Happy Mummy's Blog

I lift up my eyes to the hills

2011-05-18T16:08:00.002+10:00

PSALM 121

I lift up my eyes to the hills -

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip -

He who watches over Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you -

the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

the sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm -

He will watch over your life;

the Lord will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore.

In Honor of Victory: RT special coverage of Red Square military parade. Part 2

2011-05-10T07:17:00.002+10:00

Russia is marking Victory Day - 66 years since Nazi Germany was defeated in World War Two. Events of commemoration and celebration are taking place across the country, including a traditional grand military parade on Red Square. RT is bringing you our special coverage throughout the day.

In Honor of Victory: RT special coverage of Red Square military parade. Part 1

2011-05-10T07:16:00.001+10:00

9th of MAY 1945. I remember...

2011-05-09T09:29:00.000+10:00

The Soviet Banner of Victory on the Reichstag building in Berlin

9 May 1945. This day can never be forgotten....

The Great Patriotic War against Nazi Germany

came to an end.

This day means a lot to me. In the country where I come from, the World War II had an effect on almost every single family. There was almost no family or street in the whole USSR, where people would not have lost at least one family member or friend because of this war. Several years of constant grief and fear for loved ones. Sons, fathers, husbands, mothers, daughters, brothers, sisters..... The war as with any war was merciless.
In 1945 the Great Patriotic War (the portion of World War II from June 22, 1941, to May 9, 1945, against Nazi Germany and its allies in the Eastern Front) came to an end.
My grandfather was a Veteran of World War II, he was sent to war at the age of 17, and he bravely fought to defend his country.
It can never be forgotten what all the courageous soldiers had done for us during that time.

Here are some harrowing statistics of World War II, just to remind us of sacrifices that were made for us :
Estimates of total dead range from 50 million to over 70 million, making it the deadliest war ever.
Estimated USSR losses within postwar borders now stand at 26.6 million.
The German Army historian Dr. Rüdiger Overmans published a study in 2000 that estimated German military dead and missing at 5.3 million.
Casualties include about 4 to 12 million war-related famine deaths in China, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, India that are often omitted from other compilations of World War II casualties.
Jews: The Holocaust is the term generally used to describe the genocide of approximately six million European Jews during World War II, Martin Gilbert estimates 5.7 million (78%) of the 7.3 million Jews in German occupied Europe were Holocaust victims. Other estimates for Holocaust deaths range between 4.9 to 6.0 million Jews.

This is only the brief stats of this war, to read more, click on the link below.

Information source for this post is taken from here.

The veterans of World War II. They fought, they suffered, they won

The text on the picture: "I remember! I am proud! The Victory Day 9th of MAY 1945"

He has risen!

2011-04-24T12:46:00.001+10:00

The angel said to the women,

"Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus,

who was crucified.

He is not here;

He has risen, just as He said..."

MATTHEW 28:5,6

The resurrection and the life

2011-04-06T09:26:00.000+10:00

Jesus said to her,

"I am the resurrection and the life.

He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies;

and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die.

Do you believe this?"

JOHN 11:25,26

Eating RAW. Zucchini Pesto Pasta

2011-04-04T12:58:00.001+10:00

This delicious new recipe I've discovered while searching for new recipes online. I found it in this wonderful blog Too good to be true. I love the combination of traditional pesto with avocado and cherry tomatoes! It's a make again recipe, for sure.

Raw Zucchini Pesto Pasta

Ingredients:

For pasta:

3 medium zucchinis

For pesto:

1/2 cup fresh basil, 1/4 cup raw pine nuts, 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 cloves garlic, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced avocado

Method:

Blend ingredients for pesto in a food processor. Scoop zucchini pasta into bowls. Top with pesto. Add some cherry tomatoes and avocados. Decorate with a basil leaf.

And this is how it looks when it's ready!

Eating RAW. Healthy breakfast- wonderful beginning of a new day!

2011-04-04T12:36:00.000+10:00

Combination of freshly chopped seasonal fruits served with raw vanilla mousse in the middle and decorated with flowers.

The recipe for the raw vanilla mousse you can find here.

A box of kisses

2011-03-31T22:01:00.002+10:00

I have found this story on my friend's blog page. It touched my heart so deeply, that I could not go past it without sharing it.

A Box of Kisses
by Author Unknown

The story goes that some time ago, a man punished his 3-year-old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and he became infuriated when the child tried to decorate a box to put under the Christmas tree.

Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift to her father the next morning and said, "This is for you, Daddy." He was embarrassed by his earlier overreaction, but his anger flared again when he found the box was empty. He yelled at her, "Don't you know that when you give someone a present, there's supposed to be something inside it?" The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and said,"Oh, Daddy, it is not empty. I blew kisses into the box. All for you, Daddy." The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little girl, and he begged for her forgiveness.

It is told that the man kept that gold box by his bed for years and whenever he was discouraged, he would take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there.

In a very real sense, each of us as humans have been given a gold container filled with unconditional love and kisses from our children, friends, family and God. There is no more precious possession anyone could hold.

Picture Source

Eating RAW. Mashed "Potatoes" and Salad

2011-03-31T11:06:00.000+10:00

Mashed "Potatoes" and Salad

Mashed "Potatoes"

The recipe is taken from Matt Amsden's "Rawvolution" book

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups cauliflower, ground in food processor

1/4 cup raw macadamia nuts, ground in food processor

1/4 cup olive oil

1 tsp sea salt

1 small clove of garlic, peeled

Freshly ground black pepper

Method:

In a food processor, combine all of the ingredients except the pepper and process until the mixture looks fluffy, like mashed potatoes. Top with ground black pepper.

Parsley Salad

Quickly put together fresh ingredients go very well with the cauliflower mash!

Ingredients:

A large bunch of fresh parsley

1 cup chopped cherry tomatoes

1/2 cup chopped spring onion

1/4 of 1 red capsicum

For the dressing:

1/4 cup lemon juice

1/4 cup olive oil

Sea Salt

2-3 cloves of garlic, peeled

Method:

Chop the parsley, transfer it to a large mixing bowl, add chopped cherry tomatoes, chopped capsicum and spring onion. Mix well.

Dressing:

In a blender, combine all the dressing ingredients and blend until smooth. Add to the salad, mix well and serve!

Forgiveness

2011-03-30T13:18:00.000+10:00

"And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

MARK 11:25

Picture Source

Underwater life

2011-03-26T19:50:00.001+10:00

"The sea pronounces something, over and over, in a hoarse whisper.

I cannot quite make it out"

- Annie Dillard

Swimming is a whole culture in Australia. While living in Moscow, Russia, I never had the chance to learn to swim. Moscow is situated far away from the sea, surrounded by land. Winters are very cold and summers are so short, that there is not enough hot sunny days in them. Besides, nights can be quite cold too, during summer, and water in the lakes and rivers just can't stay warm for long. I am not a fan of cold water! But I always wanted to swim.

I am a water person, I love the ocean, love listening to it.... love being around water. And a few weeks ago I achieved one of my old time dreams, I learned to swim. Now I try to go to the pool regularly a few times a week. I set goals in front of me, practising my technique, and learning new styles. I also have a big goal - I would love to try surfing! But for now, it seems so impossible to me... just like swimming seemed once upon a time.

"Celebrate what you've accomplished, but raise the bar

a little higher each time you succeed"

- Mia Hamm

Raspberry Tiramisu

2011-03-24T15:58:00.001+10:00

This one is the yummiest chocolate dessert I have ever tasted!

I should admit though, I have not made many raw desserts yet, but I am sure this is going to be a long term favourite.

You can make this one instead of dinner, how good is that!

And you can have a couple of portions at ones and guilt free.

It's raw, it's fresh, it's anbelievebly tasty and has its own nutritional goodness,

like no cooked desserts.

The original recipe is taken from Juliano's RAW UNcooked book, here I have changed it a little.

Ingredients:

For cake mixture:
1C dates
(the original recipe has 1/2 C dates + 1/2 C dried figs, I use only dates)
filtered water for soaking dates
1/2 C maple syrup (look for pure organic 100% maple syrop, not a substitute)
1/2 tb sp vanilla extract (look for organic)
1 1/2 tb sp raw carob powder

For raspberry cream:
1/2 C raw walnuts
1/2 C frozen raspberries
1/3 C pure organic maple syrup
1 tb sp vanilla extract (organic)

For garnish (optional):
raspberries
strawberries
pomegranate seeds
chocolate mint
1 tb sp Raw Chocolate Sauce (scroll down for the recipe)
edible flowers

* I chose frozen raspberries, mint and raw chocolate sauce for garnish (in my opinion chocolate sauce complites the dish perfectly!)

Method:
Soak dates in water for 2 hours (if you use figs as well, soak them too); drain. Puree the dates (and figs if used), maple syrup, vanilla extract and raw carob powder in a blender or food processor. Divide the date mixture in half and spoon each into a glass or any other serving dish of your choice. Set aside.

In a blender, blend the walnuts, frozen raspberries, vanilla extract and maple syrup (add a little bit at a time, so you can work out the sweetness you want to achive, don't add all at ones, you might prefer it less sweet than the recipe) until creamy (or you might prefer to leave it a bit crunchy, so it has different texture). Spoon the raspberry cream evenly on top of each date cake. Sprimkle on top with a garnish of your choice. Drizzle with Raw Chocolate Sauce. Serve immidiately.

Raw Chocolate Sauce

Ingredients:
3 C maple syrup
2/3 C olive oil (cold pressed, extra virgin, I used)
2 tb sp vanilla extract
1 C raw carob powder

Now, here you don't have to make as much of the sauce, I usually use a third of ammount of each ingredient and it allows me to make a fare bit of the sauce any way, so it should last you awhile even if you make only a third.

Method:
Combine the ingredients in a blender. Blend well and enjoy.
Keeps indefinitely.

Have faith in God!

2011-03-23T12:39:00.000+10:00

"Have faith in God," Jesus answered.

"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."

MARK 11:22-24

"Just one doll"

2011-03-21T20:48:00.001+10:00

“It’s teatime and all the dolls are at the table. Listen. It’s that simple.”
- Anne Lamott

While being busy last week, I have had my first attempt to make a handmade doll for my daughter.
I did not have any pattern, so I drew a sketch myself. So here are a few pictures of what it turned out like. I did not make clothes for her yet, so she is wearing what we already had. Next, I'd like to try to make her a pretty outfit as well, and.... may be a friend or two.

JUST ONE DOLL

Poem by RomaMay

If you could only keep one doll
Of all the dolls you own,
If only one doll would become
The last doll in your home,
Which doll would you give favor to,
Which one would your heart choose?
Would it be the prettiest,
Or the oldest and most used?

Or would it be the doll you got
As a little girl,
The one with teeth and big,brown eyes
And long,dark tendrilled curls?
Or would it be the homely one
That set you back a bit,
The doll whose straw is breaking through
Her legs,where seams are split?

