Gluten Free Grain Free Co’s Date and Cinnamon cake is already running out the door and is anticipated to be a huge success in the lead up to Christmas.

Christmas 2012 was the first time a gluten free, grain free, nut free & dairy free Christmas Cake was launched into the market. Due to high demand the cake  was renamed ‘Date and Cinnamon’ available all year round for gluten free grain free followers.

Olympic gold medalist Clint Robinson and fashion blogger Nikki Parkinson are the latest to join the Make the Most of the Moment campaign as ambassadors.

The campaign, by Sunshine Coast Destination Limited (SCDL) and Tourism and Events Queensland has been running over the past five weeks and has had overwhelming support from celebrities joining as ambassadors.

Sunshine Coast based charity Bloomhill Cancer Help will officially open the doors of their new Op Shop and Distribution Centre in Kunda Park on Saturday, 30^th November.

The new Distribution Centre will sell a wide range of goods including white goods and household appliances with all funds raised going to the Sunshine Coast based charity.

The Buderim Foundation is pleased to announce that for the sixth year running, the total funding for its Community Grants Program has reached a record amount and applications are now open for second round applications.

Sunshine Coast Pro Surfers Julian Wilson and Dimity Stoyle have signed up as ambassadors to the Make the Most of the Moment campaign and are encouraging even more locals to take up the challenge.

Julian and Dimity are the latest in a list of high profile ambassadors to join the campaign including Sir Richard Branson, tennis legend, Pat Rafter and Ironman Matt Poole.

Siena Catholic College students will hold a Christmas Collection Donation Drive on Friday, 8^th November at Siena Catholic College car park for Sunshine Coast based charity Bloomhill Cancer Help.

Any unwanted clothes, books, furniture, bric-a-brac, household items and toys that are in good, resalable condition will be gratefully accepted.

Liver transplant may not seem like a breakfast conversation but when you have leading surgeon and author Kellee Slater as your guest speaker that all changes.

The Buderim Foundation will host a special celebrity breakfast on Thursday, 28^th November at Buderim Tavern where Dr Slater will talk about the human body and its power to heal with the help of 21^st century medical procedures.

Locals are getting behind a new campaign to Make the Most of the Moment on the Sunshine Coast, with more than 250 already in the running to win some great Coast experiences, from a massive prize pool valued at over $10,000.

The campaign, by Sunshine Coast Destination Limited (SCDL) and Tourism Events Queensland, is designed to get locals and tourists alike not be too distracted by mobile technology and really immerse themselves in all the Coast has to offer.

SCDL CEO Simon Ambrose said the Sunshine Coast is the first destination in the world to encourage people to “Be Smarter with Your Smartphone” so they don’t miss experiencing what’s around them.

“The Sunshine Coast is known for its great lifestyle but we all get caught up with work and don’t really enjoy what is in our own backyard,” Mr Ambrose said.

Over 500 people have participated in the campaign so far, by either completing the fun quiz that assesses their smart-phone use, or uploading a photo to the Facebook competition after they have experienced their moment.

International cookbook author, Kim McCosker of 4 Ingredients, has joined the campaign as an ambassador and said she is guilty of smartphone overuse.

“My worst habit is not switching off from my smartphone at the end of the day.

“I leave my phone switched on right beside my bed at night and I hear all the emails and messages coming through from people I do business with in the Northern Hemisphere instead of getting a good night’s sleep,” Kim said.

Kim joins ambassadors including singing sensation Kelsie Rimmer, ironman Matt Poole, artist Raelean Hall and celebrity chef Matt Golinski, who have all vowed to Make the Most of the Moment.

More than half the ambassadors who are taking part in the campaign classify them selves as being a ‘smartphone addict’ and find that their busy schedules and lifestyle make it easy to rely on social media to keep their family, friends and fans updated.

The ambassadors are calling on locals to join them and participate in the challenge and Make the Most of the Moment.

Kim said that she is going to leave her phone outside the bedroom and continue a family tradition of having phone free Sundays.

“Smartphones make doing business globally a lot easier but it’s important to take time out to reconnect with family and experience moments together,” Kim said.

To get involved jump online to www.makethemostofthemoment.com.au to take the quiz and then visit www.facebook.com/sunshinecoastqld to take the Make the Most of the Moment Challenge for your chance to win. You can also find out more at www.visitsunshinecoast.com.au/localmoments.

As the festive season fast approaches Sunshine Coast gluten and grain free food expert and cookbook author, Tania Hubbard is setting a creative challenge to find the best gluten free, grain free, nut free & dairy free Christmas Gingerbread House in Australia.

Gluten Free Grain Free Company Co-Founder, Tania said the holiday season is one of her favourite times of the year filled with family, friends, food and of course fun.

“I decided this year I would accept the ultimate test of creativity and logic and build my very own ginger bread house for the first time ever.  It was so much fun seeing my house being re-created in gingerbread. It doesn’t matter if you are a professional chef or new to the kitchen this is a wonderful project everyone can get involved in.”

Pepitas, ginger, coconut sugar and eggs are the only ingredients you will need to get ready for the first ever gluten free, grain free ginger bread house building competition, plus some additions for decorating.

“It was amazing to create an edible ginger bread house made from only a handful of ingredients.  I felt like a big kid and loved being able to combine two of my favourite things food and play.” Tania said.

Tania wanted to be part of Santa’s team and share the secrets you need to be able to give your favourite gluten free person in the world a new edible house for Christmas.

“This will be Australia’s first gluten free, grain free ginger bread competition and it’s a great way for the free-from community to showcase how much fun and enjoyment everybody can have with food over the holiday season,” Tania said.

To enter all you have to do is bake and decorate your own gluten free, grain free gingerbread house and then post a photo through the competition link on the Gluten Free Grain Free Company Facebook page.

The Gingerbread recipe is based on the popular Cinnamon & Ginger Cookie Recipe from Tania’s cookbook gluten free grain free – food we love and taking one look at Tania’s creation, you don’t need to be a pastry chef to create your own stylish house.

“The joy for me was piping patterns all over the house, putting way too much “snow” all over the place and creating a door to peak through.”

“Have fun and get creative, there are heaps of wonderful ways to decorate the house including home-made jellies, dried fruits, ginger bread trees and natural icings,” Tania said.

 The competition opens on Friday, 25 October and entries will close on Friday, 22 November.

The lucky winners will receive a cookbook and a variety of Tania’s Cake mixes, just in time for Christmas.

Tania’s gluten and grain free journey began several years ago when she was diagnosed intolerant to the proteins found in cereal grains. It was this diagnosis that saw her go on to develop her own recipes and write a leading cookbook, gluten free grain free – food we love.

 “I wanted to help people understand that living gluten and grain free does not mean giving up nutrients or taste,” Tania said.

Tania said the book offered recipes that not only tasted great, but are nutrient dense and provided a wider benefit to people other than just being gluten-free.

Tania’s cookbook gluten free grain free – food we love, is packed with over 150 pages of mouth-watering recipes, information about stocking a gluten and grain free pantry, label reading and much more, as well as her bake@home range are available at selected retailers (check website for details) and online at www.glutenfreegrainfree.com.au.