Inspire Me With Gorgeous Food

As I sit down to write, it's raining and autumn is unashamedly here. The aroma of fresh Mediterranean vegetables roasting away in the oven is wafting through the house. Garlic is always included just for the pure sensory pleasure it provides with every long, deep breath.

Inspiration

Inspiration is all around us,we just need to look for it. I've been pouring over my cookbooks for fresh, healthy meal ideas and it's really made a difference in my perspective towards good food, not diet food.

Diet is a Four Letter Word

When most people think of diets, immediately they think of deprivation. So right from the beginning I'm calling for a boycott on the 'D' word. It's all about balanced meals eaten throughout the day to nourish our bodies and it should taste amazing. I am not a dietitian - I am a motivator so it's up to you to seek your own independent advice on what's right for you but it doesn't take a genius to figure out we need to exercise more than the calories we consume, if weight loss is our goal.

So here is a recipe to get you started. With some meal planning and smart shopping you can have the whole family looking forward to dinner time. Enjoy. Philippa x0

Slow Cooked Beef dusted with Moroccan spices, fresh dates and lemon

This recipe has been requested ever since I put it as my status update on Face Book.

First...

Cube steak (beef) rump/blade/chuck and roll in 1tsp each of turmeric, cumin, paprika and a good pinch of white pepper. Light spray of olive oil in a fry pan and sear meat until it gets a little brown.

Smart tip #1. Applying heat to dry spices intensifies the flavour and aroma of the spices.

Second...

Transfer to slow cooker or baking dish. Add favourite veggies cut into similar sizes such as; capsicum, green beans, red onion quartered, cubed pumpkin and zucchini. Throw in chopped fresh dates and lemon sliced and quartered - rind and all.

Smart tip #2. The big, plump Turkish dates are divine but can be expensive. I used about six and when they're chopped or quartered it looks like there's more.

Third...

Now add 250ml of beef stock, 1-2 cloves of garlic (chop or use garlic press) and a splash of Worcester sauce. Cover slow cooker and cook on high for 1 hour then turn down to low for 4-5 hours or until meat and veggies are tender. To thicken sauce (if necessary) add a tsp of plain four with enough water to form a smooth liquid paste and stir into sauce and watch it thicken. Repeat if required.

Smart tip #3. Add a little of the flour mixture at a time until you get the sauce to the consistency you like.

For oven baking. Slow gook at 170 degrees Celsius approximately depending on your oven. Cover and cook for 4-5 hours. Serve with fluffy couscous, rice or creamy mashed potatoes (no butter added please!)

NB. The photo is from a spring lamb recipe in The Sydney Morning Herald ( http://www.smh.com.au/) There is also a gorgeous slow cooked roast lamb recipe worth checking out.

Remember portion sizes. Just because it's yummy doesn't mean you should eat more of it. Go for 1Cup couscous/2/3Cup rice/1 Cup mashed potato and 1Cup Moroccan mix. If you need more food opt for a side salad to help fill you up. Low fat dressings, squeeze of lemon juice (my favourite) or naked salad is also very 'in'. Enjoy the flavours. Try it and tell me what you think.

WARNING: I get inspired by a recipe then tweak it the way I want it. All these measurements are suggestions only because I don't really follow recipes, except baking. (*husband rolling eyes and nodding*) If you're really systematic and orderly - this could drive you insane and if that's the case, I apologize and bon appetit!

Enjoy The View

As Alicia perched by the open door of the aeroplane at fourteen thousand feet, icy air delivered a swift back-hander to her face. One thought dominated all others, 'I'm actually going to do this!'

It was something Alicia had wanted to do for a long time and turning thirty brought it to the forefront of her mind and right up to the top of her priority list. With the arrival of overseas friends, the wheels were suddenly set in motion. It wasn't long and she was climbing through the clouds above the breathtaking Great Dividing Range. What makes an intelligent person take such a risk?
The thrill of the free-fall. Hold that thought...

