Growing your best Tomatoes… The simple way.

Any person that has had a vegie garden before has tried to grow Tomatoes. Tomatoes are a plant that requires a little bit more than just a bit of water to make it thrive. I have had a few tomato crops fail over the season and here is some of the stuff that I have learnt, I hope it helps you to grow your best crop of Tomatoes yet!

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The first thing I like to do is test the PH of the soil that I am going to use. Tomatoes like their soil pH around 6.0 to 6.8. On the pH scale 7.0 is neutral; so the range which tomatoes prefer is slightly on the acid side. If your soil isn’t sitting within the right range it is easier to fix before planting then it is after you have already planted you tomatoes. The simplest way is to mix some good quality manure into your soil.

Tomatoes burn very easily in the sun. They need sunshine to stop them going moldy and getting nasty diseases. I recommend a spot where they get direct sun in the morning until around lunchtime, then in the shade.

Watering most people believe the more water the better. This is not necessarily true I only water every second day to give them a chance to dry out. I also do not water until after dinner in summer to make sure that they the get the most from the water. (don’t forget to spray the fruit and the leaves to make the most out of your water.

I am a firm believer in planting a whole raw egg underneath each plant to stop blossom rot. Many people have laughed at me for that one but I tell ya it works. I also like to sprinkle egg shells around the base of the plant maybe once a week. This will leach valuable nutrients into the soil.  

Don't forget the final part a good quality mulch. I use the dirty saw dust from the chicken boxes.

If you have any questions feel free to leave them in the comments and will be happy to help out.

Ways to stop Constirpation in kids

This was a battle that went on in our house for 2 years my youngest struggled with constipation. We really struggled with helping him. I was inclined to not give him an over the counter or prescribed medication. I started to look at our diet first of all.

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More fibre was ultimately what we wanted to include in our diet.
This is my list of foods that we started to include in his diet:

Prunes:
If you can get them to eat them. I usually mix them into a fruit salad with other fruits from the list.

Pears
Pears are naturally really high in fiber, Make sure they are on the smaller side because the larger the pear the less fiber.

Flax Seed
As well as being full of fiber they also have good omega 3 fatty acid (the good kind of fat).

Brocoili
Brocoili is best served raw because cooked vegetables lose a lot of there fiber content. If you can't stand the thought of raw brocoili try lightly blanching it.

Carrots
As with Brocoili carrots are best served raw as this helps to retain its natural fiber.

Peaches
Dried peaches work just as well as fresh peaches to releave constipation in kids. This is a great on the go snack.

Figs:
Figs help to soften the stool, making it easier to pass through.

Pinapple:
Pinapple juice is a natural laxative. Its also great to give to kids as a cool drink. They aont even know that they are drinking something that's good for them.

Watermelon:
I have found that watermelon works great to releave constipation in kids because of its high water content.

Ways to slow down everyday

Facing the rat race everyday can be stressful it seems that everyone wants everything done yesterday. I have been working hard lately and I have discovered easy ways that you can slow down and take a break. Here is my favorite ways to slow down and just breathe.

Savour Nature:
This is a big one that I have been working on, Just to stop and look at the beauty that is around me. I have been posting a lot of the things that I have come across on my IG account.

I snapped this cheeky little guy after a rain storm.

Take off your shoes:
Every lunch time I sit on the grass and look at the beautiful trees and things around me, I also like to take off my shoes and enjoy a bit of grounding. Good for the soul.

Solo Coffee Date:
As a teenager I wouldn't be caught dead out in public without a group of friends but as I approach 30, I began to stop caring what people think and started doing what would make me happy. Its soothing to sit in a cute little café and people watch or read a book. It doesn't matter so long as you are enjoying some alone time. No one else to consider but you.

Technology Ban:
For 1 hour a day I place a technology ban on everyone in my house. Nothing with a screen it starts at the same time everyday so everyone can just organise around it.

Cook:
Take time to cook something so delicious that it has the whole house waiting with baited breath. Get out your grandmothers old cook books and bake something from scratch.

An introduction to essential oils

History:
It seems that Egyptians were the first to use essential oils dating back thousands of years ago, They used them for religious purposes, cosmetics as well as medicinal purposes. It was also common practise to use them for the embalming process.

How to use:
Mostly depending on personal preference essential oils can be used in a few different ways, it also can depend on what you are hoping to achieve from the essential oil as to the best method to use.

