Happy New Year & Recap of 2011.....

 Can you believe it's the last day of the year again? This day seems to come upon us so quickly. Have you New Years resolutions or plans to put in place for the New Year? 

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Tasty Tuesday - Christmas Fruit & Nut Bread

Can you believe it’s only 5 days until Christmas? Madness! Are you up to date with your Christmas to do lists or is it taking control of you at the moment?

Thankfully I was more organised this year and my sweet husband took some of the present buying on board this year for the nieces and nephews which helped a lot! Let’s just say I am truly out of touch with buying presents for young kids.

Blanket Box Revamp + Winner

I have finally gotten around to photographing my latest project that I just finished recently. It was an old blanket/storage box that I had since I was 16 years old. I think I bought it to use as a glory box to store items that I bought for when I got married. Pretty old school thing to do but I did appreciate that things in there once I was married. Do people still do the glory box thing?

Tasty Tuesday - N.R.G Pancakes

 It seems nearly every blog I read is stuffed full of Christmas ideas, while I think that is great when you need a little inspiration it can be a little overwhelming and over kill when you’ve had enough of Christmas recipes, craft ideas and numerous other Christmas tips and tricks. I sometimes just want to read something that isn’t about Christmas, just for a little while anyway. Today’s recipe was inspired from Heidi Swanson’s recipe book – Super Natural Every day. I am currently reading it to write up a cookbook review on it for you Whimsical readers. However in the mean time I was so inspired by her Rye Pancake recipe in her book I knew I had to whip up some of my own with The Whimsical Wife twist.

Feature Friday - Natalie from Low FODMAP & Giveaway.

If your like me and suffer from a food allergy, cooking can sometimes be a real pain in the butt. Trying to come up with meals that both you and your husband can eat (and that tastes good) is a real trial sometimes. People who suffer with multiple food allergies have it even tougher. Some allergies can be classed in a "minority" group which is not really promoted or heard of a lot. Allergies such as fructose intolerance and malabsorbtion are some just to name a few. These are not really not known as well as ceoliac, dairy intolerance, or a peanut allergy. If you suffer from these allergies, life can get pretty miserable somtimes and I imagine  trying to put together a meal would be even more challenging. This is where my next guest comes in like superman ready to help ...... Her name is Natalie and she is the auther and founder of the Low FODMAP website and cookbook. Want to know what FODMAP stands for? Continue reading to find out!

Hi my name is Natalie and I am a wife to Geoff and mum to Flynn 10, Ethan 8, Neve 5 and our four-legged canine Obi (can you tell we have Star Wars fans in our house?).  I began a career in nursing and then midwifery.  I have always loved cooking and have catered for various events over the years.  I like getting out with the family for a hit of tennis on weekends and sail boarding over the summer.

 .   What started you to create your Low FODMAP website?

Low FODMAP.com was created to coincide with the launch of my cookbook, The low FODMAP cookbook.  Originally it was just going to be where the book was sold but it has evolved quickly to be where I post new low FODMAP recipes and information on a weekly basis.  It has also given me the opportunity to meet many people online and face-to-face in the low FODMAP community and beyond.

Orange & Chocolate Dessert Cake

  What does FODMAP stand for?

Fermentable
Oligosaccharides
Disaccharides
Monosaccharides
and
Polyols

You can see why an acronym is used.  In plain English, FODMAPs are a group of carbohydrates (sugars) that have been identified as triggers of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).  Research has shown that reducing these carbohydrates in the diet 75% of IBS sufferers experience relief of their symptoms. IBS is a common gut disorder that is experienced by 1 in 7 adults.


   What tips or advice can you give to people suffering from IBS and FODMAP malabsorption?

Firstly, don’t panic; you will get used to this diet. 
It is not difficult to cook without onions.
You can still have a sandwich without wheat.
There are still plenty of fruits you can enjoy even though apples, watermelon and mangoes are out.
Oh, and maybe my cookbook will help ;-)

You can order Natalie's cookbook for $30.00 on her website LowFODMAP.com

Chicken Tagine With Herbed Quinoa

 How did you come to write a Low FODMAP cookbook?

