Mademoiselle Slimalicious... A healthy lifestyle inspired by French culture!

Natural Skincare & Conscious Cosmetics

2013-06-18T22:29:00.001+10:00

As you know I inspire to live a greener and healthier life but that doesn't mean I should look like a hippie! There is nothing wrong with looking like a hippie, don't get me wrong, just that I am more of a girly girl! Maman is a real lady (she doesn't go out of the house without wearing makeup and a pair of heels) so I most likely got it from her! I made the switch to natural skincare 2 years ago after reading about the toxicity of many chemical and synthetic ingredients used in everyday makeup products. From time to time I like to feature here some of my favourite eco-friendly and natural skin care products as I discover them (Mokosh, Milk, Lavera, Weleda, Perfect Potion etc.)

Why natural skincare is better

Skin is our largest organ and when you think that the average woman uses up to 12 personal care products a day, it is scary to realise how many toxic ingredients we are injecting ourselves without even realising it! Products containing petrochemicals, synthetic fragrances and preservatives are particularly at risk. Toxic might be cheaper for the manufacturers but it is definitely not better for the end consumer.

Where can you buy the best natural skincare products?

I find there is a large range of natural skincare & cosmetics available in Australia, however not all products available for purchase have been assessed for public health and safety. Unlike some of their competitors, Conscious Cosmetics stocks a diversity of natural and safe product ranges from hair care to lipsticks, men’s products and baby care products that have all been previously screened for safety and any signs of toxicity.

The lovely Loretta from Conscious Cosmetics kindly gifted to me some winter essentials products to try including A'kin facial mask, Sukin Hydration Booster, Botani Makeup Remover and Inika Concelear. I had never tried these products before and I love them already! They all contain pure active botanic ingredients, are cruelty free, safe and affordable.

If you too are looking to switch to non-toxic personal care, I recommend you check their website. They stock a wide variety of alternatives to mainstream cosmetics. Their product base is added to every month as they discover more and more safer cosmetics on the market.

What is your favourite winter skincare product?

Go Red For Women 2013: When Did You Get Heart Checked Last?

2013-06-15T16:52:00.000+10:00

You may have read in my Heart Week post last month that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of Australian women. Yes, really - scary, isn't it?! In order to encourage women to make healthier choices and reduce their risk of heart disease, The National Heart Foundation of Australia organises every year the Go Red for Women campaign.

With heart disease, there are some risk factors that you can’t change, such as getting older, your gender and having a family history of heart disease, but there are also other factors that you can control, such as smoking, blood pressure and cholesterol.

To make sure I was on track I decided to visit my local GP for a heart check. The appointment lasted about 15 minutes. We first talked about my family history. I explained to the doctor my concerns about heart disease given that my maternal grand-mother passed away at 60 from a fatal stroke. Dad is also suffering from high cholesterol and clogged arteries (arterial plaque). He had surgery last year.

During the second part of the visit, the doctor asked questions about my lifestyle habits. I used to be a smoker but I quit over 5 years ago, which is a good thing especially because I'm using an oral contraceptive (the combination of the two increases risk of heart, stroke and blood vessel disease). I exercise a couple of times a week, my BMI is in the normal range and I eat healthy (most of the time). I drink alcohol only on occasions and watch how much salt I eat by avoiding processed foods.

The doctor then measured my blood pressure which was 110/70. He said it was good. We also looked back at the results from a routine blood test I did about 6 months ago and the GP explained how cholesterol increases the risks of heart disease. There are often no symptoms associated with cholesterol and you don’t need to be overweight to have high cholesterol levels, hence the importance to get your level checked regularly.

The GP concluded that my risk of getting cardiovascular disease in the next five years was low. Relief! He however insisted on the importance of exercising more regularly, especially as I'm getting older and given my family history.

To find out more about the Go Red for Women initiative,

visit the Heart Foundation's website

Have you ever had a heart check?

What do you do to reduce your risk of heart disease?

This post was sponsored by The Heart Foundation who asked me to share my thoughts and experience - all words are entirely my own.

Amour: A Touching Award Winning French Movie (+ DVD Giveaway)

2013-06-10T18:49:00.002+10:00

I'm so pleased to share more and more with you my passion for French cinema. I have had several opportunities over the last few months to giveaway some movie tickets to award-winning French movies. I can tell that some of you are still hesitant with watching French movies, and I believe (tell me if I'm wrong) it may be due to the fact the entire movie is in a foreign language so in order to follow the story you have to read subtitles! Please don't be afraid and give it a go if you can! Foreign cinema is one of the best ways to emerge yourself in a different culture for the space of an hour, it's an unique occasion to learn about a country and its people.

The latest French movie I watched is called Amour (litt. 'love'). Amour is a 2012 French-language drama film written and directed by the Austrian filmmaker Michael Haneke. The film was screened at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Palme d'Or. It also won the Best Foreign Language Oscar at the 85th Academy Awards. It is the more touching story I've watched in a long time.

Amour follows Georges (legendary French actor Jean-Louis Trintignant) and Anne (Emmanuelle Riva, in her Academy Award nominated role) who are cultivated, retired music teachers in their 80s, living in Paris. Their daughter (Isabelle Huppert) is also a musician who lives abroad with her family. One day, Anne suffers an attack and, as a consequence, the couple's bond of love is severely tested and their lives are never the same. That incident begins Anne's harrowingly steep physical and mental decline as Georges attempts to care for her at home as she wishes. Even as the fruits of their lives and career remain bright, the couple's hopes for some dignity prove a dispiriting struggle even as their daughter enters the conflict. In the end, George, with his love fighting against his own weariness and diminished future on top of Anne's, is driven to make some critical decisions for them both.

Giveaway
I would like to reward my francophile readers with a chance to win 1 of 3 DVD copies of this wonderfully unique French movie.

To enter: To be eligible, you must be a Mademoiselle Slimalicious Facebook Page Liker

AND leave a comment here telling me

"Are you afraid of growing old? What scares you most about it?"

Additional entries: (leave a comment for each additional entry)

Tweet this Merci @MSlimalicious and @EuropeBox for giving us a chance to win 1 of 3 AMOUR dvd! Visit www.mslimalicious.com

Like Europe in a Box facebook page

Follow @EuropeBox on Twitter

Share this post with your friends on FB and/or Twitter using the buttons below the post

Google + (G+) this post using the button at the bottom of the post

Note, if you are an anonymous entrant, please make sure you include your name in the comment so I can contact you via Facebook if you win.

Giveaway is open to readers in Australia. The giveaway closes on June 30th, 9 pm. Three winners will be chosen at random with the help of random.org. The winners will be notified by email (if available) or on Mademoiselle Slimalicious Facebook page shortly after the end of the competition. If a reply email containing the winner’s name and postal address is not received by July 3rd, the prize will be forfeited and awarded to another entrant. The prize pack was kindly donated by Transmission Films. Total prize pool value is of $75.

I did not receive financial or material compensation for writing this feature. I simply fully support French cinema in Australia.

For a chance to WIN more fantastic prizes,

visit my Competition page!

The Biggest Loser Club Membership Giveaway

2013-06-07T09:00:00.000+10:00

Looking at Robyn and Katie Dyke, the winners of The Biggest Loser 2013, in the media makes me smile. I can only imagine how proud and happy these two courageous women may feel right now! Robyn and Katie Dyke have lost an astonishing 39kg and 47.6kg and look absolutely gorgeous, healthy and confident.

Once again, the show has demonstrated that weight-loss and fitness buddies can be a great source of support as you work toward your goals. What better person could provide that accountability and encouragement than someone from your own family?

Robyn and Katie have not only lost a very impressive amount of weight, but also become closer than ever! The mother daughter team were a relationship in crisis but their journey on the show was invaluable because the pair won another significant battle.

"We achieved what we set out to do weight-wise. But we’ve also done so much more. We’ve repaired a relationship that I thought was beyond repair," says Robyn.

Giveaway

You too can start your transformation like Robyn and Katie by entering for a chance to win 1 of 3 Three Months Membership to The Biggest Loser Club, one of Australia’s leading online weight loss programs. Each membership is valued at $99 so here is your chance to try it out!

