Why is it that, as soon as I start to focus on eating healthily (as in half a bowl of trifle is not a healthy breakfast), I crave Mars bars? I don't particularly like Mars bars and I couldn't tell you when I last bought/consumed one, but it happens every time. What's that all about?
I think soup rather than Mars bars will feature quite a lot in my meal planning over the next few weeks although, to be fair, it always has and particularly for lunches though I'll probably leave out the dumplings for a while.
This recently acquired book, which I read about here, should provide some much needed inspiration. Anna Thomas' "Vegetarian Epicure" was one of the the first vegetarian recipe books I bought when, many years ago, I found myself romantically attached to a young man who had never eaten meat and fish and who also had a hatred of eggs. (And yes, Readers, I married him). I'd soon exhausted my meat free repertoire of beans on toast, cauliflower cheese and vegetable curry and needed some help. Armed with a couple of other classics from the 70's, I tried new recipe after new recipe (some are still favourites) and soon found I actually preferred a vegetarian diet.
But back to soup. This was today's offering - lentil, carrot and swede - concocted with what was available in the post-Christmas fridge and cupboard. Lunch doesn't get much healthier, does it?
I'm sure there was something else I wanted to tell you about. Now, what was it? Ah yes.
Let me introduce you to Boo Radley (just plain Boo will do), our 8 weeks old Cocker Spaniel pup.
We only collected him last night so if you think he looks a little nervous or confused, that's probably because he was.
Well done to those of you who guessed our plans. Predictably, the new arrival has not gone down at all well with our cats, particularly Bea who is very withdrawn and refusing to have anything to do with anyone. It's very early days, I know, so time will tell.
It's about 17 years since we last had a puppy in the house.
I'd forgotten how much they widdle.
P.S. Fortunately we have no carpets here.