Naturally delicious breakfasts!

If you've read my blog before, chances are, you know breakfast is my favourite meal of the day

and if you haven't - well, now you do!

If I could have it for every meal I probably would and if I ever had to choose my final meal, you can be sure it'd be breakfast related. 

When the weather is warmer, I love cold cereal - so this package from Nature's Path arrived just at the right time.

Nature's Path cereals are all USDA certified organic, meaning they don't contain any artificial preservatives, additives, GMOs or synthetic pesticides - so you know exactly what's going into your breakfast bowl. 

Not only that, they taste delicious! 

The Heritage Flakes are a blend of wheat, barley, quinoa and spelt which is lightly sweetened with honey and evaporated cane juice.
While this GF-er couldn't try the cereal, my taste testers would impressed with it's crunch and delicious flavour - it's a perfect multigrain cereal for eating alone or topping with whatever takes your fancy!


The Millet Rice flakes are wheat free and made from whole oat, brown rice, and millet flours and naturally sweetened with fruit juice.
According to my taste testers, this cereal has just the right amount of sweetness and got extra points for not going soggy in your milk - because who likes soggy cereal?!

Corn Flakes always remind me of being a kid and these Corn Flakes from Nature's Path didn't disappoint on the flavour front! 
They're both wheat free and contain only traces of gluten - however they didn't cause any problems for me, and later in the year they will both be gluten free!


The Fruit Juice Sweetened Corn Flakes are made of pure cornmeal, lightly sweetened with concentrated fruit juice while the Honey'd Corn Flakes are sweetened with organic honey and evaporated cane juice. 
Both are delicious on their own, used in baking or cooking or topped with whatever your heart desires! For me, it's got to be sliced banana!

The Spelt Flakes are naturally sweetened with fruit juice and are made of Spelt - an ancient whole grain related to wheat. 
My taste testers were impressed with it's delicately sweet flavour and superb crunch.

Crispy Rice are crunchy nuggets made of brown rice flour, delicately sweetened with molasses and evaporated cane juice.
This cereal was one of my favourite, thanks to it's crunch and delicious flavour. 


 The Mesa Sunrise Flakes are a wheat free mix of corn, flaxseed and amaranth which is blended into golden cereal flakes and sweetened with evaporated cane juice. 
They're crunchy and delicious and definitely one of my favourites! 

 Crispy Rice and the Mesa Sunrise Flakes currently not certified gluten free, but they caused no problems for me and will be certified GF by the end of the year!

Nature's Path also have an awesome range for kids (and kids at heart!)
Koala Crisp are chocolate flavoured puffed rice (100x better than Coco Pops!) and contain nothing artificial. 
This was a delicious cereal, perfect for anyone and great for using in recipes! 


Gorilla Munch is another one of my favourites, if you loved Corn Pops - this cereal is for you!
They're crunchy cornmeal spheres lightly sweetened with evaporated cane juice which are not only fun to eat, but delicious too! 


Both cereals are free from wheat, egg, milk, corn and soy - and like the other cereals, will be certified GF by the end of the year! 


Nature's Path Cereals are available at selected Health Food shops around the country, so keep your eye out for them! 
You won't be disappointed! :) 


So tell me, 
are you a cereal fan?
or do you have another breakfast favourite?

Kristy received Nature's Path products courtesy of Kadac Health Foods (www.kadac.com.au) 
If you'd like a review of your products, send an email to ksayerphotography@gmail.com  

Back, with breakfast!

Why hello there! 

I've been missing from here for a while now and I'm sorry!

Don't worry though, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth and I'm not dead - I've just been veeery busy. 

I was recently reminded that I need to spend more time with my loved ones as well as helping them out wherever possible.

My sister had an almost one month stint in the hospital (and was even interviewed by Kyle and Jackie O)

and I became the stand-in mum - washing/cooking/cleaning/you name it - as well as trying to be at the hospital as much as I possibly could.

Because of that (and my incredible boyfriend coming for Christmas) I decided to take December off completely. 

No work, no blogging, no plans.

