BIRTHDAY POST (3) - Guide to work, health and happiness, taken from Oprah's website

My other favourite cake (especially if you love great pastry) Gateau St Honore, from La Renaissance Patissierre, The Rocks. Puff and choux pastry base. Filled profiteroles surround vanilla creme patissiere, topped with whipped cream and fresh fruits.

WORK

In his recent book, The Art of Happiness at Work, coauthored with the Dalai Lama, psychiatrist Howard Cutler, MD, reports three basic approaches to work, whatever the profession. "People tend to see work as a job, a career, or a calling,".In the job approach, work is seen as a means to an end (money), offering no other reward. Career-minded folk have a deeper personal investment in their profession, marking achievements not only through monetary gain but through advancement within their chosen field. Finally, those who view their work as a calling show passionate commitment to "work for its own sake," focusing as much on fulfillment—human relationships, how what they do affects the world—as on monetary gain.

In 1997 Amy Wrzesniewski, PhD, who is now an assistant professor of management and organizational behavior at New York University's Stern School of Business, coauthored an important study of people in various occupations, from so-called menial to high-level professional. The reported levels of Subjective Well Being (SWB) were consistent with the approach each individual took toward his or her work. Those subjects who felt it was a calling had "significantly higher" SWB than those who saw it as a job or a career. Work—whether inside or outside the home—can be a place to express ourselves, a place to practice being happy, or the seventh circle of hell. We can learn to "craft" our jobs into a calling. ' believing that what they were doing— however outwardly mundane—mattered nevertheless. '

Professor Lord Richard Layard, director of the Well-Being Programme at the Centre for Economic Performance at the London School of Economics, says "We find, as nations grow wealthier, that once we're above abject poverty, wealth makes little difference to citizens' well-being." "When everyone is striving, it's like a football game where everyone stands up: You still have the same view only now you're less comfortable because you're standing." With upward mobility comes other unfortunate side effects as well, depriving families of time together and fragmenting communities.

In his lectures, Layard points to evidence that rates of clinical depression, alcoholism, and crime have all increased in the post–World War II era despite periods of economic growth. Working beyond our own limits, as Layard suggests, not leaving enough for ourselves on the side, we often compromise our own happiness as well as the greater good. "The last two decades have seen a serious assault on the communitarian ethic," says Layard. "There is such a thing as objective happiness, but it must be shared." If we stop focusing on personal gain as the only path to happiness, then perhaps we can turn outward. "I badly want to reinstate the Enlightenment belief that the moral act is always the one that produces the greatest overall happiness.

HEALTH

Dr Mehmet Oz Ultimate Health Checklists :

1. Find a doctor and schedule a checkup.
People who have doctors live longer and they live better.

2. Know the five ingredients to avoid.
"When you look on the back of a food label, they have to list the ingredients from the most common to the least common. You want to actually make sure these five ingredients are not in the top five on the food label."

- High fructose corn syrup.
Inexpensive sugar, Commonly in soft drinks.
- Sugar
Dr. Oz says when you eat sweets, your brain receives schizophrenic messages. "It says: 'I got calories, but I didn't get any nutrients,'" he says. Your body will keep craving food until it gets those nutrients.
- "Enriched"
products made with "enriched" flour, like white bread. "Why would they take bread and have to enrich it? Because they take all the important vitamins out of it, and they sprinkle just a little bit back in there," Dr. Oz says.
- Trans fat
Also known as hydrogenated fat, these are fats that were once in liquid form but have hydrogen added to make them solid at room temperature. "It extends the shelf life of the product, But it shortens the human life."
- Saturated fats
These fats come from four-legged animals like pigs and cows.

3. Healthy foods to add to your diet.
Starting with foods that don't need a label, like fresh fruits and vegetables. "If they're coming out of the ground looking the way they look when you eat them, they're good for you in general,"

-Antioxidants
( tomatoes, broccoli, kidney beans, blueberries, artichokes and prunes. Try to eat five to seven servings of these foods every day.)

-Omega-3 Fats
( 3 grams a day. "Remember, 80 percent of our brain is fat," Dr. Oz says. "We need to have the right kinds of fats in our body to make sure our brain is the most resilient to stress and can learn the fastest." Some good sources include ground flaxseeds, walnuts, salmon, scallops, soybeans and squash.)

