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Morris Armitage, Newmarket (2026)

24/08/2021

Healthy Snack Recipes to see you through Summer

The Countdown to the new school year is on!

Protein Bites:

You will need peanut butter, rolled oats and honey for this recipe. Blitz all three ingredients in a food processor until smooth, divide into balls and form uniform balls with your hands. Place on baking parchment and firm up in the fridge. Either keep in the fridge or in an airtight container ready for when hunger strikes!

Porridge Flapjacks:

Have any leftover porridge? Simply stir through a mashed banana and a spoonful of jam then spread onto a baking tray lined with baking parchment and bake in the oven until the mixture is set but still soft. Remove from the oven and slice into squares.

Hummus:

Hummus is a great option to have in the fridge - protein rich and packed full of good fats, you can use it as a dip for pitta bread, chopped up veg or even tortilla chips. You will need 200g canned chickpeas, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 2 garlic cloves (crushed), 1 tsp cumin, salt, 1 tbsp tahini, 4 tbsp water, 2 tbsp olive oil and 1 tsp paprika. Drain the chickpeas and rinse. Combine the chickpeas, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, salt, tahini, and water in a food processor, and blend to a creamy purée. Add more lemon juice, garlic, cumin or salt to taste. Turn out into a dinner plate and make smooth with the back of a spoon.

Courgette Fries with Aioli:

If you’re after a savoury snack hit, these could be for you. You will need courgettes, breadcrumbs, parmesan, Italian herbs, salt and pepper and eggs. Preheat the oven to 220°C. Line a baking tray with foil and lightly spray with oil spray. Cut the courgette into sticks that resemble thick fries. Place the breadcrumbs, cheese and herbs in a small bowl and mix until well combined. Dip each courgette stick in the beaten egg and then press into the breadcrumbs to coat. Transfer to the tray and season with salt and pepper. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.

To make the yoghurt aioli, mix the Greek style plain yoghurt, garlic, lemon juice and salt in a small bowl and mix well to combine. Enjoy with hot fries, fresh from the oven!

23/08/2021

Bedroom Design Pitfalls

Easy to make errors and how to avoid them

Your bedroom should act as your calm, tranquil haven. On paper, the bedroom should be a simple space to design due to the relatively minimal amounts of furniture it requires. However, it is all too easy to fall foul to these common design traps which prevent the space being your much needed calm escape from the world.

One thing it is easy to be drawn to is a massive bed. Sure, they’re luxurious and have probably featured on your bedroom mood board for years. However, a bed which is too large for the space inhibits other furniture from fitting into the space and could gain you a delightful collection of bruises as you navigate the footboards and posts. Being realistic is your savour here. Assess the size of your room and buy the largest bed that fits in proportion with the space. There should be comfortable walkways on either side and a larger area at the foot of the bed.

Storage is vital in a bedroom and is often overlooked causing you to have to cram in dressing tables, wardrobes and chest of drawers which don’t match the room’s aesthetics to fit the space in order to store your clothes, spare bedding etc. Built-in storage is an easy fix to this. Many companies will create bespoke wardrobes to fit your room so even if it is an unusual shape, you will still have ample hanging space and shelving.

If you rely on your phone as an alarm or use a light next to the bed, you will need sockets close to where you plan to put the bed. If you are remodelling, consider where you will need sockets and ensure there is an adequate amount in the room. If you’re not remodelling, but rather having a restyle, a qualified electrician can easily run a couple of extra sockets around the room. These sections would have to be replastered and painted though.

There’s nowhere to sit. If you plan to use your bedroom to relax in as well as sleep, consider including a comfy chair into the design. Make sure this chair doesn’t become the ‘dumping’ chair for all clothes – easier said than done!

Planning is key when designing a bedroom which works for you. Map out the dimensions of your room and consider which key pieces of furniture you wish to include.

20/08/2021

Hosting a Stress-free Party

Insider Tips to ensure you enjoy your Party

The planning, the prep, the dreaded clean-up – three things which need to be managed to ensure your party is stress-free and enjoyable.

First up, ditch the handwritten invites. If it’s a casual party, evites are totally acceptable. You’ll have an easily accessible list of who is coming and any dietary requirements they may have.

