Two Handy Cake Baking Tips
When cooling a cake, spray the cake rack with cooking spray before turning the cake out. The cake will cool without sticking to the rack and they will be easier to clean.
To quickly decorate an iced cake place a cookie cutter in the centre of the icing and pour sprinkles, hundreds and thousands or chocolate slivers inside the cookie cutter. When you lift the cutter off you will have a perfect design.
Tuesday, 16 February 2010
Monday, 15 February 2010
Steam Clean the Kitchen Tiles
Ceramic tiles certainly do make cleaning the kitchen easier, but sometimes even they can be hard to clean, especially the splashback behind the stove or cooktop. When the tiles become splattered with grease that is stubborn and hard to wipe off put a pot of water on one of the back burners and bring it to the boil with the lid off. The steam from the pot will soften the grease spots making them easy to wipe off with a clean cloth. Don't waste the water, use it for a hot drink or let it cool and use it on your indoor plants.
Sunday, 14 February 2010
Tip of the Day 14 February 2010
Keeping cut flowers longer
I love having cut flowers on my dining room table, they just finish the room off beautifully. But buying them is expensive, especially when they don't last more than four or five days. You can extend the life of cut flowers for up to a month with just a couple of simple tricks.
As you arrange the flowers in the vase, remove any leaves that will be below the water and cut the stems on an angle. Then fill the vase with lukewarm, sugared water (1 teaspoon of sugar per 500ml). Every five days, empty the vase and rinse the stems under hot water. Refill the vase with sugared water or if the flowers are starting to droop, use half warm water half lemonade.
The flowers will last for up to a month, depending on how fresh they were when you bought them. Try it, it really does work.
I love having cut flowers on my dining room table, they just finish the room off beautifully. But buying them is expensive, especially when they don't last more than four or five days. You can extend the life of cut flowers for up to a month with just a couple of simple tricks.
As you arrange the flowers in the vase, remove any leaves that will be below the water and cut the stems on an angle. Then fill the vase with lukewarm, sugared water (1 teaspoon of sugar per 500ml). Every five days, empty the vase and rinse the stems under hot water. Refill the vase with sugared water or if the flowers are starting to droop, use half warm water half lemonade.
The flowers will last for up to a month, depending on how fresh they were when you bought them. Try it, it really does work.
Saturday, 13 February 2010
Cleaning out the margarine container
Something I do, that I'm fairly certain not everyone does, is to scrape the margarine container to get every last gram out of it. When the butter knife won't pick up any more marg, I use a thin, silicone spatula (I love those silicone spatulas) and scrape it around the container, making sure to get into the edges. Tonight I scraped enough out of the "empty" container to add to the mashed potatoes for dinner!
Scraping the marg container (or Vegemite jar or whatever) may not seem like it's saving you a lot of money but if I can get one extra use out of everything, then over time it adds up.
Scraping the marg container (or Vegemite jar or whatever) may not seem like it's saving you a lot of money but if I can get one extra use out of everything, then over time it adds up.
Tip of the Day 13 February 2010
Valentine's Day Treats You Can Make With Your Kids
When kids are first introduced to Valentine’s Day it is by their parents. They are told that it is a day to show those we love how we feel about them.
These days Valentine’s Day is a day for treats as well as expressions of love. So skip the commercial hype and show your love and affection by spending time with the kids (or grandkids) and make some special sweet treats with them. Here are two ideas for making biscuits and cupcakes that ooze with love and fresh baked goodness.
Heart shaped cookie cutters will turn regular biscuits into creations of love. Kids don’t only like hearts. Let them experiment with other shapes in the cookie cutter arsenal if they want to. They can even design shapes of their own with the dough pieces that are too small to cut.
Cupcakes are much the same way. Make little heart shaped cupcakes by putting a marble or large bead between the filled patty pan and the cake tin. The marble pushes the cake mixture in, making a little indentation that forms the heart shape. Decorate with white icing and red jelly crystals or pink icing and sprinkles.
Biscuits and cupcakes can get a nice makeover for Valentine’s Day to help reflect the good feelings of the holiday as well as create great family togetherness.
Basic Butter Biscuits
Ingredients:
250g butter, softened
1 cup icing sugar mixture
2 1/2 cups plain flour
Method:
Beat butter and icing sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Transfer to large bowl. Stir in the flour, in two batches. Knead dough on lightly floured surface until smooth. Divide dough in half and roll each half into a 25cm log. Wrap in clingwrap and refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm. Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Roll dough out to 1cm thick. Cut into shapes with floured cookie cutters. Place biscuits on greased oven trays 2cm apart. Bake, uncovered, about 10 minutess or until browned lightly. Turn cookies onto wire rack to cool.
The Worlds Easiest Cup cakes
Ingredients:
1 cup cream and
1 cup of sugar
1 1/2 cups SR flour
2 eggs
Method:
Combine cream and sugar. Beat into flour. Light beat eggs and stir into mixture. Spoon into patty pans and bake at 180 degrees Celsius for 15-20 minutes.
When kids are first introduced to Valentine’s Day it is by their parents. They are told that it is a day to show those we love how we feel about them.
These days Valentine’s Day is a day for treats as well as expressions of love. So skip the commercial hype and show your love and affection by spending time with the kids (or grandkids) and make some special sweet treats with them. Here are two ideas for making biscuits and cupcakes that ooze with love and fresh baked goodness.
Heart shaped cookie cutters will turn regular biscuits into creations of love. Kids don’t only like hearts. Let them experiment with other shapes in the cookie cutter arsenal if they want to. They can even design shapes of their own with the dough pieces that are too small to cut.
