Todays Photo

Coming Soon - A Give Away

You probably saw a few days ago that I tweeted about the possibility of a Competition.
Well I've decided that I'm going to go ahead and do a competiton for you.

You see, I was approached by the Promotions Team @ CSN, a online store here in the UK.
I've partnered up with them to host a give away here at Life, Love, Food & Me.  A chance to win a £25 Gift Voucher to use at any of their UK sites.

Having a look at their websites, it's pretty cool, they sell loads of things, from cookware, awesome (and amazing) coffee machines, to lights, beds, chest of drawers, and even TV stands.  Don't think they'd have something for you, well think again.  To my husbands dismay, I want to buy pretty much everything. 

Have a look at their websites, I've listed below.

http://www.csnstores.co.uk

http://www.allmodern.co.uk/

http://www.cookwarebycsn.co.uk/

http://www.furniturebycsn.co.uk/

http://www.lightingbycsn.co.uk/

http://www.tvstands.co.uk/

Details on the competiton to come soon!  Have a look and decide on what you'd like to spend your £25 voucher on.  You never know, you might win!!!

Todays Picture

St Ives 2011 - The Doctor takes a wife.

This year, on October 1st 2011, my husband and I will get to watch 2 of our good friends get married.  In St Ives. (hashtag #stives2011).

It started with #stives2010.  Last May, the 4 of us went to St Ives for a week, and had a wonderful time.  So wonderful that our friends got engaged!  18 months later and we will have a wedding.

It's going to be magical. 

I leave you with some photos of this beautiful seaside town.

View to Godrevy

St Ives Harbour Beach

Oli, Sedj, & Me

Seals in the cove @ Godrevy

Me, Sedj, & Oli

Me & penguin!

Me feeding Lorakeets

Todays Picture

Speak Out

Today on my way home from work, I did my usual, I sat on the train, travelling home and I checked my twitter stream.  I read a few blogs, and I commented, and then I came across a post on TheBloggess.com

I read it, albiet very quickly, and then emailed myself the link to go home and read properly.  

I came home, and I did the mundane things, like make my dinner, put a load of laundry in, tidy up, and then I sat at my computer and I read, and I followed the links, and then I cried.  (It also did not help that I had decided to play some Celine freaking Dion.  Reading a heart-wrenching post whilst listening to "My Heart Will Go On" isn't the most clever of things I have ever done, I'll admit it.)

This post is about speaking out, not being afraid to ask for help or advice.

This post is about Mental Illness.

Research has shown that there is a stigma attached to mental illness, there shouldn't be.  Why are we, as a society, afraid of this?  There is nothing wrong with having a mental illness.  There is help out there, and treatments, places for advice, people to talk to.  Speak Out! Get Help! Don't be afraid.  There are people out there who care.  Who want to help.

Only last month I read a newspaper article about mental health issues, and I tweeted this.

I was shocked, hence my WFT?!? at the end of my tweet.

One one hand we have Society attaching a stigma to Mental Illness, and on the other hand we have 1 in 10 under 18's describing Mental Illness as "trendy".

Talk about difference of opinion!  

Why?

Why are 1 in 10 under 18's thinking that Mental Illness are trendy?  Why is it cool to say things like, "OMG I am so depressed" or "Yeah, couldn't be dealing, so I used my dad's razor on my leg".  (please note I've never heard any person use the 2nd phrase, if I did I would be encouraging said person to see a medical practitioner!)

Did You Know?

• 1 in 4 British adults experience at least one diagnosable mental health problem in any one year, and one in six experiences this at any given time. - The Office for National Statistics Psychiatric Morbidity report (2001)

• It is estimated that approximately 450 million people worldwide have a mental health problem. - World Health Organisation (2001)

• Women are more likely to have been treated for a mental health problem than men (29% compared to 17%).This could be because, when asked, women are more likely to report symptoms of common mental health problems. - Better Or Worse: A Longitudinal Study Of The Mental Health Of Adults In Great Britain, National Statistics (2003)

• One in ten children between the ages of one and 15 has a mental health disorder - The Office for National Statistics Mental health in children and young people in Great Britain (2005) 

Yes, some of these statistics go back awhile, but they show something.  There is a lot of people in the world who have mental health problems.  These are the people who have sought help.  What about those who haven't?  Why are we afraid to seek help?  What can we do to pull down the barriers around this type of illness?  How can we stop Mental Illness being stigmatised?

