#ThisGirlEats

Post-Lockdown Bodies Are None of Our Business

We’re in a unique scenario right now where a huge chunk of the world is all experiencing the same thing. Lockdown, quarantine, self-isolating, social distancing (phrases I never want to hear ever again once this is all over) – whatever you’re calling it where you are, it’s safe to say this is something new to us all.

And with new experiences comes new discussions. Great, right? Well yes, in some respects. For example, it’s great that decent pay for NHS staff and working from home accessibility is being discussed, but what’s not so great is all these conversations about weight suddenly cropping up out of nowhere. As if we didn’t have enough body image woes to worry about, now it’s become one of major talking points during a pandemic – like washing my hands until they look like Leatherface has started making a range of gloves doesn’t stress me out enough!

The thing is, like most stories, there are two sides to this one. More families than ever are starting their day with virtual PE lessons, outdoor exercise is being embraced and healthier home cooking has become a necessity for most of us – and who can say any of that’s a bad thing? I’m certainly not against kids doing more exercise and a daily dose of fresh air, that’s for sure. And, of course, there’s the very rare gift of time that many of us have been given during lockdown to actually fit a workout into our otherwise hectic days.

F813C39B-2CD0-4FEE-8B48-90036A7343D9 — One of my rare post-workout moments

But, of course, as with anything to do with weight, diets, exercise and all that gumpf, there’s also the horribly negative stuff that comes along with it. People are beating themselves up about not moving as much as they usually do, perhaps because they’re feeling lethargic or experiencing mental health issues, or maybe because everything is just shit and they’re lonely and they can’t be arsed to do jumping jacks in their living room. As a result, I’ve seen dozens of people going on about gaining ‘lockdown weight’ as if it’s the worst thing that could possibly happen right now.

HELLO! We’re in the middle of a PANDEMIC! People are dying. Workers are losing their jobs. Local businesses are closing down. The government is ballsing everything up. You’re using every last ounce of strength you have to keep going while you’re separated from your loved ones, your plans are being cancelled and you can’t find any god forsaken toilet roll in the supermarket. The last thing you need to worry about, you lovely, precious, glorious human being, is putting on a few extra pounds while staying at home and keeping yourself and the rest of us safe.

Let’s rewind a few weeks when Adele posted those photos and we all lost our minds. She looks bloody gorgeous – but she always has. She is so much more than those photos; she is talented, funny and a modern day cultural icon. It doesn’t matter whether she’s decided to spend lockdown jogging along with Joe Wicks every morning or if the trip from the living room to the kitchen and back is her daily exercise, she is still all of those wonderful things. She is more than just her weight.

And so are you! Alright, so we can’t all be Adele (if only…) but you are worth more than your weight. We shouldn’t be judging people for eating a little more and moving a little less during quarantine, just as we shouldn’t judge those who have lost weight during this period. And, more importantly, you shouldn’t judge yourself for those things.

It honestly, truly, doesn’t matter. You are literally surviving a pandemic and we’re all just trying our best to get through this rather rubbish time. We were all beautiful before we went into lockdown and we will all be beautiful once we come out of it. Right now, being fatter isn’t the worst thing that can happen to you – but getting through this safe and well is the best thing that can happen to you, so let’s all just focus on that.

Sit back, relax and enjoy bread and cheese to your heart’s content

Store Cupboard Recipes: 4 Things to Make with Leftover Salad

How’s everyone getting on? It’s pretty boring, this lockdown stuff. I’ve resorted to playing Roller Coaster Tycoon, listening to rewatch podcasts (Office Ladies and Fake Doctors, Real Friends with Zach and Donald if you’re interested) and exercising – FOR FUN. Ew.

But it’s important that we keep plodding along for our own protection and the protection of everyone around us, so well done for doing your bit! While we’re all still pining after our favourite food, I’ve found that coming up with new meal ideas a welcome challenge to distract me from constant daydreams about Nandos and Pizza Express.

I know salad isn’t exactly a “store cupboard” food but, in our house, it’s ALWAYS leftover – I guess that’s what happens when you ignore it and eat pizza instead. Who knew?! And I know we’re not alone, so here are a few ideas for using up that wilting bag of salad leaves before it dies a sad, lonely death in the bottom of the vegetable draw.

1. Lemon ‘n’ lime salad

This is my favourite go-to salad because it’s super easy, really refreshing (perfect for the hot weather we’re having!) and full of flavour. If you don’t have fresh lemon and limes – I literally NEVER do – then bottled lemon and lime juice is something I’d definitely recommend picking up; seriously, so handy. I also find having various nuts and seeds in the cupboard (sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, cashews – whatever you like and whatever is in your budget) is really useful, especially for dishes like this.

