The end of August is upon us, and before the onslaught of a new term at school or college hits many households, it's time to step back and take a look at how naughty we were food-wise over the summer. And time to think about ways we can get back on the straight and narrow...
We're not sure what you've been up to, but we'll be the first to admit to an excess of alcohol (aaah, those lovely summery evenings out in the back garden, sipping a glass or two of wine) and some generous helpings of ice cream. But at least we've also had a chance to make amends and get out and stretch the legs a bit. Even if it was just strolling down the road to our local!
With the kids going back to school it means 'bye bye' to their summer sugar fest and 'hello' to a little more say over what they eat. Of course, this means healthy food options in their school lunchbox, including cereal bars, good old fashioned fruit, such as the energy packed banana, and fruit yogurts.
It's just a shame we don't apply some of that dietary control to ourselves, as according to recent government stats it's us parents that seem to be letting the side down. It appears us Brits are heading ever closer to the over-sized American way of life.
There are no excuses; we all know that we should be eating better. So maybe we should just start living better. Let's face it, with the kids returning to school, it's almost like having another crack at our New Year's resolutions, especially for those of us who have strayed.
And it really only takes a few small things to make an impact. For example, pack some more fruit and vegetables into your daily routine. Eat less (you could, for example, eat on smaller plates to trick your brain into thinking you're scoffing down a bigger meal than you actually are) and just slow that chewing down (another good way to trick the brain).
At mySupermarket we're also here to help give healthier suggestions. For example, when you start shopping check out our Health Checker, which will let you swap similar items for lower calories.
So, are you eating better? Living better? And if so, how?
Remember you can get it all cheaper through mySupermarket.
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 So, what's your favourite kitchen smell?
In our opinion, there's nothing quite like the smell of fresh bread baking in the oven, or onions and garlic sizzling away in the frying pan. These odours can surely drive a sane man bonkers – or at least have him ready to devour a horse, hooves included!
But what about those odours we'd rather our noses never had to confront? You know the ones we're talking about, those powerful aromas that hit us as we open up the fridge door, the half-full dishwasher or overflowing rubbish bin. Those odours that make us step back in horror, hand over mouth, wondering just what could be the source of that awful stench.
So in honour of all things stinky, we've written up a quick guide on how to banish those nasty odours forever from four of the main kitchen culprits. And if these tips don't work for you, it might be time to go out and buy some air fresheners…
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Culprit
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Our top tip for banishing nasty odours
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The Fridge
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Soak a cotton ball in vanilla essence (or lemon juice or used coffee grounds if you prefer a different smell), and put it in a small dish near the bottom of the fridge. When dry, replace. Some people also swear by slices of raw potato to soak up the smells. |
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The Rubbish Bin
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Get some decent bin bags, the ones that hold lots and that won't split easily. Most of the awful odours you'll come across will be because of garbage that has seeped though to the bottom of the bin. Ewww. |
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The Dishwasher
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If it takes a few days to fill up your dishwasher, then run a light eco-rinse when half-full, even without any dishwasher powder. The steam will remove most of the food. If the stench doesn't go, have a crack at cleaning out all the filters and parts on the bottom, as something could be stuck. |
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The Garbage Disposal
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Boil up some water and tip it down the disposal while it's grinding. This should get those blades unclogged and clean. To help keep those odours away, occasionally throw down some ground lemon peels and ice cubes.. |
Got any hot tips you’d like to share?
Remember you can get all your cleaning accessories much cheaper through mySupermarket.
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August 16, 2010 | Tags: beer, crisps, mixed nuts
 So, in case you missed it (we doubt it, what with the hype and TV promos bombarding us over the last week or so!), this weekend saw the start of the new Premier League season.
Despite it seeming like only two minutes ago we were talking about the World Cup, the new football season is once again upon us. We’re not sure what that means for your household, but we can safely assume that across the nation the male side of the average family has been getting a wee bit more excitable.
[sob] In the meantime, the less footie mad side of the family weeps silently into her glass of white wine while nibbling on some biscuits, after hearing that David Beckham will no longer be pulling on the England shirt… [end of sob]
To quench those munchies and thirst for something cold and liquid every time there’s a match on the telly, we’ve come up with a list of five must haves in your fridge or cupboard to keep your favourite footie fans happy.
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It goes without saying, but make sure there’s a few beers and lagers for the thirsty elders. Nice and cold, of course.
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The tried and tested crisps are always a winner. With an amazing range of flavours to choose from these days, you can’t really go wrong. Bear in mind that multi-packs will give maximum bang for your buck.
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A healthier alternative to crisps could be some cashews, roasted peanuts or even some pistachio nuts. Mix and match and place on a tray, and Bob’s Yer Uncle.
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Another interesting alternative to crisps could be some onion rings, perhaps even with a dip of some sort. Well worth a try, and not too exotic.
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And how about some Mexican goodies, like some Burritos or Fajitas? More and more popular these days, and a great partner for a cold bottle of lager.
Remember you can fill up your fridge or cupboard for the new footie season much cheaper through mySupermarket.
What do the footie fans in your house insist on having in the fridge?
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