New Years Eve!

New Years Eve is celebrated on 31^st December in many countries across the globe, including in the UK. For many, it is one of the biggest party nights of the year with events held in homes, pubs, bars and venues nationwide. Lots of people prefer to host parties at home, avoiding the crowds and costs of official parties, where canapés and champagne are served to toast in the New Year. Modern celebrations originate from Midwinter celebrations which were held across the British Isles since ancient times. These parties involved food and the lighting of big fires to tempt the sun to return.

Like many other cities, London hosts a spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks display. Every year, 250,000 people gather along the banks of the River Thames to see the fireworks launched from the London Eye, Big Ben and rafts on the river, with the capital city’s skyline providing a stunning backdrop to the display. The image of Big Ben chiming at midnight has become synonymous with the New Year celebration and is televised across the world.

Wherever they are, people turn on a radio or television just before midnight to see the countdown of the last few minutes of the old year.  As the clock strikes midnight, people often hug and kiss each other (even strangers) and it is traditional to sing Auld Lang Syne. This is a Scottish poem written by Robert Burns sung along to the tune of a traditional folk song, which sees everyone cross their arms over each other before joining hands, and dancing.

Check out this YouTube video of Auld Lang Syne: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rId95N2teUc&w=420&h=315]

In Wales, Calennig is celebrated over New Year which includes a parade through Cardiff and the ancient custom of giving gifts and money on New Year’s morning, surviving to this day in the form of giving bread and cheese. In Scotland (where New Years is known as Hogmanay) and some parts of Northern England, people spend the last few hours of 31^st December preparing to be or receive first-footers. A first-footer is the first person to cross the entrance of a home after the start of the New Year. They traditionally bring gifts to bring luck, such as whiskey, shortbread, coal and fruit cake which are shared amongst the guests. The focus of Hogmanay, one of the world’s most famous New Year celebrations, are in Edinburgh which hosts a huge street party along Princes Street, with  cannon fire  at Edinburgh Castle marking midnight, followed by a large fireworks display. Some smaller towns in Scotland like Stonehaven hold Fireball Festivals beginning at midnight, where giant balls of fire are swung by participants in a parade down the High Street, attracting visitors from all over the world.

Celebrations held across the UK often go on the early hours of New Year’s Day morning. The 1^st January is a public holiday across the country (with a second public holiday on the 2^nd January for Scotland) which allows people to recover from the late night. Many spend the day with family and friends, sometimes enjoying big roast dinner. Others visit the local high street to take advantage of the January sales (which now tend to start on Boxing Day, the day after Christmas Day) to grab a bargain. On New Year’s Day, a million spectators line the streets to watch the London parade, the biggest New Year’s Day event of its kind, honouring people from all the different boroughs in the city.

At this time of year, some people choose to make a New Year’s resolution, which is a promise that you make to yourself to stop doing something bad, or start doing something good, on the first day of the year. This might be joining a gym to get fit, or to quit smoking.

What New Year’s resolution will you be making this year?

It's Christmas!

Christmas is the most widely celebrated holiday in the UK. Despite being a Christian holiday, it is also celebrated almost universally outside the religious community and by a growing number of non-Christians too.

The Christmas season is the annual celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, believed to be the son of God in the Christian faith, making his birth an important date in the Christian calendar. According to popular tradition, the Virgin Mary and her husband Joseph travelled on a donkey from their home in Nazareth to Joseph’s hometown of Bethlehem, to pay their taxes and take part in a census. On their arrival in Bethlehem, they found that all of the rooms across the city were full. Wherever they tried to find lodging, they were told, “There is no room at the inn”. Eventually, one innkeeper allowed them to spend the night in his stable. That night Mary gave birth to Jesus in the stable, surrounded by farm animals, where she laid him in a manger. Shepherds in the fields surrounding Bethlehem were told of the birth by an angel and were the first to visit the baby. Three wise men also visited Jesus in the manger, guided by the Star of Bethlehem, which they believed signalled the birth of a King of the Jews. They brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh for the baby.

