Day 313 in a Year of my Life

Election night.  Pfft.

As you know, I have cut refined processed sugar from my diet.

My obsessive thirst for information regarding sugar has led me to many and varied web sites.  Naturopaths, Wellbeing and Health groups, University Studies, Medical Facts, Scientific studies but these are the things that play on my mind the most, and help make the decision to cut sugar much easier.

Natural sugars are rich in vitamins, nutrients and phytonutrients and are actually good for you.  Raw honey, pure maple syrup and palm sugar are examples of natural sugars.

Refined sugar has been stripped of all it's positive health benefits.  It goes through a bleaching process using 'lime' and 'carbon dioxide' and then further purified and whitened by filtering through a beef bone char.  This process removes even more minerals.

Brown and raw sugar that you buy at the supermarket is simply white sugar stained with molasses.

Other names for sugar that you might find on food labels are

• Cane sugar
• Corn sweetener
• Corn syrup
• Dextrin
• Dextrose
• High fructose corn syrup
• Maltodextrin
• Malt syrup
• Maltose
• Saccharose
• Treacle
• Xylose

and there are actually a lot more names, but these are the most common.

The top side effects of sugar intake are

• Digestive problems
• Diabetes
• Heart Disease
• Cancer
• High Blood Pressure
• Low immunity
• Poor memory
• Tooth decay
• Depression
• Headaches

There are actually more than 90 side effects.

Common foods high in sugar content

• Sugar
• Soft drinks
• Dried fruit
• Flavoured yoghurt
• Cereal
• Fruit juice
• Spaghetti
• Salad dressings
• Frozen dinners
• Baked beans

It seems that the world of science and medicine has made a mistake.  They've been telling us for years to 'cut' the fat out of our diet if we want to lose weight, when in actual fact, fats (even saturated fats) CANNOT add fat to your body unless you combine it with sugar.

Sugar, on the other hand, even without combining it with fats, WILL add fat to your body.

Also, a new study at the Mayo Clinic shows that people over 70 with a diet high in sugar and carbohydrates have an almost 4 times higher risk of developing cognitive impairments like Alzheimers, Dementia and Depression.

Sugar creates an acidic environment in your body which lowers your immune system considerably and that's what makes it perfect to develop the side effects mentioned earlier.

Oh I could go on and on - but I don't want to bore you any more than I already have.

I'm pretty sure that Adoring Husband has skimmed over all of this information, as he drinks his chocolate milk, eats his chocolate peanut clusters and chocolate ice creams, and is probably rolling his eyes and thinking 'here she goes again'.

I started this change on 20th August and I've already noticed changes in my body.  Aside from the weight loss (3.5kgs so far), which was inevitable, my digestion has settled down remarkably.

In my own bed, I sleep more soundly (but not at the Chicklet family house it seems).

I don't feel hungry.  Eating real food, instead of processed food, is more satisfying for longer.

Even more surprisingly, I don't crave sugar!  My sugar input prior to this, was getting out of control, with ice cream, chocolates, lollies, cakes/desserts, cookies and soft drinks.

The other day, I bought a very large slab of my favourite passionfruit fudge, which I divided in half and shared between Vegan Chickie and BGWLBH.  I didn't eat ANY of it and it didn't even bother me!

I feel good.

Tomorrow I'll share the fritter recipe from yesterday's post (as requested by two of you).

Tonight, I'll share two family photos ...

Today, I'm grateful for weekends relaxing at home and doing whatever my little heart desires.

Nite all.

Day 312 in a Year of my Life

I have Adoring Husband on a mission.

To find a good food dehydrator that's not 'over the top' expensive.

He does the research online, checks out all the reviews and compares prices.  He's good at that.  It's one of his many talents.

I appreciate his efforts, because it's not something that I care to spend my time doing, but at the same time, I want to know that I'm getting a good deal.

I would also like a cheese maker - I haven't discussed that with him yet.

There are so many different things that I want to try now that I've opted to remove processed foods from my diet, as well as refined sugar.

I have found amazing 'raw food' recipes, home made probiotics, different fermented foods (kombucha), the value of coconut oil for almost everything, the idea of 'activating' nuts before using them (I eat a lot of nuts - as snack food and in my cooking), preserving fruit and vegetables and making my own fish, chicken, beef or vegetable stock.  The list goes on.

