Share the [zucchini] love.

Bake something tasty. Share it with your neighbours. It’s a sure way to make friends and win over enemies. We have deemed this to be crucial in communal living situations.

These incredibly moist and flavourful zucchini cupcakes were a big hit around the halls of East Wing.

I used yellow zucchinis this time, though usually I make them with the regular green variety. The cinnamon adds a lovely subtle twist, and the generous amount of cocoa adds a deep, chocolaty flavor without being overly sweet.  They are absolutely delightful topped with a swirl of cream cheese or buttercream frosting, or for a lower fat alternative, serve with a dallop of plain yoghurt. An ingenious (and delicious) way to sneak some extra vegetables into your (or someone else’s) diet.

Moist Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes (from Spark Recipes)

Ingredients:

1/3 cup boiling water

2 cups shredded zucchini/courgette

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup cocoa

3/4 cup sugar (I substituted 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup honey)

1 1/4 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup plain yoghurt

3 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large bowl, pour boiling water over zucchini. Add all other ingredients and stir just until well combined. Line muffin pans with paper muffin cups, and use a 1/4 cup measure to pour batter into cups. Bake for 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Yields 18 cupcakes.

Coconut Buttercream Frosting (adapted from The Kitchen Magpie)

Ingredients:

125g butter

2 cups icing sugar

1.5 tsp vanilla

1-2 Tbsp coconut cream/milk

Directions:

Cream butter, icing sugar, and vanilla together in a bowl.  Add coconut milk, starting with 1 Tbsp and adding more until the right consistency is reached.  Beat with electric beaters until icing is impeccably smooth and creamy.  Frosts 12-18 cupcakes, depending on the size of your swirl.

New beginnings in an old place.

It’s official- we’ve moved back into East Wing. A place we never thought we’d return to… but just happens to be quite convenient for our situation.

As soon as we entered the building, memories of times with the Keels, McConnells, and Koerselmanns flooded back. Those were some pretty good times! It sure was pretty special to share in the newness of New Zealand and the challenges of moving to another country alongside these fine people.

We successfully sold our major pieces of furniture (thankfully!), and managed to sell a number of other belongings on TradeMe in order to help with the down-size in space- although a disspointingly high number of people failed to show to pick up their auction items. Despite being stuck with some extra pieces that we didn’t plan on taking with us, we did manage to get all of our belongings to our new home with one final trip out West today. A big thank you to Brandon and Jimmy who helped with taking a load of our stuff over for us this week, along with the many other people who kindly offered to help with the move. We have some very kind friends.

Interestingly, our (beloved) couch was bought on TradeMe by the father of one of my students! At least we know it is going to a good home!

Our new “abode” is a one bedroom studio with an office and private bathroom. Just a slightly smaller space than what we are used to… but we’ll make it work. It’s even got a little patio out the back… which gets a lovely dose of sunshine for the first half of the day.

As much as we know we are going to miss the freedom and comfort of our little flat, we are going to try to make the most of this next phase of a return to communal living.

Here’s to a new chapter in an old and familiar place!

Love your neighbour.

The importance of neighbours is sometimes underestimated in this day and age. It’s easy to go about living life, totally unaware and unconnected to the people who live beside, below, above, or across from you. We’re busy people, and for the most part, we can look after ourselves. But there is something to be said about knowing that if you need someone to go into your house to turn your hair straightener off (because you accidentally left it on), or you need someone to water your basil plants while you’re camping up North, there is someone who has got you covered.

I can say that we have definitely had that here at our little flat on Mt. Eden Road. And we’ve been lucky- you don’t usually get to pick who your neighbours are, but we’ve been blessed to live beside, above, and below some very friendly and trustworthy people.

After living in our little flat for just over 2.5 years, our first “block party” was organized. One of the lovely girls upstairs took the initiative to organize a bbq for the whole of our complex, and it was a great time. Everyone but one tenant was able to make it out. We’ve got a lovely mix of people in our flat- three of whom are involved in the tv/movie industry, a guy who owns his own skateboard company, and three lovely gals upstairs from the UK/Ireland.

It’s been fun getting to know the people who live around us a bit better. We got to know the girls upstairs the best probably, as we had them over for dinner a couple of months ago, and then they invited us up to their place for an exquisite meal.

When we think towards the future, we would like to be even more intentional about getting to know the people we find ourselves in neighbourly proximity to in years to come. I think this whole experience has helped us realize the importance, or moreso the value, of having relationships with those who we find ourselves living next to. I would say the simple act of organizing a communal bbq created a deeper sense of community within the complex already. It’s amazing what can happen when people do something as basic as sharing a meal together.

We have loved living here in our little flat behind the shops that line Mt. Eden Road.

It’s been a really great little spot, and we sure are going to miss the friendly hello’s from neighbours as they pass up and down the stairs, the neighbourhood cat (Sachi) that wanders in to say hello every couple of days, the birds that create delightful little melodies for our ears to enjoy, the tropical palm trees that surround the premises, and the patio where we enjoyed many a meal on warm summer evenings.

