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Healthy Living - Anna Jones, Cook, Writer & Stylist

Bio:

 

Anna Jones is a cook, writer, stylist, the voice of modern vegetarian cooking and the author of the bestselling A Modern Way to Eat, A Modern Way to Cook and The Modern Cook’s Year."

 

Are you working from home, and if so, do you have any advice to stay focused?

 

I am and I have worked from home now for about 10 years. I used to get out of the house for shoots to cook dinners and host events but since March it’s been me and my husband at home. I actually love it and after 10 years I am quite productive. I set my work hours pretty strictly and make sure I am at my computer about the same time 10ish (after dropping my son at school) each day. I always stop for lunch and cook us something quick and then it’s back to work for the afternoon. I do a quick sweep of the room I am working in (always the kitchen for me) before I start work to make sure there is no mess that will annoy me and I am strict with myself not to do distracting jobs around the house in my work hours. I get up and leave my computer every 30mins to 1 hour to make a drink, walk round the block, stick my head out of the back door to renew my concentration. When I am writing I turn the wifi off on my laptop so I can't get distracted by emails and have my phone in another room.

 

Have you learned anything new about yourself this year?

 

I really like staying home. There is something very grounding about being at home. My life pre-March was quite busy with meetings, events, writing and lots of other (wonderful) things. But I think like many of us I was running to keep up and the slowing down the last few months has forced upon me, has made me realise I need a bit more time and space. It allows time to think, to have ideas, to be creative, to be a better parent and person. Of course I miss seeing people, the inspiration of cooking with other chefs and eating in restaurants, that will return but for now I am focusing on the little wins.

 

What have you been doing personally to stay positive in this current climate?

 

I have been writing a weekly newsletter which me and the two brilliant women Jess and Rachael who work with me started at the beginning of the first lockdown. I was so inspired by all the good coming out of such a trying time that I wanted to shout about it. So my newsletter is about the goodness all around us, highlighting great artists, campaigns, virtual events, uplifting food and ways to engage with the huge political and social issues of our time. It’s saved my sanity as it’s kept me looking for the good, there is a lot of it out there. It got such an incredible response from people who said it got them through some of the harder days, which made me so happy. You can sign up for my newsletter here. 

Do you have any uplifting book/music/podcast/article recommendations that you can share with us?

 

There are hundreds that I have listed in my newsletter since March but the ones which stand out for me today are the Towpath cookbook by Lori di Mori and Laura Jackson, Three Women by Lisa Taddeo. The playlists I have been listening to on repeat are this one made in memory of a dear friend and musician Tom Relleen who sadly left us in August and this one that's been the soundtrack to Charcoal Art club set up by my friend Rosie Ramsden which has been the highlight of my lockdown weeks.

 

Charcoal playlist - Click Here

For Tom playlist - Click Here

 

Have you been able to expand your creativity this year, and if so, how?

 

I think there has been a change in our collective cooking creativity. We’ve been sitting together as a family for three meals a day, which is two more than usual. And it’s happening all over the country: I think as a nation we are (hopefully) going to come out of this better cooks. Without the possibility of nipping down to the shop for a missing ingredient, we are all making do – adapting and engaging with our cooking instincts. We waste less, think more, and value food in a completely different way, for the precious life-giving stuff it is.

 

What is your WFH attire?

 

This winter it’s - corduroy trousers (from Cos or Sideline) and an oversized jumper, cashmere socks and sometimes my beloved bright orange beanie.

 

Meditation/exercise tips?

 

I would appreciate some.

 

What's your go-to Winter recipe?

 

At the moment, it’s my version of a ribollita, made from the best oil, tomatoes, sourdough and cavolo nero. With a glass of red wine, it takes a lot of beating. You can find the recipe here. 

 

Follow Anna on Instagram: @we_are_food

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