Clever Stuff - Gadgets to Make You Healthier

 

Many of us resolve to eat a healthier diet and start with good intentions but then everyday life gets in the way and we slide back into our old habits of eating what’s most convenient. Thankfully there is now a wide range of kitchen gadgets available that make healthy eating easier and more fun. Here are some of our favourites:

 

Juicer
If you find it difficult to meet your recommended five portions of fruit and veg each day, invest in a juicer. They are great for making highly-nutritious fruit or vegetable juice drinks. Some models allow you to just throw fruit in whole so there’s no chopping or peeling, making them a quick and convenient way to enjoy a wide range of healthy juices.

 

Grilling Machine
Can’t live without sausages sandwiches or a weekly fry-up? Well you can make these treats healthier by using a grilling machine. Grilling uses less fat than frying and these gadgets are designed to let the fat contained in the food drip away during cooking – channelling it into a separate drip tray so that it doesn’t end up on your plate.

 

 

Nutrient Scales
If you’re counting calories or keeping an eye on the fat content of your food it can sometimes be difficult to calculate the values contained in everything you eat. Ready meals and processed food will usually have guidance on the packaging but if you’re trying to be healthier by making your own food from scratch, it can be harder to calculate the nutritional value of the meals you are making. Nutrient scales take away the guesswork. Simply weigh your ingredients, key in some basic information and the scales will give you information such as calorie, fat, carbohydrate and sugar content.

 

 

Bread maker
When it comes to healthy eating and dieting, many people decide to cut down on bread. However, others feel that bread is a staple part of a healthy diet – providing essential carbohydrates and fibre. If you don’t want to give up bread, you can still make it healthier by making your own with a bread maker. Not only will it taste better than shop-bought loaves but you’ll know exactly what ingredients have gone into it and be able to avoid artificial additives.

 

Steamer
One way to make mealtimes healthier is to look at the methods you use for cooking your favourite foods. For example, if you steam food rather than frying, you could dramatically cut the amount of fat in your meal. An electric steamer makes it really easy and results in foods with great texture and flavour – as well as more nutrients and less fat.

 

 

Food Processor
Many of us reach for convenience foods and takeaways because we simply don’t have the time to cook meals from scratch. But you can make the preparation process much quicker and easier by investing in a good food processor. This will take the hard work out of chopping, mixing and blending and make creating your own healthy meals a doddle.

 

For more advice on healthy eating, visit: www.secretsofhealthyeating.com

 

Categories: bread maker, Food, food processor, grilling machine, Healthy Eating, nbsp, nbsp nbsp, nutrient scales, wide range

A Garden for all the Senses

 

Written by Jenny Catton

 

Whether you want to create a garden that partially sighted or disabled people can enjoy or you simply want to add extra interest to your own outdoor spaces, a sensory garden is a great way to create something very special.

 

What is a Sensory Garden?

A sensory garden is an outdoor space designed to stimulate all of the senses – sight, sound, touch, smell and hearing. A sensory garden is ideal for anyone who has a physical disability which means they cannot always enjoy a traditional garden. For example, a blind person might not be able to see flowers in a traditional garden but in a sensory garden, they can use different senses such as touch or smell to enjoy the space around them.

Of course, sensory gardens aren’t just for people with a disability. With their wide range of sights, sounds, smells and textures they are a delight for everyone and can provide a range of educational benefits for children too.

You don’t need a big space to create a sensory garden. Whilst you could turn your entire garden into a sensory paradise, if space or time is limited you can just choose an area of your garden to add sensory elements to.

 

How to Create a Sensory Garden
The key to a successful sensory garden is to choose plants and garden accessories that appeal to all the different senses. For example, you could include strong smelling herbs as well as plants with interesting textures or even edible plants. You can also use materials such as gravel or a water feature to provide elements that are appealing to hear and touch.

When designing a sensory garden, think about how people will move through the garden. Try to avoid steps and make sure paths are wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair.

