Alternative apparel

I'm a new fan of this eco-conscious clothing line. Looking for the perfect T-shirt? Apparently its Super comfy, yet elegant and fashionable. I'm keeping my eye on this wrap in my Amazon wishlist. 

Another one down, IWDA

Cross your fingers as I just submitted another application, this time to the International Women's Development Agency based here in Melbourne. I have volunteered with them in the past and they are doing important work strengthening support networks for women in the developing world who are statistically more likely to transfer aid and development for the benefit of the whole community. See Hillary Clinton's speech on Women and Development Issues earlier this month. I believe it.

Trapeze in oz

Caught this act in Melbourne CBD on the way back from yoga. Excited to see the fad has made it to this side of the world, though wasn't too impressed by their actual performance that didn't seem to have a theme, lots of random yelling hey, ho and fake mustaches falling off. I think it was supposed to be a take on circus performances in the days of old. I'll look for more and better. I'm lookin for skill and artistic expression.

btw

I am loving the mobile blogging that I am able to do by just sending a post to my special blogger email address, I can even include photos, direct from my handy iPhone. Now I can post anytime, anywhere cause who knows when inspiration will strike and its not always at my desk. This is the reason for 3 posts in one day that are probably more long-winded than usual. Stay tuned for more up-to-date entries from the exciting life of me. (ok, maybe not so exciting - but I'll get there)

Amy's Input into my baking trials

Direct from the Master Baker herself: "There are not many good sugar substitutions in baking, I think I like the agave nectar the best- no strong fake sugar after taste.Nothing beats sugar in browning.  We didnt experiment much in school with different fats, butter is best tasting and what is used almost exclusively in most formulas. Also I have never had much inclination to try other fat subsititutions. Try vegan cookbooks- esp fat substitutions."


Thanks Amers! don't know where I am going to find Agave nectar here, I might have seen some in the fancy health food stores in South Melbourne. And I am an avid believer in butter, real butter with all the fat, but I was trying to look out for those who aren't like me. I'd like to take this opportunity to promote the use of ALL-natural foods (that come from mother nature) and that includes butter. I recently received an email extolling the ridiculous properties of margerine that make it most similar to plastic. No wonder we have cancer and heart disease plaguing the population with all the processed junk that we eat. Animals and insects avoid the stuff and humans should take a lesson from that.


I have always tried to create dishes and baked delights from scratch hoping to achieve some resemblance to my mother's home cooking which is 100 times better than anything I could buy in the store. Recently, with our move back to civilization, I am try to incorporate more seasonal, fresh, organic, locally grown produce and meats (buying from farmers markets and  butchers - St. Kilda Veg Out at the Peanut Farm Reserve on the 1st Saturday, and Gasworks in Albert Park on the 3rd saturday of the month) so that I know  and have confidence in what is in my food. Haven't figured out the cost differential of this behaviour, but I take comfort in promoting a return to healthy living and having respect for the earth and our food producers. 


Amy - Another problem you might be able to help me with: What to do with all the leftover egg yolks after making stuff like angel food cake and meringues that only use up the whites?

Luna park

Iconic St kilda attraction just a stones thow away from my front door and the beach. No, haven't tried it out yet. Waiting for the weather to get a little bit warmer and for all the kids to go back to school.

Australia day

January 26th is the first holiday of the new year, some kind of national day that sparks the question "what does australia day stand for?" in local media. It is apparently surrounded by controversy as this is the anniversary date of the arrival of the first fleet into Sydney so many years ago. Fleet contained 11convict ships starting the British colonization of this island. Some call the day "invasion day". But regardless it does mark the beginning of what Australia has turned into today and despite all my grumblings and complaints about annoying australianisms this country is pretty darn well off and there is much potential to achieve so much for every ordinary citizen. Also a promise land for those escaping injustices and hardships elsewhere in the world. Anyhow it turns into another excuse for a barbecue and long holiday weekend.

We took the opportunity to go camping in this foreign land. Bear Gully towards Venus Bay and Wilsons Promenade. Got there late, missed out on getting a spot and set up camp in a "no-camping" zone until the morning when we were forced out by the ranger. A True Aussie bloke, Daryl, was kind enough to share his site with us. So we didn't have to move far and waste too much time. Went straight for the beach but not for long due to the chilly wind and flies. Not much of a swimming beach, rather a nice rugged setting good for exploring amongst the rocky shoreline and collecting shells. I found the tiniest perfect shells inspiring a crafty color palette in my future projects. Amidst the rugged lansdscape I'm afforded a glimpse of the unique native Australian animals: the wombat (much bigger than the cuddly  toys you can buy in the stores), possums, roos, koalas and the variety of bugs that may or may not be harmful. Seeing these I am reminded of all the dangerous creatures that inhabit this land and am amazed that the first colonists/invaders/convicts were able to progress to our current condition. Kudos to those ancestors.

