OUR LATEST DESIGN
The girls have hit the ground running for 2013 and its been a fun couple of weeks. They were thrilled when this latest coffee table design arrived from the workshop. Our workshop manager is one very talented man.
This industrial look coffee table comes in two sections. You can purchase just the one, or as we would prefer not to have to split them up if possible....both!
Easily maneuverable on caster wheels, we think this coffee table looks amazing.
It's another Charcoal Interiors original and another thing that we do best!
www.charcoalinteriors.com.au
FABULOUS FABRICS!
We have the world at our fingertips when it comes to fabrics here at Charcoal Interiors.
Below is some snaps of the design teams faves at the moment due to their uniqueness of composition and design.
The girls tell me they enjoy working with fabric lines that offer incomparable quality.
"We follow those who just keep on re-inventing the wheel", says head designer Colette Venardos. "It's important for us to stay on top of all the latest releases as this reflects how we do business and our Interior Design doctrine".
The Charcoal Interiors Design Team can be booked for private consultation in your home.
Contact us below for all the details.
Interior Design....it's what we do best!
EXPERT TOP 5 TIPS FOR ULTIMATE HEALTH IN 2013
Well, the New Year rolls around and a lot of us make our resolutions for the next 365 days ahead. In amongst the list of travel destinations, saving more money and cleaning the wardrobe (and this time properly...) is health....lose weight...get fit....take time for me etc.....
And so we asked a health care professional (Suzannah Smart - above) who not only is an Accredited Practicing Dietician, but more importantly talks the talk and walks the walk by embodying the essence of health and well being.
Here's Suzannah's Top 5 Tips for ultimate health in 2013 and beyond...because we all want to be around to experience the riches of life....right?
"For overall health and long term results, its not about the latest 'superfood' or 'miracle diet' says Suzannah, "It's about eating sensibly, and being consistent with making good choices". "Making sure you consistently do these five things will definitely help you along the way to a happier, healthier you in 2013"!
Great! Lets get started with her 5 Top Tips for Ultimate Health in 2013....
1. MOVE MORE
Who doesn't love those happy hormones the endorphins?
Exercising makes you feel good, decreases stress, gives you energy and helps to burn off the food you eat, making it easier to gain or maintain a healthy weight. And every little bit adds up throughout the day, so try to increase your activity in everything you do.
2. EAT MORE SALAD
Almost everyone can benefit from eating mroe salad. It makes you feel fuller, keeps you regular, makes your skin better and can help to protect you from some diseases including diabetes, stroke, heart disease, some cancers and high blood pressure. Use as many colours as possible to make sure you're getting all the micronutrients your body needs.
3. WATCH YOUR PORTIONS
Ask yourself, "How hungry am I?", before every meal or snack and fill your place accordingly. And dont go back for seconds. Using smaller plates or bowls helps too.
4. PLAN
This can make the difference between what actually happens. How many times have you told yourself you're going to eat only fabulously healthy food then get home from work, there's nothing in the fridge and its just all too hard? Plan your meals for the week in advance and it will all be that much easier. Plus, keep frozen leftover meals for those times when you really can't be bothered.
5. EVERYTHING IN MODERATION
I live by this one. Eating healthy doesn't mean you need to remove everything 'unhealthy' completely from your life. Just make sure they really are 'sometimes' foods. Often enough it's simply eating a little too much of these foods a little too often that really adds up to make a negative difference on your weight or overall health.
For one of Suzannahs recommended recipes, see our food section below. She has a delicious, 'healthy and low-on calories' Lamb Korma Curry recipe to share with us!
You can contact Suzannah via her blogspot
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LOW FAT LAMB KORMA CURRY
Low Fat Curry: Lamb Korma
(serves 4-5)
1 tsp vegetable oil
1 onion, sliced
2 cloves garlic, crushed and sliced
1/3 of a 283g jar of Pataks Rogan Josh Curry Paste
400g lean lamb, diced
¼ butternut pumpkin, roughly chopped into cubes
¼ head of cauliflower
400g tin diced tomatoes
400g tin chickpeas
bunch coriander, chopped
1 cup low/no fat Greek or Natural yoghurt
I threw it all in a slow cooker (my new favourite toy!) for 4 hours on high, but otherwise you could make it on the stove:
Fry the onion in the oil until golden, add the garlic and curry paste and fry for a few more minutes. Add the lamb, and when it’s lightly browned add the rest and leave simmering on a low heat for about 1 ½ hours.
To serve:
Boil 1 cup basmati rice in 1 ½ cups water about 10 minutes.
Top rice with curry, garnish with another dollop of natural yoghurt and fresh coriander. Delicious!
*For a vegetarian version, simply replace the meat with another tin of chickpeas ;)
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AUSTRALIA DAY BEER AND LIME SHANDY COCKTAIL
When I was a little girl, my Dad used to drink beer from a long tall frosty glass...just one a night...and when I was about 10 years old I asked him if I could have a beer too. Being the responsible parent that he was, instead of letting me have a sip of his beer, he made me a special Shandy with about 99 parts lemonade and 1 part beer. I felt really special sitting with him...both with our tall glasses, Dad with his beer and me with my bubbly Shandy. To this day, its still the only way I can drink beer...diluted with some kind of lemonade or lime cordial works for me too.
With the influx of boutique beers flooding the market we are truly spoilt for choice. However, with this particular recipe it doesnt matter too much what beer you use...as long as its 'hoppy' and 'malty'.
And so, raise your glasses and reflect on what an absolutely incredible country we live in here in Australia!
Credit with thanks neoroma via flickr
BEER AND LIME SHANDY COCKTAIL
WHAT YOU NEED
40ml Agave Nectar Liqueur
160ml Australian Lager Beer
2 Limes Squeezed
Lime slices for garnish
WHAT TO DO
In true laid-back Aussie style, there's not much to do for this one.
Just pour liqueur in a tall beer glass filled with ice.
Add lime juice
Top with beer and stir a little
Garnish by just popping a couple of slices into the glass.
Enjoy your Australia Day!
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AUSTRALIA DAY TRADITION
What's your Australia Day tradition activity? Our family has a sausage sizzle by the pool and listens to the Triple J Hottest 100 from beginning to end. We love it! The best part of the day is waiting for the Number One song to be announced and then listening to all the other parties in the area crank it up and sing along. This year we may have to adapt to the likely possibility of persistent rain over the day in Brisbane. Either way, its going to be fun and relaxing.
What are you planning for the day? Want some fun ideas? Get some friends over and have a bit of fun with the Australian theme.....
HERE'S OUR TOP AUSSIE DAY PARTY TIPS....
REPUBLICANS VS MONARCHISTS CRICKET MATCH
BEACH PICNIC (OR ANYWHERE....EVEN IN YOUR BACK YARD...OR FRONT YARD AND WAVE THE FLAG TO PASSERS-BY)
AUSSIE SLANG COMPETITION (WHOEVER CAN WRITE THE LONGEST LIST OF AUSSIE SLANG WINS)
BREAKFAST BBQ WITH BEER IN CHAMPAGNE FLUTES
A 'COOOOOO-EEEE' COMPETITION (WHO CAN DO THE LOUDEST COOEE)
EGG AND SPOON RACE
IF YOU HAVE A SWIMMING POOL...HOLD AUSTRALIAN CRAWL RACES
AUSSIE CHARADES - (MAKE A LIST OF FAMOUS AUSTRALIAN MOVIES, SONGS, BANDS, T.V SHOWS, CELEBRITIES, POLITICIANS ETC...)
ROLLING PIN TOSS
SANDCASTLE BUILDING COMPETITION
LISTEN TO THE TRIPLE J HOTTEST 100
SAO EATING COMPETITION
SAUSAGE SIZZLE....WITH LOTS AND LOTS OF TOMATO SAUCE!
Whatever you decide to do, have a great day. Being an Australian is brilliant!
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OUR LONG WEEKEND HOURS
Due to the Australia Day public holiday, Charcoal Interiors the following changes will apply to our opening hours.
SATURDAY - 9.30AM TO 1PM
SUNDAY - CLOSED
MONDAY - CLOSED DUE TO PUBLIC HOLIDAY
We look forward to seeing you when we open the doors on Tuesday morning at 9.30am
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Have a wonderful Australia Day Long Weekend everyone!
Until next week....Love, Light and Laughter...
The Charcoal Team!
Until next week....Love, Light and Laughter...
The Charcoal Team!