As I try each new and interesting recipe or process, I will take photos and share the good stuff on here.

I've got so much on my list to try, I'm not sure where to start.

I'm liking the look of these Quinoa Fritters with dipping sauce ...

I hope to try them tomorrow.

Today, I'm grateful for a great week on the Sunny Coast with the family and now to be home safe n sound.

Nite all.

Day 311 in a Year of my Life

This is a short post because I just wanted to share this story and it deserves a post all on it's own.

Fred moved me to tears.

A Letter from Fred - *OFFICIAL DOCUMENTARY* Oh Sweet Lorraine



Today, I'm grateful for love.

Nite all.

Day 310 in a Year of my Life

Another full day of dinosaur loving!

Here is a snippet of yesterday's dinosaur picnic - it got much more crowded after this photo was taken ...

... and here is my little piece of perfection eating strawberries with chocolate philly ...

Only two more sleeps (or so Adoring Husband advised me this evening) and it will be the end of my Chicklet time for another few weeks.  As always, it will be sad to say goodbye, but I'll be back!

I'm looking forward to spending time in the kitchen, because I've discovered lots of new recipes that I want to try .. so many, that I'm not even sure where to start!

That's the fun thing about changing the way you eat.  Suddenly you find a whole new set of recipes that you never considered before.

I've found so many different pages on facebook, that are full of helpful advice, interesting information about different foods and how they are beneficial to your health and tons of recipes, with links to where to find the best organic ingredients.

I'm so hungry (pardon the pun) for all of this information and I'm really enjoying the learning process.

So, aside from seeing AH,  that's what I'm looking forward to when I get home ... and sleeping in my own bed.

Today, I'm grateful for 2 hour nana naps to help me re-energise for more Chicklet fun.

Nite all.

Day 309 in a Year of my Life

Chicklet prefers to eat white food .. cucumber, rice crackers, apple, banana, nuts, potato (in hot chip form), yoghurt, pasta, rice etc.

Carrots and strawberries are the exception.

I found this today ...

So white food is a pretty good preference.

Today, we fed the ducks down by the river.  We bought a new dinosaur.  We danced with the dinosaurs and I buried Chicklet, at her insistence, with dinosaurs, over and over and over and over and over again.

Today, I'm grateful for quality time with my Chicklet, even though she is beginning, at day 5, to become overwhelmed with my presence .. every visit, she is able to cope better, for longer periods, so one day, I hope that she will cope well enough to come visit us for a week or two at a time without any adverse affects.

I didn't get a chance to look at the photos yet.

Nite all.

Day 308 in a Year of my Life

It's hard work keeping up with a 2 year old.

Even harder keeping up with an Aspie 2 year old.

Every waking moment is packed with action, activity, movement, words, questions, requests, negotiation and then some.

I am not exaggerating when I say 'every waking moment' OR 'and then some.'

Every time I visit, my admiration for Vegan Chickie and the Bare-chested Chef increases.

They have no support network down here and are managing the daily demands without respite.

Even though I get down here every 6-8 weeks, the break that I provide is only in short bursts of 3 or 4 hours, due to Chicklet's needs and demands.

Physically, mentally and emotionally draining, handling this, day in and day out.

Is it any wonder that they are susceptible to every cold and flu germ that they come into contact with.

Vegan Chickie, especially with her broken sleep EVERY night (a common Aspie trait is very restless sleep) and comforting Chicklet back to sleep frequently.

I don't know how she does it.

Yet they both watch her every move and listen to every word that comes out of her mouth as if she is magical.  They give her every ounce of energy and love and happiness that they can muster and she really is thriving.

I come here for a few days at a time and am absolutely exhausted when I go home.

Not that I am complaining.  Not for one minute!  I love every minute that I'm here and spending precious time with my little sweetie possum.

She is an absolute joy for me and a constant source of both amusement and amazement.

The most wonderful little person in the world and I am so glad that she is a part of MY world.

I did take photos today, but haven't looked at them yet.  I might get a chance tomorrow.

Another big babysitting day tomorrow.  It's the Bare-chested Chef's last day off work before I head  home, so we need to make the most of it.

