Yoghurt is one of my favourite after dinner treats. A home yoghurt maker is a fantastic appliance if you love yoghurt. Making your own yoghurt is much cheaper than buying commercial versions. It allows for greater control over the ingredients and consistency of the product.

Yoghurt makers look and feel like a medium-sized thermo that holds a smaller plastic jar. You half fill the jar with cool water, than pour in the contents of a pouch of powdered milk plus live cultures and then top the jar with water and shake it to mix. Pour nearly boiling water into the thermo and then place the yoghurt jar into the thermo and put the lid on and leave it on the bench to ferment.

Ease of cleaning: A yoghurt maker should be dishwasher safe so that the container can be regular sterilised. The base should be easy to wipe down with a damp cloth to remove any milk residue. You definitely don’t want that disgusting old milk smell in your house.

Automatic timer: Some yoghurt makers alert people to the time when the yoghurt should be done. Different bacteria ferment at different times so this may not be 100% accurate. If the yoghurt is under fermented then it will be thin and watery while over fermented yoghurt will be thick. I usually just leave mine overnight to ferment and then it is ready by the morning for breakfast. Once you have made the yoghurt a couple of times you will have a good general idea of how long it takes to ferment.

Making your own yogurt at home is simple and it’s something that you can make once a week for you and your family. Do you have a yoghurt maker?

Everyone loves deep fried food – there is nothing quite like snacking on delicious fresh hot chips! A deep fryer is a fantastic way to make tasty cheap food at home. Successful deep frying produces food which is crispy on the outside and cooked right through on the inside. While deep frying is super easy, it is important to know what to look out for when you are purchasing a deep fryer for your home.

Capacity: The basket and oil capacity of the fryer will determine how much the user can fry at one time. It is important to think about how much food you will be deep frying at once. For home use, a lower capacity 3 cup model will be fine for small meals but some deep fryers can also handle up to 8 cups or more. It can get more expensive the bigger the capacity as it takes more oil but some advanced models have features that minimise oil consumption.

Cleaning: Cleaning is a very important aspect to consider and it should be super easy to clean. Most modern deep fryers come with parts that are easy to remove for cleaning and are dishwasher safe which will save you a lot of time. When cleaning, draining the oil from the fryer can be a difficult and messy task but one way to combat this is to buy a fryer which has a draining pipe. Make sure that you buy a deep fryer that is easy to clean because you don’t want to have.

Safety Features: A deep tank, window and a closable lid are important safety features that you should consider when you are purchasing a deep fryer. The deep tank will help to limit splatters and some models will also allow you to lower the basket while the food is cooking. You should also look for a deep fryer with a large viewable window that you should be able to see through easily. This will allow you to view your food without having to open up the lid. Most deep fryers come with a closable lid but some don’t. Make sure that you choose one with a lockable lid to prevent hot oil from splashing around and minimise any chances of burns.

Cool Wall: A cool wall is also another safety feature that is pretty standard nowadays. This will allow you to touch the side of the fryer even while it’s in operation and not make the mistake of burning your hands if you do happen to touch the outside of the machine.

Deep frying is a fantastic way to make delicious food every now and again. Make sure that you buy a deep fryer that is going to be safe and will be able to do the job that you need it to do. What is your favourite food to deep fry?

A kettle is a pretty simple device but it is important to look for some of the features below when you are buying one. The market is full of various brands with many different models but it is important to find one that will fit your needs and style.

Capacity: How many cups are you planning on drinking in one sitting? Most want a sufficient capacity to fill a large tea pot and then some. Some kettles will allow you to boil just one cup while others will allow you to boil 7 cups. For best convenience, look for a kettle with a capacity of at least 5 cups.

Non-Electric stove top vs electric: Stove top are versatile and can be used for camping. While the stove top is the most basic and economical, it takes longer to boil the water. Electric kettles bring water to a boiling point faster, are more energy efficient and safer to handle. If you have room on your counter-top then go for an electric kettle. Most of the electric kettles also come equipped with automatic shut-offs to prevent dry boils.

Comfortable handle: The handle is an important part of the kettle. It should be comfortable with a non-slip material and large enough to grab easily. Look for handles that have heat resistant materials so that they stay cool when you grab them. People will be serving boiled water so any slips or accidents could end badly.

