Why volunteering for 'reading matters' matters!

I recently came across an article in the local community newspaper in Bradford for mentoring young students who have problems with reading and writing to help improve their reading and writing skills.

I have decided to give this a go and as I feel this is an excellent opportunity for the retired (not to mention the students!) and I thought I would share this with you guys!

I have to complete an application form (no problem there) and attend an interview (which should prove interesting after all these years!).

Following a successful interview I have to pass a criminal records check (no problem there). Interestingly having a criminal record does not necessarily bar someone from working with Reading Matters (how do you feel about this!).

I shall keep you posted on my progress as I'm sure there are many reading this who would also find this beneficial.

In the mean time if you would like to find out more about Reading matters take a look at:

Reading matters web site HERE

Finally has anyone had any experience in this who may be able to give me some tips and pointers? Please drop me a line or leave a comment below it would be greatly appreciated!

Home made pumpkin soup

Im not a huge fan of Halloween if truth be told! Im not too keen on opening the door to trick or treaters especially when it turns out to be a 'hoodie' in a £1 mask wearing a bin liner!

Perhaps Im being cynical my son loved dressing up as a child (actually he still does despite being 35! Last year he was the invisible man...or at least he said he was here! Ha Ha!).

Despite this we do usually have a pumpkin partly because it makes such delicious soup (not to mention the pies!). The soup is so easy to make as the following recipe shows.

Have a go at it yourself and make use of your pumpkin. Too many people scoop them out and throw away the pulp when it could be made into a delicious winter warmer!



Classic:How To Make Pumpkin Soup

Save time and money baking your own bread!

I was bought a bread making machine by my son last year and since bread has increased in price so much recently I have taken to using it more and more. I have to say that it has more than paid for itself and although some purists may scoff at using such a bread machine it does save a huge amount of time and effort (especially when it comes to cleaning up!) and you can choose your own ingredients to make your loaf as healthy as possible (organic flour etc).

Check any loaf of bread and you will see that many if not all contain soya flour. This is used as it is cheap and helps to bring down the price of ingredients used in making the bread. Many people however find that they suffer unfortunate side effects especially if they suffer from IBS (some research has indicated that the lowering of the male sperm count is caused by increasing use of soya products as soya contains oestrogen!). This is another good reason to make your own bread!

Here's a quick recipe for a tasty loaf of white bread which can be followed as it is or can be adapted for use in a bread machine.




Side Dishes:How To Make White Bread


See video jug link in sidebar for other great bread recipe's. Enjoy!

Retired magazine website

Here's another great web site I came across recently which I thought I would share with you! Retired Magazine:


There's a very interesting article about FREDs! Are you a FRED?

Apparently "Members of this demographic are over fifties who are ‘facing retirement earnings doubts,’ and according to the likes of Liverpool Victoria, the friendly society, and the Office for National Statistics, this group of around two thirds of all over fifties have very real fears that they will face an impoverished retirement."

Read the full article on their site and let me know what you think. Perhaps this new demographic is a result of the recent economic crisis or is this a longer standing issue?

Read more here: http://www.retiredmagazines.co.uk/lifestyle-areyou.html

Take a look at Retired Magazine website CLICK HERE