really old style living?

NualaBuala

Glad to hear it!
Have a vision of you resting wearing a black leather dressing gown and stroking an albino cat like some kind of movie villain plotting world domination.

NualaBuala

Mmmm, they sound delicious Sandra.

I wonder am I mad to think about trying these - I am a really rubbish cook mainly cos I never seem to stick to recipes. I am eating a soup I made yesterday - except it turned out more like a stew cos I added waaaaay too much barley (is still perfectly edible though).

Another resolution - must follow the blimmin recipe!!!

ginnyknit

I started saving peel etc for the compost heap jelly and Oh has orders to deposit the leftovers from his fruit addiction into a box in the freezer. I just love the idea of making stuff from what you would put on the heap - can't wait to send my Sister in law a pot, that will really freak her out sorry she has made my Mums xmas a misery.

Im very pleased with the stock cupboard so far and will continue with it this year. I just want to keep ahead of the game, so to speak. Dd has kept up with her forward planning too and for a new housewife Im very proud of her.

One problem I want to solve this year is my arthiritis, well obviously not solve it but try and find out what in particular triggers the attacks, Im sure theres something. I have been bad for a few days now after a break of a month ( just minor twinges) I try not to be too inactive as I am sure that doesnt help but somedays I just want to rest ??? Time for research me thinks.

flea72

ginnyknit wrote: »

One problem I want to solve this year is my arthiritis, well obviously not solve it but try and find out what in particular triggers the attacks, Im sure theres something

avoiding red or acidic foods can help arthritis. so tomatoes, capsicums, apples and citrus fruits, would be a good starting point for elimination

F

pagangirl

Thanks for the compost heap jelly recipe Stitching Witch - will give it a go (sounds lovely)

OS plans for this year include:

major sort out of cupboards/stock/freezer etc & use up whats in there before buying anything else

Declutter more

Start batch cooking instead of buying whoopsies and saving them (what am i saving them for????)

Use local shops instead of supermarket

Need to exersize more, not overweight just not as healthy as I used to be - need to do more walking.

Have already joined Frugal Living Challenge 2011.

Hugs to all feeling icky - be good to yourself

xx

ceridwen

ginnyknit wrote: »

One problem I want to solve this year is my arthiritis, well obviously not solve it but try and find out what in particular triggers the attacks, Im sure theres something. I have been bad for a few days now after a break of a month ( just minor twinges) I try not to be too inactive as I am sure that doesnt help but somedays I just want to rest ??? Time for research me thinks.

In that case - try looking on Amazon for the mini-series of Arthritis books by Margaret Hills SRN.

mardatha

Ginny - I know arthritis and ME probably have nowt at all in common.... but what made me a lot better was really plain food. Porridge (water and salt+cream on) for breakfast; HM soups for dinner; butcher meat + veg for tea. Nothing fancy and not much fruit or sugar. I read once about a lady who was totally crippled by arthritis and who totally changed her diet and reversed the condition.

D&DD

My new years resolution is always the same,to be more organised and I have honestly given up hope of ever acheiving it lol..

There is so much I want to do/learn this year I'll have to make some lists.

First thing on the agenda is dogproofing the garden to stop missy getting everywhere

apple_mint

Awwww what a lovely photograph D&DD. We would love a dog but cannot have one at the present time. One day soon ...

DH and I have a joint New Year's resolution to really cut our spending to the bone. Our OS lifestyle will help with this but we need to cut out the bought little treats and focus on a greater use of the garden.

Thank you for the information on compost heap jelly Stitching Witch. We have an orange each everyday in our packed lunch and I was wondering if there was something more I could do with the peel. I've already been looking for a candied peel recipe.

Things we are planning to focus on this year:

• Not buying new clothes / footwear unless absolutely necessary and to look after what we already have (careful wash care, maintenance, making sure buttons are still sewn on properly) and repurposing of existing items (e.g. making into other items)
• Learning new skills - I want to learn to crochet - I have a hook, some wool and have started to look at youtube tutorials. OH is going to make a darning mushroom - to help with repairing our woollen socks (lovingly and beautifully knit by DD but this week I put a hole in the toe of one pair:eek:.)
• Three or more vegetarian main meals per week
  - which will help to cut the food bills.
• Cutting the food bill by growing more of our own food. This includes growing and drying more herbs (parsley was very successful this year)
• Making more use of what we already have e.g. entertainment (we've started going back through our DVD collection, plan to re-read our old books, I'm re-reading my cookery books for inspiration, and I know that somewhere in the loft we have a load of jigsaws we can re-do).
• Think before we spend. We are reasonably good at this but there is always room for improvement I need to think like The Waltons (no money, depression era and relying on making things for themselves).

apple_mint

stitching_witch wrote: »

Compost Heap Jelly

makes 3 225gr jars

500g apple cores and peel
500g citrus fruit peep cut into 1cm shreds
granulated sugar (see below)
1.5l water
Juice of 1 citrus fruit (optional)

Put apples cored, peel and citrus peel in saucepan with water. Bring to simmer and cook slowly for 45-60mins. Turn into jelly bag and leave overnight to drip.

Measure strained liquid and weigh out 450g of sugar for every 600ml of juice. add fruit juice if using. Bring liquid to boil, add sugar, stir until dissolved, then boil rapidly without stirring until setting point is reached - approx 10 mins

Remove from heat and stir until all surface bubbles have disappeared. Pour into jars and tap to remove any remaining bubbles. Seal. Use within a year.

Thank you - copied out and ready to go into a file. I've decided to also make sure I copy the recipes I need when I see them. I can spend an awful lot of time looking for something I've seen on MSE but don't remember just where :rotfl: