July 28, 2021
Journaling is a great way of focusing on your thoughts and feelings, and developing some proper structure around them. It can also help you notice your habits and patterns, set and achieve goals, and solve problems.
February 26, 2021
Once your pantry is organised you'll waste less food because you'll be able to see what you have and nothing gets hidden at the back of the cupboard.
If you come across long-life items you know you'll never use, set them aside to donate to a food bank. There are usually pick up points at your local supermarket
April 21, 2020
Having lingering kitchen smells from cooking or food can be unpleasant. And sometimes they can linger for far too long.
We have compiled a list of 17 very clever ways for you to get rid of those kitchen smells and to enjoy your cooking to your heart’s content.
February 17, 2020
Climate change is something we all are responsible for.
It is not a problem for other people to fix but something where if we all take small steps with our own personal behaviour then the combination of all will bring significant change.
July 08, 2019
December 08, 2018
August 15, 2017
May 26, 2017
A man's bracelet must be stylish and masculine, made from different materials and give you a variety of colours to allow you to mix-and-match for a stylish stacked effect.
Here is our guide to the best men's bracelets:
May 25, 2017
Washing never goes away and it seems to get bigger every day. The clothes just keep piling up.
To make your washing day a little easier follow these 10 steps to help you have the perfect wash.
May 23, 2017
The refrigerator is an essential part of any kitchen yet when it comes to being cleaned it gets neglected.
It is always one of those tasks that e will get to one day BUT that day never shows up.
The result is the fridge becomes dirty, smelly and the job just becomes so much bigger.
Here is an easy schedule to follow daily, weekly and seasonally to ensure that your fridge is kept sparkling clean and tidy.
Wipe up spills immediately, before they have a chance to dry. Ensure everything that goes into the refrigerator is immaculate.
Ensure everything that goes into the refrigerator is immaculate.
Always wipe the rims of jam jars, salad dressing bottles, and ketchup containers before storing.
Check for spoilage and throw out foods and beverages that are past their prime.
Place anything likely to drip or leak, such as defrosting meat or cartons of berries, on a rimmed plate.
Wipe doors, including edges, and top of the refrigerator with a cloth dampened with mild dishwashing liquid and water.
Pay special attention to the areas around the handles, which can harbour sticky fingerprints.
For a stainless-steel surface, use commercial stainless-steel spray and wipe in the direction of the grain.
Turn off the power at the power point and unplug.
Put food in a cooler; remove glass shelves and crisper drawers and bring to room temperature so there’s no danger of cracking when you wash them.
Wipe the interior with a solution of 2 tablespoons baking soda and 946 ml hot water.
Rinse with a damp cloth, and then dry with a clean towel.
Do not use soap or detergent; they can leave behind a fragrance, which will be absorbed by food.
Do not use abrasive cleansers, ammonia, or bleach.
To remove caked-on residue, rehydrate by liberally applying the baking soda solution mentioned above with a wet towel.
Leave the door open, and let the residue soak in the solution for 10 minutes, or until it starts to crack or soften (reapply if necessary).
Wipe the stain away with a clean, damp towel. If the stain won’t come off, repeat the process with a mildly abrasive, chlorine-free household cleanser such as Bon Ami; dilute 1 tablespoon cleanser in 473 ml of hot water to avoid scratching plastic surfaces.
Soak shelves and bins in a solution of 2 tablespoons baking soda for every 946 ml of warm water.
Do not wash in the dishwasher.
Dry thoroughly before replacing.
Clean the door seals, which can collect crumbs, with hot water and mild dishwashing liquid; dry thoroughly with a clean cloth.
Check the seals periodically. An improper fit can cause cold loss and temperature fluctuations.
Clean the drip pan or tray (also known as a defrost pan), which holds water from the continual process of defrosting -- if your refrigerator has one.
You’ll have to remove the base grill first to look for the pan; it often sits on a set of black condenser coils. Before pulling it out, check to see if there’s liquid in it. If so, soak it up with paper towels (wear rubber gloves and a dust mask first in case the water is mouldy).
When the pan is dry, pull it out and examine it for signs of mould.
Wash the pan with warm, soapy water; if it’s mouldy, follow with a 1-to-10 solution of bleach and water.
Dry thoroughly and vacuum the area around the pan before replacing it.
To clean a fixed drip pan, wrap an absorbent cloth around the head of a clean ceiling fan brush or a clean paint roller and secure the cloth with rubber bands. Dampen it with warm soapy water and clean the pan.
