There's been a real turn around in my home over the past few weeks. Not only has my daughter helped me to recouperate, she has completely inspired me recently ...
After cramming all the basics into you, our children [no matter how old you are - we still see you as our children] and we [mothers] wonder if you'll survive out there ~ without us advising, suggesting, nattering. Of course you can and do. So when we see our offspring not only 'standing on their own two feet' but helping others ~ we know we've done our job.
I'm an outgoing person and try to feel and act as young as I dare. Watching my daughter develop her life has helped me stay that way. When I feel things are too rigid, fuddy-duddy, samey, repetitive, I check out what/where my daughter's up to [within reason of course] and try to move with the times, get with the programme, learn to speak the speak ...
This might be catching a game of scrabble on iphones when she's travelling. It could be keeping up with techno stuff ~ being shown how to download myfitnesspal app [might that have been a hint?] ~ having a borrow of her ipad ~
Now its cooking. I've always loved cooking and with all the cookery programmes on TV, we might feel guilty if we don't prepare meals right from scratch. I had hoped that I had taught my daughter to cook beyond the basics ~ not by perpetually following recipes ~ but almost by osmosis. When she was anywhere near the kitchen, grabbing a snack or doing some homework, I would call out my cooking processes as they occurred. 'Never stir a sauce quickly, it will break it down and make it thin' ... 'I'm just browning the meat before I put it in the oven' ... its best to flour a cake/flan tin before putting mixture in so it won't stick', and so on. She's a great cook ~ and now I get the opportunity to move with the times again, observing her healthy eating patterns and modern twist on basic and classic dishes.
Inspired once again, after her recent visits, I pulled out my Delicious recipe magazines which had been neatly stacked in a corner of the kitchen for 12 months, while I continued to make chilli, roast dinners and cheese flans ~ the same meals I'd been making for years.
So Mums, ask your 'children' what they like to eat / cook ~ you might be inspired. Get out a new cookery book ~ or go online ... click onto thousands of recipes.
Try Thai Chicken Burgers with Cucumber Relish ... Yummy ... Adapted Recipe on my blog 28th September ... Enjoy ...
Jill
Wednesday 29 September 2010
Parlux Hairdryers ... again ??
On September 10th, I chatted about Parlux hairdryers. I continue to be impressed. If only I had had one when I was a teenager, I could have saved approximately ... let's see ... don't want to give too much away ... although my daughter's age begins with 2 and is followed by another number ...
So, 365 days per year of hair drying process ~ at least 5 days per week [I know that was probably too many - but we only had huge blocks of green Fairy soap in the olden days and hair used to get really greasy ~ even after washing ~ yuk !]
365 divided by 7 = 52 weeks x days dried hair [5] = 260 days x minutes saved per dry [at least 7] = 1825 minutes per year x ?0 years = 54,750 minutes = 912.5 hours = 38 days = 5.4 weeks = approx statutory holiday entitlement per annum.
So with over 5 weeks of precious time saved, what could I have done? What would I have done?
What would you do with 5 free weeks?
Comment below ~ email me at gmhesketh@googlemail.com ~ mention on daughters in distress facebook group or page ~ twitter me ... Gillian Hesketh ...
Jill
So, 365 days per year of hair drying process ~ at least 5 days per week [I know that was probably too many - but we only had huge blocks of green Fairy soap in the olden days and hair used to get really greasy ~ even after washing ~ yuk !]
365 divided by 7 = 52 weeks x days dried hair [5] = 260 days x minutes saved per dry [at least 7] = 1825 minutes per year x ?0 years = 54,750 minutes = 912.5 hours = 38 days = 5.4 weeks = approx statutory holiday entitlement per annum.
So with over 5 weeks of precious time saved, what could I have done? What would I have done?
What would you do with 5 free weeks?
Comment below ~ email me at gmhesketh@googlemail.com ~ mention on daughters in distress facebook group or page ~ twitter me ... Gillian Hesketh ...
Jill
Tuesday 28 September 2010
Cucumber Relish
Quick Cucumber Relish:
Half Cucumber - chopped into small cubes
Mix these ingredients together and pour over chopped cucumber.
Juice from small Lime
Teaspoon Soy Sauce
Half teaspoon Sugar
Serve alongside Thai Chicken Burgers
* Cool - Serve sour cream dressing too !
Jill
Half Cucumber - chopped into small cubes
Mix these ingredients together and pour over chopped cucumber.
Juice from small Lime
Teaspoon Soy Sauce
Half teaspoon Sugar
Serve alongside Thai Chicken Burgers
* Cool - Serve sour cream dressing too !
Jill
Thai Chicken Burgers
As we might not find some of the Thai Chicken Burger ingredients in our kitchen cupboards, I have created a slightly simpler version of the recipe from `Delicious` October Issue [can be found on page 25]
This is my simpler version and still tastes yummy...
For at least 4 people:
3 Chicken breasts - [chop into really small pieces - approx 1cm]
Half beaker Breadcrumbs [use crusts - its easier]
1 tablespoon Plain Flour
2 tiny Red Chillies [deseed and chop into tiny pieces]
5 Spring Onions [chop finely]
1 Lime - [grate zest and squeeze juice]
3 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon lemon grass paste / or lemon grass
2 tablespoons fresh coriander / or dried
1 egg [whisk]
I know there are a lot of ingredients but the mixing bit is simple.
Plus ~ I'm sure you'll want to make these again ... or some of the spare ingredients can be used to make Thai Fish Cakes !
Place EVERYTHING in large bowl and Bring Together with Whisked Egg:
Chopped Chicken / Breadcrumbs / Flour / Chopped Chillies / Spring Onion /Zest and juice of Lime / Soy Sauce / Lemon Grass Paste [grass] / Coriander / Egg.
Make in to burger shapes.
Chill for 15-20 mins in fridge.
Brown in olive oil for 3-4 mins.
Finish off in the oven for approx 10 mins. [Make sure cooked through]
You can use chill or cooking time to make Cucumber Relish / Salads etc.
Serve with Cucumber Relish and Sweet Potato Wedges ... Yum
Cucumber Relish coming next ...
PS: You can make burgers into any size according to your guests or occasion ~ they look cute in mini-form too.
Spare burgers can be frozen on the day.
Hope you enjoy them ... Jill
This is my simpler version and still tastes yummy...
For at least 4 people:
3 Chicken breasts - [chop into really small pieces - approx 1cm]
Half beaker Breadcrumbs [use crusts - its easier]
1 tablespoon Plain Flour
2 tiny Red Chillies [deseed and chop into tiny pieces]
5 Spring Onions [chop finely]
1 Lime - [grate zest and squeeze juice]
3 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon lemon grass paste / or lemon grass
2 tablespoons fresh coriander / or dried
1 egg [whisk]
I know there are a lot of ingredients but the mixing bit is simple.
Plus ~ I'm sure you'll want to make these again ... or some of the spare ingredients can be used to make Thai Fish Cakes !
Place EVERYTHING in large bowl and Bring Together with Whisked Egg:
Chopped Chicken / Breadcrumbs / Flour / Chopped Chillies / Spring Onion /Zest and juice of Lime / Soy Sauce / Lemon Grass Paste [grass] / Coriander / Egg.
Make in to burger shapes.
Chill for 15-20 mins in fridge.
Brown in olive oil for 3-4 mins.
Finish off in the oven for approx 10 mins. [Make sure cooked through]
You can use chill or cooking time to make Cucumber Relish / Salads etc.
Serve with Cucumber Relish and Sweet Potato Wedges ... Yum
Cucumber Relish coming next ...
PS: You can make burgers into any size according to your guests or occasion ~ they look cute in mini-form too.
Spare burgers can be frozen on the day.
Hope you enjoy them ... Jill
Hi Everyone ...
Hello ladies, gents, girls, boys, teenagers, students, friends, relations, work colleagues, neighbours, facebook pals, tweeters, people with similar musical interests ...
Sorry I've been away for a few days [won't go into details - you lucky people]
Well, where to start ... recipe? products? photos? silly stories?
During recouperation and as I couldn't leave the house, I found myself with a cooking addiction.
The 'Delicious' food mag had a lot to do with it: Thai Chicken Burgers and Cool Cucumber / Sour Cream Dressing, Italian Pork Meatballs and Tomato-ey Sauce, Lemon Drizzle Loaf with Blueberries. Mmmm ... my mouth is watering like the men who enjoy watching Nigella's kitchen moves.
So, I tried the recipes and in a few mins - or maybe tomorrow morning, I'll upload the simple version of all three recipes. Easy to make and very very yummy...
See you tomorrow,
Jill
Sorry I've been away for a few days [won't go into details - you lucky people]
Well, where to start ... recipe? products? photos? silly stories?
During recouperation and as I couldn't leave the house, I found myself with a cooking addiction.
The 'Delicious' food mag had a lot to do with it: Thai Chicken Burgers and Cool Cucumber / Sour Cream Dressing, Italian Pork Meatballs and Tomato-ey Sauce, Lemon Drizzle Loaf with Blueberries. Mmmm ... my mouth is watering like the men who enjoy watching Nigella's kitchen moves.
So, I tried the recipes and in a few mins - or maybe tomorrow morning, I'll upload the simple version of all three recipes. Easy to make and very very yummy...
See you tomorrow,
Jill
Friday 10 September 2010
Bed Head and Hairdryers ~ ...
Bed Head and Hair Dryers …
I thought it might be a good idea to tell you about products I’ve tried and tested, my daughter has suggested and friends have recommended. Not in a ‘Lets research 10 products and give them marks out of 10’ project, but just to let you know what we’ve used or you can tell me what you’ve used, that really works…
First up ~ Hair dryers:
I have to admit, I’m not very good with hair dryers. I don’t know why because I’m very careful with them. I never drop them on the floor. I don’t wrap the cable around the handle. [Never do this with any electrical product – straighteners, irons etc - it can make the cable split and become dangerous] Even though I have a special holder on the wall to slot the 2000w gadget into when I’ve finished drying, I still manage to replace my hairdryer every twelve months depending on the onset of the smell of burning or actual fire. Is it just me – or has anyone else had three hairdryers set on fire?
Meanwhile, daughter comes to the rescue. ‘Mum, I’ve got a new hairdryer. It’s amazing. It dries your hair. Honestly, you’ve got to get one.’ Okay, great, the hairdryer dries you hair. I believed her. Why not?
So, at an opportune moment, when my twelve month old hairdryer began to smell smoky, I researched the Parlux hairdryer. On the web of course. More expensive than the average hairdryer and advertised as a Salon Hairdyrer, the casing looked far more substantial compared to my previous models. I clicked and paid. £59.95. Ouch, sounds too much. It wasn’t. The Parlux 3200 at 1900w dries my hair in less than a quarter of the time any of my other hairdryers did. So not only does it save time, it reduces boredom when you have ADHD like me. Plus, my hair feels soft, silkier – like the feeling you get from a salon blow dry.
Try the Parlux next time ~ You know you’re w
orth it.
Next time … Bed Head Products and Mascaras …
See my links for Parlux website: www.parluxhairdryers.co.uk
I thought it might be a good idea to tell you about products I’ve tried and tested, my daughter has suggested and friends have recommended. Not in a ‘Lets research 10 products and give them marks out of 10’ project, but just to let you know what we’ve used or you can tell me what you’ve used, that really works…
First up ~ Hair dryers:
I have to admit, I’m not very good with hair dryers. I don’t know why because I’m very careful with them. I never drop them on the floor. I don’t wrap the cable around the handle. [Never do this with any electrical product – straighteners, irons etc - it can make the cable split and become dangerous] Even though I have a special holder on the wall to slot the 2000w gadget into when I’ve finished drying, I still manage to replace my hairdryer every twelve months depending on the onset of the smell of burning or actual fire. Is it just me – or has anyone else had three hairdryers set on fire?
