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Quirky Cooking

Naturally Healthy Skin (and a Weleda Giveaway!)

QuirkyJo by QuirkyJo
May 11, 2017
in GAPS, Gut Health, Health, Health Tips
7
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Naturally Healthy Skin: Weleday & Quirky Cooking

This post is sponsored by Weleda. A big thank you to Weleda for creating beautiful, organic skin care products that our family love to use, and that don’t irritate our skin. Read to the end to find out how to enter our Weleda giveaway!

Growing up, I always struggled with skin issues. The acne started in my early teens, and by my late teens my skin was so bad (and I was so embarrassed about it), that I began seeing doctors and dermatologists for help. I was put on the pill to try and balance out my hormones so that my skin would calm down (NOT a good idea, girls – here’s why!); and I was given a cream to use on my face that took off the top layer of skin, leaving it red raw and sensitive until the skin regenerated. For a couple of glorious months, I had lovely, clear skin! But it didn’t last. The acne soon came back and the cream stopped working.

Our skin is our largest organ, and it is greatly affected by what we eat, what we put on it, the water that we drink, the amount of sleep we have, and the health of our gut. However, I was never given that information. Instead, I was just told, ‘Take this pill. Use this cream. Don’t worry, you’ll grow out of it.’ I was at university and like most students had little money, so I wore cheap makeup, sprayed myself with any affordable deodorant and perfume, and ate plenty of sugar and junk food. I also reacted badly to dairy, but I just took enzyme tablets to support my dairy habit. I stayed up way too late at night, and got up early to go to uni, and certainly didn’t drink enough pure water. My poor skin didn’t stand a chance!

My sister comforted me, saying, “Don’t worry, once you have a baby your skin will get better!” It didn’t. Even after four babies I still had skin issues. I was more frustrated about my skin than I had been as a teenager. I felt like it was something I should’ve grown out of – most of my friends did, why couldn’t I?? Meanwhile, I kept subsisting on sugary, starchy foods, trying to keep up my energy to cope with four kids under seven years old. As you would have guessed, I wasn’t getting enough sleep, my gut health was worse, and I was still using cheap body products.

Eventually, the food intolerances, exhaustion, headaches and histamine reactions that I was also struggling with drove me to change my diet. I focused on cooking with wholefoods, and learnt to swap out foods that caused reactions. Not only did my health start improving, but also my skin! Those of you who know my story of returning to health know that I saw the biggest benefits when I went on GAPS, an incredibly healing intervention diet for gut health. (You can read our family’s story of healing with GAPS here, and learn to cook for GAPS here.)

Jo Whitton, Before & After

Photos taken one year apart – March 2015 & March 2016 (after almost 2 years on GAPS)

 

It is now being widely acknowledged that at the root of chronic illness is inflammation, and our microbiome (the host of microbes that live in our gut, mouth, nose and on our skin) is paramount for controlling inflammation in our body. The GAPS diet helped me restore my microbiome and heal my leaky gut, a condition that allows inflammatory molecules to enter the bloodstream and cause chronic inflammation.

The GAPS diet is being used to treat all sorts of conditions from psychological, neurological, behavioural to autoimmune. The reason why the GAPS diet works so well is because it is a nutritionally dense diet of whole foods that are high on the healing factor and low on toxicity. Your body gets a break from the problematic foods, and also gets all the nutrition it needs to rebuild itself. The health of your gut is reflected in the health of your skin, and mine took on a new glow after a year on GAPS!

Food isn’t the only thing we eat!

A nutritionally-dense wholefood diet is the bedrock of good health. Food, however, isn’t only what enters our mouths. I mentioned earlier that skin is our largest organ. Products we use on our skin don’t simply evaporate or sit there hovering until we wash them off. In fact, the skin is extremely efficient at absorbing chemicals and releasing them into the bloodstream. The body treats these topical applications just like food, and so using inappropriate body care products will cause health issues similar to eating a diet full of chemicals and additives. Here are two things you should know:

#1 The microbiome

The flora (microbes) on your skin and in your gut play a hugely important part in regulating your immune system. The system should be a healthy, well-balanced ecology. These hardworking fellas should be looked after with care. They synthesise nutrients for us, help us digest food and regulate our immune system. When we shower with chlorinated water, and then use products full of synthetic chemicals, the microbiome is disrupted, and this creates an imbalance in the flora. This imbalance is one of the root causes of inflammatory diseases. Left unchecked, certain species of microbes can turn virulent when their numbers dominate in the microbiome, and we start seeing symptoms of disease. It is extremely important to maintain balance in the microbiome.

