A few of my favourite things... a photo post

This post is my contribution to Pip Lincolne's "My Favourite Things"  link-up. It is by no means an extensive list... just a few things around my house that make me happy.

Taking Stock - a mindfulness thing

I just found this picture when I was cruising my files looking for a nice picture to put at the top of my taking stock (with Pip) post. That's my ma... and miss 7. Totes adorbs.

Making : Podcasts!
Cooking : Doing more reheating than cooking after John did a cook-up on the weekend
Drinking : So much tea
Reading: Foreign Soil by Maxine Beneba Clarke
Wanting: A bouncy dutch Lekker bike like Catherine Deveny's
Looking: Forward to uni holidays
Playing: Puzzles with my wee boy
Deciding: To be positive
Wishing: I could bum around at home in my tracky pants more often
Enjoying: Bumming around in my tracky pants at home today!
Waiting: For Miss 7 and Miss 12 to get home from school
Liking: Making new friends and learning new skills on my second round of Blog with Pip
Wondering: If I should get a new pair of running shoes
Loving: Learning to edit! It's a skill I never thought I'd have
Pondering: What I will go to at The Emerging Writer's Festival
Considering: The Sauce
Watching: Huff on Apple TV but I'm really frustrated that the next season is not there! 
Hoping: That we can have another election and kick that "winker" Tony out.
Marvelling: At the magic of our winter veggie patches
Needing: To rest up before a big weekend
Smelling: The fresh garden type smells wafting in from the back door... and the hay from the guinea-pig cage
Wearing: Trackies!!
Following: Along with Blog with Pip students' podcasts!
Noticing: How talented and generous bloggers can be
Knowing: More about editing than I thought I did!

Thinking: I'm using a lot of exclamation marks!!!!
Feeling: Pretty relaxed today but thinking maybe I should do the dishes
Admiring: People who recognise they need help, get help and fix a problem
Sorting: Out our finances and realising that we spend a disgusting amount on take away coffee- we've decided to only have a couple a week now and make it at home more often
Buying: Not much after we did our budget
Getting: Excited about cool bloggy ideas with Mezz
Bookmarking: The pages of Foreign Soil
Disliking: Political things
Opening: The door to Mezz and the wee girl was lovely today
Giggling: While reading back over my old blog from 2005
Feeling: Unfit but that's ok because I'm starting Operation Move soon!
Snacking: On feta and spinach with Mezz
Coveting: An overseas trip
Wishing: And hopin'... thinkin' and prayin'
Helping: To bring some joy by hiding bulbs in sneaky places in the garden... can't wait for them to bloom!
Hearing: All about how Mr. 3 doesn't ever want to wear undies ever.

You can hear my voice!!!

Hello there!

I am currently doing a fantastic blogging course called BLOG WITH PIP and one of the assignments is to make a mini podcast so I thought I would share it with you here!!

So.. here goes!! Enjoy!!

Hello, my name is Ashley and I am really REALLY unfit!

Hello, my name is Ashley and I am really REALLY unfit! 

I didn't used to be.

After I had my wee girl (who is 7 now!!) I got deep into the groove of being healthy and fit and I felt really vital and full of life for the first time in my life. I was working out with weights, doing a split program over 5 days during the week, getting up early for walks around the Tan and eating a really balanced and varied diet and I really felt amazing... amazing! I was putting my own well-being ahead of other things... which actually meant I had much more energy to put into those other things... everyone was a winner!

Ann Wigmore said:

“The food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison.”

...and I have to admit that I've been turning to the poison far more than I've been medicating myself with food in recent years and the most I've moved is walking from the train to my uni classes. There are a few different reasons for this which I will probably get into at some stage but don't have the energy to get in depth about now; mostly to do with being time poor, busy, medicating my emotions with sugar and carbs and putting my own needs before those of my family, work and friends.

So... in order to begin (again) the process of regaining my health and fitness I am about to embark on a 12 week "Get Moving" program through Operation Move.

The Operation Move website says this:

"We are parents, partners, domestic gods and goddesses. We work at home or out of home, we juggle ferrying kids to school with taking corporate calls on Skype, we are full time parents at home who love it and find it incredibly challenging all at once. We take care of everybody else and we do it with pride. 

