"Our Brain & Body Runs Better on Fat, Not Carbs" by Nora Gedgaudas (2012)
This is just a short 6 minute video of Nora Gedgaudas talking about fats and carbs.
Nora is the author of Primal Body Primal Mind, of which I own a copy, but haven't had a chance to read yet - along with 6 other books on my desk that I've only glanced at! One day!
To learn more about Nora, go here.
I had a quiet morning at home while Adoring Husband worked at our local markets, cooking breakfasts to raise funds for the SES.
For lunch, I cooked up a delicious roast chicken with garlic onion gravy. Roasted sweet potato, parsnip, carrot, capsicum, zucchini and beetroot accompanied the chicken along with some steamed broccolini.
Of course, today was Super Saturday for football and there were three games to watch on TV. AH didn't quite make it through the third game and headed off to bed.
We'd had a light dinner of chicken wings with a salad of baby spinach, rocket, onion, cucumber, avocado and pear dressed with balsamic vinegar.
The reason I always share a description of what we eat, is so that you can see that eating Paleo is nourishing and far from boring.
Tomorrow, I'm going to try a recipe from Pete Evans' new 'Going Paleo' book. The crispy skinned chicken recipe has been getting rave reviews, so I'll take photos and share the recipe, if it's as good as they say.
Time for bed. I think I might use my lavender essential oil tonight to lull me into a relaxed state of snoozing.
Nite all.
Saturday, April 11, 2015
Friday, April 10, 2015
Senseless
Such a senseless tragedy.
In the Riverina, the community of Leeton is in mourning over the senseless loss of one of their own.
RIP Stephanie Scott.
My heart aches for her fiance, her family, her friends, her students, her work colleagues and her community.
The feeling of safety and security from living in a small country town is lost forever and life will never be the same for everyone involved.
In the Riverina, the community of Leeton is in mourning over the senseless loss of one of their own.
RIP Stephanie Scott.
My heart aches for her fiance, her family, her friends, her students, her work colleagues and her community.
The feeling of safety and security from living in a small country town is lost forever and life will never be the same for everyone involved.
Two senseless murders in the space of a month, both too close to home, leaves me reeling and questioning everything.
Nite all.
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Emotionally Intense
Well I finally got to the boxes behind my desk today.
It was intense, to say the least!
All of my father's medical records and reports, as well as court reports related to the compensation claim made by my mother.
There were 8 large manilla envelopes filled tight with information and I read every page of it.
I assume it's because of my studies, that I can decipher and understand much more of the medical information this time round. Last time I read it, I skimmed over and skipped a lot of the medical jargon, but I looked at everything in detail today.
Honestly, there were so many reports saying the same thing, but in different words, and it was like reading a horror story over and over and hoping that the ending might change each time.
It was an emotional roller coaster for most of the afternoon and when I saw all of the information that Mum had to chase up on her own, over a two year period, I wonder where she got her stamina and emotional strength from.
She also had to endure psychiatric and psychological assessments to determine if she was eligible for compensation relating to shock and trauma for his wrongful death. Reading the specialist reports for these was heart breaking and I was left wondering if I did enough to help ease her pain.
I believe, after reading every detail of Dad's arrival at Gladstone Hospital, and the treatment that followed, that they got off very lightly for their errors. One simple mistake upon his arrival, that both Dad and his mate questioned, sent him slowly spiralling into a painful death spin. A split second bad decision by one staff member, changed our lives forever.
What followed were more stupid and simple mistakes, but they could have been avoided if the first one hadn't been made.
As I read the final note on his hospital charts - 'time of death 1.50pm' - I could feel myself at his bedside again, listening to that heart monitor as his heart stopped beating and we could see the line on the monitor go flat.
I was 37yrs of age but felt like a young child and as one of his brothers hugged me, I said "I'm too young to lose my Dad".
I remember being in the car on the drive home from the hospital and watching all the people continuing to live their lives, shopping, driving, walking, catching the bus, chatting in the streets and thinking to myself "My world has stopped, my Dad is dead, and nobody knows and nobody cares." Such an empty feeling that day.
Still, I wasn't the first person to lose a parent and I wasn't the last.
On a lighter note, I also found printouts of all of the emails that Adoring Husband and I wrote to each other in the first couple of months after we met online.
That was also an emotional ride! But a much happier one .. ah the romance of it all. As I read through those, I could remember that wonderful high that we were riding and the excitement of knowing there was a new email to open when we got home from work, or when we arrived at work in the mornings.
I remembered the first phone call and then the email that followed as we described our nerves leading up to making the call and the relief when we were able to chat as comfortably as we had been able to write.
Adoring Husband's funny jokes and his descriptions of when and how often he thought of me during the day. How quickly we believed that we were meant to be together, and considering the physical distance between us, figuring out how to implement a long term plan to reach that goal.
Those emails left me feeling very warm and fuzzy.
Then of course, there were my high school report cards when I was 14yrs of age! Here is the first one.
ENGLISH: "Inattentive and talkative"
MATHEMATICS: "Rozlyn is capable of much better work but is very talkative in class"
TYPING 1: "Little effort is made. Classroom behaviour is poor."
SOCIAL STUDIES: "If Rozlyn put as much effort into her work as she does into 'showing off' and distracting others, she could do well. She frequently refused to participate."
FOOD & NUTRITION: "Behaviour has deteriorated this semester."
GROOMING & DEPORTMENT: "A little overconfident - could apply her knowledge and benefit by it."
SPEECH: "Though talkative - is achieving well."
DRAMA: "Needs to co-operate with the group and make a more conscientious effort."
HEALTH ED: "Satisfactory."
PHYS. ED: "Satisfactory."
FINAL COMMENT: A poor student, Rozlyn will achieve little until her behaviour and her attitude improves. At present, her behaviour is hardly tolerable.
In my defence, this was the 16th school that had I attended and at the time, my father was imprisoned in another country (that's another story), leaving my mother to find work to pay the mortgage, so she was working at Pizza Hut from 4pm - midnight, leaving me (at the age of 14) to babysit my 11 yr old brother and 2 yr old sister.
I consider all of that a good reason for a fourteen year old girl to go off the rails a bit.
Then I found a 'dunny wall' poster that I had stuck on the wall in the dunny when I was 16 yrs old and where people I know wrote their memorable comments. I also had fake signatures of people like Boz Scaggs, Freddie Mercury, Les Gock, Rod Stewart, Peter Frampton and other hot superstars.
My brother wrote the same words on it twice - "Roz is a fat whale." Thanks bro.
There were lots of photos from my previous relationships and from fishing trips with Dad and of the kids when they were little - old Pixie photos - photos of me of various sizes ranging from 'normal' to 'Holy cow! Was I that big???!!'
So it's been an emotionally intense day for me, having re-experienced the highs and lows of a lifetime of heaven and hell.
The last job for me, is to clean out the magazine rack, which is piled very high with beading magazines and organic gardening magazines. Wish me luck parting with the latter!
I'll take that 'after' photo when I'm done.
Nite all.
It was intense, to say the least!
All of my father's medical records and reports, as well as court reports related to the compensation claim made by my mother.
There were 8 large manilla envelopes filled tight with information and I read every page of it.
I assume it's because of my studies, that I can decipher and understand much more of the medical information this time round. Last time I read it, I skimmed over and skipped a lot of the medical jargon, but I looked at everything in detail today.
Honestly, there were so many reports saying the same thing, but in different words, and it was like reading a horror story over and over and hoping that the ending might change each time.
It was an emotional roller coaster for most of the afternoon and when I saw all of the information that Mum had to chase up on her own, over a two year period, I wonder where she got her stamina and emotional strength from.
She also had to endure psychiatric and psychological assessments to determine if she was eligible for compensation relating to shock and trauma for his wrongful death. Reading the specialist reports for these was heart breaking and I was left wondering if I did enough to help ease her pain.
I believe, after reading every detail of Dad's arrival at Gladstone Hospital, and the treatment that followed, that they got off very lightly for their errors. One simple mistake upon his arrival, that both Dad and his mate questioned, sent him slowly spiralling into a painful death spin. A split second bad decision by one staff member, changed our lives forever.
What followed were more stupid and simple mistakes, but they could have been avoided if the first one hadn't been made.
As I read the final note on his hospital charts - 'time of death 1.50pm' - I could feel myself at his bedside again, listening to that heart monitor as his heart stopped beating and we could see the line on the monitor go flat.
I was 37yrs of age but felt like a young child and as one of his brothers hugged me, I said "I'm too young to lose my Dad".
I remember being in the car on the drive home from the hospital and watching all the people continuing to live their lives, shopping, driving, walking, catching the bus, chatting in the streets and thinking to myself "My world has stopped, my Dad is dead, and nobody knows and nobody cares." Such an empty feeling that day.
Still, I wasn't the first person to lose a parent and I wasn't the last.
On a lighter note, I also found printouts of all of the emails that Adoring Husband and I wrote to each other in the first couple of months after we met online.
That was also an emotional ride! But a much happier one .. ah the romance of it all. As I read through those, I could remember that wonderful high that we were riding and the excitement of knowing there was a new email to open when we got home from work, or when we arrived at work in the mornings.
I remembered the first phone call and then the email that followed as we described our nerves leading up to making the call and the relief when we were able to chat as comfortably as we had been able to write.
Adoring Husband's funny jokes and his descriptions of when and how often he thought of me during the day. How quickly we believed that we were meant to be together, and considering the physical distance between us, figuring out how to implement a long term plan to reach that goal.
Those emails left me feeling very warm and fuzzy.
Then of course, there were my high school report cards when I was 14yrs of age! Here is the first one.
ENGLISH: "Inattentive and talkative"
MATHEMATICS: "Rozlyn is capable of much better work but is very talkative in class"
TYPING 1: "Little effort is made. Classroom behaviour is poor."
SOCIAL STUDIES: "If Rozlyn put as much effort into her work as she does into 'showing off' and distracting others, she could do well. She frequently refused to participate."
FOOD & NUTRITION: "Behaviour has deteriorated this semester."
GROOMING & DEPORTMENT: "A little overconfident - could apply her knowledge and benefit by it."
SPEECH: "Though talkative - is achieving well."
DRAMA: "Needs to co-operate with the group and make a more conscientious effort."
HEALTH ED: "Satisfactory."
PHYS. ED: "Satisfactory."
FINAL COMMENT: A poor student, Rozlyn will achieve little until her behaviour and her attitude improves. At present, her behaviour is hardly tolerable.
In my defence, this was the 16th school that had I attended and at the time, my father was imprisoned in another country (that's another story), leaving my mother to find work to pay the mortgage, so she was working at Pizza Hut from 4pm - midnight, leaving me (at the age of 14) to babysit my 11 yr old brother and 2 yr old sister.
I consider all of that a good reason for a fourteen year old girl to go off the rails a bit.
Then I found a 'dunny wall' poster that I had stuck on the wall in the dunny when I was 16 yrs old and where people I know wrote their memorable comments. I also had fake signatures of people like Boz Scaggs, Freddie Mercury, Les Gock, Rod Stewart, Peter Frampton and other hot superstars.
