I'm back, with the stunning scenery intro :)
Look at this amazing sunrise, taken two mornings ago. After torrential rain- seeing the sun was so good, especially as it was the day we were picking up our newest, travel weary teen.
This evening sky scene was taken last night, after quite possibly the most unpleasantly hot day ever. Our newest teen was a little shocked just how hot it can get.
Oh the humidity.
We needed to take our sweet bubby for a walk by the creek until the sun went down, in the hope that it wouldn't still be beating down on her bedroom window, heating the room like an oven. It made little difference, and she took hours to go to sleep. On a plus- stormy skies are by far some of the prettiest. And stormy skies do bring cool changes with them :)
My gorgeous bubby :)
I'm am so in love with this little face, and her delight at wearing this hat!
Happy Australia Day!
I have never been too keen on celebrating Australia Day before for many reasons, until someone made it special for me. Two years ago today, my amazing hubby took me for a shark scuba dive at Seaworld on quite possibly the most miserably wet and rainy days. After the dive, when I was even more drippy, snotty and was sporting wet patches on my dry clothes from my swimmers, he dropped to his knee, said the most beautiful words and flashed a ring. I was a sniveling mess, but managed to say 'YES!' Then I cried/laughed/cried some more :)
Slowly, but surely, this man, who I am blessed to call my hubby, is replacing sad memories for joyous ones.
That leads nicely into my first big change. I have contacted my University to discuss deferring for yet another year. If that isn't permitted, I shall withdraw. I can't explain what is going on inside me, but my peace for doing uni now just left. Exited. Vacated the building. I questioned myself. This is, after all, my year of doing what scares me, right? It is. I can't ignore the prompting on my heart. You know that feeling- the voice offering wise advice that leaves us feeling peace that we often discredit. Instead of ignoring this voice, I am listening. And I already know that there are BIG things I am scared of doing that uni pales to. I can study. I can follow a formula. I am reasonably bright. But finishing things that I have procrastinated on for so long- that is frightening. What if I fail, what if I make mistakes, what if...And what if I succeed, lose that feeling weighing me down the longer I put things off. I can't do that any longer.
And then, there is my hubby, and my bubby, and my teens and non teen too. I have been supported through a very painful, difficult pregnancy, and through the first few months of motherhood when my hormones went crazy, and my body tried to deal with surgery pain and injuries. Now, it's my turn to be the support. Hubby is embarking on a big year- travelling to Brisbane to attend uni. My sweet bubby needs me too. I am not willing to put that pressure to study on top of their needs. Not at this stage.
And, I am not willing to shrink back and not finish my hearts passions either. But those, I can do at home while being an available support.
This gives me immense peace. It is the right, and best, decision for now. I am genuinely excited for the things this year will bring!
After all of that, let's get cooking!
Easy Low Carb Protein Balls
Ingredients:
makes around 16 balls
or 8 serves
1/2 cup sugar/salt free peanut butter
1/2 cup cottage cheese
splash of vanila extract
1/4 cup gentle fibre
2 scoops plain protein powder
1 heaped teaspoon cinnamon
Method:
Place all the ingredients into a food processor and blend until it resembles crumbs.
Using a teaspoon, scoop up and press/ roll into bite sized balls.
Store in the fridge.
2 balls per serving.
These are NOT sweet.
I am really trying to keep my sweet tooth under control.
Cinnamon does help sweeten a little, and if you really wanted, you could add a sweetener of choice, but I am trying to appreciate the simple flavour of foods to re-educate my taste buds.
I LOVE caramel, but if I'm that desperate- a simple treat of dates topped with a spoon of peanut butter is to die for delish.
The finished, bite sized balls...
Onto the ingredients. Another big change- I have had to eat humble pie and admit that, for me, I am eating too much fat. Things aren't working well. The moment I cut fat down and add a different fibre for bulk (like the Gentle Fibre: oat bran, pysllium husks and linseeds), and eating low fat yoghurt- the body is responding much better.
I am not not eating fat! I just know that I need to cut it right down. These protein balls do have peanut butter, but no coconut oil. I am still having full cream milk, but half milk, half water for my daily portion.
Hubby is still working out, and his research has revealed that no one way of eating works for every person/ body type. He can eat, and does need, a higher carb load than me. I know that certain foods just don't work. I don't want to compromise on whole food, but if I am happier inside, then that will reflect outwardly. As long as it's still as natural as possible, then it's a win/win.
Now, onto my Veggie Full Spag Bol from my last post.
Very Veggie Spag Bol
Serves 6-8
Ingredients:
2 zucchinis
2 carrots
3-4 sticks celery
1 red onion
fresh herbs of choice
450gms regular mince
1 jar Italian passata
a splash of balsamic vinegar and worcestershire sauce (yes- sugar laden but not much is used)
1 teaspoon of salt, pepper, paprika and Massel veggie stock powder
a knob of butter
Method:
In a food processor, finely grate, or pulverise all the veggies and herbs together.
Set aside.
In a large pot on medium heat, brown mince. Add veggies to same pan and cook down with the mince. Add the butter, stir, then add the salt, pepper, paprika and stock powder.
Stir through the mince/veg mix until it darkens a little more. Add passata and a little extra water.
Turn heat down, simmer for a minimum of one hour, stirring regularly. Add more water if mix gets too dry. Cover after an hour and simmer for another 30 minutes. Turn off the heat.
Cook spaghetti.
This is the meat to veg ratio. This is regular, full of fat beef mince
The sauce cooks down well and intensifies in flavour. By browning the meat and veg, you add extra flavour and sweetness to the dish.
Not a glamorous meal, but a perfect weekend one as it was used for leftovers the next night. My teen wasn't fussed on the extra veg, but she ate it. personally, I loved it! And i will make it again. I had my serve on steamed, shredded cabbage.
Let's talk about dinner now. In my last post, I gave the recipe for my Aussie Burger Patties. Well, this is what I turned them into...
The damper was the hamburger bun, and the cooked patty is hiding under my salad. It was a do-it-yourself burger night.
I grated one whole beetroot, added 1 heaped teaspoon of whole egg mayo and some brown vinegar and stirred it through. So good! There was a simple garden salad, a guacamole made with 1 avocado, lemon juice, salt, pepper, a quarter of a finely chopped red onion and sour cream, plus pineapple rings.
The patties were simply grilled to cook, minimizing fat.
It was a very filling dinner. I admit to only getting through a corner of the damper though. My stomach has shrunk- yay!
And there you have it, another day down. Well, weekend actually. Hope you found this enjoyable. And please, feedback welcome! I apologise for any who have tried previously- hubby found I had a setting wrong. Oops!
Until next time, thanks for reading :)
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