Now before I go any further, let me reiterate that I don’t particularly rate savoury French cuisine. Certainly as a vegan it’s generally a ‘no go’ anyway since much of it is based on meat, cheese and butter. Many years ago I tried escargot and frogs legs as one does when they are in Paris for the first time but I had no desire to repeat that experience. However when it comes to Parisian sweets? Well, that’s a whole other story. 

Firstly, I must say that I have the outmost respect for any person who can remain vegan when on holiday, particularly abroad. It is true that some places are easier than others. For example when I was in Vietnam in late 2019 I found it surprisingly easy to eat delicious authentic Vietnamese food without animal products. But Paris presented many more challenges. 

For one, my weakness in general has always been pastries & macarons. I will always seek out vegan versions whenever possible but as I realised quite quickly in Paris, this was not really possible. My good friend Meshell once told me ‘if you have to break the vegan diet break it for butter’ and this has become a bit of a mantra for me. Side Note: Meshell loves butter so much she has admitted to eating it on its own! Yep. That girl really loves butter and her figure is still awesome so I take what she says pretty seriously. #respect

Before I go any further I do want to say that of course it is possible to have a wonderful time in Paris while staying true to your vegan morals. But you have to be willing to not eat or live as the French do. If you’re happy to stick to other worldly cuisines & forgo the famous baguette for lunch or Pain au Chocolat for breakie then you will eat very well indeed as Paris has loads of options from acai bowls to Asian fare to middle eastern falafels and hummus. Plus, at least frites are vegan right?!

But for me, part of the fun of being in Paris is to go to a patisserie first thing in the morning and sit out on the pavement watching the world go by with croissant in hand. And what croissants they have! The selection is never ending and the taste is to die for. I don’t think I have ever had an ordinary pastry in Paris, let alone a bad one! And what about lunch?! How can you resist strolling along with a fresh Brie, lettuce and tomato baguette? And the crepes…so many crepes! For me, it’s not just a food experience but a Parisian experience as I feel like I’m really walking in their shoes and ‘living as the French do.’ 

Coffee on the other hand was a challenge. I don’t particularly like the coffee in Paris. The only chance you’re going to get a decent size flat white with oat milk is to go to one of the hipster establishments where the menu is in English and no one ordering there is over 25 years old. Luckily I found such a place in the beautiful Monmartre district called KB Coffee Roasters. Two flat whites set me back 10 euros and took about 20 minutes to make but it was well worth it. I’m happy to break the vegan pact for a bit of cheese or butter but milk? No sir-ee. I don’t like the taste of it in my coffee anymore. 

So if you fancy a long weekend in Paris and you’re a flexi vegan like myself I can highly recommend the Parisian food experience. I have taken a box of macarons home with me & once they are eaten that’s it, no more animal products for me. (Well, for the time being at least…who knows what the next holiday will bring?!) 

But this post isn’t about the joy of holidays and the dreams they inspire, this post is about the simple act of coming home. That feeling of walking wearily through the door with a bag full of dirty laundry and breathing in that musty empty house smell. The feeling of collapsing back into your bed, soaking in the tub, cooking a meal that doesn’t involve chips and vegging on the sofa. Simple pleasures that make returning home so lovely. 

And maybe that’s ultimately the allure of holidays; not only do they provide us with a change of scene, an adventure, a story to tell, memories to hold on to but more importantly they allow us to fully appreciate where we are when we finally arrive home. Don’t get me wrong, my house is far from perfect. It’s never as clean as I’d like it to be probably because I would rather crochet a jumper than conduct a deep clean (sorry mum). There are always walls that need painting, mail that needs sorting, corners that need hoovering and cupboards that need tidying. But all of that really doesn’t matter because it’s HOME. And as we all know, home is where the heart is. 

So as I grow older I still thoroughly enjoy seeing new places, experiencing new things and spending a week or two eating copious amounts of hot chips. But after each journey, I can’t help but feel incredibly grateful when I walk through my front door and breathe in the place that makes me most happy. The place where I work, eat, sleep, laugh, cry and love. 

Travel opens my heart so my heart can find its way back home. 

Clearly the times they are a-changing and they are changing fast! Food is big business and these supermarkets are simply following the trends of the consumer. Whether people are deciding to switch to a 100% vegan diet, or simply eating less meat and living a more flexitarian lifestyle, there is a growing demand for products that do not harm animals and the earth. It also helps that increasing scientific evidence is showing how beneficial plant-based diets can be. The myth of the malnourished vegan is fast being left behind now that so many professional athletes have chosen to go plant-based (read more here).

For me, what is truly exciting is when friends reach out and ask for advice on how to be a little more vegan. My friend Jo did exactly that when she got in touch with me about a month ago asking for recommendations on dairy-free butter. She had watched Cowspiracy after her teenage son (an aspiring vegan) recommended it and she was so moved by the film that she went on to watch The Game Changers. This became the catalyst for a complete diet overhaul and she was ready to take the plunge into veganism. By asking myself and others for advice and sharing thoughts and recipes, her journey was much easier than she could ever have imagined. It also helped that Jo gave herself permission to not be vegan from time to time. She ate the animal-based food that was currently in her house, she accepted that she may have to cheat occasionally and even though she was fully committed to the cause, she also didn’t berate herself for falling off the wagon. 

