Additive free and LOVING it!

Happy Friday! 

DAY 5 of "Additive Free" here for our household and *insert gasp* SHOCK HORROR...NO 'meltdowns' from Miss 'almost 8' - now friends of mine will know it's generally a daily thing....so as much as 5 days might not seem long to some.....its a GIANT step in the right direction for us!  

Believe it or not this "additive free" change is (slightly) scary for me! More than anything though it is EXCITING! I am doing what I feel is right for MY family and before you ask, YES we already eat VERY healthy, there was room for improvement though. Everynight we eat Gluten, Dairy and Preservative Free due to MY allergies, and I REFUSE to cook 2 different meals of a night. I limit my kids to one serving of wheat per day, even though they don't have allergies, simply because I feel it's better for them not to have too much. I expect my kids to eat what I serve them and feel that I am realistic with these expectations.....I'm not going to go and serve something with mouth burning Chilli in it and expect them to eat it.....broccoli, zucchini, carrot etc.....ah, yep, I expect them to eat it! I have been this way with them since they first started eating and my hard work has paid off - it's not "just luck" as some like to tell me! Miss 'almost 8' every night tells me she doesn't like broccoli and every night I tell her "oh well, its good for you, please eat it" ....and she does. 

However, its the snacks where I was going so completely wrong...unless I was cooking them myself of course! I have recently bought 2 little "guides" and I am in love with them (I know I have mentioned one only the other day)....no kidding I have been carrying them from room to room so I can read them when I get a spare 10 seconds! The first one is the "Additive-Free shopping guide" www.additivefreepantry.com

It has over 800 products listed that are OK! AND its broken down into woolies, coles, aldi and general....it can't get easier than that!

The second "guide" is "The Chemical Maze" www.chemicalmaze.com which I love the warning on the back of it *This book contains information that could change your life* This is NOT for the light hearted! It has all the numbers listed so you can see exactly what it is and what it can do to your body.....I was HORRIFIED to find some "chips" that I paid a small fortune for, for the twins, from the HEALTH FOOD SECTION have one of the main ingredients as MSG (nicely hidden!) and another # that should not be fed to children under 12months!!!!! WHAT!!!! Am in meant to be comfortable with that because they are 17months??!!

Both these guides have helped me change my pantry (or really 2 shelves of "snacks"!) I have had a huge clean out and it feels & looks wonderful. I was pleasantly surprised that the main ingredients I use I was getting right! Phew! ha ha! It's simply now retraining the "sometimes" food for the kids.

I have had some comments from people that think this is "over the top" and I will now be "an inconvenience to catch up with" and I accept this is their opinion, but as I say to everyone, MY family MY choice and they have the same rights. I do hope though that they learn even little bits at a time from me and start to realize the benefits for themselves and their families. I don't believe that I am better than them for doing this....it's all different journeys we are on. 

One thing for sure is my kids are NOT missing out! They were super excited to be able to munch away on Original CC's the other day and stuffed themselves with Blueberry Muffins from "Cut out the Crap for Kids" www.cutoutthecrap.com.au for afternoon tea.....I have discussed with them why we are doing this and even they are excited! They have a love of food like never before......the other day Miss almost 10 and 8 asked me if I would grate carrot and apple for them to make a "salad" for afternoon tea......one happy Mumma here!

Grated carrot and apple - yep they ate the lot!

Master 17months devouring a pear!

Making a healthy and filling Milkshake for the kids when they come home from school

Banana and Blueberry Smoothie

1 cup rice milk

1 banana

12 frozen blueberries

1 tblspn agave nectar

sprinkle of cinnamon

Put all in a blender and mix for 30 seconds!

one happy girl :-)

I am so grateful for these guides & I believe in everything they teach...... Completley Additive free Day 5 and I can see the benefits already....how INSPIRING is that!!?? I look forward to seeing what the weeks bring....

Take Care Of You,

Coll x

My new 'toy'

I never thought the day would come when I got so excited that I did a 'happy dance' over a new 'toy' for my kitchen. I say 'toy' simply because I can't wait to play with it....and sure enough as soon as I opened the box I had a 'play'.....and I must say I LOVE IT! 

I have been on the hunt for a while now for a new food processer ever since I put the lid of my 'old' (and much cheaper one) in the dishwasher and it melted....woops....guess it wasn't dishwasher safe!

I have had a heap of people recommend 'Thermomix' which I KNOW are great as I have seen them in action, but out of my budget at this stage. After getting a letter from my local Electrical Store about a sale they had on yesterday, I left Mum to watch the twins and I scooted down to buy one....saw this and fell in love :-)

It isn't just a food processor, it does chips and coleslaw and so much more so I feel like there are lots of little "freebies" involved!  

For those that love cooking "healthy" food like me from scratch then I'm sure you can understand my exitement...... in 14 seconds we made potato and sweet potato chips for tonight....topped with my recent discovery of Herbamare (thanks to Tanya W from www.additivefreepantry.com) the kids are excited.....