-Fiber
( about 24 grams/day. Oatmeal, 100 percent whole grain bread, lentils, pine nuts, peas and raspberries)

-Olive Oil
( about a tablespoon every day).

4. Take a multivitamin every single day.
If you are pre-menopausal, take multivitamin that contains iron, as you'll need the iron to make new red blood cells.


5. Know your numbers.
Measure waist size (less than half of your weight), blood pressure (approximately 115 over 75), your resting heart rate (when you get up in the morning, close to 60), cholesterol, blood sugar, vitamin D.

6. Find a health advocate.
Can be anyone (friend, spouse), Bring someone who is actually going to pay attention, and understands the process and takes notes.

7. Organise your health records.
Update your medical file, know your family history.

8. Get the medical tests you need.
Annual check up, dental check up every 6 months, eye exam every 2 years. more variety as you get older.

9. Exercising.
Walking, get your heart rate up, Flexibility, Strength training (rebuild those muscles so you dont get frail as you age)

10. Get 7-8 hours of sleep per night.
You can lose the benefits of step 1-8 if you skip sleep.

HAPPINESS

" Just as Italians have eight words for for love, we need more colors for happiness. The simple-minded version will not do; life is too complex, we know too much, there's too much pain to be satisfied with a naive idea of what it means to be happy—and to be human. To accommodate a larger vision, Martin Seligman, PhD, the godfather of the positive psychology movement, has created a three-zone model of happiness.

Beyond the first tier, what he calls the Hollywood view of happiness ("getting as much positive emotion as possible"),

a second kind of happiness arises from discovering our "signature strengths," which range (in Seligman's list of 24) from honesty, kindness, and forgiveness to ingenuity and love of learning.

Seligman's third zone consists of using your strengths in the service of something larger than yourself.

So it seems that transcending our own needs, now and then, and learning to sacrifice what we want for the greater good could boost our happiness to another level. "


QUOTE

What I know for sure by Stephen Doyle, Creative Director, Doyle Partners :

Don't tell me, show me,
Don't show me, touch me,
Don't touch me, tell me.

BIRTHDAY POST (2) - Life advice

My other favourite cake, Mousse Picasso, Layers of white and dark chocolate mousse, wrapped in folds of milk chocolate (gluten free).
from the amazing La Renaissance Patisserie, The Rocks, Sydney. They must have some of the most fabulous cakes and macarons (in the world!) because whatever I ate there (also croissant, danishes, coffee) taste beautiful.

“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.”

In Elizabeth Edwards's book Resilience , she quotes the Leonard Cohen song "Anthem": Ring the bells that still can ring, forget your perfect offering. There is a crack in everything; that's how the light gets in. That's an amazing insight-to know that nothing's perfect and it's not intended to be.

Leona Watson's tips for pursuing your dream career:
-Ask yourself what you would do if you had a free Sunday. That's your passion. Then think about how that might work as the focus of a new business or career change for you. 
-Before you go to sleep, spend five minutes imagining yourself in your new career and note how good you feel. Whenever you get the 'wobbles', this will remind you you're on the right track.

