Have I lost you already? I promise this won't be as boring and tough as it sounds.
This was inspired by a talk given in a family presentation during sacrament meeting this morning so a big thank you to Brother Lomax.
The second law of thermodynamics is sometimes referred to as Entropy, it's something you'll know about even if you can't name it. Think of an old abandoned house, nobody lives there and nobody causes it any harm yet it still crumbles and falls apart. Think of cheese that you left in the fridge before you went on holiday, no one has done anything to it yet its mouldy and rotten when you get home. So, that force, that strange thing that slowly and inevitably wears everything down is entropy, it destroys thing purely through time. Google (via the Boston University physics department) defines the second law of thermodynamics and entropy as 'The second law of thermodynamics can be stated in terms of entropy. If a reversible process occurs, there is no net change in entropy. In an irreversible process, entropy always increases, so the change in entropy is positive.'
Are you still with me? I know this doesn't make much sense in terms of the Gospel but I promise we're getting there. So let's take the first part of that explanation 'if a reversible process occurs, there is no net change in entropy' from this we can boil it down to mean that the only way for entropy to not increase is for there to be a reversible process. In the Gospel we have that reversible process, we have the healing power of the atonement. Mosiah 3:19 tells us that the natural man is an enemy of God, that we can't cast it off until we become a saint through the atonement. Now, if entropy is a natural process of the universe then it is also part of the natural man, simply put it's why we age, therefore entropy is an enemy of God. We know that the last thing Heavenly Father wants for us to waste away, to succumb to the natural man and allow ourselves to be worn down in earthly matters. Christ's atonement was to allow us to become more, to become greater than the natural man, this is our reversible process. What greater way to reverse the wearing down effects of the mortal life than to submit to your Heavenly Father and allow yourself a second chance. We will not waste away with this planet, the earth is dying - I think we all on some level agree with that. When we see starlight, what we're actually seeing is millennia old light from a dying star, do we wish to fade out completely and be forgotten like an old light bulb or do we wish for our mortal life to be like that of a star? Burning brightly for a short amount of time, driven slowly by that inevitable force of entropy that counts down our time here, only then to again burn brightly even after we die?
Let's look at that second part from a gospel perspective, 'In an irreversible process, entropy always increases, so the change in entropy is positive' if entropy is a force bearing down on us, encouraging us to waste away our time here, to slowly just crumble like an old wall then in gospel terms, are we not looking at the adversary? An adversary who desperately wants to be an irreversible process, always increasing?
Yet this doesn't have to be the way. We don't have to give in to this spiritual entropy, this wasting away of our souls. We have the beautiful healing power, the boundless forgiveness and the great promises of Christ's atonement to act as our reversible process.
Mosiah 3:19
For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.
Sunday, 9 October 2016
Monday, 3 October 2016
When your bed makes you seasick
Let's start off by explaining that Vertigo does not mean 'afraid of heights' the word for that is actually Acrophobia. Vertigo is actually the name of that swaying and dizzying sensation you get when you look down from high up, hence the confusion, except that for some people that sensation can come from any movement. In fact, it sometimes even comes from laying still.
That's my reality today, my bed has become a boat on choppy waters and don't even get me started on trying to walk. So there were a few options open to me today: I could attempt to battle on regardless and undoubtedly end up fainting on all over the place complete with bruises covering my skin; I could lay in bed pitying myself as I let the situation get the better of me or I could do what I did - Make myself a comfy little nest in small bouts of energy, find a few jobs I could do on my laptop, put on several episodes of Poldark, and find the joy.
It's been a busy weekend with a lot of brain-work so having a day to rest and potter online was refreshing, it gave my brain a little rest! I could cross of a few things from my to-do list such as e-mails to reply to, bills to pay online, and graphics work which gave me a wonderful sense of achievement and purpose. I could catch up on TV programmes and films, write blog posts, and research video ideas that would otherwise take me away from the other household jobs I 'should' be doing without any of that guilt.
So my message today is to try and embrace joy in any and every situation! It isn't always easy, I know that, and we absolutely shouldn't ignore the bad times because it's healthy to address those too but we can't dwell in the negative. We need to actively look for the happiness, and I promise that if you do you will see a difference.
