Tefal Cuisine Companion

Tefal has been announcing for some months that this all in one thermal cooking machine, the Cuisine Companion was to be released.

I was lucky enough to attend a demonstration at Harvey Norman who will be selling these exclusively.  Demonstrations are still ongoing I believe, so if you are interested, it is well worth attending one.

As you may have noticed, I do own a Bellini INtelli a kitchen a,aster, the Target version of a thermal cooker, the poor cousin to the Thermomix.  Although I have been happy with my a bellini (after having it replaced twice), but it seems to do most of what I need.

But I did fall in love with the Tefal Cuisine Companion...not that I own one yet.  It will do mostly what a Thermomix will do, except for no build in scales, nor has reverse blade function. I believe Thermix still have reverse patents in force. 

However the Tefal can have blades changed mid cooking without leaving a hole in the bottom of the machine, this necessitating emoting all food out, as in the Bellini.  There are four blades, which fit over a removable shaft in the middle of the stainless steel jug.  You can even use the machine without any blade inserted.  Love that idea and when scraping food out, you simply remove the blade and can get most traces of food out without much waste and struggling scraping around the blade.  The jug is about 4 litres, but can be filled to 2.5 litres, which is bigger than any on the market. Top temp is 130 degrees, at 5 degree increments. So it does have a lot of great features.

The Tefal Cuisine Companion is very, very quiet. While cooking risotto, if it wasn't for steam coming out the lid, you wouldn't even know it was turned in.  It has a slow cooking function and other pre-programmed buttons. It does not have a recipe chip or SD card for recipes like the Supercooker by Bellini.  

Loved that it has two years REPLACEMENT warranty.  That nearly sealed the deal for me...except it costs $1,699! So only about $400 cheaper than the Thermomix.  I always wanted a Thermomix and while they are a brilliant machine, after all the recent issues, I have changed my mind.

At the cooking demo we made an amazing summer risotto, loved it, best risotto I have ever eaten. So creamy and tasty.  Cooked perfectly with little fuss at all.

The recipe book has the pages split horizontally in three accross the page, so the 300 or so recipes can be turned into 1,000,000 different menus.  Now, I bet nobody has counted that, but with a bit of maths calculation, would be easy enough to work out.  But the book did look good and easy to use. 

There is a Tefal club online with some recipes and you can load your own. However this club needs a lot of improvements to make it user friendly. I did send in a number of suggestions and received a thank you for them, but no mention if any would be implemented. Bearing in mind there is no search function to even find a recipe, so you need to search through the nine pages of recipes to find anything.  Also a facebook Tefal Cuisine Companion needs to be set up and I did suggest that also.  I am quite tempted to set up a Tefal group myself, as the Bellini Addicts group has been so helpful to thermal cooking machine owners.  But...I donw own a machine, so guess I wouldn't be very helpful yet.

Kitchen Aid is bringing their version out through Myer late March, so the market is being flooded by thermal cookers, with maybe Thermomix having some real competition at last, giving consumers plenty of choice.

But for now I am dreaming of owning a Tefal Cuisine Companion....

Sandi Bears, hand needle felted teddy bears

I have commenced hand felting bears. This is done with wool fibers and a barbed needle and 3D sculpturing. 

Aqua Splash Tangle-Teezer...unique hair brushes.

I was lucky enough to be given one of these to trial. I already have the Feline compact version of the Tangle-Teezer, but the Aqua Splash is to be used around and in water.

I tried my Black Pearl Aqua Splash Tangle-Teezer out in the shower, using it to brush the conditioner through my hair. I found it works like a hot knife through butter, such a wonderful feeling and my hair was so smooth. I did find the handle a little awkward, when using with conditioner, but otherwise it was fine. I was surprised to see it was hollow, but no water stays in the brush and it makes a stand and the water runs off easily and dries quickly.

I have very fine hair, which tangles mercifully after washing. Using the Aqua Splash, it just combed through my hair, without damage through my hair. As my hair dried, I brushed it every so often, while watching TV and found I didn't need to straighten my hair, and it was beautifully smooth, shiny and silky. From now on, this brush is my go to brush for wet hair every time.

