City Life

I have been out in the city this morning handing out flyers for the Real Man Cycling Challenge. We were very friendly and smiled lots but were met with a sea of miserable faces. It was such a beautiful day we had hoped that it would lift people's spirits. Sadly, people were in too much of a hurry to get into work to stop and take a leaflet. But I guess that as a commuter you are constantly having papers and leaflets thrust into your face as you struggle through the horror that is a rush hour.

It made me really appreciate the fact that I am luck enough to work south of the river - which means no commute. As the temperatures begin to rise, the tubes turn into furnaces. Overfilled carriages and long delays means total misery for those who have to fight their way to and from work each day.

So I will spare a thought for all of those crammed into a hot tube carriage tonight on their way home.

Cocktails are good for you...

At last - music to my ears - cocktails are good for you! Or so The Telegraph told me today. I was overjoyed to read that cocktails can have health benefits (if you ignore the fact that they are laced with alcohol). The fresh fruit or fruit juice seems to be what is good for you. I love fruit cocktails especially ones with fresh strawberries but I think knocking back 6 or 7 in an evening can't be that good for you!!

Today's Telegraph includes a recipe for a Rebujito which sounds divine but more importantly because the sherry is dry you drink it slowly and it is low in alcohol. I find that the danger with cocktails is that they taste so good and you often can't taste the alocohol so you drink them too quickly. I will definitely be trying out their recipe at the weekend and will let you know the verdict.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/main.jhtml?xml=/health/2008/06/09/hcocktails109.xml

The Pea Shoots - how do you eat yours?

I am currently working on a campaign to promote the fact that Pea Shoots are now in season in the UK. I have had so much fun working on this and learning all about how they grow, why chefs love them and the best ways to eat them. I have however, received much ridicule from my friends when I start telling them very passionately that they should all be eating Pea Shoots this summer. But those who have tried them are total converts and no longer laugh at me but ask when they can get some more! Take a look at what I have been doing - http://www.peashoots.com/

There are some wonderful recipes on our site however, I would love to hear how other people eat theirs. I personally like mine on their own with some olive oil, black pepper and a squeeze of fresh lemon.