Gut feeling

Lately I had a bad relataionship with my gut!

 As a candida sufferer with long term IBS symptoms, I noticed that it got worse recently.

 I had basic tests done and went to my lovely new doctor who is very supportive and helpful. He told me about the low FODMAP diet. When I read the list of not allowed foods, if I wish to eliminate symptoms, it all makes sense.

It is infact quite like the candida diet, but I somehow slipped into eating things every now and then that can aggraveate things down there in the gut area!

This is because if one avoids such foods for a long time, it is possible to slowly re introduce them, or, to occasionally have those things on the plate and enjoy.

 I do love garlic for instance and I cook with onions all the time....how can one avoid onions? It is rather difficult, don't you think? Yes it is easy to stay away from anything processed, anything fried and sugary and fatty...but with organic and healthy high fibre food, macrobiotics, etc...there are recipes with onions!

Ok, that is not too bad, when I discover that chives are allowed and the green part of spring onion! But I love broccoli, and they aggravate things a bit...so, you see, even things I adore and are supposed to be super foods, my gut doesn't quite like!
And beans! I love lentils and beans, chick peas, etc...I am not supposed to have too many either, but being a vegetarian that would be a good source of proteins!

I don't want to have fish or meat because of my IBS, I know it is good for me, but I have many reasons for believing in vegetarianism and would not change again.

I say again as in the past I did slip into eating meat. I was eating poached and grilled salmon, mackerel, etc...all the things that are good for you! But the welfare of the animals is a greater issue for me...

I love rice and steamed vegetables and I would eat them most days, but cooking for children makes me go into the usual patterns of cheese potatoes and pasta with sauce, now my aim is to experiment and see how they would accept and enjoy more simple foods...stay tune!


All the things I know already are on such list of foods to avoid , but it is very hard to be alert all the time, to have the knowledge and the wisdom in the head and live a busy life, like we all do.

Looking after children is hard already, trying to feed them and me with healthy nourishing foods, but often the choice out there is poor. Also the temptation is to be 'normal' and get 'normal' food like a baguette or a croissant! These for me are treats! They are not junk foods as I would get only top quality treats from the French bakery!
Nevertheless, if one slips a bit and doesn't get as organized, prep food at home and getting stuff from health food shop or the gluten free aisles of the supermarket you are left with little choice. And I pay the consequences. It is not often, but often enough. And then one forms a habit, a pattern!
It is easy to say ok for a bit of dark chocolate and a piece of white bread, in view of the dinner of brown rice noodles and steamed pak choi. Surely a bag of cherries or a peach is not harmful, it is fruit! Apples take the doctor away? Not for me, unfortunately they send me to the doctor!

Luckily, I formed 80% good habits...like having rice milk and almond milk , well since probably 1990, and avoid most processed and refine carbs, but I still like pasta ( I am Italian!), Indian food, etc...and that is why it is almost like an informed choice...: I will enjoy these, but pay the consequences!

So while I print out my FODMAP list to stick on the fridge, yes, I can have pasta, gluten free one!!
I will go to Blossoming Together on Saturday 11th to a workshop on fermented foods. It is underestimated how good saurkraut is for us!


Fermenting goes back to ancient culture, and it was sometimes the only cooking and preparation method used.
I can think now of yummy natto or tempeh as some of my favourite fermented foods..
Natto looks beige/brown and stringy soya bean paste or lumpy vomit! But believe me even if it looks like snot and smells of old socks, is quite a delicacy and very addictive, well, for me, as I crave it from time to time!
Tempeh is a traditional soy product originally from Indonesia. It is made by a natural culturing and controlled fermentation process that binds soybeans into a cake form, similar to a very firm vegetarian burger patty. Tempeh is unique among major traditional soy products.
Yoghurt is made with bacteria fermentation and it is also very beneficial for the gastric juices, balancing our intestinal flora.
Chocolate, dark chocolate, the real stuff, is made from coca beans which have been fermented. Click on this link to know more about proper dark chocolate: https://www.amanochocolate.com/articles/cacaofermentation.html
Pickles and condiments like miso, one of the healthiest things to eat for health and balance, are so important for our gut health: we should all get into the habit of having fermented foods daily.
I certainly eat some daily but should have more...and perhaps there is a certain way to eat such foods to aid digestion. I believe that for my own digestive system which is weak, and it is a common thing in modern days to lack essential enzymes, hence the increase of IBS, celiacs, candida sufferers, I need to have fermented foods before meals or in between meals, even better, first thing in the morning.

So I am going to learn how to ferment foods this afternoon:


Hope to see you there!

Fermenting Workshop Learn how to ferment vegetables, fruits and grains Take home some jars of ferments and wait for them to mature before enjoying their rich taste and health benefits Saturday,11th May 2pm–4pm £ 14.00 Refreshments included Book online www.blossomingtogether.com with Julie Ogonya Ingredients and most equipment will be provided, but clients/attendees will need to bring a paring knife and a large kitchen knife, can they please bring these wrapped for safety! If you need more information about what to bring the quickest way is to call or text Julie - 07943 442 470 or 020 8320 2279 Natural fermentation precedes human history. Since ancient times, however, humans have been controlling the fermentation process. The earliest evidence of winemaking dates from eight thousand years ago..... Food fermentation has been said to serve five main purposes: Enrichment of the diet through development of a diversity of flavors, aromas, and textures in food substrates..... A decrease in cooking time and fuel requirement....

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Hilly Fields

Outdoor Parent and Child Group

Have you ever walked into the woods or a park and felt at home? The Outdoor session has been very popular with the Acorns families for a few years already; it is structured similar to the regular Indoor Parent & Child session with a flowing  and repeating rhythm that the little ones can get used to and rely on. Acorns Outdoor Parent & Child Group,  are held as usual for the last 3 to 4 years at Oxleas Woods ,  here we have found and adopted a little corner of the woods,  our 'home' for two hours every Friday 10am-12noon, and it truly feels that way! We have set the place for picnic, built our own den and have a favourite place for the ring time… Once the children become familiar with the setting,  they are happy to wonder around and play together,  leaving a happy mum, dad (or nanny!) to relax with a cup of tea and a chat, or an activity. We have only just added an exciting new outdoor venue: Hilly Fields - A brand new session now offered each Tuesday morning, 10am-12noon. I am so happy to have chosen this particular green space; it has a magical quality, a lovely energy. It comes with a 'Stone Circle', and amazing view of London from the top of the hill, a beautiful playground which, of course most parents take their children too either before or after our sessions, a really lovely café, which, again, we all go to for drinks and food either before and/or after the session for lunch and when warm, an organic ice cream! The light and the space is unique at Hilly fields, I let my photos speak for themselves, then you can go to the official Friends of Hilly Field site for more info... http://www.hilly.org.uk/ Early morning, as I arrive before the session... This is our meeting point This is the Stone circle, our first 'stop' of the nature walk    We started this new sessions just after Easter, and it is already so popular with at least 10 to 12 regular families... a brand new session now offered each Tuesday morning, 10am-12noon. The structure of the outdoor sessions is as follows: Nature walk- 10- 10.30 Snack time-10.30- 11.00 Play time-11.00 - 11.30 Craft (during free play time) Tidy up Ring time/Storytelling 11.30- 12.00 We gather at a meeting point at 9.45 for 10.00 start. What we do: We begin the sessions with a nature walk;  here, there is an opportunity to explore the space around us:  we always go along our usual path that leads us to our gathering area. We do many things, sing the little songs, hope to find incy wincy spider... we go at the pace of the children and stop often... Hear the birds and watch the little wonders of nature. Experience the outdoors in its simplicity . We don't ask questions, like, how many ladybirds can you spot, or,  do you know the name of this tree... the children are still far too young for intellectualizing.  We like to believe that we let Mother Nature sing her songs to us and  we just open our senses and listen... We see what can be found that we may use to either build dens for the children or houses for the fairies...We meet crocodiles, cheeky goblins, toads, and bears,  even the Gruffalo.. . and whatever the imagination of the children allow! We gather objects for a possible nature craft, whatever Mother nature got in store for us,  literally everything is interesting: dry leaves, pine cones, acorns, conkers; this is our common activity, like gathering twigs for crafts,  or other interesting objects for the treasure collection, making necklaces from the red berries and strings or sitting quietly listening  to the Nature noises can also take place for the first 30-40 mins. We bring food for a shared picnic prepared in advance and  brought along with the hot thermos of herbal tea, chamomile and honey, lavender,  eldeflower for summer or for the winter, soup,  and, on special occasions, rice milk hot chocolate drink! We say good morning to the birds, stones, flowers and trees and go on a  'singing journey' riding ponies; this is our Ring Time/Story Time,  when we get everyone together and conclude the session. What to wear and what to bring: Please bring along: Containers, tissues, plates/cups for picnic time, plus a blanket/picnic mat to sit on. Please wear lots of layers, thermal vests and long johns, woolen vests under garments, wool sweaters and padded waterproofs, like all in one or separate top and bottom thick trousers, possibly like ski- wear in winter and hats that stay on the children's heads. The parents and the children who look more relaxed and play happily are the warm ones! Travel and Parking: Both Oxleas Woods and Hilly Fields have free parking. Both sites are easy to get to by bus.  