I do enjoy writing my Rants and Raves post because I often have a collection of little thoughts or events that occur during the week that I want to share but don’t always cohesively fit into a good narrative. If you’re bore of the Rants and Raves though, please let me know!
Rant: I work in an office and it drives me mad when people come in ill. I’m not a particularly tolerant person it must be said – I don’t have a lot of patience and I know I need to work on it but this is surely not an unfair complaint. When people come in and spend the entire day coughing up their lungs (not just a little cough, a real lung-blasting one) within a rather enclosed space, well it takes a lot of mental willpower to not yell “GO HOME”. Work is not that important that you need to come when you’re really not well. It’s not good for them and it’s not great for us either!
Rave: Food parcels from the parents. It’s like being 18 again and my parents are sending me back on the train to Cardiff University with a bundle of food.
Ahh university. Those were the days that I was too cheap to buy magazines, chewing gum and quilted loo roll. Small luxuries I still cherish to this day. But back to the food. This time it was more that they were going to throw away this food if I didn’t take it because it would go off.
My parents, I’m sure they don’t mind me saying, are notorious for wasting food. They both have dinners at different times in the week because of when they finish work so what usually happens is my mum randomly buys a load of food from M&S despite my dad buying a load of food from the supermarket. Not all of it will get eaten. This is a rant in itself because I hate wasting food. They do have the best intentions and never set out to waste it, but often as not something will get left behind in the week. And I’m more than happy to take if off their hands.
So I received a half roast chicken, a Cumberland sausage and two slightly iffy looking salad boxes (once the soggy cucumbers where picked out it was fine. I’m not fussy when it comes to eating food past it’s best!).
From this I had a delicious BBQ sauce chicken stir-fry (yes, I know BBQ sauce is practically just sugar…that’s why it tastes so good).
I literally put the entire half a chicken in there and it was massive. I was fairly full!
I used the Cumberland sausage to do something similar but this time used balsamic vinegar and some herbs to flavour it and included some roasted butternut squash and chickpeas.
This was so good! Definitely need to repeat it. At the weekends at the moment I tend to be eating rather random meals as I’m slowly eating my way through the freezer ready for the move (still no date). This also means the hardship of eating all the cake in there too. *Sighs* it’s tough.
Rant: I’m an animal lover through and through but I will always prefer dogs to cats. Sorry but it’s true. I’m sure if I ever owned a cat I would feel differently (though from speaking to other cat owners, you never really “own” a cat…). I own a dog though and I’m pretty sure he would not be happy knowing what was happening right outside his front door.
The absolute audacity of this cat. And when I (gently) shooed it along before opening the door, it sloped off slowly with an indignant air. When I later walked Alfie it was still within proximity to the door and Alfie attempted to do the Big Dog thing of barking at it but then, when the cat simply glowered back, Alfie quickly backed off into the road. *Sighs* My little hero.
Rave: Ahh watermelon. How I adore you.
Such a refreshing and tasty snack. And you can eat so much without filling up as it’s practically water! And it’s so good for you with it’s great anti-inflammatory and antioxidant support.
Rant: I wore a dress to work yesterday. Big mistake.
Bargain dress from H&M; cardigan from New Look; belt not sure
My bare legs were rather chilly. But I refuse to accept that summer is over. I realise I can’t stay in denial forever but it’s August.
And finally this really made me laugh:
Quite amusing! I relate most to Belle I think in terms of nerdiness and book-reading. And I did used to have a boyfriend at college that my friends weren’t keen on – though I wouldn’t have called him at beast!
What Disney character do you most relate to? I think we all knew a Jasmine at school!
What’s your favourite summer food?
Do your parents give you food parcels? One birthday when I was at university my parents surprised me with a hamper of goodies, like sweets, beauty products, chewing gum, magazines and food. It was one of the best presents I’ve had, so random but so useful and appreciated.
Oh no! I thought of you when I left the house yesterday in a dress too, I soon warmed up so it was okay. I swear London is warmer than the rest of the UK…
If you need any help with that cake…
Pip {Cherries & Chisme} recently posted…6 Sports Drink Alternatives for Summer
London is probably warmer because of the smog and fumes 😉
AnnaTheApple recently posted…The day before the Cheddar Gorge Marathon
I can’t stand people coughing all over the place either, particularly at the gym. I don’t care if someone wants to work out through a raging chest infection, but it’s totally inconsiderate (and gross) to spread germs to everyone else. If I’m coughing really badly I work out at home and/or run outside.
