I had seen Jamie Oliver creating some more economical meals on the TV the other week and one looked gorgeous. It was the fish curryhere it is
It was fantastic and was still great the next day at work.
Wednesday 15 April 2015
Fish curry-nicer than it sounds
Dear reader,
I had seen Jamie Oliver creating some more economical meals on the TV the other week and one looked gorgeous. It was the fish curryhere it is
I had seen Jamie Oliver creating some more economical meals on the TV the other week and one looked gorgeous. It was the fish curryhere it is
Monday 13 April 2015
A jar of coffee.
Dear reader,
My lovely mum helps out at a food bank. She's retired and wanted to do some volunteering. She's never done anything like that before but she went off to the training and now she does it a couple of times a week.
It got me thinking about what food people give and what would be best for feeding a family.
Most of the donations are from supermarkets and shops. There are donations from the public and most are great but some are really weird. Nail varnish (half used), dipping oil and a screwdriver.
Apparently corned beef and baked beans are the usual donations.
I have to admit, I've never donated. My mum loves 150 miles away so I can't just pop round and give her some stuff. I've never seen a donation point at any shops either. There's a drop off box for the local dogs home in our Asda but not a food bank one.
It's usually women who come in, usually terribly embarrassed. They fill out a shopping list which asks them whether they want pasta or rice and any sanitary products preferences. They are given toothbrushes and toothpaste if they need them too. I guess some have fled from dangerous abusers and some have just fallen on hard times and need to feed their kids. Some women haven't eaten for a couple of days.
I suppose some are there because of their life choices or are drug users or alcoholics. At first I was bemused by that but then I thought, they're still hungry.
It seems so unbalanced sometime when I am looking for my nearest Slimming World class and my mum is bagging up food for someone who hasn't eaten for a while.
I will look up my nearest food bank today and drop some stuff off. Apparently they need canned meat (not corned beef) and coffee so that's what I will get.
Apparently the local paper asked people for those items on behalf of the food bank and some people who furious they were asking for coffee. Perhaps some people think that if you ask for a hand out you should just be eating rice and drinking water.
I know they can only go three times and are referred from other agencies and given a voucher, you can't just walk in a get a load of stuff.
I'm lucky and can go food shopping today. I can pick up what I fancy and not give it much thought, I use my card and know it will cover my purchases. I choose to be careful what I spend becuase I want my money to be used elsewhere for paying off debts.
I was going to write a post about wholesome dinners, what can be cooked with food from a food bank bulk cooking and freezing but then I thought, suppose I'm a mum of two, my nerves are frayed and I've fled the family home due to violence. Perhaps I'm in a hostel or bed sit with a crap shared kitchen,no utensils, no freezer. I'm not sure how I'm going to get throught the week, I've got no family to help. The kids are upset cos we've left the dog at a re homing place......
I don't begrudge a jar of coffee.
My lovely mum helps out at a food bank. She's retired and wanted to do some volunteering. She's never done anything like that before but she went off to the training and now she does it a couple of times a week.
It got me thinking about what food people give and what would be best for feeding a family.
Most of the donations are from supermarkets and shops. There are donations from the public and most are great but some are really weird. Nail varnish (half used), dipping oil and a screwdriver.
Apparently corned beef and baked beans are the usual donations.
I have to admit, I've never donated. My mum loves 150 miles away so I can't just pop round and give her some stuff. I've never seen a donation point at any shops either. There's a drop off box for the local dogs home in our Asda but not a food bank one.
It's usually women who come in, usually terribly embarrassed. They fill out a shopping list which asks them whether they want pasta or rice and any sanitary products preferences. They are given toothbrushes and toothpaste if they need them too. I guess some have fled from dangerous abusers and some have just fallen on hard times and need to feed their kids. Some women haven't eaten for a couple of days.
I suppose some are there because of their life choices or are drug users or alcoholics. At first I was bemused by that but then I thought, they're still hungry.
It seems so unbalanced sometime when I am looking for my nearest Slimming World class and my mum is bagging up food for someone who hasn't eaten for a while.
I will look up my nearest food bank today and drop some stuff off. Apparently they need canned meat (not corned beef) and coffee so that's what I will get.
