Blog

  • Vitual Dementia Club session – 24th Feb 2021

    We had 21 members today. The karaoke session was enjoyed as usual and then it was the chat time. Lisa welcomed everyone and also wished those celebrating the Jewish Festival of PURIN – Happy Purim. Lisa also welcomed Desmond from Rotary Club Mill Hill and also Melvyn and Andrew Mills.

    There was a switch today so we had Richard Kravetz who started with Yoga exercises first as he had an appointment later. Richard then continues with a quiz and today’s quiz was music questions. The members with the highest score was Chris and Gina.

    James Le Bec was then ready to start and today’s theme was country songs especially as Kevin had his country and western hat on. James sang a couple of other song favourites and then it was time for the music quiz. The music quiz was a little challenging but everyone still enjoyed it.

    It was then time for Bingo and the winner today was Kathy and Douglas.

  • Nut Biscuits

    Nut Biscuits

    Ingredients:

    200 g of mixed chopped nuts (including any seeds)

    100g mixed raisins (cranberries, sultanas and chocolate chips – optional)

    100 g of sugar (can include ground almonds or coconut sugar)

    1 egg

    1 teaspoon cinnamon

    1/2 teaspoon mixed spice

    Method:

    1. Mix all dry ingredients together
    2. Whisk the egg with a fork and stir into dry to coat everything
    3. Drop spoonfuls onto a baking sheet (makes approximately 12 to 14)
    4. Flatten with fork
    5. Cook at 175° C for 12-14 minutes
    6. Leave to cool on the baking tray to firm up before using a pallet knife to remove.
  • Grace’s Cheese and Onion Plate Pie

    Grace’s Cheese and Onion Plate Pie

    Grace's Cheese and Onion Pie
    Grace’s Cheese and Onion Pie

    Ingredients:

    • 1 onion cooked gently in a bit of water to soften
    • 175 g (6oz) Cheddar cheese (Lancashire cheese is very nice too)
    • Season to taste but bear in mind cheese is quite salt
    • 2 sheets of ready-made shortcrust or puff pastry
    • Egg or milk for brushing over the pastry.

    1 oven proof plate not too deep.

    Method

    1. Preheat the oven to 200℃ (180℃ fan)/400°F/gas mark 6.
    2. Grate the cheese and add to the pastry case on the plate, when the onions are translucent add them too. Season to taste.  We just add black pepper as the cheese is quite salty.
    3. Using a pastry brush, paint the edge of the pastry with a little milk.  Use a rolling pin to lift the rolled out pastry and lay over the filled pie plate. gently press the edges together to seal and trim away the excess pastry.  Brush the top with a little milk and cut a small slit in the middle to allow steam to escape.
    4. Bake the pie in the oven for 30 – 35 minutes until the pastry is cooked through and a beautiful golden colour.  You may need to rotate the pie halfway through the bake.  Remove from the oven once cooked and allow to cool for 5 minutes before cutting into it and serving

    Goes well with mushy peas. You can also add potato to the mix.

    Grace's Delicious Cheese and Onion Pie
    Grace’s Delicious Cheese and Onion Pie

  • Carers zoom meeting – 23rd Feb 2021

    We had 29 members at the meeting. Lisa welcomed everyone and gave a special welcome to our visitor Dr Rhonda Cohen (Head of Department: Sport Science and Rehabilitation at Middlesex University and sport and exercise Psychologist BPS and HCPC). Lisa also welcomed the Trustees and also Andrew Wrensch.

    Lisa introduced Rhonda informing everyone how she conducted a research study about the dementia club in 2015 to evaluate its benefits of physical activity and other activities and its effectiveness with people living with dementia and their carers. Lisa asked Rhonda how she coped during the pandemic and also the University. Rhonda said it has been difficult and especially for the students living alone as many had been affected with mental health issues.

    Lisa then read out a lovely letter she received today from Theresa Villiers MP saying how pleased she was that dementia Club UK were nominated Charity of the Year in Barnet. Theresa also congratulated Lisa on her work with the dementia club especially during the pandemic and also how she was also pleased that the ‘visiting in care homes’ has now moved forward and she would continue to talk to the Ministers. This letter will be on our website.

    There was about 15 minutes left before Andrew started his seminar which gave members the opportunity for a general chat and Lisa to inform everyone to note in their diaries the other visitors joining on the 9th March (Mr Nigel Wray) and on the 16th March (Professor David Jefferys)

    Lisa then introduced Andrew to start his seminar which today was about “Wellbeing & Activities”

    As usual the seminar was very informative and interesting and as it ran a little over time and didn’t give much opportunity for everyone to ask their questions, this topic will continue for next week and also Andrew will introduce a new topic – “Dementia Awareness”

    Lisa thanked her special visitor Dr Rhonda and also Andrew for his great seminar and also the Trustees and everyone.

