RobiNZ Personal Blog

West Roast, Best Roast

There's a local takeaway place I go to irregularly, more often in winter than summer. Because I (still) use Quicken for managing finance it only took a couple of clicks to see over the last decade it's on average monthly, sometimes a couple of times a month in winter but with gaps of several months in summer. Run by a couple, open long hours seven days, the food is always good. The only reason for sporadic visits is I don't frequently eat what they offer, but what they do, they do very well. Last week I went in and was... Read more →

Only one 'Like', but the best Like

The thing I like about Twitter is how direct and rapid, it is: Read more →

About Grocery washing | COVID-19

I’m reluctant to comment on the recent much shared YouTube showing how to wash your groceries, but happy to share this from someone is qualified to comment: From Twitter Thread: https://twitter.com/bugcounter/status/1243319180851580929 By Don Schaffner @bugcounter https://foodsci.rutgers.edu/schaffner/ Dr. Donald W. Schaffner is Extension Specialist in Food Science and Distinguished Professor at Rutgers University. His research interests include quantitative microbial risk assessment, predictive food microbiology, handwashing and cross-contamination. Unless you are living under a rock or have already perished from COVID-19, you've likely seen a YouTube video making the rounds where a medical doctor (wearing scrubs!) purports to give COVID-19 advice. (1/33)... Read more →

Hot Cross Bun taste test - Jam, Peanut Butter or Vegemite?

I was inspired to try this after seeing Kyle's tweet: Hot Cross buns with Vegemite. Yes/ No? pic.twitter.com/uFwlizP4Pc — Kyle MacDonald (@kylemacd) March 18, 2020 My taste buds said 'NO!' but my brain thought 'But what would it taste like....?'. Not wanting to sacrifice (appropriate word in this context) an entire Hot Cross Bun I thought about just having half. Then looked at the other spreads in the pantry/fridge and decided to be a little more scientific: Quarters, three spreads with a base for comparison! Bakers Delight Apple & Cinnamon Hot Cross Bun Base Configuration Just add butter, except it... Read more →

Just a bit less of me

A “The Conversation” tweet about weight loss caught my eye yesterday. I know, thanks to an old blog post, in November 2006 I weighed 68 kg. I also know, thanks to another old blog post, I also weighed ~68 kg in 2013 but had been up to 75 kg sometime in between. I’m currently back down to about ~67 kg and wondered how their tips applied to what I have been doing over the past few years. Ten strategies to lose weight – backed by new research - theconversation.com Look up information on how to lose weight from sources you... Read more →

Does the USA need another burger chain? BurgerFuel isn’t just another

It is interesting to see BurgerFuel are taking on the USA. The little Kiwi burger company (if now 10% owned by Subway) are taking burgers to the land of burgers, which may raise the question: Why? I was going to write about that when I remembered an unsolicited review of BurgerFuel, by an American, I saw back in April which explains it better than I ever could. George (Geo) Hrab, musician and podcaster extraordinaire, of the Geologic (nothing to do with rocks) Skeptic Podcast wrote this in an email to his Geologists (financial supporters of his podcast). I’m a long... Read more →

Bonjour Whakatane?

L'Epicerie breakfast, berry crepe a lovely start to the day and unexpected find in Whakatane. I justified the cream option as had just finished 4.5km walk. On reflection, probably not far enough but it was delicious. I also grabbed a ham roll (sandwich au jambon?) and apricot croissant to go and enjoyed them, also lovely, taking in the spectacular view overlooking Whakatane. www.lepicerie.co.nz - 73 The Strand, Whakatane (pity the Citroen Type H van seen on the website wasn't parked outside when I visited, love them almost as much as I do 2CV!) Read more →

About the "Food Babe"

Written by a analytical chemist with a background in forensics and toxicology. The "Food Babe" Blogger Is Full of Shit - gawker.com Filed for reference Read more →

TEDx Auckland 2014, unexpected Himalayan cycle tour preparation!

When I saw TEDx Auckland 2014 announced I really wanted to go but was a bit torn. I loved the 2013 event but it meant a precious day of weekend gone. Weekends were crucial as I was trying to get fit for a rather demanding cycle tour in the Himalayas. The TEDx 2014 theme was ‘Ascending’: Ascending is about individuals and society rising to a higher level of consciousness. Ascending is about finding the positives in any situation and building on them to make our lives, community, business and planet better. As it turned out, the day spent at TEDx... Read more →

Tonight's dinner was brought to me by the letter B

Beef Beans (green) Broccoli Bok Choy B'Hokey B'Pokey B'ice-cream * http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hokey_pokey_(ice_cream) Read more →