Thursday, October 17, 2013

Dry Brittle Fingernails

Our hands and nails really cop a beating and as we grow older they become dryer. I would like to share my remedy for nais that continue splitting and breaking. I have had this trouble with brittle fingernails for sometime now. A few months ago I started a daily regime of using moisturizer on my nails as well as my hands 3 or 4 times a day. I put the hand and nail cream in a place that I would easily remember to put it on. It took several weeks to start repairing and although I think my nails could be better hope that continuous use will fix this problem.

Friday, August 9, 2013

Believe it or not

Kevin Rudd has asked for the help of his old enemy Peter Beattie to stand in this upcoming election. "This is Peter he is from Queensland and he is here to help" - my I could not hold my laughter. Well all I can say I will be glad when this is all over and we can get on with governing our country and hopefully we will see a boost in business confidence.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Lemon Marmalade

With an influx of lemons at this time of the year I decided to use up a few and make a nice tart marmalade. Here is the recipe 3lb lemons 6 pints water 6 cups white sugar 4 oz chopped perserved ginger (optional) You will need a large piece of muslin to hold the discarded pips and pith which is popped into the pot with the skins. Chop lemons in half and juice. Remove excess pith and seeds and pop into the muslin. Chop the skin into matchstick sizes and add to the water and juice together with the muslin. Bring to the boil and simmer until very tender. Add sugar and ginger ands stir until dissolved then cook rapidly until setting point is reached. (Skim) Allow the marmalade to cook slighly before pouring into prepared jar. Cover. A nice tart marmalade was the result. I am going to try it on the side the next time I make a hot curry.

Sunday, June 2, 2013

PALEO DIET WHAT IS IT!!

I was reading in the paper about the latest in diets and that there are restaurants opening up based on The Paleo diet. So what is this is apparantly it goes back to the dinosaur period and is suppose to bbe the healthiest way you can eat because it is the a nutritional approach that works with your genetics to help you stay lean, strong and energetic. Research has indicated that it is our modern diet of refined foods, sugars, trans fats that are at the root of degenerative diseases such as obesity, canced, diabetes, hear disease, Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's, depression and infertility. Basically from what I have read on line it is about eating meals like below and omitting grain from the diet. 4-8 oz of lean protein such as chicken, lean beef, turkey, pork loin or seafood.Then add several servings of multicolored vegetables, either raw, steamed or lightly cooked. Finally, round out the meal with good fats from Avocado, olive oil or a handful of un-salted nuts such as almonds, pecans, macadamias or walnuts. I do not believe we should eliminate grain from our diet we all need fibre that is for sure. I for one will be giving this diet a miss. Happy Eating. Let me know what you think.

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Make Reading your Monitor Easier

I bought a laptop recently and the screen is a lot smaller than my old monitor and it took me awhile to get use to the smallness of the screen compared to what I was use to. I tried some of the steps below and they did help.

Happy Computing!!

"Many computer users struggle to see the information on their monitors. Fortunately, easy remedies are at hand. Read on to discover ways to make your screen easier to see, including how to make the font bigger, magnify everything on your screen, increase icon size, and fine-tune screen resolution.

1. Enlarge your text

You can increase the default size of text and other items, such as icons and mouse pointers, by increasing the dots per inch (DPI) scale. If you need everything to fit on the screen, you can decrease the size of the text and then use the Windows Magnifier to see the text as you type. Here’s how to enlarge text in the latest editions of Windows:

If you have a mouse with a scroll wheel, many programs allow you to increase and decrease the size of on-screen text and graphics simply by pressing Ctrl while scrolling up and down. If you want to enlarge what you see in Internet Explorer but your mouse doesn’t have a scroll wheel, press Ctrl+Plus Sign (+); Ctrl+Minus Sign (-) shrinks what you see.

2. Customize your display

Changing the appearance of your on-screen environment can dramatically enhance readability. In Windows 7 and in Windows Vista, the Ease of Access Center can guide you through some basic display changes. In addition, certain Microsoft programs, such as Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel, allow you to choose text and background color, and Internet Explorer allows you to choose the colors and fonts in which webpages are displayed. In addition, the core Microsoft Office programs allow you to change or customize their default color scheme. High contrast schemes are typically easiest to read. Here’s how:

Switching fonts and font color may also improve readability. In Word 2010, Excel 2010, and PowerPoint 2010, you can change the font, font size, and font color from the Ribbon on the Home tab. In Word, Ctrl+D also calls up font options. Experiment to find out which combinations work best for you.

If you use a CRT monitor (that is, not a flat panel), you can do your eyes a favor (and maybe literally prevent a headache) by resetting your monitor’s refresh rate. Here’s how:

3. Increase icon size

You can quickly make just the icons on your Windows 7 or Windows Vista desktop larger and easier to see.

Right-click the desktop, point to View, and then click Large Icons, Medium Icons, or Classic Icons (classic icons are the smallest).

You can also use the scroll wheel on your mouse to change the size of your desktop icons.

On the desktop, press Ctrl while you scroll up or down.

Learn more about how to show, hide, or resize icons.

To increase icon size in Windows XP:

Note: When you adjust the default icon size, you can also use the Font and Size functions to adjust the default font and font size for icon text.

4. Use the Magnifier

You may have been using Windows for years and not realized it features a built-in Magnifier that works much like a magnifying glass does. You can even adjust the Magnifier zoom level and focus wherever you want to.

The Magnifier in Windows 7 includes full-screen and lens modes. Full-screen mode lets you magnify your entire screen and follow your mouse pointer. In lens mode, only the area around the mouse pointer is magnified. When you move the mouse pointer, the magnified area moves with it. To customize Magnifier settings or to exit Magnifier, click the magnifying-glass icon to see available options. Learn more:

5. Enlarge your mouse pointer

You can change the look of your mouse pointer so it is easier for you to find quickly. Try selecting a new pointer style, and try changing the color and size of your mouse pointer.

6. Improve your screen resolution

Screen resolution impacts the clarity of the text and images on your screen. At higher resolutions, items appear sharper but they are smaller, so more items fit on the screen. At lower resolutions, fewer items fit on the screen but they are larger and easier to see. Whichever version of Windows you use, changing the screen resolution can make a big difference."

Source: http://www.microsoft.com/athome/setup

Sunday, April 21, 2013

VEGETERIAN FRITTATA

Just made this yummy frittatta and would like to share it with my readers. This is sufficient for 4 people and could be served with a tossed salad and crusty sour dough bread. 1 lge Sweet Potato sliced and precooked 2 sml Zucchini sliced and precooked 1 Brown Onions finely chopped 2 cloves Garlic chopped Chilli if desired deseeded and chopped 1 large Tomato (straight from your garden if you have one growing) 2 Eggs whisked Herbs from your garden basil, thyme chopped Tofu, Salt & Pepper, Tumeric all blended together In a large frypan add tablespoon virgin olive oil Fry onion and garlic until cooked add potato, zucchini cook for one minute Add Tofu mix, herbs and chilli mix through Place tomato slices around the pan Add Eggs and cook on low heat until set Serve with chopped basil and a little grated parmesan if required

Thursday, February 7, 2013

NANNY STATE

In the paper yesterday it was brought to light that child care centres will be required to clean all toys, doors knobs and so on in the care centre everyday. Also that the children would be required to was their hands after playing in the sand pit. Well I say good on them it is about time something was done to eliminate the instance of constant colds of children attending these Child Mind Centres. I have seen it happen first hand and by grand son was withdrawn from day care because of continuous coughs and colds.

I would have thought it was already part of the cleaning of the centres and schools too should come under these same rules to clean down place where it is obvious germs can linger and as has been advised during flu epidemics don't touch door knobs, esculators and so on to help avoid contracting the germs left behind that can linger for several hours.

