Pass The Butter... Please.

         This is interesting. .. .

Margarine was originally manufactured to fatten turkeys.  When it killed the turkeys, the people who had put all the money into the research wanted a payback so they put their heads together to figure out what to do with this product to get their money back. 

It was a white substance with no food appeal so they added the yellow colouring and sold it to people to use in place of butter.  How do you like it?   They have come out with some clever new flavourings...  

 DO YOU KNOW... The difference between margarine and butter?  

Read on to the end...gets very interesting!  

Both have the same amount of calories.

Butter is slightly higher in saturated fats at 8 grams; compared   to 5 grams for margarine.

Eating margarine can increase heart disease in women by 53% over   eating the same amount of butter, according to a recent Harvard Medical Study.

Eating butter increases the absorption of many other nutrients in other foods.

Butter has many nutritional benefits where margarine has a few and   
only because they are added!

Butter tastes much better than margarine and it can enhance the flavours of other foods.

Butter has been around for centuries where margarine has been around for less than 100 years.

And now, for Margarine...

Very High in Trans fatty acids.

Triples risk of coronary heart disease.
Increases total cholesterol and LDL (this is the bad cholesterol) and lowers HDL cholesterol, (the good cholesterol)

Increases the risk of cancers up to five times...

Lowers quality of breast milk.

Decreases immune response.

Decreases insulin response.

And here’s the most disturbing fact.... HERE IS THE PART THAT IS VERY INTERESTING!

Margarine  is but ONE  MOLECULE  away  from being PLASTIC... and shares 27 ingredients with PAINT

These facts alone were enough to have me avoiding margarine for life  and anything else that is hydrogenated (this means hydrogen is  added,  changing the molecular structure of the  substance).  

You can try this yourself:

Purchase a tub of margarine and leave it open in your garage or shaded area.  Within a couple of days you will notice a couple of things:

 * no flies, not even those pesky fruit flies will go near it (that should tell you something)

 * it does not rot or smell differently because it has no nutritional value; nothing will grow on it. Even those teeny weeny micro organisms will not a find a home to grow.  Why?   Because it is nearly plastic.  Would you melt your Tupperware and spread that on your toast?  

Share This With Your Friends..... (If you want to butter them up')!

Chinese Proverb:  When someone shares something of value with you and you benefit from it, you have a moral obligation to share it with others.  
Pass the BUTTER    PLEASE

Currying for more flavour

I strongly believe that good food takes time, care and some effort.
Expensive to buy food supposedly saves you time and effort.
Most of the signature dishes of world are peasant dishes.

When I cheat at a curry I use Pataks sauces and pastes, but I still try to cook and mature.
I cook four portion sizes and divide by 3 for my serving size.

When I scratch cook the usual method is:

Gently dry fry the whole spices, to release the oils, if you burn them throw away and start again, grind, add pre ground, put aside.

Fry chopped onions, ginger, garlic and chillies as required; add a drop or two of water as needed to prevent catching, put aside, puree if required.

Chilli notes: it is the seeds and membranes that are hot, remove for chilli taste/ flavour without burning heat.
For a do-piaza fry separately additional sliced onions put aside and add after maturing.

Fry meat/ vegetables
If I am using a fatty meat like mince or lamb, I will drain the fat off in a sieve.

Add back the onion mix, half the spices.
Now I add the liquid part e.g. tomato, coconut, stock.
Bring up to boil then reduce to simmer for 30-40 minutes.

Now taste add some of the rest of spices simmer 3-4 mins taste again, if all ok leave to cool.
Put in fridge to mature 24/48hours. Then you can either use or freeze.

For a curry party I make each curry, separate into four portion sizes put in separate foil dishes and label, so I can reheat them in the oven.
I allow two and a half portions per person plus two extras and rice, party fever encourages the appetite.

On D day cook/ reheat/ assemble/ adjust seasoning of, the accompaniments and curry.
Sprinkle chopped coriander leaf on curry serve and enjoy.

Currying for flavour

Now I love a good curry.
My dad was a post office engineer.
I can see all your hands up and pleas of sir sir
What’s a Post Office engineer?

In the early days of telephones in the UK
The telephone was government owned and as it dealt with communication it was run by the post office.
Later it was renamed British Telecom and sold off.

Now as my dad was a telephone engineer he spent WW2 in India.
A sad note every one else in his class at school went into the RAF and were killed.

Digression over, it was in India that dad developed the taste for curry, which mum learned how to cooked an appreciated version with minced beef.
Now mince is versatile but often takes longer to cook than often given, it is almost impossible to over cook, and what ever the recipe, curry, cottage pie, spaghetti bolognaise, chilli con carne etc, tastes far superior if cooked one day and left to mature then eaten a day or two later, even a couple of hours will help.
Is garam masala the same as curry powder?
Well the true answer is yes, no, maybe.
Garam masala is a mix of spices sometimes with chilli for heat
Curry powder is a mix of spices sometimes with chilli for heat.
Not all curries need to be hot.

An easy curry is cooked with curry powder to start, then garam masala added towards the end, or when reheated the following day, to give a better depth of flavour.
You may find you prefer to use Garam masala first then the curry powder later.
Thus you can see several curries with the same ingredients but a different end results.

