Day 1 of my 30-Day Junk Food Throw Down...

My weight as of August 31, 2009
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Pumpkin & Vegetable soup just starting to boil and before it is whizzed - nearly zero calories.
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There are 5 of these books to collect - I have all of them. Do yourself a favour and get them.
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Okay, so this is my first day of the next 30 days to come!
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I weighed myself this morning and I weigh 73.5 kgs in my bras and knickers. That is about 162 lbs for those people in the US. It is not a pretty sight. I have long skinny legs but a roly-poly barrell tummy. It can only get better from here...
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I woke up at 5.45am and I went for a 5 km walk with KP around our usual route. This takes us about 45-50 minutes. We just made it home before the heavens opened.
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Breakfast - 1 large glass fresh squeezed orange juice (thanks, Angus!)
1/2 cup Just Right cereal, 1/2 cup Special K and 1/2 cup skim milk and 1 small
banana, sliced on top.
Cup of coffee with skim milk and Hermasetas sweetner,
then an hour or so later, 1 small slice toast with Flora Light marg and vegemite, glass of water.
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Off to work then home again at 12.30pm after shopping for lovely fresh produce - I even bought carrots with the green tops on them (note: twice the price of bagged ones) - you can tell they are straight out of the ground and not out of cold storage that way. I bought potatoes with dirt still on them, green and butter beans ready to steam, sweet corn on the cob and broccoli.
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Lunch - 2 slices Molenberg Soy & Linseed bread, ham, tomato, lettuce, grated carrot, slice Kraft Free Cheese (oops - processed but nearly zero fat!) & pepper. 1 Banana & 2 glasses of water.
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Dinner - I bought 500 gms beef mince which I will turn into Annette Sym's Rippa Rissoles - get the recipe here. We'll eat them with mashed potato, carrots, beans and corn. Seriously, Annette's books are very good for cutting out fat and sugar from your diet. It is amazing what she substitutes in the recipes. They are worth buying.
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When I get home from work at 4pm, that is my 'witching hour' when I am likely to pig out on cheese, savoury biscuits etc. Today I got home and got stuck into making some Pumpkin & Vegetable soup - big chunk of pumpkin, any kind; 2 carrots; 1 potato; stick of celery; 1 medium zucchini; 1 onion; 2 tblspn chicken stock powder & pepper to taste. Put all chopped veggies in a stock pot, cover with water and add stock poweder and pepper. Bring to boil then simmer for about 1/2 an hour. Blitz with a Bamix or stab blender. This is a good soup to grab a mug of when you are hungry and perhaps waiting for dinner. There are virtually zero calories in it. For me, it's the difference between raiding the fridge for some cheese or something worse!
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Next I prepared the Rippa Rissoles. This kept me busy while the soup was cooking. They can be made earlier in the day and kept in the fridge until it's time to cook them in the fry pan. Dear easy and really yummy. Great for hiding vegetables if you have fussy kiddos.
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That's day one nearly over - how did you do today?
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Cheers - Joolz
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Visit: www.30daythrowdown.blogspot.com

Homemade lemon cordial...

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HOMEMADE LEMON CORDIAL
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6 good sized lemons, juiced and seeds discarded
rind of 1 lemon, finely grated
1.5 kgs white sugar
5 cups of boiling water
50 gms citric acid
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Add all ingredients to a pan, heat until sugar is dissolved, bring to the boil. Boil about 5 minutes, cool slightly then bottle in sterilised bottles.
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Enjoy with soda water, mineral water or still water. Very nice as a Gin soda squash with ice....or Vodka on the rocks with cordial.
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Cheers - Joolz

Here's what I'm up to...

Pip from Restisnotidleness had this nifty list on her blog, via Pip at Meetmeatmikes. Thought I'd give it a go:

Making: Chai tea - Twinings, milk and 2 sugars thank you. And I want to make some lemon cordial.
Cooking: Oatmeal cookies with cranberries from Hannah at Honey & Jam
Drinking: that Chai tea, mmmmmm! Later, maybe a nice Cabernet Sauvignon with dinner.
Reading: Never Say Die - Chris O'Brien. He is a very good story teller and I'm enjoying his story.
Wanting: Some sunshine today to clear the cobwebs from my mind.
Looking: out my study window, the window is dirty from the rain. Could do with a clean.
Playing: Bubble Shooter...until my shoulders get sore...
Wasting: yep, too much time playing Bubble Shooter!
Sewing: Nada, zip, zero, nyet, nil! Shame.
Wishing: peace for the bereaved families of the two people who's funerals I attended this week.
Enjoying: Saturday at home, all day.
Waiting: for the next load of washing to finish so I can hang it... inside!
Liking: the thicker doona I put on our bed a few weeks ago. Toasty warm.
Wondering: what Angus will cook for dinner tonight?
Loving: my family
Hoping: that Spring will arrive on time, on September 1. Sunny days, a sprinkle of rain at night -that would be perfect, right?
Marvelling: at Brianna, driving a manual car around our small back paddock.
Needing: some new clothes that fit me correctly. I hate buying clothes. Only time I use the word hate!
Smelling: my laundry detergent - Surf Small n Mighty - Oriental. Delicious.
Wearing: black tracky dacks, pink striped polo shirt and my crocs.
Following: Pip's list for this blog.
Noticing: Erk, it's after noon and I really haven't done anything!
Knowing: It really doesn't matter - I've got all day to do nothing! Ha!
Thinking: I need to buy some more viola seedlings to go in some pots. Pretty when they flower.
Feeling: Grotty. Need to shower then I might do some more Mary Wigham.
Boookmarking: Ladybird World Mother - bit of a giggle here and there.
Opening: the clothes dryer to take out freshly fluffed smalls.
Giggling: at an e-mail my sister sent me. I might share some of the sayings in a later post.
Feeling: ready for another cup of Chai tea.

Rest in Peace...

Last week, our community lost a vibrant, effervescent, young woman - a wife, mother, daughter, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, cousin, neice, work colleague, friend and best friend. She was just just 41 years old and leaves behind her childhood sweeheart husband and 3 daughters aged 15, 12 and 9. She was a community minded person, a doer, a top chick, a good sort and a lovely lass. She was the life of the party, she loved dancing on tables with her friends at the footy club. I've just been to her funeral where I think perhaps 600 people farewelled her, among the pine trees, tossed by high winds, in a small town cemetery. She worked for us in our business, years ago before she had children. She was loyal, honest, fun, respected and down to earth. Whenever we met up around town, she had a big smile and a G'day, how are ya going? It is so unfair and sad that she has died. I will always remember her when I see red and white balloons (her beloved footy/netball club colours) - children at the funeral let balloons go in the air. Her funeral card had the following verse chosen by her family.

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You can shed a tear that she is gone, or you can smile because she has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back, or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left.
Your heart can be empty because you can't see her, or you can be full of the love that you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live in yesterday, or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember her and only that she is gone, or you can cherish the memory of her, and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back, or can do what perhaps she'd want, open your eyes, smile, love....and go on.
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Rest in peace, Ange!

You know you're Australian when...

(SimplyJoolz's tootsies and thongs with 'bling')
1. You own a pair of thongs for everyday use, and another pair of 'dress thongs' for special occasions.

2. You've had an argument with your mate over whether Ford or Holden makes the better car (it's Ford of course!)

3. You are secretly proud of our 'killer' wildlife!

4. You believe it makes sense for a country to have a $1 coin that is twice as big as it's $2 coin!

5. You still think of Kylie (Minogue) as 'that girl off Neighbours'.

6. You believe that 'stubbies' can be either drunk or worn. (shorts and beer bottle). Hey, note the 'ute', 'esky' and 'mullet hair do' and 'best mate (dog)' in background!

7. You believe it makes perfect sense for a nation to decorate its highways and towns with large

fibreglass lobsters, pineapples, bananas and prawns....

8. You suck your coffee through a Tim Tam biscuit!

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(SimplyJoolz's very own VitaWeat biscuit with Vegemite)
9. You've squeezed Vegemite and bitter through a VitaWeat biscuit to make little vegemite worms! (Okay so this didn't work that well, no holes in the biscuit!)
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10. You've played beach cricket with a tennis ball and a bat fashioned out of a fence post.

11. You've been on a beach holiday and have probably stayed in a caravan.

12. You don't know what is in a meat pie...and you don't care!
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(SimplyJoolz's very own ugg boots, worn outside her house!)
13. You own a pair of ugg boots...and you wear them outside your house!

14. You order a hamburger...with beetroot...of course!
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15. You pronounce Melbourne as 'Mel-bin'.
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16. You think 'Woolloomooloo' is a perfectly reasonable name for a place. (say Wool-a-ma-loo)
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17. You believe that cooked-down axle grease makes a really good breakfast spread. (Vegemite)
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18. You believe that the more you shorten someone's name, the more you like them... Joolz (Julie), Gus (Angus), Mick (Michael), H (Hayden), Shoey, Ferg, Col, Dezzo, Thwaitsy, Joe & Fatz!
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19. You pronounce Australia as 'Stralya'
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20. You understand that 'you' has a plural and that it's 'youse'.
('What are youse doing after work?')
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21. You know the meaning of the word 'girt'
('Our home is girt by sea...(from our national anthem Advance Australia Fair)
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22. You know it's not summer until the steering wheel is too hot to handle!
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23. You believe the phrase 'smart casual' refers to a pair or black tracky-dacks, suitably laundered.
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24. You believe, as an article of faith, that every important discovery in the world was made by an Australian but then sold off to the Yanks for a pittance.
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25. And you will immediately forward this list to other Australians, here and overseas, realising that only they will understand.
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Well that was a bit of a laugh,
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Cheers - Joolz :)
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(all other photos obtained via Google Images other than stated as SimplyJoolz)

Sunday...er, Wednesday Stealing.....

This is a meme that Linda at Remote Tree Changer has on her site. It's good fun. I chose my music titles from Taylor Swift's self titled album and her latest album, Fearless.

The instructions: Using only song names from ONE ARTIST of your choice, cleverly answer the following questions. Try not to repeat a song title. It's a lot harder than you think. The great thing is you can do it over and over with different artists. Link back to: Sunday Stealing

Jodi's Meme: My life according to Taylor Swift

- Are you male or female? Female (not a song title)
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- Describe yourself. Invisible
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How do you feel right now? Fearless
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- If you could go anywhere, where would you go? A place in this world
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- Your favourite form of transportation? White horse
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- Describe your morning routine? Breathe
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- Your best friend is? Tim McGraw
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- What's the weather like? Cold as you
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- Pet peeve? Tear drops on my guitar
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- If your life was a TV show, what would it be called? The way I loved you
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- Your relationship? Love story
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- Your fear? The outside
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- What is the best advice you have to give? You belong with me
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- If you could change your name, you would change it to... Hey Stephen
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- What do you say when you are frustrated? Should've said no
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- Thought for the day? I'm only me when I'm with you
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- How would you like to die? Tied together with a smile
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- Your soul's present condition? Perfectly good heart
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- Your motto? Stay beautiful
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This was good fun, give it a go!

Cheers - Joolz

A productive Saturday...

(Simplyjoolz scones)
Kirby arrived home for the weekend for a catch up. Always lovely to see her. I've made scones & triple-choc chip cookies for the girls and Bri's friend Michael. I have also made 4 packs of shepherds pie with mashed potato for Kirby to take back to Adelaide for the freezer. Nice to know my home cooking is appreciated and it's a good way to get some vegies into her (hidden zucchini, carrot and pumpkin). We are having Mexican Potato Casserole for dinner. I've washed 3 loads of clothes, folded and put away. Having a glass of wine and surfing blogland. Mary Wigham cross stitch sampler beckons. It's been raining on and off all day so a good day to stay indoors.
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Cheers - Joolz

Robynn's 30 day Throw Down...

