Date and Walnut Slice

Date and Walnut Cake

An Unexpected Hit

Whenever I bake, I always share the results with my coworkers in the office. As I’m not a big fan of sweets, this is the easiest way to ensure nothing goes to waste.

Whenever I’m looking for inspiration or have requests, I’ll also get ideas from my coworkers. One such request was for a walnut and date loaf. At first, I was sceptical that anyone would enjoy such a cake, but surprisingly, it went down very well! Especially as I find dates to be a rather confusing fruit!

Almost everyone helped themselves to a piece of cake, and the feedback was unanimous – it’s delicious! One of my co-workers was out of the office, so I had to secretly save the final piece for them before it was all gone.

One of the wonderful ladies I work with even asked if it was a recipe I planned to share so she could make it. There’s no better feedback than that!

Especially after the weekend I had!

The final long weekend for a while in Brisbane was emotionally exhausting and marked the end of an era for some things happening in my personal life. However, we live, we learn, and we grow stronger for it.

Schedules

I work in an office from 8 to 5, five days a week, so finding time to cook is limited to the weekends. To keep track of what I plan to make, I try to have a content calendar. However, sometimes life goes off-course! I also need to ensure that one recipe won’t interfere with another, or that ingredients won’t go to waste.

However, this also means that if I find the inspiration to create a half dozen pasta recipes, I can’t. I don’t want to spend my weekends eating nothing but pasta! It’s tough to not just make a salad every weekend! Because we all know I love salads.

Therefore, I have my content calendar to help me schedule and coordinate my cooking.

Over the coming weeks, I will have a pasta recipe here and a salad recipe there, but it has been a while since I made some meals that really give a big, warm hug. I have been lacking in stews and ragus, as well as recipes that highlight a single ingredient.

For example, I have a few recipes which focus on an ingredient, like my sticky honey ginger pork recipe or my karaage on their way; it’s been a while since I made something big and hearty.

Now, let’s just see if I can stick to it!

Winter Fashion

What’s the point of baking wintery goods like my walnut and date cake if I can’t curl up on the sofa with a big mug of tea and a big, fluffy jumper? Yes, winter has finally hit Brisbane—at night, anyway!

And of course, winter means winter fashion.

It seems to be much cooler here in Brisbane compared to last year, and I left all my winter coats and the like behind in Scotland. This means I get to go shopping! I love to shop for shoes and bags, and I can always find what I want.

But clothing?

It’s much more difficult for me, as I’m only 5ft2. My favourite stores, such as Portmans, tend to cater to significantly taller women, and anything I buy needs to be tailored. Therefore, I tend to shop online more often than not.

I actually prefer shopping online, even if I have to send things back. This is because it’s easier to curate outfits. And look at what I already have and buy only what I need! I can be more mindful and intentional in my approach, and I am much less prone to impulse buying, as I would be in a store.

It’s all part of my gentle living mantra, I guess.

Forgiving myself for eating cake, and Gentle Living

I think I referred to this as “soft living” in a previous post, but I realised today that it’s more gentle than soft.

I’m often referred to as a Type A personality and I’m known to push myself to my limits, sometimes to exhaustion. I also set very high expectations for myself.

That’s why, when I’m not in the office, I try to live as gently as possible with no expectations beyond my content calendar. I live mindfully and intentionally, using colour therapy in my home to help me remain calm and peaceful. Additionally, I forgive myself if I don’t meet a personal deadline or goal.

If I want two slices of date and walnut cake, I will enjoy them both – and not beat myself up for it. It’s all about being gentle with my body, my emotions, and my spirit.

I’m not always successful, and I can sometimes be hard on myself, but at least I’m trying, and that’s the most important thing. I think being gentle with ourselves is far too often overlooked.

What do you think?

Date and Walnut Slice Recipe – Deliciously Nutty Dessert Treat

Indulge in the perfect blend of sweetness and crunch with our Date and Walnut Slice recipe. This delectable dessert combines luscious dates and wholesome walnuts, baked to golden perfection. The dates infuse each bite with natural caramel-like sweetness, beautifully offset by the earthy richness of the walnuts. This treat is not only a delightful indulgence but also a source of dietary fibre and essential nutrients.

Whether served as a charming accompaniment to afternoon tea or as a satisfying after-dinner treat, the Date and Walnut Slice is a crowd-pleaser that balances flavours and textures harmoniously. Its ease of preparation ensures that you can enjoy this dessert without spending hours in the kitchen. Treat yourself and your loved ones to a slice of heaven that captures the essence of comfort and indulgence.