I know when our children started school they did seem to pick up contagious diseases that first year even though they had attended Kindergarten which was not a problem. But colds and flu where not such a problem because Mum's and Dad's kept their kids at home when they where sick. I know times are now different and working parents find it so difficult to take time off and find alternative care. So I do think these new rules are a start in keeping these young children healthy.

Friday, February 1, 2013

On Line Fashion Shopping

With on line shopping becoming so popular and why not is so much easier than driving for miles, finding a park and then battling the crowds. Here are some great sites below. Check them out.

(Use your mouse to Highlight the links to these sites below)

Cheap fashionable clothing for your girl.

Diesel jeans buy on line at great prices

Chicwish great fashion at affordable prices for the younger generation.

Dino Direct high quality products at great prices. Available in 200 countries including Australia

Ooh La La look at this collection for France on E-Bay

Europe, United Kingdom and America great sports shoes and fashion for all the family

Other places to find fashion on line are Amazon, Etnies, Forzieri, Free People, Girl Meets Dress Ltd - a rental service great for that one off occasion when you need something really special. Hot Topic, InLoveWithFashion and the list goes on. Happy Shopping

Thursday, January 31, 2013

VALENTINE'S DAY

It seems that Valentines Day dates back to Roman times and is not something relatively new at all. It would be nice to send a funny Valentine's Card to your loved one to let them know that you appreciate them. But what did they do on Valentine's Day in the Roman Times back in the 1600's. It seems that under the rule of Augustus Ceasar there were festivities in February where young men where allowed to choose their partners. At this time the Emporer Claudius outlawed marriage in fear that the men would not want to go to war and leave their wives. The young couples however, fell in love and would turn to the Catholic Archbishop Valentine who would marry them in secret.

When Claudius found out about the secret marriages Valentine was arrested and sentenced to death.While in jail Valentine fell in love with the jailer's daughter and the day he was to be executed he wrote her and signed it Your Valentine.

Whether this is the true origin or not it is an interesting one. And the cupid that is often depicted on the front? He is the son of Venus, the Roman god of love.

Monday, January 21, 2013

EAT YOUR VEGGIES

A study by the Harvard University has revealed that eating those colourful vegetables helps us to become more optomistic. It is not certain as to why this is so. But colorful vegetables are full of carotonoids and antioxidants and the people tested had higher levels in their body. So how many vegetables a day well looks like 7 is just the starting point the more the better. I have been trying for 10 that is 7 vegetable and 2 fruit. I don't always achieve it and have been a bit lax of late and you know what I don't feel as great as when I was eating more!! For me it is back to the big veg. So how will I do this first off fruit such as blueberries will be on the menu at breakfast again with a desertspoon of yoghurt. It is believed that a little fat is good for getting all the goodness from carrotenoids from both fruit and vegetables. I need to research this further but with a salad I always add a littl oil so that is good. And also for me back to the big salad at lunch time eg lettuce, baby spinach, red cabbage, greated carrot, greated zucchinni, chopped or baby tomatoes all tossed together with a touch of olive or avocado oil.

For Dinner at night with my meat or fish (all portion size) cooked carrots, sweet potato mashed with a touch of butter and half a cup of chopped herbs from the garden eg sage (good for the memory!) marjoram and parsley. Brussell Sprouts lightly cooked in water then halved and cooked in frypan in olive oil together with slivered almonds and one mild chilli chopped. (Don't overcook) Season with Himalayan salt and black pepper.

What are Carotenoid's

"In humans, four carotenoids (beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, gamma-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin) have vitamin A activity (meaning they can be converted to retinal), and these and other carotenoids can also act as antioxidants. In the eye, certain other carotenoids (lutein, astaxanthin[2] and zeaxanthin) apparently act directly to absorb damaging blue and near-ultraviolet light, in order to protect the macula of the retina, the part of the eye with the sharpest vision."

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carotenoid

But for my way of thinking don't overdo things like eat heaps and heaps of carrots for example because that could be harmfull.

Happy healthy eating.