We will surely miss the freedom and serenity that this place provided once we move back onto campus at Brendon’s school this coming Friday. A huge shout out to our neighbours, for making this such a happy and peaceful place to dwell. Thanks for the great times!!

Fresh eyes on Edmonton.

Remember our adventurous Kiwi friends, Christina and Jesse, who left New Zealand about a year ago and moved to the Northern community of Norman Wells, NWT? Christina’s parents, Wayne and Gill, are the lovely and generous people who graciously hosted us in New Plymouth last April. All caught up? Excellent.

Well, Christina and Jesse recently visited Edmonton! I was super eager to hear what these two cool Kiwis thought of our home city. Christina writes beautifully and shares her thoughts on Edmonton, along with a delicious-looking recipe for stuffed mini pumpkins here on her blog, De La Casa. I highly recommend you check it out.

Although I wished we could have been there ourselves to show our friends around, I am delighted that Christina and Jesse had such a great time in Edmonton, and were able to find and experience some of Edmonton’s gems. Having never been to Noorish before, I am looking forward to checking it out upon our return. Thanks for the heads-up on this, Christina!

I just have to say that I have LOVED experiencing Northern Canada through the eyes of Christina and Jesse, and seeing all the tantalizing edible goods flowing out of their kitchen. Living in an isolated Northern community would certainly have its challenges- (the lack of daylight, fresh produce, and supplies- just to name a few), but I love how Christina and Jesse have embraced them with such a positive attitude and demonstrated such perseverance. We are inspired by their courageous and adventurous spirits, and hope to make it up to visit Canada’s Northern regions one day ourselves.

Primarily paleo.

Reflecting back on our time in NZ, I realize that one thing that has changed immensely over our time here is my diet. While I have been into healthy eating for a long time, I started becoming aware that some food choices were not necessarily helping me achieve some of my health and fitness goals.

A combination of digestive and skin problems over the past years led me into some experimentation and research in regards to diet. It was in early June that I came across the concept of Paleo. It was only a short time later that I discovered the theory of Metabolic Effect and my eyes were opened to new philosophies regarding food and exercise, which made a lot of sense to me.

The change in eating started off slowly. I started by choosing foods that were more in line with eating “whole foods,” and gradually progressed to become almost completely paleo as I learned to like this new way of eating.

Looking back to just 8 months ago, I realize that we hardly eat any of the meals that we used to eat. One of the major impacts of this has been cutting out all grains and legumes, and most dairy. Refined sugar is avoided if at all possible. Honey, agave, and maple syrup are used as sweeteners when needed. Meals that used to be my favorites (including sweet potato quesadillas, barley risotto and fennel pesto ravioli) are no longer on my list of options, though I may indulge on a rare occasion just for a special treat.

I’ve been feeling really good- great, actually. I’ve been able to pinpoint some foods that cause digestive distress, and others that cause skin irritations.

When people ask, “Are you still on that diet?” I realize they don’t really understand. I am not on some short term kick to lose weight; the changes I have made are meant to be sustainable so that they can be maintained for the long run.

From time to time, especially when sharing at a meal at someone else’s house, I may “cheat” and eat something outside of my normal eating regime. Sometimes those effects are noticed later, sometimes not. I am still working out how I will balance sticking to my preferred way of eating, while not wanting to create an awkward situation, be an inconvenience, or offend anyone while sharing a meal together in their home. For any of you who have gone through making similar adjustments in your diet, I welcome your suggestions here.

With all this being said, a change in diet has led us to discover some fantastic heathy and delicious recipes over the past little while, which I would like to share with you. Here’s a few of our recent favorites…

Mini Feta & Vege Frittatas

Perfect for lunch, breakfast, or dinner. An excellent option to take along to a picnic. Quick to whip up. Versatile. Can easily substitute any of the veggies with what you’ve got on hand. A delicious recipe I would highly recommend.

Ingredients:

5 free range eggs
1 bunch asparagus (cut into 1 inch pieces), or 1 med zucchini, sliced
1/2 red bell pepper
1 med tomato, chopped
3/4 cup mushrooms, sliced
1/2 cup feta cheese, cubed
1 Tbsp coconut milk
Salt, pepper, smoked paprika to season

Method:

1. Saute chopped vege in a pan with a small amount of butter or olive oil, untle tender-crisp. Season lightly with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika or your favorite seasoning.
2. Distribute vegetables evenly between 12 greased muffin cups.

3. Top roast vege with chopped tomato and cubed feta.
4. In a separate bowl, beat eggs and coconut milk. Add salt, pepper, and smoked paprika to season.
5. Pour egg mixture over top of vege into muffin tins. Divide evenly.
6. Bake at 350 degrees F / 180 degrees C for 10-15 min, until egg has solidified and tops are lightly browned. .
7. Serve atop a bed of spinach. Makes 12 mini frittatas.