Seezya Les

Hotels / Bed & Breakfast /etc

Now children are you Laying down ready for a good nights sleep over?
Then I’ll begin.


Before your go further have you read?
It’s my holiday

When we arrive at a hotel, we are shown to our room.
Have you ever been shown the way out?
I haven’t.
In fact I have even been directed only to the lift for floor “X” and sent on my merry way.
You have had you card swiped so the hotel will get paid, often lodging an estimated amount to lock your card limit.
Now you are your own.
If I have been at this location before, step one is drop case, rinse face and head for a bar.

Else I read the information card carefully, normally found on the back of the door.
Then explore and locate/find/findout the:
Light switches
Bath / wash, room.
Lifts/stairs, floor numbers/names.
Some flight crew go as far as to count the steps and turns for the fire escapes.
Check bed for pillows and comfort etc.
Meal times especially those pre-paid or inclusive.
This is all very easy and takes maybe 10 mins in most cases.
Problems are always easiest solved while the day staff are at work.

Now this technique is used for all further parts and points of my stay.
Restaurants, bars, clubs, car parks, shops and so on.

In fact I do it day by day, my eyes roving around like demented laser beams.
But I can still miss the obvious.
I have however surprised many times, that on hearing “where is ???”, I have correctly replied “try there”.

If you do enjoy a drink use your own booze/duty free, and only use a glass and the ice.
Mini bars can be dearer than clubs and bars.
Many all night porters have a stock of beverages for sale after the hotel bar shuts.
Being pleasantly discreet yields the best results.

Night Night sleep tight
Les

Who am I?

National Identity cards are being touted for London’s 16 to 24 year olds.
Apparently they will be able to tour Europe with it instead of using a Passport.
The reasoning for this is that this age group are most likely to lose their Passport while using them as ID.
Now the information kept for the identity card seems to be one most detailed available.
But why a card can’t be issued, as is with a driving license, with the passport.
Surely a card is cheap, costs are under 22p for each for a full colour photo ID cards in just 20 seconds, (info from Digitalid), it is the data processing that costs the money.

Also for day to day use is the full biometric data needed?
In most cases various agencies, institutions, and companies require proof of address and other additional information as well as the photo ID.

Now chaps and chapesses did you know that a UK photo driving license is only valid for ten years, the renewal cost of the photo is £20.
A Passport is also only valid for 10 years, so we must assume a National Identity card will be no different.

This is because we all look different as we age, some older, some younger and some “my god what were you thinking of?”
So we have a photo card with unbelievable information about you, with an on going charge.
Will extra information be gleaned at each renewal to protect us from another Government perceived threat?

OMG

Every religion appears to have a Supreme Deity, along with hierarchy of lesser gods/angels/assistants and numerous cohorts.

Imparting knowledge and rules to ensure “THIS LIFE” is more tenable.
The effort that these rules impart are required/necessary, to make the “AFTER LIFE” all the more pleasurable, and desirable.
So further inspiring, believers, followers and the masses.

Can I as a class one cynic see “MacDonald’s et al, advertising”?

I feel that the “different religions” have there own ethics based on the locale of inception.
This perhaps explains some of the underlying differences.

But if they are apparently proclaiming “Peace and Goodwill”, one way or another
Why are others so often vehemently opposed?

Just a short one but thought provoking.

I bid you all adieu.

Les

What If?

Just the one, as Mrs Wembley said.
So that I do not over whelm you.

Now the ideas and beliefs that I mention are based on my ongoing search for knowledge and understanding, with taste of experience to help along the way.
Some things I explain are a safer way to do it when you have to get it done due to circumstances.

For example imagine this scenario.
You are behind twenty foot snow drifts.

Then
“If It Is To Be, It Is Up To Me “kicks in.

So the best thing to do is,
“Stop, Look, Listen, Deep Breath, Action”.


Now children are you sitting comfortably?
Then I’ll begin.

What is one of the most common causes of modern day domestic fires?

CHIP PANS

Why do we use chip pans?
“Simples”
They make nicer chips and things than the oven.

Why do they catch fire?
They are left un-attended.

What must we do?
Ring 999 UK / 112 EU / 911 USA; for help, as soon as possible.

If you sometimes wonder what would happen if you dial 911 from a UK landline or mobile? Do you get redirected?
Nothing happens; you would need to dial 999 or 112 to get the desired response


What mustn’t we do?
Add water it will immediately boil, carrying oil upwards, allowing the droplets, to mix with air and explode into a ball of rising fire.


Well Les what have you done?

I put cable TV in the kitchen so I don’t have to wander off to see a show.
My kitchen timer has four simultaneous timers.
I have installed, and check regularly, a smoke alarm.
I use a purpose built electric fryer. The temperature settings have been checked with a digital thermometer probe to ensure perfect results.


Perhaps Most importantly.
I was taught how to put a chip pan fire out.
And made to practice before one ever happened.
Firstly every thing cold and safe and learn to go through the motions.
Then with hot water to ensure an element of danger and get used to using the “shield”


Here goes my how:
I have done it for real read later.

