Posts by admin

Who Are Stair Lifts Suitable For?

By admin, 5 December, 2008, No Comment

Stair lifts are devices that are built around staircases to help people who have difficulty walking on the stairs, or those who are confined to wheelchairs due to a disability. These machines can range in size from smaller mobile seats that are attached to the staircase wall to larger, separate devices that are better equipped for moving people confined to wheelchairs.

These stair lifts can be used by any disabled or immobile person to assist them in moving about from floor to floor and can be installed in private residences as well as public buildings. The most common form of stair lift is a straight model with an attached seat which can be put onto a traditional staircase; however, there are those that can be put on spiral staircases if required. There are even stair lift models that are designed to be placed on outdoor areas that do not have easy lift or ramp access. The stair lifts can even be used in outdoor historical sites in order to allow people who would not normally be able to get up and down the large numbers of stairs to be able to visit these interesting sites. One example of this being done is the curved stair lift system that has been installed in Caernarfon Castle in North Wales.

Read the full article at Stair Lifts Online.

Recipe for Chicken and Oyster Gumbo

By admin, 21 October, 2008, No Comment

Here is the recipe for 12 servings of this meal:

List of ingredients:

12 cups of water.
One (4 lb) chicken.
1/3 cup of shortening.
1/2 cup of all-purpose flour.
1 large onion, chopped.
Salt, black and red pepper.
1/2 cup of chopped green onion tops.
1/3 cup of parsley, chopped.
36 oysters.
1 tablespoon of file powder.
Cooked rice.

Directions:

Pour the water into a large pot.

Cut chicken into serving size pieces, and brown in hot shortening.

Once browned, put in the pot with the water, then add the flour to the shortening and brown very slowly.

Add the chopped onion and cook until slightly brown and clear, then add to the chicken and seasonings.

Cook very slowly until the chicken is tender, stirring frequently.

Add green onion tops and parsley.

Cook for 10 minutes, then add the oysters and cook until they curl.

Remove from heat, add the file powder, and stir.

Serve immediately with cooked rice.

Source: Oyster Recipes.

Eating Patterns – following your baby’s needs

By admin, 8 October, 2008, No Comment

My experience of increasing gaps between feeds, the amount taken and the effect on sleep patterns for a formula fed baby of 5 weeks.

I try to never let my babydrain a bottle – if he does finish one off, the next feed I make an extra ounce… he usually then takes half an ounce or so more than the last feed and stops. I then continue to make this amount each feed until he drains the bottle again and then I add another ounce.

This is how I have progressed with him eating more.

I was worried last week that he might be eating too much,

Dim Sum – Traditional Chinese Snackfood

By admin, 2 October, 2008, No Comment

Dim sum has it’s origin in the Chinese social tea tradition of Yum Cha. Yum cha, which translates literally to mean “tea drinking”, takes place in the mornings and early afternoons in various regions throughout China, although Canton, a province in Southern China, is more widely associated with Dim sum and Yum Cha.

During Yum Cha people socialize over tea and partake of a variety of snack foods. This variety of snack foods is what is referred to as Dim sum. Dim sum refers to the collective dishes partaken of during the tea-drinking tradition of Yum Cha.

In today’s hectic world people don’t always have time for traditional social gatherings like Yum Cha. Recognizing the need to keep up with changing times and the demand for instant foods, some food manufacturers in China and other regions have developed packaged dim sum products. These products can usually be found in grocery stores in many areas of the world. They can be prepared at home in a microwave on a stovetop and enjoyed at any time desired.

Here is an example of a dim sum recipe, pork dim sum:

Ingredients:

14 oz of ground pork.
2 scallions, chopped.
1 3/4 oz of canned bamboo shoots, chopped.
1 tablespoon of light soy sauce.
1 tablespoon of dry sherry.
2 teaspoons of sesame oil.
2 teaspoons of superfine sugar.
1 medium egg white, lightly beaten.
4 1/2 teaspoon of cornstarch.
24 wonton wrappers.

Directions:

In a bowl, mix together the ground pork, chopped scallions, bamboo shoots, light soy sauce, dry sherry, sesame oil, superfine sugar, and beaten egg until well combined.

Stir in the cornstarch, mixing thoroughly.

Spread out the wonton wrappers on a counter.

Place a spoonful of the mixture in the center of each wonton wrapper and lightly brush the edges of the wrappers with water.

Bring the sides of the wrappers together in the center of the filling, pinching firmly together.

Line a steamer with a clean damp dish cloth and arrange the wontons inside.

Cover and steam for 6 minutes or until cooked through, then serve.

Source: Dim Sum Recipes.

Large pushy pig traps Australian

By admin, 24 September, 2008, No Comment

A woman on the north coast of New South Wales in Australia is being held hostage in her own home by a large pig, Australian media report.

Caroline Hayes, 63, says the pig is comparable in size to “a Shetland pony” and that she cannot get out of her home because of its aggressive behaviour.

“It started knocking on my door at 4 am, barging the door, wanting some food,” she told ABC television.

When she opened the door, she said, the pig pushed her back inside the house.

The offending animal, whom locals have nicknamed “Bruce”, also pulled a large mattress out of her garage and ripped to pieces.

Ms Hayes, who describes herself as an animal-loving vegetarian, admits she and some of her friends had begun feeding Bruce.

Rangers from the local council tried to catch the large animal but their cage was too small to fit the beast.

Ranger Len Hing, who visited the scene, explained that Bruce’s considerable size makes him difficult to control.

“He is a bald pig, about 80 kilos” he said.

“I wouldn’t like to see the pig go as a pet anywhere because he potentially could become a dangerous animal.”

Rangers say the pig will be captured and taken to a piggery.

Inverness Castle and Robert the Bruce

By admin, 31 July, 2008, 2 Comments

Robert I of Scotland is known for his his defence against the English, but few know about his attack on many Scottish castles to return them to his control. This included Inverness which was burnt to the ground on his journey to the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.

After Bruce had destroyed the castle which stood in Inverness a stone replacement was built. The exact date is not known, but it is thought to have been during early 15th Century.

Tiverton Castle

By admin, 7 July, 2008, No Comment

The Tiverton Castle was built through the reign of King Henry the First by the 1st earl of Devon who was called Richard de Redvers. It was in 1539 that the lands were confiscated by Henry the Eighth and the Earl was killed. Not all of the original building remains now as some of the castle was dismantled and used in other structures after the civil war. A family of the name of Courtney lived in the castle during its history and the ghost of the youngest girl in that family walks the remains now.

Pengersick Castle in Cornwall

By admin, 22 June, 2008, No Comment

Reported to be the most haunted place in not only Cornwall, but the whole of the UK; Pengersick Castle is certainly a sight to behold. Many ghosts have been spotted over the years at Pengersick Castle including that of a little girl of 13 years old. It is reported that she danced to her death from the battlements of the castle. Two women who were murdered in the castle are said to still roam looking for justice. A man who was strangled to death and stabbed, shows his terrible demise to anyone who will watch in front of a fireplace.

Recipe for Banana Spice Cupcakes

By admin, 24 April, 2008, No Comment

Ingredients

1 medium egg.
1 ¼ cups of sifted flour.
¾ cup of mashed bananas.
½ cup of shortening.
½ cup of sugar and 2 tablespoons of sugar.
1 ¼ teaspoons of baking powder.
¼ teaspoon of baking soda.
¼ teaspoon of salt.
½ teaspoon of cinnamon.
¼ teaspoon of nutmeg.
½ teaspoon of vanilla extract.

FROSTING
¼ cup of mashed bananas.
¼ teaspoon of lemon juice.
1 cup of confectioners sugar.

Preparation Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375F.

Mix all of the (non-frosting) ingredients together.

Spoon the mixture into paper lined muffin pan.

Bake for 20 minutes.

Allow to cool completely and frost with the banana frosting.

Source:

This recipe came from the cupcake recipes website.

Croatia – Its Rich Heritage

By admin, 20 April, 2008, 3 Comments

Croatia is a land of natural beauty and enjoys a varied landscape with different cultural traditions. Croatian property styles vary across the country, from Istria with its Italian influence, often referred to as “the new Tuscany”, down to Split, a town built in a Roman palace, and further south to Dubrovnik, a one time maritime and cultural rival to Venice, preserved in its pristine renaissance beauty.

Hvar with its lavender and its “A” list celebrities contrast with the traditional cultural attractions of Korcula. Each of the many Croatian islands offer something different. The islands also offer ideal opportunities for Croatian property investments and development.

Buying a holiday home on the Croatian coast has become increasingly popular with both Croatians and non-Croatians alike. Strict government planning regulations ensure that Croatia will maintain its natural beauty and of course with limited supply, property prices continue to appreciate.

For sailors of all types of boat, Croatia and its islands offer a perfect environment for a holiday afloat with well equipped mooring and easy access to towns and villages, sailing in Croatian waters is an experience which cannot be surpassed.

Croatia offers abundant choices for those looking to invest in property developments and, or existing properties. Winkworth, with its extensive knowledge of Croatia is the natural partner of choice for holiday home owners, smaller and larger investors; investment funds and developers looking for sites of differing sizes.

Travelling to and within Croatia

Over the last 10 years Croatia has built a first class motorway systems linking Zagreb with Rijeka, Slovenia, Slavonia, Split and the Dalmatian coast. The next section of major motorway will be from Split to Dubrovnik and is due to open in 2010.

The tunnel outside Split has just been names by the EU as the safest tunnel in Europe.

Flights to Zagreb are frequent and come directly from UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, France, Hungary, Czech Republic, and most major European countries.

Croatia Airlines operate a full internal air service linking all the major cities with frequent flights daily.

From London Heathrow and Gatwick both British Airways and Croatia Airlines fly to numerous Croatian destinations. From Stansted, Easy Jet, WizzAir and RyanAir fly to several popular holiday destinations.

Croatia is linked by a ferry service from Dubrovnik to Bari in Italy and a daily ferry service operates between Rijeka and Dubrovnik. Most Croatian islands are easily accessible by regular air or ferry services.

Culture, Cuisine and Wines

Croatia is rich in culture and culinary heritage with a range of unique organic produce that include truffels from Istria, cheese from the island of Pag and Dalmatian smoked ham. Most Croatian produce is organic and Croatia enjoys an organic farming heritage as opposed to western European industrial scale farming traditions, reliant on pesticides and fertilizers. Each region offers different delicacies from Štrukli pasta dishes in the north west, Slubica pork from the central region, Fuži soup from Istria and Rožata dessert from the south.

Croatia also has a long history of wine making with several hundred different types of wine ranging from Riesling type whites produced in Slavonia to classic ruby reds from the Dalmatian coast, as well as fine dry white wine from Korcula. There are also sparking wines from Istria and various specialist liqueurs such as Grappa and local fruit brandies. Fresh fish is a staple of the Dalmatian coastal diet and Croatia produces excellent olive oils and fine herbs that add to the extensive range of foods and wine that visitors can enjoy.

The Courier Magazine