The Garden Fence - help and support in tough times

Hard_Up_Hester

My microwave was given to me by my DD's ex boss, she upgraded to one that grilled as well, I've had it for 14 years, don't know how old it actually is but it's still going strong but I won't replace it when it finally packs in.

HR phoned my L&M yesterday to see how he is, he raised the changes being made in his absence, which shouldn't be done so that caused a stir. Various avenues are being explored, he is feeling better as the medication starts to kick in, but I have made it quite clear that just because some people don't know how to do their jobs, that is no reason for him to remain on medication.

I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel, I just hope it's not a bloody express train coming towards me.

camelot1001

I have an all singing/dancing combi microwave that I bought to replace a broken one and this one is pants, can't understand the instructions, you can only defrost for a set time, oven part takes an age to heat and have never even tried the grill - the thought of having to clean the blasted thing after grilling puts me off. And, it's huge.

When I get a new kitchen I will have a small, cheap micro with as few buttons as possible. It only gets used about once a week anyway.

ivyleaf

Our first microwave was the one we'd bought for DD2 when she went to uni - after her course finished she brought it home, and then left it here when she moved out. We did find it useful, so when it died we replaced it with the cheapest one from Sainsbury's. I think it's about 10 or 11 years old now.
It's a Russell Hobbs. Sometimes I wish it was a bit bigger, but if it was, there wouldn't be room for the food processor to sit on top of it under the wall cupboard

westcoastscot

MTSTM vegan cheeses etc are fine, but they aren't what you would expect or call cheese if you aren't vegan. Neither are they used in the same way, as a core part of the meal.
They don't taste like cheese at all, rather add a yeasty mustardy flavour to a dish.

They are easy to make, as is soy milk, cream etc as we used to have to do so before they were commercially available in our part of Scotland.

Floss

My first microwave was bought in 1988 - it was lost in the divorce in 1999 so have no idea if it is still going.one replaced one that was sent off to uni with DS2 in 2007, It's used to defrost, reheat and melt chocolate!

Floss

Can I just query vegan cheese - if one is principled enough to turn vegan, shouldn't one accept that there are foods that one should forgo? It is why I won't commit to being veggie - I like the taste of meat & poultry too much to exclude from my diet wholeheartedly, but eat the very best that I can on a less-frequent basis.

moneyistooshorttomention

To me - I would say "life isn't about deprivation". So I wouldnt see why any vegans shouldnt have "substitute" foods if that's what they want.

Personally - as a non meat-eater in my case - I honestly don't miss it and only think about it in terms of "Why don't restaurants/cafes provide the same number of vegetarian choices as they do for meat/fish choices?" and that alternately puzzles and irritates me. That's literally the only time it crosses my mind to even think about it basically. Personally - I remember liking the taste of meat - but that doesnt translate into "Must have it then" in my case. I just shrug and accept not having it.

Re vegan cheeses - I've certainly been having nooch for some time now (ie nutritional yeast) and it fulfils its own purposes as an alternative to grated cheese (that is nothing like cheese) and I like it. My new vegan pantry book does contain several cheeses and that includes recipes for "mozzarella" and "feta" that are being described as very like the real thing - so I shall certainly have a go at them - as I'm quite partial to the dairy version of both.

Floss

I recently made my son's wedding cake, and dessert cakes for their guests, including 2 vegans. I struggled to find a vegan cake recipe that tasted pleasant, never mind one that was able to be decorated and served as a dessert.

westcoastscot

Floss we use a few vegan substitutes as youngest is allergic to dairy and egg - we do eat meat and fish as well, but try and have a couple of vegan days to keep control of our animal fat intake.
All my baking is vegan and very tasty - you wouldn't honestly be able to tell the difference, so if you ever need a recipe just ask!

maryb

Monnagran, I also want a washing machine with as few programmes as possible. But my wish list would be warm, hot, wool, rinse plus spin.

My beloved Braun Multipractic food processor gave up the ghost last year after 30 years. I was so excited when I sourced what looked like a direct replacement on Amazon Deutschland. But it is not nearly as robust nor as easy to use. Meh, progress!