Today, I'm grateful for picnics in the lounge room that include me, Chicklet and 50 dinosaurs.

Nite all.

Day 307 in a Year of my Life

Father's Day is very busy down this neck of the woods!

All along the esplanade, between the road and the water, there is well maintained lawn, trees and gardens.  A few random bench seats.  A few random picnic tables.

Today, just about all the available shaded spaces on the lawns were filled with families celebrating Father's Day.

Portable folding chairs as far as the eye could see.  Blankets lay on the ground, in the middle of circles of chairs with food a drink spread across for Father's Day picnics.

Kids were running, skating, cycling, skateboarding, scooting, kayaking and swimming all along the water's edge.  Pets were happily playing and running alongside them.

There were sand castles being built, kids climbing trees, photos being taken, laughter ringing out and children squealing, mostly with delight.

Such a nice atmosphere.  It reminded me of my town at Easter, with the big fishing competition on.

Chicklet and I spent an hour walking along the waterfront and taking in the sights and sounds today.

We had a great day together, while Mama and Dadoo took a break and enjoyed some time together over lunch and a movie.

This is a photo that I took of Chicklet yesterday to put in the flickr challenge for a portrait showing 'joy/delight'

I'll try for some more shots tomorrow.   She doesn't like the camera much, so it's hard going, trying to get her to look 'at' the camera, let alone 'smile'!

Today I'm grateful for the new game, created by Chicklet, which she so aptly named 'dinosaurs stomping into the lagoon at great speed'.  This involves dropping every one of her 50-odd dinosaurs down my shirt while chanting 'dinosaurs stomping into the lagoon at great speed!'.  Thank goodness I wear loose fitting tops!

Nite all.

Day 306 in a Year of my Life

I started the day chasing Chicklet around the lounge room while wearing a dragon costume, complete with spiky spotted tail, while carrying a Snoopy doll.  Or maybe she was chasing me?  She is getting faster!

We ended the day watching 'Finding Nemo'.

Full, fun and exhausting.

She reminded me of all the things we did the last time I was here and educated me about Vincent Van Gogh.

I took her to the supermarket and gave her an education on the birds that we passed along the way.

I have a full day of babysitting ahead of me tomorrow, so I need to be energised!

A few photos from before I arrived.

Today I am grateful for an early night, so that I can feel excited about having a day with my girl tomorrow, while Vegan Chickie and the Bare-chested Chef have a break from their daily duties.

Nite all.

Day 305 in a Year of my Life

I'm here only to share two photos from my day with The Nikonian yesterday.

I have wasted the evening and now it's late and I need my energy for my first full day with Chicklet tomorrow.

Today, I'm grateful to have a whole week of Chicklet/Bozzy Wozzy fun ahead of me.

Nite all.

Day 304 in a Year of my Life

I have arrived, alive and well, safe and sound at the Sunshine Coast.

After only 4 hours sleep last night and a very long and full day, I am exhausted!

So, although I have taken a few photos to day, in the mountains and at the beach, I have no photos to share tonight.

I'm off to bed ... you know how exhausted I always am for the first couple of days that I'm here!

I've had a great day with The Nikonian.

Today, I am grateful tonight's delicious dinner of steak and vegetables, cooked by someone else's Adoring Husband!

Nite all.

Day 303 in a Year of my Life

Vintner's Secret vineyard.

http://www.vintnerssecret.com.au/

I highly recommend an outing to visit this lovely spot.

You can eat at Whisper's Cafe.  The food is divine and they source fresh produce from their own onsite herb and vegetable garden, and use seasonal fresh food from the local area.

There is a beautiful, creatively designed garden that you can wander through, with little nooks and crannies and alcoves to explore and many little resting areas where you can sit and enjoy the serenity, or contemplate life.

A few animals for the kids (and adults) to enjoy.  Alpacas, a pig, a goose, a cow, some chickens and a couple of dogs.

The owners are very warm and welcoming and so down to earth.  You'll never want to leave!

Apparently on the weekends they have live music on the grounds ... I'm looking forward to spending a Saturday or Sunday there with Adoring Husband some time in the near future.

I had a great day, as did the other 17 ladies with whom I shared the experience!

Today, I'm grateful for destinations that surprise and delight, especially when they are so close to home!

Nite all.

Day 302 in a Year of my Life

I came upon a blog today that listed "50 Things to Blog About" for the days when you get writer's block or lose your creativity.

So I've saved the list for the days when I have a brain freeze, and hopefully this means that you will be bored less often.

I won't bore you tonight because I'm going to make it brief.  No photos.

I could have had a great photo .. a lost opportunity.

I had a pedicure appointment today and I thought it was for 11.45am.  At 11am, when I checked the card, I discovered that the appointment was actually for 10.45am!

Honestly, there seems to be a trend happening here.  I'm having serious problems with 'times' lately!

So I phoned the salon, apologised profusely and told her I was on my way.

I was in the middle of cooking soup at the time, and I was wearing my daggy old house clothes.  I didn't even look in a mirror before I left.  I just grabbed my purse, jumped on the trike and pedalled my heart out!

At the halfway mark there is a large block of land and as I rode past, I glanced across to see a large bearded dragon lizard sitting in the middle of the block with his head held high and pointed towards the sky.

Not only did I not have the time to stop .. but I had left my camera at home!  A double whammy!

That was my lost opportunity.

I had my lovely pedicure and then came home and finished making Adoring Husband's tomato soup.

Tomorrow I'm looking forward to attending the lady's luncheon at a Childers Winery.  We are all travelling by bus, so I imagine there may be a few tipsy ladies on the way home!

I'll be travelling with camera so I hope to get some good shots to share tomorrow.

Today, I'm grateful for pineapple/mint water.  Refreshing and delicious!

Nite all.

Day 301 in a Year of my Life

I soooo want to keep a food diary right here, but I think I might get booed off the stage if I do!

I've had lots of different fluids today and I'm going to share that!

I started with hot lemon water.

Then I had beetroot/carrot/apple juice with hemp oil and magnesium oil.

After lunch I made watermelon/strawberry/orange/pawpaw/mint/coconut, with the same oils as above.  Even Adoring Husband enjoyed that one (he didn't know about the oils)-(he will when he reads this).

For tomorrow, I've filled a jug with fresh pineapple pieces, mint and water.

All delicious.  All nutritious.  All clean and fresh.  All satisfying.

Only one photo to share today.  A couple of Rainbow Bee Eaters from the block next door.  How lucky am I to have such pretty neighbours!

Just four more sleeps til I see my little Chicklet family.  Can't wait to see my little girl again.

Today, I am grateful to Number One Son for showing me how to book my train ticket online!  It took me 5 minutes to do it myself, as opposed to at least 30 minutes at the agent.  All this time, and I didn't know I had this option!

Nite all.  

Day 300 in a Year of my Life

So I finally found the motivation and enthusiasm to climb out of bed at 5.20am when my alarm went off and try to catch a nice sunrise.

I wasn't feeling too confident when I looked outside and saw not a cloud in sight, but figured that if there was no colour in the sunrise, I would take advantage of the perfect morning light somewhere along my path.

I was so organised.

Last night I packed my camera bag, put my clothes in the main bathroom so that I wouldn't disturb Adoring Husband while I got ready.  Put my hat and glasses on the desk and put the lemon slices in my cup ready to pour hot water onto before I walked out the door.

Just before I left, Adoring Husband was awake so I detoured to the bedroom to kiss him goodbye and then rushed out the door.

Left my lemon drink behind AND my tripod!  Ugh!

Anyway, the sunrise was quite pretty.  I planned this morning's shoot because I knew that the tide would be out and I could get some nice 'still water' shots on the turn of the tide.

I took a detour to the lagoon on the way home and got this photo, before my battery went dead.  Silly me forgot to charge the spare one, which was still in my camera bag, alas, also dead.  So that was my cue to come home.

When I got home, I had my lemon water, which was still warm on my desk and then I made a beetroot, carrot and apple smoothie.  It was quite delicious, but next time I'm going to take Vegan Chickie's advice and add some ginger.

Sunday lamb roast for lunch with potato, sweet potato, pumpkin, beans, snow peas, zucchini, onion and an interesting gravy made from the chicken stock that I'd frozen last week.  It was very tasty.  It was nice to create the gravy off the top of my head without using the usual bought powdered concoctions and no flour.

