Cherry Red ingredients: Carrot, Blackcurrant, Invert Sugar, Citric Acid.
20g
Hopper Natural Colours are free from:
E-numbers
Artificial preservatives
Emulsifiers
Solvent residues
Artificial ingredients
hopper natural food colour cherry red
The random thoughts of Collette White, Mother of 4, who is best known as the Author of "Cut out the Crap" and newly released "Cut out the Crap for Kids" which are the wonderful recipe books that are Gluten Free, Dairy Free and Preservative Free!
Cherry Red ingredients: Carrot, Blackcurrant, Invert Sugar, Citric Acid.
20g
Cloudy Orange ingredients: Carrot, Pumpkin, Invert Sugar, Citric Acid.
20g
Good Morning and Happy Monday! I hope this finds you all well rested after the weekend! Although we had a great weekend, we are not well rested and I am certain that hubby has gone back to work today to have a break from all the manual labour he was doing all weekend! We have been doing a backyard makeover, over the past few weeks, preparing for and putting in, an above ground pool for the kids for Christmas! Todays beautiful Super Mum interview comes at perfect timing really, as the importance of water safety is being reminded to us. This lady is a very dear friend of mine who I met when she was single, I then saw her become a girlfriend, fiancee, wife (and a STUNNING bride!) and now a wonderful Mum to a precious little girl. I am honoured to call her my friend, she is a beautiful person inside and out and the testiment for our friendship if the fact that we only see each other a few times a year, but know we are always there for each other and when we catch up we never shut up! I hope you enjoy hearing her story…..
Tell us a little bit about you and your family?
I am 32 year old mother of one. My husband Ben and I live in Ashtonfield and have a wonderful daughter Tilly who will be 2 in January. I am currently working as a part time Events and Promotions organiser for Wine Selectors and a learn to swim instructor at Hit and Dip Greenhills. I am fortunate enough to love both my jobs and still have plenty of quality time with my family. I really enjoy staying fit and active & eating well. My husband is a terrific cook (thankfully, as I lacked that gene!) so we love to eat delicious healthy meals as a family. Luckily none of us have food allergies but we try to eat organically as much as possible.
What one ingredient can you not live without and why?
Dark chocolate. I am such a sweet tooth!
If you had half an hour to cook dinner and realized you didn’t have anything planned, what would you cook?
Probably pasta with olive oil, sundried tomatoes, olives, prosciutto and parsley. Sprinkle some parmesan on top & it’s delicious. It has to be served with a great red wine of course!
What is once piece of advice you can pass on to other busy mums?
Lose the guilt. I find that as a mum you worry that you are spending too much time at work, that the house isn’t clean enough, that you aren’t spending enough quality time with your kids, that you aren’t spending enough time on your appearance, that you are neglecting your friends, that you are relying on relatives for help…the list goes on! We can only do the best we can, there are only so many hours in the day! If you are playing with your child, focus on that, don’t worry about the washing, housecleaning etc. I heard a great saying the other day – there is no such thing as a happy perfectionist and it’s true! Mums, give yourselves a break – your kids are a testament to the great job you are doing!
If you could have dinner with any 3 people in the world, who would it be and why?
I have dinner with my 2 favourite people every night! but if I had to choose 3 for a once off special dinner they would be –
Grandma Settle because I miss her!
Michelle Bridges to pick her brain about fitness, motivation and healthy living
Louise Hay for a spiritual wellness fix
You are a Swimming teacher…would you tell us why it’s important for young children to have lessons? Do you get satisfaction from teaching such an important skill?
I love being a learn to swim instructor. It is such a rewarding job seeing the kids grow more confident & enjoy the water!
It is so important for children to learn about swimming from a young age. We are blessed to live in a country with a terrific climate and some of the best beaches in the world. Thankfully drowning deaths are on the decline but 315 people still died in Australian waterways last year. Young children have such a curiosity about water so if we can teach them basic survival & safety from infancy it could save their lives. There are certain responsibilities we as mums have such as making sure pool fences are closed but also emptying baths & wading pools immediately after use. Also mums with infants get yourselves into a mums and bubs class! They are a lot of fun, a great bonding exercise and your child will be so much more confident when they start swimming on their own.
Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead, with love of love, laughter, sunshine and GREAT food!
