MIDWEEK MANTRA

POSITIVE ENERGY AND LIFE PLANS FOR A HAPPIER UPLIFTING WEEK FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH. WITH 29 MARCH JUST AROUND THE CORNER WE CAN MEET WITH UP TO 6 FRIENDS IN OUR GARDENS OR OPEN SPACES FOR PICNICS AND 12 APRIL OUTSIDE AT PUBS AND RESTAURANTS , IT IS TIME TO REDISCOVER THE PLEASURE OF SOCIALISING AND RECONNECTING OVER FOOD.

DISCOVER A RITUAL FOR EATING TOGETHER

I REALLY MISS THE LUNCHTIME RITUALS WITH MY FRENCH FRIENDS WHEN I LIVED IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE. LONG, LANGUID LUNCHES THAT BECAME ALMOST DAILY RITUALS.

IN LONDON, AND THE REST OF THE UK WE GENERALLY SEEM TO BE AMBIVALENT TO MEAL TIMES WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS AS AN IMPORTANT OCCURRENCE AS WE GO ABOUT OUR BUSY LIVES WITH HURRIED LUNCHES ON THE GO.

I THINK IT IS TIME TO BRING BACK THE LONG LAZY LUNCH. OF COURSE I KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE EVERY DAY ( ALTHOUGH THE FRENCH AND ITALIANS MAKE IT HAPPEN). THIS WEEK ITS TIME TO START WITH A REGULAR LONG LAZY LUNCH WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY. THIS MEANS AT LEAST 2 HOURS, AND DESSERT IS A MUST AND GOOD LIVELY DISCUSSION. I HAVE THIS GREAT DISCUSSION TOPIC CARDS WHERE EACH PERSON PICKS A CARD AND GENERATES LIVELY DEBATE AROUND A GIVEN SUBJECT. I WOULD REALLY RECOMMEND THESE TO GET THE CONVERSATION FLOWING.

EVEN BETTER IF YOU CAN COOK A MEAL , A REAL GIFT OF LOVE. THIS DOES NOT HAVE TO BE COMPLICATED. I DO A SIMPLE BAKED WHOLE SALMON STUFFED WITH HERBS FOR PEOPLE TO HELP THEMSELVES OR EVEN A BOUEF BOURGIGNON IN A SLOW COOKER PREPARED IN THE MORNING. A SIMPLE DESSERT CAN BE AN ORANGE CURD TART IN A SHOP BOUGHT PASTRY CASE SERVED WITH COINTREAU CREAM. BUT I REALISE NOT EVERYONE WANTS TO COOK A MEAL AND JUST SHARING A MEAL WITH PEOPLE THAT ARE FUN TO BE WITH CAN REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO YOUR WEEK.

‘BREAKING BREAD’ WITH THOSE YOU CARE ABOUT CAN BE DEEPLY REWARDING AND BONDING. GOOD NURTURED RELATIONSHIPS ARE GREAT FOUNDATIONS TO LIVE A HEALTHY HAPPY LIFE. GOING ABOUT OUR BUSY DAILY LIVES ITS EASY TO LET THIS SLIDE.

MY PLEASURE IS TO INVITE MY FAVOURITE PEOPLE TO A LUNCH AND LINGER OVER GREAT FOOD, WINE AND FABULOUS CONVERSATION. THIS IS A RITUAL WE ALL NEED TO ESTABLISH. IF YOU HAVE NO ONE TO LUNCH WITH THEN…..GIVE ME A CALL !

SO , TODAY SCHEDULE A DATE AND START INVITING.

JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: IN PARIS I WAS ONCE CHASTISED BY A WAITER FOR ORDERING AMERICAN COFFEE INSTEAD OF DESSERT! DO IT THE FRENCH WAY AND GIVE IN TO THE PLEASURE.

BON APPETITE

JOJO XXXXXX