Back in time to enjoy a lazy Australia day with a late breakfast at GALLEON CAFE just down the road. Apparently a St Kilda institution having good coffee and funky vibe. Yum! A stroll down Fitzroy street to the beach and a genuine australian burger complete with pineapple, fried egg, beetroot, and bacon from BURGER EDGE over in Brighton. Also very yum! A busy and far-reaching holiday weekend. Relaxed, explored, and ticked off a few gastronomic sites/subjects off my very long "to eat" list during my Inaugural Australia day experience. Happy Australia day!

I CARUSSI II

Pizza bar

The next stop on our foodie trail is just down the street in our St Kilda neighborhood. We've been eyeing the white tablecloths and Parisian chairs in this bustling establishment for a few months now and finally we go for a test. Lately We've been unwilling to go out and pay for pizza since Richard has been experimenting with his own pizza dough in the kitchen. But his attempts have been lackluster as of late and we were lazy after a weekend away camping (always tiring). Despite the crowd we quickly got a table outside on busy Barkly St. Not ideal but good enough. Casual setting. Limited but gourmet Italian wine list. We proceeded to gorge ourselves on the amazingly delicious artisan pizza. I went for a new flavor the Genovese while Ricardo went for a Quattro Formagio with added sorpressa. Each about 12 inches. They were gone by the time we left, which wasn't very long. We won't order our pizzas from anywhere else again and Richard got some new ideas for the homemade versions. A success just meters from our front door. A simplistic gourmet experience. Next time we know to make a reservation and will be ready to try out another new flavor until I am sure of my favorite. Though don't arrive hungry because the pizza making process can be slow, but I say its worth it. 

One down

First one for the new year - Job Application completed and sent to Research Australia. Whew! Hard work - Having no work. Did I mention yet that since coming to this new country I am unemployed and stressed out about it. I am not one to be comfortable with having nothing to do. Don't get me wrong, I can find plenty of things to fill a day. But I am apparently the kind of person who needs intellectual stimulation and professional prestige. Not really a good thing, and I am sure if I had a job, I would be complaining about how I hate it and its driving me crazy. Right now, not having one is driving me crazy. What a predicament! Just can't win. At least I've learned something about myself during all this - so I guess you could say its worth it. And by the way, I am very lucky that I don't have to rush into any old job just for some money. So lets try to enjoy the down time, call it personal development (second time through - but really its a never ending process), RELAX.

My man Adam at Toni & Guy

Fabulous haircut again from my man Adam over at Toni and guy salon on Fitzroy street. Nothing like a good cut to make you feel like a fresh new woman who take in anything. Gotta get a good one though and Adam has the touch. I trust him completely. I do hate that uncertainty over whether to talk to the hair stylist. And you know I'm not the talkative type. I prefer to quietly go through the fashion magazines that I refuse to buy on my own. But I do end up feeling awkward and out of place. But it's all worth the end result - a layered, easy to manage and style, face-framing cut with a slight, sweeping fringe. I don't really do anything to it and I can get a tousled chic look everyday effortlessly (almost). I got lots of complements over Christmas and rarely ever had to blow it dry. Ta dah. Now to conquer the rest of my day's idleness.
Til next time.

