The Magical Fruit

Just thought I'd share a picture of my secret spot. On the weekend I like to sneak out and have breakfast all by myself. A bit of quiet time, I can spread out and read the paper and start the weekend off with a little bit of calm. Don't tell Billasaurus, will you? Otherwise he'll want to come- surely I'm allowed one tiny secret? :)

I always sit in the same spot! The courtyard is an oasis in the city with lots of beautiful greenery.

These are my breakfast beans. You know, the magical fruit? The more you eat, the more you... like them?

I always thought I hated baked beans, but turns out I just hate that weird beany goop you get in cans. Not that i'm a snob- this morning I ate 11 pickled onions from the jar for breakfast. Let's be real here.

Beans, green tea, and privacy. What more could I want?

(Truth be told, about halfway through my breakfast I start to wonder what Billasaurus is up to, and wishing I had bought him with me)

:)

Bacon Roses

Belated Valentines Wrap-up post time!

Billasaurus is a manly man who loves his meat. Mind out if the gutter, people.

Ages back on Pinterest (where else?) I saw instructions on how to make a Bacon Bouquet. The instructions were a bit fiddly and required drilling holes in the bottom off a muffin pan, which seemed like a lot of mucking around.

I modified the original recipe as follows-

1. Obtain bacon (I also used prosciutto to give different sized "roses".
2. Roll said bacon
3. Pierce bottom of bacon roll with toothpicks (that have been soaked in water) in a X fashion, keeping bacon secure
4. Pop onto a baking tray and into the oven on a high heat. I didn't fine these but just took then out when they crisped up and my house smelt extra "bacony"

5. Wait until bacon cools. The fat from bacon helps the rose shape seal
6. Take out toothpicks
7. Remove the silk flowers from their stems
8.Place bacon roses into the remaining stub
9. Give to your one and only!


Billasaurus had the most confused look on his face when he saw me from afar, holding flowers out to him. His face turned to delight when he realised though, and was very sweet.

Lucky I had taken flowers beforehand, because he pretty much inhaled them!

Harvest Picnic at Hanging Rock

My long-suffering boyfriend (it feels weird saying boyfriend, like im a 14yo?) Billasaurus is alot of things- hilarious, patient, kind....but one thing he isn't is a planner.

In January on a random trip to the beach, he asked me if I wanted to go away for a long weekend. Quickly my mind raced to Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, or perhaps Cairns....

In only 10 seconds this is where my mind went when he said "weekend away"

Bill's mind was quite set on going to Woodend. What? Where on earth is Woodend?

Turns out, it's only an hour and a half from home and that Bill was dying to see Hanging Rock in the nearby Macedon Ranges, having gone there as a little kid.

So in January, I repeat JANUARY, Bill said he would plan everything.

Fast forward to this Saturday morning and we were all packed and ready to go. For weeks I had been wondering about what kind of amazing events and accommodation he had planned, but didn't dare ask and ruin the suprise.

This might I add was killing me, because I have to know everything. Lol

We arrive in Woodend, pull up at an interesting looking brewery that the sign said also had accommodation, and I thought I had it all figured out.

Until Bill turns to me and says, 'Should I have booked accommodation? It's looking pretty crowded around here.'

LOL.

The following hours consisted of us driving around to all accommodation places in Woodend, and finding out there mere a multitude of weddings on in the area and something called the Harvest Picnic on at the Hanging Rock tomorrow.

We moved on to neighbouring Kyneton, where we finally found a room at a pretty dodgy motel.


It's funny- in a past life that would have really bothered me, but I have learnt when you love someone you can just laugh and even enjoy the adventure of last minute scrambling for a bed.



And so on a beautiful sunny Sunday, we found ourselves at the Hanging Rock.
I have never seen the film, but have read the book (albeit a million years ago).
Over the years I had heard how haunting and that the silence is eerie...well not so much, because the weekend we picked to go it was hosting The Age Harvest Picnic.

Becayse we arrived quite early, (far too early for lunch, anyway) we decided to hit The Rock first.

No, not that Rock

There are a few different walks you can do- one that goes around the base, another shorter scenic walk and of course, The Summit.

It was a very hot day. I'm not going to lie- I was hoping he was going to want to do the base or scenic walk, but of course I know him well enough to know we were always going to be doing The Summit.

