Time to start buying from local butchers?

In light of the Horsemeat scandal, is it time we question whether we are better off buying from supermarkets or supporting local butchers? 

 

Other than guaranteeing a steak is from a cow, there are lots of benefits from buying from your local butcher:

Butchers are cheaper than supermarkets 

Often, supermarkets offer meat which is pound for pound more expensive than your local butcher.  Buy in bulk from your butcher and you are likely to save more.

British meat 

Meat in supermarkets can come from anywhere in the world, and animals can be old, with meat likely to have less flavour than British. 

Different cuts of meat and greater variety 

Butchers are likely to offer for sale a wide variety of cuts, as  everything in a pig for example (apart from its squeal) can be eaten.  Other animals such as water buffalo, game and also offal may be available from butchers.   Sweetbreads for example are absolutely delicious! (and no, they are NOT testicles!)

Butchers will offer advice

If you are unsure about different cuts of meat or even how to cook the meat, most butchers are very knowledgable, which meats are delicious slow roasted, which steaks are best served rare etc.

They also sell eggs!

While getting your leg of lamb for your Sunday roast, why not buy your free range eggs and milk from the butchers too.  Fresh eggs make the best Yorkshire puddings you know.

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Are diamonds really a girl's best friend?

I always thought the best gift you could get for a girl is a diamond, but is that really the case?

With diamond prices falling by 13% in 2012, you might think now's the time to buy your loved one that diamond ring she really wanted.  Maybe you should, but first think about the less well known gemstone Moissanite.

Now before you think its like cubic zirconia, or cut glass, well its not!  For one thing, it will never degrade like zirconia does. Moissanite is far superior than the finest cubic zirconia, and in a lot of ways superior to diamond. Firstly, it has a higher sparkle than diamond and grater dispersion than its costlier rival.  It is also the second hardest gemstone, measuring 9.25 mohs to diamond's 10.  Many consider it to be a superior gem. 

Moissanite was first discovered in 1893, in a meteorite.  Unlike diamond it does not occur naturally on earth.  All moissanite gems are man made using complex laboratory processes.  

Downsides?, well its man made rather than natural, and compared to expensive diamonds, moissanite has a more rainbow sparkle, with more yellow tinges when held up to a light.

Price differences are huge.  A 1ct. Diamond ring may set you back £2000, but the equivalent in moissanite may be £500.  Also, there is no ethical implication surrounding moissanite, with diamond, you could be inadvertently funding conflict. 

So, if you are getting engaged, maybe save £1500 and put it towards a holiday for the two of you!

Ultimately, it's your choice.

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Moissanite can be purchased online at very.co.uk and amazon, amongst others.

More info about Moissanite here:

http://www.squidoo.com/moissanitevsdiamond

http://diamondssuck.com/

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I have never done a blog before, so please bear with me.   I decided to make this blog to share some of my passions and interests as a New Vintage Englishman!

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