The Bachelor Australia Episodes 7&8 and #BachieTreat

This week I only watched Episode 7 as the following day I was on a flight to Malaysia with my husband for a business trip and due to VPN Zone restrictions, I couldn't watch the recaps while I was away. I had to wait to catch up when I go back. That being said here is my recap.

Episode 7 

The Farm themed group date. Lots of alcohol is consumed, shock horror! Hardly any food is consumed, so not shock horror! Snez and Bachie pash. QLDGirl gets her knickers in a knot and gets all whiney which is not be confused tonight with winey,  because she doesn't click with Bachie. QLDGirl goes home.

Bachie Treat

Sea Salt Caramel Artisan Popcorn {must be said in a posh accent}


Episode 8
Snez and BachieWood go on a single date and the most important issue of the series is properly addressed. Snez is taken back with the fact that she has food she can actually devour on camera. It is clear she has been starved for days because it is all she can talk about. She totally loads that pizza with as much protein that will sustain her for the days ahead of her, she got the smarts! When that Star Wars Ship dessert comes out, I can see it in her eyes, because I too have that look, " Back of Sam, I own this dessert, don't touch it, its mine"! But because she is a gracious and classy lady, she allows him a bite or two for show. Though when he asks her to put the dessert down to offer her the rose, you can catch her shoving in the last mouthful, she ain't letting it go to waste, she has to eat every last scrap before she goes back to Mansion rations.  She accepts the rose and is safe but can't help thinking and  secretly hoping she can scoff another Star Wars dessert or anything for that matter before she heads back to the dreaded Mansion/Girl Prison.

Poor Rachel didn't get a rose tonight. I so wished my rumer would prove to be correct. I spread it all over twitter with all my awesome followers. I felt so strongly that Rachel and Bachie were meeting up for midnight pashes. Why else was she dragged tagged along for so many episodes with no single date or conversations - at least on camera? That was quite an unfair play by Sam. Tag her along, give a girl hope, then ignore her! Maybe he is a dirtystreetpie? ( since I didn't watch last year's season I have no idea what a dirtystreetpie is, but it sounds dirty and this is how I felt about Sam tonight)

Bachie Treat
On the night this episode was airing in Australia, I was devouring a large meal at TGIFridays near my hotel. I didn't take a photo.

Episode 4 The Bachelor Australia Recap and #BachieTreat Gourmet Porridge

I had such a craving for porridge last night that I just had to make some. I decided to make it for my BachieTreat and tart it up a bit like the Bachiettes do on cocktail night.  For the tartness I made a berry coulis. I heated up about a 1 1/2 cups  frozen berry mix in a dry heated saucepan and added some coconut sugar (because I am healthy) and allowed it to thicken a little. I then whizzed it up in the blender with some water (just a smidge) and smushed it through a sieve onto the cooked porridge, but that's nor how you make porridge? Um, yes it is! Then you sprinkle some shredded coconut, and some chopped dark chocolate almonds and consume with delight. But that's nor how you make porridge! In my house this is how you make 'gourmet' porridge. Eat it for brekkie, a snack, or dessert. Its delicious and you will want to make it again!

Recap
Quotes of the night
"I am so ready to get out of this house" - #TeamJacinda
"He has missed a good catch" - #boringJoni
"She [Heather] thinks the white rose gives her some kind of immunity" - #TeamEmily

I have put off writing this recap because basically it was a rather boring episode, a bit like #boring Joni's personality - the one she blessed us with this episode. I am sure she is a great lass, but she over did it this week and unfortunately it didn't pay off.  This episode has also shone a not so nice bright light on QLDGirl or QueenB(iotch). I now know her name to be Jasmine. I thought there would have been some law about allowing a 16 year old on the show! Hahaha! Of course she's not actually 16 but she acts like she is back in high school and while it provides a bit of entertainment for a slow paced boring episode, the impressions I have been getting from her in previous episodes are now crystal clear. She does not like to play nice and she is out to verbally take down her competition. The  hot hit list has been written and almost everyone in the house is on it except Analglands and BoringJoni. I think Oshie could even be on it! While she plays friends with Emily for now, I would not put it past her to have #teamEmily on her hit list too. But her number one target to take out first is Hippie Heather. I'm gunning for a Mean Girls or Tessa and Dalia (Suburgatory - see video) style show down. Where cool girl and not so cool girl get all their frustrations out in one go. Well we can only hope it goes like this.

Hippie Heather was a good girl and obeyed Bachie's request to use her white rose. I love Emily's retort, "I am so glad she used the white rose, she thinks it is giving her some sort of immunity". Wrong show Emily, this is The Bachelor, not Survivor, though one can't blame you for getting them mixed up!
So Hippie Heather decides to use her super powers and create a date that Bachie will never forget. The date was perhaps fun in some ways but edging on lame in others. Homemade costumes, jelly wrestling and a photo shoot to end things off. Hippie Heather got her date with I am sure a few compromises - the white rose doesn't give you "ABSOLUTE" control (when Channel 10 pays the bills),  just a few suggestions so that producers can squeeze in little brand sponsorships wherever possible. I didn't see the NISSAN car, did you? What did make the night and push the laming indicator back to not so lame was when we got to see some FOOD. Hippie Heather made him dinner and although we saw her prepping the food, I can't remember if we saw her eating it? He was eating, but I think it is becoming clear. The bachiettes contracts say, "consume as many alcoholic bevvies as you wish, but under no circumstances can you consume food, even on camera"! On this last point, in this episode we do see the bachiettes back at the house spoon up fruit salad. Did we see them eating more than a spoonful?? The conspiracy continues!

The conversation all of a sudden becomes very serious when they discuss their parents. It was probably the best couple of minutes since the show began and we are all enthralled and if you didn't like BachieWood at the beginning, you must have shined a liking toward him during this touching moment. Then the all important hot topic comes up. Are they stuck in #TheFriendsZone? A quick pash on the couch and BachieWood offering a red rose cleared all of that up, for now. Hippie Heather returns to the mansion beaming with her red rose but still kept some cards close to her chest. She isn't telling the girls if he is a good kisser, which I think is a good game play, though I don't think she will be able to keep that up for much longer. This girl wears her heart on her sleeve. She claims to have a good poker face, but it's clear to the rest of Australia, that she is either an awesome actress who loves to play with the minds of her opponents or she is just really crap at hiding her emotions.

