TOP TIPS TO NOT WASTE YOUR FOOD

Not that brownies would go to waste in my house, Jamie Oliver

I hate throwing away food. I get the guilts when I have to pitch a poor, saggy ol' capsicum or bendy carrot in the bin. Am I alone in this? I've developed a bit of a hobby out of not wasting food - and I bring you my top tips.

This isn't about saving food because there are starving kids in Africa. I'm pretty sure that shoving down the last bit of your dinner even though you're bursting at the seams, isn't going to help a starving child. It's not as though you can send them your cold broccoli in the post. That's what I used to tell my parents, anyway.

This is more about saving your money. According to foodwise.com, the average Australian throws out 20% of the food they buy, or $1036 annually. That's a nice chunk of a holiday!

And there's the environment to think of, too: a huge amount of energy goes into food production and agriculture, so it makes sense that the less food we waste, the less of a toll we place on the environment.

So here we go - my tips for saving food (slash, coin).

1. Meal Planning

Meal Planner from Kikki K

Meal planning means you can shop with a list and buy only what you need, rather than casually picking up random things that you may not end up using.

I plan out a week's worth of dinners before I go shopping. I've even started listing accompanying vegetables on the meal plan so we don't end up with a crisper full of limp veg at the end of the week.

Kikki K sell all kinds of meal planners, though there are lots of free printable templates on the net, too.

2. Freeze, freeze, freeze!

Jamie has some great tips for loving your freezer...

I'm a freezer fanatic! I often make double (sometimes triple) quantities of meals that can be frozen. I love having a freezer full of homemade meals at the ready - who doesn't love a night off from kitchen duties?

I also use the freezer to store everything from toaster bread (standard) through to packets of grated cheese, and half-quantities of leftover sauces, tomato paste, coconut milk, etc. that would otherwise go off in the fridge. I sometimes also store veggies to make into soup, if they're about to go bad.

3. Portion Control

This is about knowing how much to cook when it comes to dry ingredients such as rice, pasta and potatoes. Figure out the portions that your family needs, so you have a reference point. I now know that if we're having rice, I should cook about 3/4 cup dry rice for my husband and I. I figured this out after several times making enough rice and mash to feed the neighbourhood.

4. Smoothies

Lush smoothie recipes from Eternal Lifestyle

Excess fruit that's nearing the end of its life can be chopped and frozen and made into smoothies or juices another day.

5. Whatever-you-like Nights
Sometimes I'll throw a 'Whatever You Like Night' onto the menu plan. When I was little I remember my Mum occasionally announcing that it was 'Whatever You Like Night'. Most likely, she was just having a don't-feel-like-cooking night - TOTALLY ACCEPTABLE. On those nights, it's every man for himself to make a meal out of whatever's available (Weetbix, or tinned spaghetti on toast are totally acceptable meal options). It's a good way to not waste food if there's a possibility you might be out. It's also a good way to use up some pantry items (or just as an excuse for a lazy one).

6. Grow Your Own

Endless inspo for kitchen herb gardens

I HATE how you have to buy masses of herbs when you only need a tiny bit for a recipe (like, I need one sprig, not a bushel). Growing a few pots of herbs is a great idea. I've had success growing herbs from seeds, including parsley, basil, coriander, mint, rosemary and also shallots and lettuce.

7. Shop When You're Full and Happy

It's true what they say about shopping when you're hungry! It's amazing what slips into my shopping trolley when my appetite is raging - everything seems like a sensible idea. Croissants? Treat yo'self. Mi Goren noodles? Bung 'em in. Fruit Loops? Haven't had them in 20 years; yes, we definitely need those. It's usually a good idea to do the weekly shop after you've had a satisfying meal - you're more likely to stick to your list and will be less tempted by junky throw-ins (not completed un-tempted!).

8. Stocktake Your Fridge

Whoever thought the internet was so abuzz with tidy fridge fanatics?!

Is your fridge a creepy graveyard featuring jars of sauce from 1995 and leftover stir-fry from three months ago? You should probably clean your fridge. Then, continue to check what you've already got before you do the weekly shop. While you're making your shopping list, check the fridge for items that spoil, which you can use in the coming week. And most importantly, check the fruit bowl and crisper.

I have really geeked out at our place lately, and started putting little star stickers on the remaining veg before I go shopping, so that I know which stuff we have to use up before we eat the new, fresh stuff. Totally nerdy, but there's been a noticeable decrease in crisper casualties.

Also, it's a good idea to schedule the meals that use the most fresh ingredients at the start of your menu plan, leaving the frozen meals or things with fewer perishables for later in the week.

Our fridge always has plenty of 'white space' - by which I mean - it's adequately stocked, but we can clearly see everything that's in the fridge. If you have a bursting-at-the-seams fridge, it might be time to have a proper stocktake and chuck-out session so that you can actually see what you're working with week-to-week.

I hope these tips can help you to save your food and your moolah. Happy shopping!

CHANGING NAMES AFTER MARRIAGE // WHY I'M A MS, NOT A MRS

Decal via Graphic Mesh

What's in a name?

When it comes to changing your name post-marriage, there are so many options: do you take his name, or keep your own? Should your husband drop his name and take yours? Should you hyphenate your surnames? Or should you combine parts of your surnames and create a whole new brand!?

It's nice to live in a society where there are options; where us girls don't automatically have to become "Mrs John Smith" (puke...) and forfeit every part of our name badge altogether.

Full disclosure: I decided to take my husband's surname because it's a decent name that matches well with mine. I have no shame. I also thought it might be easier for some things if we had a common surname (though in reality I'm sure it hardly makes a difference). I guess that taking a married name also felt like a right of passage, of sorts. I'll admit, it still feels kind of odd using it, 10 months in. I feel like I'm borrowing his family's name a bit. To ease the adjustment, I've kept my email address with my maiden name - it connects me to my roots - in a silly, electronic way.

It might sound cold, but I've never hidden the fact that if my partner had a weird surname, I would have kept my original. #vanityyay

To me though, our names don't have any bearing on our relationship.

If you're reading in Australia, it might surprise you to know (as it did me) that it's actually not that common around the world to take your spouse's surname. Actually, in many places, women don't even have the option to change your name. That makes it easy!

Interesting! But, that aside, I really wanted to start a conversation about the MS vs MRS thing.

Quite a while before my husband and I got married I decided I was going to be a 'Ms', not a 'Mrs'.

Perhaps I just feel too young at heart, and 'Mrs' is too grown up for me. I'm not even joking.

But on a serious note, part of me is a little bothered that men have the title of 'Mr' their whole lives, and that their marital status is irrelevant. But females are still cycling through Miss, Mrs and Ms - our status as singletons, marrieds or divorcees is stamped right beside our name. Ehh... why? Sure, it's rare that these titles are ever used besides on formal letters and the like, though, it's not nice to think that women might be judged or treated differently, whether in social or work situations, based on their relationship status.

Back in the day, 'Ms' was commonly used by women who were either divorced, or single and "too old" to continue being called 'Miss' (what is "too old"?!). Nowadays, Ms is becoming more common as a blanket female title - the female equivalent of Mr.

