Energy saving tips : Five ways to cut costs this winter : Plus a warming soup

In the Northern Hemisphere we are in the winter months and many people are struggling with the cost of heating and other home energy bills.

I am sharing snippets of an article that you may find helpful that will help keep costs down. While the actual savings differ for different people, at the end of each section (in the original article) it is explained how the savings figure was worked out.

So here are the five tips:

• 1. Using the thermostat and timer to take control of your heating settings could save you about £150

• 2. Reducing your combi boiler flow temperature to 60C could save you about £100  

• 3. Installing a water-efficient showerhead or having showers in four minutes could save you about £90

• 4. Turning down radiator valves in less-used rooms could save you about £70

• 5. Draught-proofing your doors, windows, chimneys and floors could save you up to £215

Please read the article in full here

~ xx oo xx ~

In cooler months soups can be so warming, how about a nice bowl of 

Butternut Squash Soup : The Mary Berry Way

Mary Berry, is one of the best-known and respected cookery writers and broadcasters in the UK. She describes her cooking style as 'family' - practical, healthy recipes that incorporate lots of fresh ingredients.

I am sharing her easy butternut squash soup recipe, it is completely dairy-free! It has added red pepper and ginger, and is deliciously smooth. Roasting the squash, rather than boiling it in a pan, really brings out the flavour in the soup.

For this recipe you will need a 3.5–4 litre/6–7 pint deep-sided saucepan.

Ingredients
Serves Eight (adjust to suit)
1.5kg/3lb 5oz peeled and deseeded butternut squash, cut into 3cm/1¼in cubes (see recipe tip below)
1 large onion, roughly chopped
2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
1 red pepper, deseeded and cut into cubes
4 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp clear honey (optional)
5cm/2in piece fresh root ginger, peeled and chopped
1.5 litres/2½ pints vegetable stock
salt and freshly ground black pepper

To serve

Many may like to serve this soup with a favourite slice of crusty bread, there are some lower carb choices here
Instructions

more to read here

As regular readers know, this blog is presented in a magazine style - we hope something for everyone. You will find a variety of articles, studies, thoughts, cartoons, photographs, music and recipes!

However, not all the recipes ideas featured in this blog may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter. If you have any concerns about your health, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or health care team.

All the best Jan