There is a group date, shock horror, at the beach because which Bachie wouldn't want his girlfriends to be in their bikinis frolicking in the water and pining after him? I wonder if there is a question on the application for the show asking if girls feel comfortable wearing their cozzies and jumping around at the same time. If you say no, you can't be on the show. I'd like to take this time to point out that there are no "plus size" girls on this show. Why is that? Poor Heybro (the turkish delight girl) lost her top in the waves, how embarrassment. At least Australia knows who she is now! Not much else exciting or interesting happens on this group date, oh hang on. We do hear Analglands say anal glands again and Bachie no happy. It was painfully clear from their short conversation that she was going home. Bachie also afforded some time to Joni and we all had to suffer for it! Joni seems like a nice lady, but unfortunately she bored the pants off all of us including Bachie, I can't quite remember what she said to be completely honest but all I remember thinking was Joni or Analglands will be going home tonight. Oh and I just wished they cracked open some s'mores by the fire they had set up, what a waste!

Back at the cocktail party and the girls are back to fulfilling their contracts of consuming more alcoholic beverages and not eating anything at all, ever, ever, ever! Good girls.  Maybe this is Survivor? QLDGirl is in full QueenB form tonight. Bachie gives Parmie a peck on the lips in front of some girls including QLDGirl. She so doesn't want to tell the others, because that would be so totes slack and bitchy, but how amazeballs would it be if she did tell everyone! So she does. Hippie Heather cracks her poker face. She loses it, but she still has cards left to play. She plays one with her Super Hero poster of Super Bachie and H-Bomb (lets leave that alone for now shall we). He loves it and will keep it forever! Really Bachie, when you propose to another woman, will that poster be kept forever? I am not too sure why Hippie Heather freaks over the Parmie peck, she is holding a rose, she is safe to fight another day and use more of her H-Bomb powers. QueenB aka Jassmine gets a red rose so that Tessa and Dalia showdown may just happen (we can pray). As I predicted (I think it was painfully obvious this week though) Analglands and BoringJoni were sent home, oh Bachie, you missed a good catch in Joni hope you don't live to regret it!

Fingers crossed next weeks episode is less boring. What Bachie Treat did you have this week?

Episode 3 Recap and Bachie Treat
Episodes 1&2 Recap and Bachie Treat

Episode 3 The Bachelor Treat and Recap

Tonight's Bachie treat is a little healthier than the last. I'll try to mix it up as best I can be bothered to. I felt like strawberries and bananas so I threw those together with some shredded coconut, LSA(because I'm healthy), some chopped dark chocolate almonds, and a squiggle of caramel fudge sauce. Pretty simple, but super delicious. 

Recap
Favourite quotes for tonight's episode were from Emily, you go girl!

"I am not a patient person"

"It's 50:50 if Snesana will get a rose!"

Besides these little gems, tonight was a little slow. Sandragon was not on full game until the end of the night. We need to see her on a single date or a group date of no more than 4 girls. I think it would be totally rocking if Sandragon could be paired on a date with Emily!

So the girls get to choose who gets a 1 on 1 date, how generous is Channel 10? I think it was strategy, or was it the producer's choice to shine a light on, who was it again? Oh yes, Madeline. How was the date I hear you beaming? It was boring as heck! This poor girl has been quiet for a reason. It was boring, it was awkward and Bachiewood's body language was screaming through the TV screen that he wanted it to end sooner rather than later and even more so that he didn't give her a rose. Though the highlight for me was BachieWood offering Madeline something to eat, but Madeline has a good memory and declines as her thinking bubble appears," producer told me say no to food, food is bad, food not good"!

I tell you, there is an underlining conspiracy on this show. Drink all the alcohol you want, but don't eat! So far I have not seen food on display on this show. Where is the food I say?

Parmie scores the first 1 on 1 date as requested by BachieWood himself. They go up in a hot air balloon and drink, you guessed it champers, more grog. Then when they land, they are in a vineyard to drink more alcohol. Though shock horror, we get to see food, well I think it is, it's all blurry and out of focus like and doesn't look touched.  Who cares about the food though the first snog of the season has just taken place and Parmie also gets a rose! It's all happening so fast but I worry for her. She can't fall too quickly as I think he will break her heart well, I could be wrong. Let's face it, it's 50:50 chance he could break her heart.

Hippie Heather is freaking out big time with the discovery that Parmie has returned happy from her date and also has a rose to add more push to the dagger edging toward her heart. Though if BachieWood didn't ask her to use her white rose, would she have? Can we read something into this? Should we?? It seems like BachieWood is using that "friends" word a little too much. I just want to give Hippie Heather a big mammamia hug. She fell into the friend zone very quickly and she's reaching for his hand to pull her into the girl friend zone but I don't think he's there! Think about it people, could you actually picture him kissing her from the beginning? I bet he thought she reminded him of his sister, urgh! Poor Hippie, on the upside, you can write a film about it!

Not heard much from Nina, though she is totally tuned in to this whole affair. I think she is the dark horse and we need to keep an eye on her and remember her name.

#TeamJacinda, while I like her and find her entertaining I don't think she is Bachiewood material. I can't see her kissing him. But I could be wrong, there is a 50:50 chance he could kiss her! 

As for the 20's dinner night, sorry did I say dinner? We didn't see dinner we only saw alcohol. They must pee a lot!! Joni said something about feeling feminine because of what she was wearing and so felt empowered to fix his hair..what on earth are you saying love, what I ask you?  

The Biotches or also known as Emily, QLD girl (not sure of her real name), and that other one,  can't hide their true feelings this evening. Me thinks they are forming the cool girl clique, only cool girls are allowed. The ones who look good because they tell each other they do. They complain they aren't getting time with Bachie but don't want to say that out loud. If they did they would cross the line into the cray cray clique (population 1 which is Sandragon, though one could argue analglands could be included) and would be accepting friend requests from #Sandragon! Sandragon got her limelight just in time before the evening ended. She crashed in on Sarah's personal time with BachieWood. The awkwardness was short and painful, but still entertaining enough to score another rose. Thanks Channel 10.

No surprises with who didn't get a rose. Poor, um...what was her name? The one who doesn't like to eat in front of her man, worries about her makeup and hair too much, yeah that one!

What #BachieTreat did you indulge in? I have a feeling there is another episode tomorrow, well there is a 50:50 chance there could be. I hope I can be a patient person until tomorrow!! 

Great list of Interactive WhiteBoard Activities

As a teacher, I am always searching for educational activities that are fun for my students. I also predominately work as a casual, so having a pool of resources that I don't have to bring with me everywhere is always a bonus. The Interactive WhiteBoard or IWB, also known as the SMART board, is an amazing invention. I use it all the time both in special and mainstream education. This is a list I have compiled of sites I have discovered and used myself to determine their usefulness. There have been many that I have not included because they weren't user friendly, or their graphics weren't the best. I hope you can find something useful. Also you can enjoy many of these sites at home on your own computer.  Would love to hear your feedback on any of these links or if you know of something great to share, please do so in the comments.

