Showing posts with label Asia. Show all posts

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Shred Shred Shred!

Posted on Saturday, April 20, 2013

20 April

So, I have decided to try out the Bondi Vixen 30 Day Core Challenge and more importantly, a 30 day "shredding" diet plan. This is a low carb, protein enriched diet where you eat every 3 hours, mainly sticking to eggs, protein such as chicken, fish and other meat and veges. Furthermore, you are not allowed to drink alcohol which isn't much of a problem for me because the only things I like drinking are a bit too out of my price range (good wine, good cocktails and good spiced rum).

This diet plan began on the 15th of April and so far it's been pretty good! I am NOT doing this for weight-loss reasons. I am doing this because to be honest, I want to try something new and my mum is out of town for a while. My mother is the best cook I know. And because she's so amazing, it means I eat A LOT. With this diet plan, I get to make my own food and choose my portions (instead of having mum making cakes 24/7 and me eating them because they're amazing. An example;





I mean HOW is a girl supposed to resist that!!! So mum is out of town so I can cook what I want and not be tempted by amazing apple cake and the like.

First of all, let me tell you what I ate as my last carbo loaded, alcohol included meal.




That's right. I could have gone with a huge bowl of pasta, or a pizza but nope. Went for good ol sushi and Rekorderlig - the best cider out on the shelves at the moment. The sad thing is, I can eat half of this on the diet so... I guess I started early!

What's the daily food routine you ask?
In the mornings I have scrambled eggs, smoked salmon, spinach and tomatoes (if I'm feeling naughty). After 3 hours I usually have Lo Carb Bites from Bsc which I like because I feel like they're a bit of a treat (they are swiss chocolate flavoured). Then for lunch it's usually a medium can of tuna or grilled chicken with salad. Afternoon tea is usually a can of fish and then dinner is protein (so far I've had chilli fish, teriyaki chicken, sashimi) accompanied by salad or (more recently) ratatouille.


I call it 'lazy girls ratatouille'. I just chopped up eggplant, zucchini, capsicum, onion and garlic and stuck it in the pan and cooked it, then put a tomato sauce (I used Leggos).


My favourite.

I know there aren't many pictures and I really do want to show you my chilli fish so next time!

Ella xx


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Amazing Restaurants: Mamasan

Posted on Thursday, April 11, 2013

11 April 2013

Mamasan is an amazing asian tapas restaurant along Glenayar Avenue in Bondi, opposite the Beach Road Hotel.

I had never been in before but was interested in trying it and I'm glad I did. Mamasan has a very asian hipster vibe about it, and it works. A lot of the decor is quite antique or asian and the combination creates a very sleek atmosphere.


Sashimi platter


the soft shell crab is to die for


squid


egg custard buns

Ella xx

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Around The World: Japan

Posted on Sunday, April 22, 2012

22 April





Tokyo


Japanese food. My favourite in the world. Until recently I actually worked in a Japanese restaurant. I have to say, Japan is one of my favourite places on earth. Unfortunately, I didn't take many photos while I was over there because I was too amazed.


We did however go to Hakone, a hot spring town. Essentially, the Japanese are the creators of the onsen. A giant spa, originally run on a "line" from a hot spring, naturally heating up the water. One thing about onsens is that you have to be completely naked. 


None of my family thought about this when we booked a family onsen under the stars after dinner. Awkward for all.


The hotel we stayed at however, had an amazing dinner prepared.



I can't remember everything on this plate but yes, that is a snail!


Golden Temple



Dinner with a cook your own!


Japanese Breakfast



A bit of Zen



Kid's Menu

Japan is truly an amazing country & I'll definitely be back there later. There are so many things I tried but ate before I could take a snap of them... Ah well!


Ella xx

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Around The World: Sapa, Vietnam

22 April


At the beginning of last year, I went on an "Asia" trip with my family. Together, we visited Thailand (for family), Laos, Vietnam and Japan. This post is the beginning of a series I'm going to call Around The World. 

Vietnam was, to say the least, absolutely crazy. People everywhere, motorbikes everywhere, food everything, pollution everywhere. I'll be honest, I didn't like it that much. Coming from picturesque Laos it was a total change. 

I loved Sapa, which is in the far North. It's just like a floating village. Their bread, cakes, hot chocolates and pizza's (yeah) were amazing. The Vietnamese definitely have a thing about bread; it's excellent! My family and I caught the train up, the four of us sharing this tiny compartment. We ate nutella and freshly baked bread through out, then fell asleep to the sound of the train speeding off into the darkness.

This is my experience in Sapa, in a nutshell.


Mushrooms on the side of the road


Who even really knows...


Our ascent up the mountain


The view from the top


After climbing a giant ass mountain, tea at the top of the mountain was a great relief


Picture perfect


Once again, no idea what's actually in this but looks good.


View from our hotel



Two roasted chickens. Tasted better than it looked.


Roaming the busy streets of Sapa, their native tribe being the Hmong people.


I think I had the world's best hot chocolate up here. Not sure if I'll be back but it was an experience to remember.


Ella xx