Or would it be that German doll
With soulful eyes of blue,
Born at the turn of the century
And born to be with you?
The doll you found at that estate,
Forced to liquidate,
By events beyond control,
The one you couldn’t wait
To carry home,to treasure,own,
The one with flaxen curls,
The doll your heart had longed for so,
In vain,when just a little girl?

Or would it be the little boy
From 80 years ago,
From your dear Aunt,the one you can’t
Ever wait to show
To company?…Or would it be
The rubber baby doll
Your children played with years ago?

Why can’t you keep them all?
You look at each and everyone,
Some,gifts from those you love,
And your sad heart cannot decide
Which one to place above
The rest of them…Each one has been
So special to your heart;
But the time to let them go
Has come and you must part
With all but one…It must be done
Before the day is through;

I wonder which doll you would pick
From dolls so dear to you?

No one knows who the Son is except the Father...

2011-03-16T14:07:00.001+10:00

"All things have been committed to Me by My Father.

No one knows who the Son is except the Father,

and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those

to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him."

LUKE 10:22

But I tell you who hear me...

2011-03-09T13:51:00.002+10:00

"But I tell you who hear me:

Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

bless those who curse you,

pray for those who mistreat you."

LUKE 6:27,28

My raw eating journal. Fruity Breakfast

2011-03-07T19:48:00.000+10:00

From today on I am going to publish only one new recipe at a time. This is because I am favouring some of the recipes and continue "cooking" the same meals time to time during my raw days. And also this way I'm hoping to update my blog with new raw ideas a bit more frequently.
All together my raw food journey is going really well, I am enjoying it so much! I am discovering a lot of new delicious recipe ideas and ready to share them with you.

Today's recipe is:

Fruity Breakfast

Those two go really well together: "Fruit salad" and "Vanilla Mousse", delicious combination of sweet date mousse and freshness of fruits.

Fruit Salad

For these recipe I used combination of seasonal fruits: peaches, nectarins, pears, apples and grapes - these fruits are in season now in Australia. Chop them up, sprinkle with a few lemon balm or mint leaves.

Ready to enjoy!

Vanilla Mousse

This recipe is taken from Juliano's "The UNcook book"

Ingredients:

1 cup dates

1 t sp vanilla extract (look for organic)

water

Method:

In a blender or food processor, puree the dates and vanilla extract, add a bit of water to make it smoother. Spoon the mousse into a glass or a serving bowl. Decorate with mint.

Simple and unbelievebly yummy!

Image of the day

2011-03-06T20:27:00.000+10:00

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer.

Always remember, you have within you

the strength, the patience,

and the passion to reach for the stars

to change the world"

-Harriet Tubman

"Heart o' the North" by Robert Service

2011-03-05T12:52:00.002+10:00

The other day, when I was browsing through the blogs of my fellow bloggers, I happened to read a poem by Robert Service, on one of the blogs.
Since I have moved the countries, and changed languages, I was looking for English classic poetry, and had not happened to read any yet, until now. Admittedly, I don't have much spare time to read books with two little toddlers, so most of the time I read poetry when I happen to see something good and interesting online.
I am new to reading Robert Service, and I have not read many yet, but I definitely look forward to reading more of his poems.

"Heart o' the North"
by Robert Service

And when I come to the dim trail-end,
I who have been Life’s rover,
This is all I would ask, my friend,
Over and over and over:

A little space on a stony hill
With never another near me,
Sky o’ the North that’s vast and still,
With a single star to cheer me;

Star that gleams on a moss-gray stone
Graven by those who love me –
There would I lie alone, alone,
With a single pine above me;

Pine that the north wind whinnies through –
Oh, I have been Life’s rover!
But there I’d lie and listen to
Eternity passing over.

Go into all the world

2011-03-02T12:37:00.000+10:00

He said to them,

"Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."

MARK 16:15-16

Hello Autumn!

2011-03-01T09:24:00.004+10:00

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.

Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.

The winds will blow their own freshness into you,

and the storms their energy,

while cares will drop off like autumn leaves"

- John Muir

While Northern Hemisphere celebrates spring, we are welcoming the autumn season in Australia. For me it is the second favourite season after spring, when days become cooler and nights cozier. It's time to harvest and prepare for winter.

My raw eating journal. Week 3. Day menu

2011-02-27T16:44:00.000+10:00

Breakfast

Musely balls and fruit tartlets

Making these ones again, can't get enough of them, yummy and feeling.

Look for the recipe here.

First lunch

French Onion Soup

This recipe is taken from Mat Amsden's "RAWvolution" book

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cup of Thai coconut water
1 1/2 cup pure water
1/2 onion, roughly chopped
2 cloves of garlic, peeled
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup Nama Shoyu (organic unpasteurized Japanese soy sauce)

Method:
In a blender, combine all ingredients and blend until smooth. Using a spoon, remove and discard any foam that rises to the top.

Second lunch

Pasta Marinara

This recipe is adapted from the original recipe from Juliano's "The UNcooked book"

An exquisite, bright and colourful meal full of delicious combinations of flavours!

Don't go past this one!

Ingredients:
For pasta:
2 zucchinis peeled, using a potato peeler into long pasta like stripes
1/2 red or yellow bell pepper sliced thinly into long stripes
1/2 cup Marinated Onion Ringlets (scroll down for the recipe)
1/2 cup diced tomato
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
2 tb sp fresh oregano, chopped
1 tb sp fresh rosemary leaves, chopped
1/4 cup sun dried tomatoes
1 tsp minced jalapeno
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp minced ginger
1 tb sp lemon juice
1/4 cup minced shallots

For the sauce:
Marinara sauce recipe (scroll down to have a look)

Method:
In a serving bowl combine zucchini, bell pepper, Marinated Onion Ringlets, tomato, basil, oregano, rosemary, sun-dried tomatoes, jalapeno, garlic, ginger, lemon juice and shallots. Set aside. Make a fresh batch of Marinara Sauce and pour it over veggie pasta.

"Marinara Sauce"

Ingredients:
1/2 cup dried pineapple or mango (optional)
1/2 cup strawberries
2 cups chopped cherry tomatoes
1 tsp minced ginger
2 tb sp minced garlic
1 tsp minced jalapeno
1/3 cup fresh basil leaves
1/3 cup red bell pepper, minced
1/4 cup fresh oregano leaves, chopped
1/4 cup Nama Shoyu (organic unpasteurized Japanese soy sauce)
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
2 green olives, pitted
1/4 cup red wine
1/4 cup spring onion

Method:
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until creamy. This sauce thickens 2-3 min after blending.
Do not blend the sauce until just before you are ready to eat it.

Marinated Onion Ringlets

Makes about 1 cup

Ingredients:

1 large onion, thinly sliced into ringlets

2/3 cup Nama Shoyu (organic unpasteurized Japanese soy sauce)

1/4 cup Olive oil

Method:
In a bowl combine onin ringlets, olive oil and Nama Shoyu. Allow onions to marinate. Onions can be used after 10 min and can be made up to 8 hours in advance. Discard marinade.

Dinner

"Strawberry Romanoff"

Another one of Juliano's amazing recipes.

This dessert kind of dish you could have for dinner any day of the week, guilt free!

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups "Whipped Cream" (scroll down for the recipe)
1 cup sliced strawberries
2 tb sp dates
1 tb sp chocolate mint

Method:
In a serving bowl combine the "whipped cream", berries and dates and mix well. Garnish with chocolate mint and serve.

"Whipped Cream"

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups raw cashews (and/or walnuts), soaked in water for at least 2 hours in advance

I have used only cashews

1/2 cup fresh orange juice

2 tb sp dates

a few drops of almond extract, optional

Method:

Drain nuts and in a blender, combine with orange juice, dates and if you wish a few drops of almond extract. Blend, using a rubber scraper, scrape the sides to help cream turn over. Stop and check for sweetness and consistency. Add a little water if the cream is too stiff. Continue blending until fluffy and smooth. Use immediately.

Blessed are those...

2011-02-23T09:58:00.000+10:00

Now Thomas one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.

So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"

But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe it."

A week later His disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"

Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."

Thomas said to Him, "My Lord and My God!"

Then Jesus told him,

"Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

JOHN 20:24-29

...

My raw eating journal. Week 2. Day menu

2011-02-19T17:02:00.002+10:00

I have not been able to update my Raw Eating blog entries for a while. Since my last update I have had 3 more "raw" days. So I have collected a lot of new recipes to share!

Here are some of them:

Breakfast

Peaches and nectarines tartlers

Ingredients and method of preparation of the base mixture for the tartlers is the same as for the Muesli balls from this entry. Shape the balls into the tartlers (I used the same method here), top the bases with chopped peaches and nectarines, sprinkle with a few drops of agave nectar.

Green Shake

Made from fruit and greens of your choice ;)

Lunch

Nori rolls

Ingredients:
* From the original recipe from Mat Amsden's book
4 sheets raw nori (black are raw, green are toasted)
4 lettuce leaves
1 1/2 carrots, chopped lenghwise
1 1/2 cups shredded daikon
1 avocado, sliced
8 sprigs of spring onion
2 cups clover sprouts
1/4 cucumber, cut lenghwise
1 red bell pepper, cut lenghwise thinly
* I have not had daikon and sprouts but it still turned out lovely! :)

Method:
Lay out nori sheets on clean, dry surface. Arrange lettuce leaves on top of each sheet so it completely covers the half of the sheet that is closest to you.
Arrange all your veggies along the lengh of each nori sheet, about 2cm from the end closest to you.
Fold the edge of the nori closest to you over the filling. Gently roll each nori away from you, tightly and evenly, into a firm snugly wrapped roll. Seal the edge with water. Cut each roll into 2 pieces with a sharp serrated knife.

Dinner

Zucchini Alfredo Pasta

This is my absolutely favourite recipe so far. So yummy!

From Mat Amsdens's book.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup Thai coconut water
2 cloves garlic, peeled
1/3 cup lemon juice
1 tsp salt
1 cup mixture of raw pine nuts and cashews
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
6 zucchinis, peeled with potato peeler into pasta like stripes
* The texture of zucchini noodles improves when they are left to sit in the open air at room temperature for about 6 hours

Method:
In a blender blend all the ingredients except the zucchini noodles and blend until smooth.
Put the zucchini noodles into a bowl, pour the Alfredo sauce over the noodles, mix well and serve!

Happy Valentine's

2011-02-14T20:09:00.000+10:00

Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,

it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts,

always hopes, always perseveres.
And now these three remain:

faith, hope and love.

But the greatest of these is

love.