The Club provides all the weight loss tools and diet tips you need to achieve your goals, including an interactive food diary, delicious and easy to follow menu plans and easy-start workouts and exercise videos.

To enter: To be eligible, you must be a Mademoiselle Slimalicious' Facebook Page Liker

AND leave a comment here telling me

"Why do you want to win this prize?"

*** You can enter once a day! ***

Additional entries: (leave a comment for each additional entry)

Tweet this Thank you @MSlimalicious for giving us a chance to win a 3 month membership to The Biggest Loser Club. Visit www.mslimalicious.com #giveaway #healthy
Share this post with your friends on FB and/or Twitter using the buttons below the post
Google + (G+) this post using the button at the bottom of the post
Follow me by email or RSS feeds
Share the link to this post on your own blog

Note, if you are an anonymous entrant, please make sure you include your name in the comment so I can contact you if you win.

Giveaway is open to readers in Australia, and closes on 30th June 2013 at 9 pm (EAST). Three winners will be chosen at random with the help of random.org. The winners will be notified by email (if available) or on Mademoiselle Slimalicious Facebook page shortly after the end of the competition. If a reply email containing the winner’s postal address is not received by 3rd July 2013, the prize will be forfeited and awarded to another entrant. The prizes were kindly donated by The Biggest Loser Club. The total prize pool value is $297. I received financial compensation for the time I spend editing this post and coordinating the giveaway.

For a chance to WIN more fantastic prizes,

visit my Competition page!

Saucepans that really stack up! Wiltshire® SmartStack® Review

2013-06-05T09:00:00.000+10:00

I moved home a few months ago. One of the main reasons we moved is because we had ran out of storage space in our one bedroom apartment rental! Saving valuable storage space and reducing kitchen clutter (and clatter!) is a priority for people like me, living in apartments.

I did review a couple of Wiltshire® products before (knife, cookie cutters) and have been impressed with their quality, so when I heard about the new Wiltshire® SmartStack® three-piece saucepan set I immediately put my hand up to trial the product! The particularity of Wiltshire SmartStack pans is that they fit neatly into each other, nestling compactly, thanks to their unique, patent pending design which was developed in Australia. Even their vented, toughened glass lids stack ‘level’. This means valuable space is freed-up in the pots and pans drawer with no more teetering, angled, crash-bang piles of pot paraphernalia!

The Wiltshire SmartStack set comprises of 16cm, 18cm and 20cm saucepans with lids - kitchen essentials for a cook like me! Did you know the more chrome in a stainless steel, the better the product will be with rust resistance? And the more nickel included in the formulation, the better acid resistance.

Why I love Wiltshire® SmartStack® three-piece saucepan set

♥ Save valuable storage space

♥ Made with the highest grade stainless steel (18/10 - top level of quality in stainless steel, with 18 percent chrome, 10 percent nickel content)

♥ Suitable for all cooktops including induction

♥ Dishwasher safe

♥ Toughened glass lids are vented for steam control

♥ The riveted cool-to-touch handles are oven-safe to 180°C

♥ Heavy gauge aluminium bases, completely encapsulated in stainless steel, provide excellent heat conductivity

♥ A thoughtful addition is the measurement markings that run up the inside of each pan

♥ Three year guarantee

The Wiltshire SmartStack three-piece saucepan set is available exclusively from Big W, RRP $99.95*.

What is your favourite item in the kitchen?

* I was generously gifted a saucepan set for the purpose of this review. This did not, in any way, influence my opinion on the product. Please refer to my disclaimer for more information.

The Power of Anti-Oxidants (+ AntiOx® Review & Giveaway)

2013-06-03T09:00:00.000+10:00

We hear a lot about anti-oxidants but do you really know what they are? Anti-oxidants are molecules that inhibits the oxidation of other molecules. Anti-oxidants help defend against free radicals and help slow the ageing process.

Source: two-enjoy-life.com

Fruits, vegetables, grains and green tea are all natural rich sources of antioxidants. But let's be honest not all of us eat enough of those. The good news is that dark chocolate, the one with a high percentage of cocoa (the higher the better), is also a food rich in antioxidants! Of course it is not a reason to indulge on chocolate everyday, remember everything with moderation!

AntiOx® Review

Last week, I taste tested AntiOx® Chocolates which, in addition to be a sugar-free 70% dark chocolate, contains superfoods to make its anti-oxidant properties even stronger!

What I like about AntiOx

♥ High in antioxidants

♥ 70% cocoa dark chocolate

♥ Sugar Free Dark Chocolate – sweetened with Stevia, natural plant based sweetener

♥ No artificial colours, flavours or sweeteners

♥ Available in Acai, Goji and Chia & Quinoa flavours

♥ Made in Australia

Giveaway

I have a Winter Booster prize pack to giveaway to one lucky readers. The prize is worth $49.95 and includes:

2x AntiOx Pack with all the products

Chillax 5 days of better sleep (5 bottles)

Well Naturally 3 Chocolate Bars

To enter: To be eligible, you must be a Mademoiselle Slimalicious Facebook Page Liker

AND leave a comment here telling me

"How often do you read/visit this blog and what do you like most about it?"

Additional entries: (leave a comment for each additional entry)

Tweet this Merci @MSlimalicious and @EuropeBox for giving us a chance to win a Winter Booster hamper! Visit www.mslimalicious.com

Like Europe in a Box facebook page

Follow @EuropeBox on Twitter

Share this post with your friends on FB and/or Twitter using the buttons below the post

Google + (G+) this post using the button at the bottom of the post

Note, if you are an anonymous entrant, please make sure you include your name in the comment so I can contact you via Facebook if you win.

Giveaway is open to readers in Australia. The giveaway close on June 26th, 9 pm. One winner will be chosen at random with the help of random.org. The winner will be notified by email (if available) or on Mademoiselle Slimalicious Facebook page shortly after the end of the competition. If a reply email containing the winner’s name and postal address is not received by June 29th, the prize will be forfeited and awarded to another entrant. The prize pack was kindly donated by Vitality Foods. Total prize pool value is of $49.95. I receive a few samples from the AntiOx chocolate and snack bars range for the purpose of this review.

For a chance to WIN more fantastic prizes,

visit my Competition page!

Bengal Kitten: A Mini Leopard at Home!

2013-06-01T12:00:00.000+10:00

For those of you who follow me on Instagram or on Twitter you may be well aware that I have welcomed a new addition to our little family last Saturday! Leopatra is our first pet (hence the excitement! I ticked one more item from my 29 before 30 list!). She is a pure breed female Bengal kitten born on 6th March 2013. I bought her from Mighty Pride Bengals in Sydney (Leopatra's sister is still available for sale, check her out!).

The Bengal is a hybrid breed of domestic cat. Bengals result from crossing a domestic feline with the wild Asian leopard cat in the 1980's. The Bengal is the only domestic cat that can have rosettes like the markings on Leopards, Jaguars and Ocelots. Bengal's coats also feature something called 'glitter' which imparts an iridescent golden sheen to each hair. The Bengal cat is a medium to large size active cat with an inquisitive and loving nature. Bengal cats love to be up high. Most Bengals also enjoy water and many are vocal cats.

Don't forget to check out my Eco-Friendly Pet Shopping Guide if you haven't already and also my post about the health benefits of having a pet!

These photos are the property of Mademoiselle Slimalicous. Do not use without permission. You are welcome to pin the photos on Pinterest.

What are your favourite cat and dog breeds?

Box Fresh: Fruits & Vegetables Home Delivery (+ Giveaway)

2013-05-31T09:00:00.000+10:00

Mister Slim and I love eating fruits and vegetables but are faced with several challenges: we don't have a car which makes it difficult for us to go to fresh produce market and/or carrying supplies home. Fruits and vegs home delivery companies have flourished in recent years and it offers us exactly what we are looking for: a convenient way to shop for delicious fresh produce at a competitive price. We tried Organics Only in April and Box Fresh in May.

