Chicken walkabout: In memory of the chook we lost

Last night when out on their regular afternoon forage, one of our chickens went missing. She either got out somewhere through a hole in the fence or was nabbed by a predator. She vanished quietly, so we’re more inclined to think she just went walkabout and didn’t know how to come back. She was one of our best layers too *sigh*…

Here is a compilation of some recent pictures and images of all my chickens and ducks foraging and playing in the yard. Such simple creature that are so ridiculously funny and joyful to be around.

I’m still very sick and so I think this is a nice way to end the week whilst I go back to bed and try for the umpteenth time, to get better!

 

#LCHF Burger Buns – Recipe adapted from MY PCOS KITCHEN

Original recipe: https://www.mypcoskitchen.com/ultimate-keto-buns/

I love, love, love this website! I think I have mentioned it before. This lovely blogger Mira Fioramore is an absolute whiz at making recipes low carb, paleo and keto compliant. She details her struggles with PCOS on the blog My PCOS Kitchen. One of the reasons I am so drawn to this site is the simple recipes that are not only super good for you, but take into consideration those of us who do have PCOS.

What’s that saying – if you want something bad enough do it yourself? Or something similar. I love that Mira has taken the time to work on developing recipes that are not only good for her, but good for others like her. Kudos to you for your efforts Mira – I certainly appreciate it!

I’ve linked the original Mira recipe from My PCOS Kitchen above. To be honest I don’t make many alterations to it but I will outline what I do.

Some pictures from last week’s cook up for your inspiration!

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Servings: 4 single, 2 double (like a burger)

Ingredients

• 4 eggs
• 100g almond flour
• Salt and pepper to taste

Optional seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, Italian herb, Cayenne

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 220c.
2. Hand whisk eggs, adding seasonings per your taste to the mixture. If you’re unsure, ½ to 1tsp is a good start.
3. Weigh 100g of almond flour and add it to the mixture. Whisk again until you get a pancake batter like texture.
4. Using a jumbo non-stick tray, spray with extra virgin olive oil of choice and pour batter into four moulds. The batter should come to the very top of four moulds.
5. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove to eat straight away!

Notes:

• For thinner buns, you could spread it into the six moulds as per the original recipe, but both hubby and I prefer them a bit meatier. See the link below for the pan I use to make these.
• I purchased the Chicago Metallic Non-Stick Original Muffin Top Pan. For Australian’s, only fishpond.com.au had it. I tried searching for jumbo muffin pan like Mira used but had issues finding any locally. I found this was the perfect measure for the buns and I didn’t need to then cut them. Also, I think it’s actually used to make English muffins, as per the shape.
• Mira did add a fat to her recipe (butter or beef tallow). To be honest I don’t because I was relaying the recipe to a friend and forgot, and since then have just remembered the recipe as just eggs, seasoning and almond flour. For me I’ve made both versions and I see no difference.
• Mira also mentions in her recipe that she wasn’t sure if the metallic pan would burn the batter quicker. I found it didn’t if you cook it for 20 minutes. Any longer and you likely will risk burning it.

Day at the range – Instagram snaps @pixiie83

Driving to the range from our place. Apparently there’s a ‘back way’?

Preciousss…..

Pistol range targets

My beauty

Bung eyes needs a patch to shoot 🙂

Husband shooting paper 🙂

Range Officer – in charge for the day

Looking out at the rifle range

Setting up the metallic silhouette area

End of day selfie 🙂

Instagram snaps @pixiie83 – Stanthorpe, QLD

These pics were taken a few months back at my friends farm in Stanthorpe, Queensland. One of the nicest country towns I’ve ever been to.

Can’t wait to get my own chunk of land here some day. It truly is wonderful. All images were taken by me using a Samsung Note 4.

Wishlist post: 9 things I will totally need in my life

I don’t want to say it but I will, we are slightly over three months away from the end of year frenzy of Christmas. I can’t say this is my favourite time of year because it isn’t, but I like the sense of finality that Christmas time brings. I’m not a religious person by any stretch but it’s still a nice time to relax and catch up with your family and friends.

I’m at that point that I am starting to need more things. That sounds a little absurd. Okay, well, for example I’m starting to look at full-frame DSLR’s. I have a Nikon D90 which does an amazing job but I’ve had it for almost 8 years and I want something a little more for the enthusiast.

So bearing that in mind, I’ve compiled a list of my current wish list items to share with the interwebs (and hopefully spur my husband into Christmas gift planning!)

