Posts Tagged ‘derbyshire’

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everyday green tips

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010
Buy local
The distance travelled by much of our food is pretty scary. Do we REALLY need to buy strawberries from Africa in the middle of winter?  Read up on the implications of long-haul veggies…
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/food_matters/foodmiles.shtml
Consider buying seasonal and local produce where possible. The Big Barn website can help you find sources in your area and also provides recipes using seasonal ingredients.
http://www.bigbarn.co.uk/
Local box schemes are a good idea as they usually concentrate on sourcing food from local producers. Search for one near you at the Find A Box Scheme website:
http://vegbox-recipes.co.uk/veg-boxes/find-a-box-scheme.php
Reduce travel
Reducing the amount you travel doesn’t have to mean staying at home. Opt for public transport where available, ride a bike to reduce your carbon footprint (with the added advantage of improving fitness), or try car-sharing. Journeys with only one person per vehicle are wasteful and have a large environmental impact so share the journey and the cost of the trip between the passengers.
Before you travel consider each journey – is it really necessary? Don’t pop down to the shops for one or two items but wait until you need to do a proper shop.  Alternatively walk instead of taking the car; another way to save money, get fit and reduce your carbon footprint.
Buy less, make more
Unfortunately we seem to live in a society where shopping is considered a recreation. There is increasing pressure to buy new products even when we don’t really need them; one might argue we don’t even want them until we’re told we do! Buying a new phone just because it’s a prettier colour or has an interesting feature that we’ll never use is not a good use of our money. When you go shopping think carefully about everything you buy. If necessary go off and have a coffee before committing; perhaps the desire to buy will wear off!
Alternatively have a go at making things yourself. Knitting, crochet, dressmaking and DIY are enjoyable and constructive and you can create items that are  far more interesting and individual than the mass-produced goods available from shops. Instead of buying gifts, spend a little time poring over books or wandering round the internet to find ideas for things to make. Home-made presents show more thought. Even if you can’t knit or sew, a jar full of cookie mix or a plant from your garden is a lovely and unexpected treat that will be enjoyed far more than yet another corporate bodycare product.
Some useful websites full of ideas include:
http://www.marthastewart.com/
http://www.allaboutyou.com/home/channel~index?source=2
When you do need to buy, consider where and how the product was made. Instead of buying something that is disposable, can you find a similar item that will last? How about looking at second-hand furniture instead of just rushing to IKEA again? Alternatively, support local craftspeople and makers by buying goods that are made with skill and care, giving pleasure every time you look at them. Bear in mind that cheap products were probably made by companies with less than ethical policies. That two quid t-shirt might seem like a bargain but how long will it last and how many people suffered to make it? Start thinking rather than just shopping.
Enjoy nature, reduce consumption
Got a day off with the family? Instead of heading for the high street you could go for a walk together, ending up with a picnic. Even in towns and cities there are points of interest that you might not notice when you drive past, and local parks provide a safe place to finish. Failing that, aim for a local coffee shop or restaurant.  If there are children in the party you can create or download nature-based games for them to play:
http://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/wild/index.shtml
Alternatively spend a little while before going out researching the area. Investigate local buildings and history or make up ‘spotting’ games, awarding points for different categories, perhaps 3 points for a yellow front door, or 1 point for a blue van. Using imagination can make even apparently uninspiring walks fun.
Detoxify your home
Take a look around your house at the cleaning products you use, then examine everything in your bathroom cabinet and make-up bag. Read the labels and then consult some of these sites:
http://www.non-toxic.info/Health_Statistics.htm
http://www.ewg.org/bodyburden/consumerproducts
Many of the products we use contain petroleum-based ingredients which will become increasingly expensive if present predictions regarding oil supplies are correct. However, more worryingly, a large number of chemicals in household products and personal care are actually harmful. Be aware of the risks to your health by educating yourself, and bear in mind the environmental impact of products that poison watercourses and kill wildlife.
Consider making your own bodycare and cleaning products:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4790152_non-toxic-cleaning-supplies.html
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/personal-care/skin-care
Alternatively, buy from reputable companies that sell non-toxic alternatives.

Picture-4

I decided earlier this week that the next blog would have a green theme and straight away contacted the lovely Alison, owner of eco eco in Hope to ask for her advice.  Alison owns the fabulous eco eco home & eco eco clothing in Hope, Derbyshire.

I would categorise myself as a beginner when it comes to being green…I’ve made lots of changes to the way I live over the past 12 months and proudly own a monitor that tells me how much electricity I’m using around my home at any one time, which is absolutely fantastic and, frankly, lifestyle changing!  Saying that, I know there are many more changes I can make.

