Well, I’m happy to say, I’m happy. Truly happy.
This happiness can’t be pinned on a single event, or more importantly, on another person. It’s more an amalgamation of lots of little things. The things that, when you add them together, make up my life. And I guess in a way the expression is true – the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. But this joy didn’t just fall out of the sky. It took lots of hard work, some dark times, and loads of support. And while it may sound ridiculous, I believe that changing those seeming insignificant things, such as concentrating on making my home a sanctuary, has had a greater impact than I could have anticipated. Not only did I create a space that made me happy to be in, but it might also be true that the very act of making changes also enkindled a more positive way of thinking. I suppose what I am trying to say is that taking responsibility for your own wellbeing is a very powerful thing.
I have mentioned a few times before, you know, how when things are going wrong in your life and it seems to spread to every other area of your life too. Well, I also believe that the reverse is true. When good things are happening, lots of good things start to happen in succession. Maybe it all started when I cleaned out the house. Or maybe it’s just because I have been spending everyday at the skate park. However it happened it is very good, and I think I have learnt something important. I am also thinking of buying a skateboard, just in case.
Baby Potatoes with Green Beans and Olives
- 1 kg baby potatoes
- Big glug of olive oil
- sea salt
- 250g green beans
- 100g Ligurian olives, pitted
- handful chives
- juice from 1 lemon
- Preheat oven to 200 degrees C.
- Cut potatoes in half and place in baking tray with a big pinch of salt and a big glug of olive oil. Toss to coat and roast in oven until cooked through, about 20 mins.
- Meanwhile, top and tail the beans and blanch in boiling salted water for 3 mins. Drain and run with cold water to prevent them from cooking further.
- When the potatoes are ready, remove from oven. Add the beans, olives, chives and lemon juice to the tray with another big pinch of salt and toss together.
- Serve warm for lunch or dinner or as a side to your meal. Other herbs are a welcome addition, as are capers, or rocket. Or both.
I love this post. SO MUCH TRUTH. I’m experiencing a very similar epiphany (using that word in relation to myself, as my thinking is in the process of a very important transition) at the moment. Realising I have control over my own happiness through harnessing the power of my psyche. Last year was a difficult turn of events for me. I felt ‘stuck’ in negativity for a very long time which in turn reduced my confidence and resilience. It’s a wonderful feeling to finally be exiting that cloud, and a great deal of it is owed to positive thinking (and potatoes, definitely potatoes – I’m sure they have healing properties!). I’m glad that you’ve found your happy patch too, lovely. The skate park sounds like a pretty good place to be at (though the idea of skating sends chills down my spine!) xxx
So Laura it is official that I am the worst gettta backtara in the land of blogging. But I read everything! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment here. It is amazing how parallel our lives are sometimes. X
Yay, your blog’s back up! So glad to hear about your joyfulness at present. You deserve it. Also, defs get a skateboard!
By the way, I have become a fiend with your vegan banana cake with coconut oil, I think I’ve made it about 4 times in the last 4 weeks. It’s so great for a quick snack between meals.
Where do you buy your coconut oil from? I’ve been getting it from SM Market and it’s pretty pricey…any tips? xx
Isabel, just as I said to Laura in the comment above, I am officially the worst reply person in the land of the internet. But I read everything and appreciate so much when people take the time to comment. It will become obvious in time why I have not had a spare second to comment but sssshhh ; )
BTW I get my coconut oil from Safeway of all places. Usually the macro organic brand but whatever is on special will make it into my trolley, as it is super pricey when you use it a lot. I have also been known (as I am not vegan) to just substitute with butter if I don’t have any in the pantry. Did you see this banana bread recipe made it into Lunch Lady? So I guess it’s almost famous now haha xxx