Homesick...but not how you may think

I love it here in Australia, I really really do. Ask my hubby, every time we go out I'm constantly commenting on how pretty it is here!!

But every now and then I find myself having a moment...a moment where I feel almost homesick. It's been 8 years since we left Virginia so I've easily dealt with missing my family and friends from there. However after leaving Virginia and moving around a bit as we have, we were still within the United States. A lot of the food was still the same at least as far as what I could buy at the store. Some veggies we like were much harder to find up north such as Ford hook Lima beans but we managed.

No my homesickness is deriving from a lack of familiarity. A lot of things here are very different, more then the obvious like dialect and driving on the "wrong" side of the road. But as some know from reading here, I'm a Foodie! I love to cook and bake and try new recipes and of course feed it to my love ones. My family really loves the fact that I'm a Foodie as they often get to enjoy the fruits of my labour.

Over the years I've spent in the kitchen I have fallen in love with certain ingredients such as Nielsen Massey Bourbon Vanilla and Spice Islands Saigon Cinnamon and let us forget Ghirardelli cocoa chips. None of which I have been able to find easily here. I often feel lost when I go to the super markets to shop. While we do enjoy the bountifulness of the freshest produce (something not often enjoyed in Alaska) I'm still "homesick" for some frequently used ingredients.

There is absolutely some fantastic foods food here in Australia, visit any corner bakery and you;ll experience it first hand. So obviously culinary cuisines can be easily created with the local ingredients available....but I guess this is one of those adjustments I must make, even though it feels more like a sacrifice, to be able to be here without my normal cooking goodies.

Hopefully over the coming years I'll be able to find many culinary delights for cooking and baking with. In the mean time...I'll simply reminisce.

 

Herb Encrusted Fried Chicken

I'm Southern, we fry food, nuff said...well something like that.

I love finding ways to take that wholesome comfort food (you know that stuff you were raised on but turns out its bad for you) and make it a little healthier without losing all the great flavours.

This is my fried chicken recipe, it's a little unconventional compared to the way others may make theirs but I like it, it taste great and it's rather simple to make.

Here's what you'll need:

I use wholemeal flour, salt, pepper, Italian seasonings, garlic, panko breadcrumbs and peanut oil.

Oh and of course the chicken would help. Normally I use our own homegrown chicken but since we haven't gotten our flock set up yet then go down to your local store or farmer's market and buy some chicken. I like the thighs.

You can save money by buying the ones with the skin on them, which you would think would be essential to making good fried chicken right? Wrong!

First things first, take it all off...the skin that is and trim the fat off as well.

Next add 2 cups of flour, 2 cups of Panko, 2 1/2 Tbsp of Italian seasoning, a sprinkle of garlic, salt and pepper to season (I use about 1 1/2 Tbsp and 2 tsp of salt). Mix it all together!

Then whip up a few eggs in a bowl, like so.

Dip the chicken in the egg

Add chicken to the flour mixture and coat well

Add about 3/4"-1" of Peanut Oil to a large deep skillet and heat on medium-high heat until a splash of water sizzles or until it reaches 400*F.

  

Cook roughly 8-10 minutes on each side until deep golden brown, lay on paper towels  but do not cover. Even though the skins are removed, we added Panko which gives the chicken a crunchy outer coating.

Enjoy

The many AMAZING uses of Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous Earth or D.E. is what I often refer to as "God's little miracle powder", even though technically it's not a powder at all.

D.E. is actually fossilized diatoms or the remains of marine phytoplankton. It's 100% Organic and has numerous uses that are not only safe around animals but humans as well. It works through a physical action and not a chemical one. Organic gardeners often use D.E. in their gardens/farms for pest control.

It's effective uses compile a rather long list from chemical free pest control for the home and garden to natural dewormer in animals and humans.

The way D.E. works internally is so amazing yet quite simple. It is formed of rock hard (comes in at a 7 on the hardness scale, Diamonds are a 9) cylinder tubes full of holes. They are negatively charged and as they move through the body they attract and absorb viruses, toxins, drug residues, pesticides, heavy metals and e-coli then pass through the body. It's microscopically sharp edges work as little scrubbers inside the intestinal walls removing years of gunk build up and mucus, helping us absorb more nutrients from our food.

Some D.E. is absorbed into the blood stream as silica which helps in destroying bad fats and lowers cholesterol, along with numerous human uses such as lowering cholesterol and high blood pressure, detoxing your body, treating Osteoporosis, and naturally killing ridding your body of unwanted parasites. Please see the many Human Uses to find out even more.

Externally D.E. works against pest like ants, spiders, bed bugs, fleas. ticks, lice, and mites by slicing through their exoskeletons and dehydrating them causing them to die. It also slices slugs and snails keeping them out of the garden. Dust your vegetable plants such as tomatoes and peppers to keep aphids from destroying your precious plants.

Safely and effectively deworm your dog, your livestock and even yourself by adding D.E. to their feed or in your morning coffee. It works the same way by microscopically slicing up any internal parasites and causing them to die and flush through your system. Dust your poultry in D.E. to treat or simply prevent mites and lice. Dust your dog and cat to treat and prevent fleas, ticks, lice and mites (the number one cause of Demodectic, Sarcoptic and Cheyletiella mange).

