Friends on Friday - Don't get your Sausage in a Roll

This is a protein and veggie packed easy pesy meal for the whole family - the grownups love them and the little picky eaters eat them! Top it off with a homemade tomato sauce and a yummy garden salad. Just delish! 

My mate Fran, a designer, a busy mum and a business owner put this recipe together she says, ‘I make a batch and freeze them for those quick last minute meals’. Being a busy mum myself I love that this recipe can be made and frozen, served for dinner, afternoon snacks or parties, it ticks all the boxes.

Fran's just launched her spring/summer range of jewelry a must to checkout! www.mooku.com.au

Ingredients:

250gm regular beef mince

250gm pork mince

1 x leek

1 x medium zucchini

5 x small mushrooms

1 x med-large carrot

2 x gloves of crushed Garlic

Salt & pepper to taste

1 x teaspoon of chopped or dried herbs, I use whatever I find in my cupboard or garden - sage, thyme

4 x sheets of good quality frozen puff pastry sheets

2 x tablespoon of milk

2 x tablespoons of sesame seeds

What to do:

1. Take puff pastry sheets out of the freezer, separate and place on a surface to thaw. 

2. Turn fan forced over onto 180’C

3. Finely grate the leek, zucchini, mushrooms & carrot. 

4. In a large bowl combine all the ingredients (apart from the puff pastry sheets, milk & sesame seeds). Either use your hands or a large fork to combine thoroughly.

5. Cut each puff pastry sheet in half. Take one half and place a 3cm strip of meat/veg mix along one edge of pastry and roll to form a sausage roll shape. Score the top side of the roll with a knife and cut to desired length. Repeat this process until all meat/veg mix is finish.

6. Paint tops with milk and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

7 Place on baking paper covered oven trays and cook for approximately 25 minutes or until golden brown.

8. Serve & eat!!

 

Let me know if you give this recipe a go, how easy it is and if your kids and mates love it too.

Friends on Friday - Lady Fingers it is!

Okra is known in many English-speaking countries as lady's fingers it’s an edible green seed pod, I first came across it when I was living in Japan. I’m not sure if it’s traditionally used in their diet but it’s said to originate in S.E. Asia and Africa. Okra is popular due to its high fiber, vitamin C, and folate content. It’s also known for being high in antioxidants and a good source of calcium and potassium. Sounds like a super food to me!

My friend Gaye from Gaye Abandon has shared with me this amazing Okra curry recipe, a perfect winter meal. It’s got all the ‘good stuff’ in it Cumin, Coriander, Turmeric, Mustard seeds, Chilli – all the warming anti-inflammatory herbs and spices, things that aid your digestion, warm you up and keep your circulation moving! A fantastic flavored curry and vegetarian too.

I really like what Gaye Abandon Handmade Homewares and Accessories are all about, her works are all created from 100% wool, upcycled, felted textiles, which makes it all sustainable and has a real environmental twist. She creates practical and pleasurable homewares and accessories that mix the multifarious colours and textures of pieces of felted wool in fresh one-off combinations. What’s not to love!

Here goes:

Gaye says; ‘it’s adapted from a recipe in the Sri Lankan Flavours cookbook by Channa Dassanayaka, I love to adapt recipes to my tastes”

And I say ‘why not, that’s the BEST form of cooking’

Okra Curry

Ingredients                 Serves 4

500g okra, trimmed and cut into 4cm pieces

2 teaspoons dried red chilli flakes

1 green chilli (sliced in half lengthways- seeds removed)

1/2 teaspoon ground chilli powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1 teaspoon ground turmeric

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons olive oil

10 curry leaves (or 2 bay leaves)

1 teaspoon brown mustard seeds

1 onion, thinly sliced

1/2 cup chopped or canned tomatoes

salt to taste

1/2 cup coconut milk

1 teaspoon lemon or lime juice

Wash okra and place in a bowl. Toss with turmeric and salt and set aside.

Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add curry leaves, mustard seeds, onion and dried chilli. Sauté for about 3 minutes.

Add okra to the pan, then add green chilli, chilli powder, cumin, coriander, turmeric and tomato. Cook for 10 minutes tossing regularly so the dry ingredients don't burn. Add salt to taste.

Add coconut milk, bring to the boil, reduce heat and simmer until okra is cooked-- about 10 minutes (the okra should still have a light crunch).

Remove from heat and stir through the lemon or lime juice.

Let me know when you try it and if it blew your top off. I would love to know what you thought of the okra flavours.

Also, if you happen to be around West Footscary you must go and check out Gaye and Melanie’s Exhibition at Homefront; Interior designs from Reclaimed textiles – check flier for details or click here. Or just go – it’s a must for all textile lovers 8^th-28^th August.

Brrr it's still Winter.....

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It's been a tough winter this year, there are not only one but two different viral strains floating around causing everyone to come down with some awful cold and flu like symptoms. It's not a bad thing for your immune system to be hit with a good dose of cold every few years, it actually strengthens it and makes you less susceptible the next season. However, supporting your immune system and taking action in preventing yourself from catching a cold is also wise.

