This has to be one of the most commented on posts ever on my page - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/536823786371529"><span style="color: blue;">how to get rid of eczema on a 17 week old baby</span></a>. Very interesting comments.<br />
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<b>Natural constipation remedies</b><span style="color: blue;"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/533999043320670">here</a></span>.<br />
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<b>Top 10 reasons <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/534002223320352"><span style="color: blue;">coconut oil</span></a> is so good for you!</b><br />
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<b>Anxiety & Gut Healing: </b>An issue close to my heart. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/535299349857306"><span style="color: blue;">Really big discussion here</span></a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpBFybZwHsOKfzpyE2GoL9ifa-cVkUbhvlyIa6bc_42FiuMZ6haSnNSG95JuOXemQ2iXD41hIIYjdnhLDEqX7PqWSpbt-R3QX6Ig9SidVk3sW6iPRJ-1DKFHIIiiXTdgiGyYyEwAXc6fA/s1600/IMG_7735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpBFybZwHsOKfzpyE2GoL9ifa-cVkUbhvlyIa6bc_42FiuMZ6haSnNSG95JuOXemQ2iXD41hIIYjdnhLDEqX7PqWSpbt-R3QX6Ig9SidVk3sW6iPRJ-1DKFHIIiiXTdgiGyYyEwAXc6fA/s400/IMG_7735.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>A random photo of me and Ruth, a friend's pet python :D</i></div>
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<b>BITS & PIECES</b><br />
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I blogged about <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/530009737052934">what my crazy mind looks like at midnight</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/530344020352839"><span style="color: blue;">I found out</span></a> that Ford is giving me a brand new Ford Territory Titanium to test drive for 6 weeks (plus $400 worth of fuel) so I can let you all know what I think<br />
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We had a laugh over <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/531135990273642"><span style="color: blue;">my son's question</span></a> about how 'drinking milk' was discovered<br />
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The <a href="http://www.recipecommunity.com.au/"><span style="color: blue;">Thermomix Recipe Community</span></a> has a facelift<br />
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I redecorated part of my dining room with some pretty pieces from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fixedabode.com.au"><span style="color: blue;">Fixed Abode</span></a> in Yungaburra, FNQ<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXpgEkh-WqKLTUNVlIkVE7BwEmAhexzAqg4Pmer0hLTSsyuPg65cBB5bzyQODIyXaZqM4UAEdZPxMWBzAq5w76rRPWMZ8BnmkmkxPw5G-rTbSnaLPM_t_KqcKXYRsy8nW9RTquf9w2G_I/s1600/IMG_7719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXpgEkh-WqKLTUNVlIkVE7BwEmAhexzAqg4Pmer0hLTSsyuPg65cBB5bzyQODIyXaZqM4UAEdZPxMWBzAq5w76rRPWMZ8BnmkmkxPw5G-rTbSnaLPM_t_KqcKXYRsy8nW9RTquf9w2G_I/s320/IMG_7719.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I decide to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=532426443477930&set=a.125311994189379.30922.124673354253243&type=1"><span style="color: blue;">run for Prime Minister</span></a>, handing out free Coconut Caramel Custard to sway the voters... :D (Ok, that was just a joke, but you never know - it COULD work!!)<br />
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And I was the recipient of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/536329869754254"><span style="color: blue;">a random act of kindness</span></a> that blew my mind! So lovely.<br />
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Oh, and Miss C proves she is related to me...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsjmzjw8j7fRNVXgWElmYSzYP1_jdFlYiJALb5wZUaXl37nw9vscx8iUOfg63_niERVfoJQXlT9KeoJ5UUSGIxWxRRAvLSxa92Qc3dbK3HlhVo5RWDMeTUeSmSZTnp718icsLh-2BP04/s1600/IMG_7780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsjmzjw8j7fRNVXgWElmYSzYP1_jdFlYiJALb5wZUaXl37nw9vscx8iUOfg63_niERVfoJQXlT9KeoJ5UUSGIxWxRRAvLSxa92Qc3dbK3HlhVo5RWDMeTUeSmSZTnp718icsLh-2BP04/s320/IMG_7780.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Ha ha!! </i></div>
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Have a great weekend guys, and I'll be back soon with a new video and recipe for Gooey Flourless Fudge Brownies - yippeee!</div>
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Jo Whittonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12590877342845433951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455133712996006000.post-89483212884644351272013-08-09T00:17:00.000+10:002013-08-09T07:38:02.614+10:00Now. A Peep into my Crazy Mind at Midnight.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYt5tb-xhDaoVQwXtn6IzqwvgIxY1pVuPUPIH23jReAnBLg3ORZom69z3_TWKVdFd6OQUcuA1f5H3NUcqtJ3Wog_iKds5d0h4C0hoeD_6dfhJIe2_MxLtsibLION7Za-MAWf0wTecZow/s1600/IMG_7525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYt5tb-xhDaoVQwXtn6IzqwvgIxY1pVuPUPIH23jReAnBLg3ORZom69z3_TWKVdFd6OQUcuA1f5H3NUcqtJ3Wog_iKds5d0h4C0hoeD_6dfhJIe2_MxLtsibLION7Za-MAWf0wTecZow/s640/IMG_7525.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<i>I should really be in bed, it's midnight. But I've been chatting with a friend, and then I made the mistake of looking at my messages before bed, and I saw this fun idea being shared around by <a href="http://theveggiemama.com/2013/08/lately/"><span style="color: blue;">Veggie Mama</span></a> and <a href="http://www.liveitdoit.com.au/2013/08/now.html"><span style="color: blue;">Live it. Do it.</span></a>, and I impulsively jotted down what I'm doing right now, too. </i><br />