I'm not in the slightest bit bothered by others' use of 'Mrs'. This isn't high on my list of battles to tackle. This is merely a sideline nod from me, to level the playing field. Plus I've always been really independent-minded, and it feels right to retain a semi-independent title - all the while being totally committed to my lovely husband.

To me, our marriage is about showing my partner that I chose him to adventure through life with, and that I have his back through good and bad. It's about my commitment to bring little moments of joy into his life. It's about setting plans together, and edging one another along to achieve our common and individual goals. And purely about enjoying the fact that we both know we're one another's favourite person to be with. This stuff has nothing to do with our names.

My point is - a name or title doesn't change who we are, or our values. By the same token, our relationship status is only part of who we are, and doesn't completely define us. So I think you should pick a name that you feel good with, and that's all!

THE BEST FREE WISHLIST APP // TRIED AND TESTED

Lush wrapping ideas via Brit + Co

I'd like to share with you a handy little app that I stumbled upon - it's call Giftster. It's my new BFF.

You know when you see random stuff online or at the shops that you want, but can't quite justify the purchase? But then when your birthday rolls around and your Mum asks if there's anything you'd like, you draw a blank? Well, this is why you have to write this stuff down when you think of it!

Giftster is a wishlist registry that you can use on your phone or on a desktop. It lets you create your wishlish and share with your friends and family.

As you can imagine, this is a lifesaver when it comes to those family members who are tricky to buy for (there is always at least one of those in the family). It also means you don't have to consult with five other family members to figure out who's gonna get Dad the thongs for Father's Day and who's gonna get him the box of worms for his Worm Cafe (actual item from my father's Giftster wishlist).

With this app, you can click 'reserve' if you intend to buy something from someone's list, and then 'purchased' when you buy it. The other people who have access to that person's wishlist can then see what's already been bought. But the owner of the list can't see what's been bought for them. Once you've received an item on your list, you simply delete it.

Now don't get me wrong - I LOVE surprise gifts - both giving, and receiving. It's always special when someone gives you a gift that they thought of themselves, that has 'you' written all over it. Number #1 husband gave me a few things off my wishlist for my birthday, but he also gave me a few surprises - fella knows what's what!

While I'm here, might as well have a shuffle around the ol' interwebs and top up my Giftster. Like I said, I loves me a wishlist!

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1. Door Curtain Cranes - the ultimate necessity - Mr & Mrs Jones
2. Napali Chic candles - just discovered these on the weekend and oh-em-gee - I need them all!
3. Lace Print Slinky - my go-to summer pyjamas (there is surely room for a baby in there?) Peter Alexander 
4. Gold Class tickets - it's been a while between Gold Class sessions. Girl needs to recline, yo.
5. Between Two Worlds, book by Tyler Henry - love this guy
6. Kitchenaid - well, this is the ultimate dream, isn't it?!
7. Letterboard - lust have - Letterfolk
8. Shampoo bar by Lush - I'm so keen to try one of these out and see if I can do away with plastic shampoo bottles
9. Happiest Baby on the Block - because I need to cram for the baby exam! This book has been recommended through a few people - Fishpond
10. Maternity Frill Swimsuit - because this lady is going to be very pregnant this summer! ASOS

WORKING FROM HOME + 13-WEEK PREGNANCY UPDATE

1. One of my va-va-voom smoothie creations 2) New tags and dippers for Sweet Tilly Flint @sweettillyflint

Hey guys,

Today is just going to be a bit of a week-in-review post, mostly because this doesn't require a whole lot of time or brain power!

After I switched to being self-employed I thought I'd find myself with oodles of time to swiftly and strategically jet through my goals, but to be frank, things are going slower than I envisaged. There's just been a lot happening that's taken me out of my workroom. And the stuff I'm doing in my workroom, takes time. I'm doing my best to reign in the extra-curricular distractions. For one thing, we've just come into the second trimester of preggo-ness (week 13) so the frequency of getting jabbed for blood and other little tests should settle down, for a while.

After a few weeks of trial and error, I've settled settled on my pregnancy fit plan (slash, make-self-feel-better-whilst-increasing-circumference-plan) - yay! I'm going to the gym two mornings a week - one leg day (booooo), one upper body day. I'm swimming at the indoor pool on Wednesdays (which I am LOVING) and rounding up the week with Body Balance on Friday. The instructor is going to start yelling out alternate preggo-lady options as of this week. This is great, however, I'll miss my little hiding position at the back of the room (like I was hoping no one would notice me slowly morphing into a beach ball).

Sweet Tilly Flint-wise, there are still 10 million things on the boil, which has thrown me into a bit of a mental flip. Even so, I just keep writing and checking off my to-do lists, so I know I'm moving forward, even if it's a lot slower than I would have liked. I have to make an effort to focus on one thing at a time.

Lately I've been pondering doing a little STF catering, making old-school treats to set up for dessert tables. Just add that to the list, Alex (what was that about focusing on one thing at a time?!).

This past month I've been freelance editing for the company that I finished up at 5-6 weeks ago, just until my replacement started. I've been working to formalise another business strand (this was already in the master plan) so I can take on more editing work. I'm close to finalising the name and a simple typographical logo. I promised myself I wouldn't spend a crazy amount of time on this, but to make quick and sharp decisions. It seems to be working so far. Freelance editing won't be my staple, so I'm less concerned with creating a perfect brand, so it's coming together pretty easily. My plan is: if I wake up tomorrow and my business name doesn't make me cringe, I'll register it, then bang out a website on Squarespace (fingers crossed it's not too hard).

Pregnancy-wise, I'm feeling pretty good apart from the fatigue, which can be an absolute monster some days, on the back of insomnia. I need to get on top of that somehow - I'm having meltdowns thinking about how to cope with lack of sleep with the baby arrives! Yikes.

On that positive note, I'm going to sign off! Thanks for indulging my rant all the way to the end.

Subscribe to new posts every Monday with the link at the top right. x

AND SO THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES... PREGNANCY ANNOUNCEMENT!

Yesterday Lindsay and I were thrilled to share the news with all of our friends and family that we're expecting our first bubba on the 15th February 2018. We've just passed the 12-week mark, having had our first important scan last Thursday morning. It was so incredible to see our little creation moving around on the screen, and we already love him or her so much. All is going well, which we're incredibly grateful for.

Although we've talked about the little bub every day (its nickname has changed as the weeks progress, from Poppyseed to Dino to Mermaid and Kumquat...) we're tried to stay somewhat contained in our excitement til we passed the 12-week mark... just in case. It's a lovely, joyful relief and beautiful time now that we've passed that milestone, and we're looking forward to enjoying the next six months of 'just us' but of course so looking forward to welcoming our son or daughter (with a natural dose of fear thrown in for good measure!).