It's been incredible to relax and spend some serious quality time with my family 

but I've been getting a little restless (and it wasn't ants in my pants!) and feeling the need to be productive once again - SO I'M BACK!

So for my first blog post of 2012, I wanted to share my favourite breakfast with you. 

It's gluten free, DELICIOUS!, super easy and perfect for weekends or that special treat.

It can also be made in advance and frozen so you can have a yummy baked breakfast any day of the week!

Banana Buckwheat Bake

gluten free, can be vegan, can be eggless and totally personalisable.

Adapted from Ashley @ The Edible Perspective 

1/4 cup buckwheat flour

1 tbsp Buckwheat groats (see notes) 

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tbsp Milk (whatever you like)

1 medium banana

1 egg/1 chia/flax egg/egg replacer (see notes)

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

pinch of salt

Optional: spices/chocolate chips/cocoa powder/fresh fruit/dried fruit/nuts/whatever you fancy

Preheat oven to 190*C. 

Mash 3/4 of the banana, leaving 1/4 aside to slice and add to the top - Mix in milk and vanilla. 

Add buckwheat flour, groats, baking powder, baking soda and salt to wet ingredients and mix until combined.

Pour mix into a non-stick baking pan (single serve), slightly greased ramekin or muffin cups. 

Top bake with banana slices and bake for 30-40 minutes until cooked through.

Then add whatever toppings you desire - I love adding nut butter, cream cheese, yogurt or fresh fruit - it's up to you!

Make sure you view my new blog, Southern In-Law for lots of delicious healthy recipes

Notes: 

Buckwheat flour is readily available at supermarkets as well as health food stores, or you can grind your own from raw buckwheat groats/kernels

Raw buckwheat groats are also readily available at supermarkets/health food stores. Sometimes you'll find them labelled as "buckwheat kernels" or "buckwheat grain" - just make sure you get the RAW version not the toasted kind. 

Chia/flax egg - Whisk 1 tablespoon chia seed/bran or ground flaxseed and 2 tbsp warm water until it "gels" and has an egg-like consistency.

If you like things sweet add in some maple syrup/honey/sugar to your tastes

If you don't have buckwheat it works fine with oats - just use oat flour (ground from oats) and whole rolled oats instead of the buckwheat flour/groats. 

So there you have it! The best breakfast you will ever make!

But do tell me, 

How was your holidays?

and What's your ultimate breakfast?  
Pin It
 

Sunshine and Super foods

I'm actually wary of posting about sunshine because it seems every time I do, it disappears.

But let's keep our fingers crossed it stays around!

As I first mentioned in this post, I'm still not eating gluten, so lately I've been trying lots and lots of new fun foods to make sure I still have plenty of variety.

I love trying new foods - especially ones other people mightn't have ever heard of or tried themselves.

So, naturally, I was super excited to receive a package from Power Superfoods

Golden Berries, also known as Incan Berries or Cape Gooseberries, are native to South America

and were one of the first non-native fruits available to early Australian settlers. 

Global explorers would carry Goldenberry seeds on their travels to ensure a rapid growing and nutrient rich fresh fruit source upon finding land. 

The fresh berries are yellow in colour and encased in a papery latern-like husk. 

The dried berries have the texture of a raisin and a sweet flavour with a citrussy tang.

Goldenberries are an excellent source of vitamins C, A and P and are also an excellent source of anti-oxidants, calcium, phosphorus, fibre, B vitamins and protein (yes, you read that right!)

The berries are delicious on their own and mixed into cereal, baked goods or trail mixes. 

They taste especially good with chocolate! 

Now, speaking of chocolate, Cacao Crunch is a blend of crushed chocolate beans coated in a paste of roasted chocolate liquefied nibs and rolled in panela. 

It tastes very much like dark chocolate with a delicious smokey and slightly bitter flavour - it even tastes somewhat nutty. 

Cacao Crunch is perfect for adding to baked goods, sprinkling on top of desserts or yogurt and they're a fantastic source of anti oxidants. 

It's perfect for any chocolate lover and an amazing addition to granola,

It's definitely one of my new favourite products! 

