Moving to the UK

Surviving the Winter Blues: How to Embrace the Dark and Gray

2009-11-19T13:54:00.005Z

I write this from my fourth-story living room where the rain is beating heavily against the windows and pressing all around me, is the aura of gray. It's 2:00PM, but already the daylight has a spent, dwindling feeling. It will have faded almost completely in another two hours. And there's still another month before the winter solstice, which means the darkness will only increase before it begins to decrease again.

One of the perks of living in the UK is the luxuriously long summer days one experiences here. But, the flip side is of course, the dark, darkness of winter. A source I just found, documents the shortest day of the year in Northern Scotland as being 6 hours and 20 minutes in length, with a sunrise at 9:00AM and a sunset at 3:20PM. Sounds familiar.

My point in writing isn't to spread the gloom, though it may sound that way from my mood so far! As I stare into the face of my second winter here, I've been trying to think of ways to counteract the gloom and embrace the gray. Here are some of my thoughts.

1. Exercise. Go for a walk, a run, a hike, a bike ride. Go kick a ball around in the rain. Don't worry about getting all muddy. Embrace the elements. Try to have fun. Being cold and wet and muddy might just make you feel more alive, besides the happy feelings that come along with getting your heart rate up.

2. Drink tea. It's cheap, it tastes good and it helps keep you warm. The perfect winter combo.

3. Use candles excessively. Part of embracing the darkness is trying to turn it from something oppressive into something, well...romantic, for lack of a better word. You can buy a large box of tea lights for very cheap, so you don't need to feel bad about burning through them quickly. Have a candlelight dinner. Even brushing your teeth can feel interesting when done by candlelight. Put a candle in your bedroom before you go to bed to make a cold bedroom feel just a little more inviting.

4. Turn on the lights before it gets dark. (This is something I learned from my oldest sister who lives in the Seattle area where winters are also very dark.) She finds that if she turns on some lamps about half an hour before the daylight starts to fade, she can counteract the late afternoon blah's that come when that dingy, gray daylight is filling your house.

5. Try to wake up early. I know it's hard, especially when it's still pitch black outside. But, with relatively few hours of daylight, it's important to take advantage, and waking up early allows you to meet the light when it arrives. Many people find that mornings are a particularly productive time, even when it's dark, while productivity often wanes on dark afternoons. Waking up early enables you to capitalize on your own energy.

6. Surround yourself with green. Studies have shown that the color green is important for counteracting depression. A great source of green, is of course, plants. If you can get your hands on some house plants, great. If not, here are a few ideas:

Buy some green onions (scallions or spring onions) at the grocery store. Bring 'em home and stick 'em in a jar of water so that the bulbs are covered. Leave them on the counter or on a windowsill somewhere. They should last up to two months, maybe longer. You can still use them for culinary purposes too, of course.
Take a pair of scissors and go find an overgrown hedge somewhere and do a little "trimming". Bring the "trimmings" home and arrange them nicely in an old jar or bottle. Some hedge trimmings will stay green for months. Others might lose their leaves after a few weeks.
Do the above, but with ivy, which also abounds in most areas of the UK.

7. Use music to set the mood. Don't underestimate the importance of putting on music throughout your day. Energizing music can help you find energy during the day. Soothing music can make a dark, dull evening feel pleasant and relaxing.

8. Bake. Take advantage of these cold months to fill your home with the wonderful smells and delicious flavors of home baking. Besides, having the oven on keeps the place extra warm.

Other suggestions welcome!

Cheap Dinner Ideas: 10 Easy Recipes from 15p/person

2009-11-14T14:30:00.011Z

Learning to grocery shop, let alone cook in a new country is an adventure. New foods, different ingredients and incongruous price tags can leave you feeling a little lost. You may feel like some of the recipes you brought from home are suddenly not very practical anymore. Below are ten recipes made from ingredients readily accessible in the UK and available for less than £1 per person: in some cases, considerably less. Most are fairly quick and easy, though if you're not used to cooking from scratch, they may take a little adjustment.

Pizza with Bacon & Caramelized Onions
Spicy Indian Dahl with Mashed Potatoes (vegetarian)
Grilled Open-Faced Sandwiches
Curried Lentils Over Rice (vegetarian)
Delicious French Onion Soup in Thirty-Minutes
Couscous Salad with Black Beans (vegetarian)
Creamy Pesto Pasta
Lentils San Stefano
Thai Peanut Chicken with Coconut Milk
Spiced Bacon and Lentil Soup

Note 1: I have included a rough price per person at the bottom of each recipe. This is an estimate of how much it costs me to make the dish, though, as I'm always saying, it will likely vary a little depending on your location.

Note 2: You will be able to see that I'm caught between two worlds right now. Some of these recipes use American measurements and others use British. One or two may even include some of each! I'll continue updating to try to make sure each recipe includes both British and American measurements. Just leave me a comment if you have questions.

