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Quirky Cooking

Introducing ‘A Quirky Journey’: A Podcast about the Healing Power of Food

QuirkyJo by QuirkyJo
December 16, 2014
in Dairy Free, GAPS, Gluten Free, Grain Free, Health, Health Tips, Naturally Sweetened, Paleo, Podcast
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a quirky journey podcast quirky cooking

Hi everyone, I’m so excited to share with you our brand new podcast, “A Quirky Journey”!!!

You can download and listen to it here on The Wellness Couch, or on iTunes.

How and why did this podcast come about? Here’s the story in a nutshell – you can hear it in more detail on the podcast…

Our family had some serious health problems crop up in the past year, particularly with our son Isaac, and we decided to begin the GAPS diet (Gut and Psychology Syndrome) to try to heal the underlying gut issues. I was introduced to a lovely lady who had been on a similar journey for the past few years, Leah Follett, in the hopes that she could give me a bit of help and encouragement. Leah is a health coach, and she offered to coach our family through the practical, everyday changes we needed to make to get on the road to healing.

A Quirky Journey: Host - Jo Whitton, Cohost - Leah Follett
A Quirky Journey: Host – Jo Whitton, Cohost – Leah Follett

When you bare your heart to someone who understands and has been where you are, and you share your struggles with them, you very soon become close friends. As Leah says in the podcast, after our first phone call it was like ‘instant BFFs’! Leah and I found we both have the same aim in life – to view our trials as lessons that we need to learn so that we can help others who are going through similar struggles. My 17 year old daughter said to me when I was in tears one day, “Mum, I just read this quote that is perfect for you – “Your most effective ministry will come out of your deepest hurts.” And I know she’s right.

Leah Follett and Jo Whitton A Quirky Journey
Podcast planning with Leah, at the lake, while the kids fish!

So Leah and I began this podcast in the hopes that it will be helpful to all of you out there that need some encouragement in your own journeys to good health. Maybe you are really confused by trying to navigate through the maze of ‘healthy eating’, and are hoping for some guidance. Maybe you want to know more about the healing power of food, and how we can change so much just by changing the way we eat. Or maybe you already know what you need to do, but you just want to be part of a ‘tribe’ that understands. It really does help to know that there are others out there on the same journey, and that you CAN do it!

Whatever the reasons, we’d love for you to join us and we look forward to sharing our stories with you. The beauty of a podcast is that it’s like having your own health coach in your pocket that you can listen to at any time, whenever you feel the need for encouragement. Or maybe just the need for a bit of a laugh with a couple of crazy friends. It’s completely free, so listen in, pass them on to your family and friends, and share the love!

Leah Follett Jo Whitton Quirky Cooking A Quirky Journey
It’s so nice to find someone who is just as crazy as me, and who thinks the way I eat is completely normal! Ha ha!

“A Quirky Journey” will be released every Friday morning at about 10am, on The Wellness Couch channel. In our first podcast, we talk about our food journeys, and a bit about the ups and downs that brought us to the place we are now. We go into more detail about our stories in later podcasts. Here’s a quick overview of our first podcast:

“Why sometimes wholefood isn’t enough”

– The story behind the podcast

– Our personal health stories, and why we decided we needed to focus on healing the gut

– Finding others who understand

– The importance of encouragement; finding a support team

– Finding the direction you need to go

– Why sometimes wholefood isn’t enough

– What causes gut issues

– What is a health coach and what are the benefits of having one

– Good health is not just about good food – finding the balance

– Assumptions we make about a healthy diet

– What about the food pyramid and counting calories?

– Peer pressure

– How to make sustainable change

– Getting the family on the same page

– Action: Make one change and nail it!

To listen to A Quirky Journey – Episode 1, click here!

If you’d like to know more about GAPS, or would like to find a qualified GAPS practitioner or some GAPS recipes, visit the GAPS Australia website.

We’d love to hear your feedback about our podcasts, and we also would love to try and answer your questions, so feel free to post them here or on our Facebook pages.

My Facebook page: Quirky Cooking

Leah’s blog: Akesis Balance and Facebook page: Akesis Balance on Facebook

Next week… A Quirky Christmas: How to Survive and Thrive This Season!

Don’t miss it!

A Quirky Journey

Tags: anxietydepressiongapsgaps dietgut healing foodsgut healthhealinghealthhealthy eatingJo WhittonLeah Follettlifestylepaleopodcastquirky cookingwellnesswholefood
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Comments 1

  1. Maryann says:
    5 years ago

    I’v just started a Paleo way of life and I love your recipes. When are you going to do more Paleo recipes ?
    Does your Quirky Cookery Book have lots of Paleo recipes ?
    Also, does your cook book come with Thermomix and non Thermomix instructions ?

