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The latest tips from Amanda

Coconut Oil good for the body inside & out

8/28/2017

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Coconut oil has come down in price you can now buy it at some stores for as little as £2.50 for 500g. 

​It is not only great and incredibly healthy to cook with I also use it mixed with some bicarbonate of soda as a face and body scrub.

​I no longer have to pay over £10 for anything half decent and I have tried a few but this beats the lot!  
It keeps my face and body feeling moist and cleansed.    
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I usually use the Dr Oetker brand of bicarbonate of soda as it has slightly larger granules and makes a better scrub.
​I also use a bit on my teeth after brushing to keep them white and conditioned and my breath fresh!
If your hair has dry ends pop some coconut oil on your hands and rub through the ends after washing.
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I also love it for cooking it is lighter than a lot of oils and fantastic in a stir fry to add extra oriental flavours and texture to the noodles and vegetables.

Here is a long list of what you can do with coconut oil my new best friend now it has come down in price!!!
Coconut Oil Recipes
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Don't be slow picking the sloes

8/19/2017

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Sloes are early this year, are in abundance and ready to be picked.  I know you should wait until the first frost but there won’t be any left by then so I have picked mine and popped them in the freezer.  Once I have bought my gin I will get them out and defrost them.  Sloes can be found in hedge rows not only in the country side but councils quite often plant them in urban areas along main roads.  There are loads along the main road close to where I live.
For the Gin I buy the cheapest I can find, usually from Aldi or Asda.  Sloe Gin makes great Christmas presents and taste so much better than the bought stuff which is incredibly expensive and well below par when compared to the homemade variety.  The only thing you will need is a little patience whilst you wait a couple of months for the sloes to immerse into the gin.

You will need:
  • 450g/1lb sloes
  • 225g/8oz caster sugar
  • 1 litre/1 ¾ pint of gin
To prepare the Sloe Gin: 
  • Take the Sloes out of the freezer and place them in a large glass/plastic container with a lid
  • Before they are fully defrosted pour over the sugar and gin and shake well
  • Store in a cool dark place and shake every other day for a week, then once a week for the next two months
  • Drain the gin off and pour into sterilised bottles.
The Gin will then be a lovely dark red and ready to drink, although it does improve with age.
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Spinach isn’t just for Popeye

8/13/2017

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If you find it a bit bland when cooked add some grated nutmeg, or any other spices you are particularly fond of.  When used as a salad, I find a bit of balsamic vinegar and olive oil sets it off perfectly, it is also great with chopped  apple  and/or sliced avocado.
If you read my blog about Sauerkraut and used it with some Spinach to make a salad you would be creating a really healthy and nutritious meal for the same price as a family sized packet of crisps
A-Z OF RECIPES
I used to work with a retired chef who had changed her career and moved into IT. I was always in awe of the lunches she made at home and bought into the office.  Money was often tight but she always managed to eat amazing meals most restaurant goers would envy.

She was the person who introduced me to the versatility of Spinach.  She explained that where possible, try and use it as a salad rather than buying lettuce.  As with Spinach you can just pop it into the freezer when passed it's 'use by date'.  
Not only is it great fresh out of the bag  but when you need a quick vegetable to go with a hot meal you can pop it in microwave (even from frozen) and hey presto with a bit of salt and pepper a great quick and easy side dish.

Spinach is also really cheap to buy and can be added to casseroles, curries and chillies.  It is one of the most versatile vegetables out there and has great nutritional value as well as being an incredible source of iron.
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Sugar and Spice and all things nice

8/6/2017

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I like to keep a small herb garden as it can save money and there is nothing like the smell of fresh herbs to brighten your day whilst you are hanging out the washing!  I also like to grow my own chillies and peppers as they not only look pretty as plants but also have a powerful punch when added to a homemade chilli con carne.

My herb garden always contains pots of mint, lavender, rosemary, thyme, parsley and basil.  I usually buy the plants from the local supermarket or garden centre transfer them to pots or boarders and water well.
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Fresh herbs are not only great for cooking but they have loads of other health benefits. If I am having trouble sleeping I will put some fresh Lavender under my pillow or a few flowers in some water, leave it for a couple of hours and drink the water before going to bed – it is a great replacement for that  glass of wine you sometimes need to relax you before you go off to sleep at night.
Mint is a great appetizer or palate cleanser, and it promotes digestion. It also soothes stomachs in cases of indigestion or inflammation. When you feel sick to your stomach, drinking a cup of fresh mint tea can give you relief. It also helps with fatigue and depression
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Both Rosemary and Thyme are great for helping to boost memory, improve mood, reduce inflammation, relieve pain, protect the immune system and stimulate circulation.  They help detoxify the body and protect it from bacterial infections, preventing premature aging, and healing skin conditions.

Basil leaves contain health benefiting essential oils such as eugenol, citronellol, linalool, citral, limonene, and terpineol. These compounds are known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.

Parsley has potent antioxidant capabilities. Its naturally occurring eugenol content may also help reduce blood glucose levels. It is incredibly rich in vitamin K as well as A, C, and several B vitamins.

​Something else I am very fond of taking on a regular basis to improve my immune system and boost my general health is a blend of Turmeric, Honey and Ginger.  I started taking this on a daily basis last Christmas and haven’t been ill since. Even when my whole family have come down with terrible colds and flu it hasn’t touched me.

Turmeric has incredibly health benefits due to Curcumin which is the active ingredient of turmeric.  It is an anti-inflammatory molecule with anti-cancer properties.  Other benefits include:
  • Helping to dramatically increase the antioxidant capacity of the body
  • Improve brain function and helps with depression
  • Lower the risk of heart disease

Honey contains flavonoids, antioxidants which help reduce the risk of some cancers and heart disease. It also helps reduce ulcers and other gastrointestinal disorders.  All honey is said to be antibacterial, because the bees add an enzyme that makes hydrogen peroxide.  It also reduces cough and throat irritation.  As a child my mother insisted I have a spoonful of honey every day.

Ginger contains Gingerol, a substance with powerful medicinal properties including helping to treat nausea and muscle pain, it has anti-inflammatory properties which can also help with arthritis.  It can help reduce blood sugar level and also help reduce the risk of heart disease.  Gingerol, is also said to help lower the risk of infections.
For my little health elixir I mix the following together and take a spoonful each morning.
  • 100 grams of fresh turmeric grated
  • 50 grams of fresh ginger grated
  • 100 grams of honey
  • 1 tsp of black pepper (to help the absorption of the turmeric)
I blend all the ingredients together using a hand blender in a small plastic or glass bowl.  Then store in the fridge in a sterile glass jar.
If the solution is too runny add some powdered turmeric to thicken it up a bit, if it is not runny enough add some more honey.
Please be warned turmeric stains anything you touch including your hands so I usually wear some plastic gloves whilst preparing this.
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You can buy fresh turmeric from Sainsbury’s but not online or from Waitrose both online and in store. ​
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