Symply Annette

Book 7 launch

Tue, 07 May 2013 04:39:00 GMT

It was so much fun celebrating the official launch of book 7 at Kawana Shoppingworld where over 100 people turned up to have some taste testing and to get their books signed.

Caroline Hutchinson from 92.7MIX FM radio was the MC and three of my wonderful testimonials turned up to share their story with the audience. I even had a letter from the Minister for Health Qld Lawrence Springborg wishing me well and congratulating me on my success and fabulous cookbooks. Wasn’t that nice?

We had lots of new recipes for everyone to try.
Here was the menu:
1)   Roasted Pumpkin and Cashew Dip
2)   Beetroot Dip
3)   Crunchy Dippers
4)   Pick Me Ups
5)   I did a cooking demo with Quick and Easy Rogan Josh
6)   And finally we finished with a sweet treat from my new Gluten Free section Symple Brownies.

Thank you to all who came and helped me celebrate this huge milestone in my life. It was a joy to be able to finally show off my new cookbook and I met some really lovely people. I appreciate all the positive feedback and so now your biggest decision is what will you cook first ☺

From left to right:
1. My cooking demo
2. Taste testing - Jo
3. Taste testing - Dianne

4. Launch MC, Caroline Hutchinson
5. A great crowd

6. Annette with book 7 testimonials Colleen & Arlene
7. My team, Caroline and book 7 testimonials

Book 7 tour details

Sat, 04 May 2013 14:00:00 GMT

I'm so happy to have launched book 7 this month. The feedback I have received so far is fantastic! So I am in the process of planning a tour to promote this NEW fabulous book. I would love you to come along and say "hello" when I'm at a venue near you.

I will be posting more locations, dates and times as I receive confirmation back from each location.

If your club or business would like me to come speak why not send me an email with a few details such as: Business / Club name, nature of business / club, number of staff / members and of course include your city name and contact details. I can't promise that I will be able to include you on my tour but I will reply to all emails. Send enquiries to admin@symplytoogood.com.

Click HERE to find out what events are happening soon.

Here are a few events I have coming up:

Where:      Joyce Mayne Maroochydore, Maroochydore Homemaker Centre, 11-55 Maroochy Blvd, Maroochydore
When:       Wednesday 8th May
Time:         7.00pm - 8.30pm
Bookings: Stephen Dyck – Phone 5475 1800
Cost:         FREE EVENT

Where:      Joyce Mayne Chancellor Park, 2 Chancellor Village Blvd, Sippy Downs
When:       Thursday 9th May
Time:         7.00pm - 8.30pm
Bookings: Darren Maher – Phone 5477 2200
Cost:         FREE EVENT

Where:      Nextra Chermside Newsagency, Westfield Chermside Shopping Centre
When:        Thursday 16th May
Time:         11am - 12pm
Enquiries: Ph 3350 2766
Cost:          FREE EVENT

Where:      Nextra Carindale News, Westfield Carindale Shopping Centre
When:        Saturday 18th May
Time:         11am - 12pm
Enquiries: Ph 3398 7786
Cost:          FREE EVENT

Where:      Farm Fantastic, Bruce Highway Caboolture
When:       Friday 19th July, Saturday 20th July
Time:        10.00am - 11.30am
Details:     www.goexpo.com.au
Cost:         Adults $15.00, Pensioners $10.00 (Friday only)

No Excuses - Mother's Day Menu

Fri, 03 May 2013 14:00:00 GMT

This Mother’s Day I have a ‘NO EXCUSES’ menu to serve up for Mum. Often we use celebrations as an excuse to over-indulge. My fabulous Mother’s Day Menu (below) contains less than 30 grams of fat for the day!

I say this is a 'NO EXCUSES' menu because I am going to supply every recipe for you to make these gastronomical delights.

