Mentha spicata

Mint is one of my favourite herbs. It is super easy to grow, smells beautiful, has a multitude of uses and it’s also good for you…

Here’s my go to list of fun (and delicious) things you and your kids can do with mint:

Dip it in chocolate. Pick a handful or so of large mint leaves, wash well and gently dry with some paper towel. Melt some quality chocolate in a small saucepan and using tongs, have your children dip the mint leaves one at a time into the chocolate until lightly coated. Place them on some baking paper and pop into the fridge until the chocolate has reset. Eat.  You will find they are totally irresistible.

Make some mint tea. Simply pluck a few leaves from the plant, crush them ever so slightly and steep in boiling water for a few minutes until infused. Add a little honey and a squeeze of lemon juice for a deliciously tangy and refreshing drink. It can be drunk hot or cold. You could add a few pieces of sliced strawberry if you wished. The added bonus is that mint is great for your digestion. It can help alleviate indigestion, bloating and gas; assist with effective digestion; calm a tummy and it freshens your breath.

Tussie Mussie or edible posy

Make a Tussie Mussie. These simple herbal, edible posies are a delight to make and give as gifts to teachers, grandparents or other special people in your child’s life. My daughter and I made a quick tutorial video on how to assemble tussie mussie’s, which you can watch here.

Make some herb sugar. This delightful concoction will last for months in a cool pantry. It can be used to sprinkle over desserts (especially tasty over fruit salad), rim a glass of cordial or a cocktail and is also a quirky addition when sprinkled over salads. Have your children put 2-3 tablespoons or raw sugar and a large handful of mint into a food processor and blitz until smooth. Will make about a jar’s worth. Et voila! Herb sugar. You can also use other herbs such as coriander, lemon verbena, culinary lavender and basil, to name but a few.

Shred some mint over some boiled baby potatoes, carrots and zucchini, add a good knob of butter some salt and pepper and mash the lot slightly. I’ve never known a kid not to devour this simple goodness.

Make your own mint sauce. Kids under 6 will need help with this. Kids 6+ can have a go by themselves.

They will need:

• 1 cup of finely chopped mint
• 2-3 tsp of raw sugar
• 1/2 cup of water
• 3/4 cup white wine vinegar

Place all the ingredients into a small saucepan and bring to the boil.  Reduce heat and simmer gently for 5 minutes.  Take off the heat, let cool and pour into a sterilised glass jar.  This will keep in the fridge for months.

Let the kids have a go at Caro’s Goddess Sauce… It is likely to become a staple in your cooking armoury.

Watermelon, halloumi and mint salad

Try this refreshing and delicious watermelon, mint and halloumi salad. Kids 6+ can have a go at making this by themselves.  Simply cut up seedless watermelon into bite sized chunks and arrange on a plate, top with some thinly sliced red onion, some pan-fried halloumi cheese and sprinkle with mint leaves.  Drizzle with a little olive oil and a crack of black pepper.  Delicious!

Make a rainbow salad. You’ll need capsicum, radish, rocket or lettuce, a good handful of mint, carrot, a sprinkle of borage and nasturtium flowers, some raw beetroot and a few grape tomatoes. Chop or grate the veggies and put into a salad bowl. Sprinkle with the mint and the edible flowers. Make a simple dressing and serve. Such a happy, visual feast for children.

Grow some. Mint is the easiest of plants to grow. It prefers a moist, shady spot. Planted in your garden, it will attract beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies but repel the nasties such as fleas, whitefly and common houseflies. Be warned though, it will completely take over so it’s always best to grow it in pots. Be adventurous and try growing some chocolate mint, pineapple mint or apple mint.

A little bit of botanical information for you. Mint or Mentha is a genus of plants from the LAMIACEAE family. Last time I looked there were about 15 identified species of mint, most of which are edible. Pennyroyal also belongs to this genus and repels fleas, but beware as it is also toxic to dogs. The most common mint is Mentha spicata or Spear Mint. It’s the one you’ll often find in gardens or for sale at your local greengrocer.

Which is your favourite herb and why?