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<i>So here it is, a peep into my crazy mind at midnight, when I really should be sleeping. </i><br />
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<b>Making:</b> A quirky cookbook!<br />
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<b>Cooking:</b> Mexican black bean chilli mole (Well, not right now, but that's what I cooked after dinner. I know, weird to cook dinner after dinner.)<br />
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<b>Drinking:</b> Black tea with honey<br />
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<b>Reading:</b> Old journals full of handwritten quotes and poems, with a friend<br />
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<b>Wanting:</b> To catch up on all the questions on my Facebook page - I'm soooo far behind!<br />
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<b>Looking: </b>Forward to bed<br />
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<b>Playing: </b>This little game instead of doing my work (or going to bed)<br />
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<b>Wasting: </b>Time looking at photos and chatting on Instagram<br />
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<b>Sewing:</b> Nothing now, a ripped apron was the last thing I sewed (badly)<br />
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<b>Wishing:</b> I could see friends and family that are far away<br />
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<b>Enjoying: </b>Coconut berry yoghurt with strawberries and chocolate fudge cake for a late night snack ;)<br />
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<b>Waiting:</b> For the weekend (not that I have less work on the weekend, but somehow it still feels different)<br />
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<b>Liking:</b> Having a friend here to help me out with the cooking, washing up, kids and schoolwork<br />
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<b>Wondering:</b> If I'll ever get this book finished<br />
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<b>Loving:</b> My precious children<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialU4AVOGyJtfl6cisZ6bX9xmOWVZqCOk88arZst65rGoSGCeNrha50XhFDgXLaHjdvEjgnZ1QGh81uQSH3_neXgqPJzqBgry6JY9-MUfMNE5ixtwPfo6k2RKcgOqAEVC-JY-PZGL8d7k/s1600/IMG_6328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialU4AVOGyJtfl6cisZ6bX9xmOWVZqCOk88arZst65rGoSGCeNrha50XhFDgXLaHjdvEjgnZ1QGh81uQSH3_neXgqPJzqBgry6JY9-MUfMNE5ixtwPfo6k2RKcgOqAEVC-JY-PZGL8d7k/s320/IMG_6328.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Hoping:</b> That tomorrow I can get more done<br />
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<b>Marvelling: </b>At the gorgeous weather, and how blessed I am to live in this beautiful place<br />
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<b>Needing:</b> Sleep<br />
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<b>Smelling:</b> Flowers (there's 3 vases full of fresh flowers in this room - blessed!)<br />
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<b>Wearing:</b> Long flowing skirt, shirt, sandals, and a long necklace<br />
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<b>Following: </b>A crazy conversation on FB about what the speed of darkness is... (ummm, yeah, I started it - ha ha!)<br />
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<b>Noticing:</b> It's midnight and I still haven't prepared for tomorrow's Skype interview<br />
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<b>Knowing:</b> I really should be in bed<br />
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<b>Thinking:</b> I'm going to have bags under my eyes tomorrow for all to see on the internet! Eek!<br />
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<b>Feeling: </b>Happy to be up when everyone else is in bed, because this is my quiet thinking time, and I love it<br />
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<b>Bookmarking: </b>A favourite quote in an old book, with a scrap of paper - yep, an old fashioned bookmark!<br />
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<b>Opening:</b> An email from my 92 year old Grandmother who lives in Texas (she wanted to tell me how much she loves my blog and that my food looks luscious, and how much her mother loved to cook and entertain and loved visitors no matter what time of the day or night they dropped in, and how much she misses her sister)<br />
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<b>Giggling:</b> At the look on my friend's face when she caught me dancing in the kitchen (doesn't everyone dance in the kitchen when they think no one's watching?)<br />
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<b>Feeling:</b> Grateful for the many blessings in my life<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIVY7s3PXPK9E6RmIVSREgDAR0_DyUhwx57TvtnD-dslV9_RLQqnuM5Xdfm5lc1qsmT2YDzTGFEooMslTmbK9GZfN7dV2pkWjFjMkUyUPhlZ3G1iRgZxz_gAioOu1yL2SHmPmQxv1Tdg/s1600/IMG_5432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIVY7s3PXPK9E6RmIVSREgDAR0_DyUhwx57TvtnD-dslV9_RLQqnuM5Xdfm5lc1qsmT2YDzTGFEooMslTmbK9GZfN7dV2pkWjFjMkUyUPhlZ3G1iRgZxz_gAioOu1yL2SHmPmQxv1Tdg/s320/IMG_5432.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>What about you? Want to join in with your 'Now'?</i><br />
