Countdown to Christmas…

~ stephzuniga ~ Leave a comment

Well, Happy Holidays everyone, we’ve made it to yet another Christmas season.  Phew!

It’s no secret that Christmas is not my favorite holiday (even Santa kind of freaks me out now that I’m an adult).  Those of you who know me, know that my top three holidays are Thanksgiving, St. Patrick’s Day and My Birthday– not necessarily in that order.  Christmas isn’t in my top 3, maybe it’s the months of build up and crazy people whipped up into a frenzy in the mall, but this year will be different!

This year, I am throwing myself into Christmas (sort of) and embracing it.  The house is decorated, I’ve put up lights on the terrace, I’m listening to Carols*, I have sparkly red nails (for Christmas the manicurist said), I took a Christmas cooking class** and now I’m planning Christmas Dinner for 9.

What I haven’t done is finished my Christmas shopping (I sort of gave up in the middle after getting presents for the top 3 people on my list).   I also haven’t set foot in a shopping mall– not even for the last minute couple of bits that I really should do….  Instead I’ve been focusing on dinner.  Christmas Dinner.  It’s going to be awesome.

A grown up, Christmas Dinner on fancy wedding plates with cloth napkins- and napkin rings.  It’s weird, but this is the kind of thing that excites me.  This is the type of event that may elevate Christmas for me into a top 4 Holiday.  Cooking and eating.  This could help me recapture the joy of Christmas and serve as the inspiration for Christmases to come.

So what’s on the menu??

Kingfish Crostini with Garlic Chilli Oil and Crispy Lemon Fried Olives (we learned these in class)

Cranberry Margaritas on arrival

Oysters with Champagne

Gazpacho

Christmas Cola Whiskey Ham

Donna Hay’s Poached Turkey Breast

Roast Potatoes (of course!)

Kale Salad with Pecorino (leave out the sausages for just a salad!)

Corn Casserole (it’s not a holiday without it!)

Donna Hay’s Stuffing Cups 

Christmas Pudding Ice Cream with Spiced Chocolate Cake

with Eggnog to finish

 Phew!  Luckily, I have 48 hours to pull it all together.  Let’s get cooking!   In the meantime, here are some of the photos from the cooking class that I did.  I really meant to tell you all about it, but I got a bit distracted once I started planning my Christmas Menu.  Oh and, here’s our little Christmas Tree as well!

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Merry Christmas Everyone from both of us at He Runs, I Cook!!

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*My Spotify playlist has some Christmas Carols on it, it also has quite a healthy dose of Jay-Z, The National, and Hozier– not exactly traditional but it’s not a bad compromise.   Take a listen here  if you’d like! christmas with the mahers

** It was Christmas Canapes and it was fantastic!  I highly recommend it for next year.  It’s put on by Victors Food in Sydney.

Stay safe Sydney

~ stephzuniga ~ 1 Comment

There’s nothing like a day where horrible things are happening to bring into focus what really matters most.

I’m sure you’ve heard about the hostage situation in Sydney today- it has been truly horrible and terrifying. The worst part is that no one knows anything so there’s been lots of rumor to fill in the gaps. So many stories and so much fear in one day, it was a lot to take in.

The one thing I realised is that in a crisis I look for two people- the runner and my mother. My first instinct was to call him and find out if he was ok, of course he had no idea anything was going on yet. My second instinct was to call my mother and tell her I was alright. She also hadn’t heard anything yet, so wasn’t actually worried.

But it was pretty amazing how quickly friends started to check in with each other and how quickly people started to come together. It’s been such a weird day, and unlike many friends who got evacuated earlier, I’m still not home yet. Well, hopefully I will be by the time you read this. But right now, all I want is to be at home with The Runner and to know that everyone is ok. Might have a glass of wine and be thankful that unlike the hostages still being held captive, we’re able to hug our loved ones and talk about what a weird and horrible day we’ve had.

Stay safe everyone and give someone you love a hug…and call your mom!

Greetings from Penrith!

~ stephzuniga ~ Leave a comment

That’s right this weekend’s adventures have taken us west for the Western Sydney 70.3.

Not a lot to report yet, except that it is hot. Super hot. Like 33 degrees Celsius (or about 97 Fahrenheit!). So tomorrow could be….well, a bit uncomfortable. The race takes place at the same place as the Olympic rowing from Sydney 2000….but there’s little shade and very little to do….oh well, time to carb load!

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Thanksgiving is Cancelled.

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At least in our house this year.

Seriously, I think we’ve fed our friends enough this year between our wedding and then the party we had in Coogee.  I don’t mean that in a mean way, it’s just, well I’m slightly partied out at the moment.

It’s a shame, because my fun new kitchen toys were all waiting to be pressed into service.  My turkey platter I bought on sale at Pottery Barn last December was itching for its first use.  But sadly not this year, not this Thanksgiving.  Not this turkey.

