All things bright and beautiful

With the advent of summer and nature starting to do what it does best, showing off, it is difficult not to be concerned about the huge damage we are doing to the world around us. 

Martha Stewart's newly re-launched website www.marthastewart.com has a very handy 101 checklist for better green living which you can print off. 

There are also great ways to recycle to be found at http://www.recycle.co.uk/

and tips at http://www.recycle-more.co.uk/

Our tip for the day is to fill a soft drink bottle with water and place it in you cistern. Your loo will flush just as effectively but each time you will be saving 2 litres of water!

A proper grilling - make the most of the exceptional Easter weather

It is a little known fact that by barbequing on a grill with a lid you can half your cooking time. This is because the heat is directed back into the food, much in the same way as with a conventional oven. Also the food is more likely to be cooked through; making it safer. A lid allows all the coals to heat evenly so there are no hot spots, and therefore less likelihood of burning food. The lid also prevents flare-ups as the ingress of oxygen is controlled, again causing less charring and making a much more social experience for those around you.

A lid will also keep the food moist and should you be smoking with wood chips, or adding herbs like rosemary or tarragon to your coals, the aromas will better penetrate the meat.

Bodum grill £60 from Roullier White, 125 Lordship Lane, London SE22 8HU or online at www.roullierwhite.com

Something for the (bank holiday) weekend

Spring is in the air and you could be too in one of these fabulous, family-sized cradles by East Dulwich artist and gardener Dimitri Launder. What better way to hang out with family and friends this Easter? www.foucaultscradle.blogspot.com