The Scandinavian Festival

Viking stand!

This weekend I had an absolutely amazing Sunday, surrounded by fellow Vikings! :) It was the yearly Scandinavian Festival in Brisbane, with over 50 stalls of Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Finnish and Icelandic food and products. It's the first time I've been there - as I only became aware of it this year, and it's something I had been looking forward to for quite some time. It was wonderful! And oh so extremely crowded!

It was one of those perfect sunny days with no clouds in sight - and boy does it get hot when you're bumping into and trying to find your way through hundreds of fellow Scandinavians, all searching for those longed for Scandinavian delicacies (I had a hot dog and waffles!) and lots of other stuff we normally can't get hold of as easily on this side of the planet. It's an excellent way of discovering little businesses dealing with Scandinavian products that you otherwise would never know about!

Delish hot-dog!

Obviously a lot of people were eager to stock up on some Scandinavian food, because the line for Swedish Goodies was one of the longest I've seen in a while - and when I say line I'm not talking about some polite British-style shit where everyone respectfully form an ACTUAL line and await patiently in turn... oh no. I'm talking about a typical Scandinavian line i.e. a big pile of people pushing and trying to get in front of each other, utter chaos and absolutely no regard for anything but themselves. Of course, I was in front. But who could blame anyone for pushing a bit when brown cheese, Norvegia, crisp-bread, kantarell-stock and salty licorice is at stake! Just look at all my loots! <3 My super man even got me a very fitting apron! ;)

Chocolate, cheese and traditional hand-painted plates! :)

There was also some solid Scandinavian entertainment, of course, with singing and dancing and traditional instruments.

Some traditional music and dance

The Scandinavian Festival is a joint effort held by the local clubs of all the Scandinavian countries, including the Norwegian Club of Queensland. I have been considering getting in touch with some other Norwegian expats here in Brisbane, but haven't really gotten that far yet. It was good to se them all gathered in a sea of blond hair and blue eyes at the festival though! ;) hehe.

iHerb favourites

It's been several years since I started shopping through iHerb, especially when it comes to various health foods, tea and organic beauty products.

Honestly, the fact that most of the products you get on iHerb are organic, and that it's a vegan's paradise, was never really my top reason for shopping there. It is, however, a very nice bonus and I have noted that especially the beauty products have made my hair and skin healthier than ever before.

The main reason for shopping at iherb, however, has been the low prices, quality and range of products you get access to. Over the years I have found some wonderful products and I thought I'd share some of my favourites with you guys! :)

Especially now that I've moved to Australia, I find that it's a great way of getting products delivered to my door that I can't really find here or that would cost a fortune otherwise. As long as you keep the weight of every parcel under 4 pounds (iHerb will easily show you how much everything weighs) it only cost $4-6 in shipping as well!

If you're a first time buyer and looking to try some of these amazing products - make sure to use the code AGA408 for up to $10 discount on your first order! :)

Yogi Tea
I absolutely love Yogi tea! As opposed to a lot of other tea you can actually taste what is says on the label, it's caffeine free and a great guilt-free treat at any time during the day!

My absolute favourite is Egyptian Licorice, but I also stock up on Chai Rooibos and Bedtime frequently.

Chocolove
How divine are these! My all time favourite is the Almonds & Sea Salt in Dark Chocolate, but Toffee & Almonds in Milk Chocolate is really yummy too! They're also great as a little something extra when giving a present, and everyone I've given them to have loved them!

Atkins Bars
I used to buy more of these when I lived in Norway, where one bar cost the same as five on iHerb, but they're good value when living in Australia too. I love Peanut Butter Cups and find that it's a nice little snack for when you're craving something sweet! Since they're not that big I don't feel as guilty afterwards either :)
 

Garlic Gold
I use the Italian Herb Nuggets for almost everything when cooking! This spice is wonderful sprinkled over salads, over cooked vegetables, on cheese-melts or over pasta. I usually add it to a dish as a finishing touch and love the flavour it adds!

Le Saunier de Camargue
I can't say enough how amazing this salt, Fleur De Sel, is! It's a bit expensive, but oh so worth every cent! I sprinkle it over dishes just before serving and it really brings out those extra flavours. It's also amazing on eggs, vegetables and over roasted potatoes!

Frontier Natural
I have a few of the spices from Frontier and love all of them! The Apple Pie Spice is just divine over desserts, oatmeal or even toast! I also have their Taco Seasoning and Ceylon Cinnamon (which is a bit sweeter than "regular" cinnamon) and they seem to disappear way to quickly! ;)


NuNaturals
One of my all-time favourites from iHerb is Vanilla Stevia! I have tried a few from different brands, and this is definitely the one I like the best. It's sweet, but with all that vanilla flavour you want. I add 4-5 drops to my tea, in coffee (especially good for home-made iced coffee), to pancake batter, in plain yoghurt and when baking!

Bell Plantation PB2
I have both the regular Powdered Peanut Butter and the Powdered Peanut Butter with Premium Chocolate and I LOVE both of them! Adding a couple of table spoons to your pancake mixture makes for divine peanut butter pancakes, it works especially well when making cookies, and can be added to smoothies, yoghurt and even ice cream! I love the stuff!

Walden Farms
Calorie Free Pancake Syrup that tastes good??? Yup! You heard me right! Totally guilt free and really, really yummy on top of pancakes (of course), waffles, ice-cream (though it looks a bit odd when it freezes), in yoghurt and probably good for baking as well.


Miracle Noodle
Honestly, I've only tried the Angel Hair Miracle Noodle once. I liked it, but haven't bought it again because I thought it was a bit of a hassle for cooking some noodles. However, they are totally calorie free, behaved like noodles and work really well in dishes where they're not the main ingredient.

Desert Essence
My absolute favourite brand for anything to do with my hair! I swear to their Red Raspberry Shampoo and Conditioner - it has made my hair so much healthier! And it smells divine! I use the 100% Pure Jojoba oil for styling my curls (just a little bit in your palms and then massage through your hair gently - be careful not to use too much though!), in addition to the Coconut Soft Curls Cream for when I want extra defined curls. I also LOVE the Tea Tree Oil Facial Cleansing Pads.

Giovanni
Another favourite for hair and body. The L.A. Hold Hair Spritz is the best hair spray I've ever had! It gives a strong hold, but the hair stays natural and it's easy to comb through afterwards.

Alba Botanica
The best (and cheapest) sunscreen I've ever had is the Hawaiian Sunscreen SPF 45. It's easy to apply, absorbs quickly, water proof for 80 minutes and it has never failed to protect me! I even use it as a moisturizer sometimes. They also have an amazing shaving cream that I have become totally reliant on. The Papaya Mango Moisturizing Cream Shave ensures you never have a cut again! I've also used their Very Emolient Cream Shave and it's really good too.


The Mineral Terra Tints Lip Balm from Alba Botanica is also one of my favourites. I have it in the colour Blaze, which is a dark red, and I absolutely love it as an alternative to lipstick! It stays on well, cost next to nothing and moisturizes at the same time! Similarly, their Shimmering Natural Colour Gloss is really nice - although I don't wear it much if it's windy as my hair gets stuck in it!

Thayers
I use this rose water Original Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera as a make-up remover, to cleanse my skin in the morning before moisturizing or to refresh my skin during the day. It's so gentle, feels good on the skin, moisturizes gently and smells really nice.

Queen Helene
I have used this Mint Julep Masque for a while and it works really well. My skin feels nice and soft afterwards, and I've also noticed that it helps against black spots and my T-zone. Plus, it smells really nice!

Kiss my Face
I've heard a lot of good stuff about this brand and decided to get the Peppermint Foot Creme. It's amazing! I've used it with these Sustainable Moisture Socks from Eco Tools, whom I also love, with great success! Highly recommended for tired feet!




Madre Labs
I got this Nighttime Recovery Cream on one of iHerb's specials (only $11) and wish I remembered to put it on more often! It leaves my skin nice and soft and I always feel a bit fresher in the morning. I'm definitely going to try to use this more often in the future!




Nubian Heritage
I don't use this African Black Soap myself, but my boyfriend loves it! So does my father and any other male I know that's tried it. It has a really nice smell, moisturizes and also looks a bit manly ;) Great gift for any man in the house (or yourself!).

Badger Company
And last, but not least my dear friend the Anti-Bug Balm! Mosquitos love me and I get eaten up alive if I ever sit outside after dark - but this balm actually fixes all of that. It smells like lemon, easy to put on and is nice and soft on the skin. It is a bit like wearing a lemon moisturizer, but as far as anti-mosquito stuff goes it's the best repellant I've tried! And it's cute.


I do have a few more products that I love from iHerb as well, especially protein powder, phsyllium husk, almond flour and other stuff that I like to use for baking, but I don't bake that often anymore.

Update: For more favourites you can also read this blogpost!

Do you have any iHerb favourites that I should know about?

The five-hearted Iron Lady

Every Friday and Saturday morning something absolutely amazing happens in Brisbane. I could hardly believe it when I first heard that this Norwegian guy, Christian, had started the most wonderful business on the other side of the planet: Waffles! Five delicious hearts of perfect, lightly brown goodness covered in sweet brown cheese and raspberry jam. Can you even think of a better way to start the weekend?

The location does change a bit, but usually you'll find The Iron Ladies, as they've named their business, operating out of Two Trees in West End. They do the most delicious coffee that goes oh so well with these yummy waffles! Friendly staff, good atmosphere and just enough quirkiness.

Personally, I stay true to my Norwegian heritage and refuse to have my waffle with anything but brown cheese, jam or sour cream, but they do also serve up some pretty interesting and adventurous toppings. How about spicy pinapple, mango chutney, mint and cucumber raita? Or a waffle dog? Or maybe some peanut butter, banana and chocolate sauce? The menu changes every week and I even heard rumors of anchovies finding their way on top of one of the waffles once - although not with any great success. 

Most importantly though, this wonderful human being - Christian - also made me aware that the Swiss Gourmet in West End actually takes in, and sells, Norwegian brown cheese! :D Hooray!!! :D It cost a small fortune, but is worth every single cent!

If you haven't tried it yourself, I seriously suggest you change that situation asap. Just do it. I know you want to! Simply knowing that there is brown cheese available when and if I get a craving has brought great calmness into my life.

What is your favourite waffle topping?

"Ja Vi Elsker" 17th of May!

Hurra hurra hurra!

What better way to return to Australia, than to celebrate Norway's National Day with about 1000 other Norwegians and friends from all over QLD and beyond? :)

I was a bit sad that I wouldn't be in Norway for the 17th of May, even though I couldn't wait to get back to Australia. Luckily, the biggest Norwegian celebration in the Southern hemisphere actually takes place in Brisbane! :D

My boyfriend was happy to join in and shout "Hurra!!!" with me as we paraded through the streets of Brisbane by police escort this morning - following a marching band playing Norway's National Anthem and other traditional songs celebrating our country and it's people. I was a bit surprised by the range of feelings that rushed through me and almost brought me to tears as I chimed in on "Ja Vi Elsker" with hundreds of other Norwegian expats. It has been an emotional week returning to Brisbane and it felt surprisingly nice to celebrate our National Day with so many other Norwegians :)

We continued by listening to a long and tiresome speech about Norway, our traditions and the history of our National Day (which in itself is a tradition), followed by feasting on hot-dogs and waffles with brown cheese! :D <3 To absolutely no surprise most of the Norwegians were busy standing in line for beer and wine... hehe. I suspect there will be a LOT of drunk Norwegians roaming the streets of Brisbane tonight!

17th of May in Brisbane

It has been a very nice day! :D And I even got to buy some O'Boy from the store Swedish Goodies that I wrote about in another post - and that had taken the trip to Brisbane for the occation! :) Yay!

Oh, and speaking of nice things - did you know that I've gotten a kitten!?! :D This amazing little furball is named Tigerpus and she has melted my heart completely! It was love at first meow!

Tigerpus! <3

Isn't she just adorable? She has adjusted very quickly to her new home and is such an active, inquisitive little thing. I can't get enough of her! :) <3 (I think it's a her, at least, hehe)

5 days, 5 hours, and 5 minutes!

That is how long it's left until I arrive back in Brisbane! The wait is finally coming to an end, all my things are packed and I even managed to bring along a treasure or two reminding me of my childhood home and beautiful Norway! <3

Bergen during early spring

Isn't it weird though - I've been in Norway for 3 months and it's only now that I'm about to leave I suddenly get an extreme craving for everything Norwegian! Brown cheese, komler, rømmegrøt, Norwegian rice porridge, waffles and smoked sausage that are all prepared and cooked just a bit different to everywhere else! Not to mention paprika flavoured chips (why does this not exist in Australia?) and delicious milk chocolate that melts on your tongue (with a complimentary fairy tale inside the wrapping!) :) I've been drinking ice cold water from the tap like there was no tomorrow and am suddenly finding trolls and fjords SO much more exciting than before. And the milk. Delicious, cold Norwegian milk that makes you strong and healthy, like our very own Mr. Melk!

It must be the realization that I actually don't know exactly when I'll be back. When I look out through my window onto great mountains, the still fresh water lake marking an end to one of the best salmon rivers in Norway, and the forest where I must have built a gazillion huts when I was a child, I know that I will miss it. I will miss my friends here and I will miss my family. And it's sort of ironic, because all the time I've been back I've been missing Australia, my partner and my friends there - and just counting the days to my return.

I guess I still feel like I have so much left to do, see and experience in Australia, and it might very well be that I'll end up living there permanently. It's just now that I'm about to leave and go do all that, that I'm also filled with sorrow, because I truly love Norway and everyone I will be leaving behind. But then I remind myself that it's not like I'll never be back! And that it's worth it! I would regret it forever if I did not take the leap to see where it takes me. And, of course, being back in the arms of the love of my life, where I know life will always be just a bit brighter! <3

Did you see the album I posted on my Norway page? You should! :)

Scandi-nom-nom-noms!

Even though I love Brisbane to bits, there are a few things I really miss about Norway and that I've been enjoying to it's fullest now that I've been back home.

Norwegian-style waffles with brown cheese
- and bubbles, of course! ;)

Some things you just have to accept will not be possible to find or do in Australia (it is an island on the other side of the planet, after all!), like drinking ice cold, pure water from the tap or making snow angels after the first snow-fall during winter (pause here for a *sigh* at the thought of fond memories). I have, however, discovered that there are quite a few things you can actually get hold of even though you are 14,358 km away - and that makes it just a bit easier being so far away from home! :)

First off - did you know that the Norwegian Church Abroad has their own church store in Sydney selling Norwegian food/products, and that they also ship across Australia? Ok, so they don't ship cheese or meat (understandable), but oh man how I rejoiced when I realized I was just a few clicks away from a delivery of yummy salty licorice, Daim chocolate, Smash, Lingonberry jam, Kvikk lunch and other Norwegian delights! If you're lucky enough to live in, or travel to, Sydney you can also feast on brown cheese and the Norwegian Holy Grail of cheese - Norvegia. 

Living in Brisbane I have been dreaming about something similar opening up a bit more close to home, when I was recently made aware of a store called Swedish Goodies located in Surfers Paradise, just an hour's drive away. Now, there has always been a sort of feud between the Norwegians and the Swedish, resulting in a fair bit of rivalry and even it's own genre of jokes. The fact that Norway was betrayed by it's neighboring country when Sweden invaded us in 1814 might also have had something to do with it. But let's not dwell in the past - because I forgive them! The brown cheese and Norvegia that can't be sent from Sydney is now just a short drive away, in this wonderful gem of a store! Plus a number of other goodies that has your mind instantly teleporting back to fjords, mountains and snow, as you're sitting in the sun with your home-made lunch packet enjoying ballerina cookies and cloudberry jam! Thank you Sweden! :) <3

Do you know of any stores selling Scandinavian products / food in Australia?