In essence, she lived by her own rules and boundaries, and this gave her the power and motivation to transition easily to a plant-based life. What makes it even more impressive is that Jo is a busy single mum with three kids and she still managed to find the time and energy to make such massive changes. Learning to buy and cook food in a completely different way is incredibly daunting, particularly if you feel like you don’t have the time to do so. But all you need are a few delicious recipes under your belt and this gives you the motivation to keep going. Now for the first time ever, Jo and her kids can sit down to the same meal and all enjoy it. But the best thing? She has made her son proud because they are eating in a way that aligns with his core values. 

And that is what it comes down to; living a lifestyle that reflects your moral compass. A friend recently asked me ‘Do you feel better now that you’re vegan?’ And it made me really think. Yes, there is no doubt that physically I feel better because I am consuming more vegetables than I ever have in my life (although, I still ate a relatively healthy diet before transitioning to plants). But for me, the most dramatic change is the way I feel mentally and morally. I am now in complete alignment with my values because I’m eating as ethically as I can and this brings a sense of purpose that has kept me consistently motivated. 

But there is ‘no size fits all’ nor is there such a thing as ‘a perfect vegan.’ We all must live by our own rules and not be afraid to break those rules from time to time. Whether you’re militant in your desire to cut every animal product from your life, or a vegan who has no problem cooking a roast dinner for their family, there is no right and wrong; it’s all a process.

Personally, I have found it increasingly difficult to justify buying animal products (even for others to consume) which is why I had a plant-based BBQ a few weeks ago. I supplied salads, nibbles, dessert and veggie burgers and sausages and I asked anyone who wanted meat to bring their own (which most people did). I was thrilled when a couple of friends decided to try the vegan offerings instead and they loved them! They were completely sold on the moving mountains burgers (they are incredibly convincing) and I hope that this inspires them to be a little more vegan from time to time. It’s small ‘wins’ like these that convince me that people are changing and it gives me so much hope for the future. 

My greatest dream is that one day this blog becomes obsolete because veganism has become mainstream and is no longer a ‘dietary choice’ or a ‘moral stance’ but simply the way we live. I know that might not be possible for the entire world but I certainly hope it is for those privileged enough to do so. Anyone lucky enough to have running water, a roof over their head and enough money to buy food can vote with their wallets and choose plants over animals, even if they just do this a few days a week. And thus, the Flexi-Vegan is born! 

If you do one thing this week, check out the plant-based aisle in your supermarket. Trust me, you will discover a whole new world of delectable delicacies down there! Perhaps you could also swap out one animal product from your life (make a tikka masala with tofu or chickpeas rather than chicken, buy some oat milk for your coffee or swap the dairy ice cream for a tasty vegan alternative…you won’t notice the difference, I promise!) 

There is no better time to live a plant-powered life so what are you waiting for? Jump on board the V train today! The journey is varied, the terrain unpredictable and who knows where it will take you?

If you would like to share your thoughts on this subject, I would love to hear from you! Please leave a comment below or SUBSCRIBE via email so you never miss a blog post or delicious recipe again!  

• #27. A Little Vegan in Paris
• #26. The Joy of Coming Home
• The Rise of the Flexi-Vegan (Part 1)
• ANZAC Biscuits with a Twist
• Easy Chocolate Banana Bread

I have been eating these my whole life and before turning vegan I used to make them the traditional way (melted butter and golden syrup). I’m pleased to say that giving them a vegan makeover was surprisingly easy! Of course, you could simply use the traditional recipe but melt vegan butter instead, however because I always like my bakes to be on the healthy side, I have developed a brand new recipe! And yes, the magic ingredient is peanut butter! Because of this delicious addition, I only use ¼ cup of olive oil so I feel like it’s a little kinder on the calories than the standard butter version. To make this recipe nut-free, simply replace the peanut butter with extra olive oil or coconut oil and instead of the almond meal, add extra flour! It’s a very adaptable recipe. I have also replaced the golden syrup with maple syrup (but I still use a little brown sugar as I love finding clumps of brown sugar throughout the biscuit!) 

Apart from these changes, the biccies are still very much made the traditional way and they maintain the same level of deliciousness! 

Ingredients: (Makes 12 large biscuits) 

(Measurements are in UK cup sizes)

• 1 cup rolled oats
• ¾ cup coconut
• ½ cup plain flour (I use wholemeal) 
• ¼ cup almond meal (or extra flour)
• ¼ cup flaxseed (or extra flour) 
• ¾ cup Maple syrup (or ¼ cup maple syrup & ½ cup brown sugar)
• 120g nut butter (I use peanut butter but any kind will do)
• ¼ cup olive oil 
• ½ tsp Bicarb

Method:

• Preheat the oven to 180 degrees (350f) or 160c fan forced
• Line a baking tray with baking paper.
• Place the oats, coconut, flour, flaxseed and almond meal in a bowl, stir with a wooden spoon to combine. Heat the nut butter, maple syrup and olive oil in a saucepan over low heat until smooth. 
• Add the bicarb to the saucepan and then pour all on top of dry ingredients 
• Once it’s all combined, roll into golf ball sized balls then flatten with the back of your hand or a spoon. Remember, the biscuits spread a little so leave room around them! If the mix isn’t wet enough add some hot water. Make sure your hands are wet otherwise the mix may stick to your hands! 
• Bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown. I find that 17-18 minutes is the perfect time. 

They will keep in a sealed container for a couple of weeks. 

I’ve already posted a banana bread recipe which I still love to bake. However, when I found this one I was incredibly excited because it was super simple and as far as baked goods were concerned, healthy!! This is because it’s sweetened with maple syrup and there’s also an option to make it completely oil-free. I find using a little oil makes it slightly fluffier but the oil-free recipe works well too so you can adapt this recipe based on where you sit on the ‘healthy scale.’ I also use wholemeal flour and the result is just as delicious!  

It’s also totally fuss-free and requires no electric mixer. Just place dry ingredients in a bowl, wet ingredients in another bowl and then mix together. I must say, it’s liberating not to have to use an egg replacement such as aquafaba as I can make this banana bread incredibly quickly with very little preparation. Also, if you don’t have vegan ingredients like plant milk and plant yoghurt, use dairy instead! Oh, and did I mention it was chocolate? Yep. It tastes indulgent but is kind to the waist-line…surely that ticks all boxes? 

I found the original recipe here but as always I have made a couple of tweaks! 

This recipe uses US cups. My measuring cup can be found HERE. But if you don’t have this just use UK cup sizes! 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups wholemeal, spelt or white flour (340g) 
• 2 tbl cocoa or cacao
• 1 tsp bicarb (baking soda)
• ¾ tsp baking powder
• ¾ tsp salt
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ cup dark choc chips
• 1 ½ cups mashed banana (360g) I use either 3 large bananas or 4 small ones, don’t sweat it! 
• ½ cup plant-based yoghurt (or if you’re not vegan just use dairy if that’s all you have)
• ½ cup maple syrup
• 1/3 cup of olive oil or milk (I use half/half of both)
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Method:

• Preheat the oven to 180c (350f) and grease a 9×5 loaf pan 
• Measure out milk and then pour 1 tsp of lemon juice in and leave to curdle (this is optional but I find buttermilk makes my bakes extra fluffy!) 
• Combine dry ingredients in a bowl
• Combine wet ingredients in a bowl (tip the buttermilk in last) 
• Mix wet and dry ingredients together and pour into the loaf tin
• Bake for 1 hr 20 mins (check at about 1hr 10 minutes) 

I was reminded of this gratitude on 24^th March, as the UK acknowledged a year since the first lockdown began and which is now known as the National Day of Reflection. As I took the one-minute silence at noon with most others throughout the country, I thought about all the people who had lost their lives over this last year and those who had not been able to say goodbye properly to a loved one. The banned hospital visits, the outlawed hugs, the enforced social distancing at a time when human instinct is screaming to reach out to the people you care for most in the world. I thought of these people and then these thoughts turned to feelings of guilt because the truth is, I haven’t really suffered over this past year. I haven’t lost someone to COVID, I haven’t been on the front line at all. 

In comparison, I have been standing in the wings. While others have been out there working stupidly long hours, losing sleep and struggling to get by, I have been learning new things, checking in with friends, discovering more about myself, daydreaming of future possibilities and making sourdough. I have been able to work throughout the pandemic teaching singing online, something that I thought was impossible a year ago. The truth is, in many ways I have thrived during this pandemic. And you know what? So have many of my friends. That’s not to say that we all haven’t encountered challenges; everyone has had their wobbly days or suffered during this challenging time and most people can relate to that all oppressive feeling of being unable to go anywhere or do anything; the claustrophobia of being trapped in a house in the bleak mid-winter.

But throughout it all, I have witnessed the most incredible transformations. I have seen the tension of anxious workmates visibly melt away before my eyes as they take up running and reading and telling me about the inspiring podcasts they’ve been listening to. I have seen fellow performers move from a constant striving to achieve the seemingly impossible to a calm thriving as they stop, breathe and refocus their creative energies on more realistic projects. I have seen many friends re-train; expanding their minds to the possibility that another life awaits them, that all is not lost just because one creative door has closed.

