Author Archives: Kate

Sweet Tooth!

Posted in CULINARY by

So, I have a sweet tooth!  You?

I also have a largely ‘raw’ food diet and have developed these little lovelies.

Here’s my fancy, but super simple take on a dessert/treat similar to a ‘snickers’ bar – crunchy base, sticky, salted caramel filling with whole cashews hidden and fudgey raw chocolate top.

(Yes – These are done in a Thermomix – but you can easily replicate with food processor and stove top)Raw chocolate & salted caramel pies!

Base

300 g Raw Almonds/Macadamias/Brazils/Cashews

65 g Organic extra virgin coconut oil

65 g Organic maple syrup

pinch sea salt

Caramel layer

150 g Raw Almonds/Macadamias/Brazils/Cashews

10 Dates

120 g Organic Maple Syrup

1 tsp Vanilla Bean Paste

65 g Organic extra virgin coconut oil

1/4 tsp Himalayan Pink Salt (more/less to taste)

Topping

80 g Organic extra virgin coconut oil, melted

80 g maple syrup

25 g raw cacao powder

1 tsp vanilla extract

 

Add nuts to TM bowl –  chop on speed 9, for 5 seconds.

Add dates, honey, vanilla bean paste, coconut oil and sea salt – blend on speed 7 for 20 seconds.  Take off lid and scrape down.

Mix for 5 minutes on ‘raw temperature” 37 degrees on speed 3 until caramel is smooth, shiny and delicious (you HAVE to taste!)

Pop three or four whole raw cashews onto each base, then spread the caramel over the top and freeze.

Place all Topping ingredients into a jar or small bowl and mix with a fork to combine.

Pour a little of the Topping over the frozen cheesecake and sprinkle with whole or chopped hazelnuts working quickly as the topping will set fast.

Finish off with fresh raspberries and roughly chopped pistachios for extra colour!

 

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Dirty 30 – CLEAN SHAVE

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Dirty 30 – CLEAN SHAVE.

I’m feeling….?

Posted in Cancer, Uncategorized by

Okay, so I have worked in the ‘traditional’ media for the bulk of my adult life.

Earlier tonight I posted an update on social media – Instagram/Twitter/Facebook (InstaTwitFace:-) regarding the next surgery….

The amount of ‘likes/shares’ have made me sit up straight…Seriously?!

I’m pretty pleased to be at this point!!

Thank you………..KCx

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Crazy dream

Posted in Cancer, Uncategorized by

It’s no secret some of the medication I’m on is really wreaking havoc with my thought processes.  So, I guess it’s no surprise that I’ve had a shocker of a dream.  You know the kind where you wake having been completely perplexed, taken aback at the imagery and confused by what it really meant?

I’d gone back to working at a radio station.  In the newsroom.  I was on-air with an announcer I thoroughly enjoyed working with in my previous life.

The screen froze – no script (what once was my worst nightmare.)

I looked up for the announcer to help, have a conversation (save me!) – but through the glass I saw a sea of faces I didn’t recognise.

They were all staring…….at what?

I looked down.  My top had slid down to reveal my bare, disfigured chest.

I’m not even going to try and analyse this one!

 

So excited I’ve got SHIVERS!

Posted in Cancer, Uncategorized by

What a week it’s been!

I’ve seen a Rheumatologist to try and get on top of this bone pain.  Cortisone injections, and all manner of other medications….Exhausted just thinking about when to take what.  I guess that’s just part of my life now.

I also caught up with a good friend who’s a journalist.  Happy to say she was enthralled with the whole concept of ‘Pink Polar’.  Knows a good story alright!

Then, a call to my dear friend at the McGrath Foundation, explaining the intention behind the Expedition. It was so wonderful to be so warmly received.  There are some incredibly special people working in this field and this lady is one of them:-)

Paul and I shared a truly memorable dinner with Geoff, his wife Sarah and children Jade, Java and Kitale.  What an amazing family!  I know I’ll write more on them in the future, but for now – my head and heart are full as a result of our time together.

A networking breakfast provided more inspiration from Steve ‘Ando’ Anderson (three-time Olympic Beach Volleyball Coach, Olympic Gold and Bronze Medal Coach) – who encouraged us all to ‘be deliberate’.  So, deliberate I was in telling him (and anyone else who’d care to listen) about this amazing project!!   

The next buzz came from the McGrath Foundation – confirming interest in what we have proposed.  That’s a good thing!!  ’cause I know there are some organisations which would run a million miles from the ‘potential controversy’ a project like this could bring.  Surely they also realise our intention is good, that there are two dedicated souls involved and that my cancer experience could be used to assist in continuing Jane’s legacy (my goodness I feel presumptuous even thinking that let alone writing it – but I hope you understand what I mean).

Top off this week with a visit from Mr Hickson. Two old ‘media tarts’ (to borrow a phrase from former Qld Premier Peter Beattie [or Peety Betta as I once accidentally called him on air!]) having a good old fashioned catch up on the world.

Tired?  Yep.  Inspired? Yep. Determined? You have to ask?!!!

Ready for anything….(almost!)

Posted in Cancer, Uncategorized by
I’ve written in the past, about how there’s now a heavy weight in my everyday, which didn’t exist ‘BC’.  It’s not to say that I was carefree, just that the realities of cancer were not the constant in my life they now are.
In a way, thinking about life beyond BC treatment is far more interesting than my safe, very structured and somewhat predictable life before.
I’m not so bothered by the fear of feeling silly, of failing or of others’ opinions.
I’m far more open to exploring new challenges, my full potential if you like.

Day of contrast…

Posted in Cancer, Uncategorized by
What an extraordinary day of contrast.
Via text message, I learned of a difficult time being experienced by a dear friend.  It simply read; she’d found a lump, it had been looked at under ultrasound and her surgeon wanted it biopsied ASAP.
My heart sank, as my mind raced with thoughts of what the last few days would have been like for her and her family.
The emotions were very raw, as I recalled that this special lady had two years ago undergone a prophylactic double mastectomy, followed by surgery to remove her ovaries.  She has a strong family history of breast cancer, having lost her Mother to the disease approximately five years ago.
This woman has been a tremendous support for me this time around.  She’s one of the good ones and that 2.8mm lump – whatever it is – has already caused her a great deal of shock and fear.
I’ll admit to shedding a few tears for her.  With every bit of my being, I hope it’s a cyst or something inconsequential.
In stark contrast, I then went on to have an incredibly inspiring meeting with another equally impressive human being.
So exciting was this energetic chat over a plate of chicken and cashews at the local Malay restaurant, that I left wanting to yell from the rooftops about one of the most incredible adventures EVER!
More on that to come……..