It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

Bargain_Rzl

JoolzS wrote: »

I hope that you didn't cook red kidney beans this way. They *have* to be boiled vigorously for at least 10 minutes because they contain toxins that can only be destroyed by this 10 minute boiling. AFAIK, red kidney beans are the only ones you have to worry about - all the other pulses/beans are ok.

Actually I believe the same applies to other things with that dark red pigment, e.g. adzuki beans.

elizabunny

Morning all. It's a georgeous day here, but this is it, I can't stand the cold any longer so the heating is on. We don't have any gas at all in our house, so our heating is probably not that modern by today's standards -ie no central heating. We could have an open coal fire but unfortunately the fireback needs replacing -so that's out. So all we have are 3 electric storage heaters, one in the lounge, one in the main bedroom (this goes on last because we don't like it too hot in there) and one in the hall -and that's it. Suprisingly enough this seems to be enough because we never seem cold once the heaters go on. They take in cheap rate electric all night and then slowly let it out all day. The kitchen is usually warm from cooking and the second bedroom has the airing cupboard in and that takes the chill out of the room -although we do have a small plug in electric heater for this room if needed. It all seems quite basic but it actually works because the heating is on 24 hours a day every day until the weather warms up in the spring, so the house never gets really cold. I don't really know how the bills compare to other forms of heating -but its manageable for us and doesn't seem any worse than friends that have their CH on for short bursts throughout the day. The only problem is that the heaters are now 11 years old and although they have never needed any expensive maintenance-they are not going to last forever. So we'll just keep our fingers crossed that they last for this winter.

Kitty -I agree with you, helping out our families is what it's all about. We also raid our food cupboards/freezer for DS1 who was made redundant recently and DS2 who's living in flat in London, we couldn't enjoy anything we had if we thought they didn't have enough to manage as well.

Have a good day everyone, I'm off to do battles with the Holly bush today:eek: and have a go at some Christmas Deco's.

purpleivy

The sun has come out , so I'll open the curtains. Free heat! I figure that as they're such big patio windows it's better to keep the thick curtains over them til lthe sun comes out.

Caterina

rosieben wrote: »

Caterina, I'll pass on a tip I got from my music teacher just a few years ago (ok, in the 1950's ). I had a hot water bottle on my lap when I was practising piano at home. Mum used to wrap it in a towel so it didn't burn my knees; our back room was so cold I sometimes used to wear my coat too. you could use a wheat or rice bag?

Thanks for the tip, Rosieben! I might try it, I have just made myself a hot water bottle cover from the sleeves of a jumper that had been shrunk in the wash (not me, picked it up at the craft class!). Such good simple idea!

Caterina

FZwanab

I think I've posted this link before, but for anyone who is interested, here is an interview with Amy D... author of The tightwad Gazette as to what she is doing these days:

http://74.125.39.104/search?q=cache:BU5qqU--x-8J:www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/+photo+of+amy+dacyczyn&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=11&gl=ie&client=firefox-a

Charis

JoolzS wrote: »

I hope that you didn't cook red kidney beans this way. They *have* to be boiled vigorously for at least 10 minutes because they contain toxins that can only be destroyed by this 10 minute boiling. AFAIK, red kidney beans are the only ones you have to worry about - all the other pulses/beans are ok.

Soya beans also have toxins but they don't make you as ill as kidney beans. Different kind of toxin, according to this govt. website.

http://www.eatwellbewell.gov.uk/healthydiet/nutritionessentials/eggsandpulses/pulses/

Kidney beans need to be boiled vigorously for ten minutes, soya beans for an hour. Then both need simmering - up to an hour for kidney beans, up to three hours for soya beans. Which makes soya beans very fuel intensive, so not quite the wonder crop they are touted as. Those of us who have pressure cookers can knock a fair bit off the 'simmering' time.

mummysaver

ifonlyitwaseasier wrote: »

mummysaver wrote: »

I've got haricot beans soaking at the mo, for my homemade baked beans, think they work out cheaper than the shops, but having just started making them again we've all remembered how much nicer they taste. I freeze these in can sized portions in old marg tubs.

quote]


ok so i have to ask for the recipe please!!!!

I do a version of the one on the back of the beans pack!

Soak 500g pack of haricot beans overnight, boil for an hour till tender.

Fry 4 onions till browned.

Put onions and beans in slow cooker or large pan with:

6tbsp sunflower oil
6tbsp tom puree
50ml maple syrup (I use honey and treacle, cos its cheaper and I have it in stock)
4 tins chopped toms
300ml veg stock

Cook for 3 hours in a pan, can leave longer in the sc (prob use slightly less liquid if doing in sc).

They are delicious. If you want the sauce to be really smooth then you can puree/blend all the ingredients except the beans before mixing them. I just freeze in marg tubs and take from the freezer as I need them.

ifonlyitwaseasier

thanks mummysaver!!! i'll give that a try

ioiwe

mummysaver

Elizabunny - thank you, I had a really good time doing my arrangements, I made two lovely wreaths, one full of greenery and dried orange slices and one a simple star made from twigs with some orange slices hanging from it and a bunch of cinnamon sticks. It was really easy and great fun! Lots of people did table decorations, but dd3 will be making one at school, so it'll be her one on the table for Christmas lunch, bless!

It was sooo simple to do them, wish I'd taken some pliers with me though, as the wire was quite stiff. Anyway I'm going to have a go at some swags with the kids, should be a giggle anyway, and I'm drying my own orange slices in the dehydrator, along with the bananas that need using up (why oh why has everyone stopped eating them?!)

Anyway I have no artistic ability, but the wreaths look pretty good I think, and all for free. If you have any ideas on more bits or tips on swag making or pics of your stuff please share, I'd love to see them, thanks!

Well I'm def money saving at the mo, my bank card was cloned and is being replaced, so until it arrives I am not spending anything, really can't be bothered to trek into town to go and queue in the bank! But as the kids pointed out, there is no chance of us starving lol! Actually don't think I need any money till next week anyway, car is full of petrol, cupboards are full of food, night out on thurs is paid for, will take wine from the wine rack to dinner at friends' on fri, and sat is village Christmas party, only need to take a secret santa pressie to that, so will have a rummage. Rather pleased that we can survive without cash, I know it's there in the bank, but it's a nice feeling to know that we can cope and that if we had no money we'd be okay for a while.

Thanks to whoever posted the tip about hot soaking beans, I'd forgotten all about doing that. And for those who have pressure cookers and use them for beans, what else do you cook in them? I've been thinking about getting one and wondering whether I'd use it enough!

Bargain_Rzl

Hi mummysaver,

I don't have a pressure cooker but I gather one of their most useful functions is for making stock.

I noticed yesterday that Lidl have got one coming up on this Thursday's specials list for £29.35