Nature loving

 

I love being outside.

For some reason, people are sometimes suprised to hear this. 

Perhaps because I'm extremely girly or like to dress nice, who knows!

But one of my most favourite things to do is to be outside. 

Simple. 

Doesn't really matter what I'm doing - walking, sitting, reading, soaking up the sunshine

as long as the suns out and it's relatively warm I'll be happy. 

Since becoming interested in photography my love of the outdoors has only grown.

I will happily spend hours twisted into a weird position trying to catch the perfect picture of that spider or the teeny tiny flower peeping out of the scrub. 

My love of nature also translates into my eating habits.

I really don't think it's possible to eat too many fruits or vegetables.

Carrots are one of my favourite foods (hence why my mum believes i'm turning into an oompa loompa)

and I think the 2 & 5 guideline should be increased to something more along the lines of 10 & 10. 

Recently, I was sent a whole bunch of Emma and Tom's Raw Fruit & Nut Bars that sounded right up my alley!

Emma and Tom's Life Bars are all natural, raw and contain no added sugar. 

Not only are they filled with nutrient rich ingredients, they're delicious too! 

All four life bars are made on a base of medjool dates (natures candy!) so they're high in fibre and they also have a high level of "healthy fats" thanks to the addition of raw almonds and cashews.

 The Cacao and Orange Life Bar was most definitely my favourite.

Ingredients: Dates, Raw Cashews, Seedless Raisins, Cacao Powder, Cold Pressed Orange Oil.

This bar tasted more like a chocolate bar than a raw fruit bar. 

Think of a jaffa - but with a richer chocolate flavour. 

I found that these tasted EVEN BETTER when you put them in the fridge or freezer to let them firm up before eating,

they then become super chewy and delicious! Almost fudge-like.

The Cacao and Orange Life Bar would be fantastic for a sweet treat that's packed with nutrients.

They will definitely be a staple in my cupboard from now on!

The Cherry and Goji Life Bar was my second favourite of the bars. 

Ingredients: Dates, Raw Almonds, Dried Cherries, Dried Goji Berries. 

These bars are jam packed full of free-radical fighting anti oxidants which help our bodies to recover

and may even help slow down the ageing process. 

But the most important thing of all is that they taste fantastic.

Because seriously, what's the use of all these added benefits if the end product tastes foul?

 The Banana Life Bar with added Chia was different from what I expected, but still delicious.

I was expecting more of a fresh banana kick but the dried banana still packs a mighty punch!

(yeah I know, a tad stupid when we're talking about dried banana - but hey!)

Ingredients: Dates, Raw Almonds, Dried Banana, Chia Seeds

The potassium rich banana is thought to reduce stress and be a natural mood improver

so perhaps you should be tossing a Banana Life Bar to a cranky friend instead of a chill pill. 

This bar also contains the true superfood CHIA! that is the richest combined source of omega 3, fibre and protein

so this bar will not only be loved by your taste buds - but by your body too!

Now, I'm not a Fig fan so this bar was politely handed to the head of my taste testing team

who also happens to be a fig lover.

The Fig and Lemon Life Bar also contains Chia Seed for that extra nutritional boost.

I was surprised by the reaction to this bar as it was a resounding yum!

and this is coming from someone who quite commonly turns his nose up at unusual concoctions.

Figs are high in calcium and the cold pressed lemon oil gives off a delicious flavour whilst still being totally natural. 

I did take a bite of this bar as well (see what I do for you people!)  

and I was quite surprised that I didn't find it too bad at all!

I really liked the lemon flavour and the figgy-ness wasn't too overpowering!

I think Emma and Tom need to look at making a blueberry and lemon life bar - holyyyy yum :)

But, until then I would definitely recommend you try to get your hands on some.

Especially the Cacao and Orange Bar! 

To find a store near you just shoot over an email to info@emmaandtom.com

or call 1800 112 889. 

... 

But do tell me - 

are you more of an outdoors or indoors type of person?

and what's your favourite dried fruit or nut? 

Dates would definitely have to be one of my favourite dried fruits closely followed by dried apricots, raisins, mango and cranberries. (Can you see I like my dried fruits?)

As for nuts - there's no way I could choose a favourite but I'm always sure to have almonds, cashews, pistachios and peanuts on hand!

Kristy was sent Emma and Tom's products courtesy of wwww.emmaandtom.com

If you'd like a review of your products, send an email to ksayerphotography@gmail.com

I'm still here!

I've been MIA lately as I've been busy busy busy!

But fear not, I'm back!

I spent all of last week playing with candy.