Spiced Bacon and Lentil Soup

2009-11-14T14:29:00.007Z

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped
8 rashers smoked bacon (or equivalent 'cooking bacon'), chopped
450g potatoes, cut into chunks
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1.7 litres fresh vegetable stock, hot
300g dried red or brown lentils
Handful chopped fresh coriander (or for color and nutrition, a handful of chopped spinach leaves)

1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Add the onion and bacon and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes. Add the potatoes, cook for 3-4 minutes, then add the garlic and cumin and cook for 1 minute.

2. Add the stock and lentils, boil, then skim off the scum that forms on the surface. Simmer for 15 minutes, until tender. Add spinach if using. Set aside to cool slightly.

3. Season. Divide between bowls, sprinkle with the coriander and serve with warm rustic bread.

Serves 4 (This meal costs about £0.30/person.)

Thai Peanut Chicken with Coconut Milk

2009-11-14T14:28:00.003Z

1 cup cooked, shredded chicken*
2 tablespoons butter or peanut oil
1-2 shallots or one small onion
1 green or red chili or 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 carrot, shredded
1-2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice
1-2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons curry powder
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 can coconut milk
1/4 cup peanut butter
salt to taste

Saute shallot and chili in butter/oil. Add shredded carrot, lemon juice, soy sauce, curry powder, ginger and sesame oil. Saute another 2-3 minutes. Add peanut butter and stir well. Add coconut milk and simmer gently for a few minutes. Taste and adjust flavors. Add cooked chicken. Add salt to taste. Serve over rice or couscous.

Serves 4 (This meal costs about £0.55/person.)

*For cheaper chicken I typically buy a whole chicken (fresh or frozen). I cook it (either boiling it or baking it till done), remove all the meat from the carcass, chop it and divide it up into cup-sized portions for the freezer. Then I boil the carcass for a delicious chicken stock.

Lentils San Stefano

2009-11-14T14:27:00.006Z

This is a fabulous lentil stew made from very simple ingredients. The key to the great taste is careful preparation. You may want to read the recipe through carefully before beginning.

8 cups water
1 bay leaf
1/2 lb (1 1/8 cups) lentils
3 bacon slices, chopped (1/2 cup)
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 slices baguette, sliced to 1/2 inch thickness and toasted
1/2 lb potatoes (2 medium), peeled and cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 (14- to 15-oz) can whole tomatoes in juice, finely chopped and juice reserved
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh oregano

Bring 3 cups water and bay leaf to a boil in a 2- to 3-quart saucepan, then add lentils and simmer, uncovered, 2 minutes. Remove pan from heat and let lentils soak 1 hour. Drain lentils in a colander.

Cook bacon in a 6-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until deep golden and some fat is rendered, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer bacon to paper towels to drain and reserve for garnish, leaving fat in the pot.

Add oil to fat in pot and heat over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then fry bread, turning once, until golden, about 1 minute total. Transfer toasts to paper towels to drain and lightly season with salt. Add potatoes to fat in pot and sauté, stirring, until golden, 7 to 8 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain.

Add onion and garlic to pot and sauté, stirring, until golden, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in lentils, tomatoes with their juice, sugar, salt, pepper, and remaining 5 cups water and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until lentils are just tender and stew is thickened, 40 to 45 minutes. Discard bay leaf and stir in potatoes, basil, oregano, and salt and pepper to taste. Thin stew with water if desired, then serve over toasts or with toasts on the side. Sprinkle with bacon if using.

Serves 4 (This meal costs about £0.33/person.)

Creamy Pesto Pasta

2009-11-14T14:25:00.012Z

This is a very quick and easy little pasta dish to throw together.

1 pound bow tie or corkscrew pasta
1/4 pound bacon, chopped
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons pesto (available in jars at the grocery store)
3-4 cloves garlic
6-8 mushrooms, sliced
handful of fresh, chopped spinach (optional)

Cook pasta according to package directions. Cook bacon in frying pan until done. Add butter and garlic and saute 1 minute over medium heat. Add pesto, mushrooms and spinach. Saute about 3 minutes or until mushrooms begin to shrink. Add cream and turn off heat just before it begins to boil. Toss with pasta and serve.

Serves 4 (This meal costs about £0.75/person.)

Couscous Salad with Black Beans (vegetarian)

2009-11-14T14:25:00.009Z

This dish makes a great meal on a warm, summer evening.

280ml (10 fl oz) chicken or vegetable stock
175g (6 oz) uncooked couscous
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
8 green (spring) onions, chopped
1 red pepper, seeded & chopped
small bunch fresh coriander (cilantro), chopped
175g (6 oz) sweetcorn
2 (400g) tins black beans, drained (or equivalent dried, soaked and boiled)
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Bring chicken or vegetable stock to a boil in a large saucepan and stir in the couscous. Cover and remove from heat. Let stand for 5 minutes.
In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, vinegar and cumin. Add spring onions, red pepper, coriander, sweetcorn and beans and toss to coat.
Fluff the couscous well, breaking up any chunks with a fork. Add to the bowl with the vegetables and mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve at once or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Serves 4 (This meal costs about £0.80/person.)