Easy serving: One of the things that annoys people the most is the cord getting in the way while they are pouring water from the kettle. Make sure that you choose a cordless electric kettle with a detachable base as it will be more practical, safer and convenient.

Safety features: There are two safety features that you should look for. The first one is the automatic shut off function that will turn the kettle off once the water has boiled. The second feature is the lockable lid. This makes it harder to spill the whole contents of boiling water on yourself or other when you are pouring the water. It is important to spend that little bit extra money to make sure that you have these two safety features.

These tips should help you decide on what kettle is perfect for you. Time to enjoy a good cup of tea!

A food processor is a kitchen necessity for those who bake frequently. They remind me of when I was a child and licked all of the cake ingredients from the bowl after Mum had made a cake. It is helps to make cooking an easier job and it has various tasks like chopping, slicing and blending. There are hundreds of models out there, but do you know which mixer is right for you?

Speed: Most mixers will come with a range of mixing speeds to offer faster, easier and efficient performance. You should buy one with a minimum of three speed levels to be able to process various food items. Softer foods can be processed at lower speeds, while higher speed levels allow quick and efficient processing of coarse food products. The low speed should be slow enough to avoid splashing and the high speed must be fast enough to add air as needed to produce the mixture of light cream.

Convenient design: It needs to have a convenient design for ease of operation and to save time. You should look for one that includes a feed tube to simultaneously add food as it gets sliced or shredded. Choose a wide feed tube because the wider the tube the larger pieces of food you can put in and it will also save time.

Jars and blades: Th number of jars, the more you can process various kinds and quantities of foods without any hassles. These jars should be made of stainless steel or unbreakable plastic for durable use. An assortment of stainless steel discs and blades will let you process different types of foods.

Locking system: When you are looking for a food mixer choose one that has a safety locking mechanism. This means that the machine won’t start until the jar is correctly locked on the base unit with the motor. This is especially important if you have kids.

A food processor will definitely make your life easier in the kitchen. Buy one today and start making some delicious cakes for the whole family.

When you are a child, chocolate is chocolate but when you are a little older your taste matures and you want something a little more luxurious. We have put together a buying guide to delicious chocolate for this Easter.

Use your senses: The best way to know if chocolate is good quality is to use your senses. The chocolate should have slight sheen on the surface and the chocolate should be smooth when you break it, not crumbled and dry, If the chocolate smells metallic then it means that it’s artificial and that pure vanilla wasn’t used. When you bite the chocolate it should melt on your tongue.

Know what’s inside: Low quality chocolate will have more sugar, milk and lecithin than it has chocolate. Good quality chocolate will have high cacao concentration levels. Make sure that you look at the ingredients to ensure that you are getting the best quality chocolate for the price that you are paying.

Know where it’s from: Thinking twice about the purchases we make can change the world. 90% of the world’s cocoa comes from small producers in third world countries such as Ghana. Make sure that you shop fair trade. This means that people in these countries will receive a reliable and living wage for their work.

Know the difference between dark, milk and white - Everyone has their favourite chocolate flavour. I love dark chocolate for most afternoons but for Easter I definitely love milk chocolate.

• Dark: Minimum 35% cocoa solids and over 18% cocoa butter, sugar may also be added, but no milk is added.
• Milk: Minimum 25% cocoa solids, with milk powder or cream added (not less than 3.5% milk fat).
• White: Is not ‘real’ chocolate as it does not contain the chocolate ‘liquor’. It is a combination of cocoa butter, sugar and milk solids.

This guide will help you decide on the best chocolate so you don’t end up disappointed when you take that first bite. Time to race to the shops to fulfill my sugar cravings!

Finding a new fragrance for yourself or a loved one can be an exhausting task with so many perfumes out on the market. The first rule is to think about what notes you like, other scents your attached to and your personality or the personality of the person that you are giving the perfume to. Below is a brief perfume guide

Notes: Perfumes are made up of notes. The top note is the first hint of the scent that you smell when you spray it. The heart notes follow which make up the main body of the fragrance. The base notes are finally released which add depth to the fragrance. Fragrances adapt to peoples skins differently so give it time to develop so you can experience the notes and decide if it’s the right one for you. Always test the perfume out on your skin, instead of the cards provided, if you want to get the true fragrance scent.