Here are some tips and advice from Alison to help you if you’re wondering how you can make some changes to your lifestyle:

Buy local

The distance travelled by much of our food is pretty scary. Do we REALLY need to buy strawberries from Africa in the middle of winter?  Click here to read up on the implications of long-haul veggies.

Consider buying seasonal and local produce where possible. The Big Barn website can help you find sources in your area and also provides recipes using seasonal ingredients.

The fabulousplaces.co.uk website can help you find local producers, like The Loaf in Crich, Bluebells Dairy in Spondon, Crow Wood Farm in Spondon & I Should Cocoa in Belper.

Local box schemes are a good idea as they usually concentrate on sourcing food from local producers. Search for one near you at the Find A Box Scheme website.

Reduce travel

Reducing the amount you travel doesn’t have to mean staying at home. Opt for public transport where available, ride a bike to reduce your carbon footprint (with the added advantage of improving fitness), or try car-sharing. Journeys with only one person per vehicle are wasteful and have a large environmental impact so share the journey and the cost of the trip between the passengers.

Before you travel consider each journey – is it really necessary? Don’t pop down to the shops for one or two items but wait until you need to do a proper shop.  Alternatively walk instead of taking the car; another way to save money, get fit and reduce your carbon footprint.

Buy less, make more

Unfortunately we seem to live in a society where shopping is considered a recreation. There is increasing pressure to buy new products even when we don’t really need them; one might argue we don’t even want them until we’re told we do! Buying a new phone just because it’s a prettier colour or has an interesting feature that we’ll never use is not a good use of our money. When you go shopping think carefully about everything you buy. If necessary go off and have a coffee before committing; perhaps the desire to buy will wear off!

Alternatively have a go at making things yourself. Knitting, crochet, dressmaking and DIY are enjoyable and constructive and you can create items that are  far more interesting and individual than the mass-produced goods available from shops. Instead of buying gifts, spend a little time poring over books or wandering round the internet to find ideas for things to make. Home-made presents show more thought. Even if you can’t knit or sew, a jar full of cookie mix or a plant from your garden is a lovely and unexpected treat that will be enjoyed far more than yet another corporate bodycare product.

Some useful websites full of ideas include the Martha Stewart website and allaboutyou.com.

When you do need to buy, consider where and how the product was made. Instead of buying something that is disposable, can you find a similar item that will last? How about looking at second-hand furniture instead of just rushing to IKEA again? Alternatively, support local craftspeople and makers by buying goods that are made with skill and care, giving pleasure every time you look at them. Bear in mind that cheap products were probably made by companies with less than ethical policies. That two quid t-shirt might seem like a bargain but how long will it last and how many people suffered to make it? Start thinking rather than just shopping.

Enjoy nature, reduce consumption

Got a day off with the family? Instead of heading for the high street you could go for a walk together, ending up with a picnic. Even in towns and cities there are points of interest that you might not notice when you drive past, and local parks provide a safe place to finish. Failing that, aim for a local coffee shop or restaurant.  If there are children in the party you can create or download nature-based games for them to play from the Wildlife Watch website and the BBC website.

Alternatively spend a little while before going out researching the area. Investigate local buildings and history or make up ‘spotting’ games, awarding points for different categories, perhaps 3 points for a yellow front door, or 1 point for a blue van. Using imagination can make even apparently uninspiring walks fun.

Detoxify your home

Take a look around your house at the cleaning products you use, then examine everything in your bathroom cabinet and make-up bag. Read the labels and then consult some of these sites; www.non-toxic.info and www.ewg.org.

Many of the products we use contain petroleum-based ingredients which will become increasingly expensive if present predictions regarding oil supplies are correct. However, more worryingly, a large number of chemicals in household products and personal care are actually harmful. Be aware of the risks to your health by educating yourself, and bear in mind the environmental impact of products that poison watercourses and kill wildlife.

Consider making your own bodycare and cleaning products from site such as www.ehow.com and www.care2.com.

Alternatively, buy from reputable companies that sell non-toxic alternatives.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

A big thank you to Alison Jackson-Bass from eco eco in Hope for the eco hints and tips!  Click here for full information about the fabulous eco eco.

eco-eco

Alison will be exhibiting at the next fabulousplaces.co.uk…a shopping indulgence evening at the gorgeous Blackbrook House nr Belper.  Tickets are £5 each and the event will be supporting the Wirksworth Rotary Club’s Aquabox Scheme.

