About Life Cammeray

Had a late brekkie the today. Can’t give 3.5, but definitely not a 4. Coffee was good, but the food was a bit bland. I understand the whole paleo /​gf /​vegan etc positioning — but if you compare to Sprout at Naremburn, it really does fall short on the taste front. The paleo banana bread is pretty good though, and some good stuff for groceries etc. But for a meal, I’d recommend Sprout instead.

This morning I read an article entitled «The Hipster is Dead but who is the Culprit?» Aboutlife. Aboutlife is the culprit. Also Kale.
As I sat among the pseudo-​paleo, pseudo-​low-​waste-​lifestyler, middle-​aged North Shore ladies I felt as if I was experiencing the death-​throws of a subculture. But out of the ashes of so many Murdoch haircuts could come some good.
The «Real Food» lifestyle made so accessible by places like Aboutlife (the only place in Sydney you can get Chestnut Flour) is a gateway fad that leads to more worthwhile ventures. As these ladies sip their almond milk lattes (not sure if that’s a thing) and eat their Paleo Karaage Chicken (definitely a thing and it’s awesome) they may turn their mind to the processed crap and hidden sugar they have been feeding their families for years. This could lead to thoughts of the massive waste caused by food processing and unnecessary packaging. Suddenly the Audis will be out and electrical cars will be in (again). Maybe not. But a girl can dream…
In reality Aboutlife is another of the worthwhile corporate attempts to add ethics to mass consumption. It’s expensive yes but if you, like me, are suddenly concerned about the toxic reactions that modern consumerism is causing in your body then Aboutlife is your one-​stop-​shop for all the necessary ingredients for a dairy-​free, grain-​free lifestyle.
They also have good guilt-​free cakes for when the no-​sugar thing starts to get too depressing.

I never considered myself healthy enough to visit Aboutlife. I don’t do yoga, I can’t pick a chia seed out of a lineup, and I don’t own Lululemon pants (and probably wouldn’t wear them if I did because I’m pretty sure they’re a women’s label.)
But I couldn’t stay away forever. Oh no. So I slunk in there, waiting to get found out, waiting for a health nut — a woman with a pram, probably — to sniff me out and yell «Fraud!» What actually happened, though, was an immersion in everything organic and bio-​something and confusing and delicious and aspirational. There was an organic rhubarb-​strawberry muffin thrown int here somewhere too. The fresh food and salad bar is where it’s at, by the way. Beeline for the back bit.
Yeah, it’s pretty expenno, but you have to pay to be healthy these days. I’m working my way up to that $ 5 avocado, though. Maybe next month when I get paid.

I miss this place. About Life is a great little chain with great stuff. One of the few stores that actually sells activated (soaked n sprouted) nuts and other hard to find treats. Their café and juice bar are great, I love their paleo lasagna. And coyo which is amazing and you can only get in Sydney or london unfortunately.

‘About Life’ has been glowing with patrons since its recent opening. I sauntered in suitably attired in work-​out gear and headed for the café fridges brimming with gorgeous containers — promising all that is wonderful about plane food individual portionality (new word!) but containing actual food instead of rehydrated egg. I plumped for brown rice sushi (with avocado, carrot and beetroot) some Edamame and the Puka chicken wrap… having decided to pronounce it Pukka (as in mi old mate Jamie Oliver, ‘it’s pukka innit’) rather than a ‘Puke-​a’ wrap (which is an entirely different proposition, well, depending on how much of a Jamie fan you are). I’m pleased to say that the wrap lived up to its name in a positive sense and I felt instantly lighter post-​consumption — though that could have been because the wrap towards the end was lacking in the moist filling that it so required; rather it had the tough earthy texture of authentic ancient foodstuffs — as if it had actually been baked on the set of ‘Life of Brian’. Thirsty work.
This store/​cafes proposition is clearly going to do well despite the ‘lifestyle’ pricing, what with the ongoing desire for GOOD healthy food, but what will make it stand the test of time is the service and alas a bit too much time concentrating on positive vibes and making meaningful connections over a muffin, means that those waiting to bask in the aura of the servers can be left waiting a little too long to maintain my happy vibe.
All-​in-​all though — Nom, nom Shanti.

We have been waiting!
Been watching this take shape over the last couple of months, and finally opening day arrived! Since this is literally a block from me I was hoping for great things, and I am not disappointed. The produce on display is of course organic for the most part and priced appropriately, but these guys have a good handle on what folks like me are looking for — good range of quality products not too stratospherically priced. I could get about 80−90% of my weekly food here for about 120−130% of Northbridge Woolies (the highest priced Woolies in the universe) but in a much nicer environment with believe it or not a wider range in many things.
The café is also pretty good — of course we have tried it several times already, and as it is their first few weeks and we are new to them a false start or two is to be expected, but the full monty breakfast is excellent, and the coffee — ah the coffee, most excellent indeed.
Lots of seating although a bit squeezey when they are chockers.
Recommended, sure to become the local.