The Little Gnomes Home

A New Online Home: Mindfulness for Busy Mamas

2018-02-22T22:54:00.001+11:00

Come and join me at my new online home - www.natalietrusler.com

new beginnings

2014-09-09T14:21:00.000+10:00

After some much needed time away from blogging, I am beginning again. I look forward to slowly sharing our days with you.

digestible kitchen: flourless no nut brownies

2013-10-01T20:12:00.000+10:00

I thought I would share with you the first recipe on my new food blog digestible kitchen - Flourless no nut chocolate brownies - recipe here.

these days: from my kitchen

2013-09-05T21:04:00.001+10:00

We have been homemaking ricotta (my recipe here), sharing chocolate milkshakes and recipe testing. What have you been cooking lately?

My new food blog, digestible kitchen will be launching soon, in the meantime keep up to date on my facebook page here.

real food series: Rustic Strawberry & Apple Crumble

2013-08-22T22:53:00.004+10:00

Rustic Strawberry & Apple Crumble

I made this today to use up some strawberries that were rather bruised and on there way out. It was delicious - I hope you enjoy it too. I have not included the exact measurements as it is rustic crumble and can take whatever you want to throw at it. The only thing I will say is start soaking your oats at least a few hours beforehand. Overnight would be great!

let's begin:

SOAK two handful of oats in some milk & lemon juice (about 3/4 cup of milk…you don't want the oats swimming, however you want enough so that they can absorb the liquid)

- - - - - -

SIMMER slices or chunks of apples and a punnet of strawberries in a heavy bottomed saucepan with a few tablespoons of butter

SPRINKLE with a tablespoon or two of sugar and continue to simmer gently over low heat with the lid on, removing it every now and then stir, until the fruit is soft.

COMBINE a teaspoon or so of ground cinnamon, a small handful of sultanas, a handful of desiccated coconut, 1/4 cup cane sugar (more or less to taste) and 4 tablespoons of melted butter, with the oats that have soaked.

POUR stewed strawberries and apple into a baking dish and top with the crumble (the crumble will be gooey, like a bircher muesli consistency)

BAKE in moderate oven (180'C) until browned and your kitchen smells of strawberry jam.

....to ensure all the topping is well cooked I like to gently mix just the crumble at least once while in the oven, so it is all nice and crunchy. Enjoy with scoops of homemade vanilla ice cream.

digestible kitchen cookbook: an update from my kitchen

2013-08-20T21:26:00.000+10:00

So lovely to have you join me over at my new facebook page - Digestible Kitchen! Digestible Kitchen is my new food blog focusing on digestible and pro-metabolic foods and recipes. Wherever you are on your real food journey, I hope to inspire you with foods to nourish at a cellular level and empower you with the reasons why. The new blog will be launching in the coming months, until then, you can keep up to date on the facebook page here or here on the little gnome's home blog.

The cookbook is progressing well and I am hopeful that it shall be available as initially an e-book by november.

I have had a few people ask the type of cookbook I am writing, so I thought I would share a little more. I am passionate about thyroid health and eating the rights foods (and at the right frequencies) to nourish our bodies....and not because mainstream nutrition (or even alternate for that matter) says it is good for us. Many of us are in a hypo metabolic state for so many reasons (stress being a major factor, chemicals in the environment etc) and so our bodies require some special attention (and limitations) in the food arena. As to what these are, this may surprise you.

The cookbook will focus on what I (and Emma) call digestible and pro-metabolic foods. These are foods that:

- support glucose oxidation

- support thyroid hormone conversion

- support healthy cell renewal

- inhibit lactic acid formation

- are anti-inflammatory

- don't encourage unnecessary fat storage

- increase body temperature

- decrease the production of stress hormones and prostaglandins

- meet the body's energy requirements

- lower endotoxin

- are easily digestible

Here are a few pictures from the last few weeks....

dancing butterflies: a goodbye gift

2013-08-08T21:38:00.000+10:00

for a very dear friend who is leaving 'town'

in the kitchen

2013-08-01T20:16:00.000+10:00

When I have a little spare time, I love nothing more than trying new recipes and playing around with old ones. Over the weekend I made a little Julia Child inspired apple custard tart, it was rather delicious!

real food series: Barramundi with green olives & basil

2013-07-26T21:49:00.000+10:00

As promised a simple, fast and delicious recipe. We prefer to eat wild white fish as opposed to oily fish, which are high in unsaturated fats (the bad kind of fats in my books). Always add some stable and nourishing saturated fat (such as coconut oil, butter or ghee) and serve with some carbohydrates - either a side of soaked, cooked & buttered white rice, roast & buttered new potatoes and or my favourite a big bowl of ripe pineapple.