Here's a little snap of apricot-sized baby, and just one of the little nurseries I let myself steal a snap of when it popped up in my Instagram feed a couple of months ago. x

Source Unknown

HOW I STAY MOTIVATED WORKING FROM HOME

Image Source: Celeste Twikler

Over the past few weeks a few people have asked how I manage to stay motivated as a self-employed individual, working from home. Usually the question is phrased as: "I don't know how you stay focused at home; I would just watch Ellen."

Fair enough! My short answer is that I stay motivated because people are giving me money to supply them with a product, and I have to deliver. I'm also motivated because I enjoy the challenge I've set for myself. I enjoy my work-from-home setup, and also, I want to earn as much as I can.

With that explanation out of the way, the rest of this post is for those who are in a similar position, that is, self-employed and working from home.

If you find your work interesting, it's easy to stay motivated

Working from home isn't like being forced to sit in a chair and write a school essay! That would definitely be torture. If you enjoy your work, you just get up and do it, because you want to. I'm not working from home because I'm a lazy homebody; I work from home because the work I'm doing motivates me, and the job I was doing in the office, didn't.

If you're working from home and you find yourself distracted by daytime TV, maybe you're in the wrong game. Working from home isn't right for everyone.

My home job isn't all fun! There are mundane parts to my business, but that's where these next two points come in...

When you're responsible for your income, it's easy to stay focused

For the four years while my business was just a side hustle, the money I made was merely a bonus on top of my regular wage. Now that I'm fully self-employed, I'm responsible for how much or little I can earn. That's not something you take lightly! The phrase 'time is money' becomes important, and it's naturally easy to stay on track. It's not all about money, though. When I switched to self-employment I set myself a pretty big challenge, and I'm motivated to achieve my goals.

When customers rely on you, you have to focus

I take payments in exchange for my product, so slacking off isn't an option. It's easy for me to stay on task because I have contact with customers on a daily basis.

I place high value on good customer service. Part of that is getting back to my customers as soon as possible. I find that my customers are responsive and happy when I get back to them promptly (thus, more likely to want to work with me!). Providing great service makes me feel happy, and is a reward in itself.

Getting organised, and setting up your systems, is key

Getting organised is the most important thing you can do for your business. You have to take the time to establish a system.

Filing system

Since my business employs a staff of 1 (me), I'm the manager of Marketing, Communications, Accounting, Legal, Product Development, Photography, Dispatch and Procurement. I have a well-organised hard drive, with folders for every 'department'. My well-organised folders contain well-organised sub-folders. Not going to lie, it's a thing of beauty.

Work is much more enjoyable when you're not surrounded by chaos. I liken this to baking. Over the weekend I baked a couple of semi-extravagant birthday cakes. For the first cake, at some stages (the past-my-bedtime stage) there was buttercream on every surface of the kitchen, cake batter splattered over my clothes, and chocolate shavings on the kitchen floor. Not so fun. For the second cake, I cleaned up as I went, regularly wiped down my work surface, and lined up everything I needed. Much more enjoyable!

Chaos is stressful. When you have a good system, work is enjoyable - things just flow, allowing you to work at your peak. A place for everything, and everything in its place.

Image Source: Letterfolk

De-clutter and plan

Since deciding to expand my business, the ante has been upped. Beforehand, product development and marketing were just floaty ideas in my head - now I have to take them seriously.

The first few days after leaving my full-time office job my head was spinning with everything I had to do. My brain was crammed with all the ideas that had been bubbling away for YEARS that I hadn't had time to pursue. I didn't know where to start.

I wanted to get creative with my product development, but I knew that it was more important to hit pause and make a plan.

BUT FIRST: I allowed myself the time to catch up on 'life admin' - those little jobs, paperwork, and odds and ends that pile up over time. The purpose was to de-clutter my workspace and clear my plate so I could focus on my work.

Create a master planner and set a schedule

Once I had de-cluttered, the next crucial step was to make a mind map of all the tasks that I needed to action. Once mapped out, I devised a way to categorise the work and divide it up into focus tasks over a week. I then made myself a planner in Excel (with pretty pastel colours, of course).

My planner covers both business work, and 'life work', by which I mean housework, washing, grocery shopping, gymming, processing bills, etc. I include my 'life work' in my planner so that 1) the sheets get washed and 2) crossing things off a list delivers a nice shot of dopamine.

In terms of business work, my planner covers both daily office tasks (the stuff I have to do every day - checking email, etc.) and a focus task for each day of the week. My focus tasks at the moment include social media education, product development and website development. So for example, my focus task on Tuesday will be education. On Thursday I will work on the website.

My planner also includes tasks that only occur once a month, such as checking my product supplies, and following up with customers about the next month's orders.

It was crucial for me to map out this plan, as it ensures I'm covering all bases. I didn't want to work on the website for two months while completely ignoring product development. My plan ensures that everything is ticking along. It has the added benefits of 1) providing variety 2) reminding me that I have PLENTY to do, and that there is no time for Ellen!

Image Source: UrbanHeartHomes

Using tools and tech to manage your plan and stay accountable

Setting the plan is one thing - the next part is gathering some tools to keep yourself accountable.

My master weekly planner is my guide, but in reality, my schedule varies depending on how many orders I have to fill, my personal appointments, workshops or expos, and errands I need to run. For that reason, I just use my master planner as a guide to create a tailored plan for each week.

I create my plan for the week first thing every Monday morning. I use this A3 weekly planner pad from Typo to map out my week. It's fifteen minutes spent on Monday morning that gets the week off to a flying start.

Another tool that I love is Wunderlist - an online to-do list. I use this to keep track of my ideas and non-urgent tasks. You can create however many different categories you like, and within these categories, you add your tasks. I have lists for 'life admin' (update passport, prepare tax return - that type of thing), lists for product ideas, marketing ideas, ideas for blog posts, etc.

I review my Wunderlist every Monday morning. I cross off anything I've done, and then I try to incorporate a couple of awaiting tasks into my plan for the week.

The long and the short of it

Amidst filling orders and building a business, there's not a lot of downtime. I usually start my workday earlier than I would start at the office, and finish a little later, often because I'm engrossed in a task (other times because I have a deadline). I take a lunch break when I'm hungry, and I'll either sit outside in the sun, or zone out with the TV while I eat. Working from home means I have flexibility, and it means that if it's a sunny day, I can step outside for a bit, or have a cup of tea with my Mum. This is part of the reason why I wanted to try working from home. It doesn't mean I'm a lady of leisure (don't call me that - I'll bop your head) - I work hard.

I hope this provides a bit of insight into the mysterious world of working from home, and can be helpful for those who are also self-employed. Let me know in the comments if you have any tips of your own, or want to share your challenges or triumphs of working from home.

GOING PLASTIC-FREE

After visiting Thailand last year I was inspired to reduce my plastic consumption. We visited the island of Koh Lipe, where plastic water bottles have been banned. Instead, the island's hotels and merchants only sell 'Trash Hero' metal water bottles. Across the island, hotels and eateries provide free stations for refilling your bottle with purified water. This is such an inspiring initiative, especially considering the revenue that the island could be making from the sale of plastic water bottles.

This is the type of sacrifice and action that we all need to take, to make a dent in the problem of plastic waste.

