The WI, Vegan Macaroni & Learning a trick or two......

If I asked you what you thought of the WI you would probably have images of cute little old farmers wife’s huddled round knitting, singing cheering renditions of Jerusalem while eating big chunks of homemade cake served with a strong cup of tea. Lovely – but would it make you want to be part of the WI? You would maybe presume younger women would never want to be seen there or that it offered nothing to the women of today? That it was out of touch with what was happening in the world outside of the villages these women live in perhaps? But what if I told you that you were wrong? (Except for the amazing homemade cakes and tea – you will definitely learn a baking trick or two!)

The Women's Institute (WI) was formed in 1915 to revitalise rural communities and encourage women to become more involved in producing food during the First World War. Since then the organisation's aims have broadened and the WI is now the largest voluntary women's organisation in the UK. The WI celebrated its centenary in 2015 and currently has almost 220,000 members in approximately 6,300 WIs. The WI plays a unique role in providing women with educational opportunities and the chance to build new skills, to take part in a wide variety of activities and to campaign on issues that matter to them and their communities.

The WI has succeeded for so long and continues to do so because they have moved with the times. Pop into any WI nowadays and you will find young women who are wives and mothers, who bake and love a good natter but also women who are strong, independent and career driven. Topics covered in meetings range from supporting local domestic violence projects, decorating local bus stops that had been vandalised and veganism (yep you read that right!)  As well as many other local, important issues.

Speaking of veganism - it was at this month’s WI meeting that our guest speaker was Katy Beskow – author of ’15 minute vegan’ . She came and shared some of her amazing recipes with us and this was without a doubt my favourite. Enjoy!

Butternut Squash and Sage Macaroni  (Serves 2 generously)

3 tbsp olive oil

1 medium butternut squash, peeled and chopped into chunks (I used Waitrose frozen chunks)

1 onion, chopped finely

2 tsp dried sage

600ml vegetable stock

300g dried macaroni ( I used gluten free)

Pinch of black pepper

1 slice of day old crusty bread, grated finely into breadcrumbs ( I used gluten free)

How To -

1. Preheat the oven to 200C/ Gas Mark 6

2. Arrange the butternut squash and onion on a baking tray and drizzle with olive oil. Roast in the oven for 30 minutes. The butternut squash should be soft and the onion tender

3. Remove the butternut squash and onion from the oven and spoon into a high powered blender. Sprinkle in the sage and add the stock. Blend on high until smooth.

4. Scatter the pasta into an oven-proof dish. Pour over the butternut squash sauce evenly and bake in the oven for 20 minutes. Add a top layer of breadcrumbs and return to the oven and cook for an extra 10 minutes until the edges are bubbling and the topping is slightly browned and crisp. Serve immediately.

Unicorn Lattes, Yoga & A (Not So) Secret Recipe........

The world, me included, has recently gone unicorn mad and what’s not to love?! Pretty, magical, enchanting and more often than not covered in sparkles, you can see the attraction a mile off. We have had unicorn bagels in Brooklyn, unicorn macaroons in Budapest, unicorn hot chocolates in California and now we have the unicorn latte, again from Brooklyn but this time from a trendy health café called The End. The unicorn latte, unlike its bagel / macaroon / chocolate counter parts is actually a health food , contains no coffee and is recommended to be consumed before a yoga class. Oh Brooklyn – you talk my language!

Unicorn Latte (serves 1)

·         ginger

·         lemon zest

·         coconut milk (I used coconut & almond milk)

·         maple syrup (the original recipes uses honey)

·         e3 live blue green algae (also known as blue spirulina)

·         turmeric and pomegranate powder, as well as edible flowers or vegan sprinkles to decorate.

How To –

·         Gently heat the milk in a pan

·         Add the ginger, lemon, maple syrup & blue spirulina

·         Whisk with an electric whisk until blended and a froth appears

·         Pour into your favourite glass and top with decorations of your choice. Enjoy!

Small Business Saturday - Jamberry Nails.....

 

 

I am a mahoosive supporter of local small businesses and try where ever possible to shop within my local community. I am a very lucky girly and have been adopted by Gods green county itself, Yorkshire. Meaning I am spoilt for choice when it comes to small local businesses both in my local community and all over the UK. However I do know from literary bestsellers to the latest gadgets, there is no denying that the internet makes it far easier to compare the price of shopping. But the tide is turning and buying locally is the message behind Small Business Saturday.

