Apple Cider Vinegar

If you are into organics and home made remedies you probably already know about apple cider vinegar.  Aside from being handy around the house and in cooking, it has several healing uses for which it is quite effective.

What is Apple Cider Vinegar?

Apple cider vinegar is made during the process of apple fermentation.  During the fermentation process of any cider, bacteria and yeast are added to assist the sugar to turn to alcohol.  The alcoholic liquid then has another bacteria added to turn it to vinegar.

Use What You've Got

I was in the mood for potatoes tonight, so I took a leaf out of Bethenny Frankel's book and used what I already had. Using what you have isn't a new premise, and I've been doing it for many years. However Bethenny is getting the message out there to millions and I love her for it. Plus she's hella funny.

Chicken breast with pistachio and marmalade stuffing

2 large chicken breasts (I used 3 medium ones)
2 rashers of bacon - diced finely
1 medium red onion - diced
1 tblspn pistachio's - chopped
1 tblspn thyme
1/4 cup orange marmalade
1/4 cup bread crumbs
olive oil
toothpicks (for securing chicken closed)

Blind Pimple Remedies

I get blind pimples on my chin quite often. Lately I have been experimenting with various natural remedies for this no-headed monster.  The following are methods that I have had various succeses with in enabling the blind pimple to form a head, thus being able to clear quicker.

Passionfruit and Mandarin Cordial

2 cups water
1 cup sugar (or an equivalent amount of an organic sugar alternative, such as agave)
1 cup passionfruit pulp
1 medium madarin
Juice of 1 lime (or lemon)

Combine water, sugar and lime juice in saucepan and bring to the boil. Add passionfruit pulp and chopped up mandarin pieces and bring to the boil again.

Reduce heat and let sit for as long as possible.  The longer it sit the better the flavour will be.

You can remove the seeds and chunks of fruit whichever way you please. I just scooped out the bigger pieces with a slotted spoon, then when transferring to a bottle, poured it through a sieve.

Belated birthday package

It was meant to arrive last Tuesday. I guess a week late isn't too bad!

Full of yummy organic goodies courtesy of www.giveorganic.com.au

Potato and carrot soup with roast garlic

4 large potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
3 large carrots, cut into chuncks
3 heads of garlic, separated
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tspn cracked black pepper
1 medium onion, peeled and sliced
2 cups water
2 cups vegetable stock

Pre-heat oven to 120c. Place garlic, oil and pepper in a small baking dish and cover. Bake for about 2 hours, or until garlic is soft.

Place a small amount of oil in a large pot, heat, add onions and fry until soft. Add potato and carrots and coat in onion mixture. Add water and stock. Cover, bring to the boil, simmer until vegetables are soft. Stir through garlic flesh.

Blend in blender until smooth. Cream can be added just before serving if you like.