Themed parties are a bit marmite- you either love or hate them. One thing is for certain, they definitely make planning your menu, drinks and décor easier as you’ll have a base to go from. There will also be lots of ideas online and on apps such as Pinterest if you need inspiration- you can often find free printables that will tie-in nicely too.

Preparation and practice are key to a seamless party. Now is not the time to try out a new recipe, doing so is bound to lead to stress on the day which could have easily been avoided. Cook what you can in advance, last-minute salad tossing and popping part-baked rolls into the oven can quickly be done when your guests arrive, but you’ll be thankful if your main course is either cooked in advance and just needs heating through or is at least prepped to be placed straight into the oven. Cooking in advance will also reduce clean-up time as you can wash pots and cooking implements as you go. Keep the food simple, one of two options is plenty. Accept help, your guests will undoubtedly ask what they can bring. Take them up on their offer and ask for sides, desserts or salads to be brought.

Strategically place bins or bags around your party space, particularly if you’re hosting outside, to encourage your guests to pop empties into the correct bin rather than just grabbing a re-fill.

Finally, either ensure you have set the table the night before or choose recycled bamboo plates which can be composted after use meaning clear-up should be a dream. Now, take the time to talk to your friends, savour the food and enjoy your drink. If you manage to feel like a guest at your own party, you know you’re on to a winner.

19/08/2021

Does your House reflect how you live?

Interior choices which will enhance your life

It seems obvious that where you live should reflect how you live. Recently, our way of living has evolved, and our homes need to catch up.

The home office is now no longer an extra but one of the rooms we require. You might have to search for this space as not all homes will have a room which can be dedicated to this purpose. In this case, correct furniture choice is key. Sound panels can be used to create privacy at your desk or table whilst secret drawers allow you to keep your work surface tidy – important when you are having serious virtual client or business meetings.

Many companies are producing sets of chairs that are similar but not identical in shape for form. Manufacturers are attempting to create a style that can be tailored to the user and can reappear throughout the house. Less focus is being given to creating a single look but instead companies are designing collections that fit together and can be used throughout your home in various different settings.

Another living trend that has emerged is ‘little living rooms’. These spaces are easy to set up and can be anywhere in your house. Having multiple ‘living corners’ throughout your home serve as places for a quick chat or a short break. To create such a space, you could use a small sofa, a lounge chair or a small table and chairs. Furniture no longer has a fixed role within your home but has evolved to become much more multi-functional. Folding screens can be used to create privacy within your home and will easily separate larger rooms to create smaller, more intimate settings.

The pandemic also appears to have driven home the need for nature and greenery in our lives. The trend for house plants, green hues and forest-effect wallpaper has rocketed over the past year.

When designing your home, think about what you need. Do you need a private space for work? Does an open-plan kitchen with various workspaces suit your family’s needs? Consider how you use the space and plan around it.

18/08/2021

How to create an Eco-friendly Garden

Spoiler: think beyond a wild-flower Meadow

When you hear the phrase eco-friendly garden, your mind may first go to an untamed, overgrown space teeming with wildflowers. Whilst this can be one form of an eco-friendly space, it certainly isn’t the only option. With careful planning, our eco-friendly garden can be slick and contemporary. Make use of ethically sourced materials and innovative technology to create the perfect space for you and for nature.

Recycle and reuse materials where-ever you can. Explore freecycle.org and ebay.co.uk to source tin buckets, baths, clay pipes, pallets and scaffolding boards which can be put to good use. Using recycled materials will add charm and character to your outdoor space. It is also an opportunity to amplify your home’s identity and enhance its design. If you live in a Victorian terrace, old hand-made bricks are the perfect material to use in your project. You could also use ‘new’ materials such as recycled concrete aggregate or recycled plastic decking to perfect your garden look. Have a look at the ‘Living Ethically Directory’ and the ‘Recycled Products Guide’ to find companies which sell furniture, pots, fencing and more made from recycled plastic and wood.

Shopping locally will help you to reduce your carbon footprint as these products will have fewer airmiles attached. Water conservation is vital if you’re planning an eco-friendly garden. Place a rain butt on every downpipe and use this to keep your garden lush and green.