1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-7,13

Image of the day

2011-02-14T09:45:00.000+10:00

This is a guest we had at our house yesterday. He got lost and somehow wondered into our lounge room, so we had to catch him and release him outside into our backyard. He was a lovely guest to have around though and a lot of entertainment for kids :)

Australian green tree frog

Where time does not exist

2011-02-12T20:43:00.000+10:00

"I have never been able to grasp the meaning of time.

I don't believe it exists. I've felt this again and again,

when alone and out in nature.

On such occasions, time does not exist.

Nor does the future exist"

- Thor Heyerdahl

I have fallen in love with this park! We have visited it a few times now. The nature there reminds me of Russian nature, something so close to my heart. But at the same time it's so unique!

Therefore do not worry

2011-02-09T07:33:00.001+10:00

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,

for tomorrow will worry about itself.

Each day has enough trouble of its own.

MATTHEW 6:34

My raw eating journal. Day 1. Menu

2011-02-06T22:17:00.002+10:00

Breakfast

Smoothie
Apple, banana, peach and lettuce smoothie.

Muesli balls

Easy and tasty, they are good for breakfast or as a treat with tea.

Ingredients:
2 Handfuls of crashed walnuts,
2 handfuls each of chopped pitted dates and sultanas
1 cup of oats
2 tbsp water
*Please, note, all amounts are approximate, you have to measure and combine them according to your own taste!

Method:
Combine all the ingredients until the mixture forms, roll the mixture into a little balls.
Nice and easy!

First lunch

Eggless egg salad

A delicious and crunchy vibrant yellow salad! Also quite filling. I absolutely loved this recipe, this one is MUST cook again!
The recipe is taken form Matt Amsden's book "RAWvolution"
Serves 3 to 4.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup pure water
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 tsp turmeric
2 cloves of garlic
Sea salt
1 1/2 cups raw cashews (or macadamias)
1/3 cup chopped spring onions
1/3 cup chopped celery
1/3 cup chopped red capsicum

Method:
In a high speed blender combine the water, lemon juice, turmeric, garlic cloves, salt and nuts and blend until smooth.
Combine the chopped veggies and the mixture from the blender in a bowl, mix well. Serve!

Second lunch

Tomato and basil raw soup

This recipe also was taken from Matt Amsden's book "RAWvolution".
Serves 2-3

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups Thai coconut water
4-5 chopped tomatoes
1 stalk of celery
1/4 onion
1 cup fresh basil
5 cloves of garlic
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup Nama Shoy (organic raw soy sauce)
Sea salt

Method:
Combine all the ingredients in a high speed blender, and blend until smooth.
Ready to serve.

Dinner

Mixed veggie salad wraps

This one is a quick one.
I chopped a few different vegetables into a bowl (tomato, capsicum, cucumber, garlic, spring onion, celery), grated some carrots, added a bit of avocado and wrapped the mixture in leaves of cos lettuce. Experiment with different vegetables, you can also add some raw nuts or seeds to the salad.
Quick and refreshing dinner!

Modern Moscow

2011-02-05T22:25:00.000+10:00

"How often would I fall to musing
of Moscow in the mournful days
of absence on my wandering ways!
Moscow... how many strains are fusing
in that one sound, for Russian hearts!
what store of riches it imparts!.."

- A.S. Pushkin (tr.Ch.Johnston)

I have found an incredible collection of photos of Moscow, which was assembled by my friend Natasha, some were taken by her, some were taken by photographers Ilya Varlamov and Roman Vershinin. I could not go past them, they are amazing, I had to re-publish them here.....

It is fascinating to see how the place where you grew up and you used to know really well, changes without you. When you have not been there for awhile, have not seen it, and then all of a sudden, it's so different, so strange, but still it feels the same way, when you're looking at it.

     "Here stands, with shady park surrounded,
     Petrovsky Castle; and the fame
     in which so lately it abounded
     rings proudly in that sombre name.
     Napoleon here, intoxicated
     with recent fortune, vainly waited
     till Moscow, meekly on its knees,
     gave up the ancient Kremlin-keys:
     but no, my Moscow never stumbled
     nor crawled in suppliant attire.
     No feast, no welcome-gifts -- with fire
     the impatient conqueror was humbled!
     From here, deep-sunk in pensive woe,
     he gazed out on the threatening glow..."

     A.S. Pushkin (tr.Ch.Johnston)

Photo by Roman Vershinin

Photo by Ilya Varlamov

Photo by Roman Vershinin

"Moscow, loved daughter of Russia,
where can we find your equal?"
- Dmitriev

Raw eating journal. Day 1

2011-02-04T21:23:00.000+10:00

After drinking green smoothies every day for a few months, and trying to prepare a couple of raw meals, I came to the point where it's no longer enough for me. I just don't want to stop! I love challenges, and I want to move forward and make my diet even healthier. I am ready to make a new step towards raw eating.
I have decided that one day a week I'm going to eat raw vegetarian food. I am not organized enough yet to plan it for any longer than one day at a time, because, I need to research recipes, stock up my pantry for new food items, and even get some kitchen equipment along with all of this. So one step at a time.
I also want it to be a pleasurable experience for me and my family, and not a stressful one.

As a first step, I was researching raw food "cook" books, websites, I chose the recipes and wrote down ingredients which I need.

Today was my first day of raw eating.
I planned it ahead, I bought a few necessary ingredients to keep me going though the whole day, I have chosen the recipes I wanted to prepare, so everything was ready. In the morning when I woke up, first my thought was: "Oh, no! It's today!" My next thought, was "Finally, I am giving it a go!" I was very excited.
During the whole day I ate only raw and healthy fresh food, and I found it very enjoyable. It was not as hard as I imagined when I first thought about it. The best part is the way you feel after each meal, you feel no longer hungry, satisfied, but you also feel light, energized and ready to go!

Though, having said it was my first time, I also encounted a few minor problems or questions which came along.
1. I didn't know how many recipes I should chose, how many meals I'll need to prepare through the day and how much of each meal I'll eat.
And now from today's experience I can see, that this comes only with practise. You have to try each recipe yourself and see how much of it you need to satisfy your hunger.

2. I have noticed that during the day I was getting hungry quicker.
Fruit and veg are the biggest part of this diet, they get digested quickly in the stomach. So I ended up having about five meals through the day as apposed to my usual three, plus snacks.

3. I was afraid that it would take me a long time to assemble meals.
Well, this depends on the recipe difficulty as usual. But generally with a blender and a food processor, preparing meals is easy and quick, much faster than I thought it will be.
Some dishes you can make and store in the fridge until next time, while some are the best at the time they are made.

My next problem is the fact that at the moment I don't have enough kitchen equipment to try out all different recipes and the other problem is that some ingredients aren't that easy to get hold of.

But after today, as a result I want to say, that raw eating is a wonderful experience, it is so natural for humans to eat vegetarian raw food, you feel much healthier and more responsible for your body. I definitely wish to continue, in the beginning - one day a week, and then may be more, who knows! However if I'd have all the necessary ingredients right now, I would just keep going.

Later on I'm going to post the recipes I have tried out today.

The Little Children and Jesus

2011-02-02T08:33:00.000+10:00

People were bringing little children to Jesus to have Him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them,

"Let the children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them.

MARK 10:13-16

My art. "If looks could tell a story"

2011-01-27T20:29:00.000+10:00

"If looks could tell a story"
Led on paper, 42cm x 30cm.

This one I drew a few years ago, back in 2007 while living in Sydney. This is one of my first drawings using this media.

...

Therefore I tell you

2011-01-26T22:38:00.001+10:00

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life,
what you will eat or drink;
or about your body, what you will wear.
Is not life more important than food,
and the body more important than clothes?"

MATTHEW 6:25

Always ready. By Paulo Coelho

2011-01-26T11:53:00.000+10:00

Even so, now and again we hear the following comment:

“I always believe in dreams, I often try to combat injustice, but I always end up disappointed.”

A warrior of light knows that certain impossible battles are worth fighting and so is not afraid of being disappointed, knowing the power of his/her love. He/she vehemently rejects those who are unable to take decisions and are always trying to pass on to others the responsibility for all the bad that happens in the world.

A friend once sent me a text that said:

“Today a heavy rainstorm caught me by surprise when I was walking down the street
“Thank God I had my umbrella and raincoat. Except that they were both in my car, parked quite a distance away.
“While I was running to get them I thought what a strange sign I was receiving from God – we always have the necessary resources to face the storms that life prepares for us, but most times these resources are locked away in the bottom of our heart and this makes us waste an enormous amount of time trying to find them.
“And when we finally find them, we have already been defeated by adversity.”

So, let us always be prepared; otherwise we will miss our chance, we will lose the battle.

Click here, to see the Source!

My art. "Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast". Acrylic paint, canvas.

2011-01-20T16:35:00.000+10:00

Hinterland view to the Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast.
Acrylic paint, canvas, size approx. 60cm wide x 30cm high x 4cm thick

....

19th of January. The Baptism of The Lord

2011-01-19T20:10:00.000+10:00

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?"
Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on Him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is My Son, Whom I love; with Him I am well pleased."

MATTHEW 3:13-17

Update on the floods in Queensland. Pictures of the local area

2011-01-12T14:35:00.002+10:00

The flood continues in South East Queensland, 3/4 of the state is now under water. Yesterday we have experienced a very heavy rain and a thunderstorm in here, where we are, and our town got isolated by floodwater. Thank God, today we're having a bit of much welcomed sunshine! That brings hope and makes it a bit easier for everyone. However, in Brisbane CBD the level of water in the Brisbane river is still on the rise, it's expected to reach 20,5m high today. The authorities say it's not over yet, but we all pray and hope for the best.

Our backyard during thunderstorm 11/01/2011

Our backyard

Here are some pictures of the flood in our town, Caboolture, they were taken yesterday on 11/01/2011 by our neighbour.

Morayfield Rd. 11/01/2011.
If you look at the speed limit sign in the middle you can roughly imagine the level of water

Morayfield Rd. 11/01/2011

Morayfield Rd. This picture was taken today 12/01/2011 for the contrast
this is how the road looks when it's dry

Morayfield Rd. 12/01/2011

Australia's 'nightmare floods' reach Brisbane. Video

2011-01-12T14:13:00.000+10:00

The death toll following worsening floods in Australia has increased as Brisbane prepares for 'worst nightmare'

Wettest Summer on record

2011-01-09T18:07:00.001+10:00

I know in the past I have mentioned a few times that we have been having a wet season here in Queensland Australia, but to add more to it, now it is official - Queensland is having its wettest summer on record and the year 2010 was named a third wettest year on record Australia wide. Weather reports aren't looking that good either, The Bureau of Meteorology says the rain could continue until March.

Here are some pictures of the floods, I have found in the internet (click to see the source).

It doesn't sound very promising, looks like we are going to miss out on summer. Though, I should be VERY thankful to God that our house has not been flooded. Floods affected many areas of Queensland, it has been a worst natural disaster in the history of the state.

