I am not sure if it is my age, or the effects of Lockdown, but either way these days that I find myself craving more variety at breakfast.

Please don’t misunderstand me, I am a keen advocate of the ‘Full English’ and I am equally partial to a ‘Continental Breakfast’ but surely there must be more? Which is why I was so delighted to learn that the multi award winning Romulo Café & Restaurant, has launched a nationwide delivery service of their Breakfast Boxes (£25.00).

Romulo opened in 2016 in West London and was the first in the capital, to introduce the capital to fine Filipino dining and now has launched a breakfast box complete with bakery items. The latter spearheaded by Romulo’s iconic Pandesal – the last word in fluffy freshly baked bread rolls, although this description barely does them justice. The collection has recently been expanded to include the melt in the mouth Ensaymada, soft and sweet dough pastry covered with butter and sugar and topped with oodles of grated cheese, Dulchende Leche Pan and Mamon, a light and airy orange – flavoured chiffon cake, each as delicious as they sound.

Equally moreish, is Lola Virginia’s Pandesal Loaf, perfect with lashings of Romulo’s Ube Mousse Jam – a classic Fillipino delicacy made with purple yams that is also part of the home delivery offering and so putting the yum into yam.

Filipinos love to start the day on a full belly and the team is now sating early morning appetites with a box filled with authentic breakfast essentials- one dozen pandesal, ube mousse jam, choriza de Cebu, and what is quite possibly the most delicious butter spread that I have ever tasted, with tuyo (salted dried fish).

The Breakfast Box arrives carefully packed, so that the contents are as perfect when you take them out of the box as when they were packed back at the restaurant suitably chilled with ice packs. Ideal for that surprise breakfast or a breakfast in bed treat. The helpings are quite generous, so it is good that much of it can be frozen, though given how delicious this is you may not have the need.

Orders are dispatched Mondays and Thursdays for next day delivery and can be placed by emailing delivery@romulocafe.co.uk please note that 48 hours’ notice is required. Romulo Café & Restaurant, 343 , Kensington High Street, Kensington, London W8 6NW www.romulocafe.com

Finally, the good news is that Romulo have launched a ‘Finish at home’ kit, now that Mother’s Day has been and gone. Details can be found on their website.

https://www.romulocafe.co.uk/menus/#delivery-takeaway-menu

 www.romulocafe.com

If I buy four tyres, an engine, lots of bodywork and some electric wires, then connect it all together with some other parts, do I end up with a car? And, if so, is it a good car that matches up to the high expectations I aimed for at the start of the process? Here lies my problem.

[Sarah Richmond as The Boy]

The Musician: A Horror Opera for Children has 16 musicians, a conductor, original music and lyrics, four singers, one dancer and an imaginative design with a backdrop for projections, plus a story as old as the hills – does it make an opera? And, if so, is it a good opera that matches up to the high expectations it aimed for at the start of the process? I am not so sure. All the components are there but the whole entity somehow lacks, in my view, cohesion and flair.

[Paul Carey Jones as The Musician]

There is much to like in this production – but would I let a child watch it? Probably not a child that is new to opera. Its slow start, ominous tones, dark characters and brash score would make a difficult introduction to the genre. The whole tone was surprisingly ‘adult’ considering, at its heart, it is simply a modern re-telling of The Pied Piper of Hamelin. All this even though the musicians were wonderful, the performers were brilliant and the design was vibrant.

[Matthew Cavan as The Traveller and Rebecca Murphy as The Vile Little Girl]

Or, maybe, it’s just me. But I wasn’t gripped and I am renowned for my childlike approach to the world…

[Maeve McGreevy as The Mouse]

Filmed in Belfast’s Lyric Theatre and closing this year’s Belfast Children’s Festival, this was just one show in a packed programme of theatre, music, dance and workshops for children of all ages – this year, of course, all events were online.

Photography Neil Harrison

Producers The Belfast Ensemble and Young at Art as part of the Belfast

Children’s Festival

Supported by The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Culture Island and Belfast City

Council

Performers Paul Carey Jones, Matthew Cavan, Rebecca Murphy, Sarah

Richmond and Maeve McGreevy

Director/designer Conor Mitchell

Conductor Tom Brady

Running Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Ages 6+

Twitter @belfastensemble, @Young_at_Art

When we think of skin we think of a pretty face or perhaps a bronzed leg – but skin is so much more than that. It’s the largest organ in our bodies and it’s extremely clever – it keeps bad things out and good things in. It also produces vitamin D from sunlight, helps regulate temperature through sweating, and of course allows us to touch and feel.

