Saturday, January 21, 2006

Brisbane Bullets


Took the squid to the Basketball again. The ex came this time! He really irritates me. Sometimes I sit and think that maybe we should get back together - after all we're getting along better then we have for a long time - and then he comes over or we go somewhere together and wham! I'm so thankful that I don't have to live with him or be with him. I'm so happy to be single and be just the squid and me - we get along so well.

BTW the Bullets won 111 to 100. It was a really good game - the squid had a lot of fun, the ex couldn't help but act worse than a 4-year-old.

Unfortunately it's the squid's last day on Monday and the next Bullet's game is on the 27th of Jan - we won't be able to get free tickets to it, since he won't be at kindy any more. What a shame - he really does enjoy going and it's cheap entertainment for us. The final is on the 4th of Feb - definitely can't get any tickets to that, unless I pay for them, but I can think of better things to spend my money on.

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

A HEALTHY OPTION FOR THE LUNCH BOX


Over the last 20 years, rates of obesity in children have risen greatly in many countries around the world. In the ten-year period from 1985 to 1995 the level of combined overweight/obesity in Australian children more than doubled. The rate of increase in Australia appears to be accelerating sharply when viewed in a historical perspective*.

There is now a growing need to ensure our future generations are healthy and active, creating the demand for healthy snacks to include in childrens lunch boxes, especially when we are in the lead up for the new year!

Real Foods have a range of seven healthy crispbread slice options. Real Foods Corn Thins are made from Australian sun-ripened corn using a delicious recipe for maximum flavour and crunch. The varieties in the range are Original, Sesame, Soy and Linseed, Multigrain, Rye and Caraway, Rice Thins, and NEW Cracked Pepper & Lemon.

The new Cracked Pepper & Lemon Corn Thins are 97% fat free and contain more dietary fibre per gram than wholemeal bread! All Corn Thins varieties contain absolutely no artifical ingredients or preservatives, and are lactose free, while all except Rye & Caraway are also gluten free.

Joy Delis, Senior Brand Manager - Real Foods, commented on the rise in consumption of crispbread products and the increasingly important role of healthy snack options for Australians.

“The recent focus on health and dietary matters for Australians has seen a significant increase in the crispbread market. With the array of indoor activities available for children today it is important to balance their lifestyle with healthy snack options. Importantly, consumers don’t need to sacrifice wholesome ingredients for great taste - they can have both! Corn Thins are fabulous by themselves or with a fresh topping of your choice”.

Include a healthy alternative in your child’s lunch box this year with a variety of Real Foods Corn Thins.

Available at major supermarkets in 150 gram packs - RRP $1.89.

* information gathered from http://www.health.nsw.gov.au

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Australian music business to create strong presence at MIDEM: World Music Market 2006

Tuesday, 10 January 2006


It’s only a few weeks until dozens of Australian companies brave the European winter to attend the world’s largest music industry trade show, MIDEM, where the Australian Independent Record Labels Association [AIR], will present the Australian Music Pavilion from 22 – 26 January.

AIR, with the support of Austrade for the fourth year in a row, and APRA (The Australasian Performing Right Association) are providing the largest ever exhibition space and on the ground support for Australian independent record labels, publishers, music managers and distributors attending.

With some 65 Australian companies already having confirmed their attendance at MIDEM, and over 25 already confirmed to co-exhibit at the Australian Pavilion, AIR and Austrade expect to create a strong profile for the Australian music industry at this global event.

“In attending MIDEM we aim to provide a consolidated and highly visible presence for Australia’s independent recording sector,” AIR Chief Executive Officer Stuart Watters said.

“I think it’s incredibly important for Australia’s growth as a music exporter, and as a relatively small territory, that we take steps to ensure that we have a professional profile at this event.”

“MIDEM is also by far the most important business market for exploiting copyrights for the independent music sector, with the largest representation of independent companies globally”, he added.

Austrade’s extensive experience in assisting the independent Australian music industry will once again be of great value for companies at the Australian Pavilion, by coordinating the much needed business centre and providing on-the-spot translation services during business meetings.

Companies registered to attend via the Australian Pavilion receive full access to conferences, trade fair and concerts during the week, full use of the Australian Pavilion to do business, administrative support from the AIR / Austrade team, and on the ground support and advice.

