As I enter the final year of my 30s, I thought I s As I enter the final year of my 30s, I thought I share with you some pictures of mine at 9 months, 9 years, 19 years, 29 years  to today 39 years old of age. Looking back at each decade, I feel both β€˜older’ and β€˜younger’, I see the change in my features, the change in my way of life, the change in my personality and the experience itched on my face. I am grateful for the life I have lived thus far and excited for the life I am yet to live. 
β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’

2026 - 39, (Home, England), I am ready for this final year before my 40s but also ready for this next decade. 
2016 - 29, (Oslo, Norway), this decade was about self discovery and building the life I dreamt about. The life that I am super proud of and truly grateful to be living. This decade, I built my financial life and in later years choose to heal from the trauma gained in the last decade and now I feel well equipped for the future. 
2006 - 19, (Glasgow, Scotland), I thought I was grown (look at the cheekbones 🀣🀣) and ready for the world, chiiiild was I wrong, let’s just say, I am still resolving the trauma the decade brought me but I am grateful because I met my best friends and made decisions for the future I wanted to have. (Spoiler alert - I did better than I dreamed). 
1996 - 9, (Home, Zambia) this was my birthday but my little sister insisted she had to be the one in the middle. The only way we knew whose birthday it was, was by standing in the middle but this year I remember baby sister crying her eyes out and refusing 🀨
1988 - 9 months, (Chililabombwe, Zambia) although my mother looks tired and traumatised😟, I know I was loved and happy. 
#happybirthday #happybirthday❀️ #newera #39
Attended #ascotraces for the second year running a Attended #ascotraces for the second year running and I am glad to have experienced the β€˜Village enclosure’ this year, whilst I loved β€˜Windsor enclosure’ last year, it’s not for me. Next year, I want Queen Anne’s enclosure. πŸ’• #girlsdayout #girlslikeus #ascotfashion
How I missed you my love πŸ₯°πŸ₯°πŸ₯° #hertripsabroad #bla How I missed you my love πŸ₯°πŸ₯°πŸ₯°

#hertripsabroad #blackgirlstraveltoo #maldives #neverstopexploring #welltravelled
Tried being a #touristforaday and we chose #london Tried being a #touristforaday and we chose #london because why not. My feet still hurt from the thought of how much walking we did, the fact that we walked from #bigben to #buckinghampalace is still fresh on my mind. 

#neverstopexploring
πŸ–€πŸ–€MARCH PHOTO/VIDEO DUMPπŸ–€πŸ–€ So much happened and πŸ–€πŸ–€MARCH PHOTO/VIDEO DUMPπŸ–€πŸ–€ 

So much happened and yet I can’t find the words.
It has been an amazing week here, definitely recom It has been an amazing week here, definitely recommend @iberostar in Agadir. 
#neverstopexploring #wanderlust #welltravelled #lifeofadventure #hertripsabroad
I spent a week in #dohaqatar and had the most rela I spent a week in #dohaqatar and had the most relaxing and fulfilling time of my life. Sometimes taking it slow and living in the moment is what the soul needs. πŸ₯°πŸ₯°πŸ₯°
:
:
:
:
:
 #hertripsabroad #solotravel #solotravelingisfun 
#blackgirlstraveltoo
I had such an amazing week in Doha, Qatar after no I had such an amazing week in Doha, Qatar after not visiting for almost 8years. πŸ“

#qatar #doha #qatarphotoinstagram  #solo travel #travelbug bestvacations igtravel travelpic travelblog beautifuldestinations tlpicks instatravel roamtheplanet traveldeeper travelgram travelinspo wanderlust instapassport exploretheworld travelpics travelmore passionpassport travelawesome lonelyplanet travelblogger travelphotography traveltheworld worldtraveler
Happy New Year, happy 2026 #firstpicture of the ye Happy New Year, happy 2026 #firstpicture of the year.
  • Home
  • About
  • Lifestyle
    • Beauty
    • Fashion
    • Money
  • Goals
  • Travel
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • United Kingdom
  • Work with Me
  • Home
  • About
  • Lifestyle
    • Beauty
    • Fashion
    • Money
  • Goals
  • Travel
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • United Kingdom
  • Work with Me

A July Dreamer

A Travel & Lifestyle Blog

Food+Restaurant · March 9, 2016

#MeddySteadyCook

As a young girl growing up in Zambia cooking becomes part of your life, I enjoyed cooking with my mum or my aunties so much that my mum bought me my own little kitchen and not the pretend kind. In my kitchen I would wip up the simplest of meals but they would still be edible. I am not sure when but between my high school and university I just lost the nag for cooking, don’t get me wrong I still cook now and again but not with as much enthusiasm as when I was little.