Meanwhile, daughter comes to the rescue. ‘Mum, I’ve got a new hairdryer. It’s amazing. It dries your hair. Honestly, you’ve got to get one.’ Okay, great, the hairdryer dries you hair. I believed her. Why not?
So, at an opportune moment, when my twelve month old hairdryer began to smell smoky, I researched the Parlux hairdryer. On the web of course. More expensive than the average hairdryer and advertised as a Salon Hairdyrer, the casing looked far more substantial compared to my previous models. I clicked and paid. £59.95. Ouch, sounds too much. It wasn’t. The Parlux 3200 at 1900w dries my hair in less than a quarter of the time any of my other hairdryers did. So not only does it save time, it reduces boredom when you have ADHD like me. Plus, my hair feels soft, silkier – like the feeling you get from a salon blow dry.
Try the Parlux next time ~ You know you’re w
orth it.Next time … Bed Head Products and Mascaras …
See my links for Parlux website: www.parluxhairdryers.co.uk
Jill
Feng Shui ~ Clear That Clutter ...
Feng Shui
Negative Karma
Less is More ...
Clearing out stuff always succeeds in making me feel better. Energised and more settled. A slight oxymoron I know, but it’s true, I usually feel refreshed and ready to take on new challenges after my clearing sessions.
When my friends are drenched in temporary boredom, stuck between projects or enduring a sudden life-style change they didn’t apply for, I often motivate them to clear out stuff. And it usually jolts them into something creative. [Examples later, when I’ve talked my friends into being interviewed …]
I’m not a practitioner of negative and positive karma, Feng Shui or similar theories but I do recognise that when the clearing-out-stuff-feeling comes over me, my mind seems much more focused afterwards.
I do now have a sense of less is more, not necessarily because of minimalist fashion but because clutter equals a feeling of being overloaded, blocked in, even trapped, whereas less = more space and maybe a sense of freedom.
I have to admit, in a past life, I used to clear clutter, sort and tidy all the ‘stuff’ and place it neatly back into the cupboards, in baskets or organised into the loft. *Warning – Never put anything in the loft. Two reasons: 1. You will NEVER use IT again. According to research involving my family: There’s a very strong likelihood that your children really won’t want it anyway. 2. See Karen’s methods below…
Checking up on the theories of negative karma and Feng Shui, it appears there really is something in the feeling of freedom after clearing out stuff:
Feng Shui
One of the simplest books on Feng Shui I have found is, ‘Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui’ by Karen Kingston. Karen explains how to sketch a brief plan of your home. Then you place the Feng Shui Bagua [a grid with labels that can show how different areas of ie your home, are connected to aspects of your life] on top of your plan. The labels include Prosperity, Family, Health, Love, Creativity, Life Path, Career, Wisdom, Travel and so on. From this, it’s easy to observe - where the clutter is – and it’s is usually where there are problems in your life. Clear the clutter – fix your life. Simple as that!
To simplify things, Karen states, ‘Clutter crammed on top of wardrobes and cupboards is like problems hanging over you, waiting to be dealt with.’ Apparently, clutter stashed higher than eye level could have an oppressive effect and cause head-aches. With reference to point 2 earlier, Karen continues, ‘Things stored in your attic can restrict you higher aspirations…’ Clear clutter from behind doors or anything that obstructs doors. Energy flow is restricted by these blockages. Test whether life flows more easily. Remove the clutter – feel the energy.
Negative Karma,
Maybe we’ll do negative karma in another blog … I’m sure we’ve got enough to think about and do – removing all that stuff – to another place…
However, Negative Karma as I understand it so far, suggests that `Every good action, thought or word creates positive karma. So ~ even a kind smile or uplifting thought towards someone is beneficial`
Hmm Maybe we need to tell all the grumpy men about that … Yes, I know its sexist … di da di da …
Let me know how you get on …
Jill
Negative Karma
Less is More ...
