December 31, 2011 - continued and end....
So I should have updated this yesterday, it wasn't just the severe hangover and jetlag that prevented me from doing so, it was also that I approach this with a bit of a heavy heart, as it is my final entry. So lets cut to the food first, shall we?
We head over to Mike & Heather's after I made some foods, where we started nibbling almost immediately. I forgot to take a photo of the asparagus filo rolls, but I did take one in the making:
Heather made a baked brie en croute, with fig jam and blanched almonds, and it was bloody good. There was olive tapenade, goats cheese with fig jam, skewers with tomato, olive, bocconcini & pickled garlic, another guest bought a cheeseball (I didn't try that but it looked good!), and I made two dips - red pepper hummus and a smoked salmon one. We also took Julie (Mike's sister who now lives in Amsterdam who came out for Christmas) a bag of twisties, and cracked into those later on after a few too many! I also think there may have been more snacks, but I have to say, I forget, a few too many caesars, Heather's stunning cocktails & champagne perhaps!
It was a very pleasant, funny, loud and relaxed New Years Eve, and great to ring it in with great folks. So now begins Sober January, which for me is wheat/dairy/sugar/caffeine/alcohol free. But you know what? What I eat this year, its not really anyone's business anymore! Originally I couldn't wait for this to end, but now I feel like I have lost something very dear to me. I guess I will have to find another way to blog something, probably food related. Writing down and telling anyone willing to read what you ate for a whole year was pretty difficult, but I learnt a lot about myself. About my eating patterns, about my energy levels, habits and about writing. I kept trying to reinvent it, keep it fresh & enjoyable but it wasn't always the case. I am still proud of this though, and think of it as somewhat of an achievement. Thank you to my loyal family, friends and followers who kept with me this year, while I didn't get a lot of comments on the blog, I did manage to get some good traffic through here. And mostly, a huge thank you to my husband who heard probably too many times (including right now) "Sorry, just gotta blog..." and holding everything up. So thank you husbandman Lee, I love ya guts.
And so, I sign out. Thanks again, Happy New Year everyone, and most importantly, happy eatings!
xx
We head over to Mike & Heather's after I made some foods, where we started nibbling almost immediately. I forgot to take a photo of the asparagus filo rolls, but I did take one in the making:
Heather made a baked brie en croute, with fig jam and blanched almonds, and it was bloody good. There was olive tapenade, goats cheese with fig jam, skewers with tomato, olive, bocconcini & pickled garlic, another guest bought a cheeseball (I didn't try that but it looked good!), and I made two dips - red pepper hummus and a smoked salmon one. We also took Julie (Mike's sister who now lives in Amsterdam who came out for Christmas) a bag of twisties, and cracked into those later on after a few too many! I also think there may have been more snacks, but I have to say, I forget, a few too many caesars, Heather's stunning cocktails & champagne perhaps!
It was a very pleasant, funny, loud and relaxed New Years Eve, and great to ring it in with great folks. So now begins Sober January, which for me is wheat/dairy/sugar/caffeine/alcohol free. But you know what? What I eat this year, its not really anyone's business anymore! Originally I couldn't wait for this to end, but now I feel like I have lost something very dear to me. I guess I will have to find another way to blog something, probably food related. Writing down and telling anyone willing to read what you ate for a whole year was pretty difficult, but I learnt a lot about myself. About my eating patterns, about my energy levels, habits and about writing. I kept trying to reinvent it, keep it fresh & enjoyable but it wasn't always the case. I am still proud of this though, and think of it as somewhat of an achievement. Thank you to my loyal family, friends and followers who kept with me this year, while I didn't get a lot of comments on the blog, I did manage to get some good traffic through here. And mostly, a huge thank you to my husband who heard probably too many times (including right now) "Sorry, just gotta blog..." and holding everything up. So thank you husbandman Lee, I love ya guts.
