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Vinegar and baking soda: a cleaning hack or just a bunch of fizz?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nathan-kilah-599082">Nathan Kilah</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</a> Vinegar and baking soda are staples in the kitchen. Many of us have combined them in childhood scientific experiments: think fizzy volcanoes and geysers. But people also frequently mix vinegar and baking soda to produce a reportedly effective household cleaner. Unfortunately, the chemistry behind the bubbly reaction doesn’t support the cleaning hype. The fizzy action is essentially <a href="https://theconversation.com/six-surprising-things-about-placebos-everyone-should-know-220829">a visual “placebo</a>”, formed by the combination of an acid and a base. So, how does it work, and is it worth using these chemicals for cleaning? To understand all this, it helps to know a little more about chemistry. <h2>What’s an acid?</h2> Foods with a sour taste typically contain acids. These include citric acid in lemon juice, malic acid in apples, lactic acid in yoghurt and <a href="https://theconversation.com/kitchen-science-everything-you-eat-is-made-of-chemicals-56583">phosphoric acids in soft drinks</a>. Most vinegars contain around 4–10% acetic acid, the rest is water and small amounts of flavour chemicals. There are other naturally occurring acids, such as formic acid in ant bites and hydrochloric acid in our stomachs. Industrially, sulfuric acid is used in mineral processing, nitric acid for <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-is-ammonium-nitrate-the-chemical-that-exploded-in-beirut-143979">fertiliser manufacturing</a> and the highly potent hydrofluoric acid is used to etch glass. All of these acids share similar properties. They can all release hydrogen ions (positively charged atoms) into water. Depending on their potency, acids can also dissolve minerals and metals through various chemical reactions. This is why vinegar is an excellent cleaner for showers or kettles – it can react with and dissolve mineral deposits like limescale. Other common acidic cleaning ingredients are oxalic acid, used for revitalising timber decks, hydrochloric acid in concrete and masonry cleaners, and sulfamic acid in potent toilet cleaners. <h2>What’s a base?</h2> In chemistry, bases – the opposite of acids in many ways – can bind, rather than release hydrogen ions. This can help lift and dissolve insoluble grime into water. Bases can also break apart fat molecules. Baking soda (also known as sodium hydrogen carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, or bicarb) is a relatively weak base. Stronger common bases include sodium carbonate (washing soda), sodium hydroxide (lye) and ammonia. <a href="https://theconversation.com/spill-at-a-nuclear-facility-shows-potential-burn-risks-from-a-household-chemical-112763">Sodium hydroxide</a> is a potent drain cleaner – its strong base properties can dissolve fats and hair. This allows blockages to be broken down and easily flushed away. <h2>Mixing a base and an acid</h2> Mixing vinegar and baking soda causes an immediate chemical reaction. This reaction forms water, sodium acetate (a salt) and carbon dioxide – the fizzy part. The amount of carbon dioxide gas that is produced from baking soda is remarkable – one tablespoon (around 18 grams) can release over <a href="https://www.chemedx.org/JCESoft/jcesoftSubscriber/CCA/CCA8/MAIN/8/06/2/4/movie.html">five litres of gas</a>! But only if you add enough acid. Reactions in chemistry often use equal quantities of chemical reagents. A perfect balance of acetic acid and baking soda would give you just water, carbon dioxide and sodium acetate. But the majority of vinegar and bicarb cleaner recipes use a large excess of one or the other components. An example from TikTok for a DIY oven cleaner calls for one and a half cups of baking soda and one quarter cup of vinegar. Crunching the numbers behind the chemical reaction shows that after the fizz subsides, over 99% of the added baking soda remains. So the active cleaning agent here is actually the baking soda (and the “elbow grease” of scrubbing). Ovens can be cleaned much more rigorously with stronger, sodium hydroxide based cleaners (although these are also more caustic). Many modern ovens also have a self-cleaning feature, so read your product manual before reaching for a chemical cleaner of any sort. <h2>What about the sodium acetate?</h2> Devotees of vinegar and baking soda mixtures might be wondering if the product of the fizzy reaction, sodium acetate, is the undercover cleaning agent. Unfortunately, sodium acetate is an even weaker base than baking soda, so it doesn’t do much to clean the surface you’re trying to scrub. Sodium acetate is used in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vABpel-11Nc">crystallisation-based heating packs</a> and as a concrete sealant, but not typically as a cleaner. Fun fact: sodium acetate can be combined with acetic acid to make a crystalline <a href="https://theconversation.com/busting-the-myth-that-all-food-additives-are-bad-a-quick-guide-for-label-readers-82883">food additive</a> called sodium diacetate. These crystals give the vinegar flavour to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0hEutu_goY">salt and vinegar chips</a> without making them soggy. <h2>Sorry to burst your bubbles</h2> There are a few rare cases where mixing vinegar and baking soda may be useful for cleaning. This is where the bubbling has a mechanical effect, such as in a blocked drain. But in most cases you’ll want to use either vinegar or baking soda by itself, depending on what you’re trying to clean. It will be less <a href="https://theconversation.com/visually-striking-science-experiments-at-school-can-be-fun-inspiring-and-safe-banning-is-not-the-answer-195362">visually exciting</a>, but it should get the job done. Lastly, remember that mixing cleaning chemicals at home can be risky. Always carefully read the product label and directions before engaging in DIY concoctions. And, to be extra sure, you can find out more safety information by reading the product’s <a href="https://theconversation.com/a-new-tiktok-trend-has-people-drinking-toxic-borax-an-expert-explains-the-risks-and-how-to-read-product-labels-210278">safety data sheet</a>.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/225177/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nathan-kilah-599082">Nathan Kilah</a>, Senior Lecturer in Chemistry, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/vinegar-and-baking-soda-a-cleaning-hack-or-just-a-bunch-of-fizz-225177">original article</a>.