My brother wrote the same words on it twice - "Roz is a fat whale." Thanks bro.
There were lots of photos from my previous relationships and from fishing trips with Dad and of the kids when they were little - old Pixie photos - photos of me of various sizes ranging from 'normal' to 'Holy cow! Was I that big???!!'
So it's been an emotionally intense day for me, having re-experienced the highs and lows of a lifetime of heaven and hell.
The last job for me, is to clean out the magazine rack, which is piled very high with beading magazines and organic gardening magazines. Wish me luck parting with the latter!
I'll take that 'after' photo when I'm done.
Nite all.
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Cleaning Bug
I arrived home from my trike ride this morning to find half of our house devoid of furniture!
Adoring Husband decided that it was Spring cleaning time in Autumn. So I changed into my cleaning clothes and we got stuck into it!
We cleaned windows together and then while AH vacuumed and steam cleaned the tiles, I cleaned my work area.
Oh dear.
It took me four hours to clean my tall wall unit and my desk area! I know! Right?
I had forgotten how much information I had printed out during my studies and I spent a lot of time sorting it all out from the four different piles scattered over my desk. There were Chemistry printouts, Anatomy/Physiology printouts, practise tests, lesson plans, so many notes, flash cards, essay drafts, formula exercises, diagrams and then there was the paleo information and the recipes.
It was a shambles and it felt like it was never ending!
I did take a 'before' pic and when the job is complete, I'll take an 'after' pic and share them both on here.
I still have to go through a couple of boxes of 'stuff' that has been sitting behind my desk chair for a year or more and also my low side board, which is covered in jewellery making paraphernalia.
I'm thinking about selling all of my jewellery gear. That will be a major undertaking in itself. Sooooo many beads, bead containers, findings, measuring boards, tools, storage drawers, books and magazines. We'll put that idea on the back burner for a little while and work on it later.
So we have cleaning plans for the rest of the week and who knows? It may even be presentable enough to invite people over one day!!
I did have to stop twice to cook lunch and dinner and after standing on hard tiles all day, in bare feet for most of it, my body was certainly feeling a little the worse for wear, so with the promise from the weather bureau of a fresh cool night, I am going to bed for some solid sleep, so that my body can be fresh and ready for another round tomorrow.
So that's it from me.
Nite all.
Adoring Husband decided that it was Spring cleaning time in Autumn. So I changed into my cleaning clothes and we got stuck into it!
We cleaned windows together and then while AH vacuumed and steam cleaned the tiles, I cleaned my work area.
Oh dear.
It took me four hours to clean my tall wall unit and my desk area! I know! Right?
I had forgotten how much information I had printed out during my studies and I spent a lot of time sorting it all out from the four different piles scattered over my desk. There were Chemistry printouts, Anatomy/Physiology printouts, practise tests, lesson plans, so many notes, flash cards, essay drafts, formula exercises, diagrams and then there was the paleo information and the recipes.
It was a shambles and it felt like it was never ending!
I did take a 'before' pic and when the job is complete, I'll take an 'after' pic and share them both on here.
I still have to go through a couple of boxes of 'stuff' that has been sitting behind my desk chair for a year or more and also my low side board, which is covered in jewellery making paraphernalia.
I'm thinking about selling all of my jewellery gear. That will be a major undertaking in itself. Sooooo many beads, bead containers, findings, measuring boards, tools, storage drawers, books and magazines. We'll put that idea on the back burner for a little while and work on it later.
So we have cleaning plans for the rest of the week and who knows? It may even be presentable enough to invite people over one day!!
I did have to stop twice to cook lunch and dinner and after standing on hard tiles all day, in bare feet for most of it, my body was certainly feeling a little the worse for wear, so with the promise from the weather bureau of a fresh cool night, I am going to bed for some solid sleep, so that my body can be fresh and ready for another round tomorrow.
So that's it from me.
Nite all.
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Change is coming
Apparently, our weather is going to cool down tomorrow, by a few degrees.
We can only hope!
I'm over the heat. We've had almost 5 months of above average temperatures with horrible humidity to boot.
It's just blurgh.
On an unrelated issue, I'm going to try this ... Chinese Recipe ... for a couple of weeks to see if it has an affect. I've never even heard of it before, but it sounds interesting! I used my first piece of ice this morning and it's surprising how long it takes for one little piece of ice to melt! I will keep you posted on how it goes.
We had a very pleasant evening down by the river for our monthly social barbecue. It was a glorious sunset, but I chose not to take any photos because as beautiful as it was, I have a lot of sunset photos from that spot, so the level of 'spectacular' has to be pretty high for me to get the camera out.
Finally, because I'm ready to head off to bed, I will leave you with a link to a site about gluten intolerance. This blogger's name is Dr Sarah Ballantyne Ph.D. and you can read about her amazing achievements here. She also has some great recipes on her site and in her books, which are on my wish list.
Happy reading :)
Nite all.
We can only hope!
I'm over the heat. We've had almost 5 months of above average temperatures with horrible humidity to boot.
It's just blurgh.
On an unrelated issue, I'm going to try this ... Chinese Recipe ... for a couple of weeks to see if it has an affect. I've never even heard of it before, but it sounds interesting! I used my first piece of ice this morning and it's surprising how long it takes for one little piece of ice to melt! I will keep you posted on how it goes.
We had a very pleasant evening down by the river for our monthly social barbecue. It was a glorious sunset, but I chose not to take any photos because as beautiful as it was, I have a lot of sunset photos from that spot, so the level of 'spectacular' has to be pretty high for me to get the camera out.
Finally, because I'm ready to head off to bed, I will leave you with a link to a site about gluten intolerance. This blogger's name is Dr Sarah Ballantyne Ph.D. and you can read about her amazing achievements here. She also has some great recipes on her site and in her books, which are on my wish list.
Happy reading :)
Nite all.
Monday, April 6, 2015
Betcha didn't know ...
So, who's feeling the after effects of too much Easter chocolate, hot cross buns, munchie foods and alcoholic beverages? I know a few who will be trying to be good this coming week, to make up for too much bad during these past 4 days!!
The worst that Adoring Husband and I did was eat chocolate mousse (sugar free, dairy free, gluten free - but full of delicious taste!) for dessert yesterday. We've had a no chocolate/eggs, no alcohol, no munchies Easter. All good healthy meals keeping us nourished and satisfied :)
I found this interesting article today that I know a couple of you will be interested in, and I know that many of you will not be the slightest bit interested lol.
What your food label really means
Added vitamins: One-dimensional factory versions of natural vitamins found in whole foods: ascorbic acid (man-made vitamin C) is usually synthesised from the fermentation of GM corn, while artificial vitamin E is commonly derived from petrol.
Soluble fibre: A healthier-sounding term for modified starch, which is widely used to reduce the quantity of more nutritious ingredients in processed foods, and keep down manufacturers’ costs.
‘Natural’ colourings: The only difference between these and artificial ones is that they start with pigments that occur in nature. Otherwise, they are made using the same highly chemical industrial processes, including extraction using harsh solvents.
Artificial ‘diet” sweeteners: Several large-scale studies have found a correlation between artificial sweetener consumption and weight gain. Accumulating evidence suggests that they may also increase our risk of Type 2 diabetes.
Enzymes: Used to make bread stay soft longer; injected into low-value livestock before slaughter, to tenderise their meat; and used in fruit juice processing to create a cloudier, more natural appearance.
‘Packaged in a protective atmosphere’: Food that has been “gassed” in modified air to extend its shelf life. It delays what food manufacturers call “warmed over flavour”, an off-taste that occurs in factory food.
Beef/pork/poultry protein: Collagen extracted from butchered carcasses, processed into a powder and added to low-grade meats. It adds bounce, increases the protein content on the nutrition label and, combined with water, is a substitute for meat.
Washed and ready-to-eat salads: “Cleaned” by sloshing around in tap water dosed with chlorine, often with powdered or liquid fruit acids to inhibit bacterial growth. The same tank of treated water is often used for 8 hours at a time.
‘Pure’ vegetable oil: Industrially refined, bleached, deodorised oils. Food processors often add chemicals to extend their “fry life”.
‘Natural’ flavourings: Even the flavour industry concedes that “there isn’t much difference in the chemical compositions of natural and artificial flavourings”. They are made using the same physical, enzymatic, and microbiological processes.
If you want to know more, (and a little warning .. it's a very long read), go here.
Something else that you might find interesting.
The Healthy Star Rating .. and you all know how I feel about that ...
If you're interested in reading an interesting argument against the validity of this rating, go here. If you can see the point of the argument and agree with it, you might like to sign the petition while you're there.
Meanwhile, the lovely Woman of Many Talents was kind enough to pick up my book from The Bay today and delivered it to me this afternoon.
The book is written by Honor Tremain, who was one of the speakers at the health seminar that we attended a couple of months ago. She is a qualified Nutritionist, a health writer and Nutrition Journalist. Her book is called "a diet in Paradise" - use your food as your medicine. 'Simple, easy, healthy ways to live and thrive'.
I've only briefly glanced through it, but it's a good quality book and I look forward to sitting quietly to have a good read before my studies recommence. Perhaps under a shady tree down by the river would be a nice way to pass a morning.
I'm off now to watch the rest of the footy.
Nite all.
Sunday, April 5, 2015
Sorting thru the stash.
To know more about Paleo, click here
Today, I discovered one of the Foxtel channels was running a 'Friends' marathon. So I have been glued to the couch all day watching it.
I actually have the whole series on dvd, so I could watch it ad free any time I like, but instead I've spent many, many hours watching it with stupid ads every ten minutes! Sometimes I wonder about myself.
We enjoyed some Butter Chicken with Cauliflower Fried Rice for lunch, followed by Chocolate Mousse with Berries and Almonds.
I'm not sure if I've given the recipe for the Chocolate Mousse before, but today, I made up the recipe in my head, because I couldn't find the one I usually use.
Two avocados, 1 small banana, 1/4 cup raw cacao powder, 1/4 cup pure maple syrup, 1 can of coconut cream - blend it all in the blender. Put some berries in the bottom of a dessert mould, then pour some chocolate mousse over the top, then add a tablespoon of stewed maple berries, pour some more chocolate mousse and then sprinkle roasted chopped almonds over the top. Refrigerate for an hour or two.
That made 2 large and 2 medium ramekins full of dessert.
Dinner was a Bacon and Vegetable Frittata with a side salad, leftover Cauliflower Fried Rice and fermented vegetables.
So we are full of nutritional goodness today.
Surprisingly, I received the results of my Anatomy and Physiology exam today. I wasn't expecting to hear until after the Easter break, so it was a pleasant surprise.
I was reasonably happy with 86% considering I spent so much time attempting to conquer Chemistry.
I can only hope for easier subjects in the next semester!
Some more old pics from my stash ...
Nite all.
Today, I discovered one of the Foxtel channels was running a 'Friends' marathon. So I have been glued to the couch all day watching it.
I actually have the whole series on dvd, so I could watch it ad free any time I like, but instead I've spent many, many hours watching it with stupid ads every ten minutes! Sometimes I wonder about myself.
