When I went on a holiday trip a while back, I bought myself the Essentials magazine to read on the plane.  I’m not selling it, but I was amply impressed.  Other magazines give advice on achieving financial freedom in 10 easy steps, or how to create a better “you”.  There may be some truth in some of the things that they advise, but most of it is just a bunch of writing to make up the words on the page – in my humble opinion.

Anyway, the point which I was getting at; Essentials is a great magazine for someone who loves cooking & general “house” stuff.  I found a couple of recipes in there, which I still have to try.  And also found really cool home decor ideas!  One of their tips, was to use tea cups as flower pots – especially old ones which don’t form part of a set anyway!!

One of the recipes which I did try out was a potato recipe.  I modified it a bit according to our food pref’s.

You basically make baked potatoes in the oven, but with a bit of an interesting, yet easy-to-make twist.  First rub them with oil before baking, and then sprinkling with sea salt.  Bake for about an hour and a half, at 180 degrees Celsius, or until fully cooked.  Once they’re done, remove from the oven, slice potatoes in half, and scoop out the flesh.  Stick the potato skins back in the oven, and back for about 20min, until crispy.  While waiting for the skins to crisp, mash the potato flesh, and mix with a bit of butter & milk (not too much to make it runny, just enough to form a smooth paste).  Add fried or grilled bacon, fried onions, grated cheese, green peppers, or whatever you prefer to mix in with the mash.
Once the skins are crisp, scoop the mash-mix into the skins and and return to the oven until the cheese is melted.

I was really impressed with this recipe, as its really easy to make.  It can also be easily modified, by adding cream cheese, sour cream, spring onions etc. etc. The quantity of bacon can be increased if you want to have potatoes for a light meal, or reduced when having as a side dish at a “braai”, for instance.

Thank you Essentials for adding a bit of variety on the menu

For those of you who intend to become parents one day, and for those of you who have kids, but might have missed out on these helpful tips, please note!!

I found child care for dummies on Theselfishbastard.com, and I think its absolutely hilarious, but REALLY ESSENTIAL.

…More

1. Aspire to be Barbie – the b!tch has everything.

2. If the shoe fits – buy one in every colour.

3. Take life with a pinch of salt … a wedge of lime, and a shot of tequila

4. In need of a support group – Cocktail hour with the girls!

5. Go on the 30 day diet. (I’m on it and so far I’ve lost 15 days).

6. When life gets you down – just put on your big girl panties and deal with it.

7. Let your greatest fear be that there is no PMS and this is just my personality.

8. I know I’m in my own little world, but it’s ok. They know me here.

9. Lead me not into temptation, I can find it myself.

10. Don’t get your knickers in a knot, it solves nothing; and makes you walk funny.

11. When life gives you lemons in 2008 – turn it into lemonade then mix it with vodka.

12. Remember every good looking, sweet, single male is someone else’s ex boyfriend!

Here’s what I did today…

Name Surname
Company Name
+ 00 00 000 0000
+ 00 00 000 0000
person@company.com
skypename

Well, its not ALL I’ve done, but its all I can show you.  Do you like it?  I thought it good to use icons instead of the usual “Office”, “Mobile”, etc.

You’re welcome to use it if you like