There are many services and traditions in churches associated with Christmas, however I will focus on the more secular traditions followed by most people in the UK.

The most typical Christmas decoration is the Christmas tree, which became popular in England after Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, brought a Christmas tree over from his native Germany. The royal family were shown standing around the tree in a newspaper, and so the tradition began. This huge one is in the Business School here at MMU.


Here are some links to  Christmas songs; the first two are traditional carols you might hear in a carol service.

O Come All Ye Faithful
Silent Night

The next two are popular Christmas songs that are heard everywhere all December. Feed the World is a charity Christmas song originally released in 1984 to raise money for anti-poverty efforts in Ethiopia.
Band Aid – Do They Know It’s Christmas
Wham – Last Christmas


Manchester is an amazing place to be at Christmas time with the beautiful decorations in the city centre, two temporary outdoor ice rinks and the world famous Christmas markets. If you only do one thing in Manchester for Christmas, wander through over 300 chalet style stalls selling intricate gifts, sample a hog roll, Bratwurst sausage or crepe, and soak in the festive atmosphere.

One of the main traditions of Christmas is gift giving. Typically people buy presents for their family and friends, wrap them in Christmas paper (decorated with religious or secular pictures or phrases) and place them under the tree to be opened on Christmas morning. Father Christmas, or Santa Claus, delivers presents to children during Christmas Eve night and places them either under the Christmas tree, or in Christmas stockings. He delivers presents to children across the world by flying his sleigh – pulled by nine reindeer, led by Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – and going down the chimney. Many homes leave out a glass of whisky and a mince pie for Father Christmas and a carrot for his reindeer, to re-fuel before the continue on their journey.

If you do not celebrate Christmas you might be wondering what to do on Christmas day while most people are with their families. A popular thing to do is to go for a Chinese meal followed by a trip to the cinema. Chinatown and Rusholme will be very busy with the sizeable proportion of Mancunians who do not celebrate Christmas, so why not gather some friends and go out for a big lunch or dinner? Alternatively, cook up a traditional Christmas dinner and see what all the fuss is about!


Merry Christmas, or Happy Holidays if you do not celebrate!

(Co-written with Sian Hughes)

Let the house-hunting commence!

It's almost December so everyone has settled nicely in to their students homes, it is getting cold and, with winter ahead and endless assignment deadlines stacking up, next year at uni seems far - and a lot of essay writing - away! With students almost a third of a way through their course, think how quickly it has gone so far. Next year at uni will be here before you know it. Of course, we all need a roof over our heads so the important thing to ask is where will you be living? Thinking about these things NOW saves a lot of hassle down the line when there is only limited availability.

Firstly, you need to find an actual building to call home. You might want to stay in the halls you currently live in and make a whole bunch of new friends next year. But a lot of people will be looking for a flat or house share - either with friends or strangers - as a friendlier, more independent and more personal place. Picking the right home, area to live in and housemates to live with will make a huge difference to how much you enjoy next year. 

If you don't want to live in halls, start thinking about whether you want to be in a flat or house, do you want to remain close to the uni or take advantage of cheaper rents further out (more on this later on!) and how many people will you be living with? Speak to your friends/flatmates now and see who is interested in house-hunting with you. Be careful who you decide to live with though, as housemates from hell are a sure-fire way to you not enjoying your time at university. Again, more on this later on in the post.

Be sure to check out any Housing or Accommodation Fairs being held at your university as these can be a great resource. But Accommodation for Students is an invaluable website to use. Not only is it free to use, but the site will help you find the type of accommodation you want, in your city and at your budget. As one of the biggest - and certainly the best - student accommodation resources available to you, it's a no brainer! By clicking here, you can even use the site to find housemates to join you, either before your search or after you have found somewhere. And check out the guides here which are written for students, by students - people who know exactly what you are going through.

But where?

