The Hopsack

This is The Hopsack in the Swan Centre in Rathmines (in Dublin).  It's a really great health store that sells a full range of health food, organic food, natural cosmetics and even chemical free cleaning products. 

We browsed around for a few minutes but only bought some refreshing Chi Coconut Water (this was the first time I saw this brand) - but I think they also sold Vita Coconut Water and maybe also Zico Coconut Water.  Pineapple Vita Coconut Water is my facourite. 

I will go back later during the week to get some natural laundry washing powder and maybe a bar of organic chocolate!

There is so much to see in this store, they have a huge range of products.  You could easily lose yourself for an hour or so.  

I like the concept of Meat Free Monday!  What a great start to the working week - I may try it.

If you regularly take energy gels you can make your own by adding a spoonful of Chia Seeds to a shot of Coconut Water.  Leave for 10 minutes then knock it back!

Cobbler

I called to the cobbler to pick up my boots which I had left in to get new soles and heeled.  He did such a good job - they are like new!!

I don't generally get my shoes reheeled or resoled but I really like these boots and I was not in the mood to shop for a new pair so it was just easier to get them fixed up.   In total, it cost 30 euro.

Pretzel heaven

I have been looking at these pretzels in Superquinn for a few weeks and I decided to buy them last night.  

I think they are fairly new to the Irish market and I have not seen them for sale anywhere else.  They are made by Snyders of Hanover in Pennsylvania, USA.

They had a few different flavours - I saw Buffalo and some other spicy flavour.  I chose the Honey Mustard.

Wow!  I loved them.  They tasted unlike anything I have tasted before.  So delicious and very moreish.  

They tasted so good and so unique.

As you can see they have been making pretzels sinch 1909 - how great is that!!  You can even visit their bakery if you are in the Hanover area - I have friends who live in Pennsylvania so I will see how close they live to here and whether they have ever visited the Snyder's of Hanover Pretzel Bakery!

I wonder if they will be bringing chocolate covered pretzels to Ireland???  I'd love that!

Egg-cellent!

It's Saturday morning of the Bank Holiday Weekend.  We went for a swim at 8am and now we are in the Fumbally for eggs.  

We have sneaked Bones in and he is sitting under the table on a little shelf.  He keeps sticking his head out when the waiter walks by with food.    

I don't understand why dogs are generally not allowed in to cafes - once we were even asked to leave the outside area of a cafe because we had the dog!!!  What are your thoughts on dogs in shops and cafes?

Doggy holiday

Normally when we go away at Christmas my parents mind Bones.  This June, however, we are all going away so we needed to organize a minder for him.

We finally chose Doggy Holidays which is run by the head groomer in Mutt Ugly.  The dogs are minded in her home and then taken in to Mutt Ugly during the day.

Last Friday, Bones did a trial day in day care to see how he got on with the other dogs.  He was fine so we are all now set for our hols and his "Doggy Holiday"

We will be able to see how he is getting on while we are away as there will be photos put up on the Doggy Holidays Facebook page!

Stir it up!

I had a chicken noodle stir fry for dinner last night. Loaded with fresh vegetable and a soy & ginger sauce.  We followed it with strawberries and meringue. Yum!

Feeling nostalgic

A 1 litre of fresh milk in a glass bottle by Adare Farm

Glass bottles were phased out in the 1980/90's in Dublin.  Deliveries used to be done by the milkman who would leave fresh bottles of milk and remove the empties.  As supermarkets began to open earlier and close later - as well as stay open on Sundays the role of the milkman became defunct.  Milk also began to be sold in cartons (tetra pak to start with) which I presume was more cost effective.

Adare Farm have just started selling milk in glass bottles again in certain shops.  When I saw it on the shelf in Superquinn Ranelagh I had to buy it!  The milk looks so good - so tasty and fresh looking.  It's also way colder than milk from the carton.  

Although more expensive, I think it is worth it.

What way is your milk sold?  Glass, carton or plastic bottle?