Duckpond blues

Monday, April 11, 2011

Reese Witherspoon – Vogue US May 2011

Reese Witherspoon – Vogue US May 2011: "

The highly acclaimed New York Times best-seller historical novel written by Sara Gruen has been adapted for the screen and stars the cover of Vogue US’s May 2011 issue – Reese Witherspoon.

Photographed by Peter Lindbergh and styled by Tonne Goodman, Witherspoon looks glamorous in gowns from Narcisco Rodriquez, Dior and Dolce & Gabbana, and for the cover Roland Mouret.

With Reese in the news for her personal life most recently as she exchanged vows with talent manager Jim Toth on March 26 at her ranch in Ojai, California, (view photos of her home here & read People’s exclusive interview and photos of Reese’s wedding here) it seems now the buzz is all about her new role in Water for Elephants which is a departure from her more frequent romantic comedies.

Whether you are interested in the magazine or the film, or perhaps both, look for them both to be available on April 22.

All images via Fashion Gone Rogue

veggie love: 7 tips to make sure you’re getting enough

veggie love: 7 tips to make sure you’re getting enough: "

It feels like there’s an incredible amount of conflicting information out there when it comes to healthy eating. But have you ever noticed that there is one consistent message?

Yep, everyone from the vegans, to the raw food brigade, to the low fat fans, and even my fellow slow carbers all agree we should eat more vegetables.

so how much is enough?

According to the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating, most people should be aiming for at least 5 serves of veg a day.

Pregnant ladies and breastfeeding mums should be aiming for 6 – 7 serves.

Children’s needs increase with their age. But basically by the time you’re 8 years old, you should be aiming for 5 serves as well.

what exactly is a serve of vegetables?

Glad you asked.

by weight

1 serve = 75g (2.5oz).

by volume

1 serve cooked veg = 1/2 cup

1 serve leafy veg = 1 cup

one small potato

My nutritionist friend, Kathryn Elliott wrote a great post with pictures of what 5 serves of vegetables looks like. Worth checking out.

7 tips to get your 5 serves a day

1. Include vegetables at breakfast.

This is possibly the easiest way to increase your vegetable intake. I’ve really been getting into spinach with my eggs for breakfast. Sometimes I use fresh baby spinach but mostly I just defrost some frozen spinach. And give it a good squeeze of lemon juice. But if spinach is a bit too weird for you, how about mushrooms or grilled tomato?

2. Serve a side salad or veg at dinner.

Pretty self explanatory. If you’re not already including a side with your evening meal, what are you waiting for? In summer especially, a classic green salad only takes a couple of minutes to whip up and goes with pretty much anything. And while I still like my salads in the winter, some steamed broccolini or my all time favourite super simple broccoli are my go-to accompaniments.

3. Use vegetables to snack.

While it does take a little bit of organisation, snacking on vegetables is a brilliant way to expand your intake. With the added bonus of keeping you away from sweet treats. Carrots or celery with a little peanut butter or hummus are a great place to start.

4. Plan for leftover veggies.

Rather than just cooking what you need for dinner, why not make extra veg to have with your breakfast, lunch or as a snack.

5. Try eating vegetarian one day a week.

I’ve been a little slack with my meat-free mondays because I’m travelling at the moment but it’s another great way. Replace your meat with lentils or beans (which count as veg!)

6. Have some dessert.

OK, not so obvious. But even sweet treats can help in the veggie department. Try something like this wonderful zucchini cake.

7. Keep a record for a few weeks.

As all good business students know, we manage what we measure. So why not keep track of your serves of veg a day and see where it leads you.

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video version of the recipe

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Our 5 Ingredient Baking class starts this weekend at the Stonesoup Virtual Cookery School.

Just 24 hours left to go in the draw to win a copy of my 2 favourite baking cookbooks: How to be a Domestic Goddess by Nigella Lawson AND Bourke Street Bakery by Paul Allam.

Sign up here today.

Competition closes 7pm Eastern US time Tuesday 12th April 2011.

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veggie kebabs recipe

serves 2

1 tablespoon smoked paprika

300g (10oz) firm tofu, cut into cubes

1 medium zucchini

12 button mushrooms

1. Preheat overhead grill or broiler on its highest setting. And soak 4 bamboo skewers in cold water.

2. Combine paprika with 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in a medium bowl. Season.

3. Toss tofu in the marinade to coat. Stand while you prep the vegetables.

4. Slice zucchini into wide ribbons using a mandoline or vegetable peeler. Trim mushroom stalks.

5. Tread tofu, zucchini and mushrooms onto the skewers. Drizzle with any leftover paprika oil.

6. Grill for about 3 minutes on each side or until the mushrooms are cooked and the tofu is hot.

st patrick’s mash recipe

serves 2

2 small heads broccoli

knob butter

1. Chop broccoli into rough pieces.

2. Bring about 2cm (1in) salted water to the boil in a medium saucepan.

3. Add broccoli and cook, covered for about 5 minutes or until broccoli is tender.

4. Drain and mash broccoli with the butter using a stick blender, your food processor, or just use a fork.

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Thursday, April 7, 2011

Nordic Nights: 12 Fun & Hip Hotels in Sweden

Nordic Nights: 12 Fun & Hip Hotels in Sweden: "[ By Steph in Architecture & Design & Travel & Places. ]

From the pristine northern forests to the bustling streets of Stockholm, Sweden has a lot to offer – and plenty of cool, unusual and visually stunning places to stay while you’re visiting. In fact, if swanky art hotels with live glassblowing and painfully hip bars bursting with local patrons aren’t cool enough for you, you can literally sleep on ice at the world’s largest ice hotel. These 12 hotels range from the simplest hut in the woods to luxurious accommodations in historic buildings.

