Just Humans Being...

We experienced a lovely side to Bebe earlier in the week, she seemed fairly happy & content, but over the last few days - she has been back to normal. Dwelling on the past & worrying about the future are her main topics... We go through periods of trying to distract her - treading lightly to keep her happy, though more often than not we get drawn into this incredibly frustrating loop & end up asking her to stop!  We have an appointment this coming week with her GP, there really doesn't seem any need in carrying on with the new drugs, but we'll see what the doc has to say. Poor Bebe - her enjoyment of life is getting less & less & there's nothing we can do.  Kay & Sime xx

We threw the leftovers from the previous night's dinner - spaghetti, sweetcorn sauce & watercress houmous into an oven dish. Topped it with breadcrumbs & served it up with baked potatoes & some steamed M&S non-organic broccoli (left by guests in the holiday home we look after). We had worked on the house for over 6 hours, stopping only for fruit & nuts, but by the time we got home - we were craving some stodgy food. We never eat potatoes with pasta, but last night we were so hungry... It all looks a bit bland, but it tasted great & we felt loads better once we'd re-fuelled!  Kay & Sime xx 

Healthy Approaches to Weight Control, Reversing Diabetes, and the Best of Health with Dr Neal Barnard. Please watch & learn how easy it is to turn your life around... Hope you are having a good weekend! Kay & Sime xx

With sweetcorn sauce, topped with watercress, butterbean & walnut houmous. We used Suma's tinned organic sweetcorn, tons of onions & garlic, along with fresh tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers, courgettes & a couple of heaped teaspoons of smoked paprika for the sauce. The houmous also has fresh parsley, garlic, lemon juice & black pepper. Yum! Kay & Sime xx

When we think about having a meal out, we often forget about  The Lost Gardens Of Heligan , which is just on our doorstep. For the last year, the chefs have been much more adventurous & on occasions have whipped up great food especially for us.  Today we were tired & hungry, we'd popped into the farm shop next door to Heligan & thought we'd just see if there was anything on...  Imagine our delight when we discovered they were doing a vegan gardener's lunch - simple meals using their garden produce... It was cheaper than usual & when they mentioned that the soup was also vegan, we got very excited - we just had to have it!  Delicious pumpkin, coconut & ginger Soup... Nut roast, mashed sweet potato, roasted beetroot, greens & gravy... A wonderfully tasty meal! And to top it all - we bagged the table with the exotic view! Kay & Sime xx

Another day in the Smith household...  This is what happens very early in the morning - Bebe gets up at around 6am (when she does sleep) & she likes to get herself ready for the day! After the video I spent ages looking for her other lilac sock & eventually found that she'd put them both on the same foot - which does happen sometimes!  On other occasions, Bebe can be fully dressed complete with her lace up shoes tied & yet she can't work out how to tie them when I'm in the room! Have a good day! Kay xx

Sunday night we made a lentil & vegetable stew, which we forgot to photograph... Nevermind here's 3 nights of leftovers! Monday night, we added the last of the kale (buried on the right), butter beans & rice... Tuesday night, we made more rice, turned the stew into a curry & baked sweet potato wedges & cauliflower... Tonight, we warmed up the remainder, baked some potatoes & fried up (in water & soy sauce) some leeks, tofu, mushrooms & fresh turmeric... We keep our cooking simple when working lots & never waste a morsel! Hugo & Jess will be pleased to hear that there will be something fresh for tomorrow night's dinner! Kay & Sime xx

I took this video at the beginning of the month, Bebe's sundowning was getting worse & this was actually the third video that evening - you can also hear my frustration of going through the same things for the umpteenth time in an hour... We have found that when Bebe becomes agitated, she soon calms down once she sees the camera... Since returning from respite yesterday, she has been a happy bunny - they too reported a good weekend with her, so we're keeping our fingers crossed that the new tablets are finally doing their job.  We hate the fact she has to take them, but if they stop her from becoming anxious & distressed, then that has to be a good thing - it's lovely to see her calm & content again! Kay xx

What are you going to be eating this Christmas? Kay & Sime xx

We have shared many a pot of porridge with family, friends & guests... We eat it every day throughout the year & look forward to our bowlful each morning! Sime is the champion porridge maker & he spends time simmering the pot to perfection... Oats, chia seeds, rose hips, hemp powder, sesame seeds, ground pumpkin & flax seeds, sliced banana & apple (sometimes puréed apple), nutmeg, ginger, blueberries & water - occasionally we have molasses in it & at the table we add cinnamon, as well as sometimes a little sugar free jam or maple syrup (we have the real Canadian stuff - thanks to our Canadian friends)!   Early start today, as lots to do...  Bebe's returning from respite & we've not really achieved everything we wanted to do & the house is in chaos - surprise, surprise!!! Nevermind - we'll get on top of everything one day! Bye for now, Kay & Sime xx

Yesterday, we had a Bebe free day out with Hugo - Which was lovely & as the weather was miserable - we decided to visit Plymouth, which has to include a visit to Samphire, a veggie/vegan brasserie... They are quite different to Wildebeest in Falmouth, which is deliciously wholesome & although they do feature healthy alternatives on their menu, they also cook up great vegan grub! Our side salad with vegan coleslaw... Kay's pizza with scrambled tofu, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes & caramelised onions. Sime's all day breakfast with lentil burger & tempeh slices. Hugo's seitan burger, chips, onion rings & salad. Hugo's kidney bean chocolate brownie with vegan ice cream... We both opted for the vanilla cheese(less)cake with ginger & shredded halva topping. Then on to the Hoe - Smeaton's Tower now... And then - before WW2. Tinside Lido , built in 1935. Above the pool now... And back in 195

Another old recipe booklet... Isn't it great? Published in 1969 by  Beauty Without Cruelty's  Lady Muriel Dowding (later becoming Baroness) who was a vegetarian animal rights activist - along with her Husband, Baron Hugh Dowding. Night, night. Kay & Sime xx