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7 ways you’re shortening the lifespan of your refrigerator

<p><strong>How you may be shortening the lifespan of a refrigerator</strong></p> <p>Refrigerators are a necessity in the home, but they cost a pretty penny. They can range in price from $700 to thousands of dollars, depending on which refrigerator brand you buy and which bells and whistles you want. Since it takes a good chunk of change to pay for this appliance, it makes sense to take great care of it so it lasts as long as possible. The typical lifespan of a refrigerator is 10 to 15 years, but it could last up to 20 years if you take superb care of it.</p> <p>Knowing how you may be shortening the life of your fridge helps you nip bad habits in the bud and make those well-spent dollars go the extra mile. That’s why we’ve rounded up the ways you may be knocking valuable time off your fridge’s life – read on and take note! Then, brush up on the signs your refrigerator is about to die and what your refrigerator temperature should be – both important things to know for fridge upkeep.</p> <p><strong>You’re not cleaning the internal mechanics</strong></p> <p>“If the defrost drain is clogged with debris, or frozen, the water dripping off the coils will overflow the drain trough and drip into the bottom of your refrigerator,” experts at the Repair Clinic told Reader’s Digest. Not only can this overwork your fridge, leading to a shorter lifespan, but it potentially causes your fridge/freezer to leak water all over your kitchen floor.</p> <p>Leaking water is a sign you should get any appliance looked at – it’s also a symptom of some of the ways you’re shortening the life of your washer and dryer.</p> <p><strong>You’re not cleaning the fridge itself</strong></p> <p>Additionally, debris, foodstuff, sticky spills and more common food mishaps that stay on the gasket of the refrigerator’s door too long can tear or break the seal of your refrigerator door. That can cause a leak, allowing cold air to escape. This makes learning how to clean your refrigerator properly all the more important (psst – these are the best fridge cleaners that’ll get the job done).</p> <p>To keep your fridge in tip-top shape as long as possible, wipe down the door edges often. And while you’re wiping down your fridge, see if you’ve organised your refrigerator the right way to keep ingredients fresh and avoid food poisoning.</p> <p><strong>You’re not cleaning the coils</strong></p> <p>More than 70 per cent of service calls for your fridge can be eliminated by cleaning your coils once a year – so experts recommend upping that to twice a year if you have furry pets (like an adorable but extra-fluffy pup).</p> <p>Debris on the coils can stop your fridge from properly dissipating heat, which means your compressor works harder and longer than it was designed to. That makes your fridge use more energy and shortens its lifespan.</p> <p><strong>It's too full </strong></p> <p>We’ve all played a few games of Tetris with our refrigerator after we get home with the groceries, but be careful when stocking up and storing. While this isn’t a huge problem with newer models, some older models have fan blades that are less protected. You may even be able to see the fan blades in your freezer or fridge.</p> <p>Cramming your food into the fridge and freezer to the point of applying undue pressure on this small part can affect its shape and fit among related parts of your fridge, risking a break. Ineffective fridges are overworked fridges, which will eventually lead to a refrigerator that doesn’t work. To avoid overfilling your fridge, do a deep clean of the contents of your fridge every once in a while and eliminate clutter.</p> <p><strong>You’re not changing the water filter often enough</strong></p> <p>If you have the type of fridge that makes ice – with the dispenser either within the freezer or on your door – the water filter is key to keeping this part of your refrigerator in great condition. An old, broken or dislodged water filter can create all kinds of problems for your fridge. At best, your ice dispenser breaks. At worst, your fridge overworks itself to an early death and you’re stuck footing the bill for a new one.</p> <p>Luckily, CNET reports that you likely can detect this problem early, as your ice cubes will start coming out smaller, oddly shaped or not at all. Keep this in mind next time you’re filling up your water bottle.</p> <p><strong>Your freezer temperature is too high</strong></p> <p>“Ideally, the temperature should be set -18 degrees Celsius,” said experts at Repair Clinic. The wrong freezer temperature can affect the longevity of your ice maker, as well as the safety of the food you’ll be eating.</p> <p>A temperature higher than -9 degrees Celsius can also cause the defrost thermostat to stop working, which, in turn, overworks your refrigerator and shortens its life.</p> <p><strong>You ignore weird noises or constant running</strong></p> <p>If you notice that your fridge is always running, or is running louder than usual, do something about it right away. Some fixes are easy enough that you can do them yourself, or they’re inexpensive for a professional, but even if that’s not the case, allowing a fridge to work itself harder than it is intended to is a good way to put an early expiration date on it. Depending on the age of your fridge, you may want to decide not to fix it and invest in a new, more energy- and cost-efficient option.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/7-ways-youre-shortening-the-lifespan-of-your-refrigerator" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>. </em></p> <div class="slide-image" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div>

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Aldi launches fancy new range beloved by Adele and the Beckhams

<p>ALDI Australia is about to introduce a fancy homewares range that has the Beckhams and Adele collectively nodding in approval.</p> <p>Yes, you heard it right – ALDI, the place where you normally hunt for discounted Vegemite and budget-friendly meats – is stepping into the world of high-end homewares. Prepare your wallets and your finest monocles, because the supermarket chain has joined forces with the UK's luxury juggernaut, Liberty, to create a line of exclusive designer goodies. Christmas just got a whole lot bougier!</p> <p>Set to hit shelves on November 29, this collaboration promises to bring a touch of sophistication to your life – without forcing you to auction off your grandmother's vintage tea set to afford it. The range includes 12 new products, each bearing Liberty's iconic print designs. And with prices starting at a jaw-dropping $2.99, you might need a moment to let that sink in. We'll wait.</p> <p>Belinda Grice, ALDI Australia’s buying director of Special Buys, expressed her excitement, saying, "It’s so exciting to bring an extra touch of luxury to our customers. A high-quality product at an affordable price is what we do best, so this collaboration with Liberty is a match made in heaven."</p> <p>It's basically like finding a caviar-flavoured chip in your bag of mixed nuts.</p> <p>The range includes everything from candles to notebooks, diaries, hand creams, teapots, diffusers, soap bars and probably a golden unicorn or two. It's a cornucopia of poshness. We imagine this is the sort of stuff the Queen used to take notes during her royal corgi tea parties.</p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/11/Liberty_aldi.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p>For British expats Down Under, this is the homecoming they never knew they needed. It's a bit like getting a surprise visit from King Charles himself, only instead of royal decrees, he bears scented candles and aesthetically pleasing teapots.</p> <p>But wait, there's more! ALDI is not just here to elevate your home decor game; it's also here to sprinkle some goodness in the world. Ten percent of Liberty’s proceeds from the collection will go to support Camp Quality, an organisation on a mission to bring joy, fun and laughter back into the lives of kids facing cancer. So not only can you deck out your living room like a Buckingham Palace waiting room, but you can also feel good about it. It's a win-win situation, or as the posh say, a "triumphantly exquisite dichotomy".</p> <p>As we gear up for the holiday season, let's raise a teacup to ALDI for making luxury accessible to all. Who needs a silver spoon when you can have a $2.99 Liberty teapot? Just remember, the next time someone questions your taste, you can proudly declare, "It's ALDI x Liberty, darling. Look it up."</p> <p><em>Images: Getty / ALDI</em></p>