I don’t really relate to any of the Disney Princesses. I guess it’s because they’re all pretty and have at least one redeeming feature. Apart from Beauty and the Beast, I can’t think of any other Disney movie where I haven’t sided with the villain. I’m probably Ursula if I’m anyone 😛
I can’t believe you’re chilly! I’m still drowning in a pool of sweat just walking around, and it’s nowhere near as hot up here as it is where you are. I do love your outfit though.
Cats rule the world. I’d be quite happy to come and adopt the one that’s bugging you if his/her owners are willing to co-operate 😉
Urgh yeah coughing at the gym is awful as well.
Disney Princesses are a little bit too perfect though I think so I don’t blame you. Cinderella needed a bit more of a backbone!!
There are so many cats down my road I’m sure you could catnap one and no one would notice.
AnnaTheApple recently posted…The day before the Cheddar Gorge Marathon
I also meant to say I’ve been catching up on your other posts and it looks as though the cooler weather will at least be helpful for your marathon! I think that hill work you did will serve you very well.
Jess recently posted…Sunday Review: Build Your Running Body
Thanks Jess 🙂
AnnaTheApple recently posted…The day before the Cheddar Gorge Marathon
Ha! Although I dislike people spreading their lurgy germs I can see why people go to work and struggle through. I always felt awkward ringing in sick and often felt like my manager didn’t believe me.
I love how the ginger cat has taken ownership of your front door. It looks quite at home there!
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes recently posted…Chocolate Bounty Bliss Balls
Yes I totally agree – I always feel guilty of skiving even though I’m not!!
AnnaTheApple recently posted…The day before the Cheddar Gorge Marathon
My mum is terrible for wasting food too, so I try and use it all up when I got visit and freeze the meals I make for her and take the rest home. I hate food waste too, and I have gotten a lot better at not wasting anything.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy recently posted…Comment on Summer Ribbon Salad by Dannii
I cringe at my parents when they do it…but what can you do, eh! Parents!
AnnaTheApple recently posted…The day before the Cheddar Gorge Marathon
I love your rant and rave posts! Keep them coming!
I am not really any Disney princess, my face film is Lilo and Stitch because it is just a lovely story with no prince or whatever.
I am not a cat fan either. At work we have a bug sandpit and a local cat ( apparently an expensive Bengal, with no collar) has taken to going to the toilet in the sandpit and even coming into the classrooms which has scared some of the children. When I tried to shoo it away it hissed at me. Not a fan at all.
Love the parent foood parcels- my mum will always give me eggs from her hens, and stuff they have grown like courgettes and chillies. Always appreciated!
Mmmm to the watermelon too, so summery. Although most summer fruits are fab.
Maria recently posted…Breakfasts and Buzzing
Have you seen How to Train your Dragon as that’s very similar to Lilo & Stitch. I loved it.
A bug sandpit?! Sounds quite grim…Yeah cats really are a will unto themselves.
AnnaTheApple recently posted…The day before the Cheddar Gorge Marathon
I cannot get enough watermelon right now. I’m not sure when watermelon disappears from the supermarket shelves, but I’m definitely getting as much in as possible whilst it’s still there!
One of my favourite presents at uni was from my aunt. She filled a box full of luxury items that you can’t justify spending money on as a student – Fancy fudge, luxury biscuits, Smirnoff, nice wine, hand-cooked crisps…It was amazing! My parents always send me back home again with bread and a homemade chocolate cake when I go to visit them. They have a really nice bakery near them where all their bread comes from, and I have really missed it since moving to Northants. 🙁 They usually also send me back with lots of fresh veg or salad items from the garden. Even though my brother and I aren’t around for meals anymore, my Mum has never adapted how many veg plants she sets each year and always ends up with a mountain of extra produce!
Mary recently posted…Kalenji Summer gear
It’s not so much when the watermelon goes but when it starts to taste not quite as good because it’s not in season anymore. That’s always devastating.
I think stuff like that (those luxury but relatively normal items) are such a great idea to give students because it always reminds them of home (and usually the things we took for granted!).
You and Maria are so lucky to have family who grow their own veg!
AnnaTheApple recently posted…Cheddar Gorge Marathon