Mr I's "FAR Too Easy" Chocolate Cake

This afternoon was cold, wet and dreary, and Mr I (my 11 year old) was getting bored. I told him to go do something creative.

     "Like what, mum?"
"Build something out of lego."
     "Nah."
"Paint a picture, or do a drawing."
    "Nah."
"Start a new project... build something."
     "Nah."
"Bake a cake."
     "YEAH!!!!!!! What can I make? I'll make my chocolate cake! Do we have all the ingredients? YEAH!!!" (running for the kitchen...)

Mr I loves to cook. Especially chocolate cake. (Now I wonder where he got that from??) He tells me he needs to learn to cook so he can cook for his wife one day. I think that's a pretty good idea, and I know she'll thank me for encouraging that idea one day, so he pretty much has free rein in my little kitchen. And he loves our Thermie. He is slightly messy though. I must admit, I get rather nervous when he rings me from home while I'm out at a demo, and asks where a certain ingredient is... he always hangs up before I can say, 'Clean up your mess!!!' Sigh.

Another thing Mr I loves to do is tweak recipes. (Again, I wonder where he got that from??) He loves to make his own quirky version of the Too Easy Chocolate Cake from the Thermomix Everyday Cookbook, tweaked to suit our way of eating. He doesn't need my help with it, just dashes off and does it all himself. He says the hardest bit is tipping the cake batter into the pan whilst scraping out the Thermomix bowl with the spatula - he's still kind of short and has to hold the bowl up high, and he says it hurts his arms. But he manages it, and I leave him to it.

Far Too Easy Chocolate Cake with Cashew Cream

I'm actually amazed this cake even works when Mr I makes it! He changes it all over the place, whacks all of the ingredients into the Thermomix at once, puts the timer on for 30 seconds, whizzes it up, and goes off to bounce his ball while it mixes... I'm much more 'delicate' with cakes, only adding the baking powder at the end, and not mixing too long so I don't 'beat the fluff out of it'. But this one has never failed. Even though he checks it about twenty times in the oven, banging the oven door shut each time, poking it endlessly with toothpicks... Poor cake. It's very forgiving.

By the way, he calls it the 'FAR Too Easy Chocolate Cake', because with his version you don't have the extra step of melting butter first, you just use oil and toss it in with everything else. Awesome.

Here's a video of Mr I making his cake, just to prove how easy it is... Be prepared for some kid stuff, like spatula licking and mess making!!

Far Too Easy Chocolate Cake

Preheat oven to 180C.
(Mr I usually forgets to do this until he's pretty much finished mixing. It still never fails.)

Weigh all the ingredients into the Thermomix bowl and mix on speed 5 for 30 seconds.
- 120g macadamia oil (or other light flavoured oil)
- 2 eggs
- 100g coconut or almond milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 100-120g Rapadura (or coconut sugar)
- 130g unbleached white spelt flour (or plain gluten free flour or almond flour)
- 2 tsps baking powder
- 25g raw cacao powder (or 30g cocoa)

Pour mixture into a lined (or greased) 20cm round cake tin. Bake in 180 degree oven for about 40-50 minutes (depending on whether you remember to preheat the oven or not!), or until a toothpick/skewer inserted in centre of cake comes out clean.

Serve warm with cashew cream or coconut cream, sprinkled with a little cinnamon. Preferably with hot chocolate with cinnamon and a blob of coconut cream. (Well that's how Mr I likes it anyway!) :)

Don't you love my gorgeous jars? They are Anna Gare Blackboard Spice Jars. Cute huh.

If you'd like to see some more of Mr I's amazing recipes, just let me know. But don't ask for his Caramel Custard with Licorice Allsorts recipe, because it wasn't at all nice. Just saying.

He thought it was pretty funny though.

(Oh, and blame Grandma for the licorice allsorts - I don't buy those vile things!)

:)

Life & Blogging & My Trip to Sydney for Voices of 2013

Well last week was pretty exciting. I was whisked off to Sydney at very short notice to attend the Kidspot Voices of 2013 bloggers masterclass and competition launch party... and I had a ball!

