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Royal Australian Navy

Had a great time at the charity fundraiser for NSW Kids in Need in conjunction with the Royal Australian Navy . We went on an amazing tour of the HMAS Canberra. The HMAS Canberra is the lead ship of the Canberra-class landing helicopter dock in service with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). It is the current flagship of the RAN fleet. Construction of the ship started in Spain in 2008, with the hull launched by Navantia in 2011. The hull was then transported to Australia in late 2012 for completion. It was an amazing experience and thank you to all the amazing women and men who protect our country

Thank you

Thank you to all of our kickstarter supporters. Because of you a beautiful farmer Hoa Phan will be very happy. Because of you other Vietnamese people now have employment making chocolate that will ultimately make it to your letter box. We are doing everything we can to get our tasty curcumim chocolate to you as promised by May. My business partner Nhi comes from a family of restaurateurs and she is heading up the team. I have never tasted food so beautiful than when Nhi prepares it. Look out foodies- your about to have something special. I am pinching myself thinking I am so lucky to have a chocolate factory. Not only is it a childhood dream, but to be creative within a field you love in unexplainable. And to also know that you are supporting a community. A community I traveled to Vietnam to meet, eat, and laugh with. I cant describe the feeling. Love Kate Branch

Chocumin - The Superfood of your Dreams

My new project is to kickstart Chocumin and I am LOVING my work. What is Chocumin? Chocumin is superfood the food of your dreams. Or at least we hope so. Its Swiss style, milk, dark or white chocolate with 30% pure refined Curcumin from Turmeric which is the active ingredient. Each piece of delicious Chocumin contains the same amount of Curcumin as eating Sixty, 500mg capsules of turmeric. (30 grams, 1.05 oz) Not only is Chocumin good for you, it’s tasty. Eaten alone or with a warm beverage it’s the perfect healthy way to enjoy eating chocolate and obtaining 1mg of Curcumin in your diet. Why is this important? Multiple medical studies have shown that Curcumin refined from Turmeric has impressive and inflammatory properties. The problem is that most studies have been based on large amounts of Turmeric and we’ve shown that simply eating this amount of Turmeric is almost impossible in a normal diet. We have made this challenge a breeze by combining our love of chocola

Jean Claude and Kate Branch at Kirribilli house

As a mother of two nothing is more important to me than our children. My husband Jean-Claude and I attended a fundraiser at Kirribilli house that raised money for five wonderful children charities. We were honoured to personally meet The Honourable Malcom Turnball, Prime Minister of Australia and his amazing wife Mrs Lucy Turnball.  Jean-Claude and I were also honoured to listen to the address of the Honourable Dame Marie Bashir who also supports these charities especially Central Coast Kids in Need. Once again her Excellency Dame Marie Bashir said that children are the most precious resource we have. And that is very true. We are very thankful to attend such an amazing evening. Below are the amazing charities that funds were raised for. http://www.bearcottage.chw.edu.au/   Bear Cottage is the only children’s hospice in NSW, one of only two in Australia, and the only one in the world affiliated with a children’s hospital.  We provide support, respite and end

Billabong retreat, Sydney

I was very lucky to escape to Billabong Retreat. Overlooking a billabong, this all-inclusive wellness eco-resort is 5.4 km from Sheyville and 8 km from Scheyville National Park. What I liked most was meeting great likeminded people. First off if you are heading to a yoga retreat chances are you already into being a pleasant person. So unlike a Sydney dinner party it does not take to long to get past the "what do you do" conversations and into real enjoyable funny conversations. Then there is the daily yoga...........Ah yes I forgot I had those muscles. Its great to remind oneself! And the food. Beautiful healthy food. And good food is always the starter to great conversation. The best bit- no flights. Just a 45 minute Train journey away. So no flights to drain away the yoga love. Enjoy Love Kate X See my review on Trip Advisor , Google , or see the images at Wiki Commons .

Chiang Rai, Thailand

We currently live in a world where the moment is being redefined.  We sit in front of a mysterious and beautiful temple we have travelled far to see, the monks are chanting and we know we are experiencing something special and we then capture it with our camera. And there is nothing wrong with wanting a memory of that. Even though as a photographer I sometimes missed a shot to really breathe in the experience. However imagine we are at a party. We are telling story about traveling to a far away land to see a temple. The story may resonate with some so much they one day visit that place and remember you, or they may forget your story in an instant. Either way your experience remains yours.  Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without. - Buddha Could you imagine, after you tell the story you then go to each individual and ask….so do you like or dislike my story? The story then is in danger of being told for ‘likeability’ more than the amazing experience tha

Chiang Rai, Thailand

These images are from Wat Rong Khun in Chang Rai Thailand.   A place you must visit when in Chang Rai  Wat Rong Khun, perhaps better as the White Temple, is a contemporary, unconventional, privately owned, art exhibit in the style of a Buddhist temple in Chiang Rai Province , Thailand . It is owned by Chalermchai Kositpipat , who designed, constructed, and opened it to visitors in 1997.  Chalermchai Kositpipat, a local artist from Chiang Rai, decided to completely rebuild the temple and fund the project with his own money. The artist intends for the area adjacent to the temple to be a center of learning and meditation and for people to gain benefit from the Buddhist teachings. Kositpipat considers the temple to be an offering to Lord Buddha and believes the project will give him immortal life. Today the works are ongoing, but are not expected to be completed until 2070.