Linky-links

A photo essay on amazing animal intelligence  - below is the elephant video it links to, watch it, it's so cute!



And this one on pedigree dogs and what effect the restrictive breading is having on them.



This one is quite sad and it shows some gross stuff, so be warned!

Cupcake Yummy Yummy

This was actually an attempt at Red Velvet cupcakes, buuuut I didn't have any food dye, so it did end that way. I tried using beetroot juice to colour it instead.  The batter actually was an awesome red/pink colour, but when they came out of the oven they were a lovely cocoa-y brown instead.

I used this recipe halved, substituting the dye for juice.

Then for the icing I used:

• Icing sugar
• Soy milk
• Vanilla extract 
• and a little Beetroot juice/food colouring

To get a decent consistency you'll need a lot more icing sugar than liquid - so keep that in mind when you're adding them and just do so in small increments.

Also, when they are hot from the oven they might still be really moist (not so moist that if you stick a fork in there will be batter on in) this is fine, once they cool down a bit the outside will be a firmer. 

Ice once the cupcakes have cooled.  I did this by holding the base of the cupcake and swirling it upside-down in the bowl of icing.

Then sprinkle with shredded coconut and a little more icing sugar - if you wanna :)   

They have been room-mate tested and passed! 

- michelle

Snacking - Toast Chronicles

This glorious slice-'o-joy is a piece of Quinoa & Rye bread, toasted, with a thin layer of Vegemite, Avocado and a slice of Tofutti cheese.

A mini obsession. it's whatever

nom nom nom  xD

Mushroom Burgers

This is one of the boys’ favourites; it’s really quick, easy and tasty xD

Ingredients:

·         Burger buns/bread

·    Portobello Mushrooms 

(you’ll want ones about the same size as your bun/bread)

·         Tomato

·         Spinach/lettuce

·         Red Onion

·         Herbs

·         Firm Tofu (marinated)

·         Avocado

·         Tofutti Cheese slices

Method:        

•         Heat oil in a pan at a medium heat, add onion and whatever spices you choose, I think we had rosemary and basil , possibly garlic – brown slightly
•     Add mushrooms and cook gently till softened – Obviously we fried ours, but you could grill, bake or roast, whatever you prefer
•         Begin assembling the buns – spread the avocado on one slice, add spinach and/or lettuce, tomato slices & ‘cheese' 
•     Add the tofu to pan and cook till heated through
•     Once the tofu , mushrooms and onion are cooked to your liking, add to the semi-assembled buns

Enjoy!