Now a week into the new decade what is going on?
The headlines have been dominated by the terrible bush fires in Australia and my heart goes out to those killed, injured and missing those who have lost homes and property, the wildlife and the brave emergency services who in many areas are fighting a losing battle…
Of course, the blame game has started and everybody has their opinions on that one…
Me…I don’t know…
I have read reports and tend to take more notice of bush fire experts, the fire chiefs who are calling for increased funding for fire reduction methods. These same people have also stated that many of the fire reduction methods are dependent on the weather conditions and that much can be done by individuals to protect their own homes and properties. They also state that sometimes those methods don’t work and the fires can still rip through depending on the ferocity…So many factors feature in the scenarios and in an ideal world this wouldn’t happen but it does…
Of course, due to the ferocity of the fires, there are fears that the large pulses of carbon dioxide may not be absorbed through regrowth of the forests as in the past.
However when all is said and done both Australia’s and the US fall very short in this Climate Change Index Annual Report…
These links make interesting reading…
Bottom three performers: Climate Change Index Report…
As Turkey has still not submitted its NDC, has no 2050 low emission strategy, and has not yet ratified the Paris Agreement,
the country continues to receive an overall very low rating in the
category.
Under the Trump Administration, the United States fails on
climate action, with a major roll-back of national policies and
becomes a disruptive force at all levels of international climate
policy. Despite positive signals at the individual state level, the US remains at
the bottom of very low performers.
Australia receives the lowest rating in this year’s Climate Policy
rating as experts observe that the newly elected government
has continued to worsen performance at both national and
international levels.
To read the full report…Click Here
This is also an interesting report on the effectiveness of bush fire hazard reduction methods…
I think to help Australia if we can donate or when this is all over we can take a holiday and buy local to support their local businesses and help them get up and running again. …I saw a post which said if you were taking a road trip to take an empty car, fuel tank and heskie and stock up when you get there to show support which is a cool idea.
I know this is a great tragedy for this beautiful country its people and its wildlife and environment…I hope lessons are learnt from this particularly by what I have read about the government’s lack of duty and care to its people and the environment.
The latest news and there has been some rain…
God bless Australia and its wildlife xxx
It is pretty obvious to me that it is you…Who can make changes and so many people, not governments do make a difference and that is all we can do or the sheer scale will overwhelm us…
So please look around you at the good things happening and where you can have an impact on the bad things …Vote wisely…support the good things and do what you can…
An imperfect plastic recycler is better than not recycling at all…Remember that x
The rest of the world…
Farmers return to ancient method for fighting pests by planting wildflowers…
Food Brands are considering adding carbon footprints to labels…I think this is a good idea HOWEVER I also think we should all start to be more aware of which foods are in season and buy local where you can or grow your own where you can…
It is after all our world and we need to start being responsible for our corner of it…It is as simple as that…
For January, February and March this is what is in season in and around the UK.
Image by Ulrike Leone from Pixabay
January
Apples, Beetroot, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Jerusalem Artichokes, Kale, Leeks, Mushrooms, Onions, Parsnips, Pears, Spring Greens, Spring Onions, Squash, Swede ( Rutabagus), Turnips.
February
Apples, Beetroot, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Celeriac, Chicory, Jerusalem Artichokes, Kale, Leeks, Mushrooms, Onions, Parsnips, Pears, Purple Sprouting Broccoli, Spring Greens, Spring Onions, Squash, Swedes.
March
Artichoke, Beetroot, Cabbage, Carrots, Chicory, Cucumber, Leeks, Parsnip, Purple Sprouting Broccoli, Radishes, Rhubarb, Sorrel, Spring Greens, Spring Onions, Watercress.
Of course, this varies around the world...It varies by the season and the climate in a particular month and can vary by area/state…This is where Mr Google can help…
Because seasonal fruits and vegetables don’t undergo lengthy transit times to get from farm to your kitchen, these integral vitamins and minerals are more likely to be preserved by the time you’re ready to eat your produce it can also save you money.
Seasonal Veggies Harvested in January in L.A…
Artichokes, Asparagus, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Celery, Kale, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Potatoes, Rutabagas(Swede), Spinach, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Turnips
Seasonal Fruits Harvested in January
Cherimoya, Clementine, Grapefruit, Kiwifruit, Kumquats, Lemons, Limes, Mandarins, Oranges, Pomegranates, Tangerines
Similar in many respects to the UK although tomatoes and some of the fruits are not yet seasonal in the UK…But that is to be expected which is why you need to check for your particular area…
But it is an easy check to do and look for local farmers markets they will give you a good indication…
As I said we need to put the work in to help our carbon footprints and food is a good place to start…
Here it is similar to the UK and some parts of the US as further North here sees colder temperatures especially at night so I can get lovely cabbages, even sprouts at the moment, kale, spinach, lovely purple sprouting broccoli with the addition of tropical fruits which some have an almost all year growing season as being tropical we have rain and sun so much flourishes…vegetables like swede(Rutabaga) parsnips are all imported so I don’t buy…although I have found the lovely purple carrots I am currently buying although they take longer to cook or steam when roasted are very similar to parsnips in taste they seem a little denser than the orange carrot.
Mashed sweet potato is the closest I get to swede but I like it very much so it isn’t a hardship I have just had to adapt to what I can get to ensure that I keep my carbon footprint down…
This month as it is National Soup Month…I will be sharing seasonal soup recipes from around the world and information on Bone Broth and how it can be incorporated in our recipes…
Squash seems to be available locally almost everywhere this is my simple soup made from squash…
My recipe for squash soup …
The squash I always make into a vegetable soup and freeze in portions. When I reheat the soup, I then add chilli (of course) and a little coconut milk and gently warm through.
Soup ingredients:
- 1 small squash peeled and deseeded. Cut into pieces.
- 1 brown onion, peeled and cut up
- 1 carrot washed and cut
- 4 cloves of garlic finely chopped
- Piece fresh ginger finely chopped
- 3 Broccoli stalks, peeled and cubed (I always save the broccoli stalks) for when I make soup. Waste not, want not and I think ideal for soups for flavour.
- 1-1½ litres of fresh chicken stock or stock cubes.
Let’s Cook!
Heat a glug of olive oil and gently cook garlic ginger and onion to just soften and not colour.
Add other vegetables gradually and cook while stirring for about 5 minutes, then add stock and seasoning.
Simmer gently for about an hour or until vegetables are lovely and soft and remove from heat. I let it cool down before I blend.
This makes a lovely vegetable soup but I also use it as a base and freeze in portions.
When I reheat I add little-dried chilli flakes and 1 or 2 tbsp of coconut milk.
It just gives it a creamy flavour.
Sometimes I add crushed lemongrass stalk and a little fish sauce, it depends on how I feel, it is a versatile soup base so play with it, have fun.
Add some curry powder, a squeeze or 2 of lime juice or coriander, whatever you fancy.
Enjoy!
If you are still reading …Thank you for your support and your comments which are always welcomed…xx
About Carol Taylor:
Enjoying life in The Land Of Smiles I am having so much fun researching, finding new, authentic recipes both Thai and International to share with you. New recipes gleaned from those who I have met on my travels or are just passing through and stopped for a while. I hope you enjoy them.
I love shopping at the local markets, finding fresh, natural ingredients, new strange fruits and vegetable ones I have never seen or cooked with. I am generally the only European person and attract much attention and I love to try what I am offered and when I smile and say Aroy or Saab as it is here in the north I am met with much smiling.
Some of my recipes may not be in line with traditional ingredients and methods of cooking but are recipes I know and have become to love and maybe if you dare to try you will too. You will always get more than just a recipe from me as I love to research and find out what other properties the ingredients I use contain to improve our health and wellbeing.
The environment is also something I am passionate about and there are now regular columns on my blog this year. It is important that we are mindful of the world we live in…We all need to be aware of our own home’s carbon footprints…where does our food come from? How far does it travel…Simple to do but if we all did it…Not only would we support local businesses but reduce our carbon footprint…
Exciting for me hence the title of my blog, Retired No One Told Me! I am having a wonderful ride and don’t want to get off, so if you wish to follow me on my adventures, then welcome! I hope you enjoy the ride also and if it encourages you to take a step into the unknown or untried, you know you want to…….Then, I will be happy!
Thank you once again for reading this post I hope you all have a creative week ahead xx
Retired? No one told me! 