So for a few weeks I was very conscious of the fact that I wasn’t cooking, I would just grab the quickest thing I could find instead of putting a bit of thought into what I should be eating, what I had already eaten that day or even that week and choosing my meals based on that.

I have already noticed this week that I have really changed the way that I think about what I should be eating. I’m really making sure that I get the vegetables I should, and the fruit as well which I have been eating as a snack. There is something about clementines and similar fruit that should be eaten just at autumn and Christmas, maybe that’s when they are in season? I don’t know, either way I know that I will be regularly buying these fruits in the build up to Christmas to make sure that I get all of the vitamin C that I should be.

Now you all know how much I love cooking and I always have the freezer stocked up with all kinds of food so I am now using what I’ve got and making up recipes with the ingredients that I have, so that I am not spending money which I don’t have!

I start work again in a couple of weeks, in a retail store and I know that this is going to be quite a hard job over Christmas and I need to be able to keep my energy levels up and also not get ill at Christmas! I’m already thinking about the meals that I can make while being in my budget and also things that are quick and easy after a long day at work. As well I need to consider what to have for my lunch so that I don’t go out to Marks and Spencer and spend nearly £5 a day, I know I can make myself a better lunch than that ;)

I’ll come back in a couple of weeks and show you the ideas that I have been making myself. If you have any good ideas that I can use then please send them my way!

My Weekend in the Countryside

To top of what started as the best week ever, ended with the best weekend at home. It started off with receiving my Graze boxes. Then driving home to Salisbury.

My Nan came over for her Friday afternoon visit, and then we went to Nandos for dinner. Again, standard Friday night dinner! It was delicious as always and nice to spend some time as a family.

Saturday has to be the most eventful day of the weekend. I went out for lunch to Fisherton Mill with my Mum, as it’s so great there. This time they had changed the menu entirely so it was time to try something new. I had marinated chicken and avocado salsa on an open sandwich. It isn’t my most favourite thing that I’ve had there but it was good to try something new. My mum had a smoked salmon and prawn open sandwich. Then we couldn’t resist but got dessert, I mean look at this meringue my mum had!

Back at home I relaxed for a bit with my dogs who I don’t get to see until I get home again on Christmas eve (I can’t begin to explain how much I’ll miss them). When my dad got home, I helped to unpack the shopping to make dinner, and then I got the phone call that made my entire week! At the beginning of the week I got one job, but being in a difficult financial place I had in the back of my mind that I needed to get another part time job as well. So I got the phone call that is going to help my career a huge amount!

I decided a couple of weeks ago that retail is the way that I want to go with my career, and this has given me the chance to be trained up through the company. I’ve never been so excited! And to make it even better, I’m jumping in at the deep end and starting Monday evening to help with Launch night. This means I get a good glimpse at the season ahead and ideas on my uniform! I’m unbelievably nervous with that bit of excitement as well.

That night we celebrated, a bit too hard, with sushi and so much wine. My sister was having a party so I joined in with them and ended up with small recollection of the night. Oops.

Needless to say I woke up with a horrible headache that I still have now! I tried to get rid of it with an amazing roast dinner but that didn’t seem to work, I enjoyed it nonetheless.

It’s now going to be one of those relaxed Sunday evenings watching X factor before I go back to Kingston and start working!

D… is for Dinner

This has to be my favourite meal of the day. I’ve always hated the idea of breakfast and it’s normally quite boring too. Lunch just fills you up during the day.

So dinner is my favourite, it is normally when I will cook that dish that I’ve wanted to make for a while. It’s also when I will eat with family or friends making it the most sociable meal as well!

Here's a few reminders of what I've previously made:

Fisherton Mill

I started the day by taking my Nan to Wilton Garden Centre, because I’m just a good granddaughter! I normally just like looking at all the pretty pink flowers.

We then went to Wilton Shopping Village to meet my mum and sister for a spot of lunch. I had a lovely pot of tea while the others had homemade lemonade.

I obviously didn’t have any but I just had to share with you all these homemade cakes.

For lunch we each had different things (lucky for me taking pictures). My mum had the Moroccan hummus, chickpeas and olives open sandwich. My sister had the smoked chicken and avocado salad with new potatoes, green beans, crispy bacon and Parmesan croutes. While I had a Greek salad with roast aubergine pate.

We all completely cleared our plates; it is so yummy there! My mum and sister got cake while I took a walk. I mean look at how pretty it is.

I then went into a cute little vintage shop which I will definitely go back to when I get paid! I got some little presents in there though.

Fisherton Mill also has a shop and gallery but we didn’t go in there today. The café is always popular though and they have them in Salisbury and Wilton. I definitely recommend going there if you’ve never been.

It is clear that the food is all homemade and they change their menu relatively often so if you only go there occasionally then you will always get to choose from a different menu!