thermomix raw protein bliss balls

It's the second day of winter here in Australia and already my body wants to hibernate under a heavy feather doona and fill it's tummy with not so healthy treats. In the past these treats consisted of anything potato but this year I've been craving sweets. But not just any sweet. Chocolate. Yes, you heard right. Chocolate of all things!

So to satisfy my new chocolate cravings and tame the veteran chocoholic in the house without compromising our health journey, I made my own version of the ever so popular bliss balls. We still get our chocolatey fix while jam packing all of this natural goodness into our bodies!

  
I like to use a variety of nuts and seeds to jam pack as many vitamins as possible, but if you don't have all of the nuts or seeds on hand, use any combination that you have in your pantry. And if you're allergic to nuts, use only seeds and add some coconut. The variations are endless and will suit any taste and diet!

 Try them for yourself, they're SO easy and SO SO addictive...

NB. Use the gram directions if using your Thermomix and the cup/spoon directions if using your food processor:

 Add the following ingredients to your Thermomix or food processor:

120g pitted organic dates (about 6 large dates)
40g raw organic almonds (1/4 cup)
40g raw organic cashews (1/4 cup)
40g raw organic walnuts (1/3 cup)
35g organic sunflower seeds (1/4 cup)
35g organic pumpkin seeds (1/4 cup)
60g organic sultanas (1/2 cup)
2 tbsp raw organic cacao (not cocoa)
1 tbsp organic chia
1 tbsp ground organic linseed/flaxseed

Thermomix speed 9 for 45 seconds or process in your food processor until the mix is ground and dough like.

Roll into balls and then roll through organic coconut or more cacao. Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.  

And last but not least, enjoy and don't forget to share them!

Makes 20-24

Michelle xo

saying goodbye to 2012

In the blink of an eye and 2013 is here! Of course I have no complaints about 2012... It was a crazy busy year for sure and it passed far too quickly but it was a year I will never forget and wouldn't trade for anything!

2012 was the year of more adorable babies born to some of my dearest family and friends, particularly my sweet niece Maxi. The year of many more friends marrying the loves of their lives and one particularly beautiful and magical wedding in Bali. It was a year of escapes - Bali, Tasmania, Lakes Entrance, Ocean Grove and countless more escapes of the day dreaming kind! Lots of talking about renovations but little time to get enough of it done! More quality time with my family, particularly with my sister(s) and my adorable nephew and niece. New friendships forged and old friendships strengthened. There were time management challenges like never before. Balancing a full-time job while building a new business. Working early... And late. And there were the weekends too. Work was crazy busy and momentous changes were on the horizon. Lil' feet found its feet and was busy with more parties, more invitations and lots more baking. There were tremendously difficult moments but God heard our prayers and miracles were made. It was the year of making mistakes but also the year for reflection, discovery and acceptance. 2012 certainly was a fantastic year!

Now it's 2013. A new year. A new beginning. Blessed with another chance to love more, rest more, create more and do everything a little better than last year. And maybe work toward these resolutions... 

Strengthen my connection and trust in God. Be grateful for my blessings and express my appreciation to those I love. Even more quality time with my partner and my family. Learn to let go (in so many ways). Try new things. Learn to trust myself and my abilities. Put myself first when it matters and know that I deserve it. Exercise a little (actually, a lot!) more. Finish the renovations (all of it!). Get organised. Build my business. Make more time to blog. Be a better version of me. And wherever I go, go with all my heart.

They're lofty resolutions but they're important to me. So I say, why not give it a go! 

 What are your resolutions for 2013?

Michelle xx

o christmas tree, o christmas tree...

"...much pleasure thou can'st give me!"

Or so the lyrics to the carol go because there's yet to be a Christmas tree trimming in my home that has ended in pleasure! 

Let me paint you a picture:

It all starts innocently enough. It's December 1st and I'm super eager to put the tree up and decorate the house. The man of the house however is not so eager as memories of Christmas past are still fresh in his mind.