BREAKFAST: Serve Mum my Egg and Bacon Capsicum Cups from book 7 with only 6.8g fat.
LUNCH: The Zucchini Slice in book 1 has been a favourite among my readers since day 1. Serve with a fresh garden salad and it’s only 6.5g fat.
AFTERNOON TEA: Serve the Symple Light Scones book 4 with Lite Dairy Whip and Jam at afternoon tea. Plain scone -1.5g of fat, Lite Dairy Whip 1.4g of fat, jam 0g of fat
DINNER: Serve up my Veal with Creamy Mushroom Sauce from book 3 with new potatoes and steamed veg – just 4.3 g of fat.
DESSERT: Round off the day with my Cookies and Cream Baked Cheesecake from book 6 which has only 4.7g of fat per serve.

Celebration Food

Thu, 02 May 2013 14:00:00 GMT

Think celebration food and many high fat foods come to mind. Organising the menu for your next house party might prove to be a challenge. How do you choose the right food especially if you want to offer healthy low-fat choices?

Often party food is deep fried, surrounded in pastry or high fat dips and cheeses. These are a real no-no as they are very high in saturated fats. If you have guests coming who have Type 2 Diabetes, heart or weight concerns catering can be a nightmare.

Knowing this I was determined to give you some healthy options which is why I included a party food section in my fourth cookbook. It is amazing how high in fat nibblies can be and when eaten in excess can wreak havoc with your waistline and your health.

Here are some suggestions for healthy celebration food:
• Dips are always popular, unfortunately most are based on sour or cream cheese, both very high in saturated fats. I use cottage cheese as my base for most of my dips. Once blended smooth you wouldn’t know the difference. French Onion dip an all time favourite has around 5g fat per tablespoon, make it my way and its only 0.2g fat per tablespoon. French Onion Dip book 4.

• Peeled fresh prawns go down real well. Serve with my low-fat Cocktail Sauce from book 1.

• Avoid serving anything deep fried. No one wants greasy fatty finger food so refer to my party food section in book 4 for great alternatives.

• Party pies and sausage rolls are full of fat but if you make them yourself you can reduce the fat content considerably. How you ask? Combine a little onion, herbs, half lean mince and sausage mince and roll with filo pastry. Use cooking spray between each layer and your guest will really enjoy this low-fat version. See the full recipe for Sausage Rolls in book 2.

• Sushi is a terrific party food, both low in fat and something a bit different. I go to my local sushi shop and buy a dozen rolls and then cut them into small slices so they go further. Serve with low salt soy sauce.

• Cheese platters need to go, instead cut fresh slices of vegetables and serve with a salsa dip.

• Small new potatoes stuffed with a filling are nice as they are easy to hold in your hand and a great idea for young and old. Check out my Stuffed Potatoes in book 1 for some delicious filling ideas.

• My Pick Me Ups recipe from book 7 is a delicious way to include vegies into your celebration foods.

NB: The photo above is of the Trio of Cheeses recipe in book 7

May 1st release confirmed

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 14:00:00 GMT

I am so happy to be able to report that book 7 is on track for delivery into all newsagents throughout Australia first thing Wednesday May 1st! I liken my cookbooks to childbirth as each book seems to take around 9 months to create. It can be a very testing process when dealing with deadlines, however it is absolutely worth it! This one has been a little bit more intense than the previous 6 because I have decided to get technical...

That's right this book will be available in digital format for iPad and Android tablets! The other books will follow soon - keep reading your newsletter to find out when.

The other exciting thing about this book is that both the printed book and digital versions will be interactive, so you will be able to scan a QR code (or click on a button if you have the digital version) and view more information, watch me cook a recipe or share some tips.

Book 7 has more recipes than any of my previous 6 books with 2 bonus sections for you to enjoy - Sweet Gluten Free and Bonza Burgers. This book returns to the same format as books 1 - 5, unlike book 6 which had the 28 Day Masterclass.

