TomKat. The Price On Carbon. Forewarned and Forearmed with Mum and Gina Ford.


Somehow, the world did not end with the official demise of TomKat and the official start of Australia’s tax price on carbon.  This weekend is probably the only time in Australian political history that Hollywood had an active role in easing national wariness towards yet another tax and delegation as the answer to our asylum seeker crisis.

www.freekatie.net

Those dedicated to the cause at www.freekatie.net released this revised commemorative T-shirt.

www.cafemom.com

Whilst others had just three words for Ms Holmes.

www,kiddiegram.com

Whatever the adults may be feeling toward each other right now, I hope they don’t forget the wellbeing and best interests of the person who stands to lose the most if things get very nasty in court – their daughter Suri.

Meanwhile, it’s been less than 24 hours since the carbon tax came into my life and it’s been break even with regard to the household budget.

Heavily discounted organic chicken drumsticks dusted in five spice and plain flour before being browned.

On one hand, I got these organic chicken drumsticks for half price at Coles on Saturday.

Some of the key players in my ‘fun with cauliflower and brussel sprouts’ pasta dish for dinner tonight, with thanks to Donna Hay magazine’s cauli feature in the current issue.

But paid full price for my groceries at Woolworths today.

At least Woolies don’t scrimp on the Hawaiian toppings for their fresh baked, extra soft rolls.  Seeing them on display in the bakery section brought back such fond memories of childhood post swim snacks that I had to buy a packet for lunch today.

The organic drumsticks were put to good use in a Chinese Braised Chicken recipe I found in this week’s Good Living supplement in the SMH.

My cherry red Le Creuset casserole pot was pressed into service for both the browning and the braising of the chicken.

I think my mother would approve.  We’ve been talking a lot about dealing with pregnancy recently.  The thing about mothers is that they impart pearls of wisdom to you weeks before you need it.  Which makes for what seems like a very random chat at the time but on reflection at a later date (under the shower whilst your conditioner soaks for a bit) all makes perfect sense.  Over the weeks, we’ve talked about shower safety, taking a break from work early on in the piece and the virtues of bulk cooking one pot meals for dinner.  And wouldn’t you know it?  Everything she’s said has come to pass.

I braised the chicken in a combination of stock, hoisin sauce, spring onions, red onion, chinese cooking wine, dark soy, ginger, chilli, garlic and a cinnamon stick (for dramatic effect).  The end result was ‘falling off the bone’ tender chicken which had absorbed all the flavours of the sauce over its cooking time.

www.madeformums.com

I’ve made my first steps into the land mine of parenting guides.  I had no idea that such a universal skill could be source of great controversy and divided opinion, even amongst the experts.  I started with Gina Ford’s book, ‘The New Contented Little Baby Book’ because a friend on twitter was reading it and I’d heard of Ford’s approach being mentioned in almost reverential tones.  I’m going into my research and reading with a pretty open mind.  Unlike writing a paper, there is no guarantee that anything I read now will have much impact on the workings and general wellbeing of SSG Manor and its residents come December.

Ford’s premise is that the earlier mother and baby establish a routine, the better the outcome for both.  Much of the book deals with the practicalities of sleep and feeding.  However, I’ve also found it to be a good source of basic ‘preparing your life’ for a baby knowledge.  As someone who has had very little first hand experience with babies, the advice about clothing and furniture choices has helped me approach the upcoming shopping expeditions with at least some idea of what to look for and what to leave behind at the shops.

I do appreciate that whilst Ford’s approach may not work for everyone, she does back up why she advocates certain practices and what she perceives the pitfalls of other schools of thought to be.  There are also lots of diagrams to explain things like how to swaddle a baby and how to make up a baby’s cot.  I knew those years of learning to tie scarves from Hermes and Liberty knotting cards would be put to another good use one day.

To be honest, I’m one of those people who goes into major life changes planning for the worst case scenario and then being pleasantly surprised that it all really wasn’t as bad as I feared it would be.  Which is what I keep telling myself as I read the book because it’s all starting to sound a bit overwhelming on paper.  But as they say, forewarned is forearmed.  What I really need to do though, is give mum a call again and see what she has to say.


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