We enjoyed some Butter Chicken with Cauliflower Fried Rice for lunch, followed by Chocolate Mousse with Berries and Almonds.
I'm not sure if I've given the recipe for the Chocolate Mousse before, but today, I made up the recipe in my head, because I couldn't find the one I usually use.
Two avocados, 1 small banana, 1/4 cup raw cacao powder, 1/4 cup pure maple syrup, 1 can of coconut cream - blend it all in the blender. Put some berries in the bottom of a dessert mould, then pour some chocolate mousse over the top, then add a tablespoon of stewed maple berries, pour some more chocolate mousse and then sprinkle roasted chopped almonds over the top. Refrigerate for an hour or two.
That made 2 large and 2 medium ramekins full of dessert.
Dinner was a Bacon and Vegetable Frittata with a side salad, leftover Cauliflower Fried Rice and fermented vegetables.
So we are full of nutritional goodness today.
Surprisingly, I received the results of my Anatomy and Physiology exam today. I wasn't expecting to hear until after the Easter break, so it was a pleasant surprise.
I was reasonably happy with 86% considering I spent so much time attempting to conquer Chemistry.
I can only hope for easier subjects in the next semester!
Some more old pics from my stash ...
Nite all.
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Chew Tail
The link between toxic oils, sugar and heart disease (click here)
It's been a lazy and quiet day in our house as we avoided the Easter fishing crowds.
So I've been browsing through some of my photos from last year ... (the first one he is chewing his tail!)
I think I'll try to get out and about with my camera next week, after the tourists have left town. I feel like I need to let some creative juices flow!
Nite all.
It's been a lazy and quiet day in our house as we avoided the Easter fishing crowds.
So I've been browsing through some of my photos from last year ... (the first one he is chewing his tail!)
Nite all.
Friday, April 3, 2015
Laughable Advice
Honestly, what hope is there? Scrambled eggs is a good idea, the rest is all kinds of wrong and will only contribute to malnutrition!! The other good piece of advice in this media release is to try a hearty rabbit stew or ragout ... but only if you are game????? Seriously????!!
MEDIA RELEASE
Wednesday 25 March 2015
Dietitians approve chocolate this Easter – for malnourished older Australians
The call comes as latest figures reveal malnutrition affects up to 1.7 million older Australians.
Dietitians Association of Australia Spokesperson Milena Katz said these figures are shocking in a developed country like Australia, but not surprising.
“Malnutrition is often overlooked or forgotten in the community, in aged care facilities and in hospitals, but can have a real impact on quality of life. It’s linked with decreased immune function, poor wound healing, muscle wasting and lethargy. So we need to take steps to reduce this terrible problem.
She said a third of hospitalised Australians aged 65 years and older are overtly malnourished, with a further 50 per cent at a high risk of malnutrition, while in the wider community, the condition affects almost one in 10 older Australians with another 40 per cent considered at high risk.
A decrease in muscle mass affects strength and ability to function independently. Getting enough protein and energy, or kilojoules, each day can help reduce muscle wastage,”
In a bid to help curb high rates of malnutrition among older Australians, dietitians have given the green light this Easter to spoil loved ones who may need a few extra kilojoules.
“Dietitians and other health professionals are working on many levels to address malnutrition, such as through screening programs.
“But with Easter just around the corner, it’s timely to remind families and friends that higher-kilojoule foods, like hot chocolate or hot cross buns with spread are ok choices for those either malnourished or at risk,” said Ms Katz.

So try these Easter treats for loved ones who need building up:
said Ms Katz.
Hot chocolate made with full-cream milk (and if you like, a scoop of milk powder added in)
‘Easter’ eggs - scrambled (with cheese added), fried or boiled, on toast spread with margarine
Hot cross buns with margarine, jam and cream
Good-quality chocolate Easter treats
And if you’re really game, try a hearty rabbit stew or ragu!
Ms Katz said an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) can help identify people who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition, and work with them and their families to make sure they get the advice and support they need.
Note to Editors: The Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) is the professional body representing dietitians nationally. Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) is the only national credential recognised by the Australian Government, Medicare, the Department of Veteran Affairs and most private health funds as the quality standard for nutrition and dietetics services in Australia. For more information visit www.daa.asn.au. For the Media section on the DAA website contains DAA’s media releases and position on topical nutrition issues in the media.
Just when I feel like the correct information is getting out there .. something like this pops up and makes me forehead slap myself.
Anyway, don't get me started :)
Nite all
MEDIA RELEASE
Wednesday 25 March 2015
Dietitians approve chocolate this Easter – for malnourished older Australians
The call comes as latest figures reveal malnutrition affects up to 1.7 million older Australians.
Dietitians Association of Australia Spokesperson Milena Katz said these figures are shocking in a developed country like Australia, but not surprising.
“Malnutrition is often overlooked or forgotten in the community, in aged care facilities and in hospitals, but can have a real impact on quality of life. It’s linked with decreased immune function, poor wound healing, muscle wasting and lethargy. So we need to take steps to reduce this terrible problem.
She said a third of hospitalised Australians aged 65 years and older are overtly malnourished, with a further 50 per cent at a high risk of malnutrition, while in the wider community, the condition affects almost one in 10 older Australians with another 40 per cent considered at high risk.
A decrease in muscle mass affects strength and ability to function independently. Getting enough protein and energy, or kilojoules, each day can help reduce muscle wastage,”
In a bid to help curb high rates of malnutrition among older Australians, dietitians have given the green light this Easter to spoil loved ones who may need a few extra kilojoules.
“Dietitians and other health professionals are working on many levels to address malnutrition, such as through screening programs.
“But with Easter just around the corner, it’s timely to remind families and friends that higher-kilojoule foods, like hot chocolate or hot cross buns with spread are ok choices for those either malnourished or at risk,” said Ms Katz.

So try these Easter treats for loved ones who need building up:
said Ms Katz.
Hot chocolate made with full-cream milk (and if you like, a scoop of milk powder added in)
‘Easter’ eggs - scrambled (with cheese added), fried or boiled, on toast spread with margarine
Hot cross buns with margarine, jam and cream
Good-quality chocolate Easter treats
And if you’re really game, try a hearty rabbit stew or ragu!
Ms Katz said an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) can help identify people who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition, and work with them and their families to make sure they get the advice and support they need.
Note to Editors: The Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) is the professional body representing dietitians nationally. Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) is the only national credential recognised by the Australian Government, Medicare, the Department of Veteran Affairs and most private health funds as the quality standard for nutrition and dietetics services in Australia. For more information visit www.daa.asn.au. For the Media section on the DAA website contains DAA’s media releases and position on topical nutrition issues in the media.
Just when I feel like the correct information is getting out there .. something like this pops up and makes me forehead slap myself.
Anyway, don't get me started :)
Nite all
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Capturing my Interest
I searched for days to find this show, so that I could watch it while it was being aired last night, but I couldn't find it anywhere.
Luckily, one of my facebook friends found it and shared the link today.
'Catalyst' is one of my favourite shows for getting some real and honest information. They look for the truth for the common people, rather than the truth attached to big corporation advertising dollars.
So here is the link if you're interested in information regarding the chemicals to which we and our children are exposed on a daily basis and how we are being affected.
Today, Adoring Husband and I had a movie date and saw "What We Did On Our Holiday". It is one of the best movies I've seen for a long time and we absolutely loved it.
Unfortunately, it was funny enough that the audience laughter drowned out substantial sections of the dialogue, so I'm going to buy it when it's available on dvd so that I can see (and hear) the entire movie.
I believe that today was the final showing at the cinema, so hopefully, it won't be long before it's available to buy on dvd.
After the movie we went to lunch at the 'Wild Lotus Restaurant' on the Esplanade. It was recommended to me by Mardi and she was spot on.
The Lunch Menu
The food was great and the atmosphere inside the restaurant was very calming and comfortable. I had slow roasted pork belly and AH had seafood medley. I think the Wild Lotus will become one of our favourite lunch haunts.
Just have to add that the waiter (who I am led to believe, is also the owner) was very easy on the eye .. a nice bonus :)
It's been a very dull, grey, rainy day. Great for movie dates and great because we need the rain as well as the drop in temperature. March was officially declared our hottest March in history!
All the tourists are now arriving for the Easter break, during which time we have a huge fishing competition, that (I think) triples our population for a 4 day period.
It is our intention (as it is every Easter), to hibernate and avoid the crowds.
Nite all.
Luckily, one of my facebook friends found it and shared the link today.
'Catalyst' is one of my favourite shows for getting some real and honest information. They look for the truth for the common people, rather than the truth attached to big corporation advertising dollars.
So here is the link if you're interested in information regarding the chemicals to which we and our children are exposed on a daily basis and how we are being affected.
Today, Adoring Husband and I had a movie date and saw "What We Did On Our Holiday". It is one of the best movies I've seen for a long time and we absolutely loved it.
Unfortunately, it was funny enough that the audience laughter drowned out substantial sections of the dialogue, so I'm going to buy it when it's available on dvd so that I can see (and hear) the entire movie.
I believe that today was the final showing at the cinema, so hopefully, it won't be long before it's available to buy on dvd.
After the movie we went to lunch at the 'Wild Lotus Restaurant' on the Esplanade. It was recommended to me by Mardi and she was spot on.
The Lunch Menu
The food was great and the atmosphere inside the restaurant was very calming and comfortable. I had slow roasted pork belly and AH had seafood medley. I think the Wild Lotus will become one of our favourite lunch haunts.
Just have to add that the waiter (who I am led to believe, is also the owner) was very easy on the eye .. a nice bonus :)
It's been a very dull, grey, rainy day. Great for movie dates and great because we need the rain as well as the drop in temperature. March was officially declared our hottest March in history!
All the tourists are now arriving for the Easter break, during which time we have a huge fishing competition, that (I think) triples our population for a 4 day period.
It is our intention (as it is every Easter), to hibernate and avoid the crowds.
Nite all.
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
I Am Shocked.
I am currently scouring through the website of Dieticians Association Australia.
%DI is based on the recommended amounts of energy and nutrients needed for an average adult diet to meet their nutritional needs. The percentages are calculated based on the following figures:
Nutrient Reference Value used in %DI
%DI is based on the recommended amounts of energy and nutrients needed for an average adult diet to meet their nutritional needs. The percentages are calculated based on the following figures:
Nutrient Reference Value used in %DI
Nutrient Average adult requirements
Energy 8700kJ
Protein 50g
Fat 70g
Sat fatty acids 24g
Carbohydrates 310g
Sodium <2,300mg
Sugars 90g
Dietary fibre 30g
8700kJ is equal to 2080 calories (for those of us who still count calories and can't convert from kilojoules)
Quite frankly, I am shocked at the recommendations for sugars (90g = 22 teaspoons!!!) PER DAY!!
310g of carbohydrates????? There are 28 grams of carbs in 2 slices of brown bread, so by the dietary guidelines you can have 20 slices of bread per day and still have carbs left over.
Accredited Practising Dieticians are directed to this site for guidelines when planning diets for their clients and customers.
Is it any wonder that we are such an overweight and obese nation.
I keep returning to this page to double check that I'm reading it correctly. I am in shock!