Friday night out at BOIRE, before Avatar

Friday night we did something interesting and actually went out on the town on a date, pre-planned with tickets and everything. Richard has been dying to see Avatar in 3D and the show has been sold out every week at the Imax, so I booked a week in advance and planned to catch a scrumptious dinner beforehand someplace new in the neighboring area. With our "Good Food Guide 2010" in hand we ventured out to Fitzroy (after spending two hours in front of the mirror wondering what to wear). After much deliberating we ended up at BOIRE, a little bohemian french-type bistro/wine-bar on the edge of Collingwood and Fitzroy that promised a new eating experience. No reservations are taken, apparently there is no phone, and no extensive menu to choose from. All options are listed daily on the wall - only French wines are served, 2 mains are offered in addition to a small selection of entrees and desserts. Prices were very reasonable (except for the $3 boiled egg entree) so Richard and I could easily afford a 3-course meal of rustic french fare for around $100 (including my 2 $12 glasses of red wine - we just bought a bottle of organic shiraz for the price of 1 glass of the french import). But I guess its all about the experience which was decidedly very tasty. Richard ordered mini cheese fingers followed by the free-range chicken main. I got the pate entree and a hearty Provencale Vegetable stew in Pistou sauce, very yum, to go along with my flowery/rosy pinot noir. We ended with delightfully authentic Profiteroles and a light rhubarb jelly. I loved how all the ingredients were carefully selected as free-range, organic, or from a specific region. The atmosphere was basic with few tables and the napkins dispensed from wall mounts, but also classy with vintage glass lamps hanging from the ceiling and simple/clean line furniture. I liked how the centre of the round tables could be removed to make space for a recessed wine bottle storage and cooler. Little touches make all the difference, we will definitely eat there again.


Avatar was awesome. Very visually stimulating. The 3D experience was intense. Story line very relevant to today's climate change issues and I'm a sucker for a happy ending. Total thumbs up from us. And a successful date night in our new city.

An exploration into Granola

I know, its not a very exciting post, but this is what I get up to these days and its been frustrating not being able to find the things that you prefer in a foreign country. You learn to improvise. One thing you can't find here is Granola. You can't find granola anywhere in this country, its ridiculous! They tend toward muesli, which almost always has nuts in it (I am not allergic, I am just not a fan). Not to mention I can't find honeynut cheerios either, but thats another story. So I supposed that making granola is easy enough, found a simple recipe online and threw something together yesterday so that I can have something to eat on my morning probiotic-rich breakfast yogurt. Ran out of honey though, so I substituted brown sugar melted in the microwave. Oats, sesame seeds, flaxseed meal, cinnamon, coconut, raisins, cranberries all baked in the oven with a little veg oil and the honey/brown sugar goo - pretty healthy. Could use a bit more sweetener though, but that can always be added later on. It was pretty easy and I'll be sure to whip some more when I run out of this batch. All set for breakfast.

This version of granola is a combination of ideas taken from Epicurious.com, my reliable one-stop search engine for recipes of anything I happen to fancy. Its not as comprehensive a recipe library as one one think, but it rather stocks only the best, tried and tested, recipes published in the likes of Bon Apetit and Gourmet magazines, featuring celebrities and chefs like Nigella Lawson and Jamie Oliver (my two favorite) I love their nonchalant, non-apologetic, and trendy vibe that they bring to their kitchen making tasty, fast treats. Although their food can be a bit British (and in the metric system), so you'll have to sift through that stuff and learn how to convert (or buy a scale). You can create your own profile and store the recipes that catch your eye, print out grocery lists, and read pretty reliable and up-to-date reviews, making the research process of cooking/baking a breeze and taking the risks associated with new baking trials away. There's even an iPhone app to gain easy access on the go.

Bringing in 2010

Uncle Richard reading Esther 'Wombat Stew', she was very concerned that the wombat was going to be eaten and wouldn't even consider making stew out of her wombat-baby brother.

Isn't he just the cutest little wombat baby.

New Years was spent in the Hollow. We packed up our warmest clothes and headed up to Northern Baltimore to visit with L & B and their little ones. Their little house in the hollow is quickly filled with the wild antics of a crazy 3 year-old and and an 11.5-month old wombat baby. We confined ourselves indoors to escape the cold (we have turned into tropical beasts) and enjoyed the familial environment, just chilled. Played with Libby's new deep fat fryer, we made maple-glazed donuts, yum. Represented Oz by forming them into shapes of Australia and crocodiles. Now I want a deep fryer, though I don't know how often I would end up using it for just the two of us, and we probably don't need the extra fat. I must admit though for most of the visit my mind and temperament just wasn't present. I've been really struggling with a new life in Australia, and now to be displaced once again for the holidays, really shook me. My emotions go up and down like a roller coaster and its really tough to stay in control and positive. Not really good for social interactions. Sorry for being such a downer. This was the theme of New Year's Eve unfortunately and I hit the pillow at 11:30 PM and brainstormed New Year's resolutions with my love just before we passed out.

Resolution for 2010: Seize the day and think positively - which can be translated to: stop being such a scaredy cat and get up off your ass to actively get yourself out of this almost-self-inflicted rut.