So we really need to take care of our skin and protect it from inflammatory conditions such as eczema and dermatitis, because not only are these miserable and painful, but they can stop our skin doing it’s job properly.

We put creams and potions on our skin, but sometimes we forget that what we wash our clothes and bedding in can remain in the fabric and end up in close contact with our body all day, and night too. The wrong product could cause an unpleasant and persistent dermatitis, or aggravate pre-existing eczema.

But surely laundry cleansers and fabric conditioners don’t contain irritants and allergens? Well, yes they can – enzymes, acids, dyes and, perhaps surprisingly, the fragrance.

That’s why I love Surcare products – their philosophy is not to put anything unnecessary into their products and that means they’re gentle for everyone, and particularly for people with sensitive skin or eczema – the complete range has the Allergy UK Seal of Approval.

But, without these additives, how well do they clean, you may ask? Fear not – I have road tested the Non-Bio Laundry Capsules and Fabric Softener, using my dance top and leggings, after a strenuous two-hour jive class (trust me, this is the ultimate challenge for any laundry product). And the verdict – I was genuinely stunned – my togs were soft and smelt of … fresh nothing. No pungent non-specific floral fragrance, and no sweaty smells either. Surcare had done its job perfectly.

So I’m a big fan. Surcare laundry cleaner comes as liquid, capsules or powder, which all clean thoroughly, even on a cool or quick wash.

Besides the Fabric Conditioner, there’s a Washing Up Liquid too. This is a really lovely quality product – it felt rich and luxurious on my fingers, and again no strong artificial smell. In fact it felt so nice I was seriously tempted to start hand-washing my supper dishes. Thankfully I managed to resist the urge and popped them in the dishwasher, but I will definitely be using Surcare for those odd coffee cups, confident that my hands will not suffer as a result.

With Coronavirus still lingering, frequent clothes washing is important, particularly kids back at school who need clean clothes every day, and choosing a kind laundry product like Surcare may prevent harm to their young skins.

The range is available throughout the UK, sold in Sainsburys, Tesco, Morrisons, Waitrose and Coop – give it a try, and for more information checkout the Surcare website.

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

So far we have explored what Mindfulness is: the moment to moment awareness & acceptance of our thoughts, feelings, emotions & behaviours; the attitudes that accompany mindfulness: non-judgment, kindful acceptance, forgiveness & compassion, playful curiosity & the beginner’s mind, non-striving, gratitude & heartfulness; and the distinction between mindfulness & meditation: meditation being the formal way to practice mindfulness, mindfulness being a way of living.

Today we are going to talk about how we practice mindfulness by using the breath to anchor ourselves in the present moment & why we do this but first I want to share a story from Jay Shetty’s book, Think Like a Monk. Jay spent 3 years training to be a monk in an ashram in India & has since taken the world by storm bringing these beautiful monk values to modern day. If you haven’t already read it, I urge you to do so.

In the book he recalls seeing a young monk teaching other monks how to breathe & when he asked why this was the response he got: ‘Because the only thing that stays with you from the moment you’re born to the moment you die is your breath.’ The young monk went on to add, ‘When you get stressed – what changes? Your breath. When you get angry – what changes? Your breath. We experience every emotion with the change of breath. When you learn to navigate & manage your breath, you can navigate any situation in life.’

Did you know that we breathe about 20,000 times a day?    Were you aware that many of us take such shallow breaths, that we only just obtain enough oxygen to function? This can put our bodies & minds into almost perpetual flight or fright mode.

Our breath: without it we are quite literally nothing; with it, we more than exist, we are powerful.

Many meditation or mindful practices focus attention on the breath, using it as a tool to gently guide us back from our thoughts to the present, just being. After all, any breath you take, can only ever happen in the present moment: it can’t happen in the past, or in the future, only right here, right now. That’s why it is such a powerful anchor to the present moment.

Our breath is both a guide & a tool. By becoming aware of our breath, noticing when we are breathing shallowly in our chest rather than more slowly & deeply into our belly, it can be a sign of stress. Many of us are so used to the habitual background endless stress levels that we are not even aware that we are stressed. When we bring our attention to our breath & notice our breathing is shallow we can take some longer smoother breathes into our belly which calms the mind & thus the breath becomes a tool to calm the mind.