Saturday, January 19, 2013

LANCE ARMSTRONG AND CHEATS

Well Lance Armstrong is all over the news since the release of his confessions to Oprah Winfrey. What a big dissapointment to cycling.
What about Rosie Ruiz Vivas who joined the the 84th Boston Marathon in 1980 a mile from the finish line and supposedly won the race in record time. She was found out because people were suspicious of her build which was not what a marathon runner was expected to look like. And then it was discovered that no one remembered her entering the race.
Then there was the Comrades Marathon in South Africa is a 56-mile (although there is some controversy about the exact distance) ultramarathon from Durban to Pietermaritzburg, and notoriously taxing. Sergio Motsoeneng placed ninth in tace in 1999 but he was caught out after it was discovered he and his brother had swithced places in a toilet along the way where they switched shoes. But they forgot to switch their watches and footage revealed the brother who wore the watches on different wrists. He was banned for years, and Sergio returned in 2010 only to be disqualified again for testing positive for performance enhancing drugs after running 3rd.

Truth is stranger than fiction!!

Sources http://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/south-african-athlete-sergio-motsoeneng-admits-cheating-comrades-marathon
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosie_Ruiz
http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/archive/permalink/rosie_ruiz_wins_the_boston_marathon/





Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Spaghetti Bolognaise

I made one of my best Bolognaise Sauces last night and I would like to share it with you.

400 grams Mince

Tablespoon Peanut Oil

1 Brown onion chopped into small pieces

1 heaped Teaspoon (bottled - all natural) Garlic

1 chilli (mild heat) chopped into small pieces

Equivalent of 440 gramm Tinned tomoatoes

2 small grated Zucchinis

2 cups of beef stock (beef cube and waters)

1 Smal Tin of whole Champignon halved

2 Tablespoons Tomato Sauce

1 Tablespoon Soy Sauce

1 heaped Teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce

1 heaped Tablespoon Pomegranate Molasses (is spelt Pomegranet on bottle)

6 Rosemary Stalks (Pick of the leaves and chop 2 stalks

6 Marjoram Stalks (mine were flowering so flowers and all) - Pick off the leaves and chop 3 stalks.

6 Stalks Thyme (leave whole)

2 Sachets Bouquet Garni

Method:

In a large Frypan heat half the Oil then brown the Mince all the while chopping through it to separate the mince and eliminate any large lumps. Remove from pan.

Add remaining Oil heat and add onions, garlic and chilli. Saute on medium heat stirring regularly - do not burn.

Return meat to the Frypan and add the Tomatoes. (I used fresh tomatoes from the garden and chopped them all the same size. As some where small I did not peel them first but removed the skins during the cooking as they peeled away. Using a fork and the wooden stirrer). Add the stock, champigons, Tomato Sauce, Soy Sauce, Worcestershire Sauce and Pomegranate Molasses. Stir Well.

Add the stalks of Rosemary, Marjoram and Thyme. Reserve the chopped herbs and 2 stalks of Thyme until later. Push the stalks into the frypan whole. Add the sachets of Bouquet Garni. Cook in frypan on a low heat for about an hour until the sauce is cooked, reduced and thickened. During the cooking process if using fresh tomatoes that have not been peeled remove the skins. It is not difficult. Stir regularly And after half and hour add the remaining herbs.

When cooked removed the stalks and sachets of Bouquet Garni making sure to squeeze out all the juice from the sachet. Serve with Spaghetti cooked as instructed on the packet. Add olives and top with grated Parmesen Cheese.

I find this amount is enough for 4 servings. I often use any the leftover as an accompaniment to poached or fried eggs and mushrooms for breakfast or lunch. I keep any leftover in the refrigerator for 2 days and then freeze.

Enjoy.

Saturday, January 5, 2013

2013 The Year of the Snake

According to the Chinese 2013 is the Year of the Snake. The dates for the Chinese New Year vary does not fall on the same day each year. This year it falls on 10 February. And because this year relates to Water or Black it is known as The Water Snake or The Black Snake.This 2013 year of Snake is meant for steady progress and attention to detail. "Focus and discipline will be necessary for you to achieve what you set out to create.

