Handed out after a parade travelling along, outside Green Park tube station on Saturday. The parade was heading to a big festival in Trafalgar Square. More to be added...
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
£2.50 doner
When you are in need of some grease and a cheap lunch a £2.50 doner kebab is just perfect. Everyone says they are gross but most people love them after a night out drinking. And many people like them for lunch as the little shop we went to at lunch the other day was quite busy.
PB got this for his lunch. It smelled good...it is hard to tell, but there is a massive cone of chips underneath the shavings of kebab and squirts of garlic and chili sauces. I asked him what meat it was and he said, 'best not to ask.' I guess it doesn't really matter does it as it could be anything!
When you are in need of some grease and a cheap lunch a £2.50 doner kebab is just perfect. Everyone says they are gross but most people love them after a night out drinking. And many people like them for lunch as the little shop we went to at lunch the other day was quite busy.PB got this for his lunch. It smelled good...it is hard to tell, but there is a massive cone of chips underneath the shavings of kebab and squirts of garlic and chili sauces. I asked him what meat it was and he said, 'best not to ask.' I guess it doesn't really matter does it as it could be anything!
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Red Bull appears at The Leathermarket
Very funny, on Friday afternoon I was saying that I needed a boost of energy and about ten seconds later two Red Bull models came with little coolers on their back to give our office samples of the new Red Bull Cola. I was stunned at the sheer coincidence.
They said that another agency down the road told them to come visit us at The Leathermarket (we work in an old leather market), which was very nice. So we each got a can of the new cola and the lovely sampling staff explained that it is all natural with ingredients like lime, cinnamon, ginger etc.. and there is no 'secret recipe' like another cola brand, all ingredients are listed on the back of the can.
The verdict in the office: we said it tasted like Haribo candy and most people liked it, no one really said they loved it but at the end of the day no cans were left over. Many said they still like the one and only Coke.
Not sure I would buy it often as having a few Haribo candies is great but drinking a can of it may be a bit too much, will have to try it again.
Very funny, on Friday afternoon I was saying that I needed a boost of energy and about ten seconds later two Red Bull models came with little coolers on their back to give our office samples of the new Red Bull Cola. I was stunned at the sheer coincidence.They said that another agency down the road told them to come visit us at The Leathermarket (we work in an old leather market), which was very nice. So we each got a can of the new cola and the lovely sampling staff explained that it is all natural with ingredients like lime, cinnamon, ginger etc.. and there is no 'secret recipe' like another cola brand, all ingredients are listed on the back of the can.
The verdict in the office: we said it tasted like Haribo candy and most people liked it, no one really said they loved it but at the end of the day no cans were left over. Many said they still like the one and only Coke.
Not sure I would buy it often as having a few Haribo candies is great but drinking a can of it may be a bit too much, will have to try it again.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
I get an interesting array of press releases each day and I thought snippets of this one was worth sharing. It stated that, according to scientists, eating turkey could enhance an athlete’s performance by up to 20%.
Researchers at the
It goes on to say that you must eat 250-300g of turkey a day for 6-12 months to see these increases.
The research also discovered anserine & carnosine was high in certain muscle meats, including whale, prawns and turkey. The scientists chose to concentrate their research on turkey for practical reasons. Good thinking as we wouldn’t want to have plates of whale meat every day, wouldn’t that kill the species off and a plate of prawns every day could get expensive!
Sometimes I wonder about press releases – they could really be shorter and sweeter and with less useless information. Am I being a bit cynical today? Well I do think the British Turkey Federation sure got my attention but perhaps am a little grumpy today. I do like turkey and recommend it to all to eat as it is quite healthy.
Maybe you can get your muscle concentration up by lifting a few weights at the gym each week or bench pressing your little nephews, kids love that stuff!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
The Potato Odyssey
I almost broke my neck while visitng this exhibition at Hay's Galleria the other morning. The poor Peruvian woman almost had me in her arms instead of those little plastic potatos. The cleaners had just come by with that strange machine that half sweeps and half mops the floor and I slipped on a trail of the water - which may have been soapy!?