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new to fabulousplaces.co.uk

Monday, January 18th, 2010

I am delighted to welcome the following fabulous businesses to fabulousplaces.co.uk:

The Studio, Mickleover
Portrait & Wedding Photography…click here to find out more.

the_studio.jpg

Jackie Thompson Couture
Wedding dress designers with a difference…click here to find out more.

Jackie_Thompson_Couture.jpg

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holiday food

Monday, December 28th, 2009

For me, and most people I know, this time of year is mostly about food, food and food.  With that in mind I’ve been in touch with Claire, my friend and domestic goddess from Ambergate, to ask what she recommends and here they are…two fab recipes to breakaway from the usual type of food on the menu at this time of year!  For breakfast there are pancakes and risotto for dinner…enjoy!

Breakfast Pancakes

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For a small batch of around 8 pancakes just mix:

125g plain flour
2 teaspoons of baking powder (if you have not got baking powder you can use self raising flour instead and miss it out)
1 large egg
150mls of milk
1 tablespoon of melted butter.

Lightly mix or whisk together and use immediately.  Spoon tablespoons of the gloopy mixture into a medium hot, lightly oiled non stick pan and flip them over when the edges start to bubble.

Serve with maple or golden syrup and cream or fruit.  Double amounts is our usual order of the day and makes around 14 pancakes. For Christmas Day Brunch we tripled the amounts (3 eggs) and served them with sausages, bacon and maple syrup.

Risotto time

Here’s a great recipe for winter warming risotto.

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Chop 1 onion, 2 carrots, 1-2 sticks of celery, 2 garlic cloves, 1 pack of thinly sliced pancetta. In a sauce pan heat a litre of good hot chicken stock…or turkey stock!

In a large, preferably non stick pan, fry off the pancetta until all the fat has run out. Then stir in the carrot, celery, onion and garlic. and cook down until most of the moisture is gone and the quantity has halved, adding a bit of olive oil if things start to brown too quickly. Stir in half a pack, 250g, of Carnaroli Risotto Rice and stir until it crackles.

Flamboyantly throw in a glass of Vermouth or white wine and stir well. Then start adding ladles full of hot stock, one at a time, as you keep stirring and stirring. Only add a new ladle full when the last one has been absorbed. When you have added most or all of the stock and the rice is just about done, take it off the heat. Add a handful of parmesan and an ounce of butter. Stir and leave it with the lid on for 10 minutes. This is when I add any interesting extras like skinned and deseeded tomatoes or fresh peas.

The great thing with risotto is that the additions can change with the seasons or whatever you fancy at the time…fish, mushrooms, pine nuts, prawns, asparagus etc.

Here’s one I made earlier:

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A big thank you to Claire for kindly letting me include her recipes in the fabulousplaces.co.uk blog…I hope you decide to have a go!  Click here to visit Claire’s blog, ‘Things We Make’, where you can find lots of other fab recipes.

Also, if you’re looking for somewhere to go during the holidays click here to go to the fabulousplaces.co.uk search page for some fabulous inspiration for some trips out and about in Derbyshire.  Happy Holidays!

Deb

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fabulousplaces.co.uk in Polly’s List

Sunday, November 1st, 2009

pollys-list-1

I jumped at the chance of producing a Christmas guide in Polly’s List.  Polly’s List, created by the lovely Carol Dixon, is the first directory for mums of primary ages little ones in the Derby area.  The publication is an invaluable handbag sized guide covering everything from after school and childcare to days out and parties.  Polly’s List also includes fabulous features on shopping, beauty and health and wellbeing.  As soon as I had browsed the first edition, I knew I had to be involved!

My feature, Deb’s Fabulous Christmas, gives you some great recommendations for places to visit during the Christmas season and also a selection of Derbyshire’s fabulous producers giving you some great inspiration for Christmas shopping!  The feature also advertises the upcoming fabulousplaces.co.uk Christmas Market at Blackbrook House on Sat 21st and Sun 22nd November.  For full information please click here.

pollys-list-31

For more information about Polly’s List please click here.

pollys-list-21

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Team ‘Fabulous Faces’ on BBC Radio Derby’s Ed to Head!

Monday, October 19th, 2009

bbc-radio-derby

What a fabulous start to the week…we successfully answered all 5 questions correctly on our first day on BBC Radio Derby’s Ed to Head challenge.  A big thank you to everyone who sent through answers via Twitter and text…we really appreciate your help and if you’re listening in tomorrow and/or the rest of the week we would love to hear from you!  We will tweet the questions also.