Barramundi with green olives & basil

from the pantry

wild white fish - depending on how many you are feeding. I usually allow about 150 grams per person.

handful of green olives - pitted if you have a fancy device or simply cut the flesh away from the pip

fresh basil leaves

few tablespoons coconut oil

butter

fresh lemon

sea salt

freshly ground pepper

let's begin

WARM a few tablespoons of refined coconut oil in a heavy bottom frypan over a low/ medium heat

ONCE coconut oil has melted, place pieces of fish skin side down (it doesn't matter if they don't have skin)

ALLOW fish to cook for a few minutes, in this time sprinkle the fish with sea salt, a little freshly ground pepper, the cut up olives and some torn basil leaves.
note - let a few of the olives simmer & slightly caramelise in the coconut oil before pouring in the water, as they add a beautiful flavour)

POUR about 1/4 cup - 1/2 cup of water in the bottom of the frypan and cover with a lid (just enough water so that the fish gently steams, you do not want it swimming in water, you can always add more water!)

CONTINUE to cook over a low heat until the fish is cooked through

ONCE cooked, spoon about 1-2 tablespoons of butter per piece of fish onto the fish, squeeze with some fresh lemon and cover until you are ready to serve (this allows the butter to melt and create a thin sauce with the liquid in the pan)

SERVE with a big bowl of pineapple as a delicious dinner or lunch for the whole family.

these days: cookbook photography

2013-07-25T13:36:00.000+10:00

Once the girls are asleep, I sit down at my computer and tap away, writing recipes and formatting my very first cookbook. On the weekends, I cook, style and photograph. Much more time consuming than I originally thought, however I am learning so much, which is always a good thing I believe. I am anticipating the book will be ready by late September. At this stage I am hoping that I will be able to offer a print version as well as an online ebook.

Here are some pictures of the process and practice shots I thought I would share. Of course I am saving my favourites for the book :)

I have a simple recipe for some delicious fish, so pop by tomorrow when I shall post the recipe. Hope you are enjoying some sunshine wherever you are in the world.

Natalie x

real food & celebrations: a first birthday

2013-07-07T22:09:00.000+10:00

My littlest turned one. How is it that one whole year goes by so fast? Here are some pictures from our celebration. Styled by my dear friend Liz.

Our simple real food menu:

:: raspberry & apple jelly (made using bovine gelatin) in orange skins
:: mini pavlovas (grain free), cream & raspberries
:: mini pizzas made using sliced & baked potatoes, nitrate free organic ham, pineapple and mozzarella cheese
:: slow cooked lamb shoulders served with sourdough rolls, sliced cucumber & tomato chutney
:: fresh orange juice (strained of pulp)
:: sponge butterfly cakes
:: grain & nut free chocolate cake, with layers of cream, chocolate mousse & raspberries (recipe in my Ecookbook, coming soon!)
- - - - - - - -
For those of you who are gasping at my use of sugar.......take a read of Emma's article here explaining the need for simple carbohydrates in our diet.

these days: around the home

2013-06-17T12:26:00.000+10:00

Home life and rhythm: a healing basket

2013-05-31T14:00:00.002+10:00

I have been reading Seven Times the Sun, by Shea Darlan. It is full of simple ideas to assist parents in creating a rhythmical home life for children - tips for making everyday, that little bit more meaningful. After reading the section on 'healing', I was inspired to create a healing basket with Abbie.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A healing basket filled with all the magic remedies that you probably all ready have in your cupboard - a wonderful thing to help us acknowledge our children's pain - rather than moving quickly past it. When your child is hurt, maybe it is a really itchy mozzie bite, a splinter or a scrapped knee, go together to where you keep your basket. Take a moment to find the right remedy (together) - it may simply be the (apparent) magic of a bandaid/ plaster, a spray of rose "healing" water or tending to a more serious scrape. A simple verse sung - "healing healing healing water for my little little daughter" (optional of course). A simple ritual that brings stillness, acknowledgement and rhythm to our children.

