As The Workhouse Approaches....How To Do Everything To Avoid It, the Old Style Way

maryb

I thought the problem with sprouting seeds was usually with the water being a very good medium for spreading nasty bacteria. It's hard to see how seeds themselves can be contaminated with e coli.

I was just getting into sprouting seeds when this outbreak came along. However I think I might still give it a go because, like Ceridwen, I will use 'eating' beans and I can make sure everything in my own kitchen is as clean as possible.

How do you get the really long crunchy bean sprouts like the ones they sell in the salad section of the supermarket? I tried sprouting mung beans but they were a bit like small white worms - very threadlike and never got more than about an inch and a half long. I have got some aduki beans as well - would they be better?

culpepper

On our run yesterday we passed by a cherry plum tree on the main road. There was actually a man there with a bag ,foraging. First time we have ever seen anyone pick them! He pointed out that they were scrummy but we were a bit busy gasping for breath at the time to answer.
There used to be two more of the same kind of tree about 5 minutes walk from the house but the land now belongs to the new housing estate and they are in some lucky persons garden.
There was a damson tree by the river too which is also gone now as they built on that land.
Not much foraging now locally.

Larumbelle I'm very glad they sorted things out at your work!

lizzyb1812

Re sprouting seeds - the recent e coli outbreaks in France and Germany have been traced to fenugreek seeds from Egypt

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jul/05/ecoli-outbreak-egyptian-fenugreek-seeds

Larumbelle

maryb wrote: »

I thought the problem with sprouting seeds was usually with the water being a very good medium for spreading nasty bacteria. It's hard to see how seeds themselves can be contaminated with e coli.

I was just getting into sprouting seeds when this outbreak came along. However I think I might still give it a go because, like Ceridwen, I will use 'eating' beans and I can make sure everything in my own kitchen is as clean as possible.

How do you get the really long crunchy bean sprouts like the ones they sell in the salad section of the supermarket? I tried sprouting mung beans but they were a bit like small white worms - very threadlike and never got more than about an inch and a half long. I have got some aduki beans as well - would they be better?

I think the problem is that, if the e.coli bacteria is in the seeds already the water and warmth encourage it to grow, and because they are a high water content whatever gets into the water stays in the sprouts?

I have a large variety of sprouting seeds (T&M as it happens) and all I have sprouted since this is mung beans and chick peas, which I stir-fried. For anyone who doesn't already know, the current advice is not to eat sprouted beans raw, to make sure sprouters get scrubbed well after use, and to generally ensure good kitchen hygiene when handling any seeds: Personally I take such guidelines into consideration but use my own judgement. My mum used to be an environmental health scientist and she certainly didn't follow these guidelines to the letter when off the job! I am a little ambivalent about sprouts right now given my health, but if I was fit and healthy I would proceed, albeit with caution.

Mung beans - I find that depriving them of light makes them more like supermarket ones
Peanuts - are awesome sprouted! I love them in stir-fries and salad.

Heigh-ho! Heigh-ho! It's off to work I go :dance: I might log on in my lunch, (or be back here in tears if beyatch boss is a beyatch) otherwise I'll speak to you lovely ladies tonight

FatVonD

jackieglasgow wrote: »

the new BG fixed price is 5% ABOVE what the price will be when it goes up in August Looks like they think there will be another rise later in the year.

That's my unprofessional opinion BTW

I did a comparison for mine just this week and the capped charge would be £90 per year MORE than I'm currently paying :eek: DH doesn't think our bills will go up by more than £90 if we stay as we are, I told him he'll have to get used to wearing jumpers then (I'm always warm, even pre-menopause!) We're staying on our current plan for the time being, I hope we don't live to regret it! In good news though I've overpaid by £300 on the electricity so they're refunding that :T

modern_millie_2

Thanks to everyone who replied about the knitting needles, think I will scour the charity shops first and if no luck will buy from the local Singer shop. Bit scared of letting myself loose online, know what I'm like with Approved Foods - always order too much - suspect I'd be the same with wool.
Did find last winter that fleeces were'nt really warm enough (I'm a cold soul) so hoping the odd home knit plus CS finds will help. Used to have needles years ago, but thought I'd never use them again! Got to go, AF just arrived. Meant to say though, wool prices in the local shop not as high as expected, so may go back if I can make a recognisable garment.

[Deleted User]

I have sprouted thousands of seeds during the last 38 years and never had any adverse affects. The easiest and quickest are alfalfa and these are the ones that I recommend as they don`t hang around for long. We eat them raw and always have done. When they are ready in the jar, then I pull all the seedlings out and into a bowl of fresh, cold and clean water. They get a good swirl and I am able to then just scoop up the sprouts, leaving the ungerminated seeds at the bottom. The strained sprouts go into 1 or 2 lock and lock boxes and straight into the fridge. I was never a fan of sprounted mung, chick pea etc and fenugreek always too long to germinate as does brocolli. Don`t overcrowd them in the jar by the way, you need a lot less than you think, probably 1-2 tbs per litre kilner size jar. I have different strainer sizes as inserts (from usa) and can use bigger holes as the seeds grow, so they rinse quicker and more thoroughly

I just did an online waitrose shop, so luxurious being able to sit with laptop and do my shopping. I got several bargains and free delivery, what more can I ask for. No petrol, no queues and good prices these days

just an edit to say that I got lots of lakeland sale stuff this week and it was worth holding back this year, until the sales. I did buy a couple of half price cosypods as I got a bit metally paranoid re the fact that we are 100% dependent on electricity in this house and there is always a `what if` when winter comes. Re flectalon, it is absolutely fantastic stuff

tessie_bear

im enjoying all the foraging talk...my mumand i pick blackberries every year and make jelly crumbles and pies...cant wait....i have also spotted an apple tree that i might see if i can get some apples from....its on the edge of a bridge so it doesnt belong to anyone

im also liking the lakeland sale...spent to much

ginnyknit

ooh Tessiebear I live in Manchester and theres an apple tree here on the edge of an old railway bridge so I am hoping to get some from there this year!

Spent the day at the hospital with OH - more tests to come next week, cameras and things but hoping the outcome is meds not surgery. Funnily enough its the department that caused my OH's disabilities in the first place and they were so helpful and we were astounded that he was booked in there and then for the tests next week do doctors have a conscience?

Of to Mr S when he gets up from a nap, a bit tired after all the messing about. So cross you fingers there are some bargains for me!

scottishminnie

Not sure why this has only be posted on the shop but don't drop board as I think many people on this board would fit the bill but channel 4 are looking for people who are bargain hunters or money savers - link below in case anyone is interested. We could have some celebrities amongst us soon!

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3346252