That's my reality today, my bed has become a boat on choppy waters and don't even get me started on trying to walk. So there were a few options open to me today: I could attempt to battle on regardless and undoubtedly end up fainting on all over the place complete with bruises covering my skin; I could lay in bed pitying myself as I let the situation get the better of me or I could do what I did - Make myself a comfy little nest in small bouts of energy, find a few jobs I could do on my laptop, put on several episodes of Poldark, and find the joy.
It's been a busy weekend with a lot of brain-work so having a day to rest and potter online was refreshing, it gave my brain a little rest! I could cross of a few things from my to-do list such as e-mails to reply to, bills to pay online, and graphics work which gave me a wonderful sense of achievement and purpose. I could catch up on TV programmes and films, write blog posts, and research video ideas that would otherwise take me away from the other household jobs I 'should' be doing without any of that guilt.
So my message today is to try and embrace joy in any and every situation! It isn't always easy, I know that, and we absolutely shouldn't ignore the bad times because it's healthy to address those too but we can't dwell in the negative. We need to actively look for the happiness, and I promise that if you do you will see a difference.
Shall we have a giveaway?
We're almost at 2500 views! I have no idea how that happened but I'm glad it did and incredibly thankful to each and every one of you.
So to reward your perseverance I thought we could have ourselves a little giveaway competition!
The rules are simple, you must be subscribed here and to my YouTube channel here -> https://t.co/UgCjQuYPGH then leave a comment under this post to let me know! Once we hit the 2500 mark I will open the competition for one more day before drawing two winners!
The competition is open worldwide for both winners!
There will be two prizes (obviously books), the First place winner will have the choice of which prize to claim with the other prize going to the Second place winner.
Good luck!
UPDATE!
Want to know what the prizes are?
A paperback copy of Lucas by Kevin Brookes because it's my favourite book!
& A audible copy of Fateful (book one of the Fateful Vampire Series) because it's my favourite audiobook series!
UPDATE!
Want to know what the prizes are?
A paperback copy of Lucas by Kevin Brookes because it's my favourite book!
& A audible copy of Fateful (book one of the Fateful Vampire Series) because it's my favourite audiobook series!
Sunday, 2 October 2016
What's this conference thing?
If you didn't know this weekend was LDS General Conference, that means we don't have regular church meetings, instead we are welcome to go to the chapels to gather and watch the talks, however most people decide to stay home. We still uphold all of the normal Sabbath day observances and most people will still wear Sunday dress too, it just feels nicer at home in my opinion (or someone else's home) plus you get snacks, blankets and all that fun stuff. It also means that those of us with early morning meeting times outside of the Mountain Time Zone don't have to get up anywhere near as early...this is a big bonus. Especially because this year it meant I got a lie in on my birthday, oh and it meant that fast Sunday was a week early which is nice for birthdays too.
During conference Church leaders talk to a packed conference centre of 21,000 people as well as the millions viewing on screens around the world in 94 translated languages, 80 of which are translated live in the room. They talk to us about the important topics of the time such as the Refugee Crisis, they teach gospel doctrine with stories from their lives and they generally guide and uplift us. The talks are interjected with beautiful music from local stake choirs, the Missionary Training Centre choir and the Mormon Tabernacle choir and wrapped up with some pretty cute 'mormon message' videos. All in all it's pretty awe-inspiring.
I guess to the outside world it must seem mind-numbingly boring, and I will raise my hand and admit that when my first April Conference rolled around I put off watching it until I could just watch one small video at a time over a few months. This was my first October Conference and even though I was excited to be a part of it I managed my expectations just in case it was as boring as I thought it might be. Not the talks so much as the fact that its several hours long...hours... How can I watch older men and women talk on and on for hours without having something else to occupy me? Sure, I could take notes but that's just as boring, there was nothing for it but to try not to yawn constantly, right?
Wrong! Those hours don't feel like hours at all! Some of the talks didn't speak to me quite as much as others, which is completely fine and to be expected, but even those held my attention well. I took some notes, snacked a little and even coloured for a while but my attention was always listening for the answers I wanted to hear.
I was trapped by the spirit, and I was 100% happy with that.
Anyway, I wanted to give you guys a short little run down on what this crazy Mormon conference thing is, hopefully I managed that. If you wanted to watch a few of the talks, read some summaries of just have a nosey around you can find them all on www.lds.org and after a little while on the mormon.org youtube channel.
