Hello Foodies!

Today is Saturday and although it's cold it looks to be a nice day.
Our plans are to bike the pretty tree lined avenues stop for coffee and cake and some vintage chic shopping then go to the cinema later on.

We do though have lots of pork ribs to cook and here is a link to exactly what we will be cooking.

Sticky glazed ribs
http://www.channel4.com/4food/recipes/chefs/hugh-fearnley-whittingstall/sticky-glazed-spare-ribs-recipe

Although these look tasty.

New Recipes This Week: Lobster Salad, Maple-Bourbon Short Ribs, Beet Fritters

http://www.foodrepublic.com/2014/02/28/new-recipes-week-lobster-salad-maple-bourbon-short

Foods that would be great with this are 

Tater Tots

http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Saveur-100-2011-Tater-Tots?sr

c=SOC&dom=fb

If you plan to have a beer with that.... or maybe ten here's Huff post article on killing that hangover!

Weck's Papas Are How Albuquerque Kills A Hangover

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/28/wecks-papas-albuquerque-nm_n_4866629.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000009

Hangover always make people crave something sweet too.

Fat Tuesday Recipes You Need To Indulge In This Year

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/28/fat-tuesday-recipes_n_4873255.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000034

One for the road.... Food trucks always a great way to grab ideas for your very own light bites.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/thrillist/these-are-the-21-best-foo_b_4874673.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000034

Meeting "the one" is just something that happens when you least expect it they creep up on you as do the feelings!

Finding the person for you seems like it will never happen when you are single and the hopes and dreams you have for a relationship seem to dwindle you really hunger for being with someone and wonder what you are missing out on.

Then there is a stage where you just relax and become used to being on your own .
You learn to love who you are more.

Then it happens then!
I found this strange article... I am not sure it's 100% truthful have a read yourself.

Want a European Lover? Find a Brit

http://newsfeed.time.com/2014/02/27/british-french-extramarital-affairs-survey/

How to Pick Your Life Partner

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/wait-but-why/how-to-pick-your-life-partner_b_4848898.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000063

Now for a blog for the ladies,fashionistas and foodies alike.

Marc Jacobs new face!
http://www.refinery29.com/2014/02/63396/marc-jacobs-beauty-jessica-lange

5 Friends Every Woman Should Have

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/raluca-state/5-friends-every-woman-should-have_b_4731283.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000046

White chocolate? Ice-cream? You know you love it it's divine like velvet to the skin.

15 Times We Didn't Hate White Chocolate

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/27/white-chocolate-recipes-cookies_n_4856649.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000034

9 Reasons To Bring Back Cocktail Parties

Ladies love cocktails!

Of course we do and here is a stunner from a bar in Leeds East Yorkshire.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/27/reasons-to-bring-back-cocktail-parties_n_4860344.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000033

How about a Rose Mai Tai to brighten any day!?

Hello Lovelies how are we all?

There is more on the seafood front..... What I would give for some crap and lobster right now!
http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Steamed-Crab-Legs-With-Six-Sauces?src=SOC&dom=fb


Food that helps headaches that you adore and love?Can it be true seemingly yes it is.

The Best Foods For Headaches

063http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/27/best-foods-for-headaches_n_4861604.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000

Also cooking with coconut.... a great vegan option rather than cream adapt meat for veg and cream to coconut creams!

Cooking with Coconut Milk

http://www.saveur.com/article/collection/cooking-with-coconut-milk?src=SOC&dom=fb

9 Things To Put On Your Happiness To-Do List

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jen-glantz/my-happiness-to-do-list_b_4815605.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000046

Boozy desserts?Any ideas.... Erh we all love an adult pudding now don't we!

21 Desserts Made All The Better With Booze

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/24/boozy-desserts_n_4831055.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000034

Why stop there be indulgent be bold be braising with thirty nine braised meat dishes!

http://www.saveur.com/gallery/Braised-Meats?src=SOC&dom=fb

Here is a few of my own braised meat dishes cooked at home.