Every city in the UK has student-haunts where thousands of us take up residence each year. But these are not always the most enjoyable or best value for money areas you can find. Once again, Accommodation for Students comes to the rescue. As the UK's No. 1 Student Accommodation website, they have used their vast network of students to create Student reviews for each city. Just click on your city and you will see how each area is rated for going out, shops, transport, community, facilities and overall satisfaction. Scroll down and you will see an average rent rate for each area letting you know whether it's value for money. Use this information to decide the best area for you!

Picking housemates to live with is never easy. We all have pet-hates and its only natural to get slightly annoyed at times, even with friends. If there have been times when a current housemate has really got on your nerves though, it's probably a sign to look for a different flat buddy next year. Also you may have made lots of great friends who you enjoy spending time with over a pint or glass of wine, but this doesn't automatically make them the ideal housemate.

My best advice is to take the plunge and use your initiative to start the whole process. It makes YOU the person choosing where you want to live and who you want to live with. Speak with a couple of mates you particularly get on with, then you guys can find the perfect pad - and recruit a few more tenants if needed. Also, you need to be realistic. Do you ever leave washing up overnight, play your music a little too loudly or return nosily after a few too many drinks. Think about how other people doing the same to you makes you feel. You need a balance of housemates to make it work. Although you might want to live with all the lads, but this can mean the place deteriorates into a dump with unwashed dishes and rubbish piling up. You might love your girlies but all-female houses can become bitchy if you aren't careful - and bathroom wars in the morning are always a risk. So consider your options when it comes to the type of people you live with. Be firm from the start about cleaning/washing up and everyone playing their part, ask people what time they like to go to bed, can they or do they like to cook, do they smoke, if they listen to music and can they afford rent. 

This information will help you find the perfect housemates! Look for people who like to cook and are happy to do their share of cleaning from the get go.... a well-fed, clean household is always a good start!

Can you say no to living with someone?

Of course you can! Remember, if you are friendly, polite and explain yourself then the other person can't be unreasonable about your decision. If you really want to avoid confrontation, follow my advice and use your initiative to seek out potentially great housemates first, giving you the power to decide where and who to live with. But if you do have to say no, then don't be personal - especially if it's someone who get on with but just don't want to live with. They may be loud, rude, untidy or just lazy - but a great mate on a night out - so being too hard won't help. Being upfront early on is your best bet, whatever the problem might be. Calmly explain there are no more rooms in the property, you are avoiding the temptation of going out too much with the bigger workload next year, you want to live with tidier people but that doesn't mean you want to lose the friendship you have. Any decent friend will understand - and who knows, it might be the kick up the butt they need to change their ways.

Paying those bills!

If you have been living in halls then you won't have had to worry about those pesky bills. But a house or flat share is a whole different ball game - students are exempt from council tax, but there is gas, electricity, water, insurance, TV license and rent to be worrying about. Try and find a property which has some, or all, bills included. Choosing the right people to live is important to avoid

But fear not, there is an easy solution! Glide is an AMAZING company which makes bills simple - and stress free - for any student household. If everyone in your home signs up, Glide will quote you a one-off, monthly cost (per person) to take care of ALL your bills. Each individual is only responsible for their share of the cost, taking away the need to be anxious about housemates paying up and on time. You have access to an online metre for the energy used, so if you use less energy than you have paid for, you receive a refund for this amount at the end of the year. Bonus! It's not a question of why not use them, it's more why the hell would you not?!

Happy house-hunting everyone!

What Manchester is all about!

Manchester is all about four things; Food & drink (as you will have seen from the blog so far), Music, Sport and Shopping!

 

Sport is a huge part of Mancunian life with the bitter rivalry between two of England’s great clubs, United & City. A tour of both the Trafford and Etihad stadium is well worth a visit for any footy fan. As, of course, is the National Football Museum which is open 7 days a week and home to the World’s greatest football collection with over 140,000 items to see. Hosting the 2002 Commonwealth Games left a lasting sporting legacy in the city as well as fantastic venues like the City of Manchester Stadium, the Manchester Velodrome, the National Squash Centre and the Manchester Aquatics Centre. Rugby League is extremely popular in the North West so it’s worth checking out a game if you can, as well as a match at the 155 year-old Old Trafford cricket ground, one of the most famous in the world!