I watched an interview with a scientist by the name of Mat Lalonde from the Harvard University. He has a PhD in Chemistry and Chemical Biology.
He has recently completed studies to determine the most nutrient dense foods per 100g serving.
He determined that liver and heart were the most nutrient dense protein, along with bacon (he was very surprised by how nutritious bacon was). Seafood, especially oysters and clams. Leafy greens such as kale, spinach and chard and lastly eggs.
Per 100g serving, those foods provided the most 'essential nutrients'.
The top performing fruits were olives, avocado and coconuts which contained the most fat soluble vitamins.
He stated that where the governments provide dietary guidelines, the recommended daily allowance is only what will help you survive, or exist, NOT what will help you thrive.
Cooking your food loses a little of the nutrient value, but it also breaks down the plant fibre which makes it easier to absorb the nutrients, so it's better for you than raw foods. The human body struggles to absorb the nutrients from raw foods and they also make you lose muscle mass, rather than fat, which makes them less healthy.
Legumes (peas, lentils, peanuts) have fewer nutrients and are more difficult to digest.
He said that because of various 'agendas' (govt, corporate and agricultural) less than 10% of research results reach the public or health professionals.
Harvard research shows that corn, soy and wheat have the least value in the food chain and are not good for us, but governments subsidise growers, who provide to the big companies who create the processed foods and that is why processed foods are much cheaper in the supermarkets and in take away food chains.
Some of his recent studies have shown that what we eat effects the next generation, so our children not only inherit our genetics, but also our epigenetics (past traumas, fitness levels, exposure to toxins and chemicals, and our diets) and our gut microbiota, which can determine all types of disease and illness in our child's future.
Luckily for my generation and older, while we were having children, our diets were relatively healthy because except for fish and chips on Friday nights, fast food and junk food was non existent. Our diets were full of fresh produce.
Unfortunately, for our children, their diets are vastly different so there are many factors effecting the health of our grandchildren and great grandchildren, which in turn will effect future generations. So unless we self educate and learn to research for ourselves, instead of listening to the misinformed professionals of today, the news is not good for our future.
Finally, the words that I hear most often and which literally feel like a knife to my heart are "Oh well, I'm too old to change now, it's too late for me."
It's never too late. Almost every health story that I've listened to in the last week, could be, at the very least, improved considerably, if not fixed completely, with a change in diet.
Anyway, my biggest challenge in life is learning to zip my lip unless asked lol but oh my how difficult that is for me!
This morning while I was out photographing the sunrise, I ran into a lady who I haven't seen for at least a year or more and she asked me about my studies. She then asked me a specific question about health .. WELL .. the floodgates opened and I could feel my words gushing out of my mouth at a mile a minute! I knew that my time was limited and I wanted to tell her everything!! I think I scared her .. but that's nothing unusual. I think I scare a lot of people lol.
Speaking of sunrise, this was it ...
I was awake seeing Adoring Husband off for his trip to Brisvegas this morning, so I thought I would take advantage of the morning and catch the sunrise.
It was pretty spectacular colour, but I wish I had a more attractive scene to go with it.
Nite all.
Monday, March 30, 2015
Challenged
My day has been challenging.
That is .. it's been a challenge to find the motivation to get off my butt and actually 'do' something!
I had a nice ride this morning and saw my boys at the Seat of Knowledge, checked the mail, came home, decided what to have for dinner tonight, got organised for my hair appointment, spent 40 minutes having a conditioning treatment, trim and blow dry and then came home to plonk myself on the couch for an afternoon of mind numbing nothingness.
I've just edited a couple of photos from my time on the Sunny Coast.
That's it!
My day in a nutshell.
Nite all.
That is .. it's been a challenge to find the motivation to get off my butt and actually 'do' something!
I had a nice ride this morning and saw my boys at the Seat of Knowledge, checked the mail, came home, decided what to have for dinner tonight, got organised for my hair appointment, spent 40 minutes having a conditioning treatment, trim and blow dry and then came home to plonk myself on the couch for an afternoon of mind numbing nothingness.
I've just edited a couple of photos from my time on the Sunny Coast.
That's it!
My day in a nutshell.
Nite all.
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Great Song with Meaning
This is a great song, with meaning, that I thought you would enjoy too.
I didn't edit my photos today.
Two football matches and the cricket World Cup Finals .. so I was otherwise engaged!
I got 10 litres of chicken bone broth stored and frozen today :)
That's about the extent of my productivity.
I've got big plans for getting 'stuff' done tomorrow morning and in the afternoon, I have a hair appointment.
I really have to plan my week and get everything done on the 'to do' list that's been floating around in my head for the past 3 months. Study will consume my time again soon and I want to start the next semester guilt free.
On that note, I'm off to bed for another early night. I slept solidly for nine hours last night. Not even a pee break! Very restful.
Too much information? lol
Nite all.
I didn't edit my photos today.
Two football matches and the cricket World Cup Finals .. so I was otherwise engaged!
I got 10 litres of chicken bone broth stored and frozen today :)
That's about the extent of my productivity.
I've got big plans for getting 'stuff' done tomorrow morning and in the afternoon, I have a hair appointment.
I really have to plan my week and get everything done on the 'to do' list that's been floating around in my head for the past 3 months. Study will consume my time again soon and I want to start the next semester guilt free.
On that note, I'm off to bed for another early night. I slept solidly for nine hours last night. Not even a pee break! Very restful.
Too much information? lol
Nite all.
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Brothy Goodness
I have two batches of chicken bone broth gently simmering away at the moment. One in the slow cooker and one in a big pot on the stove. I've tasted both and they are delicious! They've been brewing since 10.30 this morning and I'll leave them going until tomorrow morning at about the same time.
Adoring Husband and I have been having a cup of bone broth every morning since Tuesday. We love it.
I opened a jar of bought kimchi tonight and we had some with our dinner. I was going to start our own batch today, but put it off until tomorrow. I think it takes about 5 days to brew and by then, the jar we currently have will be finished. To learn more about kimchi, go here.
We have about a tablespoon on our plate as a side to a meal.
Here is an interesting story about Coca-Cola.
I made a paleo version of hamburgers tonight. The base is a large portabello or flat mushroom, topped with a chicken and veg meat pattie, topped with bacon, then a fried egg, then some fried onion with a side of baby spinach, tomato, capsicum, avocado and my sriracha sauce.
It was surprisingly filling and quite delicious.
I often plan on doing a dessert, but I'm always so full and satisfied after dinner, dessert doesn't get a look in.
We had a big breakfast of bacon, eggs, tomato, onion and avocado this morning and then some fruit for lunch.
I've realised tonight, that I still have quite a few photos to go through from my few days on the Sunny Coast, so I think I will work on them tomorrow and share them here tomorrow night.
It's only 9pm but I think I will climb into bed. I just had half a cup of warm chicken bone broth and I think I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy and ready for sleep!
Nite all.
Adoring Husband and I have been having a cup of bone broth every morning since Tuesday. We love it.
I opened a jar of bought kimchi tonight and we had some with our dinner. I was going to start our own batch today, but put it off until tomorrow. I think it takes about 5 days to brew and by then, the jar we currently have will be finished. To learn more about kimchi, go here.
We have about a tablespoon on our plate as a side to a meal.
Here is an interesting story about Coca-Cola.
I made a paleo version of hamburgers tonight. The base is a large portabello or flat mushroom, topped with a chicken and veg meat pattie, topped with bacon, then a fried egg, then some fried onion with a side of baby spinach, tomato, capsicum, avocado and my sriracha sauce.
It was surprisingly filling and quite delicious.
I often plan on doing a dessert, but I'm always so full and satisfied after dinner, dessert doesn't get a look in.
We had a big breakfast of bacon, eggs, tomato, onion and avocado this morning and then some fruit for lunch.
I've realised tonight, that I still have quite a few photos to go through from my few days on the Sunny Coast, so I think I will work on them tomorrow and share them here tomorrow night.
It's only 9pm but I think I will climb into bed. I just had half a cup of warm chicken bone broth and I think I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy and ready for sleep!
Nite all.
It's a Lifestyle
I had a fabulous night in Bundaberg last night listening to Pete Evans and Luke Hines explaining all things Paleo.
Pete started the night by announcing that he has NEVER stated that Paleo cures any medical condition.
The media have falsely accused him AND the Paleo lifestyle of many things and he is generally thick skinned but that's the one thing he wanted to clear up.
Something else that he wanted to point out was that the media continue to create stories about how 'dangerous' the Paleo lifestyle is but have not ever provided evidence of this danger. The Paleo lifestyle has been around forever, and popular for the last 10-15 years, so if there was danger involved, we would certainly have evidence of it by now.
When he asked followers on his facebook page to provide personal stories about how the Paleo lifestyle had affected their lives, he received over 2400 responses on the first day alone. All of them positive and all of them about health improvements.
He and Luke cooked up about 15 different dishes during the show. The guys were funny and entertaining and shared their knowledge of food, nutrition, health and cooking.
I bought Pete's new book and one of Luke's books, but I only glanced through them very briefly when I got home last night (at midnight), and I've been out all day today, so I can't report their value yet.
One of my favourite parts of the show was when Luke, who is a personal trainer, and the one who sets the training schedule for the Paleo Way 10 Week program, told us all that if we don't want to exercise or train, we don't have to.
He said that moving is important, so doing something like dancing, mountain climbing, walking, gardening, housework etc., is great for keeping joints supple and the blood pumping, but heavy exercise (like what we see on shows like 'The Biggest Loser') is not necessary or unsustainable.
I'm really pleased that I got to attend the show, especially with Woman of Many Talents who I know shares my passion for finding optimum health.
I learnt a lot, and the healthy glow, endless energy and boundless enthusiasm that emanated from both men, was enough to inspire me to continue full steam ahead on this journey to good health.
This photo is of the crowd during the half time break where we all gave each other a neck and shoulder massage and stretched our legs. You can't see me .. but I know where I am :)
Today, Adoring Husband and I had a movie date and saw 'Manny Lewis' starring Carl Baron. We loved it. Our next date will be on Tuesday when we'll see 'What we did on our Holiday' with David Tennant and Billy Connolly. There are some good movies showing at the cinema at the moment, so while I'm on a study break, we might get to see a few.
Speaking of study, I got the results of my Chemistry exam today and although it was a little disappointing, it was still a good pass of 79%. The results of my Chemistry assignment came through at the same time and was a pleasing 100%. Chemistry is difficult .. for me .. but my study habits also didn't help.
All I'm waiting for now, is my Anatomy and Physiology exam results.
I'm going to use my study break to do some cooking and restock the freezer with deliciousness for the days when I'm too consumed with study to put any effort into our meals. I'm looking forward to spending some time in the kitchen.
I also have just three days to come up with an idea for this month's flickr challenge which is 'light' .. any light except sunlight. I have something in mind .. just not sure if I can pull it off.
Anyway, time for bed.
Nite all.
Pete started the night by announcing that he has NEVER stated that Paleo cures any medical condition.
The media have falsely accused him AND the Paleo lifestyle of many things and he is generally thick skinned but that's the one thing he wanted to clear up.
