"Slip another shrimp on the barbie" says Paul Hogan

True Blue

Paul Hogan - "Come and say G'day"...... was the actual advertising slogan. Followed by, "I'll slip an extra shrimp on the barbie for you". 
According to Hoges - that's what we do in downtown Oz.  I happen to agree with him. Great for the waistline.
As is the Romesco Sauce which is a Catalan favourite with many variations. 
(Catalan nation in Spain (Southern France sometimes included in the definition - Wiki )
Clara
 
Prawns with Romesco Sauce
To serve 4
24 large green king prawns, peeled with tail and head left intact.  De-vein by running knife down the back of prawn and removing the dark vein.


1 clove garlic crushed
2 tbsp olive oil
1 lime

Brush prawns with olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper and cook over medium - high heat for 2-3 minutes each side or until they are pink and cooked through. (Or un - Hogeslike - grill on a baking tray)



Prawns are great for finger food when
threaded on skewers.

Romesco Sauce

30ml olive oil (a splash)
1 clove garlic  / half a chilli / 1 sprig rosemary or handful of parsley
3 tomatoes skinned and deseeded
1 red capsicum, chopped
Juice of 1/2 lemon
2 tbsp white wine vinegar
1 tsp paprika
1/3 cup almonds whole
Course salt & Pepper


Heat olive oil, add  chopped garlic, chilli and rosemary.  Cook gently for 1 minute, add tomato and capsicum, season with salt and pepper, and cook on a high heat for 2 minutes.  Blend with lemon, vinegar, almonds to make a smooth sauce.

Place prawns on a plate with lime cheeks and romesco sauce on the side as a dip.

Click on 'comment' at bottom of page to have your say or email clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au www.babyboomerconnections.com.au

Party Time means tantalising finger food!

Party time!   Bring out the skewers, light the BBQ and tantalise your tastebuds with the flavours of seafood, chilli and lime.   I buy frozen prawns in 1 kg / 2lb packets - such a quick, convenient meal to serve with a salad.

Chilli and lime skewered prawns

Serves 6 as as  a lunch dish or entree
36 green prawns, peeled (tails intact), deveined
lime halves to serve
Marinade - combine
2 tbsp fish sauce

2 tbsp grated palm sugar or brown sugar
1 long red chilli, seeds removed, chopped
5cm / 2 inch piece fresh ginger, grated
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
Dipping Sauce
2 tbsp fish sauce
2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
Finely grated zest and juice of 1 lime  or 2 tbsp lime juice

Soak 12 bamboo skewers or disposable wooden chopsticks in cold water for at least 30 minutes.
Marinate the prawns for 30 minutes.  Preheat a chargrill pan or barbecue on medium-high heat. Thread 3 prawns onto each skewer and grill for 2 minutes each side or until just cooked. Serve with chilli lime dipping sauce and lime halves to squeeze.

 

Finger food reigns at party time.

December Babies coming up

Party Time
Finger food reigns!
Keeping in contact with friends has to be the most rewarding and important action we take. These are the people who grow older with us, who understand us, who don't look at us with critical eyes cos - yes 'Times they are achanging' and will ever change.  

I'll let the videos tell the story of how we all get together each year - but the secret is to share - finger food is my answer - the women bring a plate of finger food and guys bring drinks. No stress just fun.

Clara

ps G and I are doing  Koftas  and Prawns on skewers as in http://fitinyourjeanscuisine.blogspot.com/2011/11/koftas-make-great-party-food.html (Finger food - scroll down)
"Slip another shrimp on the barbie" says Paul Hogan  (or go to Seafood Mains on right side and scroll down).  Picnic food works well at parties as well. 