For a city which gave us the likes of Oasis, The Chemical Brothers, The Smiths, Happy Mondays and Simply Red, music is a big deal here. You will find live music played regularly in hundreds of bars & pubs across the city. For big names in the music industry, a must-stop is the Phones4U Arena (or the Manchester Arena) - one of the busiest music venues in the world. The Royal Northern College of Music is found here too so there is endless talent – international, national and local – being played!

Of course, shopping is a huge draw for anybody coming to Manchester. There are two massive shopping malls, the Arndale and Trafford Centre. The two massive complexes contain hundreds of shops including the big names. Trafford Centre is the 2nd biggest shopping centre in the UK boasting Europe’s biggest food court and the UK’s busiest cinema. The Arndale is the 6^th biggest shopping centre in the UK but the most visited with 41 million visitors each year. Be sure to check out Exchange Square, King Street and the Northern Quarter for more boutique style shops – in Manchester, you really are spoilt for choice!

Hidden gems in Manchester

If you want something a little off the beaten track, a must see is the stunning John Ryland’s Library. Regarded as one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, it doesn’t disappoint. It’s Gothic style architecture – inside and out – transforms you to a different world. There are great exhibitions to see alongside medieval illuminated manuscripts dating to the 1400’s. It may not be the obvious destination in the city, but it is certainly the most impressive – an amazing place to learn, visit and study in!

Millions of people head to the Trafford Centre each year but don’t realise Chill Factore is literally just round the corner. You can ski and snowboard on the UK’s longest indoor slope. You can skydive indoors next door at Airkix – something a little different. But if chilling is what you’re after, check out Heaton Park – there is an historic hall, a farm and animal centre, a boating lake and tram museum to. And on those rare sunny days, check out St. Johns gardens – just off Lower Byrom St, this little known green oasis is right in the heart of the city to be enjoyed! Take a picnic!

Wherever you are in the city, you will see the rolling hills of the Pennines on the horizon. Never forget that the Peak District is literally on your door step – a short car or train journey – will take you to some of the most beautiful, idyllic countryside the UK has to offer!

Eating out in Manchester!

If you can’t be bothered to venture far off campus, there are great canteens and cafes across Man Met Uni selling a selection of sandwiches, snacks & hot meals at rock bottom prices. The coffee is good too, and mega cheap at just £1.45 for a large latte, but get very busy at times. To avoid crowds, go to the Couch Potato food-truck outside All Saints Park; the usual greasy stuff but you can grab a hot dog with onions for a just quid!

Elsewhere, Manchester offers a dizzying array of nice (but cheap) places to eat! I mentioned the booze on offer earlier but the 5 Black Dog Ballroom venues dotted around Mancs serve tasty grub too. Pick up one of their ‘cards’ absolutely free over the counter and you’ll get 25% off all food – bargain! Revolution is found around the corner; make the most of their B.O.G.O.F offer on all food on Mondays. Along Oxford Road, you find the big fast food chains which are not to be sniffed at as they open 24/7 and are lifelines at the end of a night out. There are some gems to be found too like Kro Bar priding itself as a ‘Danish village pub’ promising good food, beer & a warm welcome. Red Chilli offers amazing, authentic Chinese food (as cheap or as expensive as you like) in a beautiful setting - definitely recommended! Gorilla is a fave student haunt found under the railway tracks. The place has the feel of a 1950’s space lab but has cheap, tasty food and great live music. Travel down Oxford Road (or jump on one of the countless buses running along it) and you reach the famous Curry Mile. The name comes from the sheer number of Asian & Middle eastern restaurants, takeaways and kebab shops found on it. It is the largest concentration of South Asian restaurants outside the Indian subcontinent with over 70 establishments in a half mile stretch! Tonnes of choice and friendly on the bank balance.

