Mt Buninyong run and Spooky party

Hello everyone, I know I am a teacher in my son's eyes but today he taught me something pretty amazing!!!! MIND OVER MATTER!!! Rather, reinforced it!!!

As all 6 of us snuggled in bed this morning, Noah jumped out of bed and said:

"C'mon Mum, we can run up that Mt Buningyong hill! Don't be scared!"

The belief in his eyes and passion made me bounce outta bed, put my running shoes on and go for this run!

Mountain Buninyong...elevation 719 metres above sea level.

Mount Buninyong is a hill overlooking Ballarat in Victoria, Australia. Formed from an extinct volcano.

We only managed to run a 5.5km course however I was super proud of Noah as he only stopped when we had to take these photos. Of course to show you all!!!!

Mt Buningyong

Seriously amazing stuff, the views were amazing and I was super proud of Noah as he also had his soccer game this morning and I thought this would completely exhaust him. But no! He was super charged! Said he was going to smash this mountain, and he did!!!

I must admit, I didn't want to do this run. I even sent a sms to our running trainer to say I'd give it a miss. Why? I drove the car up the mountain yesterday and I got scared! Yup! I didn't think I was built for something this extreme, so best I don't attempt it at all. Especially when I'm not a real runner and haven't ran since Run Ballarat (although I do think I did a 3km run?). Anyways, I didn't think I had enough training or prep work to get me up this hill! So I got discouraged and thought best I set some smaller goals......and do the Mt some other time.

But no! Thanks to my little champion Noah, he ENCOURAGED me do this run and for that I am truly grateful. I love you honey.

Mt Buninyong running superstar Noah

We had a full on day today with many parties and this one was completely spooky!! Our new friends did a sensational job with the cake, decorations and activities today.

How cool is the cake?? I loved it!!!

Oscar's a classic jamming away on the trampoline above!

 Mietta and her new little friend were searching for some spooky stuff in the green goo, while the hosts dressed up as a witch and zombi!!! Thanks for a great day guys!!!

I had a lot of requests from Facebook and Instagram to post the recipe for our pizza's last night so here it is. Enjoy! These seriously take under 10 minutes to make and eat!!!!


Ingredients
2 cups wholemeal (wheat) flour
2 tsp baking powder
S&P
10 kalamata olives
2tbs luke warm water

NB: Makes 3 medium size pizza's

Clean eating home made pizza's

Method
Mix all ingredients in blender until dough forms
Roll dough into preferred thickness (we do ours super thin)
Lightly grease fry pan and place pizza dough, add toppings
Once base is cooked (1-2 minutes) place under griller for toppings to cook & melt

EAT and ENJOY!!!!

Xx Dani

Read More»

Fit Yummy Mummy challenge ends & Oscar's 5th birthday "Pirate" celebrations

Hello! Hello! It seems like yesterday that I wrote my last post but I can't believe it's been over 5 days!!! Whaaaaat??? That's gotta change!!! Why is everything else coming first and not us? Me and you. Just us hanging out? That's gotta change! So make sure you leave me a comment so we can hang a little bit more often :-)

So the Fit Yummy Mummy challenge ended on Oscar's 5th birthday on Sunday 11th November. I have to admit, right here, right now, I dropped the ball!!!! I missed so many workouts the last 2 weeks, that it wasn't even worth me playing catch up. I'm not overly concerned as I eat pretty clean however these last few weeks with all the chocolate and the birthday stuff, I've taken a few steps back in my fitness regime. Well, that needs to change!

All in all. I am pretty happy that I maintained my weight as such and didn't go over board and gain unnecessary weight. I am a tad disappointed that I never increased my weight training and didn't gain as much muscle mass as I was hoping. Don't get me wrong, I'm no body builder nor do I want to have that type of physique. I just want to build muscle tone & definition so I don't have that "skinny" look  but see muscle definition and not just skin and bone. Like some people like to refer to it.

I also dropped the ball with my running. Like real bad, I haven't ran since Run Ballarat!!!! Pfft! Didn't I have goals in my last post? Didn't I say I would go hard or go home? Something like that. Anyways, I got distracted! Party mode more like it!!!

So Oscar turned 5 on Sunday and I can't believe how quick that has gone. It was pretty much after the birth of our 2nd son Oscar that I turned to the Fit Yummy Mummy fat loss system which has been my successful fitness and lifestyle regime. For those that are looking at an easy way to shed baby weight, workout for only 15 minutes per day, eat clean then this is the program for you. Come check it out as you get to connect with like minded women and get heaps of resources to get your body back!!!

Breakfast
Organic corn flakes with dried fruit

Morning snack
180 Nutrition coconut green smoothie protein drink

Lunch
Chicken burger salad with hummus

Afternoon snack
Tomato, avocado and hummus on sour dough toast

Dinner
Creamy beef stroganoff with tri colour fettuccini pasta

I typically cook based on what is in my fridge and pantry, in this case I had the beef strips, a packet of already sliced mushrooms, yogurt so this dish came to mind as my father (being the Croatian goulash lover, adored this dish so it always reminds me of him) however I placed a clean twist on it as typically my Mum used to cook it with cream and sour cream! Also fried the beef in butter!! Any ways, here is my version.

Ingredients
500gms beef strips
packet of tri colour fettuccini pasta (tomato, spinach & egg)
olive oil
mushrooms sliced
2 cups of beef stock
S&P
sprinkle of wholemeal flour
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
yogurt or sour cream

NB: if not using fresh mushrooms, simply use 2 cups of creamy mushroom soup

Method

1. Lightly coat beef strips with flour and season with S&P
2. Mix beef stock (or if using mushroom soup) with Worcestershire sauce
3. Once beef is brown, add stock and mushrooms
4. Allow to simmer until all cooked
5. Before serving swirl through yogurt or sour cream

Here's a quick snap shot of our weekend and of course Oscar's 5th birthday party!!

Oscar's 5th birthday "Pirate" party weekend

It started off with all his Kinda friends & cousins on Saturday as we headed to the beach on his actual birthday. So here is a snapshot of his party!

Pirate theme party 

I was a bit lazy with Oscar's party cake as I only managed to make choc mud cake muffins with chocolate ganache. I thought it was a bit easier with the kids handling muffins, so made little flags to go with the pirate theme.

I had my lovely girlfriends Celeste and Jodie help with the thank you bags and bunting flags, so a big thank you to you 2! Made my life a lot easier Friday night only baking the muffins :-) Filled this treasure box with goodies and job was done!!!

Treasure map cake

For Oscar's actual birthday I decided to bake a sugar free cake. This recipe is from the one and only healthy chef Teresa Cutter Chocolate cake. Very very nice.

I was happy with the way it turned out as it was pretty easy to convert into a treasure map which the kids ended up decorating themselves. Too cute!!!!

Okay, I promise to post more regularly and not overload you like I have with this post. I hope you are all well and I look forward to reading your comments!!!

Xx Dani

Read More»

Busy birthday weekend ~ Mietta turns 3

Hello everyone, I thought I'd touch base as it's been a few days. Having said that I have been flat out on the other social media's, however for those that aren't on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter I thought I'd make a quick post to let you know Mietta had a lovely 3rd "star party" birthday.

More photos to come, I thought I'd share her 3 little layered chocolate mud cakes that I baked in tin cans! Amazing concept and I got the idea from a website I can't for the life of me find now, however here is a similar one I came across.

Here we all are gathered around the 3 little cakes....

All in all, a great day! Lots of fun and Mietta was dressed up in her Aunty's hand made princess tutu's which she wore all 3 colours at one stage. It was hilarious!!! Here she is proud as punch holding her 3 little cakes!

Birthday table with my little star poem.....

And of course like Mama's 1st pose in this post :-)

Okay, sorry this post is short and sweet but I will update more as I have heaps on the Ballarat Fun Run and of course my darling husbands birthday!!!

Goodnight everyone

Xx Dani

Read More»

Birthday boy!!!! Noah turns 7....

Hiiiiii everyone!!!! How are you?????? All fabulous here but I'll try and keep this short and sweet as it has been a looooong day!!!

It was Noah's 7th birthday today and I got all creative and did an ice-cream cake (no, it's not sugar free. It's got all the stuff only a 7 year old would dream about and the rest of us.....)

Skylanders was the theme at his Laser Force birthday bash.

The portal cake.....

This game is played on the Wii and characters sit on a portal that change colours (hence my colourful cake!)

More party pics!

Ignito is Noah's most favourite character, the main man taking centre stage with the candles 

They had a super fun time with the laser guns.....

Oh yeah, how can we not remember moi? On my way to the party!!! Pretty excited I am :-)

Noah's invitation.

The home made ice cream cake vs bake 

This is how it all happened (mind you my hairdresser gave me the idea as she did one for her little girl). I thought what 2 simple ingredients (I doubled my batch) and you can add whatever flavours in the ice-cream cake!

I will share with you my clean versions of ice cream cakes on another post. This was my first official home made "with sugar" ice cream cake!!!

2 cans of condensed milk (375g) and 4 tubs of thickened cream (300g) 

Chocolate ripple biscuits, mini M&M's and peppermint crisps

Simply add toppings into whipped condense milk/cream, I also layered M&M's on the base of the bowl

Place in freezer over night......

Fold ingredients into whatever cake/tin/bowl mould you wish (ensure you layer it with glad wrap)

Pretty quick, simple and no baking required. There is so much to prep for Zali's first birthday on Saturday so I "officially" took the short cut! Remember if there is a way.....I take it!!!

Here is Noah's choc ripple, M&M and peppermint crisp ice-cream cake (peppermint is Noah's favourite!).

Iphone camera doesn't do it justice, it was so colourful and visually not to mention tastefully appealing ;-)

The last piece.......

Pretty cool huh?

Okay no workout today, although I've been running around like a head less chook so that's kinda making up for my 15mins of typical resistance or interval training.....

Breakfast

Banana porridge protein smoothie

Morning snack

Apple and walnuts
latte

Lunch

Spagetti bolognese
latte

Thanks Celeste as she brought over lunch while we/she tackled the portal design made out of the fondant icing

Afternoon snack

fruit platter & wraps @ the party!

Dinner

Thai avocado rice wraps with chilli & peanut soy sauce

Please note these are veggie based, feel free to add any meat and experiment with whatever ingredients!

Ingredients
Shredded carrots
Bean sprouts
Sliced avocado
Vermicelli rice
Ribbon cucumbers
parsley/coriander
spring onion

Dipping sauce
Soy sauce
Rice wine vinegar
Sweet and chilli sauce
ginger
garlic
water
*peanut butter (no sugar)
lemon/lime juice

NB: the peanut butter was the only extra ingredient I added to make another dipping sauce

Method

Read package instructions on how to prep rice wraps, then see below diagram (which is also found on the packaging) on how to fold these beautiful, fresh tasting delights!!!

Sorry this is such a short and quick post, all is well here as you can see it's partyville at our place this week. I LOVE IT!!!! Can't wait to share with you Zali's birthday!!! WHooooooooSHHH!!!!!

Have a great day/night and remember to always find a reason to smile :-) Mwah!!! XxDani

Read More»