Preparedness for when

RAS

Mrs_T_M wrote: »

They do have shops, but their prices are nearly the same as new goods. Also, the closest one to where I lived was an hour drive away!

Have you also discovered freegle or freecycle here?

fuddle

nuatha wrote: »

I never stock cough syrup, but do keep honey, ginger, lemon juice and sugar in stock. Generally I'll add hot water to honey and lemon juice, but have been known to infuse simple syrup with lemon and ginger for a portable version.

HTH

Thanks nuatha. I'll add a chunk of ginger and lemon to my shopping list. Both ok to freeze?

mardatha

Sambucol costs a fortune, if you could sort out how to make your own version then it would be well worth it fuddle.
I don't seem to be getting emails for MSE any more and I keep wondering why nobody's talking lol.
Got a nice big asda delivery yesterday and feeling better now cupboards are fuller.
Re weeds - whats the proper name for wrack? buttercups? Cos that's what I have, and chickweed about a foot high on the ex-chicken patch. There are two big fat wood pigeons who come and peck around in there and the chickweed is over their heads lol - they must think it's a jungle.

nuatha

fuddle wrote: »

Thanks nuatha. I'll add a chunk of ginger and lemon to my shopping list. Both ok to freeze?

Ginger root is ok to freeze, just grate what you need from the frozen lump. Slice lemons before you freeze them as you'll only need a slice (though the bottles of lemon juice will work) I also candy lemon zest, and have been known to add a half teaspoon to a glass of honey and lemon (I've also been known to add a nip of whiskey, purely medicinal, you know )

fuddle

Thanks everyone .

I'll call off at tesc0 after school and get lemon and ginger. I think the DD's and I are in for a spot of elderberry picking this evening

I noticed that A1di were completely out of paracetamol this morning. So many sniffles around at the moment

boultdj

mardatha wrote: »

Sambucol costs a fortune, if you could sort out how to make your own version then it would be well worth it fuddle.

Blackcurrent or Elderberry Syrup-from a book printed in 1925

1 pint of cleaned berries
1lb of sugar
1/2 pint of water

put all of the above in large jar[?] and place in a pan of hot water and boil for 2 hours.
Then strain through a jelly bag and boil the syrup for 10 minutes, a little brandy may be added. pour into bottles and cork tightly

Think that's the closest recipe I'v got Mar, just need the elderberries to ripen round here to try it.

fuddle

Some online boult that mention adding honey, cloves, cinnamon, ginger and lemon, one also says to add star anise but can't figure out what properties star anise gives.

edit: apparently it's an expectorant

[Deleted User]

Popped in £land this morning, and picked up a 3 cell (AA) LED torch and a miniature box cutter, which is like a penknife, except it takes miniature craft knife blades.

While the cutting edge, when fitted, is only 15mm (total cutting edge when removed 30mm), it does come with 4 blades, giving 8 effective blades, and is very compact (just 63mm long when closed) and lightweight.

I reckon it would make an ideal addition to a survival tin.

I also treated myself to a box of Cadbury Fingers, which made me think of Emma Chambers.

boultdj

Fuddle,it's from an old book, and nearly all the syrups and fruit vinigars have brandy in 'em to help preserve 'em, and then it just say's add syrup to boiling water and honey if you like it sweet, so I think it's just a basic recipe you can addapt if you like.

auntymabel

Do any of you foragers worry about picking from places popular with dog walkers? I'm thinking about the parasites that can get in the soil from unwormed dogs? I have foraged for elderberries and blackberries before but hadn't thought about this.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.