starting the New Year and more Sourdough
It’s quite funny the whole “New Year, New YOU,” sentiment that is a constant theme during January – the resolutions, the detoxing, the “cleansing.” As I’ve said, I’m all for goal setting and healthy aspirations, but why is there such a big movement towards “bettering ourselves” at the beginning of the year? Why not March? Or October? It amuses me.
Anyway, I’m quite happy to say that I didn’t over-indulge in much during the silly season. Although I probably drank far too much cider, vodka and caffeine – but nothing to warrant a detox. I have, however stopped drinking coffee (the Shock! the Horror! My Head!) which has been quite a nasty experience. Man oh Man have I got a headache. The last week I have been SO tired (while still consuming at least 2 cups of Joe per day) – to the extent to multiple naps (oh the luxury of having Viper home to Misty-wrangle) and still feeling like a zombie.
So I decided to cut it out cold turkey. Ouch. I’m on day 3 now, and the headache has faded, but it is still there in the background, just hanging on, trying to tempt me into cranking up the coffee machine. Although, it wasn’t just the coffee contributing to my caffeine intake….I’ve been eating a LOT of cacao and cocoa. Delicious, yes – but they still contain caffeine. Also, when I say a LOT, I mean up to 1/2C of the stuff a day. Way way WAY to much of a good thing, no?
I’m all for intuitive eating – and lately all I have wanted is FRUIT (and I mean lots of it). I may be tempting fate, but my candida issues haven’t been a problem, and tis the season for tropical fruit aplenty, is it not? (Southern Hemisphere).
I have been enjoying many a “fruit soup” such as the one above – 1 frozen banana, 1 mango, 5 fresh apricots. Just delicious. I’ve also cracked out my trusty juicer and having been having a LOT of vegetable juice – it’s just too hot here to feel like much else. I suppose it’s a positive thing, all this fruit & veg – I’m not using salt on EVERYTHING as I usually do…. just enjoying nature’s fare unadulterated.
Viper, on the other hand, is not so enthused by the idea of being a plant-muncher – he does partake in the odd juice though (more fruit than veg) and when asked if he would like a fresh veggie juice for breakfast, he replied, “Coffee?” Ah well. I have been getting much use out of my sour dough starter for the Man of the house – pizza bases.
Sourdough Pizza Base:
Makes 2 Bases
- 1 & 1/2C sourdough starter
- 1& 1/2C organic plain flour (high grade (strong) flour works really well here)
- 1t sea salt
- 1t dried mixed herbs (optional)
- 6T olive oil
- Mix all ingredients together and leave to sit for about 30 minutes.
- Carefully scoop out dough onto a floured surface and knead gently until dough comes together.
- Split dough in half.
- Sandwich the dough between two sheets of baking paper and roll out to desired thickness – repeat with other half.
- Pre-bake pizza bases quickly – 200 degrees C for 8 minutes.
- Top with your favourite pizza toppings, and then back in the oven for another 10-15 minutes or until golden brown around the edges.
This creation for Viper was made up of a home made sweet tomato and red capsicum sauce, sliced red onions, black olives, zucchini ribbons, shredded chicken and cheddar cheese.
I suppose, even after my snorting at the significance of New Year’s resolutions/cleanses/detoxing – I am cleansing myself in a way aren’t I? Cutting the caffeine - will it be worth the headache? Only time will tell.
Hit me will YOUR intentions for yourself – New Year or not, it’s nice to have goals, right?