Cupcakes are much the same way. Make little heart shaped cupcakes by putting a marble or large bead between the filled patty pan and the cake tin. The marble pushes the cake mixture in, making a little indentation that forms the heart shape. Decorate with white icing and red jelly crystals or pink icing and sprinkles.
Biscuits and cupcakes can get a nice makeover for Valentine’s Day to help reflect the good feelings of the holiday as well as create great family togetherness.
Basic Butter Biscuits
Ingredients:
250g butter, softened
1 cup icing sugar mixture
2 1/2 cups plain flour
Method:
Beat butter and icing sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Transfer to large bowl. Stir in the flour, in two batches. Knead dough on lightly floured surface until smooth. Divide dough in half and roll each half into a 25cm log. Wrap in clingwrap and refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm. Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Roll dough out to 1cm thick. Cut into shapes with floured cookie cutters. Place biscuits on greased oven trays 2cm apart. Bake, uncovered, about 10 minutess or until browned lightly. Turn cookies onto wire rack to cool.
The Worlds Easiest Cup cakes
Ingredients:
1 cup cream and
1 cup of sugar
1 1/2 cups SR flour
2 eggs
Method:
Combine cream and sugar. Beat into flour. Light beat eggs and stir into mixture. Spoon into patty pans and bake at 180 degrees Celsius for 15-20 minutes.
Friday, 12 February 2010
Saturday is our quiet day and today was no exception
We woke to grey, cloudy skies and heavy drizzle, making it very tempting just get back into bed and curl up with some books. I thought about it and then decided it would be nicer to be up and about, so up I got.
With all the lovely rain of the last two days the vegetable garden has gone wild. The tomatoes are climbing the fence and the little tommy tomato is actually higher than the fence on two limbs! It's been an odd season in the garden, the tomatoes especially have been slow to form and even slower to ripen but I did mange to pick a colander full of the tiny ones this afternoon and now I have them in the oven, slowly roasting. I love semi-dried tomatoes, especially if they are virtually free.
And as it's Spending Freeze month at the Cheapskates Club making a batch of my own rather than buying them makes sense too. Until a few years ago I had no idea that I could do my own semi-dried tomatoes, another marketing campaign that had me believing it took special skills or equipment or ingredients.
This lot were washed and dried, then cut in half. I like to put them on silicone paper in the oven, it just makes the cleaning up easier. Then I sprinkled them with some finely chopped basil and parsley (because that's what is in the garden right now) and drizzled some EVOO over them. Into a pre-heated very slow (90 degrees fan forced) oven for a couple of hours. They've been cooking for about an hour and look good. Another hour and they'll be done. I have a jar, already to wash and sterilise by the oven method seeing it's on, to put them in. They'll keep in the fridge, covered in EVOO for months but they never last that long.
I like to put them in salads and on anti pasta plates, for colour but also because they are good, really, really good to eat.
They are so easy to do and small batches as they are ripe make it even easier. If you haven't tried making your own semi-dried tomatoes yet, do. They are so much nicer than the bought ones and you can alter the flavours to suit your taste.
My menu plan went out the window tonight. We decided to have the focaccias I picked up for 50c a packet at Aldi last week, for tea with pasta sauce, sliced tomato and grated cheese. Yum. And yay for a really inexpensive tea, about $3.50 to feed the five of us.
With all the lovely rain of the last two days the vegetable garden has gone wild. The tomatoes are climbing the fence and the little tommy tomato is actually higher than the fence on two limbs! It's been an odd season in the garden, the tomatoes especially have been slow to form and even slower to ripen but I did mange to pick a colander full of the tiny ones this afternoon and now I have them in the oven, slowly roasting. I love semi-dried tomatoes, especially if they are virtually free.
And as it's Spending Freeze month at the Cheapskates Club making a batch of my own rather than buying them makes sense too. Until a few years ago I had no idea that I could do my own semi-dried tomatoes, another marketing campaign that had me believing it took special skills or equipment or ingredients.
This lot were washed and dried, then cut in half. I like to put them on silicone paper in the oven, it just makes the cleaning up easier. Then I sprinkled them with some finely chopped basil and parsley (because that's what is in the garden right now) and drizzled some EVOO over them. Into a pre-heated very slow (90 degrees fan forced) oven for a couple of hours. They've been cooking for about an hour and look good. Another hour and they'll be done. I have a jar, already to wash and sterilise by the oven method seeing it's on, to put them in. They'll keep in the fridge, covered in EVOO for months but they never last that long.
My homemade semi-dried tomatoes, don't they look good?
I like to put them in salads and on anti pasta plates, for colour but also because they are good, really, really good to eat.
They are so easy to do and small batches as they are ripe make it even easier. If you haven't tried making your own semi-dried tomatoes yet, do. They are so much nicer than the bought ones and you can alter the flavours to suit your taste.
My menu plan went out the window tonight. We decided to have the focaccias I picked up for 50c a packet at Aldi last week, for tea with pasta sauce, sliced tomato and grated cheese. Yum. And yay for a really inexpensive tea, about $3.50 to feed the five of us.
Tip of the Day 12 February 2010
Before you hit the supermarket....
Before your weekly or fortnightly shopping trip, go through all of your food storage areas. This includes your pantry, fridge, freezer, and anywhere else you store food. It’s time to make room and take inventory. Add any grocery items you need to your shopping list. Doing a food and grocery inventory before you go shopping eliminates impulse and "might need" buying, saving you a bundle. Cheapskates Club Platinum members can login and print our Pantry, Fridge and Freezer inventories to make this chore even easier.
