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Life on two acres of arid dirt, on the edge of the Australian outback.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Recipes, sunsets and garden delights

Sorry for the quietness around this blog lately. I decided to have a little blogging break and not go on the computer until evenings as ashamedly I wasn't getting all my jobs done because of too much time wasting on here. This blogging business is very addictive.

The above book I have had for a while and after my father's and my friend's recent heart attacks, I have decided that we all need to be living healthy so to keep health problems at bay. Especially our son who eats far too much rubbish food.

These recipes are taken from this gem of a little book. It contains so much information for adults and children alike.

We are what we eat after all.

If we put poor quality fuel in our cars, will they run properly? No. Same with our precious bodies, if we put poor quality food in our mouths we definitely will not run properly!! Lately I have been experiencing a little more stress than usual in my life and am in much need of some energy food.

Energy building recipes

Fruity Snacks

Packed with nutrients, these fruity snacks are perfect for lunchboxes, parties or after school. Individually wrapped in cellophane, they make a great gift.

60 g dried apricots
60 g dates
60 g raisins
30 g ground almonds
40 g coconut

Put all the dried fruit through a fine mincer. Place the fruit and almonds into a bowl and work together with enough coconut to make a firm, mouldable mixture. Sprinkle the remaining coconut on greased paper. Form the mixture into 'logs' about 1cm x 4cm and roll in the coconut. Chill for a short time until firm. (The chilling time depends on the weather and how soft the ingredients were.)

*All I did was whiz all the ingredients (except for a bit of coconut to roll them in) in the blender and rolled into 'logs' and then sliced into small pieces for finger food.



One-cup Fruit Slice

This is one you can throw together and have in the oven in under 10 minutes. Any other combination of dried fruit can be used in place of the dried apricots and sultanas, as long as it amounts to 2 cups.

1 cup wholemeal self-raising flour
1 cup coconut
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped dried apricots
1 cup sultanas
1 cup reduced-fat milk

Grease a 20cm x 30cm slab tin. Mix all the ingredients together evenly. Press into the tin. Bake at 180C for 25-30 minutes. Cut into 20 squares.


Banana and Chocolate Chip Muffins

Using a mix of white and wholemeal flour add fibre. This recipe can be mixed the day before it's needed and stored in the refrigerator ready to cook.

1 cup self-raising flour
1/2 cup wholemeal self-raising flour
1/4 teaspoon bi carb soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/3 cup soft brown sugar
1/2 cup chocolate bits
3/4 cup reduced-fat milk
1 egg lightly beaten
1 ripe banana, mashed
1/4 cup vegetable oil (macadamia nut oil or grapeseed oil is best for this recipe, or you could use canola oil. Olive oil might have too strong a flavour.)

Preheat the oven to 180C.

Grease the muffin tins.

Combine the flours, bi carb of soda, cinnamon, brown sugar and chocolate bits.

Mix the milk, egg, banana and oil and add to the other ingredients.

Mix until just combined. (Do not over mix.)

Spoon into the muffin tins and bake for 20 - 25 minutes.

Makes 12 small or 6 large muffins.



There have been a couple of lovely sunsets lately.


Old truck across the road with the beautiful orange colours of Autumn.

The near by Flinders Ranges all aglow with late orange sunlight. This photo is taken from our little block of Australia.

Some elephants tongues? I think this is what they are called. This is the flower part and the large green leaves come along later after the flowers have died. The garden is starting to recover after our extremely hot summer.

Warm days here with little to no wind, I must take some photos of the gulf in the mornings when it looks like glass, it is so pretty. Even saw a pelican this morning on our way to school.

Must get back to helping a year 8 with his homework now.

Have a good evening,

See you soon,

x Tania

12 comments:

  1. MMmmmmm... some great ideas there!

    I know the feeling of spending too much time on here and not enough time on the important things! I've gotten in the habit of being on the computer when the children are asleep and I really need to spend more time doing the chores that NEED doing!

    I swear there's so much blown-in dirt on my windowsills, that I could plant potatoes!

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  2. Tania that slice looks great will add that to the repertoire for sure I need to make some lunch box snakcs this afternoon so will do this one.

    Love the sunsets Daisyboy12 (also Year8) hhurt his back at rugby on Sunday so he is home resting it again today.

    daisymum

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  3. Hi Tania,
    Those sunsets are absolutely beautiful! Since being here, we usually miss out on the spectacular sunsets that we had in Tumby Bay because we have the hills here, and the sun disappears behind them before setting.

    The wholemeal banana choc-chip muffins are excellent, too!

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  4. Nice to hear from you again, I know about the addictive nature of blogging!! Well done for only computing in the evening. I love the scenery around you.... Thankyou for the healthy recipes, I totally agree with you re eating well.

    I have given this lady http://www.notsoglamoroushousewife.com/ your blog address as she is about to embark on planting a garden. I am inspired by yours in such a harsh environment......hope she visits you!

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  5. Ma! Ma! I wanted to tell you that the native frangipani in the front yard that we thought was dead has re-shooted! IT'S ALIVE! Lucky I hadnt got around to pulling it out...
    And I still have no phone at home. Telstra says it should be fixed by Wednesday. We'll see...
    ~S. xo

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  6. Hi Tania

    Yum, Yum & YUM!!! I am going to try all three of your recipes. The fruit snacks look delish. Why is it so hard for us to keep eating sensible food instead of rubbish? I suppose convenience plays a part, doesn't it. Also, why does it take a health scare to bring to our attention that we should be eating healthier foods? I am just about to sign up for Weight Watchers on line (otherwise I would have to travel 100kms round trip each week). I might track my progress on my blog...maybe.
    Glad to see your garden in recovering, we had lovely rain last night so its all good here.
    Have a nice day,

    Cheers - Joolz

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  7. Hello Tania,

    Thankyou for the great recipes. I have just read your post on the scourer and think its a brilliant idea. This is one that I will be trying. How is your Dad going now. I hope he's feeling on top of the world now.

    Blessings Gail

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  8. I just wanted to let you know I have tried so many of your recipes and I have loved every one so far:0)Thankyou for these simple ingredient delights!I have the "one cup slice" in the oven as I type!Hope your day is a happy one,Granny.

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  9. Thanks for the recipes and beautiful pictures!

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  10. Tania, I am so happy that the weather has cooled a bit. We are going into spring so fall must be close by for you all.
    I agree we could all make better food choices. I am trying to do a bit of a turn around and add more fruits and veggies. Take care.

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  11. Yes,Real life really does get in the way of our blogging,eh??
    I am just about to get off and mop my floors and iron.

    Your cooking treats and snacks all look scrummy:)
    Hope your Dad is doing well ,
    Take care

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  12. I didn't realise he was in Year 8, sorry about that.

    I have an award for you.

    http://remotetreechanger.blogspot.com/2009/03/lemon-tree.html

    ReplyDelete

Your comments really make my day. Thank you for taking the time and for being so kind.