may recall the challenges that I am having with the 100 mile diet – scroll down to categories at the bottom of the page if you have missed the posts.

Tortilla Recipe

2 cups self raising flour

1 tsp salt

2 tbsp vegetable oil

3/4 cup warm milk.

I just mixed it all together and let it all sit for a while. Then I broke it up into balls and rolled them out really thinly on a floured bench. I them ’scooped’ them up with an egg lifter and put them in the frying pan. I only used a tiny spray of cooking oil and had the pan as hot as it would go. It only took a about 20 seconds to cook each side. Number two son said they taste better than the packet ( God love him ! ) and as he is only six I am sure if they weren’t he would have soon let me know.

I used to buy the packet of ready made wraps. We often have them in the summer time. I marinate some chicken breasts cut into strips in ginger, coriander and lemongrass with a little soy sauce and then cook the strips on the barbecue. They are great for guests because you can lay out a smorgasbord of salad and everyone can make their own wraps. I have one friend from Sydney who loves them, but she is particularly sensitive to food chemicals and comes out in an itchy rash when we have them. I guess if you can stick a food product in a plastic bag and have it sit on the shelf for 3 or 4 months it must have something in it to preserve it.

I can’t wait until she tries these wraps. I hope she loves them.

Tomorrow is number one son’s 9th birthday and tonight I dropped by our locally owned independent toy store ‘Mal’s’. Mal showed me the little plastic pieces that lock together to make things catalogue and told me that anything with a star next to it means that he is unable to order it in because they only supply it to the two large department stores in my area.
Well…………. I was horrified. Those Goliaths are going to put my David out of business if they keep going this way. All I can say and I shout it from the roof tops, is SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES. I have seen it in a town I used to live in where the only fuel is distributed by those companies who are associated with a food store. Once the independents are gone, the market is owned by the Goliaths and there is no competition and they set the prices. Fuel in this town was 12 c a litre more expensive than the nearest town.
So… I am even more passionate now about keeping local people in business, whether you buy your eggs off the lady down the road, or attend your local farmers market or barter with friends. THINK BEFORE YOU BUY !!!!!

As you have probably noticed, I REALLY enjoy cooking from scratch. It brings me joy to put the effort in and be rewarded with tastes that far surpass that of the bought alternative. There are health benefits, in that I don’t add any 621, 379, 202 or any of the other ingredients I see on packet foods and there are financial benefits, meaning it is so cheap to cook.

Over the weekend I made the following:

- chicken and sweet corn soup

- special garlic bread ( as No 1 son calls it. Th picture is of him helping to make it. )

- chocolate self saucing pudding

-orange cordial

- coriander and cashew dip for a dinner we went to.

and thoroughly enjoyed it.

In keeping with the local food challenge, something we really struggle with, I can say that the only local food was the oranges. Sad, but true.

Over at Towards Sustainability tonight she has a brilliant post about the bionic burger. Please go over and check it out. ( link at right) As you know, we too have been to a Sue Dengate seminar and that is the basis for my non-preservative approach to things.
When I first read Sue’s book and checked out her website it really struck me. I explained to hubbie that all we had to do was eat like it was the 1950’s. I shop with her little wallet reminder of which additives to avoid and when you do, you end up cooking things from scratch and the few packaged things you have in your trolley are the products that have been around for some time and have remained unchanged.
If you have young children I really suggest you download her material from the website and have a look. I have two boys aged 6 and 8 and I would certainly not class them as naughty or hyperactive in any way. I just know how different they are when they have an accumulation of junk food. Son no. 1 is very placid and gets dark under the eyes and lethargic and sad when he has overdosed and son no. 2 gets really emotional – crying, angry and ends up wetting the bed when he has overdosed. When they eat the pure way ( only avoiding numbers not salicilaytes and amines) they are calm, even tempered boys.
Tonight on ABC Radio National I was listening to a broadcast about imported food. The USA and Japan have recently formed committees to investigate the safety of imported food. Recently Chinese seafood, toothpaste and toy trains ( of all things) have been deemed toxic by US standards. I find it really interesting to look at Seafood in the supermarkets since the legislative changes now mean that the country of origin must be displayed. What better reason to eat locally !!! Hubbie was talking to a fisherman today from a fishing town near our home and he said they are now feeling the pinch because of the imported seafood. Do you know that it is OUR fault ? We always want things cheaper. What price are we willing to pay to save a few cents ? Are we willing to put our local businesses out of work so we can save a few cents ? Are we willing to ingest unknown toxins to save money. I challenge you to THINK before you BUY.
Read the label. What list of additives is in your food and where is it from ?