Hope

“Savoury Delights and Hidden Culinary Gems Await in the Heart of Sydney”

By Resilient Anna

“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” -Virginia Woolf

Sydney, the glittering gem of Australia’s east coast, is renowned for its stunning beaches, iconic landmarks, and vibrant cityscape. Yet, beyond the postcard-perfect scenery lies a thriving culinary scene, brimming with hidden treasures that offer delightful gastronomic experiences without breaking the bank. In this article, we embark on a journey through Sydney’s lesser-known neighbourhoods to discover the best places to eat that won’t leave your wallet feeling light.

“The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it.” -Oscar Wilde

1. Redfern’s Asian Fusion Haven – Spice Alley:

Tucked away in Redfern, just a stone’s throw away from the bustling city centre, lies Spice Alley. This vibrant hawker-style food court transports visitors to the streets of Asia, with its tantalizing aromas and bustling atmosphere. Offering a range of delectable Asian cuisines, from mouth-watering Malaysian laksa to succulent Singaporean satay, Spice Alley is a haven for budget-conscious foodies seeking an explosion of flavours without the hefty price tag.

2. Enmore’s Vegetarian Haven – Lentil As Anything:

For those seeking a vegetarian or vegan dining experience that’s as fulfilling for the soul as it is for the stomach, Lentil As Anything in Enmore is a must-visit. This unique restaurant operates on a pay-as-you-feel philosophy, allowing patrons to contribute what they can afford or believe the meal is worth. With a rotating menu featuring vibrant and innovative vegetarian dishes made from locally sourced produce, Lentil As Anything nourishes both the body and the spirit, creating a truly unforgettable dining experience.

3. Newtown’s Eclectic Delights – Camperdown Commons:

Nestled within the vibrant neighbourhood of Newtown, Camperdown Commons offers an eclectic array of culinary options while supporting sustainable practices. This urban farm, complete with kitchen gardens and farm animals, is a breath of fresh air for food enthusiasts seeking wholesome and affordable meals. From hearty farm-to-table brunches to wood-fired pizzas made with locally sourced ingredients, Camperdown Commons celebrates the best of seasonal and sustainable dining.

4. Marrickville’s Taste of the Mediterranean – The Hellenic Bakery:

Prepare to transport your taste buds to the sun-kissed shores of the Mediterranean with a visit to The Hellenic Bakery in Marrickville. This family-run bakery is a hidden gem, where traditional Greek recipes have been perfected over generations. From flaky spanakopita to mouth-watering baklava, every bite at The Hellenic Bakery tells a story of rich cultural heritage and culinary craftsmanship. Indulge in authentic Greek delicacies that won’t put a dent in your wallet.

5. Surry Hills’ International Flavors – El Loco:

Searching for a vibrant Mexican street food experience in the heart of Surry Hills? Look no further than El Loco, a lively taqueria that offers delicious, wallet-friendly fare. With an extensive menu featuring mouth-watering tacos, quesadillas, and other Mexican street food classics, El Loco captures the essence of Mexican cuisine with a modern twist. Pair your meal with a refreshing cocktail or locally brewed beer for the perfect fiesta on a budget.

“Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first.” – Ernestine Ulmer

As we’ve discovered, Sydney’s culinary landscape is a treasure trove of affordable dining options, where flavour and affordability effortlessly intertwine. From hidden alleyways to unassuming neighbourhoods, these lesser-known eateries offer a diverse range of cuisines and dining experiences, proving that indulging in a satisfying meal in Sydney doesn’t have to be accompanied by a hefty price tag.

So, venture off the beaten path, explore the local neighbourhoods, and embark on a gastronomic journey through Sydney’s best-kept culinary secrets. In this blog, you were on a virtual tour of some of the city’s hidden gems and budget-friendly dining spots that promise to tantalize your taste buds without emptying your wallet.

“First we eat, then we do everything else.” – M.F.K. Fisher

Stay well ‘food lovers’ until our next adventure..!!!

International Women’s Day is celebrated annually on March 8th to commemorate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women around the world. It is a day to acknowledge the progress that women have made in achieving gender equality and to call for further action to eliminate discrimination and promote women’s empowerment. It is a day to reconnect with self and others, to celebrate our differences and our achievements.

The history has thought us a lot. The history of International Women’s Day dates back to the early 1900s when women in the United States and Europe began to organize and advocate for their rights. The first National Women’s Day was celebrated in the United States in 1909, and the idea quickly spread to other countries. In 1910, the International Women’s Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, proposed the idea of an International Women’s Day, and the first one was celebrated in 1911.