In our basket:

:: Lavender Oil - we like to rub a drop onto bites
:: Homemade Rose healing spray - filtered water and about 20 drops of Rose Geranium essential oil
:: A homemade beeswax balm
:: Suvana Paw Paw & Honey Balm
:: Mozzie FO
:: Arnica - wonderful for bruises
:: Rescue Remedy
:: a few homeopathic remedies - including Camomilla (wonderful for teething babies)
:: Tea tree antiseptic spray
:: tweezers
:: plasters (bandaids), cotton balls and tips

For those with young children interested in bring some rhythm to your day, have a look at the lovely rhythm guides my gorgeous (and ready to pop) friend Meg has created over at Whole Family Rhythm.

Surviving the winter months: tips & remedies for colds & flus (and preventing them!)

2013-05-28T20:41:00.000+10:00

This is one of those posts I have been wanting to write for some time. I have asked my lovely friend and nutritionist Emma Sgourakis, the Nutrition Coach, to provide her comments on my suggestions. I really hope these will help you over the coming months.

Emma is a nutritionist with a difference - she isn't going to suggest you eat your leafy salads, to drink 8 glasses of water or even to eat that raw apple! Instead Emma focuses on eating the right foods to ensure an optimally functioning metabolism and thyroid.

If you have met Emma you will agree that she radiates such good health and amazing presence. I always think if you are going to take nutritional (or any sort of advice) from anyone, it should be someone who embodies what you want to achieve yourself.

So here you have them, our top tips for keeping cold & flus at bay and helping your body fight back if you find yourself unwell.

:: Vitamin d3 drops - taken orally in milk or applied topically on the skin. Vitamin d3 drops are a very bioavailable form of vitamin d - meaning it is in a form that your body is easily able to make use of. I like to use 2-3 drops of 2000IU during the winter months when my sun exposure is not as great as during the summer time.

Emma says: Natural Vitamin D (D3 cholecalciferol rather than synthetic D2) is helpful supplementally when the days are shorter and cloudier. Get as much outdoor time as you can even through the winter, but if your Vitamin D levels are already low then you could benefit from supplementation. If your intestines are sensitive or inflamed, I recommend using D3 drops on the skin: 3-5 drops topically depending on your blood levels.

:: Light therapy - Adequate sunlight is essential for optimal health. Have you ever wondered why in the darker months of winter, people suffer from more sickness. Darkness in itself is a stress on the body as it impairs cell energy production and stress hormones are highest at night. In the darker months many people benefit from light therapy, such as exposure to an incandescent heat bulb for about 15-20 minutes a day (a minimum of 250W).

Emma says: it’s no coincidence that we all ‘feel better’ after being outdoors on a sunny day, while depression, colds and flus are more prevalent when the days are shorter and grey. Light therapy on those darker days is a brilliantly simple and powerful way to quench free-radicals, improve cell respiration, immunity, sleep and mood, and lower catabolic stress hormones. Otherwise just spend more time outside for as much full-spectrum light exposure (without burning) as you possibly can. For more on light, I recommend this article.

:: Bi-carb - Another new one right? Bi carb can be useful in stopping a cold early on due its ability to increase carbonate dioxide in your cells. Try adding half a teaspoon of bicarb to your morning orange juice or a glass of water.
Emma says: Taking half a teaspoon of bi-carb soda (sodium bicarbonate) every couple of hours in the first day or two when cold/flu symptoms appear can help stop the progression of illness. Dr Cheney published his findings on bi-carb’s actions on treating colds back in 1924. From my own experience, it does seem to help!

:: Zinc - Low zinc levels contribute towards imbalanced blood sugar and frequent infections. The best way to get adequate zinc in your diet is oysters. So how much should you have? It really depends on you and how your body is functioning, however consuming oysters once a week is a great start.

Emma says: Zinc is definitely an important mineral for strengthening immunity, and you can get more than enough through eating the right foods; far better than supplemental zinc. If you regularly eat oysters or other shellfish, liver, lamb etc, and avoid phytates in whole grains that block its absorption, you can bring your zinc levels up quickly.

:: Epsom Salt Baths - Do you need convincing? I didn’t think so.

