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Monday 9:30am - 4pm Tuesday 9:30am - 4pm Wednesday 9:30am - 4pm Thursday 9:30am - 4pm Friday 9:30am - 4pm

http://padstowcommunitycare.org.au/

Food & Life Padstow, Shop 3/23 Cahors Road, Sydney (2026)

28/07/2026

Frozen broccoli & cauliflower rice is one of those freezer staples that makes mealtime so much easier! 🥦
Try it:
🥣 Stir through soups
🍛 Add to fried rice
🥧 Mix into pies or quiches
🍝 Toss into pasta sauces
🥚 Add to omelettes or frittatas
🥩 Serve alongside your favourite protein
🧀 Bake into a cheesy casserole
Quick, versatile and a simple way to add more veggies to your meals!

27/07/2026

Were you one of the lucky few who managed to grab our Coconut Crumbed Prawns before they disappeared? 👀🍤
They flew out the door! If we can get our hands on more, should we bring them back? Let us know with a 👍 or ❤️!

24/07/2026

🍝 Recipe of the Week: Creamy One-Pot Pappardelle
Comfort food made simple — rich, creamy, and all cooked in one pot (less washing up is always a win!).
Ingredients:
Pappardelle pasta
1 onion, sliced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 cups mushrooms (optional but delicious)
2 cups vegetable or chicken stock
1 cup cream
1 handful spinach
Parmesan cheese
Olive oil, salt & pepper
Method:
Sauté onion, garlic and mushrooms in olive oil. Add stock and bring to a simmer. Stir in pappardelle and cook until tender, adding a splash of water if needed. Stir through cream and spinach. Finish with parmesan, salt and pepper.
Simple, cosy, and perfect for a winter night.

23/07/2026

Kitchen hack that’s a bit unexpected but oddly satisfying 👀✨
Got a saucepan with a burnt or stained bottom? Try this simple natural cleaner: cut an onion in half, sprinkle some coarse salt over the surface, and use the onion like a scrubber. The salt gives the grit, the onion brings the moisture, and together they help lift light burn marks and stains without harsh chemicals.
It’s quick, cheap, and you probably already have everything in the kitchen.

22/07/2026

Pronutro is a chocolate flavoured cereal from South Africa, created in the 1960s as a complete nutrition breakfast with protein, vitamins and minerals for energy and fullness. A comforting pantry staple that supports busy mornings.

21/07/2026

Laundry hack worth trying 👕✨
Swap out fabric softener for white vinegar in your wash cycle and see the difference! It helps soften clothes naturally, reduces build-up on fabrics, and can even help keep your washing machine fresher over time. Don’t worry—the vinegar smell disappears once everything is dry.
A simple, budget-friendly switch that’s kinder to your clothes and your machine.
Have you tried it, or are you sticking with the usual softener? 👀

20/07/2026

Some dogs need convincing when it comes to dental care… others just need a tasty distraction 🐶🪥
Daily habits can help support cleaner teeth and fresher breath, especially when it feels like treat time instead of routine care.
That’s why many pet owners include products like WHIMZEES in their dog’s daily routine — simple, chewable, and a whole lot more exciting than a toothbrush.
Small daily steps can make a big difference (and a very happy dog).

17/07/2026

Recipe of the Week 🌿 | Simple & Nutritious (Not Soup!)
This week we’re keeping it fresh, filling and fuss-free with a colourful Lemon Garlic Chicken & Veggie Rice Bowl — perfect for a quick lunch or easy dinner.
Ingredients (serves 2–3):
1 cup cooked rice (brown or white)
1–2 chicken breasts (or chickpeas for a veggie option)
1 zucchini, sliced
1 carrot, grated or ribboned
1 cup broccoli florets
2 tbsp olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
Juice of 1 lemon
Salt & pepper to taste
Optional: avocado, feta, or sesame seeds
Method:
Cook rice according to packet instructions.
Pan-fry chicken in olive oil with garlic until golden and cooked through. Slice.
Lightly sauté or steam veggies until just tender but still vibrant.
Assemble bowls with rice, chicken, and veggies.
Drizzle with lemon juice, season, and top with your favourites.
Fresh, balanced, and easy to mix and match with whatever’s in the fridge 🙌