Team ‘Fabulous Faces’:

Me – Deb, Owner, fabulousplaces.co.uk
Claire Sutton, FP Club Member & Domestic Goddess…click here to visit her fab blog.
Wendy & Jason – Quirky Cookies & Cakes
Kerry – The Blossom Tree
Charlotte – Cupcake Corner
David – squarechilli (the developing mastermind behind the fab places website)

Fingers crossed for a successful week!  If you would like to help the Team you can click here to follow us on Twitter.

Deb

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One of my favourites…Homity Pie

Saturday, July 18th, 2009

homity-1

My first homity pie was at Caudwells Mill, it was absolutely  delicious…the perfect comfort food! So when I saw this delicious looking homity pie, made by FP club member Claire (aka Domestic Goddess), I just had to include it on the blog.  

Over to Claire…

This is my version of the lovely, originally vegetarian pie. I could not resist adding pancetta as it adds a great extra flavour but I am sure it would work without.

I have had a couple of quiche based disasters recently. I can’t seem to get them to be quite the right consistency and it can all go horribly wrong. With a Homity though, there is no need to worry about that as there is nothing to ’set’ as such. Try it!

Homity Pie

  • Make up a batch of ‘rich pastry’ – see below, refrigerate for 20 mins then roll out
  • Butter a pie dish and line it with rolled out pastry with a good overhang as it will shrink, a lot
  • Prong it with a fork and blind bake it for 10-15 mins on 200 degrees

I find that I don’t need to do the baking beans thing if I use wholemeal pastry

  • Peel, cube (dice size) and slowly fry 1lb potatoes in olive oil until soft and browned, new potatoes stick a bit but are still nice
  • Peel, finely slice and fry 1lb of onions until soft and browned
  • Add 2 sliced garlic cloves to the onions near to the end of their cooking time
  • Fry off a pack of cubetti di pancetta – easy to find in the shops with the deli meat

All of the above can be done in advance like this: 

homity-2
 Mix all this together in a large pan on a very low heat to help you mix

  • Add a small bunch of fresh chopped herbs: marjoram, thyme, that sort of thing
  • Add plenty of salt and pepper, 2 really big pinches of each
  • Stir in a small carton of double cream (100-150ml)
  • Take off the heat
  • Stir in 2oz mature grated cheese
  • Pile into your blind baked pastry in the pie dish
  • Add another 2oz cheese on top
  • Cook in a hottish oven (180-190) for 25-30 mins until golden

Allow to cool for ½ an hour before you eat. It’s great for picnics too.

homity-3

‘Rich Pastry’

Put 180g of flour in a bowl, I use a mix of 1/2 plain flour and 1/2 wholemeal

  • Rub in 100g butter
  • Add 50g grated parmesan and a pinch of salt
  • Add some stripped thyme leaves if you have them
  • Add 1 egg yolk mixed with 1tsp water gradually to bring it into a ball
  • Wrap in cling film and put in fridge

You can cook any strips of leftover pastry with a bit of cheese on the top as impromptu cheese straws. 

Click here to go to Claire’s fabulous blog where you can find lots of other inspirational recipes.

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June dates for your diary

Thursday, June 18th, 2009

blog-june

Here are some events taking place over the next couple of weeks, so if you have a spare day with nothing planned take a look below for some inspiration….

Oliver’s Organics – Jamie Oliver Kitchenware Open Day, Tuesday 23rd June
Call by Oliver’s Organics in Allestree from 12 onwards on Tuesday to browse the truly wonderful Jamie Oliver range & also sample his range of yummy food.  The event is open to everyone…I’ll be calling in to have a look.  To have a sneak preview of his range visit: www.jamieoliver.com/jme

Gifted, Duffield
20% off EVERYTHING until the end of June!  Visit Gifted’s page on the website for directions.

Open Studios at Rachel Helen Designs
Saturday 27th, 10am – 5pm & Sunday 28th, 10am – 4pm.  Click here to view the FP page for Rachel Helen Designs.  

NEW   The Old Schoolhouse, Stanton-by-Dale
Recently opened by Ali Lycett, The Cake Sculptor, in May, The Old Schoolhouse is a wonderful new place to meet for coffee, homemade cakes and lunches and cupcakes of course!  Visit www.theoldschoolhouse.moonfruit.com/ for full information.

Saturday 27th June, 12.00 onwards
Duffield Show
I’ll be there promoting the website!  Pop by & say hello!

Sunday 28th June
Derbyshire County Show, Elvaston
A truly great day out for all the family…visit www.derbyshirecountyshow.org.uk for more information.   I’ll be there promoting the website in the farmer markets area. 

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another great recipe from Claire!