Emma says: Epsom salt baths are about the safest and most effective way of ‘taking in’ supplemental magnesium (and the most enjoyable way too!) Richest food sources of easily absorbable magnesium are fresh orange juice, bone broth, coffee and cocoa. Note that magnesium levels are typically low in hypothyroid people, and estrogen also seems to be antagonistic of magnesium.

:: Raw honey - Raw untreated honey has wonderful anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. It is full of natural enzymes and nutrients that can be powerful to the body and immune system. Once honey has been pasteurised or heat treated, it loses many of its beneficial properties, so be sure to try to source a local raw honey or a raw organic honey. Take it by the spoonful to coat a sore throat, use it in my tonic (recipe below) and just enjoy a spoon with a glass of milk throughout the day or before bed. If you are worried about the fructose - read about why simple carbohydrates (which is what honey is) are essential to good health here.

:: Raw Carrot Salad - It sounds so simple and yet it has such a powerful affect. Why? The fibers in raw carrots do not feed bacteria and instead assist in detoxifying endotoxins from the intestines, lowering inflammation and assisting in the elimination of excess estrogen. I grate one carrot in the morning, mix it up with sea salt, apple cider vinegar and coconut oil and pop in a stainless steel tin, for my mid morning snack (best eaten without other food). To understand in full what these carrots fibers are going to do for you, read Emma's article here.

:: Sleep - In our fast paced life, everyone is looking for the quick fix solution, and yet our bodies immensely benefit from slowing down. Ensuring adequate sleep is essential where ever possible. Set your bedtime and put an alarm on your phone for 30 minutes before this. In your last 30 minutes of the day, get away from all screens and relax - sit and read, write a to do list for the next day, sew or meditate - enjoy a warm honey & milk or a little ice cream.

Emma says: Regardless of what you’re eating or taking, if you’re sleep deprived you’ll always be somewhat immunosuppressed. Do what ever it is that helps you relax. Eat very regular balanced meals through the day to avoid hypoglycemia, and top up your sugars (as Natalie mentions: milk and honey is excellent) before bed to prevent a blood sugar crash and the compensatory adrenalin rush (that will wake you up) in the night.

:: Bone broth - Bone broths are rich in alkalizing minerals and beneficial immune factors. We prefer to make beef bone broth however chicken stock still has some therapeutic benefits. Incorporate it daily into your meals or even better warm a cup on the stove, add a tablespoon or two of bovine gelatin, a squeeze of fresh lemon , sea salt and sip in a mug.

Emma says: old fashioned liquid immunity.

Honey & Lemon Tonic

a few tablespoons of raw (local) honey
finely grated fresh ginger
finely grated fresh turmeric (if you can get some) a dash of raw apple cider vinegar,
half a lemon squeezed (no pulp)

Fill cup with boiling water and sip.

disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post and all ideas expressed here are my own, unless mentioned otherwise. This does not constitute medical advice.

these days: a day at the fair

2013-05-19T21:39:00.000+10:00

A beautiful sunny autumn day at a steiner school fair. Really the best kind of fair if you ask me. Lots of beautiful craft, good food and children having a ball.

You may remember some pictures from the fair all the way back here. My, how my little girl is growing up.

real food in the city - Bread & Circus Wholefoods Canteen

2013-05-15T21:03:00.000+10:00

A rather quirky and definitely delicious whole foods eatery in Sydney's inner west - Bread & Circus Wholefoods Canteen. Organic and biodynamic real food produce fill the menu and the cafe. My favourite: "parmasen not-so-scrambled eggs" with real truffle oil, and a side of biodynamic ricotta. The perfect Mother's day celebration.

the little gnome's kitchen: e-cookbook update

2013-05-06T22:20:00.002+10:00

I haven't really told you much about this e-cookbook I keep mentioning, so I thought I would share a little more.

Why am I writing a cookbook?
I hoping to inspire people to cook real food and to consider what real food really is. To provide achievable recipes to help with that question that pops up at some point throughout the day....."what's for dinner?". The cookbook will focus on foods that are digestible, foods that nourish the cell and strengthen the metabolism especially the thyroid. Foods that can be prepared for the whole family in minimal time.