16/07/2026

Check out the size of these incredible veggies we recently received from Foodbank Australia! 🥬🍠
We’re talking cabbages bigger than your head and enormous sweet potatoes that barely fit in your hands 😲✨
Fresh, generous produce like this helps us keep our shelves stocked and our community well nourished — and it always brings a bit of surprise and joy when deliveries arrive!
Come and see what’s on offer this week. 🌿

15/07/2026

Best Before Doesn’t Mean Bad After! 🥫🍝
Did you know many foods can still be safe to eat after their best before date? A best before date is about quality, not safety. As long as packaging is intact and the product looks, smells and tastes as expected, it may still be perfectly fine.
Here’s a general guide:
🥫 Canned foods – 1–2 years past best before
🍝 Dry pasta & rice – up to 2 years
🥣 Breakfast cereals – 6–12 months
🍪 Biscuits & crackers – several months
🧂 Herbs & spices – 1–3 years (may lose flavour)
🍫 Chocolate – 6–12 months
⚠️ Use By dates are different and should always be followed for safety reasons.
What’s the oldest best before item you’ve found in your pantry that was still good? Let us know below! 👇

14/07/2026

Mrs Mac’s Famous Beef Pie has been an Aussie lunch counter favourite for generations. Whether it’s from the servo, the footy canteen, or grabbed on the go, there’s something comforting about a good old meat pie.
Are you a pie purist who eats it as is, or do you add tomato sauce? And the big question — lid first or all together?

13/07/2026

🌮 Recipe of the Week: Taco Boat Quiches 🌮
A fun twist on quiche that's perfect for lunchboxes, light meals, or an easy dinner!
Ingredients:
6 taco boat shells
6 eggs
½ cup milk
1 cup grated cheese
½ cup diced ham, bacon, cooked chicken, or vegetables
Salt and pepper to taste
Chopped spring onion (optional)
Method:
Preheat oven to 180°C.
Place taco boats on a lined baking tray.
Whisk together eggs, milk, salt, and pepper.
Fill each taco boat with your chosen fillings and cheese.
Carefully pour the egg mixture into each boat.
Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the egg is set and golden.
Serve warm or enjoy cold the next day.
A great way to use up leftovers and create your own flavour combinations!
🌮🧀🥚

10/07/2026

Fun Fact Friday | Food & Life Edition
Did you know that cooking at home can use up to 60% less energy than buying a takeaway meal, and often creates less packaging waste too?
At Food & Life, we love sharing simple, affordable ways to make meals go further while still being full of flavour and goodness. From pantry staples to fresh ideas, there’s always something new to discover in the kitchen.
What’s your go-to budget-friendly meal?

09/07/2026

Ever tried a Tim Tam Slam? ☕🍫
It’s the legendary Aussie ritual of biting off opposite corners of a Tim Tam, dipping it into a hot drink, and “sucking” the melted chocolatey goodness through like a straw… before it collapses into delicious chaos.
Some call it a snack. Others call it a science experiment. We call it pure joy. 😄
So tell us… have you done a Tim Tam Slam before, or are you bravely avoiding the chocolate meltdown moment?

08/07/2026

🍝 Recipe of the Week: Creamy One Pan Pappardelle
Comfort food at its finest—rich, creamy, garlicky pasta all made in one pan for easy cleanup and maximum flavour. Perfect for a cosy weeknight dinner or when you just need something warm and satisfying on the table fast.
Simple ingredients, big flavour, and that silky sauce that clings perfectly to every ribbon of pasta.
Give it a go this week and let us know if it becomes a new favourite!

07/07/2026

We always try to make sure our shelves include those everyday essentials that make a real difference for families.
Alongside homewares and pantry items, we stock baby care products where we can—like JOHNSON’S Skincare Baby Wipes —because we know how quickly they get used and how helpful it is to have them close at hand when you need them most.
It’s a small thing that can make a big difference for parents and carers visiting us.

