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Photo: Pauljh / Flickr

Uninspired by Austria, France and Switzerland? When you think of ski holidays do you think, ‘been there, done that’? If you’re one of the lucky ones who has had the opportunity to explore the world’s top ski resorts or you’re just looking for somewhere unique to spend your winter holidays, then try out some unusual skiing destinations like Dubai and Lesotho. (more…)

Photo: freddy / Flickr

Yes, eggs can be baked in saucers as long as they’re ovenproof. The idea stems from the old French ‘ramequin’ which was a mixture of eggs, bread and cheese baked in a mould. This recipe requires white bread, butter, eggs and mushrooms but you can vary the ingredients as you wish. For example, you could add grated cheese, fried tomato or lightly fried ham. The dish is quick to prepare as it will only take 10 minutes of your time. Cooking time is 20 minutes. (more…)

Photo: lowjumpingfrog / Flickr

Making your own soap is very rewarding and once you have the knack of it you can start getting creative by adding new ingredients. You can also experiment with different packaging for gift ideas. An easy soap to make is glycerine based. A lengthier process is involved in handmade soap which uses coconut oil, palm oil, cocoa butter and vegetable oil. This soap will have you in the kitchen stirring a pot over the stove. Find out how to ‘cook’ your own soap. (more…)

Photo: looseends / Flickr

When your pet enters their golden years, they aren’t as inspired by hard runs on the beach as they are by a more comfortable and relaxed lifestyle. Elderly dogs require lots of love, sleep and good food but to keep them happy, it’s also important to regularly take him to the vet for examinations. A vet will be aware of potential problems like arthritis, bleeding gums, hair loss, itchy skin, toilet problems, diet issues, hearing loss and the onset of blindness. (more…)

Photo: siegertmarc / Flickr

Exercises that work the major muscle groups can help to increase your lean tissue. More lean tissue – or muscle – means a stronger body, and a stronger body means more energy, better posture, a better body shape and increased bone mass. You can work the major muscle groups through strength training or by doing some hard aerobic exercise. Read on for some chest and arm strengthening exercises. (more…)

Photo: lynn.gardner / Flickr

These potato pancakes are different to batter pancakes which use eggs in the milk and flour mix. This recipe calls for flour, milk, butter and potatoes, which are combined and fried to create a crispy golden coloured pancake. The pancakes can be flavoured with chopped onions, sage, or caraway seeds for a vegetarian option or they can be flavoured with chopped ham, corned beef or bacon. If you’re a meat-eater, frying them in bacon fat gives even more flavour. (more…)

Photo: redjar / Flickr

Long plane trips can be boring and uncomfortable and will only be made worse if you have to keep running to the bathroom every five minutes. Eating wisely during and before your flight is extremely important if you want a pleasant journey. Eating correctly can also help prevent deep vein thrombosis that can be caused by frequent flying. Sitting on a plane for long periods of time can slow down your blood flow and cause swelling and by eating correctly you can help minimise these problems. (more…)

Photo: Drunken Monkey / Flickr

As an after-work pick-me-up or as a welcome drink at events, margaritas are delicious every time. Pair margaritas with Mexican food like nacho chips and dips for the perfect cocktail party or serve them frozen on a hot summer’s day. Tequila may not be your cup of tea but blended correctly you can hardly even taste it in the perfect margarita.Margaritas are simple to make and can be tailor made to suit anyone’s tastes. (more…)

Photo: HeatherW / Flickr

Because strawberry romanoff is a rich and rather decadent dessert, you can serve it in small portions. This recipe allows for six servings and the dessert will take 20 minutes to prepare. You will need to make it well in advance, though, as it needs at least four hours of chilling time before serving. Besides strawberries, cream and the grated rind of one orange, the ingredients call for Van der Hum liqueur, Kirsch and white rum. You can use pineapple or kiwi fruit instead of strawberries. (more…)

Photo: nicodeux / Flickr

If you’re lucky enough to find a good, old piece of furniture with all its hardware intact, you won’t have to read on. Unfortunately, it is seldom the case that an antique makes it through the years with all its original fittings. Buying new hardware to match the style of your piece shouldn’t be too difficult, but if you go this route, you’ll create a more authentic look by ageing the hardware. Alternatively, you could duplicate missing pieces. (more…)