Curried Lentils over Rice with Roti Bread (vegetarian)

2009-11-14T14:22:00.007Z

I got a version of this recipe from my little sister in the US. I've adapted it to make it vegetarian, but you can use chicken instead of lentils if you prefer. This recipe calls for lots of spices. Check out a local Indian food store for cheaper, bulk quantities to keep on hand.

Curried Lentils

1 cup dry lentils
4 onions, diced
8 cloves of garlic, minced
1 inch fresh ginger (or 1 1/2 teaspoons ground)
1 Tablespoon ground coriander seed
2 teaspoons turmeric
2 teaspoons cumin
1 Tablespoon garam masala*
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon salt
28 oz diced or crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup double (or heavy) cream
1 Tablespoon sugar

Soak and cook lentils according to package directions. Heat oil in heavy pan and saute onion over medium heat until deep brown for 25 to 30 minutes. Add garlic, ginger, coriander, turmeric, cumin, garam masala and cayenne. Saute additional 2 minutes. Add lentils and 1 cup of water and cook for 10 minutes. Stir in tomato and cook 5 more minutes. Add cream.

Serve over rice and garnish with cilantro if desired.

Roti Bread

3 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garam masala
4-6 Tablespoons olive oil
3/4-1 cup water

Mix flour, baking powder, salt and garam masala.
Stir in 2 tablespoons oil and enough water so dough is soft but not sticky.
Divide dough into 10 balls.
Cover and let rest 5 minutes.
Roll dough into very thin circles.
Brush both sides with oil.
For each roti heat 1 teaspoon oil in large skillet.
Cook 1 min per side on medium heat or until top starts to bubble.

Note: You may put them into a sealable bag when still warm if you don't plan to eat them all fresh. This will keep them flexible.

Serves 4 (This meal costs about £0.50/person.)

*Garam masala is a type of curry powder available in many grocery stores or India food stores.

Grilled Open-Faced Sandwiches

2009-11-14T14:21:00.004Z

I am always surprised by how delicious and satisfying these easy, open-faced sandwiches are. Serve with a nice side-salad or a soup and dinner is made! Also, experimenting with other toppings can be quite rewarding.

1 loaf French bread
2-3 tomatoes, thinly sliced
2 shallots thinly sliced
slices of sharp, white cheddar cheese
thinly sliced, cured chorizo (looks kind of like a peperoni stick)
fresh basil leaves (we grow our own--can use dried if necessary)
olive oil
salt and pepper

Slice as much bread as you plan to use and brush each slice generously with olive oil on one side. Arrange tomatoes, chorizo, and basil over each slice, then top with shallots and cheese. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Arrange slices in a broiler pan and broil for 5 to 10 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.

Serves 4 (This meal costs about £0.65/person.)

Delicious French Onion Soup in Thirty-Minutes

2009-11-14T14:20:00.011Z

This simple soup is surprisingly filling and a wonderful dish to enjoy on a cold, rainy night. Why not make your own loaf of easy, delicious Artisan bread to go with it?

1 T olive oil
2 T butter
6 medium onions, thinly sliced
salt and pepper
1 teaspoon thyme
1 bay leaf
½ cup white cooking wine
6 cups beef stock (made from bouillon is fine)
4 thick slices thick, crusty bread
Several slices sharp Cheddar or fresh Mozzarella cheese

Saute onions, herbs and spices over medium heat for 15-18 minutes. Add wine and simmer for 1 minute. Add beef stock and bring back to a boil. Toast the bread. Pour soup into bowls and put toasted bread on top. Arrange several slices of cheese over bread and, if desired, put bowls in hot oven till cheese has melted. Serve immediately with remainder of bread.

Serves 4. (This meal costs about £0.15/person.)

Spicy Indian Dahl with Mashed Potatoes (vegetarian)

2009-11-14T14:20:00.009Z

This is a really cheap meal if you have all the spices on hand.

Dahl

25g Butter
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
225g red or brown lentils
700ml water
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 Tablespoon chopped cilantro (optional)

For the dahl, heat the butter and oil in a saucepan, and add the onions, garlic, cayenne and a pinch of salt. Cook on a low heat until the onions are soft.

Tip in the lentils and stir for a few seconds before adding about 150ml water. Simmer until the water has been absorbed by the lentils. Continue adding the rest of the water, and cook until the lentils are soft and the water absorbed. Add the cumin, turmeric and chopped coriander and serve piping hot. (As an alternative, just cook the lentils on their own and when soft add them to the saute above. Then add the spices.)

Mashed Potatoes

1kg Potatoes, even-sized, scrubbed, unpeeled
4 garlic cloves
50g Butter
200ml hot milk
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon Garam Masala
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro (optional)

For the mashed potatoes, boil the potatoes for five minutes in water to cover. Continue cooking on a lowish heat now. After about 15 minutes, add the whole garlic cloves to the pan, and continue cooking until the potatoes are tender. Mash potatoes and garlic together, then add the butter and incorporate. Add boiling milk, the chilli, garam masala and chopped coriander. Serve straight away with the dahl.

Serves 4 (This meal costs about £0.22/person.)

