north st. deli

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Day 1311 Time flies when you can't stop

Where has the year gone? Would the year feel longer if I was in a less intense city? It’s probably because my days are filled to the brim will deli duties. We are arguably short staffed, there are pros and cons. Pro: I’m not bored, when I share the workload the days can drag and my mind becomes preoccupied with nonsense issues. The con is that there’s little to no time to breath, but breathing is overrated. We’ll invite someone new into the sitcom next year, it’s only round the corner anyway.

Salads:

Thai spiced chickpea + squash

Miso + crispy shallot rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Sweet potato + ginger

Day 1310 Restless resting

I don’t spend as much time with you as I should. Each morning I fight with myself, I should go, but I want to stay. As the temperature drops the battle gets harder, the sky is darker, I don’t want to leave. Somehow I summon the strength each day to go, defying your arguments to remain. I will see you when I get back, my humble little bed, can’t wait to snuggle later but for now I will conquer the day ahead.

Salads:

Beetroot goulash

Carrot + dill rice

Cauliflower + cashew pesto pasta

Soup: Spiced pumpkin

Sandwich: Cumberland sausage, Cheddar, House relish + tomato

Day 1309 This is it

The saying goes ‘ live each day as if it’s your last’ but that’s all a bit intense. What about ‘live each day as if it will rain tomorrow’ less morbid and you just might achieve the same results. Moose and I went on an unhinged evening run in the rain yesterday. It’s due to be wet all day today, I wonder if it’ll still be Armageddon at lunch…

Salads:

Med veg lentils

Spinach + lemon rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Spiced cauliflower

Day 1308 This disease will kill us

I’m sure you’ve all sat round a table with friends and discussed the smart phone epidemic, it’s a discussion I listen to most days at the deli. I use my phone frequently throughout the day but i’m not attached to it by any means. What would your day look like if you went phone free? If that seems unachievable to you then i’d suggest you try it. Fill you day with something real, move away from the pixels, it could be enlightening.

Salads:

Peri peri cauliflower + split peas

Lemon + rosemary rice

Courgette, oregano + tomato pasta

Soup: Mild vegetable madras

Day 1307 Am I being punked?

Some tedious characters graced us with their presence yesterday. Customer facing roles are testing but there are ways of coping, you just have to find the tactics that work for you. I like to imagine I live in a sitcom, none of this is real. When an absurd individual comes into the scene you just need to improvise, we can breath when they leave the shot and we can call cut.

Salads:

Five spiced veg with black bean

Edamame + crispy shallot rice

Tomato + basil pasta

Soup: Bean + med veg

Day 1306 I've started so i'll finish

I do love a debate, especially when the opposing view is non sensical. I find that asking a person why they feel as they do is the best tactic to reaching common ground. As the opposition cracks i’m usually labelled contrary, that doesn’t deter me. I press a little more until my opponent sighs, pauses, considers and they’re met with solid eye contact, pressure, the floor is yours but i’ve put you in a hole and there’s no where to run. You can stay in that hole, and I will charge you rent.

Salads:

Moroccan spiced chickpea

Spinach + herb rice

Leek, black olive + tomato pasta

Soup: Med veg + borlotti bean

Day 1305 The pursuit of happiness

My weekend was dominated by dogs and trashy TV, superb. There is no better feeling then lazing on the sofa after a big ole walk and just chilling. No noise, no drama just the light snoring sound of the hounds. They also teach you humility. I went on a run, in the daylight (a rarity for me) turns out I was wearing my sport shorts inside out…the feeling of embarrassment lasted all of 3 seconds. One shouldn’t live a life in fear of the opinions of mere mortals, perfection is a myth.

Salads:

Mushroom cacciatore

Roast pepper rice

Smokey aubergine + tomato pasta

Soup: Velvet mushroom

Sandwich: Fennel salami, Provola, Spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 1304 I don't have a crystal ball

Is it worth thinking about the future? I’m not sure when the mentality shifted but whenever I ponder about what’s ahead I can only hold the thought for a short while. Hypotheticals and predictions fly around but there’s no way to know for certain so why bother? This is why I couldn’t work in politics, everything would just go on the back burner until it’s a crisis. I don’t even know what I want for dinner this evening. The Prime Minister needs to be a meal prepper.

Salads:

Roast squash coconut curry

Korean spiced rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Mild vegetable madras

Sandwich: Milano salami, Fontina cheese, Spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 1303 Start with the A B C's

It’s been a peaceful morning, my version of peaceful at least. I’ve typed many sentences only to delete them because I can’t orchestrate my thoughts cohesively. I think i’ll start writing my thoughts out as and when they come to me. I’ve read back some of my posts, a lot of them grate on me. Even though I write often, i’m still relatively illiterate, I need to take time and work on my words.

Salads:

Mexican beans

Herbed rice

Mushroom + tomato pasta

Soup: Broccoli, potato + chilli

Sandwich: Pastrami, Brie, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 1302 Let it burn

Happy Guy Fawkes day! 400 years later and we’re still lighting bonfires. Imagine if someone decided to light their fire under the houses of Parliament once again. Sure it would be an act of terror but i’d appreciate the someone wanting uphold the tradition to such a high standard! Joking of course. Good luck to all the furry friends that don’t understand why it sounds like bombs are going off outside and the humans are so nonchalant.

