Bali Eats; Health Food Heaven
When it comes to cafe culture and healthy eating, you can’t go wrong in Bali. I found it hard to go a day without trying another stunning smoothie bowl abundant with local fresh fruits and delicious toppings, perfect brekky in such a hot climate. Being next door to Nalu Bowls we treated ourselves to one or two of these irresistible bowls of goodness.
With such a huge choice of recommended cafes and restaurants to try, it was a challenge to choose where to go to next! Thank fully we’d done our research and had a number of places in mind where we definitely wanted to check out. Arriving in the middle of the night, our first meal was actually in our hotel the next morning. Included in our room was a complimentary breakfast from the hotel’s Green Spot cafe serving up a variety of healthy brekky and lunch options. Day one I was drawn to the dragonfruit bowl beautifully presented with banana coins, fresh mango and crunchy coconut on top.
One of the places high on my list to try in Canggu was Give Cafe, sister to the famous Kynd Cafe in Ubud. This colourful little eatery with its pretty interiors gives all of its profits to charity, so at the end of your visit you pop your token into one of the charity boxes that they support to choose where your money goes. A fully vegan menu includes local dishes such as the Balinese curry which I opted for, as well as nutritious salad bowls and meat free alternatives which could be mistaken for the real thing – those satay skewers were just like chicken!
Another awesome cafe we were keen to hit up was Cinta Cafe which overlooks a rice paddy. This makes for a picture perfect lunch setting in the heart of Bali, especially when enjoyed sitting back and sipping on a coconut.
Next we tried Shady Shack for dinner as we’d heard great things about this hidden gem nestled in the trees just off the main drag in Canggu. Sat on wooden benches amongst the foliage glistening with fairy lights, it makes for an intimate dinner setting with friends or a partner. I was overwhelmed with the extensive choice of salad bowls and vegan dishes, but finally settled on the green bowl including zucchini noodles, broccoli heads and lettuce drizzled in a creamy peanut sauce and topped with a sweet almond brittle. Everything was so fresh and portions were certainly generous without compromise on flavour; this was my favourite dinner spot as I can’t resist a loaded salad bowl.
Back to brekky, I had my eye on the acai bowls I’d seen on Instagram from The Loft. A little on the pricier side given its reputation, I couldn’t fault the presentation of this perfectly formed bowl which even came with a cute pineapple gold spoon for me to scrape every last bit from the coconut. Located on one of the main strips in Canggu, I sat out on the terrace and savoured by sweet acai bowl whilst watching the madness of Bali scooters racing by.
Given our short trip, we weren’t in Bali long enough to sample all of the fabulous places I’ve seen scrolling through Instagram. We did however cover a lot of Canggu and on the most part everywhere was reasonable and eating out was relatively cheap, with the total cost of dinner and drinks typically about half what you’d pay in England! Whilst I didn’t manage to photograph every place we went – I was enjoying myself too much 😉 – below is a list of some of the best cafes, restaurants and bars we did visit and would highly recommend trying for yourself:
- La Brisa
- Cinta Cafe
- Deus Ex Machina
- Give Cafe
- Krate Cafe
- The Lawn
- The Loft
- Luigi’s Pizza
- Mason
- Nalu Bowls
- Old Man’s
- Penny Lane
- Pretty Poison
- Sand Bar
- Shady Shack
Stopping by for a late brunch we got seated on an outdoor bench and table overlooking the golden stretch of Bondi beach. Having been out for a few wines the night before, I was ready for some clean food and kick of good coffee to fuel my afternoon, so I opted for the bircher muesli topped with crunchy granola, yoghurt and heaps of fresh berries.
I was however a little envious of my friend’s choice to have the french toast which was made with a deep fried croissant instead of bread. Basically a desert for breakfast, but we weren’t mad about it and I was more than happy to help her finish it off!
After devouring our delicious breakfast we sat and sipped our coffee watching the hustle of Bondi pass by as we soaked up the afternoon sun. I was particularly chuffed with my purchase from the day too – a Stanton bucket hat. I’d wanted a bucket hat for ages so when I saw this one at the street market in Bondi, I couldn’t resist. Happy days 🙂
Strolling the endless rows of distinctly Victorian terraced houses, you never know when you might stumble across the next cute café or even another old fashioned pub. Famous for its English style architecture and leafy green tree lined neighbourhoods, it certainly feels like you’re miles away from the city in Paddo.