 

Sight
By introducing a range of different brightly coloured plants and flowers with bold shapes, even visually impaired people may be able to enjoy the overall scheme of your garden. Try and include plants of different heights so that there are interesting sights at low levels as well as higher up. This means people who use a wheelchair will still have plenty to look at. For extra visual interest, try including flowers that attract butterflies.

 

 

Sound
As well as looking attractive, water features can provide a range of interesting sounds in the garden. Attracting birds to the garden is also a good way to bring the sound of birdsong into your space. Alternatively, hang a wind chime in your garden for a musical vibe.

 

Touch
Include several plants that are interesting to touch or consider including sculpture pieces in the garden that can be touched. From timber and gravel to marble and stone – there are lots of different materials that provide a range of different sensations.

 

Smell
There are of course a wide range of strong smelling flowers you could include in your garden but another great way to introduce smell is with a herb garden – herbs such as rosemary, basil and mint all have a lovely strong scent.

 

 

Taste
By including edible plants in your scheme such as vegetables, fruit or herbs you can truly give visitors to your garden a delight for all the senses.

 

 

To find out more about enjoying sensory spaces, visit: www.sensorytrust.org.uk

The post A Garden for all the Senses appeared first on .

Categories: edible plants, garden, nbsp nbsp, senses nbsp, sensory, sensory garden, strong smelling, traditional garden, wide range

A Garden for all the Senses

 

Written by Jenny Catton

 

Whether you want to create a garden that partially sighted or disabled people can enjoy or you simply want to add extra interest to your own outdoor spaces, a sensory garden is a great way to create something very special.

 

What is a Sensory Garden?

A sensory garden is an outdoor space designed to stimulate all of the senses – sight, sound, touch, smell and hearing. A sensory garden is ideal for anyone who has a physical disability which means they cannot always enjoy a traditional garden. For example, a blind person might not be able to see flowers in a traditional garden but in a sensory garden, they can use different senses such as touch or smell to enjoy the space around them.

Of course, sensory gardens aren’t just for people with a disability. With their wide range of sights, sounds, smells and textures they are a delight for everyone and can provide a range of educational benefits for children too.

You don’t need a big space to create a sensory garden. Whilst you could turn your entire garden into a sensory paradise, if space or time is limited you can just choose an area of your garden to add sensory elements to.

 

How to Create a Sensory Garden
The key to a successful sensory garden is to choose plants and garden accessories that appeal to all the different senses. For example, you could include strong smelling herbs as well as plants with interesting textures or even edible plants. You can also use materials such as gravel or a water feature to provide elements that are appealing to hear and touch.

When designing a sensory garden, think about how people will move through the garden. Try to avoid steps and make sure paths are wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair.

 

Sight
By introducing a range of different brightly coloured plants and flowers with bold shapes, even visually impaired people may be able to enjoy the overall scheme of your garden. Try and include plants of different heights so that there are interesting sights at low levels as well as higher up. This means people who use a wheelchair will still have plenty to look at. For extra visual interest, try including flowers that attract butterflies.

 

 

Sound
As well as looking attractive, water features can provide a range of interesting sounds in the garden. Attracting birds to the garden is also a good way to bring the sound of birdsong into your space. Alternatively, hang a wind chime in your garden for a musical vibe.

 

Touch
Include several plants that are interesting to touch or consider including sculpture pieces in the garden that can be touched. From timber and gravel to marble and stone – there are lots of different materials that provide a range of different sensations.

 

Smell
There are of course a wide range of strong smelling flowers you could include in your garden but another great way to introduce smell is with a herb garden – herbs such as rosemary, basil and mint all have a lovely strong scent.

 

 

Taste
By including edible plants in your scheme such as vegetables, fruit or herbs you can truly give visitors to your garden a delight for all the senses.

 

 

To find out more about enjoying sensory spaces, visit: www.sensorytrust.org.uk

The post A Garden for all the Senses appeared first on .