    Reply

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Recipe Index

A Taster eBook, Quirky Cooking
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“Never underestimate the power of a woman with a “Never underestimate the power of a woman with a dream!” ✨

Happy International Women’s Day! 🎉🎉 Shout out to all the amazing women I’ve worked with in the past year, I love that we support each other’s dreams and goals. ❤️ You girls are the BEST!! 

@elysenutritionist - Nutrition advisor & co-founder of The Gut Health Formula program
@emfox01 - Quirky executive assistant & right hand gal
@thegreenscoopkitchen - Quirky admin & support 
@_thissmallcorner - Recipe testing & development, cooking
@_housefrau - Cookbook & lifestyle photography
@luisabrimble - Cookbook & lifestyle photography 
@just_acountrygal_ - Events & photoshoots assistant 
@primalalternative - Business bestie, advice & encouragement
@danicajbunch - Strategic communications & PR
@empoweredwith_em - Business bestie & Pilates instructor 

What a talented bunch - so happy to have you in my life!! 🤗🤗🤗

#internationalwomensday #women #daretodream #girlsquad #supportyourlocalgirlgang #womeninbusiness
Sometimes you just need an afternoon snack to keep Sometimes you just need an afternoon snack to keep you going. Right? 😊 This is my Cashew Honey Custard (starch free) with wild blueberries 🫐🍯 - you can watch me make this in my stories today. 

You will find the recipe on my blog, or tap on this photo via the link in my profile. I swapped the tapioca for gelatine (for a more gut-friendly version), and added an extra egg. Don’t strain out the pulp when you make the cashew milk as it helps to thicken the custard. This custard can also be made egg free, see notes below the recipe. And to make on the stovetop, just whisk all the ingredients in a pan over medium heat until thickened.

Enjoy! 🫐🍯❤️

https://www.quirkycooking.com.au/2012/02/cashew-honey-vanilla-bean-custard/
#cashewmilk #custard #cashewcustard #blueberries #dairyfree #dairyfreecustard #glutenfree #grainfree #starchfree #gutfriendly #gaps #guthealth #paleo #wholefood #snack #thermomix
I’ve been a bit absent here the last few days. F I’ve been a bit absent here the last few days. First we were fighting off colds, then a cyclone hanging around the coast caused power outages and affected phone reception... But despite all that, my sisters and I managed to do a bit of a cook up yesterday - by lantern light! 😄😄 

It was a lot of fun having both my sisters with me yesterday, and we got lots done despite having no electricity all day! (Have you ever tried making a cashew paste with a mortar and pestle?? Harder than it sounds... 😂😂😂) Thankfully my lovely @falconaustralia gas stove made it possible for us to keep cooking, and my Wonderbag worked as a slow-cooker to finish off the lamb curry and keep it hot til dinner time. (It was super soft and delish!)

The cyclone is still hanging around but hopefully it’ll fizz out in the ocean soon! 🌪 

See “Cook Ups” in my story highlights for details of the curry and a glimpse of our day. 😊 And to check out the Wonderbags, just tap on the product tag on the Wonderbag video - or go to quirkycooking.com.au/shop. 🍲

#cyclone #weather #athertontablelands #farnorthqueensland #tropicalnorthqueensland #australia #noelectricity #poweroutage #cooking #cookingbylanternlight #quirkycooking #quirkysisters #cookup #wonderbag #falconoven #gasoven #gascooker
Do you ever crave crispy, crunchy, salty snacks li Do you ever crave crispy, crunchy, salty snacks like potato chips, but prefer a healthier option that’s not drenched in refined oils? I know I do!! Today Joye made us a couple of batches of crackers to satisfy that crunchy craving... YUM!! The ones in the front are the Buckwheat & Almond Crackers from our @lifechangingfoodbook (rolled really thin between two sheets of baking paper to make them super thin and crispy), and the ones behind are the Gluten Free Parmesan Crackers from @sbsfood which are really AMAZING!! 😍 (You can find the recipe on their page.) 

I can see I’m going to have to hide some so that they’ll last longer than a day or so... ha ha!! So delish.

For those of you who are nut free, both of these recipes work well with sunflower or pepita meal instead of almond meal.

#crackers #crispy #crunchy #betterthanchips #buckwheat #almond #glutenfree #grainfree #dairyfree #wholefood #recipe #parmesan #parmesancrackers
{Meet the Quirky team!} Monday morning is team mee {Meet the Quirky team!} Monday morning is team meeting time, yay! I would be so lost without these guys keeping the wheels turning in the background. 🤗 Let me introduce you...

