On the first of January I decided to challenge myself to a whole month of daily blogs. I had hoped that it would give me some more focus on improving my eating and challenge my cooking skills at the same time. Plus the added bonus of giving me a challenge that would keep my brain properly active whilst being away from work.
I can definitely say that all the above happened. Not only have I eaten so many different meals in the month, I have done some of my best cooking and my best writing. (If I do say so myself.) I understand how food can be fun and it's okay to make some cooking failures, some of which have been disastrously funny. I've enjoyed writing every single one, even when I've had a busy day and I have sometimes struggled to think of a topic to write about. Once I began writing it was no trouble at all, it whisked me away to the joy of the meal or success of creating food from scratch.
To celebrate me reaching 31 days of solid blogging, I am going to talk about some my learnings from the month. Also how doing all of this has helped me think of more meal ideas, eat healthier and have a more stable relationship with food.
Pastry - Mixing it up each time
I've used Pastry a lot this month, actually three of my favourite dishes have come from using the stuff. Starting as early as my first blog post of the year with the Pesto Tart. This base is one that is born again with each time I cook, making it so easy to mix it up and create new meals each time.
After finally finding a steady source of the product, from Asda, it is one of the bases that I will keep coming back to. It has such great versatility and the possibilities are practically endless. I have only made a handful of meals and desserts from it so far. Although with so many Pasty combinations at my fingertips, Cinnamon Roll possibilities to be successfully created and a deluge of tarts, you can bet on more coming this way. I for one, can't wait to successfully master a Mushroom and Leak Pasty. One of my all time favourites growing up.
I'm not sure that I am confident enough yet to attempt to make my own Pastry. That seems a little beyond my skill set at this time, so I sure hope that Asda keeps it's steady stock flow of the product. As you can guarantee I will be getting a pack every couple of weeks and those recipes that hit the mark shall be making their way onto the website!
Using leftovers
I will admit, I am terrible at buying random vegetables and products, then forgetting about them with half of it ending up in the bin. This month I have really tried to stop that from happening. Of course it has helped with Chris also now eating a lot more at home, more healthily and going shopping together. Although I have also been looking at what I have in the Kitchen, trying to create something out of that instead of popping to the shop and buying more.
I guess this started early in the month with the Pastry half that was left after the Pesto Tart and me using it for a Twist au Chocolat. But also it is things like the "Buddha" Bowl I made and actually the Sushi as well. I have so many ingredients at my disposal in the kitchen, our cupboards are completely full to the brim of Becki Friendly food. The problem was before, I just wasn't thinking enough about what I could make with them. I just saw hard work and not the beautifully different exciting meals I could enjoy that would interest me in eating again.
I have endless tins of Beans, Chickpeas, Chopped Tomatoes whilst also having Pasta, Rice, Noodles etc. The only thing that needs replenishing right now is the fresh stuff, which is easy enough to do. So now, I am looking to use everything and inventing dishes myself instead of sticking to a recipe. I think actually my Mixed Spice Beans in that Buddha Bowl were one of my best recipe free creations and the same with the filling for the Pasty.
I now have the knowledge that throwing things together isn't a bad thing, it can be quite fun and challenging. Therefore I am going to finally use the Slow Cooker I got for Christmas 2016 this week and try to create something out of the leftovers of this week. A stew I'm sure will work wonders in this cold weather anyway!
Perfect doesn't happen every time
The first time I tried making cake this year was a complete failure. I was totally and utterly disheartened because I genuinely thought it was going to be easy. I don't know why. Gluten Free Vegan baking is no joke.
Though in that itself was a good lesson for me, to never give up. If I hadn't tried again, this would have resulted in no Cinnamon Swirl cake. It had such a brilliant taste and was totally imperfect, though that's what made it from the heart. My brother enjoyed it and so did I, sharing these sort of successes really help battle through to make another in the future.
The same can be said for my Sushi. I by no means have mastered Sushi yet, however this time I got closer than I ever have before. The rice actually cooked properly for the first time, the fillings rolled into the centre and I chose the right ingredients to put into the rolls themselves too. Each time I learn what to do and what not to do. Next time I know that I need some seasoning for the rice and that I really should find some Gluten Free Soy Sauce. I have now however mastered the rice to filling ratio and a working way to roll, so that will come with me to the next attempt.
