So it’s time for another instalment of my team up with premium coffee machine maker, Melitta. This go round, I share what I like about the Aromafresh Grind & Brew Therm Filter Coffee Machine.
Love having a pot of coffee at hand for ever replenished cups of morning inspiration? Hate drinking cold, stale coffee and having to faff about simply to make fresh coffee whenever the mood strikes to enjoy another cup?
Melitta’s Aromafresh Therm might just be the perfect coffee maker for you!
1. The Ribman’s Holy F**k Hot Sauce;
2. Deliveroo;
3. Chats with family;
4. Whatsapp;
5. There’s a couple with two small children and a dog who tend to go to the same nearby field around the same time as when I go for my daily walks. They seem to be having a wonderful time. The kids (and the dog!) appear to be loving the opportunity to play with their parents.
Please stay in touch, consider creating your own lists of five (or more) positive things, and look after your health and that of your loved ones and neighbours as never before.
Love,
Chris
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
https://www.redcross.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/uk-emergency-response/coronavirus
What is Five Good Things? https://tikichris.com/2020/03/21/5goodthings/
1. Waking up from several hours of sound deep sleep;
2. Crisp sunny blue-skied morning;
3. Only sounds at this moment are me typing and a bird chirping outside my window;
4. Checking my phone to see kind messages from people I care about;
5. An opportunity to disengage and be bored … and reaquaint myself with my actual self!
Please stay in touch, consider creating your own lists of five (or more) positive things, and look after your health and that of your loved ones and neighbours as never before.
Love,
Chris
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
https://www.redcross.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/uk-emergency-response/coronavirus
What is Five Good Things? https://tikichris.com/2020/03/21/5goodthings/
1. There’s a really tall leafy tree that I can see from my bedroom window. I love the way it sways in the wind and how it seems to glow in the early morning light;
2. On the Media podcast;
3. Seeing how proactive some friends are about making the best use of their time and ensuring that others are safe and healthy;
4. I had a lovely and comforting conversation with a friend on the phone last night;
5. I think I might be regaining my attention span after decades of decline!
Please stay in touch, consider creating your own lists of five (or more) positive things, and look after your health and that of your loved ones and neighbours as never before.
Love,
Chris
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
https://www.redcross.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/uk-emergency-response/coronavirus
What is Five Good Things? https://tikichris.com/2020/03/21/5goodthings/
1. Halloumi burgers;
2. A string of sunny days;
3. Damaged by Black Flag;
4. Keeping a routine;
5. Starting up this Five Good Things series! I think it really is helping me cope with being cooped up and feeling anxious.
Please stay in touch, consider creating your own lists of five (or more) positive things, and look after your health and that of your loved ones and neighbours as never before.
Love,
Chris
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
https://www.redcross.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/uk-emergency-response/coronavirus
What is Five Good Things? https://tikichris.com/2020/03/21/5goodthings/
1. Last night folks went out to the front of their houses and to their windows for a public round of applause for the NHS. I was impressed with how enthusiastically appreciative the folks on my street were;
2. Songbirds;
3. Spotify;
4. Kumquats;
5. Dreaming up new ideas for smoothies.
Please stay in touch, consider creating your own lists of five (or more) positive things, and look after your health and that of your loved ones and neighbours as never before.
Love,
Chris
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
https://www.redcross.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/uk-emergency-response/coronavirus
What is Five Good Things? https://tikichris.com/2020/03/21/5goodthings/
1. Blueberries;
2. My Nutribullet 900;
3. Coffee;
4. How quiet the world seems this morning;
5. Saving money not commuting to work.
Please stay in touch, consider creating your own lists of five (or more) positive things, and look after your health and that of your loved ones and neighbours as never before.
Love,
Chris
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
https://www.redcross.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/uk-emergency-response/coronavirus
What is Five Good Things? https://tikichris.com/2020/03/21/5goodthings/
1. The Muppet Movie;
2. My phone is ringing more often than usual with friendly non work related calls;
3. I make a mean risotto;
4. The tree just outside my bedroom window is flowering;
5. It is so quiet in my house right now.
Please stay in touch, consider creating your own lists of five (or more) positive things, and look after your health and that of your loved ones and neighbours as never before.
