Top 3 things to do in Barcelona, Spain

As I continue to retrace the journey of my younger self through Europe, I find myself in Spain where I was captivated by the slower pace, relaxed atmosphere, typical beverages and most bizarre creatures. And I am reminded of the top three things to do in Barcelona.  

Fennel, beetroot and cauliflower salad with citrus mustard dressing

It’s the first day of spring and I for one cannot wait for the warmer weather and longer days that are yet to come! The weather has such an impact on the food choices we make. This fennel, beetroot and cauliflower salad is the perfect in between seasons salad. It is warm and filling thanks to the oven-baked cauliflower and beetroot, yet zesty and fresh thanks to the herbs, fennel, and citrus dressing.

4 Week Summer Body Meal Plan: Week 2

Even with a meal plan, sticking to a healthy eating regime can be challenging. There are temptations you won’t always be able to resist, and spontaneous occasions that demand flexibility. The key is not to beat yourself up about it. Get back on your bike (literally), and pick up right where you left off. I had a few slip ups in week 2 of my summer body meal plan…

Travelling through time: Last days in Ireland in 1952

As I continue to retrace my grandmother’s journey through Europe as a solo female traveller in 1952, through the pages of her travel journal, I chuckle to myself at some of her writings and discover that she enjoyed driving and walks along the river, what she really thought of the “fighting Irish”, and am reminded of how lucky we are to have Instagram.

Baked apple with cinnamon and walnuts – a sugar-free recipe

When the nights are cool and your sweet tooth is craving some after-dinner loving, you can’t go past the no-fuss, tried and true baked apple. It’s sweet and juicy, aromatic and a little bit nutty. However, many baked apple recipes can leave you hanging a little too long. Sometimes a girl can’t wait; she wants her dessert and she wants it now! Before you reach for anything else, try this spin on the classic dessert. Easy to make, fast to cook, sugar-free and completely delicious, my baked apple with cinnamon and walnuts recipe ticks all the boxes.

4-Week Summer Body Meal Plan: Week 1

In four weeks, I’ll be in Fiji. That means I have 28 days to cleanse, tone and detox my way from a pretty healthy winter body to a seriously summer ready Fiji body. I am also on the hunt for a new bikini, which is always a good motivator. Seriously though, four weeks is all it takes to establish new routines and generate some incredible results. And I’m going to prove it to you. I’m calling it my 4-2-Fiji Diet. There are only 4 guidelines and 2 exceptions. I challenge you to follow along with these recipes and meal plans to see if you not only look better, but feel better too.

Carrot and walnut porridge – have your cake, eat your oats too

Some people have a hard time stomaching the thought of vegetables for breakfast, but what could be more natural? If you’re a sceptic, I challenge you to try adding at least one vegetable to your morning meal.  Just try it. It sets a healthy tone for the rest of your day and gives you a kick start on the way to attaining your “five-a-day” target.

One night in Paris and eight things to do

The latest instalment in this series, where I retrace my travel journey throughout Europe, sees me in Paris with a checklist of eight things to do and just one day and night to tick them off. But the list soon gets longer before it gets shorter…

Stewed rhubarb, pear and orange – sugar-free and so many uses

Rhubarb is one of my favourite vegetables. Traditionally, this tart vegetable (which contains good amounts of Vitamins A, B and K) is cooked with a lot of sugar to make it sweet, but I have a better solution. Fruits are naturally sweet and what’s in season with rhubarb? Pears and oranges – both sweet fruits which can be used as natural sweeteners and replace the added sugar normally used to cook with rhubarb.

Travelling through time: Grandmother’s trip to Ireland in 1952

Nan was born in Northern Ireland and moved to Perth in Western Australia at age 3. Her father, my great-grandfather, came down with a condition after World War I and was advised by his doctor to move to a warmer climate. Nan’s observations of the Irish and their culture during a visit to Ireland in 1952 fascinates me. Our experiences were very different. For one, Nan was reunited with  lot of family. I figure I must have family in Ireland too, but I wasn’t aware of them when I travelled to Ireland 50 years later. Secondly, the bathroom situation has drastically improved…

Chocolate beetroot porridge – heaven in a healthy breakfast bowl

I like to eat vegetables at every meal. It’s an easy way to help ensure I get plenty of clean nutrition in my daily diet and it’s a a brilliant method of ‘crowding out’ less healthy foods. But in winter – when the mornings are cold, wet, windy and overcast – I really can’t go past the comfort of a warming bowl of porridge for breakfast. Porridge and vegetables. How could this work? I recently had the sweetest idea…

Contiki Great Britain: Edinburgh, Liverpool and quaint towns of Wales

Two words come to mind as I re-read the travel journal I kept as a 21-year-old country girl travelling from one of the world’s youngest nations (Australia) to one of its most well-preserved continents (Europe): old and nonchalant. I was clearly blown away by the history of the United Kingdom and at the same time a little dismissive of some parts too.