 And there are plenty of reasons why it is worth going local to support small business Saturday –

1. Your spending will boost the local economy

Research on spending by local authorities shows that for every £1 spent with a small or medium-sized business 63p stayed in the local economy, compared to 40p with a larger business.

2. It is the ethical choice

Buying out-of-season produce, like strawberries in December, lowers your eco-credentials. As does eating veggies and breads that have been flown halfway round the world or wrapped in layers of plastic. When you shop at local bakers, farm shops and green grocers, it is likely that a decent percentage of the produce has had a short field-to-fork journey. Along with supporting local businesses, it means the food is likely to contain more nutrients and have less packaging.

3. They sell quirky, one-off gifts

Independent shops often stock items which are made locally and aren't available elsewhere: buy a dress by a fledgling designer and there is little chance of turning up to the office Christmas party wearing the same as someone else.

 4. You can help build communities

Bookshops, cafes and craft shops often drum up custom by hosting events, from book groups to knitting clubs and children's events. If the businesses are not supported, the local groups tend to disappear too.

5. You might get a better deal or some good advice

Local bakers throw in extra bagels for regulars; grocers give informal 10% discounts; and market stall holders are prepared to negotiate on prices. Independent retailers can use their discretion to reward regular custom, and it can mean you get discounts on the items you actually want to buy, rather than being tempted by multi-buy offers in the big chains.

 So because I am passionate about supporting small businesses and I am an action speaks louder than words kinda gal, every Saturday I will be bigging up my local favourite business in aid of small business Saturday! So with no further ado, let me hand over to Saralyn, consultant for Jamberry Nails -

 

In 2010, a slow and expensive visit to a nail salon sparked the idea for sisters Lyndsey, Christy, and Keri to create a line of do-it-yourself nail wraps. Today, Jamberry is bringing you their creation: one-of-a-kind nail wraps that truly represent your signature style!

Jamberry nail wraps are made with durable materials, so smudges and streaks are never an issue, and can last for up to two weeks on fingernails and four weeks on toes. With over 300 nail wraps in an incredible variety of designs, you can customize, pair, and layer Jamberry nail wraps to create a look that’s all your own—all from the comfort of your home.Nail wraps are thin vinyl sheets that are pressure and heat activated to adhere to your nail for a long lasting and beautiful look. They are made with durable materials, so smudges and streaks are never an issue, and can last for up to two weeks on fingernails and four weeks on toes! Jamberry nail wraps are a one-of-a kind way to express your unique style! Plus, through innovative technology our nail wraps are:

• Non-toxic

• 5-Free (Dibutyl Phthalate, Toluene, Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, or Camphor) & SFV

• Easy to apply at-home

• Requires ZERO dry time

• Durable for long-lasting wear without chipping, peeling or fading

 

For further details please contact Saralyn – saralynsoto.jamberry.com/

Stooow, Childhood Memories & Admiting I Was Wrong....

As the nights are still so cold and dark, my mind has been filled with thoughts of soups, casseroles, curries and chillis, which can only mean one thing  – it’s time to dust off the slow cooker and put it to good use.

I purchased my first slow cooker last year and although you can really use the slow cooker at any time of the year, it is best used as soon as the cold weather kicks in and I get lazier in the kitchen.

If you haven’t yet got a slow cooker, I seriously recommend you invest in one as soon as you can.

I am the first to admit for years (and years!) I resisted. Haunted by memories from my childhood where a brown lumpy ‘stoooow,’ as we called it, would be regularly served up to mine and my sister’s horror.  I swore I would never own one.  Until I got one. And now it is a game changer, without a drop of stoooow (gag) in sight! They’re generally between £15 and £30 from Amazon depending on which size you require and they’re really worth every penny. If you are feeling super fancy (and have my aversion to stooow) I would highly recommend the Sage by Heston Blumenthal Fast Slow Pro Slow Cooker (you can buy it here ). Not only does it slow cook but it steams, pressure cooks and makes the most amazing risotto in 7 teeny tiny minutes. Winner winner, no stoooow for dinner! There is nothing quite like opening the front door on a cold evening and being greeted by the inviting smells of comfort food that’s been simmering away all day.

