Spice it up a bit

Spice it up a bit

experimental food food vegetarian

Hello. Jo sent me an email, I'll answer it here in case anyone else is interested. 

Hello Ilona. I wonder if you could advise me on which spices you use to liven up your dishes. I don't like hot spices and have been experimenting with a little turmeric, it's supposed to be good for joint pain. I presume that you don't use salt? I use pepper as I've been told that it helps to make the turmeric work better. Do you combine herbs in your recipes too? Many thanks for your tips on healthy eating on a budget. I haven't eaten meat for many years.

Hello Jo, My knowledge of spices is very limited, there is no point in me keeping lots in the cupboards, they would never get used. I have no rules on which spices go with which foods, basically I mix them all up, use two or three in one meal. I don't add salt at all in my cooking, or on my food. I can buy these sauce mixes for 10 and 20p. I use them sparingly, adding a teaspoonful to soups and stews for a bit of flavour.

   

All these are out of date, I buy the vegetable granules from the Cash and Carry, I'm stocked up with those, it is like veg stock cubes only in powder form. The others I've had for ages and keep using them.

I get these from the Asian shop and use them the most. Curry powder, Turmeric, Coriander and Cumin. There is one missing, I've just finished the garlic powder, need to get some more.

Corn relish goes in soups and stews, and the wholegrain mustard also. Cheap from the Cash and Carry. Soft cheese makes nice sauce, 49p from Tesco or Aldi.

Tonight I had YS mushrooms, need to use them up, still some left. Quorn fillet cut into pieces, frozen sweetcorn, and Amoy noodles. Vegetable granules, mustard, and garlic powder added. Very nice but too much, very filling. I have some left for tomorrow.

Thank you for your question Jo. Sorry I can't point you in the right direction on which spices you should be buying, most of my cooking is experimental, I chuck anything in and see what happens.

Thanks very much for popping in. It's been raining here, so I've been able to get on with the sewing.
We'll catch up soon. Toodle pip

Everything in the garden is..........pink

Everything in the garden is..........pink

experimental food imagination make do and mend vegetarian

Hello. It's been lovely weather, I think we are going to have a real hot summer, I feel it in my bones. Finally, I have used up the pink paint. See this gate? It's plastic. I picked it up after a motorhome show about eight years ago. I was there to collect a vehicle and drive it back to the depot after the show had finished. Some of the traders chuck out stuff that is damaged because they can't be bothered to take it back home with them. I picked this up and thought, that it might come in useful. 

I bashed two metal rods into the ground in the gap between the garage and the hedge, and this just slots onto them. The upright posts are hollow. It's beginning to look a bit tatty and could do with a face lift. No problem. 

Paint it pink. Looks great doesn't it. Not bad for a freebie, even the paint was free, given to me for the summerhouse. I'm well chuffed with it.

I think I might turn my garden into a pink theme park, ha ha.

Heidi is watching me from the rough patch of grass in the middle of the lawn. I leave it rough so the cats can snuggle into it in the sunshine.

Dinner tonight was a bit of a mishmash. I managed to get some yellow stickers last night, not as many as usual but enough. Chopped up baby sweetcorn, sliced mushrooms, and egg noodles on a bed of salad leaves. Very nice, quick to make in one pan. The turmeric makes it yellow.

I'm finding that it's too hot in the daytime to do my three miles, so I'm leaving it until the evening. The other night I didn't go until 9.30pm, and it was lovely, still warm but with a cool breeze. It's just gone 8pm now, so I think I'll get up and go.

Thank you for popping in. We'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip.

Let's smooth things over ;o)

Let's smooth things over ;o)

experimental food food vegetarian

Hello. Time to lighten the mood and move on. What's your favourite fruit? I particularly like soft fruits, easier on the old teef, don't take much chewin. I like them mixed up a bit as well, I like making smoothies, seeing what works together. How about grapes, kiwi fruit, tinned mandarins, strawberries, and a banana. A good combination don't you think? 

There's a whole lot of goodness in there, this is my five a day covered. My jug is empty, it was lovely.

Are you feeling fruity? What are your combinations to make a good smoothie?

A short one tonight, my head is hurting from all the moderating. I need to go outside.

