Even though my Real Beauty blog is about a women’s best quality’s being on her insides, it doesn’t mean we can’t pamper ourselves to feel absolutely fantastic on the outside. Bon Appetit!

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My little secret is out – I just turned 40 – and though I’m not upset about this milestone, it did inspire me to think about how well I was taking care of myself — specifically my skin. I have shunned facials and spa treatments and expensive creams my whole life. I’m frugal and I had acne. It took me years to find Proactiv (been using successfully since 1993) and I didn’t believe that spending a ton of money on a spa treatment would do anything for me.

But as I approached 40, I started thinking that maybe I could help my complexion (especially motivated by the beautiful women of Sydney), by getting microdermabrasion. I don’t like to wear foundation, so camouflaging my face was not an option. So, encouraged by the lovely Amanda (Realize Beauty), I began to hunt for a place that would beautify me.

I found Lotus Spa in Bondi Junction - an elegant & friendly oasis – where I was told my skin had sun damage and would need extensive therapy. This was no surprise to me as I’d already taken a beating at another spa (and wasn’t keen to go back) but it still pricked my ego. But the lovely woman was nice, honest and right. So after she explained the details, I booked an appointment.

I really thought microdermabrasion would be harsh and I would have to go into hiding with scraggly skin – I was SO wrong! It was a wonderful experience. I received the crystal method (not diamond) with a device from Beauty Culture. It was more of a sucking vacuum than a face blasting. What a relief.

The treatment started with a soothing cleanser to prepare my skin. The the microdermabrasion. The beautician (she was globally and locally certified) gently smoothed my skin so the vacuum didn’t bruise the fleshy areas like my cheeks. It was enjoyable and didn’t feel like I was losing a layer of skin.

After the main treatment, she put on a soothing masque and serum and treated me to a hand/scalp massage. It was decadent!

She did warn me to wear sunscreen — that’s a given — and sent me on my way after telling me I looked radiant! Thank you very much. I came home and took pictures but didn’t notice too much difference. My skin was definitely brighter and clearer and I looked pampered – my skin was definitely softer, too. My skin felt just a little tight but there was no obvious redness. The next day, my skin still had that pampered look and I noticed I looked rested and a bit younger.

Success!!

I am certainly going back in a few months for another treatment. Will I go back to Lotus Spa? Maybe. I’m going to visit a few others and see what I find. I am on the quest for the friendliest and most feminine spa in Bondi Junction. The kind of place that makes me feel like a beautiful woman — before my treatment. I’m looking for ambiance…an ultimate experience. It will take a lot to surpass Lotus Spa, and I’ll share what I find.

Thanks Amanda, for inspiring me to treat myself to a much-needed and loved treatment. I’m a believer!

The other night, I cooked one of my best: Vegan Stroganoff – yum yum yum! The tofu/sour cream is divine – this time I put lemon in it.

But today – to mark the end (almost) of such a great month, I cooked Vegan Tacos. I love tacos – I especially love them because my mum is the Taco Queen. She’s been cooking them since I was born so they will always be special to me.

So I vegan-ed the recipe and I’m pleased to share:

Shells:
You can use pre-made but I don’t. I fry Corn Tortillas in extremely hot Olive Oil – watch your fingers. Let dry on paper towels.

Filling:
Vegan Meat – my new favourite it from Vegie Delights canned Casserole Mince. It’s in the Health Food section of Coles.

Kidney Beans – I used the mexican chili flavoured ones today but you can use Taco Seasoning, too. I added some extra Enchilada Sauce, too.

Vegan Cheese – the Low Chol Soy Bean Cheese from Kemeny’s in Bondi is superb.

Spring Onion

Avocado Cream Sause – I used the leftover tofu sour cream from Stroganoff (above) and added Avocado – basically it’s tofu, lemon, garlic, avo & cumin – blend until smooth.

You can add other onions (Mum LOVES onions), lettuce & tomato, olives, etc.

Isn’t the picture divine? It tasted even better. Rob agreed – he had a heap of them.

I’m sad to see Veganuary end, but I shall continue to create vegan meals and share. I love cooking vegan even if I don’t eat 100% vegan. It makes home life easy & healthy.

Adios & Via Con Comida,
Senorita Rohan

But tonight was a stay at home and cook for the Rohans night. I threw this recipe together quickly – it’s a slight variation of my baked cauliflower recipe - and goes to show that I can scrounge up anything from the fixin’s in our fridge and Rob will eat it. That’s why I love him so much.

Here’s the scoop for Fakin’ Bacon-tastic Mashed Potatoes:

Boil water – put cut potatoes in and cook until soft.

Fry Bacon – I LOVE Vegie Delights Bacon-Style Rashers from Cole’s. I used about 6 or so pieces in olive oil. Fry until crispy – as crispy as fake bacon can get. Let drain and cool – cut up into little chunks.

Boil peas.

Cut Spring Onions.

Shred Soy Cheese – Kemeny’s in Bondi has an incredible Low Chol Soy Bean Cheese. It’s out of this world and melts/tastes like REAL cheese. Huzzah!

Mash potatoes and put in baking dish. Layer peas, bacon, spring onions & cheese on top. A little dash of  cayenne pepper for the top and bake at 200 degrees Celsius for 20 minutes until cheese melts.

IT”S YUMMY and easy and fun and healthy. What more to life is there?

Happy Veganuary – but don’t despair! I’ve decided to continue with Veguary and Vegarch. I’ll keep cooking if you (my 3 readers) keep visiting!

Hasta la vista, baby and happy eating!

So super excited to start Veganuary that I had to post a delicious and mega-quickie recipe that will get you off on the right foot.

Sweet & Sassy and Berry Yummy Berry Smoothie:

Berry Mixture – I used frozen (you can use fresh) berry mix of Strawberries, Blueberries & Raspberries – about 2 cups

Chocolate So Good Ice Cream – about a cup

Vanilla So Good Ice Cream – about a cup

Mix in my FAVOURITE mixer – the Magic Bullet

You can add other fruit, play with the amounts of soy ice cream, or add orange juice/apple juice depending on your preferences.

It is SOY GOOD and makes a perfect mid-meal snack.

I loosely follow the Great Australian Diet by Dr. John Tickell where I try to get in 15 plant foods a day (grains, seeds, fruit & vege). This has 4.

Great boost to your day – great boost to mine!

Cheers & happy healthy plant eating,

kristin

I also like to share. So it is with the spirit of both of those, that I present to you my super secret but scrumptious Granola – to prepare for Veganuary – HORRAY!

This is my Pop’s and Pop-in-Law’s favourite (or so they tell me – and they wouldn’t lie to me, would they? Not if they want more granola, right??!!). So without further adieu…

Super Sweet & Sassy Granola – Kristin Style:

In a big bowl:

• Rolled Oats (I like organic)
• Mixed Nuts – broken in small pieces – Almonds are especially healthy
• Coconut Flakes
• Sunflower Seeds
• Olive Oil
• Maple Syrup
• Honey

Mix together with your hands until the Oil, Syrup & Honey cover all other ingredients. Heat oven to 150 (in Aus) and stir every 15 minutes. If your oven is too hot, cook at lower degrees. It will take about 45 – 60 minutes.

It’s ready when the oats are golden and taste crunchy.

You can add sultanas (raisins), dried cranberries or carob chips – you can even experiment with different kinds of nuts. The possibilities are endless.

This will keep for quite a while in a container in the fridge. Tastes awesome with soy milk.

I know this is delicious because when I make a new batch, Rob eats it for brekkie, lunch & tea everyday until I yell at him to stop eating it so fast. If that is not a positive testimonial, I don’t know what is!

Happy & healthy eating!!!

Like I said in my last post “Merry Kristin – on the 12th Day of Christmas”, I adore Sydney, champagne and pretty places – I seem to have found a few – yesterday’s hero was Madame Fling Flong in Newtown. Today it’s all about luxurious, delicious, dripping with lushness & femininity — The Winery in Surry Hills.

If you follow me on Twitter @KristinRohan, you know I co-host a snappy little shindig each Friday – “Champagne Fridays” – my pal, Oliver Palmer and I cooked it up so we could get together and toast well, ourselves. It’s grand and I love exploring new places to drink champagne in Surry Hills each week.

One such week, David Soul (an executive member of ChampagneFridays) suggested The Winery. Needless to say, it was LOVE at first site for me. Are you surprised?

I know!

It’s too bad we had just moved or I would have brought my suitcases straight here and never left the joint.

Here’s the unbelievable ceiling – a close-up of indulgence:

I came. I saw. I drank champagne. I fell in love. I thanked the heavens for Sydney, good friends and great times.

Here’s one more shot just so you can appreciate how breathtaking & fabulous this place is…

Okay, okay – just ONE more – guess where I’m going next week?!

Wheeeeeeee!

If you recall (or maybe you don’t since I only had 1 reader last year and now I have 3), I decided to share my love and appreciation for Sydney. It’s been a totally incredible year, and if I was smitten a year ago, let’s just say it’s full-blown love into infinity now.

So each day I reveal to my 3 readers more of the magic we are experiencing here.

It may not be a surprise that I love beautiful places and drinking champagne. When I can enjoy bubbly in a pretty place it’s KISMET! I have 2 such places that have caught my fancy in Sydney...Madame Fling Flong in Newtown and The Winery in Surry Hills (see Day 13 post).

Since it’s the weekend, I’m breaking this post up into 2 days so you can doubly enjoy my mouth-watering girlie girl pictures and giggle like I do when I look at them…

Madame Fling Flong’s in Newtown is the absolute cocktail lounge.