You are the first to see the cover image, what do you think? The Strawberry Ricotta Pie tastes delicious and is so easy to make, there's even a video to show you how to create that gorgeous strawberry edge. Oh and at just 3.4 grams of fat per serve this is another fabulous guilt-free dessert.

Be sure to reserve your copy of book 7 at your newsagent now, at $14.95 RRP.

Is grazing making you fat?

Sat, 06 Apr 2013 14:00:00 GMT

Health experts often say that having several small meals a day can really help activate your metabolism so grazing could be a good idea for those wishing to lose weight. I myself find it hard to do this and prefer like many people to have 3 meals a day and snacks, but it does depend on the choices you make with food.

If you choose to graze on food that is high in fat and dense in calories it could wreak havoc with your weight. Two key components that assist with weightloss is being active and having a metabolism that is working well.

If your aim is to avoid weight gain then here are some tips:
1.   It is a proven fact that obese/overweight people eat most of their food in the dark so eat the majority of your food in daylight.
2.   Have a diet that includes lots of natural coloured food rather than white and brown food. This would eliminate many of the snack foods that are not healthy options.
3.   As you graze ask yourself am I eating this food because I am hungry or just for the pleasure of eating it.
4.   Missing meals can lead to binge eating or yo-yo dieting so avoid this as much as possible.
5.   Limit the amount of processed food you have and keep it fresh if possible, aim for 40% raw food in your day.

Bonus sweet gluten free section in book 7

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:00:00 GMT

I was made more aware of how difficult it can be if you suffer from Coeliac disease when my little granddaughter was diagnosed with Coeliac disease. I have found that most gluten free recipes are not that nice and have a weird taste plus they often have hidden fats due to the huge amount of ground nuts in the recipes. More and more people are looking for healthy gluten free recipes and finding low fat recipes has been extremely challenging.... Until now...

According to the Diabetes Australia website, 'Coeliac Disease and diabetes may occur together and is more common in people with type 1 than type 2 diabetes.' One of the things I noticed with other gluten free recipes is due to the high fat count that they aren’t suitable for people with diabetes. So my journey began...hours in the kitchen to create healthy low fat, low sugar, delicious, GLUTEN FREE recipes.

I am proud to say that I have exceeded my expectations and just love, love, love these recipes. In my NEW book 7 you will find an entire section dedicated to sweet gluten free recipes. Plus you have some great information for managing Coeliac disease in the front section of the book.

To excite you about my new book, this month's recipe is a NEW recipe ...drum roll please... Symple Brownies which is from my fabulous sweet gluten free section. I make this recipe all the time as everyone loves it and it is super easy to make. It has been a very popular one by everyone who has tried it (especially the girls in the office) and whether or not you require a gluten free diet give it a try and let me know what you think.

It’s not long now until my new book will be released so reserve your copy at your newsagent today! SYMPLY TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE 7 will be released 1st May $14.95 RRP

NB: Pictured in this article is my scrumptious Lemon Cherry Pudding, another one of the fabulous sweet gluten free recipes in book 7.

Baking the low-fat way

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 14:00:00 GMT

If you have a sweet tooth then it is important that you satisfy your cravings otherwise you won’t last very long on any healthy plan. When you deprive yourself you are setting yourself up for a binge, yo-yo dieting or highs and low moods, which can weaken the most disciplined person.

To have a balanced eating regime, high sugar foods do need to be monitored and eaten only occasionally as they are high in calories. Let’s face it most high sugar foods have very little nutritional value so if you want long term weightloss success make sure you include some of your favourite foods. By learning how to make cakes and biscuits my way you can enjoy them without the guilt. In each of my cookbooks there is a baking section so you don’t have to miss out – yes you now can have your cake and eat it too.

