Autumn 2011

Cycle Friendly Communities Funding

Listen up cyclists! Applications for Cycling Scotland’s Cycle Friendly & Sustainable Communities Fund are now open.  Grants of up to £10,000 are available to community-led projects aiming to increase the number of trips made by bicycle.

This new funding follows on from The Cycle Friendly Communities Fund which has dished out a whopping £200,000 across Scotland since 2008 to help with to community-led projects!

Projects that can demonstrate a shift to trips by bike and a reduction in carbon emission are encouraged to apply for the funding.

The deadline for applications to go before the first selection panel is the 20^th November 2011. All the details on how to apply and who to contact if you have any questions can be found by clicking here.

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Quit for Christmas Campaign

Sorry! I know it's only October and i've gone and mentioned (whisper it) Christmas but all across Glasgow, smokers are being urged to quit as the average 20-a-day person could save around £600 before the festive season strikes with all its usual wallet emptying gusto!

And just think what you could do with £600....return flights to New York, an ipad for you and your significant other, a full size stormtrooper costume...ok that last one was just me.

Evidence shows that quitting smoking is much more successful with the right support and Smokefree Community Services aim to help as many people as they can by running sessions throughout the Autumn/Winter. Find out more about groups starting in Govan, Govanhill and Castlemilk by clicking here.

Sessions starting in Darnley, Langlands Road and Cardonald College can be found by clicking here.

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Everest Base Camp Trek

Ever thought of gruelling 8 hour walks in freezing cold temperatures and camping overnight for a couple of weeks...in Nepal?? Me neither. But that's exactly what one lucky Local Lifestyle reader is doing by trekking to Everest Base Camp all in aid of Yorkhill Children's Foundation.

Maureen Malcolm-Gourley (pictured left), Project Manger for Neurosciences, oral maxillofacial surgery and Spinal Injuries at the Southern General in heading back to the Himalaya's for a second fundraising trek. Yes, you read that right....as if the first trek through the Himalayan Annapurna region in 2009 wasn't enough, Maureen is heading back to Nepal in November, this time with Everest Base Camp in her sights.

While a trek of this magnitude may find many of us running for the (slightly less arduous) hills Maureen has all the inspiration she needs. "I worked at Yorkhill for years and while the trek is very much a trial for me, what the children and parents have to face can be much more challenging, so what i'm doing pales into insignificance."

"I am pushing myself but i have a positive attitude and faith that i will complete this second trek." Maureen's fitness regime for the challenge has included training sessions at the gym, treks up the Campsie Hills and plenty of Yoga and Zumba.

She's also organising lots of fundraising to cover the cost of the trip and to raise the all important funds for Yorkhill Children's Foundation. Anyone wishing to read more about Maureen's inspirational fundraising trek or to donate money can click here to visit her Just Giving Page.

Good luck Maureen from Local Lifestyle HQ!

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Inspired?

If Maureen's trek through Nepal has inspired you why not share some of your healthy stories with Local Lifestyle and our ever growing readership. And don't worry it doesn't have to be something quite as epic!

As always we're keen to highlight some of the healthy work going on across Greater Glasgow & Clyde and will happily share Check My Lifestyle resources (postcards, pens, tape measures) with you and your colleagues. So get in touch! - healthatwork@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

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Pumpkin Soup Halloween recipe!

This Halloween don't leave the pumpkin on the doorstep for weeks until it really scares people away...why not try this Pumpkin Soup recipe! Pumpkin is low in calories, rich in fibre and potassium making this recipe a really healthy option.

Here's what you'll need:

• 2 finely chopped onions
• 2 tblsp olive oil
• 1kg pumpkin, peeled, deseeded and chopped into small chunks
• 700ml vegetable stock
• 140ml creme fraiche
• A small sprinkling of paprika for an extra kick (optional)

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan. Gently cook the onions for 5 mins until soft. Add the pumpkin to the pan, then cook for 8-10 mins, stirring occasionally until it starts to soften and turn golden.

Pour the stock into the pan and season with salt and pepper. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 10 mins until the pumpkin is very soft. Pour the creme fraiche into the pan, bring back to the boil. If you have a hand blender, puree the mix.

The soup is ready to serve with some brown bread or croutons but of you want to add an extra bit of spice throw in a small helping of paprika.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

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