Banana, Peanut Butter and Honey Rye Cakes

I'm not sure how my family discovered this flavour combination, but all three of us LOVE it. We can't get enough. On toast, in wraps, with pancakes, I could go on! Having recently cut out processed sugar from my diet, I still feel the need to tame my sweet tooth every now and then.

Generally this batter will make either 16 muffins, 12 muffin and a mini loaf, or you could always put all of the batter in a large loaf tin.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup organic rice bran oil
• 3/4 cup raw honey
• 2 organic free range eggs, lightly whisked
• 1 cup of overripe bananas, mashed
• 3/4 cup organic raw peanut butter (the good stuff)

• 2 cups organic rye flour
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 180c.

Using a medium bowl, mix the first five ingredients together using a spoon.
In a larger bowl, combine the last four ingredients.
Now combine your wet ingredients into your dry ingredients, mix until both are JUST incorporated.

Spoon into patty pans or a greased loaf tin. Bake for 15-20 minutes. I check the cakes at around the 15 minutes mark with a skewer, if they're not done, I'll check every 2 mins after that. If you're using a large loaf tin, I'd say the cooking time will be closer to 40 minutes.
Because these use honey instead of sugar, they tend to burn easily.


The good thing about these muffins, is you can serve them for breakfast the next morning... guilt free!



Enjoy!

MamaKoo

Pinapple, Banana and Coconut Iceblocks

As the weather gets hotter, I've recently been experimenting with healthy processed sugar free ice block flavours for Grub. So far shes only liked strawberry frozen yoghurt... not very exciting, but super easy to make. I just freeze Jahla strawberry yoghurt in reusable ice block moulds (I've come to realise that sometimes plastic is a good thing).

So in the exciting build up to summer, I came up with this combination.

Ingredients

• 1 pineapple skinned, cored and chopped
• 2 bananas, peeled
• 1 can of coconut milk
• 3 tbs of raw honey

Place all ingredients in blender and blend till smooth.

Spoon mixture into ice block moulds. Mixture should be enough for approx. eight moulds.

Freeze for at least 5 hours or overnight. To make the removal of ice blocks easier, run moulds under warm water till you can pull them out.


 Sadly, Grub doesn't like the tang of the pineapple but on the flip side, that means more for me! I'll have to make her some banana only ice blocks considering she loooves one ingredient banana ice cream. Trial and error!

Enjoy!

MamaKoo

Raw Chocolate Mousse

Recently, I've been trying to cut out all refined sugar from my diet, this afternoon I almost cracked. Instead I decided to whip up some Raw Chocolate Mousse to ease my cravings for something sweet. The results were more than satisfying AND I can happy give Grub some without feeling guilty. Plus its super easy to make.

Ingredients

• 1 ripe banana
• 1 ripe avocado
• 2 tbs of raw honey
• 1 tbs of cacao powder

Place all ingredients in blender and blend till smooth and creamy.

You most likely will need to add a splash of water to keep the mixture moving about.


Hey presto! You're done!

 Enjoy!


MamaKoo

{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.

We Are Meat Eaters

My family are meat eaters.

I used to be a vegetarian through highschool, purely because I connected with animals well being (the health benefits of being a vego didn't even occur to me back then), to me it seemed cruel to raise an animal for human consumption. I also have family members and friends who what the same morals towards animals, so I had contact with non-meat eaters throughout my life.

I have to admit, I crave meat. I love the taste. There is nothing more satisfying than an antipasto platter with a bit of prosciutto on the plate. Taste is undeniably the first reason I began eating meat again. Focusing away from sustainability, I feel as though meat has a purpose in our diet, meat from smaller frames such as poultry, seafood and game. I believe in a balanced diet from wholefoods, personally if it was my choice, we would be eating a diet consisting mainly of vegetables, pulses, fruit, grains, some fish and little meat. But, living in a family which considers other members, I feel I must provide what my family wants, within reason. What I don't believe is that meat is an everyday food, that it should be the focus of the meal.

 

Because I have high morals about animal cruelty and living sustainably, I buy either organic free range meat or at the very least free range. I don't buy my meat from the supermarket, only from local butchers who buy from local farmers.