Before your weekly or fortnightly shopping trip, go through all of your food storage areas. This includes your pantry, fridge, freezer, and anywhere else you store food. It’s time to make room and take inventory. Add any grocery items you need to your shopping list. Doing a food and grocery inventory before you go shopping eliminates impulse and "might need" buying, saving you a bundle. Cheapskates Club Platinum members can login and print our Pantry, Fridge and Freezer inventories to make this chore even easier.
Thursday, 11 February 2010
And the rain came down
After days of being promised thunderstorms and rain it finally arrived and as usual just as school was coming out for the day.
But oh how lovely it was. I was sitting in the car with all the windows down and the rain pelting in through those open windows and I did not care a jot about the wet upholstery. I was enjoying the rain, splashing in onto my arm and shoulder, soaking through my t-shirt and cooling me.
It has been so unusually hot and steamy here in Melbourne that I was starting to wilt, along with the garden. It's been raining for about two hours and I swear the tomatoes are standing up taller and the pots at the front door are definitely a brighter shade of green.
Of course, along with such a sudden deluge comes the flash flooding. The creek behind us has broken it's banks and the water is lapping at the walking path. It's not quite to our back fence. I don't think it will get there now, the rain seems to be easing.
The local roads were flooded when I went to pick up Hannah after an emergency phone call. She was soaked but unharmed after a section of the roof at our local shopping centre collapsed and dumped a load of water on her. She was grinning from ear to ear, delighted to be so wet and cool without being in trouble! She doesn't have a scratch on her, just a little plaster in her hair and she was standing directly under the part of the ceiling that collapsed.
We heard on the car radio that people were swimming down Flinders Street!
I can honestly say I've never in my life heard that one before.
Driving home I noticed that the street lights were on and it was only 4.35pm on a February afternoon! Those storm clouds were dark, almost black.
The air smells deliciously muddy, that combination of dust and rain and high humidity that reminds me so much of the tropics. I'm listening to the rain patter down on the verandah roof, it has such an interesting beat, staring off so softly and building to a major crescendo before coming to a sudden stop. No easing off for this rain storm, it just stopped.
Looks like the storm has passed.
But oh how lovely it was. I was sitting in the car with all the windows down and the rain pelting in through those open windows and I did not care a jot about the wet upholstery. I was enjoying the rain, splashing in onto my arm and shoulder, soaking through my t-shirt and cooling me.
It has been so unusually hot and steamy here in Melbourne that I was starting to wilt, along with the garden. It's been raining for about two hours and I swear the tomatoes are standing up taller and the pots at the front door are definitely a brighter shade of green.
Of course, along with such a sudden deluge comes the flash flooding. The creek behind us has broken it's banks and the water is lapping at the walking path. It's not quite to our back fence. I don't think it will get there now, the rain seems to be easing.
The local roads were flooded when I went to pick up Hannah after an emergency phone call. She was soaked but unharmed after a section of the roof at our local shopping centre collapsed and dumped a load of water on her. She was grinning from ear to ear, delighted to be so wet and cool without being in trouble! She doesn't have a scratch on her, just a little plaster in her hair and she was standing directly under the part of the ceiling that collapsed.
We heard on the car radio that people were swimming down Flinders Street!
I found this picture on Google Images - thanks to whoever took it, it is fantastic
I can honestly say I've never in my life heard that one before.
Driving home I noticed that the street lights were on and it was only 4.35pm on a February afternoon! Those storm clouds were dark, almost black.
The air smells deliciously muddy, that combination of dust and rain and high humidity that reminds me so much of the tropics. I'm listening to the rain patter down on the verandah roof, it has such an interesting beat, staring off so softly and building to a major crescendo before coming to a sudden stop. No easing off for this rain storm, it just stopped.
Looks like the storm has passed.
What To Do With Ripe Bananas
Instead of turfing out over-ripe bananas, freeze them instead! Just mash them and freeze in 1 cup portions in freezer bags. The next time you need mashed bananas for that yummy cake or muffin recipe, take the frozen banana, let it defrost whilst you get your ingredients organised and it will be ready to use. Just cut off the corner and squeeze! The banana has not lost its colour or flavour. No more wasted bananas and cake and muffins taste just the same!
Banana Cake
Ingredients:
60g butter
1 cup sugar
3 bananas, mashed
2 tablespoons milk
1 egg
11/2 cups S.R. flour
Method:
Cream butter and sugar, add beaten egg and mashed bananas. Add flour and milk last. Put in greased loaf tin and bake 35-40 minutes in moderate oven. When cold ice with lemon icing.
Instead of turfing out over-ripe bananas, freeze them instead! Just mash them and freeze in 1 cup portions in freezer bags. The next time you need mashed bananas for that yummy cake or muffin recipe, take the frozen banana, let it defrost whilst you get your ingredients organised and it will be ready to use. Just cut off the corner and squeeze! The banana has not lost its colour or flavour. No more wasted bananas and cake and muffins taste just the same!
Banana Cake
Ingredients:
60g butter
1 cup sugar
3 bananas, mashed
2 tablespoons milk
1 egg
11/2 cups S.R. flour
Method:
Cream butter and sugar, add beaten egg and mashed bananas. Add flour and milk last. Put in greased loaf tin and bake 35-40 minutes in moderate oven. When cold ice with lemon icing.
Wednesday, 10 February 2010
Spending Freeze Update
I've been reading the forum posts and you are all doing so well. While February is a spending freeze month, you can still buy essentials (food for your families is essential, don't stop feeding them!).
I had a giggle to myself at Debby's post. I can only imagine that hacking back the jungle aka garden would exhaust you enough to take away the desire to shop.
