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How to store fruit and vegetables without plastic

August 17, 2017 · 8 Comments

How to store fruit and vegetables without plastic

 

What’s wrong with plastic? 

I know, it’s easy to grab fruit and veggies, put them in a plastic bag and fling them in the crisper when you get home.

But, if you are keen on doing your bit for the planet, searching out other options besides plastic is really worthwhile.

Hopefully you have somewhere you can source loose produce, which is always the best option. Get some reusable produce bags to take with you when shopping or use a basket or box.  It really does become a habit, just like using your reusable shopping bags!

As well as being environmentally unfriendly, plastic bags don’t allow your produce to breath so it decays quicker and loses flavour. Slimy zucchini anyone? There are also some concerns about plastic leaching into our food and causing health issues.

Reducing food wastage is also a hot topic at the moment, so storing your food correctly and keeping it fresher for longer can help you significantly cut down how much you waste.

 

Convinced to make the switch?

 

First up, lets talk about things that go in the fridge and things that don’t.

Produce that like being at room temperature are tomato, potato, onion, garlic and most fruits. Pop them in a basket so there is a bit of airflow around them. Mushrooms store better in a paper bag or a dry cloth bag.

For the fruit and vegetables that are stored in the fridge and for anything you have cut, here are some ways you can do store them without plastic:

 

♥ Use a wet tea towel.

Okay, pretty basic right? Pop a damp tea towel over the fruit and vegetables in the crisper and tuck it in well. You usually need to wet it every couple of days. The only problem with this method is training everyone else in your house to put the tea towel back properly so it’s all tucked in around the produce!!

 

♥ Use a fabric bag

You can utilise reusable produce bags I mentioned for shopping and for storage. They are smaller and as they are quite lightweight you do have to keep wetting them more often. Obviously the mesh ones don’t work.

I prefer the organic cotton bags. 

 

♥ Use The Swag

The Swag bags are pretty awesome! Made from 100% natural unbleached cotton, these award winning bags have a three layer design to keep your produce fresher for much longer. They come in different sizes or you can get a starter kit.

To use, simply wet the bags, pop your produce in and store anywhere in the fridge. When it gets a little dry, you can simple sprinkle a bit of water on top!

Find out more about The Swag here.

 

♥ Use the Greenleaf Bag

Created by Helen, a mum from Toowoomba, the Greenleaf Bags are a larger size bag than the reusable produce bags.  They are made from unbleached, undyed 100% hemp which is a very sustainable and safe fabric. These bags need to be damp, so you wet them, wring out and put your veggies in. Repeat every few days as they dry out.

You can store several different types of vegetables in the one bag but softer leafy greens should be on their own. Simply throw into the wash after each use.

Find out more here.

 

♥ Use beeswax wraps

Beeswax wraps are great for wrapping around cut bits of fruit and veggies instead of cling wrap. You can also make little pockets with them to store smaller portions.

The Honey Bee beeswax wraps are a great quality brand and are hand made by a small business in Byron Bay. They are made from organic cotton and locally sourced organic beeswax which is naturally anti-bacterial. Beeswax wraps keep produce really fresh and are toxin free.

Check out Honey Bee Wraps and the vegan version here.

 

♥ Use food covers

These canvas food covers with a biodegradable lining work really well on things like pumpkin, pineapple, melons and coconuts once you have cut them.

I have been using these for years and they are incredibly durable and still in great condition. I just throw them into the washing machine.

Check them out here.

 

How do you store your fruit and veggies? Got any tips for us?

 

 

Filed In: HOME / Tagged: eco friendly, food wastage, food waste, fruit, no plastic, plastic free, produce, produce storage, vegetables

How to Clean Pesticides off Fruit & Vegies

March 12, 2014 · 76 Comments

How to Clean Pesticides off Fruit & Vegies

There is strong evidence that pesticides are linked to chronic diseases such as different types of cancers, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson, Alzheimer, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), birth defects, and reproductive disorders.

It’s not always possible to buy organic.  Sometimes it’s just too expensive for our budget or it’s just not available. Even organic produce can contain pesticides.

You can cut the peel off fruit and vegies to reduce the pesticides, but then you lose valuable nutrients (and really, are we going to peel every grape we eat!!)

It is however, possible to clean your fruit and vegies to get some of the toxins off. Of course you won’t be able to reduce the toxins that have absorbed into the produce as it is growing. But, something is better than nothing!