My two favourite butchers at the moment are Feast Fine Foods, who provide a range of meats and cuts you would see at the supermarket or any other butcher BUT they deal with the most premium producers you can find in the state. You'll find restaurant quality, organic, free range, rare breeds and rare cuts of meat. They really try to respect meat and it shows by the support they have for local farmers and the butchery classes they hold at The Adelaide Central Markets. I buy cheaper cuts of meat from Feast, as their prices are quite high and I'm realising because I buy meat that is mostly on the bone or a whole bird, it allows me to connect with the animal. During food preparation, I find myself slowing down and really seeing what animal I'm working with, where it came from and I give  it a little more respect and dignity. I don't think I could get the same feeling from a shrink wrapped, clean piece of fillet.

The second is Wild OZ. Wild OZ caters to my sustainable side. They hunt their produce, to a certain degree. I can be sure to find wild kangaroo (which is one of Australia's most sustainable meats), wild rabbit, open range pork and goat. They also try to focus their flavours on Australian bush foods, which also feeds my passion for native plants.

I'm finding if I have balance with my meat eating I can do so without overwhelming guilt. I am still working towards gradually cutting down my family on farmed red meat and I think kangaroo will be a great alternative. But boy, pushing for veggies in my family is hard work, although Mike has started eating more and he actually LOVES mushrooms now. Persistence!



MamaKoo

Does your family eat meat? What are some of your family favourites when it comes to vegetarian meals?

Outdoor hour - Cleland Wildlife Park

My love for Australian native flora and fauna has pushed me in the introduction of natives to Grub. Ranging from walks at our local national park, to reading Australian theme books and teaching her the names of animals. One of Grub's favourite books at the moment is The Bush Jumper, its about a koala named Mitty and her friends emu, echidna and wombat.

When reading books to her that involve animals, I often find myself wondering what she thinks about the characters, does she know they are fiction? Koalas don't really wear jumpers!

So show her animals in a toddler friendly environment, where she can see, feel and feed animals, we decided to head outdoors and take her to Cleland Wildlife Park in the Adelaide Hills. Normally I don't like visiting wildlife parks or zoos, I feel sorry for the animals in small enclosures. But I feel Cleland is one of South Australia's leading wildlife parks, you can be sure to go there and feel like the animals are well looked after and some have free range over larger areas.



Here are some of the photos I took on our family outing.

She now knows, koalas don't wear jumpers.




MamaKoo


Do you think its important for your little ones to learn about native wildlife? How do you encourage your children to be involved in things that interest you?

Toddlerhood

In August, Baby Grub is about to enter the world of toddlerhood, officially. She has shown definite  signs of more confidence, wanting more independence and decision making and is testing her boundaries more and more. Yet she still clings to me when there are strangers about.

I remember not too long ago when Grub was an infant I couldn't wait for her to be more interactive, to discover her personality, to take her on discoveries and adventures and to answer all her questions and curiosities. Looking back, I did enjoy the time I had with baby Grub but I feel as though time is moving too quickly and I'm missing the days of holding a sleeping babe in my arms (who doesn't weigh 13kg), touching her soft skin and smelling that sweet, sweet newborn smell. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE who Grub has become. Shes hilarious, kind, generous, loving, silly, creative and at times is on the cutting edge of fashion.

When I look at her now, I try to hold on to those memories, her pure innocence, the sacredness of the love I felt for a helpless being. I feel its especially important to still hold on to that memory when new challenges arise as children move from newborn, to toddler, to child, teenager and beyond. Shes still just as precious as she was when I first held her in my arms on the day she was born.




MamaKoo


Don't you wish life had a pause button or perhaps a rewind function, so you can relive all those fond memories true to their form?

{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

Intwinde in matrimony

Tomorrow is Mike and my second wedding anniversary and although our two years have gone really quickly, its also felt like around ten. We've been through joyous occasions and at times our relationship had definitely seen better days. But we've managed to stick together and I think we've learnt a lot about each other during our hardships. Without struggle, a relationship's strength is never truly tested. I pray that our love and friendship can grow and evolve together, becoming stronger as the years go on.

At this time of year I love to reconnect and reflect on our vows that we made to each other. I take our vows very seriously as they are a deceleration and promise we made to one another in front of our family and friends.

I love you.

You are my best friend.

Today I give myself to you in marriage.

