It was a beautiful day and there certainly wasn’t any lack of people to get to sample Brad’s Raw Leafy Kale.  Each participant had the choice of trying one (or all!) of three varieties: Naked, Nacho, or Vampire Killer.  The most amazing aspect of the whole day was the fact that so many people were the ones to approach us when they saw the big “Brad’s Raw Foods” boxes we were carrying around!  Two women even came up to us, raving about much they love the Leafy Kale, and said they would do anything to get a box right then and there!

While it was certainly awesome to have so many people recognize our brand and product immediately, it was even more fun to introduce so many people to kale chips (and sometimes just kale in general!) for the first time.  Did they like it?  You’ll have to watch our video to find out what they said!

They knew they couldn’t just throw some plants on the roof; they had to find a way to layer all the necessary components in a way that it all wouldn’t slide right off.  Richard was originally going to build frames to put the plants in, but then they decided they could just utilize all the Brad’s Raw Leafy Kale boxes they had sitting around.  How awesome is that?!  They were able to layer all the elements in each box and eventually the boxes will disintegrate by the time everything settles, leaving behind just a gorgeous green roof.

Below we’ll outline the easy steps Pam and Richard followed to create their living roof so that you can do the same.  Any cardboard box will do, but we think the “Brad’s Raw Leafy Kale” stamp adds a nice little touch!

How to make your own living roof:

Step 1: Pour small stones into the bottom of each box for drainage.

Step 2: Add a layer of dirt to each box.
Step 3:  Put peat moss over the dirt.

Step 4: Pam and Richard then filled the boxes with parts of their lawn, but if that isn’t an option, you can buy new plants to use.
 
Step 5: Mount the boxes onto the roof and voila — you have a beautiful living roof!

We’re looking forward to seeing what unfolds from this special friendship!  Who knows, maybe Brad will be traveling to Australia more often…

Don’t forget to use the promo code “australia” to receive 25% off your entire order from our online store!

Check out this great little video from Brad’s visit:

•••

We never get tired of seeing the Sydney Opera House, who could? It’s such a beautiful strong building with so much history. Did you know that 233 designs were submitted for the Opera House design competition that was held in 1956. The original estimate to build Sydney Opera House was $7 million. The final cost of Sydney Opera House was $102 million! The ferry from Manly Bay to Sydney offers passengers this amazing view. Brad couldn’t help but snap some photos. We know that we would love to see this beautiful work of architecture in person but Brad’s great pictures make us feel like we’re right there with him.

•••

While Australia is definitely a relaxing and carefree place to be, something that many of you may not know about is that lurking within Australian waters are a great number of sharks. Australians have always been concerned about the risk of shark attacks. The good news is that fatal shark attacks occur relatively infrequently in Australian waters – over the last 50 years there have been 53 fatal attacks, which is approximately one fatal attack per year. Part of the reason for such infrequent attacks has been the unique ways Australians have learned to deal with the issue. Australia has invested a great deal of time and money to keep its people safe from the dangerous waters. In order to keep people safe while enjoying the ocean, ‘fences’ have been built to act as a barrier between humans and the risky open waters. We’re glad these fences are keeping Brad safe while he’s enjoying the beautiful beaches!

The picture on the left shows the swimming pool that allows bathers to enjoy the views of the ocean without worrying about any pesky sharks! The middle picture shows the swimming pool built right off the ocean. The picture on the right shows how connected the ocean and swimming pool are! 

•••

After enjoying a beautiful morning and afternoon in Sydney, Brad met up with his old friend, Elisa. They met  at a “barby” (Australian for BBQ!) on the beach and then headed over to Little Manly Beach.  Brad and Elisa met up with a bunch of Elisa’s  friends at the beach and enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere and warm sunshine as the sun slowly set over the water. Australian beaches are full of excitement and music. People play all different types of music and bands often perform late into the night, right on the beach. After spending time with Elise’s friends, they headed over to catch a bit of  live reggae music right on the beach.  

A great view at the bar looking out at the water!

•••

Saying Australia is beautiful is definitely an understatement.  If you’ve been lucky enough to travel ‘down under’ you probably know what we’re talking about. Brad has really taken a liking to the land of kangaroo’s and Marmite over the past couple of weeks (can you blame him?). The biggest news of all is that even after being in Australia for nearly two weeks, Brad realized he still has so much to do and so many places to see. He has made the decision to spend another week enjoying what Australia has to offer. We have to say that if anyone deserves an extended vacation, it’s Brad. hHe has worked tirelessly around the clock, 7 days a week, for the past three years! We don’t know anyone who deserves it more than him.

**DON’T FORGET TO USE PROMO CODE “AUSTRALIA” TO RECEIVE 25% OFF YOUR ORDER AT OUR ONLINE STORE! Promo code now extended until April 7th!**

He’s only been in Sydney for a few days, and already so many people have come out of the woodwork! For those of you who
have been keeping up with Brad’s travels, you’ll remember that he just met up with Lee Holmes from Supercharged Foods the other
day.  Lee is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate, and shares the same mission of wanting to help people adopt healthier choices and lifestyles.  Lee also put Brad into contact with her good friend, Marianne Little, who works as the Creative Director for MJW Advertising.  Brad and Marianne met up for a great lunch by the marina.  It was nice for Brad to chat with yet another passionate,
creative mind — not to mention enjoy the beautiful marina!  Then while hanging out at a cool outside bar, Brad got to chatting with two local women.  They were incredibly nice and were giving Brad a lot of great tips for where to go and what to see.  When the other woman, Lisa Green’s, husband came, he and Brad got to talking about Brad’s company.  It turns out that Warren Green is involved in investment banking and was very intrigued by Brad’s Raw Foods, so the two of them set up a time to meet to chat further.

   
Left: The lovely Marianne!  Right: Brad poses for a photo with Lisa Green and her friend.

As if that weren’t enough, Brad has yet a few more meet ups planned for the next few days!  He is going to meet with the owners of Parker’s Organic Juices and have lunch with them on their fabulous boat.  They are the only juice company in Australia to make their juices and sparkling juices with nothing except pure, organic fruit!  They are starting to expand into the U.S. and all of us over here at The Chip Factory can’t wait to get our hands on some!  The wonderful Michele Peplinkski is the one currently working to spread Parker’s Organic Juices here in the states.  She’s been in contact with us for a little while, so when she heard about Brad’s trip to Australia, she was awesome enough to put him into contact with the owners of the company!  We’re loving this pattern of one awesome person leading to more awesome people!

That is one delicious looking assortment!

Brad is also planning to meet with the famous marketing guru, Raven Starre, and her son this weekend.  Raven has built three multi-
million MLM dollar distributorships over the years, and even created the leading marketing training program, “Recruiting Magic.”  As you can imagine, she is incredibly successful, talented, and inspiring and Brad is so looking forward to picking her brain about his company!  It’s always important to get outside perspectives and ideas to keep things moving forward.

The ever so talented Raven Starre!

All of these people have so much talent and passion they could use to positively influence Brad’s Raw Foods, and Brad is so excited to see the amazing things that could result from these connections.  This trip has really helped Brad see that possibilities are anywhere and everywhere.  And who knows?  Maybe there will be a mini Brad’s Raw Foods factory in Australia someday!  If you stay open and optimistic about everything the universe has to offer, than anything is possible.  Brad has already come so far with his company and is so excited for what the future holds that nothing feels out of reach!

**DON’T FORGET TO USE PROMO CODE “AUSTRALIA” TO RECEIVE 25% OFF YOUR ORDER AT OUR ONLINE STORE! **

“I see a lot of people every day who are in a diet rut.  I think that once you make the mental shift and decide that it’s not about weight loss and it’s more about optimum health, your body will respond naturally.  Making positive nutritious food choices and having the desire within you to change your life better is the first step,” she writes on her website.  She’s our kind of girl!

