Sharing bread,wine and Art

On Friday night,along with several others, I ventured to Bread in Common in Fremantle after an Art opening where my friend had successfully sold a piece. It was getting late and we were hungry so we sat cosily up at the bar with a drink while we waited for a table. It wasn't long and we were led to a nice one by the window.
The wine sharing had begun and our artist had savoured an exquisite espresso martini so it was now down to perusing the menu. Well the bread features highly here and I would go out on a limb to say the sourdough was  indeed to die for, married with delicious olive oil and a fabulous hazel nutty, sesame and pepita dukka..well you could dine out on that alone. However, I also shared some pumpkin and lentils with a curry flavour that was so easy to devour. There were actually a good number of vegetable choices to share or covet. Of course a lot of variety for the carnivores amongst us, mainly made for sharing..oh and did I mention the bread. This is a popular and busy place which speaks for itself but I love it so I'm giving it a plug!

http://www.breadincommon.com.au/

Brunching in the Hood

The Gill St Cafe & Deli was buzzing when I ventured in there for brunch this morning. I'm new to this neighbourhood and was with a friend who hadn't ever ventured over this way. The blackboard menu was brimming with delicious choices...I wondered about vegan options..although this wasn't for long.The friendly girl at the counter was quick to point out some substitutions which soon had me content with a delicious serve of wholegrain toast topped with tomato and avocado and a serve of beans (and I don't mean the heinz baked variety)!

There's a quiet little heated deck out the back if you prefer not to be  inside amongst it all. Finally, I must  mention the coffee ..it was just to my taste..
Nice to know it's a 15 minute walk to go back.

Bountiful Harvest in the Western Suburbs

Looking for Vegan fare yonder of Freo? Look no further than Nature's Harvest 20 Napolean Street, Cottesloe
http://www.naturesharvest.com.au/
It's  been a long time since I've visited Nature's harvest one of the earliest health food places in this neck of the woods. They've expanded over the years and you can now dine in on a spread of warm and/ cooling delights such as daal and stir fried tofu with veges. They juice or smoothy loads and the sweets cabinet will put you in to vegan dessert overdrive.
 The staff were extremely attentive even when they got quite busy.  This is no secret to the locals but for anyone from another part of town wanting to visit Cott or just pass through; this is a health foodie treat. Our waitress Gabrielle was most pleasant ,she even retrieved my phone for me when I absentmindedly left without it.
Last but not least amazing coffee, amazing, my first for the day and well worth the wait!

Fruity Vegan Bliss Balls

I've been experimenting with some little sweet vegan treats. These are simple to prepare and provide a quick and satisfying mid morning or afternoon snack.  The flavour is mild and they are less dense that your usual raw bliss balls.
You will need:

•  1 1/2 cups of  Medjoul dates ( de-seeded)
•  3/4 cup almond milk
•  3/4 cup nuts ( I used a combination of almonds and cashews) blitzed
• 1 cup of quick oats
• 1 dessertspoon of coconut oil
• Cacao to roll balls in  (sifted)
• Toasted coconut or toasted sesame seeds

Method:
1. Boil the dates up on the stove with the almond milk. You want them to be smooth and squishy. Don't be afraid to add more almond milk.
2. When the dates are soft  blitz the nuts in a food processor or juice blender you can leave some chunky bits.
3.  Add the coconut oil and melt in to the warm date mixture.
4. Combine the oats in to the mixture and add more liquid if necessary. The mixture will be tacky but once you roll it in the cacao it will be more manageable.
5. Prepare the coconut and the sesame seeds. I toasted mine for 30 seconds in the microwave but feel free to leave them raw.
 6. Roll the mixture in to balls and gently coat in the cacao.
7. Roll each one in to the coconut or sesame seeds.
8. Leave in the fridge to firm up.

Divine Dawn

Creativity keeps me healthy and focused. Last night I returned to participate in an Art Class facilitated by my lovely friend Dawn Meader.  http://www.dawnmeader.com/
 It seemed like ages and I will admit the last time I picked up a pastel was in one of these wonderful gatherings.

Dawn has other delicious activities in her repertoire including retreats to Bali.
Here are some images capturing my clouds inspired by the work of W.H. Turner (1789-1862). Drawing and painting has a meditative quality; you need to remain in the moment and much introspection is required.
I will be returning next week.

Manna from heaven

 I Slipped in to Manna Wholefoods for lunch. It's hard to resist anything here and you are never disappointed with the quality nor the quantity. I bumped in to a treasured girlfriend which is always a treat. So I had the gluten free ,vegan Vegetable stack and took home something chocolatey and raw for home time.

The shelves are filled with luxury goods made with due care and doing no harm. So eat, drink and savour the ambiance and share the secrets the locals have been in on for eons. Oh and the coffee was good!

Vans on track for vegan diners

Catching up with an old friend I had fond memories of Vans. Last time I was here hosting a vegan & tonight, I'm the vegan go figure? They couldn't have done enough for me. I settled on the Mee Goreng, with a few alterations like no egg & rice noodles it was delicious!! I'm living nearby so I will be here again!

Way to work fuel at Coffea Fine Espresso

I found this little nook in Applecross as I deviated from the highway to do a rat run to work via the river. This leafy suburb of large houses and Range Rovers has a quaint village in the centre. I happened across a neat little  cafe which has now become my go to for coffee before work. It has a buzz and yet a relaxed feel and the staff are lovely and friendly. No arrogant baristas here; just a great coffee, to take on the road or to savour amongst the locals and the trees.

Juicy Beetroot hidden jewel in Freo centre

Yesterday I lunched at the Juicy Beetroot in Fremantle. A staple location well known to the local vegan stalwarts and to those who have cottoned on to the tasty, healthy  and avoidable food.  You can get a bowl brimming with goodness for $11 and the coffee is sublime. If you look hard you may even see some of the local footballers of the purple variety. Another thing to love about Freo.

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