Jess's 21st Birthday Bash

On Saturday night we were invited to the lovely Jess' birthday bash to celebrate her 21st. After a day of grumbling kids we actually were not even sure we would be able to make it as the kids pretty much were at each other the entire day (even a trip to the museum was not enough to make them happy). But we braved it and were surprised at actually how good the kids were!

Jess has been battling the flu and was lucky to even make it herself, as it was Anthony her husband was that ill he had to stay home. But I must say she did a great job with her family decorating and entertaining the guests. The theme was a masquerade and the kids and I made masks to wear which was fun! William was a king on the dance floor all night, so much so that Jess was amazed at just how much Will LOVES to dance! I was just grateful that no Zumba music was put on as he would have been shaking his groove thing!!!!!!

After lots of lovely food, a little to much over indulgence by some namely William for eating too much sugar. We said our goodbyes and travelled a couple of minutes down the road and heard a little man snoring (the dancing man was danced out).

Thanks Jess for sharing your 21st birthday with our family we had such a lovely time and hope that you enjoyed your birthday on the Sunday!

An Afternoon Tea Treat

Last Friday William and I were invited to Amelia's school for a special afternoon tea put on by the students in Amelia's class. The students were very professional looking after the needs of their guests and would ask if we would like tea or coffee or cordial. William was extremely well looked after as he was taken of my hands by some lovely young girls who thought he was the bees knees! He was grooving along showing his hot dance moves on the floor and keeping all entertained as he went! Even though it was an activity for Amelia's class she became a little shy and sat out away from the crowds of parents so I don't have any photos of her to add. At least I here she did enjoy the cupcakes and cordial rather alot! The afternoon tea also sat well time wise as Amelia's teacher is taking long service and her last day was the Friday so the class also were able to celebrate her end of year celebrations a little early! Rose is off on a lovely trip around the USA for a few months and we look forward to hearing all about her adventures via her blog while she is away.

Regeneration Diet

So after feeling a little bla for a while I have decided to put myself on the Regeneration Diet. This is a diet that we got from our naturopath a while back for Amelia. It is a great diet to help cleanse and detox from the harsh things we sometimes forget that we out into our body. I am hoping that after 2 weeks I can gently add back in some small things (like chocolate) but we will see how I feel in two weeks! So people have asked what the diet looks like and I have added some more information below:

Foods to Eat Freely

FRUIT- all types of fruit are fine

VEGETABLES- all are free to eat, however the following are higher in fibre but low in carbs

Asparagus, cucumber, soybeans, tomatoes, eggplants, turnips, carrots, beets, lettuce, okra, collards, onions, greens, cauliflower, string beans, brussel sprouts, green pepper, mustard greens, broccoli, radishes, parsley, celery, cabbage

MEATS AND EGGS
Chicken, seafood, veal, turkey, lamb, wild game, lean beef and eggs

UNPROCESSED NUTS
Almond, cashew, walnut, sunflower seeds, brazil nuts, pecan nuts, pumpkin seeds

UNPROCESSED OILS (cold pressed oils)
Olive, safflower, soy, walnut, corn. coconut, palm

FOODS TO EAT CAUTIOUSLY (limited quantities)
High Carb Vegetables: sweet corn, peas, squash, beans, lima beans, potatoes

Whole Grains: barley, corn, oats, rice, millet, wheat

FOODS TO AVOID

All foods containing sugar and honey
Packaged and processed foods
White flour products and Wheat
Yeast: supplements or any food containing yeast
Breads, pastries and other bakery goods which use yeast (yeast free, wheat free sourdough is fine)
Concentrated yeast spreads like vegemite and marmite etc
Malt and Malt products
All alcoholic beverages
Vinegar and vinegar containing foods including sauces, mayonnaise, salad dressings, pickles and relishes
Condiments
Processed and smoked meats, eg salami, sausages etc
Pork
All dairy products
Mushrooms/fungi, melons, dried and canned fruit, commercial fruit juices
Coffee, all products containing caffeine, tea

We have done this before BUT not as strictly, Amelia was on this diet but we did have to allow a couple of things as she is such a fussy eater but overall she did pretty well. This will be the first time I will be following it and I am looking forward to thinking of different ideas I can come up with. Today was a little boring as I only ate fresh fruit for breakfast and apple for mid morning, a miso soup for lunch and 1/2 cup of nuts for afternoon tea. Hoping I don't get the sugar crave soon!!!!!!! It is all about will power and I know that I need to change my focus and see that food is fuel and start eating to that motto, easier said than done when one loves to bake!!!!!!!

Source

Whoopie Pies!