We found ourselves a little table outside Café Five Ways and dug into some delicious food having worked up an appetite shopping and walking around. I always loved this café for its location and the fantastic food for a very reasonable price. I went for a goat’s cheese beetroot salad whilst my friend chose a melted brie toasty with some cheeky chips to share – yum!
It was the perfect way to spend our arvo in Paddington; strolling, shopping, lunching and laughing!
Arriving in Bondi just after noon, it was busy and most places had a long wait for a table. Thank fully we came across Heart Cafe tucked behind the main drag of Bondi offering all kinds of delicious, nutritious dishes. I opted for a granola bowl with plenty of fresh fruits, yoghurt and edible flowers, whilst my friend chose a power bowl bursting with greens and other yummy superfoods. Breakfast any time of day is definitely an Australian tradition and something I always loved when living there.
Coffee is another speciality of the Aussies and it was a warming welcome back to sip my favourite long black with a dash of hot milk. With a jet lag to power through, strong coffee and sun on my skin was just the answer.
Being such a great spot for shopping with its countless boutiques, surf shops and numerous vintage stores, my equally shopaholic bestie was excited to take a look around the neighbourhood too. Weaving in and out of the streets behind the main drag of Bondi, every time I go I discover another hidden gem.
Finally we made our way over to the beach via the iconic grass hill which overlooks the vast expanse of Bondi Beach. Being a bank holiday between Christmas and New Years it was of course heaving and full summer vibes were in swing as we strolled past the beach front bars pumping out the tunes. As we sat just by the skate park soaking up the salty sea air watching surfers in their line up for the next wave, I truly felt back in the thick of Sydney life and ready for the holiday fun to commence!
Waking on Christmas morning at home, we were treated to clear blue skies as the sun glistened through the crisp winter air. After opening our presents sipping some bubbly, we drove over to my Auntie’s house in Surrey. I was thrilled to be wearing my fabulous new prescription sunglasses by Kenzo.
As always my Auntie and Uncle’s home was exquisitely decorated with tasteful touches of Christmas and aromas of the roast dinner cooking away welcoming us as we arrived.
It was a very much scaled down family affair for us this year as our international family continues to expand. Nevertheless it was lovely to be with close family again and soak up the festivities as we drank and ate wonderful food. Starter was Jamie Oliver’s seafood cocktail with smoked salmon, prawns and a thousand island dressing – a classic Christmas entree.
The main event was of course a traditional roast turkey with all the trimmings including my favourite bread sauce with leeks. After enjoying a perfectly matched white wine to have with my starter, I moved onto red to compliment the rich flavours of dinner. Every single mouthful was scrumptious!
After such a culinary delight, we all slumped on the sofa and kicked back to watch the Gavin and Stacey Christmas special. Later we served the cheese along with an assortment of deserts including mince pies, Christmas pudding and a decedent cream and chocolate choux pastry. A midnight Baileys finished me off before I curled up in bed feeling very merry indeed, the way it should be 😉
Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes until golden brown and leave to cool before adding the icing. I opted for buttercream icing sprinkled with hundreds and thousands, some pink edible crystals and little individual flowers. I even made a few slices of fairy bread with the left over hundreds and thousands – a funny traditional Aussie birthday treat of buttered white bread topped with sprinkles!
I was chuffed with my creation and everyone at work was impressed with my baking skills. I’ve always seen baking as more of a science, but once you know the basics there is room to experiment and get creative with different recipes. I look forward to making another batch of these soon and having a play with alternative flavours and maybe even trying to formulate my own healthier mix using natural sugars and plant based milk.
Being regulars, the owners of Mama Mia always make us feel welcome and deliver fantastic service to match the exquisite food. With a beautiful bottle of red Syrah wine on the table we toasted to mum’s birthday.
