Ready for the weekend - Gluten Free Goodies!

It's Wednesday again!

Are you anything like me and SO ready for the weekend to be here?

Don't worry, there's only 2 days left! 

Being Gluten Free can mean you miss out on lots of fun and delicious foods, especially when it comes to social gatherings - but I've got you covered!

All the products in this ost can be found at specialty stores and health food shops around Australia and are also available internationally as they're imported from the US! (find out more at Real Food Distributors)

Chips and dips or cheese and crackers always make an appearance at get-togethers, so why not have some options that will suit everyone - even gluten free guests!

Boulder Sea Salt and Cracked Pepper Chips were voted America's #1 Potato Chip by Rachel Ray

They're crunchy and golden with kick of pepper and are;

gluten free

trans-fat free

cholesterol free

and all natural

R.W Garcia's Organic Blue Maize Tortilla Chips are made for salsa and guacamole, but are also delicious straight out of the bag.

They're gluten free and trans-fat free and have a full corn flavour.

They're also all natural and made the old fashioned way with nothing but blue corn, water, oil and salt.

They're super crunchy and the perfect thickness for dipping - they won't break away into your salsa!

Mary's Gone Crackers are the perfect cracker for whole grain lovers like me!

They're jam packed full of flavour and nutrition with quinoa, brown rice, flaxseed and sesame seeds.

They're also gluten free and contain no added fat.

Not a savoury fan? How about sweets! 

These Chocolate Chip Cookies from Mary's Gone Crackers are a great GF option!

They're:

- organic and non-GMO
- vegan
- gluten, wheat, dairy and egg free

- Kosher friendly
- low GI
- free of transfat and hydrogenated oils

and a good sweet treat to keep on hand!

So tell me

Sweet or Savoury, what's YOUR preference?

and what's your fail-safe party food when you're asked to bring something? 

Kristy received these products courtesy of www.realfooddistributors.com.au
If youd like a review of your products, send an email to ksayerphotography@gmail.com 

Tea break!

I don't know about where you are, but lately, Sydney has had some wet and rainy days.

Cold and dreary days are the worst, in my opinion - I spend the day constantly looking for warmth.

Whether it's the clothes I'm wearing, what I'm eating or what I'm drinking.

Tea is one of my best friends on cold dreary days, it warms you from the inside out!

So this package of Organic India Tulsi Tea came just at the right time!

In India, Tulsi (also known as Holy Basil) is widely known for it's health benefits and medicinal value.

It is one of the principle herbs of the ancient traditional holistic health system, Ayurveda and is known as "The Queen of Herbs"

Tulsi is rich in antioxidants and is renowned for it's restorative powers.

Modern scientific research has found that the herb has been seen to;

- relieve stress

- enhance stamina

- support immunity

- act as a natural immuno-modulator 

- relieve inflamation

- lower cholesterol

- eliminate toxins

- improve digestion

- promote a healthy metabolism

as well as a number of other benefits

Organic India has a wide range of different teas, all including the sacred Tulsi herb so you can enjoy it's benefits no matter what your tea tastes might be!

The original variety of Tulsi Tea is a blend of three varieties of Tulsi.

Vana Tulsi has hints of lemon and citrus, Krishna Tulsi is slightly spicy and Rama Tulsi brings a calm depth to the mix.

It is gluten free, caffeine free and abundant in antioxidants.

Personally, my favourite type of tea is green tea, so I was very interested to try it blended with tulsi.

The plain green tea contains the original three variety Tulsi blend plus organic green tea.

It gives you a natural energy boost with only half the caffeine of regular green tea.

The Pomegranate Green Tea contains the same ingredients as the plain green tea with the addition of organic hibiscus, elderberries and pomegranate.

It's tart and tangy with a burst of pomegranate flavour and full of antioxidants.

This cooling a refreshing blend would be perfect for iced tea!

Licorice Spice has a subtle sweetness with a touch of cinnamon, ginger and lemon.

The Lemon Ginger is perfect for days when you're feeling a bit off colour with it's mix of organic ginger and lemongrass comvined with the original tulsi blend - it's also fantastic for digestion!

The soothing Peppermint Tea is refreshing and restorative and the perfect tea to relax with at the end of a long day.

If you're a chai fan, Organic India have you covered too!

The Red Chai Masala is a caffeine free blend of Tulsi and Roobois with the classic chai spices of cinnamon, ginger, cardamon, chicory, black pepper, mace, cloves and nutmeg.

