Kids love play dough. I can still remember watching while my Mum cooked up play dough, impatiently waited for it to cool, then spent hours making and creating all sorts of fun things. Naturally I want to repeat this with my girls, so I dug out the play dough recipe, sat little missy on the bench, and got cooking.
This recipe is made from ingredients in your pantry. It's totally non-toxic, and cheaper than the commercial variety.
Wednesday 9 January 2013
Friday 30 November 2012
Christmas: a time for giving or a time for mindless consumerism
It's THAT time of year again. Every day on the news we are given the exact number of days left until Christmas. Cue sigh. When I was younger I adored Christmas. I went crazy buying gifts for everyone I knew, and wrapped them in lavish paper to be posted all over the country. I dreamed of glittering table decorations and feasts. However, the last few years have seen my enthusiasm wane to the point where this year the thought of Christmas fills me with dread.
What does Christmas even mean anymore? It feels like a hollow obligation. We must spend it with family, whether we want to or not. Gifts must be purchased for a varied assortment of people in our lives, and rarely is it something they really need. This mass consumerism is depressing, costing us more than we can really afford (can anyone say 'credit card bill') and fills our cupboards and bins with more things we don't use. Over the years, I have given up pretty wrapping. I flat out refuse to buy cards and if your gift is wrapped, usually it will be a recycled gift bag, recycled paper or, in one case, lolly bags made from the pages of old magazines (that did not go down well at work).
This year I have pledged to only buy gifts from local craftspeople or small business. I refuse to go to the big shopping centers and give my money to the massive conglomerates. I have drastically reduced the list of who I will buy for, and our children will get money in their bank accounts instead of toys or clothing. I'm hoping these small acts go some way to reducing the negative impacts of Christmas on the planet and on my pocket.
What I long to do is fly the whole family to a developing country and volunteer our time. Just the four of us, spending time together, bonding over a shared experience and giving to people who really need it. When I first mentioned this to my husband, I expected to get a funny look and some statement about Christmas being a time for family. What I got was a statement of support. I loved him even more in that minute. While we won't be doing it this year, I think it's something we will seriously consider for future years.
In the meantime if you're lucky enough to get my home made truffles, expect them in a magazine lolly bag.
What does Christmas even mean anymore? It feels like a hollow obligation. We must spend it with family, whether we want to or not. Gifts must be purchased for a varied assortment of people in our lives, and rarely is it something they really need. This mass consumerism is depressing, costing us more than we can really afford (can anyone say 'credit card bill') and fills our cupboards and bins with more things we don't use. Over the years, I have given up pretty wrapping. I flat out refuse to buy cards and if your gift is wrapped, usually it will be a recycled gift bag, recycled paper or, in one case, lolly bags made from the pages of old magazines (that did not go down well at work).
This year I have pledged to only buy gifts from local craftspeople or small business. I refuse to go to the big shopping centers and give my money to the massive conglomerates. I have drastically reduced the list of who I will buy for, and our children will get money in their bank accounts instead of toys or clothing. I'm hoping these small acts go some way to reducing the negative impacts of Christmas on the planet and on my pocket.
What I long to do is fly the whole family to a developing country and volunteer our time. Just the four of us, spending time together, bonding over a shared experience and giving to people who really need it. When I first mentioned this to my husband, I expected to get a funny look and some statement about Christmas being a time for family. What I got was a statement of support. I loved him even more in that minute. While we won't be doing it this year, I think it's something we will seriously consider for future years.
In the meantime if you're lucky enough to get my home made truffles, expect them in a magazine lolly bag.
Thursday 29 November 2012
What makes a treat?
A couple of weeks ago I had to take the car to the mechanics. The required new brakes, and the mechanic we love several suburbs away, conspired to mean I had to sit and wait hours for the car to be ready. With a toddler and a new born. Oh what fresh hell would this be?
The night before I packed a bag of toys, downloaded a Justine Clarke DVD onto the iPad, made toddler snacks and braced myself for the long day ahead (it was actually only going in for a service, but it was pretty obvious the brakes were in a bad way).
The only shops and entertainment nearby were a Bunnings, a fruit store, a service station and a park. We broke the day up by starting at Bunnings. My toddler helped me chose and carry seedlings. I must write about how awesome the Bunnings staff were. Baby decided she needed a feed while there. I asked a garden centre staff member if there was somewhere I could sit and feed. She not only told me to use the comfy outdoor setting displays, but came and checked I was okay. All the staff who passed me smiled warmly and a few asked if I needed anything. What a wonderful experience breast feeding in a store. Thanks Bunnings. After feeding, changing nappies and chasing the errant toddler, we purchased our herbs and returned to the mechanics.
The next trip out was around lunch. I wanted to get some fresh food and yoghurt and head to the park. I let Boo guide me on which fruit to buy, and she chose cherries, red grapes and a mandarin. We walked over to the park and opened our bounty.
Watching the pure enjoyment on Boo's face as she tucked into juicy mandarins, then devoured those fresh seasonal cherries was just bliss. It brings up the question: what makes a treat? Why do we associate treats with junk food? To my toddler that day, running round a park while enjoying fresh fruit was every bit as delightful as eating a chocolate bar. Maybe more, as the energy and nutrients from the fruit provided her with lasting energy, instead of the crash from the processed sugars. One of my favourite treats is a bag full of lychees. I love peeling those little fruits and feeling the burst of juice and natural sweetness. So, so good.
Maybe what we need is to redefine the idea of a treat. And fresh, seasonal fruits are the perfect place to start.
The night before I packed a bag of toys, downloaded a Justine Clarke DVD onto the iPad, made toddler snacks and braced myself for the long day ahead (it was actually only going in for a service, but it was pretty obvious the brakes were in a bad way).
