"Healthy Concoctions | Goodness Personified"

I know y'all love a health post, so I wanted to alert you to a great one over on the est magazine blog: "Healthy Concoctions | Goodness Personified". The fact that they chose to feature me? Icing on the (raw, sugar-free) cake. View the full post here.

(above left): My new favourite tshirt - "You are what you eat so I am nuts" click to buy (above right): One of my "TT Salads".

Easter Trading Hours at Table Tonic Avalon

thealisonshow

I bring news from India Tonic-ettes...

I bring news from India Tonic-ettes. And it's allll good. Some pure cotton bedspreads I ordered (what seems like) aeons ago just arrived! Exhibit A:

(below) Remember these guys? They're ba-aack! Available in "Tropical", in two sizes: Single/Double ($199) and Queen/King ($299). Pure cotton, hand stitched in India and THEE perfect bedspread (or tablecloth or picnic blanket). And they're reversible. *round of applause*

 (above and below) Also available in "China Blue": Single/Double ($199) and Queen/King ($299).

 (above and below) Also available in "Tangerine": Single/Double ($199) and Queen/King ($299).

 (above and below) Also available in "Floral": Single/Double ($199) and Queen/King ($299).

Your bed deserves it!

Click to view all Indian Quilts on tabletonic.com.au. FREE SHIPPING WHEN YOU SPEND $20 OR MORE (only with code 'noshipping' at checkout)! But only for a little bit longer - You snooze you lose!

JUST IN! Shop 12 brand new Washi Tape designs!

These 12 little Washi Tape beauties have just landed at tabletonic.com.au!

And if you still don't know what to do with Washi Tape?

wherescrappinhappens

paperklipdesign

the123blog

southernscraps

justmakestuff

Get ready to turn everything you touch TO GOLD! Click to browse all Table Tonic Washi Tape and remember, spend $20 or more this week and delivery (within Australia) is FREE! Yes. I do believe you officially just got crafty.

TT Spotlight: 3 FAB things you need to know about!

1. A sweet kids bed...
The "Pop Single Bed" was inspired by a childhood spent fashioning houses, boats and rafts out of paddle pop sticks. Designer, David Hardwick of Hardwick & Cesko wanted the look and construction of the bed to be easily related to a child's own experience and understanding of the world. Together, the soft, curved shapes and quirky rope detail (in neon pink or natural) create a safe, sturdy bed with a sense of mischief and nostalgia. Available in Single & King Single size.

2. A brand new beauty buy is born...
Dermalogica burst onto the skincare scene in 1986 with "innovative formulations", which excluded common irritants, (think SD alcohol, lanolin, mineral oil, artificial colours and
fragrances). More than two decades later and they're still going strong, launching their newest product MultiVitamin Power Serum (part of thier AGE Smart line) TODAY! So. What exactly IS it? A potent, more skin-friendly form of vitamin A, with a groundbreaking new formulation process (somebody say " liposomal preparation technique"?) which enhances the effectiveness of the serum. Slap it on in the morning and/or at night for an instant, antioxidant-rich hit of vitamins A, C, E and F. Enhanced cell-turnover? No problem. Reduced hyperpigmentation? Sorted. A smoother surface appearance? Absolutely. Rrp $85.00 for 22ml. On beauty counters and in salons today. PS Buy it online at Dermalogica and enjoy free delivery and samples with every order!

3. Home-cooked (northern beaches) heros...
Runner Bean Catering "believes everyone should enjoy healthy, freshly prepared meals every day". That’s why they decided to deliver the best restaurant quality home-cooked meals (and private catering) with a smile to "time-strapped Northern Beaches professionals and families". Runner Bean Catering Head Chef and founder, Nick Meredith Jones is passionate about nutritious food that tastes great. He’s worked in some of London and Sydney’s top restaurants (more recently The Boathouse and Barrenjoey House), and grows some herbs and vegetables right outside the Runner Bean kitchen so he can bring you the freshest, tastiest dining experience possible. So. If you live "North of Avalon NSW", ditch those takeaway menus, plan ahead, visit Runner Bean Catering and prepare to be BLOWN. AWAY. We recently had a Runner Bean Catering moment after TT friend Heidi recommended it. There are no words. PS They'll be delivering to more Sydney Metro areas soon, so stay tuned!

(above) My dinner. I think I may have gone back for... thirds! Dessert too? Totally.

TT Quick Links: 

1. Pop Single Bed

2. Dermalogica MultiVitamin Power Serum

3. Runner Bean Catering

FREE SHIPPING at tabletonic.com.au!

3 FAB super-healthy blogs I (only) discovered last week

1. Life by Leese (below) Although not strictly health related, South-African-in-New-York author Leese peppers her style posts with fab wellness tips and info. "I believe that true beauty starts from within, so I start there. If we are not glowing from the inside then no matter what designer label we put on our bodies, we will not truly feel beautiful."

2. Val Zelyaeva (below) One of my favourite things about Leese's blog (above) is that it led me to this next one on the list... Russian model Valentina Zelyaeva has been the face of Ralph Lauren for the past decade. Turns out she is completely mad for green juices, smoothies, yoga, salads... You'll find oodles of great recipe ideas and if you're not inspired to makeover your fridge by Valentina (or at least start drinking vegetable juices everyday), I'll eat my hat.

