First Race of the Year!

My, my, what are these? 

They belong to these two, smiling, sweaty (yes we know we are gross) faces.

The little chickpea and I took part in the Twilight Running Festival this evening!
A 4pm start for our 10km race was a nice change from early morning starts. Jess and I really enjoyed the beautiful weather and we were very lucky that the threatening black clouds held off all afternoon.
Finishing time was an unexpected joy at 1:02:52! We were both a little nervous, being morning runners, but the twilight seemed to agree with us!
Tonight we are putting our feet up, eating sushi, and watching lots of trashy TV.
Yep, post race pampering.
Who else has a race coming up soon?

International Women's Day

Today, dear readers, is International Women's Day.

Celebrated throughout the world on March 8th, it is:

 'an occasion for looking back on past struggles and accomplishments, and more importantly, for looking ahead to the untapped potential and opportunities that await future generations of women' (source) 

(source)

I would like to take this chance today to celebrate some of the amazing women who I am fortunate enough to have in my life as daily inspiration and examples of the amazing will and wonder of women.

First in line is my Mum. My first and strongest example of what it means, and what it takes, to be a woman today. This lovely lady is a tour de force of familial responsibility, friendship, personal and professional advice, and warm fuzziness. Of course, as with most mother-daughter relationships we have had our differences, but I can honestly say that this beautiful woman who carried me, and cared for me is a filament of gold woven through the fabric of my life. Mama Chickpea taught me that you should always see both sides, choose a positive outlook on your day with every sunrise, always look to turn a stranger into a friend, and that a cup of tea will solve most problems. Love you Mama.

The next two amazing women who stand as pillars in my mind are my sisters. One of blood, one of coincidence, my darling Jess (little Chickpea) and the beautiful Casey. These ladies are a complex synergy of hard work, dedication, young wisdom, and (it must be said) downright silly dancing and singing combinations. There is no problem that I cannot present to them and receive advice or comfort, or a taste tester. When I am down, they are the ones with the ladder and the light to help me out of despair and illuminate the way forward.

Both of my grandmothers also stand as legendary female characters and influences in my life.
My paternal grandmother (sadly passed) raised five children, built a house and home, married her teenage sweetheart and helped out those in her community. Nanny Dawn, you left an incredible legend behind to live up to.
My maternal grandmother, Mormor (Danish for mother's mother), survived German-occupied Denmark during World War two, left Denmark and all her family to move to Australia with two young girls (Mama and my aunty) and build a life in a new country where she didn't even speak the language. Mormor has always encouraged me to march to the beat of my own drum, and I owe much of my gypsy spirit to this lady.

My closest high school friends whose friendship has followed me into adulthood: Caroline, Josie and Laura. You ladies let me slip back into that easy lunch time feeling and the conversations that we had all those years ago beneath the shade of our favourite Jacaranda tree. The passing years have taken all of us on different adventures but our bond is as strong as those school girl days.

Samantha, my co-chief bridesmaid and one of the most beautiful souls who blesses my life with her presence in it. You are just at the start of an amazing journey little sister, take every day as your own.

 I would also like to take this opportunity on International Women's Day to point out that not only is it amazing women who support the achievements and advancement of females in our society. There are so many men who play a role in actively promoting female interests and encouraging the women in their lives. I must thank my Dad who always wanted only daughters (be careful what you wish for) and then along with Mama set about showing us that there are no limits to what a girl can do. My Dad taught me to cook, hammer a nail, how to watch motor sports, the best way to eat ice cream and jelly, and has supported his daughters in their every endeavour.

Dear readers, happy International Women's Day. Take today to celebrate the accomplishments of the amazing women in your life. Look back on how far we have all come and the path of those that have marched before us.
Be proud to be a woman. To be in an age where there is nothing to stop any of us from achieving our dreams and ambitions. Look at all the women who are powerful figures in our own lives and those who are making decisions and blazing new trails around the world, then set yourself the challenge of being your own woman of distinction.
You don't have to be the first woman on an all male basketball team, there are so many ways that we can set an example of what it means to be a woman today.
Take ownership of your physical self. Love your body, whatever shape it comes in, show it care and attention and take health as your goal rather than deprivation and loathing.
Love your mind, learn from every day and every person you meet. Read, write, create, experiment, share stories and memories. Find mentors and companions who challenge you and support you to grow.
Nourish your spirit. Look for meaning in every day moments. Count your blessings every day.
Love wildly and without reserve.
Make the most of your every precious heart beat.
Be empowered in your life by the lives of those around you.
We are women, watch us soar.