You can get your hands on some Power Superfoods products by checking out their stockists, buying online 

or heading to your closest Go Vita store!

But tell me, 

Do you like trying new foods?

What's your latest food find?!

Kristy received Power Superfoods products courtesy of www.powersuperfoods.com.au

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

Tropical dreaming

Sometimes it only takes a single smell to remind you of something.
For me, coconut always reminds me of summer

...... and breakfast.

I'm a little bit of a coconut fiend, you see.

As a child I hated the stuff, my poor little brain was scarred by horrible sweetened dessicated coconut.

Now? You will find the majority of my breakfast sprinkled with toasted unsweetened coconut or coconut butter.

Coconuts are pretty special, life saving even!

Did you know during WWII they would siphon pure coconut water from young coconut to be used as emergency plasma transfusions for wounded soldiers as coconut water is nearly identical to human blood?

There's no questioning why coconut is considered one of the most treasured foods of all time when it boasts both health benefits and tastes divine.

I was really excited to receive a box of Coconut Butter from the lovely people at Cocopure.

Their coconut butters are stone ground from organic raw ingredients of the highest quality.

All of the ingredients included in the coconut butters are superfoods and hand selected by the company. They're also 100% raw, vegan and gluten free.

The Vanilla Coconut Butter instantly reminded me of the beach when I opened the jar.

You could smell the sweet coconut mixed with just the right amount of vanilla.

In the jar, the coconut butter is quite solid but still easy enough to get out with a spoon or knife and it melts beautifully with just a little heat.

You can drizzle it over pancakes, spread it on bread or crackers or simply eat it out of the jar (yes, it's that good).

The extra virgin coconut oil is blended with organic coconut flakes, raw organic Peruvian lucuma powder and organic vanilla pod powder to create a delicious and nutritious spread.

What's my favourite way to use it? 

I love drizzling the melted coconut butter over my cereal bowls to give it an extra flavour and nutritional punch.

Because of the coconut's healthy fats, it also gives the cereal extra staying power to keep you from slumping at your desk before the clock hits 9am.

The Coconut Cashew Butter is a blend of raw cashew nuts, extra virgin coconut oil and wild crafted agave nectar.

The addition of the cashews creates a smooth, creamy texture that is 3, 000 times better than regular nut butter.

It's delicious straight from the jar and has a slightly fudgy texture when cool (especialy if you keep it in the fridge!) 

and it melts really easily with just a little heat, making it a perfect dip for fresh fruit!

What's my favourite way to use it? 

This Coconut Cashew Butter was made for spreading!

Whether it be spread onto dates, bread, crackers or pancakes it takes what you're eating to a whole other level.

The Chocolate Coconut Butter is an indulgent blend of virgin coconut oil, raw cacao powder, wild crafted agave nectar, vanilla bean powder and a touch of himalayan crystal salt.

It's 100% raw and retains more natural ingredients, heat sensitive vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and nutritional benefits because it is never heated above 45*C. 

I love that it contains only natural sugars and unprocessed cacao powder which is chocolate in its pure essential form.

Add the chocolate coconut butter into your favourite desserts, use as frosting for cakes, drizzle over ice cream or spread onto bread.

If you can resist eating it off the spoon, that is ;)

What's my favourite way to use it? 

The chocolate coconut butter is delicious when added to a hot bowl of oatmeal as it melts really well

but I love spreading it onto crackers - almost like nutella for grown ups! (or coconut fiends ;P)

The cacao and cashew butter takes the chocolate coconut butter and amps it up with the addition of raw cashews, creating a caramel tasting chocolate spread.

Straight from the jar it's quite fudgy and easily eaten straight from the spoon, but it gets even better when spread onto cakes, bread, crackers or drizzled over ice cream.

What's my favourite way to use it? 

Grab a piece of fresh bread or some deliciously crunchy crackers and spread it on.

Do it, you'll be thanking me! or should that be worshipping? 

Another thing you can do is dip strawberries (or any other fruit) into some melted coconut cashew butter and refridgerate until it firms up - just like chocolate dipped strawberries, only a billion times better!

