Bouncing into the week

Why hello there!

I hope you all had a fantastic weekend!

Once again, it's a new week

and this week, I'm bouncing into the week full of life

and ready to take on whatever gets thrown at me. 

The weather doesn't seem to be sharing my enthusiasm, however.

But that's okay!

I'm excited for this week,

It'll involve lots of cake making 

and party preparations because it's my sister's birthday on the weekend. 

I love having people over

and having an excuse to try out new recipes and spend hours in the kitchen.

I don't know how anyone could say they don't like cooking. 

When I was younger I always looked forward to my birthdays,

I don't think I had many birthdays that weren't themed

or planned right down to the smallest detail. 

I had an American themed birthday party, countless fairy parties, disco parties

and I even had a pirate themed sweet sixteenth.

And the best thing about birthdays as a kid?

Getting to spend hours looking through Australian Women's Weekly cookbooks trying to decide which cake i'd get mum to make me that year

and then going through other party cookbooks begging my mum to make me ridiculous party treats. 

As I get older, birthdays have become less important

and now my excitement is focused on dinner parties and other people's birthdays.

Any excuse to plan a party is fine with me! Even if its just a few family friends coming over for a BBQ.

So tell me, 

What did you look forward to when your birthday came around?

Have a fantastic week! 

:)

Sweet Saturday: Sunshine, lollipops and....

It's Sweet Saturday! 

Did the last week fly by for you?

or did it go slowwwwwwwwwwwly?

My week was a little bit muddled up.

See, On my brain wanted to think that every day since Tuesday was Friday

(wishful thinking?)

and then, all of a sudden

It was Friday!

Lollipops are probably one of the candies I associate with being a kid.

I don't think i've ever had to many lollipops where I haven't eventually given in and chomped on it though.

Have you ever noticed how much your mouth hurts after you suck on a lollipop for hours and hours?

A little while ago, Artisse sent me some products,

the first thing I noticed were these two packets of lollipops. 

I was sent both their Original and Gone Wild varieties that are:

• Certified organic
• Non GMO
• Gluten, wheat, dairy, peanut and soy free
• Vegan
• Free from artificial colours or flavours 

oh, and I forgot to add YUM! 

My sister was my lead taste tester for this review!

and she wanted to make sure you all knew that she was the hand model

(Hi Katrina, here's the five seconds of blog-world fame you asked for) 

My favourite flavour out of all of the lollipops would have to be sour apple

and then mango comes in at a close second!

Artisse also sent me some of their organic food bars to try

I loved the bright packaging

and clear panels are always important, so you know exactly what's inside!

 

These bars are also gluten, wheat and dairy free

as well as being Low GI and Vegan

 

 

The All About Nuts baris filled with almonds, peanuts, brazil nuts, walnuts, raisins, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, brown rice, agave and brown rice syrup

and no funky mystery ingredients!

This was probably my favourite of the three thanks to the crunchy nuts and seeds

and juicy bursts of raisin.

The Cranberry Crunch bar started off on the right note for me thanks to its pink packaging

(my idea is that - if it's pink, it has to be good)

The bar was filled with peanuts, raisins, almonds, sesame seeds, cranberries, pumpkin seeds, brown rice and brown rice and agave syrup to naturally sweeten. 

I'm not usually the biggest fan of cranberries in bars because they're usually filled with way too many, but this bar had the perfect balance!

The Seed Delight bar was very much the same as the Cranberry Crunch bar, 

just without the cranberries - so this is perfect for a not-quite-a-cranberry-lover like me!

and to end the review on a sweet note, I was also sent their almond nougat

which was deliciously soft and chewy and filled with crunchy almonds.

and guess what! It too is gluten, wheat and dairy free :)

This is definitely a sweet treat I would consider again,

the ingredients list secured that consideration too!

Ingredients:  

Organic Corn Syrup, Organic Raw Sugar, Dry Roasted Almonds, Organic Crisp Brown Rice, Organic Egg White

Are you enjoying the sunshine as much as I am?!

or maybe you're just getting the first glimpses of winter?

I know that i'm super psyched for more sunshine, 

as is my wardrobe! 

But hey, do tell me!

What's the number one candy you associate with being a kid?

Kristy was sent Artisse products courtesy of www.artisse.com.au,

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

Busy as a bee

Friday already? Now that's what I like to hear!

