Sprouting

After a break from sprouting, I decided to wash out my sprouting trays and begin using them once again.

Sprouting seed trays 

Sprouting seed trays – different view

Sprouting trays 

Top view

Alfalfa seeds – soaked and laid in the top tray 

So … having soaked the first lot of seeds, which are tiny alfalfa seeds that have been soaked for four hours in a little jug of water. These have now been laid fairly evenly on top of the the first tray which has been put back onto the little sprouting tray rack and placed in a light airy place to encourage the seeds to germinate.

The seeds sprout – firstly the roots pop out followed by the green shoots – once both ends of the seed has begun to grow the seeds can be eaten. They are useful in salads, sandwiches and stir fries. Sprouted seeds, beans or peas contain far more nutrients than when eaten as they are. They also far more nutritious than when allowed to grow into a full size plant. No soil is required … just water, light and warmth.

Seeds may be sprouted on trays like above or simply in jam jars. There is only one rule that needs to be followed – they should be placed into a little water (so that all of the seeds are covered) every twelve hours. Seeds may then be cropped after a few short days. Virtually any seed can be used for sprouting – but if you wish to try it then don’t waste money by buying special seeds – any seed from the supermarket will do. If it is the first time you are about to try sprouting then perhaps try Mung Beans. These grow very quickly – they are the sort of bean that will turn into what are sold as bean sprouts for stir fries. No need to wait until they are that long though – half-an-inch to an inch is best to reap the seeds at their most nutritious.

The oldest English joke

Humour over the ages often dwells on matters concerning the human body and bodily functions. It is no surprise, therefore, to learn that even the earliest joke uses these same thoughts. Here is the oldest known English joke …

‘Of all the leaves, which leaf is the cleanest?’

‘The holly because no man will wipe his backside on it.’

Too prickly to be used!

  Prickly holly leaf

Fungus find

I took the following picture of some fungus during the late Summer and ever since have been trying to identify it.

Tree fungus enlarged 

Tree fungus

The fungus is relatively flat on the top with a slightly swollen underbelly. It has a mottled pattern on the top surface. It bears some resemblance to Perenniporia fraxinea but it is unlikely to be this variety as it is quite rare in England. It could also be Piptoporus betulinus which is lovingly called ‘Razor Strop.’ The problem I have is identifying the plant that it is actually growing on as although it is one of the most commonest of tree fungi, razor strop grows almost entirely on the trunks of birch. These particular fungi are noted as greyish brown and smooth topped … this is the correct colour but it does have a knobble or two.

Citric eczema

Eczema is the name that the medical profession give to dermatitis (rash) of the skin. It covers a wide variety of rashes that form on the surface of the skin anywhere on the body. Eczema may be triggered by either food or drink ingested or contact with any form of chemicals, vapour, dust, powder, petroleum, oil, soil, fabric, cleaning agent, in fact just about anything. One particular form of eczema that is becoming more commonplace is one that is triggered by eating citrus fruit. Oranges are particularly noted for eczema rashes re-appearing on otherwise clear areas where the rashes have once been.

Eczema cures

These are wide ranging and relief and cure differs from person to person. This means that it may take quite a while to find which type or types of medicines, ointments, emollients, creams, potions and food stuffs will aid relief. One that is not yet fully proven but is alleged to have brought amazing results is Oolong Tea. There are variations as to the quantity and length of time required when drinking Oolong Tea. The rough guide is One Litre of Oolong Tea to be drunk during the course of the day preferably three or more times per day. Some people are said to have felt the benefits from regular doses of Oolong tea within a few days, others report improvement after three weeks or slightly longer. What does appear to be apparent is that even people with chronic eczema are experiencing the benefits of this tea and allegedly many are claiming to have been totally cured by drinking it daily. The prices of Oolong Tea vary from around £0.90 to around £4.00 per packet. Packets usually comprise of 20 tea bags.

One of the most commonest creams used by eczema sufferers is Aqueous Cream. This comprises of White Soft Paraffin, Liquid Paraffin, Cetostearyl Alcohol, Sodium Lauryl Sulphate and Purified Water – most versions contain a preservative such as Phenoxyethanol. This particular cream may be used as a soap substitute by applying to areas of the body that need cleansing and washing off with water. Aqueous Cream is noted for its moisturising properties. E45 has a wide range of cream products for irritated skin. These range from their basic cream to Itch Relief, designed for eczema types that are itchy as well as Hydrocortisone Cream, which may make the skin surface frail and thin and so should by used sparingly and for only a few days at a time – probably best under medical supervision. Oilatum also has a wide range of products including shampoos. They have cream designed specifically for eczema to relieve itchy and irritating dry skin conditions to natural repair face cream. There are well known favourites such as Zinc and Caster Oil cream, Vaseline, Sudacrem, Glycerine, Lip Balm … the list goes on and on and on – there are also new ones being introduced on a regular basis. It is often best to test-out a small area of skin to see what effect a new cream has before applying it liberally.

It is wise to consult a doctor and nutritionist to see what is the current advise and help available to eczema in your area.

Eczema sufferers should also avoid stressful situations as stress increases the size of the area affected. Sometimes the eczema will simply disappear of its own accord often after a long period (sometimes lasting several years) of time. Most people will get one form or another of eczema in their lifetime – usually of a minor variety.

Savlon Antiseptic Cream is often beneficial for rashes around the hair-line or on the scalp as it is quite greasy and so helps to moisturize dry patchy areas quite quickly.