#2 Your blood stream

Chemicals you put on your skin are readily absorbed into your bloodstream. Think of how people use nicotine patches. If you’re using makeup, lotions, creams, body washes, shampoos, antiperspirants or toothpastes that contain harmful chemicals, you can be sure these are making their way into your bloodstream. Do you really want formaldehyde (only 1 example of a known carcinogen commonly used in body care products) circulating in your system?

So – What do you do?

Following the same approach as we would in our diet, our body care products should meet the following criteria

They should be made from natural materials that have a long history of use

o   Before we got carried away with the chemical revolution, people used products derived from plants and animals for skin care. Plants, animal fat, plant oils such as olive oil and coconut oil have been used safely for millennia for food as well as skin care.  Since they come packaged as whole food, they do not cause harm or provoke the body’s immune response.

They should be free of pesticides and chemical residue

o   Having natural skin care products is only half the battle. If the plants or animals used to produce the product are contaminated with toxic chemicals, which is the norm in feedlot animals and monocrop farming, then these chemicals are also in the product. For instance, pesticides, antifungals and desiccants used on plants harm our microbiome and also disrupt important metabolic pathways. Look for only natural, organic ingredients in your skin care.

They should not be toxic or contain any synthetic, man-made chemicals

o   In the same way that a diet full of processed food is toxic to our body, a skin care product that is full of processed, refined ingredients is going to be toxic too. Our body shares genetics with animals and plants, which is why compounds they produce are biologically active in us. Man-made chemicals are foreign to our genetics and create chaos in our systems. (This is a great article that discusses which chemicals you should be avoiding.)

They should support your microbiome

o    Harsh synthetic chemicals cause a disruption of the microbiome. For instance, the function of triclosan, a common ingredient in handwash, is to kill bacteria. It’s use was popularised due to germophobia, but our skin bugs need care and support, not wiping out. Plant-based products contain nourishing ingredients that allow the beneficial skin flora to thrive, which contributes to a stronger immune system and greater health. As an aside note, antibacterial ingredients are contributing to the ever looming epidemic of antibiotic resistance, as more resistant strains of bacteria are being selected for. The use of Triclosan in soap has been banned by the American FDA – Australia is still lagging behind!

They should promote healing

Up until relatively recently, almost all medicine was plant-based. Plants are powerful helpers as they produce biologically active compounds that promote and support healing. For instance, plants like chamomile, white mallow, almond oil, calendula, sea buckthorn, comfrey, lavender, pomegranate and rosemary are all wonderful healers that have been used for hundreds and thousands of years. Your body recognises them as whole foods even when you apply them to your skin, and their biological activity is harmonious and beneficial.

It’s important when choosing body products to look into the ingredients they use, and make sure it’s a brand with trustworthy certification.

We absolutely love Weleda for organic skin care. Established in 1921 by Rudolf Steiner the father of biodynamic farming, Weleda is a well-established ‘green brand’ whose products are 100% certified natural, organic, fairtrade and ethical. They use sustainable business practices with a focus on environmental sustainability and preservation of biodiversity.

When I realised how toxic my body care products really were, I researched many brands looking for alternatives. It was quite difficult to really understand and know which products are good and which ones are not. Luckily, we found Weleda to be a brand we can trust. Weleda products are absolutely wonderful to use, and we feel relieved and happy to know that not only are they not harming us or the planet, but that they’re contributing to better health.