Until next time…

For more tips, advice and ideas on how to find wonder in all you do, look out for my book “Caro & Co ~ Helping Kids find Wonder in the Everyday”, published by Sally Milner Publishing. You can preorder via the link in my sidebar above or it’s available from 01 December at all good bookstores and online. For interview opportunities please contact Jackie Evans on 0407 776 222 or jep.pub@bigpond.net.au

Cherry Blossoms

Go for a walk around your suburb and look for the multitude of spring blossoms likely to be on offer. Collect as many as you can and use them to make some potpourri (after you’ve dried them out), a sweet little bed for the fairies in your garden or a dainty arrangement for a vase.

Rainbow Lorikeets are active during spring

I’ve never known a child who isn’t fascinated by rainbows. From a very young age they are likely to know its colours and when spotted will most likely want to set off to try and catch it. If there are no real rainbows on offer, why not help them make this delicious rainbow sandwich and then head outdoors in search of the real deal or spend the afternoon drawing some.  You’ll also find Rainbow Lorikeets are very active during spring so you could go looking for them too.

For one sandwich, you will need:

Lovely image found at 1K Smiles

It can be windy in spring. Why not make or buy a small kite and head to the park?  Because everyone loves to go fly a kite don’t they?

Vampira

October 31 means Halloween. Love it or hate it, it’s my view that it is a great way to create community. So don a simple costume and wander the streets with your kids.

Plant seeds now and this is what you’ll have come summer

Get stuck into the garden! There will be pruning and planting to do and it’s definitely time to dig out any Bindii so your summer is prickle-free. This is a great activity for young kids. All they need is kitchen fork and plastic bag. My daughter adored doing this when she was young as she was keen to ensure a weed free lawn. Now is also the perfect time for children to plant potatoes, pumpkins, tomatoes and zucchini (just make sure you’ve had the last of any frosts).

What’s your favourite thing to do during spring?

Until next time…

For more recipes, tips, advice and ideas on how to find wonder in all you do, look out for my book “Caro & Co ~ Helping Kids find Wonder in the Everyday”, published by Sally Milner Publishing. Available from 01 December at all good bookstores and online. For interview opportunities please contact Jackie Evans on 0407 776 222 or jep.pub@bigpond.net.au

Oh the smell!

My daughter and I went to a spiritualist recently. Don’t ask me why. We just happened to walk past a shop and there she was, sitting, waiting for us. She didn’t know us from Adam but as is so often the case she managed to pinpoint what was going on in our lives with unnerving accuracy.

She told me that my abiding passion was words and their use. Tick. She mentioned that my overarching love was nature and our connection to it. Tick. She told me I should reboot my championing of the charity I support. Tick. During 2016 she told me it was important to continue putting pen to paper as it keeps me balanced and that she felt it was really important that I focus on seasons and cycles. She used the word wonder repeatedly. I’ve never really believed in such supposed mumbo jumbo, but wowsa, she had me completely pegged. She had no way of knowing that wonder is my favourite word and that I have been planning for a very long time to start a regular schedule of posts so I can share my monthly or seasonal moments of wonder.  What I’m reading, doing, cooking, learning, loving, watching, buying, making, planning ~ in short, whatever has inspired me during the month ~ in the hope that they might also do the same for you.  In coming months I’m also going to work hard to be able to offer you some of the products I feature in each post.

So here’s my first post for the months of December 2015 and January, 2016. I hope you enjoy it and it gives you a little moment of happiness…

I’m watching beautiful sunsets at our farm.  Each and every time they take my breath away. I’m also watching Harlequin Beetles race industriously up and down our Linden tree.

Sunset on the Southern Tablelands. NO filter.

Harlequin Beetle

I’m reading a fascinating book by Martin Tedeschi called Eugenia.  It’s the true story of a woman who lived almost her entire life disguised as a man.  She married twice and for four years, her first wife Annie had no clue as to the deception (not sure how that works).  Eight months after making the discovery, Annie was dead.  Riveting stuff.  I encourage you to pick up a copy today.

