Two Cowboys: Getting Introduced to Chicken Delights (Coxinha) at Durello Traditional Brazilian Foods in Auckland, NZ

Coxinha

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When a thigh is not enough.

Thanks to Wikipedia, and Durello Traditional Brazilian Foods in Auckland, we know that Coxinha is a popular food in Brazil consisting of chopped or shredded chicken meat, covered in dough and moulded into a shape resembling a chicken leg, battered and fried.

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Coxinha was originally made with the meat of chicken thighs. Its traditional shape is also meant to resemble a chicken thigh (a small chicken, obviously). In its modern form, it may have originated among the Brazilian Royal Family in São Paulo in the 19th century. This is where we encountered a story that explains the existence of the Coxinha. Thanks to a talented cook faced with a dilemma, who invented an artificial chicken thigh to appease a hungry young prince. Today we have Coxinha.

History tells us that Prince Gaston, Count D'Eu, husband of Princess Isabel of Brazil (1846-1921), had a favourite dish, chicken. But, he only ate the thighs. One day, not having enough thighs, the Royal Chef decided to turn a whole chicken into thighs by shredding it and making the filling for flour dough shaped into a drumstick. Messing with a Prince's chicken thighs is risky business. Luckily, the Monarch endorsed the results and today we have Coxinha.

Empress Teresa Cristina, when visiting him, could not resist this tasty delicacy. She liked it so much that she requested that the master of the imperial kitchen learn how to prepare the snack. So Coxinha won over the nobility and became history. However, somehow this delight and its amazing story didn't escape Brazil and Spain for Canada or New Zealand, until now, thanks to Durello.

You can't ignore the Coxinha if you want to pretend to provide any sort of complete coverage of Brazil's world of food and eating. Barbara and Marcelo certainly couldn't either if they were to pay homage to the authentic food of their motherland, Brazil.

Observations

We checked in with Marcelo and Barbara before we left New Zealand's summer behind for Canada's winter. Previously we learned about Brazilian Cheese Bread from Barbara. She insisted that we were missing the best part. We had to return one more time and try their Chicken Delights (Coxinha).

We couldn't refuse, knowing how delicious their products are. We wanted to learn what is so special about these Chicken Delights that gave it its local notoriety. It is so unique that it allowed Durello to walk away with the winning prize at the New Zealand Food Awards of 2014.

What we found again was an attention to detail and a laser focus to make the most authentic product surpassing the best in Brazil. They are so good that Durello has been asked to export it right back to Brazil!

Talking about export. Durello succeeded during 2016 in getting their export compliance licensing to start shipping this delight to Australia in 2017. Initially, it will be positioned for the restaurant and bar trade, and soon after, you will be able to buy it in the grocery stores. You already can buy it in New Zealand's stores as a frozen product you can prepare yourself, or at their tiny little downtown store in Auckland.

We are encouraged by Marcelo and Barbara's dedication to their business and will excitedly follow their international expansion. It is an amazing story when you realise that a person from the Netherlands (Barbara), married a fella from Brazil (Marcelo), then moved from Brazil to New Zealand for a new life, started a manufacturing business making authentic Brazilian food products, that will now be exported to Australia. One day, they will send it to the rest of the world. Possibly, even back to Brazil.

What an amazing story!

Hendrik van Wyk
Coxinha Cowboy

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Photos

Tiny Chicken Thighs

Happy Man

Ready to Travel

Two Cowboys: Every Kiwi Kid's Dream at Rayglass Boats in Auckland, New Zealand

Dreams On the Water

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There's a modesty that comes with the Kiwi culture that is striking. New Zealand's producers are doing phenomenal things on the international stage with innovative products and services. They set the tone for, and lead innovation in many industries.

The source for this success is quite simple. Make the things you love, and keep making it better. However, when you ask them about it, the most you get out of them is. "Yee-na, Mate. We're just doing what needs to be done until she's right." Simple!

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There is one industry that is in the blood of every Kiwi. The boating and fishing business is big business Downunder. They love fishing whenever weather permits and is working daily to refine this art and the tools of the trade. The best fishing is in a Rayglass boat on the water, we're told.

We checked in with Dave Larsen and his team at Rayglass Boats. The company's products are well known in New Zealand and abroad as a premium option for leisure craft. The dream of every fisherman on the Islands is to have a Rayglass boat for his weekend fishing "trup".

Not many people know that their Protectors range is also an option of choice for hard work on the water. They've found favour with companies and law enforcement in most parts of the globe. Especially in Europe, United States, Canada, Australia, Scandinavia, Russia, Asia and throughout the Pacific, they are used to travel quickly, safely and comfortably in virtually any conditions. They serve as patrol and rescue boats, as support vessels for international yacht racing teams, as fast pleasure cruisers and sports fishing boats and as superyacht tenders.

Dave and his team are living the dream by making the boat ownership dreams of others come true. Their reputation for excellence in design, construction, finish and performance is the result of a total commitment by everyone at Rayglass to quality. Their boats are the product of extensive research and development to constantly improve the designs, ride, seaworthiness and all round family comfort.