Then this afternoon, after a nice relaxing time on the couch watching the footy with AH, the clouds were looking interesting over the western sky, so I hopped on the trike and pedalled to the park hoping for a reasonable sunset.

I was almost disappointed, but then at the last moment, just as most great sunsets happen, I got this.

Today I'm grateful that my early morning was rewarded and I thoroughly enjoyed being up at the crack of dawn .. it reminded me why I used to get up at that time every day!  I wonder if I can create a new habit?

Nite all

Day 299 in a Year of my Life

Food Diary:

8am Hot lemon water.

10am Green smoothie - celery, zucchini, lettuce, snow peas, mint, basil, parsley, 3 strawberries, red apple, hemp oil, vital greens and magnesium oil.  It tasted much more delicious than it sounds!

1pm Half chicken breast with salad of avocado, tomato, onion, mushroom, cucumber, fresh beetroot and carrot.  A squeeze of lemon juice and pink Himalayan salt over the top.

3pm A small piece of this delicious chocolate cake.  Sugar free, grain free and gluten free.  The main ingredient is 3 cups of almond meal.  Every single ingredient has good nutritional value.

It's very rich on it's own, but with pure cream and strawberries - bloody delicious!

I included it in this reflections photo ...

I had another small piece at 7.30 tonight.  I didn't have any dinner.  Plenty of water.

I don't think Adoring Husband was keen on the cake.. all the more for me :D  I must check if I can freeze it.

Tomorrow I am going to attempt a chocolate mousse made with avocado, cocoa powder and coconut milk.  Sounds interesting huh?

I have a fridge full of fruit and vegetables that I have to use up before I leave for the Sunny Coast next week.  So I am searching through the 'clean food' recipes on-line.  I'll share the recipes that I think you non-fanatics might enjoy.

Today, I'm grateful for fun time in the kitchen experimenting with new ingredients and feeling GOOD for it!

Nite all.

Day 298 in a Year of my Life

Adoring Husband and I went to the movies to see "Now You See Me" today.  Yes, I got the day and the times correct this time and we shared the cinema with only 6 others.  I love it when that happens.

I was pretty much on the ball through the whole movie.  All the twists and turns didn't fool me and I predicted just about everything.  I even knew who the mastermind would be BUT that final twist at the end got me hook, line and sinker.

I did NOT expect the mastermind to be that particular character in the movie.

Great movie.  I highly recommend it.  Big names like Mark Ruffalo, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Isla Fisher, Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg.  I'm a big fan of all of these actors.

There is another movie that can't wait to see. "Red2".  Also big names .. Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, John Malkovich, Anthony Hopkins, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Mary-Louise Parker.  I think it opens next Thursday at our local cinema.

There were a few previews that look good.  A new Channing Tatum movie coming soon, called "White House Down" also starring Jamie Foxx and Maggie Gyllenhaal.  I'll watch it just to look at Channing Tatum.

"RIPD" with Ryan Reynolds, Jeff Bridges, Mary-Louise Parker and Kevin Bacon.  It looks like 'Men in Black' in ghost form.

That's just a few I can think of, off the top of my head.

I promised yesterday that I would share a recipe that I tried.  I called them wraps, but I guess they are more like Tortillas.

Cauliflower Tortillas!

3/4 head of raw cauliflower
2 Eggs
1 minced garlic clove
3/4 teaspoon of mixed herbs of your choice (I used parsley, basil and thyme)
1/4 teaspoon salt

You can also try with 1/4 teaspoon curry powder.

Preheat oven to 220C and line two baking sheets with baking paper.

In a food processor, pulse the cauliflower until it forms a crumb like texture (there should be 2 cups when packed). Place the crumbles and 1/4 cup of water in a saucepan with a tight fitting lid. Cook on a medium high heat for 8 minutes until tender.

Drain cauliflower in a sieve, then transfer to a clean t-towel. Firmly squeeze any excess water from cauliflower. In a bowl, stir together the cauliflower and remaining ingredients . Form two thin circles on baking paper. With a spatula, press down the dough so it forms a thin layer. Keep the wraps compact - there should be no paper showing through the mixture.