As well as being nutritionally balanced, there are two things I continue to keep in mind as I am working on this project. Photography - well this is hard to forget, as I do like to take photos - especially of food. There is nothing worse than buying an e-book of any sort, to find no pictures, don't you agree. Secondly, achievability - my aim is that this book will be used, loved and will provide inspiration for those on a real food journey. As much as I aim for beautiful images to be throughout the book, I want them to demonstrate how achievable real food meals and snacks are.... even for busy parents with children.

A few images from the other day. I hope to write one cookbook update post and some pictures each week.

these days: my kitchen and the seaside

2013-05-02T15:21:00.000+10:00

Photos from our days. Lots of cooking and recipe testing for my cookbook (coming soon I hope!) Thank you for your lovely comments on the flourless chocolate cake I posted on facebook last week. Some pictures from our Anzac day with friends by the seaside - such a beautiful day.

On our table: has wholefood and real food totally confused you?

2013-04-18T21:47:00.001+10:00

Many people seem to be looking to eat foods that provide optimal health for a long and happy life.....

There is just so much information out there on what we should be eating and what we shouldn't. So many rules and it seems to change every month or so! Everyone has an opinion and attests to wondrous health from their chosen 'diet'.

After trying so many of them, I am finally in a place of beautiful existence with no label. I eat food that makes me feel good and that nourishes me on a cellular level, not because it is the new superfood or certainly not because it is green! I use white sugar with respect, I delight in iced coffees with cream, I squeeze my daily orange juice by hand, I treat nuts as a treat and I devour (real homemade) ice-cream. (if this resonates with you, so will this here)

I don't think we can say there is one diet that those who live long lives adhere to. Instead as a general rule I would say those that live well into old age have low stress levels (or know how to manage such levels), minimal inflammation and have a high metabolism.

The food that I cook and believe that we should eat focuses on these three things: minimising stress levels and inflammation and supporting the metabolism.

For our family, this means the following foods find their way on our table:

:: refined coconut oil, butter, ghee, extra virgin olive oil (cold pressed)

:: freshly squeezed orange juice

:: whole (raw) cows milk and cream

:: cheeses such as ricotta, fresh goats cheese, parmesan

:: white fish such as flat head, snapper and barramundi
:: wild prawns

:: a little grass fed meat (always consumed either on the bone or with bone broth & gelatin)

:: raw carrots, cucumber, capsicums and tomatoes

:: potatoes, sweet potatoe, pumpkin, parsnips and beets

:: digestible fruits with little cellulose - watermelon, pineapple, plums, cherries, grapes & peaches

:: stewed apples and pears

:: white rice (brown rice has all the bran and husk in tact and can be very troublesome to a compromised digestive tract/ metabolism)

:: beef bone broth galore with a squeeze of lemon
:: pastured organic eggs
:: raw honey
:: real sourdough bread

Good food is a true pleasure of life, so even I will indulge in something that I don't believe to be an optimal food, every once in a while. Far better to actually eat food, than restricting your calories because you can't find organic this or sugar free that!

Don't forget the importance of good sleep, spending time in nature and being in the sunshine. To relax I enjoy an epsom salt bath most nights* (benefits of epsom salts here - great for allergies and so much more)

Do you have an optimally functioning metabolism/ thyroid?

Take your temperature, it is an amazing indicator of what is going on inside your body. Read here for a little more information. You are aiming for a basal temperature (temp upon waking) of 36.6 degrees C and ideally 37 degrees C during the day. Go on, give it a go!

Symptoms of a broken metabolism/ low thyroid function

:: low energy
:: low body temperature with cold hands and feet
:: an inability to lose fat (although hypothyroidism also commonly occurs in those with low body weight)
:: low stomach acid and enzyme secretion (therefore poor nutrient absorption)
:: leg cramps
:: insomnia
:: disturbed sleep
:: depression
:: bacterial overgrowth
:: leaky gut
:: food sensitivities
:: salt cravings
:: sluggish bowels and constipation
:: muscle twitching
:: cramps
:: thinning hair and eyebrows (at outer edges).

source: The Nutrition Coach

more food for thought

:: I didn't quit sugar ebook here

:: What is your thyroid and how to increase metabolic health - article here

:: Did you know that lactose intolerance can actually be a sign of hormal imbalance and a broken metabolism. Read Danny Roddy's article Lactose Intolerance: Milk Isn't the Problem, You're the Problem here.
:: If you are pregnant or thinking about conceiving, you may like to read this.

