Healthy Food: October 2011

Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween Weekend: Piñata bashing kids, Hawaiian fancy dress and Zombie walks in Sydney (31 Oct 2011)

Dress ups for the young and old

Sydney certainly seems to be gaining an accepting interest in Halloween each year but we're still a fair way off on how the USA goes over the top, especially when it comes to fancy dress. I fondly remember visiting Hawaii in 2010 where the main street of Waikiki became a free for all party central of 1000s of amazing costumes — still some of the best I've ever seen. A small army of five green soliders at the ATM was unbeatable followed closely by the creepy masked puppet on a tricycle from the SAW movie. This year was filled with a scary visit to a household full of kids hyped up on sugar, twirling sticks with surprising strength at a defenseless piñata in the backyard. I've never seen kids so determined to get to the lollies that they knew were inside. The Sydney Zombie Walk was also on Saturday which had an impressive turn out of a very scary and devoted entourage that brought Elizabeth Street to a stand still.

Boo — now eat me! Yummy chocolate cake.

Cupcakes complete with spiders

Food for the picking

Tasty ribs of massive proportions — hope it's not human

Halloween decor

Complete with a black cat

Piñata bashing time

A successful hit brings screams of joy for lollies

Witch greeting and Pumpkin piñata

Aussie tradition — beers in a bucket

Halloween in Hawaii

Green army soliders hold up ATM — best costume ever!!!

SAW puppet on tricycle

Lots of great costumers

Sydney Zombie Walk 2011

Check out more photos and video of Sydney Zombie Walk 2011

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Sydney Sunrise Global Champagne Day 2011, The American Club, CBD Sydney (28 Oct 2011)

Level 14, 131 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000
http://www.theamericanclub.com.au

Bubbles of global happiness

Thanks to the bubbly and effervescent Champagne Jayne for inviting me along to her Sydney Champagne Day celebration which was both educational and fun. A selection of quality champagnes were on offer to take guests through a palate journey of appreciation guided by hosts Jayne Powell and Ed Carr (sparkling winemaker). The final champagne tasting of Armand de Brignac was apparently awarded World's No. 1 champagne by FINE Champagne Magazine. With a spare AUD $550 you'd be able to pick up a bottle from Champagne Gallery. There were some champagnes I preferred over others but I tried them all too quickly due to arriving a bit late to take notice of which ones they were. The event was held on Level 14 of the The American Club which boasted fantastic views over the Royal Botanic Gardens and towards Sydney harbour. To come back and enjoy a drink at the bar you'd actually have to be a member which isn't cheap at $845.25/year, although if you're between 21 and 28 you get it for $556.50. I think most of their business is through corporate events and weddings which the space seems well-suited for.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Quality champagnes to celebrate Champagne Day, Venue space has great views over Sydney Harbour

CONS: There's no signage outside the building to let you know where The American Club is so you have to make sure you take notice of the address

MUST TRY: Celebrating Champagne Day next year

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