Getting the Best from Travel

Getting the Best from Travel: How the World Sleeps 

Traveling may be rewarding, but it comes at a cost. Aside from the money you need to spend, you also incur sleep debt while on the road. In fact, Smarter Travel revealed that taking long-haul flights can make you lose several hours worth of sleep due to jet lag. 

This is not even counting the sleep debt you incur when you reach your destination. Aside from the hours that you will spend out and about exploring your surroundings, crossing time zones can also take a toll on your body. WebMD estimates that one day is needed per time zone you cross in order for you to adjust to the new schedule. This means the hours of sleep you can potentially lose will pile up with each passing day, and therefore your body may not be able to adjust fully before you head back home. Upon arrival, your system will once again need to recover from the change in time zones (deep breath).

Unfortunately, not getting enough rest during your holiday can take a toll on your body and your mind, making you more lethargic and susceptible to a variety of illnesses. However, the National Sleep Foundation reckons that it is possible to catch up on sleep. It cited a study by Harvard Medical School that proves that there is no way to take back lost sleep no matter how many hours you rest afterwards. Although, what you can do, is to minimize the impact of what The Blonde Abroad describes as the feeling of having your body in one country but your mind in another. In homage to your love of travel, here are some tips from different parts of the world on how to recover from lost sleep.

How the World Sleeps 

Leesa reveals that Germans believe that fresh air is the key to restful sleep. In fact, they even leave their blankets hanging outside their homes during the day, believing that the sheets will be able to absorb the rejuvenating powers of the fresh air so they can sleep better at night.

The British supposedly have a habit of sleeping naked. Studies have shown that low temperatures can help people get better sleep. Not wearing clothes means you can stay cooler, which can make it easier for you to nod off more quickly.

Alternatively, you can take notice of the Spanish as they are renowned for their afternoon naps. Time states that this tradition originated from farmers, who spent afternoons resting after busy mornings. Due to the body’s circadian rhythm naturally fluctuating during mid-afternoon, taking a nap then can also help you re-energize.

Of course, a good night’s rest is not the only thing you will need during your holiday. Eating well is equally important. Check out our ‘Five Healthy Travelling Tips’ article to find out how you can maintain healthy eating habits even while on holiday.

Image credit: Flickr

The art of food at “Tastes Like Sunshine” with Chef Dominique Rizzo

Are you in Rome or Brisbane? That’s what you will be wondering as you listen to Chef Dominique Rizzo in her featured presentation,  transporting her audience to Italy with her detailed description of her perfect Italian meal in the “Tastes Like Sunshine” art exhibition at the Museum of Brisbane. 

For a fresh take on the art of food, the “Tastes Like Sunshine” exhibition offers a truly different perspective in its presentation not only of a fabulous selection of  works by acclaimed artists Eliabeth Willing, Sean Rafferty and Carol McGregor, but also a delightful audio recording of Brisbane’s Top Chefs talking about their most favorite meal.

Tastes Like Sunshine - Entry art piece

Museum of Brisbane Art Gallery

Tastes Like Sunshine - Chef Dominique Rizzo Perfect Italian Meal

Chef Dominique’s Perfect Italian Meal

 

 

 

 

Dominique’s passion for Italian food and the influence of her Sicilian grandmother resonates in her dulcet tones in announcing the Italian names of the delicious dishes and describing each one in sensuous detail.

It is truly a taste of Italy that tastes like sunshine.

 

Close your eyes, savour the sounds and imagine the flavours and colours in her “Perfect Italian Meal”, watch on YouTube “Chef Dominique Rizzo at Museum of Brisbane – Art and Food”

 

Artwork and audio of the five top Brisbane chefs are by the talented acclaimed artist Elizabeth Willing.

Tastes Like Sunshine - Brisbane's top chefs

Brisbane’s Top Tastes like Sunshine Chefs

Tastes Like Sunshine - Art by Elizabeth Willing

Art by Elizabeth Willing

Food & Wine Storyline with Chef Dominique Rizzo

If you think it’s all strawberries and ice cream at the Ekka, then think again.  At the Food and Wine stage, it is everything from kangaroo damper to edible flowers to gelati, to native fruits, to dagwood dogs, to gnocchi and sausage making, mixing it up with Country & Western singers, our fabulous boys in blue.

That’s what the Food & Wine Storyline at the EKKA in 2017 with Chef Dominique Rizzo is all about.

Food & Wine Storyline with Chef Dominique Rizzo - Chef Ben King and Chef Dominique Rizzo

Chef Ben King – Head Chef at Putia Pure Food Kitchen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food & Wine Storyline with Chef Dominique Rizzo - Gabrella of Gelato & Co Winner of the Gelati competition with Chef Dominique Rizzo

Gabrella from Gelato & Co, Winner of the Gelati competition

 

As the host of the Food & Wine Stage in the Woolworths Pavillion, Dominique welcomed her fabulous guest presenters by day and then cooked up a storm at night for her special “Dinners with Dom“.