* I have a bath with my girls each night. It makes that (usually exhausting) time of the night, so much more relaxing.

these days: an escape

2013-04-17T21:41:00.004+10:00

Millie's first flight. A weekend escape. Lots of rain and finally (on the last day) sunshine.

Did you read this great post by my lovely friend Emma - the nutrition coach? If you didn't, I suggest you do....."ice-cream: bringing back a perfect food" We made some berry gelato yesterday - simply delicious! (there will be a nourishing ice-cream and gelato in my upcoming ecookbook for sure)

Two newborn and family photo shoots coming up over the next few weeks, I hope to be able to share a few pictures with you.

these days: easter on the farm

2013-04-04T21:11:00.000+11:00

It's been a while between posts. I hope you all had a lovely easter weekend.

We have fallen into a lovely autumn rhythm and are enjoying days at home. I was just saying to Olly how interesting it is that days at home make everyone happier.

When the sun has set and my little ones are in bed, I have been working on the cookbook. I am so pleased with how it is coming along. There is lots to do, as I have decided to do all the design work myself, and have been learning photoshop and indesign in between testing recipes, photography (my favourite bit I think) and writing the content. I am hoping it will be ready in a few months am toying with a few ideas, perhaps launching it through a new blog more dedicated to food and the kitchen. Love to know your thoughts?

Here are some pictures from our easter weekend at a friends' farm - testing out my new lens.

Some of my favourite images:
(image 2) - I love her intense and curious gaze, as she watches the cows.
(image 8) - she is heavily pregnant, her udder is full and she waddles as she walks.

(image 10) - we drove high up the escarpment to see this little calf, who was born the afternoon before.
(image 17) - dancing in the afternoon sunshine

children and television: to watch or not?

2013-03-06T21:59:00.000+11:00

Oh do I really want to open this can of worms? Well yes. I think. At least I want to share with you my personal experience over the past few months and especially just this last week. It might. It just might change your mind.

----------------------

Being introduced into Steiner education and the accompany ideals when my eldest was only young has meant she never watched television. Would I have limited television had I not had this exposure? I'm not really sure. Growing up, we were only allowed to watch selected programs and never cartoons. Now, I watch nothing - I get plenty of screen time reading blogs/blogging and relaxation from sewing, a bath or sleep!

During the first few months of my pregnancy with Millie, every evening I had rather awful 'morning sickness' and in order for me to "cope" during the happy hour after arriving home from work, I allowed Abbie one episode of a (pre-recorded) playschool. Abbie would have been about 20 months at this time. Once I was over the morning sickness, the television was covered and its fascination disappeared after I told her playschool were on holidays.

Recently while Olly was offshore for business, I allowed playschool to return on the computer. This time to offer some 'distraction' while I would feed Millie to sleep throughout the day. I set the limit of a maximum of two episodes per day and we were rotating about 5 episodes, so the content was familiar. Despite this I noticed rather quickly she became unbelievably moody and irritable. Asking first thing in the morning to watch it and at any point in the day when there was suddenly no planned activity. Sound familiar? That's normal for a 2 year old you may say. perhaps. However it was so out of character for her kind, enthusiastic disposition that in the back of my mind I felt rather guilty.

Last week at playgroup, one of the wonderful Steiner teachers who takes the discussion group for the mums spoke on the topic of television. (I wrote about a talk I went to on television back here). The reasons made so much sense, just as they had the first time I had heard them. I also read this article - seriously worth the read.

For a week, there has been no television/ no playschool for Abbie. She has only asked three times in the last week (the few days initially following) if she may watch it. Two of those times resulted in a mass tantrum. I told her that television wasn't good for her eyes (not untrue) and that there are simply too many other lovely things to do in our home to have time to watch it (also very plausible).

I overheard her telling Olly when they were reading on the lounge the other night, that she doesn't watch playschool. "It's not good for her" she stated. And that's it. No asking. Nothing.

The difference is seriously incredible. Hence the blogpost. The most noteworthy perhaps is her ability to be happy with there being nothing to do sometimes/ with being bored/ and no whinging. It is good for children to be bored I think. They will quickly learn to busy themselves using their imagination and mind or simply fall into rhythm with your chores/ activities. (Of course the older they get the more they can do - read, craft, build, make, ride a bike, play outside etc.)

