A Brew and A Blether.

The monthly meeting of this initiative, a partnership between Glentrool & Bargrennan Community Trust, The Riverside Day Centre in Newton Stewart and Building Healthy Communities, was held today in the Old School. Participants were offered activities including Boccia, New Age Curling as well as 2 Cookery Demonstrations based upon Cooking on a budget and not wasting food. Dave, ably assisted by Nathalie and Samantha, gave the demonstration to over 40 participants.

The first dish is known as “Dave’s Pasta Con Le Verdure Del Frigo This is a quick cook dish using up ingredients that people may already have in their fridge. Questions were encouraged and answered accordingly. The recipe is below.

Ingredients

You can use any vegetables to make this simple quick Pasta dish.

A combination of verdure nel frigo. (Vegetables from the fridge)

Mixed herbs,

Tomatoes,

Fresh Passata

75 grams of cooked pasta salt and pepper.

OPTIONAL: Cooked Chicken, Chorizo, ham etc.

Method

Slice all the vegetables

Heat some oil in a wok/pan

Add vegetables and seasoning and stir fry for 4 or 5 minutes.

Add passata and any cooked meat and cook through.

Add the cooked pasta and warm through until well coated.

Serve with grated cheese or garlic bread

 

The second demonstration was an alternative to a sweet and sour dish made from fresh ingredients that did not include preservatives. Again, tasting was available to all. Everyone appeared to enjoy the activities on offer. The afternoon finished with Tea/ coffee and biscuits and information about other activities. 

At next Month’s event, Angus Dick will be entertaining and Pam Patterson will be guiding people through gentle exercise to music.

Let's talk about sex - Shades of pleasure

 To view the helplines available for domestic and other forms of abuse, following the release of 50 shades....., click here

Monday Club - Cooking on a Budget

Yesterday, the members of the club were informed and entertained by Dave and Luke with 2 Healthy and Thrifty recipes. The group were shown how, by making just small changes to tried and tested ideas, they can save money by using alternatives. 

The Pea and Ham Soup went down well and was made within 25 minutes. See below for the recipe:

Pea and Ham Soup:

Ingredients:

Tbs Oil

1 Onion, chopped

1 litre Stock

1 medium Potato, peeled and diced

500gms frozen Peas

300gms thickly sliced Ham, trimmed of fat and diced.

Method:

Heat the oil in a saucepan and when hot, gently cook the onions until softened, but not coloured. Tip in the potato and stir to coat, then pour over the stock. Simmer until softened.

Tip in the frozen peas and bring back to the boil. Cook for a couple of mins. Remove from the heat and blend until smooth. Stir in the diced ham and serve. (serves 4 – 6)

Chicken and Peppers in Black Bean Sauce:

The main dish of Chicken and Peppers in Black Bean Sauce was equally enjoyed by the members. It was again explained how to get the best value from a Chicken before the cooking demonstration.

By the end, the hall was an aroma of beautiful smells. The recipe used is below:

Ingredients:

½ Chicken Breast per person sliced into long pieces.

½ Onion sliced, Sliced peppers, Red, Yellow or Green

Oil to cook.

Black Bean Sauce made with:

1 tbsp dark or light soy sauce

1 tsp sugar (or sucralose)

1 tsp sesame oil

2 tsp cornflour (or soy flour)

3 cloves of garlic

1 thumb of ginger

3 tbsp black beans

Cold water to mix, hot water to thicken.

Method:

Prepare Chicken, peppers, onions and blend the ingredients for the sauce.

Heat Oil in a wok or frying pan

Add the chicken and cook until coated and white.

Add onions and peppers and cook for 3 – 4 minutes.

Add the prepared sauce and heat through, adjusting for thickness with more flour or water.

Serve with rice or Noodles. 

Many members stayed on for some gentle exercise with Pam. 

The next meeting is on 2nd March, Home Energy Scotland with Lucy Brown.

Isle of Whithorn Computer Club

Today was the last session of the Computer Club at the Isle of Whithorn.  

Over the last 4 weeks, members received support/advice regarding their laptops, Ipads, Tablets, Smartphones, etc….

Luke, Samantha and Nathalie’s knowledge were tested to the limit from login into Facebook to updating software.

