Baking pastry and biscuits

Chill pastry and biscuits before baking for best results. Wrap and place in fridge for 30 minutes or the freezer for 5 – 10 minutes.

Crops in Unheated Greenhouses

Many people only use their greenhouse for growing plants in the summer, and for storage (e.g. plant pots and seed trays) in the winter. But your unheated greenhouse can be used for growing crops most of the year.

An unheated greenhouse is up to 5° warmer than the temperature outside and will keep plants frost free in all but the worst of winters. So here are some tips to make the most of your greenhouse.

• Keep plants on the dry side and they are less likely to freeze. 
• Dry conditions also lessen the risk of fungal infections.
• Maintain an even temperature. Close the door and window vents in frosty or windy weather, and open on warm sunny days to prevent overheating.
• Keep plants away from contact with the glass.
• Remove summer shading to miximise light levels.
• Clean thoroughly between summer and winter use.
• Either a pile of bricks or a bucket of water in the greenhouse will absorb warmth by day and release it over night. 

What to grow? Try the following:

• Lettuce
• Basil and other herbs
• Chard and spinach beet
• Late sown carrots (no problems with carrot fly!)
• Chillies grown in summer will continue to fruit, just reduce the watering in autumn.
• Potatoes for Christmas; grow and early crop and cover with fleece on cold nights.

Portion control (1)

When beginning to eat healthily, it is important to learn portion control. So here are some ideas that will help you.

• Put food onto individual plates, not in serving bowls (and you will eat 20-25% less). 
• Remember your last main meal before snacking (this will help you eat up to 30% fewer calories). 
• Drink water 30 mins before a meal (and eat 13% fewer calories).

Hay Fever Facts

The pollen season is variable, and can extend from just after Christmas right round to the autumn, as shown below:

• Tree pollen: typically between January and June, with the worst month being April. Silver birch pollen is usually around in March and April.
• Grass pollen: typically from May through to September, with the highest levels on warm, sunny days in June and July.
• Rapeseed pollen: typically from mid-April to June. There is some dispute as to whether this is real or due to the simultaneous end of the birch pollen season and the start of the grass pollen season; however, it is also known that rapeseed releases volatile oils which can affect the airways.

An early mild spring can mean an earlier start to the season, and more pollen is released in windy weather.

Flowers are rarely a problem since because they are mostly pollinated by insects.

Fresh pollen in contact with water (or moisture in nasal passages or eyes) leaks allergen granules. Rain washes pollen out of the air but also releases allergen granules.

Wine can make hay fever worse, as it contains histamine.

Sugar Facts (1)

Switching to diet drinks might seem like a useful strategy to help with weight loss but beware as studies have found that sweeteners such as aspartamine and saccharine stimulate the appetite.

The most likely explanation is that when you taste sweet food or drink your body releases hormones that prepare it for the expected energy intake. When this doesn't happen, you are left feeling hungry and end up snacking more and so putting on weight.

So stick to water, or make it more interesting by adding a squeeze of lemon or lime, or fresh mint leaves. Alternatively, dilute fruit juice half and half with water.

Good Housekeeping, July 2013

On holiday, one can of cola a day could lead to a gain of nearly a pound in weight, so choose fizzy water instead.

Good Housekeeping, August 2013