Food as Therapy

Here we go...

This is... (drumroll, fanfare, huge anticipation) ...the first official post for the Food as Therapy blog-hop, linky thingamy! (More concise, witty name pending). If you haven't heard about it yet then check out the 'Food as Therapy' top tab & see what you think.

I'm sure this whole idea will grow & take on a little more structure as the weeks go by, but for now lets say, the first rule of Food [as Therapy] Club is that you MUST talk about Food Club! It's all about the sharing of ideas & good stuff. We can share:

• recipes that make us feel good
• pictures of meals we enjoy
• our plans for the week ahead
• ideas for others to try
• stories of what we are doing right & wrong
• our personal stories
• professional advice we've come across
• anything that relates to food & our wellbeing, be that mental, physical or emotional.

So this week I ask you all to make your introductions, in whatever way you see fit! Just link up using the linky below, leave a comment or follow us on twitter at @PeaGreenPantry

What will you do to make a start to the food as therapy journey?

I'd also love to see just a picture or even recipe of a favourite meal. Who are your favourite chefs & cooks (famous, infamous or completely unknown to anyone else)?

It's all very well me asking you all this, but what about me?

Well, I'm Chloe, I'm a mum to two girls (all ready!) & I'm very pleased to make your accquaintance! I do a lot of tearing my hair out & the such, not only with the tribulations of family life but battling mental illness & whatever else life throws at me. If you'd like to read my personal blog (lots of swearing & stuff) then you can find it here!

For a starter I am going to show you how I have begun to plan my weeks. During the darker days I find it terribly difficult to pull myself out of my pit & have a little structure so at home we have invested in a chalkboard (good ol' TK Maxx) & we now plan our week ahead - meals, appointments, birthdays, shopping lists, work hours & lots of doodles from me. No obscene ones this week though!

It has helped me hugely so far. I am a scatter brain, but when I can consult the board more stuff gets done. It's colourful too, which always makes me smile.

My favourite chef, well it's got to be Hugh, oh, Hugh. Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. I have a little food related crush on dear old Hugh. I know, don't say anything!

& a favourite meal? I actually have scuppered myselff here as I don't think I could choose, but I'll say I'm a huge breakfast fan & recently fat blueberry pancakes have been a favourite with maple syrup & perhaps even some crispy bacon! Nom!