Goodness Me Box

In the past couple of years, I've struggled with eating a healthy and balanced diet. At first, I didn't believe in, or didn't want to believe in, the health fads. As long as I exercised and moderated what I ate, it's fine right?

It probably is fine, except that I rarely exercised and I certainly didn't monitor what I ate. I started eating larger meal portions and resorted to buying fast food when I was starving and couldn't be bothered searching for healthier alternatives.

Also I love burgers, chips and pancakes.



Perhaps deprived as a child of extravagant (or any type of) birthday parties or gifting in general, I've always enjoyed giving and receiving curated boxes of food, stationery, tidbits and even clothes. There's something extra special knowing that the giver has spent time researching and putting the perfect box of complementary gifts together, rather than just buying a soft toy from your local Kmart last minute because you forgot all about Rachel's 18th (we know we've all been there).

I first discovered Goodness Me from the magical depths of the interweb. Every month, a subscription box arrives at your doorstep (without the annoying trek to the delivery docks if you miss the postman) filled with up to ten health food items. Having received my third box, I love that the items span across a full-sized muesli pack to new discoveries like cactus powder. Having subscribed to the box using a discount code, I was paying around $10 per box for full-sized health food snack and meal options. It was definitely an inexpensive luxury and a great way to motivate myself to eat a bit healthier by putting these snack options within my eyesight. I've definitely been a lot more conscious about what I eat ever since.

Check out the box for yourself and subscribe here.

7 Brunch Spots in Sydney

1. Trio in Bondi Trio is the place to be if you are looking for fine dining at 9 in the morning. Looking out onto the famous Bondi Beach, this place offers breakfast with a side of fancy and a Middle Eastern twist. If you're indecisive like me, go for their Breakfast Tasting Plate. The real winner of the day though was Trio Breakfast Burrito. Order with a Trio-customised cappuccino and your belly will thank you later. _____________________ 56 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach

2. Lumiere in Surry Hills A spur-of-the-moment Urbanspoon search led us to Lumiere - you can't go wrong with a cafe that serves all-day breakfast. Specials of the day may include mouth-watering baked eggs, but a highly recommended from the regular menu goes to the ricotta hotcakes with mixed berry compote (tick), mascarpone (tick), maple syrup and honeycomb (holy moly, tick). Order with a side (read: bowl) of bacon - do it. __________________ 425 Bourke Street, Surry Hills

3. Stain in Lane Cove Here's something local if you live on the lower North Shore and happen to pass through Mowbray Road. I went with a few friends and the meal was met with mixed reviews. Nonetheless, those mushrooms were as good as they look. Separated from the main road by park areas and with plenty of outdoor seating, it's definitely a nice place to stop by if you need to grab a bite. _____________________ Cnr of Mowbray Road & Felton Ave, Lane Cove North

4. Luxe Bakery in Newtown Brunch at Luxe Bakery not only made for a good Instagram photo, but also gave us a decent meal and pretty smooth coffee. The breakfast/lunch menu is pretty standard but well done, so no complaints there. Like all other boutique cafes in Sydney, there's not much room so make sure you get there nice and early, or order your coffee to-go. _____________________ 195 Missenden Road, Newtown

5. Elbow Room in Chatswood A new sun-lit local favourite has emerged amongst the busy streets of Chatswood - an outlier amongst neighbouring Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese restaurants. Open at 6am, go here for people-watching while munching on a chorizo hot dog (pictured above) or opt for a more traditional breakfast option of bacon, eggs and avocado on toast. _____________________ 6 Spring Street, Chatswood

6. Salvage in Artarmon Ah. This place. I've dedicated a whole blog post to this little cafe (literally) here. If you're looking for quality coffee (they were noticed by Sydney Morning Herald's Good Food Guide Awards last year) and some pretty sick food concepts, make your way down to Artarmon station and grab a nice sunny outdoor seat. _____________________ 5 Wilkes Ave, Artarmon

7. Salvage in Artarmon, encore Yep. This place again. But seriously.

8. Devon in Surry Hills Speaking of sick food concepts, Zacharay Tan's Devon in Surry Hills has got my tick of approval. People-watching by the window sill, chai latte, poached pear, smoked salmon, bagels....please take all my money so I can once again savour breakfast perfection. I can't wait to go back and try Devon by Night! _____________________ 76 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills

Eat: Salvage Specialty Coffee

This morning I went to brunch with a close friend to catch up on all things life. We haven't seen each other in a while, so in the spirit of doing things 'the old way', we decided to have brunch at Salvage. I love the decor at Salvage - it's a small, mostly outdoor, space with wooden tables and school chairs, and vintage-looking cups that made my friend go, "I think they need to buy new cups." They were awarded Two Cups from the SMH Good Cafe Awards earlier this year, and the only business to have been successfully opened in that shop location for as long as I've known! Can't wait to go back and savour the rest of their constantly changing menu.

You can find Salvage Specialty Coffee at 5 Wilkes Ave, Artarmon, Sydney.

On the Menu:

Smashed avo with tomato and seeded sourdough

Cured king salmon and poached egg with pickled fennel on seeded sourdough

Soy chai latte

Cappuccino