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Hello and Welcome

When I was at college, many moons ago, we were all aware of global warming, the Greenhouse Effect and the damage that we were all doing to the planet. Since then, precious little has been done. I include myself in this list of "just too busy to be bothered to dye my hand knitted socks with the juice of an onion" brigade - but at long last I have decided to stand up and be counted.I am determined to be greener and to save little bits of my planet, but I refuse to pay through the nose for the privilege. So my quest - and yes, I have chosen to accept it - will be to be greener but save money at the same time.

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Tips on Saving Money at the Supermarket

If you shop at a larger supermarket chain you need to recognise that their main aim is to “make-sure-customers-spend-as-much-money-as-we-can-get-out-of-them” As soon as you walk into the shop you will be subject to a whole range of selling techniques that you are probably not even aware of. Here are some of the steps that you can take to ensure that you leave the store with only the things that YOU want.
1. Don’t EVER do the shopping when you are hungry! Most supermarkets use smell as a way of encouraging you to buy. The aroma of freshly baked bread is a classic selling technique. Some places don’t even have an in-house bakery – the smell is just pumped through the store!
2. Make a list! This is really obvious when you realise that most supermarkets put staple food items at the furthest reaches of the store so that you have to wander round the whole place to find them. By drawing you into the shop you are more likely to buy on impulse. Stick to your list!
3. Use coupons! If you love a bargain – go for the bargains that you choose rather than the surplus stock that the shop wants you to buy! Find vouchers, discount codes and other coupons on websites such as http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/.
4. Look up and down! Manufacturers pay hefty premiums to ensure that their products are displayed at eye level ( or at child’s eye level) They pay more because shoppers will often not bother to check the other shelves, consequently these item are often the most expensive. Before grabbing the first item you see, take a few seconds to look at the upper and lower shelves. Similar products are placed together and simply looking will often reveal the same product at a much better price.

Friday, August 24, 2007

Great Websites to check Out

The following websites are all designed to help us save money as well as conserving energy and saving little bits of the environment. Well done to them .......check them out to show your support.

www.ecotricity.co.uk. Sign up online to power your home with Ecotricity through wind turbines. In the UK we have 40% of Europes wind resources.

www.evengreener.com This site overs over 200 items to help homeoweners conserve energy, recycle, create compost and become more water efficient

www.gardenadvice.co.uk A wide ranging site covering garden advice from growing your own fruit and veg to disposing of slugs without the use of chemicals.

www.lowimpact.org A non-profit making organisation which helps individuals to reduce their impact on the environment and improve the quality of their lives.

Recipe - Ratatouille

The best thing about Ratatouille is that it is easy to make and always popular. It can be frozen in convenient size batches and used as a basis for various sauces to eat with pasta or rice.

You can use any veggies that you are growing at the moment but the following is a basic recipe

Aubergines
Courgettes
Onions
Red or green peppers
4 large tomatoes or 400 g tinned tomatoes
2 cloves garlic
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh basil
Salt & Black pepper


Cut aubergine and courgettes into small slices or cubes. Chop the onions roughly, de–seed the peppers and chop them too. Skin the tomatoes by first plunging them into boiling water for a couple of minutes, and then removing the skins. Quarter them, and extract the seeds. Rinse the aubergine and courgettes. Pat with a kitchen towel to dry. Now fry the onions and garlic gently in the olive oil in a large pan until soft. Cut the aubergine and courgettes into chunks and add them to the pan. Add the basil, salt and pepper (fresh ground black pepper will give the best result) and simmer very gently for about 30 minutes. After that time add the tomato flesh. Leave the lid off and cook for a further 15 minutes. Enjoy!

Quote

"Wolves are very resourceful. All they need to survive is for people not to shoot them."
— Bob Ferris

Monday, August 13, 2007

Green Money Saving -2

Here are a few more ideas on how to save a bit of money and do your bit for the environment. Here are a few to get you green in the kitchen…
There are lots of ways to reducing the amount of energy needed to cook, store, prepare and wash up after daily meals.
  • Keep fridges and freezers shut tightly and at the correct temperature.
  • Avoid heat loss in the oven by keeping the door closed until the food is ready.
  • Wash vegetables and fruit in a bowl rather than under a running tap.
  • Grow your own vegetables, or shop locally for them.
  • Turn your toaster setting down by one.
  • Unplug all appliances when not in use, or they will continue to use energy.
  • Turn food and garden waste into nutrient soil for flowers and plants using a home composting bin.

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Broad Bean Pate Recipe

The weather this Summer has meant that I have a glut of broad beans to use up and this is a really unusual recipe. Really good for any vegetarians out there!.


2lb/900g broad beans, shelled
2tsp/10ml ground coriander

2tsp/10ml ground cumin

2tsp/10ml turmeric

2 cloves garlic, crushed

juice of 1 lemon

4tbsp/60ml olive oil

salt and pepper
1. Cook the beans in boiling water until tender, about 5 minutes. Drain, reserving the liquid.
2. Place the beans and spices in a liquidiser and blend for 30 seconds.
3. Add the lemon juice and garlic, thin the mixture with a little of the reserved liquid, to form a thick purée.
4. Gradually stir in the oil a little at a time, until the desired thickness of pâté is reached.
5. Season to taste and serve with crudités or bread and a sprinkle of turmeric.

Friday, August 10, 2007

Quote of the Day 6

Recommended Websites

These are a few of the websites that I use on a regular basis. Most of these are relating the environmental issues and are worth a look.
Friends of the Earth - www.foe.co.uk. - This is a really well known environmental group and their website is comprehensive with issues ranging from Biodiversity to Real Food campaigns.
RSPB - www.rspb.org.uk - This website is from a UK charity working to protect birds and conserve rare species. Also concerned with climate change issues.
United Nations Environment Programme - www.unep-wcmc.org. The aim of this programme is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising the future.
World Wildlife Fund- www.wwf.org.uk - Another really well known organisation, particularly concerned with biodiversity and animal welfare.

All these sites are a good source of information for anyone interested in green issues