{This moment}

Inspired by Soule Mama.  A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Cheesy Wholemeal Crackers

I decided to make these because I really couldn't be bothered getting out of my PJs and "quicky" do a supermarket trip with a toddler... plus I wanted to demolish the brie I had waiting in the fridge for me. Not only are these more nutritious and delicious than store bought cheesy crackers, they're fun way to encourage kids to get in the kitchen. You can also make a big batch of them as they freeze well for later.

Ok, before the recipe there are a few tips I've discovered in making these.

• Make sure you roll out the dough really thin, the thinner the crisper.
• These babies go from under done to char grilled in a nano second, so watch them!
• Get creative with cookie cutters, what kids doesn't like animal crackers

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup white flour
1/2 tsp sea salt + more for garnish
2 tbs olive oil
2/3 cup water
1 cup cheddar cheese, grated & at room temp

Firstly combine the flours and the sea salt in a large bowl and give them a bit of a mix, just to combine them. Add all the other ingredients to the bowl. Then, either by hand, or using the dough hook on your mixer, knead the dough for 5 minutes until the dough is smooth & well mixed.

Divide the dough in half and set one half aside placing a tea towel over it. Using parchment paper lay down one piece on a clean counter, place the dough half on top and then use another piece of parchment paper on top of the dough. Roll the dough out on the between the sheets, rolling as thin as you can. Pay close attention to getting the middle thin too! I find using this technique, you can get the dough super thin without too much trouble.

Cut the crackers in whatever shape you like and place them on a baking tray with some sort of non stick sheet whether it be parchment of a cookie sheet. Prick each cracker with a fork and for optional flavour, sprinkle the entire tray with sea salt..  If you do sprinkle the crackers with sea salt, gently press the salt into the crackers with your hands.

Bake each tray of crackers at 180c for 15-20 minutes.  Set your timer for 10 minutes and then for every 3-5 minutes after that. Remember, these babies burn!

When lightly browned and crunchy, remove the crackers from the oven. Cool slightly on the tray before using a metal spatula to remove them.

Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Store crackers longer by freezing them.

Remember if you're making these with kids let them get their hands dirty. Kids LOVE to help and feel like they're contributing. When they're older they could be making meals for you!

Enjoy!

MamaKoo



Do you make crackers at home? I'd love for you to share recipes :)

What matters most

Since I've become a mother I've done a lot of soul searching, but more so in the past year. What matters most about life has become more and more evident to me, family, friends and the simple pleasures that life has to offer. Throughout the life of an average human being, there is always going to be ups and downs. During low times, I try to place my focus on what is good in my life, what lifts me up and into the light again. The one thing that is keeps me strong and focused is my family, my beautiful girl and my darling husband.

 

MamaKoo

Plastic free update

Its been six months since I made a vow to go plastic free and I thought I'd update about my plastic free journey... I must admit and accept that its not going to plan.

Its A LOT harder than I first thought it would be. Simple things like finding a non plastic packaging alternative to buying milk. I know what you're thinking.. "MamaKoo, haven't you heard?! Milk comes in cartons!" but did you know, cartons are made from cardboard lined with a polyethylene plastic? What happened to the days of old, where milk was delivered to your door in glass bottles?

I think although I haven't been able to make the full transition, trying to go plastic free has made me rethink the things I would have purchased in the past, try to find alternatives and in doing so has made me find different and wonderful places to shop. Its made me slow down and live life more simply, appreciate the things I have access to and forced me to start making things I normally would buy (which I enjoy doing!).

Hopefully down the track we can become an almost plastic free family, I really think that at this time in history becoming COMPLETELY plastic free is a near impossibility. We can always try, can't we?

{This moment}

 

 

Inspired by Soule Mama.  A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Free Energy Efficient Lighting

Just a note: I'm not a representative of this company, I'm just speaking from my own experience.


I've just finished having my house's light bulbs changed over to energy efficient lighting for.. FREE! Yes, free!

Through the assistance of State and Federal government schemes a carbon reducing company called Green Home Green Planet are on a mission to change as many light bulbs as possible. They've changed some 400,000 energy efficient light bulbs for their customers free of charge. I found out about this wonderful scheme due to pure coincidence when a representative came to my door. At first I thought he was selling something, so if you happen to have a representative come past your house, don't turn them away!
  
The benefits of this program include;

• A reduction in your electricity bill
• A reduction in carbon emissions
• Making a positive contribution to slowing climate change
• Reducing peak demand for electricity companies, therefore reducing the need for costly network investment (which appears as additional cost on your bill)
• Significantly reduce or eliminate fire risk from overheating quartz halogen down lights
• Lower running temperatures mean less need for air conditioning 

They're also offering free home energy assessments and have a wide range of products to help create a more energy efficient home or business.


MamaKoo

In the garden

This year my summer crop has taken a while to kick off. Partly because of the unpredictable weather we've been having due to La Nina and partly because some of my seeds didn't like the egg carton seed trays (I had to transfer them to either bigger pots or toilet rolls) and simply because I haven't had the time to get out there and give the garden a good workout.

I've managed to install drip irrigation (yes, plastic.. I know) onto one of my vegetable beds. Although it took a few trips to the hardware store and a diploma in irrigation installation, it helps IMMENSELY with saving time and saving water.

Drippers with a zucchini just starting to take off.

My herbs haven't looked back and its just an absolute delight walking out the back and picking fresh herbs for dinner. I can't wait till I can do that with my vegetables too!

Parsley going to seed.

Plenty of coriander!

Thyme and oregano.

Last year I bought some lemongrass as an experiment. It was a small sad looking punnet and its now grown into quite a large sedge of grass. I've got no clue whether its doing well or not, still, come end of summer I'll be harvesting and re-potting.

Lemongrass.

In the my irrigated patch I have oxheart and roma tomatoes, long cayanne peppers, eggplant, capsicum, zucchini and kale, along with a few bits and pieces here and there to assist with companion planting.

Oxheart tomato plant and calendula.

Sadly, my apricot and orange tree produced poorly, I've only managed to pick five delicious apricots. Although we'll have tons of mandarins this year!

Mandies!

 So that's whats happening in my garden.. what about yours?



MamaKoo