Breakfast Around the Tan, Presented by Diabetes Australia and part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, was a fun morning of walking and healthy treats that the whole family could enjoy.

When: Sunday, 15 March 2015 from 7:30am to 12pm

Where: Botanical Gardens MELBOURNE

Cost: Adults $35, child $15, family $80 (2 adults, 2 kids) with 5 per cent of proceeds going to Diabetes Australia – Victoria

Thanks to Sally Ridden for being our roving reporter!

It was a kick start early Sunday morning with pretty brisk weather, cool winds and grey skies so we rugged up in order to be active, making our way to the beautifully manicured Observatory Precinct of the Royal Botanic Gardens (aka the Tan) for Breakfast Around the Tan, presented by Diabetes Australia.  Ample free parking and access on the Domain/ St Kilda Rd entry even with Grand Prix on its doorstep.

Our pre-booked staggered start time was 9.00am but as we were so busy taking in the onstage lifestyle session, registration & food ticketing process we decided to join the 9.30am ranks.  Walking around we coloured in at the HealthyBYte by Bright Young Things yellow outdoor settings, then  we were off trying to catch one of their giant yellow & white balloons displayed.  We bounced on the trio of mini tramps, sampled the 3 available Rauch juices (Apple, Tomato and ACE), with our favourite being the carrot, mandarin & lemon juice, Yum!   We then stretched, downward dogged and participated in the free child friendly group yoga warm up session in preparation for our moving feast walk. 

Once warmed up, we were all off to the starting line, my 3 yr old already with a red MFWF balloon in 1 hand and a Diabetes Life red frisbie in the other and of course his toy dragon that does not leave his sight.  A leisurely stroll was indeed our plan for the 6 progressive nutritional breakfast stops, we (being 2 adults and my 3 year old dinosaur/son in tow) aimed to take 45-60 minutes to complete the circuit whilst enjoying our breakfast.

Each pit stop was staffed by young friendly  I need helpers volunteer staff  and offered recommended healthy alternatives for breakfasts on the go.  The menu was a collaborative effort designed by a team, led by Director of HealthyBYte Kate Stewart, of Bright Young Things, leading nutritionist Emma Stirling (Scoop Nutrition) a collective of Chefs and tweaked in accordance to fit in with Diabetes Australia dietary requirements… and of course event logistics and food safety requirements for a 4 hour+ event. They came up with 6 menu solutions to meet the criteria, without sacrificing the balance of taste, style and fun food.

We chatted as we walked, we soaked in the lush beautiful surroundings. We watched hundreds of participants as they overtook us on their breakfast.  Sadly we missed out on the face-painting stall. We carried my son and his dragon a few times as he decided he wanted to be carried, not walk!  He ran along the gutters that had autumn leaves and buried his dragon along the running tracks.  We sat on the grass eating breaky burritos, we stood around eating muesli & yogurt, we kept walking whilst we ate a pear.  We did as we pleased at the pace we enjoyed, it hardly felt like exercise at all. We fully deserved the indulgent celebratory non-alcoholic cabernet grape bubbles Maggie Beer so kindly had on offer at the completion.

3000 attendees were expected to join this inaugural event on 15 March 2014.