Every time I hear that someone has turned a negative situation into something my heart is filled with joy. Before my very eyes, the people that I love have morphed from caterpillars into butterflies and I am right beside them, soaring through the sky, a million possibilities at my fingertips. And while I cannot completely relate to the hardship that many have endured, I can at least feel grateful for what I have. I can choose to focus on all the abundance in my life. So much is said about what we have lost during this past year, what the pandemic has taken from us. But what about everything we have gained? I know that everyone’s journey has been different; that many people have been hit financially as well as emotionally but no matter what the situation in our own lives, maybe we can find at least three things we can be grateful for every day? 

I was listening to an Oprah Super Soul podcast the other day and she was talking to a scientist who had actually put gratitude to the test. They gathered together several 80-year-olds who not only registered as being highly pessimistic but also had pessimism in their genes (yes, it’s a thing!) For 21 days each person had to start the day by writing down three things they were grateful for. By the end of the 21 days, they were all tested and the result? They had transformed from high ranking pessimists to low ranking optimists. 

I find these findings incredibly inspiring. Finally, science has proven what many of us know already; that your thoughts affect your emotions and your emotions affect your day and the days build into weeks which turn into years and this accumulates into your life. We have a choice in how we see the world and how we see the world becomes our truth. If you choose to only see the possibility of rain behind those fluffy white clouds you will have a very different experience to someone who sees the sun just hidden from view. Surely if science has proven that in only three weeks genetically pessimistic individuals can change their brain activity after 80 years of conditioning, anything is possible, right?  

Our brains are incredibly obedient creatures and while it often feels like we cannot control our emotions completely, we can control our thoughts and these thoughts lead to choices and those choices become your life. The hardest and yet the most rewarding thing you can do when feeling down is to fill your mind with gratitude. It doesn’t mean that you’re ignoring the things that are making you sad or failing to acknowledge your emotions but it does mean that amid that turmoil you are choosing to focus on what is good in your life. In doing so, we can often stop ourselves from sinking further into the dark pit of despair. 

Today I am thankful for my health, my home and the sunshine. But most importantly I am grateful for the time that I have to enjoy those things; the time to sit and write this post, the time to enjoy nature, the time to cook nourishing food, the time to talk to friends, the time to do what I love and teach others. 

So now it’s your turn….what are YOU grateful for? 

I for one would love to know. 

Together we can start a gratitude revolution.

If you would like to share your thoughts on this subject, I would love to hear from you! Please leave a comment below or SUBSCRIBE via email so you never miss a blog post or delicious recipe again!  

• #27. A Little Vegan in Paris
• #26. The Joy of Coming Home
• The Rise of the Flexi-Vegan (Part 1)
• ANZAC Biscuits with a Twist
• Easy Chocolate Banana Bread

Strangely, I have never been one to panic; in fact, I’m quite good at setting goals and completing tasks in quite an orderly fashion without feeling too frazzled. Like anyone, I’ve always had times when I’ve felt a little overwhelmed but I’ve had the coping mechanisms to deal with it. And then COVID happened. And then lockdown number three happened. And now I am meditating for 10-15 minutes a day to ground myself, get into the right mindset and feel grateful for where I am and the life that I have, rather than screaming at the walls ‘Why am I here? Why aren’t I in Australia where it’s safe? Where I can brunch with friends and hug people and go to the cinema and take a road trip?’ 

Yes, the panic is real. I guess it comes with the territory; I’m a dual citizen and I love the country of my birth as well as the country I have decided to make ‘home.’ It’s just a tough blow when you realise that you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time. Don’t get me wrong, I certainly do feel grateful. Gratitude is a practice that I have been working on every day. But acknowledging how lucky you are and feeling completely at peace are two different things and they don’t always go together. After a very productive, inspired January and February I seemed to hit a wall this week (something I’m sure many can relate to!) It’s not that I entered a deep dark place like I did during my slubby time after Christmas, it’s just that I’ve grown weary. Weary of talking to people through an electronic device, weary of not feeling safe, weary of lockdown life where more or less every day feels the same and most of all, weary of myself.

I am literally bored with myself. 

I know I should feel optimistic because last Monday the government announced their ‘Road map out of Lockdown’ and suddenly we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. We now have dates in which we know that life can resume; markers paving the way out of this darkness and into the light. I am incredibly thankful for this as it gives us all something to look forward to and for the first time in a long while we can start making plans! But with these ‘freedom announcements’ (as I call it) comes another set of feelings. I have started to feel anxious about my life opening up again; especially when it comes to schools opening on 8^th March. I am expected to return and teach my singing students face to face and quite frankly I’m scared. The closer I get to being vaccinated, the more anxious I am about contracting COVID. I have managed to dodge this virus for a whole year, what if I get it mere months before my first vaccination?

These anxious thoughts have not manifested overnight, they have been months in the making. When the country shut down last March and we went into our first three-month lockdown there was a collective energy; a need to achieve, to use the ‘down time’ to learn a new skill, or reach out to friends, to hold zoom pub quizzes and exercise more. This was our way of coping with the stress of the unknown; the stress of a pandemic we had never faced before. It was also our way of taking advantage of the extra time that we had and when I look at my friends and what they have achieved I am in awe. Some have re-trained, others have taken up running, or started new businesses or relocated abroad. 

