Simple Suppers

Long days at work and too many hours spent commuting makes it hard to bypass the fish and chip shop every evening and return to my own kitchen for dinner. Thankfully I do possess the will to be healthy so here are some of my favorite quick-to-make suppers.

Avacado - with anything. Mash it up on rye toast with some roasted vine tomatoes and a poached egg on the side.

The easiest one-stop pot is a mash-up of my favorite Hemsley and Hemsley recipe: 

What you need...

2 cups lentils 

1 litre homemade vegetable stock 

3 big handfuls of spinach 

1 sliced red pepper 

2 cloves of garlic 

2 onions 

2 teaspoons raw coconut oil

Fresh red chilli (depends how spicy you like it) 

Optional - raw king prawns 

What to do with it...

- Sweat the onion. garlic and chilli in the coconut oil. Take care not to brown them. 

- Add the stock and lentils, cover with lid and soup for 6 minutes. 

- Add the sliced pepper and  hand-torn spinach, cook for another 6-10 minutes. At this point you can fire in any other veg you have to hand (courgette, aubergine etc. works well). 

- If you're adding prawns or meat do this now. Leave to cook down until the curry starts to thicken. 

- Serve with raw spinach or on its own. 

DELISH. 

Munich

So last weekend my Mum and I wondered off to Munich. The city itself is a typical European hub; orchestral buskers on every corner, a laid-back vibe and winding streets that lead you on an urban safari through shops, restaurants and cocktail bars.

We were there for such a short time that we didn't do much touristy stuff. Instead we spent a lot of time getting lost and wondering around. Our hotel was really close to the main center of the city - the equivalent of Leicester Square as my native hairdresser informed me - and so we spent most of our time here, ducking off the beaten track when we could to less mainstream spots.

The first night we stumbled upon Fedora Bar and Kitchen which served simple pasta dishes alongside goblets of prosecco-infused cocktails. Murals on the wall were punctuated with vintage mirrors that flickered under the glow of candlelight and the small square tables fell under the shadow of a high bar bustling full with chatter and an assortment of cool, well-dressed clientele.

On route to the Glockenbach district - which we failed to find - I stumbled upon this cool shop called Kauf Dich Glucklich. This made me very happy indeed. A tightly edited selection of small urban labels sat next to cult favorites like rainbow-hued New Balance sneaks, Best Coast CD's and quirky gifts. A bit like Urban Outffiters with a much better buy. The till doubled up as a coffee shop and a scattering of cushions at the window provided respite and refueling from the rope-hung rails of clothes.

Our last night (I told you it was a quick trip) was spent eating traditional Bavarian fare at Haxnbauer. We ate pork knuckles - much yummier than it sounds - with creamed potatoes and sauerkraut and finished our trip gloriously with apfelstrudel and ice-cream. So good.

If you don't believe me see below...

My fave outfits of late...

Style Flashback: Chasing Amy

The inspiration for Acne's Rita jacket? 

London Lifestyle: Yoga

Before moving to London my experience in yoga lay with a 30 minute pilates session. I don't think I thought too much about it at the time, but almost two years into my city life - and learning that there is a difference between the two - I am now a self-proclaimed yogi.

It pains me daily that I spent a summer in New York with my Mum's friend and his girlfriend (a very passionate and experienced yoga teacher) and failed to get into even one downward dog. What an idiot. Nevertheless, I have since tried hot power yoga, vinyasa and ashtanga yoga and even bikram.

Living on the edge of Primrose Hill is unfortunately a blessing and a curse. On the up side,  the most beautiful studios often filled with varying celebrities are right on my doorstep. On the downside, half way through a five week month and with a salary paid in peanuts, affording yoga becomes something of a luxury.

My two favourite studios - Triyoga for 'normal' yoga with really, really great teachers - and Bikram Yoga Primrose Hill for a proper sweat-fest, with encouraging, sometimes pushy teachers to get the best out of you - were out of my grasp this morning. Having exhausted all the introductory offers and special deals, I am now a regular pay-as-you-goer and until pay day comes (where are you) my practice within the studio needs to be limited.

I am contemplating joining a new studio in Highbury and Islington (£35 for 20 days) but the thought of getting the tube with post-bikram red face and drenched hair makes me recoil. So, as a compromise until I decide about the afore mentioned commute from hell, I decided to practice at home this morning.

Now, as a seasoned yogi, you might think that's not that big of a deal, but I really feel I need the direction and focus of working in a class environment. I know I'm meant to salute the sun every morning, but I getting up is hard enough most mornings.

Anyway, I found these two really great classes on YouTube:
This one with Carrie-Anne Fields and this faster, higher intensity one with Duncan Yoga. Both I thoroughly recommend. I might even try to get up early on Monday and start with a quick 45 minute blast to set me up for the day.

Life in London isn't easy but I cannot stress how positive and transformed I feel after practising yoga. Combined with a wholesome healthy diet and positive attitude, it really is the foundation for a happy day.

Have a great one!