The only shops and entertainment nearby were a Bunnings, a fruit store, a service station and a park. We broke the day up by starting at Bunnings. My toddler helped me chose and carry seedlings. I must write about how awesome the Bunnings staff were. Baby decided she needed a feed while there. I asked a garden centre staff member if there was somewhere I could sit and feed. She not only told me to use the comfy outdoor setting displays, but came and checked I was okay. All the staff who passed me smiled warmly and a few asked if I needed anything. What a wonderful experience breast feeding in a store. Thanks Bunnings. After feeding, changing nappies and chasing the errant toddler, we purchased our herbs and returned to the mechanics.
The next trip out was around lunch. I wanted to get some fresh food and yoghurt and head to the park. I let Boo guide me on which fruit to buy, and she chose cherries, red grapes and a mandarin. We walked over to the park and opened our bounty.
Watching the pure enjoyment on Boo's face as she tucked into juicy mandarins, then devoured those fresh seasonal cherries was just bliss. It brings up the question: what makes a treat? Why do we associate treats with junk food? To my toddler that day, running round a park while enjoying fresh fruit was every bit as delightful as eating a chocolate bar. Maybe more, as the energy and nutrients from the fruit provided her with lasting energy, instead of the crash from the processed sugars. One of my favourite treats is a bag full of lychees. I love peeling those little fruits and feeling the burst of juice and natural sweetness. So, so good.
Maybe what we need is to redefine the idea of a treat. And fresh, seasonal fruits are the perfect place to start.
Pineapple and Mint Slushie
Today was a hot one in old Brisbane town. The girls were hot and bothered by the afternoon, and a sweaty husband looked very uncomfortable after working in the sun all day. I thought we all deserved a cooling treat.
The last of the pink grapefruit have been falling off the tree, and I thought these would make a lovely slushie. After cutting them open, I was dismayed to find fruit fly larvae. I'll have to put some exclusion bags over the young fruit before they ripen to ensure this doesn't happen again. For now, it's back to the vegie crisper to search for fruit to go in my slushie.
At the back of the fridge was some chopped pineapple. Perfect. Pineapple and mint slushies for us!
I threw some pineapple, ice and mint leaves into the blender and processed until smooth and creamy. While still blending, I poured some filtered water through the chute to thin it out a little.
It was a lovely cold treat to cool the family down on a hot day.
I love that!
The last of the pink grapefruit have been falling off the tree, and I thought these would make a lovely slushie. After cutting them open, I was dismayed to find fruit fly larvae. I'll have to put some exclusion bags over the young fruit before they ripen to ensure this doesn't happen again. For now, it's back to the vegie crisper to search for fruit to go in my slushie.
At the back of the fridge was some chopped pineapple. Perfect. Pineapple and mint slushies for us!
I threw some pineapple, ice and mint leaves into the blender and processed until smooth and creamy. While still blending, I poured some filtered water through the chute to thin it out a little.
It was a lovely cold treat to cool the family down on a hot day.
I love that!
Monday 19 November 2012
Yummy, yummy, goodie balls
Now bub is 11 weeks old, I'm starting to think about shedding the extra weight I put on while pregnant. This is not easy for me, as while I'm breastfeeding I find I'm starving. Unfortunately when I'm feeling tired and busy with my two girls, I often find myself reaching for rubbishy sugary foods.
So, it's time to hit the kitchen and whip up some super easy goodie balls. I pack mine full of good fats to provide the calories I'm craving in a vitamin and mineral dense little package. The fats are also good for my little baby's developing brain. Fresh dates provide me with B vitamins and the sweetness my body desires. They really are an awesome treat.
Ingredients
2 cups fresh dates, seeds removed (approx. 16 dates)
2tbs coconut oil
2tbs tahini
1tbs chia seeds (optional, as they are a bit like bird seed)
1 capful vanilla
1tbs almond meal
1tbs ground flaxseed
Throw all ingredients into the food processor, and process well. Roll into little balls, then roll in coconut to coat.
I recommend storing these in a glass container to avoid the fats allowing chemicals from plastics to leach into your treats.
I'm enjoying a couple of these sweet treats with a cup of ginger tea right now. Yummy!
So, it's time to hit the kitchen and whip up some super easy goodie balls. I pack mine full of good fats to provide the calories I'm craving in a vitamin and mineral dense little package. The fats are also good for my little baby's developing brain. Fresh dates provide me with B vitamins and the sweetness my body desires. They really are an awesome treat.
Ingredients
2 cups fresh dates, seeds removed (approx. 16 dates)
2tbs coconut oil
2tbs tahini
1tbs chia seeds (optional, as they are a bit like bird seed)
1 capful vanilla
1tbs almond meal
1tbs ground flaxseed
Throw all ingredients into the food processor, and process well. Roll into little balls, then roll in coconut to coat.
I recommend storing these in a glass container to avoid the fats allowing chemicals from plastics to leach into your treats.
I'm enjoying a couple of these sweet treats with a cup of ginger tea right now. Yummy!
Sunday 18 November 2012
17 good reasons to buy secondhand
I have to show off my awesome purchase at the markets today. I got this pile of 17 organic bumgenius nappies, inserts and the nappy buckets for the bargain price of $20. Who says cloth has to be expensive.
Saturday 17 November 2012
A baby friendly birthday cake
At the beginning of the year, my baby girl had her first birthday. Like a lot of first time mums, I went a little crazy planning a party for her. However, there were a few things that were really important to me: eco friendly partyware, no excessive decorations, good healthy food and a baby friendly birthday cake. By this age little one had not even tried any sweeties; I did not want her first experience to be a cake laden with sugar and colourings. However, I still really wanted a lovely cake. This obviously presented some dilemmas.
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