 I'm flitting about the house singing "deck the halls" while the man of the house is struggling as he wheels the massive Christmas tree box up the slanted driveway. Yep, you heard right. Our Christmas tree is so darn big, we had to have a cabinet maker build a storage box with wheels! Seriously, I have no idea what we were thinking when we bought this monster of a tree! So he finally gets the tree into the house and I'm left to fluff up the needles as he gets the rest of the decorations from the garage. Now this is where it all goes pear shaped for us. I eagerly rip out the lights and start to wind them around the tree, but the man of the house has returned and has almost had a heart attack watching me. Because any normal person knows that the lights, all 1000 of them, need to be laid out, winding like a snake through the house, to ensure there are no tangles and they're all working properly. Pfft! I like to create and decorate, so there's no time to be practical! But I lose the battle and the lights go up the 'normal' way. Bickering as we follow each other around the tree, each of us doing it totally wrong in the eyes of the other. By this point the man of the house has delegated the hanging of the decorations to me, probably because he knows there's a right way of doing it and he really can't be bothered. Who could blame him? With a tree over 7 foot high, it's a monstrous job!

So the decorations go up, but only the gold and pearl ones (!) Then the man of the house turns the lights on and I gasp, realising that yet again, we've hung the white LED lights (or as we've rightly named them, the blue nightclub lights... yes, they're that bad!) instead of my beautiful fairy lights!   

     Jokes aside, I still love this time of year!

And I'd love to show you what we've done this year...

 

  

And just a few more presents left to wrap and I'll be done!

Michelle xx 

handmade christmas cards and favors - 2012

This year I momentarily contemplated buying my Christmas cards but then I realised, I have a sister!! So I thought I could convince her to join me in an afternoon of card making. Yes! What a brilliant idea! She would have called it slave labor but I would have paid her with chocolate... I swear! But lucky for my sister (not so lucky for me), she was busy that weekend (or so she says!). 

But after a late night or two, I finished them all!

The card on the right is what I started with but of course I had to run out of gold card and pearls, so I used my left over wrapping paper for the last of the cards and I think these turned out better! Funny how well thought out plans work fine but it's the unexpected things along the way that turn out best.

And here are the favors - A small ring box with white Christmas pearls (truffles)...

   

Last year I added a favor to every card I gave out but I've run out of time this year so I've only made enough for my immediate family. To everyone else I send you something even better... Double the love and best wishes this Christmas!

Michelle xx

a theme for christmas 2012

Only 27 days until Christmas and I'm just a little nervous.
By this time last year, I had my decorations at the ready, cards made and favors planned and ready to be made. But this year has been unbelievably busy and I've fallen way behind. WAY BEHIND. So much so that for a fleeting moment today, I contemplated buying my cards and even delegating the tree trimming to the man of the house! 

Now I did say that moment was fleeting because I would never actually relinquish total control of the tree trimming! NEVER. 

So it seems I've got a few late nights ahead of me but at least I've settled on this years theme. Can you guess?

Gold 'n Pearls. Elegant, classic and very grown up.

Now wish me luck as I try and rocket through the rest of my Christmas 'to do' list!

Michelle xx

time and money saving tips for work lunches

In my last post I shared some ideas on how to get organised and save time and money in the kitchen.

So when it comes to work lunches, I want to be organised.

No. Strike that.

I NEED to be organised.

You see the problem is I'm addicted to anything not organic at the moment. And to make matters worse, my office is next door to McDonald's and adjacent to Southland Shopping Centre with two tempting food courts at my finger tips. And did I mention my office is next door to McDonald's?

Yes, organic eating is a huge priority in my life, but I'm still human. I still crave chips and I still buy a not so healthy lunch if I've forgotten to bring my own. 

So as you can tell, I NEED to be organised!

And this is how I do it...

1. Breakfast at the ready!

I love rolled oats and sometimes quinoa but like most people, don't have the time to make it fresh each morning. So on Sunday night I will make a batch and portion it into a few containers. Then during the frantic morning rush, all I have to do is add my milk, cinnamon and heat or take it to work and eat it while my computer loads. Simple! (This also works with the ready made fruit salad and boiled eggs I mentioned in my previous post) 

2. Prepare lunch the night before!

A couple of years ago I started preparing my lunch and snacks the night before. Because even with the best intentions, mornings can be frantic and it's easy to leave the house having skipped breakfast and forgetting to prepare lunch. 

