Day 981 Part of that world

Envy is a natural feeling. I’m envious all the live long day, especially when the weather is looking so inviting. Walking round the common at 8am or an early gym sesh, having your coffee at the establishment from whence it came rather than taking it away because you can’t stop, technically being at work because you’re in the zoom call but you’re out getting lunch, booking a last minute getaway because you own your weekends, calling in sick because you need an urgent dose of R&R. Must be nice.

Salads:

Moroccan spiced lentils

Sumac + lemon rice

Mushroom ragu pasta

Chickpea + paneer braise

Soup: Indian spiced chickpea + tomato

Day 980 Carved a place in my heart

After visiting a couple of food establishments this weekend I’ve decided to spark up my reviews again. It’s time to put these trendy eateries under my microscope, separate the clout and the food to determine is that place actually good or are we just following the herd. I found myself at a Toby Carvery this weekend, laugh if you want but it slapped in every category.

Salads:

5 spiced veg with black bean

Edamame + crispy shallot rice

Sausage + ham ragu pasta

Baked veggie pasta

Soup: Sriracha spiced chickpea

Sandwich: Sausage, cheddar, caramelised onion relish, BBQ mayo + tomato

Day 979 Feeling warm inside and out

Be warned, i’m working the counter today. It’s been a really good week, this is mainly because of my junior customers who have brought in some zesty conversations and amazing art pieces but the adults have been bearable too. I’m sure it will be absolute raucous this lunchtime so I will probably be numb by 3pm. Yay for the May bank holiday!

Salads:

Ginger + turmeric chickpeas

Lemon + herb rice

Tomato + french bean pasta

Panzanella style salad with mushroom + parmesan

Soup: Spiced chickpea + tomato

Day 978 No rainbows without rain

It’s so easy to look at all the things you’d like to change about your life. Put yourself in an alternative universe or just make a couple tweaks to your reality but it’s also important to appreciate the good parts no matter how small. I’m guilty of concentrating on the negative, luckily I have a beautiful network of people around me who effortlessly poke positivity into my dark heart.

Salads:

Braised beans with tomato + rosemary

Sweetcorn + sriracha rice

Roast vegetable ragu pasta

Day 977 Drizzly downer

Geographically the weather does make sense but it’s so jarring. I was not in the appropriate clothing for the level of precipitation yesterday but I accepted the soaking. I looked like a waterboarded rat by the time I got home. It’s another drizzly one today, wet Moose looks like a punk rocker.

Salads:

Peri peri cauliflower

Sumac + cumin rice

Roast squash ragu pasta

Braised potato with chicken + mushroom

Soup: Sweet potato + ginger

Sandwich: Cooked ham, Smoked mozzarella, spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 976 Anywhere but here

I’ve been a busy bee this morning so I am pumped! My weekend has inspired me to carpe diem a little more but that will have to wait as we have a crowd to feed. I wish I could work remotely. I try not to scroll through the deli’s insta account as it’s filled with marathon runners and crystal clear waters of some far off land. SW4 is nice but it’s not Sicily.

Salads:
Thai spiced coconut curry

Miso + crispy shallot rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Mushroom salad with parmesan shavings and croutons

Soup: Indian spiced cauliflower + potato

Day 975 Back to life

For the first time in forever I actually had a weekend, a whole weekend without the deli. What an experience, is this how the other half live? Yesterday was idyllic, we trekked to Kent for some English wilderness and boy did it deliver. I will spend today in a state of bliss living off yesterday’s vibes. Bring on the bank holiday!

Salads:

Black lentil curry

Lemon + turmeric rice

Leek, black olive + tomato pasta

Beetroot, chickpea + dill

Soup: Tuscan tomato

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

Day 974 Get it while it's hot

I’m excited for the weekend ahead. I’m going to attempt to enjoy my weekend by participating in fun pastimes. We have to get through the Friday rush first but it looks like it will end sooner rather than later as the sandwiches have been flying out the door today! The afternoon is set to be filled with disappointment for the carb hunting crowd.

Salads:

Braised chickpeas

Red pepper rice

Wild mushroom ragu pasta

Soup: Lightly spiced chickpea + tomato

Day 973 Killing the Karen with kindness

I was asked ‘how do you deal with Karen’s?’ by one of my junior patrons this morning. There’s no protocol, it just depends on my mood that day. Petty, passive and cutting is my method of choice. Eye contact and an over exaggeration of the English language gets the best results. Thank you and have a great day.

Salads:

5 spiced aubergine + aduki beans

Ginger + crispy tofu rice

Roast pepper + tomato pasta

Sandwich: Cumberland sausage, Cheddar, Red onion, Branston pickle + tomato

Day 972 I miss my slumber

Another chaotic day in paradise. I haven’t seen much of my bed in the past 48 hours and i’m slyly suffering. I’ve made no mistakes yet but i feel glazed over, like a sausage on a stick. I am pounding through my admin work with a background sound of the morning buzz upstairs. I’d like to promise myself an early night but my day is controlled by many elements and few of them are in my control.

