• Favourites,  Lifestyle

    COVID-19 and ME (in the UK, 2020)

    October 16, 2020

    A blog post about the hell of the last year (2020)

    The last year has been hell for everyone.because of COVID-19. The blight of the whole world. “The modern plague”, “the death flu”, etc..

    For those who are unaware of COVID-19 – it is a virus/infection that is airborne and can be transmitted by human to human connection in close contact. It started in China and 100s of thousands of people have got it, and over 50,000 have died from it. Many more have infected people with it. The official stats are still going up and it has spread worldwide. It is a deadly virus

    COVID-19 spread around the world and got eventually to the UK. As a UK citizen, I was worried anyway, but not until mid-year 2020, did my local area feel the worst of the pandemic.

    The UK had been on/off for over 4 months under “Lockdown” which meant we could not do every day things such as meeting friends and family, going to work, the pub or even meet in large groups in public.

    My area realised it got dangerous in the UK when we had to start wearing medical face masks in public – shopping, walking the dog, etc. It also affected other events such as Live TV, festivals and events being cancelled. Also filming for tv shows changed dramatically, with something called “social distancing” – This was a preventative measure to stop the spread of COVID-19.

    Recently, around September (roughly) “Lockdown” ended, things looked brighter and then BOOM. In October, again, Lockdown was reinforced in certain parts of the UK – the most highly infected areas. The number infected and dying were up for the first time in months.

    This time, the general public could still go about normal jobs but up-until this day (October 2020) we, the UK citizens, are still frightened of catching this deadly virus. It is the modern pandemic and we are not out of the woods yet.

    We, The UK (and the world) are hoping the worst of it is over and it will start to ease off by New Year or in the year of 2021. But WHO Knows? It may never go completely.

    Please give me your stories of COVID-19 in the comments.

    UPDATE: “The Covid death toll across the UK has surpassed 60,000 for the first time, hitting 61,116, according to analysis of official data. The total number of deaths registered by the three statistical agencies across England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland now stands at 59,927” (read on The Guardian.online)
    Read More

    Related Posts

    Social Media – Good thing or Bad?

    January 28, 2018

    NEW URL: Self-hosting & update

    January 11, 2018

    [REVIEW] “His Dark Materials” – My Favourite show of 2019.

    December 17, 2019
  • Languages,  Lifestyle

    ITALIAN FRIDAYS #2

    November 8, 2019

    ITALIAN LANGUAGE

    Hello all, remember that time I said I was going to help you expand your knowledge of Italy, country, history and the language? I know it was nearly 2 years ago but guess what? It’s baaaack!!

    I have been learning Italian for over two years, then quit classes to learn online with apps and reference books while still enjoying it.

    In this post, I am going to introduce you to some of my favourite sites that help you with learning Italian. whether it be an application on your mobile phone or a website, they have all come in handy over the last few years

    APP/SITES FOR YOUR PHONE

     These are all the applications (app) that I used over the last year. My personal favourite is Busuu and Google Translate. As they all have very good software , I recommend you try them all first before you choose your own favourite.

    Please Note: Obviously there are many more apps on IOS and Android Store but I recommend these apps myself from first hand experience using them. Also this post is 100% NOT sponsored or paid for.
    Read More

    Related Posts

    My Journey with Languages, in 2019

    November 10, 2020

    Introduction to ITALIAN FRIDAYS

    September 1, 2017
  • Food & Drink

    Recipe #2. Quick Steak & Veg stir Fry

    February 27, 2019
    Ingredients:
    • 8oz steak (sirloin or rump)
    • 1 small Mixed veg pack (or a half a mugful of each of the following – green beans, carrots, broccoli & corn).
    • 2 table spoons of olive or vegetable oil
    • A teaspoon Worcester or soy sauce
    • A teaspoon of garlic flakes (or 1 garlic clove)
    • Salt & pepper (alter to your taste)

    Time to prepare: 5 minutes – Cooking time: 15-20 minutes

    Method…

    1. Turn large frying pan on full heat until hot.
    2. Add garlic & oil to pan
    3. While garlic is cooking, slice steak into 1inch wide chunks
    4. Add steak to pan and fry for 10 minutes until fully cooked through
    5. While steak is frying slice veg into 1 cm wide slices (approx 6cm length)
    6. Add soy or Worcester sauce to pan & season with salt n pepper
    7. Throw all the vegetables into the pan and turn the heat down low or off.
    8. Leave the pan to cool and the veg to cook also for 5-8 mins
    9. Serve direct to a bowl or plate from pan

    Note: Please alter times to suit your preferences. For well done steak, add 5-10 mins cooking time & 5 extra mins for softer veg.

    I hope you enjoy this meal and if you liked it I will add more recipes to my blog. If you’ve tried this meal please tell me in the comments below! Thanks!

    Read More

    Related Posts

    My journey with food, & beyond.

