High Exepctations

I always have high expectations of myself and want to be true to my values. But I just want to say I have some 'guilty' pleasures. I really am a reality TV devotee. I really enjoyed the last series of the block. I am still watching it as I am so buys I had to record so many episodes. While I know who won - I haven't even got up to the auctions yet! I am now watching House Rules and looking forward to factor. Tonight I am watching the Voice while eating Cobs Sea Salt Popcorn. It is Gluten Free (thought I don't have a gluten intolerance - but just letting you know). It is Australian Corn popped in sunflower oil with sea salt added. very jimmy Though I must say I have eaten way to much. This product is made on a nut free process line so good for those with kids with nut allergies.  It is also GM free. I am washing it down with a little Virgin Wine Shiraz from the Borrosa Valley. So now you all know one of my guilty secrets. We can all try and be the best we can be.... but we are all only human after all. I would like to think that liking reality Tv, especially singing shows, makes me endearing, likeable and real.  Please sure your guilty pleasure with me.

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Katydid!

Katydid - Acripeza reticulata

We have seen a couple very pretty grasshopper/beetles on our property recently. My husband told me they were a katydid - Acripeza reticulata. So I went looking to check up if he was correct lol And yes he was! We have a number of Mountain Katydids. We have been seeing the female which is rounder and quite slow to move. It is a bit of a shame as I often see them while I am mowing the lawn. I hope I have not run over too many. I do try and keep an eye out for any insects or wild life so I don't do any damage but it doesn't always go to plan. The above image is from a great website I found.

This is a female katydid in our bush she is hard to see as she blends in well and has her wings down. I havent yet seen any males or nymphs but I will be keeping an eye out now I know the babies look a bit like ants. They will be hard to spot as we have just about every type of ant known living here. I will put up some images and information on these soon too. I

I would love to know of anyone else seeing katydids as well.

Responsible Travel

My daughter and I have often talked about travelling with an aim to help out in animal preservation. Of course we would like to also help out with disadvantaged communities. Today I found this website that seems to provide travel that aligns with my ideals so I thought I would share it. Let me know if you also have contacts for similar companies. In particular I would like Australian companies.

http://www.worldprimatesafaris.com/about-us/conservationresponsible-travel/

Chooks

I do a lot of travelling from where I am living for work to our property in the Hunter, or to visit my husband as he travels a lot for work. I find that listening to the radio is a real life saver from boredom. I find out so much interesting stuff. Last week there was a segment that discussed chickens that lay blue eggs. I really want to have chickens when we move on our property permanently. Lots of people have opinions on exactly which chickens to have but this one caught my imagination.

The Araucana is from Chile. This is doubly exciting because my maternal Grandfather was born in Chile! Their name is due to the fact that when the first historical record of them found them being raised by the Araucana Indians. This chicken lays eggs that are pale blue in colour. The chickens themselves are a bit weird looking with tufts of feathers on either side of their face near their ears and looks a bit like a mutton chop moustache lol. Apparently they do not lay as many eggs as the normal chickens most people have (not sure exactly sure what breed that is - maybe something to reasearch further).

I thought I heard this egg has lower cholesterol but I cant seem to find any information supporting that. The only info I have found is Food: cracking the egg code.

So if anyone out there has a chook they think is best for egg laying or any info on the nutritional quality of the Araucana I would love to know.

Just an update on the green bag blog - I have been carrying around a little bag that folds up into a pouch. I have used it heaps as I seem to shop in small amounts more often now. So again one small step... Just need to research how these bags are made.

Till next time....

References: Original Radio Show Poppy Savakis Super Radio Network
Utility Chickens

Green Bags are not green if you leave them at home.....

I really am trying to do the right thing. I have bought green bags to use for my shopping. But as my husband pointed out the other day, green bags arent green if you leave them at home! I have tried all sorts of things to help me remember. I have put them at the door.. and walked past them on the way out. I have put them in my boot... and got the the check out and realised, yes they were in the boot. And it is hard to do anything about it when the checkout person has already started on your groceries. So often I buy some more green bags! Well now I have a multitude of green bags! When I go away, which is nearly every weekend, I now use green bags to pack my clothes and bathroom stuff. Who needs suitcases when you have green bags lol. I have tried putting a green bag folded up in my handbag. But as many of us girls know, we have to change handbags often, so the green bag doesnt seem to always make it in there!

Now I must say that 'green' bags to come in many colours not just green which is very nice. They also come made from many materials. I am going to do some research into this and blog on it in the future as I have heard there are concerns about some 'green' bags.

Anyway love to hear your thoughts on how you remember the green bags....