Hi Kalimna here.

I just booked myself a place in the upcoming Chai Tea Workshop which is on Saturday 8 May (the day before Mother’s Day).

I am a huge fan of chai tea so the idea of learning how to make it myself is really appealing.

Watch out friends - I suspect Kalimna’s Chai Blend may become the Christmas gifts for those I most love!

I am particularly interested in this workshop because I am fostering a beginners interest in Ayurveda, the worlds oldest holistic healing system. Developed in India it is the belief that health and wellness depend on the delicate balance of mind, body and spirit. I may never master yoga - but I am keen to embrace the understanding of eating for better health.

Here is a link to chai and why it can be good for you to drink according to ideals in Ayurveda.

I know Manu who is running the workshop from her volunteer work at the Community Centre and can attest to what an excellent cook she is through the Preserves Group (and sometimes she even brings us lunch - very lucky us!).

So I hope to see you there as we learn to blend and brew some lovely chai together.

Inspired? You can book in here.

Keen to get out of the hood? Perhaps take a local bike ride? North Carlton Railway House is a fabulous neighbourhood house in Princes Hill in the old station building (from the days of the inner circle train line). The line is now a lovely green corridor bike path/walking track that connects through North Fitzroy to the Princes Park ovals.

Why not head that way on Wednesday the 24th of March from 12pm - 2pm for a Harmony Day picnic in the garden? Play bocce, enjoy a free latte and multicultural snack, along with singing and dancing.

You can find Railway House at 20 Solly Avenue, Princes Hill.

Alphington CWA is joining in the broader CWA birthday celebrations with a scone drive for pick up on Saturday 13 March from the community kitchen at the Alphington Farmers Market (between 12-1pm).

You can order 6 scones for $9 or 12 scones for $18. Just click here to email your order through and one of our CWA friends will get back to you.

Note that you can also order lemon slice and other things (you’ll find all the details below). We’re so lucky to have a local CWA branch in the neighbourhood!

Yum.

Last Friday Anne (our chair) and I were delighted to show Cr Gabrielle de Vietri, Yarra’s new Mayor, around the house and talk to her about all the exciting and neighbourhoodly things we do here. Gabrielle came along with Kathy who is our main contact and lovely colleague at Yarra Council and Elly who supports volunteering across Yarra.

It was a great morning to visit as it was Brett’s birthday and we decorated him a pretty fancy cake. We’ve attached some photos so that you can admire our efforts and wish you too were here to partake of the sugary delight!

So, if you would like to eat cake and coffee with nice people in the neighbourhood any Friday during school term, just pop past at 11.30am. Alternatively join us from 10am for art, craft and gardening (and possibly some cooking/cake decorating). We hope to see you soon!

We’re very lucky to have such a generous community here in Alphington, willing to share their skills and talents. Our local friend Manu grew up in India, but has lived in Australia for quite a while now and she is super keen to share some of her cooking knowledge. She is starting off with a chai tea making workshop.

It will run on Sunday 9 May from 2pm. In this workshop Manu will take you through the properties of ingredients of masala chai tea, and will show you how to make the basic mix and also give you some options to customise the flavour. You will make and try a number variations and then take home a jar of your favourite blend so that you can make it at home yourself.

Just click here to find out more and book in.