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<i>Link to your blog or page if you post a 'Now' post, or feel free to share what you're thinking in the comments below. :)</i></div>
Jo Whittonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12590877342845433951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455133712996006000.post-73515010057741376002013-08-03T22:07:00.000+10:002013-08-07T17:33:24.272+10:00Weekly Highlights & a Coconut Water Giveaway!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuo90f1yy_rlRXmrVnyxUyHdRBoVLZ4gvo4tiLH8ItV0WNO9K5QK5ify8WvulAxQUS4BoUTTP3V4aJQX0VH5ibpNK6Ge_L5o8dcf5R4WJ8MKXrHueMYqYRk9kN5y_brLMY2A6CNNnkUI/s1600/IMG_7479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuo90f1yy_rlRXmrVnyxUyHdRBoVLZ4gvo4tiLH8ItV0WNO9K5QK5ify8WvulAxQUS4BoUTTP3V4aJQX0VH5ibpNK6Ge_L5o8dcf5R4WJ8MKXrHueMYqYRk9kN5y_brLMY2A6CNNnkUI/s640/IMG_7479.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Don't you love my new bowl? </i></div>
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<i>My friend just brought it back from Venice for me - it's hand blown Murano glass! Gorgeous, huh. (And the gooey fudge brownies are pretty amazing too, but more on that another day.)</i></div>
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Okay, it's time for an update on what's been happening over on the </div>
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<b>Quirky Cooking Facebook Page</b>!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinQQ9s5ZahlxbNly-23CXR0s5SsY_ba8TBZlTMpBI3uKspKTdH0pherNO6LMRYI1TqyVNzpXdGtA62d4UU9nVWRJd_r161SLlhkpPnSrkheEchryqYlo9Bt2ADvVN_waIEO77gUOHJXQ/s1600/IMG_7352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinQQ9s5ZahlxbNly-23CXR0s5SsY_ba8TBZlTMpBI3uKspKTdH0pherNO6LMRYI1TqyVNzpXdGtA62d4UU9nVWRJd_r161SLlhkpPnSrkheEchryqYlo9Bt2ADvVN_waIEO77gUOHJXQ/s400/IMG_7352.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Yeah, I know, I missed a week... my bad. Been hiding in my recipe testing cave.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8XFdPWnxC8V03rF38O1Ls93j0k03GDHYxmsJUaSJ3rEIiRItoS9x8W8WgGjOKR7PA4kPoNTzlnoQq9YYcRs_qNSdza5oqCO0f1e24T-HLiekwSLSjBKoBkhLQZNly8hSD_MG8rdo584/s1600/IMG_7371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8XFdPWnxC8V03rF38O1Ls93j0k03GDHYxmsJUaSJ3rEIiRItoS9x8W8WgGjOKR7PA4kPoNTzlnoQq9YYcRs_qNSdza5oqCO0f1e24T-HLiekwSLSjBKoBkhLQZNly8hSD_MG8rdo584/s400/IMG_7371.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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But at least there's chocolate in there. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5M_IbZrjWRahQ_Qi8nPOwaUOx57k2LU_OsWPZq3LccYcOmxGBifpr_EANfMqk1i1ho0IwYhgIb-DoT1j_pqru3_n_LxLyhE29e1Tl3Nwy4pkeGcWdvLR9z4bWzCUCUy2v4zvZ4S_ar1w/s1600/IMG_7447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5M_IbZrjWRahQ_Qi8nPOwaUOx57k2LU_OsWPZq3LccYcOmxGBifpr_EANfMqk1i1ho0IwYhgIb-DoT1j_pqru3_n_LxLyhE29e1Tl3Nwy4pkeGcWdvLR9z4bWzCUCUy2v4zvZ4S_ar1w/s400/IMG_7447.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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And pizza. And pie. And pancakes. So no need to feel sorry for me. :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghPYiaUBeZPTPU5l1XfxvZu0Wl3curKl1mdONwWU45bIWEYVbcw-SXCsToMF6lCk7JjQ2GnPDwIc5QJZ5OROzhQJvfdSIUrHEQ2ZPydsYbsSLByXwTtEyv5VNIdQaF0whJntyEQYxc-tY/s1600/IMG_7453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghPYiaUBeZPTPU5l1XfxvZu0Wl3curKl1mdONwWU45bIWEYVbcw-SXCsToMF6lCk7JjQ2GnPDwIc5QJZ5OROzhQJvfdSIUrHEQ2ZPydsYbsSLByXwTtEyv5VNIdQaF0whJntyEQYxc-tY/s640/IMG_7453.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now if only I can focus long enough to get this blog post done... :D</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7i9YMnFfREumgYadbbv6SA4hI6LwJnwrbcjodDEBgsKi_9sRSaFzRDeLPu7YNXeD1leDVeqLLk5sbIa6tmvG0MQp-pJh9G2wS6Rqg4Dr3qaPiwex9aYPa_0P8LFS0JskdwvUQaJHBls/s1600/IMG_7445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7i9YMnFfREumgYadbbv6SA4hI6LwJnwrbcjodDEBgsKi_9sRSaFzRDeLPu7YNXeD1leDVeqLLk5sbIa6tmvG0MQp-pJh9G2wS6Rqg4Dr3qaPiwex9aYPa_0P8LFS0JskdwvUQaJHBls/s320/IMG_7445.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Now, where was I? Oh yes, blogging...</i></div>
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Ok, the Weekly Highlights. </div>
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But wait, there's a giveaway!! Want to hear about that first? Of course you do. So here it is:</div>
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<b><i>I have 2 cases of 12 x 330ml cartons of </i></b><b><i>Raw C Coconut Water to give away!</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Want some?</i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXgjksLt4Rgz28HgYFJCEjOcPIIqDRjmajt_wWFWSGrDdL4Uu5FQJo2DLpl8SM59NdOGgL7cEXsQ-VfxvjcgeW2h-nKZwFTVzpDwtWMLhT1qsBo3GsPwNF-B3RstWb6wvV92BKDERBqM/s1600/IMG_7417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXgjksLt4Rgz28HgYFJCEjOcPIIqDRjmajt_wWFWSGrDdL4Uu5FQJo2DLpl8SM59NdOGgL7cEXsQ-VfxvjcgeW2h-nKZwFTVzpDwtWMLhT1qsBo3GsPwNF-B3RstWb6wvV92BKDERBqM/s640/IMG_7417.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I love coconut water in my smoothies and juices, or just on it's own, cold from the fridge. It's a great way to stay hydrated! Known as 'Nature's Gatorade', Raw C is popular sports drink alternative because it naturally contains electrolytes, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium and potassium. </div>
