tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60929761895882735322024-03-16T01:12:01.601+00:00imogen mollythinkings and musings and general thought drivelImmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698580893763867986noreply@blogger.comBlogger186125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092976189588273532.post-57088205441418033292024-01-16T22:41:00.000+00:002024-01-16T22:41:14.951+00:00Guidelines for 2024<p><span style="font-family: times;"> <i>sneak peak: 30 guidelines for going through life, or at least 2024</i></span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">A (not exhaustive) selection of things I have learned which I will be taking with me into 2024 (and beyond):</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">1. Life is just one big adventure; don't take any of it seriously.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">2. Do scary things. Better still, do scary things by yourself just to prove that you can.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">3. Practice makes perfect. A little every day will get you a very long way.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">4. Spend time with animals. Spend time in nature. Wonder at the awe of it all.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">5. Generosity makes everyone feel good.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">6. Fake it til you make it actually does work.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">7. There is no right path so wander wherever you like.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">8. Do all things with kindness.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">9. Take up the space you occupy boldly - jump around, dance, sing, shout, make MOVEMENT and NOISE and ENJOY IT.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">10. The less time spent on your phone, the better. (See also: screens in general.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">11. Life is most fun when you laugh easily and often, and LOUDLY.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">12. You don't have to be good at things to do them. You just have to do them.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">13. Tell people you love them. And tell them why.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">14. Filtered water is the only way in London, but it still doesn't compare to Scottish water.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">15. Ideas deserve to be acted on, so when you have them, don't just think them - get on and do them.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">16. Look after the planet in every way you can.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">17. BE EXCITED ABOUT THINGS!!!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">18. Friendships can be found absolutely anywhere if you're open to them.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">19. Be a voice for the voiceless.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">20. It makes no sense to save things 'for best' - use them, wear them, drink them whenever.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">21. Protect time for your hobbies, and prioritise them.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">22. Relaxing is not wasting time! RELAX, OKAY.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">23. Feel your feelings.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">24. Work hard and be a 'yes' person (but protect your work-life balance...).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">25. No amount of steamy showering will get creases out of clothes, it's a myth.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">26. A calm night in every so often is important for the soul (and the life admin to-do list).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">27. Do good things and do them quietly, without seeking recognition.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">28. Eat as many different colours as you can every day.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">29. Fill your surroundings with life and liveliness, a bit of chaos keeps things fun.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">30. Go out and see the world.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCksi61R_OAMdNz3f2nvBc1WpeyOt8j9GPvn40uBGKJzqdYCkWKcE8fmZMA47Ueqy4_jfM2qPOpWDTeuUpPjDCI-_1ilnM1RMU7NylUkcbQF5usFiuYXzA_t3GkBjmVd8AOnyBFpXIuym7uZInBQZ97VA_4RHK8yNX06R9Y6PpQd-goUbHOQyQPSgY4c/s4855/guidelines%20for%202024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="an elderly man is smiling, dancing with headphones on and his eyes closed" border="0" data-original-height="4855" data-original-width="3940" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCksi61R_OAMdNz3f2nvBc1WpeyOt8j9GPvn40uBGKJzqdYCkWKcE8fmZMA47Ueqy4_jfM2qPOpWDTeuUpPjDCI-_1ilnM1RMU7NylUkcbQF5usFiuYXzA_t3GkBjmVd8AOnyBFpXIuym7uZInBQZ97VA_4RHK8yNX06R9Y6PpQd-goUbHOQyQPSgY4c/w520-h640/guidelines%20for%202024.jpg" title="Guidelines for 2024, imogen molly, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" width="520" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">taking up the space he occupies boldly, an example to us all</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>Immyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698580893763867986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092976189588273532.post-74329537352910318392023-07-27T22:48:00.000+01:002023-07-27T22:48:15.486+01:00Eating cold spicy food<div><i>sneak peak: musing on the confusion of spicy leftovers straight out of the fridge</i><i><br /></i><br /></div><div>Eating cold spicy food. Not an assault on the senses; much more understated than that.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not an assault on the senses in the sense (sense sense) of crossing a road at rush hour in Bangkok or entering a steam room soundtracked by very loud country music (not that I have done either of those, which might explain why they make my senses quite so confused, but I would be open to both).</div><div><br /></div><div>Not an assault on the senses as much as an accidental banging into; you're late and rushing, looking in a hundred directions at once and OOF - your senses were walking happily along the street and you banged (bung?) right into them. They're fine, just a little discombobulated and unsure of themselves for a moment. That's what it's like eating cold spicy food.</div><div><br /></div><div>Or maybe it's more a feeling of surprise at what was, rather than what you thought would be. You hopped on a plane to France, only to find yourself stepping off in Finland. You waited for a blind date, and then in came a catfish, swimming up to say hello and shake your fin. You bought a lottery ticket, only to find - to your dismay and genuine shock - that you didn't win the jackpot. You took a mouthful of your food, and felt the refreshing 'just out of the fridge' cool, and just as you went in for another bite, you felt a fire spark into life. Flecks of red making their way through the velvet blue.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then you put your fork down, because now you feel confused. Cold and spicy don't go together. They don't work. They're not friends, so why are they hanging out? They must have started talking while you weren't looking. It's not bad, or good, it just is. You just didn't expect it. You didn't know how it would turn out.</div><div><br /></div><div>And as it turns out (turns out turns out), it turned out fine. Very nice, in fact. But dishing up these fridge-cold leftovers wasn't some great study on taste or senses or expectation. It's just because you don't have a microwave, or even any pots and pans (I know). Cold and spicy it is then.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQWqubSMInnssn4WTBjNBLO4ZJpX0Eo1dfg8vH6xN5v0ZFOLnQmTp6fcYthQ52G5NrLK00zxH3EtgCQEmQWs2y9rnarHyZZ-KfDl2LOj7Ilc8qplaXoJZKA39yfjiceMAsb3YUModmhINTZPiZdCHJWdR6u2DXIjeRylG5ZFoQk4mK23T5h1itp9bJBQ/s6000/eating%20cold%20spicy%20food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="a pink wall with green graffiti reading 'fridge'" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQWqubSMInnssn4WTBjNBLO4ZJpX0Eo1dfg8vH6xN5v0ZFOLnQmTp6fcYthQ52G5NrLK00zxH3EtgCQEmQWs2y9rnarHyZZ-KfDl2LOj7Ilc8qplaXoJZKA39yfjiceMAsb3YUModmhINTZPiZdCHJWdR6u2DXIjeRylG5ZFoQk4mK23T5h1itp9bJBQ/w640-h426/eating%20cold%20spicy%20food.jpg" title="Eating cold spicy food, imogen molly blog, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Immyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698580893763867986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092976189588273532.post-83253049497796503112023-06-22T22:42:00.001+01:002023-06-23T22:36:51.175+01:00It's too hot and I'm too sweaty<div style="text-align: left;"><i>sneak peak: a poem about very hot weather in London</i><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's too hot and I'm too sweaty.</div><div style="text-align: left;">~Ultra Shine~ does not feel pretty.</div><div style="text-align: left;">My duvet has been banishèd;</div><div style="text-align: left;">The cover alone adorns my bed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Olive is shedding all her hair;</div><div style="text-align: left;">Those tiny strands go everywhere.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I brush her every chance I get.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm lucky if she tolerates it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Next to me, she's panting now</div><div style="text-align: left;">But no beads of sweat upon her brow.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Dogs can only sweat through their paws,</div><div style="text-align: left;">One of their *very very few* flaws.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">London is not built for this heat,</div><div style="text-align: left;">And heaven forbid you should need to meet</div><div style="text-align: left;">A friend who lives a tube-ride away...</div><div style="text-align: left;">Maybe see them another day.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Shops sell out of all their fans,</div><div style="text-align: left;">And paddling pools pre-hosepipe ban.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Pimm's finds itself in short supply,</div><div style="text-align: left;">As does the humble strawber-rye.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But let us not forget, oh no,</div><div style="text-align: left;">The havoc that is wrought by snow,</div><div style="text-align: left;">When London grinds right to a stop</div><div style="text-align: left;">Even for a single drop.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So let's not wish the sun away,</div><div style="text-align: left;">Let's soak it up and seize the day.</div><div style="text-align: left;">And when it is no longer here,</div><div style="text-align: left;">We know it will come back - even hotter and sweatier - next year.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-rQINbI3m7UcRE31zI6owDh6IzvMa01_ojHMLLqBNJdZDuee_7XGYqhFopPWNW5H9xAy6uPLwjpuyb5-YVQnSp2Vcvn5b6918ZfMxoFVRtlkTO9qU2jEvSdlRf-EzlHqlCmh-nAsQGEbZLFZnY25b360sjDs3HSq2cz-pomGVy8sMEuWPb1WMK3X1S8/s7095/it's%20too%20hot%20and%20i'm%20too%20sweaty%202.jpg"><img alt="golden retriever running along a beach with a stick" border="0" data-original-height="5409" data-original-width="7095" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-rQINbI3m7UcRE31zI6owDh6IzvMa01_ojHMLLqBNJdZDuee_7XGYqhFopPWNW5H9xAy6uPLwjpuyb5-YVQnSp2Vcvn5b6918ZfMxoFVRtlkTO9qU2jEvSdlRf-EzlHqlCmh-nAsQGEbZLFZnY25b360sjDs3HSq2cz-pomGVy8sMEuWPb1WMK3X1S8/w640-h490/it's%20too%20hot%20and%20i'm%20too%20sweaty%202.jpg" title="It's too hot and I'm too sweaty, imogen molly blog, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnl3U2c4RLPTfJFfJ7XWH0Ba9L7wXqdKhJdZxLfTSGvBiuU9C1AAt9TbLPV1qh5_KYYILG8kNkTDYfLRfqvAN8GvDbrpok_32CiTiRA6M6M-Vzftzd8P58DZkgt9Bqkn62q6xT39wZrR4J9rSZ_UW66XZ5p-pc7Cus7A3Q_aIuP_fFc_Rs2zMbMHh5c4/s5395/it's%20too%20hot%20and%20i'm%20too%20sweaty%203.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="black labrador running in the sea at the beach with a ball" border="0" data-original-height="3597" data-original-width="5395" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnl3U2c4RLPTfJFfJ7XWH0Ba9L7wXqdKhJdZxLfTSGvBiuU9C1AAt9TbLPV1qh5_KYYILG8kNkTDYfLRfqvAN8GvDbrpok_32CiTiRA6M6M-Vzftzd8P58DZkgt9Bqkn62q6xT39wZrR4J9rSZ_UW66XZ5p-pc7Cus7A3Q_aIuP_fFc_Rs2zMbMHh5c4/w320-h213/it's%20too%20hot%20and%20i'm%20too%20sweaty%203.jpg" title="It's too hot and I'm too sweaty, imogen molly blog, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaD5Mjc9G6SZiWhU9koSQluOaCG3xrZMpJAppVJT1orxiI5i1iG_ozlaCzYcM7pTN24q8lUPuV7SZLqKNKM9WV86ElyaWi8HOU9TLG6-f7MC37oyQfeVTxw0u7R4qxoR0_FNePiXtJ7yC7x9_Yf81H1S0QBqDHjYsKLhjEx19gDkskSmwJUwbsZa043c/s5895/it's%20too%20hot%20and%20i'm%20too%20sweaty%201.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em;"><img alt="collie running out of the sea at the beach with a ball" border="0" data-original-height="3930" data-original-width="5895" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaD5Mjc9G6SZiWhU9koSQluOaCG3xrZMpJAppVJT1orxiI5i1iG_ozlaCzYcM7pTN24q8lUPuV7SZLqKNKM9WV86ElyaWi8HOU9TLG6-f7MC37oyQfeVTxw0u7R4qxoR0_FNePiXtJ7yC7x9_Yf81H1S0QBqDHjYsKLhjEx19gDkskSmwJUwbsZa043c/w320-h213/it's%20too%20hot%20and%20i'm%20too%20sweaty%201.jpg" title="It's too hot and I'm too sweaty, imogen molly blog, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Three dogs who have figured out the best way to deal with being too hot. Jump in the sea.</div></div>Immyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698580893763867986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092976189588273532.post-43313399260903407982023-06-15T22:52:00.001+01:002023-06-15T22:52:33.895+01:00Blog post ideas for when you have none<div><i>sneak peak: 10 blog posts you can write when you're short on time and/or ideas</i> <br /><br /></div><div>It happens to the best of us: we run out of time, or we're stuck for ideas, or we simply forgot it was Bloggy Thursday (guilty). Here are a few easy ideas to take the thinking out of it for you, to help you in a pinch when you're not sure what to write.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdf0UByNPPp-FhNzE_gWLqiaONAtORyLwB0Ucwlgja6sKZwOp4Ocz4x2nbD7HZN4VC4XaOcx1yiAdn7tgsOAy9ioMLvT1GpfrqocXcbOxJ3Z_ONgdZzKD-Grkxw4JJMfogsTSSuNUPLYqktLNiCxNHW9vVUUiYdxB6uMI48dW7QSF6XCn6u4xCbJ0M/s640/blog%20post%20ideas%20for%20when%20you%20have%20none.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="a biro on a notepad, with scrunched up balls of notepad paper in the background" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdf0UByNPPp-FhNzE_gWLqiaONAtORyLwB0Ucwlgja6sKZwOp4Ocz4x2nbD7HZN4VC4XaOcx1yiAdn7tgsOAy9ioMLvT1GpfrqocXcbOxJ3Z_ONgdZzKD-Grkxw4JJMfogsTSSuNUPLYqktLNiCxNHW9vVUUiYdxB6uMI48dW7QSF6XCn6u4xCbJ0M/w640-h640/blog%20post%20ideas%20for%20when%20you%20have%20none.jpg" title="Blog post ideas for when you have none, imogen molly blog, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" width="640" /></a></div><br />1. recap of what you've been reading, watching, listening to<br />2. beginner's how-to guide on something you're good at<br />3. your favourite family recipe<br />4. funny story of something that happened to you<br />5. detailed review of a film or TV programme you've seen recently<br />6. share a new skill you've learned or are learning, and what helped you<br />7. your take on something going on in the world<br />8. for a food blog, put a bunch of your recipes together to make a few menus people can follow<br />9. photo post of assorted things you've been up to recently<br />10. a list of blog post ideas for when you have no ideas... oh</div><div><br /></div><div>Hope it helps!