I’m listening to BBC Radio 4 Extra live via Tune-In Radio on my brand new Sonos system.  A surprise Christmas gift from my beloved.  Technology makes my head spin nowadays.

I bought two beautiful framed prints for just $50 each, found in said spiritualist’s shop.  Isn’t the owl particularly beautiful?

Crystal Owl

Crystal Raven

I’m loving our garden after a much-needed shower of rain.

Cotinus or “Smoke Bush”

Such delicacy…

I’m making beetles and bracelets out of pistachio shells with my daughter.  Such fun!

A little nail polish and et voila!

I’m wondering how it can be 35 degrees one day and 10 degrees with a Scotch Mist the next. I am also filled with wonder when I see that life and death can be equally beautiful.

Scotch mist comes to the Southern Tablelands

Roses and Rosehips

I’m baking Pavlova with my family. Because you can never have enough Pavlova.

Pavlova ~ two ways

I’ve found my cooking mojo, which had gone AWOL after Christmas and am now wondering if there is any way of combining these two items found at the back of my pantry. I very much doubt it, but I’m having fun thinking about it.

Orange Blossom Water and Truffle Oil

I am filled with joy when I witness the bond between Grace and her dog Blossom.  Oh, by the way, the spiritualist told Grace that she is a natural leader, that she must step out of group consciousness as she must learn to love herself more (than others) for periods of time. That’s Grace to a tee. Of more interest to Grace however, is that she will have three children and marry a tall, dark-haired spunk.

Grace and Blossom

I’m smelling the beautiful scent of the frangipanis in my suburb during my #morningwalk and then smelling it replicated almost exactly in the new offering by Sniff Soy Candles.

Frangipani flowers bursting forth

Polynesia ~ a must-have scent

What has filled you with wonder this month? I’d love to know…

Until next time…

I served with a pan-fried scotch fillet and a fine pinot noir although it is also a beautiful stand-alone entree on a lovely autumn day. (That’s Starter or Appetiser for the Americans amongst us).

Dahlia

And so to flowers.  If you wander your suburbs right now, you’ll see Dahlias, Chrysanthemums and Salvias doing their thing. Camellias are also preparing for their winter display and may be spot flowering. In the veggie patch, your Echinacea should be flowering their pretty little heads off. Also known as Cone Flowers, they are well known for their germ fighting properties and will attract bees to the garden.

Hibiscus – did you know they are edible?

Hibiscus are at their best now. They look fragile but are as tough as old boots. Sadly they make a totally useless cut flower. You may also see Roses having a final flush before the cold months set in. Tibouchinas with their eye-popping purple flowers are also putting on a display. Personally I can’t stand these small garden trees but guarantee your teenage daughter will; purple generally being a favourite of most young girls. Why not encourage your children to hunt for these flowers, pick some for a pretty arrangement or have a go at pressing them.  Similarly, encourage them to pick some autumn leaves and once at home, try leaf stencilling, or drawing them with the aim of matching exactly the colours they see on the real thing. For those of you who celebrate Easter, now’s also the perfect time to have a go at blowing and decorating eggs.

“Grubby” Hibiscus. Brown eventually turns to a mauve.

And finally to a song. Inexplicably, my daughter has recently started playing double bass. So in honour of her enthusiasm, here’s a cute little song just for her.

It’s all about the Bass

Can’t you just imagine listening to this, curled up on the couch, fire blazing with a good glass of Pinot in one hand and a book in the other?

Until next time.

*Lettuces, pears and walnuts are all in season now.

Thai or Holy Basil

A few things you might not know about basil including a recipe for my basil insect spray.

Basil is the common name for the culinary herb Ocimum basilicum of the family Lamiaceae. It is sometimes referred to as Saint Joseph’s Wort. Mints are also in the Lamiaceae family.

I love basil. It’s one of my go-to herbs. Our mild climate in Sydney ensures that we always have some in the veggie patch, but it’s perfectly happy indoors in a pot if space is at a premium or your weather is harsh. It is incredibly easy to grow. Use seedlings rather than seeds if you decide to have a go at growing it. All it needs is regular sunshine, water and love.

