ALS members Blogs

Hi there Mum, You know how I've asked you to knit me something but never found the right pattern? Well I've just found two that I love.. plus lots of other things. Take a look at her designs on her website. http://katedaviesdesigns.com/I've never really had an interest in knitting. Not when there's a whole bunch of daggy crochet doilies and saggy jumpers around. I think I could be tempted into trying a hat.. They're all so beautiful and are all inspired from Shetland. I love the rugged beauty of Scotland, the Nordic influence there and in Kate's designs. Mmm... I may have to sit down and have a go - anything has to be better than my last attempt (orange doily hat - urgh!) haha.Original linkOriginal author: Suzi...

It's been way too long since I last had anything to blog about "dirt to dinner" wise. I've been extremely busy with Norwex which has been great. The Sydney team is growing, the Central Coast team is new and doing really well. Now it's just my own area of Sydney that I need to work on!Hubby's been off work for 6 months now with a back injury. He's on the mend but in the meantime I've done my best to kick up business and make it work for me. It's been surprisingly easy (though a lot of work) as people seem really really ready for a change from the extreeeemely expensive, high maintenance, relatively short lived and time consuming Enjo. I'm happy to say that ex-Enjo consultants and customers are now topping up with Norwex and LOVING it!Anyway! Mon-Wed is DS2 time. I finally felt my old self...

Honestly, I make delicious food for my kids, they refuse to eat it, (DS1) "I'm not hungry" (Me) "Do you want an apple" "Yes" "Then you've got enough room for this, eat it" "Nooooo!" etc etc Then we get in the car and I find my eldest eating cardboard.....Original linkOriginal author: Suzi...

Played with the new toy. This baby filters 2000 litres of water. Used in the Australian and US army and fits into a sunglasses case. Nice!Looked silly in a Sari, a delightful Indian lady helped me but she admitted she isn't the best person to do it :o\ Made the world's best cookies and had a picnic in a nice spot with the boys. Hand made some gifts. Measured almonds, measured almonds, measured almonds... measured almonds. Contemplated the difference in quality between the imported and Aussie Quinoa... ImportedAussie ... and grizzled about it. (click to enlarge)Been busyxOriginal linkOriginal author: Suzi...

I attended a Seminar last Saturday, trying to have an open mind. Dr John DeMartini looked like a cheesy American sweet talker, while Ben Harvey looked like a car salesman. I was right about the cheesy American (though he had some fantastic things to share), but wrong about Ben Harvey. For a free event, this was worth 40 times the $6 I'd paid for my train ticket. Probably more. I wouldn't have paid that, but as the believers in the law of attraction would say, I put my desire "out there" to glean free and practical information, free education and pathways to lead me to realise my vision/dream/contribution in life.. well, the one other than Motherhood. Free Education HereThat is exactly what happened. I gleaned free information, lots of it, gold dust. At different times during Ben's presentations I remember thinking (well, apart from 'oh man I wish I knew...

Some friends and I were chatting at book group the other night. They're also trying to find delicious and extremely healthy recipes to substitute foods in their regular diet.(figgyandsprout.com)This simple and delish. Similar to the fudge pops that I make (down the page) for the kids. This smoothie/shake is perfect for when you really want something chocolatey without being naughty! It's rich, thick, smooth and dark. . Raw Chocolate MilkshakeWater and soft flesh scooped from a drinking coconut 1 tablespoon of raw cocoa/cacao (more antioxidants than green tea!)       1 heaped tablespoon of smooth raw/local peanut butter ( I use Dick Smith as it's delish and 100% Aussie) 1 level tablespoon of raw honey (or agave/pinch of stevia) 3 cups Almond creamStick the scooped out coconut flesh and a small amount of coconut water in the blender and wizz up until smooth. Then add the rest of the...

I finally made it...RAWCASHEW (and raspberry)DREAMCAKEQuick, easy and almost guilt free!Yes it's raw, yes it's a HUGE amount healthier than shop bought ... anything! I still don't we could get away with eating only this for dinner. We could try though :o)Original linkOriginal author: Suzi...

As always, there's growing time, then opportunities seem to come in a glut. In this instance there's an opportunity for a community garden/allotment nearby. It's a nice patch! I can't wait to make my hands grubby in it - I simply don't have the time.So! If you're nearby and want to help start up some allotments, let me know. Co-opstop@hotmail.comI miss growing things.. lots of things.. taking them from the dirt to the kitchen and making dinner. Original linkOriginal author: Suzi...

