Aorangi, Feilding

762 days ago

How to make your food last longer

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Palmerston North

Tips to extend the shelf life of popular staples, such as bread, flour and fruit.

Dealing with a bulging pantry? Here are our tips to get the longest life out of your cupboard staples and fresh produce.

Best-before and use-by dates: know the difference: Best-before dates give you information… View more
Tips to extend the shelf life of popular staples, such as bread, flour and fruit.

Dealing with a bulging pantry? Here are our tips to get the longest life out of your cupboard staples and fresh produce.

Best-before and use-by dates: know the difference: Best-before dates give you information about food quality. Food can be eaten and sold after its best-before date. However, it may have lost some nutritional value and might not taste the best. If a food has a shelf-life of two or more years, it doesn’t need a best-before date.

As soon as you open any food’s packaging, its shelf life becomes the same as if the product was unpackaged. How long it’s safe to eat depends on several factors: its water and protein content, quality when you bought it, and how it’s been stored.

Use-by dates are usually on perishable foods such as poultry and deli foods. A food can’t legally be sold after its use-by date and shouldn’t be eaten because it can make you sick.

Bread: Bread keeps the longest in the freezer (though it’s not as convenient, as you have to wait for it to defrost). If you’re a pantry-only fan, it should be kept in its packaging (paper or plastic if it’s homemade) and stored in a cool dry area– ideally in a bread tin if you have one. A good compromise is the middle shelf of the fridge, but it will still get stale as it dries out.

If your bread’s stale, whiz it in the food processor to make breadcrumbs, which you can then pop into a resealable container for freezing. You can use it to crumb meat and fish or add it to dishes (for example, meatballs or pasta bakes).

Tip: Freeze half your loaf and keep the other half out. The half in the freezer won’t get stale or mouldy.

Eggs: Eggs keep longer in the fridge but they can be stored at room temperature (as long as it’s 15°C or lower). Either way, store your eggs in their original carton: it keeps them safe from cracking, slows moisture loss, stops them absorbing other food smells and you’ll know the best-before date.
Tip: Check eggs are safe to eat with the float test. Place the egg in a bowl or cup of water. If the egg sinks, it’s good to eat. If it floats, throw it away.

Flour and dry ingredients: Store your flour in a large, airtight container that your measuring cup can fit in. A container with a screw-top is best, but any well-sealed lid will be fine. Transfer other dry ingredients (for example, baking powder and baking soda) that don’t come in resealable packets to an airtight container. Or use a resealing bag clip.

This help prevents weevils getting into your baking stash. Some people swear that adding a bay leaf will keep weevils away.

Pantry moths are sometimes lurking in your dry goods – sometimes in new purchases. Freezing the ingredients should kill the moths and any larvae. Wrap the goods in a plastic bag and freeze for two days, before then storing in an airtight container.

Sugar: Sugar should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. It shouldn’t be kept in the fridge because this exposes it to moisture, which can make it go hard.

Sugar doesn’t have a best-before date because it doesn’t grow mould.
Keep reading: www.curtainclean.co.nz...

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762 days ago

Have you met Kelly Francis?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

She is one of the five finalists for the 2022 Ryman Healthcare Gardener of the Year. Read about her (and the other four finalists), and vote for your favourite!

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762 days ago

Certified Translations and Interpreting

Translations & Interpreting Coordinator from Global Translations

Certified translations of all documents, such as birth, marriage and death certificates, apostille, driver’s licences, immigration documents, etc. Experienced online and face-to-face interpreters for any event. Call now or visit our website at: www.globaltranslations.co.nz...

763 days ago

Get the day’s top news with Two Minutes of Stuff

Stuff

Satiate your news hunger with Two Minutes of Stuff, a bite-sized snack of the top stories and key issues of the day.

Two minutes is all you'll need to get up to speed on today's talking point and the biggest news of the day and stories you don't want to miss. A fully-curated … View more
Satiate your news hunger with Two Minutes of Stuff, a bite-sized snack of the top stories and key issues of the day.

Two minutes is all you'll need to get up to speed on today's talking point and the biggest news of the day and stories you don't want to miss. A fully-curated experience, with items hand-picked by Stuff staff, sent each weekday evening. Sign up for free here.
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763 days ago

United Nations Day

NumberWorks'nWords Palmerston North

On 24 October each year, the United Nations celebrates its own “birthday”, which took place when the UN Charter was finally officially and fully ratified on 24 October, 1945.
People come together and celebrate the day with pomp and show in various cities in different countries. National … View more
On 24 October each year, the United Nations celebrates its own “birthday”, which took place when the UN Charter was finally officially and fully ratified on 24 October, 1945.
People come together and celebrate the day with pomp and show in various cities in different countries. National costumes, flags, speeches, slogans, and parades are organised to mark the day and promote the idea of diversity and unity.

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J
773 days ago

Lawnmowing Contractor Required

Janelle from Milson

Hi neighbourly community, Can you please recommend an honest and reliable lawnmowing contractor? Thank you in advance.

766 days ago

Inbox Inspiration for Sowing & Growing

Yates

Yates has been guiding gardeners for quite a while now (nearly 140 years), so we’ve learned a few crafty garden tricks along the way. We’re sharing our email newsletter, packed with our special Yates blend of leading-edge horticulture and old-school garden tips, fresh every month.

Stay on … View more
Yates has been guiding gardeners for quite a while now (nearly 140 years), so we’ve learned a few crafty garden tricks along the way. We’re sharing our email newsletter, packed with our special Yates blend of leading-edge horticulture and old-school garden tips, fresh every month.