During conference Church leaders talk to a packed conference centre of 21,000 people as well as the millions viewing on screens around the world in 94 translated languages, 80 of which are translated live in the room. They talk to us about the important topics of the time such as the Refugee Crisis, they teach gospel doctrine with stories from their lives and they generally guide and uplift us. The talks are interjected with beautiful music from local stake choirs, the Missionary Training Centre choir and the Mormon Tabernacle choir and wrapped up with some pretty cute 'mormon message' videos. All in all it's pretty awe-inspiring.
I guess to the outside world it must seem mind-numbingly boring, and I will raise my hand and admit that when my first April Conference rolled around I put off watching it until I could just watch one small video at a time over a few months. This was my first October Conference and even though I was excited to be a part of it I managed my expectations just in case it was as boring as I thought it might be. Not the talks so much as the fact that its several hours long...hours... How can I watch older men and women talk on and on for hours without having something else to occupy me? Sure, I could take notes but that's just as boring, there was nothing for it but to try not to yawn constantly, right?
Wrong! Those hours don't feel like hours at all! Some of the talks didn't speak to me quite as much as others, which is completely fine and to be expected, but even those held my attention well. I took some notes, snacked a little and even coloured for a while but my attention was always listening for the answers I wanted to hear.
I was trapped by the spirit, and I was 100% happy with that.
Anyway, I wanted to give you guys a short little run down on what this crazy Mormon conference thing is, hopefully I managed that. If you wanted to watch a few of the talks, read some summaries of just have a nosey around you can find them all on www.lds.org and after a little while on the mormon.org youtube channel.
Friday, 30 September 2016
Invisible illness awareness week tag
It's INVISIBLE ILLNESS AWARENESS WEEK! And because my Invisible Illnesses happen to be keeping me awake, I decided to do my 30 Things tag! If you have an invisible illness or five, I TAG YOU!
I stole this from the wonder Shay Batte.
30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know – 30 Things Meme
1. The illness I live with is:
Fibromyalgia syndrome, chrondomalacia patellae, polycystic ovarian syndrome, panic anxiety disorder, generalised anxiety disorder, depression, tempromandibular joint disorder, a genetic hip socket malformation that I can't name, hypermobility syndrome (under investigation as to whether this is EDS or just HMS), multiple food, medication and other allergies, 'sticky' blood, undiagnosed heart palpitations...I THINK that's all...
2. I was diagnosed with it in the year:
Several different years of course, mostly beginning in 2010 though some from birth.
3. But I had symptoms since:
Looking back it seems my symptoms of fibromyalgia have been around since I was a young child, however I was 18 when they ramped up enough for an investigation. That was the worst period of time in my life.
4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is:
Adjusting my goals and dreams. I don't think I'm quite there yet but I'm trying.
5. Most people assume:
That I'm faking or exaggerating, because I come across as bubbly and smiley. I've become a good actress.
6. The hardest part about mornings are:
Lethargy, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, headaches and the feeling that I didn't sleep at all (I probably slept very little)
7. My favorite medical TV show is:
I like House, I quite liked The Red Band Society but I don't watch any others at all.
8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is:
My phone, having a connection to the outside world and a means to call for help is vital.
9. The hardest part about nights are:
Pain and insomnia (painsomnia), nightmares when I do sleep.
10. Each day I take:
Medication to keep my pain at a bearable level, it doesn't always work. Extra pain meds of varying strengths. Meds to keep anxiety at bay, which doesn't always work. Meds to counteract the side affects of the other meds.
- A deep breath and thank Him that I have another day here.
11. Regarding alternative treatments I:
Am sceptical. I've tried a fair few and only had bad experiences. Unless you have a truck load of medical experience, specialist knowledge and infallible research don't peddle your wares here. I'm currently out of medication options, what I'm on now is ruining my body but I have no choice.
12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose:
I want to say visible because being invisible is so hard. But then I think, and feel grateful that some days I can pass for 'normal' whatever that is.
13. Regarding working and career:
I would love to, I love the career I studied for but I can't do the hours the employers want. I had to realise that my career goal would likely end up crippling me physically, mentally and financially so I still haven't really adjusted to that.