My daughter Cassia and I wearing our favourite Weleda lip balms – Berry Red (me) and Rose (Cassia)

Here are some of the Weleda products that are used regularly in our home:

  • The beautiful spray deodorants in glass bottles: myself and my daughters love the Wild Rose Deodorant and the boys love the Sage and Citrus deodorants.
  • Skin Food: a nourishing multi-purpose body cream that has been their biggest seller since 1926, and the recipe is still unchanged!
  • Tinted Lip Balms: lovely, glossy and natural looking, and long-lasting.
  • Almond Soothing Facial Care: my daughters have very sensitive skin, and this works beautifully for them.
  • Salt Toothpaste: kids always will swallow toothpaste – make sure you’re using a natural toothpaste!
  • Wild Rose Pampering Body Wash & Lotion: a gorgeous duo that makes your skin feel so soft, and smells amazing.
  • White Mallow Face Cream: my youngest daughter has a tendency towards dry skin and patches of eczema so this cream is perfect for her.

My fellow Quirky Fouad’s family also love Weleda. Fouad’s approach is to use a variety of products interchangeably, just like you would with your diet. It makes sense as each product contains different nutrients and plants that the body would benefit from differently. Using a variety of moisturisers would give you a greater nutritive variety! Here are some of Fouad’s suggestions:

  • Sea Buckthorn Replenishing Lotion – this is one of my favourite lotions. My skin feels incredible after I use it and it gets absorbed without leaving an oily film.
  • Pomegranate Regenerating Body Oil and Pomegranate Body Wash: a Middle-Eastern chef cannot say no to pomegranates, and I love the smell too. I use the body oil before going to bed as I like to give my skin some extra nutrition to help it heal.
  • Calendula Body Lotion and Calendula Baby Oil: calendula is one of the most healing herbs in the herbalist’s arsenal. I use the calendula products on my children’s skin as it’s gentle and helps heal any little cuts or scrapes. I also use the baby oil before I have a long shower (which I use to wind down), so my skin remains protected during long exposure to hot water.
  • White Mallow Body Lotion – I still have remnants of the systemic eczema that once plagued me, and while on the GAPS diet I’ve been using Weleda’s eczema cream to help heal, with great results.
  • Millet Nourishing Shampoo – It’s true. I don’t have hair. But I still use shampoo on my bald round head. I don’t why. Maybe because I don’t feel right using body wash on my head, or maybe I’m holding on to the past… Regardless, I love this shampoo. My scalp and face (yes, I use it to wash my face too) feel clean but I am not left with that dry feeling where your skin is so tight you can’t smile. It’s perfect!

To help you get a head start on changing your body products over to natural, organic options, we have a special Weleda Intro Offer for you, and some gorgeous prize packs to give away. AND if you’d like to win a copy of our new cookbook, Life-Changing Food, pop over and like the Weleda Facebook page, and enter their cookbook giveaway too!

Giveaway

*** Giveaway is now ended. Congratulations to the winners! ***

Winners: Hayley Terry (Eczema care pack); Fiona Gass (Hormonal skin pack); Natasha Paul (Family favourites pack); Bonnie D (Baby care pack).

Thanks to all who entered!

For your chance to WIN a Weleda prize pack, simply COMMENT ON THE FACEBOOK OR INSTAGRAM POST telling us what you most love about Weleda skin care products, and which prize pack you’d like to win (choosing from those listed below). Competition closes midnight AEST, 19th May, 2017. Open to Australian residents only. Winning comments will be announced here on this blog post and on the Quirky Cooking Facebook page and Instagram on the 20th May, 2017.

–Hormonal skin: Aknedoron Cleansing Lotion, Aknedoron Purifying Lotion, Almond Soothing Cleansing Lotion, Almond Soothing Facial Lotion

–Family favourites: Skin Food, Salt Toothpaste, Children’s Tooth Gel, Citrus Deodorant, Everon Lip Balm, Birch Body Scrub, Burns & Bites Cooling Gel

–Eczema care: White Mallow Body Lotion, White Mallow Face Cream, Almond Sensitive Skin Body Wash, Almond Sensitive Skin Cleansing Lotion, Skin Food

–Baby care: Calendula Nappy Change Cream, Calendula Cream Bath, Calendula Face Cream, Nursing Tea, Calendula Baby Oil, Baby Teething Powder

Tags: Chemical freeGiveawayGreen Beautygut healthhealthHealth TipsMicrobiomeNatureNourishSkin HealthWeledawellness
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Comments 7

  1. CathyWieckowski says:
    5 years ago

    Hi
    I would like either the Eczema Care pack or the Baby Care pack for my daughter who has a 3 year old son with eczema and she is also due for her second baby in June this year.She is a single mum who can’t afford organic skin care.

