Camaraderie On The Tube

Londoners are subject to vast criticism, especially during peak times. They are said to be rude, unhelpful, pushy, miserable, unapproachable and any other negative adjective you can think of. They muscle their way to the front of queues and steal your rightful place on the tube. They insist on forcing themselves onto trains, leaving others to ponder how they found the space to do so in the first place. They unashamedly invade your personal space and won't budge when it's your turn to alight.

But who can blame them? When a notion as simple as 'getting to work' involves so much plight for most Londoners, their behaviour is no wonder. When having to imitate cattle crammed into a third world freight train, no wonder Londoners seem moody. When getting to work involves late trains, rammed platforms, plenty of sweat (which does not always belong to you), becoming dishevelled and being able to feel and smell someone's morning breath on your face, there really seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel.

Despite it all, Londoners never cease to amaze me. Just the other day I witnessed a scene of such kindness, that I felt my heart tighten with affection towards the people I frequently loathe. My morning Victoria Line journey was disrupted when the passenger alarm was activate in the train ahead. There was much eye rolling and tutting in my carriage as we sweltered in the stifling heat of a dark tunnel. Suddenly, a young man behind me collapsed. He had no time to fully touch the ground as fellow commuters rushed to lift him up. Before I knew it, the window was yanked down and a seat was miraculously cleared for him. A man in latex next to me had retrieved an ice cold water bottle from his bag and was offering it candidly. The young man's embarrassment was clear, yet the lady escorting him to the seat was soothingly explaining that it could have happened to anyone.

It's incidents like these that need wider acknowledgement. They seem to go unnoticed as we dwell on all the negatives, but they occur more often than we think. Camaraderie on the tube should be celebrated and I for one, no longer live in fear of being trampled in my hour of need. I'm confident that a number of Londoners would step up to the challenge.

Muffin Mania

Ok, so I was invited to a girlie night at a friend's house a couple of weeks ago...and only found out the day before that it was in aid of her Birthday! I panicked and couldn't think of a present to buy, so I thought I'd bake muffins. As it was my first 'proffessional' attempt with a muffin tray and everything I decided to go all out and bake two different types. Luckily they were a success and I didn't end up turning up empty handed.

Banana and Peanut Butter Muffins (makes 6)

• Preheat the oven to 190C


• Fill a muffin tray with 6 paper muffin cases.


• Mix 135g plain flour, 25g oats, 1/2 tbsp baking powder in a bowl and set aside.


• In another bowl whisk 1 egg and then stir in 40g brown sugar, 1 mashed banana, 65g peanut butter and 25g melted butter.


• Add 125ml milk and stir to combine.


• Gently fold in the dry ingredients , do not over mix.


• Spoon the mixture into the muffin cases and bake for 18-25 minutes, or until the tops spring back when gently touched.


• Allow to stand for a minute before turning out to cool on a wire rack.

Chocolate Muffins (makes 10)

• In a mixing bowl, cream together 125g butter and 100g caster sugar. Use a wooden spoon until white and fluffy.


• Add in 2 eggs and whisk together for 5 minutes.


• Sift in 125g flour and 10g baking powder. Fold in until well blended.


• Add 30ml milk and 125g drinking chocolate and mix for 1 minute. Fold in 50g chocolate chips.


• Refrigerate the mixture for 2 hours.


• Preheat the oven to 200C


• Line muffin tray with 10 muffin cases.


• Place a teaspoon of the muffin mixture in each case. Then add a square of dark chocolate followed by another teaspoon of muffin mixture.


• Bake the muffins for 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven and ideally serve warm.

Spicy Cauliflower Soup

Serves 4

This was kind of an experiment and the jury's still out to be honest. I have been receiving a fair few cauliflowers in my organic veg box lately, so I decided to try something different:

• Put 1 tbsp olive oil to a pan and add 1 tbsp cumin and 1 tbsp curry power. Fry on a medium heat for about a minute.


• Add 1 chopped medium onion and fry gently until translucent.


• Add 1 chopped medium potato and 1 chopped medium cauliflower. Fry gently for a couple of minutes.


• Add 3 pints of vegetable stock and 1 chopped medium chilli. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 20 minutes.


• Once the soup cools, blend and reheat as and when needed.

Life is Like a Box of...Chocolate Heart-Shaped Muffins!

Who said romance was dead on Valentine's Day eh?!?

Well at least I did my bit with this rather thoughtful gift to my boyfriend on the special day...I definitely think I've done my good deed for the year though!