 

Food & Wine Storyline with Chef Dominique Rizzo - Rainforest Bounty

Lyn Vicary, Rainforest Bounty

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dominique’s shares with you two of her favourite recipes from this year’s EKKA that will be easy for you to cook at home and enjoy with yourwww.kullillaart.com.au/coo-ee-cuisine-bush-food-kitchen-recipe-book and friends.

1st Recipe

Dale Chapman from First Food Co (Aust) Pty Ltd

Straight from Dale’s Cooee Cuisine cookbook is a native spice rub rubbed onto a kangaroo fillet. Showcasing a wattleseed damper sliced into thin slices for the finished creation of a kangaroo bruschetta.

Native Spice Kangaroo Damper Bruschetta

Ingredients:

½ tbsp. ground cumin

1 tbsp sea salt

1 tbsp white pepper

1 tbsp ground pepper berries

½ tbsp. chilli peppers

2 tbsp ground lemon myrtle

2 tbsp dried finger lime

2 tbsp garlic powder

2 tbsp native mint

2 tbsp toasted coconut

Kangaroo fillet

3 cups self-raising flour

½ cup extra self raising flour

1 tbsp baking powder

1 cup powdered milk

½ cup soda water

2 tbsp wattleseed

2 cups oil

Steps:

Wild Spice Rub:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl.

Kangaroo:

  1. Add olive oil to make a wet mixture to brush over kangaroo fillet.
  2. Salt and pepper kangaroo.
  3. Cook kangaroo in a hot pan for 10-15 minutes.
  4. Let rest and slice thinly.

Damper:

  1. Sift flour, add wattleseed, fold in soda water, adding more if you need it.
  2. Very quickly combine and dust surface with extra flour and knead.
  3. Make into shape of a loaf and bake in a moderate oven for 10-12 minutes.
  4. Slice into 1cm slices, brush with oil and char grill.

Assemble:  Assemble kangaroo onto char grilled damper. Add rocket and serve.

Our very talented country and western singers on the Food & Wine Storyline:

Food & Wine Storyline with Chef Dominique Rizzo - young guy Country and Western singer

Country and Western musician

 

Food & Wine Storyline with Chef Dominique Rizzo - Felicity Kircher

Country & Western singer, songwriter, musician Felicity Kircher with her father Robert

 

 

2nd Recipe

“Dinner with Dom” recipe:

Pasta curls with Italian pork sausage, sage, radicchio and parmesan

Ingredients:

  • 750 grams pork and fennel sausages
  • 150 grams thick-cut pancetta, diced
  • 2 brown onions, peeled and diced
  • 6 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped
  • 1 medium carrot, diced
  • 3 celery stalks, finely sliced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried chilli flakes
  • 1/2 tablespoon fennel seeds
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 400 ml red wine
  • 600 ml chicken stock
  • 400 grams tinned crushed tomatoes
  • 3 sprigs rosemary
  • 2 sprigs oregano
  • salt and pepper
  • 60 ml extra virgin olive oil
  • Fried sage
  • Radicchio baked with honey garlic dressing
  • Shaved parmesan

Steps: 

  1. Remove the skins from the sausages and crumble the meat. Discard the skins. Heat a heavy-based pot over medium heat, then add the sausage meat and pancetta. Fry until the sausage meat is golden brown, stirring every few minutes.
  2. Add the onion, garlic, carrot, celery, bay leaves, dried chilli and fennel seeds. Stir in well. The vegetables will sweat a little and ease all the crusty, caramelized pieces from the bottom of the pot.
  3. Continue to cook gently for 15 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until the vegetables are soft and slightly caramelized. Add the tomato paste and red wine and bring to a simmer. Add the stock, tinned tomatoes, rosemary, and oregano and continue to simmer for about 45 minutes on low heat, until you have a thick, intense sauce consistency.   Cook the pasta according to packet instructions.
  4. When cooked, season the ragu carefully (the sausages will already be salted), then add the olive oil and the cooked pasta. Bring the pot to the table.

The people in the know about the Food and Wine Storyline: 

Food & Wine Storyline with Chef Dominique Rizzo - with Qld Police

Qld Police

Food & Wine Storyline with Chef Dominique Rizzo

Anooska Tucker-Evans, The Courier Mail

And the best behind the scenes team ever:

Food & Wine Storyline with Chef Dominique Rizzo

Maggie Hollingdale

 

Food & Wine Storyline with Chef Dominique Rizzo

The Woolworths Pavillion at the EKKA

Where it all happens:  the Woolworths Pavillion at the Brisbane EKKA