Love,
Chris
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
https://www.redcross.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/uk-emergency-response/coronavirus
What is Five Good Things? https://tikichris.com/2020/03/21/5goodthings/
1. Sesame toast with butter, miso and maple syrup;
2. The Brian Lehrer Show podcast;
3. There’s a new episode of Better Call Saul I can watch later;
4. Local coffee roaster, Perky Blenders, delivers free of charge;
5. Waking up feeling fully rested.
Please stay in touch, consider creating your own lists of five (or more) positive things, and look after your health and that of your loved ones and neighbours as never before.
Love,
Chris
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
https://www.redcross.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/uk-emergency-response/coronavirus
What is Five Good Things? https://tikichris.com/2020/03/21/5goodthings/
That’s right, to help you cope with the lockdown blues and give you something fun to think about during these next few weeks, I’ve teamed up with Romania’s biggest exporter of wine, Cramele Recas, to run a giveaway competition.
Prize offer is (not one but) three bottles (!!!) of Cramele Recas’ newly launched Pinot Noir.
1. The neighbours’ cat coming round to say hi (and staying in my room most of the day);
2. Catching up on the phone with an old friend;
3. Family reaching out to see if I’m okay;
4. Strawberry, banana and spinach smoothies;
5. Listening to the David Bowie album, The Man Who Sold the World, for the first time in a very long while.
Please stay in touch, consider creating your own lists of five (or more) positive things, and look after your health and that of your loved ones and neighbours as never before.
Love,
Chris
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
https://www.redcross.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/uk-emergency-response/coronavirus
What is Five Good Things? https://tikichris.com/2020/03/21/5goodthings/
1. It’s another sunny day and supposed to be warmer than yesterday;
2. I’ve pre-order Disney + and look forward to bingeing from tomorrow;
3. I just found out that Werner Herzog has a prominent role in The Mandalorian. That should be weird and wonderful (apparently he’d never even seen anything Star Wars before accepting the part);
4. Rummaging through a stack of old books, I came across a copy of The Pac-Man Riddle and Joke Book that I’ve owned since the early 80s. The jokes don’t hold up, but the memories do;
5. At the moment, I still have plenty of toilet paper, and last I looked the nearby corner shop was fully stocked with it.
Please stay in touch, consider creating your own lists of five (or more) positive things, and look after your health and that of your loved ones and neighbours as never before.
Love,
Chris
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
https://www.redcross.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/uk-emergency-response/coronavirus
What is Five Good Things? https://tikichris.com/2020/03/21/5goodthings/
The more I look the more I see / The more I feel a sense of urgency
Here are six albums all released years (and in most cases decades) ago but seem to have been recorded specifically for the state the world is in today.
Links go to Spotify page for each album.
South of Heaven, Slayer
Chaos rampant / An age of distrust / Confrontations / Impulsive habitat
Damaged, Black Flag
We sit glued to the TV set all night / And every night / Why go into the outside world at all? / It’s such a fright
Magnolia Electric Co, Songs: Ohia
It’s been hard doing anything / Winter stuck around so long / I kept trying anyhow and I’m still trying now / Just to keep working
Diamond Dogs, David Bowie
In the year of the scavenger, the season of the bitch / Sashay on the boardwalk, scurry to the ditch / Just another future song, lonely little kitsch / (There’s gonna be sorrow) try and wake up tomorrow
What’s Going On, Marvin Gaye
Brother, brother, brother / There’s far too many of you dying / You know we’ve got to find a way / To bring some loving here today
Black Celebration, Depeche Mode
Let’s have a black celebration to celebrate the fact that we’ve seen the back of another black day
1. Going to sleep when night falls and waking up with the sun;
2. Sitting in bed and drinking a cup of coffee;
3. Eating leftover pizza for breakfast;
4. Having significantly less laundry to do than I normally would on a Sunday;
5. Wearing my favourite woolly socks.
Please stay in touch, consider creating your own lists of five (or more) positive things, and look after your health and that of your loved ones and neighbours as never before.