  • Vitual Dementia Club session – 23rd Feb 2021

    We had 29 members today. The session started with a new Karaoke Tuesday session with new requests which everyone enjoyed. The chat session then started at 2.30pm. Lisa welcomed everyone and informed them that there will be a special visitor later at the carers group meeting – Dr Rhonda Cohen who some remembered. There was also more recipes being discussed and everyone thought it would be nice if once we collected lots of recipes we could publish the book.

    Ian our music entertainer then joined us and was greeted by everyone with great joy. Ian chose motown music today and this was a great choice as everyone was dancing and singing. Rachel then joined the session and everyone was ready. Rachel provided a good workout at the beginning which everyone participated and then for the latter part of the session this was the more energetic part with some salsa and disco dancing. Everyone really loved it.

    Lisa then did the second part of the TV Adverts quiz which was great fun and the person with the highest score was Sotiris. The Bingo session then followed and the Bingo winner today was Laurie Porter.

  • Vitual Dementia Club session – 22th Feb 2021

    We had 31 members today. We had our Karaoke session at 2pm and then followed with the chat time. Lisa welcomed everyone and also welcomed the new members Jean and Joan. It was lovely to also see Sheila (volunteer from Rotary Club Golders Green). As Lisa asked members last week to make some of their favourite dishes and email the recipes with a picture, there were many members eager to share their recipes and talk about them. Lisa informed everyone that the recipes will be published first on the website. Once enough recipes are gathered a DCUK recipes book will be published.

    Lisa then showed everyone a funny 3 minute video which was about – what happens when we get back to normality after zoom sessions. Lisa was also wearing a T-shirt with the words ‘You are on Mute’ which everyone thought was very funny.

    Katie our music entertainer then joined us and everyone was pleased to see her. Today’s theme was the Beatles era and Katie always likes to finish off with a quiz question which Kevin was quick with the right answer.

    Eon Walters than joined us to start the chair exercises and as usual Eon gets everyone working up a sweat including himself. Everyone loves the challenge.

    Lisa then did a short quiz of 10 questions about TV Adverts. The members with the highest score was Fiona and Grace with 6 out of 10. It was then time for Bingo and members have been very anxious to know who will be the next winner. There were 2 winners – Kevin and Keren.

  • EASY DELICIOUS OVEN BAKED RICE WITH VEGGIES

    EASY DELICIOUS OVEN BAKED RICE WITH VEGGIES

    This recipe was submitted by Sandra Lawson.

    OVEN BAKED RICE WITH VEGGIES
    OVEN BAKED RICE WITH VEGGIES

    MAKES 6 SERVINGS

    PLEASE BEAR IN MIND I OFTEN JUST USE CHOPPED ONION AND SOME SMALL MIXED FROZEN VEGETABLES. IT IS STILL VERY TASTY)

    1 STALK CELERY FINELY CHOPPED

    1 SMALL ONION FINELY CHOPPED
    ½ GREEN PEPPER FINELY CHOPPED

    1 CARROT FINELY CHOPPED

    1 ½ CUPS OF LONG GRAIN RICE UNCOOKED.
    2 1/2 to 3 CUPS OF CHICKEN STOCK (MAKE QUITE STRONG TO GIVE GOOD FLAVOUR)
    1 ½ TABLESPOON BUTTER. (CAN USE TOMOR BUTTER)
    ½ TEASPOON SALT
    1/8   TEASPOON GARLIC POWDER

    GATHER ALL INGREDIENTS TOGETHER

    PREHEAT OVEN TO 180 DEGREES C

    COMBINE ALL THE INGREDIENTS IN A – 1 QUART BAKING DISH STIR WELL TO COMBINE.
    (I USE A LONG FLAT PYREX)

    COVER TIGHTLY AND BAKE IN A PREHEATED OVEN FOR 1 HOUR.

    DON’T BE TEMPTED TO PEEK!

    TAKE OUT FLUFF UP AND ENJOY WITH ANY MEAT OR FISH.

  • Fagi – Cypriot green lentils with rice and onion

    Fagi – Cypriot green lentils with rice and onion

    Fagi - Cypriot green lentils with rice and onion
    Fagi – Cypriot green lentils with rice and onion

    This is a great meal for a family and will probably last for 2 days, it is cheap, it is filling, healthy and good for your insides.

     

    Ingredients:

    • 1 bag (500g) of green lentils
    • 4 large onions – sliced
    • oil to fry onions
    • 1 lemon – juiced
    • 1 cup of rice
    • salt and pepper

    Method:

    Empty bag of lentils in large pan and cover with water and soak for about an hour. Drain and rinse the lentils with clean water. Cover lentils with about an inch of water above the lentils. Do NOT add salt.

    Fry the onions in a little oil with seasoning in a separate pan, you are trying to get the onions soft and lightly browned, it normally takes about the same time to cook the lentils.

    Bring to boil then simmer the lentils for about an hour, if the liquid evaporates too quickly add more water. Skim off the foam on the surface of the simmering lentils, Add more clean water to the mixture to replace the water that has been skimmed.

    Keep tasting the lentils until they are soft. The lentils will be plumper.

