Day 1364 Out of touch

When life hits you with inconvenience it gives you a chance to put things into perspective. ‘It could be a lot worse’ helps you dig deep and push through. I know a good few people that should use this ideology because they’re not coming across very well. Chances are you’re the architect of your own destruction, it’s easily done in this devilish city. Don’t let your desires control your mentality. You’ll end up walking the road alone.

Salads:

Beetroot goulash

Carrot + dill rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Sandwich: Parma ham, Manchego cheese, Jalapeno relish + tomato

Day 1363 I don't believe in boarders

I had a wonderous weekend with my Dragon. Unfortunately bureaucracy squandered it when I was denied boarding because I didn’t have a visa for the UK. Turns out a few days ago the UK government changed the rules, if you’re flying with an EU passport you need a visa to return. So the Dragon and I went from a state of utter bliss to utter misery as we had to spend the night on the floor of Bucharest airport.

Salads:

Moroccan chickpea

Sumac rice

Tomato + spring green pasta

Soup: Mild vegetable madras

Day 1362 Don't think, just do

It’s so hard to be present when you have a thousand things rushing through your head. I should be stressed but the thought of the weekend ahead is keeping me peaceful. Me and the Dragon are heading to Romania for a spa weekend. All I have to do is get through today. Easier said then done, if I listed out the tasks that must be completed i’ll start crying at my desk and that’s not cute.

Salads:

Thai spiced curry

Edamame + crispy shallot rice

Leek, black olive + tomato pasta

Sandwich: Chorizo, pecorino, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 1361 Send me happy thoughts

I’m nursing a bad mood today, i’m hoping the happenings of the day distract me from the mean devils in my mind. Every time I conjure up some happy thoughts, the devils start advocating the other side, the dark side. Lucky this is a feeling I know all too well. I just have to stick to light conversation and try not to eat my feelings.

Salads:

Med veg chickpea

Spinach + herb rice

Mushroom + tomato pasta

Sandwich: Milano salami, Raclette cheese, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 1360 That was not worth it

Mother and I dined at Berenjak this weekend. Verdict? Overhyped. I was left utterly underwhelmed. It was tasty but that’s really it. If you dare, I urge you to go to Tooting. Here you’ll find numerous establishments that triumph age old recipes from the east without a pretentious touch. Watan, Dawat, Lahore Karahi the list is as long as Tooting High Street. Don’t sell me a hole in the wall in Tehran while you charge me for dinner at the Ritz.

Salads:

Roast squash + brown lentils

Sumac rice

Broccoli, chilli + garlic pasta

Soup: Vegetable madras

Day 1359 Another week completed

This week has slipped past, one more week of February to go and I can feel the brightness on the horizon. I have a jam packed weekend ahead of me filled with fun side quests that should provide some glee. Berenjak and Panzers deli are on the list of establishments I hope to dine at. Every so often pretentious food draws me in.

Salads:

Braised white beans + aubergine

Parsley rice

Spinach + pumpkin seed pesto pasta

Soup: Indian spiced chickpea + vegetable

Sandwich: Pastrami, brie, chilli relish + tomato

Day 1358 I believe in the universe

I was plotting on the man who resides on Rectory Grove. I came up with a perfectly fitting petty plan, I told my Dragon about said plans and she reminded me about something very important, the universe. You get out what you put in, smile and the world smiles back. In a hectic city, these phrases are hard to believe but you simply must or the universe will start plotting against you.

Salads:

Thai coconut curry

Edamame + crispy shallot rice

Roast pepper pasta

Sausage + ham pasta bake

Day 1357 My kink is karma

I was tempted to write something mean about you, it would have been true and telling but what would that say about me? The weather says that the clouds will hold their rainfall for today, I will do the same. I will wait until you do something that I consider truly heinous, that will give me a good enough reason to lay you out on the canvas. God bless.

Salads:

Five spiced black bean

Spring onion + ginger rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Lightly spiced spinach + potato

Day 1356 The pitter patter is making me chunky

I spent my weekend smoking, eating and sleeping and boy do I feel it today. I used to be an active beast but this rainfall has pushed me inside. I think my lack of time outdoors is contributing to my intensely pessimistic views on society at the moment. If someone could perform an anti rain ceremony that would be swell, I’ve just had a rocky road for breakfast. I need help.

Salads:

Chilli non carne

Spinach + herb rice

Roast vegetable ragu pasta

Soup: Tuscan tomato

Day 1355 This too shall pass

You just have to knuckle down and get through the misery of winter, it’s long and tiresome but there’s no use in sulking. There’s plenty of indoors activities one can get up to. Plus, knowing me, i’ll probably have a miserable spell while the sun is shining later in the year.

Salads:

Med veg lentil

Red pepper rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Day 1354 End of my tether

After discovering that Moose is a great puppy parent my day with the silky demon was relatively enjoyable, I relaxed a little. The afternoon rolled around and then my nemesis came in with a friend who was arguably more annoying than her. My body shook with rage but I managed to remain composed. I fixed my gaze on the outside and took a few breaths then I see the man that resides on Rectory Grove. Snakes are everywhere.

