I’M HERE TO SEE THE MAYOR

Today’s blog post is full of inspiration, updates, and memories. Just an opportunity to sit down with you guys and chat before I board my plane to Sweden tonight. Fear of flying leads to procrastination and diversions.

Time to reminisce, are we ready?

Before she left me to fend for myself {missing you dearly my friend}, Sarah and I had a chance to explore St. Paul’s Cathedral and have a lunch date at one of my new favorite spots in London. It was cloudy, we walked for what seemed like miles, and we were desperate for a cuppa by mid-afternoon. Typical London.

Lovin’ every minute.

I was in a good mood this day. I distinctly remember. It is kind of like today. Where I am full of inspiration and anticipating the future.

I have been reading travel blogs all afternoon. I even applied to be an ambassador for a travel website. Though most likely unqualified, it still felt good to put myself out there. I have been wrapped up in Grey’s Anatomy, online shopping, and procrastinating planning my four month trip to Europe, Australia and possibly South America.

And YET, today I felt a rush of inspiration.

Don’t ask me where it came from. If you did, I would probably say the gluten free, not dairy free, chocolate chip cookie I just devoured.

Speaking of, one of my readers reminded me on my last post that I forgot to update you guys on my lactose-free trial run over the past two weeks.

Let’s just say I have been less than successful.

But like anything, it’s a change that will take some getting used to. I check ingredients when I remember to gurantee that I am avoiding milk products.

And then I make gluten free pesto pasta.

Not even considering the fact that pre-prepared pesto, of course, contains parmesan cheese. It’s a crime that I am even eating pre-prepared pesto. But these slip ups happen frequently.

Dairy is included in so many products. Somewhat like gluten. It hides in places you wouldn’t expect. But I’ve become a gluten master now, and I have high hopes with dairy as well.

Another kink in my plan was, and continues to be, visiting friends and family while I travel. Let me tell you, explaining to two 85 year olds that I cannot consume gluten {“In my day there was no such thing”.. I can hear it now} and cut out dairy as well ‘just for fun’, isn’t the easiest thing to do.

So in Bath, I gave myself a cheat weekend.

But of course, that ruined the trial and I had to start over again.

Long story short, the factors are all easily avoidable. I just need some time to get it down. Be more adamant about checking ingredients, learning how to share my lifestyle change with others, and reminding myself its a process.

But, I have been excellent in my dairy substitutions in my lattes and cereal. Let. Me. Tell. You.

Rice, almond, and soy milk have been great alternatives and most cafes offer these. When I accidentally slip up and reach for the ‘regular’ milk in the fridge {I share a fridge and do not live on my own}, I can instantly taste the difference when I take a bite of cornflakes.

And I don’t eat milk chocolate! I’ve rid it of the pantry.

Now that is a big step my friends.

So, it hasn’t been my greatest success. But I’m learning. And I’ll continue trying.  And I’m feelin’ just fine about that.

Back to reminiscing {I’m telling you this creating-my-own-diversions thing is real}.

Sarah and I got lunch at The Breakfast Club!

Although not the most noticeable to the naked eye, it is so worth the walking around with your head down, like a tourist, on your iPhone opened to google maps to find it.

Had it been brunch, a mimosa would be in hand. However, we were trying to be healthy and ordered fresh fruit smoothies.

Let’s be honest, a mimosa has orange juice, so I was really depriving myself for no reason.

It is just a fun, funky cafe that gives off a desirable vibe. And they always have a line out the door. A sign you’ve found gold.

Probably the most interesting thing about The Breakfast Club was its secret bar. See the picture above?

Looks like a pretty standard, though a bit old school, fridge right? WRONG.

That is the entrance to a secret bar! The first time I saw someone open it and enter, I had to take a double take. It felt like something out of a movie.

But with any secret bar, there is a secret password. Well, more like a phrase.

The waiter was kind enough to share it with me, but if I tell you all, it wouldn’t be as much of a secret. You’ll have to take a stab at it yourself.

And that about wraps it up. I {don’t actually} apologize for the randomness of this post. Fear and anxiety can have that effect at times.

I’m off to Sweden tonight! And all of those in the UK should have voted either to remain or leave the  EU at this point. If I had a vote, I would vote for the UK to remain, but I’m just a silly little American. Not my country, not my place. Either way, it will still have a large impact on the world in general so it is a point of interest. And living here in the UK, it’s all I’ve heard about for the last four months…

Having a cuppa, or a few glasses of wine, before I board my flight.