Top left: Magda, admin assistant extraordinaire! Magda joined the team 8 months ago and keeps the online store stocked up 📦 answers your emails with a smile 😀👩🏻‍💻 lives in Melbourne, loves hanging out at the beach with her family 🌞, loves a good laugh 😂 and is always happy to chat about anything food and health related, loves cold showers (even during Melbourne winters 🥶), and says a Sunday without chicken soup simmering on the stove is just not a proper Sunday! 🥣 

Top right: My lovely big sister, Joye, who joined the team 3 years ago. Joye is my cooking & recipe testing assistant, my right hand 🤚 during cookbook photo shoots and local events, and my favourite person to cook with EVER! ❤️ Joye lives near me on the Atherton Tablelands (Far North Queensland), works for me one day a week and teaches music and piano for the rest of the week 🎹 sometimes bursts into song randomly 😵 makes the best sauerkraut you’ve ever tasted 😍 and makes me laugh a LOT with her dry sense of humour and fondness for big words like ‘post-prandial somnolence’ (meaning “after-dinner drowsiness). 😵😂 We have a lot of fun when she’s here cooking with me, and thanks to her my family still eats well when I’m away travelling. 😉 

Last but not least: Emma, Quirky executive assistant and official “shoulder-to-lean-on”! ☺️ For the past 6 years (yes, she’s put up with me for that long!! 😂) Emma has been working tirelessly from her home in Melbourne 👩🏼‍💻 keeping me organised(ish), keeping the website and store ticking along, stocking shelves all around Australia with Quirky cookbooks 📚, answering emails 💌, organising events and retreats and promotions and prizes 🎁, all while being mama to about a million house plants, a crazy dingo x kelpie dog and two noisy boys 🐕 🏃🏻🏃🏻‍♂️... And best of all, Emma has been a ROCK for me when I’m feeling overwhelmed and need to be reminded that the work we do is worthwhile and the ups and downs are normal. ❤️

Love you guys, thank you for all you do 🤗🤗🤗
Happy Valentine’s Day! ❤️ I nearly didn’t Happy Valentine’s Day! ❤️ I nearly didn’t bother making any chocolate, then at 4.30pm I was like, “What was I thinking???” and I grabbed my @lifechangingfoodbook and had a batch of Nutty Chocolate made within 10 minutes. 😁 Peanut butter swirls on one half and @yungaburra_raspberries freeze-dried raspberries on the other. Bliss! (I may have eaten 4 pieces already.) 🙈😁😂 YUMMMM!! 

#chocolate #valentinesday #treat #refinedsugarfree #wholefood #gaps #dairyfree #quirkycooking #lifechangingfood #freezedriedraspberries #peanutbutter #peanutbutterchocolate #delicious
Just in case you missed it, I sent out some health Just in case you missed it, I sent out some healthy Valentine’s Day treat ideas yesterday! Did you see? 😃

I know emails have a tendency to get lost on the email jungle, so just search for “Quirky Cooking” (including in those folders where the annoying emails go), because it’s worth reading, I promise! 😁😘 #totallynotannoying

PS You can subscribe by tapping on this photo via the link in my profile. ❤️

#valentinesday #treat #treatideas #healthytreats #naturallysweetened #glutenfree #grainfree #dairyfree #wholefood #gaps #paleo #recipes #quirkycooking #treatyourself 

https://quirkycooking.mykajabi.com/newsletter-sign-up
Valentine’s Day recipe idea, by @marianna.saran Valentine’s Day recipe idea, by @marianna.saran ❤️ Plum pie with almond pastry!! 😍😍

This gorgeous pie was made by @marianna.saran and she has generously allowed me to share it! The pastry is made with my Almond Meal Pastry recipe (see @lifechangingfoodbook). Prebake the base for 10-15 mins at 180C, then fill, top and bake til the pastry hearts are lightly browned. 

Marianna says, "For the filling, I blended 3 plums with 1 Tbs cornflour then spread that on the bottom (the plums were sweet, you could add sugar but I didn't), then I just put plum halves on top then sprinkled each plum with a tiny bit of cornflour and rubbed it in." Place the pastry hearts on top and bake at 180C until lightly browned. That's it! 

Another option would be to make roasted plums (halve, deseed, place on baking tray and drizzle with honey and vanilla and sprinkle with a little water, then roast at 180C for about 30 mins). Place the roasted plums into the cooked base with their juices, then top with pastry hearts and bake as above. You could sprinkle the pastry hearts with a little coconut sugar if you wanted to. YUM!

(If you don’t have @lifechangingfoodbook, search ‘quirky cooking chicken pot pies’ and you’ll find the pastry recipe there.)