Apparently the local paper asked people for those items on behalf of the food bank and some people who furious they were asking for coffee. Perhaps some people think that if you ask for a hand out you should just be eating rice and drinking water.
I know they can only go three times and are referred from other agencies and given a voucher, you can't just walk in a get a load of stuff.
I'm lucky and can go food shopping today. I can pick up what I fancy and not give it much thought, I use my card and know it will cover my purchases. I choose to be careful what I spend becuase I want my money to be used elsewhere for paying off debts.
I was going to write a post about wholesome dinners, what can be cooked with food from a food bank bulk cooking and freezing but then I thought, suppose I'm a mum of two, my nerves are frayed and I've fled the family home due to violence. Perhaps I'm in a hostel or bed sit with a crap shared kitchen,no utensils, no freezer. I'm not sure how I'm going to get throught the week, I've got no family to help. The kids are upset cos we've left the dog at a re homing place......
I don't begrudge a jar of coffee.
Sunday 12 April 2015
What's cooking?
Dear reader,
A quiet day here. Glorious sunshine although a little windy. I bounced out of bed and went for a little jog. Not great but early days. Legs were agony.
Walked the fat dog for the fat woman who won't and now having a lazy afternoon. The lamb leg I purchased in Lidl is in the oven with carrots, onions and garlic and life is good.
I'm planning the meals for the week with what's already in store.
I have pork steaks, one fillet steak, fish (lots, bought when reduced, monkfish, river cobbler and haddock I think) liver, frozen veg, frozen chips, cheese, ham and a couple of slices of roast beef, two chicken breasts, half a cabbage and a packet of wraps. Also have milk, porridge oats and eggs, some apples and pears and that's about it with some cupboard basics too. Rice, pasta, curry powder etc.
I'm thinking faggots with onion gravy.
Leftover lamb in a curry or maybe just cold with chips and pickles.
Fish and chips
Steak, veg and chips
Grilled chicken and veg
Fish curry and rice
Breakfasts will be porridge and the wraps and cold meats will be lunches.
Have three nice dresses to go online tonight for sale so may make some money by next weekend!
What's on your mind today? Are you spending, saving or selling?
X
A quiet day here. Glorious sunshine although a little windy. I bounced out of bed and went for a little jog. Not great but early days. Legs were agony.
Walked the fat dog for the fat woman who won't and now having a lazy afternoon. The lamb leg I purchased in Lidl is in the oven with carrots, onions and garlic and life is good.
I'm planning the meals for the week with what's already in store.
I have pork steaks, one fillet steak, fish (lots, bought when reduced, monkfish, river cobbler and haddock I think) liver, frozen veg, frozen chips, cheese, ham and a couple of slices of roast beef, two chicken breasts, half a cabbage and a packet of wraps. Also have milk, porridge oats and eggs, some apples and pears and that's about it with some cupboard basics too. Rice, pasta, curry powder etc.
I'm thinking faggots with onion gravy.
Leftover lamb in a curry or maybe just cold with chips and pickles.
Fish and chips
Steak, veg and chips
Grilled chicken and veg
Fish curry and rice
Breakfasts will be porridge and the wraps and cold meats will be lunches.
Have three nice dresses to go online tonight for sale so may make some money by next weekend!
What's on your mind today? Are you spending, saving or selling?
X
Saturday 11 April 2015
Who values our custom?
Dear reader,
A new follower! Hi Pam, nice to have you here and following me. Thank you. X
Thanks for all your comments, I have been publishing them in between going to and from work, housework and cooking but haven't managed to reply as yet.
It seems customer service or at least, good customer service is sadly declining as we feel more of just a number at many retail outlets. I know this is one of the reasons we don't really eat out anymore.
Now I know the public in general can be a pain, I worked in a retail sales environment for 17 years and am still in a public facing role. The silly questions and unrealistic demands along with rudeness can really get you down. That's why I always try to be a "good customer" when I go shopping but I have found there are very few stores that actually, really care about their customer.
I would love to do my shopping in a variety of little high street shops, you know, a butchers, a bakers, greengrocer but those days seem to be over as we flock to buy cheap products from big chains.