Banana Chocolate Muffins for Bobby C.

It is strange how much can change in the turn of a year. I am one of those sappy sentimental types who loves to look back over the course of time and see the progression of my life, and the lives of those around me, at any given opportunity.
You should have seen me on New Year's Eve. I was a moist-eyed, messy haired maelstrom of emotion.
Anyway, the strangest things can transport me into reflecting over the year, and today it just happened to be the price of bananas.
Please, stay with me, I promise there is a point, a recipe, and some photos, very soon!
This time last year Brisbane was in the early stages of cleaning up after our horrendous floods. Every day there were new reports of the extent of the devastation and the millions of dollars of work that needed to be done to put people's lives back together. I won't deny that there are so many people still suffering the after effects, but there is still help available and still work goes on.

Shortly after the floods northern Queensland was severely affected by cyclone Yasi. Again, communities were leveled, whole lifetimes swept away along with houses and possessions and all the banana crops.
Here in Brisbane, in the areas not affected by the flood, such as where I live, one of the major symptoms of the natural disasters plaguing our state was the price of bananas. Such a silly thing, but here it is a type of barometer for our society. In Brisbane, that means that when bananas hit $15 a kilogram, something is wrong.
Sometimes in life it is those common daily objects and foods that we rely on to indicate normality and maintain consistency when all else goes awry. Over the past couple of months when there have been some major shifts in my life the rhythm of the everyday, the dulling, soothing regularity of household tasks has been a blessing. You just surrender to the familiarity, and you know that those everyday things, those simple parts of life, mean that when you look at the bigger picture, when you are able to, everything really will be all right.
Now, a year after the floods, and what a year it has been, I saw bananas at the market today for 29 cents a kilogram. 2012 might be a restful year after all. The banana always knows.

These muffins were made for my Dada, Bobby C.

Banana Chocolate Muffins for Bobby C.


I used a scale to measure all large quantities of ingredients, wet into one bowl and dry into another. It made for easier cleaning up! To convert grams to ounces simply use this handy little calculator.
Makes 20 medium sized muffins.


Ingredients
225 grams plain flour
115 grams brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder

170 grams milk
3 small bananas, or two medium
Juice of one lemon
2 large eggs
50 grams rice bran oil (or other mild flavoured oil)
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

2/3 cup chopped dark chocolate

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees Celsius. Line two muffin tins with 20 paper liners, or spray with cooking spray.
2. In a large mixing bowl mash bananas with the lemon juice, you want them to be mostly liquid but a few banana chunks are okay and will caramelise slightly when baked.
3. Into the banana bowl weigh the other wet ingredients; milk, eggs, oil, and vanilla bean paste.
4. In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, salt and baking powder.
5. Add dry ingredients to the banana mixture and stir until mostly combined, then gently fold in the nuggets of dark chocolate.
6. Spoon mixture into prepared pans and bake for approximately 15-18 minutes, swapping trays between top and bottom halfway through the cooking time. 
7. Allow to cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

End of January Update on My New Year's Goals

Today ends the first month of this year, can you believe that it is already over!
I struggle with accepting the passage of time, however even I cannot argue with the calendar as it ticks over to the second month of the year. It is an opportune moment to reflect on how I am going towards achieving the goals that I have set for myself in 2012, and insert some pretty pictures of the gardenias I was pleasantly surprised to see had survived our recent stream of daily down pours.

Career:
University has yet to commence for the year, I have bought some of my textbooks though and swapped the big comfy couch in my room for a small desk and wooden chair so I feel that I am readying my space for study, as well as my mind.
I have yet to submit any articles to health, fitness, food or lifestyle magazines but I will do better to look for these opportunities.
In preparation for going back to university my workplace has dropped me down to two days per week. At the moment these days are being filled with domestic duties, but I am eager for study to start as I feel a little anxious when I don't have something to do! My garden and mastering the art of the yeasted bread are going to fill some of the remaining weeks though.

