Cooking for one (Mark Three)

Farway

PasturesNew wrote: »

Re budget, I'm looking forward to getting the State pension as, finally, I'll have a huge disposable income that's going to arrive week in, week out, without fear. I'll spend more on food after that. It's about £156/week now I think.... arriving "by magic". A marvellous concept.

For your whole life you live on the basis that the least income you can be bringing in is £0..... then, suddenly, it's £156. A game changer.

It is nice PN, not sure if you can these days but I chose the paid weekly option, seemed easier to budget at the time knowing full well another lot was going to drop in 7 days
And of course the 200 squid heating allowance come winter:j plus a extra tenner for your troubles at Christmas:beer:

Fire_Fox

Interesting reading everyone's take on meal planning, variety and leftovers.

Yesterday marked four weeks alcohol-free. :j So I should now have a healthier liver than a newborn baby.

Sunday: Snack that grew into a meal (Parma ham/ hard-boiled eggs/ avocado/ YS tenderstem broccoli/ chestnut mushrooms/ garlic).

Late night fruit dessert (pineapple/ YS gooseberries/ cinnamon/ Greek yogurt/ mixed seeds). Mouth-puckeringly sour :eek: despite sweetening.

Monday: Finished up the roasted chermoula rainbow trout with mixed vegetables (vine tomatoes/ shallots/ spinach/ oyster mushrooms).

Early evening fruit dessert (strawberries/ blackberries/ cinnamon/ Greek yogurt/ mixed seeds).

Today: Bowl of Mediterranean tomato soup with Greek feta and YS green pesto.

Rhubarb defrosted and gooseberries prepped for stewing later. :T

Brambling

PN will you get your pension at 65?

Firefox I'm envious of your rhubarb and gooseberries I love both, I must check the farmers market on Saturday when I'm in town.

The rain which was forecast to start at 3pm started early and it has been raining hard since 10.30am, so no lunchtime walk for me which is a shame as my sit in a corner and read was interrupted a couple of times with ' I know you're at lunch but...' unfortunately it was the boss and being a small office we have nowhere to hide :cool:

The rain hasn't helped my joints and I've made the decision not to go to my aunt's funeral at the end of the week, it's at least a four hour round trip (depending on the traffic) and my knees aren't great at the moment . If my sister who lived around the corner was going we could have split the driving but unfortunately she has to work. I spoke to another sister last night and four of my sisters will be there so I don't feel so guilty. She also recommended magnesium spray for joints as recommended to her from a lady she met whilst walking the dog, she’s tried it and said it is working for her I may give it a go as it’s currently half price in H&B although I though magnesium was for muscles? I was called an idiot for asking if I sprayed it in my mouth

Lunch today was a repeat of yesterday’s crustless quiche and a large salad, not sure what’s for tea I had planned to make vegetarian burgers and had roasted carrots when the oven was on Sunday as per the recipe but having looked at the recipe again last night I’m not sure if I fancy them now. I’ll see if I CBA to make them when I get home as I've a feeling I'll be here later than usual

pattypan4

I used magnesium spray yesterday and it made a considerable difference re my joints, was much better

Brambling

pattypan4 wrote: »

I used magnesium spray yesterday and it made a considerable difference re my joints, was much better

Thanks for this, definitely feel better at buying some now and giving it a go, not that I was doubting my sister

flubberyzing

I had the first of the frozen breaded cod portions for my tea just now, and was pleasantly surprised. Honestly, I can't remember the last time I bought frozen fish, but this was good! Just the right size, and a really flavourful batter. It was £3.something from Lidl for 4 portions. So that'll go on my mental list of "things to buy again sometime".

Like some others of you mentioned, I also enjoy cooking. I find it really relaxing to just potter around my kitchen putting a meal together. I always enjoy making myself a healthy meal from scratch, but I'm also not ashamed to get stuck into a frozen oven pizza. Although, as currently dieting, I'm trying to be good.

I'm off out to choir in a few minutes, but am going to take a coffee in a travel mug. I'm so tired! I think that "end of academic year tiredness" is just starting to make itself known. It happens every year. I'd thought I might dodge it this year, being on supply, but it seems perhaps not!!

caronc

PasturesNew wrote: »

Re budget, I'm looking forward to getting the State pension as, finally, I'll have a huge disposable income that's going to arrive week in, week out, without fear. I'll spend more on food after that. It's about £156/week now I think.... arriving "by magic". A marvellous concept.

Assuming you've got enough years of pension contributions and if any of your contributions were "contacted out";). Easy enough to check these days via the "Personal Tax Account" so fingers crossed.
Personally I reckon by the time I hit pension age the goal posts will have changed again as still 13 years to go!


Good evening everyone,

I'm definitely not adverse to the odd frozen pizza etc. they have their place when life is hectic or cba. I prefer to mainly cook from scratch as much as anything I find it cheaper and it helps me control my salt intake which is crucial in managing Meniere's. I know that if I have few salt heavy days I suffer for it so not worth it. It is course typical that I have a savoury rather than sweet tooth so love salty things like crisps, olives and cheese.
I've had a bit of a bendy day as I weeded the front garden, hoovered and mopped the floors as well as some more lean to clearing. Probably over did it as I'm wonky now but I wanted to make the most of it being dry for a change and the forecast is looking a bit iffy for tomorrow . A quiter day tomorrow will be needed I think. Thankfully dinner is a one tray bung it in the oven job:).

Brambling

Farway not sure if the current downpour is your gift to me or whether I'm sending it down to you thunder, lightning and torrential rain started fifteen minutes ago - flaming June. . My poor seedlings have taken a battering I think I'm going to have to plant more salad leaves and my poor tree peonies have lost their beautiful flowers :cool:

In the end dinner turned out to be quorn goujons from the freezer, cooked in the airfryer and the last of the runner beans and broccoli no real effort required tonight as I was late home from work. I've taken a HM RM from the freezer for dinner tomorrow as I expect to be late again

candygirl

Hi Guys, hope You're all ok.Soz i've been MIA lately, but had a few things going on.Made a mahoosive lentil daahl tonight, n am drowsing off already.
Can't wait for the food in Goa :beer::j

PasturesNew

caronc wrote: »

Assuming you've got enough years of pension contributions and if any of your contributions were "contacted out";). Easy enough to check these days via the "Personal Tax Account" so fingers crossed.
Personally I reckon by the time I hit pension age the goal posts will have changed again as still 13 years to go!

I think I've a full set already. My record started when I was 16, which was showing when I last checked.

What is annoying is the new pension rates.

Currently a single gets about £160 and a couple get about £250. This would reflect the fact that one household costs £X to run whether there's one or two in it. The new rate would give £160 to each, so couples suddenly get an additional £70/week they don't really "need" as such. That'll be annoying as, yet again, couples will be "awash" with money.