In her new column for O, author, political commentator, and veteran campaign strategist Donna Brazile offers her rules to live by.
1. Be the buffalo.
Wilma Mankiller, the first female principal chief of the Cherokee nation, once told me how the cow runs away from the storm while the buffalo charges directly toward it—and gets through it quicker. Whenever I'm confronted with a tough challenge, I do not prolong the torment. I become the buffalo. 
2. Organize the small to make room for the big.
I am addicted to gadgets. Trouble is, I keep forgetting where I put them. A friend once said, "Our lives are spent in moments—how many of them do you want to waste looking for your cell phone or BlackBerry?" Finding a place for everything frees up time to pursue what you really want. 
3. Go help someone.
My mother wasn't a very patient woman. If I complained about being lonely or bored, she'd tell me to go help someone, anyone. To this day, when I start feeling sorry for myself, I look for a good deed to do. But I keep in mind one thing....
4. Ask the turtle.
I'm proud to call Gloria Steinem a friend, and this advice came from her. While on a field trip in college with her geology class, she discovered a giant snapping turtle that had climbed out of the river, up a dirt path, right to the edge of a road. Worried it would soon be run over, she wrestled the enormous reptile off the embankment and back down to the water. At that moment, her professor walked up and asked what in the world she was doing. With some pride, she told him. He said that the turtle had probably spent a month crawling up that long dirt path to safely lay its eggs in the mud on the side of the road and that she had destroyed all that effort with her "rescue." Gloria tells this story to illustrate the most important political lesson she ever learned: Always ask the turtle. 
5. Wear comfortable shoes.
Men don't wear high heels, and they don't make allowances for women who do. Tottering down the corridors of power in beautiful but crippling stilettos telegraphs your preference for style over substance. 
6. Take care of your body.
This has always been a difficult one for me. I sleep too little, go too fast, and indulge too often in minor vices. But as my Grandma Frances said, "You can only go as far and as long as your body will take you." That's why I slow down to enjoy an occasional glass (or two) of finely aged single-malt scotch. I don't think it's what Grandma Frances meant, but taking that moment is what allows me to keep going too far and too fast the rest of the time.

I find this writing below long time ago, I forget where or who wrote it, I remember I saved it on my computer because I really like/d it: (From anonymous),

If I could live my life again, I’d laugh at my misfortunes more and other people’s predicaments less. Spend more time counting my blessings, less time scrutinizing my blemishes.

I’d spend more time playing with my children and grandchildren, less time watching professional athletes perform. More time enjoying what I have, less time thinking about the things I don’t have.

If I could live my life again, I’d walk in the rain more without an umbrella and listen less to weather reports. I’d spend much more time outdoors in small towns and much less time in tall buildings and big cities. I’d eat more of everything healthy and delicious, less of everything each meal, saving enough on the bill to feed a starving child.

If I could live my life again, I’d get more beach sand between my toes and less friction between myself and others. I’d take more long baths and fewer showers (I can’t explain why I’ve always been in such a hurry to spend my time). I’d spend more time with old people and animals, less time with strangers at clubs and parties.

I’d act the age of my children and grandchildren more and act my own age less. I’d visit libraries, bookstores, and computer networks more and malls and movie theatres less. I’d play the piano more and play fewer mindless games like solitaire. I’d give my spouse and children more tender touches and much less advice.

If I could live my life again, I’d spend more time fully involved in the present moment, less time remembering and anticipating. I’d be more aware of my core values and life mission, and less concerned with the reasons why I might not measure up.

I’d smile more, frown less. I’d express my feelings more, try less to impress my friends and neighbours. I’d forgive and ask forgiveness more, and curse my adversaries less – but most of all I’d be more spontaneous and active, less hesitant and subdued.

When a great idea or spur-of-the-moment adventure popped up – an Easter egg hunt, an open house at school, a game of hide-and-seek, an oppurtunity to solve a problem at work or to satisfy a disgruntled customer, a hay ride, a chance to build a snowman or paint over graffiti, an invitation to watch a lunar eclipse or a shuttle launch. I’d be less likely to stay in my chair objecting, “It’s not in our plan” and more inclined to jump up and say, “Yes, let’s”.


And finally this Randy Pausch's video is my favourite. This video changed my life for the much better. Thanks Randy, RIP x


Please share with me what are your favourite life advices x

BIRTHDAY POST (1)

One of my favourite cakes ever, Monet, from La Renaissance Patisserie, The Rocks, Sydney. It's so delicious!
Layers of vanilla sponge and bavaroise (creme anglaise mixed with whipped cream), with raspberries, wrapped in folds of white chocolate.

It was my birthday 2 weeks ago, on the 7th and I haven't been posting since because I wanted to write something about birthday and I didn't know what to write.