Washing with just water isn’t really the most effective solution as a lot of produce is coated with wax which seals in the pesticides. Some people recommend dishwashing detergent, but I don’t recommend it because of the chemicals in the detergent (and ewwwww… soapy fruit!)

Here are two ways you can clean your fruit and veg and get some of those pesticides off.

 

1. Homemade Wash

Fill up your clean sink or a large bowl with room temperature filtered water.

Add in organic apple cider vinegar (one part to two parts water), bicarbonate of soda (one to one hundred) or salt (one to ten).

Add your fruit and veggies, agitate and soak for around 15 minutes if you can. Rinse, dry and store as normal.

You will be amazed at the scuzzy stuff left behind!

You can do the wash as soon as you get the fruit and vegies home (recommended if you have kids that like to tuck in) or wait and just do it before you prepare something.

2. Buy a Commercial Wash

There are several fruit and vegetable washes on the market that will help you remove dirt, oils, waxes mould spores and some pesticides from your produce.

Add a few squirts to a sink or bowl of water, agitate, rinse and dry.

Try Koala Eco Natural Fruit and Veggie Wash or Abode Fruit and Vegetable Wash.

 

So there are some ways you can clean pesticides off fruit and vegies!

Have you got something to add? What do you use? 

 

 

Sources:

Science Direct

Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

Filed In: HOME / Tagged: fruit, Norwex, organic, pesticides, veges, vegies, wash

Two yummy iceblock recipes

November 23, 2013 · 421 Comments

 

Two yummy iceblock recipes

I’ve been having a play around with a Zoku pop maker and they are so much fun! It’s so easy to make iceblocks in minutes rather than waiting hours for them to freeze.

It’s a great way for the kids to get involved in making their own homemade ice blocks with healthy ingredients. It’s a very economical and waste-free solutions as well.

Here are a couple of iceblock recipes I came up with (but you don’t need a Zoku, you can just pop them in ordinary paddle pop moulds!)

 

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Pine Lime Splice

2 cups chopped pineapple

1/2 cup organic coconut cream

2 tablespoons lime juice

Whizz it all together. Chill in the fridge or freezer until it’s really cold but not frozen. Pour into the Zoku pop maker and wait for seven minutes to eat or pop them in paddle pop containers and wait until they are set.

 

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Strawberry Mint Surprise

1 punnet strawberries (1 1/2 cups or 250g)

1  cup coconut water

4-6 mint leaves

honey, if needed

Whizz it all together. Check for sweetness. If your strawberries aren’t really sweet you might need a little honey. Chill in the fridge or freezer until it’s really cold but not frozen.Pour into Zoku pop maker and wait for seven minutes to eat or pop them in paddle pop containers and wait until they are set. 

Do your kids love iceblocks??? What do you put in them??

 

Filed In: FOOD / Tagged: coconut milk, coconut water, fruit, healthy ice block, ice blocks, ice cream, paddle pops, zoku, zoku recipes

Five Favourite Things – August

August 30, 2013 · 12 Comments

August has been a month of sunny winter days here – absolute bliss! 

Here are some other things I have been loving and enjoying this month:

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Gluten Free Grain Free cookbook. I am putting it out there – Tania Hubbard is Australia’s gluten free, grain free goddess! She was kind enough to post me a copy of her sensational cookbook and I am loving it so much. Tania is the brains behind that amazing almond and chia bread recipe and the chocolate chia cake. The recipes are quick and easy and they taste sensational. I am such a fan! You can get the book straight from Tania at her website.

 

Stress Away from Young Living

Stress Away from Young Living. I don’t know if you have been feeling the energy shifts and changes this month, but I sure have!  One thing that I always use to help me ride out the storm is the ‘Stress Away’ blend of essential oils. You can take two drops in water and ingest it as needed or diffuse it in a room, but I like to just dab it on my wrists and temples and inhale the beautiful oils. This special blend is designed to relieve daily stress, encourage relaxation, and reduce nervous tension. The roll on is really handy to keep in your handbag.  You can get Stress Away from me at my new Young Living website page. ( you need to join as a new customer to order )

 

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Changing Habits Probiotic. This month I have bought some of Cyndi O’Meara’s probiotic powder to test it out. I take a daily probiotic powder and so do my family. This one however is gluten-free so it will suit a lot of you who have been asking me about probiotic powders free of wheat. I think it’s a fabulous product and it works really well for us.

This one contains all organic ingredients – rice, spirulina, linseed, alfalfa, sweet potato, sunflower kernels, quinoa, alfalfa, amaranth, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, ginger, broccoli and molasses. These ingredients go through an organic fermentation process using natural, organic bacteria. Find out some more info in this video. You can get it from my affiliate shop link here.

