Positive drinking?

Is it just me, or does the sun really need to dust off those cobwebs and come out again?

I'll admit it, I'm the type of person whose day tends to be really affected by the weather.

It's mainly the temperature - I feel the cold really easily, so as soon as its cold, windy or rainy I dread going outside. 

However, lately Spring Valley has inspired me to find the Spring in my every day.

By Spring, I mean that little boost - something that makes you smile or warms your heart.

So, what kind of things put the spring in my day? 

Chanel, my pup - somehow I managed to find the worlds cutest puppy who always manages to make me smile. Whether it be the way she will come up and paw at my leg when I'm working away at the computer or the way she scrunches her face up just so she can play with a toy that is double the size of her head. 

Baking - I love the satisfaction of creating something that works. Lately I've been trying my hand at bread making and experimenting with new recipes. My latest success? Soft pretzels! 

Little kids - Okay, I know that might sound creepy - but I can't be the only one who loves to see little ones running around without a care in the world. The carefree attitude of kids definitely inspires me to be more like that myself! Everyone needs to let loose and enjoy sometimes!

Good Food - Sometimes a delicious meal can give your day that added boost - perhaps its the pancakes you had for breakfast or that sandwich that took your right back to your childhood or the to-die-for cupcake you had for dessert, food has the ability to create memories as well as to take you back to a specific moment in time.

There's a million other things that make me smile, and I'm making it my mission to find at least one thing that adds a little spring to my every day.

It's all about taking note of the little things - maybe it's the smell of rain as you walked out the door this morning (I dislike rain immensley but I love the smell of it) or maybe its the cute old couple who strolled past you on their afternoon walk - I challenge you to find the spring in your every day!

And... DON'T FORGET!

All you have to do is tell me what makes you smile and puts the spring in your day to win a pair of Morrissey Sunglasses! Just click here and comment away! 

Back to Spring Valley, 

I was sent a whole bunch of Banana and Berry Nectar to try as part of the Sunnie Days promotion. 

This juice is super thick with the sweet taste of berries and banana and is a new addition to the Spring Valley Range. 

It's perfect for adding to things like jellies, smoothies or punches or drinking on its own. 

The juice does have a strong banana smell, put don't be put off! the banana flavour definitely isn't overpowering.

It definitely has a Spring Vibe about it and I'm inspired to make some sort of banana berry sorbet! 

But do tell me, 

What has been your latest success in the kitchen?

and What would be your ultimate juice combination? 

and once more - Don't forget to enter the giveaway! 

My favourite way to start the day

The first of December, already?!

This year is flying by. 

It seems Mother Nature is still quite confused,

I woke on the first day of Summer to pouring rain that hadn't ceased all night.

Uh, what?

You see, on the weekend when I took these photos it was sunny

and hot - definitely more summer-like weather.

Here I was thinking my breakfasts would be changing from my wintery oatmeal bowls

to summery bowls of cold cereal and muesli.

Well, they kind of have. 

Above was my breakfast on Saturday,

Food for Health Gluten Free Muesli, fresh blueberries

and milk and frozen banana slices were added later on. 

Yeaaah, I'm kind of obsessed with frozen banana.

But you have to try it - especially with muesli

because then you get super chewy pieces of dried fruit! 

Narelle from Food for Health was kind enough to send me their entire range!

I've seen the products at Coles and Woolworths but I hadn't had a chance to try them yet 

so I was definitely looking forward to breakfast! 

The Fibre Cleanse Muesli is packed full of psyllium, oat bran and rice bran to keep your bowels happy and your tummy full! It's also low GI so it keeps you fuller for longer and with the addition of linseeds it adds to your essential fatty acid intake. Your digestive system will love you with the additions of lecithin, magnesium and slippery elm powder. 

But don't worry! It's not just healthy - it tastes really good! Cinnamon, almonds and sunflower seeds work to give you a delicious flavoured muesli. 

The Fibre Cleanse muesli has no artificial flavours or sweeteners and no added sugar or salt

so you know exactly what is going into your breakfast bowl. 

It's fruit free too - which is perfect for someone who's not a dried fruit fan.

The Fibre Cleanse Muesli goes perfectly with some natural yogurt and fresh fruit 

or even straight up with milk.

It'd also be perfect for baking.

To be honest, If you had've told me the Fruit Free Clusters were going to be one of my favourites before I tasted it,

I would've said "Yeah... right.."  

But boy was I proven wrong. With this muesli, Food for Health proves that fruit free definitely doesn't mean flavourless or boring. 

Crunchy, chewy, flavourful clusters that'll make you think twice about their healthy ingredients.

It won over all my taste testers - even the ones who roll their eyes at chia seeds or psyllium.

