The Best Rice Salad Ever!!

You have got to love a salad that is yummy and super easy. I have recently jumped on the wild rice band wagon and been experiementing with different ways of using it. I came across Rice Plus on the rush to buy "Whatever I can get my hands on to make the easiest, quickest dinner" supermarket shop after work.

Rice Plus is a mix of eight different grains and seeds. Brown rice, white basmati, Barley max, pearled barley, white quinoa, red basmati, black rice and sesame seeds. Best of all it is super good for you!

The rice comes with a salad suggestion on side of the pack. However, in true Lady Fable style, I modified it to my liking and what I already had in the pantry at home. And I am sharing!!

MODIFIED RICE PLUS SALAD. 

What you need for the salad:
2 cups of Rice Plus - cooked as per the instructions on the packet
1 green capsicum - cored, seeded and chopped
1 red capsicum - cored, seeded and chopped
4 spring onions  - finely chopped
3/4 cup of craisens
3/4 cup of roasted cashews - roughly chopped (after roasting)
1 fresh red chilli  - deseeded and finely chopped
salt to taste

What you need for the dressing:
1/2 cup of olive oil (I used a little less)
4 tablespoons of soy sauce
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
1cm cube of fresh ginger - grated
1 garlic clove - finely chopped or grated
Salt and pepper to taste

Steps to make this yummy salad:

1. Cook rice in boiling salted water for 25mins, drain, rinse and let the rice cool
2. Once cooled, mix all of the salad ingredients and mix together.
3. To make dressing find a old jam jar (or something with a screw top), add all the dressing ingredients and shake it like a Polaroid picture!!
4. add the dressing just before serving.

Ta Dah! Yummy Salad complete. We ate it for dinner and there was plenty left over for lunch the next day. Tip: Individually dress each portion!

Please see the package below if you would like to find it in your local supermarket. Unfortunately it is only available at Woolies.

 

Friday Fable

I have just returned from a well needed holiday in Bali. It is so important to take time out and relax and get away from the everyday hustle and bustle to clear your head. Nuff said! Have a lovely weekend!

Source: katytemper5.blogspot.com via Patrice on Pinterest

7 Things I Learnt: Problogger Training Event

A week and a half ago, I had the honour of attending the Problogger training event in Melbourne. It was an early start which kicked of with a networking breakfast (dread!) My day started with my brain ticking over with fear and doubt. As I drove in I was dreading walking into the room of 300 bloggers. Bloggers that are established, that already know each other and suddenly I am full of self doubt and completely petrified.

I walk into Etihad stadium to where the Problogger training event is being held and get my name tag from the registration desk. I take a deep breath and walk into the room. There is the buzz of chatter within the room. I grab a coffee to calm my nerves and walk past three lovely ladies and they all give me a smile. I stop and start talking and introduce myself. The fear disappeared in an instant.

Within five minutes we have given a brief description of what we blog about and exchange business cards and twitter handles. Josefa, Sarah and Grace you don't know how much talking to you eased my mind and gave me the courage and confidence I needed. We we stuck together like glue for the two day event. In the end I had nothing to worry about, I was surrounding by like minded people that were all here for the same reason. To meet bloggers, to learn and be inspired.

What I took away from the event...

My head was spinning with ideas after the first day but also I was questioning why I blog and whether or not it was good enough to engage an audience. I was comparing myself to so many bloggers that were in attendance that I admired. I had to give myself a slap across the face ( a virtual one) to snap myself out of that funk.

Here are my top 7 take-aways from the event:

1. Darren started his speech from little things big things grow. It made me look at why I started blogging. I started as outlet for me to express the things that I loved to do. Granted my audience is only my Mum and the girls in the office.

Darren's closing speech.

2. But engaging an audience outside of your Mum and your friends is important to grow. Understanding your target audience and giving them what you want. In the words of the amazing speaker James Tuckerman you want to" rent eyeballs".

The amazing James Tuckerman from Anthill Fame's opening slide "Lubricate your mind.... Or.... How to build a global empire in your underpants."

3. What is your blogs purpose. My number one take from the two days! Find your purpose and stick to it!

4. Take 15mins a day to make your blog better. Darren challenged us to take 15mins a day to do something to improve your blog

5. Consistency - I have never been a consistent blogger. Blog within your means and if you can only post once a week, blog on the same day every week. Your audience will be expecting it!

6. Network more - I need to meet more bloggers and engage more online

7. Stats - I have been blogging for more than 3 years. I have always had statcounter and Feedburner as my guide to where my traffic from. My biggest rookie mistake was not having Google Analytics. This is the tool that PR agencies and brands want you to share with them. As it is the most reliable and resourceful tool. Understanding you stats was also a key point. Look at what posts are getting the most amount of views to understand what people are reading and also look at the ones that are not being read.

The Event was the most valueable two days for me. I met great people, listened to amazing speakers and most of all learnt how to be a better blogger. Now it is time to put it into practice, 15 minutes at a time!

Friday Fable

I was lucky enough to go to the Problogger Training event in Melbourne last week. (I will post my recap soon) My biggest thing and saying that I got out of it and is ingrained in my head was some wise words from Darren Rowse. That being.......

Created by Lady Fable on the LetterMPress for iPad

We all start small and we all have the potential to think big.


Happy Friday to all and have a lovely weekend!

Friday Fable

Source: blog.freepeople.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Nails in the North

Most of you who know me, know that I have a little obsession with nail art. It is something I do to my nails when I need some "me" time. I came across Iscreamnails on instagram a couple of weeks ago and I got excited when I found out they were located in Northcote! Iscreamnails are located behind Lupa on the corner of High Street.

I made my appointment on Grand Final day (or as I call it Anti-Grand Final day).  They have 120 colours and many designs to choose from and they are a lovely bunch of girls that love a good chat. Here is what I had done....

I love doing my own nails but if you want to get fancy, it is great to have someone else do it. I am good making my left hand pretty, but the right hand is always a little wonky.

Iscreamnails only operating on the weekends you can book an appointment by calling the lovely Celia on 0405 511 431 or email info@iscreamnails.com.au. Contrary to the dates in the below image Iscreamnails will be at the site behind Lupa until the end of October.