diet – The Interiors Addict

Going back to my childhood with the new SodaStream Play

At the end of the day, the SodaStream does exactly what it did when we were kids, it just looks a lot better on your counter, is more practical and these days there are way more drinks flavours available. It’s so nostalgic for me. I remember the one we had as kids: it was white and yellow and the bottles were glass. I was pretty jealous of the boys next door with their snazzier, newer version with (wait for it) plastic bottles!

These days, the plastic (PET) bottles are a given. What I love about the latest fizz machine from SodaStream is its sleek design. The Play Drinks Maker, released last month, is minimal by design and ultra-simple to use. Allowing consumers to add a pop of personality to their home, it’s available in six vibrant colours including brand new yellow and grey. I was gifted the white and I’m happy with that. It sits there unobtrusively on the benchtop and it’s actually getting used a lot! I’m loving the instant ‘free’ sparkling water with a wedge of fresh lime while my (big kid) husband is loving adding the many syrup options to his fizzy water.

Speaking of syrups and flavours, SodaStream Caps are a new patent–pending flavouring method. This single–serve, disposable capsule system delivers a simple, fun and user–friendly experience. Simply choose your flavour, place the capsule onto a 1 litre carbonated PET bottle and press down lightly to start the flow of flavour. Within seconds, the sparkling drink is ready to enjoy. You can still buy bottles of your favourite syrups including some sugar-free versions sweetened with Stevia.

Play is the first home carbonation system to feature the new “auto-lift” slider, along with the popular “snap-lock” mechanism, making it quick, simple and easy to use. Myles Anceschi, managing director of SodaStream Australia, said: “We understand that people want a product that is fun, yet can fit easily into the aesthetic of their living space. With SodaStream Play, families can get creative in the kitchen and enjoy great tasting, better-for-you sparkling drinks in seconds.’’

The introduction of Play follows the launch of the award-winning SodaStream Source in 2012. Yaron Kopel, chief innovation & design officer at SodaStream, said: “After a successful collaboration with renowned global designer Yves Béhar on the Source Drinks Maker, we decided to partner with him once again to create Play – a machine which maintains the design language of the Source family, but still has a clear identity, is priced lower and appeals to more segments of the market.”

The SodaStream Play is available nationally at Myer, Target, David Jones, Harvey Norman, Good Guys and Spotlight stores with an RRP of $99. For a full list of stockists or to purchase online visit www.sodastream.com.au.

It may be winter in Australia, but that doesn’t mean you suddenly stop wanting ice cream, am I right? At the same time, if you’re into the latest paleo/no sugar kind of diet, you may be avoiding processed nasties. So, what if I told you could make guilt-free ice cream at home, really easily? The only catch is you have to like bananas!

The last gadget I tried out before setting off on my travels was Yonanas and I loved it so much, it is sure to become a regular feature on my kitchen bench when I get home. Its technology and high-torque blade emulsify frozen fruit into a healthy treat that looks, tastes, and feels like soft-serve ice cream—in just seconds. Unlike other dessert makers, you don’t have to add any other ingredients such as milk, cream, sugar, yogurt or soy—which makes it perfect for vegans, diabetics and those who are lactose intolerant (which seems to be a lot of people these days).

While you can chuck any fruit through this machine, if you want a creamy, ice cream-like texture, you really do need to include bananas. What’s more, it works best with overripe bananas (the ones you end up chucking out when they get too brown and spotty) which will no longer be wasted. When you have those sad looking brown bananas in your fruit bowl, simply peel and freeze them to use in your Yonanas later. You basically chop them up and force them through the machine, a bit like pushing fruit and veg through a juicer. It’s amazing how frozen bananas alone come out tasting so good and so similar to the consistency of ice cream. I bet you could trick your children!

The machine comes with a great book of recipes. I tried adding both peanut butter (not that great) and dark chocolate (yum!) to my bananas, but to be honest, the frozen bananas alone were so satisfying I didn’t feel the need to add any extras, plus it’s healthier that way.

My husband Damian wasn’t as convinced, but let’s just say I have healthier tastebuds than he does and he’d rather have the processed, artificially flavoured version of most things (it’s a constant battle…). It wasn’t that he didn’t like the end result, but just refused to believe my claims that it really was just like ice cream!

I found it really easy to use and loved that it was dishwasher safe. The only downside was the noise. It’s not quiet!

Since I checked out the appliance ($55), they’ve released a new, snazzier version called Yonanas Elite ($165). The original machine got a makeover with sleek new design elements and a quieter and more powerful motor. Available in glossy red or black.

Yonanas is available online or from The General Trader, Harvey Norman and David Jones.