In the Raw

Since I've eliminated gluten for a while, 

I've been on a hunt to find the tastiest gluten free options. 

This means avoiding gluten free bread dish sponges like the plague (unless it's homemade!)

stocking up on GF Puffins, rice crackers, Food for Health GF muesli, buckwheat groats, rice flakes, dried fruits and nuts and anything else that taste's like real food :P

Oh - and drowning anything in nut butter.

I was super excited when I received a package from Kitz Living Foods,

their products are raw and all natural - with all ingredients being organic where possible. 

They're free of artificial colours, flavours, preservatives and thickeners and high in Omega 3 and 6, fibre, antioxidants, lignans and nutritionally loaded! 

I received two flavours of their chunks -

Fig and Macadamia and Banana Date and Walnut.

The chunks are a fantastic on the go snack and have the right amount of chew and crunch thanks to the mix of dried fruit and nuts. 

The Fig and Macadamia Chunks are perfect for fig lovers.  

The chewy figs and crunchy macadamia nuts are combined with organic sultanas, sunflower seeds, organic cinnamon and vanilla bean powder.

 

Of course, being the banana, date and walnut fan, the Banana Date and Walnut chunks had to be my favourite.

They're a mix of orgranic bananas, dates, insecticide free sunflower seeds, walnuts, organic cinnamon and vanilla powder. 

All of the flavours worked really well together and I was surprised to find the flavour of the sunflower seeds still managed to come through.

If you pop them into the fridge (or freezer, if you just can't wait) for a while, they're 100x better as the dates make the chunks super chewy.

Kitz products are available for sale on their website

where they also have a number of other great products like raw granola, crackers, flavoured nuts and buckwheat crispies.

All of their products are:

• Free from artificial additives
• Wheat and Gluten free
• Dairy Free
• Egg Free
• 100% Vegan
• Raw

 So tell me, 

Are you a dried fruit fan? - what's your favourite?!

and do you have a favourite GF product?

Kristy received Kitz chunks courtesy of www.kitzlivingfoods.com.au 

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

096.

 

What are the requirements of comfort food?

For me, comfort food isn't something that's fancy or pretty.

It's food that warms your heart and reminds you of something or someone.

Food that brings satisfaction and takes you back somewhere.

This is a post i've been wanted to add for a long, long time now,

but unfortunately my computer decided to keep the deliciousness of baked rice pudding to itself

and eat my photos.

but alas, 

I got them back! 

finally. 

 

Food isn't just about survival, 

it brings people together and creates memories. 

This is why I knew I had to share the Marysville Cookbook with you all.

For those of you that don't know, 

On February 7th 2009, Victoria was faced with uncontrollable bushfires.

Now it's known as Black Saturday.

Black Saturday saw thousands of people lose their homes, their workplaces and even their family members and 173 people perished in the flames. 

Marysville is a town that was devastated by these fires and the Marysville Cookbook was created to give hope to the people of the town.

From each book that is bought, $10 is donated to the Marysville community. 

I heard from Heather Samsa, the one who put the book together, a few weeks back to find out that the money raised from these cookbooks has already helped out local schools in the area.

The book includes a whole heap of great recipes - Real hearty country cooking

and the 165 pages also hold many pictures of Marysville before it was devastated.

So I'm going to encourage all of you, take a look at the Marysville Cookbook Website, 

read the story

and learn about what happened.

I'm happy to say that I've had a few of my friends and family purchase the book after seeing it here.

And if you do purchase the book?

You'll be able to make a super yummy, heart warming rice pudding

and know that you've helped the Marysville Community.

But do tell me,

What's your ideal comfort food/meal and why? 

Kristy received the Marysville Cookbook courtesy of www.marysvillecookbook.com

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

081.

You have to know the post is going to be good when it starts with a picture like this.

Yesterday morning I was sitting at my desk, minding my own business when a package arrived on my desk,

This inconspicuous looking package was addressed to me.

So, like a child at Christmas, I ripped and tore at the plastic until I revealed another inconspicuous looking package - This time a white styrofoam box. (Pass the parcel, anyone?)

I then took to the box with scissors, tearing away at the sticky tape to reveal... (dun dun dun) another box!

This box was wrapped in plastic, and set atop of ice packs.

Ice packs are a good sign - They mean two things: One, the package involves some edible product and Two, it needs refrigeration.

So I tore back the plastic to find a pretty brown and white striped box with a brown satin ribbon tied ontop.

Not wanting to wreck the perfectly tied ribbon, I carefully pushed it back so that I could open the box.

The smell coming from the box was amazing and then I saw...

