Good Afternoon friends! I hope this finds you well! 

Last night I had a dream … actually I had two that I can recall … the first one was bizarre as My Miss 11 had the exact same dream! We both dreamt that Hubby shaved his beard off …. I think he is going through a mid-life crisis wanting to grow a beard and clearly it must be on our mind as to how much we like it (insert sarcasm here) … the second dream was about fudge … gooey, chocolately and salty …. I woke this morning to find that hubby has no intention of shaving off his beard …. so I settled with making some fudge instead! 

I now have it hiding in the freezer as it is SO good and I just keep having ‘one more bit’ …. I hope you love it as much as I do! 

 

Salted Choc and Almond Fudge

1 cup coconut oil (100g)

¾ cup maple syrup (225g)

4 tblspns cacao powder (20g)

good pinch salt

1 cup slivered almonds – toasted (120g)

½ tspn salt – extra 

Line a lamington / slice tin with baking paper and set aside.

Place the coconut oil, maple syrup, cacao and pinch of salt into a small saucepan and melt over a low heat, stirring constantly until thoroughly combined. Leave on a low heat for 10 minutes – stirring occasionally – be careful not to burn it.

TMX: 10 minutes / 37c / speed 3. Scrape down sides. Then, 5 minutes / 50c / speed 4.

Pour chocolate into the lined tray, roll the tray slightly to ensure the base is covered evenly. Sprinkle chocolate evenly with extra salt and then the almonds. Press the almonds into the chocolate mixture only gently, just to make sure they stick.

Place mixture into the freezer for at least 2 hours (overnight is preferable) before cutting into squares.

Store in an airtight container in the freezer.

NOTE: This needs to be stored in the freezer as it is fudge like and will soften quickly.

I use good rock salt and used a grinder to put the salt evenly over the top of the chocolate. I couldn’t measure it but it looked approx ½ tspn – if you have a salt grinder this will be the best way for an even layer. 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend full of love, laughter, happy memories, great food and maybe some Salted Choc Almond Fudge! 

Take Care Of You, 
Collette x 

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Salted Choc and Almond Fudge

Cultured Food - STARTING!

Good Afternoon friends! I hope this finds you well and that you are having a great week so far. 

Last week I went along to my very first “Cultured Food” workshop, run by the lovely Jane from Wholefood Family. My interest in fermented food and cultured food has been growing more and more and I was thrilled to have been able to attend this workshop. I left with a notepad of information, a mind swimming with even more information and ideas and the desire to give everything in the world of cultured food a try … so it is what I am going to do! I thought you might like to come along on the journey!

So far in my journey my limit of Fermenting Food is this “Sauerkraut / Fermented Veg  - Probiotics Recipe” – I have been making it for a few months now, super easy to make and we all enjoy it daily, either just having a mouthful here and there or as a side to our meals. I know there is SO much more to this kind of food and I have become aware how each type of cultured food provides different probiotics for us.

Over the next few weeks I will be sharing with you some recipes and useful information about cultured food … things that are easy enough for us beginners to understand and try at home without too much stress and panic! So if you are in the same boat as me and want to give some things a go but don’t know where to start, then stick around and hopefully my posts will help you (to be sure you don’t miss my posts on FB I encourage you to Subscribe to my blog on the homepage - it costs nothing – I won’t spam you – it will simply ensure that my blogs will to get delivered straight to your email address).

As I am only learning also, I will be reaching out to ‘experts’ in the area and I will be learning at the same time as you! Should be fun!

Let’s start …. 

Today I am so very pleased to share with you this WONDERFUL post from my friend and inspiration in the world of healthy food and cooking, Alexx Stuart from Real Food and Low Tox Living. The information Alexx shares on this blogpost “Fermented Vegetables: The WHY and the HOW basics” is a MUST read for those of you wanting to start this exciting journey. Alexx sure knows what she is talking about and left me even more excited to get in the Kitchen and start more fermenting! 

… first step, order some bigger glass jars!

… second step, sit and wait (not so patiently) for them to arrive in the mail!

Have a fantastic day, enjoy reading Alexx’s post linked above and I will talk with you all again soon!

Take Care of You,

Collette x  

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Cultured Food - STARTING!

Girly Catch up!

Good Afternoon friends! I hope this finds you all well and having a great week so far. 

I was going to start off my blog today by apologising for being a little distant on my blog for the last week – with the excuse that I am ‘chasing’ my tail. You see, like many, I am doing my best to juggle full time Mum of 4 children and full time business owner (who works alone!).

Two days a week my twins are in Preschool which means I get 10 hours a week child free to be ‘head down and bum up’ working. Two weeks ago I put my neck out half an hour after dropping them off at Preschool which made me unable to move for those two intense work days and the week after I got a call to pick up Miss 3 after just 3 hours as she was unwell with a cough / cold and then the next day both of the twins didn’t go to preschool as they were both crook – so the there went another week / 10 hours!

When I have weeks like this it means that I then need to work some later nights once the kids are in bed – generally falling into bed past midnight, mentally exhausted. I realise though that there is no need for me to apologise for being distant because whilst “I” feel distant and don’t feel like I am giving as much to you as I would like, I know that my beautiful COTC friends are there in busy times, quiet times, good times and great times!