 

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Re-usable Teabag. I really am fussy about the teabags I buy. Some teabags are bleached or made of plastic (which is not so good when you hit it with boiling water!) I was really excited to come across these handmade reusable teabags from local lady, Jo who runs a cute little cafe at the markets. She makes them herself from muslin – you just insert your loose leaf tea and away you go! It is easier to wait for the teabag to dry before emptying it out. Find out more about Jo at her Facebook page, Cafe Calma. She might even post one to you!

 

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Pomelo. Where have you been all my life? Fat, juicy and sweet, bursting with vitality. It doesn’t give you that sourpuss look like eating grapefruit does. It’s sweet and sort of lemonadey tasting. They are native to South East Asia but we have some lovely local farmers growing them here. I am hooked! Anyone else like pomelos? Have you got any recipes?

 

I would love to hear some things you have discovered or are loving this month! Talk to me!

 

 

 

 

This post contains affiliate links.

Filed In: SELF / Tagged: changing habits. tania hubbard, essential oil, fruit, gluten-free, grain free, pomelo, probiotic powder, stress, stress away, tea

5 Healthy Alternatives to Softdrink

July 19, 2013 · 20 Comments

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“Within the first 10 minutes of drinking a soft drink 10 teaspoons of sugar hit your system. This is 100 per cent of your recommended daily intake,and the only reason you don’t vomit from the overwhelming sweetness is because phosphoric acid cuts the flavour.”  Cyndi O’Meara.

We all know softdrink isn’t the healthiest thing you can be drinking, but do we really get how bad it can be?

Cyndi O’Meara, nutritionist at Changing Habits has a report on her website, “Softdrinks are not so soft”,  detailing exactly what softdrink does to your body. Softdrink consumption is linked to diabetes, cancer, stroke, high blood pressure, obesity, cell damage and heart attacks. It’s also highly addictive. Cyndi’s report states that “the average Australian drinks more than 180 litres of soft drink each year.”

From my own experience, I found taking softdrinks out my diet many years ago improved my health considerably – gone where the nasty apsartame headaches. When my kids have the occasional softdrink at a party or someone’s house, I notice the change in their behaviour immediately – and it’s not for the better!

Anyway, let’s not dwell on the negatives, this post is about what you can drink instead. I know that some of you mentioned on Facebook that you are addicted. So, make the transition a gradual process. Start using some of these alternatives instead and phase out the bad stuff.

Obviously, you can give up fizzy drinks and just drink plain water. That’s what we do. Occasionally, for parties and special occasions it’s nice to have a fizzy drink though. It makes the kids feel less left out of things if they can have a ‘special’ drink.

Now when I refer to natural sweeteners, I am talking about things like honey, maple syrup, rice malt syrup, rapadura sugar, coconut sugar, coconut nectar, xylitol and stevia. What you prefer use is up to you and a matter of personal taste.

So here we go –  my top 5 alternatives to softdrink.

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1. Iced Herbal Tea and Mineral Water.

There are many delicious fruity herbal teas readily available now. Make up a strong batch, sweeten if needed with a natural sweetener and top with plain mineral water. I recommend the Apple Tree or Fruity Tutti organic tea from Tea Tonic. My kids love it and we don’t need any added sweetener. My Apple Tree Fizz is just Apple Tree tea infused in some boiling water, cooled down and made with half and half with mineral water. 

kombucha

 

2. Kombucha.

Kombucha is a naturally fizzy, fermented drink, based on tea. It’s pretty easy to make yourself. Have a read over at the Naughty Naturopath Mum as she guides you through kombucha making at home (as well as giving you all the health info).  Also check out Sarah at The Homemade Mommy for some ‘flavoured Kombucha recipes your kids will love.’ This is such a great option because kombucha has gut health benefits.

raspberry lemonade (1)

3. Fresh Juice and Mineral Water.

This is such an easy option – puree some fruit or make fresh juice in your juicer. Use a mix of half juice and half mineral water or to taste. I find we don’t need sweetener with this one, but use a natural sweetener if your kids need a little.  Check out these great recipes from some amazing natural, new age mums.

Raspberry Lemonade from Jo at Quirky Cooking (pictured).

Homemade Fruit Cordial from Iwa at Additive Free Bites. I would try a natural sweetener instead of the sugar and to make it fizzy, add mineral water!

