Search found 1158 matches

by rhubarb93
28 Dec 2013, 17:09
Forum: Fitness and Health
Topic: Has anyone a SAD Lamp ?
Replies: 7
Views: 3941

Re: Has anyone a SAD Lamp ?

I've had one for a couple of years. Don't think it does much, though it is a good bright light to work by - I have it in my "office" above the desk. But for those who get SAD, or tired in the winter when light levels are low, ask your Dr to get you tested for Vit D levels. I was very defic...
by rhubarb93
19 Nov 2013, 14:45
Forum: Food and Drink
Topic: Easy Soup Recipes
Replies: 13
Views: 4735

Re: Easy Soup Recipes

One of my favourites is curried parsnip soup. Sauté some onion, add chunky diced parsnip and potatoes and a tsp mild curry powder. Cook with lid on 5 mins, then add veg or chick stock, season, simmer til veg are tender. Remove half the veg, liquidise the rest of the soup then return the veg chunks. ...
by rhubarb93
17 Oct 2013, 17:22
Forum: Frugality and Self-Reliance
Topic: Actual minimum amount a single person can live on
Replies: 8
Views: 3400

Re: Actual minimum amount a single person can live on

We not expecting her to manage on that, but yes, she needs accommodation, utils, food etc and to run a car. We are looking at a possible house share where the rent includes bills, at £350 a month. It's all the other stuff that's hard to estimate. We want her to have enough to afford at least a bit o...
by rhubarb93
17 Oct 2013, 15:46
Forum: Frugality and Self-Reliance
Topic: Actual minimum amount a single person can live on
Replies: 8
Views: 3400

Actual minimum amount a single person can live on

My daughter has just been offered an apprenticeship in countryside management in Somerset. I am thrilled for her and proud she got it as the competition was stiff. For the first year she'll get paid just £148 a week. Obviously we'll supplement it a bit for her, but can anyone give me a realistic ide...
by rhubarb93
14 Oct 2013, 10:10
Forum: Food and Drink
Topic: Price of my yoghurt
Replies: 15
Views: 5475

Re: Price of my yoghurt

FrreRanger, do you know what the extra skimmed milk does? I had it in my recipe too but have also made it without and it seemed OK
by rhubarb93
12 Oct 2013, 15:07
Forum: Food and Drink
Topic: Price of my yoghurt
Replies: 15
Views: 5475

Re: Price of my yoghurt

No, I don't think the culture will get diluted - they are live bacteria so are regrowing all the time, Wouldn't go sour if it died
by rhubarb93
11 Oct 2013, 21:52
Forum: Food and Drink
Topic: Jam making this morning
Replies: 6
Views: 2633

Re: Jam making this morning

Lovely! My fave jam, damson. Used to make it every year until my neighbour cut down their damson tree (which used to lean over the fence) While most bought jams are too sweet for me, I've found Tiptree or Duchy damson are great so I resort to buying these days. No hedgerow ones round here, sadly Enj...
by rhubarb93
11 Oct 2013, 21:45
Forum: Food and Drink
Topic: Price of my yoghurt
Replies: 15
Views: 5475

Re: Price of my yoghurt

Make your own in a flask with milk warmed to blood heat and a dessertspoon of a good bio yog as starter? Dirt cheap.
by rhubarb93
11 Oct 2013, 21:42
Forum: Frugality and Self-Reliance
Topic: A petrol mileage question / Economy etc.
Replies: 26
Views: 10041

Re: A petrol > mileage question

I used to religiously fill my tank full and reset the trip each time so I could monitor consumption. That way I'd know if car was not performing well and needed attention. These days I don't bother, just use what I use. OH's car gives a continuous readout of fuel consumption, and we find ourselves c...
by rhubarb93
08 Oct 2013, 15:41
Forum: Frugality and Self-Reliance
Topic: Library sell offs
Replies: 6
Views: 3049

Re: Library sell offs

Mine sold off an entire set of Ordnance Survey Maps recently - sadly I didn't spot them before all the southerly ones were gone and it was mostly Scottish ones left {cry}
But well worth looking out for
by rhubarb93
06 Oct 2013, 15:33
Forum: Frugality and Self-Reliance
Topic: Apple storage ideas.....
Replies: 19
Views: 9631

Re: Apple storage ideas.....

I don't bother with anything fancy, just peel and core (put in water so they don't go brown), slice into chunky slices, pop into plastic bag and freeze. They are fine used in crumbles or cooked down to apple sauce as needed. The only thing I do do is shake them into a thin layer in the bag and freez...
by rhubarb93
05 Oct 2013, 17:47
Forum: Frugality and Self-Reliance
Topic: House insurance
Replies: 5
Views: 2593

Re: House insurance

We've halved our home insurance cost by moving to a new company. But it remains to be seen if we are still happy should we need to claim....
Lots of cheap quotes out there by companies with appalling reviews
by rhubarb93
04 Oct 2013, 12:44
Forum: Frugality and Self-Reliance
Topic: light bulbs
Replies: 20
Views: 8744

Re: light bulbs

I think the LED bulbs are far better than the old eco bulbs - they do come on immediately, use very few watts and give a good white light, but they are horribly expensive. I expect the price will drop as they catch on.
Hadn't thought of looking on ebay - will do that now. )t'
by rhubarb93
03 Oct 2013, 09:25
Forum: Vegetable and Fruit Gardening
Topic: Weed suppressant?
Replies: 8
Views: 3254

Re: Weed suppressant?

Oh! never thought of that :oops:
And I thought my allotment was all-but-organic...
Loads of people do it, though, and I suppose like me never give it a thought.