Vegan Brownie

Ingredients for brownie base:

• 4 cups walnuts*
• 2/3 cup raisins
• 2/3 cup Medjool dates
• 2/3 cup cacao powder
• 1 tablespoon Mexican (ceylon) cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons finely ground star anise
• 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• pinch of sea salt (optional)
• 2 tablespoons water

Ingredients for frosting:

• 1/2 cup maple syrup or agave nectar
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, warmed to liquid
• 2/3 cup cacao powder

Directions for brownie base:

• Place walnuts into a food processor and grind into the consistency of a meal. Don t over process or it will release too much oil.
• Add the raisins and dates and process until the mixture is well combined.
• Add the cocoa powder, cinnamon, vanilla, star anise, cayenne and sea salt and process again until mixture is sticky yet still crumbly. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
• Add the water and mix well using your hands. It should start to resemble a dough.
• Press mixture into an 8 x 8 inch baking pan lined with parchment paper or plastic wrap.

Directions for frosting:

• Add maple syrup to the blender first followed by the coconut oil and cocoa powder. Blend well until smooth.
• Spread topping over brownies and chill at least 1-2 hours.
• Remove brownie by lifting up the parchment paper and slice into desired size pieces.

Item of Value-Optrex ActiMist 2 in 1 Eye Spray

I very much needed this today!

After a busy day and night yesterday, my eyes were very heavy and uncomfortable today.

I picked up this eye spray a week or so ago and used it for the first time today. 

It's great!

My eyes instantly felt refreshed!

I love the fact that you spray it onto closed eyes because I've always been a bit freaked out when putting eyes drops in. 

It doesn't smudge your makeup either!

Think this will be a staple in my nappy bag now!

Item of Value - Bumbo Floor Seat

Designed for infants from 3 months to 1 year, the Bumbo floor seat is a great way for bubs to sit and play (un-aided) while helping their posture. 

I got one of these for my baby recently as she is just starting to be able to hold her own head up and she seems to have lost interest in sitting in a reclined position in her bouncer. 

I wanted somewhere for her to sit where she could sit up straight and that also helped her strength and posture. 

You can also purchase the Play Tray which is great for bubs to play with her toys on.

I love the fact that it gives bubs some independence, it's safe, portable and easy to clean.

Baby Bunting actually have a sale on at the moment where you can get a Bumbo package which includes the chair and tray for $60.

Parent Room #3 - Westfield Westlakes

This parent room is located right next to Target and Cibos.

Definately the best room so far at Westfield West Lakes.

Very clean, modern and nice lighting. (Well lit without being too bright!)

Large bench for bottle preparation with microwave and sink.

Large baby changing area and comfy seats.

There is a large enclosed play area with tv for older children (tv not on too loud), private feeding cubicles and even a "pram parking" area. 

Plenty of room for a few parents with prams/ trolleys.

The parent/child bathroom is also very large and has a child toilet and sink as well as normal adult sized toilet and sink.

Overall, this is the best parent room by far. 

Very clean, large, secure, all required amenities and just has a really nice feel about it.  :)

Parent Room #2- Westfield West Lakes

This parent room is located near Woolworths across from Priceline. 

My first impression was that it is very clean and a lot larger than the room in the food court. 

There is enough room for 5 babies to be changed at once and there is plenty of room for prams and trolleys.

There is a microwave, nappy dispensers and sinks near the change areas.

For older children there is an activity board, tv and a table and chairs with some toys in the centre of the room.

There are 3 private feeding cubicles with chairs and highchairs for older children  and 2 additional comfy chairs. 

The parent/child bathroom has a child sized toilet but the bathroom itself is a bit small if you are trying to take a pram or trolley inside. 

Cupcakes

Even when I'm on a diet, I always make an exception when it comes to cupcakes.

Ecspecially when it's BTS cupcakes! 

If you haven't tried these... You are missing out!!

Today I sampled the "Scarlett."

A red velvet cake with vanilla cream cheese frosting. Sooo delicious!

The BTS cafe is a gorgeous cafe too! 

Unfortunately parking on Gouger street is hard to come by so I had to grab my cake to go. 

If you have time and a park, I would suggest dining in. The staff are very sweet and helpful. 

Parent room #1 - Westfield West Lakes

Today's review is the Westfield West Lakes parent room in the food court.

Westfield West Lakes has a few parent rooms but I thought the one located in the food court would have been one of the bigger ones. I actually found it to be quite small. 

Only one private feeding area and it didn't have the best seating. A large blue leathery/slippery couch that seemed a bit impractical for feeding and too big if you are in the cubicle with your pram.

If the feeding cubicle is occupied, there are some other chairs to sit/feed on in the main parent room area but no privacy for feeding and there's not a lot of room if there is more than one parent with a pram.

The parent/child toilet was large enough to take a pram or trolley in and had a child sized toilet but could have done with a clean. 

There was enough room in the changing area for 2 babies to be changed at a time   But I thought the sink was placed in a bit of an odd location. 

Across from the change area there is a microwave for bottle preparation and a nappy dispenser.

For any older children there is an activity board and a tv (which I thought was on a bit too loud) and some little chairs and table which looked a bit old and worn.

 Overall, not the best parent room.

There are other/better parent rooms at Westfield Westlakes that I will be reviewing in the next couple of days.