This week we might actually be on track to meeting the ‘traditional’ three posts a week quota. Not only that, this one is a waste post – haven’t seen one of them around these parts for a while. Don’t get too excited though, it is mid-sem break after all. Can’t guarantee that all this efficiency will last. We can hope though, we can hope. Continue reading
Who knew there was such a thing as a chook auction? Apparently there is, or at least in small town Australia – the couple I’m currently staying with went to one last Saturday morning. After an unfortunate run in between their last brood and their Irish Terrier, the chook pen was pining for some new feathered residents. Apparently the auction was quite the place to be (though that’s not saying much for a town of this size). A hullaballoo of people eagerly (and quite aggressively at times, so I hear) bidding for their new egg-laying-machines. S and B came home with five almost mature Hyline chickens pleased with their purchase, despite having only gone in with the intention of acquiring three. That’s always the case with shopping isn’t it? Each bird was $24 a pop. Was that expensive? I honestly don’t know. How much would one expect to pay for a bog-standard-yet-efficient-egg-laying-chook to cost? What price would you be prepared to pay? Continue reading
Does anyone actually enjoy moving house? Of course it does quite depend on where you’re going, the circumstances and so on, but surely no-one likes packing. It’s a drag. Perhaps it’s my neat-freak tendencies that spoil the ‘fun’, but honestly what’s there to like about having half packed boxes lying around the house, just waiting to be tripped over? Come on, don’t say you haven’t yelled expletives at a box because it was ‘in the way’ (and not you just being a clumsy soul). Does it sound like we’re in the middle of moving house? Mmm. Buh-bye Sydney. It’s been nice knowing you for a year.
It’s very tempting to leave packing to the absolute last minute, rather than having the house looking like a mini-tornado’s hit it for any extended period. However, there’s one ‘department’ (because I’m a little anal and divide the house into sections for organisation purposes) of moving/packing etc. that can’t be ignored for too long, without some serious waste occurring. The aspect in question is food. Continue reading
On Monday afternoon we ventured into the city with one destination in mind. Max Brenner Chocolate Bar. The previous evening my sister had taken part in her very last ballet performance at the Sydney Opera House (next year she moves on to a different school/company/whatever you want to call it), and celebration seemed due. Unless you have squillions of money screaming to be spent (both at the chocolate bar and the dentist) or possess the superpower to eat/drink as much chocolate as you like and be none the worse for it, Max Brenner is not going to be your everyday, regular café. For most ordinary citizens it’s a café for special occasions. A place to frequent when you wish to spend some quality time with others and eat a lot of chocolate. Consequently you would think that Max Brenner would be jumping over houses to provide a space that facilitates savoring the moment and encourages customers to ‘stay a while’. For some unidentifiable reason they have failed to do so. Continue reading
Ever rummaged through the refrigerator and discovered an unidentifiable green sludge, oozing strange juices from its plastic bag in the back corner? If you’re lucky you may still be able to identify it’s origins. A bunch of wilted parsley. Blackened basil. Rosemary stiff enough to poke someone’s eye out. Or the worst – slimy coriander. Welcome to the serial herb killer club (yes, the herb is already ‘dead’ but your still wasting it’s life). These killers are unassuming beings, hovering over the herb section of the supermarket, innocently selecting a bunch of mint and going on their way. Poor mint – it doesn’t know what’s going to hit it. Abandonment and neglect, shoved aside to make way for the tomatoes. Left to a slow, grisly demise at the very back of the refrigerator. Because that one tablespoon the recipe called for results in a whole lotta left over mint. These people are so reserved, so normal in their actions that unless you’re a reformed serial herb killer yourself, it’s unlikely you’ll spot them. And to be honest no one’s going to arrest you for forgetting about the packet of basil you bought for pizza three weeks ago – what incentive do you have to reform your murderous (i.e. wasteful) ways? A fair bit actually. Continue reading
Hullo! I'm Shani. Thanks for stopping by! Here you'll find vegetarian recipes oriented towards balancing that fickle line between supreme indulgence and wholesome eating. There's also many a musing about food waste (and it's many manifestations), with tips on how to reduce it at a household level. To find out more, hit the 'About' tab in the top menu...
