Q&A Part Two - We Answer Your Questions

Well you've seen our first Question and Answer post and here's another! Don't forget, if you have your own question for us - ask away!

Question: How do you come up with your recipes?
Answer from Kristy: Trial and error, usually - I'm also a weirdo who thinks up different food combinations all of the time. I'm someone who tends not to follow recipes, but throws everything together and then writes a recipe. 

Often times, my recipes are inspired by combinations I see in the grocery store, in restaurants or on TV shows - or things I've always liked the taste of together. I often try to mix flavours from my favourite dishes into new dishes, like the Chicken Parmesan Rice Bake or the Cajun Chicken Pasta.

Answer from Jesse: I have no idea but she comes up with some crazy good ideas.

Question: How old is your puppy and what kind of dog is she?
Answer from Kristy: Our beautiful Chanel Paige is five years old and the other love of our lives! She's a Shitzu cross Chihuahua and was my 16th birthday present (the best present I have ever received). She's spunky and full of personality and everyone who meets her falls in love - she knows how to wrap humans around her little finger ;) 

Question: How did you put on weight eating such healthy food?
Answer from Kristy: A lot of my problems with weight loss/weight gain were due to my undiagnosed coeliac disease (read the full story here). The reason I lost so much weight in the first place was because I was so incredibly sick. The doctors have told me that, basically, my body was so focused on protecting itself that it stopped absorbing anything - this means vitamins, minerals and even calories. 

My entire body was under stress and it started to show - the weight kept dropping off (I'd also had trouble keeping my weight up for about 6 or so years before that), my hair started falling out, my eyes were no longer clear and bright, my bones and muscles ached, I couldn't do anything physical (even getting out of bed was a chore) and I was so grumpy, depressed and constantly dazed and confused.
I cut out gluten and slowly I started getting better. My hair continued to fall out for a little while (as a woman's hair often does after she's pregnant, my body was getting used to the changes), my blood work started to look better, my eyes started to get brighter and I got the colour back in my skin. Once my stomach began to heal, I was also able to gain weight. It was incredibly slow and incredibly frustrating (when you're desperately trying to gain weight and eating whatever you can it's heartbreaking when you're not seeing results) but the better I got, the easier it was. 

I have always been a grazer and I still am. My mum would have to force me to eat, my lunch box would always come back looking like a sparrow had picked at it and I just generally wasn't interested in food (not helped by constant nausea). I overcome this by eating 6 meals a day and I also never skip meals - even if I don't feel like eating. I get my "calories" up by adding lots of nuts, nut butter, seeds and cheese to my meals. If there's not peanut butter on what I'm eating, there will be cheese or avocado or some other form of healthy fat. That said, my interest in food has increased now that I feel better, so it's not always such a challenge!

You can gain weight eating anything and for me, the most enjoyable way to gain weight was to do so by eating the healthy foods I love. Just don't expect me to sit down and eat a salad for lunch (girl needs her carbs! :P). It's all about balance!

Question: Does Jesse wear glasses all of the time or only sometimes? Does Kristy wear glasses?
Answer from Jesse: I wear glasses all of the time (obviously not to bed or in the shower) but I can see somewhat without them.

Answer from Kristy: I don't wear glasses, however, I probably will need to in the future as I had a lazy eye as a child and it means my right eye is a lot weaker than my left. Both of my parents have glasses as well.

Question: Will you have children in the future?
Answer from Kristy: Definitely, but not for some time. We've spent five years apart and are just now enjoying life together. We want to enjoy the things we haven't been able to do - like travel - and I think it's important to grow and develop your relationship and experience things together before adding a baby into the mix. 

Jesse's family think we should have one ASAP (his Pawpaw asked me when he was getting Australian grandbabies) but my family are 100% on board with us waiting - and I know once we're married we'll probably be asked by everyone. 

There are definitely no little Southern In-Laws on the cards for at least a few years (think: 5 years). 

We also still live with my family and we want to be settled into our own home with enough space and finances to give our kids everything they need (read: not want, because we're not creating spoiled brats). 

