Healthy body, healthy mind

The Healthy Body Book launch at Busybird Publishing  at 118 Para Road, Montmorency is being held on Saturday 22 July from 3 – 5 pm and I’m happy to say that my sponsor Nikki Ellis from Cinch Training in Macleod is one of the co-authors!  Refreshments will be provided – admission is free but you do need to RSVP by 18 July if you’d like to come along.  This is the second book of Busybird’s Health Conscious series and Donna Campisi, author of ‘The Unlikely Marathoner’ will be launching the book.

Image via Busybird Publishing

I made it to a morning class at Cinch today and have needed to be consistent with exercise over these colder months, particularly given I’ve had a couple of dinners out over the past week.  Mr Rosanna and I had dinner with some friends last Saturday night in the back dining area at one of my old favourites Paladarr Thai restaurant and cooking school housed in a former Art Deco bank building in Alphington. The food is still great although they do kick you out early being in a residential area – we were served our bill along with hot towels at 10pm!  Still, the duck curry and steamed fish dishes in particular are recommended.

Nikki Ellis in action – image via Cinch Training

I spent last night catching up with an old work friend at Spanish restaurant Tinto in Burwood Road, Hawthorn and managed to snaffle a park right on Burwood Road as it was very busy when I arrived.  Tinto’s been there for a while, and like Paladarr Thai, is a warm and cosy place to go in winter – it was full house last night.  My girlfriend Kath and I shared both the smaller and medium sized dishes which included amongst other things some yummy field mushrooms, a seafood casserole and broccolini.  I did exercise some restraint and didn’t order the churros (Spanish donuts) as much as they were tempting.

Image via Tinto

My next lecture is one for the foodies so I look forward to letting you know what that’s all about closer to the end of the month.  It’s been a very sombre week world-wide and a number of my friends and colleagues are heading to London in the coming months so I am hoping they stay safe on their travels, and you as well if travelling.

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La dolce vita

My family’s love affair with all things Italian actually pre-dates my time in that my mum’s family grew up with Italians in 1950s and 60s North Melbourne, going to local Catholic schools and becoming best friends with Italian people.  My sisters and I have continued that tradition by also having European best friends and I’m hoping my girlfriend Celestina one day takes me to the Museo Italiano (below) in Faraday Street, Carlton.  I’ve also been intrigued by the Museo Alpino sign (also below) in one of the derelict buildings at La Trobe University and have assumed that at one stage there was an Italian ski museum.

Mr Rosanna and I happened to be in Carlton on Friday and grabbed a quick coffee and cannoli at stalwart cafe Brunetti‘s although I’ve also been reading about Black Star Pastry opening at 56 University Street in Carlton featuring possibly Sydney’s most Instagrammed dessert – the Strawberry Watermelon cake.  My 21st birthday cake was in fact a croquembouche profiterole cake from Brunetti of which I still have fond memories!  I also love that the Italians make such an effort to dress up and there was one lady at Brunetti dressed in a Chanel-style jacket and matching bag complete with oversized dark sunglasses – she looked like she’d just walked off Via Condotti in Rome.

Image via Brunetti

I’ve had a couple of restaurants recommended to me of late including Pinotta in North Fitzroy as well as Tinto in Hawthorn – maybe something to keep in mind with the weather about to change season and more time spent indoors.

Image via Pinotta

I just wanted to mention a few children’s events on this coming weekend – the Kindergarten Open Day in Banyule is being held this Saturday from 9am – 12 pm and Rosanna Golf Links Primary School is turning 60 this Sunday – apparently Anniversary Fun Fair celebrations include a Colour Run if you’re a fan of these.