How to Get Ride of Spiders

1. SPIDERS HATE PEPPERMINT!
Place a few drops of peppermint essential oil into a spray bottle. Add a squirt of liquid detergent and fill the bottle with water. Spray the mixture on cobwebs, around doors and windows, around the lawn and garden and on any surfaces where spiders lurk. In addition to having a pleasant aroma, this mixture is nontoxic and safe to use around children and pets.

2. COCONUT OIL & VINEGAR
The combination of coconut oil and white vinegar also makes an effective spray for repelling spiders. As oils may stain or cause spots, test the mixture on a small, hidden area of carpets, curtains or upholstered furniture.

3. CITRUS ESSENTIAL OILS
Spiders taste through their feet, and in addition to peppermint…..they do not like the taste of citrus which includes lemon, lime and orange. Although it will not kill them, it will make them avoid places where they can “taste” them. Always purchase real essential oils and not synthetic versions.

4. ELIMINATE HIDING PLACES
Spiders thrive in dark, cluttered places, so keep stacks of debris, woodpiles and thick plant growth away from the sides of the house. The fewer places spiders can easily inhabit, the more effectively they can be repelled.

5. SEAL IT UP
Seal cracks in the foundation and close gaps in windows or beneath doorways to deny spiders access to the premises.

6. VINEGAR
 Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Apply it to any area in which spiders gather and spray it directly on any spider you see vinegar contains acetic acid, which is thought to burn and kill spiders upon contact. You can also place small dishes of vinegar in dark corners to ward away spiders. The odor alone may be enough to repel them.

And last but not least….an all natural homemade insect repellent that should help out with all of the above!

Lemon Spaghetti

This very quick and easy dish combines simple yet flavorsome ingredients. It is ideal for when you rush home for a quick bite to eat.

Ingredients:
90g dried spaghetti
3 tbsp olive oil
3 garlic cloves, cut into very thin slices
1/2 lemon juice
salt and ground black pepper


Method:
1. Cook the pasta  in a pan of slightly salted boiling water for 10-15 minutes, or according to the instructions on the packet, until it turns tender.
2. Drain the cooked pasta throuoghly in a colander.
3. Pour olive oil and garlic in a big pan. Toss it for a while, add pasta, lemon juice and seasoning.
4. Toss the pasta over a medium heat for 1-2 minutes.Serve immediately in one warmed bowl.
Enjoy your meal.  :)

Potato Yogurt Curry

I were a bit reluctant to cook curry with yogurt, afraid it will spoil.
However, I took this chance to try to be adventures in meal. Surprisingly, it tasted good.

Ingredients:

3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 tsp sugar
1 cinnamon sticks
5g turmeric powder
1/2 tbsp garam masala
1/2 tsp red chili powder
13g root ginger, chopped
8 ml oil
3 shallots,halved lenghtways and sliced along the grain
1 green chilies, seeded and finely sliced
curry leaves
250g potatoes, cut into bite size pieces
1 tomato,peeled,seeded and quartered
100ml yogurt
1/2 lemon, quartered. to serve
salt

Method:

1. Grind the garlic and ginger to a coarse paste by using a mortar and pestle.
2. Heat the oil in a pan, add the shallots and chilies and cook until fragrant. Add the garlic and ginger paste with the  sugar, and stir until the mixture begins to color.
3. Stir in the curry leaves, cinnamon sticks,turmeric,salt, chili powder  and garam masala, and toss in the potatoes, making sure they are coated in the spice mixture.
4. Pour in just enough water to cover the potatoes. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer  until the potatoes are just cooked.
5. Add the tomatoes and heat them through.  While hot, fold in the yogurt, then sprinkle with the coriander. Ready to serve.

Orange Banana Cake

This is a simple and easy cake. Has a tangy taste because of the banana. I were unable to find any recipe combination of banana and orange cake. So, I took the risk of trying it out with estimation measurement. Not bad! It did turn out well. My colleagues enjoy eating.....

If any of you plan to try this recipe and have any idea how to improve it,your idea is most welcome.

As it's already half of the year, I'm thinking of posting the recipe in two method. One with the explanation and another one in mathematical view. From my point, it is much easier to bake with simple mathematical direction.
Do let me know which one you prefer.

 

 

Ingredient:
120g butter
1 tsp orange rind
60g caster sugar
1 egg
1 medium size banana= 60g
50ml orange juice
1/2 tsp baking soda
120g flour

Method:
1. Preheat the oven at 170 Dec C.
2. Whisk butter and sugar till fluffy and light.
3. Add egg , orange rind, banana  and  orange juice whisk till well incorporate.
4. Fold  the flour and baking soda into the wet ingredient.
5. Pour into a lightly butter and floured cake pan to avoid sticking.
6. Bake till  a toothpick comes out clean.

Mathematical

Ingredient:
A) 1/2 tsp baking soda
B) 120g flour
C) 120g butter
D) 60g caster sugar
E)1 tsp orange rind
F) 1 egg
G) 1 medium size banana= 60g
H) 50ml orange juice


Method:
1. A + B = I
2. C + D = J
3. J + E + F + G + H = K
4. K+  I = CAKE BATTER