Category Archives: Leisure

Pumpkin Paprika Puree

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  • Prepare the pumpkin by cutting it in half and scooping out all the seeds.
  • Cut pumpkin into large chunks and put on large baking tray skin down. Pour over some olive oil and freshly ground rock salt.
  • Roast for approximately 40 minutes until fork tender.
  • Scrape pumpkin flesh away from the skin and onto food processor and puree until smooth.
  • Add 1 or 2 tsp of smoked paprika depending on how much puree you have to desired taste and salt and pepper to taste.
  • If it’s too dry add small amount of water to your desired consistency
  • If too wet leave the puree on a sieve and the water will drip out.

American Style Pancakes

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Ingredients

1 mug self raising flour
1 mug of milk
1 egg
4 tsp Sugar
1.5 tsp Baking powder
4 Tbs Oil
1 Capful of Vanilla Extract

Method

Whisk everything together to form a smooth batter. Let stand for 5 minutes.
In a non stick frying pan add a ladle full of batter to form a disc about CD size.
When it starts to bubble on top flip over.
Cook and pile them up with butter and syrup or jam and lashings of butter.

Over 100 London schools ditch the car on World Car Free Day to improve the Capital’s air

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Over 44,000 pupils are participating to make a greener journey for a greener London

“Walking and cycling to school is a great way to get active and tackle London’s toxic air crisis. On this World Car Free Day, and beyond, I would encourage as many Londoners as possible to give up four wheels in favour of going by foot or by bike”

Will Norman

Walking and Cycling Commissioner

Over 100 schools from 18 boroughs will be marking World Car Free Day today by encouraging parents and carers to substitute their car journeys to school with walking or cycling as part of TfL’s sustainable travel to school programme, STARS, to improve air quality in the Capital.

A number of schools across London have set up ‘car-free zones’ near their school gates, while others have ‘park and stride’ spots where parents park a distance from the school gate and walk the rest of the way.

There will also be ‘walking buses’ where children join an organised walk to school, picking up ‘passengers’ on the way as they learn about looking after the environment.

According to the Mayor of London’s research into the health impacts of cars in London, air pollution is a significant health issue with some of the worst pollution hotspots being around schools located on busy and congested roads.

Ambitious

Today’s event follows concerns around the increase in air pollution and congestion on London’s roads. The school run is a major source of traffic and air pollution with school journeys accounting for half the traffic in London between 8:00 and 9:00am during school terms.

The Mayor’s ambitious draft Transport Strategy sets out plans for improving air quality in London by reducing emissions from buses so that all double-deckers operating in the central Ultra Low Emission Zone comply with Euro VI Standard by 2019, ensuring no diesel taxis are granted a first time license in London from 1 January 2018, working to make London’s entire road transport system zero emission by 2050 at the latest and reducing car use on the journey to school.

The Mayor is also launching the toughest emission standard of any city in the world when the T-charge begins on 23rd October. The vast majority of pre-2006 vehicles will need to pay an additional £10 Emissions Surcharge to travel in the central London Congestion Charge zone.

Important first step

This is an important first step to implementing the Ultra Low Emission Zone, which will affect many more vehicles and is expected to reduce NOx emissions by around 50%.

TfL’s STARS programme has been hugely successful in helping primary and secondary school children adopt safe and sustainable ways of travelling, such as cycling, walking and public transport.

Now in its tenth year, the scheme has grown from 180 schools in 2007 to 1,430 in 2017, achieving an average of a 6% decrease in car use.

Just two ten minute walks a day can improve health and wellbeing and reduce the dangers of developing a range of health problems, including Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, some cancers, depression and Alzheimer’s disease.

Great way to get active

Will Norman, Walking and Cycling Commissioner, said: ‘Walking and cycling to school is a great way to get active and tackle London’s toxic air crisis.

‘On this World Car Free Day, and beyond, I would encourage as many Londoners as possible to give up four wheels in favour of going by foot or by bike.’

Leon Daniels, TfL’s Managing Director of Surface Transport, said: ‘Together with the Mayor and working with boroughs we are reducing congestion and improving air quality.

‘It’s great to see our future generations using our STARS programme and World Car Free Day to make the school run green.’

Safer and easier

Tompion Platt, Head of Policy and Communications, Living Streets, said: ‘Making it safer and easier for more families to walk to school is critical to improving air quality around the school gate.

‘Creating safe walking routes, introducing walk to school initiatives and closing school streets to traffic during drop off and pick up times are some of the ways we’re helping schools and parents to ditch the car and choose to walk.’

For further details on the STARS accreditation scheme and the full range of programmes TfL offers to schools and young people, visit tfl.gov.uk/stars or tfl.gov.uk/younglondon.

​3 NEW WAYS TO BEAT SAD THIS WINTER

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Days are about to get even darker, here are three scientifically backed ways to stop your mood from dropping.