06/07/2026

Ever noticed “Best Before” and “Use By” dates and wondered what they really mean?
Best Before is about quality, not safety. Food is usually still safe to eat after this date, but it might not be at its freshest, crispiest, or most flavourful. Think biscuits, pasta, or canned goods.
Use By is about safety. This date is on more perishable items like dairy, meat, and ready-to-eat foods. Once it passes, the food may not be safe to consume, even if it looks or smells fine.
Understanding the difference helps reduce food waste while keeping you safe in the kitchen.

03/07/2026

Recipe of the Week: Mini Brie, Cranberry & Walnut Pizzas with Hot Honey
Sweet, savoury and ready in minutes.

Ingredients:

4 mini pizza bases or naan
2 tbsp olive oil
140 g Brie, sliced
¼ cup dried cranberries
⅓ cup walnuts, toasted
Hot honey, to drizzle
Method:
Brush bases with olive oil. Top with Brie, cranberries and walnuts. Bake at 200°C for 8–10 minutes until melted and golden. Finish with hot honey.

02/07/2026

Cleaning hack ✨
If your glasses come out of the dishwasher looking cloudy, try this simple trick: add a ball of crumpled aluminium foil to the cutlery basket before running a cycle. It helps reduce mineral build-up and can bring back that clear, sparkling finish.
Works best as a maintenance boost alongside regular rinse aid and descaling.

01/07/2026

Satay chicken, but make it Hart & Soul ✨
You know those meals that feel like a warm hug after a long day? This is one of them. Creamy, nutty satay sauce wrapped around tender chicken, with just the right hint of spice to keep things interesting… it’s basically comfort food in a bowl.
Perfect for nights when you want something tasty without overthinking it (or washing up a mountain of dishes).
Simple, satisfying, and a little bit indulgent—just the way we like it. 🍛💛

30/06/2026

A recent media release from Foodbank Australia highlights a worrying shift — more middle-income households are now turning to food relief services as the cost of living continues to rise.
It’s a reminder that food insecurity isn’t just affecting one group in the community. Working families, retirees, and people juggling mortgages, rent, and everyday essentials are all feeling the pressure.

29/06/2026

What’s your favourite pea recipe? 🌱💚
Peas are such a simple little ingredient, but they can do so much in the kitchen — from fresh and vibrant to warm and comforting.
A quick favourite of ours is a simple pea mash:
Just cook frozen peas, drain, then mash with a little butter, salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon. Perfect on toast, alongside eggs, or as a side with dinner.
Now we want to know… how do you love your peas?

26/06/2026

🍂 Fun Fact Friday – Food & Life Edition! 🍂
Did you know? 🤔
The oldest known recipe in the world is over 3,700 years old and was discovered on ancient clay tablets from Mesopotamia! While the ingredients were a little different from today's recipes, it shows that people have been sharing meals and cooking together for thousands of years.
Good food has always been about more than just eating—it's about connection, community, and bringing people together. ❤️
🍽️✨

25/06/2026

Ever wondered if laundry sanitizer is worth using? 🧺✨
While detergent removes dirt and stains, laundry sanitizer helps reduce bacteria and odours that can linger in clothes, towels, bedding, sportswear, and reusable cleaning cloths. It's especially handy during cold and flu season or when washing items that can't handle hot water.
Do you use laundry sanitizer, or is it something you've never tried?

24/06/2026

Recipe of the Week: Hearty Winter Potato & Leek Soup
Perfect for chilly days, easy on the budget, and freezes beautifully!
Ingredients
2 tbsp oil or butter
2 large leeks, sliced
1 onion, diced
1.5 kg potatoes, peeled and diced
2 litres vegetable or chicken stock
1 cup milk (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
Method
Heat oil or butter in a large pot and gently cook the leeks and onion until softened.
Add potatoes and stock. Bring to the boil.
Reduce heat and simmer for 25–30 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.
Blend until smooth (or leave chunky if preferred).
Stir in milk if using and season with salt and pepper.
Serve with crusty bread.
Freezing Tip
Allow soup to cool completely before freezing in portions. It will keep for up to 3 months.
Soup season is here! Nothing beats a warm bowl of homemade soup on a cold winter's day. What's your favourite winter comfort food?
🍲❄️

Food & Life Padstow