Going back to basics

Today people cook far less than they used to. This is due largely to the fact that fewer people find time to cook with increasing working pressures and commitments. As a result, many of us rely on over processed, convenience food, which is full of additives, colorants and chemicals.

Unfortunately, these types of foods are now associated with many medical problems amongst children and also adults, including asthma, hyperactivity, allergies, digestive disorders and other serious medical conditions.

The simple solution is going back to basics! Taking a leaf out of our mothers' and grandmother's cooking books. Thankfully, it is actually easier than you might think.

Many 'basic' foods can be prepared in little time and with little effort using fresh products that are in season, available in abundance and are affordable.

For example you can enjoy your own strawberry, fig or plum jams, hazelnut spread or peanut butter. Or how about simple homemade yogurt, fresh butter, tasty dips, lemonade, sauces, custard and homemade biscuits, bread and seasonal soups?

It's all about health and flavour; good ingredients will make good food and with the help of Thermomix - everyday cooking does not get any easier! It is empowering to know what is actually going into your food and to experience the satisfaction of saying "I made it myself!"

With Thermomix in the kitchen, you will taste the difference and see the difference in the foods you prepare and best of all, you will be saving time and money as well. Meals will be an enjoyable family experience to be savoured!

By using fresh, wholesome, nutrient dense food you will maximise your intake of vitamins, minerals and enzymes - the goodness we are meant to receive from food - which is compromised when you rely overly on convenience, pre-packed or processed products.

Cooking with Thermomix is both easy and enjoyable and you can even get your children to be part of it. In fact if you inspire your children to cook early in life you will be making one of your best decisions and setting them on the path to healthy eating.

For more recipes and a practical demonstration please contact the Thermomix office.

Hazelnut - chocolate spread

Ingredients:

90g     Caster Sugar
60g     Hazelnuts
100g   Plain Chocolate (broken into pieces)
70g     Soft Butter
1MC    Milk

Method:

Put sugar into mixing bowl and pulverize for 10 seconds on Turbo.

Add hazelnuts and chocolate and mix for 30 seconds on Turbo. 

Add butter and milk and heat for 3 minutes at 50†C on speed 2 or until mixture has reached a smooth consistency.

Place spread into sterilized jars.

It will last 14-21 days in the refrigerator.

Peanut butter

Ingredients:

500 g roasted, unsalted peanuts
Sugar to taste

 Method:

If using sugar to sweeten, pulverise the sugar first for 20 seconds on turbo.

Add peanuts to the bowl and cook for 10 minutes at 100oC on speed 2. 

This results in a chunky peanut paste. 

Spoon into a jar and seal.

For a smoother consistency continue with the following

Pulverise for 30 seconds on speed 7.  Continue with this action until you attain the desired consistency. 

Spoon into a jar and seal.

Will last 14-21 days in the refrigerator.

Harmful food additives uncovered!

An easy-to-read book, recently launched in Perth, gives consumers the essential information every person needs to know about which additives are in our foods, which ones are harmful, and why. Additive Alert - Your Guide to Safer Shopping was written by Perth author and mother of two, Julie Eady. The issues surrounding food additives are of concern to everyone, especially parents of young children. Although most additives are safe, there are many found in our everyday foods that may well be damaging our health.

Some additives are known carcinogens and considered dangerous, especially for children, whilst others are linked strongly to asthma, ADHD and the alarming increase in behavioural and learning problems in children today.  Incredibly, many additives are actually banned in other countries because of proven health risks, yet still widely used in Australia, often in so called "healthy" foods our children eat everyday. Additive Alert offers a quick and easy reference as to which ones to avoid and why.

In his foreword to the book, Murdoch University's Dr Peter Dingle advises: "You need to know the hard facts about food additives and understand that they are a significant contributing factor to our kids' poor health, and change what you can in your own life. Do this by reading this book."

Additive Alert - Your Guide to Safer Shopping is available at selected outlets around Perth, or direct by mail order on 08 94032245 or www.additivealert.com.au It would make a superb gift for anyone who cares about their health and especially for those with children.

WIN WIN WIN

To celebrate the launch of Additive Alert, Kids in Perth - The Parents' Paper has five copies of the book to give away. For your chance to win send your name, address and phone number to The Parents' Paper, PO Box 1418 Morley BC 6943 or via email competitions@kidsinperth.com

Learn how to swim the State Swim way!

The State Swim system is recognised as a leader in Aquatic Education in Australia. Excellent teachers and an outstanding training system create a winning combination. Small, graded classes and warm water at 32 degrees C are two important elements that ensure success, while graded classes mean students are taught with others of similar age and ability, only progressing when they complete the required skills.