Pizza with Bacon & Caramelized Onion

2009-11-14T11:04:00.006Z

Every Friday night is pizza night at our house. Not only does it give us something to look forward to (since we love pizza!), but I love not having to think about what to make for dinner that night--the decision is already made! At first when we moved to the UK, we tried to make pizza the same way we had in the States. After a few months of exploring the grocery stores and a lot of experimentation, our ingredients changed to fit both the budget and the unique options available here.

This is one of our favorite pizza concoctions that conveniently has a very low price-tag attached. The dough can be made up to a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator until you're ready to use it.

For the Dough:

3/4 cup warm water (105°F to 115°F)
1 envelope (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast

2 cups (or more) all purpose flour
1 teaspoon sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons olive oil

Pour warm water into a large bowl bowl; stir in yeast. Let stand until yeast dissolves, about 5 minutes.

Add flour, sugar, salt and olive oil all at once; stir well until dough forms a sticky ball. Transfer to lightly floured surface. Knead dough until smooth, adding more flour by tablespoonfuls if dough is very sticky, about 1 minute. Transfer back to bowl, coated with a bit of oil; turn dough in bowl to coat completely with oil. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let dough rise in warm area until doubled in volume, about 1 hour. Punch down dough. (Can be made up to 1 day in advance. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.) Roll out dough according to recipe instructions. (Start in center of dough, working outward toward edges but not rolling over them.)

While the dough is rising you can prepare the toppings.

For the Toppings:

To caramelize the onions you will need:

4 medium-sized onions
1 heaping teaspoon dried or fresh thyme leaves
2 small bay leaves
2 tablespoons olive oil

Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed frying pan on high. Peel onions and slice thinly. Add onions, thyme and bay leaf to pan and saute for 2-3 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low. Continue cooking onions, stirring occasionally. If they begin to get crispy or dry out, add a splash of water and reduce heat further. Repeat if necessary. You want the onions soft--almost gooey. Cook for 30 minutes or so. Onions should have turned a deep brown color--caramelized! Remove bay leaf. Set aside.

Prepare the bacon:

250 grams 'cooking bacon'* (equivalent of 6-8 rashers/strips)

[*'Cooking bacon' is an assortment of leftover bacon cuts packaged together and sold very cheaply. It tastes more like ham or Canadian bacon than traditional America bacon. I buy a 1 kilo package, bring it home and divide it four ways, using only one part and freezing the other three parts for future pizza nights.]

Cook bacon in a heavy-bottomed frying pan over medium heat until done. (You can use the same pan as the onions--no need to wash it! All these flavors will be blending together anyway.) Chop roughly. Set aside.

About 15 dry, salt or oil-cured black olives, pits removed
2 fresh tomatoes, sliced semi-thinly
1-2 balls fresh mozzarella, sliced semi-thinly
Olive Oil

If you have a pizza stone, put it in the cold oven and then preheat oven to 450 degrees. (If you don't, try creating a stone surface by putting clean bricks or flat stones in your oven. If you're not that adventurous, just use the thickest baking sheet you have, and only put it in the oven 5 minutes before putting the pizza in.) When dough is done rising, divide into two balls. Taking one ball of dough, roll it out or toss it until it forms a disc between 10 and 12 inches across. Place on cutting board thoroughly covered with cornmeal, semolina or flour. Using a pastry brush, coat with olive oil and slide into hot oven directly onto stone. Bake for about 5 minutes--until no longer doughy, but not browned or crisp. Remove and place on cooling rack. Repeat with other ball of dough.

Taking the now-par-baked crust, coat again with olive oil. Spread half of the caramelized onions over the surface, then the bacon, tomatoes, olives and finally the cheese. Return to oven for about 10 more minutes--until the cheese is thoroughly melted and the crust takes on a nice golden color. Repeat with second pizza. Cut in quarters or sixths. Serve hot.

Makes 2 medium pizzas. (If feeding 2 people, this meal will cost about £0.82/person)

Take the Guess Work Out of Packing

2009-11-06T15:32:00.004Z

The Universal Packing List

I thought this website was funny and kind of clever. All you have to do is fill in your travel criteria and it will spit out a customized packing list to take the guess work out of preparing for your trip. With most airlines now charging for checked luggage, it pays to pack carefully. Your packing list will also contain all kinds of helpful instructions such as taking out the garbage, turning on/off the heat, even...shaving. If you're a list person like I am, you'll love this little tool.

Money Saving Tip #5: Buy a Magic Jack

2009-11-06T13:18:00.003Z

I previously wrote about the money-saving benefits of using Skype for calling home while away. Of course I'm still a big Skype supporter, especially for totally free video calling and calling other Skypers for free. However if you need to call a land line from Skype, you are subject to their international calling rate of something like 3 cents/minute. While this is a still a really good deal, there is something better. The Magic Jack. (Thanks, Wes, for the suggestion!)

The Magic Jack is a small, simple device you plug simultaneously into your computer and your phone. It then enables you to pick up your phone and start making free calls to the US and Canada. It's pretty simple. Here are a couple things to know.