On the train on the way home from our trip to Gold Coast I took myself a few pictures of the flooded areas which we were going past. Here are some of them (sorry the quality is not that good).

On this note I wish to say, that this is my 100th post, a little milestone for my blog :)

Thank you to all my readers for sharing my journey with me!

Faith Cure: Christ reborn in post-Soviet Russia

2011-01-08T07:03:00.001+10:00

January 7 is when Orthodox Christians are celebrating Christmas Day in Russia. The holy day is marked with lavish church ceremonies and family feasts across the country. RT's Sara Firth is in central Moscow to see exactly how people there are celebrating.

Christmas Eve!

2011-01-06T23:00:00.005+10:00

Tonight, according to the Julian calendar, Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas Eve, the night before the Birth of Jesus Christ the Savior.
Merry Christmas to all Orthodox followers and to everybody!!!

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said

through the prophet:
"The virgin will be with Child and will give birth to a Son, and they will call Him Immanuel" - which means, "God with us."

MATTHEW 1:22,23

Just click on the pictures to see picture sources!

Then He said to them all

2011-01-05T13:07:00.000+10:00

Then He said to them all: "If anyone
would come after Me, he must deny himself
and take up his cross daily and follow Me.
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for Me
will save it."

LUKE 9:23,24

Internet Cafe Devotions is hosting a once a week event called Word Filled Wednesday, to read more about it and to see the others participants you can by following the link:
http://internetcafedevotions.com/wfw/

Stylish Blogger Award

2011-01-03T21:50:00.004+10:00

What a great way to start New Year! My fellow blogger Kat from ♥ Books, Crafts & Pretty Things

has included me into her list of recipients for the Stylish Blogger award!

Thank you so much, Kat! It means a lot.

There is a list of rules you need to follow, if you wish to accept this award:

1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award

2. Share 7 things about yourself

3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers

4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award!

7 things about me
1. I am Christian, and my faith means a lot to me.
2. Most of all I love to spend time at home with my family and friends.
3. I love sweets, chocolate, anything with sugar or honey, though I am trying to cut down on sugar.
4. When I was 18 I studied to become a Human Resource Manager, and I had been studying it for 2 years in Moscow University.
5. I love to paint! It is a way of expressing myself.
6. My favourite book author is Paulo Coelho, I have read almost all of his books and keep an eye on his blog.
7. I love sitting at the ocean in the evening and listening to the sound of the waves! So romantic!

Here are some of my recently discovered great bloggers

I am happy to announce that the award goes too....

The Experimental Farmer

Kookaburra

RAW Apple tartlets

2011-01-02T14:31:00.005+10:00

"In health there is freedom. Health is the first of all liberties"

- Henri Frederic Amiel

This is my first raw recipe, I've tried, and I am quite proud of how it turned out!
It took me awhile since I first got interested in the raw food recipes, to make a first step to this amazingly tasty and healthy way of eating.

A little bit about raw eating. Raw diet includes in itself eating fresh raw vegan, often organic, ingredients, such as vegetables, fruit, nuts, beans, juices, etc.,etc,etc. But mostly, NO dairy, NO meat, NO fish, NO whites (flour, sugar, pasta, etc.), no animal products almost at all and nothing which requires cooking.

You can read more about it if you follow these links:
http://www.rawvolution.com/why-raw
http://www.rawmazing.com/why-raw/

To be honest, I am not quite ready to switch completely to this way of eating yet. But I am looking forward to experiment and include as much raw recipes into my diet as I can. My family is also exited about it, and it's a great way of making your life much healthier!

I have decided to try desserts first. The main reason because there are not many healthy recipes of desserts out there, wherever I look I see lots of recipes which include sugar, butter, flour and eggs, often all of them mixed together. You simply can't enjoy such treats without feeling guilty and sorry for your body. You just have to compromise all the time, but not with raw desserts, they are healthy for you, your body will enjoy them together with your tongue! :)

So here is the recipe

I have combined two recipes in one.
The recipe of tartlets crust I have taken from Juliano's "The UNcook book"
And the recipe of the apple feeling I have taken and modified a little, from Matt Amsden's book "RAWvolution"

Makes 12 little tartlets.
You'll need a 1/3 cup capacity cupcake tin.

Ingredients:
for the crust
1 cup of walnuts
1 cup of pitted dates

for the apple feeling
2 apples, cored, sliced and roughly chopped
3 tb spoons of agave nectar
1/2 t spoon cinnamon powder
2 t spoons raw oats, ground (I didn't ground them, but you suppose to if you use them, original recipe had 1 1/2 t spoon of flax seed, ground)
1 1/2 t spoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup of raisins

Method:
To make the crust, in a blender combine walnuts and dates and crash them finely. Line the cup cake tin with pieces of baking paper, so the "dough" will not stick to the bottom. Press about a table spoon of the mixture evenly into the bottom and sides each cup of the tin.
Mix chopped apples, agave nectar, cinnamon, oats, lemon juice and raisins in a mixing bowl. Spoon the mixture evenly into each tartlet crust and serve.

It tastes unbelievably yummy and amazingly fresh!

Enjoy!

Rainy Holidays in pictures. Palm Beach. Gold Coast

2011-01-01T19:18:00.000+10:00

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing"

- Helen Keller

The rain was drizzling all the way, but I have managed to take my yongest son for a little stroll along the Creek at 6 o'clock in the morning before the rain got heavier. Our walk was not long, we got wet pretty quickly, but I am happy we braved it!

Walk along Tallebudgera Creek

Tallebudgera Creek

Murlong Cres.

Some people were still enjoying their holidays

Morning mist....

Just a nice looking house down the road

Varsity Lakes train Station

Good bye rainy Palm Beach!

Love the Lord

2010-12-29T20:18:00.000+10:00

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

MATHEW 22:37

Internet Cafe Devotions is hosting a once a week event called Word Filled Wednesday, to read more about it and to see the others participants you can by following the link:
http://internetcafedevotions.com/wfw/

Picture source

Holidays are only beginning

2010-12-28T23:01:00.000+10:00

This Christmas we spent with our extended family near the Gold Coast. We did have a lot planned for this time but instead of spending holidays at the beach as we planned, we ended up coming back home early due to the heavy rain.

The weather is being extremely wet all over Queensland, it has been officially named wettest Summer in history. The trees are covered by moss and mold, mushrooms are growing on the sides of the roads, rivers are over flowing and fields are flooded..... But enough about rain for now.

No matter what, the weather could not ruin the holiday's spirit and Christmas mood. We had a wonderful time with the family. New Year celebrations are still ahead of us, and then it will be Orthodox Christmas!!!

There are a lot of holidays coming up in January. After the Orthodox Christmas there will be another 2 big feasts: St. Basil Day and The Day of Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Orthodox 19th of January).
My little daughter is going to have a Birthday in between all the fun and then there is the day of the Old New Year celebration. Orthodox New Year is an informal traditional Slavic Orthodox holiday, celebrated as the start of the New Year by the Julian Calendar. In the 20th and 21st centuries, the Old New Year falls on January 13/14 (information from Wikipedia).

In the end of January we're going to have Australia Day! This day is the official national day of Australia. Celebrated annually on 26 January, the day commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788, the hoisting of the British Flag there, and the proclamation of British sovereignty over the eastern seaboard of New Holland (information from Wikipedia).
Any way, all together January promises a fun start to the Year, we just have to get ready.

So Merry Christmas everybody and Happy New Year!!!

Enter through the narrow gate

2010-12-22T21:14:00.000+10:00

Enter through the narrow gate.
For wide is the gate and broad is the road
that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
But small is the gate and narrow is the road
that leads to life, and only a few find it.

MATHEW 7:13,14

Internet Cafe Devotions is hosting a once a week event called Word Filled Wednesday, to read more about it and to see the others participants you can by following the link:
http://internetcafedevotions.com/wfw/

Aquarium "The White Horse"

2010-12-21T07:18:00.002+10:00

Aquarium: Album "The White Horse" - The White Horse.

Аквариум альбом "Лошадь Белая"

Лошадь Белая

Лошадь белая на траве
Далеко ушла в поле
Дома упряжь вся в серебре
А ей нужно лишь воли.

Конюх сбился с ног - да что с тобой?
Целый день звонит, пишет
А она трясет гривой
И как будто б не слышит.

Твердая земля да долгий путь
Из огня в полымя
Много кто хотел ее вернуть
Ни один не знал имя.

Updates from our garden. December

2010-12-19T22:12:00.004+10:00

The weather in South East Queensland this December is being all over the place, but mostly cool and rainy. And only recently the temperature got up to 30C degrees, which is quite normal for summer time in QLD. To be honest, I was hoping that we will end up having cool rainy-cloudy days through all summer season, but obviously it's not going to happen.
Well, at least this weather is being good for the garden, especially the rain!

With all the Christmas holidays' preparations we didn't get to spend a lot of time in the garden, plus all this rain kept us away from being outdoors, but that's the good thing about living in Queensland - you don't need to do much in the garden during spring and summer, just planting and weeding, the plants will grow on its own in this climate!

Here is a few photos of what is currently growing and flowering in our garden.

Herb garden is growing well in the rain

Marjoram

New addition to our patio

Little baby tomatos growing

Sorrel

Magnolia flower

Here is our cucumber patch

And another new addition - baby Jakaranda trees for outside the garden

Strawberries are little but very sweet

Curry bush

One of my favourite flowers

Agapanthus's are in season

And another little tomato bush

Vegetarian Curry Puffs and a Healthy Way of Frying

2010-12-18T20:34:00.001+10:00

Ingredients:

1 onion, chopped

500g boiled, diced

1 cup of mixed frozen veggies (corn, peas, carrots), thawed

1 and a half tsp ground cumin

1 and a half tsp ground coriander

1/2 tsp turmeric

Pinch chili powder

Sprinkle of ginger powder

1 tbs chopped fresh coriander

2 tsp fresh lemon juice

Salt, back pepper

Ready rolled puff pastry, thawed

Method:

First of all, preheat the oven to 200C degrees.

I'll describe here the healthy way to cook food in the frying pan. When you're cooking this way you don't need to use oil, butter or any other grease, no matter which frying pan you're using, the veggies or meat won't stick to it. As a matter of fact, I use stainless steel fry pan, and this method works for me. Make a switch to the healthier cooking!

Heat the onion in a frying pan over a medium heat, until it stars turning soft and golden, add a splash of hot boiling water to the pan, enough to just cover the bottom, but not to much (this will prevent the onion from burning and sticking to the pan). Cook for 1 minute. Add frozen veggies. Cook until veggies are heated up.

With fresh veggies or meat you might need to add a bit of extra water, to prevent it from sticking to the pan, but with frozen veggies, on account of melting ice, you don't need it as much. Just keep watching it, and if it starts sticking add a bit of water.