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Why are people putting toilet paper in the fridge?

<p>Recently, people on social media have been advising you to replace that box of bi-carbonate of soda (baking soda) in the back of your fridge with a roll of toilet paper.</p> <p>Does this weird trick work? We asked kitchen and appliance experts to see what the pros had to say!</p> <h4>Why put toilet paper in the fridge?</h4> <p>Ruiz Asri, editor of Honest Food Talks, says toilet paper’s absorbency is behind this hack. “Moisture in the refrigerator often contributes to mildew and unpleasant odour,” Asri says. The toilet paper absorbs excess moisture, along with foul smells. References to toilet paper in the fridge can be found as far back as 2015. But its dedicated use of it as an odour absorber seems to be more recent, with videos appearing on TikTok and Facebook.</p> <p><strong>Does it work?</strong></p> <p>Yes, to a point. While TP will absorb odours, other options are more efficient, take up less space and generate fewer odd looks from houseguests. Amy, from the parenting blog Amy & Rose, has tried the TP technique. She had some fishy smells in the fridge, and her daughter suggested that she try the toilet paper hack. So did it work?</p> <p>“In my experience, somewhat,” she says. But here’s the catch: It’s just a temporary fix.</p> <h4>Alternative fridge odour busters</h4> <p>So if you want something longer lasting that takes up less space, read on for some alternate odour-fighting strategies.</p> <p><strong>Bi-carbonate of soda</strong></p> <p>Bi-carbonate of soda (also known as bi-carb and baking soda) is the go-to solution for many households. It caught on in the 1970s, when one manufacturer promoted it as an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical cleaning. By 1994, a US newspaper reported “more refrigerators are likely to have bi-carb than working light bulbs.”</p> <p>Bi-carb is a base material, which means it neutralises acids. Because most odours are acidic, it can cut off the smell at the source. (Side note: After deodorising a fridge with bi-carb, don’t use the contents of that box for baking. Cooking can reactivate those acids and contaminate your cake.) As the bi-carb interacts with more acids, it becomes less effective. Most people will need to replace it every three months.</p> <p><strong>Black cumin seed oil</strong></p> <p>Corinne Segura, a building biologist practitioner and founder of My Chemical-Free House, has first-hand experience with fridge odours. “When food went bad in my fridge, it left a lingering foul odour,” she says. “I used black cumin seed oil, which has a deodorising effect, to clean up the smell.”</p> <p>Segura credits this to the essential oil’s ability to deodorise methyl mercaptan, a chemical that produces a rotten scent. “I mixed five drops of black cumin essential oil with 1 tablespoon of dish soap and applied it in a thick layer to all the plastic components inside the fridge,” she says. “I let it sit for two hours before washing it off. This worked well to get rid of foul odours in the fridge.”</p> <p><strong>Activated charcoal </strong></p> <p>Activated charcoal captures the particles that cause bad smells, just like toilet paper. It’s available as a powder, in pre-cut filters or as fabric you can cut to size. It functions by collecting the volatile compounds given off by smelly items, reducing odour. Swap out the charcoal every month or so to keep it effective.</p> <p><strong>Vanilla extract</strong></p> <p>For those who prefer a more pleasant scent, especially around their food, Asri offers a particularly sweet recommendation. “Soak a cotton wool ball in vanilla extract and place it in the refrigerator,” he says. “This combats bad odours and leaves your fridge smelling like a bakery.”</p> <p><strong>Crumpled newspaper and charcoal </strong></p> <p>If you want a deep-clean on your fridge or freezer at minimal expense, go with one paper product that’s even cheaper than toilet paper. Fill up a particularly stinky fridge with crushed charcoal and crumpled newspaper (you can buy unprinted newsprint paper).</p> <p>You’ll need to replace the newspaper every day for about a week, but it’s a low-cost way to deal with a foul-smelling situation.</p> <h4>UV light purifier</h4> <p>If you gravitate towards high-tech solutions, consider a fridge with a UV light filter. “Ultraviolet light can destroy bacteria, mould and other pathogens,” says Alexander Hill, a sales rep for UK-based Appliance Depot. “Some fridge purifiers use UV light to sanitise the air and surfaces inside the fridge, thus reducing the source of many odours.”</p> <p>Take that, toilet paper.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/diy-tips/why-are-people-putting-toilet-paper-in-the-fridge" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>. </em></p>

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“It was a terrible mistake”: NSW premier admits to wearing Nazi costume