Step one turn off the heat. You stove top does have the controls in front / side of the hobs / burners doesn’t it.

Step two cut off the air, smother it with a tightly fitting lid, use it as a shield as you move to cover, which you did have to hand before you started cooking didn’t you?

Step three open the windows and let the smoke out.

Step four when all is cold you may now move the pan out of the way.

If you add water it will immediately boil, carrying oil upwards, allowing the droplets, to mix with air and explode into a ball of rising fire. (The repeat is deliberate)

Notes:
Step one if you can’t reach the controls; turn off gas / electric at the mains / source.
Step two is to use a damp not wet tea towel, again hold it in front of you as a shield, think of “Zorro”.

Further thoughts;
If the oil is getting worrying hot what next.
Not on yet on fire, turn off the heat.
Now leave to cool, you may carefully add some cold oil.
Now finally you can move things.
If you try to move whilst hot I can almost guarantee oil will be spilt.

I have had to put out a chip pan fire when I was on call one day and it took less than 20 seconds including damping a towel.
The lady now keeps the lid close by.

But how do you stop getting into trouble in the first place?

Do as I do.

Or go to MacDonald’s.

I prefer my option.

When I have a Curry Party I like to deep fry pupadoms myself in a wok.
I attach the probe to the wok, with the tip in the oil, my probe has a wireless temperature alarm, set 5 degrees low, and so I can leave the oil under electronic supervision, the alarm on me.
”BEEP, BEEP, BEEP” means I move now.
The party carries on, without me, until I return with the pupadoms.

Now for the science.
Fire needs heat (the stove), fuel (the oil), oxygen (in the air).
Remove one it will go out, remove two it will stay out.

There endeth the lessen today.
I hope you never need to use it.

Seezya Les

yuck

When we are born we must trust implicitly on consuming what we are given.

But as we age we find we prefer some things more than others.

Now I was born when rationing was in force.

If I didn’t eat what I was given I would go hungry and my brothers got seconds.

There were no sweets, crisps, snacks.

But it is as true today as it was then,

No child has ever deliberate starved them self to death, even if they felt that they would die if they did eat certain foods.

No they quickly learn that more often than not a refusal leads to something different.

The local circumstances dictating what actual foods are available.

When my brother was a teenager I took him for an Indian, he chose omelette and chips.

But over the years he has become one of the biggest chilli heads I know.

So far I have found few things I won’t eat Okra being one but I suspect it was badly cooked.

I enjoy raw potatoes, baked beans cold out of the tin, but not struck on salads.

Mostly I prefer hot food and cold drinks, ice cream and Irish coffee being exceptions.

We are omnivores our gut is too short to be purely vegetarian, although cooking helps vegetables to be digested faster.

It is also too long to be purely carnivore, which is why strange things may occur down there if too much meat is consumed.

Over the years we have learnt that to cook food makes it safer and nicer to eat.

But some foods are an acquired taste either as a child in our formative years or learned later in life, by choice, dare, or necessity.

As we grow up you will be surprised how many childhood “Yuck” foods are actually quite enjoyable, if given a chance.

If we all ate the same there wouldn’t be different restaurants and different menus.

Or even the need for the huge selection available in most supermarkets.

Seezya Les

Thinking

I feel the next blogg may well be "YUCK"
Les

That Free Lunch Again

I have said before there is no such thing as a free lunch.
Even a meal from your mother or loved one,
Should be repaid with, a kiss, a cuddle, or even a plain thanks mum.


Yesterday I received a call from one of my energy suppliers.


“Hello Mr **** this is just a quick call, to advise you that, if you take up direct debit, you will save 6% on your bills.”


I then advised my caller that I had stopped the direct debits after I found myself being massively in credit after last years reconciliation had resulted in a £200+ refund followed immediately with a 30%+ increase in direct debits.
This has meant I am still in credit and not paid a bill since June.


I do not have an ordinary light bulb in my house.
I even have a low energy bulb or two that are brighter the now outlawed “100W Tungsten”


My gas is in a lesser but similar state.
I have a modern, condensing boiler, alongside, double glazing and an “open fire” for backup.


I have since thought why is this man trying to save me money.
He does not work for a charity,
His company will not pay him to give away profit, is it a tax loss?
No he is paid to make the company money by ensuring I am always in credit.


With effort by submitting “customer readings you can hope to lessening the credit.


But by law the Gas can obtain a court order to force entry to check the meter if not read for 2 years. It’s called a “Safety Check”
I have no reason not to believe something similar is in place for the Electric as well.
Maybe even the water when meters become more common?


Don’t forget they were both once Government owned thus having extra powers over others.




PS
Best non swear word “bumocks”


That’s all Folks
Les

Back to a gentle Simmer

We are now to get “poly clinics”

These appear to be a return to “Cottage Hospitals”, but with restricted opening times?

These were the next line of help, after the doctor, but before the longer journey to a real hospital.
It looks as if more and more Hospitals are to specialise.
This will mean longer journeys for both patients and staff.

When my mum was having a heart attack we were taken to Bromley hospital (Now a housing estate).
It was decided to send her to Lewisham Hospital.
An Ambulance was seconded from Maidstone!

Stone Park Maternity Hospital where all my family, not just my children I mean all my relatives, except Vickey (Click here for reason), were born was also shut, the land sold and a housing estate built.

Now does this mean some surgeries will be closed?
I can remember when a Doctors Surgery was a part of his own house.
Then they were encouraged to amalgamate and a “Proper Premises” was supplied.
The surgeries are “owned” by the Doctors, but will the clinics be paid for by the Government!
Does this mean even more Accident and Emergency departments closed?
I can remember when a Doctors Surgery was a part of his own house.
Then they were encouraged to amalgamate and a “Proper Premises” was supplied.

Plenty to think about chaps and chapesses

Seezya Les

Blood boiling

By the time you get to read the follow up.

I will have left as much time as possible, while fuming, to pass.

So as not to be just be a “NO NO NO" without coherent thought "NIMBY"

See you tomorrow boys and girls.

Seezya Les

Shopping

Food is sold in supermarkets are grouped 

Luxury, Branded, Own Brand, or Value

Lidl and Aldi are different in stocking only one or two brands of each product but are always of a good quality.

Martin Lewis has shown that by downsizing only one level will give an average saving of 33% on supermarket bills.

Try it, go slowly only drop a couple of items at the same time go and be prepared to go back up  if you get a turned up nose on anything.

If you try to change too much too soon it will be noticed and then everything will be viewed with suspicion.

Over a few months Nanny gradually substituted brand corn flakes for Kellogg’s. Topping up and mixing in the Kellogg’s Box. Then after a few more months she opened an own brand box said “try these?”

After watching them pour from the box and a very tentative taste Grandpa said “Definitely not as good as Kellogg’s, but really not that bad, let’s give them a try don’t want to waste them eh.”

He really hates change.

Thus proving we do eat with our eyes I suppose.

Lidl sell their Freeway cola for around 40p per 2 litres and my kids always buy in preference to Coke or Pepsi, though James still reckons Cherry Coke is the best but deliberately only has it occasionally to keep it that way.

I tend to Switch between Sainsbury, and Lidl, mainly now days as I get off the bus outside Lidl, and get back on to go home outside Sainsbury’s.

Today’s blog was inspired by an article on:

 Taste the Goode Life

Seezya

Les

Medication

I take several tablets, more than twenty a day on troublesome days.
Still as I tell the doctor.


“It’s when I can’t take the tablets any more I shall have to start getting worried.”


So here is my method.


For my regular daily medications I use a “Tower”. I bought it in Lidl for a couple of pounds but have seen them for £9.99 or more in some chemists.
Not to be confused with those looking like a book, though the principal does hold true.
This holds seven boxes Mon-Sun with 4 compartments each, stacked in a sleeve, to be slid out of the bottom and replaced in the top.
I load it with a fortnight’s pills for morning and evening.
So week one is compartments 1 & 4 week 2 compartments 2 & 3, odd numbers for morning.


In the morning I pull that day’s box out and take the morning pills, leaving the box resting on top, at an angle. In the eve take those pills and replace box.
I can tell with a glance at the tower whether or not I have taken the relevant tablets.
Tilted box in morning or flat top evening, you missed.


As my repeat prescription last eight weeks and the calendar packs are in strips of fourteen days, when I come to refill the tower on week seven I order my next repeat.
I also have at least an additional fortnight’s worth as backup.
During a hairy times you can run 8 weeks in front, you doctor will approve, he has you health in mind, you may need to make an appointment first though.
If you just order your repeats after 7 weeks instead of 8 a couple of times you will build a back up stock, remember to rotate the stock from time to time.
Count the tablets and next time one of you goes to the doctor ask for an adjusted prescription to bring all your different tablet’s repeat dates in line.
I even once refused some of my prescription from the chemist to make this so.
Some chemists will even collect the prescription and deliver the tablets direct to you on time. Sadly, for geographic reasons, not for me.
The tablets that I take as and when needed, pain killers etc, I keep in my wallet with my sweeteners.
I found Canderel dispensers that fit a credit card slot in my wallet.
One of which says “Given the choice of two evils I will always try the one I haven’t tried before.”
These I refill. {Lidl £1.20 per 1200.}




When I go to see friends and relatives and I may stay over. I carry a spare box with 48 hours worth, which I refill from my tower on my return home, thus keeping all in line.
In practise this is easier in use, than in the explanation took to explain.


I also hate waiting for a year or two to remember what I have yet to do today.
But that may be another story.
If I can recall it.


Seezya Les

Further to: It doesn’t hurt to be polite

It may well be the squeaky wheel that gets the oil.

But it is the cherished classic car that gets the full service.


Seezya Les

It doesn’t hurt to be polite

I had an opportunity to purchase a product yesterday, but it was only available in a 5 minute window.

I do hate wasting an opportunity.

The Emails went like this:

They have been edited.

I wanted to purchase your offer on Ustream tonight

but I was to be charged over $90 shipping to England.

Please advise

Les

Hello,

Thank you for contacting us.

We offer a few different shipping methods. It sounds like that would be the rate for UPS. We also offer shipping as low as $4.50 for regular USPS. You would need to use the drop down to select the other options.