Now we’re nearly a year on and the energy has definitely shifted. There are no more zoom parties, no more ‘manic achievers.’ We have all grown weary. Weary of life, weary of this virus, weary of ourselves. A friend of mine made an interesting point recently; she said that now we have a road map out of lockdown we’re in a transitional phase and it’s often these phases in life that are the hardest. Yes, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel but we still have a long way to go and with that comes fear. Change is scary. At least when we were in strict lockdown there were limited expectations and limited choices we could make. Now the world is opening up again there is pressure; yes, there is freedom too, but with freedom comes choice, with choice, comes responsibility and with responsibility comes difficult decisions.

Today I decided to not be a slave to fear and anxiety and to also keep the faith that we are all moving forward even if at times it feels like we’re stuck on the spot. Change can happen when we least expect it and it need not be scary. In fact, it can be beautiful.

This reminds me of my Orchid. Four years ago I received it as a gift and I was determined to keep it alive (even though I don’t have a great track record with plants). Year after year it continued to grow but refused to flower again. I have heard that Orchids are temperamental creatures and so I didn’t take it personally, I just continued to water it and feed it every once in a while and make sure it was placed on a sunny windowsill. Last week when I was feeling at my lowest I suddenly looked up and saw precious little buds. They seemed to have appeared overnight! Before long, these buds had bloomed into stunning purple flowers. 

My Orchid has taught me that ‘re-blooming is possible even in the most challenging of times; change is just a bud away. If we continue to nurture ourselves even when life is at its darkest, we will be able to one day step into the light and show off our stunning flowers. 

Sometimes it’s the simplest things that can get us through. I will not give in to my fears and my anxiety. I will nourish myself, care for myself and protect myself but I will do that while living my life in full bloom, for the whole world to see.  

If you would like to share your thoughts on this subject, I would love to hear from you! Please leave a comment below or SUBSCRIBE via email so you never miss a blog post or delicious recipe again!  

• #27. A Little Vegan in Paris
• #26. The Joy of Coming Home
• The Rise of the Flexi-Vegan (Part 1)
• ANZAC Biscuits with a Twist
• Easy Chocolate Banana Bread

Yet I must say, I was pleasantly surprised with how well I fared. And this got me thinking about the importance of experiencing things head-on and facing the truth. So often we run from unpleasant experiences (like sorting out the loft) and most of all we run from ourselves; from our own terrifying thoughts. It’s scary being confronted with yourself when you can’t hide behind long lunches with friends, a treadmill at the gym or planning your next holiday. Whether the lockdown experience has been busy for you or not, it’s forced many of us to stand out in the open and really be seen; obviously not by others (ah, remember parties?) but by ourselves, warts and all. 

As challenging as January can be, I actually think it’s February we need to be careful of. February lures us in with the promise of Spring but let’s be honest, it isn’t until the clocks change in March that we really feel like the season has changed. As I sit here writing this I am looking out as snow flurries into the back garden, coating the decking in a smooth blanket of white. It really is stunning and reminds me that winter can indeed be beautiful, (as long as you’re wearing warm enough clothing!)

It has been a nice change being able to enjoy the snow without the stress of having to drive in it, or catch a train in it or navigate it in any other way. I can sit here and appreciate the icy beauty outside the window without being worried that my school will be closed tomorrow or that the tubes will be delayed or events cancelled. It’s so refreshing to simply be able to appreciate this world of white that so rarely graces us in the South of England. 

My birthday was on 1^st February and every year I moan about the date. This is because my birthday is often spent feeling severely jet-lagged and depressed following our return flight from Australia, the weather is always dark and gloomy and we often are low on funds having ‘lived it up’ while being away. Christmas is a distant memory and our wedding anniversary is mid-January so by the time my birthday rolls around we’re too tired to celebrate. This year I had the added woe of it being in the middle of lockdown so plans were incredibly limited. Everyone deserves to feel special for one day of the year and how can that happen when we can’t see family and friends, everything is closed and the idea of ‘fun’ is going for a walk to the coffee shop? 

Well, let me tell you I was pleasantly surprised. From the moment I woke up, I was incredibly spoilt with thoughtful gifts, deliveries of vegan macarons, cookies and flowers and homemade pancakes for breakfast! My husband made a two-tiered chocolate cake and we did go for that afternoon walk to the coffee shop (which was fab!) I was treated to a hot bath and massage and we ordered takeaway from the local Turkish restaurant. I was inundated with birthday messages and my friends surprised me with a zoom party in the evening. It was probably one of the best birthdays I have ever had. Of course, it did help that I wasn’t jet-lagged or suffering from the post-holiday blues.