14. People would be surprised to know:
98% of my friends are online and are sick too, because able-bodied friends don't seem to stick around much. (this is Shay's answer...I don't need to change it)
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been:
I lost a lot of what I thought defined me, finding a new identity was and still is hard. I'm not good at accepting my limitations, not being what I think I should be is incredibly hard to manage.
16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was:
At a few points I thought just living wasn't a possibility, now I strive to thrive instead of survive.
17. The commercials about my illness:
Don't exist.
18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is:
Being spontaneous, living IN the moment and not contemplating every moment.
19. It was really hard to have to give up:
My self imposed expectations of what my life would be. To be honest I don't remember life before...I miss denim I think.
20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is:
Blogging, book tube, embroidery, colouring...anything I can do whilst at rest really.
21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would:
This is my normal, waking up in pain is normal to me. I don't remember not feeling that way.
If I could wake up free of all symptoms? I would run, I would cry, I would go to the beach, I would eat so much cheesy pasta and garlic bread, I would probably actually just lay silently crying.
22. My illness has taught me:
That it's okay to not be perfect (which I'm working in accepting)
23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is:
'You just need...'
NO
24. But I love it when people:
Take me into account when planning or being around me in a sensitive way. I love, love, love how kids are when they ask questions and make comments.
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is:
'Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.' D&C 64:33 (fun fact, this was my favourite saying for years before I even knew what D&Cs were)
26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them:
I believe you.
27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is:
The community, I felt so alone until I found the utterly amazing community of sick people around me.
28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was:
Stayed with me, six years and counting, after I begged them to leave and find someone better.
29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because:
If we don't shout about it, who will?
30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel:
Like there may be hope.
I stole this from the wonder Shay Batte.
30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know – 30 Things Meme
1. The illness I live with is:
Fibromyalgia syndrome, chrondomalacia patellae, polycystic ovarian syndrome, panic anxiety disorder, generalised anxiety disorder, depression, tempromandibular joint disorder, a genetic hip socket malformation that I can't name, hypermobility syndrome (under investigation as to whether this is EDS or just HMS), multiple food, medication and other allergies, 'sticky' blood, undiagnosed heart palpitations...I THINK that's all...
2. I was diagnosed with it in the year:
Several different years of course, mostly beginning in 2010 though some from birth.
3. But I had symptoms since:
Looking back it seems my symptoms of fibromyalgia have been around since I was a young child, however I was 18 when they ramped up enough for an investigation. That was the worst period of time in my life.
4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is:
Adjusting my goals and dreams. I don't think I'm quite there yet but I'm trying.
5. Most people assume:
That I'm faking or exaggerating, because I come across as bubbly and smiley. I've become a good actress.
6. The hardest part about mornings are:
Lethargy, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, headaches and the feeling that I didn't sleep at all (I probably slept very little)
7. My favorite medical TV show is:
I like House, I quite liked The Red Band Society but I don't watch any others at all.
8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is:
My phone, having a connection to the outside world and a means to call for help is vital.
9. The hardest part about nights are:
Pain and insomnia (painsomnia), nightmares when I do sleep.
10. Each day I take:
Medication to keep my pain at a bearable level, it doesn't always work. Extra pain meds of varying strengths. Meds to keep anxiety at bay, which doesn't always work. Meds to counteract the side affects of the other meds.
- A deep breath and thank Him that I have another day here.
11. Regarding alternative treatments I:
Am sceptical. I've tried a fair few and only had bad experiences. Unless you have a truck load of medical experience, specialist knowledge and infallible research don't peddle your wares here. I'm currently out of medication options, what I'm on now is ruining my body but I have no choice.
12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose:
I want to say visible because being invisible is so hard. But then I think, and feel grateful that some days I can pass for 'normal' whatever that is.
13. Regarding working and career:
I would love to, I love the career I studied for but I can't do the hours the employers want. I had to realise that my career goal would likely end up crippling me physically, mentally and financially so I still haven't really adjusted to that.
14. People would be surprised to know:
98% of my friends are online and are sick too, because able-bodied friends don't seem to stick around much. (this is Shay's answer...I don't need to change it)
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been:
I lost a lot of what I thought defined me, finding a new identity was and still is hard. I'm not good at accepting my limitations, not being what I think I should be is incredibly hard to manage.
16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was:
At a few points I thought just living wasn't a possibility, now I strive to thrive instead of survive.