Please let me know if there is anything else I can do for you. I am also happy to place the order for you. I can do this via email or phone.

Let us know if we can help you further!
~~~~~
Melissa
Customer Service help desk

Dear Melissa

Thank you for you kind and prompt reply

However as the offer was on a time limited response.
I feel that by now I may well have missed your deadline.

Les

Hello,

Considering you were on the call today, If you wish to take advantage of the discount for the Program, you can call the office.

I am also happy to place the order for you. I can do this via email or phone. Let us know if we can help you further!
~~~~~
Maggie
Customer Service help desk

Dear Maggie
Am I correct in thinking that I may still purchase at the offer price of $29.00?
Will this be by download or mail?
If it is to be by mail what is the ETA to London England at $4.50 p&p?

Les

Hi Les,

Yes, I am offering you the discount if you want to purchase the product.  You would need to call the office as the coupon is expired now.  Either Melissa or myself can help you when you call to place the order.

Shipping can take anywhere from few days to 2 weeks.  I can not give you a specific time and with the $4.50 shipping rate, we do not have tracking available just so you are aware.

Let us know if we can help you further!
~~~~~
Maggie
Customer Service help desk

Dear Maggie and Melissa,
I am unable to call your office.
Can this be done by email?
And download to save the delay to do it now?

Thank you again for your continuing help.

Les

Hello Les,

To make things easier I have created a coupon called "****" This coupon will give you the same discount as the Ustream code.

You are now able to get the program for $29.00. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do for you.

Have a great day!

Let us know if we can help you further!
~~~~~
Melissa
Customer Service help desk

Dear Maggie and Melissa

Re order ******
I appear to have made a typo of my email address

Please tell me I have not given you girls a problem.

Les

Hello Les,

Not a problem. I fixed it for you.

Please let me know if there is anything else I can do for you.

Let us know if we can help you further!
~~~~~
Melissa
Customer Service help desk

Dear Maggie and Melissa

Please tell Wendi you deserve a gold star.

In a little while I may stop getting any more "oh Dad!"
Thanks again girls for your help and understanding.

Les

Hello Les,

You are very welcome.

Haha thanks!  : )

Have a great day!

Let us know if we can help you further!
~~~~~
Melissa
Customer Service help desk

Dear Maggie and Melissa

Thank you
for the
thank you

Les

Now the offer was only available from 9:00 – 9:05 pm UK time

The normal price is $79.90

And the emails were three hours later.

I could have shrugged my shoulders and missed out.

However I chanced my arm.

In being polite and the generous use of thank you, you can see I won through.

This type of method nearly always seems to work with service desks verbal or written.

The person you are dealing with has any number of customers problems to deal with most of which are served to them in an angry and abrupt manner.

I don’t know about you but I don’t like be shouted and sworn at but I like people who are nice, and so tend to help the latter in preference. Doing as little as I need to for Mr Shouty.

My current email signature is as follows

---------------------------------------------

Seezya

         

      Les

 See my blog


Start with a smile it usually goes quicker.



Always ask for assistance in a friendly way with a smile.
You'll get a better, more helpful response.
Show gratitude at the response
Or as the response starts to be forthcoming.
Always finish with an additional thank you for their time and trouble.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Now my mum said it is rarely a bad time to say “thank you”.

You can see that it works.

Seezya

Les

Alcohol revisited

High street Penge has only four public houses on it entire length.
But there are at least ten shops selling beer etc. one of which is open 24/7.

In my youth there were still four pubs, and I believe off sales also only available from these pubs. So beer etc. could only be bought 10:30 – 2:30 and 5:30 - 10:30 except Sunday 12:00 – 2:00 and 7:00 – 10:30.

If you were approaching drunkenness a polite landlord would quietly admonish with an “I think you’ve had enough Les”. As he knew he could loose his license if he carried on serving.
A few pubs would serve afters to a select well behaved clientèle.

Mum always knew, that as we would all be back home by 2:30, she could time Sunday lunch accordingly.

Nowadays with six cans for £5, a bottle of Vodka for less than £10, around 30p a shot. Alco pops that taste like fruit juice. As it only takes one of a group, to be able to make the purchase, instead of all having to pass the landlords’ scrutiny for entrance.
Too many young people now start their initiation to drinking out side the pub, on the cheap, with little or no supervision or restrictions.
With a I can drink more than you attitude.
Penge is now a “public alcohol-free zone”

Seezya Les

Returns

This is a difficult one.

Number one rule.

Open goods as slowly and carefully as you can.
If returned goods are looking as if new, and complete, it will always makes life easier.


All companies have variations on their apparent and legal terms.

A very few have no time limit, any reason, rights of return.
I know of only one, and they do tend to be dearer than some.

Nearly all will “if proven faulty at point of sale we will exchange”. As a rule of thumb.
This may not be strictly legal.

My rules are:

When shopping on a whim,
Meander round all stalls/stores in window shopping mode.
Then go back and make your purchases.
Open the box at point of sale, before purchase, if this refused leave well enough alone.
Get a receipt. Take a name of the sales assistant.