I have such a Perfectionist personality. I expect so much of myself all of the time and with the body I have this is slowly needing to change. I am starting to accept and have fun when things don't go quite to plan. Also take time to recover when I am not up to doing any proper cooking because my body is pooped and I just need a rest. It seems silly that cooking has made my mind start to shift, though I don't think it really matters where it comes from as long as I start that journey.
Use the tools you have to your full disposal
You might remember the wonderful surprise find this month in Southsea. A brilliant little cafe called Pie & Vinyl that serves so many Gluten Free options, Vegan options and a brilliantly inspired Gluten Free Vegan option of pie.
Now I would never have found this place if I hadn't decided to stop just going to the usual hangouts and have a look at what is to offer. Using Happy Cow. I used it a lot when we were in the States, finding places like The Cafe in Key West and others along the way. For some reason I had stopped using it when I was back home, apparently exciting new places to eat were only reserved for holidays in my mind. Thankfully that is no longer true. We truly hit the jackpot when we found that little cafe last week and I'm sure if only I were to carry on using it that I will find plenty of others like it.
When I say use the tools, I also mean the cookery books that I own. I have hardly used them at all this month or really for a while actually. Although I complain about the level of ingredients in some, that doesn't rule out everything and they can be a big help to find some wonderfully filling tasty meals. I guess even though I haven't done this in January this is what I will work on going forward. There are some good recipes to be found, many to be tried and a lot more to fail, I can't wait to get started.
Never give up hope
A few years ago the Supermarkets were pulling Free From ranges rather than growing them. At that time I would never have guessed we would be at the level we are today with the amount of options even I have at my disposal.
New products are being brought out all of the time, well known brands are jumping on the Free From train with force and people's mindsets are gradually changing. It make have taken a while to get here, yet here we are and the future is truly glorious. What with so many now opting for a Vegan lifestyle and many others with intolerances not accepting the high prices and low taste. We are gaining some headway.
This months sponsor of hope has got to Ben & Jerry's. I had been looking forward to the day Ben & Jerry's brought their Dairy Free range to the UK since it's first launch in the USA a few years back. I knew it would only be a matter of time before we too would enjoy the delight of opening one of their tubs again. It is definitely one of the highlights of this month and it really didn't last long in my freezer before it was all gone.
Hope is never lost as long as you know where to look and keep your eyes open to the wonderful world that is available to you.
Don't forget the old classics
Salad will always be with me until I'm old and grey. You know what, so will a good old fashioned packet of Ready Salted crisps. No matter how good you get at cooking and eating well, those good old fashioned quick lunches and snacks can't be left behind. They have gotten me through a lot of days in the past, I'm sure they'll be there for me in the future too just maybe a little less.
That's the same with the tried and tested restaurants. Just because you find somewhere new to eat, that doesn't mean you won't crave the early discovered Pizza from Pizza Express. Or the wonderfully reinvented throughout the year magic from Offbeet.
Loyalty is key with places like these, they live for loyal customers and word of mouth, as much as they cater for us we owe it to them to keep the dream alive. I will always show loyalty to those restaurants that go out of their way to invent delicious meals for me, it's just my way of saying thank you. Okay, as well as me giving them a glowing review on here...
Well. That's it. The last day of Veganuary and the end of my daily blogs. I for one, have enjoyed every single minute of it. The challenge of a new topic each day, the excitement of new food and the commitment of following through on a promise I made to myself.
I truly hope you have enjoyed reading these (if you're still with me). I shall be going back to a more manageable twice per week or weekly schedule to allow myself some time to experiment and recoup. I am on holiday in Center Parcs next week, so you know you will be hearing from me after that! I won't ever miss a chance to review such a big beast!
If you have been reading these each day, I beg you to please comment here or on whichever Social Media platform you found me on. I would love to hear from you to find out if you're enjoying this as much as I am.
Love to you all, Happy Veganuary Day 31 and speak to you again in a few days!