I knew chocolate was good for me

***I am a participating Influencer at The Entertainment New Media Network. I have received free product for review to facilitate this post. I was not compensated for this review and all expressed opinions are strictly my own.***

For anyone that knows me, the only hot drink this body consumes is a strong hot cup of coffee or a honey and lemon drink when I am sick.

Until today.

Today I have been introduced to a whole new world of hot drinks, one that just might see me reaching past a large double shot skinny latte and making myself a delicious Crio Bru hot chocolate.

Crio Bru is a hot drink made from 100% cocoa beans, brewed like coffee and is filled with flavour and packed full of antioxidants. The health benefits alone were enough for me to want to give it a try.

We have tried our Bru a number of different ways over this past 5 days. Primarily because I am impatient and couldn’t wait to buy a new French press to try it out. Each time we added a little skim milk and 1tsp of sugar, just as we would our coffee.

First attempt was in a tea pot (yes desperate times call for desperate measures).

                                                  

Needless to say, it wasn’t ideal. The Cavalla Crio Bru was nowhere near strong enough but I could already tell by the flavours coming through that I had found a new night time companion.

The following day, I again forgot to buy a French press so we gave the Thermomix a run as per the Crio Bru website’s “How to Bru” guide.

50gm Crio Bru (we used the Cavalla), 800-900mls water and 10 min/90°C/speed 2

The smell in my house was simply divine. This time by using the Thermomix, it was a much stronger flavour and I just knew we were nearly there with perfecting the art of Crio Bru.

My husband Roger tried this with me and found that after having a night time Crio Bru he felt much more relaxed and sleepy. A definite winner for our nightly wind down once the kids are in bed.

On Sunday, I finally remembered to buy myself a new French Press.

    
                                                                

This took the Crio Bru to a whole new level. Using the French press made for rich and deeply enhanced flavours. If I had to try and describe it, I felt like I was drinking a silky, creamy, rich chocolate bar.

My favourite aspect of the Cavalla was the undertones of the dark chocolate that came through in every mouthful. The saddest part was that with the introduction of the French press to our household actually meant that within no time our Cavalla ran out.

Last night we gave the Maya Crio Bru blend a whirl. Personally this flavour wasn’t one I fell in love with, I still enjoyed it but the cinnamon flavours were a bit too strong for my liking.

Another fun way we tried the Cavalla Crio Bru was actually using the grounds in place of some of the cocoa in protein bars.

The Recipe for anyone interested in trying them is as follows.

250gm raw almonds
12 pitted dates
60gm Protein Powder of your choice (we used chocolate)
1.5tsp Vanilla extract
1tbsp Cocoa
1.5tbsp Crio Bru grounds (we used the left over grounds out of the French Press instead of composting them)

Blitz up in either a food processor or Thermomix and slowly add up to 2tbsp of water to bind them together.  You can roll the mixture in to walnut sized walnut balls or if you’re feeling slack like me put in a slice tray and set overnight in the fridge before cutting in to bars.

The verdict overall is in, we adore Crio Bru and if I am honest with you all, I am awaiting delivery of 3 new bags I ordered last night, I cannot wait to consume some more chocolatey, healthy goodness!

Head to www.criobru.com now to try some for yourself, I promise you won't be disappointed.

The "Other" B word

Budgeting!!

I know, I know, it's a topic that some people find boring & others find it downright stressful.

But that's where I come in!

Most people when you say the "B" word, I have found people get emotional, their stress levels rise and in turn you can almost see (or in my job HEAR) their blood pressure rising. 

My day job is and has been working in a bank call centre for the past 6 years, so for 40 hours a week I help people with their finances.

I started out in a servicing capacity, helping people transfer money, set up savings plans and most recently I help people with their lending/borrowing needs.

I like to think that I am quite good at what I do and for the most part, the feedback I receive from my customers is that I am.

So I would like to share one of my most common tips to take control of your own money.

I would say at a guess, 70% of people these days have most of their payments set up by a direct debit or automatic transfer. In this day and age that can become somewhat of a nightmare to manage when it's all going through your main everyday banking account.

Now I am not going to name specific products that the bank I work with uses (primarily because I'm not sure of the legalities of doing so) but it's a simple theory that can be applied to any banking institution!!

So budgeting 101 with MrsJRad!

Step 1 - know what you have coming in and out. 

Sit down and write down what you pay weekly, fortnightly and monthly. 

You need to include how much each one is. 

*Some people even like to be extreme and include annual payments in to this method but let's start with the basics!

Step 2 - set up a secondary everyday bank account that we will call your "bills" account. Worst case this should cost you around $5 a month but think of how many $9 dishonour fees or account overdrawn fees you may save by having this set up!

Step 3 - calculate what those weekly, fortnightly and monthly bills total.

Then if you are paid weekly, divide that whole amount by 4, fortnightly by 2 and monthly just leave as the whole figure. 

Step 4 - now you need to set up ALL direct debit and automatic payments on to your new "bills" account. 

Step 5 - when you get paid, move the said amount from step 3, in to your bills account, some people even like to have payroll disburse it there for them so it's out of sight, out of mind.

Step 6 - RELAX!! It's truly that simple!! Now you know when you look at your everyday account balance you know that is your spending money (I have even called mine my spendings account) and your bills will all be taken care of!! 

This is incredibly important for the upcoming reforms within Australia regarding credit reporting. From March 12 onwards, under the new privacy rules, credit providers will be able to provide your repayment history to anyone you seek further borrowing from, so now is a fantastic time to get on top of your budgeting and ensure you don't miss payments!!

Read more here - http://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-law-reform/credit-reporting-reform

I hope this has helped and for anyone who needs or wants any further (General Advice Only) help, please email me radfordramblings@gmail.com

Now budget away my pretties!! 

Mrs J Rad

xxx

P.S - to try out my favourite budgeting tool, go to moneysmart.gov.au and try their free online budget planner 

Baby Simon

My heart is incredibly heavy at the moment, I have a dear friend who is preparing for the funeral of her new born baby, little baby Simon Leo.

Charity and Ryan knew that Simon was going to pass either before his arrival into the world or not long after.

I still to this day don't know how I would cope being faced with the information and decisions they were faced with. 

I was blessed to be able to share in Charity's pregnancy through the power of technology, as this is one of my friends I met online when lily was a baby who is in the USA.

Charity blogged her pregnancy and I have tears the minute I read anything she has written, her faith and strength are nothing short of inspiring. 

You can read here - http://carstensenfamily2010.blogspot.com.au

There will never be the words to express how heartbroken I am for you Charity (and Ryan, Tanner and Leah) but I hope you know how incredibly loved you are and how proud we all are of you and you are surrounded by so much love right now.

Baby Simon Leo will have a special place in all of our hearts and I thank you for letting me "get to know" him through you

Sending prayers and love across the world,

Jess xxx

Illegitimi non carborundum

In English you say??

"Don't let the bastards get you down"

So I have been thinking about writing this for a little while, I had decided "who on earth do I think I am, I'm not famous, what gives me the right to write "an open letter" to anyone?!"

The answer was, I might not be famous but damn straight do I have the same right to say what I'm thinking!!  

So here it is, welcome to my open letter to Shemar Moore!!

Dear Shemar,

You want to know why I started following you on twitter, Facebook and Instagram?? Why I have spent HUNDREDS of dollars on BabyGirl clothing??? And not to mention the mere thousands for The Bounce Back???

Because I respect YOU! Not just for your looks!! 

Of course I would be completely mad & questioning my own sexuality if I didn't find you absolutely stunning to look at.... But I have supported you now (*cough cough* FYI Our anniversary is Feb 14th) solidly for the past 12 months. Prior to that I was obviously a fan but I simply didn't harass your fine self on social media!

My aim today is to tell you, ask nicely or BEG if I have too, PLEASE STOP RESPONDING TO HATERS!!!

I understand your reasoning and that is admirable, however when you respond it just gives them exactly what they are after, ATTENTION! This includes those that threaten to hurt themselves if they don't get a reply from you!

These people have issues, issues that are unfair to put on you! 

The majority of babygirl nation support you and follow you for the exact reasons that I do, RESPECT!

I will continue to support you because it is rare to come across someone of your stature and status that gives back like you do to your fans... The tweeting, the Instagram, Facebook etc.

Not to mention the incredible things you are doing to help find a cure for MS.

I have a lot of friends and family that ask me daily when I will get my phone calls from winning the two bounce back competitions.... Whilst I cannot answer them with a time or date, I believe in the confidence of my answer, I know it will happen & even though I missed out on getting it at the time of the campaign, BabyBoy won't let me down! (My number hasn't changed either, I've given it to your team like 100 times 😉)

So today, please start your day following this motto...

And today say F*%k THE HATERS!!

You're never ever gonna keep everyone happy so instead, keep doing what you're doing & play with those that give you love and positivity back!

Love 

Your Ultimate Aussie BabyGirl

Mrs J-Rad

My thoughts

So I have been thinking more about 2014 and what it holds for me & primarily what I want from it...

That's made me reflect on many things and parts of my life I would change if I could.

The first being that some days I am far from the mother, wife and friend that I want to be. I am constantly tired and in turn this makes my cranky pants fit firmly. I am going to make this a focus for myself... I might not be able to fix the constantly tired part, but definitely the "don't talk to her or she will snap" part!! I need to work on a better "work/life" balance for two reasons, my sanity and my kids!! I spend 13 hours a week with my daughter on my current shift, let me tell you with a pre-teen girl, that's not good for ANYONE!! 