#valentines #baking #plums #plumpie #pie #simplebaking #baking #glutenfree #grainfree #gaps #paleo #wholefood #treat #grainfreepastry #grainfreebaking
“When the butter chicken is THAT good!!” 🤣🤣🤣 

(Anyone else love Quirky butter chicken this much? 🤤)

Tap on this video via the link in my bio for the recipe!

Thanks for sharing, @_sheridanharris_ 😍🤗❤️

https://www.quirkycooking.com.au/2015/11/my-best-butter-chicken-ever/
#butterchicken #quirkybutterchicken #kidfriendly #familyfavourite #familyfavorite #glutenfree #dairyfree #eggfree #nutfree #grainfree #gaps #paleo #wholefood #healingfood #guthealth #guthealthmatters #dinner #familymeal #quirkycooking #kids #funny #funnyvideos
Guys, my “Gut-Healthy Chocolate Caramel Slice” Guys, my “Gut-Healthy Chocolate Caramel Slice” recipe is now up on the blog! (Finally!! 😂🙈😘) Check it out by tapping on this photo via the link in my bio. 

Have a lovely weekend! ❤️❤️❤️

#quirkycooking #chocolate #caramel #slice #choccaramel #caramelchocolate #dessert #treat #wholefood #healthyfood #snacks #weekendtreat #glutenfree #grainfree #dairyfree #eggfree #nutfree #vegan #variations #recipe 
https://www.quirkycooking.com.au/2021/02/gut-healthy-chocolate-caramel-slice/
{Recipe} I have sooooo much Thai basil in my garde {Recipe} I have sooooo much Thai basil in my garden at the moment - it’s kind of taken over. Pesto time!! Did you know pesto freezes really well? I love having it on hand to use as a dip or to spread on crackers, or on lamb roast for a pesto crust. I make it into a salad dressing, mix it through pumpkin soup, or add to mince and make baked pesto meatballs... there’s so many delicious ways to use it!

What’s your favourite ways to use pesto? 🌿

Here’s my simple pesto recipe - it’s delicious with or without the Parmesan and can be made nut free as well.

(Pictured here with some yummy Kex seed crackers from @sproutnutrition, and the silver “spread love” knife is one I bought years ago on Etsy. 😊)

Macadamia Pesto

1-2 garlic cloves
160g raw macadamia nuts or cashews
60g fresh basil leaves
½ tsp fine sea salt, or to taste
60g extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for storage
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
60g Parmesan cheese or 2 tsp savoury yeast flakes (opt)

Thermomix Method
Place all ingredients into TM bowl and pulse 4 times 1 sec/closed lid/Turbo.
Transfer pesto into a glass jar, drizzle some extra olive oil on top to seal from the air, and keep in the fridge.

Conventional Method
Chop garlic and nuts in a food processor until roughly chopped. 
Add remaining ingredients and process until desired texture is achieved.

Storage
Store in a glass jar in the fridge for approximately 1 week, or freeze for 3-4 months.

Variations
Nut free: Swap macadamias for a mixture of pepitas and sunflower seeds.
Salad dressing: To make this into a salad dressing, add 50g more olive oil, and the juice of 1 whole lemon instead of the 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. Blend until desired texture is achieved.

#pesto #macadamia #cashew #nutfree #dairyfree #variations #recipe #quirkycooking #homemade #dip #snack
We had a family adventure this weekend - sailing o We had a family adventure this weekend - sailing out to a local island on a 65 year old wooden pearl lugger @fallareef! We were planning to go to the outer reef,  but it was so rough we only made it to Fitzroy Island. That’s ok though, we had an amazing day (despite a few getting seasick from the crazy ride 😂), sailing, swimming, snorkelling, singing... So special to have some bonding time with grandparents, uncles, aunties, cousins and friends. ❤️ Covid lockdowns really make you appreciate these times sooooo much more!!

I highly recommend taking time out of your busy life to go on adventures with your family whenever you can. Making memories together is so worth the time and effort. The kids say that was the best Christmas present EVER!! 🎉🎉 (It was a little late because we had to fit it in between wet season storms and cyclones. 😂)

Lots of videos in my stories. 💙 Last photo of @just_acountrygal_  by @_thissmallcorner. 

#makememoriesnotexcuses #adventure #family #mykids #friends #familyadventure #quirkyadventure #farnorthqueensland #australia #discoverqueensland #seeaustralia #seequeensland #visitqueensland #tropicalnorthqueensland #fnqlife #discoveraustralia
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I love it when my readers are as excited about my recipes as I am, and want to share them! I only ask that if you do share my recipes on your own blog or on social media, you only share an excerpt or link, not the entire recipe. Full and clear credit must be given to Quirky Cooking with a link back to the original content. If you’d like to share one of my photos, please contact me for permission. Thank you! Jo x

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