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<b><i>Raw C is 100% Pure Coconut Water - no sugar, preservatives or concentrates, and no funny stuff.</i></b></div>
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<b><i><a href="http://www.rawc.com.au/raw-c-info/"><span style="color: blue;">Check it out here!</span></a></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="color: #990000;">[Updated, due to such a great response!!]</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b>To WIN some Natural Raw C Coconut Water, all you have to do is comment on this post, </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b>mentioning Raw C coconut water in your comment. The prize winner will be drawn on Wednesday 7th August at 5pm, via Random.org, and the winner notified. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b>Winner's name will be posted on this page. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b><i>(Competition open to Australian residents only)</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b><i>And the winners are...</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: blue;">Kym</span><span style="color: #990000;"> -</span></i></b><b style="color: #990000;"><i> 1st Prize: 2 cases of 12 x 330ml Raw C Coconut Water</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: blue;">Healthy SA</span><span style="color: #990000;"> - 2nd Prize: 1 case of 12 x 330ml Raw C Coconut Water</span><br /><span style="color: blue;">Shaarn</span><span style="color: #990000;"> - 3rd Prize: 1 case of 12 x 330ml Raw C Coconut Water</span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">How about you pop by the </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/rawc.com.au"><span style="color: blue;">Natural Raw C Coconut Water Facebook page</span></a><span style="color: #990000;"> and say Hi? </span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b><i>They'd love to hear from you!</i></b></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">[Note: If you are reading this on a <b>mobile device</b>, you will need to swap over to the <b>web version</b> to be able to comment. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click 'view web version'.]</span></i></div>
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I do have another giveaway to share with you, but will let you know about that one in another day or two. Now onto the Weekly Highlights - there's lots to share!</div>
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<b>FOOD...</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg43itrEB_y5XWHk5-pg7EMJPa6xL6kOLFtf9-lPk-77-Gj7iFZVH94dfRjM4pW3_2j4IeDRRpUJFCr2OrVtkafpBg0QpnZE_SuxyBOCsGxclXr-0dhKOK3WHne0x3ovX7aI3iImeaHXM/s1600/IMG_7384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg43itrEB_y5XWHk5-pg7EMJPa6xL6kOLFtf9-lPk-77-Gj7iFZVH94dfRjM4pW3_2j4IeDRRpUJFCr2OrVtkafpBg0QpnZE_SuxyBOCsGxclXr-0dhKOK3WHne0x3ovX7aI3iImeaHXM/s640/IMG_7384.JPG" width="552" /></a></div>
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<i>Local produce... do you know what all this is?</i></div>
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<b>Cooking to impress! </b>Need to cook for a dinner party? <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/527407903979784"><span style="color: blue;">Here's some quick and easy dishes</span></a> that will knock the socks off your guests...<br />
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<b>What's in your green smoothie today?</b> I love coconut water in mine, plus lots of other goodies... <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/526715700715671"><span style="color: blue;">Readers share their favourites here</span></a>.<br />
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<b>Quick snacks: </b>What snacks do you make to take with you when you only have 20 minutes before you need to dash out the door? <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/525532214167353"><span style="color: blue;">Here's some</span></a> of mine, and lots of reader's ideas.<br />
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<b>Bake & freeze snacks:</b> What about <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/525553544165220"><span style="color: blue;">snacks you can freeze</span></a> for when you need them?<br />
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<b>New Thermomix? How to stock your pantry: </b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/525234354197139"><span style="color: blue;">Readers share their tips</span></a> for what to stock up on when expecting your new Thermie to arrive! (Excitement!!) :D<br />
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<b>Vegetable spiralizers: </b>Wondering if you should get one, what to use it for, what brand to buy? <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/525431524177422"><span style="color: blue;">Answers here</span></a>.<br />
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<b>How to get turmeric stains out:</b> Does your Thermomix lid, seal and butterfly look kind of odd from cooking with turmeric? <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/527407457313162"><span style="color: blue;">Try these handy tips</span></a> to remove the stain!<br />
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<b>Quick & easy lunches: </b>A reader who was<i> 'falling back into bad habits'</i> asks for ideas for quick, healthy lunches, and wow, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/526726644047910"><span style="color: blue;">so many great suggestions</span></a>!<br />
