Just a little something

I have a problem... my dog is mad with me! Every time I come near the laptop I get barked at!!

I had to take my car to the Busselton (a town 30 mins away) for an oil change today, and Miss Ruby missed out on her beach run as it really was too cold to go there by the time I got home...... a full moon and too much energy is bad news for a dog's person! So tonight my very quick something is a Ruby being demanding photo and some Hipstamatic fun! Gotta go and do some attention giving.....................

Salad Days!

Today is about dinner again....

I have made this delicious salad a couple of times now and it really hits the spot..a new favorite!

I finely slice cabbage, fennel and red onion, grate some carrot (large grate) mix it all together, quantities are basically how you feel and what you have on hand. Next I stir through some organic whole grain mustard and I good handful of herbs from the garden, today I used  watercress, basil, parsley and mint. stir again. I then top with some fish (whatever you have on hand ) and done!! 

It is great to vary this with hemp seeds, sunflower seeds and or pumpkins seeds or even some chopped nuts such as walnuts (if not having  fish I like to add nuts and seeds).

With cooler weather this evening I cooked some baby potatoes in native lemon seasoning, whole grain mustard and a dash of maple syrup a few with my salad and the rest will be a salad of their own tomorrow.

I try and use organic produce and seasonings where ever possible.

Raw Chocolate Dessert

Yesterday I made another favorite chocolate treat Raw Chocolate Ganache Torte...mmmmmm!

I love Pinterest and happened to find this recipe when someone posted a picture, I followed the link to this great blog The Wannabe Chef, the recipe is here; Recipe. I used Maple Syrup and Honey instead of Agave (too high in fructose for me) and added some vanilla to the ganache. I sometimes add some chopped cherries and coconut to make it more like a "Cherry Ripe" a favorite from my old sugar eating days!

Today I just sprinkled a little Cacao powder and coconut on top to make it pretty. I keep this one in the freezer and just slice a piece or two off as needed. A super speedy delicious treat give it a try and enjoy!

Vertical greens

This Christmas my sister and I tried something new, we made a rule to only give each other something we had made ourselves.... and we both had a lot of fun with it. It is really nice to come up with an idea and then construct it yourself!

I have had a bit of an obsession with vertical gardening for a while now and my sister made me this plant hanger which I love, a perfect choice for me! I have planted it out with herbs that seem to love thier location and are giving me back already for my smoothies and cooking...

I have planted mint, thyme, basil, coriander, parsley and lemon mint. They are still establishing so I looking forward to seeing how my hanging garden grows......

Raw green goodness!

I have been a juice girl all my life, as a child I loved my orange juice (mum did home made some of the time) then in high school I read Raw Energy by the Kentons and it validated my cravings!! So I very thoughtfully purchased a juicer for my parents.......... and I have been juicing and sprouting ever since! It has been a part time relationship depending on my work and travel over the years, but I always come back to it. These days the old "high speed" juicer is in the cupboard and my juicer of choice is my two gear slow juicer which I love to bits! It is easier to clean and I can juice enough for 2 days in one hit and it will keep in the fridge.

Today's juice was  green apple, cucumber, cos lettuce, kale, some mint, corriander and parsley and I added some lime and ruby read grapefruit juice at the end. Yumm!!!  I made enough for tomorrow and Ruby had the left over green moosh in her dinner, which she loves!

Hot day....

We'll today was a one of those hot days that kind of flattens you...... We had a lovely swim at the beach and now well heat exhaustion has left me felling less than creative.... So here are some beach time photos....

Another birthday........

Today was Ruby's 12th birthday... Casa Cath seems to be reserved for Capricorns!

Ruby is the best change of mind I ever had... when I moved to Margaret River my sister's dog BoBo "accidently" had 11 puppies! I was not going to get one........ well 2 weeks later Ruby had made it clear she had picked me and that was that! 12 years on she is still bossing me around.... 3 kinds on sheep dog rolled into one has kept me on my toes! Ruby has taught me I can be more patient and that somethings in life are not worth being precious about. Walking every day is unavoidable and a great de stress at the end of the day or a lovely start. Our summer trips to be beach are the best! Today we had a walk, a play and a splash to end a warmish day. Just lovely! Ruby also has a high raw diet (due to a liver condition) and had her favorite dinner of raw vegetables with kelp, spirulina, flax and fish oil, some added water for summer hydration and topped off with some chopped raw salmon! (Yes I could have eaten it but I'm making my own version!) and it had her rolling around the room in delight!

I am very grateful and happy that Ruby decided I was her person. Happy Birthday Ruby! and thanks for always being so happy to see me!