Thank You Mr Spielberg

Ever since Jaws, I've been spooked by dark, deep water. The underwater shots of legs frantically treading water would send my brainwaves into back flips, gluing me to shallow water as I mentally calculated how many centimetres of water a shark would physically need to survive in, near the shoreline. Dumb, I know. As I grew older I ventured out further but I was always ready to bolt (like the cartoon characters do above the ground before taking off,) back to the beach if required. So when we went swimming as a family yesterday at the broadwater on the Gold Coast, little did I know that my bravery or rather, the resident fear I'd accommodated all these years, was about to be challenged.

The Moment of Reckoning

There are shark nets situated around our tranquil swimming spot for the simple fact that sharks have often been spotted in the area. Way out past the middle is a pontoon where swimmers dive or lay out in the sun to dry. Because of the whole Jaws scenario, I was never remotely interested in venturing out that far, though my two older boys often did without any kind of issue - until yesterday...

#2 son, aged 10 started freaking out about swimming over to the pontoon and although no one was forcing him, he kept slipping between wanting to and too afraid to. Then, out of my mouth came these words like someone else was speaking them, "I'll come with you." What! I couldn't believe I'd just said that. Say 'no', say 'no'! "OK," he said, his face lighting up. Oh terrific. No backing out now. Da-dum, da-dum (Jaws music).

Facing the Fear

Climbing onto my back, he stuck to me like a limpet as we paddled over. Every time he started talking about seeing shark fins near us (yikes!) I calmly distracted him with the Sea World helicopter flying overhead and the jet boats doing spins out on the broadwater. We made it safely and without any panic attacks (from either of us) and it wasn't long and he was bomb-diving off the pontoon and swimming back to the beach unassisted. (Incidentally, I did not wish to bomb-dive but surprisingly, I wasn't scared either.)

That's when I thought about Alicia and the courage that was present to enable her to do what she really wanted to do. Here are some absolute gems she discovered through her adventure:

• Looking out the window she was certain they were high enough to do the jump but it was only 2,000 ft. They were heading for 14,000ft. If she'd jumped when she thought it was right - she would've died. Don't let your dream die just because your timing was off. LISTEN TO THOSE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE.

• While WAITING to jump, the crew did a fantastic job of keeping the atmosphere electric with excitement and positivity. THE ATTITUDE OF THOSE AROUND YOU MATTERS.
  
  
• It's the tandem's responsibility to engage the parachute and ensure you land safely. YOUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TO JUMP! Stop trying to figure everything out. Learn as you go.

• Once you've jumped, OPEN YOUR EYES AND ENJOY THE VIEW!
  

It's tempting sometimes to withdraw and become an observer instead of a participant. One or two bad experiences can knock your confidence and leave you vowing to never try again. Never say never. Don't forfeit the best days of your life. They're closer than you think.

I didn't love it out on the pontoon, but my son did. Swimming out to the pontoon was his free-fall moment but I had to address the fear I had, to enable him to experience the thrill awaiting him. He knew it would be good, that's why he waited and then help arrived. It may not have been quite the same as Alicia plummeting to earth at 200km/hr but it was just as important.

Don't let your life become a slogan for what might've been. Evaluate the risk, seek advice and support from those with experience, take the first step and open your eyes and enjoy the view!

copyright 2010 Philippa Vette

Rumours of Chocolate

It was bedtime and the word had got around that there was chocolate in the house. Chocolate had been banned for a while after several weeks of birthday cakes, party treats and Easter, so when a person who shall remain nameless, brought the groceries home and there was a delicious slab of sinfully indulgent dark chocolate amongst the wholemeal tortillas and rice crackers, the atmosphere amped up to just below a frenzy! I however, was calm.

Part of what I do, is motivate and support women in good decision-making and healthy lifestyle choices so when the choc-o-meter skyrocketed in our household, I knew it was time to rein it in before parts of me could not be reined in anymore!

Plan to Change

So, armed with my Big Salad and my food and exercise plan for the week, I was well on the way to not only staying on track but implementing healthy habits for the long term. Therefore, when the word, 'chocolate' was shouted around the house on the night in question, I was ready for it. Did I calmly say, "No thank you, I'm not eating any," like a 'normal' person? Unlikely. Instead I yelled, "Noooo. Get that stuff outta here!"

The two older children bolted into the room to see what atrocity had just occurred, at precisely the same time as I hurled the offensive object towards the door. For the record, no one was hurt but my actions did leave some bewildered looks on their faces as if to say, "What's your problem? It's only chocolate." But to me, it wasn't just chocolate - it was a distraction from my goal.

Get Some Gumption

The reality is; no one is going to force you to live a happy life. Change is confrontational. Have you noticed when change in coming, there's a prickly kind of feeling on the inside? That's because something is about to be different and we don't know if we're going to like 'different'. Rather than thinking about the negative and unsure things, focus on the positive. Imagine how good it could be. What if the change ends up being one of the highlights of your life?

Make the Right Choice - Not Just an Easy One

It takes a series of good choices to over-write the habit of bad choices but it's entirely possible to overhaul your life and make your end even better than your beginning. After all, life is not a spectator sport - be a participant! Experience the thrill. You be the one others gather around to hear your story.

It'll take every ounce of courage, determination and a good, workable plan, but if its really important to you, you'll find a way to make it happen - if not you'll find an excuse! When your mind is made up and your focus is set, nothing will deter you. Not rainy weather, not a busy schedule, not grisly, unco-operative kids and especially not even rumours of chocolate.

(Revised and re-posted from Oct '09)

copyright 2010 Philippa Vette

NB. My appologies for the line spacing towards the end. Despite numerous attempts, it doesn't seem to want to co-operate! Hope it doesn't distract you either!! PV.

A Change of Season

Long before December even rolled around, we knew this summer would be a scorcher. Intense, steamy days that barely cooled at night were set to plague us for months. But on one unbearably humid day, everything changed.

His name was Murray. He stood on my doorstep holding a long, rectangular cardboard box. I managed to contain my delight momentarily but I really wanted to squeal and kick up my heels like Iris in 'The Holiday' when she discovered the swimming pool at Amanda's house. Yes, I was that excited.

Murray laboured away most of the day and each time he passed through the house, he looked even sweatier. I wanted to apologize for the extra-steamy conditions but I also desperately wanted him to finish his work. I felt torn. I paced back and forth like an expectant father, trying in vain to busy myself with insignificant tasks - my mind locked on the frenetic activity occurring just metres away. Finally, the call came.

A Significant Moment

Tentatively, I opened the door. My stare fixed to one particular spot. There, strategically positioned on our bedroom wall was the Mother or perhaps even Grandmother (it was so impressive!) of air conditioners. It could do almost anything, possibly make a cup of tea - I wasn't going to rule it out.

Murray passed me the remote. I felt like I'd just been handed the Olympic torch and entrusted to light The Flame. A respectful hush fell across the neighbourhood. With one slight touch of the on/off button, the unit responded instantly. Did I mention it was whisper-quiet? The bedroom temperature quickly chilled from a sticky thirty-two degrees to a pleasant twenty-four degrees Celsius. I flopped weightlessly onto the bed. A big, cool breath in - years of stuffy, sleepless nights breathed out. Bliss. (Incidentally, the girl in the photo just had her aircon installed too. She gets what I'm saying.)

I'd waited fifteen years for a beautifully cool room during summer and sometimes I wondered if it would ever happen. There always seemed to be other things that took priority.

As I lay there, I remembered some of the stressful moments; babies with heat rash, horribly warm furniture that was never pleasant to sit on, trips to the shopping mall for a reprieve from the heat (window shopping only back then *sob*) but I couldn't exclude some of the fun times; water play outside in the shade and... yep, that's all!

I used to feel sorry for my children when it was unbearably hot but they didn't seem to mind. That's all they knew whereas I had come from a much cooler climate. I tried my best to make it fun and it worked even if on the inside, I felt like I was suffocating from the heat and on the outside I was melting.