As of 2am on Sunday (30th of October), days got darker. While it might mean an extra hour in bed, it can also translate into Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
SAD pretty much does what it says on the tin. The shortening of daylight hours and the lack of sunlight in winter can cause a biochemical imbalance in a part of the brain called the hypothalamus which regulates mood, appetite and sleep with half a million people in the UK both physically and mentally suffering.

The result? Sleep problems, anxiety, depression, lack of energy, and compulsive overeating.

 Here’s our guide to feeling happier when – and before – SAD strikes.

1. LIGHTEN UP
‘Make the most of natural light and take advantage of any opportunity to be exposed to natural light when possible,’ explains psychologist Elaine Slater.
If your office seat isn’t near a window and you haven’t got time for lunch, a light box packed with bright white fluorescent bulbs can give your serotonin levels a boost right when they need it and reset your internal clock to a more summery schedule.
Position the box just above your eyeline and angle it downwards for about 30 minutes each morning. A 10,000 lux bulb is best.

2. POP A HAPPY PILL
No we aren’t suggesting you self-medicate. But supplementing your diet might do you the world of good.
‘SAD can trigger cravings for carbohydrates, but you can nix that by being more mindful about nutrition during SAD season,’ explains Slater.
Vitamin D is the obvious choice when it gets darker but why not try 5-HTP. Derived from tryptophan (also found in turkey and chickpeas), it can aid sleep and is then converted by the body into the happy hormone serotonin.
Take two before you hit the hay to wake up smiling – even if the streetlights are still on.

3. NEGATIVE ATMOSPHERE, POSITIVE VIBE
Science from Columbia University has revealed that negative ions may be the key to fighting the winter blues.
Negative ions are most prevalent in outdoor summer air, but a slump of them in winter can make your mood spiral downwards.

Use an electrical ionizer machine (like the HeavenFresh HF100 Black Negative ion generator) to mimic summer air.
Just 90 minutes a day should do the trick. You can almost smell the Ambre Solaire

Olympic Park and Orbit Opening from 5th April 2014

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Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

OPENING THE PARK

From 5 April 2014, there will be lots more to explore at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Come and experience London’s newest open space as the Park and its venues continue to open.

This spring, one of the Park’s most exciting areas will open to the public – the new parklands in the south of the Park.  From 5 April, you can:

  • Relax among the beautiful parklands, fountains and waterways designed by internationally renowned landscape architects
  • Take advantage of world-class sporting venues made famous during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, including the Aquatics Centre and Lee Valley VeloPark
  • Experience 25 public artworks across the Park and cultural events in new and exciting spaces
  • Get a new perspective on London from the ArcelorMittal Orbit, the UK’s tallest sculpture at 114.5 metres
  • Walk four new interactive trails covering the London 2012 Games, nature and biodiversity, education and art and culture
  • Let your kids run free in new play areas offering everything from climbing walls to sandpits and giant fountains
  • Eat and drink at the Podium or one of a number of kiosks along the Park’s new promenade, lined with 100 mature trees

 What’s open now?

You don’t need to wait until 5 April to visit.

The northern part of the Park and the Copper Box Arena have been open since July 2013, and we’ve seen more than a million visitors since then to these and to the series of concerts, festivals and sporting events we held over the summer.

If you visit the park today, you will be able to:

 

What is open when?

Opening dates for venues across the Park this spring are as follows:

If you’re planning to visit these venues when they open, we suggest booking online where possible – see individual pages for more information.

Please be aware that while we complete the building and landscaping work across the Park some access has to be restricted.

For information on how to find us, see travelling to the Park.

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in numbers

Get fit the Royal Canadian Air Force Way in only 11 minutes a day

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Download the Royal Canadian Air Force Get Fit Pamphlet

https://markylon.co.uk/blog/fitplan.pdf

 

LONDON AQUATICS CENTRE Opens 1st March – Book sessions from Monday 20th January

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The London Aquatics Centre, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park will be a vibrant and accessible facility open to the whole community. Following its transformation after the Games the facility will open on 1st March 2014.

The world class former Olympic venue will house two 50m pools, a 25m diving pool, a state-of-the-art gym and a creche. We are working with British Swimming / Amateur Swimming Association to develop performance programmes for all Aquatic disciplines based on the successful Beacon model. We are also working with British Swimming who are planning to use the centre regularly as an international training venue for elite athletes.

In addition we will be playing host to a number of National and International sporting events throughout the year. The venue also includes catering and meeting room facilities.View the timelapse build of the iconic venue.

Activities

Swimming

  • 01 Mar 2014 – 20 Mar 2019

The Aquatics Centre will have a 50m x 10-lane Olympic competition pool and a 50m x 8-lane training pool. Both pools have moveable floors and booms for greater flexibility.

