food to glow

 

This weekend we found ourselves in the big, blue box that is Ikea, returning some unneeded items (and not picking up meatballs, before you ask). I was initially surprised at the snaking queues, and the depressed-looking teens trailing after nearly-as depressed-looking parents; their carts piled high with bright rugs, huge frames and angle poise lights. Then I twigged: these kids were getting sorted for the start of the English universities. And you can’t start uni without the obligatory shuffle around the cavernous temple to flat-pack. 

American and Scottish college and uni students are well into their first semester of their academic year, but the English ones are a bit later. My daughter, Rachel, just a few week’s ago started her first year at a Scottish university. Although she is now in the swing of things, it cannot be overestimated what a huge and daunting change it all is. She and thousands like her are having to organise their time and money without the benefit of their parent’s on-tap wisdom – and bank account. Decisions – often taken as committee in a family setting (well in ours at least) – are also very suddenly theirs alone. If you ever thought having all of your children off to university – or away to a new job – was a blessed relief, I have news for you: your job continues. But from a painful distance. Andrew and I are probably finding it harder than she is, to be honest. We don’t have the distraction of parties and teenage hormones. 🙂

My sister -also with a daughter in first year at uni – told me this morning that she heard that most students first going off to university don’t really settle until about 6 months in. I can believe that. You don’t suddenly take on the mantle of adulthood just because the calendar says it is time to go up to higher education. A good balance of sleep, food, reading, writing, partying (hmm) and perhaps paid work isn’t automatically bestowed upon matriculation and keys to  your dorm room. It takes trial and not a little error. But they get there. They make new friends, meet deadlines and slowly and haltingly start to become the person they were meant to be.

But we, the parent, still have our uses. In my case, I am food ideas lady. Her Dad has the serious job of stress management counsellor, and I am basically the lunch lady. I do however take my job seriously and have been writing up short ideas for her to make up and take with her in her backpack, and prepare at weekends when they fend for themselves. Today’s recipe is not quite a sling in the panniers and eat on the library steps food, but more a weekend supper. I will soon post a version that is perfect for eating between lectures, or cross-legged on the bed, earphones blasting.

When I posted this recipe on Instagram I almost instantly received a string of hearts as her comment. Followed by a phone call pining for my food – and raw, fresh food in particular. Although her halls of residence offers very good grub, it is all cooked – and ‘suitable for all palates’ shall we say. This dish, with its sour-sweet-savoury raw vegetables, herbs and noodles piled on an open omelet is top of the list for her next visit home. After I tackle her laundry… Lunch lady and laundry lady. Not everything changes. 🙂

Note: I developed this recipe using Clearspring Ltd brown rice noodles, coconut oil and tamari sauce. Although I was given these products (and a few more too) to use as I wished, I already use and enjoy many of their products. Clearspring is a privately owned UK company established in the 1980s to distribute great tasting traditional foods that support good health; promote sustainable agriculture; and provide economic stability for producer communities. Although ClearspringLtd is known for their quality, organic Japanese products, they are expanding their range to include equally high-quality European foods. Click here for a full list of their products, as well as recipes and stockists. I spotted this page on their Environmental Standards that you may be interested to read: it looks a great template for any small or large business.