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<b>Grain free & dairy free lunchbox ideas:</b> It's not always easy to think outside the box ;) but <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/527267130660528"><span style="color: blue;">here's some tips</span></a>.<br />
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<b>Egg free breakfast ideas for little ones:</b> Karen's 10 mth old has been diagnosed with an egg allergy, and she's stuck for new breakfast ideas. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/523497817704126"><span style="color: blue;">Here's lots of suggestions</span></a>, including my egg-free pancake/waffle recipe.<br />
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<b>Leftover pulp from making almond milk:</b> Every wondered what to do with it? <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/524423364278238"><span style="color: blue;">Here's some ideas</span></a>.<br />
And here's another one I spotted on Instagram - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/525606210826620"><span style="color: blue;">Superfood Nut Sprinkle</span></a>.<br />
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<b>Leftover ganache:</b> What do you do with your <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/524503344270240"><span style="color: blue;">leftover ganache</span></a>? (Is there even such a thing??)<br />
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<b>Matt Stone & Thermomix:</b> Love the look of this raw cauliflower 'cous cous' salad Matt whipped up on the Morning Show - <a href="http://yhoo.it/1bLjOyv"><span style="color: blue;">did you see it</span></a>?<br />
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<b>Friday night pizza:</b> What's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/524763040910937"><span style="color: blue;">your favourite toppings</span></a>?<br />
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<b>Mandarine recipes:</b> Are they dropping off your trees? <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/525249950862246"><span style="color: blue;">Here's some ideas</span></a> so they won't go to waste.<br />
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<b>Naturally sweetened icings:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/525199394200635"><span style="color: blue;">Some ideas for icing cakes</span></a> without refined icing sugar.<br />
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<b>Pink party! </b>What to feed a bunch of 6 yr old girls for a healthy pink party? <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/526020967451811"><span style="color: blue;">Yummy ideas</span></a>!<br />
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<b>Diabetic friendly recipes:</b> Thermomix friendly <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/525629447490963"><span style="color: blue;">suggestions</span></a> for diabetic recipes.<br />
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<b>Breakfast ideas for a toddler with excema:</b> Dairy & wheat free <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/526042934116281"><span style="color: blue;">suggestions</span></a> for an 8 month old.<br />
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<b>What to make with egg whites?</b> If you had 5 egg whites in the fridge, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/526632907390617"><span style="color: blue;">what would you make</span></a>?<br />
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<b>HEALTH & OTHER GOOD ADVICE...</b><br />
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<b>What is the one small change you could make that would have the biggest impact on your health?</b> <a href="http://checksandspots.com/lifestyle/the-one-small-change-that-will-have-the-biggest-impact-on-your-health/"><span style="color: blue;">Clare of Checks & Spots asks this question</span></a> of 13 'bright sparks' who have a unique perspective on health, wellness and nutrition. (Including me!) :D<br />
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<b>How to fatten pigs, and people:</b> I found <a href="http://www.wellfedhomestead.com/how-to-fatten-pigs-and-people"><span style="color: blue;">this article</span></a> VERY interesting!!<br />
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<b>Join a bulk food buying co-op!</b> <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2011/03/bulk-food-buying-co-ops.html"><span style="color: blue;">How?</span></a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/527212900665951"><span style="color: blue;">Where?</span></a><br />
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<b>How to boost iron levels naturally:</b> A mum who is 30 weeks pregnant with low iron levels asks for advice - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/526703290716912"><span style="color: blue;">lots of great suggestions</span></a>!<br />
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<b>How to search on my page:</b> I quite often have people puzzled about this, so if this is you, here's how... Just type into the search box the ingredient or subject you're looking for, and lots of links will come up that you can click on. Or you can go to the Recipe Index on the left of the 'Quirky Cooking' logo and click on that to get a drop down list of the labels you can search through. :)<br />