Believe me, those limp lettuce leaves will come ALIVE with this recipe! Empty your leftover salad into a large bowl (along with any other salad ingredients – tomato, cucumber, red onion, grated carrot, etc.) and add a few drops of lemon and lime juice (I prefer more lime than lemon, but each to their own) and season with a pinch of garlic powder, salt, pepper and a teeny drizzle of oil. I also like to throw in pine nuts and sesame seeds, and I have a little shaker of ~~fake parmesan~~ “hard cheese” that I like to use for a delicious savoury flavour. I can find everything here in my kitchen 99% of the time, and they can all be swapped for whatever you have at home.

2. Burrito bowl

I’m seriously missing burritos right now, you guys. No Mexican restaurants are open for delivery near us, the supermarkets have v. limited veggie options and whenever I make burritos at home I always overfill them and they split (me? greedy? never!). So, right now, a burrito bowl is the closest thing – and they’re awesome!

Burrito bowls are perfect because you can make them using fairly basic ingredients, swapping most of them out for something else if you prefer. All you need to do is layer a bowl with rice and salad, throw some peppers and onions (with paprika, chilli flakes, salt and pepper) on top with a spoonful of beans – I like black beans or mixed taco beans, but you can spice anything up with garlic and paprika – and finish off with a little cheese, salsa and sour cream. Throw in plenty of spices along the way and you can’t go wrong!

3. Club sandwich

Lunch is something I’ve reeeally struggled with during lockdown – without my Boots meal deal, I’m lost. Trying to make something exciting to look forward to every day (because let’s face it, even from home the best part of the work day is lunchtime) has been hard for me. I’ve fallen back on a pot of Super Noodles more than once these last few weeks, let me tell you!

Club sandwiches are probably the closest to a pub garden lunch we’ll get for a while, and it’s a really good way to use up some of those random fridge ingredients in one big wedge of sandwich-y goodness. Take a few slices of bread, layered up with your choice of main filling – chicken, turkey, or maybe mushrooms or marinated tofu – and then stuff in your salad along with any optional extras like avocado and tomato, perhaps a little mayonnaise or mustard, add in some egg or cheese if you feel like it, and you’ve got a great lunch! Don’t forget that extra slice of bread in the middle to make it a true club sandwich…

4. Mixed bean salad

I’m aware that a mixed bean salad probably sounds like the most boring thing in the world right now and, well, I won’t lie to you – you’re not wrong. It won’t light fireworks, but it’s a healthy, colourful plate, quick to put together and really good way to use up lots of different ingredients. And sometimes, in the middle of a pandemic, that’s all you need.

You can either grab a few different tins of beans yourself, or find a ready-made tin of mixed beans if you can’t be bothered to pick and choose (like me!). All you need to do is heat them up, season with paprika, garlic, chilli flakes, salt and pepper, and toss them together with your leftover salad ingredients and BAM – you’ve done it! Tuck into this for a quick lunch, or perhaps serve up on the side of chicken or with a garlic flatbread to make more of a meal out of it. Perfect for a lazy summer evening!

Store Cupboard Recipes: 5 Things to Make with Chopped Tomatoes

With everyone being locked inside right now, more of us are being forced to cook – even on those lazy days when we really can’t be bothered. Takeaways are limited, restaurants are a no-go and it’s hard to justify queuing 45 minutes at the supermarket for a microwave burrito, so we don’t have a whole lot of options…

Being at the mercy of your own kitchen comes with plenty of downfalls. Not only do you have to muster up the energy to cook every. single. night. (seriously, what the hell is that about?), but we’re also having to deal with the fact that our shopping trips are restricted and you never know what will actually be available on the shelves once you get there. It’s really put “making the most of what you’ve got” to the test, food-wise.

I’m lucky that I enjoy cooking and find the kitchen a creative space; it’s a distraction for me, really. I’ve had fun rummaging through the cupboards, trying to figure out what we can do with the most basic store cupboard ingredients, and I thought it was about time I shared a few ideas with you all – and I’m starting with one of my favourites! If you’re looking for inspiration on what to do with that old tin of chopped tomatoes gathering dust on the back of the shelf, look no further…

1. Quick spaghetti bolognese

It’s the obvious choice, but you literally can’t go wrong with a heap of delicious spaghetti in a sweet tomato sauce topped with a shaving of cheese. The most popular way to make spag bol is with beef mince, but you can use lamb mince, soy mince, or replacement vegetables such as lentils – whatever you’ve got at home!

I make mine with a veggie mince alternative – all it takes is frying off a little onion and garlic, adding the mince (or your weapon of choice) and sliced mushrooms, followed by a cheap tin of chopped tomatoes. Then simply season with a crumbled stock cube, a dash of tomato puree, mixed herbs, a pinch of sugar, salt and pepper and combine with spaghetti until it transforms into that delicious hug in a bowl – i.e. spag bol.

2. Winter stew

You can whip up a super quick stew (yes, there is such a thing) using nothing but the humble chopped tomato as a base. The best thing about this sort of meal is that you can use literally anything – I’ve made this using black beans and sweet potato, chicken and root vegetables, and even a random array of canned and frozen veg that happened to be around.

