Friends, Family & Food

I've been quite the social butterfly this week.

Which considering how manic work's been, is quite an achievement in itself.

I've been making an effort to participate in more things that make me happy this week. I've been binge reading my current book Fairytale by Danielle Steele. Its at that, what I like to call 'peak point' of the book. I'm so engrossed I'm even reading whilst walking to the washing machine to get clothes. Reading is definitely up there, as one of my top five ways to spend time. As much as I understand the practicality of a kindle, I do prefer to be able to turn the pages of a book.

As the title of this post suggest my week has consisted of friends and food.

Monday - I took the day off work , under the assumption of going to a Game of Throne's party. That didn't come to play, so I figured, I'd stay up and watch what I assumed was going to be an epic finale. Cue the disappointment. For me, the last ever episode of GoT was the worst one I’ve ever seen. It didn't give this legendary show the the amazing send off I would have expected. Don't even get me started on ”Bran the Broken” being king 😞 With that being said GoT still is and always will be one of the most awesome shows to ever grace our TV screens.

Cheeseburger & Fries @ The Ned 

Wednesday - I went for what I thought would only be a couple of drinks with my loony pal Mr Francis. We proved we can be adults and rather than drinking enough, to already see the next days hangover, by 10pm, we decided to go to dinner. We were both quite proud of ourselves for making such a grown up decision. We rocked up to The Ned, ordered a couple of burgers, had few more drinks, listened to some live music and being the little sociable sally’s that we are made a few friends along the way.

Jack Fruit Burger & Sweet Potato Fries @ The Ned 

Friday - I met up with an old friend. Monica and I haven't spoken in almost 10 years. Due to a falling out, over which we both now agree,  was a simple case of miscommunication. It's weird how in life, there are some things, you'll just  never see coming. The universe intervened and presented an opportunity, where I bumped into her at the train station and said hello. It then sprinkled a little fairy dust and gave her the courage to reach out to me. To which I am  grateful for. We met up at Liverpool street station and from the minute we saw each other to the minute we left to go home, It was like we'd been friends for the last decade. I've missed having her in my life. Sometimes you make peace with the way things have been and figure Its best to leave them that way, until a situation occurs to show you, that change is possible. We have both agreed, that we would like to see if we could rebuild a friendship and I'm super happy that we're both in a place in our lives where we can be open minded enough to try.

Smoked Schinkenacker @ German Gymnasium 

 Saturday - I went to see Jon Wick with a friend. For the sake of this blog and keeping shit under wraps we'll call him Mr Seeing What Happens. (Mr SWH for short) We went to the at Everyman Kings Cross. As you may or may not know, Everyman Cinema's are slightly pricier than your average Cineworld or Vue, so it isn't necessary to watch every film there. However, the  sofas paired with a few glasses of Prosecco and some popcorn, imitates a good night in,whilst actually having a night out. I'm also not unhappy about the cozy setting it created for Mr SWH and I. Now, if you haven't yet seen Jon Wick: Parabellum, I would suggest you trade in this month Netflix subscription money and go and see it. Without giving away any spoilers, there is some serious violet action, literally within minutes of this film starting. There were parts in this film even I had to turn away from the screen for. Knife in the eye. I'll leave you with that. Needless to say, It did'nt disappoint and left it open for a chapter 4. After the usual critique over anything we watch, we strolled through the newly done up Kings Cross, to German Gymnasium. The outside of this building, does not do it justice as to how beautiful it is inside. The food was really good. I had the Smoked Schinkenacker -  2 smoked and grilled pork sausages, with sauerkraut, potato puree and crispy onions. When it turned up, I was sure I'd have room for dessert. I was wrong..lol. It's easily going on the list of great meals I've had in a long time .
Mr SWH had the chicken schnitzel and this bird literally covered the plate. With good food, a good film and good company Saturday turned out to be a rather good day. Topped off by getting home and having a few more drinks and a lot of laughs with my dad and my uncles.

Bank Holiday Monday - Had a Family lunch at Prezzo. I'm not a massive fan of the food at Prezzo. This is my second time going and I have to say, I wouldn't choose to go again. However, I did try my first ever Calzone and it was a nice afternoon spending time with some of the family.

Calzone @ Prezzo 

I can go weeks without having a full social calendar. Sometimes because there is simply nothing on the books, sometimes because I’m not in the right head-space to be sociable. I’m grateful that the past week has seen fit, to allow me the time and mindset be able spend time with so many people. I'm lucky enough that I have people around me. I'm lucky enough that I am still welcoming people into my life. I'm lucky that until the 3rd June, my weight is the least of my concerns. 

So today’s message is...

Enjoy life wherever you can.
Spend time with people that make you smile and bring out the best in you.
Appreciate the friends and family you have.
Make room for new people to join your life.
Create space for old people to return.
But most importantly....eat as much good food as you can. I’m all about being healthy and in the best shape to maximize my confidence and happiness, but not at the expense of a couple of good sausages. I’m still talking about food you dirtbags, get your mind out of the gutter

Have a great day, remember you are a unicorn and don’t let anybody shit on your rainbow💝

Girlie Giggles & Roman Fries

Managing to go out for a few drinks on a Friday night, and not ending up going out out, is definitely going on my list of achievements for this week. 

It started off with the customary “Let’s just go for one” which 9 times out of 10 is just the opening line, to either an epic adventure or a catastrophic memory bank of events the following morning. Thankfully last night resulted in 5 Proseccos, Roman Fries ( Chips with Parmesan, truffle and rosemary - which I actually got for free as they brought over haloumi fries instead), a good girlie chat with my work pal Sabs and tucked up in (albeit slightly tipsy) with an M&S chocolate bar by 11pm.

All in all, it was a successful attempt at not joining the hungover herd this morning. We also had quite the giggle. We talked about everything from our current endeavours to brexit. She encouraged me (with the help of one of our new colleagues, who should hopefully be bringing in a duck Shepard’s pie next week 😋) to join bumble. She reassured me to keep up with my blog, as not only had she seen a difference in me since I began writing it, she also enjoys reading it. Which made my jaw cramp up from smiling. I helped her to covertly “redistribute” 😆 some flowers from one location to another, as well as discussing her need to go on holiday. She wants to relax but more importantly, wants to get a tan. I told her I also needed to work on my tan, to which she gave me the look most people give me when I say that. Probably because I’ve been rocking a pretty decent tan since birth, but we can all use a top up. She was weighing up the options between actually getting away to somewhere sunny or fake tanning. I couldn't really weigh in on this as I have never fake tanned, which the look on my face probably conveyed as rather than expect an actual answer from me on the subject, she simply replied “White Girl Problems” to which we both almost fell off our chairs with laughter. 

She is probably one of the most random people I have ever met, and I need a mute button for her when she's had her afternoon Starbucks (think toddler drinking a can of coke). However she really does have the biggest heart, is always up for a laugh, gives me the most jokes and is just an all-around cool cat. 

Now as much as I wasn't hungover this morning, I didn't drink enough water before going to bed last night, so I did have to gulp down what felt like an entire river upon opening my eyes this morning. But I was up and out by 8 am getting this walk done. I did have to take a little nap not long after getting back, but if you can't nap on a Saturday, what is the world coming to? I also realised - when I saw it pop up on sky movies today, that I have never actually seen all of Wayne’s World. I know, I know, it's ridiculous behavior on my part. I should be rectifying that over the next 24 hours. 

Have a great day, remember you are a unicorn and don't let anybody shit on your rainbow ❤️

Friendship

The great thing about friends are, they can come into your life at anytime.  Some when you least expect it and some when you need them the most.

I met up with my darling Jiggy aka My Stalker and Rooley aka The Ying to my Yang.  I met both of  them at my old work place.  We haven’t managed to meet up this year yet, but I am so glad we made the time tonight. I miss them.  I may not see or speak to them as often as I’d like - we all have our own lives and making time can be difficult.  However, whenever we do get together its like no time has passed.

The minute I saw them it put a smile on my face. They were both my rocks when I worked with them, and seeing them tonight just reinforced how valueable their friendship is to me. I am lucky enough to have this bond with a few of my girls (and some of my boys) 😌 

We went for a lovely dinner at Dishoom Carnaby.  We talked about the good, the bad and the ugly.  I told them about the blog and they were super supportive and encouraging as expected.  I told them about Mr HG, they were proud I finally got back on the proverbial horse. Jiggy even schooled us on Pillow menus. Now some of you may be aware of what a pillow menu is. Rooley and myself found out today.  Now if you re wondering what this is, the answer is as obvious as it sounds. When staying in a nice hotel, there is a menu you can peruse, to choose different types of pillows for a great nights sleep.  Or whatever else you plan on doing in the hotel room. Apparently you can request as many as you like. Kind of like room service, but instead of duck l’orange you get duck feather pillows. Needles to say, Rooley and myself immediately started looking for hotels we could stay at to sample this service.  I only need 1 pillow to sleep with, but given that kind of  choice I’m requesting enough to build a fort. 