These clusters are high in fibre and even have the addition of Chia seeds.

I loved the sweetness from the rice bran syrup and the crunch of almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, sunflower and pumpkin seeds. 

It's one of my favourite breakfasts of the moment with frozen banana slices (don't knock it til you try it) 

and milk - super summery! 

The Gluten Free Muesli is what you saw in the first picture,

a crunchy, chewy, flavourful muesli jam packed with dried apricots, apple, cranberries and currants.

You also get the crunch from the pepitas and sunflower seeds - making for the perfect balance.

Now this would probably have to be my hands down favourite.

In the last week I've not only had it for breakfast, but as a snack or dessert too.

It is delicious! and so filling.

The Liver Cleansing Muesli is a mix of ingredients designed to help your liver and digestive system. 

You get linseeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, pumpkin seeds, lecithin, barley bran, psyllium, millet, taurin and slippery elm.
Oh and don't worry - you get taste too :P


Another great tasting muesli that's low GI and packed full of nutrients. 
In my opinion - the perfect way to start your day. 

Food for Health Muesli is so delicious, you'll be wanting to take it everywhere you go.
Unfortunately, carting around a cereal bowl isn't always possible - especially if you're clumsy like me!


Luckily! their bars come to the rescue - chewy muesli in a convenient portable form.
They are perfect for snacking and eating on the go. 

Once again, these bars surprised me with the Gluten Free Fruit Free Bar being my favourite.
Though I am still a major fan of the Gluten Free Bar with Fruit as it's jam packed with apples, currants and cranberries. 


Oh and if you have issues with sulphur, you're safe! Because all of Food for Health's products have sulphur free fruit!
These bars are a perfect healthy snack and they're full of whole grains and healthy ingredients.


Best of all YOU CAN UNDERSTAND EVERY SINGLE INGREDIENT
(applause please, people!)
So that gets extra respect points in my books! 


These products are definitely some of my new favourites! 
and I'm more than excited to share them with you. 
So I think today, you should rush out to your local Coles, Woolworths or Health Food store and get your hands on some! Your tummy will love me! 


If you live in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia or New Zealand - you don't have to miss out
Just check out their international stockists list

So tell me, 
Do your meals change with the season?
Or do you stick to the same things year round? 

Kristy received Food for Health Muesli courtesy of www.foodforhealth.com.au 
If you'd like a review of your products, send an email to ksayerphotography@gmail.com  

Nutty nourishment?

You roll over in bed, stretch a little, open your eyes to realise...

It's Monday morning. 

I don't know about you, but for me, 

the worst possible thing that could happen on a Monday morning is thinking it's Sunday.

That's what happened this morning, I got out of bed (still at 6am, mind you)

strolled into the kitchen to make my breakfast when I heard movement upstairs.

My lazy family awake before seven on a sunday?! what?!

It's okay... because they weren't. 

They were awake before seven on a Monday.

fail

But it's okay, Monday can always redeem itself with a delicious breakfast! 

Now that it's starting to get a little warmer (although currently its cold and overcast)

I'm getting back into muesli for breakfast.

For me, a perfect winter breakfast would have to be oatmeal

and for summer muesli with fruit and yogurt goes down a treat!

A little while ago I was sent some Brookfarm products to review.

Their toasted macadamia muesli (pictured second) was a perfect combination of grains, brans, seeds, dried fruit and crunchy macadamia nuts with a fantastic honey flavour. 

I loved the full bodied flavour and crunch of the macadamia nuts.

This muesli makes for a perfect breakfast because you're not only getting your whole grains - but also healthy fats from the almonds and all the benefits of the dried fruit without an overload of processed sugar!

I was also sent Brookfarm's gluten free macadamia muesli with cranberries (first picture)

which was filled with brown rice puffs, amaranth, buckwheat, sunflower and pumpkin kernels as well as sweet currants, sultanas and cranberries. 

Sometimes gluten free products are revolting

I'm talking flavourless cardboard.

But this muesli was delicious! and made for a great change from the regular oat-based muesli

I'm also a huge fan of trail mix.

It's one of my go-to snacks. 

For me, trail mix is about finding the perfect balance of flavour and texture.

Salty/sweet, crunchy/chewy etc. 

Brookfarm's Seven Mile Beach walkabout mix was a mix of dried fruit, nuts and belgian white chocolate.

I love the combination of white chocolate with dried fruit (well actually, I won't discriminate against any chocolate)

and the sweet white chocolate balanced perfectly with the tart dried pineapple. 

I loved how the proceeds from every pack of Walkabout Mix sold goes to Rainforest Rescue to help preserve rainforests in the Daintree. 

Because, afterall, how are you going to go on a "walkabout" if there's nothing to walk through?

Brookfarm also comes through for the Dark Chocolate lovers with their Mt. Bogong Walkabout Mix

This mix was a combination of dark chocolate, cranberries, pumpkin and sunflower kernels, oven roasted macadamias, pistachios, almonds and muscatel grapes.

I think this mix would have to be my favourite of the two because I loved the mix of dark chocolate with tart cranberries and crunchy nuts. 

and if trail mix isn't portable enough for you, Brookfarm have their delicious muesli in bar form

so you can grab and go. 

And the best thing about these bars for me? 

They're all natural with no dodgy ingredients.

Perfect for stashing in your bag for when the hunger monster attacks!

I hope I've knocked a little of the monday funk out of you,

but if I haven't, just remember... 

There's only 4 and a bit days left until the weekend! :P 

To get some Brookfarm products for yourself,
check out their list of  retail outlets and distributors or buy online
You can purchase the products WORLD WIDE. 
So any of you can try it for yourself :)

But do tell me, 

What's your go-to snack?

Kristy was sent Brookfarm products courtesy of www.brookfarm.com.au 

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

 

A spring in my step

Why hello night owls and morning birds!

Actually, it seems like most of you are night owls.

What is up with this spring weather?!

One day its hot, the next it's freezing cold. 

Give me sunshine! 

Does the weather happen to affect your mood?

I feel like anytime it's nice and sunny, 

I'm in an instantly happy mood.

A spring-y mood I guess you could say. 

When it's cold, windy or rainy

I'm generally not peppy like I would otherwise be. 

Maybe it's because I have almost constant goosebumps

and always seem to be cold. 

So for me, cold weather means wearing as many layers as possible.

Anyway, you're probably wondering why I posted that picture up there...

you see... I wanted to introduce you to my new friends.

Chia Seeds!

  You see, that picture up there was actually yesterday's snack.

Natural yogurt, fresh strawberries and a sprinkling of chia seeds!

Simple, healthy and delicious! 

I was sent Chia products to try from The Chia Co.

Chia is the highest plant based source of omega 3, dietary fibre and protein 

- making it perfect for someone like me who doesn't eat fish, or eggs

and those tiny powerhouses are so easy to include in your daily diet! 

So far, I've used the Chia Seed sprinkled on top of yogurt and cereal, mixed with yoghurt to make a congealed Chia Pudding and added into piping hot oatmeal. 

The texture is different from what you might think, 

you're not going to break your teeth on these little beauties, 

they're actually quite fluffy! 

(It's hard to describe, forgive me)

The Chia Bran is perfect for adding into cake, muffin and bread recipes and even works as a great thickening agent in smoothies! I've also added it into oatmeal, yogurt and on top of cereal. 

(Is it becoming obvious breakfast is, perhaps, my favourite meal?)

The Chia Ground Seed is much like the other products, in that its perfect for adding to recipes or sprinkling on top of your regular meals for that added nutrition booster. 

For me, Chia products are a perfect way to get more omega-3 and protein into my diet - almost without noticing

and with their ever growing popularity, it's so easy to get your hands on some yourself!

Head to The Chia Co's Online Store or have a look at their retail stockists.

..

So tell me, 

Have you ever tried Chia?

How did you have it? and what did you think?

And does the weather affect your mood?

What would be your ideal day?

Kristy received Chia products courtesy of www.thechiaco.com.au

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

105.

I have a confession, 

I am a super picky eater. 

I'm super precise in how I like my food and what I like, 

so when I got the opportunity to review Muesli4Me's muesli I jumped at the chance. 

Muesli4Me is an Australian company specialising in tasty, made-to-order muesli mixes. Create your own mix the way you like it - make it your way.

This was perfect for me! 

I often end up making my own muesli mixes as I can never find store bought muesli mixes with everything I want. 

Some mornings I just don't want almonds 

and others I might not want raisins.

I created my own K.I.S.S Blend

Keep

It

Simple

Stupid 

It also works because KISS are my initials :)

The first step in making the muesli is choosing the base. 

For me it was the 5 flake mix 

(rolled oats, rolled rye, rolled barley, rolled whole wheat and rolled triticale)

but they have everything from a chocoholic base to an asian base.

Then you have the choice to add grains, 

I decided to K.I.S.S but I was tempted by options like wheat and honey puffs and oat clusters.

Now for my favourite part, adding fruit! 

I decided that my muesli needed 

· dried apricot
· dri ed papaya
· dried currants
· dried blueberry
· sultanas

You then also have the choice to add nuts & seeds 

and extras like spices and chocolate chips. 

The muesli arrived to me super fast! 

Next day delivery fast!

My Muesli4Me is a perfect base blend for me

now I have the choice to add nuts and things myself each morning if I so desire.

I'd definitely try new combinations of muesli in the future

the chocoholic muesli sounds right up my alley as a dessert choice :P

You can easily make your own muesli at www.muesli4me.com.au

and tailor it to your own desires :) 

So tell me, 

What would be in your own muesli/cereal mix? 

Kristy was sent this muesli4me muesli courtesy of Muesli4Me.

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

104.

some like salty

some like sweet

salty, sweet, salty, sweet, salty, sweet

how do you decide?

well, YOU MIX THEM TOGETHER! 

think, peanut butter and chocolate

think, maltesers and popcorn (seriously, you have to try it)

think, chocolate covered pretzels.

it's sweet saturday but I decided to twist it up, jussstt a little bit

after seeing a recipe on Carrots 'n' Cake that caught my attention

Salty Sweet Oatmeal Cookies

adapted from here

1 cup Rolled Oats

1/2 cup Plain Flour 

3/4 cup Brown Sugar

1/2 tsp Baking Powder

1 egg

1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract

1/4 cup Milk 

1/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 180*C.

Combine all ingredients (except salt) in a mixing bowl. 

Drop tablespoons of batter onto a lined/greased cookie sheet.

Sprinkle tops of cookies with salt.

Bake for 12 - 15 minutes.

These cookies were super easy to make (and eat)

I ground the oats a little in the food processor before I started to keep a certain grain hater happy

and added about 1/4 cup currants.

You could definitely add any other dried fruit you like and I think chocolate chips would work wonders (especially white chocolate)

Keep in mind that these cookies are quite cake like - not your traditional cookie texture

and the salt on top may put some people off. 

But they get addictive

and they're really quite healthy :)

So tell me, 

are you a salty or sweet kinda person?

Have an AMAZING sweet saturday 

(and rest of your weekend!)
:)

097.

Last weekend, this lovely bunch of sunshine arrived for me :)

it totally made my Sweet Saturday

I'm in the middle of a strawberry obsession at the moment. 

Like, in the last week I would've eaten about.. hm.. 4 punnets?

I think strawberries are a perfect example of a healthy food that doesn't taste like it,

I'd much prefer a plate of strawberries than chocolate.

They're super refreshing and de-lish!

This lovely fruit bouquet was from Naked Berry

and was filled with delicious strawberries, pineapple slices, melon balls and of course chocolate covered strawberries!

It was beautifully presented and came straight out of a refridgerated delivery truck wrapped in cellophane - 

No worries that your fruit will spoil!

They'd be a perfect gift for birthdays or anniversaries etcetc

and way better than flowers!

Because they don't just look gorgeous,

they taste it too!

So have a looksie at their catalog

:) 

pssstt.. my birthday is only a month away!

The fruit Naked Berry use must come from some fruit wonderland,

because the strawberries were heavenly

as were the pineapple pieces.

and the chocolate?

deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelicious :)

It doesn't count if it's on a strawberry- right?

 But do tell me,

What's your favourite healthy food? 

Kristy received this fruit bouquet courtesy of www.nakedberry.com.au

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

079.

Today this lovely fruit box arrived on my desk from Snow Goose,

It was filled with delicious fruits, including:

• Grapes
• Pears
• Apples
• Kiwi Fruit
• Bananas
• Oranges
• Avocado
• Papaya

and some fruit I've never actually eaten before like Rambutans

and persimmons and even a custard apple!

All of the fruit was extremely fresh,

unlike some other fruit boxes i've seen where fruit arrives almost too ripe to eat.

So this means you have more time to enjoy it!

These Snow Goose fruit gift boxes would be perfect for a present that's something different,

maybe even a care package for a friend or loved one who's a little too far away.

I received the Mixed Fruit Gift Box which is available all year round and you can even order it with short notice! Which is perfect if you forget someone's special day (It's okay.. I won't tell)

The fruit is presented in Snow Goose's distinctive wooden boxes and protected by wood wool and bubble wrap which sits on top, so you can be sure the fruit won't be bruised when it reaches your special someone.

The mixed fruit gift box starts at $65.00 plus delivery. Snow Goose also has a wide variety of other gift boxes available. Including the Tea Connoisseur Box, Antipasto Dinner Box and Sweet Temptations (Which I definitely have my eye on).

So check out the Snow Goose site to find out how you can order your own.

Delivery is available in NSW, SA, WA, VIC, QLD and ACT

unfortunately not TAS.

So, readers..

Have you got an idea what I can do with the fruits

I'm unsure about?

(Custard apple, Persimmon, Rambutans)

Kristy was sent this Snow Goose Mixed Fruit Gift Box courtesy of www.snowgoose.com.au

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