Here are some of the things Abbie has been doing instead of watching playschool:

:: helping in the kitchen: peeling/ chopping apples (as you saw here)

:: cracking macadamia nuts (image above)

:: playing in the sandpit

:: helping me hang out the washing (we have those small open out clothes horses)

:: sitting at the table with a little tea pot of peppermint tea (not too hot), a few cups and a tea towel (for the spills) and lots of pouring.

:: playdough (at her little table in the kitchen, usually while I am cooking), a sprinkling of real flour and a little pot of currents.

::"glitter" which involves some glue in a milk carton lid, an old paintbrush, water and little jars of glitter

:: watercolour painting (we do this once a week as a special morning activity)

:: lego - oh the girl l o v e s lego.

:: reading her books

:: dancing. She asks for Michael Buble "Mis Deseos/ Feliz Navidad" everytime (her big sister's Christmas dancing concert!)

:: "sewing" - I have given her a basket with some scissors and wool felt scraps. We have sat together about four times this week and she has cut things out and asked me to sew together while she watched. I have found her a few times after I have been feeding Millie sitting there cutting and "making things".

:: Mothering Molly. A never ending task. Don't we know it!

I have made a conscience effort this week to be more present with my girls. I have wanted to make another batch of ice cream and do a little more recipe testing for my cookbook however I have let it go and just enjoyed their company.

Please, flood me with your thoughts and comments. I'd love to know your experiences and perhaps if you give it a go - report back so others can read about your experiences.

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A quote from this link, I particularly find relevant. Especially given my interest in nutrition. I do everything possible to ensure adrenaline and cortisol (the stress hormones) are not running around my body!

"The lower brain can't discern between images that are real or created on TV, because discernment is the function of the neocortex. Therefore, when the TV presents sudden close-ups, flashing lights, etc. as stimuli, the core-limbic brain immediately goes into a "fight or flight" response with the release of hormones and chemicals throughout the body. Heart rate and blood pressure are increased and blood flow to limb muscles is increased to prepare for this apparent emergency. Because this all happens in our body without the corresponding movement of our limbs, certain TV programs actually put us in a state of chronic stress or anxiety..." Susan R. Johnson, M.D., 1999 (emphasis my own)

these days: together

2013-02-27T21:19:00.001+11:00

We have been enjoying slow days together, spent busing ourselves with home duties. The first year with a little one can be very tiring, don't you think? Sleep seems to come in waves and I am just hanging out for daylight savings to be over. My big girl has dropped her day sleeps which means little to no "me time" until after 8pm when the girls are tucked up and the dishes are done.

I have written a few times about taking things slowly, and I don't think as a parent of young children (in the fast paced society in which we live) we can have enough reminders. Taking days gently, not trying to do too much, eating regular meals and snacks, winding down with the sun, a warm bath with epsom salts (such a treat I tell you), followed by honey & milk and an early bed. All things we are practising here.

pictures from a morning peeling fruit.....one of our favourite (pro-metabolic) snacks, stewed fruits and cream. I peeled, she sliced (and ate) :)

these days: from my kitchen

2013-02-10T22:04:00.001+11:00

Thank you for your comments/ feedback regarding my Ecookbook. For those of you who want pictures, I can assure you, there will be many. I shall keep you posted on my progress.

Here are some pictures from my kitchen over the past week........I have been experimenting with a grain free quiche, little prawn cakes (delicious but a little labour intensive for my liking) and lots more. I'd love to know what you have been cooking?

notes
The bread board you may spot in the last photo was bought from Alison over at Bayside vintage......just in case you were wondering.

E-cookbook: your thoughts please?

2013-02-03T21:32:00.000+11:00

So I have been thinking for some time about an e-cookbook. I have been experimenting with new recipes and keeping notes and have decided now is the time.

I am writing it to share my love of creating nourishing food for my family, to help those wanting to transition to real food and for those who love real food, to give you some new inspiration.

As my readers, what is it that would help you? What would you like to see in my e-cookbook?

I know sometimes it takes a while to comment on blogs, so if easier please leave your feedback on my facebook page here or by email (thelittlegnomeshome@gmail.com). I would so much love to hear your thoughts.

Natalie x