....they also asked to see what another "disc" did so we grated carrot and apple and make a cute little salad in 7 seconds......how lovely to see them scoff themselves with it for afternoon tea!

So with every new kitchen 'toy' becomes the task of finding room! I decided to take out all my plates and bowls that I normally only use for taking photos in my books and put them somewhere different.....I was a little shocked as to how many I have collected! 

Oh well, thats my excitement from here on this horrible rainy day.....we are all pretty yuck with a cold at the moment....hoping to see some sunshine soon as I'm sure this helps clear the germs! In the meantime....happy cooking!

Take Care Of You,

Coll x

The Airport.....

Last Saturday my husband left on a 1 week holiday and 2 week work trip to America. As it happened to be my birthday the day he was leaving, and it was a Saturday, I didn't feel like sitting around the house missing him for an extra day so I decided the 4 kids and I would make the trip to Sydney with him to say 'Bon Voyage' and to have a nice day out. 

My 2 favourite men!

"Hey Dad, Can I come too?"

I know that may sound strange to some, but a day at the airport (even with 4 kids in tow) is interesting. 

All the kids loved seeing the planes take off and the lady that checked Joshs bags in gave us the directions to a brilliant viewing platform that was semi outside....we were so close to the action it was brilliant (although not so brilliant when it started raining and we had to dodge raindrops and it became so cold our noses were freezing!).

Josh and our 4 children xxx

Joshs plane.....1pm and so dark....horrible weather......

I find people "interesting" in an environment like that (yes I was one of the few that liked the TV show Big Brother!) and I wondered when we were walking past the departure drop off point if people were frequent flyers, was this their first time flying, were they going away on a holiday or for business, was it a happy flight or were they leaving loved ones behind (more than 3 weeks like my hubby!) did they enjoy flying, were they nervous.......we walked past the drop off several times during the hours we were there and in the end my nervous giggle started as I watched the hugs between loved ones, children crying and adults crying and knowing that my time to say bye to Josh was getting nearer. My nervous giggle was there because I knew that soon that would be me with tears, not only mine but the big 2 girls, it's probably a good thing that the twins are too young to understand it all and already little Miss A at only 1 1/2 has stopped rolling over after her morning feed to say good morning to Dadda and now kisses the IPad waiting for him on there!

I know this all may sound a little dramatic to some but 3 weeks without my hubby and the kids with their dad is huge for us. The longest he has ever been away is 8 nights and that was only last year. 

I came home to have 2 of my best friends and supports swing by for a cuppa and another farewell, as they were leaving the next day for Thailand for a month.

My mind crossed on the day to those that have to say goodbye to their loved ones as they go off to war with the Army, or those (like one of my good friends) that sees her Mum only once a year and has to do that emotional farewell every time. No thanks! 

So long, Bon Voyage, Farewell, Goodbye....no matter how you say it, Goodbyes are not my "thing" ......

So back to the airport.....the other thing I LOVE is the food.....albeit I can't eat any of it but the variety is amazing and it inspires me in a strange way to want to cook and create! So often we get caught up in eating the same thing week after week when they are so many "different" flavours and ingredients out the to explore. It disappoints me to a certain point that I couldn't just go up and order the fresh Thai stirfrys they were cooking or try some of the amazing looking Japanese Sushis. However, I know I have these allergies for a reason and that pulls me back go reality - its no use day dreaming of "what ifs" unless I can turn that into "what if I can change "this" to "that" so I can eat it!" 

I would love SO much to be able to explore different countries food and travel the world experiencing it all....the Pastries and Coffees in France, the "proper" Pastas and Gelatos in Italy, the traditional cuisine full of beautiful spices in India.....however I know that's not realistic and it comes down to the fact that my allergies simply wouldn't allow it more than my fear of flying....or the fear of falling....or the claustrophobic issues of being on a plane....ok now I'm getting side tracked!!!!!! 

What I found when I googled French Pastries!

What I found when I googled Gelato!

A sign at the Airport! Love it!

So......add to my (forever growing) list of things to do......create and explore different cultures food that I CAN eat and cook at home ....... Would love to hear what countries food you love the most....do you have a multi-cultural background and cook recipes that have been handed down through generations....or if you could go to one country simply for the food, where would it be????

Take Care of You,

Coll x

Birthday Cake from my friend Melody - My Mum made me one also but I ate it before Igot a photo! Woops!

Present off my sister....she knows me well!

peckish......

This morning whilst the twins were asleep I was working away answering emails and posting off book orders & I felt like munching away on something other than fruit.....I remembered I had raw almonds and decided to take 10 minutes timeout and make myself some "Savoury Nuts" .......they turned out amazing.....and the only problem was trying not to eat them all straight away!

Hope you enjoy them also......