3. Portion snacks once a week!

A few months ago, feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, I had a mini meltdown while on the phone to my sister. Always the optimist, she suggested I continue to rethink ways I can cut back on my to do list to give myself more of a break each night. Her first suggestion was to portion my work snacks for the entire week rather than each night. She made a lot of sense this beautiful sister of mine! Now it doesn't sound like much, but remember I eat organically and organic rarely comes in single serve tubs or ready made packets!

Now every Sunday night I set aside 10 minutes to portion out my snacks. 

The yoghurt...

The nuts and seeds...

I also air pop dry corn...

And bake some muffins, muesli bars or banana bread...

One trip to the fridge and pantry. One spoon, knife and chopping board to wash. One bench to wipe. Much more free time of a weeknight and healthy snacks at the ready to curb unhealthy snacking! Then each night all I have to do is make my salad/sandwich/wrap or pack leftovers and I'm done!

4. Keep a stash of healthy snacks at work!
For days I've forgotten my lunch or ploughed through my whole days worth of snacks by 11am, I have a drawer stocked with healthy snacks. Extra nuts, wholegrain crackers, cashew spread, air popped corn, baked beans and extra fruit... Now there's no excuse not to eat healthy!

5. Carry a stash in your handbag!
A zip lock bag of nuts, dried fruit, popcorn, etc. is perfect for snacking on the run and saves you a fortune in trips to the vending machine when out and about. I also carry around my trusty stainless steel drink bottle filled with filtered water to prevent me from paying over $3 for a bottle of water or succumbing to the Coke temptation!

You see, being organised not only equates to health eating and more money in your pocket but also an extra 20-30 minutes to sleep in each morning!

Yippee!

Michelle xx  

time and money saving tips in the kitchen

I often receive blog emails from you asking how I manage to fit so much into my day. The honest truth is I am no different to any one of you and I'm certainly not superhuman!

There are days my fridge and pantry are practically empty and my house looks like a tornado has torn through the walls. There are days I've rushed out the door and arrived at work with mascara on one eye and having forgotten breakfast, lunch and my swipe tags. There are weeks I've forgotten to call mum or respond to a friends text or email. Then there are days my 'to do' list multiplies rather than reduces and other days I fall into a heap having done nothing at all. 

All this and I don't even have children!

But if you do, then I am in awe of you because you probably manage to fit a whole week of tasks, errands and experiences into just one day! You need to tell me how YOU do it!!

But to answer your question, short of adding an eighth day to the week, I do have to find creative ways to save time and money. My most significant time hurdle involves my choice to live my life as organically as possible. This translates to shopping at multiple stores each week and making almost everything from scratch. And I mean almost everything.

But of course where there is a will (and a budget *sigh*) there is always a way!

Here are a few ways I save time and money in the kitchen:

1. Check the fridge and pantry, browse the supermarket catalogues and write a shopping list!

This way I don't double up on what I already have (except for my non-perishables which I buy on special and in bulk); I can plan my meals around the specials (particularly meat where huge savings can be made); there is little to no impulse buying; and the shopping trip is shorter because I know exactly what I need! 

2. Prepare weekly meal plans!

This allows me time to plan out well balanced meals and prompts me to make a start on things that need to be done the night before (eg: take meat out to defrost or soak beans over night). And say goodbye to mid week trips to the supermarket because you would have bought everything you need when you made your one trip to the supermarket with that magical list! 

 

3. Frozen staples at the ready!

I only use dry beans and legumes and try to eat seasonally but I have to be organised! So every few months I cook big batches of beans and chickpeas and freeze portions in ziplock bags. Then with the convenience of a can (but without the added nasties found in the aluminium or its's plastic lining which usually contains Bisphenol A (BPA)), I can add a bag to my soup, pasta or salad! Toward the end of each season I also buy fruit and vegetables in bulk (and raid my parents vegetable garden!), wash, chop (blanch where needed) and freeze portions in ziplock bags. This is a must if I want to eat organic yellow peppers and berries in winter and hearty winter vegetables in summer! Not to mention beautiful organic stewed apples ready to be used in muffins, pies, banana bread and on ice-cream. Yum!