For the sake of lockdown, I’d suggest going for the latter – grab your unwanted tins of sweetcorn, kidney beans and baby carrots, along with that squashed-down, half-empty packet of Birds Eye Mixed Vegetables in the bottom of the freezer, throw the lot into a pan or slow cooker with chopped tomatoes, 200ml of stock and a little seasoning (whatever you have – I like using garlic, thyme, marjoram, paprika, chilli flakes, salt and pepper in mine) and cook down for 20-30 minutes.

3. Chickpea chilli

Chickpeas are always knocking about in my kitchen and, given how quickly they disappeared from the supermarket shelves at the start of all this, it makes sense that there are a lot of unwanted chickpeas kicking around in other people’s kitchens up and down the country right now.

I’m a big fan of chilli – especially making my own random versions depending on how bothered I can be or what I have to hand. Sometimes, that’s chickpea chilli. Rinse off the chickpeas and cook them in a pan with onions, peppers, kidney beans and, you guessed it, chopped tomatoes, along with a generous dose of paprika, cinnamon, cumin and chilli. I like to pile my chilli on top of steaming hot jacket potatoes with a handful of cheese and sour cream, my boyfriend prefers to carb-load with a mountain of rice – go with your heart.

4. Patatas bravas (sort of)

Okay, so I probably don’t make this quite right. Patatas bravas is a traditional Spanish tapas dish, and I make some sort of version of it using what I have in my kitchen. I also make it into a larger portion because I’m greedy and tapas is too small for my liking – unless someone else is cooking it, obviously.

All you need is potatoes and chopped tomatoes – couldn’t be simpler, right? I like to throw in some chopped onions and serve it up on a bed of greens as well, but that’s totally your call. Simply chop the potatoes into cubes and roast in the oven until crispy – in the meantime, simmer the chopped tomatoes for around 10 to 15 minutes with some garlic, paprika, chilli, salt and pepper. That’s all there is to it, and you’ve got a lightly spiced dish with very little effort.

5. Vegetable soup

I know tins of soup were at the top of everyone’s shopping list as soon as whisperings of lockdown started, because it’s a classic, right? If you’re cold, if you’re sick, if you’re feeling a little down… there isn’t much that a bowl of soup can’t solve. I firmly believe that being able to find comfort in the time it takes to microwave a tin of Heinz tomato soup is a blessing, but if your local store is sold out or you just fancy making your own, chopped tomatoes go a long way.

Fry off some onions and garlic, add a litre of stock and literally any vegetables you want – seriously, anything will do – along with a tin of chopped tomatoes, then season (I’m using cumin, coriander, mixed herbs, salt and pepper, with an optional dash of English mustard and tomato puree) and simmer for 20 minutes or so. Cool, blitz in a blender and then heat as and when you want! You can freeze it, keep it in the fridge, batch cook it, reheat it (safely, of course) – it’s the perfect lockdown recipe.

RECIPE: White Wine Mushroom Sauce | #ThisGirlEats

Sometimes cooking is exhausting but, for me, it’s always a labour of love – like this luxuriously creamy white wine mushroom sauce made from some of my all-time favourite ingredients!

Serves: 2
How much does it cost? This white wine mushroom sauce cost me less than 75p per person
What are the benefits? This dish contains at least one of your five a day, is fairly low in sugar and makes a lovely veggie sauce to accompany your meal.

I love mushrooms, okay? I know they’re not everyone’s cup of tea and, quite frankly, I’m sick of arguing about it. Please just accept that I love them unconditionally, could eat them every single day of my life and think they are a culinary gift from the gods. I will not be taking any further questions at this time, thank you.

Luckily, there are some like-minded people out there who also appreciate these little earthy nuggets of flavour and will (hopefully!) enjoy this recipe as much as I do!

I know that, at times, a withering glance towards the kitchen at the end of a long, hard day can fill us with dread and despair. The thought of having to interrupt our well-earned rest, peel ourselves off the sofa and drag our heels into the kitchen can be a real slog. But it can also be joyous when you love your ingredients and can’t wait for the end result.

For me, this recipe was one of those. I’d stocked up the fridge and set aside the time but, when it came to it, I honestly just couldn’t be bothered to get off my butt and actually do some cooking. Thankfully, the thought of putting in basically ten minutes of effort to then indulge in a lavish plate of thick, rich, creamy mushroom sauce was, in the end, totally worth it.

INGREDIENTS
1 Onion, Finely Chopped
4 Mushrooms, Sliced
50ml White Wine
100ml Vegetable Stock
100ml Double Cream
2 tbsp Crème Fraîche
1 tsp Plain Flour
1 tsp Dijon Mustard
1 tbsp Soy Sauce

SEASONING

This is a pretty quick sauce and doesn’t take much time to turn around, so all you need to do is chuck in a little dried garlic (fresh if you prefer) at first, shortly followed by dried parsley (fresh if you prefer), ground coriander, salt and pepper along with the rest of the ingredients.