I have seen whoopie pies around for a while now and I have been wanting to make them for a while but have been too busy or too tiered to get around to making them until today! Today I made some red velvet whoopies and I must say they tasted pretty good. Now for those who have never heard of whoopies before they are a cross between a cupcake and a cookie.

Ingredients
For the pies

125g softened butter
200g caster sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
300g self raising flour
20g cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
250ml buttermilk
2 teaspoons red food colouring
100ml boiling water

Butter Cream

250g chocolate broken in pieces
160g butter
125g icing sugar

To decorate
 white chocolate

1. Pre heat oven to 180 degrees or 170 degrees for a fan forced.

2. Cream the butter and sugar in  a bowl, until light and creamy. Add the egg and vanilla and beat in well.

3. Sift the flour, cocoa powder and baking powder twice and add to the butter, sugar and egg mix, add in the buttermilk and food colouring and whisk till combined. Next add in the hot water and whisk till combined.

4. Place the mixture into a piping bag with a large nozzle and pipe 6cm diameter circles onto a tray lined with grease proof paper allowing room for a little spreading. Allow them to stand on the trays for 10 minutes before putting in the oven. Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes. Remove trays and allow the pies to cool slightly before turning out onto a wire rack to cool.

To make the butter cream

1. Put chocolate pieces into a heat proof bowl and place over a saucepan filled with simmering water, being careful not to allow the water to touch the bowl. Stir until the chocolate has fully melted and remove the bowl from the water. Add in the chocolate and stir until melted allow the mix to cool slightly, then add in the sifted icing sugar and whisk using an electric whisk until creamy.
2. Put the butter cream into a piping bag and pipe a generous swirl of butter cream onto one half of the whoopie pie then place the other half of the whoopie pie on top.

To decorate

Melt some white chocolate and smooth over the top, allowing to set, then add a dusting of cocoa powder.

Rushing Gorge

Friday afternoon was thought we would take the family on a little walk around the Gorge with the plan to kick a ball around, however as I have not been listening to the news of late I realised once we got there that the water had come all the way up to the playground, which means we couldn't kick the footy around. We did however enjoy a walk over the Suspension Bridge and then a short kick in the other playground, until I decided we should head back when I could no longer feel my fingers and toes (they actually had turned blue and I could hardly even push the button to take photos). Charlotte was very alert as we crossed the bridge twice as she was looking from one side to the other at all the noise. Was pretty cool, apart from when Ryan was making the bridge shake a little more than normal! Highlight for me was seeing the start of spring on its way!

A Date with the Hawks!

Well Amelia and William were a bit upset last time the Hawks came down and we couldn't go and see them so we booked the date for there return trip and last trip to Hobart this season. We were unable to get tickets to the game but we did manage to see them train on the Saturday before. Again Amelia stalked Hawka and this time Will enjoyed attempting to kick a football. Charlotte, Ryan and I tried to stay warm but decided that Aurora Stadium was not well designed as the area where the changerooms are and the area that we have to stay in gets NO sun in the afternoon and as a result it was FREEZING. The things we do for our children!

Amelia got a new Hawthorn top so she can add another to her collection!

Charlotte supporting our local team and keeping warm.

Chocolate and Hazelnut Torte

Last night I made a desert that I think was to die for! I have never made a Torte and so had to do a little bit of homework on the net to find the basics of how to make one. The inspiration came from the one made on Masterchef by Kate Sunday night. So after arming myself with the principles this is the recipe I came up with:

Ingredients

5 egg-whites
1 cup caster sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 tablespoon cornflour
1 teaspoon white vinegar
½ cup hazelnut meal


What to do


Beat the egg whites till stiff then gradually add in the sugar, a little at a time making sure each sugar is dissolved and the egg whites are shiny and stiff. Next add the cornflour, cacoa powder and the white vinegar. Next gently fold in the hazelnut meal, careful not to over stir it.


Pre heat oven to 120 degrees and cut out grease proof paper in circles about the size of an entree dinner plate, and place them on a baking trays. Divide the mixture between the three cut outs and bake in the pre heated oven on 120 degrees for about 25-35 minutes. Turn off the oven and open the door slightly and leave for approx. 30  minutes or until cooled.


The insides


I used creme fraiche and caster sugar whisked together to make it a little easier to spread and making sure the sugar was dissolved. I also made a chocolate ganache using 1/2 cup cream and 400g milk chocolate. In a saucepan combine the cream and chocolate and stir over medium heat until chocolate is melted, remove it from the heat and allow to cool a little ( as it cools it will thicken up) When at desired consistency start layering the Torte placing one of the cakes at the bottom and then spread creme fraiche then the chocolate ganache then layer another cake on top and repeat. To finish drizzle the ganache over the top and allow it to drizzle down the sides.


Cut small slices (as it is very rich) and enjoy!