Pink Sparkle Drink from Bek at Author Rebecca Mugridge.  It’s healthy and sugar-free!

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Strawberry Coconut Spider. The wonderful Tania from Gluten Free Grain Free Co. gave me this idea for a yummy natural drink she makes.

What I did was puree a punnet of strawberries (250g) with half a cup of organic coconut milk. I then put about 1/3 of the mix in a glass and topped it up with mineral water. It froths up like an old-fashioned spider. Fun!

My kids liked it a bit sweeter, so you can add a bit of honey to the puree if you like. It makes 3-4 glasses of spider! Yum.

 

Healthy-Lemonade-71

4. Homemade Lemonade or Ginger Beer.

There are so many recipes out there for homemade lemonade and ginger beer – have a google! Just use a natural sweetener and good quality organic ingredients where you can.

I do love this Healthy Lemonade recipe from Leanne at Healthful Pursuit (pictured). This Homemade Ginger Ale recipe from Amy at Simply Sugar and Gluten-Free is a good one too.

5. Natural Softdrinks.

Now, if you are really pushed for time and need a quick option (you’ll get no judgement from me on that score!), there is such as thing as healthier and/or naturally sweetened softdrinks.

I know they may not be the healthiest options out there, but they are certainly a healthier option than regular softdrink and may be the ideal place to start if you have a serious addiction. They are something that would still be a treat for my family.

These are all available online.

Phoenix_Organic_Lemon_Lime_Bitters_15x330ml__73593.1370148414.1280.1280

Phoenix Organic. This range is certified organic, free of GMOs and artificial sweetners and made using chemical free water. Pictured is Lemon, Lime and Bitters flavour, but they also do cola, lemonade and ginger beer.

Nts_Health_Probiotic_Bio_Bubble_500ml__68195.1335067426.1280.1280

BioBubble. Kombucha already made up for you! A great way to get your probiotics. “This is a fizzy, fermented liquid derived from the microbial digestion of eight organic cereal grains and several legumes including alfalfa and soybeans.”

Chi_Herbal_Mineral_Water_Original_1L__33658.1366253709.1280.1280Chi Herbal Mineral Water. Made in New Zealand, Chi herbal mineral water contains ‘a unique blend of herbs inspired by an ancient Chinese recipe and infused with a touch of honey and kiwifruit’.

Zevia_Natural_Diet_Soda_Grapefruit_Citrus_355ml__24935.1346591869.1280.1280Zevia. Zevia is a softdrink range that is sweetened with stevia. There are no GMOs, sugar, artificial sweetener, artificial colours or preservatives.

 

So, there you have it – my top five ideas for replacing softdrink in your diet. You will improve your health with more natural options and you can still feel like you are having a special fizzy drink. 

 

 

I would love to hear what recipes or ideas you guys have!

 

 

 

Organics on a Budget

Parts of this post are sponsored. This post contains affiliate links.

Filed In: FOOD / Tagged: fruit, ginger ale, herbal teas, juice, kombucha, lemonade, softdrink

Healthy Kid’s Party Food

March 6, 2013 · 31 Comments

Healthy Kid's Party Food

 

“When it comes to food at birthday parties, it’s my experience that children are very happy with whatever is served and usually eat it all, starting with the fruit plate! We have to let go of our old expectations and trust our children to appreciate what’s healthy, but fun, food” Mamacino

Have you ever come home from a party and your child is bouncing off the walls, sick and irritable? It’s more than likely all the additives and the sugar-high from ‘traditional’ party foods.

My conscience just won’t let me serve that stuff up to kids anymore. There are so many yummy, healthy things you can make instead. Sure have a treat or two in there if you like, but balance it out with loads of the good stuff.

Okay, so here is my tried and true formula for catering a healthy kid’s party.

KISS – Keep it Simple Sweetheart. Remember my last post.

I serve four different types of food, plus the cake. I put them onto eight smallish serving plates, so it looks impressive. I do a fruit, a vegetable, a savoury and a sweet, plus the cake.

1. Fruit

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♥ Passionfruit cups. From Rebecca Mugridge’s new book Happy, Healthy Mums. This is a sneak peek, the book isn’t out yet! Sign up to Bek’s blog to stay updated. All you do is scoop the flesh out of the passionfruit, make a fruit salad, add the passionfruit back in and serve it with some toothpicks. All compostable!

 

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♥ Fruit skewers like these by Hayley at Doing it for the Kids.