Here are some tips:
1.   Baking with low fat margarine is a great way to lower the fat count.
2.   It’s amazing how much fat you can save when you use skim milk in baking, at only 0.2g of fat a cup compared to nearly 10 grams for full cream milk.
3.   Egg yolks are full of saturated fats and of no real benefit to cakes. I use only the egg whites, which have all the nutrients and raising ability, so why add 6g of fat per yolk when you don't need too.
4.   I use 1 x 120g can of Heinz Apple Puree (from the baby food section) instead of oil or butter in many of my cakes and muffins. Add some bicarb soda to the apple sauce (it will froth) which will keep the baking light. Apple sauce gives the moisture that butter or oil would normally give, but has no fat so this is another fantastic way to cut down the fats in baking;
5.   One of the tricks to making a low fat cake or muffin is in the folding. You really need to be careful when folding the flour through because if you overbeat they will come out tough or rubbery. Baking my way means there is no fat in the recipe. Butter or oil normally protects the gluten when folding, so when cooking my recipes remember to fold flour through as if making a delicate sponge.
6.   Cooking spray or baking paper is better than greasing cake pans with butter and flour.
7.   Watch what you add to baking as there are many hidden fats, such as adding nuts, yes they are good for you but they are also high in fat so use sparingly in baking. Same goes for coconut, cream and cream cheese.
8.    If you want to know how to cook amazing gluten free baking then check out book 7's sweet gluten free section.

The announcement you've been waiting for...

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 22:33:00 GMT

I am about to tell you something that I have been ‘bursting’ to share…so here it is…

You my loyal newsletter subscriber are the first to hear my news…Are you ready?...

On the 1st May I will be launching my next cookbook. Yes, that’s right BOOK 7 is on its way!!!

To say that this has been the most joyful experience is an understatement. I have loved every minute creating this new and very exciting book for you. I think it is my best one yet so I am fizzing with excitement. I can’t wait to show it to you.

Next month... I will be sharing more information about the TWO BONUS SECTIONS and I will also give you an amazing recipe to try from the book PLUS the chance to win your own personally signed copy.

A happy and healthy Easter

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 14:00:00 GMT

In the lead up to Easter temptation for chocolate and sweets is everywhere, with choc-a-block displays of Easter Eggs of all shapes, sizes and flavours piled high along every aisle of your local supermarket.

Easter is the second most challenging time for slimmers (behind Christmas). Many people fall off the weightloss wagon, but it doesn’t have to be that way if you take control. At Easter time, a chocoholic’s willpower can go out the window but with a little motivation, you can resist temptation and continue on your healthy eating regime. One of the keys to remember is that you're not missing out on anything as funnily enough Easter isn’t the only time you can eat chocolate. It is sold 365 days of the year and yet more people quit their diets over Easter, often after making a great start to the year. If you don’t want this to happen then having a plan of attack will help.

For children too, Easter can be like a free ticket to eat as much chocolate as they want. However, while it's fine to enjoy some Easter treats the key here is moderation, and to have a treat occasionally rather than all the time. Remember that eating habits are learnt early on and your children will follow your example - so it's up to you to set some healthy guidelines.

With a little planning now, you and your family can sail through Easter without weight gain. Decide right now how much chocolate you will allow at Easter and then stick to it. Just remember the more sweet food they eat the more they may crave. If your children are given chocolate eggs by well meaning family and friends, then encourage them to share the treats around and only have a few at a time.

The other treat enjoyed over Easter are hot cross buns, which have around 2-5g of fat, but when you add lashings of butter it's just like chocolate, and needs to be eaten in moderation. Try to balance any additional treats with healthy family meals and put an emphasis on outdoor activities, walks and exercise to counteract the treats.

To find out how much fat is in your favourite Easter treats, read this month's tips - Be prepared for Easter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 14:00:00 GMT

If you've been a fan of my cookbooks for a while you may be aware that some of the ingredients may not be available for my recipes any longer. But did you know that there is a list of ingredients to substitute on my website?

Take a look at http://www.symplytoogood.com.au/faq and click on DISCONTINUED INGREDIENTS and ALTERNATIVES

The list includes discontinued recipe ingredients and also items that are listed on my 28 day menu plans.