I've been a busybusy bee this week,

but don't you worry - I've let myself have some time to soak up the sunshine.

THAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNKKKKKKKKKYYYYYOOOOOOOOUUUU

mother nature, I have regained all respect for you!

a round of applause for mother nature, please

So i've said before that i'm a snacker

and it's true. 

If I didn't snack, i'd probably be gnawing my arm off by lunch time. 

I'm not good at the whole "eating 3 large meals" deal.

My stomach can't handle lots of food all at once,

so I'm much happier eating 6 smaller meals. 

A while ago I posted a review of some snacks from Healtheries and I'm back with more! 

 These are more products from their Wiggles range

and yes, I'm eighteen but hey! the Wiggles are as old as me!

So what do you do when you have a bunch of kids snacks to review? 

Well you gather together a bunch of big and little kids to try them!

These fruit fills are made with real fruit and wholegrains

and they taste good enough to fool fussy little ones :P

We decided they'd be a perfect on-the-go or lunch box snack

perfect for busy bees! and not messy to eat!

I knew these Ricey Bites would be a hit when I opened the box of products,

and I was right!

Crunchy and flavoursome, these share packs are a perfect snack!

and they're free of  MSG and artificial colours and flavours.

The cheese flavour was the clear winner out of my taste testers

and the eight share packs quickly disappeared!

 Snacking gets a bad wrap, 

but i'm all for it. 

Maybe I should start a PRACTICE SAFE SNACKING campaign!

or not

But do tell me! 

Are you a 3 square meals kinda person?

or are you a snacker like me?

andddd... 

what's your snack of choice? 

I'd definitely have to go with homemade trail mix or wholegrain crackers with cottage cheese or avocado 

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  

Rain, rain - would you make up your mind?!

Wet miserable weather calls for one thing,

nope.. i'm not talking about an umbrella here,

it calls for a nice comforting cup of tea!

Lately I don't think the weather has a clue what's going on.

One second it looks like the heavens are going to up,

the next its ridiculously humid

and then two seconds later the sky is roaring with thunder

before once again returning to a pretty blue hue.

The weather is actually currently proving my point.

 I started to write this post expecting it to start raining

and the sun is now starting to stream in through my window. 

But back to the tea, 

at least that's reliable!

I've never been a fan of "traditional" tea, so to speak. 

Milk and sugar stays out of my tea cup as I much prefer herbal teas. 

A while ago, I was sent the Madame Flavour range to review.

The first thing I noticed was how gorgeous the packaging was!

Now, from left to right...

The White with Rose had a delicate, feminine flavour and a gorgeous aroma. It'd be perfect for an afternoon tea with friends because of its subtle sweetness. 

Next, the traditional English Breakfast was a favourite with my traditionalist taste testers, made that little bit special by the fancy infuser pods.

The Green Jasmine with Pear was one of my favourites as I'm a big fan of green tea. The subtle flavour of the pear was a welcome change.

Sultry Chai was sweet, spicy and full flavoured. It'd be a perfect winter warmer - or anytime warmer really, especially with this weather! I liked the little Australian touch this tea had that makes it different from other chai teas I have tried. Sweeten with a little honey and you're good to go. 

Earl Grey Twist takes your everyday (boring) Earl Grey and makes it a little special by adding a twist of Australian Lemon Myrtle. But don't worry, the lemon myrtle isn't overpowering. I think it definitely made me think twice about passing up more "traditional" milk teas. 

I think the combination of the packaging, wonderful flavours and aesthetically pleasing infuser pods combines to make Madame Flavour teas a little bit special and mystical. It's more than just a cup of tea.

These would be perfect for when you're having friends around and they're so easy to get your hands on! Just head to your local supermarket or you can order online!

Now, I still don't know what this weather is doing.

Sunny, yet cloudy, yet humid, yet cool...

But I do know that I am thoroughly enjoying my white with rose tea and hoping that someone will whisk me away to a tropical island with more favourable weather :P

But before you go, 

do tell me...

What would your ideal weather be?

hot, sunny, rainy, stormy?

and

When you're out (or at home!) what's your beverage of choice? 

Kristy was send Madame Flavour teas courtesy of www.madameflavour.com.au

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

It was bound to happen...

On halloween, I didn't carve a pumpkin.

$25 for a pumpkin?! you've got to be kidding.

