Stir fry vegetables

Hi everyone,
Haven't blogged about cooking for awhile so I'd let you see, my version of Stirfry vegetables. I chop the potatoes into medium pieces, like if you were roasting them. Then in a non-stick wok I start to cook them with one or two tablespoons of oil. Just enough oil to coat them and not to stick to the pan.

The trick here is to cook the potatoes until half cooked so as they take the longest. Then add any other vegetable you like. You can add alittle water to help with the cooking process. I usually add, carrots, celery, peppers, snow peas because they are usually in my fridge.

Cook all of these until they potatoes are cooked through. They are the only vegetable which needs to be cooked through. The others can be still alittle hard, as in a stirfry.

Some mixed herbs and salt to taste and they you go, it's done. Again, just make sure the potatoes are cooked through, as it is a little strange to eat them when they are not cooked properly. Will keep you posted.

Mothers day Make her feel special

Mothersday is coming up soon and I love the way children and husbands of all ages go to some length to treat their partners or mothers. The caring and sharing should be not limited to one day of the year but all year round.

The great work mothers do that is not paid, but absolutely work, should be appreciated on a more daily basis. The endless selfless acts that go on everyday by mothers, from taking the kids to school, cooking meals and those endless activities that never let up until the end of school break, is work. The list can go on and on, but I sure you get the picture.

So I'm here to say a BIG THANK YOU, everyday to every mum for all the hard work you do all year round. Three cheers to all the Mums around the world. Will keep you posted.

My creative side

I love creating and designing new items for people to see and buy. The interaction with buyers on the etsy site is fun and I have met some lovely people and learnt at times about their city.

How the weather is different in different parts of the world and how the the world is filled with nice caring individuals. This post is about showing you my most loved aprons. Having said that all the items I make do have a story of creation but these are some I like right now. I hope you enjoy them too. Will keep you posted.

Once a upon a time - weight loss - The ups and downs of my weight loss

Well, Here it is. I have not hit 66.9kgs as hoped. But I have lost a kilo. And I'm now seeing 68 and 67kgs more often then 70, so that's got to be good. Right? The coulds and shoulds are becoming more wills and cans so the key here is just keep going. And I do listen to myself and make everyday some good choices, whether it is going to the gym or food choices there is alway a voice at the back of the brain saying, the ice-cream is a great idea now, but put in some choices that will help you get to your goal. And food should be enjoyed and bring family closer together.

The truth is I'm already there with the weight. I am within a normal weight for my height but I am at the heavier end. I should weigh between 56kgs ( I would look pretty terrific at that weight) and 69kgs.

So, I'll just keep going on my merry way and keep weighing myself and try to do better in life. The weight loss for me has just been a bonus. It's the discovery of who I am and how strong I can be. I know I'll have bad days where sweets will be consumed and maybe to much but I can get the weight off and know how now. I can.... I knew I would use that word one day. Will keep you posted.

Once a upon a time - weight loss - Back to the gym

Off I went to the gym today and I can say that things were a bit slow this morning. I have taken 10 steps back but at least I'm able to resume my gym work, which I have now grown to love.

No longer do I feel awkward and out of place in going there. And because there is such a range of different ages there, I now feel part of the group. Most people at the gym keep to themselves and are focused on their own journey that I don't really interact with them. Having said that I do bump in to locals I know and have a little chat.

So, things are great. On the weight front I can say I am still at 68.6kgs this morning but dinner didn't go well and a few bad choices were made. Having said that, very good choices were made this morning and I hope with that and with the gym the kgs are going in the right direction.

Having the relative giving me the motivation to succeed has been a big help. I think it could have gone all pear shape if I didn't have another reason to continue. I think that is where a lot of us lose our way. Keeping focused is the hardest thing I had to deal with but I hope I'm now getting there.

I will be very excited when could and should becomes will and can. This is coming but it does take a lot to over come that hurdle. I love to hear from some people out there. I could do with all the motivation I can get. And if you have the same goals lets try and get there together. Will keep you posted.

Apron mini and half aprons

Here are some of the lastest aprons I created and designed for runawaywombat on etsy. I love a country inspired fabric. I picture myself sitting on the verandah with a cool drink taking in the sunset. I hope you enjoy these too.

Once a upon a time - weight loss Lets keep it going

As promised, I'm updating on my progress with the weight loss. The journey has been up and down and I think that would be for most people. What I'm really happy about is the fact that I have never gone back to where I was. So for that I'm very proud of myself.

When speaking to the Physio yesterday, I said how I have learnt alot about myself in this journey with my back problems. And that I'm more determined and strong then I thought I was. Back issues are just part of my life but I now have the tools to continue to help myself to achieve better muscle strengh to deal with it and a greater mind set to make changes for myself.

The weight loss challlenge with the relative has really been helpful in giving me the extra motivation I needed to keep going. I really had lost interest in the whole thing and slowly but surely was going back to my old ways.

Now the great news is the Physio has given me the green light to go back to the gym, but really I knew that I was well enough to go back. So in some ways I have also learnt something about taking control for myself.

