After the earthquake all I wanted was a cup of strong tea. My Good Samaritan and I scoured Christchurch goodwill centres for some hot water but alas we had to wait 24hours before that urge could be satisfied. We were looking for that calming yet thirst quenching... 
Travelling for work is one of my least favourite things. Aside from having to fight my homing pigeon instincts you have to work really hard to eat healthily. All those fast food temptations to make your life easier are the devil’s influence. Luckily... 
Sometimes it takes me a little longer than most people to catch on. But once I do there is now stopping me. Last year I took a nervous step into jam making. This year I was determined to get jamming again. OK, I admit, the strawberry season was all but over... My mother went through a phase of interest in buying and reading cookery books about wholefoods and vegetarian cooking. I also remember being dragged to Cranks in London around the same time. The thought of only eating vegetables and brown rice never really appealed... Listening to the Radio 4 Food Programme Podcast a few weeks ago I was enthralled by the economics of durum wheat and pasta. Seems there is a shortage right now and the main pasta manufacturers have cornered the market. You need a dry hot climate to grow durum so we... 