So, want to get your hands on some? 
Cocopure Coconut Butter is available at a number of stockists around the country! 

Time to go shoppingggg! :P

So tell me, friends..

What's the one smell that always triggers a memory for you?

and are you a coconut fan? 

I want to know all about it!

Kristy received these products courtesy of www.cocopure.com.au

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

Giving it a crack

Or should that be crack-er?

But first - is there anybody out there?!

I've been really busy slack lately and haven't gotten around to posting

so hopefully there's at least one or two of you reading still! 

But alas, I am back!

and I want to know all about what you've been doing 

and what you want to see on my little blog :)

But first, I just have to share something(s) with you!

I've mentioned before that I'm all about the crunch factor when it comes to food.

Toast > Bread
Crackers > Toast

I love crackers - but they have to be proper crunchy crackers, the crunchier the better!

Whether they be covered in some form of nut butter, topped with cheese or eaten on their own

you can almost guarantee I'll be happy :P

So can you imagine how I felt when I received a giant box of Tucker's Natural Crackers?!

The Tucker's family have been making crackers for over 30 years. 

All of their crackers are made with the freshest, premium quality, natural, raw ingredients and are yeast and preservative free.

As some one with an uber sensitive stomach, this is 110% important.

Their savoury cracker range comes in six flavours which each compliment different toppings perfectly (and they are just as good on their own!) 

The Four Cheese and Chive crackers are made from cheddar, parmesan, pecorino and romano cheeses and are incredibly moreish. 

They're so full of flavour that they're great on their own or with different toppings.

The Rosemary and Rock Salt crackers, just like the Four Cheese and Chive crackers are perfect on their own and are a perfect addition to a cheese platter!

The Coriander and Cracker Pepper crackers are a favourite of Coriander lovers.

The coriander gives the crackers a fresh natural flavour that means they match perfectly with a variety of dips or toppings - especially fresh dips like guacamole!

The Caramelised Onion crackers are the perfect balance of sweet and savoury flavours.

They are delicious when topped with a sharp full flavoured cheese and are incredibly moreish on their own.

The next two in the savoury crackers range are the perfect base crackers. 

The oatmeal crackers lend themselves perfectly to both sweet and savoury toppings with the delicate flavour of rolled oats, while the poppy seed crackers are perfect when paired with cheese or dips.

These two were actually my favourites of the savoury range because they're so versatile!

Tuckers also have a range of snack style crackers, Multifibre snacks

that are perfect for adding to lunchboxes or as a nibbly at a barbeque, picnic or just chilling with friends.

They're packed with both soluble and insoluble fibres, making them a deliciously tasty way to get the much needed fibre in your diet while still being a healthier natural snack.

The multifibre range comes in three flavours. 

The Capsicum and Feta snacks have an almost Mediterranean feel and are happily devoured by both kids and adults. The Tomato and Basil snacks have a milder, more kid friendly taste which are perfect for little palates, these are perfect with cheese - but flavourful enough to eat on their own! The Caramelised Onion and Cheddar snacks are another kid favourite, while still being a favourite of the adults!

And fear not, while you might be thinking they fall under the "healthy snack" category of bland and boring, they most certainly DO NOT! 

So much so that you won't even have to worry about finding a place to store them, they'll vanish before your eyes! 

You can bet I saved the best for last.

The Tuckers Dessert Biscuit range are among my favourite crackers ever made (so much so that when I received the box of crackers, I already had three boxes of these in my pantry :P) the Vanilla and Honey crackers are my sweet snack of choice.

They're sweet but not too sweet and they are full of flavour. 

I love them topped with different nut butters, cream cheese, cottage cheese or just eaten on their own. 

They also make a perfect crunchy addition to dessert plates and would be the perfect pair to mousses or just to jazz up a dessert plate. 

I wasn't sure if I'd like the coffee biscuits as I'm not a coffee fan, at all.

But boyyyyyyyyyyy was I wrong, these crackers are delicious. 