A stunning Moroccan dish

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.639555989430434.1073741901.523678024351565&type=3

Fired and spiced stew

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.624206447632055.1073741898.523678024351565&type=3

Rising rib of beef

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.608924399160260.1073741891.523678024351565&type=3

Smoked fish and dill cakes with lemon,cress,and rocket salad.

I always thought getting older meant you got wiser.....

You chose your battles better and opted out of drama learnt to like yourself in your own skin however this is not always true.

Here are 40 tips for the over 40's

40 Odd Things I've Learned In 40 Odd Years

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cara-paiuk/40-odd-things-things-ive-learned-in-40-odd-years_b_4712656.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000046

I have ten tattoos on my left and right wrists this link is a great insight as to how I feel daily but mainly I feel proud!

22 Things Only Women With Tattoos Will Understand

This is me on the beach early morning in the south of France.

On the way to getting all ten my partner and I talked over me getting more and so I did 

http://www.buzzfeed.com/madisonlmedeiros/things-only-women-with-tattoos-will-understand?bffb

LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINING

ETIQUETTE ESSENTIALS: Dos and Don’ts of a Throwing Dinner Party

Anyone can call themselves a "host" by just inviting someone to their house....A host is alot more than that a "host" really pushes the boat out.

A "host" is just that hosting a get together and something deliciously wonderful.

Something you'll have fond memories of anyone can dish up food and drinks but a real "Host" carefully considers their guests tastes in drinks for example if a guest does not drink alcohol then having no non-alcoholic drinks in it not hosting well at all.

Neither is assuming because you drink they will be even though they do not drink.

After all you invited these people to your event a real host thinks over every eventuality and cares about the guests from before they walk in to when they leave.

There are also things to consider....The article explains

http://www.ruemag.com/lifestyle-entertaining/miss-manners

Good morning....

This morning like normal I was looking through the net and then saw this and although the title is not ideal the article is great! Point number five is more so loosing weight and loosing weight fast can make you look so drawn and wrinkles/bags/sags look worse.There is nothing wrong in having a more plump face.

My partner says unless you have the cheek bones to pull it off even in middle age you look ill and age faster.

The issue is no amount if make up can cover that up... fillers will fade too.

5 Reasons Why You Should Eat For Your Skin Rather Than Your Body

http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/blogs/545731/5-reasons-why-you-should-eat-for-your-skin-rather-than-your-body.html?utm_campaign=eatforyourface&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social

Grey Hair: Why It REALLY Is Nothing To Be Afraid Of... | Marie Claire

Grey Hair: Why It REALLY Is Nothing To Be Afraid Of... | Marie Claire

We re-decorated the kitchen recently and yesterday bought a mini greenhouse

it is so we can grow more this summer.

There are so many fruits and vegetables even I am struggling to decide what I will make with it all.

The flowers are in Milk bottles they are my valentines flowers the lillys have not even opened yet so something to look forward to!The tiles are a great idea a cream with dark grout seem to be all the rage.

It's only the begging of the kitchens life oh and as for the fruit and veg in my bowls it's amazing how fast we go through it all a healthy diet is had!

Whilst at Salts Mill I bought a lovely book.It caught my eye as we head to Paris in September for breakfast on the way to the South Of France.

The book holds a wonderful listing of what to wear where to eat where to sleep and musts.

The book is an effortless write about being Chic.

Does a lady need anything more?

Paris is a city of love glam and sophistication.

It will be my sixth visit.... Okay I need to be a resident!

I can't help it even when I have been there they assume I am French.

My name is French so I fit in just fine.

Even the cover of this book draws you in.What a read I intend to stick to this book like clue.

The whole reason I love food is it so intertwined with us all and brings cultures together.