The theme for International Women’s Day 2023 is “Choose to Challenge,” which calls on individuals to challenge gender bias and inequality in all aspects of life. Very often each individual is challenging others and trying to empower self. The campaign aims to inspire women and men to take action towards creating a more gender-equal world. Women are very specific. Women could create world full of love and justice, and as well full of jealousy and competition. Women not only competing between men, they often compete against each other, trying to prove and correct own inequalities.

While significant progress has been made in advancing women’s rights over the past century, women still face significant challenges and barriers, especially in developing countries. According to the World Economic Forum, the global gender gap in economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health, and political empowerment is closing at a slow pace.

The all times different pandemic has further exacerbated these inequalities, with women disproportionately affected by job losses, increased domestic violence, and reduced access to healthcare and education.

International Women’s Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress that has been made and the work that still needs to be done. It is a day to celebrate the achievements of women and to advocate for gender equality and women’s empowerment. It is also a day to recognize the intersectionality of gender with other forms of discrimination and to work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

There are several ways to get involved in International Women’s Day. Individuals can join rallies, marches, and events organized by women’s rights organizations, donate to organizations that support women’s empowerment and gender equality, and participate in social media campaigns to raise awareness of the issues facing women around the world.

In conclusion, International Women’s Day is an important occasion to celebrate the achievements of women and to advocate for gender equality

One of the most significant barriers that women face is gender-based violence, which affects one in three women globally. This year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Choose to Challenge,” calls on individuals to challenge gender bias and inequality in all its forms, including violence against women.

In addition to gender-based violence, women also face discrimination in the workplace, where they are often paid less than men for the same work and are underrepresented in leadership positions. Women’s access to education and healthcare is also limited in many parts of the world, and they are often excluded from political decision-making processes.

To address these challenges, governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector must work together to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment. This includes implementing policies that promote equal pay, increasing access to education and healthcare, and ensuring that women’s voices are heard and their needs are represented in political decision-making processes.

International Women’s Day is also an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women who have broken barriers and shattered glass ceilings in various fields. From politics and business to sports and entertainment, women continue to make significant contributions to society despite facing systemic discrimination and bias.

In conclusion, International Women’s Day serves as a reminder of the progress that has been made towards gender equality and women’s empowerment, as well as the work that still needs to be done to create a world where women have equal opportunities and access to resources. By choosing to challenge gender bias and inequality, we can work towards a more just and equitable society for all. Together we could make changes in all aspects of life and work towards creating a world where women have equal opportunities and access to resources.

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMAN”S DAY!!!

I put on your shoes,
I feel the weight of your struggles,
I understand your pain and your fears,
I walk in your path, and I see the tears.

I see the obstacles that you face,
I see the barriers that hold you in place,
But I also see the strength that you possess,
The resilience that keeps you moving forward, nonetheless.

With each step, I feel the pressure,
The weight of the world on yours and my shoulders,
I also feel the power,
The power of compassion and love to empower.

I will walk in your shoes,
I will walk with you, side by side,
I will be your advocate, your guide,
I will share your story far and wide.

I will be your mentor,, your associate and friend,
I will be your acquaintance;
or whatever you need me to be, so that you feel safe.
I am not going anywhere ; I am here to share your story, without any promises.
But you do know- that I do care…

And together, we will break through,
We will break the barriers, we will break the chains,
We will walk towards a brighter future,
With compassion as our guiding light and strength to sustain.

Resilient ANNA

Jednostavan zivot..

Za srecu su potrebne slozne ruke,

Mali komad zemlje i ljubavni pogled..

Izgleda nista ljepse nema 

nego pogledati panoramu s visine 

Zagrljen..

Za ljubav su potrebne dvije  slobodne ruke..

U zagrljaju isprepletene mogu docekati jutro,

U zanosu bezvremenskom bez gradske vreve 

Bez stresa nepotrebnih rijeci,

Bez panike i zurbe..

Predani majci zemlji!!

Ne gubiti vrijeme na vjestacke stvari

I iluzije..

Nego se smiriti u sebi

Zatvoriti krug

I uzivati..

Nemoj otici of sebe, od svih drugih mozes 

Sebe cuvaj, postuj i voli..

Dotakni nebo kad ispruzis ruku,

Osjeti mladi povjetarac sto bruji,

Dotakni jutro i kisu

I stopi se sa prirodom.

Jednom kad se sve ceste izbrisu,

Kad svi dani postanu sivi,

Kad na svaki oblak kletvu izgovorimo..

Shvatit cemo da smo zivi.,

Ali zivjeti nismo umjeli..

Ostat ce nam prazan pogled zeljan planina, visoravini, vjetra u kosi

Prirode..

A mi cemo stojati nesposobni 

Da ispruzimo ruke i dotaknemo se..

Way to go..

