Ballarat Begonia Festival and my Lake Wendouree push ups

What a great day we had today at the Ballarat Begonia Festival. Here's a quick snap shot of some of the 52 community groups, businesses and schools entered into The Courier Begonia Parade;

~ Chinese Community

~ Zumba

~ Stems flower market

~ Ballarat Regional Multicultural Centre  

~ Ballarat Fire Brigade

~ Ballarat Yacht Club

Just to name a few......

Ballarat Begonia Festival

It's amazing! this festival has been running strong for more than 6 decades!!! They marshall in Carlton St between Sturt St and Wendouree Parade and along Wendouree Parade between Morrison Street and Hamilton Avenue.

It was a jam packed day today and we had such amazing weather.

Ballarat Begonia Festival

Fitness

Today I managed to do my female version push ups beside our beautiful Lake Wendouree! I did do 2 proper ones but still not 100%. Little Oscar attempted his version and then collapsed on his belly. 

This is Week 2 for our Day 3 push ups, reps 8, 8 &9 (rested 2 minutes in between sets). Where is the time going? Tomorrow is a day of rest and then we move onto Week 3!!! Whoosh! How time flies when you are having fun.

Lake Wendouree push ups

I know it's only been 2 weeks but I am starting to see some muscle definition in my arms & shoulders, I really should've taken a before picture. Totally forgot!

Food

I got into making our meatballs again this weekend and made a big batch for this week to freeze as I will be going to Sydney next week for a 2 day Digital Parents Conference where there is jam packed information with panel sessions, workshops, keynote speakers, networking opportunities and a sponsor expo. It's one the biggest social media events catering to Australia's mum, parent and personal blogging communities. So I look forward to meeting new people and especially meeting my dearest friend Shari from Your Family Survival Coach. 

Spinach wholemeal pasta with basil meatballs bolognese

My typical meatball recipe is found here however today I pushed up our greens by adding more basil and parsley!!! Boy were they divine!! Also pushed up our greens with these amazing spinach based wholemeal pasta!!! Now that's some serious green action on a plate!!! 

I hope you had a sensational long weekend (for my Victorian readers) and please leave me your comments below on your most favourite freezer meals?

♥ Dani 

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Lake Wendouree in Ballarat, gosh you can be harsh!

We were on the go this morning and when I mean on the go, like 30 minutes to get out of the door from pj mode to showered, dressed and fully fed! Well we did it in 45 minutes.... and amazingly turned up to our wonderful and sunny Lake Wendouree in Ballarat for our 6km walk....

Let me tell you though, looks can be deceiving. When we arrived it was a beautiful sunny Spring morning, but the weather turned on us so we decided to go to a cafe for some morning tea until the rain settled. Little did we know the worst was yet to come.... Let's just say, I was walking like a babushka with my scarf wrapped around my head....it was that icy cold and wet that we walked our a double s's off!!! Only to arrive back to our cars with this beautiful sunshine. Oh well. We walked the lake at least!

Workout
Day of rest (if you'd like to call it that after our walk this morning!)

Breakfast
Green smoothie

Morning snack
Egg and bacon bagel

Lunch
Grilled flat head fish with avocado and grated beetroot salad

Afternoon snack
Mountain oat flat bread chips with home made guacamole, feta and basil dips

These are super quick and real fun to do with the kids. While the flat bread is getting toasted (I do this in my non stick fry pan) we blend the feta, basil, neufchâtel cheese (or you can use philadelphia), chia seeds, add salt and pepper to taste. For the guacamole dip, we just mashed it up with a fork, squeezed lemon juice added S&P and kids just said "Yep, it's done Mum". Normally sour cream or some form of cheese used to go into this but it was all good today!

Dinner
BBQ lamb cutlets with chicken mini burgers served with salad

So sorry for the quick post. We're off to watch Noah's first Year One Concert and I'm kinda excited for him! See you tomorrow and as per usual, I will update my recipes here and then post under the food tab.

Oh yes and of course the cocoa oatmeal cake I ate at midnight....I'll provide the steps to that here as well ASAP! Promise!

Xx Dani

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