I often get emails from people asking about my Lite Mars Bar Slice. The LITE Mars Bars have been discontinued however I do have an alternative and am sharing the revised recipe with you this month. The other item I get asked about a lot is the CHEESE AND LEEK SOUP. When you take a look at the FAQ section on my website you will find the alternative product to use and also the revised version of my Potato Bake recipe from book 2.

There's lots of other gems in the FAQ section of my website, so be sure to take a look.

Happy cooking
Annette

Fish tips for Good Friday

Sun, 03 Mar 2013 14:00:00 GMT

With Good Friday on our doorstep many recipe books will be opened looking for a new way to cook fish. This is the one day in the year where many religions cut meat out of their diet for the day. I love the fact that so many Australian’s are getting a great boost of omega-3 fatty acids. So why is fish so good for you?

Firstly it is brain and heart food, offers a great source of protein, vitamins and nutrients and of course let’s not forget the omega-3’s which provide protection from heart disease. Essential fatty acids are necessary for human health as they cannot be made by the body so we have to look to food to be able to get our supply.

Fish is also low in calories, which makes it perfect for any weightloss eating plan. For example a 112g fillet of cod contains about 20 percent protein, no carbs and about 1g of fat. Mackerel contains about 20 percent protein, no carbs and 15 grams of fat. The Vitamin content of fish varies according to species. Cod and haddock are rich in Vitamins A and D, while tuna is rich in Vitamin D and B12. Salmon and trout are rich in Vitamins A, B12 and D.

Here are some tips to help you cook up a fabulous feast of fish on Good Friday:
1)   Don’t overcook fish as it becomes dry and tasteless. Depending on the thickness of the fish fillets allow 2-4 minutes each side. To test cut a small opening into the flesh and if it is still pink inside then it is not cooked through. Once it is white when cut you then know it is ready to serve.
2)   Use cooking spray and a good quality non-stick frypan instead of deep frying fish.
3)   For crumbing fish you can coat with normal breadcrumbs, rice crumbs or gluten free breadcrumbs. Check out the health food aisle in your supermarket for these options. To cook the low fat way coat top of crumbed fish generously with cooking spray then place onto a good quality non-stick frypan, before turning coat top with spray then turn.
4)   Coat outside of fish with spices to pump up flavours such as Moroccan or Cajun seasonings.
5)   Fresh salmon is a delicious fish high in Omega 3 fatty acids and vitamins. It can be cooked several ways such as pan fried, baked and poached. Great diced in risottos, stir-fries, curries and salads.
6)   When buying raw fish always check if it has been frozen. If so it is best not to freeze.

Pictured above: Fish Alaska from book 1.

HAPPY COOKING!

Healthy Kids R Happy Kids

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 14:00:00 GMT

The kids are back at school, school lunch boxes are once again the focus of attention in the morning and there starts the struggle to provide a healthy lunch box. Why not download my F.R.E.E e-book, Healthy Kids R Happy Kids! It contains lots of tips for healthy snacks and lunchboxes, as well as some great low-fat recipe ideas and strategies for dealing with fussy eaters and hungry teens.

If you need help, this guide will assist you to be able to teach your kids healthy eating habits. With obesity in both adults and children at its highest level in history, now more than ever we should all feel concerned if we have an overweight child.

Children may appear not to care about their size but I know from my own personal experience what it’s like to be the fat kid in the playground – it can be a place of heartache. As a child I tried to make up for my size by being happy and outgoing, but in reality I was crying on the inside, all the time desperately wanting to just fit in.

Overweight children are more likely to suffer from low self-esteem, depression, rejection from peers and the increased risk of becoming obese adults with chronic health problems.
The most common reasons kids gain weight are overeating, poor food choices and lack of exercise.