Thanks for popping in. We'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

Turned out nice again

Turned out nice again

crafty stuff experimental food shopping

Hello. As George Formby used to sing, it's turned out nice again. The day started wet and drab, and it's ended sunny. Yesterday I made this, Quorn pieces, an onion, frozen broad beans and peas, and fresh mushrooms. Start them off in a splash of oil then add water and spices, simmer for ten minutes and add a pack of cheap vacuum pack noodles. Doesn't take long, I like quick meals. It was very tasty. There was three portions, one yesterday, and two for today. Bloomin lovely. If you want to make it you can use any frozen veg, or you could add tinned peas and sweetcorn, anything you like really. I only buy Quorn when it's on offer, ir was £1 a pack a few weeks ago so I stocked up. 

It was raining when I went to town this morning so I did a quick dash round. The pet food cupboard was getting a bit low, the kids have been sulking because I had run out of their favourite food. I was down to my last bag of nuts as well, so I needed to get some more. I have nuts on my bran flakes every morning. I usually buy walnuts, brazils, almonds, and peanuts. They all get smashed to bits in the mini chopper.

Rocky inspecting what's in the shopping bags. Don't worry Rocky, there is something nice for you in there.

The picture is coming along, it's looking good. The colour hasn't come out very well in this close up, the background is yellow. Still plenty to do.

Thank you to the Walking Group for sending in your mileages. I am updating the list every day. Some of you are going great guns, but don't forget, it isn't a race. Everyone is a winner.

Here's a little song from George, It's turned out nice again. Let's hope it turns out nice tomorrow. Thanks for popping in. Enjoy your Sunday. We'll catch up soon.



Toodle pip

Using up the smellies

Using up the smellies

budgeting shopping exercise experimental food vegetarian

Hello. I've been on a mission to use up the toiletries that I already have before buying more. The hair conditioner is gone, I used it instead of shampoo. The Value baby shampoo has been used up, and a new bottle of cheap Aldi shampoo is now in use. I could use the bath foam on my hair, but it will get used when I have a bath. I have two deodorants, one given to me by my sister, and the other from a friend, both didn't like them. I don't care, it's all the same to me, I have no particular preference when it comes to under arm spray. 

The Nivea sun lotion is being used as a face moisturizer. I got the Yardley violets spray out of a skip, someone's  house clearance. The Youth Dew perfume is about 35 years old, it doesn't spray very well, that's why it has lasted a long time, ha ha. I don't buy perfume now, I think it was about 35 years ago when I last bought some. The So Soft body oil gets used as a face moisturizer, I don't feel the need to moisturize my whole body. What's the point of scrubbing yourself clean, only to block your pores with gunge. The Baby lotion also gets slapped on my face from time to time, as does the Aloe Vera Jelly. 

I am holding off buying anything new, until I really have to. I use everything sparingly so it lasts ages. I don't need a lot of bottles cluttering up my bathroom cabinet, these few items will last me for a while. 

I've just had a bowl of fabulous soup, and plenty left for tomorrow. I found two packs of celery in the small Tesco yesterday when I popped in on my way back from the council dump. Always worth a look if passing. Aha, celery soup I thought when I saw them. I also threw in a few other bits and bobs which needed using up. Half a dozen mushrooms, half a parsnip, a carrot, a potato, and a handful of spinach. I used six sticks of celery, still plenty left for another batch. Chuck in some spices, simmer for ten minutes, zap with a stick blender.

It was bloomin lovely. I love these chuck it in and see what happens kind of soups.

I did my walk early today, and I have hit the 250 miles, YAY. Trouble is it took me over three hours to do it, ha ha. Paul was in his garden as I passed so I stopped to say hello to him. Then I popped in to see the other Paul, as he was on a late shift. I didn't stop long there as he was watching a film on TV. Then I saw that Phil was in his garden and as I hadn't seen him for ages I stopped to see how he was. He was hobbling because he had missed the step as he was getting out of his lorry, and pulled a muscle in his leg. He said come on in and see Angela, so I did and ended up staying for a coffee, two coffees in fact and some lunch. Angela has a new hobby of painting up old furniture to give it a new lease of life, and she is making a good job of it. I was dead impressed.

Almost the end of the month, are you having one last splurge to top your miles up? Only another nine months to go. You can make a start on the 1st of April if you want to. The next target to work towards is 500 miles at the end of June. Or if you are a late starter try for the 250 miles in three months. Come on, put your best foot forward, you can do it.

The kids are all in for the night, I'll give Heidi her tablet shortly. She has been such a good girl, mostly I get it straight in and she swallows it, sometimes my aim is not so good and she spits it out, ha ha. But whatever happens she is never annoyed with me, always after lots of cuddles.

Thanks for popping in. We'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

 

There's a bit more life left in the shelves yet.

