Clean Dirty Windows with Methylated Spirits

Dirty windows need a little extra oomph to remove the ground-on dirt. Before heading off to buy a commercially produced product, check the cupboard for a little methylated spirits. Add some water and elbow grease and your windows will be as good as new in no time! Here's how.

1. Make up a solution of methylated spirits with a little warm water.
2. Apply the solution using a chamois. Using the chamois, rub strongly across the dirty areas of the window.
3. Rinse off with scrunched up newspaper dipped in warm water. The newspaper will remove smears.
4. Discard any of the solution leftover and the newspaper pieces. Wash your hands well.

Items needed

• Methylated spirits
• Warm water
• Bucket to combine mixture in
• Chamois cloth
• Newspaper
• Soap for cleaning your hands afterwards
  

Make Your Own Lavender Toilet Water

Lavender toilet water has a multitude of uses in the home. It is easy to make your own and save a little money at the same time.

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups lavender flowers
• 700ml (24 fl oz) boiling water
• 2 tablespoons gin or vodka

1. Pour the boiling water over the lavender flowers in a large ceramic bowl. Set aside for 24 hours at room temperature. This will permit the fragrance to infuse through the water.
2. Place the infusing mixture into the refrigerator to continue infusing for another 2 days.
3. Remove after 2 days. Strain the water through a sieve to remove the lavender flowers.
4. Add the alcohol and mix through.
5. Pour into a glass bottle and add an airtight lid. Homemade toilet water should be kept in the refrigerator.

Items needed

• Kettle or saucepan for boiling water
• Large ceramic bowl
• Refrigerator
• Sieve or colander for straining
• Sterilised, clean glass bottle
  

Rose Petal Jam

Rose petal jam is synonymous with dainty afternoon tea parties and is a delightful for jam for breakfast too. If you are lucky enough to have access to rose petals from the garden, this jam is a very special way to make use of them. Make sure to use petals that haven't been sprayed with anything toxic before using them.


Ingredients

• 3 cups water
• 2 cups sugar
• 250g rose petals, organic (unsprayed) and clean
  
• 2 lemons, juiced

1. Check that the petals are clean. Wash and dry any petals that are not.
2. Put the petals into a bowl. Add 1.5 cups of the sugar and stir. As you stir, crush the sugar into the rose petals.
3. Leave the crushed petal mixture to stand overnight. The rose essence will imbue the sugar, leaving a dainty rose flavour. Cover with a clean teatowel or similar cover to prevent dust etc. from settling on the petal mixture.
   
4. Combine the remaining sugar, water and lemon juice with the petal mixture the following day. Stir together until the new ingredients are dissolved.
5. In a heavy-based saucepan, bring the mixture to a boil gradually. This must be a very slow process, in order to release the aroma of the rose and soften the petals.
6. Simmer until setting point is reached.
7. Store in a clean, sterilised glass container and keep in the fridge. Use within one month of making.
   

Items Needed

• Bowl
• Mixing implement
• Teatowel, clean for cover
• Heavy-based saucepan
  

Stop Itching from Insect Bites Naturally

Have you been bitten by itchy insects - fleas, gnats or no see'ums? A quick and effective method that is totally natural is lavender oil. Rub it on the bites/bite area for instant relief and a relaxing scent as well to calm the nerves and help you to stop feeling irritable.

Improve Squeaking Furniture

Does your furniture squeak when you sit on it? Here's an easy fix.

1. Melt some paraffin wax.
2. Pour a few drops of paraffin wax into the squeaky joints of the furniture.
3. Smooth out any pieces of wax outside of the joints (remove with vinegar oil if set).
4. Allow to set.
5. Test by sitting. Top up if needed.

Items Needed

• Saucepan to melt paraffin wax
• Paraffin wax
• Cloth to wipe
  

Delightful Apricot Fruit Logs

Apricots make wonderful additions to sweets; their delicious flavour and enjoyable texture can tempt many a person to take extra nibbles. This recipe is an ideal hiking food, snack food and school lunchbox addition.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup dried apricots, chopped (prefer the sulphur-free version if you have allergies)
• 12 dates, chopped
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 cup sultanas
• 2/3 cup dessicated coconut
• 1 cup skim milk or soy milk powder
• 1/4 cup chopped almonds
• 2 teaspoons sesame seed
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon or orange rind (choose organic)
• Additional dessicated (shredded) coconut for covering the logs
  

1. Place the water into a heavy-based saucepan and add the apricots and dates. Cook over low heat with a lid on the saucepan until the dried fruit has become soft. Keep an eye on the fruit to ensure it does not burn as the water evaporates. This step will take around 5 - 10 minutes only.
   
2. Add the remaining ingredients to the boiled dried fruit.
3. Mix the ingredients together well.
   
4. Shape the logs. Divide the mixture evenly into two lots. Roll each lot into a log shape of around 4cm width.
   
5. Roll both logs in the additional coconut.
6. Wrap the rolls in food wrap or greaseproof paper (more eco-friendly).
7. Place in the refrigerator for 12 hours.
8. Remove from the fridge and cut both logs evenly into slices. Serve. If you wish to store these logs (if there are any left!), place them in an airtight glass storage jar, packed one on top of the other.
   

Tips

• This recipe is best made first thing in the morning to allow it stand all day; or make it the night before in readiness for the next morning.
  

Items Needed

• Heavy based saucepan with lid
  
• Clean bench space for rolling logs and coating in coconut
• Food wrap or greaseproof paper
• Refrigeration or cold storage facilities
• Knife
  
• Glass jars for storage
  

Be a Sustainable Tea Consumer

Even when consuming your favourite cup of tea you can be sustainable in your choice. Here's how.

1. Look for fair trade tea and prefer it over other teas where possible. Fair trade teas are teas produced by workers working under good conditions and getting a fair wage for their work. By buying such tea, you are helping to sustain their livelihood.
   
2. Only heat the amount of water needed to make your cup of tea. Filling the kettle up when it is only to make one cup is a waste of energy and also takes longer before your tea is ready!
3. Cover it! If you are obliged to heat your water in a saucepan (perhaps when moving house, camping or just for lack of a kettle), make sure to add a lid to the water. This will help it to heat up more quickly, so that you can turn the stove off sooner.
4. If you're using teabags, throw the empty teabag in the compost so that it has a second use and doesn't add to landfill. If the teabag has any string or packaging label, remove these and place in the recycling bin.
5. Avoid consuming tea in disposable cups. Take your own portable and reusable mug or thermos cup with you and ask for it to be filled in cafes or at work.
   
6. Use the eco-cycle on the dishwasher. When the tea break is over, remember to press the eco-wash setting before starting the dishwasher. Also make sure that the dishwasher is full before using it to wash dishes; that way you save both water and energy and get the most out of using your dishwasher.
   

Fixing Overcooked Rhubarb

Overcooked rhubarb or overly acidic rhubarb is not necessarily destined for the compost heap. Try this easy solution to remedy the rhubarb first.





Ingredients

• 500ml overcooked or acidic rhubarb
• 175g crushed meringues (macaroons)
• 175ml double cream
  

1. Mix the rhubarb with the crushed meringues.
2. Whip the cream until thickened and stiff.
3. Lay the rhubarb and meringue mix in a baking dish.
4. Spoon over the whipped cream.
5. Refrigerate for at least half an hour. Serve chilled.

Items Needed

• Mixing bowl and mixing implement
• Beater or whisk to whip cream
• Deep baking dish
• Serving bowls and serving spoon
  

Using Scented Geraniums in Your Home

Scented geraniums are a special plant that have several key uses in a home environment. This article discusses some of the possible uses.

1. Use scented geraniums to scent your gardens. Scented geraniums are pretty hardy and enjoy environments from sea to very dry. They aren't able to survive deep cold and snow but can be brought inside during such a season. Scented geraniums grow well in garden beds, along rocky walls and in pots. Even a small garden can accommodate scented geraniums.
2. Select a type that suits you. There is a very wide range of scents in the scented geranium group of plants. Common scents include lemon, rose, orange, nutmeg and peppermint. Ask your local nursery expert for advice on choice.
3. Use scented geraniums in cooking. Scented geraniums can be used to flavour syrups, rice dishes, cakes and more. Avoid using the lemon scented variety (Pelargonium crispum) for this purpose as it can irritate the stomach but the other scents are fine. Try lining the base of a cake tin with freshly picked scented geranium leaves (clean them!) prior to adding the cake batter. Remove the leaves once the cake has been cooked and serve a scented cake. The leaves are also suitable to flavour risotto, baked custard, crème anglaise, ice cream, vinegar, poached fruits and syrups.
4. Use the leaves in potpourri. Dried scented geranium leaves are an excellent addition to potpourri mixes. They will carry the scent of the relevant leaves through the potpourri.
5. Use scented geraniums to cover up unsavoury odours. If there is a part of your garden that emits unwanted odours, such as a septic tank or a mouldy external wall, scented geraniums can be used to help cover up the bad odour.
6. Rub scented geraniums between your hands. This will scent your hands and freshen them quickly. Be sure that you don't have skin sensitivities to plants or you might get a rash.
   

Make Caribbean Coconut Rice

Caribbean coconut rice carries the flavour of the Caribbean into your dining room.





Ingredients

• 1 medium sized red onion, peeled and sliced into rings
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 12 whole allspice berries
• 1 1/2 cups basmati rice
• 400ml coconut milk (it must be milk - cream is too thick)
  
• 1 cup hot water
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
• 100g snow peas, blanched

1. Place the oil in a heavy-based saucepan. Fry the onion gently over low heat. Add the garlic, allspice berries. Continue frying until the onion becomes transparent and soft but not brown.
2. Turn up the heat and add the rice to the frying pan. Stir the rice continuously for 1 - 2 minutes until the rice changes to white in colour.
3. Pour the hot water over the rice and continue cooking while stirring. Add the coconut milk and salt. Stir and bring to the boil.
4. Once boiled, turn down the heat and allow the dish to simmer. Simmer for 10-12 minutes until the liquid evaporates.
5. Remove the cooked rice from heat and leave to stand for 2-3 minutes.
6. Toss through the fresh thyme and snow peas. Serve immediately.

Tips

• If desired, other types of rice will suit as well as basmati. Substitute with jasmine or other long-grain rice types.
  

Add Colour to a Garden

Creating colour in your garden is more than simply planting a lot of flowers in a clump in one corner. There are some easy steps to follow that will ensure you have a fabulous show of colour throughout your garden. This article discusses how.

1. Increase the number of plants of one colour. Colour impact will increase if you focus on one colour rather than attempting to have too many colours. Look for varying shades on the same colour theme and increase the amount of plants in these shades.
2. Research the plants before planting. If you know how large a plant will grow, you can get the planting distances as accurate as possible. Avoiding gaps is a key part of increasing the colour in a garden and reducing darkened or shaded spaces.
3. Select colour to reflect garden size. Smaller gardens look amazing with a preponderance of a single, monochromatic colour theme. For example, all purples (use lavender, violas, violets etc.) can give a sense of royal elegance, whilst all white can create a sense of freshness, purity and clean calm. For larger gardens, place different colour themes in different parts of the garden, such as corners, pathways, along the porch etc.
4. Use online garden sites, gardening books borrowed from the library and mail order catalogues to choose your flower and plant colours. A visit to a local Botanic Gardens or a greenhouse in your local region can offer you numerous other ideas as well.
   

How to Make Fig and Almond Stuffed Apples

Ingredients

• 4 cooking apples
• 1/4 cup blanched almonds, chopped roughly
• 1/2 cup dried figs, chopped
• 1 tsp cinnamon, ground
• 1 tsp orange zest
• juice one orange
• 4 tbsp butter or walnut oil
• 5 tbsp honey or maple syrup

1. Preheat oven to 180ºC.
2. Core each apple. Peel a thin strip from around the centre of each apple.
3. Place each apple in a baking dish.
4. Mix the almonds, figs, ground cinnamon and orange zest.
5. Stuff this mixture into the empty core of each apple.
   
6. Add a dab of butter or walnut oil at the top of each apple and drizzle with a little honey or maple syrup over each apple.
7. Place in the oven and bake for 45 minutes. The apples should not be mushy but they should be tender and holding together well. It is a good idea to check the apples from time to time and carefully scoop the liquid over the apples to keep moist.
8. Remove from oven once cooked.
   
9. Place each apple in a shallow serving bowl. Spoon over the remaining juices prior to serving.
10. Add ice cream or thickened cream if desired. Serve.