Check before you buy that it does what you want it to do.
You can’t reject a lawn mower because it does not trim you toe nails the same way as your chiropodist can!

I always put the receipt in the relevant box and keep it with all packaging, even the wire ties, just in case.

In England Products/Services over £100 may have additional guarantees to a limit, if using a CREDIT card.

I have a few checks to make and will return to this at a later date.

Seezya Les

Alcohol

Once upon a time drinking in England was easy.
Beer, lager and cider were sold in pints or halves.
Wines sold at 6 glasses to a bottle.
Spirits 32 shots to the bottle.
There were 8 pints or 6 bottles to the gallon.

An English pint is twenty ounces giving a 160 ounce gallon.
An American pint is sixteen ounces, giving a 128 ounce gallon.

Then Metrication reared its head!

Pints stayed at the same volume but now 568 ml, although sometimes in third pint as a taster.
Shots change to 25 ml or 30 shots a standard bottle, with 35 ml, and 50 ml options.
Bottles changed from a standard 750 ml (3/4 litre) to 700, 750, or 1 litre. Plus the 3 litre box.
Wine glasses from 125 ml or now small, adding 175 ml standard with 250 ml large.

Now units of alcohol are easy one litre of 10% alcohol = 10 units, and 40% e.g. whisky 40 units or 1 unit per shot.

So two cans of lager at 500 ml = 1 litre and at 5% = 2.5 units per tin.

I common practise a 500 ml tin poured into a pint glass gives a pub pint!

Thus my conclusion is that one of the problems with modern day drinking is you are often given the same drink in vastly varying quantities.

Seezya
Les

Jack Frost is still dancing with the Ice Queen

When I am driving:

Stay legal;
Everybody is looking for an excuse to charge you for having the audacity of owning a car.

Road tax, Insurance, MOT.

Parking , speeding and various other fines and charges.

"Holding a mobile phone while the engine is running!"

Please have a rescue plan, RAC, AA ETC.

Carry spare petrol, water, Anti-Freeze, jump leads and a tow rope.

Check the spare tyre, lights.
The basic tools that come with the care,have they been borrowed?.

Check the engine levels before a trip of 50 miles or at least weekly.

When Jack Frost is dancing with the Ice Queen.
You can not put too much anti freeze in a radiator.
Anti freeze is cheaper than a new engine.

A shovel, Wellington boots, a hat.

Pack a warm coat, spare dry clothes, and a torch plus a cyclist flashing lamp, you do not want a lorry in your boot.
A bin bag will keep you dry if used as  a smock.

Keep food and drinks in the car not the boot, to prevent freezing.

High sugar products, will keep you warm.

A diabetic hypo will happen as your body struggles to find sugar for energy.

You can always restore sugar levels tomorrow.

It is prolonged elevated sugar levels that are the problem.

You can't blow a diet in one day.

At least a blanket each, plus a spare or two.

A fully charged with battery and credit mobile phone.

Stop arguing a cuddle is warmer than having the hump.

If money is a problem

IS THE JOURNEY REALLY DESPERATE

Or a whim. 

Be careful hi visibility lights in times of hi visibility they will be dazzling to others,don't you know it, only in use in the extremes of bad weather.

I have been driving for many years and I feel many drivers now days feel they have absolute right to drive their way and for you to let them get away with it.

Often showing an attitude of "I can't go anywhere then why should you??!!"

Seezya Les

Am I too late

With the “NEWS” reporters reverting back to their, now familiar / comfortable, role of “speculation”. Facts tend to deter debate, putting pundits out of work?

Apparently we are running out of gas, power cuts will strike any time soon, road grit has been rationed, public transport on its knees, etc.

What could / should we have done?

Please give grave thought before using, anything unusual to you, naked flames in doors.

Ensure you have a phone that will work during a power cut.

We all need back up:

Mine include some of the following.

You may be surprised.

A store cupboard as previously mentioned.

Wind up torches. Most times a torch is needed for less than minute, with batteries costing pounds for this, and then leaking and so torch becomes dysfunction splat.

A portable, (AM / FM, DAB) radio or MP3 player, with fully charged batteries. Rechargeable batteries, last up to three times as long as, an alkaline per charge. Initial costs are about double but a thousand charges for pennies.

Candles and lighters. Always on offer somewhere. Use tea lights on a saucer, with a reflector to direct the light where wanted.

Never fall asleep by candle light, if you must keep the monsters at bay, use a battery powered light.

A coal fire, I buy my coal in the spring when reduced to clear.

A small portable gas barbecue, Primus / Gaz stove for cooking.

Blow up / camping / settee, bed with sleeping bag for use in the living room living room.

My cooker has a gas hob with an electric oven.

I make sure I have a fortnight’s medication in hand when getting a repeat prescription.

Out and About with Jack Frost

Clothing I wear layers.
Remove layers if you start to warm up, you must not sweat.
Add layers as you cool, you must not get cold.

Below is an extreme set up, if any more is needed I try to stay in, and will be reduced according to forecasts.

Fluffy sports socks under walking socks inside boots.

Jogging bottoms, inside wind and water resistant, "outdoor", trousers.