I am doing the best I can, one day at a time and reminding myself to be grateful for all I have. 

Last month I was honoured enough to be invited to dinner with some amazing, inspiring and like minded Mums. My day started by driving to the home of Brenda Janschek, it is so strange meeting someone in ‘real’ life that you have only ever chatted to over the internet. Neither of us came up for air with conversation as we clicked instantly…and for those that are wondering (as I have actually had people ask me!) YES Brenda is just a beautiful in real life! 

Brenda!

We then jumped in the car and headed to pick someone up from the side of the road … guess who!? All the way from far North Queensland, down in Sydney for the week was the inspiring Jo AKA ‘Quirky Jo’. Jo is just as relaxed, sweet and genuine as she comes across on her page. Once again I had only every chatted to Jo over the internet and on the phone once but we sure were not lost for words!

Jo!

Off to the shops the 3 of us went to buy Jo a new outfit for her book launch, a spot of lunch, back to Brenda’s home to change then it was off to dinner with even more foodies! 

Shopping!

Dinner was AMAZING. I sat there feeling so very blessed. Not only was the company GREAT but the service and food was unbelievable also. I can not wait to go back because YES they catered for me and all of my millions of intolerances (best to ring ahead of course!) …. a HUGE Thank you to Fouad and the gorgeous staff at Chicpea for having us! A table full of ‘foodies’ and food bloggers could have been intimidating to some but not to you! 

That night I dined with these ladies … all Mums, all foodies all juggling life in one way or another ….

Jo – Quirky Cooking

Brenda – Brenda Janschek

Alexx  - Alexx Stuart 

Amanda – Pinkfarm

Sarah – Homemade, Healthy, Happy

Wendy – Vegie Smugglers

Talisha – Little Mashies

I love this photo … just a few of us taking photos of dessert

Another great quote from Pinterest!

…. so when I have a day like today where I feel guilty or ‘slack’ as I feel myself flapping around in circles, I stop and remind myself that I am doing the best I can for today! I am reminded that I am not alone in feeling this way and that we are often our own worst enemies. Maybe this can be a gentle reminder to give yourself a pat on the back and tell yourself you are ‘doing good’ or perhaps tell a friend that might be struggling the same thing …. try and make time for yourself in the business of life and don’t forget to get enough sleep (telling myself this also!) …. Big Hugs!

Take Care of You, 
Collette x 

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Girly Catch up!

Lhami Skincare give-away

Good Morning friends! I hope this finds you all happy and healthy and enjoying your week. 

For those that have been following me for a while, you would know that I love and support the local Central Coast business “Lhami” – I met Natalie (the owner of Lhami) a few years back and was touched by her passion of good, Organic, chemical free skincare. 

What I love about Lhami also is not only is it beautiful to use on my skin but that the products are gentle enough to use on young Teenagers skin too. My ‘almost’ Miss 12 has been using these products daily for over a year now (as she was starting to get quite a few black heads) and this has helped dramatically. I wasn’t sure which products to choose for Miss ‘almost’ 12 initially as I didn’t want to make her skin worse or dry it out etc but after a quick email with Natalie I was recommended the Aloe Vera and Lime Cleansing gel for her and now she is using this new Pink Grapefruit range. Not often do you get service like that! 

Natalie has been kind enough to give ONE lucky Cut out the Crap friend a gift of some of her NEW and deliciously smelling products! 

The prize is a 50ml Pink Grapefruit Balancing Cleanser, 100ml Rose & Chamomile Hydrating Mist, and a 50ml Pink Grapefruit Balancing Face Oil.

To enter simply head over and make sure you LIKE Lhami Facebook page  (this will help you keep updated with her products and healthy skincare tips) and comment HERE on this blogpost ‘What is your favourite scent” ….

ONE Lucky and random winner will get full size products from the Balancing Skincare Range (as pictured). 

Winner drawn and notified on here and by email on Saturday 17th May 9pm EST. (winners within Australia only).

Good Luck!

Have a beautiful day! 

Take Care of You, 
Collette x 

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Lhami Skincare give-away

Good Afternoon friends, I hope this finds you well!

We are all well here besides a silly injury I got yesterday … would you like to laugh at me? Well here is your opportunity … I have put my neck / back out …. by sneezing … and it’s not like I even had a huge sneezing fit .. it was just one! I can almost hear you laughing! 

I love nothing more than picking things from my vegetable and herb garden and using it in our meals! I have loads of basil at the moment so decided to make a yummy marinade for some chicken with it … this is what I came up with … quick, easy, really quite simple and fuss free … and of course Gluten, Dairy, Preservative / Additive free and TASTY! I hope you enjoy it like my family does … 

Basil and Coconut Chicken

4 single Chicken Breast Fillets

270ml coconut cream

½ -1 bunch fresh basil (30g) (see notes below)

1 clove garlic

good pinch salt and pepper

Cut each Chicken Breast Fillets into 4 even pieces.