1. The Magic Jack service costs $19.95/year. There is a one time fee of $20 to purchase the device. So, the first year, your total cost will be $39.95. Subsequent years will be only $19.95. (By way of contrast, we spent about $60 last year buying Skype credit.) You are entitled to make and receive as many phone calls as you like--your total annual cost will still only be $19.95.

2. You will be given a free phone number with an area code that you get to choose. This means people can call you too. We chose our parents' area code in Washington State. That way, though we live in the UK, they can call us and it's a local call for them.

3. According to the website, you can make calls only to US and Canadian numbers for free. However, registered users can also purchase low cost minutes for international calls.

4. Along with the free local number, the service also includes free voice mail, call waiting, three-way calling and call forwarding.

5. This may just be a personal thing, but I thought the Magic Jack website looked kind of sketchy. If we hadn't known people who've used the service successfully, I would have been inclined to think it was a scam. Check it out, though, for more information and to order. Note, they do not currently ship to the UK--only to the US and Canada. If you're already in the UK, just have it shipped to family or friends and have them forward it to you.

Flying with a Baby

2009-11-02T14:18:00.001Z

Having recently completed two international airplane journeys with our infant, I thought I'd throw out some long-haul travel ideas. Before we left for our second trip I was encouraged by some moms to get something like Benadryl to "encourage" the baby to sleep. I considered it for a while because our first experience had been pretty rough, but wasn't sure what to do. I finally decided to buy some in case I was really desperate, but to try to get by without it. Well, the decision was made when I discovered that neither of the drugstores I visited would sell anything like that for use on a child under six years old. I was really surprised! Just as well as I've since read recent studies that strongly discourage anything of the kind.

So, the following are some practical, natural (as in, non-medical) tips for helping you and your baby cope with a long flight, both for sleeping and for trying to stay occupied and relatively quiet while you travel.

1. Bassinet: If your baby is 22 pounds or less request a bassinet. This can be an invaluable way to free up your tired, sweaty arms, especially if you're traveling alone. It's basically just a little bed that hooks into the wall in front of you. In order to use one, you have to be sitting in the front of a section, so make sure when you make your reservations, that you choose your seat carefully. It may be worth a phone call to the airline to see if they can arrange it for you. Also, make sure you verify it when you check in.

2. Sleep Prop: Before you travel, choose an item for your baby to sleep with and work toward creating a sleep association. This could be a blanket, stuffed animal, pacifier or anything soft or cuddly that's safe to sleep with. (If you don't let your baby sleep with anything for safety reasons, disregard this point.) Make sure you only give the item to your baby when it's time to sleep. Then, when you are on the plane and your baby finds himself in a new environment, he will be able to understand that it's time to sleep when you pull out the sleeping prop. This worked wonderfully for us on our most recent trip.

3. Cheerios: If your baby is old enough for solids, I strongly recommend an investment in a box of Cheerios. They're not just food, they're interesting to play with (prior to eating, of course), make a relatively small and easy to clean up mess, and take a long time to eat. Put one at a time in your hand and make your baby pick it up for himself. This should be good for at least 30 minutes of entertainment!

4. Nurse/Bottlefeed: Of course, there's the conventional wisdom about nursing during takeoff and landing to help those little ears pop. Also good for keeping baby quiet and occupied for a few minutes.

5. Goody Bag: Assemble a little bag of never-before-seen items for your baby to play with. DO NOT take toys that your child is used to playing with. Save your precious space for new things that will keep baby occupied much longer. But, before you run out to the store to buy a bunch of new toys, do a walk around your house and see what kinds of safe, interesting household objects you have that might enthrall your baby for hours. Here are a couple of ideas from our recent trip with an 8 month old: a new toothbrush (this was a BIG hit). (Make sure it's a soft-bristled brush to avoid chaffing his little gums); a well-washed silicon pastry brush; a rubber spatula; a brightly colored ribbon; a Tupperware lid; half of a wooden clothes pin (without the spring, of course). I kept this odd assortment of things in a little zip up bag--like a toiletries bag--that he could also play with. That way everything was contained and I didn't have kitchen gadgets roaming free through my diaper bag. Speaking of diaper bags...

6. Organize your Diaper Bag: This is essential. The temptation when traveling is to let carry-ons become the dumping spot for everything that didn't fit elsewhere. As a result you end up with bulging, disorganized bags and it's impossible to find what you want when you want it. There's nothing worse when traveling with a baby. If you possibly can, ensure that the diaper bag is carrying only baby's things and that they are only things that are absolutely necessary. For instance, does he really need three changes of clothes? Ten diapers and a whole container of wipes? Six jars of baby food? Are bigger toys really better than small? Think carefully through every item you place in the bag and your ride will be much more pleasant for all.

Reflections on the UK Health System

2009-10-30T15:54:00.000Z

I have talked to several Americans who've had really horrible experiences with the UK's National Health Service. Others have been full of praise and thoroughly surprised by the level of attentive care they were given. Here are my general reflections about how you might find the care over here, especially as it differs from the American system. I realize being totally unbiased is not possible, but I'll do the best I can.