And then janes posted about needing a new kitchen sink, and how she comes to be needing it. Are you sure you didn't help the crack along? Just a little? Perhaps subconsciously?
Don't forget that this spending freeze is just a challenge and meant to be fun, don't worry about slipping up. I did this afternoon. After a particularly trying day dealing with a particularly difficult service provider and getting nowhere very slowly, I dashed into Coles to get milk (does it annoy anyone else that Coles has the most expensive fresh milk? 33c/3 litre bottle more expensive than my local Safeway or Aldi, anyway I digress) and made the mistake of going through the bakery dept. Left with the milk, a packet of ginger kisses and a honey roll.
We had the honey roll sliced and topped with ice-cream and homemade caramel sauce for dessert tonight, very yummy. The ginger kisses have gone into the freezer for quick treats. Talk about emotional buying under stress! All I can say is thank goodness I skipped the chocolate aisle - all those yummy Valentines chocolates would have really done me in.
I had a giggle to myself at Debby's post. I can only imagine that hacking back the jungle aka garden would exhaust you enough to take away the desire to shop.
And then janes posted about needing a new kitchen sink, and how she comes to be needing it. Are you sure you didn't help the crack along? Just a little? Perhaps subconsciously?
Don't forget that this spending freeze is just a challenge and meant to be fun, don't worry about slipping up. I did this afternoon. After a particularly trying day dealing with a particularly difficult service provider and getting nowhere very slowly, I dashed into Coles to get milk (does it annoy anyone else that Coles has the most expensive fresh milk? 33c/3 litre bottle more expensive than my local Safeway or Aldi, anyway I digress) and made the mistake of going through the bakery dept. Left with the milk, a packet of ginger kisses and a honey roll.
We had the honey roll sliced and topped with ice-cream and homemade caramel sauce for dessert tonight, very yummy. The ginger kisses have gone into the freezer for quick treats. Talk about emotional buying under stress! All I can say is thank goodness I skipped the chocolate aisle - all those yummy Valentines chocolates would have really done me in.
Tip of the Day 10 February 2010
Need Some Extra Money Fast?
There comes a time in all our lives when we need a few extra dollars fast! An easy way to find extra money is to look around you. Do your children have toys they’ve barely touched or clothing they’ve outgrown that is still in good shape? Are there tools and utensils in your kitchen that you bought that are now taking up space? One great way to make a bit of extra money is to gather up all of the items you aren’t using anymore and hold a garage sale or yard sale. Make sure that everything is clean, well organized, and clearly priced before you hold your sale. You should have a sign that clearly announces the sale in your front yard and you may want to also place a classified ad in your local paper. To save on advertising costs and generate more interest, ask a few other neighbourhood mums or friends to chip in. A garage sale is a great way to make fast bucks and declutter your home at the same time.
There comes a time in all our lives when we need a few extra dollars fast! An easy way to find extra money is to look around you. Do your children have toys they’ve barely touched or clothing they’ve outgrown that is still in good shape? Are there tools and utensils in your kitchen that you bought that are now taking up space? One great way to make a bit of extra money is to gather up all of the items you aren’t using anymore and hold a garage sale or yard sale. Make sure that everything is clean, well organized, and clearly priced before you hold your sale. You should have a sign that clearly announces the sale in your front yard and you may want to also place a classified ad in your local paper. To save on advertising costs and generate more interest, ask a few other neighbourhood mums or friends to chip in. A garage sale is a great way to make fast bucks and declutter your home at the same time.
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
Tip of the Day 9 February 2010
Light Chicken and Vegetable Soup
Odd though it may sound, a light soup is often an easy and appetising meal during summer. Long periods of hot weather can dampen appetites so this very frugal, extremely tasty summer soup is ideal. It uses lots of summer vegetables and is perfect for using up leftover roast chicken. It also freezes well.
Ingredients:
2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1/2 cup of sliced celery
1 carrot, diced
2 cups fresh tomatoes, peeled and diced
1.5 litres chicken stock (homemade or use stock cubes)
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup diced red capsicum
1 cup diced yellow squash
2 cups cooked chicken, diced
Method:
Place the oil into a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, celery and carrots and
cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the tomatoes and stir to combine. Pour the chicken stock into the kettle then season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine all ingredients. Bring the soup to a steady boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer the soup for 30 minutes. Add capsicum and squash, cover and continue to simmer another 15 minutes. Stir in the diced chicken and cook uncovered another 10 minutes.
Odd though it may sound, a light soup is often an easy and appetising meal during summer. Long periods of hot weather can dampen appetites so this very frugal, extremely tasty summer soup is ideal. It uses lots of summer vegetables and is perfect for using up leftover roast chicken. It also freezes well.
Ingredients:
2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1/2 cup of sliced celery
1 carrot, diced
2 cups fresh tomatoes, peeled and diced
1.5 litres chicken stock (homemade or use stock cubes)
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup diced red capsicum
1 cup diced yellow squash
2 cups cooked chicken, diced
Method:
Place the oil into a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, celery and carrots and
cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the tomatoes and stir to combine. Pour the chicken stock into the kettle then season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine all ingredients. Bring the soup to a steady boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer the soup for 30 minutes. Add capsicum and squash, cover and continue to simmer another 15 minutes. Stir in the diced chicken and cook uncovered another 10 minutes.
Monday, 8 February 2010
Tip of the Day 8 February 2010
Keep a Favourite T-shirt Forever
Do you have old t-shirts you just can't bear to throw away? For example, t-shirts with great sayings, pictures or end of year school autographs? Or shirts that hold precious memories of your kids when they were little? Perhpas you have a pile of souvenir t-shirts from fondly remembered holidays. Here's a wonderful way to bring those t-shirts back to life - turn them into cushions!