Fitness:
The first race for this year isn't until March but I have already gathered my girls (it is the International Women's Day Run after all!) and Jess will be running with me, and Mum will be walking (with Dad, our honorary girl...).
I have been getting into a better routine with my fitness and I have taken some of the pressure off myself. Last week I managed three runs, this week I hope to do the same and then step it up. I am trying a more balanced approach and have started incorporating some yoga, circuit training DVDs (I am a Jillian Michaels junkie, no apologies - she makes my least favourite activity, strength, get over and done with in 20 minutes), and soon to start CrossFit style class at my gym. I am trying this for the first time tomorrow so we'll see how I go and whether I will be able to type tomorrow night...
Last year I spent so much time on the treadmill that I started to resent it. I didn't want to keep pounding away and staring at an orange wall, I took a step back and just started walking at an incline, and now when I am hungry to start running again I am slowly getting back to it. I just need to be mindful to nourish my body and mind with exercise rather than being strict and punishing with it.

Fun Stuff:
I bought some beautiful 'beefsteak' tomato plants to go in my garden, accompanied by heirloom beets (they are striped white and red inside!), yellow bell peppers and some sage and oregano. This week my 'weed patch' shall begin its transformation into a mini Eden.
Mum and I also attacked the fabric store and came out with patterns and fabric for several outfits. Yet to put needle to material as yet, but I am prepared now!
Oh and pie crust! That could be my mission until I go back to uni!! Wonder if I'll be able to find taste testers?
Any favourite pies out there, I am willing to take suggestions

Wedding Week Begins!

In seven days my little sister will wed her best friend and soul mate. Accordingly, this weekend was her hen's night and the girls had to go out!
We started off with our weekly visit to the farmer's markets where Sam joined us! She has just flown in for the wedding (she's Jessica's other best friend and our third bridesmaid!) and of course a catch up breakfast and coffee was essential.

After doing our weekly provision gathering trip, and a final try on of the bridal gown and bridesmaids dresses it was time for the fun to begin! Unfortunately Sam couldn't join us because she had another wedding on this weekend (she is a very popular lady!).
Jess, Casey and I headed down to the Gold Coast to meet up with the rest of the lovely ladies who would be part of the Spring Chicken night proceedings. I refuse to call it her hen's night, she's too young to be a hen!
We stayed at the Crowne Plaza Surfer's Paradise, which I had never been to before but we were pleasantly surprised and enjoyed our stay very much!

The view from our hotel room

 We also happened to spot some filming happening around the pool area. Jess and Casey were very excited to notice that Kevin Federline (Britney Spear's ex-husband) and several other celebrities were filming the new Australian television weight loss show 'Excess Baggage'.

Celebrities!

 I was much more interested in our other views of the Gold Coast hinterland and the beautiful Pacific Ocean. We were so fortunate to have such a great view and a gorgeous day to enjoy.

The canal estates that make up part of the Gold Coast.

 We settled in for a little while to wait for the rest of the girls to arrive and plan our next move.

The bride in serious consultation with Casey about the location of the best ice cream shops.

It was a little too cool to go swimming and so we settled on walking to the main mall strip of the coast. I also discovered that my darling sister had never had Royal Copenhagen Ice Cream before, such a travesty that we quickly had to remedy it before she became a married woman!

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!

 As the afternoon drew on we made our way along the beach and back to the hotel.

Hugging it out.
No need to mention the large dose of ocean water Casey had just splashed all over Jess... 

After some primping and preening we started our night at the hotel bar with a little aperitif. Jessica and I chose a lovely white wine.

The beautiful bride, ready to celebrate.

In search of some delicious dinner we had made reservations at the Amalfi Bistro and Wine Bar at the Watermark Hotel. The service was brilliant, the food was amazing and the company was stunning!
We started with two appetizer plates to share; an antipasto platter and a trio of dips with toasted Turkish bread. Then our mains arrived and I was especially happy when I learnt they had gluten free pasta for a delicious primavera for this chickpea.

Heather, Jess and Fiona

Amanda, Micaela and Jess

Part of the Bridal party - Casey, Jess and I!

After a very satiating dinner we needed to walk a little and we wandered up to Cavill Avenue in search of our type of fun. And so it came to pass that our merry band of travellers stumbled into a gaming arcade! Who says a hen's night has to include cocktails and people taking their clothes off when there can be......
Bumper cars!

