Graduation

Despite many resevations about having to go this ceremony; I did it.

To Graduate or not to Graduate

I was lucky enough to finish an undergraduate Degree awhile ago. It was a Bachelor of Social and Community Studies. I put alot into again that degree. Part of the time I was working part-time whilst studying full time and being a mom to 7 and a full time wife. Some of the time I questioned why I was even trying to do this degree. Sometimes I would cry my eyes out; stressed that whatever work I was handing in wouldn't be good enough or exhusted because I had begged my family for time to complete an assignment for weeks and it didn't come so I had to pull all-night study whilst still doing the rest of the stuff I had to do. Sometimes my all-night study meant that I wouldn't sleep at all for 2 or 3 days. I LOVED the classes, and managed to get a great grade point average which got me on the Golden Key Honors Society and has gotten me into a Masters Degree (Social Work). But, I finished this Undergraduate Degree awhile ago. I have spent this year starting my Masters and withdrawing until next year because of Uterine Cancer. I have just gone through surgery (3 and a half weeks ago) and have been told to take things easy. I would love too, but juggling a family has not allowed me that opportunity. Now, I am suppose to be going through a Graduation Ceremony tomorrow to receive this Undergraduate Degree. I don't want to go!Excuses:- I finished it awhile ago and have moved on, I have NOTHING to wear, taking the kids there will be noisy and stressful, I have to hire a gown and that is going to cost $250, I would rather save the money for our trip to California (which is only 23 days away), I don't like the Lecturer who will be presenting the Degree, I don't like the way I am looking, it will be boring. This list will go on and on and on if I let it. I guess the underlying reasons I don't want to do this are that I am not happy with me, and I didn't finish this Degree "perfectly" (illness meant that I had to take a leave of absense and everybody I studied with have already been through this).

Apricot and coconut slice

Another quick and easy vegan recipe my family love is Apricot and coconut slice.

Ingredients 1 cup dried apricots chopped, 1 cup soft brown sugar, 1 cup Self raising flour 1 cup non dairy milk (we use soy) Place all ingredients in a bowl and stir. Then place mixed ingredients in a slice tray that has been lined with baking paper. Bake for 30-40 minutes in an oven set at 180oC or 356oF. Remove when golden brown. Dust with icing suar when cool.

Quinoa and Black Beans

I was watching Dr Oz on TV the other day whilst recouperating and he mentioned that that two "super foods" are quinoa and black bean. They happen to be in one of my family's favorite foods. My Quinoa and black bean takes only about 15 minutes to prepare and 35 minutes to cook and each time I cook it there is never anything left.

Ingredients • 1 teaspoon olive oil • 1 red onion, chopped • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped • 1 cup uncooked quinoa • 2 cups vegetable broth • 1 teaspoon ground cumin • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper • salt and pepper to taste • 1 cup fresh or canned corn kernels • 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro Directions 1. Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the onion and garlic, and saute until lightly browned. 2. Mix quinoa into the saucepan and cover with vegetable broth. Season with cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes, 3. Stir corn and black beans into the saucepan, and continue to simmer about 5 minutes until heated through. Add cilantro and serve.

Surgery

On Monday I finally had surgery.The surgery that I have been waiting two years for. The first thing the Dr said to me was that it wasn't in my head, that it was essential that I had that surgery. I came home yesterday and feel like any mom, that there are a million things I have to do. It's just that I can't do any of it for at least the next 6 weeks. I guess it is time like these I must remember to take things slowly. I also have to be able to work up the nerve to be able to give myself a daily injection. (Not looking forward to it). It's funny that the hospital just gave me a script and told me to give myself injections for the next 5 days. They didn't even show me how to do it (this doesn't bother me as I did nursing, but what if they did the same to another patient?). I am glad to be out of hospital and back with my family.

Lentil soup

When I was a kid one of our many family traditions over winter was toasted sandwiches and soup on a Saturday. Often our Nana and Pop would join us and it was a real family time. The soup was often tinned, and I wasn't a big fan of it, so I was suprised when about a year ago I found this recipe that I absolutely adore. Lentil soup

Ingredients 1 brown onion, finely chopped 2 celery sticks, trimmed, coarsely chopped 1 carrot, peeled, coarsely chopped 1 swede, peeled, coarsely chopped 1 garlic clove, crushed 1 tbs olive oil 115g (1/2 cup) red lentils 2 x 400g cans diced italian tomatoes (we like the ones with herbs and garlic), 1200ml (5 cups) vegetable stock 3 tsp ground cumin Other posibe variations: 1 bunch chopped kale 1 tsp chipotle powder Method: Brown onion and garlic in olive oil in a large saucepan, add celery, carrot, swede, garlic, lentils, tomato, stock and cumin (this is also when you can add kale and/ or chipotle powder). Cover and bring to the boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until vegetables are tender and soup is thick. Divide soup among serving bowls and serve.

Vegetarian to vegan

Last November I decided to switch from begin vegetarian to vegan. I have tried in the past, and failed. Although I have been a vegetarian since 10, and didn't drink milk or eat eggs (unless they were in something)I found it hard to go completely vegan. I would try for a few weeks and the smell of a cheese pizza or vegie lasagne would draw me in again. Just after my last birthday I decided to give it an honest try. My weight is huge and the junk food is killing me. Most of the rest of the family are vegetarian (except our 7 year old who loves meat), so it hasn't been that hard this time. Last night I cooked up Zucchini balls for the tribe, and James asked if I would share some recipes on my blog so he can use them when he is back at university. So here is the first of many vegetarian or vegan recipes the we use. Zucchini Balls

500g (17.6 oz)Grated Zucchini. pinch of salt, 1 small onion grated. 1 teaspoon, 1/2 cup fetta grated, 4 eggs lightly beaten, half cup plain flour (all-purpose flour). half cup Self-raising flour. 1 grated carrot. ground pepper to taste. Put all these ingredients in a bowl and stir till mixed. spoon balls of stuff in hot oil.; cook. These work well with greek yought, chive and garlic combine as a dip.