The fundamental thing to remember about the NHS is that because they are a branch of the government, they do not function like the American private practice system. In short, their primary aim is not to please you. Health care workers have little incentive to make concessions, do things your way or bend over backwards for you. This is because their livelihood does not depend on your satisfaction with their work--they are paid by the government, not by you. This is not to say, of course, that health care professionals in the UK are heartless and lazy. I cringe just typing that sentence. I have had some wonderful doctors here who have worked hard on my behalf and shown a great deal of care about me and my family. I have also had some who nearly put me in tears because of their calloused, unconcerned and unmotivated air. The funny thing is, I could say the same thing about doctors I've had in the US. The difference is, in the US, you have the choice to leave and go find a doctor you like better. Your options here are much more limited, often non-existent.

As a result of this foundational difference, here are some things you might face (based on my experience and that of friends):

Negatives:

1. Dead ends: You may feel that your doctor in the UK will not try as hard you think he/she could to find solutions to your health concerns, particularly if the problem is complicated. For instance, a friend in his 30's, after snapping the arch in his foot, was told by his UK doctor that he would never walk again. He was offered no further assistance. He flew back to the US to see his doctor at home and was walking again within a week.

2. Rigid Compliance to Rules: You may feel your health care provider cares more about the rules or the system than about your needs. We recently had a friend whose NHS prenatal classes were completely canceled. When she asked her midwife how to proceed, i.e., how/where to get the replacement classes, she was told she'd just have to go without because the other classes were full. Another friend was forced to leave her doctor's appointment after 10 minutes because her time was up. They didn't care that she had more questions and concerns to discuss.

3. Limited Options: As I said above, your choice of a health care provider will likely be somewhat limited. If you don't like the practice you're at, changing practices will not necessarily be a sinch if it's possible at all. In my experience, you are only permitted to register at the practice that is nearest where you live. The exception is if there is a practice that generally accomodates the University students, though these practices often have heavy burdens placed on their resources and you may find better care at the one closer to home.

Positive:

Remember, it's free. Whenever I face something unpleasant, I remind myself that the care I'm getting is 100% free. I was talking to a friend in the US last week who's about to have a baby. Adding herself and the new baby to her husband's insurance plan is going to cost them $700/month. Having the baby, even with insurance, will cost them several thousand dollars. Sometimes I can hardly believe we don't have to think about those enormous expenses!

Having a Baby in the UK: What to Expect for Delivery and Recovery

2009-10-30T15:23:00.004Z

I already posted on what you might be able to expect from the antenatal (prenatal) maternity care in the UK. Here are some thoughts on the delivery side of things.

1. The NHS midwives generally give you the option to have your baby in the hospital or in your own home under their care. Some areas also have birthing centres.

2. Your antenatal midwife will almost certainly not be the one to deliver your baby. Antenatal midwives and birthing midwives typically have distinct and separate jobs here.

3. If you choose to have your baby in the hospital, you will be given a private room for delivery. After delivery you will be transferred to a recovery room. Recovery rooms are typically shared with up to three other postnatal women and their babies.

4. Your baby will typically be left with you after delivery and throughout recovery, not taken to a nursery.

5. I think it's fair to say that the midwives treat delivery in a less medical way than it is often treated in the States. It will not be normal for you to be strapped down with IV's and other tubes connected to you. You should be a be able to move about freely during labor if you want to.

6. In my experience, your husband will not be allowed to stay at the hospital with you overnight.

Things you might not have expected to have to take to the hospital, but probably should:

1. A gown or something you don't mind giving birth in. That's right, the hospital does not typically provide you with a hospital gown to wear.

2. Nappies/Diapers. The hospital staff will expect you to have brought your own supply. They may send your husband to the store to buy some if you haven't.

3. Flip flops. Without going into too much detail, just remember you may be sharing a shower with up to three other post-natal women.

Afraid of Flying? Try this

2009-10-15T17:40:00.002+01:00

Well, I'm a little embarrassed to admit this but since having a baby I have developed an annoying fear of flying. Annoying because I live in the UK and that means that plane travel is an inevitability of my life right now. In fact, since this fear developed less than eight months ago, I have taken six flights and am about to make another trip in a few days. I probably would have just assumed that I was kind of crazy and tried to deal with it on my own had it not been for two things: 1.)I've now spoken with two other students/student spouses here who have developed a fear of flying (okay, so at least there are three of us!) and 2.) I found this course online designed just for people like me. Apparently there are thousands of us closet airplane-fearers out there!

My fears haven't extended into the realm of hyperventilating or having a panic attack or anything like that--I've just come to dread the whole experience--the lack of control, the unexpected noises, landings, take-offs, turbulence--it all makes me a little jittery. I've apparently done a good job of keeping it to myself, though. In fact, I mentioned it to my generally observant husband the other night and he looked at me surprised and said, "You're afraid of flying?" I was grateful at least that I hadn't appeared to be a nervous wreck!

