Our Ten Step Tree Change

We had two important reasons for moving to rural Victoria at the end of December. The first was my health, and the second was that we wanted to live the rural lifestyle. It was our dream. It was also our challenge, because, let’s face it, if it were easy, we’d already be doing it instead of dreaming about it.

The Move!

Before I post about the initial challenges we faced when we moved to rural Victoria, I’d like to post about something that made me cry during the move.

We're Moving!

Blog posts have been few and far between because we're finally moving closer to our dream. We've been busy throwing, selling and donating our stuff as we pack boxes and prepare for our tree change! 

From the end of December we will live in a house in the middle of nowhere – a place where we rely on tank water and constantly curse the woeful internet connection. To some this sounds like we're making our life harder, but it's not just about growing our own produce and collecting eggs from our own chickens. 

It's also about simplifying life, even if that sometimes means we have to work harder on the weekends or suffer a little hardship. 

Take a look around your house and ask yourself if you really need all that stuff you have? 

When was the last time you played a board game with your kids/grandkids?

This will be our new backyard, where we can fly kites and converse with the livestock when they wander up our way. 

Not only is the rural lifestyle our dream, but my allergist has agreed it's the best thing I can do for my health. We've since discovered that no matter what we try (both conventional and natural therapies), my allergies continue to plague me, but one night in the country and my sinuses clear up, the pain disappears and I feel alive again. 

So goodbye Melbourne air pollution, hello hard work, bushfire alerts, and a new way of life!

Gluten-free Cherry and White Choc Coconut Muffins

As much as I enjoy making Kamut Choc-Chip Cookies for the kids, I wanted something that I could eat too, so I've been busy experimenting with coconut flour. 

You can find the recipe for these yummy coconut muffins at the end of this post or on the recipe page. 

Here are some pics from when I was making them. They are even more delicious than they look.

Mixing the batter

Ready to go in the oven

Fresh out of the oven and ready to eat!

Gluten-free Cherry & White Choc Coconut Muffins Recipe

From Grief to Dream

When I first discovered that I couldn’t eat gluten, I was devastated; even more so when I realised how many products contain gluten. You can read about my coming to terms with gluten grief in an older post – The 7 Stages of My Gluten Grief. 

Gluten-free Breakfasts – Easy, Tasty and Healthy

(I apologise for the delay between posts. Illness, allergy injections, parental duties and pursuing our dream have taken their toll this year.) 

Breakfast was the hardest meal for me to turn into an enjoyable gluten-free experience. The majority of breakfasts that we eat contain gluten – toast, cereal, porridge – even those liquid Up & Go Breakfast drinks contain gluten! 

Introducing Prince Harry

When people hear the name Prince Harry, they think of a cheeky, redheaded young man who constantly pushes the boundaries, while continuing to retain the adoration of many. He’s really not much different to our new family member.