Posted 2 months ago

48 hours to Ban Bee Killers

mrallotmenteer:

In two days, the European Union will vote on whether to ban toxic pesticides that are killing bees around the world and threatening our food supply. The big corporations profiting from this vile stuff are lobbying furiously to defeat the ban and we’ve just heard that key governments are about to cave — unless they feel the sting of public opinion!

Bees are disappearing around the world at alarming rates. Because bees pollinate our crops, experts are warning that these mass deaths pose a catastrophic threat to our food supply. Thankfully, numerous studies have now identified the likely culprit: a certain class of noxious pesticides. An official EU report found that banning them could solve the problem, but pesticide giant Bayer is trying to convince our leaders to ignore the science to protect their profits.

Over 2.5 million of us have signed the petition that made this vote possible — and now it’s time to tell our politicians that they must side with science to save the bees this week. Let’s flood the inbox of our Agriculture Minister, drown out the corporate lobby, and make sure our government saves the bees and our food — send a message using the tool on the right, then share this urgent campaign with your friends.

Sign petition!

Posted 3 months ago

http://www.greatlocalproduce.co.uk

Is a website that I setup to showcase local produce and enterprise.

I was hoping to also build a community editors or enable people to contribute.

Problem is that I have never really got it moving. If you interested in getting involved or have some ideas for the site then drop me a line info@greatlocalproduce.co.uk.

Posted 3 months ago
mrbeeactive:

allotmenteering:

drysoda:

Support your local farmers market.

I quite agree! and in Birmingham ours are:
24 Carrots farmers market:http://www.24carrots.org.uk/
Moseley farmers market: http://moseleyfarmersmarket.org.uk/
Stirchley community market: http://stirchleycommunitymarket.wordpress.com/
Plus the ones in the city centre along New Street: http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/farmers

Buy local, buy british! I worry that we will miss the wonderful opportunities and markets that we have when its too late and they are gone… Watch this space as I am planning to launch a new website greatlocalproduce.co.uk over the next month!!!

Don’t believe anything the supermarkets, government or food agencies tell you….It’s all a load of horse shit!Buy local and support your local farmers.

mrbeeactive:

allotmenteering:

drysoda:

Support your local farmers market.

I quite agree! and in Birmingham ours are:

24 Carrots farmers market:http://www.24carrots.org.uk/

Moseley farmers market: http://moseleyfarmersmarket.org.uk/

Stirchley community market: http://stirchleycommunitymarket.wordpress.com/

Plus the ones in the city centre along New Street: http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/farmers

Buy local, buy british! I worry that we will miss the wonderful opportunities and markets that we have when its too late and they are gone… Watch this space as I am planning to launch a new website greatlocalproduce.co.uk over the next month!!!

Don’t believe anything the supermarkets, government or food agencies tell you….

It’s all a load of horse shit!

Buy local and support your local farmers.

Posted 3 months ago

Making a start on the clearing the plot.

Made a start on my new plot today by clearing the brambles at the back of the plot. Was planning to do some digging but forgot my fork so used the shears I had with me to do some clearing instead.

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Need to finish my shed but did not have the time today. Anyway I`m pleased with progress and glad I spent time on the plot as it looks much better already. I want to keep steady progress and try and avoid burning out by trying to do too much at a once.

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Posted 3 months ago

Simple Tomato, Pepper and Bean Soup

imageContinuing my mission to eat healthy and cook simple food I tried out this recipe and really enjoyed it. You can mix the spices and herbs how you like as well. I have plenty left over so thats tomorrows lunch sorted!

Suggested Ingredients….

1 tablespoon of olive oil for frying, 1 clove of garlic, 1 large red pepper (cored seeded and chopped), 1 x 400g tin of tomotoes, 1 tablespoon of tomato puree (or possibly tomato sauce could be used instead), 1/2 teaspoon of paprika, 1 large sprig of fresh thyme, 1 x 400g of cannellini beans (I would expect this to work with most kinds of tinned beans), 500ml of vegatable stock, fresh basil leaves to garnish.

What to do…..

Add the stock and teh rest of the ingredients and simply bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes. Add the basil garnish at the end before serving.

I also recommend serving with a little crusty bread.

Posted 3 months ago

OPERATION SHED - MISSION ROOF

Took advantage of good weather today and got on the allotment. Was hoping to get the shed roof built but only managed to get halfway. These things always take longer than you expect.

Spent ages trying to find the right materials for the roof. Pricing up external plywood at builders merchant was coming in at about £30 so ditched that idea.

Settled in the end for using bits of pallet that were offered to me on the allotment.

Hoping weather will be dry again tomorrow so I can get roof finished.

Posted 3 months ago

Hoping for good weather this weekend.

With the snow and cold temperatures I have not had a chance to really get going on my new plot yet.

Got shed to finish and I want to crack on with digging some beds. Just hope it at least stays dry.

Posted 3 months ago

Eat better and exercise more

Thats the simple plan for me at the moment. Been casually trying to loose weight for a few months now but not really seen much change for the better or for the worse.

Started a new regime of going for a brisk walk for 40-60 minutes each evening. The gym is such a bore and hassle. Walking has turned out to be so easy and I`m really quite enjoying it. Been 5 out of the last 7 days. Walking is also one of the best ways to burn fat.

I generally eat well but probably just dont exercise enough.

Cooked a spicy vegatable and ginger soup this afternoon with which I had with some ryebread. One of my fav recipes as its so easy to make. Just veg stock, ginger, chilli, garlic, mushoom, carrot and spring greens. In fact you can add pretty much whatever veg you want. Just simmer until veg are done and voila! Also great with noodles as well.

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Posted 3 months ago

jeanmarc1965:

Went for a walk to check all is well at the allotment on this sunny sunday. You may notice the unusual wall of the greenhouse, yes its made of recycled plastic bottles. I like it, it was fun to do, it works very well but it was hard work to put up too. My first and my last!

More closer pictures and info on the wall please! I`m intrigued about the technique. Is it purely artistic benefit or does it act like double glazing? Not seen this before.

Posted 3 months ago

Did anyone see the “Allotment Wars” BBC1 programme?

It was on last night at 10.30pm. You can still get it on i-Player if you missed it. Was quite funny and made me realise what a weird community allotments can be. I never really take it all too seriously on the allotment.

I felt sorry for the guy that got evicted. It reminded me of what happened to me a couple of years ago. Basically I forgot to pay the rent and had not told them about my change of address so letters were going to wrong address. Turned up to allotment in the new year and found a new shed on my plot. My heart sank. I knew straight away what had happened. Loosing the plot made me feel like I had my heart ripped out. All the hard work gone!

Got Back on waiting list and 2 years later I got a new plot on the same site! On the upside I now have renewed energy for my allotment and I think the new plot is much better.

Anyway…. I recommend watching it as I found it quite amusing seeing the little silly squabbles that people have.