It was quite funny and luckily I didn't fall - as I did scrape my knee on an escalator earlier on in the week - I think I am turning into my clumsy Aunt Grace. Luckily only the statues witnessed my slip as it was early in the morning. When I looked around I could only see that cleaner in the distance creating a trail of water for other poor workers around the area to slip on.
Well onto the exhibit, I wasn't sure what to expect - who knew there were so many varieites of spuds?! Well there are, and the exhibit put on by the Peruvian Embassy displays all of them, I think.
From Time Out mag: This travelling photo exhibition celebrates the humble spud's place as the third most important food crop in the world after rice and wheat. Organised by the Peruvian Embassy for the International Year of the Potato, the display explores the potato's domestication and importance in food cultures worldwide.
If you are in the area it would be interesting to look at just to see all the different types of potatoes but I wouldn't really go out of my way to see it.
Tip: don't go early in the morning with heels on!
I almost broke my neck while visitng this exhibition at Hay's Galleria the other morning. The poor Peruvian woman almost had me in her arms instead of those little plastic potatos. The cleaners had just come by with that strange machine that half sweeps and half mops the floor and I slipped on a trail of the water - which may have been soapy!?It was quite funny and luckily I didn't fall - as I did scrape my knee on an escalator earlier on in the week - I think I am turning into my clumsy Aunt Grace. Luckily only the statues witnessed my slip as it was early in the morning. When I looked around I could only see that cleaner in the distance creating a trail of water for other poor workers around the area to slip on.
Well onto the exhibit, I wasn't sure what to expect - who knew there were so many varieites of spuds?! Well there are, and the exhibit put on by the Peruvian Embassy displays all of them, I think.
From Time Out mag: This travelling photo exhibition celebrates the humble spud's place as the third most important food crop in the world after rice and wheat. Organised by the Peruvian Embassy for the International Year of the Potato, the display explores the potato's domestication and importance in food cultures worldwide.
If you are in the area it would be interesting to look at just to see all the different types of potatoes but I wouldn't really go out of my way to see it.
Tip: don't go early in the morning with heels on!
Santander sweets
I received a lovely gift of Spanish turron (torrone in Italian) from my marine engineering friend in Spain. It was very sweet for me but I brought it to the office to share and it was a hit! It is a nougat-y bar filled with nuts, honey, sugar and other things that make it taste great.
Thanks ER, next time we meet am looking forward to another Spanish treat and hearing about your boss trying to seduce you and turn you into a gay man ;)
I received a lovely gift of Spanish turron (torrone in Italian) from my marine engineering friend in Spain. It was very sweet for me but I brought it to the office to share and it was a hit! It is a nougat-y bar filled with nuts, honey, sugar and other things that make it taste great.Thanks ER, next time we meet am looking forward to another Spanish treat and hearing about your boss trying to seduce you and turn you into a gay man ;)
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Belli's mohitos
Kids mixing drinks?
Well, what else do you get kids to do in the summer? We put them to work making mohitos for us a few weekends ago at the beach. They are great at picking the fresh mint from the garden, stirring in the sugar and very exact at pouring the lemon & lime juice and mixing in the solda and vodka; it is like being in home economics class! Kids love tasks that are usually left to grownups. They didn't get a chance to taste the drinks but we did make them a virgin version.
Belli is the cutest little angel and a great helper. I wish I was a teacher like her mother and had a little star sticker to give her. Thanks for your help cutie and see you soon!
x
Kids mixing drinks?Well, what else do you get kids to do in the summer? We put them to work making mohitos for us a few weekends ago at the beach. They are great at picking the fresh mint from the garden, stirring in the sugar and very exact at pouring the lemon & lime juice and mixing in the solda and vodka; it is like being in home economics class! Kids love tasks that are usually left to grownups. They didn't get a chance to taste the drinks but we did make them a virgin version.
Belli is the cutest little angel and a great helper. I wish I was a teacher like her mother and had a little star sticker to give her. Thanks for your help cutie and see you soon!
x
Westwood Mohito Recipe:
*We altered the recipe for what was in the cupboard
- Lots of fresh mint from the garden
- A squirt of lemon and lime juice (as much as we had in the fridge)
- A tbsp of sugar per glass – brown sugar is nice
- We used Havana Club rum – but any rum will do – the flavored Bacardi Limon one would be nice
- Ice
- We didn’t have club soda so we used Perrier water with a hint of lime
What's in a name part 3
Can you tell I am away for the weekend?