Stop the Clock - time is written in words. You have to stop the clock to show the time written in words. Lots of fun!! years 2-6

 http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/BangOnTime/clockwordres.html

Shot Clock - choose plus,minus,addition, multiplication, and division. Shoot the ball into the correct basketball - great for revision of math skills years 3-6

 http://www.roomrecess.com/pages/ShotClock.html

Interlocked 3D Puzzles - addictive!! This is a great game to challenge students. Could be used in between lessons or used on a rainy day. Years 3-6

 http://smartboard.someschoolgames.com/kids-logic-games/interlocked/


Spin and Spell - spelling game of everyday items, actions, and animals. Years 2-6

 http://www.spinandspell.com

Sheppard's Software Verbs in Space - A really good game that explores and assists with all sorts of grammar skills in an interactive way. Students have to think quick, but great for revision. Recommend from years 3-6

 http://www.spinandspell.com

Super Why Games, Alpha Bricks - interactive way to revise letter recognition. K-1 and SSP

 http://pbskids.org/superwhy/#game/alphabricks

Word Finder - interactive find-a-word. years 3-6

 http://www.wordgametime.com/games/word-finder

The Blobz guide to Electric Circuits - great for science lesson years 5-6

 http://www.andythelwell.com/blobz/guide.html

I spy games online - interactive puzzles and bingo games. Years 2-6 and SSP

 http://www.scholastic.com/kids/ispy/games/puzzler.htm


Math-Play soccer game - fun way to test dividing fractions - years 5-6.

 http://www.math-play.com/soccer-math-dividing-fractions-game/soccer-math-dividing-fractions-game.html

Scale of the Universe 2 - absolutely amazing! Use the bottom scale to drag in and out to see comparison of length/height etc of things in our universe. years 4-6+

**allow some time for the program to load, and click START**

 http://www.htwins.net/scale2/

Dinner with the Family @ Nandos Family Restuarant Blacktown

Recently we went to to WestPoint Blacktown to watch a movie. Luckily for my family, I got the times mixed up and we were there an hour early, yay for mum brain on a Friday night!! We walked around the Piazza trying to workout want we felt like eating. We noticed the new Nando's Restaurant and decided we would give it ago. The decor and spaciousness was a big draw card just to get us in and decide if we really wanted to eat, but the biggest bonus of the night was bottomless drinks!! We love bottomless drinks and I must say there just isn't enough family orientated restaurants offering this. How many of you cringe at the cost of paying for drinks for your family? If you aren't paying $4-$4.50 for a single drink, you are paying around $12 for a jug of soft drink which will half fill a family of 6's very short glasses. We actually stopped paying for soft drinks in the end. The kids are well trained now, and know its going to be waters all around when we go out. When we told the boys they could have soft drinks I think they almost fainted in shock! Once they recovered we told them it was all-you-drink and they thought we must have had a car accident on the way and were actually in heaven! Jokes aside, this is a great service and really more restaurants should take on this philosophy, especially for families.

We ordered two Supremo burgers, and two Classico burgers. My eldest son chose mild sauce, but this was too hot for him and it was taken back to the kitchen. His new burger had only BBQ sauce and this was devoured with two thumbs up.

My youngest, who is 5 eats like he is 10. I didn't expect him to finish his Classico burger, but polished it off with easy, almost before my husband. Hubby enjoyed his Supremo with Hot sauce, and said it wasn't too spicy, I would still proceed with caution. He can handle the heat. I went for something different. I had the Chicken Paella, which basically translates to Chicken with sauce, onions, tomatoes, and capsicums on a bed of rice.

There is no attempt here to be officially correct. It was yummy none the less. To go with our delicious main means, we decided to order the "Very Large serving" of chips.

In Australian standards, this is correct. On worldly standards, or at least North American standards, the serving size would be laughed upon. Why do we limit our serving sizes to smallish, smaller, and really small? When the rest of the world use, ridiculously big, a littler smaller than that, and at least 10 people could feed on this serving as the smallest size! We could argue the whole health thing, but really, Australian servings are skimpish. Why are we such tight wads with our servings?? Still we ate them and enjoyed them. On a cold Autumn evening hot chicken salted chips were completely appropriate regardless the serving size.

All in all, we enjoyed ourselves. Two very enthusiastic thumbs up. The service was impeccable. There was no questions when we asked for another burger to replace my son's too spicy one. All waiters smiled and chatted with confidence. We sat in a circular booth with high backs which provided privacy and a bit of a sound barrier which is good for our noisy family. It was a positive experience, and we will be returning for sure.

We ordered:
2 Supremo burgers
2 Classico burgers
1 Chicken Paella
1 Very large serving of chips
2 Refill drinks (yes, we are tight wads! Why buy 5 when we can get by with 2? Think smart and you will act  and save smart!!)

Total : $64.50

PS, we love the decor too!

Bertolli Olive Oils are for sexy people!

What does Extra Virgin, Classico, and Extra light have in common? If you are a foodie then you might have worked it out, if you aren't then I will give you a clue or two. They are all made by Bertolli and one can be used on cold dishes and the other two on hot dishes. I will let that simmer a little in your brain (pun intended however bad you think it is!).

Once upon a time, I thought that you could buy one type of olive oil and it would work with any dish and in any way you needed it to. However, this is not so and I recently discovered there is a better way to make olive oil work for me perfectly in my cooking every time. The smart people at Bertolli have bought out three olive oils and have clearly labelled how each can be used for your cooking.  When I got my oils I put them on my bench top and the sun was shining brightly through the glass bottles which illuminated the liquid so well that I almost wanted to take a swig from each bottle. I managed to contain myself but my mind instantly wandered on how I could use these oils and I didn't want to waste anytime.

That night I cooked up a chicken breast in the oven. I splashed some Extra Light on the base and laid the chicken breast on top. I sprinkled some Masterfoods Tuscan seasoning over the top and splashed over some more oil. I baked this in a preheated oven of 180C for 10mins and the breast over for a further 10mins. It was exquisite. The flavour was subtle but married so well I was licking my fingers and soaking up the juices with bread!

The chicken was just too good, I gobbled it up before I remembered to take the photo of the finished product!As the chicken worked out so well, I figured I would try the Extra Virgin for a salad dressing.

 This is my mixed quinoa salad I made for work. I used:

cooked quinoa
baby spinach leaves
leftover BBQ chicken (optional)
half a Lebanese cucumber deseeded and chopped
tomato chopped
1 stalk of celery chopped in small pieces

Dressing
Red wine vinegar
Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive oil
Dijon mustard - a small dollop
salt and pepper to taste

Using a container with a lid, place all ingredients in container and secure lid. Shake vigourously until all ingredients are combined and pour over salad of choice. I don't have measurements because I didn't really measure as the salad was just for me. I went by taste. Next time I will try it without the Dijon mustard, but other than this, the oil made it perfect!