Hm. Reflecting back,

I feel that there are things about me that have changed over this past year :

- I now have a desire to travel.
I used to feel lazy about the process of travelling, such as packing, unpacking, planning and the idea of if I get lost and who I should go with. Of course I always like the idea of travelling, the beauty and wisdom of it, afterall people said that it could change your life and open up your eyes and horizons but I'm such a lazy bum. If I have a holiday, I'd rather stay at home and sleep.   
Maybe reading the book Eat Pray Love tweaked that travel desire and I started to think that maybe I can figure out my life by travelling. I'm 26, and If people ask me what I want to be or do for the next ten years, I would have no idea. Of course I would make up stories just so that I don't look too clueless, hopeless or even irresponsible. But the truth is I really don't know. There are so many things that I want to do that I have trouble choosing and I don't know where to start. I also seems to live in the present, and not think about the future too much (which is good or bad I don't know) and take one day at a time. One thing for sure is I want to earn money doing something which I love, I want to keep dancing and I want to live everyday like my last day on earth. Or like a Sunday. I want to look forward to each day with so much enthusiasm. And be passionate, excited and interested. As Florence Henderson said, "Be interested and be interesting, Don't be boring." She is in her 70s and currently doing Dancing with the stars!

- I now want to live in Paris.
I have a very good friend and he ever told me that he wanted to live in Paris one day. I thought it was cool but I used to never think about it or want to live there. Paris was a bit foreign to me, and I have to learn a new language! And as you know I'm a bit lazy. But I always love French film and this past year I saw so many French movies and realize that I love them all. There are something about French movies that drew me right in. They are effortless-ly beautiful and the language is good to the ear as well. I also came to realize that 2 of my 3 favourite actresses are French. Audrey Tatou and Marion Cotilliard. Alot of my favourite movies are French (The Apartment, Priceless, Les Choristes, The diving bell and the butterfly, La Vie en Rose). And La Vie en Rose soundtrack (which is in French) is one of my favourite song ever. Really it is mesmerizing. I love Chanel and watching the movie Coco Avant Chanel which is about the live of Coco Chanel just made me love Paris even more. The culture, the setting, the elegance. I've always loved perfumes and of course French perfumes are wonderful. I love dancing and have always wanted to visit the Moulin Rouge. A few months ago I saw a burlesque DVD of The Crazy Horse Paris performance which is AMAZING! Dita Von Teese is known to always see the show whenever she's in Paris. Lastly this past year, I've been eating alot of French food. And sometimes when I dine in at a nice French restaurant with its French waiters and French diners around me, I can't help but feeling and imagining that I'm in Paris. I've always loved bread and butter and those which they served at the French restaurants are especially delicious. And the foods, cheese souffles, Sirloin steak cafe de Paris, Fish in lemon butter sauce, etc etc, creme brulees, French pastries, butter croissants, and somemore Souffles. French campagne! I've realized that I love so many French things, why don't I just live there for a little while?

The places that I want to visit one day:
Italy -  I want to eat pasta pizza and gelato like in the book Eat Pray Love. I want to go to the same exact restaurants/shops Elizabeth went to.  
Tokyo- I want to stay at the Love Hotels, eat the most creative and amazing bento boxes, (I love Japanese food!). I want to see Geisha and the crazy technology and vending machines. And the amazing Tokyo culture. 
New York - I want to see all the Broadway shows and look at the breathtaking view from the Empire State Building. I want to experience a wonderful white Christmas (like in the movie Home Alone). So Christmas-Y & lovely!
Las Vegas - I want to see all the Cirque du Soleil shows in Vegas (there are like 7!), Glamorous ShowGirl shows, experience the best entertainment (famous comedys, concerts, productions, magics, musicals, from Criss Angel to David Copperfield, from Disney Lion King to Cher, Celine Dion, Elton John to Holly Madison) They have the most amazing shows in Vegas! Eat at all the famous restaurants (From ex-Iron Chef Wolfgang Puck, Michelin superstar Joel Robuchon, pretigious chef Charlie Palmer, Celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse, Iron Chef Bobby Flay, to the most honoured/awarded Chef Andre Rochat who has 3(!) award winning restaurants in Vegas). There are so many award winning chefs around the world working at Vegas. Not only Vegas has the best dining scenes, it has the most beautiful dining rooms/ the most luxurious menus too, (as people go to Vegas to spend money). Vegas has the best buffet too! (And actually, if you compare it to Sydney, the foods/good foods there are cheaper).
London - I want to have a Degustation dinner at The Fat Duck, have an Afternoon Tea at the Langham (which is said to be the best in England, that says alot), experience the Harrods foodhall (which is like the biggest food paradise in the world), watch theatre/musical at the London West End, hang out with Prince William (?)
Crazy Horse Paris
Love Hotels, Tokyo
Bento box
Langham's award winning afternoon tea
Las Vegas Showgirl
Joel Robuchon Restaurant, Las Vegas
Joel Robuchon Restaurant, Las Vegas
Andre's at The Monte Carlo, Monte Carlo Resort Hotel, Las Vegas (Chef Andre Rochat)
Alize Restaurant at the top of PalmS Casino Resort, Las Vegas (Chef Andre Rochat) LOOK AT THE VIEW!
Alize Restaurant, Las Vegas
Aureole Restaurant, Las Vegas (Chef Charlie Palmer)
Aureole Restaurant, Las Vegas
Aureole Restaurant, Las Vegas

