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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…)

Photo: Stock.Xchng

Do you suffer from painful muscle knots in your back? These so called Trigger Points are nodules inside the muscle that one can feel under the skin. They’re often sore to the touch and can cause pain and headaches. Paula Moore has been working as a chiropractor for 20 years. She shares a nifty tennis ball trick on her site that helps to ‘melt’ these tense areas — so you don’t have to spend a fortune on massage therapy. (more…)

Photo: dmc_fz7_az / Flickr

Macarons are shiny, delicate treats with moist centres. Also known as macaroons, they are made with icing sugar, ground almonds, egg whites and sugar. They can be flavoured with vanilla, raspberry or cocoa powder — although the options are seemingly endless. This recipe makes about 35 petits fours. You will require an electric mixer, a piping bag, a plain 1cm nozzle, four baking sheets, greaseproof paper and a wire rack. Preparation time is 15 minutes and cooking time is 10 minutes. (more…)

Photo: practicalowl / Flickr

It’s that time of year again: a time to create a new list of New Year’s resolutions. Unfortunately, the eagerness to change often dissapears within a matter of weeks and before long, we’re stuck in the same old rut. Resolutions often fail because they are either too vague or because we take on too many new challenges at once. Sometimes we force ourselves to do things that don’t come naturally to us — and then of course, life has a way of getting in the way. (more…)

Photo: Food Stories / Flickr

In case you’re thinking that chocolate curls are too difficult to bother with, think again. James Martin puts it like this: ‘There is no real art to this other than using a scraper and waiting for the chocolate to set just right.’ The chocolate’s temperature is what’s important for curls. ‘Too warm and nothing will happen; too cool and you will need a chisel rather than a scraper. If you’re keen to give chocolate curls a bash, read on for James’ tips. (more…)

Photo: bezajel / Flickr

This chocolate cake recipe is melt-in-your mouth, besides being simple and reliable. It’s not too rich but that doesn’t stop it from offering a wonderfully indulgent taste experience. It isn’t difficult to make and requires the following ingredients: plain cake flour, caster sugar, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, cocoa, butter, eggs, vanilla extract and sour cream. The icing requires 70 per cent cocoa solid chocolate, icing sugar, golden syrup and additional vanilla extract, butter and sour cream. (more…)

Photo: avlxyz / Flickr

Making your own pasta takes time but you’ve got to try it at least once in your life! We share a simple recipe here which requires nothing more than egg yolks, whole eggs, flour, olive oil and a pinch of salt. The Napolitana sauce is a rich tomato based sauce which will suit meat-eaters and vegetarians alike. Ingredients include olive oil, garlic, ripe plum tomatoes, red wine, fresh parsley, salt and freshly ground pepper. Read on for the recipes. (more…)

Photo: moonlightbulb / Flickr

Since Christmas is around the corner, you might be wondering what to prepare for dessert. If your family is not keen on a traditional Christmas pudding, this blueberry pie will be a lovely alternative. Made with sharp blueberries and soft-textured apples, these pies ooze out a crimson colour that is perfectly suited to Christmas. A word of warning, though: be careful not to overcook the apples when you have them in the pan as they will become rather mushy during the baking. (more…)