Box Fresh: fresh produce delivered to your door

Box Fresh is a service specialising in delivering excellent quality fresh fruit and vegetables to Sydney residents and offices. Their produce is sourced and delivered everyday from local markets and producers.

The box was delivered while I was out and left in a safe place, in an insulated box. The box included white grapes, apples, bananas, mandarins, rhubarb, snow peas, French beans, tomatoes, broccoli, rocket, mushrooms, pumpkin, leek, potatoes, courgettes, fresh parsley, fresh thyme and bay leaves, carrots, onions, garlic, capsicums, red chili, lemon, lime etc.

As you can see the regular size chefs box includes a large variety of produce. It is designed roughly around the needs of two people for a week.

What I like about Box Fresh

♥ Produce purchased from the markets the day you receive it

♥ You have the option to pick and choose what goes into your box

♥ Various box sizes (family, standard, single)

♥ You can order veggies only, fruits only or a mixed box

♥ No more battling supermarket queues for poor quality produce

♥ Each week the produce list is updated with seasonal products

♥ All Box Fresh orders include a refundable $5 deposit for the poly box they are delivered in.

VERDICT: it's a OUI for me!

For more information about this service, visit Box Fresh website or watch their very cool video below!

Giveaway

Mademoiselle Slimalicious and Box Fresh have teamed up to offer one lucky Sydney-based reader the chance to win a 4 week subscription to Box Fresh, valued at over $208!

To enter: To be eligible, you must be a Mademoiselle Slimalicious' Facebook Page Liker

AND leave a comment here telling me

"Why do you want to win this prize?"

*** You can enter once a day! ***

Additional entries: (leave a comment for each additional entry)

Tweet this Thank you @MSlimalicious for giving us a chance to win a 4 week subscription to @BoxFreshSyd on www.mslimalicious.com #giveaway #healthy
Like Box Fresh on Facebook
Share this post with your friends on FB and/or Twitter using the buttons below the post
Google + (G+) this post using the button at the bottom of the post
Follow me by email or RSS feeds
Share the link to this post on your own blog

Note, if you are an anonymous entrant, please make sure you include your name in the comment so I can contact you if you win.

Giveaway is open to readers with a delivery address in Sydney only (please check that Box Fresh delivers to your area), and closes on 16th June 2013 at 6 pm (EAST). One winner will be chosen at random with the help of random.org. The winner will be notified by email (if available) or on Mademoiselle Slimalicious Facebook page shortly after the end of the competition. If a reply email containing the winner’s postal address is not received by 20th June 2013, the prize will be forfeited and awarded to another entrant. The prize was kindly donated by Box Fresh. The total prize pool value is $208. I received a mixed box for the purpose of this review.

For a chance to WIN more fantastic prizes,

visit my Competition page!

Disappointing Food Experiences in Sydney

2013-05-29T09:00:00.000+10:00

I know I'm not going to make any friends here today but I take the risk because after all this is my blog hence a place where I can express how I feel, the good and the bad…

I know how much Australians love their food, that's a thing they have in common with the French for sure! Sydney-siders are proud of their numerous restaurants and eateries and for this reason I know this is a sensitive topic. Before I start I just want to say that I'm not trying to offend anyone here, I an simply sharing my experience from my expat perspective.

I have lived in Australia for nearly four years now. While I have had some great meals in this time, I sadly have to say I have had more bad food experiences in Sydney than good ones. And I seem to be the only person in this town with either high expectations or abnormally functioning taste buds because most people I talk to think the food available in restaurants, pubs and food courts is great! They eat out on most days and buy take-away food for lunch daily.

High expectations

To give you some context, I have always been a VERY fussy eater (although I have improved over the years). My dislike list is longer than my likes. I think it is mostly due to the fact that I can easily get grossed out by food. But at the same time I'm also a foodie, a REAL food lover. For me the most important thing in cooking (and in eating) is the quality of the ingredients. High quality ingredients taste better and are generally healthier too.

The second most important thing is the care and love you put into what you cook. If you care about the people you cook for, may it be yourself, your partner, your family, friends or clients (if you are a restaurant owner), then you will make sure you use only fresh good quality products, well prepared and not the cheap stuff covered in canola oil or with tons of refined sugar added to it to make it taste good. Good quality food doesn't need a shiny coat of oil to taste good.

My experience

Unfortunately, many places I have eaten or bought food from in Sydney have let me down over the years. I mean it’s not like food in Sydney restaurants and eateries is cheap! I was charged $15 for 4 mini churros (the smallest I ever seen in my life - pity I didn't take a photo) at Agave Restaurant in Surry Hills last Saturday…and guess what? Not only the texture was completely wrong, but they tasted horribly like PRAWNS! I mean who does that? Deep frying churros in the same oil as your fish? I didn't eat the dish because I prefer to waste $15 then put calories in my body for something so cheaply made and gross tasting. This said, my Australian friends ate their churros and looked like they couldn't even tell the strong fish taste (I didn't say anything as I didn't want to ruin their experience). But that’s exactly why restaurants here keep serving bad food, consumers are so used to junk that they can’t even tell rubbish from good stuff (the same applies to wine actually, so many people just can't tell the difference between a good and bad wine!). This is just one of many bad food experiences I have had, and I'm sure you get my point.

Oh, I wish my $15 churros looked like these...
1 of these is the equivalent of what we got serve for that price!

Source: Foodagraphy by Chelle

Who is to blame?

The so-called chef/cook, who is in fact simply cheap unqualified labour, making our dishes?
The restaurant owner for being a cheap skate and feed us the cheapest stuff they can find while charging the hell for it?
The local clients for not knowing what proper good food is supposed to taste like, hence happy with the average quality and the cheap stuff, encouraging restaurant owners to keep making profits on their back?
Or simply myself for having such high food expectations?

Oh, and to finish, let's put the icing on the cake with another of my most recent Sydney food experiences!

I took this photo last week in Patisson's window (Westfield Chatswood)
"Sydney's Finest Patisserie", really? Well, excuse me if I don't feel like a Choc Mud Cake all of a sudden!

Have you had some disappointing food experiences?

In a restaurant would you return your dish to the kitchen if it was cold or not right?

Have you ever complained about the food you bought?

Food Waste in Australia

2013-05-27T15:00:00.000+10:00

Do Something About Food Waste infographic by lunchalot

Stop Telling Me I Don't Need to Lose Weight

2013-05-24T09:00:00.000+10:00

I have been asking myself many questions lately. A recurring one is: "why do people here always have to tell me that I don't need to lose weight?". I have been thinking about how to write this post to express my frustration for some time now, but I don't seem to be able to formulate my thoughts clearly. I wrote two drafts already, this is my third one (I'll hopefully press the 'publish' button today), none of them I was satisfy with. But it is important for me to share about how I feel because you too may feel the same way.

I'm frustrated because I feel that I'm not getting any support in my quest for a slimmer me. Yes, it is true that I'm not technically 'overweight'. Yes, my BMI is in the normal range. But does that mean I am not allowed to want to lose weight, and should be discouraged to do so? Do people have to wait to be overweight before they can get any support from others? And by others I mean friends, colleagues and even professionals!

It's not about how we look,
it's about how we feel

Of course, it is nice to hear "Honey, why do you want to lose weight, you look great!", but how about if I don't FEEL great - does that matter at all? Does anybody care about how I feel in my own body?

I read once in a French dieting book that you should never tell people you are on a diet. According to the author, if you do, some people will always try to discourage you because they don't want you to succeed where they have failed.

Weight is such a sensitive and subjective topic. As mentioned in a previous post, I carry many traumas from my childhood, I was bullied for being one of the only overweight child in town (well, literally, I was the only overweight child in my primary school)! In France, the vast majority of people, kids and adults together, are very slim (well at least they were still in the 80's & 90's). Some members of my own family even bullied me about my weight and this has left me with enormous psychological scars that makes that the way I look, my body and my weight are things that I care a lot about. I never want to feel the way I felt as a child, and to prevent that from happening, I need to do a lot of efforts to manage my weight. While I'm not overweight, I LOVE food, I'm a sweet tooth, I'm very short (156 cm) and I hate exercising, so I need to be extra careful to maintain my weight - simply because I don't want to hate myself again like I did as a child.