Different types of perfumes: The different types of fragrances are perfume, eau de parfum, eau de toilette and eau de cologne. Perfume is the purest form of scented product and can include 15-40% perfume concentrates. Eau de parfum contains about 7-15% perfume concentrates. It is the most popular form of perfume and is long-lasting. Eau de toilette has around 1-6 % perfume concentrates. This is a light scent that doesn’t last as long. Eau de cologne is sometimes used interchangeably with eau de toilette.

Floral/Fruity: Women and flowers go hand in hand. It is one of the most popular forms of scent amongst women. They are effortlessly feminine and are often layered with fresh, spice and fruity notes to add more depth. Notes include: Iris, rose, jasmine, gardenia, plum, apple, pear, berry. For example - Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf

Energising/Zesty: Fresh fragrances are light and easy-to-wear. Due to their light aroma, Energising/Zesty scents are less typically feminine and are often favoured by both men and women. Notes include: Orange blossom, neroli, bergamot, lemon, lime, grapefruit, mint, basil and lemongrass. For example - Neroli Portofino by Tom Ford

Spicy/Oriental: These fragrances are exotic and spicy in nature. They are sometimes mixed with floral scents to create lighter blend. They are often worn by women working in the corporate arena. Notes include: Resin, amber, musk, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, ginger and nutmeg. For example - Opium by Yves Saint Laurent.

Woody/Musk: This fragrance is made up of earthy and rustic scents. These are fragrances that you will either love or hate. They are often worn by older women. Notes include: Patchouli, sandalwood, cedar, pine, vetiver, oakmoss, amber, musk, agarwood, birch, juniper, leather and tobacco. For example - Miss Dior Cherie by Dior

Happy fragrance shopping!

Ever wondered what hair colour would look best on you? A new hair colour can make you look younger and sophisticated but the wrong colour can be a disaster. When you’re choosing a hair colour, it’s not as simple as picking up a box and getting that exact colour match. There are many factors to consider when colouring your hair: skin tone, natural hair colour and whether you want it temporary or permanent.

Skin tone: The first and most important thing to do when choosing the perfect hair colour for you is to determine whether you fall into the warm or cool category. A piece of gold or silver jewellery is a simple way to find out your skin tone. Place both types of jewellery against your skin. Whichever metal looks the brightest is your choice of metal. As take a look at your veins. If you have a cool skin tone then your skin will have pink or blue undertones. If you have a warm skin tone then you will have yellow undertones and the veins will appear green.

- For cool skin tones: If you have a cool skin tone then aim for ash or neutral shades. These lack red or gold tones and counteract the pinkness in your skin. Blondes should look for colours like champagne, brunettes look for chocolates and red heads a medium auburn.

- For warm skin tones: Give your complexion a healthy, natural flush by adding golden or reddish tones to your hair. Blondes should look for honey and strawberry and brunettes should try golden brown.

- For neutral skin tones: This skin tone gives you a lot of leeway and you can choose a shade based on your preference.

Natural hair colour: Your natural hair colour first determines where to star when you’re looking at choosing your desired shade. You will get the best result from choosing a shade which is 2 or 3 shades darker or lighter than your natural hair colour.

Semi permanent or permanent: Semi-permanent dye usually contains a less percentage of hydrogen peroxide than permanent dyes. It lasts about 20 shampoos and it is less damaging to your hair. It is great if you are unsure of what colour to dye your hair. Permanent hair colour can lighten the natural hair colour. It can result in hair damage if it isn’t well looked after. If you choose permanent make sure that you deep condition your hair every week to prevent excess drying of your hair. The good thing about permanent hair colour is that it will last longer then the temporary hair dye.

Go to a hair salon: We strongly suggest that you seek professional help to make sure that you get the correct hair colour for you. They will recommend that you start going lighter or darker slowly so that it won’t damage your hair and it also won’t mean a drastic change for you to get used to.

Once you find your perfect hair colour you’ll be surprised by how flattering it is to your skin tone. It can brighten your features and give your complexion a healthy glow. Get hair colouring and ready for a gorgeous new look!

