Knowing that every action causes a reaction
should encourage us
to act and react with wisdom.
Robyn
In my Survival Bag, I have already packed
Home March's challenge is to pack one item each day in a Survival Bag, in order to be prepared for an emergency.
1. my emergency foil blanket, plus silk sheet-bag and a sleeping bag.
9. my torches
2. a mosquito head net and a tube aloe vera
3. my clothing
4. my food and my drink bottles
5. my first aid kit
6. eating and cooking utensils
7. my Tommy Cooker Hexi Stove and fuel tablets
8. Windproof and Waterproof Matches (or a fire flint or cigarette lighter)
3. my clothing
4. my food and my drink bottles
5. my first aid kit
6. eating and cooking utensils
7. my Tommy Cooker Hexi Stove and fuel tablets
8. Windproof and Waterproof Matches (or a fire flint or cigarette lighter)
10. my washbag
11. soap for washing dishes and clothes
Today I will pack a whistle and a glowstick
My whistle is attached to a cord along with my tiny torch to be worn around my neck if necessary. Also the cord helps me not to lose them so easily!
The glowstick cost $1 from Cheap as chips.
Both of these articles can attract attention if one has a need.
My whistle is attached to a cord along with my tiny torch to be worn around my neck if necessary. Also the cord helps me not to lose them so easily!
The glowstick cost $1 from Cheap as chips.
Both of these articles can attract attention if one has a need.
Garden Saltbush Australian Bush Tucker
Saltbushes such as Old Man Saltbush (A. nummularia) are found in the dry, inland parts of Australia while some species such as Grey Saltbush (Atriplex cinerea) grow near the coast. The plant is drought resistant as well as being a fire retardant, and has provided a solution to the rural soil crisis where farmers are wanting eroding soil to hold. The plant is also good for animal forage, offering the same quality as lucerne, while requiring 40% of the water usage of lucerne.
Old Man Saltbush is a familiar sight over large areas of the dry inland of Australia. It is a sprawling grey-blue shrub, up to 3 metres high and sometimes spreading to 5 metres wide. It is a long living plant, growing strongly after periods of summer rain, producing long tassels of flowering seed heads. In old times indigenous Australians mostly collected the minute Saltbush seeds to grind and roast for damper.
As kids we used them to practice for Track and Field events like hurdling.
As kids we used them to practice for Track and Field events like hurdling.
A special selection of Old Man Saltbush has been developed by Outback Pride’s Mike Quarmby for the gourmet food industry. Mike was involved in providing millions of saltbush seedlings to the re-vegetation and pastoral industry in order to rehabilitate degraded land. He soon realized that overgrazing had removed the best types of saltbush from rangelands, and only the bitter leafed plants were left. Mike undertook a lengthy journey to find natural stands of Saltbush that had been protected from overgrazing.
Mike established selection trial plots, with the end result being a much improved saltbush form, which is quite different in flavour to the hard grown wild plant. When grown in hot house conditions, it provides a large leafed vegetable, with a natural range of mineral salts, antioxidants, calcium and 27% crude protein.
The large fresh or blanched Saltbush leaves can be used as a wrap around meat or fish, in salads or as a leafy bed for grilled meat or vegetables. The dried Saltbush flakes are a wonderful addition to bread, grills, pasta and as a pot herb.
Saltbush in Saline Soils The roots of the saltbush draw up saline water and concentrate it in specialised bladder cells, or vesicles, within the leaves. Salt is then excreted from the plant via special glands. Unfortunately the limited ability of saltbush to withstand long periods of water logging limits their establishment in some saline areas. The colonisation of bare saline areas by saltbush not only reduces the risk of wind and water erosion but also provides a source of fodder for grazing livestock. It has been proven by planting saltbush and native trees these bare saline areas come back to productivity.
Main features of growing Saltbushhttp://www.westernssaltbush.com.au/saltbush.htm
Reduced erosion risk - protecting the soil from wind and water Drought risk management - through strategic use of blocks of perennial vegetation in dry seasons Autumn feed gap - reduce and/or eliminate the need for hand feeding Minimise groundwater recharge - reducing movement to discharge areas Increased carrying capacity - additional feed and better utilisation of marginal land Protection for stock - off shears sheep and ewes and lambs in inclement weather
Easy Cheesy Margharita with Saltbush
I make these as an afternoon snack for the kids sometimes, they are quick, easy, healthy and yum! They also make a good light meal, and pizzas are a fun way to try out different native flavours.
This recipe makes enough for a snack, 2 tortilla pizzas, but can easily be multiplied to make more.
1 wholemeal tortillas
2 large tomatoes
1/3 cup grated cheese
1 1/2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 shakes of Saltbush Flakes
1 shake of Native Pepper Seasoning
Preheat oven to 200 degrees celsius.
Spread tomato paste lightly over the tortillas. Sprinkle grated cheese evenly on top.
Slice the tomatoes and place the slices all over the tortilla bases.
Sprinkle with the native herbs. Bake for 10-15 minutes.
Note: Let the pizzas cool down before serving to kidlets, the tomato gets really hot!
This recipe makes enough for a snack, 2 tortilla pizzas, but can easily be multiplied to make more.
1 wholemeal tortillas
2 large tomatoes
1/3 cup grated cheese
1 1/2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 shakes of Saltbush Flakes
1 shake of Native Pepper Seasoning
Preheat oven to 200 degrees celsius.
Spread tomato paste lightly over the tortillas. Sprinkle grated cheese evenly on top.
Slice the tomatoes and place the slices all over the tortilla bases.
Sprinkle with the native herbs. Bake for 10-15 minutes.
Note: Let the pizzas cool down before serving to kidlets, the tomato gets really hot!
http://seasonwithsaltbush.blogspot.com.au/
Saltbush
Grind tiny seeds for damper,
Put dried leaves in a hamper,
Or simply grow some by the track
Somewhere in the great outback.
Put dried leaves in a hamper,
Or simply grow some by the track
Somewhere in the great outback.
Robyn
Who would have thought that this dry old shrub could help our farmers as well as being a food for both animals and humans?
from Robyn
painting of robin by Brenda, my mum.