Srumptuous Carrot cupcakes

A Kitchen Bitch Production for the day: Yummy Carrot Cupcakes with a cream cheese icing. Has raisins in it and not too much sugar (brown sugar was called for) and only 100g of butter. Got the recipe out of the weekend newspaper. Not bad, though I am not a fan of cream cheese. Somebody else liked it lots however. More of a muffin though - which makes it a great breakfast treat. Must find substitutes for sugar and butter so I can feed this to the health-conscious.

Summertime

Its a bright and sunny day (over 100 degrees F or 41 C according to my hometown news) which is a pleasant change from the blistering cold that we just left behind over the holidays in the States. We arrived and just missed the snow storms that delayed many a holiday traveler. It wasn't so bad until all the snow melted, it rained and the wind set in decreasing the temperature more and more, at least it felt like it, especially at my parents house situated on a ridge without proper insulation or heat - what are my parents thinking?! On our visit on one of these frozen days we were immediately handed extra wooly layers just to sit in the living room. Ay! Knowing me and my cold bloodedness, this did not suffice, so we made the visit brief.

The Christmas season this year was unnecessarily crazy, as I ended up stressing too much about visiting people and doing things at the best time and place, which didn't really happen so I would end up disappointed and moody rather than making the most of whatever time I was left with. I guess I should have expected that considering the state of mind I have been in for the last few months. I found myself reverting back to old feelings from when I was a teenager, which was something I had thought (hoped) I had grown out of long ago. So much for that idea.

The idea to go home to the states for Christmas was last minute, born out of nostalgia during the Christmas tree shopping expedition one chilly and rainy spring day just after American Thanksgiving. I got all into the Christmas spirit then and realized that he has the time off and I definitely have time off, why not spend Christmas with family? Oh yeah - money for the ticket. We ended up going all in to join in the family festivities that take place every year. My mother loves Christmas and is at her holiday best, which is probably the best time to catch her. We made it just in time for Christmas eve spent with my mom's side of the family. The is when a zoo of cousins, aunts and uncles, and these days the cousins' babies, gather at my Aunt's house for a scrumptious feast of every imaginable meat accompanied by mashed potatoes, of course, and other tasty sides and don't forget my mother's fabulous pashka and kulich - Yum. Usually too many people (getting bigger and multiplying every year), no real chance to connect with one another unfortunately. Its pretty much my one chance to see my family for the next year or so until the next time I fly home.

The feast is followed by Posadas, a reenactment of Mary and Joseph searching for a place to give birth to Jesus. A & E, as the recent newlyweds, got to play Mary and Joseph going from room to room witnessing the younger cousins' crazy antics that push Mary ad Joseph toward taking refuge in the manger. Ian and Joe were the stars with their version of Terminator taking over one room. Definitely don't want to give birth in that room. Little Duncan was pretty damn funny too. With everyone in the living room singing carols before ripping into the presents appear as a sea of bodies, some bigger than others. Its interesting to wonder how other families spend their Christmas Eve. For sure, Richard is overwhelmed by the enormity of my side of the family, and the violent body slamming that takes place when the wrestling ensues. Good thing there's a room big enough to contain all those bodies and boys big enough to take on the gaggles of munchkins ready to pounce.

New Year, New Life, New Blog

I am feeling the need to scrap my previous amateur attempts at blogging and start anew as I embark on a new adventure in a new land. AUSTRALIA here I am! And I am determined to make the most of this new life. This blog will be my way of enhancing what will probably be everyday mundane experiences, living in the moment and savouring every aspect in a positive light, because unfortunately, lets face it, I have a tendency to focus on life's miseries and pain - despair and anxiety in everything and that is no way to get through life, I am probably aging prematurely because of my outlook. Revamp, which I guess is my New Year's resolution for 2010 (one of many).

Last year was a difficult year, one of many hardships and challenges. But as I think about, the previous years were much the same as well which makes me think that I am repeating mistakes and not learning my lessons that would help me improve my life. Another reason for taking this opportunity to improve my blogging so that I can really take time out to reflect on my experiences and get a little bit more out of them and possibly share them with interested persons because despite my moanings I lead a pretty interesting life. From Africa, meeting the love of my life in a romantic whirlwind, working in Asia, and now living and playing in Australia, there were a few other excursions in between. If only I could depict it properly in writing. 2010 is the year for self development starting with this blog...