The third meeting of the Clandestine Cake Clubbers was a big one. We had 16 mouth-watering, fluffy cakes jam packed full of flavour and as an added bonus (for me) they were all gluten free. It was amazing the variety that we had. From almond/hazelnut meal to green bean flour, coconut flour and polenta. I was blown away, as I’m sure was everyone who was there.
A couple of weeks ago, I finally admitted that I was injured. Something I didn’t want to as the football season had just started and I was loving being part of the team and on top of that, being active is a big part of my lifestyle. I was training with a great bunch of girls and an excellent coach to lead us. However, on the night of our first match of the season, I was standing on the side line about to go on with a searing pain going through my legs. I lasted about 10 minutes and then I was done. The following week I attempted a go at training but it was short lived and I haven’t been to a training session in two weeks. So, I have been taking it very easy the last few weeks, lots of walking and Iyengar yoga, visits to the Osteopath and I’m on the road to recovery.
Remember in my last post when I waxed lyrical about the cool weather, the crisp breeze becoming more prevalent and the Autumn season settling in? It has definitely stayed cooler than previous weeks, but the sun is still out in full force and those famous Western Australian blue skies are shining for all to see. I haven’t seen a drop of rain in weeks. I’m totally happy with this weather, it’s the kind that I can get used to. All year round. But that will never happen. So I am reveling in this sunny, Autumn weather and enjoying the cool evenings whilst they are here. Before the real cold sets in. I am looking forward to a bit of rain though!
Recently, I have made a change in my eating habits. The introduction of wheat free/gluten free grains has been a welcome change to my diet. I embraced the use of Spelt (as a low gluten grain) in my bread making, I loved using ground almonds in baking sweet goods and now that I have discovered the versatile Buckwheat, I decided to put it to the test and with Pancake Tuesday coming up, there was no better test. Buckwheat, despite it’s name has no relation to wheat and is in fact related to sorrels, rhubarb and knotweeds.
Death by Chocolate is probably not what people want to hear only 3 weeks into the new year. However, with this month’s Sweet Adventures Blog Hop titled ‘Death by Chocolate’, I really couldn’t resist cheekily jumping on board. The Hungry Australian Blog is hosting this month’s Blog Hop.
Ahh, the summer heat has hit Perth with a bang. Since returning to Perth after Christmas in Ireland, I have finally acclimatised over the last two weeks. The heat has become a little bit more bearable. Floating in and around 36 degrees with dreamy blue skies and sunshine to make you weak….until yesterday morning when I was happily peddling away on my bike to work and dun dun duuun!!! Thunder and Lightning hit. Cycling down streets dotted with utility poles and electric cables, I was petrified as well as being completely mesmerised by the lightning show on display in front of me. It was so close, about 4/5 kilometers ahead and the clouds were hanging down like damp cloths ready to be wrung. As soon as I stepped in the door of work, the rain poured down for all of 20 minutes and then the sun was out, the blue skies were creeping through and the birds were chirping. I must admit, I was a little disheartened. I love a good storm, especially from the comfort and safety of my office. I was expecting this storm to last all day, happily typing away at my desk while the pitter patter of rain lashed outside. ‘Twas not to be.
Well, it’s been a crazy few weeks, having gone home to Ireland for the Christmas holidays and caught up with family and friends and ate puddings and drank mulled wine, sang songs, sat by the fire, feasted on good solid Irish food and then whizzed back to Perth to begin the new year in sunny style.
Carolanne's Kitchen 