Because, really, if a small, second-world tourist destination in Thailand can rally the whole island, any excuse we come up with is pretty weak.

You know what plastic does? It friggen sucks, that's what.

Plastic doesn't break down in the environment - EVER! 'What about recycling?', I hear you ask. Props for sorting your garbage, but unfortunately, most plastics are only good for one round of recycling, into a lower-grade product at best. After that, it's off to join the rest of the plastics in landfill, where they'll stay - forever. By comparison, glass and metal are not degraded in the recycling process and can be re-purposed over and over again.

Every bit of plastic that you've ever used still exists. Think about that. Mind blown?

What doesn't go to landfill ends up in waterways. It's estimated that 100 million sea mammals die each year from consuming plastic. And that there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050. :(

Image Source

Read on (or skip to the tips) because there's some easy (dare I say, super fun) things you can do that won't require you to grow dreadlocks or knit your own underpants, etc.

You have to do something, though. If not you, than who? Because it's not going to be the ignorant dumbhead buying the 24-pack of plastic water bottles every week.

Yes, there are occasions I find myself at the supermarket without a calico bag in which to place my packaged shit. It takes time to retrain old habits, after all. Make your decision to change though, and gradually you'll become more conscious about your preparation, and your choices. I actually find it a pretty fun game now to look for alternatives (woot!). And I feel pretty swish about myself when I do.

Here are my top tips for reducing your plastic footprint:

1. Look for non-plastic packaging at the supermarket. Buy sugar and flour in paper, not plastic. Grab your OJ in a cardboard carton. Your oats in a box. Seek out condiments in glass. A super fun game for the savvy shopper ;) It could also be a fun game for the kids (if you want to be at the supermarket for 5 hours). 

2. Gather your veggies sans plastic bags. There's no need to put each individual piece of fruit in a bag. I put mine straight in the trolley, but you could bring BYO box, too. Choose veggies that aren't wrapped in plastic. Bananas don't need to be wrapped in plastic! THEY ALREADY HAVE A WRAPPER. Opt for a whole tomato, rather than a punnet of baby toms in plastic. You get the idea.

3. Collect yourself some cute calico bags. You have permission to leave your green Woolies bags at home when you go shopping for clothes. In fact, please don't tote those around like makeshift handbags. Much daggy. Very faux pas. Keep a calico number in your car and what-not for spur-of-the moment shopping adventures. 

4. Revamp your takeaway beverage habit with a reusable cup, like KeepCup. Better yet, save your pennies, invest in a mug, and make use of your office coffee machine.

5. Bake homemade cookies and save the planet at the same time! Nuff said.

6. Explore the wonderful world of cloth nappies. I can hear the mamas laughing through my screen, but I'm still going to try these out if and when the time come for me to be a mama bear. Google 'eco nappies', 'cloth nappies' or 'bamboo nappies' - the options seem to be endless, and some of them are pretty stylin'. Have a go at saving disposables for trips out of the house - every stinky nappy counts (it kind of hits home when you realise that the plastic from the nappies you wore as a baby, still exist.)

7. Get back to basics with beauty. From bamboo/charcoal toothbrushes to Lush shampoo bars, there are many ways we can pare back the cosmetics cupboard. A jar of coconut oil is a versatile bathroom staple that can be used for hair treatments, lip balm and an in-shower moisturiser. Try replacing bottles of shower gel with a bar of dreamy charcoal soap (my fave here). Give my homemade lemongrass sugar scrub a birl. 

8. Re-usable containers are your go-to for storing leftovers. Reach for your Pyrex or Tupperware before the cling film or snap bags. 

9. Peruse the supermarket for eco laundry items. It's a plastic nightmare in those aisles, but if you look carefully, there's usually at least one (often only one!) non-plastic packaged version. Think laundry detergent and dishwasher powder. If stuck, another option is to buy in bulk or in concentrated forms.

10. Put down the bottle of Fiji Water. I repeat, put down the bottle. That pretty label may look eco-friendly, but oh, it's not. The simplest tip of all: get a reusable water bottle, and refill it from the tap. When you want to treat yo'self to a soft drink, try the options in aluminium or glass.

11. Look for plastic-free alternatives such as icecream in boxes, wrapped in paper, rather than in a plastic tub.

12. Invest in quality-made products that last such as wooden/steel garden tools and ceramics, rather than plastics that crack and have to be replaced.

13. Rethink gifts for children. Kids get given a LOT of stuff, often in the form of plastic. For tactile/educational toys, look at alternative options made from wood and textiles. Books are always a wonderful idea, as is something they can use outside. Get creative and help them make a cubby out of a cardboard box (they'll love it) or take them on an outing as a present, like a trip to the movies.

14. Go plastic-free when entertaining crowds. If your party calls for disposable dinnerware, choose cardboard or bamboo plates and festive paper straws over plastic. 

15. Be a creative gift giver. Before you get to the checkout, try to think about the practicality of the stuff you buy. Maybe the gift of an experience would be well received? It's hard to go wrong with a voucher for the movies, a nice restaurant or spa! 

Thanks for reading, and happy converting! Do you have any other ideas for going plastic free? I'd love to hear your suggestions in the comments below. X

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FULL-TIME BUSINESS LADY

Image: Letterfolk

Hey guys. It's been a hot minute since I've updated this space with any degree of regularity, but if you'll humour me by stopping back next Monday, I'm intended to post on a weekly basis (!).

I've missed blogging, but between an engagement (mine), wedding (also mine!), renovating, moving house, working in the city, and juggling my own business, writing for fun was kicked to the curb.

Thanks for stopping by, though. This space is probably looking a bit tired at the moment – might have to freshen it up soon but for now, time to get down to business.

Two new changes have allowed me to free up some time for blogging. 1) I've decided to make the time. 2) I've left my corporate job to focus on my own business.

I've been working in corporate desk jobs for the past decade and it was time to explore a new mode of work. If not now, when?

Four years ago I started a hobby business, Little Bow Thief, which I re-branded last year as Sweet Tilly Flint. The bizwah has been ticking along surprisingly successfully for such a niche side gig. It's always had room to expand, but I haven't had the time to do it. Juggling both my day job and Sweet Tilly Flint meant that I was working a lot of nights and weekends, at the expense of my sanity, and ability to spend weekends the way they should be spent – having fun and making memories!

We (husband and I) had been talking about the idea of me turning my side hustle into a full-time hustle for a while, but in the end it was my frustration with feeling boxed in at work that led to the final decision to test the legs of this business. Enough talking. Enough speculating. Time to see what the business can do, and what working from home is really like. If I never tried, I would never know. So here I am, full-time hustling. Eeeeep!

Today marks the beginning of my third week as a fully-fledged self-employed business chick. Over the past couple of weeks I've had to curb the urge to get lost in all the creative ideas in my head, and instead have focused on getting on top of general life admin (all those pesky jobs and papers that no one ever has time for) – plus taking care of orders as usual. I've also taken the time to draw up some solid work schedules, focus tasks and plans to move the business forward. It hasn't been easy to pump the breaks on crafting, but when there's a tonne of background work to do, de-cluttering and planning are key. I've got schedules for my scheduling and lists for my lists, and I can finally see myself edging forward. Case in point: today's blog post was brought to you as a result of my impressive new schedule. *pats self on back*

That's a little about where I'm at today. 

