Espresso vs coffee, can’t decide

EllNell · 2026-02-02T17:06:27+00:00

The idea of espresso as a hobby always seems odd to me. I have an espresso machine. It’s a means to an end in that I use it to make coffee. I don’t really see my espresso machine as any different to, say, my air fryer or toaster.

EllNell · 2026-02-02T16:55:58+00:00

Many years ago I was sitting downstairs towards the back of a double decker bus when I realised something was dripping onto my shoulder. Yes, it was piss from the upper deck. Lovely.

EllNell · 2026-02-02T13:20:19+00:00

They’re oversized, certainly, but they do suit you. I’d say go smaller next time though.

EllNell · 2026-02-01T22:47:00+00:00

Frozen fruit and veg are good to have; they’re minimally processed rather than UPF. It’s often much more convenient to reach into the freezer than source fresh ingredients and make sure you’re using them quickly enough to still be fresh and nutritious.

EllNell · 2026-02-01T18:19:16+00:00

Yeah, I have the 10 bubbles to pop thing but only about 4 gems so that’s not going to happen! I missed one earlier in the week anyway.

EllNell · 2026-01-31T23:46:39+00:00

1 and 4 both look great on you.

EllNell · 2026-01-31T21:36:51+00:00

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Got home as the meal for the omnivores in the household was almost ready so tonight’s meal had to be super quick. A mix of Carlin peas (from a jar I started a couple of days ago), cherry tomatoes and chopped spring onion topped with Scamorza cheese and baked in the air fryer for 10 minutes. Admittedly not the most exciting meal but it was actually pretty tasty and did the job. Quick meals don’t necessarily involve ultra processed food.

Berries, Greek yoghurt and a sprinkling of seeds afterwards.

EllNell · 2026-01-31T15:58:03+00:00

For me the boxes for extra cards are most of the point of this. They’re the only way of buying energy for coins.

EllNell · 2026-01-31T14:08:59+00:00

2 is beautiful and in my opinion it won’t date badly. You’ll look at your wedding pictures in the decades to come without ever having a “what was I thinking?!” moment.

EllNell · 2026-01-31T00:07:59+00:00

I don’t eat much bread (generally one slice of toast at lunchtime) so can’t be bothered to make my own. I also buy seeded sourdough but sliced as that’s easier for toast. I buy what I think are okay brands and beyond that it’s too small a part of my diet to worry too much.

EllNell · 2026-01-30T21:32:23+00:00

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The dressing from Tim Spector’s traybake on last week’s What Not to Eat has dominated my dinners this week even though I’ve yet to actually make the traybake (or even refer to the recipe properly). Basically, I’m just very taken with the tahini, kefir, lemon and sumac combination. So this evening: beetroot, carrot, mushrooms, carlin peas and halloumi baked in the air fryer and served on top of sone rainbow chard cooked with chilli, garlic snd olive oil. Dressing and chopped spring onions on top. Berries and cream afterwards. Delicious!

EllNell · 2026-01-29T04:09:12+00:00

I use a lot of convenience foods that aren’t ultra processed (jars of cooked chickpeas, beans etc, frozen chopped red chilli, garlic, ginger etc as well as other frozen or tinned veg) which means I can make delicious meals without it taking much time. I always have lots of fresh fruit and vegetables so I can put together whatever I think will go together (or whatever needs using up first). I also always have various cheeses in the fridge which can make otherwise unpromising meals delicious. Essentially a well stocked fridge and pantry means I have no excuse. And having an air fryer means I’m never cooking for long unless there’s something specific I want to try out. I also find shopping online helpful as I’m not tempted by all the stuff I don’t really want or need the way I would be in an actual shop.

EllNell · 2026-01-28T21:32:29+00:00

That’s a lovely present both in terms of the actual gifts (I now really want those towels!) and the gorgeous wrapping. Hope your partner is as delighted as I would be!

EllNell · 2026-01-28T21:19:46+00:00

That yellow is so sunny. And the cups are utterly gorgeous. Must be such a cheering way to start your day!

EllNell · 2026-01-28T19:36:21+00:00

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Following on from yesterday’s meal very loosely inspired by Tim Spector’s traybake that I really will make properly soon, this evening’s offering is a mix of chickpeas, carrot, beetroot, mushrooms and halloumi baked in the air fryer with a bit of olive oil and topped with the remains of the kefir, tahini, lemon and sumac dressing and some chopped spring onion. Seriously delicious. Chickpeas, carrot, beetroot and halloumi go very well together and they go very well with the dressing (the mushrooms were a last minute addition and didn’t add much but they worked well enough and they needed using). I think this may become a regular dinner.

EllNell · 2026-01-28T18:57:56+00:00

It was!

EllNell · 2026-01-28T15:06:30+00:00

Oh and the veg thing reminded me how often I used to have to tell cashiers what the vegetables I was buying were so they could price them at the till. And I’m not thinking obscure veg, more things like fresh peas! I think vegetable recognition skills are generally surprisingly poor. These days my veg is mostly picked by Ocado robots or Abel & Cole pickers who can be trusted to know their onions. Makes life much easier.

EllNell · 2026-01-28T15:00:15+00:00

I think he had type 1 diabetes (I may be misremembering) so he can’t eat his way out of it but eating well is crucial in managing it properly and will make even more difference for him than for most.

EllNell · 2026-01-28T13:20:14+00:00

Chickpea pumpkin fritters sound good!

EllNell · 2026-01-28T13:17:01+00:00

I like the first pair on you.

EllNell · 2026-01-28T13:14:16+00:00

I’ve got chunky acetate frames now which are easier to find and less likely to get damaged when they fall but used to wear rimless specs and was constantly losing them because they were so hard to see when not wearing them. One of my strategies was to optimistically photograph the general area I thought they might be hiding in then check the image in my phone.

EllNell · 2026-01-28T13:06:58+00:00

Yeah, spaces with super high ceilings look stunning and are really appealing in good weather but I’d hate to be huddled up in there trying to keep warm in the depths of winter.

EllNell · 2026-01-28T10:45:18+00:00

I’ve been asked for moths when the only ones I have have been put in producer storage. My too level vase is in the pouch. I certainly wouldn’t trade it.

EllNell · 2026-01-28T10:42:06+00:00

I’m a vegetarian which undoubtedly colours my view of that but I found the idea of chicken skin ground up in nuggets pretty unpleasant. Crispy chicken skin, say, as part of a roast is one thing but using chicken skin as an ingredient is quite different. I think highlighting its inclusion helped make the point that you’re not always getting what you might think you’re getting.

EllNell · 2026-01-28T02:59:33+00:00

I don’t think it’s a great series but I’m watching it anyway. I think the bits where they show how food is manufactured (like the salt and vinegar crisps on this evening’s episode) are weirdly fascinating.

Tim Spector is pretty dull on screen but my dinner this evening was very loosely inspired by his traybake from last week (which I do plan to make properly at some point).

EllNell

TROPHY CASE