How to travel more often

Do you wish you could hit the open road a little bit more often? Is more travel a goal of yours for 2020?

 

We hear you!

 

Getting out of your comfort zone and hitting the open road, jumping on a plane and heading to a new location can do wonders for your health, relationships and to spark new ideas.

 

If travel is your goal, you might be asking; but how can I make that a reality? Well here are some tips for getting more travel time in this year.

 

 

Explore Where You Live

 

Let's start small with a weekend staycation. That's right: Be a tourist in your own city. You might just be surprised to find how much a spa day makes you feel like you just got back from Bali.

 

And of course, if you have never been to the Coonawarra, we highly recommend packing the car, the kids and even the dog and heading our way for a weekend getaway.

 

Cut back on unnecessary spending

 

I know… boring but having a budget and cutting back on unnecessary spending can help you reach your goals a whole lot quicker. Try and have one less coffee or lunch out a week and add this into a saving bank account.

 

Maybe call it your adventure account for when you want to throw caution to the wind and go away somewhere.

 

Subscribe to travel blogs and airline deal emails

 

Be the first to hear about all the latest deals by subscribing to hotel and holiday deals; that way you can book a getaway when the prices are reasonable and spend less money in the process. Win, win.

 

Spontaneity is often rewarded

 

Be willing to throw caution to the wind and travel and go when and where you can on a whim, if you have a free weekend coming up or a slow time at work that you can take some additional leave, why not book a trip away?

 

Travel is worth working for

You might have to work hard and sacrifice some things to fulfil your dream of travelling more, but it's worth working for. You will always remember experience over things and getting out and exploring is good for the soul.

 

 

 

 

Seafood and eat it

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While we are still rolling with the summer vibes, we thought it only fair that we keep the seafood eats rolling. And what better way than with a delicious seafood pasta for a weeknight dinner that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. 

 

And paired with a Raidis Estate The Kid Riesling you are sure you be in foodie heaven.

 

What you’ll need:

 

Calamari – 3/4 lb, sliced into rings

Mussels – 1 lb, cleaned and debearded

Garlic – 2 cloves, minced

Shallots – 1/2 bulb, diced

Parsley – 1/4 bunch, chopped

Linguine – 1/2 lb

Cooking oil – 2 Tbsp

Anchovy paste (opt) – 1 1/2 tsp

Capers – 1 Tbsp

Diced tomatoes 

White wine – 2 Tbsp (Use a dry white like a sauvignon blanc)

Lemon – 1/2, juice of

 

Method:

 

Bring a saucepan of water to boil. Salt generously and add linguine. Cook until al dente.

 

Heat a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add cooking oil and then garlic, shallots, anchovy paste, and capers to heated oil. Sauté for ~2 minutes.

 

Add diced tomatoes and wine, and sauté for another 3 to 4 minutes.

 

Add mussels to pan. Cover with a lid and cook for ~5 minutes. Give the pan a shake before removing the lid and folding in calamari.

 

Cook for another 3 to 4 minutes, until squid, is cooked through.

 

Toss with linguine and finish with lemon juice and then season to taste with salt and pepper. Garnish with parsley.

 

 

Enjoy your Italian seafood pasta (preferably with a glass of Raidis Estate Riesling!).

Celebrate love

Every day should be a day that we appreciate our beloved, but Valentine's Day is a good excuse to think about doing something nice with our partner and celebrating all that they are.

 

If you are not into fanfare and long-stemmed roses arriving at your door that's ok, there are lots of lovely ways to spend time with the one that you love. It doesn't need to be anything fancy or extravagant, but something that you both enjoy.

 

Here are our top tips for something special with your lover that are creative and don't cost the earth.

 

 

Pack a picnic

 

And head to the beach or your favourite park. Enjoy the beautiful summer weather, the great outdoors and each others company while you enjoy some cheese, dip and olives and maybe a cheeky bottle of Raidis Estate for good measure.

 

 

No phones for 24hours

 

In the tech-centric society that we live in when was the last time that you sat down and enjoyed your partner's company with no distractions.

 

Can you remember such a time? How about giving the gift of your full attention for 24 hours and turning off your phone, putting it in the draw and enjoying each other.

 

Plant a garden together

 

What better way to celebrate love than planting a garden and watching it grow? And grow it will over a 12month period so that this time next year you will be able to sit down and look at the fruits of your labour and hopefully taste them if you plant something edible.

 

Cook together

 

Pick out a recipe you have been dying to try and plan a night of cooking, turn the music up loud, pour some wine and dance in the kitchen.

 

And if you are feeling adventurous, try cooking some delicious, decadent dessert together.

 

Write a little love note

 

When was the last time you told your lover how you felt about them? Why not write them a little love note telling them how special they are to you, and something for safekeeping to remind them of this when you might be going through some tough times.

 

And if all else fails sometimes simple is best. Pour a glass of your favourite wine and enjoy each other's company.

 

Happy V day lovers!

Spicy Seafood Laksa

 

A big bowl of delicious Seafood Laksa is a sure-fire way to warm up your mid-week cooking rotation.

 

If you are not familiar with this deliciousness, Laksa is a popular Peranakan spicy noodle soup.

 

Peranakan culture is based in Southeast Asia and is a mash-up of Chinese, Malay and Indonesian influences.

 

So, it's no surprise that Laksa is a fusion of Chinese noodles and Southeast Asian curries, and range from the mild "Chinese" type curries to the full-blown spicy variety and it's Oh so delicious. 

 

 

It’s warm, nourishing and will instantly whisk you away to Singapore!

 

What you’ll need:

 

250g rice vermicelli

1 tablespoon of peanut oil

1/4 cup laksa paste

3 cups of vegetable liquid stock

400ml coconut milk

750g green prawns, deveined, shelled, tails on

250g squid

100g deep-fried tofu, quartered

100g bean sprouts, trimmed

1/2 cup fresh coriander

1/2 cup Vietnamese mint

1/2 cup Thai basil leaves, plus extra to serve

1 small red chilli, seeds removed, cut into thin strips

2 tablespoons chopped peanuts, to serve

Fried Asian shallots, to garnish

 

 

Method:

 

Place the vermicelli in a bowl, cover with boiling water and leave for 10 minutes to soak. Drain and set aside.

 

Place oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Add the laksa paste and stir-fry for 1 minute. Stir in the stock, bring to the boil, then add the coconut milk and simmer for 2 minutes.

 

Add the green prawns, squid and tofu and cook for 2 minutes before adding 1 teaspoon of salt.

 

Divide the noodles between serving bowls, top with the bean sprouts and the fresh herbs. Pour the laksa soup over the noodles, dividing the seafood equally among the bowls.

 

Garnish with slices of chilli, peanuts, shallots and the extra fresh herbs