Day 761 This is Sparta

Okay people here we go, the day i’ve been dreading. We’re rocking a 3 piece band today and I am nervous as hell about the show. All we have to do is survive the next 8 hours. In other news I drove our big orange beast of a pick up truck from Croydon to Clapham without a single blip. I’m gassed. Also some of you have enquired about the ‘love letter’ from a few weeks back, a poem was given in return and there has been no passing of paper since.

Salads:

Moroccan spiced lentils

Sumac rice

Leek, Black olive + tomato pasta

Panzanella

Soup: Indian spiced sweet potato

Sandwich: Spicy salami, Pecorino cheese, Spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 760 Didn't see that coming

I got in early this morning to do some extra prep for the day ahead. One of the things I love about work is that I never know what the day will entail. The down side to this is that when we’re a member of staff down the surprises that come through the door can destroy all the planning and prepping we’ve done to try and make the day go smoothly. What are the chances of having two weeks with no surprises?

Salads:

Ginger + turmeric mung bean

Cumin roasted carrot rice

Smokey aubergine + tomato pasta

Soup: Courgette, tomato + basil

Sandwich: Milano salami, Brie, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 759 Rise and grind

Another Friday rolls around. I’m feeling a little uninspired. There’s a long ‘to do’ list and no time to get anything done. At least it’s just me and the sandwiches today. I’m trying not to think about the coming weeks. We’re going to be missing a member of staff for the next 2 weeks which means I will be enduring early mornings and hard working days. But hey, TGIF am I right?

Salads:

Med veg lentils

Red pepper rice

Sausage + ham ragu pasta

Fregola salad

Soup: Sweet potato + ginger

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

Day 758 Reflection

I over analyse everything, e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. This weekend I had a lapse in judgement and conducted myself seemingly poorly. I’ve come to this conclusion after much contemplation and discussion. I accept my wrong doings but what’s interesting is how others haven’t done the same. There’s no smoke without fire, dry ice is the only exception. You know this isn’t dry ice. #allteaallshade

Salads:

Peri peri cauliflower +split peas

Rosemary + chilli rice

Roast squash ragu pasta

Chickpea + beetroot feta dressed salad

Soup: Tuscan tomato + red pepper

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

Day 757 Distraction

It’s been a docile morning. I will take advantage of this quiet time to get some boring admin done. It’s hard to centre my mind, sit at a desk and get stuff done. How do people do it? I get so distracted by the internet, like why am am I sitting here looking at the property market in Clapham with a YouTube doc about Pangea playing in the background? I am the ultimate procrastinator.

Salads:

Chilli non carne

Spinach + herb rice

Roast pepper + almond pesto pasta

Sausage salad

Soup: Sweetcorn, potato + ginger

Day 756 Milano

I am in a daze. This weekend was such a 180 from normality. I’ve never indulged in bank holiday travel, it was amazing but now we have to return to reality which makes the weekend seem like a distant memory. I’ve heard mixed reviews about Milan but to me it’s very similar to London, if you know where to go and avoid tourist traps it’s a great weekend getaway city.

Salads:

Chickpea + sweet potato curry

Ginger + turmeric rice

Mushroom + tomato pasta

Korean spiced sausage + ham noodles

Soup: Indian spiced vegetables

Sandwich: Cumberland sausage, Provola cheese, Fig jam + tomato

Day 725 Andiamo in Italia!

The family is heading to Milan this weekend. Sounds dreamy but it cost an arm and a leg and the logistics are a nightmare. I wish we were going for a week but 48 hours will have to do. Between meeting up with numerous family members I will be sure to stop at every pasticceria and panetteria I can. It’s going to be a calorific weekend, i’m dribbling just thinking about it.

Salads:

Thai spiced coconut curry

Lemon + ginger rice

Cauliflower + cashew pesto pasta

Chefs salad

Soup: Tuscan tomato

Sandwich: Roast beef, camembert cheese, Jalapeno relish + tomato

Day 724 If my life was a movie

My sitcom analogy yesterday was in full force today. Every being that’s walked through those deli doors has come in with a different conundrum that has to do with adulting. Today alone i’ve encountered 20 different great story lines for a TV show. We all joke about it, but if I had the time I would be able to write a great series that would rival the genius of Friends. If you’re of the opinion that Friends is overrated you’re a pagon.

Salads:

Black eyed beans with roast peppers

Spinach + herb rice

Courgette, tomato + savoy cabbage pasta

Crab stick potato salad

Sandwich: Chorizo, smoked mozzarella + chilli relish

Soup: Leek, potato + tomato

Day 723 Adulting

I’ve started watching Grey’s Anatomy. Last nights episode theme was adulting and the responsibilities that come with being an adult. It hit home for me. I took over the deli when I was 18 with no idea of the kind of responsibility I would be taking on. 7 years later and i’m still learning but one thing I do know is being an adult is overrated. I miss the days when my biggest concern was navigating the best TFL route to get to a motive and how to drink tactically so I could perform hungover the next day.

Salads:

Ginger + turmeric split peas

Coconut + lemon rice

Roast pepper + tomato pasta

Croutoned salad with salted ricotta

Soup: Indian spiced chickpea + potato

Day 722 BPM 120

I had a lovely evening. The dog and I went on a south west trek. I had an 80’s playlist in my ears and and zoot in my hands. On the final stretch of our walk a fox started creeping up on Moose. I started panicking so I picked up the pace trying to get to the main road. Just as we were nearing the safety of commotion the fox screamed and ran at Moose but the fox chickened out and I avoided scraping a 4 legged beast.