I've been nagged to put this recipe up (and the following not so super food cookie) so here it is. My kids devour these little beauties, I thoroughly enjoy them too. No photos = too tasty to last that long!FYI your body can break down coconut oil/fat and although it's classed as saturated fat, doesn't contribute to heart disease like other fats can when they are heated. A creamy ingredient not to be avoided.Coco Fudge Pops Ingredients1 drinking coconut1 banana1 tablespoon raw cocoa4 fresh dates (or 1 T raw honey)1 generous tablespoon of smooth raw/locally made peanut butter (I use OZEnuts).. or whateverMethod: Crack open the top of the drinking coconut. Pour the water into a tall jug, scoop out the soft flesh and add to the jug also. Add the banana, cocoa, dates/honey to the jug and puree with a stick...

I recently came upon this article (see below for excerpt). I was all for Sally Fallon's back to traditional simple food approach. I still want to be, but flip! So many points in the article just set my eyes rolling.There were some things I really agreed with like MSG labelling (or lack of, including re-naming to hydrolyzed protein) and the goodness of bone broths. Also the over processing of cereals etcI struggle with my hippy tendencies: I love growing vegies as I think it's so much healthier without the pesticides, plus I enjoy the natural taste of old fashioned varieties. I want to buy land and grow vegie trees, start a permaculture school and weave my own jumpers.. possibly dye them with nettles (but it has to be done well and in a funky style inline with Espirit) I don't use fluoride toothpaste and believe that comfrey and...

Gina from Home Joys is a woman after my own heart. We've never met, but chatted a little. She's one of my favourite people in cyber world! A blog well worth keeping up with.Her objective and realistic view of things makes me giggle. It's so easy to think, "she's so perfect" but she's very much removed from the 'look at me - you want to be me' kind of bloggers out there. She's real. This is her recipe from the corker of a book, Nourishing Traditions. Ok so it's not her recipe, but she shared it with me so I'm naming it hers hereafter."If you are familiar with Nourishing Traditions, you know that "soaking" is an important facet of their diet recommendations. They suggest that all grains and seeds should be soaked in an acid medium (such as yogurt or lemon juice) before being prepared for eating. According to...

Almost at the end (of the beginning) of a long trawl of fights, debates, pushing of my opinion to be counted. Desperate for my voice to be heard through emails and letters and feeling like I'm holding the worries of the world - though I'm not.. it just feels like that sometimes.After signing as many petitions, emailing politicians on every topic, I've decided to put all the causes of the world on hold. My seven page hack at a major TV channel and the Advertising Standards Bureau will be submitted with the 60 supporters. Their comments and my inclusion of a government study showing massive HOLES in or lack of policy, codes and restrictions of advertising - will have to wait for me to catch my breath!Trying to be counted in the fight against goodness, against nudity in advertising (even though it's targeted at adults, kids are still THERE...

..sounds rather dramatic doesn't it? Do you know what you're eating when you buy "fresh sourdough" from Aussie supermarkets? (pics are of the good stuff)In my quest to make purist sourdough (no additives and only the s.dough starter as a raising agent) and eat a low GI diet,  I've been buying the odd loaf at the supermarket aka stupidmarket.Fresh "Sourdough" bread has a big section in every (local to me) supermarket bakery area. So why is it that when I eat the organic sliced loaf, it FEELS completely different to eat than the in store baked stuff??Taking a quick peak at the ingredients (OK! OK! So it's my favourite past time to read labels, ingredients, who grew, packed and produced the product. Sorry if you're nodding off to sleep, I'll get to the point.) and found a whole bunch of additives, preservatives and yeast in the bread. Most...

Trying to find better recipes for sourdough bread, I've driven myself into a youtube stupor. I just can't believe the amount of mind numbing, lengthy, helpful and not so helpful clips out there on the topic of sourdough.Well, my patient friend who I called today (me being company deprived and home bound).. could tell you a thing or two about lengthy, mind numbing moments!sorryMy purist desires are being compromised and I may just have to use some vit C, gluten and heaven forbid lecithin (non-soy based anywhere?!) to get sourdough bread that isn't tough or bricky.....Original linkOriginal author: Suzi...