In 1992 - I was 9 and an unhappy overweight child
I never want to feel the way I felt

Sharing this photo means a lot to me, simply because I truly hate it. I hate everything about it. They way I looked, my hair, my clothes, my sad eyes. I hate the memories behind it, the ones that bring tears to my eyes as I type this post.

Oh, and don't get me wrong either, I'm not asking for people to tell me I should lose weight. In fact, I've never being asking for anyone's opinion or approval. I simply wish people in my life could just listen and show empathy. Not more.

Do you feel some people discourage you from reaching your weight loss goals?

Cooking with Macadamia Oil

2013-05-22T14:00:00.000+10:00

I have to confess, before moving to Australia I knew little about macadamia nuts. These creamy, buttery nuts are one of the natural health foods indigenous to Australia, native to north eastern New South Wales and south eastern Queensland. In France, macadamia nuts are found mainly in fancy gourmet ice-cream and not widely use in everyday cooking or snacking.

Macadamia nuts: a healthy food

Like other nuts (see my posts about pecan and pistachios), macadamias contain no cholesterol. Macadamia nuts are know for having the highest percentage of monounsaturated fats of any tree nuts and also containing antioxidants in the form of Omega 3.

Source: Australian Geographic

Cooking with macadamia oil
Macadamia oil is used for pan frying fish and meat, for stir frying, marinades and also in salad dressings and baking. The nutty, sweet aroma enhances natural food flavours. When I was asked if I would review Suncoast Gold Macadamia Oil (the only macadamia oil with the Heart Foundation tick by the way), I had never bought macadamia oil in my life, so I was excited at the opportunity of trying something different (I usually exclusively cook with extra virgin olive oil). I used the oil to make the Chicken Macadamia Stir-Fry with Noodles recipe Suncoast Gold kindly suggested. It was lovely, I especially liked the lime and macadamia flavour combination. Suncoast Gold is a 100% Australian owned and operated cooperative with farms stretching from Cairns in North Queensland, down to Byron Bay in New South Wales.

Chicken Macadamia Stir-Fry with Noodles
Ingredients (serve 2)

200 g of hokkien noodles
1 tablespoon Suncoast Gold Macadamia Oil
100 g skinless chicken strips
1 brown onion, diced
1 carrot thinly, sliced
1 cup of peas
2 mushrooms, sliced
1 cup dry roasted Suncoast Gold Australian Macadamias
1 lime (juice)
3 tablespoons of sweet chilli sauce

Method

Soak the noodles in boiling water for 1-2 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Heat the wok, add the oil.
Cook the onion until brown and add the chicken strips. Stir fry for a few minutes (until the chicken is golden).
Add the vegetables and stir fry for another few minutes.
Squeeze in the juice of the lime and add the sweet chilli sauce.
Toss in the noodles and macadamia nuts.

Bon appetit!

What oil do you use most for cooking?

The 2013 Eco-Friendly Pet Shopping Guide

2013-05-20T09:00:00.000+10:00

To celebrate the arrival of our long-awaited Bengal kitten on Saturday - and because I know a lot of you have pets - I've compiled a list of the must-have products for an eco-friendly, happy and healthy pet! I've spent the last few weeks getting ready for the arrival of Leopatra in our household and conducted lots of research about what pet products are currently available in Australia, especially natural and eco-friendly ones, so I thought I would share my findings with you. While I have listed mostly cat products in this shopping guide, most of the brands below also have a large range of dog products too, which I encourage you to check out.

GROOMING & CARE

Oz-Pet Litter: eco-friendly

Oz-Pet pellets is the ultimate anti microbial litter made from waste plantation timber sawdust. It stops the strong pee pong in your litter tray by eliminating, rather than masking, the smell of ammonia. The eucalyptus oil in the wood pellets stops the bacteria growing that causes the smell of ammonia in other types of litter. This eco-friendly made in Australia litter contains no additives, is ultra-absorbent and suitable for compost! RRP: $9.63 for a 5kg bag

Oz-Pet Cat Loo: the closest thing to being outdoors

The Cat Loo is an easy 1-2-3 solution that provides your cat with a natural odourless toilet that is easy to maintain and economical to use. When the litter gets wet, the particles break down and fall, or are shaken into the base tray. There is no need to change the litter as fresh litter is added to the top section only when required. RRP: $84.95

Fresh Breeze - Hard Floor

Fresh Breeze is a 100% eco-friendly and biodegradable non-toxic odour reduction technology that helps fight pet urine odour (because accidents happen!). Its habit breaker formula completely eliminates odour effectively breaking the habit beyond pet recognition.

Spa by Tropiclean - Shampoo & Renew Cologne Spa shampoo is a coconut derived cleanser with just the right amounts of botanical emollients. Ginger and white plum will leave hair shiny, manageable and brilliantly clean. The refreshing Ginger and oatmeal cologne nourish and soothe, while white tea and plumeria invigorate the senses. Spa bottles are made from recycled materials known as post consumer resin (PCR).

FOOD

Nutrience: feed your pets the best

Nutrience is a fixed low allergen formula. Nutrience uses all natural ingredients with no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. The nutrient dense complete formulation contains minimally processed low GI carbs (brown rice and oat groats) and the best chicken and lamb meal. RRP: $31.45 for a 2.72kg bag of Kitten food or Supreme Adult Cat food.

ACCESSORIES

Becobowls - the eco-friendly pet bowl
Made from waste plant fibre material, Becobowl products are completely sustainable and fully biodegradable. The Becobowl is tough, functional and durable. The range is dishwasher friendly and available in three sizes,depending on your pet's appetite!

Mr. Fothergill's Cat Grass & Catnip Kits

Cats like to chew on cat grass as an aid to digestion and to help the elimination of fur balls. Cat grass also provides a ready supply of essential vitamins and minerals, particularly good for ‘indoor’ cats. A lot of cats also adore the fragrant catnip plant! Mr Fothergill’s Seed Raiser Kits are designed to provide a convenient all-in-one solution for seed raising. Each Kit consists of a reusable mini greenhouse, Jiffy® Quick Soil Mix pellet and a full packet of Mr Fothergill’s Organic seeds. RRP: $5.95 per kit

TOYS

ClawBag: the bundle of love that comes in the mail

Every ClawBag is filled with hand selected toys, treats and other surprises that your cat will love! ClawBag is unique and includes a range of toys, food treats, fashion, grooming & health goodies. RRP: $39.50 + $6.50 shipping

Spot Eco-Cat Teaser Wand

These eco friendly cat toys are designed for interactive play and made from all natural materials. All Eco-Cat toys contain catnip to attract your cat to these toys even more! The packaging is made from recycled materials with plant based inks.

Do you have pets?

Are you a cat or dog person?

Hunter Valley Wine & Food Month (+ 2005 Shiraz Wine Giveaway)

2013-05-17T12:17:00.001+10:00

Like bread, cheese and croissant, wine forms an integral part of my culture which I like to celebrate whenever possible. Wine is more than an alcoholic beverage for me, it's a tradition, a savoir-faire, a terroir.

To celebrate the much-anticipated Hunter Valley Wine & Food Month next month, I couldn't think of a better way than giving my lovely readers a chance to win two of my favourite premium Hunter Valley wines!

Organised by The Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association, the 2013 Hunter Valley Wine & Food Month is proudly supported by the NSW Government’s tourism. With more than 80 intimate experiences to tempt wine and food lovers, this event is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the Hunter Valley way of life and join winemakers and chefs at their favourite restaurants, sample the region’s premium wine and gourmet food, and stay in one of the top hotels and resorts and cozy up by the fire.

If you’re looking for the ultimate winter getaway with an indulgent theme, Hunter Valley Wine & Food Month is for you. A full calendar of events is available online at www.huntervalleyuncorked.com.au.

Giveaway

If you can't make it to the Hunter Valley for the Wine & Food Month, here is your chance to sample their beautiful wines from the comfort of your own home! One lucky reader will win a Hunter Valley premium wine hamper, valued at $90 and made of:

1x bottle of Margan Shiraz Vintage 2005
1x bottle of Wandin Valley Estate 2005 Bridie’s Reserve Shiraz

To enter: Leave a comment on our Facebook page

"Why should you win the Hunter Valley wine prize?"