    November 12, 2018

    Why I eat local and mostly avoid chain restaurants

    March 15, 2025

    Recipe #1: (v) Garlic Mushrooms & sauce

    January 30, 2019
  • Food & Drink

    Recipe #1: (v) Garlic Mushrooms & sauce

    January 30, 2019

    Ingredients:

    • 5 medium sized mushrooms.
    • Half a mug of full fat milk
    • 2 table spoons of olive or vegetable oil
    • A table spoon of garlic flakes (or 3 garlic cloves)
    • A table spoon of Worcester sauce
    • Salt & black pepper (alter to your taste)

    Time to prepare: 5 minutes – Cooking time: 15 minutes

    Method…

    1. Turn large frying pan on full heat until hot.
    2. While pan is heating up, chop garlic clove finely
    3. Add garlic & oil to pan & stir until golden or translucent
    4. While garlic is cooking, slice mushrooms into 1inch wide chunks
    5. Add mushrooms to pan and fry for 8 minutes, until fully cooked through
    6. While mushrooms are frying, add milk gradually until there is a sauce
    7. Add half a teaspoon of Worcester sauce & season with salt n pepper
    8. Turn the heat down low or off and put a plate over the pan for 3 mins .
    9. Leave the pan to cool and food to simmer
    10. Serve direct to a bowl or plate from pan

    Note: Please alter times to suit your preferences.**

    I hope you enjoy this meal and if you liked it I will add more recipes to my blog. If you’ve tried this meal – please tell me in the comments below! Thanks!

    Read More

    Related Posts

    MY THOUGHTS ON PLANT BASED DIETS

    January 21, 2019

    My journey with food, & beyond.

    November 12, 2018

    Recipe #2. Quick Steak & Veg stir Fry

    February 27, 2019
  • Food & Drink,  Lifestyle

    MY THOUGHTS ON PLANT BASED DIETS

    January 21, 2019

    For the past year, in 2018, I have to confess I ate a lot more than I used to and it was not even healthy meals… too much red meat & not enough fresh food. Although I did start cooking for myself a lot more. When I wasn’t cooking, I was going out for meals with high fat & protein-rich foods, such as steak & beef burgers! Towards the end of 2018, I swapped chips for salad and that helped.

    This year I want my food goal to cut out or severely reduce my meat-eating down to about 20% or less. Yes, I plan to eat to continue eating meat but reduce it right down, gradually.

    plant based food Garlic Mushrooms & Sauce

    I am aiming to eat mainly vegetable-based meals, but I still want to use milk and butter in meals for the time being until I get chance to try soy-based milk, as I can’t stand almonds!

    I have been getting into watching vegan inspired recipes on Instagram recently and it has inspired me to eat healthier! Although realistically I can’t go from heavy meat based meals to vegan I can cut down slowly throughout 2019, until I don’t eat meat any more.

    In the last few years veganism has taken off, many people know and follow the vegan lifestyle and it is well known now. Before if you heard someone was a vegan you wouldn’t understand it and there were no reviews or meals to choose from in supermarkets or restaurants …but now it is so common that big brands and celebrities have jumped on the bandwagon creating ready meals and vegan inspired dishes online or in cookbooks. Look out for them!

    I don’t know how I feel about not being able to eat meals such as a Full English Breakfast, but I know there are lots of alternatives to choose from and it will make me a healthier person in the long run.

    My first start at eating plant & reduced meat based food this week included; a hummus wrap and a prawn curry & rice dish.

    Last weekend I attempted to cook garlic mushrooms from scratch. They turned out amazing & tasty (image above). The only thing I might do next time is to change the butter & milk to a plant-based alternative.

    What’s your opinion on plant-based diets? Are you already a Vegetarian or Vegan? What is your advice on changing to a plant-based diet?
    Read More

    Related Posts

    My journey with food, & beyond.

    November 12, 2018

    My favourite Autumn & Winter Food & Drinks.

    October 1, 2018

    Why I eat local and mostly avoid chain restaurants

    March 15, 2025
  • Lifestyle,  Single Life

    HOW TO: Survive Christmas (while being Single!)

    December 24, 2018

    So it’s that time of year again where everyone is merry & jolly but what do you do when you are facing Christmas alone? I am a great believer in being single, as I am myself, but I know how lonely it can get especially on holiday times. This is my guide on “How To” survive the Christmas period.

    Go & see relatives (local or abroad)

    This is a no-brainer. If (and I hope you do) have relatives in the country or abroad make it your mission to go and see them, especially over the holiday period. You can reminisce on previous holidays and events where uncle Sam played the piano wrong or cousin Susan got too drunk on her 50th.

    Invite friends over for a festive meal or drink

    This is my second choice. If you live alone and feel as if the place needs some noise, why not send an invite to close friends for a night over yours or a meal in the day with festive entertainment (such as games). I am sure a lot of people would love to have fun with friends over the holiday period.

    GO OUT & GET DRUNK

    This is not advised for people who do not usually drink excessively. This is for the party animals who love to drink on the weekend (…or if they are not working!). This is a risque choice as you might not be able to afford it or handle your drink… but at least you had a good time, right? You can go to the local pub (which may close early over Christmas) or go clubbing (like Uni students) – Please be safe & aware but have a good time!

    Single parent? Visit Santa!

    Basically if you have a child (or more), why not go to see Santa. I’m sure your children would love to join in the festivities over their school holiday. Also it’s a good chance to meet other parents who might be able to briefly give you some company over the holiday period. Im sure you will all enjoy yourselves too!

    Offer to work overtime over the holidays

    This option is for all you Scrooges out there who are single and don’t like the holiday season. This time of year is perfect for doing overtime at work – no-one else wants to because they have plans & most places pay extra over certain holiday periods such as Christmas, to entice people into work rather than booking time off. Extra money AND not having to worry about the holiday = Win-Win for you!

    I hope you enjoyed my list of choices for you to do over Christmas time. I hope one suits you & you enjoy the holiday (or lack of, if you are working). This is a varied list & suits all types of people; from the rich to struggling uni students.

    Happy Holidays Everyone!

    Read More

    Related Posts

    The Seasons: Summer, Spring, Fall & Winter.

    December 10, 2018

    COVID-19 and ME (in the UK, 2020)

    October 16, 2020

    Winter & Christmas tag

    December 22, 2017