Tin Soldier Ponsonby

You know that you have to go and check it out if a little new kid in town is making a lot of noise and got the locals all raving about it. Yeah, I'm that type of geeky locals who can't miss out on the new Wunderkind and wants to find out what all the hype is about. Friday after work, great. Just hop across from work and find ourselves at Tin Soldier. It's quite easy to miss but it's just before the popular Chapel Bar. We were seated downstairs where the kitchen is whilst the rest of the crowd are drinking in the bar. Great space and love the warm sunlight that comes through. 

I can see the chef working diligently from where we sat, which is only a few meters away.

Our waiter took our orders and came back with complimentary bread and olive in the cute army metal lunch box. Nice touch.

Our first dish was Fish Pie. When it arrived, it looked nothing like a fish pie that I was expecting with flaky pastry which makes it even more interesting than it sounds. It is made of veloute of manuka smoked fish with chives and potato puree. It's really buttery and decadent. They were rather 'petite' in size but big in flavours. It was our favourite dish for the night.

Sardine on sourdough bread with tomatoes and pine nuts . Very average as I was expecting more flavours. It's not bad but it's not something that you will remember eating.

The famous Soldier Boys Jammers filled with glazed pork and gouda. Sad to say that this was the most disappointing dish I have eaten in a very long time. It was bland and the bread was dry and I wonder if I should have opted for the beer battered mussel filling instead. 

We couldn't resist ordering dessert although the meal has been only average. The waiter told us that the Apple Crumble is actually a cold and deconstructed version. Sounds interesting and didn't disappoint. It was fresh and with lots of interesting flavours and textures. I will come back just for this dessert.

It was overall a pleasant evening at Tin Soldiers.Will I come back? Probably only for a drink and the atmosphere but not for dining. Auckland is bursting with great selection of restaurants, bistros and pop-ups and if it didn't wow me the first time, it probably won't be on my list in the near future.

Tweet

Follow @herworldly

How to run your best race?

It's only 8 days until race day and in some ways I am really looking forward to it. This is the time when you find out the results of  all the hard work that you've put in the last few months. 

 Many runners do it for themselves although every one wants to be better than the person next to them but the achievement is only answer to oneself and we are our own toughest critic. On race day, you want things to go as planned and achieve the results that you've been hoping for. Sometimes you get it your way, sometimes not. I will try to enjoy race day as much I can whilst trying to achieve the best time I can from the amount of training I have done. What I love about running so much is that persistence that most runners have. Unless you are an elite runner, you don't get anything. You spend so much time and money (for clothes, shoes, entry fees) doing it year after year but there will be no significant tangible gains. The biggest gain is to get to know more about yourself and enjoy the journey. Blogging has been a big part of motivation for my running. To hear and share the thoughts, trials,errors and occasional triumphs with other runners is what keeps me going. Knowing that another runner who I deem so much stronger has the same moments of doubt,uncertainty or weakness makes running feels more human that it already is.
 My favourite blog post this week is a race recap from Msfitrunner. My favourite part of her post is this:

I know that the PR’S are in my head, and they need to come out through my legs.  I know that my mind is much stronger than it was six months ago.  and that is how running is a journey in life.  strong body, strong mind, strong heart.  In life lessons and getting through.  Life isnt easy.  so I hold loosely to time goals now, not because I don’t think they are not achievable for me – I have BIG time goals, and I will get them – but because the time of it isn’t as important to me anymore as the strength of it and the heart of it.  I could bust out a stellar PR, or not even a PR, just a fast run, but if my mind and body feel weak, then the victory isn’t as sweet.

I read this and it made my day. In fact, it made my race. I am more relaxed than I was a few days back and I totally agree with her. I ran my last race with a goal and when I didn't reach it, I was utterly disappointed and it was just a bad race for me. The focus on achieving a good time has distracted me from a race that would be otherwise perfect in terms of the location, the vibe ,the great weather and the great company I had when running it. I have learnt from it and just be relaxed and run and enjoy what my legs and heart are capable of and enjoy the journey. 

