rebecca:vavic

Food and Cooking: Right now...

Firstly a disclaimer - I AM BY NO MEANS A NUTRITIONALIST !!

I am simply a Mumma passionately interested in nourishing her family as best she can...

Once again, I  find myself interested in all manner of books and blogs about food and nutrition, the flame has been reignited with my Thermomix. 

BOOKS....

I have many books on the subject of food and nutrition and I think I do pretty well with nourishing my family! And working out what's right for us, and every family has their own winning formula for them.

I have written many blog posts on books that I read and am inspired by:

• Back in 2011 I discovered Sarah Wilson's I Quit Sugar, and Kris Carr's Crazy Sexy Diet here. Both highly recommend!
• Tiffany Hall and some information I found super helpful here.
• A comprehensive list of books I refer to regularly & remain my "go to" books here.
• and still more books here.

I can say this post and this journal entry would be the main reason I am so into my Thermomix:

Date on the page 25th March 2012... TWO years ago. So it's not a "new" passion... it's a deep seated desire to do the best by myself and for my family.

I am looking forward to getting a copy of QUIRKY COOKING, which will be available Monday 5th May, get in quick because I am sure they won't last long.

This leads me the blogs I read and am constatly inspired by:

BLOGS...

Quirky Cooking - lots of allergy friendly, dairy free and raw recipes.

Life in Surry Hills - Paleo friendly, but I mainly go for the food eye candy, her photography is beautiful !!

 

Little Bit of Thyme - well this blog is one I love all round, food & crafts & kids and simple living... A visit here with a cuppa tea, as Tash suggests... I a slice of heaven!

 

 A house in the Hills - A-MAYYYY-zing food photography... & lots of gluten free recipes, particularly intersts me because of her crohns disease and healing herself with food! Plus she is a pretty all round funky kinda chick!

 

 The Road to Loving my Thermomix - Peta has lots of great tips and tricks, plus menu planners and lots of recipes including skin care and kids crafts!

Other BLOGS that I quite like are:

ThermoQueen

Food4Thought

Be a Fun Mum

Mummy Smiles

I hope you enjoy taking a look at the books and blogs that inspire me, and I am sure they will inspire you too!

Happy Cooking...

Bxo

Right Now: 21st March 2014...

I think it's nice to do these kinda posts from time to time:

For today: 21st March 2014

Outside my window... it is a lovely sunday Autumn day.

I am thinking... I wish there were more hours in the day, I am finding myself in a bit of a "space" where I can't seem to work out what to do next as I have far too many things going on for me right now. I strive for a simple life in this hustle and bustle of our society.

I am thankful for... my husband, he is the most awesome person I know!

From the kitchen... some snacks for the kids with the ThermoMix, and likely eat out at the Plaza tonight, for Friday night is Plaza night and a break from the kitchen for me.

I am wearing... skinny jeans, black tank, fluro floral over blouse and patent lady janes... plus a pearl necklace my sisters got me for my 40th (which I love!).

I am creating... a new business venture with my ThermoMix... and some quilts & cushions.

I am going... to the doctors this afternoon for my post Appendectomy check up. I feel pretty good, but I have had some significant nerve pain. Not sure much can be done about this tho.

I am reading... nothing really, a few home decor magazines.

I am hoping… I am able to get a few things checked off my "to do" list today!

I am hearing... Kylie on the radio!

Around the house... All is quite, kids are at school and Nath is at work.

One of my favorite things... having my home all clean and tidy!

A few plans for the rest of the week... Mikaela has her school swim carnival on Monday, I am taking the boys to Basketball tomorrow.... ThermoMix demonstration with some lovely friends on Sunday. Girls weekend, creative escape next weekend for two nights. Also Nath and I are going to see Pete Murray this week. Then the usual business of our little family.

A picture to share...

My ever changing hair style!

Love out

Bxo

Thermomix Loving: what I've been up to lately...

I have been busy cooking up a storm in our little kitchen lately, here are a few of my creations:

If you've been taking a peek at my Instagram, you may have already seen many of these in the past week or so.

I am really enjoying being able to whip up snacks for the kids super quickly, and without any additives that I am not comfortable with... especially Mikaela with all her swim training.

Last night she took some Apricot and Tahini protein balls, they were not such a hit that I hoped they would be, but like good little super athletes... they ate them. I think after a two hour swim they'd be almost willing to eat cardboard!

So I think my next attempt for them will involve some chocolate and coconut oil. Nom nom!

Happy Friday, I hope your weekend is a good one.

Bxo

 

Quick and Easy craft for a new bubba...

My little neice is here visiting us at the mo! She is very sweet and adorable!!

So I did what obsessed and besotted aunties do, or what crafters like I do... I crafted her a little gift.

I referred to Pinterest and I found this cute little project. Then I made this one for CJ:

It looks a little wishy washy on the screen, but very nice in real life!

And although it took me more than an hour, it was a very quick and easy project.

Makes me want to create one for Mikaela too now... I think its a bit too young for her big teenager-ness tho!

Materials Used:

9" embroidery hoop - any wood one will do really.

Heather Bailey felt - its THICK and really lovely to work with.

Perle thread - I love this thread for all my quilting, embroidery and cross stitch, the colours are fabulous.

Font used:  for "Chloe" is ChopinScript and for "Jean" is Century Gothic.

So next time a friend {or you} have a babe.. here's' a quick & cute little project for you to give a go.

Enjoy.

Bxo

Works in Progress: Quilting

I have a great many quilts on the go, I think it may be an illness.. but if it is, I don't actually want a cure. I LOVE me some quilting, so much so that this here is my list I have going on right now:

I found this fabulous template which helps me to keep track of my projects.

Progress of late:

I finally mangaged to get my Lone Star quilt to the long arm quilter {Helen}!! I am hoping to have it back by my birthday in late May.

I also took my Thai silk quilt to the long arm quilter to have it basted... my plan is to kantha stitch it... mmm that's a big job, I know! Could take me 10 years!

 

I am working on this small square quilt, which will sit over an ottoman in our lounge room.... is there anything sweeter than liberty & linen, I don't think so!

Planned projects for the next week:

My number one priority has to be this quilt for Joshua's Kindy teacher, it is quilted and binding is finished, I just need to do some stitching around the hands:

I'd also like to piece together Mikaela's Aqua Issosolies triangle quilt top.

And finish the Liberty and Linen quilt.

Happy Quilting!

Bx

 

Finished Quilt: Annalise's Crib Quilt...

How embarrasing, I finished and gifted this quilt 8 months ago. EIGHT !!

This was a very quick one, the main feature was the most gorgeous fabric, then binded by a simple bold colour (magenta perhaps?)... and backed with the most soft of soft flannel in a pale yellow.

Note to self: ALWAYS take photos before gifting the quilt !!! I was in such a rush, I think I finished binding the night before, got up at 6am to drive up and be at my friends by 93oam.

And I got to meet little Annalise, the most adorable precious little bundle:

Oiw, isn't she just darling! I am pretty sure she is smiling at me!

Such a little cutie patootie.

Even tho this quilt has not a bit of piecing, I think it is gorgeous, the fabric makes it... delicious! However, it is not near as delicious as the little lady it was made for, such an angel, just like her Mumma {my dear darling girlfriend Jacqui}:

Happy Quilting.

Bxo

The Truth: Cyber Overwhelm...

Seriously am I the ONLY one on this planet who gets overwhelmed with all our technology?

Way back in 2006 when I started my blog - that was pretty much all there was {that I knew about, or that my friends actively dabbled in}... then came along FaceBook and Twitter - and the big kahoona, as far as us creative types go: Pinterest (which I love LOVE). Then there's Instagram, which is fabulous!

PLUS, I used to only take photos with my digi camera, occasionally with my phone, but "back then" those photos were rubbish. Now the iPhone images are quite good, and they are convenient, quick.. easy. 

I like quick and easy, I like simplicity!

Today I have my iMac, my iPhone, my iPad... and yes, of course there is the Cloud, but I have notes and blog links all over the place. It does not feel at all simple!

So I think really, this is where I hit a snag in my cyber communication. Blogging became hard and I felt overwhelmed. 

Plus I found that many blogs I really enjoyed over the years had become predictable and robotic, sponsor give-away on this day, product review (ehem hard sell) on this day, and a tiny bit of personal information in some cryptic kinda way... maybe they too feel the overwhelm?!