Additional entries: (leave a comment below for each additional entry)

Tweet this Merci @MSlimalicious and @EuropeBox for giving us the chance to win a a Premium Wine Hamper! Visit www.mslimalicious.com
Like Europe in a Box facebook page
Follow @EuropeBox on Twitter
Share this post with your friends on FB and/or Twitter using the buttons below the post Google + (G+) this post using the button at the bottom of the post

Giveaway is open to readers in Australia. The giveaway closes on Sunday 26^th May, 9 pm. One winner will be chosen at random with the help of random.org. The winner will be notified shortly after the end of the competition. If a reply email containing the winner’s name and postal address is not received by May 30th, the prize will be forfeited and awarded to another entrant. The prize was kindly donated by The Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association. Prize value is $90.

Discloser: I did not receive any form of financial nor material compensation for this post.

For a chance to WIN more fantastic prizes,

visit my Competition page!

A Little Bit of France with Bonne Maman

2013-05-15T19:21:00.005+10:00

After over 2 years since my last visit to France, anything that can remind me of home is a treat. Well actually most of the things that remind me of home are treats!

Last week, I was fortunate to be a guest at the Bonne Maman Mother's Day Breakfast at the beautiful Baroque Bistro in The Rocks. It was a fabulous experience!

Our Venue: Baroque Bistro, The Rocks Sydney
Chef Jacques Reymond on the background

I grew up with Bonne Maman on my breakfast table. If you have been to France you may know that French people eat fresh baguette, butter and jam for breakfast, especially on the weekend (sometimes croissant in place of bread!). Bonne Maman is the most famous French gourmet preserve company in France and overseas. Bonne Maman jams are made from traditional recipes featuring high quality fruit and 100 percent all natural ingredients. They are preservative-free, contain no artificial colours nor additives.

This particular event was to celebrate the launch of their newest product: "Confiture de Lait" (lit. milk jam) which they have translated in English by "Caramel Spread". Basically, it's the French equivalent of the Italian "Dulce de Leche". I got to try in a milkshake, it was lovely.

I don't always blog about events I attend, but the Bonne Maman breakfast ticked all of the boxes for me, everything was wonderful:

the live music reminded me of the street of Paris (they had an accordionist!)
the decoration was unreal (and hand-made!)
the food was divine
the people were good company
and I even won one of the door draw prizes! French Chef Jacques Reymond cookbook!

I had a massive smile on my face the entire morning (literally! If you don't believe check out the cartoon! Oh, yes because they even had a caricaturist like in Montmartre in Paris!)

Bonne Maman really knows how to make people happy: through simple but original experiences! No need to over-do things, being authentic and taking pleasure in the things surrounded us is the key to my heart!

Me and some new friends!

Do you eat jam?

What is your favourite flavour?

Top 10 tips to Beat the Winter Blues

2013-05-11T16:29:00.000+10:00

It’s over. Summer that is. I was raised in the south of France where, like in Sydney, summers are long, dry and warm. Actually the climate where I grew up is very similar to here, except that winters are colder in France with temperatures rarely above 10 degrees Celsius in the colder months. When I was in France, what I hated most about winter was “the naked trees”. Trees (and vineyards) without leaves are depressing. What I liked most was snow, but that happened rarely, maybe once or twice a year and didn't last for very long.

Carcassonne in the winter - looking sad!

Now, I’m in Australia and while some trees lose their leaves, many stay green, especially the tropical vegetation (ie: palm trees etc.). After living 23 years in France and 3 years in England, I really can’t complain about Australian winters. While I enjoy having seasons and try to make the most of it (ie: I like changing wardrobe once a year and eating earthy meals!), I noticed my mood still changes in the colder months, and I feel a little less happy.

Around the world, many people are affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of mild depression that occurs at the same time every year - also referred to as ‘winter blues’. Symptoms usually start in the autumn and may continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. SAD is diagnosed more often in women, but men have more severe symptoms. SAD is rare in Australia (1 in 300 Australians) but in countries like Canada it affects nearly 20% of the population.

My parents' garden in the winter...

My top 10 tips to beat the winter blues

Eat a healthy diet: aim for food with high nutritional value rather than processed manufactured food. What you eat affect your mood and energy.

Be active: exercise isn't only for maintaining weight and staying healthy. It’s great for relieving the stresses of life (well, so I was told!)

Get some sun: go outdoors and suck the sunlight in to increase your level of Vitamin D.

Bring sunshine into your home: keep the curtains open during the day and cut back trees or bushes that block light from your windows.

Make the most of the season: experience new recipes with seasonal vegetables and fruits (Tarte Tatin anyone?)

Change your wardrobe: buy yourself a pretty cardigan, a woollen jumper and some pretty leather boots for a totally different look! You'll feel great!

Rest and relax: make time for the things you enjoy most (ie: playing with your kids, reading a book…)

Swap coffee for green tea: green tea contains anti-viral compounds as well as immune- boosting antioxidants. It's also know to relieve stress.

Put the music on: music is a distraction, when you’re concentrating on the music you hear, you won't focus on other negative thoughts.

Buy a pet: According to research, petting animals (or even gazing at an aquarium) lowers blood pressure and relieves anxiety! It also alleviates loneliness.

Do seasons have an effect on your mood or energy level?

French Movie Giveaway: 5x Double Passes to Farewell, My Queen

2013-05-09T20:47:00.003+10:00

You may know by now that Mister Slimalicious loves French cinema so we attend the French Film Festival every year and regularly watches French movies on SBS One etc. One of the movies I've most enjoyed at this year festival is Farewell My Queen; so when I was asked if I would talk about it on my blog, I couldn't say no - the movie was truly VERY VERY GOOD.

If you are a francophile, then I can guarantee you will really enjoy this movie. It is based on Chantal Thomas' international best-selling novel of the same name. Farewell, My Queen will not only help you improve your French but you will also learn about France's rich history and be delighted by the beautiful scenery of Versailles.

FAREWELL, MY QUEEN - Les Adieux à la Reine

Release date: In cinemas across Australia from June 6

Running time: 100 minutes

Rating: M (Mature themes and nudity)

Director: Benoît Jacquot

Cast: Léa Seydoux, Diane Kruger, Virginie Ledoyen, Xavier Beauvois and Noémie Lvovsky

Synopsis

1789. On the eve of the French Revolution, those living at the Court of Versailles continue to lead carefree, uninhibited lives, far from the growing unrest in Paris. When news of the assault on the Bastille reaches the court’s ears, the nobles flee along with their servants, deserting the palace… But Sidonie Laborde (Léa Seydoux), a young reader of the Court who is devoted to the Queen (Diane Kruger), refuses to believe the rumours. She is certain that under Marie-Antoinette’s protection she will come to no harm. Little does she know that these will be the last three days she will spend at her queen’s side.

Marking the return of acclaimed director Benoît Jacquot (A Single Girl, Seventh Heaven, Sade, Deep in the Woods), Farewell, My Queen brilliantly captures the passions, debauchery and chaos that engulfed the court of Marie Antoinette in its final days. Moving effortlessly from the gilded drawing rooms of the nobles to the back quarters of those who serve them, this is a period film at once accurate and sumptuous in its visual details and modern in its emotions.

Giveaway

I have 5 x Double Passes to Farewell, My Queen to giveaway (RRP: $38 each pass)! The film will screen in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide and Hobart, so if you live in one of those cities here is your chance to spend a free night at the movie with your Beau!

To enter: To be eligible, you must be a Mademoiselle Slimalicious Facebook Page Liker

AND leave a comment here telling me

"At school, what was your favourite subject and why?"

Additional entries: (leave a comment for each additional entry)

Tweet this Merci @MSlimalicious and @EuropeBox for giving us a chance to win a 5x double passes to see Farewell, My Queen! Visit www.mslimalicious.com
Like Europe in a Box facebook page
Follow @EuropeBox on Twitter
Share this post with your friends on FB and/or Twitter using the buttons below the post
Google + (G+) this post using the button at the bottom of the post

Note, if you are an anonymous entrant, please make sure you include your name in the comment so I can contact you via Facebook if you win.