ICEHOTEL, Jukkasjärvi

(images via: icehotel.com)

Sweden is home to the world’s largest hotel made out of ice and snow. The ICEHOTEL began with a single igloo and now has 80 rooms, all made from over 10,000 tons of ice and 30,000 tons of snow. Available from mid-December to mid-April, the hotel is re-made and re-designed every year, with one-of-a-kind ‘art suites’, the world-famous Absolut Ice Bar, a restaurant and even an ice chapel.

TreeHotel, Harads

(images via: treehotel.se)

Stay in a stunning ‘Mirrorcube’ that reflects the surrounding forest, an oversized bird’s nest, a pod that resembles a UFO or a roomier cabin at the Treehotel, Sweden’s lofty new getaway in the pristine natural region of Harads. Each of the Treehotel’s six guest rooms are perched in the trees for unforgettable views, and they all have private bathrooms with incinerator toilets. (Good to note: the Mirrorcube has been specially treated to prevent bird collisions!)

Nobis Hotel, Stockholm

(images via: nobishotel.se)

Taking visual inspiration from Sweden’s wintry landscape, the crisp and elegant Nobis Hotel is not just a place to sleep – it’s been called ‘Stockholm’s living room’, with locals flocking to the cool contemporary bar and the hotel’s Southern Italian-style bistro. Located in a pair of historic 19th century buildings, the 201-room hotel is within walking distance of Stockholm’s best shopping and sightseeing.

Silvermine Suite, Sala

(images via: sophie andersson at salasilvergruva.se)

At the Sala Silvermine in Sweden, you can navigate dark winding underground passageways down to your own private cave. The Silvermine Suite is 155 meters under the surface of the earth in one of the world’s best-preserved historic mines, which once produced over 3 tons of silver every year. For travelers who aren’t claustrophobic and don’t mind the cold, this could definitely be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Story Hotel, Stockholm

(images via: storyhotels.com)

The bohemian-chic Story Hotel is a favorite of stylish urbanites, combining modern glamor with a welcoming sense of coziness enhanced by plenty of purple velour. Clean, bright new elements are combined with strategically revealed remnants of the building’s former life as private residences including antique wallpaper, disused electric meters and reclaimed doors as headboards. Offering 82 guest rooms at affordable prices, the Story Hotel is ideally located right in the city center.

Kolarbyn Eco-Lodge, Skinnskatteberg

(images via: kolarbyn.se)

Set in a picturesque glade near the lake of Skärsjön, the Kolarbyn Eco-Lodge is Sweden’s most primitive hotel, offering twelve electricity-free ‘nature huts’ that put you as close to the Swedish landscape as you can get without actually camping. You’ll fall asleep on soft sheepskins by the glow of candles and the crackle of a warming fire, and enjoy an open-air breakfast when you awaken in the morning. Part of the proceeds of your stay will go toward protecting area wildlife.

Nordic Light Hotel, Stockholm

(images via: nordiclighthotel.se)

Voted Sweden’s leading boutique hotel two years in a row, the Nordic Light Hotel in Stockholm is burstling with personality yet soothing to the eyes of weary travelers. Carefully chosen accent colors and lighting installations invite relaxation in the guest rooms, inspired by the long dawns and sunsets in the region which give off a glow of rainbow colors. The 175 rooms are divided into three categories – ‘standard’ for those who aren’t keen on dramatic lighting effects, ‘superior’ for a little more character and ‘deluxe’ for a truly unique, almost otherwordly experience.

Utter Inn, Lake Mälaren

(images via: houseandhome.ie)

It looks almost like a joke – could you really stay in a space that small, the size of a garden shed? But the Utter Inn is bigger than it looks – its second story is located underwater. Floating in the middle of Lake Mälaren, Utter Inn features two twin beds and a table in the bedroom and a small kitchenette in the upper room. Jump right off the hotel deck into the water, or just watch the fish from the windows in the bedroom.

Salt & Sill Floating Hotel, Klädesholmen

(image via: saltosill.se)

Like the lake idea, but want something slightly more conventional? Sweden has another floating hotel, the Salt & Sill, a minimalist 23-room barge that also serves as a top-notch seafood restaurant specializing in herring and fresh local produce. All 23 rooms have their own outdoor seating areas, but the hotel’s sole suite has an extra-enticing benefit: a private roof-top jacuzzi. The hotel’s location on the lake, by the way, is not a gimmick: the adjacent land simply didn’t have any room.

Jumbo Hostel Plane Hotel, Stockholm

(images via: jumbostay.se)

A junked 747-200 has a new life as a unique new hostel in Stockholm. Retrofitted with 25 guest rooms, from quad dormitories with bunk beds to private suites, the Jumbo Hostel retained the original lounge bar and first class seats, and some lucky visitors get to sleep in the cockpit, which has its own private bathroom.

Kosta Boda Art Hotel, Småland

(images via: kosta boda art hotel)

Located in the heart of Småland’s ‘The Kingdom of Crystal’, home to 13 glassworks, the eagerly anticipated Kosta Boda Art Hotel is a glittering showcase of glass art by the famed Kosta Boda. Each of the hotel’s 124 rooms has been individually designed by the glass artists, and their influence is particularly notable in the hotel bar and in the spa, where swimmers can put on goggles to view a glass exhibit at the bottom of the pool. Take a seat in the restaurant and you can even watch Kosta Boda glassblowers blow and sculpt glass on a stage.

Scandic Malmen, Stockholm

(images via: scandichotels.com)

Fun and budget-friendly, the 327-room Scandic Malmen is located within walking distance of some of Stockholm’s best live music venues in the trendy district of SoFo. A massive, blocky, unremarkable exterior gives way to interior design that matches the hipness of the hotel’s location. The hotel restaurant is a popular choice among Stockholm residents for brunch.