To finish off today's post, I am sharing some great inspiration with all of you here:

The final hour before midnight is one of the most exciting and inspiring parts of the Ironman World Championship. Pictured here is 77-year-old Harriet Anderson who narrowly made the 17-hour cutoff by finishing at 16:59:19." 

Tweet

Follow @herworldly

Product Reviews:Lululemon Full Stride Skirt, Flare Light Speed Shorts, Swiftly SE Concord Grape and Flash

If you have a Lululemon store close to your work or home you might get into a habit of going there like it's a church. In my case I do. I have been going there for the complimentary yoga classes but the classes are just the excuse for being there at least once a week. My workout clothes drawer is so full now and I have to start culling the pieces I don't love anymore to make way for my Lulu items. I am trying very hard not to live in my Lulus and wear something proper when I go out for dinner but it's tough. They are so comfortable you will never have the 'fat day' feeling where you just want to wear a sack.

I have been wanting to have a running skirt for longest ever but yet to find one that I like and fits well until I saw the Full Stride Skirt in Tender Violet. It's not my favorite color but I love the design- no frills! Deal.

I was worried that the gripper will make it uncomfortable but fortunately they didn't bother me at all and I'd say that I don't have skinny legs for my height. It does feel almost more cooling than shorts. I love the generous gel pockets in the front where I can put my iphone and save the back pocket for my Clif Bloks. My first run in these babies were for 15k and they did well. Hopefully these will be available in more colours. I will definitely buy a few more if they do.

 I also bought my first pair of Speed Shorts. The color is Flare Light and it's gorgeous. I was hesitant on how short it is but I love the color and got it anyway. They are my favourite shorts now!

On the same trip, I got  two Swiftly Special Edition Tees in Flash and Concord Grape. These were discounted to only $44 each instead of their normal $85 price tag and they are so comfy and stink-free. Score!

I need a new running cap and got myself the Run The Distance running cap.Probably going to return it because it feels quite heavy and doesn't give me as much shade compared to my good old 2XU cap. Sad because I like the color and zipper. At $45, it costs quite a bit more than the usual Nike, 2XU headwear but it comes with UPF and zipper so I think the price is reasonable.

Pairing my Swiftly Concord Grape with Full Stride skirt.

These Speed Shorts has passed the Warrior post and Gangnam style tests with flying colours!!

At the time of this post, I have bought a few more items from Lulu which I will be posting later.

What is your favourite sports brand?

Do you run with a cap?

Shorts or skirts or both?

What is the one item you can't do without for your run?

Tweet

Follow @herworldly

Annabel Langbein's Ultimate Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Ganache and Raspberry

I never had the confidence of baking in the past until I was given a copy of Annabel Langbein's Free Range Cook in the City. I have baked a few cakes with great success since. Her recipes are so simple and usually requires just a few ingredients and all in one page. I love one page recipes for baking because I won't get confused and overwhelmed by what I have to do. Langbein's recipes are almost 95% success and it's encouraging for people like me who are starting to enjoy baking on the weekends. Well, part of my problem was not following the recipe to the T which is essential to baking success. I've learnt it the hard way by wasting lots of expensive ingredients.

The recipe suggests using 1x 30cm or 2x 20cm cake pans. I have neither so I had to give my 24cm cake pan a shot. I filled it until 1.5 inch from the edge and the rest in my texas muffin trays. It worked but not beautifully. You can see that my cake has popped out a little but that's not a problem at all unless you really want a flat cake.Once the it's covered with chocolate ganache it's going to be beautiful.

Making the ganache was really easy and quick. I have only used half the quantity required in the recipe and there were more than enough. Unless you want a very thick and rich cake otherwise it's all good. I used a 72% dark chocolate and it was a bit on the bitter side but I liked it. Most recipe would recommend using chocolates with at least 50% cocoa. Maybe a 60% is a good choice if you can't find 50% option. I love the glossy-ness of the ganache. 

I can't find any fresh raspberries this time of the year and opted for frozen raspberries instead. It's not as pretty but it's still desirable. The cake is moist and not heavy. I gave the cake to a friend a she loved it and the few cupcakes that I made with the same batch of batter was still very moist after 2 days.This recipe is a keeper.