I've had chocolate under my finger nails, marshmallow dust in my hair and constantly sticky fingers.

Am I opening up a lolly shop?

Am I the next Willy Wonka?

Has my sweet tooth come back full force? 

Have I totally changed my career?

The answer to all of the above is...... nope.

Truth is, I've been working. 

Here's a little sneak peek as to what I've been doing!

I'll share more soon! and details too! 

I haven't baked for what seems like forever!

I think I may be having withdrawals so baking will (hopefully) commence soon! 

Australia Day has also snuck up on me, so I'm thinking I may need to whip up an Australianized dessert.

Any ideas?!

But do tell me, 

If you could have a lifetime supply of any candy, what would it be?

and how will you be celebrating Australia Day? 

 (if you're Australian, that is! - or maybe you just love Australia!)

Moderation is key!

"Whatever you do, do it in moderation"

It doesn't seem mother nature listened to that proverb.

Rain is only good in moderation

too little, you have drought

too much, you have floods. 

The QLD Floods show us just how important moderation is

in every aspect of life - not just the weather.

One of the key areas in life where I think moderation is an important thing to remember is health.

It's so easy to overlook the need for moderation.

Especially with advertisements constantly bombarding you with their promised health fixes

and no-fail diets. 

I've heard alot of people talk about their new years resolutions

how they're going to cut out this and never eat that again. 

An all or nothing attitude is one of the largest mistakes a person can make in any aspect of their life,

it only sets you up for stress, failure, frustration and ill will towards whatever you are trying to achieve. 

For me, moderation is all about balance. 

I love fresh fruit and vegetables and seem much like a herbivore at times, but hey! I can eat my share of chocolate too!

I love photography, but if I forced myself to spend xx amount of hours with a camera in hand I'd lose some of my passion for it and my photos would clearly show it.

Reading is relaxing, but when your new years resolution is to read xx books in xx days are you doing it for enjoyment? or because you feel you have to. 

I think someone needs to give Mother Nature a lesson in moderation and fast.

My heart goes out to all affected by the floods.

If you're looking to donate to those affected, click here .

I believe it's really important to help out those in need if we have the power to,

because, after all - we'd want people to help us, wouldn't we? 

I've had to practice moderation when it comes to my Dr Kracker Obsession

while I could so easily eat them day in and day out, I'd have a problem.

I'd probably grow tired of them turn into a Kracker.

But then again - that could be a pretty tasty outcome! ;) 

How could you blame me? Dr Kracker Pumpkin Seed Cheddar are super crunchy

with organic pumpkin seeds and delicious cheddar flavour.

They're made with whole wheat flour and all organic ingredients 

and they're filled with nutritional powerhouses like flaxseeds, oats and sunflower seeds.  

Best of all? They make for a perfect crunchy lunch! 

My favourite way to eat them? Spread with a layer of fresh, creamy avocado or cream cheese.

Holyyyyyyyyyy yum. 

Quick, head on over here to find out how you can get your hands on some! 

So now we've talked about moderation - I want to know!

What's your favourite "healthy" food? 

and what's your favourite treat?

I have a current carrot addiction (so much so that my mother thinks I'm turning orange)

and I love nuts, seeds, fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains etcetc (most things - really)

But my favourite treat food? Well that would have to be chocolate.

Kristy received Dr Kracker crackers courtesy of www.drkracker.com

If you'd like a review of your products, send an email to ksayerphotography@gmail.com

Summer Snacking

When I was younger, 

my summer holidays were spent in the pool.

I'd say by the pool, but really it was hard to get me out of the pool for more than a minute. 

Because of this my eating always totally changed for the season.

My mum had the mission of trying to get me to eat something in the short time I was out of the pool.

Now that I'm older, I've found my eating habits still change in summer, even though I no longer spend hours as a fish.

Hot, humid weather doesn't make big meals all that appealing and I tend to be a summer snacker instead.

Plus, casual eating suits my casual summer lifestyle perfectly! 

A while ago Healtheries sent me their entire range of  KidsCare snack foods 

which I thought were perfect for summer snacking. 

Rice Wheels are bite sized crunchy rice snacks that are perfect for snacking in their individual packs. 

Not only are they fun, they taste great and are perfect for little kids and big kids alike. 

Rice Wheels come in three flavours - Cheese, Burger and Roast Chicken 

They also satisfy the crunch alot of us crave when it comes to snacks!

Potato Sticks are light, crispy and come in individual packs which are perfect for lunchboxes or snacking on the go. 

They come in three flavours: Roast Potato, Chicken and Salt and Vinegar 

Salt and Vinegar definitely seemed to be the crowd favourite here!

