Flax & Kale – Carrer Tallers 74B, Plaça Castella, Barcelona
When walking into super cool restaurant FLAX & KALE in Barcelona’s edgy Raval area, you are greeted by an entire wall filled with colourful juices and a fridge containing lots of veggies, you know that you are going to eat well and healthily here. And that we did. For Barcelona, Flax & Kale is quite pricey but you are getting good and well prepared food and, if i couldn’t treat myself on my birthday, when the hell could I?!
Flax & Kale is a healthy flexitarian restaurant developed by chef TERESA CARLES in addition to the vegetarian restaurant named after her (where we have also been) and TERESA’S JUICERY. ‘What does flexitarian mean?’ I hear you ask. Well it is flexible vegetarianism – following a vegetarian diet most of the time but occasionally eating some ethically sourced meat or fish. In fact, Flax & Kale does not serve meat but the menu does let you know with a handy icon which dishes contain oily fish and which are plant based, raw and gluten free.
We started with a nibble on some of their kale chips – we thought it would be rude not to seeing as the restaurant is partly named after this vegetable, which claims to be perhaps the healthiest thing you can eat. They were completely not what I expected when we ordered them, they were so much better. The leaves of kale seemed to have been covered in garlic and some kind of cheese and then baked or fried. They were delicious, crispy and not like anything I have had before – in a good way of course!
For my main course, I chose Salmon Fishing In Algerri because living with a strict veggie, I rarely eat fish. The salmon was perfectly cooked with rosemary and was served on a bed of quinoa salad, which was quite sweet. Normally, I do not like mixing sweet with savoury but this quinoa dish went amazingly with the salmon.
Lewis chose Green Power Ravioli, which is like a fancy take on the classic spinach and ricotta ravioli but this also contained tofu and cashews and came with amazing chunks of baked aubergine and a lovely green sauce. Of course I tried some and it was delicious. I was almost tempted by their other ravioli dish (Orange Is The New Healthy Cuore) which is spelt and tumeric ravioli stuffed with sweet potato, carrots and other yummy goodness. Next time eh?
We ummed and arred about having dessert and, well, unfortunately it was a bit disappointing. I think we just made the wrong choice with the Two Textures Choco Cake whose description on the menu was slightly confusing. It says the cake comes with Teresa’s juicery miss avena avellana merengada cream, which we thought meant a thick cream with the taste of a Teresa juice but in fact the cake was swimming in a creamy juice. That aside, the brownie and mousse combo was lovely and the strawberry sorbet was exquisite.
I would highly recommend Flax & Kale to everyone – whether you are vegetarian or a full blown meat eater, I am sure you will love it. Next time I want to take myself out of my comfort zone and try one of the raw dishes, such as the Raw Vegan Lasagna, because they sound really interesting!Also, whilst writing this post and browsing their other menus, I got myself all excited about going for brunch there soon – their brunch menu looks insane!
Hello my lovelies and happy weekend! Today’s post is a little different and a bit more personal because I want to talk about the importance of taking time to breathe. Now that sounds really weird because obviously breathing is a reflex, something that we don’t normally think about, but I don’t just mean in the physical sense.
Salut mes choux et bon week-end! Aujourd’hui, j’ai un post un peu différent pour vous – il est plus personnel et je veux vous parler de l’importance de prendre le temps de respire. Oui, c’est un peu bizarre parce qu’on respirer sans penser mais je ne veux que dire dans le sens physique.
Last Saturday, Lewis and I took the metro up to Canyelles at the edge of Barcelona to go exploring in the nature. It felt so wonderful to be rambling up steep, rough pathways with the (albeit extremely strong) wind whipping around us. Just the two of us, a backpack, a picnic, fresh air and the hills behind Barcelona. That is what I am talking about when I say taking time to breathe.
Samedi dernier, Lewis et moi avons pris le métro jusqu’à Canyelles à la limite de Barcelone pour explorer la nature. C’etait exceptionnel de monter des chemins escarpés et rugueux avec du vent (oui assez fort!) autour de nous. Seulement nous, un sac à dos, un pique-nique, de l’air frais et des collines qui sont derrière Barcelone. Cela est ce que je vous en parle quand je dis qu’il faut prendre du temps de respirer.
Taking yourself away from busy city life. Taking yourself away from technology and deadline pressures. Taking the time to breathe in fresh air, deep into your lungs – and not just fresh air but air smelling of pine needles. It was glorious and I came back feeling initially tired but also very refreshed. What was also interesting was that normally on a Saturday night if we stay in (which we did last Saturday), I often feel exhausted by about 10pm and struggle to keep my eyes open watching a film or what have you. I know, what an old grandma right?! However, last Saturday I still felt so awake late into the evening and it was so liberating!
