The Fridge and Larder…

Posted on by frombrotherswithlove

Do you actually know what you enjoy eating? I mean really enjoy, every bite, every spoonfull?

I decided at 22. I emptied the whole fridge & larder and put back only what I love, want or need. And since I am the cook of the household the rest of the family eats the same. I shop once a week for the week ahead and free the rest of my time for activities I actually enjoy. Cooking is not one of them but we all need to eat. It’s as natural and simple as it can get – no Michelin stars here, but we are all healthy, slim and full of energy. I buy raw ingredients and cook from afresh. Ready meals are far and few between.

My fridge:

  • Baby Spinach, Gem Lettuce, Beetroot, Cucumber, Tomatoes, Tins of Sardines/Mackerel/Anchovies
  • Ham, Prosciutto, Mortadella, Cheddar/Emmental Cheese, Buffalo Mozzarella, Parmesan, Smoked Bacon, Pancetta, Smooth Pate, Jars of Gherkins, Peppers, Artichokes, Olives
  • Eggs, Strawberry Jam, Conserves – Blueberry, Blackcurrant, Salted Butter and Olive Oil Spread
  • Whole Milk, Soured Cream, Mayonnaise, Tomato Sauce, English Mustard, Horseradish, Bramley Sauce, Cranberry Sauce, Chutney, Salad Dressing, Balsamic Vinegar, Hot Chili Sauce, Burger Sauce
  • Bananas, Apples, Lemons & Oranges, Pineapple, Melon, Pears, Strawberries & Blueberries
  • Broccoli, Carrots, Parsnip, Brussel Sprouts, Red/White Cabbage, Kale, Onions & Garlic, Sugar Snaps, Green Beans, Potatoes, Peppers
  • Milk Chocolate/Milk Chocolate with whole Nuts
  • Chicken Thighs/Wings/Drumsticks, Whole Chicken, Beef Mince Meet, Beef Burgers/Steaks, Loin of Pork, Pork Chops, Leg of Lamb, British Sausages/Bratwurst, Turkey Steaks, Venison Steaks, Calves Liver, Black Pudding & Haggis …….
  • Fish – Salmon Steaks, Mussels/Prawns/Squid, Whole Trout

My Larder:

  • Wholewheat Pasta – Spaghetti, Penne & Lasagna Sheets, Spinach and Ricotta Tortellini, Brown Rice, Noodles for Stir Fry
  • Nuts – Walnuts, Cashews, Almonds, Dry Roasted Peanuts, Pecan & Brazil Nuts, Flaked Almonds, Raisins, Chestnuts, Dried Cranberries/Mango
  • Nutella, Honey, Peanut Butter, Brown Sugar
  • Tins of Baked Beans, Chickpeas, Red Kidney Beans, Butter Beans, Sweetcorn, Passata
  • Wholewheat Bread with Seeds/Rye Bread, White Bread occasionally, Oven Bake Sourdough Baguettes, Spelt Flour, Plain Flour
  • Cereal – Bran Flakes, Shreddies, Frosties, Corn Flakes and Porridge
  • Biscuits – a variety of Biscuits with Shortbreads always available, Crisps – Ready Salted, Black Pepper & Sweet Chili
  • Wholewheat Krisprolls, Black Pepper/Rosemary Crackers
  • Herbs – Parsley, Oregano, Basil, Smoked Paprika, Ground Ginger/Cinnamon, Cayenne Pepper, Turmeric, Garlic Granules, Salt& Pepper, Olive Oil, Chicken/Beef Stock Cubes
  • Coffee, Peppermint/Lemon & Ginger Tea, English Tea

I do not wake up thinking about food – I have turned off all that food noise because I know there will be something in the fridge that I can eat, when I am hungry. I decided that I will eat to live and not live to eat. With that decision made I am free to spend my days how I choose without my mind being overburdened with something that is already there.

Head Tidy up…

Posted on by frombrotherswithlove

I decided what I want to look like at 18 years of age. I like my hair long and I am proud to be a brunette. I like a fringe too – gives me a more sophisticated look. I use make up – mascara and good quality foundation never leave my side. As eyeshadow I like natural colors, browns with a hint of sparkle. My favorite color is black but I also like to wear white in the summer. Dark blues, greens, reds, greys and patterns also find their way into my wardrobe occasionally. It’s more of a sporty cum casual cum classic style. I like trainers, platform sandals and boots but also have a pair of high heels for special occasions in the back of my cupboard. I wear slippers around the house.

I like my surroundings free of clutter. I am not a hoarder – I only keep things that have touched the bottom of my heart. On my kitchen top you will find a kettle, a toaster, a kitchen towel holder and a tea bag jar. There are no pots of flowers (discovered that I am not green fingered), no ornaments, no boxes or pots gathering dust, cooking books are in the draw. All other electric appliances are stored away since they are not used daily anyway. The cupboards are not overflowing – how many cups, glasses, plates, bowls, pots/pans, baking trays does anyone actually need? The dining room table has a vase of real roses gracing the middle. The floor is clear.

My living room is also clean of ‘dust collectors’ as I like to call them. There are sofas, TV is on the wall, cupboard below has one picture frame on it, beside a sofa is a coffee table where two mats and a whisky decanter are placed. The floor is clear.

The bathroom is my worst room with toothbrushes, toothpaste and soap dispenser on the sink. If I could put them somewhere else I would gladly do so but these are used daily. The window ledges are empty. The shower has a shampoo, a conditioner and a shower gel – one of each. All the creams, shaving necessities, towels are stored away in the cupboard under the sink. There are two washing bins in the corner – two, waist tall, wooden white boxes. All the cleaning bottles are under the kitchen sink. The floor is clear.

The bedrooms have beds, cupboards with all the clothes hung/folded and bedside draws for a lamp to be displayed on. Yes, boys have Xboxes but the games are stored away. The sets of draws are serving the purpose of being storage for knickers, pants, socks and hairdryer.

Well organized or just over the top?

I really do not mind how you perceive it but it works for me. It does not take me 2 hours to get ready in the morning, the house is tidy but so is my mind. I can enjoy the morning and wake up slowly. New day new beginning. I have time to drink my coffee in peace, watch the news, organize breakfast, and face the world ready for any challenges it might throw my way. I count my blessings and start the day with a smile on my face. I lock the door and go to work, still smiling.

Who Are You?

Posted on by frombrotherswithlove

Do you know who you are? Are you the person you WANT to be? Are you YOU?

I am and I love who I am.

I am a woman, a strong woman who loves her job, her two boys, her husband and I love the challenges every day throws at me.

I am kind, thoughtful, helpful and fair. I do not make excuses, I admit to my mistakes and learn from them, all. I am hard working and enjoy what I do. I am loving and loved. I take full responsibility for my decisions and believe that I am where I am through my own choice. I do not have regrets, I cannot change the past.

I am 5’8” tall and I weigh around 9 and a half stone. I stopped growing at 16 and I have been the same weight since I was 22 years old. I haven’t weighed myself in years, but I have been buying the same size clothes for the last 25 years. I love how I look and feel.

I love sport, always have. But I did not have Ipads, Xboxes and Social Media when I was growing up. I lived, outdoors. Football, volleyball, running, skiing, skating, climbing, walking, I had fun. I read newspapers and books, lots of books.

I decide what I do, who I am and where I want to go. I am happy with me and I am comfortable in my own skin.

Are you?