</div>Immyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698580893763867986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092976189588273532.post-84669338117323610272023-06-09T00:00:00.002+01:002023-06-09T00:11:49.981+01:00How to keep your dog cool when it's absolutely sweltering<div><i>sneak peak: 10 tips for keeping your dog cool in very hot weather</i><br /><br /></div><div>The UK has an amber weather warning in several regions for hot weather this weekend - the first, I'm sure, of many like it over the next few months. Summer is lovely but I'm already slightly dreading the 40+ temperatures we faced last year. Nobody, however, is dreading it more than my very heat-unresilient (?) dog. (On reflection, possibly there are people dreading it more than her, but for narrative effect I'm going to say she's dreading it the most. Out of everyone. In the world.)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TGPUW0qpb454iuL3tdsCn4-66GlNtklQpEG1stv6CqxIXPMy1Z3LYnyrds_TYrHcmzmXcJdYKTSwSeOb4_Drxi7HhJilhZ6xQfFUqMTpq6_5Ry83aXQCP9ml55Xg8tWs_uubx2EH2ZMYkYWslGAFrX4PWURu7G49R22PlMs-OSLtMEeiPSlGiF6C/s2739/how%20to%20keep%20your%20dog%20cool%2002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Two black greyhounds lying on a picnic rug in the shade" border="0" data-original-height="2501" data-original-width="2739" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TGPUW0qpb454iuL3tdsCn4-66GlNtklQpEG1stv6CqxIXPMy1Z3LYnyrds_TYrHcmzmXcJdYKTSwSeOb4_Drxi7HhJilhZ6xQfFUqMTpq6_5Ry83aXQCP9ml55Xg8tWs_uubx2EH2ZMYkYWslGAFrX4PWURu7G49R22PlMs-OSLtMEeiPSlGiF6C/w640-h584/how%20to%20keep%20your%20dog%20cool%2002.jpg" title="How to keep your dog cool when it's absolutely sweltering, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>My dog is a greyhound, a fact that will almost certainly not have escaped you if you know me even a tiny bit (because I'm relentlessly obsessed with her). Greyhounds are particularly ill-equipped to deal with hot weather, coming in at number five on the <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/dog-owners-heat-warning-uk-b2347574.html" target="_blank">RSPCA's list of the nine dog breeds most likely to be affected by heatstroke</a>.</div><div><br />The vast majority of breeds on the list are brachycephalic (flat-faced, which impacts their ability to breathe properly); greyhounds, in all their pointiness, are clearly not. For them, the risk is apparently likely due to the volume of muscle mass they have in relation to their body size, which means their core temperature can rise particularly high, or (and?) related to how little fat and hair they have, meaning they lack insulation against the heat. For context, greyhounds are believed to be four times more likely to suffer from heatstroke than labradors. My greyhound is black, which means she absorbs the heat even more.<br /><br /></div><div>All of which is to say... we need to keep our doggies cool! Here are a few ideas for how:</div><div><br /></div><div>1. <b>Walk early and late</b></div><div>Wake up early for a walk first thing before the heat has really set in, and another one late in the evening, because lunchtime walks are a no-go. Not only is the air hot and the sun beating down, but the pavements are also far too hot to be safe for fragile paws. If you can't comfortably keep your hand on the ground for five seconds, it's too hot for your dog and could burn their paws. Pavements will hold residual heat for a long time too, so early evening is still too soon - take the opportunity for a lovely picturesque stroll at dusk, and maybe even enjoy the sunset. The walks themselves should be a bit more mellow, don't go crazy running around - maybe leave the ball at home, and take a water bottle with you.</div><div><br /></div><div>(1a. <b>Booties</b> - on a related note, you may want to consider some booties to protect the paws anyway, and as a bonus they can help you in winter when the salt that is sprinkled everywhere can be irritating to paws. If you have a greyhound and you find some that don't cost an arm and a leg and that actually work, please tell me.)</div><div><br /></div><div>2. <b>Hydration station</b></div><div>It's important your dog drinks water all the time, but particularly when it's very hot and they're panting a lot, producing saliva, and losing water that way. (Did you know the only way dogs can sweat is through their paws? You do now.) I have found that filling the water bowl with fridge-cold water from the filter jug (not joking) makes my dog drink much more water, and you can also add bits and bobs to take it even further. A capfull of whatever milk you drink (oat in this house) can make the water taste just a little bit more interesting. Sometimes I chuck a bunch of frozen peas in so she can fish them out and drink some water in the process, but be warned that water does go absolutely everywhere because they're basically trying to chew it, so it just spills out. Oh well, the sun is blaring in so it will evaporate soon enough.</div><div><br /></div><div>3. <b>Ice ice baby</b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdB-DlPfW1lmbMd67SLzEvXSfuZFZX4wXj_NufgNV2a_GIH_wlEBXlWd5t6V8m00yJ94bqAsa1S026S-xHiW_XWYaX_tvjuw8ODk38zgV9u3MjKTVGDCyKzDvPB-MQZAb4jzEMZdCgoPloQdAD7tPatARVv4aBkCt4i0HyXFtS7M1tHAKQaLNiPZv-/s3620/how%20to%20keep%20your%20dog%20cool%2001.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="A black greyhound stands with two ice packs balanced on her back" border="0" data-original-height="3620" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdB-DlPfW1lmbMd67SLzEvXSfuZFZX4wXj_NufgNV2a_GIH_wlEBXlWd5t6V8m00yJ94bqAsa1S026S-xHiW_XWYaX_tvjuw8ODk38zgV9u3MjKTVGDCyKzDvPB-MQZAb4jzEMZdCgoPloQdAD7tPatARVv4aBkCt4i0HyXFtS7M1tHAKQaLNiPZv-/w267-h320/how%20to%20keep%20your%20dog%20cool%2001.jpg" title="How to keep your dog cool when it's absolutely sweltering, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" width="267" /></a></div>Really easy - throw some ice cubes in their water bowl. They'll either crunch them or enjoy an especially cold drink. Or put ice packs directly on your dog - not straight out of the freezer though as it will be too cold, and never actual 'raw' ice; these can burn the skin. If the ice packs are straight out of the freezer, wrap them in a tea towel before putting them in contact with your dog (also can use a bag of frozen peas or similar in the same way).</div><div><br /></div><div>4. <b>Cool couture</b></div><div>You can go for a specific cooling t-shirt or bandana made of special technical fabric, or you can make do with tea towels and facecloths and whatever else you can fit into the fridge. Either way, soak the items in cold water, wring them out so they're not dripping but definitely still wet, and put them in the fridge for half an hour or so. Then just drape them over your hot dog, swapping them out when they start to dry or are no longer cooling. Note: the garments can have the opposite effect if they get too hot, instead trapping the heat in, so make sure you keep an eye on them and have a bit of a rotation system in place.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>5. <b>Cooling mats</b></div><div>Taking a similar approach, cooling mats are filled with a sort of gel (think of those squidgy cooling eye masks that go in the fridge) which you chill in the fridge and stay cool for quite a while. They act as a chilly haven for your dog to stagger over to and flop down on when they simply ~cannot~ with the heat.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>6. <b>Paddling pools (yes, really)</b></div><div>Yes, it's true, special dog paddling pools do exist. They're made of more durable materials and aren't inflatable, to avoid the fear of puncturing a hole in a crucial bit of wall. Fill it up with cool water (as long as there's no hosepipe ban) and add some paddling pool balls for extra interest, then teach your dog how to get in. They might just stand there ankle-deep, they might flop straight down and make themselves at home. Either way, if they aren't vibing it, you can get in yourself. Fun for all the family!</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>7. <b>Throw shade</b></div><div>Dogs find it tricky to know when enough is enough. If your dog is lying in full sun, panting like crazy and boiling hot to the touch, get them up and make them go into the shade (and give them some water while you're at it).</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>8. <b>Number one fan</b></div><div>The noise can be a bit disconcerting at first, but if you have an electric fan, try to help your dog make friends with it and realise that lying in front of it can actually be really nice. Try putting your dog's bed (or the cooling mat from tip five) in the path of the fan, encouraging them to stay there and build positive associations using treats.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>9. <b>Frozen food</b></div><div>Kongs, lickimats, dog ice cream, and just normal stuff but frozen are all great snacks for your dog in hot weather. Mine likes frozen cucumbers, frozen carrots, and frozen chopped up apples. If you have a kong or a lickimat, you can try mixing some yoghurt with things like frozen peas, blueberries, banana, and any other nice bits and bobs they enjoy (NEVER GRAPES) then letting it set in the freezer for a couple of hours until it's solid. Not only will it cool them down while they eat it, it will also make them use their brain which is particularly helpful if they're used to having a big walk in the middle of the day and need to use up some of their energy.</div><div><br /></div><div>10. <b>Shut out the sun, do do do do</b></div><div>When the weather gets quite so insanely hot, our homes heat up too, to the point that it can actually be hotter inside than out. Help your dog by making your home (or at least the room where they will sleep) as sun-proof, and therefore as cool, as possible. Pull the curtains shut, with the windows open (if the air outside is cooler than inside - if not, keep them closed), and keep doors throughout the house open so the air can circulate. Last summer, I filled my dog's bed with reusable ice packs for about half an hour before bed so it would be nice and cool for her to lie on.</div><div><br /></div><div>Important caveat! You know your dog best, so if anything seems not quite right, speak to a vet.</div><div><br /></div><div>The planet is falling apart in front of our eyes and these heatwaves are just one symptom of all the damage we're causing. Our dogs have played no part in making that happen, so the least we can do is try to minimise the impact it has on them! Let's keep them happy and comfortable until the weather returns to appropriate temperatures for going bonkers after a ball in the park.</div><div><br /></div><div>*All photos in this blog post are mine. If you wish to use any, please ask my permission and credit me.*</div>Immyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698580893763867986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092976189588273532.post-31202727156593062202023-06-01T22:35:00.000+01:002023-06-01T22:35:41.356+01:00Cous cous salad with tahini dressing [vegan]<div style="text-align: left;"><i>sneak peak: a very quick and easy recipe for a vegan cous cous salad with lots of different veggies and a tahini-based dressing</i><i><br></i><br></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hello friends, it has been just over a year since my last blog post and now here I am again. Let's not dwell on that though, because announcing that I'm 'back' seems to succeed only in destining me to fail (see: three posts ago...).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3rCqRbSXtll7l6TuBZSxbMPDRv9MN7aP-rE8JLnNVPmkcF-7e0Ev_jUp2NYGJtOg-XnwrmkpF3ux62PQRlgZMzFWsDkLmGPNXnBTeAlm2bFztAXrdSexSfVThSE3gaf2Ls342lVtFYcWnEXL03c09BrACmX3mZKqowC6bYZCphBkjEJXCdBPw6aU/s1946/cous%20cous%20salad%20with%20tahini%20dressing%20imogen%20molly%2004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="a large bowl of cous cous salad being held up against a background of a very green garden" border="0" data-original-height="1460" data-original-width="1946" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3rCqRbSXtll7l6TuBZSxbMPDRv9MN7aP-rE8JLnNVPmkcF-7e0Ev_jUp2NYGJtOg-XnwrmkpF3ux62PQRlgZMzFWsDkLmGPNXnBTeAlm2bFztAXrdSexSfVThSE3gaf2Ls342lVtFYcWnEXL03c09BrACmX3mZKqowC6bYZCphBkjEJXCdBPw6aU/w640-h480/cous%20cous%20salad%20with%20tahini%20dressing%20imogen%20molly%2004.JPG" title="Cous cous salad with tahini dressing [vegan] on imogenmolly.co.uk" width="640"></a></div><span></span><a href="https://www.imogenmolly.co.uk/2023/06/cous-cous-salad-with-tahini-dressing.html#more">read on »</a>Immyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698580893763867986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092976189588273532.post-3418558770227752832022-04-28T23:01:00.004+01:002022-04-28T23:02:48.231+01:00Should I adopt a greyhound?<p>Yes.</p><p>That's it. That's the post.</p><p>KIDDING there's more to it than that (but not that much more).</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrafRV4wBOggrhpXt1UG8reXgaDOLgXYlgxs65kFuQb7DiFH4JMsThwAs7tpVi8huYlnzdlihrxw5SrWD_qirxAjE7nreoar06bVRrpbFr4rYjUtLj0fMgIY4ZCY7nux4sBdCPNw6GwUOBTdkrNPDTbwM2dn5BJHq_538MvDA41PpUrv38UX2PUf-/s1080/should%20i%20adopt%20a%20greyhound.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Olive the greyhound gazing lovingly (pleadingly) into the camera, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="1080" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrafRV4wBOggrhpXt1UG8reXgaDOLgXYlgxs65kFuQb7DiFH4JMsThwAs7tpVi8huYlnzdlihrxw5SrWD_qirxAjE7nreoar06bVRrpbFr4rYjUtLj0fMgIY4ZCY7nux4sBdCPNw6GwUOBTdkrNPDTbwM2dn5BJHq_538MvDA41PpUrv38UX2PUf-/w640-h546/should%20i%20adopt%20a%20greyhound.jpg" title="Olive the greyhound gazing lovingly (pleadingly) into the camera, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" width="640"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>beautiful Olive looking beautiful, almost certainly asking for food</i></td></tr></tbody></table><span></span><a href="https://www.imogenmolly.co.uk/2022/04/should-i-adopt-greyhound.html#more">read on »</a>Immyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698580893763867986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092976189588273532.post-12971913575276294722022-03-17T20:55:00.003+00:002022-03-17T20:57:58.824+00:00Life lessons from the slopes<div> <i>sneak peak: I went skiing and came back with 10 shiny pearls of wisdom about life</i><i><br></i><br></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVm7U2qUsGBrmppzvsQCylG7Fdad4JAXLEJrEMo9vASfMhS3Lh_wpmjiz9MTftxuUnreHut7zdhjNvWAql04T6d6kEoMUtXehXv-XOwF6CtVF7SFK-7OrSdCLuC4SfH2NIPys0iXTBBdHFRwHXvqY2Y-JRBhigh239-x8kzMMNGC_FLP7IgOCXY66o=s5679" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3791" data-original-width="5679" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVm7U2qUsGBrmppzvsQCylG7Fdad4JAXLEJrEMo9vASfMhS3Lh_wpmjiz9MTftxuUnreHut7zdhjNvWAql04T6d6kEoMUtXehXv-XOwF6CtVF7SFK-7OrSdCLuC4SfH2NIPys0iXTBBdHFRwHXvqY2Y-JRBhigh239-x8kzMMNGC_FLP7IgOCXY66o=w640-h428" width="640"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wavier garms than mine</td></tr></tbody></table><br><span></span><a href="https://www.imogenmolly.co.uk/2022/03/life-lessons-from-slopes.html#more">read on »</a>Immyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698580893763867986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092976189588273532.post-88693117315130157422022-03-02T22:08:00.000+00:002022-03-02T22:08:49.785+00:00Guess who's back! (Me)<div><span style="font-family: times;"><i>sneak peak: I'm back on the blog!