Salads:

Moroccan spiced lentils

Sumac rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Tofu + bean concoction

Soup: Lightly spiced lentils

Sandwich: Fennel salami, Provola piccante, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 721 Surrender and die

I went paintballing this weekend. It was fun until I got shot in the back of the head. It hurt more because I was surrendering when some tit decided to take their shot. It’s amazing how seriously people take these things. 8 year olds suddenly turned into army generals discussing tactics to ‘take down the enemy’. It was surreal.

Salads:

Thai spiced coconut curry

Edamame + crispy shallot rice

Roast vegetable ragu pasta

Korean spiced noodles with tofu

Soup: Borlotti bean + tomato

Day 720 Must dash

Where has the time gone?! I’ve been active from start to finish everyday this week, sitting down is a treat at the moment. I nearly fell asleep while getting my nails done yesterday. I might have to become a loner again just so I can have some time for me. Unfortunately I’ve surrounded myself with a bunch of people whose company I really enjoy so I find it difficult to say no to hanging out. The result of this is sleep deprivation and a long ‘to do’ list.

Salads:

Med veg lentils

Lemon + garlic rice

Leek, black olive + tomato pasta

Feta dressed panzanella

Soup: Spiced potato + ginger

Day 719 Buttery

My eyes are glazed over. This might be due to the large amount of Donkey Butter I smoked yesterday. I don’t know why it’s called that but we move on. I have to get my head in the game. Sun’s out, hun’s out it’s going to be so busy. After work I intend to take full advantage of this stich of sunshine and go on a bike ride to Lillywhite’s. I love Lillywhite’s.

Salads:

Tuscan bean

Herbed rice

Courgette, tomato + oregano pasta

Paneer + potato curry

Soup: Tuscan tomato

Sandwich: Spiced roast pork, Asiago cheese, Spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 718 Apocalypse

What are you bringing to the table in a zombie apocalypse? I think this is a good way of determining your worth in society. The internet is a thing of the past and we have to resort to our animalistic roots. What is your skill? Mother is a technophobe which means she encouraged my Brother and I to develop our dexterity. It’s all well and good to think humans are the top of the food chain but when the internet is down what do you do?

Salads:

peri peri cauliflower + white bean

Red pepper rice

Smokey aubergine + tomato pasta

Bacon, mushroom + potato braise

Soup: Spinach, potato, ginger + turmeric

Day 717 Learning

I’m learning how to drive. My instructor is super docile and says that I have to be more patient (my road rage comes in the form of speeding). This is a constructive criticism. However, my instructor hates entitled drivers. When driving on a residential road, a Mercedes (surprise, surprise) tried to squeeze me out and my instructor slammed on the brakes, put down my window and shouted at him. Meanwhile I'm staring off into the distance waiting for this embarrassing altercation to end.

Salads:

Vegetable curry with split peas

Coconut, turmeric + sultana rice

Mushroom ragu pasta

Potato + spinach cheesy bake

Soup: Tomato, potato + rosemary

Sandwich: Napoli salami, Manchego cheese, Jalapeno relish + tomato

Day 716 Euro

Eurovision was epic this year, Finland should have won. I love Loreen, Euphoria is a huge tune but this year there were better performances. Other than that my weekend was very enjoyable the sun was out as were the bum cheeks on Clapham Common.

Salads:

Mexican beans

Rosemary + garlic rice

Roast vegetable ragu pasta

Fregola with spiced chickpeas

Soup: Green lentils, Broccoli + ginger

Sandwich: Spicy salami, Manchego cheese, Jalapeno relish + tomato

Day 715 TLC

I decided to treat myself to some TLC last night. Face mask, hot shower, cuticle care, fat spliff etc. Woke up this morning (praise the lord) and felt sloth like. Got to work and it’s been pedal to the metal ever since. I don’t think any amount to TLC will ever wash away the stress of this little deli in Old Town. Anyway, now I’m going to unpack 100kg of chickpeas.

Salads:

Smokey lentils + aubergine

Sumac rice

Pork + beef ragu pasta

Panzanella styled salad with roast mushroom + salted ricotta

Soup: Courgette, rosemary + potato

Day 714 Pathetic fallacy

What a morning. A letter has been written to be returned to the nameless stranger, we will update you as the story unfolds. As for deli news and forecast, there’s a general lack of patience in the air and it’s set to rain later on which means it will be a hectic rush. Try to encourage people to move inside the premises to get out of the moist exterior. Enjoy the show, it’s set to be an interesting one.

Salads:

Thai spiced black eyed beans

Ginger + miso rice

Courgette, tomato, spinach + pea pasta

Spiced bean curd noodle salad

Soup: Celeriac + apple

Sandwich: Mortadella ham, Pecorino cheese, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 713 Stranger danger

Everyone has a morning commute. Same route, similar time almost everyday. We see the same faces that have the same routine as you but you don’t know their destination or even who they are. Now imagine one of these recurring strangers passes you a note with random poetry on it with no explanation…what would you do the next time you see them?

Salads:

Chilli non carne

Spinach + herb rice

Roast squash ragu pasta

Chicken, bacon + potato braise

Soup: Sweet potato, tomato + ginger

Sandwich: Napoli salami, Smoked mozzarella, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 712 Fungi

We eat food and we don’t think about what it does to our bodies when our digestive system breaks it down. Like milk, what does it do when it’s inside us? What effects does it have on us? I ate some mushrooms this weekend and then about an hour after consuming the fungi my brain was in another dimension. Who discovered that and then managed to convince people to come along for the journey? I might add them into my next spag bowl…would make for a fun dinner party.

Salads:

Five spiced veg + aduki beans

Edamame + crispy shallot rice

Cauliflower + cashew pesto pasta

Spinach + potato bake

Soup: Indian spiced vegetable