For approximately 15 years I experienced a range of IBS symptoms.  After multiple visits to various doctors I finally saw a gastroenterologist who sent me to have hydrogen breath tests.  These tests revealed malabsorption of fructose and lactose (2 FODMAPs).  I then had to make major adjustments to my diet.  It was difficult at first and there were not many resources available.  After I got the hang of my new low FODMAP diet I began playing around with recipes and coming up with new ones.  I had always dreamt of writing my own cookbook and it turned out that my years of struggling with IBS were now presenting me with just that opportunity.  I knew that if I had wanted more low FODMAP recipes there were sure to be others out there who also did.

 What was the hardest part in the cookbook writing process?

I don’t think I could say there was one most difficult part of writing a cookbook.  It has been a huge learning curve in so many different areas.
I first had to learn to document my recipes carefully instead of cooking in my usual “a bit of this and bit of that” fashion.  I also had to be patient when things didn’t work perfectly the first time.
Photography and food styling has been another challenge.  My husband is the photographer in our family and all the photos in The low FODMAP cookbook are his.  Since then I have been working hard to improve my photography skills for Low FODMAP.com.
Navigating our way through the printing and publishing trade also presented its challenges.
For anyone who dreams of publishing a book I would say go for it and be prepared to work hard.

 What is your favourite recipe/s from the cookbook?

That’s a difficult question.  I have different favourites for different reasons.  But to pick out just a few:
Orange and Cranberry Bircher
Chicken Tagine with Herbed Quinoa
Orange and Chocolate Dessert Cake

Orange & Cranberry Bircher

What food could you not live without?

It would have to be chocolate. There aren’t too many days I go without just a little.  But it needs to be good quality and preferably dark.

 What is your worst cooking moment in the kitchen?

When I was developing my wheat-free recipe for ANZAC biscuits it took me 4 or 5 batches to get it right.  The nicely shaped biscuits kept spreading so much on the tray that I ended up with 1 single tray-sized biscuit.  The kids thought they were fantastic but I didn’t think they would photography too well for a cookbook!

Lactose Free Panna cotta

 If you could invite 3 people over for dinner who would it be and what would you cook?

Kevin McLeod – We are in the process of building a house and I have a bit of a Grand Designs addiction.  I’m also pretty sure he would bring a nice bottle of red.
Adriano Zumbo – I have a hopeless sweet tooth and love creating and eating desserts.
Stephanie Alexander – She has such passion for teaching children about real food and I think my son Flynn would also enjoy meeting her.
I think I would have to come up with a menu that I could prepare ahead so I could spend time with my guests...perhaps a slow cooked side of salmon with a warm quinoa and roasted vegetable salad.  For dessert I would serve my lactose free panna cotta with balsamic strawberries.

 What will be on your Christmas Menu?

We always have a bit of a mixed affair with everyone contributing to a delicious spread.  This year I am planning to bring along a boned chicken with a forcemeat stuffing and a wheat free summer pudding with a lactose free crème anglaise.  Hopefully I will get to do a test run so I can share it on Low FODMAP.com before Christmas.

Order Today: RRP $30.00

Natalia has kindly donated one of her Low FODMAP cookbooks to giveaway to one of my lucky readers. This would make a great addition to any cookbook collection or a great christmas gift to a FODMAP sufferer. Simply follow the instructions below and get your entry in today. There is the chance to put multiple entries in to the competition! Entries close next Thursday the 15th December.

Good Luck!

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My Christmas Wish List. What's on Yours.....

The days to Christmas are slowly creeping down and if your haven't yet written your Christmas list then your just plain naughty! I wrote mine a couple of weeks ago and I really struggled with what I wanted or really needed. I want to make good use of Christmas presents, not just useless items that get thrown in the corner after a month. Something that I will used all year round or that I am in need of and don't want to buy myself. I am not all straight though I do get a few "luxury" or unnecessary items but they just don't make up the bulk of my presents. Here is what I wrote down.....