    Reply
  2. Elizabeth Churchward says:
    5 years ago

    My skin has reacted to many products over the years I who’ve tried a few products and have found them quite luxurious in texture and beautiful natural fragrances. I would love the opportunity to try more products.

    Reply
  3. Cathie says:
    5 years ago

    The almond skin care is what I would like to try

    Reply
  4. May says:
    5 years ago

    What I love about Weleda is their commitment to creating all natural products without any harsh chemicals. As someone who suffers from a plethora of health problems, I have become very conscious about what products I use and Weleda’s products have worked well for me. They’re gentle, cause no adverse reactions and are made with the best ingredients that I can feel good about using. The pack I’d love to try the most would be Hormonal skin!

    Reply
  5. Amber says:
    5 years ago

    Thank you for this post! I’ve placed my first order and can’t wait to try their products!

    Reply
  6. Trish says:
    5 years ago

    Why is there alcohol in these products

    Reply
  7. Karen O'Connor says:
    5 years ago

    My 21 yr old daughter has just been diagnosed with Vitiligio. Do you have any natural products or information that would help her with this. We are researching lots as I can see it is a type of auto-immune disease (may run in the family as I have Hashimoto’s Disease of the thyroid which is also auto-immune).
    Any recommendations or suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks.

    Reply

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Recipe Index

Simple, Healing Food - the new gut-health cookbook from Quirky Cooking
Life-Changing Food Cookbook, Quirky Cooking
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{Ruby Red Grapefruit Pie} Wednesday isn’t too ea {Ruby Red Grapefruit Pie} Wednesday isn’t too early to start thinking of treats for the weekend, is it? 😄 Citrus is in abundance right now, so if you’re like me and have ruby red grapefruits piled up on your bench top, you should definitely try this pie. It’s arguably my favourite recipe in our Life-Changing Food cookbook and I will shout its praises every citrus season til my dying day!!

Grapefruit pie is a local favourite in South Texas (USA) and in ruby red grapefruit season you’ll find it served at
little roadside barbecue joints where they guard the recipe closely! I only know about it because my parents are Texan and lived in South Texas for years… but this recipe is way too good to hide away. The pie's crunchy crust holds big, juicy sections of ruby red grapefruit set in a sweet citrus jelly, and it's not bitter, because the grapefruit pith is removed. 

Some versions have a layer of cream cheese spread over the pastry under the grapefruit and jelly, to protect the crust from getting soggy, and this also acts as a creamy foil to the tangy fruit and crunchy crust. I love it best this way - I use cream cheese or labne, or I make cashew cream cheese for a dairy-free version. The traditional accompaniment is a big dollop of fresh whipped cream (which is always sweetened in Texas, but I prefer it unsweetened), or use coconut cream if you’re avoiding dairy. And don't panic filleting the grapefruit - once you get the hang of it, it's quite easy. And if your pieces turn out a little mangled and messy, don't worry, it will taste just as amazing!

You can find the recipe in our Life-Changing Food cookbook* or app AND I’ll be making this recipe and sharing it on my next podcast video THIS FRIDAY  on my citrus episode, so keep an eye out for that! (Subscribe to my newsletter to get all the latest videos as they are released - link in bio.)

[Photo by @cookrepublic for Life-Changing Food]

*Note: The Life-Changing Food cookbook has just sold out and we are waiting for the next print run to arrive, but you can buy the app which has the same recipes as the book - search “Life-Changing Food” in your App Store!

http://bit.ly/QCnews

#eatseasonally #weekendbaking
{Herb & Cheese Fatayer} I promised to share how we {Herb & Cheese Fatayer} I promised to share how we made these little cheesy-eggy grain-free pastries, so here you go!

- Make a batch of Grain-Free Dough (recipe in Life-Changing Food, or buy the pastry premade from Primal Alternative, or you can use the Almond Meal Pastry on my blog)
- Mix together 300-400g quark (or mashed feta) and 4-5 eggs (whisked)
- Roughly chop some flat-leaf parsley, chives and mint (and finely chopped onion if you like), add zest of 1 lemon and mix through egg mixture, then season with salt and pepper
- flatten a circle of dough in your hands (about 10cm diameter and about 5mm thick) and shape into fatayer (like a little boat), then set onto lined baking trays
- fill fatayer with egg mixture
- bake in 200C oven for 15-20 mins or until pastry is browned and mixture has set firm

I keep these in the fridge/freezer and warm them up for a quick breakfast or lunch!