Love,
Chris
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
https://www.redcross.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/uk-emergency-response/coronavirus
What is Five Good Things? https://tikichris.com/2020/03/21/5goodthings/
1. I live near a beautiful park;
2. The local pizza place still delivers;
3. I had the chance to listen – really listen – to Bryter Layter by Nick Drake, one of my favourite albums;
4. I spent much of this afternoon reading a great book, The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb;
5. A friend of mine who was ill is feeling better.
Please stay in touch, consider creating your own lists of five (or more) positive things, and look after your health and that of your loved ones and neighbours as never before.
Love,
Chris
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
https://www.redcross.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/uk-emergency-response/coronavirus
What is Five Good Things? https://tikichris.com/2020/03/21/5goodthings/
Hey gang. I hope – in the sincerest of terms – that you are well and taking care of yourselves. Covid-19 is a monster of unprecedented proportion. Same goes for all the precautions we must take to prevent the spread of this nightmare disease.
From now until June, all but a minor amount of my work for the British Red Cross has been put on hold (with pay I’m pleased to report). So vast swathes of my calendar now are free. Dream come true? Hardly. There’s nowhere I can to go, no flights I can take, no opportunities even to congregate with friends. To be clear, I’m virus-free, and I’m extremely glad for it. Nevertheless, I worry that I’m going to go stir crazy with so much of daily life on hiatus. So I’m revving up this blog again as a tool to accentuate the positive and keep my own (and maybe your) mental health in the best shape possible.
Soon after starting at the Red Cross (just over a year ago), I paused all but the most rudimentary activity related to this blog. Before the job, I used to love pointing people in the direction of tikichris.com. Once the new job commenced in earnest, I became embarrassed by how scant and unkempt this site began to look.
With Covid-19 isolation comes a chance to give my blog a proper spring cleaning and start flexing my writerly muscles again. But with no restaurants to review, no bars to visit or press trips to latch onto, I obviously need to rethink how to go about something I called a career for 13 years.
Here’s what I’ve come up with: Five Good Things, a regularly updated series of posts sharing lists of ‘five good things’ to help me combat the manifold crap swirling through my mind these days.
The logic behind the series goes like this: for every negative thing that happens to somebody, it takes at least five positive things to counteract the crummy feelings associated with it. For example, let’s say you get into a fight with your partner. It’s going to take five or more niceties, compliments, positive interactions, etc for the two of you to return to feeling good about each other. Bad weighs more than good apparently.
With that notion in mind, I intend to publish posts on a daily(ish) basis that share five positive thoughts in an effort to ward away the unhelpful, unproductive and worrisome ideas seeping into my thinking. For the Five Good Things series, the things comprising my lists will be thought from off the top of my head. Rather than ponderous intellectualising, the aim will be to think light and spontaneous thoughts.
I’ll practice this mental exercise throughout the day (indeed it’s something I’ve been doing for years) but try to publish once or twice a day as a more concrete activity and as encouragement for you to do the same.
Such light and immediate thoughts could look something like the following …
Five Good Things
1. There’s suddenly time to focus on a lot of ‘if I only had time to do it’ activities that I’ve been putting off;
2. Cleaning out my fridge this morning, I came across a near empty tube of chestnut puree. That last bit of puree tasted great on a piece of buttered toast;
3. I took two long walks yesterday. The sun is out at the moment. So I’m heading out for a morning stroll right after I publish this post;
4. Business is booming at the corner shop near my house. I’m glad they’re making money and are able to aid the community with basic supplies and necessities;
5. Trying to figure out how best to cope with Coronavirus uncertainty, I’ve learned that so many of my colleagues at the Red Cross have my and each other’s backs during this time of crisis.
Ah, that felt great!
So there you have it, the first of what may turn out to be many more Five Good Things updates. Next time round, I probably will go straight to the list of five things and spare you the qualifying blather. I just thought it would be smart to set up the premise with this initial post.
Please stay in touch, consider creating your own lists of five (or more) positive things, and look after your health and that of your loved ones and neighbours as never before.
