This post is to remind me just how easy updating my blog can be – and to remember the fact that I actually REALLY freaking enjoy blogging. Yep, my son is now nearly 4 months old – it’s time for me to update this blog a little more again!

So here’s a recipe for y’all! I’m so lazy I don’t even cook anymore! (not quite true…;))

All you need is Chia seeds, which you can get from hippy health stores for an exorbitant price, but a little goes a long way; any type of milk, any type of sweetener and a few flavours.

Ingredients

1/3 cup chia seeds

2 cups of milk – any type

sweetener – any type – to taste (about a heaped tablespoon of raw sugar was good for me)

2 tsp vanilla bean paste

1/2 tsp rose water

Method

Chuck it all in a jar and give it a shake then pop it in the fridge. It’s good to go pretty much straight away, but is nice the next day. It lasts in the fridge for at least a few days.

I used a jar – no, not because I’m a hipster! – but because this pudding needs a bit of a shake every once in a while to get it all mixed together while it sets.

This is really tasty served with berries

And there you go! Blog post in under 15 minutes with a dessert that’s even quicker! I promise to start using my DSLR camera again too – that thing is gathering way too much dust and Higgs Boson particles.

Tea is the new coffee, so says May King Tsang. And if you spend a little bit of time around her, her energy and passion for the brew may well rub off on you. She’s one of the world’s top 50 certified speakers on the subject of tea, one May King holds very close to her heart, and has just recently made Brisbane her home after moving here from her native London.

I was invited to experience a Gong Fu tea ceremony last week. Unlike its very ritualistic Japanese cousin, this Chinese version is all about the tea itself. The tea leaves, oolong in this case, are “washed” first with hot water and this first brew is poured away. The leaves are brewed again. The tea is poured into tiny ‘sniffer’ cups placed onto a slotted tray to catch the drips, then covered with a smaller cup, which makes them look a little like mushrooms. Each cup is given to the participants. They pick up the cups and in one fluid motion flip the cups over. The sniffer cup is removed and rolled in the hands, being sniffed to really enjoy the subtle aroma of the brew. The tea is then sipped, sloshed around the mouth and “chewed” to capture all the beautiful characteristics of the tea. Please watch the video below!

During this ceremony May King explained the traditional fables behind the names of tea and the actions within the ceremony.

May King’s passion for tea is infectious, her knowledge impressive. I expected for it to be a very serious event, but in fact it was very light-hearted, educational and accessible. She may love the Chinese and Taiwanese teas such as Tie Guan Yin, but also enjoys having a big cup of western style sweet milky tea.

T-licious at South Bank and MayKingTea are collaborating to hold a series of tea education events – The Friday Tea Club. Over the next few Fridays May King will hold traditional Chinese Tea Ceremonies, discuss Oolong tea and herbal tisanes.

Bookings: 3844 3305

Www.maykingtea.com
Twitter @maykingtea

Yum!! I just had to share this quick, sweet delight with you!

Ingredients
A piece frozen puff pastry
3 tbsp almond meal
10 tinned apricot halves
1 tsp Vanilla bean paste
1 tbsp Raw sugar
2 tbsp Glayva Liqueur (or any fruity liqueur)
Egg wash (egg yolk whisked with a dash of milk)
Ice cream to serve

Method
1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees or 160 fan forced, preheat a flat baking tray
2. Put puff pastry on a sheet of baking paper, cut corners off to make a round
3. Sprinkle almond meal into the centre, leave an inch around the edges
4. Place apricot halves on almond meal, cut side up
5. Smear vanilla paste around the edge of the pastry
6. Pour liqueur over apricots with a spoon
7. Sprinkle over sugar
8. Fold up edges of pastry in a devil-may-care fashion.
9. Egg wash it
10. Pop it in the oven for a about 30 minutes. You want it to be firm and crisp on the bottom, so it needs a bit of time
11. Dust with icing sugar, cut and serve with ice cream

Serves 2-4 people.

I’m completely intrigued by anyone who can read minds, see auras or future events, understand the unseen world. I don’t get it. It makes sense to me that people can have these abilities, but I really don’t get it. It freaks me out and gets me nervous. I think because it can’t be explained by our modern understanding of the world and how it works. But I’m still completely intrigued.