If you want something a bit different? Almost Famous burgers almost burnt down this summer but whilst it’s being rebuilt you can find their burgers being served at Luck Lust Liquor & Burn, next door to the original premises. Once it reopens, expect the burgers to be brought out on a Frisbee, coke served in a jar, amazing bacon bacon fries and some crazy décor. Dogs n Dough is a basement bar slash restaurant serving a variety of gourmet hot dogs and pizza. The ‘No Way Jose’ dog comes with guac, salsa, Doritos and sour cream. On Sundays, you even get free fries! If you’re after Asian grub, Hunters BBQ is a late-night café specialising in game curries. It’s grubby chic at its best with mismatched crockery, cheap cutlery and a slightly tatty interior – it adds to the charm as you tuck into pheasant, rabbit, venison or even quail! Croma pizza provides a nice meal without breaking the bank; affordable pizza in a stylish setting. The quaint Richmond Tea rooms is a pretty, traditionally decorated venue where you can sip tea & coffee or eat amazing cakes & sandwiches in style.

If you like soup – perfect on a cold, wet Mancunian day – you have some great choices. SHLURP! Soup Bar and The Soup Kitchen pride themselves on fresh, seasonal and locally sourced ingredients delivered which are prepared, cooked and sold on that day. Both offer great lunchtime food at cheap prices.  Talking of soup, you find the best freshly baked bread (& meals) at Bakerie in the Northern Quarter. Whether stew & bread, sandwiches, bread baskets, toast or even just fresh bread is your ‘thang’ this place is for you! Located nearby, their sister restaurant Pie & Ale, has fresh pies on offer alongside some fine ales.

Finally, if you’re having one of those days and can’t decide what you fancy, head to The Printworks and there will be something for you. You will find Prezzo (pizza & pasta), Harvester (a carvery), Nandos (peri peri chicken), Hard Rock Café (American), Bierkeller (German), Wagamama (Japanese), Chiquito (Mexican), Papa G’s (Mediterranean) and Café Rouge (French). Although chains can be generic places to eat, look up discount vouchers online to make the most of your pennies.

Nightlife in Mancs!

With 85,000 students, the social scene in Manchester is vast and caters for everyone. There are a few hubs in the city which are the best places to head to for a night out.

You will soon become familiar with Oxford Rd known as the Student Quarter. It is 2 miles long stretching down to the Curry Mile; and littered with great venues. The Font is nestled down an alley next to Oxford Rd station – laid back & decorated in a funky style which gives your eyes plenty to feast on, cocktails start at just £2. Next door is one of the 5 chilled New-York inspired bars, Black Dog Ballroom, found across the city offering cheap drinks. Pop round the corner to their newest addition - Dog Bowl - and you’ll find a 5 lane bowling alley! Nearby Zombie Shack may be new on the scene but is a superb place to go for a cocktail – an exotic tiki bar, expect lots of colour, graffiti and flaming drinks. You can’t miss the bamboo-staircase entrance and huge graffiti sign under the railway tunnel. A traditional student haunt just down the road is The Footage; a little grubby but very cheap with drinks for just a £1 on Wednesdays. It’s always packed, shows lots of sport and is full of students. Stop by The Temple, a converted public toilet transformed into small but popular bar renowned for its huge array of foreign beers. If clubbing is your thing, check out 5^th Avenue - indie-inspired Wednesday nights are cheapest with drinks starting at 90p but there are deals all week.

Northern quarter is another lively part of Manchester, well worth a visit with a bewildering choice of bars to choose from. Check out TV21, a television, film and music themed bar, you can eye the great posters and artwork on show centred round a cool circular bar. It’s a cheap & quiet during the week but becomes very busy at weekends. Walrus offers nice cocktails for a fiver in happy hour with live music performed but if you’re splashing out, sample the best cocktails in the city at the relaxed Apotheca Bar! The name comes from the antique pharmacy cabinets decorating the front bar and it is found in a beautiful listed building. Another grade II listed building worth partying in is the neon-glowing cocktail lounge NoHo – you’ll find impressive floor to ceiling windows and an eccentric but inviting style. Terrace bar is an awesome place to meet your mates with bare brick walls, original wooden flooring and vintage school furniture –it’s literally too cool for school! Pick your tunes on the free jukebox at converted pawn shop Dusk till Pawn, or view the ever-changing art displays at Kosmonaut which boasts its own ping pong league! Whatever you like, the Northern Quarter has something for everyone.

It doesn’t matter if you are gay or straight, the Village – scattered around the famous Canal St – has over 25 bars & clubs offering friendly, tolerant venues with great music. G.A.Y boasts £1.50 drinks Sunday to Thursday. Alter Ego gives us Poptastic nights on a Tuesday and Saturday with cheap entry and shots for just 50p! Cruz101 is one of the most popular & livelier clubs – but Thompsons will give you a more laid back vibe & makes a great starting point for a night in the village. Be sure to also venture into Queer, Baa Bar, New York New York and AXM for great nights out. They may be gay venues but most are straight friendly and the village is hugely popular with straight people. It shows how open-minded and tolerant Mancunians are – and it’s always fun to check out the fab drag queens partying here!

Elsewhere in the city, Bijou Club in Deansgate is an upmarket venue popular with the elite, celebs & footie players of Manchester. There are great bars to be found at The Printworks alongside Tiger Tiger – a 2000 capacity club boasting a Moroccan themed bar, 70’s/80’s disco room, swanky cocktail lounge, private karaoke pods and an Ibiza themed nightclub. Waxy O’Connor’s is a fun Irish pub with great music & friendly staff. The Met Bar on campus is reasonably priced and hosts lots of events so keep up-to-date with the goings on. With so much choice, you need to visit as many places as possible to find your favourite drinking destinations!

Manchester Museum - well worth a visit!

Manchester Museum is part of the University of Manchester and can be found amongst the hustle & bustle of Oxford Road. You can't miss it as it is set in this beautiful Victorian building and there are plenty of signs around.

Museum's aren't for every one but they are a fantastic resource and a great place to learn. The purpose of this blog is not to teach or bore you with too much history/details, but rather give you a glimpse of a superb place to visit in Manchester. The collection dates back to 1821 and moved to it's current location way back in 1868 so it has been a part of Mancunian life for almost 150 years. It is free to the public and is open 10am to 5pm every day of the year except between 24th and 26th December, and 1st January. More details can be found at www.museum.manchester.ac.uk.

Fairly soon into the visit, you are welcomed by two impressive exhibits at the museum; a giant spider crab which was captured in the 19th century & which can measure 4 metres claw to claw and a full skeleton of an elephant. I was surprised how big the tusks really are!

The first main collection is Living Cultures, and the pieces originate mainly from areas outside Europe such as Asia, Africa, the Americas and Oceania. There are over 16,000 objects on display in this collection alone! There is a fantastic array of carvings, art, statues, masks, warrior outfits and weapons from different cultures all over the world. You are taught the history, meaning and background of all the pieces. I was impressed by the beautiful craftsmanship of some of the speaks & crossbows and it was fascinating to see how they are made.

There is a large number of Roman objects to be found too, including pottery, figurines and this vase which is still standing at almost 2000 years old - incredible. But there are items to be found which are even older.

Manchester Museum hosts one the largest collections of ancient Egyptian artefacts in the UK - with objects dating from 10,000 BC to AD 600. The Ancient Worlds gallery also contains items from the ancient civilizations of Greece & Rome. It was the Egyptian collection which excited me most. There are beautiful examples of Hieroglyphics, Ancient Egyptian art and amazing mummy's to be found here. It is well worth a visit to learn about these incredible people, their lives and the process of the mummification itself. You can even see inside a coffin. Just remember how old these items are when walking around.

Soon you find yourself in the Zoology section sharing your space with fellow visitors and an impressive array of animals, insects and plants from all over the world. It's always great to see the different species found across the globe, and for the young-at-heart (like me!) you can act out some of the poses...

There are a few, stranger animals too, he must have been chilly...

A little unusually, you find a number of concept boxes which are more artistic but still very interesting. I have included a photo of my favourite ones but there are many more to be seen so make sure you check them out on your visit! The 'Humans' box displays the full skeleton of a chimp, human and ape alongside each other, as well as many other primate skulls. With us being so closely related to these species it is fun to make comparisons between them. The 'Peace' box was beautifully lit and decorated with hundreds of origami birds. Finally, the 'Life' box was a little more quirky displaying a number of hanging chicks & eggs inside. I loved them all.

Back to the animals and remember to look up at this gigantic whale skeleton taking pride of place over the museum.

From a giant monster of the deep to a giant monster of the past, check out the dinosaur exhibit and you will not find out about this incredible species as well as a huge T-rex skeleton. I was obsessed with dinosaurs growing up and it was a real highlight to find this beauty. It almost makes you feel like you're on the set of the movie 'A night at the Museum' and I found myself waiting for Ben Stiller to come walking round the corner.

The last collection to check out is the 'Warriors of the Plains' which focuses on 200 years of Native North American honour & ritual and is showing until 3rd November. You find ceremonial shirts, moccasins and tomahawks, alongside photographs of the objects in use, portraying the world of Native North American warfare and ritual from 1800 to today. Here are two examples of stunning North American battle outfits - impressive stuff eh!

Sadly, the Live Animals area of the museum is currently closed for a refurb. You can find live frogs, amphibians and reptiles here when it is open. But don't worry, it reopens on Saturday 26th October bigger than better than ever!

Be sure to pay a visit to the museum to view these wonderful & interesting collections in person - I promise you will have fun and even learn a thing or two. All free!

Eating healthy as a student!

Contrary to popular belief, it is easy (and really not expensive) to eat both healthily and cheaply whilst at uni. Money is tight for students so people see ready meals, freezer food and takeaways as a cheaper solution. But not only does your health suffer as a consequence of a bad diet, but it really doesn't cost much to eat nutritious foods that contain the energy you need whilst studying for a degree, working a part-time job and socialising with friends.

Student life can be tough (and very hectic) so you need the right food to fuel your body. This means eating protein, vegetables, fruit, dairy and the right kind of carbs whenever you can.

Let's start with protein - the meat! Chicken is great because it is so flexible; use it in a curry, stir fry, wrap or whatever you fancy. Save money by buying frozen chicken fillets (easily defrosted overnight in a bowl or using a microwave). Turkey breasts or diced beef is often cheaper than chicken - remember to check out the reduced aisle for meat which needs to be sold asap. It makes it cheaper if you bulk-buy - despite the bigger initial expense, you save in the long run. Remember, any of this meat can be stored in the freezer to prevent it going off! If you buy frozen instead of fresh mince for your Spag Bols or Chilli then you save a small fortune. Fish and seafood are also a great source of vitamins & omega oils but they do cost more. However, when you can afford it, splash out!

Now on to those vegetables. If you are heading to a supermarket, head towards Aldi or Lidl who do a great range of both fruit & vegetables at cheap prices. However, if you live near a local market or greengrocer you will find it is always cheapest to buy fruit & veg here. I was surprised at how much cheaper it can be so check out your local market now! Of course, a lot of the large chain supermarkets (certainly Asda, Tesco & Morrisons) now offer a different selection of fruit & veg each week for just 50p, so be sure to check these out when you venture in one. You can buy lot's of frozen veg but some of these simply don't taste as nice as the fresh stuff. That said, I actually prefer (and it's cheaper) to buy frozen sweetcorn instead of tinned or fresh corn. And whilst we are talking about veg, don't forget fruit. We all know we should be getting our 5-a-day - banana's, apples & oranges are a superb & cheap way to help us towards this. Plus they make a great snack instead of chocolate or crisps. Strawberries, grapes, blueberries & pineapple are a little more expensive but if you budget correctly then treat yourself once in a while.