I'm taking the challenge too!

After devouring some lovely food in the last couple of days, Robynn's post about her 30 day Throw Down has got me on a path of healthy eating.

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Beginning on our first day of Spring, September 1, 2009 I will attempt to throw down junk food, fast food, processed food. Instead I will attempt to eat whole foods, cooked from scratch, raw foods, wholemeal food, low sugar and salt foods. I will attempt to walk each day with my friend, KP - we currently walk 5kms each morning, out and around town. On September 1, I will reveal my current weight then I will reveal it again on October 1, 2009.

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I have previously lost weight with Weight Watchers so I intend to get out my books and cook from those.

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Here are a few tips I am going to try:

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* Eat wholemeal/grain instead of white breads/rolls in moderation

* Eat 2 pieces of fruit a day

* Eat 5 serves of vegetables a day (1/2 a cup is one serve I believe)

* Drink fresh juice only - not processed/store bought. No cordial

* Drink lots of water - 8 glasses preferably

* Eat lots of fresh salad - there are very few calories in lettuce, carrot, cucumber, tomato

* Look at portion sizes - meat should be the size of your palm,

a potato not much bigger than an egg.

*Eat fresh fish twice a week or include canned tuna and sardines in the weeks meals
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Look out for Robynn's tag on other blogs - I see Tatersmama has also taken the challenge. Why not join in - you've got nothing to lose - or maybe you could lose 4-5 kgs!
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Cheers - Joolz

It's got to stop...

I must stop...making delicious recipes...that I find on blogs....!

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It's having....an effect....on my....waistline!
Pip at Restisnotidleness is responsible for this apricot creation. Oh, it was very easy to make and so delicious! Like an Apricot Danish but....better!
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Joolz :)

Yummy quiche...from scratch...

I followed Rhonda's recipe for short crust pastry and quiche. I made the pastry in my food processor, rolled it out between 2 sheets of GladBake kitchen paper then flipped it into my flan dish.
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After refrigerating for 30 minutes, I blind baked the crust for about 30 minutes until it was golden.
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My filling was - 2 rashers bacon, 1 onion, 1 small zucchini & 1 small carrot both grated, bit of capsicum, diced and small tin of sweet corn kernels. Sautee bacon, onion then other veg until tender. Whisk 6 eggs and 4 tblspn light sour cream, add bacon & veg mixture, 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese, 1 tspn chicken stock powder, sprinkle of parsley flakes, salt & pepper. Pour all into pastry case, top with tomato slices and sprinke a little grated cheese on top.
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Bake in 180C oven for approx. 30 minutes until cooked through and top is golden. Enjoy with a tossed salad. I was very pleased with my pastry. Other times I have tried to make short crust pastry it has turned out tough and doughy. This pastry was buttery, crunchy and light in texture. A success! Any vegies can be included in the filling - try spinach, sweet potato, pumpkin etc. It's a great way to get children to eat their vegetables.
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I would have to say, it's the best quiche I've ever made. Lovely buttery pastry and it set all the way through. Yummo!

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Cheers - Joolz

Sunny & chilly here...

I love fresh new growth on my rose bushes.
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I love my cat Bonnie, who sits on a post enjoying the sunshine. Today it's bright sunshine and there's a crisp, cold wind blowing. Off to work now then home later to make a quiche with pastry base from Rhonda's Down--to--earth blog. I'm thinking eggs, bacon, tomato, zucchini, carrot and parsley and cheese.
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Enjoy your day, won't you?
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Joolz

Cupcakes for Bri...

Bri is home from her Art/Drama trip to Melbourne. She had a fun time with her best friend, Maddy and classmates.
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I made cupcakes for her.
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Joolz

Chasing skies...

