Day 669 Troubleshooting

I spent 30 minutes on the phone trying to fix my printer and still nothing. I try to avoid calling ‘helplines’ because they make me irate. The genius on the other end of the phone seemed amazed that I followed his instructions so easily, he even had the audacity to say ‘you seem like a clever girl’. I came across so clever because I had already tried all of his solutions already. What a twat.

Salads:

Coconut vegetable curry

Ginger + soy rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: cauliflower, ginger + turmeric

Sandwich: Roast beef, Mayo, Frenchie’s mustard + gherkins

Day 668 Rant to survive

I can’t get distracted today. I have let my work pile up and now it’s overwhelming. It wasn’t really my fault that the work has not been done. There’s a customer who absorbed a lot of my time yesterday. In the evolution of my managerial career I’m learning to not let these situations stress me out. I will have a solid rant for a good 10 minutes and then i’m good.

Salads:

Beetroot goulash

Lemon + garlic rice

Roast pepper pasta

Bacon + potato braise

Soup: Indian spiced lentils

Day 667 Print

I could just smack my head against this desk. It would probably break because it’s IKEA it would be great for dramatic effect. My printer isn’t connecting to my computer and i’m sat here playing cupid hoping they’ll find each other. My day has started with a lot of rants (from others) and weirdly it’s put me in a good mood.

Salads:

peri peri cauliflower + split peas

Carrot + dill rice

Chorizo ragu pasta

Lightly spiced cracked wheat

Soup: White bean + root vegetables

Sandwich: Pastrami beef, Blue cheese cream, Roast red onion + mushroom

Day 666 Devils day

We’ve had quite a leisurely morning, now i’ve come to write the menu i’m nervous. Isn’t it silly that writing the number ‘666’ has made me uncertain of the day ahead? I’m not superstitious but I will now be looking over my shoulder.

Salads:

Turmeric + ginger lentils

Softly indian spiced rice

Leek, black olive + tomato pasta

Paneer + potato curry

Soup: Celeriac, apple + potato

Day 665 Feed me

This weekend was a struggle. Fasting is fine when you can keep yourself busy with work and general nonsense but when it’s my time to relax and do nothing turns out I spend most of my time eating. Obviously I couldn’t do that so I find myself happy it’s Monday because the weekdays are much easier.

Salads:

Braised pepper + white beans

Garlic + chilli rice

Roast vegetable ragu pasta

Gratin sort of thing

Soup: Squash, rosemary + sweet potato

Sandwich: Napoli salame, Smoked mozzarella, jalapeno relish + tomato

Day 664 Stay busy

I didn’t have the best start to the day. A family member has passed and it was little bit of a shock. However the custom this morning has been lovely and tranquil so i’m feeling much better. It’s been busy too so I haven’t had the time to procrastinate. I’m hyped for lunch rush Friday’s are always filled with surprises.

Salads:

Med veg lentils

Spinach + herb rice

Smokey aubergine + tomato pasta

Soup: Lightly spiced chickpea + tomato

Sandwich: Cooked ham, Camembert cheese, Onion relish + tomato

Day 663 Stupid fear

I can’t do a pull up and this has always bothered me. Like most people, I’m worried about having a blunder at the gym that results in someone having to help a sister out, for this reason I avoid certain exercises, pull ups being one of them but today I took that bitch by the handles and hoped for the best. I’m not dead so…result.

Salads:

Moroccan spiced lentils

Preserved lemon rice

Cauliflower + cashew pesto pasta

Soup: Tuscan tomato

Day 662 Here we go

So it begins. I will not be munching until the sun is set. Do I think I have the discipline? no. But so far i’ve just kept my mouth filled with words, so I don’t have the time to eat. That’s the plan I will talk more than ever before to make up for the lack of food. Good luck people, it’s gonna be a loud 40 days.

Salads:

Thai spiced vegetable + aduki beans

Edamame + crispy shallot rice

Roast vegetable ragu + artichoke pasta

Egg noodle salad with bean curd

Soup: Vegetable madras

Sandwich: Chorizo, Provola piccante, spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 661 Shrove Tuesday

I woke up on the right side of the bed this morning! I can’t wait for some miserable sod to try and get me down…anyway. Today is shrove Tuesday (pancake day to the masses). Tomorrow lent starts and this year I’m setting myself a real challenge, no food until sun down. I must resist the devils fruit (my Mothers cooking).

Salads:

Mushroom bourguignon

Rosemary, lemon + garlic rice

Tomato + green veg pasta

Tossed salad with salted ricotta + seeded croutons

Soup: Cumin roasted parsnip + potato

Day 660 Happy Monday

I really think the deli would make for a great sitcom. This morning for example people waltzed in, took a seat and started conversing about their weekend antics. It was hilarious. Now i’m lethargic because I spent so much energy laughing. Happy Monday.

