Shoreditch

So we all have that deep down hipster that wants to explore all the hip cool places in town. Shoreditch is apparently one of them, full of cafes and markets and a stones throw away from Liverpool Street and London Bridge it is super easy to get to.
My recent hipster adventure took to Albion in Shoreditch, which sells produce, breakfast and dinner.

 Couldn't miss this photo opportunity of the fresh fruits and veggies, and a few tourists looking at us.

 Fresh produce and all the organic and good hipster jars you'd ever need to fulfil that need.

 The seating area and kitchen, this was whilst in the queue and considering the line it went pretty quickly. Even though some people (e.g. us) mope around on the tables reading newspapers, talking, eating slowly!

 The cheapest drinks of the menu. Student Life eh. The usual condiments for breakfast and something a little different, I believe was called the Oxford Sauce, it can be found here at http://oxfordfinefood.com/baron-pouget%E2%80%99s-oxford-sauce.html/. I wasn't expecting to like it, but actually if you love vietnamese food and vinegar like me this is a gem. 

When our breakfast sausage, bacon and egg bap finally arrived. Delicious, so big and so filling. Took forever to eat. The bap especially was delicious!

 Boxpark, little pop up boutiques.

 The flowers in Shoreditch are so pretty, and SO expensive. The paper wrapping and the colour combination of the flowers are so pretty though!

 After walking around for a little in Shoreditch we retired to Pauls. Firstly we tried at Covent Garden, completely packed and waiter even told us he would have no idea what time the table would be ready. So we just went to find another Paul, it's the small wonders of a metropolis like London that makes everything so convenient. 

 The tart was good and the tea so so, but the service was appalling here at the branch near Charing Cross. So if you ever visit a chain bakery/cafe/restaurant probably best to visit the most well known ones, because they are well known for a reason.  

Shake Shack London

Lets first appreciate that we actually have a shake shack in England, even if it is out of reach for most people. Unbeknownst to me this shake shack has been open for almost a year. Shake shack is a well-loved and hugely popular burger bar in America. If you are silly like me and love hot dogs, then you will have ordered the wrong thing too. How silly I was to order a hot dog at a burger bar… very stupid it would seem. As my siblings sat there enjoying there burgers, stacked with an array of toppings, bacon, cheese, the full works for my brother. I was sat there smelling a very plastic looking hot dog, which I gave up eating once I’d reach the mid point. The hot dog costing me a total of £5, for what we essentially a nice fried frankfurter, this was a food mistake I didn’t expect to make. I couldn’t carry on and I would definitely not recommend the hot dog. I shall never make this mistake again, however I will be back to try their burgers, and their chips. They were fried to a perfect texture. At £2.75 for a regular portion of chips, it isn’t the cheapest option, however if something is good the price tag won’t mean a thing to you foodies!

As the name would suggest they also sell milkshakes. I can’t say that they were great but they were good enough, I would even go as far as saying that I prefer KFC Krushems, but they are wonderfully delicious.

So if you would like to visit this place, I would suggest giving it a go but avoid the hot dog at all costs and DO NOT forget to order yourself a portion of chips. 

Coconut Water

It is obvious we live in a food obsessed world, heck in first world countries it is so simple to pop to the shop and buy a chocolate bar, or a bag of apples. We can even just get up, head to the kitchen and grab a slice of bread. Food is no longer a necessity but a pass time, something to enjoy.. and I am not complaining! What has been more obvious over the past decade however is the rise in promotion of healthier diets. Mostly from health companies themselves and through people promoting their bodies through social media sites. Boy.. do these people look good. If it was as simple as they make it look then I'm sure we'd all jump on the bandwagon. However, it is much more difficult to change your entire lifestyle like how a small number of people do (and then post it all over their Instagram, and good on them, they deserve to feel gratified after all the hard work!)

Though we can't all be health food junkies, there are simple steps we can take to reducing our waistlines and foods and drinks that are healthy and also enjoyable. Coconut water is one of them!

Coconut water is something I had not had since my childhood, when I questioned my mum (secretly, in my head.. when you're a child you do not question your parents.. especially parents like mine!) and oh my did I enjoy this sweet yet thirst quenching taste in my mouth. It wasn't until a couple years ago that I discovered Vita Coco which they sell in quite a few shops and megastores now. 100% pure natural coconut water according to the labels. Tending to be around £2 for 500ml it isn't the cheapest of drinks, and isn't much different to water in my opinion, maybe slightly sweeter and slightly more nourishing. 

Now what is really exciting and what I actually wanted to finally get on to, is the coconut water they are selling in London! With a couple of pop up stalls selling fresh coconut water, in actual coconuts on Bond Street and in Covent Garden it's just such a fun idea and so delicious! £4 for a coconut is quite dear I must admit but if you're ever in London and fancy a quick treat this is something you should go for. Delicious, nourishing and fun. 

This stall pictured below is in Covent Garden and also sell nuts.

(Why do roasted nuts smell so delicious?)