Right, you've got the meat and veggies but what to serve then with? Avoid potatoes when you can, opt instead for wholemeal pasta, rice or couscous. The 'white' versions just aren't as nutritious for your body and combined with a sauce or flavours, taste practically the same. I'm not saying to never eat potatoes, everybody loves a jacket, roasties or some mash - but moderation is important! It goes without saying that chips should be avoided whenever possible. If this all sounds bland to you, you don't know how wrong you are. Buy a few select spices you like - garlic, chilli, basil, rosemary, cajun etc - and marinade the meat before you cook it. Use the oven or grill to cook meat in a healthier way, but if you do fry use the 1-cal spray oil. Don't forget to add the spices in to the pasta, rice or cous cous to add a little bit of a kick and always remember to season - a little salt & pepper (but not too much) goes along way! Soy sauce or sesame oil will add tonnes of flavour too.

Bread is a huge part of a lot of people's diets - a sandwich is the easiest lunch to prepare - but there are better options. Why not try a wrap, pitta bread or flat bread instead? Again, go for the wholemeal, granary or seeded varieties which are infinitely better for your body than any white ones. Use lighter than light mayo as the perfect accompaniment. Or how about swapping that bread for some lettuce and make a salad? Add whatever veg you happen to like - lettuce, tomato, cucumber, sweetcorn - and drizzle in Balsamic vinegar. It tastes great and is almost calorie free, so better than salad cream or dressings. We can learn a lot from our Asian cousins, so try a stir fry up if you don't like salads - a tasty alternative.

Dairy is an important part of our diet, and to be honest prices are broadly the same wherever you go. But how about trying the light versions - light or lighter Cheddar tastes the same as normal cheese especially when melted or used in a dish. Don't drink full fat milk, try semi-skimmed instead. Lots of people don't drink skimmed milk as they feel it is too watery and I use to agree, but I soon got use to it and now find semi-skimmed too creamy. The main point though is to make sure you are eating as much dairy as you can as it is an essential component to our diets.

The most important message is to squeeze as much fruit and vegetables into your diet as possible - you can't pretend it's expensive because it isn't. Try to avoid processed meat & food, take-outs and snacks whenever you can. They are all really bad for you and have little nutritional benefit to any diet. Chocolate and crisps may taste nice, but as I've said before; moderation is key. Eating multiple bars and packets a day will definitely not help the waistline. 

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It's also important to shop around the supermarkets and find out where sells the items you like for the cheapest. A huge tip is to try Aldi or Lidl who nearly always come out least expensive! Just remember to take your own bag as they do charge - not a lot but it all adds up. I even take an overnight suitcase with me as takes the strain of carrying the bags back to your flat. 

Cooking for one can be hard so why not make enough for 2 or even 4 (with currys, pasta dishes or chillis etc) and freeze the rest into portions to be eaten at a later date? It's cheaper that way and the second time round, you just defrost and re-heat for a few minutes and you have a home-cooked meal. The freezer is great for keeping any frozen meat & vegetables, or left over soup & dishes, but it should not be used to stock unhealthy frozen foods. Don't buy chips, waffles, fish fingers or ready meals and you won't eat them - simple! Use the freezer for the RIGHT food only.

Some ready meals will be ok for you and are quick & easy to prepare, all food items list ingredients, calories and nutrients these days so just be aware of what you are putting into your stomach! Most supermarkets do a great range of various ravioli & tortellini's with accompanying sauces - you can normally buy 2 for £2.50 - and a packet of each will make 2 meals. Not only a bargain, but a lot better for you than a Kiev & chips.

Finally, if you are generally eating healthy most of the week then it isn't a problem to scoff down a Maccy D or Subway, treat yourself to a cake, enjoy a cheeky chocolate bar or visit the Kebab shop after a night out. It's all about moderation, and the more exercise you do the more calories you get away it. So do you need that bus? Why not walk instead and burn that fat off! 

Here are some dishes I regularly make, to give you some ideas:

 Chile! And lots of it!

  Thai Green Curry!

  Chinese noodles!

  Bacon and vegetable cous cous!

  Pitta bread

  Carbonara

  Bacon, potato & leek soup!