Enter Chris Johnson. I know Chris through twitter (my twitter handle is @iatebrisbane if you want to say G’day) and I thought it would be great to get an insider view of what it’s like for someone who has these special abilities.  Essentially like everything we see as ‘magic’ it’s all very hard to explain but it works. See, if we could explain it it would become completely boring and we’d call it ‘Science’.

Whether you’re a sceptic or not, feel free to ask any questions or get in touch with Chris through twitter @aus_mentalist and I’m sure he’d be happy to answer your questions.

A common question people ask me is how I first discovered my talent with freaky mind shit. The shortest answer is in two words :- “Pure Accident”.

At first I didn’t even know it was that freaky. Being not quite 6 years old at the time, a lot of things were new to me – just as they are to a lot of us at that age. So when I started talking in the classroom, saying words and sentences in complete unison with my teacher, it didn’t seem that strange. It wasn’t until the teacher told me to be quiet and I said, “Be quiet”, at the same time that I realised something was really wrong. That was even more the case when I found myself being taken physically by my ear and led to the corner where I had to stand for at least 5 minutes. All the time I kept saying the same words as her at the same time because I didn’t know any different.

Eventually I figured out that I was a little bit different to the others, even the other kids, so I had to learn to change my behaviour… to hide what I could do. All of that time, however, I knew that I had to know more about what it was.

A lot of what I do is a result of that research in libraries, both public and private, and that was before the days of the internet when information is so much easier to come by and has also lost a lot of its value, despite the prices placed upon it.

Some people ask me what it feels like to read someone’s mind, to bend a spoon with the power of thought, and to do the other things I do. I’m never sure how to answer the question as it is almost like trying to describe colours to a man who has been blind from birth. However, I can   describe some of the sensations.

When reading a person’s thoughts, it is like walking inside a door hidden deep in your imagination. The only difference is that it has that “alien” feel to it as it is a different consciousness, although I think we personally share a combined consciousness of sort between all living things. Sometimes the thought comes like a package to my own mind and it can feel as though it is filled with emotion or some other strange sensations -  similar to a mini orgasm in the brain.

The feeling is similar when bending a spoon, key or coin… kind of a mental thunderbolt with a release of inner energy. Other times it is a “knowing” for which it is difficult to understand its origins. Even though I have been doing this for most of my life, there are still times I feel a certain “surprise” or get freaked out myself. As an example, my partner shares a lot of life coincidences. These may seem like little things like similar eye and hair colour, similar tastes in music, food, and so forth.

However, a really interesting thing happened today. On the way home from meetings with clients, I decided to do some grocery shopping and picked up some hot chicken and salad from Woolies for dinner tonight. When I arrived home, my partner called me from her house and asked me what I had planned and consequently invited me around for the evening. I mentioned that I had just bought some dinner for that night and asked if she was happy for me to bring it around and save her the job of cooking.

“What do you have?” she asked.

I replied, “Chicken and salad.”

I’m not sure who was more surprised. At approximately the same time that I was shopping, she had been buying groceries also and bought the same things!

She even added, “I thought to myself, I wonder what Chris would buy.”

I’m stunned because, although I did happen to be thinking of her at the time, I wasn’t aware that I was in her thoughts in the same way … at least not in a way to COMMUNICATE the thought.

It’s more stunning because she is not a big believer in what I do, although she does accept it’s a part of me to do strange things that can’t always be explained.

I guess we’re going to be eating more chicken salad this week than we originally anticipated!

But there are other things that have happened, probably more stunning and freaky, but also more scary but I will leave those for another time.

A lot of what I do is presented in an entertaining show which I perform at special events, including corporate functions, hens nights, and other special occasions… yes, even weddings!

You can stay up to date of things by joining me at www.facebook.com/chrisjohnsonthementalist and the really good behind-the-scenes goss is happening in my free newsletter which can be signed up at that page or on my website at www.thementalist.com.au

…and for a little cheekiness: Deee Lite’s song ESP!

Standing here the old man said to me “Long before these crowded streets here stood my dreaming tree”.