Australian performers at this year’s MIDEM showcases include Sydney punk-jazz outfit ‘Aronas’, who were selected to take part in the Sonicbids Buzz Bands Showcase on Tuesday 24 January at the Martinez Hotel Ballroom. For more information see www.sonicbids.com/aronas

MIDEM: World Music Market runs from 22 to 26 January at Palais des Festivals, Cannes, France, attracting around 9000 participants from 90-plus countries for five days of conferences, trade shows, live music, showcases and parties, including the NRJ Awards, where James Blunt, The Pussycat Dolls, Lemar and Daniel Powter are among the acts confirmed to take the stage.

For more information about MIDEM see www.midem.com

For more information about AIR/Austrade activities and Australian companies attending the conference, please contact AIR on 07 3257 1838, email info@air.org.au or visit www.air.org.au/midem.

Media inquires:
AIR – Raynee Burridge Email: raynee@air.org.au
Tel: +61 7 3257 1838
Mob: +61 (0) 417 893 210 (not for publication)

Austrade – Simon Kelly Email: simon.kelly@austrade.gov.au
Tel: +61 2 9390 2077
Mob: +61 (0) 414 062 730

Saturday, January 07, 2006

What is EmailCash?

EmailCash is an online rewards program exclusively for Australians, where you can earn rewards and have lots of fun.


Any resident of Australia can join. You need to be 13 years or older and have a valid email address.


As a member, you can earn reward points for doing a whole range of things, including online shopping, reading email, answering surveys, clicking on links, and more.


Once you have accumulated enough reward points, you convert your reward points to reward cash then redeem your reward cash for real money or great merchandise.


There's lots of fun to be had and a sense of community at EmailCash. Meet new people and discuss all sorts of interesting topics. You can interact with real people, and yet maintain safety and anonymity. Plus there's games and competitions, and lots of other things going on all the time.



Come and see for youself!

Poetry

By the way, if you would like me to publish your poems on this blog please don't hesitate to send them through to me and if I like it (or not), I will put it up.

Lately I've taken to reading poems, I think they sooth the soul!

So go on I dare you!

Be a Friend

BE a friend. You don't need money;
Just a disposition sunny;
Just the wish to help another
Get along some way or other;
Just a kindly hand extended
Out to one who's unbefriended;
Just the will to give or lend,
This will make you someone's friend.

Be a friend. You don't need glory.
Friendship is a simple story.
Pass by trifling errors blindly,
Gaze on honest effort kindly,
Cheer the youth who's bravely trying,
Pity him who's sadly sighing;
Just a little labor spend
On the duties of a friend.

Be a friend. The pay is bigger
(Though not written by a figure)
Than is earned by people clever
In what's merely self-endeavor.
You'll have friends instead of neighbors
For the profits of your labors;
You'll be richer in the end
Than a prince, if you're a friend.

Edgar Guest

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

A First for Prune Juice - Hybrid Delivers 25% More Fiber

New low-sugar prune juice cocktail is the nation's first to be sweetened
with Splenda(TM) and only fortified with calcium and vitamin C

Prune juice, frequently enjoyed for its role in aiding digestion, and more recently for its high level of antioxidants, is often dismissed by sugar-conscious consumers because of its high natural sugar content. But today the juice gets a makeover with the introduction of Old Orchard Brands' Healthy Balance Prune juice cocktail -- the first-ever reduced sugar, calcium enriched, and fiber enhanced prune juice.

Each 8-ounce serving of Old Orchard Brands Healthy Balance Prune juice cocktail has 65 percent less sugar and 25 percent more fiber than the leading brand of 100 percent prune juice. In addition, it is the only prune juice fortified with calcium, providing 10 percent of the body's daily calcium with each 8-ounce serving. Moreover, orange juice drinkers will be pleased to find their glass contains 130 percent of the daily requirement of vitamin C, without the acidity of citrus based juices.

Old Orchard Brands recognizes that many consumers drink prune juice solely for the health benefit, with flavor being a secondary consideration. The issue of taste is addressed by removing the pulpy consistency that is often associated with the 100 percent juice version. "A majority of consumers are drinking prune juice for the health benefits, not necessarily because they enjoy the taste," said Mark Saur, founder of Old Orchard Brands. "Our new Healthy Balance Prune juice cocktail is lighter, crisper and more refreshing than typical 100 percent prune juice, yet offers a greater amount of fiber and 65 percent less sugar, calories and carbohydrates."