</i></span><i><span style="font-family: times;"><br></span></i><span style="font-family: times;"><br></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEOdI1rpYzhnME6rE8V_eQCHicTSRCdp3CZx-uRn0tcuu_sp0lp_nS9BrRvu9a63QYmN9TpyV518pdfOF6FCZRjkDwblBxXYcsmlvW9Qjey14COpgGUYTAAsf_stYmQ-t-2xjzw1cDqK8XXhczqFXQNIGw8BpSwTf6SyvLh01XUur_04LC44AloZOX=s6000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEOdI1rpYzhnME6rE8V_eQCHicTSRCdp3CZx-uRn0tcuu_sp0lp_nS9BrRvu9a63QYmN9TpyV518pdfOF6FCZRjkDwblBxXYcsmlvW9Qjey14COpgGUYTAAsf_stYmQ-t-2xjzw1cDqK8XXhczqFXQNIGw8BpSwTf6SyvLh01XUur_04LC44AloZOX=w640-h426" width="640"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This cat is stretching after a long snooze. "You and me both, eh cat?" said the blog.</td></tr></tbody></table><br></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><span></span></span></div><a href="https://www.imogenmolly.co.uk/2022/03/guess-whos-back-me.html#more">read on »</a>Immyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698580893763867986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092976189588273532.post-68565767403610041682021-01-01T18:14:00.004+00:002021-01-01T18:17:02.331+00:00Farewell 2020, welcome 2021<p><span style="font-family: times;"> <i>sneak peak: a short story about a hogmanay party to which 2020 is not invited, and 2021 makes a promising introductory appearance</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjWVeoPv9WSWukjimbc9XS8Ouy6dIRG9OVDnE72VZ7PZbnEA-4C2XtQi0QHh6A9tYu1sM0Rf6bLzZOpvUS_3CZc-ZA-oQe-HulpBQPTAdah0vv4WLVTLYHT-fDCBk7HbMqR16o2qVaSM/s1920/goodbye+2020%252C+welcome+2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="a city skyline with a firework display going off above it" border="0" data-original-height="1279" data-original-width="1920" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjWVeoPv9WSWukjimbc9XS8Ouy6dIRG9OVDnE72VZ7PZbnEA-4C2XtQi0QHh6A9tYu1sM0Rf6bLzZOpvUS_3CZc-ZA-oQe-HulpBQPTAdah0vv4WLVTLYHT-fDCBk7HbMqR16o2qVaSM/w640-h426/goodbye+2020%252C+welcome+2021.jpg" title="Farewell 2020, welcome 2021, imogen molly, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><i><br /></i></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">The music was swinging, laughter and chatter were providing the percussion, the drinks were in full flow, the nibbles had been decimated (the olives went particularly quickly), and the TV was on in the background ready for the countdown - but one party guest was not engaging. This one was slumped by the front door, a sullen expression readable from a considerable distance, such that nobody dared venture near. Nevertheless, the figure grumbled obscenities at the other guests and made their presence known.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">"Why don't you just tell him to leave?" the guests asked of the slump.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">"I can't. I've tried but he won't go until midnight. I thought that mask he's wearing might muffle the shouting a bit but it's not doing much," the host explained.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">"Who is he?"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">"Well, bit weird, he said his name's 2020. I thought it might be rude to question it, so I left it at that."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">"Yeah, that's.. definitely not a name. So you didn't invite him?"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">"No, he just turned up, said he knows someone in the building but I can't find who. He seemed nice when he first arrived, pretty fun..." The host petered off. She and the guest both turned to look at the man, now coughing theatrically every few minutes and mumbling to himself. Someone walked past, not quite brushing against him, and a new bout of irritable shouting ensued. Nobody else would make the mistake of going within six feet of this decidedly un-festive party guest. 'Nice' and 'fun' hardly sprung to mind.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">"Bit of a miserable git, don't you think?" one guest proclaimed loudly, and a little drunkenly, in the general direction of the scowling, spluttering man. The host shushed him, then wondered why she was protecting the feelings of this man who clearly had no regard for anyone else's.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">"It's starting!" The TV was turned up, the music turned down, and the partygoers gathered around, champagne glasses in hand, ready to watch the new year being rung in.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">In all the jubilant, chaotic celebration that followed, nobody noticed the front door opening until the host turned around to see an unfamiliar face peering around it. She opened the door wider to find that the head was attached to a body (a great relief) and was pleased to see that the body was looking very suitably dressed for a 20s themed New Year party. She smiled, relieved also to note that the slump had gone.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">"Hi! Sorry - do we know each other?"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">"Hi, no, you don't know me, yet - I just moved into the flat downstairs today, and your invitation was on the doormat, and then I've been unpacking all evening so I know I've missed the bells, but it sounded like the party was still going so I thought I'd come up and say hi, and it would be nice to meet some more of my new neighbours too, if they're still here... I hope you don't mind?" The man paused for breath. "Sorry, it's been a bit of a weird time for me, I'm about to start a new job tomorrow," - he looked at his watch - "or today, technically, so I'm a bit nervous. Big shoes to fill, big mess to clean up, you know," he concluded with a laugh.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">The host sympathised - she hosted the hogmanay party every year, she knew all about a big mess to clean up. She ushered him in, then turned suddenly to her newest guest.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">"Sorry, I didn't get your name!"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">"2021," he said. She looked at him, first confused, then suspicious. "It's a long story," he added with an apologetic smile.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">"That's okay, this is always a long party," she replied.</span></p>Immyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698580893763867986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092976189588273532.post-318156514487710492020-09-23T21:18:00.003+01:002020-09-23T21:22:18.351+01:0024 goals for 24<div><span style="font-family: times;"><i>sneak peak: 24 goals now that I am 24 years old</i></span><i><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></i><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">I'm 24! And have been for a whole week, so if practice makes perfect then hopefully I'll be pretty good at being 24 soon. As every year, here are some goals (some lofty, some ground floory) for my year of 24.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">1. Live somewhere that isn't a houseshare<br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">2. Live somewhere that isn't a houseshare, that I *own*<br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">3. Get a promotion (that house isn't going to buy itself...)<br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">4. Get some new regulars on BorrowMyDoggy (I lost all my previous regulars when I moved home and I miss them all enormously)<br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">5. Get better at sewing<br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">6. Resume learning Italian<br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">7. Learn how to style my hair and make it look ~effortless~<br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">8. Move towards being more low-waste<br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">9. Five unassisted pull-ups<br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">10. Become a bread-baker extraordinaire<br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">11. Write my blog - lots<br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">12. Continue to read - lots<br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">13. Find more ethical brands to support (Who Gives a Crap and Splosh are current faves)<br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">14. RELAX, not everything has to have a productive goal; vegging out is allowed<br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">15. Make a vegan chocolate souffle<br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">16. Guitar<br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">17. Make friends with the stallholders at the local farmers' market<br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">18. Body lotion regularly and maybe anti-ageing cream (I'm getting old, it's never too early to try and defeat time itself)<br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">19. Run.. ugh<br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">20. Dinner parties!!!<br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">21. Grow my own herbs (including you, basil - my nemesis)<br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">22. Buy a painting (I just want to, it feels like something a 24yo should do)<br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">23. Learn to handstand properly (yep, still)<br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">24. Do the splits (for old time's sake... it wouldn't be a resolutions list without this ridiculous, pointless, unlikely goal; you never know!)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">Stay tuned on my life to see how I get on, if you are so inclined. À bientôt!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx63Y0ppAWVudsy2IMeO01aSrTansa_YrnGjrQRETKLUFulpj_YkndhXZkJFl8pXIYgKO0P7J4SZTYUdOyV2kUgj4wiGRaAhTbYmyyvHwSq3X5_mIRBk8RUv4XRvZl1hAEcqLGWoGQzOM/s1920/24+goals+for+24+birthday+guinea+pig.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="a guinea pig wearing a party hat, with tiny wrapped up presents and lots of confetti" border="0" data-original-height="1183" data-original-width="1920" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx63Y0ppAWVudsy2IMeO01aSrTansa_YrnGjrQRETKLUFulpj_YkndhXZkJFl8pXIYgKO0P7J4SZTYUdOyV2kUgj4wiGRaAhTbYmyyvHwSq3X5_mIRBk8RUv4XRvZl1hAEcqLGWoGQzOM/w640-h394/24+goals+for+24+birthday+guinea+pig.jpg" title="the birthday guinea pig, 24 goals for 24, imogen molly blog" width="640" /></a></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>the birthday guinea pig! I may have used this exact photo for a previous birthday blog post, but I can't be sure and it's too good to pass by just in case...</div></td></tr></tbody></table></div>Immyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698580893763867986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092976189588273532.post-75826146089323561462020-06-15T21:31:00.004+01:002023-06-23T22:37:47.324+01:00What I wish I had known before going to uni<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">sneak peak: advice for anyone going to uni or college</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Dear 17-year-old me and my 17-year-old friends,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It's that time of year again when replies to university and college applications are coming in and people are getting ready to move on out. In the hope that it might help some of this year's cohort, here are some things you could do with hearing before you head off into the world for what will turn out to be a very interesting three years. Listen up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Do the extra reading</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Let's start with the actual purpose of going to uni - the degree. The lecturers and seminar tutors will suggest extra reading. It will be easier if you do actually do the extra reading. What will be easier? Everything. Not joking - everything. Including in first year, where "nothing counts".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Don't hole up in your room working 24/7 and having no fun, but if you do the work and you make an effort with the extra reading, you will find your whole degree easier and you will absolutely get extra marks in assignments by dropping in these nuggets you've learned.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">First year may not count, but second and third year will be a whoooooooooooole lot easier if you try hard from the beginning. Plus, if you try hard from day one, there will never be a point where you decide to start doing the extra reading and all of a sudden your workload is drastically different from what you've got yourself used to.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Join all the extra curriculars</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I agree, it's a shock to the system having to fork out dolla just for joining a club when you could just rock up to things at school, but if you can, do it. Extra curriculars after education aren't really a thing, so make the most of the opportunities now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I looked at the list online before going to uni so I had an idea in my mind of what I wanted to join, then went round the freshers fair and joined all of those and about 30 more as well. I overstretched myself in trying to actually commit to, I think, nine activities every week - this was not my brightest idea. Try out a ton of stuff, then pick what you want to keep up with, and stick to them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This is the perfect time to be a beginner at cool new things - rowing, cheer, pole dancing ('pole exercise' *eye-roll* just call it pole dancing it's not a big deal), lacrosse, student newspaper, etc. There are so many, try a whole bunch.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Speak to people</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You are all as nervous and uncertain as each other. Everyone is desperate for someone to speak to, so just suck it up and be the one to start the conversation. HOWEVER, word of warning, ask people's names and make sure they know yours early on, otherwise you risk being several months into a friendship with someone and not actually knowing each other's names (actually happened to me and a couple of my friends, of course).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Equally, if you go to uni with people you already know from school, make an effort to branch out. It can be very comforting to have familiar faces around, but you don't have to *only* hang out with your familiar faces friends. Making friends is easier when everyone else is also making friends.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">(Although I wouldn't know about the familiar faces point as it was only me and lovely K at York together from our school, so if we hadn't branched out we would have only had each other lol gone are the days of huge friend groups but wow I am so thankful I had her there too.