Add the cumin, ground coriander, turmeric, chili and ginger and cook for 30 seconds. Add the potatoes, fresh coriander and lemon juice and stir. Set aside to cool.
Cut up pastry into an even squares. I use about 5 (25x25cm) sheets and still get left overs of the filling. Fill each square with enough vegetable mixture, pinch the dough up at the top. Repeat with remaining pastry and filling.
Cook in the oven until golden.
Serve with tzatziki, hummus dip or Greek style yoghurt.

Easy and healthy!

Tip:
You can freeze the vegetable mixture or uncooked pastries in the freezer.

Ask and it will be given to you

2010-12-15T09:02:00.000+10:00

Ask and it will be given to you;

seek and you will find;

knock and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives;

he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks

the door will be opened.

MATHEW 7:7-8

Orthodox Christmas in Russia

2010-12-13T08:30:00.000+10:00

Christmas celebrations in the heart of Moscow, year 2009.

"The Russian Orthodox Church celebrated Christmas Eve at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, in the presence of Russian President Dmitri Medvedev and his wife. This marks the first Christmas without Alexey II, the Orthodox patriarch who died in December. The ceremony took place at midnight on the night of January sixth. The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas according to the Julian calendar, introduced by the Roman emperor Julius Caesar in the year 46 B.C., whereas the Catholic Church follows the Gregorian calendar, adopted by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. The Divine Liturgy was led by Metropolitan Kirill, who has assumed the governing role in the Russian Orthodox Church until the next bishops' synod is held to choose the successor to Alexey II"

A little word about Russian Christmas and New Year traditions

2010-12-11T18:28:00.004+10:00

Russian Christmas Religious Traditions

Russian Orthodox Christmas takes place on January 7th (following the Old Calendar this is the 25th of December) and the celebration lasts for six days.

Picture source

In the Orthodox tradition nothing is eaten or drunk on Christmas Eve until the first star appears in the sky. The star is symbolic of the great star that led the Magi to the newly born Christ. Once the first star has appeared in the sky, the festivities begin with a Lenten meal - meaning meat or dairy products (including chocolates) are excluded. This Christmas Eve meal is "The Holy Supper" .

The family gathers around the table to honor the coming Christ Child. A white tablecloth is used to symbolize Christ's swaddling clothes and hay is displayed as a reminder of the poverty of the place where Jesus was born. A tall white candle is placed in the center of the Table, to symbolize Christ - the "Light of the World." A large round loaf of "pagach", a special Lenten bread, is placed beside the candle to symbolize Christ - the "Bread of Life".

Picture source

The father begins the Christmas meal by leading the family in the Lord's Prayer, a prayer of thanksgiving for the blessings of the past year and for the good things to come in the new year. The head of the family greets those present with "Christ is Born!" - the traditional Russian Christmas greeting - and the family responds with "Glorify Him!" The Mother then draws a cross with honey on each person's forehead, saying a blessing - "In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, may you have sweetness and many good things in life and in the new year." The Lenten bread (Pagach) is then broken and shared. The bread is dipped first in honey to symbolize the sweetness of life and then in chopped garlic to symbolize life's bitterness. The "Holy Supper" is then eaten. After dinner, no dishes are washed and the Christmas presents are opened. The family goes to church for the Christmas Mass which lasts until after midnight.

Picture source

Traditionally, the "Holy Supper" consists of 12 different foods, symbolic of the 12 Apostles. Although there was also some variation in the foods from place to place and village to village, the following is a good summary of what is typically served.

1) Mushroom soup with zaprashka (or Sauerkraut soup)
2) Lenten bread ("pagach")
3) Chopped garlic
4) Honey
5) Baked fish
6) Fresh Oranges, Figs and Dates
7) Nuts
8) Kidney beans (cooked slowly all day) seasoned with shredded potatoes, lots of garlic, salt and pepper to taste
9) Peas
10) Parsley Potatoes (boiled new potatoes with chopped parsley and margarine)
11) Bobal'ki (small biscuits combined with sauerkraut or poppy seed with honey)
12) Red Wine

On Christmas morning the family returns to church for the Christmas day Liturgy. After church the family gathers together to exchange gifts and share a special Christmas meal. Children go from door to door caroling the song "Thy Nativity".

"C Rodzhestvom Kristovom"(srod-zshest-vum krist-o-vum) is a common Russian Christmas greeting, meaning "with the Birth of Christ!"

Christmas Carols (Picture source)

Russian Christmas Folk Traditions

Russian Santa: Grandfather Frost is the Russian Santa Claus. He brings gifts to the children at New Year's, which is the most popular Russian holiday celebration. His grand-daughter, the "Snowmaiden", accompanies him to help distribute the gifts.

New Years Eve - December 31st - is the big day for the celebration of Russian Chrsitmas in post-revolutionary, Russia. On New Years Eve Grandfather Frost (Russia's version of Santa Claus) arrives with his granddaughter the Snowmaiden. They bring bags of candy for the children and Grandfather Frost listens to the girls and boys sing songs and recite poems. After this, he gives small Christmas gifts to the children.

Picture source

Russians decorate their homes with a Christmas tree and often put pine leaves on their front doors, and in the house. The Russian Christmas tree is usually taken down at the end of January after the feast day of the Baptism of Christ.

"C novom godom!" (snow-vum gode-um)- meaning "with the New Year" - is a common New Years Eve - Christmas holiday greeting.

Picture source

The information source

Ask the Lord to bless your plans

2010-12-08T19:36:00.000+10:00

Ask the Lord to bless your plans,
and you will be successful in
carrying them out.

PROVERBS 16:3

Internet Cafe Devotions is hosting a once a week event called Word Filled Wednesday, to read more about it and to see the others participants you can by following the link:
http://internetcafedevotions.com/wfw/

Almond Meringue cake

2010-12-06T19:39:00.001+10:00

I have made this cake for my husband's Birthday.
The recipe is taken from "the Australian Women's Weekly" Chocolate cake book.

The original recipe has got raspberries in it, but I used strawberries instead.

Ingredients:
125g butter, chopped
1/2 cup (110g) caster sugar
3 eggs, separated
1 cup (150g) self-raising flour, sifted
1/3 cup (35g) cocoa powder
1/2 cup (125ml) buttermilk
1/2 cup (120g) sour cream
2/3 cup (160ml) thickened cream
2 tbl spoons flaked almonds
2/3 (150g) caster sugar, extra
1 tbl spoon icing sugar
150g strawberries, cut in halves

Method:
Preheat the oven to moderate. Grease 2 deep 22cm round cake pans, line bases with baking paper.
Beat butter, sugar and egg yolks in a bowl with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Using wooden spoon stir in combined flour and cocoa powder, then combined buttermilk and sour cream. Divide the mixture evenly between the pans.
Beat egg whites in small bowl with electric mixer until soft peaks form, gradually add sugar, beating until sugar dissolves between additions. Divide meringue mixture evenly over cake mixture in pans; using metal spatula, spread meringue so cake mixture is completely covered. Sprinkle nuts over the meringue on one of the cakes.
Bake cake in moderate oven 10 minutes. Cover pans loosely with foil and bake for another 20 minutes. Discard foil, stand cakes in pans 5 minutes before turning them onto wire racks. Quickly and carefully turn cakes top side up to cool.
Beat cream and icing sugar in small bowl with electric mixer until firm peaks form. Place cake without almonds on serving plate; spread cream over top, sprinkle evenly with strawberries, top with the remaining cake.

Hints and tips:
Best made on the day of serving.
This cake will keep for one day in an airtight container in the fridge.

Christmas preparations

2010-12-05T19:20:00.004+10:00

It's the beginning of December, and Christmas and New Year are coming soon!

I've been very busy lately with all the preparations, plus my laptop broke, so I have not been able to go online that often any more. Though, it's good to have a break from the virtual world and spend some quality time doing usual house work, having fun with the kids and getting ready for Summer Holidays.
It's summer in Australia but the weather is being pretty brisk for this time of the year, rainy and cloudy most days. Just as well, I still can't get used to hot Aussie Christmas's, and this weather is just a tiny little bit closer to European weather around Christmas time :)

Here is a few things which I have been doing through this rainy week at home.

Decorating a Christmas tree

Making Christmas present's tags

Painting pine cones for the house decoration

So, a few things are done: Christmas shopping, decorationg the house, setting up a Christmas tree, sedning presents overseas. And we still got a few things ahead of us: wraping up presents, sending greeting's cards, catching up with friends and relatives. And then, New Year and Christmas!

For God loved the world so much

2010-12-01T08:46:00.002+10:00

For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son,
so that everyone who believes in Him may not die but have eternal life.

JOHN 3:16

This is my favourite Bible quotation, every time I read it, it reminds me of how much God loves us and cares for us.

Internet Cafe Devotions is hosting a once a week event called Word Filled Wednesday, to read more about it and to see the others participants you can by following the link:
http://internetcafedevotions.com/wfw/

Picture source

My favourite tea recipes

2010-11-27T22:56:00.000+10:00

When I was a child, my mother and I always used to drink tea together. We spent so much time drinking tea and chatting to each other! Tea is a big part of culture in Russia, where I come from. Most of the year the weather is cold, so it's more than just a tradition that when you get home you have a big hot cuppa..... Nostalgic. Summer time is perfect for refreshing cold herbal tea's or fruit tea's.

I have collected a few of my favourite recipes from my childhood.
The ones which my grandma and my mum used to make.
Here they are. Some of them are very easy and quite common, but they are still my favourite, so I have decided to include them as well.

Winter lemon tea

For this one you'll need to brew black tea in a pot. You'll also need a sliced lemon and sugar or honey.
When tea is ready, pour it into cups, add 1-2 slices of lemon and sugar or honey to your taste to each cup.
Stir the tea, and watch it change its colour... smells delicious!

Apple tea

For a medium tea pot of black or green tea, cut up 1 apple and add apple pieces to the pot. Cover up with a lid and leave for 2 minutes. Add sugar or honey if desired. Ready to enjoy!

Strawberry tea

Perfect in summer, when strawberries are fresh and sweet.

Brew your favourite black tea in a pot. Pick a few strawberries (about 5-7 small ones, or 2-3 big ones per cup, small berries are usually sweeter than big ones, and also strawberries turn sweeter if the weather is sunny!)

Put the strawberries into cups, mush them with a fork, add 1-2 tea spoons of sugar per a cup, and mix well. Pour tea on top of strawberries and stir gently.

Summer time special

In summer, we used to spend time in our family holiday house, where we had a garden with lots of herbs and different berries. My mum often used to make this tea, I remember helping her to pick the ingredients for this.
But this tea would be a bit difficult to make, if you're living in the city. Here in Australia it's hard to find some of the ingredients, but if you're lucky you might be able to find all the leaves you need!