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! Roses have been a token of love for hundred of years. Giving your loved one roses will tell them how much you love and care about them. It is always good to know the symbolic meanings associated with the roses that you are giving to a loved one.

Red Roses: Red roses have always been the symbol of love and romance. Red roses convey deep emotions - be it love, longing or desire. They can also convey respect, admiration or devotion. 12 red roses is the most popular and it conveys “I love you”

White roses: White roses symbolise purity, innocence and true love. White flowers are generally associated with new beginnings and are seen when brides walk down the aisle. They are a great choice to give to a loved one if you think they may be ‘the one’

Pink Roses: Pink roses are a symbol of admiration, joy and gratitude. The different shades of pink have different meanings. A deep pink can be given to express gratitude for the person. Light pinks shows happiness and fun. Pink roses are a great choice for a first Valentine.

Yellow Roses: the meaning of a yellow rose is friendship and joy. The brightness brings out the feeling of happiness. It is a great way to show a special friend that you value the friendship this Valentine’s Day

Roses are a great surprise for your loved one this Valentine’s Day. A cute gesture is explain in a card what the roses that you are giving symbolise. Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!

Whether you kids are carrying a stack of books or just their lunch to school, they will need a good school bag. When you are buying a school bag remember to invest in a good one. If you buy a cheap backpack then it might not even last the school year and it could damage your child’s back. Here are some essential tips to keep in mind when you are buying your child’s school bag.

Long lasting appeal: Kids desire for something different every year is probably the number one reason parents get a new school bag each year. The hottest TV character bags may be popular this year but could be an embarrassment by the next year. Get a bag with solid colours and classic patterns that won’t go out of style.

Comfort: Make sure that you get a school bag with wide padded straps to help kids carry heavy loads. The bag should have two straps to distribute the weight evenly on the children’s shoulders. The minimum width of the straps should be two inches. Single strapped bags should be avoided as they place the entire load on one side of the body and can cause problems with the spine later on in life.

Size: The bag should be no larger than the child’s back. It should rest 1-2 inches below the shoulders and no more than 4 inches below the waistline. If your child has to lean forward while they are wearing their bag then it is mostly probably the wrong size.

Weight: A backpack when loaded with the items should weigh less than 10 percent of your childs weight, so around 4kgs for a 40kg child. Make sure that your child only carries their essential items in their bag and leave the rest at their desk or locker.

Children use a school backpack five days a week, 40 weeks a year. It’s thrown on the ground, used as a seat and treated with little care. Make sure that you invest in a good school bag that is designed to last, is comfortable and doesn’t weigh too much.

Whether you’re hitting the road or flying the skies, taking the kids to new and exciting places is a great idea but it can also be very exhausting. Travelling for hours can cause children to get tired and bored resulting in tantrums that can easily ruin the trip. If you are planning on a long trip, below are some tips to entertain them and keep them interested while on the road.

Games: Games are a must. By playing games you’ll be able to make the time go by quicker and before you know it you will arrive at the destination. Games such as ‘I Spy’ are always a favourite. PSPs, portable DVD players or something similar can be a lifesaver on long trips.

Food and drinks: Before you head on the road, go shopping for some of your children’s favourite snacks (preferably ones that won’t make a mess). Kids will get cranky if they are hungry. Some great food ideas are muesli bars, grapes, raisins, sandwiches and popcorn. A fun idea is to get your children to make their own trail mix when you are at the supermarket to take along on the trip.

Provide fun music: Make a disc of their favourite songs or play some sing-alongs to pass the time. Try to find music that you enjoy as well so that it doesn’t get annoying. Kids love to sing their hearts out to their favourite songs and the more of you that join in the more fun it will be.

Dress them in comfy clothes: For long trips make sure that your kids are relaxed in comfortable clothes. If you are travelling during summer then shorts and a breathable top will be appropriate. If it is Winter then dress them a little bit warmer but not in really thick clothes otherwise they will get too hot and get a headache. If it is snowing outside, store the necessary stuff, such as jackets, where you can easily get them in case you need to make some stops along the way. Take a lightweight blanket for a child to use if they are sleeping, to block light or to fold up and use as a pillow.

Have fun travelling!