​The benefits of regular gratitude practice have been well-researched. Daily gratitude exercises are a great way to lower stress levels and to provide a greater sense of appreciation and calm. 
As humans, big and small, it's easy to get caught up in the daily stresses of life.
Kids can experience a lot of anxiety growing up and in the modern world of advertising and consumerism, it's easy for them to be more focused on what they don't have (especially in comparison with others) instead of appreciating the things they do. 

​I know that everyone sings the praises of the slow cooker, but I'm a big fan of the good old-fashioned casserole dish in the oven.  Why?
Because in the chilly winter weather, having the oven on for around 2 hours warms the whole place up, the casserole gives off a wonderful aroma and it feels like the true comfort of home. 
Snuggling in to a warm home and eating together will create the most wonderful memories and your family will remember the warmth and cosiness of the winter nights at home for many years to come. 
#nostalgia

​​Someone asked me recently why I would bother making everything from scratch. Why would I bother making my own Chicken Kievs or Chicken Schnitzels or Potato wedges when I can buy them ready made? Why would I make Satay Sauce when I can buy it in a bottle? Why would I make Sweet and Sour Sauce when I can just as easily buy it in a jar? Why would I make my own white sauce or lasagnes? Why don't I just buy packet bases and throw together an easy meal in 10 minutes? Why would I bother with all that extra work?

I am incredibly lucky to live in an area that is abundantly rich with fresh produce. I have access to fruit barns and road side stalls where the produce is often straight from the farm. Grocery shopping for me always starts with a box or two of fresh produce. And we top this up regularly along with the milk and bread as the kids have always eaten stacks of fruit and vegetables... ​

​"Twenty years ago, I had no idea what I was in for. I couldn't find a good collection of recipes that I could make from a stockpile of cheap staples. There was no "Starter Kit" or "Congratulations, You just birthed a Ravenous Beast - Here's What You Need to Know" books. So with only very basic cooking knowledge, I started creating and stockpiling my own collection of recipes that I could make from a fundamental list of staple ingredients."

Today is the first chance I have had to resume any normal activity following the recent flooding from ex-tropical cyclone Debbie. I wasn't badly affected and my heart goes out to those who have lost so much. I was only slightly inconvenienced by being flooded out and unable to get home. Luckily though, my sons lived nearby and I was able to stay with them. We used to get flooded in a lot when the boys were younger as we lived across low lying causeways. Knowing how to cook from scratch was a handy skill when you had hungry boys and only had basic staples on hand with no access to any shops.