Classic Belgian Chocolate Brownie

Now they are the kind of words I like to hear.

I carefully unwrapped the tissue paper in the box to find,

not one... not two... but sixteen little squares of delicious brownie goodness.

One of those brownies was even wrapped,

This definitely got the "awwh" factor.

And the chocolate from the brownies immediately filled the room,

getting harmonised "mmmmm's" all around.

The only problem was...

Being the good little food blogger I am,

I had to repackage the brownies so that I could take photos of them before they disappeared.

(This is an extremely good motivator, you have no idea how much faster work gets done when you know there's brownies waiting for you in the fridge)

After the photos were taken, I gathered my taste testers and took a bite of the brownie.

The first thing I noticed was how soft they were. I was a bit worried when I first saw them because I thought they might be a bit too hard for my liking. But these brownies literally melted in your mouth (or mine, really)

They also had deliciously crispy tops that were just what was needed. Then the flavour hit me.. boy oh boy did it hit me.

These brownies are INCREDIBLE! And no, I'm not getting paid to say this.

They're deliciously decadent but not too rich that they'd make you feel sick like some other brownies. I'm usually a chewy brownie kinda girl - But I loved the fudginess of these. Chilling them was exactly what they needed.

They were so good, I found myself reaching for a second in no time at all. I was as happy as a pig in mud and my taste testers agreed. These were the best brownies we had ever tasted.

I was so impressed that I hurried off to my computer to email Deb, the founder of Dello Mano, to commend her on such an amazing product. I then hurriedly went through the photos so I could get this post to you ASAP. Usually, I have a system, where its first in first reviewed - But I was so beyond impressed with these brownies that they went straight to the top of the list.

I'd really suggest that if you want someone to love you, you buy them a box of these brownies. I guarantee it'll work - every time. They'd also be a fabulous mother's day present and Dello Mano have some great Mother's Day gift ideas - Including a Dello Mano Amore Mother's Day Gift that comes with a bottle of Moet Chandon Champagne that I know my mum would adore.

Their brownies also come in other flavours, like:

- Coconut and Lime Belgian Chocolate Luxury Brownie

- Espresso Walnut with Dark Chocolate

- Ginger and Orange with Dark Chocolate

- Honey Caramelised Macadamia with Dark Chocolate (Yum!)

-Pecan and Maple Syrup with Dark Chocolate

And they even have Gluten Free versions available.

Best of all, Dello Mano deliver Australia Wide!

Which means you can have these delicious brownies regardless of whether you live in Tasmania or Western Australia.

These brownies are so incredible that they could probably tempt me into moving to Brisbane,

They get a 1, 000, 000 / 10 and that doesn't even come close to conveying how fantastic they are.

Thank you Deb, from Dello Mano for sending me your delicious brownies - They are amazing.

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

So tell me,

is there a product you've tried that has blown your mind?

066.

i

 I love hot cross buns. 

They're one of the best easter foods - as well as easter eggs, of course.

Baker's Delight is somewhere I often by my hot cross buns from at easter time, its so convenient.. their stores are everywhere.

At the moment, Baker's Delight are running a competition where all you have to do is vote for your "Hottest Crossed Bun" - and here are the nominees: 

drum roll....

Traditional - For all the hot cross bun purists - 

a deliciously soft bun filled with fruit and traditional spices (No mixed peel).

There buns are perfect toasted for breakfast and spread with butter. 

Pictured above

 

Fruitless - A soft, lightly spiced bun for those who aren't fussed with fruit. 

Perfect for picky kids! 

chocolate chip hot cross bun

Chocolate chip - A twist on the traditional hot cross bun. 

There's no fruit here! Just over 100 choc chips in each bun, plus spices! 

Perfect for a sweet treat.

 

mocha hot cross bun 

 Mocha - A choc chip bun all grown up, this bun has the added sophistication of coffee - 

Perfect for a coffee break!

To enter the competition to be in the running to win an ultimate Easter hamper or 

Baker's Delight Vouchers head on over to the entry page

This Saturday (March 20th, 2010) Baker's Delight are holding a Bundraiser to raise money for sick children across Australia and New Zealand. $1 from every 6 pack of hot cross buns (Any flavour) will be donated to: 

• Sydney Children's Hospital Foundation NSW
• Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal VIC
• Royal Children's Hospital Foundation QLD 
• Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation WA
• Women and Children's Hospital Foundation SA
• Royal Hobart Hospital TAS
• Royal Darwin Hospital NT
• Starship Foundation NZ

 So why not pick up some Hot Cross Buns from Baker's Delight this Saturday (March 20th, 2010) and eat for a cause - Help Baker's Delight purchase essential medical equipment to benefit sick kids lives. 