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Go to your lectures and seminars and PUT YOUR HAND UP</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Not only will this be useful for the very obvious reason of ~learning things~, it also means your lecturers and seminar tutors will be more willing to help you. Firstly, they will know your name which gives you context rather than being some random. Secondly, if there's something you don't understand and they know you've been to their lectures/seminars, they will know that you are confused in spite of having attended classes, rather than because you didn't.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In virtual uni times, this will probably mean emailing in your homework or something similar. Yes, homework is optional at uni. No, that's not because it doesn't matter - it's because they're trying to teach us how to be self-motivated.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You don't have to be annoying about it (Hermione), just make sure you contribute. You're paying enough to be there, after all - may as well try.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Explore your city</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"I went to York last weekend, loved it."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"Oh, I went to uni in York!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"Oh really? Did you go to the Minster/walk the city walls/visit the Jorvik museum/take a guided tour of the Shambles/other well-known thing about the city?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"Yes! The Minster is so beautiful isn't it? Some really cool bars and pubs in the Shambles too." OR "Um, no actually, but I am familiar with the uni campus and the infamous prawn crackers we weren't supposed to eat in the now-closed Willow nightclub..."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You're in a fun and exciting new place, make the most of it. Plus, studenty cities generally have loads of excellent student discounts so make the most of that too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Don't worry if you don't have the most amazing time</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">People will tell you uni is the best years of your life. That may be true. It may not. Either way, there will be lots of people feeling the same. There are so many variables that we have zero control over - the flatmates you get thrown together with, your course content, whether or not you start chatting to a future best friend in some queue, non-uni factors in your own life, all sorts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You may love it, and with any luck you will because loads of people do. Just remember that if you don't love it (me), that's fine too. You might want to change courses, you might want to take a year out, you might want to leave altogether, you might want to grin and bear it - if the experience is not what you wanted it to be, that's okay.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Learn to cook some staples</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Yes, including for catered accommodation. Most catered accommodation covers breakfast and supper Monday to Friday - for lunch and at weekends, you'll be fending for yourself. Before you head off into the world, do some practicing at home so it's less daunting when, having waved off your farewell party, you're having to start fending for yourself for the first time. Get confident with a few staples that:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">- are easy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">- have affordable ingredients</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">- freeze well</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">- don't take forever to make (don't hog the kitchen)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">- are lunch box-able</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">- you can make without having to follow a recipe</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">- don't create too much washing up</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">- you could scale up for e.g. a dinner party</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">- can be adapted for friends with different diets</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">- you won't get sick of!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Stay true to yourself</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">People often use uni as an opportunity to reinvent themselves - this can be great! But it can also be not great - you don't have to dramatically change your personality/sense of humour/accent/style/whatever just because everyone is new.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Freshers week is very weird because people are trying to establish, within one week, the image of themselves that they have built over several years with their friends from school. This means it can feel very intense, particularly at the beginning, but don't worry - PEOPLE WILL CALM DOWN. Things will mellow, people will ease into their normal, comfortable selves, and everyone will take down the façades and stop trying so hard to be a more defined version of themselves.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Stick to being yourself rather than trying to be who you think people will want to be friends with, and you'll have an easier time all round.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Have fun</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You've got endless holidays, you'll all complain about having to get up in time for even one single 9am start, you're truly independent for the first time, and you can go on nights out whenever you want with pretty much no hangover and no long working day ahead of you. On that note, you'll really <i>really </i>miss the holidays. Don't take anything too seriously, you're still a teenager for more than two thirds of your time at uni, so just have fun!!! (Spoiler: none of this applies to medical students, sorry.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9H9fP8ApWKmAIbqyzAyFaNVokxEXhDu5TWahIQsv4M4UATLlOdhugh1hafoPag9VSgAD18jCuhRHlz_bY6JzvMIOnVodL2RAtCu_ChyphenhyphenYjESWFzWYdQknXD67Gqlag7TExVWIkIZv_-b4/s1600/what+i+wish+i+had+known+before+uni.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="a modern university atrium with students milling around" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9H9fP8ApWKmAIbqyzAyFaNVokxEXhDu5TWahIQsv4M4UATLlOdhugh1hafoPag9VSgAD18jCuhRHlz_bY6JzvMIOnVodL2RAtCu_ChyphenhyphenYjESWFzWYdQknXD67Gqlag7TExVWIkIZv_-b4/s640/what+i+wish+i+had+known+before+uni.jpg" title="What I wish I had known before going to uni, imogen molly blog, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">no idea what uni this is but it looks very swanky indeed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And there you have it, younger self and younger friends. </span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">And now, lil sister, it's your turn. Can't wait to come and stay with you now that you're (nearly) a fully-fledged adult who is allowed to have fun officially. AT LAST!!!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Love,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Immy</span></div>Immyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698580893763867986noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092976189588273532.post-31184431883351168492020-06-06T12:42:00.000+01:002020-06-06T12:42:57.005+01:00Where is the justice in that?<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">sneak peak: a poem about Black Lives Matter</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I wanted to get my thoughts down somehow, and this is what I came up with. I'd like to set it to music but for now it's only words. I'm working on a post collecting together a load of the really valuable Black Lives Matter information and resources that lots of people have been sharing (as much as a resource for myself to work through as for anyone else), but that will be a bit of a longer one.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5-xGySQAWgABx7hnxQpH7UWTzBjTvRjkwmVmDu0LHQm90M-iW14s23UKzDwT95ypFY74PwZV42a1OnhCXuACtQRxySiANRkUvK26hZ-x-YcEZDq0QTKIrWFG-ulJDSi96O26ktWlJK6U/s1600/Where+is+the+justice+in+that.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="image of a black square" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5-xGySQAWgABx7hnxQpH7UWTzBjTvRjkwmVmDu0LHQm90M-iW14s23UKzDwT95ypFY74PwZV42a1OnhCXuACtQRxySiANRkUvK26hZ-x-YcEZDq0QTKIrWFG-ulJDSi96O26ktWlJK6U/s640/Where+is+the+justice+in+that.jpg" title="Where is the justice in that?, imogen molly blog, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Where is the justice in that?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We see</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We breathe</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We love</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We grieve</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Feel the same joy and sorrow</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And blessed relief</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But it's too far-fetched</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For some to believe</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">That we could be so similar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And I ask</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Where is the justice in that?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We sing</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We learn</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We share</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We yearn</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For a world where your skin</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Cannot be turned</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Into an insult</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Intended to burn</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But it doesn't exist yet</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And I ask</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Where is the justice in that?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Some laugh</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And say</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"Yeah, right"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"No way"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">They don't see a problem</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">They're happy to stay</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Just how they are</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In their familiar ways</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">They refuse to listen</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And I ask</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Where is the justice in that?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We yell</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And shout</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">To tell them</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">About</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The ways to be kinder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Throw racism out</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And when we have planted</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A small seed of doubt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The tree will start growing</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And I think</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">There might be some justice in that</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I listen</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I read</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I try</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">To heed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The advice being given</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Because I know I need</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">To do better, be better</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For colour nor creed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Should ever make life any harder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Hence I ask</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Where is the justice in that?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We stand</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We march</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">With love</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In our hearts</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We strive to be better</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Break the systems apart</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And taking this step</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Is only the start</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It's been a long time coming</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And I hope</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">There will be some justice in that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Black Lives Matter</span>Immyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698580893763867986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092976189588273532.post-24089726524729043102020-05-28T08:00:00.001+01:002023-06-23T22:52:44.225+01:00Kind words for kind thoughts<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">sneak peak: a collection of quotes about kindness and the opposite of stress, to read when you need some zen</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Lockdown is a weird time (newsflash) and there is a lot of stress flying around, so this week's post is a collection of cheery-uppy quotes - for my own benefit mostly, and hopefully for the benefit of a few other people out there too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Is it clichéd and a bit on the cringey side? Maybe. Is it worth reading through them and absorbing the ~positive vibes~ anyway? I think so. Leave your cynicism at the door for this one, my friends.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGf696IDnNNUZMjVV1T3vKbjQxSaywEJtUZTz9RwGEE7HWnjWA-avgmIVGaojWId1Q8xI4M6n0zSfMHK8PSsIGPDxSyNe24ApDjh1RS2zXFQ6n2w3krc16zRLukcudMFq9vmtd-DjHUw/s1600/IMG_0075.