Life in the slow lane

Choosing to leave your life as you know it can be daunting.

However, choosing to live life the #vanlife way is just that. A choice. A decision. Something we're all capable of, and something we do day in, day out. We make thousands of them. Some are more fundamental than others, but either way - they can be a straightforward left or right, right or wrong, yes or no, fast or slow, pink or green, latte or cappuccino. You get the gist.

Continued ...

Just as they can be a 'live in a van'? or 'Don't live in a van'?. Sure it takes a bit of organising (not much compared to buying and owning or renting a house). Once you've made the initial decision, it's a case of 'just do it'. Sounds easy? Because it can be. It's whatever you choose. However, one thing's for sure - if you're a couple - you both have to want to do it. Otherwise there will be tears before bedtime.

Seriously though, we certainly can't envisage going back to life before the van. And indeed we have further plans for travel involving the sea and a big floaty thing. 

If I could offer anyone any advice it would be this: if your heart says you love to travel, then do so. Do whatever it takes to realise your dream. And while you're enjoying this hedonistic lifestyle (for that is essentially what it is), you will find that you eat well, are more mobile (not just the wheels of the bus), and appreciate everything just that little bit (read as: a lot) more. 

Those already in a van or on a yacht will know where I'm coming from. Those who are thinking about it ... STOP thinking and do some DOING!

That is all.

Namaste ॐ

Namaste

As we get older, we realise (occasionally), that we're not quite the Spring chickens we once were. 

One of the objectives during our 'vanlife' experience is to become the best possible version of ourselves. For me, this involves practicing Pilates and Yoga on a daily basis. Lengthy walks, meandering through the wilds of Britain (knowing that you aren't just sat on a couch exercising your fingers with the remote. Yep, that was us before #vanlife but now we no longer have a couch (per se), so we finally understand the concept of why we were (gratefully) born with legs. 

Continued ...

In order to avoid (with luck if we are kind to ourselves) the ravages of ageing, we endeavour to live a long, happy, healthy life. Free from the illnesses of modern man that come about from poor diet, a lack of movement and consistent conditioning from the 'mad men' of marketing who peddle us complete and utter rubbish. 

We're not conspiracy theorists, but we can see when the proverbial wool is being pulled over our eyes. How can pharmaceutical companies have a healthy interest in owning food companies?As we get older, we realise (occasionally), that we're not quite the Spring chickens we once were. One of the objectives during our 'vanlife' experience is to become the best possible version of ourselves. For me, this involves practicing Pilates and Yoga on a daily basis. Lengthy walks, meandering through the wilds of Britain (knowing that you aren't just sat on a couch exercising your fingers with the remote. Yep, that was us before #vanlife but now we no longer have a couch (per se), so we finally understand the concept of why we were (gratefully) born with legs.

In order to avoid (with luck if we are kind to ourselves) the ravages of ageing, we endeavour to live a long, happy, healthy life. Free from the illnesses of modern man that come about from poor diet, a lack of movement and consistent conditioning from the 'mad men' of marketing who peddle us complete and utter rubbish. We're not conspiracy theorists, but we can see when the proverbial wool is being pulled over our eyes. How can pharmaceutical companies have a healthy interest in owning food companies?

Make your own mind up.

Namaste ॐ

Mon Petit Café

Fellow travellers, food lovers, adventurers et al ... welcome to Mon Petit Café. 

Mon Petit Café is a very small space where real, honest, healthy, food is created and savoured. So tiny a space that it fits into our motorhome: in fact, it's our petit galley and dinette :)

A little place where the dishes are homemade using simple, local, nourishing ingredients that are good for the mind, body and soul.

Our aim is to show you that you don't need a vast kitchen, a huge array of gadgets or a pot of cash to create healthy meals.

Continued ...

If, like us, you're fed up with the endless junk on offer in most shops, food establishments and supermarkets; the faddy diets and conflicting information about what food is 'good' and what is 'bad', then join us for straightforward meal ideas, tips and recipes.

