Recipe: Easy Healthy Fried Rice for One or Two!

We've still got Christmas ham left in the fridge and by now we're totally over ham sandwiches. One of our favourite ways to use up leftover ham (and whatever leftover veggies or rice is in the fridge) is to make healthier fried rice! 

Fried rice has to be one of Jesse's favourite foods to order from Chinese restaurants, so naturally I decided I needed to come up with a healthier version to make for him. We make this using either brown or white rice as it's a great way to use up leftover rice from dinner and we often add in extra veggies when we're trying to use up what's left in the fridge.

It's a quick and simple meal that can be made for one person or two or multiplied to feed a family - the choice is yours! 

But let me share the recipe with you! >> 

Six Sentence Sunday: 28th December, 2014

After an awesome Christmas, someone in the SIL house got sick thanks to their umpteen million food intolerances and I don't think anyone would struggle with working out who that person was. 

But that doesn't matter so much as it's meant I've been super lazy for the last couple of days and enjoying some downtime with a good book!

Except last night which was full of fun as my awesome husband took me to Cirque Du Soleil's Totem as one of my Christmas presents!

I'm pretty sure I spent the majority of the show with my mouth open in awe because the performers are ridiculously talented and I could not believe some of the things they were doing!

Tonight we're getting ready to have a couple of friends over for a deeeeeeeeeeeeelicious seafood feast (for them, not for this seafood hater :P) and I'm sure plenty of good conversation too!

As Jesse's brother Josh is still here we're also headed to the Blue Mountains tomorrow (here's hoping the weather is okay to do so!) to explore and do some sightseeing.

But tell me, how has your weekend been?

Recipe: Boscaiola Frittata

If your family is anything like mine, you probably have a fridge full of Christmas leftovers right now. Whilst it's not so bad recreating your Christmas meal on boxing day for lunch or dinner, you definitely don't want to be eating the same meal over and over and over again as you try to use up what's in the fridge.

That's why I thought I'd share some simple but delicious recipes that will help you use up your Christmas leftovers whilst also creating a delicious meal!

This Ham, Cheese and Mushroom Frittata is actually known in the SIL household as a "Boscaiola Frittata" as it was inspired by one of our favourite pasta dishes. With delicious sauteed mushrooms, fresh herbs and garlic, smoky ham and parmesan cheese it's a frittata that is full of flavour and perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner!

Whenever we're invited to a friend's house for lunch, this is often something I bring along as it's quick to whip up and transports easily. I also made a bunch of mini frittatas earlier this year before my iron infusion to freeze for a quick and easy meal as I knew I wouldn't be too keen on cooking when I felt so sick.

Best of all? You can change this recipe up to suit whatever you have in the fridge! I've made it super easy for you to make it your own by providing you with the frittata base recipe below as well as the filling, however, you  can switch up the ham, cheese and mushroom filling with whatever you fancy! We've done everything from roasted pumpkin and feta to a clean-out-the-fridge frittata with roasted capsicum, tomatoes, barbeque chicken and cheese. 

But let me give you the recipe! >> 

Recent Things: Christmas 2014 in the SIL House!

Hey sweet peas! My favourite day of the year has been and gone, but we have so much to share with you - so let's have a look at our Christmas Celebrations! >> 

WARNING: Cute puppies ahead

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, from our little family to yours, wherever you may be in the world! 

We hope your day is filled with joy, smiles, laughter and love. Today we celebrate the greatest gift of all!

The Joy of Christmas

Christmas Day is tomorrow and I've noticed everyone has a different answer when you ask "What does Christmas mean to you?"

For some it's all about family - Aunties and Uncles and Cousins and Siblings filling up the home with chatter and food, wine glasses clinking and presents being frantically torn apart by children who have been waiting forever for that one special gift.

For others it's about tradition - going to that same church you go every year at the same time because that's just what you do or hosting your famous Christmas party and baking up your favourite festive treats.

And then there's those who find Christmas to be a sad, depressing time - those who have lost loved ones or have bad Christmas memories from years gone by or perhaps they don't even have the money to celebrate Christmas the way they feel they should.

But what is the real meaning of Christmas? It's not about Santa or gifts or Christmas trees or even dinner tables stuffed to the brim with food. It's about Christ. 

The real meaning of Christmas is one of true joy; God showing His incredible love for us. Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ - the world's savior. In His love, God sent Jesus into the world to be born so that he could save us all.  Jesus came to save us from eternal death - and he came as a tiny, precious, newborn baby. 

Jesus was born so that He could pay the price for all the things we have done wrong. The Bible tells us that we have all sinned - that we can't help but sin because it's apart of our nature. We all do things that don't please God - and we need to be right with God to have eternal life. 

The Bible tells us that the only way to have eternal life and a relationship with God is through Jesus. We fall time and time again and we are so far from perfect - but Jesus was perfect and He picks us up time and time again. 

Jesus came into this world so that He could die on the cross - His death for our death and for all of our sins. If we believe that Jesus died for our sins, we can ask Him to come into our hearts and forgive us. He makes us clean and whole, stamping our debts paid and allowing us to have the relationship with God we were always supposed to have. 

We can all be joyful at Christmas, regardless of our circumstances, because we're celebrating the greatest gift of all.

The true meaning of Christmas is LOVE. God loved us and provided a way, the only way, for us to spend eternity with Him. He gave his only Son to take the punishment for our sins. Jesus paid the price in full, saving us from our sins and condemnation when we accept that free gift of love. 

It's the greatest gift any of us could ever ask for. So let's celebrate it!

Recipe: Skinny Chocolate Coconut Macaroons

Hey sweets! Can you believe Christmas is just two days away?!?! 

I can! I am so excited for Christmas and I'm even wearing a Christmas shirt today (see the evidence!) as we head out to grab everything we need for Christmas Dinner!

As Christmas is fast approaching and my to-do list is growing longer and longer, I've been heading straight to my favourite quick and healthy recipes whenever I need to bring along a plate - so I thought I'd share yet another quick and easy cookie recipe with you!

These Chocolate Coconut Macaroons are amaaaaazing - the richness of the coconut and chocolate combine to make a crunchy cookie that you could never guess was healthy. Not only are they gluten free, they're also refined sugar free and made with just 6 ingredients!

So let me give you the recipe >> 

My Top Five Summer Essentials

Whilst Sydney has pretty great weather all year round, our summers are amazing. The sun is shining, the waters are glistening and the birds are singing. 

Summer is my favourite season. It's usually the time of the year where I'm busiest and out with friends and family - and it's also the time of year where I tend to take a little extra time when it comes to getting ready as I love summer fashion. From my favourite denim shorts to pretty sundresses and floaty maxi skirts, I wish I could wear summer clothing year round.

In the spirit of the season, I thought it would be fun to share my top 5 summer essentials with you (and I would love for you to share your own in the comments below!)

Six Sentence Sunday: 21st December, 2014

Last night's Advent Calendar Activity was to make a Gingerbread House, however, I'm just going to put it out there as a PSA and say do not make the Coles "Outback Shack" Gingerbread House because the icing is dry as anything and the whole thing is a total disaster. 

A Christmas Miracle did happen yesterday though as my previously sand-hating husband took his shoes off at the beach, walked along the sand with me and even GOT IN THE WATER - and he's even promised to take me back to the beach next time we have a chance to spend a day in the sunshine #winning.

It's only taken me seven years to convince him that the beach is awesome but I'm going to take advantage of every single second he's happy to spend there as there really is no better feeling than sand between your toes!

We also went to Flip Out yesterday and whilst I originally wasn't going to jump, Jesse's brother decided he didn't want to at the last minute so I took his ticket and it was so much fun! 

Then we finished up the night with dinner with friends and a fire in our fire pit (which Jesse finally bought real firewood for so he didn't smoke us out!)

Now I'm just waiting to go for a walk around the park before heading back home to shower and get ready for Church this morning!

But tell me, how has your weekend been?