Always Look on the Bright Side of Life....

De dum, de dum, de dum de dum de duuuum! Are you humming along, I do hope so! I think it's safe to say that that 2016 has not started as Dale and I expected. However, in the words of the great Ronan Keating "Life is a roller coaster, just gotta ride it"! After attending a well timed training day about "mental wellbeing", my thoughts were drawn to how we should take great pleasure from the simple things in life! So, here are a few of my little pleasures that have got me through January so far!

Waking up this morning to see snow on the ground called for one thing only. It was time to crack open my box of gluten free, oat free porridge! Made from 100% buckwheat it made a change from the usual rice heavy alternatives I often buy.

Big Oz (www.bigoz.co.uk) combined with Clarks agave syrup (www.clarksit.co.uk), a handful of raisins and a couple of tablespoons of chia seeds (www.sevenhillswholefoods.com) thrown in for good measure made a warming and filling start to the day. The buckwheat has a mildly nutty taste and I was glad I added a little sweetness to it. Nevertheless, a successful porridge experience and one which I will be repeating very soon!

You only have to read the name Perkier to feel a little brighter! Perkier (www.perkier.co.uk) have been producing great GF breakfast cereals/ porridge for some time now. Therefore,I was excited to see their fairly new cereal bars in my local Sainsburys. Unfortunately, once I took out the varieties containing nuts I was left with just one bar to try.

It's great! I'm a big quinoa fan so it definitely gets a thumbs up from me. Perfect for my after school snack. I would LOVE Perkier to expand their nut free/ oat free ranges. I'm sure there are many others out there that would like to see a bigger nut free/ oat free variety! Until then....I'm happy munching my quinoa bar!

Dale and I had a little trip to Broadway Market (@Broadway_Mkt) last weekend. It's no secret that this market is one of our favourite haunts, although with it being the first market of the new year some of our fave stalls weren't there. However, it did force me to try somewhere different for lunch and boy I'm glad I did! Zardosht, Persian food was amazing! Apparently they can be found at a cafe in Dalston as well as Broadway Market but the flavours were delicious!

Watching my lunch being pieced together was fascinating, a real art form. A pinch of this, a dash of that but it worked together brilliantly....I think I have a new fave place for lunch!

I was so stuffed, pudding had to wait! Thankfully Eat 'N' Mess (www.eatnmesscakes.co.uk) provide sturdy take away boxes! 

As much as I enjoyed my red velvet slice, I still wish I went for the GF s'mores bar! Hmmm, there's always next time! (Eyes too big for belly!)

Well, I will leave you dreaming of s'mores.....have a great fortnight everyone and remember "Always look on the bright siiiiiidee of liiiifeeee de dum, de dum, de dum, de dum, de dum!" Xx (@lizprice79)