If You're That Way Inclined vol 1.
Gosh, it's been a while!
I recall having a conversation, just before I clicked 'send' on the first WC, with my good friend and fellow e-newsletter enthusiast Monique Bowley, about how quickly the best-laid plans of perpetual penpal-ship fly out the window as soon as life gets in the way.
And boy, has it been a year of LIFE! We launched Phenomenom, won some awards, went full-Silicon-Valley-Startup and moved back home... oh, and got Prego!
But amidst the organised (and otherwise) chaos of 2018, I’ve regularly paused to think “oh, I really should tell my people about the thing!”
Which is why I’ve decided it’s time to put pen to paper (so to speak!) with something new and sustainable for the year ahead - and possibly beyond, if it doth please you; in fact, I shall call it: If You're That Way Inclined, in which I tell you about things you may like to read, watch, cook, eat - that sort of thing. Basically, my column in TWR's The Feed, without the restaurant review next to it.
I’d love to hear back with recommendations from you, too - if you’re that way inclined, of course. Now, let’s begin.
If You’re That Way Inclined… 💁🏻♀️
Read:
The Climate Council asked me along to help launch their Renewable Feast Report this week, celebrating those food and bev. producers making the switch to renewable energies. I love how shopper-friendly a doc it is, helping us all support those businesses leading the charge (pun!). It includes recipes, case studies, and even a shopping list to tick off for Chrismukkah lunch.
Download the report here: Renewable Feast
Listen to:
It's pretty rare that there's dead air in our household, and I've been slowly working through the back-catalogue of ABC's Conversations, so don't be surprised if recommendations in this category skew towards Richard and Sarah's interviews. There’s a reason why this is the #1 podcast in Australia, as they’re all such fantastic stories, but I can tell the ones that really nail it, because they get shot around to half my phone-list a third of the way in. As someone who’s taught Year 8 boys’ English, and with a husband whose mum raised three boys, Maggie Dent’s “Raising Boys with Love” tugged on every heartstring and buzzed around my brain for the rest of the day.
For those not on my third-of-a-phone-list: Get ready to send this around to all of your mothering (and fathering) m8s, too.
And if you're interested in learning more, this PDF distillation of Maggie's methodology is marvellous: Mothering our Boys
Watch: Have you seen Dogs on Netflix yet? If you’re remotely into canines, you’ll go coo-coo for this series of odes to doges. Each episode has a different director, and you get a very distinct point of view, as well as an empathy and insight into human nature, canine companionship, and the world as a whole. I’m quietly hoping that Leopold and I get a Guernsey in season 2… If only I can think of a hook… Here’s a review from: Vulture
Cook: I made these Pineapple Tarts for my latest Culinary Correspondence on ABC News Breakfast, and I’m STILL thinking about them. They’ll be making an appearance on our Christmas lunch table, and I’ll probably be bringing them around for dinners to people’s houses when they tell me “don’t worry about bringing something”. I’m also considering starting a #smugfacecookclub on Facebook, and this will 100% be our first recipe. If you do make them, shoot me over a pic so that I may add it to the collection, friend!
That's it for now! Wishing you a fabulous festive season - if you're that way inclined.
Cheerio!
A - Z.