Place the coconut cream, basil, garlic, salt and pepper into a food processor and blitz until the basil is finely chopped and everything is thoroughly combined. (TMX Speed 6 / 20 seconds).

Place the basil and coconut sauce into a bowl with the prepared chicken breast fillets. Mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 180c and line a large lasagne tray with baking paper.

Place the marinated chicken onto the tray (on an even layer) and cook for 20 minutes, turn and cook for a further 20 minutes or until chicken in thoroughly cooked.

Serve with vegetables or salad.

Note:

• I picked basil from my garden – so it was hard to give an exact amount from the sleeve you would buy – the basil I used weighed 30g.


• If you like things spicy you could add ½ – 1 hot chilli when processing the basil, coconut cream etc

A beautiful quote from Pinterest

Wishing all the Mums out there a HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY …. I hope you are all spoilt and I don’t mean gifts but with love, hugs and kisses! 

I am also mindful of all the ladies out there that have lost children, are longing to be Mum’s and are not able to or are struggling with fertility at the  moment. I would like to express the warmest heartfelt wishes to you and I hope you can surround yourself with loved ones and also have a beautiful day.

My 4 children are all IVF babies, I give thanks daily that I am their Mum. 

Take Care of You, 

Collette x 

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Basil and Coconut Chicken

Mother's Day give-away - 4 AMAZING Cookbooks!

Good afternoon friends, I hope this finds you well. 

Driving home from Bible Study this morning I was filled with love and gratitude and decided to do a give-away for this afternoon! (hold the washing, housework and cooking … this is FAR more important!) What better time to do this also than the week leading up to Mother’s Day! 

Get excited because I think you are going to love it ….

As you may / may not know the gorgeous Jo from Quirky Cooking released her first ever cook book with Thermomix only yesterday! I was honoured enough to go to the book launch last week where I bought a copy for myself and an extra one (yes, signed!) to give-away ….. so I have decided to put Jo’s book with my three books “Cut out the Crap” – “Cut out the Crap for Kids” and “Cut out the Crap with Style” up for grabs for one lucky friend! That’s RRP $140 worth of books!

Yes thats right, ONE person will win all 4 books! The catch is …. you can’t try to win them for yourself!

 

You CAN to try and win them for someone else! …. a special person in your life …. it doesn’t have to be your Mum, it doesn’t have to be your wife, it doesn’t have to be your best friend or your sister, infact it doesn’t even need to be a Mum! It MUST be someone who is special to you, holds a special place in your heart and who you would LOVE to win this gift for ….. 

To enter: 

1) Please make sure you LIKE my Facebook page 

2) Please ensure you “Subscribe” to my blog here (this way my blogs will go straight to your email address and the recipes I create and blogs I write etc will always be seen by you)

3) Comment below WHO you would like to win this amazing gift for and WHY …. (* remember it can NOT be yourself BUT you can ask a friend / hubby to enter for you …. AND …. YES you can enter more than once (for a different person each time of course!) 

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ONE random and ‘oh so’ lucky winner will be chosen 10pm EST tonight (Tuesday 6th May)….. it’s a quick one, you only have a few hours, so get in straight away! I will announce the winner both under the winners post, via email AND on Facebook – *Australian residents only.

The Quirky Cooking book IS a Thermomix Cookbook. My 3 Cut out the Crap books are NOT Thermomix Cookbooks (but easily converted for those the need to).

Jo from Quirky Cooking signing the book that could be yours!

GOOD LUCK and I simply can not wait to read some heart warming posts….

Bless you all, my friends, 

Take Care of You, 

Collette x

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Mother's Day give-away - 4 AMAZING Cookbooks!

Good Morning friends! I hope this finds you all well and that you have had a wonderful week. 

I am loving the cooler nights … it gets me all excited for gorgeous warming, hearty meals …. beautiful big satisfying soups that make me feel amazing …. this is a favourite here …. packed with goodness and oh so tasty … I hope you love it as much as we do!

Hearty Chicken Soup 

1 tspn oil of choice (I used olive oil)

2 single chicken breast fillets – diced roughly 2cm cubes

1 large zucchini – roughly diced

1 large head broccoli – roughly cut

½ large cauliflower – finely processed (like you are making cauliflower rice)

2 litres bone broth (I use chicken)

½ tspn herbamare (or salt and pepper)

8 large leaves of leafy greens – roughly shredded (I used bok choy, kale and silverbeet fresh from my garden)

In a large soup pot place the oil and chicken and stir until the chicken is 95% cooked.

Add the zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, bone broth and herbamare to the pot and simmer on a medium heat until the chicken is thoroughly cooked.

Add the leafy greens, stir through and serve immediately. 

Note: As you can see there is a lot of room for choices in this soup recipe. I have not weighed anything, so it doesn’t have to be perfect. Feel free to add your own choices of veg also.

The point of this soup is to be healthy, satisfying, filling and bring happiness to your belly and dinner table.

This soup made enough for my family of 6 with leftover too. 

Enjoy!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend full of love and laughter … big hugs from me to you!

Take Care of You,

Collette x 

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Hearty Chicken Soup