There's a bit more life left in the shelves yet.

experimental food garden healthy eating make do and mend recycle remembering vegetarian

Hello. Hope you're not getting too bored with the garden posts, but the sooner I get it done the sooner I can move on to other things. Today the wooden shelving got a makeover. The bottom is rotten so the plan is to saw that off. First I removed everything from it, and tipped it over to lay on it's front. Then I removed the shrink wrap from around it. I think Mayze is stalking Heidi, they are not the best of friends and mainly give each other a wide berth. 

Here we go, the last bit is getting the chop. I've peeled back the plastic backing so I can get at the wood. I knocked a few nails in where some of the joints were a bit loose.

The next thing to do is encase it in fresh shrink wrap. To do this I laid it on it's back and went round and round several times. There is a brick under each corner to raise it off the ground so I can take it right to the edge at the back and front which will keep the rain out. Shrink wrap is like a gigantic roll of cling film, it's very strong.

Next I laid out a base of bricks for it to stand on. The ground is not flat so I put some compost underneath to level it.

This is the before picture, it's leaning crazily. 

This is the after picture. A bit shorter but much more stable. I now need to paint the garage wall above it to blend it in. I hope I've still got some paint left. I've put some sheets of strong glass on the top, the cats are bound to climb on it so it will stop their claws from tearing it to shreds. Mayze will be happy that her bed is still there. .

I did a small lunch today, this is on a tea plate. I can't stuff my face in the middle of the day when I have got physical work to do. I needed protein so I zapped a Quorn fillet in the microwave for a few seconds to soften it, then I cut it into pieces and put it in a small pan with a splash of oil. Next I chopped up a couple of spring onions, I find scissors do this job better than a knife, opened a tin of chick peas, half in this, half in the fridge, and washed and cut up four mushrooms. Chuck it all in together with a sprinkle of grated cheddar cheese, and a teaspoon of vegetable granules. Stir while cooking for a few minutes. It was chuffin lovely. You could serve this as a dinner with potatoes, pasta, or rice, or salad. 

This is why I have a big car, it doubles up as a van. Off to the tip again to get rid of this.

Bit of a climb to lug it up the shiny new steps, but I can manage. They have a non slip surface so not much chance of falling. There is a man to help if anyone turns up with larger items. 

I've had some comments come through from Alison, another enthusiastic new reader who is lost in the bowels of the blog. I'm sure she will turn up here soon, she says she is reading five months of posts daily, so by her reckoning she will have caught up by the summer. She's recently taken early retirement, is de cluttering, and has got the sewing machine out. Sounds like she will fit in just fine here.

It's been a very sad day for the people of Brussels who have been caught up in the terrorist attacks. I can't begin to imagine how anybody can recover from losing friends and family in such horrific circumstances. Those who are injured will carry their pain with them for the rest of their lives. My heart goes out to all who are affected. Tears in my eyes as I write. Lots of love and best wishes to the people of Brussels. xxx

Thank you for popping in. We'll catch up soon. xxx

Three meals a day.

Three meals a day.

experimental food food healthy eating vegetarian

Hello. It's been a typical Monday here, Crafty Club, dog walk, sewing, library, three mile walk, feeding cats and dog. Good news, Heidi is making improvements, taking more notice of what's going on, and eating normally. Looks like the tablets are working. 

My breakfast this morning was bran flakes, nuts and seeds whizzed in the mini chopper, exotic fruits, and rice milk with plain yogurt. I absolutely love this.  

I bet you are wondering what this yukky stuff is, ha ha. Red cabbage and kale soup made to my own secret recipe. I can't tell you what's in it because I've forgotten already, that's the secret. I won't say it was wonderful, it was very nice but not exceptionally nice. I ate it and it filled me up, all for about 5p.

Now this looks a whole lot better, the usual plate of steamed veggies, just cooked and not mushy. Sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, potato, parsnip, carrots, and peas. Nothing on it, completely nude, can't beat it for taste and flavour. If I could get this kind of meal at a reasonable price in a restaurant or pub, I might be tempted to splash out on a night out.

No I haven't started eating fish again. I bought this bag of white fish for the kitties. It's £2.30 and has quite a lot of pieces in it. It's quick and easy to put a piece on a pyrex lid and microwave it for a minute. All the cats like it, but they don't get it every day, it's a treat.

I don't have to to out and do my walk tonight, because I did it earlier just before dinner. Not a lot to to talk about, so I'll sign off and say goodnight. Thanks for popping in, and we'll catch up tomorrow.
Toodle pip.