#meddysteadycook

Now that I live on my own and playing adulthood, I have had to reignite my cooking passion and though it is not like before I still enjoy putting different recipes together and trying some of my mum’s recipes. When I was contacted to see if I wanted to take part in a cooking competition the good people at Bolsover have going on calledΒ #MeddySteadyCook to cook ANYΒ Mediterranean meal and be in with a chance to win a 2 night cruise for two courtesy of P&O FerriesΒ I jumped at the opportunity. The only conditions were we pick the items from the list provided and each person can only enter the competition once.

Armed with this information and eager to win (or lose) this competition I sat down to decide what Mediterranean type of meal I could make and for some reason I kept coming back to cooking something with Fish. So one day last week on my way home from work I picked up some haddock fillets and a few vegetables and decided to wipe up my own version of a Mediterranean meal. I do not like olives so I couldn’t do an olive salad with fish on the side, I didn’t want to do much to my fish as I wanted it to retain all its delicious flavor so I decided to fry it for 5 minutes at the same time roast some veggies that I had bought and those in the friend and made me a healthy fish and roast veggie dinner.

Competition Rules & Prize for #MeddySteadyCook

The prize is a two night mini-cruise for two courtesy of P&O Ferries, and all that you have to do to be in with a chance of winning this trip is to show off your culinary skills and to create a Mediterranean themed recipe using 3 or more of the following ingredients:

Β· ChickenΒ· LambΒ· FishΒ· ChorizoΒ· Peppersβ€’ Garlicβ€’Mozzarella/feta cheeseΒ· OlivesΒ· LemonsΒ· Olive oilΒ· PastaΒ· TomatoesΒ· Onions

 

I also thought I throw together a snack containing catfish fish, avocado (since I don’t like olive), tomatoes, mango and cucumbers

#meddysteadycook
Catfish Salad

Disclaimer: I was compensated for this post, regardless all opinions are my own.Β 

In: Food+Restaurant

You’ll Also Love

Thursdays at Franco MancaThursdays at Franco Mancaο»Ώ
Experience contemporary dining at KanishkaExperience Contemporary dining at Kanishka {Review}
Dine at Paro Indian RestaurantDine at Paro Indian Restaurant

Comments

  1. Luciana says

    March 28, 2016 at 8:03 pm

    Looks delicious! Reminds me of the salmon incident! Taya nukilefye flati?
    You’ll have to make this for me milanda

    Reply
    • Miranda says

      March 29, 2016 at 9:16 am

      Hahaha I will try to make it when you visit but yes flat ilenunkila

  2. Idaintyit says

    March 11, 2016 at 12:42 pm

    Great meal, good luck! Although in all fairness, I want to win so not too much luck hahahaha only joking!

    Reply
    • Miranda says

      March 11, 2016 at 12:44 pm

      Hahaha SIL you’re too funny and I hope one of us wins so we can take the other 😊 lol

    • Luciana says

      March 28, 2016 at 8:04 pm

      What are we winning? I want to win too! Take me as well, thanks in advance to one of you, for sacrificing your place so I can go 😘

    • Miranda says

      March 29, 2016 at 9:18 am

      Hahahaha you’re nuts little sister but sure

  3. Rhian Westbury says

    March 11, 2016 at 12:17 pm

    Good luck with the competition your meal looks lovely x

    Reply
    • Miranda says

      March 11, 2016 at 12:44 pm

      Thanks so much Rhian

  4. Ana says

    March 10, 2016 at 11:36 pm

    All the best for your competition. Hope you win!

    Reply
    • Miranda says

      March 11, 2016 at 5:36 am

      Thanks so much

  5. Jenny says

    March 10, 2016 at 10:11 pm

    Sounds great, I love cooking fresh fish for a special meal.

