I’m here to let you in on all the best things to do in Bondi (read; life), so that you can escape the masses (mostly) and spend your day(s) living more like a local and experience why us residents never really leave the Bondi Bubble that we so dearly & die-hard call home.

Eat:

You know my favourite thing to do is eat & anything that’s got to do with food; count me in!

Organic Republic Bakery:

Because this is tucked away further back from the main-strip in more of a local area, you don’t get too many tourists wandering down here. It’s a very humble and simple bakery with a big personality. You can catch locals enjoying their ritual morning-coffee and breakfast here most mornings, and staff is always up for a good chat. They also serve the absolute best avo-smash on their homemade bread which I crave on a daily basis. Even better is that they have outdoor seating, so basking in the sun & reading the paper with a cuppa could be your morning-highlight.

The Depot:

Well, this one has been around for quite some time, but still, nothing really beats their lunches there. It’s only a short stroll from the north end of Bondi Beach, but I still find that it doesn’t get too touristy as it’s off the main strip in Bondi. Pop in and have lunch or breakfast that’s fresh, vibrant and uber-delicious any day of the week. I love the staff who’s always super chatty & friendly. They’re also great at catering for dietary requirements, just FYI.

Orchard St.:

This is the cutest little whimsical & magical elixir bar you’ll ever set foot in. Owned by Kirsten Shanks, a naturopath, herbalist & nutritionist, who’ve created a little sanctuary along with a full product-line of herbs, tonics, juices and more. I can’t express enough how wonderful, loving and calming this little place is. The staff are some of the most wonderful people you’ll ever meet, and if you’re into meditation, a morning or afternoon medi on their large Turkish Pillows outside in the sun (or shade) is just divine. You truly feel whole after you walk out there – raw cacao/salted caramel tonic in one hand and raw bounty-bar in the other.

Raw Bar:

The best sushi & Japanese you’ll eat in a long, long time. Raw Bar has been around since 1997 which is an achievement in itself due to the high turn-over of restaurants in the hospitality industry in Sydney, and Bondi in particular. They’re definitely doing something very right, because Raw Bar continuously draws locals down for lunch and dinner 7 days a week. Weekends are especially busy, ant there’s nothing quite like a set of chopsticks, a Tommy’s Margherita & the afternoon sun on their table & chairs outside for you to enjoy.

The Shop & Wine Bar:

Just at the name states; this is a one stop shop for all your favourite #FoodGoals. A breakfast, lunch & dinner watering-hole all in-one. You’ll mostly find locals here roaming around for their coffee or wine fox – all depending on the time of the day. It serves salads, delicious (huge) sandwiches and tapas-platters. It’s a very tiny place, so most of the seating is outside which is perfect for the summer-days and in winter, you get to sit outside snuggled up in blankets with a big heater over your head. Absolute perfection, because, really, Australians have a hard time letting go of Summer no matter how cold it gets… #truth

North Bondi Fish:

Ok, this definitely get’s a bit more touristy, but you’d still find a fair bit of locals heading down, especially for a Sunday arvo session. You cannot beat the view from North Bondi Fish. It’s beautifully situated at the North end of Bondi, and it get’s an amazing amount of sun during the day, and a beautiful sunset at night. Spritzs, drinks and seafood is there absolute specialties paired with some good music and kind staff. Make sure you book ahead, and get a table on the balcony so you can bask in all of Bondi’s gloriousness.

Porch & Parlour:

If you were unlucky to be in Bondi when Porch was closed, I’m so sorry for your loss. If you’re here now, or planning to visit soon; don’t miss this one. The wonderful people of Porch are loved amongst so many of the locals, which also means it’s always busy and packed. Go a little outside of the standard breakfast and lunch hours, and you’ll be able to get a seat a bit quicker. Although Porch is mostly known for their breakfast & lunches (which are YUM!), I actually really love to come up for dinner (Wednesday to Sunday), because it has a beautiful view over Bondi, it’s a great people-watching space and their dinner is just to die for. They also serve some pretty epic wines, so really, it’s all just a match-made in heaven TBH.

Do:

Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk:

Okay, this is very touristy, but it’s really beautiful and should be one of those ‘bucket-list’ things that you want to experience if you’re ever in Sydney. From South Bondi to Bronte and back, is around 6 kilometres in total. It’ll take you around Bondi, Mackenzies Bay, Tamarama & Bronte – you can even continue to Clovelly, Gordon’s Bay and Coogee if you’re up fora . challenge.
Definitely wear walking shoes/trainers otherwise you’ll end up with blisters, and if it’ set to be a hot day, I suggest doing this in the morning around sunrise or in the arvo around sunset – both to avoid the sweltering heat (in summer) and the masses.

Insider tip: remember to walk on the left side in Australia, it really frustrates locals who run or power-walk the coastal walk when they have to basically dodge people all the time ;)

Bondi Icebergs Pool;

Don’t go on a hot & sunny day if you’re here in Summer, go on an overcast & rainy day, and do the Sauna & fit in a swim (or two) in the pool. It’s such a refreshing way to quicken up and a great health-kick for your body. If you’re here in winter, do the same thing. We love to swim and sauna in winter because it gets the blood flowing. Entrance is $7 (as of Jan 2019) and lets you use the sauna, pool and change-rooms with showers. FYI; on Thursdays the pool is closed for cleaning.

Lean Bean Fitness & PowerLiving Yoga:

If you’re anything like me, you probably still want to stay fit & healthy as well as move your body even if you’re on holidays. Get amongst the locals and sign-up for a few introductory classes at either Lean Bean Fitness or PowerLiving Yoga which both has discounted passes available for people who are holidaying or simply want to try a new studio before a long-term commitment. If you’re travelling around Australia, I suggest even looking into downloading and buying a membership with ClassPass as it’ll give you access to thousands of studios around Australia.

North Bondi Boatramp:

Get out here for a late afternoon/early nighttime swim and watch the sunset. It’s so beautiful and the water is amazing at this time of the day. You’ll find locals going for an after-work swim with friends or/and their dogs and the atmosphere is just beautiful.
Grab some Fish & Chips either from Fishmongers or Bondi’s Best and say ‘Hasta La Vista’ to another day in Paradise.

Bondi Farmer’s Market:

Every Sunday – Rain, Hail or Shine – The Bondi Farmer’s Market will be on (9am to 1pm). Here you can buy organic, fresh vegetables & fruit from various farms along with a multitude of other amazing produce & fresh flowers for your home.
You can also eat breakfast here which is normally something deliciously healthy, but there’ll also be a few naughty things in there to suit everyone #balance. It’s a beautiful atmosphere to soak up, and whenever I personally travel, I love to see what other people purchase and eat in different cultures.

Gould St:

If you’re into shopping, then Gould St. in Bondi is the place for you. Shops I absolutely adore includes Tuchuzy, Love Stories, Lucy Folk, Magali Pascal, Miss Brown’s Vintage, Watson x Watson , Bailey Nelson and probably a few more, but you get the gist of it. Round it off with a coffee at Drake Eatery and perhaps even a cheeky cheese-platter and some more people-watching.

Stay:

QT Bondi:

This is by far my favourite place to stay in Bondi. So much so, I sometimes have a staycation here. I love the genuine and kind staff here who are always super helpful and available at any time. I also love that the rooms feel more like small apartments, and genuinely make you feel like you’re in a home away from home. Most of the rooms also have beautiful balcony’s so you can either enjoy the sunrise or sunsets.

AirBnB:

There’s no way around it. Living in Bondi is expensive, and so is holidaying. If you wanna save some coin, and especially if you’re travelling a few of you together, look up AirBnB and find an apartment with everything you need. This also means you can save on dining out so much and buy produce from the Farmer’s Market to cook at home.
There are so many great AirBnB’s in Bondi, you’ll hardly have a hard time finding something, however definitely suggest booking well in advance in the summer-periods as Bondi does get very crowded.

Hope you enjoyed this little collection of nuggets in Bondi.

You can always email me or catch me on my Instagram if you want more suggestions.

Lots of love, Caroline xx

The post A Local’s Guide To Bondi Beach; What To Eat, What To Do, Where To Stay.. appeared first on Caroline Høgh Groth.

You can use this yoga stretching flow when you need a good and much needed release for your sore muscles, or simply as a relaxant before bedtime. It’ll allow you to sleep more peacefully and deeper as you’ll help to release stress throughout the body.

You can move through this as quick or as slow as you please. The slower you move, the deeper the stretch will be. The quicker you’ll move, the more dynamic it’ll become and add to the strengthening of your muscles.

Never try to force a stretch or push your joints into a position they cannot get into.
Flexibility takes time, and you should always remember to honour your body & respects it’s current capabilities so you can remain injury-free.

Enjoy! Caroline x

*Wearing The Upside Sport.

The post Yoga Stretching Flow appeared first on Caroline Høgh Groth.

I love it because it actually makes me feel like I’ve been ‘re-born’ and that my body has been ‘detoxed’ in the space of only an hour. There’s something incredibly therapeutic and mentally clearing, going from the cold water to a steaming hot sauna and repeating multiple times.

Thinking of taking up winter or cold water swimming yourself? Here’s why you should definitely consider making it part of your weekly routine for your health.

Photo by Amaury Tréguer (Morning Bondi)

Boosts Metabolism

Cold water baths or swimming in cold water boosts Metabolism through increased blood circulation and increasing metabolic activity focused on generating internal heat to keep our body warm.

Stimulates Parasympathetic System & Releases Endorphins

Cold water also stimulates our parasympathetic system, which is responsible for rest and repair. This stimulation can trigger the release of dopamine and serotonin. These neurotransmitters are a vital part of keeping us happy and low levels of them are linked with depression.There is a natural high that comes from the rush of endorphins on entering the water. The endorphin rush happens quickly and makes you feel alive and happy!

Improves Blood Circulation

Studies has shown that your body adapts to the cold with repeated exposure and this may improve your circulation to your core and to your extremities. Cold water swims help flush your circulation by pushing blood through all your capillaries, veins and arteries. The rapid initial cooling of the skin triggers various heart and breathing responses. Breathing rates will increase suddenly. The heart rate can increase by 50%.

Improves Libido and Fertility

Researchers have also found that cold water swimming and bathing could increase production of testosterone and estrogen in men and women respectively. In addition to enhancing libido in both sexes, these hormones also play an important role in fertility.

Improves Skin Health and Tone

Cold water swimming will exfoliate and cleanse your skin by flushing impurities from it, thereby helping your complexion and skin tone. My skin always feel clean and vibrant after taking a swim in cold water and looks more healthy. My cheeks get the best blush colour out there!

Helps Build and Maintain Strong Immune System

Researchers have found significant increases in white blood cell counts and several other factors relating to the immune system when you continue to winter swim. This was attributed to the cold water being a mild stressor which activates the immune system and gives it some practice through stress. All of this helps – particularly in winter – to keep your immune system strong and you free from the flu or colds!

Photo by Amaury Tréguer (Morning Bondi)

But, of course it doesn’t stop here.. Combine all of this with benefits of the in’s/out’s of the Sauna to:

Enhanced endurance

Clinical trials have shown that as little as three weeks of post-swim sauna-use produce a significant improvement of endurance running performance due to an increased blood volume.

Cardiovascular health

Clinical trials have shown that saunas have a beneficial effect upon cardiovascular health and appear to be particularly beneficial for high blood pressure. Regular and repeated sauna use have a positive effect upon the health and function of arteries. Saunas have also been shown to have positive effects upon blood pressure and circulation in patients suffering from high blood pressure. Always check with your physician before using a sauna if you have high blood pressure or heart problems.

Immune Function

Regular sauna use has been shown to reduce the incidence of the common cold and your immune system will also benefit from the enhanced detoxification that sauna use brings about.

Weight loss

Just like a jog around the block, spending time in a sauna results in extra calories being burnt for energy as your body and heart are forced to adjust to the heat. Regular sauna use may assist in weight loss and maintenance. The key here is to make it regular, just like exercise.

Detoxification

By helping to move toxins out of your body via your skin and sweat glands, you’re doing your body a huge favour. Detoxification through your skin means toxins do not have to re-enter your blood stream with the potential to cause further damage before being excreted via your kidneys. We live in an increasingly toxic world and you’re exposed to toxins every day through air, food, water and even substances applied to your skin. Toxicity is associated with a range of health problems including fatigue, skin problems, hormonal imbalance and immune disorders.

Aches and Pains

The warm, dry heat of the sauna is relaxing to both your muscles and nervous system. By reducing muscular tension and improving circulation to muscles and joints, saunas are often very effective in reducing a range of aches and pains. You can even stretch in the sauna – it’ll help your flexibility even further.

Caroline xx

Photo by Amaury Tréguer (Morning Bondi)

Follow @morningbondi on Instagram

The post The Health Benefits of Winter Swimming & Sauna appeared first on Caroline Høgh Groth.

Yes, Bondi Beach is super touristy and can be a real headache with traffic on a Sunday, but there are so many other amazing things that will always triumph all these things, especially if you’re a local who knows the in’s & out’s of Bondi, especially all the amazing eateries we’re so lucky to have at our doorstep. Which leads me to this little write-up of some of my favourite eateries in Bondi – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Read on and enjoy! (Watch your drooling).

Breakfast:

Sprout Cafe (Gould St, Bondi Beach):

This one is one of the ‘newer’ kids on the block in Bondi. Sprout cafe is open for breakfast and dinner 7 days a week and is putting a great twist of Japanese bits & pieces into their menu. There are some great, different, breakfast dishes on the menu here and they tend to do create new ‘specials’ weekly. It’s also super well-priced. Think $12-$18 AUD for a breakfast that will keep you full until lunch.

My favorite breakfast dish here is, hands down, the Omelet with smoked salmon, dill goats cheese, kipfler potatoes and sprouts. I literally dream of this breakfast!

Their coconut bircher is also great, and will easily satisfy a ‘sweet’ tooth without the sugar-hit as they use honey to sweeten the bircher, and NOT sugar.

Earth Food Store (Gould St, Bondi Beach):

This one is really my LOCAL. I go here almost every single day. Earth Food Store is both a little cafe serving up only vegetarian and vegan breakfast and lunch and a shop where you can get all your favorite organic produce. The people working there really make the place – it’s so nice to walk in there and have a chat with them every single day, and not having to say what you want as they already know your order by heart (hello comfort zone!).

My favourite breakfast there would be something super basic: The soft-boiled eggies w/ fresh avocado, tomato, goats cheese, olive oil and a serve of fresh bread from Sonoma. I also always get a buffin. Now, you may ask: “What’s a buffin?” A buffin is basically a muffin made out of buckwheat (Get it? Buckwheat – buffin?) It’s sugar-free, dairy-free, gluten-free goodness and suitable for vegans, too. It’s a very distinct texture but once you’re hooked, you’re HOOKED! $17 for the breakfast and $4.95 for a buffin. A little bit pricey, but it’s all organic, fresh produce and I don’t mind paying more for quality.

Bondi Picnic (Hall St, Bondi Beach):

Bondi Picnic has a cute little outdoor space and fresh interiors. It’s perfect for sipping on a delicious chai and having my favorite pick on their breakfast menu: Smashed avocado and peas on sourdough with poached eggs, watercress and fresh lemon. Top it off with cracked pepper & fresh sea salt and then get on your way people-watching for a few hours. It’s the perfect morning right there. Their breakfast and lunch menu is really well priced. They also have a take on hashbrowns with poached eggs that’s absolutely epic!

Lunch:

Porch & Parlour (Ramsgate Ave, North Bondi):

Porch & Parlour or just Porch as we’d like to call it, is a true favorite among Bondi locals.True to it’s Hipster Roots it serves up dishes like ‘Green Breaky Bowls’, ‘Green Pea Pancakes and raw salads complete with the best coffee from Will & Co and smoothies going around the Eastern suburbs.

Porch is definitely a winner on all three fronts: Breaky, lunch AND dinner – but my favorite dish is especially on their lunchtime menu: The Raw Cosmic salad with a side-serve of seared ocean trout. The trout is just seared to perfection – each and every SINGLE time. Visiting Porch you know you’re going to get consistently good food on every visit. Well priced for a Raw Cosmic salad at $17, but be prepared to add a further $7.50 for a side of Ocean Trout. Breakfast is around $15-$20 without drinks.

Banana Blossom (Jaques Ave, Bondi Beach):

If you don’t know Bondi, you won’t really know this little place. It’s located on Jacques Avenue, and will be easily missed unless you venture down the street. It’s a newcomer to the Bondi Beach lunchtime scene, already having two venues in Manly & Mona Vale. Banana Blossom serves up delicious (BIG!) salads that are a combination of Asian flavors with fresh local ingredients to bring you a load of TASTY.

My favorite salad on the menu is the ‘Buddha’s Delight’ consisting of Tofu, Green Papaya, Pineapple, Chinese Cabbage & Thai Herbs with crispy egg noodles & a sweet tamarind dressing. YUM!

Lox Stock & Barrel (Glenayr Ave, Bondi Beach):

Lox Stock & Barrel is the cozy little deli diner brother/sister of popular breaky spot ‘Brown Sugar’ just around the corner on Curlewis St. in Bondi. Lox Stock is drawing their inspiration from European cuisine with the promise of a ‘Healthy & delicious’ meal every single time. I can vouch for that! Get here before 12pm if you’re going for lunch or do a late lunch – unless you like queueing – this is a massively popular breakfast and lunch spot – with good reason! Portions are deliciously satisfying and the price-point is very fair: $15 for sandwiches and $17 for salads – be prepared to pay $7 extra for protein on your salad though!

I absolutely love and adore the salads here, and the dressings that go with them are THE bomb! My favorite will have to be the Cauliflower salad with avocado, chickpeas, corn, radish, fennel, almond & rocket with a dressing of orange, chilli & ginger topped with a poached egg = SPOT ON!

Bondi Harvest (The Eastern, Bondi Junction):

Bondi Harvest is the ‘offline’ part of the online hit of the same name ‘Bondi Harvest’ created by Guy & Mark, who also happens to be mates of mine. Bondi Harvest is all about sourcing local produce and creating out of this world seasonal dishes that will make your tastebuds tingle.

The lunch menu consists of delicious sandwiches and salads which leads me to this: BROCCOLI SALAD! Please, if you’re headed to Bondi Harvest and want an out of this world Broccoli experience you have got to choose this salad. Have it with a side-serve of protein like the jerk chicken or fresh fish. Deliciously healthy and fresh!

Dinner

Bondi Hardware (Hall St, Bondi Beach):

This little gem – originally an old hardware store turned into one of Bondi’s most popular venues serves up deliciously rustic and incredibly tasty food along with your favorite drinks whether it’d be non-alcoholic or alcoholic – mostly the latter though. Ben & Hamo are the great minds behind Applejack Hospitality which now consists of 4 venues: The Botanist (Kirribilli), So Cal (Neutral Bay), The Butler (Pott’s Point) and of course, Bondi Hardware.

Bondi Hardware holds a very special place in my heart. I’ve had some of my very best and significant times and memories here, and for that, I will always cherish this place. The food just makes it even better. My favorite pieces from the well-rounded dinner menu will have to be items like the Slow Roast Lamb Salad (Seriously, MUST-EAT!), Sweet Potato Fries, Baked Artichoke dip, Pan-fried Haloumi, Pearl Barley Risotto, Quinoa & Rosemary Polenta Bites and many, many more. Bondi Hardware changes their menu to fit the seasons, but the classics will always survive (HELLO LAMB SALAD!).

Bangkok Bites (Hall St, Bondi Beach):

Like Thai? Like big flavors and BIG portions? Then this is your go-to for your Thai-fix. Bangkok Bites is notorious street-food when it’s best. It’s fresh, flavorsome hearty food that will make your heart skip a beat. It’s loud, it’s noisy, it’s flames & wok’s & pan’s flying, and it’s the greatest place to have dinner on a weekend night to people-watch and keep up with what’s going down on the Bondi-scene. Perfect place for dinner with friends or date-nights – whatever takes your fancy.

My favorite dishes here are ALL the noodle-dishes. Noodle, Noodle – I looooove noodles. But some other winners are most certainly also the Papaya Pok Pok salad with Soft-shell Crab, Pineapple Fried Rice, Beautiful Bangkok Noodle and the Massaman Lamb Shanks with Coconut Rice. There’s something for everyone – spicy or not. This is a must-try Thai place! It doesn’t look too pretty, but it’s darn delicious!

Bondi’s Best (Campbell Pde, North Bondi):

Overlooking North Bondi is this little hidden gem – it’s basically a little ‘hole’ in the wall, but don’t let that fool you. This is fish at it’s very best & freshest at incredibly GOOD prices. This place is perfect for a lazy Sunday late arvo/night date-night to either eat in the little place (it doesn’t seat many) or to get take-away and head down to the Grassy Knoll at North Bondi to watch the sunset whilst you feast on some deliciously cooked or raw, fresh fish.

I love the Aburi Salmon salad with Seaweed, Iceberg & Wafu Sesame Dressing or the Crispy Skin Salmon w/ sides like steamed greens and sweet potato chips or just a ‘plain old’ Beer Battered Fish & Chips. Delicious!

North Bondi Fish (Ramsgate Ave, North Bondi)

North Bondi Fish or NBF is, what most people already know, the brainchild behind Chef extraordinaire Matt Moran and his business partner Peter Sullivan. It’s no wonder North Bondi Fish is a hit with amazing sister restaurants like Chiswick and Aria. Located only steps from the white sand of North Bondi Beach this place is pretty much picture perfect with a knock-out view at sunset.

This menu is, obviously, all about FISH. The freshest fish you can find. Oysters, prawns, whole snappers and fish burgers are among the menu items along with fun desserts like ‘adult’ popsicles (alcoholic). NBF also has an extensive cocktail and an impressive wine-list if you don’t mind an enjoyable glass of wine to go with your delicious dinner.

I also had the pleasure of celebrating my 3 month cancer remission-‘anniversary’ here. The staff was so superb, they really made my night absolutely unforgettable.

A few of my favorite menu items are: Whiting Fillet Tacos, Broad Bean, Pea & Fresh Mint Dip, Whole Roasted Market Fish, Quinoa, Zucchini & Onion Salad, Blue Swimmer Crab Linguine and their mango & salted coconut popsicle. Mmm

Hope you liked my little wrap up of some of my favorite eateries in Bondi. It won’t be the last – there’s MANY more places I want to tell you about :)

Caroline x

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