Below it he would sit for hours at a time.

Now progress takes away what forever took to find.

Every once in a while I’ll share with you a song that really resonates with me. The lyrics in this beauty are so precious and tell a tale of longing for days gone by, of so called progress and the sacrifices nature makes for our species.

There’s been a few times over the years that I’ve found myself sitting, watching tree loppers fell perfectly healthy trees in less than an afternoon – after the tree had taken maybe 30 years to get to the size it was. It had provided food and shelter for the birds, possums and insects of the area and also maybe food and shelter for us too – shade from the harsh Queensland sun – all to be taken away in a few short hours. And what for? Maybe to make room for a fence. Maybe the grass underneath its shady canopy wasn’t as green as it could have been. Maybe for no good reason at all.

In these moments I have openly wept. I don’t know why having a neighbourhood tree cut down affects me this much, but all I know is that this song sums it up for me.

http://www.davematthewsband.com/

To some of you this will come as a surprise, but for most of my readers:  namely my twitter peeps, facebook flock, and my mum – you guys already know!

I am so proud and excited to be announcing this news – this little one will complete our family, and balance out the genders too! We are expecting a boy, much to our delight. OK- disclaimer – we would have been delighted either way – but it is nice to have a pigeon pair.

I’m now 22 weeks pregnant and it’s interesting to observe how my second pregnancy is panning out in comparison to the first. I’ve also been thinking of all the great wonderful things that an expectant mother can experience, but there is also a whole lot of annoying or interesting things that happen too. This isn’t a whinge – just a log of a few things I’ve noticed along the way. It might also help new expectant mothers too.

PROS

Instinctual satisfaction

For me, having children is a very instinctual thing. I feel an innate, deep seeded urge to have children. I have never spent much time around kids, was never a girly girl and didn’t play much with dolls. But to rear and raise my own children is a delight and challenge. I feel like being pregnant and raising children is a beautiful life opportunity. For me child rearing is an experience as close as you can get to the real, true base needs and desires we have as humans.

Being pregnant makes you feel really womanly.

Your breasts look fantastic, your belly is round and full – women’s bodies are made to do this! I am very proud to be a mother and a woman, and being pregnant only emphasises this.

It brings the family closer together

A child is a true, physical bond linking the mother’s family to the father’s clan. They belong perfectly in the middle of a wide-branching family tree – being loved genuinely and wholeheartedly by each grandparent, aunt and uncle.  When we have told our parents of our news they have always beamed with pride and happiness. Our parents are very supportive and an integral part of our daughters life. There is no adage more true than “It takes a village to raise a child.”

Feeling the baby kick

This is the first true physical interaction you will have with your new child.  I know some women find it annoying or creepy having an alien, parasitic creature bump around in their belly – but I treasure each movement.  A wave of calm and happiness flows across me each time I feel a kick, a bump or a hiccup – the hiccups are my favourite. Often when the bub is moving I’ll tell my husband and he’ll touch my belly with his eyes closed or simply watch it jump and flicker with each movement.

It brings you closer to your partner

I love the feeling that I am carrying my husband’s son inside me, within me. It’s a very special and personal feeling to carry the child of the man you love. Of all the things you can share with someone –  this is the ultimate.

Increased sex drive

Hormonal and bodily changes play a part in this, and I have a theory about why this occurs – it brings the expectant parents closer together prior to the birth so once the baby comes along there is still a closeness, even when each moment of those first few months is filled with nappies, breastfeeding and sleep deprivation. In the mean time it’s also rather enjoyable.

CONS

Every single conversation you will have is about pregnancy or babies

The belly is right there in front of you.  It’s a baby-story beacon.  We know we’re pregnant, but we’re also interesting individuals that have life experiences away from pregnancy. If you are talking to a pregnant lady challenge yourself to ask them something non-baby related! They will thank you for it!

People will tell you about their best friend’s miscarriage or their harrowing 436 hour-long birth story.

Birthing is pretty full on. It’s scary but also one of the most amazing experiences a woman could ever have. When you speak with other mums they may use this opportunity to tell their story, quite often they need to talk about what happened to them, especially if it was a difficult birth. But it can freak out a new expectant mum. So I suggest to smile, nod and let it wash over you. Try not to listen too hard to the scary ones - every birth is different.