It was in my desire actually to enjoy this next flight and not be gripping the armrests half the time, that I decided to see what help I could find online and that's how I found the course. It's called Fear of Flying Help Course and it's a free online course designed to help travelers overcome their fear of flying. Pretty straightforward. The course consists of reading through five lessons and watching short embedded video clips (also available on youtube) along the way. It took me an hour or two to complete. It was designed by an airline pilot and walks you through what all those noises are that you hear on a plane, what's really happening during turbulence, the construction of an airplane, maintenance requirements, etc.

I admit, parts of it were a bit corny and it would no doubt be silly to those who don't understand the fear in the first place, but I still recommend it to any other flying-fearers out there. It really is free, though at the end he gives you the option of donating if you want to. And, best of all, I can honestly say that after completing the course I'm not worried at all about my upcoming flight. It was definitely effective!

Money Saving Tip #4: Don't Pay for Housing

2009-10-03T10:32:00.001+01:00

One of the best ways to save money is to reduce your major monthly expenses, and one of the expenses at the top of the list is definitely housing. Just think of the money you'd save if you could eliminate that expense! Not to put too fine a point on it, but it would be somewhere between £5,400 (£450/month) and £9,600 (£800/month) per year depending on the housing prices in your area. And that's to say nothing of utility costs which might be around £1000/year.

The trick to eliminating this expense is to find a live-in position that offers free accommodation as either your entire compensation or part of your compensation. In my experience of looking, these jobs are actually in plentiful supply, you just have to know where to look. I recommend Gumtree, Craigslist and caretaker.org as good places to start. To give you an idea, below are three different positions that I was offered when we moved to Edinburgh. All were willing to accommodate both my husband and me, though two out of the three weren't willing to house a baby too.

Nanny: I was offered free accommodation and utilities along with £200/week payment and plentiful holidays. The work expected was 5 days a week, light housework and minding children who spent most of their day at school. The accommodation was an entire flat in the basement of the home, including our own bath and kitchen.

B&B Caretaker: Free accommodation and utilities with very limited additional pay (probably enough to buy groceries). Accommodation consisted of a double bedroom with shared bathroom and kitchen area. Work was helping prepare breakfast, cleaning rooms and looking after the front desk when the owners were away.

Homeless B&B Caretaker: Free accommodation and utilities plus £200/week. Work required serving breakfast to select homeless people staying in the B&B, light cleaning and locking up at night. Accommodation consisted of spacious flat with own kitchen, but shared bathroom.

As you can see, there are a variety of different options. Others that could be explored are caring for an elderly or disabled person in their home, doing gardening/landscaping on an estate or helping as a farmhand on a nearby farm. These are all opportunities that I have seen available in exchange for housing. Often the position will include a car. Sometimes it will be outside the city center and you'll have to evaluate whether the commute would be worth it. The point is to get you thinking outside the box for solutions to one of the biggest regular drains on your bank account. Happy house hunting!

Getting a National Health Service (NHS) Number

2009-10-01T14:30:00.000+01:00

Remember, as an American studying in the UK for more than six months, you have access to the UK's National Health Service (NHS). This means that you do not need seperate health insurance like you would in the US because the NHS is government operated and functions without the involvement of private insurance companies.

Obtaining your NHS number is pretty simple. All you have to do is register with a GP. (GP means General Practitioner, or doctor.) After your successful registration you will receive, by post, a yellow mailing from the NHS--hopefully within a week or two. This mailing will contain your NHS number in the upper right hand corner. It will also contain your surgery (a.k.a. doctor's office) details and Community Health Index (CHI) Number. Make sure you keep it in a safe place.

Unfortunately, since you need to register at the GP in order to get your NHS number, you cannot apply for it long distance. You must already be residing in the UK.

European Health Insurance Card

2009-09-02T09:11:00.000+01:00

If you plan to travel to the Continent during your stay in Britain, you'll want to make sure you apply for a European Health Insurance card. This card, which is FREE to obtain, entitles you to health care while you are away. "The EHIC covers any medical treatment that becomes necessary during your trip...(you'll have) access to state-provided medical treatment...and...be treated on the same basis as an 'insured' person living in the country you're visiting. Remember, this...may mean that you have to make a financial contribution to the cost of your care (a 'co-payment')." The card is valid for five years and can be renewed when it expires. "People who are ordinarily resident in the UK are entitled to a UK-issued EHIC (but it is not valid for people who are going to live abroad)."

For those who do not have UK nationality (such as Americans living in the UK), this health insurance is valid in all EU countries, but not in Denmark, Norway, Liechtenstein or Switzerland. Iceland will treat patients for emergency care only.

Here's what you need to do to apply.

1. Go to your local Post Office and request an application form for the European Health Insurance Card. They may tell you just to apply online. If they do, tell them you can't and that you need a paper form. Currently (at the time of writing this post) it is not possible for non-UK nationals to apply online, therefore you need to get an application from the Post Office.

2. Fill out the form. You will need your NHS number or, alternatively, your National Insurance Number. You need only one form per family.

3. In the envelope provided, mail the form to the EHIC Applications Centre. You should receive your new card within 2-3 weeks.