We are also people who have put ourselves last for a long time, without even realising it.

Operation Move is for people who have been so busy living and being and doing that they haven’t put their physical health needs first.

We are for everyday busy people who know they SHOULD get moving, but don’t know what to do or how to fit it in to their lives."

Does this sound like you? It sure sounds like me and I've had enough of feeling shitty. It's time to MOVE!  I am the luckiest blogger on the block because I am going to be participating in this fitness program for FREE on the proviso (isn't that a great word?!) that I tell you all about it!! That is a good deal right?! Considering I can't help but talk about this stuff anyway. Win-win!

June 1st is the start date... eeeeeeeeeeeek!!!

My very first blog post from 2005

Wasn't I cute?

The Daily Telegraph thinks I'm a feral and it's making me giggle

I was described as a 'feral' today on the front cover of The Daily Telegraph... well, not me individually, I was just one of a giant collective of ferals. Were you one too? 

Yesterday I was one of 25,000 ferals people who gathered in Melbourne city to protest the budget and call for an election. The Daily Telegraph would LOVE you to believe that the only people protesting were hippy, patchouli wearing, dirty ferals because that would indicate that it is only the seemingly insignificant loony types who bothered to turn up to express their rage at this rotten budget. 

I tell you now, it was not at all like that. I was so proud to stand among an extremely varied, peaceful yet angry crowd of Australian citizens who want change. I walked alongside bloggy friends Carly Findlay and Kerryn Woods... fellow ferals in arms.   

I'm quite keen to let you know that I only saw a couple of what the Telegraph might describe as "ferals" (I did get a whiff of patchouli at one stage mind you) but the rest of the crowd were made up of sensible looking mums and dads with their kids, business people, old folks, indigenous people, people with disabilities, people who were born here and people who weren't. You might even say it was a cross-section of the community, all united by the knowledge that what the Government is doing is unjust. You might say that... yes!

Citizen journalism for the win people! Read the newspaper by all means, but take it with a grain of salt and tune in to Twitter for the real stories.

If you want to get involved in further action please visit

www.bustthebudget.com

Look at these ferals... they're wearing disgruntled retiree costumes

Carly and I enjoying the gathering of ferals angry people

How to STICK IT TO THE MAN with your friends

Just yesterday the Treasurer Joe Hockey delivered a federal budget that has made many of us very angry. It is a budget that negatively impacts the most vulnerable people in our community while mining companies, defence and big business are benefiting from massive funding injections.

The abc shared this handy graphic to help us navigate the budget. 

Click here to see it. It's really worth a look.

Anyway... This whole thing has got me thinking about how I can respond to this in a way that is actually effective. Sure, I can be a click-tivist and sign every petition that pops up in my Facebook feed. I can write to the government to express my rage- a good thing to do- I'm sure they take a little bit of notice of these things.

I've decided on a different approach though... I've decided to try and identify areas where people might struggle and address them creatively... so without further ado, here are my handy hints on:

HOW TO STICK IT TO THE MAN WITH YOUR FRIENDS

1. Go out and meet your neighbours 

You never know, they might need something you have and vice-versa, therefore helping you to rely on each other rather than a system that will no longer give you a hand-up

Sharing dinner with our beautiful neighbour Mayra

2. Join or start a local food co-op 

This is a great way to meet people, get away from the supermarkets and to stop relying on "the man" for your basic needs

Or go "food rescuing"!

Or even better - GROW YOUR OWN!! 

3. Raise some chooks 

Another way of bypassing a nasty system, plus they are just delightful to have in your life. Did you know that chooks have personalities? One of ours is super adventurous and we re-named her Harriet Houdini because she could escape from any enclosure. 

4. Donate your cash to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre 

Nothing sticks it to a xenophobic government like loving those problematic "boat people"

At Light the Dark silent vigil for slain asylum seeker Reza Berati

5. Find entertainment that is FREE

Join the local library; visit your community neighbourhood house and see what they have to offer; go jogging, cycling, roller skating, climb a tree; start a book club; eat IN with your pals; hang out with some ducks!