But summer does come to an end. The reward for me is a glorious autumn and a long, mild winter. So, as you can see, just as nature's seasons change, so too, do the seasons of life. The secret to happiness is learning to take a close look (not just a quick glance) to find something good in every season. You'll be amazed by what you find. Then you will find that you can scramble out of the troughs and valleys to experience your mountaintops with renewed gratitude and joy.

copyright 2010 Philippa Vette

Like a Dream

HISTORY

REALITY - Beautiful Big Mama

As odd as it sounds, sometimes when we've wanted something so badly for so long, a serious case of the jitters can kick in when it starts to become a reality.

The decision had been made some time ago but now we'd put 'legs' on it by meeting with our designer, Lisa. (Sorry Ikea - we were such amateurs we needed someone to hold our hand and babysit us all the way. Still love your kitchens!) She assured me, what we would get would be both functional and would look great.

But even on installation day, I was still unsure because I only ever knew this kitchen one way. For eight years I'd wiped down the 80's inspired, grey benchtops, shuffled plates and dishes into the narrow cupboards and longed for overhead cabinets. What would it be like if that all changed? What if it didn't look any good? This was unfamiliar territory.

No Turning Back

When my husband, Mr Practical (see previous blog: Seduced by Square Footage) ripped out the old kitchen just days before the new one arrived, I got nervous. At that point I knew we'd gone past the point of no return. We didn't even have a sink. Was it awkward? It was like camping without the fun of going somewhere exciting. There were dishes stacked in piles, pots and pans flung into oversized cardboard boxes, absolutely no benchspace to work on and I still haven't located the electric mixer. So, I did what any desperate person would do; I went away for the weekend!

The Transformation

At last, installation day arrived. By lunchtime, the installer had most of the cupboards in place and even with a thick layer of dust over everything and I mean, everything, from all the sawing and drilling, the transformation was well under way. The following day all the new appliances were installed and with one flick of the light switch, downlights beamed soft streams of light onto the benchtops. Sigh. I fell in love!

It was better than I had hoped. I stared for the longest time. My fingers ran along the smooth cupboard edges. I rolled the soft close drawers in and out with glee. I marvelled at the new fan forced oven which was light years ahead of my temperamental old stove and pure joy zipped up my spine. I even got up in the middle of the night just to check to see if it was real and not one of those nasty dreams that seem real, but when you wake up, reality bites.

Revelation

Standing in the new kitchen now, it's like a dream, but better because it really happened. Even the memory of the old kitchen has faded becasue it's been superseeded by something far better. But many times when I couldn't see how it was going to turn out, I felt like pulling the plug. And so it is with change. It can get messy and hard right before the breakthrough. When you swing back and forth wondering if you're doing the right thing after already giving the matter thoughtful consideration and arriving at the best decision, it's a sign that you're so close to something new and wonderful. That's the time to chill and trust and just keep moving forward. Even if you feel like freaking out - don't.

The new kitchen is a beautiful place but it's not the hub of our home, (see previous blog: 'I'm Dreaming of a White Kitchen') as I originally thought. The true hub of our home is the people - my family. Another insight.

So, when you're not sure how to get to your destination, enlist the help of someone who does know ... and have a little faith it will somehow take shape and you will arrive safely. Otherwise you'll always wonder what might have been.

copyright 2010 Philippa Vette

A Surprise in Store

The good thing about travelling with a friend is the company. Sharing memorable moments with someone else definitely makes the trip more enjoyable. However, travelling with someone for the first time, may slip into the category of "Prepare to be Surprised," as I discovered a few days ago.

Airport security is there for a reason. We're all getting used to the heightened measures we must endure if we want to fly anywhere. A security officers job is to decipher those who may pose a threat, to the rest of us. But for a brief moment, my travel buddy (TB) and I stepped over into that other category and all I could think was... 'If this turns out well, this is going to make a great blog, if not, please check visiting hours at the local prison!'