On the blog, over the next few weeks I want to  show you how I feng shui'd my home workroom, glimpse at my first impressions of being self-employed and working from home, and talk a bit about going plastic-free (beyond plastic-free July). 

Until next Monday!

x

BIG MAGIC

Hi there, readers. Are you still there? It's 2.55 on Thursday afternoon, and I have a story for you.

I haven't written since the beginning of the year. It's been a busy year, and there's things to report. Very exciting and wonderful things. In fact, I just got back from my honeymoon a few days ago. But that story will have to wait for another day, because today I'm going to talk about how I'm locked out of the house. And how, it's kinda sorta, a bit cool, it turns out.

Right now I'm sitting on a patch of dog-fluffy carpet, on the floor of my parents' garage. My phone is plugged into the socket, next to Dad's whipper snipper. I'm still in my work clothes from this morning (but I look a bit raggedy). My border collie, Lily, is asleep a metre to my left, but bless her, I have a cold and I keep waking her with a start, every time I sneeze.

How did my day come to this?!

I went to work this morning already sick with a head cold that had developed overnight. I usually wouldn't go to work sick - it really bugs me when people do that. You never know who has an important event coming up that they want to be well for! You should just stay home if you're sick. But the thing is, yesterday was my first day back at work after having been away for three weeks, so I ignored my own rule.

I sneezed at my desk til 11am, at which time my manager agreed it would be best I go home. I had some things to collect from my parents' place before driving home (45 minutes south of my current location) so I came here, gathered my things and then... locked my car keys inside the house. :(

I sent SOS messages to my Mum, to find out her coordinates and if she was at work, and if so, what time she'd be home. 5 hours away.

I obviously then walked around the outside of the house to see if I could break in. Unfortunately my parents are pretty vigilant about securing the house. Luckily the garage door was open though, as it always is, so Lily can come and go. I found some wire in Dad's tool cupboard and tried to pick the lock of the internal garage door, because, obviously picking locks should be a piece of cake and doesn't require any special skills, right? The spirit of McGuiver was not on my side today.

By the way it was a steamy 29C outside and let's not forget, I'm sick. I was not having a fun time. I set up a cushion chair in the shade and finished the last couple of chapters of my book. By that time, I was starving, so packed my handbag, rolled up my trousers, and braced myself for the 20-minute walk through the heat to the shops, in search of food. This is a true story of survival.

It was a scorching walk and not enjoyable. I had some lunch and then went to get supplies: tissues, afternoon snack, a charger and a new book.

I was browsing past the woo-woo section of books and a title called Big Magic; Creative Living Beyond Fear, popped out at me. In hindsight, this is interesting, because I'm dead sure there is a post-it taped to my corkboard at home with the book title Big Magic. I think someone recommended it, though can't recall who. Anyway, I bought it, and decided to walk home. May have stopped past Dunkin Donuts for a self-pity snack. #deserveit.

To my surprise, when I stepped outside of the shopping centre I saw that enormous steel-blue storm clouds had gathered, and they looked like they were about to drop. Sure enough, 5 minutes into my walk home, down came those big, fat raindrops. Right onto my thin white blouse, as I stood waiting at the traffic lights of a 4-way intersection. Perfect.

As I walked homewards I started feeling excited about the shelter of the garage. Isn't it funny, how perception shifts.

I re-positioned myself on my makeshift lounge station and opened up Big Magic.

I'm only six pages in. The introduction talks about famous poet, Jack Gilbert. Page 4 talks about his stint as a teacher...

"...he asked his students to be brave. Without bravery, he instructed, they would never be able to realize the vaulting scope of their own capacities. Without bravery, they would never know the world as richly as it longs to be known. Without bravery, their lives would remain small - far smaller than they probably wanted their lives to be."

It was then that I knew. I stopped reading and looked up at the sky, now streaked with harmless white clouds. I said, "thank you".

See, when I had arrived back at the train station after coming home from work this morning, I got in my car, and I had a question for my helpers (of the angelic variety). I've had some questions about what I'm doing, work-wise, and where I'm going.

I kept reading, til I got to the end of the introduction, which reads:

"He (Jack Gilbert) smiled at the girl (a student) with infinite compassion and asked, "Do you have the courage? Do you have the courage to bring forth this work? The treasures that are hidden inside you are hoping you will say yes."

And then I cried a few happy, slightly overwhelmed tears. I realised that the utterly weird direction that my day took, was not an accident. I was meant to get this book and read these words. And that's why I'm sitting on the dog-furry carpet, with a headcold, locked out - but feeling grateful, and not at all sorry for myself (well... I could be feeling worse).

XO

Edit: Got home and, sure enough, there's the post-it. #magic #visionboards #lawofattraction

2016 AND LAST YEAR'S 'VEGAN' LIFE

Hello!

Long time, no blog.

2015 was busy, excellent, wonderful, life changing, extremely challenging, stressful, heartbreaking and then pretty wonderful all over again. I sure did learn a lot, and achieve a lot, in 2015.

One week into the new year and I'm feeling so excited about all of the wonderful new adventures and experiences that the future has in store.

The thing I wanted to write about tonight was my journey so far with living vegan.

I use the term loosely... let me explain.

Around this time last year I came across some information about eating animal products, and the cruelty associated with that, and it opened my eyes. It spurred me on to keep seeking information, and I have been continuing my education ever since.

My history shows that I can be a flighty person when it comes to routines concerning diet or exercise. I'll typically go through phases where I'm really into exercise, and then I won't really do anything for literally months. And same with diets - they can last a few weeks and then I fall off, then start again, or not.

So that being said, there was every chance that I'd start down this vegan path and then turn my back on it, but the amazing thing is, I haven't.

I haven't been fully vegan at any point in 2015, or even fully vegetarian. I've been gentle with myself at times because it's not been easy for me to change the habits that are ingrained in me, especially when you are literally the ONLY one among your entire circle of friends and family and colleagues who are eating this way. (The statistic is that 17% percent of people identify as vegetarian or vegan - where are you guys?!)

Anyway, throughout the whole of 2015 I've had some meat dishes here and there (I would say, 1-2 serves of red meat a month). I've had 1-2 servings of fish every week. Hardly any chicken, either - maybe once or twice a month. Dairy and egg consumption has also been hugely down. Barely any dairy milk (only splashes in tea if no other available), no yoghurt whatsoever. Some butter here and there. Cheese is tricky - I don't have a lot, but have found that hard to let go of for things like pizza and jaffels. Chocolate and treat desserts have also remained on the menu. In 2014, meat was a part of every lunch and dinner, and eggs were a part of many breakfasts. I haven't been 100% animal-free in 2015 but the change has been huge.

All in all, from January to December, I was consistent. Even though I have been far from perfect, not once did I grandly fall off any wagons or turn my back on my decision. I've always bounced right back to it immediately because I know it's the only choice.