4. Wash salad and sandwich ingredients and store in crispers!

How many times a week do you search for all your bags of fresh sandwich or salad ingredients and wash them ready for use? If you're like me, once or twice a day! But now after I return from my grocery shop, I wash all of my lettuce and store it in a Decor crisper. I also have another container with my usual salad ingredients - tomatoes, cucumber, capsicums and carrots - all washed and ready to be used. And why pay more for the pre-washed lettuce and pre-cut vegetables? We all know they're not actually washed and stored using water!

5. Pre-cut vegetables for tomorrow or the day after!
If you're chopping up vegetables for your roast tonight, why not cut extra for tomorrows lunch or for the soup or stir-fry you're planning on making tomorrow and the day after? Saves on time and washing up!

 6. Roast vegetables!
If I have the oven on, I will put in a tray of red capsicums, zucchini, sweet potato or any other vegetable I find in the crisper. When done, peel the roasted capsicums and store the vegetables in air tight containers. Perfect for a quick and healthy addition to your salad, sandwich or risotto! 

7. Double the quantity!

When cooking, I often double or triple the quantity. This leaves me with extra serves to have for lunch the next day or to freeze for nights I get home late or don't feel like cooking.

8. Cook ups!

I wait until particular organic meat cuts go on special and I buy in bulk. Then every two months I spend a half or full day cooking big batches of meals to freeze. I'll make bolognese, pasta sauces, stews, soups, pizza bases, quiche, schnitzels and meatballs, etc. Think of how much time you would save and how many nights you don't have to cook! That's good enough incentive for me plus it saves me money too!

9. Make your own stock!
Next time you're making soup, why not double the quantity and freeze half the strained broth for the next time you need stock? It takes no time at all and you know exactly what's in it... No glutamate, added salt, colors, preservatives or anti caking agents!

10. Prepare a container of vegetable and cheese sticks!

If you're like me and love snacking but always reach for the naughty snacks because they're quick and easy, then this tip is for you! Every few days I peel and chop carrots, cucumber, celery and cheese and store in the fridge in air tight containers. I also make a big batch of spicy pita crisps with left over pita pockets every couple of weeks. Great for snacks at home or ready to take to work, or to add to a meal where the vegetable count is looking a little grim!

 

11. More snacks!

Air pop  some corn, make a fruit salad and boil some eggs once a week, then when you're feeling like a snack, it's ready to eat and there's no excuse to reach for the chips or biscuits!

12. Bake!

Bake a cake, muffins, cookies, muesli bars, anything that takes your fancy. It's quick, cheap and you know exactly what you've put in it! I try and make something at least once a week to add to the lunchbox, as a healthy dessert or to put out when visitors drop in unexpectedly. Don't forget you can also freeze muffins, cake and banana bread in single portions - just be sure to wrap them well!

13. Buy in bulk!
For the non perishables, buy them in bulk and when on sale. 10c here and $1 there may not seem like much, but over the year you could be saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars!

So what are you waiting for? Go get organised and save yourself lots of time and even more money!

Michelle xx

do what makes you happy, he says...

I never thought the time would come where I would lose my passion for everything I love doing. 

Never in my wildest dreams.

But ever so suddenly, that time came.

Over the last two months I have faced the prospect of losing a person I have loved and looked up to every single day of my life. Each day has been filled with quiet sadness, an overwhelming feeling of disbelief and indescribable numbness. So numb that everything that once brought me joy began to feel meaningless.

But while sitting with him the other night, a tear in my eye, he whispered quietly:

"Life is too short my beautiful girl. Even at my age, after so many years alive, it feels like there just isn't enough time in life. So do what makes you happy... every day, something that makes you feel happy. Because for now, happiness is here on earth..."

He then held my hand and asked me to share another memory from my recent trip to Bali.

 That's just the man he is.

Even through his pain he has always been so beautifully motivated to enjoy every humble moment in life. And to enjoy every humble moment in the life of his family who he cherishes with every ounce of his being. 

He always has and always will.

So with that sentiment, how could I not dip my lil' feet back into what once brought me happiness?

 The inspiration may have been lost but never truly forgotten.

And although I don't quite have the motivation or time to embark on a new project just yet, I can start by sharing another of my creative endeavours.

Photography.

So these Bali photos are for the most inspirational man I know.

This is me doing what makes me happy.

This is me remembering to cherish everyday and everything.

 

 

 

  

Michelle xx