Day 911 In my head

I take in a lot of information on a daily basis so my mind is always working overtime. I live in my head, I can conduct a complex conversation and not be present. Sometimes I attempt to live in the now but there’s too many moving parts that are out of my control so I end up reverting back to my mental wonderland. I’m aware this is abnormal, i’m lucky I have Dragon by my side because she’s a fantastic translator between me and the real world.

Salads:

Red pepper + white bean

Rosemary + garlic rice

Smokey aubergine + tomato pasta

Soup: Velvet mushroom

Day 910 From your secret admirer

The Romans worshipped many Gods so when Saint Valentine started marrying star crossed lovers under the eyes of the Lord he was martyred, RIP. Today is not the day to celebrate your relationship (or in most cases situationship) but to shoot your shot at that person who you’ve always wondered ‘what if?’. Don’t be afraid of rejection, it’s part of life so live a little but for f*ck sake celebrate the day for the right reasons not because you’re a slave to capitalism.

Salads:

Peri peri cauliflower + split peas

Ginger + spring onion rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Chicken + mushroom ragu with polenta croutons

Soup: Lightly spiced lentil

Sandwich: Milano salami, Chilli pecorino, chilli relish + tomato

Day 909 I wouldn't change a thing

Today is shrove Tuesday, known to the pagans as pancake day. The idea behind this is that you need to use up the eggs and butter in your house to prepare for the 40 days of lent. You should strip back your day to day luxuries and work on yourself, realign with the bare necessities in life. Or, you can just have pancakes for dinner and go on as you already do and continue being the version of yourself that we all tolerate because self criticism is a skill that very few possess. You’re perfect just the way you are.

Salads:

Moroccan lentils

Sumac rice

Mushroom ragu pasta

Soup: Lightly spiced broccoli + potato

Day 908 Not a fan of living

I had a lovely weekend which has left me feeling optimistic about the week ahead. I’d love to try and stay on top of my work and responsibilities this week. I’ve been napping a lot recently and I think it’s my way of avoiding life. Who stayed up to watch the Superbowl? I don’t know if you saw but Taylor Swift was there! OMG she’s just the best isn’t she?!

Salads:

Chilli non carne

Spinach + herb rice

Roast pepper + tomato pasta

Soup: Five spice vegetables

Sandwich: Cumberland sausage, Cheddar cheese, Apple & ale relish + tomato

Day 907 Period.

My body has been working against me this week. I pride myself on having a high pain threshold but yesterday took the biscuit. There’s nothing like being in the midst of a conversation and your ovaries just decide to start screaming and you have to suck it up and keep a straight face. You’d have no patience too if your body was beating the shit out of you from the inside out. What will I be doing this weekend? Wishing I had testicles.

Salads:

Five spiced veg + aduki bean

Miso + soya rice

Roast squash ragu pasta

Teriyaki tofu noodles

Day 906 Sigh and move on

I would love to stop and chat but i’ve spent my morning nattering away and now i’m behind on my daily duties. I love a good pessimistic chat, where you’re able to find the comedy in the disjointed and unorganised state of the world. I love chatting conspiracy theories and political affairs. Though the reality is depressing it’s way more interesting then your love life.

Salads:

Gungo peas with jerk jackfruit

Lemon + chive rice

Cauliflower + pumpkin seed pasta

Mushroom + potato braise

Soup: Carrot, beetroot + potato

Sandwich: Garlic salami, Provola cheese, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 905 Fashionista? Barely know her!

I hate shopping. When I was a duckling my mother would drag me around and put me in the most uncomfortable garments in the hopes that I would inherit her incredible fashion sense. This backfired because now I live and breath sports wear. I put off buying new clothes until it becomes an absolute necessity because the crowds, bright lights and shop assistants are some of the ingredients in my nightmares.

Salads:

Black bean + sweet potato coconut curry

Miso + ginger rice

Baked bacon pasta

Soup: Spiced chickpea

Day 904 Seething in the dungeon

I’m so uninspired on this windy Tuesday. It’s so difficult to find something positive to talk about. I put my thinking cap on and now i’m just in a pit of despair. Alas, the world keeps turning and I have a job to do, so I can’t hide in the basement all day. Lucky for me, my Mother is a culinary genius who knows how to chef up a meal that will pacify my thoughts.

Salads:

Chickpea + aubergine braise

Red pepper rice

Bacon, artichoke + tomato pasta

Cheesy croutoned bake

Soup: Leek, dill + potato

Sandwich: Pastrami beef, Goats cheese, Shredded beetroot relish, mustard + tomato

Day 903 For God's sake do something

My mind is discombobulated today. I have a ton of work to do and yet i’ve sat at my desk for the past half hour just watching the time pass. I could blame this behaviour on neurodiversity but that would just be an excuse for my short comings. Thing is, if I don’t put in the work no one else will so i’m hoping the idea of the stress I will have to encounter will inspire me enough to put my mind, body and soul into 3rd gear.

Salads:

Braised borlotti beans + mushroom ragu

Spinach + herb rice

Tomato, basil + french bean pasta

Med veg + halloumi

Soup: Spiced lentil

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

Day 902 Gotta get through this

All I have to do is get through the day. I did not stop yesterday and that has left me yearning for my bed. As I unpacked the bread order this morning all I could see was the literal mountain of work I have committed myself to. Game face on I’m ready to carpe diem bitches.