    Add the cup of washed rice to the pan containing the soft lentils.  Add cooked onions to the mixture after about 5 minutes after adding rice. Cook lentils, rice and onions until rice is ready.

    Add juice of 1 lemon and stir in.

    Add more salt to taste.

    During this time you have to judge how much water to add if any, as the rice and lentils absorb the water. You are trying to ensure there is no cooking liquid left just a moist mixture. Don’t worry if you have liquid left, just switch off and leave for an hour, the rice and lentils should absorb the liquid.

    Cooked Fagi
    Cooked Fagi

     

  • Spiced Gingerbread Cake

    Spiced Gingerbread Cake

    Sticky spiced gingerbread
    Sticky spiced gingerbread

    This is an old recipe that has been updated to cope with modern sized cake tins and measures, Originally this recipe was for a 12″x8″ tin, however the only tins I had were 34cm x 24cm, when I looked in the shops I could not find any old sized cake tins, this recipe has been modified with this in mind.

    This cake is best after 3 or more days, it gets stickier and the spices mellow. The cake freezes well, we cut the cake into 3, wrap with cling film and then foil and freeze. Once taken out of the freezer put into a air tight tin or tupperware and leave for a few days, open the foil and film and cut a delicious piece of cake.

     Ingredients

    • 400g plain flour
    • 2½ tbsp ground ginger (or according to taste – this makes for quite a hot cake)
    • ½ tsp cayenne pepper (or more if you want it very hot)
    • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
    • ½ tsp ground allspice
    • ¼ tsp mace
    • generous pinch ground cloves
    • 200g butter
    • 170g dark brown muscovado sugar
    • 200g golden syrup
    • 270g black treacle
    • ½ jar stem ginger, drained, and very finely chopped (optional)
    • 50g syrup from the jar of stem ginger (optional – replace with more golden syrup or honey if not using stem ginger)
    • 337ml milk
    • 1½ heaped tsp bicarbonate of soda
    • 3 large free-range eggs, lightly beaten

    Method

    1. Preheat the oven to 170C – Gas 3. Line a 34x24cm tin with baking parchment (a straight-sided brownie tin would be perfect)
    2. Sieve the flour into a large bowl along with the spices and mix lightly to combine.
    3. Put the butter, sugar, syrups and treacle into a saucepan (to make it easier to spoon out the syrup and treacle, oil a spoon first – the syrup will then just slide off). Melt everything together over a gentle heat until the sugars have dissolved.
    4. Add the stem ginger (if using) to the heated sugar mixture.
    5. Whisk the milk and eggs and bicarbonate of soda together.
    6. Remove the sugar mixture from the heat and whisk in the milk, bicarbonate of soda and eggs.
    7. The bicarbonate in the milk will make the sugar mixture foam a bit.
    8. Gradually add the contents of the saucepan to the flour in the large mixing bowl, making sure everything is well combined. You will end up with a very wet, pourable batter.
    9. Bake in the oven for between 45 minutes and an hour. When the edges have pulled back slightly from the side of the tin and the gingerbread is springy to touch, it will be done.
    10. Cool in the tin for half an hour and then turn out onto a wire rack. Once cold wrap and keep for a few days before eating – the gingerbread’s stickiness will develop an well as the spices mellowing as it matures
    11. The Gingerbread freezes well, cover with cling film and foil.

  • Vitual Dementia Club session – 17th Feb 2021

    We had 24 members today. The Karaoke session was on as usual and then the chat session at 2.30pm. Lisa welcomed everyone and it was lovely to see Andrew from the Church, Laurence Winston from Rotary Hendon and Melvyn our long standing volunteer. It was also lovely to see new members. Lisa then gave the sad news of Connie who passed away recently. Everyone was very sad. Lisa said that she would be sending a card on behalf of everyone.

    There was a general chat after and everyone chatting about what recipes they were going to bring on Monday’s session. Lisa suggested that she could create a DCUK recipes book on the website which everyone thought was a great idea.

    Kevin one of the carers was dressed with an ABBA wig today. James Le Bec and Joy joined the session and everyone was delighted to welcome them. Kevin reminded James he had to play an ABBA song. James had already prepared and of course played ‘Dancing Queen’ which was great. Kevin also mentioned that it was his birthday tomorrow so Lisa made sure that he had the DCUK special birthday singalong and James also made sure he had any other special music requests played. The music quiz was interesting and challenging as usual and the winners with 9 out of 10 were Fiona and Grace, Helen and Sandra.

    Richard Kravetz then joined to do the chair Yoga exercises and this is followed with a quiz by Richard. The quiz today was ‘Food of the World’.

    Quite a few members who score well but the top scores were Sandra and Pam – winning a make believe 10 course meal of all the dishes mentioned in the quiz. Everyone laughed.

    Lisa then called out the Bingo numbers and the winner again was Laurie Porter.

    There are a few members now with 2 wins. Who will be the winner for Game 8 Bingo?