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<b>What would you do?</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/525177514202823"><span style="color: blue;">A reader asks for advice</span></a> for how to get her family and friends to stop bringing junk food over as it's affecting her child's behaviour. Lots of discussion on this one!!!<br />
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<b>How to get lots of housework done!</b> Set a timer and FOCUS! <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/526261490761092"><span style="color: blue;">Do you do this</span></a>?<br />
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<b>Do you love kitchen shops? </b>What would you spend a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/526624994058075"><span style="color: blue;">$40 gift voucher</span></a> on?<br />
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<b>NEWS...</b><br />
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<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}" style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px 20px 0px 15px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="messageBody" style="line-height: 1.38;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">For those of you up here in FNQ (or visiting FNQ in August!), we'd love for you to join us for <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=323002514417640&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/TheOrganicExperience?directed_target_id=0" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">The Organic Experience</a> food tour! Paddock to plate, meet the growers, tour the beautiful Atherton Tablelands, and gain a deeper appreciation for the way food connects our community, wellbeing and environment. I'll be cooking lunch with local produce on the 24th, it'll be heaps of fun and I hope to see you there! <i class="_4-k1 img sp_er534k sx_d20726" style="background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/y4/r/8ejVUcUqZKI.png); background-position: 0px -730px; background-size: auto; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i></span></span></h5>
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And that's about it for now... have a great week, and may it include homemade bread and lots of books. And chocolate. </div>
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Jo xx</div>
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<i>Miss C in her happy place - bread and books. :)</i></div>
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<i>What could be better?</i></div>
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Jo Whittonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12590877342845433951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455133712996006000.post-40335706539141709232013-07-22T21:15:00.000+10:002013-07-22T21:26:03.697+10:00Weekly Highlights & some NEWS!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>(Ummm, no, this isn't the recipe for my Cherry Delight 'Cheese'cake, so sorry. I just thought the photo might get your attention.) :D</i><br />
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Hello everyone. I know, my Weekly Highlights are <u>very</u> late, but I have an excuse!<br />
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I'm not sure if you've noticed that I've been a little bit absent from my blog and Facebook page lately. Well, there's a good reason for that. I promise it's not because I've been lazing around the house in my PJ's all day eating <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com/2013/06/dairy-free-condensed-milk-dulce-de-leche.html"><span style="color: blue;">dulce de leche</span></a> on fresh strawberries (as much as I've wanted to). It's just that I've been madly recipe testing and writing out recipes for the last couple of weeks because ... I have a publisher for my COOKBOOK!!!! EEEEK!!! (A bit exciting!!) Yes, a really real printed book, complete with really real photographers and stylists and all that fun stuff!<br />
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And along with a publisher comes DEADLINES and SECRETS and eating, sleeping and breathing RECIPES! And as much as I'd love to, I'm afraid I can't share the recipe for my cherry 'cheese'cake yet, because I need it for my book. You do understand, don't you? I'll try not to tease you with any more photos that do not have recipes attached, okay?<i> (Although now and then I might post a sneaky one on <a href="http://instagram.com/jowhitton"><span style="color: blue;">Instagram</span></a>, so if you <u>want</u> to see some sneak previews that's the place to look.)</i> :)<br />
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So although I haven't had as much time to chat, there were still quite a few subjects discussed on my Facebook page this past week. Here's the main ones, to keep you all up to date.<br />
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<b>FOOD</b><br />
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My big girl turned 16 last week (yes, I'm feeling old!). She wasn't interested in going out for dinner or having a party, she just wanted a big, family, Mexican fajita feast with a cherry cheesecake to finish it off. So that's what we did...<br />
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<b><i>Fajitas with the lot!</i></b></div>