Brad took a ferry to Watson’s Bay — the beautiful seaside town where Lee lives.  She and her dog, Cashew, greeted Brad with smiles and wagging tails (well Cashew was the only one with a wagging tail).  Lee said that Cashew is a bit of a local celebrity around Watson’s Bay and when the big wigs come in from across the waters, she likes to show them around.  But before Cashew could give Brad a proper tour, they decided to get lunch at a great restaurant called Dunbar House.  The food was amazing, and when Brad asked for extra jalapeño peppers (he likes things as hot as possible), one of the waiters yelled into the kitchen, “What is the hottest thing you have?”  Then apparently all of the chefs replied with: “ME!”

After lunch it was finally time for Cashew to show Brad around.  They walked around a little beach called Kutti Beach — a local favorite.  It was a beautiful day and the sky and temperature were perfect.  It was nice for Brad and Lee to meet up and talk about their stories and similar missions for helping to inspire people to adopt healthier lifestyles.  We just wish she wasn’t so far so that she could make frequent appearances here at The Chip Factory!  We’re excited to hear what other adventures Brad will have in Sydney!

*Make sure to check out Lee’s website, Facebook page, and order her book from Amazon here!  And don’t forget to use the promo code “australia” to receive 25% off your entire order at our online store!

Check out the photos from their fun day here:

  
Brad snapped a few shots of the infamous Sydney Opera House before heading to Watson Bay!

Brad and Lee pose for a quick photo while waiting for their food.

What’s better to cheers with than green juice?! 

  
Lee tries to pose for a photo, but Cashew wants to keep walking!  Brad takes a moment to pose in front of the beautiful blue water and sky. 

Lee resorts to picking Cashew up so they can get a good group shot!

Brad passed by Doyle’s — a restaurant he visited 15 years ago!

Phillip Island is also known for its great surfing conditions, but unfortunately Brad did not have a chance to try that.  We would have loved to see some pictures of him on a surfboard!  There is also a huge history of Australian motor racing on the island and there have been various races and circuits there over the years — beginning as far back as 1928.  Phillip Island is also home to the Koala Conservation Centre where people can walk through treetop boardwalks to watch the koalas in their natural habitat.

“The Nobbies” is another amazing attraction on the island.  It is a particular area that offers an amazing view, and not far from it are the “Seal Rocks,” where the largest colony of Australian Fur Seals live.  Tourists can view the seals with special binoculars that are set up!

Brad had a great time exploring the island, but unfortunately he was not able to take any photos.  We wanted you to be able to get a feel for the island, so we visited the Visit Phillip Island website and decided to share some of their photos with you here.  If you ever happen to be in Australia, Brad highly recommends that you pay this intriguing island a visit!

Also, have you used the promo code “australia” yet to receive 25% off your order at our online store?  If not, hurry!  Brad will be back in the states before you know it!

Take a look at Phillip Island:

People wait in the viewing stands for the penguins to make their way to shore. (Photo Credit: www.visitphillipisland.com)

We have to admit that if this is a parade, it’s the cutest parade we’ve ever seen! (Photo Credit: www.visitphillipisland.com)

This little guy is so cute he doesn’t even look real! (Photo Credit: www.visitphillipisland.com)
 

The view from “The Nobbies” is incredible! (Photo Credit: www.visitphillipisland.com)

The seal cameras are a great way for tourists to get to see the seals without disrupting their natural habitat. (Photo Credit: www.visitphillipisland.com)
  

Brad has driven down U.S. Route 101 from San Francisco to Los Angeles before, but he said that this drive was a “whole other level.”  It was the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen in his life.  He said that when you see something like that, you can hardly even explain it, and you feel like you can’t even take the right picture because it is just that beautiful.  Nothing would be able to do it justice.  ”Seeing those big epic rocks out in the water was completely breathtaking,” he said.