HOW TO MAKE WHITE WINE MUSHROOM SAUCE

1. In a large pan with a drop of oil or cooking spray, gently cook the onions and mushrooms on a medium heat with the garlic for 5 minutes.

2. Turn up the heat, add the white wine and simmer on a high heat until the wine is reduced – this should only take a minute or so.

3. Add the vegetable stock, double cream, crème fraîche, flour, mustard, soy sauce, parsley, ground coriander, salt and pepper.

4. Simmer for around 5 minutes until the sauce thickens, then serve up as soon as it’s ready!

As an Introvert, How Do I Connect With People? | #ThisGirlEats

The first answer that comes to mind is: force.

I make myself. I have to, otherwise my time on this planet would be a very single, solitary existence and, believe it or not, I actually do have friends. Some, anyway. When I’m having a particularly bad day and just want to banish all communication with the outside world it baffles me how I actually came to make those friends but, nonetheless, they do exist.

My social circles are relatively small and have always been forced out of situations; work, university, sixth form, etc.. I don’t think I’ve ever made a friend as a result of me optionally putting myself out there through something I’ve chosen to do, like taking up an evening class or striking up conversation with a friendly stranger at a bar.

That’s not to say I can’t form close friendships, or maintain them; okay, I could definitely be better at keeping up with everyone (or at least replying to my messages – sorry!) and I have been known to breathe a sigh of relief when plans have fallen through. But really, I’d consider a lot of my friendships to be pretty strong and most of them have been going for a number of years.

But, with me, you don’t really get a choice in that last part – if we’re truly friends, you better believe it took us forever to get there! You see, for me, being an introvert means it takes a painfully long time to even begin edging out of my shell. I’m not kidding – however long you think I mean, double it. At least. People I now consider to be good friends often say they had to spend loads of time with me for at least a year before feeling like they even started seeing a glimpse of my authentic self.

Not that I’m playing a part or anything, but my social hang-ups mean I hide a lot of myself away, only showing very small flashes of my personality. You might hear a quip of my dry sense of humour or see my eyes light up briefly when we talk about music or Disney holidays; you might get an idea about me from my colourful hair, or my Dr Marten boots, or my tattoos, but it’s just an idea. It’ll take a lot longer before you really get to see beneath any of that and understand me as a person.

It makes it really hard to connect with people, and especially hard to fit in, when you can’t show all the way up. Every time I meet a new bunch of people I tell myself, this is it – this is your chance to start all over again, reinvent the wheel, squash your insecurities down and be yourself right from the start. But does it happen? Does it hell.

I keep quiet, I smile politely, I turn down kind offers of joining colleagues for lunch because it’s easier to spend an hour alone plugged into my headphones. I laugh at jokes but am too shy to make any of my own; I say the appropriate thing when inside my head I’m screaming something completely different; I nod along with chit-chat even though I’d rather spend my bank holiday weekend in a festival field than sunbathing in Saint-Tropez and I’ve never even heard of Heidi Klein (isn’t she that woman off Project Runway?!).

Sometimes I feel trapped inside my own skin and, let me tell you, it’s a bloody horrible feeling. I wish I could just snap out of it, but it’s like someone pulls an imaginary zip up over my head and that’s it – every part of me is hidden away except for a breathing hole. It’s frustrating, of course, but that zip is like a comfort blanket, it’s my safe space where I think, if I can just make myself as small and silent as possible, people will leave me alone.

It’s difficult when it takes you twice as long to open up and feel ready to make real connections and bond with people. It’s really, really difficult and, in all honesty, not everyone will always understand that. They’ll expect you to get there faster, and leave you in the dust as someone they “never really clicked with” when you don’t meet their deadlines. But you can’t rush it; the important people will wait for however long it takes you to get there and, trust me, once that foundation for friendship is in place, it’s unshakable.

RECIPE: Homemade KFC Gravy | #ThisGirlEats

If, like me, KFC gravy is one of your favourite fast food pleasures, this recipe means you can now make this tasty treat in the comfort of your own kitchen!

Serves: 2
How much does it cost? This KFC gravy recipe cost me less than 50p per person.
What are the benefits? This dish makes a great takeaway alternative, is lower in fat than the real deal, and can be made completely veggie!

I don’t really venture into KFC anymore because their vegetarian options are basically non-existent, which is a shame because sometimes I get a real craving for an alternative to their delicious fried chicken – to quote Gavin and Stacey’s Smithy, “What is that secret blend of eleven herbs and spices, d’you think?”

Well, sadly I don’t have the answer to that question – although I do make a pretty mean southern fried chicken myself! – but I’ve managed to rustle up my own version of one of the fast food chain’s most popular side dishes; the KFC gravy!

It’s nothing like the deep, earthy gravy we pour over our roast dinners every Sunday. We’re talking about a very different kind of gravy here, with a thick, almost creamy consistency, more like a southern American gravy, and it’s incredibly moreish. Pour over your chicken, use as a dip for crusty bread, whatever you fancy – but prepared to want more as soon as you’ve lick the last drop from your plate!

INGREDIENTS
1 Chicken or Vegetable Stock Pot (try to use the stock that’s more like a jelly rather than a solid dry cube, but if that’s all you have then that’s fine, but you might struggle with the consistency)
2 tbsp Butter or Margarine
3 tbsp Plain Flour
2 Mugs of Boiling Water

SEASONING
Most of the flavour comes from the stock cube, but you need a really decent crack of black pepper here to get that very subtle spice that you find in a KFC gravy.

HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE KFC GRAVY

1. Dissolve your stock pot or cube in 750ml (approx. 2 mugs) of boiling water.

2. Grab a large roasting tin or deep baking tray, place over a low heat on the hob, add your butter and gently melt it down to liquid.

3. Add 1 tbsp of your flour to the melted butter and stir well to combine – repeat with the second spoonful, then the third, until it forms a thick, grainy paste (it’s about to become much more appetising, I promise!).

4. Pour in a little of your stock and stir really, really well with the paste. Continue to slowly pour the stock, season with pepper and heat very gently as you combine it all together. It should become less grainy and much smoother, like the kind of thick gravy we’re looking for.

5. Turn up the heat just a touch until it’s more of a low-medium temperature, then allow the gravy to simmer for around five minutes. If you still feel like it needs to thicken up, add a little more flour and continue to stir until it dissolves into the mixture.

6. Remove from the heat when you’ve reached that silky consistency and it’s lovely and thick – but still pourable!

*Quorn southern fried bites with mashed potato and sliced onion, smothered with thick KFC-style gravy*

How to Keep Teenagers Happy at Disneyland Paris | #ThisGirlEats

You see it on all the adverts: Disneyland Paris is the dream family holiday, where mums and dads can bask in the glow of their precious offspring while little kiddies and older siblings are enjoying themselves in perfect harmony.

Sounds great, but it doesn’t always work out like that!

While teething babies and toddler tantrums are just an accepted part of parenting life, it can be trickier to know what to do when it comes to the terrible teens. They’re not quite old enough to be left at home yet, so you drag them along on the family hols to Disneyland Paris and think, surely, you can’t go wrong. It’s the happiest place on earth, right?!

Many teenagers and adults love Disneyland Paris, but there are many elements that are, obviously, aimed at little’uns. Your teenager is probably more interested in their phone screen than anything else and would rather be watching YouTube than posing with Mickey Mouse and sailing through It’s A Small World.

But there are plenty of ways to keep teenagers entertained at Disneyland Paris without making them suffer through things that they’re simply “too old for” these days. Check out some of my top tips!

1. Bigger rides = bigger thrills

So, they might dig their heels in and refuse to be seen on the Mad Hatter’s Teacups, but I’m pretty sure most teenagers can be tempted into cracking a smile on some of the bigger attractions in the park.

Let them prove just how big and brave they are by daring them to ride The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Big Thunder Mountain, RC Racer and Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain while the “wimps” wait on the sidelines.

2. It’s a family show

The shows put on by Disneyland Paris are, of course, suitable for children. However, just because younger audiences can enjoy them doesn’t mean they isolate the older generations.

We’ve seen some incredible shows at Disneyland Paris that, while family-friendly, aren’t at all childish. The Lion King: Rhythms of the Pride Lands during the Lion King & Jungle Festival earlier this year was simply spectacular and performed in very cool, sophisticated way that wasn’t cheesy or hammed up for the kids. The Jungle Book Jive was a highlight of this season, too. We’ve also seen seriously awesome Star Wars projections during Season of the Force, jaw-dropping stunt shows like Moteurs… Action! and, of course, the nighttime fireworks.

3. In a galaxy far, far away…

Alright, so we’re still waiting on Galaxy’s Edge here at Disneyland Paris (and probably will be for quite some time…) but there are some decent themes in the park that will appeal to teenagers, probably even more than they would other generations.

We’ve had Season of the Force (Star Wars, obviously) and Marvel Season of Super Heroes, which I would’ve loved as a teenager. These seasons celebrate characters and films that small children might not have even seen before, so it’s definitely something aimed at older audiences. You’ve also got rides like Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain and Star Tours The Adventures Continue, plus a whole new Marvel land with superhero attractions coming soon, to go along with these more adolescent themes.

*The Incredible Hulk statue from Marvel Season of Super Heroes*

4. Shop ’til you drop

There are loads, and loads, and loads, and LOADS of shops at Disneyland Paris – and they aren’t just full of stuffed Goofy toys and Elsa and Anna dressing up costumes!