T-shirt cushions are a real novelty around the house and they also make great gift ideas. They're very easy to make; just follow these simple instructions:
* Turn the t-shirt inside out and cut some length off the hem; otherwise it might be a tad too long.
* Stitch the hem to close the bottom, and then turn the t-shirt until the right side is showing.
* Sew the sleeves closed.
* Fill t-shirt with stuffing then stitch the neckline closed.
Use washable stuffing because these soft and cuddly cushions will get lots of use and be well loved.
Do you have old t-shirts you just can't bear to throw away? For example, t-shirts with great sayings, pictures or end of year school autographs? Or shirts that hold precious memories of your kids when they were little? Perhpas you have a pile of souvenir t-shirts from fondly remembered holidays. Here's a wonderful way to bring those t-shirts back to life - turn them into cushions!
T-shirt cushions are a real novelty around the house and they also make great gift ideas. They're very easy to make; just follow these simple instructions:
* Turn the t-shirt inside out and cut some length off the hem; otherwise it might be a tad too long.
* Stitch the hem to close the bottom, and then turn the t-shirt until the right side is showing.
* Sew the sleeves closed.
* Fill t-shirt with stuffing then stitch the neckline closed.
Use washable stuffing because these soft and cuddly cushions will get lots of use and be well loved.
Sunday, 7 February 2010
Tip of the Day 7 February 2010
Adding Landscape Lighting
Landscape lighting used to be a big deal and very complicated. That's when all landscape lighting had to be hard wired to the house power supply. However, solar powered lights are among the simplest lights to install. If you'd like to add lighting along your walkway, just purchase these lights, find an appropriately sunny place for them, and stake them into the ground. They are an inexpensive way of providing lighting to your garden, making it safer at night and adding some glamour at the same time. Some kits may need a little assembly, but that really is all there is to it. You’ll find kits in the garden section at hardware and department stores and some discount or $2 shops too.
Saturday, 6 February 2010
Tip of the Day 6 February 2010
Fun for all the Family
Play miniature golf. Mini golf courses can be found in any city and many smaller towns. It's easy to play, even if you've never played real golf. Look in your local paper or online for discount vouchers, pack some nibbles and drinks and go and have a lot of fun. Remember the sunscreen and hats and you'll really have a lot of fun. And it may be better if you're not a golf pro - the worse you and your fellow players are at it, the more laughs you'll get!
Play miniature golf. Mini golf courses can be found in any city and many smaller towns. It's easy to play, even if you've never played real golf. Look in your local paper or online for discount vouchers, pack some nibbles and drinks and go and have a lot of fun. Remember the sunscreen and hats and you'll really have a lot of fun. And it may be better if you're not a golf pro - the worse you and your fellow players are at it, the more laughs you'll get!
Friday, 5 February 2010
Tip of the Day 5 February 2010
Don't Shop When You Are Hungry, Really!
The biggest downfall to any well-planned grocery shopping trip is being hungry when you hit the supermarket. Before you leave home, make sure you eat something. You are more likely to buy impulsively when you are hungry because it all looks oh so yummy. Have a sandwich, piece of fruit or a cup of soup, anything that will hold you over until you get back from the shops.
Seriously, this is really important. Don’t believe me? Go to the supermarket before breakfast, lunch or dinner one day…you’ll see!
Thursday, 4 February 2010
Tip of the Day 4 February 2010
Super Cuticle Moisturiser in Your Kitchen
Keep your nails and cuticles in tip top shape with olive oil. Simply rub a drop or two into each cuticle and nail once or twice a day for a super moisturising and super cheap treatment. Cuticle oils can cost $15 or more and they don't work nearly as well as olive oil.
Keep your nails and cuticles in tip top shape with olive oil. Simply rub a drop or two into each cuticle and nail once or twice a day for a super moisturising and super cheap treatment. Cuticle oils can cost $15 or more and they don't work nearly as well as olive oil.
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
Tip of the Day 3 February 2010
Skip the Bootees, Take Dinner to a New Mum
Instead of the usual baby gifts, take a prepared dish, casserole, dessert. etc. completely prepared and frozen for the new mother's freezer. Get together with a few friends or family members and you could give the new mum a freezer full of ready to heat and eat meals. It's fun and inexpensive and will give your friend precious time to spend with her new baby instead of in the kitchen.
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
Tip of the Day 2 February 2010
The Sandwich Factory
Lunches for school or work can be expensive if you have to buy them each day. Save yourself time and money by making a weeks worth of sandwiches on one night (we make ours on a Monday night) and then freeze them. We also make up the drinks for the week and store them in the door of the fridge. Then each morning, everyone just takes a sandwich or roll, drink and fruit and off they go! Even little children can put their lunch items in their lunchbox or bag.
Some sandwich fillings that freeze well are:
Ham and cheese
Ham and mustard
Ham, cheese and mustard
Peanut butter and jam (I know it's an American thing but it's not too bad)
Cheese and Vegemite, Marmite, Promite
Tasty cheese and jam (again, sounds odd but is very nice)
Deli meats (stras, chicken loaf, silverside, ham, devon etc)
Shredded BBQ or roast chicken and mayo
Leftover cooked sausages, sliced lengthwise with tomato sauce
Leftover cooked steak, thinly sliced with BBQ or sweet chilli sauce
Keep the salad fillings for adding just before eating, they don't freeze and thaw very well. Wrap each sandwich, roll, wrap or bagel well before freezing.
