Good Friday

I'm off work today..wahey! It's Good Friday but as my Wife still has to work there isn't anything exciting planned so I'll spend most of the day pottering around the house and garden, tidying up a bit and doing odd jobs.

Actually, I have just been doing something exciting. Two months ago, we decided instead of blowing a load of cash every month on gym membership we'd buy ourselves a treadmill. This was usually the only piece of equipment I used at the gym so I though I would use it more at home when I didn't have to drag myself out of bed so early and then worry about all the other people getting in the way.

The only problem was, when the treadmill was delivered it was damaged and we had to wait 4-5 weeks for a replacement. It finally arrived this week and is now all set up. So being off work today, it was the perfect chance to try it out. I didn't do too long, just easing myself in but I will definitely be back on the treadmill again today, and tomorrow, and Sunday.

Going back to Good Friday, Easter represents the death and resurrection of Jesus. With it being the first day back on the treadmill maybe it will signify the rebirth of a more healthy lifestyle for me and my Wife.

There is an iPod connection on the treadmill so I can listen to music or podcasts while I work out. It even came with some small discs you can insert to have a Biggest Loser style work out with trainer Jillian Michaels shouting at you. These are actually pretty good. They set the speed and incline for you and gradually increase them while Jillian shouts encouragement. I haven't tried it yet, mainly because I don't want to smash up the treadmill with frustration at being shouted at after waiting so long to use it!

Doing my bit

You know how I like to do my bit for those less fortunate than myself (honestly!) so I'm delighted to share with you a brand new way of helping out.


Chocolate makers Cadbury's, makers of the excellent Dairy Milk range are to become Fair Trade certified.


Now, those who know me will be aware that I'm quite partial to a bar of Cadbury's Dairy Milk. There's nothing better before bedtime than a nice cup of tea and dairy milk. They come in all different sizes now from the tiny 'fun' size to the huge 5kg monster bar!


I found that the regular 6 chunk works best. I like to tear the wrapper so that three squares are exposed then I dip those three into my tea, and eat enjoying the slightly melted chocolate. Then wait a few minutes for the tea to cool down a bit and break the three remaining pieces into separate chunks. I then place one chunk in my mouth and have a drink of the tea, then repeat the process for the last two pieces. Perfect!


There's obviously an art to these things so I would hate for someone to just dive in and eat the chocolate willy nilly but each to their own I suppose.


Becoming Fair Trade certified basically means that Cadbury's will pay a guaranteed minimum price to cocoa producers in Ghana, even if the open market price falls below it.


The Fair Trade initiative was set up to secure a better deal for commodity producers in developing countries.


Cadbury's will triple the amount of cocoa sourced from Ghana to 15,000 tonnes during 2009. Ghana currently produce over 600,000 tonnes of cocoa per year.


Cadbury's is the world's largest confectionery manufacturer, founded in 1824 and even comes with the royal seal of approval!


For those of you living in the US, a word of warning. Those Cadbury chocolate bars you see in the stores are mostly poor imitations, manufactured by Hershey's. They don't taste the same as the ones manufactured in Europe so it's worth looking around to make sure you get the right ones.


Even though we're only just into March, Cadbury's Creme Eggs are already on sale and they always pass the taste test!

Now you have no excuse not to do your bit for Fair Trade and eat some chocolate!