 

Apple Snax - Natural New Age Mum

 

♥ Apple Snax. Use some lemon juice to stop the apple browning, top with homemade nut butter and some yummy toppings. You could even make it a fun party activity and let the kids make their own.

♥ Or just do a simple fruit platter like the one pictured up the top. Fruit in season is cheap and delicious!

 

2. Vegetables

♥ I am deadly serious. Serve up some cherry tomatoes, baby qukes, baby carrots, snow peas and strips of capsicum with my yummy dip. Serve the dip in half a capsicum for a bit of fun.

♥ Easy Green Herb and Garlic Dip

 

♥  Kale chips. You can try!

 

3. Savoury

♥  Zucchini slice. Serve it cut into squares with half a cherry tomato on top.

 

vegiesmugglers-cheesepuffs

 

♥  Vegie Smuggler’s amazing Cheese Puffs. My kids love these and we have been making them with lots of different vegetables like carrot and broccoli. Yum.

♥ Chicken drumsticks or wings, baked with a sticky organic tamari and honey glaze. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped spring onion.

 

Polenta crumbed chicken nuggets

 

♥ Chicken nuggets. No, not the ones from a packet! Try some of my homemade, super healthy recipes. Serve with some easy home-made tomato sauce.

♥ Salad wraps. Choose a good quality wrap like Sorj or Mountain bread, add some boiled egg, organic chicken or organic ham, loads of salad, roll up and slice into small rounds. They looks so pretty.

♥ Popcorn. Buy the organic variety and pop it yourself in a popcorn machine or in a pan with a little coconut oil. Top with a healthy salt or some Vital Veggie Power. Do not buy the microwave popcorn – it’s horrid stuff.

♥ Sushi and rice paper rolls. You can buy these if you choose carefully!

♥ Kids love meatballs! Try my lamb meatballs or make some chicken or beef ones with loads of vegetables. Bake in the oven to make it quicker.

 

A plate stacked with festive sausage rolls.

♥ Cyndi O’Meara’s healthy, vegetarian sausage rolls have pretty much gained legend status. The kids will never know they are healthy. If you haven’t tried them, you must! Get the recipe.

Repeat after me…….. Just say no to the cheerio! 😉

4. Sweet

Really Healthy Chocolate Crackles

 

♥ Really Healthy Chocolate Crackles. 

♥  Healthy Biscuits.

♥ Green Pikelets.

 

Salted Caramel Popcorn NNAM

 

♥ Salted Caramel Popcorn

♥ Carrot, Pineapple and Zucchini Muffins.

♥ Thermomix Sorbet. If you are lucky enough to have thermomix, fresh fruit sorbet is pretty darn impressive. Use honey or rapadura sugar.

 

 5. Cake

We talked cake the other day. Check out my six healthy birthday cake recipes here.

gluten-free-food-allergy-flags-25-flags

♥ If you have children with any allergy issues, check out this range of cute flags and cupcake wrappers from Happy Tummies to mark your goodies with.

♥  Too busy too cook? Add in a few healthy packet snacks. Check out this post to find the best.

♥ You can easily make many of these ideas ahead of time and freeze.

 

Okay, who’s still with me? Let’s talk drinks.

♥ Water. Get a huge container of water and ice and jazz it up.

 

raspberry lemonade (1)

 

♥ Raspberry Lemonade from Jo at Quirky Cooking. Super healthy and easy to make. Doesn’t it look the bomb!

♥ Make freshly squeezed juice, smoothies or milkshakes. Set up your juicer/blender/thermomix on a table and you can make them to order like a juice bar!

♥ Alisha from Naughty Naturopath Mum has little kids and she uses plain Cocobella coconut water in poppers at her parties. She also told me to google this crazy idea.

 

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♥ Make a watermelon your drink dispenser! See how to do it at Brit + Co. Fill it with a healthy watermelon drink and just watch the kids go nuts for it!

I could go on, but I won’t! I hope this has given you some things to think about and try for your next kid’s party.

I will leave you with some awesome blog posts about healthy parties from Mamacino and The Wholefood Mama.

 

As always, I would so love to hear your ideas. Add a link or let me know your fabulous tips for healthy party food!

 

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 Click here to visit my Nutra Organics affiliate shop!

Filed In: FOOD / Tagged: fruit, kids, party, sweet treats, vegetables

Five Favourite Things – February

March 2, 2013 · 6 Comments

Five Favourite Things – February

February – the month of love, sport sign ups, rain, rain and more rain! 

These are some things I have been in lerve with this month.