Home & Garden

Grant Denyer serenades one of Australia's oldest Deal or No Deal contestants

In the latest feelgood episode of Deal or No Deal, 94-year-old contestant Phyllis Goldsack was given the chance to win $100,000. As one of the oldest contestants on the show, Phyllis kept everyone entertained as she challenged the banker. In one particularly sweet moment, game show host Grant Denyer serenaded her with a special song. A clip of the moment was shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, with the caption: "We're not crying, you're crying," and the crying emoji. "Okay the deal is, if I serenade you, with the song of your choosing, you get $800 from my pocket," Grant told Phyllis in the show. The audience were touched when Phyllis revealed that her late husband only ever sang her one song when he proposed, You Are My Sunshine. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> We're not crying, you're crying! 😭<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DealOrNoDealAU?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DealOrNoDealAU</a> 6.00 Weeknights on <a href="https://twitter.com/Channel10AU?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@channel10au</a> and 10 Play. <a href="https://t.co/CVR0M5rq7y">pic.twitter.com/CVR0M5rq7y</a> — Deal Or No Deal Australia (@DealOrNoDealAUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/DealOrNoDealAUS/status/1756942546767339956?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2024</a></blockquote> "Should we do it one more time maybe?" Grant asked Phyllis who eagerly replied: "yes, you sing it for me". The crowd joined in and serenaded the 94 year old. “Thank you, you know you have made me feel so happy,” she told Grant. Although Phyllis did not win the $100,000, she went home $9,255 richer, which was the best offer she received from the banker. “That’s why I do this show!” Grant said. Images: X

Carrie Bickmore's rumoured TV return

Carrie Bickmore is rumoured to be the next host of the upcoming reboot of the iconic Aussie game show Deal or No Deal. The former The Project anchor is the front-runner to host the series which is set to air on Channel 10 next year. It is understood that the network is desperate to get Bickmore onboard, but with fame comes a hefty price tag. “She’s one of the biggest stars in Australia and she comes with a very big price tag,” a source reportedly told New Idea, revealing that her current rate is believed to be over $500,000. “Deal or No Deal is currently lined up to air at 6pm as the lead-in to The Project - with hopes those eyeballs that tune in to the game show will stay on to watch Sarah Harris, Waleed Aly, and the gang,” the source added. “It’d be a win-win for the network, getting Carrie back on TV and hosting a show that could actually get people back into watching The Project - it’s sort of genius.” However, she isn't the only star the broadcaster have their eyes on. Peter Helliar is also rumoured to be part of the line up, with a much cheaper price tag. Deal or No Deal first aired in 2003 on Channel 7, and had a ten-year run before the show was axed. Although there's no set date for the when the show will air just yet, they are looking for their next stars with <a href="https://eu.castitreach.com/ag/esgau/dond/welcome.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">casting calls</a> open for those over 18. Image:

Stuffed baked potatoes

A steaming-hot baked potato makes perfect comfort food and doesn't need lashings of butter and cheese to be delicious. This tasty vegetarian filling combines marinated mushrooms and zucchini for a healthy filling. Other fillings are limited only by your imagination. Serves: 4 Ingredients: <ul> <li>4 baking potatoes, about 300g each</li> <li>2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil</li> <li>200g small open-cup mushrooms, about 5cm in diameter</li> <li>1 large zucchini, about 170g, sliced</li> <li>1 teaspoon red wine vinegar</li> <li>1 teaspoon dijon mustard</li> <li>Salt and pepper</li> <li>⅓ cup (10g) chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley</li> </ul> Preparation: <ol> <li>Preheat the oven to 200°C.</li> <li>Push a metal skewer through each potato or push the potatoes onto a potato roasting rack. (Pushing a metal skewer into the potatoes helps to conduct heat through to their centres so that they cook more quickly.</li> <li>Place the potatoes directly on the shelf in the oven and bake for 1½ hours or until tender.</li> <li>Make the zucchini and mushroom filling when you first put the potatoes in the oven so that it has time to marinate.</li> <li>Alternatively, it can be made just before the potatoes are cooked and served hot.</li> <li>Heat a large ridged chargrill or frying pan.</li> <li>Drizzle half the oil over the pan and cook the mushrooms and zucchini slices for 10-15 minutes or until they are well-browned in places and softened and have released their juices.</li> <li>Transfer the vegetables to a bowl with all their juices and add the remaining oil, the vinegar and mustard.</li> <li>Season to taste, mix well and leave to marinate until the potatoes are cooked.</li> <li>Split open the baked potatoes, then press gently to part the halves, keeping them joined at the base.</li> <li>Stir the parsley into the marinated vegetables, then pile them into the potatoes.</li> <li>Serve immediately.</li> </ol> This article first appeared in <a href="http://www.readersdigest.com.au/recipes/stuffed-baked-potatoes">Reader’s Digest</a>. Images: Getty