Here are a few methods I have adapted to our family life to minimise overwhelm:

• My main computer got serviced, it was given an entire overhaul and I am now confident it is without any nasty virus or bugs, and it is running at its optimum.
• Unsubscribing to emails as they arrive in my inbox - this is helping a great deal. It seems every thing you sign up to these days also includes lots of "junk" mail to your inbox. Enough already!
• Keeping my inbox empty, or as close to empty as I can.
• Declutter and purging my directory - this is gonna take some time and I'll share with you my workings and methods once I am near done.
• Having a server to do regular back ups, this minimises my fear of losing all our photos.
• NO TV time, we have a few rules about TV in our home, none before school and often none after school until after dinner.
• I use timers with the kids and their iPads.
• My 13 year old has to give me her technology before going to bed.
• I limit my "checking" of email or any other technology. I try to do it during a set time of day each day.
• I make use of my hands free in my car and make important phone calls when out and about {not always the best tactic if the kids are being noisy!!}

So far, so good.

To get back into my blogging I've decided to just keep it simple! Basically I have been working on simplifying my life for some time... and most of the time I succeed quite well.

Its about being mindful and having realistic expectations and knowing that slow and simple is best for my little family and growing children.

Peace

Bx

Thermomix Joy: I have one on the way...

But of course, once you have seen one in action you know what I mean.

It's a no brainer.

Especially if you have children with allergies! or you've been reading lots on additives and driving yourself crazy with how exactly to create the best, most nourishing food and fuel for your family, and for me this is my answer:

 

I hope to be posting recipes and my adventures with my new mini kitchen as I get to know it/him?/her?...

And feel happy I am making the kinda progress I feel is required as far as a package free home for foods and my family, including sauces and all kinds of processed crap in our fridge & pantry!!!

I have this on my fridge, if only it were simple to live by.

I have many conversations with my 13 year old daughter (who also happens to be a junior elite athlete and trains like crazy)... food is our fuel, it is essential to understand nutrition & just because it is sold in the shops DOES NOT MAKE IT SAFE to eat. She does not understand this fact, she assumes that we would not be sold foods that make us sick, or worse, poison us. I think a LOT of people think this way, they assume.... you know what the saying is about assumptions?!

12WBT taught me a great deal about food and nutrition, today I am much more likely to only eat foods that I prepare, food where I know what is in it. If I do have a 'treat' or something totally prepared elsewhere, I'll make the best decision for me at that time... and sometimes I'll suffer a sore tummy (or worse) afterwards.

I have a nutrition plate on the fridge also, and the only one who really cares is 6 year old Joshua! 1 out of 4 aint bad! Sheez - I will be whipping them all into healthy eating.

Anyway this is definitely a journey for me and my family, and if you are interested, I hope you'll come along.

Health & Joy

Bxo

I am here...

And I promise to try post regularly from now on! I think I may have said that a few times before... and I am not even sure how my blog slipped so far away from my everyday.

Having three very active kiddies - and one of them that trains up to 3 hours a day, which requires 2 hours transport... well that may take a fair chunk out of my "free" time.

Anyways I am no busier than most other peeps, in fact I am very fortunate to take most of my days as I like, as a stay at home Mumma my time is not answerable to anyone except my kids and the school bell or Squad time starts.

I am going to make an effort to get back here regularly and post more frequently!

My little lady turned 13 recently and I can barely believe it !! How the time flies.

Of course the kids are back at school, sadly I missed ALL of their first days due to being in hospital having my appendix out! Sad right. It was a bit sad because it was Ben's first day of Preschool. The begining of the cutting of the apron strings so to speak.

I had Nath do the blackboard sign again, same as we did last year. Joshua and Mikaela started on the same day again:

 

Ben started the following day:

The thing is that they all coped very well without me, of course! I mean not as many things got done, but all in all they were fine.

Nath enjoyed doing the school run and chatting with the kids during the drive. Actually the school pickup and hearing all {and I do mean ALL, a blow by blow} about their days is my absolute favourite thing about being a stay at home Mumma. I know that even if Mikaela just caught the bus home, I would not get any of the information I get from her during our drive home.

I felt a bit like a caged animal during my bed rest... a few times Nathan suggested backing away quietly, closing the door and turning off the light. I did manage to get some cross stitch done, something I've always admired and long wanted to give a go, so that's a good thing. I'll share that soon. Also got quite a few quilted cushions done. Love me some cushions.

Until next time, very soon I promise, take care of you and yours.

Love out.
Bxo