Rain, rain, rain. That's what I see when I look out of the window today and if the weather forecasters are to be believed that's the extent of it for what seems like forever. I don't know about you though, the prospect of water-filled skies has me turning my thoughts to how I can fill my time where it's warm and dry instead. For me, that's the kitchen. Not by cleaning it, although in truth that's what I really should be doing, but creating something tasty and colourful, something to make up for all the drab, miserable, greige I can see outside.
My ideas for recipes come in a variety of places. They used to come to me as I lay in bed trying to sleep which was so annoying, not least because it prevented shut-eye but I'd usually forgotten all about my ground-breaking thoughts by next morning. I solved that by putting a small notebook and pen on my bedside table, a sure way for thoughts to stop (in the same way as carrying an umbrella is usually a dead cert for a dry day) plus I joined the Paleo Mom's Go To Sleep Challenge - interested in that, anybody? If you have sleep issues it's worth a look! I also fill my head with ideas whilst at the wheel of the car and then wish to goodness I had a dictaphone (can you even get those now?) - or a personal assistant at minimum. Then there are the times I'm in the shower - now that is an ace place for thinking up important stuff. Of course, it's also somewhere else I'm unlikely to keep a notebook and pencil (although we did buy a showerproof field note set from Powell's Bookshop in Portland a few years ago - only I haven't the foggiest where it is now). There's a running theme here which I believe might be that umbrella analogy again!
I'm not entirely sure when the notion of putting crispy bacon into a pesto (in order to replicate the crunchy texture otherwise provided by pine nuts) came to me but it's a goodie, you have to believe me. I've been making pestos from a variety of herbs and leafy greens for a while but I've always missed that crunch. Good ol' bacon, fond pink sliver of umami and solver of many a crisis. Now I just need to find my umbrella!
Other good things happening this month -
• I'm so pleased I installed f.lux which automatically dims my computer when we're losing the light, preparing my eyes for beddy byes 🙂
• Anne's Sound Healing and Subliminal Messaging for Deep Healing would be the perfect accompaniment to Sarah's 14 Day Sleep Challenge
• We've been chuckling away at James Corden's carpool shenanigans. Oh my word, so funny! I think my favourite passenger so far is probably Adele
• This video makes me smile and think all is well in the world. I still can't get over the fact we now have Bald Eagles flying over our house (it used to be pigeons!). Hands up who else loves them?
• I cannot wait to see this film! Reminds me of this episode of Dr Who, which had me reduced to tears.
Find today's recipe over here in the care of Mickey and Angie at Autoimmune-Paleo.
I finally broke down and got a spiralizer (we call it the "zoodler") and this was the first recipe I made with it. Delicious!!! My zucchini cooked down quite a bit; looking at the above photo, mine was more zucchini noodle smoosh, but still completely delicious! We love your recipes! Keep 'em coming!!
--Sharon
Hi Sharon, I'm honoured you christened your "zoodler" with my recipe. So happy you like it as well 😉
Here's to many more spiralised creations and thanks for the compliment!!