Small Discoveries

Over the past few weeks I’ve been making a series of small discoveries that have helped make life seem that little bit better.

I’ve discovered that my body actually likes being active. I went for my first run in a long long time the other morning. And was rewarded with the sight of hot air balloons floating over the city. It’s such a beautiful peaceful sight, I plan on making the effort to see it more often. Unfortunately I was also rewarded with an aching body for the next two days!

I discovered that starting a relationship with a new hairdresser isn’t necessarily a bad thing and can be just the shake up I need.

I discovered that mixing powdered mineral makeup with coconut oil makes a brilliant foundation. I’m sure I’m not the first person to do this, but I’m still pretty happy with myself.

I spent a day last week discovering vegan Sydney. And stumbled across a place stocking six different flavours of Conscious Choice raw cheesecakes. For the record I had the chocolate strawberry cream pie and it was absolutely incredible.

I discovered that pumpkin used in sweet dishes is pretty freaking amazing. I made a modified version of this smoothie for breakfast this morning and love loved it. It ended up as more of a pudding really, which was fortunate as all the glasses had mysteriously disappeared and I ended up having to eat it out of a bowl.

And just now sitting in the sun in my backyard I’ve discovered how hilarious it is to watch a worm walk.

And lastly, I re-discovered how much fun it is hanging out with my housemate, retreating into our own little world and just being silly. Perhaps the best discovery of all.

News From The Cocoon

Hey woah! Yes I am still alive.

I've been hibernating in a little cocoon of biology homework. Not such a fun cocoon, but the end is in sight and I'm just about ready to emerge and start living again!

Look out galleries and craft markets and test kitchen and sewing machine and knitting needles and reading novels ...here I come!

It hasn't been all about the books though (in fact nowhere near as much as it should have been!).

I had a chance earlier this week to make a batch of oat yoghurt. Here it is fermenting:


And a couple of days later in my bowl with yacon, apple, pumpkin and sunflower seeds and blueberries.



Green smoothies had been my breakfast of choice for a long time, but quite frankly I've had enough. So experimenting with new breakfast options is my new favourite thing. Now as this is my first batch of oat yoghurt I'm not entirely sure how it's supposed to taste. And I'm not sure what the texture is supposed to be like either.

Either way, mine came out thick, sour and somewhat doughy. And strangely delicious.

I'm not sure if it's supposed to be doughy, maybe it was because there wasn't enough water (or too much?) or because I kept stirring it while it was fermenting or because the middle of winter is hardly ideal fermenting weather, but I'll definitely be giving it another shot!

Not much else happening in test kitchen this week. It's kind of difficult when my kitchen table looks like this. Sad face.


Although maybe I shouldn't complain, later today I'm heading to this raw food class. Even though I should be studying. Naughty.

Feeding My Addiction

Why is it that I derive so much pleasure from looking at photos of food? I devote much of my day to this (usually at work, sshhh). I can't smell it or touch it and I sure as hell can't eat it. But I'm obviously not the only one, hence the popularity of cooking shows, magazines and blogs. I guess it's because food is a common ground for everyone. Whether or not you have the same level of food obsession as me it is still something that is essential in life. So, without further ado some more additions to my addiction:

Roast Pumpkin Satay Salad

Self explanatory, really. This was roast pumpkin with a broccoli, carrot, cabbage coleslaw topped with a spicy peanut dressing and loads of coriander.

Green smoothies. This one was orange, banana, bok choy, broccoli and pineapple. With a sprinkle of bee pollen and my first experiment with yacon syrup.


Big Bad Beige Soup
This easy soup is fast becoming a winter regular in our house. It's leek, cauliflower, parsnip, potato with cumin, garlic and chili. Saute. Simmer Blend.

When it's accompanied with fresh coriander, pepper and a drizzle of olive oil it's much tastier than it's bland appearance would suggest.

In progress it looks a little like this...


And the finished product (Note to self, cracked pepper doesn't look so good in photos)


And introducing a new favourite breakfast!
Almond milk banana smoothie, mixed with oats, chia, sunflower seeds, honey and raisins. And then if that wasn't enough, topped with gojis and some of these tasty little friends.



My test kitchen has produced many other treats that either got eaten before the camera even knew what had happened or just didn't photograph well. Which is a shame, because coconut yoghurt is beyond delicious.