Here is an article translating English to American

Bangers & Biscuits: Your Guide to Translating British Food Slang

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/thrillist/bangers--biscuits-your-gu_b_4799192.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000034

Also another food trending article

Peruvian food: the new wave hits Britain

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/feb/20/peruvian-food-new-wave-britain

Pop-ups are the new in "on trend" thing.

I do like the thought of a flash event it's quite a avant-garde concept which makes nights out all that more exciting.

Here is a wonderful representation of  a true and awesome pop-up

http://www.bonappetit.com/restaurants-travel/article/clove-club-restaurant-new-london-hot-spot

Are body confident?Are you happy in your skin? It's very important to your own self worth that you care for yourself and like yourself.

So many women have body issues worries fears over their bodies but once you learn to like yourself and your body a lot of the other fears go to the way side.

There is another aspect to lack of confidence in yourself and your body.
Women who do/have or are suffering from lack of self worth seem to figure that women in their position suffer the same feelings that's not at all realistic.

For example women who have been larger can often think that because they was unhappy felt unattractive unwanted unloved think other women the size they used to be feel that way too.What's more can be very very damming of other women when they loose that weight almost bitter with huge egos which unfortunately turns what should be an amazing transformation of their life into something catastrophic and  bitter.

That is not the reality.

So thinking on with that here is a link to some great ladies.... Ladies with style elegance and glamour.

7 Things Vintage Stars Can Teach Us About Body Confidence

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/21/body-image-vintage-stars-lessons_n_4810636.html?1392997487&ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000050

We headed out yesterday to Bradford to Salts Mill a lovely place full of huge old buildings.

We wanted a day out and away to just be together and it turned out really nice.

We even had an Opera lunch

Amongst fun cool and contemporary art works design and decor 

Want to know more about Salts Mill?

Here is a link to their direct site 

http://www.saltsmill.org.uk/

Hello foodies how are we all?

Yesterday started of with me making a breakfast.

Buttermilk pancakes molasses cured bacon smoked cheese with a love heart egg on top.

I love the cheese and bacon combo it's really creamy and the salty kick from the bacon to two marry great.Plus the smell is hypnotic.

The egg is runny I also add cracked black pepper on top of the yolk so when you cut into it it runs down the bacon cheese and pancake.

I normally do not do the breakfasts at the weekend as my partners does it however the last few weeks have been so so nice and I just wanted to treat him to something nice before heading for a day out together.

Fry the bacon on one side and then flip over and then add the cheese.letting it melt a little on a lighter heat as to not burn the bacon but melt the cheese.

Pancakes bacon cheese and then the egg.

Vintage Love Stationery

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vintage-Love-Stationery/146606665438287

13 Indulgent Chocolate Cakes

http://www.saveur.com/gallery/chocolate-cake-recipes

Here are The Early Bird Eater house I value my friends and all the people I surround myself with.When I say that I mean everyone.

I am fortunate to have supportive valued friendships and a wide variety of them too.I love how all the people I know are so varied and diverse.

Friendship is a mutual respect and love for each other nothing should be too hard too much effort.

I am sure we all go through at least one bad bad hard time and this is when true friends show who they are.

We can all call people friends say we know everyone it's a little odd to say you know everyone and think that they all think the same of you.

It's not about how many people you know more how you interact with them,how you care for them.

Just because people know you that does not mean they like you want to know you and even consider you a friend in return.

True friendships run deeper than a swimming on the surface pretence that just because you feel important that everyone thinks that you are too.They don't.....

Time to be real.... Not everyone can like you not everyone bows down and thinks you are "all that and a bottle of gin"

The gin may well be doing the talking and thinking way too much... Time for reality rather than an overcast view of a make believe.

Here is an article on some very good friendship traits

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shelley-emling/friendships-after-50_b_4733554.html

Good morning!

How are we all?

Here at The Early Bird Eater house we love seafood..... The French seem to have such a great connection with seafood and it seemed effortless last time we was in France too.

We have a lot of fish in our diet although I do feel we could have more and try more ways of cooking it also.

Here are a few ideas for me and you...

