I'm not sure which I like more, the thought of parties or today's healthy habit - eating yourself happy. We are not talking about eating for pleasure here - that state the kids were in after last week's Halloween haul. More eating to encourage the production of serotonin and with dishes such as this one-pan chicken and kumara bake, chargrilled sardines and salsa, roasted beetroot with kombucha vinaigrette and savoury stuffed baked potatoes, it's happiness just reading about it.
![Try these delicious recipes in Bite this week. Photos / Bite magazine](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/WHTSMGGOECK5TBOVZ3NPP6DBUQ.jpg?auth=3f0d65479d01539a110ca40f2d3340296450405e3b1136b59765f68dd106379f&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
Back at the party, Kathy Paterson is passing around fish cakes with spicy cucumber salad, little witlof boats with peking duck and mango, homemade cheddar biscuits and olive flat bread - don't be put off making your own bread, this one's a dream to make. To drink, something I am rather partial to - the Aperol spritz. A lucky few got to party with Peter Gordon in Niue recently, where they savoured the local food scene.
![Chargrilled sardines and salsa and Peter Gordon in Niue. Photos / Bite magazine](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/CSCXHNK6HQEJ4SXXO2POTSUESA.jpg?auth=efb5e0a369bcd1df4e0964f830e73f85b4e395721168d529b96222c0eb5a15ae&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
On a more sobering note, Allyson Gofton is back from France and joins us from her home in Auckland, where she is not happy about a few of our bad habits. What's on your mind is what is on Louise Thompson's mind this week and our Monday night dinner is a green bean salad and herb salad that you can serve with a nice piece of fresh fish.