Food/ Recipes – Page 32 – Life is a Journey

All ready for Halloween

Posted on October 30, 2009October 10, 2026 by Libby Withnall

Thanks to a busy day cleaning and tidying I’m all ready for Halloween and our 4th Annual Halloween Party. But before the party I wanted to give you a peek at the decorating so far. These have been around the house for the last few weeks and we’ve got a few more things to go up for the party.

In the kitchen….

Check out the napkins that Amy & I made last weekend…

And don’t you just love my Disney dish?

The loungeroom….

Family room….

Front entry….with the great big spider web Kevin got from Pottery Barn Kids….

And, of course, the bathroom….

Then, with cleaning out of the way, I had time to make up some cupcakes for the party tomorrow…

Of course, we’re going to try one each tonight….

I did make some chocolate muffins in the pumpkin molds a few days ago….but they have already been devoured :-).

Recipe : Banana Goji Muffins

Posted on October 1, 2009October 10, 2026 by Libby Withnall

These are my new absolute favourite things to eat. AND unlike the desert the other day, these are actually good for you. I got the recipe from Belinda Moore.

¾ cup wholemeal spelt flour
½ cup rolled oats
½ cup rapadura sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon bicarb soda
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ cup desiccated coconut
50ml macadamia oil
100ml milk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup goji berries soaked in hot water
1 large banana, mashed

Drain goji berries. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl. Add milk, oil, vanilla, berries and banana. Mix well with a wooden spoon. Pour batter into 12 muffin cups and bake for 20 minutes at 200 degrees C.

Easy and delicious and according to Belinda they freeze well. I’ve just put some in the freezer to take away with us on Friday.

Recipe : White Chocolate & Coconut Cheesecake

Posted on September 28, 2009October 10, 2026 by Libby Withnall

Okay, first a warning – this is most definitely not healthy (or cheap) but it is a delicious and decadent desert to serve to friends :-).

From Recipes+ Mag March/April 2008

3 tsp plain gelatine

250g packet buttersnap biscuits

100g melted butter

2 x 250g packets cream chesse, softened

1/2 cup castor sugar

300mls thickened cream

200g white chocolate buds, melted, cooled

150g box crisp coconut wafer confectionary balls

1/4 cup desiccated coconut

1. Sprinkle gelative over 1/4 cup boiling water and dissolved completely. Allow to cool.

2. Blend or process biscuits to make fine crumbs. transfer to bowl, add melted butter and stir to combine. Press crumbs firmly over base and 3/4 up sides of a 22cm springform pan. Place in fridge until set.

3. Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese in large mixing bowl until smooth, add castor sugar, then cream, beating until smooth. Beat in gelatine. Stir in melted chocolate. Cute half the coconut balls in half, reserve. Roughtly chop remainder, stir into cheese mixture with coconut.

4. Pour filling into crust. Top with reserved wafer balls. Cover, refrigerate for 3 hours or until firm.

5. Enjoy.

Eating healthy & Green Smoothie Video

Posted on August 7, 2009October 10, 2026 by Libby Withnall

Now that I’m back from holidays and settling into routine I’ve started to get back into healthy eating. I need to drop a few kg to fit back into last Summers clothes :-). As part of my recommitment to healthy eating I’ve been trying to make some new things. Just this week I have made a green smoothie and breakfast cookie (thanks Alison – loved it). Actually Alison has been a big inspiration for me – I also made the banana whip I saw on her blog and she reminded me of yogadownload.com. I made some low fat/sugar choc muffin – but no-one really liked them. I also made a pumpkin & red lentil lasagne – which was yummy, and I’ve been experimenting with food a lot more. The only downside of healthy eating – a VERY FULL fridge.

I’m really quite rapt with my green smoothie so I thought I’d put a quick video together for you guys. I really am amazed at how nice they are – even Kevin like it.

My recipe is :

1/2 cup organic low-fat milk

Large handful spinach

1/2 Tbs ground flaxseeds

1 Tbs unflavoured protein powder

Approx. 1/2 mango

** If you make it, or another version, please let me know what you think. So good – gives you a serve of fruit, veg, diary and protein!!

A lot of people add banana, I’m thinking of trying tinned peaches & pineapple.