The commonsense thread

Bitsy_Beans

Memory girl has another use on her blog for preserved lemon skins, not sure if you would use them HJ

http://mortgagefreeinthree.com/2012/04/persian-spiced-lemons/

rachbc

HariboJunkie wrote: »

Was googling for a recipe last night to use up the husks of 16 lemons after making lemon curd when I stumbled this website where the article echoes what alot of us have been saying about keeping things real.

And I don't mean this link to insult anyone , it just seems to express well what I have been feeling although it is regarding the US where I believe the prepping community is very strong.

PS. I still don't know what to do with my lemons. :rotfl:

How about making enzyme cleaner with your lemons?

nice to see some not so common sense back - I'd givn up on this board recently
eta - clearly I have no common sense as i didn't read the post above recommending the same - I'll get me coat!

maryb

I'm one of the ones having a giggle over on the zombie thread but I would like to say, there really isn't that much difference between us when you strip away the fooling around. I did a post a couple of weeks ago explaining my philosophy which is NOT about preparing for extreme and unlikely situations. It's about buying enough when things are cheap to keep the average price down and being able to cope with foreseeable disruptions - like power cuts, a few days of bad weather and temporary shortages in the shops. It doesn't hurt that the same approach could help if there was a bit more disruption than that for a short while but it doesn't mean that is my main motivation or mean I spend loads on stuff I won't use.

I agree you need a lot less stuff than you think. I can be as guilty as anyone for drooling over kitchen gadgets but I've got what I need. But it helps if you can get good quality that lasts. My food processor wouldn't look good on the worktop in Great British Bake-off - it is a 20 year old Braun - but it's still incredibly useful. And my Prestige pressure cooker is even older. (I keep looking at new ones but I'm never convinced they'd be as good).

Trouble is sometimes you can only find what works for you by trying things out. I gave away my slow cooker - I could never cook anything that didn't taste rank in it. But I've learned to think carefully before buying any new gadget. Such a shame that experience is what you get AFTER you need it.

The only thing that would be a need to buy rather than a want to buy for me is an electric blanket - our old one packed up last year and I thought I would try getting by with hot water bottles. It was cold last night and I realised why I loved it so much - it really helps to prevent aching joints which I get if I'm just a little bit cold.

chirpychick

HariboJunkie wrote: »

PS. I still don't know what to do with my lemons. :rotfl:

I like this idea

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/candied-lemon-peel/

or

http://www.marthastewart.com/346961/candied-lemon-slices

You could gift them or have a sweet treat

PixieDust

mummysaver wrote: »

Over the weekend I shall be digging through the airing cupboard for some lined curtains, so I can pinch the lining for the lovely but very thin sitting room ones! Whilst I could just hang the old ones instead, they don't match anything, and whilst I may be old style that's no reason for no style

Hi Mummysaver,
depending on the type of hangy thingy your curtains use, could you possibly hang the old curtains as well as the pretty ones?

We have the "huge eyelet" type curtains in the living room and when we redecorated we bought new matching curtains, but the old ones were lined and thicker...so now they hang back-to-back, with the old curtains hiding behind the pretty ones. It is SO much warmer than just having the new ones up, and so much easier than unpicking and sewing etc.

twiz21

midnightraven3 wrote: »

RE the lemon peels

why not make compost heap jelly
(dont let the name put you off )
its a river cottage recipe

can be found here

http://boards.fool.co.uk/i-came-across-this-curiosity-one-the-other-day-11159650.aspx

apple peel & cores needed
so i make it after making apple crumble

I made my first few jars of compost heap jelly last week.

The apple peels and cores and orange rinds had been stored in the freezer for many months. I just added them as they became available.

It is lovely, like a shred less marmalade.

The bread was getting used up quickly so I baked an extra loaf.

HariboJunkie

chirpychick wrote: »

I like this idea

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/candied-lemon-peel/

or

http://www.marthastewart.com/346961/candied-lemon-slices

You could gift them or have a sweet treat

Bitsy_Beans wrote: »

Memory girl has another use on her blog for preserved lemon skins, not sure if you would use them HJ

http://mortgagefreeinthree.com/2012/04/persian-spiced-lemons/

midnightraven3 wrote: »

RE the lemon peels

why not make compost heap jelly
(dont let the name put you off )
its a river cottage recipe

can be found here

http://boards.fool.co.uk/i-came-across-this-curiosity-one-the-other-day-11159650.aspx

apple peel & cores needed
so i make it after making apple crumble

Thanks for all the ideas. :T

I've made the compost heap jelly in the past and it was an option but I've been preserving for a month now and my pantry shelves are groaning with jams, jellies, pickles and chutneys. I've also got a serious shortage of jars and we haven't even picked the elderberries, blackberries, autumn raspberries or sloes yet.

The enzyme cleaner is made and will be ready in 4 weeks.

VJsmum

HariboJunkie wrote: »

Was googling for a recipe last night to use up the husks of 16 lemons after making lemon curd when I stumbled this website where the article echoes what alot of us have been saying about keeping things real.

And I don't mean this link to insult anyone , it just seems to express well what I have been feeling although it is regarding the US where I believe the prepping community is very strong.

PS. I still don't know what to do with my lemons. :rotfl:

I want that garden!! :cool:

I like this thread although I too like to have a laugh on the SHTF thread. Just do what feels right for you. I like to knit - not cos I think the world will end if I don't but because it makes me sit down for a while and calm down for a while.

My stockpiling is largely buying a coupla three (midlands counting term) of anything on offer that I use. I have calmed down since about a year ago when I was snatching up yellow stickers only to realise it was stuff I wouldn't normally have bought. Although I do like to take opportunities to try things I wouldn't try at full price - eg crab pate which was minging, or coquilles st Jacques which were gorgeous.

Patchwork_Quilt

Common sense ideas -

Use what you can from the garden and fridge but don't end up eating something you dislike or don't need because it might otherwise go to waste.

Heat and light only the rooms you are using.

Use charity shops//freecycle or borrow large items from friends to save money.

Make the most of face-to-face time with family and friends, even colleagues, instead of permanently working.

Walk more.

Have more vegetarian meals.

Don't buy too many 'crafty' items.

Hope this helps.

mummysaver

Pixie dust - thank you for thinking about me and my curtains Thankfully the ones I'm planning on butchering have a loose sort of lining, rather like a second curtain sewn on the back, so I hope i can just remove it pretty easily - though I will prob still end up cursing lol! I'm going to have a look at the old curtains for dd3 and dd2's room, and see if I can use them to line the silky ones they now have, in the way you suggest.