 

Homeopathy Drops Natural New Age Mum

 Homeopathic Drops. 

In the last few weeks, with the change of season, we have had cause to use most of these! I have found them to be very effective and gentle. Homeopathy is a natural way to treat common family ailments. Read the interview I did with Nicole who makes these remedies to find out more.

Papaya Natural New Age Mum

Papaya.

 I have spent four weeks on a strict eating plan and fell in love with papaya and pawpaw again. If you don’t eat this fruit, consider it! As well as being very high in vitamins, fibre and antioxidants, it also contains two enzymes that help your digestion and reduce bloating. It’s also yummy!

Bug a Bug Natural New Age Mum

Bug-a-Bug from ecokid. 

This is one of the better natural insect repellents I have tried. It smells beautiful and it works. As with all natural repellents though, you do have to apply it liberally and regularly.

Colloidal Mineral Natural New Age Mum

Colloidal Minerals.

Where have you been hiding all my life? Get all your vital minerals from one easy, natural source. Great tonic and it has really pepped me up!

Vicki Lorraine Heart Natural New Age Mum

Heart. ♥

I have a bit of a ‘thing’ for hearts, in any shape and form. I recently sent my good friend and personal seamstress, Vicki Lorraine, some of this funky fabric to make me some cushions. She whipped me up a couple of hearts as well to decorate my black and white themed office. Love them. Isn’t she clever?

Check her out on Facebook here if you need anything made.

Okay, so that’s my February round-up. What have you discovered this month that rocked your world?

Like Chocolate for Women Book

Filed In: SELF / Tagged: colloidal minerals, favourite things, fruit, hearts, homeopathy

Fun and Healthy Edible Christmas Trees!

December 5, 2012 · 21 Comments

Fun and Healthy Edible Christmas Trees!

Christmas food can be fun and healthy.

There are some very clever people out there who come up with these mostly easy but incredibly cute ideas. I have put them all together in a blog post so you can see them too.

 

Healthy Fruit Xmas Tree

Easy Fruit Christmas Tree

(unknown source)

Vegetable Christmas Tree

Crudites Christmas Tree

Healthy Fruit Xmas Tree

Fruit Christmas Tree 

Pizza Xmas Tree

Vege Pizza Tree

Kiwi Christmas Tree

Xmas Tree Savouries

Pita bread Christmas Trees

Vege Xmas Tree

Vegetable Christmas Tree

Snap Xmas Tree

Snap Pea Christmas Tree

 

Read next:

A healthy whole food Christmas
Fun, healthy Christmas food for kids

 

Filed In: FOOD / Tagged: allergy Christmas, allergy friendly, Christmas, christmas food, Christmas tree, Christmas tree food, dairy-free, egg-free, fruit, fruit christmas tree, fruit xmas tree, fun food, gluten-free, vegetable christmas tree, vegetables, wheat free

Fruity Flavoured Water

June 7, 2012 · 17 Comments

Fruity Flavoured Water

 

We all know how important drinking water is, right?

If you are not properly hydrated, it will cause all sorts of problems from headaches to fatigue!

Our water intake can sometimes slow down in winter, because we don’t feel as thirsty. But, this is really a time to make sure you are drinking enough. The heating in your home or office will dehydrate you more than usual. Drinking lots of water will also combat the dry winter skin!

I like drinking water with stuff in it. It tastes really lovely and makes it a bit more interesting.

Basically, you just add whatever you like to your filtered water, using a wide mouth jar or jug.  You can squeeze or muddle your ingredients if you want an intenser flavour.  Chill it for a couple of hours to get the flavours going. Keep it in the fridge so it stays nice and fresh.

It looks really impressive when guests come over too. You can even freeze fruit or mint in ice-cube trays to serve with it.

The one I have made up at the moment is orange, mint and cucumber – very refreshing!

You can put it in whatever you like. Try some of these other ideas:

lemons

limes

ginger

grapefruit

strawberries

raspberries (any berries really!)

pineapple

green apple

lemongrass

rosemary

basil

watermelon

anything you like!

We also like to make up herbal tea and chill it for a refreshing iced tea.

Did you know?

A rough guide to how much you should drink each day is 30ml per kg of your body weight. Another way to make sure you are drinking enough is to check the colour of your urine. Clear urine (apart from the first wee of the day!) means you are on the right track.

Do you drink enough water? How do you make sure you get enough?

Share your tips!

Filed In: FOOD / Tagged: dehdyration, detox water, fruit, fruity water, healthy water, spa water, summer, water, winter

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