Answer from Jesse: Yes, when the time and after we've grown more and enjoyed life together.

My KISS Freelance website - 

and do you notice a similar background?

That was all intended to tie in my different websites.

Question: What do you do for work? 
Answer from Kristy: I own my own business, KISS Freelance, where I work with clients right across the globe as a copywriter and social media specialist. I write for clients on a whole range of tasks so every day is different - I may be writing websites one day and writing press releases or marketing materials the next. I also do freelance journalism work and have written for a couple of magazines. Social media wise, I teach businesses how to use social media within their business, design social media pages for others and completely manage social media networks for a select number of clients. 

Originally, I started out as a photographer, however, my clients were soon coming to me for more and more writing and social media work and that's when I launched KISS Freelance. I still do photography work - family and portrait work and product/food photography (you can actually see my work on Pepe's Pastizzi's packaging and website. Needless to say, we were all very excited to see my photos on packaging in Woolworths.

Answer from Jesse: I work with Kristy's Dad in the family business as an Electronic Technician.

Question: Would you ever become a full time blogger? 
Answer from Kristy: I would love to be a full time blogger, however, if I was to do that I'd also like to branch out into different things - working with companies on allergy awareness, writing a book/cookbook, developing programs to encourage healthy living etc etc. Who knows! One day! For now, I'm just beginning to work with restaurants and companies on teaching them how to be more allergy friendly/aware and how to develop products/services/menus to suit a wider variety of needs.

I count tea-making as a chore ;)

Question: Who does the chores in your house?

Answer from Kristy: As we live with my family, the chores are spread out a little - though only between myself, Jesse and my Mum. I am the dishwasher queen and am responsible for packing/emptying/putting away and I also clean the house twice a week. I also make an effort to put out washing/fold washing, tidy and help out my Mum wherever possible. Jesse is the bin boy and is in charge of taking out the trash - and he's also responsible for making me tea at night :P Hehehe. Jesse also mows the lawn and tidies up outside. 

I also cook every night for myself and Jesse - and sometimes our family as well. 

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And I think we have bored you with questions now, right? There's still quite a few left for the next post and feel free to ask your own questions - just leave a comment here, send us an email or ask us on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram!

Do you have a question you'd like us to answer? 
Also, who does what chores in your house?

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Recipe: High Protein Banana Bread

Sometimes you don't want muffins, other times you feel like a cake - or perhaps you want a delicious on the go snack or breakfast?

If you're like me and can't make your mind up - this recipe is perfect. I've made it into soft protein bars, banana bread, breakfast bakes, muffins and even a cake. It's high in protein, low in fat and gluten free - and if you use peanut flour, it combines the two most incredible flavours in one recipe (peanuts and bananas).

I gave this to a friend of mine who tried it out with protein powder and she loved it - so if you don't have peanut flour - you can certainly use your favourite protein powder! Cara told me that it was perfect with vanilla protein powder, coconut protein powder and chocolate protein powder and I'm sure it would work with almost any flavour (she loved it so much she's made a dozen batches!)

But is it really that adaptable? You better believe it! Check out this lovely innard shot of my bars (which I cut diagonally because I'm a goose and ended up having protein triangles). It's a different type of banana bread due to the peanut flour/protein powder and egg whites - so it's slightly denser rather than fluffy with a soft crumb - but it's super delicious. 

What's my favourite way to make this recipe? Into breakfast bakes, of course! These are perfect for breakfast, whether you crumble them into yogurt or cottage cheese, top them with peanut butter or cream cheese or eat them by themselves. 

But you want the recipe, don't you? 

High Protein Banana Bread or Banana Protein Breakfast Bakes

makes 3 breakfast bakes or a small loaf/cake

gluten free, low fat, high protein

3/4 cup Peanut Flour or protein powder

2 1/2 tbsp buckwheat flour or wholewheat/plain flour

2 tbsp flaxseed, ground 

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp vanilla 

2/3C egg whites or 2 eggs 

3 bananas, mashed (about 1 1/3C mashed)

1/4 cup honey/maple syrup (optional - I didn't add this as I don't like things too sweet)

Preheat oven to 190°C/375°F. 

In a bowl, mash bananas and add in egg whites, vanilla and honey (if using). 

Mix together your peanut flour/protein powder, flour, flaxseed and baking powder and pour into the banana mixture.

Mix until just combined and pour into your chosen tin. 

If baking single serve breakfast bakes: Bake for 20-30 minutes

If baking a loaf/cake: Bake for 30-40 minutes

If baking muffins: Bake for 15-20 minutes

Keep an eye on your cake/bakes/muffins and take them out of the oven as soon as they are cooked through and a skewer inserted removes clean.

But tell me, if you had to choose between a banana muffin or a slice of banana bread, what would you choose.
Muffins... always the muffins. There's something about those single serve portable beauties that gets me - breads and cakes are too easy to crumble!

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Playing Hooky

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So... I didn't go to work today. Don't worry, my boss won't kill me - because she's absolutely wonderful...... yeah....

Actually, I am my boss as I run my own business - but technically I still played hooky! 

Today Jesse had the day off as he's about to go away for work for a couple of days - so we decided to take advantage of "Cheap Ass Tuesdays" and go see a movie. This bargainista loves Cheap Ass Tuesdays because you get tickets for almost half price - and make sure you sign up for each cinemas rewards club as they also have cheaper member tickets for a selected movie each week (at Event Cinemas, they're $10!).

But enough with the bargain tips! 

This morning we got up (with no alarm, heaven!) and then decided to go and see a movie. It was a toss up between The Internship (which I really want to see) and After Earth (which Jesse really wanted to see) but in the end the ultimate decider was made by the bus and train timetables. Since we don't have a car and my parents had both taken theirs to work - we either had to catch the bus or the train. 

We decided on catching the train so we could walk down to the train station (as it was a gorgeous winters day) and ultimately the train timetables decided that we were seeing After Earth. 

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I'll be honest, I didn't have high hopes for the movie at all. I'm a girly girl who loves chick flicks, family movies and comedies (as long as they're not gross comedies) and whilst I love The Day After Tomorrow and a couple of others like that, I wasn't sure I was going to like After Earth with all of its creepy aliens and evil animals. 

I was actually really surprised and the movie was really good. It takes a lot to hold my attention as I would much rather be busy doing productive things than watching a movie - but this movie managed to keep me interested the entire time (and don't worry, those creepy alien things weren't too gross). 

The movie is set 1000 years after humans were forced to escape from Earth. General Cypher decides it's time to be a father to his son after years away from home on an extended tour of duty and takes his young song, Kitai on a mission with him to reconnect. On their way their craft is damaged and crash-lands on Earth - only Earth and the creatures on it have adapted to kill humans. 

I'm not going to tell you anymore because I don't want to ruin it for you - but ladies, if your man wants to see this movie - don't tell him to go see it with his friends, go with him! It has drama, suspense, action and it pulls at the heart strings too. 

I'd almost say that it doesn't follow your typical sci-fi storyline in that it's not filled with too much nonsense (which I'm sure some sci-fi fans wouldn't like) but Jesse actually really enjoyed it - so it was a win win for all! 

And to finish off our day of playing hooky? I introduced Jesse to the local Second Hand Charity Bookstore (all of the profits from the sales of the books go to local charities) and we picked up some books for each of us. 

I've just made a cauliflower pizza crust after many many requests - so soon I'll be able to tell you if it's a big hit or something you should avoid like the plague! :P I'm testing it on Jesse and myself - so you know you'll get an honest answer! 

But tell me, when's the last time you "played hooky"? 

What did you get up to? 

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Compromising and Exercising

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I get lots of emails from lovely readers looking to know what I do for exercise - and more importantly, how I get Jesse involved. 

First things first, what do I do? I tend to walk most mornings (I say most as you won't find me walking if it's raining - or if I'm not feeling well) for about 15-20 minutes. I walk around our local park and it works out to be about 2 1/4 km or 1.4 miles. I do walk quite fast as that's my natural pace - I have long legs and I've always been a bit of a speedy gonzales. 

The walk is quite short, however, it's perfect for me. I don't need to lose weight, I can't run to save my life, I'm not a marathoner - walking clears my mind and gets me ready for the day ahead - and it also helps with my chronic fatigue. 

My morning walk is more about making time for me than exercising - as it's a time where I centre myself, pray, think and be thankful. 

When it comes to getting Jesse involved in being active with me - it's all about compromise. 

Ladies (and gentleman), you can't expect your man to want to do exactly what you do - just as you can't expect your friends to want to either. You need to find something that works for both of you - and that's when you find the happy medium. 

You see, Jesse doesn't walk fast at all - and that's why I always walked by myself. Now we've made a compromise and I will slow down to his pace (if you're a fast walker, you'll know how hard this is - and oddly how much it hurts to slow down your natural pace) but we walk a little bit further. Instead of walking 1 1/2 miles, we walk 2 1/2 miles - and we take much much longer than I would on my own - but it's so much more enjoyable. We stop at the lookouts and look at how beautiful the world around us is. Sure, I'd love to have him walk my pace - but I'd rather walk with him at any pace than not be able to. 

We walk together on the weekends and during the week I walk by myself (as Jesse has usually already left for work). We've also been looking to start a karate or taekwondo class as I used to do karate when I was little and Jesse has always wanted to try. Problem is, we're struggling to find somewhere where we can do it together (and preferably without a uniform haha). Unfortunately where we live, the options for gyms/fitness centres etc is quite limited - and whilst we can find running and cycling groups, there aren't many other options unless you want something like a boot camp (which we totally don't want). 

As with anything in a relationship - it's all about compromise! You can't expect your man to do everything you want - just as he can't expect you to want to do everything he likes - it doesn't mean there's anything wrong with your relationship! 

I do think it's really important to enjoy being active with those around you - whether it's your boyfriend/fiance/husband or your friends! It's a healthy habit that will make you super happy as well. 

So tell me, do you exercise with your partner or your friends?

What are your favourite ways to be active?

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What We're Loving Right Now!

Hey loves, we decided to put together a collection of the things we're loving right now so we could share them with you. It's a random collection of things from food to fashion to beauty products - and feel free to add your own favourites!

As you know, the best way to find new things is by recommendation!

Exercise of Choice: Walking!I love love love my morning walk - and even though it's super cold now, it still clears my mind and gets me ready for the day ahead. Plus... I see some pretty amusing things while I walk - from people that look like their pets to this lady who I have to avoid because she swings a ball, which is attached to a rope - and so many times I have almost had my head chopped off when trying to overtake her.

Speaking of overtake, this week, one old lady told me; "If you're going to walk that fast, love, you need some blinkers!" and laughed herself silly - and it put a huge smile on my face. So much better than a treadmill (which I don't have!).

Beauty Product of Choice: Natural Makeup
I have always had issues with makeup. It doesn't feel right, causes my skin to breakout, irritated my sensitive skin, or just doesn't do what I want. That was, until I started using all natural makeup - and now I love it.

I'm currently using makeup from Conscious Cosmetics that's all natural and organic and the difference is incredible! When it dries it doesn't feel like you have anything on and they don't make my skin dry or cause me to break out. More on them in another post!

Beauty Product of Choice pt 2: My Favourite Face Masque
With my recent iHerb order, I also added in a new face masque - Queene Helene's Original Mint Julep Face Masque. Little did I know I was going to love it. Unlike some other face masks, it doesn't cause any burning or irritation and is super calming. I have ridiculously sensitive skin so it's sometimes impossible to find products that don't irritate my skin and still work - but this one does! Best of all, it won't cost you the earth either - with a huge tube just US$3.84 - and you can get a discount and $10 off with the coupon code OTO868 at iHerb.com

Jesse and Katrina's Beverage of Choice: Iced Tea
Jesse and Katrina (my sister) have been loving the Stolen Recipe Ice Tea - so much so that Jesse even said he'd write the review! Which was perfect, because unfortunately this intolerant chicka couldn't have any (only be incredibly jealous because it smells amazing). Now I'm just thinking Stolen Recipe need to come up with a new Kristy created addition that's safe to enjoy ;)

On the Stolen Recipe Watermelon and Raspberry Ice Tea Jesse said (after just this second drinking one so he could tell you all):
"Nice and sweet and very fruity. You can taste the raspberry more than the watermelon but it has a good flavour and is very yum. They definitely picked the right combination of flavours because they are so well balanced". 

Ingredients: Brewed loose leaf white tea complimented by refreshing watermelon and raspberry juice and natural flavour.

On the Stolen Recipe Lemon and Lime Ice Tea Jesse said:
"When it hits your mouth, you get the punch of the citrus - but then you get the refreshing peppermint and hint of lime and it's incredible. It's not an overpowering sourness like when you suck a lemon - it's a nice refreshing taste". 

Check those comments OUT! When he said that to me, I just about fell off my chair and had this big stupid grin on my face. This is the guy who used to tell me "it tastes a little... oh I don't know.. just something". Jesse didn't even think he'd like the Lemon and Lime one, but he loved it too!

Ingredients: Brewed Loose Leaf Peppermint Tea blend with a hint of chamomile, fennel and lemon balm complimented by lemon and lime juice.

I love that these ice teas have no added sugar and no artificial nasties. They're simply teas  that are flavoured and sweetened with real fruit juice. And clearly they're good as they're all gone except for two of the Watermelon Iced Teas which won't last the weekend!

Kristy's Beverage of Choice: Coconut Water
With all of my food intolerances, I often struggle to find drinks other than water or specific teas that I can drink without a problem. Coconut water is one of those drinks I love and have no issues with! It's tasty, refreshing and also filled with nutrients - and with my health issues, I often suffer with weird bouts of dehydration (despite drinking tonnes of water every day - it's a side effect of chronic fatigue) and I often find that Coconut Water helps with that dehydration.

In fact, I spoke with my doctor about my theory and she told me I was right as the coconut water actually helps to hydrate your body better than water and has high levels of potassium. Coconut water also contains natural chemicals which help your body to fight fatigue and can help to improve your circulation - but it's important that you're buying all natural coconut water. CCoconut water is 100% organic and 100% coconut water with no added nasties - so it's the perfect for me, the queen of intolerances.

So while Jesse's sipping on his Ice Tea, I'll be sipping on my coconut water and pretending it's summer. Who knows, at our wedding we may end up toasting with a coconut water and a bottle of Stolen Recipe Ice Tea since we don't drink champagne ;P 

Kristy and Jesse received Stolen Recipe Ice Tea and CCoconut Water thanks to Roxy at Sweaty Betty PR. All of the opinions expressed above are entirely Kristy and Jesse's own and have not been influenced in any way by the companies or Sweaty Betty PR.

Staple Clothing Item of Choice: Warm Jackets

I'm a cold bug and I get cranky when I'm cold - so it's no surprise that Jesse and my wardrobe is filled with my jackets and coats. I've got long trench coats, blazers, cropped jackets, tailored jackets, heavy cardigans, light cardigans and tonnes and tonnes of sweaters and hoodies. 

I'm all about layers so I will often wear a singlet, then a long sleeved top then a sweater and then a jacket over the top. OTT? Possibly, but at least I'm warm and not whinging :P 

That long trench coat is a grey tweed one and I nabbed it on sale for just $25 at Valleygirl. Bargain - and I love that it's tailored and gives me a nice shape rather than swamping me. 

SIL Dad's Breakfast of Choice: LIFE+ Protein Shakes

Our friend Silver at Icon Foods spoils us and last week he stopped by with some of the new LIFE+ Protein Shakes (which Joel Madden is a huge fan of).

Dad was a huge fan of the protein shakes and has decided that the Chocolate Fudge protein shake is definitely the best. What did I think? I thought the French Vanilla was too sweet (but I don't have much of a sweet tooth) but I've yet to try the chocolate one. Jesse was the same as me - but loves the chocolate one. 

My Dad isn't a breakfast eater generally, but now takes one of these shakes along with him in the morning - and with 45g of protein and less than 2 grams of fat, they seriously give you energy for the day and keeping you going until lunch time! I've shared them with a couple of friends who have been enjoying them before workouts/runs/crossfit etc and they love them - and even say they're better than a regular powder based protein shake!

Kristy and Jesse received Icon Foods products courtesy of Icon Foods. All of the opinions expressed above are their own and have not been influenced in any way by the company.

What's Been Baking: Anything with Banana

A pile of super ripe bananas had been waiting for me - so this week I got to baking! I made some banana muffins (a new recipe) which Jesse said were the best ever and I took some to Harriet at Flamingo Pink yesterday and she agreed - so I will definitely have to share the recipe soon! (and how cute are Harrie's pants!)

I've also made Chocolate Banana Souffles, Banana Souffle Breakfast Bakes and Fruity Baked Oatmeal - yum!

Jesse's Meal of the Week: Steak
I asked Jesse if there were any other favourites we needed to add - and of course he said steak. This week Jesse has had two steak dinners in a row (because the first one was so good) - Steak with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Broccoli and Steak with Healthy Homemade Sweet Potato Fries and Salad. 

When people say Jesse must have my healthy living ways, I really should show them this picture - and check those grill marks! Girl can grill! ;) 

Chanel's Favourite of the Week: Her New Bed

Chanel got sent a new bed this week and whilst she was quite wary of it at first (probably because Jesse and I put it together) both dogs love it. That makes five dog beds for two spoilt puppy dogs - plus whatever towels, blankets, pillows, couches etc they claim for themselves.

Chanel is one spoilt little mama - but she's so cute, how could you help yourself?!

But tell me, what are you loving this week?

Share your own favourites in the comments below!

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Recipe: Fruity Baked Oatmeal

Usually, in Winter, I'm all for warm and comforting bowls of oatmeal, fresh out of the oven breakfast bakes and I cannot handle anything cold whatsoever. Right now, however, I'm the total opposite. My obsession with breakfast bakes continues and this baked oatmeal just got added to the list! Best of all, it's delicious hot or cold. 

One afternoon I whipped up these baked oatmeals for a warm and comforting breakfast the next day. I popped them into the fridge over night and when the next morning arrived, I totally didn't want anything warm. Still wanting to try my new creation, I dug my spoon in and ate it anyway - and holy moley was it good!

In the past, I'd never eaten baked oatmeal cold - but now I don't know if I want to eat it hot again! The blueberries on the bottom of this baked oatmeal were soft and juicy and it tasted like I was eating some sort of blueberry pie. 

Just to make sure it was good hot, I also made this yesterday and ate it fresh out of the oven - and it was delicious! (Though right now my cold breakfast obsession continues) So this recipe is totally a win win - whether you're in cold Australia or trying to cool off in the Northern Hemisphere!

Blueberry and Banana Baked Oatmeal serves 4
gluten free*, low fat, vegan options, clean eating friendly, freezer friendly

2 cups Gluten free rolled oats
1/2 tsp baking powder
Pinch of salt
2 cups milk of your choice (I used Unsweetened Almond Breeze)
1/2 cup Naturegg Simply egg whites or 1 egg or 1/2 cup Applesauce or Egg Replacer/Flax Egg
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup applesauce
2 bananas, mashed**
2 cups blueberries (fresh or frozen)**
Optional: 2 tsp Cinnamon, spices of your choice, chia or flaxseeds, nuts etc

Preheat oven to 190°C/375°F. 
In a bowl, mix together all ingredients except for the blueberries.
Leave your oat mix to sit and absorb some of the liquid.
Whilst your oat mix is softening, prepare a medium baking dish or four individual ramekins/baking dish by greasing and/or lining the dishes.
Lay your blueberries into the bottom of the pan(s) and pour your oat mixture on top.
Bake for 30-50 minutes or until the tops are golden and the baked oatmeal has firmed up.
Serve immediately or chill in the fridge and eat later
These baked oatmeals also freeze really well. Simply allow them to cool completely before wrapping them up and placing into the freezer. I find it's easier to keep them in the baking paper so you don't lose all of the juicy blueberries.

