Senior Citizen Feature
With lockdown Level 2 in place, the kids and grandkids are sure to visit more. Here’s a quick and easy pudding recipe to spoil them, and yourselves with.
The warmer weather is here and nothing screams ‘springtime’ more than this three-ingredient cheesecake. It’s super simple…here’s how you make it.
Ingredients:
• 1 litre plain double cream yoghurt
• 1 tin condensed milk
• 200g digestive biscuits, crushed
Method:
• Press the crushed biscuits into an even layer at the bottom of a deep microwave-safe dish.
• Mix the condensed milk and the yoghurt together and carefully pour the mixture over the biscuit base. Smooth the top, then microwave on high for about five to six minutes, or until set.
• Refrigerate until cool, then slice to serve. If you like, you can serve your cheesecake with more biscuit crumbs on top, like the picture, or top with your favourite fresh fruit.
It’s that simple…enjoy!
Beware of con artists
Be suspicious of anyone who tries to rush you into signing any kind of contractual agreement. Tell them that you want some time to read through the paperwork.
Go through it very carefully or ask the assistance of a trusted family member, friend or adviser. Never give your personal details – including your credit card, identity or banking information – to anyone who randomly calls and asks for it. If you want reassurance, ask them for their details and verify those for yourself.
Call them only once you are happy that the initial request was legitimate.
Being housebound, due to Covid 19 for so long has serious drawbacks, the least of which is loneliness and cabin fever. Since staying home is best for the elderly, at least for the near future, we need a bit of greenery in our lives. And fresh air. This makes now the perfect time to start a little veggie or herb garden of your own. It will get you out into the sunshine and give you something rewarding to do and even more so if you combine this undertaking with a little crafty upcycling.
What to use
1. Glass jars and bottles
Jam jars are so much fun and there are so many things you can do with them. The smaller ones are perfect for starting out with your seeds, and you can move them to bigger jars as they grow. You can either plant them in soil, or, if propagating, cut them off in the correct diagonal manner and place in water until roots start to grow, after which they can go into the ground or a bigger pot.
2. Empty toilet rolls
Using empty toilet paper rolls is an excellent way of nurturing plants that don’t like their roots disturbed, such as peas and beans. You simply make four short cuts at the bottom, fold the pieces in, fill with soil and plant your seed. Then you place the whole thing into the ground or a pot. The paper will rot away, keeping the seedling safe and sound inside.
3. Paper cups
These cups are made to withstand hot liquids so they are fairly robust and will keep your plants snug. Remember to poke a drainage hole at the base. If you have any coffee grounds left after your delicious brew, scatter them into some soil or over the garden. The nitrogen is an excellent promoter of healthy growth and strong stems.
4. Tin cans
One of the prettiest sights in the Italian countryside is the geraniums, blooming on windowsills, front porches, balconies and verandas in all their glory. Often, they are planted in empty tomato tins, in all different sizes, sometimes with the label left on, declaring the tin a brightly coloured, cheerful holder for a pretty green and growing thing. Remember to rinse thoroughly, put stones in the bottom for drainage (or drill a few holes), then fill up with your soil and your seed.
5. Veggie and mushroom punnets
Don’t discard the plastic punnets your mushrooms, strawberries, grapes and so on, come in! They are perfect to use as seed trays.