Other benefits of a slower cooker (I can barely believe I am typing this, 3 months ago I could not find one let alone other benefits!) is that they use minimal electricity making them eco-friendly as well as making enough left overs  to stock your freezer from now till the clocks change back. What’s not to love?!

I have a couple of tried-and-tested slow cooker recipes that I’ll be blogging about in the coming weeks with not a stooooow in sight so first let’s start with this winter warmer –

Sweet Potato & Red Lentil Dahl

•3 large sweet potatoes, diced

•3 cups vegetable broth

•1 onion, minced

•4 cloves garlic, minced

•2 teaspoon each ground coriander, garam masala, and chili powder

•½ teaspoon salt

•1½ cups uncooked red lentils (masoor dal)

•1 can coconut milk

•1 cup water

How To -

1.Place the sweet potatoes, vegetable broth, onion, garlic, lentils and spices in your slow cooker. Cook on low for 7 - 8 hours, until vegetables are soft.

2.Stir in the coconut milk and as much water as needed to get the right consistency. Serve with rice poppadum’s and cozy socks. Enjoy!

Give the Gift of Kindess........

Christmas was the season of fabulous dresses, getting your nails done, slapping on the false tan,  letting your loved ones lavish you in gifts and spending all your money right? Well it sort of is…. As fabulous as opening presents, eating fancy foods, getting more trussed up than the Tofeukey and having first world problems such as a broken nail can be -  the true meaning of Christmas giving can sometimes be lost amid the flurry of wrapping paper. Now don’t get me wrong I love the glamour of Christmas as much as the next person, my LBD is hung up ready for the big day and I have decked every hall with boughs of holly but sometimes we have to see past ourselves and remember Christmas isn’t that amazing for everyone. Part of being vegan (to me at least) means to also be a humanitarian. I truly believe life is a balancing act so alongside all the merriment I have tried to give back to those who need it most at this time of year and complied a little list of some of the small ways you may be able to help someone out -

Reverse Advent Calendar

This is the first year we have done this and we have LOVED it! So simple, so much fun and minimal hassle to do. Simply fill a box with 24 (as in there are 24 days of advent) food items and donate them to your local food bank so they can be distributed to families in your area who need them over Christmas. It is an easy accumulator as you can put just a few items extra in the weekly shop and before you know it the box is full and ready for donation. Double check what food items your local food bank needs before you start and that there is a drop off point you can get to.

Mission Christmas

You can't go shopping anywhere from the day after Halloween until Christmas without noticing an over flow of toys everywhere. But sadly not every child will have a gift to open on Christmas day. Statistics are scary – 1 in 5 children in the area I live are in poverty meaning the chances are high they will have nothing on the big day. This is why projects such as Mission Christmas are so important. The concept is simple – select one gift for a child in need, then take it to the local drop off point where volunteers work with local services to ensure the most needy children get a gift on Christmas day.

Give before receiving

Before Christmas morning, make room for new gifts by donating old or no-longer-used items in your home to charity / homeless shelter etc. While it might be tough at first for you to give away your old things, think of the happiness that may bring to people who need them.

Salute the brave

If you aren't already aware of the daily sacrifices the members of our military make, instill it in yourself right along with Christmas charity. Give 2 the Troops collects Christmas cards holiday books and movies, decorations, spiritual items and more, compiling care packages for members of the Armed Forces. While it may be hard for you personally to understand the concept of the military, it will likely be able to relate to missing home if you were far away.

Reach out to another generation

Spread cheer at local nursing home or hospitals by dropping off some cookies or fruit. Many residents of nursing homes don't have regular visitors — or any visitors at all. Call ahead first to determine if there are any dietary restrictions for the residents. Chances are, they'll be thrilled to have the company of new people – another option is creating a gift box to an elderly lonely person and this can be done through Help The Aged.

 

As you can see there are lots of small ways you can give before you received that take minimal time and money. If you really have no money (and I have been there) there are lots of free ways to give back – finding time for coffee with a friend, offering to wrap presents for an older person who is struggling to manage or just dropping a text to someone to see how they are. Christmas can be lonely and a simple text can make a big difference. Where ever you are and whoever you spend it with I hope it is all you want it to be and more– Merry Christmas!