Connection with Here and Now

With all the craziness of life, I am wanting to feel more grounded, spending more time at home, with my family and the garden which is a source of relaxation, food and inspiration for learning more about healthy, sustainable eating.

A productive garden to give more crops requires observation of the seasons. Australia has 6 seasons, and from my understanding and observation, the season length changes from year to year. The season we are in now on the Central Coast is called Wiritjiribin, July to August, the cold and windy season, which has some gentle spring rain and we can see and smell the wattle blooming. I love picking wattle for an indoor arrangement and smelling the sweet aroma. The next season is Ngoonungi, September to October, with cool weather becoming warm, things starting to spring into life when it was traditionally ceremonial time with waratah in flower and flying foxes, the ecosystem super heros, appearing.

This weekend I plan on planting my seeds indoors so I can get a headstart on growing my edible veggies in the warmer months. I will keep an eye on my bat hotel to see if I have any residents and notice any changes in my garden that they may bring.

We would love to hear how you are living with the seasons in your edible garden. Please share your story and inspire us in our Bright Bods Facebook Group!

What's New

Book Week

If you want your child to learn to eat a wider range of foods, Pierre Learns to Eat a Rainbow, would be a great helping hand. Carin Clegg has created this book for both children and parents to learn and talk about the steps to eating new foods. E-book only available here.

Upcoming Events

- Diets For Autism and ADHD- SEATS SOLD OUT!. We will be offering a Zoom in option. Please email email Carin to Zoom in on Thursday 8th August at 5.30pm.

- Sustainable Futures Festival, Stall with Messy Food Play Station - Saturday 14th September, The Entrance

- Make Mealtime Fun For Everyone- Fussy Eating - 5.30pm Thursday 17th October

- Everything IncrEDIBLE Sensory Garden Tour - 10am Sunday 3rd November

Check out our Events Page for all the details and share with your family and friends. Book your tickets to our inhouse workshops via Humanitix.

If you would like us to host a nutrition workshop at your workplace or community group on the Central Coast, please get in touch with Carin on 0413 77 44 11 or brightdiets@gmail.com .

Zumba Update

We are excited to be commencing a new Zumba Class at Conveniently Active at Erina at 10.45am Tuesdays starting from 20th August. Contact Conveniently Active to book in and arrange exercise screening prior to attending.

Classes are back at 11am from Friday 2nd August at Narara Eco-Village and I am loving seeing all those smiling faces becoming more familiar with the movements.

We also do Zumba Gold gift vouchers for Fridays class. Zumba Gold 10 Class Pass Vouchers $150 including a complimentary class for you or the recipient.

Email or contact us on 0413 774 411 to purchase your gift vouchers.

Bright Blogs

Carin Clegg has written this month's Bright Blog on Hydration Elevation. Check it our here.

Recipe of the Month

Everchanging Garden Tea

This everchanging garden tea requires a bit of time to dry the ingredients but the results are devine. Choose an array of various ingredients throughout the year for a tantalising treat.

Ingredients

Dried leaf herbs of choice: rosemary, basil, bee balm (bergamot), lemon balm, spearmint, lemon verbena, lemon myrtle, lemongrass, thyme or coriander
Dried flowers of choice: perenial basil, lavender, rosehips, jasmine, chamomile, elderflowers.
Dried zest of lemon, lime, orange or mandarin

Instructions

Wash and dry your ingredients with a tea towel gently.
Take the flowers and leaves off the main stalk of the plant.
Use a peeler to take off the zest of your citrus fruit prior to peeling and eating the fruit.
Place flowers, leaves and zest on a drying rack to dry out for a few weeks to months depending on the temperature and humidity.
Add to your tea jar and keep adding as you dry your next batch of seasonal herbs and flowers.
Boil the kettle
Heat up your mug first with the boiling water.
Allow a minute to pass to allow the boiling water in the kettle to cool down slightly in order to bring out the best flaour in your tea.
Tip the water out of your mug or teapot.
Add your garden tea using a tea strainer. Then add the kettle water
Allow the tea to steep for 5-8 minutes
Sit down, relax and enjoy!

For more healthy food ideas check out Bright Diets Facebook Albums.