Like Elizabeth Gilbert, I want to (one day) get out there, travel and marvel at something.
Niagara Falls at night





(It would be perfect if I can one day share these amazing journey/experiences with my parents and sister and brother) xx

As for my birthday, I got myself a new netbook. It's an Eee Pc Seashell Karim Rashid limited collection. I originally wanted the purple colour but they didn't have any in the shop but now I've started to love this brown one. I have alot of pink/purple accessories anyway (pen, notebook, coin purse, etc).


" When I woke up this morning I asked myself : What are some of the secrets of success in life? I found the answer right there in my very room. The Fan said - Be cool. The Roof said - Aim high. The Window said - See the world. The Clock said - Every minute is precious. The Mirror said - Reflect before you act. The door said - Push hard for your goals. And don't forget, most importantly the Carpet said Kneel down and pray." Anonymous



“For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run his fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge you’ll never walk alone.” Audrey Hepburn    



Ps : These pictures are from the internet. I saved it to my computer and forget where I got it from :( I'll try to look for it. Most of it are from google and tumblr.

THIS WEEK ...

WHAT I LEARNT :

--- About sperm donor (from cosmopolitan usa)
"The price per vial of sperm varies between $300 and $600, depending on things like how educated the donor is (PHDs are pricier than bachelor's degrees). Many women don't get pregnant the first time, so you may have to do a few rounds. However, if you do get pregnant immediately, you can have the extra sperm stored and use it later if you want your child to have a sibling. Even if you don't choose to give the kid a sibling, he/she may have a half brother/half sister out there since other women may have bought sperm from the same person. You and your child may never know since the purchasing info is confidential, but there is the Donor Sibling Registry, where people can sign up and try to connect with siblings who are open to meeting."

--- Protect your bond from infidelity by making sure you're the person your guy confides in the most. (from aus cosmo)

--- According to Doctor William Fry from Loma Linda University School of Medicine in California,one minute of intense laughter or 100 laughs, equates to 15 minutes on an exercise bike.

--- Tips on how to create laughter : (I forgot where I read this from)
- Practise smiling, this is the start of laughter.
- Count your blessings- make a list of all the good things in your life.
- When you hear laughter seek it out- ask 'what's so funny?'
- Share funny stories.
- Spend time with people who have successfully incorporated humour into their everyday lives.
- Spend time with children to enhance playfulness and add humour to your life.
- Take yourself less seriously. Viewyour life in context, deal with stress, dress less seriously, keep a toy at your desk or car and laugh at yourself.
- Create opportunities to laugh - watch a comedy, go to a stand up gigs and read funny books.
- Figure out what makes you laugh and do it more often. Develop your own sense of humour. Picture from http://www.retirement-quotes.com


WHAT I DID :

--- I saw Swan Lake on Ice at The Lyric Theatre, Star city.

