Banter: Real Talk. Real Life.

Anu gets real about her Mounjaro journey - from miracle weight loss to mystery side effects. Plus a mammogram mishap, a Vinted victory and aVictoria Beckham moment that'll make you laugh.

💉 Mounjaro and Anu's Weight Journey
Anu opens up about her Mounjaro experience; the highs, lows and what happens when the magic fades. Honest, funny and full of real talk about health, hormones and self-acceptance.

🩺 The Mammogram Moment
A mammogram story that’ll make you laugh (and remind you to always pack your AKT deodorant).

🧥 Vinted Find of the Week
From Erica Davies’s Instagram to Vinted. Anu’s dream Essential Antwerp coat finally found its way home! Proof that patience and a little scrolling magic pay off.

📺 TV Recommendations

• Victoria Beckham: The Documentary (Netflix) chic, polished, fascinating and surprisingly funny. Plus, a real-life VB encounter from Anu’s Tennis Club days.

• Frauds (ITV)  Suranne Jones and Jodie Whittaker bring humour, heart and chaos to this clever, sun-soaked drama.

🎧 Podcast Pick
Coining It with Lewis Goodall: a gripping story of Bitcoin, luck and moral choices. Smart, surprising and totally bingeable.

🍽 Restaurant Recommendation
The Base (Barnes) : relaxed, stylish and home to one unforgettable Bakewell tart. A true local gem for brunch or a glass of wine.

🥘 Recipe of the Week
Baked chicken with cannellini beans, onions and garlic, served with miso-maple cabbage and roasted radish. Sweet, salty and even better the next day.

📸 See all the photos, finds and foodie moments on Instagram → @banter.pod

This week, Anu is back with more Banter: Real Talk. Real Life.  reflecting on motherhood, milestones and the beautiful chaos of everyday life.

Here’s what’s inside:

👩‍👧‍👦 Life and Reflections → Anu shares an update on her eldest son (spoiler: Germany calls!), her daughter settling into secondary school and a big family moment - her mum’s 75th birthday.
From family dinners to small moments of gratitude, she opens up about navigating midlife, parenting teens and finding balance in the in-between.

📚 Book Corner → Anu pays tribute to Jilly Cooper and her classic "Rivals".

Anu dives into three compelling reads; autobiographies andmemoirs that explore resilience, creativity and the power of personal storytelling.

1. Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

2. From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough

3. The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin

🎭 Culture Spotlight → Theatre is back on the agenda! Anu reviews her trip to Shaftesbury Theatre where she treated her mum to watch Just For One Day: The Live Aid Musical.

📺 TV  → Slow Horses on Amazon Prime

📱 Lifestyle Find → The app that’s changing the way she dines out (yes, you’ll want to download this one too): First Table - Anu was able to treat her family to a love meal at Red Farm Restaurant with 50% off!

🍴 Recipe of the Week → Natalie Chassay’s Miso Maple Chilli Sweet Potatoes with Coriander, Lime & Jalapeño Dressing — a vibrant, crowd-pleasing dish that Anu has already made twice (and counting!).

Here’s how to make it:

🥔 Ingredients
For the sweet potatoes:

• 2 - 3 medium sweet potatoes, chopped into bite size chunks

• 1 tbsp miso paste

• 1 tbsp maple syrup

• 1 tsp chilli flakes (or chilli oil)

• 1 tsp sesame oil

For the dressing:

• 1 large handful fresh coriander

• Juice of 1 lime

• ½ fresh jalapeño, roughly chopped

• 1 tbsp olive oil (optional)

• Pinch of salt

🔪 Method

1. Preheat oven to 200°C (fan 180°C).

2. Mix miso, maple syrup, chilli flakes, sesame oil together and coat sweet potatoes well.

3. Roast for 25–30 mins until golden and crisp.

4. Blitz coriander, lime, jalapeño, olive oil, and salt for the dressing.

5. Serve by drizzling the green dressing on top or smearing it on the plate first for that restaurant-style look.

✨ Anu’s tip: “Simple, fresh and full of flavour — just how I like it.”

It’s warm, relatable, and full of those little slices of life that make you nod, smile, and think, “Yes, me too.”

Real talk, real life, and all the Banter in between.

New episodes every Monday 🎧

The Banter officially begins!

In this first episode, Anu - lawyer, mum and unapologetic pop culture lover introduces Banter: Real Talk. Real Life. with a mix of honest reflections and weekly recommendations.

Here’s what’s inside:

👩‍👧‍👦 Life & Reflections → Back to school, back to reality and a summer split between Austria and Portugal.

Anu shares the hilarious twist of booking a holiday in Albufeira with her 16 year old son and his friend, only to discover their accommodation was right on the party strip!

Shocking at first but fun in the end, proving sometimes it’s good to do something different. Meanwhile, her husband and daughter enjoyed a quieter Austrian getaway.

And now the family waits on news: her eldest son’s plans to study in Germany.

Anu also touches on being part of the sandwich generation where she cares for both her family and elderly parents.

📚 Book of the Week → My friends by Frederick Backman

📺 What I’m Watching → Department Q, Netflix

🎭 Culture Spotlight →Sing Street Musical, Lyric Theatre

🍽 Restaurant Picks → Jin Bao, Kew and Zazza Korean Noodles, New Malden

🍴 Recipe of the Week → Cauliflower Cheese

Ingredients: Cauliflower head

Gratted cheese

Paprika

Garlic Powder

Dry parsley

Salt and pepper

Red onions

2tsp brown sugar

Method: Cut cauliflower into steaks, pieces also fine.

Sprinkle garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper and dry parsley.

Roast for 20 mins.

Take out and add grated cheese.

In one pan, sauté one long sliced red onion. Add sugar, salt and pepper.

Once cauliflower is golden and crispy, sprinkle the onion mix and serve!

It’s honest, warm, and the perfect mix of lifestyle, culture, and real talk - like catching up with a friend over coffee or wine!

New episodes every Monday 🎧