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Photo: w00kie / Flickr

The same old beer at the local bar can get a bit boring after a while so why not switch up your drinking hole and travel to some of the most unusual bars in the world? From giant coffins, to caves and the inside of an African tree meeting a friend for a drink can be the experience of a lifetime. Famed the world over, and visited by hundreds, or even thousands of tourists each year these wacky bars are nothing short of wonderful. (more…)

Photo: rhinoji / Flickr

If you’re cooking an Indian style dinner, you may be wondering whether to serve traditional rotis as an accompaniment or not. While nothing can measure up to a roti made in a proper Indian roti oven, it is possible to create very good rotis in a cast iron pan. If you can spare 15 minutes of preparation time, half an hour of resting time and 40 minutes of cooking time, you’ll be able to make these rotis. Ingredients include flour, bicarbonate soda, ghee, salt and milk. (more…)

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Far Breton, a unique prune and rum cake recipe that comes from Brittany, is considered a specialty in the region. Richard Bertinet explains that the name originates from the Latin word farina, which means flour. His mother used to make it in batches every few weeks when he was growing up. The Far Breton cake would then serve as an after-school snack. Before becoming the specialty it is today, it was eaten by agricultural workers for lunch. Read on for the recipe, which shouldn’t take longer than 15 minutes to prepare. (more…)

Photo: Aurimas Račiukaitis / Flickr

Food scientist Harold McGee believes that flavour is mostly a combination of two different sensations: taste and smell.’ He explains in his book McGee on Food & Cooking that taste is what one experiences when food is placed in one’s mouth while one’s nostrils are pinched closed. Smell is what is experienced when one sniffs food without putting it into one’s mouth. Flavuor is the combination of the two, with McGee advising cooks to think of taste as the backbone of a flavour and smell as its fleshing out. (more…)

Photo: Cam Pervan / Flickr

This ginger lemon fridge cake can serve as a light tea-time treat or a fuss-free dessert. No pastry making skills are required as the base is made with butter and digestive biscuits. The filling requires lemon juice, condensed milk, cream cheese, freshly grated ginger and some cream. The dish must be refrigerated for a good seven hours — or overnight. If time is limited, you can speed up the setting process by adding 1 tablespoon of agar flakes to the mixture. (more…)

Photo: Kewima / Flickr

Intelligent Life magazine posed the question: ‘If you could travel back in time, what would be your destination?’ Patrick Dillon, architect and author of several history books responded by quoting Edward Gibbon in his introduction. Gibbon, who lived during the second century AD, stated that the best time was that which had ‘elapsed from the death of Domitian to the accession of Commodus.’ Considering those days, that’s understandable — but the question of the best era to live in, he says, requires a little more thought for us moderners today. (more…)

Photo: juicyrai/ Flickr

Sadly, many people allow their feelings of inadequacy to prevent them from exercising. But whatever body size, personality type or age you are, there is a physical activity that will suit you. You don’t have to be particularly good at a specific sport to reap the rewards of exercise,nor do you have to push yourself too hard. For example, walking and swimming are gentle exercises and dancing is fun. Tai chi and yoga can be learned at any age, too. (more…)

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‘Introverts love the world of ideas, we love to reflect and we thrive on deep relationships with a small number of people who become pillars in our life,’ says Lisa Petrilli in her article for 12most.com. Petrilli offers introverted business people tips on how to better use their ‘quiet strengths’. She believes that introverts have the ability to change the world and that the first step involves rethinking introversion. This means recognising and appreciating the inherent power of the preference. (more…)

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Small dogs, frequently called ‘handbag dogs’, recently took the world by stomr, fast becoming a popular fashion accessory for celebrities worldwide. However there is so much more to these little guys than being a cute addition to your outfit. Recently the UK has had a serious problem with the dumping of ‘handbag’ dogs after their owners became bored with their new toys. If you are serious about getting a small doggie make sure you are prepared to look after it and treat it with care and respect. (more…)

Photo: Lachlan / Flickr

This eggplant lasagne recipe is great for vegetarians and can be prepared ahead of time. Ingredients include lasagne sheets, onion, tomatoes, eggplant (or brinjal), mozzarella cheese, olive oil, marjoram and olive oil. The white sauce requires butter, flour, milk and nutmeg. Any cooked seasonal vegetables can be used instead of eggplant for the filling. Oven roasted butternut or pumpkin slices or well drained cooked spinach make for a delicious alternative dish. Allow for one cup of filling for each layer. (more…)