What's been happening
We have a lovely annual agricultural show here in May. I was planning on going but didn't in the end as the weather wasn't very good, plus my daughter came up for a visit which was lovely.
It's a whole day, just the one, of all things agricultural and is a great day out.
One of the things that I've enjoyed in previous years, and he was here again this year, is a shepherd who has trained some of his sheep to do a variety act. I know - what! They nod along in time to music, do a can can with their front legs, pretend to flirt with each other etc. The commentary is hilarious and it's a real laugh out loud experience, and we all need more of those!
Then on the Sunday, it was down to daughter's house for a big family BBQ - I simply love big family gatherings. The sun was warm, we chatted, laughed, ate, caught up, all the things you do. Lovely.
Post stroke
Mike had an ultrasound on Thursday on his thyroid as they spotted something when scanning him after his stroke. We haven't heard anything yet, but apparently, no news is good news for this. If they find something, they contact you quickly, so you don't want to hear from them for ages!
He is recovering steadily. It seems like ages, but it's really not. He's developed sciatica, possibly from all the sitting, which isn't helping his mood or his recovery. But his right hand is strengthening up, and the right leg has improved. I'm trying to get him walking about, but he really needs to do quite a bit more.
Still unbelievably busy with a myriad of small tasks constantly arriving. Things will get better eventually. One of the things on my extensive to do list is 'catching the bus to college' practice for my grand daughter. I'm running her to and fro at the moment. She will be starting an Arts course in the autumn and is really looking forward to it. It's one that has lots of different elements - textiles, different painting mediums, sculpture and pottery too I think. She's very creative and will love it!
And so to some recipes. Here are some I've made in previous June's.
Tuna and Sweetcorn deli sandwich filling
I've been looking at supermarket deli sandwich fillings recently. I was sure I could make them much cheaper, and this first one is half the price.
Tuna and sweetcorn, with a generous spoon of mayonnaise, one of the most popular sandwich fillings in the UK, and with good reason – it’s delicious! If you buy those little pots of deli filling from a supermarket, you might be surprised to know that you can make it in moments for half the price. Works out to 35p a sandwich
More options are coming soon - just need to do the pictures
Brown Rice Chicken Salad
This tasty salad is made using brown rice for fibre, that’s been cooked in chicken stock, for extra flavour. Quick and easy to make, you don’t need to put the oven on when its baking hot and you just want some dinner.
Filling from the brown rice and those lovely vegetables, it’s less than 400 calories too! Inexpensive as well to help those purses and wallets.
Easy Orange Cake
I made a sponge cake using pureed orange and lemon carcasses that I keep in the freezer. Love your leftovers!
When I’ve zested and juiced a lemon, or eaten an orange, I stash the peel in the freezer. When I want some, I simmer it in water until tender (takes a good half an hour) then whizz to a purée with a stick blender. Or sometimes, I’ll cook a batch of peel, purée it and store in small quantities in the freezer.
The cake is light, tasting a little like a marmalade cake, and generally citrussy. The amount I used was a guess and it’s just about right.
An Easy Fruit Loaf
An easy slicing fruit loaf. You'll have to wait until it's cold though, impossible to slice until then!
Do come and say hello on the Fantastically Frugal Food Facebook group, or the Sensational Slimming Sustenance group. I'd love to see you. Lots of useful tips, recipes and ideas. The nearly 19,000 membership are brilliant, brimming with talent.
And don't forget Thrifty Lesley, where there are 800+ recipes of fantastically frugal food and many weekly meal plans. And Cheap Family Recipes where you can find all kinds of delicious things that don't cost much, with two family monthly meal plans.
With all best wishes, until next time
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