Non fiction

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Review – Food Hacker, Clever Cooking For Busy People: Rosie Mansfield

Food Hacker by Rosie Mansfield cover art

Food Hacker 

Clever Cooking for Busy People

Rosie Mansfield

Penguin Random House Australia

Ebury Australia

ISBN: 9780143788782

 

Description:

A recipe book of innovative food hacks to make preparing delicious, simple meals quick and easy.

Rosie Mansfield is a food hacker. She’s also a professional nutritionist, and has created an innovative and fun recipe book of hacks – simplified recipes to make cooking, quick, easy and stress-free.

These kitchen tricks and shortcuts will inspire you to whip up homemade snacks and meals that will nourish a long and happy life. Every recipe is nutritionally balanced and delicious, and designed to be as straightforward as possible to fit into busy lifestyles. Recipes have been stripped down to their bare essentials – this is the most basic of food preparation using equipment and ingredients we all know and love. Learn how to whip up cheap, fast and simple weekday meals in a jiffy, like rustling up an omelette in a mug, nachos in a sandwich bag or pad thai in just one pan.

All the nutrients, half the time and less washing up.

https://www.penguin.com.au/books/food-hacker-9780143788782

 

My View:

This little book is  a jem.  The recipes are easy to follow, quick and tasty. At last a book that caters for one serving 🙂

 

Check out the link discover more about Rosie and to score a free recipe extracted form the book.

 

 

 

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Herby Salt Rub: The Art of Herbs for Health – Rebecca Sullivan

 

The Art of Herbs for Health by Rebecca Sullivan ($19.99), published by Hachette Australia.

 

Taken from The Art of  Herbs for Health by Rebecca Sullivan. Published by Kyle Books.
Photography by Nassima Rothacker.

 

HERBY SALT RUB

Turn boring meat and veg into a restaurant quality meal simply by adding some herbs and spices. Make a jar of this to keep in your pantry and use it on everything. This is another great little jar that makes a lovely gift. p75

 

MAKES 1 SMALL JAR
1½ tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves
1 tablespoon dried chilli flakes
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoons whole yellow mustard seeds, crushed
2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
1 tablespoon dried oregano
2 dried bay leaves, crushed
125g good-quality sea salt

sterilised small jar with lid or airtight container

 

Place all the ingredients in the jar. Put on the lid and shake until the ingredients are combined, then store in a cool, dry place for up  to a year.

Use as a rub or a sprinkle on raw meats and veggies before roasting, as required.

 

Tip: Mix and match with your choice  of herbs and spices with salt.  Shake, store and rub.

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Toilet Bombs: The Art of Natural Cleaning – Rebecca Sullivan

The Art of Natural Cleaning by Rebecca Sullivan ($19.99), published by Hachette Australia.

TOILET BOMBS

These are so cool. I prefer to make them without a mould, but you can do either. If you’re not using a mould, you may find your mix is too dry, so just add a few drops of water until you can shape the mix into balls. Leave them to dry properly before storing. If they break, fret not, as they still do their job. p.44

 

Toilet bombs

Taken from The Art of Natural Cleaning by Rebecca Sullivan

Photography by Nassima Rothacker

MAKES 10–12
250g bicarbonate of soda
80g citric acid
food colouring (optional)
dried flower petals, such as rose or lavender to decorate, slightly crushed (optional)
10 drops of rose essential oil
10 drops of lavender essential oil
5 drops of lemon essential oil

rubber gloves
cotton face mask
spray bottle
glass jar, for storage
ice cube trays or jelly molds

Wear rubber gloves and a face mask, not because the citric acid is a bad chemical, but it is strong and if it goes down your throat the wrong way you will cough. Mix the bicarbonate of soda and citric acid together in a glass bowl. Fill a spray bottle with some cold water and then very gradually spray water into the mix in the bowl, stirring as you go. You want to add just enough water (so hardly any) to make the ingredients stick together. You can add a few drops of food colouring or dried flower petals too, if you like.

Add the essential oils and continue mixing. Form the mixture into single-use sizes by pressing into small ball shapes or similar walnut-sized balls using your hands (or you can use individual moulds, such as ice cube trays, to shape the mixture). Place them on a tray and leave to dry overnight, then carefully transfer the bombs (popping them out of the moulds, if necessary) to a glass jar or other airtight container and close the lid. These will keep for up to 3 months.

To use, drop one into the toilet pan, leave it to dissolve and flush on the next use. Use as necessary, but no more than once a day

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Post Script: The Art of Natural Cleaning, Natural Beauty, Edible Flowers and Herbs for Health – Rebecca Sullivan

 

    The Art of Edible Flowers ISBN: 978 0 85783 478 8

    The Art of Natural Beauty ISBN: 978 0 85783 478 2

     The Art of Natural Cleaning ISBN: 978 0 85783 475 1

    The Art of Herbs for Health ISBN: 978 0 85783 477 5

Rebecca Sullivan

Hachette Australia

Kyle Books

Description:

As there are 4 books in this series I am having trouble fitting the descriptions into my format – so I’ll just post one description– as a sample of the type of chemical free products you can make from these books.

 

From The Art of Natural Beauty:

From Avocado and Rose Face Oil to Salt and Macadamia Hair Spritz, this handy little guide is the perfect companion for anyone who wants to save money (and the planet) by ditching chemical-filled, mass-produced beauty products and making their own natural ones at home. Rebecca Sullivan has researched and tested a whole range of treats and treatments for your face, body and hair, and even your teeth.

 

Keep skin touchably soft with Chocolate Orange Body Butter, and create your own make up palette using petal powders. With Lavender Lip Scrub and Elderflower Night Cream, the ideas in this book will inspire you to overhaul your entire cosmetic collection and embrace the art of natural beauty.

 

My View:

I love this how to series of natural products/recipes, the books are perfect for anyone who is trying to detox their home, live a chemical free life and save money.

 

“Rebecca Sullivan is an eco-agronomist, activist, food writer, urban farmer, entrepreneur and home cook. She is passionate about heritage, preserving traditions, and passing on a wealth of ‘granny skills’ to future generations. She is the author of The Art of the Natural Home, also published by Kyle Books, and Like Grandma Used to Make, published in Australia. @grannyskills (Instagram).” https://www.hachette.com.au/rebecca-sullivan/

 

The ingredients used in these books are not difficult to source – many you will find in your kitchen pantry or garden and Rebecca provides a section at the back of each book called “resources” where she lists suppliers – by region.

 

Over the next few days I will post a couple of the recipes that I am keen to try. Easy to make, cheap and chemical free- what’s not to love?

 

 

 

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Post Script: Roast; The New Classics – Louise Franc

Roast by Louise Franc_cover_

Roast

The New Classics

Louise Franc

Simon & Schuster Australia

Smith Street Books

ISBN: 9781925418460

 

Description:

A collection of classic and more innovative roasting recipes–from a simple roast turkey to roasted peaches with creme fraiche. Get more from your oven–and update your roasting techniques–with this classic and contemporary collection of delicious roasting recipes.

 

Chapters cover meat, poultry, vegetables, fish & seafood, sides, and desserts, and contain more than seventy classic and more contemporary recipes including beef cheeks in red wine, classic roast turkey with spicy cranberry sauce, beef pot roast, roasted lamb shanks with cannellini beans, mustard-glazed roast leg of ham, sticky roast pork ribs, roasted ducks with cherries, whole-roasted harissa cauliflower, and slow-roasted peaches with lime mascarpone.

 

My View:

Who said roasts are just for winter? This contemporary cook book has all the classics plus so much more. I can have a different roast meal every day of the week! Brilliant!

 

This is a gorgeously styled and presented book – I love that each recipe is accompanied by a full size image of the completed dish. This is such an important detail when you are cooking with new to you ingredients or when you haven’t tasted or tried the particular dish before – it’s so good to know how it should at least look when cooked.

 

There are so many great recipes here, something for everyone. My favourites are the one pot and the slow cooked meals; they give me more time to read.  Once these types of meals are prepped and in the oven I can let the dishes cook away whilst I take the opportunity to do more important things.

 

Recipes that instantly appealed to me? I can’t wait to try the roasted cauliflower recipe. I keep seeing this dish on trendy restaurant menus. Friends are raving about this dish.  And for something entirely new to me – roasted white chocolate dip with grissini, I will let you know how that turns out.

 

What is your favourite roast?