Try it now: place a hand on your chest & a hand on your belly & when you breathe in notice which hand rises. If I’s the hand on your belly, continue to breathe slowly & deeply into your belly & notice how you feel after a few rounds. If it is the hand on your chest, then you simply redirect the breath into your belly. Take several belly breaths & notice how you feel. Our breath is 1 of only 2 automatic responses we can consciously control (the other is blinking). Of course you aren’t actually directing the breath into your belly, it is the movement of the diaphragm that moves your belly. Belly breathing is also known as diaphragmatic breathing.

We are beginning to understand that for each emotion, we have a different rate in our breath, just like the monk mentioned at the beginning. By slowing the breath, taking longer smoother breaths, this sends a powerful message to the brain.

Our exhalation stimulates the vegas nerve, which activates the relaxation response, calming the nervous system. When we are breathing quickly & shallowly the sympathetic nervous system, the fight or flight system is activated, we are literally getting ready to run away or fight. When the parasympathetic nervous system is activated, we are activating the rest & digest system. Our breath helps to bring these systems into balance, which is important as they work best in conjunction with & complimenting each other.

This week’s meditation is a mindfulness of breath meditation. To obtain your copy, simply email Alex to the email address below quoting Frost mindfulness breath. Next time we will be exploring why & how we can use the body to anchor ourselves into the present moment & cultivate a more mindful approach to living & being.

Alex is based on the edge of the stunning Cotswolds & has been sharing her love for all things yoga & mindfulness for the last 8 years, not just in the UK but also around the world. Her mission is to help everyone discover a sense of peace & calm within & to encourage them to embrace regular self-care practices.

If you would like more information on how to practice mindfulness, meditation & yoga message her at alex@myananda.co.uk.

For free resources check out her Facebook group: Mindfulness & Yoga for Self-Care, here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MindfulnessYoga4Relationships

Alternatively please check out her website: www.myananda.co.uk

Have you been spending your time in lockdown working on a novel, short story, picture book or children’s book? The Virtual Writers’ Weekend, online from 24-27 June, 2021, is a place where writers working in all genres and at all levels can find writing support, editorial feedback and meet one-to-one with literary agents to pitch their manuscript.

Founded by the former director of the long-running Winchester Writers’ Festival, Sara Gangai, the Writers’ Weekend had its inaugural event in July, 2020 and drew an international audience.

After finding that a virtual event can be as interactive and effective as an in-person event, Sara decided to hold it virtually again in 2021. ‘Now, more than ever, there is a need for writers to have a chance to meet and share with other writers and rub virtual elbows with literary agents and published authors.’ The highlight for many is the one-to-one appointments and every year, a number of writers attain publication as a result of the event. New this year: small-group genre-specific Writers’ Circles for peer feedback, starting in May and ending with a one-to-one with an agent or author mentor.

The 2021 event features acclaimed keynote speakers: Diana Gabaldon, best-selling author of the ‘Outlander’ series that has an avid following, and award-winning children’s author/illustrator Chris Riddell, who’s rich illustrations for a new edition of Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass will come out in June. A slate of best-selling authors and top literary agents will give talks and answer audience questions on the craft of writing, including Kate Mosse, Robert Fabbri, Helen Fields, Derek Miller, Kiran Millwood Hargrave, Lissa Evans, Tracey Corderoy, MG Leonard, and illustrator Ness Wood, to name a few.

For the full programme and details on scholarships, bursaries and their six writing competitions, please visit www.writersweekend.uk.

GET THREE BESTSELLING CRIME THRILLERS IN ONE BARGAIN BOX SET.  Only 99p/99c for all three

PRAISE FOR MARGARET MURPHY:

“Amongst the best of British crime writing and gives the likes of Ian Rankin and Minette Walters a run for their money . . . If you like crime, you’ll love Murphy.” Chester Chronicle

“Set aside a day — you won’t be able to put it down once it has you in its grip.” Val McDermid

Too good to miss, for a Mum who likes thrillers? Grab this box set today for a bargain price. Only 99p / 99c for THREE unputdownable crime thrillers.

A bumper set for Mother’s Day, but let’s see what else there is for you.

The Zodiac Murder by Roy Lewis 99p/99c

A dangerous killer who has been abducting, torturing and murdering women is on the loose. Eric Ward is appointed to defend the man accused of these heinous crimes. Due to a technicality, he walks free. But is the man truly guilty?   Find out in the final instalment of Roy Lewis’ Eric Ward mystery series.  99p / 99c

The Frank Doy Crime Thrillers by Dan Latus in one good value box set.

