Happy New Year T&T VIPs!
Welcome to the start of 2018 and what a year it is going to be! I’ve just returned from a lovely break celebrating Christmas with my whole family for the first time in 14 years. My brother Steven, his wife Julia and my niece and nephew Francesca and Claude made the epic journey from NZ so they joined Amanda, Clara and I plus two grannies in Tignes, France for a reenactment of Wham’s! Last Christmas.
It was wonderful to have everybody together and for Clara to finally meet her Kiwi cousins. Everybody was in great form and enjoyed the company, the food and especially the snow.
The kids loved opening up their presents together and marveled at how Santa could work his magic although they weren’t in their respective homes in London or Wellington.
What was especially great was just being able to relax and get away from the crowds and commercialism that is a modern Christmas. We ate simply, celebrated quietly and watched the snow fall lightly on the beautiful mountains. We were all very grateful to be together in such a beautiful place.
There was plenty of time for conversation, games and celebration but also, while gazing at the mountain or skiing erratically down a slope, time for quiet reflection and contemplation of the moment, the year that had past and the year ahead.
2017 was an interesting year both personally and for Tried & True. We invested a lot of time and resources in new ventures but ultimately failed to get our second site off the ground. But the experience overall was worthwhile and has placed us in a stronger position for the future.
The experiences of last year taught me a number of things that I hope to incorporate consciously into 2018. The Stoic philosopher Epictetus, urged us to “Approach Life as a Banquet” in his text the Art of Living edited by Sharon Lebell (HarperOne 1994)…
Think of your life as if it were a banquet where you would behave graciously. When dishes are passed to you, extend your hand and help yourself to a moderate portion. If a dish should pass you by, enjoy what is already on your plate. Or if the dish hasn’t been passed to you yet, patiently wait your turn.
Carry over this same attitude of polite restraint and gratitude to your children, spouse, career and finances. There is no need to yearn, envy and grab. You will get your rightful portion when it is your time.
That, dear friends, is how I will hopefully approach 2018! All the best! RK
Staff Spotlight – Sandra Machon
There’s a new face behind the coffee machine at T&T!
When did you come to London? How is life different?
I came to London four years ago, to study psychology. Life in London is pretty different from the one I had in Poland. First of all, London is multicultural and the pace of living here is much faster. I had an opportunity to meet people from all over the world and learn about different cultures. As European countries the UK and Poland share similar trends, but it is easier to become self-sufficient in London and move out from your parents’ house!
What were you doing before coming to Tried & True?
Before I started working at Tried & True I was working at another independent coffee house as a barista (based in central London) and finishing my degree.
What do you consider most challenging / most rewarding about working at T&T?
So far the most challenging are shifts during the weekends. Large groups of guests could arrive at the same time and it is difficult to deliver coffees quickly!
The most rewarding aspect of the job are people I work with.
We are great team, full of very interesting individuals. Everyone is contributing something special to Tried & True.
When you’re not at work, what do you enjoy doing?
I like reading, playing the guitar, collecting old records and following the current political situation in the world. I also like taking long walks listening to my favourite podcast or simply watching a good movie!
What is your favourite T&T dish?
I love the Avocado and bacon bagel. Yum!
Resolve to eat better breakfasts!
2018 is the year to commit to 3 things. Eggs, Bacon and Coffee!
New year, new you? Nah, you’re perfect! You just need some new info to help steer you towards a new perspective. No need to change your lifestyle or diet. Keep on keepin’ on with your T&T favourites and let us remind you why it’s all worthwhile.
Eggs
The Vitamin A (retinol) found in eggs is good for your eyesight so you can see clearly into that bright future of yours. Eating eggs can also help you lose weight because this high quality, low-calorie protein will keep you full longer. But that’s not all: Zinc will help your immune system stay strong throughout the lingering winter and phosphorous, which is important for healthy teeth, will keep you smiling all year long!
Coffee
Loaded with antioxidants, your daily cup of Joe will improve energy levels and mood (take that, world!) Caffeine is one of the few natural substances that has been proven to help burn fat, which means your time sat at the café could be just as beneficial as doing reps at the gym. Lastly, studies show that coffee drinkers live longer. Here’s to many more new years ahead!