Salads:

Coconut curry with mung bean + sweet potato

Aromatic indian spiced rice

Mushroom ragu pasta

Mac + cheese

Soup: Roast pepper, bean + tomato

Sandwich: Milano salame, Fontina cheese, Jalapeno relish + tomato

Day 659 Sliced meats

I have brought in so much bread in anticipation for this Friday. I feel like we are going to be really busy. I have managed to slice my hand like a tender steak this morning but it has pumped me with adrenaline. So bring it on world. We’re ready (I think).

Salads:

Mexican beans

Sumac + dill rice

Roast squash ragu pasta

Soup: Carrot, ginger + potato

Day 658 Me, myself + sandwiches

I nearly passed out at the gym this morning but I styled it out, of course. I’m feeling fine now, ready to attack the day. I love working on the sandwich section. This is quite unprofessional to say but the job is so much easier when you don’t have to interact with humans.

Salads:

Peri peri cauliflower + chickpea

Sweetcorn, chilli + spring onion rice

Smokey aubergine + tomato pasta

Polenta, pork + bean stew

Soup: sweet potato + ginger

Sandwich: Fennel salame, Pecorino cheese, chilli relish + tomato

Day 657 Distracted

I got so distracted today. I was suppose to sit at my desk and do a variety of tasks and instead I allowed myself to be drawn in to numerous conversations on shop floor. I need to stay hyped because yesterday went well but I wasn’t there mentally. I’m being tested today though, I’ve had the weirdest questions thrown at me.

Salads:

Curried lentils + aubergine

Ginger + turmeric rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Jackfruit salad

Soup: Celeriac + potato

Day 656 The light is coming

The sun is rising earlier but it’s still cold AF. I can’t wait for summer I think the cold makes me more of a hermit. I have to dig deep and hype myself every time I leave the house. Though there has been some titillating conversation today, i’m still quite lethargic.

Salads:

Chilli non carne

Spinach + herb rice

Mushroom ragu pasta

Braised beans, potato + salted ricotta

Soup: Tuscan tomato

Sandwich: Chorizo, chilli pecorino, onion relish + tomato

Day 655 Nuggets

Lovely, wholesome weekend. The family was at home, there are pros and cons to this. There’s always food, but there’s also unnecessary conflict. My chicken nuggets got eaten without anyone consulting me. They were replaced with a different brand and I was a little miffed but the situation was aggravated by everyone telling me to relax. I was relaxed, I was just stating that if you are going to replace an item it should be the same.

Salads:

Tuscan beans

chilli, garlic + rosemary rice

Roast pepper + almond pesto pasta

Spinach + ricotta cheesy bake

Soup: Cumin roasted parsnip + potato

Day 654 Let's get loud

What a morning. I can imagine if you’re not a morning person the idea of going to the deli would be a lot. It was so loud and chaotic but to me it’s so fun to watch people let go with out any drugs or alcohol (in this case i’m not considering caffeine a drug). Introverts are still welcome.

Salads:

Five spiced veg + black beans

Crispy tofu and ginger rice

Leek, black olive + tomato pasta

Soup: Sweetcorn, ginger + tomato

Sandwich: Cumberland sausage, Provola cheese, apple chutney + tomato

Day 653 Tired but happy

We’re a man down today so it’s an all female cast for today’s show. I’m feeling very tired but nothing an extra shot of coffee won’t fix. I might have a night in tonight and recuperate, however I will say i’m super excited to work the counter with she who shall not be named, it’s gonna be vibes.

Salads:

Indian spiced bean curry

Ginger + turmeric rice

Courgette, tomato + basil pasta

Vegetable ragu fregola (giant cous cous)

Soup: Leek, dill + potato

Day 652 Let's play some basketball

I’m determined to get shit done today. I woke up before dawn and pottered to the gym it was -2 degrees but i’m trying to not let the weather get in my way. Tonight i’m going to watch a basketball game. I’ve always wondered why it never took off in this country, maybe we just have a short population.

Salads:

Braised chickpeas + aubergine

Lemon + herb rice

Cauliflower + cashew pesto pasta

Cheesy potato bake

Soup: Tuscan tomato + courgette

Sandwich: Parma ham, Fontina cheese, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 651 All pain no gain

There is a weird energy in the air. All the members at the deli keep injuring themselves. I took myself our yesterday and fell flat on the floor, Mad has done her knee and Frankie fell down the stairs. Somehow there are still a couple smiles behind the counter, but be gentle because there’s a lot of pain in the building.

Salads:

Moroccan spiced lentils

Sumac rice

Sausage + ham ragu pasta

Oriental bean stew

Soup: Miso Aubergine

Day 650 This means war

Nothing could have prepared us for last Friday. There was a constant queue for 4 hours, the staff were spent after. It was quite comedic they way we all looked at each other, like we had just been through war but the hungover population of Clapham will make you feel that way. This is why I prefer Monday’s.

Salads:

5 spice vegetables + beans

Miso rice

Pea + ricotta pesto pasta

Korean spiced tofu egg noodles

Soup: Lightly spiced sweet potato

Sandwich: Napoli salame, Peppercorn pecorino, Chilli relish + tomato