It doesn’t mean I’m not thinking about Thanksgiving.  I’m ALWAYS thinking about Thanksgiving.  So over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing interesting tips and recipes to help you do Thanksgiving better…. Here are a couple to get you started.

Healthy Thanksgiving Sides from Glitter Guide

A Modern Guide to Thanksgiving Ettiquette from Bon Appetit

How to get your house “holiday ready” from The Washington Post 

Good Luck!

Twas the night before Noosa….

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Twas the night before Noosa and all through the house, not a triathlete was stirring, not even their wife!

The tri suits laid out by the gym bags with care, and hopes of a PB filled the air.
The nutritional drinks all mixed and put in the fridge, the wives discussing when they should be there.
The Carbs are all loaded, the numbers put on
The times all predicted, the bike pedals all put on
We’re all off to bed now, not a bottle of beer in sight

Bikes are all racked, the shoes untied, the hopes of a podium finish twinkle in young (and old) triathletes’ eyes.

This isn’t the best poem I’ve written but I hope you get the gist!

Good luck in Noosa tri to all and to all a good night!

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I’m not bragging but….

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My garden is actually doing pretty well!  (Touch wood)

It’s going so well, that I’m scared to leave it for a few days to go to Noosa.  Who’s going to water them and keep them alive for 5 whole days!

It’s going so well, that I actually can see tiny baby tomatoes on my tomato plant.

It’s going so well, that I didn’t pull the weeds that are actually little baby flowers.

It’s going so well, that only a few plants have died.

It’s going so well, that I’m bragging (only slightly) about it.

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Can you see the little baby tomatoes? I’m EXCEPTIONALLY proud of them!

Because I’m a proud little plant mama.  I’m managed to keep these little guys alive (more or less- I’m sorry coriander and parsley) for a few weeks now.   I’ve been watering them almost every day and the results are starting to bear fruit….literally!It’s going so well, I actually used homegrown mint when I made roast lamb AND in my minty peas this week. Just as an FYI, last time I tried to grow tomatoes, I wound up with one.   That’s right.  1 little sad cherry tomato that I waited patiently all summer for.  We’re already doing a bit better this time!

So, because I have no children or pets, I’m going to treat you to a few progress photos of the garden…  you can just make out the little shoots for the wildflowers (I hope) that have started growing.  I nearly pulled them thinking they were weeds, until I realised that they were growing in the exact spots where I had sown the seeds for the flowers.  I’m not a gardening expert (yet) but I’m making progress!  I’ll keep you posted!

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Ok, so maybe my hit rate isn’t 100%….
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One is parsley, one is coriander (cilantro)…I’m just not sure which is which…but they definitely are doing better inside than out!
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Rosemary
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Mint… and what originally was parsley and coriander too…. but they died 😦
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Baby flowers…. or weeds???? Only time will tell!
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Fingers crossed they are flowers… it’s too soon to tell!
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1 dead plant out of 4…. not too bad!
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Ok, you can’t see the garden fresh mint in the peas and spinach, but it’s in there…. trust me!

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It’s that time of year again….

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I don’t know where time has gone, but it’s time for the Noosa Triathlon again!  I can’t believe how quickly this year has gone and that we’re heading up to Noosa in just a couple of days.

Hopefully there won’t be a repeat of last year’s drama– you can relive the adventure if you’d like.  Fingers crossed this year The Runner stays on his bike and finishes the race without any issues.  I’m looking forward to our first trip together since our honeymoon… and ice cream.   You know how I feel about ice cream.

I love ice cream like a fat kid loves cake.   No offense.  I know, it’s not very PC, but neither is my love for ice cream.  I blame my mother, she ate ice cream sundaes every day that she was pregnant with me (apparently).  I was probably born addicted to ice cream. I can’t help it.  I have a problem.  And I know just where to get my fix….. Noosa.

Noosa has more ice cream places in one 500m street than I can think of in Sydney CBD.  I’m not joking, I can’t think of a single ice cream place within a ten minute walk of my office.  Noosa has 4 or 5 ice cream shops that I know of within a 2 minute walk of each other.  Ice Cream Heaven.

Last year’s highlight was the Nitrogenie liquid nitrogen ice cream.   AMAZING…. it almost made up for the drama during the race (just kidding!!!).  Actually, it was the highlight of my trip to Noosa last year- I’m not joking.  I probably should have been going to the gym this week in preparation for the ice cream avalanche that I’m planning up there. Seriously, have you seen their flavours?

The Runner is busy studying run splits, max heart rates, training outputs and all sorts of other pre-race preparation to ensure he has the best race possible.  Me, I’m studying the Nitrogenie flavours and hoping that they have a good selection for the days that we’re there.  Seriously, how is a girl supposed to choose between Chocolate Mint Leaf vs. White Balsamic Strawberries or British Banoffee Pie vs.  Italian Tiramisu???  And don’t get me started on After Dinner Minty vs. Black Forest Frosty…

Rest assured, I’ll give you a full report from Noosa in between scoops!