And so, I sign out. Thanks again, Happy New Year everyone, and most importantly, happy eatings!
xx
December 31, 2011
This will be a half entry, as we haven't really finished the day, and plus I would rather make my last entry a bit more meaningful. So this is me to this point:
Breakfast - slice of toast with vegemite. Mmmmm.
Lunch - chicken pita. It was huge, couldn't finish it. Might be regretting that later, as we are about to leave for Mike & Heathers for NYE shenanigans . Check it out though, way too big!
Right, gotta run, will update tomorrow, for the last time...
Breakfast - slice of toast with vegemite. Mmmmm.
Lunch - chicken pita. It was huge, couldn't finish it. Might be regretting that later, as we are about to leave for Mike & Heathers for NYE shenanigans . Check it out though, way too big!
Right, gotta run, will update tomorrow, for the last time...
December 30, 2011
After our midnight subway, we woke up and didn't feel like eating at all. So once we got back to Kitchener, we had lunch plans at 2pm, so wanted a snack. What did we snack on you ask? Well, we snacked on some chicken nuggets with mustard sauce around midday. Shame on us again!
We met Mike and Heather for lunch at Ethels (back in the country for less than 14 hours and we are back at Ethels), and had a buffalo chicken wrap, and a side caesar salad.
We did some grocery shopping afterwards, and picked up some soup for dinner, which we didn't eat when we got home as we were not hungry. Well, we did eat some left over ice cream, with the reasoning that as of January 1, I cant have it, so I guess you *could* say that we had ice cream for dinner.
And that was it! Nice to be back :)
We met Mike and Heather for lunch at Ethels (back in the country for less than 14 hours and we are back at Ethels), and had a buffalo chicken wrap, and a side caesar salad.
We did some grocery shopping afterwards, and picked up some soup for dinner, which we didn't eat when we got home as we were not hungry. Well, we did eat some left over ice cream, with the reasoning that as of January 1, I cant have it, so I guess you *could* say that we had ice cream for dinner.
And that was it! Nice to be back :)
December 29, 2011
Departure day, and a very very long one, as on the way over we missed a Wednesday, today we got it back, so had a very long 29th.
Breakfast was a small bowl of muesli. Once we hit the airport, we had maccas (options were slim pickins). Had a spicy chicken burger & chips. It was pretty average.
On the plane I had vegetarian tortellini, which was actually ok. Came with some fruit, a bread roll, a rocket & parmesan salad, and a tiramisu. Oh and a mini toblerone. Shame on me, I ate it all, and then felt really, really ill.
Later on we also ate some mini cookies and pretzels (Qantas 'snacks'), and for breakfast I had a poached egg with a hashbrown and baked beans. Not very nice at all...
In LA we shared a sandwich at starbucks when we arrived, which was chicken & cheese with salad. Not bad, but not great either. We later shared a pizza at Wolfgang Pucks, it was ok really, plain margarita, thats all we needed. Naturally Air Canada didn't feed us, so by the time we arrived back in Canada at midnight we were starving. We picked up some Subway (open 24 hours thankfully), I had a club on honey oat with lettuce, tomato, onion & pickles. It wasn't bad actually, although we did inhale them!
And that was the longest 29th of December we have ever had.
Breakfast was a small bowl of muesli. Once we hit the airport, we had maccas (options were slim pickins). Had a spicy chicken burger & chips. It was pretty average.
On the plane I had vegetarian tortellini, which was actually ok. Came with some fruit, a bread roll, a rocket & parmesan salad, and a tiramisu. Oh and a mini toblerone. Shame on me, I ate it all, and then felt really, really ill.
Later on we also ate some mini cookies and pretzels (Qantas 'snacks'), and for breakfast I had a poached egg with a hashbrown and baked beans. Not very nice at all...
