"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

Wednesday 27 November 2013

Fancy trying the flavours of Bolivian Cuisine + other Latin American dishes in London? This is your chance !!!

Sabor Latino ALBA Food Festival / feria gastronomica del ALBA
The ALBA countries of Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador and Venezuela will be represented by exhibitors offering typical cuisine from each of these countries.

From Bolivia the tasty "chicharrón de pollo" will be a welcome treat for those who enjoy chicken, whilst Cuba will be offering the famous "congri", a dish of rice and black beans. From Ecuador, the appetising "hornado" plus seafood dishes from the coast will bring a taste of the exotic to London, whilst Venezuela's traditional Christmas dish of "hallacas" is a delicacy not to be missed!! 

 
from 12:00 until 18:00 
At the Bolivar Hall :
56 Grafton Way. 
London W1T 5DL.

Time to discover hidden gems of Colombia in London... Pop Up Colombia comes to town...



For 5 days only, a group of Colombian designers, artists and entrepreneurs will gather under one roof to display and sell their work. A unique offer of fashion, accessories, jewellery, lighting and furniture will be available in our pop-up Colombia store.

Workshops in Colombian literature, music, film-making, photography, food and Spanish language classes for children will be held across the five days.

There will also be a celebration of Colombia’s Christmas tradition, The Dia de las Velitas, with the lighting of a candle to symbolise the start of the festive month and positive energy for the new year ahead.
Carajillo cocktails – made of coffee, aguardiente, rum and cinnamon - will be served on that evening in celebration of the Dia de las Velitas.

On Saturday 7th December, there will be a free 100% Colombian coffee tasting with Juan Valdez, in collaboration with Shelton’s Coffee. There'll be food as well, by Sabor.. everything Colombian.

As a Colombian / Latin American lover...Can't wait to go and  visit !!

Pop Up Colombia
4th – 8th December 2013
632 Kings Road
SW6 2DU
http://popupcolombia.com/agenda.html

Monday 25 November 2013

Opening tonight:Chakana.. could this be the Latin American club London was waiting for?

Brand new 300 capacity late night lounge and dance club in the heart of the buzzing West End, designed along a South American theme and open until 3am.
Available for private hire on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays and for group bookings on other nights.

Chakana is a Latin-Pacific late night lounge bar and dance club, with venue and entertainment inspired by Tarantino's cult film 'From Dusk Till Dawn', it is already giving the Mayfair bar and club scene a run for its money. 

Chakana offers an extensive range of super-premium South American, Andean super food cocktails, and an amazing international roster of DJ talent.

I already have been impressed by the decor and the list of cocktails !! I can not wait to check it out !!

Chakana
23 Orchard Street,
Marylebone,
London,
W1H 6HL

FREE BURRITOS :: today courtesy of Benito's Hat in Farringdon

To Celebrate opening in Farringdon ( and November) Benito's Hat will be given away FREE Burritos today 25th November from 12:00 - 3:00pm.

Free burritos will be given away to customers donning a moustache. Real, fake, drawn ;) hundreds of stick on 'mo's will be handed out during the run up in the queue so that no one misses out in the fun.
Don't forget to make a donation in one o the charity pots to November.

Benito's Hat 
12-14 St. John Street.
London 
EC1 M4AY 
 

Wednesday 20 November 2013

Fancy a FREE LUNCH ?.. That's The Pig Idea !!


Free lunch tomorrow in Trafalgar Square .. Pork pibil tacos from Wahaca ..and other dishes from other various restaurants, to chose from ... From 12-4pm .. on a first come first serve basis..

The team from Wahaca has teamed up with food waste campaigner Tristam Stuart to raise awareness of The Pig idea and the fight to get food waste back on the menu for pigs.

"Over the last 7 months, the Pig Idea team has been rearing eight pigs on London's Stepney City Farm on a healthy diet of spent brewer's grains, whey, unsold fruit and veg and okara (a tofu byproduct) - all food which would otherwise have been composted or sent to landfill. The pork produced from the pigs is to be served up for YOU by some of the UK's best restaurants and chefs."

more info on :
http://thepigidea.org/

Free lunch

Thursday 21st November
Trafalgar Square : from 12-4pm .

