really old style living?

jumblejack

I was wondering if other things have been used successfully by ones on here?

For instance, I used to do my own icing sugar as I needed it in a coffee grinder until it broke. It was great at the time as I was cutting out refined sugar so I could make my own icing sugar from the unrefined granulated that I was using!!

Would this work with wheat, etc?

D&DD

ooh Mary don't forget you want the normal size NOT the widemouth sorry forgot to add that!

JJ the kenwood mill is excellent for grinding not sure about the handmill grinding sugar never thought of that use TBH will find out and get back to you on that one if noone else comes along:D

*supposed to be keeping OH in coffee while he's digging something up for me shhhh*

maryb

Thanks D&DD that's really useful. I'm happy to make an investment in the jars but the price of the lids really bugs me.

I want one of those big pressure canners to, preferably the one without a gasket so I don't have to worry about spares.

I did some research on pressure canners/ pressure cookers because it seemed to me odd that you couldn't use one of the old Prestige pressure cookers which go up to 15psi. But it seems that they leak too much steam for the pressure to be constant. Most European pressure cookers only go up to 12psi. I got all excited when I looked on the Kuhn Rikon site where the FAQs said the higher pressure was 15psi but that's wrong - I emailed them to confirm and they said that it is only 0.8 bar which is equivalent to 11.6psi. They tried to say that this was equivalent to the Prestige 15psi because it was so much more efficient

So I'll stick with my trusty old Prestige for general pressure cooking and save the pennies for a pressure canner

mummysaver

Oh D&DD, you do set me off on gadget trails! Now I'm looking at canning!

Time to do some pickle and jar stuff methinks, will distract me from canning! And my jam maker is fab for experimenting with small quantities and new recipes, as it only does 3 jars at a time, which is really handy if I've picked up some ys fruit! Strawberry jam, marmalade and everyday sarnie pickle have to be made in my huge pan, as they are needed in vast quantities - ds eats the pickle from the jar if he can get away with it!

D&DD

No not the dodgy ones :A

Right OH has finally put together my new raised bed from Lakeland sale and its a really nice size to fit in my front garden.

I want to use it as a 'medicinal' bed..I already have a herb bed in the back so question is are there any 'must have' plants anyone grows?
I have bought a couple of books cheap from TBPeople to read up a bit more on uses but would like any personal recommendations

*board guides I hope this doesn't qualify as asking medical advice if it does please let me know and I will alter post thankyou *

mardatha

Rosemary
Lavender
Thyme
Chamomile
Meadowsweet

[Deleted User]

D&DD wrote: »

No not the dodgy ones :A

Right OH has finally put together my new raised bed from Lakeland sale and its a really nice size to fit in my front garden.

I want to use it as a 'medicinal' bed..I already have a herb bed in the back so question is are there any 'must have' plants anyone grows?
I have bought a couple of books cheap from TBPeople to read up a bit more on uses but would like any personal recommendations

*board guides I hope this doesn't qualify as asking medical advice if it does please let me know and I will alter post thankyou *

thyme is one of the best medicinal plants you can grow. eg thyme tea for colds and coughs. There are lots of others but I wouldn`t grow and use them without learning about their uses and side effects first. Some examples, mullein, sage, mint, elecampane, lavender, lemon balm

mardatha

I made excellent cough mix from thyme. Expectorant. Lemon balm is a must have, just for the joy the smell brings !

born_blonde

Watch out with lemon balm - its like mint very invasive. It's literally a weed here. I plant herbs, sage, thyme, rosemary, mint and wild marjoram all around the camp site and encourage the campers to use them. It's fun watching the children especially with the lemon balm.

mardatha

I love lemon balm just because it grows here when so many other things won't My Rosemary dies in winter and I have to keep buying new plants. My sage is still out there but not looking great, is it hardy ? Mint I couldn't get to grow at all until I created a wee boggy peaty bed just for it Kept it wet for a year and now its ok. I make mint tea with it. I think all these forgotten and under appreciated plants will come back into fashion. For medicines, for enhancing food, and just for the beauty of the scents.