The first time I saw Imperial Ice Stars Swan Lake is a few years ago when they came to Sydney. Since then, it became my second favourite show after Cirque du Soleil. I thought it's beautiful, cleverly choreographed, and convincingly acted. So when I saw it again this time around, I had high expectation and because I did alot of figure skating, so I know what is great skating and I can spot mistakes. Australian public doesn't usually watch figure skating as there is none in free Tv, so every spin the skaters did was followed by huge applause. :) I would say the spin and jump were not up to competition standard (I think there is only one or two triple (toe) that I saw) but its understandable considering how small the ice is. But the choreography is beautiful, especially the 4swans Pas de Quatro and the introduction of the princesses from different countries.
1. I wish there are more skaters who dance in the air (with string).(last time there were three, this time only one which is Odette).
2. Last time there were four swans in pointe ballet shoes, Odette and 3 other swans. This time only Odette. I understand it's a skating show not a ballet, but the scene of a male skater dance/lift those three (in pointe shoes) swans back then was one of the highlights. I mean he lifted 3 persons in one time!
3. The one who played the witch Rothbart last time was better (sorry!) my favourite scene back then was when Odette confronted Rothbart after The Prince gave Odille the ring. It sent me goosebumps. I love the music they skated to, too. The whole act was so memorable.
4. One of the other highlights of the show is when the prince dance with both Odette and Odille. It was just breathtakingly beautiful. This time the prince doesn't do the death spiral with both Odette/Odille. Last time, he did and that element was the highlight of the whole number.
4. This time I thought the Prince is better acted and Odette (played by the same skater as last time) played the role more beautifully too.
5. The Pas de Quatro is so much better. LoveeD iT!
6. The Pair tricks in the introduction of the princesses are more difficult and more dangerous. AmAZinG! This is the part that the audiences clapped the most.
7. I love the Closing this time (after everybody bowed, they do a final closing number which is amazing, the trick-highlights are all repeated everywhere across the ice).
8. The costumes and the scenery are as beautiful as last time and as it can be.

So overall, I was happy with the improvement, yet I wished they didn't take away the parts that I like :(

The You Tube video above : This is the old production of Swan Lake on Ice (with the amazing Rothbart whom I like very much, a male skater lifting 3 swans on pointe, 3 swans dancing in the air)


---I saw/watched :
-Step up 3D in the cinema (the dance choreo is amazing AMAZING).
-The Emmy's Award on Tv (Love the opening number, Don Draper dance!!).
-Annie, The Royal Adventure On Dvd(Camilla Belle was so adorable!!!! when she was a kid).


WHAT I LIKED READING/WATCHING :

From www.galadarling.com
" Recently, in a large city in Australia, a poster featuring a young, thin and tan woman appeared in the big window of a gym. It said, “This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?”
A middle-aged woman, whose physical characteristics did not match those of the woman on the poster, responded publicly to the question posed by the gym.
To Whom It May Concern,
Whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, sea lions, curious humans.) They have an active sex life, get pregnant and have adorable baby whales. They have a wonderful time with dolphins stuffing themselves with shrimp. They play and swim in the seas, seeing wonderful places like Patagonia, the Bering Sea and the coral reefs of Polynesia.
Whales are wonderful singers and have even recorded CDs. They are incredible creatures and virtually have no predators other than humans.
They are loved, protected and admired by almost everyone in the world.
Mermaids don’t exist.
If they did exist, they would be lining up outside the offices of Argentinean psychoanalysts due to identity crisis. Fish or human? They don’t have a sex life because they kill men who get close to them, not to mention how could they have sex? Just look at them… where is IT?
Therefore, they don’t have kids either.
Not to mention, who wants to get close to a girl who smells like a fish store?
The choice is perfectly clear to me: I want to be a whale. "

From www.mamamia.com.au

Rachel's Birthday Video from Kristian Anderson on Vimeo.

This is so touching :(


Fromhttp://heyscotty.tumblr.com/post/1077966649/hi-mommy-share-sunday-july-11-2010-at-1-16pm
THis is so sad. I DARE YOU NOT TO CRY.


QUOTEs THIS WEEK :

Beginnings are usually scary and Endings are usually sad, but it's Everything in Between that makes it All Worth Living. -Anonymous

It is absurd to divide people into good & bad. People are either charming or tedious. -Oscar Wilde

The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2011 is out. I was happy that a few of my favourite restaurants, Sake Restaurant & Bar, Cafe Sopra, Spice Temple and Golden Century have finally gained its first one-chef-hat. Although Sake only recently opened.
I was quite surprised that Tetsuya lost a hat (from 3hat to 2hat) and Pier lost two hat (from 3hat to 1hat). Galileo lost its one-hat and Yoshi lost a hat (from 2hat to 1hat). I hope they are not sad, there are so many great restaurants in Sydney and I understand how tough the market is :) I'm going to dine in at all the restaurants that just lost/drop hat/hats. To make them a bit happier :)

FOOD DIARY (August)

BREAKFAST

Sweet Potato cake with smoked salmon, spinach, avocado, tomato, poached eggs, special mayonaisse. From Cook & Archies cafe, Surry Hills.