Food & Wine

“Grandma meant Elmo”: Cake-maker reveals hilarious baking blunder

An American baker has left the internet in stitches after misreading her customer’s custom cake request, instead delivering a baking blunder for the Sesame Street history books. In a video posted to her TikTok account, Brianna Romero - who is known professionally as Brinni Cakes - confessed her mistake to the world, recounting the story of how a recent order from a grandmother had led her to the creation of her new friend ‘Emo Elmo’. “So my worst nightmare happened,” she said, with audio playing over a timelapse of Brianne constructing another cake. “Last week a lady DMed me and asked me if I could make her an emo cake, and I was thinking ‘yes, of course, I love emo and I love goth, and I know I’ve been perfecting my black frosting so I’m ready for this’.” Brianna went on to explain that she’d gotten all of her customer’s information, and set to work. However, an hour before she was set to deliver the cake, she decided to offer the woman a number candle - an offer that was soon accepted. “She said ‘yes, the cake is for my granddaughter and she’s turning four’”, Brianna explained in the clip. “And I thought that that was a little bit weird, ‘cause I don’t know an emo four year old.” After trying to understand the weird request, Brianna figured that the little girl must just be a fan of something like Netflix’s Wednesday series. Unfortunately, this was not the case. “Something felt wrong,” she noted, before describing how she’d reach out again to ask what the theme of the party was, only to find out it was Sesame Street. “So my heart sinks a little bit because this is now making sense to me,” she said. It was then that Brianna returned to the original exchange between herself and her customer, and had her worst fears confirmed. “I misread emo,” Brianna admitted, “and it said an Elmo cake.” Luckily, Brianna was a quick thinker in her time of stress and rushed out to find an Elmo topper for her cake, before offering the cake for free. <div class="embed" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none !important;"><iframe class="embedly-embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; border-style: initial; vertical-align: baseline; width: 610.266px; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important;" title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7212109376436391210&display_name=tiktok&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40brinnicakes%2Fvideo%2F7212109376436391210&image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign.tiktokcdn-us.com%2Ftos-useast5-p-0068-tx%2Fe19d4562cc04495c8778154678f1d382_1679200086%7Etplv-dmt-logom%3Atos-useast5-i-0068-tx%2F1ad8d307d5f74948880bf2e0f91228f3.image%3Fx-expires%3D1683669600%26x-signature%3DCxdjPe36YRrx4SrRRwvAPwRsevY%253D&key=5b465a7e134d4f09b4e6901220de11f0&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> Brianna’s audience were obsessed with her tale, and the video shot to viral heights, with over 11.7 million views to its name. “As soon as you revealed it was for a 4yr old I was like ‘oh no, grandma meant Elmo’,” one follower wrote. “Praying it’s Elmo with a side bang,” said another. Her misfortune drew in over a thousand comments, but there was a recurring thought that stood out among the chorus, and that was a request to see the baked blunder. And while Brianna admitted in an update that she hadn’t had the time to snap pictures on the day of delivery, she did her best with her follow-up video, sharing photos of cakes that looked “almost exactly” like her own, to the delight of her worldwide audience. “This is so funny,” someone said. “Elmo with a side bang has me in tears.” Meanwhile, another commenter wanted to know what the recipients had thought about their unique goods. “She tried to pay still but I told her everything that happened and we just laughed it off,” Brianna said. “It was just for a small family party anyway.” Images: TikTok

Food & Wine

10 vintage baking tips that are still worth using

When it comes to baking, some techniques remain relevant no matter what decade you’re in. These tried and true baking methods are worth remembering today. 1. Add two tablespoons of vinegar to one cup of milk to create soured milk 2. Make whipping cream a breeze by adding a dash of lemon juice. 3. Place a bowl of water in the oven while baking for moist fruit cakes. 4. A pinch of salt in the bottom of a bowl will keep ingredients from sticking. 5. Heat a bowl up with warm water, empty, and place your butter in the still-warm bowl for softer butter. 6. Measure butter post melting, not before to get the perfect measurement. 7. Adding a tablespoon of jam to your biscuit dough keeps them softer for longer. 8. Substitute whipped cream for a slice of banana beaten with an egg white until stiff. 9. When separating eggs, if you get egg yolk in your whites, wet a cloth and touch the yolk, which will then stick to the cloth. 10. Prevent the curdling of custards by adding half a tablespoon of flour and half of sugar. Image credits: Getty Images

