Tuesday, 22 May 2012
Mud Muffin
Breakfast sized mud-cakes. Who would resist these. :)
Ingredients:
Gluten-free flour, 2 cups
Soy Milk, 3 cups.
Egg replacer, 2 teaspoons
Bicarbonate of soda, 1 1/2 teaspoons
Sugar, 1 cup
Vegan Chocolate block; broken into chunks
Directions:
Pre-heat the over to 180 degrees. Sift the flour into a large mixing bowl and stir the egg replacer, sugar and bicarb. Mix in 2 cups of soy milk thouroughly; an electric mixer may need to be used as gluten-free flour has a tendendcy to form lumps. Half fill a pan with water and cover with a glass bowl. Place the pan on the stove to boil and melt the chocolate chunks in the bowl. As the chocolate melts mix in the remainder of the milk. When the chocolate as completely mixed ith the milk remove the pan from the stove. Allow the choclate to cool slightly and then mix it into the muffin batter. Grease a muffin tray or two. If you have muffin paper cups it is advisable to line the muffin tray with these as it makes it easier to remove the muffins from the tray. Place the muffin mixture into the lined trays and pop into the oven. The Muffins will be ready when a poker through the center comes away clean.
Monday, 21 May 2012
The scary To-do lists
To-do lists are a very good way of keeping a record of everything that needs to be done in day. They keep you on target and in control. I use them everyday. Of course, mine aren't always on paper.
The biggest problem with To-do list is that the list can become slightly formidable. There's so much to do and so little time to actually do it. There is a really quick way to combat this, I believe it was in my earlier post regarding organisation; be reasonable about what you put on your list. If it is something that can't be reasonably achieve in that day, leave it off for another day.
This seems like a good alternative, doesn't it? You would think so, but sometimes it's not an option. There are things that must be done on that day that cannot wait. My way of dealing with this is to get that damn pressing problem over with. It's the only way. Then you can go on with getting everything else done. Simple enough, isn't it. But it doesn't necessarily make the list seem less formidable.
The other option is to begin adding items to the list that you know you are going to be doing anyway - such as having a shower. This will create the effect of having done more on the list then it actually seems like. Using this tactic will double the length of your list, but it will mean that the majority of the list will contain things you have already done. That makes the list look a whole lot less scary.
And final tip: Don't be afraid to take items off you list. There are a lot of little jobs that it won't hurt to be left off for another day or another week. This is my favourite way of beating the list.
The biggest problem with To-do list is that the list can become slightly formidable. There's so much to do and so little time to actually do it. There is a really quick way to combat this, I believe it was in my earlier post regarding organisation; be reasonable about what you put on your list. If it is something that can't be reasonably achieve in that day, leave it off for another day.
This seems like a good alternative, doesn't it? You would think so, but sometimes it's not an option. There are things that must be done on that day that cannot wait. My way of dealing with this is to get that damn pressing problem over with. It's the only way. Then you can go on with getting everything else done. Simple enough, isn't it. But it doesn't necessarily make the list seem less formidable.
The other option is to begin adding items to the list that you know you are going to be doing anyway - such as having a shower. This will create the effect of having done more on the list then it actually seems like. Using this tactic will double the length of your list, but it will mean that the majority of the list will contain things you have already done. That makes the list look a whole lot less scary.
And final tip: Don't be afraid to take items off you list. There are a lot of little jobs that it won't hurt to be left off for another day or another week. This is my favourite way of beating the list.
Sunday, 20 May 2012
Classic Choc-chip Muffins
Who doesn't love choc-chip Muffins in the morning? :)
Ingredients:
Gluten-free flour, 2 cups
Soy Milk, 3 cups.
Egg replacer, 2 teaspoons
Bicarbonate of soda, 1 1/2 teaspoons
Sugar, 1/2 cup
Chocolate chips, 1 cup
Directions:
Pre-heat the over to 180 degrees. Sift the flour into a large mixing bowl and stir the egg replacer, sugar, bicarb, and chocolate chips. Mix the soy milk thouroughly, an electric mixer may need to be used as gluten-free flour has a tendendcy to form lumps. Grease a muffin tray or two. If you have muffin paper cups it is advisable to line the muffin tray with these as it makes it easier to remove the muffins from the tray. Place the muffin mixture into the lined trays and pop into the oven. The Muffins will be ready when a poker through the center comes away clean.
