in the kitchen April 2016

Pizza Night! I love making pizza's on Friday nights or the weekends. Accompanied with red wine and kitchen tunes, standing (and dancing) in the kitchen all evening serving them as they come out of the oven and popping the next one in. Family favourites: Pumpkin, caramelized onions, feta and sage; Chorizo and roasted vegetables; Roasted zucchini, eggplant, red capsicum and caramelized onions; Tomatoes, black olives and fresh mozzarella; Ham and Pineapple (not mum's favourite at all!)

These pizzas were made several weeks after surgery and I almost collapsed after making them. There was definitely no wine drinking and I made them early in the day. My wild and free pizza making and wine drinking kitchen days are sadly over or at least for a year.

Sea Shepherd Pie. I'm making lots more vegetarian dinner meals (again) since my health issue. This one has french lentils, mushrooms, leek, carrot, celery and nutritional yeast flakes. Recipe here.

Chicken and Mayo Rolls. Left over roasted free range chicken drumsticks. Chopped up with parsley, squeeze of lemon and pepper on fresh bakery rolls. The kids enjoyed these the next day.

Lebanese Picnic for the kids while the big peeps enjoyed stuffed zucchinis. Kafta sausages are made with lean beef or lamb mince, cumin, shallots, parsley and white pepper. Here's how to do it. I make the wraps using my old faithful recipe, Flour Tortillas from The Waldorf Book of Breads. I think these days everyone knows how to make Hoummous but just in case Jamie Oliver's hoummous is pretty authentic.

Stuffed Vegetarian Zucchini. Brown Rice with Chia, a chopped tomato, fresh coriander, parsley and mint. Cumin, coriander, hot chilli, salt and pepper spices and tomato paste and water. Growing up this dish was known around my house as Kousa Mahshi and was made with minced beef. Recipe for the traditional dish can be found here including a video episode showing you exactly how to make it from Food Safari.

To make Kousa Mahshi (stuffed zucchini) you need a Manakra tool to core and scrape out the flesh of the zucchinis. I bought mine from a Lebanese grocery store.

Cheesy Broc Frits. From the Lunch Lady Mag Issue 1. Made with loads of broccoli, a bit of flour, an egg and parmesan to bind. Scrumptious! Pretty much been making these every second or third night.

Keen-wah and Carrot Patties. Another one from the Lunch Lady Mag issue 1. Alternating between these and Brocoli patties above. I can't stop making them!

Bacon and Zucchini Cashew Cream Penne. A packet of organic penne, one zucchini, footpath growing thyme, all natural ingredients bacon, local garlic, a supermarket bought onion and a cup of raw cashews loved by all three males in the house. For this dish I always whiz up a cup of cashews and a cup of water in my Froothie and add it to the cooked pasta, then I add the rest of the sauteed ingredients that is bursting with strong flavours.

So cooking friends, what have you been making?

quilted infinity scarves and bereaved mothers

(Taken with my iphone)

source

When I had a miscarriage with my middle child that hole was eventually filled when I fell pregnant with my third child. I can enjoy every Mother's Day with a joyful lunch out and get my annual (decent) pic of me and the kids. For others, Mother's Day can bring up feelings of deep sadness, pain and isolation. 

International Bereaved Mother’s Day was celebrated on Sunday May 1st 2016.

I am constantly learning what daily life is like for bereaved mothers from my dear friend Carmen who lost her precious full term baby, Walter to Stillbirth.

Through Carmen, I was introduce to The Mother Hearts "I See You Project"

Some very powerful words acknowledging all types of mothers.

The quilted infinity scarves above were made with much thoughtfulness in every stitch and love for special women who have suffered the unmentionable, child loss. However, not given at the time of the loss just given as loving gifts. Pattern generously shared here.

This is more of an acknowledgement post of this important day for grieving mothers before the celebratory one held next week.

If you are a grieving mother -  I see you.

Zena xx

Joining in with Keep Calm Craft On.

fair isle hat

My first Fair Isle project. How very disappointing you were when I cast off the last stitch. A large stretchy rim and ugly brown yarn for the crown. I ended up replacing it with a more uplifting colour but still ambivalent about whether we could get through a cold winter season together.  In haste I gave you a quick rough soaking and rolled you in a towel and squeezed the heck out of you until you doubled in sized. Dried, you hung over my sad disappointed eyes. In pure desperation I threw you in the dryer and hoped for the best. Not once but twice but three times and you came out gloriously perfect! Do you have these roller coaster rides with your knitted garments?

Noticing we were low in washcloths, I raided my stash instead of heading to the shops for something store bought. I like washcloth patterns for the big peeps in the house and dishcloths for our little peeps - the smaller size pattern is perfect for little hands.

WARM - a community textile art project is calling out for volunteers to contribute to "an Australian-based large-scale collaborative knitting project that explores why the earth is warming and what we can do to make a positive change."

The designer is tiKKi knits. There's a windmill pattern, flowers, landscape squares, gum leaves, earthy accessories amongst others. Go check out the patterns on Ravelry.