Do I miss meat and stuff? Yes and no. It is mostly hard socially, and being the odd one out, when everyone else is getting into certain things. I don't want to eat them, yet a know they're tasty. Sometimes I eat them and then feel weak and guilty. And when I don't eat it, sometimes no one notices. Othertimes I feel sorry for myself. And often I will feel self-conscious because I suppose people think I'm trying to make a statement, but I'm not. I'm just doing what I'm doing. Sometimes you wish you still had the wool over your eyes because that would make my life so much easier! But at the end of the day, I know it's best.

It's difficult having people question you, in a way where they are kind of being aggressive. There is so much to tell, so it's hard to really give a meaningful answer without talking for 20 minutes straight. I don't want to feel like a preacher, and I'm also self conscious because I myself am not 100% vegetarian, so I feel like I don't have a right to say much.

I do miss the tastes and my favourite recipes. I suppose that's why I haven't fully "converted". I can't say at this point if I'll ever be able to commit 100%, and I say that with full knowledge that it's not healthy and unethical to eat animal products. But my hope is to continue to make changes for the better.

I don't miss meat when I'm at home, for the most part. I eat good food and I feel more energetic and less weighed down eating a plant-based diet. Sometimes when I have had red meat it tastes so oily and fatty and I just feel like I'm eating something dead with no value in it (funny that.)

Sometimes it's a struggle and I do crave meat and dairy products, and I eat them sometimes too, but I could never go back to eating how I used to.

My goal in 2016 isn't to be perfect. I know I will struggle and I know I'll eat some stuff I'd prefer not to. But I also know that I got through a whole year without losing my trajectory (without it being an effort) and I am so proud of that. So I will just continue onwards... making tweaks, building my recipe repertoire, and trying my best to be a strong and patient person.

I watched this YouTube clip tonight - it is kind of long, but I also think it covers a lot of bases and rings true.

I hope you have time to watch it.

Also, some great documentaries:

- Forks Over Knives
- Cowspiracy
- Food Inc.
- Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead
- Earthlings

YouTube:

101 Reasons to Go Vegan
Animal Rights Speech
The Excuses Speech

HELLO OUT THERE

Fluoro Blobs Painting - Amazing

Flamboyant Fashion Camel

It's felt like squillions of days since my last blog. I miss blogging. Things have been completely hectic in life lately and I haven't carved out the time. Thing is though, you have to make time for the things in life that make you happy.

So it looks like I didn't mention on here the major news that Lindsay and I got engaged in May! Hoorays! And yes, that would be one of the major factors of life being a bit hectic, in a good way. Of course, I was so excited and surprised when Lindsay sprung that one on me (yes I may have given him a USB stick with two folders named 'Yes Rings' 'No Rings' but I thought it might get lost in his sock drawer for a year or so). That initial few days of sharing the buzz of our engagement with one another and our friends was really amazing, and quite overwhelming, too. One is not accumstomed to receiving so much attention in one big thwack, but hey, it was pretty great as well.

A few days after our engagement we flew up to Singapore for a week. It wasn't exactly planned that way, but I can vouch for engagement-moons! It was the best. We had such a fantastic trip and it was great to get away and enjoy one another's company and the glow of my ring  our news.

So I have to say, the only un-fun part about wedding planning, so far, has been the venue selection. We didn't have an idea to begin with so when we sat down to pull a shortlist together online, we were literally considering the whole state. #sospecific. Anyway, we decided to drive up to Byron Bay on a bit of a whim as there was a wedding fair on, and kinda fell head over for this place in the hinterland. We came back home to Wollongong and looked at a few other places closer to home, but our little hearts had been stolen so we ended up going with Byron, and we're both really excited.

Actually, in part, I think I have my Grafton Nanna to thank for that. My Grafton Nanna passed away a bit over a month ago. She would have been 87 on the 9th August. We travelled up to Grafton for her funeral. That weekend of the funeral we had planned to see one more venue, but of course we couldn't go because of the circumstances. The venue at Byron Bay only had one date in Spring 2016 remaining and we didn't want to chance missing out by delaying booking another week or more, so with that, the decision was made. So I said a quiet thankyou to Nanna because I think that she unknowingly gave us that little gift.

It was and has been a sad time for everyone. My Nanna brought us so many wonderful memories that we'll have forever. She liked to write, as well. She wrote detailed memoirs, and she and I were penpals for many years. It was a bittersweet farewell as we knew she had been ready to go, in her heart, for some time. When we were at the cemetery and her coffin was lowered into the ground above Poppy's grave, two little sparrows flew down and sat on top of the canopy above. I have chills even writing that now, which only affirms to me how real it was and is. It was the undoing of us all on the day and I believe that was Nanna and Poppy there with us, together again, with their own little sweet sendoff. Bittersweet.

Well I really didn't intend to come and write about that - but there it is.

Apart from the initial brain-haze with the venue selection, I've been having a lot of fun with planning our engagement party for November. Like, a LOT of fun. We're having the party in Mum & Dad's backyard and I am DIY craft heaven. Like it's pretty much going to be a DIY display with some music and wine also. And a glowstick ravecave. So yeah - loving this.

I'm working five days now and also still making wedding favours for Little Bow Thief, so all in all, life is pretty damn busy, but pretty great, too.

Today I bought an easel! Like a proper wooden artists one, a step up from the plastic white and red one that I had when I was a young thing. Not only that, but Riot was having a 50% off store-wide sale today, and I didn't even know it til I got there. Don't you just love that? I bought the easel primarily to prop up something for the party, but also, for the past year or so I've had this unrelenting desire to paint some stuff. Which has been a bit of a surprise because yes, I have always loved making and decorating things, but I've never actually tried to paint anything proper and thus I may not have any talent whatsoever. Hello abstractism. Pretty sure that's definitely the term. Pretty sure there is a painting in the Art Gallery of NSW that was made by a bloke throwing a can of Dulux at a canvas, so. Anyway, see those pictures above? I snapped those at a little gallery in Byron Bay. I like the brights. Maybe I'll use this as a little inspo when I get my artist on. I mean who doesn't love a fluro fashion camel? Um, nobody, that's who.

This blog has taken me five minutes past my sensible 10pm bedtime, so I'd better stop it there. This has been good, though. Says I :)

Why I Stopped Eating Animals & Animal Products

I've been holding off writing this post for a while, but now seems the right time.

[By the way, if you find this chunk of text too tedious, scroll straight to the bottom of the post for the videos.]

Early this year I made a change that I could never have foreseen - I started being vegan. I was one of those people, possibly like you, who regarded 'vegans' as a strange and extreme breed, but I didn't even understand or know anything about their choice. Looking back, I don't think I ever actually gave any thought to the reasoning behind their lifestyle, most likely I thought they simply didn't like the taste or concept of eating animals.

Well I can tell you that I am a (pretty) normal person, and until this year I was on the 'vegans are strange' side of the fence, but now here I am.