Some people don’t understand boundaries. Those people push you around knowing that they are making mistakes. They are testing your limits. Some people pretend that they are not aware of your personal space, or when something starts or where it ends. Having healthy boundaries is to protect self and take good care of self and others. Examples of boundaries are endless, but let’s count some:

Right to privacy,

Right to change your mind

Ability to change your mind

Your right to have own time

The need to handle negative energy 

The freedom to express self

The freedom to remain true to your principles 

The ability to communicate physical needs the way we need..

Understanding your physical and emotional needs and communicate them effectively.

Healthy boundaries in the relationship are reflection of your principles, rules and guidelines that you have set for yourself. A break arises when people disrespect, ignore or pretend that they are not aware of those boundaries that we set up.

It is important to learn to recognise the signs of disrespect or when someone crosses the line of boundaries.  It is important to know when to said: ‘No.’ Do not to be afraid to stand behind your values, believes..

Believe in yourself and set those boundaries as high as you need. Do not sell self cheap, as other people would gain on your behalf. 

Trust self, trust your instincts, trust your skills and knowledge..

Today

https://annasconnectandheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/IMG_4417.mov

Today…

Is it really today, or it is already tomorrow..

Maybe it is still yesterday..

Such a messy life,

A Complicated life..

A sorrowful face that weeps inside

Investigating the beginning of the ordinary man

Looking at the human race.

It is..

Such a complex issue,

It was such a complicated issue

Leading us to make

,difficult decisions..

Could someone tell me what is happening,

Why it is easy to sit still

Instead of questioning?

I know people would do anything 

so that they could continue to live,

In their own boxes,

Closing their eyes, covering their mouth

Turning back to the light,

Glad that they have invisible peace,

As they have enough to meet the needs,

Enough to survive today’s living…

Sometimes they would bend so much,

As long as they do not feel other person touch.

What if fate turns table,

What if rain does not stop,

What if volcano erupts again,

What if they found themselves lost

And caged in the eternity loops?

Will they wake up?

Life..

What is happening behind a scene?

what is happening when the curtain is drawn

how many people are armed with patience,

Who is able to protect us ,

when a mask is taken off?

Where you need to go to regain your strength,

if you set to leave on a cold and rainy morning, 

Are you excited to go,

Lift that sorrow from your face..

Step out?!

Would you rather crawl .. until you reach the fence .. ?

It is a scary world around,

Nowhere to hide, nowhere to go those days..

those powerful people have already closed the door 

in front of your nose ..

and you have been silenced and wonder ..

what happens when they agree,

What happens when they close all doors behind,

what happens when the curtains come down

when the actors finish filming

and the theater impresses the audience because it is loud ..

what happens when the show is over ..?

Who gets roses,

and who ends up in laurels ..

isn’t his whole life a theatrical play

you play, jump, collect applause ..

and one day they pull you down,

they lower the curtains 

and they say go home they don’t need you anymore ..

They smile into your face..

You’re going home, and there’s a fight.

Fight to stay alive,

To find a hope,

To survive..

everyone is looking for their right ..

They all in right,

They all wrong..

You have been silenced again

you shut up and watch, 

you push forward .. you tell yourself 

do not raise the curtains..

Let them to stay up..

the truth about real love sits romantically, emotionally and inspiring

sits in drama of life

that never sleeps and leads to the fair night..

In time it could be exiting

in time it could be dark,

Violent truth of social drama

is charming, sends thrills through the body

puts everything on hold

finding sentimental core of life

in the shadow of the moon

in the last days of gritty memories..

You finally feel good.

it is a journey of your life,

you pack stories, you bound memories

expose mystery and leave a baggage outside.

Once you start, there is no turning back..

why me …

you asked,

why me need to start to run,

you decline what has been said,

you do not believe in violent ways,

stories became irrelevant and your intuition returns with a new light

everything is much clear now..

when moon comes to your sight..

Looking through the window the world seems small and hidden,

Even your wooden horse does not fit you any more,

You scold the horse for not eating offered food,

You lost yourself, turn love into lust..

The little city changed demographics,

Too many secrets had been left unnoticed…

Sometimes we need to adapt to new a phase of life

Leaving past stories and secrets behind..

Grab me a chair,

Take me far away,

You do not need to worry

They still do not know even my name.

You look at the window strangely

You look through and there is nothing to be seen

You have to admit some stories are unpleasant 

There is no rhyme that could go with it.

You provoked the world, you did not see the pain

You did not see it all, forget what I said,

I don’t want to have a fight with you,

I just want to move on..

Is it not true that life is making stories of its own?

You have to believe you are not blind

Just leave the house and explore the world

Do not faint, do not stop, call me, and I will follow..

To our earth