italian cooking

I had such a great day today! Still recovering from my virus but well enough to take part in a three hour Italian cooking class. What a great way to spend part of my day. The things I can now do while the children are at school, divine indeed.

Local council is celebrating healthy lifestyle week with an excellent and diverse range of activities for community members to enjoy, at a subsided price! Today's class cost me a mere $5! I jumped at the opportunity to attend this class, so glad I read about it in the local newspaper.

I enjoy cooking and am fortunate to have grown up in a family where my mother and grandmother cooked a large variety of delicious mediterranean dishes. This is where my love of food and cooking came from. Even though I know how to prepare some traditional Italian meals, I'm always keen to learn something new. I enjoy my time in the kitchen and am passionate about preparing healthy meals for the family. I find my biggest challenge these days is time, I'm forever on the look out for quick, easy and healthy meals. Today's class was perfect!

The class was taken by the daughter of a traditional Italian 'cook'. Her knowledge, tips and love of cooking contagious. The class, a very small, intimate and relaxed group of keen cooks. We chatted, we shared, we listened, we asked questions, we watch intently, we finished the class taste testing what had been prepared. Simply delicious, eggplant pasta, an onion frittata and ricotta cannoli.

I enjoyed my time so much today that I've signed up for a three week Italian cooking course. Starting next week. The recipes use seasonal produce, are low cost and easy! I can't wait.

where have i been?

I've been away from my blog lately. For almost a week actually. I've missed it. It's been calling me, popping into my head frequently. I've been away because I've been feeling average, actually less than average.

It started days ago when my left ear started to feel blocked. Initially I thought blocked with water from my morning shower. Being 'super mum' I thought I could fight the somewhat annoying condition despite it becoming worse as the day and then days went on. I was convinced it would just go away as quickly as it came. Boy was I wrong.

In the middle of suffering from my blocked ear I subjected myself to the swine flu vaccination. I had a pre booked appointment. I had previously reluctantly made the decision to receive the vaccination based on my contact with the public, through my work in retail. People travel extensively these days and often don't share the same level of hygiene care as I personally do. Opinion circulating at the moment is that this winter season could see swine flu more widespread amongst the community. I very bravely dragged myself to the GP. The nurse who administered the injection was lovely, gentle and very aware that I was going to be very sensitive to the jab. It was all over in a matter of seconds, followed by a few jelly beans. I felt well without any side effects for the following days. I wondered whether I'd have a reaction, fortunately not.

But still my left ear remained blocked for days. I continued to think tomorrow it will be ok! After six days with no sign of even a slight improvement I popped into my local health food store and stocked up on some olive leaf extract. Be warned the taste is not pleasant but it is good stuff! I took it regularly last year and I believe consequently enjoyed fine health. Summer rolled around, I didn't top up my supplies and now look at me, unwell, tired and thinking what is wrong with me.

After continuing to suffer a blocked ear for 10 days I finally took myself back to the GP, by this stage my throat was sore, my nose blocked, my voice unrecognisable and my breathing difficult. Following my detailed explanation of how dreadful I'd been feeling the GP simply told me I had a virus!! In other words my body will just have to fight it without the support of antibiotics and plenty of rest.

Only today did I manage to start feeling half normal, slightly decent and inclined to take on the day more enthusiastically.

I'm now on the mend and looking forward to getting back into my routine. Enjoying my days and not struggling so much.

I really did miss time here at my blog. I missed reading your blogs and your comments. It's great to be back! Gee, I have a bit of reading to catch up on.

this week's charity

Some people are just amazing, so thoughtful, so caring, so generous, so highly spirited, their qualities are contagious, totally inspiring beyond words. Thea over at My Year of Giving has selected Karen and Riley as this week's charity.