For further information, see the following website:

https://www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/home.do

Obtaining a National Insurance Number

2009-09-02T08:37:00.000+01:00

Everyone who works in the UK, regardless of nationality, must have a National Insurance Number. Most Britons obtain one when they begin work, or around age 16. However, chances are if you're reading this, you haven't yet obtained one and need to know how. Here's a little background first.

A National Insurance Number is different from a National Health Service (NHS) Number. If you're looking for information on getting a NHS number, click here. The NHS number will give you access to free National Health care during your stay in the UK. A National Insurance Number, which is our subject here, is the equivalent of the American Social Security Number. This number is important mostly for tax purposes, though there are special benefits for UK nationals.

In order to apply, here's what you need to do:

1. Contact Jobcentre Plus at 0845 600 0643 (8.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday) to have your situation reviewed. If they determine that you need a NI Number, they will either set up an interview for you at your local Jobcentre Plus office or mail you an application. (In some cases, you cannot apply for a NI number without a firm job offer.)

2. EITHER Attend your interview on the appropriate day. This shouldn't take more than 30 minutes. They will ask you questions to determine your eligibility to work in the UK, etc. Nothing scary. OR If they don't require you to attend an interview, complete the application and mail back along with copies of your passport and visa.

3. If my experience is normative, they will send you a letter within a week or two containing your new NI number. In about 4-8 weeks, you will get an official NI card for your wallet.

Also note, in my experience, employers are not strict about you having a NI number in order to secure a job, as long as you tell them that you're in the application process, or about to apply. You should be able to give them your NI number as soon as you obtain it.

For more information on applying for a NI number, click here.

Money Saving Tip #3: Use Skype

2009-07-10T13:38:00.001+01:00

Most of you probably already know about Skype. For those who don't I'll give a brief overview plus a couple tidbits you might not already know.

Skype is a program that allows you to make calls from your computer to other computers so you can talk online for free. All you need to do is download the program to your computer and make sure that whoever you want to call has also downloaded it. It is then completely free to make international calls. You must, of course, have a microphone on your computer. If you don't, though, you can always buy one separately and connect it.

The other perk, is of course, the video feature. If you and the friends you're talking to have cameras either on your computer or installed separately, you can talk "face to face".

In addition to the free computer to computer calling feature, though, Skype also has a very cheap rate for calling phones. You still have to call from your computer, but you can call phones in the US for a little under 3¢/minute (that's USD, not GBP). This is a much better rate than you'll get with many phone cards here, many of which will expire within a month of purchase. Here are a few things to note:

-You can set up your Skype account with your payment info, so that if you need to buy more minutes, you can just click a button rather than fishing for your credit card info every time. Especially nice if you're running out of minutes during a phone call.

-Your minutes will not expire as long as you make a call every 180 days. This is from their website: "Skype Credit remains active for 180 days after your last use of a product or feature that uses credit. So making a single call, or sending a single text message will ensure your Skype Credit is active for a further 180 days."

Happy Skyping!

Gumtree vs. Craigslist

2009-07-10T10:40:00.000+01:00

Just a note about Gumtree vs. Craigslist since I've made several references to them already. We were big Craigslist fans in the States and were excited to see that it had expanded to the UK too. However, we quickly found that while it does exist here, it has nowhere near the following here that Gumtree.com, a very similar site does. If you want to look for housing, jobs, furniture, etc., you can check Craigslist, but will likely find your options much more extensive at Gumtree.

UK Grocery Prices

2009-07-10T09:54:00.004+01:00

For those of you looking for an idea of what basic food prices will cost you while you're in the UK, here are a few sample items for you. Obviously, we're in Edinburgh, so prices will vary depending on your exact location. Also,I tend to shop for the cheapest brand available--you can certainly spend a lot more if you want to. We do most of our shopping at Sainsbury's, simply because it's the closest, large grocery store to our flat. We also supplement with cheaper items from Iceland and independent, ethnic grocery stores. [Updated 10 May 2010]

Milk: £1.00/4 pints (So, £2.50 a gallon)
Whole-Wheat Sandwich Bread: £1.00/loaf
Yogurt: £0.29 for four little pots
Butter: £0.85/250 grams (that's about a cup or two sticks)
Rice: Basmati-- £1.20/kilo Brown--£1.12/kilo
Beans (various): between £0.19 and £0.55/can
Cereal (Fruit & Fiber): £0.64/box (Muesli is £0.58/kilo)
Oatmeal: £0.70/kilo
Apples: (currently) £0.65/kilo (tends to be cheapest in summer months)
Bananas: £0.95/kilo
Vegetables: Usually between £1.68 and £3/kilo
Large Head of Lettuce: £1
Stewed Tomatoes: £0.33/can
Peanut Butter: £0.69/jar
Strawberry Jam: £0.33/jar
Cheddar Cheese: £5.00/kilo
Flour: £0.42/1.5 kilos
Meat: Varies. We can get a large, whole chicken for about £4.50. A bag of 8 small, frozen pork chops costs £2.79.

*Remember a kilo is 2.2 pounds.

If you want to know about specific items, let me know and I'll check them out for you next time I go to the grocery store.