With the promise of no rubbish, no unusual ingredients and no over the top big budget extras (just simple fare at its best). The objective is to eat well and enjoy the foods we all love whilst ensuring we're kind to ourselves both inside and out. We like to help local producers and farmers and the planet too.

Keeping it local. Keeping it fresh. Keeping it simple. 

And we're not saying any particular food is the enemy. Fat or sugar or carbs for that matter. What we're actually advocating is this: eat healthy most all of the time, and enjoy everything else in moderation (we aim for a 80/20 split). We're steering well clear of Frankenfoods (and so would you if you knew what went into them!).

So, we're simply going back to basics. Cooking meals with ingredients our grandmothers would recognise plus a few new interesting alternatives to spice things up a bit.

The new 'Instagram' trend of avocado on toast etc. is one we (I) advocate, but I don't think we (as people), consider the ramifications of lashings of date syrup or cashew nut butter etc. Instead of eating in moderation, we blindly consider them healthy alternatives; satisfyingly quaffing these highly calorific foods. Yes, they are healthy (in moderation). No they aren't something we should have in every meal!   

Moderation is key.

What we seek is equilibrium for our body, minds and soul. To eat well, move daily and feel gratified that we have done all we can to be the best version of ourselves. It can't be that difficult. Can it?

Thanks for reading, and if it's your cup of tea (herbal or otherwise) ... then thank you for joining us!

Namaste  ॐ

The website is up and running!

www.monpetitcafe.co.uk

The new website is live! 

Lots of content to be added, so please bear with us :)

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Join us on our travels :)

New Website

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Summer breakfasts, brunches, lunches, suppers, puddings and birthday treats!

Fig, peach & blueberries

Breakfast

Smoked haddock, French bean, almond & onion bruschetta

Lunch

Sweetcorn with avocado, pea, tomato, watermelon & pepper mixed salad

Lunch

Mixed berries 

Breakfast

Smoked haddock on toasted bruschetta with scrambled egg

Brunch

Fennel, mozzarella, shelled peas, mint & lemon bruschetta

Brunch

Watermelon, grape & strawberries

Breakfast

Scones, clotted cream & strawberry jam

Afternoon tea

Mixed roasted veg stack

Supper

Apricot, peach, nectarine, mango & fig

Breakfast

Homemade egg muffin 

Brunch

Mixed fruit salad

Pudding

Homemade yoghurt with fresh figs

Breakfast

Porridge with hazelnuts & fig

Breakfast

River cobbler with mixed roast veg

Supper

Homemade yoghurt with blueberry

Breakfast

Watermelon & strawberry drink

Breakfast

Smoked haddock, portobello mushroom scrambled egg

Brunch

Porridge with blueberries, strawberries & almonds

Salad with mozzarella, fig & Red Leicester

Lunch

 Salad with mozzarella avocado, shelled peas, garlic goats' cheese & fig

Lunch

Homemade lemon meringue roulade

Birthday cake

Fillet steak, French beans, Almond sauce & new potatoes

Birthday supper

Homemade lemon meringue roulade

Birthday cake

Porridge with mixed berries & almonds

Breakfast

Homemade lemon meringue roulade

Birthday cake

Mixed fruit salad

Breakfast

Cod, new potatoes, broccoli, French beans & almond sauce

Supper

Mixed fruit salad

Pudding

Mixed berries

Breakfast

Mozzarella, avocado, mixed pepper, watermelon & cucumber bruschetta

Brunch

Summer delights

Tasty breakfast, lunch, supper, pudding ... and more

Super salad with ginger beer

Goats' cheese salad & ginger beer

Porridge, blueberries, banana & nuts

Roasted baby potatoes, onions, petit pois & organic salmon fillet

Homemade Ely Mess

Salmon parcels of cream cheese & salad

Avocado & beetroot with garlic goats' cheese and salad

Ely mess

Mixed fruit salad

Cheese, pear & nut salad

Salad with pear, mozzarella, avocado, nuts & goats' cheese 

Ely mess

Delicious, fresh apricots

Fabulous farmer's market cider

Enjoy eating fresh fruits & vegetables whilst we have this hot weather!