Boxing Day

How did it originate?  It was a day off for the servants as they had to work Christmas Day they would receive a box of gifts on the 26th to take to their families.

It is the Feast of St Stephen.

Church Boxes were from Christmas were opened on Boxing Day.


Many of us know Boxing Day as a Public Bank Holiday, Boxing Day Test Cricket or Boxing Day sales.  Its also a great day to crash after Christmas from eating too much!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxing_Day

Epsom Salts

I have always had bad skin but recently it got worse.  I was looking for a natural remedy and came across Epsom Salts.

Just let a couple of teaspoons of the Epsom Salts dissolve in to a teaspoon of hot water.  I then cover my face with it. As it dries it turns in to a white powder.  As I get a lot of  black heads it all comes out.   It does however dry out your skin a bit.  For this I have been using Rosehip oil which is great for acne scars and blemishes.  You need to also be patient which is hard to do when you have bad breakouts!

I have even slept with it overnight but even a couple of hours is fine.  As with everything moderation is the key.  Drinking lots of water, hot water and lemon in the morning is also good. 

I recently suggested this to a friend  who noticed my skin had cleared up.  She also tried it and her only drawback was the drying out of her skin. 

Epsom Salt is also great to relax tired muscles.  It draws toxins from the body and is a great muscle relaxant.  Dissolve a cup in a bath and soak it to it!  

Sick of Plain Rice?

We always have Rice on Christmas Day.  To make it more interesting we chop up a couple of onions, fry them along with some cardamoms, cloves, tumeric, rasins and cashew nuts. To this we add washed rice, water and some vegetable stock.  All you need to do is then turn on the rice cooker...simple.

For those with nut allergies just omit the cashew nuts.

Chocolate Ripple Trifle

I have used Chocolate Ripple Biscuits in this Simple Trifle Recipe.

First Layer is Jelly

2nd Layer Vanilla Custard

For the top I have a layer of cream then Chocolate Ripple Biscuits and finally cream.  I use chocolate flakes to sprinkle on top and the cream is infused with vanilla.  You can use Fruit, smarties etc to decorate.

As you can see I have a sweet tooth... I had to decide between Pavlova or Chocolate Ripple Trifle for Christmas Dessert.
There is nothing more simple than a Chocolate Ripple Cake.  I have been making these since I was a child..  you can add jam and cream and decorate as a blackforest... add peppermint chocolate... the list is endless...  Enjoy!!!

Interesting Facts about Tumeric

Did you know that Tumeric belongs to the Ginger Family?

It looks similar to Ginger.

It was used as a Dye.

The Tumeric Bush produces Flowers.

It is believed to have antibacterial, anti - inflammatory and antibacterial benefits.

In Medieval Europe it was known as Indian Saffron as it was cheaper alternative to Saffron.

It is used in Indian Festivals such as Holi.



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turmeric

Gulbarn Tea Traditional Bush Medicine?

Gulbarn grows wild and is found in the vicinity of  Minyerri about 580 kms to the South East of Darwin.  It has been used for generations as a soothing drink to ease coughs and colds.  It has similar properties to green tea and contains no caffeine......

Lets support this great indigenous enterprise.  Its about time Bush medicine is recognised we have a lot to learn from this community.

www.abc.net,au 20/12/2015

Bitter Gourd or Bitter Melon and Diabetes Just Steep in Tea!

Bitter Melon Bitter Gourd or Karela.  This ugly bumpy green looking fruit contains properties that help to reduce blood sugar levels.  The three substances that do this are Charantin, Vicin and polypeptide-p.

Bitter foods help to cleanse the liver, detox, clean the blood and is antibacterial.   Check out 10 bitter foods below...

http://www.active.com/nutrition/articles/10-bitter-foods-that-cleanse-the-body-and-boost-performance

You can also steep Bitter gourd in tea.