Avoid chemicals and opt for natural methods to combat pests in your garden. Greenfly can be knocked off plants using a strong jet of water. Keep slugs under control with copper slug rings. Explore companion planting to save your produce. Planting horseradish near potatoes will increase their resistance to disease whilst onions and chives around roses will help combat black spot.

Encourage wildlife into your garden. Bees love flowers with ‘open-faces’. Consider erecting boxes for birds to nest in and place a variety of foods out to attract them. Song thrushes loves dried fruit.

17/08/2021

Climate Change

Not something to put on the Back burner

The U.N. climate panel has released its most comprehensive assessment of climate change to date. The main conclusion places the blame firmly with mankind. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) summarised, “It is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land.”. This is marked shift from vaguer language used in previous reports which reported humans being the cause as “highly likely”.

Another key takeaway is that temperatures will keep rising. Weather will also continue to become more extreme and arctic summers could soon be free of ice. The IPCC predict that the summertime sea ice atop the Arctic Ocean will completely vanish by 2050. This region is the fastest-warming area of the globe. Another fact we can’t ignore is that sea levels will rise, and previous once-in-a-century coastal surges will occur annually by 2100.

Sadly, the concluding message is that we are running out of time. The goal of meeting the Paris Agreement of limiting warming to 1.5C means we will have to stick to a strict carbon budget – this is the amount of additional carbon we can afford to be pumped into the atmosphere before this goal is out of reach. At current rates, we will have exceeded this budget by around 2030.

However, as humans, we are not actively trying to destroy our planet and being educated about the effects of our actions does actively encourage us to seek alternatives and protect our precious planet and the creatures we share it with. Over the past century, passionate organisations have brought back many animal and plant species from the brink of extinction. The peregrine falcon became endangered in the 1970s but due to conservation work and the banning of a synthetic pesticide which was found to contaminate their diets, their population is now on the rise.

Try to eat less meat and dairy, cut back on flying, leave the car at home and opt for other transport methods. Cutting consumption and waste are easy steps you can take today to help the climate change problem.

16/08/2021

Multi-generational Kitchen

Creating a Space which works for the whole Family

The kitchen is the heart of the home and should be a space which is functional for everyone who lives there. With elderly parents moving in with their adult children and students returning home from university to spend a few years in the family home to help them save money for the elusive first home deposit, multigenerational living is on the increase. Throw in three generations of family trying to use this space for these purposes and some thought is needed in terms of design.

First up to consider is the height of your countertops. Your kitchen may need to include countertops of different sizes to ensure everyone will be able to prep and cook food with ease. Lower countertops can be accessible for wheelchair users and can help toddlers and younger children begin to get involved with food prep and cooking. Higher counters are great workspaces for teens and adults and can be used to keep unsuitable objects away from small hands!

Many hands make light work so make use of the additional helping hands you have at your disposal by having multiple work areas. This way lots of people can get involved with the food prep without falling over each other. If you have the space, installing an additional sink could be beneficial. Farmhouse sinks are perfect due to their deep basin and wise base. They will easily accommodate big pots and pans.

Consider the width of your walkways- multiple people passing and potential wheelchair access means wider walkways are a plus. A wide walkway will help your kitchen feel open and airy rather than cramped. Another good tip is roll-out shelving. Roll-out shelving will make it easier for small children to find and reach dishes so they can help set the table. This type of shelving is also beneficial to older people who may have a limited range of movement. Rounded edges on islands and countertops are also a good choice for both younger children and for those who are prone to bumping into objects etc.

13/08/2021

W**d or Flower?

W**ding out the Truth

The Oxford English Dictionary defines a w**d as a plant growing where it is not wanted-more a cultural definition rather than a biological one. So really, plants like dandelions and ragwort are only w**ds because they are not wanted where they are growing. It is therefore, up to you whether you decide a plant is a w**d or not.

Plants which are usually considered w**ds are often hard to ‘w**d out’ from your garden. This is because many are invasive species which have evolved in one ecosystem and have either been transplanted intentionally or accidentally to a new one. Bringing a species to a new environment means it will have no naturally occurring pests, diseases or consumers – causing rapid spread. But ‘w**ds’ have their uses.

