Day 825 Keep it stepping

Everything is going left but we keep it stepping people! The electrics keep switching (brace for blackouts) and the coffee machine is still MIA but I have just sat at my desk for 2 hours and banged out a ton of admin so I’m flying high! I’m trying my hardest to remain positive in what is honestly the peakest situation of my year so far (and I started 2023 with a broken roof in 100% precipitation)

Salads:

Peri peri cauliflower + split peas

Ginger + spring onion rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Panzanella with feta

Soup: Chilled Gazapacho

Sandwich: Milano salami, Smoked mozzarella, Jalapeno relish + tomato

Day 824 Classic Monday

I’ve spent my entire morning calling various companies and having to endure the worst hold music. It’s not been the happiest Monday. On top of that our coffee machine had a breakdown and she’s still in a coma. Alas, it shall not get me down, there’s more to life than espresso…apparently.

Salads:

Mexican beans

Spinach + herb rice

Leek, black olive + tomato pasta

Roast vegetable salad with croutons + salted ricotta

Soup: Chilled Gazpacho OR Spiced roast vegetable

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

Day 823 Moist rush

I woke up as half a human this morning. After walking to work in the rain and smacking out numerous variations of breakfast sandwiches for the hungover SW4 population I’m starting to feel conscious again. I intend to have a peaceful weekend but I can’t wait for the lunch rush, it’s going to be a moist but busy day.

Salads:

Pumpkin + sweet potato coconut curry

Miso + tofu rice

Roast pepper + tomato pasta

Sausage, bacon + potato ‘hot pot’ style

Soup: Potato, cougette + rosemary

Day 822 Here comes the darkness

It’s the last day of August. Time to get out your autumn attire, start planning indoor activities, oh wait, no need because this has been a piss poor excuse for a summer. It’s 10 degrees and drizzling. I still have hope that we will have an abnormally warm winter. Come on climate change, do your thing.

Salads:

Chilli non carne

Lemon + garlic rice

Tomato + basil pasta

Soup: Lightly spiced brown lentil

Sandwich: Fennel salami, Asiago cheese, Spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 821 I rest my case

Happy hump day! I will composing a power point presentation (with visuals and animations) later on to explain to a company why they’re incompetent. I can’t do legal jargon but I can make a mean power point thanks to Mr Baylor in ICT. Hell hath no fury like a petty deli owner.

Salads:

Chilli non carne

Spiced sweetcorn rice

Roast squash + rosemary pasta

Soup: Spiced sweet potato

Day 820 The morning after

That was a long weekend, I feel like I haven’t been at the deli in ages. We have just under month left until we close for 3 weeks and I am gunning for this break. I love my job, I am my job, my job is me but Jesus make it stop. Distance makes the heart grow fonder and I feeling like the deli and I will benefit greatly from some time apart.

Salads:

Med veg lentils

Spinach + herb rice

Mushroom ragu pasta

Cheesy potato gratin

Soup: Tuscan tomato

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

Day 819 Bruk it down

A bank holiday weekend? Don’t mind if I do! This weekend will be bittersweet as my Australian baddie will be leaving me once again. I might drown out my sorrows with nothing but bass at carnival. Shockingly, Frankie hasn’t a clue about Notting Hill. The temptation to drag him to the carnage and see him in fight or flight mode is very enticing.

Salads:

Thai spiced beans

Edamame + crispy shallot rice

Roast vegetable ragu pasta

Mango potatoes

Soup: Lightly spiced vegetable

Day 818 Straight to the heart of love

I’ve tried to convince Dragon to watch my favourite movie since we were teenagers. Last night on the eve of my Mothers birthday we finally watched Country Bears. I was so happy I almost combusted, what an evening! Today I woke up to grizzly grey skies and dreading thought of the 12 hour shift ahead of me. Sucks dude.

Salads:

Five spiced veg + aduki bean

Ginger + crispy shallot rice

Cauliflower + cashew pesto pasta

Noodle salad with bean curd

Sandwich: Cumberland sausage, Cheddar cheese, Fig relish + tomato

Day 817 Careless

I’m so excited to get home this evening. We’re having a big family meal cooked by the artist formally known as Dragon. It’s important to not let your work rule your life, sometimes sandwiches and salads can be all consuming but slowly i’m teaching myself to care less and find joy somewhere other than between two slices of bread.

Salads:

Rosecoco beans + roast peppers

Spinach + herb rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Fregola salad with crabstick

Soup: Tuscan Tomato

Day 816 Routine animal

I feel like i’m in a dream at the moment. I (like many) have routines throughout the day, small things, like the way you put yourself together in the morning and how you wind down at night. All of the routines have changed for the foreseeable future and i’m wondering when it will feel like normality again. It’s not that I dislike my current situation, i’m just lacking structure.

Salads:

Peri peri cauliflower + split peas

Leek + dill rice

Courgette, tomato + basil pasta

Sweet potato curry with paneer

Soup: Sweet potato, tomato + ginger

Sandwich: Milano salami, Fontina cheese, Jalapeno relish + tomato

Day 815 Holibobs

A social life can really take it out of you. I feel like this weekend was a little holiday so being at work this morning has thrown me off. I can’t say i’m on top form but we’re getting through it. Hopefully by the end of lunch rush reality will hit and i’ll be in work mode again. But right now, lethargic.