The group was well attended and well received and members are hoping more sessions will be delivered in the near future.  The feedback/evaluation from all who attended was excellent.  Well done to all!!

Isle of Whithorn Arts Group

Four weeks ago, we set up the Isle of Whithorn Arts Group.   During the first couple of weeks, I attended the beginning of the sessions to register the members and introduce the Self Management Programme.  However yesterday, I decided to drop-in half way through the session so that I could take some pictures and catch up with the members.

My first impression when I walked into the room was “WOW”! 

Some members were quietly busy with their own art work, some were chatting to each other, some were getting advice from David – the whole atmosphere was fantastic!  There was a quiet buzz in the room and although it was really busy, it also felt so calm and relaxed.

The members I spoke to were all telling me how much they enjoy the group, not just because they are learning all the time and improving their skills but also for the social side of it, meeting people and making new friends.

The members are able to try most art mediums (Mono Printing, Lino Printing, Acrylics, Watercolours, Gouashe, Pen and Ink…..) and they are being encouraged to be creative.  

It was wonderful to see with so much talent around the room, AMAZING! Nathalie

Tai Chi for Health

Today was the second session of the Tai Chi For Health group.

Lyn started with a the Warm Up, followed by the Stretching Exercises combined with Tai Chi movements - practicing them regularly enhances flexibility and tones up the muscles. 

The session ended with a lovely relaxation, followed by a cup of tea and a chat. 

Tai Chi For Health sessions encourage gentle exercise and are very relaxing.  Movements can be done sitting down or standing up.

Boccia and New Age Curling

Today’s Boccia and New Age Curling session was great fun and very competitive!

We split into two teams: Blue for the Ladies and Red for the Gentlemen.

We started off with Boccia and the Red team won 14-3.  Unfortunately for the Blues, they couldn't get anywhere near the jack!  They seemed to have more luck with New Age Curling however,as the scores were closer - but sadly not close enough as the Red team won again with a score of 9-6.

Better luck next time Blue team!! And a big Thank You to Esme for keeping the scores!

Boys Brigade Cooking Session

Last night, members of the Boys Brigade were treated to a quick and simple Chicken Fried Rice dish, which was demonstrated and then they prepared and cooked themselves.

The wonderful aroma spread throughout the Church Rooms and was very mouth watering.

Well done to all the Boys for their efforts. They obviously enjoyed themselves. I do wonder whether any of the food will have made it home for their parents to taste??.


Many Thanks to Tracey for her assistance during the evening.

Information on Banking and Debt

There is some really good Info on banking, debt etc. available from Turning Point Scotland Housing Support Newsletter. The complete newsletter is available by clicking here 

Have a read if this applies to you.

Boccia and New Age Curling

Monday afternoons Boccia and Curling session was yet again, great fun and extremely competitive. 2 Teams of  7 enjoyed the gags, banter, the erratic path of the balls and the skills of all the players from all age groups, in a great afternoons entertainment.

Let battle re-commence next Monday, 9th February.

Monday Club

19 attended the club on Monday where they were informed about the local Citizens Advice Bureau.

Davina Brooks from Dumfries and Galloway Citizen Advice Service (DAGCAS) gave a historical talk about the service and what is on offer. The service is now based in Stranraer, but has offices for appointments in Newton Stewart, Whithorn and Wigtown. the services offered in these areas is below:

Newton Stewart Outreach

Opening hours

Monday: 

10.00 - 13.00 (General Advice)

Wednesday: 

09.00 - 12.00 (Debt Advice) and 12.30 - 15.30 (Housing advice)

Location: Macmillan Hall, Dashwood Road, Newton Stewart DG8 6EQ

Whithorn Outreach

Opening hours

Tuesday: 

10.00 - 13.00

Location: South Machars Community Centre, Castlehill, Whithorn DG8 8PN

Wigtown Outreach

Opening hours

Monday: 

10.00 - 12.30

Location: Machars Action Office, 26 South Main Street, Wigtown DG8 9EH

All of these need appointments which can be booked by phoning 0300 303 4321 and asking for the Stranraer office.

The meeting ended with some gentle exercise with Pam, slightly different this week, with some new movements for arms and shoulders. Much enjoyed by all.

Next meeting is 16th Feb where the group will be having a Cooking Demo with Dave.