Again, it showed me that there is so much pleasure to be found in simple things. Do I miss parties? Of course, I do. Do I miss travel? You bet! Do I miss going to London to see a show? Yep. But perhaps when we have fewer distractions, fewer places to be or things to plan we make more of an effort with what is around us. We make more of an effort with the people we love. Not every day is easy; in fact, most of us are just doing our best to ‘cope’ and get through each day and that is ok. We’re allowed to feel challenged and frustrated and lonely at times. But how wonderful that through the midst of a pandemic when we cannot see or touch each other, we can still find ways to be seen and be touched; through texts, video calls, gifts, food, friendship and love. 

Because no matter what this pandemic has taken or will take from us, we still have friendship and love. We can still make one another feel special even if it is just for one day. And we can decide to face ourselves openly and honestly; the good, the bad and the ugly. If we fall apart we simply take a breath and re-build ourselves again. 

So congratulations on making it this far! You are stronger than you think. So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to grit your teeth, climb that ladder and sort out the loft.

If you would like to share your thoughts on this subject, I would love to hear from you! Please leave a comment below or SUBSCRIBE via email so you never miss a blog post or delicious recipe again! 

• #27. A Little Vegan in Paris
• #26. The Joy of Coming Home
• The Rise of the Flexi-Vegan (Part 1)
• ANZAC Biscuits with a Twist
• Easy Chocolate Banana Bread

The truth is, there are a lot of things we cannot currently control. The seemingly never-ending lockdowns, the loss of income caused by the pandemic, the fact that we can’t physically see family and friends and the hardest thing to accept is not knowing what this year will bring. Will we be able to travel again? Will we feel safe again? Will we be financially secure? Will we feel lonely? Of course, every year we ask ourselves similar questions because we can never truly control everything, nor do we ever know what the year will have in store for us. But COVID has forced us to throw out the old map of our lives and draw a completely new one. Or in most cases, not consult a map at all. We are all free-styling and doing the best we can.  

A friend of mine told me that the word for 2021 is ‘flexibility’ and it got me thinking about what that word meant and how important it is in our everyday lives. I practice daily yoga to feel physically strong and flexible and I like the way it calms my mind. However, through yoga, I have learned that flexibility should seep into every aspect of your life. It’s important to have a flexible mind: Yes, set goals and intentions and write ‘to do’ lists but also stay open to new ideas that can sometimes visit us when we least expect it. Don’t get fixated on the small stuff but instead try to always see the bigger picture. 

It’s important to have a flexible heart: Know the importance of listening to what you truly want every day. Some days you feel like Superwoman, full of energy and good intentions and you’re totally winning at life. Other days a slower pace is needed. Maybe you need more cups of tea, maybe you need to have more ‘quiet time’ or instead of completing the ‘to do’ list, you need to take a step back and talk to a friend. There are many days when things don’t quite go to plan and I think it’s important to accept this. Why not be grateful for what the day has given you, learn from it and move on? 

January is always a tricky month as there is so much pressure to set resolutions, hit the ground running, set goals and ACHIEVE. This year is more challenging than ever because the pandemic is shaping our goals, our thoughts, our emotions and what we feel we’re capable of doing. Many of us are living through some kind of grief or loss, having to adapt to our new ‘normal’ and yet at the same time feeling guilty if we haven’t ticked all the boxes in our life. It’s a constant balancing act and yet we aren’t trained in the art of tight-rope walking. It’s no wonder we feel muddled, unmotivated and confused half the time! 

But amid the January Blues, we must remember that we do have control over some things in our life. We can decide to eat healthy, wholesome food; to exercise, to limit our use of social media, to find a window of time in which to meditate or do an activity we enjoy such as baking, crafting, reading or even bird-watching! To reach out and talk to a friend or family member, to take a walk and feel the cold wind on our face or to simply stare into space and enjoy some niksen (read more about it here). It is in taking these actions that we learn to control our mindset and in doing so, it helps us cope when life takes a turn that we don’t expect or desire. 

In essence; form self-care habits when you’re feeling good so that you can lean on these tools when you’re feeling bad. A friend of mine once said that ‘we cannot choose our emotions but we can choose our thoughts’ and this has always stuck with me, particularly on days when I feel overwhelmed, sad or unmotivated. I think it’s important to acknowledge and feel these emotions without judgement but also to realise that we do have a choice when it comes to how we respond to them.

We all know there is nothing worse than being stressed, anxious and upset and having a friend say ‘you should try meditation, it really helped me.’ Yes, on a logical level we can see how this could be the case but often when we’re in that state of mind we’re not thinking logically! We are being driven by pure emotion and so it’s not uncommon to reject that advice quite vehemently. After all, do we really want to stop what we’re doing and sit completely still for 15 minutes focusing on nothing but our despairing thoughts? Not really. It terrifies us. But if we invest our time when we’re feeling emotionally stable to cultivate habits such as meditation, yoga and other mindfulness activities it becomes second nature. Then when the cloudy days come along we have the tools to cope with it in a much more productive way. We can see a way out, we can feel grateful, we can become those annoyingly positive people who find lessons in everything and realise that from every single experience we learn, grow and become the person we’re meant to be. 