So, what's next. BETTER FOOD CHOICES, I am listening now. And that, together with the gym should get me there. The day when I blog and don't use the words, should, could or would and use the words can, will and I'm going to, will mean I have understood me and have achieved my weight loss goal.

So for now the weight is 68.6kgs. this morning. Will keep you posted.

Once a upon a time - weight loss - I got the push I needed

New morning and the challenge continues. I got the push I needed to really work on my food intake to lose the weight. I'm seeing the Physio today so I hope I get the go ahead to go back to the gym.

Now, with my relative on the same journey I have really got the fire in the belly to continue. It is hard to keep it going, and that I have found, for me was the hardest thing.

Having your family involved as well has been a big help. Up to now I had done it on my own. I got the trainer to help with the exercise motivation. But I guess I needed someone to motivate me with the food. This morning I was 68.8kgs. So, it's quite amazing just one day of being really good with my food and I have made a difference already. Will keep you posted.

Once a upon a time - weight loss End of the first day of the new challenge

OK, Well I have been good today and before dinner I was 68.6kgs. Keeping the good food policy is hard but I'm trying my best. The motivation of someone else in the journey is helping and now I have family pitching in to help me out.

I must admit, I would love to have some sweets right now but I'm staying strong and hopefully be happy with some progress tomorrow. As I have now a new challenge I'll try to blog each day to keep you up to date.

If anyone is on a similar journey just post a comment. Would love to hear from others in the same situation on life and it's journey through it. Will keep you posted.

Once a upon a time - weight loss New Challenge

Here I am with the weight loss challenge. A bad few weeks with back issues so trainer at the gym as gone out the door. But things are on the up and rather then go to the gym, I have gone to the pool for not as much exercise but some well deserved me time of relaxing in the warm pool.

So, the good news, as I'm sure everyone is looking for is that I haven't put on any weight. Still hovering around the 69.5kgs. And that's because I'm thinking differently about food and trying not to over indulge in everything.

So What's next. I have come together with a relative to continue the journey. A healthy and supportive way to lose weight and keep me motivated.

The plan is 2.5kgs to be lost by Easter. Now I don't know if I can do it but the competition and support hopefully will be the push I have needed. Goal weight is 62kgs so really I don't have much to lose. But it is the mind set that is the hardest part. And I can say, I need to be creative in ways to motivate myself.

I have started well this morning and my plan is fruit before sweets. So I'll see how I go. Will keep you posted.

Organic apples

Well, it's close to Easter, and for us that means our apples are almost ready to eat. We have just pick these apples because they are rippening first, so off they come and ready to eat.

This particular variety come from a tree that makes 3 different varieties of apples. It's funny how when they are your own veetable or fruit from your own trees how you pick them with the utmost of care.

Here are the pictures for you to see. Will keep you posted.

Once a upon a time - weight loss - Update 10 steps back

You are probably wondering how the weight loss and fitness is going. Well after day visits to see my dad and a week of being unwell I have gone backwards in the condition of my back.

I walk a fine line with my back problems between being great to many heat packs to control the pain. So, you are probably wondering about the gym. Well, its gone on holidays and I won't see it for a while. I'm back to simple exercises for my back, given to me by the Physio, who I must say is a miracle worker, and has understood the way my back works.

Now, you are probably thinking, Oh, this is bad. But I have learnt to look to the brighter side of life, and this attack was much better then the last, and that means the fitness exercises at the gym, the personal trainer has all paid off.

So, on I go with the exercises, juggling walking sessions in the pool and heat packs to get back to normal. The recovery is going well and I'm almost back on track. So, as I have learnt form this whole experience you never say never, and you keep pushing on. Will keep you posted.

Garlic Bread Never made it before. Yes, it is true!!

As promised, I have now some time to let you in on the Garlic bread Story. My family have been asking for some time now, but I can say it wasn't in my recipes of homemade meals I made.

So, I could have gone and bought some pre-made ones, I guess, and just put it in the oven. But I am big on home cooked meals, and thought, how hard could it be? So, I went and bought some long rolls, bought some spreadable butter and garlic. Some Italian herbs already had at home, so off I went and made the garlic butter.

I scooped out some butter, enough for what I thought would do for the 4 rolls. Added the Italian herbs, I sprinkled until I thought it looked enough. And then added the garlic. First I added 1 clove, then 2, then 3 small cloves crushed. When I thought the smell of garlic was strong enough, I mixed it all together and put it back in the fridge.

When I was ready, I cut the rolls into slices but not cutting all the way through and then spread the garlic butter on both sides of the cuts of the bread. Wrapped it with foil and into a hot oven for about 10 minutes.

Now, please bare in mind, I had never made garlic bread, I only saw the ones in restaurants and never looked up any recipe. So, It was amazing, and I don't think I have every said that about my food before. This is one thing I will make again and also serve it up at dinner parties. So, it isn't that hard and just like the ones in the resturants. Here are the pictures and I will absolutely make this again.