#grainfree #pastry #glutenfreepastry #glutenfree #lunch #snack #cheese #quark #eggs #herbs #baking #quirkycooking
Thank a farmer for your next meal! ❤️ (Also, S Thank a farmer for your next meal! ❤️ (Also, Simi can do his own washing today 😂😂)

(Simi works on an organic farm and often brings home goodies like these beautiful daikon radish, which we fermented with chilli and garlic! So good - they stay quite crisp and make a great condiment to serve with dinner.)

#ilovewhereilive #athertontablelands #farnorthqueensland #fnqlife #countrylife #muddy #organic #farmer #thankafarmerforyournextmeal #garden #daikonradish #fermentedfoods #fermentedradish
Yesterday I shared my Monday cooking videos in my Yesterday I shared my Monday cooking videos in my stories (let me know if you missed them and want me to re-share), and one of the questions I had afterwards was this one ⬆️ - “Can you share ‘What we ate this week’ day in the life style? And what is made fresh, prepared ahead, and from the freezer”. 

Why not, I said! So I’ve been taking photos of my food even more than usual 😂 like a photographic food diary, and it’s sometimes boring and sometimes delicious and sometimes weird, but you’re welcome to follow along if you like!! 😁

Today’s “day on a plate” in pictures: 

Breakfast: herb & cheese fatayer (grain-free pastry from Life-Changing Food filled with a mixture of quark, eggs, herbs and lemon zest - will share recipe in another post) - made yesterday and stored in fridge/freezer, heated in grill and eaten on the run with coffee 😁

Lunch: savoury mince from Simple, Healing Food (made yesterday, with a lot of cabbage added because we needed to use it 😄), fermented daikon radish (grown on the organic farm where Simi works), and Camembert cheese (made at a local dairy)

Snacks: Peanut butter chocolate fudge 😁 recipe on the blog ❤️ (and tea)

Dinner: Broccoli & cauliflower bake (from Simple, Healing Food except with cheese on top rather than macadamia “cheese” - prepared yesterday, stored in fridge then baked in oven tonight), steak & veggies - kids had fish instead of steak … I made lots as the leftovers are for work lunches tomorrow 😊

Before bed: probably another cuppa tbh but last night was beet kvass - I don’t think I’ll do that again right before bed though, it was a bit too strong before bed 😄

I don’t know if any of this will be at all helpful, but I guess it will show that I’m not always perfect and I don’t always stick to my meal plan and my food isn’t always “instagrammable” 😄 and that’s ok! 🤗 

PS My meal plan for the week is at the end - links are in my newsletter sent out on Monday. ❤️

#cooking #dayinaplate #quirkycooking #meals #quirkymeals #jowhitton #whatimeating #currentlyeating #food #keepingitreal #glutenfree #grainfree #wholefood #mealplan #usewhatyouhave #reducefoodwaste
I had so much work planned to do today, but at 6am I had so much work planned to do today, but at 6am I decided it was much more important to drive down the mountain and spend the day eating good food and drinking amazing local coffee with our dear friends visiting from Melbourne. 😍❤️ Have you heard of the 5 years rule? In 5 years time, no one is going to remember the housework didn’t get done today, the newsletter didn’t get written, the washing didn’t get put away, or the dinner was very basic. But we WILL remember this beautiful day spent with family and friends. ❤️ 

[Photos taken at @guyalacafe (YUM!! Just sayin’) and @rustysmarkets 🥥, Cairns]

#whatsreallyimportant #the5yearrule #friends #family #goodfood #bestcoffeeintown #timeout #catchup #connection #community #love #cafe #guyalacafe #rustysmarket #cairns #cairnslife #farnorthqueensland 

@just_acountrygal_ @natashacincotta @laudy.cincotta @isaacjwhitton @simeonwhitton
Did you know you can get my cookbooks at your loca Did you know you can get my cookbooks at your local Source Bulk Foods store? 🎉🎉🎉

