|
home . archive:
the smoke - news and views for city people
Make more from your leftovers
The current woes mean we all have to make more out of less. Food - and in particular meat - has become exceptionally expensive, making the lure of cheap processed food more attractive. It may be cheaper, but processed food is not necessarily better.
Unfortunately we seem to have fallen into the habit of cooking for one meal and then throwing what's left away. Indeed, it could be that Londoners waste about a billion tonnes of food each year. "Left overs" are no longer on the evening menus, and whilst cookbook sales have exploded, it does seem we're too eager to cook a completely different meal from night to night.
The roast lunch is a good example. For many of those who still sit down on a Sunday for roast chicken, lamb or beef, this is the one proper meal in the week. And yet when the meal is over the carcass is too often consigned to the recycling bin with a warm "look at what we're doing to help the environment" feeling inside.
Often there is at least one meal, maybe more, to come from a good roast. Stripping a chicken could easily produce enough flesh for sandwiches or a cold meat salad the next day. Left over lamb or beef can go into a casserole. Anything else - bones and scraps - can go into a soup. That's just what my unimaginative mind can come up with. Across the Internet there are plenty of sites willing to help you find something more creative to do with the leftovers.
In these troubled times we should be doing more with less, and help our environment at the same time. Save energy by switching off unwanted lights and save money by not going out on the two every night. But also save money and waste by doing something else with what's left in the pan tonight. Christine is a working mother and sometimes contributor to The Smoke. |
permalink . comment
Bookmark at Delicious . Digg . reddit . Facebook . StumbleUpon
Zemmy, singer and songwriter
 On the surface Zemmy's songs are jolly, catchy and pure pop. She sings them with passion and a soaring voice that has a hint of Dina Carroll. Underneath the lyrics are more heartfelt, telling tales of unreturned love or relationships in meltdown.
permalink . comment
Bookmark at Delicious . Digg . reddit . Facebook . StumbleUpon
POTD - surprised to see me?
A new "Picture of the Day." A couple seem surprised to see St Paul's Cathedral in London. For more from POTD click on the image 
permalink . comment
Bookmark at Delicious . Digg . reddit . Facebook . StumbleUpon
Giving up smoking
 The consequences of smoking can be severe. The most extreme can be heart attacks and lung cancer, but it can affect our health in other ways. Breathlessness, asthma, blocked arteries, they can all be debilitating. And of course there is the financial aspect - in the most extreme cases decisions are made between whether to eat or buy another packet.
If you are going to quit smoking you're going to need to think carefully about what you do. Whilst a few lucky people are able to stop overnight, most need time and support. Fortunately there are plenty of organisations - from government departments to charities to companies - with advice, sources of support and more.
Giving up smoking is hard, but this handpicked list of resources should help. If you have another resource you'd like us to consider, please let us know.
NHS smoke free
The National Health Service is at the forefront of getting Brittons to quit. Their smoke free site includes helpful tips and links to local services.
Direct.gov.uk
The UK Government also has its own independent selection of advice and guidance. As well as links to the NHS there are links to other useful sources of information.
Cancer Research UK
One of the UK's largest charities, Cancer Research UK is at the forefront of countering the effects of smoking on individuals and society as a whole. Again their site has a good selection of tips, including how to start quitting.
The British Heart Foundation
Another charity of the forefront of cleaning up the mess, the BHF has some interesting advice and fascinating facts.
BUPA
A major player in the UK private medical industry, BUPA's fact sheet is brimming with ideas and suggestions.
permalink . comment
Bookmark at Delicious . Digg . reddit . Facebook . StumbleUpon
Avoid being a victim of a credit card clone
A couple of years ago I was the victim of identity theft. Someone managed to get enough information to be able to go on an eight hundred pound shopping spree at iTunes after cloning my debit card. I only found out when I went to a cash point and found out I was overdrawn.
It was a pain. Not only was I left without money, I also had to spend a few hours calling various places to explain what had happened and that my direct debit was about to bounce on them.
I was lucky - all that happened was my account was emptied. I have come across people who have had investments cashed without them knowing and loans taken out in their names. The consequences can be more than a few hours of phone calls - credit ratings can be left damaged for years, or unexpected creditors can turn up with court orders.
There are three simple steps you can take to actively manage your risk of being a victim: Set up Internet access to your bank accounts, investments and utility companies, then turn off receipt of paper statements and bills;
Use Internet banking to check on your account at least weekly and look for transactions you can't explain - including unusual direct debits;
Check your credit file at least half yearly and watch for unexpected credit searches or loans you can't account for. The moment you see something suspicious do something about it. Contact your bank, the utility company or investment company and alert them to the fact you suspect there is something wrong.
Unfortunately identity theft is a crime that is going to stay with us. Keeping an eye out means you stand a better chance of reducing the impact it could have on you.
Did you know... there are 3 main agencies that provide credit reference information to the credit industry: Experian, Equifax and Call Credit. While some of them would like you to pay 10 pounds a month for online access to their records, it only costs 2 pounds to ask for the information by post (and it is easier to understand!). More information is on the Information Commissioner's website.  Ross Hall is The Smoke's webmaster and editor. In real life he's a Compliance Officer and sometimes photographer.
|
permalink . comment
Bookmark at Delicious . Digg . reddit . Facebook . StumbleUpon
Do the test...
Transport for London are keen to get people onto their bikes (yes, even in this weather). Unfortunately being on a bicycle can be pretty dangerous, not necessarily for anything you do, but because other road users aren't always aware we're around.
To promote awareness, they've released a pretty effective advert. You'll find it after the jump.
permalink . comment
Bookmark at Delicious . Digg . reddit . Facebook . StumbleUpon
Spread the word
 Street preachers continue to ply their trade and marketers use a presence on the pavement as a means to promote their service, product or charity.
In this photo feature we take a look at the people on our streets who spread the word.
permalink . comment
Bookmark at Delicious . Digg . reddit . Facebook . StumbleUpon
Kylie, dance teacher and fashion student
 With an accent that blends the States, Caribbean and London and a smile that is infectious, Kylie is another Londoner exploring multiple talents. She teaches Salsa, she's studying for a Fashion degree and now she's modelling as well.
To see Kylie's gallery click here.
permalink . comment
Bookmark at Delicious . Digg . reddit . Facebook . StumbleUpon
Newer Entries Older Entries
Published on Saturday, 27 December 2008
Bookmark at Delicious . Digg . reddit . Facebook . StumbleUpon
Where Next?
Southbank at Night
A series of photographs of southbank, taken at night
A short break in Monmouth
A trip to monmouth in wales, eating in local cafes and pubs
Nikita Sablier - classic corsets and vintage ladieswear
In these times of recession a little glamour can go a long way. And a classically styled corset will never go out of fashion
The government won't be there for mortgage borrowers
The much touted plan to help those with mortgages is ineffective and pointless. Our regular correspondent explains why
iTunes playlist - country, hip-hop and 1990s
A selection of country, dance and chart music from our iTunes playlist
POTD - the bus depot
The london fleet standards ready at the alperton bus depot
Why do banks refuse to pass on interest rate cuts?
In recent weeks the Bank of England has reduced interest rates by 2.5%. Yet few mortgage lenders seem willing to pass the reductions on. We ask whether it is profiteering or a prudent response to uncertain times
There's more on the Smoke blog
|
