Thursday, 31 May 2012

The relevance of age ?

 I see in the news certain stars are worrying about their age , I see comments telling them to stop being so vain etc. But some people are worried for a reason there is often a rhyme and reason for everything. Though for some people it is pure vanity but that's just life isn't it ? and if we were all the same the world would be a pretty boring place now.

 I know I am coming up for 40 this year the BIG 40  I suppose I should do a list of the things that I want to go and the places I want to go . I have been to lots of places so I really don't want to do that. I used to worry about my age , that I wasn't going to be the one that didn't have a party. Several people I know seem to be celebrating all year for various milestone birthday between them ( that's their call ).

And as I speak various friends etc are jetting off celebrating their special birthdays that were months ago to recreate that 'Sex in the City' feeling.

Withstanding the need to go get that 'Sex in the City feeling'


 But you have to remember to live your life for the here and now So I am nearly 40 but my Father in law is nearly 80  so really I can't spend the next 40 odd years worrying about my age now can I?

Rugby Country kids






Melebourne under 13's winning the NLD 







Tuesday, 29 May 2012

Italian Rice with Turkey







Serves 2-4

Ingredients:

2 tbsp olive oil
2 skinless boneless Turkey fillets or turkey pieces
1 Red onion, cut into 8 wedges
2 red peppers, halved deseeded and sliced thickly
1 garlic clove, crushed
100g long grain rice
400g can chopped tomatoes
300ml chicken stock
4tbsp ready-made pesto ) you'll find long-life jars on the shelves or more expensive fresh pots in the chiller cabinets)


Method:

1. Heat oven to 200c/fan 180c/gas mark 6. Heat the oil in a large,shallow ovenproof pan, add the turkey and cook for 3-4 mins until golden all over. remove from the pan and set aside.

Add the turkey and cook for 3-4 mins until golden all over.



Red onion.

One red onion cut into 8 wedges.






2. Add the onion and peppers, and cook for 3 mins or until light golden.








3. Tip in the garlic and fry for a min. Stir in the rice, then the tomatoes, stock and  reserved turkey. Turn up the heat and bring to the boil.





Transfer to the oven to cook at  200c/fan 180c/gas mark 6 uncovered, for 20 mins. 






Season to taste and drizzle over the Pesto before serving.
 “This post is part of the #FaveFamilyRecipes Competition with BritMums and Tilda Rice. Every pack sold will provide a meal to an expectant mum in need in support of the World Food Programme’s Mothers Helping Mothers initiative in Bangladesh.”


EcoForce Spring Cleaning review



I usually hate Spring cleaning, I'd rather have someone else do it  However as Mr T is saying we have to cut down on spending ( mine mainly) and I haven't won any cleaners either this month. So with a Diamond Jubilee party this weekend spring cleaning is in order! 
Over the last few years I been using greener products and J is allergic to some of the non green cleaners . It makes sense kind to the environment kind to the skin. Mr T was also tapping his wallet (in a money saving expert sort of way sadly!) So we ( Mr T in particular was delighted when we were offered these products for review)


Why dip your hands in hot soapy [or grimy for that matter] dishwater, instead use the Dishmatic fillable washing up sponge scourer which comes with a replaceable head. With this nifty gadget you can dispense the washing liquid as you need it ( or rather it did Mr T) it kept him amused for hours


I thought the pegs were going to be delicate and stamp at the weigh of my duvet and sheets
  Being recycled, I had this idea the plastic would be flimsy and may not hold the weight of say a double duvet cover or large bath sheet. So I was pleasantly surprised to find the the pegs have a strong grip, the plastic is sturdy and the design does not mark the clothes as much which is good as you don't want peg marks in the wrong place.. 


They come in a packet of pegs or nicely stored in a peg basket.


These pegs can battle the force of a hurricane !



EcoForce Kitchen Scourer pads

The scourers are prefect for doing battle with that built up grim around the cooker! Mr T says perfect for me as  I tend to do remote control cooking ( I don't watch the pan)
EcoForce Recycled dusters.






Dusting in preparation of my Diamond Jubilee party!


Dusters another of life's necessities this pack of 10 is great used wet or dry these though as well as polishing and dusting glass, mirrors, furniture, car interiors wood and shoes they don't contribute to landfill saves energy, allows crop land to be used for food production.

So you have had a look at what EcoForce are doing to help clean up the house and they have teamed with me to offer a chance for one of you to clean up with a brilliant prize. In fact a whole year of cleaning products. EcoForce green cleaning goodies worth £50 
Keep an eye out for the competition coming soon.

EcoForce is an everyday, practical range of household products  made from recycled materials and comprises recycled kitchen sponges, scourers, cloths and dusters for all your green cleaning requirements, recycled pegs,  peg basket and clothes line for eco-friendly laundry drying and recycled food bag grips for storing left overs.    

EcoForce's award winning products do
not  compromise on quality or price and offer an ethical choice when it comes to buying household goods.   All products are made from at least 90% recycled  waste here in the UK.
Recycled products are just as good, if not better, than alternatives made from virgin materials yet don't harm the
environment
.   


So make Ecoforce part of your spring cleaining home makeover

EcoForce is available in Sainsbury, Tesco, Morrisons, Oxfam, B and Q, Homebase and Ocado on line.

http://www.ecoforce.co.uk

Monday, 28 May 2012

A good diet is not cake !

I still haven't got the battery for my scales  *Sigh* but what I have come to realise a good diet is not cake is I have to resist the temptation of cake which is easier said than done as I work in a school. Its someones birthday or celebration every other week.And then there was my good friends Di ironing party and there was cake , I nearly thought my good diet out of the window until I remember a good trick someone taught me a few years ago ( this will not work for everyone  ). The trick is to visualise the cake as something horrible I won't tell you what I think of as I don't want to you off your food*Ironic*

But you could imagine say for you that if you pick that cake up you would in fact be eating a slug! I am sure by now you get the picture of what I am trying to achieve.

The second thing I have started doing is taking more exercise such as cycling to work and using to weights to get rid of my bingo wings! I lost a shed lot of weight when I was 18 and I am determined to get back to nearly what I was then.  As I approach 40 with break neck speed I want to be fab at 40 not in a cougar manner ! I hasten to add! But I want to feel right about my self again which I am sure is something I can do!