Where do we go from basics?

sb44

unixgirluk wrote: »

For sauces (apart from the basics curry sauce and basics sweet and sour), I use the really cheap cup a soup (including the approved food ones) and thicken if necessary with a little cornflour. One sachet makes enought sauce for chicken or fish for 3-4.

If you are looking for a really cheap Pepper Sauce ie the black pepper creamy, not hot chili pepper then try this recipe below.

I have made it a few times now and it is really tasty and cheap!

http://cooking.sofeminine.co.uk/w/recipe/r1234/foolproof-pepper-sauce.html

[Deleted User]

silverleaf79 wrote: »

I'd recommend anyone try it. Give it 2-3 weeks and see what you think - you may find that your hair takes a few washes to get used to it (mine was fine from the start to be honest). And let me know how it goes!

Maybe we should have a No Shampoo challenge?

I have bad eczema on my scalp. Have resorted to very expensive organic everything-free shampoo from well known green/organic internet site. However, I plucked up courage today and used the bicarb wash and vinegar rinse. I did this over the bath with cool water shower. Amazingly (so far) no adverse effects re the itching. But my hair came out lovely, clean and soft. I was very impressed. I hope this continues because I'm going to save a LOT of money.

mardatha

How did you do it ? sprinkle on dry bicarb and rub in or what ? I must try this.

[Deleted User]

mardatha wrote: »

How did you do it ? sprinkle on dry bicarb and rub in or what ? I must try this.

Post 214 on this thread OP silverleaf79

mardatha

ooops ok missed it ta !

DebtFree2012

Thanks for the feedback - I will be trying this once mine runds out in 2 or 3 washes.

silverleaf79

budgeteer wrote: »

I have bad eczema on my scalp. Have resorted to very expensive organic everything-free shampoo from well known green/organic internet site. However, I plucked up courage today and used the bicarb wash and vinegar rinse. I did this over the bath with cool water shower. Amazingly (so far) no adverse effects re the itching. But my hair came out lovely, clean and soft. I was very impressed. I hope this continues because I'm going to save a LOT of money.

Great, sounds like it'll work well for you! Honestly, you won't go back once you're used to it. If someone gave me free shampoo for life I wouldn't use it again.

I tried lots of different (and expensive) shampoos and lotions and potions, even prescription meds and nothing helped my scalp. But with bicarb/vinegar I get much less flaking and itching. It's not perfect but as long as I don't wait too long between washes (my scalp hates being even a little greasy) it's definitely better than it was, and my hair's in better condition too - much shinier. My mum said that bicarb baths helped my eczema when I was a baby too.

I think shampoo/conditioner's a con, to be honest. Years ago people used to wash their hair with ordinary soap and use a vinegar or lemon juice rinse, but of course in modern times toiletry companies have convinced everyone that they need a special product to clean their hair. They put in harsh chemicals like sodium lauryl sulphate which dries out the hair and then you need to slather on conditioner full of silicones to coat your hair and make it feel softer. Then you need the SLS to wash the silicones out... :mad:

bloomerang72

This is a fabulous thread!!

Advice though please. When you are adding barley and chickpeas etc to your stews, do you need to boil them off first after soaking? Also slow cooking the chicken do you literally just put the chicken in and leave it at that? Where can I buy soda crystals? I cant find them anywhere

Thanks

silverleaf79

budgeteer wrote: »

I have bad eczema on my scalp. Have resorted to very expensive organic everything-free shampoo from well known green/organic internet site. However, I plucked up courage today and used the bicarb wash and vinegar rinse. I did this over the bath with cool water shower. Amazingly (so far) no adverse effects re the itching. But my hair came out lovely, clean and soft. I was very impressed. I hope this continues because I'm going to save a LOT of money.

bloomerang72 wrote: »

This is a fabulous thread!!

Advice though please. When you are adding barley and chickpeas etc to your stews, do you need to boil them off first after soaking? Also slow cooking the chicken do you literally just put the chicken in and leave it at that? Where can I buy soda crystals? I cant find them anywhere

Thanks

That's a good question about barley and chickpeas. I know you have to boil lentils for 10 mins before slow cooking them, and some beans (definitely kidney beans) as well - it should tell you on the packet hopefully. I just googled for sc barley/chickpea recipes and it looks like they're safe to use without boiling.

You can roast chicken in a slow cooker, just chicken and nothing else. It ends up very tender and falls apart because it partly cooks in its own fat - for me it tastes too "rich" because of that so I like to use some water, veggies, etc so it poaches instead.

My fave slow cooker chicken recipe is just chicken pieces (I skin them first), tinned tomatoes, garlic black olives, green peppers, onions, oregano or thyme or similar, and water, enough to cover the chicken. Amounts aren't critical but for 2 people I'd use 2 bits of chicken, 2 cloves of garlic, 1 tin of toms, 1 onion, 1 pepper and expect some leftover for my lunch the next day. Mushrooms, potatoes and broccoli are great in this as well, it's a dish to play around with and add whatever veggies are in the fridge or whatever herbs you like. Good with rice or nice crusty bread.

Gigervamp

bloomerang72 wrote: »

Where can I buy soda crystals? I cant find them anywhere

Thanks

I've bought mine in Tescos. They were by the washing powders.

Mysupermarket shows that they have them at all 4 supermarkets. Look here.