I usually opt for the Spaghetti Al Frutti di Mare which is packed with delicious seafood, but this time I chose something a little different and discovered a new favourite. The Tagliatelle Al Funghi di Bosco delivered terrific flavour using such simple ingredients of mushrooms, tomatoes and olive oil. My sister went for a pizza, mum had Petto di Pollo alla Cindy chicken in a creamy sauce and of course dad had his usual personalised dish which is the Gamberoni All Aglio prawn starter served with rice.
Before our coffees mum was treated to a profiterole stack with a candle as the restaurant joined in a happy birthday sing song. After sharing the desert we had our digestif for which I indulged in a Calypso coffee featuring a shot of Tia Maria. It was a lovely evening celebrating mum’s birthday and spending quality time with my family as we enjoyed delicious food and wine alongside friendly service; smiles all round.
Consequently, I have chosen to take it easy this weekend and prioritise my mind, body and soul. After getting through those basic chores like washing, cleaning and groceries on Saturday, Sunday has been all about self care and indulgence starting with a long lie-in and comforting cup of tea in bed.
Being a dull, cloudy October day, I chose to burn my Apple and Honeydew candle from El Collectives as I lounged in bed and read my book. With breakfast being my favourite meal of the day but not having time to enjoy it properly during the working week, I always look forward to indulging in an extra special brunch on the weekends. This bowl of goodness was just what I was craving and brightened up this dreary day; sweet crunchy granola, creamy greek yoghurt, tangy cinnamon apple and warm berry compote.
Following a much needed quiet afternoon to recharge my body and mind in preparation for another hectic week at work, it was time to cook up a comforting autumn evening dinner. Taking inspiration from Pinterest and making use of ingredients we had in stock, I made a Spanish Chicken Cacciatore served with couscous and broccolini. Accompanied with a glass of wine whilst watching a film, this was the perfect Sunday night setup.
Whilst I’ve always been focused on getting that to-do list ticked off and completed, I now also appreciate the importance of taking time for me to switch off and rest. Weekends should be spent prioritising ourselves, nourishing our bodies with good food and ensuring self care comes before anything else in order to perform our best in day-to-day life.
Having gone to uni in Bournemouth, my friend used to visit Coast.Surf+Moto frequently and knew I’d love the stylish, quirky vibe of the place. Bringing together a fresh, wholesome all-day brunch menu as well as serving quality coffee, this cafe promotes a healthy living outdoor lifestyle.
The simple, sleek interiors featuring black window panels and bamboo lampshades, reflects coastal living with touches of Scandinavian character.
Located in Poole near to the South’s most popular beaches and harbours, their shop sells an eclectic mix of surf, skate and motorcycle products. After our leisurely lunch under the afternoon sun out in the courtyard, I enjoyed browsing the branded clothes and accessories before having a read of some of the contemporary books on offer.
Following our chilled afternoon at Coast.Surf+Moto cafe and shop, we made our way down to the beach to soak up the rest of the day’s sun…an essence of Aussie living in the UK!
As the wedding itself wasn’t until 5pm, we had the whole day to get ready and let the excitement build. Whilst my brother was off for a morning spa trip to calm his nerves, I went to visit the bridal suite to wish my future sister-in-law well and also get a sneak peak of the dress and veil.
The afternoon flew by as we had fun getting ready in our girls dorm. Thankfully our wonderful cousins came by to help with hairstyles and perfecting makeup. With my pearl crown headband to incorporate into my hair, I went with a loosely twisted low ponytail with strands of hair curled around the front to frame my face.
My dress was from Australia by a Melbourne brand Ache, matched with blush satin Senso shoes from my favourite shoe shop in Sydney Zomp. With such a textured dress I kept accessories simple; pearl asymmetric earrings, Michael Kors rose gold watch, a selection of my best antique gold rings, Cinco gold chain anklet and a simple leather khaki clutch. I was pleased to be wearing a breathable dress given the heat and felt like a princess in my pearl crown headpiece and silk ruffle detail dress.
As the welcome drinks were taking place at 4pm on the front lawn, I was ready by 3:30 to be on hand to check everything was setup and running to schedule. It was also the perfect opportunity to grab some pics with my girls in our gowns with the picturesque backdrop.