Stay on top of the seasonal tasks with us; whether you’re into vegies, herbs, fruit trees or houseplants, we’ll help you navigate your way to a gorgeous and luxuriant garden. Click through to get our timely advice on feeding, watering, weeding and how to nip your garden problems in the bud!
Find out more

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767 days ago

Same Same but Different

Fieldays

Same Event, Same Venue, different date, 30 November to 3 December.

Plenty to see and do, eat, buy and try.

From Agri machinery, to new innovations, career opportunities and competitions.

We want to celebrate the sector that is relentlessly hard-working, at the forefront of world-leading … View more
Same Event, Same Venue, different date, 30 November to 3 December.

Plenty to see and do, eat, buy and try.

From Agri machinery, to new innovations, career opportunities and competitions.

We want to celebrate the sector that is relentlessly hard-working, at the forefront of world-leading technologies, and economically critical to our country.

The largest agricultural event in the Southern Hemisphere.

Bringing town and country together over four days

The ultimate opportunity for agribusiness networking throughout the primary sector value chain.

Got to www.fieldays.co.nz to buy tickets.
Know more

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767 days ago

RED CROSS NEEDS YOU!!!

The Team from Red Cross Shop Palmerston North

New volunteers needed. Could you work on our retail counter for 1 x shift (4 hours) per week?
Training provided.
We would love to welcome you to our happy team of volunteers.
Call into the shop for further details and ask for Jan or Alan.

J
767 days ago

Missing Cat Summerhill

Jenny and David from Feilding

My friend is missing her cat. She lives in Summerhill and the cat went missing from her address. It is unlike her to wander. Please could you look in sheds and garages she may have wandered into and been shut in. If you have seen her, please make contact with the number on the poster. She is much … View moreMy friend is missing her cat. She lives in Summerhill and the cat went missing from her address. It is unlike her to wander. Please could you look in sheds and garages she may have wandered into and been shut in. If you have seen her, please make contact with the number on the poster. She is much loved and missed.

Scrump-1.docx Download View

768 days ago

Growing Your Own Linen

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Palmerston North

Linen has been used for thousands of years for clothes, beding and furnishings. It is loved for its soft and cool feel. It is a very strong and durable material which will last much longer than other alternatives, like cotton. Growing your own linen may see overwhelming, but it helps to break it … View moreLinen has been used for thousands of years for clothes, beding and furnishings. It is loved for its soft and cool feel. It is a very strong and durable material which will last much longer than other alternatives, like cotton. Growing your own linen may see overwhelming, but it helps to break it down into manageable steps. 
 
Plant 1 kg. fibre flax seed in a 6m x 6m plot
One plot will give you enough fibre to make a shirt from line (long linen fibres) and tow to weave a couple of towels.  Your actual yield will depend on growing conditions, how well you weed the plot and how perfect your retting and hackling techniques are.
Broadcast the seed thickly, over well tilled ground and then walk on it to firm the seed in.

Weed it well about 4 weeks after planting.
Your flax will take about 2 weeks to germinate in a cool, wet spring.  When it reaches just over 5cm in height you should walk into the plot and weed it well.  You can step on the plants without damaging them when they are between 5cm and 30cm tall.

Admire the blue flax flowers as the linen grows
Once the bed has been weeded well, you can just admire it as it grows.  About 60 days from planting the flowers start to open.  It is very beautiful watching the blue flowers swaying in the breeze.  Each flower is open for only one day. Each stock produces several flowers and each flower turns into a seed boll with 6 to 8 seeds.


100 days after planting, harvest the flax
The stocks of flax will be 2/3rds yellow and 1/3rd still green when it is ready to harvest.  The flowering will be finished and each slender flax plant will have 4 to 6 seed bolls.  You harvest the flax by hand, by pulling each plant out by the roots.  Toss the weeds and place the stems of flax in order.  Tie into bundles (shooks) about 30cm across, using strong twine.

See the whole method here: www.curtainclean.co.nz...

767 days ago

Happy Halloween

NumberWorks'nWords Palmerston North

It’s everyone’s favourite October holiday. That time of year when you decorate your home with spiders and dress up in costumes. Have a spookylicious night!

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768 days ago

Finally! Our Labour Day Bed Sale is here

Beds4U

A good night’s sleep, you deserve it!

Enjoy our 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐁𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐞 with up to 60% off on NZ-made Beds & Mattresses with 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲* and 24 Months Interest-Free with Q Card (Use … View more
A good night’s sleep, you deserve it!

Enjoy our 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐁𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐞 with up to 60% off on NZ-made Beds & Mattresses with 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲* and 24 Months Interest-Free with Q Card (Use code:𝑳𝑨𝑩𝑶𝑼𝑹22)

Shop online or at your nearest Beds4U store!

Shop online or at your nearest Beds4U store!
- 60-Night's Comfort Guarantee
- 100% NZ Owned and Operated Business
- 19 stores across North Island

We have the bed for you @ BEDS 4 U...Your Local Sleep Experts

Apply Code (𝑳𝑨𝑩𝑶𝑼𝑹22) to your cart for Free Shipping on online orders above $999 and only valid for shipping rates under $99. While stocks last. 24 Months Interest-Free with Q Card: Read T's & C's here
Shop now

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768 days ago

There's still time (just!) to send in your basil recipe

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Dear neighbours,

Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are still on the hunt for amazing and inventive basil recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by Oct 21, 2022. Every published recipe wins a copy of our special edition … View more
Dear neighbours,

Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are still on the hunt for amazing and inventive basil recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by Oct 21, 2022. Every published recipe wins a copy of our special edition Vegetable Growing Made Easy.

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