Two words... Summer Rain!!!
With all that Summer entails the thing that is circling around in my head is the lyrics to a Belinda Carlisle song. Oh how that song brings back some memories :)
Green grass, long days, stone fruit, days at the beach.. What is Summer to you?
With the impending Celebrations of Christmas brewing, there is certainly an energetic holiday spirit surrounding us all.
Besides the food, the gifts and the hoo ha in the shops, this part of the year is a wonderful time for celebration and recognition of all that we have achieved throughout the past year.
Just as the sun is shining in all its glory, we too can honour ourselves and those who have offered of their free will, support and generosity to us.
It is a time to feel blissful, bountiful, satisfied and free! And with all that fullness, what better time to give something of yourself back. Think of your community, your neigbour, your environment, your family and friends... There will always be something, somebody, somewhere that is not feeling the joy and it is often what money can't buy that can truly make a difference.
My family and I have been gifted with an exciting opportunity to spend some time on the West Coast, living and loving the natural waters and environment of Sth West Australia. It is a sublime dream come true and the anticipation of what's to come is exhilarating!
I am deeply grateful to all of our customers who have supported us throughout this past year. I feel radiant and blessed to have connected with you and I look forward to touching base throughout next year and reawakening Old Mill Organics upon our return to the East Coast..
Brightest Blessings for a wonderful New Year everyone!!
Stay Peaceful :)
Angel x
04 December 2010
02 November 2010
DO YOU SOAK YOUR GRAINS???
Soaking grains has been common practice within all traditional societies of the world. It is only in our fast paced world that we choose to skip this step and I believe, to the detriment of human health. The rise in Coeliac Disease and IBS cannot be ignored. Along with the consumption of poor quality and genetically modified grains, most digestive problems could very well be simply caused by poor preparation of grains.
Like legumes and peas, whole grains benefit enormously from being soaked prior to cooking. Vitamin content is increased (particularly the B Vitamins) and the well talked about protein Gluten, is broken down, making it easier for the body to digest.
You see, soaking grains in water invites our faithful friend Lactobacilli to play. Lactobacilli begins the fermentation process that will break down the phytic acid and enzyme inhibitors contained in the outer (hard) layer (the bran layer) of the grain. Breaking these down frees the goodness of the grain, notably calcium, magnesium and zinc, so that we may graciously absorb these into our body for nutritive support. Adding a tablespoon of Kefir Milk or Yoghurt to the water advances the process.
Different grains need different levels of soaking but ideally you may consider soaking for anywhere between 6-12 hours. Like all aspects of Wholefood Cooking, all it takes is a little foresight and meal planning. You don't have to sit and watch the grains do their thing. Set them up on the bench before work in the morning and they'll be ready and waiting for you upon your return. Simply drain and rinse and cook in your usual way. Just pay a little extra attention initially to perfecting cooking times, as soaked grains generally take less time in the actual pot.
Do your bowels a favour, soak your grains... Your body will love you x
Like legumes and peas, whole grains benefit enormously from being soaked prior to cooking. Vitamin content is increased (particularly the B Vitamins) and the well talked about protein Gluten, is broken down, making it easier for the body to digest.
You see, soaking grains in water invites our faithful friend Lactobacilli to play. Lactobacilli begins the fermentation process that will break down the phytic acid and enzyme inhibitors contained in the outer (hard) layer (the bran layer) of the grain. Breaking these down frees the goodness of the grain, notably calcium, magnesium and zinc, so that we may graciously absorb these into our body for nutritive support. Adding a tablespoon of Kefir Milk or Yoghurt to the water advances the process.
Different grains need different levels of soaking but ideally you may consider soaking for anywhere between 6-12 hours. Like all aspects of Wholefood Cooking, all it takes is a little foresight and meal planning. You don't have to sit and watch the grains do their thing. Set them up on the bench before work in the morning and they'll be ready and waiting for you upon your return. Simply drain and rinse and cook in your usual way. Just pay a little extra attention initially to perfecting cooking times, as soaked grains generally take less time in the actual pot.
Do your bowels a favour, soak your grains... Your body will love you x
COCONUT AND BANANA MUFFINS
1 cup Brown Rice Flour
1 cup Buckwheat Flour
2 1/2 tsp Baking Powder (Alum. Free)
1/2 cup Rapadura Sugar
1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1/2 cup Coconut Flakes
1 tsp Dulce Flakes
1/2 cups Walnuts
1/2 cup Pepitas (Pumpkin Seeds)
1 cup Grated Carrot
1 Banana, chopped
1/2 cup Sultanas
90g Butter, chopped
1 Egg
1 cup Kefir milk (or 1/2 cup Milk, 1/2 cup Yoghurt)
1 inch piece Vanilla Bean, chopped (or 1 tsp Vanilla Extract)
1. Preheat oven to 180 C and grease your muffin tray.
2. Place flours, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, coconut, dulse flakes, nuts and seeds in a food processor. Blend to a slightly fine powder. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
3. Place banana, carrot and sultanas into the food processor and chop to desired consistency. Add butter, egg, kefir and vanilla and mix well. Now add the dry ingredients and blend away until your mixture is ready.
4. Transfer to muffin tray and bake for about 25 mins.
This recipe makes at least 12 large muffins and is a healthy sweet snack the whole family can enjoy.
Adapted from Jude Blereau's "Wholefood for Children". A fantastic book written by a fantastic lady..