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<a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com/2009/02/spelt-tortillas.html"><span style="color: blue;">Spelt tortillas</span></a>, Mexican rice<i> (mum's recipe - another option is my <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com/2009/02/mexican-quinoa.html"><span style="color: blue;">Mexican Quinoa</span></a>)</i>, marinated <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com/2010/01/beef-or-chicken-fajitas.html"><span style="color: blue;">fajita</span></a> beef & chicken, sauteed red peppers (capsicums) and onions, guacamole, and my <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com/2009/08/dairy-free-sour-cream-substitute.html"><span style="color: blue;">dairy free sour cream</span></a>. So good.</div>
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Oh, and some smoky chipotle chilli sauce to top it off. Woweee, love that stuff!<br />
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(Do you like my cow apron? Lol!)</div>
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<i>Mmmmm... fajitas!</i></div>
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<b>What healthy treats would you cook for a 16th birthday party?</b> Here's some <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/521002771286964"><span style="color: blue;">reader's ideas</span></a>.<br />
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<b>Coconut Caramel Custard:</b> In case you missed this, I posted this <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com/2013/07/coconut-caramel-custard.html"><span style="color: blue;">quick and easy recipe</span></a> on the blog last week. <i>Warning: dangerously addictive!</i><br />
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<b>Pandan leaves:</b> Ever see 'pandan leaves' in an Asian recipe and wonder where to get them, how to use them, whether you can grow them yourself, and what to substitute for them if they're nowhere to be found? Wonder no more, answers <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/519085268145381"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a>!<br />
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<b>Date loaf/cake recipes: </b>Do you have a favourite date loaf or cake you like to make? <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/521038404616734"><span style="color: blue;">Here's</span></a> some readers' favourites.<br />
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<b>Grapefruit recipes:</b> It's grapefruit season, our fruit basket is overflowing with them! Need <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/521039834616591"><span style="color: blue;">some ideas</span></a>?<br />
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<b>Travelling with Thermomix: </b>A reader asked for simple Thermomix meal ideas that don't need heaps of pantry stuff, as she wanted to take her Thermomix with them on holiday. With a 2 year old and a 7 month old, it's a lot easier to 'eat in' than 'out', and the room they were to stay in only had coffee/tea making facilities. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/519708984749676"><span style="color: blue;">Here's some ideas</span></a> readers suggested for travel meals.<br />
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<b>7 Ingredient challenge:</b> A desperate plea for a quick dessert idea using the 7 ingredients available brought out some <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/521096721277569"><span style="color: blue;">very creative suggestions</span></a>!<br />
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<b>Vegan dinners:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/521548864565688"><span style="color: blue;">Recipes and ideas</span></a> for a meat free meal.<br />
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<b>Traditional afternoon tea ideas:</b> Except they need to be gluten, dairy, sugar, and soy free! <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/521559514564623"><span style="color: blue;">No problem</span></a>.<br />
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<b>Free-from birthday cake!</b> A reader needs <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=521546377899270&set=a.125311994189379.30922.124673354253243&type=1"><span style="color: blue;">a recipe</span></a> for a birthday cake that's gluten, dairy and soy free - preferably something rich and decadent.<br />
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<b>Passionfruit recipes:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/521849927868915"><span style="color: blue;">Ideas</span></a> for using up all those passionfruits that are falling off the vine! (At least here in FNQ, anyway!)<br />
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<b>Paleo and nightshade-free food:</b> A reader needs some ideas for paleo meals/food that are also free from potatoes, tomatoes, chillies, eggplants, capsicum and most legumes. Some great ideas <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/521850981202143"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a>.<br />
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<b>Lactation biscuit recipe: </b>Have you heard of these? I hadn't! Basically it's a biscuit containing ingredients that help with lactation. Lots of other ideas for helping to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/521903217863586"><span style="color: blue;">increase breastmilk production</span></a> here too.<br />
