Meals on Wheels!

Today was not a big cooking day, Saturday is usually a running around day for us - we get to go see some sights, do the farmers market run and pick up things we need. I also try to schedule the kids extra classes on the weekends to keep things simple and that takes us into the city.

So, in order to leave the house fairly early in the morning I have long been in the habit of cooking a quick meal to take with us. Yes, we are the family in the car or sitting on the bench in a park eating our lentils, rice and stir fry from lovely tiffins...

This morning I was up early to get things prepared so we could get away in plenty of time - but also so I could do a good workout before I left. I don't like to miss a workout and then go and sit in a car for long periods of time, my energy would feel stagnant. 

When you plan for your day, prepare yourself and organize a meal to take with you, there is no hassle, no wondering where to find decent food or worrying about cost and so forth. Your great tasting meal can be with you - and it's easy to bring enough to keep everyone going for the day.

This morning I made a very simple dish which we know travels well - rice, vegetable stir fry and tuna. All of this is mixed together into a pot or large bowl and covered. Then we take some camping bowls and spoons - and there you have it. 

Meals on wheels.

Today, because it was going to be a bit longer of a day out I also packed bread (already buttered), some slices of smoked goat's cheese, slices of banana cake, apples and water. We had a little picnic when we got hungry while everything was finger food friendly enough to eat along the way.

This is not rocket science - I can't for the life of me think about spending 40 or 50 quid in a restaurant for food that will sit in my stomach undigested for hours and wake me up at 4 am with heart burn. Food that wasn't loved or prepared with gentleness.

This takes work you might say, or planning, or organization or extra time. Yes, it does. However, all it takes for me is to remember what it felt like to ponder my life when I was sick (with cancer) and think about how I would treat myself if only I could live long enough to do it right. 

Don't wait until you are sick or unwell to make some changes - your life is worth so much more.

Have  a healthy day,

April

Red sky tonight over Leap

Organising the Kitchen and a New Twist on Rice

Well today was a busy one with getting some gardening done before the weather changes to rain as well as back into the kitchen more doing what I love to do! Now on day 7 of my Master Cleanse and already looking ahead at what comes after. 

Of course, we are all just looking forward to a cup of dandelion coffee first and foremost, however, I am not really craving anything as much as I am looking forward to cooking full meals again. I really do enjoy everything about cooking, the kitchen and all that takes place in there.

Today, since early this morning I have been busy reorganizing the kitchen so it flows better and things are more accessible. You know how we all just sort of allow gadgets to find a space somewhere, and even when it is inconvenient we stick with it because that's where it is.

These last few days I have been looking around at the layout, flow and the fact of my left handedness, to find easier ways of preparing our foods. I have also gathered a lot of different equipment of the years some of which would not be used if it is tucked away.

I spent part of this morning (during the rain) moving things around, cleaning out and putting some things away or creating a space for them. Once this was done, I felt a lot better about the flow of the kitchen - now to get used to new places for everything!

Then I decided to make a quick lunch for the little one and thought of a rice dish I would refer to as Tunisia rice. It has a slightly different take on the traditional way of cooking rice, but is a favourite around here.

To make this rice dish, first chop some veggies you have on hand - a few which can be easily stir fried such as onion, leek, green beans, garlic, grated carrot and so on. Then stir fry them lightly in olive oil in the pot you would cook your rice in.

Some stir fry veggies in the pot 

Once they are nearly done (translucent and tender), add in some spices such as pinch of salt, cumin, cinnamon, turmeric and dash of pepper. Stir this around in the stir fry, add a few drops of water if too dry and in danger of burning.

Stir fry vegetables with spices added in 

Then add in 4 or 5 chopped dried apricots, figs or dates. Or all three. Keep stirring around until well coated and mixed with each other. Next pour in 2 cups of water and bring this mixture to a boil. In the meantime, wash your 1 cup of brown basmati rice. Once the water is boiling, pour in the rice.

Rice mixture with water - starting to boil

Turn this down to low heat setting and allow to cook fully. It will take a little longer because of all the veggies and fruit in there. The smell is fantastic and this is a lovely dish to serve on its own or on the side of fish, meat, or as I did today, mixed with lentils. We love this at Solstice/Christmas time as well

Enjoy!

Have a healthy day,


April

Tunisia Rice! Yumm!

No Excuses....

It seems that a lot of people have some excuse or another for not cooking, eating well and generally taking better care of their bodies and health. Of course ultimately, a price will be paid for living this way as your body can only take so much abuse.

I come across this time and again - reasons why a person can't find the time to cook or eat properly, look after themselves, and carry out the very basics of self-care. What is worse, is these same standards will be passed onto the next generation.

For the most part, I am as busy as the next person, and some might go so far as to say, I am a bit busier. We homeschool our children, I write and care for several animals, tend a large enough garden and cook all of our food from scratch. So I know it does take some effort to get going at least initially. 

If you want to get started yourself around your home with doing more for your family, begin in the kitchen with some very basic guidelines. 

1. Get Organised

This is paramount to eating healthy, feeling better about life and actually seeing results from your efforts. I have found the best way to be organized in the kitchen is to have nearly everything in glass jars, ceramic and wooden bins or paper cartons and bags.

Not only are the natural materials a much better vibration, there is no chemical leaching from plastic into the foods stored inside. With the glass jars, I can visually see how much of an item I have on hand and can find things at a glance in the cupboards.

2. Be Prepared

I have gotten used to thinking a little bit ahead when it comes to meals. Basically we know we will want to eat at some point tomorrow (or if fasting this might be a few days) so, beans or lentils could be soaking, vegetables could be bought and on hand. A favourite rice could be picked out and ready to cook. 

Or as I am doing here, jams, sauces, preserves might be made in batches and stored for use when needed. The cupboards could be kept well stocked with something for every occasion. Then there is no last minute rush or panic wondering what to eat. Food is on hand, simply prepare and serve.

3. Buy in Bulk

These days for anyone feeding a family or living as a group of flatmates, purchasing your food in larger quantities is a must. Not only is this an economical way to obtain your staples, from an energy standpoint this is far better. 

When you buy a large bag of lentils for example (25 kg), they often come in paper and no one has picked through them and bagged up little plastic bags of 250 gram each. Less handling overall means less energy to contend with at your table. 

Unmolested food.

4. Get Interested

If you like to eat, you might as well get your head around loving to cook. If you love to cook, start thinking seriously about the quality of that food and ways to improve it. Experiment, play in the kitchen, try out new things, take a cookery class - but do something to motivate yourself where eating, food and your health is concerned.

For me, I have been running a kitchen since I was 12 years old, so to not be cooking would be very strange. However, I didn't always love the cooking, that came about gradually as I learned more about how to feed myself properly and got more creative with my meals. Also having children helped because I was so determined to feed them and teach them to look at food as medicine as well as nourishment. 

5. Grow a Garden

One of the best ways to learn and understand more about the food we eat is to plant some seeds in a garden and watch them grow. All of life springs up from the earth in this way, it is the basis for understanding our essence and who we are. Through this garden you will connect to the seasons, cycles, ritual, ceremony, patterns and all of humanities ancient roots, lost to so many of us. 

Even if your garden consists of a few herbs and some peas, there is no greater sense of accomplishment  when you see these items on your plate having cared for them for a season. Your energy will have gone into each plant, combined with the earth's, added to your meal, thus completing the circle.

~~~

The reconnection to the earth and her pulse is ultimately what this modern day journey is all about. 

Have a healthy day,

April

One of my favourite meals - very simple basmati rice, brown lentils in cumin, stir-fry of leek, onion, garlic and carrot