Homecoming Queen

My daughter has arrived home after ten weeks in the USA working for Camp America and travelling. I reckoned she'd be sick of bagels, pretzels, twinkies and s'mores so decided to give her a good old British family feast.

What could be more British than a roast dinner? Vegetarian nut loaf, roast potatoes, carrots, brocolli, peas and onions followed by sticky toffee pudding!

She's had a fabulous time and made friends with people from all around the world. As one Australian vegetarian friend used to say, "Veggo ... Yummo!" Couldn't agree more.

Go shorty

It's been my birthday weekend and I've been lucky enough to meet up with family and friends to share my celebrations.

Some of our Birthday traditions are thought to originate when the Greeks would make round cakes in honour of Artemis, the goddess of the moon. The candles represented the glow of the moon and the smoke from the candles carried prayers and wishes to the Gods above. We blow out candles and make a wish on our birthdays although actual birthday cake probably originated in Germany with the idea of adding candles according to one's age.

I have friends who prefer to forget their birthday and hate the fact they're getting older. In fact birthdays should definitely be celebrated whether you're one, one hundred or anywhere in between. It's a sign of living life and that's a celebration in itself.

Whatever the story behind the birthday cake tradition, I'm up for having people sing to me whilst the glow of the candles illuminate my face, enjoy making a wish for something and eventually sharing and eating a little slice of heaven. It's a win-win.  

Music and the food of love

Apologies for the late post but last night was a late one. Arriving home at 1am from the 1980s Rewind Festival in Cheshire there was no time to sit and type out a blog.

The sights and sounds of the festival provided a great throwback to the eighties. Fortunately, festival/street food has come a long way in the last few decades and there were several vegan, vegetarian and gluten free offerings.

I opted for a barbecued jackfruit wrap from Herbivorous on the first day and veggie chilli nachos from the stand next door on the second. The food was prepared with love and care and nicely presented. Both dishes were delicious.

Thankfully there was no Meatloaf but UB40's Red Red Wine would've been good.