It really does feel like Christmas is coming, and with a double dip recession looming we are all looking for ways we can economise this year. But this doesn't mean we should forget about the cost to the environment of the party season. According to the Soil Association, the average Christmas dinner involves 49,0000 extra food miles and of the 10 million turkeys reared for the Christmas dinner table, 90% come from intensive units. Financially Christmas is also a fairly painful experience on the pocket, this year the average British adult will spend approximately £813 on festive celebrations – down £55 on last year – and will guzzle a whopping 7,000 calories on Christmas day stuff up.

We have just had a bumper crop of the much maligned turnip, which according to reports is making a comeback for cash strapped families looking for a cheap and versatile veg to boost supper time. It's great for bulking up soups, casseroles and stews but can also be delicious all on its own.

Plums are in abundance right now and will be for September so is the time to raid your neighbours tree or buy them at their cheapest. If you are looking for some inspiration as to what to do with them check out our guide to the easiest and tastiest plum recipes. Also - remember plums are great frozen so be sure to stew some and enjoy them throughout the winter. Add a vanilla pod and a pinch of cinnamon or mixed spice, and some sugar if the fruit is quite tart. Some of these recipes will also make lovely christmas presents so a little bit of effort now could pay off in a few months when you are scrambling around for some extra gifts.

I'm fed up with buying fruit, trying to make sure the children get their 5 a day, only to find it doesn't all get eaten. More often than not it's the apples and bananas left looking pitiful in the fruit bowl. Well, instead of throwing them away, which I've done a lot of, I've decided to get creative. Here are some top tips for making that sad fruit look happy