Tee shirt under thermal vest under two layers of fleece with a breathable water proof outer hooded jacket.

Woolly hat, scarf, lined leather gloves and waterproof hat on all outings, except in high summer perhaps, even if may not be needed.

As I walk with a stick I use a Leki hiking pole with a walking stick style handle, this also has a tungsten tip under the rubber feral which digs into the ice, and a spring shock absorber for comfort. I have put a couple of rings of reflective tape around the barrel for high visibility after dark.

I attach this to my right wrist so I don't drop it by accident.
On my left wrist hangs my bus pass in a luggage tag, no struggling to find it.

I use a bag on wheels as it can work as a second stick for additional support, besides saving the need to carry shopping...

When the circumstances dictate I also use a shoulder bag for items needed on the voyage.

Seezya Les

Food shortages

Sorry for no Blogg yesterday,

Had to walk home Weds evening and then I needed a day in bed to recuperate.

Spoke to doctor on phone and she raised a new prescription which my Vickey picked up, brought over and then cooked dinner. So an enjoyable evening ensued. Followed by a full night’s sleep these new tablets seem to be working.

It would appear that as we have some white stuff and Jack Frost has come to play, panic buying has reared its ugly head.

I hate to think how much of this food will be thrown away while causing the very thing the purchasers were worried about “Shortages”.

Every body should have a store cupboard.

“What do I store?” I here you ask.

Nothing that you have not tried and enjoyed before.
In fact I believe some luxuries and treats should be held back for, exceptionally, bad times

I keep teabags that are boxed and in individual foil packages of 40’s.

Dried skimmed milk.

Long life skimmed milk.

Tinned tomatoes whole you can chop them yourself.

Try and buy tinned, fresh and frozen goods as an ingredient rather than a meal. Otherwise you are paying for somebody else to assemble the ingredients. In most cases with a pre-prepared £5 meal less than a pound is spent on the ingredients.

Think about this,
When you go for a Chinese, or Indian meal, the menu appears huge.

But on inspection there are only a few different ingredients.

E.g. meat, chicken or prawns.

With a style of sauce, sweet& sour, masala.

Rice plain or flavoured.

And so on….

I find old rice cooks better than new rice.

One part rice two parts water/stock, cover with a plate.

Bring to boil in microwave on high, the 7 mins on low.

I mostly find the less a product is interfered with, the longer the shelf life is.

Dried foods should be re-hydrated over night in the fridge, this helps to prevent a powdery taste texture in the finished result.
All tinned food can be eaten cold from the tinned as it is cooked as part of the canning process.
It is only dried kidney beans that need to be boiled after soaking and before cooking in the recipe.

Remember to eat and replace your stores regularly, and maybe once a year spend a week or more living on just the stores to fine tune which of the ingredients you keep.  

For more in-depth advice on see

 Bin it or Keep it?

Seezya Les

Tips for keeping warm in winter

The BIG secret is still dry air!

It is preferable to struggle to pay a bill.
Rather than not to be there when it arrives.

Moving air transfers heat. Wind Chill.

This is also why a fan oven cooks faster.

Radiators or a fire heat up the fabric of the house, a fan heater quickly heats up just the air.

Set the central heating timer:

To start at around half an hour before you need it.
To stop at around half an hour before don't.

As water evaporates it draws heat away.
This is why we sweat.
And wet clothes are cold.
One of the quickest ways to cool down in the summer is to put a wet tea shirt on.

Before refrigeration was readily available milk etc was kept cool under a damp tea towel.

Have at least one hot meal a day.
Better still porridge for breakfast, soup for lunch,and a hot evening meal with a pudding for example.
Hot food is cheaper than a hot house.

Leave the diet and salads for the warmer months.
Drink hot drinks regularly to warm up from the inside out, take a flask to bed for a quick boost during the night.


Alcohol initially makes you feel warm as it dilates the blood vessels, but in fact actually dissipates core body heat, be careful.

Keep moving - a little exercise will help keep you well even it it's indoors, muscles in action generate internal heat.
See hypothermia below.

Wrap up warmly whenever you go outside and always dress warmly for bed.
If you are camping with an expensive sleeping bag you will often find yourself warmer nearly naked as it fluffs the insulation up from your body heat, tip dress and undress inside the bag if you can. Otherwise undress from the feet up and dress from the top down, bring the clothes inside the bag before dressing to warm them through.

It is always preferable to remove a layer because you are too warm, and to stop sweating, than to not have one while you are getting cold. 
Put outdoor clothes on a few minutes before you go out to trap the warmth you already have, rather than leaving your body to fight the cold from a standing start.
If you have cold feet put on a hat, even if indoors or bed!

Wearing several layers of loose clothing will keep you warmer than one thick layer by trapping air.
This is how a fleece, a woolly , or a string vest work. 
A (tea) shirt over a jumper will be warmer than when worn under it.
Men find wearing tights cold as they squash the hairs on the legs and so squeeze out trapped air.

Keeping warm at home is vital.
Your home, or at the very least the living room, should be heated to a temperature of 21°C or 70°F.
You can always sleep on the settee or in a chair.