Salads:
Indian spiced coconut curry
Ginger + turmeric rice
Roast pepper pasta
Croutoned mushroom salad
Sandwich: Pastrami beef, Brie, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 814 Commitment issues

I don’t like to plan ahead which bewilders some members of my household. I like to take each day as it comes. How many times have you made plans with someone and then when it finally comes round to the day you’re sitting at home having to hype yourself to go out. I don’t have this problem anymore because I don’t make commitments.

Salads:

Moroccan spiced chickpeas

Sumac + chive rice

Smokey aubergine + tomato pasta

Panzanella

Soup: Tuscan tomato

Sandwich: Chorizo, Asiago cheese, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 813 Blessed to be stress

The streets are calmer and so is the deli but it’s weird, we’re still heaving at lunchtime. I’m enjoying the leisurely mornings. I’ve started watching The Bear after being hounded to watch it. Bitches love a show that glamourizes the stress infested career path that is hospitality. Sure, it’s entertaining to watch but when you live it as well it becomes less enjoyable viewing, in my humble opinion.

Salads:

Chickpea + lentil braise

Lemongrass + ginger rice

Tomato + basil pasta

Mushroom + potato salad with bacon crumb

Soup: Tuscan tomato

Sandwich: Roast lamb, Manchego cheese, Onion relish + dill pickles

Day 812 Give them an inch and they’ll take a mile

It’s important to not be overly critical even if it’s all constructive. You can sugar coat things and pay a couple compliments before you go into the negatives but this can backfire as some people let compliments go to their head. Remain humble at all times because as soon as you start pumping your chest all you do is make the target bigger.

Salads:

Thai spiced curry with aduki beans

Kimchi rice (not vegan)

Leek, black olive + tomato pasta

Korean spiced tofu noodle salad

Soup: Chilled Gazpacho

Sandwich: Garlic salami, Provola cheese, Spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 811 Up and at em

Good morning world, did you sleep well? Surprisingly I did, even though i’m slumming it on our sofa at the moment I had a peaceful slumber. I’m excited for the day ahead, we’ve been quite busy this morning which is my preferred way to start the day because it’s like a shot of adrenaline that is no match for my morning coffee.

Salads:

Med veg lentils

Red pepper rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Mushroom, Crouton + ricotta salata salad

Soup: Mild vegetable madras

Day 810 Full house

What a busy weekend. We went axe throwing and I was NOT the ninja I was hoping i’d be. My Brother has moved back home for a short period of time, the first 24 hours has gone well (that was surprising). Now we’re going to add a little spice as my bestest baddest bitch from down under is FINALLY back in London. It’s going to be a jammed packed fortnight.

Salads:

Chilli non carne

Spinach + herb rice

Courgette + Pea pasta

Chickpea curry

Soup: Sweet potato + ginger

Sandwich: Spicy salami, Brie, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 809 Friyay

You’ll never believe it, I’ve got that Friday feeling! YEAH BABY! We’re a little quieter in the mornings at the moment so I took advantage of the fact and sat with a few people and enjoyed my morning brew. I had a little glimpse into a Thursday on Clapham High Street last night so i’m still expecting my hungover zombies to start queuing any minute now.

Salads:

Chickpea curry with jack fruit

Lemon + cumin rice

Roast vegetable ragu pasta

Roast mushroom panzanella

Soup: 5 spice beans

Sandwich: Fennel salami, fontina cheese, chilli relish + tomato

Day 808 We’re all alone in this together

It’s so easy to let this life consume you. I can handle it but after a series of unfortunate events sometimes it’s easier to just go inside yourself. Lucky for me, i’ve got a TT support system and i’m starting to come back to the surface. Moose is at the vets today because he has a grass seed in his ear, so there won’t be entertainment for the queue today.

Salads:

Thai spiced coconut curry

Rainbow rice

French bean + tomato pasta

Tuna potato salad

Soup: Gazpacho

Sandwich: Pastrami, Smoked mozzarella, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 807 Fly high

I’m surprisingly chipper this morning. With the help of a little green leaf I have managed to heighten my mood to a level where I can deal with the day. We all get a little dependent every now and again but i’m a problem solver, my mood was a problem and i’ve found (at least) a temporary solution. Onwards and upwards.

Salads:

Japanese pumpkin + split peas

Lemongrass + lime rice

Cauliflower + cashew pesto pasta

Potato gratin

Soup: Tomato, ginger + chickpea

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

Day 806 Fruity

The Aztec word for avocado is āhuacatl. This also means testicle in the Nahuatl language. This is just a fun fact that I thought you should know. Talk about low hanging fruit aye? Buon Appetito!

Salads:

Black beans in black bean sauce

Edamame + crispy shallot rice

Roast pepper pasta

Teriyaki tofu noodles

Soup: Indian spiced vegetables