A new 'tougher' thread... and so it continues

Rowan9

Fuddle - there's a thread on OS somewhere about eating healthily on a low budget. Also, lots of drinks for littlie to help things move along - even if it's squash -it'll help soften things! Carrots are cheap - we get a big bag of Te$co cheapies for soup and also eat them raw a lot. Greens - kale, cabbage etc aren't too bad just now. I know what you mean about coop prices though. Do they have any offers on frozen veg? What about stewing some apples?
Off out with dogs so just a short post from me. Have enjoyed reading what you're all up to.
Mardatha - are you missing?
W

VJsmum

I am officially adopting this as my motto - along with carpe diem. So if i can't carpe diem, I can at least nihil illigitemi carborundum :rotfl:

Feeling a tad delicate today after a solid 8 hours of drinking wine A good night was had by all tho - or was it? I can't remember

Had a soak in the bath and then a day of baking ensues - GQ I may also join your sect, well i would except for your rant against coffee (vile? vile?). I, regrettably, have become a creature of habit with tea first thing (rooibos), coffee mid morning - sometimes 2 and then tea for the remainder. With plenty of water in between, when I remember.

I am baking mince pies, icing the christmas cake, tidying the house, putting up cards and sorting and wrapping pressies today - but may have to fit in a tea / coffee with friend. I may do the big christmas shop tonight to save battling it out tomorrow. It might mean popping somewhere tomorrow for things not available tonight, but i think will save time in the long run - and, lets face it, nothing is that important. The butcher is opening from 6 tomorrow so i may visit him early. I might bake some of softstuffs mince things.

How's everyone getting on with EVOO? I actually do think it has made a difference to my skin and is certainly easier than my usual cleansing routine. Am now trying to persuade acne ridden DD (15) to give it a whirl. I think it's also given me a bit of a glow - olive skinned indeed :rotfl:

Ah well time for more paracetomol for my hango er slight headache and i will get to it. Perhaps i'll have cake for breakfast?

Bobbykins

VJsmum - I was thinking of trying the EVOO as a new routine in the New Year, one of my many resolutions. It sounded really interesting when everyone was discussing it earlier. I meant to ask, though, is it an every day thing or just a "once a week pamper" job? Being a [STRIKE]lazy s0d[/STRIKE] busy lady, I find regular skin-care routines a bit of a PITA and fall out of the habit really easily. No doubt that's what accounts for my prune-like complexion.:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

modern_millie_2

Fuddle, I thank my stars sometimes that we are all veggie - just couldn't afford a diet with a lot of meat in it. Still get to the end of the day sometimes and think we haven't had enough fruit and veg.
Carrot sticks are a great idea, also apples with skins if poss, and as Katie said, you can't go wrong with wholemeal toast and beans. Liquids too - always had to remind my DD to drink. Co- op prices are shocking sometimes - but can have good reductions.

Taurus, hope you are feeling better today.

GQ and Gailey, think you are right about the pyramid - everything I've read recently suggests there is a widening gap between the top one or two per cent income wise, and the rest of us, and a real lack of understanding and lack of social responsibility to the "less fortunate". I hope the fact that people are beginning to talk about this (lots of newspaper articles recently) will herald some sort of change.

Meanwhile - going to cook down some leftover minestrone soup, add extra tomatoes, onions and mung beans, and - voila!- veggie bolognese sauce! Extreme austerity cooking even for me. Nil desperandum and all those other Latin sayings.
Have a good day everyone.

lizzyb1812

Mardatha posted on the winter prep thread that she was trying to get the hang of a new computer.

EVOO - I've been using this daily for about 10 days now. Not the massage then 15 minutes under a hot flannel, but "washing" my face with it before showering, then using a hottish flannel to rinse/wipe it off. There has definitely been an improvement in the look/feel of my skin, especially on my neck.

I've learned that the person I'd invited for Christmas dinner is going to stay with their mum instead, which I'm very pleased about for both of them - my invite was a fallback for them. So it will be me, pup and puss. I'm not a bah humbug person but this year was so stressful until about October that I'm really looking forward to having to please no-one but myself. And as all my rellies are hours of travel away it's not as though I'm in hiding or anything. I confess I've started on the goodies already Oh, boy, am I dreading the scales in January :eek:

grandma247

Fuddle rice,grapes and coconut are all good for getting things "moving"

VJsmum

Bobbykins wrote: »

VJsmum - I was thinking of trying the EVOO as a new routine in the New Year, one of my many resolutions. It sounded really interesting when everyone was discussing it earlier. I meant to ask, though, is it an every day thing or just a "once a week pamper" job? Being a [STRIKE]lazy s0d[/STRIKE] busy lady, I find regular skin-care routines a bit of a PITA and fall out of the habit really easily. No doubt that's what accounts for my prune-like complexion.:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