*Note: If you are gluten intolerant or a coeliac, make sure you buy gluten free oats which have not been contaminated by gluten. Do know that oats do contain "oat gluten" avenin (which is why you cannot find gluten free oats in Australia) which only 1 in 5 coeliacs is allergic to. I am a very sensitive coeliac and have no issues with oat gluten. I buy Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Oats from iHerb and Freedom Foods Quick Oats in Australia are also uncontaminated. 
**If you don't like banana: you could probably switch the banana for pumpkin/applesauce/sweet potato puree If you don't like blueberries: swap them for any berry of your choice, or a diced apple.

But tell me, what's your favourite breakfast right now?

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Q&A Part One - We Answer Your Questions

Hey loves, I get lots of questions each week from you all, so I thought I'd put together a little Q&A Post with some of those questions (and feel free to ask your own questions for the next post!) so that you can discover the things you've been pondering. So here it goes!

Question: What made you start your blog?

Answer from Kristy: I first started Southern In-Law to let my friends and family know about our Louisiana adventure - little did I know the blog would take off the way it did!

The blog was a simple way to share dozens of pictures and the stories from our trip and soon I started posting recipes which became a huge hit. 

Today the blog is our little baby and something I am so grateful for. Not only has the blog helped my to find and develop my passion - it's allowed me to meet so many incredible people and have many amazing opportunities. 

I often get asked how you get readers on a blog and as I said in my blogger insecurities post - I think it's really important that you don't write just to impress others, but be true to yourself. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm often told the best thing about Southern In-Law is that Jesse and I are "real" and we totally are - we don't ever make out to be anything that we're not. I'm not going to tell you I have 5 prada bags and pjs from Hermes because the truth is, my favourite pjs are $8 cupcake ones from Kmart and I'm the queen bargainista. 

Don't lose yourself to become more popular because it's silly. With everything in life you should; 

Work for a cause, not for applause, 

Live to express not to impress, 

Don't strive to make your presence noticed, 

just make your absence felt.

My favourite quote, quite fittingly by an anonymous author.

The first time Jesse came to Australia

Question: Were you ever scared that you and Jesse wouldn't like each other when you met?

Answer from Kristy: Of course I was, I was a teenage girl! Like any girl I worried what he would think of me - was I as pretty as my pictures? Was I funny? Was I smart enough? Tall enough? Entertaining enough? Would he get bored of me? 

Did I for a second worry about what I'd think of him? Oddly enough, no. I was too self concious and worried about myself. 

The day he arrived I was so nervous at the airport. I hopped from foot to foot, paced the floor, ate 101 tic tacs to distract myself, watched the clock, checked my phone, checked the arrivals board - and then I saw him and everything melted away. Though, I did rush him to hurry up so I could hug him for the first time. 

You know how you have those friends who you see after a long absence and start right where you left of? It was just like that - only we'd never actually been together. It just felt right.

Answer from Jesse: Yes, I was a little afraid before we saw eachother.

Question: Jesse, what do you think of Kristy's cooking?
Answer from Jesse: Simply amazing, clean and full of flavour (From Kristy: shucks! Gonna make a girl blush :P)

Question: What do your family think of your blog?

Answer from Kristy: As I've said before, the blog is almost like an additional family member - it's something we always talk about and something they are a big part of - my family often come with me to events, taste test different recipes or try out different products - and sometimes, they're the ones getting sent things not me!

My family are very much supportive of the blog - and my extended family and friends are too. I'm incredibly lucky!

This is Kelly's reaction to the below question

Question: Have you ever thought of starting a fashion blog? I love your look!