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Post Script: Raising Boys in the 21st Century – Steve Biddulph

Raising-Boys-in-the-21st-Century_ Steve Biddulph cover art

Raising Boys in the 21st Century

Steve Biddulph

Finch Publishing

ISBN: 9780648100898

 

Description:

First published in 1995, Raising Boys was an instant bestseller and to date has sold over a million copies worldwide. Few books have stayed in the hearts and minds of parents everywhere as much as Raising Boys. Now in an increasingly complicated and nuanced world, raising boys to become emotionally strong, kind and resilient men is even more important and relevant. In response to calls from parents around the world Steve Biddulph has completely updated and revised his seminal work to include all the latest international information and advice for parents on all the key issues of today such as :

Gender

Brain and hormonal development including latest findings on testostetrone

Transgender/gay/sexuality development

Boys and crying

Boys and ‘bad’ behaviour

Reading and communication

Countering the effects of porn

Steve says:

‘Right now, the world badly needs good men. Your boy can be one of those who grow up so much better, and help to heal the world. Thank you for joining the boy revolution. As the 21st century rolls on, it’s badly needed. Enjoy your boy, love him well, and set him free to fly in his own special way.’

 

My View:

This book just make such sense (and has the science and psychology) to back it.  This is not just a book about raising boys, it is a book about raising happy, openhearted, strong, resilient children.  This book is a boon to all parents, grandparents, carers, teachers and anyone who has social interaction with boys. Read, listen, grow.

 

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Post Script: Brain Rules For Ageing Well – John Medina

 

Brain Rules for Ageing Well

 

Brain Rules For Ageing Well

John Medina

Scribe Publications

ISBN: 9781925322903

 

Description:

‘This is much more than the usual self-help book.’

GP SPEAK

How come I can never find my keys? Why don’t I sleep as well as I used to? Why do my friends keep repeating the same stories? What can I do to keep my brain sharp?

 

Scientists know. Brain Rules for Ageing Well, by developmental molecular biologist Dr John Medina, gives you the facts — and the prescription to age well — in his engaging signature style.

 

With so many discoveries over the years, science is literally changing our minds about the optimal care and feeding of the brain. All of it is captivating. A great deal of it is unexpected.

 

In his New York Times bestseller Brain Rules, Dr Medina showed us how our brains really work — and why we ought to redesign our workplaces and schools to match. Now, in Brain Rules for Ageing Well, he shares how you can make the most of later life. In a book destined to be a classic on ageing, Medina’s fascinating stories and infectious sense of humour breathe life into the science.

 

Brain Rules for Ageing Well is organised into four sections, each laying out familiar problems with surprising solutions. First up, an overview: looking under the hood of an ageing brain as it motors through life. The second part focuses on the feeling brain, using topics ranging from relationships and stress to happiness and gullibility to illustrate how our emotions change with age. The third focuses on the thinking brain, explaining how various cognitive gadgets such as working memory and executive function change with time. Each section is sprinkled with practical advice: for example, a certain style of dancing may be better for your brain than eating fish. Medina explains not only how taking certain actions can improve your brain’s performance, but also what is known about the brain science behind each intervention.

 

The final section is about the future. Your future. It’s filled with topics as joyful as retirement and as heartbreaking as Alzheimer’s. Medina connects all of the chapters into a plan, checklist-style, for maintaining your brain health. You may already be experiencing the sometimes unpleasant effects of the ageing process. Or you may be deeply concerned about your loved ones who are. Either way, Brain Rules for Ageing Well is for you.

 

My View:

What a wonderful insightful read – so relevant and so well written – the information is presented in a manner that is at times humorous (filled with anecdotes that hit the spot), informative, practical and sometimes a little sad.  I love the 10 Brain Rules for Aging Well (summarised in the introduction.)

 

  1. Be a friend to others, and let others be a friend to you.
  2. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude.
  3. Mindfulness not only soothes but improves.
  4. Remember, it’s never too late to learn – or teach.
  5. Train your brain with video games.
  6. Look for 10 signs before asking, “Do I have Alzheimer’s.”
  7. MIND your meals and get moving.
  8. For clear thinking, get enough (not too much) sleep.
  9. You can’t live forever, at least not yet.
  10. Never retire, and be sure to reminisce.

 

Do you include any of the 10 rules in your day?