November 2004

Smile It's Therapy ;-)

Newsletter #28
Content

  1. Introduction
  2. News Update
  3. Life Coaching - an article
  4. Make A Difference
  5. Book Review
  6. Recipe - Mince Pies
  7. 6 Next Newsletter due in January 2005

1. Introduction

It's been so busy here, we haven't had time to do a newsletter earlier than this. Had trick and treaters last night and a few eggs from the delightful teenagers. We cut pumpkins and put them in the window and made pumpkin soup from the flesh. The clocks have gone back and it's a down hill roll to Christmas! We had a bumper crop of potatoes, cucumbers, carrots, onions and a few sweetcorn this year. No luck with tomatoes though. We will be planting trees to off-set our carbon emissions with the Woodland Trust and generally trying to cut down on our consumption of fossil fuels. We are turning the heating off and having log fires in the evenings which is lovely. I'd rather watch an open fire than the tele. If you can, plan to have some time off and rest, just like nature does in the winter and try to do something that makes your heart sing. We fully intend to.

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2. News Update

We have had the site looked at by an independent specialist and we will be looking at their comments and trying to improve the site where we can. We still intend to do a leaflet drop with the SMg renewals and will continue to exchange links with other sites to get as many visitors to our site as possible. So all looking good.


3. Life Coaching - an article

Click Here for an article on Life Coaching by Gerard O'Donovan from Noble Manhattan


4. Make A Difference

Thinking about Christmas, try to reduce waste where you can. Ask people what they want, rather than guess. Make gifts rather than purchase things and generally question what you have always done to see whether it's what you still want to do now. A gift voucher for a course at adult education is worth thinking about for those who have everything. Spending time with people, perhaps over a meal may be better than a gift you have struggled to get. Most of us eat well enough all year round, it's pointless overeating at Christmas then regretting it for weeks after. So eat as you would normally, buy only what you will eat and Christmas will be less expensive all round. Best of all, try to have as much fun as possible and reduce the stress wherever you can. Merry Christmas to you.


5. Book Review - the Artist's Way by Julia Cameron

ISBN: 0330343580

This 12 week programme is a workbook that releases your creativity and really makes you think differently. Everyone can be more creative in their lives. This book gives you permission to try and to enjoy the experiences along the way. An excellent present for you or someone you love.


Order From Amazon UK

6. Recipe - mince pie (18-20 pies)

stew apples with spice and fruit juice for 10 minutes. Add a little water if necessary. Mix with other ingredients. Make the pastry by mixing the flour, salt and adding the remaining ingredients into the centre, gradually rubbing together with fingers. Once you have a soft dough, chill for an hour. Preheat oven to Gas mark 6, 200 degrees C (400F) rollout pastry and cut 8cm rounds for bases and 6.5cm rounds for lids. Line cake tin with the bases and fill with mincemeat. Cover with lids and cook for 15-20 minutes.
Taken from Sarah Brown's Vegetarian Cookbook



6. Next Newsletter due in January 2005

Be well.
See you in the New Year.