Something else that he wanted to point out was that the media continue to create stories about how 'dangerous' the Paleo lifestyle is but have not ever provided evidence of this danger. The Paleo lifestyle has been around forever, and popular for the last 10-15 years, so if there was danger involved, we would certainly have evidence of it by now.
When he asked followers on his facebook page to provide personal stories about how the Paleo lifestyle had affected their lives, he received over 2400 responses on the first day alone. All of them positive and all of them about health improvements.
He and Luke cooked up about 15 different dishes during the show. The guys were funny and entertaining and shared their knowledge of food, nutrition, health and cooking.
I bought Pete's new book and one of Luke's books, but I only glanced through them very briefly when I got home last night (at midnight), and I've been out all day today, so I can't report their value yet.
One of my favourite parts of the show was when Luke, who is a personal trainer, and the one who sets the training schedule for the Paleo Way 10 Week program, told us all that if we don't want to exercise or train, we don't have to.
He said that moving is important, so doing something like dancing, mountain climbing, walking, gardening, housework etc., is great for keeping joints supple and the blood pumping, but heavy exercise (like what we see on shows like 'The Biggest Loser') is not necessary or unsustainable.
I'm really pleased that I got to attend the show, especially with Woman of Many Talents who I know shares my passion for finding optimum health.
I learnt a lot, and the healthy glow, endless energy and boundless enthusiasm that emanated from both men, was enough to inspire me to continue full steam ahead on this journey to good health.
This photo is of the crowd during the half time break where we all gave each other a neck and shoulder massage and stretched our legs. You can't see me .. but I know where I am :)
Today, Adoring Husband and I had a movie date and saw 'Manny Lewis' starring Carl Baron. We loved it. Our next date will be on Tuesday when we'll see 'What we did on our Holiday' with David Tennant and Billy Connolly. There are some good movies showing at the cinema at the moment, so while I'm on a study break, we might get to see a few.
Speaking of study, I got the results of my Chemistry exam today and although it was a little disappointing, it was still a good pass of 79%. The results of my Chemistry assignment came through at the same time and was a pleasing 100%. Chemistry is difficult .. for me .. but my study habits also didn't help.
All I'm waiting for now, is my Anatomy and Physiology exam results.
I'm going to use my study break to do some cooking and restock the freezer with deliciousness for the days when I'm too consumed with study to put any effort into our meals. I'm looking forward to spending some time in the kitchen.
I also have just three days to come up with an idea for this month's flickr challenge which is 'light' .. any light except sunlight. I have something in mind .. just not sure if I can pull it off.
Anyway, time for bed.
Nite all.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Three Months
That is .. three months today since we celebrated Christmas. Let that sink in for a moment!
There has been a lot of negative talk in the media about the Paleo lifestyle lately. The media sure has it in for Pete Evans, but with 800,000 facebook followers and thousands already on his Paleo 10 week program, I guess there are a few industries experiencing a drop in profits.
The grain, dairy and sugar industries would be feeling pretty peeved at the rate that the numbers of Paleo followers are increasing .. although the farmers who provide these three commodities get ripped off by the big corporations, so they wouldn't be suffering.
The big corporations that create the processed foods that we are addicted to, might be feeling the pinch, as more and more people are understanding the health risks from eating their 'food like' substances. Since those industries support the media through advertising, then I guess the media is saving it's own butt, by convincing us that Paleo is killing us and our children.
One of the headlines that the media push is the 'supposed' food groups that Paleo lifestylers are foregoing.
Let's start with grains.
Grains are not actually a food group and it's impossible to be 'grain deficient'.
Every nutrient, vitamin and mineral that you get from grains, you can get in greater abundance, in fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds. This also goes for fibre.
In science, grains are actually on the bottom of the pile for nutrient density, yet the outdated food pyramid tells us that grains have the most importance and that our diet should be mostly grains.
Grains are deficient because they contain anti-nutrients that impair the nutrition that you ingest from real food.
Let's look at dairy.
Where do we get our calcium, if not from dairy?
More than enough 'natural' calcium in a nutrient dense diet of fruit and vegetables, nuts, seeds and seafood. Not to mention home made bone broth, that is consumed on a daily basis. The best thing about it is that you not only get calcium, but a shipload of other vitamins and minerals to go with it.
65% of the world's population (that's 7 billion people) are lactose intolerant to some degree. I didn't believe that I was intolerant until I removed all dairy for 8 weeks and then had some in a coffee. My body reacted .. as it has always reacted .. but because my body was in a constant state of inflammation due to grains, sugars and dairy, I never noticed it before.
It's difficult to explain to someone who hasn't removed those things from their diet, but when you have nothing to compare it to, you believe that your body copes with grains, dairy and sugars perfectly well. Once you remove them and then re-introduce them, that's when you feel your body's negative response.
It's a physical reaction that really is not pleasant.
I don't need to discuss the sugar situation .. I've written about sugar and all of the different names that it goes by, as well as the health concerns attached, a few times now, so I won't go over that again.
Paleo is also NOT about eating too much meat/protein. Meat, the size of the palm of your hand, is all that is necessary at any one meal .. the rest of the plate should be full of fruit and veg.
What keeps you most satisfied, is the inclusion of good fats like grass fed butter, duck fat, macadamia and coconut oils, avocado, nuts and seeds.
As far as Paleo goes, every day, there are hundreds more stories of people who have, by removing the inflammatory foods and increasing the nutrient dense foods, helped their body fight disease and illness so that medications could be reduced or stopped altogether.
This is what Paleo is really all about .. creating a healthy body with a strong immune system to heal itself.
Here's another Paleo story ...
Here is Kylie's (no relation) paleo story
I first heard about paleo 8 months ago when one of my best friends said he had "gone paleo". I had no idea what he was talking about. He suffered from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for the previous 11 years and within a couple of months the changes in him were remarkable.
There has been a lot of negative talk in the media about the Paleo lifestyle lately. The media sure has it in for Pete Evans, but with 800,000 facebook followers and thousands already on his Paleo 10 week program, I guess there are a few industries experiencing a drop in profits.
The grain, dairy and sugar industries would be feeling pretty peeved at the rate that the numbers of Paleo followers are increasing .. although the farmers who provide these three commodities get ripped off by the big corporations, so they wouldn't be suffering.
The big corporations that create the processed foods that we are addicted to, might be feeling the pinch, as more and more people are understanding the health risks from eating their 'food like' substances. Since those industries support the media through advertising, then I guess the media is saving it's own butt, by convincing us that Paleo is killing us and our children.
One of the headlines that the media push is the 'supposed' food groups that Paleo lifestylers are foregoing.
Let's start with grains.
Grains are not actually a food group and it's impossible to be 'grain deficient'.
Every nutrient, vitamin and mineral that you get from grains, you can get in greater abundance, in fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds. This also goes for fibre.
In science, grains are actually on the bottom of the pile for nutrient density, yet the outdated food pyramid tells us that grains have the most importance and that our diet should be mostly grains.
Grains are deficient because they contain anti-nutrients that impair the nutrition that you ingest from real food.
Let's look at dairy.
Where do we get our calcium, if not from dairy?
More than enough 'natural' calcium in a nutrient dense diet of fruit and vegetables, nuts, seeds and seafood. Not to mention home made bone broth, that is consumed on a daily basis. The best thing about it is that you not only get calcium, but a shipload of other vitamins and minerals to go with it.
65% of the world's population (that's 7 billion people) are lactose intolerant to some degree. I didn't believe that I was intolerant until I removed all dairy for 8 weeks and then had some in a coffee. My body reacted .. as it has always reacted .. but because my body was in a constant state of inflammation due to grains, sugars and dairy, I never noticed it before.
It's difficult to explain to someone who hasn't removed those things from their diet, but when you have nothing to compare it to, you believe that your body copes with grains, dairy and sugars perfectly well. Once you remove them and then re-introduce them, that's when you feel your body's negative response.
It's a physical reaction that really is not pleasant.
I don't need to discuss the sugar situation .. I've written about sugar and all of the different names that it goes by, as well as the health concerns attached, a few times now, so I won't go over that again.
Paleo is also NOT about eating too much meat/protein. Meat, the size of the palm of your hand, is all that is necessary at any one meal .. the rest of the plate should be full of fruit and veg.
What keeps you most satisfied, is the inclusion of good fats like grass fed butter, duck fat, macadamia and coconut oils, avocado, nuts and seeds.
As far as Paleo goes, every day, there are hundreds more stories of people who have, by removing the inflammatory foods and increasing the nutrient dense foods, helped their body fight disease and illness so that medications could be reduced or stopped altogether.
This is what Paleo is really all about .. creating a healthy body with a strong immune system to heal itself.
Here's another Paleo story ...
********
Here is Kylie's (no relation) paleo story
I first heard about paleo 8 months ago when one of my best friends said he had "gone paleo". I had no idea what he was talking about. He suffered from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for the previous 11 years and within a couple of months the changes in him were remarkable.
I thought that if paleo can do that for someone with an illness, what could it do for me, who I considered relatively healthy.
So I started looking into what paleo was. I came across Pete Evans Facebook page and started following. Then I saw a 10 week program was starting and thought what a great way to be introduced to the paleo lifestyle!
So I started looking into what paleo was. I came across Pete Evans Facebook page and started following. Then I saw a 10 week program was starting and thought what a great way to be introduced to the paleo lifestyle!
My main aim in undertaking the program was something rather simple - I just wanted to sleep better. For most of my adult life, most nights I woke 10 - 15 times during the night. This left me tired and irritable the next day, and often needing a nap after work. As a full time single parent to 2 children, and a nurse in a busy area, the lack of quality sleep was really taking a toll on me.
I am now in week 9 of the program and have never felt better.
I am now in week 9 of the program and have never felt better.
As a 42 year old, I feel I have more energy now than I did in my 20's!! I feel like singing to the world - "I'M SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT". It's such a simple thing but it has made much such a difference to my life. Most days I wake up before my alarm which is set for 6am. Afternoon naps have disappeared as there is no need for them. I wake up feeling refreshed and full of energy.
There have been other benefits too. I have lost 20cm so far, lost a few kgs and a dress size, my skin (after an initial detox breakout) is clear and healthy. My stomach is no longer always bloated and let's just say, I don't frequent the toilet so much anymore. My appetite has reduced and I am no longer constantly snacking throughout the day.
Another bonus is I have started eating things I always thought I didn't like - onion, capsicum, zucchini, ginger, okra, asparagus and cauliflower just to name a few. I even cooked with chicken livers for the first time ever! It was to make a delicious pate, but baby steps lol.
I am part of a wonderful supportive tribe who answer any of my questions, and share tips and recipes. The support from Pete and his crew on the program is awesome. The 10 week program has really helped me prepare for the rest of my life.
It's definitely a paleo lifestyle and not a diet. At the moment I am planning a dinner party and can't wait to share some amazing paleo dishes with my friends.
... and on that note (this is me again) ... I'm going to get some of that lovely sleep right now.
Nite all.
********
... and on that note (this is me again) ... I'm going to get some of that lovely sleep right now.
Nite all.
