All Good Things Issue 1
Morning Rituals, Peach Caipirinha, Tandem Reading
ISSUE 1 / MARCH 5, 2021
Welcome to All Good Things - a collection of snippets from daily life and a rolling weekly list of great things to read, watch, listen and discover. I wanted to create an ongoing resource of useful and exciting things for my loyal subscribers. I welcome your feedback and suggestions, so please let me know what you think and what you'd like me to share more of in future issues. Now grab a cuppa or a drink (it's Friday after all!) and read on ...
Sneh
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A Morning Ritual That Has Worked Wonders ...
Our home is a single-level home and when our kids were younger, I have always avoided waking up super early so as to not disturb their sleep by stepping on every floorboard that creaks and putting the kettle on. But lately, I have been waking up earlier than usual. Could be because I am going to bed earlier as well. But I think it is because both boys are in high school and early risers themselves and often studying when I wake up. So I don't have to worry about tip-toeing in the dark.
I grab two mugs, one with my hot water and one with coffee and I sit on the steps by our pool. I watch the sunrise and its rays hit the surface of the water. And as the sky fires up in all its glory, I watch it being reflected in the gentle ripples of the water like a beautiful painting. The sudden quiet is shattered by the deafening cacophony of hundreds of parrots that suddenly and magically appear with the light of the sun. Their excited chatter wafting down from the tall gum trees as they feast on the gum flowers. I watch green, fast-moving flashes of these gorgeous birds as they fly over my head to other gum trees. I hear the cockatoos flying higher up, waking up the whole neighbourhood and the tiny grey fantails dipping in the pool for a quick swim.
15 minutes later, both my cups are empty and I am wide awake. I feel energized by my surroundings and it is a new feeling for me. This newfound ability to observe and do nothing other than wait, watch and take an occasional picture. Maybe it is all part of growing older but it is a daily ritual I am growing to cherish and look forward to every day.
*****
My Good Indian Raita quietly appeared on the blog earlier this week and so many of you made it and loved it! This is a gorgeous, easy, basic Raita recipe packed with the crunch of gut-health boosting veggies and finished with toasted spices. Keeps well in the fridge for 3-4 days and is an excellent source of protein and fibre. Make sure you add it to your weekly meal prep!
Click For Recipe
Buttery Udon Noodles / Image courtesy : Bon Appetit
I can't get this oh-so Buttery Udon Noodles in Tomato Soy Broth out of my head. Making it this weekend!
These Miso Peanut Butter Cookies look divine.
Filing this Step-By-Step Guide To A Simple Sourdough Pizza Crust. I am bringing my starter out of hibernation this weekend and this pizza crust looks sensational!
Vegan Sweet Potato Cakes - YUM!
Spicy Carrot, Beansprout & Cashew Salad. Looks fab!
*****
Tandem Reading ...
I have completely given up on fiction in the past two years. My last fiction read was The President Is Missing which I read at the hospital when Nick was recovering from surgery a year and a half ago. It was alright. But I have just not been excited by any novels in recent times, so if you have suggestions for me - I am all ears.
On the other hand, I have been reading a lot of cookbooks (as always!) and non-fiction. This stack of seven books is noteworthy
1. Atomic Habits By James Clear I am really loving this book. I love the innate ability of this book to be opened up on any random page and deliver a meaningful read with a wealth of information you can actually apply in your life. At the root of it, this book focuses on tiny changes, small habits, one-day-at-a-time kind of philosophy that I have wholly adopted. James' Instagram is great to follow as well!
2. Think Like A Monk by Jay Shetty is an incredible compendium of stories and real-life experiences of the author urging one to live a life of purpose and embrace a more peaceful existence. It really delves deep into finding peace within yourself and I am reading this more for the boys than me, so I can inspire and prompt them to think in a certain way towards building their own peaceful and purposeful lives.
3. Passion Purpose Profit by Fiona Killackey I can't remember who it was that shared this book on Instagram, but it looked mighty interesting. As a small business owner and sole trader who works pretty much on her own, I find this book very insightful into navigating the Whys of running a business. It has helped me truly understand why I do what I do and what I must continue to do in order to be of service to people while still earning a living.
4. Snacking Cakes by Yossi Arefi I have followed Yossi's delightful baking blog Apt 2B Baking Co for many years. Her recipes and photos are warm and just make you crave cake. The good kind! With a cup of something hot to was it down with. How then could I resist a book about Snacking Cakes? It is utterly delicious.
5. Zaitoun by Yasmin Khan A Christmas present that I am still enjoying perusing a few months on. Not only does it have beautiful Middle Eastern recipes but this Palestinian cookbook has many evocative stories of the author that make it a fabulous read for anyone interested in the culture and food.
6. Threebirds Renovations After stalking all the reno before and afters on their Instagram Page (3 Sydney mums!), I bought this book about renovating advice and amazing tips and tricks to refresh your home via small renos or create something fabulously fresh and crisp and white and coastal and country all at once with a big reno. If you love moving furniture and dreaming of knocking down walls as much as I do, you'll love this book. They even have an online styling reno school!
7. Vegetables Unleashed Written by Spanish chef Jose Andres, all-around superstar and a human being with a golden heart who is also the founder of World Central Kitchen, a non-profit devoted to providing meals in the wake of natural disasters. A true Vegetable Masterpiece of a cookbook with so much new information!
*****
The Holderness Family had me in stitches with their parodies during lockdown. This particular one "Quit Throwing Shade On Her Part" by Backstreet Boys is HILARIOUS! If you are a parent of a tween or teen, you'll totally get it. We are not boomers yet lol!
Thoroughly enjoyed watching Schitt's Creek and Your Honour recently.
Obsessed with watching this on repeat! HOW DO THEY DO THAT??
How fabulous would it be to Make A Cooking List and stick it on the fridge and cook amazing things from new cultures and lands? Kind of like a travel bucket list but with recipes! I am totally doing it.
And with that, I sign off and wish you a Happy Weekend! Until Next Week :)
PEACH CAIPIRINHA
Use up the last of the summer peaches. This 5-minute cocktail is lip-smackingly delicious!
Makes 1
2 ripe yellow peaches
60ml Cachaca
Juice of 1 lime
1 tablespoon maple syrup
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
½ cup ice
Lime rind strips, to garnish
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Peel the peaches and discard the seed. Add the peach flesh along with Cachaca, lime juice, maple syrup, salt, vanilla and ice to the jug of a small blender. Blend until smooth.
Pour cocktail into a 350ml tumbler. Top with some crushed ice and lime rind strips. Enjoy.