Yesterday turned out to be a very special day. After 35+ years my mother became mortgage free(man). No help, just level headed money making decisions and perseverance. Along the way she provided my brother and I with everything we needed and more, she started her own business and funded some amazing adventures. I’m nothing but proud and in awe.
Salads:
Five spiced vegetables + black bean
Miso + ginger rice
Smokey aubergine pasta
Soup: Leek + potato
We decided to walk in Battersea park to warm up then we ran along the river. We trailed behind a gazelle (random woman) who set a good pace to keep up with. Suddenly the gazelle fell but in true antelopian fashion she got up bounced around, gave the all clear and we carried on. That is the mood for 2026 people, be a gazelle, and when you fall, get up and carry on!
Salads:
Med veg lentils
Spinach + herb rice
Mushroom ragu pasta
Soup: Lightly spiced vegetable madras
I walked through the common on my way home last night and took part in the game ‘dodge the runner’. It was as if I was playing a video game and I had set all the bots to run. I respect the new year, new me dedication but the common looks comedic with all the running paraphernalia. I will attempt to join the galloping crowd this evening but I have indulged in a little chain smoking, so I probably won’t reach 5k.
Salads:
Braised white beans with rosemary
Lemon + parsley rice
Roast pepper + tomato pasta
Soup: Lightly spiced carrot + chickpea
I was in Turin this weekend. Over the past year I’ve had an obsession with weekends away. Instead of spending £100 on a night out in London, I take the same budget and orchestrate 24 hours in foreign lands. Thus far the odds have been on my side and experienced some fantastic excursions. If you like logistics and planning I highly recommend.
Salads:
Winter veg chickpea curry
Lemon + rosemary rice
Sausage + ham pasta
Soup: Sweet potato + ginger
When a population grows, systems must be put in place to ensure the safety of the masses. These systems can sometimes shaft the average Joe (or Joan). Capitalists capitalise said systems to make a quick buck off of you and the majority accept as long as it provides convenience. I’d rather work a little harder and plan a little longer in an effort to not be a slave to convenience. Maybe then we could start putting the world to right.
Salads:
Cauliflower + potato curry
Lemon + ginger rice
Puttanesca pasta (no anchovy)
Soup: Tuscan tomato + borlotti beans
January sure is a shlug, but you can use the time wisely. The festive period is so intense with merriment and then we go into the most miserable month of the year. It’s been peaceful thus far but it seems there’s a few problems on the horizon. I won’t panic, just got to push through. That’s what we’re doing people, pushing through!
Salads:
Spiced sweet potato + chickpea
Herbed rice
Veggie pasta bake
Soup: Thai coconut chickpea
Sandwich: Fennel salami, Pecorino cheese, Jalapeno relish + tomato
I was so appreciative of the lack of people wishing the obligatory ‘Happy New Year’ upon our return to the grind. Lovingly, wake up and smell the tyranny. I can advocate sticking one’s head in the sand, but it’s impossible to ignore the abuse of human rights that is taking place across the world. So it’s a new year but ‘happy’ not so much.
Salads:
Thai spiced chickpea
Miso + crispy shallot rice
Roast pepper + tomato pasta
Soup: Smokey bean + tomato
We’re back. Where have we been? No where. What have been up to? Nothing. I’ve spent the last few weeks practicing the art of relaxing, this has been a tough task. How can one relax when there is nothing but mayhem beyond the threshold of ones abode? I pushed myself to explore the cafe culture that has festered in the city, mediocre, soulless and overpriced. I will miss waking up after sunrise and spending a lot of time outdoors but I’m gassed to be back, who’s ready to eat?
Salads:
Chilli non carne
Leek + dill rice
Sausage + ham pasta
Soup: Mild vegetable madras
This has been the best year i’ve had in a long time, it wasn’t even that spectacular but it was peaceful and I think that’s quite a sort after place to be. 2026 is looking juicy and I can’t wait to sink my teeth into the shenanigans on the horizon. Thank you to everyone that made this year worth living, I wish you all a peaceful festive period and a stupendous new year…apart from you Megan Barton, I hope your boiler breaks down.
I forgot how difficult puppies are. My weekend was spent consistently aggravated by the silky demon. Whenever you think you’ve had a breakthrough, they break you. Needless to say, training Moose wasn’t easy but the end product made the blood, sweat and tears (many tears) worth it. Being and Aunt/Uncle is great, because you can give them back. Let’s start the penultimate day of the year.