I went into our local, family run store yesterday. They have a very good butchery section, deli and bread section with eggs from the local farm along with local milk and cheese. The cold meats are cured on the premises, sliced for you and wrapped in wax paper. These shops are rare and they don't have everything I need and are closed on Sunday's which is often my first or only day off and I need to shop then.
When I go shopping, spending my hard earned money, I want to feel a tiny bit valued, just a little bit but sadly I often don't.
Do you feel the same?
A new follower! Hi Pam, nice to have you here and following me. Thank you. X
Thanks for all your comments, I have been publishing them in between going to and from work, housework and cooking but haven't managed to reply as yet.
It seems customer service or at least, good customer service is sadly declining as we feel more of just a number at many retail outlets. I know this is one of the reasons we don't really eat out anymore.
Now I know the public in general can be a pain, I worked in a retail sales environment for 17 years and am still in a public facing role. The silly questions and unrealistic demands along with rudeness can really get you down. That's why I always try to be a "good customer" when I go shopping but I have found there are very few stores that actually, really care about their customer.
I would love to do my shopping in a variety of little high street shops, you know, a butchers, a bakers, greengrocer but those days seem to be over as we flock to buy cheap products from big chains.
I went into our local, family run store yesterday. They have a very good butchery section, deli and bread section with eggs from the local farm along with local milk and cheese. The cold meats are cured on the premises, sliced for you and wrapped in wax paper. These shops are rare and they don't have everything I need and are closed on Sunday's which is often my first or only day off and I need to shop then.
When I go shopping, spending my hard earned money, I want to feel a tiny bit valued, just a little bit but sadly I often don't.
Do you feel the same?
Friday 10 April 2015
Lidl-customer service
Dear reader,
Thank you for your comments when I was moaning on my last post about being overcharged in Lidl, some names I haven't seen before commented which was great.
That night I went onto the Lidl website and using their customer service comments, I sent them a two line moan about my £1.90. I know, I know it's only £1.90.
I entered my address, mobile and email address and waited for the usual reply.
You can imagine my surprise this morning when BM handed me a first class letter which was from Lidl customer service apologising for their error, offering me the £1.90 off any future shop and attached was a £5 voucher to restore my faith in them!
Now that is what I call first class customer service!
No quibble, no defences, no asking me to prove it.
Lidl, you have a very satisfied customer. Thank you.
Thank you for your comments when I was moaning on my last post about being overcharged in Lidl, some names I haven't seen before commented which was great.
That night I went onto the Lidl website and using their customer service comments, I sent them a two line moan about my £1.90. I know, I know it's only £1.90.
I entered my address, mobile and email address and waited for the usual reply.
You can imagine my surprise this morning when BM handed me a first class letter which was from Lidl customer service apologising for their error, offering me the £1.90 off any future shop and attached was a £5 voucher to restore my faith in them!
Now that is what I call first class customer service!
No quibble, no defences, no asking me to prove it.
Lidl, you have a very satisfied customer. Thank you.
Tuesday 7 April 2015
Food shopping-overcharged!
Dear reader,
Hope you all had a good break over Easter. I went back to work today and we have managed not to do any food shopping for two weeks and one day! Today, however I needed to. I was near a Lidl in quite a nice place and it was great inside.
I spent £52.50 and that will last us the week, hopefully more. This is what I bought.
Mini chicken roast (2 breasts wrapped in bacon with stuffing a chipolatas with gravy) reduced £2.09
Large pack of chicken drumsticks reduced £1.74
Chicken breasts-pack of 2 reduced £1.74
White cabbage 67p
Half leg lamb joint £8.35
Fresh ginger 12p
Mushrooms 89p
Fresh chillies 49p
Baby tomatoes 89p
Braeburn apples £1.19
Carrots 45p
Avocado 79p
Pears £1.19
Living salad trio £1.00
Strawberries £1.49
4 large onions 79p
Little gem lettuce 69p
Two pack avacado£1.49
Milk 89p
Greek style cheese 93p
Cottage cheese 43p
Basmati rice £1.79
12 Fr eggs £1.85
Bottle of wine £4.99 (overcharged me by £1)
Lean mince £2.99 (overcharged me by 90p)
Overcharged me! Yes and I hadn't realised until I was listing it all. I'm really cross. It never, ever seems to go in the favour of the shopper does it and they're so fast at the check out that you can't check the prices. I know it's only £1.90 but if they do that to everyone its a nice earner.