Take Care of You,
Collette x
White Coffee Mug with Mint picture on both sides “Keep Calm and Cut out the Crap”
** Note this Mug looks more blue in this photo than in real life! It is slightly more pale mint….a really lovely colour
Perfect gift idea
White Coffee Mug with PALE MINT coloured print on either side “Keep Calm and Cut out the Crap”
Perfect gift idea!
Microwave and Dishwasher Safe
** Note the mug is more blue in this photo than it is in real life! It looks more like a pale mint green…..a really lovely colour
White coffee mug with GREEN print on either side of mug “Keep Calm and Cut out the Crap”
Perfect gift idea!
Good Afternoon! I hope this finds you all well!
We are all well here! We have been enjoying the sunny days we have been having and been getting out and about to the parks and going for walks….I love this time of the year when you can finish dinner and go for a nice evening stroll (or in our case, chase of the kids!) …. and we have also been appreciating the rainy days that are filling our tanks back up and making everything grow so beautifully!
I don’t get out to the shops often, besides my daily post office visit! As the twins don’t sit still long enough, and I don’t blame them really! It’s far more fun to run and play then be wheeled through the shops! When I went last week I realized just how close Christmas was, Christmas Carollers singing in the middle of the shopping centre, gift ideas everywhere, Santa is at the shops already and the front of every magazine is tempting and mouth watering Christmas Food ideas…..I stopped buying these magazines many years ago when I was diagnosed with so many allergies as it was just no point, I couldn’t eat any of them!
I am at and exciting stage though now where I want to turn everything and anything into Gluten, Dairy and Preservative Free! AND I want them to be recipes that everyone can enjoy and no one would know the difference……like Shortbread….you know Shortbread is one of my favourites and Miss 10 and Miss 8 agree….its something we make every Christmas and leave for Santa with a glass of milk…..and every year I wonder why I only ever make them at Christmas time!!!!???? I attempted making them Cut out the Crap friendly last year but didnt succeed and didn’t perservere…..I was determined to get them right and I think I did…..my girls agree….they were THRILLED to come home form school yesterday to find Shortbread waiting…..I didn’t tell them (or hubby) it was GF, DF & PF and they devoured THE LOT telling me how good they were…..YAY!!!!!
I hope you love them as much as we did and you can add the recipe to your favourites for Christmas time…..and the rest of the year if you remember!!!!!!
¾ cup coconut oil
½ cup icing sugar
1 cup rice flour
½ cup quinoa flour (or GF flour of your choice)
Preheat oven to 170c and line a large baking tray with baking paper.
Place coconut oil and icing sugar into a medium bowl and mix well.
Add both flours and mix well with a spoon.
Turn mixture out onto a non stick mat or a lightly floured surface and knead mixture extremely well (2-3 minutes) The longer you do it the less crumbly it will become and the oil will warm with the heat of your hands and make the mixture more manageable.
Roll out onto a lightly floured surface and cut into shapes using a cookie cutter (As shortbread mixture is quite delicate I used a small flat knife to lift the shapes up whilst the cookie cutter was still on, and transferred this onto the baking paper tray)
Bake in the preheated oven for 6-8 minutes or until slightly golden, be careful not to burn them! (or drop them…see my picture!)
Option for a Christmas flavoured twist– add 1 heaped tspn of both dried ginger and cinnamon and ½ tspn nutmeg to the mixture at the same time as the flour.
I also made Christmas looking lamingtons for the kids! I thought they would be perfect with a little Christmas decoration, holly or a bow on top….its the same Lamingtom recipe that is in CUT OUT THE CRAP FOR KIDS but I have used Hopper GREEN colouring in the Icing!
Last week my twins (almost 2!) had a Christmas photo shoot done with my good friend and photographer Jasi from JasArt Photographic Art www.jasartphotography.com.au …..here is a sneak peak!!!!!!
If Santa is Gluten, Dairy or Preservative free he is going to be very happy coming here this year!!!!!!
Take Care of You,
Collette x
GOOD MORNING! and HAPPY MONDAY!
I have a lovely Super Mum interview for you all today from the lady whose blog I came across a few months ago and have loved ever since….I was thrilled when she accepted my offer of being a “Super Mum” …. She is a Mum of 4 like me and lives a busy and fulfilling life….I hope you enjoy this interview and I know you will enjoy her blogs……
Tell us a little bit about you and your family?
