When NIWA tweets that it’s cold outside then it’s cold! ❄️☃️🌤 Sounds like a winter adventure is in order.
Getting out and about this winter doesn’t need to cost crazy amounts or take up all your holiday leave. In fact, some amazing adventures are awaiting your on your doorstep. Yep, it really is that simple!
We asked around the Almond Breeze team to find out their favourite ways to celebrate the chillier months. They shared everything from the cheap ‘n’ cheerful to mountainside adventures.
Of course too, it’s the perfect time to use dust off the slow cooker if you haven’t already and pop it on in the morning, get outside to enjoy the day and come back to a nourishing treat when you get home. Or set and forget your fave overnight oats recipe and wake up ready to breeze the day with a hearty brekkie. Perfect to take away, or to be the icing on the cake of your staycation.
We shared here our favourite 5 Slow cooker recipes to transform winter here and here’s our latest cheeky winter fave recipe to celebrate winter just right!
Self-Saucing Choccie Pudding
INGREDIENTS
Pudding:
- 180g unsalted butter or butter alternative, melted
- ¾ cup Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze Almond Milk
- 1 tsp natural vanilla essence
- 3 eggs
- 2 ½ cups self-raising flour
- ¼ cup cocoa or cacao powder
- 1 cup caster sugar
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
Sauce:
- ¼ cup cocoa or cacao powder
- 2 cups brown sugar, firmly packed
- 4 cups boiling water
METHOD
- Pre-heat your slow cooker on high as you prepare.
- In a large jug, whisk together the melted butter, almond milk, vanilla essence and eggs. In the slow cooker bowl, combine the self-raising flour, cocoa/cacao and sugar.
- Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and using a wooden spoon, stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients to form the pudding batter. Dot the dark chocolate chips on the top of the mixture.
- In a separate bowl mix the cocoa and brown sugar together then crumble this over the top of the choc-chips. Gently pour the boiling water over the top, place the lid on (do not stir) and cook for 3 hours on high or 5 hours on low.
- Serve directly from the slow cooker bowl making sure to dip down and get the gorgeous choccie sauce at the bottom. Serve with you fave vanilla ice-cream, cream or yoghurt.😋
And now…
4 Winning winter adventures to suit every pocket
1. Take a Cultural Staycation
It’s easy to forget about all the amazing local cultural attractions in your own area. We’re so often focussed on heading away from home for a break away, but why not take a few days off and explore your town, city or village with the eyes of a tourist? If you live in a city, when was the last time you went to the art gallery or museum? Exactly. There are plenty of hidden galleries with amazing exhibitions, or touring exhibitions.
The world-touring Mandela My Life: Official Exhibition on at Eden Park in Auckland until 4 August deserves a morning. Or the iconic Carried Away: Bags Unpacked exhibition at Auckland War Memorial Museum on until 1 December showcases more than 150 handbags from throughout history. In Wellington, catch the Matariki exhibition at Kura Gallery until 13 July with art works, storytelling sessions, workshops (during school holidays) and more! In Christchurch make sure to visit the Breaking the Ice exhibition at the Canterbury Museum to see rare historical objects from Antarctica’s first pioneers. It’s on until 13 October when everything will be returned to the Antarctic.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg😉! Search Facebook, read your local Stuff and magazines, find out what’s on in your neighbourhood.
2. Grab an Airbnb-with-a-twist!
Airbnb is a fab alternative to booking bach for rent because there are plenty of rooms with cooking and bathroom facilities to rent at a much cheaper rate than a whole house. Plus you get to meet some amazing people!
Or you can make the most of the low season in some places and try something new, like this cosy, warm Yurt in Motueka that sleeps 3 and has it’s own wood burning stove. Or a this cute-as-a-button, warm Treehouse in Upper Hutt with an outdoor bath! And this Romantic Bush Chalet on Auckland’s stunning West Coast near Karekare looks like the perfect way to spend a weekend with a special other!
Make the most of these gorgeous options outside the popular summer months and you’re sure to pick up a bargain that will create magical memories!
3. Go Thermal!
Nothing screams winter heaven quite like a thermal spring and thankfully in New Zealand, close to many of us, a schlep to get some thermal waters can be a day trip, a weekend or a week-long indulgence, so ideal for every want and need.
And while we all know about the gorgeous thermal springs in Taupo and Rotorua, there are plenty off the beaten track. Take a day trip in the North Island to Te Aroha Mineral Spas and luxuriate in the health-giving spas – and even book in a massage while you’re there. These historical spas once visited by royals and aristocrats are not to be missed. Tokaanu Thermal Springs near Turangi in the centre of the North Island are the perfect treat too with private pools per person costing as little as $12.
In the South Island, a visit to Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa is a bucket list must-do, too. Plus there is plenty for the kids and kids-at-heart to do! And the stunning Maruia Hot Springs spectacularly located on the Lewis Pass on State Highway 7 are breathtaking. If you’re feeling intrepid, book into the campground and make the most of sumptuous and pocket-friendly breakfast included options – guaranteed to take away the winter chills.
4. Hit the slopes!
A day on your favourite ski field doesn’t need to be a costly affair and can brighten up winter like nothing else! Borrowing gear from friends, or hiring kit for the day and booking return buses can stream line costs. Plus if you pack your own lunch and snacks the costs go down.
Be sure to look out for our epic Almond Breeze team out and about in August and September on the slopes of Cardrona pouring the love with our Breezy Barista Blend coffees and heavenly Hot Choccies and cool comps to enter. We can’t offer better than that for you this winter!!
Like this? Then you’ll love: Why these 4 recipes will give you a winter super-boost
From our love of Almond Breeze almond milk to yours…
P.S….
Discover more almondlicious recipes by clicking here!