Recent Things: Cheating the System, New Food Finds & a GIVEAWAY!

Well hey! It's Friday again! 

I'm currently sitting here with a snuggly puppy on my lap who wants endless cuddles because she's cold and I can't wait tell you about what we've been up to this week!

So let me share what we've been up to lately! >>

 

Recent Puppy Love; As I said, I currently have a fluffy, snuggly Trixie Belle on my lap as I think she must be feeling the cold today. All day long whilst I'm working, Trixie will come up and rub her face against my feet or put her paws up on my legs until I pick her up for a cuddle. She might be cheeky and extremely naughty at times, but I love our little love bug :P 

She's also got a new nickname lately thanks to Jesse; Paddington. After watching Paddington the movie on the weekend Jesse decided Trixie looks just like him and has been calling her Paddington ever since. That movie was seriously cute, by the way - so if you haven't seen it, definitely give it a go!

Recent Eats; Trixie isn't the only one feeling the cold though. I have been loving on soups yet again this week because it's the perfect way to warm up and enjoy a delicious and nutritious lunch. This week's soup? Roasted Vegetable Soup with ALL THE VEGGIES. I kid you not, that soup above has eggplant, zucchini, carrots, mushrooms, sweet potato, potatoes, leek, garlic and fresh herbs to top it all off. So so good - but here's what we've been eating for dinner this week; 

Saturday: Ham and Cheese Cornbread Bakes with Salad. I so need to photography those babies because they're way too good not to share.

Sunday: Chicken and Rice Soup (last week's end of week soup concoction that Jesse is obsessed with)

Monday: Sesame Chicken with Steamed Veggies, Brown Rice and Lentils (a new sesame chicken recipe which Jesse is calling the best ever)

Tuesday: Taco Tuesday! Black bean and beef tacos with all the toppings!

Wednesday: Lightened Up Cheesy Tuna Pasta Bake (which I'll be sharing the recipe for soon as it's so good - this was my first time eating tuna ever and I'm hooked! No pun intended :P)

Thursday: Healthy Mongolian Beef style Stir Fry with veggies and noodles.

Tonight: Tonight dinner will be something quick and easy. I have some extra time on my hands today so I'm thinking of whipping up either or Healthy Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe or our Cheesy Quinoa Bakes Recipe to reheat later for a quick dinner!

Recent Faves; Last week I showed you some prints from Minted I was considering, however, Jesse decided he'd much rather a plain printed canvas so I went ahead and ordered one from Canvas Champ. I have to say, we have a bunch of canvas prints that we've had made up, but this one is by far the best. I don't usually even like canvas prints (we have them because that's what Jesse prefers and I'm an awesome wife :P) but I love this one and I am seriously going to order a bunch more to make up a little gallery wall!

And because I don't like to keep these things to myself, I thought I'd share the love and offer you the chance to win your own canvas print! The competition is open to Australian residents and all you've got to do is fill out the form below!

PS: They currently have a special offer (see it here) where you can get 8x8" ready to hang canvases for $10 each or 85% off any other size!

Win an 8x10" Canvas Print from Canvas Champ

Recent Obsession; So yesterday I was just about ready to cry as I ate the last apple from Our Apple Picking Trip when a surprise delivery showed up on our doorstep!

Kanzi and Green Star Apples are two brand new varieties to hit Australia and holyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy wow are they delicious! We have no self control when it comes to apples and we've already devoured four of these massive apples between us and I am already obsessed. 

The Kanzi (the red apple) has a sweet yet sour flavour that is totally different from any other apple I've tried. It's a blend of gala apples and our (newly) beloved braeburn apples that we picked so much of a few weeks ago and it really is the best of both worlds. Usually I'm a pink lady girl when it comes to red apples, but I think I'm now a Kanzi convert!

The Green Star Apples (the green ones :P) are crisp and crunchy and a cross between a Delbarestival and Granny Smith (my all time fave!) which makes them super juicy whilst still super crunchy at the same time. I don't know about you, but sometimes I find apples are either really juicy or really crunchy but this has the best of both worlds!

But where do you buy them? Woolworths! That is, if we haven't bought them all first ;P 

Recent "Fashion" Must Haves; Onesies, beanies, knitted headbands, scarves - ALL THE LAYERS. See how I said "fashion" - that's because I don't think any of the above are fashionable but I NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED the warmth :P 

I always have  a giggle to myself when I get complimented on my "comfort clothes" (read: anything that will keep me warm) because I feel like I'm cheating the system. Ha!

Recent Food Finds; I love playing around with new to me ingredients and I'm always being asked for my opinion on unusual products like bee pollen so I cannot wait to play around with my new finds from Organic Door. As a coconut sugar lover I cannot wait to try the Coconut Blossom Nectar (and of course the coconut addict had to try the coconut bliss) and whilst I've tried puffed amaranth before, I haven't been able to get whole amaranth until now!

I have no idea what I'm going to do with the bee pollen but I'm super curious - so send me your suggestions if you've tried it!

Recent Posts on the Blog; Click on the images to view the posts.

  

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Recent Plans; This weekend is craaaaaaaazy busy for us. We've got Ignite tonight then tomorrow is our church's Super Fun Day Event (basically an open day with free activities/food/stalls for the community) and Jesse will be running the big screen video games whilst I'm busy face painting outside (if you'd like the details for the event, email us! It's from 2-4pm on Saturday and everything is free). Sunday we've got church and then my Mama is coming home from Forster so I'm thinking we might take her out for dinner or make her something yummy for Mother's Day!

But tell me, what do you have planned for the weekend?

And what have you been loving this week?