When your hair is wet, we have always been told not to brush it, as when wet hair is wet, it is weakened and subject to stretching and breakage. However the Aqua Splash brush is so gentle and soft, you have no worries. If you have very thick hair, the Aqua Splash brush with go through several layers of hair and after a few strokes, brush to the roots very gently with no damage. Brilliant for children's hair, no more complaints of pulling hair as it is brushed.

The Aqua Splash Tangle-Teezer is the first thing you need to put in your beach bag (after sun screen, of course). Remember how tangled beach hair is? Well it is nothing for the Aqua Splash brush.

http://phoenixnationale.com.au/ this is the website where you can purchase online or alternatively there is a Salon locator where you can buy one locally. They are a salon only purchase.

Aqua Splash is available in four water borne colours: Pink Shrimp, Blue Lagoon, Green Marine and Black Pearl.

This is Tangle Teezer's description of this beautiful brush: "Tangle Teezer AQUA SPLASH is the latest innovative detangling brush which will effortlessly banish tangles and knots from wet hair whilst distributing shampoo and conditioner and even masques evenly throughout hair.

Featuring patented, uniquely designed teeth which flex and flick as they glide through the hair, Tangle Teezer AQUA SPLASH eliminates tangles and knots on contact and minimises breakage, damage and splitting often caused by tugging and pulling on the hair shaft.

Perfect for all hair types, Tangle Teezer AQUA SPLASH features an exclusive non-slip design and unique ‘drying feet’ for hygienic, drip-dry benefits. The hollow structure allows water to cascade through from the hair for free-flowing detangling in the shower."


I love my brush, as does my whole family now, so it will be permanently in the bathroom...maybe I should buy another one to live in my beach bag for when we go skiing, would hate to forget and leave it at home. I already have the compact feline Tangle-Teezer in my bedroom permanently. I am hooked. Thanks Tangle-Teezer for bringing this beautiful brush into Australia.

Adrenal Insufficiency...secondary

I have been diagnosed with this condition, as my pituitary doesn't work, called empty sella syndrome and Pan Hypo Pituitarism.

So far hospitalised only once with seizures, had seven in one morning, ambulance couldn't get me out, as two story and they had to carry me down and I kept having seizures.

Now every time I catch something...a simple cold, flu or whatever, I go through this again. So I have cortisone to take when unwell, but GP's don't know enough, actually think I now know more, then they deride me for looking up 'Dr Google' as he called it.

Today I was at the end of week and half flu and my mother wanted me to take her to Aldi for specials. My husband later insisted in driving and thank God, he did. In the shop a cold clammy sweat came over me and I could feel like I was going out to it. He managed to get me to the car to at least sit, which was what I needed. It was funny, the day was so bright, like an overexposed photo.

So got home, took a big dose of cortisone and now feel better, although not strong at all. I am scared to go out, as I never know when this is going to happen. I hate it. Have been different health wise all my life and just tired of it. Took 35 years to diagnose the beginning of the condition.

Seen specialist now. On cortisone for life now causing weight gain etc. feel better in myself, but now with weight gain. Vicious circle.

Anyway, thank you for listening to my story...

Tangle-Teezer...range of hair brushes...5******

This is the top selling British brush. If you haven't tried it, you don't know what you are missing out on.

It brushes your hair, without tangles and is especially good for wet hair. You know how you have always been told to NEVER brush wet hair? Well you can now with the Tangle-Teezee. Tis is the best and only brush that I will now use. The brush also doesn't get tangled up with your hair, Because it isn't pulling any out! That is the best news for my fine, knotty hair.

They are not easy to find and are not available in shops just anywhere, but the web site has stocked to, which are usually only hairdressers, but you will find one. I is worth it, go searching on http://www.tangle-teezer.com.au/gallery/Compact/tangle-teezer-compact-styler-feline-groovy/124597 to find a stockist near you.

The above link is to the brush I have, it is a compact called 'feline' I think and has changed my air routine for ever.

There is a new one out, that I am yet to try, but you take it into the shower with you, it is bigger than the one I have and excellent to take to any water activity you do. Or anytime really. This one is called aqua splash and the one pictured is colour Blue Lagoon and it comes in four very pretty colours.

I am on the search now for a Shaun the Sheep compact brush, can't wait to fine it in a local hairdresser soon.

By the way, if you have a child, there is a perfect one for them. Especially little girls with long hair, are they always crying she you brush knots out? I will be no more if you buy them their very own special Tangle-Teezer brush. I will post a photo. They will love it, because it is their very own and can keep their hair bands inside.