Plus, mother decided I'd make too much of a mess (killjoy)

But, just like when I don't have cereal for breakfast,

and end up eating cereal for dessert (cereal is without a doubt one of the best foods ever)

I eventually took to a vegetable with a knife.

When I saw the lone capsicum sitting on my kitchen bench I was struck with a brilliant idea.

Eat the capsicum? Oh heck no. 

Grab a serrated knife and freehand a face on the capsicum? You betcha! 

Carving a pepper was probably 110, 000 times easier than carving a pumpkin. 

Though, you couldn't stick a candle inside, because:

1) It wouldn't fit

2) You'd probably kill your lungs with capsaicin

 This was a much better idea than eating the capsicum in my opinion.

They seem to be one of the few vegetables which I can't stand.

But anyway, 

I hope my utterly random dorky post distracted you for just a few moments

and you have an excellent start to your week!

Keep your eyes peeled, 

because I have some things planned for the rest of the week! 

But before you go, 

do tell me...

If you had to pick one food that was your absolute favourite, 

what would it be?

Mine would have to be cereal.

I'm not one of these, eat the whole cereal box types, 

but I would rather eat some dry cereal than snack on chips or candy :P 

Any cereal is good as long as it's not too sweet,

I don't know how froot loops would go down.

Plain cereals are my favourite, because it means I get to add whatever I feel like!

Sweet Saturday: Rosewater Cupcakes

Sometimes it can be really simple to turn something plain and ordinary into something special.

Lately I've been baking like crazy on every possible opportunity.

I love being able to make yummy things for my friends and family to enjoy.

These cupcakes were one of those treats.

I haven't made cupcakes in what seems like forever,

I'd gone from the girl who created ridiculous amounts of these petite treats,

to someone who was weighed down by the dreaded HSC.

That had to change, obviously.

A while ago I was sent some rosewater from the Turkish Store

and I had yet to do anything with it.

I scoured the internet for things to do with rosewater when I remembered the pretty pink cupcake wrappers I had sitting in the cupboard above my stove.

Perfect!

So cupcakes it was, I got straight to work, slightly altering my go-to vanilla cupcake recipe.

Vanilla Rosewater Cupcakes

makes 12 cupcakes

Cupcake batter:

3 Eggs

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup caster sugar

1/2 cup milk

1 1/2 cups self raising flour, sifted

1/2 tsp vanilla 

2 tbsp rosewater

Frosting:

1 cup icing sugar

1 cup butter

1 tsp rosewater

1 tsp vanilla 

Preheat oven to 160*C (320*F).

Lightly beat the eggs, add butter and sugar and mix until light and fluffy.

Add milk, flour, vanilla and rosewater and stir to combine.

Beat with an electric mixer for 2 minutes until light and creamy.

Divide the mixture evenly between the cupcake papers/tin. 

Bake for 15-20 minutes until risen and a skewer inserted removes clean. 

Allow to cool before transferring to a wire rack.

For the frosting: Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, add rosewater and vanilla and beat until incorporated.

These cupcakes were delicious and the delicate rosewater flavour was perfect!

I'm thinking about making these again and adding pistachios for an extra flavour kick!

So tell me, 

what are your plans for the weekend ahead?

and which do you prefer - the cake or the frosting?

Kristy received rosewater courtesy of www.turkishstore.com.au

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

Rehab? Say what?!

If you've read my blog before, you'll know that I love vegetables - and fruits!

I'm the girl who would rather pack food to take with her, than eat in a food court because she can't stand wilted salads or vegetables that lack an audible crunch. 

When someone asks me what my ultimate favourite food is, I have to think a little bit...

How am I supposed to pick between a fresh, sweet carrot or a juicy mango,

then there's apples too! 

I have family and friends who look at me like I'm some kind of alien

as I drool over a plate of vegetables and glance over a tray of cookies. 

Sure, I like cookies too - but if a cookie and a banana were in a battle for my heart,

the banana would win without a fight. 

While I absolutely 100% refuse to label foods "good" or "bad" (because I believe anything is fine in moderation) 

I do take some care with what I put in my body. 

For me, this is about filling my body with the nutrients it needs and not pumping it full of chemicals and additives.

Because, would I eat those chemicals on their own? hmm... nope. 

I like to see ingredients labels that are written in plain english and not look at a label and question whether the manufacture was fluent in Jibberish. 

One of my favourite companies keep their labels in plain english, making their products even tastier!

I've talked about my Dr Kracker addiction before, and I have to tell you... 

