Sunshine Friends

The last few weeks the weather has warmed up enough for t-shirts, walks on the beach and picnics in the park.

(Jardim de Estrela, Lisbon)

I was introduced to the beautiful park, pictured above, that nestles into the busy, hilly streets of Lisbon city centre. Once I was inside I realised how much I'd missed the parks from where I lived in England.
I remember saying once to N that I imagined them getting really busy in the summer, and he replied, "Well yeah, but then everyone goes to the beach?" Obviously...

But being still somewhat from the countryside, vast, open, green spaces are what I like best, and what I've gotten used to as my weekend jaunt.

Don't get me wrong, I love to walk by the sea but still being on top of a hill, looking out over open space and feeling the chilly wind is a wonderfully free feeling.

(Stanage Edge, Peak District)

Save it for a rainy day

So my catching up on things, my getting back to work attitude, took a little longer than I imagined.

Sorry that I've been abit absent of late, I just didn't realise the weeks go by.

But I have managed to make head way in a few areas of my life.

As I said before I am a student, a Ph.D. student in fact. A scary idea, one thing I never imagined I would be doing. I have always had a natural love for learning and the human body. I am amazed at how it works and functions and have complete admiration for these wonderful beings that we are.

My other love is how to maintain this body to as close to perfect as can be. This being makes us who we are and creates everything we do. I want to help and work with my body, the way it was designed to do, to nourish and feed it what it needs and to be able to push it to its limits and strengthen every part to be better.

This is a tough task...

But actually only recently, and even writing this now I realise that the body is the centre of my interests and daily life. Not in a narcissistic kind of way, but in a sense that my body does everything for me, if I want to life my life, go out there and do the things I want to do, I need my body to be able to do this.

This brings together the key elements of my daily life, my job as such is for now being a student, studying about the body and what happens in disease. I practice Ashtanga yoga, a complete system for giving your body everything it could ever need, a way to purify and strengthen beyond any limit you ever imagined. This is my grounding and my way of taking care of my body, like giving my body a hug and saying I'm here, I'm looking after you and I believe you can do this. And then there is food.. this wonderful way of nourishing and providing your body with what it needs to keep going and to recover. This is giving your body a kiss, a treat and rewards for its work.

Back to Work

I've spent the past few weeks catching up on reading and seeing what everyone out there is up to in this new year.
For me it's a time to get working and organise my things, and a month of writing... With hopefully a lot of joy behind it.

Our New Years Eve was nice, a dinner with friends at home and watching the fireworks a midnight over the sea.

I began the year with baking myself a good stash of Molly's Granola, also favoured by David Lebovitz, adding a few adaptations to it to suit my tastes.

 I like to add more apple puree than suggested in the recipe, also because I tend to make a good batch and need more, but also for the extra crunch I find it gives the flakes. I also tend to add not just oats but other cereals or grains. Ones I like is Amaranth - a long past ancient grain apparently, and one of the only ones to be made up almost entirely of protein. So it's not like I'm carb-loading my granola either!

Home Again

(A beautiful picture taken by a friend)

Christmas in England was snowy and cold.

Filled with lots of Cadburys fingers and boxes of biscuits and chocolates.

It was a time for catching up with friends, walking in the snow and stopping for flasks of tea on the way.

It was spent with family, laughing, and with memories of those who could not be with us.

It is a sad time for my family, but the love and togetherness we give to each other will help us through.

***

I am now back at home in Lisbon, slightly chillier in my non-central heated apartment but warmer with the love from those close around me here.

We are fortunate to be well stocked with wine and liquor for our New Year's Eve party tomorrow, it will be a time to ring in the new year and to make new beginnings for those of us.

Happy New Year to you all!!

I wish that 2011 brings all that we hope for!

xx

Almost

There is snow in England. Alot.

I hope I can fly tomorrow back to the UK. Although I will be going from +16C to -6C, and I might freeze, I really can't wait!

I have bought my goodies to take home for presents...

And if you've ever visited Lisbon, you'll be sure to know this famous name.

I've picked up a box of the world famous pasteis de nata, and another of my Dad's favourites...

Pao de deus. A sweet bread, topped with coconut. They are often served simple, plain, or with cheese. Perfect with a long coffee.

I only hope they all survive the haul to UK.

Along with a few choice cheeses...

Please, please let's hope the snow stays away and I can get back without too much delay.

Merry Christmas! And happy travels to those traveling back home, also with goodies and treats!