If you plant basil beside tomatoes it will send White Fly packing.  And of course basil and tomatoes are beautiful culinary companions.

Beefsteak tomato, Holy Basil and Hummus.

I use basil almost every day as it complements most meats and fish, is a great addition to salads, casseroles (dried and fresh) and forms the base of most pestos. Try using it to make panzanella ~ a beautiful tomato and bread salad.

There are hundreds of varieties of basil. Some of my favourites include: Sweet, Holy (or Thai), Red, Lemon, Greek, Basilico and Bush basil. I recently found a great website dedicated to all things basil which you can find here.

But did you know that basil can also help deter insects and calm bites and stings? It purportedly also has antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties. It will ease a cold, calm the tummy and is even said to aid eyesight.

 Caro’s most excellent Basil mozzie deterrent

Roughly chop a small handful of basil leaves. Now crush in a mortar and pestle with a little oil until you’ve formed a green gooey paste. Alternatively, briefly blitz it in your weapon of choice. Put the mix into a spray bottle with some hot water. Once the water has cooled,  you can use it on yourself or spritz* around the places you will be sitting.  It smells gorgeous and will keep insects at bay. It’s said that actually eating basil will also deter insects. The spray will keep for about a week in the fridge, however, I tend to make small amounts to ensure it is fresh and pungent.

And of course there are two rather famous Basils in contemporary culture.  Both of whom I adore.

Boom! Boom!

John Cleese aka Basil Fawlty.

Who or what is your favourite basil?

Until next time….

* Avoid clothing or furniture as the mixture might stain.

Costa Georgiadis and an amorous tree man

At Caro & Co, we’ve long believed that discovery and wonder are to be found in the simplest of places and in the littlest of moments. In conjunction with National Tree Day, we’ve made a sweet, short video that explains why. We even managed to capture some of Costa Georgiadis‘* passionate words of wisdom. He is all kinds of awesome.

Given the above it would appear we’re onto something. As mentioned in the video, during the 15 years I’ve been writing about keeping kids connected to nature, I’ve asked every child and parent I’ve met the same question. “Name the one time in your life when you’ve been filled with a total sense of wonder.” 98% of respondents have said it was a moment spent outside. From climbing to the top of a tree for the first time, exploring the bush by themselves, canoeing down a creek, finding a discarded bird’s nest, watching the sun set or rise, swimming in the ocean, smelling the earth after a shower of rain, feeling empowered when the training wheels came off their bike, catching their first fish or yabby, building a fort or cubby, through to planting a seedling and watching it grow.

Interestingly, very few speak of traditional milestones such as getting their driver’s licence, graduating from school or university, their first job, losing their virginity or becoming a parent. Over and over, people speak of moments of connection with nature. They are always small things, little events; but people are deeply touched by them. No one is yet to mention technology.

I experienced such a moment with Planet Ark by participating in National Tree Day. Sponsored by Toyota Australia, they do a great job of highlighting the need to cherish our environment and spend time outside. What I love most about the initiative is that it’s a hands-on event that encourages everyday people to stop and think about plants, connection and our place within the environment. Watching the kids delight in getting dirty, potting up seedlings and planting shrubs was hugely satisfying. So we made the video to celebrate.

How do you help your kids find wonder in the everyday?

*Costa is the host and presenter of the ABC’s Gardening Australia programme.

This is a sponsored post.

Andrew and I had fun chatting about kids, grandparents, the trend known as down-ageing (I encourage it) and digging out Bindiis.

Have a great weekend and don’t forget to take time out to find a little wonder…

You can listen to our chat here.

If I were to chat to Andrew again, what topics would you like us to cover?

Until next time…

What is your one true passion?

Until next time…..

* Available in all good newsagents. For those outside Australia, you can also subscribe online or purchase as iPad app via the iTunes store.

In the December issue, I talk to the McGuiness family of Bigga.  Situated on the Southern Tablelands, Bigga is a great little town, not far from Wyangala Dam (well worth a visit) and just 10 minutes from my own farm.  You can read the article here.

Until next time….

Until next time.