Masseys More than just another village Shop

Actually, we’ve been there for a while, but just in case you haven’t found us:  here’s the link

Posted under Top Tips

Posted under Top Tips, Village Diary

Here’s my next monthly post on things to do with items you might have in your kitchen.  Aside from being a wonderfood – filling, nutritious, and great for making banana cake – bananas are also a good source of Vitamin B6 and Potassium.

But did you know that:

1. Banana skins can be used to clean the leaves of houseplants, leaving them shiny and clean.




2. Remove warts.There is a school of thought that says rubbing the inside of a banana skin on warts gets rid of them. The high levels of potassium is what does the trick, and I do recall my grandmother doing this.




3. The inside of the banana skin is also useful for putting the shine back into leather and silver. Rub the inside of the skin onto the item that needs a shine up. Then buff with a cloth. (Note: test on a small area first).




4. Bananas provide a great hangover cure. Mixed with honey in a milkshake, the banana settles the stomach and the honey boosts blood sugar levels.




5. Banana skins placed around the bottom of rose bushes (and other plants) act as a deterrent to aphids. Cut the skins up and dig them into the soil.




6. If you want to attract butterflies into your garden, leave out a ripe banana for them to feed on. Note: this will also attract bees and wasps so place it where these won’t cause a problem.




7. Mixed with egg and a little almond oil, banana also makes a nourishing face mask.

And you thought they were just for children’s lunch boxes.

Photo credit: Ian Ransley

Posted under Food ideas, Top Tips

I’ve decided to start a monthly series with ideas on more ways of using some of the things we have in our kitchens. So, February will be Apple Month – just because its somewhere to start.

1. Make yourself a healthy drink. Mixing in a blender: peeled and chopped apples, ground cinnamon and plain yoghurt. Add apple juice to get the dilution of choice. You could add in other fruit – like bananas or pears if you happen to have them around.

2. Improve the taste of soups and stews. If you’d hand has slipped when adding salt, apple and potatoe are great at absorbing the excess. Put in some fairly large chunks of either and, after cooking for a few minutes, scoop them out. They’ll bring some of the excess salt with them.

3. Make a natural face mask. If you can’t get to Jane’s for a facial, or you want a quick and easy treat for your skin, make a natural face mask by mixing grated apple, honey and uncooked oats. Smooth mixture onto your face, relax for 10 minutes and then rinse off.

4. Keeping cake fresh for longer. Half an apple in the container with a cake will keep it fresh and moist for longer.

5. Printmaking. If you’re into crafts or have children to keep entertained, an apple cut in half with the pips carefully removed makes a great star-shaped stamp. Use it to make pictures or posters. Have a look here for more on this

6. Ripen green tomatoes. Tomatoes can be ripened faster if stored in a paper bag with an apple.

And if none of those appeal, apple pie is always a favourite!  Do you have any Apple Tips to share? Let me know.

Posted under Food ideas, Top Tips