<p>NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has admitted in a televised press conference that he dressed up in a Nazi uniform at his 21st “fancy dress” themed birthday party.</p> <p>During the press conference, Mr Perrottet said he chose to make the public admission after being called by a colleague two days ago who said they knew about the costume.</p> <p>“When it was raised to me two days ago, I realised I needed to tell the truth and not someone else,” he told reporters.</p> <p>Mr Perrottet also revealed that no-one else at the party wore Nazi garb, and that his mother and father – who also attended the party – told him the next day that his choice of costume was “in poor taste”.</p> <p>In an interview with 2GB’s Chris O’Keefe on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Perrottet clarified he did not dress up as Adolf Hitler and did not wear a fake moustache.</p> <p>Mr Perrottet said that he was unaware whether any images existed of him wearing the costume, but that he wanted to address the “massive mistake”.</p> <p>He said he was “deeply ashamed” of the decision and apologised for the hurt it would cause the wider community: “I wish I could go back in time and do that day again.”</p> <p>The premier admitted he studied World War II history in school and had Jewish friends at 21 but says he was “naive” and did not realise the gravity of his actions.</p> <p>“It was a terrible mistake at that age in my life, I just did not understand the gravity and the hurt of what that uniform means to people not just in our state but around the country and around the world,” he continued.</p> <p>Mr Perrottet said he had considered addressing the incident several times in the past and was aware that it was important the revelation came from him to apologise for “the hurt and the pain this is going to cause”.</p> <p>“When it was raised with me I didn’t want this difficult truth of a grave and terrible mistake that I made at my 21st birthday party to be told by someone else,” he said.</p> <p>“I have grappled with this. It has been something that’s personally anguished me.”</p> <p>In response, the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies posted a statement on their Facebook page and said they hoped the incident would “serve as a lesson” and reminder of the “abhorrent nature of the Nazi regime”. They also said Nazi symbolism should “not to be taken lightly and dressing as a Nazi is not a joke”.</p> <p>“We appreciate that the Premier personally reached out to the Jewish community this afternoon to express his deep and sincere regret about his poor choice of costume as a young man,” the post reads.</p> <p>“The Premier has been a staunch supporter and friend of the NSW Jewish community throughout his time in public life. In particular, as Treasurer, he ensured the Sydney Jewish Museum received funding to ensure that it could continue educating the community about the Holocaust and the horrors of the Nazi era.</p> <p>“The Premier has acknowledged this, recognising that wearing the costume was offensive and will distress many in our community.”</p> <p>The premier has also said he has spoken with Jewish leaders and would continue to apologise to the community.</p> <p>“I’ve become a very passionate supporter of the Jewish community,” he said.</p> <p>The revelation comes just months after Mr Perrottet spoke out strongly against a group of soccer fans who were spotted throwing Nazi salutes at the Australia Cup final, saying there should be lifetime bans for the act.</p> <p>“What we saw the other day was terrible. It was absolutely horrendous,” he said in October.</p> <p>“It has no place, not just at sporting games, but anywhere in our state.”</p> <p><em>Image: Twitter</em></p> <p> </p>

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5 foods you shouldn’t store in the fridge

<p>There are some foods that simply cannot stand the cold and if stored in the fridge will lose their flavour, texture and freshness. These five items are best stored in your pantry rather than the refrigerator.</p> <p><strong>1. Cucumbers</strong></p> <p>They’re often stored in the fridge but according to researchers at the University of California, storing the vegetable under 10°C actually causes “chilling injuries” to the cucumber. At low temperatures, the skin shrivels and pits, and the pulp turns mushy.</p> <p>If you like your cucumbers chilled, pop them in the fridge an hour before you want to eat so the cold won’t do damage.</p> <p><strong>2. Garlic</strong></p> <p>Garlic bulbs are prone to developing shoots if stored in the fridge as the cold environment is similar to their growing conditions. It’s best to store garlic in place where it’s cool and with low humidity, like an airy pantry.</p> <p><strong>3. Chocolate</strong></p> <p>The fridge may seem like the obvious place to put a melting bar of chocolate, but unfortunately it’s not. Chocolate is sensitive to sudden temperature changes and can develop a white “bloom” that spoils the smooth texture of chocolate if stored in the fridge. Store well-wrapped chocolate at room-temperature, away from strong-smelling foods. </p> <p><strong>4. Basil</strong></p> <p>Do you store the herb in the fridge to extend in shelf life? As delicate Mediterranean herbs such as basil come from warm, sunny climates, the chilled fridge temperature speeds up oxidisation, turning the leaves black and ruining the herb's scent and flavour. Store fresh basil at room temperature in a jar with water. This will lengthen its shelf life and prevent premature discolouration.</p> <p><strong>5. Bread</strong></p> <p>This may come as a shock to many but refrigerating bread doesn’t actually prolong its shelf life. While it may stop bread going mouldy, the cool, drying environment dehydrates the bread and speeds up the process of staling. Instead, store your bread in the freezer, which does extend the life of bread. </p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

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If these things are in your freezer, toss them out