Preparing ahead saves a lot of time and discussion in the mornings and a lot of lunch money each week.
Sunday, 31 January 2010
Tip of the Day 31 January 2010
Balcony Garden Started With Free Containers
I started a herb and veg garden on the balcony in March this year - and have not purchased one pot! All of the containers I use have been collected from hard waste collections or are other household containers that would have otherwise been thrown out. Seedlings can be raised in egg cartons, old toilet rolls or yogurt containers. As pots I use various containers discarded by others – I have a child's sandpit, an office bin, a polystyrene box, etc, etc. Using this same theory, you could take any old container of the appropriate size (like a kitchen colander, a disused kettle or toaster, or 3L milk/juice bottles), add some chain from 3 points around the top and a loop at the top of the chain, and you have a hanging basket.
Contributed by Jacklyn, Kogarah
I started a herb and veg garden on the balcony in March this year - and have not purchased one pot! All of the containers I use have been collected from hard waste collections or are other household containers that would have otherwise been thrown out. Seedlings can be raised in egg cartons, old toilet rolls or yogurt containers. As pots I use various containers discarded by others – I have a child's sandpit, an office bin, a polystyrene box, etc, etc. Using this same theory, you could take any old container of the appropriate size (like a kitchen colander, a disused kettle or toaster, or 3L milk/juice bottles), add some chain from 3 points around the top and a loop at the top of the chain, and you have a hanging basket.
Contributed by Jacklyn, Kogarah
Saturday, 30 January 2010
Tip of the Day 30 January 2010
Emergency Numbers
Use your computer to print out the information 000 would need to find your house, phone and contact details of friends and family and names and phone numbers of trades people you use. Print off copies for the fridge, phone, office, car, your diary and your handbag. Slipping the fridge copy into a plastic sleeve and using magnets to keep it in place makes it easy to change details.
Use your computer to print out the information 000 would need to find your house, phone and contact details of friends and family and names and phone numbers of trades people you use. Print off copies for the fridge, phone, office, car, your diary and your handbag. Slipping the fridge copy into a plastic sleeve and using magnets to keep it in place makes it easy to change details.
Friday, 29 January 2010
Tip of the Day 29 January 2010
Air Bags
When you are packing delicate or fragile items bubble wrap or air bags are great as cushioning, but rather expensive to buy. A fantastic substitute for bubble wrap or packing material is ziplock bags. Simply gather some ziplock style bag and a plastic straw. Insert the end of the straw into the bag and seal the bag the rest of the way. Blow up the bag with the straw; then quickly remove the straw and seal the bag. Fill up your parcel with as many “air bags” as you need.
When you are packing delicate or fragile items bubble wrap or air bags are great as cushioning, but rather expensive to buy. A fantastic substitute for bubble wrap or packing material is ziplock bags. Simply gather some ziplock style bag and a plastic straw. Insert the end of the straw into the bag and seal the bag the rest of the way. Blow up the bag with the straw; then quickly remove the straw and seal the bag. Fill up your parcel with as many “air bags” as you need.
Thursday, 28 January 2010
Tip of the Day 28 January 2010
A Matching Set
Mark your bowls and their covers with the same number using a permanent marker. Then you won't be searching for the lid that matches the bowl when putting away leftovers. All you have to do is match the numbers. If you own Tupperware bowls, you'll find that the bases and seals are already marked to make matching easy. Simply match the letter on the base with the letter on the tab part of the seal to find a matching pair.
Mark your bowls and their covers with the same number using a permanent marker. Then you won't be searching for the lid that matches the bowl when putting away leftovers. All you have to do is match the numbers. If you own Tupperware bowls, you'll find that the bases and seals are already marked to make matching easy. Simply match the letter on the base with the letter on the tab part of the seal to find a matching pair.
Wednesday, 27 January 2010
Tip of the Day 27 January 2010
Read, Read, Read
Want to learn more? Or become more proficient in a particular area? Then READ, READ, READ! Reading 30 - 50 books in a year is the equivalent of a year towards a PhD. So, if you want to become an expert on anything, read up on your topic. It doesn't have to be costly - borrow books from the library or friends (make sure you return them) or use the Internet. Keep a record of what you read in a notebook. This is especially helpful when you want to buy a copy of a particular book or refer back to it later on. Whatever method you choose, just keep on reading.
Want to learn more? Or become more proficient in a particular area? Then READ, READ, READ! Reading 30 - 50 books in a year is the equivalent of a year towards a PhD. So, if you want to become an expert on anything, read up on your topic. It doesn't have to be costly - borrow books from the library or friends (make sure you return them) or use the Internet. Keep a record of what you read in a notebook. This is especially helpful when you want to buy a copy of a particular book or refer back to it later on. Whatever method you choose, just keep on reading.
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Tip of the Day 26 January 2010
Pre-prep Saves Time and Stops the Takeaway Urge
I purchase lean mince in bulk quantities when it is on sale, usually in ten kilo lots, and prepare it to the cooking stage before freezing. I brown half the mixture and freeze in portions. This makes preparing tacos and pasta sauces a breeze. The other five kilos is made into a meatloaf mixture. Half of the meatloaf mixture goes into foil lined loaf tins so it is the proper shape. Then I take the foil and meat out, wrap it tightly and freeze. The rest of the mixture gets divided up into meatballs. I freeze it into sticks of 8 meatballs and then place in a plastic freezer bag. When I want to cook dinner, I can just pull a ready to cook meal from the freezer. On a busy night the time saving is huge, a freshly prepared and cooked dinner can be on the table in 30 minutes, faster than we can get a pizza delivered!
