PREVIEWING THE ARCELORMITTAL ORBIT

On Monday I was invited to the press preview of the ArcelorMittal Orbit (aka the helter-skelter) in London's newest park. Sipping champagne, I really enjoyed my new perspective of the central London skyline (before Saharan dust and European pollution blotted it out later in the week) and decided that sunset would be the best time to visit the park. It opens on Saturday April 5 - well worth a visit!
• Read my full report on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the ArcelorMittal Orbit

COOKING SHAKSHOUKA

I've been meaning to make shakshuka since I got Yotam Ottolenghi's book, 'Plenty'. It seems to have started a trend: I've seen this recipe or variations of it everywhere, from magazines to menus and everyone I know seems to eat it all the time. I exaggerate slightly. Finally I got round to it last weekend and although it takes a little longer than my normal breakfast to cook, we agreed it was wel worth the wait. It's a delicious slow-cooked mix of spiced peppers and tomatoes with eggs broken into the pan.
• See Yotam Ottolenghi's shakshuka recipe here
• Buy 'Plenty' from our online bookshop

CELEBRATING DAYLIGHT

When the clocks go forward it means I arrive home in daylight for the first time since last autumn and I love it, not least because I can cycle the darkest bit of my ride home without lights, and have time to potter round the garden when I get home.

SINGING IN THE DENTIST'S CHAIR

I'm what they call a 'nervous patient' but this week I accidentally discovered a new technique that made me feel slightly calmer. My lovely dentist already gives me stress balls to squeeze - very helpful - but while I was having my teeth cleaned the high-pitched whining seemed to be making my jawbone act like a tuning fork so that the noise seemed to be emanating from the centre of my skull. Involuntarily I started 'singing' (or emitting a noise from my throat as my mouth was obviously a bit full) to match the pitch and drown it out a bit. The dentist was perturbed, thinking I wanted her to stop, but I explained and we carried on. For me, it did seem to help mute the noise a bit. Maybe you should try it...
• How healthy are your gums? 

TESTING EASTER EGGS

God, my job is tough sometimes. I've been forced to join my colleagues  in chomping our way through lots and lots of Easter eggs to see which we think are the best. I have the added pressure of being nominated for the dark chocolate ones, as my colleagues aren't keen. No spoiler from me, but the results will be on the site soon.

What have you tried this week?