2010

[Kiwismum]

I don't like custard so probably missed that part in the book by selective noticing You know don't like it, so don't need to know about it.

Actually I don't think there is anything really that you can't have from time to time, just have to watch the quantities.

[Jill]

Hello Friends

It's good to read what you are all up to.  It has been a hard few days and the weight loss is non existant, possibly in reverse.    The good news, we've planted some beans, tomatoes, corn, and we have RAIN which has cooled things considerably.

I have ordered some Kiwi Kiss books and I am waiting eagerly for their arrival.  New inspiration I am hoping.
Looking forward to February.

Cheers
Jill

[Kiwismum]

Welcome back Jill.

Sorry you have been having a hard time, we go through times like that sometimes.

The books are great to putting a new spin on things, when I get myself together again I will probably do a new recipe a day thing, because that was a good way to break out of a rut and keep on track.

We are finally getting a bit of rain today, it rained in the night and looking at the forecast hopefully will stay all day. Now we can watch the grass grow 

[Jill]

Amazing how fast that grass grows once there is a little rain.  I swear you really can see it growing.

My books have arrived.  I am looking through them, finding the recipes that have in them what I have in the pantry so we can save some money as well.  This is my challenge...diet on a budget.  Not doing too badly so far.  There is something for everyone in these recipe books.  I can't wait to read, "Fries with that".  I keep reading bits from here and there.  It all seems good.

Good Luck for February everyone.

[lynda]

Hiya there.
Hope all is going well there Jill!!  Welcome back!

Don't you get annoyed KM when you hear its raining everywhere else except your place??  That was us on the weekend.  It rained Saturday night I think and I ironed Sunday morning as boys had gone to Hampton Downs (Need car racing track)  - it was raining there, it was raining at my mums, it was fine at our house and I drove through Riverhead and it was raining there all the way to Westgate!!!  Mum said it never stopped at her place most of the weekend - well it hardly ever started at our place except for a few big rainfalls overnight on Saturday!!! The water tank is nearly full but the well for the toilet isn't doing so well - bucketing water....

I went to the movies on my own on Sunday to see Its Complicated - laughed all the way through. I prefer Meryl as a comedy actor - never liked her serious stuff!!

anyway, its morning tea time and I soneed a cuppa!!!  No weigh in for me this week but I am down a little from last Monday - so thats great.  How you going KM

[Kiwismum]

I do know what you mean. Luckly we have now have a day and a half of decent showers the ground is looking wet, and the grass seems to be spring up out of nowhere.

On friday the neighbours family are moving further away, no longer walking distance, so I will not be inclined to have that extra wine while we chat. That should help my non existant weight loss hopefully.

They are over for dinner tonight, so I won't bother to weighin tomorrow either.

[Jill]

Hi Friends

Just wondering, do you have cyclones over there?  Our rain, this time, has come from a cyclone crossing the coast and run out of puff , just rain left, going south.

Run off my feet today, babysitting grandaughter.  Her mum had come back early thankfully, so I can have a brather.  Good thing,  will be in bed early so won't eat too much,  way too tired.

[Kiwismum]

Yes we can get cyclones and we have certainly had more than our fair share of windy days, but no cyclones so far.

Hope you got in a nice rest after your hectic day Jill.

We have had unexpected house guests for the last few days, as the neighbours family felt that they could not stay there anymore, so when faced with mum in tears and her two little kids late at night, you can't really say no.

Anyway it all seems to be sorted out now, so peace should rain again up the hill.

[Jill]

Hello friends

That was very neighbourly and kind of you to take in the family.  I hope everything is OK.

We bought 4 new laying hens and 3 little chicks.  Those chicks are so noisy.  Grandaughter loves them.  They certainly get cuddled alot.  They get a break as GD is with her Dad for the Week end.  The hens however are having a hard time being accepted by the old chooks.

Have got into some decluttering.  All that bending down picking stuff up must be wearing off those kilos.

We are heading into rain for the week end.  May do some cooking for the freezer. 

KM, was it you that made flat bread.  I would love a recipe for that, if I could please.

Hope everyone has a terrific weekend.

[lynda]

Hi ladies,
Survived the weekend and have weigh in tonight.  Shoud be down tonight, but not as fantastic as yours Swampy!!!
Have a great day.

[Kiwismum]

Hi Jill,

Lucky you getting rain, send some this way it you will.

Yes it was me who made flat bread so here is the recipe. I actually got it out of one of Miss Fussies school book, so I don't think copy write will be a problem.

Flat Bread
(Pitas)

Ingredients:

•   2 teaspoons dry yeast
•   2½  cups lukewarm water
•   5-6 cups whole wheat flour
•   1 tablespoon salt
•   1 tablespoon olive oil
•   Large bread bowl, several baking sheets and rolling pin

Steps

1.   In a large bowl, sprinkle yeast over warm water.

2.   Stir to dissolve.

3.   Stir in three cups flour(1 cup at a time). Stir about 1 minute in same direction to activate the gluten in the flour.

4.   Let it rest for at least 10 minutes, or as long as 2 hours

5.   Sprinkle in salt and stir in olive oil. Mix well.

6.   Add more flour, 1 cup at a time, until dough is too stiff to stir.

7.   Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

8.   Rinse out bowl, dry and lightly oil.

9.   Return dough to bowl and cover with plastic wrap.

10.   Let rise until doubled in size(approximately 1½ hours).

11.   Place 2 baking sheets on bottom rack of oven – preheat to 450.

12.   Gently punch down dough – divide in half, set half in bowl, covered

13.   Divide the other half into 8 equal pieces and flatten each with lightly floured hands.

14.   Roll out each piece to a circle of 8-9 inches.

15.   Place 2 bread pieces at a time on each sheet and bake 2-3 minutes, or until bread has gone into full “balloon”.

16.   Repeat with the rest of the dough – your bread will resemble pitas.

My bit pledge this week is to eat only KK recipes, so far so good. Just had the Curried Egg and Kumara Salad for lunch, and it was very good. Definitely on the make again list.

[lynda]

Oh cool KM I look forward to reading exactly what you are eating!!!! I shall be vigilant at checking up on you....

[Kiwismum]

Good you do that. I need the food police at my door sometimes.

Good luck at your weigh in

[lynda]

Hi KM, Well weigh in good.  Down 500 - which I am happy with.  That gives me 1.8 towards my goal.  2.2 to go!

So, wheres your food thing. What did you have for dinner last night?
I had the KK meatloaf with the sauce on and a slice home made bread.

Had a tough night with one daughter having hassles with my boys dad and the other one too dizzy to do anything - even play soccer - if she comes off the soccer field and can't play, then I know she is sick!!!
I did manage to get to KISS though thought I wouldn't there for awhile....I was a little assertive!!!

[Kiwismum]

Well done Lynda on both your loss and getting there, you go girl.

Dinner last night was a roast, with a little potato, carrots and peas. Too hot to turn the oven on, so the roast was a pot roast done in the crockpot, so that was all good.

I am just waiting for the Little Lunchtime Summer Quiches to come out to the oven and that and a salad will be lunch

So far so good.

I was all set to cut some branches off some trees this morning and broke the chainsaw, so that is very frustrating. Will have to find something else to get my exercise today. Luckily I have some lawn to mow this afternoon, so it will be out with the hand mower.