Giveaway is open to readers in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide and Hobart only. The giveaway close on Thursday 30th May, 9 pm. Five winners will be chosen at random with the help of random.org. The winners will be notified by email (if available) or on Mademoiselle Slimalicious Facebook page shortly after the end of the competition. If a reply email containing the winner’s name and postal address is not received by June 2nd, the prize will be forfeited and awarded to another entrant. The prizes were kindly donated by Transmission Films.

Total prize pool value is of $190. I did not receive financial or material compensation for this post. I honestly really enjoyed this movie when I went to the French Film Festival in March.

For a chance to WIN more fantastic prizes,

visit my Competition page!

Heart Week & 10 Tips to Reduce your Risks of Heart Disease

2013-05-02T16:05:00.000+10:00

A few weeks ago I was fortunate to be invited to a lovey evening with the Heart Foundation to discuss heart health and heart disease prevention. It was an opportunity for me to learn more about heart disease in Australia. Of course, one may think I'm too young to worry about heart disease, but the reality is that it is a topic close to my heart (excuse the pun). My grand-mother died of a cardiac arrest when she was 60. So young! She died in front of a crowd while doing her fresh produce shopping at our traditional fruits and vegetables market in France. She was obese and her heart wasn't healthy. I've since learn that everyone should watch out for heart disease, not only overweight people are affected, anybody can be really.

The thing that happens on the inside that you don’t see on the outside

Heart disease, like many other illnesses, is something we don’t always see coming. Often there are no symptoms of heart disease. We feel fine, until it's too late. One of the most important things you can do is talk to your doctor about your risk of heart disease. During a ckeck-up appointment your doctor will ask questions about your family history, will measure your blood pressure, talk about your lifestyle and diet and conduct further test like blood cholesterol if required.

Heart Week 2013 & Facts about heart disease
From Sunday 5 May to Saturday 11 May 2013 it's Heart Week in Australia. During Heart Week 2013, the Heart Foundation wants to help improve the heart health of all Australians.

Did you know:

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of Australian women
A heart attack occurs every 10 minutes in Australia
In Australia, heart disease claims 27 female lives every day
Nearly 30% of women aged 30-65 have been told by their GP they have high cholesterol, but only 12% are aware it’s a risk factor for heart disease

Will you recognise your heart attack? Will you know what to do if your loved one is having a heart attack?

My 10 tips to reduce your risks of heart disease

Be naturally active: take the stairs not the escalator, ride or walk to work etc.
Maintain a healthy weight
Avoid highly processed foods (ie: frozen meals, crackers, biscuits, ready to go sauces, etc.). They are rich in salt, fat and sugar.
Eat fresh fruits and vegetables everyday
Eat less red meat and more fish, try also legumes (they are rich in protein)
Stop smoking
Monitor your blood pressure
Get regular check-ups
Exercise 30 min a day (ideally) - but really: anything is good
Stress less: do things you enjoy (except eating sweets!) like listening to music, read a book, buy a pet, start a blog, etc.

For more information about heart health,

visit Heart Foundation Australia website

What is your family history?

Do you have cholesterol or diabetes?

Do you know people close to you who live with heart disease?

Credit photos:

1, 3. Heart Foundation

4. fondacoeur.com

Five Reasons to Eat More Pistachios (+ Giveaway)

2013-04-29T15:46:00.000+10:00

Archaeological findings indicate that pistachios have been around since the late Stone Age. Native to the Middle East, these flowering nut trees spread within the Mediterranean area. Nowadays, the largest pistachio growing regions are in California, Iran, Syria and Turkey.

Five Reasons to Eat More Pistachios

Rich in fibre and nutrients - with only about 3 calories per nut, pistachios are the optimal snack to add to a balanced and healthy diet.
They are an excellent source of copper and manganese, and a good source of phosphorus.
Also a good source of vitamin B6, offering 20% of the Daily Value per serving
The fat content of pistachios comes mainly from the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are 'good fats'.
Pistachios in their shells are the ideal slow food snack: research found that the slow consumption has a satiating effect.

If you have missed out on my post about pecan nuts, you can catch up here: five reasons to eat more pecan nuts.

Giveaway

Mademoiselle Slimalicious and Wonderful® Pistachios have teamed up to give you a chance to win 1 of 3 Pistachios prize pack.

Each prize pack, valued at RRP $24, includes:

250 g Salted & Roasted Pistachios: roasted to perfection with a touch of salt.
250 g Sweet Chilli Pistachios: a slightly spicy and irresistibly sweet pistachio flavour (my favourite!)
250g Salt & Pepper Pistachios: a delicate pepper flavour

Wonderful® Pistachios are premium California-grown pistachios available in Australia in a sophisticated black package.

To enter: To be eligible, you must be a Mademoiselle Slimalicious' Facebook Page Liker

AND leave a comment here telling me

"What drives you nuts?"

Additional entries: (leave a comment for each additional entry)

Vote for me on woman.com.au Gen Y Founder series
Share this post with your friends on FB and/or Twitter using the buttons below the post
Tweet this Thank you @MSlimalicious for giving us a chance to win a Wonderful Pistachios Prize on www.mslimalicious.com #giveaway #nuts #healthy
Like Europe in a Box facebook page
Follow @EuropeBox on Twitter
Google + (G+) this post using the button at the bottom of the post
Follow me by email or RSS feeds
Share the link to this post on your own blog

Note, if you are an anonymous entrant, please make sure you include your name in the comment so I can contact you if you win.

Giveaway is open to readers with a delivery address in Australia only, and closes on 12th May 2013 at 9 pm (EAST). Three winners will be chosen at random with the help of random.org. The winners will be notified by email (if available) or on Mademoiselle Slimalicious Facebook page shortly after the end of the competition. If a reply email containing the winner’s postal address is not received by 16th May 2013, the prize will be forfeited and awarded to another entrant. The prizes were kindly donated by Wonderful Pistachios. Total prize pool value $72. I received 750g of pistachio samples for the purpose of this review.

For a chance to WIN more fantastic prizes,

visit my Competition page!

I Love You Chicken and Leek Pies + Balsamic Strawberry Delight (Guest Post by Reality Chick)

2013-04-26T14:19:00.000+10:00

Today I'm thrilled to welcome one of my favourite bloggers ever: Rachel from Reality Chick! Reality Chick is one of the first blogs I started reading after I relocated to Australia in late 2009, way before I became a blogger myself. It's also on Reality Chick that I won my first blog giveaway, back in May 2010. I remember how excited I was about winning something. I had never read blogs when I was living in Japan, in the UK nor in France, and this was a whole new world to me. I love Reality Chick because I find that it's one of the only sites in Australia that openly talk about relationships and sex, with no taboo. I relate to the way Rachel writes her site, with straightforwardness and humour. I read it regularly and like to take part in some of the hot conversation topics! Now place to Rachel!

GUEST POST: Reality Ckick’s I Love You Chicken and Leek Pies + Balsamic Strawberry Delight

I’m an advice columnist blogger, for those of you who don’t know me. Those of you who do – hi!

Something I don’t really bang on about on my blog is my passion for cooking, but it’s an ongoing love affair for me and the best way I know how to chill out. I generally keep it yummy but healthy, because I sit on my butt far too much than is good for me (as do most writers, probably).

I’m not really a slavish recipe follower, but I’ll dip in and out of cookbooks for ideas, and I get my telly fix from the likes of MKR, Nigel Slater, Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay. I’ve even learned new tricks from those Junior Masterchef kids. Who the heck are these freaks of nature? At their age my repertoire consisted of pikelets.

Things have changed in my kitchen these days, but I still had a moment of panic (or ten) when Mademoiselle Slimalicious and I cooked up an idea for a romantic guest post. Dealing with questions about sexless marriages and dating dilemmas – no dramas. Creating a dinner menu for a lover befitting one of my favourite blogs? I’ve never changed my mind on a menu quite so many times.