<p>Out of space in your freezer? Make room by ditching these items that are no longer any good to you.</p> <p><strong>Smelly ice cubes</strong></p> <p>There’s nothing refreshing about taking a big gulp of ice water and tasting the garlic you put in the freezer last week. Once ice cubes have taken on the scents around them, they’ll never get rid of them. Toss those and start fresh.</p> <p>If this is a problem you have found yourself facing, it might be time to invest in ice cube trays with lids – they can help preserve the ice cubes’ freshness and keep them odour-free.</p> <p><strong>Forgotten freezer meals</strong></p> <p>Look at you with your freezer full of healthy freezer meals! It’s great to plan ahead but don’t get overambitious with your meal prep.</p> <p>Prepared freezer meals should be eaten within three months. Try a first-in, first-out approach, and keep track of your freezer’s contents using labels.</p> <p><strong>Stale coffee beans</strong></p> <p>Storing ground coffee in the freezer can preserve freshness but be mindful of how long those beans have been sitting in there.</p> <p>Coffee beans absorb moisture, as well as the various tastes and smells around them, so make sure to use them within three months.</p> <p><strong>Freezer-burned veggies</strong></p> <p>How long has that bag of frozen mixed veggies been sitting in the back of your freezer? If it survived your last move, it’s time to toss it.</p> <p>Frozen veggies can be kept in the freezer for about three months – or shorter, if freezer burn has crept in.</p> <p><strong>Thawed meat</strong></p> <p>We love keeping a supply of chicken freezer meals on hand for busy weeknights. Once meat like chicken begins to thaw, though, it starts to grow bacteria.</p> <p>If your freezer isn’t functioning at the optimal freezer temperature, the meat inside can start to thaw without anyone the wiser, which can be unsafe.</p> <p><strong>Freezer-burned meat</strong></p> <p>Most commonly, though, it’s freezer burn you should fear. Given enough time, it will render your meat dry and tasteless.</p> <p>If you notice small ice crystals in the packaging, or can’t remember how long the meat has even been in the freezer, it’s time for it to go. Tightly sealing your meat before freezing it is a good way to ward off freezer burn.</p> <p><strong>Old deli meat</strong></p> <p>Deli meat is one of those items that is very convenient to have on hand, but which spoils quickly. The good news is that you can definitely freeze deli meat. Even with proper preparation, however, it can only last up to two months in the freezer.</p> <p>After that, even if it remains safe to eat, it won’t taste very good. Just as with other meats, deli meat should be tightly sealed and wrapped before it’s frozen.</p> <p><strong>Pastries with creamy filling</strong></p> <p>Once you’ve gone to the trouble of making a heavenly cheese danish from scratch, the last thing you want to do is throw away the leftovers.</p> <p>But pastries and other treats with cheese or creamy filling don’t keep well in the freezer; in fact, many of the foods that cannot be frozen are dairy products. Toss those cheese danishes after a month (or just eat them to avoid this problem altogether).</p> <p><strong>Unrecognisable leftovers</strong></p> <p>We love finding creative ways to repurpose leftovers; they just won’t last in the freezer forever. Most leftover dishes will keep for two to six months in the freezer.</p> <p>If they’ve been sitting for a while and you can’t remember what the food was in the first place, pitch it and start over.</p> <p><strong>Old ice cream</strong></p> <p>Most of us don’t have the problem of ice cream lasting too long in our homes but if you happen to have more self-control, you may find yourself in this predicament. If your tub of ice cream is older than three to four months, it’s time for it to go.</p> <p>So grab a bowl and a spoon before time is up! If you have a new large tub, try dividing it up and storing it in individual serving containers to help preserve that fresh flavour.</p> <p><strong>Freezer-burned bread</strong></p> <p>If you have more fresh bread than you know what to do with, and don’t want it to go stale before you have a chance to enjoy it, then popping it in the freezer is a great idea. But bread only lasts in the freezer for about six months. After that, freezer burn will likely have ravaged its good taste and texture.</p> <p>If you find a loaf in the back of the freezer that’s been there for who knows how long, then it needs to go. To keep it fresh as long as possible, make sure to wrap it tightly in a layer of plastic wrap, and then in a layer of foil or freezer paper. Pro tip: slice your bread before freezing, so you only ever have to remove what you need.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/if-these-things-are-in-your-freezer-toss-them-out?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.</em></p>

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"USE A TAP, MATE": Gordon Ramsay abused for careless fridge contents

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>Fan favourite British chef Gordon Ramsay surprised viewers by returning to MasterChef: Back to Win via video link.</p> <p>He called in from the UK to set the Mystery Box challenge on Monday night and opened up his fridge to show contestants what they would be cooking with.</p> <p>Ramsay was thrilled with the top four chefs, who were Emelia, Callum, Reynold and Laura.</p> <p>"First of all, congratulations to all of you. Seriously, congratulations. I've been watching each and every one of you from the beginning. This journey has been incredible," he said candidly.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CCk9faxBHGF/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CCk9faxBHGF/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">Guess who's back? 👀🇬🇧 @gordongram #MasterChefAU</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/masterchefau/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> MasterChef Australia</a> (@masterchefau) on Jul 13, 2020 at 2:38am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>However, fans were more concerned with the amount of mini plastic Evian bottles Ramsay had in his fridge.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7836907/water.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/fc6ba35aa43344a391ff50761fb0507f" /></p> <p>Fans were unimpressed with the amount of plastic in the chef's fridge and went on social media to blast Ramsay.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">why does gordon ramsay have so much bottled water? USE A TAP, MATE <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MasterchefAU?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MasterchefAU</a></p> — Andrea (@bethwoodvilles) <a href="https://twitter.com/bethwoodvilles/status/1282609859192446976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">HOW MANY BOTTLES OF WATER DOES GORDON RAMSAY HAVE?! talk about panic buying… <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MasterChefAU?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MasterChefAU</a></p> — ⋆bridget⋆ (@xxteamlmxx) <a href="https://twitter.com/xxteamlmxx/status/1282610050318524416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">If you’re Gordon Ramsay-level rich, you can afford a tap that only spits out filtered bubbly water. Come on, guv. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MasterChefAU?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MasterChefAU</a></p> — Michael Hartt 👐🏻 (@whatamindblast) <a href="https://twitter.com/whatamindblast/status/1282611939462406154?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <p>Emelia's pastry ended up taking the lead and fast-tracked her to semi-finals.</p> <p>Despite Callum's dessert being full of conflicting flavours, Reynold's chawanmushi and Laura's fish and vegetables, these impressive dishes were no match for the intricate pastry put forward by Emelia.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CClE7uxFwbd/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CClE7uxFwbd/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">@emelia_jackson's inventive dish was a choux-in for the Semi-Finals! 🥧</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/masterchefau/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> MasterChef Australia</a> (@masterchefau) on Jul 13, 2020 at 3:43am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>After her win was announced, she told the camera:</p> <p>“I have been so intimidated throughout this entire competition. And to think that I am in the semi-final, I never pictured this as a reality, ever.”</p> <p>Speaking to the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=HSWEB_WRE170_a&amp;dest=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.heraldsun.com.au%252Fentertainment%252Fwhat-made-masterchef-star-emelia-jackson-regret-everything-during-challenge%252Fnews-story%252Fbd0bb819e0ab5e2314168cc308cd1273&amp;memtype=anonymous&amp;mode=premium&amp;nk=76b636a8b3a6194017260471c0a00d88-1594635953" target="_blank" class="_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtflink"><em>Herald Sun</em></a> on Saturday, 31-year-old Emelia revealed how “overwhelming” her second shot at MasterChef had been.</p> <p>“The physical feeling (of being on the show) is like when you are on a rollercoaster and you get to the top and you have that split half-second before you have that big drop where you freak out and regret everything,” Emelia said.</p> <p>She added: “That is the feeling of it, this overwhelming, massive adrenaline rush. It really is like a cauldron, the pressure is on, everything is bubbling away.”</p> </div> </div> </div>

Food & Wine

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"Daddy's new wheels": Karl strolls out with baby Harper's fancy new ride

