A Disappointing Starbucks
After Pudding Mill Lane I went to Eastfield to do a bit of shopping in the Marks and Spencer there. I successfully bought the jumper I wanted and some food for tonight.
However, I was not able to buy any coffee.
A Disappointing Starbucks
Because of my stroke and a slightly wonky mouth, I do not drink coffee from cardboard or plastic cups. And that’s all you now get in this branch in Eastfield! They used to have proper mugs before the Olympics.
So I came home thirsty!
But then Eastfield is one of those gluten-free deserts. Now it seems I can’t get a coffee there in Starbucks. I usually drink in one of their stores, as I can have something to eat if I want.
The Curry’s Still Working!
Last night’s curry seems to be still working. I feel quite refreshed this morning, despite getting up at three to put some posts on this blog. In fact that is a good thing, as I always used to work through the night before I had the stroke.
Wikipedia says this on the health benefits of curry.
Some studies have shown that ingredients in curry may help to prevent certain diseases, including colon cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. A number of studies have claimed that the reaction of pain receptors to the hotter ingredients in curries leads to the body’s release of endorphins, curry is claimed to be one of the most powerful aphrodisiacs.With the complex sensory reaction to the variety of spices and flavours, a natural high is achieved that causes subsequent cravings, often followed by a desire to move on to hotter curries. Some refer to this as addiction, but other researchers contest the use of the word “addiction” in this instance.
I don’t go along with wanting stronger curries. But here are a few observations on my life.
- I was born a day after modern India and I’ve always had a psychological connection to the sub-Continent. I’ve also enjoyed my visits there.
- C and myself regularly ate curries.
- I do get a craving for going for a curry at times. Last night was one of those days.
- When I moved here I seemed to ask several people, where there was a good Indian restaurant. I was finally sorted in Boots by a combnation of an Asian pharmacist and a customer.
- I was very disappointed when Waitrose stopped making curry and rice for one. Does anybody still do them?
- The day C died, I went for a meal in one of the Indian restaurants we used.
I should say that when I have a curry out, it’s usually in a proper restaurant, where they have tablecloths and use gram flour.
Perhaps it’s just down to releasing endorphins, as is stated in the extract from Wikipedia. After all, I feel better when Ipswich win.
Two Gluten-Free Eateries
I went to the Brunswick Centre Waitrose to see if I could find some Musks sausages. Unfortunately, they’ve stopped selling them.
But I did find this food stall outside.
Gluten-Free Gallettes
As I’d just had a big breakfast, I passed the stall. as I walked back to get the bus up Lamb’s Conduit Street, I saw this cafe called Danny’s.
Danny’s – Home Of The Gourmet Wrap
They have quite a lot of gluten-free items and on enquiring inside, the owner could have been coeliac.
I shall return, when my stomach is less full.
European Union Creates An Awful Smell
Apparently, the EU is proposing to ban certain ingredients used in perfumes. It’s all here in the Mail.
If the allergy police were to ban anything, how about stopping gluten in food?
No wonder the EU is so popular with the citizens of Europe.
Newmarket Sausage Gets European Protected Status
This has just been announced and about time too.
I actually prefer the Musks brand as does the Queen. It’s just a pity, I find it difficult to get their gluten-free ones in London. Hopefully, now they’ve got the protected status, we might see some promotion by the better food retailers.
I see on the Musks website, that they are offering a gluten-free hamper.
First Class Gluten-Free Food
I was travelling First Class both ways on my trip to Yorkshire yesterday.
Going up to York, I used East Coast Trains and although I got coffee, there was nothing else I could eat that was gluten-free. But it didn’t matter as I was going to see friends for lunch.
In some ways I often feel cheated in First Class, as others get all sorts of goodies and I get nothing. It’s usually worse at the weekend, as all that is available is sandwiches.
Coming back from Hull on Hull Trains, I effectively told the steward I was gluten-free by declining the biscuit with the coffee. So when it came to selecting the complimentary meal, she apologised and thought, they might not have anything suitable. But she did say they had one chilli left.
Now my chilli con carnes and many I’ve had in pubs and restaurants have been gluten-free! So I suggest that she checked and she returned a minute or so later with the packet and a big smile on her face.
Gluten-Free Chili On Hull Trains
The pouch said the food was suitable for coeliacs and I gave it a go. There’s more details on the food here.
Chilli With Tortilla
Unfortunately, the tortilla crisps weren’t marked and I just chanced a couple.
The meal was excellent and I got no adverse reaction at all. So my gut liked it too! Perhaps, I should have had more of the crisps.
The steward then got the bit between her teeth and checked all the other things they served including the chocolate. Admittedly, First Class was by no means full.
After all coeliacs may not be that numerous, but statistics show that about one in a hundred of the UK population may have the disease.
The steward had certainly remembered the two things you don’t lose in any form of customer service; enthusiasm and your temper.
It was an enjoyable and enlightening journey after a bad day at the football.
So well done to Hull Trains and their staff! And especially to Steph!
A Dreadful Night
It’s raining hard here and I’ll be staying in for most of the night.
I did try to go up to the Angel to see if I could get some fish to make one of my favourite suppers, but a 30 bus turned up first, so I thought I’d try the littleWaitrose at Highbury and Islington. But they had power problems and the tills weren’t working. So I just bought one item for supper.
A Reduced Waitrose Fish Pie
At least it was reduced to £2,99. As you can see it’s a bit battered, but only in the damaged sense!
I do have some strawberries, so with a drink, it won’t be a bad supper.
Back To The Fleet Street Clinic
C and myself used to go here, for our annual flu jabs.
About three years ago, I was unhappy about my cholesterol and went to a private dietician in Ipswich to see if they could help me. They could and did, but sadly they no longer practice at that address.
As a coeliac, I do like to see if I’m doing things right, and as I’d found that the Fleet Street clinic had a dietician, I arranged an appointment for this morning with their private dietician; Ruth Kander.
As I suspected on past experience of the clinic and dieticians in general, I received the quality of professional advice, that I expected.
Allergies
This chicken Provençal from Waitrose was rather nice.
Waitrose Chicken Provencal
But why can’t we have the allergy information on the front? That way, I wouldn’t need to pick up the package and turn it over.
Incidentally, this dish has fish in it. That surprised me, but it was defined as anchovy on the packet.
On the subject of allergies, Waitrose has brought out a range of chilled foods by Heston Blumenthal. All seemed to have added gluten. A pity really, as I recently heard of a sensitive coeliac, who went to his restaurant and had no problems.
The Anonymous Widower 