Home Again
The babysitting evening went incredibly well.
Mama and Dadu arrived home at 11pm. Yes, you read that correctly.
And FYI .. NOT because of that 'inevitable phone call' that I mentioned in yesterday's post.
It seems that Mama needed Chicklet before Chicklet needed Mama.
Small steps.
Chicklet and I filled our last day together, playing Aquanauts, dinosaurs, swinging in the back yard and playing catch.
As she went to bed with stories read by Mama, I hopped in the car with Dadu and drove to the train station.
I arrived 30 minutes early and had to sit alone at the station. I had my phone poised to call 000 just in case! Then a young man arrived. He had just spent 35 hours in a plane from France where he had spent a month on holidays, so he was feeling a bit 'chatty'. So the last 15 minutes went really quickly and the train arrived right on time.
It was a comfortable ride home with only 8 people on my carriage .. four of them coughing and spluttering with some kind of cold or flu. Annoying that so many germs were flying around!
Adoring Husband's smiling face was waiting for me at my destination and it was good to get home.
Oh and I finally received the results of my Chemistry Essay. What is supposed to take 2 weeks, took 7 weeks!! At least the 90% mark was worth waiting for.
Now I just have to wait for the last two exam results before I sign up for the next semester.
It's now well after midnight. Time for sleep.
Nite all.
Mama and Dadu arrived home at 11pm. Yes, you read that correctly.
And FYI .. NOT because of that 'inevitable phone call' that I mentioned in yesterday's post.
It seems that Mama needed Chicklet before Chicklet needed Mama.
Small steps.
Chicklet and I filled our last day together, playing Aquanauts, dinosaurs, swinging in the back yard and playing catch.
As she went to bed with stories read by Mama, I hopped in the car with Dadu and drove to the train station.
I arrived 30 minutes early and had to sit alone at the station. I had my phone poised to call 000 just in case! Then a young man arrived. He had just spent 35 hours in a plane from France where he had spent a month on holidays, so he was feeling a bit 'chatty'. So the last 15 minutes went really quickly and the train arrived right on time.
It was a comfortable ride home with only 8 people on my carriage .. four of them coughing and spluttering with some kind of cold or flu. Annoying that so many germs were flying around!
Adoring Husband's smiling face was waiting for me at my destination and it was good to get home.
Oh and I finally received the results of my Chemistry Essay. What is supposed to take 2 weeks, took 7 weeks!! At least the 90% mark was worth waiting for.
Now I just have to wait for the last two exam results before I sign up for the next semester.
It's now well after midnight. Time for sleep.
Nite all.
Monday, March 23, 2015
Vegan Chickie Birthday
It's been a good day, starting with breakfast at a lovely cafe, including a birthday lemon meringue pie (because you simply must have cake with every meal on your birthday).
Chicklet and I were then brought back home and Vegan Chickie and the Bare-chested Chef went to the movies. They dropped back home briefly, at Chicklet's request, to appease the worried child.
We watched Shrek One and Shrek Two, for the fourth time this visit. I pushed her on the swing for 45 minutes. We played crocodiles and friendly dragons. We had two special treats and dinner. We read 5 books.
Vegan Chickie and the Bare-chested Chef went out for dinner and are now at their motel, waiting, I'm sure, for the almost inevitable phone call requesting their return home.
This is the first night that they have ever spent away from Chicklet.
In four years, they've never been away from her overnight.
Chicklet's last words before she fell asleep were "I miss Mama" and she was instantly out to it.
I can tell that she has had quite a few struggles today. Her Asperger's has been very apparent and she has fought to hold it together, but somehow we have managed to make it through the day. Let's see how far through the night we get!
Anyway, this was bath time today ...
I have taken some photos today, but I'll wait until I get home, to edit and share them.
I should get some sleep, just in case the night is cut short.
Happy birthday Vegan Chickie xxx
Nite all.
Chicklet and I were then brought back home and Vegan Chickie and the Bare-chested Chef went to the movies. They dropped back home briefly, at Chicklet's request, to appease the worried child.
We watched Shrek One and Shrek Two, for the fourth time this visit. I pushed her on the swing for 45 minutes. We played crocodiles and friendly dragons. We had two special treats and dinner. We read 5 books.
Vegan Chickie and the Bare-chested Chef went out for dinner and are now at their motel, waiting, I'm sure, for the almost inevitable phone call requesting their return home.
This is the first night that they have ever spent away from Chicklet.
In four years, they've never been away from her overnight.
Chicklet's last words before she fell asleep were "I miss Mama" and she was instantly out to it.
I can tell that she has had quite a few struggles today. Her Asperger's has been very apparent and she has fought to hold it together, but somehow we have managed to make it through the day. Let's see how far through the night we get!
Anyway, this was bath time today ...
I have taken some photos today, but I'll wait until I get home, to edit and share them.
I should get some sleep, just in case the night is cut short.
Happy birthday Vegan Chickie xxx
Nite all.
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Sleeping Babe
It's been a full day of play.
Hide n seek, tag (she's much faster than she looks .. or perhaps I'm much slower than I feel!), drawing pictures, colouring in, watching Shrek on dvd and then Mr Make It, bath time splashing fun, play time with Lizardy Lizard and Gecko Girl, finally five stories at bed time and then sleep.
She fell asleep, for the second time ever, in my bed with her legs draped over me. I was stuck for a while there!
It's now almost 8pm which makes it the 'longest' she's ever slept in my bed as well!
I wonder how long she will last. I wonder what time she will wake up and say "I need my Mama".
Ah well, I will enjoy it while it lasts.
It's been a good day .. but no photos.
Mama's birthday tomorrow, so we'll definitely get some pics then :)
Nite all.
Hide n seek, tag (she's much faster than she looks .. or perhaps I'm much slower than I feel!), drawing pictures, colouring in, watching Shrek on dvd and then Mr Make It, bath time splashing fun, play time with Lizardy Lizard and Gecko Girl, finally five stories at bed time and then sleep.
She fell asleep, for the second time ever, in my bed with her legs draped over me. I was stuck for a while there!
It's now almost 8pm which makes it the 'longest' she's ever slept in my bed as well!
I wonder how long she will last. I wonder what time she will wake up and say "I need my Mama".
Ah well, I will enjoy it while it lasts.
It's been a good day .. but no photos.
Mama's birthday tomorrow, so we'll definitely get some pics then :)
Nite all.
Saturday, March 21, 2015
A Fast Ride
The trip on the train this morning seemed to fly by!
I ordered lunch on the train. A gluten free roast chicken with veg and a creamy mushroom sauce.
I've had the roast chicken twice before and really enjoyed it, so much that I felt quite excited to be having it for a third time.
That was before I chose the Paleo lifestyle.
I'd only eaten half of it when I began to feel bloated and uncomfortable, so I checked the ingredients list.
Well, that was an eye opener! So many additives and the mashed potato (the last two times the potato was baked) was powdered potato. Preservatives, flavours, numbers, whey powder, protein powder, salt, sugar .. you name it.
I felt quite uncomfortable for about 3 hours. So disappointing and a hard lesson learned.
Once your body becomes accustomed to only, fresh real food, as soon as you put something into it that ISN'T fresh or real, it really lets you know about it!
The man sitting in front of me ordered the roast lamb with veg and gravy. He spent the next 30 minutes belching uncontrollably! I don't mean burping, I mean full force belching that echoed throughout the carriage! He must have been incredibly uncomfortable.
Anyway, I shared a taxi from the station with another lady, who was travelling to the next suburb. She was very nice and we chatted for the 20 minute ride, which made it go fast too.
I've spent the afternoon playing with my little Chicklet and every so often she stops and looks at me and says "I love you Bozzy Wozzy" or "I've missed you Bozzy Wozzy".
Makes my heart melt.
No photos taken today, but I will make a concerted effort tomorrow.
It's raining as I write this and I think we may be in for some more for the next couple of hours...
Good sleeping weather :)
Nite all.
I ordered lunch on the train. A gluten free roast chicken with veg and a creamy mushroom sauce.
I've had the roast chicken twice before and really enjoyed it, so much that I felt quite excited to be having it for a third time.
That was before I chose the Paleo lifestyle.
I'd only eaten half of it when I began to feel bloated and uncomfortable, so I checked the ingredients list.
Well, that was an eye opener! So many additives and the mashed potato (the last two times the potato was baked) was powdered potato. Preservatives, flavours, numbers, whey powder, protein powder, salt, sugar .. you name it.
I felt quite uncomfortable for about 3 hours. So disappointing and a hard lesson learned.
Once your body becomes accustomed to only, fresh real food, as soon as you put something into it that ISN'T fresh or real, it really lets you know about it!
The man sitting in front of me ordered the roast lamb with veg and gravy. He spent the next 30 minutes belching uncontrollably! I don't mean burping, I mean full force belching that echoed throughout the carriage! He must have been incredibly uncomfortable.
Anyway, I shared a taxi from the station with another lady, who was travelling to the next suburb. She was very nice and we chatted for the 20 minute ride, which made it go fast too.
I've spent the afternoon playing with my little Chicklet and every so often she stops and looks at me and says "I love you Bozzy Wozzy" or "I've missed you Bozzy Wozzy".
Makes my heart melt.
No photos taken today, but I will make a concerted effort tomorrow.
It's raining as I write this and I think we may be in for some more for the next couple of hours...
Nite all.
Friday, March 20, 2015
Done and Dusted
Exams done and dusted! Yay!!
Had a couple of wines tonight at the club. Had a nice time.
Making a list in my head of everything that I have to pack to take away tomorrow.
Looking at the clock and thinking that I should get to bed.
So I'll leave you with this ...
Now that it's all over, my brain is mush and there are no words forming in my brain to transfer to this page.
I will be with the Chicklet family tomorrow night. Maybe I'll have photos by then! Or maybe you'll have to wait until Sunday. Let's see what the weekend brings.
Nite all.
Had a couple of wines tonight at the club. Had a nice time.
Making a list in my head of everything that I have to pack to take away tomorrow.
Looking at the clock and thinking that I should get to bed.
So I'll leave you with this ...
Now that it's all over, my brain is mush and there are no words forming in my brain to transfer to this page.
I will be with the Chicklet family tomorrow night. Maybe I'll have photos by then! Or maybe you'll have to wait until Sunday. Let's see what the weekend brings.
Nite all.
Happy Friday
After tomorrow morning (Friday), when this exam hell is over, I am going to look forward to a wine or two tomorrow night .. not too many though, because I will have to pack my bags on Saturday morning and then travel on a train for over 2 hours.
Hangovers are not pleasant at the best of times, let alone on a train!
I'm looking forward to a couple of weeks study free, spending a few days with the Chicklet family, then a day with the girls going across the river for lunch at Woodgate and then the following day attending The Paleo Way cooking show in Bundaberg.
Such a lot to look forward to in the coming week!
In the midst of cramming today, I made Weiner Schnitzel for lunch, a double batch of Butter Chicken for dinner (leftovers in the freezer for AH while I'm away) and I currently have pork in the slow cooker to make Pulled Pork tomorrow, which will be for dinner tomorrow night and leftovers for AH's lunch the next day.