2010

2009

2007 / 2008

Wash and Wear...Recipe for Great Fitting Jeans

So you finally found a great pair of jeans and shelled out some big bucks for them. They fit perfect and make your butt look great. What's next? You need to take good care of them. There are denim collectors that actually believe you should never wash your jeans. Now I find that ridiculous, but I do believe in the old fashion handwash method. You're no doubt thinking this woman is crazy. I don't have time for that. Well I don't either, but with my method it only takes a few minutes longer and your jeans will look great forever. First of all, if you don't throw your jeans in the family wash pile you won't have hubby or the kids washing them for you along with everything else on a super long cycle. It's not the washing that ruins your jeans, it's all the heat and unnecessary agitation that takes it toll. I like to turn my jeans inside out and wash them on a gentle, short cycle in cold water. I also stop the machine and just let the jeans soak for a few minutes. If you think about it one long regular agitation cycle is like wearing them hundreds of times. This is especially important for embellished jeans or jeans made from the new softer denims. It also does wonders for preventing fading, especially on black jeans. I also hang my jeans to dry as once again one tumble in the dryer is like wearing them over and over.  Shrinkage is really not an issue with jeans as most premium denim is highly processed in the design and manufacture. In fact I find it almost impossible to shrink a pair of jeans. But just the washing process will get them nicely back in shape. If you like throw them in the dryer for a few minutes before wearing to soften them up. A little loving care will go along way to keeping that expensive pair of jeans looking great. 

I'm excited too - think I'll buy a Jane Fonda DVD this week

Renotta ( our 'Fit in your Jeans' jeanophile and consultant) wrote inspiringly in her last blog, 'Slim down" about 'Feel the Burn', which reminded me of when we used to exercise to Jane Fonda's tapes (what's that they say?). I kept doing those workouts for decades.

I'm sure there are many inspirational CDs etc  for all ages but I found one which was for the older  demographic as welI  'Jane Fonda exercises for Older Women' along with a blog she writes re fitness for the boomers.

I think I'll buy it this week.
Clara
'The Jane Fonda Fitness DVD For Older Women'

This is one fit 70 ish year old; one who would give women half her age a run for their money. Jane Fonda, actress, model and fitness guru of the 1980’s is making a comeback with a fitness DVD program aimed at older women.

She wants to encourage the older demographic to work out, whom either stopped working out or never started.

Her age group and that of the baby boomers has been left out according to her.



http://janefonda.com/excited

Click on 'comment' at bottom of page to have your say or email clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au www.babyboomerconnections.com.au

Slim Down

I know all the buzz this fall is about the flare, but I still love my skinny jeans. They just suit me and judging by our customers, skinnies suit them also. I mean what is better than tucking a pair into your favorite boots and topping them off with a great sweater. Done right anyone can wear a pair of skinny jeans. It's just all about proportion. I like a tunic sweater belted and a pair of boots with a 2 inch heel with mine. I'll wrap a big scarf around my neck and Paris here I come. Yesterday this mother daughter trio came in the store and honestly Mom looked as good as the girls. She had on a black sweater  belted and accessorized with a pair of skinnies tucked into a great pair of boots. Everything was right in style, age appropriate and we were all looking. Of course it never hurts to be in great shape and that's where the slim down part comes in. I'm really working hard at being in the best condition possible for someone on medicare. Yes for health reasons and vanity as well. I have been buying up all the Jane Fonda tapes I can get my hands on and pulling all the weights out of storage. I have to say it's working and I feel great. All these delicious salads on this blog make it a lot easier and add some glamour to my dinner table. Tonight I'm planning on serving the zucchini pumpkin salad with a nice light white wine. Candle light will be the perfect lighting for me.

Jean Scene - Denim Awards reflect our popular choices

Our fashion blogger, Lynee  http://followthatgirl.blogspot.com  brings us the latest Denim Awards.  I have to say that I agree with the judges as I simply adore my JBrands!  Why?  Because they fit so well.  Also love my stretchy black leggings from 'Not your Daughters' which are really flattering and comfortable. 
Clara 

 

People Magazine Style Issue DENIM Awards!