The Ultimate Lobster Roll

http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/ba-s-ultimate-lobster-rolls

The Foodist's 10 Favorite Oyster Bars Across America

We was in Biarritz in The South of France and was planning a big night out.There is a bay with a beach and a bar/restaurant wrapped around it.

So we looked at the menu after spending a sun filled day on that very beach.It looked really good so we booked and turned up.

The view was outstanding the sun was setting pink and the cocktails flowed the food platters turned up and the Virgin Mary over looked us blessing our night.

It was perfect!

The above photo is very indicative of what we had.

Here is a link to Americas top ten seafood joints.

http://www.bonappetit.com/columns/the-foodist/article/foodist-oyster-bars

Seafood Soups and Stews

Also yet another great foodista article these websites are just food overloads for addicts like us!

http://www.saveur.com/gallery/Seafood-Soup-and-Stew-Recipes?src=SOC&dom=fb

Good morning this morning is full of sunshine and light.... after a couple of very busy days I really had to take it easy so had a lie in.

The bedroom windows are quite low and the window was open all I could see was the sky and hear birds sing... quite the Friday morning I had hoped for actually!

I intend to go out and bike the Avenues and enjoy the sunshine.

Over the last few days I have picked up all sorts of articles about women mostly and hang ups I thought they was interesting so here goes.

A wonderfully written article 

The 9 Essential Habits Of Mentally Strong People

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/18/the-9-essential-qualitie_n_4760403.html

Plus this link discussing soul mate I truely believe that we have a soul mate that you are intune with and have a harmony with.

The 10 Elements of a Soulmate

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-carmen-harra/elements-of-a-soulmate_b_3595992.html

Plus another very interesting link about post break ups and the do's do nots...

This is actually an on the point healthy honest article about what people think when you are in the process of "trying to move on"

7 Post-Breakup Habits That Do More Harm Than Good.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/17/post-breakup-habits_n_4784761.html

Had a wonderful day in York today!

I invited my sister to be and met her at the station.

I took her to a fave French restaurant which was more than a little busy actually but never the less it was still enjoyable.I took Sarah to all my lovely haunts and also found some new ones.

We had tempting looks at wedding dresses and shoes along with stunning French baby cloths and toys.... How I would love a baby.

I also found a lovely framing shop and when I moved in with my partner I was clearing the house of things we didn't need and found very old photos of him so thought it would be nice to frame then and here is the outcome.

There was also a food festival on to my joy of course! So I picked up some treats to come home with.

Photo booth photos of Ade my partner taken a very long time ago re-loved in a lovely frame.

Polka dots are my fave! I adore them here is a image from a year ago with a lovely top I still have an love.

Impressive that Farrow and Ball are using my bath in an image!

I spend time just looking at bathroom and wondering where it came from and how lucky I am to have such a lovely bath to lay in and relax in this is the exact bath I own.

Quite the lucky Early Bird Eater!

I love my house there are so many nooks where things can be put it would be nice to have a home office at some point and looking at ideas are great!

The site Fresh home is great site for really varied ideas from building designs to in the home with endldess ideas.

I use Fresh home for a template for re-designing myself.

http://freshome.com/

Tonights dinner is skirt of beef with rosemary and red wine.

I pan fry the red onions,carrots new potato and garlic which are all rough cut add to the slow cooker.

The pan fry the skirt and put in the slow cooker too.

In the empty pan after the meats etc etc have gone add the red wine,rosemary and dices tomato.

I slow cook mine for six hours and serve with either crusty brown bread with butter or flavoured dumplings.

Also I am making chilli banana shallots and pigs cheek.

In the pan you intend to slow cook in fry off the shallots,chilli sauce and coriander seeds and chilli flakes along with peppers sliced length ways.

Add silly amounts of balsamic vinegar and a tin of chopped tomatos and then add the pan fried pigs cheek and sweetcorn cook it for six or more hours on a low heat.Finish off with chickpeas and herbs just before serving.