You can find plenty of grown-up clothing that looks really cool, and some gorgeous women’s clothes too that would suit teenagers down to the ground. Not only clothes, but you can also pick up some great fun snacks, accessories like bags, wallets and jewellery and homeware like mugs and bedroom decorations – definitely not for kids!

If you enjoyed this post, check out the following:

VIDEO: My Top 10 Rides at Disneyland Paris

How to Enjoy Disneyland Paris If You Aren’t Really That Into Disney

Snacks, Shows and Surprises: Halloween at Disneyland Paris | #ThisGirlEats

Halloween is one of my favourite times of year, so of course I couldn’t wait to celebrate the spooky season this year by visiting Disneyland Paris.

It was my first experience of Halloween at a Disney park and, after seeing how much the Anaheim and Orlando parks go to town at this time of year, my bar was set pretty high. We all know Disneyland Paris has its fair share of hits and misses, but I was hugely impressed by how spectacular the season was this year.

If you’re planning a trip to Disneyland Paris at Halloween, check out what the park has to offer below!

Food & Drink

For the foodie in me, the most important thing about any special season at Disneyland Paris is the new snacks up for grabs.

This year at Disneyland Paris you can get your hands on a huge range of tasty treats, from full-on meals to quick bites and sugary sweets. A great spot for a blood-curdling Halloween breakfast inside the parks is Victoria’s Home-Style Restaurant – we all know this spot at the top of Main Street is a favourite of mine, and it’s worth a visit even more than usual this season thanks to the orange Mickey waffle and Maleficent hot chocolate on offer.

*Maleficent hot chocolate at Victoria’s*

If you’re looking for something more on the savoury side, restaurants such as Café Hyperion and Annette’s Diner are offering horrifying hamburgers (with questionably coloured buns…) and a pumpkin dessert – sadly we didn’t get to eat these because they didn’t have a veggie option, but the meals looked great fun for kids.

You can also pick up plenty of grab ‘n’ go snacks as you wander around, with loads of different cakes, cookies and pastries available. Keep an eye out as you stroll along Main Street for the Jack Skellington cookies and chocolate orange Mickey cake pops (Boardwalk Candy Palace), muffins and cookies sprinkled with Halloween magic (Market Street Deli) and Disney villain biscuits (Cookie Kitchen).

And, finally, one for the adults – head over to the Sports Bar in Disney Village for some creepy cocktails and pumpkin spiced beer!

*Creepy cocktail at Sports Bar in the Disney Village*

Character Meets

I’m not a huge fan of interacting with characters (or anyone, really…), but I do enjoy being a bystander and watching others meet their favourite Disney characters. This Halloween season saw some very random – but pretty great – meet ‘n’ greets.

Jack Skellington is, of course, massively popular this time of year, and can only be met by booking yourself a place in line on the Lineberty app – which I think is a shame, but maybe that’s just me. Other special character meets we stumbled across included Max at the entrance of the park and Mickey and Minnie in their adorable Day of the Dead costumes over in Frontierland.

However, the character who truly stole the show was Maleficent. With her own spot in Fantasyland, just behind the castle, she played a scary, scathing and brilliantly wicked villain and a crowd gathered simply to watch her interactions.

Shows

As with every season, Halloween at Disneyland Paris brings in some great new shows to entertain the whole family.

Are You Brave Enough? is a dastardly display of some of the best Disney villains, hosted by The Little Mermaid‘s Ursula. Taking place just to the right of the castle, it’s a short musical show which sees characters like Cruella De Ville, The Evil Queen and Gaston take to the stage. It’s pretty cheesy but good fun, and a whole host of rare characters make their way into the crowd at the end of the show, giving you a great chance to meet the likes of Governor Ratcliffe (Pocahontas), Jafar (Aladdin), The Queen of Hearts (Alice in Wonderland) and Judge Claude Frollo (The Hunchback of Notre Dame).

The main event this season, however, is Mickey’s Halloween Celebration. It’s similar to the daily character parade and follows the same route, but is much shorter and only features Halloween themed floats. It’s got a super catchy song (seriously, I’m still singing it!) and some unique characters in their limited-edition spooky costumes, which is really exciting to see.

Decorations & themes

When you first walk into the Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris, Halloween smacks you in the face right away – in a good way, of course. From the huge banner over the entrance to the creative bandstand decor and ghosts and ghouls dotted all over the place, the park has really made an effort to get that autumnal vibe going right from the off.

*Halloween entrance to Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris*

*Day of the Dead decorations in Frontierland*

Merchandise

Disney never misses a trick when it comes to merchandise opportunities, and Halloween is certainly no different! You can barely move for Jack Skellington and Maleficent window displays, but they look so incredibly enticing that, honestly, you don’t really mind the overload.

If you know someone who is a fan of Disney villains or the more macabre side of the franchise (me, me, me!), this is the absolute perfect time to pick up some gifts – for them, or for yourself!