Rooley and I did try to discuss the events leading up to the last series of GOT before the new series starts, but as its taken jiggy 10,000 years to only get to season 5 we didnt want to spoil it for her. OMG she doesn’t even know about John Snow yet. Jiggy if you’re reading this - he just buys a farm and starts raising chickens😆

Shockingly I was home by 9:30. Which if you knew what we were like on a usual night out, is a surprise in itself.  I am glad not to have had a late, late one though, not being hungover on a Friday has been a knew tradition for me this year and I’m liking it. 

So thank you ladies for a great night 

Have a great day, remember you are a unicorn, and don’t let anyone shit on your rainbow❤

Positive Reinforcements

It occurred to me today that I am on a pursuit of happiness over the next year, but I could end up being sadder than when I started. 

We have no control over the unforeseen circumstances, that can arise to turn our worlds upside down. We can only control how we deal with them.  I am trying to do whatever I can to create a happier lifestyle, rather than coasting through the sub-par rat race I'm currently engaged in.  Please don't get me wrong my life isn't awful, I just feel I am doing more existing than living and that's the kind of shit regrets are made of. But what if on my journey to be better version of myself, things goes tits up and I end up worse off.

There are a few things I need to work on within this little adventure - focus, self love, facing fears, trying new things, body confidence.  What if I do not achieve any of them?What if whilst trying to improve the above I fall flat on my ass? The truth is I might fail. The truth also is, I wont know until I have actually tried and worrying about failing at this point is a product of  negative thoughts. Now these little motherfuckers creep up when you need them the absolute least.  If you do not learn how to banish them, like Romeo was from Verona, they can have the worst impact on your day to day life. Good news, there is an antidote. Positive thinking 😄 Bad news, like everything worth anything, you have to put in the work to train your mind differently and that can take time.  If you're anything like me and impatience is your nemesis, this will sucks balls 😒 I'm well aware that  putting in a consistent effort to get to where I want to be,  will help me to  appreciate my end destination. My problem is I want it now and that's just not going to happen. Not unless Morpheus has come up with a third pill I don't know about. 

So seeing as though its going to be another baby steps situation of me making small changes everyday, I'm going to acknowledge the things I did today to add some positive elements to my life.

Walk the Walk😊 - A 10k walk I did this morning and have done every Saturday this year so far.  I started it in 2017 and did it every week barring 3. I slacked off quite a bit last year, but I'm back on it this year. Despite the sun shining brightly, it was not bikini weather, but I still got out there and got it done as you can see below

Garlic & Honey Prawns - I tried a new recipe again today.  Again it was a very simple one, but it tasted amaze balls. I had some tenderstem broccoli which I sauteed in sesame seed oil and garlic. (Seriously, what rock have I been living under that I have only just tried cooking with sesame seed oil today).  I literally could have eaten just a bowl of the broccoli cooked in that.

Blog - So if you have been reading my posts for the last 7 days, you will notice I now have a different theme. I spent a good few hours playing around with this (I can be a little bit indecisive), but I am loving the new look. Red is my favorite colour, in case my hair and lipstick didn't give that away. 

So all in all I'm feeling pretty good about myself. I guess the point I need to remember is, positivity is not going to come easily everyday, so some days I'm going to have to work harder at boosting it. 

Can I just say, that if anyone reading this is having a bad day or a negative thought day, it is temporary. If  you can find something positive to do, no matter how small, do it. But if you're feeling so low, it feels like your head is on the ground, lift it just a little bit. That's a good enough first step. I know you might say its easy for me to say that, sitting on my positive perch today. But believe me, I know what its like to sit on the lowest step. The step that you just don't have it in you to get up from.  The one that keeps you so low, the only peace you get, is when your are locked away in a room, under a blanket, sleeping, because all the things/thoughts that are making you low have stopped for those few hours your eyes are closed. So like I said, just lift a little at at time. 

I have not spent the whole day watching Lego cartoons as I thought I would but all in all have still had a good day and am looking forward to my lie in tomorrow.

Have a great day, remember you are a unicorn and don't let anyone shit on your rainbow 💓

Meat Free

Seriously no meat whatsoever 

If your mind works on the same inappropriate sexual axis that mine does, you may be inclined to think, the title of today’s post is in reference to my lack of penis due to my dating status.  If not and you thought that I just made a meat free meal, you would be correct. 

