Recorded on a cold, bleak January morning, this week’s episode of Banter: Real Talk, Real Life is all about slowing down, resetting after Christmas chaos and easing gently into the new year. The Non-Ski Ski Trip Anu shares highlights from a 4 night family break in Mayrhofen, Austria as a calm reset before returning to work. After a skiing accident a few years ago, she made the decision to stop skiing and fully embrace a slower pace. With teens sleeping in, her husband and daughter on the slopes, and amazing food at their hotel each night, the trip became the perfect January retreat. Type 1 Diabetes & Problem-Solving on the Slopes Anu opens up about the irony of her son, the keenest skier, living with Type 1 diabetes and the challenges cold climates bring. After a stressful first day, she turned to ChatGPT for practical advice on energy levels, timing food and managing glucose levels, sharing how small changes helped him enjoy the rest of the trip. January Overwhelm & When to Pause Back home, Anu reflects on January overwhelm - cluttered spaces, mental fog and the pressure to set goals before feeling ready. Instead of forcing productivity, she chose a gentler approach: 20 minute decluttering bursts, tea breaks, reading and waiting until the right headspace arrived. Banter Recommendations Book of the Week Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid A surprisingly warm, comforting read - perfect for easing into January. TV Recommendations Runaway (Netflix) - A Harlan Coben adaptation watched with her daughter. Not groundbreaking but highly watchable with classic cliffhanger endings. The Night Manager (BBC iPlayer) - Gripping and brilliantly cast. Tom Hiddleston shines alongside Indira Varma in this John le Carré adaptation. Task starring Mark Ruffalo - Mixed reviews but entertaining and hard not to enjoy with Ruffalo on screen. Looking Ahead A little winter escapism on the horizon — Bridgerton, Shrinking, and a conscious effort to get back to the cinema this year. Banter Bites Le Swine, East Sheen Anu’s weekly favourite for incredible fresh produce, outstanding bacon butties, homemade sauces (chipotle, mushroom ketchup-style), in-house pickles, delicious burgers, wonderful staff and fun evening events with cocktails and music. Recipe of the Week — Anu’s Pork Bánh Mì A fresh Vietnamese style sandwich that’s easy to adapt! Ingredients For the pork (or alternative): • Pork (or chicken, tofu, prawns or mushrooms) • 2 tbsp soy sauce • 2 tbsp fish sauce • 1 tbsp brown sugar • Plenty of garlic, crushed or grated • Fresh ginger, grated (optional) • Optional oyster sauce (Anu keeps it simple) Quick pickles: • Red onion or radish, thinly sliced • White wine vinegar or rice vinegar • Hot water • Sugar, to taste Fresh filling: • Grated carrots • Cucumber sticks • Fresh coriander • Fresh jalapeños (optional) Sauce: • Mayonnaise • Sriracha To serve: • Baguette • Prawn crackers or sweet potato fries (optional) Method 1. Mix soy sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, garlic and ginger. Add the pork (or alternative) and marinate for at least 30 minutes. 2. Place sliced onion or radish in a jar, cover with vinegar, add a splash of hot water and a pinch of sugar. Shake and set aside. 3. Fry the marinated meat until cooked and caramelised. Slice finely at an angle. 4. Prep the veg: grate carrots, cut cucumber, chop coriander and slice jalapeños. 5. Mix mayonnaise and sriracha to taste. 6. Fill the baguette with sauce, meat, pickles and fresh veg. 7. Serve immediately, ideally with prawn crackers or sweet potato fries. A gentle reminder to take January at your own pace, there’s no rush. If you’re enjoying Banter, please rate, review, comment or share, it really helps the podcast grow. Next week, Ep 15, Anu brings together her two worlds, exploring the importance of wills and powers of attorney. Thank you so much for listening 🤍