•  Defuser - These can be expensive depending on what type it is. It heats the oil and releases it into the atmosphere.
• Drink/eat - It is very important to buy food grade essential oils. They can simply mixed into food or added to your tea.
• Directly to the skin -  They can be applied directly to unbroken skin as a perfume
• Inhaler - Added to boiling water and inhaled.

What are they Used for:

Basil - Mental Alertness

Bergamot - Skin purifying/ Emotional Support

Cedarwood - Repels insects

Cinnamon Bark - Oral health

Cumin - Digestive Health

Cypress - Sooths Muscle tension

Eucalyptus - Supports healthy respiration, skin, cleansing, it is also a natural antiseptic

Geranium -  Repels insects

Lavender - Calming

Lemon - Increased energy

Lemongrass - Digestion

Marjoram - Emotional Support

Orange - Emotional Balance

Peppermint - Energy, Cooling

Rose - Skin Health

Sandalwood - Grounding

This is just some of the basic uses for essential oils, Many of them can be used for different functions.

If in doubt which essential oil is best for your condition, contact your local naturopath for tailored advice.

 https://www.pinterest.com/indigolife5/

Creative Places to give away your clothes

I have seen a lot of requests on Facebook about places to give things away that aren't op shops. I started to think about where to give things away that aren't just op shops. Although op shops are great places and do a lot of great work there are options other then op shops.

Winter Clothes
I was given a large supply of winter clothes from my mother, they no longer fit her so she passed them on to me, I had a fair bit that I was never going to wear particularly about 5 woollen coats, I went to the city one day were there are a lot of homeless, I simply left them all on a bench and walked away. I brought a coffee and walked back through where I had left them and they were all gone, the further I walked I started to see people wearing them it warmed my heart.

Corporate wear
I have given away a few items to a local battered woman's home because these women have often left with only the clothes on there backs and will need to get back into the work force and already having an interview outfit makes a world of difference to there confidence.

Kids Clothes and Toys
Like with the corporate wear you can donate kids clothes and toys to a local woman's shelter. It will help them to rebuild there lives after leaving everything behind. Many of these kids have seen things that no child should ever see. Get in touch with your local foster care organisation often there is a lot of need for books and clothes for boys and girls from new born to 16.

Soft Toys
Many places wont take soft toys because they are unable to be thoroughly cleaned. The RSPCA or other animal organisations are always looking for stuffed animals and old blankets. The animals enjoy cuddling up to them. Its very cute.

Excess food
I have a massive vegetable garden and often have left over, I often donate to feed the homeless, There is usually a few different organisations that feed the homeless. A church or a google search is usually a great way to find out home to get in touch with them.

I think before just giving something to the op shop you should consider is there someone who could use it more, and would they have the money to purchase it from the op shop?

Reducing your carbon foot print

There is so much information out there on reducing your carbon footprint. We have all heard the generic information such as try not to use the car so much and bring reusable bags blah, blah and blah there is a lot of simple things that you can do to reduce your carbon foot print. Here is some new information to help improve your carbon footprint.

Green bags:
Don't buy the reusable green bags
We have all seen them at the supermarket for 99 cents the truth is they are made from a synthetic fabric, which is a bi product of petrol. We are supposed to reuse them over and over again but the truth is most people stuff them in the back of the cupboard and never really use them again. The single use plastic bags that Coles and Woolies give out for free are recyclable!! and can be made into a lot of great products.

Buy Local:
Buy your fruit and vegies from local farmers and green grocer
Most of the items that you find in the large corporations have been made in sweat shops in China or India, they have travelled for 1000s of miles. Buying local means that there is no or little transport. For most communities is everyone spent $100 in locally owned stores that's almost 3 million back into the economy in just 1 year.

Water usage:
This is a simple thing to do cut down your shower by 2 minutes will save roughly 50 liters of water. Water is the life blood of everything! Everything needs water to survive.

Rainforest Alliance Products:
Agricultural expansion is responsible 70% of deforestation, it is the biggest threat facing tropical rainforests. Rainforest Alliance provides training and education in sustainable farming practises to people of developing countries. This is good for everybody by ensuring that there will be tropical rainforests for the next generation.

5 plants for a Medicinal Garden

Please note straight off the bat, my advice does not replace the advice of medical professionals if your leg is turning blue, Go to the doctor. Now that everything is cleared up home herbal remedies can be great way to heal minor aliments.