Add a dash of milk and you have a delicious warming tea with a nutty sweet-yet-spicy flavour.

The India Breakfast Tea has a deep and spicy flavour that is perfect for black tea lovers but is also great with a dash of milk.

It is a blend of Assam (known for it's body and malty flavour), Ayerpadi (a special black tea leaf known for it's deep complex flavour) and the original three variety tulsi blend.

The Jasmine blend is a relaxing floral mix of Tulsi, Chamomile and Jasmine with a subtle sweetness from aniseed.

The Honey Chamomile is an excellent restorative tea made with a blend of tulsi, chamomile and aniseed.

The feminine Sweet Rose tea is a blend of rose petals, tulsi, chamomile and lemon myrtle with a touch of stevia for sweetness - it is the ultimate tea party tea!

Organic India teas are available around the world, you can buy online on their site, at different online retailers and in a number of health food stores and retailers around the country.

So tell me - how do you like your tea?

Kristy received Organic India Teas courtesy of www.kingstonfoods.com.au

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

The BEST Brownie Recipe - goodbye Betty Crocker!

 I have tried SO many brownie recipes to try and find the perfect brownie recipe for my sister.

She's a boxed brownie fan and it seemed like nothing as going to steer her from Betty Crocker. 

You see, she's the Goldilocks of brownies.

These ones are too cakey

Those ones aren't dense enough

They just aren't the same

But you know what? these brownies are jusssssssssssssssssssst right!

I finally came up with the best brownie recipe and Betty Crocker got the boot!

These brownies are super simple to make and only require a mixing bowl. 

It's a small batch recipe, making 16 small or 9 large brownies so feel free to double it! 

The Best Brownie Recipe

also known as the only brownie recipe you'll ever need 

makes 16 small/9 large brownies

115g butter, melted 

1C brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 eggs

1/2C flour 

1/3C cocoa powder
1/4 tsp baking powder

Preheat oven to 180*C/350*F

Grease and line 9x9'' brownie tin.

Combine melted butter, brown sugar and vanilla in a mixing bowl.

Once butter mixture is cooled slightly, add eggs and stir until mixed through

Mix in flour, cocoa powder and baking powder until well combined.

Pour into tin and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a skewer removes clean.

This brownie recipe is super simple to adapt, 

I added Reese Peanut Butter Chips but you can add nuts/chocolate/chopped candy bars or whatever you fancy!

They're delicious on their own or with a creamy chocolate frosting on top - it's up to you! 

So tell me - your dream brownie, what's it like?

Chewy? Fudgy? Cake-like? Nut filled? Super rich?
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Lunchbox Legends

In Primary School, there was always competition as to whose mum or dad packed them the best lunch.

Homemade cakes and cookies scored you some respect points, Tiny Teddies were envied but Mamee Noodles were always the things my peers were bargaining for.

 

"I'll swap you my tiny teddies for your mamee noodles!" 

"No way!" 

"Puhhhleaaaasseeeee, I never get those!"

So of course, when I was sent a box of products from Mamee, I was immediately taken back to Primary School.

Fast forward all these years (eep) and Mamee Noodles are still around - as well as some other products!

and Mamee Noodles also Amber Compliant for sale in school canteens under the Australian Government's Healthy Canteen Strategy.

Mamee Noodles come in both Chicken and BBQ flavours

which come in Multipacks available from Coles, Woolworths, IGA, Franklins, Big W, Target and many other stores around the country.

Their individual 25g packs are a perfect lunchbox treat or on the go snack.

These Rice Sticks are a part of Mamee's GF Range.

They come in both Vegetable and Cheese flavours and are available from Coles, Woolworths and selected IGA, Foodland and Foodworks stores.

They're crisp and crunchy with flavours that kids love (even the vegetable flavour!) and like the Mamee noodles, the 20g portion packs are a perfect treat to stow away in any kid's lunchbox.

Mamee also have some crisp and crunchy snacks for bigger kids and adults.

Both the Rice Chips and Corn Kiks are part of the gluten free range and are packed full of flavour.

The Rice Chips are very much like Pringles and come in both BBQ and Sour Cream and Chive Flavours.

They're perfect to put out when you have friends over or for an occasional snack.

The Corn Kiks have a savoury cheese flavour with an almost BBQ-like tang.

They're crunchy and moreish and disappear when put out at BBQs.

Both products are available at Coles and selected IGA, Foodland and Foodworks stores.

So tell me,

When you were younger, what was the sought after lunchbox treat at your school?

and What was your favourite lunchbox treat to have?