In LA we shared a sandwich at starbucks when we arrived, which was chicken & cheese with salad. Not bad, but not great either. We later shared a pizza at Wolfgang Pucks, it was ok really, plain margarita, thats all we needed. Naturally Air Canada didn't feed us, so by the time we arrived back in Canada at midnight we were starving. We picked up some Subway (open 24 hours thankfully), I had a club on honey oat with lettuce, tomato, onion & pickles. It wasn't bad actually, although we did inhale them!
And that was the longest 29th of December we have ever had.
December 28, 2011
Another picture-less day, sorry guys.
For breakfast I had a small bowl of muesli, followed soon after with a small chicken roll. Head out with mum, Lee & Christopher (my nephew) for lunch, but the place we had in mind had sold out of sandwiches. Instead we roamed around Clifton Gardens and came home for lunch. I had two small wraps, one with beef, tartar, tomato and spinach, one with chicken, salami and red pepper dip. Also had a small scoop of potato salad.
Shortly after I crashed, I felt really rank, so had a lie down. For two hours. When I got up, not only did I realise I ruined everyone's afternoon (we were meant to go down to Balmoral, make the most of a beautiful sunny day), but I also realised I got a small dose of sunburn at the first beach. Argh! Thats going to make the flights back to Canada a real pain in the ass! Never mind. Once I woke up completely we snacked on some CC's and salsa.
For dinner mum put on a lamb roast and it was delicious. Roasted pumpkin & parsnips, some salad, and a few beers. Delicious.
For breakfast I had a small bowl of muesli, followed soon after with a small chicken roll. Head out with mum, Lee & Christopher (my nephew) for lunch, but the place we had in mind had sold out of sandwiches. Instead we roamed around Clifton Gardens and came home for lunch. I had two small wraps, one with beef, tartar, tomato and spinach, one with chicken, salami and red pepper dip. Also had a small scoop of potato salad.
Shortly after I crashed, I felt really rank, so had a lie down. For two hours. When I got up, not only did I realise I ruined everyone's afternoon (we were meant to go down to Balmoral, make the most of a beautiful sunny day), but I also realised I got a small dose of sunburn at the first beach. Argh! Thats going to make the flights back to Canada a real pain in the ass! Never mind. Once I woke up completely we snacked on some CC's and salsa.
For dinner mum put on a lamb roast and it was delicious. Roasted pumpkin & parsnips, some salad, and a few beers. Delicious.
December 27, 2011
Started the day with some muesli. Big bowl, too big actually, but tasty stuff.
Head out to see Alli & Gerard, which was awesome. G cooked up a lovely bbq lunch, where naturally I over ate - had a sausage in a roll with coleslaw, followed by a steak sandwich with onion, and coleslaw, followed by a sausage in another roll, with yep, onion and coleslaw. I managed a small amount of salad, but for me it was all about the meat. Thanks guys!
Lee and I thought we had missed a ferry when getting back to Circular Quay, so we went for a quick pizza and when heading back to the wharf, realised there were no ferries. Never mind, taxi back to mum & dads and we were sorted.
Head out to see Alli & Gerard, which was awesome. G cooked up a lovely bbq lunch, where naturally I over ate - had a sausage in a roll with coleslaw, followed by a steak sandwich with onion, and coleslaw, followed by a sausage in another roll, with yep, onion and coleslaw. I managed a small amount of salad, but for me it was all about the meat. Thanks guys!
Lee and I thought we had missed a ferry when getting back to Circular Quay, so we went for a quick pizza and when heading back to the wharf, realised there were no ferries. Never mind, taxi back to mum & dads and we were sorted.
December 26, 2011
Boxing Day...
So it was an early start after a pretty average sleep, for breakfast I had a gingerbread man (well, it is Christmas...) and a couple of left over asparagus.
We hit the road at about midday, heading for Holbrook where the plan was to get a pie from the local bakery. WELL, that was closed, so we continued to Gundagai, where the cafes were also closed. What?! So we kept going, snacked on some pizza shapes, and hoped we would cross some form of food shortly. We ended up at Barney's of Bookham, and Lee somehow managed not to wet himself when he read 'Fresh homemade pies' on the OPEN sign. Pie disappointment averted! I had a steak and gravy pie, with sauce, and it was bloody delicious. I miss savory pies when in Canada. Thankfully mum gave me pie tins for Christmas, a pie-makin' we will go.
