Why do you build me up, butternut baby, chestnut lentil me down? 10/10 club - all welcome!

[pinkspottywellies]

For anyone who wants a boost to their general health. The suggested goals are:

EAT 10 PORTIONS OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLES EVERY DAY - if you don't usually eat much fruit and veg I would build up gradually or you could upset your digestion.

DO (AT LEAST) 10 MINUTES OF EXERCISE EVERY DAY - can be yoga, stretching or something more energetic. The plan is that the idea of doing 10 minutes is not too daunting, and having started you may well find you want to do more.

There are no restrictions on what you eat so long as you get your 10 fruit and veg as well. The focus is not on weight loss but on improving our energy levels and hopefully our general mood and well-being. Sign up below and post here to tell us how you're getting on and how you are feeling.

Basic guidance on what constitutes a portion of fruit and veg here and you can download more detailed information by following the link at the very bottom of the page

I know, I think I had a thread about what is the magic ingredient that makes Sylvanian families cost 3000 times more than other small plastic and velour bits of shite. Even ds was shocked at the prices and he is 4 and hasn't the greatest grasp of commerce. He now shakes his fist and mutters "they are just trying to get as much money as they can" when he sees the evilly cute apronned squirrels.

Boco I haven't a clue how to help with profile, but you can save the picture onto your pc by right clicking and then selecting "save picture as". You should then be able to get it onto your profile in the usual way, but how that is done I don't know.

Boco - I spent ages finding sylvanian families on ebay for dd, it's not all expensive. I got an original 1985 house like the one in the video for £12, including all the furniture and a pram that I've seen on there for £8 all by itself. Is there something in particular? I've spent so long looking I keep doing it now even though I have everything.

I agree they are hideously over priced in the shop, I would never buy a new one. They are crap anyway, the old style toys are much better, the house I bought is like new and it's so old. It feels heavy and is part wood.

I did see someone selling on here a while back - might be worth asking on the wanted section?

Franny - we can't transfer from your picturetrail can we?

ignore that, see you have answered. Have saved it now

See i've been watching a school - second hand with a couple of bits missing - but still with 5 figures and really sweet old fashioned blue desks - and including the postage it went for £27. I think that's loads for something that's second hand! My max bid was £11. I found that starter house, that's £19 everywhere, but for £12 because the box is smashed in. So got that, but I wanted a bed and a sofa for it. And i found a sofa, and it was going for £6! For a small pretend sofa? And a bed, just a bed, was also £6! I feel like i may have been in a coma and woken up in the future where tiny little furniture costs £6.

Lully, yes. Ginger cake...
2 cups wholemeal SR flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
at least 2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp bicarb (although you can leave this out)
4 oz margarine
2 tbsp molasses
1 cup soya milk

Melt margarine with molasses and sugar. Turn off heat and add soya milk. Stir in flour (and bicarb)
Put straight into greased tin, put a sheet of foil on top and bake at 150-160 degrees for about an hour. Remove foil towards the end if it is too wet on top.
Yum
You can probably reduce the sugar further and I think I once made it with banana.

Hello to everybody

Following on from Christmas fair moanings, I obviously wasn't as puritanical/mean as I should have been because ds2 was sick. I get SO angry about all the shite on offer to children!!!!!
And now I am having to wash the duvet from our bed but because it is so crammed into the machine it isn't even getting wet all over so have rearranged and tried again. And while I was rearranging ds1 started shouting horribly in the bathroom so I ran to investigate and water seeped all over the kitchen floor. And dd2 slipped in it.

I have been premenstrual for over a week now. Grrrrrrrr.

Boco, can you make furniture?

oh, that is a lot, mine was 12 with all furniture, sofas, table, beds, lamp, sideboards, kitchen stuff, pram, bedding and so on. I will keep an eye for you as well

Is it too early for a Christmassy thread title?

Four cauliflowers, three french beans, two garlic cloves and a parsnip in a pear tree?

Oh come all ye fruitful?

Oh fab idea Toot! (the title) Making furniture - hmm, it'd not look magical, it'd look crap. DD would unwrap a painted match box stuck to a painted oxo box and be v. disappointed.

Wood and fabric? Oh, I wish I had time. I'd make you some if I did - it would be fun! Go on, give it a try...

my homestart volunteer came the other day and she and dd made a whole house out of recycling

it had lampshades and lifelike bed and three-piece suite and even lampshades

I have to follow instructions in a craft kit or I am lost; even then it usually ends up crap

I am avoiding Sylvania to be honest they creep me out

I know this is no bloody use but everything on eBay will be about 50% more expensive atm

your best bet would be to buy in the spring I think

i have had a acai and blackcurrant smooythie and a chicken salad sandwich

Did you have fun, Zippi?

I thought my cold was getting better but last night and today I feel ill again. Also, my face really hurts and I can't lean forward properly as it throbbs too much and I have a bit of a temp. Do you think this sounds like it's turned into Sinusitis?

I've never had it before. I'm fed up of feeling crap. Franny - what is that stuff you take, the general wellness powder? I think I need some.

oh it is Kiki superfood

I can't contemplate taking it at the moment, it makes me want to heave

it is really quite full on stuff, bright green and the smell! I must be brave and try again soon though as it has such great effects. Take elderberry extract as well to boost your immune system - that tastes nice.

Hello everyone.

I am missing out by not having time to come and natter here or even catch up.

I will play scrabble, though, hang on fmv, let me see if I have you e mail address somewhere.

I know Franny, you're right. I wish i was one of those organised person who did xmas shopping in spring. Don't know what to get the girls now, and it's dd2s birthday on 23rd dec. I'm totally rubbish.

But, you veggers with babies must must get these

They are cute.

I love them!

Boco if you keep hunting on eBay with MrsC's help I think you will find something.

They are lovely. We have a myriad carrot that's sort of knitted but those are nicer.

Boco - I ended up with two owl teachers for the school if you want one. Did yours come with any figures?

I have made two lots of fl;apjacks, the christmas cake and most of a roast dinner which considering I feel like shite is quite good. Going to lie mon sofa now with hot applle and ginger

the asparagus stick i ate last night looked like a carrot as it was poking put of its smoked salmon wrapping

Evening all

TooT I like the titles! Well it's Advent now so maybe we should.

For various reasons - mainly illness - we have not visited my Grandmother, which means we will have to go next weekend instead.

I am going to start my Christmas cards tonight. I really am.

DS has been very sweet today and wrapping me up presents in teatowels.