“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
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Rosie’s health tip for your joints – Courtesy of Janet (Hollywood, Birmingham)
Uncle George’s sloe gine recipie – 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
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A healthy drink in the morn or in the eve – Courtesy of one healthy sun!
Lyndalls top 5 recycling tips – 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
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Woody’s top tip – Courtesy of local D.I.Y guru Mick (Wythall, Birmingham)
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Top products that dont erode the earth – 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
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Dino’s tip for Getting Things Done – Courtesy of Dino!…..David Allen, and Thinking Rock
I have read with great interest the recipe for sloe gin and was wandering if the method and ingredients are the same using dried sloes. Thank you in anticipation.
Thanks for reading Graham. I’m not sure if its the same for dried sloes, but will ask Uncle George and post his response.
This just in for Uncle George
“Not too sure about using dried sloes as I have never used them, I would think you can use them in the same quantities, but maybe soak in water first.
Love
Uncle George”