Category Archives: Reader tips

21
Apr

Anna

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A good tip for preventing slugs and snails getting seedlings is to use broken eggshells – also pine needles if you have them.

21
Apr

Mamioni, Whakatane.

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I had a problem with the cat jumping up on the window sills of our new house, marking the walls and leaving scratches in the paintwork. Short of murdering her, I pondered other alternatives. My first idea was to place a dozen set mouse traps along a sill until one morning lying in bed in […]

21
Apr

Mischief52, Inglewood, Taranaki.

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Instead of buying fabric softener, make your own by using white vinegar and your favourite essential oil. Mix altogether and use about 1 tbsp in the compartment of your washing machine. You can’t smell the vinegar but the clothes are softer and have a nice smell to them.

21
Apr

More reader tips

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Last week a reader from Whangarei asked if anyone has suggestions for getting permanent markers off a whiteboard. Well, we had loads of responses, all with the same suggestion! The reply by Jocelyn from Waikanae was typical. “Simply draw over the permanent marker with a water-based marker – a tip I picked up when colleagues […]

15
Apr

Reader tips

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The mailbags are full again, so we thought it time to post up some of the more interesting tips and titillations. Ruth from Pahiatua has a tip for frozen spuds. “I often par-boil potatoes for 12 to 15 minutes, cool on cake rack and then freeze. When needed I can just get out as many […]

15
Apr

Ruth, Whangarei.

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I have some of the first sets of ‘Oily Rag’ books you published and my daughter in Tasmainia has my mother’s set since she ‘passed away’ and also gets your news letters. Having grown up in Whangarei in a family with 5 brothers, and a very tight budget, my mother was very frugal, and, looking […]

03
Mar

Junebug, Kapiti.

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I find Pak N Save is really expensive compared to Countdown and New World especially when they have sale items. I have had trouble in the past with their ‘we will match it’ price guarantee so have never bothered trying it again. Should I try again?

05
Feb

Lofty, Kapiti Coast.

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Silver beet leaves are the only part usually consumed, but…if the stalks are cooked separately and thickened with whatever flavour you like,(Cheese, Maggi onion/mushroom etc.) you have another vege for the table. Cook stalks IN MINIMUM Salted water for about 10 mins, and drain some of this water over the leaves in a separate pot […]

05
Feb

L.G, Warkworth.

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Liver Dog biscuits Use a pack of liver, pigs or ox is usually the cheapest, cover with water, bring to the boil and simmer just until firm.pour the liquid into a bowl add 1/2 tsp salt. Chop the meat finely add to the bowl with enough wholemeal flour to make a firm dough. Roll out […]