After helping my mother move Dad’s excessive DVD collection to the new house, we met my sister and went for a relaxing, child-free(!), coffee at the newish cafe at Speers Point Park, Sal’s by the Lake.

Mum and Jen each got the coffee and cake for $7.

They look like Sara Lee cakes to me!

Tall foam! (I went back this weekend for takeaway coffee, but they’re run out of soy milk. At midday. *sadface*)

I was mid juice cleanse so I sipped my lemongrass and ginger tea, before scouting out the new playground. It looks awesome!

After 30 years in the same house, and 55 years in the one suburb for my poor mum, my parents are finally moving out of Blackalls! They’ve bought a place 10km away, near a park, the lake, and with some already established roses and fruit and veg plants!

It even came with a giant dog out the back! Well over the back fence. This guy is HUGE!

Have you ever had the pleasure of having tomatoes that have sprouted up from your compost bin? Or a pumpkin vine snake its way through your flowers? Or strawberries popping up here and there? These cherry tomatoes are growing up behind the garage in the back corner of the yard. And taste delicious. (especially plucked straight from the plant!). Think it counts as organic and sustainable if we’ve just found them growing, then staked up a few with some leftover fence posts and grass we just pulled?

Back yard oranges and rhubarb, just waiting for me to stew them together and eat with some Greek yoghurt :) Or the oranges waiting for Rish to pluck them and juice them!

The mint is also rather wild. I’m told that you can use it to help with fleas? I was wondering about making my own herbal tea from it?

A few weeks back I went to a Kleenex Mums/Cottonelle event which was buzzing with ideas for saving money while being more environmentally friendly at the same time. Backyard gardens were among the many ways mentioned that we could make a small difference to our footprints. Check out Pin to Make a difference for some tips and ideas!

Yeah! Chokos! Apparently you can eat them, not just throw them at the year seven kids!

*********

You can WIN a Cottonelle hamper by commenting below with your favourite tip for being sustainable around the house, garden or office. Tips around food of course are warmly welcomed :) One entry per person. Aussie addresses only. Entries close 9pm Friday 25/05/2012, and the winner will be chosen by me, with the criteria of being the one that makes me nod the most and go “yes, THAT!”. :)

The prize pack consists of an array of products, including:
- Viva cleaning products
- Kleenex Cottonelle Flushable Wipes
- Kleenex Cottonelle toilet tissue
- Kleenex Tissues
- 1 Kleenex Cottonelle puppy toy

(I think it’s worth entering for the puppy toy! As pictured below!)

It’s a real thing.

PS, it’s 2 months until my 30th Birthday and in place of gifts, I’m asking that people flick a small donation towards the Steve Waugh Foundation. I’m hoping to raise $1000, so if anyone who was thinking about sending me a card donated $5 instead, it would help boost my total. You can always send ecards. They’re just as appreciated! :)

MWAH

(over the knee socks. perfect with a knee length dress)

(Image from The Food Pornographer via google :p)

Ugh.

Got a chips and a solo at Morriset.

It’s been a long day. And now I feel like a greaseball.

(Don’t read the “Nutritional” Information)

Lettuce for dinner?

This is a guest post from ActionAid. I have not received payment for this post

Women in developing countries face many challenges – low social status, poverty, and little to no formal education to name a few. Even today, women in those countries do not enjoy the rights that we take for granted. Charities like ActionAid aim not only to give them a voice, but also to let them take charge of their lives.

Fighting sexual violence

The difference in physical power between men and women, traditional cultural roles and sometimes legislation make women vulnerable to sexual violence. Women often find it hard to resist unwanted sexual demands, to demand protected sex in order to protect themselves from HIV infections and to fight traditional practices such as Female Genital Mutilation.

To address these issues, ActionAid provides safe and supportive forums for girls to discuss sensitive issues such as instances of violence that are committed against them. The organisation also fights legislation that further victimises the victim of sexual assault, such as the Hudood Ordinance in Pakistan. ActionAid also makes religious and traditional leaders aware of the dangers of practising Female Genital Mutilation.

The right to an education

Around 517 million women around the world are illiterate. As a result, they are often confined to low-skill and low-paying jobs and are denied the ability and the right to demand a better life. Families often do not consider sending daughters to school a worthy investment, as the quality of the education is often poor, or their daughters will soon be married off.

ActionAid realises that the quality of education is the first step in raising the education level among women, and is constantly working with locals to make sure governments are adequately managing the quality of education in terms of the qualifications of the teachers and the amount of resources dedicated to the education system.