Experimental Vegan Muffins

This was an amalgamation of my aunty's recipe and some online recipes from www.fatfreevegan.com. Essentially, they are apple and carrot wholemeal treats.

Not bad for two firsts: first-time muffin maker and first-time vegan muffin maker. I will however, post the recipe once it's perfected as they came out rather cakey. My work collegues devoured them all, but they could do with a little tweak!

SAW IV (18)

Plot

John Kramer (the criminal genius also known as Jigsaw) is finally dead, but his instructive murder mazes are not. SWAT Commander Rigg (Lyriq Bent) is tested on his desire to save everyone, when he is given ninety minutes to save two of his fellow officers. At the same time, two FBI agents consult Jigsaw's ex-wife (Betsy Russel) to uncover the root of his mania.

Review

Saw III ends with the death of Jigsaw and one of his victims trying to save his innocent child. Saw IV does not pick up this thread immediately, instead it introduces new investigators who run around through Jigsaw's infamous murder mazes.

This fourth sequel deliberately leaves the narrative open, suggesting events could be taking place in the past or present. It attempts to impress with slick editing and camera work, fusing separate scenes together and blurring timeliness. For all its cinematic wizardry,it becomes a little tedious and no real bonds are formed with any of the characters.

However, the film does go to extreme lengths to fit in with the events of the earlier films. It brings back a character each from the second and third sequel, but even their presence can't redeem the thinning storyline. Even the FBI's interrogation of Jigsaw's ex-wife, seems like a poor attempt to add substance to the plot and once again the viewer can never fully engage.

Unlike its predecessors, Saw IV struggles to impress with new innovative killing entrapments and leaves us numb to the senseless violence. The viewer is not treated with the same respect as the previous films did and it is with a heavy heart that we acknowledge that the games are set to continue, despite Jigsaw's death.

Diary Of An Unsuccessful Cabbage Soup Dieter

I have a confession to make...I attempted the Cabbage Soup diet. 'Why?!?' you ask. Well, it's simple really. What with having images of beautifully formed females thrust in my face daily, I wanted in on the admiration. In the last couple of years, I have successfully managed to bring my weight down from a whopping 62kg to an ok 58ish kg by means of a healthy eating plan from a qualified dietitian. However, I've struggled to lose the extra few kilos that I could do without and I felt stuck. So what better I thought, than a radical kick start? I wanted to see fast results in order to motivate myself to take the final plunge and finally be happy...or so I thought:

DAY ONE:

Drink unlimited amounts of cabbage soup and eat as many fruits as you wish (no bananas).

Seemed simple enough and it was. I guess the excitement of starting something new kicked in and I quite enjoyed this day. I didn't even feel too hungry!

DAY TWO:

Drink unlimited amounts of cabbage soup and eat as many veggies as you wish. Treat yourself to a baked potato with a little butter for dinner.

Again, the food was not a problem on this day. It was a little harder to drink the soup admittedly, but at least I had my jacket potato to look forward to. During the day however, I did feel a little faint and I had the first twinges of a headache.

DAY THREE:

Drink unlimited amounts of cabbage soup and eat as many fruit (no bananas) and veggies as you wish.

Despite drinking plenty of water throughout, I woke up with a stinking headache. Perhaps it was my body detoxing, but I was feeling weak and almost passed out on the tube. By lunchtime I was feeling sick with hunger (how pathetic eh), yet I couldn't face the soup. I persevered until the evening and feeling truly dreadful I gave up! I had some lovely fish, brown rice and veggies instead!

So yeah, not only did I attempt the diet, I also failed miserably. I figure if something makes you feel so bad, it can't be good for you! Even though I could see I'd deflated considerably in just 2.5 days, i didn't bother weighing myself. What if I then felt it was worth it and continued, pushing myself beyond my limits?? I'm not saying that the cabbage soup diet is necessarily bad for you and I do think the first 3 days are definitely the hardest in terms of what you can eat. However, with my long commute to work, I was simply using up more energy than I had and it felt unhealthy.

On the plus side though, I've found my weight loss mojo again. The experience has strangely motivated me to follow my dietitian's plan until I reach my ideal weight once and for all. I'm tired of yo yoing and never being happy. Weight loss is a long term plan and maintenance is the tricky part-I could have put myself through 7 days of strange eating in order to lose 4kg and then probably gain them right back again. I now feel ready to make a life change for good and I look forward to feeling confident. At least something good came out of the cabbage soup diet!

No Country For Old Men (15)

Plot

Texas 1980. Whilst hunting in the desert, everyman Llewellyn Moss (Brolin) stumbles across the remnants of a drug deal gone bad and makes away with the cash. A bloody chase ensues as the man sent after him to recover the loot, is an amoral killer (Bardem) who will stop at nothing.

Review

The Coens’ latest endeavour is said to be an impossibly faithful adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s acclaimed novel and is nominated for an impressive eight Oscars. It is therefore possible that the problem I have with the narrative is a bi-product of not having read the book. Nonetheless, it is never clear who commissions Anton (Javier Bardem) and it is impossible to keep track of the various truckloads of Mexicans sent out to also reclaim the money. Perhaps most disappointingly is the way in which Llewellyn (Josh Brolin) is killed. He is the strangely amiable anti-hero the viewer is rooting for, yet he is not even afforded the dignity of memorable death. Instead he falls victim of a messy shoot-out involving the Mexicans and the viewer only witnesses the aftermath.

That aside, it would be unfair not to acknowledge that the Coen brothers are definitely back on form after the rather forgettable Intolerable Cruelty and The Ladykillers. No Country For Old Men captures the magnitude of the Texan landscape with breathtaking panoramic shots and it is this sprawling landscape that acts as a constant reminder of the doom that seems to follow Llewellyn wherever he goes. All the open space only heightens the stench of death as there is nowhere to hide from it. Death permeates through the oppressive silence as the Coens masterfully convert a footfall on a wooden floor or the soft breeze scaling the rough terrain, into an unbearable tension.

It is without a doubt the faultless performances that set this film aside from others of a similar genre. Brolin is the resourceful noir hero who although is not altogether morally correct, is affable and delivers some of the film’s best dry humoured lines. Particularly memorable is one of his conversations with wife Carla Jean (Kelly Macdonald). Just before he goes on the run he says “If I don’t come back, tell my mother I love her” to which Carla Jean replies “Your mother’s dead”. “Then I’ll tell her myself” he mutters. Tommy Lee Jones’ Sheriff provides a stillness and grace that is detached from the sporadic ultra violence. Perhaps the most convincing yet terrifying performance is that of Bardem as the psycho killer obsessed with chance, taking lives at the random toss of a coin. Donning an unsettling bowl-cut hair do and armed with an equally unsettling weapon (a pressurised cylinder traditionally used to kill cattle), he is the embodiment of pure evil.

Borscht, from Miracle Soups

Beetroot is full of goodness and I often buy it pre-cooked and use it in salads, sandwiches and as refreshing side. Last week however, I received some raw beets in my weekly organic vegbox and after my initial panic, I entrusted Amanda Cross. This soup is amazing. It’s beautiful in colour with a slightly rough texture which makes it fulfilling. Give it a go and see for yourself. The quantities make a lot of soup, so ideal for freezing or feeding around 6.

• Place 1 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan. Add 1 chopped onion, 1 chopped garlic clove, 500g raw chopped beetroot, 1 large chopped cooking apple, 2 chopped celery sticks, 1 chopped red pepper, 125g chopped mushrooms and 3 tbsp beef stock. Cover and cook gently for 15min, stirring occasionally.




• Add 1 tsp cumin seeds and cook for 1 min. Add 3 pints of beef stock, a pinch of dried thyme, 1 large bay leaf, 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 20min.




• Let the soup cool then blend until suitably smooth. Return to the pan and reheat.




• To serve, garnish the soup with swirls of soured cream and sprigs of dill.

An Unlikely Footie Fan

For someone whose football education has only recently commenced, I’m not doing too badly. Last Tuesday I actually visited Anfield as an away fan supporting Luton Town and I know plenty of Liverpool fans who have never visited the spectacular ground, let alone Luton fans. Even though Luton suffered an inevitable defeat, the atmosphere was fantastic and I suddenly had an enlightenment. Amongst the screaming Luton fans, at the famous stadium with its perfectly manicured pitch, it suddenly dawned on me what the appeal is.

Football is not just about a bunch of overweight men, shovelling in the pies, guzzling down the beer and shouting abuse at the opposition. Although the above is indeed abundant, football is also about camaraderie. It’s about feeling united and passionate about your team, however well or badly it may be doing. It’s about encouraging your team by singing your heart out, even though many football songs / chants are rather unsavoury. It’s about family outings and rituals, as young children gaze up to their parents and formulate views about the game. There at Anfield I felt a rush of emotion and warmth I’d never before associated with football. At that moment, a previously intolerant girlfriend became more forgiving towards the game and more appreciative towards her boyfriend’s love of the game.