And let’s face it, you totally want to be that annoyingly positive person. Whether it’s the yogi you follow on youtube who doesn’t even break a sweat when she’s bending herself into unnatural positions, or the friend on Instagram glowing with no makeup on and posting nature pictures with #grateful or even that colleague who lost their job but who started a new business which is thriving and they’re now ‘happier than ever.’ The only reason we feel frustrated at these people is that we’re jealous. Because we feel like they have something we don’t. But many of us are capable of creating the life we want for ourselves and most of that comes from accepting the things we can’t change and taking action on the things we can. 

And taking action doesn’t just have to be for you, but can mean addressing issues outside of your own life. The perfect way to get out of our own heads is to think of others and ask the question: what is it that I can do to help another person or a cause that I’m passionate about? Can I pick up the phone and check-in with a friend? Can I give my time and energy to a cause that I believe in, perhaps volunteering my skills? Can I donate to a charity or even make waves and campaign for an important cause? The act of ‘doing and giving’ can put our lives in perspective and harness positive energy which in turn feeds back into our own lives and allows us to feel grateful for what we have and thankful that we’re able to help others not quite as fortunate. 

These acts of kindness don’t have to be big and bold. They can be incredibly small. Perhaps you share a few vegan recipes with a friend who’s thinking of taking the plunge or send a text to someone who you know is having a tough time. There are many ways to help, and they don’t take much time or money; you just have to be open to the possibilities.  

It’s not easy choosing to make a better, healthier life for yourself because it often involves breaking old habits and cultivating new ones and that is why not everyone will go down that path but know that it is indeed possible. The road might be long but there’s no rush, you only have to take small steps, even if sometimes you feel like you’ve gone the wrong way and have to turn back. As long as you keep walking, you’ll get there. And the most important thing? Don’t forget to take as many breaks as you need; pop the kettle on, put your feet up and RELAX.

Ready to make a change? Here are some resources to get you started…

• Boho Beautiful online/youtube/app. Great yoga practices and short meditations with mantras that have helped me lately. But be warned: You’ll have to put up with looking at Julia’s perfect body bending into unnatural positions without breaking a sweat. 

• Deliciously Ella App: For only 99p a month this is a great investment as not only are there tasty vegan recipes but also pilates, yoga and meditation videos. 

• @heartcorelife on Instagram has some great pilates and yoga workouts for free!
• @bodbyrod is an incredible Ballet Barre instructor full of pure joy and a perky Scottish Accent. You can’t do one of his workouts without laughing! 
• @deliciouslyella has lots of free pilates and yoga as well as nourishing recipes so a good way to dip your toes in before investing in the app.

• Untamed (Glennon Doyle) is utterly inspiring and empowering!

• www.kiva.org is a place where you can lend money to a needy entrepreneur from a 3^rd World country to help change their life. This can include helping them set up a business, go to university or buy food or animals for their farm. 97% of loans are paid back and you get to know exactly where your money is going and what impact it has had!
• www.clientearth.org is an environmental UK based charity who use the law to create lasting change throughout the world. You can donate as little as £5 so you feel like you’re putting your money where your mouth is! 

If you would like to share your thoughts on this subject, I would love to hear from you! Please leave a comment below or SUBSCRIBE via email so you never miss a blog post or delicious recipe again! 

• #27. A Little Vegan in Paris
• #26. The Joy of Coming Home
• The Rise of the Flexi-Vegan (Part 1)
• ANZAC Biscuits with a Twist
• Easy Chocolate Banana Bread

It’s that awkward time of year when Christmas is over and New Year hasn’t happened yet and we’re just waiting. ‘Waiting for what?’ I hear you ask. Well, I’m not really sure. 

A friend of mine described it as ‘the slubby time’ and instantly I knew that this phrase encapsulated my feelings perfectly. Another way to describe it is ‘the in-between,’ because this week always feels a bit like no man’s land. We’re stuck between Christmas indulgence and New Years resolutions; between work and play; between festivity and monotony. If like me, you feel as though your emotions are a pendulum swinging unpredictably between joy and sadness, contentment and restlessness and you find yourself getting teary for no explicable reason then take comfort in the fact that you are not alone. 

The ‘January blues’ are a very real thing and they can set in as soon as Christmas is over and the decorations have come down. Others experience the blues from around mid-January when the weather is cold, resolutions have failed and people are stuck paying off their Christmas debt. It doesn’t help that many people put on weight during the festive period and all the indulgence that at first felt so good leading up to Christmas (too many mince pies and mulled wine) now leaves you feeling even worse. 