What is it that we love so much about fear? This none OH&S slide on holidays was nail bitingly steep. DS1 looked so scared that I thought he was going to cry - but up he went a dozen times.I'm sure we don't really like being scared. If you got on a roller coaster with a friend, then sneakily took a bolt out of your pocket and said, "oops! look what just came out!" then you could really test the 'loving fear' theory on your friend.I don't think we really like it at all. Sometimes it's good for us though. Not knowing the future, the stomach lurching moments, the thrills and anticipation, smiling, screaming, laughing... and about to wet yourself or puke or both.I personally don't subject myself to roller coasters or other panic inducing rides. I like to stay safe.LIFE is one trip full of anticipation,...

With all the controversy over certain stationary items and t-shirts at the moment (and OH MY! are they shocking!!), I figured there was enough people on the case demanding change. There was an absolute outcry which was GOOD!BUT when I walked into my local shopping centre to be confronted with a poster ad of a totally nude lady I was livid! I sent this letter in... I didn't hold back:I am a mother of two young boys and have shopped at Westfield for the past 9 years. I have three serious complaints to make about the inappropriate presentation of advertisements and music at Westfield.  1. the Coca-cola advertisement on the board near Woolworths and pie shop of a passionate kiss. Steamy hot kisses aren't appropriate!! I was really appalled when I saw this and continue to be. Children see this and think it's ok to kiss each other like that. It lowers the...

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream" C.S Lewis I copied this off a women's e-newsletter that came this week. It's EXACTLY what I need to remember and what I've decided to take action on already.The thing is... I have no dream attached to my goals. In my experience, I've found that doing what I feel is right and being consistent pays off big time in the end!Learning German is an old goal from 2002 when I started a distance education course and never finished it. Ten years later I could be fluent if I'd have just stuck with it!  German is just so impractical! Why not learn Japanese (we're close, only makes sense - lots of J. tourists!), Spanish - the most spoken language after English, or French (Fr. Polynesia's close, get an understanding for alot of words in the modern English...

Ok Christmas treats were all dished out with great feedback! Well, for the Rocky Road anyway!So here are the recipes:Suzi Style Rocky Road - you know me, can't do anything without stuffing something healthy in there! All measurements are "-ish" add more or less, whatever you like.2 x 375g packets of Nestle cooking chocolate Melts (I did one batch white and one batch milk) 1 cup whole dried cranberries (I got mine from Thomas Dux as they looked nice and plump) 1 cup desiccated coconut 1 cup whole raw cashews 1/2 cup cacao nibs ("raw cocoa is full of antioxidants that rival super foods like blueberries, and many antioxidant rich teas the cacao nib is also rich in good fat and minerals such as calcium, zinc, iron and potassium.") Marshmallows - this was a bit of a blur.. it may have been 500g packet per batch... so just...

Last night we went to the Temple lights about 20mins away. The lights were already on and the boys loved running down the bush lined paths to be in the middle of it all. On the life size Nativity the boys seemed to like Herod and the soldier the best. I think the armour had a bit to do with that! They're doing their mean king faces. They liked the Shepherds too ..  And "ooh"-ed and "aaah"-ed over baby Jesus and ran past the wise men.. they do take ages to get anywhere!DS2 enjoyed the art exhibition and I'm sure would have learned alot if it wasn't for DS1 saying "come oooon!" the whole time. We gave the missionaries there a bag of 'white Christmas' we'd made (the white chocolate version not that skanky copha and milk powder blerugh!) and off to see the lights again.My pics of...

I'm making Sauerkraut  Here's a quick rundown of what I did. There's so many ways, so this is Suzi style.1. I got 1.5 ORGANIC cabbages, 3 organic carrots and a red onion (any pesticide/fungicide will prevent fermentation) 2. Chopped it up finely, salted it (use Maldon, Himalaya or any salt that hasn't been processed or iodised) and then I left it covered overnight to wilt.3. Then I stuck it in my food grade plastic tub and smooshed and bashed  the heck out of it with my masher and rolling pin end until the natural water content was released. 4. This is when you add flavour if you like (see Polish lady links below), but I didn't have anything interesting on hand.5.After layering with herbs/mixing in dry spice, it needs to be weighed down. I placed a plate over the top to keep the cabbage from rising. I used...