Bye Bye Christmas

Farewell Christmas and hello 2014!  Man alive, it is almost February. Bit late for a Happy New Year isn't it. How did that happen? Regardless, I hope you have had a lovely break filled with love and laughter. I love the Christmas holidays. Always have. Sun, food, beach time, family, friends. 

So my first Christmas Day as host was a success, despite all attempts by the weatherman to ruin it. As you know, it was the first time in the history of my family to have a cold lunch - massive deal. AND, wouldn't you know it, it rained. All I wanted was to sit under our newly installed shade in the yard, drink champagne, eat prawns and engage in the usual family banter in the sunshine. Champagne prawns champagne prawns, repeat.  Alas, it rained so the party was moved into the half finished carport and it wasn't the warmest of weather. Boo. So we didn't end up sitting outside for as long as I hoped and the backyard games that I had planned didn't happen either. Argh well, better luck next time eh.

A definite highlight of the day was our tree. As part of the day I requested that everyone wrap their gifts in "neutral + white" theme. Not because I have OCD, but instead of the mess of that cheap ugly Santa paper, (that makes for awesome missiles come the obligatory paper fight afterwards mind you), we had a beautiful tree with gorgeous looking presents under it. I wasn't sure how my request would go down with the extended family, but in actual fact, what happened was that everyone loved the idea and putting that extra effort into the wrapping, extended the joy. Which was awesome. 

My mother-in-law took out the prize for best looking presents. She hand cut(!) and designed the reindeers, snowmen. She made sleighs out of cut cereal boxes and covered with brown paper!  She is one clever lady. A cold English Christmas on her mind. So clever.  

Below is a snapshot of our day and my wrapping the last two pics, which I loved doing - those air dry clay ornaments were awesome.  Will be doing those again next year for sure.

The man on the BBQ, that's my brother. He was cooking under a beach umbrella in the rain - legend. Those cooked prawns on ice, that was only 1/3 of them - we had 4 kilos! Whoops. May have over catered. Those salads, I will be sharing some of those recipes soon. Too darn good not to.

What did your day look like? As wet as mine?

Here's to another fab year. Hope yours treats you well.

PS - I have fixed the commenting capabilities on the blog now.  Thanks for your patience and letting me know. x

The Whole Pantry

So I was in the hairdressers the other day and as you do when you are sitting in the chair for HOURS, you talk about nearly everything. Somehow we got onto the topic of food, not actually surprising for me, lets be honest. Anyways, I was introduced to a seriously beautiful app that I just had to share.

It is called The Whole Pantry.  Know it?

Beautiful photography, coupled with insightful information, guides/references and not to mention yummy wholesome recipes. This app should be on everyone's phone.

The app was born of Belle Gibson's own journey of health discovery. She was diagnosed with a brain tumour with little knowledge of how to begin healing.

The Whole Pantry bring together the integral needs of a balanced life, with this app being your new pantry, or storeroom of health, wellness and lifestyle guides, recipes and inspiration. We don't think a healthy life starts and ends with food you eat or the exercise you do, but inclusive of the homes you live in and the environment around you.

I encourage you all to have a look at it. There is much more than simply recipes and there being soo much information about wholesome living on the web, Belle has cut through the crap and found great references for us... all in one place and all wrapped up in a pretty bow. A favourite part is that with each recipe, she has highlighted the health benefits of ingredients. So you make beautiful food while you learn of the benefits that food is doing to your body.  An often forgotten part of modern day, convenient eating.

Getting back to basics has never been so exciting.

Below are just a taste of the beautiful imagery and recipes.

The app costs $2.99 from the appstore.

You can thank me later! 

Blueberries...

Ever been blueberry picking?  I have to tell you, it is one of the most fun things you can do sober. Ha, did I just say that?  Kidding obviously.  But seriously, imagine a massive field filled to the brim with fruit bushes, trees and vines laden with beautiful fruit. Rows and rows of bushes. Actually, the place we went to had all types of fruit for the picking. We were there for the blueberries.

On arrival they give you a bucket with clear instructions NOT to eat any fruit till your bucket has been weighed and paid for. Like as if!  We may as well have been kids in a candy store. Who could possibly go there and not have a nibble of the sweet sweet plump balls of goodness as you pick them?  Its more funny when you go to pay and you have a blue tongue and blue lips.  Did you eat any of the fruit they ask?  Nope, not a single one!

Cannot wait till we head out again this year. Found this pic of the beautiful mumma bear and I at Clyde River Berry Farm tonight. It was from last season, but you get an idea of the fruit! If you are heading down the south coast around December, I encourage you to pay them a visit. A word of advice, do not put the address into your car's sat nav. Follow the directions on the website!  We made that mistake first time around.