Ready for the weekend - Gluten Free Goodies!

It's Wednesday again!

Are you anything like me and SO ready for the weekend to be here?

Don't worry, there's only 2 days left! 

Being Gluten Free can mean you miss out on lots of fun and delicious foods, especially when it comes to social gatherings - but I've got you covered!

All the products in this ost can be found at specialty stores and health food shops around Australia and are also available internationally as they're imported from the US! (find out more at Real Food Distributors)

Chips and dips or cheese and crackers always make an appearance at get-togethers, so why not have some options that will suit everyone - even gluten free guests!

Boulder Sea Salt and Cracked Pepper Chips were voted America's #1 Potato Chip by Rachel Ray

They're crunchy and golden with kick of pepper and are;

gluten free

trans-fat free

cholesterol free

and all natural

R.W Garcia's Organic Blue Maize Tortilla Chips are made for salsa and guacamole, but are also delicious straight out of the bag.

They're gluten free and trans-fat free and have a full corn flavour.

They're also all natural and made the old fashioned way with nothing but blue corn, water, oil and salt.

They're super crunchy and the perfect thickness for dipping - they won't break away into your salsa!

Mary's Gone Crackers are the perfect cracker for whole grain lovers like me!

They're jam packed full of flavour and nutrition with quinoa, brown rice, flaxseed and sesame seeds.

They're also gluten free and contain no added fat.

Not a savoury fan? How about sweets! 

These Chocolate Chip Cookies from Mary's Gone Crackers are a great GF option!

They're:

- organic and non-GMO
- vegan
- gluten, wheat, dairy and egg free

- Kosher friendly
- low GI
- free of transfat and hydrogenated oils

and a good sweet treat to keep on hand!

So tell me

Sweet or Savoury, what's YOUR preference?

and what's your fail-safe party food when you're asked to bring something? 

Kristy received these products courtesy of www.realfooddistributors.com.au
If youd like a review of your products, send an email to ksayerphotography@gmail.com 

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

The BEST Brownie Recipe - goodbye Betty Crocker!

 I have tried SO many brownie recipes to try and find the perfect brownie recipe for my sister.

She's a boxed brownie fan and it seemed like nothing as going to steer her from Betty Crocker. 

You see, she's the Goldilocks of brownies.

These ones are too cakey

Those ones aren't dense enough

They just aren't the same

But you know what? these brownies are jusssssssssssssssssssst right!

I finally came up with the best brownie recipe and Betty Crocker got the boot!

These brownies are super simple to make and only require a mixing bowl. 

It's a small batch recipe, making 16 small or 9 large brownies so feel free to double it! 

The Best Brownie Recipe

also known as the only brownie recipe you'll ever need 

makes 16 small/9 large brownies

115g butter, melted 

1C brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 eggs

1/2C flour 

1/3C cocoa powder
1/4 tsp baking powder

Preheat oven to 180*C/350*F

Grease and line 9x9'' brownie tin.

Combine melted butter, brown sugar and vanilla in a mixing bowl.

Once butter mixture is cooled slightly, add eggs and stir until mixed through

Mix in flour, cocoa powder and baking powder until well combined.

Pour into tin and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a skewer removes clean.

This brownie recipe is super simple to adapt, 

I added Reese Peanut Butter Chips but you can add nuts/chocolate/chopped candy bars or whatever you fancy!

They're delicious on their own or with a creamy chocolate frosting on top - it's up to you! 

So tell me - your dream brownie, what's it like?

Chewy? Fudgy? Cake-like? Nut filled? Super rich?
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Lunchbox Legends

In Primary School, there was always competition as to whose mum or dad packed them the best lunch.

Homemade cakes and cookies scored you some respect points, Tiny Teddies were envied but Mamee Noodles were always the things my peers were bargaining for.

 

"I'll swap you my tiny teddies for your mamee noodles!" 

"No way!" 

"Puhhhleaaaasseeeee, I never get those!"

So of course, when I was sent a box of products from Mamee, I was immediately taken back to Primary School.

Fast forward all these years (eep) and Mamee Noodles are still around - as well as some other products!

and Mamee Noodles also Amber Compliant for sale in school canteens under the Australian Government's Healthy Canteen Strategy.

Mamee Noodles come in both Chicken and BBQ flavours

which come in Multipacks available from Coles, Woolworths, IGA, Franklins, Big W, Target and many other stores around the country.

Their individual 25g packs are a perfect lunchbox treat or on the go snack.

These Rice Sticks are a part of Mamee's GF Range.

They come in both Vegetable and Cheese flavours and are available from Coles, Woolworths and selected IGA, Foodland and Foodworks stores.

They're crisp and crunchy with flavours that kids love (even the vegetable flavour!) and like the Mamee noodles, the 20g portion packs are a perfect treat to stow away in any kid's lunchbox.

Mamee also have some crisp and crunchy snacks for bigger kids and adults.

Both the Rice Chips and Corn Kiks are part of the gluten free range and are packed full of flavour.

The Rice Chips are very much like Pringles and come in both BBQ and Sour Cream and Chive Flavours.

They're perfect to put out when you have friends over or for an occasional snack.

The Corn Kiks have a savoury cheese flavour with an almost BBQ-like tang.

They're crunchy and moreish and disappear when put out at BBQs.

Both products are available at Coles and selected IGA, Foodland and Foodworks stores.

So tell me,

When you were younger, what was the sought after lunchbox treat at your school?

and What was your favourite lunchbox treat to have?

Recipe: Soft Instant Oatmeal Cookies

Our new blog can be found here.

