Showing posts with label vegetarian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vegetarian. Show all posts

Monday, 1 November 2010

The November Challenge

1476_MEDIUM What is it about autumn that makes me want to cook everything and eat everything? What with Nigella and Nigel Slater as well as Jamie Oliver’s 30 Minute Meals, I feel like I could eat the world! It doesn’t hurt that now is the season for eating up and keeping warm. Oooo, butternut squash, honey-roasted parsnips, sweet potatoes, spinach, courgette, cauliflower. How do I love thee, let me count the ways…

Yesterday I made vegetarian Lincolnshire sausages with roasted butternut squash and sweet potato wedges and stuffed mushrooms (did I mention how much I adore mushrooms?). I can actually cook, what a revelation! And it tasted goooooood.

So, as I’m able to glory in the wonders of autumn veg and my new – miraculous – ability not to poison people, I’m giving myself cadbury-milk-chocolatea bit of a challenge. My family, through long acquaintance with my gluttonous adoration of all things chocolate, thinks I can’t give it up. That I cannot do without it. And true, I haven’t exactly done anything to dispel this idea, I am after all the only person I know that gets brownie mix in my fringe when licking the bowl. But I’ve decided to prove ‘em wrong. Not a lick of chocolate will pass my lips until 1st December. Surely there’ll be some tins of Quality Street going cheap in Asda by then? I’m already facing the knowing chortles of le fam (mainly because even a yeast intolerance hasn’t curbed my appetite for peanut butter sandwiches). But I’m coming over all Obama on this – Yes I can!!

In other news, I am wildly attempting to get tickets to see the RSC production of Romeo and Juliet at the Roundhouse and Nan has decided she doesn’t like Einstein in the new Genius gluten-free bread advert. Why? “He makes me feel like I’ve shit meself.” Eloquent as ever, Nan.

Tuesday, 21 September 2010

Things to do

I’m taking time out from my job applications to write this. I need a break from the constant repetition of where I went to school and what I studied at A-level. I remember a little while back one of my favourite company’s howies was looking for staff and rather than the traditional application form, they wanted a letter telling them about yourself. I was tempted to apply just for the enjoyment of letter-writing. So much more fun and less production line like than the traditional application process.
I thought I’d share some pictures of my things to do:

The Whiteboard
White board
This is my trusty whiteboard. It’s got the reviews that are ready to go onto Vulpes Libris when there’s an available slot. Space for short story notes which is blank at the moment because I’ve only recently decided to really work on my short stories. There my current word count in a bright, accusing red and a few notes on my current work-in-progress (as well as notes for another possible  W.I.P). There’s also, way down in the bottom right hand corner a little tally chart for rejections. So far my novel has been rejected by three agents and I’m keeping count because every no is one step nearer a yes! I also stick up postcards and my library receipts and brochures for things I want to do (currently Open University – World Archaeology please – and Rosetta Stone because I want to learn Italian).

Future Projects:
Everything
This is all the stuff I want to do over the next few months and in the New Year. There’s a Swiss ball set there because I’d like to keep healthy and as I can’t always go for a run, I thought this would be a good alternative. I’ve been using it for two days and I really am feeling it in my core muscles. Love it!

There’s two vegan cookbooks there, Meals Without Squeals. I’m vegetarian, not vegan, but I like to use as few animal products as possible and I’m always on the lookout for new recipes. As soon as I get chance I’ll be flicking through these and writing a shopping list.

The books are an assorted bunch. I read (and reviewed!) Our Tragic Universe by Scarlett Thomas a little while ago. Not only did I adore the book but it made an impression on me as I really identified with the heroine. I suppose it partly inspired my decision to look for the life I want rather than wait for it to fall into my lap. Anyway, two of the books there are read by the heroine in the book – Getting Started Knitting Socks and Bach Flower Therapy. As I was learning to crochet and really enjoying it, I wanted to make more things, but practical things, hence the sock book. Once I’ve made my Christmas presents, I’ll be tackling socks and I will not be defeated! I was also intrigued by the idea of Flower Therapy and I will definitely be reading that soon, maybe even trying it out. Then there’s my Complete Guide to Running which I bought for the tips and the motivation. I’m only dipping in and out at the moment, but I think I’ll try and read it in full so I don’t miss anything.

And right at the bottom is chess, which I picked up for the bargain price of £1.99 in Help the Aged. I’ve never been able to get my head round the game but now I’ve got some free time and know someone that can teach me, why not have another go?

So there you are, all the things I want to start doing. I’m already dreading facing the socks…