Close bedroom windows at night to keep the warmth in and the cold air out. That still air thing again.
Condensation can be caused by lack of ventilation and most moisture is created in the bathroom and kitchen.
This is why it can suddenly appear after having new double glazing fitted. Extract fans, with a humidistat, in the bathroom and kitchen often help, by removing damp air as it occurs.
Leave the bath to go cold, to recover the heat from the hot water, before you pull the plug.

If your electric blanket is over 10 years old get a new one.
Some of the modern ones can be used all night. 
Never have a hot water bottle if you also use an electric blanket, that old electrics and water thing.

Beware getting too cold can result in Hypothermia.
This will creep up unknowingly and with a gallop, especially, if you are on your own.

Symptoms of hypothermia take effect in three stages. 
Going past stage one can be fatal.
Going past stage two will be fatal.

The first stage - mild hypothermia - is characterised by:

Bouts of shivering;

Grogginess and muddled thinking.

Indicators of moderate hypothermia are:

Violent shivering or shivering which suddenly stops;

Inability to think and pay attention;

Slow, shallow breathing;

Slow, weak pulse.

Severe hypothermia has set in when:

Shivering stops;

The person loses consciousness;

There is little or no breathing;

Pulse is weak, irregular or non-existent.

A feeling of euphoria now sets in.
Say night night world.



If you find some one suffering with Hypothermia putting them in a WARM not HOT bath may help.

Stay Warm 

Seezya Les

We all need more learning

While my James was in the infants, I was approached to help with reading one on one.

I of course said yes.

While listening to him he kept making minor mistakes.

So I covered up the bulk of the words revealing one or two, he had no idea.

I asked “you can’t read can you?”

He murmured “no”.

“Don’t worry we will sort that out at home”

He was remembering the story as it was read to him!

That evening we got the “ladybirds’ key words books out, and within a fortnight he was reading and later that month promoted to “free reading”

Meaning he could choose his book by desire not by skill level.

When asked to explain what I had done, I was admonished.

“We do not do it that way any more”.

I just smiled and shrugged.

A few years later at a parents evening concern was shown he was under performing, within his capabilities, with his “times tables”.

I gave his teacher a pound and said “when he gets a 100% three weeks on the trot give him the pound”.

He collected four weeks later.

He still does not know his tables by rote but can calculate in his head faster than most.

We are told that children need parental guidance.

But why is it single parents on benefit do not have the time to perform some of these “Duties”.

Perhaps this AMC helps

“Always ask a busy man for help.

“All the rest have no time”

Seezya

Les

Gaining knowledge

The way we gain our knowledge and experiences progress and change over the years.
Strangely family guidance is often the least noticed but is often with the longest lasting effects.

Firstly it is by touch and ouch as a toddler.
Before we start to explore “all is as is”.

Parents soon realise a quiet toddler is a problem in action. Has he/she has found something they should not have. If hurt the more noise the less the consequences, how ever with more than one child, these events may be masked with other background anguishes.

By the time we go to school the following happens “everybody has this/that” becomes de rigueur for a must have, soon followed with “my best friends will hate me”

“Miss said” becomes a logical reason to contradict mum and dad.

Then we either love or hate the scholarly process.
As I have mentioned before I am dyslexic, hence I failed all essay based exams including English “O” level three times never ever passing while taking “A” level Maths, Chemistry and Physics.
(I love word processors and spell checkers but still have to ensure I don’t hover my carpet or hoover the lawn.)

But one year I had a Chemistry teacher who did not check home or class work, I wrote very little down but passed end of year exam 75% third in class the other two “swots” neither over 80%.

As a teenager we believe anything and everything our parents say or do is wrong and embarrassing.
But anything and everything a friend’s parent says or does is absolutely cool and right.

Then reality kicks back in and we finally start asking for advice.

I learnt early on that most people assume prior knowledge and may either be shocked or annoyed when you can not follow or understand their “seemingly simple idea”.

I also learnt to check from different sources as a different explanation may often hold the key to a nugget of insight.
Early on this was books and magazines and now includes T’internet.
This is very, very true with the Internet, especially wiki-pedia as plagiarism is rife ideas are copied as gospel with no idea as to the actual truth or even understanding the original question!

Seezya
Les

Wishing you all and your loved ones, a Happy and a Prosperous New Year.

I am back and I thank my regulars who have been checking my Blogg, over the last week.

I went to a party in a club in Croydon last night and Croydon was almost deserted.

This prompted a discussion as to whether people are paid their wages early for Christmas?

One company I worked for paid my wages on the last Wednesday of the month or before Christmas by BACS. While another paid by cheque always on the first of the month.

While I was bringing my children up family allowance was available early as well.

Does this practice still apply?

I have rarely been flushed with more cash after Christmas than before.

How ever I was flushed with Lakeland vouchers, this year and bought several new kitchen toys which I will reveal over next Bloggs.

I am in a happy state of “WWW”

“What I like, When I like, Where I like”.

James has gone to stay with Anneke.

I treat this as a holiday with out my having to travel,

with a chance to try new, and different foods.

Tomorrow is “brined chickened”

I do find the best night’s sleep is in my own bed.

Bliss.

Seezya Les