Packed Lunch!!!

Tullula has started another day care. On Fridays while we wait for the Wednesday to free up as I work on Wednesdays now!
I'm not too happy with not having her with me on my free day but I guess its what has to be done, so I'm trying to just take some extra time for me, and I guess I really need it right now as I don't seem to get anything done!

This new day care is very different that the other one, and we have to pack lunch!!!
I have NEVER packed lunch for my daughter before, ok I have when we have gone on outings and pic-nics, but never for her to go to day care!
I tell you its a very different feeling!
Somehow I felt like I was loosing her forever, that that was it she was all grown up! Im eager to go pick her up now!!!

Cooking-Bacon and Carrot tartellets!

I really enjoy to cook, but I must admit that I suck at following receipt's!!! I really tend to cook best when I just invent something, and that's usually when we have not much left, or really when Stephen thinks we have Nothing left!!! But somehow I pull it together and have made some really good dishes...But Unfortunately most of those are going to be hard to document, as they just happen and then I'm never too sure what and how I did it!!!
So today I will just share a really simple and easy to make dish that came in a French pasty package!
I have made this many times, its great for Party's or for children!
And as i have already said, very easy to make, give it a try!!!!

Ingredients: Shortcrust pastry

                     200gr carrot's
                     50gr bacon
                     20gr slivered Almonds
                     20gr cheese (in France we would use Gruyere, 
                                               but here I just use tasty cheese)
                     1 or 2 Tablespoon Fresh heavy cream.
                     Salt and pepper!!!
 You will also need, Muffin Tray, Butter and Flour!
Step 1:  
Peal and dice carrots roughly. Put to boil in Pan with water until soft.

Step 2 :
Cut bacon into little squares and fry in dry pan...then also brown Almonds, set both aside!

Step 3 :
When carrot's are cooked, mash up in mixing bowl to a smooth mash consistency, ad salt and pepper to taste and add Heavy Cream.

Step 4 :

Preheat Oven to 180*, prepare Muffin trays with Shortcrust Pastry (prepare tray with butter and flour lining).
 

Step 5 :

Fill each muffin mould with carrot mash, then Almonds then bacon and cover with cheese. Place in oven for about 30 to 40 min...

And VOILA, its all done and its Délicieux!!! 

Do let me know if you have tried it and how you went!!! Also if there is anything that you did not understand in my directions, do contact me on my facebook and Il help you out!!!

Ayurveda

Yesterday I went and had a consultation at the "Medicine man", in Palmwoods.
As I entered the shop I felt like I had been lifted into some outer space, the smells in the were just divine; spices, incense and herbs. I wondered how I had never been here before and thought this really is a place for me. I was greeted by a beautiful woman in a bright purple scarf, and offered some herbal the as I sat waiting for my turn.

My Consultation was with 3 students and the Medicine Man, we all sat in a cosy little circle in the back room, sipping on more thé (that I ended up spilling on my skirt, clumsy I am) and them asking me a series of questions; "what to I have for breackfast", "what do I dink all day", "hot or cold", "how is my digestion" ect ect...I also did have to stick out my tonque for all to see, and it even got photographed for a longer look and less embarrasment for my part!!! I was not shy to pull it out, but Im happy to have been spared having to keep is out for all to sit and look for a while!!!
Then came some tricky questions, well they were for me; "WHAT DO I TREAT MYSELF TO?"...I was unable to answer...I don't have any treats?? Really can that be?? Surly I must have something?? Chocolate I was told! Well, no I don't have chocolate any more as it has been making me anxious...
I was stunned, and so were they!!!
I left after an hour and a few herbal remedies to help my digestive system as well as something for my moods and cycle...I left feeling great, confused too, yet with this feeling that I wanted to become part of that world, be like those people, spirted and following the Ayurvedic lifestyle!!!

Yet, there is a lot more to it than just that!
Once I was home, and all was quite and tranquille around me, I sat to read the Ayurevdeic cookbook I had bought, and here is was I found; I must Avoid: leftovers, canned foods, prepacked chips, cheese, tap water, any food or drink with added or artificial sugar, and the list goes on....But those were the things that stuck most with me. HOW AM I GOING TO DO IT???
I always eat leftovers, I hate to throw food!!! Some canned foods are cheaper, that's what I use!!! Chips, well we have Natchos once a week!!! Cheese, I'm FRENCH how can I do that??? And tap water, I really can not afford to buy water, I drink far too much of it!!! And here I was thinking I was doing the right thing by drinking lots of water...

So I wonder, how can I do it? Sure I would love to try, but at this stage if feels difficult and expensive!
And the reality  is that its not easy to change habits...We shall see how I go!!!

What do you think about it all??...... Have you had to change your diet?

Pumpkin and Spinash Soup!

Tonight I have made some pumpkin and Spinach soup!
Its a real delight as so easy to make, so here we go, all to our kitchens...

Ingredients:

 1 Onion
150gr Butter
450gr Pumpkin
225gr Spinach
1 Large Tomato
500ml Water
2 cubes Vegetable stock
1tbsp Cumin
Fresh Corinder to garnish

To Make:
1: Chop up the onion, melt the butter and add Cumin and sauté the onion in large saucepan.
2: Dice the Pumpkin, shred the Spinach and roughly chop the  Tomatoe.
3: Add all the remaining the ingredients to the pan and bring to boil.
4:reduce the heat and cook until pumpkin is tender then  blend with blender, ad salt and pepper to taiste!
Trust me, it wont need it!
 Serve and garnish with a bit of fresh Coriander! 

Enjoy your soup!