As many of you probably already know, there are groups of people who have found this pandemic very difficult. This includes international students.

These young people who are bravely stepping out into the big world are often here by themselves renting and generally adulting perhaps for the first time. They have found that their part time jobs have dried up and then, for many, their parents can no longer help them at all because they too are being impacted by the pandemic in their home country. It is a terribly tricky situation.

So It is great to see initiatives like Foodbank’s new pop-up International Student Shop at 230 LaTrobe Street. It is open 10am-2pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday and students just need their student card and a shopping bag to access basic healthy food supplies.

I did mention previously that I have been getting in to K-drama this year (yes the obsession is still going … I just finished The King). And noodles are part and parcel of these shows.

At our house 2 minute noodles/instant ramen are pretty popular … but oh the plastic! It was getting me down. And the flavourings … what are they exactly? So I started making my own. I don’t think I’ll ever go back.

Here’s my simple recipe hack.

• 1 noodle block (you can buy them in bulk packs at big supermarkets without any flavourings)

• 1 stock cube

• 1-2 cups boiling water

• 1 dash soy sauce

• 1 pinch Chinese 5 spice powder

Garnish:

• dried fried onion

• dried chilli in oil

Add all the things. Cook for 2 minutes on the stove or in the microwave.

Note garnishing is the important bit! I add dried fried onions and a little dried chilli in oil to mine, both of which are available in most supermarkets in the Asian section (even the IGA has these ingredients). It gives it a bit of slightly spicy French onion soup flavour. Yum.

And then some vegetables to add some nutritional value … like diced capsicum, beanshoots, broccoli, beans … whatever you have will probably work! Boiled eggs cut in half, tofu and chicken can also all be added too, to turn your snack into a meal.

The other night I made this for our family dinner (multiplying the quantities obviously) and I upgraded to proper stock and adding chicken and prawns and loads of Chinese broccoli.

If you don’t get round to making this yourself maybe we’ll have a Korean themed community lunch … we’ll make some kimchi and Korean ramyeon (ramen) … and we could have a K-pop soundtrack! We mightn’t go as far as drinking Soju shots … but Korean Fried Chicken … yum! I’ll ask Jill for some tips - she spent quite a few years living in South Korea, hopefully she has friends who would be willing to share recipes … something to look forward to hey?

Alphington CWA is nothing if not adaptable and ready to move with the times.

The ladies have really missed their regular stalls at the Alphington Farmers Market, so as a precursor to getting back into the community they are having a pop up Spring sale.

From this weekend you can buy CWA home cooked scones, cakes and slices, along with some fabulous craft (their dish cloths are super … and it’s never too early to start your Christmas shopping right) from the comfort of your lounge room.

Just order via email and pre-pay (they’ll send you instructions) to receive a selection of their finest baking and making delivered to your door contact free on Saturday 3 October.  

CWA Victoria have been working throughout these difficult times to help vulnerable families, so supporting this initiative is a win-win!

Click here to see what is on offer, and then email your order to cwaofvicalphington@gmail.com.

Now Tiramisu is not just good for your waistline (?!) but also good for your wall!

If you follow Broadsheet you may have seen this article.

It’s about Alphington local Gemma Leslie who is currently raising money for FareShare by selling some pretty cute culinary posters via an online shop - with all the profits going to food relief efforts. Her not-for-profit venture is called Food for Everyone.

To find out more visit her website here.

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Today is RU OK day. And it really couldn’t have come at a more timely time.

At ACC we’re focusing on the positives of living a contracted neighbourhood life, celebrating the daily things and little joys in these strange times. We’re hoping that our efforts are making a bit a difference to your life. And in addition we’re hoping that you are coping okay with all the other things.

So today we’re taking this opportunity to let you know that we are sincerely here and willing to listen and help as much as we can if you are feeling down or overwhelmed.

Call us if you need a one-off chat. If you need ongoing support we can facilitate a regular catch-up. We can connect you to fresh food services if you are struggling with bills and to pre-prepared food if you are struggling to get around to eating healthy meals.

If you are feeling completely or even mildly overwhelmed financially, we can help you navigate a raft of support and services.

We can also connect you to neighbours willing to shop for you, pick up prescriptions, or even bake you something to cheer you up (the offer is out there friends - community bakers with a good heart are LOOKING to share their talents … so don’t be shy to put your hand up for this one). And of course we can deliver you a mask if you need one.

Throughout this pandemic we’ve been talking to people regularly and responding to individual needs through little things like helping people access jam jars for pickling, helping people de-clutter through our op shop, helping out with IT questions, providing one-on-one zoom tutorials to get people digitally connected … and this week we’ve even taken delivery of some polyester stuffing that needed a good home. Nothing is too big or too small.

So, today we ask you again, R U OK? And if the answer is no … please get in contact and let us know how we can support you.