All my Five Good Things lists:
https://tikichris.com/category/five-good-things/
Love,
Chris
NHS Covid-19 Advice:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
How the British Red Cross is Helping with Coronavirus:
https://www.redcross.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/uk-emergency-response/coronavirus
If you’re looking to make those incremental improvements in your golf game to lower scores, then the only proven solution is more practice. The obvious way to accomplish this is by playing more rounds of golf, right?
This is true, but consider the drawbacks of this with the sole purpose of trying to make yourself a better golfer as quickly as possible. For one, the cost of playing repeated rounds at your favorite course can add up quickly. It also takes time – great for an enjoyable day with partners but not necessarily ideal when addressing swing mechanics. There’s also the aspect of weather, as a rainy week or simply living in a colder climate can make getting to the course difficult.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, also known as the city of brotherly love, is a place everyone should visit. With so many things to do, it makes the perfect vacation spot or getaway trip. There is little to chance you can say you were bored when checking out this city.
Here are three things you are sure to find when you go.
For many high school students, the senior prom is a cherished rite of passage. From the prom dress to transportation to the event itself, this traditional high school dance is a big deal. For many students, it’s a major milestone and acts as sort of a prelude to graduation. The costs associated with this event can be quite staggering for both parents and students.
Here are some considerations to make the most of the evening and maybe save a little money in the process.
So let’s brainstorm a little about what else you can do on your next spring break without falling into some tired cliched. Here’s how you can feel yourself engaged in something meaningful, memorable and, of course, fun!
Read my complete post at Going Places.
There’s always something fun to do in Memphis. But if you’ve got the time, it’s worth trying to get out and see some of the nearby countryside, discover the city’s neighboring communities, or take a moment to behold the mighty Mississippi River.
No matter what you’re into: Discovering the roots of American music, seeking out small towns full of charm and character, or taking a break from everything to enjoy the great outdoors, Memphis is a smart place to keep as your base camp. Here are a few of our top suggestions for day trip destinations just a short drive away from downtown, Memphis, Tennessee!
Read my complete post at Going Places.
Beatlemania is alive and well in Liverpool. Berlin remains the clubbing capital of Europe, if not the world. For classical music, Vienna continues to waltz over its rivals. But you already knew that, right?
Here’s a chance to celebrate some of Europe’s unsung music cities and to help you come up with itineraries that’ll have you tapping your toes and whistling your way to the tune of a fun-filled and culturally rich musical vacation. So, without further ado, let’s explore some of the best European cities to visit when enjoying the best music during your vacation is a must!
Read my complete post at Miles Away.
Memphis, Tennessee’s musical legacy runs as deep as the Mississippi River and flows with influence from virtually every current of pop culture in America. The city has been and remains one of the country’s top destinations for fans of live music – whatever the genre. It’s probably one of the best cities in the U.S. to celebrate the rich diversity of American music and learn about the heritage of blues, jazz, country, rock ’n roll, funk, and soul.
For a visit that’s sure to keep you humming a happy tune way after your trip ends, be sure to set aside plenty of time to check out as many Memphis museums and heritage attractions as possible. We’ll start the count off with a list of our favorites.
Read my complete post at Miles Away.
Its consumption dates back to ancient times. Egyptians used the tea for medicinal purposes because of its anti-inflammatory, mildly astringent, and antioxidant properties. Moreover, Romans used flowers of the plant to add flavour to their foods. Globally, doctors recommend a cup of camomile for an array of uses. In most countries, camomile is an ingredient of herbal teas. Several researchers show that the combination of the beverage with other plants resolves a wide range of health issues. Let us explore the benefits of camomile tea and the reasons why we love the drink.
Our lengthy (but hardly exhaustive) list of 10 romantic European cities that are off the radar for most travelers is a good indication that Europe remains the place to be for couples who like a bit of urban fun and cultural activity mixed in with their more amorous pursuits. There’s so much to see and do in between your cuddles and coos.
Read my complete post at Going Places.