Here is the recipe that I've hardworkingly copied and paste from Annabel Langbein's website.

heUltimateChocolateCake

Prep time:

5 mins

Cook time:

1 hour

Makes:

1 big cake or 2 smaller cakes

• 3 cups self-raising flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1½ tsp vanilla extract
• ¾ cup cocoa powder
• 2 tsp baking soda, sifted
• 200g butter, softened
• 1 cup milk or unsweetened yoghurt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup boiling hot coffee

To ice:

Chocolate Ganache

Fresh Raspberries

Chocolate Ganache

Prep time:

5 mins

Cook time:

5 mins + standing

Makes:

4 cups

• 500ml cream
• 500g best quality dark chocolate, roughly chopped

Pour the cream into a medium pot and heat it until it is almost but not quite boiling. You’ll know it’s ready when bubbles start to form around the edge of the pot. Remove from the heat and add the chocolate. Stand for 2 minutes, then stir until the chocolate is fully melted into the cream. Whisk until smooth and glossy. When you start to stir it, you think it won’t come together, but it will.

If you’re not using the ganache straight away, store it in a jar in the fridge for up to two weeks. When you’re ready to serve it, gently warm in a pot or microwave to soften.

Chocolate Cake:

Heat oven to 160°C. Grease the sides and line the base of a 30cm round cake tin or 2 x 20cm round cake tins with baking paper.

Place all ingredients except Chocolate Ganache and raspberries in a bowl or food processor and mix or blitz until the ingredients are combined and the butter is fully incorporated. Pour mixture into prepared tin or tins and smooth top. Bake for 1 hour or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Allow to cool in the tin. If not using at once, the cake will keep for about a week in a sealed container in the fridge. You can also freeze it uniced.

When you are ready to ice the cake, slather chilled Chocolate Ganache over the top. Top with fresh raspberries and serve.

Tweet

Follow @herworldly

19 days to Auckland Half Marathon 2012

You know that feeling when the date that you've marked on your calendar is inching closer and you know how much it means to you after months of training and talking about it? I am getting excited and actually looking forward to the Auckland Half Marathon that's going to take place in 19 days. Months of training will be put to test and see if I actually am going to be able to enjoy the fruits of my labour. It also means I am going to be eating more salads and less chocolates,cheese and ice-cream. I have been dreaming of finishing a half marathon in less than 2 hours but I am still yet to achieve it. I'm ok with that. I just aim to beat my previous time. I know honestly that I have not trained as hard as some people but definitely way harder this year than my previous years. I'm happy with that. The worst thing is to finish a race feeling defeated and unmotivated - just brush myself off and try to do better the next time. Finishing a race is something to celebrate - to honour the dedication and hard-work and enjoy being able to run with thousands of others who shares the same interest with you. A PB is a bonus. I hope I would remember this when I finish my race in 19 days. I still very very eager to achieve a 2:10 and will try my best on the day.

3 more long runs to race day and I'm eager to run as much as I can but also have to remember to overdo it and risk being injured. I went out for my Sunday run yesterday and it was the perfect weather for running. If it wasn't because my ankle and calves starting to hurt I would have gone for longer. I ended doing 14k  and I had planned for 16k but it came out shorter but it's ok because better be safe than sorry. I really enjoyed running an even pace of 6:53. Started out with a walk and then turn my Garmin on after about 8 minutes of warm up. I realise that with a good warm-up I am able to run a very even pace without having to stop. Good stuff. My run got better when I saw these guys in the park.

I have no idea what it was for but Auckland is full of cool zany people so it's not uncommon. The couple was sweet enough let me snap a photo.

Summary of my training this week:

Monday : 45 mins of weights and cardio

Tuesday: 45 mins of interval (10x 400m)

Wednesday: 1 hr of vinyasa yoga

Thursday: 1 hr mid-tempo run

Friday: 45 mins of weights and cardio

Saturday: Rest & Stretch

Sunday: 14k easy run.

After a little lunch and resting I went out and came back with this:

It made my day. I will be doing a post of my latest looting   trip to Lululemon.

And if all the above wasn't enough to make a great day. I saw this beauty when we left the restaurant after dinner.

Tweet

Follow @herworldly