Old Orchard Brands Healthy Balance Prune juice joins the successful line of Healthy Balance fruit juice cocktails that currently includes 10 other flavors: Cranberry, Cranberry Raspberry, White Cranberry, Cranberry Grape, Apple, Apple Kiwi Strawberry, Apple Cranberry, Apple Raspberry, Grape and Ruby Red Grapefruit.

All of the Healthy Balance fruit juice cocktails have 75 percent less sugar, carbohydrates and calories compared to similar fruit juice products of the same variety. They contain 20 to 27 percent juice, are preservative free and sweetened using Splenda(R) no-calorie sweetener.

In the short time since its introduction in January, 2005, Old Orchard Brands Healthy Balance line of fruit juice cocktails has become the industry's fastest growing line of reduced-sugar fruit juice cocktails. The line currently accounts for nearly 20 percent of the company's sales.



About Old Orchard Brands

Sparta, Mich.-based Old Orchard Brands is one of the fastest growing fruit juice brands in the United States. Established in 1985, the privately held company offers consumers 25 frozen concentrate flavors and 46 bottled varieties in a range of 100 percent fruit juices and blends, fruit juice cocktails and low-carbohydrate fruit juice cocktails.

Old Orchard Brands has recently partnered with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) to provide its Healthy Balance fruit juice cocktail as an official juice for the JDRF. A portion of all proceeds from Healthy Balance sales will go towards funding diabetes research. Click on the link to learn more about Old Orchard.

Here are some fantastic recipes to enjoy:

Raspberry Cheesecake Smoothie
Serves 1

3 oz. Cream Cheese
3 oz. Raspberry Concentrate
2 oz. 1/2 & 1/2
1 oz. Old Orchard Apple Juice
3 oz. Ice
2 oz. Malibu Rum

1) Place first 5 ingredients in blender and puree on high until smooth.
2) Add Malibu Rum and blend for 5 seconds.
3) Serve topped with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry.

Nutritional Information:
Per Serving: calories 365, calories from fat 307, total fat 35g, saturated fat 20g, Cholesterol 104mg, sodium 424mg, total carbs 9g, sugar 39g, protein 8g.

Apple Raspberry Crisp
Serves 5


Topping:
1 cup flour
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
5 ounces butter, diced small
3/4 cup pecan pieces
1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
2 pounds Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced
1 1/4 tablespoons Old Orchard lemon juice
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 1/2 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon brandy
1 1/2 tablespoons Old Orchard frozen apple juice concentrate
3 tablespoons butter, diced small
1 1/2 cups raspberries

Place topping ingredients in food processor and pulse until small clumps. Butter the bottoms of five soup cups. In a separate bowl, toss the apple slices with the lemon juice, then mix in sugar, flour and cinnamon. Add in raspberries and place in soup cups. Sprinkle on topping and bake at 350° for about 20 minutes or until liquid boils.

Nutritional Information:
Per Serving: calories 872, calories from fat 167, total fat 20g, saturated fat 1g, cholesterol 20mg, sodium 203mg, total carbs 172g, fiber 7g, sugar 120g, protein 2g.

Hope you enjoy these delicious ideas!

Kids' Dreams by DYLANKIRAA

Starfish in a tutu rides a green giraffe that's eating red daisies while putting on a scarf.

Talking to a walrus with spots that are blue, who's cleaning his tusks with a broom and some glue.

Standing under a tree with leaves that are clams, enjoying the shade with a rainbow snowman.

A tractor with wings is up in the sky, carrying a giant worm with one great big eye.

Some chocolate jellyfish swim in a stream, while a bright green pig eats orange ice cream.

A singing dinosaur with stripes that are red, gives a ride to a scarecrow with strawberries on his head.

A corncob with glasses sits in a tree, feeding some fairy floss to a great big bee.

A purple-eared rabbit reads a book about fleas, as he goes down a slide with two chimpanzees.

An old grey porcupine combs his spikes with a rake, as a pink mouse dances with a bright yellow snake.

A small baby elephant holds a mirror up high, because his upside down eyes can not see the sky.

Some gingerbread men are having a race against a witch on a broomstick with a fish on her face.

A blue gorilla dances and juggles some eggs on long pink stilts under wobbly legs.

A teddy bear swings from a branch in the tree with flowers on his toes for all the others to see.

The sad rain cloud and the bright happy sun both look down below at all of the fun.

When kids are asleep or so it seems they are really having fun enjoying kids' dreams


I love this poem. I borrowed it from someone else. Thanks Dylankirra.