The Sweetness of Doing Nothing

The Sweetness of Doing Nothing. Phrased "Dolce Far Niente" in Italian. Or if you're Irish like me you might call it "The Sweetness of Doing Feck All."

I recently watched Eat Pray Love for the second time. While the book was better (aren't they always) I really loved watching Julia Roberts travel across three countries on a mission to get over her divorce and find herself. When Elizabeth Gilbert's book first hit the shelves almost 10 years ago I couldn't put it down. It was insightful, profound and captivating. And the best bit, her memoir involved three trips; Italy: to eat. India: to pray. Indonesia: to love.

When I randomly watched the movie again a few weeks ago one thing really stuck, something that definitely didn't register properly with me when I read the book the first time: The sweetness of doing nothing... While in Italy Elizabeth is introduced to the culture of "Dolce Far Niente" by her Italian friends. Italians are masters at it and to her, an American with a busy career and an often hectic life, it became a habit she relished. Dolce Far Niente doesn't mean being lazy, but it is an occasion to appreciate doing not very much at all. It's not looking at your phone, its not watching Netflix. It's cycling along curling roads past pea green vineyards towards the sea. Or walking in dappled evening light next to boats docked in the port, it's dining in restaurants and ordering café gourmand. It's the pleasure one gets from being idle, and that was me last weekend, fully committed to doing nothing. I'll explain...

Courgette & Cream Cheese Soup

It might be almost summer, but I still don't think it's 'too hot' for soups! They're a great way to get in your 7 a day, and are always miles tastier than any store bought version. Here's a recipe from David's Mum for one of the easiest, tastiest soups you can make.

Fresh Lavender Mint Tea

I may have mentioned this before, but I'll say it again, I'm a little obsessed with getting a good night's sleep! Not only does it make you feel better, adequate sleep is a key part to a healthy lifestyle and can benefit your heart, weight, mind and more. When I do these three things everyday I'm always guaranteed a perfect trip to the land of nod...

Weekend Web

I hope you had a great weekend. We were barbecuing in Wexford for my Dad's birthday in what turned out to be a glorious day in the Sunny South East. If Dublin's climate was the month of May it would be the best country in the world!

Artificial Flowers

Until yesterday there was no doubt in my mind, summer started in May. I would have put money on it. St Bridget's Day, the 1st of February, was Spring, and therefore today - May - was the start of Summer...