I speed-walk to the pub, clutching a paper bag. I am running late, as usual, and I didn’t really have time for lunch, as usual, so I had to pick something up. Unusually, today I went to Greggs. Today is a day I have been looking forward to for the last 18 hours, since I […]
Bakes
Chocolate and Raspberry Olive Oil Cake
Recently one of my favourite people has had a baby, which is very good news because now it is like there are two of her, only one is extremely cute and never points out that I’m being a twat. To celebrate, we all went to visit in Brighton to drink loads of prosecco and take selfies […]
Starting Slimming World (Again) – A Beginners Guide
It has been three years since I started Slimming World. I know loads about it, and it works for me very well. Over the last six months though, my habits have been slipping. I’ve started feeling like I “need” biscuits to get through deadlines, pizza to help me relax. I’ve started buying multipacks of chocolate […]
The Death of Hope, or Mary Berry’s Tarte Au Citron
I was talking to a colleague the other day and he said he hated the idea of hope. It was always harking to the future, he said. It drew attention away from what was happening in the present, and set you up for perpetual disappointment. “I hope it doesn’t rain today” – so what if […]
Honey and Walnut Bread
It’s bake off week 3 and its bread week. And. I mean. Bread? Really, what is bread but rubbish cake? Consider this less a recipe post and more a hugely heartfelt book recommendation – if you are interested at all in learning to make your own bread, buy this book – Written by Bake-Off […]
Then and Now
Summer 2007. I am 21. I am waiting to start an MA in Creative Writing, which I still can’t believe I got on to. In the meantime, I have gone to the Edinburgh festival to work as a venue tech. Mum said I should get out of the house – I was just moping about […]
Back-to-Work Butter Biscuits
Summer is over, the world is grey, I am back from holiday and have to go to work tomorrow. BUT At least it is biscuit week on bake off! We will always have sugary treats. In fact, now all major news outlets have stopped quacking on about how to get a “perfect beach body” we […]
Anxiety and Me, Summer 2016
Warning Signs Crying at your desk Identifying with the word “hunted” Repetitive thoughts, repetitive thoughts, repetitive thoughts Catastrophizing A sudden, searing conviction that someone you love hates you Suddenly feeling either very hungry, or sick Not being able to sleep without the radio on Not being able to sleep Being unreasonably upset when an inconsequential […]
Lazy Pirate Cake
The Great British Bake Off is back tonight and I am EXCITED. Who will win? Will it be one of the contestants? Will it be because they are good at baking cakes? Probably!!! I jest, but in seriousness, I love GBBO and all it stands for. In tribute, I am baking along, creating a confection […]
Self Care – Being Your Own Seven Year Old
A few years ago I was reading some article on dieting, as I am wont to do, when I came across the words – “An adult woman seeking to lose 1-2 pounds per week requires 1,400 calories per day, the same amount as a seven year old child…” I will not recount to you the […]