Categories: edible plants, garden, nbsp nbsp, senses nbsp, sensory, sensory garden, strong smelling, traditional garden, wide range

A Garden for all the Senses

 

Written by Jenny Catton

 

Whether you want to create a garden that partially sighted or disabled people can enjoy or you simply want to add extra interest to your own outdoor spaces, a sensory garden is a great way to create something very special.

 

What is a Sensory Garden?

A sensory garden is an outdoor space designed to stimulate all of the senses – sight, sound, touch, smell and hearing. A sensory garden is ideal for anyone who has a physical disability which means they cannot always enjoy a traditional garden. For example, a blind person might not be able to see flowers in a traditional garden but in a sensory garden, they can use different senses such as touch or smell to enjoy the space around them.

Of course, sensory gardens aren’t just for people with a disability. With their wide range of sights, sounds, smells and textures they are a delight for everyone and can provide a range of educational benefits for children too.

You don’t need a big space to create a sensory garden. Whilst you could turn your entire garden into a sensory paradise, if space or time is limited you can just choose an area of your garden to add sensory elements to.

 

How to Create a Sensory Garden
The key to a successful sensory garden is to choose plants and garden accessories that appeal to all the different senses. For example, you could include strong smelling herbs as well as plants with interesting textures or even edible plants. You can also use materials such as gravel or a water feature to provide elements that are appealing to hear and touch.

When designing a sensory garden, think about how people will move through the garden. Try to avoid steps and make sure paths are wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair.

 

Sight
By introducing a range of different brightly coloured plants and flowers with bold shapes, even visually impaired people may be able to enjoy the overall scheme of your garden. Try and include plants of different heights so that there are interesting sights at low levels as well as higher up. This means people who use a wheelchair will still have plenty to look at. For extra visual interest, try including flowers that attract butterflies.

 

 

Sound
As well as looking attractive, water features can provide a range of interesting sounds in the garden. Attracting birds to the garden is also a good way to bring the sound of birdsong into your space. Alternatively, hang a wind chime in your garden for a musical vibe.

 

Touch
Include several plants that are interesting to touch or consider including sculpture pieces in the garden that can be touched. From timber and gravel to marble and stone – there are lots of different materials that provide a range of different sensations.

 

Smell
There are of course a wide range of strong smelling flowers you could include in your garden but another great way to introduce smell is with a herb garden – herbs such as rosemary, basil and mint all have a lovely strong scent.

 

 

Taste
By including edible plants in your scheme such as vegetables, fruit or herbs you can truly give visitors to your garden a delight for all the senses.

 

 

To find out more about enjoying sensory spaces, visit: www.sensorytrust.org.uk

The post A Garden for all the Senses appeared first on .

Categories: edible plants, garden, nbsp nbsp, senses nbsp, sensory, sensory garden, strong smelling, traditional garden, wide range

Should I Send My Kids to Private School?

 

Every parent wants their child to receive a good education. But is the best education a private education?

 

Yes – Fiona
It’s true that a private education is expensive but in my opinion it is worth it. After all, the education that your child receives will dictate how successful they are throughout the rest of their life. My husband and I have made a number of sacrifices such as downsizing our home and giving up holidays in order to pay for a private education for our daughter.

When we were choosing a secondary school we did consider the local state school but the facilities there just weren’t anywhere near as good as the private schools we looked at. My daughter’s private school not only offers the best possible standard of teaching in core subjects such as English and Maths but also provides her with the opportunity to experience a wide range of music, sports and arts that she wouldn’t have had access to at a state school. The school has its own swimming pool, tennis courts and horse riding facilities.

The class sizes are also an important consideration. The classes at a private school are generally much smaller which means that the teachers can give each child individual attention. If my daughter was at a state school she would be in a class of 30 or more and I’d worry that her needs wouldn’t be met. There is a real family feel at my daughter’s school and I know that she is well looked after. For me, whatever the cost, the peace of mind that she is receiving the best possible education in a happy, loving environment is more important than anything else.