Knitted contributions need to be in by Friday 12th of August, 2016. Pieces will be exhibited at the Art Gallery of Ballarat in September 2016. More information can be found at SEAM, Inc. 

Reading lots on my newly discovered health issue. Also, the Lunch Lady Mag arrived today - totally addicted.

Joining in with all the crafty folks at Keep Calm Craft On and Yarn Along.

What have you been making crafty peeps?

Zena xx

in my kitchen march 2016

Afternoon treats for my boys. Frozen Bananas with dark chocolate, coconut and walnuts. I've been making these weekly with different nuts. The kids can't get enough of them. Thank you Lunch Lady!

 Afternoon treats for me! Raw Chocolate Coconut Bites inspired from here.

Spaghetti Bolognaise made with organic beef mince and loads of Rob's homegrown garlic and our fresh garden herbs. Organic pasta for the boys and organic zucchini noodles for us.

Free range chicken wings with garlic and oregano and thyme and drizzled in Australian Olive Oil. Coleslaw with a tasty garlicy sunflower seed sauce.

We had a cold spell so I made the gang Coconut Curry Chicken and Vegetable Pie. Mostly organic from the pastry flour to simple vegetables. The sauce is made with a cup of homemade chicken stock, a small can of ayam coconut milk and some natural arrowroot powder to thicken up and pepper for taste. Wholesome and comforting family food.

Vegan Mexican Bowl with brown organic rice. Red kidney beans sauteed with onions, paprika, cumin, garlic and fresh oregano. I have started to prioritise "clean eating" foods after my ambulance trip to the hospital. The delicious vegan tofu coriander dressing really accentuates this dish.

Chickpea, Spinach and Pumpkin Curry with organic rice for the whole family. Similar recipe to this one.

My mum came to stay after my surgery to cook and look after the children. She prepared all this food the night before a 7 hour bus and train trip from Sydney to the Snowy Mountains. Stashed in her suite case: Babaganoush, Tabouli, Serbian Cheese and Spinach Pie, a ball of Lebanese Shanglesh, A big piece of Prosciutto from Fairfield, Lebanese Bread, and four Lemons cross lime cross grapefruit from her tree. Her description not mine. Dinner was sorted the first night! Oh, and she carried a big curry plant on her journey too!

The next night, Bubba Masa (my mum) made traditional schnitzels served with Rob's delicious wild fermented saurekraut.

The day after she made traditional Serbian Cheese and Spinach Pie, also known as Burek, before anyone woke up!

What have you been cooking folks? Or like me, is someone else cooking and giving you a bit of a break.

Zena xx

a craft swap and hormonal health

So happy my craft swap partner in Israel, received her package in time for Easter.  I sewed a scrappy pouch from an organic Japanese fabric bundle, HAIKU by Monaluna. The pouch pattern is from Sew Delicious. A bar of natural Australian Lemon Myrtle Soap, a local beeswax candle and good quality Snowy Mountain Cookies.

Thank you Mamashara at One Grey Elephant blog for hosting the Project Bag Swap.

From my swap partner Jodie at Jelly Wares blog. I absolutely adore my Autumn themed project bag. Inside an exquisite crochet washer almost too good to use; delicious cinnamon black tea; gorgeous Noro yarn I've always wanted to try; and a fingerless mitts pattern. A big squeal on the handcrafted buttons Jodie made from wood sourced on her property. Feeling so spoiled! I found this package on my doorstep on our 4 hour return drive from Calvary hospital in Canberra. It was a lovely surprise to come home to such thoughtfulness after a health scare.

Venturing in to Fair Isle and stranded work. Ripped this back several times due to the pattern being out of sync until I finally realised that all a long it was me that was out of sync!

Aside from lovely crafting, I have been on one heck of a roller coaster ride these last few weeks. Rushed to hospital by ambulance and then surgery 10 days later for removal of a cyst on one ovary and a "clean up." The diagnosis is endometriosis. I am so thankful it is not something worse. This concludes months of exhaustion, depression and an unexplained muffin top that grew from not over eating.

So begins a lot of research in to the world of women's hormones and excess estrogens and xenoestrogens. The surgery, although a laparoscopy has really taken it's toll on me mentally and physically and I never want to go through it again. Being this sick is a burden to my partner and family members that have to travel up to a day to help look after the children.

Even though I lead a pretty good wholefood and natural lifestyle I was extremely tired and depressed and plagued with health issues for over a year. Now I know that the imbalance of hormones has caused this. I keep thinking I'm still 29 years old when in fact I'm a 40 year old mum with young kids which means 40 year old health issues.

Among all the craft and foodie posts on my blog it looks like women's health care will be popping up quite a bit but in some ways it's all related.

 Now back to dodging paper airplanes in bed.

What have you been making dear crafty friends? Are you dealing with a women's health issue? I would love to hear your story. If you would prefer to share privately, please email me using the link next to my profile picture.