In the end, it had to be this two-course winter warmer. I can’t quite claim credit for the dessert; it’s my friend Victoria Hannaford’s recipe, but it’s such a lovely end to the meal after tucking in to what’s quite a rich little chicken pie. Overall, this meal is more rustic than posh, but it’s perfect for a cold night cosying up on the couch. You can also inject a bit of romantic fun into it by including a pastry ‘message’ on top of the pie like I did – like ‘I love you’, ‘Eat me!’ or just a pet name. You’ll want to see your lover’s face when you bring it to the table! Never fails to delight. Enjoy.

Rachel

I Love You Chicken and Leek Pies

Serves 2 in 400ml oven dishes, or 4 in 250ml oven dishes

You’ll need

1 large leek, trimmed, sliced thinly
2 chicken breasts pulled from a roast chicken and roughly chopped into bite-sized pieces
2 tbs plain flour
1 slurp of olive oil
½ to ¾ cup (185ml) of chicken stock (or 2 Massel stock cubes dissolved in boiling water)
½ to ¾ cup (185ml) of evaporated milk (or actual full-cream milk)
2 large sheets of puff pastry
1 egg, lightly beaten
salt and pepper

Instructions

Preheat oven to 190 degrees C (or 375 degrees F).
Slurp the oil into a wide saucepan over medium heat and add the leeks. Stir and cook until the leeks soften – about 3-5 minutes.
Tip in the flour and stir all through the leeks to combine – it should look like dry, floury leeks.
At this point, gradually add the chicken stock and evaporated milk and stir until the sauce thickens.
Add the chopped chicken, stir, season to taste. Add more liquid if it’s too dry – you don’t want it runny, but quite thick and saucy.
Remove from heat and spoon the chicken and leek mixture into ovenproof dishes. I use two 400ml Ecology terracotta paella bowls with handles because Mr Chick and I are too greedy for our own good. However, the mixture would easily stretch to 4 x 250ml dishes.
Cut a strip from the pastry sheet and stretch around the top of the dish. Then, cut a ‘lid’ for the top of the pie, making sure you keep some extra pastry aside. Place lid of pastry onto the pastry strip, and seal the two layers together all the way around the dish by pressing down with the back of a fork. Cut a cross in the centre of the pie for steam to escape.
Take the remaining pastry and roll into long thin pieces. These can be used to create letters and the message on top of your pie, which will puff up with the pastry as it cooks. As you can see in the photo I put ‘RC’ and ‘Mr Chick’ on top of our pies.
Brush the pastry, the edges and the letters with the beaten egg and pop pies into the oven to bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
Serve pies on their own or with a green salad.

Balsamic Strawberry Delight

Serves 2 in martini glasses

You’ll need

1 punnet of strawberries, washed, hulled and chopped in half
2 generous tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
2 heaped tablespoons of slivered almonds
2 heaped tablespoons of vanilla bean yoghurt

Instructions

Get two small pans on the hob on a medium heat. In one, sprinkle in the slivered almonds and toast until brown. Keep an eye on them, because they will burn easily! Once brown, take off and set aside.
Pop the chopped strawberries in the other pan along with the vinegar. Stir, turning, until the strawberries soften a little and caramelise on the cut side – about 2 minutes.
Divide the hot strawberries into martini glasses, top with the yoghurt and then, the warm toasted slivered almonds.
Serve. For a healthy dessert, this is seriously yum.

Bio: Rachel Smith is a health journalist and advice columnist at www.realitychick.com.au. She tries to shoehorn mentions of cooking and food into her blog wherever possible, although there have been no 9 ½ Weeks-style posts. Yet.

What is the most romantic meal you've ever cooked?

The Challenges of Planning a Destination Wedding

2013-04-24T10:00:00.000+10:00

It has been a while since I haven't mentioned anything about our wedding. Since our engagement party in fact. That's simply because I haven't progressed with anything yet. Organising a wedding is not an easy task, organising a destination wedding is...pretty damn difficult! Oh yes, because of course, we are having the wedding in France!

We are a little stuck because we don't want to book a venue without visiting it first. Luckily, the wedding is on 6th September 2014, so we have plenty of time. We are going to France for a holiday in August (2.5 years since my last visit) and are hoping to progress with the wedding planning while we are there. I have a shortlist of venues that we will go visit and the goal is to have a venue booked-in by the end of our 3 week holiday.

Source: Style Me Pretty

Wedding things that would need to be purchased/organised from France

Venue
Catering & Wine
Wedding Cake
Ceremony
Flowers
Hair & makeup
Music
Photography
Car

Wedding things I would like to buy in Australia

Save the date (hoping to send those in October 2013)
Wedding invitations
Wedding dress
Wedding shoes
Wedding rings
Guest Favours

Source: Bakers Royale

I'm probably forgetting some items. The good thing at least is that in France we don't have bride maids nor groom men so at least I don't have to worry about that. We only have a couple of witnesses and they can wear whatever pleases them!

One of the things on my 29 before 30 list was to go to a wedding expo. That's just about to be ticked! Mr Slimalicious and I (okay, I'm dragging him along) are attending the Ultimate Wedding Planning Party.

Benjamin Roberts dress

The Ultimate Wedding Planning Party

The annual event, now in its fifth year, will be held on Wednesday May 8, 2013, at Opera Point Marquee, Sydney Opera House and promises to be an extraordinary event. The event organisers say: "Guests at the ‘Ultimate Wedding Planning Party’ will be treated like the stars they’d like to emulate and are inspired by, with a unique catering experience of champagne and canapés". I look forward to that!

In addition to be delighted, we are hoping to gain valuable, inspiring ideas from Sydney’s wedding industry specialists. The theme of the event this year is the ‘Vintage and Classic’ bride, which is great because I'm planning on being a "French Classic Bride" - see my Pinterest boards for more photos!

Source: Ultimate Wedding Planning Party

How long did it take you to organise your wedding?

Did you do it on your own?

Vintage Cellars International Wine Fair (Sydney, Perth & Melbourne)

2013-04-23T09:30:00.000+10:00

If you love wine as much as I do, the one event you shouldn't miss is Vintage Cellars International Wine Fair.

I attended the event last year and had SO much fun. I went with a friend and we played a game: when you arrive you are given a booklet with all of the wines, per country, per wineries. We decided to "travel to every country" and "to mark each wine we tried"! By the end of the afternoon we had tried something like 50 wines and the last ones were 10/10! I confess I was not totally sober by the end of the day. It was fantastic to meet with wine makers from all around the word and learn about the latest trends and products.

I'm excited the event is approaching and even more excited because this year I'm going with Mr Slimalicious, who's a wine connoisseur. With more than 45 wineries from nine countries (including France, Spain, Italy and Portugal), and 300 wines to taste, the Vintage Cellars International Wine Fair is one of Sydney’s most important wine events. The experts at Vintage Cellars have travelled around the world and handpicked a stellar line up of international producers, who will come together for two days only at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, creating an event unlike any other in Australia. 2013 marks the fifth year of the Vintage Cellars International Wine Fair.

Whether you’re a genuine connoisseur, or just starting on your wine journey, this is an exciting way to discover new wines, experience emerging regions and meet the people behind the labels. So if you are Perth, Melbourne or Sydney - cheers!

For more information watch this cute little video!

Do you like wine tasting?

Expat Life: Five Reasons Why I Left London

2013-04-22T09:00:00.000+10:00

I lived in London for 2.5 years. I moved there after graduating from Uni in France, in July 2006, in order to find my first job. I have learnt a lot while in London, I learnt to speak English, I learnt new cultures (I flat shared with Brazilians, Sicilians, etc.). I also discovered new foods (I never had sushi nor Thai food until I moved to London). I partied hard too, well I was 23, what do you expect! Most importantly, London is also where Mr Slimalicious and I met. So despite some challenges and hard times (lack of money, limited English proficiency), I keep many good memories of my time there.

Me, when I first moved to London, I was single, just turned 23 and 5 kg lighter.
Note: the travel postcards covering the wall!