For map and travel info go to the relevant links. Who can come:Although we are part of Acorns parent and child group,  we have a variety of ages in the park and the woods, as we welcome toddlers, siblings, babies in slings, older children, daddies and mummies and child carers , families with toddlers, young children and older children too, home educators, grandmas and grandads too, in fact, everyone is welcome, all ages!             Images from my very first session at Hilly Fields We had a lovely time and when we finished we went to the cafe and two more families we met there are so keen they want to join us next time! The structure of the outdoor sessions is as follows: Nature walk- 10- 10.30 Snack time-10.30- 11.00 Play time-11.00 - 11.30 Craft (during free play time) Tidy up Ring time/Storytelling 11.45-12.00 We gather at a meeting point at 9.45 for 10.00 start. It is easy to meet by the cafe Pistachio in the Park which is at the top of the hill right in the middle of Hilly Fields. It is a lovely cafe and very children friendly! What we do: We begin the sessions with a nature walk from the cafe towards the stone circle here, we stop to play, then we carry on down to the left, following a circle around the perimeter of the park anti clockwise; there is an opportunity to explore the space around us: we always go along our usual path that leads us to our gathering area, which is the fenced area near the bowling, where logs and benches await us, amongst flowers and bushes, perfect for the little ones to feel that they can explore,play 'house' or hide and seek, with the adults knowing the gate is closed! We do many things, sing the little songs, look at little creatures, hear the birds and watch the little wonders of nature. Experience the outdoors in its simplicity. We like to believe that we let Mother Nature sing her songs to us and we just open our senses and listen... We see what can be found that we may use to either build dens for the children or houses for the fairies...We meet crocodiles, cheeky goblins, toads, and bears, even the Gruffalo... and whatever the imagination of the children allow! Craft We gather objects for a possible nature craft, whatever Mother nature got in store for us, literally everything is interesting: dry leaves, pine cones, acorns, conkers; this is our common activity, like gathering twigs for crafts, or other interesting objects for the treasure collection, making necklaces from the red berries and strings or sitting quietly listening to the Nature noises... Snack time We bring food for a shared picnic prepared in advance and brought along with the hot thermos of herbal tea, chamomile and honey, lavender, eldeflower for summer or for the winter, soup, and, on special occasions, rice milk hot chocolate drink! Ring Time We say good morning to the birds, stones, flowers and trees and go on a 'singing journey' riding ponies, or being hopping bunnies; this is our Ring Time/Story Time, when we get everyone together and conclude the session. What to wear and what to bring: Please bring along: Containers, tissues, plates/cups for picnic time, plus a blanket/picnic mat to sit on. Please wear lots of layers, thermal vests and long johns, woolen vests under garments, wool sweaters and padded waterproofs, like all in one or separate top and bottom thick trousers, possibly like ski- wear in winter and hats that stay on the children's heads. The parents and the children who look more relaxed and play happily are the warm ones! Travel and Parking: I believe that Hilly Fields have free parking around it. Hilly Fields is very easy to get to by bus. For map and travel info go to the relevant links. Who can come:Although we are part of Acorns parent and child group, we have a variety of ages in the park, as we welcome toddlers, siblings, babies in slings, older children, daddies and mummies and child carers, families with toddlers, young children and older children too, home educators, grandmas and grandads too, in fact, everyone is welcome, all ages! To book for these sessions click on bookings and choose the Tuesday morning outdoor session and pay on line as usual. It's easy. May I remind you that even with outdoor groups we ask people to commit for the term in advance. It is still the leader's precious time and energy to prepare for the session each week. However we invite people to drop in as guests, which more often results in a new Acorns member of the group! This is an image of Hilly Fields very special stone ring!    And these are the images from our second session, on a lovely warm sunny day!