For this tea you'll need to pick:
a few strawberry leaves
a few blackcurrant leaves
a few mint leaves
a few leaves of sea-buckthorns bush
a few raspberry leaves
* plus a bit extra, if you like you can add a few springs of lemon balm!

You'll need to pick more smaller size leaves and less bigger size ones.
Put all of them in a large pot and pour hot boiling water on top. Cover with the lid and let the tea brew for about 5-10 minutes or longer, if you like the tea to be stronger.
You can wait until the tea cools down, if you like it cold.
Perfect in summer!

Hypericum (St. John's wort) tea

All you need for this one is stems of St. John's wort (leaves and flowers all together). Brew as usual black tea.
Tastes delicious, we used to drink this tea instead of black. Goes well with honey.
Yummy!

Mint tea

I love fresh mint tea. Easy to make, you just need a few stems of mint or spearmint and hot water. Light and refreshing!
* To add a little extra flavour, you can drop 2-4 lime leaves to the pot, this makes it even more refreshing.

Orange and cinnamon tea

You'll need 1 sliced up orange, ground cinnamon, honey or sugar and a freshly brewed black tea.
Put 1 slice of orange into a cup, add 1/3 of tea spoon of ground cinnamon and a tea spoon of honey or sugar. Pour hot tea on top.
This tea goes especially well in winter.

I love to experiment with my tea and I always look forward to experience new recipes!

Stay Fit During the Holidays with 10 Easy Exercises

2010-11-26T11:51:00.001+10:00

I have received a request to feature an article about an exercise program on my blog. This is the first time I have been asked to publish anything on my blog, so it's very exciting for me. The article is written by Jessica Costello. And I'd like to thank her for choosing my blog to feature the article! I have found this article very interesting and the exercise program itself is easy to take on. You're sure going to enjoy doing it! So, please, take you time and have a little read!

And here is a couple of words about Jessica.
Jessica is a writer with the outreach team at Gym Source. In addition to writing, she is also a personal trainer, working mainly with new moms looking to get fit after having their baby. Her specialties are fitness, and nutrition, and toning.

Jessica's article

Stay Fit During the Holidays with 10 Easy Exercises

Question: What's the best form of exercise?
Answer: The one you'll actually do!

As long as your fitness program:
   A. Raises your heart rate
   B. Has a strength training component
   C. And is done at least thirty minutes a day five days a week – you'll experience significant health benefits.

Variety is the spice of life; it keeps you motivated and works better for your body by working different muscle groups. You don't need to go to a gym and use fitness equipment. In fact, here are ten simple, yet effective exercises you can do in the comfort of your own home that can help prevent putting on holiday weight:

1. Take a Hike/Stroll

It's also simple, low-impact and easy on the joints – just put on a comfortable pair of shoes, step outside and walk at a fairly brisk pace around your neighborhood. It's a great way to clear the head and improve your mood – it may be cold, but will give you an opportunity to enjoy all the lights and decorations for the holiday season.

2. Jump!

Act like your kids on Christmas morning! Jump up and down, or do some jumping jacks. They're a great way to get the heart pumping and the limbs loosened up. 15-20 repetitions with a minute or two of rest between sets for thirty minutes should be sufficient. This will increase endurance and work on toning your thighs.

3. "Drop and Give Me 20, Soldier!"

Push-ups confer all the same strength-training benefits of bench presses with barbells – without the risk of handling heavy weights and need for a "spotter." You can adjust the intensity by elevating your feet. Push-ups do more than work your arms, they are a total body workout.

4. Lift That Leg

This provides a strength training workout for the thighs and adductors (muscles that attach the upper leg to the hip). If you can't manage leg lifts with a straight leg, bend the knee.

5. Washboard Abs?

You may not get "ripped" by doing crunches, but you'll definitely work your ab muscles – and this will award real benefits to your back as well, and you will see an improvement in toning your abs.

6. You Can Keep Running In Place...

...and you should. This is an exercise you can do while watching TV, making the "boob tube" actually good for something. You can also do it while stringing popcorn on the string for the tree.

7. The Squatters...

No, we don't mean settling land that isn't yours – it's what you do every time you sit in and get up from a chair. Just do it several times until you "feel the burn...", and

8. Household Weight Equipment

Cans of food, milk and water jugs, sacks of flour – you'd be amazed at how much weight training equipment is just sitting in your pantry or refrigerator. (Who knew your could actually lose weight with using your holiday baking ingredients?)

9. Roll Up The Carpet

The latest craze is dancing off the weight, but not all of us can get to the classes when they are offered and the videos cost more than Christmas. Instead roll up the carpet, and crack up the tunes, whether it's Mariah Carey's "All I want for Christmas" or whatever is on the radio, dancing will increase your aerobic hear rate, and help with endurance training.

10. Steppin' Up

Finally, you don't have to buy a bench step and sign up for a step class to do step. Chances are you've got a step or two around your home. So while those cookies are in the oven, run the stairs a few times. The timers will make great intervals and keep you fit while baking!

The fact of the matter is, that all of these are not difficult, and do not require patience, or a long drawn out explanation. They are simple and they WORK. So maybe you aren't getting fit on treadmills, or ellipticals, but the end result is the same and you will have a lot of extra cash to go and spend it on holiday gifts, or a treat for yourself!

Trust in the Lord

2010-11-24T18:31:00.002+10:00

Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
Never rely on what you think you know.
Remember the Lord in everything you do, and
He will show you the right way.

PROVERBS 3:5-6

Internat Cafe Devotions is hosting a once a week event called Word Filled Wednesday, to read more about it and to see the others partisipants you can by following the link:
http://internetcafedevotions.com/wfw/

Blueberry and ricotta chocolate cake (Low-fat)

2010-11-20T19:08:00.001+10:00

Excellent choice of dessert if you don't want to feel to guilty!

Delicious chocolate cake which is also low fat. You can also make this cake with frozen raspberries or any other your favourite berries.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup (165g) reduced-fat ricotta cheese
2 cups self-raising flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 cup caster sugar
100g fat reduced margarine, melted
1 cup hot water
1 cup frozen blueberries
For the blueberry sauce:
1/4 cup caster sugar
1 cup frozen blueberries

Method:
Preheat the oven to 160°C. Line a round cake tin with baking paper or lightly grease it.
Sift flour and cocoa into a bowl. Add sugar, margarine, water and ricotta. Mix well. Gently fold through blueberries. Pour mixture into the tin. Bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Stand in pan for 5 minutes. Turn onto the wire rack to cool.
Make blueberry sauce: Combine sugar and 2 tablespoons cold water in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until syrup thickens slightly. Add blueberries. Remove from the heat and set aside for 15 minutes.
Cut cake into wedges, place on plates, pour the blueberry sauce over the cake and serve.

I will praise You, Lord!

2010-11-17T20:56:00.000+10:00

I will praise You, Lord, with all my heart;

I will tell of all the wonderful things

You have done.

I will sing with joy because of You.
I will sing praise to You,

Almighty God.

PSALMS 9:1-2

Since it’s inception, the purpose of Word filled Wednesday is to share God’s word through photo, or graphic image combined with a verse from the Bible.
Internet Cafe Devotions is hosting a once a week event called Word Filled Wednesday, to read more about it and to see the others participants you can by following the link:
Internet Cafe Devotions

God Bless!

Thinking about Moscow...

2010-11-11T21:57:00.002+10:00

* * *
Yes! It"s settled! Now and for ever
I have left my dear old plain.
And the winged leaves of poplars will never
Ring and rustle above me again.

Our house will sag in my absence,
And my dog died a long time ago.
Me, I"m fated to die with compassions
In the crooked streets of Moscow, I know.

I admire this city of elm-trees
With decrepit buildings and homes.
Golden somnolent Asian entities
Are reposing on temple domes.

When the moonlight at night, dissipated,
Shines... like hell in the dark sky of blue!
I walk down the alley, dejected,
To the pub for a drink, maybe, two.

It"s a sinister den, harsh and roaring,
But in spite of it, all through the night
I read poems for girls that go whoring
And carouse with thieves with delight.

Now I speak but my words are quite pointless,
And the beat of my heart is fast:
"Just like you, I am totally worthless,
And I cannot re-enter the past".
Our house will sag in my absence.
And my dog died a long time ago.
Me, I"m fated to die with compassions
In the crooked streets of Moscow, I know.

Sergei Yesenin, transleted from Russian by Alex Vagapov
1922

* * *

Да! Теперь решено. Без возврата
Я покинул родные поля.
Уж не будут листвою крылатой-
Надо мною звенеть тополя.

Низкий дом без меня ссутулится,
Старый пес мой давно исдох.
На московских изогнутых улицах
Умереть, знать, судил мне бог.

Я люблю этот город вязевый,
Пусть обрюзг он и пусть одрях.
Золотая дремотная Азия
Опочила на куполах.

А когда ночью светит месяц,
Когда светит... черт знает как!
Я иду, головою свесясь,
Переулком в знакомый кабак.

Шум и гам в этом логове жутком,
Но всю ночь напролет, до зари,
Я читаю стихи проституткам
И с бандитами жарю спирт.

Сердце бьется все чаще и чаще,
И уж я говорю невпопад:
Я такой же, как вы, пропащий,
Мне теперь не уйти назад.

Низкий дом без меня ссутулится,
Старый пес мой давно издох.
На московских изогнутых улицах
Умереть, знать, судил мне бог.

Сергей Есенин
1922

Thinking about Moscow...

2010-11-10T21:27:00.001+10:00

It has been awhile since I have visited Moscow. It's not easy sometimes to be far away from the place where you were born in.

It's nostalgic...
There are so many things I think about when I remember my Moscow, so many great memories. I love my Moscow, and those years I have spent there in this beautiful city!

Recently, I've been reading poetry of one Russian poet - Sergei Yesenin (Сергей Есенин). He is one of my favourite poets, he lived and wrote his works during the "Silver age" of Russian literature which was the beginning of 1900's.
He was a most talented, popular and loved poet.
Here is one of his poems.

Sergei Yesenin

* * *

I have left my endeared home,

Getting out of my Russia of blue.
    Little grove by the pond will warm
    My old mother"s sorrow anew.

    Like a golden croaker the moon
    Lies prostrate on the water tranquil.
    Grizzly hair, like apple-tree bloom,
    In my father"s beard will spill.

    I will not come back readily, and
   Singing blizzard will ring on and on.
   Maples guard my blue Russian land,
   Standing there, one-legged, all alone.

   And I know that it"s joyous for those
   Who"ve been kissing the rain of the leaves.
   For the maple and I, we both
   Are alike, in the head, that is.

   1918

Translated from Russian by Alec Vagapov

* * *

Я покинул родимый дом,

Голубую оставил Русь.

В три звезды березняк над прудом

Теплит матери старой грусть.

Золотою лягушкой луна

Распласталась на тихой воде.