I purchase lean mince in bulk quantities when it is on sale, usually in ten kilo lots, and prepare it to the cooking stage before freezing. I brown half the mixture and freeze in portions. This makes preparing tacos and pasta sauces a breeze. The other five kilos is made into a meatloaf mixture. Half of the meatloaf mixture goes into foil lined loaf tins so it is the proper shape. Then I take the foil and meat out, wrap it tightly and freeze. The rest of the mixture gets divided up into meatballs. I freeze it into sticks of 8 meatballs and then place in a plastic freezer bag. When I want to cook dinner, I can just pull a ready to cook meal from the freezer. On a busy night the time saving is huge, a freshly prepared and cooked dinner can be on the table in 30 minutes, faster than we can get a pizza delivered!
Monday, 25 January 2010
Tip of the Day 25 January 2010
Borrow Appliances
You can save hundreds of dollars by borrowing appliances from friends and family. Most of us have a lot of appliances that aren't used regularly, and some that may not be used at all, lurking in cupboards. What a waste of good appliances! Make up a list of appliances you don't use very often, or wish to get rid of and ask friends and family to do the same. If one person decides to take up bread making, they look at the list and contact the person who has that appliance, and either borrow, buy or swap another item for it - rather than buying it. Think of the impact this would have on the environment and our pockets! Once you have the kitchen appliance swap working, why not start one for garden tools? This really goes back to our basic roots of community sharing.
This Cheapskate Started a "Borrow an Appliance" Scheme at Work
I mentioned to a girlfriend at work the other day that I was thinking about buying a slow cooker but really wanted to take on for a test drive first. She immediately offered to loan me hers for a week and in the conversation that followed we discovered that we both had a number of appliances cluttering our cupboards that we rarely used. So we made a decision to clear out a shelf in a cupboard at work and keep them there. They can then be 'borrowed' by whoever needs that particular gadget for the night. The only condition is that the appliance must be cleaned and returned a.s.a.p. Another workmate overheard us and we now have an appliance library of 8 kitchen gizmos ranging in value from $50-$200 and HEAPS more space in our kitchen cupboards. Reckon you'll have a better chance of getting this off the ground if your boss is a working Mum too!!
Karen Tatman
You can save hundreds of dollars by borrowing appliances from friends and family. Most of us have a lot of appliances that aren't used regularly, and some that may not be used at all, lurking in cupboards. What a waste of good appliances! Make up a list of appliances you don't use very often, or wish to get rid of and ask friends and family to do the same. If one person decides to take up bread making, they look at the list and contact the person who has that appliance, and either borrow, buy or swap another item for it - rather than buying it. Think of the impact this would have on the environment and our pockets! Once you have the kitchen appliance swap working, why not start one for garden tools? This really goes back to our basic roots of community sharing.
This Cheapskate Started a "Borrow an Appliance" Scheme at Work
I mentioned to a girlfriend at work the other day that I was thinking about buying a slow cooker but really wanted to take on for a test drive first. She immediately offered to loan me hers for a week and in the conversation that followed we discovered that we both had a number of appliances cluttering our cupboards that we rarely used. So we made a decision to clear out a shelf in a cupboard at work and keep them there. They can then be 'borrowed' by whoever needs that particular gadget for the night. The only condition is that the appliance must be cleaned and returned a.s.a.p. Another workmate overheard us and we now have an appliance library of 8 kitchen gizmos ranging in value from $50-$200 and HEAPS more space in our kitchen cupboards. Reckon you'll have a better chance of getting this off the ground if your boss is a working Mum too!!
Karen Tatman
Sunday, 24 January 2010
There's No Place Like Home
We are home! We were only away 10 days, but it seemed like forever and it's so good to be back in our own little piece of Australia.
It was great catching up with family and friends, some of them we haven't seen for a very long time. The whole family gathered to celebrate Granny's birthday, with lots of good food and even more laughter. At times the neighbours must have been wondering what we were doing, the laughing was so loud.
But it is good to be home, even if we came home to a disaster in the front garden. One of our big trees had split right through the middle on one limb and was hanging over the footpath. Most of our neighbourhood walks, and many of them are quite elderly, so getting it cut down (just the offending limb, not the whole tree) was top priority for this morning.
My brother called and asked to borrow the trestle table and some folding chairs, so we swapped them for his chainsaw. It sure made cutting up the tree easy. Now it's all nicely stacked in the woodpile, to dry for firewood. Wayne put the small branches and leaves through the mulcher and spread it over a new garden bed along the side fence and now it looks much better. I can't decide whether to put daisies (m favourite) or lavender in that spot, it would suit both. Decisions, decisions.
While we were away the tomatoes and cucumbers went crazy. I've picked two buckets full of lovely fresh vegetables. There are enough cucumbers to make ten jars of pickled cucumbers. The tomatoes I will cook into sauce and freeze. Tomorrow will be a busy day in the kitchen me thinks.
The good news is that we didn't spend over our regular budget while we were away. The petrol costs came out of our holiday budget and were covered. Food, treats, eating out and entertainment all came out of our normal household budget for 10 days so we came home with money over!
Now it's back to reality, getting ready for school and Uni. There are books to cover, hems to take up and let down and new uniforms to name. And of course the newsletter and website to keep me out of mischief. That should keep us all busy.
It was great catching up with family and friends, some of them we haven't seen for a very long time. The whole family gathered to celebrate Granny's birthday, with lots of good food and even more laughter. At times the neighbours must have been wondering what we were doing, the laughing was so loud.