When using D.E. around your home and garden always use Food Grade D.E. as there are several other D.E. products available but they have often been mucked with. D.E. labeled as a chemical insecticide has Pyrethrin added to it, and never use the one for Pool filtration systems as it has been super heated and changed from a pure absorbent silica to crystalline silica which is very toxic.

The only known harmful effect from using Food Grade D.E. is if it gets in your eyes as it is drying and can be scratchy. Or if it is inhaled, especially for those who have asthma as it can irritate the lungs.

One of the great things about D.E. is that it naturally provides Silica. Silica is naturally found in our foods and our soil however decades of over-farming and not properly taking care of the soil has caused a huge depletion of silica. Did you know that cancer can not form in cells where the silica amounts are properly balanced because silica promotes an alkaline environment and supports normal cell division? D.E. is currently being tested in Alzheimer testing as it is proven to remove heavy metal, and as Alzheimer's is believed to be connected to metal absorption in the brain...then it only makes sense. 

The amount of D.E. that my family and I take is 1tbsp per day. I must also mention that the FDA has not approved D.E. for human consumption though it has been rated as "Generally Regarded as Safe." Well considering the fact that the FDA will approve everything Monsanto manufactures regarding US agriculture and the poisons in it, then D.E.'s lack of FDA approval is a good thing to me!! :)  Sorry for the political vent!

There really are so many benefits to not only taking D.E. yourself but using it on your animals and around your home and garden. I urge you to give it a try!

Visit How Diatomaceous Earth works to learn more.

Going Green using Diatomaceous Earth How-To tips by Tui Rose helps to explain even more of the wonderful uses for D.E.

In Australia visit The Plant Doctor and in the United States visit Earth Works Health to Order Diatomaceous Earth.

Coconut Prawns

When I originally had the idea to start blogging it was suppose to be a place to organize new ideas, recipes, interesting life events etc. Obviously with our recent migration to Australia the Life events category has taken center stage here. Well that's about to change!!! While I will still be including fun and interesting things from our new life down under I will also be posting craft, gardening and lots of Foodie stuff!

Starting with a very easy and incredibly tasty Coconut Prawns recipe.

Here's what you'll need:

1 Kilo (about 2 pounds) of large Uncooked Shrimp or Prawns
2 1/2 cups of baking mix (divided)
1 cup water
1 package (8 oz) of moist sweetened shredded coconut
1 tsp of salt
1/4 tsp ground red pepper
1 cup of Panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
Peanut Oil

For those who aren't familiar with Baking mix it is a simple mix to make in bulk and keep around.
6 cups of AP flour
3 Tbsp baking powder
1 Tbsp salt
3/4 cup shortening
Remember you only need 2 1/2 cups of the mix for this recipe.

Now there's lots of different ways to enjoy coconut shrimp, they all share the basics which is coconut, a batter to adhere the coconut and of course the shrimp/prawns. 

I start off with 1Kilo of large uncooked Banana Prawns. These prawns have a mild sweet flavour and are great to use with spices and full flavoured recipes. But any raw large bodied shrimp will do. Often if you buy them still intact and clean them at home, they're much cheaper!

Remove their heads, shell and legs and de-vain them. Leave the tail shell on as that makes them easier to handle. Give them a good rinse then butterfly them by taking a sharp knife down the back, be careful not to press completely through or you'll just split your prawn in half.

Next to prepare your batter stir 1 1/4 cup of baking mix with 1-1 1/2 cup of water in a bowl. I like it a little runnier than pancake mix.

Combine the coconut and panko together in a separate shallow dish.

Then stir the remaining 1 1/4 cup of baking mix with 1 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp red pepper into another bowl.

Coat all prawns in dry mixture then dip in wet mixture allowing the excess to drip off, then dip in coconut mix.

Place all coated shrimp on a baking sheet then place in freezer for about 10-15 minutes. This allows the 

coconut batter to stick really well to the shrimp.

You can use a deep fryer or a dutch oven with 3-4 inches of peanut oil heated to 350*F/176*C.
Cook shrimp 6-8 in a batch at a time in oil for about 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown.

Can be served with cocktail sauce, mustard sauce or no sauce at all.
Pair with a fresh snap peas and corn on the cob for a complete and satisfying meal.
Serves 6-8 people.

                                       Recipe adapted from Southern Living Cookbook

An Interest in Pinterest

I have awoken to a love of design that I didn't even know I had...

Pinterest! Is an amazing site that allows people to post their own photographs of their own designs or share others found through the Internet. I've been having many "Why didn't I think of that" moments recently but I'm also feeling truly inspired.

A friend of mine had mentioned this site to me over 6 months ago but I didn't get the big deal at the time. But just last week my curiosity got the better of me and now I'm hooked. If you're looking for ideas whether its decorating a room, a crochet pattern, or something inspirational like a stone path in Ireland...Pinterest has it.

From gardening to photography, from cars to baby rooms, if you're looking to be inspired, go check out Pinterest...

My current love of Kitchen designs
might have a little something to do with my "career" plans coming up in a few months.