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt=""a flower blossoms for its own joy" quote on a background of a digital drawing of a blossom tree" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGf696IDnNNUZMjVV1T3vKbjQxSaywEJtUZTz9RwGEE7HWnjWA-avgmIVGaojWId1Q8xI4M6n0zSfMHK8PSsIGPDxSyNe24ApDjh1RS2zXFQ6n2w3krc16zRLukcudMFq9vmtd-DjHUw/s640/IMG_0075.png" title=""a flower blossoms for its own joy", Kind words for kind thoughts, imogen molly blog, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Kind thoughts, kind words, kind actions and intentions always. </span><i style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">- a wise friend and yoga teacher finishes every practice with this, and ever since I heard it, I do too</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You are only human. You don't have to have it together every minute of every day. <i>- @ohverlee on Instagram</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Do what you damn well please. <i>- @shopsundae on Instagram</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The sun will rise and so will we. <i>- @jennaececelia on Instagram</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Not my circus, not my monkeys. <i>- Polish proverb shared with me by a wonderful friend</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">What's for you won't go by you. <i>- Scottish (I think?) saying</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In a world where you can be anything, be kind. <i>- I don't know, I keep some of these in my head</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Not everything that weighs you down is yours to carry. <i>- @wetheurban on Instagram</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Today I will not stress over what I can't control. <i>- a mantra I repeat to myself on the reg</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. <i> - just a biological function really isn't it</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely. <i>- Roald Dahl (and here is a whole post of <a href="https://www.imogenmolly.co.uk/2016/05/as-told-by-roald-dahl.html" target="_blank">beautiful Roald Dahl quotes</a> (from 2016! retro))</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You can do anything but not everything.<i> - Pinterest (in a lovely cursive calligraphy font, of course)</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Bloom where you are planted. <i>- another from my head, probably originally Pinterest</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">This too shall pass. </span><i style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">- is this from something? Or is it just a phrase? I don't know</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Everything is figureoutable. <i>- again, just reassuring; it also recently became a book title</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The earth has music for those who listen. <i>- William Shakespeare</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Kind words cost nothing. <i>- an economic equation and a good model for life in general</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">It's a good week to have a good week.</span><i style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> - Pinterest (again)</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">What is done with love is done well.<i> - Vincent van Gogh</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">What's meant to be will always find a way. <i>- this is my go-to and, considering it is just a very simple collection of very simple words, I find it indescribably comforting</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I hope you feel a bit more zen now. I do. Tralalalalaaaaaa</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyRGglTmzOcZ0NmkzyNJTWmdVsdHyhtLXBjHpoYXkuYU8040p7HnLL7weL-IDw1xXMNXuf-Zk2Em0PTVgp8YqH9wa6lPio55dGgISe2NdKwTNq25ao2nZB3pOC53udBpnXkdgX_oSYhs/s1600/IMG_0074.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt=""I must have flowers, always, and always" quote on a background of a digital drawing of purple pansies" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyRGglTmzOcZ0NmkzyNJTWmdVsdHyhtLXBjHpoYXkuYU8040p7HnLL7weL-IDw1xXMNXuf-Zk2Em0PTVgp8YqH9wa6lPio55dGgISe2NdKwTNq25ao2nZB3pOC53udBpnXkdgX_oSYhs/s200/IMG_0074.png" title=""I must have flowers, always, and always", Kind words for kind thoughts, imogen molly blog, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizoTkjZLRzSCN1bJ5Zk0m_tiKj9TwwYDm-Wn-xQMWnyjcgEwIM8_VH8q0neS7GZcESmiUPrvX5tbJU4vc9d-FEAlZFeA40zFEKvdjexsgGAbEGLOPGGQnGVjJxcwk5Ea_SyM2B-VGx0z8/s1600/IMG_0071.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt=""if we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change" quote on a background of a digital drawing of a sunflower" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizoTkjZLRzSCN1bJ5Zk0m_tiKj9TwwYDm-Wn-xQMWnyjcgEwIM8_VH8q0neS7GZcESmiUPrvX5tbJU4vc9d-FEAlZFeA40zFEKvdjexsgGAbEGLOPGGQnGVjJxcwk5Ea_SyM2B-VGx0z8/s200/IMG_0071.png" title=""if we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change", Kind words for kind thoughts, imogen molly blog, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVLOXLz2-8zxx9-cZdINfkVLCDBJRWJ_KKypufqtFH9YyoypJdUmalKnFu961gBi_SVjB9ZoY_eKaWA_RQ3zFePWsBpWUyGQmCuOC0lTviHlFqyOxOBIq7YgKnkhVUq-VamnrpmdnHfaI/s1600/IMG_0072.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt=""just living is not enough... one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower" quote on a background of a digital drawing of a rose" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVLOXLz2-8zxx9-cZdINfkVLCDBJRWJ_KKypufqtFH9YyoypJdUmalKnFu961gBi_SVjB9ZoY_eKaWA_RQ3zFePWsBpWUyGQmCuOC0lTviHlFqyOxOBIq7YgKnkhVUq-VamnrpmdnHfaI/s200/IMG_0072.png" title=""just living is not enough... one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower", Kind words for kind thoughts, imogen molly blog, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" width="150" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGIuEOkgfwaBJBT1dG7X2yOK_-E6VJbz14H5aQOU427OLbpzA153GiHthatwxcxBskMrjc3RWpWH6pSHgYetu9yrkf8aAhdyjq2EphkDX3BKZ7bla9o8Z79tt2geWcQsLHYAhhuOG7-I/s1600/IMG_0073.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt=""the earth laughs in flowers" quote on a background of a digital drawing of daisies" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGIuEOkgfwaBJBT1dG7X2yOK_-E6VJbz14H5aQOU427OLbpzA153GiHthatwxcxBskMrjc3RWpWH6pSHgYetu9yrkf8aAhdyjq2EphkDX3BKZ7bla9o8Z79tt2geWcQsLHYAhhuOG7-I/s640/IMG_0073.png" title=""the earth laughs in flowers", Kind words for kind thoughts, imogen molly blog, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">*All images in this post are mine. If you wish to use any, please ask my permission and credit me.*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">As always, all images are click-to-enlarge.</span></div>Immyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698580893763867986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092976189588273532.post-67230753102206796672020-05-14T21:07:00.002+01:002020-05-14T21:07:54.117+01:002020 recipe resolution: April<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">sneak peak: I'm following 52 new recipes in the 52 weeks of 2020, and April included lots of vegan cheese, lots of beetroot, and an incredible mushroom pasta</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">To catch up on previous instalments of the 2020 recipe resolution series, click here for <a href="https://www.imogenmolly.co.uk/2020/02/2020-recipe-resolution-january.html" target="_blank">January</a>, <a href="https://www.imogenmolly.co.uk/2020/03/2020-recipe-resolution-february.html" target="_blank">February</a>, and <a href="https://www.imogenmolly.co.uk/2020/04/2020-recipe-resolution-march.html" target="_blank">March</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If March was the month of Fearne Cotton and <i>Happy Vegan</i>, April was the month when Fearne was joined by Rukmini Iyer and <i>The Green Roasting Tin</i>, and when the general cooking and baking activity levels in our house went straight through the roof. Without further ado, the recipes.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-HI0mZ_dWrL07Bsi7XrlPUXPYXIehK_zoyxFLn5tIFHXoLVqCMaDCHIh9d-KAlsmmqMSXO5LlxdwE9pKgwDycVRZJvoA-YF_QKVvRI1DsC8hJqKrh1oMZvo25GlWwQq9-xupwxAsDK4/s1600/clementine+upside-down+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="2020 recipe resolution: April, imogen molly blog, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-HI0mZ_dWrL07Bsi7XrlPUXPYXIehK_zoyxFLn5tIFHXoLVqCMaDCHIh9d-KAlsmmqMSXO5LlxdwE9pKgwDycVRZJvoA-YF_QKVvRI1DsC8hJqKrh1oMZvo25GlWwQq9-xupwxAsDK4/s640/clementine+upside-down+cake.jpg" title="2020 recipe resolution: April, imogen molly blog, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">guess which recipe this is? (alas no prizes)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">18 of 52: clementine upside-down cake</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">What do you do when you have a lot of oranges or orange variants, and not a lot of desire to eat 15 of them in a row before they go off? You find a recipe to put them in a cake. The <a href="https://willamettetransplant.com/clementine-upside-down-cake/" target="_blank">Willamette Transplant</a> blog did not disappoint - this cake is a much more exciting way to get (and, let's face it, offset) your five a day. 7/10</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">19 of 52: apple cider beetroot soup</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Oh wait, my new obsession with Fearne Cotton's <i><a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/happy-vegan/fearne-cotton/9781841882895" target="_blank">Happy Vegan</a></i> didn't stop at the end of March. Beyond just chucking them in the oven and hoping for the best, we had very little in the way of ideas for using up beetroot. Lo and behold, this soup! I'm not the world's most enormous fan of beetroot, but this was a very good way to have it. 6/10</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">20 of 52: vegan halloumi</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I was given <a href="https://www.bigcheesemakingkit.com/shop/the-big-vegan-cheese-making-kit/" target="_blank">The Big Vegan Cheese-Making Kit</a> for my birthday last year, and have been very excited to actually do some big vegan cheese making ever since. It requires a high-speed blender, so I have been making the most of being at home to use it as much as possible. THIS CHEESE WAS SO COOL. It wouldn't fool a dairy-head (casein contains opioid-receptor-triggering morphine-like addictive chemicals so how could it, huh?) but it was reeeaaaal good in its own right. 8.5/10</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">21 of 52: no buttermilk soda bread</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We raced through this loaf from <a href="https://www.easypeasyfoodie.com/no-buttermilk-soda-bread-vegan-dairy-free/" target="_blank">Easy Peasy Foodie</a> in double time, partly because it was freshly baked, and partly because it was just very moreish. Lighter than our usual bread recipe and with the addition of oats, it's a very quick and easy go-to. 7/10</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">22 of 52: vegetable rendang</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">There is a whole stack of <a href="https://www.simplycook.com/recipes/aubergine-rendang-for-2-veg" target="_blank">Simply Cook</a> recipe spice kits in the cupboard from a free trial I had far too long ago. Every so often we remember about them and resolve to use them up, and this was one of those times. They are reliably delicious with complex flavours and interesting spices, but because the spice blends are pre-mixed, it's impossible to recreate them (which is probably an intentional business move let's be real). 7/10</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">23 of 52: daily dal</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I love lentils, I love <a href="http://meerasodha.com/daily-dal/" target="_blank">dal</a>, I love Meera Sodha's <i><a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/fresh-india/meera-sodha/9780241200421" target="_blank">Fresh India</a></i>. Easy and reliable and very yummy. 7.5/10</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">24 of 52: perfect basmati rice</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I LOVE RICE. But this could be stickier, the stickier the better for me. Also, none of that 'easy cook' rubbish. Real rice only please (and white rice is far superior too, while I'm at it). Meera Sodha strikes again with <i><a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/fresh-india/meera-sodha/9780241200421" target="_blank">Fresh India</a></i>. 9/10</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">25 of 52: vegan mozzarella</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Another one from <a href="https://www.bigcheesemakingkit.com/shop/the-big-vegan-cheese-making-kit/" target="_blank">The Big Vegan Cheese-Making Kit</a>, we had this on tortilla 'pizzas' and enjoyed it a lot. Who knew cashews could wear so many disguises? 8/10</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">26 of 52: dalgona coffee</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I don't get along very well with coffee (yes I mean you, caffeine jitters) but Mum definitely does. So much so that she had the entire quantity of dalgona coffee I made for her, despite the fact that I made the equivalent of eight (EIGHT) cups of instant coffee in one go. Apparently it was a 10/10 but the effort involved and the substantial sugar content (sugar + caffeine hello this is hyper waiting to happen) brings it down. (Recipe: 2 tbsp each instant coffee, sugar, hot water; whisk with electric whisk until meringue texture; serve over cold milk of choice.) 7/10</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">27 of 52: cookie dough balls</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Oh you mean these <a href="https://www.imogenmolly.co.uk/2020/05/peanut-butter-cookie-dough-balls-vegan.html" target="_blank">cookie dough balls</a>? The recipe is from my lovely friend Nicola delightful treats for anyone who may need (not all heroes wear capes, right?). I made these twice, trying out two different versions of ingredients quantities, and let me tell you they did not hang around for long. Excellent flavour, perfect texture, and peak snackability. 10/10</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">28 of 52: one-pot creamy mushroom pasta</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I made this because I saw someone else make it and love it, then I loved it and Mum loved it, then more people made it and also loved it, and I think you might love it too. It's an instant regular. Make it now, thank me later (actually don't thank me, thank <a href="https://www.pickuplimes.com/single-post/2019/11/21/One-pot-Creamy-Mushroom-Pasta" target="_blank">Pick Up Limes</a>). 10/10</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">29 of 52: pickled onion</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">There's a lot of pickling going on in Scandinavia, so it follows that <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17850995416948622/" target="_blank">The Scandi Cook</a>'s recipe for pickled onion should be fantastic. Can confirm: it is. I could eat an entire red onion's worth of pickled onion, where I could (obviously) not eat an entire one raw or, probably, caramelised. It's good with absolutely everything (including peanut butter, not kidding). 