The thing is about The Summit walk is that is almost entirely uphill. Funny that.
There were a few moments I cursed my fitness levels, and also my shoe choice. (New Witchery plain ballet flats proved to not have much in the way of grip on the bottom, which ensured some hilarious rock-slipping moments on our descent.)

Entertaining signage did lighten the mood when the ascent was particular sweat-inducing

 

The effort was truly worth it however whe we saw the view from the summit.

 We indeed picked the perfect day- during our climb we could hear the band playing on the ground below, and when we were finished up we perused the gourmet food markets, had some lunch and enjoyed a well-earnt beer.

Have you been to Hanging Rock? We recommend it!

(My muscles are a little bit stiff today, but it was so worth it!)

Chickpeas: They'll get you!

Oh dear.

Just a quick, TMI post (aren't they all around here?)

Lunch on 12WBT today was leftovers of last nights dinner- Spanish Chickpeas with Onion.

I ABSOLUTELY STINK.

I stink, but fortunately I haven't yet turned into a beaver. Maybe that's next.

Extreme gas warning. Feeling thankful that Billasaurus didn't stay over tonight.

Geez!

First weigh in tomorrow though, maybe I can blow away some of this weight, bahahaha.

12WBT: I'm doing it.

Well, I've gotten through day one of the 12WBT pretty well!

Fear not, I won't be updating you on every.single.thing that passes my lips during the next 12 weeks, because let's face it, noone but me gives one single shit.

Actually, even I would lose interest, and im the one doing it. Lol

Last night before I had officially started I was thinking about some possible hurdles for me. I think if I can identify things that are a challenge just maybe I can be prepared to get over them.

So for today, I am pretty pleased that I-

• Ate breakfast (I have known to be a shocking meal skipper.)
• Drank 2L of water (I haven't been drinking barely any!)
• Actually prepared and cooked an evening meal (We've covered before that living alone, I prescribed to the school of thought that said assembling some prosciutto, crackers and hommus was dinner.)

12WBT Banana Bruschetta from the nutrition plan

If you are unfamiliar with the 12WBT, the basis premise is that Michelle Bridges is your personal saviour for the next 12 weeks.  The program includes a full nutrition and exercise plan, and weekly viedos and tasks from MB herself.

The meals were pretty good today!

My favourite was the Fish & Spanish Chickpeas tonight. To be honest I was sceptical that this would be delicious and or filling, but MB delivered. The dinner was basically sauteed onion and garlic with a can of chickpeas, then some baby spinach, cumin and paprika with grilled fish and crumbled feta on top.

Colour me suprised MB, you've done it. I would happily eat that meal, whether I was watching calories or not.

Sadly, it's been a while since Ive actually cooked :S

Slowclap for Michelle Bridges please, everyone...

In non weight-loss news, I got a great bargain on the weekend. I few months ago at Myer I saw a great dinner set by Maxwell & Williams in their 'Putting On The Ritz' range. I so sorely needed one (I've got the most mis-matched plates going on) but being a broke uni student I put it off. Disappointed I didnt have the $149.95 spare, I soldiered on with the jolly assortment in my cupboard.

I happened to be a-wandering Myer on Saturday, and they had the very same set for only $43.95! You better believe I snapped that baby up.

It reminds me of the heavy ceramic one my Nanna used to have when I was a little tacker.

Gorgeous dahlias and random tiny white globe thingies I bought on the weekend

Thank-you everyone for your kind words and support on this little weight loss journey. 'Tis very, very appreciated.

Hopefully I can update you on some great progress soon!

Bring It On!

What does one do on the weekend before the Michelle Bridges Body Transformation starts?

I'd love to post that I weighed, measured, got myself organised and took it easy. Alas, that's really not my style.

Saturday night Billasaurus and I went to a world-famous in Geelong Bavarian theme restaurant, The Rheingold. It has stayed the same Im sure for the last 30 years- the same pig on the spit that gets paraded around to accordian music and shouts of ZIGGA ZAGGA ZIGGA ZAGGA HEY HEY HEY!!

Source: The Rheingold

The main drawcard of course is that for $70, there is unlimited roast dinner (and generous servings of crackling!) and unlimited beer/wine.

