A Lovely Nomination

I was so honoured to be nominated for a Liebster Award by the lovely Jacqui from Rethink Nutrition in Illawarra, NSW. Jacqui’s blog is a beautiful collection of nutritious recipes and thoughtful health posts that support a sustainable approach to healthy living. The thing I adore most about social media is the ability to connect with like-minded people around the globe. The ‘Liebster Award’ is a bit like a pat on the old back by fellow bloggers and a way of sharing new blogs and their beautiful content. It is also a wonderful way of gaining a little insight into the lives of those behind the blogs. It’s always so fascinating learning about people so thank you Jacqui for your humble nomination!

Once nominated for a Liebster Award, the rules are as follows:

Reveal 11 interesting facts about yourself
Answer the questions designated by the blogger who nominated you
Nominate other new bloggers for the Liebster Award
Give your nominees a list of questions they have to answer

So here goes, 11 interesting facts or things you may not know...

I never used to like dogs all that much – now I couldn’t live without one. Our Black Labrador Hank has quite literally changed my life. His wagging tail never fails to bring a smile to my face and I’m often in stiches of laughter over his ability to sleep on his back while all his man bits are left to fend for themselves! You can read more about my love for pooches here.
We don’t own a dishwasher. This means, I’m FOREVER washing dishes.
I often get told off for walking too fast or parking too far away from destinations. I don’t know what it is, but I just love walking! Fast.
I’m a terrible map reader – we are forever getting lost on road trips. I don’t think The Amazing Race would end well if I was in it!
I love meeting new people and asking them loads of questions. People are one of the most interesting things on the planet.
I used to play rugby and once represented Tasman. Although I was totally terrible and have no idea how I was ever selected. I did however wear very cool bright green boots! I mean highlighter green.
I was once completely fluent in Japanese and could write pages of Katakana and Kanji. Now I can’t remember much, if any Japanese, and Italian would be my second language of choice.
We once contemplated moving to rural New Zealand in the far North to grow carrots and fish. This mighty plan was conceived on a rainy afternoon at the Duke of Marlborough Hotel in Russell over bowls of steamed mussels and glasses of red wine. Now we enjoy a simple life on the fig orchard here in Marlborough with Hank and the family Labrador Pedro.
I come from a HUGE family. My dad has 14 brothers and sisters and my mum has eight. We have been known to have family Christmas celebrations in the Kaikoura Community Hall just so we could all fit!
All of the food I make and eat is gluten-free since being diagnosed just before my 21st birthday. I cried for days thinking I would only be able to eat rock hard gluten-free bread for the rest of my life that not even the birds would touch! Oh how times have changed.
My all-time favourite chef and one that I would love to eat with (or simply eat his food) is Jamie Oliver. I think that guy is an absolute rock star.

My questions from Jacqui at Rethink Nutrition…

Q1. What prompted you to start blogging?

It’s a fun way to share my passion for food, cooking and foodie-related adventures that underpin my nutrition philosophy. Just good honest wholefoods that are simple, nutritious and delicious.

Q2. Do you have a favourite local cafe?

Sure do! There are two local café’s that offer delectable healthy treats and nutritious lunches and they are BV Gourmet and Ritual. Ritual is also famous for its fish curry which is just delicious!

I also love trying new cafes whenever we go away. My poor husband always has our trips planned around eating establishments thanks to my hunger for food adventures! In Paris, we caught four different tubes to find the perfect flat white (pictured above) at Black Market in Montmartre. It was well worth the journey - as were the delectable tarts we found along the way (pictured below).

Q3. List 5 food items you always have stocked in your fridge or pantry

It would have to be thick Greek yoghurt, lemons, avocado, olive oil and nuts. Oh and right now figs but that’s six! Sorry!

Q4. A favourite quote

“Life may not be the party we’d hoped for, but while we’re here we may as well dance”. It was on a card given to me by my mum years ago and I have never forgotten it. It’s a lovely reminder to make the most of everything that life sends our way.

Q5. Tea or coffee and how do you take it?

Two years ago, I would have said tea, without a doubt – English Breakfast with a decent dash of milk. But now, since moving to a small town, I enjoy a daily coffee as my little connection back to the city. Normally an almond or soy milk flat white. Always regular.

Q6. What is one favourite place you have visited and one you would like to visit?

Italy is by far my favourite. I love it for the food, the people, their passion and the place. I have so many destinations on my bucket list, but I would love to visit the Amalfi Coast and Sicily as they are two Italian places I’m yet to visit. Also New York, Vietnam, Bali…the list goes on!

Q7. What book(s) is on your bedside table right now?

Dr Libby’s ‘Beauty from the Inside Out’ and ‘One Day’ by David Nicholls. The Bronze Horseman by Paulina Simmons is next on the cards. It’s quite possibly one of the best books ever written and I can’t wait to read it a second time. Thank you Missie & Roey for the recommendation!

Q8. Do you have a favourite, most thumbed through cook book?

Jamie Oliver has completely taken over our My Sky recording bank – I just love his recipes. Also, The Petite Kitchen Journal (the pages are literally taped back together!), My Daring Lemon Thyme by Emma Galloway and my little red book – a collection of all-time favourite recipes compiled over the years.

Q9. Are you a messy cook or a tidy chef?

My husband would most definitely say messy! He thinks I purposely try to use every dish in the house each time I cook. It’s by no means on purpose!

Q10. Describe Rethink Nutrition in 3 words

Lovely, inspiring and honest. Lovely comes to mind first, because I think of your lovely cups of tea and bowls of porridge, your adorable wee boy and the nautical top you wore with your lovely bunch of celery!

I now nominate the following blogs that I love to read and follow daily on Instagram for heavenly food inspiration…

Eat Well NZ – Nicola and I share a similar food philosophy. As a fellow NZ Registered Nutritionist I adore her no-nonsense nutrition blog posts, gorgeous recipes and simple snack ideas. I’m still drooling over Nicola’s homemade raspberry and passion fruit chocolates for Easter. I definitely need to make these soon!
Wild Health – Lucy’s Instagram posts are enough to send you running for the kitchen to whip up a colourful nutritious storm! They are always vibrant and healthy and are a constant source of inspiration. Lucy shares a common passion of mine which is workplace wellness – ensuring our place of work is one that promotes optimal health and well-being.
Country Kitchen – I was immediately fond of Hannah Jack’s recipes and blog posts. She lives on a lifestyle block and promotes a wholesome intake of seasonal foods which supports the local farmers. Hannah’s recipes are truly lovely. Be sure to check out her gorgeous images on Instagram for daily inspiration, including nutritious ideas for feeding kiddies too!

My questions for these lovely ladies are as follows…