Food & Wine

Broccoli and cheese pasta bake

An easy, satisfying dish that the whole family can enjoy, this cheesy, vegetarian broccoli pasta bake is sure to be a hit. Ingredients: <ul> <li>1L of milk</li> <li>2 garlic cloves, crushed</li> <li>2 bay leaves</li> <li>500g of pasta</li> <li>350 g of broccoli, cut into small florets</li> <li>75g of butter</li> <li>75g of flour</li> <li>1 teaspoon of mustard powder</li> <li>A few parsley leaves, chopped</li> <li>200g of grated Italian cheese mix</li> </ul> Method: 1. In a small saucepan, bring milk, garlic and bay leaves to a boil. Remove from heat and let sit. 2. Boil pasta until al dente. Add broccoli during the last two minutes of boiling. Drain. 3. In a pan, heat butter. Add flour, stirring for about one minute. Strain milk mixture. Add to pan in small portions at a time, stirring constantly. Let simmer for one to two minutes, forming a sauce. 4. Remove sauce from heat and stir in mustard powder and parsley as well as ¾ of the cheese. 5. Mix together with pasta and broccoli in a casserole dish. Sprinkle remaining cheese over top. 6. Cook under grill on high for two to three minutes or until top becomes golden. Let cool and serve. Images: Getty

Food & Wine

“The stuff of nightmares”: Baked to imperfection

Some people are destined for the kitchen, while others may be better suited to a career in comedy, if these cake decorating disasters are anything to go by. Even armed with a visual guide and the world’s best intentions, some bakers are just in for a wild time - and thanks to some good-natured social media posts, we can all enjoy the colourful consequences right along with them. Lucy was one such baker to face a betrayal from her cake. Posting to the Facebook page Woolies/Coles Mudcake Hacks, she shared her experience trying to follow professional baker Tegan ‘Tigga’ Maccormack’s Bluey birthday cake tutorial. Needless to say, their end results weren’t exactly mirror images. "Enjoy this absolute abomination - it looked easy on TikTok," Lucy wrote, attaching a picture of her hilarious creation. Fellow Facebook users loved her attempt, with some even trying to make Lucy feel better. One informed her that although it was nothing like the inspiration picture, it was “very cute”. “OMG I genuinely love it!” another declared. “It made me smile, thank you for sharing.” Meanwhile, one mum wrote that her seven-year-old encouraged Lucy to “keep trying!”, before stating that “it looks so bad she should probably eat the whole thing.” On Reddit, someone had another unfortunate cake story to share - though this time they weren’t the baker responsible, simply the customer who got something they certainly hadn’t paid for. “The ice cream cake we ordered vs what we received,” they wrote, sharing the image of two monkey cakes. One, the ‘expectation’ image, was a smoothly iced monkey head. The second, the ‘received’ product, was at least discernible as a monkey, even if the ‘smooth’ icing job left a lot to be desired. “This was an ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins," it was explained. “They usually come out exactly as pictured online, but this time was truly spectacular." And while many thought this particular approach to replicating the vision was hilarious, most were of the opinion that this had not actually been a failure, but instead an improvement. According to the majority in the comments, “frosting tastes much better than fondant” anyway. Another Reddit user referenced a tweet they’d seen of another cake disaster, this time of a Minnie Mouse cake that someone had purchased for their niece, and the nightmare they’d gotten in return. “I saw that it was posted in Arabic on Twitter, and it was pretty funny,” the Reddit user said, “so I just wanted to share it with a wider audience!" “The cake's shininess is the stuff of nightmares,” was all one had to say about it. “I would not have paid for that abomination,” another said. Thankfully for the individual who had dealt with the cake firsthand, they were able to return it for a full refund. "The cake was for my sister for her birthday," they told TODAY. "In the beginning, it was a horrible shock for us, but after I posted the picture on Twitter, I was laughing because of people's reactions." Images: Instagram, Facebook, Reddit, Shutterstock

Food & Wine

Best baked goods in Australia crowned

The Victorian Baking Show, held by the Baking Association of Australia, has enjoyed another year of treats and celebration in 2023. The annual show took place in Bendigo for the second time, with judges enjoying their share of 590 different baked goods from 143 passionate bakers across Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, Queensland, and New South Wales. And despite the very difficult task ahead of them, the panel were able to crown winners in numerous bread, pastry, and sweet categories. The show’s most sought after titles? Australia’s Best Hot Cross Bun and Australia’s Best Vanilla Slice. North End Bakehouse in Shepparton, Victoria, seized victory with their vanilla slice. The Australian classic typically features a thick layer of vanilla custard between layers of puff pastry, most often with icing sugar sprinkled on top. But North End Bakehouse opt to shake things up, with their slice showcasing a sleek coating of white fondant instead. “This was an absolute stand out,” executive officer of the Baking Association, and host of the Victorian Baking Show, Tony Smith declared, “the judges couldn’t believe how creamy the custard was, and the fondant was tempered perfectly on top. The pastry was crisp and thin, not soggy.” “John Humphrey, one of the main judges - along with Stewart Latter, Chief Judge for the BAA - judged the vanilla slices and stated that sometimes it’s very hard to temper the fondant and allow it to sit perfectly on top,” he continued “along with this, some people have custard filling that leaves a gritty or grainy feeling in your mouth. “But this was perfect!” North End Bakehouse’s success didn’t stop there, either, with the bakery also taking home a win for its 680g sourdough loaf. And although they didn’t snag the coveted first place prize for their hot cross buns, they did secure the title of “Best Innovative Hot Cross Bun” for their Vegemite-flavoured treat. Meanwhile, the accolade of Australia’s Best Hot Cross Bun went to South Australia’s Banana Boogie. And not only did they seize first place, but also the second-place trophy. “The Hot Cross Bun Competition is judged over several sections by two judges,” Tony explained, “the main thing is the judges cut one in half across from left to right, and then another on a diagonal. This allows the judges to see the fruit distribution in the bun and make sure it is evenly spread. “Of course, there is spice aroma and then mouth feel, making sure it is fresh and doesn’t stick to the roof of your mouth.” The baked goods just kept coming from there, with winners across all of the show’s categories announced. For the category of 2 Small Individual Fruit Tartlets, Mildura’s Sunraysia Bread and Butter Bakery claimed the top spot. They also now boast the title of having Australia’s best pasties. Melbourne’s Country Cob Bakery had the best meat pies, as well as the judges’ favourite gourmet pies. Victoria’s McKinnon Village Bakery found their claim to fame with everyone’s favourite: Australia’s Best Sausage Rolls. And last but not least, Mooroopna Bakery - also in Victoria - set tastebuds tingling with their iced doughnuts. Images: Facebook