Oh well! What can I say? I mustn't complain! This is my chosen home, with wind, clouds and drizzle and all...with a spring that feels more like winter and a summer that lasts three days, which feels more like spring! But the difference is much more noticeable after 5 days in Rome!

Here we go then, a photographic souvenir of our Roman Holidays!

 on the tram



by the forum
Morgana's jump

lungotevere

 

 

by a fountain

 

 

 Gianicolo

 

 

Water!

 

 

Gianicolo, not quite the Botanical Garden, but just outside its fence!

 

 

La fontanella all'angolo

 

 

Il chiostro del Bramante

http://chiostrodelbramante.it/

The seaside at Ostia
Salus cafe

The beach

 

Me and my sister

 

Photo shoot - Laura's balcony

 

 

Gelato time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

All things wild and beautiful

Photograph: Jill Mead for the Guardian

 

Time for Wild Garlic, one of the many smells and flavours that mark early spring for me, together with asparagus, spring green and shoots, artichokes, nettles, mimosa, wysteria and many more.

Wild garlic is not the usual bulb with cloves, like the garlic we know, but looks more like a spring onion with a white flower on top.The beauty of it is you can eat it, flowers and all!

Why is wild garlic good for me?

Its main properties: antibacterial, antibiotic, antiseptic and just cleansing and supporting the immune system. The main health benefit of garlic is its effectiveness in reducing blood pressure and, hence, heart disease and the risk of stroke. Although all garlic has this property, wild garlic has the greatest effect on lowering blood pressure. Adding wild garlic to our diet at this time of the year helps flushing away those toxins and build up of bad cholesterol we accumulated during winter time.This applies to all the food that is grown wild and local and that is in season. Mother Earth knows what our bodies need at each and every moment!

Where to find wild garlic

Wild garlic grows in early spring in weed-like abundance in woods and even in unpromising-looking urban green spaces, filling the air with its aroma. Its sword-shaped, silky, moist leaves resemble those of Lily of the Valley, so rub a leaf between your fingers to make sure that it releases the characteristic garlicky smell. Foraging for wild garlic adds culinary purpose to a Sunday stroll, but you'll also find it  on farmers' market stalls.


Recipe for a simple potato soup with wild garlic



This is a bit like what I remember my Sicilian grandma used to make, which we called patate spezzatino

Ingredients

6 floury potatoes

1 garlic clove

stock

a bunch of wild garlic

extra virgin cold pressed olive oil

a little chilli flakes- optional

Flakes of sea salt      

 Put the potatoes peeled - washed and cubed in a pot with a garlic clove and add some water/ stock ( I make a stock with onions, celery and carrots, bay leaves and fresh herbs, like parsley. If necessary I add Marigold bouillon at the end)
Boil the potatoes in the stock for a good 15 - 20 minutes.
Remove from the heat and add the wild garlic to wilt, or line the soup bowls with the wild garlic and then pour in the soup.
 Put the extra-virgin olive oil and the chilli, if using, on the table for people to help themselves. You could also garnish the soup with a grated, crumbly cheese, such as Parmesan, or Pecorino.