I seem to have a thing for rustic yet very useful design.

So this is what Organization looks like? :)






















Happy Pinteresting!

The Adelaide Hills

It is such a beautiful place to live. We feel so blessed now being able to call this our home. As we drive down country streets surrounded by flowing green Vineyards and gaze upon classic country homemade signs advertising local family owned Orchards full of Raspberries, Strawberries, Cherries and Apples...I wonder how it is, that we of all people came to be so blessed. 


Yes I know that we worked really hard to get here and I know we prayed a lot, went without and tried our hardest to give our children what we felt was and is a better place to grow up, but it just doesn't feel real yet. This lovely country community we now reside in is even better than we could have imagined. I always wanted to live in a town with "a main street" where you could find all your local shops...no Walmart or Costco here, but there is a butcher a few bakers and while there is no candle stick maker there is a candle shop. I walk down the street and I start to know the people I say "Hello" to as I walk our children to school and back everyday. Where there are 4 distinct seasons, cows and sheep roaming green pastures and a real community feeling among everyone. Gorgeous little heritage towns like Hahndorf and Lobethal to the bigger town of Mount Barker, we really have it all right here.


The Ocean is only 40 minutes away (much to my hubby's delight) and Adelaide with all the fancy shops, that I won't admit to liking - wink wink- is only 35 minutes away. We really love where we are and for the first time in my entire adult life I can actually taste a real chance of settling down on our own Hobby Farm full of sheep, cattle and chickens some day. With weeping willow trees dancing over geese filled ponds and our children running around with smiles on their faces...ok so they already to that, but you get my point.

Australia

I now live in AUSTRALIA... 

Words I've waited years to be able to say are now very true. It's beautiful here. The weather is warm with a constant ocean breeze. There are Palm trees and Eucalyptus trees everywhere with a colourful variety of birds on display. While the people are just as warm and friendly as the weather. Though I could do without the Cockatoos waking me up every morning at 5am.

My favorite Aussie bird, the Pink Gala.

From previous post you know this journey has taken it’s time and we’ve not been without our struggles to get here...but we’re here now.

Our two precious Alaskan Malamutes are currently being held prisoner in Quarantine. A standard procedure as all animals entering the country require a minimum 30 days Quarantine. I know they are being well looked after and the staff has been exceptionally wonderful in dealing with my worrisome calls regarding their well being and if their eating, along with all the normal (well I think so) Mommy concerns I have for our beloved family pets. 

Our darling girls Myshka & Willow

There is a long list of things to do once one arrives in Australia. The Department of Immigration even sends you this list once you’ve been granted a Visa, though I think they forgot a few things like the REAL first thing to do is to establish some kind of an address, so that you can then get your mail or post delivered. There are also the basic communications such as a mobile phone. Opening a bank account (because EVERYTHING here is direct deposit, I’ll touch on that in a few), registering for Medicare (Australia’s free/low cost health care system) as well as Centrelink and of course applying for one’s Tax File Number. Oh and of course let the State of South Australia know that yes we’re here and where we are, since they were kind enough to sponsor us...it’s also mandatory for the next two years lol.

We are currently awaiting Tax File Numbers so we can go to work, it could take a few weeks as the Dept of Taxation here will verify that we’re legal with DIAC. If we start work prior to receiving our number or fail to give it to our employer then they can take 46% of our income and put us in the highest tax bracket...ouch! So in the mean time we’re camping at a Caravan park soaking up the sun, enjoying the local beaches and exploring the vineyards and hills and otherwise getting a good feel for our new surroundings.

So as I mentioned, everything here, as far as the money you get, goes through the bank. When you open an account the bank automatically gives you credit slips to give to your new employer with all of your direct deposit information on it, as far as we’ve learned everyone’s check/salary gets direct deposited. Medicare also likes this information in case you overpay for any service that may or may not be covered initially, then they can reimburse you. Centrelink, which is a very broad ranged system that covers many different services from Social Security payments, to the Baby bonus also wants your bank info because, you guessed it, they will direct deposit any and all payments. I guess all in all it really does make sense but it’s weird for me to give out such (what I consider) private information. Guess that just means it's time to adjust.

It's a little funny, since we were here four years ago (almost to the day), our youngest child Liam who was only 18 months old our first trip, has no memory of the beach. So when we finally stopped to play at the first beach we saw, it was like his very first time. He loves the beach now and it's so funny to watch him have all of his "first" experiences over again. Almost as if it's cheating for us getting to do it all over again with him :)

The kids surprisingly don't miss Alaska at all, well except for Liam as it's really the only home he's ever known. But he said he does prefer the sand over the snow, so I suppose he'll adjust in time. But while we don't miss Alaska, we do miss our friends. That was the hardest thing I think I've ever done was saying a very tearful goodbye to my beloved Best friend Aimee and her beautiful family. Though I know we will see each other again for visits and Skype, I still miss her terribly.

Anyway we’ve really enjoyed our journey so far, and we know it’s only beginning... 




And remember

I generally don't look this bummy but when a Mom of 6 travels 1,000km down the Great Ocean Rd in 2 days, the beauty routine goes right out the window!!