Bake for about 17 minutes until dry and pliable. Gently remove to a wire rack to cool so that the bottom doesn't become soggy. 

Heat a frypan and brown the tortillas to your liking .. this makes them a little crunchy round the edges and gives them a nice nutty flavour.

Use with light fillings or tear pieces off to scoop up fillings.  This is supposed to make 6 or 7, but I got 4 large-ish tortillas out of it - they are very filling!

Today I am grateful for my new Batman t-shirt that I bought for a pyjama top :) Na-Na-Na-Na-Na-Na-Na-Na-BATMANNNN!

Nite all.

Day 297 in a Year of my Life

I can't believe how late it is!

So this will be a quickie.

One photo from my ride this morning...

I found a great recipe to make gluten free wraps today, which I will share tomorrow.  I wish I'd taken photos of the cooking process!

Today I'm grateful that I'm not craving sugar after 3 days of being sugar-free!

Nite all.

Day 296 in a Year of my Life

Full moon tonight.

At 5.46pm the moon rose over the ocean straight out from our beach.

I love a full moon, but having a boring straight horizon as the only point of interest makes for a boring moon rise photo.

If it was rising at the end of an interesting pier, or above a magnificent tree,  over the mast of a yacht or between some buildings in an interesting cityscape, then you could see scale.

On a flat boring horizon, you can't even tell how big and amazing the moon is.

I struggled to get my camera settings right tonight.

There was a lot of smoke haze just sitting on the horizon, so the moon appeared and then disappeared for a little while behind the haze.

I had a lovely Skype call with Chicklet and Vegan Chickie today.  Chicklet had some new toys to show me.

She had a couple of dinosaurs (she would correct me if she heard me say that .. she knows their correct names and I have to use them!) and she had an anemone.

I got SEB out of the bird cage and brought him to the computer screen to show her, which she thought was cool, but her favourite thing of all, was a little plastic Snoopy doll that I got from the markets for $1 last week.

She had a lovely conversation with Snoopy and even showed him her new toys!

He is now packed into the suitcase ready to come on a train trip with me next week.

Today, I'm grateful for a beautifully clear and cool evening down on the beach to watch the moon rise.  It was very peaceful down there tonight.

Nite all.

Day 295 in a Year of my Life

What a nice day I've had today.

I didn't even get out of bed til almost 8.30am!  I woke up at 7.50am but lay in bed with my ipad for a while.

My first stop was morning tea with the girls and then I went for a ride around town for about an hour.

It's that perfect time of year leading up to Spring.  Everybody has a spring in their step.  Everybody appreciates the sunshine and warmer weather.  Everybody comes outside to their garden.  Everybody notices the colour of the sky and the river.  They can hear the birds singing.  They want to walk on the beach.

The air is definitely happier.

I got a reflection photo today, but I'm not going to use it for the competition.

I'm working on a couple of ideas at the moment, after doing a bit of brainstorming with BGWLBH and The Nikonian.  I hope something good comes from it .. or at least I hope that I can do the ideas justice!

Today I'm grateful for other people's good ideas :D

Nite all.

Day 294 in a Year of my Life

Canon Photo 5 competition has begun!

Canon run this competition every year at the same time.  It's open to anyone and it's free to enter.  The prize is a creative photography workshop in New Zealand, accommodation and flights included.  A great prize right?

The first open brief is "Reflections".

At first glance, it seems like an easy brief.

Yes, everybody has a decent reflections photo in their collection, but that's the problem.  Everybody has a 'similar' reflections shot in their collection.

There have already been hundreds of photos submitted.

The most common seem to be:

Yacht masts in the marina.
Tree reflections in water.
Frogs on glass.
Cats looking out windows.
Ducks or lilies on ponds.
Bridges or piers over still water.
Eyeballs.
Bubbles.
Water droplets.

So not only do you have to think of something original, but you have to set the photo up and execute it perfectly.

I look forward, every year, to this competition, but as soon as it arrives, I stress over it!!  Why??  It's not like I have anything to lose!

Ugh!

Anyway I found this little fella in the bush today ...

There were so many little Fairy Wrens making so much noise, I didn't know which direction to look!  In the end I just stood very still and he came to me.

Today, I'm grateful for Winter changing into Spring and bringing nature back to life.

Nite all.