Cauliflower Fritters

I came across this recipe by The Healthy Foodie and modified it slightly. I have made it twice now, and have really enjoyed these tasty morsels of goodness.

These little fritters are also great the next day, and make a fantastic item to bring along to a picnic.

Ingredients:

Half a large head of cauliflour, chopped into fine pieces or processed in a food processor
1 carrot, grated
1 zucchini/courgette, grated
1/4 cup flax seeds
1/2 cup raw, unsalted sunflower seeds
1/2 cup ground almonds or hazelnuts
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 Tbsp sesame seeds
1 tsp lime juice
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
pinch cayenne pepper
5 large eggs

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients together in a large bowl.
2. Heat a splash of olive oil on a non-stick frying pan on medium heat.
2. Using a 1/4 cup measure, scoop dallops of mixture onto hot frying pan. Cook 2-3 minutes on each side, until sides are golden and crispy.
3. Serve warm or cold. Awesome accompanied by a side of fresh vegetables or on a bed of greens.

If you would like a dressing or dipping sauce to go along, a mixture of 1/4 cup greek yoghurt, 1 tsp lime juice, and 1/2 tsp Moroccan seasoning (or a combo of smoked paprika, salt & pepper) makes a divine accompaniment to this dish.

How to visit Fiji without leaving NZ.

 

Fiji?  Bahamas?  Why no, this is New Zealand.

Up in the northern regions of NZ, there is a very special place with all the magic you’d imagine Fiji to have, but without the touristy buzz.

Clear, turquoise waters, pristine white sand beaches, rolling waves perfect for boogie boarding and body surfing, and sea life aplenty- just a 4.5 hour drive North of Auckland.

It is pure, unspoiled beauty.  Not many know about it, yet- but its reputation will surely get out.

Located on the tip of the Karikari Peninsula are two separate, rounded bays that, together, comprise Maitai Bay.

There is a great little DOC (Department of Conservation) campsite located right at Maitai Bay which we highly recommend.  Their basic (composting toilets, cold showers, and running water) facilities are very well maintained.  We found the campsite to be fairly chill and quiet, and the other campers very friendly.

While lying on the beach one afternoon, we overheard some fellow beachers talking and a woman said that the beach we were on was nicer than the one she visited in Fiji.  (Apparently, to experience the really nice beaches in Fiji, you have to go out to one of the smaller islands.)

The bays of Northland are brimming with sea life, making them prime areas for snorkeling.  You’ll have to bring up your own gear, as we didn’t see any places to rent from.  (Thanks Brandon and Kristen for lending us your sets.)  There is also excellent boating and fishing in these waters.

If you’re anything like me, a beach and some sunshine are (pretty much) all I need to make a vacation complete.  So when the weather is amazing, Northland is an ideal place to be!  The downside, however, is that if the weather is not on your side, the region of Northland doesn’t offer a TON of other attractions.

Here’s a few suggestions, though, of other things to do in the area:

 

Taste the beautiful wines at Karikari Estate Vineyard while taking in breathtaking views of the stunning peninsula.

Head over to the nearby town of Mangonui for some of NZ’s best fish & chips.  Mangonui’s ‘World Famous’ Fish Shop is an extremely well run establishment, and they have a lovely covered seating area where you can enjoy your meal overlooking the water.

We ate there twice while on holiday.  It is.  That.  Good.

It is advised that you bring your own coffee beans and coffee making devices with you up North, as a good cup of coffee is hard to find in this region.

Brendon has been thoroughly enjoying and taking advantage of the excellent portability of his Aeropress coffee device.  Coffee was made right on the beach on several occasions.  If you get desperate, however, there is a mobile espresso cart next to the dairy/petrol station near Tokerau Beach.

If it’s a rainy day, dodge the rain in the shelter of your car and take a day trip down to the Bay of Islands.  We met up with some friends in Paihia, and spent a couple of hours perusing the shops, stocking up on fresh produce at a local farmers market, and admiring the beauty of the bays.  Paihia also offers lots of options for day trips and water adventures such as dolphin tours, if you’ve got the cash.  Or if you’d like to explore the water on your own, why not call up Tony and rent yourself a kayak.

Another roadtrip that is very feasible from the Karikari Peninsula is to go all the way up North to Cape Reinga.  We did this roadtrip last summer.  You’ll need to factor in about two hours of driving each way, and make sure your vehicle is full of petrol.  Well worth the drive to explore this region of special significance to the Maori.

I absolutely love NZ’s Northland.  Out of all the regions we have visited in NZ, this one is surely my favorite.  As a girl who grew up in the landlocked prairies of Alberta/Saskatchewan, the contrast of turquoise blue waters with the white sand is a stunning sight that my eyes never grow tired of.