Everyone will give you advice

That’s because they want to help – but sometimes it can get overwhelming, especially if it conflicts with other advice you’ve been given. My advice (see, I can’t help it either! ) is to listen to it all but file it away and forget about it – then simply use the advice that suits your needs. You might be surprised at what advice you end up using!

Your body is public property

Anyone can and will comment on your changing frame, suggest you might be carrying twins because you’re so damn huge and will touch your abdomen without asking for permission. I have no problems with people touching my belly - I know that it is a wonderful thing to touch, I do it often! But please ask first!

Rolling over in bed can HURT

The pelvis is made up of 4 bones that are connected with strong ligaments. Hormonal changes will soften these ligaments ready for birth. This can cause an ache and sometimes a shooting pain in your pelvis. Not pleasant. Being slow and gentle and engaging your core muscles before you make a move can make a huge difference. My pelvic pain went away within about 3 days after the birth.

Falling over like a little kid and scraping your knees

I have only fallen twice in my adult life – both times when I’ve been pregnant.  Your centre of balance is slightly out of whack, so if you kick your toe on the pavement, you might not be able to right yourself! It’s important to be a little more observant of your surroundings.  The baby is nicely protected in there, but if you hit or graze your belly when you fall, double check the bub is ok.

Hormonal skin changes

Both of my pregnancies I’ve had major hormonal breakouts. Last time it got so bad all the midwives were quite worried it was something more serious! This time I visited a naturopath that suggested I take a strong antenatal vitamin supplement and fish oil, mainly for the baby’s brain development. It seems to have also made a difference to my skin tone. Hopefully this continues!

Being exhausted all the time

You may have noticed the lack of blog posts? That, my friends, is exhaustion kicking in! I sleep at pretty much every opportunity I get. If I have a day off, I’m in bed. When I get home from work, I lie on the couch. Our current domestic situation is my husband does everything and I make a baby. All your energy is being siphoned off to make another human! I’m very lucky to have a wonderfully supportive husband that helps out at every opportunity, and doesn’t whinge when I lie in bed all day!

So, to the mummas and pappas out there: what would your pros and cons be? or perhaps interesting observations? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!

Have you ever looked into the big, brown eye of a cow? They are so gentle, with big long lashes.

Australians waste more than $ 1/2 billion per year on bottled water. I have to admit I do buy bottled water when I’m caught out without some trusty H2O handy. But I’m beginning to feel worse each time I purchase it – especially after watching the video below. I do have a couple of aluminium bottles that I use occasionally but they are quite heavy, cumbersome and the sound of sloshing water inside a half-filled bottle makes me want to pee!

This water-carrier design is really nifty. The idea of a soft-pack for liquids is not new – companies have been selling all sorts of goo in them for years, most recently very handy packs of baby food - but creating a water vessel that is not only collapsible, foldable and portable, but it’s been designed with enough durability to be reusable many times. And most importantly is bought as the vessel, not as a pre-packaged vessel of water, because it’s easily filled with any tap water in Australia  – it’s all potable.

I can see these being very handy on the run – being able to keep water stashed away in my bag, and when empty I could fold it and keep it tucked away in my bag – ready to be filled at any point. I can also see this as a perfect water bottle for bubs and kidlets.

http://www.drinkvapur.com.au/

Via WabiWabi

Photo by Gnet Mac from FB

This is one of my favourite ways to eat asparagus. They are tender from boiling them, and crispy and smoky from the grilling. Grilling tends to bring out the best in asparagus. I made this for my extended family last christmas and I had a lot of requests for the recipe.

Trim 2 bunches of asparagus to fit into a medium fry pan. Bring about 1cm of salted water to the boil in the frypan. Pop the asparagus in and boil until vibrant green. Pour off excess water. Add a drizzle of olive oil and grill hot and fast, shaking pan to turn the asparagus over. While still in the hot pan, crack over some salt and pepper and shave a generous amount of firm pecorino cheese over the top. Wait until cheese is melted and serve.

FEEL FREE to use any firm cheese - parmesan is perfect.