A Helping Hand for Some who might need it.

[Andy46]

Have found this web site that might be useful to others and in doing so help others somewhere in this big old world of ours.

If any one has had any use of the products here - I would be keen to see what the experience was like - the tea is very cheap in comparison with others. I don't drink coffee but love my black loose leaf tea - so I would be keen to know if it is good tea or if any one has used this particular tea and how it compares with other common tea brands or Australian grown loose leaf tea.

As for the other products they look reasonably priced and it is helping a struggling person somewhere who might need a hand.


http://www.tradewinds.org.au/about.html

and another useful site for the like minded person

http://www.fta.org.au/locato


Andy

[jacin]

Andy having a quick look at the prices they are pretty much the same as in the supermarket for tea bags, but the sri lankan tea is pretty dear compared to normal stuff but it depends on if you wanna support some poor battler trying to make an honest dollar for his family or some multinational trying to squeeze every dollar out that hard working honest man trying to support his family. i dont drink coffee but i have found with tea that they all pretty much are the same taste and the only tea that is totally Australian 100% is Nerada, so thats all i buy . Regards Jacinta

[Delta]

Hi Andy & Jacin,

I agree with getting behind worthwhile causes and also supporting at the local level too.

Thought I'd just mention that Madura Tea is grown in the hills behind Kingscliff in Northern NSW too and is owned by the family who run the plantation - only a relatively small operation but can be purchased in both Coles & WW's..... both the green and black teas, (bags & loose leaf), make a bl00dy good brew as well! (I use the green to make a nice iced tea in summer).

Cheers,

Dee.

[jacin]

hi Dee thanks for that info but up here in the sticks ( well thats what they think it is ) we dont get that brand of tea but it is nice to know that there is another Aussie battler out there. Its a pity that more Aussie brands arent advertised and for some reason we have to follow America or Englands idea of what we should have available.

[asy]

Madura tea is the only tea I buy (unless I have absolutely no choice and the stash in the car's run out)...

My favourite is the English Breakfast Tea, it's MUCH nicer than Twinings or any other, and I've tried them ALL.

The other really COOL thing is, even in the box of 200, there are 4 sealed packs of 50 inside, so it's always fresh.

You can imagine how excited I was when I heard it was grown only about an hour's drive from our farm!!!

Support a Small Business, whether here or abroad. It's just too cool

Ya GOTTA try the Madura.

[Delta]

My hubby and I used to live @ Amberley in the mid-late 80's and loved touring thru nthn NSW and the Gold Coast hinterland and stumbled onto the plantation by chance - we were looking for a tropical fruit plantation about 20 mins down the rd.....don't think we made it there that day! We enjoyed meeting the family and talking about their goals and visions for the farm and it looks like it has come good for them.

We are currently on 1 acre outside of the ACT and have a relatively small organic orchard,(30 odd trees), with apples, pears, an assortment of stone fruit, pomegranates and loquats. We share with friends and co-workers rather than selling our excess, also make dried fruit, frozen stewed fruit, jams and jellies for use later in the year when the fruit isn't available as we like to eat seasonally and avoid the carbon miles that are associated with out of season foods - usually imported from o/s and more costly for it.

Love supporting small industry rather than the multi-nationals and would like to see the govt do more to support those outside the big smoke too - this from a chick born and bred in the city but loving rural living!

Jacin, if you'd like to try some of the Madura brand let me know and I'll organise a care pack with some great Aussie tea for you, can't have you missing out just because your not in town!

Cheers,

Dee

[Andy46]

thanks for the information - I have just ordered a heap of tea - I can't wait as I drink lots of tea and always love a change - my favorite tea at the moment is the T2 - Melbourne Breakfast - and I have just finished a packet of it so this will be good to try for a change.

My reward instead of a Chocolate egg !!!!!!!!!!

Andy

[Andy46]

Have been thinking - I will add any interesting links for anything that I find that might be of use to others here - and would invite others to do the same - just as a place to look for - ANYTHING type of link that might help others an make life easer as a general rule - not silly things but practicable things in web sites that we surf through as we surf the net.

here is a link that might help some moums and dads out there -

www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/recipes

Looks ok - although my diet is well planned !!!!!


Andy

[losing]

Thanks Andy

Checked it out - there is a section that you can say what food you have leftover - say potatoes(not talking about us here....)and it will give you heaps of ideas of how to used them up.

Great for those with other people to feed. My chooks might get upset as they might not get as many leftovers......

Have a good one
Sharon

[Andy46]

Just found this article which is worth a read if you are interested -

Were you aware that food companies add chemicals to their products that stimulate hunger and disrupt normal appetite control?

It's a clever (but downright devious) strategy for selling more food and boosting the profits of food corporations.

But the truth about these chemicals -- known as excitotoxins -- is never explained to consumers. The food companies don't want you to know that these chemicals cause obesity, infertility, migraines and cancer, among other health problems.

Dirty food company secrets revealed!
Now, in an exclusive Mike Adams interview, Dr. Russell Blaylock reveals the startling truth about these common taste-enhancing chemicals: monosodium glutamate, aspartame, yeast extract, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, autolyzed proteins and more!


