Boxing Day

How did it originate?  It was a day off for the servants as they had to work Christmas Day they would receive a box of gifts on the 26th to take to their families.

It is the Feast of St Stephen.

Church Boxes were from Christmas were opened on Boxing Day.


Many of us know Boxing Day as a Public Bank Holiday, Boxing Day Test Cricket or Boxing Day sales.  Its also a great day to crash after Christmas from eating too much!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxing_Day

Epsom Salts

I have always had bad skin but recently it got worse.  I was looking for a natural remedy and came across Epsom Salts.

Just let a couple of teaspoons of the Epsom Salts dissolve in to a teaspoon of hot water.  I then cover my face with it. As it dries it turns in to a white powder.  As I get a lot of  black heads it all comes out.   It does however dry out your skin a bit.  For this I have been using Rosehip oil which is great for acne scars and blemishes.  You need to also be patient which is hard to do when you have bad breakouts!

I have even slept with it overnight but even a couple of hours is fine.  As with everything moderation is the key.  Drinking lots of water, hot water and lemon in the morning is also good. 

I recently suggested this to a friend  who noticed my skin had cleared up.  She also tried it and her only drawback was the drying out of her skin. 

Epsom Salt is also great to relax tired muscles.  It draws toxins from the body and is a great muscle relaxant.  Dissolve a cup in a bath and soak it to it!  

Sick of Plain Rice?

We always have Rice on Christmas Day.  To make it more interesting we chop up a couple of onions, fry them along with some cardamoms, cloves, tumeric, rasins and cashew nuts. To this we add washed rice, water and some vegetable stock.  All you need to do is then turn on the rice cooker...simple.

For those with nut allergies just omit the cashew nuts.

Chocolate Ripple Trifle

I have used Chocolate Ripple Biscuits in this Simple Trifle Recipe.

First Layer is Jelly

2nd Layer Vanilla Custard

For the top I have a layer of cream then Chocolate Ripple Biscuits and finally cream.  I use chocolate flakes to sprinkle on top and the cream is infused with vanilla.  You can use Fruit, smarties etc to decorate.

As you can see I have a sweet tooth... I had to decide between Pavlova or Chocolate Ripple Trifle for Christmas Dessert.
There is nothing more simple than a Chocolate Ripple Cake.  I have been making these since I was a child..  you can add jam and cream and decorate as a blackforest... add peppermint chocolate... the list is endless...  Enjoy!!!

Interesting Facts about Tumeric

Did you know that Tumeric belongs to the Ginger Family?

It looks similar to Ginger.

It was used as a Dye.

The Tumeric Bush produces Flowers.

It is believed to have antibacterial, anti - inflammatory and antibacterial benefits.

In Medieval Europe it was known as Indian Saffron as it was cheaper alternative to Saffron.

It is used in Indian Festivals such as Holi.



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turmeric

Gulbarn Tea Traditional Bush Medicine?

Gulbarn grows wild and is found in the vicinity of  Minyerri about 580 kms to the South East of Darwin.  It has been used for generations as a soothing drink to ease coughs and colds.  It has similar properties to green tea and contains no caffeine......

Lets support this great indigenous enterprise.  Its about time Bush medicine is recognised we have a lot to learn from this community.

www.abc.net,au 20/12/2015

Bitter Gourd or Bitter Melon and Diabetes Just Steep in Tea!

Bitter Melon Bitter Gourd or Karela.  This ugly bumpy green looking fruit contains properties that help to reduce blood sugar levels.  The three substances that do this are Charantin, Vicin and polypeptide-p.

Bitter foods help to cleanse the liver, detox, clean the blood and is antibacterial.   Check out 10 bitter foods below...

http://www.active.com/nutrition/articles/10-bitter-foods-that-cleanse-the-body-and-boost-performance

You can also steep Bitter gourd in tea.

Baileys and Chai

Why not make a Baileys and Chai Cocktail?

I Cup Cold Milk Chai with Sugar.  Made with my Original Chai.

Baileys to taste...

Sprinkle with cinnamon........

Dried Salty Fish

Dried Fish is an excellent source of protein.  Dried fish also contains little salt or cholesterol and is high in essential vitamins and minerals.  It is also low in saturated fat...

Dried Fish
Onions
Curry Leaves
Chilli Flakes
Green Apple 

http://smallbusiness.chron.com/benefits-driedfish-retailing-16080.html

Born in the kitchen

Nowadays everyone loves watching cooking and Lifestyle shows.  As Christmas is a week away and I am feeling nostalgic it has got me thinking about family and cooking.  When I think about cooking I remember it was my mother that taught me to cook and my grandmother taught her..

As a child when visiting a friend I would go over to find their parents  making tomato sauce or vino!
I also have fond memories of making  jams, chutney and the traditional fruit christmas cake.
Each Christmas I wait in anticipation for my Plum Pudding and biscuits that my friend Liz gives me made from old family recipes.