So by now you should have guessed  that Extra Virgin, Classico, and Extra Light are all olive oils and the other common thread is that they are from Bertolli. Like me you should now know that your foodie pantries should have three oils,  not just one. Each oil will serve its rightful purpose in making the right foods delicious.

Classico: is best for barbequing and roasting.

Extra Light: best for baking and frying

Extra Virgin: best for salads, pasta sauces and dips.

Bertolli are currently running a competition on their Facebook page. Click on the link to see how you could win $3000 of Westfield vouchers or 1 of 20 antipasto hampers. I'll just give you the "heads up"on what you will find on this page. The commercial may shock some of my more conservative viewers, so just keep that in mind. Its not nudie rudie, but you will see some "cheeky" angles!

For more information on what you can do with the Bertolli range you can check out:

Website: http://www.cookingwitholiveoil.com.au/

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/BertolliOliveOil

Pinterest Page: http://www.pinterest.com/bertolliau

YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/bertolliau

Good Luck if you choose to enter the Facebook competition and remember if you consider yourself to be sexy then you must be a Bertolli person foodie or not!

Mamak Chatswood Review

Last Saturday we headed out to dinner with my husband's sister and her husband. It was suggested that we go to Mamak in Chatswood, on recommendation from my husband. He had a work function here. My sister also checked out reviews for this place and they were all good. We were warned of potential line waiting though, as apparently no reservations are taken.

We arrived around 6:45pm to fine a line that extended down past the kitchen windows. Let me just say, I am not a good line-upper-er! If I see a line for something I will try and work out how to avoid it to the point where I would prefer to do something else if it was available. So, when I saw the line, I suggested we go somewhere else, but the others would not hear of it! So we lined up! However, on the upside we did get to view inside part of their kitchen where they make their famous roti and this makes for good entertainment while you wait.

I think we waited for about 15-20 minutes for a seat, which wasn't that bad after all. It took a little while to get our waitress's attention to order, but once we did dinner came out in next to no time! With the help of the Mamak website, I will be able to give the Malaysian names for our dishes and drinks, otherwise, you would just get the descriptions!!!

 I recommend to drink, you give the cold milo ago which is about $3.50. I drank Limau asis, which is  a lime and syrup drink that was perfect for our balmy evening and only $3.50.  I also was so hungry that I forgot to take pictures of the meals! I'll have to remember this next time!

Entrée

 - Roti Canai ($5.50)with two curry dipping sauces and some sweet onions as well
 - chicken satay skewers 1 dozen($16). These are small so if you are in a group of 4, I highly recommend the full dozen. If you are in a larger group you really should allow for 2-3/person.

Mains 

 My husband had the Sambal udang ($19), which is sambal tiger prawns. They were very tasty with a good bite to them! If you are sensitive to heat of the chilli variety then don't go for these!

I had Rojak ($16) which is a salad that had grated yambean and cucumber, deep fried coconut, tofu, boiled egg, prawn cracker type things with a delicious sweet peanut sauce - different to a satay. I highly recommend this, I ate every last bite, it was so yummy and fresh! I will add that the prawn crackers did have whole mini prawns in them with shell and all! I was a little grossed out at first, but I decided, what the hay and popped them in my mouth. I was pleasantly surprised with the taste.

My SIL had Mee goreng noodles ($11.50) with no spice, and were very tasty and full of flavour.

My BIL had Nasi lemak($8.50) a coconut rice dish  and he chose to have lamb (extra $3) with it

Our whole meal, drinks included,  came to about $90. We had heaps of food and for $45 per couple, that is top value!

I will be going back to Mamak for sure! Keep in mind you will most likely line up, but its worth the wait!

Shop P9, 1-5 Railway Street,
Chatswood 2067
T: (02) 9411 4411

lunch 11:30 - 2:30
dinner 5:30 - 9:30
open til 10:30pm (fri & sat)

www.mamak.com.au

Ipad App Reviews for Home, Special and Mainstream Education: Play School Art Maker and Injini

Most of my regular readers know that as well as being a mum to 4 kiddies and a lover of good food, I am also a Primary School teacher of 10 years. I am currently working in Special Education but I am a mainstream trained teacher. Working in Special Education has been one of the most rewarding experiences of not just my professional career, but also my life. Its an amazing experience to be part of the development of a child who has either mental or phsycial challenges, and in many cases both.

There are many forms of technology which hels us as educators and the students learn more effectively and one in particular I can't praise enough is the IPad. I love the IPad. I have seen many students who have not cared for class involvment come alive when the Ipad has been introduced to them. I have seen students understand concepts and learn word meanings and pictures more readily because of the use of the Ipad. I have also seen students become engaged, move their limbs and move their eyes because they enjoyed and learned something on the Ipad. Its amazing and I highly recommend any parent, caregiver, or educator to consider the use of the Ipad in their child's educational and social development.   For children in mainstream education, I can't say if the Ipad makes an appearance as much as it might in Special Education, but I truly hope it does. Computers have their place and I don't think can be replaced, but I think every classroom should be using an Ipad or tablet to reinforce learning concepts that may normally baffle some students.  I can tell you from experience that when you make learning fun, the children will respond!

So if you have an Ipad or tablet, what apps should you be considering? Well, there are truly thousands out there to consider. One of my best resouces that I always go to is TheImums, they are always reviewing and recommending something new. I also have some other resources that are on another post which you might find interesting and helpful, especially if you have a child with special needs.

Today one of the apps I will be reviewing is actually free and I came across by accident. I was searching for apps for the Ipad I use at work and discovered, ABC's Play School Art Maker. This is for Ipad only and so much fun. Its a little like digital scrapbooking, but with all the characters of Play School, like Big and Little Ted, Gemima, Diddle, Humpty etc. You start be choosing a background scene:

Then you can go about adding pictures from the selection at the top of the screen. Some of the actors from Play School make encouraging comments as you choose pictures and place them on the scene.  The other reason why I love this app is because other than the familar toys, the items you can choose are pictures that are made up of recycled materials and look handmade, just like in the show. So your little one, will feel like they are part of it all. The best part of the app is saved to last. You then get to either take a picture of your scene, or you can make a 30 second video and move the pictures around and speak or sing a song, which then can be played back.  All my kids, including the older ones love this part best of all. My 11 year old daughter can easily spend an hour making different scenes with different dramatic voices and mini songs! Its lots of fun! Scenes can also be saved in an album for later use

This is great fun for home, but it can also be incorporated at school. This could be used in a drama lesson for early stage 1 - 2 depending on how you make it work for your class. This is also good for turn taking in special education and also speech development.  There is a whole range of options with this app.