Oh Trent, I watched her drive --- don't let her use your car even if she is your new wife!

 And giant teddy bears just out of reach (don't worry she didn't frown for long)....

And Dance Dance Revolution!

The Dancing Queens!

The last stop of the night was Max Brenner - of course the night must end with chocolate! Our transportation for the night was mostly by foot but we were very lucky to have a wonderful taxi driver, who goes by the name 'Gordo the Great' who we were surprised to bump into every time we needed to get off our feet for a while and try some wheeled transportation!
This morning we were met with a beautiful dawn and a delicious discovery in Bumbles Cafe. Set in an old house that also had a dark past as a brothel the cafe now has a shabby chic vibe and each room is decorated in it's own style. We were seated for breakfast in 'the library'.

Gorgeous dressers, flowers and candles decorated every room.

This says it all really!

The bride ready for breakfast!

In order to gain the bride's view I asked for her highlight of the weekend, strangest experience and stand out moment.

Highlight: Eating ice cream on the beach with all her friends.

Strangest experience: Being asked by a stranger who spotted her 'bride to be' sash whether she was off to marry Justin Bieber! (don't worry she is far far too old for him, we just have great genes).

Stand out moment: Reliving her childhood at the games arcade - being grown up is highly overrated! 

All in all a wonderful weekend and great start to Wedding Week countdown.

Only 6 days left until the bells will start ringing!

Planning for another wonderful year!

Here we are four days into the new year. Seems pretty promising to me so far.
Then again, success over the past four days has been measured in getting some physical activity in, eating salad for lunch and trying to curb my holiday season chocolate hangover cravings.
While I don't necessarily believe in putting off change until a specific date turns over, every minute really is a chance to start living an authentic life in my mind, the first week of January is usually a quiet reflective time to mull over what has occurred in the previous twelve months. A time to assess where your journey is taking you, and whether you want your course to continue in that direction or whether you have different dreams.
Last year I had certain circumstances that changed my dreams for the future, and then again at the end of the year those dreams changed again when I found myself having to reassess where I was headed the choices I had made based on that old situation.

When the clock hit midnight on New Years Eve I realised that the vision I had made for myself for 2012 was no longer relevant. Cue a little bit of sadness and some mild panic. I am a girl who likes to have a list, at least a vague map of my terrain so that I can enjoy my journey.
I love getting lost when I go on holidays, adventure feeds a deep part of my soul; however I do like to have an idea of what I am doing with these precious days of my life.
Therefore I have decided on some goals, dreams and changes for 2012, and I thought I would share them with all of you.

Amy's Goals for 2012:

Career:

1. Complete my Graduate Diploma in Writing, Editing and Publishing.
• As mentioned in this post I am going back to university this year. The plan has changed slightly and I am now taking a year long course that will get me closer to my dream of working in the world of the written word.
2. Submit at least two articles to magazines, websites or newspapers.

(Source)

Fitness:

1. Run at least six races.
• I was planning on doing two half marathons but as I am going back to university full time for the year and also working part time I have decided to concentrate on the shorter distances this year. But aim to run them super fast! (Well, faster than I do right now...)
• Here they are so far:
• March - 5km International Women's Day Fun Run
• March - 10km Twilight Run (run just on dark, not because of vampires)
• May - 8km Mother's Day Classic
• July - 10km Gold Coast
• August - Brisbane Running Festival 10km
• September - 10km Bridge to Brisbane
2. Add more strength training and cross training to my schedule.
• Aim for two strength training sessions per week
• Try to add swimming and a gym class every week to vary my routine and decrease boredom. 

(Source)

Fun Stuff:

1. Make the perfect pie crust
2. Learn to sew and make myself something to wear
3. Grow my own tomatoes
4. Read one 'fun' book per month, that is, something that isn't on my syllabus for university
5. Spend a whole weekend at the beach
6. Knit a scarf

So there you have my goals for 2012, some planning is required to make them successful (for example, asking Mum to teach me how to use a sewing machine!) but these are achievements that I hope I can check off my list through the year, and look back on in another twelve months time. I am sure there will be many other adventures over the next 362 days and I look forward to what the universe sends me, and sharing those unexpected rainbows with you all as well.

Mostly what I wish for this year is just as much happiness as I had in 2011 and as much precious time with my family and friends as possible.

What are your plans or wishes for 2012?