Representation in the public sphere

Women are often excluded from the decision making process – whether at the household level or at the community level. In some communities, women simply assume that men will not permit them to participate in community activities which are beyond their domestic and reproductive duties. The need for women to be included in any decision-making process is particularly important, because current policies often neglect their rights and needs.
ActionAid has made recommendations to relevant governments and organisations to dedicate resources to build capacity for local women to be involved in decision making processes. The organisation has also helped communities to strengthen their local governance structure to increase women’s participation in leadership.

What you can do to help

ActionAid runs a number of campaigns and appeals year round that address the needs and rights of women. Whether you want to learn more or volunteer your time, there are a number of ways that you can help the important causes and the rights of women they champion. You can also sponsor a child to make sure they have the resources to learn and succeed – remember, every dollar makes a difference.

Author bio: Alex Smith is a freelance writer and women’s rights activist who believes that everyone can make a difference to women’s rights around the world – whether they sponsor a child or make a small one-off donation.

You can Follow ActionAid on Twitter or Facebook.

From a morning walk at Warners Bay Foreshore this week.

That sinking feeling when your card is rejected at the supermarket.

Because you have the money, but not on you. Not in that account.

You call your partner to transfer it across. No answer.

Take a few items off to get closer because you think you have roughly $12 in there.

Rejected again.

Breathe. Stop shaking.

He calls you back, you had ten. Puts money in.

You walk away with the groceries.

And breathe.

What’s the worst that could happen?

People could look, could judge.

Or they might not, and you just have to come back later.

It’s not the end of the world. Is it?

Pay more attention next time.

And breathe.

Lookin’ pretty cool.

Cowboy!

Lego Ninja!!

More Sunday Selections photos.

Gluten Free Simon Says Burger.

This juice was provided to me at no charge by Urban Remedy

18 bottles of the new winter menu of juices, soups and smoothies showed up to my door about 9:30am Tuesday, so I thought I’d start that day as I hadn’t yet eaten that morning, plus I’d had a rough night the night before, so why not start something positive a day early? :)

Breakfast / aka #1, was a “healing smoothie” of avocado, banana, coconut, vanilla and chia seeds. “Tastes like liquid banana bread” said Rish. I wasn’t so enthusiastic, but the smoothie was a filling way to start each day (especially after my long walks in the mornings). I’m surprised they didn’t add a little lemon to slow the browning.

Juice #2 each day was “metabolism booster” of lemon juice, agave, cayenne pepper and water. A little tingle on my tongue, nice and hydrating, and made this chilli wuss sniffle on Wednesday :p Wasn’t hungry at the time it came to have this one each day, so full from the first smoothie, so no worries about it just being a light juice.

Lunch was a “repairing” lentil soup, with carrot, onion, tomato, garlic, onion, veggie stock, olive oil, rosemary and thyme. Deceptive in size in the bottle, there was a lot more to it once poured into the bowl. And reminded me how much I love my warm lentil soups in winter to fill me up for cheap and warm and being good for me! :)

#4 was another light juice – this time, as joked about with Rish, “alkalising” – apple, silverbeet, celery, lemon and parsley. “Not as bad as it sounds” was Rish’s verdict on that one. I quite liked it :) again, fit in well in the schedule of juices (one every two hours) and soups.

Dinner was another (“purifying”) soup, slightly less filling this time – asparagus, leek, pea, broccoli, olive oil, veggie stock, raw cashews, cumin. Again, getting ideas for soups this winter! (and using nuts for proteiney padding?). Went down well after each of a few long days.

Night drink, and “calming smoothie”, definitely better warmed up, of coconut milk, raw cashews, raw cacao, agave, water. Was like a warm coconut milk hot chocolate. A nice way to fill the tummy before collapsing into bed!!!

Overall I really liked not having to think about food for a few days (aside from watching others eat cake and have cappuccino while I had herbal tea!), and the tastes of pretty much everything. I would have made the first one more lemony ;) I only got hungry a few times, and that was when I was out and hadn’t taken the next juice with me.

The fact that it was the same juices/smoothies/soups for three days straight was a little boring, totally couldn’t do that for five days! (I can see why people would get a whole head of Mondays in a row though to help them kick their butts into gear after the weekend!). I struggled a little with timing mine at times, as I was out and about on the Wednesday, and so the soups were a little trickier to juggle (but oh so worth it!)