Food & Wine

Recipe: Cheesy potato bake

The perfect accompaniment to any meal, everyone needs a great potato bake recipe in his or her repertoire and this one is delicious (and simple). Serves: Six Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: One hour 30 minutes Ingredients: <ul> <li>60g of butter, plus extra for greasing</li> <li>2 ⅓ cups milk</li> <li>400ml cream</li> <li>2 cups of cheese (tasty or parmesan work well), grated</li> <li>1½ kg potatoes (Sebago, Desiree, or similar), peeled and thinly sliced1 onion, finely chopped</li> <li>3 garlic cloves</li> <li>1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves</li> <li>Salt and pepper to season</li> </ul> Method: <ol> <li>Preheat oven to 180 °C or 160 °C for fan forced. Lightly grease a seven-cup ovenproof dish. </li> <li>Melt butter in a heavy-based saucepan over medium heat. Slowly add milk and cream, stirring constantly until well combined. </li> <li>Add one and half cups of cheese. Stir to combine. </li> <li>Layer one third of potatoes over base overlapping slightly. Top with half the onion, garlic, thyme and one third of cheese sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Repeat two more times. </li> <li>Brush a sheet of foil with oil and place oil-side down over the potato. Seal tightly. Bake for 45 minutes. Uncover and brush top with melted butter. Cook a further 45 minutes until tender and golden brown. Sprinkle with remaining cheese for last 15 minutes of cooking.</li> </ol> Image: Getty

Food & Wine

Troubled TV host Andrew O’Keefe arrested

Troubled TV presenter Andrew O'Keefe has once again been arrested after allegedly breaching his bail conditions. The former Deal or No Deal host was arrested at a home in Vaucluse, in Sydney's eastern suburbs just before 11am on Thursday. NSW Police arrested the 51-year-old before he was taken to Waverley Police Station, where he was charged with breach of bail. The Channel 7 personality was refused police bail on the spot and appeared at Waverely Local Court. The court heard that O’Keefe tested positive for drugs but his lawyer argued the swab was contaminated. He was then released on bail and spoke to the media, furious that he was unable to tell his side of the story. “You don't get to hear the story,” he said outside of court. “The thing about the justice system is that we get no time to prepare as the defendant. “And you're at a distinct disadvantage about getting the facts to even your own people.” O’Keefe’s lawyer argued in court that there was a limited information following the police’s swap test to check his client for drugs. “That's what we discovered in court today. There was a high probability of contempt, erm, contamination (to the sample),” O’Keefe said. Back in January, O’Keefe received six charges, with police alleging he grabbed a sex worker by the throat before punching her and pushing her to the ground. He pleaded not guilty to all six, which included three counts of common assault, intentionally choking a person without consent, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. In February, he pleaded guilty to a separate charge of drug possession. In June, O’Keefe appeared in court to challenge a charge of breaching an apprehended violence order (AVO) against another complainant, and again in July to examine the evidence relating to the allegations of assault and choking. Image: Nine News