I don't judge anyone who eats animals or animal products (much, unless they really try to argue with me without having done any research, or express concern about my vitamin intake while they eat a Big Mac) because I was in the exact same position just six months ago, and ate animal products regularly for the first 31 years of my life without a second thought. Guiltily, I also remember once commenting that having a vegan partner would be grounds for a break-up. So, I know. I don't judge anyone because I know that before I came across the information that changed my mind, I simply didn't know about this stuff. This wasn't due to intentional ignorance, but quite simply, because the information had not come across my radar, at least not in a way to make me take notice. So, as I said, I don't judge people because I don't think the information has really taken flight. I also understand that giving up eating animals or animal products is an extremely difficult concept to grapple at first, when you and your family have lived this way your whole life and when so many social institutions revolve around shared eating. I don't know if it's just that I'm noticing it more now, but I think that more and more information is filtering through social media. It is only a matter of time before people won't be able to remain oblivious... the information is streaming into the public consciousness and the question will be: are you willing to allow yourself to be informed and then establish your position?

150 years ago slavery was legal and accepted as normal. Things change, civilisation evolves. The way that the world regards eating is slowly changing, too. A 2013 Public Policy Survey found that 13% of Americans identify as either vegans or vegetarians. In 1971 this figure was just 1%. Things are changing.

The happenings that led me to start eating vegan were accidental. At the beginning of this year I found myself getting really frustrated at the fact that human beings, for a supposedly intelligent species, are so confused about what we are meant to eat. I guess I was searching for information because I wanted to lose a few kilos, but became overwhelmed by all the different gurus who claim utter confidence in their diet, yet the foundations of their diets all conflict. There are the paleos, the sugar-quitters, the pro-sugars, the fasters and the anti-glutens to name just a few. SO many different groups making the matter SO confusing. There is really not a cookie-cutter approach to nutrition and what works for one may not work for another, and people will say the same about veganism (and will try to use that as an excuse). I myself tend to think that it's probably normal for people to eat seafood and very small quantities of red meat occasionally (another post) but the thing about veganism is that at the crux, it's not about the individual. Maybe in the past when the population was in control and there was less demand for food, and you could humanely kill the odd animal on the farm, it might be different? But the world population now places demands on food production that have led to mass farming and inhumane conditions for animals, hand in hand with environmental destruction. "There may be no other single human activity that has a bigger impact on the planet than the raising of livestock." (Source) 30% of the world's ice-free surface is used not to raise grains, fruits and vegetables that are directly fed to human beings, but to feed the animals that we eventually eat. Current levels of meat consumption are not environmentally sustainable.

Put simply our food choices are not just about us - they extend to animals, the environment, and even our families (i.e. our health and longevity).

I was in my lounge room one night when I asked the question, "Why don't humans know what we are supposed to eat?" I googled that very question and took to YouTube. I clicked from link to link and soon, videos in the sidebar of my YouTube popped up with titles such as "Why you should never drink milk". I glimpsed those titles and thought, "What the?" This was a completely new premise to me... I cannot recall ever having seen any information about milk being bad for you (or for the cows!) before this moment. For that reason, I can understand why people don't quite 'get' veganism yet. The information is there in spades if you search for it, but unless you go looking (or accidentally stumble upon it as I did) you probably won't see it. But I decided to click and watch, and one documentary led to another, and another, and I have been continuing my education ever since.

Did you ever realise that humans are the only species on earth to drink milk beyond infancy? Our human mother's milk is perfectly designed to provide us with everything we need in infancy, just like a cow's milk is designed to provide a calf with everything they need. Don't you think it's funny that we regard drinking a cow's milk as normal, but the idea of drinking bottled gorilla milk is weird? Did you realise that humans are the only species to consume the milk of another animal? Did you ever think how weird it would be if, in nature, we walked up to a cow and started sucking from its udder? Did you ever realise that a dairy cow can only produce milk constantly because it is repeatedly impregnated with a metal rod and kept in a constant state of pregnancy? Like humans, when cows are continuously lactating they develop mastitis, so the cows are given antibiotics to treat those infections, and then we drink those antibiotics along with the cow's hormones that are designed for a calf. Cows are a very maternal species. But when the cow has its baby, it is ripped away immediately, and many are placed in very small cages and starved, because that's what makes the most tender veal. Cows have a life expectancy of 15 years but the dairy cows collapse and die of exhaustion after a few years (standing on concrete facing a wall and hooked up to machines with their babies being repeatedly ripped away).

You know those slightly sharp teeth that we like to call our 'canines'? Have you compared them to a lion's or a dog's? Could you (or would you want to) run and chase an animal (pig, chicken, lamb, cow) down the street and rip into it, fur and all, with your bare teeth? If you were a true carnivore, that's exactly what you'd want to do. Your pointy teeth are good for piercing into fruit, not animals.

Did you know that animals are skinned alive for clothes, and did you know that cows and pigs have their testicles ripped out without any anesthetic, and that baby chickens are hooked up to de-beaking machines to slice off the most sensitive part of their body, to stop them from being able to establish a 'pecking order' in those cages? Did you realise that eggs are chicken periods... well, did you?

Some of the documentaries contain graphic and heart-wrenching videos of animal cruelty associated with the production of dairy and meat. I was on my bed watching these videos with tears running down my face. You can't mince words about this stuff because it's truly barbaric and there is no way around that. Until you open your eyes and educate yourself you won't understand. This is what I tell people: I didn't go searching for this information or lifestyle - the information kind of found me, and I couldn't "unsee" it. I had to face my conscience and make the choice whether to ignore what I'd learned or to be honest with myself. It would have been the easy road to have ignored it all; it is a massive thing and it's not always easy, but I wouldn't change my decision.

This is what I also say to people - meat is delicious. Yum. Bacon, eggs, ice cream, chocolate, cheese, chicken nuggets, butter, cream - yum yum yum - some of my favourite foods. You think I don't like the taste of those anymore? Never said they weren't delicious. This isn't about liking or not liking it; it's about something that is more important than yourself. And yeah, it's about sacrificing and saying 'no' to stuff that you know is delicious (though tastes are changing) because I know how it got to the plate, and that it's not good for me. That is the only reason that, 5-6 months on, I am still on this vegan path and still have every intention of keeping on it. If it were just about a diet - a way to lose weight, then I would 100% have ditched it by now, because as I said, animal products taste good. It's not about me though. That's why I can do it. If the welfare of animals isn't something that interests you, consider looking into it for your health. If you're not encouraged by your health but call yourself an environmentalist, look into it for that.

I am not perfect. I have heard of people who decided one day to go vegan and then that is it - I admire them, but people have different relationships and battles with food, and cold turkey didn't come easily for me. I was straight vegan for a few weeks near the beginning and I felt amazing. I had an absolutely noticeable mental clarity. After that initial strong few weeks I have slipped into old habits and do eat some animals products sometimes, i.e. some chocolate and cheese and the occasional meat dish, particularly when eating with family. For these reasons I don't say "I'm a vegan", because I am not 100%, but I am working towards it and my diet has changed considerably. The trickiest thing is the social aspect, but that could be a whole post on its own.

