{12 Days of Christmas ::: Day 10} Fighting OVERindulgence with kids at Christmas

(from babble - who got idea from dandee)

I found this article retweeted on twitter yesterday. The breif description caught my eyes and then the photo was worth a 1000 words!!!! These days our children have access to so much and are (even if we try not to) spoiled rotten (especially on a global scale). But it is slightly cruel to cut down on all gifts to "teach them a lesson" but I love how this "MOM" did it.

Click on the 'dandee' link above to read more. LOVE this idea and so doing this next year! In our house though, I would likely add a 5th tag "others" and give them something like school books for a kid in India or a goat or something similar. I think that this puts the focus on giving not just receiving.

ENJOY;
Lauren X

{12 Days of Christmas ::: Day 9} Christmas Chocolate Puddings

Tonight I hosted a Christmas party for some very close friends. I kinda made up a dessert and adapted an iconic mini pudding my Mum has made for years. I wasn't sure if it would work, but it was an ABSOLUTE winner!!! The best thing was it was quick, cheap, easy and NO OVEN required!

Choc Puddings (serves 10)
2 store bought chocolate mud cakes (i did it this way to save on time, but you can bake these of course)
1/3 jar of brandy essence (or real brandy if needed)
1 packet of white choc melts
1 packet of red glace cherries


Method:
1. The mudcakes I had bought already had icing on it. So I had to slice it in half and then slice the icing off.
2. Put the cake (icing free) into a large bowl and pour brandy essence (or brandy) on top. Use hands to crumble cake up and then shape the cakes into small tennis ball size balls on a tray with baking paper.
3. Melt the choc melts in double boiler. and drizzle over the top of the 'cake/ pudding balls'. 4. Whilst the chocolate is still wet, place a red cherry on the top and then refridgerate.


You could also do this in the mini version as an edible gift for people and I am sure they would go down a treat. Come to think of it, I might just do that with the extra's I bought for tonight!

Enjoy;
Lauren X

{12 Days of Christmas ::: Day 8} Taste Goes Mobile

Well, I am always a massive fan of taste.com.au 's recipes and loved their first Winter recipe app for iphones. Recently they released the new Christmas App and it's a great little tool to have with you on the go. I recently planned to make something but got to the shops and they were out of the main ingredient. Having to change my mind on the go was SO easy cause I just opened this up and it was right in front of me. It has a great range of treats, festive drinks, desserts, mains, sides, salads etc.... The team have (yet again) hit a home run by making it so simple to use. Well done team taste :)

Enjoy;
Lauren x

{12 Days of Christmas::: Day 7} Kids Craft Ideas

Well there is one week to go. Kids are on holidays. Want to get festive and keep them occupied at the same time???? Here are some great ideas for some craft activities (Via Martha Stewart) that you can do together. Definitley some of these will be activities to do in the next few days :)

Enjoy;
Lauren X

(click on image for link to more info)

{12 Days of Christmas ::: Day 6} Egg-Nog Recipe

Well, whilst your having various celebrations, what better way to add a festive touch is by serving some traditional egg nog. I love the chilled version which suits our summer christmas climate here in Australia I think. Here is a website that has various recipes for egg nog whether you want low fat or indulgent. Would love to hear feedback if you try any of them.

Egg Nog Recipes

Enjoy;
Lauren X