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Photo: Craig Strachan / Flickr

This stuffed mushroom recipe will take just less than half an hour to prepare and half an hour to cook. You will need twelve large black mushrooms to serve six people. You will also require butter, sunflower oil, onion, garlic, rosemary needles, breadcrumbs, soy sauce, sugar, mozzarella cheese and some flaked almonds. The stuffed black mushrooms can be prepared well ahead of time if the dish is then covered and refrigerated. Bring it back to room temperature before baking and serving it though. (more…)

Photo: Stock.Xchng

A salad doesn’t mean iceberg lettuce, cucumber and tomato. When it comes to a proper salad, the more ingredients the merrier! Especially if you’re including a variety of dark green leaves which are rich in chlorophyll and nutrients. The result of regular consumption of alkalising green plants, nuts and seeds is healthy hair, nails and skin, as well as overall good health. Even the digestive system benefits from the extra fibre. Adding sprouts to a salad will further increase its nutritional value. (more…)

Photo: Stock.Xchng

How you perceive those around you is a big factor in how you succeed at work, according to Ingrid Wickelgren, who blogs for Scientific American. Naturally factors like confidence, talent, intelligence, optimism, empathy, resilience and persistence are all important traits. However, Wickelgren explains that your opinion of your coworkers is key: ‘New research suggests that your own ability to get things done—not to mention your success in non-work relationships—is highly correlated with how you see others.’ (more…)

Photo: marsmet543 / Flickr

The Independent’s recent article The Data Goldmine is a wake up call. In it David Crookes explores the value of hacked mobile phone records, Facebook accounts, Twitter accounts, eBay pages and more. For example, your mobile phone record may be worth £70 — thanks to rogue cold callers and identity thieves. Your Paypal account is worth a bit less though, considering that the market value is only around £50! Read on to find out how today’s information savvy thieves can rob you blind. (more…)

Photo: Brian Hogg / Flickr

If you suffer from allergies, avoid living near industrial parks and major roads because exposure to urban chemicals, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide can worsen your condition. Next, make sure your own environment is free of insects, vermin, dust mites, smoke, dust, pollen and hair. In this article we share some tips on how to minimise exposure to common pest-related allergens at home. (more…)

Photo: Jon Mountjoy / Flickr

Puff pastry or short pastry bases are often called for in milk tart recipes but this recipe is as simple as they come. All you need are some eggs, sugar, butter, cake flour, baking powder, milk, vanilla and a pinch of salt to create a delicious milky custard dessert. The secret is to aerate the egg whites well, while cinnamon sugar is sprinkled over the top before baking for extra flavour. The tart can be cut into approximately 15 squares that can be served warm or cold. (more…)

Photo: danielmoyle / Flickr

These rose petal biscuits are perfect for tea on Valentines Day.  Ingredients call for 12 fresh rose petals, rose essence, butter, icing sugar, self raising flour, caster sugar and salt. A teaspoon of ground cardamom is added for spiciness. The mixture can be made in advance and baked as required. It will keep for a week in an airtight container in the fridge. Alternatively, it can be stored in the freezer for up to a month. (more…)

Photo: otama / Flickr

Not so long ago, simple freestanding gas or electric white enamel cookers were the order of the day. But with the evolution of technology and the resurgence of cooking as a leisure activity off the back of several popular food shoes, one now has a multitude of different cookers to choose from. From generously sized double ovens with extra large hobs and full width grills to smaller all-in-one microwave ovens with hobs and grills, there’s something to suit every taste and budget. (more…)

Photo: [puamelia] / Flickr

This potato and lentil shepherd’s pie dish can be enjoyed by meat eaters as well as vegetarians, and the lentils can be substituted with kidney beans, if your prefer. Being a hearty dish, it is well suited to cold weather. Serve it with caramelised onions and whatever vegetables are in season for a well-rounded meal. (more…)

Photo: bottled_void / Flickr

Stress levels rise and fall during an average day. Stress is an inevitability when one is faced with uncertain events, uncommon situations or social interactions. When you’re doing something familiar, or involved with something you enjoy, your stress levels will typically fall again. Signs of situational stress include trembling, a racing heart, sweating, a dry mouth, dizziness, feeling faint, feeling paralysed and unable to function or feelings of needing to run away or act aggressively. These are signs of fear, anger or anxiety. (more…)