My TB is a young, organised and articulate woman, so it came as a surprise when she was challenged at the airport luggage x-ray about aerosol cans. She'd been asked if she had any aerosols and she even checked and thought she must have left them at home, until the x-ray machine confirmed they were in her luggage. I just smiled, thinking it was quite amusing that just like a women's handbag, a carry-on suitcase was just as impossible to find anything and perhaps even more so because it was bigger.

When she walked through the metal detector her underwire bra set off the alarm! I giggled. It was so entertaining. The aerosols were located and her bag was put back through the x-ray machine once more for good measure. I was still giggling because she looked so surprised and so incredibly innocent. It was all fun and games (though trying to be composed and mature about the seriousness of the situation. Ahem!), until I got selected for a 'random' explosive test while I was waiting for her. Not giggling now. I didn't say a word. I knew it was just routine so there wasn't really a problem but we were still stuck at security and our plane was due to board any minute.

So the test was all good but TB was still being questioned at the x-ray machine. Apparently they'd found a pair of scissors too! Who was this person travelling with me? After seeing the movie, "Are We There Yet?" I'd been so careful to double check my hand luggage in case my toddler had slipped a shiny, metallic object inside so Mummy had something pretty to 'play' with on the plane. "Oh great," I chuckled, "I'm travelling with Angela Scissorhands!" The Underwire Lady strikes again.

As soon as the scissors were located and disposed of 'responsibly' we were on our way to the plane... or so we thought. Enter, centre stage, yet another explosive testing security officer, who approached us and flashed her laminated A4 notice at ME.... not Scissor Lady. I promptly informed her I'd already been 'randomly' tested but she didn't believe me and thrust out her hand in the 'stop' position. Hrmph! After a quick check with the other officer we were given permission to proceed. Given the "all clear" we were now able to laugh about it all the way to our gate, until we discovered our plane had been delayed for an hour. No more laughing.

And so the moral of the story is: carefully choose who you travel through life with. While good companions strengthen us, give support and help us flourish, the wrong associations could lead us along an entirely different path, that may involve surgical gloves and some cold lubricating gel! Seriously though, it may cause regret, limit your options and make you want to give up on your dreams.

All in all, we had a good laugh and no one was arrested. It was amusing for others too. My husband sent me a text message which read: ENJOY THE STRIP SEARCH. Hilarious. But next time I fly with TB, I'm checking her luggage myself!

copyright 2010 Philippa Vette

A Simple Solution

I love practical ideas. It was a rainy Saturday afternoon when my teenage son and I ventured into a previously unconquered realm commonly referred to as the linen cupboard.

Fed up with towels getting forced into odd places and sheet sets tumbling out whenever the door was opened, my linen cupboard was crying out with angst, for some serious attention. Argh! Boring. Hate it. Then as I looked at the unruly manchester strewn and stuffed I got a brilliant idea.

Label the shelves.

Yes, of course. It seemed so obvious. Why hadn't I thought of this before? I knew where everything went but everyone else seemed oblivious with a care factor of zero. All this time, I expected others to know and care about what I already knew and what mattered to me. They just thought if it was in the cupboard and the door actually closed that was good enough but no one could find anything.

Many times I have tidied the linen cupboard, always assuming everyone in the household understood that towels went with towels and were not to be stuffed into a vacant spot next to the tablecloths, creasing them into tight wads of unrecognisable fabric. An hour later it was done. Immediately it returned dividends. When I asked one child to retrieve a hand towel his first objection was, "I don't know where to find it." My answer: "You can read, you'll find it!" Moments later he sauntered out swinging a hand towel with a big grin on his face. Tick. One more step towards a more streamlined and functional life.

Remember; if a tiny pebble was stuck in your shoe, after a day of walking you'd have a sore foot. Better to take the time when you first notice the irritation and deal with it then. Afterall, life's too short to remain angry with the people we're supposed to care about the most. Next stop... the new kitchen!

copyright 2010 Philippa Vette