SURPRISE :: I'M PREGNANT

If you hadn't noticed, I've been MIA from the blog since leaving Italy in the middle of August - you could be forgiven for thinking I have been in hibernation and depression at having left one of my favourite countries on the globe, no longer getting the best pizza known to man kind, sipping espressos on street corners, or trying my best to wax lyrical and immerse my senses into all things language, food and culture... but no, I have another excuse. A big whopper valid reason.

TRAVEL :: THE BEST GELATO IN ROME

Gelato. It goes hand in hand with pizza and coffee when I think of Italy. And it's something that I have no issue eating on the daily whilst I'm over in the country I love so much.

The history of gelato dates back to the 16th century. Sicilian-born Francesco Procopio dei Coltelli, undoubtedly was one of the most influential individuals in the history of gelato, was among the first to sell it to the public, spreading its popularity throughout Europe.

The history of gelato is closely tied to two regions: Dolomite in the far north of Italy, and Sicily in the far south. In Dolomite gelato was made with milk, cream, sugar, eggs, and natural flavours. In the far south, the gelato was predominantly water based. Lower in fat and slightly higher in sugar content, it was called sorbetto or "sorbet" in English. That's all the dairy free flavours I get to choose from, although more and more gelateria's offer dairy-free creamy gelato as well, not just sorbet.

In Rome, gelato is a must. Firstly the city is off the coast so in summer you can't cool off in the sea, and secondly because it's the most scenic city to stroll around in. And strolling is always made better with a refreshing gelato to lick.

So here are a few of my fav's and a few well-known incredible spots to find gelato in my favourite city of all of Europe, The Eternal City, Roma.

BEST CURE FOR JET-LAG :: PREVENTION

I get asked time and time again what to do when trying to get through the hell that can be jet-lag... and to be honest I'm yet to come up with something that actually works besides riding the waves, getting into the local time zone and sleep times as quickly as you can, drinking plenty of water and avoiding caffeine after midday.

However when it comes to preventing jet lag, that's a different story. It's also the most effective way to avoiding it in the first place. And one I can help you with.

NOURISH :: FRESH FIGS WITH PROSCUITTO E MOZZARELLA

I have been drooling over figs the past 2 months in Europe and this week on Ischia we have been nothing short of blessed and showered in local figs left, right and centre.

We also learnt a thing or two about them.

7 TIPS FOR PROBLEM SKIN WHEN TRAVELLING (FROM MY FACIALIST)

Travel can mess up even the most flawless skin we all know. An old friend of mine Zoe Marshall posted on her social media on last week how her skin went rogue after her recent 2 weeks in Europe. Chrissy Teigen opts to look like Freddy Krueger when flying knowing airplane air is the worst for you skin. And dancer-slash-actress-slash-activewear designer Julianne Hough cleanses her face halfway through a flight, then follows that up with a toning pad, knowing that prevention is better than cure at the other end of the flight. (Source)

TRAVEL :: WHAT DO I TAKE IN MY SUPPLEMENT BAG?

It's no secret I love to travel. But with a background in Nutritional Medicine, I cannot help but consider what I put into my mouth, including supplements that may benefit me from time to time. When I travel, it's highly likely I'm eating different foods (especially when out of Australia), drinking more red wine than usual, sleeping differently, and in different time zones, and then of course with exchange rates and not knowing whether or not you will be able to find certain things shall you require them, half my luggage is usually supplement bottles.

Now everyone is different in what they may be taking regularly, and again whilst travelling. But I have been asked more than a few times this week alone, what my recommendations are for supplements when travelling. So I thought why not curate a list for you.

TRAVEL GUIDE :: EPIC FOOD IN PARIS

You guys know my love affair with food... I mean it's the reason I travel! Besides my love of travel itself, obviously. I spend all my money on local foods, restaurants, sweets, treats, breads, spreads, coffees, drinks, restaurants, cafes, supermarkets and local markets ~ I'm not joking. I spent 27 euros on new sneakers here as I left mine in Switzerland! I was prepared to spend 30 euros, no more. My money here is for food.

And here is a rap up on some of the best places we found during our week spent in Paris.

TRAVEL GUIDE :: CALIFORNIA ROAD TRIPS

Image from here

There are so many incredible parts of California to explore that you could live there for a year and still not see them all I'm sure of it. After our month long stint in Venice, we borrowed a mate's Ford Mustang (of course) and shifted gears outta the city life and into dirt mountains, rocky crests, aqua waters and a slower pace of life. 

Here are a few of my fav's from our second month in Cali, on the road.

TRAVEL GUIDE :: VENICE, CALIFORNIA

Life in Venice California. Without sounding unhappy at the fact that I am currently in Paris typing this... TAKE ME BACK! #SecondHome

For one month, B and I were living smack in the middle of an epic epicentre of awesomeness!! We felt it, and have also had it confirmed by a local. There are 4 main roads in Venice and it’s the space in between them all where magic happens! And we were living in the middle of it all ~ a very cool, lengthy, synchronistic tale as to how we nabbed the place we did as well. Added bonus, is that these 4 roads are the hippest places for food, coffee, and shopping in Venice, and they are all walking distance from where we were living on 6th Ave.

CALIFORNIA: MY FAV PRE-PACKED SNACKS WHEN ON THE GO

If you've been following me on Instagram and Snapchat, you already likely know that I LOVE finding epic snacks when I travel. It still amuses my partner ~ I've worked in health food shops for 5 or 6 years and am still a kid in a lolly shop when I see one! I walk on in, love seeing what brands are stocked, try and find new things I haven't tried, chat to the staff and check out the interior design! Call me crazy! But y'all know I travel to eat! And thus the inspiration for this vlog post.

HOW TO KEEP FIT WHILST TRAVELLING

It's no secret I like to travel. But you may not know that I am also very much a creature of habit. I love routine. I love structure. I love similarities. But, I also love travel, and travel with my partner is typically off-the-cuff and spontaneous, whilst also always being incredibly serendipidous, its ridiculous. And it has definitely taught me to be less of a control freak.

However, I also know that if I don't work out in the morning, by midday I'm one cranky bitch to be around. And lucky for me my man loves movement just as much as I do so it happens daily. The only thing is, in a new city it can be hard on a control freak to find her groove.

MY SUPER COOL IDEA ~ WHATTA YA THINK?

I HAVE A SUPER COOL IDEA!! And I want to share it with you and see what you think of it!

My time over here in California so far has been nothing short of epic, however I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel a little unsettled at times ~ feeling unease, uncertainty, confusion and overwhelm as I try to sit with not knowing what it is I would love to do everyday if money and time were no option.

THE TASTIEST + QUICKEST BREAKFAST EVER!!

Lately I've been hooked on protein pancakes and protein waffles (which are essentially the same thing with a minor ingredient tweak, although waffles can look so much prettier when plating up!)

I think it's the cooler mornings here than the heat I am used too back in Cairns, as to why my regular smoothie has taken a hit, and waffles have become my morning go-to.

Now, what I wanted to let you know here is HOW QUICK and EASY these are to make. If you've made my protein pancake recipe, you'll know how simple it is. However, you do have to wait for it to cook, and then flip it, all up cooking for 10-15 minutes sometimes. With waffles though, they are good to go in less than 3-4 minutes. Which if you're rushing in the mornings, or have cranky hungry kids to feed pronto, this is a godsend!

OVERWHELM :: FIND YOUR FLOW AGAIN (VIDEO)

So I’ve been in California now for 2 weeks and it feels like we’ve been here a month!

I absolutely love it here, but as an A-Type with mild OCD, control issues and who operates mostly from logic... I'd be lying if I said it's all been smooth sailing and rainbow watching (although we have seen a rainbow. And it was after being rained on. Yep. Even in California!).

So after 14 days of ups and downs, I think I've finally worked out my flow. What I need to stay sane and happy. And thought, why not share it with you, as these can work for anyone, anywhere (not just crazy Aussies finding their way around LA).

FIT N’ FAB 5 DAY CHALLENGE

My FREE 5 Day Challenge is starting soon - April 4th to be exact and I would LOVE to have you there!

~ 5 Days of Nutrition, Movement and Fun ~

Get back on track after the Easter indulgence and nourish your body from the inside out.

HOT CROSS BUNS :: MY FAVOURITE RECIPES FROM FOOD BLOGGERS

If you're anything like me, when it comes to cooking, baking and creating any particular "special occasion food", you do it last minute. You know and are fully aware that said special occasion is approaching, nearing and almost here... and that along with it comes that special-occasion-food you love, but you still manage to actually put two and two together and go "Let's create a recipe a week early". Nup. It's just not how you roll. So it's last minute, you've got to work around public holiday shop closes, an just follow someone else's recipe, coz hey... You know it already works.

Hot Cross Buns.

EASTER SPECIAL: CLEANSE PACKAGE

It's nearly here!!! I usually love Easter as it's an excuse to go see my family, however this year I won't be venturing south to see them as I've had, and continue to have, many trips planned this year that I can't really do another right now.

But that's ok. I'll see them all soon enough - I digress - 

NOURISH: CREAMY CHOCOLATE, COCONUT + AVO BOWL

This is a favourite of mine for a few reasons:

~ The simplicity of it. 5 ingredients. Perhaps 1 or 2 additions. But essentially, 5 ingredients and you're good to go.

~ The 'mouth feel'. I use this term when there is an epic combination of flavour, texture and temperature for me... and a thick, creamy, cold bowl like this is spot on (it's still freaking hot in the tropics at the moment)!

~ And... I could say thirdly that it's full of amazing healthy fats and ingredients our body will love and use as fuel (which it is)... but really... food is way more about making us (and our taste buds) feeel good, over the nutritional content am I right? ;)

So let's cut straight to it then.

NOURISH :: ALMOND + BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

If you're like me and have a super duper hectic week filled with amazing things that all come with deadlines, then meal prep is going to be your best friend. Yesterday I brewed a big pot of bone broth, a slow cooked beef tritip stew, cut up veggies ready to go, and I was going to make these as well, but being back in Cairns after 2 months on the road (where everywhere else on the coast seemed to go in and out of rain and cooler temps) it's freaking HOT! So I'm keeping baking to a minimum in the heat.

So these babies were instead whipped up at 6am this morning, and baked whilst I walked down to see the sunrise, and back up in time to pull these out. Then I did my morning workout and sweated an insane amount, and one of these teamed with a smoothie was my breakfast.

OUR EPIC SUMMER ROAD TRIP (SO FAR)

It was only a few months ago that I felt strong urges to start putting some of our stuff away into boxes. But my logic mind was going bonkas - I mean, why put things into boxes when you're still living in your home? In your house? With no plans to go anywhere?

But I couldn't stop it completely, and so I began putting things into boxes. And to cut the story short, it was not long after that I said to B "baby let's go away for 2 or 3 months over Xmas" - when we have previously left Cairns for only 3-4 weeks. It just felt right. I wanted to get out. Get away. For longer than usual. And that meant having someone look after our place. And so, having some of our stuff packed away for said house-sitters, would be fab! 

Fast forward to now and we've been on the road since December 7th and won't be back in Cairns til the first week of Feb (ish).