A couple of days ago I discussed with my sister how people tend to have one sense more developed than the others. For example, her hearing sense is a lot more sensible than  her sight, touch, smell and taste. She told me that she can experience strong and deep feelings by listening to a song.

And then I realised that my smell and taste sense are my most developed senses. I presume they are quite interconnected. 

It is not uncommon for me to walk into a bakery and take a deep breath. It is also not unusual – although some people do find it more than a little strange and disconcerting – to find me walking out of the place with bag of freshly baked bread in front of my face as I sniff it.

Serrano Ham & Cottage Cheese Triangles

Yay!!!! I did it!!! Last Sunday I run my first half marathon! I completed the 21K run in just… 2 hours and 12 minutes!!!

When I arrived there were lots of people warming up. Chatting. Laughing. I was really nervous, feeling a bit lonely, and not sure about what I was just about to do. But then, I was given my number, and that was it. I was runner 52. I was ready. And I was determined to do it.

The run got delayed due to part of the route closed because of criminal investigation. Apparently the police found a dead body somewhere... That gave us something to chat about while the organisers rearranged everything.

Fruit, Seeds & Chocolate Energy Bars

This weekend I’m running my first half marathon!!! I’m soooo excited and nervous about if… I can’t stop thinking whether I will be able to make it to the finish line or not…

If you have been reading my blog you would probably know about my hate-love relationship with running. If not, you can have a look here and here. And despite feeling really disappointed with myself at times, I have not gave up. One, because I’m not the kind of person that gives up. Second, because running makes me feel tremendously happy and fulfilled. 

I have been running intermittently for around 3 years now. And I must admit that most of times I didn't know what was I doing. I didn't have a clue of how warming up looked like or how to do a proper stretch. I just wanted to run. To feel the air in my face. To go as fast as I could without thinking in anything, with my mind and my body focused in running for another 5 minutes.

Nutella Stuffed White Chocolate Chip Cookies

I've always had mixed feelings about Valentine’s Day. And while I truly appreciate thoughtful expressions of love and gratitude, it always seems forced and a bit superficial when given only on Valentine’s Day. I'm certain of this because it feels dramatically different to receive flowers, gifts, or letters of appreciation when I wasn't expecting it. 

I can’t understand why Valentines is for some people the pinnacle of when love has to be expressed for the other person.

Why do we need opportunities to be made to express our love? Why do we need to be told to buy a card, sign it and put our crosses for kisses and circles for hugs? Why can’t we just make each day special in some way?

Pumpkin & Chickpea Soup

I have been recently invited to be a guest lecture at Exeter University. It is the third year I have been asked to do it and it is always an amazing experience to share points of view with a bunch of enthusiastic students keen on changing the way the world is set up.

After the workshop, a student approached me and asked about how did I discover my vocation, my passion, how I knew what I really, really wanted to do with my life.

The question really left me in shock, as I have never thought I had it clear at all. He told me that I looked like a person that has her goals very clear, her mind set, and her objectives in mind. That left me even more shocked.

Green Monster Smoothie

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you would probably know I am a quite impulsive person. I don’t give things second thoughts most of times, which made me be the dream of any salesperson.

I am not very extravagant though, however if I fancy something, I may buy it without much planning.

And that’s exactly what happened last weekend, when I saw an amazing American Blender at only £14.99. I mean… an American Blender!!! The 80’s children would be with me in that an American blender is the coolest thing you could ever have in your kitchen.

Pineapple Buckwheat Muffins

I have always wanted a dog. Since I was a child I pled my parents for one, but they always said no. Sometimes our house was not big enough. Other times we had no budget for the vet and food costs. Most of times it was just not the right time. So I grew feeling that I was missing something. A dog to share my games with, to walk, to stroke and hug. A furry friend to love. 

During my primary school years I must admit was not very popular. I never had a “best friend” and I used to struggle with social events like birthdays and school parties. And I was so desperate to have a dog that I remember pretending I had one, which didn't have a good effect in my classmates when they discovered the truth.

I dreamed about finding an astray dog somewhere, rescuing it and taking it home so my mum had no choice but letting me keep it. But that never happened.