Monday 11 November 2013

Jamie Oliver Goes Peruvian !! With his recipes from South America.....

 

Latin American Food has proven to be popular in the UK .. with many Latin American restaurants recently opening in London. And now Jamie Oliver shares recipes from South America.
I found interesting to find recipes like sancochado, aji de gallina and alfajores (my favourite) from Jamie, recently on a news paper magazine. I admire the way he approaches food, always doing and trying something new.

And the recipe that I like the most is Alfajores ;) :

Alfajores ( Dulce de Leche Biscuits )
Makes 30 biscuits -15 sandwiches

125g Cornflour 
125g self-raising flour
1tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Bicarbonate of soda
50g soft unsalted butter
70g icing sugar
1 large free-range egg yolk
1 shot of Pisco 
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

For the filling :
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
300g Dulce de Leche (sweet caramelized milk) 
icing sugar for dusting
20g desicated coconut

Sift the cornflour and flour into a large bowl, add a good pinch of sea salt,the baking powder and bicarbonate of soda and mix together.
In another bowl, beat the butter and 50g of the icing sugar until pale, then beat in the yolk, pisco and vanilla. Scrape the sides of the bowl and fold in the flour mixture until just combined- don't overwork. Spoon into a large piece of clingfilm, split into two balls and flatten into discs. Wrap in the clingflim and chill for at least an hour.

Preheat the oven to 160 degrees gas 2-3 and line a couple of baking trays with greaseproof paper. Place each dough disc between sheets of greaseproof paper and roll out into the thickness of pound coins. Use a 4cm cutter to cut out 30 biscuits, pushing the dough back together and re-rolling as needed.
Transfer the biscuits into the lined trays, leaving at least 2cm between them. Place the trays in the fridge for 20 mins so the dough firms up. Bake, in batches, on the middle shelf for 15-20 minutes, or until pale on top and golden underneath. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Mix the cinnamon and a good pinch of sea salt into the dulce de leche, and beat. Turn over half of the cooled biscuits and cover with the mixture, then sandwich with another biscuit. Repeat with the rest, dust with icing sugar, then roll the edges in coconut.

Provecho ! :)

Recipe taken from his Sunday cooking article in the newspaper :)

lindsey.funes.obleas@gmail.com.

Tuesday 8 October 2013

FREE : Burritos !! ... YES... YES ... YES !!!


YES YES YES ......... FREE burritos !! are given away !! next week !!

Chilangos are given away Free Burritos to celebrate the opening of a new branch in Leather Lane.
Between 12pm and 5pm on the 16th October!! Put the date in your diary .. Buen Provecho !

Wednesday 16th October
12 Leather Lane,
EC1N 7SS
www.chilango.co.uk

Wednesday 2 October 2013

FREE .. this October in London .. Caffè Nero coffee..

 
To celebrate the arrival of the brand new panini range, Caffè Nero has teamed up with Time Out to offer you the perfect excuse to go in and find out more: your own complimentary coffee.
With a choice of either one of their signature espressos or a cappuccino, caffè latte or Americano, it won't just be the caffeine putting a spring in your step this October.

All you have to do is print out your voucher and head to any participating branches and exchange it for your coffee. 
For more information and to get your voucher simply go to the Time Out website:

Tuesday 1 October 2013

...::: FREE this friday, in London .... ICE CREAM !! ..


Nothing better than FREE ice cream ...
Snowflake Luxury Gelato have launched a new Soho boutique that houses the largest gelato counter in London and a unique molten chocolate tap.

To celebrate the launch they are giving out 200 litres of ice cream this Friday 4th of October at midday !!

Friday 4th October
12pm - until it runs out
102 Wardour Street
W1F 0TN

www.snowflakegelato.co.uk/index.html   

Friday 20 September 2013

...::: Saturday 5th of October .... A night not to be missed !!

Photography by Fede Rivas

Bolivian Heritage Performing at Ritual Scissors Dance Event. 
Come and enjoy a night of entretaiment, music and dance.. plus taste Latin American food and Pisco Sour at its best !