The snake is a studious creature. Preferring quiet predictability to ruckus and mayhem. Peaceful solitude is also a Saturn preference. It's not surprising that Saturn has such a strong influence during the year of the Snake.

There is no need to put yourself out there. Consider this 2013 year to focus within. You won't be drawn to social situations as you are more interested in serious progress not superficial chit chat. Allow yourself withdrawal as it is necessary to self reflect and ponder situations.

Celebrate the 2013 year of the black Snake with dark colored clothing. Honor this transformative beginning with a day positive thoughts. It is tradition to place a pine twig out to represent the Snake. In mythology the Snake often represented healing of the physical body while shifting to a more spiritual outlook. Expect a true release of past blockages this 2013 year. A great deal of quite progress can be made in the 2013 year of the Snake with the help of the planetary energy. Slow and steady wins the race in 2013 year of Snake."

According to Chinese Astrology, the Year of the Snake person is a smart person.

They think of clever schemes in a cold calculating manner.

"Strengths

They often have a good temper and a skill at communicating but say little. They possess gracious morality and great wisdom. They are usually financially secure and do not have to worry about money. They have tremendous sympathy for others and would like to take actions to help ther fellow human beings. They are determined to accomplished their goals hate to fail. Although they look calm on the surface, they are intense and passionate. They have a rich source of inspiration and understand themselves well. They are people of great perception. Women under the sign of the snake do well in housework but are irritable.

Weaknesses

They are likely to be jealous and suspicious. They should be cautious about what they discuss with others, as it might cause them to lose friendship and opportunities. They tend to overdo things. They prefer to rely on themselves and have doubts about other people's judgment. They are courteous with polite manners, but they can be headstrong. They are fickle and usually have problems in relationships or marriage problems."

Famous people born this year are Darwin, Edgar Allen Poe, and Abraham Lincoln, Dick Cheney, Bob Dylan, John F. Kennedy, James Joyce, Pablo Picasso, Martha Stewart, Kanye West, andOprah Winfrey.

Years of the Snake according to Chinese Astrology(If you were born between the following dates you are a Snake)

01/23/1917-02/10/1918 ** 02/10/1929-01/29/1930

01/27/1941-02/14/1942 ** 02/14/1953-02/02/1954

02/02/1965-01/20/1966 ** 02/18/1977-02/06/1978

02/06/1989-01/26/1990 ** 01/24/2001-02/11/2002

02/10/2013-01/30/2014

Sources:

http://www.gotohoroscope.com/2013-yearly-horoscope.html

http://www.about-sichuan-china.com/year-of-the-snake-2013.html

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/social_customs/zodiac/snake.htm

http://www.fi.edu/fellows/fellow1/apr99/calendar/dog.htm http://www.chiff.com/a/chinese-horoscopes.htm

Friday, January 4, 2013

Shopping Etiquette

This is not the first time that this thought has occurred to me and that is to write about shopping etiquette. Is there such a thing well I am not sure but surely people need to be more respectfull of other shoppers especially during the silly season. I had a lady stop in the aisle after paying for her goods to wait for some assistance instead of going out of the ailse and waiting at the end of the checkout. The queue was growing and I could not use the eftpos as she was in the way. The shop assistant who obviously knew her did not help either. Grrr. Then walking to a shop via a walk way we had a couple in front of us and gave no consideration to us and just dawled along. Then got to the doorway and blocked our path there also. Then there are the couples who shop together and leave their trolleys in the middle of the aisle so that no one else can pass. I know gripe after gripe after gripe but I mean how inconsiderate what is wrong with people today.

Shopping Ettique

+ Get Out of The Way

+ Stay out of the middle of the aisle

+ Don't leave your trolley where others can trip over it

+ Show consideration to others when entering and exiting a shop

+ Don't clog up extry or exit doorways

+ When walking along the mall leave room for others to pass

More Free Scottish Records

Below are extracts from OPR’s purchased mostly from LDS who were additional entries on pages I ordered. Free to search and cop...