A project to make you feel good

I'm lucky enough to be a restless slot filler, the cogs are turning and I click, click from one thing to another online. My mind bursts with information and images - I'm tired, I get headaches and my shoulders are hunched up and sore.

Today I came across a video I once saw tweeted by one of my favourite blogs, I discovered when becoming part of the blogging community myself. Fit Foodie Finds. For over two years, Lee has inspired me to eat healthy, exercise and maintain a positive mind. Not only does she photograph food beautifully (some of you in Britain may snigger at this), she highlights nutritious aspects since it's not all about food porn, food fuels your mind as well.

Since my blog is about mental health, diet and an active lifestyle are far more important than the odd sneer or eye roll over who writes what and the pictures you post. I too am, now I was going to say guilty, yet I feel proud to take pictures of my food or any other adventure - why on earth would I want to take this moment of happy away? I'm the dick that carries around two iphones (work and personal) but at least I'm the dick that can laugh about it too amongst all the snaps I take; ranging from breakfast shots, photos after a sweaty run or mirror shots of my favourite outfit. I'd like to highlight I'm finally capturing moments of happy compared to the lack of photos that weren't taken whilst I was a teenager; an image too bleak and scribbled out I would rather not remember.

For a few weeks now I've been walking around as if a blurry cloud has been following me. I've realised that something has felt wrong, I'm not used to feeling good and things working out. I've been filling in slots of time with whatever I could get my hands on when in fact I should have been spending time filling those slots with empty. I think I've forgotten myself a bit and have even snapped a few times at certain things which in a larger picture are really quite small.

I took some time out for myself tonight, I cleaned, I cooked, I ran a bath and after tv bedtime slobbery I dug out a link from Lee herself. Please watch this video and it will help you look in the mirror. The quote which gets me the most is the part when a girl says 'we spend a lot of time as women analysing and trying to fix the things which aren't quite right, and we should spend more time appreciating the parts we do like'.

When I get into my ruts I build a sand storm in my head of 'why won't this work' or 'it's just not quite perfect'. It applies to all aspects of my life when In fact I just need to sit back, breath and take note of what I do have in front of me. I still find it hard to believe that someone wants me. I find it more surprising that someone I want wants me back. I have a friend who feels the same way about our friendship and it's heartbreaking to see her pain and struggle to accept herself, it's like a light is in the room but she can't see it.

Still, I'm trying to use my feelings and experiences for positive impact, as much as they might not make sense to others, they may shock some people and push them further away than I'd like. Either way, whether male or female, watch the video and give yourself a break.

Cupcake sandwhich - oh my!

I can understand the logic behind breaking it in two, I think I'm more excited by the idea of a cupcake sandwhich. ICING!

I must bake some proper cakey British classics soon!

Rock your spurtle for World porridge day

It's breakfast time, whilst sticking to my passion I thought I'd give you a little heads up, on the 10th of October it's World Porridge Day!

Enjoy your porridge and also help those at Mary's Meals:

'World Porridge Day aims to raise awareness of the role that porridge plays at Mary’s Meals projects in Malawi, where a daily mug of maize-based ‘likuni phala’ is an incentive for children to go to school.'

Sometime I have mine with brown sugar, sometimes I have it with maple. Sometimes I have it with banana and cinnamon and sometimes I have it with a load of berries and nuts like a birdie.

How do you have yours?


Porridge!!!

The perfect ratio

Perfect icing.

Perfect sponge.

Chocolate vanilla split. Thank you Ms Cupcake. Only in Brixton!!!

Friday

Bolognese. Home made garlic butter on French stick. Moz. Olives. Red wine. Film. Blanket.

Hi Friday

Peas for lunch

Bird food doesn't have to be boring.

Peas. Cherry toms. Olives. Lemon juice. Coriander. Cheese and homemade tomato chutney. Boom!

I love cake

This place is right next door to my office.

Shit.

Adult din dins, not just peas

Sometimes I just have a bowl of peas. Other times I make this :-) (with a wine bottle candle in background, thank you granpop!)

When I die

There will not be a funeral. There will be a picnic and music and cake.

New habits - lazy strawberry

I now eat strawberries with the green on top. ops.

Empty fridge

A nice cleansing process to avoid any green fluffy gremlims on my return.

Cook up the leftovers!

 Seasoned to perfection.

Duck eggs

Today's breakfast, Eggs royale with duck eggs and a side of bacon. Black coffee. Boom.

Yum yum yum.

(no pictures, I didn't want to waste time staring at these bad boys...)

Cake costs

and here's the consequence!

Back home

I've surprised myself and for the first time in a very long time, this place in South West Wales really does feel like a home.

Also, it's great waking up to a full fridge containing exactly what I need, especially when it's nutritionally spot on. Food just appears because... someone else is bringing it home! It's like being looked after without too much thought.

Today, I woke up to this (post request) 1KG tub of pro biotic natural yogurt. Cheers Step Dadda.

I'm sure all of my photography friends are shuddering at the quality of my pictures!

Enjoy the day and your breakfast.

This is how it goes

Flapjack heaven

Old time recipe from playgroup. Always a winner.

...guess the secret ingredient?!