Wipe with a clean cloth and let air-dry before replacing the grill.
Good luck with all your cleaning.
Talk soon........
March 29, 2017
For everyday cleaning of the sink use Fiori stainless steel cleaner (available from Fiori) or a proprietary stainless steel cleaner available from most supermarkets.
3. Never use chemical silver cleaners
4. Never use bleaches or detergents containing chlorine
Whilst our sinks are manufactured from high-quality stainless steel they are not immune to scratches and marks from hardened steel kitchen utensils, ceramic and pottery items and cookware
The Ideal prevention for scratches to your new sink is to exercise some care when using your sink.
If your sink comes into contact with acidic materials or liquids, rinse immediately with plenty of water and wipe with a soft dry cloth.
Do not leave rusty objects in contact with the sink. Rust can cause staining and permanent damage to the sink surface
To avoid staining of the sink surface, do not leave foods with corrosive properties such as vinegar, mustard, juices, salt etc on the sink
Do not place very hot objects on the sink
Avoid dropping heavy and/or sharp objects onto the sink
Avoid scrapping the sink with metal utensils
By following these simple rules and tips you should have many good years with your sink.
March 28, 2017
These 12 handy tips will save you a lot of time and headaches in the kitchen. Your kitchen is for enjoyment and spending time with family and friends.
Go ahead and try these next time you are in the kitchen
Whipping up vinaigrette can make you wish you had three hands -- one to whisk, one to pour the oil, and one to hold the bowl steady. A damp kitchen towel can do the trick. Just twist the towel securely around the base of the bowl to keep it in place.
No-Stick TrickFor brownies and bar cookies that don't crumble or stick when you remove them from the pan, try this: Butter the baking dish, then place a sheet of parchment, also buttered, inside, allowing about 2 inches to extend beyond two opposite sides. Bake according to the recipe's instructions, and let cool. Pull up on the parchment to lift the dessert from the pan before cutting.
Slicing Bacon StripsWhen a recipe calls for sliced or diced bacon, freeze the strips for easier cutting: This way, they won't slide under the knife.
Separating Yolks and WhitesTry this quick and clean method for separating yolks and whites. Gently crack an egg over a slotted spoon set atop a bowl. The white will flow through the openings, leaving the yolk intact and your hands mess-free.
Citrus Trick
To get every last drop from an overly firm lemon or lime, zap it in the microwave for 10 seconds. The heat will soften the fruit, releasing its liquid. Slice it in two. Using one hand, squeeze half (cut side against your palm) over a bowl. The seeds will collect in your hand as the juice flows into the dish.
Peeling Ginger
The next time you have a recipe that calls for fresh ginger, reach for a spoon. It removes the thin skin easily, even from the knotty areas. Hold the spoon, concave side facing you, and draw it toward you. Manoeuvre the spoon and ginger as necessary to get into all the crevices.
Non-Slip Cutting Board
To keep a cutting board from lurching or wobbling while you chop, set it on a piece of non-slip mesh -- the same rubber pad that's used to keep area rugs in place. Available from housewares stores, a rubber pad works under unsteady mixing bowls as well.
Self-adhesive felt protectors -- like those used to prevent chair legs from scratching the floor -- have another handy application. Stick them under kitchen appliances, such as the toaster, coffeemaker, and electric can opener, which will then glide across the countertop for easy access.
Kitchen Helper
Don't leave that bench scraper in a drawer, waiting for your next baking project. In the same way that it efficiently removes bits of dough from a work surface, it can transport every last chopped vegetable from the cutting board to the prep bowl in one pass.
Grinder Care
Freshly ground seeds of cumin, coriander, and fennel don't just spice up your cooking, they also cling to the grinder. For a quick cleaning, run soft, fresh white bread through the grinder to pick up lingering spices and absorb the oil they leave behind.
Sieve Shield
Foods that sputter and spatter as they fry, such as bacon and soft-shell crabs, can be a hazard to the cook and anyone else within close range. If you don't have a spatter guard, a large sieve can stand in for protection -- just place it facedown over the food cooking in the pan. For safety, turn both handles toward the back of the stove, resting the sieve's handle on top of the pan's.
Opening Stubborn Jars
Try this trick for opening stubborn jar lids: Place one rubber band around the lid, and another around the jar. With one hand, grip the jar where the rubber band encircles it; use the other hand to twist off the lid. The rubber bands provide friction, so your hands won't slip off the jar or lid.
Let us know the handy tips you have that can save us all time.