Mr Elephant Presents

“Here’s a test to find out whether your mission in life is complete. If your alive, it isn’t” - James B (Shrewsbury)

“Live in the moment, Not for the Moment” - Rich Batsford (Kings Heath) - www.richbatsford.com

“Life is short, so lets have another one!” - Paul Pushkin (Kings Heath)

“Most inspirational thing anyone’s ever said to me is “Huh” from James Brown!” John Mostyn (Moseley) - www.mostyn.net

“The most boring thing in the entire world is nudity. The second most boring thing is honesty!” - James L (Kings Heath)
“The tradegy of life is not what men suffer,but rather what they miss” - Steve Farrington (Kings Heath)- www.myspace.com/thesexuallstars

“What keeps me on track is the poster on my wall which i wake up to each day which says ” You must be the change you wish to see in the world” and is by Mahatma Ghandi :)” - Sofia A (Moseley)

“When you are present, you can allow the mind to be as it is without getting entangled in it. The mind in itself is a wonderful tool. Dysfunction sets in when you seek your self in it and mistake it for who you are” (Exchart Tolle) - Marc Reck - www.marcreck.com

Courtesy of the Liz and George (Yorkshire)

Sloes are the fruit of the blackthorne tree and can be found in almost all country hedge rows. In autumn sloe bushes can be recognised by their long sharp thorns and small dark blue skinned fruit. They are very similar to damsons. They are a wild fruit and adults and children can have lost of fun gathering them. Beware though they have long sharp thorns. Thick gloves are a good idea.

To make 1 lt of sloe gin you need;

1 kg sloes

200 gm castor sugar

1 lt gin

Wash sloes and throw away any damaged or extra soft fruit, then prick each sloe with a sharp knife. Sterilise a large glass container, put the sloes in the jar and add the sugar and the gin. Shake the jar daily for the first 3 to 4 weeks then store in a cool place for a further 3 to 4 months, shaking occasionally. After 4 months pour through a strainer lined with muslin and then pour into bottles.

Leave if you can in the bottles a further 2 months or longer if possible as the taste improves up to about 10 months, then drink and enjoy.

This recipe is for a rather dry taste so if you prefer something sweeter just add more sugar.

This is uncles George’s special recipe and I accept no responsibility for drunkardness.

Love

Uncle George

Courtesy of Janet (Hollywood, Birmingham)

Courtesy of one healthy sun!

Courtesy of Pyn (Kings Heath, Birmingham)

• Instead of buying normal washing powder, or washing up liquid, (which is reaaaally bad for the environment), go to your local oxfam and buy Bio-D. Its better than Ecover in my opinion, and works as well as any branded washing powder.

• Lush do reeaaally nice shampoo, and really nice body moisturizer in the form of soap bars. You get a free tin, and never have to throw away a plastic bottle

Courtesy of Dino!…..David Allen, and Thinking Rock

Courtesy of local D.I.Y guru Mick (Wythall, Birmingham)

Courtesy of Lyndall (Australia/Birmingham)

1. Use soap nuts instead of laundry powder/liquid - www.inasoapnutshell.com

2. Get a compost bin from the council. Recycles about half of what you throw in the bin

. Use a Mooncup instead of tampons and sanitary towels - www.mooncup.co.uk

4. Make rubbish into art - housewife.splinder.com/archive/2005-03

5. Visit www.recyclethis.co.uk/ for some great tips