@thesourceerina NEW COOKBOOK just landed - “Simple, Healing Food”, the fabulous latest book from Jo Whitton of Quirky Cooking fame.
.
The simplest and most effective way to reclaim our health, and improve the health of our families and the world around us, is to embrace nutrient-dense whole foods; the traditional foods that have nourished humans for thousands of years.This invaluable guide from Quirky Cooking's Jo Whitton provides all the information you need to transform the way you look at food. Packed with easy-to-follow and nutritious recipes, with practical advice from integrative nutritionist and GAPS practitioner Elyse Comerford, the gentle, step-by-step approach used in this book will have you cooking fresh, delicious and easily digested whole foods you and your family will love. Inside you'll find:
🌱Over 140 gut-loving recipes that are completely free from grains, gluten and refined sugar
🌱Fuss-free meals suitable for a wide variety of dietary challenges, including dairy free, egg free, nut free, nightshade free, GAPS and low FODMAPS
🌱Ideas for healthy snacks and treats
🌱Nutrition advice for improving gut health, from nutritionist Elyse Comerford
🌱Tips to help you discover the joy and simplicity of cooking with whole foods.
.
Simple, Healing Food is for everyone who wants to cook and eat their way to better gut health.
.
With our 20% off storewide sale on till Sunday, it’s a fantastic time to add this one to your collection, or put it aside for someone special. Shop the sale online for delivery or click and collect, link in bio. 
.
📷 @thesourceerina

#cookbooks #quirkycooking #wholefood #glutenfree #grainfree #recipes #thermomix #stovetop #oven #slowcooker #realfood #familymeals #jowhitton #sourcebulkfoods
Did you see my latest podcast video? 😃 “Cooki Did you see my latest podcast video? 😃 “Cooking with Seasonal Produce - 2 Winter Meals You’ll Love!” 

From this… to this! 😍

On this live, 1 hour video I made:

- Gypsy Stew (with chicory leaves, bok choy, tomatoes, Spanish onions, Russian garlic, a red chilli, lemon juice, chicken stock & chicken breast, ghee, salt & pepper - forgot the flat-leaf parsley 🙄)

- Beef & Cabbage Soup (with brown onion, Russian garlic, tomatoes, carrots, cabbage, zucchini, fresh parsley & oregano, thyme, sage, tomato paste, red wine vinegar, honey, salt, pepper, chicken stock and just 300g beef mince for a meal that feeds 6-8 adults!)

- Pumpkin, Cauliflower & Leek Mash (made with the above plus coconut cream, ghee, salt & pepper), to serve dolloped into the Beef & Cabbage Soup

- Herb-Roasted Chicken (with the chicken pieces from making the stock)

I fed 8 people last night (the kids & their friends plus Simi twice 🤣) and they licked their bowls clean! 😁 (Practically!) And there were plenty of leftovers for work lunches and dinners today. 🎉🎉

LINK IN BIO to watch video! Recipes in Life-Changing Food and Simple, Healing Food cookbooks. ❤️

https://youtu.be/28q5Qqor1qg

#quirkycooking #quirkycookingchats #cookingvideo #cookingpodcast #podcast #dinnerideas #seasonalproduce #inseason #winterveggies #wintermeals #familymeals #glutenfree #grainfree #wholefood #eattherainbow #gaps #paleo #justeatrealfood #supportyourfarmers #organic #organicveggies #athertontablelands #fnqlife #cairnslife #farnorthqueensland #australia #fnqfood #food
Want to hang out and cook with me this afternoon? Want to hang out and cook with me this afternoon? 😃 In my last podcast video I showed how I meal plan to use up the produce I have on hand and reduce food waste. Today I’m going to go live at 4pm (AEST) and show what I’m making for dinner with some seasonal produce I picked up today at my local organic farmer’s co-op! 

