Sunday morning was sunny and I had almost a free day ahead of me.  I had loads of chores to do but also wanted to spend some time preparing healthy meals and I had plenty of time available for once.

For breakfast I had half a melon and some strawberries to use up as they were about to turn so they were destined for the blender.  I soaked 1 tbsp hemp seeds in water for about 2 hours first.

I also put in a packet of silken tofu and a huge heap of kale. It made 2 and a half smoothies which Harvey and I shared.  It was creamy, thick and very drinkable. A very healthy start to the day. For lunch I wanted to make a frittata I previously blogged about here.  The original recipe was kale and sweetcorn in a millet crust.  I didn’t have any millet so I thought I would try quinoa.  I rinsed it and cooked it according to the packet instructions, then pressed it in to a greased deep flan dish.  I used coconut oil so the dish remained dairy free. I picked some more Swiss chard from the garden and chopped the leaves separately to the stalks. I gently fried some onions in coconut oil and then added the chopped stalks and mushrooms. I added the Swiss chard leaves for just a couple of minutes and cooked them until they began to wilt.  Once the quinoa crust is cooked I piled in the vegetables, plus I added some sweetcorn.  Then poured the whisked eggs over the top.  You can find the recipe on my recipe page within the vegetarian section and the original was called ‘Kale Frittata in a Millet Crust’.  Or click on the link above. It turned out perfectly.  I think the secret is to not overcook the egg or it would become rubbery. The quinoa held its shape perfectly and this is a much healthier alternative to pastry. I served it with Cholula, a pepper sauce I am very fond of. A side salad would have gone well with it but to be honest, I couldn’t be bothered!We all enjoyed it as it was and there were no objections from these 2 that there was no salad today.
Late afternoon I headed up the hill to have a game of tennis with Marion. What fun it is to play on grass.  It was hot and thirsty work playing on her lovely court.   So refreshments were required.  Quite a lot it would seem.  Sarah joined us too and we did have a splendid natter in the early evening sunshine. Oh dear!  One drink seemed to flow endlessly in to the next.  And on we chatted and drank and chatted some more.  And then some! Oh very dear!  Never a good sign if I am eating Pringles. I don’t even like them much but I seem to remember consuming rather a lot :-(.  We watched some hot air balloons sail peacefully overhead.  I am very fond of my over the road neighbours, each and every lovely one of them.

I am not so fond of how I felt when I woke up this morning though!

I needed a Monmouth fix but I was there before it opened.  It opens at 7:30 so not long to wait.  The man with the blue hat and little dog is there every morning.  I wonder what his story is. I stood outside an open window and breathed in the aroma of coffee, a devotee standing beside the coffee temple.2 lattes were required to get me going this morning.
Mid morning I was hungry so I headed out to EAT, determined to not give in to temptation and buy the sugary carbs my hungover head was telling my body it wanted.

Ta daaaa!  I did quite well and bought a mango and passionfruit Bircher Muesli with some orange juice.  Refreshing and fruity. At lunch time I tried a new Mexican takeaway and cafe called the ‘Flying Burrito’.  I swerved the burritos (which looked really good) and instead ordered a chipotle chicken salad which I took back to the office and consumed with a peach iced tea.  I enjoyed them both very much. It was hot in the City today and very humid and muggy so I was very relieved to get home, shower, wear something cool and potter about in the garden, watering the veggies and deciding what to have for supper.  The garden is looking so good.  Breathe deep and relax.

I picked a lettuce and then foraged in the fridge and found cucumber, spring onions, celery, tomatoes, olives, sundried tomatoes, a smidgeon of humous and some marinated anchovies. I added no dressing.  The olives, sundried tomatoes and anchovies came in oil and that was dressing enough.  It was delicious.

Having made my salad I enjoyed it while I sat in the garden, writing this blog, listening to the sheep baaing and distant church bells.  I am so lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the world, with so many lovely people near by.  The hangover is but a distant memory but I enjoyed looking at the pictures and remembering our lovely afternoon and evening.

It was hot and sticky in town today but now, sitting in my garden, it is cool.  I ate well today and feel healed and now relaxed.  Have a good evening.  Cheers by the way – I am enjoying an ice cold beer 🙂