Spelt Oregano Crackers

Go simple, easy and natural. This easy, very loose “recipe” will alleviate the salt-max-out that usually accompanies already salty cheese. And if you have chosen one lovely cheese, instead of 5 factory plastics, then you will highlight its unique characteristics instead of having a salt sandwich!
Rough instructions for cracker bread: to about a cup of spelt or another yummy whole organic flour, add some seeds like nigella, sesame, linseed, poppy etc say 2-3 tablespoons, large handful of oregano leaves (or other herb), good teaspoon of chilli salt or some other mineral rich salt, 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil, and slosh of water. Keep adding small amounts of water and oil until it comes together. I refrigerated for an hour but that because I was going out! Otherwise roll it out to 2-3mm thickness and bake at 200 degrees Celsius for approx. 20mins. Keep an eye on it though. Delicious and very impressive for you party this silly season. mmmmmmm
Thanks to my fellow foodie friend Jan for the inspiration.

Namaste
Liz

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Red Meat and Bitter greens

Lean beef is a wonderful source of protein but so is kangaroo, lamb or goat. All of which would work perfectly with this salad. The yoga approach to meat consumption (we are not all vegetarians) is to eat small amounts of meat compared to our vegetable content on our plates. I eat red meat for iron and it makes me feel good. Of course its your yoga and you must do what is right for your body and philosophy.
Try growing your own bitter greens in the garden or in a pot on the balcony. The fresher you can get your greens the more nutrients they have, and the crunchier the salad.

IMG_0833.JPGIngredients
Marinade
1/2 brown onion
3 bay leaves
1-3 cloves garlic smashed
1 glass of red wine
6 peppercorns
2 tablespoons olive oil

1 eye fillet, kangaroo fillet/rump, lamb/goat backstrap marinated for at least 4hrs or overnight is preferable.
Enough Bitter greens or Mixed leaf salad to cover your platter abundantly: try using lots of colours and shapes for nutrient and visual variety eg. chickory, raddichio, sorrel, rocket (agrulia)
10 large basil leaves finely sliced
Balsamic vinegar, the best you can afford
Olive Oil

Method

1. Barbecue or pan fry meat till medium rare to rare. and crusty on the outside.
2. While its cooking dress leaves lightly with a little salt, vinegar and oil.
3. Rest meat for 10mins covered.
4. Slice meat finely and arrange over the leaves.
5. Pour juices over meat, a little drizzle more of balsamic and olive oil, salt, pepper and sprinkle with basil.

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Rosewater Spiced Rice Pudding

A special treat on a stormy south coast day and an excellent way to use up some excess milk. This will stick to your ribs and warm the cockles of your heart (whatever that means). It smells divine and as you will see doesn’t need a lot of sweet additives to be delicious.
Rosewater Spiced Rice Pudding

Serves 4-6
Ingredients

Pudding
1 1/2 cups Aborio or shortgrain rice
3 cups milk
1 scraped vanilla pod or few drops of essense
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamon
1/4 ntmeg grated or half teaspoon ground
1 broken cinnamon/cassia stick or 1/2 teaspoon grond
1/4 cup rosewater
2 tablespoons Honey

Garnish
1/4 cup chopped pistachio
Lavender flowers or rose petals

Method

1. Simmer, as gently as possible, all pudding ingredients for 15mins till rice is cooked and milk absorbed. Keep an eye on it so it doesnt boil over or burn on the bottom, stir occassionally.
2. Remove cinnamon stick and vanilla pod, garnish with nuts and flowers serve immediately in summer and warm in winter.

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Namaste Liz

Middle eastern Rice & Lentils- with optional lamb or goat

The spices in this dish are the heroes. Dont skimp and try to freshly grind them if you can.
Great for using up leftover roast meat or utilising mince. This feeds alot of people, double the ingredients and easily feed a party.

From a yoga perspective it has more vegetable content than meat so it is quite balanced. However it will be really yummy without the meat!

IMG_0845.JPGIngredients

300g       lamb/goat mince or chopped left-over roast
1-2cups  white (I use basmati for its higher GI) rice
400g       cooked lentils, canned or simmer dry brown or french lentils with garlic, half an onion and cinnamon stick for 10-15 mins till tender

3                red or brown onions caramelised: slice and fry in olive oil or butter and 1-2 tablespoons of butter for 1/2 hour on medium, add 1 teaspoon of brown sugar/honey and 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar and fry for 10 mins till reduced.
1                clove garlic
1/4 cup   chopped, roasted almonds and/or cashews
1-2 cups  stock
1 teaspoon each cinnamon, allspice, and cumin
S & P

Method

1. If using mince fry in olive oil till brown and finely broken up
2. Add garlic and spices fry for 1-2 mins
3. Stir in rice and fry for 2 mins
4. Add stock, cook covered on low heat for 10-15 mins and rice is tender.
5. Add onions, lentils, nuts, S & P. Stir well.
6. Garnish with parsley and/or coriander.

Namaste Liz

Getting high: Walking and meditating on Didthul Pigeon House Mt, Sth Coast NSW Australia

Take yourself on a meditation walk.
Align your posture.
Wear thin soled walking shoes that allow you to connect to the earth, or walk somewhere that is safe from snakes and spiders barefoot, step mindfully.
Breathe into the belly, use your entire lung capacity.
Notice your resistance without judgement.
Keep a positive self-talk pattern or mantra in your mind.
Take your time to see the beauty, the details.
Go at your pace.
Sit and enjoy the view.
Absorb the wonder of nature, that same wonder that is you.
Watch your breathe.
Align the spine.
Just be.
Make a day of it and take your lunch.
Take a photo or draw an image to put up at home, so when you see it you can close your eyes and experience the serenity of the experience.

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If you would like to join me for an uplifting, energising walking and meditation experience on Sunday 16th November 2014, call 0407065084 or email me lizthomasyoga@gmail.com
Namaste
Liz

Yummiest Raw Muesli x 2 Cherry Choc & Mango Pistachio

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70% Oats: whole rolled oats is cheap and yummy, not mention a superfood, in fact this recipe is all super-foods!
10% Raw Nuts: Pistachio, macadamias, almonds, cashews
1% Chia seeds
9% Dried Coconut, flaked or shredded
10 %Dried Fruit: Sultanas, chopped mango, currants, cherries
2-3 tablespoons Cinnamon or Raw Cacao/Coco powder

The fun of making muesli is that there are no rules however I have found that these combos work really well. All my airbnb guest love em too. I have had requests for the recipe so here are two.

Combine the above ingredients in roughly the described quantities in a very large jar and shake.

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For a Cherry Ripe flavour profile dominate with dried Cherries and Cacao.
For a Tropical Treat use plenty of mango and pistachio.
ITS THAT EASY!

You can just eat it with milk, but, there is an art to eating raw muesli that minimises the feeling that you may need to chew all morning. Just pour boiling water over your muesli and let stand for about 10mins, it will soak up the water and soften the ingredients, helping with digestion and chewability.
I stir through some plain, unsweetened yoghurt. I find that its sweet enough for me with all the dried fruit, but you may wish to add fresh fruit or a drizzle of honey.

 

 

 

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Namaste and Bright Blessings Liz