These courgette fritters are very similar to the courgette waffles, but cheaper as no egg is needed. I make these a couple of times a week now that courgettes are in season. They are great [...]
Spicy Airfried Courgette
Published On: July 22, 2025Categories: Uncategorized
Air fried courgettes is a fairly new way to cook courgette for me. I had seen it on a couple of videos on Youtube. Mr S loves it, and it is quick and easy. As [...]
Yesterday it was Operation Black currant leathers, and making cordial. When dehydrated I will cut and roll the leathers up in grease proof paper for a sweet treat for myself and my grandson. These last [...]
I had been given some out of date pastry. Friends give me their out of date food as I am always banging on about not wasting anything. However, except for fruit, I didn't have anything [...]
Use it up day.
Published On: July 8, 2025Categories: saving waste
During the 2nd World war there was a slogan in the UK to help people to save resources. "Use it up, wear it out, or do without," posters were prominent. I still live by this [...]
It was a use up what we have in the fridge day today. I will often have half a tin of beans in the fridge and one or two of our thicked, cooked sausages. If [...]
Garden abundance.
Published On: July 5, 2025Categories: Growing Food
This is a really busy time of year, and some days I feel like I am on a production line. I often get two harvests a day. We have to make sure that the garden [...]
A friend asked me to help her balance her budget last night. She is worried about how she will survive all of these recent price hikes and the threat of more to come. I know [...]
People usually think of rice pudding as a winter dish, but I make it throughout the year. During the summer, we usually eat it cold and it makes an easy accompaniment for berries growing in [...]
I have lots of big rosemary bushes in my garden, but have never bought any. They are evergreen and last for years. The blue flowers are so pretty. Rosemary is easy to propagate and mine [...]
It has been really hot and sunny recently. I love a cool snack or dessert after a meal but am trying to be a bit more healthy. 😇 As usual, I am trying to save [...]
Awe is an emotion that you feel when you are amazed, full of wonder, and feels like you are witnessing something extordinary. It is seen by psychiatrists as being positive for a person's wellbeing. I [...]
We had a glut of strawberries which needed using up. I wanted to preserve them by making something refreshing as we are experiencing some hot, sunny days. My daughter and family are coming for a [...]
We like waffles. We can batch cook them, freeze them, or store them in the fridge to use during the week. We cook different kinds for different uses, but these are a new savoury one [...]
Healthy Magnum
Published On: June 17, 2025Categories: Recipes, Snacks
After a busy day in the garden I was craving a magnum. We had finished all of the ice cream off last week. It is a no spend day today and I am saving my [...]
I love crystallised ginger in my baking but it is an expensive ingredient that I can not afford to buy very often. Sometimes my daughter buys it for me to thank me for helping her [...]
I will hold my hands up. My first 55 years never saw a chick pea pass my lips. Now they form a large part of our monthly meal plans. The reason is they can be [...]
I’m not mean I’m green!
Published On: June 11, 2025Categories: Living Simply
Twenty five years ago some of my frugal ways had people laughing at me. I would be called "stingy","mean", a scooge", "tight". One had to be frugal under the radar or else they were scorned [...]
As we are all acutely aware, there is a cost of living crisis in many countries. A large percentage of people are struggling to pay for accomodation, utilities, nutritious food, and just the basics in [...]
I always eat more healthily in Spring, summer and Autumn compared to winter. At the beginning of June my garden is already providing me with food full of vitamins, minerals, and protein. Wild food is [...]
We make these egg muffins as take away breakfasts, for picnics, or for lunches. They are quick and easy. They makes a few eggs go further and are tastier. Today I made them to add [...]
We have had lots of potatoes stored this year. I have therefore been making lots of luxury potato cakes. We eat them for lunch a couple of times a week as they are cheap and [...]
What I am harvesting in May
Published On: May 27, 2025Categories: Growing Food
I had a message last night asking me what I am harvesting from my garden in May. The person wanted to plan for next year and to know what to sow now as they have [...]
Society taught me that life is a competition, and that I had to strive to be the best. If I wasn't, then I was a failure. I was constantly compared to my peers as a [...]
On thing that I started growing about 5 years ago is Pak Choi. It has a lovely mild flavour, is easy to grow. Pak choi is usually one of the first annuals that I harvest [...]
During the year we make condiments and other useful items for the larder, depending on what we can grow, forage, or purchase for a good price. I don't make everything each year as I would [...]
The Importance of my Victory Garden
Published On: May 16, 2025Categories: Growing Food
Growing food is not a hobby for me. Just as people planted ‘victory’ gardens during the war to stay healthy and fed, I do the same now. My income is not enough for me to [...]
My pantry and freezer are always full, despite my food budget being below £700 a year. I think that it is so important to have a stock of food as we never know what is [...]
I needed a quick dessert when my daughter and family came for a meal. I couldn't be bothered to bake as I wanted to spend the day in the garden. I therefore made this quick [...]
We are trying not to go to the supermarket, and stretch the ingredients that we already have to last another month. I love quiche during the summer but didn't have any wraps and didn't want [...]
Today is the 80th anniversary of VE day. Spending a lot of time with my grand parents as a child, I automatically picked up some of the war time habits and knowledge in my food [...]
In the UK at Easter and Christmas time. half price joints can often be found in the supermarkets. Sometimes I buy beef ones and sometimes I buy pork ones. My friend said to me that [...]
I apologise that I have not posted for a while but I have been sent a few curve balls recently, including my lap top packing in. I am attempting to write this on my phone [...]
Pickie lunches and teas
Published On: April 5, 2025Categories: Light Meals
Pickie lunches and teas are something that we like to do to use up all of our fridge gravel and bits and pieces. It feels really decadent and we do it if friends are coming. [...]
I don't buy lettuce. Instead I grow my own, inside in winter, and outside in summer. I have always grown lettuce, even when I had a flat without a garden. Lettuce seeds are so cheap [...]
We were having an Italian style meal this evening. I wanted some garlic bread but we did not have any garlic. I therefore made it with wild garlic. I had been lucky in that we [...]