How low can you go?

I can go low, very low. Low carb, that is*.

How good does that salad look?

Absolutely phenomenal - and it tastes even better!

I've been a fan of The Londoner for ages now and am working my way through her recipes. Beth put me on to this winner after I'd dabbled with the Travelling Noodles over the school holidays. They were a hit and a half, I'll tell you that much!

See here for the recipe.

Anyway, thanks to my spiffy new spiralizer, I'm discovering all sorts of delicious vegetable pairings.

This low carb pad thai is a cracker and packed with flavour - and all things nutritious.

Recipe follows below, but in the spirit of transparency and being authentic, I thought I should include a pic of my attempt below. It's not pretty, but it packed a punch! A very picky and hard to please friend rated it 9/10 on Sunday night. That's good enough for me!

When you eat it with chopsticks, it even feels like a naughty takeaway deal. Fun!

To make enough for two generous portions, you’ll need:

• 1 Cucumber
• 2 Large carrots
• 2 Spring onions
• 1 Handful of fresh coriander
• 1 Handful of fresh mint
• 1 Handful of peanuts (roughly chopped/smashed)
• A couple of handfuls of shredded chicken/beef/duck/prawn/tofu/omelette/whatever you fancy!

Dressing:

• Juice of 1 lime
• 3tbsp Sesame oil
• 3tbsp Soy sauce
• 1tbsp Fish sauce
• 1tbsp chilli flakes
• 1tsbp honey
• 1 Clove of garlic

Start by turning your carrots and cucumber into noodles/ribbons. Pop them into a large bowl. I added zucchini as well - it's a  bit firmer than the cucumber and not as watery, I really like it - adds a  bit more crunch.

Use a pair of scissors to snip the spring onions over the top.

Add your protein. I went all out on Sunday and did egg omelette, prawns and chicken. Delish!

Snip over your coriander and mint.

I also like to add bean sprouts for a bit of extra crunch.

Dressing

Peel your garlic, add the rest of the ingredients. Shake/whisk until combined. Pour over salad.

Top with crushed peanuts and serve. Ah-mazing.

Recipe from here

*But only on the odd occasion, fear not! Nothing beats carbs for ultimate comfort meal :)

Bounce

I'm a bit of a bandwagon jumper when it comes to exercise, I love a new fad.

Zumba, RPM . . . and now BounceFit!

Em and I bought a two for one pass last week and couldn't believe what a work out it was. Once we got over the slight motion sickness in the first round, we loved it. Sweated up a storm, it was surprising how hard we found it. 

Push ups, lunges, tuck jumps, there was lots of action and we had a ball. 

Let's see how I feel in two days time . . . 

Boobs

This is a perfect quote for me and my Valentines Day!

Hope there was lots of love and laughs over your weekend xx

Glass slipper

I am so excited about this movie. 

I heart a Disney movie like noone's business and especially love their 'real life' adventures (not to take anything away from their animations though, of course).

Doesn't Cate Blanchett look amazing? Gorgeous costumes, hair and makeup. And Helena Bonham Carter looks like a fabulous Fairy Godmother. A bit quirky and whimsical, not the grandmotherly type that is depicted in the animation.

Did you know Kenneth Branagh is the director?

This is sure to be a hit - I need to borrow me a child to take along to the movies!

Rose

A weird thing has happened.

My hair has lightened. Naturally. I've done nothing to it, haven't had a colour in probably six months I reckon (and even then it was a home job) so I'm at a loss to explain how my hair looks quite light. The colour I normally go is chocolate brown and I've been known to sport a very very dark almost black colour for most of my life.

But this warmer goldy tone is working for me, I like the change. It feels more summery.

So now I'm going to take this pic of darling Rose and ask for someone to copy it. Chances of it working? Hmmm, I'm nervous. And I want more chopped off. I like it short.

Am I crazy, friends? Can someone with dark brown hair strip it and go a bit lighter? I'm not talking blonde, heavens no. Just light brown. I think my greys will be less conspicuous in lighter hair. And trust me, there are greys a'plenty.

I'm reaching out for Melbourne hairdresser recommendations - any hot tips?

Gertrude Street seems to be the go-to for stylists, but I think I'm leaning towards one in Hawthorn. Three Blind Mice. Anyone know it?

Choosing a hairdresser is hard work. Do you agree?

Portrait of a Lady

Princess Mary is my homegirl.

She has totally nailed it in this official portrait - for two main reasons:

A) She's wearing an Australian designer (hello Carla Zampatti, you can dress me any day); and

B) She's recycling and wearing a dress she wore in October 2013 (much like my other homegirl Duchess Kate)

She can do no wrong, this beauty.

Young Aussie girls, take note. This is who you should be looking up to. Not that Miley bird.

Read about the dress here.

Lamington love

How is it the first day of February already? Seriously!

I haven't even recovered from Christmas and New Years etc and already I've been to New Zealand and back and fallen behind in work . . . only one month into the new year!

Anyway, speaking of New Zealand, on the way home I sat next to a mother of two travelling on her own back to Melbourne from Wellington. She had a four month old and a two year old and they were already settled when I got to my seat. I could see the strained look on the mother's face and instantly thought of my friends Bree and Gemma who travel with their little munchkins on their own all the time.

So I smiled and introduced myself to the two year old and offered to help out during the flight. The mother described me as a "Godsend", I think I've racked up enough karma points to last me the year!

Anyway, part of the kids morning tea on the flight was a lamington but Ariel (the two year old) had never had one before. As luck would have it, her Mum had packed Possum Magic to read during the flight so we got stuck into the picture book and discovered all sorts of yummy Aussie treats (they were kiwis but now living in Melbourne).

The timing was perfect as Australia Day closely followed so I got into the spirit and whipped up a batch of Donna Hay's cheats lamingtons. No, I didn't make my own sponge, but if it's good enough for Donna, it's good enough for me.

I took them to long weekend drinks with my friends Lill and Shuggie at the Pop Up Patch veggie garden in Federation Square. A gorgeous afternoon in the sun with vodka lime and sodas - and sexy straws. Shuggie brought Toobs and Burger Rings and a delicious beer and Lill supplied Prosecco. I was well and truly tickled by the time I stumbled home.

I love following my instagram feed over the weekend and seeing how all my friends and family were celebrating Australia Day. There were lots of pavs and lamingtons and lashings of Vegemite. I spent the public holiday at the Hanging Rock Races which felt very Aussie with kangaroos jumping past the track.

And now here we are at February. I hope it's a good month for you all.

xx

lamingtons

• 1 store-bought sponge cake or 1 quantity basic sponge cake, see recipe
• 3 cups (480g) icing (confectioner's) sugar
• ¾ cup (75g) cocoa powder
• ⅓ cup (80ml) boiling water
• 75g butter, melted
• dessicated coconut, to coat

Make 1 quantity basic sponge cake in an 18cm-square cake tin and cool on a wire rack. Cut into 6cm squares. Sift together the icing sugar and cocoa. Mix with the boiling water and melted butter. Using 2 forks to hold the sponge squares, dip in the chocolate icing and roll in desiccated coconut. Allow to set on a wire rack. Makes 9.

Recipe from here