Joining in with all the crafty folks at Keep Calm Craft On and Yarn Along
Zena xx

in my kitchen february 2016

Joining in with In My Kitchen at Orgasmic Chef, previously Celia's invention from Fig and Lime Cordial blog.

Rob's fermented sauerkraut on proscuitto and mountain bread. This was a delicious hit, unfortunately the ones in the back were misses. But you loose some and win some with fermentation; it's just part of the learning process. Rob is a big fan of Katz Sander's wild style of fermentation. A prosciutto shoulder piece was gifted to us from my mum. Ordered months ago from Liverpool, Sydney. A delicious treat for us every day to the last bite. Until next year!

Tomato Sauce especially for Mr Eight. I used what I had in the fridge - an assortment of tomatoes approximately 600grams, 1/4 onion, cumin, cloves, mustard seed, salt, brown sugar and apple cider vinegar on the stove top for an 1 hour, cooled and wizzed up in my new Froothie.

Sunflower seed condiment especially for Rob and his month detox from the Christmas holiday excess. I can't find the recipe link! One cup sunflower seeds, juice from one lemon and some Himalayan salt and home grown garlic to taste.

Warmer weather means lighter food. Vietnamese Spring Rolls: Tofu, carrots, cucumber, coriander wrapped in Rice Paper. The dipping sauce is made of Bragg All Natural Purpose Seasoning and fresh ginger.

Haven't made the move to the capsule craze and although tempting for the convenience, I won't for environmental reasons. However, for a change, I would like to try a different ethical and fair trade brew. Any suggestions? I like my coffee strong and sweet.

Pumpkin, fetta, caramelized onions and sage pizza. Our toddler's favourite. I absolutely love rolling out dough; I actually find it liberating. This is how I feel in action, shown here on the Radical Homemakers book cover.

Lots of Juicing over the warmer months. Celery, apple, pear and lemon recipe inspiration from Reboot with Joe. Incidentally, I have put on a whole dress size over Summer eating "lighter" foods! Zero excercise and perhaps two servings of dinner and baked goods may have something to do with that!

Last night I made everyone Chicken Korma, since a cold has claimed us one by one. Free range chicken, organic carrots and good ole dependable frozen peas, fresh coriander on a bed of organic basmati rice. I always add a cup of homemade chicken stock and a can of Ayam coconut milk to my curries for nutritional benefits and delicious natural flavours.

Warm and nourishing Chicken Korma with homemade chicken stock and Ayam coconut milk enjoyed by the toddler of the house. I just can't get enough of his little pudgey hands.

Lunching on Red lentil organic curry spice soup with potatoes, carrots, onions, homegrown garlic, homemade chicken stock and a little Organic Vegetable bouillon. Our saviour - Rye bread ordered weekly from our little local Bakery.

What a great way to showcase your cooking. I must make an effort to capture the actual cooking around here and take note on night time shadows. So, dear fellow cooking friends, what's in your Kitchen?

embroidery, a shawl and cushions

The Original Dropcloth Sampler, by Rebecca Ringquist.

I have embroidered since I was a teen but never such a vibrant sampler and learned a few new fancy stitches along the way. Instead of stitching fabric around the edge, I stretched the sampler over a piece of foam core and framed it. I smile every time I walk past it.

New year, new cushion covers - Buzoku Cotton Canvas and Buzoku Cotton Duck from Spotlight. I had a little mental breakdown in there. I only get a chance to go once year and it's always at a new location so I don't know where anything is. Usually the family are waiting in the car and I have a very short time limit to frantically get what I need. I get so overwhelmed and distracted by the huge selection of craft from every category that my eyes scan each item desperately trying to take it all in and I get a little dizzy. Must make more trips to the big city Spotlight store to feel "less dizzy". Yes, that's just what the doctor ordered for one overwhelmed crafty mama from the bush.

 I started another lace shawl but found it too hard to concentrate on while everyone was home on holidays. So I frogged it and cast on the Sunlight Shawl for Sad People (and I do get sad!). There's lots of mistakes I didn't go back to fix as I wasn’t use to working with slippery lace needles and such thin yarn. In saying that, Malabrigo yarn has a wonderful feel and mesmerising colour way. I’m not bothered by the mistakes because they remind me of special moments in time, mostly difficult times.  However aren't those times important for personal growth, realisation and reflection?

From my iphone. Threw on a hat to disguise bedridden hair from a head cold and sore throat.

Over the Summer holidays I (over) indulged in Netflix viewing. (One of the perks from moving out of Kosciuszko National Park) Currently knitting and cross stitching through Downton Abbey episodes. WW1 has just been declared over. Hurrah! Oh I do hope Lady Sybil and the chauffeur can fight against class barriers to be together...Aren't these British drama's  - Call the Midwife, Land Girls and The Paradise - just the bees knees?

Have you discovered the Women's Hour podcasts? If not, please click through. Intelligent interviews and discussions on current issues from a female perspective. 

What have you been crafting, reading, listening and watching?

Joining in with all the crafty folks on Keep Calm Craft On