Download the full interview right now at:
http://downloads.truthpublishing.com...tame_Truth.pdf

[Andy46]

http://www.aim.com/acronyms.adp

[Andy46]

This is something we should all read at least once a week!
Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio, to celebrate growing older.
I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me; it is the most requested column I've ever written.
My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick; your friends and parents will, stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument; agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood; but the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

[Andy46]

25 Ways to Clean With Vinegar



This post is for my mum. She wanted me to write one about the many uses of vinegar.
It definitely pays to have some vinegar around the house. I need to go to the store to stock up on vinegar and baking soda. I’ve had a mustard stain that won’t come out of my daughter’s clothes. I think I need to try some vinegar or baking soda. Both seem to be amazing, inexpensive, and safe products. Definitely a thrifty choice!
1. Add 1/4 cup vinegar to laundry, along with the usual soap, to brighten colours and make whites sparkle. This will also act as a fabric softener. Also helps kills athlete’s foot germs on socks.
2. Soak or simmer stuck-on food in 2 cups of water and 1/2 cup of vinegar. The food will soften and lift off in a few minutes.
3. Remove ink stains from clothes by soaking them in milk for 1 hour. Then cover the stain with a paste of vinegar and cornstarch. When the paste dries, wash the garment as usual.
4. Appliances sparkle if cleaned with a vinegar and borax cleaner. Mix 1 teaspoon borax, 1/4 cup vinegar, and 2 cups hot water and put it into a spray bottle. Spray it on greasy smears and wipe off with a cloth or sponge.
5. Deodorise your sink drains: Pour a cup down your drain, let stand about thirty minutes, then run cold water.

6. Use vinegar instead of laundry softener. Vinegar prevents your clothes from getting that waxy build up on them. Vinegar is suggested for using to rinse cloth diapers to keep them absorbent.
7. Remove water stains from leather by rubbing with a cloth dipped in a vinegar and water solution.
8. Loosen food grime and clean the microwave: Place a microwave-safe bowl with 2 cups water, 1/2 cup vinegar inside the microwave and microwave on full power for 3-4 minutes (it needs to boil). Keep your microwave closed for a few minutes to allow the steam to loosen the grime, then open your microwave, carefully remove the bowl, and wipe clean.
9. Remove grease from kitchen walls: Put straight vinegar on a dishcloth to wipe grease off kitchen walls, or the stove top.
10. Prevent mould and mildew in the shower: Wipe down shower walls with a sponge or cloth dampened with water and vinegar. The vinegar will clean the walls and inhibit the growth of mould and mildew.
11. An excellent toilet cleaner can be made from 1 cup borax and 1 cup vinegar. Pour the vinegar all over the stained area of the toilet. Then sprinkle the borax over the vinegar. Allow it all to soak for 2 hours. Then simply brush and flush.
12. Add a cup of vinegar to your water or mop floors with vinegar and water after a normal mopping. Vinegar removes the soap scum.
13. Annie Berthold-Bond says her favourite window cleaning recipe is to combine 2 cups of water, 1/4 cup of white distilled vinegar, and up to 1/2 teaspoon of liquid soap or detergent in a spray bottle. Annie says the liquid soap helps remove the waxy residue.
14. Boil vinegar and water on the stove to soak up bad smells from your house.
15. Fill your water reservoir halfway with vinegar to clean your coffee pot. Follow up by running 1-2 pots of clean water through to remove the vinegar.
16. Vinegar also works as a safe degreaser. No harsh fumes. Use it on grease, undiluted.
17. Clean vaporisers and humidifiers by soaking unit in vinegar. Soak unit and then run water through it. I know, I got this tip from the actual directions that came with my vaporiser, but it really does help to remove the deposits and also to sanitise.
18. After washing your whites with bleach, run another rinse cycle with vinegar. The vinegar will help to remove the bleach smell.
19. If you have fruit flies, put some vinegar in a jar on your counter. (I wish I would have known this one a few years ago. I had some flies and bought an expensive fruit fly trap. It probably just had vinegar in it. Errrr!)
20. If your puppy (or child) has an accident on the carpet, apply full-strength plain white vinegar for about 10 minutes and then blot dry. You may want to test an inconspicuous spot first.
21. Adding a cup of vinegar to a dishwasher cycle will help clean your dishwasher and will also help prevent spots from forming on your glasses.
22. Vinegar helps to kill bacteria. Mix up a solution of vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Keep it in your kitchen to spray your sink and countertops.
23. Use vinegar to clean your garbage disposal.
24. Use vinegar, hot water, and a little soap to clean baby’s toys. Rinse well.
25. I have Pergo floors. I was glad to find this tip from Frugal Living. Mix 1/3 part white vinegar, 1/3 part rubbing alcohol, 1/3 part water, and 3 drops washing-up liquid. Mix this into a (recycled) spray bottle and you have the equivalent of the Pergo floor cleaner. Just spray and mop; also great for deodorising a room and for a fast clean-up. I also use this on my tile floors with great results. Pergo is better off when water doesn’t sit on it too long, the alcohol is added to make it dry faster.