Salads:

Med veg lentils

Sumac rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Sweetcorn + tomato

Sandwich: Roast lamb, Manchego cheese, Spicy peach relish + dill pickles

Day 901 You live in a fantasy world

So i’ve been watching a bit of anime as of late and I’m really getting into it. I can appreciate the stunning animation but i’ve never been into the fantasy of it all. However, with the world in such a dire state anime makes for a great form of escapism, rather than watching a true crime drama. I don’t want to be reminded that there are a multitude of sicko’s in my vicinity!

Salads:

Peperonata + white beans

Tomato + basil rice

Roast squash ragu pasta

Soup: Tuscan tomato

Day 900 Taking stock

I think I should start journaling. Not so I can analyse my feelings (I do that enough already) but more so I can recall the countless scenarios I have to endure on a daily. I cope by forgetting about yesterday and not thinking about tomorrow but I worry that I might forget some things completely! If I asked you what was the best day of your life what would be your answer? If it’s your wedding day or the birth of your child then i’d press you to look a little deeper…

Salads:

Mung bean curry

Lemon + garlic rice

Baked veggie pasta

Chickpea, paneer + potato

Soup: Roast mushroom

Sandwich: Pastrami beef, Brie, Chilli relish + Tomato

Day 899 I cba

I’m too nice. This might seem like a joke if you consider the way I talk to and about people but I’d still argue that i’m too nice. You see, I was brought up by the most formidable mother who is still the most intelligent person i’ve ever met but we differ when it comes to how to communicate. She will compose an eloquent yet cutting rebuttal to your misconstrued thoughts. I however have given up and so I will try any avenue to get out of giving you my actual opinion.

Salads:

Paprika roasted cauliflower + white bean

Rainbow rice

Leek, black olive + tomato pasta

Soup: Spiced vegetable

Day 898 All systems down

We’ve had no internet at home all weekend. This is a very first world problem which means every rant i’ve had has been seeped in embarrassment that a lack of WIFI has such an effect on my life. I couldn’t mindlessly scroll through Instagram or google the answer to the many questions that float around my mind. To be fair i’ve just googled ‘why are we going to war with Russia?’ and i’m still none the wiser.

Salads:

Thai spiced coconut curry

Edamame + crispy shallot rice

Mushroom ragu pasta

Braised black eyed beans with sausage + ham

Soup: Vegetable madras

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

Day 897 Self improvement

I’m really feeling the love this week. I’ve received so many compliments which makes for a nice change! I’m awful at receiving compliments, I tend to return with a snarky comment or just an awkward stare but i’m working on it. I hope to improve some of my insecurities this year but this will take some trial and error. I don’t think my interrogative tendencies are a negative but I can understand if it makes you uncomfortable.

Salads:

Mexican beans

Cumin roasted spinach rice

Cauliflower + pumpkin seed pesto pasta

Soup: Spiced lentil + vegetable

Day 896 Seek discomfort

I feel like my generation consists of a lot of introverted extroverts. When in our small groups we’re the life of the party but when you go into a foreign space with new people your brain convinces you that you’re not capable of being social. We end up in our routines that comfort us until you get this restless feeling like you’re not seizing life to the fullest. Supposedly, but i’m still content with my little life, for now, supposedly.

Salads:

Braised white bean + tomato

Herbed rice

Smokey aubergine + tomato pasta

Soup: Lightly spiced lentil

Sandwich: Speck ham, Asiago cheese, Jalapeno relish + tomato

Day 895 Jan-when will it end-uary

The whole idea with opening half way through January was to make the month less painful. January is a miserable month and it’s really quiet in the deli. Without the people to serve my mind wonders and it becomes a mission to concentrate so the vibe can go either way today. In other news Dragon and I have started playing scrabble, it has been a delightful pastime for the winter evenings.

Salads:

Moroccan spiced lentils

Sumac + preserved lemon rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Smokey bean + tomato

Day 894 Political peak

I have sat at my desk and written countless paragraphs which have all been deleted because I feel they’re a little too political. I seem to start positive every time and then I just go into a thick rant about the oppression in the east. They’re great paragraphs but they might be a little to dark for this drizzly day.

Salads:

Oriental spice aubergine + aduki bean

Miso + ginger rice

Mushroom ragu pasta

Soup: Carrot + ginger

Sandwich: Chorizo, Manchego cheese, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 893 Live a little

I had a good weekend, a happy medium between work and pleasure. It can be difficult to maintain a healthy work life balance, this year i’m making a conscious effort to not obsess over the deli and attempt to live a little. For some this might mean travelling or indulging in the luxuries life has to offer. For me it means not spending my ‘free time’ in the basement of 26 North Street.

Salads:

Chilli non carne

Spinach + herb rice

Roast vegetable ragu pasta

Croutoned bake

Soup: Tuscan tomato

Day 892 Question time

When that 15 year old girl died from an allergic reaction to Pret A Manger baguette the government passed Natasha’s allergy law in the hope that no one would needlessly die from ‘badly’ labelled food. Nearly 25,000 have been killed and our government is still endorsing the badly labelled IDF. Who has to die to convince our governing powers that this is not a cause to endorse? Happy Friday y’all.

Salads:

Thai spiced coconut curry

Lemongrass rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Tomato, Cumin + spinach

Sandwich: Pastrami beef, Brie, Spicy peach relish + Tomato