News

Mum left devastated after no guests attend her daughter’s party

A US woman has been left devastated after none of the 27 invited guests showed at her daughter’s third birthday party. Mum-of-three Breanna Strong had planned a massive celebration for her daughter, Avery, at KidsTopia Playground, a “jungle-themed indoor playground”, and had catered with pizzas, a Frozen-themed cake, and plenty of goodies for the kids. But, she was left devastated for her daughter when none of the kids turned up. Taking to TikTok, the 27-year-old shared her heartbreak in a clip that quickly went viral and prompted a flood of love to be sent Avery’s way. “We invited 27 kids to Avery's third birthday party. Not a single one of her friends showed up,” she wrote in the video, which showed the empty party room. “Money and time wasted. Breaks my momma heart so bad. Literally going to go home and snuggle my babies.” <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/11/mum-bday-party1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Images: TikTok The video also included footage of Avery sitting alone eating pizza, before Strong took the rest and threw it in the bin, as well as a clip of Breanna holding back tears while driving home. “I wish I was making this up,” she added in the caption. She later explained in the comments that she had sent out virtual party invitations through Facebook, and while seven families had initially said they would come, some messaged her at the last minute to let her know they couldn’t make it - and the rest stood her up without explanation. But Strong said she was more upset than her daughter was, who was too young to fully understand what happened and had fun at the indoor playground. “She got everything she wanted. Pizza, Frozen cake, and jungle gym. She didn’t know any different rather than having fun. Just shattered my heart,” Strong explained. Commenters were quick to share their support for the young girl, with some sharing that they had similar experiences with their children. “Let’s have a redo. I’ll travel and got a bunch of kids who loves to make friends,” one suggested. “This is a rule at my house. If we are invited, we’re GOING!” another wrote. “We have been the only one that shows up. So sad this happens, I’m so sorry,” a third said. “This happened to one of my daughters. Now I make sure we show up to everyone’s party we are invited to. I never want to see that pain for any child,” one parent shared. Image: TikTok

Family & Pets

Baked rice custard

As featured in the Over60 cookbook, The Way Mum Made It, Patricia Smith says of her recipe, “I used to make this for my three daughters and then I started making it for my five granddaughters and five grandsons — they all love it and request it whenever they come over to my place.” For a limited time you can get 23 per cent of the Over60 cookbook, The Way Mum Made It. Serves: 4–6 Ingredients: <ul> <li>2 cups milk</li> <li>2 egg yolks</li> <li>300 ml cream</li> <li>1½ cups cooked rice, rinsed, drained</li> <li>½ cup caster sugar</li> <li>½ teaspoon cinnamon</li> <li>1 teaspoon vanilla extract pinch of nutmeg, plus extra to sprinkle</li> </ul> Method: <ol> <li>Preheat the oven to 180°C.</li> <li>Combine the milk, egg yolks, cream, rice, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg in a bowl.</li> <li>Pour the mixture into a ceramic ovenproof dish. Stand the dish in a baking dish with enough water to come halfway up the sides. Bake in the oven for 40 minutes, or until the custard is set.</li> </ol> Remove from the oven and set aside for 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm. Image: Getty

Food & Wine

4 beauty uses for baking soda

Not just for baking or cleaning, this pantry favourite can also be used on your body as an inexpensive beauty treatment. Here’s how. Dry shampoo Heard of dry shampoo? It's a great way to hide oily hair inbetween washes. But it's just another beauty product to buy. Step in baking soda. All you have to do is simply prinkle a pinch or two onto oily hair, leave it for a minute and then brush it out and style as normal. Deodorant For a natural alternative to harmful spray deodorants, use baking soda instead. All you have to do it mix it with water - to make a paste - and then apply and voila, homemade deodorant. Cuticle softener Instead of using tools that can be painful to remove your cuticles, why not try a baking soda paste to soften them first. Just add some water and baking soda together in a small dish and either soke your fingertips in the dish or rub the paste onto your cuticles. Now your cuticles can easily be removed. Body exfoliator Using baking soda in the showe is not only a gently way to remove dead skin cells, it's natural too. Image: Getty

Beauty & Style

Bargain rental is “spacious” but missing key features

A studio apartment up for rent in Birmingham, England, for less than $750 a month isn’t unusual just for its cheap price - it’s missing some crucial amenities. <a href="https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/126124685#/?channel=RES_LET" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Listed on Rightmove</a> for £425 ($AU 728) a month, the studio’s shower is located in an unlikely spot, directly opposite the bed. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/08/cheap-uk-flat1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> The prime location of the shower in relation to the bed could be a perk for some, but it's clear screen makes for a lack of privacy. Image: RightMove To make matters worse, the shower is encased in a clear cubicle, with no toilet in sight. The kitchen, located on the other side of the room, seems to consist of sink and cabinet underneath, a fridge, an oven, and another cabinet above a tile splashback. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/08/cheap-uk-flat2.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> The rental's kitchen boasts an oven, two cabinets, a fridge, a sink and a bench (plus an overflowing bin). Image: RightMove The apartment, described as “spacious” and “part-furnished”, also includes a single mattress crammed in one corner, with a lounge chair stationed right next to the oven. Though it is just a single room, the listing agent described it as a “great home for single working professionals”. It comes just months after a similar apartment in Australia sparked outrage, with many slamming the renovated rental as “real-life satire”. Like its British counterpart, the <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/property/real-estate/greedy-and-despicable-rental-renovation-causes-outrage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">North Adelaide studio apartment</a> featured a bathroom with a clear casing - though it does come with a toilet and a shred of privacy in the form of selective frosted glass - but differed in its hefty price amid the city’s worsening rental crisis. Image: RightMove