Observations

We've asked Dave about this extensive research and development and was surprised by his answer. I am not going to repeat his words, but it comes down to the fact that they have so much knowledge and experience of what works on the water, and so many years of refining the offering that they remain untouched by their competition. They set the standard by listening to their customers and iterating quickly to be responsive to meeting these needs. Their exceptional on-water performance comes from the utmost attention to quality and detail.

The highest endorsement of Rayglass’ performance came from the organisers of the world’s most prestigious yacht races - the Louis Vuitton Cup and America’s Cup - who have chosen on several occasions to have a fleet of Legend and Protector boats for on-water patrol and umpiring vessels.

Rayglass manufactures all their boats in Auckland New Zealand and sends it the world over. According to Dave, none are at the bottom of the ocean. Of all the units that have been manufactured in almost three decades, none have ever sunk. "They are unsinkable!" When I enquired about the colours in which the boats are available I was politely informed that the latest craze in Kiwi boat fashion is a "racing green stripe" (see photo below).

Talk about modesty and simplicity! The best unsinkable fishing boat in the world with a racing green stripe.

Hendrik van Wyk

Captain Cowboy

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Photos

Rayglass in Glass

Boat Finishing

Protector Protecting

Perspective

Racing Green

Two Cowboys: Getting in Shape and Living More Healthy with TONIQ Juice and Health Bar in Canmore, Alberta

Good Intentions

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There are certain times of the year that are just more ripe for evaluating and re-evaluate one's life choices. It usually happens at milestones such as birthdays, arrivals, moves and unfortunately also at departures.

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We are at the beginning of a new year, and the matters of choice, intention and aspirations are top of mind for us too. It is the best and most favourite time for most people to reflect on what was, and to decide on what is to come. At this period, many people usually have good intentions. It may include body, mind or behaviour altering goals.

For example, there are lofty goals such as losing weight. Activity goals about exercising more, travel or spending more time outdoors. Then there are the all common dietary goals which may include eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, less chocolate, cutting down on alcohol or coffee. Lastly, and these are the really hard ones, there are the mind-altering goals of thinking more positively, having more patience, or if you are completely off the road, "living more in the moment".

No matter what change you contemplate for this year, I recommend you follow a simple piece of advice I received from my Mother. I hold on to it as a golden rule by which I live. It is something we all should keep in mind to succeed with any good intention. "Small changes have big effects over time. Big changes, usually end up breaking something".

Make small changes. Be patient. See your goals unfold. Adjust where and when necessary and enjoy the journey.

Having Patience

This is exactly what one of Canmore's newest beverage providers is advocating. Gillian Shepherd, the founder of TONIQ, instructed the Two Cowboys on the virtues of freshly pressed vegetable and fruit juices and the mystical powers of wheatgrass shots. We keep reminding ourselves that these are baby steps towards good health. We should try all things. Hold on to the good. At TONIQ, there is a lot of good for us to get.

TONIQ evolved from a need Gillian identified in the market to provide an easy but nutritious option for a workout energy boost or a meal alternative for a busy mother. When Gillian moved to Canmore in 2014 with her husband and young family she was immediately intimidated by the fitness levels of all the people she met and the health focussed attitude prevalent in the Canmore community.

She also discovered a new-found passion for the health benefits of raw, plant-based food. She embarked upon a 30-day juice focussed diet to lose weight, and as a stepping stone to changing to a healthier diet. A month later, she confirmed her results at 30lbs lighter with more energy. She could not help but share her joy, and her juices with friends, family and anyone willing to listen.

During the Summer of 2015, Gillian certified as a raw food chef. She launched the TONIQ Food and Drink venue in downtown Canmore in the Fall of 2016, after testing the market's reactions at Canmore's Farmer's market. She now crafts delicious and nutritious juices in Canmore's first and only Micro-Juicery where you can step in for a shot or stock up for your hike or ski trip.

Observations

Wheatgrass doesn't taste like Tequila. No matter how hard you tell yourself that it is good for you. It has a tendency to revisit you in your green nightmares. Even more so if you are plagued by the guilt of not paying enough attention to your diet. With TONIQ and Gillian's help, we are taking baby steps. Small, positive, more plant based changes in our diet should give us the benefits of more health, energy, vitality and peace of mind.

We enquired about the health benefits of our other plant-based staple of barley, hops, yeast, and water. Unfortunately, according to Gillian, our commitment to beer doesn't count towards our daily recommended dietary requirement for healthy living. It has value for one's mental state, but apart from a Vitamin B boost (which is new information for us), it lacks in the essential nutritional health benefits. It will have to be supplemented with a TONIQ juice.

Our plan is to work on a secret TONIQ Wheatgrass Beer recipe that should revolutionalize the health industry. It will make you happy, beautiful, and famous (we're told) and keep you healthy.

Bottoms up! Cheers!

Hendrik van Wyk

Healthy Cowboy 2017

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Photos

Medicine

Mooo!

Good Intentions

What's Left

Happy Place