It’s left me feeling a bit more inspired to continue with my health goals (yeah, I’ve lost 6 kilos this year in amongst everything else) and to keep on moving, and to keep discovering new soup recipes! :)

As found driving the truck.

Because that’s where I keep my leftovers.

(or, on my face. or ears. or eyes. or nose. like this carob)

*****

Congrats to Kel who won the Groupon voucher! Persistence pays off!

Arrived home just before five one day while we were in and out in the midst of packing up our things from Sydney, and *just* before a courier buzzed the flat. He came bearing a hamper with 4 huge packs of corn chips and a bottle of wine (which I promptly handing on to my flatmate).

Sweet! Snacks for the train ride to Newie!

We had four of the new flavours of Red Rock Deli corn chips to try. I, of course, went straight to the sea salt (the only gluten free option we were sent). Addictive, with those sneaky little poppy seeds to keep things interesting!

Rish and his dad got into the other flavours, the Jalapeno and mature cheddar tasting “like corn chips WITH salsa” and the Three Cheese being rather cheesy and the fourth sitting awaiting a verdict. Or a decent movie on the tele to sit down and snack on them during?

Red Rock Deli also have a range of dips coming out, which I haven’t come across yet, but I’ll be interested to try next time I have a gathering!

The flavours are

Thai Chilli, Lemongrass, Coriander and Cashew
Yogurt, Cucumber, Feta and Dill
Roasted Red Capsicum, Pecorino, Cashew and Basil
Moroccan Sweet Potato, Sesame and Pistachio
Balsamic Beetroot, Feta and Cashew
Hommus, Pinenut and Caramelised Onion

mmmmm

*******

WIN!!!

Thanks to Red Rock Deli and Porter Novelli, you can win a cooler bag stuffed with packs of corn chips like the one below.

Just let me know in the comments your ideal corn chip and dip combination (fantasy or reality) and why they go so well. Please keep it under 25 words. There are 4 cooler bags too win. You may enter once daily so long as the entries are different. Australian addresses only, please. Entries close Midday, Wednesday May 23. The winners will be selected for entertainment and awesomeness value by Porter Novelli.

I received 4 bags of the new Red Rock Deli corn chips and a bottle of wine (which was passed on to my flatmate!) from Porter Novelli in the hope I’d review them.

Entries are now closed, and the winners are Mommy Adventures, Margaret, Gary and Di Childs! Check your emails and get back to me with where we can send the pack! Woo! Meanwhile: Win a Kleenex puppy and products pack!

I received a cooler bag with herb tubes from Gourmet Garden to be able to participate in the Blog Off challenge. Below is my sketti bolognese, with the Gourmet Garden herbs in action. A step by step breakdown of cooking with Pinky.

Step One: Tie Back hair and PUT ON CAT EARS. Because I’m always more awesome when I’m a cat. Ears are, of course, from shanalogic.com, but they’re not stocked at the moment :(

Step Two: Figure out what I’m going to put in it.
What? You’d think I’d know before this in case I needed to pick a certain something up at the shops? Not this kitty. Yup, got the mince, tomatoes and veges when I was at the shops. The rest is left to the pantry gods.

Ingredients:
700g-1kg of mince. I have Beef 5 star here from Coles. I usually use Roo mince, but I couldn’t see it that day, plus Rish’s mum has an aversion to ‘roo meat…
2 tins diced tomatoes.
1 tin or tub of tomato paste.
An onion.
A carrot.
Some mushrooms.
Olive oil.
Red wine of your choice.
A few squirts of Garlic.
A few squirts Basil.
A squirt of Thyme.
A smattering of Oregano.
A pinch of Salt.

Pasta, to serve with it. I love San Remo’s gluten free range. It holds together well. Their usual pasta is here for the boys who like their meals full of gluten :p

Step Three: Crank on some tune via my last.fm radio

Step Four: Get cooking!

Yup, still got the ears on.

Okay, step one, dice the onion while a generous splash of olive oil heats in a large pan.

Brown it up a little, then add the mince.

Break up the mince as much as you can with the spatula. When it starts browning add the tomato sauce and paste.

Realise you need a can opener and search for it in the DRAWER OF DOOM.

Find it, safely. Add the tomato and fold it through. (You can ‘fold’ on the stovetop, right?)

Try not to trip over the dog at your feet while you fetch the herbs. He’d like that. You’d probably get mince everywhere and he’s eat all the mince. And be happy. But sick. But most importantly all those hours hanging around in the kitchen will have paid off!