When we got to Sydney, I snacked on some crackers with pesto dip (god its good), and mum made some tortellini & salad for dinner. It was an early night for all.
As this Aus trip comes to an end, so looms the end of this blog. I am not sure what I am going to do once my 365 days are up....
So it was an early start after a pretty average sleep, for breakfast I had a gingerbread man (well, it is Christmas...) and a couple of left over asparagus.
We hit the road at about midday, heading for Holbrook where the plan was to get a pie from the local bakery. WELL, that was closed, so we continued to Gundagai, where the cafes were also closed. What?! So we kept going, snacked on some pizza shapes, and hoped we would cross some form of food shortly. We ended up at Barney's of Bookham, and Lee somehow managed not to wet himself when he read 'Fresh homemade pies' on the OPEN sign. Pie disappointment averted! I had a steak and gravy pie, with sauce, and it was bloody delicious. I miss savory pies when in Canada. Thankfully mum gave me pie tins for Christmas, a pie-makin' we will go.
When we got to Sydney, I snacked on some crackers with pesto dip (god its good), and mum made some tortellini & salad for dinner. It was an early night for all.
As this Aus trip comes to an end, so looms the end of this blog. I am not sure what I am going to do once my 365 days are up....
December 25, 2011
Christmas day...
So ok, I woke up pretty stuffed from the feeding frenzy the night before. I had a banana for breakfast and tried to convince myself thats all I needed... until I saw mum having a left over beef sandwich and I had to get on board with that immediately! Smothered in spicy bbq caramelized onion, it was divine.
Lee and I head over to Nic and Mel's early to 'help' put together the lunch. Mel had everything under control though so our help was minimal. Was nice to be back in the kitchen though, and hang out with Nic, Mel, Nina & Muz.
Lunch started with appetizers - stuffed bell peppers, olives, mushrooms and a massive cheese platter. Also some little pastry cases - some with ricotta, chive & gruyere, some with pumpkin pesto & garlic mozzarella, some with red pepper pesto & mozzarella, and some with ricotta, olives & sundried tomatoes with fresh basil.
Then came lunch! Beef, ham & lamb, more condiments, a bean & asparagus salad with poppy seed dressing & crispy prosciutto which was TO DIE FOR, a rocket & almond salad, roasted pumpkin in sesame seeds, roasted potatoes, roasted tomatoes...and... forgive me Mel, I forget! It was absolutely lovely, thank you Mel.
Then followed dessert! Mel made baked cheesecakes and served them with fresh berries, cream and icecream. We also had fresh coffees made for us from Nic's coffee machine. Bloody delightful way to finish off another amazing meal.
We were all too full to think about food for a while, so after we left Nic &Mel's place, we vegged on the couch for a bit before heading to Marshall & Amanda's. Hung out with them for a bit, didn't say no to a couple of beers, and we found ourselves feeling sleepy & relaxed. Amanda had some left over chocolate tart that she makes every year for Christmas so she let me try it before releasing the recipe to me. Looking forward to making that, I think I will make it for NYE, as sober detox January looms closer. Which I think we will definitely welcome with open arms.
When we got back home, it was about 8pm, so I wouldnt say the hunger was up, but we definitely had our snack on. I had a beef roll & a mound of left over cous cous salad, and some potato salad. Another beer, and I called it a night.
Special thanks to Mel, Amanda, Heidi and Joan for putting together some truly fantastic meals. Merry Christmas guys! xx
So ok, I woke up pretty stuffed from the feeding frenzy the night before. I had a banana for breakfast and tried to convince myself thats all I needed... until I saw mum having a left over beef sandwich and I had to get on board with that immediately! Smothered in spicy bbq caramelized onion, it was divine.
