In a happy place

I finally feel a little settled in my life. I'm happy. Work has been going really great and I feel like I'm on a really good path. I've had so many wonderful, encouraging words from those in a higher power that I finally feel appreciated for the hard work that I do. I don't think I've ever really had that in a job and it's beyond amazing how it can make you feel! It makes me want to work harder and better than I ever have before, yet I don't feel like I'm constantly trying to prove myself.

Seems like a win to me!

Fresh Cooking!

Writing my sunny side up blog has kickstarted my love for all things fresh, healthy and absolutely delicious! I've been a vegetarian going on five years and the possibilities (though others don't realise) is endless! It's also a great way not to be stuck in a rutt with cooking the same meals over again, because it's true, you do need to be creative for it to fill you up and taste great! The amount of vegetarian blogs I have come across recently with incredible recipes is also a massive inspiration to get cooking myself!

Breakfast is obviously an easy task, but when it comes to dinners it gets a bit trickier.

Tuesday night I was rushing about, needed something comforting and filling whilst still being resonably healthy. This is where a veggie burger comes in! I bought some turkish bread rolls (these will absolutely change your life if you are used to hamburger buns), toasted them with a bit of light cheese, spreaded some avocado on the other half, a small squeeze of mayo, some fresh rocket and cucumber and added a quorn southern style veggie patty. Combined all together it was simply delicious and just what I needed without being loaded with calories like other burgers :)

Here are some recipes I'm going to make over the next few weeks (along with my staple bean soft tacos, lentil shepard's pie, vegie lasange and a vegan goulash (I am Hungarian afterall!)

Last winter I made a brilliant black bean and corn chilli with homemade cornbread which I shall do next week, just need to grab some polenta and I have the rest of the ingrediants in my pantry :)

Chickpea and Rosemary Soup

My dad made this a few weeks ago, it was unreal and so easy. Literally by adding one can of chickpeas (always rinsed and drained!) to some stock, mash them up, add another can keeping them whole, add some fresh rosemary, season and cook down and voulia! Served with some form of ciabatta bread makes it incredible :)

Stuffed Zuchinni Boats

There's loads of recipes out there for these but I think this dinner will be more of a "use everything up in my fridge and make something out of it" kind of deal. Once you scoop out the zuchinni from the inside, that's already the basis for the delicious filling! I think served with some delicious flavoured rice would be nice.

Polenta

I haven't made polenta in agessss so I'm determined to make some (especially because it's so quick and easy) then grill it and serve with some vegetables of the mediterranean variety.

Homemade Beans

I've never made my own homemade baked beans before. I make a great bean dish for tacos but I think I will use different types other than just kidney beans and tweak the flavours a bit. This would be great served with the polenta too!

Thai Pumpkin Soup

I once attempted pumpkin soup, years before I even focused on cooking a decent meal and it basically turned out as pumpkin mashed potato. If it wasn't for my dad, this would have been an epic disaster, but he saved the day! As it's winter, I'm going to definitely attempt this, but with a twist. I love the idea of a thai pumpkin soup, adding in coconut cream instead of milk - and keeping it vegan too!

Chickpea Cutlets

For years I have seen this recipe floating around on the internet, blog posts about how great they are and people's different versions of them. Coming from the famous Veganomicon cookbook, you know it's going to be good, but just very time consuming as it contains wheat gluten, which I have never used before. BUT, I've always wanted to try them, so I'm going to dedicated a full day to cooking these! One day... soon... I'm sure of it...

Cauliflower Mash

Maybe to go with the cutlets? I've heard amazing things about cauliflower mash, how you simply can hardly tell the different between using cauliflower to potatoes but it's so much better for you. Worth a shot I think!

So here's a long post about all the food inspiration I have, well it's really just a few thoughts!

My parents - living it up!

My parents are currently living life in Europe and I am so insanely jealous of them! Whilst I'm slaving away at work they are on a cruise through the mediterranean or trekking through Italy or visiting family in Hungary. I'm absolutely itching to get away again and explore more of the world!!!! They just uploaded some pictures and they are so fantastic that I'm going to post them. Beware, sometimes my parents think they're funny when they're not! Hope you're having a blast guys! xxxxxxx

Step out of your comfort zone

This, I firmly believe. It's so easy to get caught up with the normal things we do daily, sticking to what we know, what's easy and what won't be scary for us. I don't think this is how anyone should live. Where is the fun in comfort? What about pushing yourself and finding something more exciting, enthralling and over all something you didn't think you would ever see or achieve. Be brave, step out of that comfort zone, you'll be amazed at what you can discover.

Finding Inspiration

I think everyone comes to a standstill at some point or another where they can't find the right inspiration they need to acomplish things. I get pretty sick of my own laziness when it comes to finishing projects I care so much about, well, it comes across as laziness, I think it's my own self-doubt in whether I will succeed or not that really holds me back more than anything else. I'm one of the busiest people I know, I work full time in PR, do PR and Marketing volunteer for Hyperfest a youth music festival which I could quite easily find things to do on a regular basis! I am a journalist for an online music website/magazine, I run a breakfast blog and on top of all this I'm trying to develop and build my own music website/magazine. Plus, I have a ridiculous amount of people I really need to catch up with, a loving relationship to make time for, housemates, a house to take care of, a car to service (which is FINALLY done!) and gigs, chill time, parties, spending quality time with my friends and taking time out for myself.

The whole "myself" bit seems to be coming last, I had two weeks off in between jobs and I managed to do bugger all except read books and get some new glasses, but I think once and awhile everyone really needs that.

Anyway, I have found in my latest, yet greatest, project I have decided to take on (Off the Record Music), inspiration has found me in the fact that other people want me to succeed and help me out. Always a bonus.

For everything else, here's a random collection of things that are currently inspiring me.

 

 

A new start

I am now two weeks into my new job and already loving it and feeling like I'm part of the team. This week has completely flown by and I've come to the realisation that it's because I am no longer watching the clock all day waiting for 4.30pm to hit so I can leave. Now, if I have to stay to finish something, I really don't mind, my days are flowing with writing and fun in a positive environment and that's really important to me. Granted I would rather be writing articles than media releases which the newspapers pick up, churn out and don't give me credit for, but for now, it's ok.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not someone who will let my work life consume my life, but at least the eight hours I need to spend here are much more enjoyable than my previous job - who'd have though I would find that in a government position. It's surprising how having a clued on boss and great co-workers can mean. I'm not as stressed even though with my new job lies new responsibilities and feeling very positive to the outcomes I am striving for. I'm determined to get my website up and running and that become a huge focus, I feel much more relaxed. I feel like people let their jobs control their life, I now have one that doesn't and that I can sort of fit to suit me in some ways.

I think all in all, I'm happier, much happier. Time to improve on some other aspects next.

Over and out.

So this is the new year...

Seeing as we are well and truly into 2012. I thought I'd post some of my favourite pictures from 2011. So here's my year in photographs...