Karen and her son are shaving their heads for The Leukaemia Foundation's World's Greatest Shave . Their goal to raise $5,000. I doubt I would have the courage to shave my hair

If you're in a position to support Karen and her son please click on the Karen and Riley link above. Don't you just admire some people and their efforts to support those less fortunate and in need.

free movies

We subscribe to Foxtel in this house, and have done so for about the last 3 years. Our package is restricted, in that we have a package which includes, the sports channels (I'm out numbered on this one), the kids channels (which have been thoroughly enjoyed), the third package of channels I think are lifestyle channels (which I rarely, if ever watch).

Today I was notified of a special deal, available to us for two weeks. That's right, a FREE treat, for two weeks!! You rarely get something for free these days. Hence my excitement. From February 21st to March 8th, courtesy of the Movie Network Channels we are going to be able to enjoy the very best in uninterrupted movie entertainment. We're going to have access to nine channels dedicated to showing everything from family flix, blockbusters and tearjerkers to exclusive new series and live events.

We've managed to survive without the movie channels up until this time, I'm wondering how we are all going to enjoy these free movies!! I do hope there is no fighting, arguing or crying. In preparation, we'll need to scan the Foxtel program guide to identify which movies are on offer.

I bet this free two week treat is offered to customers in the hope that at the conclusion, customers will sign up for the regular movie package. Regardless of what happens, I do hope we can all stick to our 'guns', respecting and accepting that in this house the movie channels are available, only for a short time! We're going to enjoy the next two weeks, free movies!! I'm so excited on the inside.

I haven't seen a movie for literally ages, months possibly years, unfortunately. Any suggestions? Just one would be great. I'll collate and assess which are high on the priority, must see list!!

'a month of me time' update

I'm getting so much out of 'a month of me time' that it got me thinking that you might like to register with The Calm Space directly to take part in 'a month of me time' at a time that suits you personally.

You might decide to sign up now, in a week, in a month or in a couple of months. When the time is right for you to receive simple daily actions to nourish your soul please pop over to 'The Calm Space'. In the mean time you may like to subscribe to the site to receive inspiring emails.

It's important to take the time to take better care of yourself. 'The Calm Space' is a great place to start!

is there room for some soup in your day?

Yesterday while I was scanning my inbox, I'm becoming a speed scanner and speedy at filtering my ever increasing inbox, an email titled 'do you want to try new products before they launch and give your opinion?‏' immediately caught my attention and had me asking what???

Let me fill you in on Soup.

"Soup is for people who love having their say and want to be involved in shaping the future of brands and products. Soup is a place that connects influential and interesting people with forward thinking companies."

That sounds like me I thought to myself. So I had a look around 'Soup', checking out the site and the latest projects. With my interest quickly consumed it wasn't long before I decided to get involved and followed the 3 simple steps to becoming a 'souper'. The steps were quite straightforward, getting to know you, your details, your interests and your world type questions.

It's official, I'm now a fully fledged 'souper', eager and ready to participate, can't wait for details on my first project. As a 'souper' I can now look forward to free access to cool stuff, like products before they launch, samples, and exclusive behind the scene access. I'll get to exchange my opinions and ideas about brands, this is what I am going to enjoy the most!

I didn't mention, it’s completely free with no obligations at all, to join. Are you interested, tempted maybe to give it a go?

Stay tuned for details of my first project.

'a month of me time' update

Day 7 of 'a month of me time'. Today's tip from The Calm Space simply, light a candle.

A flame can help you focus, a flame can help you breathe, a flame can help you relax. It's also a great aid to meditation and quieting down those hundreds of thoughts running through your busy mind.

I love having a scented candle burning in the house. When I remember to light a candle, it is usually in the evening, when I can enjoy the quieter part of the day. I love how a scented candle fills the room with divine fragrance, instantly transforming the environment. Creating peace and tranquillity, an atmosphere I feel so comfortable in that I can't help but to relax in.

I'm going to buy myself a new scented candle tomorrow. Can you offer me suggestions on your favourite fragrances to fill my home?