1 cup Buckwheat Flour
2 1/2 tsp Baking Powder (Alum. Free)
1/2 cup Rapadura Sugar
1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1/2 cup Coconut Flakes
1 tsp Dulce Flakes
1/2 cups Walnuts
1/2 cup Pepitas (Pumpkin Seeds)
1 cup Grated Carrot
1 Banana, chopped
1/2 cup Sultanas
90g Butter, chopped
1 Egg
1 cup Kefir milk (or 1/2 cup Milk, 1/2 cup Yoghurt)
1 inch piece Vanilla Bean, chopped (or 1 tsp Vanilla Extract)
1. Preheat oven to 180 C and grease your muffin tray.
2. Place flours, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, coconut, dulse flakes, nuts and seeds in a food processor. Blend to a slightly fine powder. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
3. Place banana, carrot and sultanas into the food processor and chop to desired consistency. Add butter, egg, kefir and vanilla and mix well. Now add the dry ingredients and blend away until your mixture is ready.
4. Transfer to muffin tray and bake for about 25 mins.
This recipe makes at least 12 large muffins and is a healthy sweet snack the whole family can enjoy.
Adapted from Jude Blereau's "Wholefood for Children". A fantastic book written by a fantastic lady..
03 October 2010
SPRING 2010
Hello Friends!
Flowers a blooming, bees a buzzing, birds a singing... I Love Spring!!
The weather has been perfect for planting and we have Baby Cos, Silverbeet, Cherry Tom and Beetroot on the go..
We would have been blessed with an abundance of Bok Choi, Red Cabbage and Sugarloaf however our garden was visited by a weeding "helper" who graciously shared our harvest with the chooks!! Forget the rabbits... we need a fence from our youngest treasure who the day before watched me pull tomato baby seedlings from amongst the young cabbages and feed them to our hens.. Oh Dear! it was hard to laugh (and cry I did) as I had been nurturing these darling seedlings so lovingly since planting them early in August..
It has been hard to visit the garden and look over at the empty bed and not feel wretched. To be honest, I am a little hesitant to re-plant (without a fence!).. Oh Well.. such is life :D At least the chooks were happy!!
I am understanding more and more the diligence organic farmers express when protecting their own crops, as oppose to routinely spraying to reduce the risk of loss.
In our garden we combine crop rotation, companion planting and permaculture aspects to keep damaging infestations low. These three methods have proved successful for us.
We do get the odd nibble from hares but I never mind sharing the little amount they take. We always plant enough to spare.
This season, my goal in the garden is to fence the growing area and fence a free range area for the girls.. (the hens that is :D)
Have a Blissful Spring everyone! Enjoy the weather x
Angel x
Flowers a blooming, bees a buzzing, birds a singing... I Love Spring!!
The weather has been perfect for planting and we have Baby Cos, Silverbeet, Cherry Tom and Beetroot on the go..
We would have been blessed with an abundance of Bok Choi, Red Cabbage and Sugarloaf however our garden was visited by a weeding "helper" who graciously shared our harvest with the chooks!! Forget the rabbits... we need a fence from our youngest treasure who the day before watched me pull tomato baby seedlings from amongst the young cabbages and feed them to our hens.. Oh Dear! it was hard to laugh (and cry I did) as I had been nurturing these darling seedlings so lovingly since planting them early in August..
It has been hard to visit the garden and look over at the empty bed and not feel wretched. To be honest, I am a little hesitant to re-plant (without a fence!).. Oh Well.. such is life :D At least the chooks were happy!!
I am understanding more and more the diligence organic farmers express when protecting their own crops, as oppose to routinely spraying to reduce the risk of loss.
In our garden we combine crop rotation, companion planting and permaculture aspects to keep damaging infestations low. These three methods have proved successful for us.
We do get the odd nibble from hares but I never mind sharing the little amount they take. We always plant enough to spare.
This season, my goal in the garden is to fence the growing area and fence a free range area for the girls.. (the hens that is :D)
Have a Blissful Spring everyone! Enjoy the weather x
Angel x
27 September 2010
Winter 2010
Hello Everyone!
Welcome to Winter...
I am not usually a "Winter Person" but I must say I am really enjoying the cooler nights this year... and it's only just begun :)
The last few weeks has seen my family turning off the TV at night and snuggling by the fire with a board game or story book. A few of us have even left our beds to permanently camp out in the lounge room :)
In South East Queensland the days are still warm but cool enough to laze about in the sunshine, soaking up the rays of golden goodness.
It is also a delight to step into the garden to see, feel, hear and smell the wonderful changes happening there as we travel through winter and move towards spring.
Mother Earth is preparing for the new growth of Spring and we can use this time ourselves to retreat within and begin to plant little seeds of love and wisdom in our hearts.
What does your heart desire?
Plant away... and as you nurture your dreams and wishes for the future, watch the magick of the universe take effect and bring those dreams to life.
I wish you Bright Blessings and a Happy Heart..
Stay Connected..
Angel x
Welcome to Winter...
I am not usually a "Winter Person" but I must say I am really enjoying the cooler nights this year... and it's only just begun :)
The last few weeks has seen my family turning off the TV at night and snuggling by the fire with a board game or story book. A few of us have even left our beds to permanently camp out in the lounge room :)
In South East Queensland the days are still warm but cool enough to laze about in the sunshine, soaking up the rays of golden goodness.
It is also a delight to step into the garden to see, feel, hear and smell the wonderful changes happening there as we travel through winter and move towards spring.
Mother Earth is preparing for the new growth of Spring and we can use this time ourselves to retreat within and begin to plant little seeds of love and wisdom in our hearts.
What does your heart desire?
Plant away... and as you nurture your dreams and wishes for the future, watch the magick of the universe take effect and bring those dreams to life.
I wish you Bright Blessings and a Happy Heart..
Stay Connected..
Angel x
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