One of the consequences of the volcanic ash is that food and flowers from the developing world is not being flown in. Now I don't buy vegetables out of season nor do I buy flowers out of season, but I worry about the impact this flying ban is having...
Read moreRose Prince has been really lovely and kind and listed us twice in her new book - The Good Food Producers Guide 2010 - under Drinks and under Delis and Specialists. We always feel flattered - and a bit embarassed - when someone so influential likes ...
Read moreAs I have explained in several of my last few blogs, I have been looking more closely at the detail of the case for global warming. I have analysed global average temperatures as provided by NASA that uses information from the Hadley Centre in the U...
Read moreI am not very good at making pastry. Some people say that you need cold hands to make pastry and dough, but I have warm hands as I seem always to be burning away all that food - perhaps I just never sit still or my metabolism runs too fast.
Read moreAs promised, I have started the process of looking at the main political parties from the perspective of the environment and international development. I think I may have bitten off a bit more than I had expected with this, but I will continue. Yes...
Read moreI’ve got some new peppers and as usual I am bit over-giddy about it. These ones are classic Piper nigrum – the traditional pepper plant for normal black, white and green pepper. Usually, we get our black pepper from India and Sri Lanka, but these...
Read moreI have to admit to becoming more skeptical about global warming since I began studying at The Open University on an Environmental Studies and Science Course. I doubt that becoming less convinced about much of the stuff written about global warming w...
Read moreI have received a few Chinese Green Teas that have been hand crafted into intricate shapes - they are called Art Teas or Flower Teas and they really do look exquisite. And for those tea drinkers like me, who love the ceremony and artistry of the who...
Read moreThe UK's General Election will be held soon - the weight of money is for it to coincide with the Council elections slated for 6 May 2010 but these could probably be shifted to coincide with a later General Election which must be latest of 3 June 2010...
Read moreToday it's a sunny day with a warming, clear fresh light and a blue sky. This is great weather to look at tasting oolong teas from China and Taiwan (sometimes called Formosa by tea drinkers). The clear light allows you to see the subtle colour diff...
Read moreOne of the major users of energy in a house is for heating the building. Space and water heating in homes gives off about 20% of the UK's carbon dioxide emissions, which is about 5 tonnes CO2 per home every year.
Read moreShrove Tuesday is the traditional start of Lent. It has become associated with pancakes in Britain and so everyone spends the day making pancakes. We regularly make pancakes for breakfast which the kids then top with cinnamon sugar or lemon and sug...
Read moreI came across this recipe on the truly amazing food blog of the Californian pastry chef living in Paris - David Lebovitz - which can be found at http://www.davidlebovitz.com/. And I have been meaning to have a crack at making his chocolate macarons...
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