Saturday, 19 May 2012
Natural cold remedies
Coughs, cold and Flues are a pain at any time of the year. I personally find that pharmaceutical remedies have very little effect on me. So I've complied a list of natural alternatives that I find do help. However, it is important to remember that illness must be recovered from - there is no quick solution. You just can't wish it away; no matter how much you may try. The best thing to do is allow it to past on through.
Coughs and sneezes.
If mucus comes out, get into a tissue and into a bin as quickly as possible. This is the quickest way to help heal your body. The longer infected mucus stays in lungs/sinuses the more severe the infection can get.
Honey and lemon tea. Or Honey, Lemon, and Ginger if you prefer.
This best when using freshly squeezed lemons and real honey, preferable from your local region. The lemon is acid enough to kill the bacteria in throat (This is why lemon is traditionally served with fish), and provided a nice shot of vitamin C to boost the immune system. Honey, more then just making this mixture palatable, has anti-bacterial properties and has been show to sooth inflammation. Ginger soothes nausea, and has anti-viral qualities. Perfect mixture for counter acting sore throats.
Salty water.
Gargling a mixture of salty water every 3-4 hours is a quick way to keep a sore through clean. The taste is very unpleasant but it is effective. The salt water serves to kill microbes while the gargling motion helps remove mucus that may be covering bacterial infestation.
Eucalyptus oil.
Eucalyptus is a handy decongestant if you can get hold of it. Apply a small amount to the bottom of your nostrils or burn some in an oil burner. This will simultaneously sooth sinuses and act as an expectorant.
Garlic.
Eating loads of garlic on a regular basis will boost immune function. However this more of a preventative measure. Eating it while sick will help you immune system cope but not enough to be noticeable. It also had anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.
Echinacea.
Like Garlic, this another herb that helps boost immune function. It has been shown to be particularly good for staving off colds an flues. However, this is also a preventative measure.
Astragalus
This little example of Chinese herbal lore is another good preventative measure. Like Garlic it can boost the immune system and is often recommended for people with weaken immune systems.
Willow Bark capsules.
Willow Bark is a natural pain killer. This is a good all-rounder, whether you are taking them for colds or for migraines.
Hot Steamy Showers.
Ordinarily, the Thought of filling the bathroom with steam horrifies me as complete disregard for the environment. This concern aside, filling your lungs with steam in the shower is the perfect way to loosen up the mucus in the airways and sinuses - encouraging the infected mucus to literally leak out, taking the bacteria with it.
Fruits and vegetables.
Eating fruits and vegetables is important for general health. It is even more important to eat healthy when ill, even though this is the last thing most of us want to do. Fruits and vegies will provided lots of vitamin C for immune function and, by eating a variety, all the minerals/vitamin that support vitamin C absorption.
Fish and Shellfish
These are naturally higher in Zinc then most vegetables. Zinc is important mineral to the absorption of vitamin C (but not the only important factor).
Sleep.
Sleep is so very underrated. When I'm sick I can sleep up to 18 hours a day. I wake up better for it. Sleep is integral to healing of any sort.
Caffeine.
Caffeine, despite the fact that it is added to so many pharmaceutical drugs that supposedly help us fight colds, is something that should actually be avoided while you are ill. It will over stimulate your body, leaving you worse for the wear. Worse, the body will struggle to remove it from your system, taking away valuable energy from the immune system while it is trying to fight infection.
Junk Foods.
Again, these are something you want to avoid. Heavily processed foods are harder for the body to break down, stealing energy from the immune system. Quite often these foods also come with a range of preservatives and other nasty chemicals which serve to confuse the body even more. Really Sugary foods have even been shown to feed bacterial infections.
Fresh Air
This is an important way to clear infections from you room/house. People often forget that is a room is closed up it is just recirculating the same air. This means it is also circulating any spores of infectious diseases that have been carried into the room.
Coughs and sneezes.
If mucus comes out, get into a tissue and into a bin as quickly as possible. This is the quickest way to help heal your body. The longer infected mucus stays in lungs/sinuses the more severe the infection can get.
Honey and lemon tea. Or Honey, Lemon, and Ginger if you prefer.