Great for those who enjoy pacey thrillers. Out now at 90% off for a limited time . 99p/99c

The Evil that Men Do by Jeanne M Dams  £1.99 $2.99

Dorothy Martin and her husband escape to the Cotswolds for a charming weekend away in the countryside. When they least expected it, the couple stumble across a body at the bottom of a disused quarry. Did he fall to his death or was he pushed?  (Fabulous Jacket)

Next of Kin by Maureen Carter    99P / 99C

Next of Kin is a page turner. Mum will like this, and want more. Perhaps a box of chocs as well then.  Tight plotting, fast pace. Grab a soft centre from the box, take a breather, then back to it.

A Vow of Devotion  by Veronica Black £1.99 / $2.99

The convent welcomes two newcomers hoping to join the fold. Soon after their arrival, there’s a mysterious intruder . . . The convent is no longer safe. Dramatic and entertaining and a favourite of mine – set in a Cornish convent. Sounds just the thing for a lazy Mother’s Day afternoon, as others prepare tea.

Hidden in the Heart by Beth Andrews 99p/99c

Romance and mystery,   Lydia Bramwell is sent to her Aunt Camilla in the Sussex countryside. High-spirited Lydia expects a very dull visit to the village of Diddlington but all is not as she had anticipated when a charred corpse is found in the woods. Lydia enlists the help of her friend, John Savidge, to catch the real killer.

As a tease,Blood Stained is on its way –   so a quick looked at the jacket… (This books can be pre-ordered).

BLOOD STAINED by Rebecca Bradley   Can’t find her.   Can’t catch him.  Can’t trust anyone.

The first in a gripping new Sheffield-set crime series starring Detective Claudia Nunn.

Commissioning Editor Emma Grundy Haigh said: “Rebecca Bradley is a thrilling voice in commercial crime fiction. Her insider knowledge of policing delivers unerring authenticity to this new series, but it’s her compelling narrative voice that immediately hooked me in, and I knew straight away we needed Rebecca to join the Joffe Books list. Blood Stained is a dark, twisty and utterly compulsive page-turner that will be devoured by fans of Rachel Abbott and Lisa Reagan.”

There you are then, a few tempters for Mother’s Day. Just don’t forget the box of chocs too.

Books are available from Amazon.  And still time to browse the shelves of  one of our leading independent publishers: Joffe Books. for more choices.

Annie Clarke is the author of the Home Front series (Arrow paperbacks).

All that Glitters is the fifth in the Heart of Stone series by Shelagh Mazey, one of my favourite authors, who has created a series of deeply researched, fascinating, memorable sagas, using settings which seem to span the world.

So let’s see where Mazey takes her astonishing cast of characters this time:

Aurora Dryer is the adopted daughter of Lord and Lady Dryer of Alvington Manor. She has fallen for the prospector Rhys Thomas on a short-lived trip to Australia. Her challenge is to persuade her parents to let her follow her heart and return to the gold mining town of Bendigo to see if the magic can be re-captured.

Lucy Seymour, the young widow of murdered Ashleigh Seymour, makes the decision to travel with her small son Frankie to the diamond mines of South Africa to visit her brother-in-law, Rupert. Enticed by the offer of marriage, Lucy knows that she and her son have a long sea voyage and epic trek overland ahead of them, but she wishes to escape her uneventful provincial life with her in-laws.

Both women are yearning for excitement, but their journeys are destined to take different paths to those they had envisaged. Their story will take them to the gold and diamond mines of Australia and South Africa. In the pursuit of love they will face many adventures including a shipwreck, black magic, vendettas, arson, kidnap and extortion.

The novel, set in the second half of the nineteenth century, starts with a prologue, which is always a good way to bring the reader up to date.  This time  Shelagh Mazey uses   ‘where we are in the series’ letters, a device used from time to time, to draw the threads of the novel together. Clever.  And within the first chapter there is talk of smallpox, and vaccinations which makes this historical novel immediately  relatable – again –  clever.

Swiftly flowing, always page turning,  Mazey writes with compassion, and gentleness. Whenever I read one of her novels I learn about a country, and a time set back in the annals of history. All that Glitters is no exception,   Mazey  transports us from Portland and its rich history, to South Africa, by sea, to Australia, too. I can see the bright light, and smell, almost taste the dust of  these far away countries,  as we follow all that the characters endure, all their trials and tribulations. Do they overcome them? Ah, read and see.

Why travel in their footsteps, when you can buy this book and take the journey in the comfort of your armchair, and what’s more, travel back in time while you’re about it?

Another triumph for Shelagh Mazey. Bravo.

All that Glitters is available in eBook and paperback.(though the pb is held up slightly owing to lockdown.)