It's gotten worse.

This girl needs full blown Dr Kracker Addict rehab.

These Seedlander Crackers are to die for.

and I'm not even exaggerating

Not only do you get the crunch and nuttyness of millet, pumpkin seeds, sesame, flax and poppy seeds 

but you get a slight sweetness from molasses.

It's a perfect balance of sweet and savoury.

My favourite topping for the Seedlander Flatbreads? 
Definitely avocado with swiss cheese and a sprinkle of pink salt flakes.

Nutty, sweet, crunchy, soft, salty.. mmm!

In fact, they're so good that you'll probably hide the box from your family and friends
and start questioning "Are these really healthy?!?" 


Yes, my friends.. 
these crackers are good for you.
Actually, they're even better because they taste good.
Because really, what's the point in eating food just because "it's healthy"
if it doesn't taste good? 


Wholegrain spelt flour
Pumpkin Seeds
Millet
Agave Syrup 
Sesame Seeds
Spelt Bran 
Molasses
Flaxseeds
Poppyseeds
Yeast
Sea Salt
Barley Malt Syrup 

If you're like my mother, you'd take one look at that ingredient list and think hrmmm.. too healthy for me
But HOLD THAT THOUGHT!

Go out, get yourself some Dr Kracker crackers
and I can guarantee you won't be thinking "too healthy"
you'll be thinking "HOLY YUM! If healthy tastes this good bring. it. on."

So, I may have had a tear threatening to run down my face as I ate the last cracker of the box. 
But lunch just isn't the same without the Dr Kracker crunch.


But do tell me, 
What would your ultimate lunch be? 
and what's your favourite "Healthy" food?

Kristy received Dr Kracker crackers courtesy of www.drkracker.com
If you'd like a review of your products, send an email to ksayerphotography.blogspot.com  

 

Fairy dust?

On the weekend I woke up to warm weather and sun!

Knowing it probably wouldn't last, 

I quickly rushed outside clutching my breakfast in one hand and a book in another. 

Something I haven't done in a while (thanks to the HSC) is read a book that I wanted to.

My poor brain was subjected to enough words that I thought it needed a break from the literary universe. 

The book I was clutching as I walked outside wasn't a novel,

but a cookbook.  

While I love immersing myself in a good novel, 

I love reading cookbooks.
Especially if they provide more information than how many grams of flour i'll need in my chocolate cake. 

I don't think you could really classify The Salt Book as just a cookbook.

It's a bit of an encyclopedia of salt.

Sure, you might be thinking "Salt? Kristy are you kidding me! Next post! Pronto!"

but hold that thought! 

Seasoning your food is one of the most important parts of cooking.

Surely you've been in the kitchen, cooking something for dinner when you taste it and think "hmmm... it's missing something"

You rack through your brain thinking basil? paprika? pepper? garlic? 

What about salt?

Salt is the primary seasoning ingredient in the kitchen,

you even use it in baking! 

Your pasta sauce may taste a little flat and dead, add a sprinkle of salt.

Just a sprinkle! Like fairy dust!

Too much is too much but salt can really open up flavours. 

The salt book is a guide to all the different types of salt available, 

even giving you tips on which salts to use in which dishes. 

The Salt Book takes salt from something that sits on your kitchen table,

to something that can completely transform a dish. 

  The salt wise chapter looks at the different salt varieties and their differing tastes

and looks at how much salt is too much. 

But The Salt Book isn't just a salt encyclopedia,

its filled with gorgeous pictures and mouthwatering recipes 

as well as cooking tips. 

The collection of recipes is excellent, from your "perfect steak" to an exotic green papaya salad,

the Salt Book teaches you how to add another dimension to your food using salt. 

You can purchase The Salt Book online from Arbon Publishing

Now think about it, 

some foods just need salt.

Avocados can be bland and boring, but add a sprinkle of salt and the flavour comes alive. 

As a child, one of my favourite foods was an egg tomato with the top cut off, sprinkled with sea salt and cracked pepper - actually, it still is. 

I always add a little salt to my oatmeal as it's cooking on the stove - it improves the flavour tenfold. 

Peanut butter and salt is the perfect combination of sweet and salty.

I could go on for days,  

but do tell me...

When do you reach for the salt? 

Kristy received The Salt Book courtesy of Arbon Publishing,

If you'd like a review of your book or product send an email to ksayerphotography@gmail.com