less is more

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5 kilos

I am happy to report that I am leaving the month of September carrying 5 fewer kilos than when it started. It’s more impressive (to me) if I think about it as no longer lugging around this 5 kg sack of potatoes (just over two Morcillas doesn’t have the same impact). I know it’s still tip of the iceberg and also that I’ve been here before, many times, but let’s see if it sticks this time.

If what sticks, you ask? Well that’s what I’m not sure about. I mean, I got a bit of a “head start” when I got sick a few weeks ago and could barely eat anything for a week. Then when I was getting back to feeling normalish I just tried eating a bit differently, at different times. And of course keeping up with my chair workouts, as well as trying to get out for a daily hobble (my god I miss walking!). The good thing is that this new “whatever it is” hasn’t actually changed how I live. I can still go out to my tapas bars, enjoy meals out and Beer O’clock, have fun cooking at home etc, which I think is going to help make it sustainable because this isn’t a DIET, more a bit of a lifestyle tweak, if that makes sense.

Anyhow, it’s also a learning process as I figure out what feels best. Weight loss is just a part of the changes being made, and losing 5 kilos a month is maybe a bit too optimistic, but I’ll check in again at the end of October and let you know how it’s all going. Maybe by then I’ll know what I’m doing!

II festival de la ensaladilla y el montadito

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festival ensaladilla montadito 24 (1)

I’ve become one of those old ladies who takes the bus for just two stops, but on the other hand I’m glad that I’m relatively well-connected from my house with public transport as it makes stuff like this possible (and saves on taxi fare! a bus ride is just 35 cents). Popped in to the first afternoon session of the second Festival de la Ensaladilla y el Montadito hosted by the Academia Sevilliana de Gastronomía y Turismo (of which I am a pround member) and Sevilla City Office. Some changes from last year’s event included awnings put up along the grounds and lots more tables, including low ones with chairs (!!!). After I had dutifully taken pics of all the participant’s stalls I was shown to a table and chairs magically appeared out of nowhere, which was quite a relief by then. From there Peter played waiter and brought food and drinks over from the stands. We only managed to try two of each but it was nice to get out and sit next to the river, also nice to see a lot of familiar faces.

Unfortunately I totally forgot to take photos of the grounds, which looked very pretty this year, so I swiped one from the Academia’s social media. But I did manage to get one of the riverside from out table and also the Torre del Oro across from the bus stop on the way home (see below).

festival ensaladilla montadito 24 (3)

cuttlefish and prawn ensaladilla (no potatoes!)
solomillo al whisky montadito
serranito montadito
classic potato ensaladilla with tuna

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new kipling

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kipling 24

Still in “back to school” mode… my every-day Kipling bag (the dark purple one) is about 8 years old now, possibly older, and is looking a bit worse for wear. Then while I was laptop shopping at El Corte Inglés last week I spotted this one and decided the ol’ credit card was already taking a beating so what the heck. The colour doesn’t show up well in this pic, it’s more of a deep raspberry red and it’s perfect. Aside from being cute, Kiplings are also lightweight, full of clever pockets and compartments and – my favourite thing – are machine washable. It wasn’t until I got it home that I realised it’s the same model as Peter’s (!!!) but his is two-toned (moss green with a black strap and contrast zippers) so we won’t totally look like bag twins when we’re out and about together. And now I am putting that card away! Lean times ahead…