Salads:

Paneer curry

Indian spiced rice

Roast pepper + tomato pasta

Soup: Roast squash + tomato

Sandwich: Chorizo, Provola, Jalapeno relish + tomato

Day 1301 I got 21 seconds to go

Easy to say that time ran away from me yesterday from start to finish and today I woke up after sun rise. Looks like it’s me against time the sequel. I would love to sit and ponder the ways of the west and the non sensical experiences of our week away but old father time is pushing me the raise the blinds and start the day. We’ll talk soon.

Salads:

Black lentil curry

Coriander + lemon rice

Rocket + walnut pesto pasta

Soup: Tuscan Tomato

Sandwich: Parma ham, Fontina cheese, Spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 1300 We'll return November 3rd

The temperature has indeed dropped, i’m still wearing shorts. As a way of coping with stress, I like to take it one day at a time. With this in mind, I will not be thinking about the intense day of travel tomorrow, it’s just another day in SW4 today. I’d like to think i’m a pretty logistically sound queen I should pass through TSA with flying colours, not sure about Mother though, who wants to place bets she’ll get frisked?

Salads:

Braised chickpeas

Roast pepper rice

Vegetable ragu pasta

Soup: Sweet potato + ginger

Day 1299 I have reached a 2000 day streak of Duolingo

Sometimes it can feel as if there’s too many hours in a day, I could have done with a few additional hours yesterday. I’m sure a study has been done that would explain to me why my brain decides to wait until crunch time to execute necessary tasks. Alas, I won’t let stress and worry rule my day, i’ll wait for the blinds to go down then I will move at the speed of a whippet, with the grace of a gazelle. Now it’s been written, it must be done.

Salads:

Aubergine + black bean

Edamame + crispy shallot rice

Roast pepper pasta

Soup: Spiced chickpea

Day 1298 No animals were harmed in the enjoyment of this meal

Yesterday we celebrated the 1st year of the silky peanut. We dined at Amrutha lounge in Earlsfield, this place never disappoints. It’s BYOB for all you (allegedly) functioning alcoholics. I’d argue it’s one of the best eateries in London. It’s also completely vegan, this might turn some away, i’m sure there’s a KFC down the road that would be better suited to your carnivorous appetite but for people that actually enjoy food, Amrutha Lounge is a spot to know about.

Salads:

Mushroom cacciatore

Paprika rice

Sausage + ham pasta bake

Soup: Moroccan spiced chickpea

Sandwich: Milano salami, smoked mozzarella, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 1297 I will wear black to mark the death of your single life

I ventured to Primark in Oxford circus yesterday evening to grab some last minute bits for this trip to America next week. Athleisure isn’t socially accepted at a wedding so my wardrobe is lacking. The sheer amount of clothing in this one store was truly overwhelming. Don’t use your car, take less flights, recycle but by all means buy a copious amount of polyester that will outlive you and your ancestors. This world is cooked.

Salads:

Moroccan spiced chickpeas

Sumac rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Velvet mushroom

Day 1296 We're going to the windy city

The rain was torrential this morning, made the walk to work utterly delightful, who doesn’t like feeling moist all over first thing in the morning? My weekend was lonesome and chilled, exactly what I needed. Mother and I will be heading off to the states this weekend. Yes this means the deli will be closed next week. Of course i’m excited but I’m a little stressed too, Chicago is looking a little icy right now.

Salads:

Med veg lentils

Herbed rice

Roast squash pasta

Soup: Lightly indian spiced veg

Sandwich: Spicy salami, Gorgonzola, onion relish + tomato

Day 1295 On the cusp of a weekend

When I said ‘today is not my day’ oh boy did I mean it. Just as I finished typing that sentence Moose was sick next to me… looks like today might not be for me either. Also, shoutout to my spelling and grammar for remaining mediocre over the years. You’d think it would improve with all the words I’ve written over the years but no. On the flip side, my grammatical errors provide a comedic edge to my miserable outlook.

Salads:

Braised cauliflower + chickpea

Spinach + herb rice

Tomato + spring green pasta

Soup: Indian spiced vegetables

Day 1293 Today is not my day

I’m tired and stiff, a winning combination I must say! This doesn’t bode well for the day ahead but I do love a challenge and God loves a tryer. On top of all this I find my brain is a little scrambled, i’m sure as the conversation starts to flow I will loosen up OR I will put my foot in my mouth and want to crawl into a whole to die.

Salads:

Lentil + paneer curry

Coriander + coconut rice

Cauliflower + cashew pesto pasta

Soup: Leek + potato

Sandwich: Garlic salami, provola cheese, chilli relish + tomato

Day 1293 If you angle correctly you won't feel the bumps in the road

It’s one of those days where my brain is split between a whirlwind of political opinions and peace. I want to poke at the fact that childhood is a social construct, a lot of the problems with the youth in western societies stem from mollycoddling, but said youth hold devices in their hands that gives them senior responsibility. But that’s just a thought. The other part of me brain is just so content with my circle, they provide me with all the joys I need,

Salads:

Tuscan beans

Lemon + parsley rice

Broccoli, chilli + garlic pasta

Soup: Indian spiced lentil

Day 1292 A new sound

I’ve never been a podcast person. I talk all day (arguably too much) so I love a bit of silence (contrary to popular belief). However I have a dog that needs a lot of outdoor time and the London soundtrack isn’t too appealing. So I, like many, opt for the antisocial headphone culture. I got into a rut with music and I thought i’d try a podcast. I don’t know much about this world, if you have a suggestions that you think will tickle my soundbuds then send them through!

Salads:

Mung bean curry

Ginger + turmeric rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Indian spiced potato + cauliflower