What would you do with your 4 hours and 21 minutes?

Posts Tagged ‘online’

Learn the history of your local town | comments

Old British MapHow much do you know about the town you’re from or now live in? Maybe there’s more interesting things to learn than you realise.

Traveling back in time through the archives of your local authority or by searching online can be a hugely interesting and rewarding experience.

Maybe your town was a pioneering industrial hub of the great industrial revolution of the 19th Century; or perhaps your village was the birthplace of someone rich or famous.

Why not spend a morning finding out about the milestones and events that made your local town what it is today? You could even combine this activity with a look into your family genealogy – you never know what gems of the past you might uncover.

Websites worth a look:

http://www.local-history.co.uk/

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/

Make your own pot pourri | comments

Pot pourriEnjoy a more natural fragrance in your home.

The thing with aerosol and other shop-bought room fresheners is that they can have a rather ‘chemical’ aroma.

For a more natural and much more subtle way to add fragrance to your room, make and display your own pot pourri.

It’s incredibly simple to make, and you can chose your own petals and spices depending on the aromas that you prefer.

And the really great thing is you’ll know that no one else’s home will have exactly the same fragrance as yours.

Use the website inks below to get started:

Make Stuff

Save On Crafts

DIY Life

Go veggie | comments

If you’re a dedicated meat eater, it’s worth trying a week of vegetarianism, your colon will thank you for it!

VegetablesWhy not spend the morning investigating recipes and ideas using the websites below, or get started with our delicious Cauliflower & Asparagus Tart, which includes Quaker Oats for an even healthier veggie meal.   

Ingredients

For the pastry:
300g self-raising wholemeal flour
1 tsp vegan bouillon powder
125ml rapeseed oil
125ml rice milk or Soya milk

For the filling:
olive oil, for oiling and frying
1 medium cauliflower, broken into florets
125g asparagus, trimmed and washed
2 red onions, chopped
50g shiitake mushrooms, sliced
125g frozen sweet corn, mashed
250ml sweetened Soya milk
250ml rapeseed oil
1 lime, juice only
2 tbsp Quaker Porridge Oats
2 dessertspoons vegan bouillon powder
2 tbsp vegan tomato sauce
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
smoked paprika
freshly ground black pepper

Method

1. Oil a 30cm/12in flan or pie dish. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas mark 4.
2. To make the pastry, place the flour and bouillon powder in a bowl and rub in the oil, then mix in the milk. Knead the pastry gently for a few moments, then roll out on a floured surface and use it to line the prepared dish. Bake for 10-15 minutes, until just cooked through.
3. Meanwhile, steam the cauliflower and asparagus until hot but not cooked – about 4-5 minutes.
4. Heat a little olive oil in a frying pan and fry the onions and mushrooms until soft. Add the mashed sweet corn and stir until hot.
5. Heat the soya milk in a saucepan until hot but not boiling. Transfer to a food processor or liquidiser, add the rapeseed oil, season with pepper and mix well. With the machine still running, add the lime juice and mix thoroughly to prevent curdling.
6. Add the oats, bouillon powder, tomato sauce and mustard to the milk mixture and blend again.
7. Oil the inner base of the pie crust, then spread a thin layer of the oat mixture over it. Place a layer of the mushroom mixture on top, then a layer of the cauliflower, followed by the remaining oat mixture.
8. Arrange the asparagus spears on top and sprinkle with smoked paprika. Return the tart to the oven and cook for a further 20 minutes. Serve with a green salad.

Enjoy!!

Visit a stately home | comments

Stately homeCastles, country estates, villages, gardens…

Britain is awash with inspirational historic places and getting out to experience them is always an enjoyable way to spend a morning.

If it’s a nice day you can pack up a picnic, or stop off on the way home for a bite of lunch to round off an interesting, educational morning.

Search using the National Trust’s website below to find an interesting place to visit in your area:   

National Trust

Plan a UK short break | comments

SuitcasePack up a weekend bag and head off for a weekend away.

Whether you’re looking to spend more quality time with a partner, sample local food and drink, do some sightseeing or hit the nightlife, getting away for a long weekend has never been cheaper or easier. 

And the UK has so many great places to visit, there’s no excuse not to get out there and experience some of them.

Websites to visit:

Vacation Inspiration

Lastminute.com

Create a photo screensaver | comments

All you need is a scanner and a piece of software to create your own unique screensaver full of your favourite photos.

Old photosThere is lots of photo screensaver software that you can download – many of which are free.

Use the websites below to find one that suits you and start your own personal screensaver this morning.

Websites:

My Photos Screensaver

Google Photos Screensaver

Plan to do a sponsored walk | comments(1)

Take a gentle stroll at your own pace and raise funds for your favourite cause.   

Running shoesTo best way to get started is to decide which cause you’d like to help, then visit their website to find out when their next sponsored event is taking place.

Once you’ve registered, you’ll need to collect sponsorship money from friends and family. You can even set up your own webpage to raise funds – completely free, see the Just Giving website link below.

You’ll need to do bit of training in the run up to the event, and remember not to wear new shoes on the day!

Websites to visit:

www.justgiving.com        

www.raceforlife.org

Explore old cultural traditions | comments

It’s fascinating to discover why we do some of the things we do, and what a great way to spend a morning.

SaltThere really is loads you can discover online, or you could nip to the library and browse some of the books on cultural traditions.

For example, have you ever wondered why you’re supposed to throw salt over your shoulder when you spill it?

One explanation is that in ancient times salt was very expensive and to spill it was likened to squandering money. By throwing it over your left shoulder it was thought to go into the devils eyes and blind him from seeing your stupidity and taking your soul.

Oh those were the days….

Websites to visit:

www.oldsuperstitions.com

Create an online photo album | comments

Sort out your digital photographs and share them with friends and family.

Much easier than emailing photos to everyone, an online photo album allows you to save, store and share all your favourite digital images in one place.

Old PhotosUpload your photos to one of a number of online photo album websites and build a comprehensive collection that all the family can add to.

You can even add your old print photos to it, either by scanning them in or using a site such as www.thealbumonline.co.uk, where you can just send your photos to them and they’ll add them to your album.

Check it out this morning.

Websites:

www.moo.com

www.myphotoalbum.com

www.thealbumonline.co.uk

Play games all morning! | comments

Have some fun playing old card and board games with friends or family.

LudoYou’ll need a couple of packs of playing cards, as well dominoes , ludo or whatever other games you want to play, then, if you can’t remember the rules, look them up online.

Get the coffee on… relax, and start playing.

Websites to visit:

www.funandgames.org
www.pagat.com
www.thehouseofcards.com

*Of 146 people surveyed, 67 first felt hungry after 4 hours, 21 minutes.

Eat Quaker Oats as part of a varied and balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.