To take the perfect words from ABBA 

"Money, money, money

Must be funny
In the rich man's world
Money, money, money
Always sunny
In the rich man's world
Aha-ahaaa
All the things I could do
If I had a little money
It's a rich man's world"

I'm never going to be rich, at least not until I either beat all the odds and win lotto or find myself a super rich relative that I never knew about!

So what I CAN do about the money situation is start to make smarter choices... I work for a bank for goodness sake, helping people with their finances is what I do all day!! Time to save myself!!

In 2014 I want to date my husband again, I miss having us time and think that this year I want to make more of an effort to ask our friends and family to help and watch the kids so we can take time out for us, even if it's for a coffee or dinner or walk! I also want to talk to our friends and family with kids about taking it in turns so that they get couple time too!! 

I am going to make more time for writing! I have been given the incredible opportunity to be part of the ENM network (enmnetwork.com) and I'm not going to let my lack of confidence in myself and my writing hold me back!!

Well that's all I have in me for tonight, on that tiredness piece, it's after 10pm and my washing has finished so time for some sleep!

Thanks for listening,

Mrs J-Rad

You asked, I answer

I keep being asked “Who is this Tizthetime, Keith Tisdell guy you keep talking about?”

So I am here to answer that for you.

Keith Tisdell is an actor/producer I came to know through watching Criminal Minds and then Shemar Moore’s Bounce Back project in 2013.

Whilst Keith has a vast acting career, He portrayed Rodney in two Criminal Minds episodes, “Profiler Profiled” and “Restoration” and this is where I came to know him.
His character portrayed deep emotions, anger and violence but there is a scene in Restoration that when he confronts Derek Morgan (Shemar Moore) your heart breaks along with his.

See a short clip here - http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QG4eBuH_H-U 

Now to answer the question of WHY am I supporting him?

Well, I may not have physically met the man (BUT I WILL) I have gotten to know him via twitter, facebook and email recently, helping promote him on his Indiegogo campaign. ***I will put it out there now, this is not a paid post and I am getting nothing in return for my ramblings*** he is just one of the most down to earth, kind hearted guys that LA has living in it & I am grateful to have been able to be an active part of his first campaign. To put it simply, he is just like you or me, someone daring to dream.

He overcame a gang life to make something of himself and I think that alone should be applauded.
On top of all of that, Keith is a father to 4 great kids and what an incredible role model for them.

His Indiegogo crowd funding campaign, part 2 has started today.
Check it out here - http://igg.me/at/thetime2/x/3612949

The blog that I have been writing on for the campaign - tizthetimeblog.blogspot.com

So why should YOU give him money, I mean he is a stranger after all…

He has a story to tell and to be honest, I WANT TO HEAR IT!
I have dreams and If any of those involved people helping me monetarily, I would like to beliebe there are enough kind hearted people in this world who would help, it’s just all about REACHING them.

If just 14500 people from all over the world gave $10, it would bring a dream to life.

The best part?  You don’t just have to have to hand over cash and get nothing in return, there are a huge range of perks you can chose from so that you can have a momento to mark your contribution.
Ranging from a Twitter/FB Thank you, a Signed photo, An Advanced screening of the documentary, to being able to be a NAMED Executive Producer of the documentary... see the full list at igg.me/at/thetime2/x/3612949

 
So I hope that answers the questions my dear friends and family have had so pretty pretty please consider helping a complete stranger reach his dreams, who knows you might love being able to be a part of something like I have. If you can’t financially help, consider sharing this post or Keith’s link for me, help me stretch the reach and prove that social media CAN make a difference… all I need is 14500 people remember… let’s go VIRAL!

Mrs J-Rad xxx

 

They say 13 is an unlucky number

2013 has been one of the greatest years of my life to date.
Dreams came true that I didn’t even realise that I had until they happened.

We saw the start of our new year in at one of my happiest places, in Derby with my Father in law and Step Mother in law, it saw the Engagement Party of one of my oldest friends Kimberley (FINALLY Josh hehe) getting engaged, the start of a new role at work which bought along new challenges and new friends.

February was a huge month, it bought a visit from my biggest sister and her adorable family, a wedding which bought all of our family together, poppy and nanny P getting to meet Ira man for the first time. The celebration of surviving our first year with Ira followed by the next day a sad goodbye to “my first born” our beautiful Roksi dog. One of my best and dearest friends Evan marrying his princess which was also marked our first night away child free. One of my closest friends, Kirstie turned 30 and we celebrated with her.  This was the month that I was introduced to Shemar Moore live chats for the first one when he launched the long awaited shemarmoore.com website!