Salads:

Peri peri cauliflower + split pea

Sumac rice

Soup: Indian spiced cauliflower + potato

Day 1353 Another win for my furry child

I’ve had the Silky Demon with me for 4 days now. He was a bit of a nuisance yesterday until I discovered something. He listens to Moose. They must speak a similar language. Either way i’ll take it! It feels as if today will be exponentially less stressful, she says with optimism.

Salads:

Mushroom + white bean

Parsley rice

Baked veggie pasta

Soup: Indian spiced veg

Day 1352 To the man that resides on Rectory Grove

If you were to ask a person to remove a poo bag from your general waste bin you’d probably be told to ‘go f*ck yourself’ it’s a bin at the end of the day. I hadn’t had any coffee and I was attached to 3 dogs so I removed the bag from his bin with grace. When he continued to be an invalid I dropped said poo bag which lead to him chasing after me telling me to ‘get a grip’. He then exclaimed his mother is dying. Once again, a middle aged, middle class individual has behaved in an unbecoming manner and expects to be exempt from ridicule on account of life happening. We all have issue’s, that doesn’t give you the right to be an asshole. Other than that it was an enjoyable weekend.

Salads:

Chickpea + aubergine curry

Lemon + ginger rice

Pumpkin seed + spinach pesto pasta

Soup: Spiced black bean

Day 1351 Delusion - the new eau de parfum

Childbirth is known to be one of the most painful things a woman can go through. So painful that your brain forgets the pain which is why so many of us have siblings. I’m taking care of the Silky Demon and i’m so excited. It’s as if my brain has forgotten the stress and anxiety that the beast gave me last time. Let’s see how it plays out this time.

Salads:

Tuscan bean

Spinach + herb rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Lightly spiced lentil + spinach

Day 1350 HBD

The 5th of February means one thing, my brother has rotated around the sun again. We haven’t always been the best of friends but we’ve really managed to pull it together in our adult years. Sometimes I think of an alternative universe where my brother and I run the deli together. It wouldn’t work. If the general public think i’m opinionated and argumentative then you wouldn’t stand a chance against my brother. He’s the smart one.

Salads:

Black lentil + roast squash

Sweet chilli rice

Super green pasta

Soup: Mild vegetable madras

Day 1349 That doesn't give you the right to be a prick

He returned, but I wasn’t interested in round 2. In a calm manner I told the heathen that he wasn’t welcome in my oasis, to which he replied ‘but I have mental health problems’. Based on my research of modern society, I think the beast expected me to wipe his slate clean (on account on him have mental health issues) and invite him into my space but I also grew up with fairy tale’s and Little Red Riding Hood taught me not to let the wolf in.

Salads:

Chickpea coconut curry

Rainbow rice

Baked veggie pasta

Day 1348 I can see through your facade

It was an idyllic Monday morning until he showed up. He presented like a contributing member of society but in reality he’s just another waste of space. He made small talk and asked my name, access denied, my spidey senses are tingling. He then proceeds to drink 2 litres of vitamin drink, a double espresso and for dessert, a banana. All in the space of 5 minutes. Next thing I know he’s on all fours on shop floor attempting to retch in my bin. I scroll on my phone and wait for his performance to come to a close. Middle aged, middle class, scum.

Salads:

Black bean + aubergine

Ginger + spring onion rice

Cauliflower + cashew pesto pasta

Soup: Smokey bean + tomato

Sandwich: Cumberland sausage, Cheddar, Onion relish + tomato

Day 1347 A bit of peace

Moose isn’t a fan of high pressure situations. On Saturday we surprised my mum with a little ‘Mortgage free(man)’ party. The room was filled with balloons and we popped a bottle of Cava, Moose’s nightmare. On Sunday Dragon announced it was the 1st of Feb and we all exhaled, January is done but there were still balloons in the room so Moose didn’t feel the same relief.

Salads:

Beetroot goulash

Carrot + dill rice

Broccoli, chilli + garlic pasta

Soup: Sweet potato + ginger

Day 1346 It's nearly over

January sure does drag on but the end is so close. I’ve been trying to stay chipper but the darkness is starting to make itself at home. There are so many fun excursions on the horizon but as time slows to a glacial pace, those fun times seems so far in the future. For now, the main task is keeping misery at bay.

Salads:

Thai spiced black bean

Edamame + crispy shallot rice

Mushroom ragu pasta

Soup: Roast pepper + tomato

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

Day 1345 Thicc MIST

When I rise from slumber I check the weather. My eyes adjust to read the pixels on my screen and I see MIST. I potter to my car and I can barely hold the steering wheel, it’s so cold, the air is thick with MIST. I look across the common but I can’t see far because of the MIST. There’s a figure coming towards me, I can’t make out their face because of the MIST. I MIST the sun.

Salads:

Vegetable curry

Ginger + lemon rice

Sausage + ham pasta bake

Soup: Spiced chickpea