If you miss the live, you can watch later on my Quirky Cooking YouTube channel. 🤗

#livevideo #cooking #seasonalproduce #usewhatyouhave #produce #seasonal #local #dinner #mealplanning #familymeals #wholefood #glutenfree #grainfree #delicious #nourishingfood #healingfood #athertontablelands #farnorthqueensland #australia #inseason
This is the kind of message I LOVE getting!! It’ This is the kind of message I LOVE getting!! It’s small changes like these - learning to use what you have, working out a simple meal plan, getting some meal prep done ahead of a busy week - all make a huge difference to feeling motivated, organised and less overwhelmed. And there’s the added bonus of saving money and reducing food waste. 🎉🎉 Win win!!

Watch this video on my Quirky Cooking YouTube channel, or listen via your podcast app. 🤗

#mealplan #planahead #fridgeorganization #fridgeforaging ##organised #meals #moneysavers #reducefoodwaste #useitup #savemoney #wasteless #freshproduce #eatwell #spendless #food #cooking #quirkycooking #jowhitton #quirkycookingchats #cookingvideos #podcast #australianfoodie #farnorthqueensland #fnqfood
Far North Queensland winter evenings be like… 😂😂😂 (It’s getting down to 9C tonight and we’re feeling the cold!) 🤣🤣🤣

#fnqlife #fnqwinter #winter #athertontablelands #farnorthqueensland #Australia #myboys #chattime #wishwehadafireplace 😁
Exciting news!! @elysenutritionist and I are hosti Exciting news!! @elysenutritionist and I are hosting an ‘Open Fire Feast’ at @thebarnretreat on July 28th! 🎉🎉 It’s like a half day, outdoor feast + gut health retreat, with amazing chefs @pipsplate, and @walfoster of @naturalicecreamaustralia!! 😍🎉🎉 

We will be savouring every mouthful of locally-sourced produce as we watch the food being prepared over the open fire, with multiple courses culminating in a gourmet, cultured-ice cream dessert. 

@elysenutritionist and I will be sharing our health wisdom between courses and talking though the process as the food is being prepared, with cooking demonstrations and harvesting of honey and some local produce on site. 

Tap on link in my bio for details and to book your spot!

{This is an exclusive event with only 40 tickets available.}

https://www.quirkycooking.com.au/2022/06/open-fire-feast-event/

Photos by @jesskearney_ and @ellibyrne 📷 

#firefeast #fire #feast #event #guthealth #healingfood #realfood #wholefood #nourishing #healthy #outdoors #outdoordinner #openfirecooking #byronbay #northernrivers #thebarnretreat #miniretreat #halfdayretreat #quirkycooking #jowhitton #elysecomerford #nutritionist #pipsumbak #pipsplate #walfoster #naturalicecreamaustralia
So, did you see my latest podcast video showing ho So, did you see my latest podcast video showing how I meal plan to use up the produce I have on hand each week? 😃🍋🥒🥑🥕🍌🥦 Here’s my lunch today, with some of the produce & ideas shown in the video… 

- baked sweet potatoes (I bake a few whole in their skins & keep in the fridge to add to meals), sliced & pan-fried in ghee with homemade butter (from cream that was nearly out of date & needing to be used), sprinkled with the a sesame seed/nigella seed spice blend (Everything Bagel Blend by @gewurzhaus)

- a cheat’s version of pickled beetroot (boiled, sliced, drizzled with apple cider vinegar and stored in the fridge for up to a couple of weeks)

- smoky baba ghanouj on the side (I had SO many eggplants & my sister made this with some of them) - recipe in Life-Changing Food

- homemade sauerkraut (I always have jars of kraut & fermented veggies in the fridge - such a great way to preserve an abundance of veggies, & so good for your gut!!) - recipes in Simple, Healing Food

An inexpensive and delicious meal using locally grown, in season, pesticide-free produce from my CSA box ❤️

Need some inspiration to help you use up the produce in your fridge? Check out my latest podcast, do a “fridge audit”, make a list of ideas, plan your meals for the week, and save yourself some money!!

Watch on my Quirky Cooking YouTube channel, or listen via Quirky Cooking Chats on your podcast app. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#lunch #wholefood #justeatrealfood #useitup #reducefoodwaste #reducewaste #cooking #veggies #locallygrown #seasonal #eatseasonal #localfood #fnqfood #pesticidefree #csa #communitysupportedagriculture #simplefood #foodismedicine #quirkycooking #jowhitton #recipes #moneysaver #mealplan
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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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