Birthday party

We were invited to a friend's 40th birthday party yesterday, and a lovely day it was, good company lots of kids and great food. Now being what I'd call as a bit of a foodie, I have never seen such an array of vegan and vegetarian food on a table, it really was a vego's heaven and mostly it came about because we all brought a plate, not that we had to. All I can say is that I wish all parties where like that, any hostess would be so much more relaxed and able to enjoy her party with gusto. As an added bonus not one child had a temper tanturm from too much sugar or overly rich food, they where a delight. Happy Birthday Michelle and may you have many more.

Chocolate Berry Muffins

Thought I'd post the easiest muffin recipe ever, I've even changed it around when I haven't got say enough berries and added more apples or no sugar, instead maple syrup, and they always work.
Makes about 12

CHOCOLATE BERRY MUFFINS
2 cups self-raising flour
1 tblsp soy flour [i've left this out sometimes]
1/2 cup cocoa [or more is also good, so to taste]
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup raw sugar[less is good or substitute with other sweetners]
160mls vege oil [i've used olive]
1 tsp vanilla extract
160mls soy or rice milk
160mls apple juice [i've used stewed apples]
1 cup mixed frozen berries or more according to taste

1] Pre heat oven to 180/c and prepare muffin tray, I use muffin papers
2] In a large mixing bowl, sift flours and cocoa, then add baking powder and sugar.
3] In separate, smaller bowl, whisk the oil, vanilla, milk and apple juice.
4] Slowly stir the combined wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, then stir in the berries.
5] Spoon into the muffin tray and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean when tested.
6] Leave to cool in the tray for 5 to 10 minutes before placing onto a wire cooling rack.

So easy. I'm sorry I don't have a picture to show as yet.

stress

Having a few problems with my husband H. he's on sick leave at the moment, and you all know what it's like with a husband underfoot, very hard to do what you want when you want, not that I'm really complaining as I actually like having him around. But needless to say I don't have the time for all the things I like to do. He's very stressed at the moment, so the building is not progressing very fast.

House building

About 4 years ago my husband Hans and I started building our 35sq pole frame mudbrick home. It's been a long journey and we are not yet finished, but are getting there. The house is double story so once the roof was on and most of the walls up, we shifted in, living in the bottom half with our teenage daughter[she's a good sport and never complained]. We put a shower in our unfinished B&B unit, which is attached but we have to access via the back doors which in winter wasn't that much fun. It's amazing what a person can put up with. Living on site is a lot easier, especialy during daylight saving time.

books

I just heard about a great book that I would like to read, Milk, the deadly poison anybody have a spare copy or know where I can buy one here in Aussie. Also The China Study is another book I'm after.

restaurant

My husband and I went to melbourne on saturday, first to grays auctions, as we are building our own mudbrick house and we love to shop at grays. We brought a split system air conditioner, a sink and mixer for the little selfcontained unit we are also building. After that we went to Ikea, as we are using their base units in our Kitchen, to buy a shelf for one of the units, got that and then it was of to the Home Show, a lot of walking and also a little boring. By this stage it was around six in the evening and it was time to go somewhere for dinner. Enlightened Cuisine Chinese Vegetarian Restaurant is where I suggested we go, what a lovely little place and the service was excellent as was the food. Naturally lots of Mock everything, but oh so tasty. We will definitly be going back. So next time your in Melbourne near Queensbridge st do try this great Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurant.