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

Tea and biscuits, anyone?

There's nothing better than sharing good food with friends.

A cup of tea and a biscuit? Of course!

Springhill Farm were kind enough to send me a box filled with their delicious slices and biscuits so I did what any normal person would do - turn on the kettle and round up some taste testers!

The Wildberry and Nougat Slice is a combination of Italian Nougat, dried cranberries, blueberries and raspberries and topped with white chocolate and a berry swirl. 

The soft base had a rich coconut flavour and I loved the chunks of berries, while the smooth chocolate topping melted in your mouth. 

I was actually surprised to find this was one of my favourites as I first thought it would be way too sweet, but thankfully it was jussssssssssssssssssssssst right!

The Summer Fruit slice was courteously passed over to my taste testers as I'm actually allergic to pineapple and pear, which the bar contained.

The slice is a combination of Australian dried fruits, amaranth and rice pops and topped with milk chocolate and a white chocolate swirl. 

My taste testers liked the citrus and coconut flavours and, like the nougat slice, all agreed it melted in your mouth. 

It's also Gluten Free! so it's a perfect treat for someone with a gluten intolerance.

The Lemon Lime and White Chocolate Biscuits are gluten free so they're perfect for sharing, even with your coeliac pals!

We all agreed that they definitely don't taste gluten free. 

In fact, if I didn't know otherwise, I'd have guessed it was just a regular shortbread style recipe.

It was crumbly and melted in your mouth with a delicate lemon and lime flavour. 

The Lemon and Yogurt slice combined the smooth creaminess of yogurt with the freshness of lemon that was balanced perfectly. 

Springhill Farm have been using this recipe for 20 years and I can see why!

 

The Springhill Farm journey began when Ray and Jo Barber hosted kindergarten and primary school children for a sensory filled farm visit experience in 1983. 

At the end of a day filled with horse and tractor rides, milking and collecting eggs, the children got to experience farm style cooking whilst sampling Jo's homemade muesli slice.

The slice was so popular that Jo began producing it to sell and the Muesli and Honey slice is the original recipe enjoyed by the children on the farm visits.

It's obvious why it was a hit! It's filled with whole grains, honey and Australian dried fruits and it topped with a creamy yogurt swirl.

I loved the crispiness of the oats against the soft bursts of raisins and dried fruit. 

It's safe to say that the Toasted Muesli biscuit is delicious and most definitely one of my clear favourites.

The moist biscuit is filled with chewy fruit pieces and crunchy rice bran flakes.

The crunch of the rice bran flakes is definitely what made the biscuit for me - it took it from a boring old cookie to something you could enjoy time and time again.

We decided if you gave us a lifetime supply of these biscuits, we'd be as happy as a pig in mud on the Springhill Farm!

Springhill Farm has chocoholics covered too with their Chocolate and Oat slice and Macadamia and Chocolate Chunk biscuit.

The Chocolate and Oat slice was also one of my favourites, so much so, that if you had me choose between the slice and the Muesli biscuit I don't think I'd be able to make up my mind! 

The soft oat base has a delicious coconut flavour and is filled with chocolate chips and delicious Australian Sultanas. It melts in your mouth, especially with the generous layer of chocolate sitting on top! 

This is Springhill Farm's best seller and there's no doubting why!

The Macadamia and Chocolate Chunk biscuit is for the serious chocolate lover!

The chocolate biscuit base is filled with chunks of dark chocolate and Australian macadamias.

It is the perfect accompaniment to a hot cup of tea or coffee!

The Cranberry Pistachio and White Chocolate biscuit was generously filled with chewy dried cranberries and crunchy pistachios and drizzled with a white chocolate swirl.

All of the ingredients match perfectly, creating a delicious biscuit!

The Vanilla Chocolate Chunk biscuit isn't just your average chocolate chip cookie!

The delicious vanilla biscuit is filled with generous chunks of creamy milk chocolate and topped with an extra chocolate drizzle.

I was actually surprised when I realised the biscuit was gluten free because you could never tell!

It melted in your mouth with a shortbread like texture and we all agreed it was an extremely high quality treat! 

All of these biscuits and slices were fantastic and I would happily serve them to my friends again!

(and I'm sure they would be equally as pleased :P) 

You can have Springhill Farm products delivered straight to your door by ordering online!

So tell me, 

Are you a city person or a country person? 

and what's your favourite food to share with friends?

Kristy received Springhill Farm products courtesy of www.springhillfarm.com.au

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

The Christmas rush!

Friday already? Sheeeeeesh!

Where oh where did this week go?! 

We are on the home stretch to Christmas,

shopping centre carparks are full of manic impatient drivers trying to nab a parking space,

santas everywhere have had millions of kids pull their itchy beards,

Christmas carols randomly get stuck in your head

and Christmas t shirts and sweaters have become an acceptable wardrobe staple!

My Christmas to-do list has decreased a little, but there's still presents I need to buy! 

You know what I hate most of all - when you see the PERFECT gift in a catalog

only to hear "Sorry.. we're sold out"

But, fear not!There are always other gifts! 

and today, I have two more to show you!

For the tea connoisseur

Do you know a person who isn't a big fan of coffee but loves tea?

Or maybe they're just a big fan on their afternoon cuppa. 

I sure do! (Me included) 

Why not add some variety into their life by making them a tea hamper,

filling it with different flavours and styles and of course adding a cute cup or mug and maybe some cookies.

You could even make some home made short bread or christmas sugar cookies! 

Teekanne tea, imported by Premier Food and Beverages have a delicious green tea range with 5 different flavours.

Strawberry Lemongrass

Spearmint

Ginger Orange

Camomile Mint

Lemongrass

I loved the strawberry lemongrass, it's a perfect summer tea and super refreshing. 

The spearmint green tea is also perfect for having after meals and would be super calming on an upset tummy.

For the Yogurt Lover or Healthy Holiday-er

I absolutely love yogurt, though I had never thought about making my own.

Too difficult, too messy, too time consuming - that's what I thought. 

But I was definitely proved wrong with this easiyo yogurt maker I was sent to review. 

Making your own yogurt is SO simple!

and with a Real Yogurt Maker Gift pack from Easiyo - you have the perfect gift for a yogurt fanatic like me!

You can even tailor the yogurt to suit your exact tastes. 

I love thick, tangy greek yogurt and after a quick read of the cookbook inside the gift pack 

I knew exactly how to do it! 

Before going to bed I filled the yogurt jar with water, added the sachet of yogurt mix

and followed the instructions before heading off to bed.

When I woke up the next morning, the yogurt had set and I placed the container in the fridge so it could chill before I tried it.

I had 1 kg of perfectly tangy unsweetened yogurt and it was delicious!

Easiyo have a huge range of different yogurt flavours and types. 

There's:

The family range with flavours like strawberry, banana, mango and caramel

The reduced fat range that has unsweetened apricot, berry and other reduced fat flavours

The specialty range with flavours like Greek 'n Honey, Vanilla Custard, Sweet Greek and Low fat and lactose versions

The probiotic range with flavours like nectarine and boysenberry as well as a BioMum and Organic range 

and of course the drinking yogurt range in wildberry, mango and lemon.

Best of all? You can pick up an easiyo yogurt maker and yogurt flavours at most Coles and Woolworths stores!

..

So hopefully I might get you thinking about what gifts you could be giving this Christmas!

But do tell me -

What do you look forward to most at Christmas? 

Kristy received Teekanne tea courtesy of www.premierfoodandbev.com.au and the Easiyo Gift Pack from www.easiyo.com

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

Sweet Saturday: I'm in a Jam.

Have you ever been so inclined to make something,

only to open the fridge or cupboard and find your missing some of the most vital ingredients?

I know I have, alot.

Yesterday I decided I was going to make scones.

Butter, cream, lemonade, oil - 

the thousands of different recipes left me confused as to which one to try.

Until I opened the fridge.

No butter.

No cream.

Because I was racing against time 

(read: the sun was looking like it was threatening to go back into hiding)

I decided to use a butterless and creamless recipe. 

Don't you agree these gorgeous jams from Anathoth were just SCREAMING for scones?

I was lucky enough to be sent their Three Berry Jam  and Cherry Berry Jam

I love good jams. 

I say good, because that's what they have to be.

I want them to taste real and homemade and have chunks of actual fruit.

I don't want to be eating something that's 99% sugar, 1% fruit. 

Now that I've gotten older and discovered real jam,

I love it with cream cheese on toast

or as a topping for oatmeal.

Anathoth's Three Berry Jam is a combination of strawberries, boysenberries and blackcurrants

and contains no preservatives, added pectins or colours.

The three berries combine to make a delicious jam that, like their pottles say 

"tastes just like homemade"

The Cherry Berry Jam is a new flavour for Anathoth,

It's full of juicy cherries and has a delicious flavour.

I'll admit, I was wary about this one. 

I looked at the label and thought about that horrible processed fake cherry flavour.

But my fears were soon relieved when I tasted the jam.

No fake cherry flavour in sight! Instead it was a delicious natural cherry flavour.

Just as it should be.

It's not quite as thick as the other jam because cherries are a fruit that is lower in natural pectin

but it's thick enough to spread on scones or toast - well, whatever you please really!

The Help! I'm out of Butter, scones recipe

2 cups of Plain Flour 

1Tbsp Baking Powder

1 1/2 Tbsp Sugar  

(you can use caster sugar or icing sugar - depending on what's at hand) 

1/4 tsp Salt

1 egg

1/4C Oil  

(Light flavoured oils like vegetable, canola or rice bran oil work best)

1/3C Milk 

1/4C Warm Water 

Preheat oven to 200*C (390*F)

In a large bowl sift flour and baking powder, add sugar and salt.

In a separate bowl, whisk together egg, oil, milk and warm water.

Add wet mix to dry mix and mix until just combined (adding a little extra water if required).

Turn dough onto a floured workspace and pat out until 2cm thick.

With a scone cutter (or the rim of a glass cup/tumbler) cut out scones.

Place scones onto a baking tray, allowing room for them to spread.

Bake for 10-12 minutes or until risen and light golden in colour. 

So there you have it, 

A scone recipe for when you're in a butter-less jam.

I know I know, That was lame!

To get your hands on some Anathoth Jam, head to your local Coles, Woolworths or IGA store.

I promise you won't regret it! 

But do tell me,

What would be your ultimate morning/afternoon tea menu?

and Are you often caught without vital ingredients on hand? or are you more organised!

My mum's ultimate morning tea is exactly what you see above

hence why you're seeing it! 

I'm a fan of a summer morning tea, full of delicious summer fruit.

Kristy received Anathoth Jams courtesy of www.anathoth.co.nz

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  

Sweet Saturday: Shortbread Sensation

it's saturday once again!  

hoorayyy!

so that means this post is filled with sweet goodness!

 this week, it's shortbread. 
see that title up there?
there's so many s's I could be a snake :P

now, for those of you who don't know what shortbread is, or for those who just like to know stuff like me, here's some quick facts from wikipedia :P

Shortbread is a type of unleavened biscuit (cookie).

Shortbread is so named because of its crumbly texture (from an old meaning of the word short).

Shortbread is generally associated with and originated in Scotland.

and a fact from me?

Shortbread is yum! 

 A while ago I was sent a big box full of Butterfingers shortbread,

this included ALL of their flavours! - 

Pure Butter

Ginger

Choc Chip

Lemon Myrtle

Macadamia

and their Gluten Free Versions 

My taste testers and I decided it'd be best to start with the shortbread in its pure form :P

This shortbread is rich and buttery and has the traditional shortbread taste I've grown up knowing.

It melts in your mouth just the way a good shortbread should! 

Definitely perfect to put out when friends come over

or to have with a cup of tea!

Next in line was Lemon Myrtle.

Now, I can honestly say I've never tried lemon myrtle shortbread

and I think i've only ever tried lemon myrtle in cooking classes at school.

According to Wikipedia - 

Lemon Myrtle is one of the well known bushfood flavours and is sometimes referred to as the "Queen of the Lemon Herbs"

That would be well known, unless you're Kristy.. 

But back to the Shortbread,

this flavour was different to what I expected.

It had a delicate lemon flavour that complimented the shortbread perfectly.

The macadamia shortbread was delicious with the crunchy chunks of macadamias.

Macadamias would probably have to be my one of my favourite nuts 

(especially when it comes to Dello Mano Brownies) 

They don't overpower the shortbread like other strong tasting nuts would.

 Soooooooo many flavours!

Next up was the Choc Chip Shortbread

The chocolate chips were a super addition to the shortbread

and perfect for any chocoholic! 

These would be perfect for dunking into hot chocolate/tea/coffee

so the chocolate chips melt mmmmmmm...

There was also a ginger shortbread..

at first this raised alarm bells for me.

Ginger? Shortbread? eww

I thought the ginger would be overpowering,

but after tasting them I was relieved to find the ginger was quite subtle

and actually went really well with the shortbread. 

The ginger kind of hit you as an after thought, letting you know it was there.

Now that's all the flavours,

but Butterfingers also caters for those with wheat intolerances with their gluten free range.

So you can still enjoy delicious macadamia or pure butter shortbread! :)

Butterfingers shortbread can be found in supermarkets, independent grocers, delicatessens, duty free stores and specialty outlets across Australia. 

I've seen them in both Coles and Woolworths - so I'm sure you can find some near you!

So tell me lovelies, 

How do you like your shortbread?

Kristy received Butterfingers shortbread courtesy of www.butterfingers.com.au

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