make do and mend for tougher times

Softstuff

fuddle wrote: »

I'm a onesie lounge wearer, can't sleep in the things but you are spot on.. A whole lot of pain when you need the toilet and freezing cold too. You also have to watch that your arms don't dangle down the toilet to avoid an icky dunk. I learned that one quick. Yak.

See, if they had the bum-flaps that they showed on the old westerns, I might be convinced, but you've pinpointed exactly what I was worried about and I'm afraid I'm sticking with PJs.

Getting stupidly excited about starting volunteering tomorrow. Have baked carrot muffins for morning tea, am just hoping I don't look too weird since I can't eat them!

For anyone curious:
Carrot muffins (makes 12 monsters)

large slosh of veg oil (about 100ml)
large slosh of milk (probably about 100ml too)
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups s/r flour
1 cup sugar (any kind)
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon nutmeg

Mix vigorously until the lumps are more or less gone.

Add 3 grated carrots and mix until they're more or less covered.

Heap messily into cupcake pan (or friand pan in my case, since that's what I've got).

Bake at 180 for about 40 mins (until skewer poked at them comes out clean).

These have risen more than even my best yorkshires and seem light and fluffy. Yay!

Softstuff

Incidentally, I hope people will forgive me, but I'm not pressing thanks much. I have a touch pad and kept accidentally pressing the spam button as I went across to the thanks (slightly jerky fingers) and it got so it was really putting me off. So please accept my heartfelt thanks regardless, it's just I don't want to mark you as spam. Or report you to abuse. Unless you are.

Possession

Is now the time to confess I don't usually make carrot cake because I'm too lazy to grate the carrots? They sound nice though, might make the effort.

Softstuff

Possession wrote: »

Is now the time to confess I don't usually make carrot cake because I'm too lazy to grate the carrots? They sound nice though, might make the effort.

I hate it too. I don't have a food processor and it can be a bit hard on the hands. I tend normally to get hubby to do the grating, but did it myself this time.

Y'know, I see no reason you couldn't use cooked pureed carrot. That would put the carrot in it and the only thing that would change would be the texture. It'd be a smoother lighter sponge cake with no bits in. The taste would be the same. I might try it next time.

katieowl_2

Morning Gang!

Baking day for me today, but I'm also making some soup to sell and veggie pasties (Butternut and chickpea I think)

When I was in Mr T yesterday I saw a lady looking at the bananas quizzically, she'd got a bag of the Value bananas in her hand and she said to me "Are these the £1 ones?" I said "No the Value ones are £1.15 now, but the loose ones are cheaper...." "ARE they?" she said. So I pointed out the loose ones were 68p a kilo and we took the bunch of value ones over (1400g for £1.15 (95p at loose price)) and a bunch of loose ones (1200g - 81p) - she had a suitable ca-ching moment and I told her you really have to look carefully in Mr T because they try and catch you out :mad: I hope I don't get barred :rotfl: It's a long way to the next supermarket!
I am a poor sad little bunny, but it really makes my day when I enlighten someone else!!!

Oh well...better get in the kitchen...

Kate

fuddle

Well Kate, I thank you for being a sad little bunny because you've taught me something I didn't already know. I always buy loose but I've been suckered into the value bananas. I bet my clubcard details are laughing at me!

When I got my shopping delivered from Tesco the other day the driver was grumbling (nicely, pulling my leg more so) about the sheer amount of items I bought. I apologised (whilst laughing and he appreciated my humour) that I was shopping for the month. He quipped, so do most of my deliveries but they don't have this much. I showed him how much I'd spent and he couldn't believe the amount I got for less than average monthly grocery spend. There still must be so many people out there not getting value for money, not buying ingredients but ready made, fancy packaged. To think that my shopping trolley is not the norm has me wondering - My trolley is full of basic things to cook wholesome meals for a month.

I'm not whinging or taking the mickey out of other people because I was one of those with the high grocery spends and a cupboard full of ready made brightly packaged... I'm just observing that although times are really tight, there's must be so many people in my area that aren't changing their shopping habits to reflect it.

Kittie the fruit surplus link looks so interesting. I just wish I had something to give.

I have a feeling I may just make up a batch of carrot muffins this afternoon, thanks for sharing

[Deleted User]

FUDDLE - it always amazes me at what prople have at the check out. I stand there with my bag of flour, shin of beef, carrots, dried milk etc. All basics to make from scratch and the people either side have ready made pies, packets of biscuits, lots of crisps, ready meals, jars of pasta sauce, sweets, shop cakes, desserts and then have the conversation about how much this costs. I always get asked by the check out lady what I'm going to do with my bones/bacon hock/piece of brisket etc. and can guarantee someone will say 'Oh I used to do that but can't be bothered nowadays' and when I ask why they can never come up with an answer - the truth I suppose is that it takes more time and effort than just getting a ready made one. We fare better with a make it at home attitude I think and have better nutrition and our hard earned cash goes that little bit further but it's not rocket science is it? Cheers Lyn x.

Possession

I guess time is the major factor, and eventually just being out of the habit of doing these things. Plus I'm guessing we are now getting to the stage where there are young people leaving home who don't know how to cook because their parents relied on mostly ready meals. Apart from buying the odd pizza and quiche, I'm not sure my parents have ever had a ready meal in their life. They do use jar sauces though.
On the other hand, my grandma, 92, is still (just about) managing to live in her own home but is very severely restricted in mobility. Despite being as OS as you could get up to 10 years ago, she now cannot prepare food and ready meals are a lifesaver for her quite literally.

Softstuff

Katieowl, how nice of you to help with the banana lady! I tried helping a lady here with tea bags, she was buying packs of 10 twinings for $1.99 when 50 were on special for $2.50, but she said she wasn't bothered. Chances are she was boiling her kettle by burning $10 notes.

I signed up Kittie. Unfortunately not to give as I don't have a garden, but I did offer to share anything I make with the donor.

Well done with your shop Fuddle, it's a real boost when you get more for your money than others think you should have! I've surprised a checkout person before now and it gives me a giggle. Hubby confirms the muffins are yummy (now he's munched one), so you'd be very safe to try them.

My mum uses a lot of ready meals, but I don't blame her. She's got bad arthritis, Dad is very ill and cooking is the last "to-do" on a long list. If I lived closer I'd cook home-made ready meals for her.

[Deleted User]

Hats off to your Grandma POSESSION, and there is a time for all things, if she can maintain her independence by having ready prepared meals that's only right and the sensible thing to be doing. What amazes me is the number of people my age and younger who just cannot be bothered to bother if that makes any sense. I know lots of couples whose kids have flown the nest who say 'oh there are only the two of us, it doesn't seem worth all the bother for just us' , why? I just don't understand. My days are busy and fulfilling, I know it's my choice to do all the things I do and I enjoy it. Most of those others only seem to get pleasure from going shopping and spending. I guess it depends on which field you are in as to what you do. One of lifes imponderables eh? Cheers Lyn x.