We had a great night dancing to cheesy pop tunes with friends, and I can now say my life is complete having heard 'Gangnam Style' sung by a German guy on an electric keyboard.

Source: Gizmodo

Have just downloaded the menu and exercise plan for Week 1 of the 12WBT. The food doesn't look too bad! I can do this.

The exercise though, hooly dooly. I am currently COMPLETELY inactive, so to go to 6 days a week full on exercising will be a big jump! I have decided that sticking to the diet is my main priority, as I know I have lost significant amounts of weight in the past by making diet changes.

The plan hopefully is that once im feeling confident about my new diet, and have gotten used to the meal planning, weighing and measuring and preparation, I will then up the ante on my exercise.

Is anyone else on the 12WBT, or making a concerted effort to lose weight?

Fifty Shades of Followers & a Giveaway!

 Holy moly, I've got 50 followers. And I haven't had to pay for any of them!

Thank-you to everyone who has read, commented, engaged with, or merely glanced at one of my posts. I genuinely thought that I would be the only one to poke around here in this odd little corner of the interwebs.

To celebrate, why not have a giveaway? I've been lucky enough to win one from the fantastic Aly (see this post) in my short blogging career, so it's time to pay it forward.

UboA FIFTY FOLLOWERS GIVEAWAY

THE GOODS

Source

1 x Glasshouse Mini Candle in Mimosa & Wild Apple

5 x ulta3 nail colours in the following shades- Lollypop Lilac, Pepper Pot, Pink Colada, Watermelon, and Fire
1 x NYC Nail Colour in Red Sparkle

1 x Kikki K A5 Black Leather Journal

1 x Canmake Colourful Nails glitter nail polish, direct from Japan

1 x Perfect Automatic Liner by Majolica Majorca (a Shiseido brand), direct from Japan
1 x roll of Washi Kamoi paper decorative adhesive tape, direct from 12 story stationary shop in Japan

1 x Pair of Teddy Bear Chopsticks, direct from Japan

1 x Authentic Ugly Jumper from my Ugly Jumper Party (it has been laundered!)

You didnt think I'd show you the whole hideousness that is my jumper before the party, did you?

1 x Worlds Tiniest Diary direct from 12 story stationary shop in Japan

1 x pack of Sanrio Pochacco stickers, direct from 12 story stationary shop in Japan

                    THE RULES... because there is always a catch

1. You must be a follower using GFC. That's Google Friend Connect- if you are looking for a place to follow the Global Financial Crisis you are way off path.

2. You must leave a comment. None of this 'I commented!!!' bullshit either.

3. Your comment needs to contain what you enjoy about this little blog, and what you would like to read about in the future. Keen on food reviews of all the haggis spots in Melbourne? Wanting a makeup tutorial on how to get Mimi from The Drew Carey Show's look? Or do you just need a blog where you can read about the mating habits of arachnids? This is your time to suggest what you would like to read about. Constructive criticism as always, is welcome.

4. If you are the winner, you must take a photo of yourself in the Ugly Jumper and email it in to be featured on this blog. You don't have to show your face, your head, or even your whole body, but I do want you to join in the Ugly Jumper Festivities.  And let's face it- you know you want to.

5. Open to Australian residents only. Sorry non-Aussie readers!

6. If you dont have a blog of your own where I can contact you, please leave your email address. If you are a Vogue Forums member, a username would be fine as well. Just please leave something so I can get in touch if you are the winner!

Now, please enter.

 Save me the embarassment of having to tell my Mum I write a blog, just so I can gain one entry. She's already seen the hideous jumper, and has been eyeing it off for her wardrobe. She's fashionable like that.

x

Raspberry, Cherry & Almond Fudge Brownies

This post from Reezy at peanut butter and honey inspired me to create oodles of delicious, thick, gooey brownies. Well, that was the plan.

This may not come as a suprise to anyone else, but you really do need to follow a recipe if you want things to work out as intended. Shocking, no?!

My brownies didnt come out too bad, but I really should have put them in the mixer instead of trying to mush it all in with a wooden spoon.

They still tasted great, so I'm claiming this one as a win.