When I was 18, I went through a phase where I felt sad, depressed and I did bad things.  

I was lucky enough that I pulled myself together, and I stopped it.  I stopped my destructive behaviour.  It lasted 2 or 3 years, before I lapsed back, and I hid it well, then one day I decided I couldn't continue so I saw my GP.  He listened, I cried and poured out my feelings, feelings of unworthiness, feelings of hopelessness, feelings of dispair, suicidal thoughts.  I was diagnosed with Depression.  I didn't blog about it.  I didn't really talk about it.  I took the pills.  

Prozac.  

I made jokes about being part of the Prozac nation.  I eventually stopped taking them, and even though I sometimes have bad days, and I think about hurting myself to see if the pain is real, or thinking of how I could die, or what would happen if I did, I stop.  I remind myself of the positive things in my life, and I stop.

I have friends and family with various different Mental Illnesses, and I've seen them deal with it.  I've been their shoulder to cry on, their punch bag, there to listen to the sobs, the rants, the manical laughing, the person who calms them down, talks them out of doing things they'll regret, gives them advice.  Show them love, and support and that I care and that they are important.

If you live in the UK, and you want help, there are lots of places online for information and advice.

Mind.Org.UK

Mental Health Foundation

Sane

Mental Health Support

If you live in the USA or Canada

National Institute of Mental Health

Mental Health America

Canadian Mental Health Association

Centre of Addiction and Mental Health

You can also contact your General Medicine Practitioner.

If you know someone who needs help, or advice, please don't stand by, let them know you care and are there for them. 

If you think you have a Mental Illness, please, Speak Out.

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Day 18 → Your views on gay marriage.

I believe every human being has the right to love another human being, same sex or not.

If a man and a woman can love each other and get married and have kids, then why can 2 men not do it?  Or 2 women?

It's not dirty, or wrong, it's just human nature.

Gay people have just as many rights as straight people, and if you don't like it, that's your problem. 

Todays Picture

Todays Picture

Chronicles of Gran

I recently posted about my Gran and how I wanted to know her story, about her life, how she lived, grew up and well just everything!  If you haven't already read it, then you can do so here.

I emailed my Gran, and I have 4 emails full of information.  It's a lot to take in, plus I have my Aunts Family Tree website to verify dates and stuff.  Needless to say it's going to take me ages to compile the full story, and I'll probably have to keep going back to my Gran with more questions.  The thing is, I want to know it all.

So far what I have is awsome.  It includes love, sorrow, romance, happiness, births, deaths and even the FBI!

I can't wait to share it with you all.

It's just immense.

Moon Magick

Tonight we have a Full Moon, the first of this year.  The Moon plays an important role in Wicca, which is probably why I've always been fascinated by it.  It's mesmerising to look at.  In Wicca, the Moon has always been referred to as a Female, we have female goddess/deities, such as Selene, a greek Titaness, Artemis, a Greek goddness and Diana, a Roman Goddess.  They all represent the Moon. The Moon is cyclical, like women. We menstruate with her.  She controls the tides.  We've used the Moon to guide us for thousands of years.

Triple Goddess diadem

She mirrors the stages of our lives: "Maiden", "Mother" and "Crone", also known as the Triple Goddess. She is Changing Woman, as are we.

Spells and Rituals have guidelines as when best to be performed based on the Lunar Cycle.

  

* New Moon Magic *

New Moon workings can be done from the day of the new moon to three-and-a-half days after. The New Moon is for starting new ventures, new beginnings, a time to sow the seeds of future and success.

* Waxing Moon Magic *

From seven to fourteen days after the New Moon.The Waxing Moon is for constructive magick, to help build things, such as relationships, or to promote growth or give strength. A time to set things in motion.