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009

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I do love to bake, but I find it virtually impossible to find the time at the moment, so when I found out that there was a user of the website who is a goddess in the kitchen and has some truly scrumptious recipes, I just had to ask her to share them with us!

So, here’s another great recipe from FP Club member, Claire!  This time it’s No Knead Bread, in Claire’s words…..

I am so taken with the concept of ‘no knead’ bread that I saw in the New York Times that I haven’t looked back. It seems to take time, but it actually takes no effort. It’s something to do with the yeast doing all it’s stuff slowly overnight and the casserole working as a mini steam oven.

This is my version of it as it makes a fabulous crusty loaf with a great open texture to soak up butter.

15oz Strong bread flour
1/4  tsp instant easibake yeast (out of a sachet)
1 tsp salt

Mix together well

Add 11fl oz of lukewarm water
Slosh it round into a gooey lump of dough
Leave in a big bowl and cover with cling film
Leave in kitchen for 16-18 hours – or more if you forget!

Use a dough scraper/cutter to scrape the quite wet dough away from the sides, using plenty of flour to stop it sticking, and shuffle it back into a nice round shape.

I tend to put it in a clean floured or oiled bowl to stop it sticking.

Cover with a tea towel.

Leave for 2 more hours.

Preheat oven to 200-220 and put in a Le Creuset or cast iron casserole with a lid on.

Again use the scraper and a a good sprinkle of flour to detach the dough from the bowl without puncturing it’s airy goodness!  Then quick as you can, without losing the heat from the oven and pan, throw the dough into the hot pan smooth side  down and put the lid back on.

Cook for 30 minutes lid on
Cook for  10-15 minutes lid off until Golden brown
Cool well before trying to  slice….enjoy!

Click here to visit Claire’s rather lovely blog.

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something for the weekend, pt 2

Friday, May 29th, 2009

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I’m sat working in the garden today, the weather is far too nice to be stuck indoors.  I received some great feedback on the last ‘Something for the weekend’, so I thought I would do another!

I really love this time of year in Derbyshire….there’s always something to do, whether it’s a fair, carnival or traditional event the county offers something for everyone and with the weather being so very kind to us, there’s no better reason to head out for the day.

If you haven’t planned your weekend yet, maybe this post will help you decide…..

Chatsworth Estate
Saturday 30th & Sunday 31st May
Chatsworth are holding their first ever food and drinks fair this weekend, which I think I’ll head over to.  The fair is located on the hill leading up towards the stables.  There will be food and drinks producers from all over the Midlands, from Sheep dip malt whisky, cider perry fruit wine, handmade farmhouse cheeses and freshly made organic pancakes will be among the delicious goods on offer.  

Other ‘fabulous places‘ within the Chatsworth Estate are the Farm Shop Restaurant, Farm Shop, Interiors Shop & Carriage House Restaurant.  

 
Bakewell Farmers Market
Agricultural Business Centre Bakewell
Saturday 30th May
I love a good farmers market and Bakewell’s is pretty fantastic for great produce.  The market offers a wide variety of locally produced foods for sale under cover at the Agricultural Business Centre, which is easily signposted as your approach the town.   The market runs from 9am – 2pm.

‘Fabulous places’ to visit while you’re in Bakewell are Chalet Home, Treeline Gallery, The Style House and Ag Gallery.

Chesterfield Farmers Market
Sunday 31st May
Situated in the centre of town, the market runs from 10am – 2pm.

While you’re in Chesterfield some great ‘fabulous places’ to visit are Koo coffee Shop & Koo Deli, Libby’s and Created Gallery.

Other great ideas while the weather is so good are: 

Ice cream from Bluebells 

Lunch ourside at the Bottlekiln – there’s something quite wonderful about catching up with friends over lunch in the garden.  Quiche and salad washed down with sparkling Belvoir Elderflower, yum!  The Bottlekiln are also running a promotion where there is 25% off all their British handmade art pieces and jewellery.  I highly recommend a browse….I picked up a gorgeous necklace today.

Right, must go and prepare for this evening’s BBQ!  Have a fabulously British weekend!

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little blog competition

Monday, May 25th, 2009

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I was so surprised to find out the fabulousplaces.co.uk blog had been nominated for the Dorset Cereals little blog competition!  I’d like to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who have taken the time to vote for me over the past few weeks!  )

THE COMPETITION IS NOT OVER JUST YET….the winner is the blog with the most votes at the end of May, so there’s plenty of time to scoop that fabulous first place position.  Please take a moment to click here and place your vote…I will be eternally grateful!  

Debs

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