Enlevez-vous de la vie de ville pressée. Enlevez-vous de la technologie et des pressions de délais. Prenez le temps de respirer de l’air frais, profondément dans vos poumons – et non seulement de l’air frais mais de l’air qui sent d’aiguilles de pin. C’était merveilleux et je suis revenue un peu fatiguée au début mais aussi tellement revigorée. Ce qui est intéressant – normalement un samedi si nous restons chez nous (ce que nous avons fait ce samedi-là), je suis déjà crevée à 22h et je le trouve difficile de rester réveillée pendant un film. Je sais, je suis mamie non?! Cependant, samedi dernier, j’étais vraiment réveillée jusqu’à tard et c’était libérateur!
The combination of taking a time out and doing exercise can do wonders for both the body and mind. I am someone who still needs to work on these two things even if I have already been taking steps over the past few months by really committing to my yoga practice by going 2-3 times a week. However, there are still times when my anxiety uncontrollably takes over and this does have an affect on my body. It is bloody tiring being worried! I definitely want to take more time in 2016 to have nothing in front of my eyes except the nature and the man I love. That is real therapy.
Le melange de prendre une pause et de faire de l’exercice peut être magique pour le corps et l’esprit. J’ai toujours besoin de travailler sur ces deux choses même si je prends déjà des mesures pour faire plus de yoga – deux ou trois fois par semaine – et cela m’aide beaucoup. Cependant, il y a des moment quand l’angoisse me prends totalement et cela touche mon corps. C’est fatigant être inquiet! C’est sur qu’en 2016 je veux prendre plus de temps d’avoir rien devant mes yeux sauf la nature et l’homme que j’aime. Cela est la vraie thérapie.
I would love to hear how you guys take time out to relax and look after yourself!
Je veux bien savoir comment vous vous détendez et prenez soins de vous-même!
So after all the reflections of 2015, the goals for 2016 and a new batch of holiday allowance issued, it is time to start planning and dreaming. Welcome to my Travel Bucket List 2016, which I hope inspires you and takes you to some amazing places. But please don’t go to all of them before me, otherwise I will cry.
ICELAND The absolute top of my Travel Bucket List for 2016 has to be Iceland. After glowing recommendations from my sister, mum and dad who all (separately) visited this enchanting country last year, I am dying to go. I want to see the pretty colourful houses of Reykjavik, bathe in the Blue Lagoon and try to catch the Northern Lights – which is an ultimate life goal of mine. Alas, Iceland might be just a pipe dream for now because it is so bladdy expensive to get there from Barcelona. Anyone want to pay for me? Photo by Jessica Hardy
MADRID Before living in Barcelona, I really had no desire to visit Madrid – I just thought that Barcelona must be better. However, lots of Barca dwellers that I have spoken to rave about Madrid, seeing it as a much edgier, more London-like city in comparison. Well that sounds right up my street and seeing as I am living in Spain, I really must make time to visit the capital. Do not let the Catalans read this because their pride will be hurt and they will probably chop my fingers off!
JAPAN I have never been to Asia but Japan is definitely top of my list. I want to be able to spend a decent amount of time there so that I can experience lots of Japanese culture and see different parts of the country. I have never really been anywhere before where you have to change the way you act to fit with (or not offend) the locals and I think I would find this so interesting. I am fascinated by the craziness of Tokyo – the neon lights look amazing – and how beautiful is the cherry blossom?!
COSTA BRAVA The Costa Brava is the coastal strip stretching from Barcelona up north to the French border and it looks like the perfect break away from the city. What makes the Costa Brava special is its mix of both gorgeous sandy beaches and lush natural parks, which means there is something for everyone. Seeing as it is on my doorstep, I will definitely be heading up the coast when the warmer weather hits, in particular to Tossa de Mar, which has the gorgeous little cove in this left photo.
MOROCCO I have wanted to go to Morocco, and more specifically Marrakesh, for soooo long. I mean just look at all those colours and pretty buildings! That is certainly not something that us British folk are used to! I know that it would be an experience like one I have never had before – different climates, foreign attitudes and intriguing cultures. And of course the most delicious FOOD! Let’s be honest – the food alone is a pretty good reason to go to Morocco.
Which places are on your Travel Bucket List for 2016 and why?