1) Aloe Vera
This would of been in every grandmothers garden, its great for treating burns, it also works wonders on eczema and cuts. It needs to be grown in full sun with well drained soil. you can cut off the lower part of the plant and squeeze just near the cut part until the sap starts to flow rub the sap on the affected area.

2) Great Burdock
The leaves and seeds should be crushed into a poultice and applied directly to the area. Can be used to treat boils, ring worm, bites, acne, herpes, rashes and bruises. It grows in moist soil and full sun its an easy to grow plant.

3)  Pot Marigold
The petals can be used as a tea to treat varicose veins. The crushed stems can be used to treat bites, stings, minor wounds, sprains and sore eyes. It grows in almost any soil type so long as its moist.

4) Tea Tree
Has been used for centauries to treat a wide range of conditions. The young leaves can be chewed on to relieve headaches, leaves and twigs can me used to make tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is anti fungal, antiseptic, can be used for nits, cold sores, insect bites, warts, acne and minor burns.

5) Lemon Balm
Lemon balm gets its name from the scent that the plant produces. The leaves can be crushed into a poultice and used to treat herpes, gout, insect bites, minor sores it also makes a great mozzie repellant.
The leaves can also be used to make a tea to treat colds, fevers, digestive upsets, headaches and mild insomnia.

Paying off debt to live a calmer life

Debt has become so accepted by our society, that its not a big deal. Everybody has debt, well not everybody but there is a large percent of the population that is walking around with debt. The worst part about it is there is always that threat hanging over your head that you wont make a repayment.

I have spent a large part of my adult life in some form of debt or another it seems to be that I will never escape this pattern. Well that was until I stopped. I just stopped going into new debt and worked out a plan to get it all paid off.

The first step is I looked at all my debt, I wrote a list and wrote down the exact amount of each one and my fortnightly repayment. I worked out if I could afford to pay extra off one in particular, I used the snowball method to pay each one off.

I also looked at ways to save money around the house. such as only eating in season fruits and vegetables and buying meat on sale at the butchers. every dollar saved is a dollar closer to reaching the dream.

I also write a shopping list. Not a food shopping list its to actually remind me what we need instead of just trying to remember and buy a lot of things we don't need.

The most important thing is to take it step by step and remember that the things that really matter can't be bought from a store.

Goal Setting for a calmer life.

I don't buy into this new year new me crap! I am the exacts same person that I was last year, that doesn't mean I haven't learnt a few things.
I have always been a crazy mess of chaos, this has always lead me into adventures. When I stopped and took stock of my life I realised where it was leading me and wasn't where I want to be. I sat down late last night and really thought about what I wanted in life.

Setting goals is only the first part
Decide what you want!!!
Its not often that we actually stop and think about what we actually want, its usually what the kids need or what our family needs.

Work out a plan to get there.
This seems simple in theory, In reality it is actually super simple.
For example if your goal is to buy a family home, you will first need to pay down debt and save a deposit.

Break it down into manageable chunks.
Make a plan, break it down.
This will make you feel more in control and less like everything is getting on top of you.
As you complete each chunk it will give you a boost.

Make a vision board.
This will keep you motivated, its also great to look at.
Surrounding yourself with positive images will help you to slow down and relies that you can achieve your dreams.

Setting goals will help you to stop trying to complete everything all at once. It will give you some kind of guidance.

Reasons to live in the country

Here is my list of reasons to pull up stumps in the city and move to a large block in the middle of nowhere. We made the plunge around 3.5 years ago, I believe it was the best move we ever made.

1. Wide open space
2. Room for the kids to play and be kids
3. House prices
4. vegie gardens, fresh vegies.
5. Teaching kids valuable life skills
6. Community values
7. Smaller class sizes at public schools
8. Safe communities
9. Local characters
10. Views to take your breath away
11. No neighbours on your doorstep
12. Pets, Dog, Cat, Sheep and maybe a pig too
13. Freedom to live your own way
14. Building resilient kids
15. Allowing kids to have responsibilities, the locals will be quick to tell you if they get into any mischief
16. Local events - CWA markets, Rodeos and country fairs
17. Wood fires
18. Room for a shed or 2

Ways to make money from the homestead

Making money from the homestead is a great way to help pay for the upkeep or pay for those few extra things that the kids need.

1) Selling excess crops.
This year I have 40 pumpkins from this years harvest, I preserved some and sold the rest on Facebook. I got $3.50 each for them.

2) Riding lessons/ Shearing lessons.
Use the skills that you have to teach the next generation. Its a great way for kids to get a chance to learn real skills to help them get a job on the land.

3) Selling excess preserves.
CWA markets is a great place to sell some excess preserves and crafts.

4) Clean up old furniture.
I have done this a few times picked up something cheap from the tip, cleaned it up and painted in a shabby sheek fashion and sold for a profit. In the world of today when everyone has access to the internet its easy to buy and sell online.

5) Farm stay/ bed and breakfast
If you have the space this can be a way to make quick cash, particularly around tourist seasons.

6) Use the skills you have.
I worked in a IT position and have a bit of knack for fixing computers. This comes in handy in a small town. It could be anything such as cutting or colouring hair from home, or school holiday care. Any skills that you have will be valuable to someone you would be surprised.

Country Classic: Chicken Pie

This is an absolute family favorite of ours. Its super easy from ingredients that you have already have in your cupboard.

Serves 4

You Will Need:
500 grams of chicken Mince or thigh fillets
2 cups of Chicken Stock
1 Cup of Milk
1 Cup of Flour
2 Cups of Vegies
1 Tablespoon of garlic
Puff Pastry Sheets

In a frying pan add a small amount of oil, then add chicken and fry until brown.
Scope out chicken leaving behind the fat.
Add Chicken stock and milk stir until combined.
Add half the flour mix all together then return the chicken to the pan
Slowly add the rest of the flour until it makes a watery paste.
Add vegies and mix together
Remove from heat.
Line a baking dish with puff pastry
Add chicken mixture to baking dish and add more pastry to create a lid.

Place in oven for 30 Minutes at 200 degrees

3 things that take 30 minutes or less to clear the clutter.

Clearing the clutter can be a daunting job, where do you begin?  On many occasions I have tried to clear the clutter and I just end up in a big fat mess!!
Here is a few tasks that will take 30 minutes or less to complete and will instantly make you feel more in control.

1) Phone Station
Everyone has a phone station, even if like us its just a corner of the bench.

1. Clear the old paperwork away. Old bills and school notes seem to pile up very quickly. Everything that's important file for later reference. Everything that's out of date bin it.
2. Check all the pens. Throw out any that no longer work or any that you don't like to use. About 10 should be sufficient.
3. keep a lined pad or block of post it notes by the pen cup. easy reach to jot down a phone message.

2) Bathroom Draws

1. This is usually where most people keep make up, nail polish and hand creams. How many do we actually use? For me it was a few things but I seemed to hang on to a lot of things that people had given me as gifts. Many were not my style, colour or didn't agree with my skin. So everything I hadn't used and wasn't planning on really using I packed up and gave away.
2. I replaced only the things I use on a regular bases, everything else I placed in a separate container. If its still there in a few weeks I will give it away.

3) DVD's

1. Give away any that you don't enjoy watching.
2. Give away any kids DVD's that your kids have grown out of
3. Place all DVD's with the spines facing out and I like to group mine by Category.

Quotes for living a simple life

Everyone has those days that it all seems to much, that trying to remain calm and the simple life just seems all to much! Its at those times we need a little extra motivation to keep calm and carry on. I keep bright post it notes on surfaces I look at everyday.

Here is some of my absolute favorites:

Be who you are!
Not who the world wants you to be.
I have this written on my mirror where I like to get ready in the morning. It reminds me to keep being my crazy self that has some how always worked in my favour. Working in a corporate role it easy to get sucked into a world of grey.

Note to self:
Let shit go
Its way to easy to bring the stress and all the niggly little things that get piled on you every day. I need to be reminded to take a breath and let shit go!

Every child needs to things, a pet and a mother who will let them have the opportunity.
I love animals in every shape and size, I am a self confessed animal hoarder. My partner is not and doesn't quite understand that there is a love that is easy and unconditional. I love this quote because every time I bring home some new creature that has been abused or mistreated, and my partner tells me its not staying I just smile and say every child needs 2 things a pet and a mother who will let them have the opportunity.

Happiness comes from inside.
This is written on my wallpaper on my phone, its a great reminder that happiness is an inside job no body is going to make you happy unless you have a inner happiness.

Live, Love, Laugh.
This isn't written any where its ingrained in my mind. If nothing else remember to live, love and laugh everyday.

5 Things to consider before moving to the country

I am country girl in every sense of the word, I wanted to bring my children up in a rural setting where they were free to be kids, make noise, have pets and just enjoy there childhood. I pitched the idea to my partner and the boys father, he was a city boy born and raised. At the time he was all for moving out of the city to a block of land. It all sounded so simple at the time.