Salads:

Thai spiced chickpea + sweet potato curry

Kimchi rice

Cauliflower + pumpkin seed pesto pasta

Soup: Indian spiced spinach + potato

Day 971 Don't stop till you get enough

It’s been a busy morning filled with sandwich construction. Yesterday was unexpectedly hectic but I got a solid 4 hours sleep to regenerate the mind, body and soul. I have many items on the to do list for today so I need to stay present and try and keep my head in the game, easier said then done with the amount of personality that comes waltzing through that door.

Salads:

Brown lentils + med veg

Carrot + dill rice

Tomato, basil + French bean pasta

Braised potato with sausage ragu

Soup: Sweet potato + ginger

Sandwich: Chorizo, Pecorino, chilli relish, sun-dried + tomato

Day 970 Don't be a litter bug

The sun was BEATING this weekend my pale skin couldn’t hack the sudden change in temp. As you all know I have a dog (the best boy) so I’m in the park all year round. Though the sun lightens the miserable London mood the hoards of people on the green dampens mine. The copious amounts of litter, the carelessness of the tipsy public is pathetic. Take your trash away with you, pagans.

Salads:

Smokey white bean + roast pepper

lemon + herb rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Broccoli + tomato

Day 969 Push it

Yesterday was an irritating day but we managed. I had a soothing evening so i’m back to good spirits this morning and the rush is looking like a tasty one. I need to put fitness back into my life. My mind has been a bit of a jungle this year so i’ve put P.E on the back burner while I figure some schuff out. I feel like the next step is pushing my physical but I will not be doing a marathon, though it seems the thing to do in SW4.

Salads:

Black bean + roast squash coconut curry

Rainbow rice

Smokey aubergine pasta

Soup: Tuscan tomato

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

Day 968 Scent of spring

I haven’t got anything on my mind today, no quick quips, anecdotes or tales riddled in subtext. I just want to get through the lunch rush and be outside. Shout out to all of my honey’s suffering from hayfever, that’s rough. The sweet scent of spring causing sniffles and irritation? Peak.

Salads:

Sweet potato + chickpea curry

Turmeric + ginger rice

Pasta e fagioli

Warm salad with fried halloumi

Sandwich: Roast lamb, Caramelised onions, BBQ mayo, Jalapeno relish + dill pickles

Day 967 Talking to myself

Feeling good this morning. I would love to be a simpleton that puts it down to the good weather but I have an inkling it’s something else. Though I run parallel to illiteracy, I do enjoy writing. My grammar is awful but the heart is there and once I’ve written a thought that has been circling my mind I feel an odd sense of relief even if it’s not read by anyone but me.

Salads:

Peri peri cauliflower + split peas

Spinach + herb rice

Backed chicken pasta

Croutoned salad with cheese dressing

Soup: spinach, potato + pea

Day 966 Processing

I had a quiet weekend. By quiet I mean I barely said a word to anyone and boy it was refreshing. I’m coming to terms with the fact that I can be a bit of a people pleaser. With hospitality moulding my life I tend to do and say things that are to my deficit just to pacify the community. I’m attempting to change this but there will be trial and error in the process. I just need to spring clean my mind.

Salads:

Chilli non carne

Roast pepper rice

Chicken + tarragon ragu pasta

Veggie pasta bake

Soup: Roast pepper + tomato

Sandwich: Speck ham, Provola cheese, spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 965 Time for a weekend

We have no Nelly so i’ve been working the sandwich section solo. It’s been a great morning, just me and the panini’s but I’ve been so busy i’ve had no time for an existential crisis. Boo hoo. Have a great bank holiday weekend my people. A bit of R&R should do the body good!

Salads:

Moroccan spiced chickpea

Sumac + chive rice

Mushroom ragu pasta

Soup: Tuscan tomato

Sandwich: Milano salami, asiago cheese, jalapeno relish + tomato

Day 964 At peace with misery

I can imagine it’s quite confusing to read my depressive blog posts to then come into the deli and see me smiling but the reality is I have no choice. I went through a period where my blog matched my shopfloor mood and it was exhausting having to listen to people give me advice on how to be more positive. Misery is my happy place and it will be for the foreseeable future. Thank you and good night.

Salads:

Braised green lentils + med veg

Lemon + chive rice

Beef ragu pasta

Baked veggie pasta

Soup: Sweet potato, ginger + tomato

Day 963 Buon Compleanno

I don’t ask for much and this year I underlined that I don’t want anything alas it seems it was still too much to ask for. Another favour not fulfilled, another year of disappointment, just smile and say thank you for something I didn’t want or need. Grin and bear it, suck it up and hope that next year someone might actually listen.

Coconut curry with roast squash + black bean

Crispy shallot + ginger rice

Spinach, olive + pumpkin seed pesto pasta

Soup: Indian spiced leek + potato

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

Day 962 At or to?

Some people talk to you and some people talk at you. I’ve spent many moons learning the difference and i’m still learning to distinguish the two. I use talking at people as a defence mechanism, I swallow all the air in the room so people don’t ask me questions I don’t want to answer or because I find you insufferable and I’d rather hear the sound of my own voice.

Salads:

Tuscany white beans

Spinach + herb rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Sweet potato, ginger + spinach