Squirt in the desired amount of garlic, thyme, basil. Shake oregana and salt in. Add anything else you like, like chili, or rosemary, at this stage.

Chop the mushrooms and carrot roughly and throw in with a glass of wine.

Let this simmer for at least 20 mins, but an hour is better, just add more water and/or wine as the moisture boils away.

Serve with your pasta of choice and parmesan cheese, and a Greek salad. mmmmm. Enjoy that you have leftovers for days!

What’s your special bolgnese ingredient??

So, I won this from Mrs Woog with the most inane comment ever:

And I’m, to use the words of Justin Norris, stoked. (Bogan, hey? Yeah, takes one to know one :p)

I don’t use the stylus much, but I love the purrrty screen, and it’s so android and awesome.

And yes, its big, but I carry bags, so I so don’t care. :)

And I’ve been letting people choose their own ringtones… Whatcha reckon for Rish? ;)

I’m still in love with Shirley.

Mum picked this up and she made it for me when I was staying with her a few weeks ago. We may or may not have eaten 2/3 of the loaf with olive oil and balsamic vinegar instead of having dinner. Maybe.

;)

Kidnapped my sleep deprived sister (and aspiring food blogger? ??) on ANZAC day for a caffeine hit on Beumont street, Hamilton.

Unfortunately, the gluten free cinnamon toast took aaages to come, and could have done with more butter. But it was great to get out!

Caught up with friends for breakfast/lunch/something after waaaay to long (hey they’d been to Korea and the US in meantime!) at Cafe Newtown near the train station.

I had a delish fruit salad, and a coffee of course.

My friends split olive tapende toast with feta and a burger.

So many cafes in Newtown, so little time!

Are you, like me, the possessor of one, or more, KeepCups or other brand of reusable coffee cup? Yes?

Well, I was at an event for Kleeex the other week, and pledged on camera to use my KeepCup more often. So here we go. On the drive to Sydney from Newcastle, getting my soy latte is an attractive cup.

Step at a time!

(Hey, Mum! You can even get a Sydney Swans one!)

And, cute pics of me from the Kleenex event!

PS congrats to Jess who won the necklace!

I was given a voucher to use a Groupon.com.au which I used to purchase a voucher to Barramundi Bar and Grill, which I have passed onto friends who have promised me food porn!

We all love the daily deal sites, right?

Groupon sent me a voucher code to use on their site to check out how easily I could spend money there. (While saving it, of course!) $49 for $138 in value? Hard to say no if you come across the right deal!

Just head over to Groupon and come back and let me know what you’d spend the voucher on (or alternatively what you wouldn’t!!). There’s meals, kitchenware, beauty deals, or of course you might wanna put it towards one of the travel deals!

Entries open to Australian residents only, and will be select at random using the WP plugin after midday, Wednesday May 16th. You can enter up to once a day so long as each entry is different.

x

Room 507

My second stay at Ibis Little Bourke, this basic, but adequate, hotel, located ultra close to Southern Cross Station and within walking distance of all the best conference venues ;) (read about my first stay here)

I managed not to injure myself in the shower this time. The air con was quieter, and the towels better. I did pay more ($103 per night, this time through wotif, last time was through Qantas, but it WAS school holidays and a weekend this time).

They have a luggage storage area which we used, but don’t leave valuable there, because I kinda just walked in to get my bag and could have left with anything. You can pay for a locker there, or at the station, if you need. I just carried my zenbook around for the day ;)

Loved the 11am checkout, and our room was available before lunch on the day we got there :) I’m sure I’ll stay there again!

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Don’t forget to enter to win an awesome Shanalogic necklace!

Entries close midday today! (AEST)

I received half a dozen of these little bottles as part of Product Talk by Nuffnang, I have not received payment for this post

DO NOT take how oily my hair looks in this photo as evidence of the use of this oil. I just haven’t washed my hair in close to a week. Because I’m slack like that at the moment.

So, I got half a dozen of these little bottles of Dove Nutri Oil Serum to play with and review. Threw one the way of my flatmate, who had only positive things to say, so positive she was lacking words when I asked for her opinion:

As far as I was concerned, I loved the smell, and it did reduce the frizz levels on my frizzy hair (think I used it two days post wash). And it was a great excuse to have Rish brush my hair :) *spoilt*

Do you use products like this on your hair? I have to admit to being super lazy, but you know, if it’s sitting there, it may well get used!