* Full Moon Magic *

From fourteen to seventeen-and-a-half days after the New Moon.  Any working that needs extra power, such as help finding a new job or healing for serious conditions, can be done now. Lunar energies at this time in the cycle are ripe and potent.

* Waning Moon Magic *

From three-and-a-half to ten-and-a-half days after the Full Moon.The Waning Moon is used for banishing magick, for ridding oneself of addictions, illness or negativity.  Also for protection, cleansing and a time of reflection on oneself.

* Dark Moon Magic *

From ten-and-a-half to fourteen days after the Full Moon. Some say that the Dark Moon is a time for ridding oneself of bad habits, Binding spells, but that's what I use the Waning Moon for.  The Moon is fading in the hemisphere, taking your bad habits away as it goes.  The dark moon is a great time for Divination.  Using Tarot cards or rune, getting some prospective in your life if you have confusions or questions.

 

We've recently had some interesting Lunar experiences, The Lunar Eclipse on the Winter Solstice (which was a pretty big deal), and now the first Full Moon of 2011, the Wolf Moon (or Old Moon).  There are 12 full moons every year, however on occassion there are 13.  2009 was the last year to have the 13th Full Moon, also known as a Blue Moon, hence the saying "Once in a Blue Moon"!  The next Blue Moon will occur in 2012, and then in 2015.  The photo below was taken by my god-brother Brian Phelps who lives in the Caymans.

Lunar Eclipse on Winter Solsitce

Whenever we have an interesting Moon, I try to take pictures of her.  It was very cloudy tonight, so the photos aren't great, but I'm going to share them anyway.

Wolf Moon 2011

Todays Picture

Todays Picture

Wheel of the Year

Day 17 → A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.

I've read a lot of books.  My last count of books on my shelves/under my bed/in drawers/stacked up the wall at my parents house was over 700.  That was about 3 years ago.  I think I've given about 50 away to charity, and bought/been given/found another 200 or so.  Add that to the books my husband has and well, we've got A LOT of books.  When we eventually find our own place, we're going to need a spare room full of shelves just for books.

There are genre's that I can't read, for one reason or another, and there are genre's that I can read until the cows come home and the pigs fly.
I love anything that is Paranormal or Urban Fiction, or Paranormal or Urban Romance.  I love anything that features witches, daemons, faeries, vampires, imps, goblins, wizards, weres, you name it.  If it's paranormal, then theres every chance that I've probably read it/have read it/have it on my reading list.

I can't stand the books in the genre that I like to refer to as "The Genre of Abuse", which I posted about back in 2009 and you can read it here.  I've read one of those books, I finished it, and then decided I would never read another again.

But I digress.  I'm supposed to be blogging about a book I've read that changed my views on something.

Up until the 14, I suppose you could have said I was a Christian.  I was born, christened by a Father Nasty (yes that really was his name) into the Catholic Church.  I never did my confirmation however, so I guess in the eyes of the Church, I'm not really a Catholic, which to be honest suits me fine.

From the ages of 9 to above 12, I became quite religious.  I went to a Church group every Wednesday evening, became good friends with the Pastors kids, we had sleepovers and camps and lots of fun.  I was in the choir, I went to Church every Sunday and to Sunday school too.  I went to Church camp.
Then I moved away.  6000 miles away, and it was a new country, and I just stopped going.
I did however go to a Church of England School, which to be fair, wasn't religious at all.  We had a weekly assembely where we said prayers at the end and sung a hymn at the beginning, and at the end of term we had a Church service.

I was about 15, when I came across a book on the craft.  From then on it was like a light flipped on.  I read more and more, and eventually got drawn into fictional books, which turned out to be my favourite genre of books, all about witches, the craft, the occult, magick.  Whether it was fictional or not.
I looked back on Christianity and I didn't feel that pull that I did before.  In fact the only thing that remotely interested me about the Church was the mystery of the Stigmata, Fatima, Exorcisms, the unexplained.