Rice Rounds are very much like a cross between a potato chip and a rice cracker

and are the perfect size for little ones! 

They're delicious on their own but perfect with cheese or dips and other toppings! 

The rice rounds come in two flavours: Original and Cheese and Bacon

We were having a barbeque with friends and our pool was filled with kids bouncing with energy

and then... the hunger monster attacked. dundundun. 

So what did I do? Piece together a summery snack plate, of course! 

Carrot and Cucumber sticks, Watermelon, Rockmelon, Rice Wheels, Potato Sticks and Rice Rounds

made the perfect snack plate which satisfied both the kids and adults.

Dare I say the adults probably enjoyed this more than the kids? 

The Healtheries KidsCare range of products are available in supermarkets across Australia

and can generally be found in the "Health Food" aisle.

So tell me, 

Does your appetite/eating habits change with the seasons?

and What's your ultimate snack?

Kristy was sent Healtheries products courtesy of www.healtheries.com.au

If you'd like a review of your products, send an email to ksayerphotography@gmail.com  

 

Is that it?

Are the holidays really over already? 

Christmas and New Years seem to have flown by me

and now they're gone for another year. 

Yesterday we took down all our christmas decorations.

Does anyone elses house feel a little bit duller as soon as the decorations come down?

My loungeroom looks bare without our ginormous 7ft tall christmas tree taking up a huge chunk of the room.

Christmas is definitely my most favourite time of the year,

even moreso than my birthday!

I love being around family and friends,

having excuses to spend hours in the kitchen whipping up desserts or holiday meals

and Christmassy plates, bowls and cups make my meals even better!

But that's okay, 

once one Christmas passes it means I have a whole year to plan for the next! 

and you can guarentee that's what I'll be doing. 

So tell me, 

How was your Christmas and New Years?

and does your house feel empty once the decorations come down?  

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles

As a child, the best part of baking was always licking the beaters covered in cake batter

or sneaking bits of cookie dough before the cookies went in the oven.

For some reason, it always tasted better than the end product.

Now that my tastes of changed, cake batter and cookie dough don't interest me as much

but my sister is still in love with all things cake batter or cookie dough.

In fact, she'd probably prefer I didn't bake anything.

On New Years day I found myself needing a dessert recipe.

My dilemma? Well, I had two.

The first was that whatever I wanted to make had to be made with the ingredients on hand as the shops were closed.

The second was that it was way too hot to turn the oven on.

I decided that truffles could be a good sweet treat to add to our dessert spread the following day

and a google search led me to Love and Olive Oil  where I found the recipe for these Cookie Dough Truffles. 

As soon as I read the title I knew these would be perfect for Katrina

and even better? I had all the ingredients on hand! 

Before I knew it I was rolling balls of cookie dough and putting them in the freezer to chill. 

These were alot simpler than I thought they'd be, in a few hours I had three trays of truffles.

50 something bite sized truffles in fact! 

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles

recipe adapted from Love and Olive Oil  

(makes around 4 dozen bite sized truffles) 

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups plain flour 

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking soda

250g butter

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar (I actually used 1/2C brown sugar, 1C granulated sugar as that's all I had) 

1 tsp vanilla  

1/3 cup milk 

1 cup chocolate chips/chopped chocolate (This is a matter of personal choice - I used milk chocolate, though you could use whatever chocolate/add ins you'd like - just like any cookie!)

500g chocolate (again, I used milk - but you could use dark/white/flavoured chocolate/candy coating - as long as it melts well) 

Directions: 

Cream butter and sugars with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, add milk and vanilla and mix until incorporated.

Gradually add in flour, baking soda and salt and mix until incorporated.

Stir in chocolate chips. 

Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for an hour or until firm enough to handle. 

Form dough into small balls and arrange onto baking sheets lined with baking/waxed paper. Place sheets in the freezer and chill for 30 minutes until the balls have hardened.  

Melt chocolate/candy coating in a double boiler or in the microwave. Using forks, dip cookie balls into chocolate to cover, letting any excess drip off before returning to the lined baking sheets.

Chill covered dough balls in fridge until set.  Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week (though, I doubt you'll have to do that!) 

These cookie dough truffles were a huge hit and perfect for a hot summers day! 

I will definitely be trying out different combinations in the future, you could take your favourite cookie and turn it into a fancified treat!

I love ANZAC cookie dough - so I'm wondering whether they would make a good cookie dough truffle innard! 

So tell me!

What's your favourite summer dessert?

and do you like eating cookie dough/cake batter?