Topeka - good place to dig potatoes (Kansas, USA)
Harbin - where fish is dried (tenth largest city in China)
Danube - river of sheep (longest river in the EU which starts in Germany and flows all the way to Romania/Ukraine) Pic is of the Danube gate on the Romanian-Serbian border
Can you tell I am away for the weekend?
Topeka - good place to dig potatoes (Kansas, USA)
Harbin - where fish is dried (tenth largest city in China)
Danube - river of sheep (longest river in the EU which starts in Germany and flows all the way to Romania/Ukraine) Pic is of the Danube gate on the Romanian-Serbian border
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Truffle hunting on your next vacation?
A travel idea: travel to Italy for a truffle hunt! It may be muddy and dirty but it sounds like fun and you stay with a family or in a small town and eat like a King (or Queen). In the past, truffles were only found by trained pigs but it seems like dogs are now the main way that these precious fungi are found.
They are edible subterranean mushrooms that are hard to find and therefore a much sought after delicacy. Pungent tasting and rich smelling, round and not quite hard - they are brown and wrinkly and plain ugly (see pic above). They are used very sparingly in dishes and am not sure you can really taste them when they are on menus (in truffle oil, truffle infused sauce etc.).
I have been meaning to make a truffle themed dinner for a while and will have to get some fresh truffles from Borough and make it happen, maybe when Momma Dolce is in town.
A travel idea: travel to Italy for a truffle hunt! It may be muddy and dirty but it sounds like fun and you stay with a family or in a small town and eat like a King (or Queen). In the past, truffles were only found by trained pigs but it seems like dogs are now the main way that these precious fungi are found.
They are edible subterranean mushrooms that are hard to find and therefore a much sought after delicacy. Pungent tasting and rich smelling, round and not quite hard - they are brown and wrinkly and plain ugly (see pic above). They are used very sparingly in dishes and am not sure you can really taste them when they are on menus (in truffle oil, truffle infused sauce etc.).
I have been meaning to make a truffle themed dinner for a while and will have to get some fresh truffles from Borough and make it happen, maybe when Momma Dolce is in town.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Sunday Roast
This was Sunday's dinner a lovely free range chicken with potatoes and sweet potato. Easy to make - how? throw all ingredients into a roasting pan, drizzle some olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper and a bit of rosemary and you are ready to eat a healthy meal in 1.5hrs.
When people say they don't know how to cook, you wonder if they ever really tried? It is not that difficult to get it wrong with simple stuff like this.
This was Sunday's dinner a lovely free range chicken with potatoes and sweet potato. Easy to make - how? throw all ingredients into a roasting pan, drizzle some olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper and a bit of rosemary and you are ready to eat a healthy meal in 1.5hrs. When people say they don't know how to cook, you wonder if they ever really tried? It is not that difficult to get it wrong with simple stuff like this.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Re: posts below
Interestingly, the term 'salad days' was mentioned by the baldy from Sex in the City who is now on my new favourite show, Californication - why did I not discover the David Duchovny hotness earlier? No one eats on that show, all they do is drink Fiji water, cocktails and hard liquor.
And I need to go back and write a proper post about the Whole Foods store on High Street Kensington as I loved going there a few weeks ago. I spent forever in there. I actually lost track of time, checking out all their products, produce, cheeses etc.. it was a great food shopping experience which resulted in me buying oysters, an oyster shucker, swordfish steaks and white sea bass. It was too much fish for one weekend but it was great, bar the Oysters that were not too juicy-how do you choose oysters? Do you shake them to see if there is lots of seawater inside?
More places like this are needed in London, am really getting annoyed with shopping at the local petrol station for my fruit and veg.
Anyhow another busy week, am surviving on golden pineapple in the morning, chicken and rice soup for lunch and whatever is in the fridge for dinner - lots of Thai food is being consumed from our local favourite, Street Hawker - the guy even knows us in there and asks, 'nasi goreng for you?' Errm...maybe should go there a little less. How do you get bathing suit body in 2 weeks?
