The last time mediation encourages us to treat each and every activity that fill our lives as if we were doing them for the very last time: the last time we take the dog for a walk, read a story to our children, go for a hike, have a drink with friends or make love…
Miles not travelled
Endurance athletes are famous for keeping meticulous records of their training metrics e.g. miles and minutes logged, elevation gained, time spent in different training zones etc. etc. And with advent of apps like Strava, they are able to share this information with their brethren all over the world. Owing more to laziness and not being…
My new favorite breakfast
If someone were to wander into our home around breakfast time, chances are that they would find us eating one of four things โ some version of Bill Grangers banana and maple oatmeal, overnight oats (or as I recently saw them referred to by someone fed-up with time management advice, overnight (expletive) oats ๐), scrambled…
Profit over public health: It’s time to have an adult conversation about alcohol
“The fiduciary responsibilities of all corporations require them to maximize their profits regardless of the consequences to health, society, or the environment and thus to oppose policies that could reduce their profits” (1) This quote succinctly highlights the conflict between the goals of corporations and that of governments and institutions tasked with promoting and protecting…
Wendy’s bread
My wife and I met in Doha, over lunch (or was it dinner – we can never agree on this ๐) at the home of a wonderfully generous and welcoming couple from South Africa. In addition to running, this couple, my future wife and I shared a passion for good food. Always a staple at…
Reframing food
It has been estimated that one in five deaths globally are due to poor diets, or diets characterized by inadequate intake of fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, and excess intake of foods high in sodium, saturated/trans fats and added sugars 1. Rather than reflect our collective inability to exercise restraint and…
Books I didn’t abandon
It has been said by many authors that books are never finished, just abandoned. Listed below are some books that I read over the last 12 months that I’m really glad that, as a reader, I didn’t abandon. For each, I have included a link to a more detailed review (just click on the title…
Farmers markets: A win for you and the environment
I love farmers markets. I love to purchase food directly from people who produce it. I love the fact that I learn about seasonality; something that, growing up in a supermarket culture, I never really appreciated. I love that I can ask vendors about different ways to prepare the fruit and vegetables I’m buying, or…
My desert island photos
One of my favorite podcasts is BBC Desert Island disks, where guests have to chose 8 songs they would take with them if cast away on a desert island, songs that carry special meaning for them and/or define different stages of their life. Between 2010 and 2019, I worked in Doha, Qatar, during which time…
Ricotta six ways
I love ricotta cheese, simply for the fact that it forms a central component of some of my favorite sweet and savory dishes. So, in no particular orderโฆ. Ricotta cream This simple recipe serves as a tasty and welcome alternative to the yoghurt and homemade peanut butter combo that seems to define my late afternoon…