I was completely under it’s spell from the first minute and couldn’t wait to order my Manhattan (I strayer here a little but the place has retro cocktails and one must partake, yes?) and try out every delectable and utterly fantastic vintage chair until I found the one that screamed “Kristin” above all others.

I did.

Here’s the amazing bar – if I was still bartending, this is the first place I’d apply:

Needless to say, this is the first stop to heaven. We almost moved to Newtown so I could be close to Madame’s. Really. Wouldn’t you?

Come back tomorrow, when I share with you the horrendously feminine and soul-touching beauty of The Winery in Surry Hills…same Sweet & Sassy time…same Sweet & Sassy channel.

I do the “Vegan-essque” thing now — 3/4 Vegan — because the food is so magnificently delicious in Australia and Meat/Cheese seems to be sprinkled like yummy fairy dust into most dishes, bbq’s, etc.

But I’m ready for a little more action. I weaned myself off cheese earlier this year (hardest habit to break EVER!) and only have it occasionally – even Dominos delivers my pizzas with no cheese. HORRAY!

To kick off the pre-Veganuary festivities, I am sharing my super secret Sweet & Sassy Chili recipe. I like to eat this for lunch most days. Easy to keep a pot in the fridge for quick fixes.

In a frypan:
Vegie Delite Vegie Mince from Coles
Olive Oil
Spring Onions
Fresh Mushrooms

Once that is browned, add with the following items in a saucepan:
Red Kidney Beans (2 cans)
4 Bean Mix (1 can)
Fresh or Frozen Corn
Capsicum (I like to add a few different kinds for taste and make it look pretty)
Chili Con Carne Seasoning (sometimes with the Mexican food ingredients)
Pasta Sauce (I like Herbs & Spices in Red Wine or Garlic)
Can of Tomatoes (you decide which kind you prefer)
Minced Garlic

You can add more or less ingredients depending on how big your pot is. Let simmer for about 20 minutes but stir continuously as the mince sometimes sticks to the bottom.

It’s easy, simple, delicious & healthy.

Viola, it’s Chili – happy Veganuary!

A couple years ago, we moved to the beach and I volunteered to deliver books to people. That’s how I met Isabel* – and she changed my life.

Isobel was beautiful because she was…Adventurous & Brave. She was one of the first female foreign correspondents during the war. She also founded and ran her own media firm in California for many years – I know she paved the way for many women in Media – and having a Journalism degree myself, she was an inspiration to me.

I enjoyed our time together – it was only for a few years, but I grew to care for her. Even though I brought books to Isobel, I got so much out of our visits. She amazed and amused me with her stories of the war, of her childhood and her career. And we always enjoyed a little cocktail during our chats.

It seemed she was never backed down from a new experience. Even when she moved to a new retirement community in her 90’s, she continued to look for fun. She played Bingo, attended the ice cream socials & movie nights, and attempted to start a newsletter. She didn’t become complacent and hide in her room – she kept active and alert – always on the lookout for a little fun.

I know she was part of the reason I was so excited move to Australia. And as sad as I was to leave her, I was proud to go on an international adventure like Isabel.

Thank you, Isabel – for all the fun and lovely chats (and the yummy cocktails). Thank you for your stories and for sharing your life with me. Thank you for inspiring me to be more adventurous – I think of you during my travels and hope you know you touched my life.

Cheers, darling – I raise my glass to you!

*named changed to protect the innocent

The Sydney Chapter is holding a luncheon in October. Please consider attending – if you can’t come and want to make a donation, contact me at Kristin@SassySEO.com.

Here are the details:

Soroptimist International Sydney – A Global Voice for Women
Invites you to our:
Fundraising Luncheon

To Aid Poverty in Africa & Trafficked Women in Sydney

1:00 pm Sunday, 11th October
Mary Mackillop Place,
Mount Street, North Sydney

Guest Speaker: Edison Yongai
Edison Yongai is an accomplished African Australian writer. His work draws on his experiences living and working as a journalist in Sierra Leone. The first journalist to be imprisoned by the government, Edison spent time in solitary confinement. His home and manuscripts were burned in the guerrilla invasion of Freetown in 1999. In
2001 he arrived in Australia as a refugee. He was recently interviewed by Andrew Denton on the ABC TV programme “Enough Rope”.

Cost: $60 per head
Includes: Champagne & savouries plus buffet luncheon,
Wine, soft drink, mystery prizes

All proceeds to:
Project SIerra: A Family & A Future
Helping disadvantaged women & children in Sierra Leone
face their futures with confidence.

http://projectsierra.org/

Further information and bookings:
Norma Boston ph/fax: 9958 7040
Email: nboston@bigpond.net.au
RSVP with payment by Monday, 29th September

Please mention you heard about it from me. I’d love to see you there. It will be a grand day and the other members of Soroptimist are fabulous.

Thanks for your consideration!

Cheers,
kristin