I blame Rick Stein. If his Long Weekends series was not being shown at 7.00 pm on BBC2 each night since for the last couple of weeks we wouldn't have failed Dry January.
We did try very hard to resist. However, we succumbed, the warmth, comfort and joy of a small glass of red wine was too much to ignore, especially as we watched one of our all time food heroes visit lots of lovely Long Weekend destinations.
Every night we tuned in to watch Rick and his crew eat local food and, of course, drink wine (and sometimes beer too). Last night as Rick visited Palermo in Sicily, we toasted him with a glass of very nice Shiraz (which actually went really well with the Pierogis and kale we had for dinner). YUM, a lovely warm, spicy, comforting glass of red wine to wash down dinner and watch Mr Stein.
So there it is, I blame Rick.
Actually, I don't really blame Rick but perhaps he was the catalyst. This week I took a close friend to her radiotherapy session for breast cancer, then remembered my best friend, Eileen, from Canada who lost her battle with cancer 3 years ago and also posted a condolences card to another friend who has just lost her brave sister to cancer.
Cancer is a cruel reminder that life can be too fleetingly short and that perhaps taking pleasure in the every day small things is a way to living life to the full.
So whilst I continue to exercise, eat healthily - more veggies, less meat etc and we have really cut back on alcohol especially since the festive season, I would rather subscribe to being balanced about it all rather than abstaining altogether.
Cheers Rick, thank you for inspiring both me and Paul to cook, eat and travel, and of course to drink the odd glass of wine too!
Ali
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