Summer is a great time to experiment making new salads. You really can’t go wrong – some baby spinach, fresh tomato, avocado, pine nuts and topping of the day! Here is one of the salads I made over the holiday break, mentioned in my Staycation post, which I promised I would post! I hope you enjoy! x

Serves 4 – 6

Preheat oven to 200C

Simply cook a piece of venison roast with some pumpkin and herbs of your choice – for approximately 20 minutes (depending on size of meat and pumpkin pieces).  A great tip when cooking with meat like venison is to rinse off completely before cooking as it helps get rid of the gamey / metallic flavour a lot of people taste. My personal favourite company in New Zealand is Silver Fern Farms – the quality is fantastic!

In a medium sized salad bowl mix together: baby spinach, baby rocket, a handful of pine nuts and sunflower seeds, and fresh basil leaves. Hand mix all the elements together and set aside.

Once the venison and pumpkin are ready and slightly cooled, add to salad bowl and top with crumbled blue cheese. I personally don’t add any dressing as find the venison and blue cheese full of flavour! The salad goes great with homemade crostini or pita chips!

Enjoy! x

The holidays are quickly approaching…which means the New Year is near!  Here is a range of our stationery to help keep you organised and calm in 2013. Help keep your New Years resolutions with our lovely range of calendars, note pads, and cards.

These items make lovely gifts as well – remember this is the last week to order to ensure everything arrives in time for Santa!

Love the design?
You can buy the matching wrapping paper and gift tags in our store!  Perfect for wrapping presents this holiday season! x

Desktop Wallpaper Download sizes:

December Calendar (Widescreen 16:10) 1920×1200
Kiwiana December (Widescreen 16:10) 1920×1200

December Calendar (Fullscreen 4:3) 1600×1200
Kiwiana December (Fullscreen 4:3) 1600×1200

iPhone Download sizes:

Animals like to Party (iPhone 4) 640×960
Kiwiana December (iPhone 4) 640×960

Animals like to Party (iPhone 5) 640×1136
Kiwiana December (iPhone 5) 640×1136

To simplify things I’ve only made two sizes for each design but they should work on most screens – just use either the “centre” setting or “fit to screen” if it doesn’t look quite right.

The formal bits:

All photos, desktop wallpaper art, and designers are copyright. The use of this wallpaper is free and strictly for personal use. Sharing of these images on Pinterest, Facebook, or any social media is welcome, as long as you source and link back to Toodles Noodles.  If you’d like to blog about this post, feel free to, as long you credit and link back to this post and/or Toodles Noodles. Thanks so much for reading this boring but necessary bit!

If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter, you may have noticed that I have a slight addiction to coffee.  Not necessarily the caffein associated with coffee, just the smooth taste and comfort of a nice warm cup.  It’s a treat that I “allow” myself at the start of the day.  Here is a list of places I’ve tried thus far in Auckland and why I like them:

1. Shakey Isles (pictured up top and with sketch book) always have the most welcoming staff, creative environment and no matter how busy they may be will never make you feel rushed.  It’s a great place to go for brunch, an afternoon working session, or a quick stop for a well made coffee.

2. Allpress Espresso at the Browns Mill Building (pictured top left) now if you’re in a hurry in the mornings this may not be the best stop for you. But if you love cinnamon brioches then this is the place!  The coffee here isn’t the speediest or even that consistent, but the staff and the finger-licking treats will keep you coming back again and again.

3. Atomic Coffee (pictured lefthand side) now these guys know strong coffee. As someone who usually orders a flat white with an extra shot…well no extra shot needed here.  The coffee never tastes burned just fully flavoured and packed with a punch.  Their new brunch menu is also a winner (try the Spanish eggs!).

4. My daily spot Columbus Coffee, located just by my work these guys now know my order when they see me walk through the door.  Greeted with a smile and the barista reciting my daily order back to me always puts me in a great mood to know my coffee will be done right.

Have a favourite coffee spot around where you live or work? Would love to hear about new spots and why you love them! x