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text ">Karl Stefanovic and wife Jasmine Stefanovic know what good money can buy, and are keeping the same sentiment for their daughter Harper May,<br /><br />Jasmine, 36, gave fans a sweet glimpse into her luxurious life as a mother to a newborn by shopping a very expensive designer stroller on her Instagram account.<br /> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CARFEwEFJIy/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CARFEwEFJIy/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Jasmine Stefanovic (@jasyarby)</a> on May 16, 2020 at 4:16pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <br />The shoe designer showed a snap taken of Karl, 45, posing with their new Joolz stroller, which is believed to have cost close to $2,000.<br /><br />“Daddy's new wheels,” she wrote in a caption on Sunday.<br /><br />The picture taken showed a joyful Karl who posed for the camera wearing a black T-shirt, shorts and a very dad-like pair of sunglasses.<br /><br />The couple's dog, Chance The Yapper, was also tethered to the stroller's handlebar<br /><br />Last week, Karl returned to the Today show after taking about 10 days off following Harper's birth on May 1.<br /> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_00_SslWoa/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_00_SslWoa/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Jasmine Stefanovic (@jasyarby)</a> on May 5, 2020 at 4:57pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <br />But the struggle was clearly worth it for Karl, who said about his newest little girl: “She is so gorgeous, 2.9 kilos of just scrumptious delight.”<br /><br />He went on to say: ”She's sleeping okay, three hours on, three hours off. Jasmine has just taken it in her stride. She is feeding really well. It makes me cry already.”<br /><br />Karl already has three children with ex-wife Cassandra Thorburn, including Jackson, 20, Ava, 15, and River, 13.</div> </div> </div> <div class="post-action-bar-component-wrapper"> <div class="post-actions-component"> <div class="upper-row"><span class="like-bar-component"></span> <div class="right-box-container"></div> </div> </div> </div>

News

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Fancy working for the Queen? The Palace is now hiring

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>The Royal Family is hiring again and this time, they’re looking for the best of the best when it comes to numbers and spreadsheets.</p> <p>Buckingham Palace is looking to hire an accountant to join the Privy Purse and Treasurer’s Office.</p> <p>The role is based at Buckingham Palace and offers a whopping £40,000 ($AUD 77,000) a year salary while promising a job that’s “forecasting figures whilst surrounded by a priceless past”.</p> <p>"No two days will be the same and the deadlines we work to will stretch you," the job description reads.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B6fflJVn-oE/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B6fflJVn-oE/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily)</a> on Dec 25, 2019 at 2:29am PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"Yet in all that you do, you'll rise to the challenge and deliver faultless accuracy and a first class service to this unique organisation."</p> <p>The right candidate needs to be able to work well under pressure, and "feel comfortable with a high level of responsibility and variety in your work."</p> <p>"You'll produce management information and financial accounts for the official and private finances of a number of entities and account holders including both retail and charitable bodies."</p> <p>"You'll provide everything from annual reports and statements, to tax advice. Preparing budgets, forecasts and reconciliations, your timely financial planning and control will be vital."</p> <p>The right person also needs to be as “good with people as you are with numbers, which is crucial, given the customer faced nature of this role”.</p> <p>If you’re interested in relocating as well as working within the walls of Buckingham Palace, better get in quick as applications close at the end of February.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="post-action-bar-component-wrapper"> <div class="post-actions-component"> <div class="upper-row"></div> </div> </div>

Retirement Income

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5 foods you should never keep in your pantry

<p><strong>Tomato sauce</strong></p> <p>Your pantry may be stocked with tomato sauce you bought the last time it was a sale, but it always should go in the fridge after you open it. “In the old days, a lot of us used to keep tomato sauce in the pantry,” Lydia Buchtmann, spokeswoman for the Food Safety Information Council, told HuffPost Australia. “But since then these products have gotten a lot healthier, so they’ve got less unhealthy preservatives in them like salt.”</p> <p><strong>Dijon mustard</strong></p> <p>Although your favourite sausage condiment won’t spoil if it’s kept in the pantry, keeping it in the fridge removes any risk of your Dijon losing the flavour you love. Plus, it’ll last longer if it’s refrigerated.</p> <p><strong>Bananas</strong></p> <p>Surprised? You may be used to keeping your bananas in prime pantry real estate, but if you keep them there, they just keep ripening. When they’re ready to eat, put them in the fridge, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says. If the peels turn brown, they’ll still be good to eat. Food storage is one of the factors as to why professional chefs never order these foods at restaurants.</p> <p><strong>Salami</strong></p> <p>You already know to keep raw meat like chicken and beef in the fridge (or the freezer if you’re not using it right away), and the same applies for cured meat like salami. In a 2006 study, researchers found that 23 per cent of the tested 1020 dry Italian salami contained the foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes.</p> <p><strong>Pure maple syrup</strong></p> <p>If you love syrup, why would you eat anything other than the 100 per cent pure maple stuff? However, unlike syrup that’s only maple-flavoured, this pure kind must be kept in the refrigerator to prevent mould. Store it in the freezer (don’t worry, it won’t freeze solid), and it’ll keep indefinitely.</p> <p><em>Written by Claire Nowak. This article first appeared in </em><a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/15-foods-you-should-never-keep-in-your-pantry?slide=allhttps://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/15-foods-you-should-never-keep-in-your-pantry?slide=all"><em>Reader’s Digest</em></a><em>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, </em><a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=articles&amp;utm_campaign=RDSUB&amp;keycode=WRA87V"><em>here’s our best subscription offer.</em></a><span><em> </em></span></p>

Caring

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5 appliances you’re shortening the life of through misuse

<p>Buying electronics and appliances can be a huge investment, and when something goes wrong with them, it can also cause a huge headache. So, of course, you want to keep everything working for as long as possible. While many of us blame the seemingly shorter lifespan of these products on the fact that things just aren’t made like they used to be, that’s not entirely true. It turns out that much of the time, the culprit is us! Read on for the mistakes you probably don’t even realise you’re making, which can cause the early demise of everything from your laptop and your phone to your stove and your toaster.</p> <p><strong>1. Laptop</strong></p> <p>There’s nothing more frustrating than a laptop that goes from on the fritz to suddenly needing to be replaced. It turns out the key to keeping our laptops longer is turning them off at least once a day. This allows the operating system to install software updates and patches so everything can run smoothly and up to snuff. Another mistake that causes the early demise of this essential and expensive device? Failing to install anti-virus and malware programs.</p> <p><strong>2. Smartphone</strong></p> <p>If you feel you need to replace your smartphone way before the newest one comes out, it’s probably because you’re letting it overheat. According to <em>PCMag</em>, a major cause of this is something most of us are guilty of: charging our devices overnight. In fact, your phone is at risk of overheating every time you keep it plugged in with a full battery.</p> <p>And while many of us know it’s best to leave our phone at home when we go to the pool or beach, water damage isn’t the biggest risk. An article from <em>Time</em> reveals that too much heat exposure from the sun can cause lots of problems, including battery leakage and loss of data.</p> <p><strong>3. Vacuum</strong></p> <p>No one wants to empty the dirt cup after vacuuming your entire home or even before you vacuum, but an overfilled unit will not only run less efficiently – it will also ultimately shorten the life of the appliance. While most bagless units have a line indicating it’s time to empty the cup, it’s less obvious for bag machines. A sudden decrease in suction is a good indicator.</p> <p><strong>4. Car</strong></p> <p>A good car doesn’t come cheap, and to get yours to last as long as possible, you can’t skimp on regular maintenance. One biggie: oil changes. If you wait too long to change the oil, you’re asking for trouble. So how often are you really supposed to be doing this? According to Cars.com, it depends on the make and model of your car. Check the owner’s manual. Changing the oil keeps the corrosive material and debris out of your engine, so if you live in a city, it’s best to change the oil even a little sooner than the manufacturer recommends.</p> <p><strong>5. Fridge</strong></p> <p>If you have a big family and you find yourself with a fridge that’s constantly full, it might be time to consider buying a larger one. That’s because overloading it places pressure on the fan blades, causing them to work improperly or even break.</p> <p>Cleaning the fridge is another way you can extend its life. The coils, the internal mechanism and the outside of the fridge need to be cleaned on a regular basis.</p> <p><em>Source: <a href="https://www.rd.com/advice/ways-youre-damaging-home-appliances/">RD.com</a></em></p> <p><em>Written by Amanda Lauren. This article first appeared in </em><em><span><a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/12-ways-youre-shortening-the-life-of-your-home-appliances">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=articles&amp;utm_campaign=RDSUB&amp;keycode=WRA93V">here’s our best subscription offer.</a></span></em></p>

Home & Garden

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Bread in fridge? Question sparks furious debate

<p>A picture of loaves of bread has sparked a furious debate and divided opinions all over the nation. </p> <p>A man posted a snap of two loaves of bread in the fridge to a Perth Facebook group where he asked in disbelief: "Seriously! Who puts bread in the fridge?”</p> <p>On the shelf above the two loaves was another item from a supermarket bakery. </p> <p>The original posted explained in the comments the photo was taken inside the fridge of his workplace. </p> <p>The post went on to spark a heated debate about what to do with a nice loaf of bread to keep it fresh, with many claiming the Aussie climate turns bread mouldy quicker than normal. </p> <p>Others insisted refrigeration bread isn’t that unusual. </p> <p>"I normally freeze a loaf for later on and thaw it as needed but first time I’ve seen bread in a fridge," one man commented.</p> <p>"Fridge or freezer…lasts longer," another said.</p> <p>"Mine goes mouldy … in a few days especially during warm weather so always fridge it," another added in the debate.</p> <p>"I always freeze my bread and thaw as needed," one woman said. "Always as freshly baked."</p> <p>However, other bread lovers claimed the practice ruins the freshness of the bread. </p> <p>"Bread shouldn't last that long – buy it fresh when and as you need it," one commenter said.</p> <p>"Keeping bread in the fridge will make it stale quicker," one woman said.</p> <p>To add fire to the already intense flames, a disgruntled user said the practice is “yuk”. </p> <p>"I suppose the Vegemite and tomato sauce is in there too."</p>

Food & Wine

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8 foods you don’t need to refrigerate

<p>Do you know which foods don't need to be refrigerated? For many of us, the answer is a matter of what we grew up with or personal preference.</p> <p>But there are some hard and fast rules. </p> <p>Here are some foods you definitely shouldn't put in your fridge.</p> <p><strong>1. Tomatoes</strong></p> <p>Tomatoes are best left on the bench and not in your fridge because they're sensitive to ethylene – a gas that accelerates ripening. Keeping your tomatoes separate from ethylene-producing foods, such as bananas, apples, pears and oranges, will ensure they stay fresh for longer. <br /><br /><a href="https://choice.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=270103a13e38b9f6643b82a8e&amp;id=1fe3558b8d&amp;e=7f9260877c">Research</a> also shows that chilling tomatoes below 12°C limits their ability to generate substances that contribute to aroma and taste. In other words, they won't be as nice to eat. <br /><br />"Tomatoes lose flavour when placed in the fridge," says CHOICE's home economist Fiona Mair. "I always keep my tomatoes in my fruit bowl or on the window sill. <br /><br />"I like to buy a mixture of firm and slightly soft tomatoes so I have beautifully ripened tomatoes I can use across the week." </p> <p><strong>2. Coffee</strong></p> <p>Ground or whole-bean coffee should never be kept in the fridge, even if it's in an airtight container. Why? Because coffee works as a deodoriser and absorbs moisture, odours and flavours from the air around it, making your morning cuppa taste less like the nectar of the gods and more like a nasty flavouring of 'fridge'. Ew. <br /><br />Instead, keep your beans in an airtight container in a dark space such as your pantry, away from sunlight, heat, steam and moisture. For the best  flavour and freshness, buy your beans as fresh as possible and use them within 72 hours of roasting. <br /><br />If that's not possible, you can store your coffee beans in the freezer for up to a month, according to the US National Coffee Association. But do so in small portions because, once you've taken your beans out of the freezer, it's best not to put them back in again.</p> <p><strong>3. Uncut root vegetables </strong></p> <p>Root vegetables, such as potatoes, onions, sweet potato and garlic, thrive outside the fridge crisper. The high humidity in fridges can cause root vegetables to rot faster. It's also important that you don't store root vegetables together, as this can affect their flavour. <br /><br />"Keeping these types of food out of the refrigerator is generally to avoid moisture absorption that happens in the refrigerator, as this can cause foods to ferment and reduce the taste and quality," says Mair. "Best to find a cool dry dark spot in your kitchen." <br /><br />According to Aloysa Hourigan, accredited practising dietitian and nutritionist and media manager at <a href="https://choice.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=270103a13e38b9f6643b82a8e&amp;id=9db113104f&amp;e=7f9260877c">Nutrition Australia</a>, there are some exceptions to the rule, especially after the vegetables have been cut. <br /><br />"Onions are best stored out of the fridge until they're cut, then need to be covered or placed in a sealed container and kept in the fridge," she says. <br /><br />"Whole pumpkins can be stored out of the fridge for many weeks, but once cut, they need to be stored in the fridge." <br /><br /><br /><strong>4. Coconut oil</strong> <br />"Coconut oil is climate-dependant and will solidify at temperatures lower than 24°C, so it's best to keep it in a cool, dark place like the pantry," says Fiona. <br /><br />But she says as a general guide, nut and seed oils are best kept in the refrigerator, otherwise they're "more likely to oxidise and go rancid quickly." <br /><br />Whether or not you need to put a condiment in the fridge depends entirely on the type of sauce, oil or spread you have, how much preserving salt or sugar they contain, and whether it's been opened. <br /><br />"With bottled sauces, such as soy sauce, sweet chilli sauce, oyster sauce and curry pastes, it's always best to check the label to see if it says 'refrigerate after opening'," says Hourigan. <br /><br /><strong>5. Bread</strong> </p> <p>Bread doesn't belong in the fridge – it'll go stale much faster than if you just keep it in the pantry. <br /><br />Instead, keep your bread in an airtight tin, bread box or, for hard-crusted bread, a brown paper bag. Avoid plastic too, as this encourages bread to go mouldy faster. <br /><br />Fresh bread will only last a few days before it naturally goes stale, but you can extend its life span by putting it in the freezer. Doing so slows down the natural process of retrogradation and recrystallisation, and stops it going stale.</p> <p><strong>6. Honey and peanut butter</strong> </p> <p>Honey and nut spreads are all unique, so all need different types of storage. This is why it's important to always check the label for advice.</p> <p>Honey is unique - one of the few foods in the world that never spoils thanks to its one-of-a-kind chemical make-up. The reason honey doesn't go bad is because bacteria can't grow in it, so it's happy to sit at room temperature in your pantry, where it stays soft and easy to spread. When refrigerated, honey crystallises, but is still perfectly edible.</p> <p>Honey's durability is legendary. When archaeologists opened ancient Egyptian tombs, they found jars of honey from the days of the Pharaohs that were still good to eat.<br />As for peanut butter, it's fine in the pantry for three months or so after opening. But to extend its shelf life and avoid oil separation, you can also keep it in the fridge, though this will harden it and could make it a bit more difficult to spread.</p> <p><strong>7. Basil and parsley </strong></p> <p>Some herbs such as coriander and mint are best kept in the refrigerator crisper, wrapped loosely in absorbent paper and put in a sealed container. <br /><br />But basil and parsley will turn a nasty shade of yuk if you keep them in the crisper. <br /><br />"These herbs seem to do better out of the fridge," says Hourigan. "The dry air in the refrigerator causes the leaves to wilt easily." <br /><br />To store your basil and parsley, Mair says, cut the bottom of the stems, place them in a jar with a small amount of water, then leave the jar in a cool place. "You'll just need to change the water and cut the bottom of the stems every couple of days," she says. <br /><br /><strong>8. Warm leftovers</strong></p> <p>Putting hot food in the fridge can wreak havoc on its internal temperature, which may affect other food in the fridge as well. <br /><br />So, for the sake of freshness, leave your warm leftovers to fall to room temperature first.  </p> <p><em>Republished with permission of <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.choice.com.au/home-and-living/kitchen/fridges/articles/eight-foods-you-do-not-need-to-refrigerate" target="_blank">CHOICE</a>.</em></p>

Retirement Income

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Have you considered “glamping” for your next holiday?

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Glamping” is known as a form of camping that involves accommodation and facilities that are more luxurious than those associated with traditional camping.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s essentially camping for “city-slickers”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Many places across the world are adopting this style of camping for those who still want to explore the bush, but not want to give up creature comforts such as a comfortable bed and a shower.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One destination that’s taken advantage of glamping as well as their beautiful scenery is Kings Canyon in the Northern Territory of Australia. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The new glamping tents offer our guests a sensory experience of the Australian outback. From the early morning song of the crested bellbird to the call of the dingo, the sights and sounds of the desert are front and centre of the glamping experience at Kings Canyon Resort,” says General Manager, Michelle Ikin.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With six premium canvas tents to choose from that have been designed to blend in with the landscape of the Northern Territory, some would argue you’re spoilt for choice.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Three tents have been designed for couples whereas the other three are for families as they feature a king bed as well as two king single beds.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Each tent includes premium linen, a modern lounge area, dining space and an outdoor deck with seating so you’re able to take in the natural beauty around you.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There’s also a split air-conditioning system to beat the heat as well as a private ensuite bathroom full to the brim with Australian made skin care products.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Scroll through the gallery to see what the glamping tents look like.</span></p>

Domestic Travel

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Crazy with excitement: The ALDI deal people are losing it over