6. Start a 'resource-share' among your friends

Why would we buy six lawn mowers when we could just share ONE?! Do you have a food dehydrator? How often do you use it really?? You're lying! Now go lend it to you pal. 

You can borrow my Vietnamese coffee filter if you like! 

7. BARTER!

Do you have a useful skill? Are you a hairdresser? Well you might need an accountant! Hey... that accountant's hair is looking a little muffin-ish... see where I'm going with this?? (side note.. MY hair is getting a little muffin-ish and I have a LOT of skills I could offer you so please get in touch if you wanna make this thing happen!)

8. Look out for the little guy

If you are a person of means who might not be affected so much by the budget cuts please don't do the whole selfish "I'm OK Jack" thing. Have a look around you. Is there a person who has lost their job due to funding cuts? (that happened to me a few years back and it hurts), is there a family that is struggling to make the $7 medical co-payment? Please stop saying "$7 isn't much!"... It's a lot when you've got nothing. If you can afford to give to a charity that helps people who are struggling please do it. Or support people directly. Offer the hand-up that the Government will no longer give vulnerable people. And please, just think before you open your mouth because the things you say can be very hurtful, disempowering and belittling. Ok? Good.

9. Have a cup of tea and relax

It will be ok folks. If we support each other we will all be fine. Individualism is lonely and SO 1990! We are in this together. 

Do you have any other tips to help us to stick it to the man?? I'd love to hear about it! 

How to portion a chicken and other things I learnt from Ruth Bruten...

If you've met Ruth Bruten you'll know what I mean when I say that being with her is like being in a Tove Jansson Moomin Troll story. So scandi-cool and funny and quirky and interesting. Ruth is multi-techni-colourful in her Marimekko prints and cloppy clogs and even though you're not quite sure where she's taking you, you KNOW it's going to be a super fun adventure...

Right now, if you don't know her I bet you're wishing you did! Riiiight? Yes.. thought so.

I was lucky enough to win a couple of tickets via Steps Australia to Ruth's Clever Clogs Cooking Class which was held at the beautiful Hobba in Prahran.

Taz from Butter and Buntings (who also happens to be my sister-in-law) snapped up the opportunity to join me and so we met up beforehand to stress out about whether our knives were sharp enough and to eat high end Malvern Road samosa before heading in to mingle with a bunch of lovely foodie blogger types.

Hobba is delightful! I definitely plan to head back there to eat something delicious one day soon. Before the class began Ruth bubbled around giving hugs and being a bit nervous while the guests all enjoyed a little tipple before sidling up to the extra-tall bench and demonstrating 4 recipes she has developed using only one chook!! 

FOUR recipes from ONE chook!! ONE!

A broth, a soup, a salad and fritters and she sent us home with a wee booklet containing a bunch more chickeny ideas to try at home. 

Ruth taught us all about great Aussie ethical meat producers and why it is important to buy from a farmer instead of from a supermarket and I am well and truly inspired to make better choices in this area. Here are some ace meat producers we should all be supporting:

Plains Paddock Lamb

Warialda Belted Galloway Beef 

Bundarra Berkshires Pork

Jonai Farms (Pork & Beef) 

Isola Chianina Beef

Greenvale Farm (Pork & Lamb)

We then donned cute green and white stripy aprons and picked up the huge cooks knives that were provided by Steps Australia (we needn't have stressed about the sharpness of ours) and were guided through the process of breaking down a chook like an expert. 

I was so proud of my efforts! I can honestly say that Ruth's class has changed the way I view chicken and I highly doubt that I'll ever buy a pre-portioned chook again. It's so much more economical to purchase a whole chicken and to be able to get so much from just one bird means a family without a lot of spare cash can actually afford to buy from an ethical producer. Win!

SO!

I really think you should go to Ruth's next class... She didn't tell me or pay me to say that but I think that anyone from a novice to an experienced cook would find her classes inspiring and full of useful information. In case you missed the link up there, you can find out more information about Ruth's Clever Clogs Cooking Classes right..... 

HERE!

Carly Findlay :: Ichthyosis Awareness Month :: Why YOU should care

Pic by Rick Guidotti

Today we are lucky enough to hear from the effervescent Carly Findlay. Carly is a Melbourne based writer and appearance diversity activist who is currently spreading the word about Ichthyosis Awareness Month and she has been kind enough to answer some questions for The Squee.

