It was 7:25am on a not-so-sunny Saturday morning and I had roused the VTB from his sleep with a fervent phone call.
“I’m leaving the house in 5 minutes. If you’re planning on taking a shower, now’s the time.”
It was 7:53am when I pulled up outside the VTB’s place of residence.
“Hop in! It’s about to start! And I have no idea how to get there!”
It’s been a while since I had my last coffee. And by a while, I mean almost six years. Six long, dry years. Sure, I’ve had the occasional sip – a mixed up order where the C for chai was translated as a C for cappucino, but nothing substantial, and certainly nothing intentional.
The upside of it all comes in the form of better sleeping patterns, fewer stomach problems and headaches that don’t immobilize me like the used to… but the downside. Oh! The Downside!
…continue reading chocolate chai icecream (no machine needed!)
It appears people like pastry. And why? perhaps it’s the grainy texture of sugar, coated in butter and flour, or perhaps that first, crisp bite that causes flakes of golden goodness to fly about and settle, ungracefully, on your lap. Or the feeling of butter melting in your mouth. An almost-clammy salty-sweetness that rolls around your tongue and sticks in the back of your throat. For others, it may be the sometimes creamy, almost gelatinous fillings that are encased in the pastry; or the warm fattiness of processed meat that sends its sleep-inducing tendrils through your chest before settling in your stomach. …continue reading bourke street bakery
It’s no secret that Sydney offers a melee of better-than-great places to eat and drink, but the fact that money is a little tighter and the promise of continued income is a little less secure means that many of us aren’t so willing to go great guns when selecting a place to eat at. Two solutions for that: firstly, stock up on beans and legumes. They’re delicious when cooked just so and have a wonderfully high satiety value so you won’t go hungry. And secondly? Check this little baby out.
The enliven card, among other things, allows you to take a guest for free to a selection of Sydney eateries. Oh really? Well yes! So if you want to pop by Cafe Mix, harbourbar or any of the wide selection of restaurants covered by the card, you’ll be able to do so without the added concern of a giant end-bill. The enliven sydney card can be downloaded for free at the visitnsw website. It also provide discounts on a variety of spa treatments, attractions and events. carman’s muesli rounds If you follow me on twitter, you’ll know at least one thing about my breakfast habits (or general lack thereof). We’re always told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but what to do when the bus is coming, you have nothing that’s wrinkle-free to wear and there’s meeting starting at 9am? (Apart from waking up a touch earlier and ironing on the weekend that is).
Now I love Carman’s muesli, but it’s a weekend consumption deal for me – the time taken to pour a bowl of muesli, then some milk, and then to shovel it down (chewing each mouthful thoroughly so as not to choke) doesn’t quite fit into my weekday morning schedule. So I ws very (very) pleased to receive these in the mail last week. Carman’s muesli rounds are 35% muesli mixed in with a smattering of fruit, tasty butter, flour & brown sugar to make a not-quite-biscuit-and-not-quite-cake-like mound of tasty goodness.
I’m personally quite a big fan of the apricot and almond variety, and at $5 for a box of 5 (they were on sale for $4 at Coles the last time I looked too) they cost a significant amount less than my usual butter-and-honey-on-turkish at the cafe for brekkie. I’ve also found them great for sticking in my bag in case of a very hungry Bean, or for a quick snack in between all that dashing around we busy people do. Speaking of which… I’ve gotta run!
It seems everyone today has the same complaints. “I’m so busy” one will say, as you catch up with them on a quick stroll between work and the gym, to be followed later by a dinner and a quick list of things to do before bed. “Everything costs so much these days” another will sigh, whilst paying for their $3.50 coffee, $9.00 salad and $6.00 polystyrene bowl of soup with money from their $120.00 purse. And I can’t but feel the pain, because oh-so-often, I find myself skipping breakfast on the dash to the bus and rapidly crossing dinner choices off in my head because, hey, I gotta eat tomorrow as well.
Which would explain why I was quietly pleased at being enlightened about the enliven sydney card and carman’s muesli rounds.
the enliven card