As a fashion and travel blogger, it is important for me to look good while on the move but I also cannot stand travelling when I’m uncomfortable. So when BETABRAND got in touch asking me to create the ultimate travel outfit I thought it was a great way of bringing my two main interests together.
BETABRAND prides themselves on making comfortable, practical yet stylish clothes that you can wear from work to travelling and even at the yoga studio! I’ve chosen their bang on trend black corduroy stretch skinny jeans (be sure to check out their entire collection of WOMEN’S PANTS!), which I would pair with this ASOS red jumper to add the perfect pop of colour. With a simple base sorted, it is now all about the details. Over the top I would wear this loose and light URBAN OUTFITTERS trench coat, a TOPSHOP fedora hat to hide any bad travel/bed hair and these classic ASOS leather chelsea boots to bring the outfit together nicely. Don’t forgot to accessorise with an all important watch – so you don’t miss your flight! – a long gold necklace to break up that colour a bit and a statement bag to carry all your inflight essentials.
What do you think? What are your must-have travel pieces?
Comme bloggeuse de mode et de voyages, pour moi c’est important que je m’habille bien quand je voyage mais il faut que je sois confortable. Quand BETABRAND m’a contacté pour me demander de créer le look parfait pour voyager j’ai pensé que c’était l’occasion parfaite pour mélanger mes deux intérêts.
BETABRAND cree des pièces confortables, pratiques mais de mode que vous pouvez porter au travail, pour voyager et même à la classe de yoga! J’ai choisi leur pantalon en velours côtelé super tendance qui je mettrais avec ce pull rouge pour ajouter de la couleur. Avec ce base simple, je mettrais ce trench ample, un chapeau pour cacher des cheveux en désordre et ces bottes en cuir classiques. N’oubliez pas d’accessoiriser avec un montre pour que vous ne ratiez pas votre transport, un collier long pour séparer un peu la couleur du pull et un super sac pour amener tous vos essentielles.
Que pensez-vous? Quelles sont vos pièces must-have pour voyager?
Bonjour! So as you’ll know if you have read some of last week’s posts, including my HOW TO PACK FOR A WEEKEND CITY BREAK, or follow my on INSTAGRAM, is that I was in my beloved city of PARIS at the weekend.
Lewis and I booked a last minute ‘fuck it let’s just do it’ trip to Paris just a few weeks ago so we could catch up with some friends and get into the festive mood ready for Christmas. And we had a blast. Can I please go back and live there already? It’s soooo pretty and everyone I know there is just awesome. Anyway, whilst we all ponder over that question, here is a little photo diary from the short but very sweet weekend.
So Saturday consisted of A LOT of eating. And drinking. After a 6am flight (urghh) we headed straight to our favourite boulangerie on boulevard Beaumarchais to start the trip the way Parisians do – with lots of pastries. This was followed the best – and one of the cheapest – lunches in Paris, falafel from CHEZ HANNA, which features on my tips to BEST EATS IN LE MARAIS, PARIS post.
LE VOLTIGEUR – 35 rue des Francs Bourgeois, 75004, Paris
After eating falafel in a nearby park, we (read: Stuart) were pretty cold so we decided to find somewhere for a hot chocolate. We headed for this cute cafe in Le Marais called Le Voltigeur that I used to walk past everyday on my way to work. I had only ever had wine there so boy were we pleasantly surprised when they brought out this DIY hot chocolate spread. It was delicious.
LA CERISE SUR LA PIZZA – 8 rue du Faubourg Poisonniere, 75010, Paris
We spent the afternoon wandering around Le Marais and then headed to a little event at LE POP-UP DE LABEL where the wine drinking commenced. We carried on the night at La Cerise Sur La Pizza – an awesome pizza place with a great friendly atmosphere.
Sunday started with a good old brunch chez Hannah (my mate’s where I was staying) and then we headed out for a stroll along the river and around Ile Saint Louis. We also took some pretty awesome outfit photos here so look out for that post coming later on this week.
CHEZ SUZETTE CREPERIE – 12 rue de la Harpe, 75005, Paris
After more strolling by the river and Christmas shopping in Le Marais (where I only actually managed to buy things for myself, fail) we went across to rive gauche to have a crepe at Chez Suzette Creperie in the Latin Quarter. I had a lovely three cheese one accompanied, as is tradition, by a bol de cidre. Just yum.
As night fell, we followed the river up past the beautifully lit Louvre and through the Tuileries gardens where we eventually had to say goodbye to our wonderful friends who we had spent the weekend with. But I just wanted to stay. What a bladdy good weekend.