The mince is in the freezer and the wine has been drunk. BM is allowed one bottle a week when he gets a day off but it usually stretches to 2-3.
I was today at a meeting right next door to the shop but if I go back to claim my £1.90 it will cost me more then that in fuel. I could post a letter, again costing me money.
Any thoughts as you are usually sensible and savvy on these matters?
Back to the food for the week. We had the chicken mini roast tonight with potatoes, carrots and peas. BM was still hungry so I gave him the mini fillets which I had cooked in a bag with BBQ seasoning.
Tomorrow will be egg salad wraps for lunch and lasagne and salad for dinner. I think that's the last of the lasagne which I made a couple of weeks ago and froze. We still have "soggy bottom" quiche and pork steaks in the freezer from the last shop. If I get some liver I can make faggots again. I'm hoping to make a few salads as summer is approaching and a few pounds of us both would be good. I shall make a coleslaw from the white cabbage, carrots and onion and the lamb leg will make at least 4 dimmers. We usually have one roast dinner each and one curry each with sandwich leftovers from s large leg. This one is a bit smaller but half the price that I pay in Asda and a lot less than the butcher.
I still have fish in the freezer and I want to try Jamie Oliver's fish curry one night. I always have flour so will make my own flatbreads. Nigella also does a lovely lamb salad so perhaps that will be on the menu too.
Goodnight. X
Hope you all had a good break over Easter. I went back to work today and we have managed not to do any food shopping for two weeks and one day! Today, however I needed to. I was near a Lidl in quite a nice place and it was great inside.
I spent £52.50 and that will last us the week, hopefully more. This is what I bought.
Mini chicken roast (2 breasts wrapped in bacon with stuffing a chipolatas with gravy) reduced £2.09
Large pack of chicken drumsticks reduced £1.74
Chicken breasts-pack of 2 reduced £1.74
White cabbage 67p
Half leg lamb joint £8.35
Fresh ginger 12p
Mushrooms 89p
Fresh chillies 49p
Baby tomatoes 89p
Braeburn apples £1.19
Carrots 45p
Avocado 79p
Pears £1.19
Living salad trio £1.00
Strawberries £1.49
4 large onions 79p
Little gem lettuce 69p
Two pack avacado£1.49
Milk 89p
Greek style cheese 93p
Cottage cheese 43p
Basmati rice £1.79
12 Fr eggs £1.85
Bottle of wine £4.99 (overcharged me by £1)
Lean mince £2.99 (overcharged me by 90p)
Overcharged me! Yes and I hadn't realised until I was listing it all. I'm really cross. It never, ever seems to go in the favour of the shopper does it and they're so fast at the check out that you can't check the prices. I know it's only £1.90 but if they do that to everyone its a nice earner.
The mince is in the freezer and the wine has been drunk. BM is allowed one bottle a week when he gets a day off but it usually stretches to 2-3.
I was today at a meeting right next door to the shop but if I go back to claim my £1.90 it will cost me more then that in fuel. I could post a letter, again costing me money.
Any thoughts as you are usually sensible and savvy on these matters?
Back to the food for the week. We had the chicken mini roast tonight with potatoes, carrots and peas. BM was still hungry so I gave him the mini fillets which I had cooked in a bag with BBQ seasoning.
Tomorrow will be egg salad wraps for lunch and lasagne and salad for dinner. I think that's the last of the lasagne which I made a couple of weeks ago and froze. We still have "soggy bottom" quiche and pork steaks in the freezer from the last shop. If I get some liver I can make faggots again. I'm hoping to make a few salads as summer is approaching and a few pounds of us both would be good. I shall make a coleslaw from the white cabbage, carrots and onion and the lamb leg will make at least 4 dimmers. We usually have one roast dinner each and one curry each with sandwich leftovers from s large leg. This one is a bit smaller but half the price that I pay in Asda and a lot less than the butcher.
I still have fish in the freezer and I want to try Jamie Oliver's fish curry one night. I always have flour so will make my own flatbreads. Nigella also does a lovely lamb salad so perhaps that will be on the menu too.
Goodnight. X
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