I promise to encourage you and inspire you,

to laugh with you and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle.

I’ll love you in good times and bad,

when life’s easy and when it’s hard,

when our love is simple and when it’s an effort.

You bring out the best in me, and I promise to cherish you.

These things, I give to you today and all the days of our life!

Photo by Jess White

I love you my darling man, thank you for being a wonderful husband, for listening to me when I have too many things to say, for giving me cuddles when I need them the most, for laughing with me, for taking the courageous journey into parenthood with me, for going into work everyday and for washing the dishes and folding the clothes when I ask you to. You have shown me how to love with humility, to communicate without fear and to accept and love who I am. I cherish you dearly, even though at times it seems that I don't.

MamaKoo

{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.

I know I'm almost two days late but I haven't posted in ages and this moment is such a wonderful one!

MamaKoo

Tis the season

This is going to be Grub's second Christmas and if her second is anything like her first, shes going to be overwhelmed with a large amount of gifts. I think its wonderful she has so many people that adore and love her but I find that even I can be overwhelmed with the amount she receives. She generally wants to play with the boxes and wrapping that they come in and I'm quite happy to let her do this as I tend to place her gifted toys in storage so I can gradually bring them out for her to play with.

Grub last Christmas

Some of the presents don't sit well with me and my 'rules' of trying to minimise consumerism in my household or some are poorly made and I find myself recycling gifts or giving them to charity. Shhh... don't tell anyone! Although I'm not really throwing away items, I still feel a sense of unnecessary waste. Not to mention the wrapping, boxes, cards etc etc that have been used to present the presents.

So this year and onwards, Mike and I have decided that we'll be getting Grub one present for Christmas, that is until shes old enough to bring up Santa with us. Then Mike and I will have to have another discussion on what our views are about that situation.

As for gift giving to other family and friends, we're planning on creating homemade yummy treats and goodies wrapped in recycled packaging and card.


Do you and your family try to reduce the amount of consumerism during Christmas? What do you plan on giving this Christmas?



MamaKoo

{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.

Biodegradable Seed Starter

Its spring! And that means its time to get my vegetable seeds ready. I've been saving extra large egg cartons from Rosie's Free Range Eggs for the past few months so I can use them as seedling trays.

Because the cartons are biodegradable when its time to plant I plan on cutting them into individual pots and plant them as is.

Yay for kale!

When the weather becomes warmer and a bit more predictable I'm going to use You Grow Girl's method of using toilet paper rolls to plant seeds that require a bit more depth in the soil. There are loads of newspaper seed starters online too, but I think I'd become a bit impatient at folding all those little boxes!

For your information; I'm using organic veggie and herb seeds from Green Harvest which is an organic garden supplier based in Queensland. I'm yet to find anything similar with such variety closer to South Australia. They provide such a variety of heirloom plants, permaculture resources, organic gardening resources, natural pest control.. the list really does go on.

What veggies are you growing this season?


MamaKoo

Sustainable Seafood

When choosing fish from your local fish monger have you ever thought what purchase would have a lesser impact on the environment? Now you can make a more informed choice with The Australian Marine Conservation Society's Australia's Sustainable Seafood Guide. They've released a free iPhone app, PDF file or hard copy you can purchase off their website for easy access to the information.

They've made the database easy to use, classifying seafood under "better", "think" and "no". It not only takes overfishing into consideration, but it also takes into account destructive fishing techniques, contamination and leakages dues to poor aquaculture practices and pollution. I highly recommend it for people who do consume seafood.


Overfishing, destructive fishing gear and poor aquaculture practices impact significantly on our seas, marine wildlife and habitats. An incredible 80% of the world's fish stocks are now over-exploited or fished right up to their limit. Once considered inexhaustible, our oceans are now in a state of global crisis, and they need our help.

As consumers we can and do make a difference through the choices we make. By choosing sustainable seafood we take a step towards a future with healthy oceans by helping drive change in the way our fish and shellfish are caught or farmed. We can all help make our seafood sustainable.


Also The Australian Conservation Foundation is conducting an independent Sustainable Seafood Assessment Program and provides an interactive map of Australia with a few sustainable seafood available in some states. As the assessment continues the map will be update and hopefully they can gain enough funding and momentum to have an extensive assessment avaliable.




MamaKoo