Footprints

Last night, large snowflakes fell and we awoke to an icing sugar world. A grey mist hung low and instilled the bleakness of the morning. The snow crystals balanced themselves high and thin on the fence tops - and the birds called out loudly. By late afternoon the snow had tried to melt but once more began to harden as the frost clawed it sharply back to set hard like diamonds .The back garden displayed evidence of where the birds had trod …

Large bird footprints in the snow 

Bird tracks

Through the eye of a needle

How religious is the world? How many people on this planet of ours really believes in God? I can hear your thoughts at this question – but have you ever heard of the ‘Humble Parable?’ If not, here it is:

The Humble Parable

A man who had spent his time on Earth trying his best to live a good life - died, after a long and happy life. He was about to enter the gates of Heaven when St Peter said to him “Before you go through the gates into Heaven I need you to answer one question. ‘A murderer, a baby and a priest come on a journey to Heaven, which one of them would God let in?’” Now the good man thought long and hard about this question and was worried that if he gave the wrong answer he would be plunged into the fires of Hell. ‘Well he pondered, after dismissing the murderer it is a toss up between the baby and the priest.” After closing his eyes he decided his answer: ‘It must be the priest for he has spent his entire life praying to God.’ he said. “You are wrong.” Said St Peter. “God would welcome all three for he values all life equally.”

Through the eye of a needle

What lies in a rich man’s head? What lies there that isn’t dead? Does he see a poor man’s need? Or is he simply filled with greed? Does he feel the pangs of hunger; Down the road that’s ever longer? Have worries about a child’s shallow breath? And how he’ll pay for a coffin if the morning brings death. By Kloggers

Humble pie

A long time ago before food wrapping was ever thought of people wrapped their lunches or travel snacks in an old clean piece of rag – pulling together the four corners and tying together in a knot. This meagre meal usually comprised of a lump of bread and a small portion of cheese. Until someone had the idea of finding an alternative way of carrying a meal away from the home. This take-away meal was the pie. Pie crust could be used to encase all kinds of variations of meals. The outer pastry casing (which was used as a protective layer to keep food clean) was always thrown away once the inner contents had been eaten. It is only in more recent times that we have eaten both the inside and outside of the pie.

It was commonplace for people to eat either birds or deer for there were no great herds of cattle or sheep. The wealthy would have all the fine cuts and best pieces of meat and the poorer people would be left with the more stringy portions of meat and the offal. Deer offal is known as ‘humble’ – so poor people would eat humble encased in pastry – otherwise known as ‘humble pie.’

Hence the expression “eating humble pie” the acceptance of humiliation or being inferior – accepting one’s inferiority.

Humble pie – pie crust enclosing a meal made from deer offal

Wild primroses

The garden is at last spurting forth some fresh life. My wild primrose patch is showing signs of life in the bitter cold. I have been tempted for years to dig up just a little portion of the plant to create a new one as it has proven to be very stubborn in its willingness to spread. This little wild primrose has remained in this one position – hardly increasing in size since the day it was first planted over twenty years ago.

Wild primroses

Broken glass

I was cleaning out a cupboard the other day and came across the oldest glass that I posses. It belonged to my mother - has no monetary value as it was mass produced and the only remaining remnant of a six part set. It It is around sixty years old and badly chipped but I can remember drinking out of it as a child. So although it is merely broken glass I cherish it as though it were chipped from a diamond!

Wine glass

Eerie goldfish

The pond is a very sedentary place during the Winter months. Everything is calm, cool and lazy and even the fish appear to swim in slow motion. It is necessary to check on the fish regularly – if there is ice on the pond’s surface then it must be broken in order that they may breathe. If the fish are moving a little more than usual then they need a scoop of food. On this particular day, armed with a camera, in case there may be any offerings of flowers or buds at all, I took this picture of the fish … slowly moving around the slow gurgling fountain. How strange their shapes looked in the lapping water. The mesh is a safety precaution to guard them from any passing herons – we have lost the odd fish or two when they have fancied a snack from the pond.

Winter goldfish

January blitz

This is the last week of January. The snow has left some of the border plants flattened, crushed and bruised under the weight. This clump of Montbretia is usually frequented by frogs in the Spring, Summer and Autumn months. There is little room for anything to hide in it now.

Flattened Montbretia

Not only is this one of the frogs most favourite places to haunt but the cat loves to cool in the tall blades of the leaves on a hot Spring or Summer’s day.

Tight knit

 

Just a lovely little rhyme.

Garlic tip

Whenever preparing garlic cloves - always wash hands in cold water – this washes the smell completely away. If hot or warm water is used to wash hands the smell from the garlic will penetrate the skin and the smell from the garlic will linger on the hands.

Crisps decay teeth

I often watch the television programme QI, Chaired by Stephen Fry. It is stuffed full of unusual facts and witty banter. In today’s revelations was the obscure piece of knowledge that crisps decay teeth worse than sweet sugary drinks. In fact, allegedly, they are about the worst thing a person can eat if they wish to escape tooth decay. For some unknown reason the most dangerous culprit is Cheese and Onion flavour!

 

Cadbury

I heard the news of Kraft’s alleged take-over of Cadbury’s with much disappointment. The situation was not helped when the Chairman and CEO of Kraft, Irene Rosenfeld failed to pronounce the company name correctly. Surely anyone who cherishes a company and its workforce would try their utmost to at least say its name properly.

I, along with most other Midland inhabitants, have been brought up in the wonderful tapestry of Cadbury. We have either had someone in our families working at Cadbury in the past or present - or have friends and neighbours who have worked in this magnificent chocolate world. Cadbury, where the heritage from its Quaker roots developed a work ethic for every worker that was the envy of every other manufacturer in the world. Its workforce had homes built for the workers, set in leafy suburbs with every facility at their disposal.

On the news, the tight voice of Kraft continued to change the name of this beloved brand and insisted instead of pronouncing it correctly as Cadbury – bury as in hurry, curry and bun - changing it completely into Cadbury – berry as in cherry, ferry and dead!