Lee and I head over to Nic and Mel's early to 'help' put together the lunch. Mel had everything under control though so our help was minimal. Was nice to be back in the kitchen though, and hang out with Nic, Mel, Nina & Muz.
Lunch started with appetizers - stuffed bell peppers, olives, mushrooms and a massive cheese platter. Also some little pastry cases - some with ricotta, chive & gruyere, some with pumpkin pesto & garlic mozzarella, some with red pepper pesto & mozzarella, and some with ricotta, olives & sundried tomatoes with fresh basil.
Then came lunch! Beef, ham & lamb, more condiments, a bean & asparagus salad with poppy seed dressing & crispy prosciutto which was TO DIE FOR, a rocket & almond salad, roasted pumpkin in sesame seeds, roasted potatoes, roasted tomatoes...and... forgive me Mel, I forget! It was absolutely lovely, thank you Mel.
Then followed dessert! Mel made baked cheesecakes and served them with fresh berries, cream and icecream. We also had fresh coffees made for us from Nic's coffee machine. Bloody delightful way to finish off another amazing meal.
We were all too full to think about food for a while, so after we left Nic &Mel's place, we vegged on the couch for a bit before heading to Marshall & Amanda's. Hung out with them for a bit, didn't say no to a couple of beers, and we found ourselves feeling sleepy & relaxed. Amanda had some left over chocolate tart that she makes every year for Christmas so she let me try it before releasing the recipe to me. Looking forward to making that, I think I will make it for NYE, as sober detox January looms closer. Which I think we will definitely welcome with open arms.
When we got back home, it was about 8pm, so I wouldnt say the hunger was up, but we definitely had our snack on. I had a beef roll & a mound of left over cous cous salad, and some potato salad. Another beer, and I called it a night.
Special thanks to Mel, Amanda, Heidi and Joan for putting together some truly fantastic meals. Merry Christmas guys! xx
December 24, 2011
Christmas Eve! You have to forgive me, some of this is a little bit of a blur, there was so much delicious food that I definitely cannot recall everything, I am sure you know how it is....
Will start with breakfast. Started the day with skipping it entirely, I think I over did it on the sausages. Joan bought a massive 7.5kg ham for Christmas dinner, so we had ham for lunch. I had mine on its own with some tomatoes, I have definitely been a bread-oholic while in Aus!
The family Christmas eve festivities kicked off around 6pm, Amanda made the starters which were absolutely delicious - little pastry cases with beef & pesto, or prawn & mango. Had a couple of each, couldn't help it, too yummy! Dinner was a fabulous affair, there was ham, turkey, beef, salads, & veg. This was my plate:
I have to say the asparagus & cous cous salad with nectarine were my personal fav. And the condiments, we had just about every condiment you could imagine, including three types of mustard. I love my condiments!
For dessert Joan had bought mounds of fresh berries and was served with vanilla bean ice cream. Oh my god, lush! Then naturally when we were all too stuffed to think about it, we went ahead with some GBM's.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Will start with breakfast. Started the day with skipping it entirely, I think I over did it on the sausages. Joan bought a massive 7.5kg ham for Christmas dinner, so we had ham for lunch. I had mine on its own with some tomatoes, I have definitely been a bread-oholic while in Aus!
The family Christmas eve festivities kicked off around 6pm, Amanda made the starters which were absolutely delicious - little pastry cases with beef & pesto, or prawn & mango. Had a couple of each, couldn't help it, too yummy! Dinner was a fabulous affair, there was ham, turkey, beef, salads, & veg. This was my plate:
I have to say the asparagus & cous cous salad with nectarine were my personal fav. And the condiments, we had just about every condiment you could imagine, including three types of mustard. I love my condiments!
For dessert Joan had bought mounds of fresh berries and was served with vanilla bean ice cream. Oh my god, lush! Then naturally when we were all too stuffed to think about it, we went ahead with some GBM's.
Merry Christmas everyone!
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