I would give the Tangle-Teezer 5 out of 5; or more if I could. Thanks Tangle Teezer for a solution to my hair problem...forever.

Garnier...Ultra Lift

I was fortunate enough to receive this lovely product from Garnier to try.

I loved it. It is a light and creamy. I did wonder why the jar was being used up so quickly...until I saw my husband dipping a big finger into the jar for his daily face moisturise. I must say, he is looking pretty good for it.

I have dry, mature skin, so would need the night time version to keep my skin properly moisturised. This cream is very light and easily applied and sinks in to the face skin nicely. Make up applies perfectly over it.

We were to have a ruler to determine if wrinkles were lifted. Seeing my printer was having problems, I just took a photo of my eye area.

I do feel, after a month of using this beautiful Ultra Lift Cream, that my eye wrinkle area is brighter and fresher, even though I had a stint in hospital during this time, our family car written off and quite a few worries, so I am surprised how good I still looked after all of that.

It feels beautiful on, so easy to apply and I always rub the remnants on my hands, so they are looking better also.

I am now looking forward to trying the Garnier Ultra Lift night cream.

VS Sassoon Big Hair Styler

This is my 'can't do without' hair tool. I never go anywhere without it. I have very fine hair and have tried all manner of hair products and stylers etc, finally finding this is the best that suits my hair.

The spinner brush shines my hair beautifully, as normally fine limp hair is not shiny. I use it by over styling at the crown with a little spray of root lift and get great lift off my head. Then layers of hair down the sides and ends. Until I have beautifully culled under hair with shine.

Can't be without my VS Sassoon BIG HAIR STYLER.

Great for all hair types I believe.

My husband has grey hair, thinning a little and he brushes his hair with my VS Sassoon Big Hair Styler and it gives him a beautiful hair style with body. Have to wait in line to use it in my household.

Thank you VS Sassoon.

Bellini Intelli Kitchen Master...mark II

I have received my new machine from GSM, the Australian distributors for the above machine.

I did get a bit of a shock today and thought I had a broken machine. I was twirling around the temperature dial and it went to 100 degrees, then to 'St'. Oh no, not broken already!!

Raced off to check the booklet and this is what they have done to stop the burning. After 100 degrees, it goes to 'St' for steaming, not up to 130 degrees as previously these machines were set.

Will this still cook hot enough? I burnt custard at 80 degrees, so how will this help? Are all temperatures actually lower than they say on dial?

I don't know. Do let me know if you have the mark II Bellini Kitchen Master, please let me know.

What is the maximum temp for the Maxi superchef thermofood pro? It and the Bellini look alike, so what have they done to the Maxi to stop burning? Let me know please.

Thanks...
(picture attached is the page of the instruction manual for the replacement Bellini dealing with temperature)

Replacement Bellini Intelli Kitchen Machine

Woohoo!!!! The replacement Bellini Kitchen Machine has arrived. Can't wait to try it out.

I must comment on GSM in South Australia for being such a super company when it comes to
Customer service. They always reply and answer communication, phone back etc, WHEN THEY SAY THEY WILL. Not many like that these days.

Now no time to try it out for a bit, as my husband's car was written off in an accident on my birthday last week and we have to be out trying to buy a replacement car with the merger dollars RACQ value our vehicle at.

Good to have two blades, guess one is to take the place of reverse blade. The second blade is for stirring, not chopping.

Thanks GSM for keeping to your word.

Tree Lopers

Today a great big Samoan guy came to my door, offering to cut down a straggly tree down from our front yard. After intense bargaining, I got the price down to $550, thinking this was a bargain and he offering to allow me to pay it off.

After a little less than an hour, they finished, with a tip truck loaded full with my tree and a poisoned 10cm high trunk left behind. Giving him the part payment we had agreed upon, he said I will be back tomorrow for the remainder of payment, as we are going on holidays next week. Bit of a shock to me, however as it will be my husband's pay day tomorrow, I agreed.
Wonder what would have happened if I had not the ability to pay the rest then?

At least the front yard looks much tidier, but I have been worrying where all the lorikeets will go, as they loved the flowers of our Africian Tulip Tree?
Will miss the birds songs as they used to feed in our tree.....probably be much hotter in Summer now, without the shade of that orange flowered tree......