January: Behind The Scenes at Slimming Violet

It’s January! In typical January fashion, it feels like the longest month to have ever passed, and we still have almost a week to go. Christmas is a distant memory, but spring still feels quite some time away. It’s a fairly bleak month, but I’m holding on to the thoughts of daffodils and lighter nights that are creeping on the horizon! 

So how are you? I hope you had the most wonderful festive period, and that you’re feeling well rested and ready to take on 2025. 

Here’s a little bit about what’s been happening behind the scenes, what we’ve been cooking and eating this month, and a few thoughts that I wanted to share on what life looks like right now… 

Weekday Lunch Dates

burger date

Now that my toddler is in daycare for a few more hours each week, my husband and I have taken the opportunity a couple of times to get out and go for lunch together on random Tuesdays. It feels like such a treat to down tools and head off for a little bit of time just the two of us, and so we’re hoping to make it a semi-regular thing. 

Last week, it was burgers and cokes in our local town, and it was just the loveliest hour. 

Because, listen, I absolutely love taking my toddler out to restaurants. But if you’ve ever eaten out with toddler, you’ll know that you’re only ever a few wrong steps away from the whole thing turning into an absolute unmitigated nightmare. There’s nothing quite like trying to eat your dinner in the presence of strangers with the creeping knowledge that a full blown tantrum is on the horizon, and there’s not much you can do about it. 

So, yes, we still love our family meals out, but the chance to get out with just my husband has been a total joy, and it’s wonderful to have that time now and again! 

We rounded off our date last week with one of my all-time favorite activities – a little wander around a book shop, and specifically the cookery section. 

I didn’t buy anything on this occasion – to be honest I’d struggle to fit anything else on my already crammed kitchen bookshelves – but a quick browse was so much fun. 

book store

kitchen confidential

kitchen confidential first page

What We’ve Been Eating

Most nights, our family meals are whatever I’ve been testing that day to share here on Slimming Violet. 

Recently though, my husband’s really been getting into cooking curries, Indian restaurant style, and we’ve had some really fabulous dishes. He’s very much the head curry chef in our household and my expertise on the matter only extends as far as being a very willing and enthusiastic taste tester, but the results so far have been incredible, and we’re fairly rapidly making our way through all the modern classics. 

My husband recommends Misty Ricardo’s YouTube channel, and it’s where he’s found the inspiration for most of the dishes we’ve tried so far. If you love curry, it’s definitely worth checking out! 

curry in a pan

That’s all from me this month. As always, thanks so much for taking the time to read this. Speak soon! 

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