*The Nightmare Before Christmas window display*

If you enjoyed this post, check out the following:

The Lion King & Jungle Festival 2019 at Disneyland Paris

Le Rendez-vous Gourmand at Disneyland Paris

We All Have Bad Days – Here’s How I Pick Myself Up | #ThisGirlEats

No matter how great things are, we all find ourselves in a bit of a slump every now and then. I’ve been having a bit of a rubbish week myself, for literally no reason whatsoever – which, in a way, makes it harder to shake off because you don’t really know what brought it on in the first place!

I’ve got a few techniques in my back pocket that I pull out at times like this, and they’ve got me out of more than one sticky situation in the past…

1. Spruce myself up

I’m not talking about some expensive luxe spa day, but it’s always nice to pamper myself when I’m feeling down in the dumps. It’s only ever something small and simple, like finally refreshing my chipped nail varnish, or getting rid of those nasty roots with a fun new hair colour. Just a little self-maintenance makes me feel like I’m presenting the best version of myself to the world, even if I don’t feel like it on the inside.

2. Get some fresh air

I’m not exactly the outdoorsy type, but there really is nothing like getting some air in your lungs when you’re in a bad mood. Moping around the flat by myself only makes me more miserable, but getting outside for a walk or run (if I’m feeling particularly energetic!) always helps me feel as though I’m one step closer to getting out of whatever funk I’m in.

3. Quality cat time

I’m a cat person – I think we’ve all established that through the constant Instagram stories of my rescue Chinchilla Persian floof, Flora. It might sound silly to those who aren’t “animal people”, but anyone with a pet – be it a cat, dog, whatever – knows how important those precious playmates are to the household. I adore my little munchkin (yes, I call her disgustingly soppy nicknames like that) and she never fails to cheer me up when I’m feeling down with plenty of fluffy cuddles.

4. Get productive

One of the most common causes of my bad moods is when I’m unsatisfied with how I’ve spent my day. If I’ve wasted an entire weekend doing nothing, or I planned to get loads of things done and just didn’t get round to it, I always end the day feeling seriously frustrated – which sucks, obviously. A quick fix for this is simply to do something. Anything! Write that blog post, send that email, upload that video, edit that photo; the more I tick off my to-do list, the better I feel when bedtime rolls around.

5. Do some spring cleaning

This might surprise you if you’ve ever dropped in on me unexpectedly and seen the chaos littered throughout my flat, but nothing puts me in a negative head-space more than mess. When the washing piles up and the layer of dust on the telly gets thicker and mounds of crap stands between me and my bed, I can instantly feel a migraine coming on… Going on a de-cluttering spree or a cleaning frenzy helps organise my home as well as my mind.

6. Throwback

I know puberty was a traumatic time and most people wish they could just forget their teenage years but, for me, I’m one of the lucky ones; I got off pretty easy. Despite the usual teenage girl drama, those years hold some of my fondest memories and remind me of a time when life was, for the most part, fun and carefree. So when I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed by the real world, I take myself back to that time, whether it’s by playing tunes I loved listening to on the walk to school or flicking though embarrassing Facebook photos taken on my Sony Ericsson Cyber-shot.

7. Cook up a storm

It’s not for everyone, but cooking really relaxes me. Sure, it’s a bit hectic when you’ve got a million pans on the go, no-one in the house eats the same meal and the stuff on the top shelf of the oven is burning while the stuff on the bottom still looks anaemic – but hey, it’s all part of the fun! Giving myself a challenge in the kitchen distracts me, allows quality time by myself doing something I love, and I always feel proud as punch when it all comes together and tastes delicious in the end.

8. Grab a big mug and fill to the brim with herbal tea

This trick is especially handy when I’m feeling physically sluggish; if I’ve eaten a lot of junk food over the weekend or I’ve found my eyes to be bigger than my belly once again. I never get a good night’s sleep if I’m going to bed feeling uncomfortable, but a lovely cup of green tea is a great pallet cleanser and refreshes my digestive system. I also find camomile helps when I’m feeling restless and irritable, and lemon and ginger is great for banishing the sniffles.

9. Make plans

Sometimes, when you feel stuck in a rut, it’s really hard to find your way out of it. It can almost cloud your perspective and feel impossible to see through the fog of your current state of mind. Something that pushes me to get out of wallowing in the present when things aren’t so great is to make plans for the future; not always easy when you’re feeling down, I know. But if you can muster up the energy to look ahead, having something to look forward to – a holiday, a date, a day out – can give you back some of the focus that you might’ve lost.

10. Take a deep breath

Simple, but always effective.

How to Cut the Queues at Disneyland Paris | #ThisGirlEats

Despite crowds being a little quieter than expected since the opening of Galaxy’s Edge, the Disney parks are still getting busier and busier – and Disneyland Paris is no exception!

You can’t just turn up, wing it and expect to still get on all the rides you want – that’s just a recipe for disappointment! If getting on all the rides is important to you and your group then it should be just as important to do your homework – and that’s why you’re here!