If someone had told me a year ago, I would be able to actually enjoy, let alone cook a meat free meal myself, I would have said that, that person had hit the crack pipe way too hard that day. But what a difference a year can make. I have definitely cut down on my meat intake (and my penis intake - I’m less happy about the latter) over the last 12 months and I’m actually adapting to it.  Now all of you vegan’s out there, please do not throw your quinoa in the air in celebration, I’m not giving up meat for good. I’m not about that life. But I can definitely appreciate some contributions from your world. Not that the meal I made today was Vegan, more vegetarian. But I did try a lasagne made with lentils for the meat, butternut squash for the pasta and cashews and oat milk for the cheese aspect recently and you know I would happily eat it again.  Am I going to trade in chicken for chick peas........hmmmmmmm NO.  But they can both live in harmony on my plate. 

So today, after asking my vegan friend what I should have for dinner, he suggested a wrap.  Now that sounded like a good idea as I knew I had feta at home.  So I picked up some veggies and wraps after work and voila.  I have even attached a little video I made.  Please excuse my lack of filming & photography skills, I’m no Michael Bay.  However please do appreciate my beautiful kitchen.😍 Now I know your probably thinking  “You made a wrap, big deal”.  True, its not a big deal to make a wrap, its veggies and bread.  But it is a big deal for me to have tried a new recipe and to share it (with a video I might add, I’m going to see if I can go 2 for 2 and attach some pictures too) on my blog. Quite frankly I’m proud.  Rather than just go with something I may usually have for dinner, I decided to branch out.  

So the moral of the story is, a small task this may have been, nevertheless I  have done something new that I am proud of. Proving you need to take small steps as well as big ones to find out what you are made of. 

One small step for man, one giant leap for my tummy😂

Well I have got dishes to wash and frozen blueberries to eat.

Have a great day, remember you are a unicorn and don’t let anyone shit on your rainbow ❤

Frozen Blueberries

So as you can imagine being that this is my 3rd day of writing this blog, with no particular subject in mind, other than sheer randomness, I am stumped as to what to write about next.  So I figure i’d give a shout out to my favourite healthy snack....Frozen blueberries 😋

Why frozen? Because I love the cartoon 😂 Just kidding. Not about loving Frozen its an epic cartoon. (Please don’t anyone disagree i’d hate to have to punch you in the throat) It’s because I don’t like the texture of fresh blueberries, they feel weird in my mouth. For the at least 50% of the population that think like me, get your head out of the gutter. This is not a post about things that may or may not feel weird in my mouth - although put a pin in that we should definitely circle back to this subject at a later date. 

Now here’s the weird part.  I can’t  buy them frozen and eat them, I have to buy them fresh, freeze them and then let them defrost a little, so they are like little slush puppy balls.  I could literally eat bucket loads.  So much so that when I went to America last year to visit my sister, she had to buy a massive container and freeze them before I arrived.  She really is the best.  She’s probably the only person reading my blog posts (because she is the only person I have told I am writing them, I still haven’t quite plucked up the courage to let the whole world know yet, but I am still writing them so baby steps) but mainly because she is one of my biggest supporters in life.  

What’s most amazing about this relationship is that she is not my sister by blood. However she means more to me than some of my blood relatives combined.  Its crazy that we are taught that blood family is everything and that you have to stand by them, put up with their shit, have them continuously negatively impact your life because they are family. When in reality that’s horseshit.  I’m not trying to disrespect anyone’s family values or beliefs, all I’m saying is if blood family relatives hurt you, cause you drama and just add unnecessary stress to your life on a regular basis, its okay to get a machete and cut them out.  Its probably not okay to use that machete to cut them, but I will leave that decision with you.

On the flip side, if you have people in your life that help to lift you up, are by your side through any and everything its okay to call them family. They say blood is thicker than water, but if blood is drowning you, jump your ass in a lifeboat and head to the ocean. 

Just to be clear I have 2 sisters - The one I am referring to above “my adopted sister” and my baby sister (who we share the same dad but not mum's). People like to correct me and say “oh your half sister” No Linda “My Sister” Both of them are simply my sisters. I love them both, would die for them both (equally would kill for them both) and my life would be worst off without them in it. 

The same can  be said for a few of my friends. They have gotten me through some really tough times over the last few years and I am grateful to have them in my circle. You definitely do not need a football teams worth of friends,  just a few really goods ones.  Even just 1 or 2 will do.  I have had some very lonely times over the past couple of years that have taken me to some rather dark places, but having some great people in my life has helped me to find my fight and to not give up. Don’t get me wrong, giving up has been an option more times than I care to admit, but I haven’t yet and I’m working towards making sure I never do.

What do you know I found something to write about 😄 Here’s to hoping this shit keeps flowing.  So I have decided I am going to sign off my posts with the same positive message I sign off my walk the walk videos with (will post a video after my next walk)

Have a great day, remember you are a unicorn and don’t let anyone shit on your rainbow ❤

Oh yeah, I also have a brother 😂