We were thrilled when we opened up our copy of People Magazine's Style issue and saw that many of our jeans are reigning champions in the Denim Awards!! Want to see which of our current styles won?  And the good news is that you can shop online for these on  www.shopatnextdoor.com.

Most Flattering Pockets

DL1961 "Emma"

Why it won? Clean back pockets with tonal stitching are perfectly sized and spaced to give your butt and hips a slim-yet-curvy look.

Best Tummy Smoothing

Not Your Daughters Jeans "Barbara Modern Bootcut"

Why it won? Ingenious built-in technology flattens your belly and conceals muffin top without ever feeling constricting.

Most Comfortable

Red Engine "Flare"

Why it won? The lightweight fabric is comfy inside and out! It stretches easily without ever feeling too thin, and the soft seams won't rub or chafe skin.

Best Plus-Size

Not Your Daughters Jeans "Janice Legging"

Why it won? The stretchy fit, available up to size 24W, accommodates curves while smoothing the tummy and butt. The dark wash instantly slims, and unfussy details create a slim look.

Best Curvy

J Brand "Bombshell Bootleg"

The fit at the waist is spot-on, simple back pockets flatter a bigger behind, and the dark rinse and bootcut shape bring wider hips and thighs into perfect proportion.

Celeb Favorite Brand Winner!!!

J Brand

We love our J-Brands too!! Why did it win? J Brand's trendsetting styles are worn by Heidi Klum, Kim Kardashian, January Jones, Angelina Jolie and too many more stars to count! It's easy to see why: Every pair -dark or colored, skinny or flared -looks great, fits well and has an unmistakable "it" factor!

Who said you can't dress like a winner!

 

Koftas make great party food

These make great party food for the silly season or even for a birthday party, a BBQ or a family meal. This recipe is for OJ who is turning one next week, and is having a party. He loves spicy foods (like his nonna and eats amazing things like avocados!)

A kofte is a Middle Eastern and South Asian meatball. In the simplest form, koftas consist of balls of minced or ground meat—usually beef or lamb mixed with spices and/or onions. The meat is often mixed with other ingredients such as rice or bulger. They can be BBQ'd, grilled, fried, steamed, poached, baked or marinated, and may be served with a rich spicy sauce such as mango chutney or a yoghut sacce. In Arab countries, kufta or kefta is usually shaped into cigar-shaped cylinders.

Kofte with mint yoghurt dressing is great party food

Meatballs / kofte with mint yoghurt dressing   Makes approx 16
For the mint yoghurt sauce combine
1/2 cup thick natural yoghurt (greek)
2 tbsp mint, finely chopped
Juice of 1/2 lemon

For the meatballs750g / 1 1/2lb good quality lamb mince (or a mixture of lamb and beef)
1 cup fine fresh breadcrumbs
2 onions, finely chopped or processed
1 tsp fennel seeds, dry-roasted, finely ground (or ground fennel)
1 tbsp cumin seeds, dry-roasted, finely ground (or ground cumin)
1/4 cup finely chopped mint and/or combination of mint and coriande2
1 tbsp lemon zest
1 egg white
salt and pepper
Oil
Combine ingredients; season to taste. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours if possible to allow flavours to mingle and make mixture easier to handle.

Mould the meat mixture into small sausage shapes and skewer with metal or wooden
kebab sticks (soaked in water for 20 mins).
Spray with a little oil and cook on BBQ for 5 to 8 minutes, turning once.

Drizzle with yoghurt sauce or serve sauce separately. Serve with toasted pita bread and
lemon wedges. 
Variation - serve with mango chutney.
Variation - Moroccan Kefters - Substitute fennel for paprika,
and instead of 1/2 cup mint, use a combination of chopped coriander,
mint and flat-leafed parsley.
Season with black or cayenne pepper and serve with Moroccan bread.

Variation 2- Alternatively form into balls or patties and cook in oven in oven dish
lined with baking paper.