I hope to find time to make some energy balls, some of which I'll take with me down south.
So much to do, so little time!
Meanwhile, Cyclone Nathan is edging his way closer to my brother in Cooktown.
I worry about him, but I must say, I'd rather him be dealing with this weather event, in his laid back hippified kind of way, than me dealing with it in my stressed to the max, pathetic old lady kind of way!
Anyway, it's midnight. I'm off to bed.
Nite all.
Hangovers are not pleasant at the best of times, let alone on a train!
I'm looking forward to a couple of weeks study free, spending a few days with the Chicklet family, then a day with the girls going across the river for lunch at Woodgate and then the following day attending The Paleo Way cooking show in Bundaberg.
Such a lot to look forward to in the coming week!
In the midst of cramming today, I made Weiner Schnitzel for lunch, a double batch of Butter Chicken for dinner (leftovers in the freezer for AH while I'm away) and I currently have pork in the slow cooker to make Pulled Pork tomorrow, which will be for dinner tomorrow night and leftovers for AH's lunch the next day.
I hope to find time to make some energy balls, some of which I'll take with me down south.
So much to do, so little time!
Meanwhile, Cyclone Nathan is edging his way closer to my brother in Cooktown.
I worry about him, but I must say, I'd rather him be dealing with this weather event, in his laid back hippified kind of way, than me dealing with it in my stressed to the max, pathetic old lady kind of way!
Anyway, it's midnight. I'm off to bed.
Nite all.
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Two More Sleeps
I've been cramming all day, so of course there is no news.
I was going to share some links to some short youtube videos about sugar, gluten, health and paleo but it's almost 11pm and I couldn't be bothered finding them. Not that I don't think you're special enough to bother for! I'm simply done for the day.
Two more sleeps til exam time. BIG day of study tomorrow!
Enough of this frivolity.
Nite all.
I was going to share some links to some short youtube videos about sugar, gluten, health and paleo but it's almost 11pm and I couldn't be bothered finding them. Not that I don't think you're special enough to bother for! I'm simply done for the day.
Two more sleeps til exam time. BIG day of study tomorrow!
Enough of this frivolity.
Nite all.
Overwhelmed .. again.
Yes.
I know.
The usual lead up to exam time.
Stressing to the max.
Wondering how I'm going to remember everything.
Feeling like I'm not prepared.
It only takes one wrong answer in a practise test, for me to believe that I'm going to fail.
My heart skips a beat every time I think about sitting these exams on Friday.
The problem with that is .. anything that I try to recap on now, gets lost in the splodgy (yes I made up that word) part of my brain.
It's possible that, at crisis point, some of that information will find itself where it should be .. on my answer sheet, in the correct position.
It's also possible, that it is lost forever, never to be found, never to see the light of day again, to spend eternity in the darkest annals of my grey matter.
Freaking me out!
Eating Fat Doesn't Make You Fat
Neurologist Dr. David Perlmutter, author of Grain Brain, told me the low-carb ketogenic diet prevents — and in some instances reverses — Alzheimer's disease and ADHD. "Carbs are devastating for the brain," said Dr. Perlmutter. "Even slight elevations in blood sugar have been shown to increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease."
Dr. Jeff Volek, author of The Art and Science of Low-Carbohydrate Living, told me the ketogenic diet reverses type 2 diabetes, prevents heart disease, and causes fast weight loss without hunger. "There are very few people that a ketogenic diet could not help," said Dr. Volek.
Dr. Westman, director of the Duke University Obesity Clinic, is pleased that mainstream media is finally debunking the myth that eating fat makes you fat and sick. To the contrary, he said: Eating fat makes you skinny and healthy.
"I tell my patients not to fear the fat," said Westman, author of Keto Clarity. "Eat lots of fat. Fat makes you feel full. There's no problem with fat. In fact, saturated fat, the fat that we've been taught not to eat, raises your good cholesterol best of all the foods you can eat."
I know.
The usual lead up to exam time.
Stressing to the max.
Wondering how I'm going to remember everything.
Feeling like I'm not prepared.
It only takes one wrong answer in a practise test, for me to believe that I'm going to fail.
My heart skips a beat every time I think about sitting these exams on Friday.
The problem with that is .. anything that I try to recap on now, gets lost in the splodgy (yes I made up that word) part of my brain.
It's possible that, at crisis point, some of that information will find itself where it should be .. on my answer sheet, in the correct position.
It's also possible, that it is lost forever, never to be found, never to see the light of day again, to spend eternity in the darkest annals of my grey matter.
Freaking me out!
I also want to share this exerpt from an online health and fitness magazine. Click on the links to read more information about the books mentioned.
********
Neurologist Dr. David Perlmutter, author of Grain Brain, told me the low-carb ketogenic diet prevents — and in some instances reverses — Alzheimer's disease and ADHD. "Carbs are devastating for the brain," said Dr. Perlmutter. "Even slight elevations in blood sugar have been shown to increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease."
Dr. Jeff Volek, author of The Art and Science of Low-Carbohydrate Living, told me the ketogenic diet reverses type 2 diabetes, prevents heart disease, and causes fast weight loss without hunger. "There are very few people that a ketogenic diet could not help," said Dr. Volek.
Dr. Westman, director of the Duke University Obesity Clinic, is pleased that mainstream media is finally debunking the myth that eating fat makes you fat and sick. To the contrary, he said: Eating fat makes you skinny and healthy.
"I tell my patients not to fear the fat," said Westman, author of Keto Clarity. "Eat lots of fat. Fat makes you feel full. There's no problem with fat. In fact, saturated fat, the fat that we've been taught not to eat, raises your good cholesterol best of all the foods you can eat."
********
It's after midnight. Must go to bed.
Nite all.
Monday, March 16, 2015
No News is Good News
Nothing to report. Studied all day.
Made Vietnamese Chicken Wings for lunch, served with a salad.
Made Lamb Rack with roasted vegetables - sweet potato, zucchini, onion and tomato - for dinner.
It's almost 11pm and I now only have 4 days left to study and as usual, I am beginning to panic and wondering if I've done enough for both exams.
Think positive!
Nite all.
Made Vietnamese Chicken Wings for lunch, served with a salad.
Made Lamb Rack with roasted vegetables - sweet potato, zucchini, onion and tomato - for dinner.
It's almost 11pm and I now only have 4 days left to study and as usual, I am beginning to panic and wondering if I've done enough for both exams.
Nite all.
Sunday, March 15, 2015
I Am Brilliant!
I understand Stoichiometry!
I can do stoichiometry calculations! AND come up with the correct answer!! AWESOME!
I was so excited, I was going to show you the problem and then show you all the steps to solving it, but lucky for you, I forgot to post here last night, and in the following 24 hours, I realised that you wouldn't find my calculations even the slightest bit exciting.
I hear you sigh with relief :)
So, I have been studying all day and aside from a great breakfast of bacon, eggs, mushrooms and tomato, I cooked a very disappointing dinner.
All I can do is share some inspirational quotes ...
More study tomorrow ... so much to learn in so little time! Just 5 days left to cram it all in.
Nite all.
I can do stoichiometry calculations! AND come up with the correct answer!! AWESOME!
I was so excited, I was going to show you the problem and then show you all the steps to solving it, but lucky for you, I forgot to post here last night, and in the following 24 hours, I realised that you wouldn't find my calculations even the slightest bit exciting.
I hear you sigh with relief :)
So, I have been studying all day and aside from a great breakfast of bacon, eggs, mushrooms and tomato, I cooked a very disappointing dinner.
All I can do is share some inspirational quotes ...
More study tomorrow ... so much to learn in so little time! Just 5 days left to cram it all in.
Nite all.
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Productive Day
Not an ounce of study today and I only got half of yesterday's 'to-do' list done, but I still feel like I've been very productive and achieved quite a bit.
I finally bottled my kombucha and also made up a new batch to brew.
I riced up my 6 cauliflower and broccoli, bagged them and labelled them for freezing.
I invented a delicious tomato, vegetable and chilli sauce.
I cut up and boiled the pumpkin ready to make the dog food, which I'll do tomorrow morning.
I didn't get the sauerkraut started at all. Perhaps I'll get to that tomorrow too.
Nite all
PS I forgot to hit 'send' yesterday, so this was sent 12 hours later than usual!
I finally bottled my kombucha and also made up a new batch to brew.
I riced up my 6 cauliflower and broccoli, bagged them and labelled them for freezing.
I invented a delicious tomato, vegetable and chilli sauce.
I cut up and boiled the pumpkin ready to make the dog food, which I'll do tomorrow morning.
I didn't get the sauerkraut started at all. Perhaps I'll get to that tomorrow too.
Nite all
PS I forgot to hit 'send' yesterday, so this was sent 12 hours later than usual!
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Scientifically Challenged
Just when you think you're starting to get the hang of things, they throw in a word like 'stoichiometry'.
It is "the relationship between the relative quantities of substances taking part in a reaction, or forming a compound, typically a ratio of whole integers".
I KNOW that you didn't read that whole sentence!
Some wonderful youtube users made some videos called "Stoichiometry For Dummies".
I KNOW those videos were made just for me and OMG what life savers they are!
Also today, I've learnt about balancing chemical equations.
I read the lesson pages, I watched the lesson slideshow, I downloaded the lecture, I checked the text book and I investigated the discussion forums to get some tips ... and still I had no idea, and just couldn't 'get' it.
Then I found youtube.
The first video explained it perfectly and it felt like I found that last piece of jigsaw that made all the rest of it make sense.
Thank goodness!
THEN I had to figure out how to convert grams to moles, grams to molecules, molar mass, atomic mass, molecular weight, formula mass or weight ... yeah I know ... more blah blah blah.
I'm still in the middle of that and by 4pm today, my brain was almost mush. My wild orange oil was all burnt away, so the brain decided it was time to shut down.
By the time I packed away all the fruit and veg from the two big FROG boxes that arrived today and cleared some space in the fridge by giving what didn't get used last week, to the chookies, I just didn't have it in me to do anything else.
I have 3 big cauliflowers and broccoli, so that I can make a big batch of cauli/broc rice and package them into meal sizes to freeze for the next week or two.
I have some fresh organic cabbage and beetroot, ready to make a big batch of sauerkraut or some kind of fermented food .. maybe kimchi?
I have the makings of another 2 week batch of dog food.
I have a batch of kombucha that has finished brewing and is ready for bottling.
I have the makings of a new batch of sriracha tomato sauce.
All of these things need to be done in the next few days while I also study for two exams and my heart has just skipped a beat as I typed this!
Adoring Husband has lovingly offered to take me out for lunch next week, but I don't think I'm going to have the time to spare for that. Every minute between now and next Friday is precious and accounted for.
I think this is most appropriate for my current situation ...
Nite all.
It is "the relationship between the relative quantities of substances taking part in a reaction, or forming a compound, typically a ratio of whole integers".
I KNOW that you didn't read that whole sentence!
Some wonderful youtube users made some videos called "Stoichiometry For Dummies".
I KNOW those videos were made just for me and OMG what life savers they are!