My Christmas Wish List:

($100 Total limit)

1. The Recipe Writers Handbook - By Barbara Gibbs & Jane Baker ($22.65)

2. Will Write For Food - By Dianne Jacob ($16.30)

*There is a reason for these books which I will hopefully be able to share with you one day*

 

3. Summer PJ's - I love comfortable & cool pj's for summer! Pretty but functional!

 

4. Phyt's Organic & Natural Eyeshadow - $21.00 

This is a great company specialising is organic and natural skincare products and makeup. 

5. Money.... so I can buy some new recipe books, clothes and whatever else I can find in the sales!

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I do have some other things on my "one day wish list" to get in the future either for next Christmas or Birthday's to come....(Possibly many years away!)

Excalibur Food Dehydrator... $360 -$470each

(Have to save up for this one)

This is such a great piece of equipment... you can dry fruits, vegetables, fish and meats! A great natural alternative to dried foods rather than the sulphur and chemical covered dried fruits and vegetables!

KitchenAid Ice Cream Bowl Attachment -$195.00

I bought an Almond Cream KitchenAid a few years ago now and would love to get a few attachments to go with it. The Ice Cream Bowl Attachment is the first on my list - you can make sorbets and ice creams with this bowl! Yum

Almond Cream Kitchen Aid Food Processor: $549.00

Ok I think the price is a little exorbitant but I need a food processor one day.... maybe just not this one!

I just realised I have very expensive taste from the list above! Oh dear! 

What's on your christmas list this christmas? Love to hear them!

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Tasty Tuesday - Roast Vegetable Quinoa Salad

 I have enjoyed the few days’ rain that we have had here last week in Toowoomba. It has made my vegetable patch come ALIVE. I mention the veggie patch from time to time but I don’t think I have really given it a spotlight in the last year... It really does deserve a bit of a mention because it is my own vegetable market in my yard. When we first moved to this house over 18 months ago now there was no such thing as a veggie patch. The yard was neglected to say the least, we had an orchard of sorts, a few mistreated looking citrus trees, guava, nectarine and mulberry tree.  It was a widower who owned the house previously and I think the one acre yard was too much for her to handle after the death of the husband.

Vegetable Garden Stage 1.

Anyway hubby and I got our heads down and got the vegetable patch started within a month or two of us moving into the house. The ground was black, hard clay soil and it was a HUGE job to mark out the garden beds, dig them up and turn the soil over, and remove the grass from the beds. I think we then shovelled at least 6-8 trailer loads (probably more) of soil between the seven garden beds we had created. It was back breaking, sweaty, hard work! Hubby did a lot of the labour intensive work and I helped where I could – shovelling and wheelbarrowing soil here and there. We eventually fenced off the veggie patch against rabbits, foxes, kangaroos and whatever else travelled through our yard at night. We would have no chance keeping anything in the garden if we didn’t have a fence.

 

My gorgeous husband!

The garden has evolved over the last 18 months with 7 separate beds becoming 4 large boxed beds which has helped create more area to grow things. We spend every afternoon out in the yard, pottering away in it, weeding, mulching, watering, fertilising and picking our produce. It’s one of the other things apart from cooking that I find relaxes me. It’s mindless work and to see the reward of all your hard work pay off in the form of vine ripened tomatoes, freshly picked corn or big fat heirloom beetroot freshly picked from the patch. Not only has that it saved us a lot of money at the supermarket. In summer when our veggie patch is at its peak we can save at least 25% at the checkout.

 

 

Keeper of the garden... our dog Abby!

I just love to waltz out to the veggie patch with a basket in hand and pick what I need for dinner that night..... Heirlooms carrots and beetroot, a head of freshly dried garlic, big firm round and long green zucchini’s, fresh crunchy green beans and a sprinkling of freshly picked herbs all roasted to perfection.  What does this then equal?

 

 

  My delicious Roast Vegetable Quinoa Salad. I use quinoa a lot and find it satisfyingly good in all seasons – spring, summer, autumn and winter.  Eat it hot or cold, for breakfast, lunch or dinner, by itself or as a side the possibilities are endless. This salad is just perfection with the drizzling of truffle infused oil to finish it off. I used this as a side to a lovely roast beef – it was a nice spin to the classic roast meal.