I feel like one of those storm-chaser guys. It was a warm, windy day (about 21C) . I got home from doing netball canteen about 5pm and as I was driving back into town I could see that the sunset was going to be amazing. So I flew inside the house, grabbed my camera them took off to catch some sky shots.
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I drove out of town about 4 kms and fired away but when I returned home and viewed the pics on the computer, I wasn't happy with the pictures. They were out of focus and weren't framed well. But I did get some good shots.

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Aren't the colours fantastic?
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These two, above and below, I captured just before the light faded. I love trees and clouds (don't ya know?) and it was a real light show. Then is started spitting with rain.
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This one was taken at 5.40 pm.
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I fluked this one as I was driving back in. I passed the tree (I love bare trees!) and did a U-turn and crossed over the road and bent down under the tree and took the picture through the branches. My favourite!

You really have to grab photo opportunities as they pop up. I probably looked like a mad woman, leaning against my car, out in the middle of nowhere, clicking off pictures.
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It whipped up a storm last night, high winds and lots more rain. Today will be spent inside, tidying and cross-stitching.
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Cheers - Joolz

Cheesy-mite Scrolls...

First, I wanted to show you these strawberries that I bought recently. Aren't they huge? That's

a 20 cent piece on the plate. There were only 7 in the punnet. They were good!

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Onto the cheesy-mite scrolls. This was my first attempt. I made standard bread dough in my machine. I think it was a little too moist and will try and perfect the next batch because these turned out a bit stodgy. Still yummy to eat while hot.
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Pre-heat oven to 200C. I just flattened out the dough on the floured bench, topped with lots of vegemite and cheese.
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Roll it over and over and make a sausage shape, trying to make it long and thin. Cut off portions about 1 inch thick.
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Place on a lined tray. Spray each with just a smidge of olive oil spray. Let them stand for about 15 mintues in a warm place so they can rise again (mine didn't rise much but they should have)
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I cooked mine for about 25 minutes. Half way through, top with a little extra cheese.
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The end result. They didn't rise as I would have liked but I think the dough rose too much in the machine (I had to go and pick Bri up from netball training - neglect!). Will have another go in a few weeks time. I'll get there.

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Cheers - Joolz

7 Amazing things about me... I got tagged....

(web pic)
1. Okay, now you will think this is weird. Chocolate is not my most favourite thing in the world. That's AMAZING!
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(web pic)
2. I would rather each cheese than chocolate! That's AMAZING!

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(web pic)
3. My bottom eye-lashes grow long so I have to trim them about once a month! That's AMAZING!
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(web pic)
4. We visited the Taj Mahal in Agra, India in 2006. Truly a work of art and love. It was AMAZING!
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(Joolz pic)

5. My friend once called me S.O.B - Super Organised Bitch! This is the kit I carry in my car boot. It contains bandaids, gauze pads and bandages, strapping tape, Asprin, Panadol, Ibuprofen, sunscreen, chap stick, splinter probe, eye drops, scissors, Berocca Vitamin B/C tabs, Cold n Flu honey/lemon paracetamol drink, razor (for netball hairy legs), moisturiser (for same), bobby pins (wayward fringe), Claratyne anti-histamines, sterile swabs and Aqium hand sanitizer. Not that AMAZING! - I would hope most mothers carry this sort of sh%@, er...paraphernalia in their boot. Don't you??
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(Joolz's d00dle)
6. When I doodle, I draw 5-petalled daisies. Once again, not that AMAZING! But I have doodled these since I can ever remember!
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(web pic )
7. You can send me to heaven if you give me a foot massage...with a warm foot bath first... then a massage with essential oils... That's AMAZING!!!! Oh, yeah!!
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This was lots of fun - Marcy from Blessings Each Day tagged me along with Linda from Remote Tree Changer
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I have another idea to reveal more about you fellow blogger friends so stay tuned.
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Love to all,

Joolz