This was the tiny room I rented when I first arrived to England,
on my own, in July 2006. I couldn't afford more. I lived there for 10 months.

So why did I leave London if I was having such a good time?

Five Reasons that Made me Leave London

I didn't feel safe any more. Every day I was reading about stabbings in the newspapers. The "chav's culture" in addition to the high risk of possible terrorism attacks used to scare me a lot.
Mr Slimalicious' work sponsorship came to an end and after 4 years in the UK he was really to go home to Australia. And I wasn't going to let him go on his own!
I wanted to explore a new part of the world. While travelling from London is made easy by the many low cost airlines and its proximity to most European countries, North Africa and the Middle-East, I wanted to discover Asia. And Australia too, of course.
I was sick of the weather. Even in the summer I wore stockings!
I hated my job. I was stuck into a job that I really didn't enjoy doing and that was not for me. But it was my first job out of Uni and I could barely speak English at the time. I was working for a large recruitment company and hated the sales aspect of the work. I was underpaid too which didn't help!

Daily life in London: going home from work - that's a busy city, Sydney isn't!

The GFC kicked in the week before we left in 2008. Well we had actually already planned our departure 6 months before it happened, so it wasn't a reason for us to leave. Let's say it was just good timing. I wonder if we would have lost our jobs. Mine, most likely, and it would not have necessarily be a bad thing!

I was so happy to leave the 2.5 year job that I hated so much
that I displayed a sign on my desk all day. My best day at work ever!
(November 2008)

If we return to Europe one day, London is most likely where we would end up living again. It's a city that I love, I find it beautiful. I'm sure that I would have an even better time now that my English is fluent. It would be a totally different experience for sure, and it would be nice to be living only a 2 hour flight journey from my family as supposed to 24 hours!

One of my many favourite places in London

London Icon

My favourite European wild creature!

Have you been to London?

What did you like most about it?

Photo copyright: These photos are property of Mademoiselle Slimalicious. Do not use without obtaining prior consent. Pining on Pinterest is allowed.

The Parisian Diet by Dr. Jean-Michel Cohen (+ Giveaway)

2013-04-19T09:00:00.001+10:00

I started this blog because I wanted to share about my love of food and my obsession with not putting on weight. I started this blog nearly two years ago because I am French, but I live overseas, where the food culture and body image are perceived differently from back home. Us, French women are raised to be beautiful, slim, smart and independent (not to be gentle, kind or funny - lol). It might sound pretentious or superficial to Anglo-Saxons' ears, but please accept it as "cultural differences". Because it truly is cultural differences. It's just a way of thinking that has been transmitted from generation to generation through France's history and it's what also makes us, French people, unique. It doesn't mean we are evil, it just mean somethings are more important to us than others.

I've talked a lot about the French paradox on this blog, also about the French obsession with weight, and about obesity in France. I have interviewed some best-seller authors including Mireille Guiliano (author of "French Women Don't Get Fat") and Sally Asher (author of "Losing it in France"). I've also talked about the latest French fad, and shared some controversial weight loss advertising campaign. This blog is full of healthy recipes, delicious treats and French culture - and it's what makes it unique.

Now, when one of the most famous French nutrionists, Dr Jean-Michel Cohen, asks if I would read his latest book which is now available in Australia, indeed I accept! I said yes, firstly because I want to learn so I can share information with you. Secondly because as always I'm alternating between period of clean eating and indulging. And I'm in a clean-eating mood at the moment, so reading a book about nutrition comes in timely to boost my motivation on shedding of some weight.

What is the Parisian Diet?

It’s the diet that Europeans are flocking to. Over half a million French men and women have followed the advice of Dr Jean-Michel Cohen to find their right weight and then maintain it. With The Parisian Diet, the promise is that you’ll enjoy eating with a French twist, drawing from a European tradition of regularly spaced meals featuring delicious, healthy and easy-to-prepare recipes.

Dr Cohen starts with the premise that one size does not fit all. It may be an impossible ideal to aim for size 8, so finding the right weight for you and setting that goal is the first important step.

Modelled on healthy French eating habits, The Parisian Diet is a three-phase solution. Start with the Café phase, move to Bistro and end up on the Gourmet plan! And on this diet, even ‘taboo foods’ are allowed in a controlled way: pasta, potatoes, bread, and, of course, a glass of wine - Sounds good to me!

Giveaway
I am giving you the chance to win 1 of 3 copies of The Parisian Diet (RRP: $29.99, hardcover book).

To enter: To be eligible, you must be a Mademoiselle Slimalicious' Facebook Page Liker

AND leave a comment here telling me

"Is the way you look important to you

and what do you do to improve it ?"

Additional entries: (leave a comment for each additional entry)

Vote for me on the Best Australian Blog Competition
Vote for me on woman.com.au Gen Y Founder series
Share this post with your friends on FB and/or Twitter using the buttons below the post
Tweet this Thank you @MSlimalicious for giving us a chance to win a copy of "The Parisian Diet" on www.mslimalicious.com #giveaway
Like Europe in a Box facebook page
Follow @EuropeBox on Twitter
Google + (G+) this post using the button at the bottom of the post
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Share the link to this post on your own blog

Note, if you are an anonymous entrant, please make sure you include your name in the comment so I can contact you if you win.

Giveaway is open to readers with a delivery address in Australia only, and closes on 12th May 2013 at 9 pm (EAST). Three winners will be chosen at random with the help of random.org. The winners will be notified by email (if available) or on Mademoiselle Slimalicious Facebook page shortly after the end of the competition. If a reply email containing the winner’s postal address is not received by 16th May 2013, the prize will be forfeited and awarded to another entrant. The prizes were kindly donated by the publishing company. Total prize pool value $89.99. I received a copy of the book for the purpose of this review.

For a chance to WIN more fantastic prizes,

visit my Competition page!

Credit photo: 1) digital-art-gallery

Organics Only: Fruits & Vegetables Home Delivery - Review

2013-04-17T16:26:00.001+10:00

I don't have a car. This makes grocery shopping difficult sometimes. Firstly because I can't easily go to places I would like to shop at (ie: fresh food markets), secondly because it's always a challenge to carry the stuff back home.

When we were living in Mosman we had Harris Farm across the road which made it easy to do fruits and vegetables shopping, but since we moved house, the only shop I can get to is...Coles. I have been ordering grocery online through Woolworths but had a couple of terrible customer service experiences (I'll spare you the details). Be let's be honest, does anyone like the 'fresh' produce from those two supermarket chains, anyway? Hell NO! The quality is below average and their price are not even attractive.

So because enough is enough, I decided to start to get high quality fruits and vegetables delivered at home...because it's convenient, it tastes better and it really doesn't cost that much more!

Organics Only: certified organic produce delivered to your door

Last week I received my first fresh produce delivery. Organics Only is a family owned and managed business that delivers certified organic fruits and vegetables fresh from the growers and markets to your door, in Sydney.

My box was delivered while I was at work, and it was very exciting coming home to a fantastic box of fresh organic fruits and vegetables. The box included grapes (red and white), apples (red and green), bananas, plums, peaches, avocados, tomatoes, broccoli, lettuce, mushrooms, pumpkin, potatoes, courgettes, ginger,carrots (purple, yellow and traditional ones), onions (red and brown), capsicums (red and yellow), baby spinach, mixed leaves etc. How delicious!

The fruits and vegs are organic too so no nasties! Just healthy delicious produce.

My Organics Only delivery (Mixed Fruits & Vegs Family Box)

What I like about Organics Only

♥ Produce purchased from the markets the day you receive it

♥ Pick and choose what goes into your box

♥ Various box sizes (family, standard, single)

♥ You can order veggies only, fruits only or a mixed box

♥ No more battling supermarket queues for poor quality produce

♥ All fruit and vegetables are certified with an Australian Certification body and are grown in compliance with the National Standard for Organic production.

♥ Great storage tips on their website

I'm still going through this fantastic range of fruits and vegetables

VERDICT: A big OUI from Mademoiselle Slimalicious!

For more information about this service, visit Organics Only website

Do you eat enough fruits and vegetables?

Where do you buy yours?