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As a former award-winning publican, I know a thing or two about hangovers, how to create them and better still, how to fix them. Some folk wrongly assume that because I retrained as a clinical nutritionist and Pilates teacher that liquor wouldn't pass my lips.  In fact, some are truly mortified when I reveal my past life in the Ladies Lounge. Yet there are those loyal followers who know that the life of a licensee is well marinated in authenticity, compassion and bloody hard work. Alcoholism … [Read more...] about Drink Smart. My Top Ten Hangover Hacks

At last I feel I can write to you again. After many months of Melbourne lockdown and with many of my readers living in Victoria, I have not wanted to share news of eating out and more recently, travelling over the border. Now that my old hometown is reopening and the hospitality and entertainment industries – among others – can slowly find a pathway to a new normal, it seems like a good idea to share news of the north. Appropriately for Halloween there is a big black snake in my front garden. … [Read more...] about November News

The Survivor - Derek Aitken You might be sitting­­ there swilling a well-earned post COVID lockdown Corona, watching the footy, clicking Add to Cart, doing your knitting, sipping a Martini or maybe you're wondering if there really is a virus after all. Let me tell you the true tale of a dear friend in L.A. located at the other end of the giant lap pool that is the Pacific Ocean. Derek Aitken is an innocent sigh-stander if you will, a man who may well have breathed his last breath if it … [Read more...] about The Survivor – Derek Aitken

Acai  Colombia/Brazil Acai (ah-sigh-EE) is a high antioxidant energising berry that grows only in the Brazilian Amazon and on Colombia’s Pacific Coast. Serving: Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of Acai to your favourite juice, smoothie or cereal once or twice a day  Adzuki Bean Japan Adzuki beans are cooked in rice used for celebratory occasions or in a traditional confection called manjū. We prize them for their ‘drying’ properties - their ability to absorb mucous and phlegm. Agave South … [Read more...] about The Wellness Pantry

A race of humans have all been sent to our rooms for a good, long, hard look at ourselves, much like a budgie with his mirror. Meanwhile, we have become more connected in this time of physical disconnect as we reach for the lifeline of communication. Social Media has never been more social as we Zoom into FaceTime and Skype our mates our #pillowchallenge proudly with Quarantini in hand. My favourite antic is fake plane challenge - google that one for a real giggle. While Corona is no laughing … [Read more...] about Shift Happens

Of sand and sea My first resort relationship was in Bermuda, I was nine and it was the Christmas of 1975. A smashing year I might add, and my ears were full of 3XY hits, in particular Carlton by Skyhooks (still my fave and if you ever care to join me on the highway, I will blare it out for you). Another cracker, Bony Moronie, was also on high rotation. Now this was not the kind of relationship you might be thinking of - crikey I was only 9 - this love triangle consisted, obviously, of three … [Read more...] about Resort Report