I've been more or less doing it twice daily - honestly, it is easier than when i washed my face normally. I scrape my hair back, put a teaspoon of EVOO on my hand and rub it over face. I go about the nightly routine of checking things are switched off etc which gives it about 5 minutes to soak in then wipe off with a hot face cloth, rinsed a couple of times. I sometimes use eye make up remover for mascara and occasionally have to put moisturiser on afterwards but compared to "remove make up, wash face, tone, serum, moisturise" it is far less hassle. In the morning i am usually up for a while before getting dressed (organising kids etc) so will put EVOO on face about 5 mins before shower and then use face cloth in shower. I use a clean face cloth every day - but then i used to use wodges of cotton wool. Give it a go - you can always go back to your usual if it isn't for you.

Feeling a tad more human now - days will start to stretch out again and the sunshine today is lovely to see. I've even hung washing out.

Now for the great pressie hunt! Cupboards, under beds in drawers - I hope i find them all:eek:

gailey_2

Morning guys.

Thanks for advice re the flood was in a panic last night.

Well the indoor rain has stopped.
so has the buzzing
and the lights work.
There are marks on the ceiling we need to paint over.
Dident want to ring agents/landlords as technically our fault.

When numpty hubby drilled through electrics last year called electrician cost £70!:eek:

Well beef casserole was yummy last night was reduced beef from spar so not as chunky as the butchers and hubby moaned it was practically vegetarian! Ahh men! Give him lentil stew tonight maybe:rotfl:
Talking of lentils lidls had money off think was less than 90p for 500g bag.

Wondering what all the fuss is over solar power.
governement said they had to cut subsidies as been stupid rise in last few months surly thats a sign that energy bills are too high and people struggling. I never considered it as thourght only home owners eligible.

Well mini terroist has gone to toddler prision today(nursury)
So today already managed to

hoover upstairs
tidy airing cupboard
clean dining table
change bedding/tidy my room
clean bathroom and not even 11am:D

Hubby has dentist.

5year old wrote her santa stop here card.
told her santa has magic key that fits any door as dont have chimney.
told hubby we need to draw round boot on carboard ct out boot template use icing sugar to create snow footprints!

This afternoon the plan is go

poundshop -stocking fillers and perhaps some food items.
mr m-last min shopping that leaves butchers tommorow and possible reductions xmas eve .

Then I have an evening of making gifts and cooking which I enjoy just wish wasent so last min but cant lock myself in kitchen when hubbys out as god knows what the kids would do then.

Plan now is sort laundry
tidy kids room
polish lounge/hoover
clean kitchen
hoover downstairs/lounge

make lists.

being evil and making hubby wrap presents tonight.

I know at times sound very busy but its mainly just me so I aim to get as much done as possible as dont have anyone to delegate too.
Sometimes think should lower my expectations but love xmas just think not eneough hours in the day.

Got the xmas tablecloth from greece on table
got red throws on sofa
we have real tree with reduced decorations from jan and few homemade ones.
Got scented spice candle from lidls.

Ideally would love to have more xmas decorations like big reindier or snowman, maybe some outdoor lights but all costs money will keep an eye out in sale. For last 5years wanted a nativity set saw a knitted one other day. I cant knit but thinkiing maybe I could try make one out of cardboard. Also love those wooden draw calenders where you put your own thing but they sooo pricey.

Fuddle-although co-op pricey find they often have fantastic generous reductions so maybe you get lucky!

Grey queen-Does feel like uk polorised between the very wealthy and they very poor. Think news said this is biggest fall in living standards since 70,s. Everyones feeling squeezed.people who were just about comfy are struggling as rise in living costs, some people had redundancy.Savings returns are poor.

Wonder if 2012 will be better as they reckon inflation will fall.
Wonder if interest rates will rise or what will happen in eurozone plus lots of cuts bite in 2012 and 2013 we will be worse off I think.

Watched kirsty alsops xmas programme yesterday quite enjoyed it some good ideas tempted to try a yule log but reckon my sponge may brake when folded baking not my strong point.

Hope everyones doing ok.

SDG31000

gailey I haven't tried it, but apparently if you replace half the flour in the cake mix with cornflour it makes the sponge very flexible and easily rolled. Personally I just cover up all the cracks with icing, although one year we had a yule brick as the cake completely broke while I was attempting to roll it. If all else fails cover the thing in holly and plastic snowmen. Good luck xxx

Hobsons_Choice

Had to go for a starving (!) blood test this morning. The phlebotomist said her husband reckons she makes Christmas hard work. "A list" he said, "You should always make a list, then you'll breeze through the food and present buying etc".
I think he's now in the same hospital, on life support.