Having been an overcast day, thankfully by the afternoon the skies cleared and the sun shone through. As guests sipped on their lemonade and mingled on the lawn, the groom and his groomsmen made the finishing touches with their boutonnières. I helped my brother decide on his suit from Massimo Dutti in a deep forest green colour, contrasting to his groomsman in their silver suits.
Being siblings to the groom, my sister and I also had a corsage each to match the wedding flowers.
And so the time came to take our seats for the ceremony. Guests were handed little bags of olive leaf confetti on arrival and each seat had a wooden fan to stay cool in the humidity. With the floral archway set against that incredible Italian landscape as the sun created a golden shower of light, it truly was the perfect setting as the groom waited eagerly for his bride.
As I witnessed my brother marry his beautiful bride surrounded by all of our close family and so many great friends, I only wish I could’ve paused time at that moment. Many tears of joy were shed as they exchanged their vows and speeches were made about their love as they’ve grown up over the past 10 years together.
At the request of the bride and groom and in my own effort to be in the moment, no phones were allowed during the ceremony. These are a few snaps my mum managed to capture and of course there will be professional photos to follow, but I was happy to be present and soak up every minute of that special time.
The bride and groom then welcomed guests to join them on the terrace for champagne and canapés. With an Italian quartet playing as the sunset over the valley, everyone was on a high and congratulated the couple on their seamlessly executed ceremony.
Soon I was being called to have family photos on the lawn. With the sun now twinkling low in the sky, the entire landscape was dripping in golden light.
Every inch of the wedding was so photogenic and I was eager to make sure I captured photos with as many of my family as possible, not an easy task given the size of our family.
One of the most important shots to get was us three siblings with our new sister-in-law, and what a stunner she is!
The champagne reception continued for a few hours as the bride and groom had to run around getting photos with all of their guests. The canapés kept our hunger at bay as they served wonderful platters of Italian meats, exquisite cheeses and breads.
I couldn’t get enough of this breathtaking view as the sun set creating different hues of pinks and gold across the sky. Prosecco in hand and all of my family around me, this moment felt like we’d left planet earth and reached our own heaven.
Soon it was time to move onto the reception dinner set amongst the olive grove. With fairy lights twinkling overhead and lavish bouquet centrepieces to complete the tables, it looked like a magnificent movie set.
Each place setting came complete with a little bag of lavender and wooden heart with ‘That’s Amore 31.08.19’ carved on the front of it.
The table layout in a U shape worked wonderfully as the bride and groom could see every one of their guests from the head table.
I had the pleasure of being seated on the top table next to my sister with all of our family down the row in front of us.
In true Italian style, the dinner was compiled of four courses. To start, a deliciously thick, rich tomato gaspachio soup.
Secondi was zucchini and leek pesto pasta with ricotta cheese and crispy bacon.
Following tradition of having meat as a main course, we had beef done medium-rare with creamy dauphinoise potatoes and a mixed salad. Being served one by one, the waiters at Terre Di Nano did a fantastic job of getting around the 120 guests efficiently.
To accompany the food there was plenty of the estate’s own Terre Di Nano wine to go around. Being in the region renownd for Montepulciano wine, this was the perfect red to compliment the rich, meaty flavours of the dinner.
With the wine flowing and speeches made giving thanks to all of those involved in planning the day, it was time to cut the cake. Guests gathered around the end of the olive garden to watch as the newlyweds cut into the millefoglie – cake of one thousand layers made of pastry, cream and berries, yum!
A shot of Limoncello and the party continued in the barn next door where the bride and groom had their first dance to Jack Johnson Better Together. Then, just like the stars of their own film, their friend played his original song written especially for them…tissues at the ready again!
So we danced the night away until the early hours of the morning and it was all over in the blink of an eye. Every part of the wedding exceeded expectations and still gives me goosebumps just thinking about it all. From the emotional ceremony overlooking the sweeping hills of Tuscany, to the dreamy dinner beneath the stars, I couldn’t fault one minute of the day.
Most of all, the smiling faces of friends and family who celebrated with us was something money couldn’t buy and is a true testament to the big hearts these two have.
Dani Aneka 