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<b>Soup weather:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=519107814809793&set=a.125311994189379.30922.124673354253243&type=1"><span style="color: blue;">What soups</span></a> are you making on these wintery evenings?<br />
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<i>And just a quick tip for when you make your <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com/2009/02/spelt-tortillas.html"><span style="color: blue;">tortillas</span></a> or wraps - this is how thin you want to roll them, then cook them quickly in a really hot, dry frypan so they don't dry out. Make sure you keep them wrapped up in a clean tea towel while you cook them, so they stay warm and soft. Enjoy!</i></div>
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<b>AND MORE...</b><br />
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<b>Boosting your immune system:</b> A reader asked for help for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/520209764699598"><span style="color: blue;">immune boosting ideas</span></a>, as her husband has Ross River Fever.<br />
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<b>Making soaps in your Thermomix - yes or no?</b> Some great ideas and discussions <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/521046901282551"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a>.<br />
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<b>New Thermomix Blog & FB Page!</b> If you need some help meal planning with your new Thermomix, <a href="http://www.thermonerd.blogspot.com.au/"><span style="color: blue;">Thermonerd</span></a> may be the blog for you. Being a work-at-home mum of a little boy and twin baby girls means this busy lady HAS to plan ahead to keep up! Meal planning is definitely the way to go for helping with time management and budgeting... if you haven't tried it, you should.<br />
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<i>By the way, there's lots of <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/#uds-search-results"><span style="color: blue;">menu plans</span></a> on my blog, as well as some <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.491078740946034.1073741825.124673354253243&type=3"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a> on my Facebook page!</i><br />
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<b>Favourite Thermomix recipe books:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quirkycooking/posts/521038651283376"><span style="color: blue;">What's your fave?</span></a><br />
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<b>What the rural life is really like.</b> I loved reading <a href="http://ruralmiss.blogspot.com.au/2013/07/you-think-my-life-is-crazy-i-think-you.html"><span style="color: blue;">this blog post by Rural Miss</span></a> and seeing her beautiful photos. Have you thanked a farmer today?<br />
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So now I'd better get back to my recipe writing...<br />
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<i>I might have to get Mr I to do a guest post for me this week, so my blog doesn't look so neglected.</i> :D<br />
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<b><i>Have a great week!</i></b></div>
Jo Whittonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12590877342845433951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8455133712996006000.post-1574524913138509032013-07-14T22:22:00.001+10:002014-07-11T21:34:42.300+10:00Coconut Caramel Custard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Coconut caramel custard with bananas & macadamias</i></div>
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A reader told me the other day that she had been searching everywhere for my coconut caramel custard recipe on Facebook but couldn't find it... Well, we can't have that! This is so yummy (and quick and easy) that it really needs to be on my blog so it's easier to find.<br />
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When I shared this on my Facebook page back in May, it got 164 shares and 466 likes and 136 comments. Yep, I think you really should try it.<br />
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So here it is... no need to say too much, except don't blame me when you get up in the middle of the night to polish off the leftovers, okay? ;)<br />
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Just pop all the ingredients into the Thermomix bowl and cook for <b><span style="color: #990000;">7 mins/90C/speed 4</span></b>.<br />
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<b>- 500g coconut milk</b><i> (or 250g thick coconut cream + 250g water)</i><br />
<b>- 60g coconut sugar</b><i> (or Rapadura)</i><br />
<b>- 1 large tsp vanilla bean paste</b><br />
<b>- 2 Tbsp butter or ghee </b><i>(optional, but awesome)</i><br />
<b>- 20-30g arrowroot starch </b><i>(can use cornflour or tapioca starch instead)</i><br />
<b>- 1/4 tsp Himalayan or sea salt</b><br />
<b>- 2 eggs</b><br />
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<i>For an <b>egg free version</b>, just leave out the eggs and increase the starch/cornflour to 50-60g.</i><br />
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P.S. This custard is dangerously good on brownies. Just saying.<br />
<span id="goog_13792490"></span><span id="goog_13792491"></span><br />Jo Whittonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12590877342845433951noreply@blogger.com