Makeup Geek eyeshadows. Image source: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8qAColKhb-w/VPkPE7jBMnI/AAAAAAAACMo/ZafRhOy1vSc/s1600/02.JPG

Nikon D750 Full-frame camera. Image Source: http://cdn-4.nikon-cdn.com/e/Q5NM96RZZo-YRYNeYvAi9beHK4x3L-8iSKFuXbTDiVzKiZ_IJQu2eA==/Views/1543_D750_left.png

Photobooks of our wedding. Image source: https://secure.photobox.com/assets/content_graphics/08/68408.jpg?1428929071

Sukin Charcoal skin pack. Image source: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0917/7938/files/Charcoal.jpg?11034212118524003735

Nikon Nikkor 35mm 1.8g lens (DX). Image source: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/images1/35mm-f18/D3S_5925-600.jpg

Quay Australia sunglasses. Image source: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0642/9637/products/IMG_4375.jpg?v=1467227687

iPad Pro. Image Source: http://store.storeimages.cdn-apple.com/8748/as-images.apple.com/is/image/AppleInc/aos/published/images/i/pa/ipad/pro/ipad-pro-select-scene3-center-201603?wid=577&hei=597&fmt=png-alpha&qlt=95&.v=1471545207222

Samsung Galaxy Note 7. Image Source: http://galaxynote7info.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Samsung-Galaxy-Note-7-to-Boast-IP68-Rating-Meaning-Waterproof-and-Dustproof-Features-1.jpg

Kitchenaid Standmixer 6 quart with glass bowl. Image source: http://blog.kitchenaid.ca/wp-content/uploads/SM-BuyingGuide_0004_pro65001.jpg

Instagram snaps @pixiie83 – SEQ country

A place called Josephville

Somewhere between Rathdowney and Josephville and

Long fields of grass

Allenview

Fitness Fitology Friday: My current fitness routine for chest / biceps, triceps and forearms

I don’t do this all the time. I have these pages in my gym with a spare notebook so I can write down what I do, how many reps, and the weights I lifted. This is only one variation of the workouts I have – I like to be able to change it up, and I absolutely LOVE supersets and trisets. Aaaand, sometimes, like for example now – because I am really heavily working my glutes and hamstrings I need alternate exercise to do if I am experiencing any muscle soreness from a previous workout.

Enjoy!

Review: APP – ADF Active

 

I recently downloaded this app because I wanted something with the beep test on it. I completely loathe cardio (who doesn’t?) and have failed to do any since I started training.

ADF Active (Google Play Store)

However much I dislike it though, I kind of need to have some cardio/endurance fitness of some sort. I need it for a physical test I myself am training for and this app seemed as if it had exactly what I needed.

Well, I wasn’t wrong. Not only does it have just the standard beep test but it has different workouts for different levels that you could actually use as HIIT workouts. You can also use the entire or partial workouts offered on the app to train specifically for the PFA, or any other test including ones for law enforcement applications.

Once you log in to the app you have a variety options but you’re brought to a landing page of sorts with the ADF Active page which asks you “How would you like to start?” Here you can select an option to create your own fitness program, do a quick workout or take the PFA. If you press the 3 line menu at the top right, it opens up to Quick Workout, the PFA (which is the military fitness test), your goals, my profile, BMI calculator, app info and logout. Selecting any of these options will allow you to get into looking at what the exercise and fitness requirements are for your training regime.

I’ve included snapshots of the workout tab, the PFA tab, the Goals area where you can make your own program and the BMI calculator.

The app is very easy to use. There are just enough inbuilt video samples to show you how to do something if required. The app is specifically tailored to the Australian Defence Force test however so if you’re out of Australia the fitness requirements may be different depending on the armed service you’re planning on training for. It also includes the ADF benchmarks for Navy, Army and Airforce. I think that even if you are planning on training for a Police entrance exam, this app is a good way for you to get your fitness up at home, with no gym membership and no expensive machines. All the exercise offerings are based around bodyweight, core strength and increasing your endurance.

Some of the app feedback states that the beep test goes up only to 7.5. For my own purposes I only need it to be about 6 so this doesn’t concern me, however if this is a concern for you maybe a different app would be better.

Overall a well-rounded app. For my own purposes I don’t need that much out of it, but it’s good to be able to measure your benchmarks and make goals towards your fitness and if going into the military or law enforcement is something you’re keen on, this might be a good option for you to start with.