    Reply
    • Miranda says

      March 11, 2016 at 5:35 am

      Me too

  6. Renna says

    March 10, 2016 at 9:38 pm

    I don’t lime olives either, but I do like the look of that trout. That looks fab!

    Reply
    • Miranda says

      March 11, 2016 at 5:35 am

      Thanks Renna

  7. Elizabeth O says

    March 10, 2016 at 4:20 pm

    That seared/fried trout looks fierce… Now I need to go eat something as the photo made me hungry. YUM! Best wishes! πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Miranda says

      March 10, 2016 at 4:34 pm

      Aww thanks Elizabeth

  8. Kiwi says

    March 10, 2016 at 11:17 am

    I used to cook a lot when I was in a relationship but now that I am single I dont as much. I need to get into my pinning again and whip some stuff up! Good luck on your cooking competition!

    Reply
    • Miranda says

      March 10, 2016 at 11:38 am

      Thanks so much kiwi

  9. Fashion and Style Police says

    March 10, 2016 at 8:06 am

    Good luck with the competition. I hope you win it.

    Reply
    • Miranda says

      March 10, 2016 at 8:19 am

      Thanks Stella

  10. RaNesha says

    March 10, 2016 at 2:38 am

    Please let us know good luck with the competition it looks amazing.

    Reply
    • Miranda says

      March 10, 2016 at 6:05 am

      😊

  11. Julie Syl Kalungi says

    March 9, 2016 at 10:10 pm

    Looks absolutely delicious and so easy to put together. I love Olives me though πŸ™‚ Good luck with the competition go get it gal!

    Reply
    • Miranda says

      March 9, 2016 at 10:27 pm

      Thanks Julie

  12. Ana De- Jesus says

    March 9, 2016 at 10:01 pm

    Aw good luck with the competition hun I hope it goes well! Looks tasty xxx

    Reply
    • Miranda says

      March 9, 2016 at 10:04 pm

      Thanks

  13. Emma White says

    March 9, 2016 at 8:31 pm

    oh this sounds lovely must give it a try

    Reply
    • Miranda says

      March 9, 2016 at 8:37 pm

      😊

  14. Ickle Pickle says

    March 9, 2016 at 8:03 pm

    Oooh this looks delicious – good luck with the competition. Kaz x

    Reply
    • Miranda says

      March 9, 2016 at 8:11 pm

      Thanks so much Kaz

  15. Alison says

    March 9, 2016 at 5:03 pm

    I am not a big fish person but this looks really good. I hope that you win! It sounds like a great competition!

    Reply
    • Miranda says

      March 9, 2016 at 5:38 pm

      Thanks so much

  16. Valerie Robinson says

    March 9, 2016 at 3:15 pm

    Cool competition! I hope you win by a landslide! Looks good!

    Reply
    • Miranda says

      March 9, 2016 at 3:16 pm

      Awww thanks

  17. Cathy Glynn says

    March 9, 2016 at 3:10 pm

    This looks delicious and so simple, would be an ideal quick mid week meal, good luck x

    Reply
    • Miranda says

      March 9, 2016 at 3:13 pm

      Thanks so much, and it was such for me

  18. Sarah says

    March 9, 2016 at 2:00 pm

    Wow, lovely proze! Good luck, I hope you win! The food looks delicious. xx

    Reply
    • Miranda says

      March 9, 2016 at 2:12 pm

      Thanks so much Sarah

  19. Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says

    March 9, 2016 at 12:37 pm

    I hope you win the competition. It would be fun to go on this right?

    Reply
    • Miranda says

      March 9, 2016 at 12:38 pm

      Thanks and yes it would be.

  20. Rachel says

    March 9, 2016 at 12:10 pm

    That sounds like a really good competition! The food you made looks so yummy! xo

    Reply
    • Miranda says

      March 9, 2016 at 12:27 pm

      Aww thanks

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

Next Post >

It’s a Dog’s LifeΒ 

About Me
I'm Miranda. Travel-Addict. Blogger. Moscato Addict. Weekend Escapist. Homebody. Countryside dweller residng in Oxfordshire.

Search the archives

My 5 Year Plan to become a millionaire

https://youtu.be/rzpyQrO3BLY

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

The Categories

The Archives

  • Home
  • About
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2026 A July Dreamer · Theme by 17th Avenue

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
SAVE & ACCEPT