3. My Wholefood Romance (below) Meg is "a Naturopath and Holistic Nutritionist, with a focus on healing with whole foods and showcasing their nutritional and emotional talents. My Wholefood Romance is a place to share knowledge, recipes and to celebrate the fabulousness of food!". REALLY good. Thanks for the heads up The Wellness Warrior.

Oh and PS I stumbled upon a MIRACLE yesterday. I'm calling it... 

TT Crazy-Healthy Almond Gelato
(Makes one big serve or two smaller serves)

1 big handful of almonds
1-2 cups of water
3 dates
1 tablespoon of chia seeds
1/2 teaspoon vanilla paste (I bought a small jar from Harris Farm)
Chuck everything into a blender & blend well (about a minute). Next add a whole tray of ice and blend for another 30 seconds. That's it!
Dairy free, raw, vegan ALMOND GELATO!!!!! So freaking good I can't begin to tell you (looking forward to trying it with a banana thrown in). Oh, and I'm going to attempt making Kimchi this week if it kills me!

Smith's Rosebud Salves: NEW to tabletonic.com.au!

The Rosebud Perfume Company was founded by George F. Smith in the USA in 1895. The business began in a small drugstore across the street from what is now the “Rosebud Building”. The Rosebud Perfume Company distributes its salves and lip balms throughout the world and is enjoyed by celebrities (more on that below), athletes, homemakers, and health care providers alike. The best bit? You can now buy it ($13) here on tabletonic.com.au as well as in our Avalon store!

It's a real anything-and-everything product. Check it:
1. Use Rosebud Salve alone or over your favorite lipstick to moisturize and give a “dewy effect”.

2. Apply Rosebud Salve to eyebrows to tame an unruly brow line while also giving sheen.

3. Rosebud Salve is great on fly-away or frizzy hair. Dab a small amount on the palms of your hands and apply sparingly.

4. Use Rosebud Salve as a subtle accent to cheek bones, collar bones, shoulders, or any other body part that you want to moisturize or enhance.

5. Apply Rosebud Salve lightly to the skin above the eye as a base for powered eye shadow, and then add the desired colors you wish to dazzle your eyes with. The rich emollient properties of the Salve will help to hold that look all day.

6. Rosebud Salve is perfect for travel as a cuticle softener, sunburn easer, dry skin healer, and frizzy fighter. 

7. Use Rosebud Salve around the eyes and on the throat for severely parched, dry, or wrinkled skin.

(above) Strawberry ($13) - hands down the best seller.
CLICK TO BUY

 (above) Brambleberry Rose ($13).
CLICK TO BUY

(above) Menthol & Eucalyptus Balm ($13).
CLICK TO BUY

(above) Minted Rose ($13).
CLICK TO BUY

(above) Mocha Rose ($13).
CLICK TO BUY

(above) Smith's Original Rosebud Salve ($13).
CLICK TO BUY

(above) Yup. Leighton Meester is a fan...

(above) The (tin of 3) "Luxurious Layers" Gift Set ($30). You get $36 worth of product. Great value!

 CLICK TO BUY

On another note, I've given the blog a little "freshen up". Nothing drastic (or perhaps it is?) but I hope you like it!

Kora Bellisimo Balls: A surprisingly good failure!

I recently stumbled upon the recipe for these Bellisimo Balls on Miranda Kerr's Kora Blog. Given that I have pretty much quit sugar (with the exception of fruit), the ingredients sounded good and ticked boxes. The recipe Author (and "Clinical Nutritionist"), Sally Joseph also has a fantastic website and blog. Sally says: "Packed with healthy plant protein, thanks to the nuts and seeds, they are a good source of healthy fats with the coconut oil and tahini, that won’t end up on your hips! My favourite ingredient – raw cocoa powder and nibs – provides a rich source of magnesium and antioxidants, as well a delicious chocolatey flavour."

(above) This is what their Bellisimo Balls looked like. Mine? Not so much. I couldn't, for the life of me, get them to stick together. Which, as it turns out, isn't such a bad thing. Here's what happened next:

(above) I ended up storing the crumbly Bellisimo mixture in a tupperware in the freezer and I am thoroughly enjoying it spooned over fruit for an after dinner snack or even for the occasional breakfast (shown above with Fresh figs and blueberries)!

(above) Bellisimo "Crumble" with Nectarine, avocado and lime juice.

(above) Bellisimo "Crumble" with Fresh berries and Mint.

Even if I COULD get these to stick together, I think I would continue using it as a crumbly topping rather than balls. Try it and see (who said failure was a bad thing!). A few TT tips: The first time I made them, I used the cacao nibs, the second time I simply left them out (without substituting anything). As someone who likes (but wouldn't die for) chocolate, I think I prefer them without - they still have cacao powder, so the hint of chocolate is still there. Also, I didn't use the green powder in them, just the rice malt syrup.

Click for the Bellisimo Balls recipe.