 I caught up with a friend last week and she was remembering her parents that had passed on.  I used to go over to visit and they would be baking biscuits... I can remember those smells, eating biscuits and then sitting down to watch Days Of Our Lives..............

I think that's what we treasure the most the wonderful memories we have of cooking together and then sitting down and eating that feast.. One of my favourite movies "like water for chocolate" so beautifully and eloquently shows the deep connection between the kitchen, love of food and family.

Ginger Chai Tea and Orange Cinnamon Cake

http://thegramstore.com.au/reviews-recipes/recipe-ginger-chai-tea-orange-and-cinnamon-cake/

First Ten Subscribers

Hi,
As Christmas is around the corner and in the spirit of giving.  I have 10 sample packs of tea to giveaway.   All I ask is that you subscribe to my blog...

Christmas Market Cologne

I have been promising myself that one day I will attend one of these Christmas Winter Markets.

    There are 7 Christmas Markets in Cologne which attracts many locals and tourists.   So thank you       Dameshk for sending these photos from your weekend in Cologne! Fingers crossed I will make it        next year for a white Christmas.  

Meat Free Mondays Tomato Curry

Simple Tomato Curry Recipe

5 tomatoes diced.

1/2 Onion Diced
10 Curry leaves chopped
6 cardamoms and 6 cloves
teaspoon mustard seeds
teaspoon garlic
1 tablespoon low fat cream

1 tablespoon Curry powder
1 tablespoon Paprika
1 teaspoon Tumeric
1 teaspoon chilli powder
3 tablespoons olive oil.
Salt to taste

Method
Heat olive oil ,onion,garlic,curry leaves, cardamoms,cloves and mustard seeds.  When mixture is slightly brown approx 5 mins add the curry powder, paprika, tumeric and chillipowder.  Also add salt to taste.  Fry for another few mins then add tomatoes and one cup of water.  Cook on a low heat for  approx 8-10 mins stir in cream and your done!

Looking to Collaborate

Chai mamma is looking to collaborate with like minded people...

Two heads are better than one... I love experimenting with blends and flavours... believe in the extraordinary not the ordinary...

email me on sip@chaimamma.com.au  anything is possible...

Simple Fish Curry from Simple to extraordinary

These simple ingredients are what makes a simple fish curry extraordinary.


Tamarind,
Garlic
Onions
Curry Leaves
Paprika
Chilli Powder
Salt to Taste

ASK Popeye does eating Spinach make you stronger? Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) the Super food

Spinach Facts

Spinach is a wonderful leafy green vegetable which originated in Persia. The word spinach aspanakh meaning "green hand"

Spinach contains the following vitamins: vitamin k, vitamin a, vitamin c, vitamin b2, manganese, magnesium, iron and folic acid.  Cooking spinach is better than eating raw spinach because the body cant break down raw spinach fully to absorb the nutrients.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinach

 .

Love Chilli Try this Sambal

Use a mortar and pestle to grind 1/4 onion and 2 tablespoons dried fish flakes.  Continue grinding with 1/2 cup chilli flakes add salt and lemon to taste.  What do you have? this lovely mixture below.

Red Rice

Red rice is red in colour with a red husk, nutty flavour, high in fiber and a high nutritional value as the germ of the rice is left intact.  It also contains anthocyanins which are found in dark purple and reddish fruits and vegetables.  Brown and Red rice have similar properties.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_rice

Have a Toothache? Overloaded on sugar Pre Christmas

Have a toothache?

Clove oil or Ground cloves are excellent for a toothache.  Just rub it on your gums near your tooth.

Clove oil contains eugenol which has both pain killing and antibacterial properties...

Ginger & Cinnamon Butter Cream Frosting

 1 Cup Salted softened butter
 3 Cups Sugar

 1 teaspoon milk
 1/2 teaspoon Ground Ginger
 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

ButterCream Frosting for approx 15 cupcakes

Beat for Approx 3 mins.

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Jackfruit Curry

What is Jackfruit? The Jackfuit is an ugly looking green coloured fruit that is native to South and South East Asia. It is rich in energy and contains lots of goodness such as minerals, vitamins and dietary fiber. It is also free from saturated fats or cholesterol which is an added bonus. What does it taste like? A tropical fruit, pineapple or mango. It can even be made in to a Jackfruit Curry!

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackfruit

Christmas

Does it feel like Christmas....Cranberries, Blueberries and Cinnamon.

Tea and Honey Hamper

Available now at Bee Sustainable 500 Lygon Street, Brunswick East, Victoria 3057

Chai mamma, it's summer in Melbourne and I am back...

It has been awhile, what have I done over the last couple of years? Travelled, spent time with family, cooked, cooked and cooked! Experimenting with recipes, blends and flavours...I love the traditional but like to add my twist on things as we all do! So stay tuned to hear about my new tea blends as well as my family's favourite recipes over the coming months...so when I have a food dilemma who do I go to? My mother of course!