Running & Pilates marathon to commence immediately...
Interestingly, the term 'salad days' was mentioned by the baldy from Sex in the City who is now on my new favourite show, Californication - why did I not discover the David Duchovny hotness earlier? No one eats on that show, all they do is drink Fiji water, cocktails and hard liquor.And I need to go back and write a proper post about the Whole Foods store on High Street Kensington as I loved going there a few weeks ago. I spent forever in there. I actually lost track of time, checking out all their products, produce, cheeses etc.. it was a great food shopping experience which resulted in me buying oysters, an oyster shucker, swordfish steaks and white sea bass. It was too much fish for one weekend but it was great, bar the Oysters that were not too juicy-how do you choose oysters? Do you shake them to see if there is lots of seawater inside?
More places like this are needed in London, am really getting annoyed with shopping at the local petrol station for my fruit and veg.
Anyhow another busy week, am surviving on golden pineapple in the morning, chicken and rice soup for lunch and whatever is in the fridge for dinner - lots of Thai food is being consumed from our local favourite, Street Hawker - the guy even knows us in there and asks, 'nasi goreng for you?' Errm...maybe should go there a little less. How do you get bathing suit body in 2 weeks?
Running & Pilates marathon to commence immediately...
Monday, June 09, 2008
Use Lactaid to make yoghurt
I was almost poisoned 2x this week by milk related activity. First I think I was served a regular latte at the Sanderson Hotel, but I asked for a soy one of course. During my meeting I was feeling very ill, was sick a few times and felt off the whole day - the only thing I could attribute it to was the latte. It also took a long time to get the latte, it had to be ordered a few times and chased up and I think in the delay there was a mix up of the milk used. I was pre-occupied with the meeting so didn't really examine the taste but think it was definitely the cause of my seeing stars at one point in the day. oh joy!
And, while in Canada I bought this little bottle of drops which I thought would allow me to drink milk daily again. Instructions are to add 15 drops to one litre of milk and then let stand for 24hours to kill all the lactose. I did as directed, and the next day had cereal and milk for the first time in ages, but it tasted a little funny. I ignored that and thought about the next day's breakfast. Day 2 - I open the milk and there is a funny rotten smell - like yoghurt that has gone off. I rush off to work without drinking it as not too sure about the smell. When I get home that evening the container of milk is completely turned into some sort of slushy, solid pudding. It was gross and in the bin it went!
The next day I am taking my calcium pill at work and moaning about it -wishing the milk brand Lactancia was sold here and up pops an email from a nice young man saying he has been reading about my lactose intolerance on the blob (as my family calls it) and he wants to send me some samples of lactose free milk to try.
Hallelujia!
Will let you know how the new product goes - am sure they don't sell it in my petrol station super market.
A question I have been asking is, if you don't drink milk or eat any dairy, what are other food sources provide calcium?
I was almost poisoned 2x this week by milk related activity. First I think I was served a regular latte at the Sanderson Hotel, but I asked for a soy one of course. During my meeting I was feeling very ill, was sick a few times and felt off the whole day - the only thing I could attribute it to was the latte. It also took a long time to get the latte, it had to be ordered a few times and chased up and I think in the delay there was a mix up of the milk used. I was pre-occupied with the meeting so didn't really examine the taste but think it was definitely the cause of my seeing stars at one point in the day. oh joy!And, while in Canada I bought this little bottle of drops which I thought would allow me to drink milk daily again. Instructions are to add 15 drops to one litre of milk and then let stand for 24hours to kill all the lactose. I did as directed, and the next day had cereal and milk for the first time in ages, but it tasted a little funny. I ignored that and thought about the next day's breakfast. Day 2 - I open the milk and there is a funny rotten smell - like yoghurt that has gone off. I rush off to work without drinking it as not too sure about the smell. When I get home that evening the container of milk is completely turned into some sort of slushy, solid pudding. It was gross and in the bin it went!
The next day I am taking my calcium pill at work and moaning about it -wishing the milk brand Lactancia was sold here and up pops an email from a nice young man saying he has been reading about my lactose intolerance on the blob (as my family calls it) and he wants to send me some samples of lactose free milk to try.