17. The commercials about my illness:
Don't exist.
18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is:
Being spontaneous, living IN the moment and not contemplating every moment.
19. It was really hard to have to give up:
My self imposed expectations of what my life would be. To be honest I don't remember life before...I miss denim I think.
20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is:
Blogging, book tube, embroidery, colouring...anything I can do whilst at rest really.
21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would:
This is my normal, waking up in pain is normal to me. I don't remember not feeling that way.
If I could wake up free of all symptoms? I would run, I would cry, I would go to the beach, I would eat so much cheesy pasta and garlic bread, I would probably actually just lay silently crying.
22. My illness has taught me:
That it's okay to not be perfect (which I'm working in accepting)
23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is:
'You just need...'
NO
24. But I love it when people:
Take me into account when planning or being around me in a sensitive way. I love, love, love how kids are when they ask questions and make comments.
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is:
'Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.' D&C 64:33 (fun fact, this was my favourite saying for years before I even knew what D&Cs were)
26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them:
I believe you.
27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is:
The community, I felt so alone until I found the utterly amazing community of sick people around me.
28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was:
Stayed with me, six years and counting, after I begged them to leave and find someone better.
29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because:
If we don't shout about it, who will?
30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel:
Like there may be hope.
Tuesday, 27 September 2016
Is it worth it?
This week is LDS General Conference week, it's also invisible illness awareness week, the week we held Young Womens presidency meetings, the week in which my husband is out at sea over 8000 miles away so I won't be able to talk to him, as well as the week coming up to my birthday plus all the usual weekly things that go on. Needless to say that my mind is in overdrive. How to gather my thoughts into something intelligible and vaguely coherent? Well it's a challenge, but I'll try my best.
Oh and it's also the week that Autumn really took hold in the south of England, which is never great for me and happens to coincide with being on 1/2 doses of my main medication. So, a great week health wise. Want to know what keeps me going? What's keeping me sane, somewhat treading water and with a glimmer of hope? It's the knowledge that Heavenly Father gave his only begotten son to us, knowing he would have to suffer and be sacrificed for us in order for us to one day return and spend eternity with him in a perfect world. Let's back up and look at a really important word there, 'knowledge' not a thought or an idea but firm knowledge. It's not a belief, it's a knowledge guided by faith. And what a wonderful thing to know, that we will spend eternity with unfailingly perfect bodies. I can't even begin to imagine that. I don't even remember a time before pain and fatigue controlling every second of my life.
This week is hectic, there's a lot to think about for all of us. I'm sure we could all write a list similar to the one I opened with containing all of the items we need to cross off our to-do list this week but I'm still going to ask you to add one more thing. Forgive me?
Think of the pain in your life, both physical and emotional, then think of that amplified to cover the pains of everyone around you, again amplify that feeling to cover all the pains of everyone you ever have or will meet. Don't dwell on it, just spend a few minutes thinking. What you just pictured cannot even be one percent of what our saviour felt as he sacrificed himself for our sakes. For you. Just you.
Then release all of those pains, every single one, and imagine the greatest day you can. It could be spending a day outside with your children with no worries at all, or spending all day with your partner akin to a chickflick montage of summer romances. Then think of that amplified to cover all those little things you worry about, let them all melt away. Again amplify that feeling to cover more than a day, perhaps a week or even a month. What you just pictured cannot even be one percent of what we will experience when we are reunited with our Heavenly Father. Except it isn't just for you, it's for everyone you love.
Does the second image justify the first? In my mind it isn't even a question.
Spend some time this week thanking your Heavenly Father for that opportunity.
Oh and it's also the week that Autumn really took hold in the south of England, which is never great for me and happens to coincide with being on 1/2 doses of my main medication. So, a great week health wise. Want to know what keeps me going? What's keeping me sane, somewhat treading water and with a glimmer of hope? It's the knowledge that Heavenly Father gave his only begotten son to us, knowing he would have to suffer and be sacrificed for us in order for us to one day return and spend eternity with him in a perfect world. Let's back up and look at a really important word there, 'knowledge' not a thought or an idea but firm knowledge. It's not a belief, it's a knowledge guided by faith. And what a wonderful thing to know, that we will spend eternity with unfailingly perfect bodies. I can't even begin to imagine that. I don't even remember a time before pain and fatigue controlling every second of my life.