There's nothing quite like a freshly baked cookie, warm from the oven.

Some people like them crisp and crunchy, some love a chewy cookie and others prefer a softer cookie.

I was lucky enough to be sent some instant oatmeal packs from Nature's Path, as well as the other cereals, and I knew just what I was going to do with some of them! 

Make cookies, of course!

The Nature's Path Oatmeal comes in 3 flavours, 

Original which is simply pure oats with a pinch of sea salt

Apple Cinnamon which contains chunks of dried apple and a hint of cinnamon

Maple Nut which has crunchy hazelnuts and a delicious maple flavour. 

The individual sachets make for a quick and easy hot breakfast 

and the 50g portions are the perfect amount for a filling meal.

Just pop them in a bowl in the microwave with 1/2-2/3C of water, stir and cook for 75 seconds or so.

To make them extra creamy, cook them in a mix of milk and water, adding a dash of milk at the end.

They're the perfect base for whatever toppings you desire, or eaten on their own!

But, back to the cookies!

These cookies are the ultimate quick and easy soft oatmeal cookie that are the perfect base for any addition you want to make. 

I went the traditional route and added raisins to half of my batch, however, they work perfectly with choc chips, nuts, dried fruits or just about any other mix ins you'd find in a cookie!

Soft and Simple Instant Oatmeal Cookie Recipe

makes 1 dozen large cookies

or 2 dozen smaller cookies 

 1C plain flour

1C instant oats

1C brown sugar

2 tbsp boiling water

1 tsp bicarb soda/baking soda

120g butter, chopped

1 tbsp maple syrup

Preheat oven to 180*C. Line 2-4 baking trays with baking paper (depending on cookie size)

In a bowl, combine flour, oats and brown sugar. 

Dissolve bicarb soda in boiling water and set aside.

In a small saucepan, stir butter and maple syrup over a medium heat until butter melts.

Take off the heat and stir in baking soda mixture, pour into dry ingredients and stir until well combined.

Roll heaped tablespoons (for large cookies) or heaped teaspoons (for small cookies) of the dough into balls, place 1 1/2 inches apart on the lined trays.

Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden, set aside on trays to cool completely.

And there you have it, a batch of delicious fresh from the oven cookies!

Try not to eat them all in one go ;)


Our new blog can be found here.

So tell me, 

What's your ultimate cookie like?

and what are your favourite mix ins? 

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

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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  

A super speed dinner solution!

I think everyone regularly has the problem where you're stuck for what you are going to have for dinner. 

You don't have much time or your fridge and pantry are looking pretty bare.. 

I thought I'd share a delicious recipe with you that might fix that problem for you, 

or maybe even inspire your dinner one night this week! 

This pasta dish is quick, easy and can use up whatever you have in your fridge. 

This dish was inspired by some products sent to me from Global Organics

Global Organics products are sourced worldwide to give you quality organic food in your kitchen for your every day use. 

Their tomato range includes;

tomato paste - perfect for adding a rich tomato flavour to dishes

pesto rosso - a delicious addition to sandwiches, pasta dishes, vegetables or whatever you fancy

tomato passata - a super easy base for pasta dishes or use in casseroles, as a pizza sauce etcetc.

Global organics also have the only Organic Black Beans on the market.

They're perfect for adding to mexican or latino style dishes and are packed full of fibre and antioxidants.

Global Organics traditional Italian style pestos are incredible - the basil pesto comes in two varieties, vegan pesto verde and basil pesto siciliano with the addition of delicious italian cheeses.

They're perfect for stirring through freshly cooked pasta for a simple meal. 

The pesto siciliano is most definitely my favourite and something I'll be sure to keep in my pantry.

Global Organics mustards come in both a wholegrain mustard and a strong dijon mustard

which make the perfect addition to sandwiches or served alongside roasted meat or vegetables. 

  Olive paste or tapenade, as it's also known, is perfect for serving as a tangy spread for fresh bread and vegetables or used as an addition to cheese plates or to give your meals a burst of flavour

Global Organics Maple Syrup is delicious. 

It's pure maple syrup, unlike the artificial Maple "flavoured" syrup you can find, so it has a delicious full flavour that's perfect for topping pancakes, ice cream or using in desserts.

It's even great with savoury dishes, try roasting carrots or vegetables in some maple syrup for a change!

 But back to the pasta, you want the recipe - right?! 

Well here it is! Remember, you can easily adapt it to suit whatever you have on hand at the time!

Super Simple Southwestern Black Bean Pasta

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 1/2 - 2C tomato passata

1 tbsp olive oil 

1 clove of garlic, minced

1 small onion, finely diced

Optional: any vegetables you might have in your fridge - carrots, celery, capsicum etc.

1 1/2 tsp cumin 

1 tsp dried oregano
Mexican chili powder, to taste
Salt and pepper, to taste
250g pasta, cooked al dente and drained (this can be increased/decreased to suit how many you're serving)
Grated cheese/coriander/shallots to top 

In a medium saucepan, saute onion over a medium high heat until soft. 

Add garlic and spices and saute for a further minute.

Stir in the tomato passata, gently stir through black beans. 

Add pasta to the pan and toss through the sauce.

Add your desired toppings and enjoy! Simple as that.

Now, can you get any easier than that?! 

The Global Organics range is available at a number of stockists around the country, to find the closest to you check here! 

So tell me, 

on rushed nights what's your go-to meal? 

Kristy received Global Organics products courtesy of www.globalorganics.com.au

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

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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?  
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