1) W**ds can shield the soil from the sun, protecting insects and microscopic organisms from the sunlight.
2) Their roots stabilise the soil, creating a secure environment for life. W**ds which have long roots draw up nutrients from deep within the ground, improving the quality of the soil.
3) Their stems trap organic matter, which breaks down the soil and provides sustenance for insects.
4) When w**ds die, they decompose into humus which will increase the soil’s moisture and nutrients retention.
5) They provide an area of study due to their phenotypic plasticity – their ability to change in response to their environment, for example, their ability to use more or less water for photosynthesis depending on the amount available.
6) W**ds can tell you about your garden. If your w**ds multiply rapidly, you will know your soil is fertile and you don’t need to add fertiliser. If you garden hosts a wide range of w**ds, it is likely you will be able to grow a range of plants. The type of w**d growing can also indicate your soil type. Acidic soil allows sorrel to flourish whilst chickw**d is a sign of a neutral pH.

So, before you decide your garden is overgrown with w**ds, think, do you like them? After all, if they’re good enough for the RHS, they might just be good enough for you too.

**ds

12/08/2021

The Elixir of Youth

How to get the perfect night’s sleep

Are you obsessed with getting a good night’s sleep? Sinking back into soft pillows and pulling the duvet over yourself can feel like the ultimate indulgence after a hard day when in fact it is a vital part of our existence. A good night’s sleep can help you feel less stressed, reduce anxiety and improve your mood.

Sleep consists of 5 stages:
• Stage 0: Awake
• Stages 1 - 2: Light sleep
• Stages 3 - 4: Deep sleep
• Stage 5: REM sleep
Light sleep makes up most of your night and will promote restoration. Deep sleep aids memory and learning whilst REM sleep is where most of your dreaming occurs. Getting the elusive 8 hours of sleep can seem like an impossible goal but there are some ways you can help yourself.

1) Be a stickler to a routine
- Creating a healthy sleep schedule means understanding your sleep-wake cycle. Wake up and go to sleep at the same time every day, even at weekends.

2) Get moving
- Exercise has been proven to promote better sleep. Exercise raises your body temperature, and the subsequent drop will leave you feeling sleepy. Aim to exercise no later than 3 hours before you go to bed.

3) Dim the lights
- Exposure to light dramatically effects your sleep cycle. Humans are not designed to be exposed to artificial light at all hours. When it is dark, your body will produce melatonin – the sleep hormone. In the morning, expose yourself to bright sunlight to help regulate your sleep cycle. Try to be outside as much as possible during the day, keeping the curtains often if you need to be inside. Keep electronics out of the bedroom. Trying to sleep after exposing yourself to blue light will be tricky.

4) Set it up
- The right setting will help you fall into a deep slumber. The ideal sleep environment is cool, dark, well ventilated, quiet, comfortable and reserved for sleep only.

5) Watch your diet
- Reduce your caffeine, sugar and alcohol consumption. Doing so will vastly improve the rate at which you can fall asleep and the quality when you do.

11/08/2021

Staging Tips

What you can do to help your Home look its best

When a potential buyer enters your home for the first time, you want it to be easy for them to imagine a life there. This is where home staging can help you. When done correctly, home staging will help you sell your home quickly and with less stress.

The National Association of Realtors’ 2017 Staging Stats report, states that 49% of buyers’ agents believe that home staging influences whether or not a buyer views the home, with 77% saying that it makes it easier for buyers to visualize the property as their own. On the sellers’ agent side, 21% report that home staging increases the value of a home between 6% and 10%, and 39% note that it greatly decreases the total amount of time a home is on the market.

1) Focus on Key Rooms
- It doesn’t really matter if your guest or children’s bedrooms are staged or not. The key spaces to focus on are the kitchen, master bedroom and living room. These are the rooms which hold the most importance to buyers.

2) De-clutter
- Having a show home may not be the most practical for living in but it will help to sell your home. Keep ornaments to a minimum, store out of season clothes away and keep board games and toys in cupboards. The idea is to maximise the space available and having excess items around tends to make a home seem crowded and smaller.

3) Neutrality is key
- This applies to both décor and objects. Colour wise, stick to light, bright walls which will create the illusion of both space and light. Feature walls are fine if neutral colours such as grey or navy are chosen. In terms of objects, take down family photos or drawings that are stuck to the fridge. The idea is the buyer can see themselves living in your home, not you.