WHY IS ICHTHYOSIS AWARENESS MONTH IMPORTANT TO YOU?

I was born with a lifelong, severe and rare skin condition called Ichthyosis. It means scaly red skin. It's medically and socially challenging - with sore itchy and dry skin, occasional hospital stays and lots of staring, questions and comments from strangers.

I blog to raise awareness of what it's like to look different. Blogging has allowed me to reach out to the Ichthyosis community as well as inform those who know very little about the condition, and also be published more widely. I also speak about my condition and consult on blogging and self advocacy through storytelling.

Last December my photo was misused on the content sharing website Reddit (http://carlyfindlay.blogspot.fr/2013/12/how-to-win-internet-or-how-to-defend.html). My photo was ridiculed and diagnosed by hundreds of strangers. While not a pleasant experience, I took to the site and write a response so the ridiculers would see the real me. I directed them to my blog and, you know, some of these people who clicked on my photo to gawk said they learnt something and developed compassion. The Reddit situation showed me just how powerful blogging can be, and I wanted to give the same chance to others affected by Ichthyosis.

Through the whole month of May I will be featuring guest posts on my blog from people affected by Ichthyosis. There are more than 30 stories this May - from patients, parents and grandparents, partners and even a non-human!

I have created a video for the Blog Project, where I encourage people to celebrate their uniqueness: http://youtu.be/-9wu_G8WfrU

Sharing these stories on my blog gives people a platform to be heard - without sensationalism and without pity. Their stories in their own words raise the expectations of people who look different. The stories show strength, challenges and triumphs, life change, a 'normal' life lived, self acceptance and hope. The condition affects 20 people per million, and there are more than 24 types. These stories through May will show you the sheer diversity in symptoms, appearance and treatment.

The Ichthyosis Awareness Month Blog Project also empowers the contributors. Jaime, a contributor from last year, told me: "I was diagnosed with Ichthyosis Vulgaris about 3 1/2 years ago...I love what you do. You helped inspire me to come 'forward' into the public and actually reveal my secret. I used to be ashamed of what I have, but now I'm ready to embrace it. I hope to connect with others who have Ichthyosis too…".

I've met amazing people working in appearance diversity fields - the staff at Centre for Appearance Research, Changing Faces and Rick Guidott

Sharing stories brings people together. Since last years IAM Blog Project, I've met - virtually and physically - many, many people with Ichthyosis. I am currently travelling overseas. So far, I've met Larisa, Carolyn, Mellissa, Michael, Aurora and Matthew, Kallie, Evan and Dianna (top left to bottom right).

WHAT CAN WE DO TO SPREAD AWARENESS?

You can follow my blog - carlyfindlay.blogspot.com and read and share posts. I'd love this to reach people outside of the Ichthyosis community as much as those in it. All of the posts are located HERE.

I'm also sharing links on my Twitter (twitter.com/carlyfindlay) Facebook (Facebook.com/tune.into.radio.carly) and Instagram (Instagram.com/carlyfindlay).

GET INFORMED PEOPLE!

Appearance diversity is about more than just shape and size. It's about different faces, different appearances being present in the media. We see so many homogenised images of people in our magazines and on screen - and there's a beauty ideal, and I want to change that.

A few years ago my blog was discovered by staff at the Centre for Appearance Research in the UK. They asked me to speak at their conference. You can read my speech here: http://carlyfindlay.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/couldn-handle-looking-like-you.html

Also see changingfaces.org.au and positiveexposure.org

ANY MORE WORDS OF WISDOM?

Before you ask why someone looks different, say hello! It's the polite thing to do

Elsie and Joan's Motherhood Project

I was lucky enough to catch up with Belinda from Elsie and Joan on the weekend to chat about what it's like to me a mum. I'm sure you're interested because I am such a riveting person (ha!) so head on over (click the pic and it will take you there) and have a look-see.

Belinda is currently working on a beautiful year long project celebrating motherhood and is seeking more participants! 

If you would like to get involved please visit her page 

www.elsieandjoan.com