Real Estate

Baked eggplant with yogurt

In this delicious dish, grilled slices of eggplant and zucchini are layered with a rich tomato sauce and cumin–flavoured yogurt, then baked. Thick slices of bread and a crisp green salad are the perfect accompaniments to make a satisfying meal. Ingredients <div> <div> <ul> <li>3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil</li> <li>1 red onion, finely chopped</li> <li>2 cloves garlic, finely chopped</li> <li>1 can chopped tomatoes, about 400 g</li> <li>2 teaspoons tomato paste</li> <li>100 ml dry red wine</li> <li>1 bay leaf</li> <li>2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley</li> <li>salt and pepper</li> <li>3 eggplant, about 700 g in total, cut into 1 cm slices</li> <li>3 zucchini, about 500 g in total, thinly sliced</li> <li>½ teaspoon ground cumin</li> <li>1⅔ cups (410 g) low–fat natural yogurt</li> <li>2 eggs, beaten</li> <li>⅓ cup (35 g) freshly grated parmesan</li> </ul> </div> <div> <h4>Preparation</h4> <div data-url="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/recipes/baked-eggplant-with-yogurt"> </div> <ol> <li>Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a saucepan, add the onion and cook for about 8 minutes, or until softened.</li> <li>Add the garlic and cook for a further minute, stirring.</li> <li>Stir in the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, wine and bay leaf.</li> <li>Cover and simmer gently for 10 minutes.</li> <li>Uncover the pan and let the sauce bubble for a further 10 minutes, or until thickened, stirring occasionally.</li> <li>Remove the bay leaf.</li> <li>Stir in the parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste.</li> <li>While the sauce is simmering, preheat the grill to moderate.</li> <li>Lightly brush the eggplant and zucchini slices with the remaining 2 tablespoons oil.</li> <li>Cook under the grill, in batches, for 3–4 minutes on each side, or until browned and very tender.</li> <li>Preheat the oven to 180°C.</li> <li>Stir the cumin into half of the yogurt.</li> <li>Arrange one–third of the eggplant slices, in one layer, in a large ovenproof dish that is about 2.</li> <li>5 litres capacity.</li> <li>Spoon over half of the tomato sauce.</li> <li>Arrange half of the zucchini slices on top, in one layer, then drizzle with half of the cumin–flavoured yogurt.</li> <li>Repeat the layers, then finish with a layer of the remaining eggplant slices.</li> <li>Mix the remaining 200 g yogurt with the beaten eggs and half of the parmesan.</li> <li>Spoon the yogurt mixture over the eggplant, spreading with the back of the spoon to cover evenly.</li> <li>Sprinkle with the remaining parmesan.</li> <li>Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and set, and the sauce is bubbling.</li> <li>Serve hot, in the baking dish.</li> </ol> <div>Serves: 4</div> <div>Preparation: 20 minutes</div> <div>Cooking: about 1¼ hours</div> <div> </div> <div>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/recipes/baked-eggplant-with-yogurt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.</div> </div> </div>

Food & Wine

How to bake your pup a birthday cake

This recipe makes one dog cake and can be served as a full meal (based on a medium size dog 10-25 kg), however, we encourage sharing amongst other furry friends or cutting a slice as a treat only. <h4 dir="ltr">Dog cake recipe</h4> <h4 dir="ltr">What you'll need</h4> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Chopping board </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Knife </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Cake stand </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Bowls </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Spoon </li> </ul> <h4 dir="ltr">Ingredients</h4> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> 300 g Glow Raw Adult Australian Kangaroo dog food (or any preferred flavour) </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> 4 salmon skin dog treats </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> 9-12 mixed berries (mixture of raspberries, blueberries and strawberries) </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> 10 strawberry yoghurt drops </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> 1 tsp melted coconut oil </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> 1 tsp pumpkin seeds </li> </ul> <h4 dir="ltr">Method</h4> <ol> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Create three 1cm thick patty slices out of the Glow Raw Adult dog food. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Melt the strawberry yoghurt drops. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Place one patty slice on a cake stand. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Top with two crumbled salmon skin dog treats. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Place second patty slice on top. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Top with another two crumbled salmon skin dog treats. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Place third patty slice on top. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Drizzle the melted yoghurt drops over the top and sides of the cake. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Top with mixed berries. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Drizzle over melted coconut oil. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Sprinkle over pumpkin seeds. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Serve. Enjoy! </li> </ol> Image: Better Homes & Gardens AU

Family & Pets

From a series of recipes designed by Xali: Baked Barramundi with lemon and assorted greens

Baked Barramundi with lemon and assorted greens Xali is Australia’s first training, dietary and wellness program to cater to women going through biological changes with a focus on perimenopause and menopause. As women go through menopause they often experince tummy bloating from a change in hormones. Pickled foods are great to help reduce bloating, as fermented foods nourish the lining of your stomach. This recipe was designed by award-winning clinical nutritionist, Samantha Gowing to help woman reduce symptoms of tummy bloating as they are going through menopause. Prep: 20 mins Cook: 15 mins Yields: 1 serve Ingredients: 2 tsp macadamia, olive or peanut oil ½ bunch asparagus, trimmed  1 cup spinach ½ cup silverbeet 200 gram Barramundi, or other white fish Salt Cracked black pepper ½ lemon, cut into wedges Method: 1. Preheat the oven to 170 C. 2. Line a small baking dish with baking paper. 3. Place asparagus, spinach and silverbeet on the baking dish, top with fish and drizzle with oil and season. 4. Bake for 15-20 minutes, check fish is cooked through by flaking gently with a fork. 5. Transfer to a serving plate and serve with wedges of fresh lemon. Image: Supplied