Sourdough Bread Bacteria thriving in sourdough bread mixes with the yeast to begin predigesting starches in the grains. This means easier digestion, which is something I think we all can get, ahem, behind. Not to mention a whole heap of other vitamins and minerals that provide your body with what it needs to get through the day (and year.)
Bacon (yes, BACON!)
Hard as it may be to believe, there’s even an upside to getting that side of bacon you’re debating over. It contains omega-3 fatty acids, the same nutrients found in fish, which reduce cholesterol and can improve overall heart health. And according to the surely unbiased Baconismagic.ca, those rashers are in fact good for your mental health. “Bacon is a natural mood enhancer that helps encourage positive mental states.” What more convincing do you possibly need? LSC
Don’t look back in anger… Look forward to 2018 with Leann St Clair
It’s safe to say 2017 was not what many of us were anticipating this time last January. What began like any other new year with best-intentioned resolutions and good cheer, quickly shifted into a chapter many of us are ready to forget.
Not that there weren’t achievements to celebrate and moments to cherish. Women’s movements around the globe have lifted up voices of the unheard. Saudi Arabia announced lifting its ban on female drivers and Mattel introduced the first Barbie doll to wear a hijab. And the cherry on top of the sundae for this humble waitress was the 9th and most-watched season of Rupaul’s Drag Race, which received eight Emmy nominations securing its place in herstory.
But even through all that glitters it can be hard to find the silver lining after so much stormy weather.
Luckily, according to the reliable sources on the ‘Forever Conscious’ website, while last year was defined by new beginnings, “2018 is going to be a year of building, restructuring and manifestation” (apparently the first in a 9 year cycle).
So where 2017 left several of us confused and defeated, the next twelve months are a wide-open opportunity to find our footing again and embrace the change and progress that awaits.
And if Saturn moving into Earth sign isn’t enough to convince you, here are some predictions from QuantumRun proving this year has the potential to be really, really great.
London's New £15 Billion Subway Line, the 'Crossrail' opens to the public.
China lands its Chang'e-4 lander n the dark side of the moon.
World’s first 3D printed car created.
Polio largely eradicated globally thanks to Rotary International, the Gates Foundation, World Health Organisation and UNICEF
Scientists begin testing reverse aging techniques on humans after success with mice
Male birth control pill and cream becomes commercially available!
There will be one Wi-Fi hotspot for every 20 people.
The sequel to 'Frozen' is released in theaters.
Now if that doesn’t fill you with optimism dear reader, I don’t know what will.
Happy New Year and all the best for 2018!
LSC
Here’s a new twist to try with your eggs in the New Year. Spice up your scrambled eggs with turmeric, cumin and red chili!
Ingredients:
1 tbsp butter
1 small red onion, finely chopped
1 green or red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
¼ tsp ground cumin
¼ tsp garam masala
a good pinch of turmeric
2 large tomatoes, deseeded and finely chopped
7 eggs, beaten
small pack of coriander, roughly chopped
4 chapatis (or gluten-free alternative), lightly toasted, to serve
Method
Heat a large frying pan over a low-medium heat and add the butter. Gently fry the onion, chilli and garlic until the onion is soft – about 5 mins. Add the spices and cook for 1-2 mins more, stirring around the pan until aromatic.
Add the tomatoes, cook for 1 min, then pour in the eggs and lower the heat. Stir slowly to scramble the eggs as they cook, and remove from the heat while they are still a little runny. Continue stirring off the heat for 1 min more until the eggs are just set.
Stir through the coriander and serve with chapatis for a delicious breakfast or brunch.
Need help beating the winter blues this January? Look no further! We’ve rounded up some local happenings to keep your spirits high until (almost) springtime!
Just because the holidays are over doesn’t mean the merriment has to end! Check out the Christmas lights you’ve missed before they go out. Carnaby Street, St James Market, and Canary Wharf to name a few.
Get together with friends and family for the final rounds of ice-skating this season. And don’t forget a warming hot chocolate! After all, it’s the simple pleasures that matter most.
Take your mind off the weather with local volunteering. Every little bit helps!
Lumiere London (Jan 18-21) will brighten your day and night with a collection of illuminating installations from international artists (various locations).
Too cold outdoors? Head inside the Barbican centre and check out the Basquiat exhibit (ends Sunday 28 Jan.) or Rachel Whiteread at Tate Britain (ends 21 Jan).