9/10</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">30 of 52: gado gado</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">OHHHHHH THIS PEANUT SAUCE. This recipe marks the start of the obsession with Rukmini Iyer's <i><a href="https://foodism.co.uk/recipes/rukmini-iyer-vegetarian-gado-gado/" target="_blank">The Green Roasting Tin</a></i>, and if you make it you will understand why. Roasted baby new potatoes (what's not to love) with roasted green beans (ditto) and the most delicious sauce you ever did eat. I finished it out of the bowl with a spoon, because it really was that good. Sauce 10/10, dish 8.5/10</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">31 of 52: beetroot, chickpea and coconut curry</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Lo and behold, another brilliant way to use that pesky beetroot, courtesy of (guess who) Rukmini Iyer and <i><a href="https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/recipes/beetroot-chickpea-and-coconut-curry" target="_blank">The Green Roasting Tin</a></i>. I preferred this to the beetroot soup, and we had the leftovers on the second night with pasta instead of rice. It may sound weird, yes, but it worked and it also dyed the pasta hot pink which was pretty funky too. 9/10</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">32 of 52: quick no-yeast focaccia</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Our first no-yeast focaccia was a massive flop. It didn't rise (despite self-raising flour), it didn't look like focaccia, it didn't taste like focaccia, it was edible but it was really not our best effort. 1/10. However, we then found a new recipe, this time from <a href="http://saucepankids.com/recipe/quick-focaccia-bread-with-video/" target="_blank">Saucepan Kids</a> blog, and polished off our third go of it for lunch today. This one gets better every time we make it, and with some rosemary from the garden to garnish, it's perfect for a quick sunny-weather picky lunch. 7/10</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">33 of 52: feelgood flapjacks</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Like everyone else in the entire world, we have been making and consuming a not insignificant amount of banana bread lately. This is not new - Mum has been making a banana bread weekly for honestly probably about my whole life (it's the best), but we were starting to feel a bit groundhog day-ish about it. Enter: <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/feelgood-flapjacks" target="_blank">BBC Good Food</a>'s feelgood flapjacks! Bound together by ooey gooey banana and packed full of seeds and dried fruit, plus a hefty dollop of peanut butter and maple syrup, these are fabulous. 8/10</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">There you go! Please let me know if you make any of these recipes and also if you have any to recommend - I'm always looking for more to try.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You can catch up on</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><a href="https://www.imogenmolly.co.uk/2020/02/2020-recipe-resolution-january.html" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;" target="_blank">January</a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">, </span><a href="https://www.imogenmolly.co.uk/2020/03/2020-recipe-resolution-february.html" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;" target="_blank">February</a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">, and </span><a href="https://www.imogenmolly.co.uk/2020/04/2020-recipe-resolution-march.html" style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;" target="_blank">March</a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">'s posts here, and follow me on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/imogenfin/" target="_blank">@imogenfin</a> to keep up with the new recipes of May!</span>Immyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698580893763867986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092976189588273532.post-275123232897137432020-05-10T18:01:00.002+01:002020-05-10T18:01:46.140+01:00Peanut butter cookie dough balls [vegan!]<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">sneak peak: a recipe for extremely easy and delicious vegan peanut butter cookie dough balls</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We've seen energy balls made of dates and nuts and going for £3 a pop in overpriced London coffee shops. If they are ultra fashionable glamazons with expensive tastes, high-end handbags, and an ability to always look chic and polished, cookie dough balls are like their happy-go-lucky, bare-footed, dungaree-wearing cousins who </span>eat peanut butter with a spoon and don't kill their windowsill herbs. We love both, but today is about the cookie dough cousins.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This is a very gently adapted version of a recipe from my lovely friend Nicola which is available on the <a href="https://www.calmoncanningstreet.com/calm-living/vegan-cookie-dough-balls" target="_blank">Calm on Canning Street blog</a> and has a much prettier picture of the final product. They're exquisite, they're so easy, they're so moreish, they're so worth making this very second.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsWVBKMK630i1PfYuAIy31lEp1U6uNJeCVikbZZ8mLzXnIX8ujiNKDvK2s0eaCortpDPSh8N0-4I9boP3IIrNBxxqM3o9pAA2JXpe-0UVaUoNu8nCThXgbGU-K2wPFdxqocLOBnfs0_8/s1600/peanut+butter+cookie+dough+balls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="Peanut butter cookie dough balls [vegan!], imogen molly blog, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsWVBKMK630i1PfYuAIy31lEp1U6uNJeCVikbZZ8mLzXnIX8ujiNKDvK2s0eaCortpDPSh8N0-4I9boP3IIrNBxxqM3o9pAA2JXpe-0UVaUoNu8nCThXgbGU-K2wPFdxqocLOBnfs0_8/s640/peanut+butter+cookie+dough+balls.jpg" title="Peanut butter cookie dough balls [vegan!], imogen molly blog, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Peanut butter cookie dough balls</span></b></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">vegan, gluten free if you use GF oats, makes 14 full size or 28 mini</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i>
<u><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ingredients</span></u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">300g oats (gluten free if necessary)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">120g ground almonds (word on the street is you can use more oats instead if you don't have ground almonds)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">5 tbsp coconut oil, melted</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">4 heaped tbsp smooth peanut butter (or other nut/seed butter)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">4 tbsp maple syrup</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">1/2 tsp salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">4 tbsp dark choc chips or chopped up dark choc</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">flavouring: 2 tsp vanilla extract or 1 tsp almond extract (for a bakewell-ish flavour)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<u><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Directions</span></u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">1. Blend the oats on their own very briefly to make a flour, only three seconds or so in a Nutribullet. Melt the coconut oil - the easiest way is to bung a rough amount into a mug, microwave it, then use a tablespoon measure to measure out as much as you need. You can pour the rest back into the jar and it will harden again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">2. Combine everything except the chocolate in a bowl, and mix with a wooden spoon until combined. You may need an extra splash of coconut oil or water to help it to combine but it should be fine with some enthusiastic mixing. Once combined, add the choc chips and stir in again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">3. Scoop some out with a spoon and roll into a ball. Repeat until it's all gone. For mini balls, use a generous teaspoon's worth, or for bigger ones use a tablespoon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">How simple is that? Too simple to say no to, at least.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For a real next-level make, you could roll them into teeny weeny balls (or normal sized and chop into chunks), let some ice cream melt a bit, stir the tiny cookie dough bits in, re-freeze, ta daaa! Homemade cookie dough ice cream.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Also, mini cookie dough balls in a bowl with oat milk, as cereal?.. People are doing this with tiny pancakes so I see no reason why we shouldn't with this too. Anyway enjoy! Please tag me if you make these <a href="https://www.instagram.com/imogenfin/" target="_blank">@imogenfin</a>.</span>Immyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698580893763867986noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092976189588273532.post-83432565792698413582020-04-30T21:10:00.000+01:002020-04-30T21:22:45.338+01:00Small joys in a weird time<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">sneak peak: small joys in the time of coronavirus, COVID-19</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In case we aren't saying it enough, this is a weird time. Strange, bizarre, uncertain, stressful, difficult, tumultuous, tense, wild, unpredictable, unbelievable... unprecedented (everyone's new favourite word). Whether you're seeing your days stretch out ahead of you with nothing to fill them, or your every waking hour is crammed with work, work and more work (or if that's what it feels like, at least), this is a time when many of us are taking comfort in the small joys.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08hd_7qIh-k4pRr3qe6NJOI7Tn-3reumZ08zDb6JPWs5hr6ZaTI52lTdL9-n2mRW8sMug5XTl02rzTLDysbZYVS1C9R4TQSimdel-Fnhhyphenhyphen5jc3By1ZmJVkVHyYhGm6kbr3rsK4jXDhsI/s1600/small+joys+in+a+weird+time+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="border collie, Small joys in a weird time, imogen molly blog, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08hd_7qIh-k4pRr3qe6NJOI7Tn-3reumZ08zDb6JPWs5hr6ZaTI52lTdL9-n2mRW8sMug5XTl02rzTLDysbZYVS1C9R4TQSimdel-Fnhhyphenhyphen5jc3By1ZmJVkVHyYhGm6kbr3rsK4jXDhsI/s640/small+joys+in+a+weird+time+01.jpg" title="border collie, Small joys in a weird time, imogen molly blog, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this collie is appreciating the small joy of bubbles, well done collie, you've got the right idea</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here are some of those small joys.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1. spring is springing and there is blossom everywhere</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">2. sunshine</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">3. rain! after all that sunshine, those plants are THIRSTY</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">4. the clapping, oh the lovely clapping</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">5. bagpipes at the clapping (sorry, anyone who isn't in Scotland/doesn't live near a bagpiper)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">6. Captain Tom Moore</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">7. the unrivalled joy of the nation's dogs now that their owners are at home 24/7</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">8. forgotten bread making machines being dug out, dusted off, and put to use</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">9. people with new babies having lots of time to spend with said new babies</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">10. so many come-together, we-are-one, lift-each-other-up, feel-good campaigns</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">11. people who work at or have shares in Zoom must be thrilled</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">12. old people's delight when they successfully learn how to use Zoom</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">13. Killing Eve series three</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">14. the environment is happy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">15. banana bread</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">16. people's pride in the NHS seems to have drowned out most (all?) of the anti-immigration sentiments (and hopefully that continues beyond this ~weird time~ too)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">17. we're all now brilliant at writing and participating in pub quizzes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">18. fresh air has never been so appreciated</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">19. restaurants releasing their recipes (hello Pret and Wagamama)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">20. when the queue for the supermarket is only five people long</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">21. finding a bag of flour/tin of chickpeas/other impossible to source but very everyday item</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">22. comfy clothes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">23. healthcare workers, shop workers, bus drivers, emergency service responders, teachers, any and all people putting themselves on the frontline and getting well-deserved credit, appreciation and celebration for it</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">24. so much business for hairdressers post-lockdown</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">25. my blog posts? (can I say that? I don't know.. this one is maybe only applicable to Mum)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">What are your small joys?</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSi9qM60sqQuC3IEBZcdTOqSi6tS5152LdaA4y_blSxaw2gGUkFzqxYOrQNQazXgSDG4Gu6in_BDtb6FsYHwlbnZ5gsgvYrR8nKitJqx2VXins0TT0S8KKtemNxYbt2ygftkAQx0x_3dE/s1600/small+joys+in+a+weird+time+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="yellow labrador, Small joys in a weird time, imogen molly blog, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSi9qM60sqQuC3IEBZcdTOqSi6tS5152LdaA4y_blSxaw2gGUkFzqxYOrQNQazXgSDG4Gu6in_BDtb6FsYHwlbnZ5gsgvYrR8nKitJqx2VXins0TT0S8KKtemNxYbt2ygftkAQx0x_3dE/s640/small+joys+in+a+weird+time+02.jpg" title="yellow labrador, Small joys in a weird time, imogen molly blog, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and a bonus happy dog stock photo because I couldn't choose between them</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">N.B. Please follow local advice and guidance for staying safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. For those in the UK, the information you need can be found at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus" target="_blank">gov.uk/coronavirus</a>.</span></div>
Immyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698580893763867986noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092976189588273532.post-82635113594873637022020-04-11T16:11:00.000+01:002020-04-11T16:11:04.115+01:00Spellbound #9: lockdown edition<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">sneak peak: this edition of my spellbound series covers what life looks like in lockdown for COVID-19</span></i><br>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span></i>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It will not have escaped anyone that life right now is a little bit all over the place. Or rather, it's all in one place - your home. While some people are taking the opportunity for some peaceful relaxation (at last! nobody can disturb me! I can finally relax in peace!), others are hunting about for new ways to pass the time.</span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm very lucky to be in a secure job that isn't going anywhere and, in fact, has ramped up the busy factor by about 100, but have still been trying to make the most of not having to commute, and being in the house 24/7 (well, 23/7 really - we'll get onto that later). I came home to Edinburgh nearly four weeks ago now, just before lockdown measures kicked in, and am THRIVING now that I've got unlimited access to canine cuddles as well as all the bakey, crafty, makey stuff I have been missing whilst in London.</span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">However, please note: this is not supposed to be fuel to the fire of people feeling under pressure to start some ambitious creative project, or become a master of sourdough, or think up an ingenious way to make money during the crisis but still be ethical. Please feel no pressure to go and do something just because other people are talking about it. Doing something is good, doing nothing is good, neither of those things is better than the other and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.</span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">This is simply a collection of things I have been spending my time on that might be useful for other people who also, like me, enjoy being busy all the time. If you are not bound by this restlessness, I salute you, and would very much like some of your zen.</span></span><br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPsp1pzZ0G_fwrHwv-ewUEk34lQnkCOyIgHszieKNZEBDu_DMWGhb4Ln0XfHQW6v2g6lZoNvQo_-VzzeyLOGcu-F2fTkWTOnTwE00CY871trwzDUlvFML7SHUgq5oad0jbmRz87NUr2w0/s1600/spellbound+%25239+lockdown+edition.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="Spellbound #9: lockdown edition, imogen molly blog, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPsp1pzZ0G_fwrHwv-ewUEk34lQnkCOyIgHszieKNZEBDu_DMWGhb4Ln0XfHQW6v2g6lZoNvQo_-VzzeyLOGcu-F2fTkWTOnTwE00CY871trwzDUlvFML7SHUgq5oad0jbmRz87NUr2w0/s640/spellbound+%25239+lockdown+edition.jpg" title="Spellbound #9: lockdown edition, imogen molly blog, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" width="640"></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.imogenmolly.co.uk/2020/04/spellbound-9-covid-lockdown-edition.html#more">read on »</a>Immyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698580893763867986noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092976189588273532.post-39936336117034598862020-04-05T16:51:00.003+01:002020-04-06T09:19:02.550+01:002020 recipe resolution: March<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">sneak peak: I'm following a new recipe every week in 2020 and March included a lot of aubergines, tahini, and the best ever chocolate brownies</span></i><br>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br></i>In case you missed the <a href="https://www.imogenmolly.co.uk/2020/02/2020-recipe-resolution-january.html" target="_blank">January</a> and <a href="https://www.imogenmolly.co.uk/2020/03/2020-recipe-resolution-february.html" target="_blank">February</a> instalments, I made a resolution at the beginning of this year to follow a new recipe at least once a week - 52 in total across the year. Here's how March turned out.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">March has been an odd month. I moved into a different flat (the landlord of my previous houseshare sold the house, which was a saga in itself) so have been learning my way around an unfamiliar kitchen, and no sooner had I done that than COVID-19 hit and I skedaddled my way back up north to the familiar comfort of Edinburgh. Those two scenarios have meant very different things for the resolution of making one new recipe a week: in London, I was getting to grips with cramming my (multitudinous) vegetables onto one shelf of a half-sized fridge, and not cooking nearly as much as I'm used to, and then when I came home I upped the ante and have been cooking a new recipe just about every day.</span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">There's something very relaxing about being at <i>home</i> home. I know where everything is, nothing in the fridge or cupboards is off limits, it feels like a proper permanent kitchen rather than a 'I'm living here for a bit but not long-term so I don't want to accumulate lots of stuff and it's a shared space so there isn't storage for lots of things anyway' situation. Reunited with my recipe books and lots of niche ingredients, it has been the perfect environment for ideas to grow and dishes to be created. Plus, now that I'm cooking for more than just myself, meals get eaten up twice as fast which means I can make another recipe twice as soon. Does that make sense?</span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I may need to adjust the goal of 52 if this superspeed recipe-following continues...</span></span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">10 of 52: one minute chocolate mug cake</span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sometimes, when you just want some chocolate cake but you can't really be bothered, a mug cake is a total saviour. This was not one of those times. I won't dwell too long on it but this <a href="https://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2011/11/06/one-minute-chocolate-cake/" target="_blank">Chocolate Covered Katie</a> one was not a tasty mug cake. I wanted it to work because it would have been so easy as a go-to, but the texture was weird, the flavour wasn't especially chocolatey, it was barely sweet, the final result was so dry it took all the moisture out of my mouth and I couldn't really talk... I'll try a different version next time. 3/10</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">[no photo because it didn't even look nice, very sad times :( ]</span></span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">11 of 52: the best vegan brownies</span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I didn't give them that name, but I won't disagree because these were exquisite. I've made these brownies from <a href="https://www.sweetestmenu.com/vegan-brownies/" target="_blank">Sweetest Menu</a> twice now and both times they have turned out unbelievably delicious. I prefer a fudgey brownie to a cakey one (yet to meet anyone who prefers cakey, do you even exist?) and these absolutely tick that box - the key is leaving them to sit in the fridge for an hour or two as soon as they're done in the oven, if you can restrain yourself for that long. They became, somehow, even fudgier as the days went on so the longer you can make them last, the better they will be. 10/10</span><br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbEIJ89PrJ1oHlpLuKE4TtndXO7PUykNK9UqxpbcIIU6SZ_ahNaQCGyvDFfOI-0ZTjUsecjPnbHs-DH5kNZfBm6kajynlcVL9bRxx6f30O3rhE8tHJ_gi4_c5j9EhNHc965Zq-ItWvk8/s1600/imogen+molly+vegan+brownies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img alt="the best vegan brownies, 2020 recipe resolution: March, imogen molly blog, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbEIJ89PrJ1oHlpLuKE4TtndXO7PUykNK9UqxpbcIIU6SZ_ahNaQCGyvDFfOI-0ZTjUsecjPnbHs-DH5kNZfBm6kajynlcVL9bRxx6f30O3rhE8tHJ_gi4_c5j9EhNHc965Zq-ItWvk8/s640/imogen+molly+vegan+brownies.jpg" title="the best vegan brownies, 2020 recipe resolution: March, imogen molly blog, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" width="480"></span></a></div>
<a href="https://www.imogenmolly.co.uk/2020/04/2020-recipe-resolution-march.html#more">read on »</a>Immyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698580893763867986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092976189588273532.post-52076576575796638172020-03-12T07:30:00.000+00:002020-03-12T07:30:09.302+00:00Review: pros and cons of Natacha Océane's 'Build.' training guide<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">sneak peak: a review of Natacha Océane's </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">12-week</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> 'Build.' workout programme from someone who recently completed it</span></i><br>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I've been a regular gym-goer since the days of lunchtime sessions at our very mini gym at school, and have tried various different approaches over the years. There was the Blogilates era (which I loved and worked really well for me), the cardio era (which I managed to make myself stick to for a surprisingly long time, for someone who does not naturally enjoy cardio), the writing my own workout plans era (probably the most long-running of all of them), the fitness classes era (expensive and unsustainable) and, most recently, the '<a href="https://natachaoceane.com/training-guides" target="_blank">Build.</a>' era.</span><br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqo-UmsHhSAJU0KEB5S0-vx2HDttXBoFGaWhDk-bRUYY530tLl0VvEug5mClWiLmgj37SEJf94-ucF3wDfY4adQNwprBDp7RKX4CeFYL01W6CxwqI6olWF7VNAFw4ZiMtpo_KYnC4wcg/s1600/IMG_9433.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img alt="Review: pros and cons of Natacha Océane's 'Build.' training guide, imogen molly blog, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" border="0" data-original-height="1289" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqo-UmsHhSAJU0KEB5S0-vx2HDttXBoFGaWhDk-bRUYY530tLl0VvEug5mClWiLmgj37SEJf94-ucF3wDfY4adQNwprBDp7RKX4CeFYL01W6CxwqI6olWF7VNAFw4ZiMtpo_KYnC4wcg/s640/IMG_9433.jpeg" title="Review: pros and cons of Natacha Océane's 'Build.' training guide, imogen molly blog, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" width="372"></span></a></div>
<a href="https://www.imogenmolly.co.uk/2020/03/natacha-oceane-build-review-pros-cons.html#more">read on »</a>Immyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698580893763867986noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092976189588273532.post-58872169213077226412020-03-08T11:49:00.002+00:002020-03-08T11:49:53.730+00:002020 recipe resolution: February<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">sneak peak: I'm following a new recipe every week in 2020, and February included curry, pastry, and lots of vegan mozzarella</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In case you missed <a href="https://www.imogenmolly.co.uk/2020/02/2020-recipe-resolution-january.html" target="_blank">January's post</a>, I made a resolution at the beginning of this year to try out a new recipe every week in 2020, to get out of the rut of endless Thai curries and daal. Here's what I got up to in the kitchen during February!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">6 of 52: chickpea, quinoa and turmeric curry</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">February was kicked off with this all-in-one curry from Ella Mills' <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/deliciously-ella-every-day/ella-mills/9781473619487" target="_blank">Deliciously Ella Every Day</a>, one of several <a href="https://deliciouslyella.com/cookbooks/" target="_blank">Deliciously Ella books</a> I have in my ever-growing collection. This was a very easy recipe, requiring little more than throwing everything into one pan and letting it do its thing. I ran out of quinoa very quickly so topped it up with basmati rice which gave the dish paella-esque vibes and bulked it out quite considerably. Add plenty spice and turmeric it up so it doesn't get bland, but exercise caution: you may end up with an entirely yellow kitchen (and self). 8/10</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIkjhMGCZFdicWIn6eP-K7H3WxoOB6fzAbzWbO2PAVATGmRLCFJY-qA5L-8ViMTRjFI-ERkrEcZwDaZOaCWLv3AlpSBKz7OfNe3LX_21KxdYBBlvvUXHic_jn2xt5PTNo6DUZ7aoJVow/s1600/chickpea%252C+quinoa+and+turmeric+curry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="chickpea, quinoa and turmeric curry, 2020 recipe resolution: February, imogen molly blog, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIkjhMGCZFdicWIn6eP-K7H3WxoOB6fzAbzWbO2PAVATGmRLCFJY-qA5L-8ViMTRjFI-ERkrEcZwDaZOaCWLv3AlpSBKz7OfNe3LX_21KxdYBBlvvUXHic_jn2xt5PTNo6DUZ7aoJVow/s640/chickpea%252C+quinoa+and+turmeric+curry.jpg" title="chickpea, quinoa and turmeric curry, 2020 recipe resolution: February, imogen molly blog, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">7 of 52: warming spiced veg casserole with parsnip mash and ginger veggies</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">One of my very own! Click here for the <a href="https://www.imogenmolly.co.uk/2020/02/warming-spiced-veg-casserole-schwartz.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">spiced veg casserole recipe</a> (ad), where you will see that I made such copious quantities I was living off it for many days indeed. Luckily, it was extremely tasty and the double-cooking of the veggie meatballs had made them deliciously chewy. Very tasty but I would make it spicier next time, and one point deducted for the sauce being a bit lumpy to mix. 8/10</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqKm8LlIKQV1QDmN-D5Bo4ZIwvy4uJVd-WfIk1QH6Y8SqOJNdaSue0xK-TBY_PXMFOxOPxgu7i-pGE62PW9EtbBaNwCgO-tcvMKhYrhhcp9rLgSTXR_nPMsO6ASsEYH5Rpcpe0I_EQqE/s1600/imogen+molly+warming+spiced+veg+casserole-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="warming spiced veg casserole, 2020 recipe resolution: February, imogen molly blog, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqKm8LlIKQV1QDmN-D5Bo4ZIwvy4uJVd-WfIk1QH6Y8SqOJNdaSue0xK-TBY_PXMFOxOPxgu7i-pGE62PW9EtbBaNwCgO-tcvMKhYrhhcp9rLgSTXR_nPMsO6ASsEYH5Rpcpe0I_EQqE/s640/imogen+molly+warming+spiced+veg+casserole-9.jpg" title="warming spiced veg casserole, 2020 recipe resolution: February, imogen molly blog, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">8 of 52: mediterranean tart</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The standout winner of February's new recipes is this beauty of a <a href="https://www.imogenmolly.co.uk/2020/02/mediterranean-tart-vegan.html" target="_blank">mediterranean tart</a>, helped in no small part by its base of exquisitely flaky pastry (thanks Jus Rol). Mum makes this all the time but I had never made it myself... until now. It was worth the wait. If you only make one of the recipes in this post, make this one and thank me later. It's unbelievably easy, unbelievably quick and unbelievably tasty. 10/10</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqssP_WE3llOLD6-R7f9ehxpchXvcU3idgFN3gPj2Qr_5Ff3Kv_b-jiP2rw7JDxFZohx_ffWSyq0_LrWZ9yAsdIkcO2f8G9SONSuJwo3Q2Cc-yGFZ7JpCqPThWjr-iBLA07q4jmdCWv8/s1600/imogen+molly+mediterranean+tart-6701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="mediterranean tart, 2020 recipe resolution: February, imogen molly blog, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqssP_WE3llOLD6-R7f9ehxpchXvcU3idgFN3gPj2Qr_5Ff3Kv_b-jiP2rw7JDxFZohx_ffWSyq0_LrWZ9yAsdIkcO2f8G9SONSuJwo3Q2Cc-yGFZ7JpCqPThWjr-iBLA07q4jmdCWv8/s640/imogen+molly+mediterranean+tart-6701.jpg" title="mediterranean tart, 2020 recipe resolution: February, imogen molly blog, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">9 of 52: leek and puy lentil gratin with a crunchy feta topping</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The ever-reliable Rukmini Iyer strikes again with <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-green-roasting-tin/rukmini-iyer/9781910931899" target="_blank">The Green Roasting Tin</a>, this time with a recipe for gratin. The recipe is actually vegetarian but I made quite a few substitutions. I swapped feta for vegan mozzarella (the remnants of the same one I used for the mediterranean tart), used 'vegan grain mince' for breadcrumbs (spread it out on a baking tray and toasted in the oven for crispiness), and threw in a load of extra veggies that needed using up. It turned out excellently and I loved the texture of the grain topping with the melty mozzarella, plus the convenience of being a one-dish recipe is an extremely strong selling point (easy to cook, easy to clean). 8/10</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCE-80m8ZCvnirKdr3DT4Fbk2iSuxyR5jHi2YvTx6njVmelxzpdunedRDPeO77im8TRnHff8u2PI0RBzaJS1VdFOepLRohsRX7_gfdLkfrfesdpEmO96r9bspbmO2-O6KgRWtHsfoFznQ/s1600/leek+and+puy+lentil+gratin+with+a+crunchy+feta+topping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="leek and puy lentil gratin, 2020 recipe resolution: February, imogen molly blog, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCE-80m8ZCvnirKdr3DT4Fbk2iSuxyR5jHi2YvTx6njVmelxzpdunedRDPeO77im8TRnHff8u2PI0RBzaJS1VdFOepLRohsRX7_gfdLkfrfesdpEmO96r9bspbmO2-O6KgRWtHsfoFznQ/s640/leek+and+puy+lentil+gratin+with+a+crunchy+feta+topping.jpg" title="leek and puy lentil gratin, 2020 recipe resolution: February, imogen molly blog, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" width="512" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">All in all, a very successful month! May this month be equally tasty. Catch up on <a href="https://www.imogenmolly.co.uk/2020/02/2020-recipe-resolution-january.html" target="_blank">January's recipes here</a>, and to see what I'm making during March check out my Instagram, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/imogenfin/" target="_blank">@imogenfin</a>.</span></div>
Immyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698580893763867986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092976189588273532.post-82581017164776341742020-02-20T07:30:00.000+00:002020-02-20T07:30:13.717+00:00Mediterranean tart [vegan!]<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sneak peak: a recipe for an incredibly easy vegan puff pastry tart with tomatoes, olives, capers, basil, and vegan mozzarella</span></i><br>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">This recipe tastes of summer. For that reason, it's perfect for eating during summertime and it's also perfect for eating on days when it is so grim and dreich outside that you want to forget about it all and transport yourself to sunnier climes through the medium of food. Mum makes this all the time but somehow (somewhy?) I've never made it myself - until now. And now I shall be making it all the time. It's adapted from this <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/cheese-tomato-pesto-tart" target="_blank">BBC Good Food</a> recipe and is SO TASTY. Felix gave it 11 out of 10.</span></span><br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianyIKVyq9Yh9RMQvSi5Z5Sbe4j75rtmY3D_EcBR5GFL6xQo9VLUPvYEBgzZb5CbvgIyxHsz2wuqEtpFi_Y5-zdcgcl63gckjvhRHFC6urGPJ0W2c9sbEwGSNj42lmRhlHXtLclpLAvGM/s1600/imogen+molly+mediterranean+tart-6701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mediterranean tart [vegan!], imogen molly, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianyIKVyq9Yh9RMQvSi5Z5Sbe4j75rtmY3D_EcBR5GFL6xQo9VLUPvYEBgzZb5CbvgIyxHsz2wuqEtpFi_Y5-zdcgcl63gckjvhRHFC6urGPJ0W2c9sbEwGSNj42lmRhlHXtLclpLAvGM/s640/imogen+molly+mediterranean+tart-6701.jpg" title="Mediterranean tart [vegan!], imogen molly, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" width="640"></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.imogenmolly.co.uk/2020/02/mediterranean-tart-vegan.html#more">read on »</a>Immyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698580893763867986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092976189588273532.post-80190092884700238212020-02-13T07:30:00.000+00:002020-02-13T07:58:49.219+00:00Warming spiced casserole with parsnip mash and ginger veggies [vegan!] #ad<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sneak peak: I've partnered with Schwartz to create this recipe for a delicious and very easy warming casserole served with a mustardy parsnip mash and bright and crunchy ginger and garlic veggies</span></i><br>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">*Disclaimer: This post is sponsored. Schwartz have sent me their beef casserole spice mix (which is vegan) for review, but all views are my own.*</span><br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWa0GsQYnP1RFg0FOZDrbpWosEcHqySujngIBr3S8Tivx3LBufaAPoiS62LAAIZ1GUYzhLSUSlqFiyRAeswzJ8M-yxvkmQY2zs7LUOs23EnqvwISXUt4nU0UR9LCXlUpJvf8AS6lMLaE/s1600/imogen+molly+warming+spiced+veg+casserole-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img alt="Warming spiced casserole with parsnip mash and ginger veggies [vegan!], imogen molly, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWa0GsQYnP1RFg0FOZDrbpWosEcHqySujngIBr3S8Tivx3LBufaAPoiS62LAAIZ1GUYzhLSUSlqFiyRAeswzJ8M-yxvkmQY2zs7LUOs23EnqvwISXUt4nU0UR9LCXlUpJvf8AS6lMLaE/s640/imogen+molly+warming+spiced+veg+casserole-8.jpg" title="Warming spiced casserole with parsnip mash and ginger veggies [vegan!], imogen molly, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" width="640"></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.imogenmolly.co.uk/2020/02/warming-spiced-veg-casserole-schwartz.html#more">read on »</a>Immyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698580893763867986noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092976189588273532.post-1661134816171393592020-02-06T17:39:00.000+00:002020-02-06T17:39:21.303+00:002020 recipe resolution: January<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">sneak peak: I'm following a new recipe every week in 2020, and January included some curries, fattoush, and avocado pesto</span></i><br />
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I didn't do a blog post on my New Year's resolutions for 2020 (scandal) but I'll tell you one of them now for nothing (generous): I'm trying out 52 new recipes in 2020, one for every week of the year. They may not happen once a week (hello, holidays) but there will be 52 in total. The logic behind it is that I tend to stick to my old favourites, purely out of convenience and not having to think too much rather than anything else (the usual suspects being daal, Thai green curry, and pasta pesto with peas).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">At the end of each month, I'll recap the recipes I made with a mini review here, for your very eyes! I'll also link to where you can buy the recipe books if applicable, and where possible I'll add links to the recipes themselves as well. I've been posting the recipes as I go on Instagram, so if you want to keep up in ~real time~ then you can follow me there <a href="https://www.instagram.com/imogenfin/" target="_blank">@imogenfin</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">1 of 52: kale fattoush</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The first of my new recipes was the kale fattoush from Rukmini Iyer's <i><a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-green-roasting-tin/rukmini-iyer/9781910931899" target="_blank">The Green Roasting Tin</a></i>. This is my housemate's recipe book and I will miss it almost as much as I will miss her when they both return to Straya. This is probably the first recipe which has made me actually enjoy kale, so I now have a trusty one to return to whenever it crops up in my Oddbox. 7/10</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">2 of 52: green lentil and spinach curry</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I may not be a new vegan any more, but Aine Carlin's <i><a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-new-vegan/aine-carlin/9780857833082" target="_blank">The New Vegan</a></i> is still a classic. Not only does it contain the recipe for the first dish I ever made to impress Felix (the <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/recipes/0/aduki-bean-vegan-casserole/" target="_blank">aduki bean casserole</a>, in case you wondered), but it contains many more delicious ones just waiting to be chosen. So far I have had a 100% deliciousness hit rate with this book and the effort and time required are pleasingly little too. I made the <a href="http://www.peasoupeats.com/2016/01/25/green-lentil-spinach-currythe-new-vegan/" target="_blank">green lentil and spinach curry</a> and OH MY GOODNESS. I know it's early days, but this is already very much in the running for best recipe of the year. Wow. 10/10</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">3 of 52: satay sweet potato curry</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For someone who both makes and eats a lot of curry, it has taken me a long time to get round to making a satay curry. I think it might have something to do with the fact that I massively prefer crunchy peanut butter which doesn't lend itself to currying quite as much as smooth, but this time I didn't let such a measly hurdle stop me. Satay, be mine! I was recommended this <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/satay-sweet-potato-curry" target="_blank">satay sweet potato curry</a> from BBC Good Food by a friend whose curry expertise is greater than mine, so I knew it was one I could trust. Lo and behold, it was excellent (although it did finish off my peanut butter which was a bit of a sad side effect). 8/10</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">4 of 52: bucatini with avocado pesto</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This may sound odd, granted, but don't knock it til you've tried it because it really does work. This wasn't so much a case of finding a recipe and following it, as knowing that avo pesto is a thing and wanting to give it a go. A quick Ecosia search throws up plenty recipes - <a href="http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/251078/avocado-pesto/" target="_blank">here's an example</a>. I used bucatini (hollow spaghetti) because hollow pasta is a revelation and if you haven't tried it yet then I suggest you do so because it's great. I toasted some breadcrumbs to scatter (okay, inelegantly dump) on top for a bit of texture contrast and it was a resounding success - I had it three nights in a row. (Partly also because I had a lot of Oddbox avocados to use up...) 8/10</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">5 of 52: vegan chilli</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I am a huge fan of <a href="https://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/veggie-chilli/" target="_blank">Jamie Oliver's veggie chilli</a> recipe, a classic that can quite honestly do not wrong. In the interests of research, though, I decided to branch out and try <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/vegan-chilli" target="_blank">a different version</a>. Unfortunately I wasn't convinced by this one; I think it would be better with kidney beans rather than green lentils (which was all I had on hand), but it was quite watery and didn't have a great deal of flavour. However it does have a full five star review from 86 ratings (at the time of writing) on the BBC Good Food website so I might give it another go because I now feel like I'm missing out, sad times. 6/10</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPH1hh157Nx4RqxPsfWErC1F2YvTvHT5wL6R2N_odTQSwlW-JxYm6dCzTV9AL9Zt6Ps7Z5NGVC262CKmm3CpMZS3JlyjhhfkQremds_dxBm9fLjUyNPGusq3TiZc3mmPfCSRRdbR_k8kE/s1600/january+new+recipes+imogen+molly+05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="vegan chilli, 2020 recipe challenge: January, imogen molly blog, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPH1hh157Nx4RqxPsfWErC1F2YvTvHT5wL6R2N_odTQSwlW-JxYm6dCzTV9AL9Zt6Ps7Z5NGVC262CKmm3CpMZS3JlyjhhfkQremds_dxBm9fLjUyNPGusq3TiZc3mmPfCSRRdbR_k8kE/s640/january+new+recipes+imogen+molly+05.jpg" title="vegan chilli, 2020 recipe challenge: January, imogen molly blog, www.imogenmolly.co.uk" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Tune in next month to hear about February's recipes! Also, recommendations welcome - please share them in a comment!</span>Immyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698580893763867986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092976189588273532.post-91462661974618975282020-01-30T07:30:00.001+00:002023-06-23T22:39:11.348+01:00Giving up multitasking<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">sneak peak: in praise of doing one thing at a time (and increasing our attention spans in the process) rather than constantly multitasking</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i>Guess who's baaaaaack! Well done, it's me, I am back after an accidental hiatus caused mostly by settling into a new job, partly by a trip to Paris, and partly by Christmas. All very excellent things, I might add, although some more carb-filled than others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Something else I have been doing recently is (probably not a revelation to anyone else but a bit of a revelation to yours truly): one thing at a time. What? Yes, as simple as it sounds, I have been doing one activity only so that my brain is only trying to focus on that one thing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">For example, I was in a habit of listening to a podcast whilst filling in my journal, or listening to music whilst reading a book, or folding up my laundry (ugh) whilst watching Seven Worlds, One Planet (definitely watch, not as traumatic as expected), or, like right now (oops), eating my breakfast whilst writing a blog post (porridge with protein powder, stewed apple, cacao nibs, alpro Greek-style yog, and agave syrup, in case you were interested).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">What this means is that my attention is always divided between two or more things, rather than focusing solely on one. Not only does it take longer to do everything - ironic, since the goal of doing lots of things at once is usually to get them done quicker - but nothing is done ~mindfully~. It also doesn't help the trend that social media is perpetuating, which is that of our <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016/03/12/humans-have-shorter-attention-span-than-goldfish-thanks-to-smart/" target="_blank">attention spans shortening</a> to less than that of a goldfish (although the BBC's More or Less team has <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-38896790" target="_blank">picked some holes</a> in that particular piece of viral science).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Regardless of whether our attention spans are shortening or not (sidenote: if you read long-form content, you can train your attention span back up, like a muscle; my archive of blog posts would be a great place to start...), there is a lot to be said for slowing down and doing things one at a time. As it happens, this 'slowing down' will probably help you get everything done a lot more quickly as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm learning to be comfortable in silence, <i>choosing</i> rather than <i>needing</i> to have the radio on while I get ready in the morning, and tuning in to the sounds around me on my commute rather than listening to something for the sake of listening. I'm learning to appreciate the food I'm eating - I spent enough attention making it that it deserves the same attention when I'm eating it, so I don't need to be reading a book or watching something while I do so, but if I actively want to, then fine. It's not about setting hard and fast rules for ourselves, but rather creating guidelines so that doing lots of things at once, if we want to, becomes an active choice rather than the default.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It might not sound revolutionary; then again, it might. Why not give it a go?</span>Immyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12698580893763867986noreply@blogger.com1