Of course I can’t promise to voluntarily watch every single televised match. There are far too many dull ones, but perhaps the big ones will capture my attention. I am in fact looking forward to watching Liverpool versus Aston Villa tonight. Come on Villa! I also can’t promise to ever learn the offside rule, but surely my new found enthusiasm will counteract my lack of technical knowledge? Likewise I can’t promise to refrain from committing the cardinal sin of referring to football as ‘just a game’, but it will now be limited to times of pure frustration, not just mild annoyance.

My sudden change of heart is of great significance. I have always been of the ‘I hate football’ disposition and to some extent I still feel like a traitor towards mutual female haters. A few more home matches though and who knows….a Hatters season ticket?!?

P.S. I’m still not impressed by the notion of being ditched on Valentine’s Day for football, however much notice I’ve been given!

Crunchy Chinese-Style Kale

I seriously love kale, but I always lazily steam it, a method which now bores me. This quick little recipe takes no time at all and is so delicious, it's guaranteed to please your taste buds:

1. Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok. add 1 sliced garlic clove and fry for a few seconds.
2. Throw in 200g kale and make sure to toss it so it's coated in the oil.
3. Pour over 100ml boiling water and cook for approx 7 mins until the kale has wilted, yet retains its crunch.
4. Stir in 1 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp oyster sauce and heat through to serve.
   

Roast Pumpkin and Cinnamon Soup, adapted from Moro East

If you’re a soup fanatic like me, you’ll love this recipe. It’s unbelievably silky in texture and so soothing during the cold weather (I actually took some into work in a thermos flask and it was such a treat). The hint of cinnamon and chilli gives it that unusual eastern spiciness and I found myself imagining I was in an exotic location. Anyway give it a try:

1. Preheat the oven to 220C/gas mark 7. Cut 600g seeded pumpkin or squash into 3cm cubes. Toss with 2tbsp olive oil and salt and pepper. Roast in a roasting tin for 30-40min until soft.




2. Meanwhile, fry one sliced onion and some salt in a saucepan. Add two thinly sliced garlic gloves, 1/2tsp ground cinnamon and a pinch of crushed dried chilli. Fry to release flavour , then add one medium potato (in 2cm cubes). Cook for 5min, add roasted pumpkin and 1litre vegetable or chicken stock. Bring to the boil and then simmer for 20min.




3. Let the soup cool down then blend until smooth.




4. Once blended, reheat and serve with Greek yoghurt and fresh coriander.




5. The original recipe included pine nuts lightly browned in unsalted butter as a topping also, so give that a go if you’re a fan.

St Pancras Intl: Commuter Hell

From a purely selfish perspective, I don’t care what the brand spanking new St Pancras Intl has to offer. I don’t care that it boasts Europe’s longest champagne bar or that you can travel to Paris in 2hrs 15min. The only thing I care about is my attempt to get to work in a timely and orderly manner each day, something I could accomplish perfectly well whilst Kings Cross Thameslink was still open.

Yes, I am one of the unfortunate thousands that have to make their way into London on the First Capital Connect services and then battle their way to the tube. Being forced to use St Pancras Intl adds at least another 15 infuriating minutes to my journey. I put this down to the fact that this new and improved station is simply a chaotic obstacle course for us commuters.

Not only is the underground located on the opposite side of this huge station, but we commuters have to ‘play’ a game of Battle Royale to get there. First there is the initial ticket barrier that creates a painfully slow funnel effect. Once through, you must battle the non-commuting masses; the amblers, the travellers, the abrupt stoppers. There are people everywhere, walking in utter bemusement. Completing that trial you are then rewarded by having to negotiate the rammed ticket purchasing area, filled with tourists donning the largest luggage sets known to man. Trampling and stumbling over those, you finally arrive at the second ticket barrier where it seems the whole of London inter-changes. You are hot and bothered and running late. And if you are unlucky enough to have a ‘faulty’ ticket and need assistance, you have to refrain from combusting at ridiculous requests from transport ‘gate-keepers’ like ‘Can you try swiping it again?’. No!?! Clearly I’ve tried that already…I’m not one for wasting my own time!

With Kings Cross Thameslink there was none of this. Despite the same volume of people, we all headed off the platform and down the single flight of steps towards the tube in solidarity. There were no ‘others’ thrown into the mix for the fun of it. With no barriers to slow us down, no oncoming traffic and everyone practising the unspoken commuter rules, commuting was made sweeter.

So please, please can we have Kings Cross Thameslink back? Failing that, can we have a commuter-only tunnel direct from the platform to the tube? Come on St Pancras, can you redeem yourself…?