If you are a coffee fan, do yourself a favour and go out and grab a box (or two... or seven)

The dessert range also comes in Chocolate crackers which, while I didn't get sent any, I can assure you they are DEEEEEELICIOUS (and there is one packet currently chilling in my pantry :P).

Don't be put off by the fact they are sweet crackers, when you're used to savoury ones - I promise you they're incredible :)

So what are you still doing here?! (actually wait, I have a question!) 

Once you're done reading this post - RUN! (not walk) to a Coles or Woolworths store near you and grab a packet!
 

But back to my questions... 

How are you?! What has been happening in your world?! 

Also, what would you like to see pop up here?

New recipes? Photos of something particular? - I'm all ears!

And one more thing!

What are some of your favourite crunchy snacks?! 

Kristy received Tucker's crackers courtesy of www.tuckersnatural.com.au

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

Lunchbox Lunacy

On this post, I found that quite a few of you swear by snacks to get you through your day, just like me!

Sooo, I have another delicious snacking solution for you! 

You may already know that I love Food for Health (proof :P)

Their Gluten Free Muesli is one of my favourite cereals and I can't get enough of their Gluten Free, Fruit Free Bars (so much so that they're currently on my shopping list because I'm all out!)
So when I heard that they had new products coming out, I was more than excited!

The new "Food for Kids" range is Nut Free, Gluten Free and Sulphur Free.

They're also extreeeeeeeeemely yum!

So much so that I'm ignoring the "kids" part and imagining the packet instead says 

Food for Kids smart people who like really delicious snacks. 

For me, these bars are the perfect size for a quick snack! 

Not too big and not too small.

The Banana Custard filled bars are most definitely my favourite! 

They're soft with a delicious banana flavour - and not too sweet as you might think!

I love Chia Seeds, so the addition of Chia in these bars was perfect, plus fussy little kids aren't going to have any idea they're filling their tums with all those omega packed little specks!

These are stashed away in both my handbag and my pantry for when the hunger monster attacks

and I will surely be adding to them to my shopping list as soon as I run out!

The Banana Custard bars might have been my favourite, but I'm not overlooking the Apple Filled bars! 

These bars taste almost like an apple pie, the soft apple filling is enclosed in the almost cakey bar.

For a kid at heart grown up, these are a perfect snack with a cup of tea! 

These bars have me wishing they were around when I was younger and at school! 

But that's okay, it just means I'll have to make up for it now - no? 

But, if you're a Mum or a Dad - buy these for your little (or big - HI MUM!) ones

they would be perfect for a school time snack!

Both of these bars are available in stores across Australia 

- Coles, Woolworths, selected IGA's, Costco, Health Food Stores etc.

Though it may take a little time for some of the smaller retailers to start stocking them as they're brand new - but keep your eyes peeled! I promise you won't regret it!

So tell me, 

When you were at school - 

What was in YOUR lunch box?

I was always a fussy eater as a child and I hated school lunches.

I know my poor Mum had a tough time figuring out what to send me.

I didn't like sandwiches, most muesli bars and the idea of sending things like cheese sticks or yogurt in a warm lunch box didn't appeal to me in the slightest (smart kid, no?) and leftovers? don't even think about packing them!

Kristy received Food for Health products courtesy of www.foodforhealth.com.au

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

 

GIVEAWAY: Fairtrade Fortnight Fun

Mhm, you read right.. it's GIVEAWAY TIME!

and even better? It's open to ALL READERS! 

whether you live in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA or Timbuktu - you can enter :) 

Everyone likes chocolate, right? 

As a part of Fairtrade Fortnight (7-22nd May) which starts TODAY

Alter Eco and I wanted to give one lucky reader the chance to try Alter Eco's delicious Fairtrade Chocolate

All you have to do is like Alter Eco's BRAND NEW facebook page

and let me know you've "liked" them in the comment box below! 

Just hit the "like" button or open www.facebook.com/alterecopacific in your web browser

And that's all there is to it! 

The lucky winner will receive a box, delivered to their home 

that contains FOURTEEN blocks of Alter Eco Chocolate

2x Dark Chocolate Quinoa (Favourite!)

2x Dark Chocolate Velvet (Favourite!)

2x Dark Chocolate Almond

2x Dark Chocolate Mint (My current ultimate favourite)

2x Dark Chocolate Orange Twist

2x Dark Chocolate Blackout 85%

2x Dark Chocolate Cacao 73%

So what are you waiting for?! 

SCROLL UP!

HIT LIKE!

LEAVE ME A COMMENT LETTING ME KNOW!

and the winner will be chosen at random on 23rd May, 2011.

What's YOUR favourite chocolate flavour?
I love mint and dark chocolate - so dark mint chocolate probably tops the charts :P

Cereal Killer

Breakfast is hands down my favourite meal of the day.

Whether it be a steaming hot bowl of oatmeal or a refreshing bowl of cereal I'm all for it!

Cereal also happens to be one of my favourite foods, I actually think it should be an entire food group on its own.

I'll eat it for breakfast with a bunch of creative toppings and I'll eat it as a snack or for dessert.

To be completely honest, I'd eat breakfast foods at every meal.

Back to Nature have a line of delicious cereals that are made from all natural ingredients and aren't overly processed.

In fact, the Apple, Apricot & Almond Farmer's Choice Cereal was already making regular appearances in my breakfast bowl before this review was even thought about!  

The Farmer's Choice cereals are much like a granola. 

They're crunchy and full of flavour with a bit of chew from the dried fruit hidden inside the clusters. 

The cereals are also wheat free and high in fibre and contain no added cane sugar.

I'd never tried the Apple, Cranberry and Cinnamon version before the review and I can safely say that...

I LOVE IT! and it will also be making regular appearances in my breakfast bowl.

I love eating them with milk or yogurt and fresh fruit and adding whatever nuts or dried fruits that may take my fancy

as well as adding them as a crunchy topping to my oatmeal or mixing it with cottage cheese.

(I know, I know - people have an automatic "EW" reaction to cottage cheese, but I love it - don't knock it till you try it)

Now my only problem is choosing which flavour I want to have that morning!

The Apple, Apricot and Almond Bitez are bite sized muesli bars with all the flavour of the Farmer's Choice Cereal.

They are delicious! I love chewy muesli bars so these were absolutely perfect, they have the same feel as a freshly made oatmeal cookie. 

You might be thinking BUT THEY'RE SO SMALL?!?! and don't worry - I was too.

However they are really satisfying, proof that size isn't everything!

They've become a snacking staple and I have a few stashed in my purse for when the hunger monster attacks.

 The Waffle Bitez and Cookie Bitez are super fun cereals perfect for little ones

(or people who like me who still loveeeeeee and devour childish foods :P)

I loved the Cookie Bitez on their own. (I'm a huge dry cereal fan)

They're a great snacking cereal and perfect for adding to yogurt bowls.

They're just sweet enough and have no artificial colours, flavour or preservatives.

Plus, the little cookies are ridiculously cute - perfect for cookie monsters!

The Cookie Bitez and Waffle Bitez are also gluten and wheat free - so they're perfect for those with intolerances or sensitive tummies.

The Waffle Bitez I was a little disappointed with,

on their own they didn't have much flavour at all and in milk they turned soggy quite quickly. 

I would've loved a stronger maple flavour, which was what I was expecting. 

However, they hold up quite well in yogurt and work as a base cereal for adding yummy toppings.

You can find Back to Nature Cereals at Coles and Woolworths stores in the "Health Food" aisle

as well as in health food stores and independent grocery chains.

But I have to say - you MUST try the Farmer's Choice Cereals (especially the apricot one!) you won't regret it!

But tell me - 

What's your favourite meal of the day?

and What's your favourite cereal?

I already told you I love the Apple, Apricot and Almond Farmers choice cereal,

but some of my other favourites are muesli (any kind, really), honey oat cheerios and UT's Honey High Fibre Bites.

Oh and DON'T FORGET!

Enter to WIN the Morrissey sunglasses here! 

Kristy received Back to Nature products courtesy of www.backtonature.net.au

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