Deliciously Ella - a new blog that has helped me in the kitchen

 Deliciously Ella - a blog that was recommended to me by my friend Britta who I visit veggie places to eat in London.

Ella.

Everything in her recipes are free from gluten, dairy, sugar, meat and all refined and processed ingredients. It's all about embracing the incredible foods that your body loves and what you can do with them.  Ella says that "It’s truly amazing to see what you can do with these simple ingredients and how you can so easily create an incredibly healthy version of a typically unhealthy dish, from brownies to cheesecake and even pizza! " I have found that her recipes are very easy to follow.

I have 2 friends coming for supper tonight and I am trying her Blackberry Apple and Maple Crumble - it smells amazing and can't wait to taste it as I can have this dessert as there is no processed sugar in this crumble. 

Blackberry Apple & Maple Crumble

A lovely read....

My friend Alison send me this last night with the comment "A lovely read x"which is exactly what it its -

They're  written by Andy Rooney , a man who has the gift of saying so  much with so few words.    Enjoy.......

I've  learned.... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person. 

I've learned.... That when you're in love, it shows.

I've learned.... That just one person saying to me,  'You've made my day!' makes my day. 

I've  learned.... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful  feelings in the world. 

I've learned.... That being kind is more  important than being right. 

I've  learned.... That you should never say no to a gift from a child. 

I've learned.... That I can always pray for someone when  I don't have the strength to help him in some other way. 

I've learned.... That no matter how serious your life  requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with. 

I've learned.... That sometimes all a person needs is a  hand to hold and a heart to understand. 

I've learned.... That simple walks with my father around  the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me  as an adult. 

I've learned.... That life is like a roll  of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it  goes. 

I've learned.... That we should be glad God doesn't give  us everything we ask for. 

I've  learned.... That money doesn't buy class. 

I've learned.... That it's those small  daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I've  learned.... That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and  loved. 

I've learned.... That to ignore the facts does not change  the facts. 

I 've learned.... That when you plan to  get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue  to hurt you. 

I've learned.... That love, not time,  heals all wounds. 

I've learned.... That the easiest way for  me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter  than I am. 

I've learned.... That everyone you meet  deserves to be greeted with a smile.. 

I've  learned.... That no one  is perfect until you fall in love with them. 

I've learned... That life is tough, but I'm tougher. 

I've learned.... That opportunities are never lost;  someone will take the ones you miss. 

I've  learned.... That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere. 

I've learned.... That I wish I could have told my Mom  that I love her one more time before she passed away. 

I've learned.... That one should keep his words both soft  and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them. 

I've learned..... That a smile is an inexpensive way to  improve your looks. 

I've learned..... That when your newly  born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist,  that you're hooked for life.

I've  learned.... That  everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the  happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it. 

I've learned.... That the less time I have to work with,  the more things I get done. 

Today the last quote really resonates with me as I have a big  to do list! 3 overnight guests, dinner for 5 and preparation for Neil's mums "not quite 80 " party tomorrow for 70 people - not much!!! Must get cracking! 

Nothing worth haviing comes easy.............

But when something wonderful happens that you have been working towards it is the most amazing feeling.

What is this you may ask? Well my six monthly scan results are in and they are clear!!!!!!!!!! I am blown away by this as this means that I have been cancer free for 12 months - yes 12 months! At times I never thought that this would ever happen. My clear scan 6 months ago was great news as it was the first scan that I had which showed as disease free. But part of me though that this might be a blip as any tumours were too small to show up on the scan.  Then my blood test 3 months ago showed a good result. But now another disease free scan and a blood test result that is lower than 3 months ago.  So happy! This is the best news.

My regime that I have developed is working - I need to make sure that I now climb back on the waggon after some wayward behaviour over the summer. Where did I put that juicer and blender?

What a brilliant summer we have had!

Just an ordianry weekend and loving it......

Listening - do we really?

Consider for a moment the last time you truly felt heard. What a gift it is when another person is truly present, hearing our words as well as receiving all the unspoken messages we send through our energy, body, and nonverbal communication. Listening is a form of mindful attention that brings us fully into the present moment, where miracles can unfold in our relationships and in every area of our lives.

How often when you are listening to someone you are thinking of your response or what happened to you or being distracted by something happening in the background such as someone walking by.

When you really listen with all your body you make a true connection. This is a gift that you can give that costs you nothing. And you will be repaid with the possibility of someone listening to you.

This struck a cord with me today when I was practicing a guided meditation - and today I am really going to listen.

And this video sort of says it all - "you should have known" - do we? Not always and is it because we do not really listen?

The importance of being in the moment

We all regularly forget - enjoy the moment we won't get it back. The past and the future are all in our mind. All we are experiencing is the now so let's not it pas unnoticed. So enjoy this moment and not some other moment we have experienced or wishing we wewre somewhere else!

And finally for today - a quote.....

                   



                             Sums it up!!!