This week is hectic, there's a lot to think about for all of us. I'm sure we could all write a list similar to the one I opened with containing all of the items we need to cross off our to-do list this week but I'm still going to ask you to add one more thing. Forgive me?
Think of the pain in your life, both physical and emotional, then think of that amplified to cover the pains of everyone around you, again amplify that feeling to cover all the pains of everyone you ever have or will meet. Don't dwell on it, just spend a few minutes thinking. What you just pictured cannot even be one percent of what our saviour felt as he sacrificed himself for our sakes. For you. Just you.
Then release all of those pains, every single one, and imagine the greatest day you can. It could be spending a day outside with your children with no worries at all, or spending all day with your partner akin to a chickflick montage of summer romances. Then think of that amplified to cover all those little things you worry about, let them all melt away. Again amplify that feeling to cover more than a day, perhaps a week or even a month. What you just pictured cannot even be one percent of what we will experience when we are reunited with our Heavenly Father. Except it isn't just for you, it's for everyone you love.
Does the second image justify the first? In my mind it isn't even a question.
Spend some time this week thanking your Heavenly Father for that opportunity.
One pot Tomato Pasta
Anything I can cook in one pot is great in my books but quite often they require a lot of prep and a long cook time. Now this recipe takes almost no prep, none at all if you splash out on pre-chopped meat, and cooks in under 20 minutes!
Effort and cost depend on what you buy. Spend more for marginally less effort.
You can easily add any vegetables, I would recommend mushrooms fresh tomato or courgette.
Effort 1-2/5 Cost £-££
Ingredients for 2 people
• 1 chicken breast or pre-cut chunks of chicken breast
• 3 rashers of bacon or 1 pack of bacon lardons.
• 150g of penne or fusili pasta or 2 mugs full
• 1/2 jar of tomato based bolegnese sauce. I used a mushroom flavoured sauce but feel free to use any you fancy. Leftover sauce can be frozen in a bag.
• 1 mug of water, you may need more but you'll be able to see if it's running dry.
• Garlic oil
• Cheese to taste, I used on pre-cut slice of Emmenthal because I'm not a cheddar fan.
• Garlic bread or salad to serve.
In a fairly large non stick pan add one teaspoon of garlic oil. Cook the chicken and bacon through, make the chopping easier with scissors. You don't really need to stir this about more than once.
Once it's cooked through add the sauce, water and pasta. Now is also when you can add vegetables.
Turn down to simmer and cover with a lid or a plate.
Have a rest, maybe make a brew. Half way through give the pot a stir and add any more water you might need, it depends on each type of pasta. Start by adding a little amount because you can't take any out!
After 12minutes, once the pasta has cooked through stir in the cheese and serve!
I used the same spoon to cook, serve and eat. Don't judge me.
Enjoy!
Effort and cost depend on what you buy. Spend more for marginally less effort.
You can easily add any vegetables, I would recommend mushrooms fresh tomato or courgette.
Effort 1-2/5 Cost £-££
Ingredients for 2 people
• 1 chicken breast or pre-cut chunks of chicken breast
• 3 rashers of bacon or 1 pack of bacon lardons.
• 150g of penne or fusili pasta or 2 mugs full
• 1/2 jar of tomato based bolegnese sauce. I used a mushroom flavoured sauce but feel free to use any you fancy. Leftover sauce can be frozen in a bag.
• 1 mug of water, you may need more but you'll be able to see if it's running dry.
• Garlic oil
• Cheese to taste, I used on pre-cut slice of Emmenthal because I'm not a cheddar fan.
• Garlic bread or salad to serve.
In a fairly large non stick pan add one teaspoon of garlic oil. Cook the chicken and bacon through, make the chopping easier with scissors. You don't really need to stir this about more than once.
Once it's cooked through add the sauce, water and pasta. Now is also when you can add vegetables.
Turn down to simmer and cover with a lid or a plate.
Have a rest, maybe make a brew. Half way through give the pot a stir and add any more water you might need, it depends on each type of pasta. Start by adding a little amount because you can't take any out!
After 12minutes, once the pasta has cooked through stir in the cheese and serve!
I used the same spoon to cook, serve and eat. Don't judge me.
Enjoy!
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