The other app I want to review is Injini. I came across this app via Theimums. There was a special education app giveaway happening and Injini was highlighted. So I gave it a go and I have to admitt, this is truly one of my favourites. I downloaded the lite version, which is very generous with what you recieve. The full version I think is around $30 and I will be upgrading sometime in the near future. I downloaded it mainly for school, but my son who is 3 loves this app.

As you can see from the picture, you have a range of activities to choose from( this I think is from the full verson, not all pictured is in the lite version). Each activity starts in its easiest form and then increases in difficulty. One of the main things that I liked about this app is that before each activity begins, you are prompted to wait and then a count down begins, 3, 2,1. Then you can proceed. I liked this because I found it helped students with autism to learn how to wait and when they saw the counting down paddle it let them know, " I have to wait". You can also use this counting down as a learning experience for the child as well. It really is a great app that I highly recommend for students with special needs, and children ages 2+. My son loves the matching game which is bottom left on the picture above. Each activity focuses on different learning experiences and developments for children.

I have many more apps on my Ipad which I would love to share with you all. I will post reviews as I can, but please do leave a comment if you would like to pass on an app that you like and think others would like to. I also have a Meandering Monday Blop Hop and if you also post about the apps you like, please link up on the blog hop too, this would be invaluable information for parents and educators alike. The Blog Hop stays open for almost 14 days, so there is plenty of time to add a post.

Crio Bru, I love you!! Giveaway

I have recently discovered a great drinking chocolate by the name of Crio Bru. This is a 100% cocoa drink that brews just like coffee, but without the caffeine hit! I was lucky enough to receive some to try out. I was sent Coca River, and Vegal Real, but there is also Cavalla in the range.  Vegal Real, which means 'Royal Meadow' has notes of strawberry and citrus which are actually found naturally in the cocoa bean. Coca River has notes of green banana and blackberries and has more of a chocolaty smell than fruity Vegal Real. Cavalla, which I am yet to try, has hints of dark spice, cinnamon, and coconut, now doesn't that sound yum!

I have to admit, when I made my first cup of Crio Bru, I was a little taken back. Not necessarily in a good way. I followed the instructions on the package and I brewed the cocoa in my HMP in water. I took a taste and while it was powerful, it wasn't particularly pleasant and I felt it had to be an acquired taste. However, this is 100% cocoa, so no added anything! Its nothing like your store bought drinking chocolate and there is no PHENYLALANINE(just google that for an idea on what it can do to your body!), no glucose solids or fake sugars, no gums, and no colours or flavours that are easily found in your low calorie and low fat chocolate drinking mixtures.   Its all natural, so the taste is going to be nothing like what you expect it to be. Since then I have done what all good cooks do and experiment with the production methods.

 I continued for a while brewing in water and then adding milk and stevia/sweetner which I tended to enjoy. I then went to the Crio Bru website and discovered some interesting recipes on how to make good use of my Crio Bru, other than for drinking purposes. As I went through some of these, I was realising I should pursue the production method in another way. I felt that milk ( I always use and prefer low fat) was needed to brew from beginning to end. This to me, has made all the difference. I also used almond milk this morning and it was so amazing! If you are using a thermal mixer to brew, I recommend that after brewing, strain it and then put it back in the thermal mixer, adding your sweetener of choice, for another 10 secs on speed 6. This will whip it into submission and create a frothy mixture as good, if not better than what the barristas create.

Other than the taste, there are some other benefits of Crio Bru:

• Rich in antioxidants - by weight cocoa has more than almost any food in the world!
• Low in calories and carbs
• Little to no caffeine
• No fat, sugar or sodium

When I drink this in the morning, I feel a lot sparkier and focused by mid morning and I don't feel hungry so no more need for grazing or eating not so good snacks. I've discovered that cocoa is a natural super food and is an appetite suppressant and increases your energy! Woo Hoo!! Now I can enjoy a delicious and natural drink that fills me up and doesn't make me want to nibble at anything in between!!

Now for all the Dr Oz fans out there, I found out that he recognises that cocoa is a great super food that can aid in your weight loss goals. In a recent show he said:

"This is a really cool idea. I think this is something really worth trying. Here's what I love about it. It's why it can help you burn fat faster. It has a natural stimulant, not caffeine, called theobromine that can boost your metabolism. It's very safe. It also has a fat blocker. It helps get rid of the fat in your body by blocking an enzyme you need to digest fat, so you never absorb the fat into your body." - Dr. Oz

So there are some really great benefits to drinking Crio Bru, how about cooking or baking with it? If you head to the website, you'll find some amazing recipes to help you make use of this great product, but as for me I had something else in mind! I straight away thought of a chocolaty version of Tiramasu! I call it, Crio Bru- Masu!!

Crio Bru - Masu

1.Aftter brewing the Crio Bru in milk in the Hotmix Pro, add some stevia so it has a light sweetness to it.
2.Soak the biscuits and line the base of the deep medium sized rectangular dish
3.Whip 600mls of thickened cream in HMP with paddle attachment a teaspoon of sugar and seeds scraped from one large vanilla bean. Use speed 3 for 45 secs. Check consistency and if not thick and stiff peaks, do 10 secs at a time. Divide cream into thirds and add sifted cocoa powder to one third and mix through.
4. Spread one lot of vanilla cream on first layer of soaked biscuits.
5. Layer soaked biscuits on top of vanilla cream.
6. Spread chocolate cream on biscuits.
7. Add another layer of  soaked biscuits.
8. Finally spread remaining vanilla cream and sprinkle with sifted with quality cocoa powder.

This was a delicious recipe and well received by family and friends.

So if you are intrigued by Crio Bru and want to give it a try, you can head over to the Crio Bru Australian website to find out more and order your own. Otherwise you can try your luck by entering my giveaway. All you have to do is:

•  'Like' Crio Bru Oz Facebook page and COMMENT that "FoodMuster sent me" and you will be in the draw for a small pack of Crio Bru.

• **If you don't comment you won't be in the draw**

• If you are already a fan, leave a comment saying, "FoodMuster is awesome"! Haha!! Just joking!! If you leave a comment saying you wish to enter 'FoodMuster's Crio Bru Giveaway' that will be fine.

• This giveaway is open to Australian addresses only and please only leave one comment, multiples will not be included.

• There are 3 bags of Crio Bru to giveaway. Winners will be announced here and on the Crio Bru Facebook page. Good Luck

Giveaway starts, Monday June 11 and will end Monday 18th June 8pm AEST. GOOD LUCK!

Mexican Fiesta, Ole!!

 I recently watch a Food Planet documentary on Mexico and watched the vanilla episode of Spice Trail(Kate Humble)series on SBS, which helped me fall further in love with Mexico. Now I want to visit one day to experience the flavours and smells I swear I almost sensed via my TV screen. Portrayed correctly, its an amazing place full of history and exotic flavours that I can't wait to absorb and devour one day. Until then, I have to make do with what I can re-create in my own kitchen. A couple of weeks ago I pitched an idea to The Soup team to host an authentic Mexican dinner party to help promote the amazing new Delicious Simply the Best Cookbook by Valli Little. I was ecstatic when they chose me, because  now I have an excuse to make the recipes that have been tempting my senses for so long.

As fate would have it though, dates and times clashed not only with my calendar but the calendars of my friends, so my Mexican extravaganza was no longer the larger than life affair that I hoped it would be. None-the-less, the show went with my faithful friends that could make it. With the theme of the night in mind decided on the Chilli for a crowd found on page, 230.

 I must say it is not authentic Mexican more an interpretation with ingredients from different cultures added, so if you like, a 'Multicultural Chilli'. It was a great base for the delicious authentic salsa and guacamole that I made. All I can say people, is lime and coriander or cilantro for our American friends is the perfect ingredient companions that make the relationship of true Mexican guacamole last forever!

I also slow cooked some chicken breasts in lime, cummin, salt, and pepper, garlic,and coriander. I then pulled the meat apart so it looked a little like it had been shredded. This also was used as a base for the toppings.

Mexican Guacamole

Naturally, my HMP came in handy when make the guacamole. All I needed was 1/2 large onion roughly chopped, 3 avocados, 2 limes juiced, 1 large green chilli with seeds removed (can leave seeds in if you prefer) and fresh coriander.

 Add to the HMP on speed 5 for 20 secs. Then add the paddle attachment and whizz again on speed 3 for 10 secs to whip it up. Serve immediately or put in fridge. This really should be one of the last things you make just before serving.

If you don't have an HMP or any Thermal mixer for that matter, use your food processor.

Mexican Salsa

5 tomatoes chopped neatly
bunch coriander chopped roughly
2 medium onions chopped finely
1 lime juiced
season with salt and pepper

Add altogether in bowl, mix through and refrigerate until required.

Mexcian Layer dip
I am so in love with this dip. I think the first time I ever tried it was when I was about 14 or 15 at a family gathering. A friend of my mum's had recently returned from trip to the US and ate the dip at a friend's place. She share the recipe with my mum and once I got my hands on it, I made it heaps and heaps over the years. In fact, its a popular request from family members for me to bring to get togethers. The last time I made it though, I felt it was a little bland and I must have forgotten an ingredient. So this time round, I searched far and wide for something just like it, but it a kick or two! I discovered The Pioneer Woman's recipe. While I didn't use all the same ingredients (do I ever?!) I felt that her recipe was the best inspiration. Here is what I did:

1 can  Refried beans
1/4 cup pickeled jalapeno peppers (I used Old Elpaso brand) chopped.
1-2 tablespoons of juice from the jalapeno peppers
1 cup of mexican salsa from above recipe
1-2 cups Guacamole from above recipe - amount depends on dish used, but see photos
Sour Cream
Grated Cheese - try using mexican blend cheese - Kraft does one and you can also get a good one from Costco
Good handful of coriander (cilantro)
1 tsp ground cummin

Method

1. Pour/ scoop out refried  beans into a fry pan on medium heat.
2. Add jalapeno juice and cummin and mix around until combined and smooth and mix through chopped jalapeno peppers.
3.Spoon into pie dish (any shallow dish can be used, but not too big)
4. Layer with cheese
5. Add salsa and then guacamole
6. Finish with sour cream and coriander

Serve with corn chips of choice. Its so delicious and such an easy side.

Dessert: Crio Bru-masu!

I was inspired by the Chocolate-chip tiramasu found on page 196. I don't drink coffee and none of my guests are coffee drinkers either, strange to some I am sure. However we do love our chocolate so I turned to the delectable flavours of the rich and fruity Crio Bru, Vega Real, as my chocolatey drink to soak the savoiardi or ladyfinger biscuits.

After I brewed the Crio Bru in the Hotmix Pro, I added some sugar/stevia so it had a light sweetness to it. I then soaked the biscuits and lined the base of the deep rectangular dish and spread on top the vanilla cream, then the biscuits with chocolate cream on top, then more soaked biscuits and finally vanilla cream with a sprinkling of cocoa powder. The vanilla cream was made with a vanilla pod and a little bit of sugar. The chocolate cream was the same but with a tablespoon of cocoa powder sifted and whipped through the vanilla cream. I could have quite easily mixed mascarpone or ricotta through the cream, but I didn't have any on hand. I have used ricotta in the past.

In hind sight, I think I would have preferred to brew the Crio Bru in full milk rather than water and add milk to it afterward, I think it would have given it a much richer and creamier taste. So keep this in mind if you want to make it and I will do this when I make it next:)

I'm so over McDonalds! I ain't Lovin it Anymore!

So when was it that McDonalds become more expensive than most take away restuarants? I was tempted to write fast food, but they aren't fast food anymore really are they. We went to McDonalds as a family on Monday night and we purchased the following:

2 x double cheeseburger small meals
2 x 3 nugget happy meals
1 x Quarter Pounder small meal
1x McChicken small meal

All of this to feed our family cost us $36.10. I was a little shocked! I didn't expect it to cost our family this much and we all had small sized meals. In the past, we have chosen the family meal dinner boxes that start at $19.95, which I am now realising is a really good price. That being said, it doesn't feed our whole family and we do need to purchase more drinks and at least an extra burger. Still its better than the above price. The dinner boxes were not on the menu where we were, are they still on the menu at all? If I considered purchasing a healthier meal alternative from their menu, I would guess that our bill would have gone beyond the $40 mark. If we also ordered medium sized meal deals, again we could even be looking at close to or beyond $50.

In comparison about 2 weeks ago I purchased some Thai food from the down the road and even with a delivery fee it only cost us about $42.  We ordered:

Pad Se Ew chicken
Chicken Green Curry
Peanut chicken
and a Lamb dish I can't remember what it was!

I did make my own rice, but who doesn't when you order from home? Basically the food was sufficient for our family and we even had left overs. So for a little bit more, you get quality food, with left overs, and personally, it tastes much better, and some dishes arguably a better choice in terms of health. We have also eaten at Mad Mex for around $50, which includes refillable drinks. Why then do I bother with McDonalds at all?

Since McDonalds began their healthier eating campaign, their burger and portion sizes have got smaller, but their prices have gone up. Why should I pay more for pretty much the same burger but much smaller in size? I also think the taste of the burgers have changed and I think they aren't as tastey as they used to be. Healthier burgers doesn't mean, take the taste away.

When we do eat out, I am preferring more and more to eat at other places where the costs are the same or might be slightly more, but the taste buds and family are more satisfied. The only draw card that I can find at this stage that will get me going back to McDonalds in future is the drive through and the playland. Even then, you won't find me there much.

McDonalds...I ain't Lovin it anymore!!

Anyone else have 'issues' with McDonalds and want to vent??

Frills in The Hills Baby Food E-Book Review

Liss, from Frills in the Hills sent me her e-book, "First Foods I Fed my Frills". Liss, has written a great and informative guide on what you need when your bub wants to start eating. There is a great list of items one needs when your baby is gearing up for his/her first foods.  She provides a variety of recipes from mushy foods for 6-8months up to chunky and real foods for  up to 12months and beyond. What I like best about Liss's recipes, is that she provides you with bulk amounts, so that you can then freeze the dinners and they can last for either the whole month or even two. Her advice is true when it comes to making dinners in bulk. This will save you time and money. You are also making the food, so you know what is going in it and you know it is fresh ingredients, which is so important with young children.   If you are a novice in the kitchen and have no idea what to feed your little ones, or  if you are looking for 'something else' to add to your own recipe collection, then I highly recommend you give "What I Fed my Fills" a try.

Such an extensive guide should have an extenisve price right? Not this time, the e-book is just $5. How do you order your e-book? Click the link on the sidebar, its that simple, unfortunately there is no free set of steak knives:(!!!

Dining at Tobie Pottuck's The Kitchen Cat Melbourne

On my recent trip to Melbourne I dined at Tobie Pottuck's The Kitchen Cat. I was with family who had eaten there before and told me I would really enjoy it. So I figured, why not? From the entrance of the restaurant I was intrigued. If you have never been its in an alley way and the entrance is like something our of the 18th Century, you feel like you are being taken back in time. As I walked down  the stairs I was greeted by a window of curing meats, rather like a lolly shop window, but salty not sweet! I was told later by Tobie the meats are all handmade in the restaurant.  Its not totally appealing really, I didn't think wow, get me some of that meat!! None the less it was interesting and I peered through the glass to take a close look to see if they were real and curiously stare at them for no reason other than they were there, wondering why these ugly chunks of meat were made a feature. Then I turned right to this gorgeous and inviting atmosphere. A large marble bar table with walls of wine was at the front of the restaurant. I don't drink wine, but I like a child, I wanted to touch the boomerang marble bar table because it was so smooth and stare up at the colourful array of bottles, because they looked pretty! We were warmly greeted and shown to our tables. The waitstaff are all dressed in smart casual and it instantly put me at ease. I didn't have to act a certain way, I was dressed appropriately and now I couldn't wait to be seated and see what was on the menu.

The menu was full of different dishes, like fried pigs ears! What mind thinks of cutting up pigs ears, crumbing them and deep frying? All I could think of, "Don't dogs chew on pigs ears?" So naturally, we ordered them! You can't knock it till you try it right! We also ordered, the pork, grilled cheese, wild olives, and shin tortellini for our starters. The star of the starters had to be the shin tortellini.

The thinly sliced pork salad.

Grilled cheese

The tortellini with shin and in a burnt butter sauce

Wild Australian olives

And of course, the fried pigs ears with lemon! They look good and of course tasted good too!!
You will have to forgive me and I hope I don't offend Tobie, but I can't remember the actual names for all the dishes and the correct name for the cheeses too. The cheeses all have different names, but I am new to this review thing, and I hope to get better at making sure I have the correct names for the dishes! What really matters is how they taste and I have to tell you that the Tortellini was my favourite of the all the starters and I am still dreaming about eating it. The sauce was amazing and I love how the meat, tasted like real slow cooked meat and nothing else! I have had handmade tortellini before but this really was the best I have ever had and I was scooping up the sauce on my fork(tempted to ask for a spoon) until there was nothing left! I had to excuse myself though, as it wasn't actually my dish choice, but my sister-in-law didn't mind! It sounds like a lot of food, but it was sufficient for all 7 guests at our table and we couldn't wait for our mains. I ordered the white polenta with mushrooms and with an Italian cheese. Again, there is a name for it but I can't remember it, all you need to know was it was sensational! It looked a bit like brie without the white crust and  with a similar creamy texture but had a bite to it like parmesan but it was also a little bit sweet, if that makes sense! I loved it and slowly ate each bit savouring the flavours and aromas.

My hubby ordered the organic chicken which was stuffed with parsley and cheese. The chicken was juicy and cooked to perfection. The stuffing, was nice, but not as flavourful as I had hoped it would be. To go from white polenta, which is a bland dish to having so many wonderful flavours that made the dish amazing, I would have thought the same would be with the chicken. It was still lovely and enjoyable to eat.

The photos of the food ends here because my camera was running out of battery power and I was hoping to catch a pic with Tobie as he was present in the kitchen that evening. I have to mention one other dish though, my sister-in-law had the roast lamb, which had been cooking since 10am that morning and it was so divine. The meat melted in the mouth and the flavour rustic, but rich and .....yummy!!!  By the end of our main meals we were all full to our maximum capacities! I so badly wanted to choose something from the 'sweeties' menu but I knew there was no way I could fit it in, nor enjoy it. So we ended our dining experience there. I did manage to score a chat with Tobie. He is a lovely man. He was happy to chat and talk about what we thought of the meals and the dining experience. I told him that I loved the menu and the of course the tortellini which was the highlight and the cheese on the polenta! He explained how the staff makes a lot of the cured meats on site and some cheeses, although the cheese on my dish is imported from Italy as it is made and aged a specific way, hence the intense but sweet flavour. Now it made sense to me why the hanging meats are a feature as you enter the restaurant. To showcase what they make on site. Click!

My camera just had enough juice to take this pic and then it died! So it's a little blurry. Thanks goes to Tobie for being a great guy and chatting with me. He runs a great establishment. I would consider most of the dishes to have a rustic direction married well with contemporary flavours. I wish there was one here in Sydney, because I would be there every month! I have not had a dining experience before where I all can think about is the food and wanting to have those flavours again and again! The prices are very reasonable, mains averaged around $25-$30, so very affordable dinning. The menu does change, so you may not got what we had. When calling, ask if they are making the shin tortellini!!

