WHAT'S IN YOUR FOOD

I'm watching a program on SBS called Food Factory. A chief tries to discover what's in mass produced items that we eat and drink.

If you ever wondered about the benefits of making your own, besides the fact that its cheaper, you really need to watch this. The ingredients that are used are not even real food a lot of the time.

Besides synthetic food and artificial flavours the amount of preservatives used is astronomical. The products are filled with fillers to plump them up and honestly it has put me off completely. 

Can you imagine what all of this is doing to our bodies and our health in general. I have to wonder if this is one of the reasons for the booming obesity in the western world. We have forgotten what real food tastes like and the way it keeps us healthy and strong.

Very thought provoking and worth watching.

BOILED PINEAPPLE FRUIT CAKE

Anyone that knows me knows that I have a bit of a sweet tooth. I just get cravings and off I go and buy something to tide me over. ( might have something to do with why my weight goes up and down like a yoyo) 

One of the things I have promised myself is to live simply and stop buying for the sake of it. This also goes for my sweet tooth. If I really want it I can. I just have to make it. No more dashing off to the shops for a quick fix. Unless I run out of ingredients but I must buy the ingredients. .

I used to bake all the time but like a lot of things it took a back seat to life and it became something I  did when I had people over.

Well the other night I really fancied a piece of cake, actually a piece of fruit cake. I took a look through the pantry and decided that I had what I needed. Below is the recipe I used, It is so easy to make and is a favourite of ours.

Boiled Pineapple Fruit Cake

2 cups mixed fruit                 113g (4 oz ) butter

1 cup sugar                           1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

1 tsp mixed spiced                1 can (450 gr ) crushed pineapple

1 cup plain flour                     1 cup S.R. flour

2 well beaten eggs

Place mixed fruit, butter, sugar, mixed spice, bicarb, and pineapple into a saucepan and bring to the boil.

Boil for 3 minutes, remove from heat and allow to cool.

Add flour, S.R. flour and eggs.Stir until combined. If still very wet add a little more S.R. flour.

Place in baking dish and bake in a moderate oven (180 deg ) for 30 to 40 minutes or until skewer comes out clean.

If mixture is very wet place alfoil over top to  reduce browning. 

Enjoy

Jan