Below you’ll find some advice on how to beat the queues at Disneyland Paris, let us know in the comments if you have any other top tips that could help us all out!

Fastpasses

Fastpasses are an absolute must if you want to smash out as many rides as possible at Disneyland Paris.

Free (yes, free!) and available to any guest with a valid park ticket, Fastpasses give you an allotted time slot to come back to an attraction and cut into the queue much, much closer to the front. They’re available for several big-ticket rides to help stop you wasting valuable time waiting in long lines when you just don’t need to.

Not sure how Fastpasses work? All you need to do is head over to your chosen ride, scan your park ticket at machines located nearby and wait until it spits out your Fastpass. Go away, enjoy the rest of the park, and come back during the time slot on your pass. Find the Fastpass entrance, show your pass to a cast member, and cut down your wait time.

There are a limited number of Fastpasses for each ride and some go quicker than others, so it’s important to prioritise; which rides are you okay with waiting for? Which ones aren’t that important to you? Which ones do you simply have to get on? The most important rides should jump straight to the top of your Fastpass list.

Also, it’s worth noting that you can’t get multiple Fastpasses at one time. So if you were thinking of running into the park first thing and collecting all your Fastpasses straight away, Disneyland Paris are onto you! Your Fastpass ticket will tell you when you can pick up another pass.

Check out my guide to Fastpasses here.

Extra Magic Time

If you’ve ever wondered how the queues for some rides creep up so quickly right from park opening, it might have a little something to do with Extra Magic Time.

Visitors staying at a Disneyland Paris hotel, or holders of the Magic Plus or Infinity annual passes, can enter the park an hour before opening. This means you can get straight on rides like Big Thunder Mountain and Crush’s Coaster before most people are even allowed inside.

This Extra Magic Time (sometimes called Extra Magic Hours) is a real benefit of staying at a Disneyland Paris hotel or upgrading your annual pass. Making use of this time can really help you get a couple of big rides under your belt before other visitors have even made it up Main Street! Of course, it does mean getting up and out fairly early, but if you want to get on those popular attractions then it’s definitely worth doing to really make the most of your day.

Get there early, stay until late

If you’re staying offsite and your ticket doesn’t include Extra Magic Time, you can still pack in a lot of rides by turning up early. Most attractions are at their busiest in the middle of the day – from around 11am until 6pm – so being ready to go first thing can help you get head and shoulders above those guests turning up later.

Get yourself to the parks an hour or so before general admission; you won’t be able to get on anything, but you’ll be more than welcome to grab a coffee and a croissant, have a mooch around the shops and take some photos for the ‘gram while the parks are quiet. That way, when it’s time for rope drop, you can make a beeline for your favourite ride.

For those who want to catch up on their beauty sleep (or need to brace themselves before facing a full-on Disney day!), you can still avoid those long lines by sticking around until the park closes. Most families with little’uns head out around dinnertime, leaving many rides with dwindling wait times as the evening goes on. If you’re willing to skip the fireworks (only if you’ve seen them before, they’re a must-see at least once during your trip!) this is prime time to jump on some rides while everyone else is distracted by the nighttime show.

If you’re a trooper, make the absolute most of your day by turning up for rope drop and staying until park closes.

‘Tis the season

While Disneyland Paris is never going have a day off, you can be mindful of the dates you choose to and try to avoid the busiest times of year.

Some seasons, such as Christmas and Halloween, are incredibly popular among visitors and always see big crowds flock at this time, so you’re likely to see wait times skyrocket during these seasons. While it’s super fun to see the parks during the festive season, you definitely won’t be the only ones with this idea! It’s also best to avoid bank holidays, school holidays and weekends as most people plan their trips around these dates.

I know it’s not always possible to book trips in term time or weekdays, especially if your kids are in school or you’ve got to book days off work – but that’s why so many other people visit during these times! It might not be doable for you, but it’s just something to bear in mind and prepare for. During these times, Fastpasses and Extra Magic Time are even more important!

Know your rides

Do your research, guys! Decide which attractions are important to you and which ones you don’t mind skipping to help make a strategic plan of your day.

It might sound obvious, but knowing which rides are an absolute must-do for you can help you to prioritise your Fastpasses; for example, if Peter Pan’s Flight is high on your list, especially if you’ve got young kids who love Tinker Bell and Captain Hook but won’t wait in that long line, you know to head straight to Fantasyland and pick up your Fastpasses.

On the other hand, if you’d quite like to ride Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain but it’s not the most important attraction in the park to your group, you know to prioritise Fastpasses for other rides while leaving this one until the end of your day once most people have gone home.

You can’t expect to just walk into the parks, decide on the spot which rides you want to go on and then be surprised when you’re stuck in queue after queue! Start making notes now to create the best possible experience once you’re there.

Check out my top ten rides at Disneyland Paris for some inspiration.