My blog was selected from almost 700 other nominated Australian blogs to be amongst the top 25 Food & Wellbeing blogs in Australia! Wow. I was pretty excited. Next followed an invite in the mail to attend the launch party in Sydney. I really, really wanted to go, but I didn't think that it would work out... Sydney is a world away from my little country town in the mountains west of Cairns, in Far North Queensland. I was busy with homeschooling and running a business from home, and I'd only recently gotten back from a trip to Daydream Island for a Thermomix seminar and holiday. And my husband and youngest daughter were just about to leave for a trip to Perth to visit family. It was all a bit too hard.

Excited to be in such good company!

But even though my head was saying 'you won't be able to go, be sensible,' something else was telling me 'don't book anything into those dates, you'll be in Sydney.' So I kept the dates free. (Which is no mean task with my crazy life!)

A few days before the RSVP date, an email came saying, 'You haven't booked in! We want you to come. Tell us in 30 words or less what YOU could bring to the launch party, and Ford (the sponsor) will consider flying you down for free.' Here was my chance. I went into my room to escape my noisy kids and skeptical husband, sat down on my bed, and excitedly dashed off an answer. It was pretty silly. I said, 'I'll bring my biggest smile, my quirky sense of humour, and I'll be wearing my crowd-stopping chocolate perfume.' Ha ha!! (Yes, I really do wear chocolate perfume. I'm kind of addicted to chocolate, if you haven't noticed.)

I didn't think my silly answer would win me a free trip. But I still kept the dates free, just in case.

And guess what? I won the trip!! Free flights, accommodation and transfers. And all thanks to my chocolate perfume... the judges must be chocoholics too. ;)

Surrounded by bloggers, loving every minute!

So what did I learn in my time away? Well, I gleaned lots of blogging tips from many successful bloggers; nuggets of wisdom that also apply to life in general. And when I say 'successful bloggers,' I don't necessarily mean bloggers who make a lot of money from their blogs, or are world famous. I mean bloggers that make us laugh and cry. That win our affection by their openness and vulnerability. That open our eyes to the beauty around us. That give of themselves, writing with enthusiasm and joy. That share their thoughts, inspirations, ideas and passions, and each make a difference in their own small (or big) way.

Let me share some of these nuggets of wisdom about blogging (and life) with you...

{from various bloggers, plus some of my own tips}

Do what you love, and love what you do. If you don't love it, chances are no one else will either.

Stop watching what everyone else is doing and be yourself. Stay true to yourself, your ideals, and your personality.

Don't be afraid to have an opinion, and own it! Opinion-less people are boring. (But at the same time, don't be rude or sarcastic about anyone else's opinion. There's enough of that in the world.)

Be your own critic. Step back and look at what you've done and ask yourself, 'Does it look good? Do I love it? Will I regret what I've said/done in five hours? In five years? In ten years?' Don't forget, the internet is 'forever'.

You have a unique opportunity to connect. Don't just sit and wait for people to come to you, go to them. Be open and friendly and ready to share yourself. Make it easy for people to get to know you.

Use spellcheck.

Keep it simple. Don't get so 'clever' with the way you say things that no one knows what you're talking about.

Take lots of photos with a good camera. Jot down your thoughts. Be alive to what's going on around you, every day.

Don't stress about SEO and other means of 'getting noticed'. If you're genuinely passionate about what you do, and you're good at it, you'll be noticed. Be less interested in statistics and more interested in people.

Be picky about who you are affiliated with. Go with your gut. If it feels 'icky,' don't do it. Integrity is so important.

Perservere. Be persistant. Don't give up when you hit a bump in the road - climb over it and keep going. Build good relationships with other bloggers and build up a buddy system to help each other along.

When you doubt yourself (which we all do at times), think back to your motivation for starting in the first place. Keep that in mind. Write about what you love.

Stay humble. Without your readers you would be nothing.

And above all, don't take yourself too seriously! Blogging is supposed to be fun. If it's not fun anymore, stop blogging. :)

And we sure did have fun...

Recognize anyone? 

{Clockwise, left to right} Maddie of 'Colour Me There'; Lauren of 'Potpourri'; Kate of 'Finger, Fork, Knife'; Ally of 'The Vintage Valley'; me and Alexx of 'Alexx Stuart. Real Food. Low Tox Living.'; Claire of 'Checks and Spots'; and Lexi of 'Pottymouth Mama'.

Interviews...

Sore feet, but lots of goodies to take home!