DRINK


Soy Chai tea latte at Clipper cafe, Glebe.
Love a good chai !

LUNCH

Mini Burritos Spicy Chicken Guerrero (rice, cheddar cheese, black beans, salsa and grilled chicken in GYG Guerrero marinade with Pico de Gallo salsa and Tomatillo salsa. Rolled in a soft tortilla). Quesadillas Barramundi Mild (grilled soft corn tortillas, melted cheddar cheese and barramundi with salsa)
from GUZMAN Y GOMEZ, Newtown. The burrito is voted to be the best burrito in Sydney.
GYG is Australia's first and most awarded fast casual Mexican restaurant concept.
- Use restaurant quality tri rump steak and chicken thigh fillets that are marinated overnight and grilled to perfection. The beef and pork are slow roasted for 13 hours until pull apart tender
- are grilled, seasoned and prepared before your eyes with only the freshest local ingredients and imported spiced and chillies found in Mexico.
- fast, delicios, healthy, flavoursome, nutritious. A great source of protein, low fat, low GI, low sugar, gluten free(tortillas), lactose free.
- was voted by Time Out Sydney for 'Best Cheap Eat.' Good quality food for a low price!
Guzman Y Gomez is named after two of (founder) Steven Mark's childhood friends.
My fav dish is the Barramundi Quesadillas. They also serve Corona and Margaritas. HmmYum .

DESSERTs

Fresh berries with passionfruit sauce and ice cream

Chocolate mudcake with ice cream
I have a friend from Melbourne who stayed at the Star city Hotel. We ordered this from the room service :)

ICE CREAM

Ben and Jerry Ice Cream, CHUNKY MONKEY (Banana Ice Cream with Fudge Chunks and Walnuts ), PEANUT COOKIE-BURRA DOUGH (Malt Ice Cream with globs of Peanut Butter Cookie Dough and a Peanut Butter Swirl), CHERRY GARCIA (Cherry Ice Cream with Cherries & Dark Chocolatey Chunks). With whipped cream. Say with me. HmmmmmMM

CAKEs
Black star pastries, Newtown.
Hm I don't really remember the cake names :) I think at the top-left is Orange & Passionfruit Cake, top-right is Lemon Curd Biscuit. Bottom-left is Coconut & Passionfruit Macaron, bottom-right is Pistachio and Apple tart?
They are all delicious :) I mean everything is delicious from that little Black Star Pastry kiosk :)

CHOCOLATE


Just William, Paddington.
Just William, handmade chocolate, retail shop, in William Street, Paddington, has become a landmark catering for the top end of the chocolate market since its establishment in 1984.
Just William Chocolate was awarded Gold Award in the Sydney Royal Cheese And Dairy Produce Show.
My favourites are the Grand Marnier Truffle &
70% Dark Chocolate Truffle (top-left, top-2nd-left)
(Truffles have a smooth texture centre consisting of a perfect blend of delicious pure chocolate, sugar, butter, honey, glucose, cream and the special flavouring ingredients of fruit, nuts or alcohol. The final stage is a coating of pure milk, dark or white chocolate.)

I also love The Gianduja cones (bottom) and Champagne ganache shells (the one that lookd like a shell). They also have a touch of gold on them !

Tequila bomb (third from top, far right) is A smooth flowing texture ganache crème centre topped with alcohol sauce. This perfectly balance centre is encased in a dome of delicious milk chocolate.

The Strawberry Echiona (middle,middle) and Strawberry Frappe (bottom,left) are delicious too. The frappé is fresh while the echiona has strawberry and strawberry marsmallow in it.

I think the prettiest one is the Lemon myrtle (third from top, in the middle). I bought it because of its looks. (when will I grow up huh).











How many hours should I run/exercise to burn off this calories, I wonder?

That's okay, I don't want/need to know the answer xx