It’s a classic sugar crash and I have definitely been experiencing it in the last couple of days. Generally, I eat a well balanced, wholefood plant-based diet. My one vice is baking sweet treats to have with a cup of coffee in the afternoon but even then, I make sure to use wholemeal flour, limited oil and no refined sugar. However, when it comes to Christmas time, I indulge as much as the next person. This year I made my own mince pies with puff pastry and because I didn’t add any sugar to the mincemeat, I felt justified in eating at least two in one sitting! I also made vegan rocky road with fresh blueberries (one of my 5 a day, surely?!) and gingerbread biscuits. The sticky gingerbread I made for Christmas day dessert seemed to last forever so I found myself eating it over three days with cream and ice-cream and I haven’t even started talking about the vegan cheese and biccies, crisps and dip and panettone and pancakes I’ve been scoffing! Yes, it’s been a very indulgent week and my body is certainly feeling it.

This is why I woke up on Monday morning and thought NO MORE. My body was screaming to get back to a healthier diet, especially one lower in sugar. The rest of the sticky gingerbread has now gone into the freezer and I am weaning myself off the guilty foods and embracing lots of fruit and vegetables. I want to get back on track so I can treat myself a little on New Year’s Eve as it’s going to be a sad one this year as we are unable to see friends and family because of the current lockdown restrictions here in the UK. If we can’t enjoy a night of naughty food, what else is there? 

And that is why my ‘slubby time’ is so much worse this year. Normally I’m either in Australia spending time with my family and going to the beach or I’m about to go to Australia so I have something to look forward to. This will be the first year in a long time where I am forced to stay put and fully experience the entire English winter and let me tell you, I’m not looking forward to it one bit! When the days are so short, dark and cold it’s difficult to feel energised and inspired. Add to that, the fact that we are living through a pandemic and all the stress that brings and you have a recipe for serious depression. 

But I will not be beaten! I have decided to change my mindset (as it’s pretty much the only thing I have control of at the moment) and I will stop thinking about all the things I hate about January and instead focus on nourishing my body, mind and spirit. This means eating healthy yet hearty food, keeping up the regular walks despite the weather, making an effort to talk to friends, devoting time to activities I enjoy (at the moment it’s knitting) and maybe even challenging myself by learning new skills (crotchet!) What else can I do? In fact, what is more important than self-care? I feel like in the coming months we will be facing our toughest challenge yet as the COVID pandemic creeps towards the yearly mark and the novelty of the first lockdown will be but a distant memory. Remember that time? When we had glorious sunshine and everyone embraced nature and made sourdough from scratch and created funny lockdown videos and started zooming friends and family? Back then we were so ignorant; we thought that by 2021 COVID would be a thing of the past. 

But when Big Ben chimes it’s first bells on 1^st January, the world isn’t going to suddenly shed it’s virus-ridden skin and ‘go back’ to the way things were. Just because a new year has begun doesn’t mean COVID will be left behind. No, it’s very much here to stay for a little while yet. Yes, there is light at the end of the tunnel; vaccines are being rolled out every day but it will be a long time before life completely returns to ‘normal.’ 

And what is normal? Surely 2020 has flipped the term ‘normal’ on its head and made us question who we are, what makes us happy, who is important to us and how we are going to approach the future. We have all had to navigate new ways to work, new ways to connect and new ways to cope emotionally with the constant stress of feeling unsafe and the reality of not being able to see friends and family. And these changes will be etched permanently into who we are. When we eventually step into the new world where COVID is no longer a threat, we will be stepping into that world as different people. Our habits will have changed, our interactions and relationships will have changed and maybe even our sense of purpose will have changed. 

For me, this week was a long time coming. Over the last few days, I have experienced so much more than just the ‘Post-Christmas Blues;’ I have let myself grieve for everything that I have lost this year. The lost Christmas with my family in Australia, the knowledge that it will be two years before I can see them in person again, the loss of work and income, the challenges I’ve faced maintaining friendships that rely on face to face contact (something I took for granted before), all the hugs I haven’t been able to have and the feeling of safety that again, I took for granted. 

I also know that through all this there is so much to be grateful for and I am, daily. But sometimes we just need to wallow. To sob and scream and let it all out and not feel like we have to get back up again. That emotional release is good for the soul. I know that the sun will shine again, just as I know that the birds will sing again, and I will get on a plane again, and go out for brunch with my friends again, and hug my mum again and be in a theatre watching a musical with hundreds of other people and not feeling unsafe again. But when that finally happens, will I be the same person as I was before? 

Probably not.

And most of all, I grieve for that person left behind. 

But without change, there is no growth, and without growth, there is no enlightenment so I will embrace this slubby time; cry all the tears, feel all the feels and then rise again in the new year and throw my arms around the world. 

What other choice do I have?

What other choice do any of us have? It reminds me of Finding Nemo when the character Dory the fish is always chanting ‘Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.’ At the end of the day, all we can do is keep on swimming; upwards, towards the light. 

If you would like to share your thoughts on this subject, I would love to hear from you! Please leave a comment below or SUBSCRIBE via email so you never miss a blog post or delicious recipe again! 

• #27. A Little Vegan in Paris
• #26. The Joy of Coming Home
• The Rise of the Flexi-Vegan (Part 1)
• ANZAC Biscuits with a Twist
• Easy Chocolate Banana Bread