Словно яблонный цвет, седина

У отца пролилась в бороде.

Я не скоро, не скоро вернусь!

Долго петь и звенеть пурге.

Стережет голубую Русь

Старый клен на одной ноге,

И я знаю, есть радость в нем

Тем, кто листьев целует дождь,

Оттого, что тот старый клен

Головой на меня похож.

1918

Jamie Oliver's "Incredible Roasted Shoulder of Lamb"

2010-11-07T17:59:00.001+10:00

Perfect for the family lunch or dinner. I have cooked this recipe a few times now and every times it turns out delicious!

Ingredients:

1 (2 kg) shoulder of lamb
Olive oil
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 large bunch fresh rosemary
1 bulb garlic, unpeeled, broken into cloves
For the mint sauce:
1 tablespoon plain flour
2 cups good-quality hot chicken or vegetable stock
1 large bunch fresh mint, leaves picked
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
* the original recipe had 2 heaped tablespoons drained, chopped capers in it, but I don't use them here

Method:

The lamb:
Preheat your oven to full whack, (250C degree).
Slash the fat side of the lamb all over with a sharp knife. Lay half the sprigs of rosemary and half the garlic cloves on the bottom of a high-sided roasting pan, rub the lamb all over with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place it in the pan on top of the rosemary and garlic, and put the rest of the rosemary and garlic on top of the lamb. Tightly cover the tray with aluminum foil and place in the oven. Turn the oven down immediately to 325 degrees F and cook for 4 hours - it's done if you can pull the meat apart easily with 2 forks.

The sauce:
Remove the lamb from the oven and place it on a chopping board. Cover it with foil, then a kitchen towel, and leave it to rest. Pour away most of the fat from the roasting pan. Put the pan on the stove top over medium heat and mix in the flour. Add the stock, stirring and scraping all the sticky goodness off the bottom of the pan. You won't need gallons of gravy, just a couple of flavorsome spoonfuls for each serving.
* Here you need to add the capers if you wish.
Reduce the heat after and simmer for a few more minutes.
Finely chop the mint and add it to the sauce with the red wine vinegar at the last minute then pour into a pitcher.
Serve with greens and some boiled, smashed or roasted veggies.
Absolutely delish!

Our amazing nature!...

2010-11-02T15:00:00.001+10:00

"We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors,

...we borrow it from our Children"

- Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Open the door, get outside and start walking! Nature is so beautiful!

It surrounds us every day, where ever we go. But it is so easy to take it for granted, not to notice what is around us. How often do you lift your eyes up and look at the sky and notice how beautiful it is?

And it is beautiful, always, no matter what, it is always different, and it can be hard to take your eyes off it, once you've noticed it!

It's quite remarkable, or should I say a bit embarrassing, we have lived in our town for nearly a year now, and only last weekend we have discovered a new (for us) amazingly beautiful walk way.

It goes down the local river, and leads towards park land.

The park looks almost wild, filled with astonishing breath taking sounds, birds, animals, which are freely swimming in the water or flying in the sky. Ducks and geese come up to you, in hopes do get a bit of bread, turtles poking their heads from the muddy water of the river. Horses eating the fresh grass further in the field, wild turkeys running by right near you. And all of this is happening so not far away from where we live! Just half an hour walk, and you are in the native wild bush land of Australia!

Amazing!

We don't always notice it, but it is here! God's hand created our Earth, and God is calling for us, no matter where we are and what we are doing. And it is not hard to hear him, you just need to listen.

Get outdoors in the nature, take a deep breath of fresh air and look around.....

Strawberry muffins

2010-10-27T15:12:00.000+10:00

Makes 10-12 muffins.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups of self-raising flour
1/2 cup of sugar
1 x 250g punnet strawberries, washed, coarsely chopped
100g low-fat natural yoghurt
100g low-fat strawberry yoghurt
1/4 cup of margarine
1 egg, lightly whisked

Method:
Preheat oven to 200°C. Spray ten 1/3-cup capacity muffin pans with olive oil spray to lightly grease or line them with cup cake cases.
Sift the flour into a large bowl. Stir in the sugar and strawberry. Make a well in the centre.
Combine natural yoghurt, strawberry yoghurt, margarine and egg in a large jug. Pour into the centre of the flour mixture. Stir until just combined.
Divide the mixture evenly among the prepared pans. Bake for 25 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centres comes out clean.
Turn onto a wire rack to cool.
Ready to enjoy!

Green shakes. Ideas and information

2010-10-26T15:28:00.000+10:00

I have done a little research online for more useful information about green shakes and yummy recipes.

Here is what I've found, a few interesting links, I'd like to share. They are really helpful if you are not sure how to start making these smoothies and why they are SO HEALTHY for you.

This is the web site of Victoria Boutenko, who is one of the inventors of the green smoothies.
http://www.rawfamily.com/
And here are some of her recipes:
http://www.rawfamily.com/recipes
This is the link to the page, where you can have a look at Victoria Boutenko's book about healthy greens:
http://www.greenforlife.com/

And here is another wonderful web site which is loaded with nutrition information about greens in our diet.
http://www.squidoo.com/greensmoothies

Last but not least!
Here is a few links to videos with more information and recipes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUlJZD-RzEM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW5LUkeVA6s&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR3_wK92K9U&feature=related

"Late night cafe"

2010-10-22T21:46:00.000+10:00

And here it is, my new painting "Late night cafe".

"The wind stopped blowing, the trees are standing still and quite,
the sun has gone to bed and the night vale has covered the streets....
This is night which makes us dream and think of light, which awakes our imagination and inspires us to create and listen to the silence.
Take a little walk outside and listen, look around.....
The late night cafe is still open to welcome visitors. Lets take a seat at the table, have a cup of coffee and dream......"

Stained glass birdy

2010-10-20T09:05:00.002+10:00

This is a stained glass birdy me and Stacy have made yesterday. It'shines very bright and colourful on the window in the kids room.

To make this, you'll need a mosaic kit, I bought this one from the toy store.
It's easy enough to make, and very interesting for the little ones, also a perfect way to decorate kids bedroom window.

First you need to preheat the oven to 220C and prepare a flat baking tray. Line the baking tray with foil and place you wire mosaic frame onto the foil.

Carefully fill the sections with glass crystals.

And bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes OR UNTIL crystals are melted and looking like a glass.

Let it cool down and it's ready to shine!
Beautiful!

Pumpkin, zucchini and chicken frittata

2010-10-19T08:37:00.002+10:00

If you like frittata, here is one more recipe of this yummy dish.

350g piece of pumpkin, cut in chunks
1 small size zucchini, thickly sliced
1/2 of 1 roasted or steamed chicken breast, cut into medium size pieces
6 eggs
1/2 cup of milk (skim milk if you want you frittatta to be low fat)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
A few thyme stems, leaves picked
Nutmeg

Roast pumpkin and zucchini until cooked.
Preheat the oven to 250C.
Spread pumpkin, zucchini and chicken pieces evenly around the medium size roasting dish.
Combine eggs and milk together in a bowl, sprinkle with salt, pepper and thyme leaves and pour the mixture over the pumpkin, zucchini and chicken.
Sprinkle with nutmeg.
Bake in the oven until just cooked.

Tea topic

2010-10-18T15:10:00.001+10:00

Not too long ago I went to my favourite tea shop again for more new flovours and tastes.
Here is what I got this time.

China
Green tea Jasmine with flowers

To my opinion this blend didn't have enough of Jasmine flavour. So I probably would not buy it again

"Pai mu tan"
Stockholm blend

White tea with orange, rose petals, saflowers vanila, apricot and calendula flowers.
Full of flavour! One of my favourite blends now.

"Cream"

Black tea with caramel and vanila. Very tasty! Goes perfectly with milk.

"Srawberry cream"

Black tea with strawberry, caramel and vanila.
Lovely sweet taste strawberry smell is a bit too strong so best if you don't leave it brewing fot too long.

Day at the beach

2010-10-16T23:21:00.000+10:00

We were lucky to have one sunny day amongst all this rain last week and it happened to fall on one of our days off. So we all went to the beach. I had been looking forward to go to the beach for quite awhile, but since we were having all of this rain lately, we had to put it off many times.
And now I'm thinking how lucky that we made use out of that one sunny day, because it's raining again, and the weather forecasts aren't very promising.

The beach we went to is located at Bribie Island which is not too far from where we are.
We already have been there once before, but yesterday we went to the different part of the island, which is located on the side of the bay on the entrance of Bribie Island just over the bridge.

It's the scenic part of the island. Walking along the coast you can observe an astonishing view of the majestic Glasshouse mountains. Comparing to the other side where the beaches lay along the ocean cost, this side is much more romantic. The walk along the beach is just beautiful. Quite and gentle waves hit the coast and disappear into the sparkly surface of the bay. The shady parkland right next to the beach allows you to hide away from the hot blazing sun.
There were so many butterflies flittering above the water and among the trees! That was quite amazing.
And I have never seen so many pelicans ever before! They were flying in the flock circling the bay and time to time landing on the water.

I think the best time to come and spend time over there would be the dusk. Very romantic.

"Hire a boat" place on the beach

Magnificent Glass House mountains outlook

Boats, boats, boats....


Romantic walk along the beach....

The sky was beautiful colour on the day, the colour of steel

Fishing is very popular here

White, white sand

Amazing to watch pelicans fly by in a flock

Bridge from the land to the island

Sunshine at the Sunshine Coast

Green shakes. New ideas

2010-10-13T14:38:00.000+10:00

Well, it has been now over 2 weeks since we have started having these green shakes. I make them once or twice every day, and whole family loves them. Kids drink them too, and Stacy gets excited when she sees them. Quite exciting for me too, seeing my kids enjoying them so much and knowing that they haven't got any sugar in them, just fruit and heaps of greeny goodness!

We all sure feel ourselves better after having them too, I don't feel too tired if I haven't had enough sleep. These smoothies are full of nutrients, vitamins and energy!

Great for everybody.

I have done a bit more research about them and here is the link to an article I saw in the internet about the drinks. I have read it and recommend you to read it too. It's really interesting:

Lettuce drink to health

I have tried to experiment a bit more with my green shakes, but so far I have been making similar recipes. I've tried adding celery to my drinks, lettuce, cabbage, kiwis, cucumbers, bok choy and broccoli.

This one I made today: a half of broccoli, 2 celery sticks, a bunch of spinach, a bunch of parsley, 1 pear. Blend all together, add water if desired.

I can't get over how easy it is to drink them! And even easier to make them, doesn't take long. Lets fill up our bodies with healthiness!

Celebration!

2010-10-12T17:44:00.000+10:00

Both my kids run away to play in the playroom on their own. I was going to read them "Winnie the Pooh" book, but Stacy said "No" to my plans, she had her own idea of what she wanted to do. So here I am spending a bit of time on my blog.

