A perfect end to a busy work day

Thankyou for all your suggestions re getting in a workout when time is against you. It is so true, however, that sometimes you just need to accept that a workout is not going to happen and take a rest day. After all, what is one missed workout in the grand scheme of things?

Today was a long day, but it was a productive day.

I was up at 4.00am, on a flight to Melbourne by 6.00am, and in a meeting by 9.00am. It seems the extra preparation I did yesterday really paid off  however, and the meeting went very smoothly.

So smoothly, in fact, that I was finished with work and checked into my hotel by 6.00pm.

And oh my – and what a gorgeous hotel room it is.

Although, I had to laugh though when I opened the door. Why is it always the case that when I am travelling for work, and only really need a bed to sleep in overnight, I get an upgrade and score a huge corner suite?!

With the stress of the last few days behind me, I had only one room in mind…

The hotel gym!

5 kilomters on the treadmill, and 20km on the stationary bike later, I was a sweaty (yet happy) mess and returned to my hotel room hungry and ready for dinner.

While I could have found a grocery store and cooked up a storm in the well equipped kitchen, the temptation of the room service menu was all too much.

Speaking of which…I must go order!

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If you haven’t had the chance to vote for my Project Food Blog entry as of yet, I would be ever so grateful if you could :) Just follow this link, and click the heart at the top of the page!

Happy Baking :)

Crazy times

Hi there blog world!

I am back in sunny Canberra - after a busy weekend in Melbourne - and managed to submit my Project Food Blog post just in time. I had a wonderful time looking back through my BBB food journey over the past year - which certainly took me to some far away places. You can check my post out here and I would love love love it if you would be kind enough to vote for me here using the heart at the top of the page. I have a super exciting entry for challenge #3 planned if I am lucky enough to get through.

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My oh my - it seems that a short working week = a stressful week in the life of BBB. I returned home yesterday absolutely exhausted from a weekend filled with frivolity and fun in Melbourne. I suspect three late nights, too many glasses of wine, a very 'relaxed' approach to eating and numerous kilometres travelled have really taken their toll on me (and my body). Too many indulgences = feeling tired and sluggish. Lesson learned (or should I say, re-learned).

Healthy food + adequate sleep = energy and positivity... my focus for this week.

While there was no way I was getting up at 5.00am for this morning's swim, I was keen to finish my day with a 5km run. Unfortunately the world had other plans – I remained chained to my desk at work until 7.00pm, before heading home and continuing to prepare for the big meeting I have tomorrow.

I could not help but smile, however, when the ever-aware Mr BBB enticed me into taking break with the lure of a delicious meal.

On the menu - green chicken curry with brown rice.

So fragrant and fresh.

If not just a tad too spicy!

Well here’s hoping tomorrow is not as hectic as today. My muscles are craving a run or a ride!

What about you? How do you fit in workouts when you are short for time (and energy?!)

Happy Baking :)

The BBB Passport – exploring the world through food

Thanks to all the people who voted for my first entry in the Project Food Blog competition – I made it through to the second round!

Challenge #2 of the competition is  all about cooking international food, that takes you out of your comfort zone.

Spending hours in the car travelling through the country over  the last few days, I had plenty of time to think about my style of cooking and whether I was, in fact, someone that likes to try new cuisines.

Reflecting on my blog posts, it became apparent that the BBB passport has collected quite a few travel stamps this past year when exploring the world through food.

And I didn’t even need to leave the kitchen!

I had a seafood risotto in Italy,

A spicy laksa in Malaysia,

and a pad thai in Thailand.

 

I enjoyed the falafel in Turkey,

warmed up with a bowl of soup in Wales,

munched on babaganoush in the Middle East,

and loved the burger in the States.

The paella in Spain was impressive,

As was the Indonesian satay,

 

And the pizza slices in Naples…

 

I loved the pancakes in Canada…

The chilli con carne in Mexico,

and the curry in India.

The dumplings in England were divine,

 

And I loved the crunchy dukkah from Egypt.

The fufu in Africa were a real treat,

As were the curries in Ethiopia,

And the sushi in Japan.

But at the end of the day, it was nice to return home to Australia, and enjoy a little pavlova and a couple ANZAC biscuits for dessert.

 

A wonderful food journey -  completed in the comfort of my own home, but stepping outside the comfort of my own cuisine. Food really can provide a fantastic way to explore the world – minus the costs, jet lag and heavy suitcases!

Who knows where the BBB passport will take me in the future???

Happy Baking :)

Like father like daughter

Training: Bike 25km

Wow – is it Sunday night already? Boy this weekend had passed quickly – but where did I leave off?

Saturday was all about one thing… the AFL Grand Final! Between footy, frustrating results, plenty of good food (and plenty of good wine), we had a wonderful Melbourne day.

But Sunday arrived quickly and, luckily without a hangover,  I headed to the country to spend a day with my dad.

Who, can I say, lives in the most gorgeous country cottage.

While I was tempted to spend the afternoon sitting on the verandah with a good book…

I convinced Dad to join me for an afternoon training ride.

Not that it took much convincing – given the perfect weather!

We followed a local bike path through the country…

   

Stopping for a coffee mid way- yes my Dad drinks soy lattes!

25km and one magpie swoop later (let’s not talk about that), we headed home, showered, and rewarded ourselves with a cold beverage of the GF variety.

The view was terrible ;)

After our pre-dinner drink, BBB dad busied himself in the kitchen…

And I headed out to explore the ‘farm’…

Camera in hand, of course…

How could one not fall in love with this country charm?

After bike rides and paddock walking, I returned home hungry and immediately in awe of the well set table that was awaiting me…

  

Upon which BBB dad served a delicious meal shortly after….

GF pasta, potatoes, salad and red wine.

 

A carb-alicious pasta – together with a much needed bowl of green.

 

Biking, country-lovin’ and a healthy home cooked meal…..like father like daughter really ;)

Happy Baking :)