 I just love the combinations of flavours that this salad brings.  This makes a nice big bowlful and I love eating the leftovers for lunch in the days after making it. The flavours only develop more and it tastes even better! If I eat it by itself I sometimes add a poached egg or a tin of tuna to the salad to give it a bit more protein!

 

Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salad

 {Download & Print Recipe}

 

 

Serves 6-8 as a side

Ingredients:

2 cups quinoa, uncooked

4 cups chicken stock

1 tbsp olive oil

3 cups vegetables, roughly diced evenly in medium sized pieces

(I used: heirloom beetroots, zucchini, mushrooms, heirloom carrots)

1 whole bulb of garlic, cut in half horizontally.

½ cup green beans, chopped into quarters & blanched

2 tbsp fresh oregano, finely chopped

1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped 

2 tbsp red wine vinegar

2 tbsp truffle oil (or olive oil)

Salt, pepper

Method:

Place the uncooked quinoa in a sieve and rinse under cold water. This removes the bitter flavour from the grains. Place the quinoa into a medium saucepan, over a medium to low heat, with the chicken stock and olive oil. Simmer gently on low for 10-15 minutes until all of the water has been soaked up. Remove from heat and set aside for 1-2 hours or overnight in the fridge. Fluff the grains with a fork upon removing from the fridge.

Preheat oven to 180 degrees. Meanwhile place your chosen vegetables (excluding the beans) & garlic into a roasting tray and drizzle with a little olive oil and salt & pepper. Roast vegetables for 35-45 minutes until cooked through. Remove from oven and set aside to cool down.

In a small bowl squeeze the flesh of the garlic halves along with the herbs, vinegar, oil and salt & pepper. Mix with a fork until combined.

 

In a large bowl place half of the cooked quinoa, half of the roasted vegetables & beans and half of the dressing. Toss to combine and repeat with the remaining half.

Garnish with fresh herbs. This salad can be served warm or cold, as a meal in itself or as an accompaniment.

 

Why not add this to your Christmas Menu for something different!?

How are your Christmas plans going... hoping everyone is on track and not too stressed!

I will be sharing this recipe at Simply Sugar & Gluten Free.

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Oh Christmas Tree & Being Tempted.....

I recently stated on Facebook that I had put my Christmas tree up late last week....many were aghast that I had put it up before the 1st of December. However there were a few that had already had theirs up for a week at least. What are you thoughts on Christmas tree assembly dates?

I had grand plans this year of decorating my tree differently than previous years of blue & silver colour theme. Can you tell how I wanted to decorate it ? Yep neutral, rustic tones. These pictures were my inspiration. I wanted to use things that I found around the house and had stored away in my craft cupboard. Like rustic pine cones, decorations made from rustic calico, old music sheets, Hessian stars, stockings hanging over the fireplace.... Oh the ideas were numerous of the things I wanted to do!

Guess what happened.... I ended up using the old decorations and colour theme! I just didn't have time or money to update the tree for this year. I left it too late before I decided of what I wanted to do. Next year I will get my butt into gear and start making decorations for the rustic themed tree that I had in my dreams!

This time of year makes me a little edgy with all the things that I have to do and adding the pressure of trying to make Christmas decorations so late would of not being a good mix! So yes The Whimsical Wife was a little unorganised in the Christmas tree decoration making for this year.... but by golly gosh next year it won't get the better of me that's for sure.

My Christmas Tree

So for now you will just have to enjoy these pretty pictures and envision what I am going to do next year!

On another note... Have you got your Christmas presents list ticked off yet? Struggling still with trying to find the perfect gift? Why not drop into one of The Whimsical Wife sponsors websites..... 

Website Here

I recently did a Feature Friday on Tempt Homewares a few months back. They have a website stocked full of the most gorgous  things. Ranging from kitchen and home accessories to bags, jewellery and christmas decorations. Do you want to know what the best thing is.... they have FREE DELIVERY on ALL orders up until Christmas. How tempting is that? So make sure you drop in today and tick off all those extra presents on your list!

Here's a few images to Tempt you.......

I have a special guest interview tommorrow.... Make sure you pop in and say hi!

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