Articles in ‘Home & Living’

Small choices add up to big changes. · By Dr. Robert W. Malone · !Article image · Not everyone can grow their own food, and even committed gardeners and homesteaders cannot produce everything they need. Sourcing is the bridge: the set of choices you make when you buy rather than grow. · Below are some concrete ideas for improving your and your family’s diet and living a higher-quality life: · Find your local farmers. Farmers’ markets are the…

From beds that disappear into ceilings to cabins that open to the landscape, a 2023 collection of tiny homes demonstrated striking ingenuity. For New Zealanders, the more important question is whether those ideas can translate into affordable, durable and genuinely liveable housing Report by eLocal | Revisited October 2026 · The tiny-house movement is often presented as an answer to escalating housing costs. Its appeal is understandable: less…

It’s probably not surprising, considering we live in one of the most isolated countries in the world, that us Kiwis love to fly the coop and travel around the world to far flung destinations and there’s nothing we love more than visiting warm climates for the summer, where we can lay on the beach, get a tan and check out the stunning views. While places like Rarotonga, Hawaii and Samoa might be on the top of most people’s ‘must visit’ lists, we…

With one marmalade sandwich, two Hollywood blockbusters (and a third one coming), a TV series and 70 books in 30 different languages under his hat, few icons of post-war Britain have been so enduring as the magnificent Paddington Bear. But did you know, that one of the world’s most beloved characters has an amazing Jewish backstory? The original Paddington Bear started out in life as an ordinary stuffed toy at the UK-based department store…

Recipe · 4 – 6 Serves · 15 mins Prep Time · 3 hrs 30 mins Cook Time Ingredients · Steak Filling 600g Quality Mark gravy beef (cut into 2.5cm pieces) 1/3 tsp salt 1/3 tsp black pepper 3 Tbsp white flour 1 Tbsp canola oil 1 onion (finely chopped) 4 garlic cloves (finely chopped) 2 Tbsp tomato paste 2 cups beef stock 250g button mushrooms (finely chopped) 2 tsp brown sugar 2 carrots (grated) 1 celery stalk (sliced) 1 Tbsp finely…

FREE FRIDAY LUNCHTIME CONCERT · Friday June 23rd 2023 at 2pm St Georges Church Thames THAMES HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC STUDENTS · Thames High School Music Students will present vocal and instrumental performances in a 45 minute free concert · Enjoy Hot soup and a bun after the concert for $5, Koha accepted By no means a strictly classical singer, Will is renowned for his engaging performance style, alluring personality, and expressive voice across…

National Prizes 1st Prize: $300 2nd Prize: $150 3rd Prize: $75 · Local prizes for Franklin residents of book vouchers from PaperPlus Pukekohe · Each story must be on the theme of “Written in the Stars” and be 300 words or less. · You may enter up to 3 stories. Each must be original fiction and not previously published. Entry fee is $10 per story or $25 for three. · Entries must be received by midnight on Friday 30 June 2023. Every…

By Loz Blain The winners have been announced in the third annual World Nature Photography Awards. A haunting glance from a mud-crusted crocodile lying in wait takes the top honors, but there's a visual feast to enjoy from the other winners and runners-up. · Based in London, this completely independent contest aims to encourage people all over the world to take in different perspectives, and change their own behavior and decisions for the good…

Who doesn’t love a summer salad. Try any of the ones below and you will be guaranteed a winner at home or to take out to a gathering with family or friends. Recipe 1: Asian Slaw with Peaches and Herbs · Colorful, juicy, crunchy, sweet, bitter, herby, spicy… there are so many flavors and textures to put together with all the great fruits and vegetables that are in season right now. Perfect for picnics! Ingredients to serve 4 as a side dish ·…

RECIPE : Frozen Cherry Chocolate Pudding Cake · Ingredients 1kg store-bought Christmas pudding, crumbled 6L vanilla ice cream, softened 2 cups cherries in cane sugar syrup (from delis and specialty food shops) 2/3 cup (165ml) cherry syrup Chocolate shards and pitted fresh cherries, to decorate · Chocolate Icing 1/2 titanium-strength gelatine leaf 11/3 cups (330ml) thickened cream 1/3 cup (35g) cocoa…