We will be performing alongside talented Latin American Artists : Jose , Diego , Atacama Music Group, and there'll be Latin American Food, plus traditional Pisco Sour !

ATACAMA BAND
Drawing from the rich repertoire of groups such as the buena vista social club,Inti-Illimani and Illapu,Atacama plays an exquisite selection of tunes from the Andes Mountains,Cuba and Africa.

DIEGO LAVERDE

From Colombia, and now based in London, Diego has been playing the "llanera" (lowland) harp since 1982 
He performs and teaches with the harp all over the UK as well in some other European countries.

JOSE NAVARRO

Performing his puppet and dance production 'Ritual Scissors Dance' , with after show Q&A.

BOLIVIAN HERITAGE 
Dancing Morenada . one of the popular folkloric dances of Bolivia. 

See you there !

Saturday 5 October
At the Bolivar Hall ( 54 Grafton Way. clossest tube station: Warren street )
from 6:30pm 

Tickets £10 

For ticket inquiries or more information please contact Antonia on : 07454127711
or email : cruzantoni04@hotmail.com.

link to other events :
Miss Obleas: Events:
lindsey.funes.obleas@gmail.com

Wednesday 11 September 2013

FREE FILMS at The Scoop - London ....this September ...


free film season hits The Scoop once again next month with a corker line-up of films. Kicking off on Wednesday 11th September with Skyfall The Scoop has one of the best outdoor cinema backdrops in the city. You can catch Crouching Tigger Hidden Dragon (12th), Frankenweenie (13th), Back to The Future (18th) and other classics concluding on 27th September with a surprise film.
It’s first come, first served so get down there early to make sure you get in. Did somebody say cheap date? Now all we need is the date…Tinder?
The Queen’s Walk, SE1 2AA
www.morelondon.com
- See more at: http://londontheinside.com/2013/08/26/free-films-at-the-scoop/#sthash.zKHbJaU8.d
Yes ! This September you can enjoy a selection of movies for FREE at the Scoop in London.
You can catch Crouching Tigger Hidden Dragon (12th), Frankenweenie (13th), Back to The Future (18th) and other classics concluding on 27th September with a surprise film.

It’s first come, first served so get down there early to make sure you get in. 


The Queen’s Walk, SE1 2AA
For more information and the lists of all the films, dates and times visit :
free film season hits The Scoop once again next month with a corker line-up of films. Kicking off on Wednesday 11th September with Skyfall The Scoop has one of the best outdoor cinema backdrops in the city. You can catch Crouching Tigger Hidden Dragon (12th), Frankenweenie (13th), Back to The Future (18th) and other classics concluding on 27th September with a surprise film.
It’s first come, first served so get down there early to make sure you get in. Did somebody say cheap date? Now all we need is the date…Tinder?
The Queen’s Walk, SE1 2AA
www.morelondon.com
- See more at: http://londontheinside.com/2013/08/26/free-films-at-the-scoop/#sthash.zKHbJaU8.dpuf
free film season hits The Scoop once again next month with a corker line-up of films. Kicking off on Wednesday 11th September with Skyfall The Scoop has one of the best outdoor cinema backdrops in the city. You can catch Crouching Tigger Hidden Dragon (12th), Frankenweenie (13th), Back to The Future (18th) and other classics concluding on 27th September with a surprise film.
It’s first come, first served so get down there early to make sure you get in. Did somebody say cheap date? Now all we need is the date…Tinder?
The Queen’s Walk, SE1 2AA
www.morelondon.com
- See more at: http://londontheinside.com/2013/08/26/free-films-at-the-scoop/#sthash.zKHbJaU8.dpuf
free film season hits The Scoop once again next month with a corker line-up of films. Kicking off on Wednesday 11th September with Skyfall The Scoop has one of the best outdoor cinema backdrops in the city. You can catch Crouching Tigger Hidden Dragon (12th), Frankenweenie (13th), Back to The Future (18th) and other classics concluding on 27th September with a surprise film.
It’s first come, first served so get down there early to make sure you get in. Did somebody say cheap date? Now all we need is the date…Tinder?
The Queen’s Walk, SE1 2AA
www.morelondon.com
- See more at: http://londontheinside.com/2013/08/26/free-films-at-the-scoop/#sthash.zKHbJaU8.dpuf
free film season hits The Scoop once again next month with a corker line-up of films. Kicking off on Wednesday 11th September with Skyfall The Scoop has one of the best outdoor cinema backdrops in the city. You can catch Crouching Tigger Hidden Dragon (12th), Frankenweenie (13th), Back to The Future (18th) and other classics concluding on 27th September with a surprise film.
It’s first come, first served so get down there early to make sure you get in. Did somebody say cheap date? Now all we need is the date…Tinder?
The Queen’s Walk, SE1 2AA
www.morelondon.com
- See more at: http://londontheinside.com/2013/08/26/free-films-at-the-scoop/#sthash.zKHbJaU8.dpuf

Thursday 5 September 2013

FREE : St. Albans Giant Monopoly !! Come and play life-size monopoly in the City and District of St Albans.


To celebrate St Albans being awarded the “Mayfair” spot on the “Here and Now, UK edition Monopoly Board” St Albans Giant Monopoly was created. It’s a one day event, providing fun for the whole family. Visiting different stops on your Monopoly board, taking part in fantastic activities and discovering parts of St Albans you didn't know about. Come and join us for a game of Giant Monopoly this year allowing you to get some exercise and get to know the City better!

Date: Sunday 15th September 2013
Time: 11:00-18:00 
Cost: FREE. Pre-register or register on the day. See below for details.

 Pre Register now at www.surveymonkey.com/s/GMonopoly2013

Alternatively, feel free to come along and sign up on the day (please be aware that  you must pre register to guarantee a visit to the cells)

There will be a choice of two start/finish points this year, these will be:

St Albans City Centre
Outside St Albans Town Hall - Look out for the Big Silver Dog!

Verulamium Park
Adjacent to the Adizone/Beach Volleyball Courts - Look out for the Big Silver Race Car!



Tuesday 20 August 2013

Is it possible to grow quinoa in my garden? Easy ... Or so I thought ..


Couple of months ago I started what I can call.. A little experiment .. I found quinoa seeds at my local garden store and I could not resist the opportunity to see whether quinoa could actually grow in my garden .. After all I did found the quinoa seeds ..

So I embarked in this experiment, I was currently sowing spring onions, carrots, sweet corn, etc.. So quinoa it wouldn't have been much difficult .. Or so I thought. 

Looking at the instructions .. And doing a bit of research .. Harvesting it, was the complicate process for me .. However before that, came the most important part.. Sawing it ..

I followed all the instructions .. And was waiting anxiously to see some results in couple of weeks later. 

However .. I didnt find no positive outcome .. I could see spring onions, carrots , sweet corn seedlings but no quinoa.. 

Perhaps I watered too much or the environment played part .. Maybe there was something I just wasn't doing right .. And now in August a month before what its ment to be harvesting season for quinoa in the uk .. I haven't seen the results I was expecting. 

So at the end of this "experiment" it made me think how some quinoa packets in the supermarkets can say its from the UK. Of course , perhaps I don't have machinery or extra special soil or space or anything else that it could be needed. But surely it shouldn't be a problem. But there was, as I didnt see the results. 

And I wonder whether the quinoa from here has differences between the quinoa from Latin America, for example the whole process of sawing and cultivation .. Would it be the same ? Would the quinoa have the exact nutrients ? Will the size be the same or different? .. Although in Latin America there is a wide variety of quinoa.

We tried to saw some other Bolivian vegetables before from seeds and it worked !! We sowed locoto. Which is a typical Bolivian chilli .. And we saw results !! Although it didn't looked as identical as the locotos from Bolivia .. But they had the taste. 

And as the demand for this super food; quinoa, increases, it can be understandable that we could find quinoa seeds at the local garden store? And that some brands want to produce their own quinoa .. Not necessarily importing it from Latin America?. 

However and regardless where quinoa grows .. It would remain to be the super grain from the Andes. For me the my Bolivian upbringing food. 

And I think and believe that for me the original quinoa from Latin America / Bolivia it's the best. 

This experient reminded me that .. And I now appreciate more, the work the people in Bolivia do towards the cultivation of this super grain .. It's not as easy as it might seem.... And therefore we should value it more. 


Friday 9 August 2013

::: Happy Birthday to the Colombian Singer : ¡Feliz Cumpleaños, Juanes! ...

Happy Birthday to the Colombian singer who got us all signing "tengo la camisa negra"....
Probably one of the songs that I like the most. and I watch it every now and then its amazingly one song of a rhythm that he doesn't usually sing ! but its very much a Colombian rhythm. And its one of my favorite songs.

It's clear the Colombian star has come a long way from his hometown Medellín, his musical and humanitarian legacy has crossed borders and transcended language worldwide.

And here I leave you with the video of one of my favorite  videos of him .. singing at the Festival Vallenato in 2012 alongside other Vallenato artists...




Juanes, Peter Manjarres y Sergio Luis Rodriguez
Canción: Los Sabanales
Autor: Calixto Ochoa
Festival Vallenato 2012
Parque de la Leyenda Vallenata
Tarima Colacho Mendoza
Valledupar - Cesar - Colombia

Wednesday 31 July 2013

:: St Albans Olympic Legacy Festival / Saturday 10 August ..

One year on from the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, St Albans City and District Council is hosting a mass participation sports festival in Verulamium Park. Free sport and physical activity sessions will take place throughout the park as well as on the two Olympic Legacy Facilities, Beach Volleyball and Olympic Adizone. The day will be accompanied by live music and family entertainment throughout.
Activities include: Water zorbing, Play in the Parks and beach volleyball, football, tennis and ultimate frisbee, interactive inflatable’s, face painters and circus skills. Local restaurateurs will provide food and refreshments throughout the event.
Location: Verulamium Park, St Albans
Time: 11:00-18:00
Tickets: not required. Free access
more info :

.. I'm from the Bolivian generation that used to eat Mc Donald's in LaPaz Bolivia.. Why did it close ?

It takes more than a fancy name to make Bolivians fall in love with you.
I remember the opening of the 1st Mc Donald's restaurant in La Paz Bolivia.
The anticipation, the advertising , etc. but I knew what to expect as I had travelled to London before and tried it for the first time there. 

Bolivia has been perhaps influenced by foreign brands .. People used to think that if you have something from other country it was better. However it wasn't the case for Mc Donald's. As they had to closed all their restaurants in Bolivia. Which lead to headlights such as : "Bolivia the first Latin American country to kick out Mc Donald's "

When they first opened the restaurant in El Prado .. All my friends and I wanted to go to "check it out" and try it ..  Probably at the time just to say to our other friends that we have been to Mc Donald's .. As it recently had opened ... So I reckon it was that kind of popularity that perhaps worked for the brand at the beginning ...
But it takes more than that to compete with the other restaurants and fast food customs of Bolivian people. 

So perhaps me and my friends went to Mc Donald's a couple of times .. Some of them didn't really like the flavour of the burger ... Some the bread .. And some the "green stuff" the burgher had .. Etc .. Apart from that .. Was the price .. Which for some of us was preferably to spend half of what a Mc Donald's would cost us .. And buy a real burger .. And then spend the other money in something else .. 

Also we were so used to see our Bolivian burgers being prepared in front of us from scratch .. We could see it being cooked .. We chose our salads ( no "green stuff") and apart from seeing our food being carefully prepared we chatted to our "casero" ( our trusted and first choice seller ) 

So that relationship within costumer and seller .. You wouldn't have seen in Mc Donald's (not at the time that I was there anyway..) 

Apart from hamburgers in Bolivia there is plenty of choices when it comes to having a quick meal .. Bolivian fast food couldn't be more varied .. From salteñas , tucumanas, llauchas, rellenos, salchipapas, anticuchos, humintas, empanadas hmm I could continue .. But you can see the variety of food prepared carefully .. You know that it is also freshly made on the day. 

I reckon that we prefer something that we know it's being prepared carefully and fresh .. That it has to be economic .. And probably most importantly it's got to taste nice.. We grow up with this food we are so familiar with our own fast food, it's part of our customs, tradition.. It's what we are .. It's specifically Bolivian food.

Therefore in my opinion all this points, in my experience, played an important role in the closure of Mc Donald's in Bolivia. 

It takes more than a fancy name to make Bolivians fall in love with you.

Friday 21 June 2013

Gemas Nativas Bolivianas : La Bolivianita.


Es la fusión natural del citrino y la amatista, con su diversidad de colores que van desde los amarillos tenues hacia la gama de los lilas, hasta los profundos violetas. Dichas características especiales, hacen que esta gema sea única en el mundo.

La unión natural de ambas se produjo hace miles de años por el choque de dos fuerzas electromagnéticas, este fenómeno le imprimió su particularidad.

La Bolivianita es extraída de la Mina Anahí, ubicada en la zona del Pantanal boliviano, provincia Germán Busch, al este del departamento de Santa Cruz, a 200 Km. de la ciudad de Puerto Suárez.

Habla la leyenda, sobre una hermosa princesa indígena de la tribu Ayorea, llamada Anahí, quien se enamoró de un conquistador español y fue muerto por su propia tribu, producto de celos e intrigas quien al morir, entrego una Bolivianita a su amado.

La tan unión indisoluble que representa el citrino con la amatista, hace de la Bolivianita la piedra del amor eterno...


PROPIEDADES DE LA BOLIVIANITA

Esta piedra semipreciosa integra la era de acuario, del tercer milenio, ayuda a vencer las dificultades internas y externas para evolucionar en la luz, el amor, colaborando con la transmutación de los patrones mentales y conflictos emocionales. Además, la Amatista pertenece al séptimo rayo que rige la nueva era en la que la humanidad esta entrando. Por su parte, el Citrino, representa el conocimiento interno por excelencia. Ayuda a la comprensión de la vida a través de la sabiduría, el desarrollo económico e intelectual y la alegría.

Así llegamos a la Bolivianita, que en definitiva es la gema de la transición por excelencia. Combinada con el oro, que fue identificado por los primeros hombres con el Dios Sol, acentúa el poder de cambio hacia la evolución espiritual y eleva a su máxima expresión el poder energético y de sanación interna.

La Bolivianita combinada con la plata otorga otras fuerzas energéticas. Sumado a los aspectos benéficos de la gema, este metal acentúa el equilibrio, la relación del ying y el yang, la sensualidad de la mujer, la armonía y la abundancia plena.


LA LEYENDA DE LA BOLIVIANITA

Los tonos violeta y miel comparten una sola piedra. Colores intensos, en una gema marcada - según una leyenda- por la trágica historia de amor de la princesa Ayorea Anahí y el conquistador español, don Felipe de Urriola y Goitia, que se convirtió en su esposo. El cacique les dio autorización para casarse y como dote le entrego un yacimiento del cristal bicolor. El español no le presto atención. Su interés estaba dirigido al oro y la plata.

Cuando la princesa y su esposo planeaban viajar a España, la historia cambió. Al enterarse la tribu de sus planes y para evitar el abandono, decidió sacrificar a Anahí. Herida de muerte, pasó los últimos minutos de su vida en los brazos de su esposo. Y cuando las fuerza comenzaron a abandonarla, colocó entre las manos del español, un tesoro que solía llevar en el pecho. Urriola y Goitia lo apretó en el puño.

Al morirse la princesa, el hombre abrió la mano y se encontró una perfecta gema bicolor. Ese minuto comprendió que los dos colores representaban el corazón de Anahí dividido en dos: el amor a su pueblo y a su esposo.

La tan especial unión indisoluble que representa el Citrino con la Amatista, hace de La Bolivianita, la piedra

lindsey.funes.obleas@gmail.com

Monday 10 June 2013

"Pick your own strawberries" pop-up This week in Covent Garden - London

Bloom Gin will be hosting a ‘Pick Your Own Strawberries’ pop-up from Tuesday 11th June to Thursday 13th at 19 Earlham Street in Seven Dials. From 12pm to 7pm.

The pop-up will recreate the simple charm of the English countryside with rows upon rows of real strawberry plants ready to be picked, to the sounds of country birds chirping and the smell of freshly cut grass.
Entry to the event will be complimentary, and gin connoisseurs will be able to enjoy a Bloom Gin & Tonic with Strawberries for just £6.50.