Anyway, so Church and God fell by the wayside (although I must point out that I have nothing but the utmost respect for those who worship other religions) and I decided that I wasn't a Christian, I wanted to study the Craft.  Witchcraft. 
I've always been honest with people who ask me what religion I am.  I class myself as a Wiccan.  I list it on forms where I'm asked to select a religion.  My employers are aware, as are my friends and family.

So as I bring this topic to an end, I'd have to say, it's not just 1 book that changed my views (and religion!) but many.

Todays Picture

Day 16 → Someone or something you definitely could live without.

Sweets.
Those gummy sweets, or jelly sweets, or whatever you want to call them.
Gummy worms, gummy bears, cola bottles, fried eggs.
Haribo.

I could live without that.  Cause more often than not when I eat them, they set my teeth on edge, and make me feel ill.

 I could quite happily live without them.

Day 15 → Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you’ve tried living without it.

Day 15.

I couldn't live without my iPhone and it's charger.  I rely it on too much.  I use it for Facebook, Email, Twitter, reading Blogs, Phone calls, Text messaging, listening to Music, FourSquare.  and so much more.

I once went to work without my phone, and I pretty much had a breakdown.  I always carry a charger with me, because once my phone ran out of battery, and I was lost.  It's a horrid feeling, so my phone is always fully charged before I head out, and if it's in need of some juice, I whip my charger out and find somewhere to charge it.

It's sad I know.  But it's what the technological world has reduced me to.

Don't Judge Me.

Day 14 → A hero that has let you down. (letter)

I don't think I have any heros.  So really this blog post is Moot.

Meh.

Weebl & Bob - The Story of Pie

Todays Picture

The Gran Story

Yesterday I posted a photo of me and my Gran, and if you didn't see it, then you can see it here.

I decided that I wanted to know more about my Gran, about her childhood, her parents, how she met my Grandpa, that kind of stuff.  So I emailed her.  Yep, my Gran has email, and she's on Facebook too you know!

I want to be able to tell my kids when they're older (to point out that I don't actually have any kids now) about my Gran, their Great-Gran and what a wonderful person she is (or maybe was).  My Gran isn't immortal, in 15 years she may not be here anymore, although if her family genes are anything to go by, she'll still be here in 25 odd years!!  My Gran's Great-Aunt Daisy turned 106 last year, and she's still going strong!!

A recent news article - CAN BE FOUND HERE.

Daisy Blanche Christian, born 10 March, 1904, recently celebrated her 106^th birthday at the Kirkconnell Rest Home in Cayman Brac.

Miss Daisy, as she is affectionately known, enjoyed birthday cake and fruit punch with her niece Francis Kline, grandniece Jewel and her husband David Smalldon, her caregiver, Cecil Barnes and other rest home staff.

Jewel Smalldon said, “What a grand lady Aunt Daisy is. The Lord has truly blessed her. Although she had no children of her own, she raised many of her friends’ children. Aunt Daisy has never let anything or anyone bother her in life. She has lived a Christian life for as long as I can remember. She has been a blessing and an example to me. Our family wishes her many more years, if it is God’s will.”

Gran replied to my email at 3am this morning, which is like 10pm her time.  She got as far as telling me about her Honeymoon, 20 years after her wedding before she had to go, promising that she would email me tomorrow (today?) after she'd seen doctor.

I am going to share my Gran's story.  It's a great one.  Her email made me laugh and cry and smile, and love her.  Hopefully you will love her too.  She's an amazing woman.

I can't wait for her next email.

Todays Picture - My Gran, a real Jewel in my family.

This is my Gran, she's awesome.
Her name is Jewel, and she currently lives with my Grandad in George Town, Grand Cayman.
She was born in 1929, which makes her 81 (soon to be 82) and I don't think she looks anywhere near that age.
She was recently in hospital, rather poorly, and it made me realise that one day she won't be here anymore.
I won't be able to email her anymore and have her reply (yes my 81 year old Gran is on email AND facebook! she's cool like that)
I also realised that I don't know all that much about her.  I mean I know her, obviously, cause she's my Gran! But I don't know her history.
I don't know hardly anything about her history, and if I don't know it, how am I going to tell my kids about it?
So I'm aiming to resolve that.
As much as I'd love to fly the 6000 odd miles to Grand Cayman, and spend two weeks with Gran, I can't afford it.  It'd be awesome, to go out with my Gran for lunch and spend the whole lunch time talking about her and learning about her.  I wish I had £1200 to go.  Alas, email will have to do.  Unless anyone out there wants to pay for me to go visit my Gran?