<p>ALDI has announced its newest Special Buys deal and it’s due to hit the shelves next week. The announcement has sent ALDI fans into a frenzy, as fans are able to secure a huge French door fridge for under $1,000.</p> <p>For $999, fans are able to secure the Stirling French door fridge, which is 1800cm high, 800cm wide and 665 cm deep. The fridge can hold up to 473 litres.</p> <p>ALDI let fans know about the special via a Facebook video where Mel, a local café owner, highlights the benefits of the fridge.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FALDI.Australia%2Fvideos%2F1106145389583056%2F&amp;show_text=0&amp;width=560" width="560" height="455" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p> <p>According to Mel, the fridge has “loads of door storage, LED lighting and adjustable glass shelves".</p> <p>“It also has a humidity and temperature-controlled fresh zone to keep fruit and vegies fresher for longer,” she said.</p> <p>The fridge has the option to be set to eco mode to save electricity, holiday mode for when you’re away and super freezing mode to freeze food fast.</p> <p>In order to make things easier for fans, ALDI has made the purchase of this fridge easier as all you need to do is secure a purchase pack, which are available from your local ALDI store assistant.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0k0utBhrVc/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0k0utBhrVc/" target="_blank">Fellow Aldi Lovers... get ready for something really exciting!! 🙌🏻 Next Wednesday 7 August brings this gorgeous French door fridge on sale. Not excited yet? Keep reading. You won’t find the fridges stacked up in the middle aisles. Because purchasing this fridge means you’ll get it delivered to your home. For FREE. Yes you read that right. A brand new way of purchasing those large Aldi special buys. Check out the video for some more information. What do we think? ⭐️⭐️ #aldiloversau #aldiaustralia #aldispecialbuys #aldicatalogue #aldifridge #aldidelivery</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/aldiloversau/" target="_blank"> Tammy - Aldi Lovers Australia</a> (@aldiloversau) on Jul 31, 2019 at 2:02am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>You simply walk out with a plastic packet of brochures and a receipt for your fridge.</p> <p>However, fans weren’t happy with this as this means they’re unable to inspect the item before purchasing.</p> <p>“Personally, I wouldn’t purchase a large item without viewing it first,” one person wrote.</p> <p>Fans were still excited about the new item being available.</p> <p>“Quick, small and effective, well done on delivery to customers,” one woman said.</p> <p>“Well now I want a new fridge despite not needing one at all,” another person said.</p> <p>Others warned happy buyers to be careful.</p> <p>“Be careful with what you buy, usually when products such as this fridge (go on sale) they won’t last long,” one woman warned, citing personal experience.</p>

Money & Banking

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Check your fridge: Second milk recall announced at Coles, Woolies and IGA

<p><strong>Published: Fri, 21 June, 2019</strong></p> <p>A second milk recall has been announced this month over fears of possible E.coli contamination.</p> <p>Dairy company Lactalis Australia announced a recall for milk sold at Coles, Woolworths, IGA and other stores in Victoria and parts of NSW.</p> <p>The company said the contamination cannot be detected by taste, smell and sight, and might make people sick if consumed.</p> <p>The company has identified the source of contamination “and has taken the necessary steps to address it and prevent any recurrence of this problem in the future”, <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-14/milk-recall-coles-pauls-rev-physical-vic-nsw-supermarkets/11208432" target="_blank">it said</a>.</p> <p>Last week, the same company recalled one-litre milk under the brand Coles, Pauls, REV and PhysiCAL due to fears that a cleaning solution had made its way Into the batch.</p> <p>Lactalis said the affected milk may have “<a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/food/has-my-milk-been-recalled-full-list-of-contaminated-coles-and-woolworths-milk-c-176486" target="_blank">yellowish colouring</a> and/or metallic chemical taste”.</p> <p>Shoppers who have bought the milk brands are advised not to consume the products and return them for a refund.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FFood.Standards%2Fphotos%2Fa.281651821862481%2F2728926730468299%2F%3Ftype%3D3&amp;width=500" width="500" height="687" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></p> <p>Below is the full list of the recalled milk brands:</p> <ul> <li>Coles Full Cream Milk 1L Bottle (use by date: 25 and 26 June 2019)</li> <li>Coles Low Fat Milk 1L Bottle (use by date: 25 and 26 June 2019)</li> <li>Coles Skim Milk 1L Bottle (use by date: 25 June 2019)</li> <li>Coles Fresh Full Cream Milk 2L Bottle (sold only at Coles Express with a use by date of 2 July)</li> <li>Pauls Full Cream Milk 1L Bottle (use by date: 26 and 27 June 2019)</li> <li>Pauls Smarter White Milk 1L Bottle (use by date: 25, 26 and 27 June 2019)</li> <li>REV 1L Bottle (use by date: 28 June 2019)</li> <li>PhysiCAL Low Fat 1L Bottle (use by date: 26 June 2019)</li> <li>PhysiCAL Skim 1L Bottle (use by date: 27 June 2019)</li> <li>7-Eleven Lite Milk 2L Bottle (use by date: July 2)</li> <li>Gippy Full Cream Milk 2L Bottle (use by date July 2)</li> <li>Gippy Lite Milk 2L Bottle (use by date July 2)</li> <li>Maxi Foods Lite Milk 2L Bottle (use by date July 2)</li> <li>Pauls Professional Cafe Crema Milk 2L Bottle (use by date July 2)</li> <li>Pauls Smarter White 2% Fat Milk 2L Bottle (use by date July 2)</li> <li>Rev Low Fat Milk 2L Bottle (use by July 2)</li> <li>Rev Low Fat Milk 1L Carton (use by July 2)</li> </ul>

Legal

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Fierce debate sparked on Facebook: Does jam belong in the fridge or pantry?

<p>What started off as an innocent debate over a breakfast staple soon turned into a fiery dispute with thousands of social media users weighing in.</p> <p>Mandy-lee Anderson of Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, asked the question, “Does jam belong in the fridge or the cupboard?” on her Facebook page after she was in a disagreement with her husband.</p> <p>While Mrs Andersen believed the condiment should be stored in the fridge, her husband had opposing views and said that jam belongs in the cupboard.</p> <p>When the couple tried to settle the argument through social media, they didn’t anticipate the overwhelming amount of responses to follow with over a thousand people chiming in.</p> <p>“Because it is a preserve it doesn’t need a fridge, so it is just a personal choice,” one person said.</p> <p>One person took knife habits into consideration when deciding where the item should be kept.</p> <p>“If your jam has lots of crumbs and butter getting into it, then I would keep it in the fridge.”</p> <p>Others questioned whether Mr Andersen’s nationality had anything to do with his decision, as he is a New Zealand national.</p> <p>“In a cold climate it makes no sense to me – but in Queensland, I understand because it’s so hot so you would keep it in the fridge, but I just don’t like my jam cold, that’s all,” Mr Andersen told <em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/food/eat/where-to-store-jam-the-fridge-or-pantry/news-story/f51af51d26b7f09f212abde4f3f77130" target="_blank">news.com.au</a>.</em></p> <p>Do you store jam in the fridge or the cupboard? Let us know in the comments below. </p>

Food & Wine

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