Here is my 5 of things I wish people would consider before moving to a rural block.

1) Organisation is the key to success.
There is no just quickly dashing in anywhere. You need to be organised and keep a stock pile of everyday items. Because its really annoying to have to run out for milk and nappies when its at least an hour round trip. Also if you look like crap or wearing your slippers you are guaranteed to run into everyone from town.

2) The neighbours are nosey
This is a can cause some people discomfort particularly if you are used to being anonyms in the big city. This isn't something that can be avoided in a new small town. My advice would be to head down the local pub for a beer and introduce yourself around, it will help things to calm down a bit.

3) Animals are not polite
They will make noises before 9am, smell, and have sex out in the open! It can be a bit shocking to look out across the paddocks and see a bull mounting. It can also be a little awkward to explain to the kids. But that is the way of the land.

4) Always allow extra time for the commute.
I remember one day my commute usually is a 40 minute drive down the highway, on this one day I was cruising to work at around 6 am when I had to come to a complete stop because there was around 400 sheep on the highway. They had pushed through a fence. It took me almost 20 minutes to get them back into the paddock before the farmer turned up. Things like this can happen without warning always allow 20 minutes extra to be anywhere.

5) Phones don't work
There is very little to no mobile coverage in the country. Its very simple phones don't work. However there isn't a shortage of things to do.

I still believe that moving to the country was the best decision we ever made. I get to see my son excel at school because of the smaller class size he gets more attention. I get to watch my vegetable garden grow, and the excitement on my kids faces when they get to pick and eat what we grow.

Green Pest Extermination

I am a huge supporter of live and let live. However I don't want creepy crawlies anywhere near me or the kids.

Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is great for getting rid of spiders and mice both hate the scent. Mix 20 drops of Peppermint oil and distilled water in a spray bottle and spray everywhere!!

Fill any gaps
Fill any gaps that mice or spiders can get through. If you are renting fill the spots with steel wool as the mice cant chew through it.

Put any open food in an air tight container.
I also make sure I vacuum under the kitchen table, to remove any crumps dropped through the day.

Put any pet food away
Feed early in the morning so that its gone by the evening.

Clean up grass clippings
Mice can use this as bedding.

Create a mozzie repelling pot
This can be done by using lemon grass place next to back door or BBQ area.
It can also be used as a hedging plant for garden beds.

Apricot Nectar

I love making Apricot Nectar, its a great activity to do with the kids on a Saturday afternoon. Its super easy for those who have never preserved before.

You will need:

A large supply of apricots (2 cups will fill a jar)
Sugar
Lemon juice

A slow cooker
A pot for sealing
A funnel
A jar graber
Measuring cup
Measuring Spoons.

Peel and remove the seed from each apricot. For every 4 cups add 1.5 cups of water.

Once all the apricots and water is in the slow cooker turn on high for about 5 hours.

When you are ready place your jars upside down in oven on a wire rack along with lids and bake for 20 mins at about 180 degrees.
This will ensure serialized jars.
Turn off oven and leave them in the oven.
When you are ready take your jars and in the bottom place 1/2 cup of sugar and a teaspoon of lemon juice.
Pour the water from the slow cooker into the jar.
Leave some room at the top for adding a bit of pulp if you wish.
Continue this until all the liquid is gone.
Optional
I like to mash the cooked apricots at bit and add some to the top of my jars.

Close the lid tight and seal using the large pot and boiling water.
Pop in the boiling water and wait for the click thingy in the middle of the lid pops back in.

Preserving for Beginners

Preserving is a cost effective and space saving way to keep your harvest all though the off season. It doesn't take a lot of equipment or outlay to get started. Its also a good idea to set up a swap with your neighbours. I have included all the information that you need to get started. Stay turned for my favourite easy recipes.

Equipment

A measuring cup (at least 2 cups in size)
Wooden Spoon
Measuring Spoons
A supply of clean jars
A large pot
A strainer
A funnel
A jar grabber like the one below

This will come in handy to pull the hot jars out. Save you from burning your fingers.

cleanliness is next to godliness

This is never more important as when you are making preserves.

Always wash your jars and dry with a clean tea towel before you begin. Jars and lids need to be sterilised, there is a few options to sterilise your jars I have found the best method is to place the jars on a wire oven rack upside down along with the lids, bake at 180 degrees for 20 minutes, after 20 minutes turn the oven off but do not remove the jars until the last minute.