Day 13 → A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough ass days. (write a letter.)

Dear iPod,

Thank you.

Much love,
Me

Todays Photo

Not only 2 Jerks for the price of 1, but a free soda too!

Day 12 → Something you never get compliments on

My Ass.

No one ever comes up to me and says "I like your Ass" or "You have a great Ass" or "I wish I had an Ass like yours"

Looking at my Ass in the mirror it looks okay to me.  In fact if I wear a really complimentary pair of jeans, my rear looks fabulous.  Yet no one ever compliments it.

Oh well, we can't always get what we want, so in the meantime I'll leave you with some ass related quotes.

I want women to be liberated and still be able to have a nice ass and shake it. -Shirley MacLaine

People think, 'Wow, you're an actress, so people must be really nice to you and kiss your ass.' NOBODY kisses my ass. -Alicia Silverstone
 

There comes a day when you've become comfortable in your skin. But God as my witness, I am going to try to do everything I can to keep this ass together for as long as I possibly can - without going against nature. -Zoe Saldana  

Rum Point

 I want to share one of my favourite places in the world with you all.
Here are a few pictures.

Entrance to Rum Point

One of the best signs on the Island

Need Directions?

all the kids love this Iguana

Eats

Rum Punch! The Islands signature drink

sunset

Day 11 → Something people seem to compliment you the most on.

I get complimented on a fair few things, such as;

• you have nice eyes
• your hair looks nice
• your make really good christmas cards
• your cooking is really delicious

But the one thing that gets mentioned more often than not? 
My boobs. 
Seriously.  And not just by men.

Although when men "compliment" me on my boobs, it's usually more of a statement, like, "you're boobs are massive".  Whereas women normally say things like, "you have really awesome boobs" and ocassionally "wish I had boobs like yours"

So I'm going to go with boobs Bob, cause that's what I get most compliments on.

Todays Picture

Todays Photo

EPIC CUTENESS

Vegetable Risotto

What you Need

Aborrio Rice
Vegetable Stock
Mushrooms
Onions
Garlic
Peas
Asparagus
Butter
Olive Oil
White Wine
Salt and Pepper
Parmesan Cheese




What you do

Chop the Onions, Mushrooms, and Garlic and set aside.
In a large pan heat the olive oil and butter, and then add the rice and stir for about 2 minutes on a low heat.
Add the garlic, onions and mushrooms to the rice and cook for a further 4-5 minutes stirring continually.
Add the white wine and continue to stir.  Allow the wine to soak into the rice.
Slowly add the stock to the rice and continue to stir and add stock until the rice forms a creamy consistancy.
Meanwhile in a saucepan bring some water to the boil and add the peas and the asparagus stems.
Once the peas and asparagus stems are cooked, turn the heat off and add the asparagus tips and leave to one side.
Continue to stir the risotto, and season with salt and pepper, adding more stock if required.
Taste the Risotto, it should be fully cooked but still have a a "bite" to it.
Drain the saucepan and add the vegetables to the risotto, as well as the grated parmesan.

Dish on to a plate and serve!

Bon Apetite!

Note, you can follow the packet instructions on the rice, and 5 minutes before the end of cooking, add fresh spinach and riccota cheese.
You can also add chicken, or any other vegetables or cheese, such as marscapone or seafood, such as prawns, mussels and squid.
For a difference, once your risotto is made, stir in a small amount of tomato and marscapone sauce, dish into an oven dish, sprinkle with mozarella and bake in the oven for 25 minutes.
Risotto - a versatile dish that can be made for all the family.