Anyway, I could write for hours about all the various aspects of this, both my experience, and the amazing health benefits and environmental and ethical reasons behind it, but that would be pretty tedious. Instead, I am going to post links to some of the videos that influenced me from the start, because they will explain everything in greater (and more interesting) detail than I can. Maybe later I will come back and write some more about my experiences.I hope that you will be man enough to set aside some time by yourself to watch them.

Thanks for reading.

There are many, many vegan channels on YouTube - some of the ones that I personally get the most out of are Bite Size Vegan, Freelee the Banana Girl, Andrew Perlot and Teshia Mahar. I subscribe to their channels and when I have spare moments throughout the week I'll catch up and it helps keep me inspired and informed.

On Instagram I like to follow @animaliakirstea @freeleethebananagirl and @inthesoulshine.

VEGAN ANZAC BISCUITS + HISTORY LESSON

This year I've been eating mostly animal-product-free; I haven't written about this on the blog yet but will save that for another day. Today we talk ANZAC biscuits. First, a history lesson:

"The army biscuit, also known as an Anzac wafer or Anzac tile, is essentially a long shelf-life, hard tack biscuit, eaten as a substitute for bread. Unlike bread, though, the biscuits are very, very hard. Some soldiers preferred to grind them up and eat them as porridge. It is said that biscuits with a similar recipe to the one we knew today appeared in magazines under different names, sometimes called "Rolled Oat Biscuits" or "Soldier's Biscuits". The current name only came about after the legendary ANZAC Gallipoli Campaign.Anzac biscuit recipes, in the form we know them today, began appearing in cookbooks in the 1920s. As World War One drew on, groups including the CWA (Country Women’s Association), church groups, schools and other women’s organisations would spend large amounts of time baking and packing Anzac biscuits. To ensure that the biscuits remained crisp, they were packed in used tins, such as Billy Tea tins." 

Source: skynews.com.au

I must admit I was nervous this afternoon when I set out to try a vegan variation of my Grafton Nanna's tried and true recipe - I wasn't confident it would work. To make a fair comparison, I made half of the biscuits using butter, as per the original recipe, and the other half (the ones with the hearts) using mild olive oil. I'm thrilled to say that the vegan versions turned out amazingly, in fact, I like them better than the butter versions!

Here's the recipe:

*1 cup plain (all purpose) flour
*3/4 cup desiccated coconut
*3/4 cup white sugar
*1 cup rolled oats
*125g mild olive oil
*2 tablespoons water
*2 tablespoons honey or golden syrup
*1 teaspoons baking powder or bi-carb soda

Preheat oven to 170C fan forced. Mix all of the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Combine the oil, honey and water in another small bowl until well incorporate. Add the wet ingredients to dry and mix well. Roll spoonfuls of mixture and place on baking sheets lined with baking paper. Flatten with your palm. Bake for approximately 10 minutes or until golden.

Note: Make sure that you use a mild olive oil (it will be called 'mild' or 'light' on the bottle) as regular extra virgin olive oil has too strong a taste, and won't be nice at all. You could also try coconut oil if you prefer (I'm not a huge fan as the taste tends to take over).

Showing appreciation through baking.
Lest we forget.

9-5 WINTER WORK WARMERS

What is going on with the weather today, New South Wales?!

This morning I lost a good friend. My favourite umbrella. For years I have been smugly cavorting with my beloved, trustworthy brolly. Come light sprinkles or torrential downpours, she and I would make our way through soggy streets, looking down upon inferior umbrellas that could not withstand windy challenges. They turned themselves in and were discarded on the pavement. All around us it was an umbrella graveyard; we chuckled and pranced merrily along.

Today, my smugness was blown to smithereens in a catastrophic display of brolly comeuppance. My umbrella turned inside out. I blinked, and she was gone with the wind. It was every iota of humiliation that I had always imagined but seldom feared.

R.I.P umbrella. Thank you for your service.

This got me thinking, on a day like to today (when we would rather be at home in our trackies) besides having a reliable umbrella, how can  a 9-5 office woman better prepare for the chilly months ahead?

1. Hunter Gum Boots 2. Madame Flavour Tea 3. Max Brenner Chocolate Powder 4. Heinz Soup 5. Lush Lip Balm 6. Panda Gloves 7. Touch Screen Gloves 8. Amigo Black Blanket 9. Ugg Ear Muffs 10. Senz Umbrella 11. Gel Hand Warmers 12. San Diego Hat Company Fingerless Gloves 13. Dotti Twist Headband

As for the necessities...

PANTS
I actually despise stockings. Besides not offering the slightest bit of warmth (it’s like wearing a serviette as a winter coat?) they are hideously uncomfortable. How can a see through piece of fabric, aka hosiery, keep one comfortable on a frosty day? Anything that will tear unless you put them on with a pair of oven mitts, is not robust enough to provide winter warmth. Unless they are minimum one million denier, I don't want a bar of them. Even then, I have to buy them in Extra Extra Extra Long (even though I am not) because anything smaller and I have to contend with that low-hanging stocking crutch like I'm in kindergarten. You can bet if they're not hanging low, they're hitched up to your pits. Pants. What's wrong with pants? Get some today, at a store near you.

UMBRELLA SANS-DEATH WISH
It goes without saying that you need to spend some dollars on a good, sturdy umbrella. Those five dollar numbers are just going to end with embarrassment.

MITTENS N GLOVES
I'm a lover of gloves and mittens and always have a pair at hand during winter. Fingerless gloves, or touch screen gloves, may not be as fetching as the panda mittens pictured above (which I own, by the way) but they sure are handy for preventing Frostbite by Smartphone.

EARMUFFS
Don't knock em til you've tried em. Equally as handy for blocking out that ol' cranny from Payroll as they are for keeping toasty on your commute.

NON-DEPRESSING SNACKS
Herbal teas, soups and hot chocolate. When you're holed up in an office, particulary one that insists on maintaining sub-zero aircon temps in July, you need to have a little warming stash in your drawer. When it's cold, I find my carrot stick snacks about as appealing as a fish slap, so it's good to make like a Girl Guide and be prepared with a few snacks that will satisfy a craving and (possibly) prevent you from making a daily trip to the nearest food court for all of the deep fried things covered in melted cheese.

GUM BOOTS
There's nothing worse than arriving at work with soggy ankles! A pair of wellingtons will keep you warm and dry, and will enable you to splash in puddles, so. If you must, pack a pair of flats to change at work and/or start your winter with some good boots to keep the tootsies cozy all day long. There really is something to be said for Happy Feet.

LIP BALM
Lest you get caught in a face-whipping, lip-drying gust, unless you want to get around town looking like Ronald McDonald, carry a lip balm in your bag at all times.

LAP BLANKET
Listen, I used to work in a place that was so cold in winter that my bones seized up and I died. In these situations, make like a granny, I say, and stash a lap blanket at work. Who the hell cares - haters gonna hate and they just be jelly.


That concludes my handy guide on how to survive winter in a 9-5 way! Please feel free to drop your own hints below. x