 

No – Mel
I don’t believe we should have a two-tier education system where those with money receive better facilities than those who cannot afford it. Excellent teaching should be available to everyone and if private schools were abolished, then the best teachers would be available to work in state schools for the benefit of all pupils.

Even if I could afford it, I wouldn’t send my children to private school. I believe that these sort of establishments cause children to grow up with a narrow perspective of the world, particularly if it is a single-sex school. In my opinion, it is better for children to mix with others from a variety of different backgrounds in a state school.

Some argue that state schools don’t offer the same opportunities as private school but I haven’t found this to be the case. My children are at state school and enjoy a wide range of activities – they perform in the school orchestra and enjoy dance and drama lessons. They have even visited Rome as part of their art lessons and have been on skiing trips. The teaching standards are also very high and so it’s not true that you have to pay to get a high quality education.

I know some parents think that children at private school are protected from problems like bullying, smoking and drug use but these things go on no matter how posh the school is. Buying an education is no guarantee that your children will be happy or successful just as a free education isn’t necessarily lacking in any way.

Categories: Education, private, private education, private school, private schools, School, state school, state schools, wide range

Grow Your Own Superfoods

 

You may have heard of superfoods in magazines and on television cookery shows – but what exactly makes a food ‘super’? Well, although there is no standard definition, a superfood is generally agreed to be an ingredient that gives particular health benefits. Foods that are commonly referred to as superfoods include salmon, blueberries and broccoli.

The rise in the popularity of superfoods means that supermarkets often charge a premium for these nutrient-rich ingredients so wouldn’t it be great if you could create your own superfood larder at home? Well, whilst you might not be able to farm your own salmon, there are a number of superfoods you can grow in your own garden. Not only will you have the satisfaction of growing your own fruit and veg but you’ll save money at the same time. And when it’s time to eat the fruits of your labour, you’ll get a healthy boost too.

Here are six popular ‘superfoods’ you can try growing at home:

 

Broccoli

Broccoli is said to be a superfood as it contains a wide range of nutrients including folate, vitamins C and A, and calcium to boost health and protect against illnesses. Broccoli is easy to grow and suits colder climates very well.

 

Blueberries

One of the first ingredients to be called a superfood; the blueberry has been linked to a wide range of health benefits from protecting against heart disease to improving memory. If you don’t have a lot of space in your garden, you can grow blueberry bushes in pots.

 

Garlic

For centuries, garlic has been used to promote good health and is often used to ward off the common cold and treat high blood pressure. If you buy a garlic bulb from a seed supplier you can then break it into individual cloves to plant.

 

Beetroot

Like garlic, beetroot has historically been used in natural medicine to treat a wide range of ailments including constipation. Beetroot is ideal if you are short on space as it can be grown in pots.

 

Spinach

Made famous by the comic book character Popeye, spinach is regularly said to help boost energy levels and strength. And it is true that spinach is high in iron which is essential for maintaining energy levels and general good health. Spinach can be grown all year round making it a really versatile ingredient.

 

Peppers

A red bell pepper contains twice as much vitamin C as an orange, making it a great vegetable to include in your diet when you need to boost your vitamin intake. Peppers do like warm conditions so are an ideal ingredient to grow if you have a greenhouse although you may be able to grow them in the garden if you position them in a warm spot.

 

Whether you believe the hype surrounding superfoods or not, including a wide range of fruit and vegetables in your diet will certainly boost your overall health. And if you can grow them in your own garden, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve improved your diet cheaply and organically yourself.

 

For more information about growing your own fruit and vegetables, visit: www.rhs.org.uk/Gardening/Grow-Your-Own/Veg-A-to-Z

Categories: Boost, energy levels, grow, health, Health Benefits, superfoods, wide, wide range