Food & Wine

Prince George holds bake sale for charity

Prince George’s first efforts to help save the planet have come to light, after it was revealed he organised a bake sale for Tusk, a charity that his father is a patron of, during the UK’s Covid lockdown. Charlie Mayhew, the chief executive of Tusk, was the first to speak of George’s fundraiser. Though he wouldn’t disclose how much the young royal raised, Mayhew said the funds were accompanied by “a very sweet card” in which George expressed his concern for endangered animals in Africa. “Prince George very sweetly did a little cake sale to raise money for Tusk during lockdown and wrote a very sweet card about it, clearly demonstrating his concern fro Africa’s wildlife,” Mahew told GB News. Conservation work has been an important part of life for George’s family, with Prince William, Prince Charles, and Prince Phillip all championing environmental causes. The Duke of Cambridge has previously spoken about passing on his passion to his children, which seems to have been a success with George’s first fundraising venture. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Baking cakes for the local community in Cardiff to enjoy at a Platinum Jubilee street party taking place today! 🎉 We hope you like them! 🧁 <a href="https://t.co/lK9QkaGugB">pic.twitter.com/lK9QkaGugB</a> — The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/1533359456376987649?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 5, 2022</a></blockquote> It isn’t the only time George has shown off his baking skills either, after Kate Middleton and the Cambridge kids baked some sweet treats for a Platinum Jubilee street party in Cardiff. “Baking cakes for the local community in Cardiff to enjoy at a Platinum Jubilee street party taking place today!” the Cambridges tweeted, along with a montage of cute snaps. “We hope you like them!” Image: Getty Images

Family & Pets

VEGEMITE BAKED BEANS?!

Beans, beans the musical fruit – the more you eat the more you toot! And iconic brand Vegemite are clearly tooting their own horns with this latest ambitious crossover, as they have teamed up with SPC to sell a completely new style of flavoured baked beans. The collaboration will see the iconic spread infuse its taste in the beans and rich, cheesy tomato sauce which “oozes the bold, fair dinkum flavour of Australia”. SPC Marketing Manager George Dimkin said the collaboration was aimed to “give Aussies a reason to fall in love with baked beans all over again”. “While we’re drawing upon the iconic taste of Vegemite, that classic rich SPC flavour stays true blue, all the way through, creating the ideal Aussie combination which can be enjoyed at breakfast, lunch and tea,” she said. Each can is packed with protein, has a four-star health rating, contains no artificial flavours and is made from 4.3 servings of veggies. Jacqui Roth, Vegemite Marketing Manager, said Vegemite wanted to tap into Aussies’ love of baked beans through the collaboration. The collaboration is available at supermarkets across Australia and retails for $5 for a four-pack or $1.70 for a single can. Image: Shutterstock / Coles

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Vinegar and baking soda: a cleaning hack or just a bunch of fizz?

Grant Denyer serenades one of Australia's oldest Deal or No Deal contestants

Carrie Bickmore's rumoured TV return

Stuffed baked potatoes

“Grandma meant Elmo”: Cake-maker reveals hilarious baking blunder

10 vintage baking tips that are still worth using

Broccoli and cheese pasta bake

“The stuff of nightmares”: Baked to imperfection

Best baked goods in Australia crowned

Recipe: Cheesy potato bake

Troubled TV host Andrew O’Keefe arrested

Mum left devastated after no guests attend her daughter’s party

Baked rice custard

4 beauty uses for baking soda

Bargain rental is “spacious” but missing key features

Baked eggplant with yogurt

How to bake your pup a birthday cake

From a series of recipes designed by Xali: Baked Barramundi with lemon and assorted greens

Prince George holds bake sale for charity

VEGEMITE BAKED BEANS?!

Our Partners

News

Shop

Catalogues

Newspaper

Contests

Entertainment

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Property

Compare

Games

Information

Keep up to date

Search

Vinegar and baking soda: a cleaning hack or just a bunch of fizz?

Grant Denyer serenades one of Australia's oldest Deal or No Deal contestants

Carrie Bickmore's rumoured TV return

Stuffed baked potatoes

“Grandma meant Elmo”: Cake-maker reveals hilarious baking blunder

10 vintage baking tips that are still worth using

Broccoli and cheese pasta bake

“The stuff of nightmares”: Baked to imperfection

Best baked goods in Australia crowned

Recipe: Cheesy potato bake

Troubled TV host Andrew O’Keefe arrested

Mum left devastated after no guests attend her daughter’s party

Baked rice custard

4 beauty uses for baking soda

Bargain rental is “spacious” but missing key features

Baked eggplant with yogurt

How to bake your pup a birthday cake

From a series of recipes designed by Xali: Baked Barramundi with lemon and assorted greens

Prince George holds bake sale for charity

VEGEMITE BAKED BEANS?!

Our Partners

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