The State Swim system is designed to accommodate all skill levels, from babies of six months of age to hesitant beginners, to the more accomplished swimmer. They believe in acknowledging accomplishment and a series of State Swim certificates reward pupils' achievements as they progress.

State Swim swimming schools are clean, efficient and well-run, providing the optimum environment for instruction and skill development. Warm water is of paramount concern and the equipment and pool chemistry are constantly monitored throughout the day. The indoor, heated pools provide ideal conditions in which to enjoy swimming the whole year round.

State Swim has five schools across Perth at Joondalup 9300 0500, Hillarys 9401 1155, Osborne Park 9444 1044, East Fremantle 9339 4520 and Canning Vale 9256 1677. For information contact the school nearest to you or visit the website at www.stateswim.com.au or see the ad on page 5.

 Step out and 'Walk There Today'

More than 35,000 school children and their families across Western Australia are expected to participate in the annual 'School, Walk There Today Wednesday' on 3 November, 2004. Designed to encourage school-aged children and their parents to walk part or all of the way to school, 'Walk There Today Wednesday' is a key component of the 'Walk There Today to Find Thirty' promotion runing from 1 to 7 November.

The Heart Foundation's Trevor Shilton, said walking is an easy, low cost way to be active and one that can involve the whole family.

"Walking to school promotes regular physical activity which is important in addressing the ever increasing issues with overweight and obese children," Mr Shilton said.

"It also assists in reducing traffic congestion around schools, increases street security and has a positive effect on learning."

Research has shown 62 per cent of Perth children and now driven to school each day, compared to approximately 30 per cent who were driven in 1986.

Nearly 200 events are being held throughout the State to celebrate ëWalk There Today to Find Thirty' and encourage West Australians to get out and be more physically active.

This year's theme, 'Little Steps - Big Rewards,' not only aims not only to highlight the health benefits associated with regular walking but also a sense of community, social well-being, and economic benefits of getting West Australians of all ages to exercise more.

Over 40 community walks are being held across the State. Families, workplaces, local governments, health services and community groups are all encouraged to step into a more active lifestyle during the first week of November.

For further information on 'Walk There Today Find Thirty' and how to get involved, visit the website www.dpi.wa.gov.au/walking or contact the Heart Foundation on (08) 9388 3343.

Learn to swim the Swimstruct way

Ian Dickson has been conducting Learn to Swim programmes for preschoolers, school-age children and adults at St Mary's Anglican Girls' School, Karrinyup, for the past thirty-six years. Swimstruct offers five ten-day series during December, January, February and March each year. Springboard diving classes are also conducted for school-age children.

Swimstruct aims to teach swimming and water skills and the various stroking techniques to equip the learner to save his/her life in an emergency and to provide the means to safe and confident participation in a wide range of water activities over a lifetime.

Types of classes offered include individual instruction (one child per teacher) for preschool children, school-age children and adults.

Small-to-medium group-size classes are available for school-age children (two, four or six children per teacher). All teachers are qualified and have their Austswim Certificate. Teachers are interviewed prior to their appointment and chosen for the ability to communicate with children.

Whilst the syllabus is unique, the teaching of the various skills and techniques is direct and orthodox and certificates are awarded for progress made.

For more information contact 9335 1115 or fax 9335 4431 or see the advert on page 3. 

Smart Balance is the smart choice!
-Actively reduce your cholesterol absorption without giving up one of life's simple pleasures

As the number of Australians experiencing high cholesterol levels continues to escalate, the question of how we can address the heart of the problem is on everyone's lips. 

Just launched, Smart Balance is the only dairy free, cholesterol lowering spread enriched with canola oil, plant sterols and olive oil.

Australian made and owned from Peerless Foods, Smart Balance is the perfect inclusion into an overall cholesterol-reducing meal plan and is also ideal for cooking and baking.

Sharon Natoli, Director of Food and Nutrition Australia, comments, "Studies show that eating 25grams of plant sterol-enriched spread per day can assist in reducing cholesterol absorption by around 10 per cent in just a few weeks."

That's the equivalent of eating four slices of bread topped with the delicious new Smart Balance reduced-fat canola spread. 

Sharon concludes, "There is no need to cut one of life' simple pleasures, in fact the benefits of plant-sterol containing spreads containing the right balance of dietary fats is an effective part of any cholesterol-reducing meal plan."

The plant sterols in Smart Balance lower cholesterol absorption while the monounsaturated oils assist in building a healthy heart.  Smart Balance not only boasts a 'tick' of approval from the National Heart Foundation but is also salt reduced, dairy free with multi-vitamins, virtually free of trans fatty acids and halal and kosher approved.

Smart Balance's unique combination of plant sterols, olive oil and canola oil make it a must on any healthy eating plan - so enjoy!  Smart Balance comes in a 400g tub, RRP $4.99 and is available nationally in Woolworths.