I am a Mum of 4 young children, and the wife of one lovely man! My hubby and I run our own business, and I blog at www.mummysmiles.com My son was diagnosed with a dairy allergy when he was 5 months old, and although he has now grown out of his allergy (as promised by our beautiful paediatrician), I have noticed a sensitivity to colours and additives.
What one ingredient can you not live without and why?
My tastes tend to change all the time – at the moment I am loving mushrooms and marinated tofu! Yum!
If you had half an hour to cook dinner and realized you didn’t have anything planned, what would you cook?
Curried mince and vegetables! This is the ultimate slap together meal – it’s a great way to use up any vegetables, and can be padded out with beans, tofu or noodles.
What is once piece of advice you can pass on to other busy mums?
Try to think ahead whenever possible – the more prepared you are, the more relaxed you will feel. But then again, don’t be afraid to sometimes throw all the plans out the window and just enjoy the moment!
If you could have dinner with any 3 people in the world, who would it be and why?
Richard Branson – I think he’s incredibly inspiring with the most “out there” ideas. I love listening to people with big and creative ideas, that challenge me to look at things with a new perspective.
P!nk – How much fun would she be! And even more so now that she’s a Mum. A funky, cool, down-to-earth, rockstar! Plus I reckon we could be besties
My husband – We so rarely get a moment to ourselves, so if I can get a chance to go to dinner with him, that would be ace!
Those that know you already, know you from your AMAZING blog “Mummy Smiles” …where you talk about all things to do with Motherhood….I would love to know how this got started and what keeps you inspired?
When my fourth child was born, I realised how frantic our lives were. I was really worried that life would just pass me by, and I wouldn’t truly get a chance to embrace the everyday moments. I love that blogging gives me a chance to think about and reflect upon all the beautiful and treasured moments in our lives – for which I am very grateful. I focus on choosing to be happy – and smiling!
Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead, lets hope this sunshine sticks around so we can have some fun days outside with the kids…..
Until next time,
Take Care of You,
Collette x
Good Morning!
A friend kindly passed on her Gluten Free Christmas Cake recipe for me to share with you all! It is a favourite in her house with family and friends and even for those that don’t have food allergies…..
700ml chocolate milk
1kg mixed fruit
2 and 1/2 cups of gluten free self raising flour
Put fruit in a glass bowl and pour chocolate milk over fruit. Soak overnight in fridge.
(I was in hurry so I heated choc milk and poured it over the fruit then zapped in microwave for 2 minutes).
Add flour and mix well.
Place in prepared pan and bake for 1 1/2-2 hours @ 150 degrees.
(Test with a skewer after 1 ½ hours as it all depends on your oven).
ENJOY!
I have not tried this yet myself, but I must say it looks scrumptious…..and with Christmas ‘just around’ the corner, I think its a great one to have to add to the recipe collection!
A huge thanks to Jodie for passing it on…..if anyone has a great GF or DF recipe that they would like to share along with photos please email me at info@cutoutthecrap.com.au —- I would love to hear from you and I am certain my Cut out the Crap friends would love to also!
Have a WONDERFUL day!
Take Care of You,
Collette x
Good Morning!
A friend kindly passed on her Gluten Free Christmas Cake recipe for me to share with you all! It is a favourite in her house with family and friends and even for those that don’t have food allergies…..
700ml chocolate milk
1kg mixed fruit
2 and 1/2 cups of gluten free self raising flour
Put fruit in a glass bowl and pour chocolate milk over fruit. Soak overnight in fridge.
(I was in hurry so I heated choc milk and poured it over the fruit then zapped in microwave for 2 minutes).
Add flour and mix well.
Place in prepared pan and bake for 1 1/2-2 hours @ 150 degrees.
(Test with a skewer after 1 ½ hours as it all depends on your oven).
ENJOY!
I have not tried this yet myself, but I must say it looks scrumptious…..and with Christmas ‘just around’ the corner, I think its a great one to have to add to the recipe collection!
A huge thanks to Jodie for passing it on…..if anyone has a great GF or DF recipe that they would like to share along with photos please email me at info@cutoutthecrap.com.au —- I would love to hear from you and I am certain my Cut out the Crap friends would love to also!
Have a WONDERFUL day!
Take Care of You,
Collette x