Clearing out stuff always succeeds in making me feel better. Energised and more settled. A slight oxymoron I know, but it’s true, I usually feel refreshed and ready to take on new challenges after my clearing sessions.
When my friends are drenched in temporary boredom, stuck between projects or enduring a sudden life-style change they didn’t apply for, I often motivate them to clear out stuff. And it usually jolts them into something creative. [Examples later, when I’ve talked my friends into being interviewed …]
I’m not a practitioner of negative and positive karma, Feng Shui or similar theories but I do recognise that when the clearing-out-stuff-feeling comes over me, my mind seems much more focused afterwards.
I do now have a sense of less is more, not necessarily because of minimalist fashion but because clutter equals a feeling of being overloaded, blocked in, even trapped, whereas less = more space and maybe a sense of freedom.
I have to admit, in a past life, I used to clear clutter, sort and tidy all the ‘stuff’ and place it neatly back into the cupboards, in baskets or organised into the loft. *Warning – Never put anything in the loft. Two reasons: 1. You will NEVER use IT again. According to research involving my family: There’s a very strong likelihood that your children really won’t want it anyway. 2. See Karen’s methods below…
Checking up on the theories of negative karma and Feng Shui, it appears there really is something in the feeling of freedom after clearing out stuff:
Feng Shui
One of the simplest books on Feng Shui I have found is, ‘Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui’ by Karen Kingston. Karen explains how to sketch a brief plan of your home. Then you place the Feng Shui Bagua [a grid with labels that can show how different areas of ie your home, are connected to aspects of your life] on top of your plan. The labels include Prosperity, Family, Health, Love, Creativity, Life Path, Career, Wisdom, Travel and so on. From this, it’s easy to observe - where the clutter is – and it’s is usually where there are problems in your life. Clear the clutter – fix your life. Simple as that!
To simplify things, Karen states, ‘Clutter crammed on top of wardrobes and cupboards is like problems hanging over you, waiting to be dealt with.’ Apparently, clutter stashed higher than eye level could have an oppressive effect and cause head-aches. With reference to point 2 earlier, Karen continues, ‘Things stored in your attic can restrict you higher aspirations…’ Clear clutter from behind doors or anything that obstructs doors. Energy flow is restricted by these blockages. Test whether life flows more easily. Remove the clutter – feel the energy.
Negative Karma,
Maybe we’ll do negative karma in another blog … I’m sure we’ve got enough to think about and do – removing all that stuff – to another place…
However, Negative Karma as I understand it so far, suggests that `Every good action, thought or word creates positive karma. So ~ even a kind smile or uplifting thought towards someone is beneficial`
Hmm Maybe we need to tell all the grumpy men about that … Yes, I know its sexist … di da di da …
Let me know how you get on …
Jill
Monday 6 September 2010
Coming soon ...
Coming soon at a blog near you ... this blog in fact ...
Great Hair Products, Bad Shop Service and Bag Guilt [pvc and Sainsburys - v - Louis Vuitton and Selfridges] ~ Rate them or Berate them ...
Feng Shui ... Why not?
Positive Karma ... it's the only way ...
Good Nurse, Bad Nurse ...
Boys will be Boys ...
Jill
Great Hair Products, Bad Shop Service and Bag Guilt [pvc and Sainsburys - v - Louis Vuitton and Selfridges] ~ Rate them or Berate them ...
Feng Shui ... Why not?
Positive Karma ... it's the only way ...
Good Nurse, Bad Nurse ...
Boys will be Boys ...
Jill
Sunday 5 September 2010
Friends ...
A true friend is someone who is there for you when they would rather be someplace else.
Author: Len Wein.
Jill
Author: Len Wein.
Jill
Sharing this thought with you all ...
Rhona Galanti posted this on facebook ~ so thought I would share it with you all...