This recipe contains 600grams of dark chocolate. So yes, they are quite rich



Dont look too closely- I'm ashamed of my hand mixing skills. This is the recipe Reezy initially posted



As usual, I got a bit over confident and messed around with the recipe, despite not being the greatest chef. I threw some fresh cherries and toasted almonds in at the last minute

Raspberry & Dark Chocolate Brownies....these were delicious! Disappeared very quickly, too :)

I quite liked my little variation! Cherries were very sweet and moist, and the almonds added a nice little crunch.

Would you like to try this one out yourself? It's super duper easy and makes a buttload. (That's a scientific measurement for you right there.)

You can find the recipe here.

Did anyone else try their hand at some baking this long weekend?

You went to Japan- did you just eat fish?! Part I

When telling people I have just been to Japan, invariably the first question is- 'Did you just eat fish the whole time?!'

Ah, no.

It's like asking an Australian if all they eat is steak because you've seen one of those gross Outback Steakhouses in foreign countries, lol.

(Although if you asked Billasaurus Rex if he only eats steak, you'd be eerily dead-on)

I ate beautifully the whole time I was in Japan, despite speaking much Japanese. In fact as a whole I got by only knowing Hello, Goodbye, Excuse Me, Bathroom, Cute, This meal was delicious, Thank-you and a shitload of pointing with some hilarious but often undecipherable hand gestures, a la charades.

Alot of restaurants had menus that had atleast a couple of things pictured, and often when I walked in a picture menu was fished (I'm punny!) out from under the counter without me having to say a word.

Yes, I did eat a bit of sashimi in Japan. Looking back though, I probably had no more than I would have had on my lunch break at home! I ate a really varied diet, with some magnificent ramen, tempura, sashimi, rice and egg dishes, and so much more.

On to the photos!

Excuse the iPhone photo. Pork Konkatsu in Hiroshima. Delicously golden, crumby fried pork with a bizarre sour apple sauce blobbed on top. Tempure prawn was so crunchy! Japanese obsessed with shallots.





What did suprise me was the 7/11's in Tokyo and Kyoto (I didnt see them in Osaka and Hiroshima, mainly other chains like Family Mart. It's not to say they dont exist, but the certainly werent as prevelant as in Tokyo). Not only were they everywhere, but inside them was amazing!



They are more like mini supermarkets, with walls of fresh, ready to go meals. At first I was wary, and thought of the icky frozen cheeseburgers at my local 7/11, but they were FANTASTIC! Locals were buying them at a crazy rate, and i'm a joiner, so I did too.

The meals were very fresh, cheap (around 500 yen, which works out to be around $6!) and super tasty.

I ate a fair bit of 7/11, because it was always handy and sometimes you dont want to go out for a meal, just want something simple. They cashiers even heat them up for you!



Intricate and beautiful desserts at Isetan, and the phenomenal food hall



Mos Burger- Teriyaki Chicken


Whoever the precious angel was that told me about Mos Burger-THANKYOU.

(I think it was the fantastic GC Real Estate Girl?)

Mos Burger is a Japanese burger chain, and they are everywhere over there. The burgers look tiny, but in reality are the perfect portion. I had a Chicken Teriyaki burger which was great, the chicken was so moist and tender! (Most is a creepy word, no?)

I googled Mos burger to see if it had two s's or just the one, and turns out we have them in Australia?! Where?!

Matcha (Green Tea) Kit Kats....YUM!

One one of my many 7/11 trips in Tokyo (What can I say, I have a weird obsession with foreign snack foods) I discovered Green Tea Kit Kats. It was love at first bite.

They are bright green, with green filling too. They were really sweet like white chocolate, but with a little of the green tea bitterness so they werent sickingly sweet. Love!

There were also Wasabi Kit Kats (I bought home a gift back for Billasaurus, but we both only had one and then never spoke of them again) and also Sakura & Green Tea (Cherry Blossom). That one tasted a shit load like the plain Green Tea, but with a vague plasticy cherry flavour.

Now I hate to break this to you, but this is only Part 1 of my Japanese food posts. These were just the pics off my iPhone! The shots from my DSLR are absolutely  mammoth files, and crashed my parents computer just from trying to upload them.

Wasn't me, must have been an intruder who needed somewhere to view his travel pics.

X