Salads:
Chickpea + sweet potato with mango + lime pickle dressing
Sicilian styled aubergine pasta
Soup: Lightly spiced broccoli
This weekend I will be looking after the silky demon (the brother of the silky peanut). He’s adorable, loving but he’s not the best at socialising with his own kind, i’m sure many of you can relate. I will endeavour to show this puppy that not all dogs deserve to be viciously barked at. Hopefully Moose will help me with some training but thus far he’s just staring at me as if to say ‘why do you invite these cretins into our space?’.
Menu:
Split pea + cauliflower,
Mushroom + tomato pasta
Soup: Sweet potato + ginger
I pottered into work a little bitter from the night before but the day has consisted of the sweetest string of customers. A soothing tone to heal my embittered mind. I’m expecting a few more familiar faces through the doors today, a spot of excitement to get me through the mundanity of the grind. The merriment is seeping into my skin.
Salads:
Peri peri cauliflower
Sumac rice
Cauliflower + cashew pesto pasta
Soup: Vegetable madras
I want to achieve so much in our time off but while the deli is open I can’t process the list of tasks I want to conquer. I’m relying on January dragging so I can attempt to start the year on the right foot. For now, I will let the demons whisper in the back of my mind and get on with the day to day. I will have plenty of time to break down when we’re closed.
Salads:
Winter veg chickpea curry
Lemon + turmeric rice
Tomato + basil pasta
Soup: Tuscan tomato
I like to observe, not only is it a fun pass time but it’s useful too. My observations tend to catch people off guard, like the way I remember your order, your likes, dislikes and quirks. My observations also help me greatly when I travel. Through this I managed to plan one of the most seamless weekend excursions one could experience. Venice was a wonderland, i’m itching to return to the city on water, I wish to feel that floating feeling once again.
Salads:
Beetroot goulash
Lemon + dill rice
Sausage + ham pasta
Soup: Lightly spiced vegetable
Sandwich: Fennel salami, Asiago cheese, Jalapeno relish + tomato
I have had after school activities everyday this week, it’s been swell but it leaves me mentally vacant in the morning. This isn’t a bad thing, it’s actually quite pleasant, peaceful even. The activities are set to continue this weekend as Deli squad will be venturing to Venice for our Christmas dinner, I can taste the pasticcini as I type. I simply can’t wait for what will be a beautifully chaotic adventure.
Salads:
Braised chickpeas
Chicken + tarragon rice
Baked veggie pasta
Soup: Spiced sweet potato
My dog did something quite incredible this morning. He woke me up. I slept through 4 alarms but the 5th one was accompanied by the whimpering of my dog, a sound that for some reason brings me out of heavy slumber. It could have been a fluke, but I think Moose has levelled up. That would be amazing.
Salads:
Coconut chickpea + sweet potato
Edamame + crispy shallot rice
Sicilian style aubergine pasta
Soup: Leek + potato
Some days I can put all of the worlds atrocities to the side and enjoy the blissful ease of the day to day, other times my brain is reluctant to be anything but angry. The lead up to Christmas doesn’t help much, endless, mindless consuming is a foot and many are due to receive their bonus for another year of tapping away at their keyboards like good little minions, detached. The world keeps turning, slowly burning but at least the Christmas lights are pretty in the winter darkness.
Salads:
Chilli non carne
Spinach + herb rice
Mushroom ragu pasta
Soup: Med veg lentils
It’s going to be a full throttle week. Between the Christmas catering and personal vendettas, this week will throw everything at me. Am I prepared? Of course not, but am I intrigued to see how the days unfold? You bet I am. For now, we’ll just get through Monday.
Salads:
Med veg lentil
Leek + dill rice
Sausage + ham pasta
Soup: Tuscan tomato
Sandwich: Spicy salami, gorgonzola, Onion relish + tomato
I was uninspired yesterday. It felt like trying to start a fire in the woods and when there was a flicker of warmth rain would come and dampen flame. Luckily I work in an establishment that provides a plethora of foods for me to eat my feelings. I slept heavy last night, woke up late this morning but there is optimism on the horizon in the form of a black coffee and mince pie.
Salads:
Mushroom cacciatore
Lemon + rosemary rice
Tomato + basil pasta
Soup: Indian spiced cauliflower + potato
I was an angry kid, this might be surprising because obviously nowadays i’m a bundle of joy (lol). It’s been a journey to get here but I didn’t do it alone. One of the characters that helped to shift me into the light is celebrating 30 years on this earth but now she lives on the other side of the world. Nevertheless today is her day. I will listen to ‘For Good’ on repeat and remember the good times in an effort to blur the never ending misery that is life.
Salads:
Peri peri cauliflower + split peas
Carrot + dill rice
Cheesy potato bake
Soup: Thai coconut chickpea