Today I have finished my new painting! Hurray!!! It is the reason for a celebration!!!

I believe, we should always celebrate our achievements, even if they are only small ones. For me completing another painting is a big deal. I don't have a lot of spare time at day time so painting one picture sometimes takes weeks or even months. In this case it took me months, I don't even remember when I started, but now it's done! And after celebration I can move onto the next one.

“It is important that you recognize your progress and take pride in your accomplishments. Share your achievements with others. Brag a little. The recognition and support of those around you is nurturing”

- Rosemarie Rossetti.

Starting something new is always exciting, continuing and working on the project and keeping yourself motivated and inspired is harder, but finishing the work is fun! So we always should celebrate our work, and keep inspiration coming back to us.

P.S I'll be posting photos of my painting some time soon, as soon as my internet speeds up (I've been having some problems with the internet lately).

Time in our garden

2010-10-10T16:26:00.000+10:00

All that rain we have been having lately is being really good for our garden. So I thank the God for this rain. Even though, we're having to spend most of the time at home. Still it is the reason to be thankful for. The climate in Queensland is tropical and can be very hot in summer, sometime it can go weeks without rain, so I'm gald our plants we have planted out are getting enough drink while they can.

In the beginning of the week we had a couple of sunny day, so I took a few pictures of our garden and the new plants which we have planted out recently, during the rainy days

Peach tree - a new addition in our garden

One more climbing plant to our collection

Red naked ladies, just came through

Lovely sunshine!

Wildlife on the branches of hibiscus

Fuchsia flower

Just love rosemary!

"A place of light"

2010-10-04T22:45:00.000+10:00

Here it is, my latest painting!
It's not easy to find time for your hobby during the busy routine in the day of a mother, but when I do find the time, I really enjoy it. I love painting. Art is a part of me, painting is the way to express my thoughts and emotions, to tell a story about who I am in colours.

This picture is called "A place of light"

"Namaste. I honour the place in you where the entire universe resides... a place of light, of love, of truth, of peace, of wisdom. I honour the place in you where when you are in that place and I am in that place there is only one of us"

- Mohandas K. Gandhi

Movie night. "The sisterhood of the travelling pants"

2010-10-04T10:16:00.000+10:00

I am not a big fan of comedy or comedy-drama movies, to watch them I have to be in the mood for it. And I am always sceptical when I hire them out.
So I was with this one.
But I am so glad now I have picked this movie from the shelf in the DVD store! The film is absolutely brilliant, I loved it so much, I even want to get a copy for my home movie collection!

It's not a very new movie, many of you have probably seen it many times by now.
But I'll give it a quick description any way, fot those who have not seen it yet.
This movie has got two parts: original ("The sisterhood of the travelling pants" 2005) and a sequel ("The sisterhood of the travelling pants 2" 2008). After seeing the first one I could not wait to see the next one.
The story of the number one is about a friendship of 4 girls, and the first summer they have to spend apart. The part two is similar only girls got a bit older, and some things have changed in their lives, but the friendship was still there. And this is what both the parts are about: the friendship, helping each other in the difficult moments, life challenges of young women, romance, love, travel, being apart and together. This is a fresh, heart warming, good feel movie.
I would give it 4,5 out of 5.

P.S
It is a girly movie, so the best way to watch it is by yourself or with a best friend or two and a bowl of ice cream :P

Savoury 3 veggies and cheese muffins

2010-10-02T20:08:00.000+10:00

These muffins are an easy way to feed your kids much needed vegetables. They're tasty and can be a part of lunch or just as a snack with tea.

Ingredients:
2 cups self-raising flour
270g medium carrots, coarsely grated
250g piece butternut pumpkin, peeled, deseeded, coarsely grated
100g zucchini, trimmed, coarsely grated
3/4 cup coarsely grated cheddar
100g ham
1/2 cup milk
3 eggs, lightly whisked
3 tbs butter, melted
2 tbs chopped fresh chives
2 tsp dry oregano
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Oil for greasing

Method:
Preheat oven to 210°C. Brush 12 medium (1/2 cup) muffin pans with melted butter or oil to grease.
Sift the flour and salt together into a large bowl. Add the carrots, pumpkin, zucchini, cheddar, ham, oregano, chives and black pepper. Toss to combine until the vegetables are well coated with the flour. Make a well in the centre of the vegetable mixture.
Whisk the milk, eggs and butter in a large jug. Pour into the centre of the vegetable mixture and use a large metal spoon to fold in until just combined. Don't overmix or the muffins will be tough.
Spoon the mixture into the greased pans and bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the muffins comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Cut muffins in half and spread with butter. Sandwich back together and wrap individually in plastic wrap. Place in the freezer until required.

Tip:
1. Keep in the freezer for 7-10 days. Pack the muffins for lunch while frozen - they will defrost and be ready to eat by mid-morning.
2. You can adapt this recipe as a low-fat, by using low-fat milk and switching ordinary ham to fat reduced one. Instead of butter you can use low-fat margarine.

My husband's favourite hearty steak pie!

2010-10-01T21:50:00.000+10:00

This recipe is taken from Jamie Oliver's book "Jamie at home". It's a very nice and delicious meal full of different flavours. Ideal for a warm winter dinner, but can be cooked any season you wish, I guess :) My husband absolutely loves this one!
The downside of cooking a pie like this one is that it takes a long time, so best to cook the meat in one night and bake a pie on the next day.
It tastes amazing!

Ingredients:
3 medium red onions, peeled and chopped
3 cloves of garlic, peeled and chopped
30g butter, plus extra for greasing
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 sticks of celery, trimmed and chopped
4 field mushrooms, peeled and sliced
1kg brisket of beef or stewing beef, cut into 2cm cubes
A few sprigs of fresh rosemary, leaves picked and chopped
1 x 440ml can of Guinness (no lager, please!)
2 heaped tablespoons plain flour
200g freshly grated Cheddar cheese
500g best-quality ready-made all-butter puff pastry
1 large free-range or organic egg, beaten
Olive oil
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method:
In a large saucepan, heat a glug of olive oil on a low heat. Add the onions and fry gently for about 10 minutes – try not to colour them too much. Turn the heat up, add the garlic, butter, carrots and celery and scatter in the mushrooms. Mix everything together before stirring in the beef, rosemary, a pinch of salt and a level teaspoon of pepper.
Fry fast for 3 or 4 minutes, then pour in the Guinness, stir in the flour and add just enough water to cover. Bring to a simmer, cover the pan with a lid and leave to simmer on the stove for about 2½ hours. Give the stew a good stir time to time, make sure it won't burn to the bottom of the pan. Cook until the meat is very tender and the stew is rich, dark and thick. If the stew is to liquidy just take the lead off and cook for a bit longer until the sauce thickens. Remove from the heat and stir in half the cheese, then season carefully and leave to cool slightly.
Cut about a third of the pastry off the block. Dust a clean work surface with flour and roll both pieces of pastry out evenly with a floured rolling pin to the thickness of a pound coin. Butter a deep pie dish, then line with the larger sheet, leaving the edges dangling over the side. Tip the stew into your lined dish and even it out before sprinkling over the remaining cheese. Brush the edges of the pastry with a little beaten egg.
Cut the other rolled sheet of pastry to fit the top of the pie dish and criss-cross it lightly with a sharp knife. Place it over the top of the pie and fold the overhanging pastry on to the pastry lid to make it look nice and rustic. Brush the top with beaten egg, then bake the pie directly on the bottom of the oven for 45 minutes, until the pastry is cooked, puffed and golden. Delicious served simply with peas or mash vegetables.

Tip:
Instead of a big pie you can also make several smaller ones, you can even freeze them for later.

Movie night. "The Jacket"

2010-10-01T20:56:00.000+10:00

I love watching psychological thriller movies, the ones which make your brain think. The ones, concepts of the story lines of which make you scared, they're the really good ones! When your brain goes wondering, and you start imagining things, trying to figure out what's going on and why, that's what makes a movie truly interesting to me. I don't like to be frightened by jumping onto the screen things (whatever it is), or by spilled all over the screen blood. I like to think and imagine. So therefore I find the psychological thriller is one of the best genres of scary movies.

The movie I am writing about tonight is "The Jacket", 2005 psychological thriller film directed by John Maybury.
The story is set in 1991 in the mental institution where as a result of previous circumstances Gulf War veteran Jack Starks became a subject to a psychiatric experiment, he's been injected with drugs and put away inside the morgue drawer in the straight jacket.
Inside the drawer while trying to figure out what's actually happening to him and why he's being here, Starks starts seeing a visions.
I won't tell any more details about the story, instead I recommend you to see this movie for yourselves.
The concept of the movie is quite original. The film was done in the style of "12 monkeys" and "Butterfly effect". Some parts of it remind me a recent movie "Shutter Island", but knowing that, don't forget that "The Jacket" came out first.
All together, it is a great movie, well worth watching, I would rate it 4 out of 5.

Heavy rain and cup cakes

2010-09-28T21:16:00.000+10:00

The weather lately is being really sporadic, it's been rainy and cool for about 2 weeks and then it got quite hot and sunny, and today it turned rainy again. The rain today was so heavy that our house nearly got flooded. But lucky it slowed down.

Me and kids ended up stuck at home again so we decided to do some craft, drawing and card making :) And later in the afternoon we baked cup cakes.

Here are the pictures of today:

Rain in our backyard

(: Yummy cup cakes :)

Chinese style beef stir fry with broccoli sprouts

2010-09-28T18:24:00.000+10:00

Ingredients:
500g lean beef steak cut into thin stripes
250ml Honey, soy and garlic marinade
1 carrot, chopped
1 brown onion, sliced
2 cloves of garlic, finelly chopped
a handful of baby corn
a handful of baby asparagus
a handful of snow peas
a pack of fresh noodles (for 4 serves)
Chinese 5 spices
Ground cinnamon
Ground ginger
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Sesame seeds
Olive oil
Broccolli sprouts to serve

Method:
First, marinade the meat for at least half an hour before cooking.
Heat the oil in the fry pan. Fry onion and garlic, until golden, add beef and cook together for a few minutes, then add carrot and baby vegetables. Sprinkle it all with spices according to your taste. Cook until ready.
Prepare the noodles as it says on the back of the pack.
Serve all together with broccoli sprouts on the top.

Picture of the day

2010-09-25T18:22:00.000+10:00

The weather all week was quite rainy, so we had to change all our plans for the week and stay at home instead of going out. However, it's a pleasure to spend some time in the garden on a rainy day.

So here is the picture of today, after a day spent outside in the dirt.

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I have found this story on my friend's blog page. It touched my heart so deeply, that I could not go past it without sharing it.

A Box of Kissesby Author Unknown

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A Box of Kisses
by Author Unknown

Ask and it will be given to you