This best when using freshly squeezed lemons and real honey, preferable from your local region. The lemon is acid enough to kill the bacteria in throat (This is why lemon is traditionally served with fish), and provided a nice shot of vitamin C to boost the immune system. Honey, more then just making this mixture palatable, has anti-bacterial properties and has been show to sooth inflammation. Ginger soothes nausea, and has anti-viral qualities. Perfect mixture for counter acting sore throats.
Salty water.
Gargling a mixture of salty water every 3-4 hours is a quick way to keep a sore through clean. The taste is very unpleasant but it is effective. The salt water serves to kill microbes while the gargling motion helps remove mucus that may be covering bacterial infestation.
Eucalyptus oil.
Eucalyptus is a handy decongestant if you can get hold of it. Apply a small amount to the bottom of your nostrils or burn some in an oil burner. This will simultaneously sooth sinuses and act as an expectorant.
Garlic.
Eating loads of garlic on a regular basis will boost immune function. However this more of a preventative measure. Eating it while sick will help you immune system cope but not enough to be noticeable. It also had anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.
Echinacea.
Like Garlic, this another herb that helps boost immune function. It has been shown to be particularly good for staving off colds an flues. However, this is also a preventative measure.
Astragalus
This little example of Chinese herbal lore is another good preventative measure. Like Garlic it can boost the immune system and is often recommended for people with weaken immune systems.
Willow Bark capsules.
Willow Bark is a natural pain killer. This is a good all-rounder, whether you are taking them for colds or for migraines.
Hot Steamy Showers.
Ordinarily, the Thought of filling the bathroom with steam horrifies me as complete disregard for the environment. This concern aside, filling your lungs with steam in the shower is the perfect way to loosen up the mucus in the airways and sinuses - encouraging the infected mucus to literally leak out, taking the bacteria with it.
Fruits and vegetables.
Eating fruits and vegetables is important for general health. It is even more important to eat healthy when ill, even though this is the last thing most of us want to do. Fruits and vegies will provided lots of vitamin C for immune function and, by eating a variety, all the minerals/vitamin that support vitamin C absorption.
Fish and Shellfish
These are naturally higher in Zinc then most vegetables. Zinc is important mineral to the absorption of vitamin C (but not the only important factor).
Sleep.
Sleep is so very underrated. When I'm sick I can sleep up to 18 hours a day. I wake up better for it. Sleep is integral to healing of any sort.
Caffeine.
Caffeine, despite the fact that it is added to so many pharmaceutical drugs that supposedly help us fight colds, is something that should actually be avoided while you are ill. It will over stimulate your body, leaving you worse for the wear. Worse, the body will struggle to remove it from your system, taking away valuable energy from the immune system while it is trying to fight infection.
Junk Foods.
Again, these are something you want to avoid. Heavily processed foods are harder for the body to break down, stealing energy from the immune system. Quite often these foods also come with a range of preservatives and other nasty chemicals which serve to confuse the body even more. Really Sugary foods have even been shown to feed bacterial infections.
Fresh Air
This is an important way to clear infections from you room/house. People often forget that is a room is closed up it is just recirculating the same air. This means it is also circulating any spores of infectious diseases that have been carried into the room.
Friday, 18 May 2012
Banana Coconut Muffins; Gluten, dairy, and egg free.
This is the first of my muffin series, continuing my banana obsession. It's a sweet way to get fruit into your brekky.
Ingredients:
Gluten-free flour, 2 cups
Soy Milk, 2 cups.
Egg replacer, 2 teaspoons
Bicarbonate of soda, 1 1/2 teaspoons
Sugar, 1 cup
3 Ripe bananas
Desicated coconut, 1/2 cup
Directions:
Pre-heat the over to 180 degrees. Sift the flour into a large mixing bowl and stir the egg replacer, sugar, bicarb, and desicated coconut. Mix the soy milk thouroughly, an electric mixer may need to be used as gluten-free flour has a tendendcy to form lumps. Mash the bananas in a seperate bowl and then stir the mash into the muffin mixture. Grease a muffin tray or two. If you have muffin paper cups it is advisable to line the muffin tray with these as it makes it easier to remove the muffins from the tray. Place the muffin mixture into the lined trays and pop into the oven.
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