EcoFrugal

11/01/2026

I made old fashioned Barley Sugar lollies in the Thermomix - so easy!

Here’s my recipe, using the Sugar Stages mode (available only through Cookidoo guided cooking recipes on the Thermomix TM7 and TM6 models):

Ingredients
30 g pearl barley
10 g lemon peel (from approx 1/3 lemon)
20 g lemon juice (from approx 1/3 lemon)
400 g water
250 g raw sugar
1 Tbsp glucose syrup

Preparation
1. Use a vegetable peeler to peel pieces of rind from approx 1/3 of a lemon (avoid white pith).
2. Add pearl barley, lemon rind and 400 g water to the Thermomix bowl.
3. Cook 15 min/100°C/speed 1 with measuring cup/lid cap off. Add the lemon juice.
4. Strain the barley water through a fine sieve into a bowl.
5. Ensure the Thermomix bowl is clean, then start the Cookidoo Lollipops recipe. Use 70 g of the barley water in place of the water in the Lollipops ecipe. Note: Retain the remaining barley water if you want to make additional batches.
6. Once the Lollipops recipe is complete, either spoon the hot syrup into small silicone moulds and leave for 15 minutes to cool, or pour into a well greased tin, allow to cool for a few minutes until firm enough to handle but still pliable, and cut to desired size with greased kitchen scissors. Once cool, place in an airtight container or individually wrap.

Tips
Adjust amount of barley / simmer the barley water for longer if you want a stronger barley flavour.

Enjoy! If you make them let me know what you think 😊🍬

13/12/2025

This is intended as our future Christmas tree - Callitris gracilis (Native Pine) - sustainable and native. The first photo shows the size when purchased in Dec 2024, the second shows its size now - almost 1 metre high. The nursery assistant said to stake it to keep it straight and use a small pot so it doesn’t grow too large.

Initially I wanted an Exocarpos cupressiformis (Native Cherry) but they are hemiparasitic (require a host plant) and hard to propagate/and hence also hard to find plants to purchase.

I’m really happy with how it’s looking - it has lovely vibrant green foliage. Hopefully big enough for some decorations next Christmas - I’ll post an update then🎄.

08/11/2025

07/10/2025

Another fantastic market at Marion Bay. We sold out of fish pretzels by 11am and all baked goods by the end of the market. Will have to make more for the next market - Jan 3rd.

04/10/2025

Market ready. Beautiful morning in Marion Bay!

19/09/2025

✨ Maker’s Market – Sunday 5th October ✨

Mark your calendars! On the Sunday of the long weekend, outside the Marion Bay Hall will come alive with stalls, food, and live music. 🎶

Will & Bryce Acoustic, who were set to perform at our June market (which was cancelled due to weather) will be here this time, alongside plenty of delicious treats and fun: sausage sizzle and pancakes by the Marion Bay CFS, the van, Jon’s coffee van, and face painting for the kids.

📍 Marion Bay Hall
🗓️ Sunday 5th October (Long Weekend)
🕙 10am - 2pm

Browse handmade treasures, enjoy tasty bites, and soak up the local vibes... don't forget the Merch will be available, and there will be a fundraiser raffle too 🙌

See you there!
♡ Tiff
On behalf of the Marion Bay Progress Association

16/08/2025

I am a self-proclaimed Thermomix lover and everyday this amazing kitchen machine helps me achieve a more ecofrugal life.

Point in case - commercial drinking chocolate is essentially sugar and cocoa powder - so why would I pay a premium for this product when I can mill it myself?!

My resident taste testers helped me to recreate Cadbury’s Drinking Chocolate. Perhaps no surprise but I had to keep adding more sugar to match the level of sweetness.

I’ve added the recipe onto the Thermomix recipe community for your drinking and cost saving pleasure. Adjust the amount and type of sugar to your likeness: https://www.recipecommunity.com.au/drinks-recipes/just-like-cadbury-drinking-chocolate/06ul386h-cd937-896234-beea0-702en7tz

I’ve done the figures and the cost for 100 g is $0.90. Of course the cost would be even less if you bought the ingredients in bulk.

Compared to the price of Cadbury Drinking Chocolate (Woolworths SA 16/08/25), that’s a saving of $0.66 per 100 g, $3 per container (450 g), and over $5 per equivalent quantity*. And also less packaging waste. Winning!



* mine has less sugar than the commercial drinking chocolate but it still tastes plenty sweet to the point my taste testers couldn’t tell a difference. I couldn’t bring myself to add any more (might be a greater cost saving but not a health saving).

23/07/2025

Have you discovered the TooGoodToGo App yet?

You get yummy goodies at heavily discounted prices, local businesses get revenue for food that would otherwise go unsold, and less food is going to waste. It’s a win-win-win!

When food bags become available you have to be quick as they get snapped up within minutes. Here’s pics of the bags I’ve got this week. The perks of working in the city.

Sushi Sushi - $9.99 ($30 value)
Hello Sarnie - $7.99 ($24 value)
Food For Life - $7.33 ($22 value)

So far a 5 out of 5 experience. The food has been delicious, the service quick and easy, and the app is very user friendly. I like the surprise of not knowing what you’ll get. A downside has been the extra packaging (pre-packed in paper bags, except for Food For Life, so they get extra brownie points 😊).

I have no doubt the app will take off quickly.

https://www.toogoodtogo.com/en-au/surplus-food-marketplace?