Thank you!

This week has been really exciting for me, and I bet you didn’t know, it’s all thanks to you folks.

Being pretty new to the blogger scene, I often check the site statistics to see how many hits the blog is getting and where readers are from. I’m amazed by all the different countries you are in. When I started this blog I never imagined it would reach people in far away lands like Switzerland and Mexico!

I was blown away to see that vegeTARAian has received over 5,000 visits! That’s right, five thousand hits in five months. Wow, that’s pretty impressive! To say I’m proud would be a total understatement.

I feel so grateful to have an audience, so quite simply, this is a note to say thank you.

Thank you for visiting, and coming back to read more, for your comments and likes, your kind words and encouragement, the chats on Twitter and Facebook, the endless talks about food and for laughing along with me. Interacting with you is the part I enjoy most!

Are we feeling the love yet? Ok, I admit, if you weren’t so far away I’d give you all a big hug.

Now that the mushy part is done, it’s over to you guys. I’d really love to hear what you think: What initially brought you to this blog? Which bits do you like? What do you want to see more of?

Hope to chat with y’all soon! x

Becasse – Mushroom & truffle risotto

This gallery contains 12 photos.

This is without doubt, the best dish I have ever had. I know, that’s a big call. But at Becasse, you can expect nothing but the best. This delicious mushroom risotto, part of a degustation, was generously topped with shaved … Continue reading

Breakfast by the water

This gallery contains 2 photos.

This morning I met some work friends for breakfast at Cucina Viscontini, a café on the waterfront in Homebush Bay. Sometimes being a vego means the choices for a hot breakfast are limited. Why should meat eaters have all the fun?! … Continue reading

Lunch at Lotus Story

This gallery contains 2 photos.

At lunch today I went for a stroll with a few friends to a newly opened Vietnamese restaurant called Lotus Story, in Olympic Park. It’s in a great space with lots of tables inside, you can also eat outside. This is … Continue reading

Gluten free and pub grub

This gallery contains 2 photos.

Yesterday a girlfriend visited, who has a gluten free diet. Not so long ago this would have seemed difficult to cater for. Now there are so many gluten free products, all you need to do is take the time to … Continue reading

Cooking lesson – Week 1

This gallery contains 5 photos.

Last night I went to a local high school for the first class in a 7 week ‘Healthy Vegetarian Cooking’ course. The teacher is lovely. She’s written a couple of cook books so she must know what she’s doing! She … Continue reading

Bar Italia, Leichhardt

This gallery contains 10 photos.

I worked in Leichhardt nearly 8 years ago. Gee time flies. Writing that makes me feel old! It’s a beautiful suburb with a lot of Italian eateries and delis. There are also a couple of great shops in Haberfield that … Continue reading

Vegie curry

This gallery contains 2 photos.

I was inspired on the weekend while watching an episode of Jamie’s 30 Minute Meals, where he made a really simple vegetable curry. The thing I love about Jamie’s recipes are that they seem so easy to make. His books are … Continue reading

Mad Mex

This gallery contains 7 photos.

When I think of fast food I think cheap, processed, salty, fatty, fried (and sometimes devilishly tasty) rubbish. Thankfully, the Mad Mex chain is different. Tacos, nachos, burritos and quesadillas with lots of fresh fillings. Delish! These stores are starting … Continue reading

Cooking lesson – Week 2

This gallery contains 3 photos.

Tonight we came prepared with our own utensils and ingredients. There were a few students missing so class seemed to go a little quicker than last time. We made two dishes tonight. An eggplant and chickpea sauce and a celery and … Continue reading

Dinner at Aria

This gallery contains 12 photos.

I don’t regard myself as a foodie, nor am I a cook. And by no means am I rich or snobbish. That being said I do have an appreciation for food that has been prepared with thought and care, where … Continue reading

Homaru Japanese, Newington

This gallery contains 7 photos.

Tonight I caught up with a friend who lives in Newington so we met up at a new Japanese restaurant nearby called Homaru. Edamame, agedashi tofu, tempura, okonomiyaki, sushi, ramen, udon - they have a great menu, which makes it so … Continue reading

Chocolate nuffins

This gallery contains 3 photos.

I have a friend who is a complete fitness freak. When he’s not working he’s running around the block (even during his lunch break) and he gets up crazy early for boot camp on the beach. Admittedly I think he’s a little insane, but … Continue reading

Yulli’s, Surry Hills

This gallery contains 9 photos.

Surry Hills is a buzz with so many great places to eat. I think I should make it a mission to try them all! So after getting a recommendation from a Twitter pal about a great vegetarian restaurant on Crown … Continue reading

The Everest Kitchen, Marrickville

This gallery contains 6 photos.

My sister and her partner recently came across a restaurant that they love. So much so, that when they go they are so busy eating, they hardly speak! So last week my sister took Ma and I to a The … Continue reading

Versatile Blogger Award

This gallery contains 1 photo.

Late last night I received a delightful comment on my blog from intoleranceisbliss who had nominated me for a Versatile Blogger Award. Wow, what an honour! I am so new to this blogging thing, I wondered how I could possibly have been … Continue reading

Mushroom Kingdom, Hokkaido

This gallery contains 16 photos.

It’s quite a long journey to Niseko. An overnight flight from Sydney, a few hours layover in Tokyo airport, a 1.5 hour flight to Chitose airport in Sapporo plus a couple of hours waiting in the airport and finally, a … Continue reading

Mariposa cafe, Niseko

This gallery contains 3 photos.

I just got back from an amazing week in Japan, mostly spent skiing in Niseko, Hokkaido. This is the first of a number of blogs I’ll write about the fabulous food I ate and saw there! One morning after breakfast … Continue reading

Taste of Sydney 2012

This gallery contains 19 photos.

After a month of gloomy weather in Sydney, summer finally came out on the weekend! On Sunday I went to Taste of Sydney - a 4 day food lovers event held every March at Centennial Park. I hadn’t been to Taste of … Continue reading

Breakfasts in Japan

This gallery contains 11 photos.

Japanese food is amazing. I’m not talking about the Westernised version we have in Australia, I’m talking about REAL Japanese food, made in Japan. I think it’s fair to say that the Japanese put their heart and soul into everything … Continue reading

Star spotting in Niseko, Japan

This gallery contains 3 photos.

I was totally starstruck in Niseko last week when I bumped into Adam Liaw! We both happened to be browsing through an upstairs trinkety store, right next door to my hotel. When I think back I must have acted like … Continue reading

Cooking lesson – Week 6

This gallery contains 5 photos.

Yes I know, I’ve been incredibly slack with my cooking class updates. And right after this blog is posted, there will be another class to write about. Sheesh, I need more hours in the day! Unfortunately I missed a couple … Continue reading

Cooking class – week 7

This gallery contains 3 photos.

Well this was the last class, it’s all over! All up the course was a little costly (enrolment fee and the cost of ingredients each week) but overall I thought it was good for learning basic vegetable dishes. The first dish was … Continue reading

Cooking with Ma – quinoa muffins & vegie patties

This gallery contains 10 photos.

My Ma is a great cook. I know most people think that their mum is ‘the best’ cook, well mine really is! Ma has always spent a lot of time in the kitchen experimenting with different dishes and cuisines so … Continue reading