Saturday 8 June 2013

..::: FREE :Ben & Jerry's ice cream in London ;) ...

Sunshine has finally arrived!!, and with it lots of cool offers! To start off the summer offers in London, Ben & Jerry are offering FREE ice cream, at different locations in London and its happening now ! ;)

The dates and locations are as follow, but remember that its only while stocks last ! ;)

Sat 8th Jun, 12pm – 8pm
Truman Brewery, Shoreditch

Sun 9th Jun, 12pm – 8pm
Truman Brewery, Shoreditch

Wed 12th Jun, 12pm - 6pm
Spitalfields, Shoreditch

Fri 14th & Sat 15th Jun, 12pm - 8pm
Covent Garden

www.benjerry.co.uk

Friday 31 May 2013

British Paul A Young Fine Chocolates wins top prize with their truffles made with Ecuadorian chocolate!


Paul A Young Fine Chocolates (United Kingdom) – Wins GOLD at the International Chocolate Awards 2013.  with their "Ecuadorian Chocolate with fragrant Passion Fruit Curd.

Pacari is the brand for the Ecuadorian chocolate.. which I had the pleasure to try at last year's Chocolate festival in London. and must admit they taste delicious, apart from tasting the chocolate we had a talk with the staff who talked to us about how they produce their organic chocolates.


Trying Pacari chocolates last year at The Chocolate Festival
So when I found out that Paul A young won the award using Pacari Chocolate, I couldn't be happier for them, as Latin America is being represented very well.

So congratulations to them !! Looking very much forward to see them again at the London chocolate festival.

more info and list of winners :
http://www.internationalchocolateawards.com/2013/05/european-competition-2013-winners/

lindsey.funes.obleas@gmail.com


Tuesday 21 May 2013

No excuses now.... Get Fit For Free !! ;)

Assuming that summer is around the corner... why not get into shape for FREE at the weekly 1-hour bootcamp 'Get Fit For Free'.
Join instructors from thirtysevendegrees every Wednesday morning at 7.30am at The Scoop at More London.
Just turn up 10 mins before to register then get physical!
Every Wed until 31st July
07:30am - 08:30am

The Scoop at More London, The Queen's Walk SE1 2AA

Sunday 19 May 2013

Event: Sunday 26th May: Bolivian Mothers' Day @ Wimbledon (London)

Friends of Bolivia is a UK based charity dedicated to improving the living conditions of impoverished people in Bolivia.  Join Friends of Bolivia to celebrate Bolivian Mothers’ Day with some delicious salteñas and typical Bolivian games.  Don't miss out a great opportunity to get together and all for a good cause too!

As well as enjoying them on the day, you can also order salteñas to take away with you. Simply put a cheque in the post made out to Friends of Bolivia to 41 Caldbeck Avenue, Worcester Park, Surrey, KT4 8BQ stating the number of salteñas you would like to order, your name and an email address (so that we can confirm your order).
Salteñas cost £2.50 each.  

Sunday 26th May 13:00 – 17:00
St. Mark’s Church Hall,
Compton Road,
Wimbledon,
London SW19 7ND


more info :
http://www.friendsofbolivia.org.uk/fob/events-2/          

Miss Obleas: Events: Up coming events and performances.

Thursday 16 May 2013

FREE next weekend :Lets get our bikinis ready, beach wear ready ... we have a new beach volleyball court in St. Albans ;)


Verulamium Park in St Albans, is one of 6 successful venues to gain a new beach volleyball court after the Olympics, made with sand taken directly from Horse Guards Parade and the training courts in St James' Park.
The courts are in the final stages of installation, but due to the time of year and current weather conditions the courts will not be operational until early spring.
An official launch event will take place to mark the opening of the courts on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th May 2013. A weekend of free taster sessions, free tournaments and free coaching with local club coaches will be offered. Once the courts are officially open, an extensive programme will be put in place to ensure maximum use.

For more info visit :
http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/london-2012/urban_beach_volleyball_courts/default.aspx

Tuesday 7 May 2013

FILM SCREENING TONIGHT: 'Yawar Mallku'/'Blood of the Condor'‏ @ Barbican Centre, London 18:30

'Yawar Mallku', which caused great controversy when it was first released in 1969,
is a fictional response to contemporary rumors about the forced sterilization of 
indigenous women in highland Bolivia. 
It touches on themes of international development, indigenous sovereignty,
medical technology and reproductive rights. 
It was one of the first feature length films with extended dialogue in Quechua
(subtitles are provided!)and is widely regarded as a classic of South American 
film making.


There will be a screening this evening of the classic Jorge Sanjinés film 
'Yawar Mallku' or 'Blood of the Condor', at the Barbican Centre in London at 18.30. 


 Tickets are available from the Barbican Centre:
 http://www.barbican.org.uk/film/event-detail.asp?ID=14816

Thursday 2 May 2013

Free: This Bank Holiday weekend @ Southbank Centre : " Streets Of Spain "

"Celebrated Spanish wine brand, Campo Viejo, is bringing the atmosphere, colours and tastes of Spain to the streets of London with its Streets of Spain festival - a four-day celebration of modern Spanish wine, food, culture and art."

There'll be martket stalls, cooking masterclasses live art demonstrations, of course tapas !!

Festival Village underneath Queen Elizabeth Hall
Friday 10.30am - 10.30pm
Saturday 10.30am - 10.30pm
Sunday 10.30am - 10.30pm
Monday 10.30am - 10.30pm
3 May 2013, 11:00am - 6 May 2013, 18:00pm

find more information on the website  : http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson/streets-of-spain-1000408


Cocktail Recipe : Pisco Sour .... take me to Peru ...

Pisco Sour is Peru's national cocktail, created in Lima in the early 1900s, I loved the cocktail the first time I tried it in London. Therefore I had to learn how to make it myself, I already done a Passion Fruit Pisco Sour, to experiment and start with.... and now I followed the recipe of Martin Morales from Ceviche (a peruvian restaurant in London) who on a video teaches how to make the Perfect Pisco Sour, and yes it has been proven !!

I followed his recipe, and I must say its a cocktail that I will be making quite a lot this summer !! But I will go to the restaurant to try the original...  I cant believe I haven't been to Ceviche yet ! soon I will ;)

Pisco Sour : Ingredients :

50ml Pisco
30ml Fresh Lime juice
20ml Sugar Syrup
1 egg white
3-4 ice cubes
Drops of Amargo Bitters (Angostura Bitters)

Basically put everything in the cocktail shaker , add the ice cubes at the end, and then shake it vigorously for about 30 seconds, then strain it into a pisco glass... or wine glass as I used ;) then the final touch a couple of drops of amargo bitters

recipe from Martin Morales ( Ceviche London ) 

Tuesday 30 April 2013

En Resumen : El Festival de La Leyenda Vallenata en Londres


"El vallenato mas que un genero musical, es un sentimiento hecho cancion" -- Yo soy de La Paz Bolivia, amante de de la musica, y con un compromiso con la danza de latinoamerica en genreal.
La musica Colombiana se ha convertido en algo mas que musica.. es ..parte de mi, tanto que es un  proposito visitar Colombia, en especial Valledupar.

El festival de la Leyenda Vallenata se llevo a cabo en Londres el pasado 27 de Abril por la noche.  En lugar que no fue facil dar con el, pero valio la pena: Aracataca fue el lugar donde tanto colombianos, latinos y europeos en general puedieron disfrutar de musica en vivo y show de bailes colombianos.

El conjunto Independientes del Vallenato, de Londres, deleitaron al publico con energia, carisma,y temas que hicieron a todos bailar !!

El grupo de danza Colombiana : ... pudo entretener al publico con el currulao , y cumbias .. que tambien hicieron al publico bailar! Y tuve la suerte de poder compartir con ellos esos bailes, estoy formando parte de su grupo. Y cada vez aprendo mas con ellos tanto de los bailes asi como tambien de la cultura colombiana.

En resumen puedo decir que el Festival de La leyenda Vallenata en Londres fue un exito !



lindsey.funes.obleas@gmail.com