March saw us find our perfect first home and the madness that comes along with packing. We celebrated the 30^th birthday of a beautiful friend Mel, and our first two consecutive nights away from our little guy so we could pack like mad men and finishing with Easter and a whole lotta chocolate!

In April, we settled on the place we now call home, two hard weeks of cleaning up at the old house and we handed the keys back to our last rental ever and we had our first sleep over with Eva Bear (and her mummy and daddy).

May saw my KK turn 30 and we had a lot of cocktails to celebrate, a wonderful night of fun that we don’t get very often and from the heads the next morning, we were reminded why! I celebrated my 2^nd mother’s day with 2 babies and went to the first dress up party in a long time, A Mad Hatters Tea Party for BB. May marked the start of the Shemar Moore Cray Cray. With The Bounce Back came a whole new Family of ladies across the world “BabyGirlNation” some of whom I am sure are destined to be forever friends.

June first… Shemar Moore talked to ME via a live chat, my Bounce Back cray cray got even bigger when I won a competition to a one on one phone call with the main man himself.

July rolled in to another huge Bounce Back month, I met Erica, a woman who has inspired me more than ever to chase my dreams in social media combined with writing, to put it simply, Erica is all that I want to be "when I grow up". Then with all of my friends and families help, I won the title of Shemar Moore’s “Ultimate Fan” and I got to talk to him on a video chat (and yes before some of you ask, I'm still waiting on the phone call though). Along with the title came the excitement that we would get to head to LA in 2014 and attend the red carpet premiere and after party of the movie!!

August came a Melbourne trip with the Kaines, my first footy game at the MCG watching our beloved Hawks, sadly they lost and we got caught in a torrential downpour on the way back to the hotel but all was cured with access to the lounge with free drinks for a few hours… Then we celebrated our gorgeous Eva Bear’s first birthday & I proudly became a godmother for the first time. The Hawks won the minor premiership and started the finals journey.

September bought a secondment in what to date is the best role I have worked in at the bank, incredibly challenging but incredibly rewarding at the same time. Lily went on not one but TWO holidays, the first to Cairns with Aunty Liss, Uncle Jimmy and Puff, the Second to Poppy and Nanny P’s with Aunty Kate, Jack and Abbie. As for Football, September is the best month to watch, this year saw the Hawks broke the Kennett Curse and went on to take out the 2013 Afl premiership.

October was the #RideForMS where two men (and many many more) rode 100 miles to raise money in search of a cure for MS. #TizTheTime was coming and I had no idea what that had in store for me.

I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to help a man who I now consider a friend. Keith Tisdell. I was able to use my love of writing to assist him with some things and he allowed me to run his blog for him for the campaign. I will eternally be grateful, his kind words about my writing and his message for #TizTheTime, have moved me, I am truly blessed to have been allowed to be a part of it all (P.S #TizTheTime – Second Campaign, Launching 15^th January).

November saw one of the craziest but fun months of our year. It started with getting dressed up and beautiful for our Logies awards night where I proudly watched my beautiful Roger win the Secondee of the Year award for the 2^nd year running. My best friend, my oldest friend, my soul mate turned 30 and we had an incredible child free night out, full of dancing, giggles and cake (with maybe a little alcohol). Then the long awaited surprise weekend arrived, we took Lily away for not only her first trip to Sydney for her birthday but to her first concert ever, Justin Bieber!! She was absolutely thrilled and it was worth every moment of stress executing it and the hour late JB was to the stage.

Alas, it was then December! A month that saw me get to go back to what I call “My Happy Place” at work in our complaints team, Miss Lily turned 10, marking my decade of motherhood and we celebrated Christmas with our little family and got to see the joy and excitement through both of our babies eyes.

So there you have it, 2014 you have an incredibly big job to live up to 2013.
Don’t get me wrong there have been lows throughout our year but focussing on the positives is what has gotten us through.

So to put it out there this is what I hope 2014 holds for me.

- To develop my career to the area/departent that I want to work in so badly
- To enrol in the Bachelor of Communication degree that I have set my heart on
- I want to make more time for my writing and increase the exposure of my own blog
- To get healthy… this means a number of thing, I want to lose weight, I want to gain fitness, I want to feel better in my own skin and I want to change our eating habits.
- I want to remarry my husband in Vegas when we go on our trip in October
and lastly, I simply want to stay as happy as I am today with my incredibly family.
- To finally meet Shemar Moore, Keith Tisdell and Erica Pena-Vest in LA at The Bounce Back premiere, along with this I will get to meet face to face some of the most amazing ladies I now consider my #BabyGirl and #Tizmanian Family.

So show me what you’ve got 2014, I am ready for you!

Mrs J Rad xxxx