Diving

  • 01 Mar 2014 – 31 Mar 2019

A separate 25m diving pool with 1m, 3m, 5m, 7.5m and 10m platforms, along with 1m and 3m springboards. There will also be also a separate dry land training facility with trampoline, springboards, foam pits and harness.

Gym

  • 01 Mar 2014 – 31 Mar 2019

A 50 station gym with state-of-the-art Technogym kit with stretch and free weights area will be installed for public use with a fantastic view of the competition pool. Affordable memberships will be available to purchase in advance from 20th January. Keep an eye on the website for further updates.

How to be more productive with work on the lead up to the holiday season

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Hello

It’s safe to say we’re in ‘Silly Season’ – when we’re bombarded with discounts but only if we buy hundreds of the item in question, when we rather proudly wear a jumper that depicts imaginary characters, and when we never say ‘no’ to another pie full of fruity mince.

But just because it’s almost the end of the year does not mean we should let the quality of our work slip!

If you’re trying to optimise output when all others around you descend into festive chaos, it’s crucial to remember that the little things can make a big difference. Here’s a few tips to help you make the most of what’s left of 2013…

Be flexible
Sometimes you can be more productive working when and where you feel comfortable. A choice of working locations and staggered starting hours allow early birds and sleepy heads to work as productively as each other – so see if that could be an option for you.

Manage time
Make sure you’re using time wisely. A slow journey to work is a great time to catch up on emails. And if a non-crucial meeting is miles away, just give them a call instead of wasting time in the car or on public transport.

Remember what doesn’t need doing
Deciding what to do is important, obviously, but deciding what to leave until later is equally important. If you have too many things to do at once, it’s hard to focus, so always make sure your workload is prioritised.

All work and no play…
As tempting as it is to force yourself to work harder to meet deadlines, it can be counter-productive. Have a break, join in with the fun and relax – a little time out can work wonders for morale and help to refresh the body.

So go, get to work, and make it count. Until ‘Secret Santa’ arrives, of course

Why not take advantage of free phone conferencing with Powwownow, enabling you to have meetings from home or your mobile so you can be more productive without the hassle of travel.

Sunday Curling at Fenton’s Curling Rink @FentonsCurling

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logo

A colleague invited me to join him and a few friends to a curling session on Sunday, my only understanding is that involves a slidey thing, a broom and takes place on ice, I didn’t know what to expect or what the rules entailed.

A short drive from London towards Tunbridge Wells to England’s only Curling Rink, Fenton’s Rink The current English Men’s team is based at the Rink – as is the Ladies’ junior side.

On arrival we watched a short video which explained the rules, how to play, scoring and safety. We were taking in to try on our special curling shoes and kippers. (A kipper is a rubber sole that covers the teflon slippery sole, you take the kipper off when you want to slide). Curling ice is not wet or greasy on the surface – so you shouldn’t find it difficult to keep your balance.

We stepped out into the rink and suddenly realised how cold it was and wondered if we were suitably dressed, but we were reassured once game is in play and we start “sweeping” we will soon warm up. Our host told us how to get on and off the ice safely where to put our feet and how to slide the stones.

Curling started in Scotland and originally was played outdoors. Over the years the game has been refined and is now played mainly on indoor ice rinks. The major curling countries are Scotland, Canada, the Scandinavian countries, Switzerland, Germany, USA, China, Japan, Holland, Italy and France.

The objective
is simple: to slide a granite curling stone weighing 20kg from one end of the ice rink to the other (40m) to a target marked on the ice. The player slides out of a starting block called “the hack” and releases the stone when it is on the right path. As the player releases the stone the handle is twisted to the left or right thus making the stone spin slowly as it travels down the ice. This makes it Curl down the ice – giving the name of the game – “Curling”.

HOW TO PLAY
Two teams of 4 play against each other using two stones per player and playing in turn. All players in the team are involved in every stone played, taking turns to deliver the stone, to sweep (two players) or as “skip” – who guides the delivery and tells the sweepers when to sweep. Sweeping can help to keep a stone on the right trajectory and make it go further than it otherwise would have done. After everyone has played the “end” is finished and the team whose stone(s) is nearest the middle of the target wins the end; one point for each stone nearer the centre than the opposition. A stone must be within the outer (12 foot diameter) circle to count. A game typically lasts 8 ends over a 2 hour session. Special shoes are worn to enable the player to slide over the ice. Skates are definitely NOT used as the surface must be perfectly flat and smooth. A single hair or piece of fluff is enough to make a stone go completely off course.

So if you’re looking for something new for a day out, team bonding or for a hen or stag do, curling is great fun and I can’t wait to go back!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DifCAqy7fxQ

A brilliant work of art by Banksy in NYC

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fq6RBhb5iI8