Chapadas dos Veadeiros – A Weekend Getaway

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When we first arrived in Brasilia almost four years ago, we felt that we had all the time in the world to explore this great country.  In fact we thought we had too much time! Frankly, neither C nor I were all that thrilled to be posted to Brasilia – but that is another story for another day!

However, time is surely and steadily ticking by, and I am becoming acutely aware that our time here in Brazil is running out. All these trips and excursions that we have put off for one reason or the other are starting to pile up and the likelihood is, is that we won’t be able to do all of them.

So, one day just by chance I looked at my calendar and saw there was a long weekend coming up where C would actually be in town – I jumped at the chance to spend it at Chapadas dos Veadeiros National Park. I immediately got in touch with a few friends to see if they wanted to join – and as luck would have it, two couples had already planned to go and the third couple were keen to join as well. So within 20 minutes of sending out the initial email we had all booked and paid for our accommodation and we were set! I love it when the stars align like this! Continue reading →

Bonito and the South Pantanal

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Although I may not have been blogging frequently (if at all!) over the last year,  that does not mean to say that I have not been travelling. In fact, C and I have managed to do a number of incredible trips squeezed in-between being pregnant, having the baby and C’s very hectic travel schedule.

The most memorable of these trips was our family Christmas vacation to Bonito and South Pantanal –  a trip so incredible, that I thought it was best to share this story first!

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Babies in Brasilia!

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Hello friends – it has been a long time!

One of my last posts that I wrote last year, was What to Expect when Expecting in Brasilia. Well, a year has gone by and I am very happy to announce that I am now a happy mum to a gorgeous little boy called Charles.

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As you can imagine, The Travelling Chopsticks has not been high on my list of priorities of things to do over the last year. However, I feel that inspiration is slowly creeping back into me, and I thought I would try and breathe some life back into this much neglected but loved blog. Continue reading →

Creamy Cauliflower Cheese Soup

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I don’t really cook a lot when C travels, as I find it incredibly dull to cook for myself every evening. Instead I tend to make a big bath of ‘something’ on Sunday or Monday and then eat my way through whatever it is throughout the week. Not very inspiring, but practical. Keep Reading

Pineapple Tarts

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We are almost at the tail end of the Chinese New Year celebrations, where we say goodbye to the the year of the Wooden Goat and welcome in the year of the Fire Monkey! Doesn’t life already sounds so much more exciting ;)

On Saturday night we were invited to a Singaporean friend’s housewarming and Chinese New Year celebration here in Brasilia. It was potluck, and I immediately knew what I wanted to bring. Nothing says ‘Chinese New Year’ more to me than Pineapple tarts, and as this is such a popular biscuit in Singapore, I thought they would also bring a little bit of home comfort during this very important celebration to my new friend. Keep Reading

Learning to Cook in Lima!

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As you all know by now – ever since I met C, and he introduced me to the wonder that is Peruvian cuisine, I have been completely and utterly hooked. What came as a surprise to me when I first visited Peru in 2011 (read about my adventures HERE!) was not only how diverse the country is in terms of its population but also how this diversity is represented in their food, especially in and around Lima! Peruvian cuisine has fully embraced, adopted and modified the flavours from the Andes, the Spaniards, the Chinese, the Japanese, as well as Africa and the Middle East. Continue reading →

What to Expect When Expecting (in Brazil!)

~ The Travelling Chopsticks ~ 8 Comments

It has been far too long since I last posted something on The Travelling Chopsticks – and for this I apologise (bad blogger!). I could write a whole slew of reasons why I have not posted anything over the last few months – but that is not only boring for me to write, but more importantly, incredibly dull for you to read.

So instead – I am just going to jump head first into some exciting news that I wish to share with you all :)

C and I are expecting our first baby in April! Naturally we are both very excited about this development, but also – as I am sure every first time parents can relate to – we are slightly apprehensive as well (at least I am)!

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Hey Presto: Pesto!

~ The Travelling Chopsticks ~ 5 Comments

Another quick recipe for you all today – and one that is so simple and so straightforward, I’m not sure why I don’t make it more often. Fresh basil pesto.

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Zucchini Carbonara

~ The Travelling Chopsticks ~ 5 Comments

So, I posted this picture a few days ago on my LCHF Club instagram account, and have got quite a few requests for the recipe:

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Carbonara with zucchini noodles – it is quick, easy and delicious. It doesn’t matter if you are watching your carb intake like I am or not, as it is a wonderful way of getting some extra veg in your diet and making a change to your usual routine.

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Food, Street Art and Horses – A Weekend Getaway in Sao Paulo!

~ The Travelling Chopsticks ~ 3 Comments

There was a time when C and I were living in Mexico City that we felt the need to flee. Run away from the noise, hide from the crowds and shun the traffic – just for a few days, just to get our breath back.

Every couple of months, we would pack our bags, throw them into the boot of the car and head out of town for the weekend. We would explore quaint colonial towns such as Guanajato, San Miguell de Allende or Malinalco where we could walk undisturbed on the cobblestoned streets, and enjoy good tequila while watching the world go by. Or we would go riding for the weekend at a wonderful ranch we discovered outside of the city.. These little getaways were essential, and allowed us enough breathing room to really enjoy living in such a colossal city.

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