Hallelujia!
Will let you know how the new product goes - am sure they don't sell it in my petrol station super market.
A question I have been asking is, if you don't drink milk or eat any dairy, what are other food sources provide calcium?
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Free Paella - Borough Market
They were handing out free paella at Borough Market on 5 & 6 of June for a Spanish/city of Valencia showcase. The queue was massive but it looked good and everyone was enjoying their little dish of rice.
They were handing out free paella at Borough Market on 5 & 6 of June for a Spanish/city of Valencia showcase. The queue was massive but it looked good and everyone was enjoying their little dish of rice.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Cooking class in Tuscany
email from my friend Dee:
My friends and I had a fab time in Tuscany. The weather was a bit rainy though so we decided to splash out and take a cooking class with a local lady at her farm house. Giulietta was so nice and welcoming and let us get stuck in. We made 4 courses: Zucchini risotto, ricotta and asparagas ravioli, chicken with sweet peppers for main and then apple cake. yuuummmyyyy...
Look at Dee getting right in there with the pasta machine, she better make dinner for us soon before she forgets her Tuscan techniques!
http://www.fagiolari.it/
email from my friend Dee:My friends and I had a fab time in Tuscany. The weather was a bit rainy though so we decided to splash out and take a cooking class with a local lady at her farm house. Giulietta was so nice and welcoming and let us get stuck in. We made 4 courses: Zucchini risotto, ricotta and asparagas ravioli, chicken with sweet peppers for main and then apple cake. yuuummmyyyy...
Look at Dee getting right in there with the pasta machine, she better make dinner for us soon before she forgets her Tuscan techniques!http://www.fagiolari.it/
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Breakfast at Sanderson
Had a business function at the Sanderson Hotel this morning. We had the courtyard cafe booked and it was lovely, bar the June rain! The pastries and fresh fruit platters were delicious - the atmosphere is so relaxed and chic that you could easily spend the whole day there. 
I wanted to take pics of the fruit platters and set up but didn't think it was right in front of the client so have these pics instead which come from their website. Top is of the courtyard at night and bottom is of the Long Bar which gets very busy in the evenings with the chic tribes of London town descending on it.
Tip for the weekend: take your girlfriend/boyfriend for a cocktail to the Sanderson - hopefully the sun is shining and you can relax outside. Be sure to check out their lifts, their billiards function room and even their toilets are very posh.
Second tip: Try not to act like a dumb, snoopy tourist.
British GQ calls it - 'the hippest hotel in the world'
Pics below: entrance & lobby
Had a business function at the Sanderson Hotel this morning. We had the courtyard cafe booked and it was lovely, bar the June rain! The pastries and fresh fruit platters were delicious - the atmosphere is so relaxed and chic that you could easily spend the whole day there. 
I wanted to take pics of the fruit platters and set up but didn't think it was right in front of the client so have these pics instead which come from their website. Top is of the courtyard at night and bottom is of the Long Bar which gets very busy in the evenings with the chic tribes of London town descending on it.Tip for the weekend: take your girlfriend/boyfriend for a cocktail to the Sanderson - hopefully the sun is shining and you can relax outside. Be sure to check out their lifts, their billiards function room and even their toilets are very posh.
Second tip: Try not to act like a dumb, snoopy tourist.
British GQ calls it - 'the hippest hotel in the world'
Pics below: entrance & lobby
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Salad days
Shakespeare used the phrase 'salad days' in Antony & Cleopatra. When Cleopatra lavishes praise on her new love, Antony, one of her attendants reminds the queen that she once felt the same for Caesar.
Cleopatra replies that she was in her 'salad days, when I was green in judgment: cold in blood.'
Cleopatra meant it as, youthfully naive, but it has come to mean the best days of one's youth, when life is still full of unexplored potential.
Shakespeare used the phrase 'salad days' in Antony & Cleopatra. When Cleopatra lavishes praise on her new love, Antony, one of her attendants reminds the queen that she once felt the same for Caesar.
Cleopatra replies that she was in her 'salad days, when I was green in judgment: cold in blood.'
Cleopatra meant it as, youthfully naive, but it has come to mean the best days of one's youth, when life is still full of unexplored potential.
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