CBD oils are considered dietary supplements due to their composition and how they are administered orally. For some time now, there have been more and more new products containing CBD or cannabidiol, in different forms, but oils remain among the purest products to use and can adapt to all consumer profiles. There are also two forms it can come, as either isolated or full spectrum CBD oil. In the past it was believed that isolated CBD was the best form, but now users prefer full spectrum due to its full range of cannabinoids.
I believe that the most important factor when preparing coffee is the quality of the beans. More than fancy gear, technique or whatever milk or other things you like to add to your drink, if the beans are no good then the end result will be inferior. Likewise, if the beans are delicious and only ground when needed, it won’t matter so much how you make the coffee and you shouldn’t need to alter the flavour with milk, sugar or syrups.
Mardi Gras is synonymous with New Orleans. But the Big Easy isn’t the only place that knows how to put on a party when it comes to celebrating this age-old extravaganza!
Mardi Gras (aka Fat Tuesday, aka Shrove Tuesday) is the day before Ash Wednesday, the start of Christian Lent season leading up to Easter. During Lent, people traditionally fasted or gave up something such as drinking, eating certain foods, or enjoying other indulgences. So that means a happy Mardi Gras is the last chance to fatten up and enjoy these things before abandoning them for the next several weeks. Mardi Gras festivities are strongest in traditionally Catholic countries and parts of the U.S. where the Church has held prominence in the local culture.
Here’s our take on 11 of the biggest celebrations outside New Orleans. Happy Mardi Gras!
Read my complete post at Miles Away.
So I’m pleased to say that my collaboration with premium coffee machine maker, Melitta, is continuing for another year with another series of My Coffee blog posts.
For many, the last weeks of winter are a time of promise that warmer weather is on the way. But, some of us wish that winter could linger just a little bit longer so we can have just one more snowfall, some breathtakingly pink sunrises, or maybe even another chilly night snuggled up next to a log fire.
For winter’s most ardent admirers, we’ve created this list of some of the best winter vacations in the US to visit before spring and summer arrive, and enjoy a longer farewell to cold weather and wintry pursuits.
Read my complete post at Miles Away.
Think the Big Apple is only for grownups? Think again! New York City is an awesome destination to visit with your kids. There are the quintessential must-sees like the Statue of Liberty, as well as hundreds of lesser known sites for kids to see and things for them to experience. From world famous icons to hidden gems, there’s plenty that will entertain your young travel buddies for hours.
Here are our top recommendations for things to do in New York with kids.
Read my complete post at Miles Away.
Not so pleased with how you’ve traveled in the past or feel as though you spent your vacation time unwisely in previous years? If you’re wondering where you’ll end up going over the coming months or worry that you’ll find yourself stuck in a travel rut, in the doldrums of getaways and adventures… we’re here to tell you not to worry! There are some simple things you can do now to make the most of your next 12 months of travel opportunity.
Here are some broad-stroke ideas to help you plan effectively and actually get to the places you most want to see this year. From pre-trip prep to strategic planning or even as specific as building out the perfect itinerary, these suggestions on how to plan a vacation will help you turn your travel dreams from abandoned adventures to exciting escapades this year!
Read my complete post at Going Places.
The brand’s first products to make it to our shores are TODDS’ coconut coir scourers made of coconut waste. These household items are a 100% biodegradable alternative to the traditional plastic scourers. After using one of these scourers for a up to six weeks, simply wash it and place in your houseplants’ soil.
Here’s a chance to win two TODDS scourers.
There’s a lot of doing in Denver! The downside of visiting this vibrant Colorado city is making sure you have enough time to check out everything that entices you. Like so many amazing destinations, a wise way to get to know Denver is to let a local (or someone who knows the area really well) show you around. Friendly and proud to flaunt their hometown, plenty of Coloradans aim to please out-of-towners as hosts of a variety of Denver tours are close by and around town.
So to help you make the most of your trip to Denver, we’ve come up with a list of different tours for different tastes. We’re certain it will spark ideas for discovering what makes this city such a fun place to visit.
Read my complete post at Miles Away.
Hope you had fun with our brief but spectacular preview of 2020 London’s top cultural treats. Here’s a list with links to all the posts in this miniseries:
