Natalie Rushdie
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Garden Day

5/9/2019

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​What is Garden Day?
 
Garden Day is a nationwide community benefit project, taking place on Sunday 12 May 2019 which celebrates the joy and benefits that gardens bring to us all year round.
​Why did I get involved with Garden Day?
 
Firstly, I love my garden. Being outdoors is such an essential part of my life and if I wasn’t a singer I would have loved to have been a florist.
 
When I was asked to become one of the inaugural  Garden Day ambassadors, firstly I was so honoured they asked but they also taught me about the medical benefits of being outside in nature and how it's essential for our well-being. Only last year, the Royal Horticultural Society teamed up with the NHS to produce research to show the positive impact that gardens can have on our mental health. For me personally, I struggle with my mental health and finding inexpensive, easy ways to help maintain a healthy mind is key. 

​Also, I think that living in London - we can often forget that there are so many beautiful outdoor spaces and take the greenery for granted! My personal favourites are Chiswick House and Richmond Park - so put your phone down and get outside..

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How can you get involved?
 
The great thing about the Garden Day initiative is that everyone can get involved, even if you are in a busy city - get down to your local park and enjoy being outside. Other ideas could include making a teacake, making a flower crown (check out my floral crown above), have some friends over for a BBQ, plant some plants or just enjoy a simple glass of wine in your garden.
What am I doing?
 
As you know, I love food and from a young age I have always been curious about growing my own fruit & vegetables.  It's easier than you might think and it's important to me to try and be environmentally aware - I try to avoid waste and lots of processed food. Growing your own vegetables is super easy - there are so many websites you can even order organic seeds or fully grown veg from!  I love it because you know exactly what you are putting in your food and it also cuts down on rubbish which is great for the environment.  I love to use the vegetables I have grown and while I don't have a big garden it's perfect for growing herbs... and they are perfect for making this salad - my favourite summer dish:-
Summer Salad 

Ingredients - For 4 
Parsley – Handful -Grow your own 
Mint - Handful - Grow your own 
Baby Romaine Lettuce - Grow your own
Scallions - Bunch
Cucumbers -1
Tomatoes - Grow your own
Sweetcorn - A small can
Halloumi
 
Dressing
 ½ Lemon Juice
3 tbsp Pomegranate Molasses 
Salt – to taste
3 tsp Sumac
200ml Olive Oil 
100 mlWhite Wine Vinger
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Method​
  • I make the dressing separately and mix it at the very end so the salad is not soggy
  • Chop the parsley and mint
  • Chop the lettuce, scallions, tomatoes
  • Chop the cucumber in half and scoop the soft middle out before chopping it up to the same size as everything else
  • Add sweetcorn
  • Grill the Halloumi (till it’s a little golden) and then chop
  • Mix everything together

​When inviting friends over I always make Mary Berry’s Lemon Drizzle cake which is super easy.  However, instead of just using plain sugar I use my home-made lavender-infused sugar.  This couldn't be easier to make yourself - just put caster sugar with some of the lavender cut from the garden, mix it together and leave for a week or longer.  Table decorations don't have to be expensive either, I always was & reuse old jam-jars and go to the local market and buy 1 bouquet that I can split up to make several smaller arrangements. 
 
All that’s left to do is to hope for a little sunshine on the 12th of May!
 
 
Happy Garden Day
​xxx
​
www.gardenday.co.uk
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My Festive Top Tips

12/25/2015

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Anyone who knows me, knows how excited I get about Christmas and that I love to spread my Christmas cheer. Christmas was such a wonderful time for me growing up and even my name Natalie means: Birth of Jesus (Christmas) so here are my top 5 festive tips to get you in the mood!
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1. Spread The Christmas Cheer

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Christmas is a time for giving and what better way than by singing carols from the roof tops! As a Patron of Breathe AHR I sing regularly at Guys' and St Thomas' Hospitals and the Christmas concerts are my favourite. For some of the patients it is the only time they will hear festive music and so they love to have a little singalong. Yesterday I met a wonderful patient who told me “I had a chemo appointment today and you have made my day” - as far as I am concerned that is a job well done! Music is here for everyone's enjoyment!
If you have the opportunity - sing in your local choir, attend a carol concert and if you cant do that a simple “Merry Christmas” will do.
2. Decorate, Decorate, Decorate!​

There's no better way to kick-start the festive season than by decorating your home. For me, personally decorating the tree is a wonderful highlight and such a special moment.  I also love Christmas garlands and Christmas candles to get you in the mood. Pinterest is a great way to get ideas a styles. Here are some of my decorations for inspiration.
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3. Bake Bake Bake

Although I am a terrible cook I do love to bake and there is nothing better than having the smell of cakes, biscuits and other sweet treats from the oven, go around the house. Its a great thing to do with family, friends and of course children. If you can't be bothered to bake from scratch, why not buy a pre-made gingerbread house and just decorate it. It also makes for a wonderful decorative piece around the house.

For all of those readers who feel inspired to have a go, here is a very simple shortbread recipe from my Uncle Dave that I use all the time now:​

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Ingredients 
125g butter 
55g of caster sugar
180g plain flour


Method 
Mix all together and roll out and then cut with your Christmas shapes
Sprinkle with sugar
Bake 180 for 10 -15 mins
More sugar on top
 4. Loved Ones

Christmas is the best time to catch up with loved ones as life often gets so incredibly busy throughout the year and these simple pleasures can get lost. Just for a change, how about instead of buying friends and family a gift why not  give each other an experience - with so many wonderful things going on there are plenty to choose from. Here are some of my favourites:​

Christmas Afternoon Tea
Ice skating at Somerset House
West End Show - A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Market
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5. Christmas Spirit

Although Christmas is filled with present-giving, socialising, drinking and, my personal favourite, eating fabulous delicious food, make sure you take a moment to think of the people that wont be able to have Christmas this year. There are many emergency staff in hospitals, military, police, fire brigade, nurses, doctors and more who will be working hard to keep us safe. While you are buying your gifts and ordering your turkeys perhaps take a moment to make a donation to a worthwhile charity like CRISIS  www.crisis.org.uk. who provide shelter for those who need it most, over the coldest period of the year. You can donate money to help get people off the streets on Christmas Day and provide them with a  hot meal too!

Last of all…. Have a Merry Christmas
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