Also today, I've learnt about balancing chemical equations.
I read the lesson pages, I watched the lesson slideshow, I downloaded the lecture, I checked the text book and I investigated the discussion forums to get some tips ... and still I had no idea, and just couldn't 'get' it.
Then I found youtube.
The first video explained it perfectly and it felt like I found that last piece of jigsaw that made all the rest of it make sense.
Thank goodness!
THEN I had to figure out how to convert grams to moles, grams to molecules, molar mass, atomic mass, molecular weight, formula mass or weight ... yeah I know ... more blah blah blah.
I'm still in the middle of that and by 4pm today, my brain was almost mush. My wild orange oil was all burnt away, so the brain decided it was time to shut down.
By the time I packed away all the fruit and veg from the two big FROG boxes that arrived today and cleared some space in the fridge by giving what didn't get used last week, to the chookies, I just didn't have it in me to do anything else.
I have 3 big cauliflowers and broccoli, so that I can make a big batch of cauli/broc rice and package them into meal sizes to freeze for the next week or two.
I have some fresh organic cabbage and beetroot, ready to make a big batch of sauerkraut or some kind of fermented food .. maybe kimchi?
I have the makings of another 2 week batch of dog food.
I have a batch of kombucha that has finished brewing and is ready for bottling.
I have the makings of a new batch of sriracha tomato sauce.
All of these things need to be done in the next few days while I also study for two exams and my heart has just skipped a beat as I typed this!
Adoring Husband has lovingly offered to take me out for lunch next week, but I don't think I'm going to have the time to spare for that. Every minute between now and next Friday is precious and accounted for.
I think this is most appropriate for my current situation ...
Nite all.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Focused
I'm focused without my focus essential oil!
I've powered through a lot of lessons today and passed all the practise tests, so it's been a very productive and satisfying day at my desk.
The wild orange oil has been burning and opening my mind to all that Chemistry nomenclature and the Periodic Table memorisation. Ok, you got me, I don't have to memorise the periodic table, but I had you going there for a second didn't I?
I didn't cook anything exciting today. Last night's leftovers for lunch and then a combination of the last two night's leftovers for dinner, served with crispy skinned salmon.
So, as you can see, I have nothing to report today and nothing to share.
Ok I found something to share ...
Nite all.
I've powered through a lot of lessons today and passed all the practise tests, so it's been a very productive and satisfying day at my desk.
The wild orange oil has been burning and opening my mind to all that Chemistry nomenclature and the Periodic Table memorisation. Ok, you got me, I don't have to memorise the periodic table, but I had you going there for a second didn't I?
I didn't cook anything exciting today. Last night's leftovers for lunch and then a combination of the last two night's leftovers for dinner, served with crispy skinned salmon.
So, as you can see, I have nothing to report today and nothing to share.
Ok I found something to share ...
Nite all.
Happy Study
Yessssss!
Finally, I sat at my desk and studied.
I've been studying on my laptop, on the couch, intermittently and when Adoring Husband was watching TV, it was quite distracting .. however, it was my choice to do it that way, so I only have myself to blame.
I have been avoiding my desk and my desktop iMac because that computer was running so slow that it frustrated the hell out of me!
For some unknown reason, something has happened in the last 3 months since I stopped using the iMac, and today, when I turned it on, it was running perfectly!
What a pleasure it was to study today!
As an added bonus, I used my oil burner to burn some 'wild orange' essential oil at the desk. Wild orange helps uplift mood and energy levels, so I stayed quite motivated for about six hours.
I'm waiting on a special blend of essential oils to come in the mail, which will help me focus. I have high hopes for that one! It should arrive some time in the next week. Hopefully before my exams!
I haven't used essential oils before.
I have used scented oils, which really just make the room smell pretty ... or toxic ... whichever way you want to look at it.
So I'm dipping my toes and testing the waters .. just another tier to the natural way of improving or maintaining good health. I haven't delved too far into it yet because I'm now cramming for two exams due in less than two weeks, but what I've looked at so far, is very interesting and I'm keen to learn more!
Anyway, I was just on my way to bed when I remembered I hadn't posted here yet, so now I'm off! It's midnight!
Nite all.
Finally, I sat at my desk and studied.
I've been studying on my laptop, on the couch, intermittently and when Adoring Husband was watching TV, it was quite distracting .. however, it was my choice to do it that way, so I only have myself to blame.
I have been avoiding my desk and my desktop iMac because that computer was running so slow that it frustrated the hell out of me!
For some unknown reason, something has happened in the last 3 months since I stopped using the iMac, and today, when I turned it on, it was running perfectly!
What a pleasure it was to study today!
As an added bonus, I used my oil burner to burn some 'wild orange' essential oil at the desk. Wild orange helps uplift mood and energy levels, so I stayed quite motivated for about six hours.
I'm waiting on a special blend of essential oils to come in the mail, which will help me focus. I have high hopes for that one! It should arrive some time in the next week. Hopefully before my exams!
I haven't used essential oils before.
I have used scented oils, which really just make the room smell pretty ... or toxic ... whichever way you want to look at it.
So I'm dipping my toes and testing the waters .. just another tier to the natural way of improving or maintaining good health. I haven't delved too far into it yet because I'm now cramming for two exams due in less than two weeks, but what I've looked at so far, is very interesting and I'm keen to learn more!
Anyway, I was just on my way to bed when I remembered I hadn't posted here yet, so now I'm off! It's midnight!
Nite all.
Monday, March 9, 2015
Unstructured
That's what my days are .. unstructured .. and I need to take a leaf out of Vegan Chickie's book and become more structured with my days. She DID give me a daily planner, so that I could organise my days in a more productive way .. but I am incapable of even organising my organiser!!
Today, I spent an hour at the Seat of Knowledge and planned on studying as soon as I arrived home, but I realised that Adoring Husband had to attend a meeting tonight and wouldn't be here for dinner, so instead of studying, I searched for recipes to cook for lunch as a main meal.
Then, I spent an hour cooking a leg of lamb with roasted vegetables and creamy garlic chard with a rich wine gravy.
I procrastinated for the afternoon and achieved absolutely nothing.
Adoring Husband found this little visitor in the back garden today and I wasted some time with the camera ... although, really, time with the camera is never wasted is it!?
The lovely Grannymus shared a beautiful slideshow of reflective photography, and I have tried to upload it, to no avail, so unfortunately I can't share it with you.
... and I really liked these quotes in Facebook today...
Let's hope that I can find some motivation tomorrow to get cracking with the final two weeks of study!
Nite all.
Today, I spent an hour at the Seat of Knowledge and planned on studying as soon as I arrived home, but I realised that Adoring Husband had to attend a meeting tonight and wouldn't be here for dinner, so instead of studying, I searched for recipes to cook for lunch as a main meal.
Then, I spent an hour cooking a leg of lamb with roasted vegetables and creamy garlic chard with a rich wine gravy.
I procrastinated for the afternoon and achieved absolutely nothing.
Adoring Husband found this little visitor in the back garden today and I wasted some time with the camera ... although, really, time with the camera is never wasted is it!?
The lovely Grannymus shared a beautiful slideshow of reflective photography, and I have tried to upload it, to no avail, so unfortunately I can't share it with you.
Let's hope that I can find some motivation tomorrow to get cracking with the final two weeks of study!
Nite all.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Good Day Out
I spent the day with Mardi and Woman of Many Talents, listening to one of my favourite speakers, Jessie Reimers, telling us about essential oils and recipes for natural cleaning and personal products.
I could listen to her talk for hours, because her passion for health, nutrition and natural remedies matches mine, however, she is able to express herself more eloquently and her young mind stores her facts and figures in a much more organised and efficient manner, so that she can find and share more details than my poor old brain can muster at any given time.
The fact that she is high functioning Aspergers probably helps :)
I've ordered a kit of essential oils and can't wait to receive them in the mail and begin creating concoctions, bringing forth my 'inner witch'!! So much research to do and more books to find and recipes to discover! Yet another step towards our goal of overall positive health .. physical, mental and emotional.
I'm excited that Woman of Many Talents is now coming to the Paleo Way event in Bundaberg with us at the end of this month! We now have a full car with Ms Apple coming along too. Adoring Husband won't know what to do with himself being surrounded by so many smart, witty, beautiful women!!
Tonight, I made a turkey mince meatloaf coated with sriracha sauce and for the last 15 minutes in the oven I tossed pine nuts over the top to roast. I did some more chilli veggie cakes and served dinner with a salad of lettuce, baby spinach, cucumber, tomato, avocado and pear all drizzled with balsamic vinegar.
Incredibly delicious, especially with a nice addition of chilli powder in the meatloaf and veggie cakes.
We've watched a brilliant one day cricket match between Australia and Sri Lanka in the World Cup today, switching every so often between that and various NRL football matches. The cricket match isn't finished yet and it's going to be very close.
This month's flickr challenge is 'light'. The photo has to be taken 'in' or 'of' any light except sunlight. So that means no sunrises or sunsets. It can be moonlight (even though moonlight is actually the sunlight reflecting on the moon lol), artificial light, streetlights, candle light, starlight, flash light etc.
It will be interesting to see the different ideas that everybody comes up with.
Adoring Husband arrived home safe n sound from his SES training weekend, tired and satisfied.
All is right with our world and it's back to study tomorrow.
Nite all.
I could listen to her talk for hours, because her passion for health, nutrition and natural remedies matches mine, however, she is able to express herself more eloquently and her young mind stores her facts and figures in a much more organised and efficient manner, so that she can find and share more details than my poor old brain can muster at any given time.
The fact that she is high functioning Aspergers probably helps :)
I've ordered a kit of essential oils and can't wait to receive them in the mail and begin creating concoctions, bringing forth my 'inner witch'!! So much research to do and more books to find and recipes to discover! Yet another step towards our goal of overall positive health .. physical, mental and emotional.
I'm excited that Woman of Many Talents is now coming to the Paleo Way event in Bundaberg with us at the end of this month! We now have a full car with Ms Apple coming along too. Adoring Husband won't know what to do with himself being surrounded by so many smart, witty, beautiful women!!
Tonight, I made a turkey mince meatloaf coated with sriracha sauce and for the last 15 minutes in the oven I tossed pine nuts over the top to roast. I did some more chilli veggie cakes and served dinner with a salad of lettuce, baby spinach, cucumber, tomato, avocado and pear all drizzled with balsamic vinegar.
Incredibly delicious, especially with a nice addition of chilli powder in the meatloaf and veggie cakes.
We've watched a brilliant one day cricket match between Australia and Sri Lanka in the World Cup today, switching every so often between that and various NRL football matches. The cricket match isn't finished yet and it's going to be very close.
This month's flickr challenge is 'light'. The photo has to be taken 'in' or 'of' any light except sunlight. So that means no sunrises or sunsets. It can be moonlight (even though moonlight is actually the sunlight reflecting on the moon lol), artificial light, streetlights, candle light, starlight, flash light etc.
It will be interesting to see the different ideas that everybody comes up with.
Adoring Husband arrived home safe n sound from his SES training weekend, tired and satisfied.
All is right with our world and it's back to study tomorrow.
Nite all.
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