One of my favourite hobbies when I am on my own (and with no access to the internet) is to think what I would do if I would win the lottery. Sometimes I dream I win 5 million, sometimes is more. The figure gets so big that I lost count of how much I've won really. But it is a dream so I wonder it does not matter.

I really enjoy wondering about how I would spend the money. And most of times I end up giving the money away to other people. I buy nice presents to the people I know, I randomly pay for the shopping that complete strangers is doing in the supermarket, I give money to people that have a dream to fulfil, and in general I spend the money in a million ways so everyone is a bit happier. I also save some for me, so I can do an amazing trip around the world.

But don´t get too excited, because the reality is that I never buy lottery.

Cava, Berries & Bacon Brussels Sprouts

Only 18 days till Christmas! I can’t believe is that time of the year already! It’s so close I can almost taste it.

Things have been pretty busy over here at Tiny Marmalade HQ and I've started to wonder where I can find my own elves to help with jamming, labelling and packing up all your orders! I'm so super excited about Christmas this year, not that I'm ever not ... any excuse to eat all the foods! 

There is absolutely no question; Christmas is MY favourite time of the year.

I love the lights and the decorations, the music, the carols, the smell of mulled wine and mince pies, drinking hot chocolate and wearing mittens

I love shopping for gifts. I love seeing people's faces unwrapping presents. I love secret Santa games and pulling Christmas Crackers,

And I absolutely love spending time with friends and family. Playing board games. Crafting. Talking about the same old stories, like that year Santa left me a Mariachi outfit under the tree. Yes, I'm not making that up. I was 16th and all I got for Christmas was a Mariachi outfit. A proper one with its hat and a Tequila bottle. I still don't really know what Father Christmas was trying to tell me.

Kale, Pomegranate, Nuts & Quinoa Salad

I know what you are thinking.

"Paloma, it's almost Christmas, you should be preparing cakes no kale salads".

You may be right. 

The first time I saw kale in a supermarket I thought it was a sort of mistake. Or maybe some rabbit food someone put in the wrong place. Let's face it, kale is not the sexiest of vegetables. But all at a sudden, kale was everywhere. From super posh dishes to fast food sandwiches.

If it’s possible for something to be trending in the world of vegetables, it’s kale. Even if you’re not a foodie or health conscious, it’s been hard to avoid. Its green leaves are all the rage, flying off supermarket shelves and into the hands of the health-conscious like there's no tomorrow. 

Yellow Beetroot & Goats Cheese Quiche

I'm really tempted to buy one of those "no junk mail" signs. Honestly, you won't believe the amount of junk mail that gets pushed through my front door on a weekly basis. You know, local free weekly paper stuffed with the usual rubbish.  This week's inventory includes a couple of Indian restaurants booklets, one massive pizza restaurant voucher, a local shopping centre Christmas voucher, 3 Chinese restaurants leaflets, 4 envelopes for the home-owner, a state agents card, the local neighbour newspaper, 2 booklets with local services advertising, a couple of invites to join different religions, and a leaflet about a credit card I definitely can't afford. And exactly 23 copies of the same letter from Virgin Media. Twenty three. And that´s only this week.

Victoria Sponge Cake

This week I would like to talk about talent. Talent is one of those things that is quite obvious for everybody while you don´t know you have it.

The reason is simple: it takes you very little effort to do what everyone else seems to find absolutely amazing. This is why people tend to undervalue their talents.

Gin, Rhubarb & Strawberry Crumble

I have started running again.

Yes, I´m incorrigible.

But this time there is something different that is keeping me extra motivated (and extra hooked): a mobile app that tracks my runs and gives me statistics of how I'm doing compared to my previous runs and, most important, compared to my friends. 

And here is the crux of the matter. Yes, because the problem of running is that you are normally not competing against anyone but yourself. And how boring is that. If you cannot left someone biting the dust after a run, what's the point?

Parsnips & Mascarpone Soup

A couple of weeks ago we decided to join a local organic vegetable box scheme. Basically, you pay a fixed amount of money every week and they send you a box full of seasonal, fresh and organic vegetables, milk and eggs.

I was a bit unsure about it, as I like shopping and choose whatever I fancy eating that week.

However, after a couple of weeks receiving it, I must admit it has been absolutely brilliant. Every Wednesday, a surprise box is waiting for me in my front door. Everyone gets really excited while we discover what veggies have we been given this week. Not to talk about the slugs hunt around the kitchen!