Here're some tips:
1. Clothing; you may laugh and say 'but I always leave the house clothed' that you may but I suggest you invest in a good, long singlet that tucks in! It may be old fashioned but you need to be tucked in and your kidneys need to be covered. So simple and effective in keeping you warm and preventing a chill getting into you bones.
2. Covering your mouth when you cough! Another tip that may sound as simple as second nature, yet everyday I am out and about I see people coughing without covering their mouth, walking along coughing as someone is walking towards them, coughing on the train/tram. So simple so sensible and prevents airborne contaminates.
3. Washing your hands regularly, especially if you have come into contact with someone that has cold and flu symptoms.
4.Take a sick day - that's what it's there for, don't go to work if you are suffering from cold and flu symptoms, prevent contaminating others. Rest and convalesce at home, in the warmth of your own home. Stay inside in an even temperature.
5. Dose up on natural anti-bacterial foods including garlic and onions.
6. Eat lots of colourful fruits and vegetables, organic is best as they have higher concentrations of nutrients. These nutrient dense foods will stimulate your immune system and help support it.
7. Herbs to keep in the cupboard and dose up on over these winter months include; Echinacea, Olive leaf and always have some YEP tea(Yarrow, Elder, Peppermint) to help combat cold and flu symptoms including fever!!
8. Increase your intake of Vitamin C - it is the king anti-oxidant and is known to support the immune system and reduce the duration of cold and flu like symptoms. See your Naturopath to be informed of therapeutic doses
9. Other supplements that may help you ward off this dreaded beast is Zinc and Vitamin D, both will help support your immune system and keep you soldiering on.
10. Finally REST, it is winter and winter is about hibernation, enjoy this quiet time and re-charge your batteries.

Pre & Post Surgery Tips - Day#3 blog writing challenge

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This one is for a client of mine who has just had major surgery - I hope you get better soon.


There can always be a lot of unknowns when it comes to surgery so it is best to be as prepared as possible, both mentally and physically. Of course your surgeon will give you a rundown on what needs to be addressed and be sure to seek advice from a healthcare professional before taking any herbal medicines or nutritional supplements pre-surgery.


Here is a list of supplements that may aid in your recovery.

Arnica -Homeopathic arnica taken before and after surgery assists the body in healing, it assists in the reduction of swelling and bruising, it also helps the body deal with the trauma and shock of the surgery. 

Zinc - A trace mineral will improve wound healing and assist in reducing the appearance of scarring. Zinc is an antioxidant as well as an important nutrient for growth and development, immune responses and reproduction.

Vitamin C - is known as the KING antioxidant, it has a huge spectrum of actions and assists with many health issues. Vitamin C maintains connective tissue and assists in the production of collagen, it helps stimulate the immune system, assists with brain and nerve function, and is known to aid wound healing.

Probiotics -  are good bacteria which will restore healthy bacteria into your GIT which, if you have been prescribed antibiotics after surgery, will improve gut health and improve your immune response and support your immune system preventing any post surgery health compromises.

Why some girls do and some girls don't

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Lately it is all I keep getting asked about - morning sickness. Everyone I know that is pregnant seems to be sick too! I am very lucky and in both of my pregnancies I have never suffered from morning sickness - I have other problems. No one it seem escapes scott free!


It is a bit of a mystery in the medical world why some women suffer so badly and others seem to go unscathed. Hormones seems to be the answer or more specifically the bodies response to changes in hormone levels, namely oestrogen and HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) which increase in early pregnancy. Also the increased sensitivity to smells and odours that many women experience that can trigger a gag reflex in some people and those with a pre disposal to stomach upset may also suffer.


Here are some ideas to treat morning sickness:

• Ginger tea - macerate ginger in warm water, let it seep for at least 10min before drinking.
• Peppermint tea - forget the tea bags from the supermarket, there isn't enough 'real' or quality herb to make a medicinal difference, buy some good quality organic tea, again infuse for at least 10 min before drinking.
• Avoid dehydration and if it is too difficult to drink large cups, drink small frequent sips.
• Soups are a great way to intake fluid - try a yummy chicken broth or home-made veggie soup.
• Carbonated drinks may be used to help create belching if that helps to settle the nausea.
• Ipecac is a homeopathic that may help settle morning sickness, see your Naturopath, Homeopath or purchase from a Health food store
• Snacking is usually the most effective way to relieve nausea, small meals every few hours may help keep your sugar levels stable. 
• If morning sickness is worse in the morning, then keep some dried biscuits beside the bed.
•  Rest is necessary.  The body is undergoing huge changes in pregnancy – especially in the first trimester the tiredness alone is exhausting, the body has to supply blood and nutrients to its growing foetus taking a huge toll on the mothers system. 

In case of extreme nausea and vomiting you may need to be prescribed pharmaceutical medication or even possible hospital admission to have fluid rehydration via an IV drip. 

Hopefully your morning sickness eases within the 12-16 weeks and you get to enjoy the rest of your pregnancy.