Not only was the experience incredibly beautiful visually, but it was also an amazing feeling to be completely alone on the other side of the world.  It was a good time for Brad to spend a few days by himself and really take the time to evaluate his life and his thoughts.  His company has grown so much over the past few years, and though he loves every minute of it, it was healthy to mentally take a step back for a few days.  In doing this he was able to gain a new perspective and it really offered him a sense of clarity for the direction he wants to take his company.   He also drove through a lot of small towns along the way and would stop to walk along the beaches and really take everything in.  He spent two days on the Great Ocean Road and now he’s heading off to Phillip Island to watch the “Penguin Parade.”  So make sure to check back in for Brad’s penguin update!

Don’t forget to use the promo code “australia” to receive 25% off your entire order at our online store!

Here are some of Brad’s beautiful photos from the Great Ocean Road:

They started the day off at Trunk, a cute little cafe that serves great coffee just down the block from their hotel. There’s a great outdoor seating area and they were able to sit down and relax and enjoy watching the morning passerby. Then they went on their way towards the Melbourne Aquarium, and along the way they saw various street artists and performers. Brad thinks that walking is such a great and engaging way to explore a city because when something interests him, such as someone playing an instrument, he can easily stop and enjoy it for as long as he’d like. The walk along the water once they got closer to the aquarium was incredibly beautiful (see the photos below!), and Brad thinks that the bay offers a sense of serenity that is usually hard to find in very urban areas. Inside the aquarium, Brad had a lot of fun looking at all of the various displays and creatures.

Take a look at all of Brad’s great photos, and keep following along! And don’t forget: ** Because Brad’s so excited about his adventures in Australia, he’s offering 25% off your order at our online store when you use the promo code “australia”! **

Check out the photos from Brad’s day:

Trunk has a beautiful outdoor seating area and Brad even got an idea for his wheatgrass trays back home!

Melbourne has a great street culture and there are many musicians and live artists. On their way to the aquarium, Brad saw all of these performers — the singer on the right attracted a pretty big crowd!

The walk along the water to the aquarium was beautiful! Melbourne is located right on Port Phillip Bay, and Brad loves the feel of being in such an urban environment that’s on the water.

Australia is home to the Great White Shark. Brad’s OK with posing with these guys, but he’d prefer not come across any real ones when he’s in the ocean!

Aquariums are such a great place because they’re fascinating whether you’re a kid or an adult! Brad enjoyed looking at the beautiful underwater worlds.

Brad found this hat at the aquarium’s gift shop, and we think it suits him well!

The two of them set up a time to meet at Botanical Cuisine and Eileen showed Brad around and let him try some of their delicious products!  As you can see from the photos, the space is absolutely gorgeous and you can tell there is just a fantastic and incredibly talented group of people behind this venture.  Omid Jaffari, the Founder and Creative Director has a particularly fascinating story and view on raw food.  We are all so in love with this place, and the only thing that we’re disliking right now is the fact that it’s not close to us here in the states!  Hm, maybe we need to convince them to open the next Botanical Cuisine here…

Make sure to check out Botanical Cuisine’s website to find out more about them and support them by liking their Facebook page!  And don’t forget to use the promo code “australia” to receive 25% off your order at our online store!

Check out the great photos from Brad’s visit!

The look and feel of Botanical Cuisine is absolutely beautiful!  We love the aesthetic simplicity of the overall design of the company.

They speak our language!       

Check out all of their amazing raw products! Ice cream, chocolate ganache, and tiramisu, oh my! (Photo Credit: www.botanicalcuisine.com)

Brad and Eileen pose for a picture while she’s showing him around.  We have to thank her again for being so welcoming!

  
Brad said the Tiramisu and Black Forest Gateau were divine.  We’re not sure about you, but our mouths are watering just looking at it!