Monday 20 May 2013

Fantastic News!

I have some wonderful news! I have gained a place on Oxfam's Communication and Exposure Tour foe 2013!
I will be going to one of three places:
Indonesia
Vietnam
or
Bolivia
And this will be Oct/Now 2013
 
Happy Steph

Thursday 9 May 2013

Oxfam and M&S Shwopping Instore today!

All day, well after my hideous drive to Ipswich that involved swearing at my car and disturbing the morning traffic. I went to M&S in Ipswich where I have been in-store giving out £5 off vouchers to any customer who brought in a donation (M&S donation). We were incredibly busy between 10am and about 2pm. We were on hand to talk about Oxfam, and as acting Manager of Stowmarket Oxfam I was able to talk about what happens to the donations and where the money goes. Also to inform people that they can also donate to any Oxfam shop (even the book shops) and receive a £5 off voucher. Was a good experience!

Saturday 4 May 2013

I have mamaged to raise £30 for Live Below the Line! This is fantastic! Please help me reach my £50 target, just £1 will go a long way! :)

Thursday 2 May 2013

LBL Partners

Live Below the line has 6 Major partners,
Oxfam
Christian Aid
Malaria No More
Restless Development
Save the Children and
Unicef

Along with 29 Charity Partners

You can see them here!

Oxfam
'Oxfam is the worldwide charity working for life without poverty. We believe that no matter where you live, poverty isn’t inevitable – it’s an injustice that can be overcome. From installing water pumps, to digging community vegetable gardens, to getting children into school, we’re working with people in more than 90 countries to make it happen. Together we’re campaigning for change, saving lives in disasters, and providing solutions that last.'

LBL Background info (for those who don't know)

Live Below the line is a Food Challenge, You have to live for 5 days on the Poverty line, extreme poverty.
When we say ‘extreme’ poverty we mean the poorest people in the world. The World Bank defines extreme poverty as living on less than £1 a day.
And at the moment 1.4 billion people are living like this, not through choice nor fault.
And did you know, Hunger kills more people than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined!
Shocking and discusting.

Live below the Line is linked with 'Enought Food for Everyone IF' Campaign.

This year, the world’s most powerful leaders will meet in the UK. They could change the future for millions of people who live with the day to day struggle of hunger, but only IF we work together to force them to fix it.

The issues

In 2013, we need our leaders to tackle four big IFs.

1. Aid

Enough food for everyone IF we give enough aid to stop children dying from hunger and help the poorest families have enough food to live.

2. Land

Enough food for everyone IF we stop poor farmers being forced off their land, and we grow crops to feed people not fuel cars.

IF we stop land grabs, we can make sure that millions of people get enough to eat.

IF we grow crops for food not fuel, we can stop millions going hungry.

3. Tax

Enough food for everyone IF governments stop big companies dodging tax in poor countries, so that millions of people can free themselves from hunger.

4. Transparency

Enough food for everyone IF we force governments and investors are open and honest about the actions that prevent people getting enough food.
IF our leaders take these steps, it will change the future for millions of people who live with the day to day struggle of hunger. This year could be the beginning of the end for global hunger.

Last 2 days on my £5 week

Those last 2 days have sped by, been working too much me thinks!

However I have felt a slight rumble, I haven't gone without, at all.

On Tuesday we had Curry, it was a divine red thai curry, not too spicy, not too bland!
And homemade flatbread, takes only 15 mins to make, and it beautiful warm straight from the pan.

I would for sure make that again after LBL

Am I hungry?

I can answer that, Nope!

I am utterly surprised, shocked infact, I am not hungry

However, I am incredibly tired, I am suffering from lack of coffee and sugar, or inface, Sugar filled coffe from Costa!

But when my friends and volunteers at work ask me, I have not gone to bed hungry and I hardly ever hear my belly rumble

I do miss my weekly Costa Coffe on a Friday tho! :)

My Fantastic spaghetti bolognaise (Day 2!)

I have out done myself, again, I wish
However I did make a rather tastey spag bol, for under £1

I used, Soaked yellow split peas (I soaked them for 12 hours in water)
Can of Red kidney beans
Passata (Tom sauce)
Mixed peppers, chopped
Chopped onion
Chopped Can of plum tomatoes

I literally just chopped everything up and wacked it in a pan to cook through

I popped it into tubs so now I can jsut get out a portion, cook up some pasta and bake it in the oven

So much easier than cooking from scratch every day

Please Sponsor me, Pretty Please!

If you are a raging Oxfam Supporter like me, or thik what I am doing is a damn good cause, Please take 5 minutes to sponsor me, just £1 will help me get to my goal of only £50! I would be so thankful!

Live Below The line Sponsor page, Stephanie Reed (Click ME!)

Pictures from LBL

My pictures from this challenge can be found here! :)

Live Below the Line, The Day before, Argh!

The day before the LBL challenge was a nice day, it was sunny, I made a fantastic apple crumble sponge cake, not quite sure why I did but It was divine!

I also done all my prep work for the challenge. I found shopping quite easy, as a student I do buy the smart price and supermarket brands, Tastes the same, just a whole load cheaper!
when I wen shopping I started with the basics, Rice, Pasta, Flour, Tinned tomatoes, those sorts of things! Then with whatever I had left over I got butter, Frozen veg (I find it has less waste, so you get more for your money). I was lucky enough to get a pack of really cheap buiscuits, Rich tea! Yum!

I went into the challenge a bit blind folded, I hadnt prept a menu for each day, I just walked into the shop and went for it, However I am used to cooking on a budget, this was really quite difficult.
I spent most of my time putting something in my basket and then taking it out again.

I decided that every day for breakfast I would have porridge and jam, easy, quick and super cheap! I don't usualy eat breakfast but it was a wise idea, keeps me going untill lunch, I normally snack between then!

When I got home I decided to make my menu from the items that I had.
Breakfast, Porridge
Lunch, Soup or broth, Left over's from last night's dinner
Dinner, Spaghetti and mixed veg, Pasta and tomato, Veg curry, flatbread
Snacks, Buiscuits

Not too bad, not too inspiring either