But it is good to be home, even if we came home to a disaster in the front garden. One of our big trees had split right through the middle on one limb and was hanging over the footpath. Most of our neighbourhood walks, and many of them are quite elderly, so getting it cut down (just the offending limb, not the whole tree) was top priority for this morning.
My brother called and asked to borrow the trestle table and some folding chairs, so we swapped them for his chainsaw. It sure made cutting up the tree easy. Now it's all nicely stacked in the woodpile, to dry for firewood. Wayne put the small branches and leaves through the mulcher and spread it over a new garden bed along the side fence and now it looks much better. I can't decide whether to put daisies (m favourite) or lavender in that spot, it would suit both. Decisions, decisions.
While we were away the tomatoes and cucumbers went crazy. I've picked two buckets full of lovely fresh vegetables. There are enough cucumbers to make ten jars of pickled cucumbers. The tomatoes I will cook into sauce and freeze. Tomorrow will be a busy day in the kitchen me thinks.
The good news is that we didn't spend over our regular budget while we were away. The petrol costs came out of our holiday budget and were covered. Food, treats, eating out and entertainment all came out of our normal household budget for 10 days so we came home with money over!
Now it's back to reality, getting ready for school and Uni. There are books to cover, hems to take up and let down and new uniforms to name. And of course the newsletter and website to keep me out of mischief. That should keep us all busy.
Tip of the Day 24 Januayr 2010
Plant Food
Do you love corn on the cob? We do, and while we don't grow it in our garden, we do buy it direct from a farmer when it's ready and cook it in a huge stockpot full of water. After removing ears of corn from the pot I don't pour the water down the drain. Instead I set the water aside to cool and then use this to water indoor plants and my herb garden. The water has nutrients from the corn that the plants just love. And I love the idea of a free fertilizer.
Do you love corn on the cob? We do, and while we don't grow it in our garden, we do buy it direct from a farmer when it's ready and cook it in a huge stockpot full of water. After removing ears of corn from the pot I don't pour the water down the drain. Instead I set the water aside to cool and then use this to water indoor plants and my herb garden. The water has nutrients from the corn that the plants just love. And I love the idea of a free fertilizer.
Saturday, 23 January 2010
Sewing with Style
When you are sewing for your children, take them with you when you go to select fabric and patterns for their clothes. Involve your child in the decision making part of their wardrobe, just as you would if you were buying ready made, and they will always like what they have to wear. They'll develop their own sense of style and with your needlework skills and their input they'll have one-off garments to be envied. No longer will you hear "I'm not wearing that" when you show them your handmade fashion.
Friday, 22 January 2010
Tip of the Day 22 January 2010
Safety When Online Shopping
Shopping online is a great convenience, but I don't feel comfortable giving out my bank information over the Internet. Instead, I buy a Visa gift card for the approximate amount I will need to make my online purchases in any given month. That way, I stay within my budget, curbing my tendency to overspend, all while combating credit card fraud.
Contributed by Narelle, Mooroolbark
Thursday, 21 January 2010
Tip of the Day 21 January 2010
Oily Spots Are Gone
A great idea from Frances of North Bayswater "Use a drop or two of ordinary dishwashing liquid to remove oily stains from your clothes before you wash them. Just rub the spot with the dishwashing liquid and put it in the washing machine. Your clothes will be oil spot free and nice and clean."
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
Tip of the Day 20 January 2010
Start Now to Retire Rich
To have a financially independent retirement, financial experts advise you will need to save 15% of your gross income all your working life. How are you going? Perhaps now is the time to re-evaluate your retirement fund - it's never too late to start saving!
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
Tip of the Day 19 January 2010
Yummy Flavoured Milk
Before you throw that empty jam jar out, make sure it is really empty. Fill it up with cold milk, put the lid back on and make a milk shake with the 'dregs' from empty jam jars. Shake the jar until the milk is frothy and thick, pour into a glass and enjoy. It's a delicious way to have a milk shake.
Before you throw that empty jam jar out, make sure it is really empty. Fill it up with cold milk, put the lid back on and make a milk shake with the 'dregs' from empty jam jars. Shake the jar until the milk is frothy and thick, pour into a glass and enjoy. It's a delicious way to have a milk shake.
Monday, 18 January 2010
Tip of the Day 18 January 2010
Personal Took Kit
Have your own basic emergency tool kit. Mine has scissors, pliers, a claw hammer, a small saw, a Stanley knife, sticky tape, masking tape, picture hooks, a variety of nails, screws, nuts and bolts, flat and Phillips head screwdrivers in a few sizes, a good torch and a supply of candles and matches. I keep it all together in a plastic tool box I bought for $9.99 from Sams and everyone knows not to touch - it belongs to Mum!
Have your own basic emergency tool kit. Mine has scissors, pliers, a claw hammer, a small saw, a Stanley knife, sticky tape, masking tape, picture hooks, a variety of nails, screws, nuts and bolts, flat and Phillips head screwdrivers in a few sizes, a good torch and a supply of candles and matches. I keep it all together in a plastic tool box I bought for $9.99 from Sams and everyone knows not to touch - it belongs to Mum!
Sunday, 17 January 2010
Tip of the Day 17 Januayr 2010
Wash Before Eating
Most of us are aware of the need to wash all commercially grown fruits and vegetables before using in cooking or eating raw due to the large amounts of fertilizers etc used to grow them, but what about organically grown or home-grown? Although organic foods are grown without pesticides and chemical fertilizers, and their use may be limited in the veggie garden, the foods may have traces of traditional fertilizers, including animal manure. It is also wise to remember that organic produce is handled many times before it reaches your refrigerator. Simply put, you should wash all produce before eating it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