Answer from Kristy: Well, first of all I have to say thank you, Sarah! But I think to start a fashion blog you have to be fashionable and the truth is - I'm not sure I am (as my girl Kelly agrees!).

I find alot of fashion bloggers are all about labels - and I'm not like that at all. I'm the queen bargainista and don't like to spend too much on myself ever. I generally buy clothes that are inexpensive but comfortable and suit my style - rather than looking at the store they come from or the name on their tag. 

When I'm at home, you'll find me in comfy clothes - yoga pants, activewear (even though I'm sitting on my behind), hoodies, big sweaters etcetc. When I'm working or out, I generally switch between business casual and quite feminine - I love blazers but I always pair them with girly blouses. I'm not allowed to wear heels because they make me tower over Jesse and I kind of stick to favourite shoes, rather than having a wardrobe filled with 300 pairs. 

So the answer is; no, I wouldn't start a fashion blog but yes, I will definitely be doing some fashion posts! 

Question: Do you die your hair?

Answer from Kristy: I've never dyed my hair once. I was born with blonde hair and lots of curls and as I got older, my blonde hair turned darker until it reached the colour it is today. My hairdresser won't let me dye it as she loves my natural colour and says that each of the strands shine a different colour in the light.

Depending on the light, my hair changes colour and it actually has auburn and blonde highlights in it.

Question: What do you and Jesse like to do together?

Answer from Kristy: Jesse and I are really similar so we enjoy doing most things together. We tend to have either lazy days or busy days. Lazy days are generally spent at home, watching movies or just hanging out at home. Busy days for us vary dramatically - it might be shopping or going to the movies, seeing friends or heading to a cafe for a coffee, seeing a show or heading into the city to explore. We're also a fan of picnics and occaisonally I convince Jesse to go for a walk with me ;) 

Since Jesse's only just moved here, we also like to explore new places - so we often like to plan trips to the mountains or to the coast to see something new. I also love having people over for dinner so we try to do that often.

Answer from Jesse: Usually we like to spend time in the city, try new things we haven't done and also spend time with our family.

Question: How did you find out you were a coeliac?
Answer from Kristy: You can read my full Coeliac Story here. I never thought I was a coeliac until the test came back. In fact, I walked into the doctors office confident that this would be the first test I'd ever fail in my life - but my track record of passed tests (medical and school) continued and the ugly coeliac gene was there. The doctor was shocked and, truth be know, I cried - out of frustration and much due to the fact that I hadn't yet found how to enjoy gluten free food. 

I was incredibly sick before the doctors ever thought to test me for coeliac disease - and if it hadn't been for one gastroenterologist who wanted to try and show me I was being ridiculous for cutting out gluten, I mightn't have ever known. 

Now I have a whole new team of doctors who are incredibly supportive and helpful - and my lovely GP, Gemma, will do anything to have me feeling better. Her medical knowledge is insane and she picks up on things that any of my old doctors would have missed (like my B6 toxicity!)

Question: Does Jesse eat gluten free or do you cook with gluten?
Answer from Kristy: The answer to the is kind of yes and no - Jesse often eats gluten free foods, just because we often have the same meals or I cook with gluten free pasta because it's easier to cook everything all at the one time. 

As you'll see with all of the recipes on the blog, they're all super adaptable and I cook the same for Jesse. Whilst he might have a gluten free meal with healthy chilli and brown rice one day, the next he might have an asian noodle stir fry with wheat noodles (because I haven't been able to find good gluten free noodles).

Question: Jesse, what's the best thing Kristy cooks?
Answer from Jesse: That's not a fair question! How can I pick? 

The Chicken Bacon Rice Bowl was my number one for a long time (from Kristy: and what everything else gets rated against!) but then she made her Tahini Soy Stir Fry and it's my current favourite. She also makes really good banana muffins (and the Banana Polenta muffins make a regular appearance at the SIL house) but the chocolate cake is our favourite dessert.

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So I don't overload you with questions, let's leave the other questions for another post very soon!

But tell me, is there anything you'd like to know? Both of us will answer your questions in the next post too!

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