I Love You, Brisbane

What an incredible week.

I don't even know where to begin. This time last week all of Brisbane was waiting for the world as we know it to end. And it did.

I'm sure you've heard all the details. Seen the devastation in Toowoomba, Lockyer Valley, Ipswich, Brisbane... Ive watched hours and hours of news broadcasts in the last week and listened to just as much radio coverage describing the destruction but nothing can prepare you for driving the streets and seeing people's lives on the footpath. Looking into the open front doors of house after house, street after street and seeing homes completely gutted, only their frames remaining.

What I also didn't expect was the abundance of incredible kindness shown by thousands of volunteers around my beautiful city, out there in the middle of summer in the essential long pants and shirts, gumboots and gloves, helping anyone they can. It is truly overwhelming.

I contributed on Saturday by supplying volunteers with plenty of homemade goods and drinks but got the chance to physically help out on Sunday. We were on the other side of the goodwill that day and the drinks and sausages (well not for the vegos) were so gratefully received. You dont have to do much. You just have to do SOMETHING and thankfully, a lot of people are <3

Incase youve been asleep for a week... A GALLERY OF THE CLEAN UP

Image from tripadvisor.com

Who needs butter to bake?

I used to do a bit of baking before becoming vegan but I seriously have never tasted any cakes more delicious than those I've made (or just eaten) using no eggs, butter or milk. Vegan baking is amazing!

If in doubt, please PLEASE try making this one at home.

My fab friend A came over for pre Christmas drinks with a case full of alcohol that she kindly left behind. For some reason she thought I like a nip of Kahlua in my daily coffee so a bottle of the good stuff was amongst the booze. Seriously, Im not at that stage yet but I certainly didn't say no to free alcohol.

Once I found out Kahlua was vegan, I jumped online to find some delicious recipes. And this is what we got. 

The recipe:
Chocolate-Kahlua Birthday Cake…

Oh. Em. Gee. This cake is freaking amazing. So incredibly moist, not too dense and just the right amount of chocolate, coffee and liqueur.


I think I need another piece...

Happy New Year?

I hope so.

2010 was probably the saddest year of my life. My grandfather passed away in May, just one month before the 1 year anniversary of my grandmother's death. Nana dying was by far the worst thing to ever happen to me. We we very close, even closer than my mother and I so it hit me really hard. I was still grieving for her when my Pop passed and the sadness and guilt of his death was magnified. Not guilt because I felt responsible but guilt because I didn't see him enough. I had meant to visit him for a couple of weeks before he died and only went to call him the day before he passed but forgot and I was so incredibly angry at myself for letting that opportunity pass. I hope he knows that I loved him, even if I found it hard to show him xo

2010 was also the year I 'lost' my best friend.  We had been friends since grade 8 in high school but past experiences taught me that she wasn't a person that could be relied on or even trusted and I guess I finally had enough. I have made some lovely friends in the last 12 months and even though we aren't really close, I found that I could rely on them more than my 'best' friend of 15+ years. It was incredibly sad to admit and she now knows how I feel so if the friendship is ever to be mended, the ball is in her court. I do miss her terribly but life is far too short to waste time on people that treat you like shit!

So moving on! That's the goal. I do have some resolutions and will hopefully be able to stick to them!

1. Save $$, don't spend it!
HA! I felt physically ill when I realised how much disposable cash we blew last year :S M and I could've easily taken 2 lengthy overseas holidays but what did we go? Nowhere! We have a few big things planned for the future so its time to curb the spending and start seriously saving!

2. Eat better - cook more!
February 2011 will mark 12 months of veganism for M and I. When we first started out, everything was new and exciting and I enjoyed trying out new recipes and foods. Fast forward 10 months, add a hectic work and social schedule and most of our meals consist of grilled vegetables on toast or potatoes! Seriously boring and not too nutritious. So this year, I vow to get back to being creative (or at least active) in the kitchen :)

3. Get more sleep
Most nights I work freelance after hours and it takes a little time to unwind before bed so we rarely go to sleep before midnight on a school night. This leads to 7:45am wake ups when we need to leave for work at 8! I'm sick of the rushing around in the mornings and would like a little more time at home so bed at 10:30 each night is the goal...

4. Read more
This seems to be a popular resolution for a few friends. I miss reading and getting lost in different worlds but rarely get the time. I'm going to try and spend less time online and more time with my nose a book. I closed my Facebook down just after Christmas so hopefully that will help. I do still have my Twitter though...