SPICY NUTS

2 cups raw almonds

1 tblspn cinnamon

1 tblspn rapadura (or brown sugar)

1 tblspn cardamom

1 tspn nutmeg

1/2 tspn cayenne pepper

1/4 tspn sea salt

1 egg white

Preheat oven to 180c.

Whisk egg white until mixture is quite frothy (but not too firm)

Add all the ingredients (besides egg white) into a bowl and mix well. 

Add the egg white and mix gently but thoroughly.

Line a baking tray with non stick paper and spread the almonds out on a single layer.

Cook for 8 minutes and remove tray. Working quickly (and carefully) seperate the almonds from each other. 

Bake for another 3-4minutes (or until golden and smelling delcious)

Allow to cool before eating!

*** be careful not to burn them

*** dont eat them all at once! (although its far better than sitting down to chips or cakes!)

*** if you like more heat, double the cayenne

*** a perfect snack whilst working away at the office or for guys with a beer and footy :-)

I am thrilled to have received in the mail today (and had the pleasure of chatting with lately) an inspirational lady "Tanya Winfield" .....Tanya is the creater of "Additive Free Pantry" and today I got my "Additive Free Shopping Guide" in the mail.......I LOVE being inspired by other peoples ideas and successes and even more so when it is directly in line with what I am passionate about......HEALTHY FOOD!

I tore myself away from the computer to have a cuppa (ok....YES and some "spicy nuts"!!) to have a read.....I am so impressed by the detail with over 800 products listed, Im certain it has just found a home permanantly in my handbag....1 so I can show it off.....and 2 it is there for quick reference when I am out shopping.....

www.additivefreepantry.com

I am pleased to see most ingredients that I use already in there and also interested in a few other ingredients I wasn't aware of......between Cut out the Crap, Cut out the Crap for Kids and Additive Free Shopping Guide....HEALTHY HEALTHY HEALTHY......and the positive is that because we make it TASTY the kids dont know what "crap and additives" they are missing out on.....

Hope you are having a wonderful day!

Take Care of You,

Coll x

www.cutoutthecrap.com.au 

CUT OUT THE CRAP FOR KIDS ARRIVES!

Thursday 24th May - CUT OUT THE CRAP FOR KIDS arrives in Australia!

Monday 28th May - I receive confirmation that the books have the "all clear" from customs and the transport company collect the books and take them back to the warehouse!

Tuesday 29th May - My transport company "split" my order - 1200 ready for my distributor in Melbourne to get out into book stores and 800 for me!

Wednesday 30th May - My distributor in Melbourne gets the books! (me....pacing the house thinking its unfair that from Sydney THEY get them before ME! Ok Ok....I need to work on my patience!)

Thursday 31st May - 7am we hear a truck pull up and go running......nope, it was a cement truck.....7.10 we hear another "truck" go past....nope it was a car.....then a bus....then more cars....and YES I run and JUMP EVERYTIME I hear any sort of transportation go past......I was in for a LONG day! Finally at 10.32am I hear a truck....go running and YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ITS THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think I may have slightly scared the delivery man with me sprinting to greet him with a HUGE childish grin on my face....perhaps there was jumping and clapping involved but hey, I can't exactly recall.....my mind went blank and all I could think of was "PLEASE BE OK" (I'm unsure if I was talking about my heart or if I was talking about my books!)

Then that moment arrives...you are faced with a box of books that you CAN open....you SHOULD open....but for that breif moment panic sets in.....now I KNOW I have seen a proof copy and said go ahead with the rest, however, what if they stuffed up something since then! SO...I open the box and ***squeal*** there they are smiling back at me, a heap of beautiful, bright, colourful CUT OUT THE CRAP FOR KIDS staring back at me! I have a proud Mumma moment!

I hug my hubby, he tells me how proud he is of me (which truly means more than I could ever express in words) and I take a moment to sit on the closest thing I can find (which happens to be a skateboard!) 

and I look.....I read.....I breathe...I smile....I thank God.....I perhaps have a little tear or 2 from pure releif....I think "I did it"......I reflect on all the ideas, the cooking, the creating, the testing, the successes, the failures, the paperwork, the pressure, the sleepless nights, the editing, the decisions......and after all of this I stop and feel overwhelmed with emotional that because of MY allergies I can bring JOY to other peoples homes......that is priceless.....that is worth EVERYTHING!

After that high......the "work" begins....I wrap a mass of books, I get all the orders off to the post office, jump on Facebook a few times, answer a stack of emails, have a revolving door for beautiful and supportive friends that come to buy a copy and celebrate with me and then the rest of the books go off to my storage "warehouse" where they sit pateintly and wait for the day they go to their new home where I know they will be treasured and loved! 

Its so exciting only 24 hours later to get emails and messages on FB from people who have received their copy already and LOVE it!

I hope and pray that you love CUT OUT THE CRAP FOR KIDS as much as CUT OUT THE CRAP and even half as much as I LOVE them! I hope my recipes bring MANY happy memories to your home and that they become long term family favourites.

Take Care Of You,

Coll x