Botanica - Red Hill

After falling upon mentions of Botanica on the webasphere I just had to check it out - especially since I am currently joining the infectious movement of the masses to healthy 'clean eating' (like most others on Instagram). I don't know how to title Botanica as it is basically a super classy and delicious mutant version of a takeaway store, no deep-fried goods or flashing LED 'open' signs here. In saying that, there is no eating-in, so be prepared to pack a picnic blanket and Googlemaps a nice locale to feast before making your purchases. 

Front Shop of Botanica - *photo courtesy their facebook page 

 Delicious gluten free vanilla bean cupcakes with super soft icing.

'This was made for you today - Enjoy this delicious salad & all of its real food ingredients' 

A spoonful on my second favourite :) Even comes with Eco-friendly wooden cutlery.

Our family pack of salads containing: (from left to right) 

• Vegan and gluten free tabbouleh with kale and quinoa
• Shaved raw broccoli with raw garlic and cashew cream
• Baby pea and potato salad, fresh dill and green tahini dressing
• Shaved red cabbage, walnuts, parmesan, sharp dijon vinaigrette 

* I copied these from their website as I certainly lack the mental capacity to remember all the yummy ingredients mentioned to me from across the counter. I do believe their menu changes and varies day to day - even ours varied slightly to the said menu and be aware that everything mentioned on the menu was not available when we visited.  

Even Lila enjoyed eating Botanica's yummy salads. Her favourite was the chickpea number. 

The store is simple which I think is perfect as it really highlights the foods that they have on display. Fresh made salads coming in a wonderous array of colours and variations in combinations which my taste-buds certainly have never had the luxury of trying. Fresh made sourdoughs and ciabattas align the back table, and of course a delectable assortment of sweets line the front window for onlookers to be allured into, the best thing being that all are gluten free. The wooden trims and home-y feelings that radiate from the decor definitely sets of the feel of what Botanica stands for and thats real, healthy and delicious vegetarian foods. The price was very reasonable with a family pack (the largest size - there is three sizes to choose from) of salad (up to and including 4 choices from their selection) cost $25 plus accidentally purchasing a cupcake and a bread roll to add to my tasting palate. All in all, I loved it and will definitely be back to try their new healthy salad experiments like roasted cauliflower and not to mention their infamous caramel coconut brownie! 

Taiwan - Taichung Flower Sea Festival

Carpet of flowers and a foggy afternoon.

Dad enjoying his favourite treat - fresh fried squid.

#fromwhereistand obligatory shot.

A view of all the different seas of flowers and exhibitions. 

Scared I was about to be bitten by bees. 

There was an abundance of farmers and small business selling their fresh produce - look how amazingly red, juicy and inviting these tomatoes look.

Trying to capture bees sucking nectar from flowers. 

The gradient of vibrant colours.

There was a heap of exhibitions with every kind of fruit, vegetable and flower to be viewed. 

Trying to get a nice shot with my dad. 

So here is the first instalment of photos from my recent holiday. I thought it would be a nicer, kind-on-the-eye process breaking it down into more digestible parts and then I would  be able to better describe my experiences. 

These photos were taken in Taiwan, in the area of Taichung at a flower festival that we visited also known as the Taichung Flower Sea Festival. I can happily say I now know why it was referred to this name. It was huge, slightly strenuous on my muscle-lacking legs, and yes there was sea's upon sea's of flowers in vibrant variations of purples, yellows and pinks. It was beautiful, and the effort that must go in for up-keep and to keep the flowers blossoming in picture-perfect condition is applaudable - I for one struggle with the responsibility of one plant. To top it off the festival is completely free! Unless you spend all your money on all the marvellous food stalls scattered throughout the outskirts of the grounds e.g.. my dad and his guilty addiction to fried squid and my not-so addiction to stinky tofu. Within the seas of flowers were exhibitions which featured every kind of flower, fruit and vegetable shaped into gob-smacking designs such as Mona Lisa in dried fruit form ha! All in all, yes I know flower pictures are quite standard and can become quite tedious when it comes to photography but how could I resist on such a beautiful day.

P.S I also felt this really hard-to-deal urge to just fall face first and plonk into the flower bed/seas and squish the flowers to their death. 

2012 Ending

Before I left overseas me and my roomies went on another fishing adventure - not necessarily adventure since it was in a barramundi fishing park which cost us $20 off Scoopon. But nevertheless, it was fun and we finally managed to ACTUALLY catch something - mind you the fish didnt put up a fight and when pulling them in it kinda seemed as if they were half dead already! haha! We also had a family Christmas dinner since I wasn't going to be there for actual Christmas. Its been an awesome 6 months with my roomies. Check them out, they are super awesome: Jean and Sam!