I just finished making my first ever homemade sweet chilli sauce. The ingredients are nothing but red chillies, unrefined caster sugar, spirit vinegar, garlic and water. There’s no added salt whatsoever. It tastes very sweet which I think is because I cooked it for so long that it started to caramelise. It’s a little bit runnier than I prefer which is probably because I used a bit too much liquid and it may also set when it cools properly. Now I can finally add lashing of condiments to my meals without feeling guilty about sodium and also feel proud that I’ve made something by myself.
I just got back from a short day working on an allotment in Lea Valley. I was helping someone create a new bed to plant some beans and marrows. Real positive stuff. Unfortunately I forgot to take my camera so I haven’t got any cute photos. If I ever go back I will try and remember.
Oh, and why is it called ‘green-fingered’ when they’re obviously brown?
I went on a hunt for a free yoga session but ended up discovering a nice park instead.
I went on a foraging expedition in Lea Valley park today. We got taught about a wide range of plants that are edible and a bit about ones we should avoid. Our teacher, Phil, broke down the fundamentals of foraging (not taking more than you need, etc). We were shown how to eat raw stinging nettles without getting stung - but I am yet to try. We also found a wild cherry tree which I am very excited about going back to in a few months. Free, fresh, wild fruit for the win.
After the walk, I decided to stop off on a hill and tuck into some fresh dates whilst taking in the scenery. I then walked back along the canal to where I locked my bike and picked up some mugwort on the way. Apparently this stuff gives you vivid dreams if you sleep with it near you. This should be interesting.
I volunteered at the Transition Leytonstone organic community garden today and had a great time. I planted some radishes, got to know what the aims for the place are, had some good chats with the others working there, learnt how to use a lathe and met a lovely furry dude named Charles. I got a really good vibe from the place and I am glad I discovered it. I am looking forward to getting more involved and meeting more positive people.
I’m also going to go on a foraging expedition tomorrow afternoon which I found out about through someone who was at the garden today. I’ve always been interested in learning how to forage but have never taken the initiative, since being back in London, to get out there and get stuck in. Hopefully I find out about some rad plants I can eat in the city.
If you’re interested in finding something similar in your area then check out the Transition Network website and use their search tool.
The moustache is back.
I just made some salsa which just so happens to be raw too. I used tomatoes, onion, garlic, fresh coriander (cilantro for those living in the US), fresh lime juice and black pepper. It tastes great but I feel as if it is missing some acidity. Does any one have any suggestions on things to eat it with which is high calorie, high carb and low fat other than corn chips?
I went for a ride around Regent’s Park and I found this cool place called ‘The Island’ which was in the middle of the park. I stopped there and had a little nibble on some fresh dates. It was surrounded by water and even had a manmade waterfall. The actual ride ended up being just over 25 miles which is an alright distance. Nothing intense though, just out getting some fresh air and moving my body.
The World According To Monsanto
I went to a free screening of ‘The World According To Monsanto’ on Monday night at Pogo Cafe in Hackney. It was a pretty eye-opening documentary and helped me to understand a lot of the reasons why Monsanto is an evil corporation. The parts about the cross-breeding of GMO and non-GMO corn in Mexico were really sad as it is most likely going to destroy a way of life for traditional Mexican corn farmers. It also sickens me that a company is gaining a monopoly on the ‘food’ that we eat. No one should have that amount of control over the population.
We need to focus on eating non-GMO at all costs and try to eat organic where possible. Companies run on profit and if we take away their financial stimulus then they will lose the ability to keep this game up. You can also help by growing your own food which is even better as it promotes self-sustainability.
I recommend you watch the full documentary which is available on YouTube.
Here’s the banana ice cream I made. Nothing but frozen bananas processed into a beautiful ‘ice cream’. Such a rad dinner.
I have sticky hands from making date & seed balls. They’re going to be my dinner for tonight along with some 100% banana ice cream.
So, I got a new front wheel. I’m going to be flying. Now all I need is a disc for the rear.
I’m making my next batch of banana ice cream. All you do is peel and chop up some ripe bananas, place them in a bag and put them in the freezer. Then, when they’re nice and icy (give about 24 hours) you get them out and slam them in a food processor. Blend until nice and smooth and serve. If you can’t finish it all, just put it back in the freezer and it’ll be waiting for you when you next feel like it.
So, it took me 3 hours to eat my way through the bigger half (~5kg) of the watermelon I bought. I am quite glad I took this one slow. I seem to have avoided the infamous ‘melon belly’. And, yes, that’s a tablespoon, not a teaspoon.
I’m starting to see watermelons for sale everywhere. I found a cornershop which was selling them for 99p/kg (about $0.69/lb for those of you living in the United States) which is the cheapest I’ve seen so far so I decided to grab one. I got this 8kg beauty and, whilst not organic, it’s still lovely.