Now I want to know, 

What's your "Hottest Crossed Bun"? 

Kristy received Hot Cross Buns courtesy of Baker's Delight Australia and Keep Left PR, 

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

057.

 

 Today I spent the morning at the Sydney Royal Easter Show's Showbag Launch, 

And so did the kids from The Children's Hospital at Westmead and from Royal Far West 

as well as a whole bunch of mums, dads, grandparents and people from the media.

 

The morning started with a petting zoo for the kids, who were the SRES's official show bag testers.

There were chickens, ducks, calves, lambs, calves, a pony and even a donkey. 

  

 

the event then moved inside where Michael Collins, General manager of the easter show 

revealed the predictions for the top 10 showbags of 2010 

What are the predictions for the top 10 showbags of 2010, I hear you ask?

NUMBER ONE: Dora The Explorer Showbag -  

Complete with backpack, handbag, slippers, cooler bag, sipper cup, belt, hair ties and a head band

-$22.00

NUMBER TWO: Barbie Fab Life Showbag -

Which comes with a barbie: backpack, umbrella, cap, watch, headband, pouch, tumbler, bracelet and window stickers -$20.00

NUMBER THREE: Buzz Lightyear Showbag -

A buzz backpack filled with inflatable wings, a glider plane, glow stickers, bubble stickers, a play back and a protecter torch

- $25.00

NUMBER FOUR: Nova DIY Show bag -

Which comes with a lanyard, air freshener, sticker sheet, wrist wrap, carmex click stick, video ezy voucher, AMF and M9 laser skirmish voucher, biggest loser berry yoghurt bar and a choice of either a backpack or a satchel and a choice of two items - a cooler bag, thongs, towel, mp3 speakers

- $18.00

NUMBER FIVE: Dare Showbag -

Complete with a dare backpack or duffle pack, an ice back to keep the two iced coffees cold as well as a choice of two of the following - scarf, speakers, tshirt or cooler bag

- $17.50

 

NUMBER SIX: Socceroos Showbag -

Which has a soccer ball, sports bag, towel, flag, drink bottle and wrist bands 

- $20.00

 

NUMBER SEVEN: Sesame Beginnings Showbag -

This bag comes with a change bag, first year wall chart, bucket hat, feeding set, bath book, rattle and sipper cup

- $20.00

 

NUMBER EIGHT: Freddo Showbag -

Full of freddos (milk, milk top, crunchie, strawberry, peppermint) a stationary set as well as the choice of a; Freddo sipper, tumbler, money tin or library bag. 

- $5.00

 

NUMBER NINE: Coca Cola Backpack Showbag -

A coca cola backpack filled with, a yoyo, trucker cap, gridiron ball, frisbee, mini radio as well as a diet coke and regular coke

- $25.00

 

and last but not leasstttt....

 

NUMBER TEN: Bertie Beetle Black Triple Deal -

The classic bertie beetle showbag on steriods - This showbag is actually three showbags in one; filled with bertie beetles, lollipops, tattoos, kit kats, smarties, redskins, milko sticks, a postcard, stencil set and a bertie beetle egg cup. 

- $6.00

 

 

time to breaaaathhhheeeee.....

and that wasn't even all of them

 

 

Michael Collin's challenge to 2010's showgoers? To unleash their inner superhero. 

Of the 302 showbags unveiled at the launch 1/3 are under $10.00, 

Meaning our wallets won't have to leave empty. 

There are the old classics such as Bertie Beetle and the new favourites like LA ink and the Backyardigans. 

There are definitely showbags for people of all ages - and I definitely have my eye on the Darrell Lea Bags

 

 from the M&M's super bag 

 

the stars of some of the show bags even paid a visit

 

 as well as the TMNT and Carebears there was Batman, Freddo and My Little Pony,

the characters played with the kids while they ran around excitedly choosing their showbags.

 

 

from what I saw, the "Showbag testers"were estatic - some overwhelmed by their sheer number of showbags, 

Looking at their mum's and dad's like "can I really have this?!"

the Easter show is just 5 weeks away 

and by buying your tickets online you can save heaps - 15% on family tickets. 

so have a look at the Easter Show Website 

where you can find information on everything that's going to be happening

as well as information and pictures of ALL 302 showbags 

 

 

Thankyou to Kate for inviting me to the Showbag Launch - It was a pleasure attending the event.

If you'd like me to attend one of your events and blog about it, email me at ksayerphotography@gmail.com

 

I want to know your favourite easter show experience! Comment and tell me all about it :D