4) Clean
- Clean like you’ve never cleaned before. Even those spaces we all forget about! A clean home suggests to the buyer that the house has been looked after.

5) First impressions count
- Make sure the outside of your property seems neat and clear. Inside, keep decorations minimal, using freshly cut flowers and plants to inject some life and colour.

10/08/2021

DIY Ice Lollies you’ll be drooling over

Quick, delicious treats

For many the familiar tune of the ice-cream van is synonymous with summer holidays, hot weather, relaxing days and freedom from work or school. Ice lollies are so easy to make and will last weeks in your freezer. Make some now to enjoy when the sun shines.

Rainbow Lollies
- One for the whole family with plenty of fruit to sneak into your children’s diets. To make 6 lollies, you’ll need: 100g mango, 2 bananas, 400g yoghurt, 2 kiwis, 100g frozen raspberries and 100g frozen blackberries. Blitz the mango with ½ banana and 100g yoghurt until smooth. Divide between the six lolly moulds and insert a stick into each. Freeze until set. Repeat this stage with ½ banana, 100g more yoghurt and the kiwis. Pour and freeze. Repeat with the blackberries and the raspberries freezing each layer in turn. Your result will be delicious, rainbow goodness which will last for 2 months in the freezer.

Cereal Milk Ice Lollies
- Another recipe the whole family can enjoy. You will need: 600ml whole milk, 150ml double cream, 120g honey nut cornflakes (or children’s cereal of your choice). Pour the milk and double cream over the honey nut cereal and leave to sit for an hour. Pour the liquid through a sieve into a jug, leaving the cereal behind. Pour the liquid into 6 lolly moulds and freeze overnight.

Mojito Ice Lollies
- This one is just for grownups! Now, I know earlier we mentioned that neat alcohol won’t freeze, however, when mixed with other liquids, it will freeze enough to be create delicious lollies. This recipe will make 8 ice lollies. You will need: 100g caster sugar, mint leaves, 6-7 juiced and 2 zested, 50ml white rum 300ml soda water. First, pour 100ml in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Remove from the heat and tip in the sugar, stir util dissolved. Add the mint leaves and return to the heat. Simmer for 5 minutes and leave to infuse for 30 minutes. Pour through a sieve. Next, add the rum, lime juice, zest and stir. Add the soda water and pour into lolly moulds. Freeze.

09/08/2021

Rainy Days

Okay it’s raining, what can I do with the kids?

When the rain pours and the whole family is stuck indoors, cabin fever can quickly kick in. So too can the chants of “I’m bored”. Pair this with a 6 week stretch of summer holidays and you might find yourself cursing British summertime. Planning ahead will save you from this potential disaster.

1) Stock up your craft drawer
- Have a designated drawer or box with craft supplies. These don’t have to cost a fortune. Felt tips, glue, paint, paper and any bits and bobs around your home can make fantastic craft supplies. Keep clean boxes you would have sent out for recycling to turn into junk modelling supplies. Once the masterpiece has been created, why not host a pop-up gallery?

2) Board Games
- Embrace your competitive side and crack out the old-school board games. Games like Articulate enhance their vocabulary skills whilst Monopoly encourages basic math.

3) Get Cooking
- Baking is a fun option for any age. If old enough, let them loose on their own to build their confidence. If they’re younger, why not try a make-your-own dessert bar? Lay out toppings that they can add to cupcakes or ice cream sundaes.

4) Mad Scientists
- So many science experiments require products you can find around your home. If you set a ‘cloud’ of shaving cream in a glass of water and add drops of blue water, one at a time, your ‘cloud’ will become saturated and blue ‘rain’ will start to drip into the water.

5) Snuggle up and read (or listen)
- There’s something magical about listening to a story. Cuddle up on the sofa and read their favourite ones. If you don’t have time or just don’t enjoy doing the voices, why not play an audiobook and listen together? Let’s face it, Stephen Fry probably does a better job at Malfoy’s voice than you.

Overall, keep it simple. Use the forced indoor time to get creative or to just chill out. There’s nothing wrong with putting a bag of popcorn in the microwave and snuggling up with a film. In fact, when it’s raining outside, there’s something rather delicious and cosy about getting all the blankets out and feeling smug that you’re inside.

Morris Armitage

24/08/2021

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