If you are what you eat I should be a completely different person now. And that’s because since I moved to the UK my diet has changed A LOT.

Some years ago I would have bet that Brits’ diet was reduced to toasts, eggs, bacon and baked beans, and although it is true that some people wouldn't eat anything that has not come out of a can, I won’t tar everyone with the same brush.

So I will eat humble pie and admit I was swayed by stereotypes, because there is a lot of amazing food I have discovered here and without which I wouldn't be able to live. Food in the UK is amazing and trifle is the proof of the pudding. Holy Mackerel, they know how to cook a dish fit for the gods.

After Eight Meringues

Thursday. 17.30. Long day and empty stomach. You are driving back home in no mood to cook. That fried chicken place is too tempting. Let’s do it. This will save you some time, doesn’t it? Maxi chicken combo. Big drink. Extra big fries. Slow traffic. Why not to devour it right there in the driver’s seat. Crumbs on your trousers. Ketchup stains on your shirt. Feeling a bit bloated and greasy you arrive home. Disgusted with yourself. 

Saturday. 15.30. Sofa and food magazine. Gorgeous recipe in page number 16. Let’s do it. Relaxed visit to the grocery picking delicious ingredients. Apron on. Music on. Fresh air through the open window. Steering with a wooden spoon. Try a bit. Taste delicious. Nice table and cloth napkins. Glass of wine. Laughs. Long interesting conversation with you both feeling full and pretty happy.

Guacamole in a Boat

My 4 year old child is going through a difficult stage. He feels upset. Very cross. Displeased in general with the world, with how life is set up. And the most frustrating thing is that I cannot do absolutely anything to change that, apart from being supportive and loving when he needs it. Because what he wants is to be with us the whole day. With no school, nor work or responsibilities.

And that's not possible. And he knows is not. But that's not enough. He feels it's not fair. And to be completely honest with you, me neither. 

I don't like how the world works.

Butternut Squash, Bacon & Marshmallows Pie

How wonderful to be on holidays is. Nothing to do. Nothing to think about. Just relax and have fun. 

After a week off I would normally need a couple of days to recover from the holidays. This time I reckon I'm going to need some more.

Travelling with two children is amazingly enriching but also absolutely exhausting. We've been in Madrid, where we used to live, visiting friends and family and going to the places we used to go.

Apple & Cinnamon Straws

This week I have been feeling a bit crummy. This is something I am not really used to.

And I must confess I cannot stand it. Feeling sick, looking sick, not being able to do what you want to do or even what you need to do is something that overwhelms me. 

I try to use all sort of strategies to let my body know that it must get well as fast as it can. I try to carry on trying not to be bothered by the faintness. I try to convince myself: you are not ill. You are definitely not ill. Like a mantra.

Baked Cannelloni Cake

It is amazing how powerful words can be. How meaningless ideas floating in the depths of our mind suddenly seem to fit together and make sense.

This is something that doesn't happens too often, and maybe just because of this, when it happens, it’s like a breath of fresh air that makes us feel a bit wiser and slightly older too.

In my case, the trigger is usually something I hear or see. Whether it's a song, someone else’s conversation (yes, it’s something I cannot help, especially if it seems interesting!), a suggestive image or a mundane scene.

Chocolate Chip Cookie In a Cup

This week I have been unable to think about anything else but cakes. And muffins. And macarons. And icings, frostings, sprinkles, chocolate, fillings. And my sugar levels had gone through the roof.

A couple of weeks ago I received an amazing email. I was invited to join one of the sweetest and most extravagant cake events that has been ever held: The Big Cake Show. It was only a week before and I had lots and lots to prepare. I started working like mad, and I involved almost anyone who was around in cutting, peeling, labeling, sticking and packing. Family and friends worked really hard to make The Tiny Marmalade stall look amazing (special thanks to Fran, Isa, Ana, Cecile, Juanma and of course my unconditional other half!). And I must admit it was exhausting… More than 700 tiny jars canned in just 4 days. A burn on my arm. A lot less hair. An average of 3 hours sleep per day. Tons of chocolate. Litres of tea. A bit of sobbing and weeping. A lot of fun and hysterics.