While I had the chance, I spent a couple of days roaming the big city on my own, taking photos, getting lost in the city streets (and loving that I had nowhere I needed to be), sitting in sunny courtyards listening to street musicians and just enjoying some time alone... Because we all need some time out now and then to let our souls catch up to our bodies.

And here's my favourite photo from my visits to the Opera House...

he walked into my photo and made it perfect.

What a very special few days.

Thanks for the great time, Kidspot! 

Sydney - I'll be back!

And thanks to YOU, my lovely readers, for making it all possible.

Announcing the Winners of the Mother's Day Giveaway!

It's Mother's Day, here in Australia, so Happy Mother's Day to all the mums! What special treats do you have planned for your mums today? Yesterday I shared lots of idea on my Facebook page for special treats you can make - if you need some inspiration, check them out here!

Thanks to all of you who entered my Mother's Day Giveaway and shared stories of your mothers, grandmothers and other inspiring women in your lives - they were so special.

I decided to post the winners names in a separate blog post for Mother's Day, so that I could also share their stories, with a photo of the women who they wrote about where possible. Congratulations to the winners - your prizes will be with you soon! Thanks so much for sharing, I loved reading your stories.

[Note: Winners were drawn randomly via Random.org on Wednesday 8th of May. I'm still waiting to hear back from Ellen H, and Sue Rutter. If that is you, please contact me asap so I can send you your prize!]


Gemma & Jess won a copy each of Jude Blereau's cookbook, 'Wholefood Baking'...

Gemma & her mum

"My Mum is everything to me - friend, confidant, teacher, support, advisor, etc. She is the reason I'm the woman and mum I am today, having taught me to trust myself and know that I can be anything I want to be. And she has always been there for me - from those hideous teenage years (sorry mum!) to when I went into premature labour with my daughter at 32 weeks. She is my rock. I never truly appreciate all she did for me until I became a mum myself.our bond is now so much deeper." - Gemma

Jess as a baby, with her mum, Helen

"My Mum is my inspiration. She homeschooled me and my brother and sister. Now that I have three children of my own I am in awe! There is no way I could do what she did. She basically devoted her life to us, all day every day for our formative years. Amazing! Love you mum xxx"  - Jess

Deb & Andrea won a copy each of Jenny Tschiesche's book, 'Not Just Sandwiches'...

"My children inspire me. 5 out of 6 of them are on a gluten free diet due to coeliac and they NEVER complain about missing out when we are out or at parties. They simply accept it will make them sick and more on. They are amazing and I love them to bits."  - Deb

"I admire my Mum for the way she continually blesses others in our family, her work and the community."      

- Andrea

Nancy won the Vegie Smugglers' E-book Bundle...

Nancy with her best friend, Karmen, at the birth of Karmen's baby

"My best friend [inspires me]. She always brings out the best in me and knows exactly if and when I need a pick-me-up hug and chat or a well deserved talking to :) She has recently become a mother and I am just learning so much from her devotion and strength to her new role, she inspires me daily."  - Nancy


Karen won the Deluxe BaoBag...

Karen & her daughters

"I would have to say my daughters are my blessings and my inspiration. It is for them, that I research, follow blogs and facebook pages, cut out nasties, cook from scratch and have a holistic approach to health. I wish the internet and all this knowledge had been around when my boys were little, but they also now benefit.
Many thanks to all the wonderful women that share their knowledge online, and for the wonderful generous donors of these gift packs."  - Karen

Penny won the Biome Eco Stores Lunchbox Kit...

Penny with her mum, at a fundraising event for the Cancer Council that Penny hosts each year

"Teacher, counsellor, life coach and best friend, my mum is the most inspirational woman in my life. She always puts others before herself, is kind, generous,thoughtful and caring. She has been there every step of my life, dropping everything to be by my side when I was diagnosed with cancer at 28. This journey has brought us even closer together and although we may be separated by distance, not a day goes by that we don't share even life's smallest joys knowing each day is a gift to be cherished."  - Penny

Kaity, Amanda, Nikki, Ellen, Penny, Sarah, Sarah, Tahlia, Shona & Annie each won a Living Synergy Nut Milk Bag...

Kaity & her mum

"My MUM is a cancer surviver and has quit smoking after 40 years of smoking. She survived a head on collision at 100km/h she owned a pub and worked 18hrs a day, she taught me repect and compassion, she taught me if I want something to work hard and earn it. My mum is my hero she definately has super powers andbif I am 1/2 the woman she is I will be a happy mummy :) xo"  

- Kaity

Amanda's Grandmother with Amanda's two oldest girls

"My grandmother, Pheobe Leeder, is an inspiration to me. She raised 10 children whilst my Grandfather was on a disability pension, probably not much back then. She was very creative with her cooking, managing to make the most of simple cheap ingredients. No-one ever went hungry. Her hospitality was warm, children's friends often sitting at the table, her sisters regularly visited for afternoon tea on Sunday afternoon. She entertained simply, with basic but tasty cakes and slices.

"She sewed on a treadle machine. She would make 'a silk purse out of a sow's ear', clothing her children, and later grandchildren with re-fashioned garments made from old men's trousers and other such fabric.

"I learned lots from my Ma during the 5 years of high school that I lived with her and Pa. I learned from her to see the good in others and speak positively, to value family and friends, to serve others and to allow others to serve me, to be content with what I have."  - Amanda

Nikki & her mum

"My mum will always be the most inspiring woman in my life, no question. She raised 5 of us on a very small budget while my equally inspiring dad worked 6 days every wk. She always has and still does, drop everything if i call with the smallest request for her. Her life revolved around us kids and keeping us happy and active, heading off every Saturday and Sunday while we were growing up to many different sporting venues. 

I have always appreciated her but becoming a mum made me realise just how much she gave up for us. She also loves helping and has volunteered for over 20 years to the different organisations she works for. When her regular Meals on Wheels clients celebrate their birthdays, she bakes them a birthday cake and drives around to see them and celebrate with them if they have no family around. I have been living on the opposite side of the country to her for the last 5 years and miss her lots....and we are all counting down until her and my dad arrive next month!!!"  

- Nikki

"My mother was a very stoic woman who never showed us any emotion, but was a marvellous cook and dressmaker. I was so lucky when at 18 I met a lovely warmhearted woman who became my "second mum"- she showed me that being a Mum could be warm and loving. She always made me feel welcome and very special. She was also a good country cook. It has been the combination of these two women who have largely shaped me. My "second Mum" for showing me it was okay to show love and warmth to those around me, and my "real" Mum for passing on her wonderful skills in the kitchen and at the sewing machine." - Ellen

Penny & her neice

"My niece is my inspiration! Simply because she is so full of life, always up for a challenge, like to be competitive, likes to succeed, and so loving!"  - Penny

Sarah & her mum

"My mother has to be my upmost inspiration. She is a selfless women who always sheds a positive light to everything. She raised my brother and I with such love and compassion and showed us that there is always good to be found everywhere. She shares my love of food and health and loves to try out new recipes and delights I hand over to her. Shes extremely supportive and the love of my kids lives! Shes a hoot always up for a light hearted laugh and also there for the heavy times.. What would I do without my mumma?? Shes magic."  - Sarah MB

Sarah & her Grandma a few years ago

"My Grandma continues to inspire me even though she is no longer here. She was amazing, always doing something for the community whether it be helping Legacy, Red Cross, the Netball Association or anything else. She cooked amazing food and could come up with anything from what seemed like nothing. The thing I remember most was that she always provided the best hospitality in her home. She would always have a cuppa and something freshly baked for anyone who visited and loved cooking for everyone. She is my inspiration because she always put others before herself and would do anything for her family. I hope I can be even half as wonderful as her!"  - Sarah M

"My Mum - at 62 she was diagnosed with Diabetes last December and since then has turned her life around to a more healthier lifestyle. She bought a thermomix and has regained her passion for cooking, losing weight in the process. Watching her change her ways inspired me to do so too. Six months ago I would never have thought I would be making so many foods from scratch, ordering bulk through a co-op, ordering organic produce delivered to our door and getting so much satisfaction from it. I look forward to passing on the knowledge and health to my family." 

 - Tahlia

Shona's family - her mum is wearing the blue & white top, & Shona is holding the baby.

"My mum is my inspiration! Becoming a mother myself has given me a whole new respect for how my mum managed to raise four kids while helping dad out on the dairy farm. Raising three small kids myself I don't think I could do it without her support and encouragement. Especially when she had to deliver my third child at home! I love you mum :)"  - Shona

"My mum has already inspired me - having 3 kids under 3 and doing it tough on her own when my dad left us, she then found the most precious man as my step dad who taught me what a real man is. My mum has never had any books skills but would do any job to help bring money in to raise us. She is the strongest woman I know and so glad she is a still here to inspire my kids."  