Children with special needs don't have an illness, so there is no cure and it's not contagious. All they want, is what we all want, to be accepted. Most of you probably won't copy and paste this. Could you do it and leave it on your status for at least one hour? It's Special Education week, and this in honor of all the kids
Jill
Children with special needs don't have an illness, so there is no cure and it's not contagious. All they want, is what we all want, to be accepted. Most of you probably won't copy and paste this. Could you do it and leave it on your status for at least one hour? It's Special Education week, and this in honor of all the kids
Jill
Saturday 4 September 2010
What's going on with the shops ?
What's happening ? Went to Manchester for a lookkee likee shopping - and Hey Presto - as if by magic, most of the shops on King Street had disappeared !!
The only good news is that I BOUGHT NOTHING and therefore spent NO MONEY ... so thought supper in San Carlo might be in order. It was. And a celeb spot too ... Jeremy Kyle was dining out with a few young looking, slim, attractive friends [my assumption that they were friends, as none appeared to be wearing piercings, tattoos or faded jeans three sizes too small]. By the way, Jez looks about 30 ... and the lady on the next table said he must be 48! So, with no air-brushers in sight, well done Jeremy. But how's he managing to look so young??
Which brings me on to air-brushing ... Yes, advertising and press photos which have been air-brushed should be labelled with the information ... So that means practically ALL photos should be labelled.
What do you think ?
Jill
The only good news is that I BOUGHT NOTHING and therefore spent NO MONEY ... so thought supper in San Carlo might be in order. It was. And a celeb spot too ... Jeremy Kyle was dining out with a few young looking, slim, attractive friends [my assumption that they were friends, as none appeared to be wearing piercings, tattoos or faded jeans three sizes too small]. By the way, Jez looks about 30 ... and the lady on the next table said he must be 48! So, with no air-brushers in sight, well done Jeremy. But how's he managing to look so young??
Which brings me on to air-brushing ... Yes, advertising and press photos which have been air-brushed should be labelled with the information ... So that means practically ALL photos should be labelled.
What do you think ?
Jill
Wednesday 1 September 2010
Pretty Obvious Stuff When you know about it...
So again, my laptop battery can only survive 20 minutes until it dies. I've only got myself to blame. Yep, I am guilty. For the past ten months, I've been putting my sweet red glossy Sony Vaio into sleep mode without one single consideration for its over-charged battery. I only have myself to blame. I realise, I should turn the system off completely now and again but you know what it's like when you're always short of time. Waiting for the whole unit to fire up from scratch and especially when you have ADD [attention deficit disorder], it's even more painful - the wait seems like hours.
Worse still, the idea of having a battery is so that you can carry on working when your flight has been delayed or when you get creative on holiday or want to catch up work on a train journey etc. But I never seem to have battery when I need it and end up lugging a redundant laptop around with me.
I priced a new battery - '£180' said the helpful semi-shaven man in the Sony shop. 'About £90' said the most helpful under-age man-boy in Comet.
The best piece of information was this: [from the sweet Comet man-boy] *If you usually have you're laptop connected to the mains - Remove the Battery ... seems the logical thing to do. Obviously, the battery will need charging up before you want to use it away from the mains. this way, you will have battery ready to go when you need it !!!
Also * If you leave the battery in the laptop - it keeps over-charging - like a mobile phone - and apparently, that's not a good idea either.
There you have it - next time you think laptop - think battery - you know its the sensible option !!
Jill
Worse still, the idea of having a battery is so that you can carry on working when your flight has been delayed or when you get creative on holiday or want to catch up work on a train journey etc. But I never seem to have battery when I need it and end up lugging a redundant laptop around with me.
I priced a new battery - '£180' said the helpful semi-shaven man in the Sony shop. 'About £90' said the most helpful under-age man-boy in Comet.
The best piece of information was this: [from the sweet Comet man-boy] *If you usually have you're laptop connected to the mains - Remove the Battery ... seems the logical thing to do. Obviously, the battery will need charging up before you want to use it away from the mains. this way, you will have battery ready to go when you need it !!!
Also * If you leave the battery in the laptop - it keeps over-charging - like a mobile phone - and apparently, that's not a good idea either.
There you have it - next time you think laptop - think battery - you know its the sensible option !!
Jill
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