With my Healthy Kids R Happy Kids e-book, you can learn how to lead by example and give your children / grandchildren the help and support they need to learn healthy eating habits for life and it's F.R.E.E

For those needing inspiration in the kitchen, the book contains low-fat versions of kids favourites such as Sausage Rolls, Chicken Bites, Chewy Muesli Bars, Pikelets and Iced Patty Cakes.

Check out my Apple Slinky. A great way to make a healthy snack fun to eat.

Follow this link to download your F.R.E.E Healthy Kids R Happy Kids eBook now.

A story of hope

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 14:00:00 GMT

With Valentine’s Day approaching I thought I’d share a heart warming story with you. A while back a journalist friend of mine Tina Shaw, wrote a blog called Single Parent Bible. During this time she penned and published a story inspired by the relationship that my wonderful husband Bill and I enjoy.

At the time Tina was a single parent with no real interest in having a ‘significant other’ in her life. She had just attended an event that I spoke at when she wrote the article. Here’s some of what she had to say:

As the single parent to end all single parents, I love it when I see great couples interacting, it gives me hope.

In Annette and Bill’s home, I have seen Bill pottering about making sure that the cogs keep a turning, making cups of tea, answering phones and just being an all round nice guy. It is at the Seminar though that I really see the true nature of Annette and Bill’s relationship. As Annette does her stuff on the stage (as only she can) I watch Bill’s reactions. He not only laughs along with her presentation, but he has such a look of love and pride on his face, that it actually gives me a little tear.

Now I am not a person who yearns for an ‘other half’, in fact I find that life is just sooo much easier when I am love interest free. I have more time for my child, I am more productive at work and I spend much less time grooming myself. In fact, I’m positively content with how my life is right at this very moment. Everything is at it should be. Every now and then though, I glimpse an Annette and Bill couple and wonder, “What if?”

She finished her article with “It will happen! Live your life, love your kids and one day when you’re not looking you may just turn around and there will be the Bill to your Annette.”

A little time went by and when I spoke with Tina again she was happily married and a stepmother to 3 more children. I smiled when I heard the news; I love a story with a happy ending.

Getting back on track

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 14:00:00 GMT

I have just arrived back from holiday and I'm sure I'm not alone when I say "I have to get back on track!" The festive season has past, school holidays are over and for many of us the reality of gaining a few kilos over the holiday period is staring us in the face every time we look in the mirror or try on clothes. If you can relate to what I am saying then now is the time to get back on track ASAP.

After overindulging during December and January you may have noticed that your sweet tooth has been working overtime, that you have become less keen to cook and more importantly you may have relaxed way too much with the quantity and types of food you are eating. If you are feeling fed up then it's time to start with a fresh new outlook. Sometimes it helps to acknowledge that the way we are thinking about food is causing our problems. Re-educating is the first step to moving forward in a positive way.

Don’t continue with the holiday attitude for another moment. The best way to help yourself is to stop what you have been doing and re-group, refocus and re-work your eating regime. If you want to lose some weight and have had little success in the past then you need to look for new ideas, new ways, and a new attitude that will help create the person you want to be. You also need to understand that learning new habits does take time and isn't always easy but if you don't change what you are doing then you won't get the results you want.

To start properly you will need to take responsibility for your past actions and start to make the right choices when it comes to what you choose to eat, how much you have and how active you are. It’s up to you in the end; just remember the sooner you start the sooner you will get to your goal weight. Don’t live with regret, instead think about how good it will feel when people start noticing how amazing you look when your weight starts to fall. Focus on what good things will come your way when you lose those kilos and more importantly how it will feel to have more energy, pride and happiness within.

If you want to learn how to lose weight and keep it off why not come to my Symply Slim and Healthy 3 Day Workshop Retreat held on the Sunshine Coast this May.

Make this the year you transform and change your life for the better. Above all make this the year that you’ll look back on and say how glad you are that you took the steps to be the healthy person you always wanted to be.