- Annie

Mel won two Pana Chocolate "I Love You Mum" gift boxes - one for her and one for her daughter...

"One of the most inspirational people in my life would have to be my daughter. We are so proud of her and all that she has accomplished. Although being bullied through her last yrs of high school and than spiraling into depression, she has come out on the other side a very strong and determined young women."  - Mel

Sue won the Naughty Naturopath Mum’s "Mother’s Day Pack"...

"My Mum is the most intelligent woman I know. She is not maternal and lost my father when my brother and I were very young. She sold the farm and brought a car, a caravan full of furniture, a cat, a dog and us 2 screaming kids across the Nullarbor Plain eventually to Queensland.

"When she arrived she rented a house and did not have enough money to put down a deposit on a fridge.

"We didn't have much, but then again we had everything. We had a happy childhood and went to school. I had to give up my horse at an Auction with the Auctioneer using my crying on the horse to up the bids. Mum still took us to riding lessons.

"Until the day that she had enough to buy an Agistment Property and we had horses again. We still have that property as the family home.

"Mum had me at 40 years old and has now retired. She has moved into an over 50's Resort and is loving life to the maximum.

"My brother has moved into the family home and is loving it there and with the 'rules' she taught me, which I based what I did on and went a bit further. I now have my own property and this meant that my Husband and I were able to buy a 100 acre farm and I have been loving life here and it is all because of my Mum.

"Thank you Mum.

"So yes we still live in poverty. LOL, but I am the richest person I know."

- Sue Rutter 

(We're still looking for Sue to let her know she's won, so if you know her, tell her to get in touch!)

Kylie won the 4MyEarth Food Covers...

Kylie's nan with Kylie's eldest daughter

"I'm so proud of my nan. During WW2 she was only a teenager, but she ran between military posts during air raids in her native Manchester, relaying coordinates of bombers spotted on the skyline.
She dodged bombs, clambered over wreckage and saw people obliterated by the enemy.
But she didn't say a word about her contribution until she was well into her eighties - we always knew she was strong and determined, but we never knew how much.
She deserves a medal as much as any person who went to the front.
Her quiet strength and bravery inspire me to meet any challenge with the same attitude as nan."

- Kylie

You can read more of Kylie's nan's story in this blog that Kylie wrote called 'The Invisible War Heroes' - it's an amazing story and will bring tears to your eyes.


Cate won the Love Moon Anion Sanitary Pads from Overcoming Overwhelm...

Cate's Nana (who turns 97 this year!), mum, and her with her three daughters

"My Mum is inspiring. I have never her seen anything go to waste in her kitchen. She uses everything - nothing goes in the bin until it has been exhausted, from making stock to compost, everything has a purpose done to the very end."  - Cate


Danielle won the MiEssence Vitality Challenge Kit...

Danielle with her mum

"I have some pretty amazing women in my life whom I admire, love and have endless gratitude for. My beautiful Mum who has given birth to 5 girls and who has dealt with so much in one life time and remains truthful and generous of spirit... My mother- in -law Wendy who too has endured so much in her life time including caring full time for her late son who developed a severe disability at age 11 and who offers so much as a grandparent to my two girls whom we all love dearly. And to my beautiful half sister whom I have recently connected with - what a delight she is and I am eternally grateful that we are now getting to know each other!"

Erin won the MiEssence ‘Delicious’ chocolate perfume sample + other MiEssence samples...

Erin & her best friend, Sari

"One of the most inspirational women in my life is my best friend Sari. What a beautiful soul. She restored my faith in having a girlfriend to call a best friend again. She has foregone many turmoils in her life from a very young age, yet time and time again, she gets back up and moves on. She always has the time to tell others how wonderful they are, she does nothing but spread the love and make others feel needed and worthy. To my children she is an Aunty and they love her just the same. She shows them guidance when I'm not there and teaches them to laugh like children should. My life wouldn't be the same if she were not in it."  - Sari

Thanks again to all of you who shared your stories - I hope all of you that are mums have a wonderful Mother's Day!

My mum & me :)