Thanks Tobie:) Looking forward to the next time I go to Melbourne so I can eat there again or consider opening one here in Sydney, pretty please:)

.

The Kitchen Cat
115/117 Collins St
Melbourne VIC
1300 799 415

Back up Meals: Dr Oetker Mozzarella Pizza

I first purchased this pizza when it was on special at COLES last year. It was reduced to $4 from $6.79. Being the bargain queen I am, I thought I would give it a go. I tried the mozzarella, funghi(mushroom) and spinach ones.

The Funghi pizza was a little too moist/juicy and didn't have a lot of taste. The spinach one wasn't too bad, but only I liked it. The big winner with the kids was the mozzarella one.  The second time they were on special, they were about the same price and I tried the 4 cheese one. This wasn't too bad. It was a little weird to see little dollops of what I can only describe as looking like cheese spread with maybe herbs in it. But its more like the processed cheese spread than something like Philly spread. We decided the best variety is mozzarella. There are large mozzarella circles with grated cheese, pieces of tomato and dollops of herb pesto. There is also a distinct flavour of garlic, but its not overpowering.  What you see on the packaging/box is what it looks like. It only takes about 10 mins max in my fan forced gas oven. Don't get me wrong here, its not the best pizza on earth but I much prefer it to the other frozen pizzas at the supermarket and with no greasy proccessed meat, its a much healthier option.  I purchased the pizzas again last week on special at COLES for $3.49.  To my knowledge they are only available at COLES supermarkets. I am yet to see them at Woolworths. My recommendation is to keep an eye out for them but try them when they go on special, which seems to be fairly often. They make a great back up meal. Dr Oetker pizzas are a product of Germany.

Back up Meals: Campbells Country Ladle, I love you!

We all need some back up meals. Back up meals are the types of meals that can be thrown together rather quickly when you don't feel like cooking or are short on time. Some people have frozen home made meals on hand, that's a good way to go about it. But realistically, that doesn't always happen for me. Mum to 4 and working part time, I do what I can, when I can. So when I go shopping, I plan for the week or fortnight and I always add a couple of back up meals. I try to choose something that has a long shelf life so if I don't use it that week, it goes into my food storage pantry for a time when I really need.

My kids for some reason, I can't put my finger on, absolutely love canned soup. I'm not complaining because they will eat the ones with heaps of veges in them. If I put those kinds of veges steamed on their plates they will switch off and refuse to eat and then its a battle to get them to eat up. Every one of my children will down Campbells Country Ladle Minestone soup, its their absolute favourite and I know I've picked a winner when I ask my kids if they want McDonalds or minestrone canned soup and they opt for the canned soup!!! Can't say that always happens but it does sometimes! I also find on the odd occasion when ALL my kids are with me shopping(this rarely happens for sanity reasons!), to keep them happy I will say, " If your good you can go pick your very own can of soup" and it usually works! They put their name on it when they get home and they can choose it eat it whenever they want to.

We have given all the soups ago, since my kids love them, and they always request Campbells Country Ladle. They do have the best flavour and a good variety of vegtables. Heinz has a few good varieties too. We have also tried the minestrone at Aldi, but my kids gave it the big thumbs down. I personally didn't like the taste of it either. It think the pumpkin soup at Aldi is ok, but much prefer the Campbells varieties.

What to do in Tuncurry NSW with Kids

During the last school holidays we took the kids up the north coast of New South Wales to a town called Tuncurry. Its about 4 hours north of Sydney and about 2 hours north of Newcastle. We camped at a place called Tuncurry Lakes Resort and I have to say I give this place 4/5. Generally speaking, when our family camps, I prefer not to camp at a caravan park or anywhere that has some sense of civilisation. When we camp, we go out bush and the closest creature comfort is a public pit toilet or if we go all out a toilet that flushes! Its a great way to really get away from it all in my opinion. This time however, the friends we camped with, one of the women was 5 months pregnant, so going out bush was not really an option!

So Tuncurry Lakes Resort was chosen and for $50/night for our family it was a great experience. There was so much for the kids to do to keep them entertained. They had a scooter park, playground area, access to the pool, games room, plenty of open level space and a giant jumping pillow. I have to admit, I enjoyed the jumping pillow more than the kids did! I love jumping castles, and a jumping pillow is the same thing without walls to bounce off!! The only downside to the area was the sewage smell and slush around one part of the jumping pillow, you can avoid walking through it but the smell you can't avoid, which was a shame.

The best experience of all was hiring the boats. We hired a basic speed boat (doesn't go very fast but was sufficient for our needs) for a half day for $15! We went up the river and out to the harbour where the bridge connects Forster and Tuncurry. The water in the harbour was amazing, so clear we could see the bottom and see schools of fish, and even a turtle! It was an amazing experience for the kids. We stopped at a sandbar for an hour where James and the kids swam in the warm water - which was nice during Autumn to be in warm water. I would highly recommend anyone do this, with or without children.

As for food, we made our own meal the first night at the campsite and for the second meal, we thought we would do something different and head out for dinner. We came across a restaurant that James and I had eaten at about 11 years earlier which was a waterfront seafood restaurant then. Now is a Thai restaurant. Our biggest question was whether they made Pad Si Ew. We called and while it was not on the menu we were assured that the cook could make anything we asked for! So we were sold and headed to the Thai Waterfront Restaurant. When we arrived, we were the only patrons at the time,which was nice as it gave us time to talk to our waiter which happened to be the husband of the Chef. He is a lovely man and made us feel at ease. We have 4 kids, and between the two other families that were with us there was another 5 children, so you can imagine what kinds of reactions we sometimes get. But, our waiter was lovely and chatted and joked with us and was very accommodating.

The atmosphere was pleasant and the main window looks out over the harbour. To compliment the views and ambience, the food was amazing! I love my Thai and I have eaten enough to know good Thai and not so good and I would say that his Thai was the BEST I have ever had! It was so fresh, tasty and I wanted to eat more and more. The only thing stopping me was the size of my stomach! The Pad Si Ew was divine. We also ordered spring rolls for the kids,  chicken cashew and chicken pad thai, all our favourite dishes. The servings were ample too. The three dishes were more than enough for James and I and our 4 kids. The bill for the evening for our meal was $61.50 which I consider a great deal for the amount of food we had. The locals must also agree with how good the food is, because by the time we left, the place was almost full.
I give Thai Waterfront ***** Five Stars!
Be sure to give these places a try when you are planning your next holiday in Tuncurry. If you are a local, get your butts out to the Thai Waterfront Resaurant!

Thai Waterfront Restaurant
Cnr Ray & Wharf Sts, Tuncurry NSW 2428

(02) 6554 5019